Chapter 22:
Life
As the days before the baby was to be born went by, the Potters spent more and more time at the hospital, not for Matthew but for Hermione. While Hermione went through check-ups and tests, Matthew wandered up to the cancer ward to talk to Dr. Regina. Even when he didn't have to have chemo, he sat with her, just talking about his everyday life. Dr. Regina didn't mind in the least; she had come to absolutely love this little boy.
The morning of March 6th dawned bright and early for the family. The time for the baby to be born had come, and the family rushed to the hospital. Matthew sat in the backseat, fidgeting uncontrollably with excitement. Hermione sat in an uncomfortable position, giving Harry death glares and even feeling annoyance at Matthew's voice. When they reached the hospital, Harry rushed Hermione to the maternity ward and gave Matthew orders to go up to the cancer ward where people could watch after him.
When he got off of the elevator, he saw Dr. Regina just getting off work.
"Why, Matt? What are you doing here at 4 a.m.?"
"Mommy's having a baby!" Matt jumped around on one foot then the other, looking to Dr. Regina for her reply.
"Oh, that's wonderful! Were you planning to stay up here until the birth?" He nodded. "Well, all right, but you'll have to stay with Dr. Powers. I have to go home."
"'K."
"What is the baby's name going to be?" Matt gave a devilish smile and held a finger to his lips.
"Secret." Dr. Regina smiled and tousled his hair; it had been growing back at a rapid pace.
"Okay, okay. I'll back up here later; maybe you can introduce me to your new brother or sister."
"Okay."
"Bye, Matt!" She went to the elevator, leaving Matt alone to find Dr. Powers. After a futile search, he headed down to the maternity ward in search of his father. He got lost a few times, but kind nurses finally got him to where he needed to be. When he walked into the maternity waiting room, he found it empty except for one person. It wasn't his father like he had originally hoped: It was Ron Weasley.
"What are you doing here?" Matt was in absolute shock to see him sitting there, a cup of coffee in his hands.
"Hello, Matthew. I was just about to come find you."
"I thought you and Daddy were mad."
Ron gave a great sigh. "We were, and it was all my fault. I just feel so bad, because I turned my back on my best friends when they needed me most."
"Why?"
"Why did I turn my back or why is it all my fault?"
"Both."
Ron sighed again and put his coffee cup on the table, allowing Matt to come sit on his lap. "I didn't understand what they were going through. I knew you were sick, but I was just afraid something would happen to you, and then I wouldn't know what to do. I feel so horrible about it, and I wish I could redo these past three years."
"So why are you here now?"
"I heard through the grapevine that your mom was having a baby, and I wanted to come up here to see if I could make amends for my behavior."
"You talk to grapes?"
Ron laughed and hugged Matt. "No, it just a phrase." All conversation became serious. "Matthew, will you forgive me for all I've done?" Matthew nodded; glad to be hugged by his uncle. "I should have been there for you during your treatments. But I promise, if you ever need me from now on, I'll be there for you."
Matt sat with Ron in the waiting room for a very long time. The darkness of early morning faded into a sunrise, the sunrise faded into a beautiful morning, and the beautiful morning became a bright afternoon. Finally, around 3:30 in the afternoon, a nurse came out and announced that Baby Potter had arrived. Matt and Ron headed for Hermione's hospital room to welcome Matt's sibling to the world.
When they walked in, the room was dim. Harry met them at the door, face beaming with pride. When he saw Ron, he gave a questionable look, but when Ron grabbed him in a hug of apology, both men were smiling through tears. Matt left them to their own devices and went to see his mother, lying quietly on the bed with a baby in her arms. He perched on the side of her bed and smiled in a way that made her heart melt.
"Oh, Matthew, come meet the baby!" Matthew edged closer to her and gave her a hug before looking at his sibling for the first time. "This is your brother, Matthew!"
Baby and brother looked at each other for a moment, Matthew amazed at how small it was. "Mommy?"
"What is it, love?"
"Do you think it would be all right if the baby calls me Matt? And maybe other people too?"
Hermione looked at him in surprise. "Why ever do you ask that?"
He shrugged. "I've just been called Matt for three years, and I like it. I would like to meet the baby as Matt."
Hermione smiled, tears in her eyes at the knowledge that her oldest son was growing up. "If that's what you want to be called, that's fine by me. It will just take me a while to get used to calling you that."
Matt shook his head. "I don't mind if you and Daddy still call me Matthew." She smiled, knowing exactly what he was taking about.
"Where's the new kid?" Ron came forward with a smile and Hermione looked at him warily.
"Ron?"
"Hermione, I am so sorry for everything. Will you please forgive me?"
Hermione gave him a smug look before softly nodding.
As the old friends began to talk and Ron was allowed to hold the baby, a nurse came to take the him to the nursery.
"Love, I'm going to need to get some sleep. You go with Ron and your father."
"Okay, Mommy. `Bye."
Matt went to his father and took his hand. Ron followed and the three of them headed up to the nursery. They peered through the glass at all the babies before finding Baby Potter. Harry held Matt up to see over the wooden bar.
"He's so little!"
"Yes, I know. But he'll grow, just like you have!"
"Matt! Which one is Baby Potter?" Dr. Regina had arrived and walked towards them briefly.
"That one." Matt pointed towards a little blue covered crib. "I'd like you to meet my brother, Jeremiah Isaac Potter."
When Dr. Regina heard the baby's name, tears sprang to her eyes.
"Do you not like it?"
"Oh, no, dear." Dr. Regina smiled. "I think it's a perfect name, and I hope this little guy is able to live up to both of his namesakes."
Harry nodded. "Jeremiah Isaac seemed to be the only suitable name we could come up with."
"How do you feel to be a big brother, Matt?"
"Can I teach him how to fly?"
Harry laughed, thankful that his son no longer thought that young death was his fate. "You'll have to wait until he's big enough, plus, you need to learn how to fly on your own."
"Can I start learning soon?" Harry smiled.
"As soon as it gets warm enough."
The nurse came out of the nursery and allowed Harry and Matt to go inside to see the baby. Harry held his son first, beaming in amazement. It was all just so amazing, that this little guy was a part of him. He could have held him forever, in the length of his arm, but Matt stood beside them longingly. Harry knelt down to his older son and looked at him.
"Matthew, do you want to hold Jeremiah?" He nodded vigorously and Harry showed him how to hold him correctly. When Harry finally let go, Matt just stood in awe, looking down at his tiny little brother. He felt a strong sense of pride and ideas began to run through his head of all the things they would do together when Jeremiah was old enough.
Matt was very glad to be alive and very thankful that he was alive to be there for that moment in time.
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