Tulips Are Better || AISLINN

Aislinn's boots clicked along the cobblestone path leading to the final perimeter of Hogwarts. Just beyond the gates she would be able to apparate the rest of the way to Hogsmeade, which meant she wouldn't have to be among straggling or students sneaking out past curfew. She would be spared those awkward conversations and they would be spared endless weekends of detention. Yes, apparating was really the best option. However, her quick trip getting to the small village wouldn't negate any of her nerves. Aislinn's hands wrung each other, one after the other in a never ending pursuit to be moving. Her heart seemed to race in her chest, and butterflies occupied the space where her stomach ought to be. She felt like she was going on her first date again when truth be told, she had known Cillian Gallagher for the better part of a decade and he was the father of her child. Her anxiousness just reaffirmed to her that this was meant to be. After all, how many people can say their significant other still makes them feel like a giddy little schoolgirl at just the mention of his name?

With a loud CRACK! Aislinn appeared right in front of the Three Broomsticks. It was where Cillian had requested her to meet him, and she was more than happy to oblige. This little tavern was where they had their first official date once eligible to leave Hogwarts on weekends when they were students. A corner table in winter time, cozied up against one another... the memory brought a smile to her lips as Aislinn pushed the door open.

Inside, it was dim, lighted by a few torches and several candles on each table. There was a low buzzing of conversation among the current patrons, and only a few heads turned upwards when Aislinn entered the room. Unsnapping her jacket, she let it hang open as she searched the room. She was happy they were doing this, just the two of them. Aislinn loved her daughter more than anything, and she knew Cillian would want to spend as much time as possible with her, but at the current late hour and with the cold night air it was simply smarter to keep her all snuggled up in her bed. Somehow, she knew Cillian would understand and agree with her. Besides, there would be plenty of time for the two of them to get to know one another. Aislinn would make sure of it. Her eyes scanned the crowd again, searching for those familiar blue eyes and dazzling smile.

A smile spread across her lips when Aislinn caught sight of Cillian waving towards her. Slipping past a few people and around a few tables, she joined him at a table in one of the far corners. Aislinn slid into the seat next to him just like she had a hundred times before when they were kids. "Hey, sorry I'm a wee bit late. Teags just didn't want to go down fer the night." She slipped her coat off the rest of the way and let it lay leisurely across the back of her chair before turning her body towards Cillian.

Even in the dim light and while wearing normal civilian clothes, the man was strikingly handsome. There was a flutter in Aislinn's chest as she rested her elbows on the table before them and then brought her hands towards her chin. "I am never going ta' get the hang o' cookin' fer ya', am I?" she chuckled when he spoke about his diet. Cillian was a professional athlete in the wizarding world. He had to maintain a physique that wouldn't let him down out on the pitch. In all truthfulness, Aislinn had followed his career since the day he signed on. She listened to the games, read the articles, hell she had even purchased that bloody magazine just for beaters. She couldn't lie, despite how well he took care of himself, she could feel her stomach knot up in nerves and anxiousness each time Cillian stepped out onto the field. She feared him getting hurt even in the slightest of ways. Aislinn had no idea how her parents even allowed her or her siblings to play the sport growing up. From what Aislinn had endured as a player, and from what she had witnessed personally, there was no way in hell she could see letting Teagan even near a quaffle let alone a bludger.

At the mention of their house, however, a smile appeared once more on her face. Aislinn was almost giddy about the prospect of having a home with Cillian. Of course, they were a long way from calling it home what with furnishings to buy and a house to decorate, but it was theirs. "I can't wait ta' see it. I can't wait fer it all ta' start. Us ya' know? You an' me together with our daughter..." Again she felt the tears brimming against her eyelids, threatening to spill down her cheeks. However, this time they were tears of joy and happiness. She felt somewhat like a fool for ever believing Cillian might reject her just because they had gotten pregnant. In present time, the thought seemed utterly ridiculous.

Aislinn reached the hand nearest him outward and rested it gently on Cillian's forearm. "I know it's a late start, an' the transition won't be the smoothest, but I'm glad we're doin' this. I do love ya'...I always have, Cill. An' I know the house ya' picked fer our family is perfect." She was desperately trying to blink back tears as she looked at him with nothing but sincerity and loving thoughtfulness.

The idea of their own home caused Aislinn's grin to grow. Was it all happening too fast? Surely not. There was absolutely no way any of these decisions could be wrong. They were happy. Teagan was happy, and had taken so well to Cillian from the moment she had met him. Aislinn's only fear was the effect a new house and new presence of a father figure would have on the baby. Even more terrifying was the thought fatherhood might prove too strenuous to Cillian and he would bail out.

Aislinn shook the thought from her head. That wasn't that kind of man. He was a man of his word, and he had promised to be there for the both of them. If anything in this whirlwind rekindling of their romance, Aislinn could believe in that. Now he knew she existed, Cillian would never run away from his daughter. How could she have been so scared of that possibility before? It seemed rather ridiculous now.

"I'd love ta' see it," she replied softly, and leaned into his arm around her shoulders. She had missed that feeling of protectiveness. Aislinn fit so perfectly into his side, even if his attentions were elsewhere say like, on food that had just appeared from the bar. She simply snaked the arm closest to his body around his torso and let her other hand rest on the table. "Well, part of me thinks we'll never be alone in our house. Neither of us have particularly small families. Jus' as well, aye? Teagan should be roun' family."

She leaned in closer and kissed Cillian's cheek softly, turning her head to face the wall behind them so that her words could only be heard by his ears, "Though, I can't say I wouldn't be wantin' some alone time with her da'."

Aislinn was lost in their moment. She was enamored with just the mere touch of his arm around her, pulling her small frame into his much larger one. This was a pose they had not taken for quite some time. Not since they were in school, anyways. On their brief encounters after leaving Hogwarts, they had primarily been...horizontal. How had she ever been so stupid in letting him go in the first place? Foolish pride and a young girl's whimsical wild streak had proven to led her right back to his arms, however. Maybe fate was simply playing keep away with their young hearts?

She chuckled softly at the mention of his mum. They were a very family oriented clan, those Gallagher's. Aislinn wasn't at all surprised the family matriarch was pushing her eldest for grandchildren. Little did either of them know Cillian had succeeded in this task just a mere two years ago. A pang of guilt washed over Aislinn, but she quickly brushed it aside. Cillian had told her one too many times already he didn't blame her for her rash decision on keeping Teagan from him. If anything, he was more understanding of her situation than her own family was. Then, realization replaced the momentary feeling of guilt. The MacKenna's... in the whole whirlwind of reconnecting with Cillian, accepting his offer of becoming a family, and falling head over heels in love again, Aislinn had completely neglected her own family. Since her pregnancy first started, she had simply declined to tell anyone the identity of the baby's father. With the two of them moving in together and more or less rekindling their passionate romance, she was going to have to break the news somehow.

Aislinn could feel the anxiety rising in her veins, causing her heart to beat wildly within her chest. Her mother was understanding enough, and had always liked Cillian-- especially since he went pro in quidditch. RJ was sixteen, an age where he could really care less about anything not involving his social or romantic lives. As long as he could take Teagan on long trips to Diagon Alley and use her as a ploy to get dates, he would be content in whatever Aislinn did in her life. Nessa and Maura, however...well, they were trickier. The twins had always been judgmental when it came to Aislinn and her personal life. They took it upon themselves to routinely interrogate any men with whom she even had a single date, and as an Auror, Maura was naturally suspicious of everyone who entered the family's social circle. Even more so after their father had died. Aislinn already knew that particular family meeting would not be pleasant.

However, the touch of Cillian's lips to hers once again melted away any anxiety or fear of family reactions coursing through Aislinn's mind at the current moment. She closed her eyes and relaxed into his embrace, his lips igniting fireworks in her brain. Breaking their contact, though disappointing as it was, Aislinn leaned her head easily in the crook of his neck, her free hand still resting upon his rock solid chest. "I seem ta' remember spendin' some time with ya' on a floor once or twice before. I can't remember it bein' uncomfortable back then..." Her grin only faltered when he mentioned other men and giving her things. It was a sad truth, but Aislinn didn't really have long lasting relationships. Not since Cillian, anyways. "Yer wrong 'bout tha'." she told him quietly, "Most men can't take the burn scars. Either that, or I can't take the staring."

Aislinn allowed her smile to return, moving her hand from Cillian's chest to his chest and then kissed the opposite check softly. "You were the only one who ever treated me as if nothin' were wrong." She could hardly contain herself at this point, and simply wanted to get out of the bar as quickly as possible in order to be alone with the man she loved. "An' I can't wait ta' be startin' a new life with ya'."

Aislinn grinned and leaned into Cillian's kiss on her head. It was all so...safe. She hadn't had safe in a long time. For the past year she had been too busy to even worry about how she was feeling. Her life had become about one single person, Teagan. Since reconnecting with Cillian, tonight had been the first time Aislinn even allowed herself to be a little selfish. She had to admit, it was nice. "I love ya, Cill," she said with complete adoration in her eyes.

She took his hand as soon as he held it out for her and slid out of the booth. Cillian was so excited about their future endeavor, it was almost like a little kid at Christmas. Not to mention he kept talking about their future. It wasn't just her and Teagan anymore. Aislinn wasn't alone, and though it would take some getting used to, she knew it was for the best. She held onto his hand tightly as they walked, her free hand slipping over the same arm and holding on. "We should decorate it together," she replied gently, "It'll be our home after all. It'd be only fair ta both enjoy it."

The surrounding area was quite beautiful, and far enough away from the village that they could have a little privacy from visiting witches and wizards, not to mention students. There was a banner flapping lazily in the winter wind ultimately supporting the Tornadoes, which Aislinn wouldn't have any other way. It was an cozy, two story home, perfect for the beginning family. Aislinn's hands moved instinctively to her mouth as she smiled and let out a gasp in happiness. It was simply perfect, and everything she had ever dreamed of. Taking the keys Cillian handed her, she gave him an impish grin before running to the front door, squealing with happy laughter.

Turning the key, Aislinn pushed the door open and closed her eyes for a moment. Just one moment to calm herself and take a deep breath before she entered into her new life for the first time. The main room was large and open with a hardwood floor and a stone fireplace running up the wall to her left. To her right was a small doorway leading into a quaint dining room which ultimately led further on into kitchen. In between the living and dining rooms was a rich brown staircase leading to the second story. Across from where she stood at the doorway was a small hallway Aislinn followed back to another sitting room on one end and a study on the other. "Cill!" she gasped, tears brimming her eyes once again, "This is perfect! I could not a' picked anythin' better meself!"