J.K. Rowling gets the credit for birthing a wonderful world.
Camnz gets the credit for this fascinating backstory.
Reviewers get the credit for leading me to restructure.
Chapter Ten- Birth Day
Mrs. Gray answered the floo call and sent Draco to St. Mungo's. The baby was on the way.
"She's early. Is it too early? Wait! Where are the children? Who is watching them?" He began to panic.
"The senior Malfoys are home with the children. They can bring them to visit after the baby is born," reassured Mrs. Gray. She handed him his coat and briefcase and smiled, "A new baby is a wonderful gift of life. Everyone will be fine, Mr. Malfoy. I'm so happy for you both."
"Thank you, Mrs. Gray. You've earned that retirement bonus many times over." Draco stooped to kiss her cheek, and Mrs. Gray's cheeks turned rosy with pleasure.
Draco flooed to St. Mungo's and walked swiftly to the maternity ward. It was becoming a familiar place to visit. Hopefully, this will be the last time, he thought dryly. When he entered the room, he was surprised to see Molly Weasley there.
"Mr. Malfoy," Molly greeted him with a hug. "You have an exciting time ahead of you. Now that your husband is with you, dear, I'll leave. Let me know if I can help in any way."
"I'm so glad you could come with me, Molly. Thank you. I think Draco can take over now."
He might as well become a healer. Childbirth was becoming his area of expertise. He stepped over to Hermione and grasped her hand during a contraction. Hermione clung to him until the pain subsided.
Hermione had guessed that number five would be the easiest of all; surely Astoria's body had it down by now, but that was not the case. The labor did not progress, and Hermione grew exhausted. Her hair hung limply about her face. Draco stroked her hair, held her hand, gazed into her eyes, and quietly supported her through the pain.
"This feels so familiar," Hermione moaned.
"To the other four times?" Draco asked.
"No, from when Bellatrix hit me with the Cruciatus curse. You were there looking into my eyes."
"This pain is as bad as the Cruciatus curse?" Draco asked in amazement.
"No, I just mean, you were there for me. You helped me through the pain back then too."
His presence had brought comfort? He hated that memory of Hermione being tortured by Bellatrix and still carried an overwhelming burden of guilt for his part in it all.
"The comparison between being tortured by Bellatrix and giving birth to my children is not exactly reassuring." Draco stated tersely. Hermione laughed between pants.
"I think it's close. You know," Hermione began between contractions, "Natural childbirth worked fine for the other babies, but this time I think I'll have a little help."
A healer was called. Potions were out of the question in Hermione's mind, because she didn't want a substance that might affect the baby, but a simple relaxing spell would give her a breather. Draco too, for that matter. The decision was made, and Draco flicked his wand to enlarge the bed. He slipped in beside his wife to catch a nap before the action began again. Draco again marveled at Hermione's inner strength.
Hours later, when he saw his infant daughter for the first time, his breath caught in his chest and he could scarcely breathe. His emotions were ragged by the sheer effort Hermione had given to birth their daughter, and he struggled to control his tears.
Euphoria filled Hermione at the sight of this precious new life, and she quickly forgot her exhaustion and pain. Weren't newborns supposed to be bald, wrinkled and red? And ugly? Malfoys really had all the luck.
Draco cradled his new daughter tenderly. "She's beautiful. She's perfect."
"I forgot how babies slow down time. I could gaze at her all day long. Look at her little nose and sweet lips! Draco, have you ever seen such tiny fingers?"
"Well, yes. Four other times."
"You and Astoria make beautiful babies." Hermione suddenly felt sad that her children would never look like Hermione Granger. On the plus side, at least they wouldn't have to ever deal with bushy hair and buck teeth.
"No, Astoria never gave me children. You and I make beautiful babies."
"Mmmm," agreed Hermione drowsily, " Let me hold her too. What shall we name her?"
"How about after you?"
"Astoria? No way!"
"No, I mean Hermione. I love that name."
"Ha! Hermione? Right! That's a good one. Hermione Granger Malfoy! Nothing like announcing to the world the name of your true love."
"How about after my mother?"
"Narcissa? Your mother would be so happy. I also really like Gemini, Draco. It fits the constellation theme we have going. And she is such a little gem, isn't she?"
Draco gazed at the petite face with tiny rosebud lips. Malfoy babies all looked alike, but this baby was exquisitely beautiful.
"Yes," he agreed soberly, "We'll name her Gemini Narcissa, but we'll call her Gem. How about that?" Draco bent to kiss the baby and her mum. Just then baby Gemini opened her eyes and let out a shriek. Hermione and Draco jumped. Was that the whimpering cry of a newborn? A healer came into the room and laughed.
"She has lungs, that's for sure! Let's try to get her feeding."
Hermione was an expert at breastfeeding her babies, but little Gemini didn't seem to want to latch on to her mum's breast. She turned her head and screamed again. Eventually, she calmed down and dozed off, but not before everyone in the room shook their head and took a breath.
"Wow, this little one has personality!" The nurse smiled sympathetically and turned to leave. Hermione and Draco glanced at each other with wide eyes.
After Hermione and Draco had napped, Narcissa and Lucius brought the Malfoy children to St. Mungo's. Scorpius held Orion and Leo's hands. Narcissa held Cassie's hand. They tiptoed quietly into the room and peeked at their new sibling. Leo and Orion seemed disappointed, but Scorpius and Cassie each had a turn holding her.
"It's small," Leo complained.
"What does it do?" asked Orion.
"Silly boys, babies don't do anything. They eat and sleep. And the baby is a she not an it," corrected Cassie. She stroked the baby's tiny hand.
"It will be awhile before she can play with you, Orion," Hermione smiled.
"Then I guess it...she won't want my present," he said with disappointment.
"Of course, she will want it, let's see what you brought!"
Orion and Leo darted out of the room and returned shouting, "Happy Birth Day, Baby!" They were bearing a gift tied up in bows. It was a broomstick.