Charlie
The weeks following the twins’ birth was hectic to say the least. Managing their sleep and eating schedules. Sleep was not in the cards, especially with two of them. I thought it was bad when I was a child and heard Fred and George as babies. Now I know mum and dad how much worse mum and dad had it. They had three other children to take care of.
The week we spent in the Burrow was much needed. Mum and dad were giving us pointers and making sure that we did everything correct. They were so small and fragile, it felt like a small bump would hurt them. So small in my calloused hands, like small movements would injure them. It still felt that way now, but we had a bit more practice. We normally took turns getting up in the night. But we both always woke up during the night with them, we were always alert to small noises. Mine from working at the reserve for so many years, hers from her time in the war.
Today was no different, it was now September, and the twins were nearing a month old in a few days. I just put them down for a nap, their personalities were starting to show. Charles was much calmer than his sister, she didn’t like to be put down unless he was next to her. Which was okay for now because neither is moving around in their sleep too much, but in a few weeks that will become an issue.
I walked down the stairs to find Hermione sitting in the window bench, reading a book. With her hair was tied up, which looked like she had a small halo in the sunlight. She noticed me coming down and looked up and smiled. She just got back from a Healers appointment.
“Hi love.” I walked over to her.
“Hi. How were they?” She asked. I sat next to her, and she pulled her legs over mine and curled into my chest.
“They were fine. Charlotte was fussy per normal until I put junior next to her in the cot.” I stroked her back. “How was the appointment?”
“It was fine, they said everything was healed up properly, so need to take more potions.” She moved to straddle me, and I raised an eyebrow.
“Really, all healed?” I asked. She nodded and began to kiss me. The last week weeks of her pregnancy were hard because I had to keep denying her. Her libido was high, but it wasn’t safe for her body.
“Yes, so I will no longer settle for a snogging session.” She told me and then resumed her kissing tirade.
I gripped her back and hoisted us both up. She wrapped her legs firm around my back, and I began walking us up the stairs. She was just low enough to keep rubbing against my cock. It was antagonizing. She began to giggle, and I shushed her.
“If we wake them up, all this will end is a snogging session for you and a hand rub for me.” I told her. It just made her grin more. She was entirely a minx.
We carefully went past the nursey door and made it to our bedroom. I place a one-way silencing charm, so we could hear them, but they couldn’t hear us. I placed her down on the bed and the next thing I know she’s vanished our clothes away.
I raised an eyebrow to her.
“Well, you said we should be quick.” She smirked.
“I said we should be quiet, but since there’s a silencing charm, we should be fine.” I told her; she was entirely too beautiful. Her breast were fuller and her curves more accentuated since giving birth. We hadn’t done anything more than kiss in about 3 months, it was too hard to tell if it would trigger an early birth for her.
The countless arguments, that ended with me in the right. I hated to deny her anything, but her health always came first. Instead, she always found ways to tease me, going to put her hand on my leg and accidentally grabbing my cock was her favorite. She did that the days after I told her that sex was not an option.
My hands were full of her breast as she climbed over me in the bed. I didn’t even notice her flipping our positions. She moved to fully straddle me, rubbing her cunt against my cock. She was already wet. Positioning my cock to her entrance.
In a quick move she put me inside her all the way. Both of us were groaning, it was tight, and she was clamping down around my cock. It took everything in me not to come at this moment. She had a smirk on her lips.
I pulled her face down to mine. Our kiss was messy, our built-up tension was coming undone. She pulled away and put her hands on my chest, I felt her pull up and then back down. She was taking the pleasure that she was denied, and I let her. Watching her bounce up and down on my cock was mesmerizing.
“Did you miss my cock that much?”
“Yes… I missed you so much.” She said between her moans. A smirk crossed her face. “Did you miss me?”
“Merlin, yes.” I reached a hand up to pinch her nipple. Her moans grew louder.
I reached a hand between us and began circling her clit with my thumb, I knew that it drove her crazy. I felt her clench around my cock. Her face was pure ecstasy. Her movements were increasing and so were mine. I bucked my hips, I gripped her hips with my hands, which might show a bruise tomorrow and thrusted up.
She was practically screaming my name now; I knew she was coming. Her orgasm gripped me, and I followed soon after.
She collapsed onto me, we were both covered in sweat and breathing heavily.
“I missed doing that.” She spoke.
“Me too. It has been too long.” My hand moving up and down her spine in long strokes.
“Well, someone was worried about hurting me and the babies.” She poked my chest.
“Well, sorry for listening to the healers’ directions. You didn’t seem entirely too comfortable those last few weeks.” I pointed out.
“You’re right.” She pouted. “But still, you denied it.”
“Yes. Yes.”
We laid there for a few minutes, before I suggested a shower before the twins woke up. Reluctantly she agreed, I also didn’t want to get up I would have preferred another round, but the babies sleep schedule was still being developed. Our time would be better spent sleeping during this time.
We managed a quick shower and thirty-minute nap before they woke up. I’ve heard that the first few months were the most challenging, and that was not incorrect. I let Hermione stay in bed and left to gather our children. I walked into the room, the curtains were closed to let them sleep, with a flick of my wand they opened, and the room illuminated, color bouncing off the light green walls.
It was Charlotte who was crying, most likely hungry. Which meant that junior was also hungry. I gathered them in my arms and walked over to our bedroom. I was amazed by how much they could grow in that short amount of time. Hermione was sitting up in bed, pillows pilled behind her.
“I heard the cries, it’s time for them to eat.” She removed her shirt and arranged some pillows for them to lay down on. Once they noticed her the cries were lessened.
I looked at her in awe, she was the most amazing person. Over the last month she has kept her cool and taking everything in better strides then I ever could. I was a mess every time they cried in the beginning; it was painful to hear them cry. It has gotten better over time, but it is still hard. They had an imaginary hold on me.
I placed the babies in each of her arms. I placed a kiss on her forehead before sitting on the edge of the bed.
“What should we do for your birthday? It’s in a few days.” I ask her.
“What?” She looked up a little dazed.
“Your birthday is in a few days. Is there something you want to do?” I ask again.
She got lost in thought for a few minutes. “I’m not too sure. We have the babies, and we can’t just leave them so why don’t we stay in.”
“Sure, if that’s what you want, I can make dinner and we can spend the night inside.” I knew that wasn’t really what she wanted, but it would be hard to make her change her mind. Instead, I had a different idea, I would need some help.
“I must go back to the burrow tomorrow to help mum and dad with something. Bill and Percy were also called over, so mum probably has something to ask of us.” I told her.
She shifted her arms, the twins still latched on to her. “Okay, but don’t be gone for too long. We are still on their schedule, and Charlotte will get fussy if she’s without you for too long.”
I smiled and looked down at my daughter. She was a daddy’s girl in every sense of the word at the moment. Surprisingly she was attached to me more than Hermione, I don’t mind it though. It was nice. In contrast Junior was always wanting to be near Hermione. Their hair was growing more, both had red curls.
“I won’t, probably no more than three hours.” I told her. She shifted to more the twins they were done and needed to be burped. I took Charlotte and she kept Junior.
. . . . . . . . . .
I walked down Diagon Ally, looking for the right store. I may have fudged the truth to Hermione. I did need to go back to the burrow, but it wasn’t because mum had called me, it was because I needed to grab something out of my room.
As I walked, I found the perfect store; it was a jeweler. Just a little down from the twin’s shop, far enough so that they wouldn’t be able to notice me going inside. As much as I need my brother’s inputs on a normal day, today wasn’t one of those days. I needed to do this myself.
I walked in and was greeted by the staff. I told them I was looking for their ring selections. They had many choices, different stones, and different settings. I wasn’t too sure that I would find what I was looking for, but then it caught my eye. It was a ring with two stones, one on top of the other, slight ajar, not perfectly aligned. Two diamonds, and a trail of smaller diamonds around the band.
I didn’t need to do much guessing for her ring size, since I managed to borrow on of hers without her knowing. Though I forgot that I wouldn’t need that since the ring is enchanted to adjust to her finger. The lack of sleep was staring to get to me. I took it and the jeweler wished me all the luck.
I would need it. I didn’t want to spook Hermione, especially since it hasn’t been to long since the babies were born, but we were also bound together for as long as we both live. I don’t believe that marriage would be a breaking factor for us.
I barely made it out of the shop before arms wrap around me. I knew I was caught.
“Hello brother dearest.” George mused.
“Yes, hello indeed, may we ask what you are doing in Diagon instead of at home with your children?” Fred asked.
They both ducked their heads to look at the bag in my hand.
“I see, I see. He’s going to ask Hermione to marry him.” Fred said.
I couldn’t help but groan. They would only be able to keep a secret for so long before they would spill to the rest of the family. You would think that with them keeping their own secrets from everyone else, they would keep others secrets.
“Yes, I plan to do it on her birthday.” I said. “Since were not coming back for her birthday I figured it would be the best time to do it. So please do not say anything to anyone.”
They looked between themselves. “Of course.” They said harmonious.
“How are they doing?” Fred asked.
“Perfect. Hermione was cleared by her healer, so she’s excited to not have any more appointments. Junior and Charlotte are still developing a schedule so it’s a little hectic, but they’ve grown so much in the last month, its wild.”
“Awe, such a doting father.” George said. “It’s great to hear that everyone is doing great. Everyone can’t wait for you to visit again.”
“Thank you. As much as I would love to stay, I cannot, if I’m away from my daughter too long she gets cranky.”
They laughed. “She’s got you wrapped around her little finger.”
I smiled. “Yes, she does. We’ll try to come back as soon as we can, hopefully we can get the twins on a schedule by then.”
Both smiled, and Fred spoke, “It’s a little weird to hear that and you’re not referring to us.”
“Well, you’re not the only twins anymore.” I chuckled. I gave them both hugs and began my journey back home.
. . .. . . . .. .
I walked along the trail back to our cabin. Today had been a little rough at work but nothing would be able to stop me from heading home. Tonight, was Hermione’s birthday, I had been gone since the early morning to help with a newly hatched dragon, the mum didn’t want us to check on her, which was more of a struggle than I needed. I was nearly thirty, and my years of working this job, and broken bones were catching up with me.
I had to develop a new habit for work, since Hermione’s arrival I would normally take a break every few hours to be near her. But now that her body wasn’t under the stress of pregnancy, she didn’t need to be around me so much. It was disheartening, in a way that she didn’t need me, but it was good for her to regain some more independence. That was the hardest part for her.
I could hear the babies crying as I walked up the stairs to our cabin. It wasn’t their normal I’m hungry or I’m tired, it was more strained. When I walked through the door, I saw Hermione pacing back and forth with one baby in each arm. She looked panicked and motioned her head to her right arm.
“What’s going on?” I walked towards her and took Charlotte out of her arms.
“I don’t know, they we’re a little fussy this morning. And after their nap they were burning up, so I gave a quick floo call to the healer and gave them something to bring it down. But now they are burning up again and won’t stop crying. We should go to St. Mungo’s.” Her words came out quick, I almost missed half of them.
“Why didn’t you send for me?” I asked. Bouncing Charlotte in my arms, her cries had not stopped.
“I thought it would pass, they only started like this 10 minutes ago. So now I’m worried.” She was panicking. So was I. Charlotte being hot to the touch, junior probably was too.
“Let’s go now to St. Mungo’s and see what’s going on with them.” I reached my arm around her and moved us towards the fireplace. Sending her first and then me right after. Hearing their cries only made my heart sink.
As I walked through the fireplace at the hospital, Hermione was already talking to a Healer. She would have to be the one to explain everything to the Healers, since I had just gotten home. They lead us down the hall to a room. It was obvious that it was used for babes, there were little cots. We place them in the different ones.
It felt like forever that we were waiting for the Healer to say something. That was probably me, my anxiety is taking over me a little too much. But how could it not? They are so small and seem to be in so much pain.
I don’t move my arm from around Hermione, she was as anxious as me. I felt like if I didn’t keep her grounded in some way she would walk over to the Healer and ask non-stop questions in her panic. That was her go to, but she also didn’t move from my embrace, so she must also need the reassurance. Like I was getting from her.
“Okay, it seems as though they have a flu. Not a major one, but they will need to be watched over constantly. For the time being they should sleep in separate cots, and limit exposure to others.” The Healer said. I felt a breath escape my lips; I was prepared for so much worse. Hermione relaxed in my arms.
“How did they get it? Neither one of us were sick.” Hermione asked. She reached over to pick up Junior he was sleeping after the small amount of potion that they healer gave him.
“It might have been from someone you saw recently; they might not have even know that they had the flu, this is normally not significant in adults, but in children it can present as worse. And can become worse if not treated properly.”
I walked over to the cot and grabbed Charlotte. I looked between her and junior, wondering how horrible they must have felt. They are so new to the world and now they are in pain.
“Can we take them home tonight?” I ask.
“Yes, you can take them now, other than giving them this potion, there is nothing else we can do at the moment. But if they do not get better within a week bring them back.”
“Yes.” Hermione and I said.
We received the potion and amounts to give them daily and left back for home.
Once back in the house I could feel myself relax a little, though not too much one I felt juniors head, he was warmer than his sister. With them in separate cots, I fear that will be more dramatic than the flu.
“Well, that could have been much worse.” Hermione said, putting junior down in his cot.
“Yes. Though I have a feeling the real challenge starts when they wake up and realize that they are in different cots.” I whispered, setting Charlotte down.
“Oh yes, Junior is going to be fussy. I dread their nap tomorrow.” She sighed. “They look so cute when they’re not screaming like little mandrakes. Not that it’s their fault, they just got sick.”
She moved towards me and wrapped her arms around my waist. “I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you earlier. I thought I would be able to handle it.”
I kissed her forehead and hugged her tight. “I know, and I’m not upset. But remember that you are not alone anymore. You have me and I will do everything in my power to make sure that you are okay and that the babies are taken care of.”
She slowly nodded. Head still against my chest, I knew it was hard for her to admit that. Hermione did not do vulnerable. “Can we go to bed please. It’s been a long day.”
I agreed and we walked into our bedroom. I went over to my end table on my side of the bed and grabbed the little box. She was already in her pajamas sitting in bed. Now was a better time than ever. I slid it into the pocket of my pajamas and sat opposite of her in the bed.
“Some birthday this was,” she said, “Well, it could have been worse.”
“Yes, it was interesting to say the least.” Her expression was tired, and I knew that she was exhausted. But I had mustered the courage, and if not tonight then I didn’t know when a good time would be. “You handled it perfectly though. I’m sure if it was me, I would have went bonkers at the first symptom that they had. I probably would have called mum and made it a huge deal.”
She tried to speak but I stopped her. “And I love that you have the composure that you do. Hermione, you are amazing and always have the logical steps in mind. I don’t think I could ever survive without you. Not just because of our magic, but because I have come to rely on you being in my life. And the twins are a blessing, I think it’s hilarious that they both look like me, but appear to have your curls.”
Her face was flushed, probably from embarrassment. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the box. I heard her take a quick breath. I say a quick prayer that I am not making a mistake. I open the box and show the ring that I purchased.
“Hermione, we are already bound for life, in one of the most permanent ways possible. Will you Marry me?”
The words were barely out of my mouth before she lounged at me. We both fell back into the bed. Her lips were on mine before I noticed it. As we parted her eyes were lit up, as if her brown eyes could glow.
“Yes! I’ll marry you.” She screamed, before going again for a kiss.
I managed to sit the both of us up right. “As much as I love this snogging session. Would you like to put the ring on?”
She nodded and I put the ring on her finger. She moved her hand around in the light, checking it out in every angle.
“It’s perfect! How did you find this ring?” She asked.
“It popped out at me, and I knew it was the right one. Two larger diamond stones for the twins, it just made sense.”
“Yes, I love you, Charlie.” She told me; her eyes had a hint of tears. I cupped her face with my hands.
“I love you too, Hermione.” There was a glint of tears in my eyes too. In just a year my life changed drastically, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. And neither would she.