You’re curled up on the sofa, pretending to be engrossed in your favourite book, although you’ve read the same paragraph four times. Your attention is firmly fixed on the group of boys.

Mattheo is perched on the edge of a coffee table with his back to you, his hands gesturing as he talks to Tom. The others — Theodore, Regulus, Lorenzo and Draco — are sprawled around various armchairs and cushions, clearly more interested in eavesdropping than in the book or card game they've started.

You shift your weight slightly, pretending to flip a page as Tom’s voice rises. "Wait… what? Did you… pull out?"

You freeze, but keep your face hidden behind your book.

Mattheo’s voice comes slow and smug. "Sure… but after 'that'."

A beat passes.

"What did you just say?" Tom’s voice is suddenly high with panic, his eyes wide as he stares at his brother.

Mattheo just shrugs, clearly unfazed. “Relax, Tommy. It’s not your kid.”

You can almost hear the smirks spreading across the room. Regulus bites his knuckle to stop himself laughing. Draco chokes on his drink. Lorenzo actually turns his face towards the cushions.

You can feel the heat creeping up your cheeks, but you keep your expression neutral as you turn another page that you definitely haven't read.

Then, ever the menace, Theodore leans back in his chair and grins at Tom. “Congratulations, Uncle Tommy.”

The whole room bursts into laughter. Even Mattheo lets out a low chuckle and glances briefly over his shoulder at you. His eyes meet yours for the briefest second. He doesn't say anything, but the way he looks at you speaks volumes.

Tom groans, dragging his hand down his face. "Merlin, I’m too young to be an uncle…”

You lower your book slightly, a smile tugging at your lips. “You’re also too dramatic,” you murmur just loud enough for them to hear.

Mattheo smirks, his eyes still on you. “That’s why he’s going to be the fun uncle.”

Draco snorts. “If by ‘fun’ you mean the one who faints when the baby sneezes…”

The room dissolves into laughter again. This time, you let the book fall onto your lap and rest a hand gently on your belly. Mattheo makes his way over to sit beside you and casually slides his arm around your shoulders as if it were always meant to be there.