Chapter 6

The despair and frustration of the last nine months were forgotten once little Severus entered the lives of Eileen and Tobias. Tobias took a week's leave from work and spent every waking moment with his wife and son. Severus was a happy baby who clamoured for attention from both his parents. And they were only happy to give all the attention that he demanded. Severus was a splitting replica of Eileen but had inherited his jet black eyes and his black mop of hair from Tobias.

"D'you think we should try and reconcile with our parents, Tobias?" Eileen asked her husband one night.

"My parents will never accept us," he replied. "Severus or no Severus. But you can try talking to your parents."

"We'll take Sev with us to my parents tomorrow," she said. "They...."

"No," Tobias interrupted her. "My presence might complicate matters. Take Sev with you. I'll wait for you two at home."

The next morning, Eileen dressed Severus quickly and walked down to her former home. Severus looked around, his eyes huge and curious, this being his first outing. He tried to get his hands out from the blankets with which Eileen had wrapped him up to catch a tiny butterfly which had fluttered close to him but to no avail.

Very soon, Eileen arrived at the gates of the Prince's residence. She shifted a squirming Severus on to her left hand and opened the gates.

"Be still, Sev," she whispered, as Severus squirmed harder, evidently trying to get Eileen's attention. She hesitated for a while but gathered up her courage and knocked.

"Who's it?" she heard her mother call out.

Eileen took a deep breath. "Its me. Eileen," she replied, loudly. The door opened almost instantly.

"Eileen!" Mrs Prince exclaimed and enveloped her daughter in a tight embrace. Startled, Severus began to cry.

"And oh! This must be...." Mrs Prince gasped.

"Severus," Eileen said, trying to calm a still screaming Severus. "Severus Tobias Snape."

"Oh Eileen!," Mrs Prince exclaimed, tears coursing down her cheeks. "He's so adorable. He looks exactly like you."

Eileen smiled. Severus had calmed down and he looked around the house, his big eyes searching for Tobias.

Just then, Eileen heard her father's voice. "Who's it, my dear?" he called out. Both the ladies sprang up.

"Its Eileen," her mother replied, nervously. "And she's brought her baby son as well."

She saw her father walk out and was overcome with emotion. She handed Severus to her mother and ran up to her father. She wrapped her hands around him and hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go. For a moment, she had forgotten all about Tobias and Severus. She was her daddy's little girl once again.

"Why did you run away, Eileen?" her father asked her, not wanting to let go of her either.

"I was scared, dad," she said. "I know that you two don't like the Snapes. I..."

Her father interrupted her. "But you could have at least told us," he said. "You never gave us a chance to get to know Tobias."

"I'm sorry, dad," Eileen whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I really am sorry. I hope you have forgiven me, dad."

Mr Prince patted Eileen on her head. "Forget about it, little girl," he said, smiling. "Now let me meet my grandson."

Saying so, Mr Prince took a smiling Severus from his wife's arms and bounced him while Eileen looked on at them, heaving a sigh of relief.