Look at you, that little dragon is growing!
Two months later
Charlie
“You told me you have been back at the sanctuary, but have you been next to a dragon? You have grown so much in these two months, Charlie, and I’m so proud of you. I think it would be the best for your healing. It’s like the next step for you. Then once you do that, I’m sure you can speak with Harry.” Justin said confidently as he placed the journal down on the table.
Charlie took a deep breath. He had been working so hard on his mind healing there were some setbacks, but he never let it beat him.
“Okay, I can do that. I have been around dragons for a long time. I’ve never been afraid of them. That is probably why I don’t have legs.” Charlie chuckled. It was getting easier to talk about his missing limbs. It wasn’t him, he wasn't his legs. “If I can stand with a dragon, I can go talk to my ex. I’ll reach out to the sanctuary when I get home.”
“Then I guess we will talk next week about your visit. I know you will, and you will go pretty quickly. You are still that stubborn, grumpy bear, as Harry would call you, but you are doing so much better. Remember your affirmations, your journaling, and I will see you next week.” Justin stood up, and Charlie stood as well.
When he got home, he wrote a letter to Brock asking him to come to see him. The next day, he had a letter inviting him to come to see the new clutch that just hatched. Charlie smiled and got ready quickly.
Harry
Harry stood in the nursery with the biggest smile on his face. His pregnant belly was covered in denim overalls. They were the comfiest thing he owned.
It was completed; the crib was built with beautiful dark oak. It matched the changing table, wardrobe, and dresser.
On the walls were murals of 100-acre woods. Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, Eeyore, Kanga, and Roo played around. The cutest part was a little Christopher Robin who looked like a perfect mix of Harry and Charlie. The hair would change once they found out what hair color he would be.
Topher Potter will have a perfect room for himself. Harry hasn’t picked a middle name yet. A part of him had this stupid fantasy of Charlie and him getting back together and Charlie would give him a middle name. Silly dream, he knew, but still he could wait till Topher was here.
Harry looked down at his watch and smiled. It was time to leave. He had been visiting the dragon sanctuary since his dragon was born. Donovan, his dragon, was perfect. Harry wanted the runt of the clutch. They didn’t know he was going to make it, but he did. That is why his name is Donovan because he was a strong fighter.
He finally talked his dad into letting him bring Donavon home. All he had to do was promise to hire a dragon trainer when he got older. Harry had already looked around for one.
Harry walked out of the nursery and saw his parents cleaning up breakfast.
“Okay, I’m going to go see Donovan. This will probably be the last time I see him before Pooh Bear gets here. I will be gone for a couple of hours.” Harry kissed his pop's cheek before he kissed his dad's.
“Please be careful. When you get home, we will have dinner ready. You will have to be off your feet. Last time you came home, you were exhausted.” Barnaby warned.
“Yes, Pops, I promise. I love you. You too, Dad!” Harry pulled out his portkey and waved before he swirled away.
Brock was waiting to help him. “Look at you, that little dragon is growing!”
“This is probably the last time I will come before Topher comes. I have everything ready at the zoo for him to come live with me! Once he is ready, I mean. Can we go see him?” Brock nodded and held out his arm, and Harry waddled next to him to the nursery.
Harry smiled as he saw his dragon. “Oh Donovan, look at you, sweet boy.” The small Opaleye toddled up to him. The dragon wasn’t much bigger than when he was hatched. Brock leaned over to pick up the small dragon and handed it to Harry.
The little dragon curled into his arm. His head rested on Harry’s stomach. Donovan loved cuddling with Topher.
“Oh, look at the new clutch, Brock. I forgot how little they come out.” A voice behind him made him freeze. Harry knew that voice. When he turned around, there stood Charlie. The man looked different, but not. For the first time, he looked well-rested, and he wore cargo shorts that showed his shiny new prosthetics.
“Charlie,” Harry whispered.
Charlie
Charlie must have been dreaming. Harry couldn’t be here. He looked at the younger man up and down. Then his eyes popped when he saw the small dragon curled around Harry’s stomach.
“You’re pregnant?” Charlie blurted out. His mind was whirling. Harry was pregnant! Was it his baby? It had to be right. He was too far along for it to be anyone else, right?
“Y. yes. I’m pregnant. Umm Brock, can you take Donovan? I think I need to go sit for a few minutes. I’ll come to give him lovins before I leave. Charlie, do you want to sit with me?” Harry asked, and Charlie couldn’t speak. He just nodded.
Charlie watched Harry struggle to sit down, so the redhead helped him. To touch his pixy again, even though it was brief, was amazing.
“I’m sure you are wondering a lot of things, huh? Well, yes, I’m pregnant and yes, he is yours. I know I should have told you, but Charlie, you told me to leave. You yelled at me and hid something from me. I know we both did things that weren’t right, but…” Charlie wanted to laugh. It was so great to hear Harry ramble again. He placed a finger on the smaller man’s lip, which halted his rambling. Charlie didn’t know what to think, but he needed to calm Harry down.
“Harry, I understand why you felt like you couldn’t and shouldn’t tell me I am going to be a dad. When we were together, I wasn't the best. I had a lot of issues. I have tried to work on everything. I’ve been going to be a healer every week. You can see I’ve got new prosthetics. I keep a journal and do affirmations every morning.” Charlie watched as the younger man’s mouth opened. He moved his finger and continued.
“This was part of my healing coming back to the sanctuary to see if I could be around dragons again. Then once I did that, maybe I would have the courage to go talk to you. Gods, I was scared to talk to you. I would rather get into the pen with a dragon. Damn it, Harry, I love you. I know you probably have moved on. I saw you with that blond guy at your parents' wedding and you looked so happy with him, so I couldn’t get in the way. I just want to tell you I will be there for you whatever you need. I would love to be in my baby’s life if you allow it. I don’t expect you to just accept me with open arms, but.”
It shocked Charlie when he had a lap full of Harry and his lips crushed to his. They kissed until they both needed a breath. Harry was the first to speak, still dizzy from the kiss. Charlie listened closely.
“You are going to have to prove yourself, Charlie, but I had to kiss you. You are going to come back with me. We are going to talk more. You will tell me how the mind healer helped, and what you have been up to. There is so much we need to talk about, but. Fuck you! I want to be so mad at you, but I can’t be mad because I know you were hurting. I love you.” Harry sobbed out, tears poured down his beautiful face.
Charlie cupped Harry’s cheeks and thumbed away the tears.
“I will prove to you, Harry, that I am not that man anymore. My mind healer said I’m still a grump and still stubborn, but he is proud of me. I hope you will be too after everything. I love you.” Charlie rocked them back and forth. Harry got as close as he could with his pregnant belly. Charlie wanted to touch, but he hadn’t earned that yet.
“I want to go see Donovan and go home. This has worn me out. At least I know I have a dragon trainer for him when he moves home.” Charlie must have not heard that right. There was no way Harry was bringing a dragon to the zoo.
“What do you mean, home?” Harry smirked up at him as those emerald eyes sparkled.
“Donovan is coming to the zoo. I have an area ready for him. He will live with us at the zoo and you will be his trainer. Now come on, I'm tired and getting hungry. We have a lot to discuss, and you have a lot to tell me.” Charlie stood up, with Harry still on his lap. The smaller man wrapped around him tightly. This is the first time he has held his little pixy, and he loved it.
“Okay, Harry, whatever you want me to do.” Charlie kissed his nose and settled him back down. Harry looked up at him with an unreadable face. He shook his head and pulled them towards the nursery again.
Barnaby
Barnaby pulled out the chicken bake that was broiling in the oven. The cheese was melted perfectly. The last time Harry ate almost the whole pan. Barnaby loved taking care of his son. The overprotectiveness never went away after Harry’s accident. Ruby was better than he was. Every night Barnaby made sure that the younger wizard had dinner made. Sometimes they would share the meal other times Barnaby and Ruby would have a date night and leave Harry alone. He hated those days, but he knew Harry needed his space as well.
Barnaby heard feet hitting wood from the porch. Harry was home just in time.
“You are right on time, Harry! I just pulled the chicken bake out of the oven. I bet you can smell it from outside. Come on, you need to put your feet up and drink some water. You know what Healer Coldiron said about your fluids!” Barnaby flicked his wand and a helping of food was scooped on a plate.
When he turned around, his mouth dropped open. Charlie stood by his son. A million thoughts and emotions flooded him. Why was that man here? Why was Harry okay with it? Why didn’t he come to the hospital? Did that bitch not tell him, or did he not care?
“It smells good in here, Pops! You know I love your chicken bake!” Harry walked towards the table and picked up the plate. He let out a little moan as he took a bite. “I’m gonna go sit down. Put my feet up and all that.” Of course, his son would not bring the elephant in the room up.
“Are we not going to talk about the redheaded elephant in the room?” Barnaby huffed and crossed his arms. Charlie didn’t meet his eyes, of course, he didn’t!
“I was until I smelled food. I’m a hungry pregnant man. Who you love so much.” Harry smiled over at him with his mouthful.
“I’m sure he could tell me himself. Charlie, what are you doing here? I figured since you didn’t contact me back after I asked your mother to have you call me! Harry was in the hospital and thankfully he didn’t need your magic! He could have lost Topher and trust me if I would see you again, I wouldn’t be responsible for what I would do!” It felt like there was steam coming out of his ears. It took everything in him to not to hex that man.
“POPS!” Harry yelled as Charlie yelled, “Hospital? Accident?”
“Harry, it's true. Pooh Bear might have needed him. I need to know if he selfishly didn’t call back or if that bitch didn’t tell him. By the look on his face, I’m thinking it is the latter. Tell me, Charlie, did your mother tell you I called?” Barnaby questioned as he moved closer to the taller man who was shaking his head.
Charlie broke eye contact with him and moved over to Harry. “You had an accident! Are you okay? I’m assuming the baby is okay?” The redhead cupped Harry’s cheeks. All Barnaby could do was watch. Charlie looked truly upset.
“Yeah, I was feeding Ariel and slipped on the rocks. I hit my head. I was only out for a couple of days. I had plenty of magic for Pooh Bear.” Charlie didn’t move for a few minutes and when he did, he looked at Barnaby.
“Only a couple of days! Any day was too many Harry! I wasn’t told. If I was. I would have been there. I know it might now seem like that because of how I acted.”
He didn’t have words for the situation. Barnaby just nodded and sighed. “Harry, it looks like you and Charlie have a lot to talk about. I won’t come and check on you until the morning. Please let me know if you need anything, and I mean anything!” He walked over to his son and pressed a kiss on his forehead and popped back home.
Harry
Harry looked down at his plate, and his stomach turned. It was a shame he really loved Barnaby’s chicken bake.
“Harry, I would have been there for you. I would have made sure you and the baby were okay. Everything is okay, right? There weren't any lasting effects?” Charlie worried his bottom lip and Harry shook his head.
“No, our son is perfect. He is small but mighty. I believe he is going to be a soccer player or dancer because all he does right now is kick me.” Harry watched the redhead when he mentioned their son.
“W.. We are having a son? Not that it matters. I love them either way.” Charlie rambled. Harry pulled him down onto the couch next to him. Their fingers interlaced.
“Yes, Christopher or Topher is going to be here soon, a little less than 2 months. I haven’t picked his full name because a part of me wanted you to pick out his middle name. Then we have to decide on last names.” Harry was cut off by a pair of lips. His eyes fluttered closed. They were supposed to be talking. This was not talking. Harry softly pushed Charlie away.
“Sorry, I got carried away Little Pixy. I am so happy to help with picking out Topher’s middle name, but first I need to tell you some things.” Charlie grew serious again, and Harry leaned over and placed his dinner on the coffee table. It will be just as tasty later.
“Okay, I’m listening.” The redhead took a deep breath and squeezed the hand he was holding.
“I guess I should start at the beginning. After I told you to get out of my hospital room. I’m so sorry that I was just hurting and scared and… Well, I was not who I needed to be. My brother Bill came and chewed me a new arsehole. I got my new prosthetics and had physical therapy. During therapy, they told me I should look into a mind healer, but I didn’t listen. Why would I want to go talk about my problems when it is better just to ignore them?” Charlie shrugged. Harry listened and took everything in.
“The day of your parent’s wedding I wanted to come to see you. To tell you how much I love and miss you. When I got there and saw that man holding your hand, it killed me. I thought, why would someone so sweet and good like you want a prick like me? So I came home and stayed in bed for two weeks.”
“Charlie, it wasn’t like that! Neville and I are friends. Actually, he is more like a brother now. He has been there for me. I’ve been there for him.”
Charlie brought his hand to his mouth and kissed it. “I’m glad that you have that relationship with him. That he was there for you when I was too stupid, too.” He nuzzled into Harry’s hand.
“Thank you, Charlie. So you stayed in bed for two weeks?” Harry needed to know what happened.
Charlie kissed his hand again as he spoke. “I was stuck in bed. I didn't care to get up. Then Bill came in again and kicked my arse. He told me I couldn’t win you back like this. I wasn’t happy. I knew something had to change. Then Luna told me I needed to fix this before the babies came. I figured she was just talking about her and Fred’s baby. Now I know it is our baby. Then I started going to a mind healer. He actually lives here. Healer Finch-Fletchley or Justin he is a great healer. I go there once a week. If you like, I would love for you to come next time I go. I journal every night and say my affirmations every morning. I’ve changed for the good. The only thing that hasn’t changed is I’m still a Grumpy Bear, and I still love you.”
Harry felt tears as they fell down his cheeks. “I love you too Charlie, you know I do. I would love for you to come home and we can work getting better. I want to go to your mind healer with you.” Charlie cupped his cheeks and pulled him into a passionate kiss. They only pulled apart when a swift kick made them both jump.
“Was... Was that our baby?” Charlie looked down at Harry’s stomach.
“Yes, here.” Pooh Bear was going crazy. Harry placed Charlie’s hands on his stomach. Harry knew the redhead felt their son's magic and kicks.
“Oh wow! Harry you… wow, thank you. I love you. I’ll spend every minute of every day showing you I’m the man you deserve.” Harry bent down and kissed him.
“You are well on your way.”
Charlie
Charlie didn’t want to leave Harry while he slept, but he needed to get his things and talk to his mum about the floo call. He couldn't believe his mum would not tell him about Barnaby calling.
Charlie walked out of the floo and made his way into the kitchen. His mother stood by the kettle. She looked up when he walked into the room.
“Charlie! Where have you been? You were not here for dinner.” His mother scolded him as she poured her tea.
“Mum, why didn’t you tell me that Barnaby called?” Charlie growled out as he crossed his arms. He glared hard at the older witch.
“What do you mean, dear? I haven’t heard from that nasty man?” She took a sip of her tea and she couldn’t look him in the eye.
“Why are you lying, Mum? Barnaby called me about two months ago. Did you not think that it was important?” His voice shook. He had worked so hard not to be so angry, but he could have lost Harry and Topher.
“I don’t know. He didn't think that it was important when I went to talk to him about his son. He left you, Charlie when you needed him the most!” She slammed down her teacup and the tea sloshed over the cup.
“Because I told him to fuck off! He didn’t deserve that Mum! He called me because Harry was in an accident and I wasn’t there! He needed me and I wasn’t there! I can’t believe that you would talk to him when I told you not to! He was trying to protect Harry from a prick like me. Mum, I could have lost Harry that day. Thankfully, he is okay now, but I’m not. I can’t believe you, Mother. I’m leaving, I’m going back home. Back to Harry. I don’t know when I’ll be back.” Charlie went up to his room and flicked his wand. Everything he owned was packed in his trunk. It was time for his second chance.