Mrs Weasley insisted that Josephine and I stay the night. I agreed as we had so much catching up to do. Josephine was sitting on her grandad's knee and drinking hot chocolate made especially for her by her nan, she was happily chatting away to them both. I left them to it while I apparated home briefly to get our night clothes and her favourite teddy. I also grabbed a trunk from my room and gathered some items to show the Weasley's.
When I returned and Josephine had changed into her pajamas, we all sat on the floor in the living room. I could see that some photo albums were already scattered around as well as toys each of the Weasley children had played with during the years. Josephine was in her element as she heard what her father was like as a child. I settled next to her and began answering questions and telling my own stories.
I had baby photos to share and scrapbooks from every moment of Josephine's life to date. I had tales of her first words, first steps and how she is like her father in so many ways... but how she also likes books too...
Then I had mementoes from my relationship with Fred, including sketches I had drawn and photos we had taken.
We spent so long talking that Josephine was trying hard to fight yawns and Lavender had fallen asleep in Ron's lap. I promised Mrs Weasley that I would stay for a few more days so that we would have lots more time together to reminisce. Eventually the Weasley's drifted off to bed and I was sat with Josephine asleep in my arms. I had a warm feeling in my heart. I felt as though Fred was with us, his arms wrapped tightly around us. I almost wished that I had come home sooner, even though it would have been hard. I finally think we are going to be okay. There is so much love in this house, I know that Fred would be happy now that a part of him was loving us through his family.
I played with the charms on my necklace, as I listened to the contented, even breathing of my baby. The oval locket contains a picture of Fred, as well as a few petals from the very first flower he gave me. The heart locket contains two pictures of Josephine, as a baby and more recently. Finally, the letter, my most precious item. During our time apart, Fred carried a similar charm on a long chain. The charms enabled us to speak to one another at any time. We would hold the charm in our hand, and what we were thinking was scribed onto the other, a lot faster and safer than using owls. The charm still has the final message Fred sent me, forever etched for me to read, simply: I love you.
I smile as I too, begin to drift into slumber...