Chapter Text
Ginny tucked Teddy into bed, smoothing the blanket over his little chest.
Teddy pouted, turning his hair into an exact Weasley red, which was the trick he used to get her to do what he wanted. “I don’t want to sleep yet, Ginny.”
“That’s too bad, little sir.” She booped her finger against his nose. “It’s way past your bedtime and you know that Harry and I need to take you home early tomorrow morning.”
“Is it because you have to go to the healer tomorrow?” he asked, his chin tucked close to his chest.
Ginny sucked in a breath. “Teddy! Have you been listening in?”
He gave a barely visible nod, possibly ashamed of having eavesdropped.
“What did you hear?” she asked, gently.
The boy was quiet for a few moments, perhaps hesitating in voicing his thoughts. “Are you having a baby? I heard you say that you’re pregman.”
“Pregnant,” she corrected him. This is not how Harry would have wanted Teddy to find out, but the cat was out of the bag now. “Yes, Teddy bear, I’m pregnant. That means that Harry and I are having a baby.”
He was silent again, his small brows furrowing together as he mulled over the information she’d given him.
“Does that mean that you and Harry will become Mum and Dad?”
Ah, so this is what was bothering him.
“Yes, we will become Mum and Dad. But that doesn’t mean that we will love you any less, baby boy.” She caressed his soft cheek. “You’re our first baby. And now, you’ll have a little brother or sister.”
His lip curled out in confusion. “But you’re not my Mum. So how can I be your baby?”
Ugh, where was Harry when she needed him? He was so much better at understanding and answering Teddy. Ginny knew nothing about what it felt like to be an orphan. It was a pain, she imagined, paralleled by little else.
She took a deep breath, wanting to get this right.
“That’s right, you had a Mum, but you know that she’s not around. So she left me here for you, to take care of you, to love you, to tuck you into bed.” She tickled him softly, making him giggle. “So in a way, I am a bit like a Mum. And you’re my baby too.”
“Okay,” he whispered, settling into his bed, satisfied.
“Sweet dreams, baby boy.” She gently swiped a lock of his red hair and placed a kiss on his forehead. Something ached deep in her chest—the resilience of this boy stunned her, even now, years after the war.
When she was convinced that he had slipped into slumber, she moved for the door.
“Ginny,” Teddy called out softly. Ginny turned to look at him, staring at her in the dimly lit room. “Can I call you Mum then?”
Whatever ache that was in her chest intensified tenfold. But it was sweeter now, happier.
“If you want to,” she told him.
“Can I call Harry Dad then?” he also asked.
Ginny breathed out a soft chuckle.
“You can ask him tomorrow.” She took hold of the doorknob, making a show of wanting to shut the door. “Sleep now, Teddy.”
“Okay, Mum.”
By the time she reached the bedroom, her throat was stinging with emotion and tears were pooling in her eyes.
“Gin, what’s wrong?” Harry hurried to her side, seemingly alarmed at her state.
“Teddy- he- he knows. He heard us talking,” she told him, letting him fold her into his chest. She could feel his heart pound. Even after years, the assurance that Harry was here , alive, always managed to calm her.
“Oh no, was he upset?” Harry ran his fingers through her hair, consoling her. The gesture made her want to sob harder.
“No, he had some questions. But he seemed okay.”
Harry pulled back, searching her eyes. “Why are you crying then?”
“He asked me- he asked if- if he could call me Mum,” Ginny croaked and then burst into more sobs.
Harry laughed, throwing his head back.
“Gin, isn’t that a good thing? Why are you crying?” He ran the back of his hand against her cheek to wipe some of her tears.
“Because I’m happy!” she explained. “And also hormonal. Very hormonal. But mostly because I’m happy.” She wiped her tears and waved her finger at him accusingly. "You'd be crying too if you knew what this happiness felt like."
Harry chuckled some more and then pulled her in to kiss the top of her head.
“Wait, does that mean he’ll call me Dad?” She could see the happy twinkle in his eyes.
She whispered against his chest, “He’ll ask you tomorrow.”
“I’m a bit jealous that he asked you first. I thought I was his favourite?” Harry stepped away from her and soothed his heart dramatically.
“Shut up and come to bed.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
That night, Ginny slept with one hand on her barely discernable baby bump. She would give birth soon, that much was true, but for all intents and purposes, she was a Mum already—had been one for years!