Who: The Corners
What: Family dinners and some breaking news
Where: The Corner's Home
When: Monday evening
"I--have something I'd like to say."
"If this is about your muggleborn girlfriend, then don't bother, dear--we know."
Gabriel blinked slowly across the table at his mother, who was smirking greatly at him. His father's eyes were glued to the plate in front of him, but still, even he looked amused; or maybe his peas were extremely interesting. This--was not starting out how he'd expected it to. He had definitely not imagined that his mother would be amused at the fact that he was dating a muggleborn, not when she'd just recently attempted to set him up with a prospective wife in a pretty pureblood girl. But he couldn't complain, could he? Their apparent knowledge of Mary's existence in his life would definitely ease the announcement he was about to make.
"How did you know?" he couldn't help but ask. Gabriel wondered if continuing to behave as if he was terribly concerned about their reactions (which--he was) would help him. He
did honestly and deeply care about what his family would think, but he knew that no matter their reaction he was going to be in his son's life. So he was getting himself ready for some pain, but was really rather hoping he wouldn't have to.
"Your sister picked up one of those journals over the holiday," his mother supplied, and Gabriel felt his face heat up, "You know how Rebecca loves to talk about you. You didn't do a very good job at trying to hide it, Gabriel."
"I---I'm sorry, I should not have kept it from you, but with the ministry regulations and the tensions between everyone, it really seemed like an inopportune time to...say anything," Gabriel finished weakly. He'd come to dinner with such conviction (and with the hope that the fact that his birthday was in two days would help), ready to tell them that he was going to be a father and that they would have to deal with his son's blood status because it did not
matter. The only blood that Gabriel cared about was his own, running through the boy's body, that was all.
"Everyone has their fun before settling down, Gabriel," his father said with a lift of his head, turning to his son with a rather knowing grin. His mother swatted her husband's shoulder and they shared a laugh, and Gabriel felt his lungs begin to malfunction slightly.
Slightly. Because--there was still a chance that they did take this seriously, and they didn't find his...relationship, or whatever Rebecca had relayed (he was going to have to
speak with that girl), as serious. Which---he hadn't
kissed Mary since the day they conceived their son (Merlin's beard---), but it was still a very serious situation to be in and...
"It's...not about fun," he said slowly, eyes dropping as the quiet laughter of his parents' died out.
"What is that supposed to mean?" his mother asked, her tone taking on a sharp edge. Gabriel winced before taking in a deep breath and looking up once more. They looked...remarkably different than just a moment ago. Where there had been laughter and smiles were now furrowed brows and deep, imbedded frowns.
Gabriel straightened his shoulders, silently repeating the mantra that this was for his
son, he was going to be a
father, he was doing this for his
son.
"We're...in a serious situation," he started, watching his mother's face blanch. "I---she...I'm going to be a father, she's carrying my son."
He didn't have a chance to feel his heart stop before his father stood up with a roar and his mother burst into tears. Gabriel's eyes widened greatly as he stood as well, and he could barely comprehend the shouts that came from his father's and
his mouths. This was---this was
worth it, it was worth it, the completely heart broken look on his mother's face was
worth it----
