Christmas was in the air, the babies were almost three months old and Ashleigh and George had adjusted to parenthood quite well.
"They'll be three months on our four year anniversary", Ashleigh smiled as they watched their babies sleep. Despite everything they went through, with breaking up and stuff, they still considered the first day they kissed as their anniversary.
"I know, time is going so fast. Oh, Tracie and Ethan should be here in a minute", George said, pulling Ashleigh out of the room. They still lived in the flat above the joke shop, Fred as well. Fred loved having the new little family around, especially because it meant he was close with the twins, 'Merlin help us all', Ashleigh had thought. A few minutes later, her aunt and cousin came through the fireplace.
"Ashleigh", Ethan smiled and gave her a hug.
"Hey bud. How old are you now, like 50?" She smiled.
"No, 14. I was 14 the last time you saw me", he laughed. "Where are the babies, I wanna meet them".
"Chill out", Ashleigh laughed at his enthusiasm. "You'll meet them soon; right now they're sleeping, so it has to wait until they wake up".
"Okay", he mumbled. "Mum said that your mum said they look just like you and Fred", Ethan said to George.
"They do. Thank Merlin", he whispered. Ashleigh heard this and smacked his arm.
"Not funny", she said warningly.
"I'm only joking. Come here", he said and pulled her into a hug.
"Get a room", Ethan said.
"Okay", they both said and started walking to their bedroom.
"I was only kidding!" Ethan yelled, disgusted.
"So were we", George smiled.
"You guys, relax. Ethan, keep your voice down, you'll wake the babies", Tracie scolded from her seat in the chair.
Ashleigh made them all some tea and they sat on the couch, just talking until they heard the cries of the babies.
"That's our cue", Ashleigh said. She and George went into the bedroom and each picked up a baby. They needed to be changed before being brought out. A few minutes later Ethan saw them come out of the bedroom with the babies.
"Ethan, this is Mason", Ashleigh started.
"And this is Callum", George finished.
"They're so cute", Ethan smiled. "Such blue eyes", he added.
"Yeah. I read that all babies are born with blue eyes and they can change when they get older, but I hope they stay blue", George told him. "They have Ashleigh's eyes".
"They do", Tracie smiled. She realized that she had never noticed it before until George mentioned it.
"That's all they got from me, I think", Ashleigh smiled. "Which is good, my eyes are my best feature", she added. They all looked at her. "Sorry, but it's true. I took after my dad too much, so I've only ever liked my eyes".
"Well, I like all of your features", George told her. He then burst out laughing, realizing what that must've sounded like to Tracie and Ethan.
"Keep it for the privacy of your bedroom", Tracie laughed.
"Wanna hold Mason?" Ashleigh asked Ethan. He smiled and nodded so George handed Callum to Tracie.
Ethan and Tracie stuck around for a while, aweing over the babies but then had to go. They were all invited to The Burrow the next day for Christmas dinner. It would be the first time the babies had ever been taken out of the flat. Either Ashleigh or George was there with them when the other needed to go get something done.
The next day they bundled the babies up in snowsuits and blankets and travelled to The Burrow. Tracie was already there, helping Molly in the kitchen. Ashleigh noticed Ethan sitting by himself at the table.
"Why are you alone bud?" Ashleigh asked.
"There's no kids around here, so no one to hang out with", he told her.
"Why don't you come hang out with Fred and me? You can test our products", he laughed at the glares from Molly, Tracie and Ashleigh.
"Don't you dare test those on my cousin, or you'll be severely punished", Ashleigh told him.
"Ohhh, I'm scared", he said sarcastically.
"You should be", she almost growled, while grabbing his ear.
"Okay, okay", he said as she let go. "Jeez, never piss off a new mother", George told Ethan while rubbing his ear.
"Don't plan on it. I'm not that stupid", he said.
"You're gonna get it boy", George said and started to chase Ethan around the house.
"Boys", Ashleigh said, shaking her head. "Smells wonderful in here", she told the two women who were slaving in the kitchen.
"Thank you dear. I set up Fred and George's old cribs in the living room so you can put the babies down if they need to be", Molly told her.
"Thank you", Ashleigh smiled. "They're sleeping right now, so maybe I can get them in there without waking them up", Ashleigh smiled and went to the living room with the stroller. Ashleigh managed to get the babies out of there snowsuits and into the cribs without waking them. She heard Ethan yell from the kitchen. "Ethan Scott, if you wake the babies up, I will feed you to the wolves".
"Looks like you are that stupid", George laughed. "Ashleigh, calm down. Come here, they'll be fine. They're quite the sleepers", George reminded her and pulled her into a hug.
"I know; I'm sorry" she mumbled into his chest. "Sorry Ethan", she said, looking over George's shoulder. It didn't matter what was going on, she always felt comfort and safe when George had his arms around her.
"Dinner's ready, George can you call everyone inside now please? And tell them to keep it down when they come in", Molly told him. He nodded.
A few minutes later, everyone was sitting at the table, digging into their large Christmas dinner. Afterwards Molly brought out the desserts, but Ashleigh had to excuse herself to tend to her crying children. She fed, burped and changed them and then quickly returned to the table, where George had put her favorite desserts on a plate for her before they were gone.
"Thank you", she smiled and sat down.
After dessert was done everyone went to the sitting room to chat for a while. They all opened their gifts from each other; Molly of course, knitted everyone a jumper with their initials. Ashleigh and George mostly got things for the babies, which was fine with them. Tracie had gotten her a breast pump and bottles, saying, "Now George can do some of those late night feedings", causing everyone to laugh. After everyone was finished opening gifts, George cleared his throat.
"I still have one gift to give", he turned to Ashleigh, who looked at him puzzled. "I know you said you didn't want me to get anything for you, but I had to. I love you and I know how bad things got with my family after we told them about the babies, but this seems like the best time to do it", he said.
Everyone started to clue in to what he was talking about. He pulled a deep blue velvet box out of his pocket and got down on one knee in front of Ashleigh. "Ashleigh, we've been together for almost four years, we've been through so much together, but I wouldn't change any of it, because it's made us as strong as we are today. We've made two miracles together and they started our little family. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" He asked and opened the box to reveal a beautiful diamond ring. Ashleigh had tears streaming down her cheeks at this point and everyone else was holding their breaths.
"Yes", she finally got out. "Always and forever", she said and pulled George in for a kiss. After the kiss broke, he put the ring on her finger and the whole living room erupted into cheers, luckily the babies were already awake.