Chapter 12: Surprise Announcement
Athena's first year of Hogwarts had flown by and she was so excited to arrive home. Not only because she missed her parents; but also because in just a week's time Allanah would come to spend a few weeks with her while her parents went to Africa.
The young crimson haired child stepped off the train and immediately ran into her mother's outstretched arms.
"Oh baby we've missed you!" Katherine smiled spinning the little girl around.
"I missed you too mummy," Athena sighed hugging her mother tightly.
When the two released Athena launched herself into her father's arms and wrapped her legs around his torso.
"So how was it?" Stewart laughed.
Katherine shrunk the trunk and put it in her purse as the three left the station and got in their carriage to go home.
"Oh it was wonderful. Hogwarts is really the best school! I loved all of it," Athena exclaimed as the carriage strolled on.
"That's good…we have a surprise for you," Stewart said grinning like the preferable Cheshire Cat.
"What?" Athena asked curiously, "Is it another pony!?"
"No It's not a silly pony," Stewart shook his head. "In about eight months you will have a new baby brother or sister."
"Really!?" Athena asked looking from her father to her mother.
Katherine nodded with a smile as her daughter threw herself in her arms.
"Oh this is so great! This is perfect! I'll have a sibling to play with and fight with!" Athena exclaimed.
"Hang on…are you saying you don't like spending so much time with your mother and I?" Stewart asked looking mildly alarmed.
"Well I…"
"Stewart she has to grow up and spend time with other children. Don't look so crestfallen. I'm sure you are still her favorite person," Katherine replied.
Athena nodded her head it was so and the three rode on to Godric's Hollow conversing on anything to do with babies.
A week later; Stewart came home from work with Allanah Potter in toe.
"Allie!" Athena squealed excitedly as she rushed from the kitchen to embrace her friend.
"Theny!" Allanah laughed returning the embrace.
"Oh I have the best news. Mother is expecting!" Athena exclaimed.
"Congratulations. Oh you're so lucky to get a brother or sister," Allanah sighed.
"Come on I'll show you what papa and mummy have done. They moved me closer to the stairs and the room is a lot bigger! They're going to use my old room for the nursery," Athena said excitedly as she pulled her friend up the stairs with her.
Stewart shook his head as he heard the girls giggling all the way up. He entered the kitchen and sat down at the breakfast table sighing.
"She's growing up so fast…I suppose it's a good thing you didn't get pregnant again till now," Stewart sighed.
"For who? I'm the one that will never be the same again. I'll be perpetually fat after this second child. It's not fair!" Katherine exclaimed as she burst into tears.
Stewart took only half a second before he was by her side holding her close and petting her hair.
"Shush Kitten. You know it's not true. You never look fat only healthy with child; and you will get your figure back," he said softly.
"R-really?" Katherine asked.
"Really. Come on stop crying. You don't want Athena and her friend to see you like this do you?" he asked wiping her tears and handing her his handkerchief.
She wiped away the remaining tears and her nose before shaking her head.
"No. What would she think," Katherine laughed.
"That I hit you probably then I wouldn't be her favorite person. Please don't ruin that for me!" he begged.
"Okay, okay," she laughed. He kissed her head lovingly before heading out into the back garden.
Her hormones always made him want to work on the flowers.
