Checkered flag starts the race

[bp_npc]

Setting: French provincial hospital
Characters: Élly, Otto (Private)
Summary: Unnamed baby has been delivered!

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[bp_npc]

Otto had stayed in France since August. He had been there every day with Elly. When he had started his internship, that was the same day that the English Ministry announced that they were keeping his winnings, for hexing Shane. He would still be the Tri-wizard tournament's champion, he just wouldn't get his 1000 galleons

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Éloise smiled gently, sliding her hand into his and turning to kiss his cheek, "I'm madly in love with you, Otto."

And Élly was. It had been months of nothing but support and comfort and sacrifice for her sake. Otto was a selfless man, and after Pierre it was just what Élly needed. She squeezed his hand and thanked him softly, brushing hair out of her eyes. It had been a little more than a month since she'd been to the salon, and she hadn't even seen a drop of make-up in days, and yet around Otto she still felt beautiful.

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Otto beamed at that, and tucked her blonde hair behind her ear. "You mother owled your families congratulations, but I don't think they are coming to see the girl. Gustave gave me a few days off, but I will have to pull long shifts when I go back," he said softly, his thumb brushing over her knuckles as he spoke.

"They're taking the baby for some tests, but they promise me it is just routine," he said his eyes locking on her's. All of this was in careful French, Otto choosing to speak only in her language, since it was what he had to speak at work anyway.

He had gone through the good news first...not wanting to tell her the bad. But he had to warn her. "The ministry is escorting Pierre here...to see his daughter."

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"Mais oui," Élly said softly, with a slight hint of disgust, of course they are. "He's a man, it's his progeny," she cursed softly, "Jail sentence be damned, and nevermind the fact that I was the one who was in labor," she sighed, resting her head on his shoulder, "We should have a name before he comes and beats us to it," she said softly.

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He let his arm wrap around her before turning his head to kiss the top of her head. "Well he will insist that she carry his last name," he said already having recieved the orders from the ministry, that the child could not be named Faulke.

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"Well that is simply... unacceptable. Since she cannot carry your name, she must carry mine, at least."

"And yet, who will they listen to, hm? The man or the girl?" She let her fingers trace his knuckles, "Her name will be Noel. Sans umlaut," she said softly. "Like my surname. If she must be a Sommer, then she will first and foremost be a Noel."

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Otto smiled softly at that, "Then she will be Noel Sommer," he said softly, Someday, maybe Noel Faulke. The hand of the arm wrapped around her, and rubbed her hip, "It is a pretty name," he said truthfully.

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"I think so too," she said softly, squeezing his hand. "Now promise me you will return to work tomorrow?"

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He frowned at that, "Elly, you'll still be here," he said softly, not wanting to leave her here.

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"I know, but it's one more day before we get to take Noel home, and I don't want you digging yourself into a hole you can't get out of at work," she said softly, "It will be hard enough to stay on task with a needy infant in the house."

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Otto sighed and looked down at her hand in his. "Alright, Elly, I will do it. I promise I will go back into the office tomorrow, but when we bring Noel home, I will be home."

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She pressed her nose to his cheek, kissing his jaw, wrapping her arms around him, "Shall we go name our child?

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His arms wrapped around her, and he glanced at her plate. There was a bit of salad left, but at the same time, he wanted to see the way her eyes lit up when she held Noel. "Yes, please," he said softly, "And we can put your chocolates in your room."

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She nodded, sliding her body against his as she stood, careful to keep hold of herself and not lose her balance. She was still sore, and desperately wanting to go home.

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His arm wrapped around her, supporting her weight, while she leaned against him. Kissing her temple, he kept their pace slow as they moved to the nursery. "She has these bright blue eyes, I know they may change," he said softly.

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Éloise smiled softly, "She will be quite a beauty, I'm sure. Veela blood may keep her eyes blue," she said softly. "Time will tell."