A/N: At the end.

Almost to the Minute
"Ted?"

"Hmm?" He murmured, walking over to where she sat on the bed.

"Since we're going to be out today anyway…. Could we stop in Diagon Alley?" She asked as she brushed her hair.

"Sure, honey. But why?" He questioned, buttoning his shirt.

"I…I want to pick up some new clothes….I mean, I know I'm still relatively small for being almost four months along, but…."

He smiled as he sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"We'll stop after we finish up at St. Mungo's." He assured.

She smiled.

"Actually, once we tell mum and dad, mum'll probably want to take you shopping for muggle maternity clothes."

"Is that a good thing?"

I'm not sure I like muggle clothes that much, but…..

"Well, yes, I think so. You won't have to worry about a muggle seeing you in robes… And it will give you some variety."

"What do you think mum and dad will say when we tell them?"

He smiled.

"No idea, but I think they'll be happy for us. And a little surprised."

Surprised? Ha! That's probably an understatement……

"Well, I was thinking….."

"Uh oh….."

Thinking……whenever you think……it frightens me…..

She frowned.

"Just listen." She said.

"Alright." He chuckled.

Maybe this will be good……

"When we tell them….I was thinking we could give them a present to open. A rattle or something and after they open it and look confused, we tell them."

He laughed.

Better than I thought…..

"The idea has merit. So, a rattle?"

"Unless you think something else would be better….."

"Mrs. Tonks?" the medi-witch called.

Andromeda stood.

"Hello." The medi-witch smiled. "Follow me."

"Um….." Andromeda started to say.

I really don't want to go alone….

"If your husband would like, he can come too." The med-witch said.

Andromeda smiled and nodded and Ted stood to follow them.

They followed the witch into a small exam room. It was furnished with the basics: an exam table, a chair for the healer or medi-witch, and a counter area that served as a supply cabinet and a writing area.

"Is this your first pregnancy?" The witch asked.

No, I've got the rest of the brood at home. Of course it's my first!

"Yes."

"I thought so. You seem a bit overwhelmed. Don't worry. Everyone gets a bit frightened but there's no reason to be scared. If you'll lie down, I'll run a few quick tests and I can ask you some questions and fill out a bit more of your file."

Andromeda nodded and laid on the examination table.

Ted stood beside her and held her hand, smiling down at her.

She was glad that he had come with her. His presence was calming her nerves and reassuring her.

The medi-witch waved her wand, running a series of diagnostic spells.

"So, how old are you, dear?"

"Seventeen."

"My, my….so young."

"That's not a problem, is it?"

It better not be. I know we're young, but…….

"No, not at all. I've been seeing quite a few young witches lately. When was your last cycle?"

"August."

It's been months but….. I've barely noticed its absence….

"And prior to conceiving, was it regular as clockwork?"

"Yes." She blushed.

Not that I want that shouted from the rooftops……

She noticed that Ted blushed slightly, looking as though he wasn't sure he wanted to hear such information.

Sorry Ted……

The witch nodded and made a note in the file.

"Have you ingested any potions or come in contact with any exotic plants recently?"

"Just Everlasting Roses."

And those weren't entirely by choice…..

"Oh, those don't count." The witch laughed. "Have you been under a lot of stress lately?"

"Um…."

Define stress.

"Yes, she has." Ted answered.

Too much stress.

"Well, we'll need to watch that. How about sleep? Are you getting plenty of sleep?"

"Most nights." Andromeda said.

When I'm not worried about being married off to a pureblood bastard…..or when Ted lets me sleep……

She had to smile at the last thought.

We are newly weds…..

"Eating regular meals?"

"Yes."

Now that the morning sickness has passed, anyway...

"Any cravings yet?"

Andromeda giggled.

"None."

Well, okay, one….. I like having Ted hold me……but you don't need to know that….and I had cravings for that long before the pregnancy……

The witch smiled.

"Everything looks good." She said, ending the diagnostic spells.

Andromeda sat up.

"So, no problems?"

Please don't let there be problems…..

"No problems." She smiled at her. "Would you like to know the sex of the baby?"

Andromeda looked at Ted uneasily.

His eyes met hers and the nerves that had sprung in her stomach vanished.

"Up to you, honey." He smiled.

Not that I wouldn't like to know, but……one more surprise won't hurt.

"I…I'd rather not know."

The medi-witch grinned.

"One for surprises, are you?"

"Yes."

Hell, our entire relationship has been one surprise after another…..

"Well, like I said, no problems. But you should come back once a month for a check-up."

Andromeda nodded.

"And no more stress."

Ted smiled.

"Not a problem."

I just hope it stays that way……

"Good." The witch said. "That's the last thing a pregnant woman needs."

She sighed and smiled.

"Ann?" Ted asked curiously, a hint of worry in his tone.

She turned and looked at him and held up the letter that she had just finished reading.

"The headmaster's just sent his reply. He said he's sorry I won't be returning to finish out the year. He also sends his congratulations and best wishes."

He smiled, walked up behind and wrapped his arms around her.

She leaned back into his hold and rested her head against his shoulder, content to have his arms around her.

"Sad not to be going back?" He whispered.

"In one way, but….I learned all Hogwarts could teach me. Now it's time to move on." She said simply.

"I'm sorry you're not completing your work, though. Now it will be difficult for you to find a job in your field…." He told her.

She chuckled and shook her head at him.

You're so thickheaded, sometimes, Ted…..

"What?" He asked, puzzled as to why she would find that funny.

"Ted, who do you think is going to take care of the baby if you and I both go off to work every day? Elves?"

"Mum could…." He suggested, but his voice lacked conviction.

She'd caught him off guard and he wasn't truly prepared to give a well thought out answer.

She shook her head.

"I always figured, if I could, I would stay home and play mummy."

I want to…….

He laughed.

"That's all you really wanted, isn't it? To marry for love and be a mum."

Your own little fairytale…..

"Not the most glamorous aspiration, but yes."

I know it's silly…….

"It may not seem glamorous, but it certainly is the most fulfilling. And that's what counts." He whispered, pressing a kiss to her temple.

And if it makes you happy, how can I say no?

"So, you won't mind me staying home?"

I'll…..I'll find a job, if you don't want me to stay home……..

"Not at all. I'll enjoy coming home every day, knowing you'll be waiting for me."

"Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one…. Happy New Year!" Kip said and he kissed Evelyn.

Ted leaned down and kissed Andromeda soundly.

"Happy New Year, honey." He whispered.

"Happy New Year." She whispered back with a smile.

"All right, love birds. Time for a toast." Kip said, handing them each a glass of champagne before he cleared his throat.

"To a healthy new year." He said raising his glass.

"To a happy one!" Evelyn smiled, raising hers.

Ted's eyes shined at Andromeda.

"To new beginnings." He said.

Merlin knows we're getting our share of those…..

Andromeda's eye sparkled at him.

"And happy endings." She added.

That I won't be afraid of…..

"Here, here!" Kip said.

They tapped their glasses and drank.

All except Andromeda.

"Don't you like champagne, Andie?" Evelyn asked.

She smiled back at her.

"I don't want to drink right now."

And I have a very good reason.

"Why not?" Kip asked.

Ted smirked.

"Well, we actually have a bit of a surprise for you." He told him.

Hopefully, you won't be too upset, either…..

"A surprise? I thought the big surprise was your wedding?" Evelyn said.

Andromeda summoned a box from upstairs and handed it to Evelyn and Kip.

"Yes, that was a surprise for you two. But this one…. Even I didn't know at first." Ted smiled. "Open it." He said, indicating the package.

Evelyn and Kip put down their glasses and began to unwrap the box.

"Oh my goodness…." Evelyn gasped.

Kip looked up at Ted and Ann as Evelyn removed a small rattle and a set of white baby booties from the box.

Ted wrapped his arm around Ann and smiled as she leaned her head on his shoulder, a smile gracing her lips as well.

"Andie, you're…?" Kip asked.

Andromeda bit her bottom lip as her smile grew.

Yes, I am.

"You're going to be grandparents." She said.

Very young grandparents…….

"My baby's having a baby…." Evelyn sniffed, tears in her eyes as she came to hug both Ted and Ann.

Kip gave Ted a speculative look.

"You little stinker." He smiled. "Just couldn't wait, could you?" He laughed.

"Apparently not." Ted grinned.

And I'm glad.

"How far along, Andie? You must be…." Evelyn said.

Andromeda blushed.

"Four months." She answered.

Ted leaned close.

"Almost to the minute, isn't it?" He whispered in her ear, causing her blush to deepen.

"Ted!" She muttered, swatting his arm.

I can't believe you!

He laughed.

"Theo, be nice. It's not easy being pregnant." Evelyn said and she gave her son a considering look. "And if your child is anything like you were…. All I can say is …I'm sorry for you, Andie."

"Hey!" Ted said.

I didn't know I was such a pain…..

"It's the truth, dear. I got muscle aches, an upset stomach, headaches, swollen feet… the whole enchilada."

"Why do you think you don't have any siblings?" Kip smiled. "Not because I didn't want them."

"It's not like I could help it, you know….." Ted muttered.

Jeez…..it's not like I asked to be conceived….

"Of course not, dear." Evelyn said.

Andromeda leaned against Ted's side and smiled up at him when he looked down at her.

"It's okay. It's not all that bad." She whispered.

"Are you sure it's wise to skive off work?" She asked.

"It's fine. I've been working seven days a week since I started. Believe me, I've earned a few days." He told her and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back to his chest. "Besides, technically, it's our honeymoon." He whispered in her ear.

She smiled.

"Not exactly how you pictured it is it?"

"Mmm….I don't know…." He murmured thoughtfully, pressing a kiss to her throat. "I'd say this is better."

"Oh?"

And how is this better?

He smirked.

"Well, if we wouldn't have gotten married when we did….I'm pretty sure I would have proposed almost as soon as you graduated and we could have married this summer. So, I have you to hold and call mine sooner, which is rather nice, since I'm not exactly the most patient person…."

Yes, you're certainly not very patient, but you try…..

But….. you're leaving something important out…

"You're forgetting that if we wouldn't have married, I would be married to Rabastan right now."

"Yes. That's a very frightening thought. I'd just as soon forget it."

She chuckled.

"Any other reasons?" She asked, switching the subject back to a more pleasant one.

One of his hands came to rest over her abdomen.

She turned slowly and met his hazel gaze.

"I doubt the little one would wait for the summer." He laughed quietly.

"Probably not…"

Definitely not.

"And….."

"And?"

There's an 'and'?

He smiled.

"Do you remember what I said on Christmas Eve, when we were laying in bed?"

"About trying to get pregnant this summer?"

"Mhmm."

Her brow furrowed.

"We don't have to wait. By summer…. Well, we'll have our child." He said.

"It doesn't bother you that we're moving so quickly?" She asked.

He chuckled.

"Honey, we knew we loved each other by our second date. Really, when you think about it that way….. Do you think we're moving too fast?" He asked, worry filtering through his tone, his question serious.

"No….I think we're doing what works for us. It's just…..it's quite a lot all at once."

"We can relax for a while now, though. I mean, we've married, so we don't have to worry about your parents forcing you to be with Rabastan anymore. And the baby is due in June, so….."

"We have a few months to ourselves…. Sort of." She chuckled.

"Sort of?"

"We're living with mum and dad, remember?"

"Speaking of that….."

"Yes?"

"Would you like to live with wizards? Or would you prefer to live along muggles?"

She gave him a sheepish look.

"Much as I love mum and dad….I think it would be better if we lived closer to wizards than muggles."

He smiled.

"Feel up to looking at a few houses today?"

"Mhmm. But could we stop in Diagon Alley at some point today? I want to get owl treats for Sophie and Cicero and look in the bookshop."

"Sure."

A/N: Sorry for the long wait. College has been keeping me very busy lately. Thank you to those of you who have been reviewing. I truly appreciate it.. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'll post the next one as soon as I can. Thanks for reading and I hope you'll review and tell me what you think.