Mason was almost amused at how bewildered Cora was that this animal belonged to him. Scratch that. Mason was quite amused. But it took all strength in his being to resist the need to laugh. It would only upset Cora more.

"Training?" Mason asked with a cocked eyebrow. "Of course, Noodles is trained. He just likes you is all." Mason frowned a little and folded his arms when Cora refused his help. Fine. Cora was completely capable of getting up on her own then.

He also resisted the urge to roll his eyes at her next comment. "Oh come on, Cora. He likes you." Mason emphasized. He walked towards her and picked a leaf off of her red coat and set his hands on shoulders, looking her straight in the eyes. "Are you really going to let a dog get in between us?" He asked seriously. They already had their fair share of relationship issues, Mason wasn't going to let his dog become another problem.

"Plus, look at him. Look at that face..." Mason gently grabbed Cora's chin and and guided it so her face was towards Noodles, who was contently sitting on the ground next to them, wagging his tail with glee. "You can't say no to a face like that." GRIN.

She scoffed loudly, ”There is no way a trained dog would greet anyone like that. I don’t care how much he likes me.” Still glaring at the dog she brushed the dirt off the arms of the coat.

Cora watched Lep as he picked a leaf off her coat and then looked into her eyes. Cora at first looked off to the side, avoiding his eye contact. …let a dog get between them? Haha, that was funny. No she’d get rid of the dog before that happen. Nothing would stand in the way of her and Leo.

Finally she brought her eyes back to his, ”I’m not sure how you trained him, but he obviously needs professional help. If you won’t pay for it I will. I won’t have him jumping on me. End.of.story.” The tone she took was almost as if she was speaking to a child. He was like 21 or something… Again she realized she didn’t know the man’s age. GAH! I really must find out his age.

If it had been anyone else guiding her face by her chin she would have snapped them in half, especially given her mood. ”Oh I can resist anything I want to.” Ugh. She needed a drink and a hug. It certainly had been a day.

”Well now that is out of the way, shall we head inside? I need to get out of this filthy coat.” Being as though it was January she wasn’t about to take her coat off outside.

What was with her and trained dogs? Noodles was a happy little thing, he loved to be alive and he loved people. Was that so bad?

Yes, apparently it was.

"Cora, seriously?" Mason said, with a slightly bewildered laugh. It sounded like she needed a hot cup of coffee and a comfy chair. Maybe that would lighten her mood. "Noodles doesn't need training. He's just friendly and he likes strangers. Give it a couple more days and he'll probably be done jumping on you." That was optimistic thinking. The licking and the love would never stop.

Mason frowned when she said that she could resist the cute, adorable face of his dog. He didn't know how it was possible, to be honest. Suddenly, Cora changed the subject and wanted to head inside. "Good idea. Want some coffee?" Mason mumbled. With his arm around her waist, he led them in through the open front door and took off her jacket for her.

Noodles walked in behind them and walked over to the letter that Mason had been reading earlier. He sat down on the floor, one of his paws on the letter and barked at Mason. Mason's eyes landed on the message and he instantly remembered what it contained. His face paled again.

Yes.Seriously. She was soooo over the dog right now.

”Thank you” softly escaped her lips as he took her coat. ”I’ll need to have that cleaned. I never expected to be rolling in the dirt and leaves” Merlin she was in a mood! Her stomach growled, which reminded her she was here for dinner. Well amongst other things. Cora inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, it was her attempt at letting go of the day and the dog and get in a better mood.

Then as if on cue the bloody dog barked. She turned on heel. ”If he can’t keep shut I’ll put him out!” Her death glare went from the dog to Mason. His face was pale? Something was wrong seriously wrong. Cora demeanor softened immediately, ”Leo?

She went to his side and followed his gaze. On the floor near the loud mouth mutt was a very official looking parchment. ”What’s that?

Cora moved sharply, snatching up the sheet. Her eyes moved line by line quickly, ”Who?” Was all she got out, she felt as if her feet were cemented in place. Obviously by the memo, someone had died, what she didn’t know was who this was in relationship to Mason. Please don’t be his father. She wasn’t sure she could handle that sort of emotional withdrawal.

Her voice was barely there, "Leo?"

Leo knew that she was talking, something about rolling in dirt. But He wasn't really listening anymore. His mind went right back to that letter that was sitting on the floor. In all the frenzy of Noodles jumping on Cora, he had forgotten all about the letter.

He noticed Cora move to stand by his side before quickly moving to snatch the letter. Suddenly he was back in reality, and he didn't want her to read that letter. He reached out to grab her arm, but she had moved to quickly and she was already reading it.

Staring at the floor, Mason clenched his jaw tight. Cora's voice spoke quietly his name. He didn't know what to say, honestly. And he was sure if he tried to say something, his voice would break. He glanced at Cora and cleared his throat. "He, uhm... My best friend." He said quietly. Sure, Cora could figure out what he meant.

Thank Merlin it wasn’t his father!

She looked from Leo to the letter and back to Leo. He was obviously shaken; she wasn’t sure if she should go to him or not. Was he the type of man that wanted consoling? Or rather was the he type of man that didn’t want anyone touching, talking or looking at him in a moment of traumatic grief? She bit her lip as she read over the letter more thoroughly.

Words escaped her lips as she read, ”James Johanson….. curse… will enclosed… “ She wasn’t aware that she was even speaking aloud. Finishing the letter her brow furrowed. This was horrible. There goes the romantic evening she had planned.

”Leo, love?” Her feet freed themselves from the floor and she moved to him, touching his arm lightly. ”You have to open this.” The dark haired woman handed him the parchment and the rolled, enchanted will.

As Cora read random bits of the letter out loud, it was like a second blow to the first wound. Leo squeezed his eyes shut, and begged himself not to cry. He wanted her to stop saying the words, but he couldn't move, couldn't say anything.

His eyes opened slowly when she called his name. Cora had the rolled up parchment in her hand, giving it to him. He looked at it for a couple seconds before slowly taking it. His arms seemed heavy. Leo slowly untied the ribbon that held it together and unrolled the parchment.

As his eyes scanned over the will of his best friend, Mason's eyes filled with tears. He couldn't control it anymore, and there was no use in trying. He hadn't cried since his mother had died when he was 22. He had lost his best friend. And now... He was a godfather? He had to take custody of James' children? How would he tell Cora?

Mason didn't know that James had children. Mason didn't know that James was cursed. Mason didn't know anything about James, apparently. "I don't know what's worse." He started, sniffing as a tear fell down his cheek. "That James is really dead, or that I'm starting to think I really didn't know him at all."

As he took the parchment she stepped away. What was written wasn’t really her business, although not knowing was tormenting her. She kept her back to him, that way if he wanted to cry and not have her see she wouldn’t. She was very cautious (most times) at helping to preserve a man’s manliness.

The few minutes it took him to read over it and speak seemed to take literally forever.

As he spoke she bit her lip and turned to face him, seeing him hurt so deeply was gut wrenching. Cora had no idea what to say, and Merlin forbid she wasn’t going to ask what the will said. Medea had only experienced this sort of loss once, and that was the death of her grandmother. During that time she was inconsolable.

The usually cold-hearted woman melted as Leo allowed tears to trickle down his cheek. ”Leo, is there anything I can do?” She reached for him, again touching his arm lightly. Of course there’s something. ”I’ve got firewhiskey in my wristlet?” Of course she did, she always did.

Leo still couldn't believe the things that were written in the will. The main thing that was directed towards him. Children. James's children were now... Mason's children. It was almost incomprehensible. Mason wiped his eyes as the tears stopped flowing.

It was still sad, but Mason had a more serious look on his face than before. He needed to tell Cora. He looked into her eyes when she touched his arm. "No. We need to talk." He said gravely and walked over to the sitting room. There were two overstuffed chairs facing each other, separated by a coffee table. Leo sat in one and leaned over, burying his face in his hands. The tears had stopped now.

"Cora..." He started, resting his chin on his knuckles. "I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know what the future holds, except what was included in the will. Things are going to change. A lot." He sighed, not knowing how to say the next part.

"If you want to leave me... I'll understand."

’We need to talk…. Those were the words that more often than not were the beginning of the end.

She swallowed hard. Usually she was the one doing the breaking up, and this would be the second time that he left her. Cora followed him into the sitting room as tears were daring to fall from her eyes.

He sat, she stood. Her face showed no emotion as he started to speak. Confusion didn’t even begin to describe what she was feeling. Changes? Leave him? Cora loved this man, and she would need more information before she decided if she would leave or not.

She didn’t like to make an uninformed decision. ”Leo, tell me what’s going on.” Cora was nervous, her stomach turned as she waited for his explination.

Leo noticed that she didn't sit, and that made him even more nervous about telling her what the will had said. He sighed and rubbed his temples. He didn't want her to leave him, but it would make perfect sense if she did. This was almost too much to handle.

"James had two children." He said. His eyes didn't leave the floor. "And he named me the godfather... These kids are mine now." He said quietly. That's when it really set in. When Leo spoke those words, it really hit him.

I am going to be a father. It was a haunting thought. "Good God." He whispered, shoving his face back in his hands. He wasn't ready to be a parent. He knew absolutely nothing about caring for a child, much less two! And now, Cora could make the coice to l eave him, too. It would be a simple choice. She wouldn't have to take care of children with him. "I can't do this." He said, wanting to cry again.

They were his? What does that mean? Medea did in fact love children, but she wasn’t done with Leo. She wasn’t ready to have children traipsing around taking up her Leo time. In all honesty she never intended on having children. She wanted Leo to herself. So what if she was selfish?

In a moment she realized this wasn’t about her, or her fears. It was about Leo.

Cora went to his side, and knelt on the floor beside him. ” Leo.” The sound of his sobs were too much for her to handle, she began to weep was well. ”I love you, and I’m here. With you, for you and to support you.” This was the first time in her life she was ever here for someone else but herself.

Wait... Was he hearing correctly? Mason tilted his head to the side to look at his love. Cora was crying too? He didn't mean to make her cry. Why was she crying? Leo cupped Cora's face with his hand and wiped a tear with his thumb.

"What?" Was all he could mumble. He stood up from his chair and whith his hands under Cora's arms, guided her up too. He didn't let her go. "But... I didn't..." He stuttered in a whisper. "Cora, I love you. More than anything. But I don't want to make you do this. Taking care of children that aren't even yours..." He didn't even know what to say.

There was so much to be done. So much that Mason didn't even know where to begin. He would have to change everything in his life to take care of these kids. And Cora, too. "I'm not making you do this." He said,tilting her chin up with his finger. He would never make her do anything that she didn't want.

The love of her life was in pain, emotional earth shattering pain. And now he had to raise children? She couldn’t leave him to do that on his own.

She allowed him to help her stand. Cora watched him silently as he spoke, ”Leo, no one is making me do anything. I want to do this.” The green eyed woman looked into his eyes. She was sure that he hadn’t the slightest idea how to care for children. Thankfully she had a degree in education. Well, it wasn’t much, but it was more than he had.

”Look, my – our lives have been crazy the past year. I think we’re starting to figure us out, and while this isn’t ideal for us this wasn’t ideal for James; or his children either. “ Cora wrapped her arms around him. ”We’re in this together.”

She had just as many questions as he probably did. "So you don't know he had children? So obviously we don't know the children's ages?" Cora was hoping they were school age. That way child care would only need to be arranged during summer break.

Leo looked into her eyes. "You want to do this?" Even he didn't want to do this. Kids... Kids were not his thing. He knew absolutely nothing about children and had never planned to have more than one child. And that was way, way down the road for him. He wasn't ready.

Cora was definitely right, that this wasn't ideal for him. But, again, she was right about James too. James didn't plan on getting cursed and dying. As she wrapped her arms around him, Leo sighed and rested his forehead on hers, closing his eyes. "You're right. We have to do this. For James, and for the kids." It wasn't about Mason. It wasn't about Medea. It wasn't about what they wanted. It was about James and his kids and what they needed. They needed a family.

Oh, their ages. Mason had no idea. "I can't imagine they would be over 5 years old. James was only 21." It had been an odd friendship at first, a first year and a seventh year at Hogwarts becoming friends. But over the years after Mason had left Hogwarts they had kept in touch and the friendship stayed.

Before Leo could stress more, however, a tapping at the sitting room window drew his attention. A black owl sat outside with a note in it's beak. Stepping over to the window, Leo opened it and took the note from the owl. With a loud hoot, the owl hopped off the window sill and flew away. Walking back towards Cora, he opened the letter and read aloud the note.

Leo looked up at Cora with wide eyes. "March first; that's less than a week!" He exclaimed. There was too much to do! Shopping, child proofing the house, they needed beds, food, clothes, books, toys. Leo felt as if he were going to pass out.

She enjoyed the embrace. He felt good, Cora felt safe in his arms. There really wasn’t much to say, it was what it was. These children had been through so much. Obviously their father had just died, and their mother? Well, she was either dead or not fit to care for them. Either way, traumatic. These children needed a stable family environment.

….Family environment. Those words were now haunting her thoughts. So much so that she didn’t notice Leo walk towards the window and retrieve a letter. Cora blankly looked on as he read aloud, it wasn’t until ’…less than a week’. ”What?! Do you have room here for them?”

Suddenly Medea was panic stricken. These children needed structure, stability, people they could rely on. Mason would be a constant in their life, obviously but what would they think of Medea? Was she to be their friend? Authority figure? ……Mom? Her stomach dropped. She wasn’t sure how she felt about being considered their mom. Did they know their mom?

Her head was swimming, emotionally she was overwhelmed. Cora noticed Leo looking a little wobbly, ”Leo, sit down dear.” She went to his side and attempted to lead him to a chair.

Engulfed with her own thoughts she paced the floor. Sure she loved him, but was she ready for this? The children needed this; they needed to know where everyone stood. Wasn't it inevitable? It would happen at some point, right? Why not now?

Cora turned abruptly, ”Mason?”There was something she had to know before this went any further.

Leo noticed as Cora panicked. Less than a week, four days to be exact. He was going to be a father in four days. Oh, did he have room. His rattled brain tried to function correctly. He squeezed his eyes shut and thought real hard. "Er.. Uh, yeah. I have two guest bedrooms. But only one of them has a bed. And it's far to big for a child." He was talking fast, his eyes on Cora.

"We'll need to go shopping. We need beds. Bunk beds? That would be fine. We need blankets and pillows, stuffed animals. But they might already have some. We need kid food. What kind of food do kids eat? Like, cheerios and stuff?" He felt Cora push him towards a chair and he absent mindedly sat down it, staring off in space. "I need to child-proof the house. Move the vases up shelves. Lock the liquor cabinet. Move the kitchen knives." Good God, he was going to have a stroke just thing about this all.

Rubbing his temples, he noticed Cora out of the corner of his eye, pacing the floor. Oh no. Maybe she was having second thoughts? It would make sense; this was an extreme burden to carry and it wasn't even hers.

Wait. Mason. She just called him Mason.... "Yes?" He replied quietly.

Leo was talking faster than Cora could respond, or ask questions. She stayed quiet let him finish; Cora knew it was important for him to work out all his thoughts. ”I’ll take a couple days off work to help; it won’t be that hard really.” For Cora to offer to miss work was HUGE. This woman had never missed a day of work – never. ”I promise you by time they get here the house will be ready for them.” She reassured him.

As he finished his ramble she started one of her own, ”These children need stability, structure, and to know that someone is there for them.” Cora was counting off all the needs with her fingers. ”These children have been through a traumatic event, and now they’re coming to live with perfect strangers.” She was on the edge of hysteria. While Cora wasn’t thrilled about losing alone time with Leo she also felt a very strong mothering instinct to protect the children she had never met from any more harm.

Really? This was happening? She questioned herself. The timing wasn’t ideal. But really what about their relationship had been ideal thus far?

A lump formed in her throat, swallowing hard she started her line of questioning, ”Mason you love me right?” Medea entwined her hands and fingers in front of her nervously, ”I don’t mean you’re just in love with me, but you truly love me?” She had to know this. While Medea felt the urge to cry she didn’t. The woman didn’t even allow tears to form in her eyes.

”Before I go forward I must know that we, us, is the real deal.”

….. Medea felt as if she was going to be sick, but she kept her composure.

Mason realized he was rambling when Medea spoke up about.. missing work? He looked up from his hands and blinked. "Are you sure? I can miss work no problem, but..." He knew how important her job was to her and she had a pretty high ranked position in the Ministry. "It's not necessary." He said quietly.

Nodding his head, his mind was running around in circles, trying to stay focused on what they needed to do and what the children needed from them. Stability, structure, to know that we are there for them. Leo repeated her words in his head. Wow, she sure seemed to know what she was talking about. All that time, he was worried about food and bunk beds, but what those kids really needed was a family.

Mason's attention was turned back to Medea. He saw her swallow hard and it looked as if she might break down. She looked serious. He had seen Medea serious before, but never like this. Her questioning words sent shivers down his spine, though he couldn't decide why. You love me, right? ...Truly love me?

He was frozen. He was standing three feet away from her, completely frozen. His eyes were locked on hers. Where was this coming from? Of course, Mason loved Medea more than anything and he knew it was more than just being in love. Mason tried to muster up some words to speak, but his tongue was dry. He couldn't find the words to say that would reassure Medea of his love for her.

Before I go forward I must know that we, us, is the real deal.

The real deal? What on earth did she mean by that? Marriage? That word echoed through his mind. Mason would be lying if he said he had never thought about a marriage with Medea, but... Now? In all the chaos? But then again, maybe that wasn't what she was talking about. Maybe Medea just wanted to know that he wasn't going to leave her; that he really truly loved her, like she had wanted to know before.

Getting the strength to move, Mason slowly walked over to Medea. He placed one hand on her waist and used the thumb of his other hand to brush a lock of hair away from her face. She was beautiful. "Medea... I am never leaving you. Ever. I love you more than anything in this world and I wouldn't dream of ever letting you go. I am in love with you. But words can't describe how much I love you." He paused, searching her eyes. He just hoped she loved him the same.

Of course she would take off work, this was serious. There was a lot to do, and it would take both of them to get it done. She waved him off as he said she didn’t need to. ”I will.” She said firmly.

Leo obviously picked up on her frantic state. Her family life had a great deal to do with this panic attack of sorts. They had always been horrible to her, she was always mistreated and Cora had a passion to make sure that no child that crossed her path felt neglected, unloved or unwanted.

The next few moments were intense, surreal, and moving. Medea felt weak as he searched her eyes and professed his undying love for her. Tears were now softly falling from her eyes, ”I love you too.”

Her brow furrowed as she prepared for what she was about to say next. ”Mason, should we,” Medea paused averting her eyes away from his, ”You know for the children.” Another pause, she brought her eyes back to him, her arms still at her side, ”Should we get married?”

Mason searched her eyes for an answer. What was she thinking? This was one of the times that he wished he could read her mind. He wiped another tear from her cheek. He was worried. She hadn't moved, hadn't embraced him back; her arms were just hanging at her sides. Her response, I love you too, however reassured him.

In truth, he wasn't surprised at her question. In fact, he sort of saw it coming and it made him wonder why. Maybe... Maybe Mason always knew that Medea was the one woman in the world that he would ever want to marry. He hesitated and thought about her question. Should they get married? For the children?

Mason shook his head. "No." He said before looking back into her eyes. "You and I don't need to get married for the children. If, when we get married... It should be for us, not for others." He paused and moved his other hand so they were both on her waist. "Medea, I know I love you. And you love me. But we need time. We hardly know each other; our pasts. We don't have time for a wedding right now." He told her. He looked in her eyes, hoping to Merlin that she wouldn't cry and run out of the house. Or smash a lamp into his head.

The tension in the room was palpable. The venerable woman held her breath as she listened to his response. He was right, and she knew it. It was in this moment that she truly realized he was the man she wanted to marry. And while her emotions regarding the children caused her to ask the question it wasn’t just for them.... She wanted to marry this man for her - he made her a better person.

The love she felt for the man standing before her made it difficult to breath.

She had no words, no words that fit how she felt at this pivotal moment. Cora met his eyes with her own, without saying a word she brought her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his.

At first, she didn't say anything, which worried Mason even more. But a wave of reassurance came when her arms found the way around his neck and her lips found his. Mason had never loved a woman so much before. It was crazy, intense how much he loved Medea

His lips naturally pulled into a smile as they kissed and he pulled her in tighter. At that moment, the future held unknowing amounts of stress, uncertainty and a whole load of new experiences. But he had Medea by his side. With her, he could work through the hard times. Never before had Mason been happier.

--END SCENE--

Reactivated by creator's request!

Spinning, squeezing, rolling, squishing, tumbling, speeding, THUD!

Mason Everard fumbled out of the apparition, missed his balance and landed on his hardwood kitchen floor flat on his back. Along with his intense dehydration, his cracked lips, hit hot skin, multiple scrapes and bruises, he also felt a sharp, digging pain on the skin on his chest. He had splinched, he knew it. Though it didn't surprise him, it took all of his energy to apparate out of that place, and even that wasn't enough. Something was bound to go wrong.

"Medea!" He yelled out, writhing in pain on the floor. Mason's voice was coarse from the dry heat. His chest wound was bleeding profusely and he needed help. He couldn't move, his whole body ached. Mason heard nothing. No footsteps, no children, no Medea. Where were they...? Medea must have taken them back to her warehouse.

Grimacing, Mason pulled his wand out of his pocket and tried to gather enough strength to send out a patronus. "Expe- Expecto... Patronum!" A glowing blue Labrador appeared, wagging its tail at him. Mason squeezed his eyes shut and winced at the draw from his energy. "Medea.. Help me!" He yelled, and the Labrador floated off quickly to go find Medea. He needed her. Fast.