It was a month later, Natasha was twenty weeks pregnant. She was waddling around the kitchen doing some baking.
"Ouch, that was a hard one," she winced slightly resting her hand on her stomach.
There was another series of kicks from her daughter.
"You miss your daddy, don't you?"
There was a kick in confirmation.
"I miss him too but he should be back soon."
There was a beep from the oven. Despite the fact that she was a witch, she loved baking the muggle way.
"Hey, how are you?" Aaron asked walking in the door.
"We missed you," she said waddling towards her fiancé and giving him a kiss.
"She sure likes to kick a lot," he commented.
Natasha snapped. "You're not the one she's kicking 24/7."
"I suppose that's hard."
"It is. I've been looking at names for our daughter, do you have any suggestions?"
"No, I don't."
"I like some of the plant names to follow my family's tradition."
"Sounds good."
"Do you want her to go by your name or a hyphenated version of our names. Should it be Butler-Hollis or Hollis-Butler?"
"Can we talk about this later?" he asked a bit frustrated rubbing his forehead.
"I suppose."
"Thanks, hon," he said kissing her cheek and walking to the spare room.
She finished baking and ordered some takeout for them. She waddled up to the spare room to see her fiancé resting on the bed. She sat on the bed and stroked his bushy blonde hair.
"Hey hon," he smiled at her.
"Hard day at work?" she asked.
"It was."
She laid down next to him. "I ordered some take out for us."
"That sounds delicious."
They just laid down in silence until there was a knock on the door. Natasha waddled towards the door and got the food. They sat down and ate.
"Don't you think one of us should move into the other's house?" Natasha asked.
"This is a good arrangement that we have here, isn't it. I only live three houses down."
"I suppose but we are engaged after all," she said, glancing at her engagement ring lovingly.
"Just because we're engaged and you're knocked up doesn't mean we have to live together too."
She sighed. She didn't want to argue anymore.
"I'll see you later, babe," he said kissing her cheek.
"Bye, Aaron."
He left.
—
It was a couple days later, and Natasha's twenty first birthday. She woke up. She waddled towards the kitchen to make some tea and a quick breakfast. She wasn't expecting Aaron to show up since he had to go to work early today.
"There's the birthday girl," a voice said.
She turned to see Milo grinning at her.
"Happy birthday, sis," he smiled hugging her.
"Thanks."
"My niece is quite active, isn't she?" he said pulling away from the hug.
"She is. I'm awake most of the night due to her activity."
He smiled sympathetically. "I'm sorry sis. How about I finish making breakfast and you sit down."
"Thanks, Mi," she said waddling towards the nearest chair.
Milo continued making breakfast for his sister and himself. "So, is Aaron at work?"
"He is. I'm glad you're here. I hate being alone. I mean I like having the ability to work from home when I want to but it gets lonely sometimes."
"You shouldn't be alone on your birthday."
There was a series of kicks from her daughter.
"So, what are some names that you have thought of for my niece?"
"Laurel, Lily, Jessamine, Blossom as for non-floral names Megan, Jane, Lauren and Hayley."
"I like Laurel and Megan. Is she going by Aaron's name?"
"I was thinking of hyphenating our names but Aaron doesn't seem very interested."
"He doesn't?"
She shook her head. He finished making breakfast and served breakfast.
"So, what are planning on doing today?"
"I was just planning on staying home unless you want to go out?"
"You're the birthday girl. It's your choice."
The two siblings sat on the couch. Natasha soon fell asleep with her head on Milo's shoulder.
Natasha was still having dreams/flashbacks about a certain brown haired Quidditch keeper. This one was pretty tame since it was their first kiss.
April 16, 1994
Natasha had just finished watching the Gryffindors win the Quidditch Cup. She was walking back with her over excited brother.
"We finally won!"
"I suppose you're going to be up all night drinking with your friends. I'll have to come and help you nurse your hangover."
"You got that right."
She groaned as he recited the password to the 'Fat Lady'. She swung open and allowed Natasha in without any trouble.
She sat on the couch next to her brother's roommate Percy. They made polite conversation until Percy excused himself. She couldn't help but stare at Oliver. Merlin, he's handsome, especially in his dirt covered, disheveled, Gryffindor Quidditch uniform. She won't even start on his disheveled brunette hair.
The party lasted until a little after midnight.
"Did you have a nice time, Butler?" Oliver asked her.
"Oliver, you can call me Natasha. You've been my brother's roommate for six years, you've known me since I was a first year. I've fancied you for most of the year."
"What was the last one?"
"I've fancied you for most of the year," she said stifling a blush.
He smiled. "You know I fancy you too but."
Her heart skipped a beat for a minute then she asked. "But what?"
"You're barely fifteen and I'm seventeen."
"Don't you think I've done the calculations before, you're 2 years, seven months and nineteen days older than me but I don't bloody care," she exclaimed crossing her arms.
"Milo would kill me for fancying his baby sister."
"I love Milo. He's all I have but he has no say in who I fancy."
The brunette boy was silent until Natasha marched forward and kissed him.
"This is as far as our relationship will go until you turn seventeen next year."
"If you say so, Oliver," she groaned before leaving the common room.
She wasn't happy about it but at least he finishes Hogwarts soon. So, she wouldn't see him looking so handsome.
She woke up to the sound of the door being opened.
"Hey babe," Aaron greeted dropping a slightly sloppy kiss on her cheek.
She wiped her cheek in slight disgust. "Have you been drinking?"
"It's Friday. I usually grab a couple drinks with my buddies from work."
"Oh, right. You remember my brother?"
"I do, it's nice to see you."
"You too. I thought you two lived together."
She glared at Aaron. "He insists this is a better arrangement since he lives three houses down."
"I think you two should live together too since you are getting married after Ash gives birth, right?"
"We are," Natasha confirmed with a smile.
"You Brits are so traditional, us Yankees are unconventional."
"Excuse me, for wanting to live with the father of my daughter and fiancé!" Natasha yelled. "You didn't even remember today's my birthday."
"It is?"
"I'm 21."
"So, you could've joined me and my friends for drinks."
Natasha glared at him. "I'm bloody pregnant with your daughter, you git!"
"Why does that matter?"
"I can't drink alcohol while I'm pregnant, idiot!"
Aaron said. "I won't stand here and be insulted!"
"Then good riddance."
Aaron stomped out of the house as she shrank down onto the couch and buried her head into Milo's chest.
"Is this the first time that's happened?" Milo asked stroking his sister's brunette mane.
"It's been a weekly occurrence, sadly. Ever since we came back from visiting home," she replied with a sigh.
"Aaron seemed so nice when we met him back in May. What changed?"
"I'm not sure. I may end up being a single mum."
Milo rested his hand on his sister's stomach and silently promised he would take care of his niece.
"I wish my pregnancy wasn't so far along now so I could apparate home," she said resting her hand her stomach.
"I'll contact mum and dad," Milo said standing up.
"Thanks, Mi. I need my family since the biological father of my daughter is a massive git!" she thanked her older brother.
Milo kissed her forehead and went to contact their parents. Within an hour her parents had arrived.
"You're glowing, dear," MaryAnne said resting her hand on her daughter's stomach.
"I sure don't feel like I'm glowing especially after the fight with Aaron," she sighed again.
Silas clutched his wand. "What did that git say to you, Ashby?"
Natsaha blushed slightly at the use of her childhood nickname. "Mainly he forgot today was my birthday and came home tipsy."
"What changed, he seemed so nice when we met him back in May," MaryAnne said.
"I wish I knew, mum."
MaryAnne nodded. "I could make you some comfort food if you want?"
Natasha's mouth watered. "That sounds great, mum."
"When was the last time you bought groceries?"
"A few days ago. What are you planning on making?"
"Since it's your birthday I'll make some Sunday roast with all the fixings."
Natsaha's stomach growled loudly as MaryAnne chuckled. "You must be starving since you're eating for two."
"I am."
"Where's the nearest grocery store?"
Natasha wrote down the directions for her mum and handed them to her. MaryAnne said goodbye to her children and kissed her husband's cheek.
"How did you and mum get so lucky?" Natasha asked.
"I still wonder that everyday, sweetie. Your mum was very popular and I was pretty much a nerdier version of you two," he laughed.
"Speak for yourself, I'm not a nerd!" Milo laughed.
"Whose the one who got 6 O. here?" Natasha asked.
"It would've been seven if it wasn't for that git Snape!" Milo growled.
A few minutes later, MaryAnne returned and began cooking. Just as dinner was being levitated over to the table Aaron strolled in casually.
"What are you doing here?" Natasha glared at him as the food landed on the table.
"Can't a man eat in peace without your constant nagging," he complained as he started to fill his plate.
"You will not talk to our daughter like that!" Silas growled grabbing his wand.
"Oh, I didn't see you there Mr. and Mrs. Butler," Aaron said, looking at his fiancée's parents.
Her parents stood up. "You will not be eating with us. This is a family meal."
"I'm family. I'm the father of your granddaughter and niece."
"Yes, you are the father but you don't treat our daughter like she should be treated."
Aaron just stomped out of the house again.
"That was stressful, my daughter is kicking non-stop."
"Can I feel my granddaughter kick?" Silas asked.
Natasha smiled, took her dad's hand and rested it on her twenty week pregnant stomach.
"When are you due again?"
"About a week before Halloween," Natasha replied.
MaryAnne said. "Okay, but I think you should be prepared to deliver early. You three were all born early. Briar wasn't due until May 20th, Milo wasn't due May 11th and you weren't due until August 17th."
"Okay, mum."
"Do you have a nursery set up?"
"I was starting to get it ready with my friend Rachel's help. She's supposed to come over tomorrow."
MaryAnne nodded. They continued eating. None of her family were used to the time difference so they didn't go to bed until early that morning.
—
The next afternoon, the family was enjoying a late breakfast when there was a knock on the door. Natasha waddled towards the door and pulled it open to face Rachel.
"Hey Nat," she greeted.
"Hey Rachel."
"Oh, I didn't know your family was here," Rachel said.
"My brother came to visit for my birthday yesterday originally. Then my birthday turned sour when Aaron came home tipsy."
"Doesn't he usually come home tipsy on Fridays?" Rachel asked.
"Unfortunately he does but I wish he didn't," she sighed.
"Oh, let me introduce myself. I'm Rachel Samuelson. I work with Natasha at the paper."
The family introduced herself. After they finished their breakfast Rachel, Natasha and MaryAnne walked to the nursery.
"I can't believe I'll be a grandma in two months," MaryAnne said rubbing her daughter's stomach lovingly.
"Have you decided on a name?" Rachel asked.
"Her name is Laurel Marie Butler," Natasha told her mum and co-worker.
"That's a great name."
They continued putting the nursery together.