Title: Before it's too late

Pairing: Ron/Hermione and Harry/Ginny

Summary: Issues arise between Ron and Hermione as Harry and Ginny wedding approaches. Takes places after the last chapter of Deathly Hallows but pre epilogue.

AN: This takes place about 5 years (maybe more) after Voldemort is defeated.

Chapter 4:

The wedding was beautiful. Ginny was glowing as she floated down the aisles. Harry beamed as he took vows and Ginny cried a little. It was truly moving.

The reception was one big party. People were eating and dancing and having a great time. Hermione felt her spirits lift a little and was even able to genuinely smile some. She made the rounds making small talk with friends and acquaintances.

Ron approached her when she was alone and taking a moment to grab some food and rest. "Hi," he said sitting across from her at a small table.

"Hi," Hermione replied. "You look very nice tonight Ronald." And it was true he was wearing navy blue dress robes and they complimented him well.

"You too," He said. Then he laughed, "That is an understatement. You look painfully beautiful"

"Painfully?" Hermione asked. She knew she looked well in her new dress. It was light pink. It was form fitting but not too tight. Her hair was up with curls spilling down around her face. "I am sorry it is painful."

"Want to dance?" Ron asked.

Hermione hesitated but couldn't say no, she nodded her assent and let Ron lead her to the dance floor. Ron held her tight and close but not overly restrictive. For a long moment they were silent and just enjoying this moment.

Finally Ron cleared his throat and said, "I need to ask you something?"

"Ok," Hermione replied.

"Did you want to get married?" He asked not looking at her. "Is that what that was about?"

Hermione pulled away, "So, what you are asking is this some sort of tantrum because I wanted to get married? Like I was pressuring you or trying to scare you?"

"I don't mean that," Ron said but then he cocked his head to the side, "Was it?"

Hermione felt color rise to her face, "Really? After all these years…you honestly think that of me? I shouldn't have to tell you this, but for the record Ronald, if I want something I say it, I go for it…I have wanted to marry you since I was 16 years old but I wanted to wait until we were ready. If you asked I would say yes, I feel ready enough now. But for you to think I would manipulate you or whatever…" Hermione shook her head. She was in disbelief.

"Ok, I am sorry. My mum said…but I should have known…I mean …" Ron groaned.

Hermione's righteous anger was still fueling her so she kept rolling. "And would it really be so bad? I mean is marriage the worst thing ever?"

"No, "Ron replied. "It's not but I don't want to be tricked or manipulated into something. I need to want it too."

"And you don't?" Hermione countered.

"I didn't say that," Ron snapped.

Hermione pulled away and left him alone on the dance floor. She found her purse and said goodbye to the Weasley's and to Harry and Ginny and then she dissaparated.

Ron wasn't sure what happened. He was just trying to be honest and she exploded. He held himself together until after the reception and he excused himself as early as he could without raising the suspicions of his family.

He went back to his apartment feeling sad and angry and confused. This what Hermione always did and it drove him crazy. She would get something in her head and blow things out of proportion. She always acts like Ron screws up on purpose! That is crazy. All he wants is to make her happy.

Once Ron showered and dressed for bed he calmed down. He realized that maybe she had the right to be a little upset. He did accuse her of being manipulative and desperate. The thing is Ron knows Hermione…he has known her for years and she would be direct if she wanted something.

Ron knew he should apologize but he was going to give it until tomorrow. When Hermione was mad it is best to let her breath for a while. So, Ron went to sleep and promised himself he would talk to Hermione tomorrow.

The next morning Ron had a made a decision. He would propose. He had been really stupid about all of this marriage stuff. He loved her, there is no one else besides her he would ever love, why not make the commitment. After seeing how happy Harry was when he married Ginny he knew he would not regret this choice.

A few years ago his dad gave Ron something special, a ring that had been Arthur's mother ring. Ill proposed to Fleur using Aunt Muriel's ring. He told Ron that it was his to use when he was ready. Ron put it away thinking he would never use it. When he wanted to propose he would buy Hermione a brand new ring. But now this felt like the moment to make his move and he wanted to use that ring.

It took him about 10 minutes to find it. It wasn't where he remembered leaving it but finally he found it in his sock drawer. He dressed carefully; he wanted to look nice but not overdressed. He chose a nice button up shirt and a new pair of dark jeans.

He apparated to Hermione's front porch and knocked on the door. Hermione opened the door just a few seconds later. She was wearing Ron's Chudley Canons shirt. She looked tired and as if she had been crying. "Ron?" Hermione asked, she looked surprised and a little afraid.

"Can I come in?" Ron asked.

Hermione hesitated but then she nodded and let him inside. They went into the living room and stood in awkward silence.

Ron finally cleared his throat and said, "I am sorry," his started, "About yesterday…the last few weeks…"

Hermione shook her head," No, It was me…I haven't been fair."

Ron held a hand up, "Let me finish," he said. He motioned for Hermione to sit and she did. He started pacing as he spoke, "I tried to think last night, and I really tried to think about why I get so weird about the marriage thing. I think maybe it is because I watched my parents struggle and to be honest it doesn't seem like they have much fun. I thought marriage meant that we would have settle down and have babies and the fun would be sucked out of our lives," He paused to gauge Hermione reaction and was shocked to see she looked ready to dissolve into tears. "But I thought about George and Angelina who are married and seem to have more fun than anyone else. I think I was wrong. Marriage is what you make it. I love you more than I have ever loved any other girl. I have loved you since we were little more than children and I know without a doubt I will never love anyone but you." Ron dropped to one knee and pulled the ring out of his pocket, "So, I want to know if you will marry me?"

Ron wasn't sure what he expected when he proposed but he did not expect for Hermione to let out a wail and run from the room but that is exactly what she did. Ron stood there for a moment after she fled trying to figure out what he did wrong and how to fix it. He decided the only person who can answer that was Hermione and so he would have to talk to her…whether or not she liked it.

Hermione was sitting on the floor of her bathroom. She had her arms wrapped around her legs and her chin was resting on her knees. She was trying not to cry…se was tired of crying but she just couldn't help it. Ron was so wonderful and kind. Why had she thought he would be anything less? Why didn't she have faith in him? Now he was being kind and she was lying to him. Would he ever forgive her? Did she deserve forgiveness?

Hermione didn't hear Ron come in but she felt his eyes on her. She looked up at him and waited for him to speak.

Ron sighed and looked at his feet, "I don't get it," Ron admitted. "You seem upset but you don't seem mad at me…I just wish I knew how to fix this."

Hermione took a deep breath, "I have to tell you something. You're going to be upset but there is nothing I can do about that now." She closed her eyes and steeled herself before speaking, "I am pregnant." She heard a sharp intake of breath from Ron but he didn't speak so she kept going, "That is what started all of this. I didn't give you a chance to be the great guy that you are. I assumed because you weren't ready for marriage that you weren't ready to be a dad either. I thought you couldn't handle it. I underestimated you and for that I am truly sorry." She looked Ron now. His face was blank…no smile…nothing. "Ron, say something, please?"

Ron looked at her, "What should I say?" he asked quietly.

Hermione shuddered at his tone which was cold. "Are you mad?" she asked, her voice tiny and quiet.

Ron looked up at the ceiling and shook his head, "Am I allowed to be mad?" Ron asked. "I would be a real git if I was mad, wouldn't I?"

Hermione shurgged,"You are allowed to feel however you want," she told him. "Do you not want this baby? Just a few minutes ago you proposed to me and now you seem detached and I don't know what that means…if you don't want this that is fine. I can do this on my own."

Ron hit the wall with his fist, "That right there is why I am mad. You are judging my reaction when I just found out this life altering news. You have had …what? Weeks? You just assumed I couldn't be a husband? A father? You are talking about being on your own? Do you think that little of me?"

"No, I…" Hermione faltered. He was right and she didn't know how to be wrong or how to make up for it? "I am sorry."

"And that fixes it?" Ron countered. He shook his head, "I am not even sure what to say?"

Hermione wiped the tears and said, "What can I do to fix it?"

Ron shrugged, "I am not sure," he admitted. "I have to go." He started to leave and then he turned, "I am mad and I am scared but you won't be alone…me leaving…I am not leaving you. I would never let you do this alone…I just need a minute…or something." And then he was gone.

Hermione continued to sit there and cry. Eventually se peeled herself off the floor. She went to the living room and found the ring on the floor. She picked it up and looked at it. It was beautiful and exactly like what she would want. Where did he get it? She took it out of the box and slipped it on her finger. It fit perfectly and it felt so right. She sighed and slipped the ring from her finger feeling sadder than she ever had in her life.

AN: Wow, it has been too long. I am so so so so so sorry it took so long. I am terrible, I know. It should be finished tonight or tomorrow.