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Post by Christian Ward on Oct 26, 2016 19:12:33 GMT -5
If Hanley was upset or even surprised by her response, he did not show it. He had actually been quite shocked that the pair had listened at all to his previous recommendations that Diana be kept in bed until she healed from the injury to her ribs. He patted her on the knee. "My dear, I cannot stop you from doing whatever it is you do, I can only make my recommendations as a medical professional and hope that you make the right choice for your unborn baby. What you decide to do is up to you. But you can rest assured that I will not spoil the surprise."
He winked at her, as if the pregnancy announcement would be some big to-do between the couple. Hanley turned and rummaged in his black medical bag pulling out vials, reading the labels, then putting them back until he found what he needed. "This is for whenever you feel ill. Take it with food. And this is so our new little friend grows big and healthy; once a day." He also went over the traditional list of do's and don'ts for soon-to-be-mums and assured her again that he would let her be the one to tell Christian about the baby. "Mum's the word," he said, laughing again at his own joke.
"Now, Ms Crawford. You take care of yourself and I will see you next month." He rose and started for the door, before stopping. "Ah, wait." He patted the pockets of his coat and pants until he found a small coin: a muggle half-penny. He mumbled an incantation and tapped the coin with his wand. "Here you are. Turn it twice and give it a squeeze whenever you need me. Best way to keep our secret safe." He handed her the coin.
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Post by Diana Ward on Oct 26, 2016 19:27:41 GMT -5
Diana followed numbly, listening to the Doctor's words but not hearing anything. She was sure she'd recall the instructions when the time came but for the moment the news was too overwhelming. A baby? She was going to have a baby?
She released a high tinkling laugh again that was borderline panic and fear.
She took the coin. Just as he was about to leave Diana stopped him, "Wait!"
She took his arm to stop him from leaving then went to a side table drawer where parchment and a quill was available. She wrote a hasty magical binding contract that Hanley would tell no one of her pregnancy, then gave it to him with the quill.
"It's not that I don't trust you. I do...and I'm grateful...but if Christian...when I tell him...well I don't want him angry with you for not telling him."
It covered both of them. Diana would have time to figure out what she was trying to figure out, and Hanley would not be able to tell anyone including Christian or anyone wishing to do Diana harm, the truth.
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Post by Christian Ward on Oct 26, 2016 19:40:12 GMT -5
Hanley waited as she had asked, and watched as she created their contract. When she began explaining why she was doing this, Hanley started to laugh. "You are very much like your counterpart. Christian is a lucky man." This was not his first contract of this nature, and he doubted it would be his last. All of Christian's employees held similar secrecy contracts. He took the parchment and quill, and signed his name with a flourish. The ink glowed red for a moment before returning to a flat black color as Hanley returned the items to Diana. "Now, no more worrying. It's not good for the baby."
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Post by Diana Ward on Oct 26, 2016 19:52:07 GMT -5
Diana breathed a sigh of relief now that secrecy was ensured. She didn't know what to say about Hanley's comments. She honestly hadn't given too much thought to life with Christian, what it would be like when all of this was over. Would they live together? Would Alyx live with them? What about this new baby? Would they live at Christian's flat or Diana's estate? Would they get married?
Diana's heart started to pound again. No more worrying indeed.
"Thank you Doctor." she whispered.
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Post by Christian Ward on Oct 26, 2016 23:55:39 GMT -5
Hanley smiled and nodded as he left her bedroom and headed downstairs.
Christian was in the sitting room, reading a book. He had enjoyed his quiet time while Diana was preoccupied with the good doctor. Since Diana began staying with him, Christian had hardly any time for himself. If he did manage to steal a few moments alone in his locked office, Diana would inevitably end up talking through the door to him. Sometimes just to talk, but more often than not it was to yell about some offense he had made against her or a plan that she had determined should be executed differently.
His peace was interrupted once again, but he was more than happy to talk with Hanley and find out just exactly was going on with Diana lately. Christian set his book on the coffee table and rose to meet Hanley in the foyer. She gave him a look that said it was time to explain, and Hanley responded.
"I've given her something to help with the nausea; a side effect of the potions she should continue to take to ensure her injuries heal completely."
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Post by Diana Ward on Oct 27, 2016 0:06:13 GMT -5
Diana walked warily behind Hanley as though somehow he would overcome the magical contract and spill the beans she was so desperate to keep a lid on.
But once she entered the living room and saw him her stomach did a flip. Mentally she scolded her unborn offspring to quiet down, though it was just butterflies in her stomach.
She still didn't know what to think. One part of her wanted to run to him another wanted to run away. If she ran to him one part of her wanted to beat the living hell out of him, and the other wanted to be held. She was still all tied in knots.
"Thank you Dr. Hanley, if there's anything else, we'll be sure to contact you." she said almost in a rush to get him out the door.
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Post by Christian Ward on Oct 27, 2016 0:20:36 GMT -5
Christian gave his thanks as well and Hanley left them, giving Diana a smile on his way out. When they were alone, Christian looked to Diana. "That was an awfully long time just to give you another potion."
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Post by Diana Ward on Oct 27, 2016 0:33:00 GMT -5
"Maybe he was testing me for anti-psychotics." she retorted flatly while keeping a stiff posture and standing at a distance from him.
She had forced Hanley's hand in not saying anything, but could she keep it a secret herself? Suddenly she thought about how he had looked into her mind before and discovered Alyx. Immediately she grew angry with him.
With other wizards occlumency was a natural state of being, but she had grown soft around Christian. She started to panic again.
"I have a headache. I'm going to go lie down."
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Post by Christian Ward on Oct 27, 2016 0:48:15 GMT -5
"I hope it was a strong prescription," he said loud enough for her to hear as he smirked and returned to his book.
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Post by Diana Ward on Oct 27, 2016 1:03:14 GMT -5
He wanted quiet and for once Diana was happy to oblige, though she didn't know that was what he wanted. She might have bugged him just to be perverse.
Instead she curled up on the bed alternatively sleeping and crying. What was she going to do?
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