How Severus Spends His Summer Hols

Harry slipped out of the bed, looking first to make sure Severus was still sound asleep. He grinned as he watched his husband in a shaft of moonlight, flat out on his back, arms thrown out; the Potions master was snoring peacefully. Harry patted his rounded tummy as he quietly crept out of the bedroom and into the kitchen before he turned on a light.

"Alright Reganne love, you woke me up, what does Daddy's girl want for her tum?" Harry murmured softly, one hand still rubbing his belly while he looked through the refrigerator for inspiration.

Harry had found that the further he advanced in his pregnancy, the odder his wants became when it came to eating. Things he couldn't have imagined eating a year ago were now regularly consumed with relish. The small man smiled as he pulled out a small plastic container that held a bit of tapioca pudding; that would do to start.

Sitting down at the small kitchen table, Harry tucked in with a spoon. After several bites, he paused and began to look around his kitchen once more; his pudding needed something to add some crunch.

Getting up from his chair, Harry looked around until his eyes landed on something that just seemed as though it would be perfect. It was so perfect that he could actually taste the food on his tongue and feel the crunch in his mouth. He'd found Severus' stash of vinegar crisps; the only bad thing was that they were well beyond his reach and he was no longer allowed to climb up on a chair to fetch things.

He stared at them for a long moment, longing in his eyes before he made his decision. It made perfect sense to him. Severus would just have to get up and retrieve them.

Padding back into the bedroom, Harry sat down on the edge of the bed closest to Severus' sleeping form and shook his husband gently. "Sev?" he whispered.

"Hmm," Severus groaned and wrapped an arm around Harry's bottom as he rolled over in bed, scooting closer to the other man. "Shh, sleeping."

Harry smiled and shook him again. "Severus... I need you... desperately," he murmured as he bent down and nibbled the man's ear.

Severus grinned in his light slumber. "Mmm, my Harry, I know you do..." His arm tightened around the other man and he shivered slightly at Harry's caresses.

"Please Severus, I can't wait," Harry begged, an evil grin on his face. "I need you to wake up."

Sighing and opening one black eye, Severus looked at his little husband. "You want something to eat don't you?"

Harry nodded his head and smiled beatifically. "I can't reach your crisps and I need them Husband. Really, I do," he said earnestly as he rubbed his belly.

Severus closed his eyes and rolled over seeking out the clock, glaring at the three red numbers. "Harry, do you realize what time it is? No wizard, or witch for that matter, would be up and eating at this time." He looked at his little husband again. "Come back to bed, Pet." He patted the pillow and laid his head back down.

Harry let out a put upon sigh. "Alright, I'll do it myself," he said as he got to his feet, making sure his elbow caught Severus in the rib cage as he stood. "Your daughter is hungry."

Severus groaned and reached out to grab Harry's arm. "Just a mo. No need to be tetchy."

Harry scratched idly at his belly button while he waited for Severus to sit up. "That's alright, I can just use the broom to try to knock them down," he said. The last time he'd employed that method, the biscuit jar that one of their customers had given them had been broken.

Severus groaned and glared at his husband. "Merlin, Harry. I'm up, I'm up." He threw back the blankets and shook his head as he padded out to the kitchen. Reaching up to the top of the fridge, Severus retrieved his crisps and arched an eyebrow at his husband, holding the bag just out of Harry's reach. "You are positive you want my crisps? The same crisps, just last week, you were gagging over because I had bought them."

Harry nodded emphatically. "Yes, I want them now. I didn't have pudding then, but I do now and I need your crisps," he said and then bit his lip. "That is, if it's alright." He toed a crack in the lino with a socked foot and waited to see what his husband would do.

"Pudding? What kind of pudding?" Severus still didn't hand over the crisps just yet, almost afraid to hear what his little husband was going to eat this time.

"The rest of the tapioca that I bought at some market this afternoon," Harry replied, pointing at the small bowl on the table. "Would you like some too?"

Severus made a face, nearly gagging at the thought. "Vinegar crisps and tapioca? Together? Urgh." He shoved the bag at his husband and shuddered. "Merlin, that's just nasty. Here take them, don't think I'll be indulging tonight, little one."

Harry rolled his eyes at his husband. "You don't mix them together," he said as he rolled his eyes and took the packet. "You have to have a bite of one and then the other so the crunch balances the mushy." He looked at Severus as though the man truly had no common sense. "Really. Mixing them would just be... gross."

Severus arched an eyebrow. "It is the same thing, Harry." He pressed a kiss to his husband's hair. "I'm going back to bed."

Harry pouted for a moment and then sat down in his chair. "Fine, sleep well," he sighed as he dipped his spoon back in his pudding. He was craving the man's company along with his crisps.

Severus yawned greatly and shook his head, pulling out one of the chairs across from Harry. He stretched his long legs out, crossing his bare feet and looking at his husband sleepily. "Better? You know we must be up in a few hours to get ready for work."

Harry looked at Severus with wide green eyes. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't sleep. I was hungry, but she seems to be lying odd as well and just not comfortable," he said as he munched a few of the tart crisps.

Severus nodded and sat up, eyeing his little husband. "Are you uncomfortable? Do we need to call Max?" The closer the due date approached the more nervous Severus got. He was terribly afraid he wasn't going to be around when Harry went into labour.

Harry shrugged and then shook his head. "I don't think we need to call Max unless he has a way to shift her little bum out of my lungs," he groaned, wincing as his unborn child stretched again in his abdomen. "She's of a mind of her own."

Severus felt a pang of sympathy with his husband's wince and nodded. "If you are certain." He leaned back in the chair, continuing to watch Harry eat. "Have you tried pressing on your stomach to move her some?"

"Yes and you can tell she's a Snape, just as stubborn as her father," Harry groused as he dug another spoonful of pudding out.

Severus hummed and turned the bag around, fishing out a chip to munch on. "I'd venture to say she gets it from both of us, based on tonight's display." He chuckled as he pinned his husband with a medium grade glare. "Yes?"

Harry gave the older man an impish little grin and then laughed. "I suppose Husband, but you said you liked it when I was wilful," he teased as he took a handful of crisps and then crumbled them into his pudding, mixing it with anticipation.

Severus dropped his crisps to the table, the small craving for them entirely gone now as he watched Harry. "Merlin, no mixing eh, Harry?" he shuddered again and wiped his hands on his pyjama bottoms.

Harry shrugged and then looked down at the mess in his dish. "I didn't want to wait anymore between bites," he said, his logic making perfect sense to him. "I bet chocolate sauce would really go good with this too. Do we have any?"

Severus gagged and shook his head, one hand coming up to cover his mouth. "I have no idea, but if you are really going to do that then I'll have to leave. I apologize Harry. I just can't watch this train wreck."

Harry raised an eyebrow and looked at his husband sitting across the table from him. "How can that possibly bother you? You LIKE haggis."

"Be that as it may, Harry, it's still not as nasty as that concoction you are now mixing." Severus eyed the mess in the container. "At least tatties and neeps go well with the haggis."

Harry looked properly horrified as he pushed his bowl away. "That's it, I'm done, take me back to bed please," he said as he rubbed his belly and sighed, thinking about what he would have for breakfast in a few hours.

Severus stood and held a hand out to his little husband. "You will brush your teeth before returning to our bed?" He led Harry back to their room and pushed his gently towards the loo. "Hurry back, pet."

@@@@@@@@

At the end of his ER rotation, Max got into his pickup, carefully driving the nine blocks to the house he'd lived in for the past eight years with his wife. Now, he was looking forward to seeing the small woman and his two children, tonight being the first night Allie had agreed to stay over since she'd walked out nearly two weeks ago.

As he pulled into the drive, he let out the breath he hadn't even been aware he'd been holding when he saw his wife's small car still parked where it had been when he'd left that afternoon. Shutting the truck off, Max got out and walked around to let himself in the mud room door, not wanting to track snow and ice onto the hardwood floors he and Allie had redone several years earlier.

"Allie," he called softly as he shut the door behind him and locked it. "Allie, I'm home."

Allie padded into the living room after checking on the children. She opened the door to the kitchen and looked at the big man standing in the mudroom and placed her hands on her hips. "Here I am. I just looked in on them. Don't go waking 'em up." She held her hands out for his jacket and bag. "Don't just stand there, come on in, although I don't know why I am telling you to do so in your own house."

Not sure himself as to why he was being so unsure in his own home, Max simply nodded as he handed her his coat, but kept his bag. "It's heavy Al, I got it," he said, setting it on the floor before bending over to unbuckle his boots and toe them off. "I won't wake them up, I promise."

Allie smiled and rolled her eyes at him. "All right, papa bear, see that you don't. If you are hungry, there's some dinner left over. I made you a plate, it's in the fridge." She sauntered out of the kitchen and went to hang up his jacket in the closet.

Max felt a smile on his face as he followed the small woman and stopped at the refrigerator. "What did you make?"

Allie returned and opened the cabinet getting down a glass, "Beef tips and rice, broccoli with cheese and I made some tea as well. You want me to heat that up for you?"

Opening the refrigerator, Max picked up the wrapped plate, looking down at it for a moment as he blinked back a few tears. "I can get it Allie, you don't have to wait on me anymore," he said softly, closing the door and moving over to the microwave. "It looks really good. I've been sick of ham sandwiches."

Allie shrugged and filled two glasses with ice then poured them both some tea. "Max, it was never the waiting on you that bothered me." She turned and set the glasses on the table then laid one hand on his arm. "I'm not certain when I lost sight of myself or how, but I just know that right now, I need to be on an equal standing with you if we are going to make it work." She took the plate from him and set it in the microwave, punched the buttons. "That doesn't mean I can't heat up your dinner when you come home from work. It just means you can get up and get your own seconds."

Max chuckled softly, leaning against the counter and watching her. "I can do that. Is there anything I can get for you? Oh, before I forget."

He walked over to where he'd left his bag, bending down to unzip it and pulling out a family sized bag of strawberry liquorice. "I had to stop for gas and they had these on display," he said as he set the candy on the kitchen table.

"No thanks," Allie stared at the bag on the table then looked at max as she pulled out the chair to sit down. She loved the strawberry liquorice, loved to unwind the pieces and eat the individual strands one by one. "Thank you," she whispered softly and smiled at him. "I haven't had these in ages."

Max smiled to himself, happy that he'd done something to please the woman. "Were the kids good tonight?" he asked, pushing his chair back and standing to get his food.

Allie turned the package over in her hands then nodded absently. "Yes, Sarah and I played tea party and read to Little Max for a while." She looked up at him studying him for a moment. "Thank you again for the candy. You didn't have to."

Max smiled, the big dopey grin he usually had when he looked at his wife or kids. "I saw it and remembered your sweet tooth," he said before taking a bite of his meal. "This is really good Allie, thank you for cooking."

Allie looked at the table and nodded. "Thanks, just simple food like I know you like to eat." She crooked her head and watched him eat then arched an eyebrow. "You haven't been eating just ham sandwiches, have you?"

Max shrugged. "Mom made some stuff and left it, but you know how she cooks most of the time and David Corrican dropped off a vegetarian thing the other night. So yeah, pretty much sandwiches."

Allie rolled her eyes and laughed. "Well, to hear Margaret tell it, David Corrican has fancy training. We should all be glad he's taken over at Blue Ridge, last meal I ate there didn't taste too awful bad." She watched him for a moment. "Sarah seems to be pretty taken with him and his husband."

Max smirked. "He did go to culinary school and Blue Ridge was lucky to get him, but I don't care much for vegetarian food. If something is supposed to look like meat, it had better be meat," he said with a laugh.

"Sarah gets along with them pretty good. She was missing you pretty bad and then Grant left and Davy just kind of filled the hole I guess. Personally, I think Davy's just trying to get Greg in the mood to have one of their own."

Ali shrugged. "They seemed like nice men when I met them." She yawned and covered her mouth. "Sorry about that. I was up early trying to convince them to let me come back to work at the school after the holidays."

"Are they wanting a work release for you?" Max asked, suddenly afraid that someone had decided to run Allie out of town in 'his' best interests. "If that's what they need, I'll talk to Adam in the morning for you."

"I think so but I'm not sure. If it's not then I'll try up in Wheeling or Elkins, I suppose." Allie toyed with the candy debating on whether or not she should open it and have a few slivers.

"Wheeling?" Max asked softly, knowing that if she took a position there that it would be a good indicator that she was finished with him since she'd have to live there.

Allie shrugged and nodded. "There are several elementary schools there." She tore open the package and pulled out one thick piece and began unwinding one string. "It's just an idea."

Max struggled with himself for a moment, wanting to tell her that, no, she would not be going to Wheeling to work, but he knew if he did, she'd slip away from him.

"I hope things work out here in Echo, the kids like you," he said finally as he picked up his plate and carried it to the sink where he rinsed it off. "If all they need is Adam's okay, I'll get it for you."

Allie wound the string of strawberry flavoured sugar around her finger then slowly began to feed it into her mouth. "Thanks, Max." she watched him rinse his plate then smiled as she continued to eat the sweet treat. "There's cookie pudding in there, too. Sarah helped me make it."

"The kind with bananas in it?" Max asked as he turned to watch the witch, feeling a surge of desire for her as she ate the candy string.

Allie nodded. "I made one just for you with bananas in it and whipped topping. The bowl with the green lid." She stood to get it out of the fridge. "Sarah even sprinkled some extra cookies on top for you."

Licking his lips for a moment, Max patted his belly, tempted by the treat. "I'll have a little, but I need to watch it, I'm starting to get chunky. Thank you for making it; I know how you are about the smell of bananas."

Allie poked him in the stomach then opened the door. "Not chunky, just the right size for a papa bear." She grabbed the container and set it on the counter, reaching up into the cabinet to get a bowl to dish him some out. "You want some milk with that too?"

Putting his hand over the spot she'd just touched, Max reached out with his other hand, stopping just before touching her cheek. "I'd love some milk, thank you," he murmured, dropping his hand slowly and going back to the table. It wouldn't do to jump the woman there in their kitchen. He'd been going without for several months and it wouldn't kill him to go longer; he knew that.

Allie nodded and dished him up bowl, then returned the container to the fridge getting out the milk next. She poured him a glass then took both to the table setting them in front of him, patted him on the shoulder then put the milk away. She sat back down and picked up her liquorice and waited for him to eat. "Well, go on, I let Sarah stack the cookies."

She began unwinding another string and rewinding it onto her finger once more.

Watching her, Max spooned up some of the pudding while she played with her candy. Taking the bite, he closed his eyes and moaned appreciatively. "Damn, this is good Allie. It's been such a long time since I've had it," he said, opening his eyes and looking at her, remembering the time he'd covered her body with the pudding and licked it off.

Allie grinned at him. "Well, you'll have to thank Sarah. It was all her idea. I wanted to make chocolate cake but she insisted Daddy have his cookie pudding." She sucked the candy into her mouth and chewed on the strands, shaking her head. "She's certainly Daddy's little girl. She told me today she wanted to be a doctor and a mommy. She went around listening to all her stuffies' chests then put them to bed when we laid Little Max down for his nap."

Max chuckled at Allie's tale of their daughter's antics. "This week she wants to be a doctor, last week she wanted to be a chef," he said spooning up more of the pudding. "I'm certainly glad she talked you into the pudding, but the cakes you make are good too."

Allie shook her head, unwinding another piece of candy. "Thank you. So, how's Grant doing? I apologize for what I said earlier, it wasn't very nice. I know he's been under the weather ever since October and with him falling like this..." she trailed off and looked at him, her eyes blinking slowly as she chewed on the candy, waiting for him to tell her about what had happened.

"He's alright, a little cranky, but then again he always is around the holidays," Max said with a shrug. "You know how the back steps ice up in the winter? He was carrying one of his suitcases in and slipped."

Allie nodded, she'd fallen more than once on those back steps over the years. She had even turned her ankle once at New Years. She got up to get Max some more milk and her some tea. "What was he doing with his suitcases out on the back porch in this weather?"

"Oh, that's right. You probably don't know," Max said, drinking from his glass and setting it aside. "Grant went with Harry to England. There was a death in Harry's family."

Allie turned and looked at Max, stunned. "Damon let Grant go to England? By himself?" She poured some milk into Max's glass then put the container back into the fridge and sat down. "Wow, poor Harry. I'll make up a casserole or something and take it up to the shop for Harry tomorrow."

"You think Damon wouldn't have let him go?" Max asked, drinking from his refilled glass.

Allie shrugged, "I don't know. I was just surprised that he let him go so far without him." She toyed with the candy package and looked at Max. "They always seemed to be attached at the hip so to speak."

Max had to agree with his wife, he'd been shocked when he'd learned Grant was going as well. "I know what you mean. Damon was lost without him. From what I understand from Damon, the two of them bought out most of the Wizarding chocolate in Diagon Alley," he said with a laugh. "Are you tired Al?"

Allie laughed and sighed. "I'd love to see Diagon Alley someday." She folded up the end to her candy then drew her wand sealing the plastic so the candy would stay fresh. Looking up at Max, she smiled and then held out a hand to him across the table. "I am tired, Max and I guess I should be getting on back to my apartment, now that you are home for the night. Thank you for letting me come and stay with them for a while. We had a good time."

"No... I mean, I thought you were going to stay tonight," Max said quickly, standing up so fast he nearly overturned his chair. "Didn't you say you were going to make breakfast for Sarah?" He looked down at the woman, not wanting her to leave.

"I'll sleep on the sofa so you don't have to worry about me trying anything," he added hopefully.

Allie blinked and stared up at him for a moment then at the chair rocking on its legs. Shaking her head, she laughed softly. "Calm down, Maxwell, before you wake them up. You're right; I did tell her that, I'd forgotten."

She reached out and steadied the chair and gestured to it. "Sit down before you hurt yourself and give me a crick in my neck. I'm not worried about you trying something. I'll zap you faster than my Granny did flies on the porch if you did." She held out a hand to him.

Max sat back down, feeling disappointment in the fact that Allie seemed to find having a relationship with him to be something distasteful. "I'll make myself up a bed on the sofa," he said again softly as he reached out and took her small hand, holding it gently.

Allie squeezed Max's large hand gently. "No, you won't. I'll not throw you out of your bed." She leaned in closer to him and cupped his cheek, running her fingers across his skin and looking into his blue eyes. "I know you want more and I'm sorry I can't give it to you right now. I need to go slow and for now, this is all I can offer you."

Max nodded, he understood what the woman was saying, but it didn't ease his longing. "Where would you be comfortable with me sleeping? You're taking the bed."

Allie arched an eyebrow at him and shook her head. "I'll be fine on the sofa. I told Sarah that's where I'd be when she woke up and that's where I am going to be." She ran a hand through his long hair and smiled at him. "You can sleep in the mudroom floor if you like but you'd be much more comfortable in your bed, where you belong, Doctor Sorens."

Max nodded. "I'll make your bed up for you then," he said as he stood back up and walked down the hallway, trying to make sense of everything he felt, trying not to rush back to the kitchen and kiss his wife senseless.

Going into the living room, he turned on one of the lamps and carefully made up a bed for Allie.

Out of habit, Allie rinsed up the dishes then scolded herself for doing so. She left the dishes in the sink instead of loading them into the dishwasher and padded into the living room.

Crooking her head to the side, she watched Max bend and tuck the sheets onto the sofa. She smiled a little sadly as he stood back up and turned around. "You know, Maxwell, you are a good looking man. It's going to be hard to keep my hands to myself."

Max shook his head at the compliment. "Not really Al, I just fill up a lot of space."

Allie stepped closer to him and looked up at him. "Don't say that, we never had problems in the bedroom, Max and you know it." Taking a deep breath she opened her arms to him, "I'm trying. Easy, please," she whispered. "And not too tightly." Stepping even closer and toeing up, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Max wrapped his strong arms around her, then shifted his hold and carefully picked her up. Walking a few feet, he sat down in their rocking chair with her on his lap, one hand stroking her back as he breathed in her scent. "I know you're trying," he whispered.

Allie tensed when Max picked her up then tried to relax when he sat down. She'd always felt safe in the circle of his arms before and she wanted to again. She breathed in his scent and blew out the breath, slowly counting like her doctor had shown her. She inhaled again, "Loosen up just a little please," she whispered softly. "I'll stay right here but just loosen up."

Allie wriggled a bit on his lap trying to get more comfortable and looked up at his face, smiling at him weakly as she blew out another breath.

"I'm sorry," Max said quickly, dropping his arms down to rest on the arms of the rocking chair. "I wasn't thinking." He watched her and listened as she tried to calm herself down. "Do you need me to go?"

Allie shook her head and sighed, taking a few more deep breaths. Finally, she leaned against his chest. Not looking at him, she took one of his arms and draped it across her lap then rested her hand over his. "No, I'm okay now," she whispered softly. "This is good, I think, for a bit."

Relaxing a bit more against him, she turned her face and inhaled his scent once again. "Yeah," she whispered softly then cleared her throat. "This is okay. You all right?"

Feeling Allie relax helped and Max let out the breath he'd been holding. "I'm alright," he said softly, letting his fingers on her hip trace over the seams of her jeans. "You're getting skinny, Allie girl."

Allie chuckled. "That happens when you deliver an elephant after a few weeks." She sighed, enjoying the feeling of his fingers on her again. "That feels nice."

"I'm sorry, I never should have asked you to have little Max," Max said softly, trying and failing to resist the urge to press a kiss to her hair.

Allie looked up at him and shook her head. She cupped his face with both of her hands and lifted it, looking him in the eyes. "No, we planned our family. He's a beautiful child. Healthy and happy and we are so very lucky. What happened, happened. We don't know why but we'll find out eventually. Please don't regret him. I don't. Not now."

"I don't know how to make it up to you. To make up for all the hell you went through," Max murmured plaintively as he looked into her eyes, his own becoming watery. "He'll be strong like his mother."

Allie shrugged and stroked his cheeks with her fingers. "It's not your fault and I'm learning, it's not mine either. But I do need to make amends for my actions, so you let me worry about that." She searched his face for a moment then leaned in softly touching their lips together. "He'll be kind and good like his daddy."

Max laughed softly, "Let's just hope he doesn't eat us out of house and home when he's a teenager. I know I about bankrupt my folks, well, I had help from my brothers," he said as he watched the woman and smiled.

Allie arched an eyebrow and giggled, covering her mouth. "It's a good thing you are a doctor then, papa bear, cause it's in his genes. He's the spitting image of you, and will most definitely eat us out of house and home when the time comes."

"Then I suggest we buy a farm to raise the boy's hamburgers," Max said playfully. "Now let's just hope Sarah doesn't take after me as well."

Allie sighed and leaned against him again. "I don't care if she does, so long as they are happy and healthy, Max." She toyed with the seams on his scrub top, resting one hand over his heart and yawned. "I should let you get to bed," she whispered softly. "Sarah will have us up at first light."

"I'm only doing a half day tomorrow at the office. We aren't opening until one and little Miss Sarah has been sleeping later now. If you want me to let you be to sleep, just tell me," Max said as he lifted his hand from the arm of the rocker and stroked her hair for a moment. "I've missed you so much."

Allie was silent for a moment as she felt the big hand run over her head. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding when he stopped petting her hair. "I've missed you all as well, Max. Missed myself too. It's a bit hard to explain but some where along the way, I forgot Allie while I was trying to be Mommy, Mrs. Sorens, wife and Pet. I didn't mean to hurt you when I left."

Realizing that he'd made her nervous, Max moved his hand away and bit his lip. "I shouldn't have done that, sorry," he whispered. "I don't want to put anymore pressures on you."

Allie lifted her head and looked at him. "No, you are all right. I think I can tell you this. I think I need to." She reached up and smoothed the frown lines from his face. "You didn't do anything wrong to me. I'm still coming to terms with that so I may still backslide some but I know that, now, in here." She pointed to her temple then to her heart.

Max nodded slowly, wanting to understand and be able to help the woman in any way he could. "Alright Allie, you just let me know what's okay and what isn't," he said softly, the fingers on her hip tracing the seams once again.

He was quiet for a few moments, thinking about something she'd said before she left and not sure if he should mention it or not since she hadn't. "Al... in the hospital, you said...," his voice faltered and he looked away, unable to repeat the words.
Allie looked at her lap and picked up his hand, twining their fingers. "I said a lot of things trying to make it easier for you to hate me so you'd let me go. Probably not the smartest thing I've ever done but then again I never claimed to be all that intelligent in the first place."

"So there isn't someone else?" Max whispered, his fingers squeezing gently around hers. "I didn't hate you."

"No, there hasn't been anyone else in nine years, Max." Allie whispered softly, her breath catching as he squeezed her hand. "I did. I hated myself for the things I was doing to you and the others. The things I was doing to myself but I couldn't stop myself. And I'm sorry, Max. I'm so sorry." She buried her face in her hands.

"Shhhhh Allie, shhhhh," Max murmured as he pulled her to his chest gently, stroking her back as he rocked her in the chair. "We'll get through this, girl, you know we will. We'll leave Echo if it will help."

Max pulled back and looked down at her tear streaked face and pulled her hands away. "Would you like to go to California?"

Allie sniffled and shook her head as she wiped her face. "No, you have family here and the practice. Sarah's playgroup is here." Sighing, she looked at him. "I've spent most of the past two weeks like this with Doctor Camden. I'm sorry you had to see me like this."

"Don't apologize, Allie. I promised you when we got together that I'd always be there for you and I will be. If you want to leave Echo, we'll leave and that's alright. If you need to get away from everyone here and start over again, that's alright too. I just want us to be happy," Max said leaning forward and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Allie sighed as he pressed close to her, his scent surrounding her and the feel of his mouth on her almost too much but she didn't pull away from him like she wanted to. "I'm tired of running, Max. I've been doing it all my life, it seems and I need to face up to what I've done." She looked up at him as he pulled away. "I'm going to try my best to get better, to be a better mother to my kids and hopefully, a better wife to you eventually. Those are my goals right now. No more running." She smiled sadly and patted his cheek gently.

"No more running then. I'll make sure none of the others bother you, okay?" he said, his voice rumbling deep in his chest as he tipped his face against her palm. Max knew he'd do whatever it took to make things work, even if it meant severing ties with the people he considered to be family here.

Allie shook her head. "No, you can do that either. My doctor says I've got to deal with people. That I have to be able to live a normal life if I am going to get better. You can't coddle me, Max. I know you want to help but that isn't helping. Not according to my doctor, it isn't. If they care about me then they'll either understand and move on or they won't. Not everyone is going to be happy with me and I know that. But I'll have to live with it because I did those things."

Max nodded, he was proud of his wife and would stand by her as she dealt with her feelings. "Did he look for medical reasons as well?" he asked, wondering if her doctor had missed something while she'd been pregnant.

Allie nodded. "Doctor Camden believes it to be Bipolar Disorder." She held up her hand to stop him from protesting. "Now, before you fly off the handle let me explain. There are many variations of this disorder and it has taken him several sessions and tests to come to this conclusion. I don't quite understand all of the medical aspects of everything but he's like Grant; a psychiatrist. He's trying me on some medicines and a new diet. Hopefully, if I stay on the program he's put me on, the mood patterns and changes that are associated with the disorder can be managed." She swallowed and bit her lip as she let him digest all that.

Max listened, nodding, he'd wondered at several points during her pregnancies if it wasn't a chemical imbalance, but her doctor had never seemed inclined to worry about it.

"Eric Camden?" Max asked, he knew of the man, he practiced in Elkins and Grant had spoken of him highly. "He's a good man, excellent doctor from everything I've heard."

Allie nodded. "He's been very nice and patient with me, listening to everything I've had to say and scheduling extra sessions with me." She leaned against Max's chest once more and sighed, once again playing with his scrub top. "He told me I should call you and apologize. That you would understand."

"He's a smart man, he was right," Max said, wanting to put his other arm around her waist, but remembered how she'd stiffened earlier and resigned to leave his hand on the arm of the rocker. "Are you doing alright with the medicines? Any side effects?"

Allie nodded. "I seem to be doing all right on the medicine but I've only been on it for a little over a week now. He wanted to be certain and ran several tests for the first week before he even tried me on one. A diet program, exercise program, support group and for now, a daily therapy session with him to learn how spot the signs of an emotional upset cycle, are all going to help me get my life back in my own control." She looked up at him and smiled softly.

Max nodded once more. "Are there any certain foods we need to be certain we don't buy, or ones we need to buy?" he asked as he tried to think of what could be affecting her in her diet.

Allie shook her head. "No, it's just a balanced diet plan, so I'll stay on track and remember to eat. Apparently there are several different types of bipolar disorders and it can be hard to diagnose, but those therapies he put me on are the most common. So he'll change my treatment as we go along, adding and subtracting things that work and don't work."

"From what I've read, dairy products may cause some trouble, so I'll ask the nanny to pick up soy milk when she goes shopping this week," Max said, forgetting Allie wasn't aware he'd hired someone to take care of her children.

Allie made a face. "Soy, bleargh!" She sat up and looked at him. "Nanny? Who is she?"

"Her name is Sherry. I hired her a couple of weeks ago," Max said with a shrug.

Allie arched an eyebrow. "And?"

"And what? She seems to get along well with Sarah," he said, not catching the look on Allie's face.

Allie continued to look at him. "Mhm. And how does she get on with Max?"

"Little Max?" He shrugged. "Seems alright I guess."

Allie looked down at her lap. "She takes care of Big Max as well, huh?" she whispered softly, not looking at him, knowing that it was her own fault if he'd found someone else. "Or does Doctor Corrican do that again?"

"Wait a minute Allie," Max said as he cupped her chin gently and raised her head. "What do you mean take care of me?"

Allie blinked, still not looking at him. "You know what I meant. I mean I thought you had wanted me but I guess I was wrong."

"No Allie, no one has been in my bed," he said softly, his thumb stroking her cheekbone. "It's been me and my hand." He shook his other hand in the air and shrugged again.

"Anymore, my hand doesn't want me," he said with a laugh.

Allie looked up at him and shook her head. "We are a pair, aren't we?" She rubbed his fingers for a moment then crooked her head, watching him. "Max... it's getting late. We should probably go to bed."

She studied his a bit longer then leaned in and pressed her mouth to his gently.

Max sighed and kissed her back, taking his time and tasting her mouth. As he pulled back, he smiled at her. "Would it make you feel better if you knew the nanny is older than Damon?" he asked with a chuckle.

Allie flushed and shook her head. "Probably not, as I said earlier you are one good looking man, Doctor Sorens." She reached up and rubbed his lips, gently.

Max smirked teasingly. "How about if I told you that she had huge warts on her face, walked with a limp and was a hunchback?"

Allie giggled. "You would not hire someone like that to take care of our kids." She poked him in the stomach and shook her head.

"You're right. I'll tell you the truth, okay? She's just out of college and looking to make some money for a trip to Europe. Nice kid, but still a kid," Max said, waiting to see if Allie would blow up.

Allie looked at him blandly. "Make up your mind, is she older than dirt or are you a cradle robber?" She bit her lip trying not to laugh.

"She's twenty-one Allie," Max said softly. "She's a witch, trained and certified by the Red Cross and lives over in the Pinewood Apartments."

Allie let her laughter go, trying to muffle it by burying her face in his chest. "I was just teasing you." She rubbed her face across his scrubs and looked up at him, grinning widely and sighing. "Oh Max, I've missed this."

A smile spread over Max's face as he looked at his wife. "I have too, Allie. You know what we need, don't you?" he asked as he raised a brow and looked at her with a leer.

Allie blinked at him and shook her head slowly. "No Max, don't you dare tickle me." She looked up at the clock over the fireplace and gasped placing her hand over his heart. "Look! Little Max will be waking up for his bottle any time now, we stayed up all night talking."

Max looked at the clock as well and sighed. "I should have let you sleep babe, I'm sorry. You go on and lie down, I'll take this feeding," he said as he smoothed a hand over her back and moved the arm that had been resting over her legs.

Allie shook her head. "We'll do it together then we'll both lie down. I'll get his bottle and you go get the little man. If what you say is true about Sarah, we might get a few hours rest before she is up and demanding the pancakes." she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his mouth. "That work for you? Think you can handle that stinky dinky?"

Helping his wife to her feet, Max then stood up and stretched, his long arms smacking into the ceiling above him. "I'll get him and change him while I'm at it. Where do you want to feed him? We always fed Sarah in the bedroom," he said as he watched her.

Allie watched Max's body as he stretched and smiled at him. "That's because I nursed Sarah. I fed him earlier on the sofa. Will you sit next to me there this time as well?"

Max nodded, somewhat disappointed, but he understood. "Sure, I'll bring him in, in a minute. Would you like a cup of cocoa while he's eating?"

Allie shook her head. "No, I'll just have some water. I really shouldn't have had the tea. Can I get you anything?" She eyed him for a moment as if trying to make a decision about something.

"If you wouldn't mind setting the milk on the stove to heat while I get him, I'll make it when I bring him out, okay?" Max said softly, smiling gently down at her. "Sure you don't want any? It's that mint raspberry stuff you like."

Allie shook her head. "I will and thank you, but no." She laid a hand on his arm and patted him gently. She threaded her fingers with his for a moment then squeezed them tightly before letting go then turned and headed for the kitchen.

Watching her go, Max turned with a sigh and went to wake up his infant son for his bottle. Standing over the crib, he smiled down at the little boy, tempted to stand there for the rest of the night and simply guard the child from bad dreams.
"Come on Junior," Max said softly as he reached into the crib and picked the tiny body up, smiled at the snuffling noises that little Max made and the dark blue eyes that opened to look at him solemnly in the light of the hall lamp.

"Mommy is making you something yummy. I bet you are glad to have her home, aren't you, little man?" Max murmured. "I am too, I've missed your mommy so much."

Softly talking and soothing the child, Max changed him and redressed him before carrying him into where Allie was waiting with his bottle. "Here baby boy, go see Mommy," he said as he settled him in her arms, pausing to look down at the pair for a moment before he went to make his cocoa.

Allie adjusted her son in her arms and feed him the bottle as she watched Max lumber into the kitchen. Sighing, she looked down into blue eyes that watched her like a hawk. "Lots going on huh, little man?" She picked up her water and took a sip, looking toward the kitchen as she waited on Max to return.

Dumping the cocoa mix into his mug, Max poured in the milk and picked up a spoon, carrying it back into the living room with him. 'Where do you want me to sit?" he asked as he looked at the picture Allie and their son made. It felt so right to have her home again.

Allie adjusted little Max in her arms and carefully stood, trying not to jostle the baby too much. "Sit somewhere and get comfortable."

Max sat down at the end of the sofa, propping himself against the arm and pulling one of the big throw pillows down next to him and patting the cushion next to him out of habit. "Here Al," he murmured, falling back into the habit they'd had of sitting cuddled while watching television with Sarah when she was a baby and Allie was nursing.

Allie moved the pillow then carefully climbed into his lap where she could rest Little Max in her arms and she could lean back against the arm of the sofa and Max's chest. She sat stiffly for a moment uncertain as to whether or not he was going to allow the continued intimacy and looked up at him. "This okay?"

Max held his breath for a moment and then nodded. "It's fine," he said softly, moving both arms under her and lifting her and the baby for a moment so he could get a little more comfortable. Gently, he settled her back on his lap.

"Do you want me to take him for a sec so you can get comfortable?" He asked, looking at her in the dim light that came from above the stove in the kitchen.

"No, we're good I think. Huh, little man? Daddy's a good pillow." Allie wriggled a bit then leaned against Max. She watched the baby drink his bottle and sighed, cuddling Little Max closer. Her eyes slowly drifted closed as she became warm, wrapped in their embrace.

Max pulled the blanket Allie had been using earlier up over them and wrapped his arms around her and the baby. "Is this alright?" he asked, his eyes on his son as he nursed from the bottle.

Allie pulled the baby closer and nodded slowly, snuggling down into the added warmth. She turned her face into his chest and sighed. "Shh... you'll wake the baby."

"Love you so much," he whispered, tipping his head forward just enough to brush his lips over her hair. "I've got you both and you're safe."

@@@@@@@@@

Harry groaned as the alarm woke him at the same time Reganne began her morning aerobics on his bladder. He sat up and shivered, turning off the buzzing clock and ran a hand down Severus's pale back, caressing the skin gently.

"Husband, time to wake up."

Throwing back the blankets, he padded to the loo to give in to Reganne's demands before returning to try and wake Severus again.

Severus rolled over onto his back and groaned softly as the light from the bathroom flooded over the bed. "Sadist."

Harry laughed. "I think you have me mistaken for someone else; that would be your daughter. She's decided to take after her father." He finished his business in the loo and rinsed his hands, stopping to stand in the doorway for a moment to look at Severus's long lean body sprawled out in the bed.

Resting on hand on the swell of his stomach, he rubbed a protrusion gently the padded back over to look down at his husband. Harry reached down and ran his finger tips down Severus's chest. "Did you sleep well? Would you like me to make you a cuppa?"
Pushing himself up with one hand, Severus pulled Harry into an embrace, simply holding him with his head resting over his unborn child. "I'm fine, how did you sleep?" he asked, long fingers stroking Harry's back.

Severus had been surprised when there had been no marathon orgy or frantic behaviour from Harry last night, but he wasn't going to ignore his good fortune. Perhaps Damon just didn't have the patience to deal with Grant when he was a little needier.

Harry hummed and leaned down over Severus, running his hands up and down Severus's body, taking the liberties he normally wouldn't be allowed. "I slept well but I'm famished this morning. Are there waffles still in the freezer?"

"There should be, but why don't we stop at the diner down the street from the shop for breakfast?" Severus asked, pressing his lips to Harry's neck and kissing him gently.

Harry groaned and tilted his head back, offering more skin to Severus. "Yes Sir. Feels so good." He clenched his fingers on to Severus's shoulders, trying to get closer to his husband.

Wrapping his arms around Harry, Severus pulled him down and rolled him to his side, spooning the smaller man from behind. Running a hand down over the curve of their child, Severus reached lower and began to fondle Harry's flaccid cock and balls, his fingers gentle as he teased the sensitive flesh.

Harry pushed his bottom back against Severus's crotch then thrust forward into his hands. "Wish it would work for you," he murmured as he writhed under the attentions of his husband.

Harry reached back behind him and ran a hand down Severus's long leg, caressing his taut thigh. "Use my bottom, Sir, please. Not those other parts, just me."

Removing his hand from Harry's groin, Severus reached for the lube that was kept on the bedside table, giving it to his husband to open. "Get my fingers nice and slick," he said softly, biting down on the back of Harry's neck and worrying the flesh between his teeth and lips.

Harry moaned and set the pot down beside him. With shaking hands, he grabbed Severus's fingers and sucked them into his mouth, laving them, running his tongue over them wetly. Closing his eyes, he moved them in and out of his mouth as he ground his arse against Severus's prick.

Holding Harry tightly to him with his other arm, Severus slid his erection between the smaller man's ass cheeks as his husband wriggled against him. "Going to make you scream Harry," he whispered, wiggling his fingers in the man's mouth.

Harry moaned around Severus's fingers as he sucked on the long digits. He rubbed his bottom against Severus's prick then patted the bed for the jar of lube.

Continuing to suck on his husband's fingers, Harry fumbled with the jar top and spun it on to the floor. He pulled Severus's fingers from his mouth and dipped them repeatedly into the jar. "Oh, Yes Sir!"

Chuckling, his breath hot against the side of Harry's neck, Severus rolled his husband forward enough to get his hand between them as he stroked a finger over the little opening. "Is this what you want played with?" he teased, rubbing his fingertip in small circles.

A mewling sound escaped Harry and he didn't care how it echoed in the room. He did it again, louder, showing Severus how much he wanted him to touch him there and arched back into Severus's fingers. "Oh yessir please. Will you play with your slut?"

Nudging Harry's leg forward with his knee, Severus slid one finger up to his second knuckled into his husband's arse, waiting a moment before he began to carefully thrust it in and out while he moved it around. Even though he knew Harry was far from virginal, Severus always tried to make sure the younger man knew he was more than a convenient hole for relief.

Harry moaned and pressed back onto Severus's finger. "Oh gods..." He moved his hips in time with Severus's careful thrusts, "Feels so good." Turning his head, he offered his mouth to Severus. "Love you."

"Precious," Severus murmured as he claimed Harry's mouth and slid a second finger in at the same time. Crooking his fingers, he sought out his husband's prostate, growling softly as he found the small bump and began to massage it.

Harry yelped into Severus's mouth and his hips jerked forward as the sensitive spot was manipulated. He rocked back hard on the long fingers, moaning deep in his chest. He pulled away, near frantic with desire and begged. "Please Severus, please. Now." He continued to work his lower body back and forth on his husband fingers, eyes bright and feverish with need.

"Please what Harry? Stop? Would you like me to stop?" Severus teased, pulling his fingers out a little as he leaned forward and nipped Harry's shoulder with his teeth.

Harry squeezed his muscles down hard on Severus's fingers. "No! Please fuck me! Pleasepleaseplease!" he grabbed Severus's other arm and held tightly to him, pulling him against him as if trying to forcefully mate with him.

Pulling his fingers from Harry's body, Severus reached over him and dipped his fingers in the lube before slicking his prick and positioning the head at the small entrance. Holding Harry by the hip, Severus slowly pushed forward, biting his lip against the urge to just slam into the man.

"So hot," Severus breathed, inching his way forward slowly, his eyes rolling as he felt the tight muscles slowly part and allow him access.

Harry whimpered and tried to push back on Severus faster. "Need you, need you," he murmured.

"Calm down Harry, we don't need to rush," Severus said as he held Harry's hip tighter. "I don't want you to hurt yourself."

Harry tried to take a deep breath and rubbed his head back and forth on the pillow. "I'm fine, Severus, please." he looked over his shoulder at his husband and reached back with one hand. "I'm not going to break. I'm pregnant, not incompetent. Male not female and I can take it. I promise. Please."

He bit his lip and squeezed Severus's hand. "Harder please. I'll let you know if you hurt me."

Nodding, without speaking, Severus pushed forward, sheathing himself completely in his husband, grunting softly. Resting his forehead against Harry's shoulder, Severus began to thrust, rocking their bodies together on the bed.

Moving his hand from Harry's hip, Severus slid it around the man's waist, splaying his fingers over the swell of their child as he made love to his husband.

Harry groaned low and deep as all of Severus's length penetrated him. He pushed back hard as Severus pulled away, twining his fingers with Severus's over his stomach. "Yesss," he hissed and moaned, moving with Severus.

"Love you, love this," he growled and snapped his hips back harder to meet Severus's.

"Touch yourself Harry," Severus panted as he drilled into him, pulling the small body to him and holding him still as he thrust harder and deeper. "I want to hear you scream."

Harry reached down, wrapping his hand around his flaccid prick, pulling on the soft flesh. He moaned and tried to arch back into Severus's thrusts. "So close, so close, please Severus, please can I? Can I?" he mumbled and begged as he pulled harder on himself.

Moving his hand lower, between Harry's thighs, Severus plunged his fingers between his husband's folds and began to rub at the sensitive flesh. "Let it build Harry," Severus grunted as he thrust harder, adjusting his hips to rub over Harry's prostate continuously.

Harry yelped and bit his lip, pulling down on his balls to stop his orgasm. Swallowing, he focussed on the spot Severus was rubbing and the feeling swelling low in his abdomen. "Ah, ah, ah..."

His eyes rolled back in his head and he wailed. "SEVERUS, PLEASE!"

"Let it build Harry!" Severus said sharply, nudging Harry's hand away, using his knee to spread Harry's legs open. "I want to make you scream!"

With his other hand, Severus summoned a vibrator from their nightstand, charming it on as he did so. "Going to make you come so hard," he promised as he pulled his hand from Harry's cozy and picked up the toy, nudging the vibrating toy back between the folds as he thrust in harder.

Harry gasped as the vibrating toy was wedged against the wet sensitive parts. He panted and writhed on Severus's prick. His body arched and he opened his mouth, an unearthly howl, high pitched and shrill came from him. "SEVERUS!"

Harry's prick jumped, semen dribbling from the slit and fluid gushed from him all at the same time soaking the both of them.

The tightly clenched muscles wrenched Severus' own orgasm from him and he came with a loud bellow as he pushed Harry partially to his belly and plunged into his ass.

Face flushed and sweat dripping from him, Severus pulled away from the younger man as soon as he came to his senses, rolling Harry to his back and looking down at him in concern.

"Harry... are you alright?" he asked softly, worrying growing in his voice as he watched his small husband.

Harry's eyes fluttered behind his closed lids and he panted harshly. He opened his eyes and slowly grinned up at his husband. Licking his lips and swallowing, he nodded. "Whoa," he murmured hoarsely. "Can we do that again... later?"

Letting out a nervous laugh, Severus nodded, rolling up into a sitting position and rubbing Harry's arm. "The baby? I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Harry shook his head. "No, felt really, really good." His entire body gave an all over shiver and he smiled beatifically at Severus. "I think you melted my bones." he ran a hand over his stomach and blinked, lazily.

Giving Harry a self satisfied smirk, Severus swatted his hip gently. "Let's get ready for work, you little imp," he said as he bent and placed a kiss to the man's forehead. "I really hope the roads are better. Maybe you should stay home."

Harry grabbed Severus's neck and pulled him down into a searing kiss. "No, please. I want to go with you. Don't make me stay here. I'll be good. I want to help in the shop." He clung to Severus.

Supporting Harry under his shoulders, Severus held him close to him. "I have no doubt that you will be good, love. I was merely concerned about the road conditions, but if you are insisting to go, you may," he said quietly, remembering what Damon had said about the possibility of Harry becoming needy and clingy for the next few weeks.

Harry sighed as he was cuddled and pressed kisses to Severus's pale skin. "Thank you. I promise to be careful and wear my seat belt. I want to see Jason and give him my gifts. I missed him too." He sighed and nuzzled Severus's neck once more then looked up into the dark eyes, brushing back the lank hair and smiling. "Would you like me to make you a cuppa now?"

Unable to resist, Severus smiled down and kissed his husband's nose. "We should shower before we stick together," he said, carefully setting Harry on his feet and then standing up himself. "Come on, a quick shower and then I'll feed you."

Harry grinned and nodded, leading the way to the loo. "Can I have chocolate syrup and strawberries on my waffles?"

"Yes you may Harry, as long as you don't add olives, or some other unsavoury," Severus teased, happy to indulge his little husband.

@@@@@@@@

Richard knocked on the second bedroom door to see if Jason was ready. He wasn't certain if he liked the idea of the small man going out to work today but the roads were fairly cleared and Gregory had called to say he'd made it to the hospital just fine to check on a baby for a woman that had gone into premature labour the night before. Regardless of his and Davy's warnings, as soon as the other man had heard the news, he insisted on going in to work.

"Jason, are you dressed? May I come in?"

Jason looked up from where he was sitting on the side of the bed in the Corrican guest room, a half smile on his lips as he heard Richard's voice from the other side of the door. He looked down at himself, grimacing at his hugely swollen belly.

"Come on in Richard, I'm just finishing up," he called out, trying to pull the edges of the flannel shirt he wanted to wear over his belly to meet.

Richard opened the door a crack and peered in at the young man. He smiled and stepped into the room, leaving the door open and bent, placing a soft kiss to Jason's mouth. "Are you certain you still wish to go?"

Jason sighed in contentment, his body relaxing without his being aware of it at the touch of the other man. He looked up from struggling with his shirt and shrugged. "Yeah, I need to go, but I may have to call out if I can't find anything to wear," he said with a groan and scratched at his belly.

Richard stood and looked down at Jason for a moment, debating on whether or not to offer something to the younger man. They hadn't given Jason much time to pack any clothing, not that it would matter with his pregnancy growing by leaps and bounds. "If you don't mind a loan, I have a Henley or a cardigan, you could borrow. It might fit over your stomach with some room to spare. I'll talk to Davy about seeing if I can't find someone to take me up the mountain or see if we can't get someone to clear us a path to your home later this weekend. If nothing else we should be able to acquire you some maternity robes some where in this town surely?"

"I'd appreciate the loan of a shirt if it wouldn't be too much trouble," Jason said, still looking down at his belly. "I'll be back home by tomorrow probably, there's no reason for you all to go to any more trouble than you already have."
Richard nodded and opened the closet door, sliding the hangers across the pole as he looked for a shirt he thought would fit Jason comfortably. He looked back at the younger man then pulled a bright blue Henley out of the closet. He held it out to Jason, "Here you are."

Jason held his hand out to take the shirt. "Thank you, it's really nice. I'll be sure to wear my apron at work," he said as he gave the man a small smile.

Richard caught Jason's hand, stroking the inside of his palm with his fingers. "You're very welcome and you haven't been any trouble. The pleasure has been all mine." He met Jason's gaze and returned the other man's smile. "Let me give you a bit of privacy to change then I'll take you to work then, all right?"

Jason smiled at the contact, not realizing it as his pupils dilated and his nostrils flared as his body 'tasted' Richard and found him appetizing. Though he wanted to spend as much time as he could with the doctor, Jason felt like he still needed to maintain the fact he could care for himself.

"That's alright, the shop isn't far from here, I can walk it. The exercise is good for me," Jason said, reluctantly taking his hand back.

Richard shook his head. "You can exercise around the shop. Let me take you to work today, please. The streets, while cleared, are still going to be slick with black ice and a fall at this stage isn't good for you or them." He eyed Jason's belly then looked back up at him.

Richard hesitated for a moment then asked softly. "You are still going to keep your doctor's appointment this afternoon, correct? Would you like me to go with you?"

Jason made a face and groaned. "I'd forgotten all about that. I don't know if I can go or not, it depends on what needs to be done at the shop," he said, pulling the flannel shirt off and laying it beside him before pulling Richard's shirt over his head.

Richard heart jumped as he watched Jason's body be exposed then covered once more. It warmed something in him to see his own clothing on the younger man and he refused to let that get to him, no matter how much he wanted to push Jason back onto the bad and make long, slow love to him. He wanted to take his time and show Jason that he wasn't just trying to get into his pants for a quick fuck.

"You shouldn't put it off, Jason. Doctor Sorens needs to know that you are carrying twins so your care can be adjusted. I'm not trying to nose in on your business but I am concerned about all of you." He sat down beside Jason and offered him his hand to hold.

Hesitating for only a moment, Jason let his fingers trail over Richard's larger hand, he didn't look at the man when he spoke. "I need all the hours I can get on the clock. If I have to take off, I don't get paid," he said softly, not mentioning that he really didn't have the means to pay for his appointment that day. "I'll call Doctor Sorens and let him know what you said though."

Richard frowned and twined his fingers with Jason's and squeezed them gently. "All right but I really think you should see him. You may need extra vitamins and he can authorize testing to be certain that our suspicions are correct." He smiled at Jason and sighed, feeling content just to be with Jason like this.

"Doctor Sorens does evening hours a couple of times a month, I'll see if he can get me in then," Jason said with a shrug. He knew he needed to see the doctor, but he also knew about the stack of bills and his empty money pouch. "I'll start doubling my vitamins, okay?"

Richard shook his head. "No, don't do that. Those potions are carefully balanced to provide the proper nutrients to you. You could accidentally poison yourself with too much of one thing while trying to get the right amount of something else." The thought sent cold chills through him and he looked at Jason. He gave in to the impulse and cupped his cheek, gently caressing his face. He searched his eyes for a moment then leaned in and softly kissed his lips.

Jason kissed the man back fervently, parting his lips in invitation. Reaching up, he grasped Richard's shoulder, clinging to him as he sought to prolong the contact. "Don't stop," he whispered as the other man pulled away for a breath.

Richard groaned and nodded. "Just for a little bit, I don't want you to be late for work," he murmured against Jason's lips and wrapped his arms around the younger man, pulling him closer. He pressed his mouth to Jason's again slowly sliding his tongue along Jason's. Carefully, he tasted and mapped Jason's mouth, trying not to rush nor hurry the kiss.

Groaning into the kiss, Jason moved his hands up to fist Richard's hair as if he were trying to climb into the other man. After several minutes, he pulled away somewhat breathless.

"I have to stop or be late," Jason murmured, his lips swollen and his face flushed.

Richard licked his lips and nodded, swallowing several times as he tried to calm himself as well. "Yeah. I'm... I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that." He patted his sweater looking for his wand. "Let me fix your mouth." He looked back at Jason and smiled. "Although, damn,... you look so good like that." He ran his thumb across Jason's reddened lips and leaned in again.

Jason grinned and then sucked Richard's thumb between his lips, swirling his tongue over the tip of it before pulling away. "Leave it the way it is," he said huskily.

Richard's eyes widened and he grinned. "Are you certain? I mean, not that I'm complaining..." He shook his head. "Shut up, Richard." he stood and sighed, running his hands over his jeans and adjusting himself then holding out a hand to Jason.

"Come on, then. Let's get you bundled up and I'll go warm up the car. You want anything from the kitchen before we leave? Davy left some of that fruit bread stuff and some coffee."

Jason shook his head. "No thank you, I'm fine. Let me put my shoes on and I'll be right out," he said with a smile. He knew he had some crackers at the shop from the other day.

Richard nodded and gave Jason one more kiss as he took his hand and squeezed it gently. "If you are certain," he turned and reluctantly let his fingers slide through Jason's as he left the room to go start the car.

As soon as the door closed behind Richard, a loud gurgling sound emitted from Jason's empty belly making the young man groan in frustration.

"Settle down you two," he muttered softly, bending over awkwardly to lace his shoes. "Daddy'll eat when he gets to work."

Richard picked up the ice melt and spread it along the sidewalk on his way to the car once more. He started the car and hurried back, stamping the snow off before entering. Walking into the kitchen he filled his travel mug with coffee and broke off a piece of the fruit filled coffeecake Davy had made then padded back to Jason's room. "Jason? Are you certain you don't want any of this?" He opened the door to the room. "You have to try it Davy is an awesome chef."

Not even waiting for an answer, he shoved a piece in Jason's open mouth.

Jason's eyes widened in surprise and then anger as he chewed and then swallowed the bread. "What the hell?" he sputtered as he got to his feet and glared up at Richard.

Richard blinked. "I'm... I'm sorry I wasn't thinking. Do you not like coffeecake?" He offered Jason his mug.

Jason shook his head at the offer of the coffee. "I am capable of feeding myself Doctor Montgomery," he snapped as he stepped around the man and out of the room. Once in the living room, Jason picked up his jacket, pulling it on and around his belly before opening the front door to walk to work.

Richard stared after Jason for a moment then followed him. "Jason wait, come back here." He pulled the door shut behind him and grabbed Jason's arm. "The car is this way."

Snatching his arm from Richard's grasp, Jason gave the man a baleful glare. "I'm walking to work, go enjoy your breakfast."

"Jason, don't be like this. I said I was sorry and I meant it." Richard looked at him and sighed. "Please allow me to take you to work. I would feel really bad if something were to happen to you and the children."

Pursing his lips, Jason shivered in the cold wind. Looking around, he made his mind up. "Alright. You may take me to the shop. Thank you," he said softly and stepped towards Richard.

"You're welcome and I really am sorry." Richard said softly and stood very still then offered his arm to Jason. "Just to steady yourself, if you need it." He held his hand out, palm up and open for Jason to take if he wanted.

Without pause, Jason put his smaller hand in Richard's larger one and gave the man's fingers a brief squeeze. "Sorry I snapped at you," he mumbled. "It was uncalled for."

Richard smiled gently at him. "No, it's all right. I know I'm an ass sometimes." He steered Jason to the car and opened the door for him, holding on to Jason's hand the entire time. He told himself it was so that Jason didn't fall but when he gently squeezed the small fingers he had to restrain himself once more from bending down and kissing Jason.

Richard closed the door to the car and carefully jogged around the front, sliding behind the wheel. He smiled at Jason and the backed out of the drive. Once he had the car straightened out, he pulled out on to the road and offered the man his hand again.

@@@@@@@

Harry placed the till in the register then looked up as a car parked in front of the shop. He watched as a tall grey hair man got out then walked around and opened the passenger door.

Harry blinked and his jaw dropped as Jason got out of the car and laughed, placing his hand in the tall man's. He shook his head as Jason looked around quickly the then toed up and pressed a kiss to the man's cheek. "Severus! Come quick! Who is this man with Jason?"

Severus opened the door from his workroom, peering out to where Harry was pointing. "That's Doctor Richard Montgomery," he murmured, intrigued by the fact the man had ferried Jason to work and was now giving him a rather personal farewell.

"Don't stare Harry, it's impolite," Severus admonished, gently pulling his little husband back to stand behind the register, reminding him that he did have work to do.

Harry looked up at Severus and smirked. He looked back out at Jason and the other man and sighed. "It's romantic." He tugged on Severus's sleeve. "Here they come. Will you let them in the front and introduce us please?"

Rolling his eyes and giving a snort of exasperation, Severus grabbed the keys from the register and strode to the door, unlocking it with a flourish. Looking back at his little husband, he opened the door and made a low bowing motion to the two men outside.

"Gentleman, please join us," he intoned formally.

Jason eyed his boss and Harry then looked up at Richard, wondering if he should let go of the man's hand. He decided not to because it wasn't any of their business who he decided to keep company with. He tugged Richard inside the building and nodded. "Thank you, Professor. Welcome back, Harry."

Harry waved at Jason and smiled at the tall man. "Hallo, Jason. Who's your friend?" he winked at Jason.

"This is Richard," Jason said, pulling the man along behind him and up to where Harry was waiting. "Richard, this is Harry Snape, Professor Snape's husband."

Speechless, Richard simply held his hand out to Harry. He recognized the young man from photographs in Wizarding papers and journals and now couldn't believe he was shaking hands with Harry Potter!

"Hello Mister Snape, it's nice to meet you," Richard said and then turned to Jason. "I should get back, what time should I be here this evening to take you home?"

Severus had closed the door and was standing to the side, a bemused look on his face. "He'll be ready after six Doctor."

Harry took Richard's hand and smiled at him. "Nice to meet you, Richard. Please call me Harry." He looked over at his husband for a moment then let go of Richard's hand. Grinning, he then looked at Jason. "We take a meal break at half twelve, would you like to join us? Cutty's serves an awesome lunch."

He looked over at Severus. "Can we all take lunch together today? It's Friday and Grant's fried chicken is supposed to be on the menu."

Severus shrugged, he didn't mind. "That's fine Harry. I have a notion that it will be slow, so we can take a longer lunch today," he said with a smile.

Richard nodded; he wouldn't mind having lunch with Jason at all.

Biting his lip, Jason sighed and tried to think of the best way out of going. "I don't know, maybe," he muttered, dropping Richard's hand reluctantly. "I need to get to work."

Harry saw Jason wibbling and shook his head. "No, you have to join us. I've been gone a week and you have to catch me up on things. Besides, I brought you back something from England and I think you will like it. Therefore you'll have to show it off to Richard and him having lunch with us is the only way. Please Jason, it'll be fun." He blinked at him and grinned. "Oh go on, you know you want to."

Everyone turned expectant eyes to Jason. The young man felt his face growing hot. "I can't," he muttered and quickly walked into the back room.

Harry stared after Jason then looked at the other two men. "Excuse me. I'll check on him," he murmured and followed the man to the back. "Jason? Are you all right?"

Looking up from tying his apron over his clothing, Jason stared at Harry for a moment. "Yeah, I'm fine. Welcome back," he said and then walked over to the work he'd left unfinished the day of the storm.

Harry frowned and shook his head. Digging in his robe pocket, he pulled out a chocolate frog. "Jason wait, you aren't. Here, have this. It'll help."

Taking the sweet, Jason looked at it a moment. "Thank you Harry, I'll have it in a little while," he said, giving the other man a smile as he tucked the treat into the pocket of his apron. Picking up a carton of lotions, he carried it out to the front of the store, nodding to Richard and his boss as he passed them on his way to the shelves.

Pursing his lips, Harry followed Jason out into the store. He nodded to the two men still standing by the door and marched over to Jason. Taking a deep breath he reached out, took the carton from Jason and looked him in the eye. "Jason, come with me and let's have a chat," he whispered softly. "It's about this." He waved a hand between the two of them, gesturing to their stomachs. "Please, I'm trying to help."

Rolling his eyes, Jason shrugged. "Fine Harry," he sighed in resignation. He'd let them believe whatever they wanted to.

Harry nodded and led Jason back to the back room. He waited until Jason was in the room with him then looked at him. "Eat the frog."

Making a show of taking the sweet from his apron, Jason unwrapped the frog and bit it's head off. "Happy?" he asked as he swallowed.

Harry crossed his arms over his chest and waited. "Keep going. Eat it all." He knew that any minute the magic in the chocolate would hit Jason's bloodstream and the other man would feel it as well.

Jason continued to eat, his mood lightning some as he did. "Thank you Harry, it's good. Now what did you want to tell me?"

Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out two more frogs, handing another one to Jason. "Eat it and don't give me any cheek." He pulled off one of his frog's legs. "You really like him, don't you and he helps it, doesn't he? Makes you calmer?" he asked nonchalantly as he popped the frog leg in his mouth.

Between bites, Jason replied, "Yeah, I like him and yeah, he makes me feel good. That has nothing to do with lunch."

"Yes it does." Harry bit off the frog's head. "If he comes back later then you'll get to see him again and it'll help you today. So have lunch with us."

"I can't Harry, okay? Please just drop it," Jason said softly as he chewed the last bit of chocolate. "I'll be going home with him tonight."

Harry looked at him and shook his head. "I don't understand. Please Jason. I'd like to get to talk to him some more as well. If him coming to lunch with us helps you, then that's all the better, isn't it? You want to see him, don't you?"

Jason shook his head, biting his tongue to stay quiet. "There's no reason Richard can't go without me Harry. I have food here," he said and then sighed. "I need to get back to work."

"Today is payday, Jason," Harry said softly and looked at Jason. "And the shop's not quite open yet. I'll talk to Severus and have him give you your check before we go to lunch. I really do have something for you from England that I'd really like to give you and I hope you'll accept it. A gift from a friend for taking up the slack while I went to see to my family." He grinned at Jason. "We can go to lunch and you'll charm the trousers off your doctor so tonight when you do go home, then the shagging will be fantastic. The man won't know what hit him."

Jason licked his lips, swallowing down the unexpected emotion he experienced from Harry's observation. Turning away from the other man, he wiped at his eyes roughly with the heel of his hand. "Thanks Harry," he said hoarsely, sniffling loudly. He hated being this damned poor and hated people feeling pity for him.

Harry nodded and smiled. "No problem Jason, friends do that for each other. You helped me out and I am doing the same for you. Besides, and don't you dare tell Severus this, your doctor looks absolutely edible. We pregnant blokes have to stick together and help each other out." He chuckled and offered Jason another piece of chocolate.

@@@@@@

Damon rolled over, snuggling closer to Grant sighing softly as the sunlight crept into the room. He opened one eye and peered at the clock, shaking his head and burying it back in the pillows. It was too early to be awake.

After the night before and all that had happened, he just wanted to go back to sleep for a few more hours before venturing into town for Grant's potions.

He closed his eyes and burrowed down in the blankets, trying to go back to sleep and hoping Grant would stay asleep as well even though he could feel the slight trembling from the other man. He laid a hand gently on Grant's hip and rubbed him softly. "Shush baby, rest easy. You're all right."

Dreaming heavily, Grant was certain there was 'something' wound around his right hand and wrist; 'something' was trying to pull his arm off. Whimpering in his sleep, he pulled his arm back sharply to escape the 'monster' in his dreams, not realizing he'd just whacked Damon across the face with the heavy cast.

Slowly, Damon's words filtered through his dreams and Grant settled once more, sighing softly as he turned over and buried his face against his husband's chest. " 'm okay," he mumbled.

"Ow!" Damon groaned and jerked away, his hands covering his face to keep quiet and not wake his husband as Grant snuggled against him. He sucked in a breath as he gingerly touched his cheek, glaring down at the sleeping man.

He shook his head; it wasn't Grant's fault and sighed as he closed his eyes. He wrapped his arms around Grant's body. He'd deal with it later. "I know you are," he whispered softly and ran his hands over Grant's back, moving his cast arm to the side so neither one of them got hit again. Holding on to the small man, slowly running his hands over the prone body resting against as him, Damon watched the sun rise through the curtains.