Meet you there... {Adriana}

[Sirius Black]

Sirius hummed quietly to himself as he sat at a small table near the window of the café. He was happily sipping a muggle espresso and waiting for Addie to arrive. He had no idea whether she was bringing Katie or not, but had brought a large lollipop with him just in case. He always gave her something when he saw her, it wasn’t that he felt he needed to buy her love. It was the way her face lit up when he produced whatever sweet he had decoded to get her from his pocket, the way she took it eagerly in her little fingers and unwrapped it, grinning all the more as she licked the first lick.

Sirius looked out the window at the usual bustle along the winding alley, it made him smile, how this many people could move about in secret, it always had done. Most wizards didn’t think anything of it, but at times like this it made him smile, at times like this there was nothing any dark wizard could do to ruin his mood. He looked back down at his coffee, and stirred it gently, making sure none of the sugar had settled at the bottom. Sirius liked sugary things, not so much as he used to, but they were still nice all the same.

[Adriana Bell-Black]

Adriana frowned, placing her hands upon her hips she glared at her crying three year old. “Oh bullocks Katie, I left Rainbow bright recording on the telly. You can watch it when we get home, now get hurry up we are meeting uncle Sirius and we are late.” She said trying to reason with the somewhat hysterical child.
Seeing Katie rub her eyes reluctantly, she plucked out an open hand grasping her little one in her own. “I wanna see uncle Sirius.” Katie murmured in a complete opposite tone than the one she was using merely minutes ago. Grinning at her daughter who resembled her more and more each day, she affectionately mussed her loose curls. “I know silly witch, that’s why I brought you along.”

Seeing the quaint little café in the short distance, she quickened her pace slightly but remained slow enough for Katie’s little legs to keep up. Steeping into the café she felt Katie tug away from her hand, breaking free, and run straight onto Sirius’s lap. ‘Honestly, you’d swear the bloke was a bloody jungle gym with the way she jumps all over him’ she mused to herself. Stopping briefly at the sales counter, she ordered a peppermint tea and a chocolate chip muffin with milk for Katie before joining them at the table. Lightly kissing Sirius’s cheek she sat down across from him and her daughter. “Sorry about running late, the little witch threw a fit because she wanted to watch the telly. Moments like those make me want to hurt your brother, him and his bloody routines.” She trailed off to herself. “Enough about that though, how have you been?”

[Sirius Black]

Sirius looked round as the door of the cafe opend once again. He smiled as he saw who it was. He grinned all the more as Katie pulled her hand out of Adriana's and ran towards him, jumping on his lap, grinning widely. He smiled as he glanced at Adriana while she ordered drinks for herself and Katie. Looking back down at the bundle of laughter beside him. He loved the fact that she enjoyed climbing all over him, it made him happy hat he could entertain her in such a way.

Sirius laughed as Adriana told him her struggles to prise Katie away from the television. It didn't surprise him either that Regulus was very keen on keeping a strong routine going where Katie was concerned. It was the way they had been brought up, although their routines had never included things like television. Regulus it seemed had like having his life controlled by routine, it had however been one of the things Sirius had despised about his childhood, it was alright to go to bed the same way every night, have the same amount of time for Dad to read him a story, but the whole day being controlled by one long routine. It was crazy, and he had often wondered how his parents had kept it up.

He was about to reply when he felt a little hand slide into his pocket, he looked down, and saw Katie concentrating very hard to get to the lump in his pocket. He grinned, and coughed at her, she looked up sheepishly.

"What are you trying to find?"

"Sweetie."

"How do you know that's a sweetie in my pocket? It could be soethng that'll bite your hand off." Katie giggled, and Sirius smiled down at her. He slid his hand into the pocket,a dn pulled out three lollipops. "One for Katie, one for me, and one for Mummy so she doesn't feel left out." he said handing them out, and unwrapping his before stickign it in his mouth.

"I'm fine thanks Addie, job's great, as always, still no girlfriend, for which I am grateful because I always said a woman could never tame me. You?"

[Adriana Bell-Black]

Adriana mock glared at Sirius as he found humor in her daily occurrences with Katie. It wasn’t the routine that bothered Adriana, after all a good routine is nurturing, it was those father daughter things that now they couldn’t have because Regulus was at Hogwarts. Because they were in hiding when Katie was born, he made a point to sit and watch the telly with her everyday in the afternoon, sort of like their own father daughter date, something she was sure Katie missed dearly. Adriana would need to find away to teeter her away from that habit slowly, especially with the new addition soon to come.

She rolled her eyes at her daughter’s audacity to jump into Sirius’s pockets. Oh the tears the girl would cry when the days comes where he doesn’t bring anything.

"Honestly nothing is remotely frightening to that child, Regulus is worried she is becoming more and more like me as each day passes." She said with a grin, happily taking the offered lollipop from his extending hand. "Mmm Cherry." she commented after the initial lick.

"Funny that you mention that no woman can tame you, Katie seems to be doing a good job” she remarked teasingly, wondering if he would ever settle down and have little Black’s of his own. “I’m well, keeping up with Katie more than ever now that Regulus is at Hogwarts 90 percent of the time. Mostly just staying out of the way, things have been to quiet for Snape’s usual standard, and the last thing I want is to put Katie in the way.” She said remembering her not so pleasant encounter with the creature. “And with the wedding coming up, well I don’t know if maybe we should be more than just a bit concerned.”

[Sirius Black]

Sirius smiled, Katie was like her mother, in more ways than one. "Yeh but maybe being like you isn't a bad thing." he said cheekily.

"Har Har Har," he said sarcastically. "But it's not like i'm ever going to date my neice is it Addie, that would be wrong, so she has not tamed me, so there!" he stuck her tongue out at Adriana.

"He's just lulling us into a false sense of security, it's a classic war tactic. He'll pounce soon, I'll bet you! I'd take extra care at your wedding too, you never know when He's going to strike, I'll keep an extra eye on Katie if you want. so you can concentrate on the ceremony."

[Adriana Bell-Black]

Grinning mischievously as Sirius confessed that it may not be a bad thing that her and Katie were becoming more alike, she shook her head humorously. "I don’t think Regulus would be able to handle another me, but it would most certainly keep life interesting." she said smiling with the thought in her head.

Laughing at his sarcasm she noted that Sirius and Regulus were more alike than they knew but it wasn’t the moment to bring it up. "I never said you would date your niece, I refuse to allow my family to breed within the family as yours once did.” She said with a shudder recalling that half of the pureblooded families married cousins and uncles for the sake of remaining pure. “I do believe however that Katie could ask the world of you and you would take leaps and bounds for her that you wouldn’t for anyone else. That in itself is being tame darling.” She reasoned with him as he poked his tongue at her much like Katie and Regulus.

"And that’s what has me worried, I don’t want to stop living a normal life worried that he’ll attack. It’s just like Voldemort Sirius! We had to go into hiding for Merlin’s sake; I don’t want to do that to Katie. Katie may not be the only one we may need to be watching by the time the wedding comes along.” She said rubbing her flat stomach gingerly.

[Sirius Black]

"Regulus would cope whatever you threw at him, he's resiliant. Like me." said Sirius grinning once again. He did that alot he realised, but it was who he was.

"I wouldn't want to inbreed, it's disgusting, that's one of the reasons I ran away, though I didn't really just run away, I got well and truely disowned, which was great apart from the fact that Regulus hated me." Sirius stuck his tongue out at Addie, "That may be so, but it'[s an entirely different situation."

"I know you don't want to go back into hiding Addie, but... wait, what did you say?" his mind was reeling at the thought of what he thought Adriana was getting at, he slowly unwrapped his own lolly and stuck it in his mouth sucking on it hard to relieve the tension that was building up while he waited for Adriana's reply.

[Adriana Bell-Black]

Adriana snorted in a very un-lady like manner at Sirius’s comment. "More like stubborn but I suppose your right he’s managed to take every curve ball that’s been thrown at us, and well you weren’t dealt an easy hand either." She said grinning with him.

"I would hope not, it's disgusting and a sure way to have demented children. I suppose that’s what happened to Bellatrix” she said seriously but trying to conceal a grin at the same time. “Well it didn’t matter really, luckily you were able to get out of there before anything horrible could have happened to you. And besides both of you weren’t so fond of each other so lets not jump to he hated you, he was actually grateful to you a few times at Hogwarts that you were able to care for me." Sticking her tongue out back at him, "So but its still keeping you a good little boy." She said teasingly, knowing he’d come up with some comment about being a man much like Regulus did when she told him the same.

Grinning sheepishly as he stopped in mid-sentence realizing what she was implying. "I’m pregnant again." She mumbled. For the past week and a half she had been complaining about nausea and stomach pains, and upon speaking to a healer, they confirmed another pregnancy for her. “I spoke to a healer about two days ago, she confirmed it. But I don’t know what to tell Regs.” She confessed while biting her lip. “He has so much on his plate and you know how much he worries. With Snape now in the picture, Katie becoming more and more active, I don’t know how he is going to take another unplanned pregnancy, Bloody hell we aren’t even married yet and we are going to have two kids.” She said beginning to worry.

[Sirius Black]

"Stubbornness is sometimes a great asset, especially when women are trying to tame you!" he said with a laugh, it was good to be able to relax in the company of a woman and not worry that she was going to try and snog him any second.

"And the rest of my generation and those before mine aren't demented? Personally I think everyone on my family tree is demented, but hopefully the dementure will decrease as time goes by, in your lineage anyway." This conversation was completely random. "Maybe she might make me sensible, now that would be an incredible feat."

"Congratulations! Addie that's wonderful!" he got up and hugged her. "But as for telling Reggs, I have no idea." He had to try and help her,she was worried enough about this, but imagine what Regulus would be like, he was bad enough about Katie and that was before the threat of Snape, and him being away at Hogwarts all the time. He sighed, still in thought. "How'd you tell him last time? He didn't flip out then, and that was near the end of Voldemort's reign, he coped then."

[Adriana Bell-Black]

"Well tell that one to Regulus when I tried to tell him that I only wanted Dark Chocolate mint candies not Milk chocolate mint while I was pregnant" she said with a laugh, remembering the wild roller coaster of her first pregnancy. "Poor Regs, and I imagine Katie's headed in that same direction." she admitted with a smile, knowing that Regulus loved them either way.

"Well I didn't say that either, Bellatrix is just the poster child for it. However you and Regulus managed to come out alright, so maybe the Black gene isn't quite as strong as you think." Feigning outrage, she placed a hand daintily over her mouth. "You sensible? I don't think it can be done, but the world is a funny place." she said jokingly.

"Thanks" she said shyly as she hugged him. "Last time it sort of slipped out, he was getting ready to leave me. Things were far too emotional and hectic, I went into hiding with him because he had no choice. I was pregnant with his child, a prime target." she often tried to forget the previous years of living in hiding but she couldn't image living that time without Regulus. " I don't want this to affect his job at Hogwarts, he's so thrilled about it, and I know he'll want to be around as much as possible. Oh why is it that our lives manage to get this complicated, Again?"

[Sirius Black]

"No Addie that's not stubborness, that's being pregnant, craving things, and very particular about your cravings, in other known as being fussy, not stubborn." He grinned widely, from his point of view Katie was headed the same way, but really what did that matter, surely she had some of Regulus' sensible genes in her somewhere.

"Yes in the respect Bella does have the cake and eats it regularly too. However, I have come to the conclusion that there is a recessive rebellious gene in the black family lineage, There are at least five blast holes on the tapestry that I know of, including Alphard, Andy and Me, I'm not sure about Regulus though, I don't think his mother wants to believe he really deserted the death eaters."

He sighed, "Well you could always casually slip it into a conversation, or have your darling daughter accidentally find a pregnancy test somewhere, or just tell her, and tell her not to tell daddy, and she'll tell him within the next 24 hours." Sometimes, he thought to himself, I am quite brilliant.

[Adriana Bell-Black]

Giggling at the mention of cravings, Adriana fondly remembered the missions she used to send Regulus on in the name of a craving. "Oh and I would get the weirdest cravings, and fussy I was. Regulus had to talk me out of some of those things." She said mischievously.

"And more than her fair share too." She agree whole heartedly with him. "I don't think he will get blasted off that darn thing, he is the last heir between you two, it would honestly depend on if she wants to swallow her pride and consider Katie a true Black. But indeed I would agree there is gene in there somewhere, you and Regulus have certainly found it." She said much like a proud mother. Despite the situations both brothers were placed in time after time, they managed to do the right thing and not what their family wanted.

Giggling at his suggestion she shook her head, "Yes and then you would have to explain to the little witch what it is and where babies come from because she is twice as curious as I am. Frankly I dont think that would be a very comfortable conversation for you. and the last thing I want is a feinting Regulus on me, who knows how he'll react to his daughter holding a pregnancy test, He may be sensible but he is still a ninny."

[Sirius Black]

"Not that I'll ever have to worry about that, contraception is a wonderful thing." he said with a roguish grin.

"Personally I think she'll go on ignoring it as long as it's possible for her to do so. Which is until she sees Katie realises that he is Regulus' and that you two are having another Child, are married and she really has lost her hold on him. However, due to a recent experience I don't think the latter will ever occur, he's still terrified of her, which is ridiculous, I haven't been scared of her since I started Hogwarts. I always spent the Holiday's there or at James'. The vice like grip she was once proud of began to weaken, until it broke completely when I left home aged 16." he sighed, that woman was an evil twisted unloving control freak and always would be until the day she died, which he sincerely hoped would be sooner rather than later.

Sirius laughed at Addie's reaction to his suggestion. "Maybe not such a good idea then." he said scratching his chin. "I'm all out of ideas Addie, I suppose you'll just have to tell him straight."

[Adriana Bell-Black]

Rolling her eyes at his comment she just smiled at how much she enjoyed his rather unorthodox way of life. "It was, but I guess I’m too far gone for that." She said looking lovingly at her mischievous little witch.

"I certainly hope so, wouldn’t want to contaminate any of my children’s minds with any rubbish that comes out of that woman’s mouth. Well Regulus stayed in that house longer than you did, I cant imagine what that wench has brainwashed him with. Him being the oh so sensible one would most likely prefer to avoid her for as long as possible. He was still a slytherin prat at 16, oh how I miss Hogwarts." she sighed, the days at Hogwarts were some of her best memories.

Grinning, more like smirking at Sirius she knew he would see it her way. "Well straight it is, if not well there’s always a howler that can be sent to Hogwarts, I’m sure Dumbledore would like another reason to celebrate."

[Sirius Black]

Sirius grinned. "well if you'd used some you wouldn't be having this dilemma right now would you?"

"People change Addie, how do you think he got where he is now? All I know is he changed for the better, and hopefully for good, and it's probably thanks to you." he smiled at her. "He's still scared of mum, but not as much as he used ot be, her grip on him is loosening too." he smiled slyly, soon she would matter to no one and no one in the world would care who she was or what she did.

"Ahh Hogwarts, days of pranks, lessons, James/Evans fights. Dumbledore's randomness, Snape's grey underwear, and dangling him upside down. Good times."

Sirius though for a moment, once again, he sometimes took a while to make descions, especially when he was making them for or about other people. "Tell him face to face, he'd prefer that to a howler."