Arthur sat in the darkened bedroom looking at the picture of two small boys on brooms.
Why did it still hurt so much, even after all these years?
In his other hand he held the birth announcement.
George and Angelina Weasley are proud to announce the birth of Fredric Fabian Weasley II.
Tears began to dampen the parchment.
NO! Fred should have been here to name a son that! George's first born should have been named George Gideon Weasley just like his father!
FSFSFS
George lay watching his wife nursing his son. His long fingers were grasping the side of his mother's breast, His eyes were closed in concentration.
Freddy was an amazing combination of them both. The soft downy fuzz on the top of his head was a dark mahogany red. His skin the color of rich delicious caramel. He had his mum's hands and high cheek bones. His legs were long and his torso lanky like his dad.
Oh but when he opened his eyes he was the uncle he would never know except in stories. Angela had been the first to notice it, right after birth. She had quietly called George to her side. "Honey his eyes are open!" Sure enough they were. Freddy was looking intensely about as if to memorize the moment, his mouth open and searching for a nipple.
Then there was a spark, just like the light Fred would get when he figured out a new product for the shop, and Freddy caught his flailing fist in his mouth.
Angie looked up at her husband, tears beginning to fall from her eyes, "Did you see that?"
George nodded, there was no need to put in to words what "that" was. He and Angie just knew.
So Fredric Fabian Weasley II he had been named, and his father braced himself for the payback that this little boy would bring……
FSFSFS
Arthur did not know it but he was not alone. A soft shimmering being was sitting beside him watching him cry. Soon another being with bubblegum pink hair joined them.
"Wotcher Fred! Oh…. It's hard to watch them cry isn't it."
"Tonks I just wish I could help! He's my dad after all!"
FSFSFS
Both Freddy and his mum had fallen asleep. George carefully and quietly lifted his small son from the bed. Softly humming he transferred him to the bassinet.
He had to head down to the shop, it was almost time to open up.
As George descended the stairs, a mug of tea in one hand and a slice of toast in the other, he thought about how much he loved his son and how terrified of losing him he was.
Ron was already at the front door, undoing the locks. "Hey bro! How's your beautiful wife and handsome son?"
George smiled, he did every time he thought of Angie and Freddy. "They are both sleeping! Hopefully that little rascal will let his mum get some rest! Hey have you talked to dad lately?"
"No I haven't seen him since the night Freddy was born. He's so busy at the MOM lately I hardly ever get to see him! Hermione and Harry see him more than I do! That reminds me, do you care if I take off this afternoon, for once Hermione hasn't brought her whole case load home to work on this weekend. I'd kind of like to take my wife on a date!"
George smiled and nodded his head yes. "Hey Ron do you think you could hold down the fort until Verity gets here? I have an errand to run."
FSFSFS
George strolled toward the door at the burrow, he could see his mum working in the kitchen. George sneaked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. "How's the prettiest grandmother in all of Britain?"
Molly spun and swiped at him with her dish towel. "Oh George! You gave me a right fright! Is everything all right?"
"Can't a bloke drop by to pay his mum a complement?"
Molly smiled. "How's Angie and the baby? I haven't wanted to interfere. I know how tiring visitors can be so soon after giving birth."
"They are both doing just great! The stampede of visitors has stopped! Thank Godric! Freddy is on a schedule of sorts, Angie is rested, so rested in fact she's bored! In fact that's why I stopped by, would you and Dad like to come by for dinner tonight? If you think you can stand my cooking, I'd like a quiet evening with my wife, son and two of the best grandparents a kid every had!"
"George! You and your smooth talk! Oh course we will come by!"
FSFSFS
The shop was closed, George hurried to get the things he needed to make dinner. Angie had been thrilled he had invited his folks over. She had baked a pie, the only domestic skill she had, George did all the cooking, he didn't mind. He figured, athletic ability, brains and being drop dead gorgeous was enough.
FSFSFS
Dinner was done and they were sitting listening to the wireless and talking. Molly had her grandson, cooing and drinking in his newborn beauty.
Arthur smiled at his wife. "Mollywobbles, could I pry Freddy from your arms?" As Molly began to transfer the baby a distinctive smell filled the little parlor. "Uh oh! Where do you keep the diapers children? I do believe this little guy needs a changing!"
FSFSFS
George and Arthur were in the bedroom, Freddy had been changed and had fallen asleep so they had tucked him in to his bassinet and were standing watching him sleep.
George glanced sideways at his dad and noticed tears on his cheeks. He pulled his dad in to a hug. "You know dad I understand. It's happy and sad all at the same time isn't it. There are so many times that I want to turn to Fred and say 'hey look! See this see that.' "
"This is a time he should be here to celebrate too. Hell if he had lived Angie would have most likely been his wife and Freddy his son. But in some small way he is here. Because we are here and we refuse to give up, or to forget. I love you dad."
FSFSFS
As Arthur wiped his eyes and smiled at George Fred turned to Tonks; "Who'd of thought ol Forge would turn out to be such a smart guy!"