Author's Note: Hey everyone! Sorry this took me so long to get up and I apologize that it's so short. Going back to school combined with a busier schedule means somewhat shorter chapters and less frequent updates. I will try to write and update as often as possible. Again, my apologies.
The cries of their newborn daughter was what woke Severus and Hermione from their nap. Hermione picked Athena up and positioned the girl at her breast. She immediately latched on and started to suck. Severus looked at the pair and smiled.
"Visitors will be coming soon," he muttered.
"Yeah," Hermione said tiredly.
She burped Athena and the girl fell swiftly back to sleep. Hermione repositioned her hospital gown and crawled back onto the bed.
Their suspicions were proven correct, as around five minutes later, a soft knock was heard on the door.
"Come in!" Severus called quietly.
Remus and Sirius stepped through, Sirius immediately moving to sit in the chair Severus offered.
"Thanks Severus," the seven month pregnant man muttered.
"How are you, Hermione?" Remus asked.
"I'm doing very well," she replied, wincing as she shifted. "There's still a bit of pain though. I'm nursing, so they don't want me to take any strong potions until Athena is weaned."
"Makes sense," Sirius said. "My feet are killing me."
"My whole body is killing me," Hermione shot back. "Though I feel bad for you, cause you have to do twice as much."
Sirius groaned. "Don't remind me."
Remus chuckled and moved over to the bassinet. "Is this beauty little Athena?"
"No," Severus replied sarcastically. "They gave us a random baby."
Sirius and Remus rolled their eyes before taking turns holding the young girl. Shortly after, they took their leave, and Harry and Ginny came not long after.
"Hey Mione," Harry said. "Severus."
The couple had gotten married in October, two months previously, and were still very much in the honeymoon stage of their relationship. Hermione felt bad for Remus and Sirius, who were living with the younger couple at Potter Manor.
"How's mommy doing?" Ginny asked. "And can I hold her?"
"Very well, but tired," Hermione answered. "And yes, feel free."
Ginny took Athena in to her arms and smiled down at the girl. "She's the perfect mix of you two."
"She really is," Harry agrred. "She's beautiful. You're going to need a shotgun, Severus."
He laughed. "I have a wand, Harry."
They all laughed. Ginny passed Athena to Harry who gave the baby his finger and they watched as she grasped it tightly in her small fist.
"Are you two going to have kids anytime soon?" Hermione asked them.
"Possibly," Ginny said. "We wanted to wait a while but everyone having babies has made us really want to have one of our own. Babysitting isn't enough anymore."
Severus and Hermione shared a look.
"Well then," Hermione said. "Get the hell out of here! Go have a baby! Remus and Sirius said they were surprised Ginny wasn't pregnant already."
The couple blushed and, giving the baby back, left the room to go home.
Severus and Hermione received several more visits and gifts from the Weasley family. They learned that Fleur was pregnant again, only a month along, and they had been asked to be the child's godparents. They accepted quickly, excited for the couple. Finally, they were alone with their daughter.
"I love you," Severus said to Hermione, kissing her. Athena whimpered softly. "And I love you."
Her features relaxed as she fell to sleep again. Hermione set her back into the bassinet and they fell asleep as a family for the second time that day.
Author's Note: Once again, I apologize for my untimeliness and the shortness of the chapter. I will try and update soon. The next chapter will be mainly centered around the birth of the twins.