The morning began as it usually did. Rhia's bladder was always the first to wake up, and with each new pound she gained, sitting upright was becoming interesting. It took her a moment to disentangle herself from George's various limbs, and then she found herself rolling off the bed again. It sounded awkward to George, and more than once, he reached out to keep her from falling to the floor, but she always managed to roll and land on her feet, like a cat and without his help. He still couldn't prevent himself from cringing each time, so as a rule, it was better if George simply didn't watch while it was happening, much like the making of sausages. When she finished in the bathroom, she crawled back into the bed and into George's waiting arms. There were times when he pretended to be asleep and surprised her with a cluster of kisses on the back of her neck and shoulders. Today was one of those times. George laughed as she jumped at his first set of kisses. He rubbed a hand across her belly, lifting her shirt, and covering her face with it. "Hey," she cried out with a laugh as she removed the fabric from her eyes.

George raised himself to his knees, his head hovering over hers. He left light kisses across her forehead and then down her nose to the tip. He ran a finger along her cheek until it touched her lips, and then he kissed her, stopping only to breathe. He leaned his body against hers when she put her arms around his neck. She ran her fingers through his hair and traced his ear with one of them. He smiled at her and continued kissing her face and neck, causing her to giggle and return his kisses.

Since last month's scare, they had been growing ever closer. Rhia had spent three weeks at The Burrow, having only returned to Diagon Alley a week ago. During those three weeks, Molly thought George spent more time at The Burrow than when he was growing up there. It was certainly more than since he and Fred had moved to the flat over the shop. She would glance out of the kitchen window while she made tea and smile. Rhia had a chair she liked to sit in while she was in the garden, and when George arrived, he would cast an enlarging charm so he could sit beside her. Molly enjoyed watching George rest his head on Rhia's shoulder, holding her hand in his over her stomach, watching the sun set until Molly finally called them in for tea. Fred and George had always been together and always so energetic that it seemed to her, at the same time, to be both sad and thrilling as she saw George become a solitary man as he seemed to fall in love with Rhia. Molly shrewdly refrained from commenting, thereby avoiding her son's aggravation and Rhia's embarrassment.

Since Rhia had returned to the flat, the week that she had spent with George was beginning to make her go spare. She couldn't believe how overprotective he had become. She had more freedom under Molly's watchful eye. He had finally allowed her to walk down to Gringotts and make the deposit on Wednesday, and she used that opportunity to pick up the new copy of Witch Weekly magazine. She sat for a time at the café for a cup of tea (decaffeinated, of course). As she sat in a quiet corner alone, she rolled her eyes at the imaginary George in front of her admonishing her choice of drink. It's decaffeinated, she said to herself. She turned the pages of the magazine until she found this week's piece of the romantic serial she was following and began to read.

She had started reading it when she got hold of Molly's copy of the magazine. There was a terrific recipe that showed step-by-step how to make pasties and, after reading how simple it seemed, she was determined to make them for George. The more she thought about it, the more nervous she became. He made them so well, but she wanted to try it out for him at any rate. When she arrived back at the shop, though, her good mood evaporated. There was an owl from her brother waiting for her. She turned the letter over in her hand several times before reading it and placing it in the bedside table drawer.

That was Wednesday, and today, as George rose from the bed to get into the shower, she reached over and pulled the parchment out to re-read it yet again. As she sat on the bed, unfolding the missive, she looked up, noticing George watching her. She gave him a wry smile and, fortunately, he refrained from comment, closing the loo door quietly behind him. She read the note for what seemed like the fiftieth time.

'Dear Rhiannon, Mam will be at St. Mungo's tomorrow. She would like to see you. Please meet us there. She doesn't understand why you won't come. Two o'clock. Curse damage ward. See you there. Gruffydd.'

Ever since the letter had arrived four days ago, Rhia had tried to compose a response. She had been unsuccessful, and despite George's reproach, she couldn't help but feel guilty. The woman was still her mother and, up until last summer, she had always been a good mother. Yet, as she felt the babies' kicks more frequently, she also remembered that she was about to become a mother as well, and her children's needs had to come first. She couldn't jeopardize their health or hers. She folded the parchment and put it back in the top drawer of the bedside table, taking out her newest copy of Witch Weekly to read the pasty recipe again. After making them for George on Thursday night, she realized that she was really rubbish at making pasties. They were horrid. George ate them without complaint, and he was sympathetic enough to make them for her on Friday. He had a real knack for getting them just right, which was splendid for Rhia. She craved them all the time. Then when he saw her own copy of the magazine, he teased her to no end, especially when he found the back issues. She insisted that she only read the recipes and the romantic serial. He shook his head and offered to bin them, but she nearly tackled him to keep him from taking them away.

She was sitting at the worktop, eating her muesli and finishing up the shop's paperwork when George returned from his shower. She actually enjoyed the paperwork and was happy to do what she could to help around the shop. She had offered to test products, but George refused, at least, he said, until the babies were born. He came up behind her, letting his towel fall as he put his arms around her, nipping at her neck and her ear. He ran a hand down the length of her side, caressing lightly along the side of her breast, and rubbing her tummy. When his lips met hers again, he expelled a sigh as her hands came around his neck and pulled him closer. He moaned when her tongue slipped into his mouth.

"When do we need to be at The Burrow?" she whispered into his mouth.

"An hour." He continued to kiss her between breaths.

"I have to shower, cariad."

"No, you don't. You're good," he said through more kisses.

"George." She smiled at him, and he gathered up the towel around his body again as he took a deep breath, and smiled at her. He sat on his bed and watched her walk into the bathroom to get ready.

On this particular Sunday, George was keeping the shop open for most of the day. He worked alone in the morning and when Verity came in to close, he would leave. Sundays were usually slow for business, and this afternoon, they had plans at The Burrow. His mum's birthday was two days ago, so everyone was gathering to celebrate. George had just returned from the shop, and was attempting to wrap his mum's gift. He was having trouble, and even before she asked, he brought it over to Rhia on the sofa, handing it to her. She smiled, and fixed his torn wrapping with a flick of her wand. He happily handed over the Spellotape to her and got everything else ready. Rhia had insisted on making something – a salad of all things, but as George recently found out, there was no arguing with a pregnant woman. She thought that Hermione and Ginny were making the cake for Molly. She shouldn't have to make her own birthday cake, for Merlin's sake.

They soon found themselves in the Weasley garden. Despite the fact that one of the brothers would forever be missing, this first Sunday of the month tea was becoming a family tradition and one that Rhia relished in. She loved that no matter what they were doing, the whole family dropped or postponed it to be in attendance. Bill had spent the early part of the weekend with Fleur at Shell Cottage after leaving Hogwarts late Friday afternoon. She was going to return there with him to spend the last few weeks before the Christmas holidays. He had brought Ginny and Hermione with him from the castle school. Charlie was in from Romania and Percy had arrived later than George and Rhia, who thought they were the last to arrive. George raised his eyebrows, but refrained from teasing as Percy tucked his shirt into his trousers and straightened his glasses. Percy's face matched his hair when Charlie asked if he were plucking a bird, but he quickly turned away from his older brother.

It was a crisp beautiful day. There were still many green leaves, but others had begun to turn a rainbow of colours before they fluttered on the breeze for moments until finally settling on the ground. Rhia sat at the picnic table, watching Ginny and Hermione sort through the apples they had plucked earlier from the family's orchard. There were three varieties and while they sorted, George was juggling, lobbing one or two at Charlie lying in the grass. Charlie was deftly flicking them away with his wand, barely looking at them. Ron was the unlucky one not paying attention, and when an apple hit him in the side of the head, he shouted at them.

"Oi, you two! Enough with the bloody apples! Gits!" he muttered, almost unnoticed. Almost.

"Ronald!" his mum called to him, wagging a finger in his direction. She had just left the house and was leading Andromeda Tonks and her grandson, Teddy Lupin, outside to the garden. Kingsley Shacklebolt, the still relatively new Minister of Magic was walking behind them with Arthur, the two of them engaged in an animated discussion no one else could hear. Ginny and Hermione giggled as Ron's ears turned pink and one of them tossed an apple to Teddy as he crawled over after being set down in the grass near Charlie. He was nearly seven months old, and was getting good on his knees, sitting up and pulling himself up on any stationary object he could grasp.

Rhia was still chuckling as George sat beside her on the table. "You know, George, your family's just brilliant."

He smiled in agreement, looking around at his parents and the rest of his family, including Harry and Hermione. And now Rhia. He glanced back at Rhia and was pleasantly surprised when their eyes met. He felt a wave of energy surge through him, realizing that she had been looking at him, but then she quickly averted her gaze back to the apple sorting.

When he said it, he thought he had spoken quietly, but when the words came out, everyone in the garden became still, trying not to look at the couple sitting on the table. Harry was shuffling his feet and the only sound now was Teddy's giggling. Rhia's eyes darted to George and then back to Teddy hastily. He repeated himself, slightly hushed. "Marry me."

Rhia didn't look at him, but stared at her hands clasped in her lap. Her voice shook. "I'm not marrying you just because we're having a baby together, George." She expected him to respond as he usually did, with a 'we're having two', or to ask her to think about it, but he didn't say either. He surprised her again.

"Then marry me because you love me."

Her head jerked up, startled by what he said, and she looked into his face as he continued speaking, a renewed hush coming over the garden. "Marry me because you love me, and I love you and I have since the first time you kissed me at Hogwarts." He gave her a small smile and slid along the table towards her. "Marry me because I'll make you laugh until you cry and because I'll always ruin the end of the book for you." He slid closer still. "Marry me because you love my pasties and because your smile is as bright as my hair and because you finish my sentences when I can't, and I finish your pudding and bitter when you can't." He had continued to slide closer, and now he was close enough that she could feel his breath on her cheek as he took her hands in his. "Just marry me. Wnei di dy mhriodi fi?

She looked at him as tears filled her eyes, and she put her hand on his cheek. She bit her lip as one tear escaped, sliding down her face. She closed the slight distance left between them and put her lips to his, kissing him sweetly. She tasted the butterbeer he'd just finished, and she breathed into his mouth.

"Oh, cariad. I do love you, George. Gwnaf. Yes." And she smiled, closing her eyes, kissing him again as he put his arms around her and pulled her to him, inhaling the scent of her hair and smiling as Ginny and Hermione reached them first, throwing their arms around the happy, but slightly teary couple.

"So, when will it be?" Mrs. Weasley was asking already as she approached.

"Mum," George laughed. "I know it's your birthday, but she's only just said yes. We'll talk about it at home later, and then we'll get back to you. I'll send you an owl."

"Why not right now?" Ron said in what sounded like a slightly obnoxious tone.

"I don't want to talk about it now, Ronald," George said firmly, emphasizing his brother's name.

"No, that's not what I meant," Ron said. "Why don't you just get married right now?" Everyone looked at him like he was a lunatic. George laughed and Ginny rolled her eyes. "The whole family's here, and the Minister as well," he continued, nodding his head towards Kingsley. "And we already have a cake." He was grinning, waiting for someone to respond to his outlandish idea.

George looked at Ron and then turned to Rhia, not speaking, but looking eager, his eyes bright. She smiled and without hesitation said, "We could."

George added, "I actually hate to admit it, but Ron's right. Is there anyone else you would want, though?"

Her eyes clouded in thought, but she shook her head. "No. Well, maybe Uncle Rhodri, but he's probably not around –"

"I know where to find him. I'll bring him back with me," Kingsley said quickly, and with a pop, he was gone.

"What will I wear? I can't get married in overlarge jeans," Rhia said, concerned about their haste for the first time.

"I have something you can wear," Ginny said promptly. Rhia looked hesitant, running her hand across her large stomach as she looked at Ginny's small frame. "Don't worry – come on – we'll make it work." Rhia leaned over and kissed George's cheek before following Ginny and Hermione into the house.

George went along behind them, watching them go upstairs to Ginny's room while he kneeled in front of the fireplace to floo a few people. It didn't take long, and he returned to the garden in a flash. Soon after, the garden began filling with people. Lee and Angelina, Oliver and Katie, Alicia and her new beau, Neville and Hannah, Luna and all of Rhia's Jones uncles and their families. Rhodri brought Rhia's brother, Celyn, who was looking mightily uncomfortable, but George knew he would only support Rhia. He'd been the only family member to have regular contact with her in the preceding weeks, going so far as to owl her while she stayed at his mum's to check on her health. Percy had disappeared briefly, but returned with a woman with short blond hair, whom he introduced as Audrey Corbett. She looked slightly uneasy, and she was taken aback when George gave her a big hug, and had an equally demonstrative one for Percy.

Molly and Rhodri's wife, Gwenllian, had things well under control, cooking and ordering Charlie around with the decorating duties. George laughed at Charlie's look of mutiny, but went in a different direction to avoid his older brother's wrath. He smiled as his eyes found the brother he was looking for.

"Oi, Ron." Ron looked at his approaching brother with a mix of apprehension and amusement. "You know, Ronald, this was all your idea," he said in an accusatory tone that made Ron wince momentarily and he nodded nervously as George continued. "Would you like to be my best man?"

Ron was taken aback, stuttering, "S-S-Sorry? You…you want me…to be…your best man?" Without waiting for George to answer, he responded, happily, "Of course, George. I'd…I'd be…h-h-happy to." They embraced briefly, both smiling, looking around at the resulting chaos to Ron's "bright" idea. George could see Hermione leading Rhia's uncle into the house, and then Bill was by his side.

"You should change. Do you have any dress robes?"

"I'll be right back." He disapparated, returning in moments with his dress robes thrown over one arm and Verity clinging to the other.

"I closed up – special day and all." Bill laughed as George ran into the house to change. It was nice to have such a happy day at The Burrow.

"Where's George?" Ron asked Bill.

"Inside changing."

"No. I found his dress robes on his bed. He's not in there."

Bill stared at Ron, feeling an overwhelming sense of trepidation. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I found his dress robes on his bed, and I checked with Hermione. He hasn't snuck in to see Rhia. He's not in the house, Bill." They were whispering urgently.

"Looking for me?"

They both turned to find George smiling behind them, perfectly coiffed in his dress robes, hair combed in place, broad grin plastered across his face.

"George," Ron said severely. "Where have you been?"

"Diagon Alley."

"Are you taking the mickey out of me? What were you doing in Diagon Alley – squeezing in one more bachelor day?"

"No, little bro, big bro," he said, looking from one brother to the other. "We can't get married without rings. I was buying rings." He lobbed the box at Ron, who caught it after fumbling it in a spectacular display of dexterity. "You're supposed to hold them, right?"

Ron gave his brother a grin, placing the box carefully in his robe pocket, and shaking his head as George bounced away. Ron turned to Bill. "I think I'm more nervous than he is." Bill laughed, nodding in agreement.

The time between George asking Rhia to marry him and the guests taking their seats was less than two and a half hours. George was standing at the end of the makeshift aisle with Ron and Kingsley. Everyone else was sitting, talking quietly. George's parents were sitting with Rhia's aunt, leaving a space for her uncle, who would walk her down the short aisle. Ginny poked her head out and after finally getting Harry's attention, waited until he flicked his wand, starting the music. She was the first one down the aisle, followed by Hermione. When they both reached the front row, they paused and turned, and everyone followed the direction of their gaze to the back of the garden.

George inhaled deeply, his knees faltering as Rhia and her uncle came into view. Ron grasped his elbow, steadying him. George chuckled sheepishly, surprised by how intense his feelings were right at this moment. He looked down the aisle, seeing only the woman who would, in mere moments, be his wife, beginning today, lasting until forever. He felt his heart beating rapidly and when their eyes met, and she smiled at him, he thought his heart would stop. He knew he was grinning like an idiot, but he didn't care. She might believe that he saved her on that fateful day in May, but he knew the truth. She had truly saved him when she reappeared into his life, bringing with her the babies they'd conceived.

The sage cotton dress Ginny had adorned her in clung in all the right places and was gathered above her baby belly tied by a matching sash that trailed down her back. The hem of the dress came to just below her knee, and George saw the same colour shoes. It was unusual for George to notice all of this, but he was taking in everything his almost-wife was. Her shoulders were bare and as he looked at the circlet on her head with leaves interwoven with the same sage sash, he remembered their lazy morning in bed when he kissed her bare shoulder. He was distracted from his daydream by the reality, seeing the multi-coloured leaves and single daffodil in the circlet as she and her uncle drew nearer. George couldn't take his eyes away from her. He couldn't believe how lovely she looked and how lucky he was. She drew closer, and he could hear Kingsley speaking to Rhia's uncle, and when Rhodri answered and then Rhia put her hand on his, George became aware of an overpowering sense of calm. Ron released his elbow as George took a step towards Rhia and they held hands, she looking up at him and him down at her, beaming.

Kingsley spoke beautifully about what marriage means and that the fact they were bringing children into this new, safer world so soon proved their commitment to one another and their confidence in the future. They and their families had both been instrumental in helping to create this safe world and now they would gain from it. Kingsley asked if either wanted to say anything to the other, turning first to George.

He smiled at Rhia, tears welling in his eyes. He squeezed her hands.

"You're so beautiful; I'm speechless." He touched her face, wiping away an escaping tear on her cheek. He spoke his next words slowly, wanting them to be right. "Rwy'n dy garu di, Rhiannon. I've never had feelings for another woman the way I have for you. I want to spend my life with you."

She was so pleased with his learning some Welsh, and after his simple declaration, it was her turn now.

"Before you knew anything about me or the babies, when my world was at its darkest, you took me in and cared for me, no questions asked. You gave me all that you had, expecting nothing in return; not even an explanation. It didn't take long before I knew that I wanted to spend my life with you. I could never meet a better man than George Weasley." She touched his face with her palm, and whispered, "I love you."

They looked at Kingsley expectantly. Rhia lost her smile briefly as her mouth opened; stunned at the one thing they hadn't talked about when they were asked for the rings. When she looked at George, and saw his grin, she knew that, as usual, he was prepared. Ron handed Kingsley the velvet box. They exchanged their rings with shaking hands. Tears were gliding down both of their cheeks at this point, and they laughed when the Minister finally said, "Kiss your bride, George." George took a deep breath, cupping her face with both of his hands as he lightly touched her lips with his. Her eyes fluttered closed as he deepened the kiss, moving one arm around her waist, drawing her closer, their foreheads pressed together amid excited applause.

George and Rhia danced their first dance as husband and wife while everyone watched. They were soon joined by their friends and family. While George twirled his mum around the dance floor, Rhia danced with her uncle, then Mr. Weasley and Minister Shacklebolt, after whom came her brother and then all of George's brothers lined up for their turns. By the time she returned to George's arms, she was near collapse from exhaustion, but she re-energized at his touch when he put his arms around his new wife's waist, leading her to more dancing. He kissed her cheek, and nipped at her ear, murmuring, "I love you so much, wife."

She smiled and she turned her head so their lips would meet. He tried to kiss her appropriately for the public setting, but they got a little carried away, and this did not go unnoticed. Bill and Charlie hooted like they had on the train platform and Rhia blushed again. George smiled at them but soon returned his gaze to his wife, and despite her embarrassed protest, he let his lips linger, knowing that eventually his brothers would leave them alone. And if they didn't, he didn't care. He felt happy and light, and he looked forward to taking Rhia back to his, their flat, actually. He kissed her forehead and they swayed to the wizard wireless as the sun set, casting an orange glow over everything. They were attentive to the quiet music and the beating of their hearts so close together. George sprung back as he felt the babies kick and he laughed as Rhia's stomach pressed into his. He could not imagine any day happier than this one.

Chapter End Notes:

Glossary:Mam – mum, motherCariad – love, sweetheart, darlingWnei di dy mhriodi fi?– Will you marry me?Gwnaf. – I will.Rwy'n dy garu di – I love you