8. Babies, babies, babies

1st September 1998 – evening

Everyone was gathered in Sirius and Remus' house; they had all received owls from George asking them to meet him and Megan there at 7pm sharp.

At 7:01, George stepped out of the fireplace, closely followed by Megan.

'Oh my god!' Molly shouted, looking at Megan.

'What? What is it? What's wrong?' Remus asked, looking Megan up and down as Molly was doing. He couldn't see why she was so excited.

'Molly, I knew you would know as soon as you seen me!' Megan laughed 'For those of you that can't see what Molly can – I'm pregnant. 17 weeks to be exact. Oh, yeah, and it's twins.' She added, laughing at everyone's faces.

Her dads were the first ones over to her, kissing her and hugging her. They were the only ones that knew how hard the last 4 months had been for her and they whispered 'Is George ok? Are you sure about this?' as everyone else congratulated George.

'We have a lot to talk about, but he seems to have had a shock that made him wake up.' She whispered and they both nodded and went to shake George's hand, leaving the rest of their extended family to hug Megan.

'I'm so happy for you sis.' Harry said, hugging her.

'Thanks Harry. You ok?' she asked. Ginny left that day for Hogwarts to finish her seventh year and Hermione had decided to go back to get her NEWTS too. She knew he missed them, but he was training as an Auror – his dream job.

'Yeah. I'll see Ginny next Hogsmeade weekend.'

'Oh, will Ron go to see Hermione?' she asked, looking over at Ron. He was deep in conversation with George.

'No' Harry said 'He and Hermione aren't together now. They decided that they were better off friends.'

Megan raised an eyebrow; she had not expected that one. She honestly thought Ron and Hermione were made for each other.

'Megan, can I ask you something?' Harry asked.

'Course.' She answered, smiling at him.

'Maybe in the kitchen? I don't want anyone to overhear.'

Megan nodded and followed Harry, confused.

'Megan, are you ok? The last time I seen you, I wanted to kill George, it was obvious he wasn't looking after you the way he should have been, and now you're pregnant and it's like he was never that way.'

'Har-'

'Harry, you're right.' A voice came from the doorway – George was there 'I wasn't looking after her or treating her right. I know that now – I was being selfish and a dick. I promise you, as her brother, I will treat her right now. I will treat her better than right.'

Megan smiled at them both. 'Harry, yes George wasn't treating me right. At first, I understood all that as he was grieving. Then, it started to hurt. However, I do love George and it just took him a bit longer to get through the grief. He is here for me now; even just today he couldn't have been more attentive or loving.'

Harry nodded 'I get what you're going through George – but please just treat her right.'

George nodded, smiling at Megan. 'I will mate, I promise you I will.'

Harry nodded again and walked out of the kitchen.

'You ok?' George asked.

Megan nodded. 'We should go home soon though – we need to talk.'

George nodded; he was worried about this talk. He didn't want to upset her.

'How about we stay another 30 minutes and then we can apparate near home and get some Chinese food, then walk the rest of the way?' she asked.

'Sounds like a plan.' He said, kissing her. 'Love you.'

'Love you too.' She said, taking his hand and resting it on her bump. 'Can you feel that?' she asked. The babies were kicking.

'Woah. Does that hurt?' he asked.

'Not really, just feels a bit weird.' She said, chuckling.

'It's pretty amazing.' He said, in awe. 'You have two babies in that tiny little space. Shit, you have to push two babies out of your other tiny little sp-'

'Ok, let's not think about that just yet.' She said, paling.

'Sorry, sorry. Let's go and have a final drink so that lot can make a toast.' He said, taking her hand and leading her back to the living room.

'To George and Megan' Sirius said, raising his glass 'And to their twins.' He added, smiling at the last part.

Everyone repeated 'To George and Megan.'

…

'Is your food ok?' George asked.

'It's amazing.' Megan sighed. 'Thank you.'

'So, George, we need to talk. I don't want to re-hash the last 4 months, but we need to just agree that everything that has happened is in the past and it won't happen again. I'm not saying you can't grieve or even that you can't go off on your own every so often when you need it, but I can't go back to the last 4 months. I need you.'

'Megan, please believe me when I say I am so sorry for what happened. Grief just seemed to take over me and –'

'George, I know what grief can do to people. I do understand. I just want to know it won't happen again.'

'You know I can't make a promise because if I can't keep it, I will never forgive myself for hurting you. However, I will try my best. I will do everything I can to make you happy. I love you Megan and I love our babies too.'

'I love you too George.' She responded, smiling at him across the table.

…

1st November 1998

Megan got herself out of bed – she was 26 weeks pregnant now and this was a bit of a task. She was big. Like, can't see your own feet big.

She tried to get dressed after her shower but instead had a fit because none of her clothes fit her.

'Megan, of course they don't fit you' George said, soothing her. 'You're growing TWO humans inside your belly and you're trying to wear a pair of jeans that have no give in them. None whatsoever. Do you want to go shopping?' he asked, hoping that would cheer her up.

'Your weekly appointment isn't for another few hours – we could go shopping first?' he said.

Megan sighed 'I suppose so.' she said.

So off they went into muggle London; Megan wearing her leggings as they were comfier for her. By the time they got to St. Mungos at 13:40, for her appointment at 13:45, George was carrying 5 shopping bags full of comfy maternity clothes for her.

'Thank you' she said, as they sat down in the waiting area.

'No problem.' He responded, kissing her and resting his hands across her belly.

'Ms Lupin' the receptionist called 'Room 2 please.'

George stood up and gave his hand to Megan, helping her stand up too. 'You ready for this?' he asked.

Megan nodded; hopefully today they were going to find out the sex for the babies.

'Ok Ms Lupin, you know the drill.' The healer said as she came in to the room. Megan did; she got up on the bed, lifted her top and lay down.

'So, last week your babies were playing peek-a-boo, right? Hopefully this week we can see what they are.'

'Fingers crossed.' Megan said, smiling up at George.

'Ok. Strong heartbeats, that's always a good thing! Ohh, I think we're going to get a look today.'

'Please, will you give me a minute? I want to ask a colleague to come in and confirm this is correct.' She said, leaving the room.

Megan grasped George's hand 'Do you think something's wrong?' she asked, worried.

'No, I'm sure it's not. She said strong heartbeats. She probably just wants to make sure that she has the sex right.' He responded, not letting on that he was worried too.

The healer was back within 5 minutes, with a colleague. 'Ms Lupin, I just want to get Healer Montgomery to check I have the correct information ok?' she smiled. Megan nodded.

The healer checked the scan, and then performed a few spells over Megan's belly.

'Ms Lupin, it appears we made a mistake when you came in for your first appointment' he said.

'What? What kind of mistake?' Megan cried.

'It's ok, you are having a multiple birth, it's just that you are in fact having triplets, not twins.' The healer said.

Megan and George stared at the healer in shock. 'Triplets' Megan choked out.

'As in three babies?' George asked.

Both healers smiled at them. 'Yes, three babies. I understand you want to know the sex?'

They both nodded.

'You are having two boys and a girl.'

Megan looked at George, tears in her eyes. The healers left the room while Megan got cleaned up. They stopped at the reception desk on their way out to confirm their next appointment.

'Triplets.' Megan sighed as they walked outside, and she burst into tears.

'Oh no, what's wrong?' George asked 'Are you in pain?'

'No! I'm scared George. I was worried about how we would cope with twins, now with triplets. We don't even have enough arms to hold them all!' she wailed.

'Oh honey' George said, chuckling slightly 'I promise you, we will manage this. Ok?' Megan didn't say anything.

'I have someone we can go and talk to, ok?' he said, taking her hand and leading her to the Leaky Cauldron. Once inside, they stepped into the fire together and George shouted, 'The Burrow.'

They stepped in to the kitchen at the Burrow and Megan immediately felt someone pulling in for a hug.

'Hey, how was the appointment dears?' Molly asked, looking at her future daughter-in-law fondly and giving her son a kiss.

'Appointment was fine mum. Actually, we need to talk to you about someth-'

'I'm having triplets' Megan said, bursting into tears again.

'Yep, that.' George said, pulling Megan to the table and pushing her into a seat. He made her a cup of tea while Molly sat at the table trying to soothe her.

'You'll be fine dears.' Molly said, taking both their hands, once George was back at the table.

'Molly, how can we be? How can we even hold three babies at once?' Megan asked.

'Easy, the same way I held two babies at once. I won't pretend it was easy – it wasn't. Especially when your father had to go back to work and I had three other kids running around that all needed love and attention. You have this on your side though – no other kids, so you get to focus on all three of them and George, you can bring someone in to cover the shop for you.'

'Your babies also have a granny and three grandads that will always be there to help.' She smiled.

Megan felt a bit better and Molly asked them to stay for tea. 'Can I ask my dads over?' she asked.

'Of course dear, ask them to come now and you can let them know before everyone else gets home.'

Megan nodded and used the fire place to call her dads.

'Hey daddy' Megan said, smiling at Remus.

'Sweetheart – you ok?' he asked.

'Of course. Can you come to the Burrow? Now, and stay for tea tonight? Molly said it's fine.'

'Sure, let me go and get Sirius and we'll be there in the next ten minutes.'

True to his word, within ten minutes her fathers were stood in front of her. George told them about their appointment and, just as Molly had done, they completely soothed Megan's fears.

…