The Child of Surprise (Sev and Ella)

[Deleted]

Gus had never spent this ridiculous amount of money in that much of a short time period. He'd never had so many days in a row where he didn't bother putting on his make up if one didn't count his days in the mental ward. He'd never had clothes that were so... dirty, without bothering to change out of them at the very first possible opportunity. Every single detail of his life seemed to have changed and he couldn't have been happier for it. Ever since his Surprise Daughter had shown up on his doorstep in a small basket his life had changed. Luckily it was a lot easier to order furniture when one had a lot of money to spend. He now had a nursery in his mansion and his entire mansion (including the two wings he'd had added on) had been child-proofed. Not that Marlena was anywhere near crawling yet.

All she seemed to do was sleep, poop, eat, and cry. He hadn't had a clue what he'd gotten himself into, that much he knew by now. Still, he'd gotten a lot of help from his serving staff, all of whom had fallen hopelessly in love with the tiny little baby that was no the absolute center of the huge house. She got breakfast first of all, even before Phillip, who had been surprisingly patient in finding new places to sleep or escape the noise. The tiger had figured out the little noise machine was important to his friend at some point and now he often slept in the same room as the screaming infant, practically functioning as a baby monitor. Nobody slept unless Marlena was cared for.

But today, after about two weeks, he was socialising again. He'd been forced to cancel two dates with the only two people that had lasted this long. Donatella the circus performer and Severus the Hogwarts professor. Gus found himself intoxicated by both of them while he'd been dating them and had confessed to both that he couldn't possibly decide who he liked better, and neither of them had opted to walk out for that reason yet. It had driven him a tiny little bit mad, as he only fell more and more in love with both of them as time went on. Or perhaps love was currently still too strong. He certainly felt very strongly about both.

So he figured that Marlena could turn the tide in that particular conundrum. If either of them (or both of them for that matter) couldn't deal with the fact he'd rather unexpectedly become a father then that also made his choice for him. He'd either be dating again or he'd have his choice made for him, right? Although he had no clue what he ought to do if both of them somehow decided that they didn't mind being a parent. Problems for a later date right? So he'd apologised for blowing off the date, telling them he had something he wanted to tell them, that their competition would be there and that he wanted to tell them both at the same time as they both meant too much to him for him to be able to tell one before the other.

Now he just hoped they'd both show up.... and that at least one of them was willing to be with him despite the fact that it suddenly and unexpectedly included an infant child...

@donatella @severus

[Deleted]

Had Severus been concerned when Auguste cancelled a date on him? After the very open conversation they'd had about the fact that they were not currently committed in a monogamous relationship... perhaps. Severus couldn't deny the niggling worry that the blossoming romance had ultimately run its course, but thankfully the start of term at Beauxbatons Academy had easily filled the void. There was a whole new castle and grounds to explore and familiarise himself with - it was completely different to his time as a staff member at Hogwarts as he wasn't there with the memories of a naughty teenager. He had to be even more on his toes otherwise the students in his care could run circles around him.

The professor wasn't sure if he'd ever quite acclimatise to the new workplace, but he definitely found a liking for croissants at breakfast rather than greasy eggs and bacon. It was rather nice when he got the invite to a new date from Monsieur Courtemanche - he even kept it in his breast pocket for most of the day. It was safe to say Severus had some pleasant feelings for the handsome rockstar... not that he was a gushing teenager or doing a Deva and planning their future children together.

If anyone asked, it was the Hufflepuff in him.

As he left the castle, a few staff members commented on how suave Sev looked and he couldn't help but grin. Good. It wasn't often that he was seen in a good pair of jeans and a nice jacket but his stiff high collars and jacquard vests always took way too long to shed when it came time to engage in carnal delights. On his way out, Sev didn't hesitate to pick a choice apple from the Beauxbatons garden for the man he'd been summoned to visit.

Once out of the school grounds, Severus disapparated with a pop! to arrive just outside Auguste's property. It put his own family mansion to shame, even though his father had done quite well for himself on top of their family money. Severus glanced at the apple in the palm of his hand, deciding that the small gift seemed rather silly in comparison. Still, he had it now so it shouldn't go to waste.

With a gentleman's knock on the grand entrance to the mansion, Severus took his time to fully appreciate the architecture. "Bonjour," he greeted the man who opened the door with a grin. Continuing in French, Severus added, "I've been looking forward to seeing you again."

@auguste (& @donatella when she arrives 🌹)

[Deleted]

It was a bit of a bummer that Gus had canceled one of their dates. But Ella was apart of the circus, jet setting around the world performing. Their meetups were planned and scheduled so that they could meet up wherever and enjoy their time together. She had enjoyed it, though the travel had been more than she anticipated. She had found herself thinking more and more about establishing some roots. But she hadn't had a stable place to live since shortly after graduation. It was a big step, not something she would take lightly. She had also been dating another man, Severus, the professor. Sev and Gus were different, but both alluring. Members of the wizarding circus often asked which of her men she was meeting up when she left looking extra nice. She wasn't exclusive, and neither of them were either. That didn't mean that she didn't enjoy her time. Before she had started dating both men, her entire life encompassed her work, and the occasional one night. But now she had to take juggling lessons from the clown performers. But that was all the fun.

Getting new message from Gus about the meet up, Ella arranged to leave the location of the circus. Arrangements included ensuring that her part of the performance was taken over by another. This wasn't common, but there was always an understudy type acrobat ready in case. She didn't leave often, and so she had arranged an exception. There was no way she was going to miss this. Ella didn't have a lot of flashy "normal" cloths, but she borrow a some nice civilian cloths. As she left, she heard the words of those that she considered family. It was the usual. They wanted to know which of her Gentleman Callers was she ditching them for today. She gave a smile and laugh. She rarely gave an answer. It was funner to let them guess.

It took some time to get there. She had to first use a portkey to get to France, and then made her way to Gus' mansion. Materializing just inside the gate, she took a moment to take in the immaculate structure and well kept grounds. No matter how many times she saw Gus' residences, they always took her breath away. She lived in a magic tent. That didn't was larger on the inside, but only enough for one small room. That was what was hers. Apparently she had a type. Rich men. She was far from a black widow, or sugar baby. Never asking for things, but apparently she enjoyed a man who enjoyed the finer things. She time making her way up to the grand entrance. As she ascended the stairs she was surprised to see both men. She couldn't help but smile. Ella made her way up to the landing. "Well, this is a surprise." She said, walking up, greeting Gus with a kiss on the lips. "Good to see you Gus," then moving to give Sev a kiss on the lips. "Sev, guess you got the same message as I did." Finally pulling away from both men, she was sure there would be some sort of explanation.

@auguste
@severus

[Deleted]

It was amusing, he supposed, that neither of his dates had cancelled on him. He had put Marlena to bed not too long ago and he hoped to at least have time to explain some of the situation before she woke up again. She'd been a little fussy lately. While he'd read that he ought to be sleeping while she was, he also missed about six months of prep time at least. So he'd spent the entire morning getting ready for the afternoon. Trying to make sure he looked presentable and not too worn out. Between his exhaustion and Marlena taking up most of his time he was glad he looked acceptable by the time the doorbell rung.

He opened up to find Severus and smiled instantly. There was so much to like about the man, although he currently felt a small twinge of jealousy that the man very easily outshone him in looks today. He looked like he'd actually slept. "Bonjour." Gus greeted him jovially and warmly nonetheless. He was glad to see him, and he supposed he couldn't always be looking his best. He gave Severus a quick kiss and smiled. "So good to see you. I've missed having you around." He said in all honesty. In the few moments that he wasn't thinking only about baby things he had to admit he missed both Severus and Ella rather much.

At that point Ella arrived. She looked beautiful and he was quite happy to see her as well. The two people he was slowly beginning to fall in love with. He was rather glad to see them. Ella walked straight up and kissed him and he felt that familiar feeling of butterflies as she did. A feeling that was doubled by having two people around him that he was very attracted to. It just felt so utterly normal to be with either one of them. He was terrified it would be over soon. Then she pulled away from him and gave Sev the same greeting. Gus was dumbfounded for a moment.

"You two know each other?" He asked, stunned and almost deflated. The way that Ella greeted Severus suggested a similar level of intimacy between them, which meant he was definitively screwed. They'd probably see Marlena and instantly skip into the sunset together for a happily ever after. He felt exhausted and barely managed to maintain his composure. He'd always known there was a risk to this after all. All he needed to do was think about the tiny little baby sleeping nearby and his entire nerves seemed to calm. She was the new center of his universe and if they didn't want to be a part of that, they could skip out together. It wouldn't break him this time, for he had somebody to care for. Somebody that needed him. "Come on in." He said to both of them with a big and quite content little smile on his face, as he led them towards the sitting room. He figured that was the best place to tell them. Plus, Phillippe was playing baby monitor again so if she did start crying the tiger would drag him to her crib in no time.

@severus @donatella

[Deleted]

A few things popped through Severus' mind in quick succession as he caught sight of Gus, most of all that warmth one feels when they see someone they were growing to care for deeply. Then came slight concern for Severus detected some tiredness under the surface of Auguste's put-together-edness. It was a similar look he'd seen one or two times before, but at least those times Severus felt a sense of quiet accomplishment to see him tuckered out. The kiss they shared brought him back to swoon mode quick enough though, so Severus didn't dwell for the moment. "I've missed visiting," he said with a playful smirk, though his attention quickly turned to the new comer.

If Ella or Gus ever had thought that he was an awkward duckling of an adult wizard... They hadn't seen anything like the way that muggle fighter jets were crashing into each other in Severus' mind as the young acrobatic witch he'd been enjoying the delightful company of sauntered up the path to where he stood having just missed ... well, the other person he was also dating. His mind went practically atomic when Ella said she was surprised and Severus awkwardly grabbed at the door jam to keep himself standing upright as she turned to him for an equally hot kiss.

Was it hot out here? It was hot right?

It took a moment for Severus to regain his mental capacities further than a light nod of reply to Ella's statement. He swallowed what felt like sandpaper as he glanced between the pair and nodded once again in answer to Gus' questions. "Uh... Yea...sss we do. We've been en..joying each other's company this past few months," Severus said, careful not to reply in French as he usually had with Gus. That would have been too rude, given Ella standing there.

"Ella, are you the young lady Gus has been seeing while I'm teaching the new generation of wizardfolk about muggles?" he asked with amusement slowly chipping away at his complete embarrassment as Gus guided the pair inside. He found it hard to tear his attention from the other two, though he would have liked to take in the grandeur of Gus' abode along the way.

"Oh - uh, I brought this along from the orchard," Severus pulled out the apple and his wand, "I would have grabbed two had I known we would be in company. Never mind though," he said gently as he performed a multiplying charm that gave him two apples to try and hold awkwardly in his one hand. "One for Gus and one for you, Ella," he said with a smile once he put his wand away to hold the fruit out to each. He had waited until they got to the room that Gus was guiding them to before offering though.

@donatella & @auguste

[Deleted]

Ella could tell that Gus wasn't at his best. But She was also sure that he would tell her if she needed to know. They were only dating and sleeping together, they didn't need to know everything about the other. That stage came later, if at all. She greeted both men as she always did, with a kiss for each. Gus had been the one to call them here, She wondered. It was curious, Gus wouldn't have called them her to make her pick. He wasn't that type. But that did bring the question. Why was Severus here too? She wasn't sure, but it didn't feel wrong. Severus seemed as surprised as she was, though she didn't let that show. After kissing Gus, she moved to and equally kissed Severus. Both men were important to her, Gus was first because he had clearly invited her. Past that, there was no hierarchy in her mind. Severus seemed off balance, Ella thought he looked so cute when he got like that.

By the celebrities reaction, it seemed as though Gus didn't know that Ella and Sev knew each other. Well there goes one theory. That could only mean that Gus and Sev had a relationship of their own. After pulling away from both men to get a good look, giving Sev a chance to gather his faculties and answer the question. Ella nodded, confirming what was said. Though she wasn't quite sure why he looked so defeated. Just because Ella was spending her time with people other than Gus, that didn't mean that she didn't care for him. In fact, strange enough, the two men she cared about most, romantically, were here.

Though Gus didn't look all that well, he invited the two guests in. His mansion was breathtaking. She always found herself in awe every time she visited the celebrity, at this place or another. It was clear he had money to burn, an amount that the circus acrobat could only dream of. Guess this was what it meant to be famous. As they moved through the large building Sev spoke to her, asking what she had guessed. "When I can get away from the circus." She smiled, winking at him. "What are the odds?" She commented, not quite sure if it was luck or fate that all three seemed to be romantically intimate with each other without knowing.

In time, Sev mentioned that he had brought a gift. Though there was only one. But as an amazing wizard that the professor was, he multiplied the apple, stating there was one for each. Ella chuckled and smiled, waiting to receive it until after they were seated. "That's so kind of you Sev."

@auguste
@severus

[Deleted]

It was typical how Severus almost answered in French but caught himself at the last possible moment to throw out his answer in the more commonly spoken English. It was utterly adorable how utterly flustered he looked and Gus simply beamed at the wonderful sight. He glanced at Ella and her face seemed to say about the same thing as his own. Severus was simply too cute looking like that. So utterly adorable in a weirdly attractive way.

It didn't take much for the situation to land again and he calmly invited the pair in, quite glad that his daughter seemed to be willing to stay asleep for now. He really wanted to break the news as best as he could. So he led them to the closer sitting room that had the large piano in it and the door directly to his private studio. Well, one of them. He heard their exchange and he wasn't sure if his heart was sinking, breaking, or soaring for some reason. He felt too many things at once, and all of ir rather confusing.

He smiled as he got the apple, a bright and happy smile like that of a child. "Beauxbatons apples..." He muttered in a sound that got strangely close to a moan. He bit into the apple and closed his eyes in utter delight at the rich flavour that returned the best memories of his school days. There were no better apples in the world. After a moment of truly enjoying he motioned for them to sit down. "Do either of you want a drink?" He asked, ready to wave his wand and be a somewhat decent host. Then he pinched the bridge of his nose briefly as he casually leaned against one of the chairs. "I'm sure you're both wondering why I asked you over today." He said after a short pause, not quite sure how to broach the topic.

Well, not by his daughter making the announcement for him at least, so he knew he couldn't put it off too long. No matter how he loved her, she could already be a little... demanding. Just like her dad it seemed. "My life changed recently in quite a dramatic and extremely unexpected way. I wanted to tell you both before the tabloids got wind of it, which will probably happen any day now." He said with an annoyed roll of his eyes. He hadn't been out much, which always led to a certain amount of gossip and speculation. Not that anybody would have expected it. "Truth is that I care about you two a lot and while I'd love to keep on dating you, I can't keep this from either of you. Not did I want to tell one of you before the other, as you both matter equally to me. I know this news will likely change things for you, and possibly have one or both of you lose interest in pursuing a romantic relationship with me...." He really needed to say it, properly. Just... rip of the bandaid.

"I messed up some time ago and I wasn't aware of that until recently. Mind you, this was before either of us started dating and before my stay at the mental hospital. I messed up and the result of that is..." He was scared.... terrified even. Still, he needed to say it, before she started crying again. "I'm a father now." He managed at long last, looking at the two of them expectantly, just waiting for either of them to either get angry and storm out or regretfully announce they didn't want to deal with a newborn child and proprose a friendship in stead. Painful, but it wouldn't exactly come as a surprise. Not everybody was willing to deal with the child of a total stranger after all.

@severus @donatella

[Deleted]

Once upon a time, Severus had tried to point out to his best friend how different her choice of lover was from her. What could be more different from a sweet and innocent little tax loving cookie baker than an overgrown man trying his best to look like Santa Claus while playing out his childish, outlaw fantasies by playing pirate on the high seas? Yet as he walked along the marbled floors, following the superstar rocker and an acrobatic circus performer... well, the irony was not lost on Severus. In fact, it almost made him chuckle aloud at the idea of what would come his way should things progress to Deva finding out. These thoughts, of course, ran through his mind as he walked and he chuckled affectionately as Ella confirmed that she was the recipient of Gus' extra affections. "So I've you to thank for the fact there's not been a thousand roses dropped off to the Academy," he said with a cheeky grin, aware that Gus no doubt overheard their conversation even if it was in lowered tones. "Merci beaucoup."

It was rather sweet how both of them accepted the simple gift of an apple and Sev's cheeks may have flushed a little at Gus' reaction to ingesting his. He glanced to Ella to garner her reaction, but decided to clear his throat and nod in simple acceptance of her thanks. "The herbology teacher has a very green thumb at Beauxbatons. And I mean literally, like the wizard on the wireless," he said with a good humoured chuckle. Then his attention turned back to Gus as he asked if they'd like a drink.

"I've the evening free, so I'll happily take a firewhiskey, merci Gus," Sev replied. Of course his evening was free as he hadn't intended to return to the Academy until the wee hours of the day after tomorrow but... by the way Gus seemed on edge, Severus wondered if these plans might be out the window. "Briefly," although now I'm wondering if you're working up the courage to ask for a managé a trois... Sev finished the thought in his mind as Gus had begun his story.

Severus listened, a worm in his stomach turning into a pit of snakes with nerves with Gus taking the long way round to explain himself. Severus took a moment to glance at Ella as Gus continued and from the sounds of it... Merlin it sounded as if Gus was about to announce he had a month to live from a malediction or something. The result is... I'm about to die and it was nice knowing you Sev's mind finished the sentence ahead of Gus and he felt as if he were going to vomit or something.

"Merlin's murtlaps! Gus, I thought you were going to say something... A father! Congratulations," Sev finished with a shake of his head to rid the evil thoughts of Gus passing from his mind and rose to close the gap between them, embracing Gus in a firm hug. "This is not the result of messing things up... a child is a blessing. Can we ... can I meet them?"

@donatella and @auguste

[Deleted]

It took a bit, but Ella finally seemed to grasp the idea that these two gorgeous men that she had been dating both spoke French. Though they were both accommodating enough to speak English around her, so there wasn't much of an issue. Ella glanced from a flustered Sev to a beaming Gus, seemed as though he felt the same way. The girl always thought that a flustered man was adorable. And it wasn't just Sev that could get so flustered. She remembered the first time she met Gus and he followed her to her tent like a lost little puppy. Flustered was a good look for both of them. There was something so sexy about it, well, about all of them. She really hoped this wasn't a "time to choose" situation. That would suck. Though it seemed the boys got along just as well as she got along with each of them. Perhaps that was promising.

Gus could be quite extra. She had found out that when he started dating someone he tended to spend a lot of money on them. That was something Ella had to get used to. She chuckled as Sev mentioned roses. "Yea, enough to fill my tent I could barely get around." She said it almost nagging, but with a wide grin on her face. She loved getting roses. Before she had never received flowers, even after her performances, but now they just randomly would come. Sometimes enough to make a spectacle of it. And only after that did she discover that she absolutely loved receiving flowers.

Getting the apple was nice. Though it seemed much more nostalgic for Gus. It would, especially coming from the school that the rock star went to. When offered, Ella took a seat, sinking her teeth into the juicy apple. There was something magical about it. Perhaps it was where it came from, or the duplication spell. But most likely it was the company she kept. "It's amazing." She beamed as a way to thank Sev for the gift. Gus asked if they wanted a drink, Sev asked for a firewhiskey and Ella smiled. "Same, I'm not expected back until much later, I'll take a firewhiskey as well." She hadn't intended to go back there until the next day at least.

But it also didn't take long for Gus to bring up the reason the two of his guests were there together. Ella wasn't complaining or anything. Honestly, it had become quite a wonderful surprise. Though the mood seemed to drop quickly when it started. Ella had no idea where this was leading to. Something big had happened? His life changed? Were they going their separate ways? And he's telling her with someone else here? No, calm down, Gus wasn't like that. What could the news be? What could have happened? Clearly something big enough to grab the attention of the gossip columnists. It also seemed like whatever it was had happened a bit ago, long enough that he was starting to fear it's discovery. Gus continued stating that he cares about both of them, also promising. And he wanted to keep dating both of them, Ella didn't mind that. The man finally brought up why both of them were there. That was good. He cared about them equally. That meant that he didn't want to chose one or the other. But what could have happened? Something so big that he had to tell them, chose to tell them together, but wasn't sure they would stick around? Ella wanted to reassure him that she would stick around for a while, cause that was what she felt, but held her tongue. Perhaps it was best to hear him out first.

The build up was suspenseful. But finally he said it. he was a father. So, there was a child now. So was he going to get together with the baby-mama? Was she in the picture at all? Was he planning to split responsibilities? She was sure at least that. Gus was a good guy, and wasn't the type to shirk responsibilities like this. While she still felt like there were questions, Ella was speechless. She felt like everything she had thought about to ask was pointless at this time. As a woman, Ella had never been sure that she wanted children. Definitely not if it meant having a man like her father. But she was good at entertaining children, but infants? She didn't know what to do with them. Though she cared for Gus a lot. Was this a reason to leave? Ella's heart ached at the thought. She didn't want to leave, but what if Gus didn't want anything to do with her because she was no good with babies. Ella couldn't think that way, so like a good performer, she gave him a smile. She knew it wouldn't be her usual intoxicating smile, but this was what she could give him right now. "That's great, Congrats." It seemed as though she Gus wanted to keep her around, so it was worth a shot, but him. Right? After a deep breath, Ella moved over to the two men. "Guess that's why you look so tired." She wanted to say that she wanted to meat the child too, but the words got caught.

@auguste & @severus

[Deleted]

Gus smiled a bit as Severus mentioned to Ella that she was the reason a thousand roses had not been dropped off at the Academy. Considering the fact that he actually had the audacity to thank her for that while in earshot of Gus had the man made a resolution. If neither of them ran screaming at the news that he was a father he would send them both more than just a thousand roses. He would go so excessively over the top that neither of them would know what hit them. This child would not kill his romantic spirit, although Marlena certainly had the capacity to kill a romantic atmosphere if she wanted to. She had a very strong set of lungs. Naturally Gus saw that as a good thing, as a part of him certainly hoped to do some karaoke with his daughter at some point.

He'd bullied Ella with a tent full of roses before though, so he figured it was Severus' turn now. Not to mention that he could still spoil Ella at the same time, just in a different way. He had sent Severus quite the impressive (but less space occupying) collection of top tier firewhiskeys at some point. Now he'd just doomed himself to have his room flooded with roses.

Gus couldn't really help himself, so he spoke with his mouth full of apple. "Is it still Monsieur Talih?" He asked curiously. "Guy hated me because I kept raiding his greenhouse for apples. Very professional though, as he never held it against me when grading my Herbology work. I think he's the reason I kept scoring abysmally it Etiquette though." Gus said with a shrug and a chuckle. That was one of the classes he'd had pretty much no interest in at all. He knew what he needed to know from home and everything else he ignored either way.

As they both asked for a firewhiskey, Gus sent the butler out to get it for them. The most fancy one he currently had in the house as he didn't want it to go to waste. He himself hadn't really drank much or at all since Marlena had joined his home. He wanted to be a responsible parent. That included not being drunk, as he wanted to make sure he could take responsibility himself if anything happened rather than depend on his staff to do it for him. He was quite aware he'd still likely ask them for help, but at least he could say that he had his full faculties on him that way. Whatever he was capable of, he'd manage.

The reaction between his two loves was vastly different. Where Severus seemed relieved and eager to meet his daughter, Ella was a lot more reserved. He could imagine that, mostly because he could also imagine she figured that the childs mother might still be in play. He guessed most would have assumed that, although Severus didn't seem to care. It made more sense for him, as he wouldn't be perceived to be the parent regardless. The wizarding world wasn't quite that advanced when it came to procreation. He gladly hugged Severus back, a lot of the stress falling off his shoulders. He'd been so worried they'd both leave him because of this. It seemed that Severus at least was here to stay. "Thanks." He said to their congratulations, a bit confused. "I didn't really do much though. Or well, not until she was born." He said, laughing a bit awkwardly. It had all been his sister in the end.

He looked at Ella then and nodded a bit. "Yeah, no matter how much I love my little girl, she'd quite a hand full." He said, a small smile just for her as he gave her a very quick wink. "I don't envy any single parents out there now that I know what it's like. Rewarding, yes, but very exhausting and I have household staff to help out." There, in case she was worried about the mother, he'd now found a way to reassure her there was nothing to worry about, right?

He then looked at the pair. "I'll go get her so you can both meet her. Her name is Marlena and you want to close your ears if sh starts crying because she has a set of lungs on her that almost beats mine." He said, an overwhelming sense of pride in his voice already. Then he scurried from the room to his bedroom, where the basinet was that held the adorable sleeping child. He gently picked her up and hoped that she wasn't going to wake up just yet. He walked back, gently rocking her a bit in hopes of keeping her asleep. A first meeting was bound to go a bit smoother if she wasn't going to try to burst their eardrums.

As he walked back into the room he was beaming with pride over his daughter. "Meet Marlena Eloise Alphonsine Courtemanche, my daughter, pride, and joy. Considering neither of you signed up for this when we started dating I don't expect anything from either of you when it comes to raising her. Just know she'll always by my first priority. However, I'm incredibly fond of both of you and if you want, I can have a spare key made if you want it." He said, directing it towards both of them. "And you're welcome to move in too. The mansion is more than big enough for all of us and staff and guests. I'm not likely to leave the house a lot in the coming time anyway, so it'd be nice if you two would like to visit more often." He was just going to casually pretend like this wasn't a situation that was quite common. As though it was the most normal thing on the planet to enter into a polyamourous relationship so casually. If either of them had a problem with it, he figured they'd mention it and leave him to whichever one was left behind. A bit simplistic perhaps, but he loved them both too much to choose who he'd rather have in his life. Both, if he could.

@severus
@donatella

[Deleted]

Severus couldn't help the smile on his face as Ella told him of Gus' extravagance and the wizard glanced at the young celebrity in question with a fondness he'd yet to show anyone since his teenaged years. "It would have smelled amazing, I imagine," he replied as the three walked into the sitting area that Gus was guiding them to. The find glance then turned to Ella as she was kind enough to remark on the simple gift he had provided, though he humbly nodded towards Gus. "You can thank Gus for that - had he not mentioned it during our first evening together, I doubt I'd have taken the time to bring one to such a lavish estate as this," he confessed. Severus' family was remarkably well off thanks to many years that his father had enjoyed as the top man in British wizardry yet there was something to be said about Gus' expensive tastes. They were... extra.

"Talih is still there, yes, I can send him your best wishes when I return, if you'd like," Severus said with a mischievous grin as he sat back comfortably in the chair, his fingertips dancing over the carefully kept beard of his as he often did. Somehow, after watching the rockstar on stage, he doubted Talih had anything to do with Auguste Courtemanche failing at Etiquette.

Severus smiled brightly as Gus accepted his hug and congratulations, especially as he could almost feel the man relax into the embrace. What terrible stress the man must have been in - a new and unexpected child which would throw anyone through a loop let alone someone in such a public eye and in a society that could be the cruellest of gossips. A baby sapped all their parents' energy and how on Earth Gus would cope with that plus a high energy career, Severus could barely even fathom but all of these thoughts rushed through his mind at such a quick pace that he hadn't really registered poor Ella's response. If he had, his heart would have almost broken to see the vivacious woman's more sombre reply. "I am sure you'll make up for that a million fold before her tenth birthday," Severus jested light-heartedly.

Taking a step back to give Gus the space to talk with both of them easier, Severus reached a gentle hand to place on the small of Ella's back in an attempt to comfort her. He listened to Gus' reply and his brow frowned in concern as the realisation that he'd mentioned he was a single parent. He was about to ask about it when Gus happily said that he was going to get his daughter. When Gus had left the room, Severus rubbed Ella's back gently with a small smile, whispering, "I wonder if silencing charms work on infants?" It was a playful attempt to ease the apprehension he felt in Ella, "I can't even fathom lungs that beat his." Just before Gus came back, Sev asked Ella in a low voice, "are you OK?"

Then Gus was back with the little bundle of joy. She was beautiful, from what he could see from Gus' arms. Severus had a wide grin as he peered closer to the little angel. "It is a pleasure to meet you Marlena, you are beautiful and I can see why you are the absolute apple of your father's eye," Severus cooed, offering the infant his finger to take in her tiny hand in case she did wake without crying angrily from being woken. Then Severus turned his attention back to the father as Gus began to offer his mansion to let them stay.

"Auguste... that is a very kind offer," Severus began, his tone level and gentle as he reached with his free hand to stroke the young man's cheek tenderly. "I know you have had a lot happen recently and I am not leaving, I am here for you because I care for you. I'm not going anywhere," Severus said with a smile. "I am happy for you to arrange a key, but... you know during term I stay at the school. I'll try and arrange more evenings out to come and visit you ... and during the summer break we can see... I just don't want you to rush into anything."

@auguste & @donatella

[Deleted]

"It really did." If she was being honest, the rose filled room definitely smelled better than she did after an entire day of rehearsals. The apple he had brought was amazing. As someone who didn't grow up in a well off family, and wasn't living large now, Ella was always happy with simple. Though she was finally getting used to the extravagant dates that she had been taken on.

It wasn't that Ella wasn't happy for Gus, no she was very happy. He seemed joyed by the news so she was happy for him. But she just didn't know what to do with the information. There was so much still missing. But she didn't want to ask. Well, maybe it was more that she was too scared of the answers. The girl couldn't help but smile wider as the men talked about his child. She was sure that he would be a much better father than her own. Sev also placed a hand on her back, and Ella looked at him, smiling. Guess she had lost herself in worry. But she could bounce back from this. Sure, things were going to change, but hopefully not too many things.

Perhaps that wasn't the only thing that helped encourage her. Did he say that he was a single parent? Why did that lift her spirits? She was sure it was difficult, was that wrong of her to be happy? Was she being too selfish? Gus mentioned going to get his daughter. Ella couldn't help but smile at seeing the man's excitement. By the way he was acting, she could tell that he was very proud of the tiny person that she didn't quite feel ready to meet.

Feeling Sev's hand rubbing against her back helped her regain some semblance of her faculties. He mentioned a silencing charm, and she couldn't help but laugh a bit, smiling up at him. Guess when someone like Ella was soft spoken, the guys she dated noticed. That alone felt good. It showed that they cared about her. "Thanks." She said, recognizing the action. He also asked if she was alright. She paused. The girl wasn't sure about that. "I think I'll be alright." She gave a pause, feeling like she wanted to explain more, but not quite knowing the words. She opened her mouth to speak again when Gus re-entered the room. He was beyond happy, she couldn't tell them her apprehension while he looked like that, so she closed her mouth again.

She approached, arms crossed, keeping them close to her self. The tiny creature was cute, but to Ella, sort of looked like the next baby. But in the eyes of her father, she must have been perfect. And because she cared for Gus, she was cute. "She's cute, just like you, Gus." She gave a wink, trying to hold fast to the small spark that had began to relight. There was a bit of relief when the new father said that he didn't expect anything from the two. Though, that didn't mean that she wanted to stop seeing him. The child was cute, she had to admit. But there was something about infants that seemed so fragile and breakable. The girls eyes were once again pulled from the child to the man holding her when he mentioned a key.

That was a big step. One that she felt happy about. It felt as though a lot of things had happened in such a short time. Child. Key. Move in? The infant, Ella still wasn't completely sure about. She would happily take the key. But the move in? Ella loved spending time with Gus. Was he proposing that she move in with him and Sev? The idea of a three way excited her originally. But three living together sounded even better. Though she had her job to think about too. She loved her work, and often traveled far. The other man spoke first. Which gave Ella time to relax a bit and brush some hair away from her face. "Yea, I'd love to stay for periods, you know....try things out. No need to rush. Plus, I still have plenty of shows that I'm apart of." It did seem fun to test the waters. Though she still wasn't entirely sure about the baby, maybe the more time she spent with Gus at his place, the more comfortable she would be. Plus, the girl would inevitably grow.

@auguste & @severus

[Deleted]

Gus was plenty aware that he was very much a man that hung together by the tapestry of flaws and imperfections that made up the larger part of his personality. While he'd grown to believe he wasn't so much a bad person he wasn't exactly convinced he was a good one either. He could be deeply selfish at times but above all he knew he was vain and at times a bit egocentric. He smoked a lot, and got into some rather destructive habits and behaviours when life got him down. He was not going to let that happen again though, not now that he was a father. Ever since Marlena had entered his life the center of his universe had utterly shifted. Not that it was ever fully himself, as it had always been unbalanced. It had been his mother when he was young, and then the balance of the universe was between himself and his sister. He did anything he could manage for her sake, but he'd been so afraid of losing her that he lost most of himself somewhere along the way. For over a decade she'd managed to keep his hope alive in the face of his worst desparations and now she'd given him a reason. She was without a doubt the person he cared for most, beaten only by his daughter. While he loved Ella and Severus deeply, they were hopefully his future, but not the wreckage of his past.

Gus chuckled a bit as Severus mentioned not having considered bringing apples if he hadn't mentioned it. "Those apples are the best thing at the entire school. All the overly fancy stuff is all nice and dandy but nothing on the school grounds beats the apples." Then he paused and considered it for a moment. "Well, nothing used to. Then Severus showed up." He said with a rather playful little wink at the man. Despite his many concerns about them not accepting him if he had a baby attached he still loved them both dearly. It was why he still wanted them in his life, after all.

Gus grinned as Severus offered to bring his best wishes and Gus instantly felt a rather devlish smirk creep onto his face as a twinkle sprung into his eyes. "Oh that sounds fun. You can tell him that I thank him for ensuring I have all the tools I need to deliver the best possible performances on stage, as I know how nobody wants me to behave thanks to him." Gus said rather smugly. He usually behaved perfectly fine during interviews but on stage he tended to make sure that people had something to watch. Something fun.

Then he was off to fetch his daughter and he was not unaware of the silence of Ella as he returned. It made him worry. While he had no plan to show her that he noticed something was a bit off, he wanted to act on it nonetheless. "I know it's a lot to take in, for both of you," he admitted even as they showed his wonderful little girl with compliments, "but the only thing I ask in terms of Marlena is that you treat her with kindness. I'm not asking for diaper changes, feeding or anything, except kindness. I want her to always feel loved by those closest to her, and if you both still want to be part of my life, she's going to see a lot of you. Not that I'm obligating either of you to make a choice now, of course," he reassured them, "She's too young to remember now. If you try but find that it doesn't work, I won't blame you if you decide to break things off. The key is merely a permanent welcome far more than a request to permanently make this your sleeping quarters. Whenever I'm out for tours I won't be home either and I realise all of us have professions that hardly do with sleeping in the same house and bed every single night. My London cottage and this place will always be open to you, if you wish to try at least." He said, knowing full well that he couldn't ask them to change their life for him any more than he'd accept it from them. It would always have to be their choice. The only one to force changes on his life was Marlena, and she was too young to realise it. It wasn't greed on her side, as she was, without a doubt, too young to even comprehend the concept.

He smiled at Severus as the man said he didn't want him to rush into anything. "No worries there Sev." He said with a truly happy smile. "I constantly rush into things, but they've been beautiful and breathtaking every step of the way. I know I care for both of you deeply. I feel everything fast and quite intense and don't tend to think too long. I am deeply flawed at my core, but as long as you are both willing to accept that, I can't see any reason why having either or both of you as a more constant and permanent part of my life. You make the sun seem brighter and light up the nights of my world like a thousand mesmerising stars that will take eternity to map. My life might be chaotic, but right now it feels like everything I could ever ask for, considering neither of you made a run for the door the moment I brought a baby in." He said with a smile. "Marlena is part of my life, yes. But there is space for more than just her. All I ask if for you both to consider if you're willing to share my time and share your time and space with her. You can choose how much of a parent you're willing to be for her, I don't expect you to take care of her. Just to treat her with kindness and respect. Anything on top of that is a blessing." He certainly wouldn't complain if changing diapers or feeding her was a more shared responsibility. His staff helped out where needed, but they had all agreed that them taking over was an emergency solution. They woke him or helped him in making the food if needed but the interactions were almost exclusively on him, and he wanted it that way. Although, the dirty diapers certainly were not high on his list of things he enjoyed.

@severus @donatella

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As Gus began to describe how utterly lacking in pleasurable things Beaxbatons Academy was, the recent transfer professor began to arch his dark brow in his lover's direction. It screamed 'is that so' in body language at just the same time as the sexy young artist quickly redeemed himself by remembering that Severus was now gracing the grounds with his utterly gorgeous self.

Yes, Severus too suffers from vanity and ego that likes to shine through his carefully crafted 'modest and humble' facade.

Needless to say, Severus gave Auguste a half smirk and wink, as if to say 'damn straight' as well as 'lucky save' as he lifted his drink to his lips for slightly more than a polite sip of the liquor.

While Gus was out of the room and Sev had Ella to his own, it was good to feel her relax just a tiny bit. He smiled softly down at the beautiful woman and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead before Gus returned with the little bundle of joy.

So the new father wished for his child to be treated with kindness. Severus couldn't help but chuckle. "I know you don't think we could be mean to an infant, Gus," Severus chided the man with a certain level of sass he hadn't ever accessed before. Were the teenagers he taught beginning to wear off on him? Very briefly, this lead him to almost ask aloud who would be mean to an infant? Other than the mother who's clearly abandoned the poor thing. Thankfully, Gus was full-swing into a speech so there wasn't any room for hard questions like that.

Even though he now really wanted to ask. Like the question was burning a hole through his cheek just as the firewhiskey burned as it slid down his throat once again. "... Do you mean to say that there is not yet a charmed nappy product on the market that self cleans after a child soils themselves? I feel like this is a huge missed opportunity..." Severus pondered aloud as he played gently with the little hands of the poop machine in Gus' arms. "Or has Daddy just not found them yet at the market?" he asked Marlena directly, giving Gus but a playful sidewards glance.

Severus then stood back and considered Gus' speech about rushing into things and being happy. It worried Severus and it showed in the wrinkles that formed on his usually quite smooth forehead. He personally never did well with things when he rushed into them, in his opinion. A million cautionary words and sentences wanted to pour out of Sev's mouth then but he clenched his jaw to keep them in for now. Instead, Severus motioned with his hands as he asked, "well, may I hold your daughter please Gus?"

@donatella @auguste