Ch 8- Showers in September

Today I am seven months and two weeks pregnant. And boy, do I feel pregnant. Jen says I'm actually on the smaller size of most woman at seven months but it certainly doesn't feel like that. Ron and I met the twins a short while ago and they joked, imitating a beeping sound saying, "Watch out, wide load coming through!" every time I walked by. But that's Fred and George for you.

Today also happens to be the day of the Baby Shower Ginny begged to organize for me. I am currently awaiting Ginny's arrival to escort me to the hall the shower has been set up to be at because I've never been there. Ginny has really outdone herself. The invitations were superb and she invited every possible female I'm acquainted with to join the shower in hopes that I'll get more gifts. Wow. It sounds terrible when I put it like that. I feel almost as if I'm cheating, or using my guests, but they understand my situation and according to Ginny, are more than willing to help out a bit by giving a gift.

I glance at my watch. Ten after twelve. It's normal for Ginny to be late. The guests are to arrive at the hall at half past twelve, and Ginny was supposed to be here ten minutes ago. I sigh and straighten my orange blouse and white maternity skirt that Ginny insisted upon buying for me. Normally I'd just wear a pair of stretchy pants and one of Ron's t-shirts as we can't afford much. Not very flattering, but it fits…Ginny insisted she buy me "just one nice maternity outfit" for my shower. I didn't have much of a choice…Ginny's quite stubborn.

I grab my white jean jacket off the couch. The September air is steadily becoming cooler. Just as I finish slipping the jacket on, Ginny appears in the fireplace, an excited grin on her face.

"Ready?" she asks

"Yep." I reply

Ginny throws a handful of floo powder into the flames, turning them green, and we both step in.

"Grand Hall of Celebratory Occasions!" Ginny shouts.

I gasp as I open my eyes. The hall is huge and decorated beautifully. Pink streamers are hung everywhere and a large banner reading "It's a girl!" with the words "going to be" scribbled in between the "it's" and the "a". There are many small circular tables filling the room, all set with dishes and utensils, along with a small pink toiletry package at every seat for shower gifts. There are pink balloons dancing around the ceiling, and at the front of the hall a plush white couch sits in front of a large table, covered in neatly wrapped gifts.

I turn to Ginny, "Ginny, you shouldn't have!"

"I didn't do it for you, I did it for my niece!" she smirks playfully.

I hug her and then ask, "Where is everyone, all the gifts are here but where are all the guests?"

As if on cue, the grand doors of the hall open and tens of smartly dressed women enter, smiling. With out warning, I begin crying and Ginny looks at me worriedly. I smile and assure her saying "happy tears". I'm too elated to curse the hormones pregnancy brings along with it and begin greeting everyone.

Ginny seems to have invited everyone. Molly of course, and Fluer, Angelina, Katie, Lavender, Luna, Cho, Parvati, Padma, Alicia…just about every female from Hogwarts, excluding the Slytherians. I see a few of my close colleagues as well as Jen and even Mrs. Podsberry from the bookshop! There has to be over 50 people here.

A small pang hits my chest as I realize who's missing…my mother. Ginny notices my hurt look and offers me a sad smile.

"I sent her an invite, but…I didn't receive a reply. I'm sorry, Hermione."

"It's ok." I say quietly. "It's fine, I didn't expect her to show anyways. I'm not going to let her ruin this for me."

"Good. Let's get stated then shall we?"

After eating the food catered by a small Italian restraint I've never heard of, having cake and playing a few shower games, Ginny sat me down on the white couch to open presents. She sits beside me, handing me present after present after present…

An hour later, everyone has left and Ginny, Molly, and I are waiting for Ron, Harry and the twins to come help us clean up the hall. I sigh, looking at the table filled with unwrapped gifts. I'm really grateful Ginny talked me into this. She's right, I received so many useful things that I won't have to worry about buying anymore.

I received many, many clothes for the baby. Enough to last her the first year of her childhood at least. Molly gave me an old crib that Arthur tidied up. It was actually the crib she used for both Ron and Ginny. Along with the crib, Molly gave me some of Ginny's clothes from when she was a baby. She also brought a brand new carrier basinet, from both her and Arthur.

Even though I insisted Ginny to not buy me a gift, the shower being enough, she ignored my pleads and bought me a gift anyways. "It's from me and Harry." She insisted. She had bought me an indoor baby swing, along with a package of pacifiers and bottles, and a few pink baby blankets.

Cho bought me an extremely large package of diapers. So large in fact, that it will probably last an entire month after the baby is born! Katie and Angelina bought several baby toys, from plush teddies to soft building blocks. Lavender bought a few adorable dresses and outfits, as well as Parvati. Luna really out did her self and asked everyone to bring their favorite childhood book and donate it to me for the baby! A colleague of mine, Rachel, bought me a nice changing table and Jen bought me a mobile for the crib and a baby washer tub. Everyone else got me a variety of useful things such as baby spoons, spit up towels, bibs, a highchair, toys, clothes and more.

Suddenly, I'm yanked out of my thoughts as Ron, Harry, Fred, and George appear with a pop, one after the other.

"Wow…" Ron says as he spots the table full of baby supplies.

"I know!" I say.

"I don't know if all that's going to fit into our apartment!"

Molly smiles a bit sympathetically. "It'll be alright, you'll see. Your father and I raised Bill for two years in a flat just as small as yours. We were a bit older than you and Hermione but, we hadn't planned on having Bill. It was a bit difficult in the small flat, but we managed, and we were able to buy the Burrow when I found out I was pregnant with Charlie. And the Burrow isn't the largest of homes, but I raised the seven of you in it just fine."

I'm comforted by her words and smile at Ron reassuringly. He gives me an unsure smile and shrugs, and I note to ask him about this later when we get home.

We begin picking up wrapping, napkins and paper plates and throw them away. We clear off the table and fold the tablecloths neatly and begin stacking chairs and breaking down tables. But of course, Ron insists I not help in this part of the clean-up, even thought the chairs aren't even more than five pounds.

"Ron, I'm pregnant, not porcelain!" I say irritated. He knows I hate being treated as an inferior just because I'm pregnant.

"I know Hermione, I just-"

"I'm fine Ronald!" I persist.

Ron gives up and sighs, walking away mumbling something about mood swings. I roll my eyes and continue stacking chairs.

Later that night I'm staring into the darkness of my bedroom, unable to sleep. It's been a bit difficult to sleep the past few months since I usually push my pillow away and sleep on my stomach, but seeing as I'm pregnant, I can't do that anymore. I turn my head to the left where Ron seems to be fast asleep on his side, his back facing me.

Wanting something to do aside from staring boringly into space, I decide to check if he's still partially awake.

"Ron?" I whisper. No answer. "Ron, wake up."

"Mmm?" he mumbles rolling over to face me, peering at me with sleepy eyes. "What's wrong?" He says tiredly, "Are you h-h-ungry, or something?" He yawns.

"No," I say quietly, "I just can't sleep…but now I feel bad for waking you."

"No, it's ok, I'm up."

"Ok." I say quietly. I roll onto my side and smile at him. He smiles back and laughs lightly. "What?" I ask.

"You're cute." He says. I blush and smile. He scoots closer to me and lifts my night shirt, revealing my swollen belly. He places his hand on it, brushing his thumb gently back and forth. "Has she kicked much today?" he asks.

"Hmm," I reply, reveling in his gentle caresses, "A bit…not too much."

"Did you have fun at the shower?"

"Yes," I answer, "I wish my mother had been there though…"

"Why? She was a complete bitch to you when you told her you were pregnant!" Ron says incredulously.

I ignore his choice of words and reply, "I know…it's just…she's still my mother…you know?"

"Not really…" Ron says after a moments silence.

"What I mean is that…she's always been there for me. She was the first one to hold me in her arms, the first one to kiss my cheek, the first one to sing me a lullaby. She taught me to stand and then to walk. She changed my diapers and taught me to use the toilet. It just doesn't seem right, not having her here to guide me. I just…ever since I was little, I'd imagined that she'd be there when I held my first baby in my arms…

Ron and I are quiet for a few minutes before I speak again.

"Ron?"

"Mhm?"

"A couple months ago, Ginny asked me about names for the baby…we haven't really thought about that have we?"

"Guess not…been too busy with everything else."

"Picking a name is really important."

"What do you suggest?" Ron asks

"Well," I begin, "I've been thinking about it for a couple weeks and…I kind of like the name Delaney." I admit.

"Delaney?" Ron says sitting up on his elbow peering down at me.

"Why, what's wrong with Delaney?" I ask, a bit offended.

"I don't know…it's just…different."

"So?"

"I don't know…maybe I'm just not used to it."

"Oh." I say slightly crestfallen. "What names do you like?" I ask after a pause.

"I haven't really thought about it but I've always like the name Elizabeth for a girl." Ron says.

"I actually considered that name but it's overused!"

"How so?"

"There's a ton of people named Elizabeth these days!"

"So?" Ron asks.

"Besides," I say ignoring his last comment, "I do like the name Elizabeth, even if it is overused, but no one will call her 'Elizabeth'. They'll start calling her Liz or Lizzy, or Beth, and I don't like any of those names."

"What about Ellie?"

"Like the elephant?" I joke.

"What?" Ron asks

"Never mind. Ellie doesn't work."

Ron sighs. "What's wrong with Lizzy? I like that name! Isn't that what they call that girl Elizabeth in that book you used to always read? Bride and Prejudice or something?"

"Pride and Prejudice, Ron. And yes, that was her nick name in the book."

"So what's wrong with it?"

"I don't know…maybe it has to grow on me like Delaney on you." I say.

"What would you call Delaney for short anyways?" Ron asks.

"Laney, of course." I reply.

Ron shrugs. "Guess what we'll have to see if she looks like a Laney or a Lizzy." He smiles.

"Yeah," I smile back, "I guess so."

"But either way," Ron says, "I think she should have your middle name."

"Really?" I beam.

"Yeah…Delaney Jane Weasley…Elizabeth Jane Weasley. Both sound good."

We're both silent for a few minutes before I remember what I wanted to ask Ron earlier.

"Ron?"

"Hm?"

"Earlier…after the shower, when your mum was talking to us about raising a baby in a small flat…you looked…I mean, do you think we can do it?"

"Yeah, 'Mione, I do believe we can do it. My mum said it herself, she raised seven kids in The Burrow."

"But you looked…"

"I just…I want better for this kid than I had." Ron says carefully. "Don't get me wrong, I loved growing up in the Burrow with all my brothers and Ginny, but sometimes I just wished we had more money, lived somewhere bigger."

"We will Ron. This baby will have a better home. It's just going to take a couple years." I assure him.

"Yeah." He says. "You're right." And with that, he turns to me and kisses my forehead and snuggles down into his pillow, his hand resting on my tummy. I smile and place my hand over his and fall into a deep slumber.

A/N: As you know, I haven't updated in quite a while and for that I am terribly sorry! Things have been hectic and I just haven't had the time or energy! I'm cutting this story a bit shorter than I expected. There is only one more chapter. But there WILL be one-shots of Ron and Hermione's life after the end of this story, so keep a look out for them!

Thank you to all my faithful readers and I will get the final chapter up as soon as possible!

xXxEmmaLynnxXx