Bliss (The story)

Authors Note: Well, I said that I would add part 20. I think I'm kind of on a roll... so I guess it's back to writing. I want to get at least one more part done before I call it a night. Enjoy and please Review. Let me know what you think, what you would like to see, and what you think might happen. Thanks!! Amore, -MS

Part 20:

As everyone sat around the living room chatting quietly amongst themselves and sipping butter beer, or in Harry’s case, tea, they readied themselves to open presents. Sirius was overwhelmed with joy and excitement as he passed out the first of the gifts.

All of the Weasley children, including Harry and Hermione opened their gifts to find one again, sweaters made my Molly. Harry’s was a soft blue with a golden colored snitch stitched to the sleeve that would flutter its wings every now and again. Hermione’s was a plain light purple with a pocket on the front.

They continued until only two gifts remained. Throughout the evening, Remus had gifted everyone with their own personal supply of chocolate, receiving some for himself from Sirius. Severus had gifted books of one form or another to nearly everyone, and Harry had gifted all sorts of things suited to each of his friend’s liking.

“Hmm, there’s two left,” Sirius said a bit puzzled. He’s though that everyone had received their gifts.

He reached under the tree, grabbing the last two packages and reading off the names upon them.

“Severus, this one is for you,” He handed the small rectangle package to Snape who looked at it in surprise and turned it over in his large hands.

Harry smiled as he looked up at his partner, “well, are you going to open it?” He questioned.

Severus carefully tour the paper to uncover a smooth black box. Interested, he opened the box and gasped, looking over to Harry.

“Do you like it? I found it a while ago and couldn’t help but think of you. It has protection charms on it that are supposed to protect you from danger.”

Severus took the Dragon pendant necklace from the box and put it on, “It’s amazing, Harry! I absolutely love it,” he smiled. “Thank you!”

Holding the last remaining package in his hand, Sirius handed it to Harry. “This one is for you.”

Harry took the package and much like Severus had done, he turned it over and over in his hands. It was a perfectly cubed box wrapped in plain brown wrapping. Harry tore at the edges of the paper, curious to see what was inside. Once all the paper was removed, Harry opened the box and carefully lifted out his present. It was a worn and slightly discolored teddy bear. Puzzled, Harry looked around to everyone in the room.

Finally someone spoke up, it was Remus, “Harry, I’ve been holding onto that bear for a long time and I thought it best that you have it now.”

Not really sure what to say, Harry looked back at the bear then back up to Remus, “Umm, thanks Remus.”

Sliding down to the floor to sit next to his best friend’s son, Remus explained, “Harry, your mum and dad bought you this very bear the day that you were born and they never once let it out of your sight. When they did, you would cry and throw the biggest tantrum imaginable. I saw it fitting that your child receives it now.” Remus finished, placing his hand gently on Harry’s shoulder.

Severus listened closely to what Remus had to say. He remembered that bear himself, it was sitting in the corner of Harry’s crib the day that his parents died, the day that he went to visit James for the last time. The older man looked over to his young love, studying his face cautiously. Tears were running down Harry’s face and Severus could tell, they weren’t tears of sadness or anger, but tears of thanks and gratitude. He would have to thank the werewolf later for saving this toy from the disaster.

*

Once Harry regained his composure, the evening continued. The adults told stories of holiday’s past as the younger group sat and listened, laughing when something funny was said. Harry sat curled up in Snape’s lap with his back against the man’s firm body and his head resting on his shoulder. Severus rubbed circles over his love’s expanded belly, content in staying like that for hours.

It wasn’t until Harry give a rather large yawn that Severus realized that it was time to get his pregnant boyfriend into bed. Bidding a ‘good evening’ to everyone, Severus carefully lifted Harry off the floor and helped him up the stairs and into Severus’ own room.

“I’m sleeping here tonight?” Harry asked.

“I thought you would like the company and I know that I would,” Snape explained.

“Okk,” the shaggy haired man yawned again.

Severus helped Harry remove his clothes and change into pajamas before letting him climb into the large bed.

Running his hand over the swell of his belly, the Gryffindor gazed over to his baby’s father, “You know, Madame Pomfery said that I would start to show in my second trimester, but I didn’t think I would show this much. I feel huge.”

Severus studied his partner for a few minutes before replying, “You know Harry, I don’t remember showing that much this soon when I was pregnant.”

Becoming a bit worried, Harry sat up on the bed, “Maybe we should call the nurse tomorrow?” He asked.

Severus nodded in agreement, “I don’t think that would be a bad idea, but for now you should rest.”

Realizing just how tired he was, Harry laid back down and quickly drifted off to dream land with Severus Snape curled against his back.