A/N: Ok, Chapter 25. Epilogue up soon. See bottom author's note for a extra special treat to the HH addicts out there. Song is Photograph, by Nickleback, on All the Right Reasons Love and cookies to reviewes!
/Bratiebrunette27/
Look at this photograph
Every time I do it makes me laugh
How did our eyes get so red?
And what the hell is on Joey's head?
This is where I grew up
I think the present owner fixed it up
I never knew we ever went without
The second floor is hard for sneakin' out
This is where I went to school
Most of the time had better things to do
Criminal record says I broke in twice
I must've done it half a dozen times
I wonder if it's too late
Should I go back and try to graduate
Life's better now than it was back then
If I was them, I wouldn't let me in
Every memory of looking out the back door
I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say
It's time to say it
Goodbye, Goodbye
Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say
It's time to say it
Goodbye, Goodbye
Remember the old arcade
Blew every dollar that we ever made
The cops hated us hangin' out
They say somebody went and burned it down
We used to listen to the radio
And sing along with every song we'd know
We said someday we'd find out how it feels
To sing to more than just the steering wheel
Kim's the first girl I kissed
I was so nervous that I nearly missed
She's had a couple of kids since then
I haven't seen her since God knows when
I miss that town
I miss their faces
You can't erase
You can't replace it
I miss it now
I can't believe it
So hard to stay
Too hard to leave it
If I could relive those days
I know the one thing that would never change
Look at this photograph
Every time I do it makes me laugh
Every time I do it makes me
It was May 2007 now, and between getting the house ready and moving, and going back to work Ginny hadn't seen her friends in almost 2 months. Especially now that all were married and had jobs and children. Payton was teething at the time, and life was moving swiftly. She was meeting the girls that day for a little get together. Cassidy as usual was late.
"So, we have three bedrooms. Our room has a master bathroom, then there is one upstairs and one downstairs. The kitchen is HUGE, and we have a separate dining room. There is a den, and Draco has an office. You guys need to come over and see it. For pete's sake you're our neighbors!" Ginny told Hermione as they sat outside a café sipping cappuccinos.
"Yeah I know. But we have the same house, just decorated differently. Ten rooms make the house." Hermione shrugged, taking a bite of a muffin.
"Yeah, I can see why we bought a huge house, but why did Harry and you buy something so big? Do you really need that much space?"
Hermione turned red. "I'm pregnant." She told her friend quietly.
"WHAT!" Ginny asked, jumping out of her chair. "How far along are you? Why didn't you tell me? Does Harry know?"
Hermione smiled. "I'm about 5 months. It happened over Christmas. Yes, Harry knows, and I was waiting for the right time." she answered calmly.
Ginny who wasn't at ALL calm shook her head. "You are FIVE months pregnant? You can't even tell!"
Hermione nodded. "I know. I'm due in September. So soon after Harry starts work again. The only good thing is that he'll be home with me all summer. Being that pregnant in the heat is brutal. I couldn't stand it with Carter."
Ginny nodded. "It's so weird. Here we are 18, and 19 for you, and we are already married with kids. Who would have thought that it would happen this way?"
"Actually, the baby is due on my twentieth birthday." Hermione bragged.
"The baby is due? What are you talking about?" Cassidy asked as she plopped into the chair next to Ginny.
"Hermione is pregnant." Her friend stated simply.
Cassidy's jaw dropped. "What! No way!"
Hermione nodded again, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. She debated on how to tell her friends for the past 4 months.
"What about you Cass? Ron giving you kids any time soon?" Ginny asked, cocking her head to the side.
Cassidy shrugged. "I'm not on my birth control anymore. So we decided if it happens, it happens. Alyssa is going to nursery school now, and she keeps asking why she doesn't have a baby brother or sister. We're hoping soon, but I can tell that even though Ron really wants to have a kid, he isn't ready. I mean with Alyssa it was one thing, but a new born isn't on Ron's "Okay With" list. It'll take a while, and some definite getting used to. So have you talked names? You're what a couple weeks pregnant now?"
"Five months." Ginny said in a disgusted tone.
"HERMIONE! How could you hold out on us for FIVE months? You don't even look pregnant."
Hermione snorted. "I know. And yes, her name is going to be Paige."
/-/-/-/-/
Ginny sighed as she plopped on the couch in the den. This was her favorite room. The berber floors were easy to clean, and the mocha walls matched the tan rug, giving the room a natural relaxing feel. All the furniture was leather and dark woods. They had a large telly, complete with DVD, VCR, and TeVo, which Hermione's dad had come in to set up. The window over looked the pond that they shared with the Potters and Weasleys, giving her a beautiful view of the sunset. Surrounding the picture window were brown curtains, and Phoenician blinds hug inside.
Payton was asleep upstairs, and Draco had gone out with Blaise. She took the time to her self to evaluate everything that had happened in the past two years. It would be there second wedding anniversary in June, and Ginny couldn't believe all that they went through. They seemed the perfect couple now, no one would guess that they had accidently wound up married. Payton was growing everyday, and life had started a cycle. Nothing new, no change.
Hermione and Harry were pregnant again, to Ginny it was remarkably soon to be pregnant again, but they were happy, and Carter was turning into a great kid. He'd be one in July. Ginny couldn't believe how the couple had gone from school to living together, to pregnant, she watched them become parents, and was in their wedding. Now they were going to be parents again, and Ginny couldn't be more excited... yes she could.
Ron and Cassidy had it all too. They were also happily married for two months now, and Alyssa was amazing. Now three she was going to school and learning something new everyday. It baffled Ginny how the girl could go from the tiny toddler they had been given over a year ago to the bouncing little girl. She was perfect, and completed the little family. Even with the forethought of their own child, neither Ron nor Cassidy ever treated Alyssa like "the one they adopted", for she was their daughter.
Narcissa and Lucius' marriage had taken a whole turn around. In the time of his resurrection, Lucius had become a more kind, gentle man. Payton was the reason why, Ginny assumed. He could still be cold at times, but the little girl made her grandfather a giddy school boy again. He'd even spoken to her in a babbling voice that evoked laughter in Ginny, Draco, and Narcissa. Frank was still very close to Narcissa, but he realized that she was happy now, and Lucius had given her everything that Frank had planned to. They had moved into a state house in the country, where Narcissa had her garden parties, and Lucius could walk peacefully through the wood. They even had a pool and often encouraged their son and daughter-in-law to come and see them, with the benefit of the swimming area.
Molly and Arthur couldn't be more happy. They now had a handful of grandchildren, Bill and Fleur's Pierre, Payton, Alyssa, Carter, and Charlie and Nora's daughter Kelly. Mrs. Weasley still fussed over her kids, and was elated that Hermione was once again pregnant, thinking as she did with Carter that though she was not Harry's mother biologically that both children would be her grandchildren. Arthur was just as happy with his grandkids, often trying to figure out their muggle toys.
Darcy and Matthew had their hands full with Tyler still, but he was coming around to his Aunt and Uncle, he was now at the tail end of his second year, and defying everyone's beliefs by changing his course in life and being the opposite of Draco. He didn't love muggles, but he didn't treat them as poorly as he used to. According to Draco he had his eye on a Gryffindor as well, a first year whom Ginny thought may turn out to be very similar to herself, making a future couple like Draco and herself.
Then there was them. She wouldn't have married any one else, ever. Even though her married life had a rocky start, she wouldn't give up this marriage from hell for anything. They both put each other and Payton first in life, and unlike his father, Draco loved and cared for Ginny, giving her half of the responsibility, yet still taking on the big things. Life was good, she had returned back to work, as a secretary for her father. Both now worked and the income was a good addition to Draco's inheritance. They had talked a lot on their future, and decided that after everything they had been through, two children were good enough. They hadn't told anyone, but agreed that after Spencer was born, both would have procedures done to stop conception.
Sighing Ginny looked at the clock. It was eleven o'clock. Just then she heard Draco apparate into the foyer.
"Just in time, I was gonna give you another minute." Ginny said as she walked to greet him.
Draco smirked. "I'm ALWAYS on time, you're the one that's always late. How was your lunch with the girls?" he asked wrapping his arms around her and leading her upstairs.
Ginny smiled tiredly. "Hermione's pregnant." she told him, stopping midway up the stairs.
"Isn't it a little soon?"
Ginny shrugged. "That's what I thought too. She's five months along."
"She's kept this a secret for five months? No wonder Potter's been acting weird all this time. Tyler came to talk to me and asked if he was on drugs."
Ginny giggled, "He's high on life, how's that?" Ginny questioned, continuing up the stairs.
"What about you?"
The question stopped Ginny in her tracks. "What?"
"You heard me. You've been out of it for a while, what's up?" He looked concerned.
Ginny sighed, and sat on the step she was on. "I don't get it." she stated simply.
"Don't get what?"
"How, in 24 months did we go from enemies to happily married? How did I go from being "Little Weaselette" to the mother of your child! How the hell did my life end up like this?"
Draco focused on the portrait of Payton hanging on the wall beside him. He was quite for a minute, and Ginny could tell she'd hurt him. "Do you regret this?"
Ginny shook her head, tears in her eyes. "I want to know, who changed. Me or you?"
Draco didn't answer.
"Don't get me wrong here Draco, I love you more than anything in this world. But what has changed in two years? How can two people be like this?"
Draco shrugged. "If you want something, you do what ever you can to get it! Dammit Ginny we both changed! We both wanted this, so we both went for it!"
Ginny sighed. "How come we couldn't be like Ron and Cassidy or Harry and Hermione, why was it so much harder for us?" she asked wiping tears out of her eyes.
"I don't know. Why are you jealous of them?"
"I'M NOT JEALOUS!"
Draco rolled his eyes. "You are too. Why are you complaining about your life. Your life is what you made of it!"
Ginny looked at his appalled by his accusation. "How dare you! My life especially the last two years has had you intertwined in it as well. Half the shit that happened to me happened because of you!"
Draco closed his eyes, and held his hand up. "Stop, just STOP! Look I don't know what the hell is going on here, but just stop."
Ginny sighed. "See what I mean? WE HAVEN'T CHANGED! You and I are still the same people that we were in Hogwarts, why is it that things are like this, yet NOTHING has changed!"
Draco sat on the stair besides her. "I don't know."
/-/-/-/-/
"Gin? Ginny? GINNY?" Cassidy called from the foyer.
Ginny descended the stairs with Payton in her arms. She looked like she had just woken up, then again it was 6:30 in the morning. "What?" she asked, obviously moody about being awoken. "God, you act like the house is on fire!"
"I'm pregnant!"
Ginny stared at her friend, "WHAT!" she cried. Running the rest of the way down the stairs, she placed Payton in her playpen and hugged her friend. "FINALLY!"
Cassidy was smiling like never before. "I just found out this morning. I was... after we had lunch yesterday, I went home and I was thinking about it, and I realized that well things were off, you know. So I did the test, and it was positive!"
Ginny sighed happily. "Did you tell Ron yet?"
Cassidy shook her head, "He's not up yet. I had to tell you though! I'm going home to tell him now. Bye!"
Ginny shook her head. What had life come to in the past two years?
Suddenly Ginny remembered the cassener root, and started giggling. She sat on the bottom step, afraid that her legs would give out.
Draco came down the stairs at the moment, fresh out of the shower, only to find her doubled over in laughter. "What's so funny?"
Ginny looked up at him and started laughing again.
Draco chuckled. "Come on Gin, what's funny?" he looked at Payton who was watching her mother intently.
"C-C-Cassener roo-hoo-hooot" she managed to say through her antics.
Draco laughed. "Nice. Where'd that come from? That was a long time ago."
Ginny calmed and looked up at Draco. "Well remember the cassener root. I was just thinking about all the good times at Hogwarts and that was one of them. I also realized that now because of a um, similar reflection of thee... root, Hermione, Cassidy, and myself have found ourselves mothers."
Draco snorted. "Nice, very nice... Wait, but Alyssa isn't Cassidy's."
Ginny grinned. "No, but uh, Ron gave her a little 'root' of his own."
Suddenly a freaked out look over took Draco's features. "God, what is with your friends, is that ALL they do?"
Ginny smiled. "Hey! As a newly wed you were quite fond of that as well."
Nodding Draco reached down and picked up Ginny. "True, but I have to go to work." he said kissing her nose. "I love you."
Ginny smiled. "I love you too, but that wasn't a proper good-bye kiss!" she complained. Reaching up, she pulled his head down to hers and kissed him, like she hadn't kissed him in a long time. "Bye baby."
"You realize I don't kiss you like that when I have to go, because then I don't want to leave you right?"
Ginny smirked, and jumped out of his hold. "Go to work." she said kissing him again.
He nodded his head, and apparated, a smirk firmly on his face. Ginny knew it'd be there all day, only to be finished when he got home.
Sighing she picked up Payton. "Well Miss Alexandra, what do you say we get you some breakfast. (A/N: Alexandra is her middle name).
"Hey uh Gin, could you watch Alyssa this morning. I know that you don't have to go in until noon, and Cass and I need some alone time. Thanks!" Ron said leaving the little girl with Ginny.
"Hi Auntie Ginny!" Alyssa said. "I'm hungry lets eat breakfast."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Yes ma'am."
As she walked into their kitchen, she admired the cherry wood cabinets and the granite counter tops. The grey and red looked good together. All the appliances were stainless steel, and there was an island in the center. There was a breakfast nook, and a swinging door to the dining room. She was satisfied with this room, and though Draco offered to get a house elf, Ginny liked to cook and clean, she had been raised to do so and that was just how it was. Besides, Hermione would have a FIT! It wasn't that big a deal, the hardwood floors just needed a little sweep, and everything else got a wipe down. The walls were a soft yellow and the grey curtains hung over the window that stood over the sink.
"Pancakes Ally?"
Alyssa nodded her head vigorously and pushed her stool to the counter to help. Her ability to do things was out of this world. She cracked the eggs into the bowl with out getting shells in, and stirred with out getting flour all over the kitchen. Molly had taught her well, Ginny concluded.
When pancakes had been served. Ginny sat both girls at the table, Payton on top, in her bouncer chair, and Alyssa in her booster beside her. While the toddler ate, she fed her own child a jar of applesauce.
"Auntie, how come I don't get applesauce?" Alyssa asked, watching the mother intently.
"You want some? I can get you some, hold on." Ginny answered, catching the applesauce Payton had spit out again.
"I think Payton needs a bath." Alyssa announced at seeing her cousins applesauce smeared face. Somehow the seven month old had managed to get her hands in it and spread it throughout her hair.
"I agree. Why don't we go up and take a bath?" She asked, scooping Payton out of the chair.
Alyssa nodded, "Only if I can have my applesauce later."
"Sure." Ginny answered, and lead the girl who was just as in need of a bath herself upstairs. Once Payton was in her bath seat, Ginny helped to undress her sticky, syrup covered niece.
While the girls splashed around in tub for a while, Ginny looked around the bathroom. This was the one they had designated they kids. The walls were a sea blue, with fish on the walls and a fish shower curtain. The bathtub also worked as a shower, and the toilet and sink were kid friendly. All of it porcelain, she liked how they dark aqua color clashed with the bright white of the trim and fixtures. All the metals, sink faucet, toilet handle, shower head were chrome, and the ceramic tiled floor finished the space.
"How come Daddy bringed me here today? How come I didn't go to Gramma's?" Alyssa asked suddenly.
Ginny shook her head awakening herself from her thoughts. "Uh, I don't know honey. I'll bring you and Payton there later though when I go to work."
Alyssa nodded. "Good, because I was supposed to help Gramma make her's and Grammpa's versry cake for tonight."
Ginny looked at her niece. "Gramma and Grammpa's anniversary party is tonight?"
"Yeah, but shhh, Grammpa doesn't know yet. Daddy says it a surprise." Alyssa said, sounding very confident in herself. "I'm a big girl, I didn't tell Grammpa!"
Ginny smiled. "Good girl." She said before pulling her out of the tub. After wrapping her up and taking Payton out, she lead them to Payton's room.
It was the picturesque little girls room. It was a light purple with fairies painted on the walls. Her crib, changing table, and dresser were oak wood, and the linens were a soft green. An overflowing toy box sat on one wall, and the closet stood on the opposite. It's louver doors hid her many articles of clothing and shoes. The carpets were saxony, in a cream color. Little glow in the dark stars stuck to the ceiling, a fairy mobile hung from the ceiling fan.
"What do you want to wear today girly?" Ginny asked, placing Payton on her changing table. After fastening a diaper onto her, she slid on a onesie and a pair of khaki capris with a floral button up blouse. To complete the outfit there was brown, buckle leather sandals.
"Can I wear something to match her?" Alyssa asked, going to the corner of the closet were several outfits of her own were located.
"Sure, let me see." Ginny instructed. Alyssa pulled out the identical outfit. "Perfect."
It was already 10 when both girls fell asleep in the den. Leaving Alyssa on the couch she carried Payton up to her room, then returned to her own master suite to ready herself for the day.
Draco's and her room was a dark gray. The bed and her vanity were cast iron, and the dressers were maple. The bedspread was white and grey, and the curtains were black. Her mother said that it was grim and needed some warmth, but it was very much to Draco's taste, and Ginny liked it. The same creamy greyish carpet covered their floor, and louver doors also opened to their closet, though it was much more like a walk in dressing room. It had her clothes on one wall, and his clothes on another.
On the other side of the room was their bathroom. A deep lushes red, the walls clashed with the black marble floor. The in-ground hot tub sat in the corner, with a shower stall to the side, and again all was porcelain, though is black. The sink had an extravagant counter top, also of marble, with gold fixtures on the sink and tub. Thick red and black towels hung beside the Jacuzzi-tub and gray curtains donned the windows.
After she had showered she put a towel on her hair and donned her black slacks and silver three quarter sleeve blouse. Stepping into her heels she grabbed Payton who was laying contentedly in her crib, and headed back downstairs. "Alyssa sweety, it's time to go to Gramma and Grammpa's." She whispered, shaking the small girl.
Alyssa sat up, her eyes still half asleep. "Okay." she managed to say through a yawn, and hopped off the couch, clinging to Ginny as she disapparated.
"Mum, I'm here, and I have both girls." Ginny called, as Payton climbed back up on the couch and cuddled against one of the throw pillows.
Molly bustled into the room, and smiling brightly took her younger granddaughter into her arms. "Hello my dear." She said kissing the baby's head.
"Where's my kiss Gramma?" Alyssa asked in a sleepy voice.
"Oh, I'm sorry darling. How are you today?" She asked kissing Alyssa's head as she had done to Payton.
"Daddy brought me over Auntie Ginny's really early and I'm not going to see them until your party tonight." Alyssa complained. "But Auntie made me pancakes and dressed me up all pretty."
"I see that sweetheart. Ginny, where did Ron go?" Molly asked.
Ginny sighed, "If Ron didn't tell you I can't. Just wait until tonight!" Ginny replied, beaming. "I have to get to work, you know how Dad gets when I'm not there."
Molly nodded knowingly. "I'll see you later dear."
/-/-/-/-/
It was seven by the time Ginny got off her shift that night. As she filed the last report, she grabbed the card she had bought for her parents, and apparated over there. Everyone was in the living room when she arrived, and Alyssa bounded right up to her the moment she did.
"Auntie, Daddy wouldn't tell Gramma what happened until you got here, so come on so he can tell her!" She said pulling Ginny into the living room.
She sat next to Draco, who was holding a sleepy looking Payton, and kissed him on the cheek. "Hey!" Draco smiled in response, and readjusted Payton so he could sling his arm over her shoulders.
"Ronald I'm serious, your sister is here now, so tell me!" Molly's voice shook with anxiety.
"Ok, uh in February, right before Alyssa turns four, Cassidy and I will be having our second child."
Molly shriek as she jumped out of her chair and threw herself at her son. "Oh, my little boy, about to become a Daddy himself! Oh dear, another grandchild... that gives me 6, no 7 because Hermione's pregnant too. My lands, I'll need to start knitting or I'll never be finished all the sweaters and socks by Christmas." The room chuckled at the mother's behavior.
"So Mum, how longs it been? Thirty two years?" Ginny asked, snuggling closer to Draco.
"Yes, yes it has been. Your father and I married in 1975. I was 18. Older than you were. Now it's time to eat. Into the kitchen then."
/-/-/-/-/
Summer came and went, with Carter turning one, and September bringing little Paige. Paige Nicole Potter was born on September 5, 2007, and was loved by all. She had her mother's soft brown hair, and Harry's green eyes. Molly was out of her mind, trying to care for Carter while Harry was with Hermione, and yet wanting to hold the little girl.
Come October Payton too turned one. Lucius and Narcissa gave her a ball in her honor, and dressed in her little pink gown, she was passed from guest to guest all evening long. Ginny and Draco were truly happy in their home, and very content as a family now. Draco had gone back to work sadly, not wanting to give up his vacation days with his daughter while her mother worked.
Christmas came and went, with the three houses becoming more full with new toys and clothing. Molly had managed to knit all the sweaters in time, and even made hats too. Both Payton and Carter were intrigued by the hustle and bustle of opening presents. The chaos amused them, and they both ended up wearing bows on their heads and wrapped in ribbon. Cassidy and Ginny seemed to think that it was Fred and Georges doing.
Come February, Tannor Charles Weasley was born, and if Molly had been excited over Paige, this was a thousand times more profound. Ginny too couldn't help being antsy, knowing that her best friend was giving birth to her brothers child, her nephew. He was a big boy, being born at nine pounds seven ounces, and his red hair was undeniably Weasley. He looked just as Pierre had when Fleur had him in November 2005, he was already two years old.
Again the years kept flying by, and both Carter and Payton turned two. However Payton's birthday was a special day, for three weeks later, Ginny found out she was pregnant.
October 17, 2008:
"Our little girl is all grown up Draco!" Ginny cried as they went to bed that night. "I miss it when she was a little baby. I mean her being two makes me feel so old. I turned twenty in August! I can't believe how time has flown."
"I know baby," Draco agreed as he cuddled his wife. "But nothing has changed." he said kissing her.
"I know, but love me tonight and prove it." Ginny pleaded.
In July of 2009 she gave birth to Spencer. Their redheaded baby.
"His perfect Gin, we have two absolutely perfect children, and I couldn't be happier!" Draco said kissing Ginny soon after she gave birth.
"Neither could I! Draco we did this, our love gave us these beautiful kids, you've given me everything!"
However, when Draco was called out on his mission a year later, days after his sons first birthday, Ginny felt like she'd never be happy again. She lost the man she loved, and though she knew that he would come back- hopefully- she still didn't like knowing she had to give him up for a while, maybe even forever if something happened. She'd just have to wait until the day he came home.
A/N: That's the last chapter. I will have the epilogue up at some point, not too too long, maybe by the end of the weekend or next week. I will also post a character list with some dates on there, because it took me like 2 hours to go through and figures out when things happened over the 5 years from 2005-2010 that I have so far written. I have been persuaded into writing a sequel, so look for that at some point. Here's the catch. 6 chapters, THAT'S IT! I will write one for every one of the kids, so that's one for Alyssa, Carter, Payton, Paige, Tannor, and Spencer. They'll most likely be song chapters like a number of the chapters here, including this one, but look for it. I also have some ideas that I need to get down for These Words Are My Own so those'll be up at some point as well. Um love and cookies to my reviewers, and know that the honeymoon isn't over until the hangover is! Lol
/Bratiebrunette27/