The Dashing Witch (The Ward Witches) (19 page)

Melanie made the introductions. “Justin, this is Fiona. She's a midwife who is going to help me.”

“
I'm assuming you checked to make sure she was safe?”

“
Of course.”

“
I trust your judgment then. It's nice to meet you, Fiona.”

“
Nice to meet you too, Justin. I have some potions I've perfected over the years, and I'll be giving them to Melanie. It'll mean you'll have to give her less magic too, because she'll absorb it better. She'll also generally feel more like herself through these last few months.”

“
If you can help her, thank you.”

“
You're very welcome.”

They all talked a while longer, and Fiona gave Melanie three more doses. “I'll be back in a few days. Keep in touch if anything goes wrong.”

“
I will.”

Fiona was a regular visitor for the next eight weeks until Melanie's due date. She and Seb avoided each other like the plague, which Melanie found amusing, but didn't comment on. Luckily, Fiona and Melanie got along great, and Justin liked her as well. The potions really increased Melanie's stamina and need for assistance as she approached the day.

Then, when it finally came, Fiona was there as well. She cast protective circles and fed Melanie a different, and even worse tasting potion.

“
It'll help, trust me.”

Melanie did, and so she gulped the potion down. With Justin's hand to hold and Fiona's help, she managed two perfect little girls from the relative privacy of the infirmary. Fiona checked the babies for any problems, and Justin did the same. Then, smiling, Fiona left the two new parents alone with their infants.

“
We did this, Justin,” Melanie said softly, holding one baby.

“
Yes, we did.” Justin leaned in to kiss her, trying not to disturb that child or the one he held. “With you, and my two new daughters, I'll never be alone again, and that's precisely how I want it.”

“
What will we name them?”

“
Something nice and normal, please. No saints or peculiar references to try to decipher later.”

Melanie laughed, and Justin laughed with her. The twins were named Rose and Jasmine, and the four of them were truly a family.

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