Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the intellectual property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of Stephenie Meyer and JK Rowling. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Of Disappointments and Reunions

It still felt strange to Hermione to see Edward after so long. It seemed so long ago that she'd woken up to Edward's arms around her on that fateful morning in March and yet the memory of everything that had happened with Edward was still fresh in Hermione's mind. She could remember very clearly the feverish touches, his sinful kisses, and the passionate sex. Nothing could ever make her forget the memory of Edward Cullen. It did not help either that each night she revisited in her dreams everything that had happened between them. Including the simple note, he left that morning.

She did not regret what had happened between Edward and her. Nor did she hate him. How could she ever regret that when she got Tony out of it? A little ball of energy, Tony was her pride and joy. He was her little prince. Moreover, she had only Edward to thank for unknowingly leaving her with such a gift.

True, she had been scared when she first discovered that she was pregnant. She had not believed it to be possible and so, she had taken no preliminary contraceptive potion or cast such a spell. Not, that she would have remembered that night. The moment that Edward's sinful lips had captured hers in a hungered kiss, she did not think she would have remembered how to cast a spell. Though, she might have remembered just one spell that would have enabled her to get Edward's and her clothes off more quickly. Again, Hermione shook herself, as she got lost in the memories of that glorious spring night.

She knew why Harry had deemed the Cullen house as the most effective safe house for Tony and her. Other than her closest friends and family, no one knew of her tryst with a vampire. That in itself was a miracle because of her very prominent involvement in the Second Wizarding War; Hermione's love life was still under very close public scrutiny. She was after all the only member of the infamous Gryffindor Trio to still be single.

Harry had married his long-time girlfriend Ginny Weasley. It was a small and very secretive ceremony, to the uproar of the Fourth Estate and the public. The media's attention had been frenzy over the event but not even a picture filtered to the press. Ron's wedding—that had followed a year after Harry's—had been totally different. Ron and Hermione had—after their first kiss shared in presence of Harry in the Room of Requirements—tried to make their relationship work. They, however, had to agree that it hadn't worked and that they expected different things from each other. Overall, their relationship was very short lived. They agreed to remain friends as Hermione went to finish her last year of schooling at Hogwarts while Ron, with Harry, entered Auror training. Now, Ron was happily married to Parvati Patil.

Before coming to America, on request of Kingsley—the current Minister for Magic—Hermione had dated a few guys. Surprisingly, and to the delight of the press, all the guys that she had been seen publicly going out with had ties to Quidditch. So much so, that she was now known as the Quidditch Princess. Even, if it was a surprise lunch with an old friend in Diagon Alley. Like when she met Viktor Krum after a visit to Flourish and Blotts.

She'd been romantically linked by the press to Oliver Wood—the first team Keeper of Puddlemere United; they only crossed paths at a gala held by the Ministry and talked of old times. To Viktor Krum, for the above reasons and of course, the press had dug up their romantic history since fourth year and had speculated that there had been much more going between them in private after that. To Draco Malfoy, she almost fainted when she read the trash article that had come up after a series of run-ins between the two. Of course, the press had a field day with their articles titled The Slytherin Prince and the Gryffindor Princess or Fire meets Ice. Never mind that Drago Malfoy was a reformed Death-Eater and that she had publicly vouched for him in the trials held after the war. There was still too much bad history between Malfoy and her to even consider the remotest possibility of such a thing happening.

Anyway, she did not have a thing against Slytherins. She did seriously date Adrian Pucey and Marcus Flint; both had been on the Slytherin Quidditch teams and had progressed to professional teams. Adrian was the star Chaser of the Montrose Magpies while Marcus Flint was the Captain as well as a Chaser for the Falmouth Falcons—a team known for hard play—no surprise there considering Flint was one of the most brutal Quidditch players Hogwarts had ever seen. Before going to America, she was in a steady relationship with Cormac McLaggen, the proud and talented Keeper of the Wimbourne Wasps and of the English National Team.

That had been a big surprise to all of her friends but mostly for her. After that catastrophic date for the Slug Club Christmas party, Hermione had thought that she was well shot of him. They shockingly worked well together, so much so that Cormac had proposed to her the day she told him she was going to America saying that he did not want to lose her. Hermione could have said yes, everyone around her was waiting for her to announce the good news but, ultimately, Hermione said no. Not that she disliked Cormac; they'd been a steady couple for a little more than two years. However, Hermione could not picture herself living a married life with a Quidditch player, always waiting on a husband who would be constantly touring around the world. In addition, she did not take into account the groupies that followed every team.

She told Cormac that, once she was finished with her mission, and if he still wanted to marry her when she returned, it would be a definite yes. She reasoned that any guy who would be willing to wait for a woman after all this time—there was no definite deadline to complete her mission—would be proper husband material. Therefore, she went to America and only after five weeks after their breakup, Hermione learned from Harry and Ron that Cormac was engaged to Romilda Vane. The witch was apparently pregnant and she was four months along. Ergo, she'd made the right decision.

Now, as Hermione sipped the herbal tea at the counter of her spacious kitchen, she read the new article that had again brought her into the press limelight. To her extreme displeasure, the Quidditch Princess had resurfaced. She had been asked by the American President of the Magical Congress of the United States of America to represent him at the final match of the North-American Quidditch League that was held on Halloween day. It was a match between the Sweetwater All-Stars and the Fitchburg Finches with the epic victory going to the Finches. She got tickets for her parents, the Weasleys, Neville, Luna, Harry and Teddy. It was the first Quidditch match that Tony had ever seen but of course, with Harry and the Weasleys, Tony was already an avid enthusiast for the sport.

As an official representative of the American Magical Congress, she was the one that was to give the trophies and medals to the winning and losing sides. Thus, when it was time to give the U.S. Cup to the captain of the Finches, the Seeker—Maximus Brankovitch III—Tony had remained by her side decked all in the Finches red and blue colours. Wanting to have a better look at the Cup, Tony had pushed forward to stand before her and the Captain had good-naturedly handed the cup to Tony—the Finches supporter of the day—before lifting her little prince onto his shoulders to the delight of the reporters. She had gazed up at the same time to see Tony lift the Cup to the roaring noise of the stadium filled to the brim and the delighted look of her son had filled her with joy. However, it was the admiring smile that Maximus sent her as he looked down at her at the same moment that had the reporters gleeful.

They were convinced that they'd captured 'a rare moment of intimacy between the famed war heroine and the Quidditch star,' as she read the article on the Morning Oracle, the principal newspaper of the American Wizarding community. It really did not help Hermione either that a few days prior to that match that it had become public knowledge that she'd been quickly granted the American citizenship she had applied for by the President. Incidentally, the same day Maximus had given an interview the newspaper that he was thinking of settling down after the coming Quidditch World Cup. The international tournament was to be held on US ground in December and for which the American National Team, captained by the same Maximus, was a favourite. It was just a series of coincidences that the press had strung together into something that didn't exist.

However, Hermione did not decline the invitation for dinner from Maximus that she received a few days after the match. Of course, despite all the precautions taken, the news had leaked to the media and at the end of what had been a very pleasant dinner, Hermione and Maximus found themselves facing a horde of reporters waiting for them. It was all very ridiculous but she still agreed for a second date with the Quidditch player. This time, the date had remained very private and even though, Edward still lingered in her mind, Hermione allowed herself to enjoy the feel of Maximus' lips on hers. Ginny had been intolerable after she shared that with her. It was really just ridiculous and to think that, after all this time, she still disliked the sport.

Hermione closed the newspaper in a huff before turning to wash her empty cup. Even though, she had employed Winky for helping her with Tony, Hermione still insisted on doing any household task that she deemed necessary. Once done in the kitchen, Hermione walked back to her fireplace in the living room. Tony was currently at her parents while Winky was on her day off. It had taken great convincing from Hermione to make the house-elf accept a salary as well as having a weekly day off but it paid off. Winky helped with the household cleaning as well as watching after Tony when she was working.

Thanks to the elf, Hermione had been able to finish the mission that Kingsley had assigned her, locate the refugees from the Second Wizarding War, and convince them to come back to the home country. Many of those refugees—Muggleborns primarily—had refused to move having started anew in the New World. She did not begrudge them their choice; after all, she herself had decided to stay in the country once she'd finished her task.

She had not yet informed Carlisle of that. She knew that the blonde vampire would have asked her to relocate to the Pacific North-West to be closer to Tony and her. It was not that she did not want to; for she considered it would be a good idea. However, it would still place the mother and son closer to Edward and his Bella. That was something she was not yet prepared to face. She did not begrudge the Muggle girl her happiness but somewhere, somehow, it still stung. Deeply.

Still, she reasoned that at one point in time she would need to inform Tony or Edward of their relationship. Tony had been asking almost constantly when his father would come see him. A part of her was still afraid that Edward would reject Tony and she knew that her darling little boy would be very saddened if that happened. Going to the Cullens today, she knew that her beautiful secret would be out of the bag.

She understood that the secret was eating at Carlisle and there was no doubt in her mind, that Carlisle had proceeded—after her departure—to inform the rest of the Cullens what had happened after Edward fled. What she feared was that because of Tony and Bella, Edward and the rest of the Cullens, excluding Carlisle, would not welcome them. She would not resent them from the possible decision because the pair of them, invading their sanctuary would definitely be awkward. Furthermore, it did not take into account the foreseeable drama that would follow between Edward's Muggle fiancée and himself. A part of her wanted them to refuse because, at the heart of her anxiety, her principal worry was her little prince. Out of everyone, he would be the most affected by the disruption and she did not want to be the cause of that.

Standing next to the fireplace, she patted the orange ball of fur on a seat that was her old companion and pet, Crookshanks. Tony was very fond of the cat and it was a shared affection. Even if recently, Tony had found his new favourite animals. Wolves.

It was during the last visit of Carlisle—one week before—that Tony had taken an instant liking to the wild animals. Carlisle and Tony, accompanied by Hermione, had visited the Central Park Zoo. They had been wandering around the old zoo when Tony had approached the wolves' enclosure. She did not understand why Tony liked them the moment he saw the wolves but like any mother, she rejoiced in his simple happiness at watching the wild canids. She laughed at Carlisle's bewildered expression as he watched Tony able to pet a small wolf under a zookeeper's supervision. It had been a very pleasant day for all. Not even the old lady—who took a picture of them together before saying that they made a cute family—was able to dampen the mood. She still noted that Carlisle had still seemed a little down after that little reminder that he wasn't able to have his complete family together.

Hermione knew the reason why Harry had chosen the Cullen house as her safe house. Not just because he'd deemed it to be perfectly secure—despite it housing seven vampires—for her refuge, but also because he felt that Tony had a right to know his father or for the father to know of his son's existence. She understood perfectly Harry's frustration with her. Harry had even confronted her on that same subject because he believed that she was being a coward about it. A part of her had agreed full-heartedly with Harry's accusation. Some Gryffindor, she was. Harry, being an orphan, said it was important for Tony to meet his father because the little boy had the chance to have his father around. It was something that Harry would do anything to have. Even, if he'd learned that his father was a vampire.

It was a low blow from him but it hit home perfectly. She had actually made up her mind and would have told Carlisle that at the latter's next visit. But, Harry, in a very Slytherin move, had seized the occasion that had graciously presented itself with the very nasty business that Hermione had uncovered down in NOLA and used it to his advantage. By bringing her where she had not yet been prepared to go. To Edward.

She shook herself before she picked up the floo powder in a small pot on the mantelpiece before throwing it into the fire. She stepped in and said her destination before spinning all the way to Ottery St. Catchpole, to her parents' house. After completing her studies, Hermione had gone to Australia to find her parents. After removing the memory charm on them, Hermione had faced her parents' wrath. They had been furious with her for taking them for granted. She now understood her parents completely. She would have felt the same way if Tony had made the same decision concerning her if anything forced his hand. As a parent, she gained a new perspective. She still reasoned that had her parents been targeted by Death-Eaters, they would have been virtually defenceless. In the event that she would not have made it, her parents would have still led a happy life together.

They'd finally come to an agreement that Hermione would have to include them in any new decision. Thus, she'd shared to them as often as possible her life as a witch and in a move that had shocked Hermione, her parents sold their beloved London townhouse to buy and renovate an old cottage in Ottery St. Catchpole. The cottage was on the opposite hillside to the Burrow and was nearer to the Lovegoods and Diggorys, the two remaining Diggorys.

The moment she stepped out of the fireplace, Hermione found herself almost tackled to the ground by her small bundle of energy. Tony was an almost endless ball of energy. Even if he was only seven and a half months old, he appeared like any toddler of two and a half years old. She picked up her little prince to give him a long kiss on his forehead making him giggle.

"Missed me, my little man?" Hermione asked as she smiled fondly at her son. She waved her wand on herself to rid herself of the remaining soot before doing the same on the carpet.

"Yep!" Tony exclaimed, popping the p.

"What did you do today with Grandma and Grandpa?" Hermione asked ruffling thes silky reddish brown curls.

"I made pancakes with Grandma and Grandpa has been napping all day!" Tony complained as Hermione moved into the kitchen of the small cottage that had been beautifully renovated.

"Did not!" Her father denied as he looked up from the newspaper.

"Yes, you did," Tony accused.

"Richard," her mother chastised.

"We did go see the Weasleys, didn't we?" Her father asked as he smiled indulgently at Tony who Hermione had placed on a stool next him, to go hug her mother.

"I don't like Vicky!" Tony announced, solemnly.

"And why is that honey?" Her mother asked as she turned to look at their grandson fondly, passing Hermione a plate with only two pancakes remaining.

"Because she wants to play girly games with I and Teddy!" Tony informed.

"With Teddy and I," Hermione automatically corrected.

"Uh-huh. She's annoying," Tony added, as he snatched the last pancake on the plate before her father.

Hermione smiled. There truly was nothing to regret as she looked lovingly at her little boy. Even if Edward did not want anything to do with Tony, she'd make sure that every day her little prince felt loved. Even, in the absence of his father.

Later, she was back in her apartment dry-towelling Tony after his bath while listening to the latter's continued complaint of how annoying was Victoire Weasley. How did little boys manage to keep rambling even as you were trying to dry the water out of their ears? Such clever little things, children.

Once done, she scooped him up before walking to her own bedroom. Tony's things had been sent to a storage box located two blocks away from her place. It was a precaution that she'd taken knowing that there was a big risk of having dark wizards coming for her. The least evidence of Tony's existence, the less danger for her boy. Winky popped back and forth of the storage box for anything needed. She only kept Tony's favourite clothes home such as the Fitchburg Finches red and blue pyjamas and his wolf cuddly toy that Carlisle had gifted him. Wolfie, Tony had instantly called it. So simple and logical.

Tucking her little prince into bed, she smiled seeing that he'd already fallen asleep tired from his eventful day. She brushed a curl of his forehead before kissing him. Crookshanks had crawled into bed at his foot. She smiled before silently walking out of the bedroom to review the notes she'd left on the coffee table in the living room.

The apartment she now lived in had been a purchase of Carlisle. She had naturally refused to accept it when Carlisle had brought her there the first time. It was the day following the one where Carlisle had been informed of Hermione's pregnancy and she was still living in a hotel room at the Waltdorf. Carlisle had stayed with her after her friends and Madam Pomfrey left. He had wisely said that she could not stay in a hotel room if she was going to have a child. After a lot of convincing expertly done by Carlisle—vampires were very persistent and stubborn—Hermione had accepted the gracious gift. It really was very helpful since she lived in a nearly empty apartment block. She lived on the fourth floor and there was only the old couple living on the ground floor and the newlyweds she heard living on the third. Those ones gave her great grief as they kept reminding Hermione loudly, almost every night, of her celibate life.

Sighing, she sat down on the couch before pulling her notebook to her and rereading her scant notes. She wanted to know the reason behind the foyer of dark magic that she'd encountered. What were those dark wizards plotting? What were the odds really?

She had been pondering the limited information gathered when she sensed a disturbance in her wards. Someone had brought down the wards surrounding the apartment block and there was no doubt in Hermione's mind that it was for malevolent purposes. She knew how they'd entered the perimeter of her wards and hastily scribbled the one word needed to explain it on the last page in her notebook.

She bolted off the couch picking up her notebook and flicking her wrist to access her wand. Turning to the apartment door, she shouted, "Colloportus." That would only slightly slow anyone who'd try to enter this way before turning to disable the Floo. Another flick of her wrist at the large floor-to-ceiling windows and they were replaced by solid concrete walls. Once, she was satisfied with her wand work, she ran to the bedroom at the end of the corridor before banging the door shut.

Hearing the loud noise, Tony had woken up with a start while Crookshanks had slid under a wardrobe. "Mummy," he cried as he watched her frantic waves at the door and window behind her bed.

"Winky!" she called loudly.

Almost instantly, the female house-elf popped inside the bedroom with alarm. She normally spent her day off visiting the house-elves at Hogwarts. She was almost as tall as Tony with bat-like ears, a tomato-sized nose and huge brown eyes. She was wearing an acid green polka dot dress with a blue hat.

"Mistress Hermione," she squeaked in a high pitch voice. "What is happening?" The house-elf asked as she watched Hermione grab her cat from under the wardrobe.

"Bad wizards are trying to come in, Winky," Hermione informed, in a harried voice. She handed a squirming Crookshanks to Winky before she put the cat under a soft sleeping charm to calm it. "You listen to me, Winky, because it is very important!" Hermione instructed.

She picked up Tony from the bed before she placed him standing next to the elf. "I need you to go with Tony to the Cullen house in Forks, Washington. Did you understand me?" At the house-elf's nod, she continued, "Once there, you must give the notebook to Carlisle," she slipped the notebook in Winky's pocket, "and tell him to look after Tony!"

"Do you want me to get the Vampire Doctor here to help you," Winky asked, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"No," she said with authority. "He needs to inform Harry first before coming back here. These wizards won't care that Carlisle is an animal drinking vampire; they'll burn him as soon as they see him here. I want to be sure that there's at least a wizard backup before they come in here. Am I clear?" She asked again firmly.

"Yes, I shall do as Hermione wishes." Winky replied.

"Good," Hermione uttered before turning to her little boy. "Tony, darling. You are going to Carly's house." It was Carlisle's nickname since Tony when Tony was smaller and because he was unable to say his name clearly. "My little prince, you must promise me to a good boy there because you'll be with your Daddy." She smiled encouragingly at him to diffuse the fear she saw in her little boy's eyes.

"I'm gonna meet Daddy?" Tony asked, with trepidation evident in his voice.

"Yes, and I'll come back for you. Don't forget that, okay? Because Mummy loves you with all of her heart!" Hermione said, sincerely.

She heard loud crashing sounds coming from outside. It wouldn't be long before they broke into her apartment and time was short.

"Yes, Mummy. I love you too." Tony said as he jumped into her arms for the most beautiful hug she'd ever been given.

"With any luck, it won't be the last," Hermione gloomily thought.

"I love you, my little prince. Now, you promise to be good." Her son nodded frantically his head still on her shoulder. She reluctantly broke the hug before placing Tony back on his feet. "Hold tight to Winky and you'll be okay."

She kissed his forehead lovingly once when she saw Tony nod at her. Then, she turned to Winky, "Now, go!"

Winky popped away from her with a heart-breaking finality. Hermione, however, did not have the time to recollect herself as a loud bang was heard. "There goes the door," she muttered.

She straightened herself before preparing herself for what was to come. With any luck, whoever had decided to come for her would want her alive and not kill her on sight. She'd thus be able to know what was going on.

At least, Tony will be safe. He'll be with Carlisle. And Edward.

She just hoped that Edward would not reject their son.

Meanwhile, in Forks. A few moments earlier.

Edward still could not believe what he'd heard from his 'father'. He could not have a son. He was a monster; monsters that could not and should not be allowed to reproduce. He'd told Carlisle just that and said that the child would be a monster. He could not believe that Carlisle had allowed this abomination to exist.

"I've never been more disappointed in you, Edward, than just now. How can you even think that Tony is a monster? Your own son, Edward?" Carlisle declared solemnly, looking him in the eye. "That sweet little boy, who keeps asking when his father would come for him. Tony is the most beautiful little child that I ever have had the chance to know. A sweet little angel."

"Carlisle, it's not possible." Edward denied. "We are monsters damned to eternal lives." It was impossible.

"Edward, you are so determined to believe that we are these monsters underserving of happiness. Yet, in a short period of time, you've manage to discover love with a mortal and a witch." Carlisle replied, as he sat down next to him. "It is such a blessing when you see him. He looks so much like you. There's no denying his parentage."

Edward watched mystified as Carlisle replayed a few memories the latter had of his short times with Tony. It seemed so farfetched but as he watched the memories play in Carlisle's mind, Edward couldn't still deny what he was seeing. A small reminder of him lived away with Hermione.

"Why?" Edward asked. "Why did you hide him from me?"

"It was not my secret to tell, Edward. Hermione had tried to contact you and you chose to ignore her out of your own guilt." Carlisle told him, the disapproval still in his voice.

"But you still hid him from me, Carlisle." Edward said, feeling betrayed. "You went there many times and you chose not to tell me after all these months."

"It was your choice, Edward. You walked away from there. What would you have done after finding out you had a son with Hermione? You're already trapped by the Volturi ultimatum with Bella." Carlisle responded, calmly.

"Don't blame this on Bella, Carlisle. She's got nothing to do with this," hissed Edward, standing up to pace.

"I'm not blaming Bella, Edward. The blame lies only with you. And you know it, yourself!" the blonde vampire reproached, still as calmly. "Edward, today you've got a chance to right a few wrongs. Don't make any rash decisions. It is not just Bella or Hermione's happiness that will be at stake by what you decide now. There are also the feelings of a sweet little boy in the balance. Your son's feelings, Edward."

"I don't understand, Carlisle. You make it sound like Tony's a toddler but if Edward and Hermione only met like eight or nine months ago, ain't it? So, if anything, wouldn't Hermione still be pregnant now?" asked Emmett, hesitantly.

"A dhampir—a vampire's child—grows a supernatural rate due to the father's high metabolism. Tony was born after only twenty-eight days in his mother's womb. His birth had been difficult, the placenta was as hard as a diamond, but with the aid of magic, he was delivered safely. Even now, his growth rate is roughly four times the biological rate and it isn't expected to slow until he is three years old. Then, he would biologically look like a twelve-year-old boy. He doesn't even have venom." Carlisle informed the family.

Edward was still pacing trying to understand everything that Carlisle had told him. A part of him was still convinced that it was impossible. That this supposed 'child' of his was a monster and should be destroyed. Another part yearned for that small semblance of normalcy. A son. A son of his.

"Edward, you're still trying to deny it. I understand that this is difficult to understand but it is very much true. You have a son. Anthony Thomas Cullen or Tony. He has your eyes, the green eyes you had when you were still human and he longs for his father to hold him. He has an unnatural liking for wolves. He says that wolves are just badly behaved doggies." Carlisle shared, a fond smile playing on his lips as he remembered their trip to the Central Park Zoo.

Edward smiled as he watched the memory of Carlisle and Hermione's day with Tony at the zoo. It seemed like such a normal outing for a family. He had a son and he had a … shit. What could he do now?

His musings were interrupted when he heard a loud pop just outside the door. An unusual smell wafted into the house and Edward heard three distinct heartbeats. One seemed like that of an animal sleeping, a slow rhythmical sound. The other seemed like that of a small child and the last was a very rapid heartbeat. Something he'd never heard before.

"Tony!" Carlisle identified, before in a rush of wind, his father was at the door.

"Yippie, snow!" a little boy's voice cheered.

"Master Tony, we need to get you inside. It's too cold here, you'll be sick." He heard someone say in a high-pitched voice. It sounded like a squeak. A female squeak.

"Tony! Winky!" Carlisle cried as he yanked open the door.

In his haste, the hinges were torn and the door was left hanging haphazardly. Carlisle, however, had no care for the door as he squatted down to the boy's height before enveloping him in a hug.

"Carly!" the little boy exclaimed, returning the hug eagerly.

"What are you doing here?" Carlisle asked as he looked at the boy examining him for injuries.

"Mummy sent Winky, Crooks, Wolfie and me here because of the bad guys." Tony answered as he looked back at Carlisle.

Before Carlisle had time to ask who were the 'bad guys', Esme reminded, "Carlisle, it is cold outside. Let them come inside before they catch a cold."

"Yes, come." Carlisle said taking Tony's hand and guiding him inside while the other 'thing' followed.

Edward stifled a laugh when she saw Alice's eyes widen over the acid green polka dot dress. Emmett had moved behind to close the door as best possible before reappearing at Rosalie's side.

"Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to Miss Winky. She's Hermione's house-elf and aide. Crookshanks, the cat. Wolfie, the little wolf. And my beautiful grandson, Tony!" Carlisle introduced proudly.

Everyone smiled back at their new guests, the little boy was studying everyone gathered in a semi-circle in the living room around the white couches. His gaze however stopped directly on Edward, his head tilting as he observed him. Edward stood still as he stared back into the green eyes of his son.

In a swift move, the little boy had moved from Carlisle's side and bolted in his direction. Edward did not know if it was instinct or any other thing like that but he found himself automatically kneeling to welcome his son's embrace. His dead heart swelled with joy at the hug of the little boy who cried into his shoulder.

He heard his family's collective awe as they witnessed a father embrace his son for the first time. His eyes lifted in the direction of his father's and he saw the approval in Carlisle's eyes.

The little boy sniffed loudly before he pulled slightly from him, his fingers lightly touching Edward's cheek. Edward glanced down into the beautiful green orbs of his son.

Tony looked up at him, admiring his face before whispering, hesitantly, "Are you really my Daddy?"

Edward smiled, the most beautiful smile he'd ever given someone, "Yes, Tony. I'm your Daddy!"

The little again hugged him tightly before whispering— the most beautiful words Edward had ever heard—feverishly into his ear, "I love you, Daddy."

Author note:

Yeah. A new chapter. The first part of the chapter might seem unimportant but it just contains a bit of background of what Hermione had been up to before relocating to America. I bet you want to know what's happened to Hermione after Winky popped out with Tony? We shall look into that into the next chapter. Yes, I know that Edward is an asshole in this chapter. It's intentional on my part. Even, if he's been around for more than a century his actions sometimes are more suited to an angsty teenager. Tony's arrival will be a turning point for him.

I take the opportunity to thank everyone that have reviewed, listed it as one of his or her favourites, or have followed it.

Thanks to all reviewers: XDarklightz, Salinia, Timerose, Crimsonprincess99, Sampdoria, MagicAndDemons4Ever, Arabellagrace, Amata0221, Mh21, Sweets1111, Banana Flavored Eskimo, Vepattinson, Sandrine Loves Ryan Philippe, Lucky Dudette, LeonaMasha, NorthernLights25, JIPEE, Angel, Uppity, HermisLupim26, Amjed, Dores, IAimHigher, India And Jovica, Ines Marie Pattinson, Jeluem, Lauritch, LenOfMarch, Love Comes From Pain, ManuMilitari, Ptit Con, SimUleyTe, The Belle Nabab, The Crazy Wizard, Hateme101, Arianna21, Invisible-gurl, Glitter Poisoned My Blood, TheMoreSmutTheBetter, Rosemary Lily Marie, Callac, Mmichelle97219, Guest4/29, ShadowsOfTheDay, Guest6/26, Dark m00n angel, Sakura Tsukiyomi Lefey, Jay and HarryHermioneEdwardBella.

Thus, I'll end this by wishing to every one of you a great day and as always, take care of yourselves.

Love,

Ludo.