AN: Inspired by Norkix's one-shot of the same name. Just FYI, I hate this pairing, but it totally worked for what I needed to say. I know it's canon but it's always really annoyed me. "Emotional range of a teaspoon," anyone? Anyway, without further ado, What Needed to Be Said.
"Erm...Hermione? You awake?"
"Yes, Ron?"
"Erm...can I talk to you about something?"
"Of course. What's wrong?"
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Bilius Weasley were lying next to each other in their feather bed, dawn yet to arrive outside their window. The baby was asleep in her bassinet in the corner, the Quidditch themed mobile rotating lazily above it. Ron was lying on his back, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. Hermione rolled over onto her side to look at him, propping herself up on her elbow.
"Ron? Are you alright?"
"Yeah. It's just..." He sighed, closing his eyes and furrowing his brow. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what? What are you on about?"
"It's just...I've never really apologized for all the sh-crap I've done. I mean, that thing with Lavender in 6th year...I shouldn't have done that. It wasn't fair to you. I knew how you felt about me and I just...ignored it. I'm sorry."
"Oh, Ron, that was ages ago! What makes you think you need to apologize?"
He ignored her, choosing instead to continue his previous line of thought. "And then the locket, and how I treated you...It wasn't fair to you or Harry. I know the locket was influencing me, but I still acted like a complete arse. I shouldn't have walked out on you two. There was way more at stake than what I thought was going on between you and Harry. I'm sorry."
"Ron, you really don't have to—"
"And that's not even half of it! 4th year, for the Yule Ball. I was a total git to you. God, I can't believe I didn't see."
"Didn't see what, Ron?"
"Didn't see you. How beautiful you were. How much everything meant to you. I treated you horribly because I was jealous of Krum. I was awful to you, making fun of both of you. I should've been complimenting you, asking you to dance..."
He rolled away from her and curled up slightly. She wrapped her arm around his waist and pressed herself against him.
"Ron, please listen. I love you. I have loved you for years. You know that. Anything wrong you've ever done...I forgive you. Okay? I married you because I want to be with you forever. Nothing you have done, in school or afterwards, can change how I feel about you. I am yours, and you are mine. Forever."
He turned to look at her, seeking truth in her eyes. Finding tears streaming down his beloved's face, he rolled over and began to kiss her cheeks. He held her and she clung to him. They breathed each other in, trying to seal this moment in their memories.
As the sun rose over the hills, and the light fell just so on Hermione Weasley's face, Ron smiled, at peace for the first time he could remember. Clutching her tighter, he whispered, "I love you too." His words were nearly drowned out by the sudden cry of their daughter, hungry after a long night's sleep.
