Chapter five
Ginny kept her eyes closed when she woke, listening.
There was a body next to her, a small one, and she knew in her heart it was her adopted son. Jake was there. She heard someone snore from across the hall, and she knew her parents were there as well. She heard her older brothers yelling at one another outside at how to do something. But most of all, she heard the whistling that was coming from the kitchen. Her heart filled with love, and joy. She knew with certainty she was at the Burrow. She was home.
She opened her eyes, as the footsteps started coming up the stairs. Ginny was surprised to see the other bed in the other corner of the room. And she was surprised to find there was a small boy that was sleeping on it. It was in fact, her nephew. She realized after a moment, that she was in Ron's old room, and not her own.
As predicted, it was Jake that was lying next to her, half on top, actually, and she smiled, running a hand through his dark black hair that reminded her so much of Harry's. She smiled content on watching the two boys sleep.
The door to the bedroom opened, however, and her gaze turned to the man standing in the doorway. Her heart filled once again, with love. She watched his as he paused, seeing she was awake, but then came into the room, closing the door behind him, and moving towards her, a tray in his hands.
He strode to her bedside table, and as she smelled the food, her stomach growled. Harry chuckled. "Molly said you'd be awake and starving by now. That mother of yours is never wrong, so I figured I'd make you something. She was right."
"She's an extraordinary mother and woman." Ginny whispered, tears forming in her eyes at the thought of seeing her mother again after five years.
After Harry set down the tray, he moved around the bed and gently shook Jake. "Jake, Jake," he said softly. "Get up; walk with me, just over here."
Jake got up, sleepily, and Ginny watched as Harry led him to where Ron Jr. Was sleeping. Harry pulled the covers up over both of them, and kissed Ron's head. He hesitated a long moment, undecided, then did the same to Jake.
Ginny instantly felt that any more love would burst her heart.
Harry came to back to where she lay. "Now I know the old Weasley temper will flare up with this, but you are not to move an inch from that bed. Not one inch. Not without your mothers help, or mine. I don't care what happens, don't move. Understand, Mrs. Andrews?"
Ginny was very calm. "And if I do?"
"You will never move again until you are better, and I will be spoon feeding you because you shall be tied down."
Harry looked serious. Ginny stared at him. "You're not serious, aren't you?"
"I am very serious, Mrs. Andrews. Now, would you like me to help you to the bathroom, or would you rather put me to the test?"
Ginny was becoming irritated with his behavior, and him ordering her what to do, along with the "Mrs. Andrews" crap. "When did you become a nurse," she snapped, pushing off her sheets. The bathroom did soon like a good idea before she ate. She tried to move one leg.
She tried again.
And again.
And then once more.
She couldn't move her feet.
"I warned you." Harry stood gazing down at her with unblinking eyes. "Now I have to carry you, I suppose though," he murmured more to himself then to her. "Alright, here you go."
Ginny felt herself being picked up, and instantly, she began to struggle. Expertly, he pulled her arms onto her chest. "Stop," he whispered, "Save energy for eating, or I really will have to spoon feed you."
Once Ginny was settled back into bed, she was glad she had given into him, no matter how embarrassing it had been to have him carry her to and from the bathroom.
Harry placed the tray in front of her. Before handing her the silverware, he again cautioned her, "Eat slow. I know your hungry. If you don't eat slow enough to my liking, you will be spoon fed. Understand?"
She bit her lip from yelling at him, and nodded slowly. Why was he acting this way? Satisfied, he handed her the spoon. "Slow. Dudley hurt you pretty bad."
Ginny almost choked, "Dudley?" she asked.
"Yes, Dudley." Harry's face turned concerned. "The man who beat you up? Your husband?"
Harry then hit himself on his forehead. "Justin. Oh Gin, you really didn't know?"
Ginny dropped her spoon. "No," she whispered "No, he's not. There's no way." Tears began to run down her cheeks.
Harry felt sorry he had brought it up. But was his job to make sure she understood that it was crucial that she did what he said. He sat down on the edge of her bed and said, "Gin, look at me." She did. He picked up the spoon and then had her take a bite of the soup. "It's not your fault. You didn't know he was Dudley. To you, he was Justin Andrews. He still can be."
As she opened her mouth to speak, he put in another spoonful, stopping her. "I want to know though, that you are now a widow. I'm sorry I let my anger get the best of me, Mrs. Andrews. After Jake told me how long he had hurt you, I killed him. I'm not sorry he is dead, but I am sorry for the pain you feel."
"To answer your question from before, when I became a nurse, I'm not. However, I am a certified doctor. I became one about two years ago. You are my first patient in over a year however."