Chapter 55: Epilogue

"Aethna, you can do it!" Neville's voice was in my ear, whispering words of encouragement as he squeezed my hand tight. I gritted my teeth again, giving a final push and suddenly the room was quiet except for a squeaking cry. "Oh god…" I breathed out, feeling the pressure finally stopping as the bundle was brought to my face. "Good job my sweet girl." Augusta's voice was on my other side, holding the baby in her arms for me to see. "Boy or girl?" I asked and Neville took a peek and laughed, "Another girl. She's beautiful." he kissed my forehead and I looked down at the tiny girl that was now in my arms.

Her small head was covered with dark hair, her face looking pudgy and round like her father's, but when she opened her eyes, they were bright like mine, green in color and entrancing. I kissed her cheek and passed her to Neville, who looked just as nervous as with our first two children. "Heck of a tie-breaker…hi, little one." he mumbled, shushing her as he rocked side to side. I had to get help cleaning myself up, but finally I felt ready and called for our other kids. "Come meet your sister." I called and the door burst open, two toddlers ran over, jumping up on the bed with a bounce.

Neville held the baby for them to see and their faces were priceless, "She's chubby. Like a mandrake," my son said, his sister following, "Sounded like one too. Heard her down the hall." I snuggled them to me, making them giggle. "Now now, Frankie, Nikki, that's no way to talk about your little sister. She's perfect, just like you two." Augusta ushered them out, telling them to go play while I feed the baby. Neville stared at her as he passed her back. "Aethna, you amaze me everyday."

I sighed, he was sweet and so good to me. A couple years after finishing school, I found out I was pregnant, even though I didn't think it was possible. As an even bigger surprise was when I found out it was twins…Neville almost passed out. But when they were born, he was so nervous and yet so at ease with them. A boy we named Frankie…after Neville's father, and a girl named Nikki after my brother, the only family I had left. Frankie looked like me, slim face, dark hair and pale skin. His eyes were like Neville's big and round, the exact color.

Nikki's hair was lighter, more like Neville's but her face looked like mine as well, her bright green eyes matching my own. It was years before I would get pregnant again, apparently being half-vampire and half-human meant it was just difficult for me to become with child. But that never stopped Neville…now here we are, welcoming our third child, another sweet girl. "What's her name?" Augusta asked, coming in and taking her from me when I finished feeding her. "There's been a bit of a debate about that. But I feel like her name is Augusta, after you." her face was filled with tears as she rocked the baby, smiling so bright.

"Thank you my dear." "It's nothing, you raised Neville, you took me in, you accepted our love for each other. You are the reason we were able to have a life together. Of course we would be proud to name our child after you." she sniffled and handed the baby to Neville, excusing herself to save us having to see her cry. His parents had finally passed a few years after the Battle of Hogwarts, shortly after we found out we were pregnant. It broke Neville down and it was difficult to be happy about a baby after losing his parents. He was so surprised when I told him I wanted to name the baby after his father if it was a boy. Now here we were, parents of three, the twins getting ready for their first year at Hogwarts this fall.

**That Fall**

We walked the kids to the train station, I had the baby in a sling tight against my chest, she was so quiet, sleeping even though the loud noises. "Now, you've got all your stuff, nothing forgotten?" Neville was saying, checking their trunks one last time. "Sweetie, they are fine. I can bring anything they forget." he nodded and helped them get them loaded onto the train and I heard a voice behind me. "Hey you two!" we turned and saw Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione walking over to us. "Wow, it's incredible that they are starting school already." Hermione beamed, ruffling Frankie's hair.

"Yes, it's seems like yesterday we were having them." "Oh look at the sweet baby." Ginny cooed, reaching and brushing the small hair on her head. "What are you doing here anyways?" Neville asked, looking at their own kids, still not old enough for Hogwarts. "Oh, Teddy is starting his third year, we came to send him off." Harry pointed and I saw bright blue hair in the crowd, he truly was his mother's son. I held Augusta out for Ginny to take, who gladly did and turned to the twins. "Behave and work hard. Practice your spell work and charms. Listen to your professors. And have fun, make lots of friends." they nodded, grinning wide as they hugged me tight and waved to Neville.

"I'll keep an eye on them dear." he said, kissing me deeply before following after, waving a goodbye to the others. He was starting this year working under Professor Sprout, soon he would be taking over the whole Herbology department. I turned back and Harry was shaking his head at Ginny. "Oh come on, look how cute she is. We need a girl Harry!" I laughed and held out my hands, she sadly passed my child back. "What are you plans now with Neville and the kids at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked, I hadn't thought of that. I mean, I never needed to work honestly. "House-wife?" I didn't like the way it sounded, it felt weird. "I guess I'll figure it out once she is older." I spoke in a low tone, kissing her forehead gently.

**Christmas**

Neville and the twins came back at Christmas and Neville was surprised at the growth of Augusta, she looked older than she actually was. The twins were tearing into their presents as we watched from the couch, Augusta sleeping in her swing. "Neville, I wanted to tell you…I think Augusta is more like me than the other two." "What do you mean?" I looked down, her eyes were brighter, she grew faster than the twins. "I think she takes after my side…you know. That's why she's so big…" he glanced at the sleeping figure and shrugged. "I'm alright with that. She's our daughter and she's a part of our family. You can teach her everything you know and she'll be thankful to have you. I know I'm thankful I have you."

I laughed and we joined Frankie and Nikki, playing with all their new toys and do-dads. Finally they passed out and we sat by the fireplace, sipping hot chocolate and snuggled together. "I am so happy I found you. You have given me everything I never thought I would get or that I even wanted." I told him, making him grin and kiss me. Our passions turned quickly and we made love in front of the fire, our desire blazing between us. I hated having to tell them bye when the holidays were over, but I did it. Sending them back to the place I called home away from home.

It was a few weeks later, I was fixing Augusta a snack while her grandmother Augusta was playing peek a boo. I felt a sharp pain in my stomach, I groaned and sighed. "Aethna, you alright dear?" Augusta looked over, making the little one squeal to get her attention. "Yes, just a headache. I'm going to lay down for a minute. You don't mind?" she waved my question away, taking the plate from me and turning back to the baby. I went upstairs and into the bathroom to find the pain potion. I was about to take it when the reflex hit me, I rushed to the bin and hacked everything up.

I wiped my mouth and looked at my reflection, I looked beyond tired…and my eyes went lower. This wasn't happening. I dug out a test, quickly tearing it open and using it. I tapped my fingers, chewing on my lip as I waited for the result. Finally the pink cross appeared and I felt a lot of things happening inside. Surprise, confusion, happiness, worry. I mean, it took so long for us to have the twins, and even longer for Augusta…I just assumed it would be a while before I got pregnant again, if ever. I walked back downstairs after splashing my face.

"Aethna, what's wrong?" I just smiled and held the test up for her to see. "Oh my…" she looked at my stomach, then at the little girl still squealing in her arms. "I'll send for Neville, better break the news in person. But it is good news, Aethna, it'll be alright." I nodded and poured a glass of water for me…Neville did say lots of little ones. When he appeared, he was so concerned, wondering why I needed him home in the middle of a school year. I had pulled him into the greenhouse, noticing how well the plants had been growing. "Hey, is everything alright. Is something wrong with Augusta?"

I shook my head and faced him, taking his hands. "There's news…about us." he cocked his head to the side, confused. I moved his hands to my stomach and he looked down…then realized what I was saying. "Holy cow…for real?" I nodded and smiled, hoping he wouldn't have a heart attack. Instead he grabbed my waist and spun me around. "This is just amazing! I love you so much!" he held me tight against him, his hands not leaving my stomach. "I can't wait to tell the twins…" then it seemed to sink in that we were going to have 4 kids. But he just smiled brightly at me, "Let's hope for another boy! Then we can have another tie-breaker." I couldn't help but laugh, Neville was perfect and my life was complete with him in it.

THE END!