Chapter 18 – Family Expanding
The new week arrived and everyone except Viktor ventured out from their safe home nest. Ginny arrived at the shop and Leana was waiting with a grin.
"Good morning Ginny. Your family has been busy."
"So you must have read the Quibbler Luna sent you? You can't be too surprised, you already know more than what we printed since we didn't announce my pregnancy."
"Oh, nothing was really much of a surprise. I'm glad you've found a way to try to protect your family legally. I must say the biggest surprise was that ancient law. I knew there were some weird laws still around, but that one is a bit much. At least it's being used for something good now. I've seen the four of you together and I can tell you all love each other. I may still be a bit boggled by it, but I can't deny how much each of you cares. I've seen enough 'traditional' marriages that are completely bollocks to appreciate what you have."
"Thanks Leana, I may be your boss, but I'm also your friend and that means a lot."
It was then time to open the store and the two ladies got busy helping the first early customers. An hour later Matthew and Phil, Ginny's other two employees, arrived. Phil was carrying a copy of the Quibbler and kept looking at Ginny strange. She sent the boys into the back to collect some large boxes and they took a while to reappear, so Ginny went to check on them. She found them with their heads bent over a work table and the Quibbler spread in front of Matthew. Ginny hadn't had Luna send a copy to them and figured from the look on his face that this was Matthew's first reading. She stepped into the storeroom and spoke up.
"HmmHmm. We really need those boxes of African robes. I've got a customer looking for some additional options now. It seems the bright patterns are all the rage right now."
Phil grumbled and grabbed Matthew as they turned to go retrieve the boxes. Ginny went back into the shop and chatted up the customer while she waited. Minutes later the boxes were brought out and Ginny began pulling out the elaborate robes, casting relaxation charms on the wrinkles and hanging them as she went. The customer watched each set as it appeared until one particularly garish set of robes in red and purple came out. The customer grabbed them immediately and was soon checked out. That cleared the shop temporarily and Ginny left Leana to finish unpacking the boxes. Then she turned and looked at her other two employees.
"Alright you two, let's go in the back. We need to talk."
The two young men looked like they would rather be anywhere else at the moment and Ginny briefly had a flash of what her brothers looked like when being confronted by her mother. Holding back a chuckle, Ginny followed them into the storeroom.
"Okay, so Phil you obviously read the Quibbler before you came to work. Matthew, I am guessing you hadn't seen it until this morning? I know that you're both young and that my family's disclosures are a bit puzzling, but I don't see how that should affect us here in the shop. I am still the same person I was last week."
"B. , you shag girls!" Phil sputtered.
"Just a girl Phil. I'm committed to Luna. And, as the article mentioned, occasionally I like a man as well. I understand you are young, but as you will learn, love is not something that always fits into a convenient box. Now, my personal life is irrelevant in regards to our working together. Will you have an issue with that?"
"Um, no, guess not, it's just a shock you know."
Ginny turned and looked at Matthew.
"How about you, any issues?"
"No, I'm fine with it. I didn't even finish reading the article."
"Well, on your break, please finish it. If you have any questions, just ask me. You've both been good, hard working employees and I don't want to cause any tension here in the shop. We only went public so that we could have the truth printed before someone else printed something false."
With her latest confrontation complete, Ginny gave instructions to both the young men before turning toward her office in the back of the storeroom.
While Ginny was dealing with her young employees, Charlie had arrived at the reserve and made his way across the lobby to his office to prepare for his first class. As he crossed by the desks of the receptionists and assistants, it was hard to ignore the growing chorus of whispers. Realizing that there was nothing to do, Charlie tried to ignore the whispers and quickened his pace. He was almost to the corridor leading to his office when Livia spoke up and called him into Mr. Grey's office. Norbert Grey was the head of Charlie's department. Charlie's senior position meant that he actually reported to Norbert's boss, but on occasion Norbert did cover when Will was out. Suppressing a groan, Charlie turned and smiled to Livia before making his way to Norbert's office. He opened the door and found the rotund little man grimacing at him.
"Hello Charles. Please come in, sit down."
"Actually I'll stand. I'm afraid I'm in a bit of a hurry. Have to prep a couple items for my first class."
Charlie's casual defensive stance caught Norbert off guard, which pleased Charlie. The two men were exact opposites in appearance and temperament, and did not get on well. Charlie had originally reported to Norbert, but had so many issues with him that he had threatened to quit. Charlie was the most experienced handler at the reserve and Wolverhampton couldn't stand to lose him, so upper management had intervened and place Charlie directly under Will, bypassing Norbert and upsetting the small man greatly. Charlie remained staring at him, unwilling to speak first and offer anything for Norbert to latch on to.
"Alright Charles. I called you in here because there is an article in a publication called the Quibbler. My wife takes the thing. I think it's rubbish, but she likes it. Seems too that Livia and several others have read it. The article goes into detail about some relationships you're involved in, and well, some other stuff. Even has a picture with someone that looks like you. Must be a load of tosh, but I had to talk to you."
"Actually Norbert, the Quibbler is a respected publication. The editor is Luna Lovegood, and myself and my family, which includes Luna, all wrote the article together. We wanted to put the truth out before others who don't know us publish their own stories. Oh, and since you've read it, you know my name is Krum-Weasley now. I'll be needing to have all my paperwork changed to reflect that. I hope it won't be an issue, seeing as how the name change is fully legal and binding. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a class waiting. Good day."
Charlie turned, leaving the small man stunned and unable to respond. He made his way to his first class and soon forgot about his encounter with Norbert. Later in the day he was called to the office to complete the paperwork for his name change. He still received a lot of side glances and a few whispers, but Charlie knew it would pass in a couple days.
Later that night, over dinner, everyone discussed their day. Charlie and Ginny relayed the reactions they received, but were both happy that the worst seemed to be over. Luna of course had no issues, as her staff had already seen the article. They were all familiar with her somewhat odd ways and knew she was unmarried with a baby, so the revelations only helped to explain what was already known.
Two more days went by before the Prophet printed their own article. It was a third page piece and essentially used facts from the Quibbler article, mixed with guesswork and supposition about the strangeness of the arrangement. Although it was noticed by a few people, most didn't pay attention since the Quibbler had beaten them to the story days before.
Life settled down for the Krum-Weasley family as all of their friends and associates adjusted and accepted the news. When Zena was due for her four month check-up the entire family went along once again. Once they reached the pediatric healer's office, the first large positive impact of their efforts came to fruition when all four of them were listed on Zena's forms. She checked out well and the healer who examined her had to admit that the baby was blessed by four obviously doting, loving parents.
Four months after they went public, Viktor returned for his next Quidditch season. He was now twenty eight and hinting that he was only going to play until thirty. If he did, he would still be old for a professional Quidditch player. Quidditch was a young person's sport. Viktor's departure spread the other three partners thin as they appreciated just how much Viktor had taken care of at home. Charlie brushed up on his house spells while Ginny and Luna handled the cooking and garden. The ladies also took turns taking Zena to the shop or the Quibbler offices. Each had set up a small nursery/playroom in their workplaces and were looking forward to utilizing them more when Ginny delivered. Viktor came home at least once a month and, on occasion Charlie would go visit him as well.
A month after Viktor left, Ginny began to feel her pregnancy more as she grew by the day. Finally, her healer insisted that she stop working and begin partial bed rest. Ginny chafed at the restrictions, although she realized the necessity. Leana worked extra hours and Molly often helped at the shop as well. The entire family helped out and kept the shop running for the five weeks Ginny was on bed rest.
Ten days before her due date, Ginny was lying in bed with Luna and feeling especially large and uncomfortable. Luna tried massages and arranging pillows in various formations, but nothing would comfort her lover. Luna looked at her with a sigh.
"I'm sorry Ginny. I don't know what else to do to help you."
"Ugh Luna. I didn't know it would be this bad. I want these babies of course, but I may be done after this. Viktor's an amazing shag, but at least with you I don't have to worry so much. And to think I'm in this predicament from a quickie in the kitchen."
Luna laughed and kissed Ginny.
"I know it's bad now, but you won't be that much longer Ginny. It will be worth it. I think it's just especially hard because it's twins. Anyway, I don't think you're going to have much longer."
Luna was quite correct in her prediction. Four hours later Ginny woke up and used her wand to levitate herself enough to roll out of the bed and head for the loo. Once she reached it and went to sit, Ginny felt a sudden gush that was much more than she had ever urinated. Realizing what happened, Ginny yelled for Luna. Once Luna woke and realized what was happening, she yelled for Charlie. He came barreling across the hall and screamed when he saw what was going on. Then he ran to dress and gather the pre-packed bags as Luna readied herself and Ginny. With everyone ready, Charlie took hold of Ginny while Luna held Zena and they made their way downstairs. Charlie took a moment and sent a patronus to the Burrow to wake his parents while Ginny placed a floo call to the Bulgarian Quidditch office. No one was available, so Ginny deposited a note for the office and hoped it would be found soon. Then they stepped into the floo and headed for St. Mungo's.
An hour later Ginny was set up in her room at the hospital with Luna and Charlie by her side. The rest of the family had just finished arriving and Molly had taken Zena so that they could focus on Ginny. There had been no response from Bulgaria, but Ginny was still in early labor. Three hours later a flustered and excited Viktor appeared at the hospital. He was moving so fast that he almost appeared to be flying. He found the family in the waiting room first and Molly calmed him down while Viktor took a moment to cuddle Zena. Then a healer appeared and took Viktor back to Ginny. Another advantage to the Krum-Weasley public disclosure was that none of the hospital staff argued with all of them being in attendance for the birth. That was a major relief for Ginny, who had wanted a home birth, but had not been allowed due to the high risk nature of her pregnancy.
Eleven hours after arriving at the hospital, Ginny took four pushes to deliver her first small baby. The boy weighed just over five pounds and had a shock of dark auburn hair. He was named Zenith Viktor. Twenty five minutes later Ginny delivered her second boy, who topped his brother by a full pound, but had the same auburn hair. He was given the name Zephyr Charles. The babies were nine days early, but both had good strong screams and were declared small but healthy. Ginny was exhausted and elated with her boys. As she held them, she wondered if they would be as challenging as her twin brothers had been. Then the rest of the family started cycling into the room to meet the newest family members. An hour later all the extended family had left and Ginny laid back and looked at her partners. Viktor and Charlie were each holding one of the boys and sitting in chairs to either side of Ginny's bed. Luna sat next to Ginny, holding Zena while she talked to the little girl about her responsibilities as a big sister. As Ginny looked at them all she felt as content as she ever had in her life.
FINIS