Harry had been moved to London in preparation for the birth. He could floo, but a shorter floo would be easier, especially when in labor. The townhouse had six bedrooms in it, seven now they turned the den into one, so Harry didn't have to do stairs. There was a living room on the floor too, so it had been no problem, and a bathroom attached. Remus and Teddy had come, and both the Tonks and Puceys were staying with him, and Lucius and Draco were with him most days anyways, and often stayed too. The twins were bonding much closer to Draco finally, they had been willing to allow Draco to touch daddy a lot more, seeing it helped.
Harry was having back pains for a few days, and Andromeda and Isobel both knew what it meant. Harry prayed he could hold on for a day, he had his heart set on having her on Adrian's birthday. Being the little girl Adrian had wanted, the timing seemed so perfect.
Isobel smiled when she came in for dinner, she had gone home for a bit. "How are you feeling Harry?"
Harry said quietly as he didn't want to worry his sons. "The pin cushion is getting worse."
Andromeda had come over to him. "If it gets any worse, tell us, and we will take you to the hospital."
Harry sighed and nodded. "I'm really hoping she'll hold out until tomorrow. I want her to be born on his day."
Isobel wiped away some of the tears that had come. "Even if she isn't, you know my son is always with her, and you."
Andromeda reminded him. "And though not your first, labor can take time. Even if labor starts tonight, it can be tomorrow."
Harry had never had proper labor last time. He had gone into labor so early, and then he had been bleeding badly, and they had done surgery. The twins had been born only an hour after he had gone into labor. Though labor and delivery was no fun, Harry prayed he'd be able to do it the natural way this time, no surgery. He remembered having to force Adrian to take him to the NICU, so he could see Jamie, since he just had surgery. He remembered Adrian by his side through it all, and by the baby's side, for a month when he was in the incubator.
Andromeda knew where his mind had gone. She had been in Boston, she had not made it in time for the birth, but came soon after. Her and Ted, and the twins, had remained a month with him, till Jamie was home. The twins could run their shop from home, Andromeda took a leave.
Andromeda soothed his nerves. "Harry your due date was yesterday, and the healer assures you that the baby is strong."
Isobel agreed. "I know we weren't there yet with the twins, but you are in such better shape this time. And you have all of us here."
Remus agreed. "And even if Adrian can't be there to welcome his daughter, we're all here, and so is Draco."
Thomas nodded. "If he couldn't be here, you know Adrian would have been happy to have Draco with you."
Harry knew they were all right. "Where is he anyways? I thought he and Lucius were coming for dinner."
It was Jamie who alerted him. "Daddy he's behind you."
Sure enough Draco and Lucius had come in the door behind him. He wondered what the two were up to, there was an odd look on both their faces. He hadn't been expecting them to come together, and knew they could have arrived at the same time, but he had a feeling they were together. He asked, but neither would tell him what they were up to, and it was simply a surprise. The nursery had been the start, but the two had been going crazy with surprises for the baby, but there was something different.
They made it through dinner, and the boys were having a bath before bed, when Harry's pains became too much. He knew he was in labor, and though his water had not broken yet, he knew he couldn't deny it any more.
He saw Andromeda send him a questioning look and he nodded. "Yes."
Isobel looked at the boys. "You know you boys are going to go and stay at Malfoy manor for a sleep over tonight."
Caelum remembered what he had been told. "Daddy our sister is coming? She come tonight?"
Harry managed to hug both his boys. "It might not be tonight, but Grandpa is going to take me to the hospital, and she'll come soon."
Lucius had an elf get bags for the boys. "I'll bring you boys to the hospital in the morning, when your sister is ready for company."
Jamie kissed his daddy's belly. He surprised Draco with a hug. "Take care of daddy."
Draco held both boys to him, and he swore he would take care of their daddy for them. Lucius took the three little boys to the manor. He would be just as excited to see the baby, she was his granddaughter too or would be, but the others had to be there. He would take care of the boys, until it was time for them to come to the hospital. Besides the boys had gifts for their little sister, niece in Teddy's case, at the manor to pick up.
Draco took Harry's arm to lead him through the floo. "I promised the boys I'd take care of you."
Harry was at the hospital for about an hour before his water had broken. His labor was not advancing very fast, and the healers thought he would have his wish for her to share a birthday with her Papa. He told everyone they could go home, other than his dad and Draco, but no one would. Remus knew he would want the twins to be there for him in this. They had been there for the twins, took the first portkey, would be here for her.
Remus was surprised when he learned the twins were at the Burrow. He knew they had made some peace with their siblings at least for Lily. They had always gone over for holidays, but other dinners, had been limited.
Remus knew it was a bit late, and he could have waited till they went home but he went. Percy spotted him. "What are you doing here?"
He looked to the twins and their wives. "My son has gone into labor, and though he won't ask, I know he'd want you there."
Fred stood up. "You know there is nowhere else we would be. I just have to take Alicia home with the kids…."
Molly cut him off. "You can leave the kids here, I'll baby-sit, I am sure Harry would like you both there."
Alicia knew her husband was conflicted and nodded. "You know the kids are likely asleep already, and love sleep overs."
Angelina agreed where she was with her husband. "It might be a long night, but I'd like to come to the hospital too."
Bill called as they were leaving. "Contact me when the baby comes. I'd like to come see her in the morning, if Harry will let us."
Remus turned to him as the twins were coming. "I'm sure once he is rested, he'll be happy to show her off to the world."
Molly watched them go, and part of her wanted to ask, if she could come too. When Harry had come to the memorial, and told them about the baby girl, she realized how much she was missing out on with him. But she knew Harry was still hurt badly, and she couldn't blame him, she had treated him like a monster. She knew apologies were not enough, she hoped with time he'd let her back in, but she couldn't push. He deserved to be happy, and no stress when he was giving birth, and she'd not push him by being there that night.
Harry had a full waiting room by midnight, Oliver and Katie, and Neville and Luna had joined them too. They knew if Albus found out, he would try to come, but the aurors were on that as well. Even after all these years, being the BWL came with perks, plus Lucius' security was there too.
It was nearly midnight when Harry was encouraged to start pushing. "This little one is definitely on her way."
Remus kissed his son and looked at the clock. "It is less than a minute until tomorrow. You have your wish, she will be born on his birthday."
Draco held his other hand. "She is already showing her stubborn little Slytherin side. I will make a snake out of her yet."
Harry grimaced through another contraction and push before he said. "Not even born yet, and trying to convert my daughter."
Draco shrugged. "Our daughter, or I hope soon she will be. But you know two out of her three dads were Slytherins."
Remus assured his son. "She has more than enough Gryffindor blood in there too, I am sure we will have at least one."
With the support of his dad, and the man he loved, he pushed his way through the labor pains. Isobel and Thomas had been offered to be in the room, Harry was reminded they were the grandparents, but they said no. Harry didn't need an audience, and he needed the two people who could offer him the most support, his dad and Draco. They would be the first to hold their grandchild, there was no doubt, when they came in after.
Four minutes past midnight, on June 15 and what should have been Adrian's 27th birthday, his daughter came into the world. His beautiful baby girl, the child he dreamed of having with Harry before his death, made her entrance and the room soon filled with her cries.
The nurse took the baby to clean her up and asked. "Is anyone going to cut the cord?"
Harry looked at Draco. "Would you…..?"
Draco kissed him tenderly. "You know I would be so honored Harry. I want to be her Papa."
Remus smiled as he watched Draco go over and whispered to Harry as he was cleaned up. "He plans to propose soon, he means it."
Harry watched Draco's face as he looked down at the baby, and for the first time, he truly believed it. " I know."
Draco had the ring, he had it on him, but it was the boys mainly he was waiting on. He had his doubts, through the pregnancy though, that he could love this little girl. Oh he knew he could love her, for Harry's sake, but not as his own. Adrian had done it for the twins, and he said he could for her, to be with Harry and the boys. But as he looked at the tiny beautiful baby, so delicate, like the twins a little image of Harry but for chestnut curls and Adrian's nose, his entire heart melted. Holding the bundle, when he was handed her, he knew she was his. He didn't care if Adrian's blood was in her veins, she'd be a part of Adrian always, but she would be his little girl.
Harry was cleaned up, and anxious to hold her, when he came back to the bed. He placed her in Harry's arms. "Here's your little princess."
Harry held her and was in tears. "She is so beautiful."
Remus kissed his son and the baby. "I'll leave you, and go tell the others she has come."
Harry looked up. "Come back soon, with Thomas and Isobel please."
Draco took his place with Harry in bed when Remus promised. "The boys are definitely going to be in love with this one."
As he held her, and as she later nursed, Harry was already in love with her. By the time her grandparents came in, she revealed like the twins, she had Harry's green eyes. Isobel claimed her precious granddaughter, and was in tears, happy the baby had some Pucey features. Remus explained the others had gone home, they'd be back in the morning, with the twins. For now the grandparents and dads got their time with her. Thomas and Isobel loved the boys and would never stop considering them grandsons, but this little one would carry on their blood, and title.
Thomas kissed the baby on her head. "Adrian would have been so proud of this little princess."
Lucius was awake, to no surprise, when the floo call came. He was happy to hear about his new granddaughter, and promised to bring the boys as soon as they ate breakfast. The boys to no surprise were up at the crack of dawn, and he didn't tell them until after breakfast, their sister had come. He knew they wouldn't eat, if they knew she was born, they would want to go right away. It was true, as soon as they heard they were running towards the floo, he only stopped them long enough to get their gifts.
He was not surprised when the twins, and the others from the night before, were all there. Bill and Fleur had come as well, though their kids were at the Burrow like the twins' kids, with Molly. Andromeda and Ted were of course there as well.
Harry's twins led the way when they were let in the room. Jamie called. "Daddy, daddy, daddy."
Caelum was right behind him. "Uncle Papa Luc said our little sister had come. Did she daddy, did she daddy?"
Harry smiled when he realized the boys came in. "She did. If you guys are very careful, you can come into bed with me and Uncle Draco."
Lucius and Remus helped the boys into bed, as Isobel had her granddaughter. "Here you go."
Isobel handed Harry the baby again. "Now you can see her. She is anxious to meet her big brothers."
Jamie looked at the baby. "Daddy she is so tiny."
Caelum nodded. "But she is sleeping daddy."
Harry laughed, and told his sons she had a very late night, she was born just after midnight. The boys knew that was late, they only got to stay up that late once, for New Years this year, and they fell asleep before for a while. The adults in the room thought they should enjoy it, babies sleep was a precious commodity, especially when they were young. She had a nurse when the boys were eating too, and had drifted back off.
The others managed to claim her, after a photo had been taken of the five of them. Photos had been taken with the grandparents, and with just the daddies and more, the night before. Teddy got his chance too, in a chair, to hold her for a photo, since the twins each had a chance.
Harry smiled when they were asked about godparents. "We each chose one this time."
The twins had already served, with Andromeda and Adrian, for the boys. Draco explained. "Blaise has already accepted, he'll be here later."
Harry looked at his own gathered there and turned to Luna. "I think she needs a godmother in her life. I hope you'll do the honors."
Luna was touched. "Are you sure?"
Harry nodded. "You know Adrian always liked you. He said more than once if we had a little girl, he hoped she'd be a lot like you."
Luna was touched as she took the little girl into her arms. "I always liked him too. I'd be honored."
He had considered Katie or one of the other girls, but what he had said was true. Luna had come visit them often, and Adrian had shared Harry's opinion of Luna, she might be a bit out there but she was amazing. She was a free spirit, and she had this way of seeing not only the beauty in the world like Harry, but also such wonder as well. He said he hoped she'd have Harry's sense of adventure, and Luna's out-look in a way. Blaise was chosen not for Draco alone, but like Draco he had been friends with Adrian, for years. Adrian too would have wanted her to be Slytherin, and would definitely want one godparent to be a snake, to help her be one too.
Fred finally asked. "So what name have you chosen for the newest addition to our family?"
George nodded. "Little Ronnie Malfoy?"
Jamie spoke up. "Pucey, she is a Pucey like us Uncle George."
George turned to the little boy. "You're right little man, thank you."
Harry did the honors. "I did want to honor those I have lost, including Ron. She is Adriana Amaryllis Ronnie Potter-Pucey."
He wanted to honor his mom, but like Jamie, a variation of her name. He had originally planned on Adrianna as a middle name, but in the end chose to use it as a fist name. Amaryllis was a flower for his mother, and he finally used Ronnie. He had not been ready with the twins, the pain was too fresh, but after the memorial he knew he wanted to use it too.
Lucius smiled. "I am sure she will do all her namesakes proud. Her nursery is ready, and I hope soon to have another gift for you and her."
An: Dahlia came in a close third, but Adrianna and Amaryllis were tied. I used Adriana first, as there were a few who weren't fond of Amaryllis. Ronnie is for Ron, his beloved best friend and brother, who he wanted a chance to honor finally. Thank you for the votes, I hope you approve.
