No warnings just fluff for my Valentine’s countdown // Feeding your baby daughter for the first time 💗
Dad Van Masterlist Main Masterlist
You'd never understood the concept of crying tears of happiness until now. Sweat-soaked and exhausted, your voice hoarse and dry and your muscles strained and weary, you gently cradled the precious and wondrously beautiful new life that was your baby daughter and you sobbed as you watched her through glassy eyes full of tears.
"She's perfect babe, just perfect. I can't believe it. You did so good... I can't believe that she's ours..."
Van's voice is tight and shaky as he loses the fight to hold back his own tears, wiping them away with the cuff of his shirt sleeve as they track down his cheeks. You wrench your eyes away from your perfect little miracle to look up at him, so much love flowing between you at that moment as you soak up the realisation that you're parents now, no longer just a couple but a family.
"She's beautiful Van. Just look at her. Look at her little nose... and lips... and fingers. Everything's so tiny! I think she has your features, she definitely has your eyes. I think she looks like you already."
You both look down again at the little bundle, all swaddled up in a blanket, big expressive eyes wide open and gazing up at you and it hits you then. This is just the beginning.
You'd thought the birth was the hard part but the visceral pain of labour had already started to dull the moment the midwife had checked over and weighed your daughter and placed her in your arms. The hard parts are up ahead, the sleepless nights and the new-mum worries, the realisation that not only have you both created a little human being but now you have to take care of her for the rest of your lives overwhelming you.
"Nah, she's too beautiful to look like me, she's gorgeous, just like her mummy. I'm so proud of you Y/N, you were amazing. I'm in absolute awe of you love."
His eyes glow with adoration as he looks between you both, slipping an arm around your shoulder as he snuggles in even closer to you on the hospital bed.
"I couldn't have done it without you," you tell him, resting your head his shoulder. "I love you."
"I love you too... so much," he mumbles into your hair, planting a soft kiss there before he turns his attention back to his little girl, leaning right over her, a fingertip gently running over the apple of her rosy cheek. "Hey there baby girl, I've been waiting so long to meet you... and here you are, more beautiful than I ever could've imagined."
She makes a soft gurgling cooing noise, stretching out a tiny arm, her hand coming to rest on Van's finger. He lets out a delighted chuckle as her small but perfectly formed fingers wrap around his fingertip.
"Look at that! Look at that Y/N! Hey sweetheart, I'm your daddy. I love you so much, me and your mummy love you more than anything. You wouldn't believe."
His voice cracks again as he fights back a fresh round of tears, fascinated and awed by this new life that you've both been blessed with. She blinks up at Van through her long lashes, squirming in your arms, turning her head towards his finger, tiny lips seeking as a small whimper arises.
"I think maybe she's hungry already," you observe. "She definitely takes after you! Are you hungry my little one?"
You shift on the bed, drawing down your nightdress and unclipping your maternity bra, uncertainty taking over as you awkwardly try to manoeuvre your daughter into the position you'd been shown in your ante-natal sessions.
"Are you okay? What can I do? Do ya want a pillow? Here... have one to prop up your arm," Van offers, fussing around you, concern in his eyes as he takes in your worried expression. "Can ya manage? Are ya comfy like that? Shall I get the midwife back?"
"No, no... just let me try," you insist. "It can't be that hard."
Surely it should be the most natural thing in the world? The female human body is literally designed to birth a child and feed and nurture it, but even so your head is full of countless stories you've read on baby blogs online about breast-feeding struggles. Your little girl latches on hungrily but then quickly pulls away, her whimpers growing stronger, her small fingers pawing at your skin.
"Shit... this is harder than it looks," you curse nervously, gathering your baby up in your arms to try switching sides, groans of frustration bursting from you as you struggle to get your positioning right. "Something's wrong, I'm not doing it right. I just can't seem to get it right!"
Your eyes flick up to meet Van's anxious expression but then quickly back down, not wanting him to see the hot tears that are brimming in your eyes. Tears of tiredness and worry and frustration this time.
"You're doing great babe, really... you are. We could just give her a bottle though... just this once... I'm sure it'd be fine..."
"No!" You cut him off bluntly, your voice coming sharper and with more force that you intend. His eyes widen and his face creases and you soften then, quickly checking yourself. "I didn't mean to snap," you explain. "You know I want to do this myself, it's really important to me. I just need a bit of time to get it right... that's all."
"Okay... okay... I just want to do as much as I can. I'm sure you'll be feeding her like a pro in no time though! You can do anything that you set your mind to... you'll see... you always do."
Van grins a warm encouragement, one hand gently stroking at the downy hair on your baby's head, the other smoothing down over your back. You both watch as her tiny lips latch on again, a surprisingly strong suction this time that makes you gasp. You look up at Van, a huge smile of triumph breaking out.
"She's doing it... she's actually doing it!" You whisper, excitedly but quietly lest you break the spell. Van looks back at you with pride and reverence in his eyes, shaking his head slightly like he still can't quite believe that the last tough ten hours of labour since you arrived at the hospital have just taken place.
He leans even closer, peering in wonder as he takes in the scene. "Just look at you both like that... look at her go! She's proper guzzling! S'fuckin' amazing innit?"
"Shh... no swearing, remember?" You gently scold him with a smirk. "Don't want her growing up foul-mouthed like her Daddy!" You're only joking and he knows it, breathing a quiet 'sorry love' in between a whispered laugh.
You're both silent then for a long moment, you leaning into Van's warm embrace, your daughter contentedly suckling at your body's wonderful nourishment, a picture perfect scene that you know will be imprinted in your memories forever.
"How's it feel anyway?" Van breaks the silence eventually, folding the neckline of your nightdress carefully back where it's fallen over your daughter's face.
"It's just... weird... feels weird... kinda strange..." You pause, searching for the right words, quickly adding "in a good way though... a really good way. It feels bloody amazing actually. I can't believe I'm actually doing it. I'm actually feeding our baby Van... our daughter... our little girl. Can you believe it?"
You break off into a delighted giggle, only distracted when the sensation of your baby suckling changes, looking down to see her tiny jaw slacken as her lips purse and pucker as she pulls away. A small trickle of milk pools in the corner of her mouth which you quickly wipe away with a muslin cloth.
"Oh my god look at her!" You laugh, watching her eyelids fluttering as she blinks up at you sleepily, looking almost dazed. "That's the exact same look you get when you've had too much to drink!"
"Milk-drunk!" Van sniggers, lifting his arm away from your shoulder as he shifts on the bed. "Must be good stuff! Not surprising really... considering where it's come from!"
You laugh, nudging him with your elbow lightly, then you set about propping your baby up on your lap, gently rubbing soothing circles on her back which elicits a tiny burp, smiling to yourself that you've already overcome such an important first milestone of motherhood.
You're so caught up on making gooey eyes at your daughter that you don't realise what Van's doing, but detecting movement out the corner of your eye prompts you to look around. To your surprise and puzzlement, Van's sitting there propped up against the headboard of the hospital bed unbuttoning his shirt. The first four buttons are already undone and he's starting on the fifth when you speak, stilling him momentarily.
"What on earth are you doing?"
"It's my turn now, c'mon pass her over," he smiles, popping open the last button and holding out his arms, his shirt falling open to reveal his bare chest.
You just stare at him, completely befuddled, wondering whether maybe he's been sneakily siphoning off some of the gas and air whilst your back's been turned. "C'mon," he urges. "Ya can't keep her all to yourself! I'm desperate to hold her!"
"Sure... sure..." you mumble, gathering up your precious little bundle and getting gingerly to your feet, wincing slightly as you shuffle over to Van. You stop, hovering over him whilst he looks at you expectantly, bursting with eagerness. "What's with stripping off though? I'm not being funny, but you haven't exactly got... the right equipment!"
He grins, shaking his head. "Course not love, but I'm just thinking about what the midwife said... you know, in the ante-natal classes. About how dads could get involved? Skin to skin or summat... s'posed to be a good way to bond."
"Oh... so you were listening then?" You tease good-naturedly, recalling all the daft jokes Van used to relentlessly crack during the sessions, no doubt a cover for the nervousness he'd never admit at the prospect of becoming a dad.
You can see it now, the slight tremble in his hands as you place your baby carefully in his outstretched arms, the gentle way he supports her head and tiny body like she's made of the finest china and he's frightened that she might break.
"Oh wow, she's so tiny... she's as light as a feather. And so, so beautiful... just perfect. How did we create something so perfect, eh?"
You hear him suck in a shaky breath which he blows out quickly, leaning back against the headboard and bringing his daughter closer to his body. He lifts her carefully and positions her so she's pressed flush to his chest, then he begins to untuck the blanket that's swaddled around her, delicately pulling it free.
"Look at you... all wrapped up like a little burrito!" He chuckles. "C'mon sweetheart, come and lie on daddy. Gonna take good care of you... you and your mum. I love you both so much."
He dips his head down to plant a small kiss on your baby's head and she makes a contented cooing sound, nuzzling into his bare chest. He's cradling her with one hand, the other stroking soft, soothing circles on her back. You feel your heart swell with emotion watching the two of them together, your precious little girl so serene and comforted, the way Van looks down at her so dotingly and protective.
"Thank you Y/N," he murmurs, voice a little choked as he looks up, meeting your eyes which again are brimming with tears of emotion, his own looking glossy too.
"For what?"
He smiles, warm and genuine. "For making me so happy. Don't think I've ever felt this happy before... ever."
Plot - Best way to lure Remus to relax is with a trail of chocolates and the promise of cuddles
Genre - Fluff
Pairing - Remus Lupin x GN!Reader
Notes/Warnings - Just fluff because stressed Remus needs love. Tumblr had posting glitches yesterday so it had to be delayed but here is day 2 of Valentine's Countdown
Word Count - 1k
“Who the hell decided to put mocks during the week of Valentines? How am I met to woo my Lily-flower if she is hidden behind books 24/7”
The rambling tones of James’ frustrated rant droned on and slowly deafened as it approached it 10th minute, ears favouring any other distraction from his hopeless quest in pursuit of the redhead.
“Well, you could always offer to study with her?”
The sensible voice rang through, halting any fumbled words from the bespectacled boy as all attention turned to the lanky brunette munching on a pastry speckled with strawberry jam.
Even with sunken eyes and a lop-sided grin framed with remnants of previous bites, Remus Lupin still looked like he had been touched by the blessings of the stars. He was like a warm cup of tea on a winter’s morning, or like that blanket that protected your child-like heart from the monsters beneath your bed.
Conversation continued between the Marauders, but every word fell before reaching your ears as your eyes trained on the clever boy who rested a lone hand against your thigh, craving a sense of touch whenever possible.
You could map out every inch of him in the dark, you knew his soul, his body, and his darkness. Analysing every slumped movement, memorising the watercolour painting of exhaustion that framed his usually warm eyes, and reaching the conclusion; Remus had pushed himself too far once more in the desperation for achievement.
Chimes of the tower echoed with a sharp rumble that shook your trance, and turned you focus to the hoards of students scurrying towards classes, a hoard that included your over-stretched boyfriend.
“See you after I’ve finished up in the library, love”
With a quick reach as he went to walk away, you gripped his wrist and in turn, stole his attention. “Wait, Rem. Meet me at our place before you go off studying, okay?”
Those pleading eyes could bring him to his knees within seconds, so how could he ever say no to such a request from the one who owned his heart and happiness. And with a subdued nod, the young werewolf went off with the curiosity of your request bouncing within his mind.
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A single class with the monotone voice of Professor Binns felt as if it lasted an eternity, but soon enough the scrape of chairs against the stone cold floor filled the marauder with excitement; it was time to see you.
Heavy feet dodging chatty first years and the prying eyes of nosy Slytherins, each step growing in speed as Moony reached the abandoned wing. Barely seconds away from your hold as he readied himself to walk the final hallway as he’d done a million times.
But this was different.
Every second stone was kissed with a delicate glossy wrapped chocolate, each varying sizes of crimson hearts, and with each step he took, the treat rose from the ground to fall upon his palm.
14 chocolate hearts before reaching the door paled in comparison to the sights within.
The flicker of the floating lanterns suspended across celling brought a low glow upon the room that offered an array of blush-coloured blankets and deep oaken furniture. Indulgent bed laid within the centre, littered with bundles of feathered pillows that softened the harsh shine of the glazed wooden frame.
A solo tray hovered near the base of the cloud-like bed, steam wafting from the two ceramic mugs filled with Martha’s Marvellous Hot Chocolate; Remus would recognise the rich aroma of the muggle drink anywhere.
“Do you like it, my love?”
Appearing beside the Gryffindor as his senses were enchanted by the sight before him. A quite pause as he let his shock subside to take you in; there you were dressed in an old jumper of his and those fluffy socks his mother gifted you over the holidays, shy grin painted across your face.
The automatic need to have you cradled within his scarred arms overran the senses as he pulled you close. Nestling into your being as he heard a quite hum radiate from your body at the contact.
Arms fixated on around your figure, Remus retreats his head to look at your captivating gaze once more. “Oh, my darling, this is too much, how did you? Why did you?”
Eyes rolling playfully at his subtle insecurity rearing its head, taming it with a light hand pressed over his heart as you explain the set-up. “Every time exams come around, you spend all this time studying and helping the boys study, but you never take a break. I don’t care how strong you are, Remus, everyone needs breaks.”
Thoughts bundled and rampaged through his mind at once, some reciting how lucky he was to have you, whilst others plagued him with worries of loosing study time. But thankfully, his darling knew that from a single glance.
“And before you say that you are on a time crunch, you should know that I may have enchanted the room. Now time moves slower in here, so an hour in bed with me will only cost you 10 minutes in the real world.”
That worried glint faded from his alluring orbs as a spark of mischief took it’s place. Concerns put at ease, and images of quality time with you clouding his brain, ideas of cuddles mixed in with all the other aspects of your relationship that had been neglected due to these frustrating exams.
“Well in that case, I think 4 or 5 hours in that bed with you might be exactly what I need.” And with the final syllable escaping his lips, your legs were hoisted up and wrapped around his waist.
If there was anything Remus knew for certain, it was that you were a gift from sun.
The joy that you shared was like a ray of pure light, the love you offered him was like being bathed in the iridescent of a rainbow, and the smile you wore was brighter than any star.
