Sunday crept up on Ashleigh and George quickly and they grew more nervous as the minutes ticked on before they had to go to The Burrow. Ashleigh was especially nervous, because it wasn't her family they were telling. She was worried George's family would cast her out for getting pregnant when she and George were still so young and unmarried.
"I don't think you have anything to worry about", George told her as they got ready to go.
"I just don't want them to cast me out or forbid you from seeing me or something", Ashleigh told him as she put her shoes on.
"Don't worry, my family isn't like that. You can't stress so much, it's not good for you or the baby", George said, wrapping his arms around her.
"I know, I'm trying not to. But you can't tell me that you're not worried about what they'll say", Ashleigh said, looking up at him.
"I'm a little nervous but my family has never been the type of people to cast someone out of our lives or forbid us from seeing someone", George told her. "But we better get going. You don't have to say anything, I can tell them. But you need to relax, because the healer said too much stress and worrying can impact the baby", he told her as they walked to the fireplace.
"I know what she said. I'm trying, trust me", Ashleigh told him. He nodded and dropped the floo powder, saying 'The Burrow'. In minutes they were standing in the living room of The Burrow, but it was oddly empty.
"Where is everyone?" Ashleigh asked. George shrugged as they walked into the kitchen. Molly was there but no one else was.
"Mum, where is everyone?" George asked, making Molly jump.
"Oh George, you startled me", Molly said as she turned around. "They're all out in the garden, I think the boys have gone to play Quidditch", Molly explained.
"Okay. Looks good", George said as he walked to give his mum a hug. Ashleigh followed suit.
"Thank you. It will be ready in about fifteen minutes", Molly told them. They nodded and went outside to greet the others.
"About time you got here", Hermione smiled, hugging Ashleigh and then George.
"Yeah, George takes forever to get ready", Ashleigh laughed as George looked at her, raising his eyebrows.
"So do you", he rebutted.
George went and hung out with his brothers as Ashleigh, Hermione and Ginny talked under a tree. Eventually, Molly called them all in for dinner. She had everything on the table so everyone sat down and served themselves. Ashleigh sat to the left of George. When they were done eating and moved onto dessert Ashleigh knew it was now or never. George told her that he would do it, so she waited for him to start talking. He put his hand on her knee under the table and squeezed lightly, letting her know he was going to tell them now. He cleared his throat, causing everyone to look at him.
"I have something I need to say", he said standing up. Fred looked at him, already knowing what he was gonna say.
"What is it dear?" Molly asked. He hesitated; Ashleigh knew he'd be more nervous once it was looking him in the face. "George?" Molly asked when she saw his hesitation and distant look. Ashleigh took his hand which brought him out of his deep thoughts. He shook his head before continuing.
"Umm… " He started, trying to figure out how to phrase it. He sighed and looked down at his hand intertwined with Ashleigh's. He pulled her hand so she would stand up, once she stood up; he kissed the back of her hand and then looked at his family. "I don't know what you're all going to think, but… We're gonna have a new Weasley to spoil soon", he finished. All that could be heard in the room was gasps and cutlery clattering to plates. No one said anything.
The silence and stares made Ashleigh feel very uncomfortable so she let go of George's hand and left the room. It took George a moment to realize that she was gone.
"Where'd she go?" He asked himself quietly and left the room. He got into the living room just in time to see the green flames disappear; he knew she had gone home. He went back into the kitchen; no one had moved a muscle. "What's wrong with you?" He asked the kitchen at large, still nothing. "Wow, unbelievable. That's a great way to show her how disapproving you are of her. Thanks guys", George said, leaving the room. Fred was looking around the room at everyone.
"He's got a point", Fred said, getting up and following George to the living room.
Once Ashleigh got home, she went to hers and George's room, changing into comfy pyjamas and laying down under the covers. She didn't want to cry, but her emotions were heightened because of the pregnancy so a few tears escaped her eyes. She knew that even if they didn't accept it, George would still be there. She didn't mind that he hadn't followed her; she just wanted to be alone anyway, so she cast a lock charm on the room. The lock could only be undone by her so George had no way of getting in. Fifteen minutes later there was a knock on the door.
"Ashleigh, I know you're in there. Please let me in. I want to talk to you", she refused to let him in.
"I want to be alone", she said back.
"Fine. But I'll be right here when you're ready to talk", he told her.
Ashleigh ended up falling asleep not to long after that. She woke up around 2:00 in the morning and realized George wasn't beside her. It took a few minutes for her to remember the days' events and she had locked him out of the room. She got up, figuring he was sleeping on the couch. She took the charm off the door and opened it. She looked down and George was sleeping sitting up beside the door.
"George?" Ashleigh asked, shaking him slightly. He groaned before jolting awake. "I'm sorry", she whispered. He looked up at her groggily before standing up and following her into the bedroom.
"It's okay. I understand that you would feel upset. Are you okay?" He asked as he changed into pyjamas.
"I will be. Did they say anything after I left?"
"No. So I just left and Fred followed. I thought my mum would be ecstatic at getting a grandchild", George told her as he laid beside her. He put his arm around her and pulled her close to him. "I'm sorry", he whispered into her hair and put his hand on her belly.
"It's fine. It's not your fault that they reacted like that and didn't say anything", she told him, resting her hand on his. "If they don't want to be a part of it, that's fine. But I will not ask you to turn your back on them", she said.
"I won't turn my back on you or our unborn child", he told her.
"Good. I don't want you too. But you can't do it to them either. I will stay away, if that's what they want. I don't have to go to any more of their Sunday dinners or family gatherings, but you do", she said, rolling over to look at him. "Promise me, you will not cut them out of your life if they don't accept me or our baby". He hesitated.
"I promise", he finally said.
"Thank you. Goodnight", she said kissing him and cuddling up to him to fall asleep.