Mighty Heart [Ari]

[Curse Kameren]

A tiny hand, wrapped around a long, thin finger.

The baby lay in a tiny bed with a top case covering her, spells flashing across the surface of the plastic dome as she slept. She was so small, even for an infant, but she was perfect. Her skin was a porcelain glow, with touches of rose on her face. Wisps of red hair stuck up from her head. Her face changed and emoted with her difficult sleep. Her tiny chest rose and fell with labor, much more trouble than one so little as her should have. Though she gripped his finger, it was a weak hold. Her little lungs grunted and wheezed with her weakness. Her grip would tighten and loosen as she struggled, but the finger would remain there for her to hold on to. For as long as she needed him, the rest of her life, he would be there to hold her hand.

"Come on, baby girl..." Curse watched the little girl with patience. It had been a hectic day; he'd taken the train with Max to Hogwarts, only to find out when he got into Hogsmeade Station that Arianna was in labor. He skipped out on his first Opening Feast as Deputy Headmaster to be with his wife and welcome their first child into the world. Their struggles with having a child wouldn't end so easily, and their daughter was born with heart troubles. Their baby was rushed into surgery, and a few worried, tearful hours later, she emerged healed. She wasn't out of the woods yet, but things were looking up. She had to make it through the next few days safely. This one would be the hardest.

Arianna was asleep in her hospital room, exhausted by their struggles and trials throughout the day.While she slept, he kept watch over their daughter. They hadn't decided yet on a name for their baby girl, they would discuss it later. For now they just wanted her to be healthy. They couldn't lose another child.

He frowned as her grip loosened on his finger once more. "We need you, little girl. You're our family, and you haven't been here nearly long enough. I want to get to know you. I want to watch you grow, and I want to teach you things. I want to see those wide eyes open. I want to see your smile." He smiled , stroking her rosy cheek with a finger. "I want to see you be smart and beautiful, like your mum."

The grip on his finger tightened, and he smiled.

[Arianna Blackthorn]

Something startled Arianna Kameren awake. One second she was completely under, unaware of anything. No dreams, no sounds. Just sleep. Then her brown eyes, murky black from exhaustion, popped open. She lay there in the bed her eyes roaming the room taking in the white walls, the scent of flowers masking the ever present disinfectant. She was in St. Mungos. Baby. Heart Surgery. It all came rushing back and Ari pinched the bridge of her nose to keep from crying. Taking a few deep breaths she pushed herself out of bed. While she vaguely remembered Kris promising to watch over the baby and that she was doing much better, Ari just wasn't sure.

It had all happened so fast. Ari had settled down to read a book, after seeing Max and Kris off to school. She'd ignored the cramping at first. It was normal for her back to be sore. Besides it was too early for the baby to come. They weren't ready. It was the first day of school, there was still so much to be done but when water rushed down her legs when she stood up there was no more denying. The baby was coming. But the baby was not health and just the thought of losing her made Ari's stomach clench. Merlin, it was her fault. If she only ate more, slept more. Did more perhaps the baby wouldn't have been born with a weak heart. If she..no Ari woudn't think about that. Couldn't.

Throwing the covers aside, Ari ignored the twinge of protest. She shoved herself off the bed, stood until she caught her balance and shuffled towards the room where the babies were kept. She'd walked down that hall before to gaze at the newborns. Ari paused in the doorway of the small room where Kris was guarding their miracle. A slow smile spread across her face as she watched them. All her worries vanished. It didn't matter that the nursery wasn't finished.

"How is she?" Ari asked softly as she walked into the room awe in her voice. The baby was just so amazing. Really. How could something that tiny still be alive?

[Curse Kameren]

"How is she?"

"She's beautiful." Curse smiled up at his wife. He straightened in his chair, putting his legs together so Arianna could sit on his lap to look at the baby. Their daughter wasn't the only one who had a tough day, the birth took a heavy toll on her as well. Curse would keep them both safe, though, if he could help it. But there were some things even he couldn't protect from, unfortunately.

When Arianna got closer Curse gently wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing her on the shoulder. "You are an amazing woman, Arianna Kameren. I've known it since the night you told me to go to Hell in that pub." He smirked crookedly as his emerald eyes softened on their daughter. "And no matter what happens, I'm so glad for the gift you gave me. I never thought I'd have a family."

But here they sat, his tiny daughter linked to his finger and with his arm linked around his wife. His family, his girls. "I'll talk to Siara tomorrow about finding someone to cover for potions. Then I can try to finish the nursery while you're both here." Their baby girl was very early, she surprised her parents. They weren't prepared yet, and now they were scrambling. Hogwarts would have to come second to this, no matter Headmistress Brightweather's worries about the DADA professor. This would have to be first on his list always, from now on.

[Arianna Blackthorn]

That smile would always warm Ari's heart. A little bit crooked and a lot sexy. All of Arianna's fears washed away when she saw his smile. Everything would be okay this time. Their daughter would live. Arianna wrapped herself in the comfort of Curse, settling onto his lap, leaning against him as she gazed at the little baby that was equal parts him and her. They'd created that baby. She'd grow up to be a man killer with red curls and most likely emerald green eyes.

"You are an amazing woman, Arianna Kameren. I've known it since the night you told me to go to Hell in that pub."

Arianna snorted at the reminder of the night they had met. She hadn't been very impressed with his hero saves the damsel complex. Had she really told him to go to hell? Yeah she had. And she probably would never live it down. She could just imagine the story they'd weave when this little baby grew up to ask questions about her parents met.

"And no matter what happens, I'm so glad for the gift you gave me. I never thought I'd have a family."

She hadn't either. Not after loosing the first baby in Italy. She thought that she would never find anyone. Then she found Curse. Again. By a miracle they were able to overcome their past and managed to start a family.

I'll talk to Siara tomorrow about finding someone to cover for potions. Then I can try to finish the nursery while you're both here."

"Thank you, I know how much the school needs you. I love you Kris." Arianna said squeezing his arm.

"Maybe Elle and Alex can help. Although I'm not sure if Alex can handle putting a crib together, he might just set it on fire..." Arianna teased.

"Kris, should we name her...or wait until we know she'll make it?" Arianna asked her voice a whisper of indecision and fear.

[Curse Kameren]

"I'll talk to Siara tomorrow about finding someone to cover for potions. Then I can try to finish the nursery while you're both here."

"Thank you, I know how much the school needs you. I love you Kris."

Curse craned his neck to kiss his wife on the lips, meeting her eyes with a soft smile. The school did need him, and now it made him uneasy. He'd been struggling to make the trek between Hogwarts and the new house even now, but their new baby girl would mean he needed to be home more than ever. Curse would commit himself to everything he did with all he had, but lately it was spreading him thin. He was already so tired.

"Maybe Elle and Alex can help. Although I'm not sure if Alex can handle putting a crib together, he might just set it on fire..." Arianna teased.

"I'm sure I can manage. I'm a lot handier than I look." He smirked. The two parents fell into silence for a long moment, watching their daughter's chest rise and fall. She would make it through this night, Curse knew. She would make it through many more nights to come.

"Kris, should we name her...or wait until we know she'll make it?" Arianna asked her voice a whisper of indecision and fear.

Curse thought for a long moment, his eyes on their daughter's face. They both knew the answer to that question; either way, she was their daughter, she needed a name. "What do you think? I know we were talking about Clara or Emilie, but I don't think either of them... fit." He frowned, his finger curling around her tiny hand when she squeezed him again.

[Arianna Blackthorn]

Fear and worry made Arianna ask. She knew that they should name their daughter but if she died... She wouldn't. This child was stronger. She herself was stronger and she was not alone. This time Kris was here with her.

Her lips twitched when Kris mentioned the names they had discussed.

"No, I don't think this little flower is a Clara. Nor Emilie." Those names just didn't capture the little fragile fighter. It was odd but she just knew by looking at her daughter. Even now, there was a hint of stubbornness in her little jaw. Her soft cries belied a fierce temperament to match the few wisps of red curls.

"Violet, She looks like a Violet," Arianna whispered. She really didn't look all that similar to Kris's adopted mother of the same name but the babe reminded her of the matriarch just the same.