Family Christmas
Christmas morning, Severus woke up curled against his alpha, his head tucked under Harry’s chin. He was not a small man by any definition yet somehow he had always fit perfectly in Harry’s arms, well until he had gotten to be the size of a small barn. He woke slowly feeling warm, safe and protected but also a little stiff and cramped. He moved to stretch out his back and the alpha beside him whined at the loss of contact.
“Sorry Alpha,” he murmured. “I need to stretch,”
Harry’s eyes flew open “Are you alright love?”
“Yes, Alpha I am fine, just pregnant,” he said with an annoyed growl. He rolled over in an attempt to stretch his back but his stomach prevented a truly good stretch and he rolled back with a frown.
Harry looked concerned he hated to see Severus so uncomfortable especially as he still had at least three months to go. “Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked gently reaching out to touch his husband.
“No,” Severus sighed, “Morgan tells me this is just how it is with two babies in there,”
“I am sorry love I wish this was not so uncomfortable for you,” Harry said cupping the omega’s face and kissing him softly.
“Hummmm,” Severus replied, pressing his face into Harry’s hand “It’s fine alpha,” he said, turning his face to kiss Harry’s palm. “However I must get up before I wet the bed, would you help me please,” he asked with an embarrassed flush.
“Of course love,” Harry said, quickly moving out of the bed and offering Severus his hand to help him sit up and swing his legs over the edge of the bed.
Severus pushed himself up and off the bed to a standing position Harry held his hand and his hip until he found his centre of gravity and grunted before shuffling off towards the bathroom.
Severus had always been thin. Even now post-war and eating three meals a day at Harry’s insistence, he was still thin. Now his baby bump was so prominent he found it more difficult to find his balance and move easily.
Harry watched him go and wondered if Minerva would be willing to get Lucinda in sooner. Lucinda Baine had been the Defence teacher before Harry, she had mentored him through his mastery and learning to teach. She had agreed to return to the position while Harry took leave to be with Severus around the birth of their babies. The current plan was for Harry to take leave from March 31st, Severus was due on April 9th. Harry would stay with Severus until school resumed after the summer break. However, Harry thought maybe his husband might need him to be there before the babies were due. Severus would never ask, so Harry would have to think about it and maybe plant the seed.
Harry got up and headed to the bathroom arriving just as Severus was about to step into the shower. “Can I wash your back?” he asked.
Severus smiled “Always, Alpha,”
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
“Merry Christmas Harry,” Severus said as he handed him a bundle of perfectly wrapped presents.
They had showered fairly quickly and made their way to the kitchen for a late breakfast and then settled in the sitting room to open the few presents under their tree as they did every year.
They had put the tree up the night before, decorating it with the wooden circles Severus had made with his mum and some he and Harry had made the year before. They had also hung the dried oranges decorated with cloves and orange slices with cinnamon alongside glass baubles and silver beads purchased together over the past few years. The wrapped presents had been placed underneath until the morning and they had drunk hot chocolate in front of the fire while the Yule log burned in the grate.
“Thank you, Severus,” Harry replied and nudged a pile of three rather large presents towards Severus. “Merry Christmas to you too, my love.”
“Thank you, Alpha,” Severus replied, picking up the one closest to him. Inside he found a large carved wooden box with a monogrammed leather journal and an inbuilt ink bottle and an eagle feather quill.
Thank you Alpha, he said with a wide smile, since he had begun his treatment for PTSD he had developed the habit of journaling. He still did it most days it helped him to order his thought and to contain those thoughts which threatened to run away with him. Harry had noticed that Severus was journaling even more since he found out about the babies. He had not said a word about it but the gift told Severus Harry was aware and supported his need to write.
The second parcel contained a huge soft merino wool blanket in Slytherin colours and a scarf of the same wool.
The third was a seed propagation kit, which consisted of three small glass vials with rounded bottoms set in a wooden frame. There was also a packet of seed-growing mix. The seeds would sprout in vials and grow into seedlings ready for planting and the whole thing looked elegant enough to sit on Severus’ desk. Neville had recommended the present and Severus loved it.
Harry’s parcels contained a fancy Swiss army knife it was muggle but it was very useful for all manner of everyday tasks. A warm cloak and scarf for Hogsmede duty days and a crystal whiskey decanter and glass set.
Harry raised his eyebrow at the whiskey set and Severus gave him a sly smile “It’s for your quarters at school. To keep on that nice cabinet you have in there,” he told the alpha.
Harry smiled, “Thank you, Severus.”
When the presents had been unwrapped they sat out in the sun room reading companionably with occasional remarks about the weather or anecdotes of their time apart. Harry was really excited about the English skills program they would be implementing after Christmas. The board had approved the trial. English tutors, one for each house would be appointed to work with students who needed a bit of help with their literacy. Severus was proud of Harry’s efforts; he knew the alpha had been pushing for this for a while and Severus agreed it was a good thing. Teachers especially Heads of House did try to help students who were struggling but there were only so many hours in a day.
The afternoon was lovely so peaceful and comfortable. Severus, thoroughly enjoyed sitting like this with Harry, it was the thing he missed most about living away from his Alpha. He had thought a lot about the distance between them while he was living in Edinburgh and Harry was at Hogwarts. He loved living here in his new home, he knew he would be miserable if he were still at Hogwarts, but he missed Harry. He would never ask Harry to take extra leave; he knew that his alpha had already arranged with the Headmistress to have time off when the babies arrived. Still, he wished they could have more time together like this before the babies arrived and everything changed.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
Hermione and the Malfoys arrived the next day fresh from Draco and Narcissa’s first experience of a Muggle Christmas with Hermione’s parents and extended family. Hermione had been a little worried about how the two Malfoys would cope with a full Muggle Christmas but they had been wonderful. Hermione’s family loved them.
Narcissa, who was a master of small talk in the magical world, had been at a loss for conversation topics suitable for Muggles. She spent weeks leading up to Christmas exchanging owls with Severus about appropriate conversation topics. Draco had also spent time researching, picking Harry’s brain about Muggles and Christmas. If Hermione knew how hard they had studied she never let on, she had however fallen even more in love with Draco as a result of the wonderful Christmas day they had shared.
Draco had finally popped the question on Christmas Eve while the two were out strolling, looking at the neighbours’ Christmas lights. He had observed the muggle tradition of asking Hermione’s father first. It had been a complete surprise for Hermione but she said yes. Harry congratulated his friend with a warm hug as soon as he noticed the ring on her finger. Severus shared a moment with Narcissa, they were both so proud of Draco and the way he was going about re-establishing the Malfoy name, as one to be respected not feared in wizarding circles.
Harry conducted the obligatory tour of the new house and Narcissa had noticed that the room Harry referred to as the nursery did not have so much as a bassinet in it. She would speak to Severus about it, she had no doubt the very last thing the omega wanted to do was to shop. She had been surprised at how large his stomach was of course the man was having twins and that could not be easy on his body. Harry noticed the gleam in Narcissa’s eye and said easily “I am afraid that with me at Hogwarts and Severus occupied with his potion trial, we have yet to really think much about the nursery. Perhaps you wouldn't mind helping us while you are here.”
Narcissa gave the alpha a blinding smile “I would be delighted,” she purred. Draco rolled his eyes and Hermione smiled awkwardly. Silently hoping no one would ask her opinion on anything baby related. In spite of the new ring on her finger, that was very far in the future for her and she was happy with it being that way.
Lunch was served in the as-yet-unused dining room. Severus had not had more than two people visit him at a time and only Morgan had been for a meal which they had eaten in the kitchen. The conversion was dominated by discussions of the nursery design.
Narcissa herded everyone upstairs as soon as lunch was finished. She had sent an owl for catalogues which she spread out on a table she conjured in the middle of the empty room.
“First, we need to decide on a colour theme for the room, do you prefer any particular colours?” she asked Harry and Severus.
"I was thinking green,” Severus said slowly “Perhaps cream walls with a sage green feature wall and some kind of art on it,” he told her.
“Perfect,” Narcissa exclaimed and with a wave of her hand an image of Severus’ suggested theme appeared on the walls. “What kind of art were you thinking?” she asked.
Severus hesitated and glanced at Harry. The alpha smiled and took his hand “Please go on Sev,” he said gently.
Severus let go of Harry and left the room only to return with several muggle magazines. He selected one and flicked through it stopping at a page which showed a large tree painted on a sage green wall with a sleeping baby Simba stretched out on a branch. “It’s from a muggle movie called The Lion King, he told Narcissa.
Narcissa smiled “Of course your little Lion,” she said glancing at Harry who blushed but stepped up beside Severus and took his hand again.
“I think it’s a great idea, but perhaps…” he waved his hand at the picture and another tree appeared on the other side of the wall with Kaa from the Jungle Book coiled around a branch watching over the sleeping Simba. “...we could include my guardian Snake,” he said with a side glance at Severus who smiled and nodded.
Narcissa waved her wand and the walls changed to match the picture. Harry gasped as he stared at the walls three cream and one with their combined art on it. Narcissa had even included soft green drapes with a lace curtain under them. Harry squeezed Severus’ hand suddenly it all felt very real.
They spent the rest of the day going through furniture catalogues Narcissa projected images of the items they liked into various spaces around the room until they had a solid plan for the layout of the room. They selected dark-stained wooden cots, two white bassinets and a set of drawers and a matching change table. Severus decided to include a rocking chair which had been Morgan’s suggestion for late-night feeds. The order was placed with a store Narcissa recommended and the items would be delivered in the morning.
Once the nursery had been furnished Narcissa set about searching for clothes to fill the new drawers. Severus had decided on cloth nappies and Narcissa found clever reusable nappies with press stud closures in a muggle store, along with onesies of every colour from pastel blue and pink to dark green and red.
Hermione and Draco offered animal mobiles and some wild animal plush toys including a huge stuffed giraffe which was almost as tall as Harry.
In all, it was a wonderful fun yet productive visit and when their friends left Harry and Severus spent several hours just sitting in their babies’ space lost in their own thoughts about what was to come in three months’ time.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
Severus lay on the bed with his shirt pushed up to his chest while Abigail checked the babies’ size and heartbeats. He knew it was necessary for the midwife to get all the information she needed but Severus was over having to bear his stomach to every medical professional he saw not to mention being prodded and poked constantly.
The blond woman waved her wand over him for the third time before she smiled, “All done, here let me help you,” she said cheerfully taking hold of his shirt and pulling it back down.
Harry could see Severus was losing his patience and moved in quickly to help his husband sit up.
“Everything is looking fine Severus. The babies are a good size and their heartbeats are strong and you are fairly healthy. Penny did send me a note saying that you were starting to find things more difficult and that you were getting very tired and forgetting things. That is completely normal for this stage of Pregnancy, especially when there are multiple babies and the bearer is on the smaller side. Your pre-pregnancy weight was a little less than we would usually recommend for a man of your height and the only weight you seem to have gained is the weight of the babies. As I mentioned they are a good size for twins and they have a bit more growing to do so you will find your movements become more restricted as we go along and you will need to do less,” Abigail told him.
“Wonderful,” Severus said dryly.
The midwife sighed “I know it’s difficult Severus, but you are well over halfway there and you are doing very well. I promise it will be worth it to have healthy babies and a healthy Papa when they are born.”
Severus did not reply and Harry took his hand.
“So does that mean Severus will need to rest more?” he asked.
Abigail nodded “I am afraid so, is there any chance you could set yourself up downstairs to sleep, so you don’t need to climb the stairs? I think we will get to the point fairly soon where they will become difficult for you to manage. Your blood pressure is still within safe limits but it is significantly higher than your usual rate,” she told him.
“Are you sleeping well?” she asked.
“Not well no, I am only comfortable on my left side but I get cramps and aches staying on one side all night,” Severus told her.
Harry frowned “You have slept alright the last few nights, I thought,”
“Yes, Alpha, it is better when you are here,” he spat out with an annoyed expression.
Abigail nodded “Most omegas sleep easier with their mate nearby, as long as you get enough rest during the day you will be fine. Your body is doing exactly what it should do and needs to do, but you will start to feel it much more in the next few weeks I am afraid. However, you shouldn’t stop seeing people, Severus. Take a taxi to the Clinic or ask your elves to take you, ask people to come to you. All your friends understand they have experienced this themselves or they soon will. It is important for your mental health not to be alone,” the midwife told him.
“Severus I could…” Harry began
“No! Please Alpha don’t change things on Minerva now, she has organised your leave. I will be fine,” Severus cut over him.
Harry looked at his omega “Sev, you are the most important person in my life. If you need me I want to be here, I want to be with you,”
Severus looked pained he wanted his alpha to stay but he did not want to look weak or incapable. He was just pregnant for goodness sake, people did this all the time. He was not weak he had taught potions the morning after being held under the cruciatus curse three times for over five minutes; he had been in much worse condition then and managed to continue on. He could do this.
“Harry your job is important, you have students approaching OWLS and NEWTS and there is your English program to get organised before you take time off. I will be fine,” he insisted.
“Yes, my job is important, Sev, but it can be done by Lucinda, she is very good at it, remember? She has already agreed to cover my time off. I can ask her to start earlier. Draco and Neville have been pushing for the English program too, they will take on the responsibility for it, if I need to be here,” Harry told him.
“Alpha please I am not an invalid. I was a spy…for years. I have dealt with much worse than this without help,” he pressed out crossly.
Harry opened and closed his mouth he was not sure what to say to that, Severus had dealt with much worse during the war. Harry did not want the omega to think he thought him incapable of managing.
Abigail moved and sat on the other side of the omega close to him but with enough distance between them that she was not touching him. Harry eyed her suspiciously and she gave him a short nod of understanding, his wolf was protective she understood that. “Severus, I know this is far from the worst thing you have been through. I know that pregnancy is frustrating and uncomfortable and I know accepting help is not easy,” Abigail said softly. “I also know that being strong alone is not all it’s cracked up to be and letting our loved ones help us is sometimes the bravest thing we can do. Especially, when we feel like the world is against us. You are not weak, you are not failing. It’s ok to let Harry catch you here, it’s his job to take of you,” she told him firmly.
Severus let out a low whine and tears he had fought for so long started to fall. He let his head fall onto Harry’s shoulder and allowed the alpha to pull him close.
Abigail gave a small smile “That’s it Severus let it out,” she said softly.
“I can’t do this,” he moaned into Harry’s shoulder. I can’t,”
“You can Severus, you really can. You are a strong and very capable omega but you don’t have to do it alone,” Abigail told him. “Let your Alpha support you. Lean on him, he wants you too and you will find things much easier if he is with you,” she said.
Severus sniffed and nodded his face still buried in Harry’s shoulder.
“Good, that’s wonderful Severus. I will come back and check on you in three weeks then we will need to start thinking about your birth plan,” she told them.
The omega did not reply but Harry lifted his head “Birth plan?” he asked with a frown.
“Yes, I will go through it with you next time but I can leave you some information to read. Basically, it is a plan for what Severus wants for his birth. Where he wants to be, who he wants with him, and things that might bring him comfort during the process. It’s not a guarantee of how things will be but we try and do things which will keep our omegas as comfortable and relaxed as possible to minimise stress and hopefully medical intervention,” she explained.
Harry’s eyes went wide and his arms tightened around his husband.
“Don’t panic,” Abigail told him “It’s nothing to worry about but we are getting to the point where we need to be prepared for your children to arrive,” she said pointedly
Harry nodded.
Abigail took her card with a floo address and a muggle phone number on it and placed it on the bedside table with several pamphlets about birthing plans. “Any worries, problems or concerns call me or go to the Clinic straight away. Don’t wait if you are worried. Take a taxi if you are going anywhere it’s the safest way to travel now,” she told him and she gathered her bag and left.
Harry held Severus for several more minutes until he felt the omega relax against him and he realised Severus had fallen asleep. He stood up and lay the omega down on their bed then moving to the other side of the bed he slipped off his shoes and climbed in beside his husband and pulled him close and he held him while he napped. He would send an owl to Minerva as soon as Severus woke up.