Lucky

Family Meeting

The Fortises hadn't had a big family dinner since Christmas. Naturally, Rachel and Quentin Fortis were delighted to welcome all three of their children into the home. Emma was still living with them, but Johnny had moved out a few months ago and Charlotte, their eldest, had been married for years and was living down near Southhampton.

         Charlotte arrived first, with her husband Marcus. About ten minutes later, Johnny and Scarlett arrived, and Emma went down to the gate to meet them. "So, are you telling Mum and Dad tonight?" She demanded in lieu of a greeting to her brother.

        "Nice to see you too." Johnny sighed heavily. "Yeah, I think I'm going to have to." He looked extremely nervous.

       "They'll be excited about it!  Plus, it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. Twins run in families."

        "Yeah," Johnny looked awkward. "It's just that.. well, Scar and I can't really afford to take care of two babies and pay the rent. So... I'm going to have to ask Mum and Dad to move back in."

Emma's world seemed to stop turning. A few months ago she would've taken great pleasure at this - heaven help her, she was jealous of her brother's immediate independence and success. But now... now, she just wanted Johnny and Scarlett and their kids to be safe, and happy, and to have a proper home.

"Johnny, Scar, you two can get help! Yes! I saw a few leaflets in the waiting rooms at St. Mungo's the other day, financial aid for expectant couples. And Morgana has already said that she's more than willing to help you two with anything you need. She could even give you a place to stay if you need it-"

Scarlett shook her head, her arms crossed against her chest. "Absolutely not. We're not friends with Morgana because she's rich, and we don't want her to think that for one second. Just because she's so massively wealthy doesn't mean we expect charity. No. It's a kind offer, and Morgana has always done so much to help us all. But duplicating her Potions essay for me and paying my rent are two completely different things."

Johnny nodded in wholehearted agreement. "Scar and I discussed it very briefly, but we'd never take advantage of charity like that. Morgana might not think much of throwing her money around like it's burning a hole in her robes now, but eventually she'll have her own stuff to take care of. Junior Aurors' salaries aren't anything to write home about, and a trust fund doesn't last forever. Not even for a Black."

           Emma sighed. "I suppose you're right. But the four of you are going to need your own space, and maybe the rest of us can help you. Don't do anything drastic just yet, Johnny. Besides, the Ministry has all kinds of programmes for junior employees. Maybe they can help you out?"

           "I suppose we still have awhile to figure it out. But - we have to tell Mum and Dad now. I don't think it'll take them too long to figure it out anyway."

        Emma glances down and, sure enough, Scarlett's abdomen was already swollen. Four months along, she looked more like seven. Her parents weren't stupid, they'd figure out soon enough that it was twins. And they'd freak. Scarlett's parents had been wonderful, but while the Fortises loved their son very much, the prospect of two babies at once was terrifying to them. Especially when Johnny and Scarlett were already struggling financially.

           The dinner was endless, chatter was awkward and Emma kept kicking Johnny lightly under the table. Eventually, he plucked up the courage and cleared his throat. "Mum, Dad, we have some news. Scarlett had her twenty week scan the other day-"

         Rachel Fortis looked instantly worried. "Is everything alright? Is the baby ok? They got a heartbeat alright?"

         Scarlett smiled anxiously. "They got two, Mrs Fortis."