Chapter 1
The midwife, a hire from Paris yelled, “Un garçon!”
Finally, something to illuminate the dull borough of Islington. An heir. A little boy. A good job too- if after all that trying it had been a girl who could not carry on their legacy, he assumed the only appropriate course of action would’ve been to drown himself. “Vraiment…?” Orion Black had to fight back the upturn of his lips as he apprehensively, excitedly knocked on the door of his wife’s room. “Uh… Walburga… might I come in? Please?”
The relationship between husband and wife was warming up ever so slightly, and they’d reached almost a state of friendship- a stark contrast from their wedding day. He was dragged in by his ankles after much protest and scream and Walburga cried through the ceremony and reception, not helped by the fact that both parties followed Catholicism- meaning they both spent a long time at the altar. Orion wanted to act like he was a supportive friend going to check up on Walburga, rather than a husband who had fathered her child.
“He really is quite beautiful, Orion.” Her fingers traced the baby boy’s rosy cheek. She seemed down.
“The most. Forgive me if this is a little bit stupid but… are you alright?”
“I… I’m happy. But. I never wanted children. I haven’t had the maternal rush I’m supposed to feel. I really don’t want to be your wife. I’m not sure that’s helping.” Ever soft spoken, though a tinge of frustration seeped through.
“I know. I’m sorry.” He took the baby and held him close to his chest. He slowly and soothingly rubbed the child’s back. “I hope we can at least make this little one happy if we can’t make each other happy. And I hope we can be friends. And I especially especially hope you learn French.”
A half hearted chuckle later, “What are we going to name him?”
Orion sighed. “Hm. Anything. I don’t care. But I’ve decided I love him a lot, actually.” He looked down at his son’s tiny face and began to accept that he had his own baby to care for.