Chapter Thirteen:

Gabby nervously kicked her feet as they dangled off the examining table. She watched her father lazily stroll around the room, observing posters. Both flinched as the door opened and the busy Maternity Mage shuffled in. The calm woman looked up from her papers and smiled.

"Well Miss Potter, let's have a look at you," she said warmly.

Harry swallowed, realizing then that a physical with his teenage daughter would be nothing like when she was two. "Um...I'll just wait outside until you are finished with the exam." He backed out and the door clicked shut.

"Is he always so excitable?" Healer Macafree asked checking her heart rate.

"When it comes to his girls? Yes. In everything else? Calm as a still pond," the girl replied nervously.

Harry paced outside nervously, jumping out of his skin when the door opened moments later. He exhaled and entered. His daughter was no longer in her hospital robe, but fully dressed. She had a prescription slip in her hands.

"As I've told Gabby, everything is very healthy, Mr. Potter. It's too soon to project a fetal image or decipher the gender. That will happen in a month or so. But she did say that she'd been feeling sick lately and that's normal. Morning Sickness should set in any day now, so I've prescribed a safe potion to help. Is there anything else?"

"She'll be in school-"

"Yes, and I will be coordinating with Madame Pomphrey. No worries, Mr. Potter, I'll come to you for the next appointment."

"Oh, well-"

"And I think it best that way to ensure discretion. She's already dealing with the judgement of her peers, I don't think having it splashed across the Prophet is necessary."

Relief flooded into the man's veins. He sighed. "Thank you."

The woman smiled at the man's desperation. "You're doing a fine job Mr. Potter," she said patting his shoulder. "I'll see you both in a month."

Harry looked back at his eldest, concerned by the distant stare she had. He pulled her motionless form into his arms and she melted into tears. He stroked her hair, kissing her forehead. "This too shall pass," he murmured.

"This is really happening," she croaked.

"Yeah...but it'll be worth it. I used to get all torn up inside when daunting things were set in my path...it took me almost a decade to realize that it's the hardest things that carve us into who we are. You can't change what happens, just how you react to it."

Gabby was calmed by his voice rumbling against her cheek through his broad chest. "Daddy...can I move in with you?" she breathed.

Harry smiled in elation, but schooled his features and excitement. "If that's really what you want. I'll take it up with your mother."

"It's what I want."

"I do what I can."

****

Harry sighed in satisfaction, plopping down between his girls to watch the movie. Delilah and Gabby cuddled into each side. Christie didn't seem to mind...she'd had him to herself all month. The doorbell rang and she stood to answer it.

"Hello Christianne Potter," Zane Peters smiled in greeting.

"We've come to hang out in civilized company," Eli grinned, kissing her sweetly.

"And we brought cake!" Zane beamed, holding up a crudely assembled chocolate cake.

Christie giggled, letting them in. Harry smiled at the boys. "Hey, gents! You're just in time for How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," he drawled.

"Shveet!" Eli chuckled.

"That muggle, Matthew McConaughey is sooo dreamy," Zane breathed teasingly, setting the cake on the coffee table and taking a seat at Gabby's feet on the floor.

Dell snorted, rolling her eyes. Gabby bit her lip in amusement, gazing at the blonde. Harry noticed this and quelled the urge to send her to the convent.

"Can I have a piece?" Gabby asked.

Zane stared at her over his shoulder a moment, smiling a perfect smile. "Sure darlin' It was made with love just for you."

Elijah rolled his eyes. "Be careful Gabby, he's a real smooth talker," he drawled, pulling Chris into his lap.

Zane turned his nose up pouting. "That's not what you said last night, big boy."

The girls all burst into laughter. Seeing his eldest smile genuinely, Harry amended his earlier thought and considered Zane Peters a moment. As far as young men go, this one seemed good natured and respectful. He and Eli were taking over WizTops in a few years so he was financially sound...but Harry would have to watch for evidence of his true character. At the moment, he seemed harmless.

Realizing they were all getting on well, Harry slipped out to go visit Hermione. He found the widow dozing on the sofa, book open on her lap. "Hermione?" he smirked as she jumped awake.

"Good Lord Harry! Don't DO that!" she breathed. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you in days?"

He collapsed on the couch next to her. "Well...Gabby's up the duff," he stated trying to lighten the gravity of the news.

She stared at his calm features. "Dear Merlin, what more do you have to go through Harry?"

"This isn't my struggle, Mione. I'm fine." He was silent for a moment swallowing. "It's my fault. I f I had pulled it together faster and insisted on custody...I..."

"Harry..." she breathed softly. Not even pausing in her thoughts, she posed the next question. "What happened with Ginny?"

Harry clenched his jaw and stood. "I've got to go get the bookshop ready at the school-"

"Harry don't blow me off."

He glared at her in a way she hadn't seen from him since Fifth Year...when the full weight of the war was place on his shoulders. "I don't want to talk about it. I'm finally getting where I don't think about it everyday. And my girls need me to be sound of mind. So, just drop it." He stormed off through the floo.

Hermione stared at the empty fireplace in disbelief. Oh now she HAD to get to the bottom of this with or without his cooperation. But best wait for things to cool down.

****

The past week had been perfect. Draco had almost forgotten about the issue with Gabby. That was until Gin dropped a fly in the ointment.

"Draco?" she sighed, curled up in his lap.

They were gazing out over the ocean. He had gone all out for this getaway. "Hmm?" he hummed.

"I'm pregnant," she smiled.

Draco smiled happily until he remembered what was waiting at home. Shite! This complicated things. His features had fallen and paled as he sat in shocked silence.

"You don't want another child," his wife concluded, hurt in her voice.

Draco swallowed. "No! That's not it! I'm happy to have another..."

"Than what is it?" she asked glaring at him.

"Gin...now don't get angry...but we were going to tell you when we got back-"

"We? Who is 'we?'"

"Harry and I-"

"What could you and HARRY have to hide? Oh gods, you're not gay are you?"

"WHAT? No! It's just..." he exhaled and shut his eyes. "," he blurted in one breath.

She was silent so he cautiously opened an eye, promptly wishing he hadn't. She was flushed with anger, her brown eyes burning into his soul. Most of the time he was firm and the authority in the relationship...but man knows no fury like a Weasley Woman's scorn.

"Let me understand this," she seethed. "My eldest daughter is pregnant and you and my EX-husband decided that its best to keep this from me?"

"Well...my father was there too. But we wanted to handle the legalities-"

"LUCIUS knew before I did?"

"Yes...and Severus and the Blacks. Gin just calm down this won't help-"

"This vacation is over!" she shrieked stomping into the bungalow.

Draco sighed and followed. Why am I so whipped? He heard her slamming things around and took that opportunity to floo Harry while she was distracted. "Harry!"

Potter stared at the foreign sight of Draco's face in his floo. "Yes?"

"She's found out. She's pissed. She's hormonal. And she's on her way. Brace yourself. Is Gabby home?"

"No she's actually discussing something with your father. I'm home alone."

"Good. Bye."