Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except the one I created myself. All others belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have only borrowed them for my amusement and hopefully yours as well.

A/N: Thanks for your kind words. You have no idea how much they mean to me. Cheers!

Chapter 55

In spite of the day's traumatic events, Jolicia managed to keep her wits about her and explained childbirth to Harry and Draco. She made sure they knew what to expect and what was expected of them. She wanted to be sure that they could continue if something should happen to her. Jo also made them promise, that if something, Merlin forbid, did happen to her, that they would find a way to get the children back to their father. They promised they would, and made it clear that nothing bad was going to happen. Everything was going to turn out just fine.

Harry joked, "I think we've had enough bad shit today, Jo. Don't you?" Jo concurred with Harry's assessment of the situation wholeheartedly.

The hours passed and they tried to make Jo as comfortable as possible. They held her hand, rubbed her back and feet, gave her cold compresses for her forehead. It was quite disconcerting for them to see her in so much pain. They felt helpless during those moments when a contraction grabbed her and took her away, for there was nothing that either of them could do to ease their passage.

After many hours, Jo was exhausted. She began to cry, unable to keep her tears in for any longer.

"This is not how it is supposed to happen!" she wailed. "My mother is supposed to be here with me. Severus should be here!" She sobbed uncontrollably. Draco hugged her around the shoulders, trying to get her to calm down. It was the last thing they needed for her to lose it.

Not long after, Jo felt the need to push. It seemed to be taking forever. This was undoubtedly the hardest thing Jo had ever done.

"I can't do this, Harry. I have no strength left," she cried.

"Yes you can, Jo. Come on, you have to do it."

"I...I can't. This is too much. I can't take anymore."

Harry looked to Draco – his eyes said it all - HELP!

Draco bent down and whispered to Jolicia, "Jo, listen to me. You have no choice, you have to do this. Neither Harry nor I can do this for you. It shouldn't be much longer now." He added in a firm voice, "You can do this."

Harry chimed in, "What would Severus say to you right about now?"

Jo sniffed loudly and wiped her eyes, "Blast and damnation woman, what's taking you so long?"

"Now that sounds like my godfather," said Draco with a grin.

She pushed as hard as she could. "OOww…Bloody hell! I feel like I'm giving birth to Hagrid!"

Draco laughed and said, "At least you've still got your sense of humor. Push!"

"Severus is not going to touch me ever again!" Jo screamed. "Arrrgh! Never want to …ahhh…go through this again!"

"There's the head!" cried Harry. "Keep going. Push!"

Jo gave it all she had and it was out. The first baby was born!

"It's a boy! Jo, you have a son." Harry did as Jo had instructed and the baby began to cry. Draco cut the cord with his wand and Harry placed the wailing infant on her stomach.

"Look at him. He's beautiful…my beautiful son!"

"He sure is, Jo. This is amazing!" said Harry.

Draco agreed. Another contraction came. Draco took the baby from Jolicia, cleaned him up and wrapped him in a blanket that he conjured.

"You're not finished yet. Here we go again."

It wasn't too much longer before baby number two was born as well.

"Congratulations. Mummy, here's your daughter." The second baby's cord was cut and she was wrapped up in a blanket just as her brother had been. After everything was finished, Harry cleaned Jolicia with his wand and she lay back in the bed with a bundle cradled in each arm.

Jo's eyes were bright with tears as she looked at Harry and Draco. "I don't know how to thank both of you. You were wonderful. I am so proud of both of you." She beckoned them closer and kissed each in turn.

"You did all the work. We just helped out a little, didn't we Harry." Draco had tears in his eyes as well.

"Yeah, you're amazing Jo. Those are the most beautiful babies I've ever seen."

"I agree, but then, I'm a little bit prejudiced," she laughed.