(Untitled)

[the_woodpecker]

All is very, very quiet in the Tonks-Wrangle flat. It's so late that most night owls would consider it early

Comments

[clumsy_auror]

For her part, 'Dora grunts, still mostly asleep.

She feels around on Bernard's side of the bed, dimly registers that he's not there, and -- satisfied that he's on the case -- goes back to sleep.

[the_woodpecker]

When Bernard stumbles into the dark room to find that Anthony's pulled himself up by the rails of his crib and is weeping with horrible choking sobs. Bernard shuffles up to him, rubbing one eye. "Come on, monkey," he murmurs, picking him up. "You're okay."

Anthony clings for a second, then registers that this warm body is not the warm body he was looking for. He opens his mouth and hollers, "Nnnnnnnnnnnnuuuuuuuuuuuh Muuuummeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee--"

"..." says Bernard.

[clumsy_auror]

Dimly, there is a thump from down the hall.

That would be Nymphadora scrambling, and then falling out of bed.

She stumbles blindly down the hall, not really registering who it is that's crying, or what they've said -- until she walks into the doorframe.

"Ow. What. 'S okay, 'm here--"

[the_woodpecker]

Bernard is still too shocked to really respond except to turn their son, still shouting 'Mummy,' louder now that he sees the object of his desire, and hand him to her.

"He called you by name."

[clumsy_auror]

Finally it actually registers with her, after nearly a year of wordless wailing, that her son is calling her.

She can't help but smile, even as she takes Anthony in her arms and cuddles him close. "There now, lovely. You're all right. You're just fine, Mummy's here."

[the_woodpecker]

He watches them together for a moment, then steps forward to kiss her cheek and his. "I'll be... asleep." It only takes another second for him to slip out the door and pad to their room, collapsing on the bed with a heavy sigh.

Sucks.

[clumsy_auror]

'Dora watches him go and bites her lip, rubbing Anthony's back. "Shhhhh," she whisperes, bouncing him gently. "Shhh, sweetheart. Let's go cuddle with Daddy, okay?"

Anthony's weeping has lessened gradually since Nymphadora took him, and he now rubs his runny nose against her shoulder. 'Dora laughs sardonically and rolls her eyes, carrying Anthony down the hall to their bedroom.

[the_woodpecker]

The noise is lessening, and yet... growing.

This is disturbing.

Bernard lifts his head from the pillow and turns over onto his side. "I see how it is. Pawning the little parasite off on me, are we?" But he's smiling.

[clumsy_auror]

The baby's just grizzling a bit, now, and when Nymphadora smiles and puts him down on the bed, he immediately crawls over to his dad. "Doesn't seem like he wants to go back into the cot, so. Here we are."

[the_woodpecker]

Bernard copes with the manhandling of his nose with patience, but when Anthony's hand lands on his chest and in his chest hair, he's gotta draw a line. "Hey." His hand covers Anthony's and loosens the baby's grip. "That hurts."

Anthony's brow furrows, and he turns to Nymphadora. "Muh?"

Bernard laughs softly. "Guess he doesn't quite have it yet."

[clumsy_auror]

"He'll get it. He'll get yours, too, you know."

She crawls back in bed and leans over to kiss them both on the cheek.

"C'mon, monkey. Under the covers."

[the_woodpecker]

Anthony flops into the space Mummy makes for him... except he is backwards. His feet are out but his head is in.

This is confusing.

Also dark.

He crawls one or two steps and starts to panic. "Mmmmuh-huh-huh-huh--"

"Oh, no, I am not dealing with this shit," Bernard retorts, pulling the almost-toddler out by his butt.

...And all is well!

[clumsy_auror]

'Dora snickers and tucks the sheet up over his wee chest. "You're just fine." Anthony gives a little shout and wriggles around.

[the_woodpecker]

Bernard laughs and leans over to kiss Anthony's cheek again, catching Anthony's small hand when it bats against his cheek. "And you're supposed to be the smartypants of the bunch. I am gonna embarrass you so well in about twelve years."

[clumsy_auror]

Grinning, Nymphadora curls close around Anthony and stretches her arm over to rest on Bernard's side. "Golly. He really did say it, this time. No mistake."

[the_woodpecker]

"He did," Bernard breathes, slipping his hand over hers. "About damn time."