Calla woke up at 3:52 in the morning to a sharp pain in her abdomen. Screaming out in pain, she held onto her stomach when suddenly she felt a liquid soak her pyjamas and sheets. Fear engulfed her mind and she reached between her legs to make sure the liquid wasn't blood. Just as she raised her hand, George bursted into the room with his wand in hand. Her hand was clear and George seemed to know exactly what was happening — Arthur was coming early.
Calla was only 34 weeks along, she needed 6 more before Arthur's arrival, but obviously the plans changed. "I'll alert everyone, but first, where's your bag?"
"Fuck, George just hurry up and get me to the bloody hospital!" Calla shrieked, trying to even her breathing.
George frantically ran into the living room, locating the diaper bag they packed in advance for this particular case. He wasn't sure if apparating while Calla's water was broken was safe, but he knew if he didn't, she would, so he held onto her tightly and they were spinning until they came to a halt outside St. Mungo's.
He quickly grabbed a wheelchair for Calla and pushed her through the doors and down the hall, listening to her shout at him.
As he reached the appropriate ward, he was greeted by Molly, Hermione, Fleur, Bill, and Harry. "What're you doing here?" George asked, baffled.
Harry smiled sheepishly, obviously still half tired — whilst everyone else seemed to be wide-awake and ready.
"Skip the chit-chat! Arty is coming now!" Calla shouted, wondering where the living fuck all the doctors were.
"I brought you something, took me awhile to find it, but I did, and I thought you'd want it. Especially for this particular moment." He grinned, digging in his pocket before pulling a stone out, revealing it to Calla and George.
"Is that...is that the—"
Harry nodded. "Here, that way you can hold his hand during it." He secured the stone in Calla's hand before going to the waiting room, where Hermione, Bill, and Fleur followed after saying good luck.
Finally a doctor arrived and set Calla up, allowing Mrs. Weasley and George to squeeze in. In tears from the pain and the thought of seeing Fred again, Calla squeezed the stone before thinking of Fred.
"Calla, baby, open your eyes."
Letting a sob out at his voice, Calla opened her eyes to see Fred standing over her, a smile on his face. George and Mrs. Weasley stared in shock, going to hug and kiss him.
"This baby is coming now, you can have your reunion later!" The doctor scolded.
Fred stood beside Calla, holding her hand tightly. "This is it, Love. Our baby. Can you believe it? We're having a baby!"
Calla let out another sob and followed the doctor's instructions, focusing on Fred's soothing voice.
At 6:27 AM on the seventeenth of November, Arthur Ryder Weasley was born. Molly and George left the two — the three — alone so they could have their moment. Fred cradled Arty in his arms, tearing up at the sight of his little boy. He was so sad that he couldn't spend forever with his family, he was so sad he couldn't be there to watch his baby boy grow.
"He looks like you," Calla sniffled, looking at her two boys.
"He's got your nose." Fred commented, looking up at Calla. "Stop blaming yourself, please. You couldn't save me, that's not your fault."
Calla choked on her sob, shaking her head. "I'm sorry," she cried. "I missed you so much."
Fred nudged Calla, making her scoot over. He sat in the bed with her, still holding their sleeping son. Calla could feel him beside her — she could feel his arm pressed against hers and despite not being alive she could feel his warmth. It was enough to bring her to tears again.
"Stop crying, Cal." Fred tried, leaning to kiss her forehead (which she most definitely felt, resulting in more tears.) "Look, Arty doesn't like it when you cry." Fred pointed out, watching his son's face contort before he too broke out in sobs.
"Oh, Arty." Calla sniffled, caressing his cheek.
"Here," Fred smiled, handing his son over to Calla, his cries stopping almost immediately. Calla wrapped her arms around her baby for the first time, biting her lip back — she couldn't cry anymore, not now.
And they sat like that together for awhile. Fred's arm was wrapped around Calla's frame while she held their son close.
"I love you, Fred."
"I love you more, Calla."
