A lot had happened in the time between the tower and Easter break. Waking up with Rose in his arms, cuddled on the sofa in her office, changed everything. The kissing helped as well. With the events of the tower, a lot was put into perspective. He didn’t want to waste time worrying about what others thought. Was it a good idea to pursue a single mother of two? And not a pureblood. Things that had caused him to pause prior to the Tower. Now? Life was too short.
The kiss they shared had unlocked feelings he had never allowed himself to feel before. Not even with Elizabeth. He wanted Rose. Every part of her.
Her being a mother didn’t scare Gideon. He was always good with kids. Wanted kids of his own in fact. Being the Deputy Head Master at Hogwarts was actually far more fulfilling than he ever anticipated, purely for the fact that he was around kids all day. Except for the older kids, they were annoying.
When Gideon brought up the idea of Rose and Fiona joining him at his home in London, he wasn’t sure how she would take it. They had been dancing around labeling their relationship for a while, but after the tower and the night with her in his arms, he was fully invested.
Arriving at the house, Gideon opened the door, holding it open for the girls to enter. “Come on in ladies, we can leave the bags here. I’ll bring them to your rooms later.”
Gideon took their coats, hanging them on the hall tree just next to the door. He wanted them to be comfortable, and thankfully Lavinia was able to get the rooms ready. “So down here we have the main living areas, the kitchen, a bathroom and the office. Vinni and I share the office space, since she is here a lot more than I am. On the second floor there are the two guest rooms and the master suite. And on the third floor, there is another bed and bathroom, along with a small living area. That’s Vinni’s.”
Leading the girls through the downstairs, Gideon pointed out a few details while walking towards the kitchen. The kitchen was probably his favorite room in the house. Dark green cabinets, black range, an old table was turned into an island with a marble top. Copper accents all over the kitchen brought in a rich touch.
“I’ll show you to your rooms upstairs. Once you’re settled I can start dinner. Any requests?”
Rose stepped up to the townhome, Fiona’s hand in hers. She looked up at the beautiful building, biting her lip. Was she nervous? Not at all. She was excited. The night that they had fallen asleep together on the couch in her office, she had gotten the best sleep ever. Granted, she’d been totally exhausted.
But Rose had enjoyed waking up with Gideon the next morning. The feeling of his arms around her made her feel safer than she’d felt in a long time. And that was nice. After all the months of dancing around each other, flirting and small touches – like their hands touching for the briefest of moments, or when he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear – it was a relief to know that the wall had been broken down.
The invitation to join him at his home for the Easter break, including her daughter, was something she honestly hadn’t expected. She knew that his sister would be there, which was fine. He had assured her that his sister wouldn’t be a nuisance at all.
“Come on in ladies, we can leave the bags here. I’ll bring them to your rooms later.”
The last time that Roisin had been to a home this nice was when she was still living with her father – and her stupid step-mother and baby brother. She’d loved that estate. But when she got kicked out – essentially disowned – by her father, the thought of that home became tainted with the hatred she felt for him now.
“Oh, this is beautiful,” Rose responded after Gideon hung her and Fiona’s coats up. The two followed him through the downstairs, her eyes widening when they entered the kitchen. As a true Hufflepuff, while she wasn’t brilliant in the kitchen, Rose did love to bake so she knew how to do some things.
“Please, Mr. Blackwood, can we have some roast?” the seven-year-old asked, her eyes bright with hope.
“That is her absolute favorite,” she commented, smiling at Gideon.
Seeing Rose in his space made him smile. Watching her look around the kitchen, his eyes never straying from her. It felt… good. “Oh, this is beautiful,” she said, taking in the space. Gideon spoke, his eyes still on her, “It is. Um, my sister did most of the decorating. Although, the kitchen I had a lot of say in. It’s my favorite room in the house.”
“Please, Mr. Blackwood, can we have some roast?” The sweet voice of little Fiona brought his eyes to the young girl. He had almost forgotten she was here. There were little eyes and ears in the room, he best keep that in mind. Squatting down, closer to her level, Gideon gave the girl a smile very few people ever saw.
“For you, Miss Fiona, absolutely, but please, you don’t need to be so formal. You can call me Gideon. Mr Blackwood is my father. Why don’t I show you the rest of the house, then in a bit I will start supper?”
After showing them the more informal family room on the first floor, the guest bathroom, and the library, Gideon brought them upstairs. There were four doors down the long hallway, with the stairs going up one more flight. The first door on the right was a small room, clearly having kids in mind. There were two small beds, a bookshelf, a large dollhouse, a small desk, and a large bay window perfect for sitting and reading. “This is where you will sleep, if you’d like,” Gideon said, looking at Fiona. “Your Mum’s room will be right there.” She didn’t seem to notice him pointing to the first door on the left. She was too taken by the toys. “You can go play if you’d like. I’m going to show your mum the rest of the rooms.”
Fiona was off playing well before Gideon finished his sentence. He couldn’t help but chuckle. Lacing his fingers with Rose, he moved his way down the hall, tugging her with. “My niece and nephew stay there when they come over. I thought she might like it.”
Coming to the next door, he opened it, standing on the threshold, hand still linked with Rose. “This is the other guest room. The guest bath is right there,” he said, pointing to the door across the hall.
Not letting Rose look at the room for long, Gideon pushed off the doorframe and pulled her along down the hall to the last door at the end. He quickly opened the door, pulled her inside the large masculine master bedroom, and closed the door behind them. Gideon pushed Rose up against the closed bedroom door, face a mix of ravenous and impatience. Burying his fingers in her long red hair, he slammed his lips against hers. This was not a sweet kiss; this was possessive, passionate, and wanting.
Pressed up against her, his hands left her hair, skating down her neck, shoulders and to her arms. His tongue swept into her mouth, exploring, groaning at her taste. His hands continued their path, following every curve, finally resting on her hips as he pulled her closer. His lips left hers, breaths coming out in pants as he rested his forehead against hers. “Jesus, Rose.” His eyes shut, trying to calm himself down. “I like you here. In my space.” He said, kissing her temple, then her cheek, her jaw and that spot, just behind her ear. Smiling into her skin.
“So, this is my room.” He said with a small chuckle, not pulling away, lips still on her neck.
Rose bit her lip and watched Gideon squat down to be eye-to-eye with her daughter.
“For you, Miss Fiona, absolutely, but please, you don’t need to be so formal. You can call me Gideon. Mr Blackwood is my father. Why don’t I show you the rest of the house, then in a bit I will start supper?”
Fiona looked up at Rose at his request to skip the formalities. Rose nodded slightly, signaling it was okay for her to call him Gideon. She then looked back at their host and nodded, grinning.
As they began walking, Gideon showing more of the house, Fiona skipped ahead of them. It was clear the little girl was thrilled to be here instead of their little flat, and that just warmed Rose’s heart. She kept stealing glances at him as they walked up the stairs.
They stopped at the first door, which was clearly going to be Fiona’s room. Rose grinned at how quickly her daughter rushed inside to begin playing with the toys. She laughed and then felt his hand grasp hers, and then followed as he tugged her with him.
“This is the other guest room. The guest bath is right there.”
Rose had been wanting to at least take a step inside the guest room, considering that is where Fiona was expecting her, but before she could even do that, she was being pulled further down the hallway.
He opened the door, pulled her inside his bedroom, and shut the door… then pressed her against the closed door. The desire on his face was enough to make her knees go weak so she was happy that she had him holding her up. His lips crashed against hers, taking her by surprise, and yet she easily responded by returning the kiss, matching his intensity.
They’d been dancing around each other, but it had been a different dance, for the past week. The newer one had been knowing they wanted each other, but doing everything they could to focus on work first. That’s why she jumped at the invitation to join him at his home for Easter break.
Everywhere that Gideon’s hands touched as they traveled from her hair to her hips, tingled in reaction. Their tongues explored each other’s mouths and she felt almost as if she’d had a very strong drink. He pulled her body closer as his lips left hers and they were both breathing hard.
“Jesus, Rose.”
A smirk crossed her lips, though her eyes were also closed. God she wanted him.
“I like you here. In my space.”
His lips touched her temple, her cheek, her jaw, and right behind her ear. She breathed him in, his cologne surrounding her.
“So, this is my room.”
Rose smiled and opened her eyes. “I’m sure it’s lovely,” she responded softly, not really able to see any of the room very well because her eyes could only see the ceiling at the moment. But she would rather keep his lips on her neck than get a better look, so she just wrapped her arms around him.
It was only unfortunate that it was so close to time to start making supper. “Can we just… stay in here ‘til we go back to work?” she asked, sighing at the thought.
“I’m sure it’s lovely,” Rose said, making him chuckle into the soft skin of her neck. The tip of his tongue coming out to taste. How was it possible for her to taste like candy? Taking a deep breath, inhaling her sweet scent, Gideon stood straight, pulling Rose away from the door. This was not easy. The act of moving away from her was almost painful.
Moving behind her, his hands going to her hips, then snaking around her front to pull her tight against his chest. “Not sure I would call the room lovely. Manley, refined, lush. All good words.” He smiled against her hair. “Beautiful,” he said, kissing her temple. “Gorgeous,” then nibbling her ear.
“Can we just… stay in here ‘til we go back to work?” Gideon’s forehead rested against her shoulder, his body shaking with laughter. His arms enveloped her in a tight hug, loving how her body fit so perfectly with this.
“As much as I would love that, I think Fiona would revolt if we didn’t get her some roast,” she said with a chuckle. He had smiled and laughed more in the last hour than he had in years. Having them in his home felt so right. His entire body was relaxed and… dare he think… happy.
“Ok, let's finish this tour. Right through here is the master bathroom. The bath is to die for. I had Vin stock up on some bubble bath, just in case you wanted a soak.”
Looking at his bathroom, he was immensely happy with his choice of finishes. Specifically, that large shower and two-person tub. Would he get a chance to test those measurements this week? God, he hoped so, but if not… maybe one day soon.
He let her look around the bathroom, the large master closet with a large section empty, just waiting for the lady of the house to move in. His side, color-coded with every color of suit, tie, shirt, vest and pocket square. Due to his family business, his attire was always important.
He sat on the bed, just watching her in his space, studying her face to see what might be going on in her head. One thing he had never been proficient in was deciphering the minds of women.
"The guest quarters are available should you prefer them. However," he said with a confident smirk. "I can promise better company, and significantly better thread counts, right here, but no pressure. I know with Fiona here, you may want to keep things simple. Whatever you prefer.”
He was nervous. Stumbling over his words was SO not like him, but he wanted it to be her choice, while still making his intentions clear. Walking closer, Gideon tipped her face up, kissing her lips softly.
“How about I bring up your bags, you can help get Fiona’s things organized while I start dinner.” Running his fingers through her hair he smiled down at her. “Wherever you decide to unpack, is completely fine with me.”
((PP approved by Rose))
Gideon finally stood up straight, and pulled her from the door. She already missed the feeling of his body so close to hers, but now she was able to look at the room. He moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She rested her head back momentarily, listening to the words he wanted her to use when it came to his room. But then… clearly, he wasn’t talking about the room.
A smirk crossed her lips when he nibbled on her ear, sighing happily. Could this happiness be real?
“As much as I would love that, I think Fiona would revolt if we didn’t get her some roast.”
He chuckled and she nodded. As much as she wanted to just spend the next two weeks in his bed, her daughter was here and would need attention. She was a mum first, a woman second. That’s how it had been since she had Fiona and that’s how it would be for at least the next ten years or so.
“Ok, let's finish this tour. Right through here is the master bathroom. The bath is to die for. I had Vin stock up on some bubble bath, just in case you wanted a soak.”
Rose moved to the bathroom, taking in how lovely a relaxing bath would make her feel. She noted the size of the shower, and stepped into the closet. One side was empty, while the other was full of his suits. She couldn’t help but to press her nose into the fabric of one of his suit jackets.
She felt his eyes on her as she moved about the room, taking it in. How easily she could slide into life here in his townhome. The thought brought a blush to her cheeks and a smile to her lips. When he spoke again, she turned to him.
"The guest quarters are available should you prefer them. However, I can promise better company, and significantly better thread counts, right here, but no pressure. I know with Fiona here, you may want to keep things simple. Whatever you prefer.”
She tilted her head slightly at his smirk, though her brain was trying to figure out the best course of action here. Fiona was seven, almost eight, and Rose didn’t know if the little girl would understand if she slept in his bed every night they were here.
“How about I bring up your bags, you can help get Fiona’s things organized while I start dinner. Wherever you decide to unpack, is completely fine with me.”
He kissed her softly and Rose sighed happily as he smiled at her. “That sounds good,” Rose responded, pressing her lips to his again, pulling him closer to her in a hug.
When was the last time that Rose had been happy? Before her mum died, of course. Sure, she’d had her moments at Hogwarts as a student, and even after, but things had been hard. She really couldn’t recall ever feeling this light as an adult before.
“So I’ll see you in Fi’s room then?” she asked, enjoying how that sounded. Fi’s room. The girl would be happy here, and not want for anything. Same with Rose.
“So I’ll see you in Fi’s room then?” Kissing her on the forehead with a smile Gideon nodded. “I’ll start dinner then come up once it’s in the oven.”
As Rose and Fiona were upstairs unpacking, Gideon made his way down to the kitchen to start dinner. Making himself more comfortable, he ditched the vest, rolled the sleeves of his white dress shirt up to his elbows, unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt and tossed his shoes by the front door. God it felt good to be home.
Cooking was like a dance, moving between the pantry, cold storage, fridge and cupboards to retrieve bowls, platters, a dutch oven, cutting boards, etc. Thankfully, with magic, most of the process was pretty easy. Although, Gideon did like doing certain things the muggle way. Except for cutting onions. Fuck no.
Searing the meat on the stove, Gideon sauteed the onions, shallots, herbs, and garlic with olive oil. His wand made quick work of peeling and cutting the carrots, potatoes and celery, adding those to the dutch oven with the roast. With a quick flick, a bottle of Merlot floated across the kitchen, then with a pop, the cork was removed. Gideon added a cup of wine to the roast, the aroma filling the room making him smile.
Filling two wine glasses with the liquid, Gideon took a sip. With the roast in the oven, potatoes ready to boil and mash and the rolls in a basket on the table, Gideon grabbed the wine glasses and made his way up the stairs. He could hear the girls before getting to the room.
The girls. A smile hit his face once again.
Having laughter and light filling his home made his chest get tight and his heart skip a beat. He had dreamed of this, yet after Elizabeth he didn’t think it would happen.
Opening the door quietly, Gideon leaned against the door frame watching Rose and Fiona. It seemed the little girl had made herself right at home. “Hello ladies. Dinner should be ready in about an hour. Having fun up here?”
Fiona loved the room she was going to be sleeping in. Rose watched from her spot on the floor as the little girl explored the toys and the books that were available to her. Being here – in Gideon’s home – felt comfortable to her. He was so welcoming and definitely made both of them feel at home.
Rose had never thought that she’d find something like this. After not knowing who Fiona’s father even was, and then her drunken night with Maddox – while she’d always wanted to be in a relationship, it had been something unattainable to her.
Sure, flirting had happened, even with some coworkers at the Ministry when she was training to be an Auror. But now, her heart felt fuller than it ever had before. She was happy, and she was happy that Fiona could finally see her happy.
“Hello ladies. Dinner should be ready in about an hour. Having fun up here?”
“It smells wonderful, Gideon,” she admitted, smiling up at him. “Fiona was just telling me that yours is the nicest house she’s ever seen. Right, baby?” Rose asked, looking at the blonde girl.
“It is the best of any house in the world!” Fiona exclaimed. She then climbed onto the bed and began jumping. “And the bed is the best for jumping!”
“Fi, please get down, you might fall and break something,” Rose said as she stood up. She looked over at Gideon briefly, her chest swelling with affection for him. She wanted to touch him, but she also didn’t want to because she knew she probably wouldn’t be able to stop this time.
“I’ve put my bags next door for tonight,” she said to Gideon. “I just want to be sure she’s settled before…” her voice trailed off and she blushed a little bit, turning back to her daughter.
It would seem that the smile gracing his face would be there for quite some time. Just being in the presence of Rose and Fiona, the smile was a permanent feature. Watching Fiona take to the space so easily, having fun, jumping on the bed, playing with the toys, and being a kid made Gideon exceedingly happy.
“Fiona was just telling me that yours is the nicest house she’s ever seen. Right, baby?”
Pushing off the doorframe, Gideon walked into the room, face taking on an animated, surprised face. “Really now?! The nicest EVER? That’s pretty good I guess.”
“It is the best of any house in the world! And the bed is the best for jumping!” Gideon stopped next to the bed, watching the young girl have the time of her life by simply being a kid. He had never been allowed to jump on the bed as a child. Proper young lads didn’t do such things… What his parents didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them.
“Fi, please get down, you might fall and break something,” Gideon chuckled at Rose’s attempt to calm the girl. Good luck with that. “As long as you don’t break yourself, everything else can be fixed. Now, come with me Miss Fee, we have places to BE!” He said, catching Fiona mid jump, then flipping her upside down, tickling her sides as they walked out of the room. He heard Rose’s mention of the bags, he figured that she would move into the guest room. As much as he wanted her next to him in bed, he understood.
“Come on Miss Fee! We have things to cook! BUT WAIT!” He said, kneeling down next to her. Whispering in the young girl's ear. “Wanna help me make dessert for your mum?” Fiona nodded her head rapidly, making Gideon smile wide.
“That’s what I thought. Rose, my dear. You are banished from the kitchen. You must leave us be for thirty minutes. So, go read a book, unpack, relax, whatever, but you're not allowed in the kitchen.” Rising to his full height, Gideon grabs Fiona’s hand and they skip down the stairs headed towards the kitchen.
This may have been the cutest thing he had ever seen. After discussing the options, it was decided that a fruit pie with vanilla ice cream was needed for dessert. After sourcing an apron in the pantry, Gideon helped Fiona get all decked out in her chefs best. Searching the cold storage, blackberries were found so that was what they would use.
As the footsteps came down the stairs Gideon chuckled at the state of the kitchen and the two chefs. Flour was… everywhere. Including Fiona’s face. Gideon had more than his fair share on his apron, it seemed that the two of them cooking together equaled a mess.
“Good timing, we were just putting the pie in the oven and taking the roast out to rest. We should be ready for dinner in ten minutes. Maybe Miss Fee and I should get cleaned up?" He laughed, tapping a piece of blackberry on the girls nose.
Rose couldn’t explain how she felt at that moment; Fiona jumping on the bed, the happiest she’d ever seen her, the smile on Gideon’s face… her heart felt full. She hadn’t felt this way since long before her mum died. It almost, dare she say, felt normal.
So this is what a proper family feels like… she thought to herself, laughing at the pair as he grabbed the girl, flipped her upside down, and tickled her. She wanted this so bad. She wanted to be here, with him, and with her daughter. Evander would come too, of course, but she wasn’t going to take the boy from his father, so his visits would be less permanent.
Sure, Rose hadn’t even met Lavinia yet, but surely the woman was just as kind.
“Come on Miss Fee! We have things to cook! BUT WAIT!”
Rose had begun to follow them out of the children’s room, into the hallway when she spotted Gideon whispering to her daughter. She raised her brow as he stood up and looked at her.
“That’s what I thought. Rose, my dear. You are banished from the kitchen. You must leave us be for thirty minutes. So, go read a book, unpack, relax, whatever, but you're not allowed in the kitchen.”
“Oh, must I, now?” Rose asked, laughing. She watched them bound down the stairs together, hand in hand. She bit her lip once the hallway was silent, hearing voices in the kitchen.
Was she getting ahead of herself? She’d always wanted this, but never thought she was worthy of it. That was one reason Maddox had only been a one-night stand. She would have made an effort to make something out of that relationship, but… no.
Rose turned and made her way into the guest room. What was she to do for thirty whole minutes to herself?
Rose had fallen asleep briefly after unpacking her things in the guest room, but woke up right on time. She stood up, stretched, and made her way down the stairs into the kitchen.
Into the mess.
Her mouth dropped open.
“Good timing, we were just putting the pie in the oven and taking the roast out to rest. We should be ready for dinner in ten minutes. Maybe Miss Fee and I should get cleaned up?"
Flour was everywhere and Fiona was a mess.
“What on earth? Did you two have a fight with the flour?” she asked, finally letting a smile come back to her lips. Still, seeing Gideon like this – a complete disheveled mess – made her want to kiss him. She didn’t. Instead she bit her lip gently and turned towards her daughter.
“Well, Fi, I trust that Gideon can clean himself up. But let me help you. You’ll get a bath after dinner,” she said and looked at the girl, not really even knowing where to start. “What is that… blackberry? How is it in your hair?” she asked, and the girl giggled.
Rose did what she could with her hands and a damp towel, cleaning the girl’s face off enough to not look like she’d been living in flour. The rest would come off after dinner.
The redhead looked over at their host, smiling when she saw that he looked back to his normal self. Except…
“You missed a spot,” she commented, and used the damp towel on his neck while looking up into his eyes. “Perfect.”
“What on earth? Did you two have a fight with the flour?”
Snickering under his breath, he looked up at Rose with a smile. “As a matter of fact yes, but don’t worry. We won.”
Rose went into Mom mode, getting Fiona all cleaned up for dinner. It was fun to watch her in this way. Maternal, loving, while still teaching Fiona about the world. Setting boundaries and rules to live by. The Rose he knew best was the woman, but he was falling for both quickly.
Thankfully magic made cleaning easier, with a few flicks of his wand the kitchen was nearly spotless. As well as himself. Watching Rose look him over, then walk closer, his face transformed. The look of humor morphed into lust faster than he thought possible. Holding himself back, arms crossed over his chest, she walked into his space.
“You missed a spot,” she said, wiping off baking debris from his neck. "Perfect.”
He didn’t comment, just looked into her eyes. An audible sigh left his mouth. It took all his strength not to pull her into his arms and kiss her breathless. A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes. Letting his right hand come up to tuck a hair behind her ear, then trailing down her cheek. He rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip, wanting nothing more than to devour her. “Later,” he mouthed with a small groan.
Pulling away from her, Gideon shook off the desire, getting himself together.
“Ok ladies, dinner is ready if you would like to take a seat.”
Dinner was a fun time filled with stories and jokes. A lot less food found its way to the floor or their hair, compared to when they were cooking dessert. Their pie was delicious, paired with cold vanilla ice cream, and Gideon was stuffed.
As it got later, Gideon knew it was close to Fiona’s bedtime and to be honest, having a bit of alone time with Rose was something he had been looking forward to all night. Standing next to the table with Rose in front of him, he smiled down at her. Fiona, bouncing around like a rabbit. He had a stack of dishes in one hand, while his free hand found her hip, pulling her closer. His lips kissed the shell of her ear, where he whispered for only her to hear. “Why don’t you go get her in the bath and ready for bed. I’ll clean up dinner and be up in a bit to say goodnight. Then, maybe you and I can enjoy a glass of wine by the fire? Sound good?” Leaving a kiss on her temple, he finished his question with a raise of his eyebrows.
Rose blushed when she saw the desire in Gideon’s eyes. He, again, tucked hair behind her ear (this was quickly becoming her favorite thing he did to show affection) and she bit her lip. His thumb on her bottom lip caused her to almost lose control. He mouthed and his slight groan…
How long would ‘later’ be?
“Ok ladies, dinner is ready if you would like to take a seat.”
Fiona entertained the adults with many fanciful stories, and things that she wanted to do on the holiday break – making sure to tell them both they had to do something special on her eighth birthday, which was on the first of April. (She would also be counting down every day until ‘the day’.)
Rose had loved dinner, and loved dessert even more. She felt like they were a proper family, even though she and Gideon were only just starting their relationship. The little girl was helping with that – she’d taken to him so easily, which was a relief.
Standing up, Rose smiled when she felt Gideon’s hand on her hip. She exhaled with a soft whimper when he kissed her ear.
“Why don’t you go get her in the bath and ready for bed. I’ll clean up dinner and be up in a bit to say goodnight. Then, maybe you and I can enjoy a glass of wine by the fire? Sound good?”
“Yes, sounds perfect,” she commented softly, unable to keep the longing from her gaze as she looked up at him. She couldn’t recall ever feeling this way before, and she loved it. She never wanted it to stop.
“Come on, pumpkin, let’s get you in the bath,” Rose said after a moment. It’d been hell to tear her gaze away from Gideon, but now she was in a hurry to get her child situated for the night so that she could finally be alone with the man.
Gideon took his time cleaning up the kitchen. Putting away the leftovers, sneaking a couple extra bites of pie before waving his wand to clean all the dishes and scrub the counters.
Walking up the stairs, he could hear Rose and Fiona talking, it seemed that the young girl was out of the bath and snuggled up in bed. Walking into the room, the lights dim. He took in the scene, too scared to think this could be his life if he wanted it. Was it too much to wish for? A woman to share his life with, a child to love and raise. Maybe even one of their own someday. There was a time when he thought it would happen. Then tragedy struck. It was almost in reach now, he could see it, but the dream was a scary one. It would hurt so much worse this time if it didn’t work out.
Stepping into the room, he stood over the bed. Fiona snuggled up under the covers. “Do you have everything you need? There are more blankets in the closet if you get chilly, but it’s not supposed to get too cold. What do you think? Maybe we will go to the zoo tomorrow? You get a good night's rest Miss Fee.” he smiled, kissing his fingers then placing them on her forehead.
He didn’t know what was ok. What was proper? And more than anything, he didn’t want to make Rose or Fiona uncomfortable. “I’ll be downstairs.” He whispered, leaving the room, shutting the door until just a crack remained open.
While Rose got Fiona to sleep, he went downstairs into the living room, just to the right of the stairs, so that they could hear Fiona if she called out. The fireplace was going, the rest of the lights off, giving the room an orange glow. He was thoroughly relaxed, for possibly the first time in years. The house had warmth and life. Footsteps and giggles filled the air.
Resting back on the couch, legs extended in front of him, resting on the coffee table, Gideon waited. A crystal highball glass in one hand, the amber liquid being sipped slowly. He hadn’t changed, but he did look more disheveled than normal. His shirt was unbuttoned and untucked from his pants. His white undershirt on display. The state of his hair showed how many times his fingers had run through the locks.
The click of the door closing upstairs was the only sound needed for his heartbeat to kick into gear. The soft padding of footsteps coming down the stairs. His head remained on the back of the couch, but he turned towards the entrance of the living room, waiting to see her turn the corner.
As Rose came into view, Gideon sighed. He was falling hard and fast. “Fiona asleep?” He asked? Lifting his hand, with a smile brought on his face and sleepy, hooded eyes, Gideon crooked his finger. “Get over here,” he whispered playfully.
Rose picked up Fiona’s stuffed niffler and handed it to the girl. “The bed is super comfy right? Like sleeping on a cloud,” she said as the girl snuggled down into the sheets. Fiona was exhausted, which was obvious by the hoops under her eyes. It wouldn’t take her long at all to go to sleep.
Gideon approaching brought an instant smile to Rose’s face, and when she looked at Fiona, the girl was smiling too. Rose watched as he kissed his fingers and then placed them on the girl’s forehead, finding herself falling even more for him every second she was near him.
Fiona didn’t have a father; rather, Rose had no idea who had fathered the girl. So seeing Gideon interact with her, the way a father would, warmed her heart.
“I’ll be downstairs.”
Rose nodded and then turned her attention back to Fiona. “I really like him, mama,” she whispered while giggling. “Me too, Fee,” she responded and then proceeded to tell the girl a story about a princess and a dragon.
It hadn’t taken Fiona long to shut her eyes, just as Rose guessed. The girl was exhausted from the excitement of the day. And Rose, despite how badly she didn’t want to be, found herself exhausted too. She wasn’t nearly as tired as the night of the ordeal at Hogwarts, but she was pretty tired. She was definitely grateful to not have to be mum for a while at least.
She walked down the stairs, noting how dim the lighting was. Rose smiled slightly. She’d been wanting to be alone with Gideon for hours. Days. Weeks? She turned the corner into the room and saw him looking at her. The sight of him – shirt unbuttoned, untucked, messy hair… she loved it. Her heart skipped a beat.
“Fiona asleep?” he asked, and she nodded in response. Then he motioned for her to come to him. “Get over here.”
That being the only invitation Rose needed, she made her way over to him and looked down, tilting her head to the side slightly. His legs were sprawled out, and yeah – she could settle in next to him, but that wouldn’t be nearly as fun. And, honestly, she wanted to be closer than that. She lifted her skirt slightly, and then straddled his lap before letting the fabric back down.
Kissing, lips, hands… all of those things Rose wanted. But instead, she just leaned down and rested her head on his chest for a moment and closed her eyes. “It feels like ages since I’ve been this relaxed,” she commented and then lifted her head and smiled up at him.
Watching her slowly walk towards him was the best kind of torture. Watching every movement, as if it were a beautiful dance. God she was gorgeous. Fiery red hair with a spirit to match. Striking blue eyes, curves that he wanted to explore… thoroughly. His hands itched to feel her skin.
As she straddled his lap and settled her head against his chest, his hands lost the battle. The sigh he released took with it all the tension he had built up. His hands, starting at her ankles, slowly moved up her legs. He kissed the top of her head, shutting his eyes so that all his senses were focused on the feel of her skin under his hands.
Her head lifted off his chest, causing him to open his eyes and move his hands up her sides and back. She was wearing far too much clothing. “It feels like ages since I’ve been this relaxed,” he smiled down at her.
“I feel the same. Not sure I’ve ever felt like this, if I’m honest.” he said, his voice sounding gravely as he readjusted, bringing her closer to his chest. “There, now that’s better.” His hands, that had been travelling up her ribs and back, came forward over her shoulders, cupped her cheeks and brought her mouth to his. It had been hours since their lips met in a real kiss. Which was quickly becoming unacceptable.
Gideon’s hands never stopped touching, feeling. Their next path went to the front of her sweater. The offending fabric covering her arms, presumably, to keep her warm. Well, he was ready for the task, so the sweater had to go. His finger took the three pearl buttons and released them, then ran down the length of her arms to remove the sweater all together. The feel of her skin under his hands was intoxicating. Better than any Irish whisky on the market.
His hands were everywhere, lips skimming the shell of her ear, her neck, the spot just behind her ear, her collarbone, then back up to devour her mouth once more. He couldn’t get enough. Gideon wrapped his arms around Rose, bringing her closer, his legs now positioned on the edge of the coffee table, fitting them together perfectly. He groaned at the contact.
His mind was racing with all of the things he wanted to do with her, explore her, touch, lick, bite, kiss. The list was lengthy and all encompassing. As well as ever-growing.
CLICK
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck no.
That one familiar sound was like a bucket of ice water being poured over his head. His lips disconnected from hers, his head flopping back on the cushion of the couch, a groan escaping… and not a happy one. With a sigh, Gideon looked at Rose, hands running down her hair, tucking both sides behind her ears. “Honey, what is your stance on murder? Because I might be committing it here in about 4 seconds.”
The soft sounds of socked feet came closer, and in 3.5 seconds a certain beloved baby sister came into view. His hands, now rubbing up and down Rose’s back, making sure she stayed exactly where she was. His sister be damned.
“Hello Vinni, late night at work?” Looking at his watch, he went back to staring at his sister, humor and annoyance in his eyes. “Any way it could be later, maybe go for a walk or move out?” He chuckled, she had the absolute worst timing ever. “Vin, I’d like for you to meet Rose. Rose, this is my baby sister. It will be sad when I murder her and we’re left with a horde of rowdy boys. Mom will be crushed.” He told her in a conspiratorial loud whisper.
Lavinia had tried to be quiet when she opened the door, but when she heard her brother’s voice from the couch, she knew she’d failed. She stepped out of her shoes, and hung her head as she entered the living room, ready for him to get onto her for interrupting.
The room was dim, romantic even, and her brother was on the couch with a redheaded woman straddling his lap, her head laying down on his chest. Thankfully, both of them were fully clothed still. She’d die if she’d interrupted anything more.
“Hello Vinni, late night at work? Anyway it could be later, maybe go for a walk or move out?”
Vinni wasn’t one to freak out, so when he asked if she’d move out, she took it in stride.
“Vin, I’d like for you to meet Rose. Rose, this is my baby sister. It will be sad when I murder her and we’re left with a horde of rowdy boys. Mom will be crushed.”
Despite Gideon’s words, Vinni could see the relaxation all over her brother’s face. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen him so relaxed, if she were honest, and it was a welcome sight.
“Sorry, I… didn’t think I’d be interrupting anything down here…” Lavinia admitted, looking at the redhead. “It’s very nice to meet you. We can… visit tomorrow maybe when everyone gets up in the morning. I’m just gonna head upstairs…”
Lavinia was quick to leave the room and bound up the stairs, though she couldn’t help but to smile for her brother.
“I feel the same. Not sure I’ve ever felt like this, if I’m honest.”
Rose raised her brow, a smirk crossing her lips as she looked at Gideon. He’d been married before, but she knew that had ended in his wife’s death. But even she hadn’t made him feel this relaxed? A more modest person wouldn’t let that go to their head, but Rose would let it.
He pulled her closer and Rose found herself lost in his blue eyes. She bit her lip slightly as his hands traveled up her back, then over her shoulders, to cup her face. She readily accepted his kiss, instantly deepening it. At first she thought hours hadn’t been that bad, but now that she was here with him she realized it had been ages since they last kissed.
His hands moved to her front, to the buttons that were holding her sweater and before she knew it, the sweater was gone, discarded and forgotten about. His hands continued exploring and Rose knew that there was no stopping them this time. She sighed when he kissed her ear, her neck, her collarbone. Her skin had always tingled where he touched and now it felt like her entire body was responding.
Rose kissed him deeply through his groan, thinking that his shirt had to go next… she wanted to feel the muscles of his chest and as soon as her hands began traveling to the buttons, a sound at the door stopped her.
And him.
What now?
Rose didn’t want to sit up, didn’t want to stop. She was tired of interruptions, but it seemed life had no shortage of them.
She watched a dark-haired woman enter the room, clearly embarrassed by what she’d walked in on.
“Honey, what is your stance on murder? Because I might be committing it here in about 4 seconds.”
Rose’s mouth drew a smirk and she shook her head. As badly as she wanted him – needed him – murder was not an option.
Obviously.
He introduced them, and all Rose wanted was for the woman to make herself scarce so they could finally continue. They both needed a release, but if she were honest she knew that he needed it more.
“Sorry, I… didn’t think I’d be interrupting anything down here… It’s very nice to meet you. We can… visit tomorrow maybe when everyone gets up in the morning. I’m just gonna head upstairs…”
“You too,” Rose said, but the woman – his sister – was already upstairs. Rose looked down at Gideon, a blush coming to her cheeks. “Now…” she said softly and pressed her lips to his again. They could get the moment back. It wasn’t ruined.
But once Rose had his shirt unbuttoned and had begun pushing it out of the way, she heard an all-too-familiar sound: her child crying.
She closed her eyes and rested her head against his forehead momentarily and then met his eyes with hers. “The universe is plotting against us…” she said, pressing her lips to his again. Fiona’s cries grew a bit louder.
“Sorry, I have to…” Rose sighed pathetically, defeated, and got off Gideon. “It’s gonna take me a while to get her back to sleep, so… I’ll just see you in the morning,” she said as he stood up. She took his hand in hers, a longing look in her eyes as she looked up at him.
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