True Family

[jandjsalmon]

Characters: Morag MacDougal, Terence Higgs, Lindy Bobbin, Adrian Pucey (and wee Baldr)
Rating: PG13
Summary: Shopping and then lunch with their favourite fellas

Morag had never been happier than she had been the last few months and the growing baby bump made her even more thrilled. Holding up a cute little shirt, she waited for Lindy's opinion, trying to be sly about tucking another stuffed animal in Baldr's arms. After all, he'd been a very patient boy while they shopped. "Yea or nay?"

Lindy scrutinized the garment before making a face and shaking her head. "It's not my favourite. Perhaps just to tease Higgs with, yeah?" she laughed, pretending not to notice that her son was being spoilt by his favourite auntie.

"He'd put one of the babies in it just to get me for teasing him," Morag replied, snickering, setting the yellow shirt down and picking up a purple one and a blue one. "I think these, yeah? And," she picked up the stuffed toy were Baldr had dropped it, "this too."

Baldr happily took the little bear from Morag and grinned up at his mommy who nodded at him.

"You know, the best thing about twins is the matching outfits," Lindy said sagely. "Randi and I were close enough that Dad had us in little dresses and things that matched. Even with a little boy you can do something similar. Colours or something."

"I would but Li and Ewan made me swear that I wouldn't. They used to get dressed alike and said that the only bonus was that they could merely swap shirts and people assumed Li was Ewan and vice versa."

"With a boy and a girl I'm sure you'll have less of the switching," the other witch replied drolly. "Though knowing your brothers, I'm sure they probably put some sort of charm into your promise and if you tried to do it anyway you'd end up with pink hair again or something."

"Knowing them, you're totally right." She laughed, shaking her head.

"One thing's for sure," Lindy said, pointing toward an adorable baby bag. It was advertised larger on the inside. She loved those kinds of charms. "I'm very glad Baldr will have friends close to his age. I was worried it would be years and years before there were more babies."

"We're all still fairly young, though living through what we have seems to have affected us."

Lindy nodded thoughtfully. "It has indeed. Though maybe that's all the more reason to settle down into something permanent. Babies and marriage and happiness to make up for all of the misery we experienced during the war."

"True." Morag frowned, thinking about how mindsets hadn't changed, that her children would be born into a world where they were looked down upon as tainted or dirty just because they were purebloods.

"What do you think the boys are up to?" Lindy asked absently, unwrapping the candy she'd just retrieved from her bag for Baldr. "They said to meet them for lunch but Adrian didn't tell me what they were doing while we went shopping."

"Do we want to know?" Morag asked dryly, turning to the next table of clothing. fingering a sleep sack, she chuckled. "We could guess and then try to see who is correct."

"I'd lose. I always lose," the other witch sniggered. "Though I'm looking forward to seeing Higgs' face when everything that we ordered this morning is delivered to La Néthe. I still haven't moved half of Baldr's things to Foxland yet for fear Adrian's head will fall off."

"He's done a fair job of spoiling Baldr too though." Morag held up an adorable outfit with blue and grey stripes.

Lindy nodded at the outfit and smiled just thinking about how wonderful Adrian had been since meeting their little boy. "That he has, but he's been wonderful about being more than just someone who buys presents and indulges too. Even as little as he is, I think Baldr would sob and sob if he did something to disappoint his pabbi."

"That's one way to make Adrian melt, good men like we've got just can't stand tears." Picking out a monotone sleepsack, Morag tucked both into her shopping bag.

Giving her baby boy a big kiss, Lindy smiled up at her friend. "Well, I try hard not to use tears to my advantage. In fact, I haven't cried in ages. He's far too good to me."

"I'd bet if you mentioned it he'd seem shocked that you expected or anticipated anything less, yeah?"

"Oh, I'm sure he would. I just wouldn't ever mention it," Lindy replied bashfully, standing up again but not before running a soft hand down Baldr's cheek. "I'm still a bit stunned that he still loves me at all. It's a miracle really."

"He does, it shines off of both of you. And seeing him with Baldr is amazing."

Lindy grinned, thinking on how happy both her boys were together. Adrian may have missed the first two years but he was definitely making up for it with his absolute devotion to their little boy. "I'm certain Higgs will be an amazing father too. You don't feel overwhelmed do you? Twins would scare me to death."

"Not at all, I've got mathair at the other end of the Floo and after growing up in the midst of chaos with our family I think I'm ready for just about anything. Having them at home eased the only fears I had."

Nodding, Lindy reached a hand out to Baldr and walked with her friend to the front of the shop with their things. "I'd imagine so. I know how much you love hospitals," she said dryly. "Are we though here? I was hoping we could stop by the drapery shop down the lane before we met up with Higgs and Adrian."

"We are," she said, setting the bag on the counter, "and of course we can. What specifically are you looking for?"

"My mum put in an order for brocade curtains for the dining room and they were put on back order," Lindy replied after paying for her purchases. Her eyes gleamed with teasing mirth as she continued, "I wouldn't dream of redecorating myself without asking my dearest friend for her help."

"Oh good, I won't have to pout then." Morag signed the vault slip and took her bag back. "What do you say we find the boys, I'm starving."

Lindy was about to agree when she felt Baldr tapping at her hip. She looked down and he smiled bashfully. "Mama, I hungry too."

"I know you are, sweetheart. We'll go find Pabbi and Uncle Higgs in just one minute," she answered him softly. "Hold Auntie's hand and Mama will just run in." She looked up at Morag and smiled. "Do you mind? I'll just be a second in there."

"I never mind spending time with Baldr," Morag said, taking his hand and with the other reaching into the bag for the other stuffed animal she'd picked up for him.

Baldr grabbed for the little stuffed creature, happily letting go of his mother's hand and sidling up next to Morag. He didn't even notice that Lindy stepped into the shop and kept holding tight to Morag's hand even after his mum returned.

"I hope they've not been waiting too long for us," she said, as they walked up to the restaurant. Both men were waiting inside at their table and when Lindy caught Adrian's attention through the window glass her heart flipped happily like it was the first time she ever saw him.

"There they are," Adrian said, getting to his feet, pondering whether or not he should go to the door to meet them or if the women would see that as being too overprotective.

Higgs turned, raising to his feet as the women stepped in and were shown to their table. He waved covertly to Baldr who grinned and positioned himself between his father and his favourite uncle.

"Hello, Princess," Higgs murmured once he'd casually kissed first Lindy's cheek and then Morag's before pulling out his girl friend's chair for her. "Did you have fun shopping?"

"Of course, we bought lots of things. I'm a hopeless enabler," Morag said cheekily, sitting down and eyeing the bread basket.

Adrian scooped Baldr up in his arms. "Did you have fun with Mummy and Auntie Morag?"

Baldr nodded, grinning as he showed his father the stuffed hippogriff Morag had bought for him.

"Are you ready to eat?" Adrian asked, holding his son in one arm as he pulled out a chair for Lindy.

Lindy sat down, unable to keep the content and happy smile from spreading across her face. Adrian was a wonderful father and it was clear as crystal that Baldr adored his pabbi.

"I know I am. I've been starving all morning," Higgs murmured, looking quickly to his menu.

"Me too. I should just carry snacks with me these days," Morag added, slipping her hand into Ren's as she winked playfully at Baldr who had been put into a highchair by Adrian. "Or just ice cream."

"Ice cweam!" Baldr hollered as he was want to do whenever his favourite dessert was mentioned.

Lindy laughed, shaking her head and hushing her little boy with promises of ice cream after he finished his lunch. He seemed satisfied when his father became very interested in his hippogriff and Lindy was able to send a mock glare in Auntie Morag's direction, mouthing 'brat!' to her friend.

Morag just grinned and when the waiter took their orders, ordered enough for three very hungry people, twining her fingers with Ren's as she sat back to wait until everyone else had ordered.

Lindy brought out the wax colouring crayons for Baldr once their drinks had been brought out and with him suitably occupied, she turned to the men in their company and asked how they'd enjoyed their morning away from work.

Adrian couldn't resist the lure of the crayons, not looking up from the Quidditch pitch he was drawing for a delighted Baldr. "Skiving off is always fun, but I got the bonus of spending the time with my best mate and now lunch with my favourite people."

"Did you go flying?" she asked, taking a sip of her pumpkin juice.

"As if this one would let me get away with not letting him try out the prototypes." Adrian chuckled at the look on Morag's face, not one to pass up a bit of mischief.

The corner of Higgs' mouth lifted in a crooked smirk, shaking his head in disbelief at his best friend. "Some mate you are," he muttered under his breath before turning to Morag and attempting a charming smile. "It was all right, Mags. Flying prototypes - I'm actually very good at it. I promise."

Deep down she knew he was right and if she'd thought about it, she would have admitted to wanting to try it herself. That wasn't accounting for her hormones though. It took all she had to merely nod. There was no way she would cause a scene or come off as a controlling bint in public.

Lindy rolled her eyes and held back a chuckle. "Of course you worked up an appetite."

"Well there's that, but I left before breakfast as well," Higgs explained, absently swirling his drink in his hand. "I'll most likely get a lecture from Driver when I get home about missing his infamous strawberry crepes." It couldn't be helped though. Prior to his meeting with Adrian, Higgs had needed to tie up a few loose ends with a shipment of powdered aconite meant for Eddie Carmichael. Even an official day 'off' didn't really mean that when running a business.

Morag snickered. "I ate your share and told Driver that they were exceptional."

"That's my girl," he grinned, lifting her hand and kissing the back of it. "No wonder the elves like you more than they do me."

"I think it's more that they like seeing you happy."

"Be sure not to tell Driver your suspicions thought, Princess. He'd be mortified if he knew we'd caught on," Higgs laughed, truly happier than he'd ever been.

"I know better. Upsetting him would cause a sharp drop in scone production and that is not ever a good thing."

Lindy laughed out loud. "Definitely not. And you know Higgs, the way I knew she was mad about you was when she'd mentioned that you'd nicked a scone and she didn't hex you. There were more than one bloke at school who'd tried and they'd magically find their pants shrinking or something."

"Ah, but you'd have to wear pants for that, Linds," Higgs answered cheekily, coughing slightly when he caught Baldr looking up at him with a toothy grin.

"Ren!" Morag said with exaggerated exasperation. "If he asks, you get to explain."

Luckily, the little boy didn't ask, choosing rather to duck his head and draw miniature faces on the quidditch players he was drawing for his father's pitch. They looked suspiciously like his father and his Uncle Higgs and for being only two and a half years old, he'd got them looking pretty much spot on. Definitely an artist like his father.

"He's already asked where Auntie's babies came from. That was a fun conversation." Lindy informed them all dryly.

Morag burst out laughing, she really couldn't resist.

"Oh now, I may have to remember this and pay you two back later," Adrian teased.

Lindy laughed out loud. When and if she and Adrian decided to have more children she was totally going to make Morag and Higgs explain the details.

"Gladly, mate. I'm not afraid of you," Higgs retorted with a laugh.

"You can do the explaining, love," Morag said wryly. "I'm sure you'll do a fine job of it where I'm likely to muck up."

"I dunno, Princess," Higgs teased. "I'm fairly sure I could bribe you to do it."

Lindy groaned out, "We don't want to hear about you bribing her, Higgs. Really we don't."

She was more than a little grateful that their food was brought out to them right then.

"Would you rather discuss how long it will be before the wee man has a baby brother or sister?" Morag asked, grinning cheekily.

"Oh now, I like this subject," Adrian added, feeling quite happy with the entire situation.

"Do you?" Lindy asked, her face blushing a deep scarlet red. They hadn't talked about more children but it made her feel floaty knowing that he'd at least thought about it. Every time she looked at Baldr she thought about it.

He slid his hand over to take hers under the table. "I do indeed."

"Oh," was all she said, a happy contented smile spreading across her face.

Higgs didn't bother to hide his amusement. "Better get on it then mate if you want number two in the dungeons with the twins."

"I'd love to do just that, but Lindy is the one that has to carry the baby so she gets to pick the 'when'," Adrian said, already picturing her large with his child, of holding Baldr and a baby.

Lindy blushed again and found herself suddenly very interested in making sure Baldr didn't get gravy on his jumper. Since coming home to Adrian the little boy had sworn off ketchup in order to be just like his daddy.

Once he was sorted with a makeshift bib out of napkins, Lindy looked up at the rest of them and smiled bashfully.

"How about we discuss just how much Lindy and I bought today?" Morag suggested. "Baldr may need two suites and the twins... well they might just need an entire wing."

"It's a good thing we have big estates then yeah?" Higgs replied, grinning. "Though after tending the wee man as often as we have, I do have to say that I'm quite a fan of those bags that are bigger on the inside. You can hold everything you need - everything you wouldn't even remember that you need. With twins I can see those being quite sensible."

"Oh yes, even my Hogwarts trunk had that charm. That and the weightless charm." Morag pushed her empty plate away and sat back, sipping her drink.

"I should have thought of that too. I had far too many pairs of trainers and scarves and knitted hats than is healthy for any young witch... if you believe what my dad said anyway," Lindy replied with a chuckle.

"I didn't realise there was such thing as too many shoes or too much clothing," Adrian replied, trying for a straight face.

She grinned. "My poor uniforms were always thrown in as an afterthought, crumpled and wrinkled all over. It's a good thing you never paid attention to me back then. I was a complete mess."

"And I pushed the uniform rules to the limit," Morag added with a laugh. "What a pair we are."

"I want it on record that I looked much better out of uniform," Lindy pointed out, laughing right along with her friend.

"Care to show me that later?" Adrian quipped.

"How else d'you expect to give Baldr a little sister?" Higgs replied cheekily before Lindy had a chance to.

Morag laughed, poking Ren in the ribs. "Don't you go getting any ideas, there is no way I'd fit in mine- even the oxfords I liberated from the boys."

"I just need to buy bigger shirts. I love it when you nick mine," he answered, completely honest but mostly kidding.

"Ohh sounds like more shopping after we eat then. I vote dessert now."

"Ice cweam," Baldr reminded them with a mouth half full of chips.

"How could we forget, little man?" Higgs replied with a laugh. "Mustn't forget the ice cream."

"Do you think I can get mine with scones and butterscotch topping? I've given up on anyone carrying pomegranate ice cream."

Adrian winced, turning to Lindy. "Did you crave things like that?"

The witch laughed. "Oh I promise you, you'd be horrified. In Iceland they have something called Kúlu-súkk. It's black licorice covered in chocolate. They love their licorice there. It's really bizarre in fact." Lindy shook her head in amusement as she thought back on it. "I have to say that most of the time the smell of anise makes me ill but while I was pregnant with Baldr it was all I wanted to eat. I should make some >Kleinur when I get home though, Morag. Icelandic doughnuts of a sort. Different from scones, but you might like them. I know Baldr does. I put confectioners sugar on them and he's usually a powdery white mess when we're through."

Morag's eyes lit up. "Oh yes, and maybe let me give the recipe to Lil so poor Ren isn't Apparating to Iceland when I just have to have them?"

Dramatically, Higgs sat beside her nodding 'yes' - though he knew right through to the heart of him that he'd Apparate anywhere to give Morag whatever she wanted.

"Though," Morag added, much to Adrian's amusement. "I have been craving beignets from Cafe du Monde so maybe a mini holiday is in order."

"New Orleans. Brilliant!" Higgs nodded enthusiastically. "I wonder if we could convince Kirley and Mari to come too. The start of years of extended family vacations together?"

Morag leaned over and kissed the corner of his mouth. "I think that is a brilliant idea."

"As you'll find most of my ideas are," he answered, happily kissing her back.

"Oi! Enough of that," Lindy teased. "If I don't get to then you don't."

To distract Lindy, Morag grinned at Baldr who pretty much had ice cream all over his face and hands. "Did you manage to eat any of that ice cream?"

The little boy gave her a wide grin and offered a spoonful of melted pink goo to her. "Here, Auntie. I share."

"Uncail Higgs is the one that loves strawberries, why don't you see if he wants a bite," Morag said, breaking of a bit of scone and handing it to the little boy.

Baldr looked expectantly to the dark-haired man and was pleased as he could be when Higgs took the spoon and made a big production out of eating the proffered spoonful.

Lindy looked on and tried not to make a face. Melted ice cream wasn't the most appealing thing she could think of but it was to his credit that he'd eat it anyway. "So when we go on this extended family vacation, I nominate you to eat anything gross," she said firmly, for which she got a dirty look from her son who muttered something that sounded suspiciously like 'Ice cweam not gross" before stuffing his mouth with scone.

"I second the nomination. Adrian?"

Trying not to laugh, Adrian nodded. "I third it."

"Turncoat," Higgs grumbled under his breath to his friend, though he was grinning just the same. It was a life he'd never thought he'd have - never thought he deserved - but he was sure as hell never going to give it up for anyone.

"How soon do you want to go?" Adrian asked Morag. "I don't suppose Apprating halfway around the world will be fun in another couple of months for you."

Higgs looked up from little Baldr to answer that, "I'd rather not travel too close to the babies coming. It's sort of.. important to me that they be born in Jersey."

"Me too," Morag agreed. "So soon, while I can still see my feet but with the agreement that we do this at least once a year - kids and all."

"Of course we'll bring kids," Lindy replied happily. "Cousins, all of them. They'll need one another just as much as we do."

"Tony and Lil too," Morag added firmly.

Higgs smiled and nodded, wondering idly if they'd better just buy an island or something to house everyone. "All right, then we're off to New Orleans this year. Next few months. Adrian's the one with a real job, the rest of us surely can take time off when we want. It's your call, mate."

"I can take off anytime really, I've got all my work caught up for a couple of months and am just designing now." He thought about it. "Will three weeks give you ladies enough time to plan everything?"

Lindy nodded, looking to Morag. "I'm sure Randi will moan about having to take care of the shop but it'll be fine. She's been fairly miserable for months now as it is so it's nothing new."

Morag would have said something about 'couldn't happen to a better person' but for once she bit her tongue on the subject. "More than enough time. They have some lovely shops there so we may have to ship things home."

Higgs didn't bother hiding his amusement. "I think I'd fall over sideways if we didn't have to, Princess."

"I think you're enabling them, mate," Adrian said with a snicker.

"As if you'd ever say no," Higgs replied pointedly.

Wiping Baldr's face, Adrian shrugged good-naturedly. "You've a fair point there."

Lindy grinned happily, blushing lightly because she knew she'd already asked so much of him, she would never just expect him to give in to her. "I've never been to America. I think I'm already getting excited."

"Would you like to stay a bit longer, play tourist a bit more?" Adrian asked, scooping up Baldr- who had made it clear he was done with the highchair.

"Ask me again when we've spent a week there and Baldr is climbing the walls missing his bedroom at home and all of his play things," Lindy replied with a laugh. "I think he's grown accustomed to the elves. He'd miss them if we were gone too long."

He nodded, trying to keep hold of the fidgety boy in his lap. "We can decide later."

"That you can," came Higgs' voice from across the table. "Brilliant! Too bad we didn't hink of doing this in March... though I suppose everything was still pretty new back then. Mardi Gras will have to wait for another year."

"An adults only trip is a must, I agree with you there." Morag sighed, trying to stifle a yawn. "This getting tired easily issue is rubbish."

Higgs gently rubbed her back, though he couldn't help but tease, "I like to think of it as practise, Mags. Surely we won't have another set of twins. Being pregnant with only one next time will feel like a holiday."

"I promise you, 'only one' makes you tired enough, mate," Lindy shot a mock glare at him before turning to her son fondly as he sat in his father's lap. She couldn't even describe how happy seeing her friend so loved made her. Higgs' tender care of Morag as they started their family together was beautiful. She couldn't wait until she and Adrian got to have moments like that - though she knew very well that their family had started long ago the moment she gave him her heart.

"One set is more than enough for me, I vote we do keep it to one at a time after this or I'll forever be in need of a nap," Morag teased back.

The very idea that a vote would stand in the way of genetics had Lindy laughing out loud. "Oh that we could just decide that sort of thing, Morag love," she said through her laughs. "I'd've decreed that Baldr wouldn't've had such a massive melon for a head."

Morag shuddered. "I was there to see my youngest sibling born, I know just what I'm in for."

"Well, think of it this way, Higgs' head is huge... but that might just be his ego," Lindy teased.

"Oi!" Higgs retorted, hardly able to keep himself from snorting out loud.

"I suppose its one of those things we blokes get blamed for, eh?" Adrian interjected wryly.

"It is indeed, among other things I may shout at you while delivering the next baby," Lindy replied with cheeky grin, nudging her shoulder against his.

"Mathair suggested making a list," Morag teased.

"Smart mum you have there," Lindy giggled.

"She adores me so I'd say she's a ruddy genius," Higgs added his two bits, glad to have his arm around Morag as the four of them got up to leave.

Adrian laughed aloud, more amused than he could say. It was nice to have times like this, with family where he didn't have to worry about being judged.

"I suppose it's nap time all 'round, yeah?" Lindy asked when she caught her friend yawning once more. "Morag's sleepy and I think she's not the only one," she whispered dramatically, gesturing to the little boy wrapping his arms around Adrian's neck.

"I'm okay to do more shopping," Morag protested half-heartedly.

"The shops will be here tomorrow, Princess," Higgs reminded her. He wasn't want to tell her no, but it was also his responsibility to take care of her and their children. "Let me take you home to rest."

"How about shopping after we rest?" She pouted, having liked the idea of trying on her old school uniform for him.

"Well see," Higgs answered cryptically. If he had his way they'd be doing other things that were far more fun than shopping once she'd had a good rest.

Morag grinned. "I'd ask for the wee man for good-bye hugs but he looks half asleep as it is. Maybe I could use a nap too, maybe."

"Maybe," he replied, a grin in his voice.

Adrian shifted Baldr and stood, holding his hand out for Lindy. "We should all go and nap, yeah?"

"Did you tire yourself out on the pitch this morning?" Lindy asked softly. "You didn't hurt yourself did you?"

Wrapping his arm around her, he kissed her brow. "Not at all, but if you'd like to check me over after we lay Baldr down, I'd not say no."

She blushed, smiling widely up at him. "I think I might just. There's no being too careful. Not now that I have you with me forever."

"You three make the most adorable picture." Morag was grinning widely. "I can't wait to hold my wee ones."

Lindy smiled at her friend, pulling herself from gazing too long at Adrian. "Not too much longer. After our holiday the time will just fly by."

"Until I can't get out of a chair by myself." She was grinning though.

"Then I'll just bring whatever it is you want to you then, shall I?" Higgs asked, giving her a crooked but charming smile.

"Sounds perfect. We ready to go then?"

He nodded, not letting loose of her, but moving forward to kiss the side of Lindy's cheek and pat his friend on the shoulder. "Today was great, mate. Come for dinner Sunday. I'll get McCormick and Marietta to join us too."

"We'll be there, won't we, love?" Adrian knew he wanted to get together often, but wasn't sure if Lindy was up for it- though he figured she would be.

Lindy grinned and nodded. "Of course. If you want to, we'll be there."

Morag kissed her cheek, the top of Baldr's head, and then Adrian's cheek. "I insist you be there."

"Well, if Morag insists then we will most definitely be there."

"Of course, one of these days I am going to rule the world."

"As long as she lets us along, I'm sure we'll be fine," Higgs added, chuckling. "See you Sunday," he said over his shoulder as he led Morag toward the Apparition point in the restaurant's cloak room.

Resting her head on his shoulder, Morag chuckled. "I should commission Lindy to make me a circlet."

"And a sceptre, Princess."

She nodded sleepily. "And a crown for you too, yeah?"

"Definitely," Higgs agreed with a wide grin. How often was it that you found a beautiful witch who was willing to share the spoils of world domination with you? "And for the little ones as well," he added, placing a soft hand on the still slight bump of her abdomen.

"Of course and a court of loyal friends to help us along the way." She yawned, unable to stifle it this time as they reached the Apparition point.

He wrapped his arms around her and it was just a moment until they'd arrived in the sitting room outside their bedroom at La Néthe. "Come on, Princess. Let's get you to bed."

"'Kay," she murmured, already half asleep and he carried her gently into their bedroom.

Lindy had watched her friends leave with a content and happy smile on her face. She turned to Adrian and slid her arm into his as he held Baldr close to him. "They're happy, aren't they?" she asked but really it was said more like a statement than a question.

"As happy as we are. Let's get you two home and the little man here tucked into bed."

A sleepy Baldr said something that sounded suspiciously like, "Not tired!" and his mother couldn't help but chuckle and pat his little back.

"Of course you're not, smábarn. It's Mama and Pabbi who need a nap," she cooed to him, lovingly, looking up at Adrian so full of love, content that she'd never want for anything else again if she could just keep this.

Adrian led them out, feeling quite happy about how his life was- and knowing he'd do whatever it took to keep it this way.