"Mollywobbles, dear, darling, wake up." Arthur whispered, his hand resting on his wife's waist, gently shaking her. He was kneeling beside their bed, and he had a clear view of her face.
"Hmm?" She replied, keeping her eyes firmly shut and pulling the coverlet tighter around her.
"Molly, my dear, wake up." He repeated, pressing his lips to her forehead.
"What is so important, Arthur?"
"I'm leaving for work and I wanted to make sure you were awake before I left."
"What time is it?" She asked groggily, still not fully awake.
"Six."
"Come back to bed, Arthur. You don't have to be to work until nine."
"I'm going in early today so I can be home at a decent hour to have Christmas with you and the kids."
"I still don't see why you have to work on the holiday in the first place." By now, she had become fully alert and raised herself up on one elbow.
"Because of You-Know-Who, dear. I'll see you around six, all right?"
"You're working a ten-hour shift? Arthur…"
"Eleven actually, if I manage to get there before seven."
"But can't you take today off? It is Christmas…"
"No, Molly. They need me today, especially because it's the holiday. I'll be back by six, I promise." He reassured her, kissing her lips.
"Just bring yourself back safe and sound, please?" she asked, reaching over to brush a stray hair back into place.
"I'll do my best, my Molly. Now I absolutely have to go." He stood up, kissing her again.
"I love you, you know," she said, as he pulled away to leave.
"I know, Mollywobbles. I love you too, see you tonight."
Molly sighed as she watched her husband leave; she had been hoping he would spend the day with her and the children. Hearing one of the twins cry, she got up to begin her day.
After she had fed the children, she occupied the twins in their playpen and she and the other children set about putting the finishing touches on the Christmas decorations around the Burrow.
"Mumma, what's this?" Charlie asked, holding up a sprig of mistletoe.
"That's mistletoe, Charlie." Molly answered, ruffling his hair affectionately.
"What's it for?"
"Decoration. If you get caught under it, you get a kiss."
"Oh, where are you going to hang it up?" He asked, handing her the mistletoe.
"I was thinking right above the doorway." She replied, moving to hang the mistletoe above the kitchen doorway.
Satisfied that the house was fully decorated, she put the twins down for their nap, and decided to spend some quality time with her eldest boys. As six o'clock approached, Molly settled her children around the tree so when Arthur got home they could exchange gifts.
"Molly, my dear, I'm home." Arthur announced from the kitchen.
At the sound of their father's voice, the boys got up and excitedly threw themselves into Arthur's arms as he crossed the threshold into the living room. Arthur eagerly embraced his sons, and Molly smiled at the sight.
"Mumma, Daddy's under the mistletoe, does that mean he gets a kiss?" Charlie asked, looking at his mother.
"It does, Charlie. Boys, why don't you let your old mum in there, hmm?" Molly asked, and the boys settled themselves back around the tree.
"Come here, you." Arthur whispered, opening his arms to embrace his wife. Molly gave him a smile before stepping into the circle of his arms, sliding her arms around his neck.
They looked into each other's eyes for a moment, before sharing a short, sweet, kiss.
"Welcome home, dear." Molly whispered as she pulled away, releasing him.
Arthur gave her another kiss before taking her hand and leading her to the settee.
"Can we open our presents now, Mum?" Bill asked, positioning himself next to the tree in order to hand out the gifts.
"Yes, Bill. Go ahead and give everyone their gifts." Molly replied, resting her head against Arthur's shoulder.
"What about Fred and George?"
Molly stood up to collect the twins; she and Arthur would help them with their gifts. She settled back on the sofa next to Arthur handing George to him and settled Fred in her lap.
"Your mother and I will help them, Bill." Arthur answered, bouncing George on his knee.
"What about yours and Mum's gifts Dad?"
"Stack them by the tree. We'll open them in a bit."
Bill shrugged as he continued to play Father Christmas, handing out the gifts. Soon the room was filled with sounds of ripping paper and shouts of "Thank you!" As the boys opened their sweaters, they immediately pulled them on, and gave Molly a huge hug before sitting down and waiting calmly.
"I believe they want us to see what we got," Arthur said, leaning over to whisper in his wife's ear. Molly nodded and set George on the floor, getting up to gather hers and Arthur's gifts. Unbeknownst to Bill, she had hid their presents to each other behind the tree, so she and Arthur could exchange later in the evening. Handing Arthur his gift from the children, she settled back against him. Arthur's eyes lit up as he opened the gift, revealing a wristwatch and a new wallet.
"Thank you boys, I've needed a new watch."
"You're welcome, Dad," Bill said, speaking for his brothers as well.
Molly carefully unwrapped her gift next; a framed family photo that had been taken right after the twins had been born. "Thank you boys," Molly said, opening her arms to embrace her children.
"You're welcome, Mum. Can we have dinner now?"
"Yes, Bill. Will you and Charlie set the table, please?" Bill and Charlie nodded, moving to do as she asked while Arthur and Percy cleaned the sitting room. After the boys had eaten, she put them to bed and she and Arthur settled themselves in front of the fire to exchange their gifts.
"Open yours first, Arthur." Molly said, handing him his.
Arthur gladly complied, and opened it, revealing a royal blue sweater with a large 'A' on it. "Thank you, Mollywobbles." Arthur said, as he pulled the sweater on and kissed her briefly.
"You're welcome, Arthur." She took her gift from him, and carefully unwrapped it, revealing a small sort of book. "What is it?" She asked, slightly puzzled.
"A coupon book, my love, each of these coupons entitles you to something from me, to be used at your leisure."
"What sort of things?"
He took the book from her and flipped to a random slip of parchment and read: "This coupon entitles you to one romantic evening with your working stiff of a husband."
"You made it yourself, didn't you Arthur?"
"I did. Do you like it?"
"Of course I do. That's very sweet and kind of you." She said, slipping her arms around his neck, pressing her lips softly to his.
"Uh, Molly, by the way, there's more to your gift."
"Really? What?"
"It's upstairs. I'll meet you in our bedroom."
"All right then. I'll just check on the kids."
When Molly entered the room, Arthur had just finished lighting vanilla scented candles and scattering red roses throughout the room.
"Arthur, what's all this?"
"A romantic evening with your working stiff of a husband," he said, sliding his arms around her waist.
"You're not a working stiff," she whispered, resting her head against his chest.
"Yes I am. What else do you call someone who is never home and working all hours of the day and night?"
"Overworked, that's what I call that someone. It's not your fault," she began, but he placed a finger over her lips to silence her.
"I know, but I hate not being able to be here for you and the kids."
"You're doing an awesome job as their father though, Arthur. They think the world of you."
"They do?"
"Yes, they love their Daddy." She said, slipping her arms around his neck.
"That doesn't stop me from feeling guilty, Mol."
"You've no reason to feel guilty; you're being the best father and husband you can be, given the circumstances." She whispered, pulling him a little closer.
"Mollywobbles, let's not talk. We haven't had any alone time in quite awhile." He whispered back, leaning his forehead against hers. She smiled at him as he traced a finger along her jaw line before kissing her briefly. His hand strayed down the front of her dress, unbuttoning as he went, exposing a lacy black slip. Molly pressed herself closer to him as he undressed her and continued to kiss her. He then began working at his own clothes, and within moments, the couple was in nothing but their undergarments.
Arthur somehow managed to pull the coverlet back as they fell to snogging on their bed.
"Molly, my love, Molly, my darling," Arthur said, releasing her for a moment, causing her to frown.
"What?"
"Not to ruin the mood or anything," he began, raising himself up on one elbow and tracing patterns on the sheets with his forefinger, "but there's something you need to know."
"What is it Arthur?" She asked, raising herself up on one elbow as well.
"Something terrible happened while I was in the office today," he paused for a moment, not quite sure how to break the news he had to her. "You-Know-Who went after several Ministry employees today."
"You're all right, aren't you?" She asked, her face immediately filling with concern.
"Of course I am, Mol. I'm just trying to tell you that your parents were killed."
Molly nodded, not surprised that she didn't feel anything toward the news Arthur had just delivered to her. In her eyes, the only family she had was Fabian and Gideon, and Arthur and the kids. "Thank you for telling me dear." She commented, lowering herself back on the bed.
"You're not upset?"
"Of course I'm not, Arthur."
"Why?"
"They tried to keep me from marrying you. If I had listened to them, I wouldn't be here with you right now, halfway to shagging and the mother of your five children."
"No tears, then?"
"No tears. Kiss me."
Arthur happily obliged, putting himself on top of her, kissing her passionately. He worked off his socks with his feet as Molly removed his undershirt, leaving him in only his boxers. He rolled back over, letting her lay on top of him. She pulled away and to the side, kneeling on the bed. Arthur looked at her with a look of pure admiration and desire as she locked her eyes on his and gripped the edge of the slip, which was bunched up high on her thighs and pulled it over her head. Arthur let out a growl as her breasts tumbled free, unsupported. He pressed himself close to her, kissing her as passionately as he could, as she worked off his boxers.
"Molly, my love, my doll,"
"My big, tall, strong, handsome, Arthur, get on with things." Molly replied, digging her nails into his back and bucking her hips as he slid a finger into her. He worked off her panties with painstaking slowness, and Molly cried out as he entered her. When he had exhausted himself, he flopped down beside her and held her close, keeping watch over her until she had fallen asleep.
A/N: I hope this chapter was well worth the wait! I only expect there to be a few more chappies for this fic, as it will only go through Ron's birth.