VII.

Two Years

Ginny screamed in pain, and Harry flinched, his eyes hard with pain and regret. "I'm so sorry," he gasped. "Oh my god, Ginny, I'm so sorry."

She panted and whimpered, turned her head to face him. Instinctively, she reached for him, her hand groping for his. He took it in both hands, covering hers protectively. Her hand clenched in a death grip as another spasm started and she screamed again.

The midwife smiled reassuringly at the couple. "The baby is crowning. It shouldn't be long now. Just keep pushing, dear."

Ginny was gasping for breath. She looked up at Harry, eyes pain filled and tired. "This is all your fault."

He let out a tortured groan. "I know, baby, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I'm so sorry."

She gave him a small smile that was interrupted by another scream of pain. "Here it comes!" cried the midwife. "Come on, Ginny, give us a big push, darling. Push!"

Just as Ginny's contraction ended, another one started. She was gasping for breath, begging for it to be over –

-- and then it was. The midwife, covered in blood and placenta, lifted an infant into her arms. Harry, truly expecting a wonderous sight, looked at it.

It was the ugliest thing he'd ever seen. The infant was red and slightly potato shaped. His horror must have shown on his face, for the midwife laughed as she rubbed the baby's ribcage and cleared his mouth. "What," she asked with a chuckle, "You thought they all looked like little cupids when they were born, did you?" – a cry let up from the baby – a good sign, she pronounced. "I'll get this little one cleaned up, and you'll be more impressed, I promise. This little boy will be a handsome one, I can tell."

Harry, relieved that his child was not going to be a potato forever, grinned at his exhausted wife. "Did you hear that, Ginny? We have a son!"

She smiled at him and her thumb stroked his palm. "He will be James."

Harry sobered. He'd always fancied the idea of calling his son after his father, but he'd never mentioned the idea to Ginny. That she'd guessed his wishes made him awed to be with such a sweet woman.

"How about Fabian for a middle name, after you uncle?"

She smiled tiredly. "Mum would like that."

Harry leant forward and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "Sometimes, I am amazed by you. How did you know that I wanted him to be James?"

She laughed softly and kissed their joined hands. "Haven't you realised it yet, Harry? We're soul mates. Wherever you go, I go. Whatever you want, I know. Because I love you."

He smiled, just as the midwife brought the baby – James Fabian Potter – back into the room. Harry took him from her gently, then passed him onto Ginny.

As he watched his wife with his newborn son, Harry could do nothing but smile. This, this was how it was meant to be.

"Soul mates," he whispered. "No matter what, Ginny, you are my soul mate."