I disclaim. I'm finally ready to tie up the loose ends in this story. Probably one or two more chapters. To be honest, I didn't plot out this story very well when I started it . . . which is why it took me so long to get back on track. Thanks to all reviewers, and all readers who still care :)
"Wait a second-babies? As in plural? As in more than one? As in two or more?" Alicia was beginning to freak out.
"Well, it does run in the family dear." Molly hid her nerves. Two.
Just wonderful.
"A boy and a girl, that's fitting."
"Well, at least you won't have to worry about them being identical," Molly's eyes filled with pain. "They can be a nuisance."
"It's going to be painful in delivery though, isn't it?" Alicia tried to distract Molly.
"Drugs, my dear. Drugs."
Alicia had to stifle her laughter. "Of course, drugs."
They, in the middle of the Healer's office, met eyes and burst out into laughter.
Over the next few months, Alicia and Charlie grew closer, the lights of joy returned to Molly and Arthur's eyes, and the healing finally began.
The world post-War finally began to breathe again.
Harry and Ginny, Ron and Hermione-lovers came together.
Bill and Fleur began their own family, as baby Teddy started his life without his parents, but with a family larger than any of blood could ever be.
Love blossomed and wilted, babies were born, and people died.
Life went on.
"I'm so pregnant I feel like I'm about to burst."
"You're 8 1/2 months pregnant with twins, I wonder why." George quirked an eyebrow at her, teasingly.
"Ugh. If all you're going to do is patronize me, go away." She wasn't in the mood for this. She got up, not so quickly considering how pregnant she was, and did the best she could to storm out of the room. It was more of an angry waddle, but he certainly wasn't going to voice his opinion on the matter.
George wondered why he had to ruin every good thing in his life. Including a simple conversation.
This wasn't working out.
He was in love with her, and he was a complete moron.
Everything . . . all of this, it was his fault.
If he had noticed how Alicia felt about him, maybe he wouldn't have sent her into his brother's arms.
If he hadn't been so foolish, maybe he wouldn't have slept with Angelina.
Maybe, if he hadn't made such a mess of everything, Fred would still be alive.
It should have been him.
He should have died.
And now, in a sick ironic twist, he had to watch the woman he loved become the mother of his dead twin's children . . . just as he had to watch her fall in love with another of his brothers.
It wasn't fair-but no one promised that it would be.
"You're a fool."
He'd been sitting outside on the steps, exactly where Alicia had left him, just thinking. He hadn't really expected anyone to sneak up on him.
"That's not really surprising, considering what I'm known for-humor is my middle name, Hermione."
"It's not easy, is it? Trying to be the light, when all you want to do is hide in the dark?" she asked, ignoring his attempt at avoidance.
"No, it's not."
"You're in love with her."
He didn't bother asking who she meant, or how she knew, "Yes."
"Charlie's in love with her too."
"Yes."
"She's been in love with you for years, waiting and waiting for you to notice her. That's not easy."
"I didn't say it was," he bit out defensively.
She sat down next to him, "If Ron had been any more oblivious, I wouldn't be with him. I love him, with everything within me that can love, but there's only so much a heart can take. If after everything that happened . . . if he still hadn't loved me, I would have moved on. Thankfully, I didn't have to do that."
"He's loved you a lot longer than he thinks he has, he didn't know how to show it, or recognize the signs."
"How are you going to show her?"
"Who says I'm going to?"
Hermione sighed. And just as he thought he managed to get rid of her, she didn't make a move to leave. She hit him upside his head.
"Why not?"
"Maybe Charlie's better for her."
"Fine. If you're not all in, then you're much more of a coward than I ever gave you credit for."
"Fred was always the brave one."
Ah. So this was what it was all about. "Which makes you, what exactly?"
"The coward."
"I hope you enjoy watching Alicia and her children grow up with Charlie as a father. I should think it would be a lovely wedding, don't you?" she deliberately egged him on.
"What do you expect me to do?"
"Be a man. Be a father. Be the kind of man she wants to spend her life with."
"I don't think I'm ready for that."
"She's about to be a mother, you're either ready to be a father, or you aren't. You have to choose, and you have to be ready."
"Why are you doing this, Hermione?"
"You mean, why am I one 'your side' instead of Charlie's?" he nodded, and she took a moment to gather her thoughts. "Charlie is a great man, full of adventure and life. And as much as he'd be a great father, a great husband, his heart belongs elsewhere. I don't know if he or anyone else understands it yet. His passion . . . it's his life. And she loves you, you know. And you love her."
"Thank you, for the pep talk. I-thank you."
She nodded, smiled, and got up to leave, turned back, "Don't be a fool, George."
"I think-I think I'd rather just be her fool."
"Good luck with that," she went from smiling to serious in a moment, "But George?"
"Yeah?"
"Sometimes life isn't about what you deserve, or what you want. Don't live your life for someone else, don't let your regrets over what happened to Fred stop you from being George."
He didn't know if he could do that, but maybe it was worth trying. Maybe he had something-someone-to live for. Three someones, in fact.
*insert happy dance* Almost done!