Daughter of Black

8.23

The days had been flying by in a blur of laughter, work at the joke shop, and the anticipation of our little one's arrival. I was nearing the end of my pregnancy, feeling both excited and a little anxious about becoming a mother. George was as supportive as ever, his excitement matching mine as we prepared for our new addition to the family.

It was a typical day at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, filled with customers laughing and browsing through our latest products. I was behind the counter, helping Fred and George restock shelves and answer questions from the customers. The twins, always full of energy and mischief, were in their element, making jokes and demonstrating our newest inventions. As the day progressed, I started to feel a dull ache in my lower back, but I dismissed it as normal pregnancy discomfort. However, as the hours passed, the ache turned into mild contractions. I tried to ignore them, focusing on my work and not wanting to cause a fuss. Fred, always observant, noticed my discomfort and asked if I was okay. "Are you okay, Mira?" Fred asked, his brows furrowing with worry.

I tried to smile reassuringly. "I think it's just false labor pains. Nothing to worry about."

But Fred wasn't convinced. "Maybe we should call George and have him take you to the hospital, just to be safe."

"I'm fine, just some Braxton Hicks contractions," I assured him, forcing a smile. "Nothing to worry about." Fred gave me a skeptical look but didn't press further. However, as the contractions grew more frequent and intense, I couldn't deny that something was happening. I tried to continue working, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to focus.

Suddenly, Fred's voice cut through the chaos of the shop. "Mira, your water just broke!" I froze, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and nerves. George was by my side in an instant, concern written all over his face.

"Are you sure?" he asked Fred, his voice tinged with urgency.

Fred nodded, his expression serious. "Positive. We need to get her to the hospital." Panic started to set in as the reality of the situation hit me. I was going into labor, and it was happening right here, in the middle of the joke shop. Fred quickly closed up the shop, ushering out the remaining customers and calling for backup from the family.

"George, we need to go," I said, trying to stay calm despite the rush of adrenaline.

George nodded, his hands shaking slightly as he helped me out from behind the counter. "I've got you, love. We'll get you to St. Mungo's." We made our way to the Floo network, George supporting me every step of the way. I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and fear as we stepped into the flames, the familiar sensation of being whisked away to the hospital comforting in its familiarity.

When we arrived at St. Mungo's, the Healers were already expecting us. They quickly ushered me into a private room, where I was hooked up to monitors and given pain-relieving charms. George held my hand tightly, his eyes filled with love and concern. Inside, Mira was settled into a hospital room, surrounded by nurses and doctors who were monitoring her closely. George held her hand tightly, his eyes never leaving her face. "It's going to be okay," George reassured me, his voice filled with love and determination.

I managed a weak smile. "I know." Hours passed in a blur of contractions and anticipation. George never left my side, whispering words of encouragement and reassurance. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, it was time to push. The room was filled with the sounds of my labor, George's steady voice urging me on, and the Healers guiding me through each contraction. And then, after one final push, our baby boy entered the world with a cry that filled the room with joy. I collapsed back onto the pillows, exhausted but elated. George leaned down, tears of happiness in his eyes as he kissed my forehead.

"You did amazing, Mira. Our son is perfect." A nurse gently placed our son in my arms, and as I looked down at his tiny, squirming form, my heart swelled with love. He had George's eyes and nose, a perfect blend of the two of us.

"Hello, little Atlas," I whispered, tears of joy streaming down my cheeks.

The rest of the family arrived shortly after Atlas was born, their faces filled with excitement and love. Mrs. Weasley rushed to my side, tears in her eyes as wraps her hands around mine, squeezing tightly. "Oh, Mira, he's beautiful," she exclaimed, her voice filled with emotion. "Just like George."

Fred hovered nearby, a proud smile on his face. "You did great, Mira. I'm so proud of you." Fred looked over our little baby boy, my face glistening with sweat and my eyes filled with tears. "Too bad he looks like Georgie here." I scoffed up at Fred.

"That means he looks like you too." I tell him, staring at the baby boy in my arms. He had little red hairs peeking out from his head and I smiled as the tears flowed.

"Damn, you're right." As Fred held little Atlas, he smiled wide. "I can't wait for Atlas, Gideon, and Fabian to grow up and play together." Fred cooed, staring down at my baby boy. Angie had given birth to twins about 4 months ago: Gideon and Fabian. We had been pregnant together for most of our pregnancies. We had guessed that Fred and George planned this, wanting their children to grow up together. Atlas was passed around from person to person, each one cooing over his tiny features and marveling at how much he looked like George. Charlie and Percy joked about him being the newest prankster in the family. But it was George who couldn't tear his eyes away from our son. He held Atlas with such gentleness and awe, his love for him written all over his face.

"He's perfect, Mira," George whispered, pressing a kiss to Atlas's forehead. "I can't believe he's finally here." As I watched my husband and our son, surrounded by our loving family, I felt a deep sense of gratitude and happiness. Atlas Sirius Weasley had brought us together in a way nothing else could. He was our little miracle, a symbol of our love and the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. And as I looked around at our family, laughing and celebrating, I knew that our future was bright, filled with love, laughter, and endless adventures with our little Atlas.