for fun and I have no money, so suing would be highly overrated!
Colorblind by Teda
"Oh, what have I just gotten myself into?" Angelina groaned, pulling Anthony into her arms for a
hug when she should be strangling him instead. Homicidal thoughts aside, she was just relieved he
was all right. But Merlin when the parents found out! Armageddon, anyone?
"Katie, could you please go to my parents house and let them know Anthony's here and safe?" Angelina asked her friend, ignoring her little brother's protests. Katie nodded and smiled before Disapparating in a blink of an eye.
"Sit down, Anthony." Angelina sighed, as she gently pushed him towards the couch. Waddling
behind him, she flopped down exhaustedly, trying to ignore the jumpy, cramping feeling in her
belly. Carrying around all the weight was starting to really bug her. Alicia worriedly hovered over
her friend seeing her tired expression.
"What you did was extremely irresponsible. I'll give you credit for effort, and points for sheer
gall, but pretending to run away won't help the situation. If possible, it'll only worsen it."
Angelina replied sadly. His crestfallen expression showed he was finally understanding she
wouldn't be a co-conspirator.
Anthony tried to remain strong even though he felt like crying. But he wouldn't dare appear like a big baby in front of his sister or her best friend. He wanted to yell at her for not trying to help him out, but didn't. Why was he the only one trying to get his family back together?
Jerking away from her, Anthony got up from the couch and stormed off for the door. "You guys are acting like jerks. Stupid family. I wish I had run away!" he raged.
Before he could even grasp the door knob, Alicia roughly grabbed the back of his orange Chudley Canons t-shirt and yanked him back. He struggled for a minute in her arms, but she kept a firm grip on him, until he finally fell still. Angelina gave a quick sigh of relief.
The relief didn't last.
"Ow!" Angelina cried out, rubbing her engorged stomach. She winced, propping up her feet on the couch cushions while settling back into a more comfortable position. The loose fitting pink maternity dress suddenly felt like a uncomfortable hindrance.
"You okay?" Alicia asked, fearfully.
"Yeah, it's just-ow! Ow, damnit! They seem to be kicking the hell out of me." Angelina exclaimed. The discomforted feeling was gone, replaced by real pain. Her stomach suddenly hurt like hell. Hell, monthly cramps had nothing on the pain she was feeling at the moment! But she calmly reassured herself she had two and a half months to go-she never got to finish that thought before bending down and crying out in pain.
Alicia, meanwhile knawed her fingers down to the nubs. She sent up a wish up to heaven that what was going down was not what she feared it was."Please don't be in labor, Angie. I-I don't know how to handle these things. Remember that muggle movie we watched about that Scarlet girl? Well, I don't know nothing about birthin' no babies either!"
Angelina chuckled even as she bit back another cry. She had to keep a level head since Alicia appeared ready to faint. Surprisingly, Anthony was the most calm. He walked over to his big sister and crouched down by her side. They shared a quick smile, although Angelina's was mostly a wince.
Crack
Heads turned to see Katie and the Johnson's standing in the middle of the living room. Rueban Johnson, as always wore his perpetual frowny face. He quickly scanned the room until he stopped at his children seated in front of him. Natasia looked elegant in her black silk robes and impossibly high heeled shoes, yet her eyes were red from telltale crying-worrying over her stubborn son.
"Oh, thank Merlin! Do something! Angelina's in labor! " Alicia shouted, pointing to her friend as if she was accusing her of some crime.
Natasia gasped, hands over her mouth. She quickly ran to her daughter and sat on the edge of the couch. Even Rueban was shocked enough to hurry forward.
"What?! I was only gone for a few minutes and you're already in labor?! It's not time!" Katie shrieked to no one in particular. Not that anyone was paying her any mind, anyway. Alicia seconded her emotions.
"Hon, how far along are the contractions?" Natasia anxiously asked her daughter. She rubbed Angelina's stomach gently and felt the movements underneath her hands.
"I don't know?! It's too early anyway! This shouldn't be happening. I want Fred!" Angelina grimaced as another pain hit her. Needing something to concentrate her mind on, she grabbed the first thing she could, snatching up her fathers right hand. Unknowingly squeezing with all her might, she didn't hear his yelp of pain or see his wince. Natasia did and snickered to herself.
"I'll go get Fred." Alicia said, eager to get away. She disappeared seconds before she even got her sentence out. Katie cursed her for making a break for it before she had thought of it first!
"Well, this wasn't the visit I thought I'd walk into. Here I was ready to tan your brothers behind and instead my baby is having her babies." Natasia sighed, albeit happily. Anthony wisely kept silent. Rueban, remained watchful as Angelina moaned and held onto his hand. Seeing her in so much pain, he knew he couldn't let go of her tiny hand for the world.
Crack!
Fred arrived in no time and immediately raced over to his wife, George and Alicia following seconds behind him. Fred purposely ignored her father as he kneeled beside Angelina, kissing her cheeks and caressing her face. Even through the pain, Angelina was so happy to see him and her smile/wince showed it. Everyone in the room felt like intruders witnessing the touching scene.
"St. Mungo's again, huh? We're starting to become regular visitors. Maybe we should get our own wing, Angel?" Fred joked, more for himself than for her. He was inwardly panicked, but didn't want her to realize that.
"Yeah. The Weasley wing has a nice r-ring to it." Angelina laughed, gritting her teeth as another pain started. Not realizing she had not released her dad's hand, she tightened her grip. A short catch of breathe was Rueban's only reply. George and Alicia stood back out of the way, and for once George kept his mouth quiet. Anthony looked both excited and nauseous and Katie seriously wanted some boose.
Wrapping his left arm around her shoulders, Fred started lifting his wife up from her position. "Let's get you up and rush you to-" Fred said.
Rueban quickly interjected. "Don't you know anything, boy? Pregnant women, especially ones in labor cannot and should not Disapparate in their final trimester! She could wind up splinching herself because of the painful contractions!"
Fred turned to Natasia for confirmation and she grimly nodded.
"We'll have to find a portkey to get to St. Mungo's. She's in too much pain to properly handle herself. I know there's one a block from here at that deli on the corner." Natasia said. With that said, Fred quickly gathered his wife in his arms. She protested him lifting her heavy person, but he ignored her. In an organized fashion almost like it was practiced, the group singlefiled left the apartment and raced to the portkey nearby.
~~~~~~~
At St. Mungo, the group made themselves known. In a move that surprised no one, the Weasley/ Johnson party was assigned the exact same waiting room as before. Even the rude, plump blond witch seated at the front desk marked Inquiries joked about it. Angelina had been instantly rushed away to the emergency room upon arrival. The only shock was Fred not being allowed to come with her. Healer Stanwick, the ancient Healer in charge of Angelina's care wouldn't allow it just yet. The group, including Molly and Arthur, who had been owled, were upset with this news. The Johnson's demanded to see their daughter, but also were refused.
"B-but why? I should be in there with her. I can't miss the birth on my babies!" Fred protested loudly. The very old looking woman held up her hand to silence him. Dressed again in an obscenely large lime-green pointed hat and matching robes, she appeared old and fragile, but Fred knew for one that she was iron willed and made of steel.
"Hush up, Mr. Weasley. Angelina is doing well. We've given her a potion to stop her labor and hopefully that will stop the contractions. Premature labor is common with multiple births, but it is much too early for her to have the twins. Health problems could arise if they came this early. Giving birth now would not be in the best interest of the children. Once the potion takes affect you'll be allowed to see her." Healer Stanwick replied. Without another word, she left, leaving behind a very ticked off group.
Grumbling, Fred backed off and went to take a seat. His mother, seated on the right of him, patted his hand in sympathy. Natasia, concerned for her daughter, crossed and recrossed her legs unconsciously. She became anxious with worry and blinked hard to keep her tears at bay. She was startled when Molly handed her a handkerchief to dry her eyes. Seeing true compassion from Molly, Natasia smiled weakly, for once accepting the comfort Molly offered. Both mothers understood the bond a parent, especially the mother, feels for their children.
"She wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for you." Rueban snapped, ignoring his wife's hushing him and his son's groaning. All eyes turned to Mr. Johnson as he segregated himself from the Weasley family and friends, far apart from their seats.
"Rueban, for peats sake, don't do this now!" His wife pleaded with him angrily.
Fred's hackles rose up. He had enough to worry about without Angelina's father being a right bastard. He popped out of his chair, not caring that his father and brother stepped forward to keep the two men apart.
"Why are you even here? I thought the idea of Angelina having my babies disgusted you? What, are you here to yell at her while she's at her most vulnerable? Make her feel bad? Get her crying again because she doesn't have your approval? Is that where you get your kicks, Mr. Johnson?" Fred questioned sarcastically.
Molly gasped at her sons behavior. She had raised him better than to speak that way towards his elders--even if the man deserved it. Arthur, meanwhile watched his son in admiration. Sensing Molly was going to interfere, Arthur wrapped his arms around her waist and firmly shook his head no. It wasn't often Molly backed down, but she reluctantly conceded.
Rueban fairly snarled, clenching his fist."Is that what you think? I enjoy hurting my daughter? I love Angelina. She's my first born and only daughter. That's precious to me even if it doesn't appear that way to you. You, yourself are soon to become a father, so you tell me how you'd feel if your daughter came home pregnant by a boy you hardly know? Huh? White or black? How would you feel if your daughter forgoes university to play a dangerous sport like Quidditch and marry some boy without two knuts to rub together? Who lived secretly with said boy for a year and you only find out after the fact? I hope to Merlin you never have to experience the pain her Mum and I felt knowing we knew nothing about our daughters life!"
Fred for once was silent. Hearing the anguish and pain in the man's voice had him thinking how he'd feel if one of his children pulled what he and Angelina had. He was enraged just imagining some punk getting his daughter pregnant-damn!
The old man had a point. Hell, more than a point! He'd probably react just as deranged as Mr. Johnson had.
A loud knock sounded at the waiting room door. Healer Stanwick smiled pleasantly, displaying her toothless mouth.
"Um, excuse me? It seems the day has arrived after all." Healer Stanwick announced. The oppressive mood quickly disappeared as her words sunk in. Everyone rushed to the elderly woman.
"Is Angelina having the baby? You said you gave her something for that?" Natasia asked.
Healer Stanwick shrugged. "The potion unfortunately had no effect. Seems these kids want out and they want out today. So come along Weasley and let's deliver those babies."
Fred didn't have to be asked twice.
~~~~~~
Twelve hours... Angelina cursed as Fred and the Healer shouted encouragements. And the crazy
old coot said that was normal for first time pregnancies?! After calling her beloved Fred every
nasty name in the history of the world, including a ferret faced Malfoy, Angelina was finally
pushing her children out into the world.
"You're doing great, Angel." Fred yelled over her screams and loud crying.
"You can go to hell, Weasley! You dirty..@#$%^!!!" Angelina snarled, digging her nails into his
hands as another contraction came. He cried out in pain, but still held her hand. He was sure he'd
get the feeling back in it sometime that century. All Angelina knew was the old lady said
something about 'a head' and 'it's a girl' and everything went black.Thankfully blacking out for
only a few minutes, Angelina woke to the piercing cries of her babies. Fred was bawling like a
baby himself and she was just relieved it was over. She laid back on the bed and watched the two
Healers check over the twins and clean them off.
"Here you go, Angelina. Your baby girl." Healer Stanwick happily displayed a screaming baby wrapped up tightly in a pink baby blanket. She gently laid the baby in the mother's right arm, making sure the parents were holding her up correctly. Angelina tearfully cooed to her daughter before anxiously looking up for her other baby. The Healers assistant then handed Healer Stanwick the second bundle.
"And here is your baby boy. Congratulations." The old lady smiled and handed the boy to Fred.
The young couple stared in awe of their children. The girl finished crying, ending in slight whimpers, while her brother quietly suckled at his tiny fingers, content. They were tiny babies, but perfect. All ten fingers and toes and heads full of jet black hair with soft mocha brown complexions. Seeing how their son's eyes remained closed, they only had the girl's eyes for a reference. And they were a pretty hazel color. The couple grinned when she continuously stared them down.
"You managed to break the Weasley curse, Angel." Fred whispered, kissing his mates sweaty forehead. He couldn't keep his eyes from going back and forth between his children.
"What curse?"
"Check out that hair. No red heads this bunch. Merlin, they are beautiful. They look just like you." He smiled as his son yawned.
"They're so tiny." Angelina stated, worriedly.
Healer Stanwick reassured the new mom. "That's pretty consistent with twins. You know, two little people sharing one small space. Trust me they look healthy and normal. Still, being premature I want to keep them here until they are at a good weight."
"How much do they weigh?" Fred asked, caressing his sons tiny hand.
"Humph, no surprise there that the boy weighs more than the girl. He's 7 lbs and she's about 6 1/2. Figures he probably ate all the food in there. Just like a bloke." Healer Stanwick joked. All kidding aside, she ordered Fred to hold his children while she gave Angelina a quick exam. After finding everything to be in accordance, Healer Stanwick waved her wand and cleaned up the mess of childbirth. Her assistant handed Angelina a potion to handle the pain she would be experiencing after giving birth. Stroking the twins heads fondly, Healer Stanwick and the assistant left the new family alone to bond.
"Merlin, what are we going to name them? We've never agreed on a name." Angelina replied, holding her arms out to hold her babies. Fred reluctantly handed them over and they shared a knowing look at that.
"How about we name them Fred Jr. and Fredricka?" Fred suggested jokingly.
"How about we not." Angelina chuckled. Grinning from ear to ear, she leaned over and kissed her husband on the cheek. He didn't want to settle for a quick peck and turned his head and captured her mouth for a long, slow kiss. Angelina slowly pulled away with a sigh.
"Seeing how that behavior got us here in the first place, let's call it a day." she suggested, turning back to her precious bundles.
"Still think I'm a dirty @#$%^!!!?" Fred asked, remembering fondly the blue streak she cursed him in labor.
Kissing his cheek again, she laughed outright. "Yes, now more than ever."
Passerby's strolling by the delivery room never stopped and wondered about the loud, raucous laughter coming from inside. They just took it for granted someone was having a truly blessed day.
Happy everyone?! I know I am. A few chapters to go and I'll be finished. I want to personally
thank everyone I can think of who's reviewed before. Here goes...
Ashliegh, FredsAngel, bana05, Baby, GiRliEgIrL6, DyingStar, AnImEfReAk81, arihat,
lexcel, Faye, eppes, gethmane8, Snowgrl, lilmika, KellyPure, Sage, Sano, Melphina,
annalu, bballgirl02, Yoshi-fan2003, Yawning...
Whew! Anyone I forgot and didn't mention, please forgive me. Special thanks to Ashliegh and
FredsAngel for always giving me such nice and sometimes hilariously funny reviews.