Book Club, Aunt Sticky Feet: hugging someone, shawl, heaven
Showtime, Dear Theodosia: becoming a parent
Buttons: glasses
Hamilton Mania, getting a job: Percy Weasley ("Talk less, smile more.")
Word Count: 339
Percy rushes in, his glasses askew, breathing heavily. "Did I miss it?" he asks, pausing to adjust his glasses. "I came as soon as I heard. Is she here?"
When he finally manages to catch his breath, he notices the tiny bundle in his wife's arms. He hurries closer, his heart fluttering wildly. "Is everything okay?" he asks, hugging her before turning his attention to his newborn daughter. "Is she healthy? Are you in pain? I'm so sorry I couldn't be here. I was out of my office. Do you—"
"Talk less," Audrey interrupts with a laugh. "Smile more. Look at our beautiful Molly."
He does, and his heart skips a beat. She is so tiny and perfect. Hesitantly, he holds out his arms. "Can I… Can I hold her?" he asks, his voice breaking with emotion.
With a smile, Audrey carefully places the squirming baby into his arms before laying back again and adjusting her shawl with a shiver.
Percy marvels at his daughter, his perfect little Molly. They have spent years hoping for a successful pregnancy, then months waiting for their beautiful girl to finally arrive. Now that it's happened, Percy can hardly believe it. He wonders if this is what heaven must feel like— everything aligns, and the world becomes perfect.
He sits on the bed beside his wife, resting his head against hers. "She's perfect," he whispers.
Audrey presses a kiss to his cheek. "She is," she agrees.
Panic grips him. Tears cling to his lashes, and he quickly blinks them away. He hadn't had the best relationship with his parents in his youth. He had considered himself superior, blinded by his own ambition. Some days, he had been outright cruel to them. Now, he feels the weight of his mistakes. Audrey has helped him become a better person, and he is grateful for her. He only hopes that his daughter will be better than he had ever hoped to be.
"I love you," he says, kissing Molly's forehead, then Audrey's. "I love my girls."