Happy Birthday Mateo Sutcliffe
Chapter 9- Happy Birthday Mateo Sutcliffe
January 13 was the special day one Mateo Alejandro Sutcliffe would be turning a year old. The time seemed to fly by in Maya’s opinion even though she had only come into possession of her son when he was three months old. Things had changed quite a lot in the past eleven days for the small family. It was hard to believe that so much had changed and that a party would be thrown tomorrow for the little boy.
Winnie was excited that the house was becoming crowded and filled with more people. The relationship between Amelia and Maya had grown once again, and the women found themselves spending more nights together than apart. It is still not sure to either woman how in the earlier hours of 1990 their relationship rediscovered its physical aspect.
On the days that the Bones pair stayed over Maya, Amelia, Harry, Susan, and Mattie would have breakfast together with Winnie before Amelia had to head off to work. It was an odd sort of natural progression that Susan started staying more with Maya and the boys and left for Hannah’s house some days.
Maya was honestly contemplating on whether or not to float the idea to Amelia about giving the guest bedroom to Susan so that she had some place that was truly hers to stay. She was also happy that the three kids in the house got along fine. Susan thought that Mattie was just the cutest and that she was going to teach him all about how to be nice to girls when he got bigger.
Harry would always roll his eyes at that statement. He didn’t know why he had to be taught since he would be growing up in a household of women with only Harry for male company. He was happy though; the house was all that fuller and there was a lightness that always seemed to be with his aunt.
Today was different than most days though. The entire patchwork family was seated around the kitchen table looking over a list of things that needed to be done for the birthday boy’s first party tomorrow. It will also be the first party thrown in Sutcliffe house in over ten years.
“I don’t understand… Mattie’s a baby he doesn’t know any of these people.” Susan says examining the list of guests in front of her.
“Well, this birthday is as much about the people who are coming as well as Mattie. Our friends all know Mattie and they want to be with us to celebrate his big day.” Maya says smiling down at her younger son and tickling his stomach. His happy squeals bring a smile to Amelia’s face.
“That sounds great. I’ve never had a birthday party and I would hate to think that Mattie wouldn’t have people at his first.” Harry says excitedly. Susan and Amelia grimace at the casual mention of Harry’s horrible past life before he came to live here. The boy is able to say these things so casually that it throws off most people who aren’t used to it.
“Exactly, and that’s why when your birthday rolls around, we’re going to have a lot of people as well.” Maya assures him, subtly reminding him that things have in fact changed for him, and that he is going to get nice things as well.
“Can’t wait.” He grins in response.
Maya would be lying if she didn’t admit to being stressed and a little anxious for the party tomorrow. The whole Weasley family is coming, Neville Longbottom, Hannah Abbott, and the Shacklebolts would be coming over to talk after the day’s festivities were over. Maya was honestly not looking forward to that part a bit.
“What’s the cake going to be?” Susan asks bouncing in her seat giddily. Harry gasps and starts wiggling with her. Kids and cake are a combination that will give any adult a headache from the sugar rush afterwards.
“It will be big, green icing, and a nice topper for the lad.” Winnie says giving a fond smile at Mattie, who grins toothily at her in return.
After a few more deliberations Amelia sent the hyper children outside, Harry making sure to walk carefully with Mattie as the soon to be one year old, was wanting the freedom of ambulation. That leaves the women in the kitchen sipping their tea. They sit in comfortable silence for a moment listening to the tune that Winnie is humming in the living room while doing some knitting that she’s been wanting to do for a while.
Maya is pretty sure that this would be a good time to talk about what has been going on between the pair of them, but she is hesitant to break the comfortable atmosphere. The two women slowly sip their tea casting subtle glances at the other.
“I guess we should talk about it.” Maya finally croaks. Amelia sets down the porcelain cup gently onto the saucer and lets out a long stream of air.
“That would be the adult thing to do.” Amelia agrees. Maya fixes her gaze on the woman she’s loved since she was fifteen years old.
“Amelia, I love you and I haven’t ever stopped. I-I made a terrible decision eight years ago and there’s not a day that goes by that my horrid choices don’t haunt me. Harry has suffered due to my selfishness, and you have had to endure a pain that I once promised never to put you through. I-I think what I’m trying to say is… I can handle whatever you feel is needed at the moment.” Maya states, battling the pain within her.
Amelia’s eyes lock onto the blue eyes that she swears is still her favorite color. It warms her heart to know that Maya takes their relationship and their problems so seriously. At the same time, the pain, fear, and regret that always hangs around them is suffocating. At some point they are going to have to be set free.
“I love you too Mai. I think that the past is always going to be there, but that it’s time to look towards the future. We need to come up with a plan for what we’re doing.” Amelia says reaching out and taking Maya’s hand in hers.
“I…I’d like it if we could possibly live together. I-I sleep better when you’re with me.” Maya blushes to her ears at the admission. Sleep has always been elusive for the woman since that horrible night nine years ago. Amelia’s thumb runs over her knuckles and slowly some of her tension eases.
“I think I’d like that too. We just have to figure out where we’d like to stay.” The redheaded woman agrees. Maya bites her lip and glances outside the window to see Harry and Susan gently helping Mattie with the snowwizard they are attempting to build.
“Do you think that the kids should get a say?” She asks a smile slipping onto her lips as she watches Susan plop a handful of snow on top of Harry’s head causing Mattie to break out in giggles. The little boy then drops some on his own head.
“We could. I am thinking though that it would be nice to stay here primarily. Your country home is secluded and very well protected. Plus, the kids all seem to enjoy it here. We can stay in Bones Manor when we have functions to throw or when the kids inevitably want to use the pool.” Amelia says, shocking Maya.
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to give up your home love just because I would feel more comfortable here.” Maya rushes the words out quickly. The other woman gives her a crooked grin in return.
“Mai, I happen to love this house. It is the perfect size for the six of us. Yes, I am counting Winnie. There is more than enough space for another desk in your office and Susan can stay in the guest room that she currently sleeps in.” She states simply.
“Well, I was going to offer to have Susan pick paint out for the walls in her room and change the furniture to something that she would like more.” Maya admits giving her wife a smile which is returned.
“Then its settled. We can ask the kids their opinion tonight and get things situated in time for Mattie’s party tomorrow.
“We’re going to be a proper family!” Susan squeals pulling Harry into a hug from where he was sat on the couch beside her. A small happy grin was on his face and Mattie clapped his hands with a gleeful cry mimicking the joy of the older kids. Amelia tightened her arms around the little boy and dropped a kiss to his sweet-smelling curls.
“Is this for real? I know you told me it was complicated Mum.” Harry states looking to Maya for confirmation that the family was going to take a step to becoming more finite.
“Yes, love. Amelia and I have decided that it was time that we all permanently lived under one roof together. So, Harry, Susan, we wanted you opinion on where we should live.” Maya says looking at both nine-year-old slightly nervously.
“We get to choose?” Susan asks looking rather incredulous.
“Maya and I were thinking about possibly living here at Sutcliffe House full time and using Bones Manor for events, engagements, and some holidays. We would really appreciate your opinion though.” Amelia says.
Black and red heads gather close together and speak in low whispers between the pair of them. After a moment they break apart and turn their focus to the adults again.
“I’d like to stay here. This is the first place that I’ve felt like I truly belonged and it is my home now.” Harry explained and Maya gave him a soft smile. It had been a good while for the boy to feel safe that he was not going to be sent back to the Dursleys or taken away. The annoying old man in pajamas did not make things easier either.
“I’m okay moving here if that means that I can stay with Harry, Mattie, and Maya. I like that there are more people at home and I’m not always so alone back at our place.” Susan threw in her opinion.
“Everything will still be as we left in back at the Manor. The Sutcliffe’s will get to move some stuff in there and the boys will be able to pick rooms for themselves there as well. The goal is to have two spaces where our family can stay and grow safely.” Amelia stated and a smile grew on the rest of everyone’s faces.
“Okay, that’s enough now! I believe its pajamas and bedtime. It’s been an exciting day and tomorrow is just going to be even more eventful.” Maya says giving Harry and Susan a steady look. Susan groans and Harry slumps in his chair. It only takes a minute or so of halfhearted protests for the two nine-year-olds to make their way upstairs.
Winnie moves into the living room to take Mattie out of Maya’s arms and give him some warm milk to help calm him down. “That went rather well don’t you think?” Amelia says getting to her feet and traveling to Maya’s chair to help her up. Maya lets out a groan and a flinch of pain.
“You’ve been on your feet too much today, Mai.” The redhead mumbles providing her arm as support as the other woman limps towards the stairs.
“There was too much to do. It’s a special day tomorrow and I want the kids to know that their birthdays are always special and important.” Maya explains as they stop at the bottom of the step.
“Here you go Mistress Maya, one sleepy little boy.” Winnie hurries over to the two women and Amelia reaches down to take the heavy-lidded child from the house elf.
“Thank you, Winnie. Make sure you get in a good night’s sleep. There are going to be a lot of hyped-up kids around here tomorrow.” Maya relays with the thankful smile. The trio slowly make their way up the stairs and can hear the faint bickering of Harry and Susan as they brush their teeth.
“Tomorrow will come faster you two if you actually brush and get to bed instead of squabbling.” Amelia calls out as they pass the hall bath where Harry and Susan push each other in front of the sinks while brushing.
It doesn’t take long to get Mattie changed and down in his crib. Maya is thankful that she and Amelia still have one child that is not susceptible to sleep difficulties when excited. The pair split up to say good night to each of the children. Maya stops in Susan’s room first smiling softly as she sees the child wrapped up snug in her lilac blankets.
“Have you given any thought to what color you’d like to paint your room?” She asks the girl softly smoothing out the hair on her forehead.
“Not quite. It’s a big decision Maya… I want to make the right choice.” The little girl responds. Maya hums and leans down to brush a kiss on Susan’s forehead.
“Sleep tight Sue, tomorrow is going to be quite the day.” With that Maya quietly leaves the room and she and Amelia pass in the hallway to switch children.
Maya enters Harry’s room and sees the boy sitting cross legged on top of his blankets with a serious look on his face. “Harry, what’s wrong?” She asks limping to his bed and easing down onto it.
“Nothing… I just…” He trails off uncertainly. Maya sits there giving him a chance to put together his thoughts. “I’ve never been to a birthday party before. I don’t want to ruin my brother’s by not knowing what to do.”
The concern in his voice is so innocent and true that it breaks Maya’s heart all over again to be reminded of what her nephew had to go through. “Harry, you’re not going to ruin anything tomorrow. It’s just a day where we get to be happy and celebrate that Mattie is part of our lives. All you have to do tomorrow is just be yourself. Nothing else to it.”
Harry holds her gaze for a moment longer before deflating some and giving a soft smile. He crawls across the bed to Maya and wraps his arms around her in a strong hug. Maya kisses the side of his head and then helps him getting under the covers and put his glasses in their case on the bedside table.
“Good night, Harry. I love you.” Maya whispers to him as she smooths out his hair.
“Love you too Maya.” The little boy replies. Maya carefully makes her way out of the room and turning off the light while checking to make sure that the nightlight is on in both rooms before retiring to her own. That night both women lay awake for some time wondering if they were ready for the chaos of tomorrow.
The party turned out to be every bit as wild and exhausting as Maya expected it to be. Even with Fred and George Weasley back at Hogwarts there were still six kids running around the house plus Mattie. Arthur and Molly spent a lot of time running around attempting to make sure that Ron and Ginny didn’t destroy the place. It had taken a period of adjustment for the three boys Harry, Ron, and Neville to start getting along. The young redhead seemed shocked at first that her son had more than one male friend to hang out with.
At first Ginny did not seem too eager to get to know Susan and Hannah, but her attitude soon changed when she learned that the pair were planning on playing a prank on the three boys. Maya spent a lot of her time watching the happy and excited children run around and plot revenge after getting a bucket of pink glitter dumped over their heads. She thanked Merlin that glitter could be siphoned easily with a vanishing charm.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Amelia coming up to her with a bright happy little boy in her arms. Mattie’s curls were dark and shiny and his brown eyes sparkled with warmth. They had dressed him that morning in a little tee shirt that proudly proclaimed him as being 1 today. Harry and Susan loved the shirt and then begged to have something similar of their own. Hence the pair donning shirts that proudly stated ‘Big Brother’ and ‘Big Sister’ respectively.
“And there’s the birthday boy! How are you doing love?” Maya asks a smile blooming on her face as she takes the toddler into her arm stopping his grabby motions.
“Mumma!” Mattie squeals before gripping Maya tightly and burying his little face into her shoulder.
“Oh, I absolutely love them at this age. When I see the pair of you together it almost makes me wish that I had one still that small.” Molly Weasley says coming to a stop by the couple and child.
“You mean where they’re cute but absolutely wily and can find the biggest mess in the smallest amount of time?” Amelia muses a fond smile on her lips as she keeps an eye on the older children who are now having war with pillows and using the couch cushions as bunkers.
“Then they grow older and learn to talk back.” Arthur chimes in chuckling as Ginny lobs a pillow that nails her older brother in the face.
“I don’t know… I kind of like having a smart creative kid. It keeps me honest.” Maya states smiling fondly at Harry as he attempts to rouse the boys in a counter measure.
“That’s because you haven’t made it to the teenage years.” Molly muses with a wry look on her face. “You’ll then be tearing your hair out in no time.”
The adults watch the kids for a while longer before Winnie comes into the room and announces that food is ready. A chorus of raucous cheers goes up among the small army of children and the party descends into the dining room where Amelia and Maya are quick to assist Winnie in serving the guests their food.
Susan swiped Mattie’s high chair so that he sat next to her because she wanted to be next to her little brother on his big day. The table was loud and happy with the amount of food on it making the wood creak at its weight. Amelia noticed Maya’s slight limp and gently pushed her down into a chair next to Harry who gave his aunt a once over to check on her before turning back to his conversation with Neville on the best techniques to cultivate indoor plants.
“Can we build a greenhouse?” Harry asked Maya before glancing at Amelia across the table from him. The boy was still unsure exactly how the new dynamic went for authority now that there was another adult in the house. He loved how happy his aunt was now and that someone cared about her well-being just as much as he did, but it was still awkward.
Amelia shared a look with Maya and the brunette turned her full attention to her nephew. “I don’t see why not. It’d have to be built in the spring though once all the snow has gone. I expect that Neville will be coming over to teach us all how to properly care for a greenhouse and not kill whatever happens to be inside?” She questions. The round face boy nods vigorously and jumps into a whole spiel about how great it was going to be.
After a filling lunch the party migrates back into the living room where presents are opened. Susan and Harry help Mattie rip open his presents. The little boy is showered in clothes, a stuffed dragon, a stuffed niffler, a toddler broom and more toys. The happiness and laughter is infectious and Maya finds herself feeling lighter and bright.
After the presents were done the kids, all bundled up to go outside and play in the snow before it would be time for everyone to leave. The adults sat in the kitchen sipping tea while Winnie got to work on preparing hot chocolate for the kids. All the adults took short glances out the window to keep an eye on the kids to make sure they didn’t freeze to death. At the moment Susan was carrying Mattie on her shoulders and stomping in the drifts much to the delight of the birthday boy.
An hour passed with hot cocoa gone and the last well wishes and happy birthdays were exchanged. It appeared that all of the kids were exhausted and the house quieted down considerably. The family lounged content in the silence besides the crackling fire in the grate warming the room further.
Amelia pulled out some last-minute reports to go over, Maya was reading a book, Harry was on the floor happily drawing, Susan playing with a gobstone set, while Mattie was sleeping comfortably pillowed between his mum and Amelia. The moment was one to cherish since there would be two more guests and an uncomfortable conversation once Kingsley and Emmeline arrived.
When six o’-clock rolled around Winnie took the children into the kitchen to give them a light supper and teach them how to make chocolate cookies from scratch. At exactly 6:15 the floo came to life turning the cheerful yellow flames into a vibrant green. Kingsley Shacklebolt stepped out first followed by Emmeline Vance. The later looked rather green and Maya wondered if she was getting to the point where magical transportation was not considered safe for witches anymore.
“Welcome. Let’s move to a room that will not have small ears, and they will not be able to overhear us.” Amelia greeted the pair. The two witches led the couple to the study when was already nice and warm from a fire that had been lit. The four of them made themselves comfortable in the wingback chars and silence settled over the group. It seemed like no one was quite sure where to start.
Emmeline, never one to beat around the bush broke first.
“So, are you going to tell us now what in in Merlin’s bloody balls happened all those years ago?” She demanded, a hard look entering her eyes.
Maya stiffened slightly. No matter how much she had psyched herself up for this part of the day, there was still no easy way to be comfortable with this subject. “Look, I don’t have to explain anything to you, because you deserve an explanation. Amelia deserved one so she got it. You know how hard times were back then. We all did things that we’re not proud of. The only thing you really deserve to know or need to know is that I was absolutely shattered that night all those years ago.” Maya says gruffly, shocked at herself for the way she responded.
The guilt and self-loathing are still there ever-present at the back of her mind, but there is far less of it. She did not need to justify her actions to her old friends. A quick glance at Amelia reveled a small proud smile. Amelia was pleased to see a bit of the old Maya peek through the wounded and scared version of her before them.
“Well said.” Kingsley stated with a nod. Emmeline shot him an exasperated look and he shot her a hard look. “We do not deserve to know everything that transpired in the past love. We have our own skeletons in our closets that we would prefer not to have shared with the world.”
It’s a tense few moments of silence before the pregnant witch deflates. “Fine… I’m sorry all right. It’s just… so hard after you left. You were one of my best friends and the world had just simultaneously fallen apart and put right all at once. Those days of missing person reports and identifying bodies… they still linger.” Emmeline says her voice trailing off at the end.
A lump forms in Maya’s throat. At the time she was so caught up in the maelstrom that was her own grief and suffering that she did not think of what was happening as a collective in England.
“I can only imagine how hard that would have been.” Maya says softly. There is a moment of silence in the room the only sounds coming from the wind howling outside as it had started to snow again.
“Do you have any plans to rejoin the Wizengamot?” Kingsley asks suddenly and Maya is startled from her thoughts. In complete honesty the Wizengamot had completely escaped her mind. Her father, Henry, had held the family’s seat and represented Sutcliffe values by being a member of the Light faction.
“What happened to my family’s seat… my family’s vote?” Maya asks watching as Amelia stiffens beside her.
Kingsley straightens and clears his throat. “Well…”
“Our esteemed Chief Warlock commandeered your family’s vote after there was no one to hold it. It should have been Amelia’s right to hold your vote due to being married to you and all.” Emmeline says with a scoff and rolling her eyes. Maya turns to her wife and sees the suppressed anger in them.
“Why didn’t you get them?” She asks.
“Your family was part of the Light when your father died. You know that the Bones family has been Gray since the founding of the Wizengamot. I don’t think Dumbledore could stand the loss of a vote from the Light. It was wrong and quite frankly illegal, but he has too much power and titles to fight.” Amelia explains.
Maya grimaces and reaches out her hand to hold her love’s. She knows more than anything how much Amelia values fairness and the law. Their former headmaster was the paragon of unchecked power.
“How bad are things? I have to admit that I haven’t been paying too much to politics since I have been back.” Maya says glancing around at her friends and lover.
“We’re corrupt.” Emmeline says flatly rubbing her stomach with a scowl.
“Infuriating.” Amelia replies.
“Stagnant.” Kingsley states.
Maya sucks in a breath of air and closes her eyes. Things are much worse in England than she thought. She believed that the only thing that she had to make up for was her relationships with Harry and Amelia. There are more things necessary to make right for her family, her house, and her legacy.
“When is the next session?”