Chapter 41: Babies Severus

On bedrest in her and Severus's shared chambers at Hogwarts Castle for the final months of her pregnancy, Lily could be – and often was – cranky at being left alone while her husband continued to teach his classes, as well as monitor hers, which were being temporarily offloaded onto Professor Flitwick. Severus was sensitive enough to know his wife's needs, and thus saw to it that Lily received visitors whenever possible. Remus and Sirius were eager to help keep Lily company, as long as they and Severus adhered to the unspoken agreement that they never encounter each other during these visits.

On one particular morning, Lily was seated up against the fluffy pillows in her and Severus's double bed, happily playing with a toddler Neville Longbottom as he wriggled and crawled around on the bedspread mattress before her. Lily tried not to get teary at that the thought that this is what her son with James would have been like, had he lived. At the same time, she could be grateful for small blessings in one respect: the lightning scar on Neville's forehead was an almost angry red, even several months after Voldemort's fall.

Agatha Longbottom was a pleasant conversationalist, and hovered about Lily in an almost mothering way.

"Have you thought about teaching after the little ones are born, dear?" she asked.

Humming to herself and running a hand over her distended belly, Lily smiled softly. "I think I shall. Sev is so passionate about his work, and though he's made clear he wants to be an involved father, I can't ask him to step away from what he loves. So I won't either. We make a good team, as staff colleagues and married. My bigger concern is where will we live? Would we stay here in the castle? I don't know if I want my babies raised in Hogwarts even before they go off to school. I've been thinking we could buy a small flat in London, and commute daily, but… OH!"

Suddenly, the entire bedspread was flooded with fluid. Neville rolled away from the soaking of the mattress, beginning to cry, all the worse when Lily doubled forward and let out a bloodcurdling scream.

If she was fazed by Lily Potter Snape entering labor, the hardened battle-axe that was Agatha Longbottom didn't show it. She seemed perfectly calm, in fact, as she managed to coach Lily out of the bed and up into a standing position.

"I'll notify Severus. In the meantime, best get you to St. Mungo's dear…."

Severus had been in the middle of a lesson with his fifth-years when Agatha Longbottom had bustled in with her grandson squirming in her arms and calmly informed him that she had just left an in-labor Lily at St. Mungo's to be attended to by Healers.

The Potions Master didn't wait to dash out to the Hogwarts grounds, just beyond the gates, and Apparate from there to the famed wizarding hospital. When he burst into his wife's room, Lily was folded into herself, her face as scrunched up as the rest of her and screaming her head off. When Severus tried to approach, holding her hand and asking her how she was doing, she transformed a pillow into a tea kettle and threw it at his head, if only to hurl something that might hit him harder than down feathers. Within the next second, however, the Charms mistress had burst into tears and was weeping uncontrollably with regret over the abuse she was sending at her lover.

"I'm….. Hmmm…. sorry…. Mmmm….." she hiccupped between Severus's lips feverishly kissing her. "I didn't mean to…. I didn't want to…."

"You didn't. And you won't," Severus pushed back her sweaty auburn bangs clinging to her forehead.

She smiled weakly. "You're taking it better than James did. He fainted before he could cut the cord on… on Harry. Threw up once too."

If Severus had smug feelings about handling the birth of his children better than his hated enemy, he kept it to himself, saying nothing beyond. "You won't do anything but welcome our babies."

"Our babies….." Lily stated dreamily. "Oh, Merlin, it's really happening!" And she grunted as she hunched over once again, straining through a growl that turned into a scream. Severus gamely sat by her side and held her hand, not caring that Lily was crushing his fingers in her grip.

The Healer midwife took a peek between Lily's spread legs. "All right, Mrs. Snape, the first of the twins is crowning. I want you to push on three. 1, 2, 3: PUSH!"

Lily bore down with a mighty shout, and only had to do a repeat of her pushing a second time before the first of the babies slid out of her.

"It's girl!"

"Ei…. Eileen…." Lily panted, flopping down into the pillows. Severus's eyes filled with tears at the thought of his beloved naming their daughter after his mother, even as his heart squirmed for Lily: even with what some might call an easier birth, she looked exhausted, and there was still one more baby to go.

"And here is the handsome man; I can see him crowning! Mr. Snape, help keep her upright…"

"I can't do it…." Lily was warbling out, in tears. "I can't…."

Severus kissed her quickly and deeply. The distraction did its work; with a purr, Lily melted into it, then yanked out of returning the kiss abruptly to nearly scream in Severus's face. Severus was unbowed. "Yes, you can, love. Think of our Eileen. Think… think of Harry…"

The memory of her murdered firstborn inspired Lily to rally, as Severus knew it would, and she bore down with a determined growl. It took several rounds of pushing to force the boy out of her – Severus could already tell the lad was quite big – but finally, he slid into the world and the nursemaid whisked him and his sister away to be cleaned.

Tears were dripping down Severus's hooked nose, causing him to sniffle, by the time his children were brought back.

His and Lily's children… he and the love of his life were now parents….

With Eileen tucked into the crook of his arm, Severus watched in wonder as his wife, glowing, bounced their baby boy in her arms. Though they had discussed names now and again while lying in bed together, Severus had figured that it would be wise to leave the naming to Lily. He honestly expected her to name their son Harry, to memorialize, if not exactly replace, the boy she had lost.

So, he was surprised when Lily gazed down at their boy and murmured, "Severus Tobias Snape Jr."

"Really?" Severus blinked at her in wonder.

Lily beamed at him radiantly. "Really."

"I…. I thought you would want to name him Harry. I wouldn't have minded…."

"Sev:" and she almost laughed a little, for how she was grinning so brightly. "Harry will always be near and dear to my heart. But there was only one him. And besides… I happen to think Severus is a fine name." Emerald eyes watering, she murmured, "You've given me a second chance to live and be loved, my darling. I want to honor that."

Bending over her, Severus kissed her lips tenderly, shivering at how Lily melted up into him, her lips soft and pliant. Breaking apart with a small POP!, Severus crooned, "I love you!"

"I love you too, silly man. Now get back over here and kiss me again." And snaking a hand about his neck, Lily brought her husband's lips back down to hers, snogging him passionately.