Chapter 2 baby! When I'm not on cafeteria duty, or working on markings, I sit at my desk writing fanfiction...Once again, I hope you enjoy this new rewrite to this story!
February 24th, 1995
She was now 22 weeks along in her pregnancy, however she felt like a whale in her pregnancy. Being pregnant so far had made her gain nearly a stone, she also had a couple new stretchmarks, and her morphing was majorly affected. The increased hormones made it difficult to control her morphs. Lucky for her, it just resulted in the odd pink or blue streak in her hair, but mostly she couldn't hold morphs for very long so she was stuck with her natural brown hair with the occasional streak of color.
She sat on her bed going through the baby clothes for her daughter. She had found out the gender two weeks ago, learning that the baby was a girl made her a little bit excited, but as this pregnancy endured, she wasn't as thrilled as any other mother to be was. She hadn't even bought a single piece of clothing or toy for her baby, everything was given to her were hand-me-downs from family, friends or neighbors.
She had however chosen a name for her daughter. She was set on the name Eden Lilia; the first name was unique but simple unlike her own first name. Whereas the middle name was a name she'd always liked...she also had faint memories of Lily Potter from her childhood. Perhaps this would be a nice way of paying homage to the fallen witch.
Her mum and dad of course, were shocked when she announced her pregnancy, though they quickly supported their daughter in her choice to keep the baby. They'd even offered to let her move back into their home so that she could save money.
She was hesitant at first, as she loved her flat and neighbourhood dearly, but rent and living expenses were too much when she added in the cost of a baby; and her tiny flat could barely accommodate her let alone a baby which came with a cot, pram, and heaps of clothes and toys. Her parents had a spare room which was now being turned into the nursery, with pinks and browns painted onto the walls to welcome the new addition.
The ministry was as supportive as a job could be. They removed her from any potentially active missions and she was now practically chained to her desk. The Auror's department had let her know that they would hold her spot until she was physically ready to take the department trainings and exams. She was also informed that she'd be able to take six months of maternity leave.
"How are you love?" Andromeda Tonks asked walking into her daughter's room.
"Tired. This baby has wrecked my sleeping."
"Just wait until she arrives." Andy teased.
Tonks groaned in response.
"Any plans for the weekend?"
"Watching telly with dad probably."
"Again? Why don't you meet up with your friends?"
"And do what? My muggle friends are in uni and going out to clubs and my magic friends are going on adventures…"
"You can still have fun when you're pregnant dear."
"Not when you're 21. Everywhere I go I get stares...it's like they can tell I'm an irresponsible slag no matter where I am."
"Dora dear, that's not true." Her mother soothed.
She shrugged in response.
"I know you're having a difficult time, motherhood is tough at any age, but especially so when you're young. But a baby is a blessing no matter if you're 21 or 41...you'll be a wonderful mother."
"You really think so?"
"I do. You're so patient and loving with other's children that I'm sure you'll be amazing with your own."
"It's just changed so fast." She sighed. "One day I was carefree and enjoying my 20's and the next day a pile of responsibilities was dropped onto my lap. Even after I have her, my life isn't going to go back to normal."
"Do you want it to go back to normal? You still have a few options you know?"
"No. I love her...at least I'm pretty sure I do. I want to be her mother, I'm just scared."
"Well that's absolutely normal dear. I was terrified when I was pregnant with you and I was in a completely different situation. Every mother is scared, it's only natural. You'll have a life to care for, but you have me and your dad to help you out. We're excited to be grandparents, it may have come sooner than expected, but we're excited."
"Thanks mum, I really needed to hear that." She said giving her mum a hug.
She still remained home that weekend watching telly or sitting in her bed feeling the kicks from her daughter. She was slowly growing adjusted to the pregnancy and while she was pretty sure she loved her daughter, she was still disappointed in herself and her situation.
June 12th, 1995
Seventeen weeks had passed. Tonks was definitely tired of pregnancy. She didn't want to feel winded anytime she took a few steps, she was done with getting no sleep; tired of feeling the braxton hicks contractions at all hours of the day; sick of the trips to St. Mungo's thinking she was in labour only to be told she wasn't; and done with finding new stretch marks on her belly.
She only had a few days left though, at least that's what the midwife had told her during her last visit. She was told she was 2 ½ centimeters dilated meaning that she would probably give birth soon.
She sat at the kitchen table with her mum. Both were sipping their tea, but Tonks was the only one eating the chocolate hobnobs. She felt so fat now and couldn't wait to be thin again once this baby was born. She let her hand graze her belly feeling the movement of her daughter who was now squished inside of her.
"Would you like to go into town today?" Asked Andromeda asked.
"Why not. I probably won't be able to do so once I have her."
Once they finished their tea, they promptly left. Tonks wanted to walk around the Camden markets once more before she had a screaming baby to look after. Before she fell pregnant, Camden was her go-to spot on weekends. While the markets of Diagon Alley had their fair share of oddities and uniqueness, Camden was booming with eccentric muggles, creative designers, great food, and amazing music. She'd discovered several muggle bands that she had quickly become obsessed with thanks to the Camden markets.
Their afternoon was spent walking around Camden as well as the high street shops which she'd gone in because of her mother. By the time they'd returned home, it was half past six. She'd immediately plopped down onto the sofa once she was in the living room.
"There are my girls." Ted greeted. "Did you two have a nice day out?"
"Yeah, but I'm knackered now."
"Well dinner is ready, so eat up then you'll be able to rest." He replied.
"Thanks for making dinner love." Andromeda said.
"Anything for you." He replied giving her a kiss.
"Eww! Little eyes in the room!" Tonks shouted as her parents kissed.
Andromeda laughed. "Clearly your little eyes have seen more seeing as you're 39 weeks pregnant."
"Haha." She deadpanned as she stood slowly and made her way to the kitchen.
Following dinner, Tonks was in her bed attempting to sleep. Finding a comfortable position was impossible now. Eden constantly moved and kicked her ribs, that after an hour she gave up and stood to join her parents in the living room.
When she stood, she felt a spurt of liquid in her knickers.
"MUM!" She yelled out.
She heard her mother run through the corridor.
"What is it?" She asked as she opened the door.
"I think my waters have broken."
"Okay, tell me what happened."
"I stood up and felt like I weed myself slightly."
"Yeah, that's definitely your waters. How about contractions?"
"About 10 minutes apart. They're not too bad yet."
"Alright, now you go change, I'll have your father start the car."
Within 30 minutes, they were on the road to St. Mungo's.
"Welcome back Miss Tonks." The Midwife greeted as they entered the maternity ward. "Are we certain we're in labour this time?"
Tonks nodded. "My waters have broken, this baby is coming."
"Great! Follow me dear, we'll just need you to get examined first."
She followed the midwife into the room, her mother following behind. She undressed and laid on the exam table. The midwife checked her progress shortly after.
"Alright, it looks as though you're 4cm dilated. Technically you're dilated enough to be considered as active labour, so once you're dressed, we'll get you into a room."
The midwife removed her gloves and left Andromeda and Tonks in the room together.
"Baby Eden is coming!" Andromeda exclaimed.
"Merlin, she is!" Tonks exclaimed in response. "I don't think I'm ready!"
"You're ready, trust me love. You'll finally meet your daughter."
Her labor progressed slowly. The first four hours had been manageable; she hardly needed any gas and air and walked around St. Mungo's trying to dilate further. The three hours afterwards were completely different. Her contractions were closer together and much more painful. Her mum was still by her side and hadn't left unless it was to use the toilet. Her dad wandered in and out of the room nervously but still excited for his granddaughter's arrival.
After ten hours of labour, she was finally ready to push. She was no longer able to receive any pain potion as she was past the recommended time frame.
"Alright Nymphadora, you'll need to push on this next contraction." The midwife explained. "I'll count you off and on three you'll push like we practiced."
Tonks nodded. She was still terrified and she still wasn't completely sure she was ready for the baby to be here, but didn't have a choice."
"Okay, one, two, three." The midwife counted.
Tonks grunted and pushed as hard as she could. She screamed slightly at the immense pain she felt.
"...And rest!" The Midwife spoke.
"Good job dear." Andromeda encouraged her daughter.
After a quick break, it was on to the next push.
"One, two, three." The midwife counted.
She pushed once again, she was certain she could feel her daughter moving down into the birth canal.
"Oh shit!" She cursed.
"You're doing great Nymphadora, I can see her head!"
"Do you hear that darling, she's ready to meet her mummy!"
"Now breathe! You're doing so well, I reckon we can have her out in two pushes." The midwife encouraged. "Do you think you can give me two more good pushes?"
Tonks nodded.
"Alright on three then. One, two, three!"
Tonks pushed on three, a screamed passed her throat, tears following closely from her eyes.
"There's the head!" The midwife exclaimed. "And one quick rest and then we'll go back to pushing.
Tonks took a deep breath and cherished the thirty second break before she was pushing once more. She could feel the release of pressure at that final push.
After a few seconds, she heard the tiny cries before her daughter was placed onto her chest.
"Oh my god! Oh my god!" She cried as she held her daughter against her chest. She placed a quick kiss onto the baby's head not caring about the blood and other substances that were on her daughter.
She looked up to her mother who also had tears in her eyes.
"You're a mummy now dear!"
"I'm a mum...oh god, I'm a mummy!" She cried. "She's so beautiful, isn't she."
"She is darling, she really is."
She held her daughter for a short time before she was taken away so that she could be weighed and measured.
Feeding her daughter was like performing magic for the first time. Eden had latched to her breast right away and suckled intently.
As her daughter fed, Tonks stared in awe of her daughter. She was surprised that something so perfect had come out of her.
"You're so cute, you know that?" She cooed. Eden peered up at her mother's voice.
"Those are some beautiful eyes!" Andromeda noted. "Just like her mum's."
"Yeah...they're gorgeous, they definitely won't change as she grows." She said observing the blue-grey eyes that matched hers.
"She doesn't have your hair though, you had a lot more when you were born." Andromeda continued. "Must be her father's side."
She stroked the wisps of hair on her daughter's head. There wasn't much there, but it matched Remy's sandy brown hair.
"It doesn't look like it's changing though…" She noticed. "You'd said I changed my hair nearly right away after I was born."
"Yeah, metamorphmagi generally morph right away. So it seems that she didn't inherit her mum's gift."
"Well I guess that means she'll inherit something else from me."
She couldn't help but keep looking at her daughter. It was crazy to think that only a few weeks back, she wasn't thrilled at the idea of motherhood. She didn't think she could spend anytime away from Eden now; she was so perfect and beautiful. The love and bond she shared with the newborn human was unbreakable.
Yay! Another chapter finished! I've modeled the descriptions of Tonks after Natalia Tena who did a bang up job playing Tonks in the movies. Remus is going to be modeled after David Thewlis. They were both so amazing in their roles, that it sucks we didn't get more time with them in the films.
