Daphne and Astoria 2 by Imouto Kitten

As Daphne Greengrass steps out of the fireplace into the recieving room 
of her ancestral home, the emerald green of floo travel giving way to 
the lime green of healer's robes, she is nearly bowled over by a three 
year old that resembles her in miniature, down to the color of the 
child's frock.

At her oldest's cry of, "Papa!", the Greengrass Heiress forgets the 
fatigue of the long shift she just finished at St. Mungo's, meeting the 
toddler's gapped tooth smile with a far more dignified one.

Ruffling her daughter's hair, Daphne returns the greeting, "Nice to see 
you too, Tracey. Where is your mama and little sisters?"

"I'm right here." comes the soft voice of Astoria before little Tracey 
can reply, a wingbacked armchair enchanted to walk entering the room 
with Daphne's younger sister and wife in tow, the younger Greengrass 
lady cradling a 15-month-old in her arms, her maternity gown open to let 
the infant suckle at her breast, the mother's free hand resting atop her 
swollen stomach, the fact that her third child is due any day clear for 
all to see. "Welcome home, sister dearest."

Sitting her eldest down and approaching her heavily pregnant little 
sister, Daphne leans down to give Astoria a chaste kiss, ignoring the 
gagging sounds Tracey makes at her parents' display of affection. "I 
hope Tracey and Blaise weren't too much trouble while the veteran 
healers where running me and the other newly graduated healers ragged 
for the last day-and-a-half."

Cooing over the child in her arms, Astoria replies, "Little Blaise here 
was a perfect, little angel..., it's her older sister that makes me 
greatful the house elves are so enthusiastic about having young children 
to help take care of, especially since little Tracey is like a human 
snitch and I get terrible nausea and vertigo if I make my chair move 
much faster than a leisurely stroll."

"Oh dear," comments Daphne, protective instincts towards her younger 
sister, wife, and unborn child and healer training kicking in at 
Astoria's words, "Do you need me to take a look at your vitals?"

Astoria waves the hand not holding little Blaise dismissively, "It's 
fine, my pregnancy hasn't caused me any discomfort beyond the usual 
fatigue, cravings, and constantly needing to pee, and I haven't had an 
attack from the blood curse in months." Grabbing one of Daphne's hands 
and rubbing her slightly pinkened cheek against it, Astoria adds, 
"Besides, I keep the protean charmed amulet Granger helped you make on 
me at all times just in case I have urgent need of my sister, husband, 
or personal healer." the younger Greengrass sister giving the older a 
smile filled with affection and appreciation before pulling Daphne in 
for another, much longer, kiss.

When the pair break for air and to relieve their eldest's quite vocal 
revulsion, Astoria comments to her sister and husband, "Me and our girls 
have already had dinner, but the house elves have kept yours fresh with 
warming and stasis charms and have prepared a bath for you. Would you 
prefer to eat first or to freshen up from your shift?"

Getting a mischievious smile, Daphne replies, "I say we let the elves 
put Tracy and Blaise to bed while my sister joins me in the bath and 
then we can enjoy a late meal in our private sitting room." Astoria's 
cheeks growing a few shades darker at what Daphne has clearly left 
unsaid with young ears in the room.

"But Papaaa!" whines Tracey, "You just got home!"

"Yes," retorts Daphne to her daughter, "And I'll be home for at least 
the next three days, possibly longer depending on when your youngest 
sister is ready to be born. There will be plenty of time for us to spend 
time as a family. In the meantime, it is nearly your bedtime and your 
sire is in need of some private time with your mother." Giving the young 
child a stern look, unflinching even as little Tracey attempts to give 
her sire the puppy dog look, she continues, "Now, let the house elves 
get you ready for bed, or I'll order them to not give you any dessert or 
sweets until I leave for my next shift at St. Mungo's."

Dejected but no longer resisting, little Tracey accepts a good night 
kiss from each of her parents before letting a house elf take her hand 
as Astoria hands baby Blaise off to another elf and the ladies 
Greengrass head off to their private suite, hand-in-hand, the animated 
armchair cradling the younger sister's pregnant form.