Severus' point of view:

"Finally," Anna muttered as she took her shoes off in the entry way and put her hand on her belly. "My last class until the babies are old enough didn't get here fast enough."

"Are you feeling okay?" I asked my wife of seven months.

"My feet are killing me." She sighed as she lowered herself slowly onto the couch. "Will you rub my them?"

"Of course." I sat next to her and leaned back.

She groaned as she put her feet onto my lap. I pulled her socks off of her swollen feet. Rubbing my thumb across the ball of her feet, she sighed.

"Look how swollen they are." Anna leaned her head back onto the back of the seat. "They weren't as swollen when I was pregnant with Karina."

"I'm sure, but you weren't carrying twins," I replied.

"Hmmm," Anna replied and shut her eyes.

"Do you need to nap before dinner?" I asked.

"Yes," she whispered. "I'm so tired, Severus. Please tell me this will be over soon."

"In about a month, honey," I said, making sure to rub her ankles, feeling the swollen flesh under my fingers.

Anna sighed and tilted her head back. Within a few minutes, she fell asleep. Even though she was a sleep, I continued to rub. It seemed to help her to rest better. She began to snore as I rubbed her feet and her mouth fell open. I smiled to myself as I watched her sleep. Even with her sleeping with her mouth open, she still looked beautiful. For half an hour I rubbed until it was time for dinner.

"Anna, it's time to wake up," I said softly.

"Hmmm?" She stirred and her eyes fluttered open.

"It's time for dinner," I told her.

"If it wasn't for food, I'd would've killed you for waking me," she muttered as she awkwardly put swung her feet to the floor.

I held back a laugh; last week she yelled at me for laughing at a comment she made, and I didn't want to make her upset again.

"Do you need help putting your shoes on?" I asked before she could stand.

"Yes, please." She smiled at me.

I quickly grabbed her discarded pair, and kneeled down in front of Anna to put her socks and shoes on. When I was finished, I looked up flabbergasted to find her with tears in her eyes.

"Why are you crying?" I asked.

"Because you take such good care of me," she sobbed as the tears ran down her cheeks. "You rubbed my feet and helped me with my shoes."

"Because I love you," I told her, cupping her cheeks. With my thumb I brushed away her tears. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Severus," she replied. She leaned forward and gave me a kiss. "Thank you for helping me."

I kissed her again as her stomach gave a rumble.

"Let's go." I grinned at my wife as I helped pull her up.

Wrapping my arm around her, I lead her to the Great Hall. We sat at the end of the staff table, where many of the other staff members sat. I watched the students quietly as Anna talked with Professor Sprout about the birth plan. I tuned it out; I'd heard enough about child birth over the last seven months.

"Daddy!" Karina yelled as Minerva led her by the hand.

"Hello, honey," I said, picking her up. "Have you been good for Aunt M so far?"

"Yes, and it's a secret, but Aunt M got me candies from the candy store, Daddy!" She hugged me tight.

"Did she now?" I asked.

"Always knows how to keep a secret," Minerva muttered.

"May I have some dinner, Daddy?" Karina asked.

"Of course."

I fed myself and her dinner.

"Mummy, I need to go potty," Karina said.

"Okay, honey lets go," Anna said.

"Shouldn't I take her?" I asked, watching my heavily pregnant wife stand with concern.

"It's okay," Anna said. "I'll be missing her like crazy soon. Come on Karina." Anna held out her hand for our daughter.

Karina took Anna's hand, chatting about Snow White as they walked. I watched the two until they disappeared out of sight.

"Sir?" A shy, Hufflepuff student approached me.

"Yes?" I asked.

"We wanted to let you know that we're throwing Professor Snape a surprise Muggle baby shower tomorrow," she explained. "Could you bring her to her classroom at two?"

"Of course. It'd mean a lot to her," I replied.

The girl blushed and turned away. I waited nervously for Anna and Karina to return. Shifting in my chair, I looked toward the female restroom.

"I've never seen you so restless, not even during one of Albus' long staff meetings," Minerva commented.

I rolled my eyes. "You know how I am about them, especially since the birth is getting close."

"You are such a changed man, Severus." Minerva put her hand on my arm.

"The world has changed too, Minerva," I responded.

"That too." She kissed my cheek. "I'm glad I got to see it."

"So am I." I gave her hand a squeeze.

"Aunt M, Aunt M!" Karina squealed. "May we go have our candy now?"

Anna walk a few steps behind Karina as she pulled herself onto Minerva's lap.

"I suppose it's time for that," Minerva replied. "Did you tell Mummy and Daddy goodnight?"

"Goodnight, Mummy and Daddy," she said waving at us.

"What, no hugs?" Anna asked, sitting heavily in her chair.

Karina giggled as she came to hug Anna.

"I love you," Anna said, kissing Karina's head.

"Love my mummy," Karina replied. "Goodnight, Daddy."

Her little arms reached for me, and I picked her up. "Goodnight."

She hugged me before scampering off to her aunt. Minerva scooped the little girl up, and the two made their way to her rooms.

"I'm so glad that she wanted to take her for the night," Anna said, tucking into the rest of her dinner.

"So am I." I rubbed Anna's back. "It may be the last peace and quiet we get."

"That's probably true," Anna grumbled. "I just hope I can sleep tonight."

"I'll have to make you tea," I said.

"That would be wonderful, Severus." She kissed my cheek. I could tell she wanted to do more, but didn't dare in front of the students.

Anna finished her dinner as I watched the students talk. Would things be different if I went back into teaching? They seemed different, but maybe because I saw things differently now. I wouldn't teach out of a promise I made to a loved one, but I wanted to take care of my children and give the love and care I didn't have growing up.

"I'm so full," Anna said as she put down her napkin.

"For how long?" I teased.

Anna elbowed me in the stomach, and groaned as she stood. "Are you ready?"

I nodded as I stood. Putting my hand on her lower back we walked around the Great Hall. When we left the Great Hall, I took her hand.

"Are you up for a walk tonight?" I asked.

"No. I'm too sore from teaching," she answered. "Maybe tomorrow."

"Before we get Karina," I said, making up a reason to get her to the shower. "I want to have some time with you."

"Like a last date?" she asked. "We could go on a picnic."

"Would you be able to get off the ground?" I asked.

She laughed. "You'd have to lift me, I think."

"That sounds lovely." I kissed her before I opened the door to our room.

That night, we sat on the couch and talked. It was a quiet night to ourselves, something I'd missed with her busy teaching schedule.

"I needed this, Severus." Anna sighed as she took a sip of tea.

"Me too." She quirked an eyebrow. "A night along, just to talk with you."

"It is, lovely. We may not get that until the children are grown." She smiled.

"That's probably true," I said. "I never thought I'd get to have that."

"I'm glad we did." Her hand caressed my cheek. "I love you very much."

"I love you too." I kissed her lips, tasting the tea on them.

The next morning, I woke early. I wanted to leave the bed, but Anna's head rested on my chest. She was sound asleep, and she needed her rest, especially since the growth of the babies kept her up. Closing my eyes, I breathed in her scent. I loved my new life.

Hope you enjoy the epilogue part one! Please review!