Rhia woke up suddenly cold, pulling the covers up to her neck. She wanted to snuggle next to George's warm body, against his broad chest. She kept sliding back, trying to feel him against her, but as she ultimately backed into the even colder wall, she remembered that George was in Egypt on a business trip. She shivered, but smiled as she thought about the previous morning.
She was the first to wake up. There was a slight chill to the air and she snuggled closer to George. She tilted her head and saw a mound of snow accumulating outside the small window above the bed. From this angle, everything beyond the window was white. She rested the back of her head against George's chest, and was suddenly warm as his arm went around her, grasping her shoulder. She smiled as she saw his second to last finger with the glimmering reflection from the bright whiteness. She touched the cold metal, her finger looking small against his much larger hand; the plain gold ring expressing so much. She glanced at her own hand, and at the second ring she had received one week ago for Christmas.
George had truly surprised her when she woke up Christmas morning already wearing it. For a few moments, he pretended that he had no idea what she was talking about, but he could finally contain his excitement no longer, and he was thrilled that she liked it so much. "I just want you to have everything," she remembered him saying. He is so thoughtful. She turned to face him now, surveying his sleeping face. So handsome. She smiled. She leaned forward, trying not to disturb his sleep, not an easy feat with breasts and belly almost doubling her size, but she managed to reach his lips with hers. His eyes fluttered open, and he groggily kissed her, making an effort to pull her closer. Good luck with that. She laughed, and he smiled.
After a lazy morning in bed, they spent the rest of their time together in the shop. George flooed Verity to tell her to stay home in the bad weather – he anticipated closing early, which he eventually did. They spent the rest of their afternoon coordinating Ron's schedule and arranging for Lee to stay at the flat, beginning tomorrow night, while George was away for the next few days. Rhia helped him pack and tucked in little notes where he would least expect to find them: inside one sock, in his money pouch, his potions kit, even one wrapped around his alarm clock. Once he was packed, they sat quietly together on the sofa. They talked about last week's other Christmas surprise from Bill and Fleur. They were expecting their own baby at the end of April or early in May. This first Christmas without Fred was difficult for all of the Weasleys, but it was made slightly more bearable by the new generation of Weasleys about to be born in the new year.
Rhia leaned against the wall, missing George's warmth and the quiet snores that usually woke her. She often complained about them, but now, she wouldn't have minded. Save for those three weeks she spent at The Burrow, they hadn't been apart since she had moved in six months ago. This was only the first morning. She knew in her mind that he would only be away for a few days, but she still missed him. She buried her face in his part of the pillow, breathing in his scent and longing for him to be next to her. She jumped as the babies began their morning exercises. Laughing, she rolled out of bed and fixed herself some porridge before heading down into the shop to open. She rolled her eyes as George's voice echoed in her mind as she went down one step at a time. You should really wait for Verity, you know.
"I know."
* *
Verity was surprised to find the joke shop already open when she arrived. She was even more surprised to find Rhiannon behind the display counter, putting the money in the till. She stepped briefly into the office to put on her work robes. "Rhia, what are you doing down here? Where's George?"
Rhia looked up from counting knuts, and quickly jotted down the amount she left off at. "George is in Egypt, buying those rare potion supplies."
"I thought that was scheduled for the middle of February."
"It was, but he owled them over the Christmas holidays to move the meeting up by a month so he would be sure to be home when the babies were born." She twisted the ring on her left hand. She still wasn't used to wearing it; she wasn't used to being Mrs. George Weasley. She smiled down at her wedding ring, and then looked back up at Verity. "Sorry. I miss him."
"Will Ron be in today to help?"
"Yes. He told me secretly that he would be late; he didn't want George to know. I didn't think it would hurt to open the shop before you got here. And, anyway, as long as I don't do too much, I'll be fine. I'm planning on holding out for the last four weeks."
"Good. I don't want to deliver those babies here, all right?"
Rhia laughed. They both turned in the direction of the chiming door. The door was half open, and Rhia recognized the woman entering. The woman's back was still turned and Rhia hadn't been seen yet by her mother. She could try and sneak over to the office before she was fully in the shop. Verity had already begun to put out the rest of the new supply of Daydream Charms that George had left on the display counter, and when her mam turned and entered with Gruffydd and their nephew Dai in tow, Rhia knew it was too late to run. She took a deep breath, and waited. Her mother approached the counter as Dai wandered around the shop, and Gruffydd remained close but a safe distance away.
Mrs. Jones looked at Rhia curiously. "Excuse me, have we met?" Her voice was uncertain, very quiet and a bit shaky.
"Sorry?"
"You seem very familiar. Have we met before?"
Rhia looked over her mother's shoulder at her brother, who looked unnerved and shook his head slowly. Rhia looked into her mother's face. It seemed that she'd aged a great deal since she had last seen her five months ago at the Ministry Memorial. "No, we've never met before."
Mrs. Jones put out her hand, which Rhia took, gently shaking it. "I'm Marared Jones. My grandson Dai is looking around for a bit if that's all right."
"Yes, of course," Rhia responded quietly. "I'm Rhiannon Weasley. Feel free to look around." Her eyes met her brother's for the second time in as many moments.
"Oh, Weasley, is it?" she asked. "Do you own the shop then?"
"My husband does."
In the next moment, the door clattered open, and the tall lanky redhead was stumbling in, pulling his magenta robes on as he came crashing through, letting the door slam. He cringed at the sound of wood hitting wood, but was noticeably relieved when the window didn't break. Rhia smiled at him, but he saw Gruffydd first and recognized him.
"Is everything all right, Rhia?"
"Is this your husband?"
"No, Mrs. Jones," Rhia responded as Ron turned to face the older woman. "He's my brother-in-law. My husband's out of town."
"He should hurry home before that baby comes," she said, reaching a hand out to touch Rhia's generous belly.
"He'll be here." She smiled kindly at her mother, feeling conflicted and very sad.
Her mother rubbed her hand softly back and forth across Rhia's girth, humming what Rhia remembered as a lullaby she used to hear at home. Her mother spoke softly.
"Rhiannon, is it? I had a daughter named Rhiannon. I think she died. I haven't seen her in ages. She was a beautiful girl." She looked into Rhia's eyes. "Her hair was like yours, but longer." Rhia glanced at her brother and then back at Ron. "Well, if you're here, I'll go up again. If you need me, just come and get me." She pulled herself away from her mother's touch and walked towards the back room. "Good luck with your baby," Marared called to her daughter.
"Cheers," she said in a hushed voice that threatened to crack.
Ron nodded to Rhia as she stepped through the curtain into the office. She paused to sit at George's desk, settling her hands over her face, unable to contain her tears any longer.
* *
Lee arrived soon after closing, knocking on the wall as he climbed up the stairs. "Rhia, you're decent, aren't you?" He laughed when she answered 'no,' but that didn't stop him from entering the flat. "Of course you are." He found her lying on the sofa, reading Witch Weekly. "Does George know you read that rubbish?"
"He bought this one for me before he left yesterday." Lee's eyebrows rose. "He was afraid I'd go out into big bad scary Diagon Alley and get it for myself while he was away. He's considering a subscription service."
"You're joking?"
"No."
"I know marriage changes a man, but still I'm surprised. I brought tea – pasties." When she smiled, he returned a lovely one of his own. Rhia felt a twinge. Bloody hormones. He was a handsome man.
"Actually, George made this and dropped them off at my flat. He said you'd want them today."
"He did that?"
Lee nodded.
"He is so thoughtful."
"Lovesick, I'd say. Has he taken any of his own potions?"
"No. I'm irresistible."
"That you are," Lee laughed. Rhia winced and held her stomach for a moment. "Are you all right, Rhia?" She nodded, but was unable to speak. Lee was by her side in a moment, one arm going around her back, the other touching her stomach. "Are you all right?" he repeated. She nodded. "Say something."
"It's fine," she breathed awkwardly, a pant expelling painfully. "It happens sometimes."
"That intense?"
"No, that…was a first. It's fine, though." He helped her sit back, and then prepared the pasties and pumpkin juice.
"George told me to sleep in Fred's bed. Do you think he meant it?"
"If he told you to, I'm sure he meant it. You don't suppose he wanted you to sleep with me?"
Lee laughed. "No. Probably not."
Tea went by uneventfully after that, the two of them retired for the night, and soon it was morning.
Rhia lay in bed, relishing the quiet. Mornings were usually peaceful, broken up only by George's snoring. Today, it was Lee's snoring coming from Fred's bed. She smiled, but only for a moment. A sudden panic was sweeping through her. She was drenched, soaking wet in fact. At first, Rhia thought it was sweat. But that didn't make much sense on such a cold January day. Then she wondered if perhaps her bladder had taken advantage of her in her slumber, but she soon realized that was not it either. There was no funny smell, just a wetness under and all around her. She sat up, and that was when it happened.
Lee jumped up as she screamed out his name. He was immediately awake, no moments to spare wondering where he was or who was calling him. It was simple, complete clarity. He ran to Rhia's bed and kneeled beside it, panic covering his face, seeping into his voice. Simple clarity and panic all at the same time. Something was wrong with Rhia. Their eyes met, and Rhia began to panic herself, although she was impressed with her restraint in not bursting into tears. Lee nodded, and they both knew what was happening.
Lee helped her into the shower, transfiguring a bucket into a chair for her. He left her clean clothes on the toilet lid and he went to dress and floo the Weasleys. He ran down and left a note for Verity, checking on the locking wards and the closed sign. When he returned to the flat, Rhia was dressed and sitting on Fred's messy bed, waiting for him. She smiled wanly. "I'll bet you hadn't expected this when you signed on for babysitting duty."
"Too true. I didn't expect the real babies for a few more weeks. Molly's meeting us at St. Mungo's and once we get there, I'll owl George."
She nodded, and it was now that she began to cry. "He's not going to make it in time, is he?"
"He'll be there," Lee reassured, but they both knew that it would not be a good bet. He helped her into the fireplace and held her by one arm, his other carrying a small case. She leaned on him as he threw the powder and called out, "St. Mungo's."
Upon arriving and checking in, Lee left her in the waiting area to find the owlry, paying extra for the fastest owl available.
They entered the patient room together. Everything was white. If it wasn't painted white, it shone white, from the lamps that were brightly lit to the sheet on the large bed. The curtains were white, the slippers they gave Rhia were white, the dressing gown she was expected to wear was white with pale blue dots across it. She looked at Lee and smiled at his dark dreadlocks and his dark cheeks as they rose with his smile. He assisted her onto the bed, and they waited for the Healer…And they waited for the Healer…And they waited for the Healer. When the Healer finally arrived, Lee was holding Rhia's hand as she squeezed him and winced in pain. She had her other hand held over her stomach.
"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. I'm Healer Bayley. I'll be delivering your baby today. Is this your first?"
Rhia clenched her teeth and held Lee's hand in a steel grip. "Two," she breathed out.
"And neither of them are mine," Lee added quickly.
Rhia laughed. "You'll be godfather, though."
He nodded with a broad smile. "I'm not Mr. Weasley either. Hopefully, he'll be here soon. I don't really want to witness this yet."
"It's a beautiful moment, Mr…"
"Jordan. Lee Jordan."
"It's the most wonderful moment in a person's life," the Healer stated. "How do you feel?" she asked Rhia.
"Not so wonderful." She gritted her teeth, and Lee stifled a laugh by leaning into her pillow. They both received a glare from the serious-faced Healer who would soon have her hands full.
"Oh," Rhia cried out, and Lee gripped her hand tighter. The pain soon passed and Rhia rested her head back against the pillow, keeping Lee's hand in hers, resting on her stomach. Lee almost jumped back the first time he felt a kick against his hand. Rhia closed her eyes, and looked as though she were sleeping. It had only been an hour since their arrival. Every ten minutes, like clockwork, there would be another painful contraction, sometimes followed by kicking. This went on for another two hours, and still no George and no babies. Maybe they're waiting for Daddy.
"A footballer, I think," he said after the most recent kick. "Are you going to be alright for a bit?" She nodded, but didn't open her eyes or speak. "I'm going to send another owl, and see if George's family is here yet. Is that all right?" She nodded again.
* *
George peered through the clear window, and saw two Healers in lime green jackets. He saw one of the Healers sitting near Rhia's legs, which were positioned knees up. The second Healer was checking her torso, and when this Healer moved, George realized that it was Ian. As he saw Lee sitting beside her, his head very close to hers, whispering in her ear, his hand on hers, resting on his babies, he felt a pang. It was very similar to what he felt at the Hogwarts Express with his brother. It soon passed as gratitude washed over him. He was so thankful that he forced Rhia to have company while he was away, and that she didn't argue with him over it.
When he saw Rhia's face, he smiled. He thought she looked beautiful; hair damp, obscuring parts of her face, the straight red strands framing her face nicely. Her cheeks were flushed and she was sweaty; she looked a bit worn out, but bright, luminous even. Suddenly, her face contorted in pain, and Lee grabbed her hand with his second one and held it, looking at the closest Healer, who put her hands up under the sheet covering Rhia's legs and lower body.
George thought that he should really be in there with her, but then when Lee moved again, he saw Rhia's face go back to a slight smile as she rested her head against the pillow and she closed her eyes. He could see her large torso also covered by the sheet as her hands rested on it, patting softly. He was glad that he was playing voyeur. He didn't like seeing her in pain, but to him her labour was an amazing thing. Part of him wished that he could go through it for her, but another part of him, the honest part, was glad that he couldn't.
George took a deep breath and entered the birthing room, not sure of what he would say when Rhia noticed him there. The second Healer, a middle-aged woman, noticed him first. "You can't be in here. You'll need to leave."
Lee smiled, dropping Rhia's hand. She opened her eyes, and when she saw George smiling at her, she answered, "It's all right, Emma. He's the Dad." Lee stood and hugged George, shaking his hand at the same time. He stepped back to Rhia, and leaning down, kissed her on top of her head. She smiled at him and squeezed his hand, whispering, "Thank you." She turned to George, "What took you so long, Daddy?"
George approached the bed, and reached out a hand to touch her stomach as Lee, Emma and Ian gave them some privacy. "I'm sorry I'm late."
"You've almost missed it," she laughed. "Where's my kiss?" He leaned down and as his lips touched hers, she moaned, biting back a cry of pain. She grabbed his hand and crushed it within her own until the contraction finally passed. She was panting and breathing heavy again. "Can we try that again?"
He leaned down once more and kissed her deeply, murmuring, "I love you." He laughed as his hand on her stomach moved as one or both of his babies was putting pressure on it from the inside. George's hand was vibrating, and his smile radiated so that he thought he could light the whole room. Rhia had begun squeezing his other hand for a second time, and he was painfully aware of how much pain she was in now. He moved the hand on her stomach to her shoulder.
"What can I do?"
Rhia had begun panting and making funny breathing sounds, and then she stopped, and she smiled at him. "I think they want to meet their daddy. Find a seat."
Tears began to pool in his eyes as he nodded his head. He was momentarily speechless.
"How was Egypt?" she asked, trying to distract herself from this next contraction.
"Eventful. I can't wait to show you the stuff I got there to use in the workshop. I wish I could have stayed longer. They had an amazing assortment of potions ingredients. I picked up several of them. I have some great ideas for a cluster of new Weasley products." When she frowned, he added, "…which will all wait until we've settled the babies into their new home, and you've recovered from this dreadful ordeal." He stopped speaking for a second, and then blurted out, "I missed you so."
She clutched his hand again as the pain enveloped her once more. She was panting. "I think I need the Healer. Please."
It took a moment to dislodge himself from her vice like grip, but George ran to the door, shouting for the Healer. Emma and Ian both rushed in with George's mum looking through the window in the door and as Emma put her hand between Rhia's legs, said, "This baby's coming now. I can feel its head." She directed George to sit in the chair next to Rhia's head, and after about ten minutes of almost constant pushing, George could see the matted wet red hair of his first child emerging from Rhia's body. It was bizarre to see his baby half inside of her, the woman he loved more than his own life, and then the baby was completely out.
The midwife used her wand to sever the umbilical cord and Ian took the squirming, screaming, tiny thing to a small table to clean it off. Rhia looked at George, the same question lying between them, but he shrugged his shoulders, and looked at the Healer-midwife, raising his eyebrows. "Oh, sorry, you two. You have a girl." They both laughed in relief, but as Ian was bringing their daughter back over to meet her parents, Rhia felt another wave of intense pain.
"I guess the second one is anxious to join its sister," the Healer-midwife said at the suddenness of Rhia's new contraction pain. George held Rhia's hand tightly with one hand, already bruised from her clutching, and used his other hand to stroke her hair as he whispered into her ear that it would be alright and that she was almost finished and that she was doing so well. The Healer-midwife put her hands inside Rhia again, and looked relieved that this was going to be a short childbirth.
She patted Rhia's knee gently, asking, "Are you ready to push now, Rhiannon?" Rhia nodded slowly. She was getting very tired, but as she looked at George's excited eyes, she became re-energized. "Okay Rhia, push, now." Rhia did as she was told, letting a hoarse scream escape from her lips. George kissed her forehead, whispering comforting words to her as she continued to push. Another tiny red-haired head slid out easily as did this baby's shoulders and the rest of its body. After cutting the cord, Emma handed this shrieking baby over to Ian as well, who announced, "One of each, mates. This baby's a lad." Rhia was handed her daughter now, and a few minutes later, Ian came over and laid her son in her other arm. Rhia had begun to cry as she watched her little ones resting against her chest, in her arms, and as she gazed at George, she had never seen him look so delighted. He had never felt such joy before, staring down at his family.
"So, what are their names?" Ian asked expectantly.
George looked at Rhia, eagerly. He knew she had had a lot of time to think about it, but he still had no idea what she decided. She refused to tell him what names she was choosing. His mistake was that when she asked him what he wanted to name them, he deferred to her, and she had kept it under wraps. She beamed at him as he asked her again, "So, what are our children's names?"
"Well, if it was a girl, I wanted to call her Aubrey, and if it was a boy, I was thinking something also with an 'A', but –"
"So, it's Aubrey and what 'A' name then –"
"No. I said that I fancied them having the same first initial, but the more I thought about what to name this little Weasley boy, I don't know. I kept thinking that he was the first Weasley grandson, and I thought there was really only one name for that son."
"Well, don't keep me in suspense."
"If you like, she can be Aubrey." George nodded in agreement. "For this little lad, though, I think…I think we should call him…Fred. Would that be alright? I'm thinking that if it's alright with you and your mum, he could be Fred. What do you think?"
George met her gaze, and then stared at his son as tears finally began to flow from his eyes. He stood up, but immediately leaned over placing a soft kiss on his daughter's forehead and then his son's, and then he looked at Rhia, and after a moment, he kissed her lightly on the lips again. She responded by grabbing his hand and, to his glee, kissing him more deeply, more intimately.
"You should rest," he said softly, his warm breath caressing her face as she smiled.
"I will, but I think the grandparents want to meet them."
"Be right back," Ian called over. He stepped out of the room, and he called George's Mum and Dad over. "Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, would you like to come in and meet your new grandchildren?"
"What are they?" Ginny asked as everyone leapt up. Bill took Fleur in his arms, holding her close, his hand on her small, still flat stomach.
"She's had a set – one of each. The lass is three minutes older than the lad." As everyone crowded closer to Ian, he was forced to raise his voice, "Grandparents only, please."
George conjured two more chairs for his parents, and as they sat, they peered over at the tiny sleeping pair of children in their mother's arms. George handed his father their daughter, saying, "This little one is the older twin, by three minutes. And you should all know that Rhia chose the names –"
"Coward. You agreed to the names."
"I did indeed. This little lass," he said running a finger through hair coloured identically to his own, "is Aubrey, and the lad," he added, handing him carefully to his own mum, "is Fred." He and his mum's eyes met and stayed steady, and then she looked at Rhia and they exchanged smiles.
Mrs. Weasley was holding Fred's little finger, and spoke softly, "His hair seems a bit darker than Aubrey's – closer to Rhiannon's colouring."
George added with a laugh, "Well, mum, you'll always know this Fred from his twin." He leaned over Rhia, and kissed her forehead. "You get rest while everyone's here to help with them. I'll be back in a bit."
"Where are you going?" she grabbed his sleeve.
"It's a surprise, but I'll owl Celyn for you, alright?" She nodded with a beaming smile.
* *
Upon George's returning, he found the birthing room filled with his entire family. George didn't think anyone else would fit in there. He stood outside the door, holding a large bundle of flowers, relishing in the elation he was feeling in this instant. Abruptly, and unexpectedly, his way was barred by Rhia's oldest brother, Gruffydd who appeared out of nowhere.
"I heard that my sister had her baby."
George hesitated. He didn't like Gruffydd, and he knew that he hadn't had any positive contact with Rhia for at least seven months. "What are you doing here? What do you want?"
"I heard that my sister had her baby," he repeated.
"Two, actually."
"Two?" George nodded, almost laughing at her brother's surprise. "You must be quite the proud father," Gruffydd continued. "You are the father, aren't you?"
"I am – on both matters. What can I do for you?"
"I'd like to see my sister. Please."
"No."
He grimaced. "That's it? Just no?"
"Just no. I'll tell Rhia that you were here asking after her, and she'll decide if she wants to see you. I'm sure she'll owl you when…if she's ready."
Gruffydd nodded slowly, and stepped away, turning, but immediately turned back to George, put out his hand, and said, "Congratulations." George hesitated, but soon enough grasped his hand, and then Gruffydd left, regretfully proceeding down the corridor, looking back only once.
As George entered the room, the babies started crying in unison, so George rested the flowers on a nearby table as his eyes filled with tears again and he took up little Fred, and held his son close to his chest, beginning to rock him back to sleep whispering into his tiny ear while Rhia began to nurse their daughter, and the room became quiet once more. He put Rhia's brother out of his mind, and he could not imagine any day ever being better than this.