A/N: Day Three of the 12 Days of Shipmas: "Baby's First Christmas" - enjoy!
The Weasley fireplace flares green, and Bill, Fleur, and baby Victoire appear. "Happy Christmas!" Bill calls. Ginny jumps up from her spot on the couch and moves towards the fireplace, but Ron beats her.
"Here, let Vic come see her favorite uncle, right?" he croons as he sweeps Victoire out of Bill's arms. Ron waltzes Victoire away from the fireplace and into the kitchen, crooning to her the whole time. Ginny rolls her eyes, not wanting to admit that she too had been reaching for her niece.
"Hi Bill, hi Fleur," she says instead, hugging her brother and sister-in-law. "Can I help you carry anything?"
Bill laughs. "Oh sure, pretend that you came over to help us and not steal our daughter away for the rest of the day." He reaches to pat Ginny's hair, but Fleur puts her hand on his arm and gently redirects him.
"You look zo lovely, Ginny," Fleur says with a smile. She glances at Bill meaningfully. "Did you do zometheeng new 'ith your hair?"
Ginny grins at her. "You mean besides wearing it down?"
Before Fleur can comment further, Molly emerges from the kitchen and embraces Fleur, then Bill, scolding them for bringing so many dishes. As they head into the kitchen, Ginny slips back to her spot on the couch and turns to look out the window. The bustle of Christmas Eve is her favorite time of year, but currently her favorite person is not yet at the Burrow. Ginny sighs, wishing Harry had not drawn the short straw and been forced to finish paperwork today.
He had promised, last night as he had kissed her goodnight, that he would arrive at the Burrow in time for dinner, and Ginny had gripped his hands, kissed him again, and reminded him that dinner meant 2 o'clock. He had kissed her back, murmured, "Of course, Gin."
Ginny sighs again and glances at the clock. Twenty more minutes before Harry should arrive, but maybe she would get a Christmas miracle and he would come earl- The fireplace flares to life again and Harry tumbles out, coughing a bit and brushing Floo powder from his hair.
"Harry!" she cries, springing up from the couch again and throwing her arms around him. He catches her in a tight hug. "You got done early?"
Harry squeezes her again. "I couldn't stand to miss another minute of your favorite day."
Ginny rises to her tiptoes and kisses him. "I'm sure boring paperwork had nothing to do with your motivation."
Harry laughs. "Okay, but it wasn't my main motivator." His hands slide down her back, coming to rest just above her bum.
Ginny snorts and steps away from him. "As long as I'm still number one. Now come on, the family will want to see you, and we can finally eat!"
She takes his hand and heads for the kitchen, choosing to ignore Harry's mutterings about "Weasley stomachs."
A chorus of "Harry!" and "You made it!" and "Finally!" greet them as they walk into the kitchen. Ginny smiles to herself as Harry receives embraces, hair ruffles, and back slaps. She loves how her family loves him. Since it is obvious they can progress no further together, she drops his hand and finds a spot along the far wall to lean and observe the chaos.
Bill sidles over to her. "Finally ready to begin Christmas?" He smiles at her warmly, slips one arm around her shoulders.
Ginny leans into him. "Is it that obvious?"
They watch their mum fuss over Harry while Ron teases him. Hermione stands by them, holding Victoire, who is grasping at Hermione's hair with one hand and reaching for Harry's glasses with the other.
Bill glances at her. "It's been obvious for years, Gin." He gives her a squeeze, then releases her. "Speaking of obvious, I'm going to go find my wife so this family can finally start dinner."
He walks away, and Ginny wraps her arms around herself. Her parents are bringing food to the table and flirting shamelessly. George and Percy are arguing good-naturedly in the family room, Audrey nearby. As Ginny watches, Percy reaches and grasps Audrey's fingers, even as he talks animatedly with George and as Audrey begins chatting with Hermione.
Victoire is now in Harry's arms, slapping at his glasses. Harry holds her with one arm and with the other, tries to keep his glasses on his face. Ron laughs at him and tickles Victoire, who shrieks when she sees her parents come down the stairs with Charlie.
Ginny feels a bubble of contentment fill her chest. Christmas is her favorite holiday because no matter where in the world they are, her whole family comes together to celebrate. She swallows hard. This year is easier than last year, with Fred's absence, and it helps that Victoire is here to distract everyone from the empty seat at the table. Ginny finds that she is staring vaguely at the baby, but then Harry turns and her attention focuses. Her eyes meet his and she cannot help smiling.
Harry gives Victoire over to Fleur and heads towards Ginny. "Alright, Weasley," he says, leaning against the wall next to her and linking their fingers.
"Alright, Potter," she returns, sliding sideways just a bit so their shoulders bump. "You look good with a baby in your arms."
Harry raises an eyebrow. "I think I prefer babies with red hair, actually."
Ginny feels warmth spread all through her even as a lump forms in her throat. She and Harry have talked about the future, sure, but she still gets butterflies when he talks like this.
She leans her head on his shoulder. "Black hair is nice, too."
"You think?" Harry is still watching the rest of the family, but Ginny can tell he is attentive to her every breath.
"I especially like green-eyed babies," she whispers, pressing a kiss to his shoulder.
"If they had red hair and green eyes, they would always be ready for Christmas," Harry murmurs back, squeezing her hand.
Ginny finds that the lump in her throat has grown so that she cannot speak. How to express to Harry that having babies with him would feel like Christmas every day? Tears spark at her eyes, tears of happiness and of love and of simply being overwhelmed with feelings for the man beside her.
Harry tilts his head to look at her. "Alright, Weasley?" he asks again, quietly this time. He squeezes her hand again and brings it up so he can kiss the back of her hand.
Ginny raises her head off his shoulder and blinks furiously. "Alright, Potter," she answers, her voice coming out strong despite her inability to swallow.
Harry grins at her, leans down to kiss her. She leans into the kiss, then pulls back to look at him.
"More than alright, Harry. So much more than alright."