Forever Family

Chapter 42

Publish Date: 3/20/19

A long and emotional night later, Harry emerged from Ginny's hospital room to greet his family in the waiting room. As soon as they heard the news, the Weasleys immediately went to Mungo's. Everyone's head turned towards him as he walked in, waiting to hear updates on Ginny and James.

"Ginny and James are resting. We can take a few people in to see them now," Harry smiled. Although his clothes were rumpled and his hair was messy, he looked happy.

"Wonderful! Is it alright if Arthur and I bring Teddy to see him?" Mrs. Weasley asked. Harry nodded and led them back.

Ginny was laying in her hospital bed, looking exhausted but glowing with happiness. She was holding a small bundle of blankets close to her chest. Mrs. Weasley was the first to approach.

"Want to hold him, Mum?" Ginny asked. She gave her baby to her mother, who accepted him tearfully.

"Oh, Ginny...he's beautiful. Arthur, come look!"

Mr. Weasley also got a chance to hold James. "Congratulations, you two. He really is wonderful."

Teddy was the last to see him. He didn't get to hold him, but Teddy had enough to say. "Hi, I'm Teddy. I'm you're god-brother. And we're gonna be best friends, okay? You can even play with me and Vic."

"That's very sweet of you, Teddy," Ginny smiled tiredly. Teddy beamed back. After giving them all a quick hug, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley led Teddy back to the waiting room, where they sent in Ron and Hermione.

A moment later, Ron and Hermione walked in the room. Harry couldn't remember a time when when he'd been so happy to see his best friends.

"Congratulations, mate." Ron embraced Harry and Ginny, who gave him James to hold. Ron gazed down at the baby fondly. "I knew you could do it."

"Oh, he's perfect!" Hermione breathed as she took her turn holding James. "Look, Gin, he has your nose!" James giggled as Hermione gently bounced him up and down.

"Thanks, Ron and 'Mione. Actually, we were wondering if you wanted to be his godparents," Ginny offered.

"Oh, we'd love to!" Hermione exclaimed. Happiness was practically radiating off everyone in the room, and the way Harry's hand was intertwined with Ginny's showed that it would be that way for a while.

Eventually, everyone had their turns meeting and holding James. Harry and Ginny were exhausted. As much as they loved their son and their family, the new parents needed some sleep. So, once everyone had met James, Mrs. Weasley shooed them all out so Harry and Ginny could get some sleep.

Though, as she didn't mention out loud, (not that it needed to be said) it was their first night with their new son. And Harry and Ginny didn't want to waste any minute of it.

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Within a few days, the Potters were able to take James home. They had set up a nursery for him before Ginny had gone in to labor, and everything was set up and ready when they got home.

"I can't believe we did that," Ginny sighed as she sat down. They had just put the kids to bed, and were now enjoying some time together before they went to bed themselves.

"I knew you could do it." Harry gave his wife a kiss on the cheek and sat down next to her. "You were amazing. I'm so excited to raise a family with you."

"Mmm, so am I," Ginny yawned and rested her head on Harry's shoulder. They stayed like that for a few minutes, comfortable and content. Harry abruptly stood up a moment later.

"What is it, love?" Ginny mumbled from the couch.

"Does this mean you can have Firewhiskey again?" Harry asked, laughing. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean I'm in the mood for Firewhiskey. I just gave birth, for Merlin's sake."

"Maybe later, then?" Harry asked cheekily as he rejoined Ginny on the couch. Ginny nodded and promised him Firewhiskey at a time where she hadn't just given birth. Both Harry and Ginny were very tired. The first few days had been bliss, with their little family together. But it was only a matter of time before the actual parenting kicked in, and they knew it.

"Let's just enjoy this moment where James is sleeping peacefully, yeah?" Harry asked.

"Yeah."

But a moment later, their attention was drawn to Teddy, who was trying to walk quietly down the stairs. Although he was actually stomping, Harry and Ginny got the idea.

"What's up, Ted. Why aren't you in bed?" Ginny asked. Teddy shrugged. "Come join me on the couch."

"Okay. I couldn't sleep because I was thinking about James."

"Oh? And what were you thinking?" Harry raised his eyebrows with curiosity.

"Well, I remembered you telling me about some of the adventures you went on with Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione. Then, I wondered if James would go on adventures too. Maybe he could bring me along. I'll have to ask him." Teddy rambled. Harry laughed.

"Well, I hope he won't go on the same kind of adventures I went on with Ron and Hermione. But I'm sure he'd be happy to take you along. And you never know—you and Victoire may go on your own adventures, too." This answer seemed to satisfy Teddy, because he gave a big smile. His eyes lit up in excitement at the prospect of going on adventures with his best friend.

"Now, get to bed, Teddy. Or you'll never have enough energy to go on adventures in the first place," Ginny said. Teddy nodded and said goodnight to his godparents.

"Goodnight!" Harry called after him. Teddy didn't respond; he was already nearly to his bedroom. He did need energy for his adventures, after all.

"I love our family," Ginny chuckled. Harry nodded in agreement.

"So do I."

A content and comfortable silence settled between the two. In a few minutes, they would go join their family upstairs and in bed. Harry kissed Ginny goodnight and went upstairs, but Ginny lingered down just a moment longer. She carefully held a picture taken by her mum, of her, James, and Harry in the hospital. Her eyes scanned the joyous picture one last time before she followed her husband upstairs and joined him in bed.

A/N: So here's a new chapter! I hope this one was happy for you guys. Thanks for reading! 💛
Words: 1,020