Meet the (Growing) Family (Zander, Jake & Victoria)

September had come around in it's usual fashion - quickly - but not as quickly as normal. Since July, Victoria had been on tender hooks. Why? Jake's baby had come in to the world, and it had come to early - it was all Victoria could call the baby for now, because Jake and Veronika hadn't told her anymore. She'd been worrying helplessly because the baby was born too early, and the complications were... vast.

Jake had told her not to come to the hospital because there were so many people there that there wouldn't be space. But, Victoria had seen through the lie that Jake had made, he was protecting her from the reality of the situation. Victoria kept to Jake's wishes though, only visiting him when he was home to make sure he was okay.

The month and a bit to September had been a killer, but, as September began, they were allowed to go to the hospital - baby Ivan was healthy, and he could now be seen, Jake had called her to the hospital, and Victoria had dropped everything to go and see her nephew. He was the most perfect being that Victoria had ever met, and she'd spent ages cuddling the small bundle of joy, cooing enthusiastically at him because he was simply gorgeous. His eyes were a grey blue, though, something Victoria didn't understand completely, but he was beautiful, and nothing could take that away from her nephew.

That had been two weeks ago.

Today, Victoria had told Jake she would be coming over in the afternoon to see her nephew once more - at home and away from the horrible smell of the hospital. What she hadn't told Jake was that she would be bringing Zander.

Victoria was very aware of her brother's protective nature, no matter how much he tried to be subtle about it. So, the arrival of Ivan would distract him enough to not go all guns blazing at Zander when they met. It was, to Victoria, the perfect plan.

Pulling on her shirt and fastening a belt around her waitst, Victoria emerged from her bedroom. "Ready, Zander?" Victoria asked, moving across the room to her boyfriend. She leant up and pressed a light kiss to his lips, her hands moving to straighten his collar. "You'll be fine, I promise. Jake is a sweetheart, really." She insisted, taking his hand and giving him a small nod to apparate to Jake's flat.

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Zander's summer had been filled with the normal search for truth. It had been years that he had searched for the truth behind what had happened to his parents, but alas he found none. Despite his searching taking place over the summer, this summer had also been a tad been different as he had Victoria. However, that summer Victoria too had her own family matters to tend to, thus far leaving him mostly alone in his search.

Of course Victoria still stuck to his side and supported him and helped her when she could, much like he did. Victoria's brother had a baby at the end of summer - July to be exact. Though, this baby was ill and things looked dull for the little human and of course, Victoria was growing worried especially with the lack of knowledge she was granted.

Zander only knew as much about the baby as Victoria did and it wasn't much. He knew that the baby was incredibly early and because of this the child was ill. He knew that this was Victoria's nephew or niece and he knew that Victoria had been asked not to visit. His guesses were, her brother wished to save her the pain of seeing an ill newborn. After what seemed like forever of watching his girlfriend sit on pins and needles, she was finally called and told that it was fine for her to go to the hospital and Zander couldn't be more happy for her.

He didn't accompany her but he was sure she'd tell him all he needed to know.

It had now been two weeks that Victoria had seen her nephew and over the course of the two weeks, the two had discussed the possibility of Zander meeting Jake.

It would be an understatement to say that Zander was nervous. In fact, he was far worse. Zander was stressed. It was his last year of Uni, he had no clue what happened to his parents, he had been worried about baby Ivan, he was meeting Victoria's brother and most of all, he was quite sure that he was falling in love with Victoria Alys Newbury.

Zander had arrived to Victoria's dorm room a bit earlier than planned and he was completely exhausted as he'd stayed up all night studying and researching previous magical accidents. Victoria had still been in her pajamas and when she let him in, he sat in her little kitchen and waited for her to emerge from her room in today's outfit. Her outfits was always great and his - he looked down - wasn't. When he had glanced down, he noticed that he had thrown on his shirt so fast that it had been inside out. A glance to Victoria's room showed that her door was still closed and there was no movement so he took his shirt off, however in the process of turning it back right side in, she emerged and he froze. His cheeks turned a bright red and the shirt slipped out of his hands.

Soon, he could hear her speaking to him and he answered with a nod, bending over to pick up his shirt and put it back on. He kissed her back and blushed once more as her hands reached up to straighten his collar. "I sure hope so," he said softly as she took hold of his arm. Luckily, he had seen a picture of Jake's flat and so when he grabbed hold of her and spun, they landed right on Jake's doorstep.

Victoria didn't need to be told that Zander was nervous, she knew. Though, honestly she couldn't comprehend why anyone would be scared, or nervous, to meet Jake. Especially Zander, he was training to be an Auror, after all! But, Victoria respected her boyfriend's feelings, because on some level, somewhere, they were reasonable. If not conceivable.

Closing her eyes as the familiar tugging sensation touched her navel, Victoria held on to Zander tightly until they stopped moving, and landed on the ground again. She was sure, no matter how many times she apparated, that she was never going to like it. It was merely lucky she had a brilliant boyfriend who put up with her oddities.

When Victoria's eyes opened once more, it was to see Jake's front door, and she smiled to herself. "Thank you!" She told Zander warmly, taking his hand with her right hand and knocking on the door with her left. Most people would likely have waited, but Victoria counted to five then opened the door, showing Zander and herself inside.

"Jake, it's me. Zander's here too!" Victoria called out, slipping her shoes off and motioning for her boyfriend to do the same. Jake was particular like that.

"I'm just making Ivan's bottle - he's in the lounge!" Came Jake's voice, and Victoria let out a soft giggle. "I won't be long - just grabbing myself some food too!" Jake added.

"We'll be with Ivan then!" Victoria responded, pulling Zander through to the lounge and dropping his hand the moment she saw her nephew. "Iv-y!" Victoria greeted her nephew much too happily as she moved to his little basket and carefully picked him out of it, cradling him to her. "How's my little man?" Victoria cooed, placing a soft kiss on his head before she turned towards Zander.

There was no denying Victoria was comfortable with children, and she looked the perfect part with a child in her arms. "Look, is that Uncle Zander? Do you want to give him a smile?" Victoria asked, but Ivan only gurgled softly in her arms and she smiled fondly down at him. "Are you trying to say hello, clever boy!" Victoria encouraged, before looking across to her boyfriend.

"Isn't he gorgeous?" She asked, tilting Ivan enough for Zander to be able to see.

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Zander didn't exactly know why he felt so nervous to meet Jake but he was. He had heard more about Jake than he had heard about Victoria's father and because of that, he would almost rather meet her father over Jake because what if he didn't like him? What if Jake thought that Zander wasn't good enough for his sister? Zander wouldn't be able to deal with something so heartbreaking because he loved her.

It was hard for Zander to admit that he loved someone as much as he loved Victoria because often with love came heartache. Zander didn't deal well with heartache nor did he deal well with admitting feelings so he stopped his thought processes and focused on the pull in his navel as he held onto Victoria - forever keeping her safe.

"You're welcome," Zander said in reply to Victoria's thanks. He didn't mind being to one to transport them everywhere, in fact he liked it. Not because it made his girlfriend feel ill but because it meant he could hold her close and protect her. At the feeling of her hand in his, he gave a little squeeze in order to help reassure himself as Victoria knocked.

Zander listened to Victoria call out as he focused on not getting sick as he followed her lead and slipped off his shoes. From what he could see, the small flat that housed Jake, Veronica and their baby was really nice and one day, Zander hoped he and Victoria could have something as nice.

Zander jumped a bit at the sound of Jake's voice filling the room as he stated where he was and what he was doing and where Ivan was. He didn't know where the lounge was but he didn't need to because Victoria did.

Zander's heartbeat slowed down a bit as Victoria pulled him through to the lounge and he remembered that she was still with him, that she had not left him. Soon however, she dropped his hand and ran to the baby and Zander stiffly followed her. It was great to see his girlfriend so happy and he smiled as he watched her talk to Ivan.

Zander knew that Victoria wanted children and he did too or at least he thought he did but not soon. He wanted to finish university, marry Victoria, begin his career and then they could begin trying for children - assuming it was okay with Victoria. At the word uncle, Zander let another small smile slip through his eyes focusing on baby Ivan, Victoria's voice in the background.

"He is," Zander stated watching as Victoria tilted the baby so he could see him better.

Jake had known for a short while now that Victoria would be coming over to see Ivan. The first time his sister had seen his son, her nephew, she hadn't wanted to give him back. Jake had smiled, and prized his son away from her at an hour much later than that they had been trying to set Ivan's routine, promising her that she would have plenty of time to play, cuddle, and be around for baby Ivan.

He'd mused about the situation with Veronika when they'd cuddled up on the sofa - both of them speculating at how good a mother she would be (when the time came, Jake had insisted firmly, showing he didn't want that to happen for a very long time). And Jake knew, despite him not wanting her to ever get in to things, that Victoria would be a good mum when she was older.

Which was precisely why he didn't mind her coming over to see Ivan that afternoon. It allowed him a short while to be able to tidy, or... well, relax, whilst someone else looked after Ivan. To make sure the house was not a mess for his fiance, or that even dinner was ready for when Veronika came home. Small things like that seemed to be taken for granted these days.

At the sound of Victoria arriving - a clock on the kitchen wall announced her arrival just before the knock came - but she was not alone. A 'stranger' the clock had said, and Jake subconsciously moved his hand to his wand.

"Jake, it's me. Zander's here too!"

Jake's hand moved from his wand, and he relaxed. He doubted Victoria would come here with someone dangerous, but you could never be sure. Informing her of what he was doing, Jake quickly finished up his cheese toastie, and checked the bottle for Ivan once more - the temperature seemed to be what was needed, so he took it through to the next room.

His eyes overlooked the other man in the room as he entered - not in a rude manner, but Jake had always been more focused on Victoria. Quickly, and as subtly as always, Jake checked Victoria over for signs of anything that could cause worry. But, she was radiant, and he smiled. "I'm not getting Ivan back, am I?" Jake asked giving his sister a small sideways hug and putting the bottle in her hand. "You can feed him, if you'd like." He added, knowing the answer before the sentence was even finished.

Then, and only then, did Jake turn to the boy, no man, that Victoria had spoken of before.

Jake was surprised that Victoria had chosen a blonde guy, truth be told, but that was neither here nor there. The physique was a litle worrying - an athlete, perhaps, or else an active lifestyle that was of concern. Victoria being so slight would have no chance against the man before him, and Jake was not comfortable with that. The only good thing - Jake decided - was that the man looked nervous. Which meant he had some fear of him. Jake simply hoped - before even knowing the man - that the fear of him would be enough to keep Victoria safe.

"Zander!" Jake greeted, his smile warm enough to show that he was welcome, but not enough to say much more. "It's good to finally put a face to the name. I'm Jake, though I'm sure Victoria has already told you that." Jake explained, motioning to the sofa. "Please make yourself comfortable, Victoria won't be leaving any time soon."

Slipping his wand from his pocket, Jake summoned the tea tray that Veronika often brought his breakfast on in the morning. "So, what's taken you so long to come round then?" Jake asked Zander, trying to work out what was going on between the two of them. There were some things he simply couldn't ask Victoria. "Tell me about you, on that much Victoria hasn't been so expressive."

Not entirely true, but Jake wanted to see how the boy coped with pressure. But also to see what the boy was offering and whether it was enough for his little sister.

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Zander didn't fail to notice Jake glancing over him as he entered the room and Zander too, did the same. However, he quickly noticed that the man, Jake, was far bigger than her could ever hope to be, despite hitting the gym nearly every day. In that moment, Zander felt helpless, like a child standing next to an adult and he wondered for the first time if he was worthy of Victoria. But of course those were just his nerves thinking. Victoria adored him and he felt the same towards her but that didn't necessarily mean he was the one did it?

He quickly turned to face his girlfriend who was cuddled up with her nephew. He knew the moment Jake offered her the bottle that she would accept and he smiled for a slight second. She was beautiful and seeing her with Ivan made him wonder how good of a mother she'd be. Of course this was not a time for thoughts like that as they were both still in University and not married but he couldn't help when the thoughts of their future surfaced.

He turned back to Jake.

He had to meet her brother and her parents before he could ever think about asking for her hand in marriage, even if he didn't plan to for a few years. There was a sequence, an order in which things should be done. He could not break it.

But what if Jake didn't like him? Would that mean that all contact with her should come to an end or should they continue dating despite the fact that he was unliked? Zander couldn't break Victoria's family apart like that, or at least he hoped he couldn't yet at the same time, he couldn't imagine not being with her.

Zander tried to greet the man in the same way but he was clearly far more nervous and feared making a fool of himself. He glanced to Victoria once more and wished they could communicate telepathically because he needed her reassurance on whether this was the right thing or not.

He did however do as Jake said and took a seat on the couch, however he still made sure to keep his back straight and not slouch so as to still set a good first impression. "Well I heard from Victoria about little Ivan and didn't want to intrude and school and work has had me a bit overloaded," the young man added, plus he really enjoyed being alone with Victoria. He hated answering about me questions, especially for job interviews. "Well," Zander started, "I'm in my final year of University and I've been studying to hopefully become an Auror, I also work at a local bookshop and pick up as many hours as possible so I can earn some extra cash. I'm from Germany as well as I attended Hogwarts, passed my OWLs and NEWTs with top marks, and I earned the title of both Prefect and Head Boy."

Manners, that was what hit Jake in the first instance. Not intruding on his life showed that Zander had a courtesy for other people's space, and that made Jake warm a little to the younger man. At least, Jake thought to himself, this might mean he thinks of others, before doing what he wants.

"Hopefully become an Auror?" Jake asked, picking up on the choice of words. Indecision, or humble in his own abilities, Jake wasn't sure which Zander would be. Though, it did explain why the boy looked to be relatively athletic. And, Jake added to himself, he couldn't think of a single Auror who would dare to hurt another person willingly. It would be... the complete opposite of their goals of their job.

Yes, Jake was slowly warming up to the boy, with the information he was learning. Slowly.

But the boy worked. Victoria seemed happy, and so far... apart from dating his sister, Jake couldn't lay a finger on something wrong with the boy before him.

"Well, it sounds like you've got your head somewhat switched on." Jake replied, his eyes flickering to Victoria and Ivan. She was busy fussing over Ivan as he drank from his bottle, and Jake smiled fondly at the two of them. "What do you have planned for the two of you in the future?" Jake asked, his eyes moving back from Victoria to Zander. Sure, the two of them might not have spoken about this, but Jake didn't care, he wanted to know that the boy planned on sticking around, and wasn't here to try... things with his sister that she was not yet old enough to do.

In Jake's head, anyway, the law said much differently.

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» Zander's Graduation (Victoria & Zander)
» Meet Up with Victoria (Victoria and Adaline)
» Making Friends in Unlikely Circumstances (Zander & Victoria)
» My Time Is Up (TW: Illness, Near Death Experience - Clarinda, Summer, Victoria & Zander)
» Now, Meet My Parents (Jake & Veronika - Germany)