SUN & MOON - Luna & Theo (HP)

Theo was constantly in Luna's orbit, his protective instincts intensifying as her due date approached. It was suffocating at times, but she understood it was his way of expressing love and concern.

One afternoon, as Luna bent down to pick up some laundry, his voice filled the room with alarm. "Please don't bend down!" he exclaimed, panic evident in his tone.

She straightened up slowly, a small smile playing on her lips. "Theo, I'll be fine," she reassured him, her voice as calm and soothing as ever.

Theo wasn't convinced. "Ask the elves to help," he insisted. "They'll be upset if they can't assist you."

She laughed softly, the sound like a gentle melody in the air. "They already helped, love. There's just a few things left, and I can handle them," she replied, her eyes meeting his with a reassuring gaze.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He knew she was capable and strong, but he couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to do more, to be more for her during this time. "I just want everything to be perfect," he murmured, stepping closer to her.

She reached out, taking his hand in hers. "It already is," she whispered, her eyes full of love. "We're in this together, remember?" 

With a gentle squeeze of her hand, he nodded, his worry easing under her touch. Together, they continued their preparations, each small task a reminder of the life they were about to bring into the world.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Theo decided to build the crib for their baby himself. The task seemed straightforward enough, but soon the nursery was strewn with wooden planks, screws, and an instruction manual that might as well have been written in ancient runes. 

Despite his best efforts, every attempt at assembling the crib ended in frustration. The sides wouldn't align, the screws seemed to have a mind of their own, and his patience was wearing thin. After yet another failed attempt, he sighed heavily, realizing he needed help.

Swallowing his pride, Theo called Pansy. She arrived with a tool kit in hand and a confident smirk on her face.

"Well, well, Theodore Nott, the DIY extraordinaire," Pansy teased, taking in the chaotic nursery. "And here I thought I'd see the baby before you actually finished this thing."

He chuckled sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. "I just wanted to do this for the love of my life and my baby," he admitted. "But I'm in over my head."

Pansy patted his shoulder with a dramatic sigh. "Honestly, Theodore, I'm surprised you made it past the first page of the instructions. Lucky for you, I've got a knack for these things. Let's fix this disaster, shall we?"

With Pansy's guidance and a few extra hands from the house elves, the crib began to take shape. Her methodical approach and calm demeanor helped him regain his confidence, and soon the pieces fit together seamlessly.

As they tightened the last screw, he stepped back, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. "Thank you, Pansy. I couldn't have done it without you," he said sincerely.

Pansy grinned, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Of course you couldn't. But don't worry, Theodore, your secret's safe with me. Now, let's just hope the baby sleeps as soundly in it as we built it."

With the crib finally completed, he felt a surge of excitement and anticipation for the arrival of their little one. The nursery was coming together, and with each passing day, they were one step closer to meeting their baby.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Theo had to leave for 'work' unexpectedly. He paced back and forth in the foyer, his anxiety palpable as he tried to gather his thoughts. The thought of leaving her at home so close to her due date filled him with worry.

"I'm not sure I should go," he said, glancing back towards the nursery where she was peacefully resting.

She appeared at the top of the stairs, her serene smile doing little to ease his concern. "I'll be fine, my Sun. You're only a floo call away if anything happens," she reminded him gently.

He nodded, taking a deep breath as he straightened his jacket. "I know, but I can't help but worry. You're so close to the end of your term."

She descended the stairs slowly, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. "Everything will be alright. Just focus on what you need to do, and I promise I'll call if anything changes."

He kissed her forehead, lingering for a moment to savor her warmth and calm presence. "Okay, but I'll be back as soon as I can."

As he left the house, Theo couldn't shake the nervousness that gripped him. But knowing Luna was waiting for him, strong and composed, gave him the courage to face the day ahead. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everything was far from fine. As he left the house, she felt a sudden, sharp pain rippling through her body. It was unlike anything she had experienced before, and it left her gasping for breath. She leaned against the wall, trying to steady herself, but the pain intensified, causing her to double over.

She waddled to his office, determined to find a potion to alleviate the pain. As she scanned the shelves, she noticed a particularly ornate bottle nestled among the others. Reaching out to lift it, she accidentally nudged a nearby book on the shelf. 

To her surprise, the book triggered a hidden mechanism. With a soft click, a panel in the wall slid aside, revealing a hidden door. It creaked open slowly, revealing a dimly lit passageway beyond.

Curiosity momentarily overshadowed her discomfort as she cautiously peered inside the hidden room. The dim light revealed an arsenal of weapons, both magical and Muggle, lining the walls. Swords and daggers glinted ominously next to sleek, modern firearms and wands, each meticulously arranged as if in a personal museum.

Luna felt a mix of shock and intrigue at the sight. She knew his line of work was mysterious and dangerous, but this secret room added a new layer of complexity to his life.

In that moment, the illusion of their peaceful life seemed to fracture. Her heart ached with the weight of her discovery, and her eyes filled with tears. Desperate for solace, she Apparated to the living room. Alone in the dimly lit space, she let her tears fall freely, the sobs wracking her body as she struggled to reconcile the man she loved with the hidden side of his life she had just uncovered.

Barely married for 10 months, the bond they shared had seemed unbreakable, but now she couldn't shake the feeling that everything had changed. As she sat in the quiet of the living room, the sobs gradually subsided into a profound sense of loss. She wondered what had happened to the loving man she thought she knew. The realization that there was a side to Theo she hadn't seen before left her feeling both betrayed and confused, questioning the future they had so lovingly planned together

In that moment, a new emotion surged through Luna, overshadowing her pain and confusion—motherhood. Her thoughts shifted to the life she was bringing into the world. What would this revelation mean for her baby's future? Despite the turmoil in her heart, she was in labor, and there was no turning back. Her focus sharpened on the impending arrival of her child, determined to protect and nurture the life she and Theo had created together, no matter what challenges lay ahead. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luna, amidst her labor, knew she needed to focus on the immediate task at hand. With a determined breath, she called for the house elves. Their eager faces appeared almost instantly, their eyes twinkling with excitement at the prospect of meeting the baby and assisting her.

"Please," she gasped, her voice trembling with pain but holding firm, "finalize the preparations in the bathtub for the birth. Make sure everything is ready and comfortable."

The elves, their enthusiasm barely contained, scurried around with practiced efficiency. They lined the bathtub with soft, warm towels, enchanted to stay at the perfect temperature. They filled it with soothing, warm water, adding calming herbal infusions to ease Luna's pain.

One elf, with a gentle touch, brushed her damp hair from her face. Another offered her a cool cloth for her forehead. Their presence was a small comfort amid the storm of emotions she was experiencing. They buzzed around her with a sense of purpose and joy, eager to support her and ensure that everything was ready for the arrival of the heir.

In her moment of anguish and urgency, her heart ached for Theo. The pain was almost unbearable, but her love for him was a steady beacon in the storm. She called out for him, her voice trembling yet filled with desperation.

"THEO!" she shouted, her cry echoing through the house.

He, who had been caught up in the chaotic rush of his urgent "work", was already racing up the stairs the moment he heard her distress call. His heart pounded in his chest as he sprinted toward the sound of her voice, his mind a whirlwind of fear and concern. His footsteps thundered through the house as he shouted her name, each call more frantic than the last.

"Luna! Luna, where are you?" His voice, filled with panic, cut through the silence as he burst into the room.

The sight that met him was a striking contrast to the chaos he had imagined. The bathroom was transformed into a sanctuary, thanks to the elves' meticulous preparations. Luna, though clearly in pain, looked up at him with tear-streaked cheeks and eyes filled with a mix of love and desperation.

His breath hitched as he crossed the threshold, his eyes widening as he took in the scene. Luna, his radiant moon, was there, braving the intense waves of labor with a strength he admired deeply. The sight of her, so vulnerable yet so resolute, broke something within him. His face softened with a profound mixture of relief and anguish.

"Luna," he whispered, rushing to her side and kneeling beside her. He gently took her hand, his own trembling as he held it. "I'm here. I'm here my love."

She managed a faint, pained smile, her grip on his hand tightening despite the pain. "Theo... I need you," she murmured, her voice a fragile whisper.

Theo nodded, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I'm right here. We're going to get through this together." He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, his touch soothing despite the urgency of the moment.

The elves continued their work quietly in the background, their excited murmurs replaced by focused diligence. His presence was a balm to hrr strained nerves, a promise of shared strength and unwavering support. In the midst of her pain, Luna drew strength from his presence, knowing that together they would welcome their child into the world.

As the final stages of labor approached, his dedication to Luna was unwavering. He remained by her side, his heart aligned with hers, ready to face the arrival of their baby with the love and resolve that had always defined their bond.

His world narrowed to the intense, painful reality of the moment. Despite all the practice, all the breathing exercises they had rehearsed with the mediwitch, nothing could truly prepare them for the raw, visceral experience of labor. Her cries of pain pierced through his heart like a dagger, and each contraction seemed to rip away a piece of his soul.

He could barely keep himself composed, his emotions a chaotic storm. He had always prided himself on his strength and control, but in this moment, he felt utterly powerless. The pain she was enduring was a reflection of his own suffering, amplified by his inability to ease her discomfort. His heart ached with an intensity he had never known before, the love he felt for her transforming into a painful, overwhelming force.

His eyes were fixed on Luna, who was gripping his hand with a desperation that matched his own. Her face was a portrait of agony, her breaths ragged and strained. He felt each contraction as if it were his own, his anger and helplessness mingling into a bitter resentment toward the cruel twist of fate that had put them in this situation.

"I can't stand this," he muttered, his voice cracking as he fought to keep his composure. His knuckles were white from gripping her hand, and his gaze was intense, filled with a mix of helplessness and fury. "I hate this. I hate that I can't make it better."

Her eyes met his, her expression one of deep exhaustion yet profound trust. Despite her pain, she managed a weak smile, the love she held for Theo still shining through. "Love... just stay with me. Your strength... it helps me more than you know."

His breath hitched, tears pooling in his eyes as he looked at her, seeing the pain etched into every feature. The thought of his Luna, the person who meant everything to him, enduring such agony was almost too much to bear. He wanted to scream at the unfairness of it all, to demand that fate give them a break, but instead, he channeled his anger into a fierce determination to be there for her, to support her in any way he could.

"I'm here," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere. We're going to get through this. I promise."

The words were as much for himself as they were for Luna, a desperate affirmation that despite the crushing weight of the moment, he would remain steadfast by her side. As the labor continued, his resolve hardened. He would face this torment with her, every excruciating moment, because he knew that soon they would have their baby, a new life that symbolized their love and endurance.

The pain and chaos of labor were harsh and unforgiving, but his unwavering presence and his fierce love for Luna became the steady anchor in the storm. Together, they would endure this trial, and their love, tested and strengthened by the crucible of childbirth, would emerge even more profound and enduring.

The elves, with their extraordinary care and skill, transformed the atmosphere around them. Their presence was almost magical, their tiny hands moving with precision as they expertly used their enchanted spices to create a soothing environment. The air filled with a warm, comforting aroma that seemed to ease her intense pain, providing her with a brief but much-needed respite.

He stood by her side, his heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. His eyes never left hers, watching as she labored through the final stages with an exhausted but determined strength. His earlier fury and helplessness had transformed into a fierce, unyielding support for her, and he clung to the hope that their child would soon be in their arms.

As she reached the final stages of labor, the room became a haven of warmth and calm, the elves working tirelessly to ensure that everything was perfect. He could see the relief on her face as the pain began to ebb, replaced by an intense focus and a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

Then, amidst the chaotic but controlled environment, the moment of truth arrived. The room was filled with a collective breath held, and he felt time slow as the first cries of their baby echoed through the room. It was a sound that pierced through the tumult, a powerful, primal signal that their child had arrived.

Her exhaustion melted into tears of joy and relief as the house-elf carefully placed the newborn in her arms. His heart swelled with an overwhelming mix of emotions—joy, love, and an indescribable awe. He knelt beside her, his hand gently resting on the tiny, swaddled bundle that was their child. The baby's cries were quickly soothed by her gentle touch, and Theo found himself lost in the wonder of the moment.

The elation in the room was palpable as Theo's joyful exclamation filled the air. "IT'S A BOY, my baby boy!" His voice, filled with uncontainable excitement and pride, rang through the room, a triumphant declaration that their long-awaited child had arrived.

She looked at him, her eyes glistening with tears of sheer joy and exhaustion. Her face was flushed from the exertion of labor, but the radiant smile that stretched across her lips spoke of profound happiness. Despite the physical toll, she couldn't stop the tears from flowing, each one a testament to the overwhelming love and relief she felt in that moment.

The elves, their work far from done, moved with practiced efficiency. They meticulously cleaned up the birthing area, removing any remaining medical necessities with quiet reverence. Their small, nimble hands ensured that the space was pristine and ready for the new chapter of the family's life. Their soft murmurs and gentle movements created a cocoon of calm around them, adding to the serene atmosphere of the room.

Theo, still overwhelmed by the enormity of the moment, gently stroked his son's tiny fingers as he looked up at her. His heart swelled with a fierce protectiveness and an unspoken promise to cherish and care for this new life. He marveled at how perfect the baby was, from his tiny, delicate features to the faintest hint of a smile that played at the corners of his lips.

Luna, though utterly spent, found a renewed strength in the sight of their baby boy. She cradled him gently, her love for him—her little miracle—shining through the fatigue. Her tears of joy mingled with her exhaustion, creating a poignant mixture of relief and elation.

As he knelt beside her, his hand resting on her shoulder, he leaned in to kiss her forehead tenderly. "You were incredible, my love," he whispered, his voice filled with reverence and admiration. "I don't know how I could ever thank you enough."

Her eyes met his, and in that gaze, there was a silent acknowledgment of their shared journey. "We did it together, love," she replied softly, her voice barely more than a whisper. "This is our greatest achievement."

He nodded, his eyes never leaving their son. "He's perfect," he said again, almost to himself, as if saying it out loud helped make it more real. "I can't believe we finally have him."

The baby stirred slightly, a soft whimper escaping his lips as he nestled deeper into his mother's embrace. They exchanged a look of sheer contentment, their hearts full as they shared this first moment of their son's life.

As the elves finished their tasks and retreated quietly, the room was filled with a peaceful hush. Theo and Luna, now alone with their precious boy, took in the serene beauty of their family. The trials and fears of the past few hours seemed a distant memory, replaced by the overwhelming joy of finally holding their son in their arms.

He gently kissed her cheek and then placed a tender kiss on their baby's forehead. The love he felt was indescribable, a deep, profound connection that bound them together as a family. He wrapped an arm around Luna, pulling her close, and they both gazed at their son with hearts full of wonder and love.

The new chapter of their lives had begun, and though the road ahead would undoubtedly have its challenges, Theo and Luna knew that they would face it together, united by their love and their new, beautiful family.