22 September 2008 – Finally

"If Percy ever takes off on another of these long summer trips, I'll just—ooh—" Molly muttered under her breath. She fixed her hair, checking her reflection critically. Was that a new gray spot? She combed it back a bit. "I mean, what are we supposed to do?"

"Send owls every other day to say how much you miss him and Audrey?" Arthur suggested wryly, and Molly swatted his shoulder, turning away from her mirror at last.

"We haven't seen our boy in nearly six months! I'd like to know just what's so interesting about Switzerland, myself, that they can't even come home on a weekend," she said. "And I know you've missed Audrey, don't deny it—your little Muggle project assistant."

"Well, that's true," Arthur chuckled, leaning back on the bed and closing his eyes. "Come have a nap, Molly, they won't be here for an hour…"

"No, I've got to get things ready—and everyone else will be arriving sooner than that," Molly replied, standing up and patting his leg. "You can have fifteen minutes, and then I need you in the kitchen—"

"Mum? Dad?"

Arthur sat up, frowning. "Is that—?"

"Hello?"

"Percy? Audrey?" Molly cried, hurrying out of the bedroom door. She heard Arthur follow her downstairs, through the sitting room, and into the kitchen. She came to a stop. "Percy! What on earth are you doing here—you said five!" Percy was helping Audrey take off her traveling cloak in the middle of the kitchen. Molly hurried forward, prepared to hug them both—

"Audrey!" she gasped, and Arthur made a strangled noise in his throat. Audrey had turned to smile nervously at them, and as she did so, rested her hands on her very, very pregnant belly.

"Hello," she said tentatively, and Percy's face reflected the same anxiety.

"Hi, Dad," he said, "Mum."

There was almost a full minute of absolute silence. Finally, Audrey broke it by stepping forward and taking Molly's hands in her own. "The thirtieth of October. It's a nice birthday, don't you think?"

And Molly burst into tears, throwing her arms about Audrey. Arthur gave a strangled laugh and embraced Percy. "Congratulations, son!"

"Thanks, Dad," he muttered, sounding a little choked. "Sorry we—"

"Didn't tell us!" Molly cried, snatching Percy in a tight hug. She was still crying. "I should be furious with you, Percy!"

"Surprise," said Audrey meekly, giggling and wiping a tear away. She hugged Arthur.

"Is this what Switzerland was all about, then?" Molly asked.

"In a way," Audrey replied, nodding and sniffling. "We—well, we found out—when?"

"Your birthday, in February," Percy said.

"Here—sit down, sit down—get off your feet, sweetheart," Molly said, immediately ushering Audrey out of Arthur's arms and into a chair at the kitchen table. She looked at Arthur, positively beaming, and he chuckled. All four of them sat down together; Percy placed one arm protectively around Audrey.

"So," Audrey continued, laughing again, "We—we found out in February—and we wanted to tell you, honestly we did—"

"It was right after she'd started a potion regimen—turned out she was already—well," Percy mumbled, turning red, "Anyway, the Healers told us that because of—" he broke off, looking to Audrey.

"Because of my…history," she said, and Molly felt her heart ache slightly as Audrey blinked very quickly, "They thought I ought to go and see some Healers out of the country, to make sure that everything was looked after this time."

"But six months," Arthur said seriously. "Is everything all right?"

Audrey nodded slowly. "It is now. We had a few—well, worrisome weeks—but everything is fine. I'll be able to have her here, at St. Mungo's, as long as I'm careful for the next few weeks."

Molly's chin quivered, and her eyes widened. "R-really? Her?"

"I don't know why you're surprised, Mum, everyone's got girls," Percy chuckled, and Arthur laughed.

Molly gave a little sob, and Arthur put his arm around her. "We're so happy for you," she said. "High time, isn't it?"

"High time," Audrey agreed, patting her belly.

"And she's due on your birthday, Mum," Percy said, grinning at his wife. "Audrey's determined."

"She can arrive whenever she feels like it, and it won't make a speck of difference to me," Audrey said, though she winked at Molly.

Molly hopped up, coming around to kiss Percy, and then Audrey again. "You're here early, I'm afraid I don't have a thing ready for you—"

"Well, we wanted to beat the crowd," Percy said shrewdly.

Arthur lifted his eyebrows. "The crowd?"

"Charlie might have let slip that he was coming home for the weekend," Audrey said to Molly. "We guessed."

"I knew we shouldn't have invited him," Molly muttered, shaking her head and smirking. "He's never been able to keep a secret—ever."

Percy snorted.

"Hello? Molly? Arthur? Are you home?"

"We're in the kitchen, Harry, no need to whisper," Arthur called. "Percy and Audrey have beat us to the surprise."

"Oh, bloody hell! Did Charlie tell them?"

"Ginny, not in front of your children, for heaven's sake!" Molly cried.

"We'd best go and greet them," said Arthur, standing up.

"Don't let the little ones in here," Molly told him, as Percy helped Audrey to stand. "There are things cooking."

"Right-o, Molly," Arthur said, beaming. He wrapped an arm around Audrey, hugging her again. "Come on—"

"Just one minute," she said, ducking away from him. "Don't tell them without me!" she told Percy, shooing him into the living room. She hurried over to Molly, beaming.

"What is it, dear?" Molly asked, patting her cheek as she retrieved a saucepan from the cupboard.

Audrey smiled, blushing slightly, and rested one hand on her belly. With her other hand, she stayed Molly's movement, touching her arm gently. "I just wanted to tell you…I want to call her Molly."

Molly almost dropped the saucepan. "I beg your pardon?"

"If you'd let me," Audrey added hurriedly, "I—I'd really love to call her—Molly."

"Let you," Molly repeated, her mouth falling open, "Oh, Audrey!"

Audrey laughed and embraced her. "You were so wonderful to me during all of the—the waiting, and the one we lost…I mean…seven years." She pulled back; her eyes were full of tears. "You're my family—nothing would make me happier than to call my little girl after you."

Molly's eyes smarted, and she hugged Audrey again. "Thank you, sweetheart." She kissed her cheek. "Thank you."

Audrey gave another little giggle and leaned back against the counter. She took Molly's hand and placed it gently on the side of her belly. "There she is."

Molly gasped at the sudden flutter of movement under her fingers, just as Ginny came hurrying into the kitchen with eleven-month-old Lily in her arms, followed by Percy, Arthur, and Harry, who had James and Albus wandering behind him.

"I knew it! Percy, you're a terrible liar!" Ginny cried, giving a little squeal. "Oh, Audrey, I knew it! Congratulations!"

Molly beamed as they all celebrated together, and bent down to scoop up Albus before he could stick his little hands near the stove. "Like Mumma! Odd-ee!" he said jubilantly, pointing at Audrey. "Odd-ee, like Mumma!"

"That's right, like your mummy with Lily, clever boy," Molly cooed, kissing his neck. Arthur came and joined them, putting his arms around her waist.

"Everything all right?" he asked. "More tears?"

"For a very good reason," she assured him, kissing his cheek as the kitchen door swung wide, admitting yet another batch of Weasleys.