Six hours of pain. Calli couldn't believe how much longer her son kept her and Samuel waiting but now that she finally had him, she couldn't be happier. A few hours of pain traded in for a lifetime of love? That was the most important thing to her. The witch sighed heavily and let a hiss of air pass her teeth closely followed by a few choice words under her breath at the pain. Now that their son was here everything felt so surreal, she felt almost empty and she didn't like it, she'd grown so used to her swollen stomach and constant kicks that it just felt so odd. The witch leaned over on her bed and smiled tenderly as her gaze swept over him. He was so tiny and perfect and he was theirs.

Calliope was overjoyed at the fact that Jeremy was an almost perfect mix of them, although even if Samuel might disagree, she thought their son looked more like him. She still couldn't get over the fact that Jeremy already had so much hair even if he was only just a few hours old. And from what she could see, he'd got her brunette hair. Her smile shifted to another tender smile as he yawn and blinked sleepily, staring up at her with blue eyes that matched both of theirs.

The fact she'd had both her father and her fiancee with her through it all had made the entire labour far more tolerable, granted the chances of those two disagreeing was high, all she could think of was the fact that at least she didn't do to Samuel what Sophia had done to Ti. Her threats though, were more extreme. Despite being on so many drugs to try and make the pain less and being so out of it, she faintly remembered threatening to rip a certain body part of Samuel off because of it, it amused her a little as she finally realised (now she was in the right mind) what she'd yelled at her fiancee. Although she felt that she should probably reassure Samuel that she didn't really want to remove that certain part of him, and she would eventually, but she enjoyed the idea of leaving the threat looming between them just a little longer.

Shifting a little she hissed again and winced, her whole body felt like lead when she could move but she hated sitting still, it was her own fault really. Calliope smiled wearily and finally looked away from her son to Samuel, ”I don't know whether I love you or hate you right now, Copeland.” She grumbled, resting her hands on her side as she spoke. ”I definitely love him though.” She chuckled referring to their son. ”I think I might love him much more than you if I'm honest.”


@samuel

Samuel had never seen himself being as happy as he was right now. The man let the relief spread through him. Calliope and he were now parents. Their baby boy was here, Jeremy Austin Copeland were here and he was perfect. Naturally Samuel was biased in thinking like that but for the man it was the truth. His son was here and he was healthy as was Calliope. It was bittersweet in some respects. Samuel knew that while key people were missing from today, his little boy would still have so many people who loved him and that for the man was so important. Times were tense right now but he and Calli were committed to providing to loving and protecting their little boy more than anything. Samuel had come to realise that when Calli was pregnant he would do anything for their son and that extended him willingly giving up his life for his baby.

The man had moved his chair to face the little bassinet where Jeremy was and looked him over. He was so small and he was beautiful. His fiance had already put her foot down in stating that Jeremy looked liked him save for the colour of his hair which happened to be ilke his mum’s. Samuel didn’t want to debate who his son looked more like. But he would rather just be thankful that their baby was here and he was well. After a six hour labour the man couldn’t be more thankful for his son and be so proud of his fiance. She had done a marvellous job. He could now truly look forward to seeing Jeremy grow up and interact with his mum and he had all those cute moments to look forward to.

With him now being on leave, the fact that Calli had threatened to rid him off an essential part of his body didn’t matter. He had expected her throw a full onslaught of insults his way and he certainly hadn’t disappointed him. At least she hadn’t broken his hand like Sophia had done with his best friend but there was still that possibility. Seeing his witch shift around on her bed he knew she was in pain and he hated he had been the cause of that. But on the other had Samuel knew to some extent that she had enjoyed being pregnant even with the sickness and the kicks that came along with it.

Samuel was also impressed that he and Percy had managed to remain in close proximity for so long. They were getting along a lot better now any much to the relief of Calli, despite what Samuel and the witch had been discussing in recent times. All that could wait now, the man was happy for all that to be put on the back burner for some time (a long while really) Jeremy was their focus now, for a lifetime.

Finally managing to look away from his baby boy, he smiled at Calli and rested his hand on hers. ”Let’s conclude it’s a love, hate relationship?” he questioned with a light chuckle before he glanced at Jeremy for a few seconds then looked to her again. ”I don’t blame you though for loving him more, he’s definitely better looking than me…” he said picking Jeremy out of his bassinet and brushed his fingers over the top of his head and his son closed his eyes. ”You did a remarkable job Calli, I’m so proud of you…. he smiled at her softly.

With the way things were at the moment, she knew it could be dangerous for their son growing up but she also vowed to do anything in her power to save him and she knew Samuel was the same, if there was a war because of this uprising they would fight and they would protect their son. Even with the dangers though, Calliope was eager for Carol to meet her first grandchild and she'd made a mental note that, that should be one of the first things the couple should do when she was up on her feet again. If it was safe enough for Samuel's mother to leave the house she was certain that the older woman would come and visit them, Calli was almost certain that Carol would have been here right now if she'd been able to (Calliope would have asked her to be there,) after all it would have been nice to have a witch she trusted with her considering how terrified she'd been of everything that had happened that day, Carol had been a pillar from Calli ever since they'd told her she was pregnant. Even when she and Samuel had, had that brief rough patch she'd still given Calli the guidance of a mother - the guidance that she craved alongside her partner and father.

The fact Percival Montgomery and Samuel Copeland had managed to be in the same room together for an extended period of time had impressed Calli, even if she hadn't appreciated it at the time. It made her happy to think that even if this was just minor, a Death Eater and then a son of a Muggleborn being in the same room as each other, there was redemption for the others, there was a chance that maybe, just maybe some of the blood supremacists could change their ways and beliefs, she had done it and her father seemed to be doing it and she knew of a couple of others that were indifferent to it all. She hoped that more people would change their thoughts and beliefs before it got too bad though. Calli was certain about one thing though, Jeremy wouldn't ever be taught to believe that being a halfblood or pureblood was better. She was almost certain that she and Samuel would teach Jeremy equality in all areas and let him believe what he wanted to believe. (With reason though).

When Samuel spoke to her she noddded her head a little to show she was listening, ”Fine, I can agree it's a love, hate relationship but more hate right now.” She informed him cheekily, despite the pain she was in such high spirits that making playful and sarcastic remarks was going to be a given for her, especially when Samuel was willing to give them as well. ”That's not hard… being better looking than you.” She quipped, looking adoringly down at their son before watching Samuel pick him up and smiling at how carefully and tenderly he held Jeremy. Calli trailed her gaze up to meet her wizard's and she smiled tiredly at him. ”He was worth it all, but I'm just glad you were with me… it made it a lot easier. She informed him softly, trying to move closer to him and silently trying to ask for a kiss from him and the chance to see her son closely again.

All Samuel had ever wanted was a good family. He had had that for some time with his own family but then with his father leaving, his family had been fragmented somewhat. However now he had that chance again to have a loving family. He loved Calli and was both excited and scared about this next step the two of them were taking in their lives. Samuel knew for Calli it was more the latter but he was going to be with her this entire time and he was not going to walk away like his father had. His mum had been a great support to him and to Calli. His fiance had grown up without her mum and it was nice to see that his mum had been there to welcome her with open arms and be there to answer any questions she had. Samuel knew that Calli had so many things she wanted to ask about the baby and the labour itself. She could have asked Sophia since the woman herself had had a baby herself a few months ago but his mum had more experience and she was Calli’s family too. Well, she would be one day. After this they would slowly make wedding plans, they first had to pick a date but Samuel knew that now Jeremy would be the number one priority in their lives. He loved his son and nothing would ever change that.

Seeing Calli go through the pain of labour he automatically felt guilty. Maybe he was stupid for doing so because there was nothing he or any healer or nurse could do to completely take the pain away but he really was so proud of Calli. He was amazed at the power and strength she had displayed. From the moment her water broke to the moment their heard Jeremy’s cries she had been the one doing all the hard work and Samuel was just in awe. He was really just there to support her and for the to attempt to break his hand, luckily she hadn’t. That was one thing had over Tiwaz. At least his friend’s broken hand had been short lived and then he got to hold his daughter like Samuel would be holding his son for the first time. Jeremy was now the centre of his world and he would be raised to be whoever he wanted. Both Calli and Samuel had seen so much and there would not wish the same kind of memories on their son. The professor still saw a lot of division at school and it was sad really, that some parents had been selfish in instilling their beliefs in their children. Samuel would teach Jeremy that they were all difference but it was not something to be feared but rather it should be embraced.

Catching the hint of cheek in her voice Samuel laughed. ”Fine it is more hate but look at what our love created….” he sighed happily as he looked to Jeremy. His small little noises were precious and Samuel never tire of hearing them. He looked back to his witch and nodded. ”He definitely is better looking….he will be driving all the girls crazy at day care in no time, won’t you mister” he asked laughing a little as he looked back to his sleeping son. He looked liked like Samuel but right now his hair was dark like Calli’s and he was so handsome. The wizard would not tire of looking at him. He looked forward to watching him grow and to watching him reach each and every milestone. ”There is no place I would rather be darling…..I will always be there for you” he replied speaking softly so they wouldn’t wake Jeremy. He took left hand and ran his finger over her engagement ring as he kissed her softly. ”It seems our ring bearer is here now” the man laughed as he saw Jeremy open his eyes.

When Calliope had been a child she often wondered what it would be like to have a normal family unit, a mum, a dad and maybe some siblings. Of course, she didn't mind at all that it was just her and her dad. There was a closeness there then couldn't be broken. Ever since she'd been born they'd needed each other. He'd needed her to keep him busy in the dark times when he was mourning the death of her mother and she'd needed him when she had been left broken from Lucas and his… poor treatment of her. There had been other times, naturally but those were what stood out most when she thought about the pair needing the love and support of the other, even if Calli hadn't provided her dad's complete need for support as such… she was still just there for him. And Calliope wanted that relationship with her son, she also wanted that relationship to happened between Samuel and Jeremy. Calli knew Samuel doubted his ability as a father because of what his own father had done, but as she often tried to reassure and remind him. He wasn't James. He would never be James. Calliope and Carol would make sure of that.

It was scary for Calli, becoming a mother considering she hardly trusted herself, yet here she was with someone who had to trust and rely on her and she couldn't be happier. She wanted to do everything right, but she knew she couldn't be a perfect parent. No one was a perfect parent but she'd try her damned best to do right by her son. To raise him to be like his father and grandfather, she would be the proudest woman alive if she could do that with her son. Calliope somehow managed to flash Samuel one of her usual smirks as he agreed it was more hate for her towards him for the moment but it soon melted into a smile and she nodded. ”It's hard to think love can create something like this. I mean… look at him.” She said gently, ”He's so… perfect and he's ours.” Calli began to nibble her lip as she looked at her son. The witch was still trying to register that he was phsyically here but she knew when he was screaming for food. Then it would sink in.

It was truly an incredible sight for Calliope to behold, watching Samuel and Jeremy and hearing the delicate noises he made, ”Just think… you'll be able to sing to him and actually see his responses to you now.” She looked thoughtful as she spoke before letting out a short laugh when Samuel said he'd be driving the girls crazy, she would have laughed more but it still hurt so she just had to do small things. ”I think he's already a heart breaker and he's not even two hours old yet… “ She said affectionately. Samuel was right, he was going to be driving the girls crazy from a young age, she knew that might just have been the doting bias of being his mother but she had a feeling she wouldn't be wrong. It was common knowledge between the couple that Samuel had a lot of admirers in his students and Calli herself had broken a few hearts or two in her time but Jeremy was both of them. If those two drove people crazy, than so would he. Or that's what she thought anyway.

Calliope gave Samuel a tender smile when he promised he'd be there for her and she nodded slowly, that's all she ever wanted someone to love her unconditionally even with all her flaws and Samuel did just that and if he hadn't ran away yet… well she was confident they had something… incredible and Jeremy just solidified that. She sent her gaze to the ring and smiled. ”Our next step.” She said, referring to marriage as she moved to catch his hand and entwine their fingers as she returned the kiss as lovingly as she could. ”We have our ring bearer and out flower girl.” She agreed, referring to the goddaughter before looking at Jeremy's blue eyes. ”Hey baby.” She crooned, moving to kiss the top of her son's head now that he was awake.

From the moment Calli had broken the news to him that she was pregnant with their child Samuel’s heart had been filled with joy. Of course when her waters had broken she had cursed him every name under the sun and some he hadn’t even thought she was even capable of calling him. But all the colourful verbal phrases she had thrown his way had been worth it because their beautiful baby boy was here now and Samuel was overjoyed. He was glad that Calli’s pregnancy had gone through relatively complication free and other than the countless number of headaches she had been experiencing, there had not any serious complications. He was glad both his fiancé an his son were both doing well. Samuel was also glad that he had survived the labour not only with Calli but also with her father in the room. He knew it wouldn't have be easy for him to be there since he had lost his wife in childbirth but at the same time he knew that Percy was proud of her. Samuel’s mum had been in the waiting room and during the labour and had immediately rushed in as soon as she could to see her grandson. She was now out just getting word to her sisters that Jeremy was here and she would be back. Samuel would just enjoy it just being the three of them.

Samuel was of course an old hand at carrying babies, including newborns since almost of his cousins had children and had was close to them and so had seen their kids from the time they were born. When he held his own son for the first time he had to stop himself from crying. He knew that while Calli would call it a sweet moment, down the track she wouldn’t let him live it down if he was every claim to be masculine. But he was in awe of how handsome his son was. He was glad that at least Jeremy hadn’t inherited his hair colour or else he would be labelled a carbon copy of his father as Samuel had been during his childhood. As a child he hadn’t mind but as a adult he resented it. He saw Calli start to gnaw at her lip and smiled to himself as he looked back to Jeremy who was off in the land of slumber. ”Our perfect little boy..” he summed up not taking his gaze off their son. Samuel would be doing his hardest to raise his son the right way. He had grown up without his father the majority of the time but he would be there always for Jeremy and any other children he and Calli had in the future. There was no way that Samuel be repeating the mistakes of James Copeland. He had seen how badly the man had failed so many peple and he vowed that he would never be a failure in the eyes of Jeremy or Calli.

Samuel plunged himself entirely into anything he did and right now the number one thing was him being a father. The two of them had already been decorating the nursery and the occupant of the room was finally here and they were both over the moon, Samuel saw it in Calli’s eyes. Samuel had love to sing to Jeremy when he was still inside his mum but what the witch had said was true. ”I hope he likes my singing in person just as much” Samuel joked as he brushed his thumb over Jeremy’s fist. ”I’ve always wondered if they dream when they are this young….” he said out loud as he kept his gaze trained on his son. He laughed as he expanded on his point of their breaking hearts because he knew given both their backgrounds with relationships, it was very likely. ”That being said love, he’s free to have whatever dream wants and when he comes to girls, I’ll be sure to make sure he knows how to treat them as they deserve to be” he smiled as he kissed her forehead.

Samuel looked into Jeremy’s eye as he looked up to both his mum and dad with wide eyes. Samuel could see the sky blue he saw in Calli’s eyes as well as a darker blue around the outside much like the colour of his. He was amazed and Samuel knew he was not walking away from his son, ever. ”I think he’ll look adorable in suit, dont you?” he asked as he handed Jeremy over to Calli as saw him try and push his arm out from his wrap. Samuel laughed and helped him by pulling back the cotton fabric so his right arm was free.

”Is there even a word more suitable than perfect?” She laughed a little, perfect just didn't seem to cut it, he was more than that and there was no word in the dictionary that could define him correctly, so she'd have to agree and settle with perfect because that was exactly what he was. Calliope knew that being a parent would be a task for both as they'd both been put in a situation that they didn't have the parental figure that they were taking on, but despite all of that she was confident that they would manage together, even if they had stumble through it step by step, people often said the firstborn was the 'guinea pig' child and now she was holding Jeremy she could understand why; there was only so much you could learn from books and shows. You had to actually do a lot of it yourself, however she didn't want Jeremy to be a guinea pig, it was natural that she and Samuel would both make mistakes, but every child was different so they would always struggle with Jeremy and any future children they may have but she hoped that she wouldn't make too many mistakes with her son.

Calli never used to really be fond of children, she used to panic when holding them or outwardly refuse to acknowledge them and then like everything else her life and lifestyle changed completely when she met Samuel, Malcolm was definitely her favourite of all the Copeland children but she was fond of them all. In part it was Malcolm that had helped make her decision when it came to a child with Samuel, she knew her fiance wanted to be a father and she had wanted to be a mother, she just didn't think she'd want to be a mother so quickly. But everything. Every bit of common sense went out of the window, she wanted all sorts with Samuel, she wanted a family and the big white wedding, she wanted her happy ever after and she was going to get it. That much she was certain of, it had been a complete turn around in personality for her, but it was one that she didn't regret at all.

”I'm sure he wasn't born deaf, love. He'll definitely love your singing as much as I do.” She told him softly, reaching over to Samuel with a tired but still tender smile, her hand rested on his wrist as he stroked Jeremy's fist and she watched as their son seemed to move his hand and make a grab for Samuel subconsciously. It was a sight that filled her heart and she had to do her best not to let herself cry anymore. ”I'm sure he will probably dream of bright colours, new voices, and new faces.” She mused, now that Samuel had stated his wonder, the witch was feeling equally curious about it. Did babies this young dream. Calliope glanced sideways at Samuel as he spoke about teaching their son right from wrong and she knew that no one was better at doing something like that. Samuel was… kind of perfect himself when it came to how he treated her. Sure, the couple fought but what couple didn't? But he'd never harm her and he'd always be there for her and if Jeremy was to ever grow up to be just like his dad, Calliope would be indescribably proud. ”Hopefully him bringing girls home is a long way off. There will definitely be more than enough time for him to learn how to be just like you.” She said softly, moving closer to Jeremy and planting a kiss on his forehead as he let out a long breath in his sleep. The new baby smell was intoxicating and Calli's head was spinning as she closed her eyes and rested her cheek on her son's forehead, he was so amazing that she just didn't want to ever let go, she wanted to hold him and stare for as long as possible.

Feeling Jeremy shift in his dad's arms was what had prompted Calliope to move and look down at him and for the second time see the blue eyes that were such a perfect mix of the couple, the witch laughed softly and nodded at Samuel's question, ”He'll look very adorable and very handsome. Maybe he will be breaking hearts from day one.” She replied, cooing softly at Jeremy and taking him in her arms, holding him towards Samuel so that he could remove his arm before bringing up closer to her. ”He's going to grow quickly, I just hope it's not too quickly.” She murmured, kissing her son again softly.

Becoming a parent had been a secret dream of Samuel’s for a long time. However he had not actually told anyone. Though his mother probably suspected it when she saw him with his nieces and nephews and Calli may have figured it out when he had reacted to her news of being pregnant by grinning non stop for days after. Now that Jeremy was here he had a chance to live out that dream. Samuel was fiercely determined to be nothing like his father was and he knew that should there be any indication that he was heading in that direction Calli would bring him back into line swiftly. ”Right now...I think perfect is the best word to describe him” he smiled at her then gazed back to Jeremy. He really was so tiny. Samuel knew that there would times that their son would be less than perfect and would throw a tantrum but that was all part of raising children. Samuel liked to think he was ready for that but only time would tell. At least he and Calli had each other, her father didn’t have her mother to help him. Than knew that Percy may have struggled but he had raised his daughter to be who she was today. Sure the witch may have had different opinions to his considering who her father was but that had changed over time.

Encountering different viewpoints were muggleborns and muggles were concerned was nothing that Samuel was a stranger to, he even had students under his care who held differing opinions to his but didn’t let that change how he did his job. Now that he was parent he would do his best, along with Cali to raise Jeremy to respect all people. Samuel had been raised that way and he knew he would do the same with any children he was to have. He was glad that Calli’s opinion had changed over time because he couldn't see himself spending his life with anyone else but her. He loved her and only her. They were going to be husband and wife someday and Samuel was looking forward to that day the she bore the same surname as he and Jeremy.

At her words Samuel chuckled. He was confident that their son would still like hearing his father’s voice that he was out and Samuel looked forward to him singing along with him some day. ”At least now I can see his smile first hand and I when he whines I know how to calm him down” he smiled at her referring to the many times when Calli had experienced Jeremy tossing and turning around and he would begin singing and their son would calm down as if he was paying attention to what was being sung. He knew that there was a slim chance that Jeremy may not grow to play a musical instrument like he did but he had slim hope that he would, one day. Samuel chuckled as he took Jeremy’s finger as a few (happy) tears started to run down his cheek. ”Hey buddy...it’s nice to meet you” he smiled at him while he wiped away his tears with the base of his palm. ”You put your mum through a lot of trouble, however, we are so glad you’re here” he went on to say. Samuel looked forward to the day when Jeremy would talk about his dreams around the breakfast table or in passing. Samuel would be happy to listen to them no matter how childish or how mature they could seem. Whether they were about a giant robot or about his Quidditch game, these were all things that Samuel looked forward. The man talked about the future with his students and he knew it would be a proud moment when he was able to do the same with his own son. The man looked as Calli kissed their son’s forehead and he kept his smile on his face, it was not leaving anytime soon. ”I’ll teach him respect for all and to fly and to cast all the charms possible” Samuel chuckled as he looked to her.

”At least if he’s breaking hears from day one, we are in the right place to get them fixed” he smirked at her. Of course Samuel knew it was silly to think like that but there were many more silly moments ahead for both him and Calli. The man slightly frowned as Calli took Jeremy back, but it was only right given what she had been through the last nine months, she deserved to have him in her arms for as long as she wanted. ”He better listen to you when you tell him not to grow so quickly then” the man winked. Samuel went to pull out a tiger toy from their baby bag and set it on the small table next to Calli’s bed.