Sunshine and Babies

Ginny and Tonks walked upstairs and into the guestrooms that Tonks would be using. Tonks hung the dress bag on a hook inside the door, and Ginny conjured up a full-length mirror. They both walked into the large bathroom and started filling the tub with hot water and bubbles. "You just relax in the bath for awhile. I'll be back up when it's time for you to start getting ready. Hermione will come up as soon as she gets here," Ginny told her, as she walked toward the door.

"I am going to sit in the bath and just relax, if I can," Tonks told her, reaching into the tub and testing the temperature.

"Everything will be fine, Tonks. And in a little while, we will come up and get you ready for your wedding," she said, shutting the door behind her.

Ginny headed down the stairs to wait for the rest of the Weasley women. She stepped into the kitchen, to see Angelina coming out of the fireplace with her youngest child in her arms. "Ginny, Molly and everyone else are coming by portkey. There was no way to get the kids here through the floo network without the men to help," she said, putting Candice down. "Candy, go in and play with your cousins," she said, then looked at Ginny. "They are in the playroom, aren't they?" she asked.

"Yes, and Harry made sure that there were enough toy brooms for everyone. That way there is no fighting over them," Ginny told her. "Why don't you go and play Quidditch with Lily and James, Candy. They were very excited that there would be so many children to play with today."

"Okay, Aunt Ginny," the four-year-old answered as she ran toward the playroom. With a pop and a rush of noise, the rest of the Weasley women appeared in the kitchen.

"Let's check and make sure that no one was left behind," Molly said, pulling a piece of parchment out of her robes. "Penelope, do you have Abigail, Amelia, and Alexandria?" she asked.

"All three of them are with me, Molly," Penelope answered, ushering her girls to the playroom.

"Danielle, do you have Marissa, Elizabeth, Mitchell, and Samantha?" Molly questioned, looking over at her daughter-in-law.

"Yes, Molly, All four accounted for," Charlie's wife answered, sending the three older children toward the sound of children's voices.

"Since William is standing with me, and I can see Fleur, I don't need to ask. Alicia, do you have Julian and Ruby?" she asked quickly.

"Yes, they're heading for the playroom, Molly," Fred's wife answered, looking around the room. "But I don't see Hermione."

"I see Arthur, Jessica, Jennifer, Maxwell and Nathan. But where is Hermione?" Ginny asked, looking around the room. Just then the flames in the fireplace turned green and Hermione stumbled out.

"I'm sorry, Molly, I forgot the book of makeup and hair charms. I had to grab it off of the table, but the portkey activated before I could get my finger back on it," Hermione told her. "Did all of the children make it okay?"

"All here and accounted for, Hermione. We'll send them to the playroom. Ginny, is there someone in there to keep an eye on them? I could send for some of my house elves to watch them while we get everything done," Molly said, walking the children to the playroom.

"I don't know if Winky can handle all eighteen of them. Maybe I should ask," Ginny told her, walking into the playroom. "Winky, are you able to take care of all of the children, or would you like some help?" she asked, looking around the room for the small house elf.

"Oh no, Missus, Winky is fine with the children," Winky told them with a large grin. "Winky loves the children, and Winky will have fun playing with them."

"Where is the bride?" Molly asked, looking around the room.

"She's upstairs in the bath. I told her that Hermione would come up as soon as she got here. I have to go and check on Dobby. He's decorating the yard," Ginny told her, walking out of the playroom and over to the back door. When she opened the door, a look of shock crossed her face.

"What's wrong, Ginny dear?" Molly asked, running over to her daughter. She nudged Ginny aside and stuck her head out the door. "Oh my, Dobby did this?" she stepped out into the back yard. The rest of the women followed.

Dobby had set up over two hundred chairs, and had posts set around the yard that were covered with flowers. Hanging from the posts was a sheer white fabric, draped beautifully like a roof over the guest area. At the front, a makeshift altar was set up. An archway of flowers was set up in front of the altar. The effect was breathtaking and brought tears to all eight women's eyes.

"Did Dobby do okay, Missus Ginny?" he asked, looking worried.

"Oh Dobby, it's beautiful," Ginny answered, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "Tonks will love it."

Molly leaned down and hugged the house elf. "You are wonderful, Dobby," she told him. He gave them a beaming smile.

"Dobby will go and help Winky with the children now," he told them, rushing inside.

"'e is wonderful, Ginny. Today will be perfect," Fleur told her, putting her arm around the younger girl's shoulders.

"I guess that we should get started on the food. We only have about two hours until everything starts," Ginny said, sniffling.

"I have the house elves working on the food. Albus sent some of Hogwarts best elf cooks to take care of the food," Molly answered. "We must go and help the bride to look her best today."

The eight women walked into the kitchen and saw a small army of house elves cooking and preparing everything for the reception. So they checked on the children, where five additional house elves were playing with the children, and headed up the stairs. When they opened the door to the guest room, they saw Tonks lying on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. The women crowded around the woman on the bed and all began talking at once.

"Ladies, one at a time, I can't understand a word that any of you are saying," Tonks yelled, bringing silence to the room. "It's not time, is it? I'm not even close to ready."

"We're up here to help you get ready," Hermione told her. "Hair, makeup, and the dress--we can't let you do it alone. Besides, we have to get ready too."