Chapter 8 – Settling In
Sunday morning dawned brightly as George rolled over to kiss Luna awake, only to find that she was staring at him. Smiling, he went ahead with the kiss and found that she was most definitely awake. As her hands started to roam over him, George moaned and pulled back with a slight chuckle.
"Wow Luna love, you're ready to go again? We've only had a few hours sleep."
"Sorry George, but you look so wonderful tousled in the morning and I've denied myself for so long, it's hard."
"Hmm, yes, speaking of hard…"
Luna was about to swat him for the bad pun, but suddenly she was being kissed so thoroughly that she no longer cared. She reached to the nightstand and grabbed a wand to reinstate the privacy charm as George's kisses worked their way down her neck as he rolled over and slowly entered her. Dropping the wand she thrust up to meet him as their tongues drowned out the loud moans that accompanied their joining. As their rhythm increased, Luna lost herself in the incredible sensation of being filled so completely. As her climax approached, she began to grind against George and urged him on faster. Soon she was gasping as she stifled her scream of pleasure. George kept his momentum for another couple of minutes, dragging her orgasm out longer before he finally joined her. As he collapsed in bliss, George looked up and smiled at her.
"Gods, bloody amazing way to wake up. I didn't think I'd have anything left this morning."
"You're wonderfully insatiable my lover."
"You're talking about me?" George chuckled.
"Well, yes. I guess I meet you at least half way. But I've always had a high sex drive. Once I had my first experience it was hard to go without. Although, after I lost Rolf, I wasn't sure if or when I'd find someone again. I never expected it to happen this quickly. Fifteen months ago my world crashed and now I've taken flight again."
"I know what you mean. I didn't think I could trust again after everything. We're both lucky we found each other. I can't believe I'd gone a year and a half without a woman."
"Tell me George, when was your first? I know you and Fred were popular in school."
"Well, yes. I was much different then. I played around a fair bit. I was fifteen my first time. She was seventeen, Ella, Oliver's older sister. She was Ravenclaw. Her and her friend Missie decided they wanted to deflower the Weasley twins. We were more than willing. I wish I could say it was something special, but not really. They were nice enough and we got together a couple of times, but with the age and house differences there was never much to our relationship besides the physical. Oliver blew a gasket when he found out. I don't know who he was angrier with. Of course, I had already moved on by time he found out."
"Um, I don't know if I want to know, but have you been with a lot of women?"
"Not a lot. Why?"
"I just know that I'm not that experienced. Not as much as you."
"Ah, so you're worried? Well, don't be. I am more than happy. More than. I guess to be honest, let me see…eight I think. Since the kids are sleeping in and we're being honest, how about you?"
"I guess that's fair. Well, I was sixteen. It was after we fled Malfoy Manor. Dean and I grew close while we were imprisoned. We gave ourselves to each other on the beach near Shell Cottage about a week later. We drifted apart after the battle. I was with three others after that, before Rolf."
"Well, that's understandable. After the hell you went through. Gods, I hate to even imagine."
"It's done now. I've moved on. I've been lucky to find love twice."
George smiled at her and soon they were kissing deeply, but before they became aroused again a small knock on the door pulled them apart. They quickly separated and found robes while casting quick cleaning spells. George opened the door and three little boys came piling in. Luna kneeled down for her morning hugs, reveling in the fact that Fred embraced her as heartily as Lorry and Sander. In the few months that she and George had been dating, the three boys had bonded and Fred was now almost as inseparable as the twins. With Luna and the boys occupied, George went to wake up Roxy. A half hour later, they were all in the kitchen as George flipped pancakes and Luna's wand whipped from side to side, cutting fruit and making it fly through the air as all the kids squealed. Over the commotion, George looked sideways and smiled at her.
"So, ready for the showdown today? Mum has known for at least four days that you moved in. She's had a good while to stew and think. Plus, with you taking Thursday off and watching the kids, I'm sure she's in a dither."
"I suppose I'm as ready as ever. I know she probably misses the kids, but I liked having those couple of days for us to settle in together."
"I agree. I just wanted to make sure you're ready. I'll be right there by your side."
"Of course. We're in this together. It's our lives. I love your mum and she's been fantastic with the boys, but we're adults. No pressure."
George snorted. "Well, we'll see how that goes."
Four hours later, George and Luna stood in the flat, looking around to make sure they had everything before they prepared to apparate. Four children…one diaper bag…two salads…check…check…check. With a child in each hand and bags over shoulders, they leaned in for a final kiss before turning and apparating to the garden of the Burrow. Landing smoothly, all three boys immediately pulled away and went to find their cousins. George set Roxy down and she began to toddle off until Hermione grabbed hold of her with a squeal. Laughing, George took the salads to deliver to the kitchen while Luna went over to Ron and Hermione. She was a bit hesitant as she approached her friends, unsure if they had received the news of her living situation, but the conversation instead stayed in the neutral territory around upcoming Quidditch matches. Then Ginny came over carrying James and gave Luna a pointed a look as she handed her son to Luna.
"So Luna, how are you settling in?"
"Fine Ginny. We're all quite happy. No issues yet."
Ron and Hermione both looked back and forth between Ginny and Luna. Smirking, Ginny nodded her head while Luna sighed.
"Fine, I guess now is as good a time as any to start spreading the news. I'm sure Molly is trying to nail George down right now. Earlier this week there was a fire in my building. Everything's fine, but I had to move out for a couple of weeks. George had been wanting to ask me if I wanted to move in with him, so he took advantage of the situation and now we're living together."
"What! You, George and all the kids together?"
Luna laughed. "Yes Ron, both of us and all the kids. It's not like we're going to parcel some of them off."
Hermione shook her head and looked over toward the kitchen.
"Well, this will be an interesting lunch. So, you haven't told Molly yet?"
"Not directly, but she knows and I took care of all the kids on Thursday and Friday. We were going to make a more official announcement today."
"Great. I love Weasley family lunches with major earth shattering, mum disturbing news. Always good for the digestion."
Everyone laughed, including James, who then squealed to be put down. George came out of the kitchen, looking remarkably intact, as he came over to Luna. He didn't say anything, but instead immediately started harassing Ron about the Cannon's chance of winning a second match in one season. Luna figured that whatever was due to come would wait until the whole family was together. That moment came about a half hour later. Once Bill, Fleur, Percy, Audrey and their kids all showed up, Molly rang her bell and the mad dash for the picnic tables began. Once children were cleaned and settled, the adults sat as well. Molly let everyone fill their plates before breaking the tension.
"Well, it's good to have most the family together. Except Charlie of course. I really wish he would find a job closer. So, anyone have any announcements?"
Molly was none too subtle as she stared directly at George and Luna. She wasn't smiling and Luna fought back the urge to melt into her seat. George gave her hand a squeeze and took the lead.
"Yes actually mum. Earlier this week there was a fire in Luna's building. Thankfully, no one was injured."
George paused and took a bite of his salad while Molly continued to glare. Luna was about to speak up when George continued.
"And, although there were no injuries, there was some structural damage to the building. Luna and the boys couldn't move back in, so I made an offer that I'd been planning on for a while. As you know, my three bedroom flat is really quite large, so I offered for Luna and the boys to move in. Thankfully she accepted and we're all settling in well."
Percy choked on some chicken while Bill just shook his head. Audrey seemed stunned, but Fleur hardly seemed to notice. Harry was trying to hide a smirk behind his napkin as all eyes at the table settled on George and Luna, whose fingers were laced together while they smiled at each other. George seemed to think that the announcement was done and continued eating, as did Luna. The table remained quiet for a minute while Molly just stared. Finally, she had enough.
"Really George? Luna, what do you have to say for yourself? You just moved in? With the kids? It's hardly proper. I mean, I know there are three bedrooms, but still people won't understand."
"Molly, what's to understand? George and I have been given a second chance at love? As for the bedrooms, Roxy's room is really more of a closet anyway. The boys all do fine together and then George and I have the master. It works quite well. Not that it's really anyone's business but our own."
"What? You're sleeping together? With the children at the flat?"
"Mum, that's what privacy charms are for. It's not like we just started sleeping together this week."
George's comment left his mother stunned, while several others at the table gasped and choked. Arthur was beet red and had his head down. Ginny looked like she was about to explode from holding it in. Eventually everyone, including Molly, started eating again. Percy broke the silence when he decided to switch the topic.
"So, um, dad, do you know anything about Wilbur in the games department? I heard he took a sudden leave."
Molly was not going to be put off so easily though.
"Well George, since you seemed to be determined on this, are you at least going to make this an honest relationship soon?"
"I'm sorry Molly, but what about this isn't honest? We're here discussing this openly with the family. We're not hiding anything."
George could see that Luna was getting upset and had had enough.
"You know mum, I understand you don't approve, but this is our decision. We're adults and we've both been through hard times. We've got a second chance and we're taking a shot at this. Now, if you can't accept that then I'll have to take that and we'll gather the kids and leave. We don't want to be somewhere we aren't wanted."
George set his fork down and took Luna's hand. As they made their way to stand up, everyone at the table looked even more shocked. Finally it was Arthur who had enough.
"George Gideon Weasley! Sit down and finish eating. You are our son and will always be welcome at this table. This is a bit of a surprise, but we will accept it. We all love Luna and her boys and I'm glad you're happy. You aren't the first of my children I've had a disagreement with. Molly, can we please let this rest?"
"Of course. I didn't mean for you to go running off. I just want what's best for you. I'll back off."
"And you won't mind having the kids, Fred, Roxy and Luna's boys here?"
"What? I should hex you for even asking that!"
George and his mother traded firm looks while Arthur reached over to grasp his wife's hand. With a final nod, they both continued eating and the subject seemed to be closed. The conversation gradually picked up and moved on to other topics. By the time the pies were brought out, the usual Weasley family luncheon atmosphere was almost back to normal. After dessert, the kids ran off to play for a while, but then the younger ones started to get fussy as small arguments ensued and their parents decided it was time to head home for naps. George and Luna gathered their four and made their way around for goodbyes. When they reached Molly and Arthur, all four kids got equal treatment and Molly assured them that she was happy for them. Luna thanked her, but thought that Molly's tight jaw showed that she wasn't completely resigned to the situation. Still, it was better than she had hoped for. She and George apparated back to the flat and spent a lazy Sunday afternoon lounging together while the kids napped. The initial confrontation was over and they decided to enjoy just being together.
Over the next couple of weeks, they gradually learned to live together and work through their differences. Luna worked her three days a week at the Ministry and Molly watched all the kids while she did. On her days off, she would usually have all four kids unless she had errands to run, giving Molly a break from having Fred and Roxy all week. In the evening, George made a point of spending time with all the kids and baths were his specialty. The shop was open half days on Saturdays, after which they made a point of spending time together as a family. Luna and George had both fallen in love with each other's kids, but in the first weeks living together, they each enjoyed learning their different quirks and personalities. There were squabbles and tears along the way, but in total they felt blessed that the kids seemed to get along well. Luna felt a bit for Roxy being the only girl, but she was the most stubborn of them all and none of the boys were able to push her around.
While the kids were learning to get along in the expanded family, moving in together also pushed George and Luna's relationship. Luna found adjusting to George's habits much different than Rolf, especially since Rolf often left for long periods of time. She found herself having to think and consider her partner more than she had to in the past. For George, Luna was so completely different than Angie that the whole situation seemed foreign. A lot of what Luna did was perplexing with her strange logic, but she was usually reasonable and willing to talk. George found the change refreshing as he remembered Angie's frequent explosions. Gradually each learned how to work with each other and found that compromising wasn't difficult in most cases.
As they approached the two month mark of living together, Luna looked at a calendar and realized that Rolf had been gone for almost a year and a half. She remembered back to the first days when she had felt the world was caving in and had relied on Ginny to help with the basics of everyday living. From that despair to where she was now was remarkable. Looking back further, she remembered George at Hogwarts. She never would have foreseen this future when she remembered herself as the quirky Ravenclaw laughing at the Gryffindor jokester. Life had definitely taken quite a few twists.
