✧FINALLY HOME✧

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"Alphard, all I want is to settle myself down and have a steaming cup of tea...Is that so much to ask for?" The couple had not been home for an account five minutes before he had claimed that they were released too early.

"No, love. I'm merely worrying. Let me worry and you focus your attention on healing, does that sound fair?" She truly did not want to be snippy, but sleep was surely on the horizon, given that she still had a plethora of tonics in her system to keep her well and comfortable.

But getting them out would be another issue. One that took time and patience, something Rhea seemed to be lacking as of yet.

"Alfie, they wouldn't have let me get discharged if they didn't think I could heal at home...Don't you have to head to the office today?"
"Nope. I am playing nurse for the next three days until Orion is back. Then I'll be working from home." Rhea inwardly groaned as she watched her husband work out the schematics that would no doubt allow her to be comfortable in his office.

"I don't want to hear any complaints, Rhea. Or else I'll keep the new shipment of chocolate frogs myself." He threatened, and she started to laugh—Only to turn into a rather brutal cough. "Promises promises." She teased back, but he supposed that was better than her trying to push him elsewhere.

Alphard understood it, though. The last few times she had gotten sick or injured, she was forced to hide away from her family.

"Yes, and I make good word keeping to my promises, don't I?" He shot back, though a quick suck in of her breath had caused the smile to fall right off his face within the second.

"Why are you talking dirty when you know damn well we can't do anything in the sort?" She said, but it was the pout that really put it into perspective that had him laugh. "I am not the one with the dirty mind, little goddess. That is all your imagination."
"Oh really? And who enhanced it?"
"Guilty. But only for such, now rest those eyes—I am going to speak with the elves on the changes that are going to be made." And there were undoubtedly a few.

Rhea wished she could have said it was a grand week to be resting once again, but given that there were daily Healer visits that reminded her of what she was missing, she couldn't help but feel guilty about missing her own patient's recovery.

It placed her in a rather glum mood following their departure, and Alphard couldn't place it—Nor did Rhea want to outright say how much she missed things.

Instead, the date had caught her by surprise—And following one of Alphard's rare outings, he had returned with a much brighter aura than when he had left.

"Rhea...How are you feeling? What did the Healer say?"
"Nothing's new, it's just exhaustion and allowing this time to heal. They'll be back tomorrow afternoon." He nodded, but as he turned to the door—Both Sirius and Regulus had filled the doorway with bright smiles and a bundle of flowers in each of their hands.

"Is it already Holiday break?" Rhea rushed, coming to sit up and finding the strength to come to her feet—Only for Regulus to rush forward and engulf her in a hug. "Please, school needs to have a break. Even for those of us who like it."

"If I hadn't recently graduated again, I might not have agreed with that...How were your OWLS, Reg?" And thus, the four had hurried into a discussion that eased Rhea's mind and heart away from missing her work.

It was unfortunate, that Rhea couldn't manage any later than seven—But she had allowed the lads into her study for free reign of her art supplies, board games, and the works.

Which of course, they took great care in enjoying it for the time being. But as Alphard had taken lead in entertaining the lads, Sirius had stopped his next movement and turned to his Uncle.

"Is Rhea actually alright, Uncle?" He asked, and Regulus paused as well. Leaving Alphard to sigh.

It wasn't a myth that Alfie was tired, but the mixture of work and an injured wife was not on his list of how to enjoy this summer. He truly wished he could take her pain away, but that truly was not his control.

Maverick was revealed when Alphard finally came to that conclusion. Orion too.

"She is doing well, making improvements. But she isn't cleared for work for some time and I don't believe she knows what to do with herself. Rhea isn't one to sit idly by. That is why I hope the two of you could cheer her up this summer."
"Of course we can!" Regulus cheered, and it earned him a fatherly pat on the back. "I will be stepping out a few times over the course of the week, I need you both to be the men of the manor. Make sure things are already and if I need to be called, you will come and find me. I've made the mistake of being unreachable and I won't allow this to happen again." It was clear across his Uncle's face that he felt guilty, Sirius wasn't a fool not to notice it.

But the urge to ask hadn't left him, even when Regulus had gone to bed—Alphard was in his study, trying to get some work done while Rhea was asleep.

"Uncle?" Sirius had gone unheard, though given by the cigar smoke causing a smokey effect, and the large bottle of whiskey—He'd say he was well versed in his work. "Alfie?"

"Hm? What? Oh, Sirius...I apologize, I didn't hear you come in." Or heard him knock at the door, or call out for him the multiple times. "Are you alright, Uncle?"

"No...I'm not." He smiled, shaking his head before turning back towards the whiskey and refilling up the glass. "Alfie—"

"It's not your problem to worry about, Sirius. It's mine. I'm her husband."
"And I'm your nephew! That's my Aunt! I have a right to be worried, and I'll be damned if you think that I'll take this whole excuse of this being a work injury!" Alphard didn't show an inch of surprise, but the man simply shrugged his shoulders and took to looking at his cigar.

"No, it was not. But I love my wife very dearly, Sirius. And when she said she wanted to keep this under wraps, I intend to."
"Why?! Those Death Eaters need to—"
"Because I say so, damnit! Because I will get my revenge once Rolf brings me them on a silver platter!" It wasn't intentional for him to lash out at the air, but how could he remain content on his wife's state when Rolf has come up empty-handed once more?

"I was a young and foolish lad, I've done nasty things—But never did I have such fear as I did when I sat beside Rhea. Begging her not to die. Begging her not to leave."

"Aflie—"
"No, Sirius...You are old enough to understand that there are consequences to some actions. That if I publicly admit to this defeat, what good does that do me then make an enemy?"
"They attacked Rhea! Dozens of other victims for nothing." Alphard shook his head, knowing that his hands were tied.

"I cannot risk things, I will not risk my wife..."
"And Rhea? What does she think of all this?" That caused the husband to stall, what was her opinion on all of this?
He hadn't even asked if she wanted revenge of her own kind...He had assumed that it was best handled himself.

Little did either know, that neither Rhea nor Regulus were actually tucked into bed. No. Instead, Rhea was sitting fondly in the armchair they had set up beside the grand piano—It was beautiful to hear the song Reg had promised to play for her.

The beautiful melody had filled the room, twisting from playful to horrific, and it amazed Rhea that it could happen so quickly!

"How am I just coming to know that you can play so well, Reg?" She cheered, and the boy had finished the last few lines before his shoulders shrugged. "I don't play much anymore. Mother thought it was a good skill to have, but it's not really impressive at my age anymore."
"At your age? Good Heavens, you are brilliant at it...Does Alphard know?" Reg shook his head, fiddling with the sheets of music before him and not finding anything of interest.

"Those are from a while ago, I tried to learn a song..." She whispered, feeling below adequate that Regulus was such a mastermind with the keys.

"It's not something I would have picked, but I think I'd like to keep practicing."
"I think you should. It could be a great stress reliever, you know. Finding something secret and yours. Besides, nobody can take this from you...This is your talent to claim." She boasted, and he began to laugh. How odd was it that they were dressed in their pajamas and bed robes while making such a commotion on this side of the manor?

"Maybe when you're feeling better, I can teach you?" He offered, glancing from the keys before him before looking to see Rhea's reaction. But the smile that blossomed on her face had instantly eased his nerves.

"I would love that, Regulus. I'll trade you for help with your summer coursework."

"Deal. How long did the Healer say for the bandage?"
"A few more days, depending on how things have healed. Dark Magic is dangerous. Sometimes I don't realize just how much." She resided, but the look Regulus had given her already spoke that he didn't trust their fabricated lie.

"I'm alright, promise."
"It's just...Uncle Alfie is really happy, Rhea. Much happier that you're here now."

"And your Uncle makes me happy beyond belief, he has stayed by my side for so long...I cannot ask for a more caring husband. I won't be leaving anytime soon. That's a promise." She said, leaning her head further against the pillow as she tucked herself deeper into the blanket.

Even with the roaring fire and enchanted blanket, Rhea couldn't find much warmth. She hoped these phantom chills would soon come to pass. Though, it was pointless, given that Alphard had soon discovered that she wasn't in bed.

Neither was Regulus.

It felt wrong in scolding either of them, so instead he just gestured it was truly time for bed. And thus, Rhea had taken to Alphard's aid and kissed the top of Regulus' head and bid him a proper goodnight.

Though the young Black Heir could hear his Auntie boast about how well he played the piano. And it couldn't have been more endearing if she had tried. Though the pair had stopped once more as she had given Sirius the same treatment.

A kiss to the temple, though he was much more squeamish at any sort of display of affection. She rolled her eyes as her husband spared the boy with a simple chuckle—In addition to reminding them that they don't have to wake up early in the morning.

Which again, was another blessing in the manor.

Yet upon arriving at their bedroom, Rhea had already taken her seat at her vanity as Alphard stood behind her, pushing aside her robe and eyeing the very spot that the Healer's suggested they supply a nighttime dosage.

Given that it was difficult for Rhea to fall asleep with the small bouts of pain that would plague her. "The Healer said only half a dosage, correct?"
"Hm...? Sorry, Regulus' playing nearly put me to sleep a few times."
"If a piano will do the trick, I'll ask an elf to get one of our players up here." A smile had graced her face, and he had caught it easily in the mirror.

"We'll try it tomorrow...Given your adorable grin."
"I just like hearing that you say 'ours,' when really it's yours."
"Rhea Black, everything in this manor is ours. What's mine is yours."
"And vise versa...Though I don't know how interested in my manuals you'd be." He kissed her cheek and continued rubbing the treatment into her shoulder. "And I doubt you'll read my art books either. We hold our own interests, I meant more of the common things. I wouldn't claim the bed." He coos, and she started to laugh lightly once more as she gazed up at him with a light kiss on his chin.

"If the Healer hadn't said that bit about this medication tampering with my birth control, I would say we could attempt an easy night. But—"

"You are not twenty-one..." It had been a teasing notion, that their promise to one another was still being used. However, a disturbing thought had taken over Rhea's mind as she turned far too silent for Alphard's liking.

"Love? Have I lost you?" He cooed, cupping her cheek and using his thumb as an attempt to catch her attention back. The Healer's claimed that with the amount of trauma, her body had gone through, along with dealing with the multiple types of medication, it wouldn't be too outrageous that she couldn't gather her attention to what was right before her.

"Rhea?"
"Hm?" She claimed, her eyes starting to grow tearful—Though her attempt at distracting him was taking his hand and kissing his palm. "What are you thinking about?"
"Something awful...Can we go to bed?"
"Not until you tell me what this 'something awful' is discussed. Come, tell me." She shook her head, but of course, that didn't stop his attempts in engaging with what he wanted to know.

"What if I was with child...And this attack—" Rhea couldn't manage any further with that possibility as she started to shake and stutter with the way her body shacked up her tears.

Alphard had no words, as his own surprise hadn't been prepared for such a response. He had simply thought it was a mention of pain, or an opposing thought. But this is worse.

Much worse.

Instead, he slipped his arms around her body and pulled her ever so close, so much so that she fell into his embrace as he plucked her from her vanity table and off to the bed.

"That will never happen, Rhea. I swear to you—I will take every bloody precaution from here on out, do you understand? I will hire a service. Hell, I will do it in the morning, if it gives you any some sort of comfort." It pained her, it pained her so much that her fears were starting to transpire into Alfie as well.

But this service would not give her comfort, a bodyguard wouldn't do much more than cause her to become cautious as to what is happening elsewhere.

"We will figure this out, together. But for right now, you need your rest. Those lads certainly kept us from our regular day, and I know you're exhausted." It was true, as per the tears still streaming down her face that there was an indifference, and exhaustion was pushing her further.

"I miss you." She whispered, so gently, that Alphard nearly missed the relay of her admission—But with her eyes slowly coming to a close, he hadn't the chance to ask her what she meant.

It wasn't unheard of that their schedules were so far from working with one another that it left no room for themselves—Much less with one another.

So Alphard had attempted for the next best thing, after changing from his clothes and washing of the scent of whiskey and cigars, he slipped underneath the cover to join Rhea.

The dooming thoughts had suddenly been whisked away as he found himself showering her in love-abided kisses. Hoping that somewhere, deep down in her conscious, she could feel his love.

That they would be alright in the end.

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Date Posted:  04/16/23

Time: 9:52

Words: 2687

Author's Note:

We are just a few chapters away from one of the biggest problems that Rhea and Alphard will come to face. But let us enjoy these easy-going moments before they disappear.

Get the tissues ready!