A/n: all reviews are so welcome, regardless of how late they are ;D Thank you so much to everyone reading this

Chapter 10

Hermione had a hard time leaving Storm that morning. She longed for nothing more than to get back in bed with her own personal radiator. The American had gotten up with her, and sat watching her get ready through the bathroom. A pout was firmly attached to her lips as she sat cross legged staring. It was no doubt she couldn't see too well but she was staring anyway.

"Storm why don't you just go back to sleep" The brunette quizzed gently, her heart melting over the scene. The shifters cheek still had the impressions of their sheets marked down them. Her hair was stuck up in multiple different directions, and she looked like she was having trouble staying awake.

"I don't want to" the younger girl stated groggily, rubbing at her eyes. "I miss you already" She grumbled shaking her head ever so slightly.

Hermione could do nothing but sigh, a small smirk pulling at her lips. Storm was only ever so grumpy early in the morning, usually before her first cup of coffee. The brunette had to force down the urge to laugh as she set down her hairbrush and made her way across the small distance. Storm shifted a little and pulled the older girl down into her lap; burying her nose into the smaller girl's exposed neck.

Hermione sighed, wrapping an arm around Storm's shoulders. Her free hand brushing the younger girls hair away from her face gently. "why don't you just rest today?" She asked, though it was more of a suggestion. "I'll be home before you know it" She finished, leaning down to press a tender kiss to the seeker's pout as Storm looked up.

"maybe" the American stated, leaning down to press kisses to Hermione's neck as the older witch stroked her fingers through her hair. "are you going to meet your parents for lunch?" She muttered, her voice muffled by the bookworms skin.

"I am. I've left you a few cans of soup out by the oven, will you be alright heating them up on your own?" the brunette asked as she stood up from the shifters lap. Storm following her as she started for the stairs.

"I've got my wand. I won't even have to turn the oven on" the American reassured her fiancé. Dreading having to spend the day alone. She couldnt even do anything interesting because of her injury. It would definitely be a long day.

"Please don't do anything stupid" Hermione pleaded as she made to grab her briefcase to make sure she had everything in it. She looked like a muggle business woman as far as things went, and she blended into muggle London pretty well. She adjusted her skirt and pulled on her jacket. She would be flooing into the ministry, but would have to venture out into the cold to meet her parents.

"When have I ever done anything stupid?" Storm smirked, earning a glare from the older woman. "Fine, I won't do anything stupid" She clarified with a huff, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. She wore a crooked smirk as she peaked through blurry eyes at the older woman. Hermione just rolled her eyes, shaking her head as she set her briefcase down to give the American a final embrace before she left.

Storm surprised her with a searing kiss. Pulling her up and into her body for a moment before breaking away a little too smugly. Grinning a lopsided grin as she crouched down to mutter a goodbye to their unborn child. Something she'd begun to do after the trip to St. Mangos.

Hermione blushed as she pulled the shifter up a little half heartedly. Leaning up to press a brief kiss to the younger girl's lips one last time. She pulled away, only to be held in place by Storm's fingers wrapping around her hips, keeping her still.

"Will you let me go before I'm late!" She scolded but her voice held no malice. She wanted nothing more than to give into temptation and stay with her fiancé.

"Fine but we'll continue this later" Storm winked, finally releasing the older witch from her grasp. Though all together reluctantly. She relented and stood fiddling with the hem of her shirt that hung off her shoulders and halfway down her thighs. Watching with her heart sinking lower as the brunette got closer to vanishing for hours.

Hermione sighed before grabbing her briefcase and turning on heel to head for the fireplace. She ducked into it and peaked out at a totally forlorn looking shifter. She hated being away from the younger girl, and knew that Storm herself felt the same. She could see it in the frown that pulled at her lips, and the way she stared as if the few hours would kill her.

The brunette just shook her head, steeling her resolve as she took a deep breath. "I'm only going to work. I'll be back before you know it." She reassured her fiancé from afar, knowing full well that if Storm got ahold of her again she wouldn't be going to work.

"I know" The American beamed, "I'll see you soon. Be safe" She spoke, and Hermione grinned back. Unable to push the smile away.

"I will. I love you" The older witch stated, grabbing a handful of floo powder to drop into the hearth.

"I love you too" was Storm's final reply before Hermione was engulfed in green flame. Their living room was gone, Storm and their things left behind as she travelled with both a heavy and happy feeling. Looking forward to the day to start and finish. The quicker it started the quicker time would go and the sooner she'd be back with the shifter she already longed for.

The American sighed, the silence already deafening. She stood there for a few moments, silently hoping the older witch would return; would change her mind. It didn't happen, and with that Storm went back to bed.

-x-x-x-x-

Hermione worked through undisturbed until lunch. Her parents would already be waiting at a familiar restaurant not far away from the Ministry. She was looking forward to seeing her father, but still didn't know how she felt about her mother. Anger still bubbled up within her chest whenever she thought about it, and how Jean had apologised a little too late.

Her mind hadn't strayed far from Storm that day, and it was brought right back to the American as she thought about how she had reacted. She was supportive and the older witch hated to admit to the fact she was afraid to do something alone. Especially something that involved her mother. She felt a little guilty for leaving Storm on her own while she went and had lunch with her parents, but she had no other choice; she had already agreed.

She finished off what she'd been working on as the clock struck twelve and put it all away ready to come back to. She was already weeks ahead of where she needed to be and was pleased as she pulled her thick winter jacket onto her shoulders. It was heavy, and smelled of their home like most of her clothing did.

A knock on her office door brought her out of her own mind. Drawing her from the thoughts of home once again. She couldnt help being distracted, anyone would be.

"Come in" She called loud enough to be heard from the other side as she rummaged through her bag, making sure she had everything she needed.

The sound of the door opening filled the room before Storm's mother spoke. "Hello Dear, did you want anything for lunch?" She asked, her dark kind eyes meeting Hermione's own as the brunette looked up.

"No thank you, I'm actually just off to meet my parents for lunch." She replied with a wide smile. Blushing ever so slightly as Lori nodded, wearing a small smile full of understanding.

"Ah." The blonde nodded, "That explains them heading off so early" She smiled warmly, "I'll be off to go check on my daughter, make sure she's not hurt herself any more" Lori laughed, though they both knew there was a chance it was true.

"Thank you. I was going to myself, but I'll leave it to you" Hermione grinned, shaking her head as she grabbed her bag and headed for the door.

"Are you both going to need help with getting little Joe's room sorted out?" Lori quizzed as she held the door open for her soon to be daughter in-law.

"I haven't even thought about it since Storm's accident" The brunette admitted a little sheepishly. Time was quickly running out and at the rate they were going the baby would have nowhere to go when he came. It was going to be a little harder now with Storm getting better, but it would have to be done.

"We'll come by this weekend then. Help sort everything out and get the furniture ready." Lori smiled a knowing smile. Storm was a handfull and her parents knew that better than anyone.

"Thank you so much" Hermione beamed, honestly relieved for the helping hand. She was halfway tempted to ask Harry for the help. Knowing he too would be more than willing to help, Ginny too. With a small smile she decided she'd owl them later on, and ask them over for dinner.

"I'll see you later love, be careful on your way." Lori stated as they parted ways, the oldest Griffin a sheer contrast from her youngest daughter. Hermione nodded her thanks once again, waving to the departing blonde as she too carried on her short way.

The restaurant wasnt far away from the Ministry, and she made it within five minutes or so. It wasn't raining, but the cold was biting as December drew nearer. Bringing Hermione's due date closer still.

It wasn't a very well known place, and she'd had to walk past an old fashioned muggle sweet shop on her way. Sparking an idea in her keen mind. She felt terrible for leaving Storm on her own, but felt better for Lori heading over to check up on her.

The restaurant was warm when she walked in, and she was pleased to see her parents were already waiting for her. Her mother waved a little bit frantically as if she hasn't expected the brunette to actually show up. Her father just smiled a little awkwardly trying to calm her mother down.

"Hermione dear!" Jean exclaimed, a wide smile tugging at her lips. "We've ordered your favourite, sit down sit down" She coaxed.

There was a cacophony of bags sat under the table, and the brunette almost laughed. She raised a brow in question at her father, and he just shook his head. It had been the same when she was a kid.

"I see you've been shopping" She spoke lightly, a grin tugging at her lips. Her coat hung on the back of her chair as she took a seat, flicking her eyes between her father and mother.

"Your mother insisted" Gerald spoke, rolling his eyes as he did. Though he wore a small smile as his dark eyes took in his daughter.

"I thought it might be needed. We have no clothes suitable for the winter anymore" Jean justified herself, her tone haughty as if she couldn't believe she was being questioned.

"How much longer are you both planning on staying?" Hermione quizzed, not realising they would be staying long after the baby was born.

"Well, we've left the practice with the management, and have decided to move back." Gerald spoke, his eyes sparkling and full of joy. "I'd hate to miss anymore, especially now that we have a grandchild on the way" he explained. Jean herself seemed less happy about the news than her father.

Hermione was speechless, just sat,staring between them for a moment or so. Only being interrupted by the waiter dropping their plates off. "That's brilliant." She replied finally, a little gobsmacked. It caught her completely off guard, flooring her totally. It had been so long since get parents had something to get involved in. Now that they were trying it was great.

"We're looking for a place closer to that lovely little village yourself and Storm found. Somewhere to retire" Jean clarified, a smile tugging at her lips as she took a sip of her drink.

"We'd rather keep closer to a town. But we've been looking at places with a bedroom or two spare. In case you both need a little bit of a break" Gerald continued on from where his wife left off. Though there was doubt in his tone. The brunette understood why, this wasn't going to be a normal baby. Even she would have to get used to handling him.

"He's still just a baby." Hermione reassured them. She'd lived with a shifter for at least a year with Storm staying in her quarters at Hogwarts. She didn't even bat an eyelid when the American shifted anymore. Though her parents had never seen anything of the sort.

"I'll see if the Griffin's will show you before the baby comes. So you're aware of what it is we're dealing with" Hermione reassured, trying to be as vague as she could be. It was hard speaking about things regarding her world in her parent's.

"That would be lovely dear. It would be nice to know what to expect beforehand. Just so we can help as much as possible" Jean spoke with a small smile, and she seemed to finally get it. Just how difficult it was going to be, but how amazing once they got past that part. Both she and Storm had done things most adults would never dream of, her own parents included.

For the rest of the afternoon Hermione was busy. She'd stopped by the sweet shop and picked up more than enough to last a few days. But as soon as she'd gotten back to the office she worked through until the last minute, making it so she wouldn't have to bring anything home with her.

As soon as the clock struck five, she was up and out. Heading to the shop before apparating home, loaded down with a few old films; the sort she thought Storm herself would like. When she arrived the living room was empty but there was banging and shuffling in the kitchen.

"Storm?" She called, a warm smile tugging at her lips as she made her way towards the noise.

"Shit!" Came the Americans voice, followed by a crash. "Hermione! You're early" She called, her voice laced with excitement.

When the brunette turned the corner into the kitchen she found Storm covered in chocolate and what looked like flour. She wasn't entirely surprised that the kitchen too looked like it was a bomb sight. She leaned up against the clean counter, an eyebrow raised in question.

"What on earth are you doing?" She asked, unable to push the smirk away as Storm turned to grin at her.

"I'm making brownies, they were meant to be ready before you got home. A surprise, Ginny helped me get it all ready. You just missed her, she had to go meet Harry." Storm explained, setting her bowl down.

"Well, I guess we'll definitely be having a sweet filled evening" the brunette laughed as she moved closer to the younger girl. Reaching out to brush flour off of the shifters cheek as Storm wrapped her arms around her waist.

"Why?" the American quizzed, leaning down to steal a kiss.

"I stopped to get some things, and a few films. I have no work tonight so I'm all yours" Hermione grinned, relaxing into the strong embrace.

"Did you miss me that much? No homework, I never thought I'd see the day" Storm laughed, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Hey!" Hermione scolded, giving the younger girl a playful slap in the arm for her efforts. "I did miss you though" She admitted quietly, glad to be home finally. Dragging her fingers through Storm's hair gently.

"Well, I should hope so. I don't know how you coped all day without me" The shifter stated with a coy grin.

"Arrogance is not attractive" the older witch admonished, pulling away to grab her wand. Tidying up after the seeker and her surprise that was being loaded into the oven.

"What kind of snacks did you get?" Storm quizzed as she righted herself, looking a little bit too excited.

"You'll find out after we've had a proper dinner" Hermione stated, shaking her head with a laugh as she was pulled into the shifters front. Storm's hands dragging against the rather prominent bump.

"As much as I like you in your smart clothes, I'm sure you're exhausted. Why don't you go get undone while I find something for dinner" Storm muttered, her lips grazing the brunette's jaw gently.

Hermione fought back a groan as she nodded ever so slightly letting her head fall back to meet the taller woman's shoulder. "Will you be alright doing it on your own for a minute or so?" She asked seriously, forcing away her hormones before they got the best of her.

"I'm fine, it's just a bit fuzzy. I can see well enough to make some dinner" The shifter stated simply, her fingers gently untucking Hermione's shirt so her hands could slip underneath.

"Please don't hurt yourself" the brunette stated, her own fingers gripping the countertop a little too tightly. Shivers coursing up and down her spine as Storm's gentle calloused hands ran themselves across her bare stomach. "You need to let go, or I'm not going to be able to go anywhere" She stated, and by the laugh that met her ears she had a feeling Storm knew exactly what she was doing.

Unfortunately the shifter backed away, and relented. "Go get comfortable, we can eat in front of the TV tonight" Storm spoke as Hermione composed herself. The brunette ran her hands through her hair as she pulled out the grips that had held it up.

"I'll be back in a bit" the brunette spoke as she left her fiancé to it. It was nice to be home finally, she felt better knowing Storm was close by.

It didn't take her long to get changed into her pyjamas. Pulling her robe on that didn't quite fit around her stomach anymore. With a heavy sigh, she dropped her robe away and grabbed one of Storm's soft jumpers to pull over her head instead. It was nice, and smelled of the American. It totally drowned her, and she decided then that the shifter wouldn't get the jumper back.

Storm was already sat waiting for her when she finished. A timer ticking away somewhere in the silence of their home. Hermione grabbed the bag she'd brought home with her and sat beside the shifter on the sofa. It had been a long day, but curling up with the American made it all worth it.

"Is that my sweatshirt?" Storm asked shifting to get a better look. "It looks a lot better on you" She finished before Hermione could even say anything, causing the older witch to blush almost violently.

"Well, then your definitely not getting it back" The older witch grinned, catching the shifters eye. "You can see better, obviously" She stated, more than a little relieved.

"Much. It gets better after I've taken that weird stuff Arty gave me. It's not entirely clear, but I reckon I'll be able to play again on Saturday if it keeps up at this rate" She admitted, leaning over to press a kiss to Hermione's lips.

"That's brilliant, just be careful. I can't stand you being hurt" the older witch admitted, though it wasn't stated tenderly, it was stated factually. Which oddly enough made it even more endearing.

"I'll be fine. I won't take anymore risks. I promise." Storm stated simply, grinning from ear to ear. Hermione didn't quite believe her, but she guessed it was the best she was going to get.

With that the brunette pushed herself up to put on one of the films she'd brought back, only to be halted by the American. Storm insisted she do it instead, simply because she'd have to get up to get the dinner out. Hermione had a feeling it wasn't just that, and rolled her eyes.

"Storm I'm pregnant I'm not disabled" She grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest as she watched the shifter work the video player.

"Yes but you don't need to be doing things like this. Last time I had to help you back up" Storm shot back, raising a brow. She knew she was over protective but the brunette really couldn't argue. Storm had thought it was hilarious at the time, laughing so hard she'd cried. Hermione herself hadn't found it entirely funny, but thinking back it was quite amusing.

"That doesn't mean I'm disabled" She grumbled shaking her head in disbelief as the American crawled towards her to kneel on front of her.

"Your pregnant, and you do enough already. I can put a film in the vcr for you. I want to do things like that, enjoy it because when the baby comes it's every man for themselves" Storm joked, grinning her usual lopsided grin.

"How romantic" Hermione stated sarcastically, though her lips were tugged up into a small smile.

"You know me, a true blue casanova" Storm quipped a little too smugly.

"Oh shut up" Hermione laughed out loud, playfully shoving the shifters shoulder so she would fall back onto her bum.

"As you wish!" The American saluted, laughing as she did. Unable to stop giggling once she'd started. She reached forward and grabbed Hermione gently, all but dragging her off the sofa as she too giggled. Pulling the older girl into her lap so she could wrap her arms around her.

"Hey, what happened to me staying off the floor?" The shorter woman asked through her giggles, grinning from ear to ear.

"You're in my lap, not on the floor. Come on 'mione, get it right" Storm grinned back "Besides you were much to far away up there" She stated, leaning forward to brush their noses together.

"Cheeky" The smaller woman smirked, dragging her fingers back through the shifter's shaggy locks. Storm's eyes shut as she hummed, heaving a sigh of contentedness. The film flickering in the background, it's opening music played into the silence. The ticking of the timer drowned out as they sat for a few minutes just like that.

The screech of the timer broke the peace, and Storm helped Hermione up before going to tend to the dinner. Their evening went much like that. Relaxed, and quiet as both girls basked in things being on the up again. Munching on junk and brownies after their dinner. Getting through the films by late evening. Hermione eventually had to call it a night, the morning looming just around the corner, something she wasn't looking forward to at all.

Storm followed her willingly, crawling into bed beside her. A routine that would never get old, no matter how practiced it became. The brunette content to curl up on her side with the shifter wrapped around her. Storm was like a brick oven, her body heat warming the cold sheets within moments. It was comfortable, and neither lingered in the waking world for much longer