Tomorrow I'm heading up to Rhode Island for a two day work trip. Usually I post a new chapter every other day, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to on Wednesday. I might be able to post from my Blackberry. Finger crossed!

Chapter 10
Draco tapped his foot impatiently as a member of Hermione's team addressed the board. He had yet to hear a word this woman had said as he stared at the door waiting for his witch to enter. Halfway through the presentation, the door opened quietly and his secretary beckoned him into the hall.

"St. Mungo's sent this," Ingrid said softly, holding out an envelope for Draco to take.

The color drained from his face as he read the letter. Hermione had been admitted, but the note did not explain why. Folding it in half, he stuck the parchment in his back pocket. "Please let the board know I have a family emergency to tend to. I'll be out the rest of the day," he instructed. Without waiting for a reply, he took off for his office to gather his belongings before flooing to the hospital. As fast as his legs could carry him, he ran to the maternity ward and sought out Hermione.

The room was dark, the lights off and the window shades drawn, but he could make out her figure on the bed. As he neared, her sniffles grew louder. Taking a seat on the edge of bed, Draco took hold of her hand. "What happened?" he asked softly, bringing her hand to his mouth to kiss her knuckles.

"The baby's okay," she replied, hiccuping back a sob. "They ran some tests after I..."

"After what?" he asked, his concern for her and the baby growing by the second.

She pulled her hand out of his and wiped at her wet eyes with the backs of her hands. "I'm sorry I missed the meeting," she said instead of answering his question.

"Screw the meeting," he replied through clenched teeth. "Hermione, what happened?"

"I thought I lost her," she whispered, reaching for his hand; anything to provide a little bit of comfort and security. "There was blood, and there shouldn't have been blood. I was so scared that I lost her."

Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to her forehead. "That little girl is as strong a fighter as her mother," he murmured. His free hand brushed away her tears as they fell. "She'll be okay and so will you."

Squeezing his hand as a show of gratitude, Hermione smiled for the first time that day. With Draco by her side, she no longer felt alone. "Can you stay?" she asked.

Nodding, he moved off the bed and pulled a chair closer. They talked for the better part of an hour as Healers came in and out of the room to check on their patient. When Healer Miller prescribed bed rest, Hermione blanched. Living alone was not conducive to being confined to her bed for the next four months.

"We'll take care of it," Draco whispered before bidding the healer goodbye.

"I'm not living with Harry or the Weasleys," she declared adamantly.

"They can take care of you," he pointed out, trying to keep her calm. "Molly Weasley has had more children than any other woman I've ever met. She's more than adequately equipped to help you."

Hermione shook her head. "She wants me to get back together with Ron," she stated with a scowl. "Did I tell you that? Her exact words were 'this a sign that you two are meant to be together. It's fate.'"

There was something about Mrs. Weasley's words that didn't sit right with Draco. He'd known for years that her youngest son wasn't good enough for the witch by his side, and he was sure Hermione knew that too. Slowly but surely, they had both come to realize their feelings for one another, and Draco was unwilling to let her get away.

As the healer left, a new visitor appeared. Ron stood in the doorway, hands deep in his pockets and a sheepish smile on his face. "What's he doing here?" he asked the moment he spotted Draco by her bedside.

Hermione had expected her ex-husband to lash out at the sight of Draco, but he seemed more resigned than angry. She gave Draco's hand a warning squeeze, praying he would do nothing to antagonize Ron. He seemed to take the hint because he said nothing, leaving it up to her to do the talking.

"The baby's alright," she informed him a bit coldly. That should have been his first question, she thought.

Ron nodded to confirm that he'd heard her. "Ginny told me she saw you come in when she was leaving her appointment. I'd of been here sooner, but Harry and I are working on this case. It's pretty big," he explained. "Harry thinks it could mean a promotion if we close it soon."

"That's great," she replied with little emotion. Turning to Draco, she released his hand and asked him if he wouldn't mind stepping out for a moment. He flashed her a hesitant look, but complied. When the door shut, she glared at Ron. "Could you possibly pretend to care about something besides your job right now?"

Mouth gaping open, Ron pulled his hands from his pockets and took Draco's vacated chair. He murmured a quiet apology and diverted his gaze from the angry, pregnant brunette. "I feel like I'm not a part of this," he finally admitted. "We always let you take control of planning everything, and I guess I assumed that's what you'd do this time. I figured you didn't need me, and I think I'm right. You seemed as happy to have Malfoy here as he is to be here."

Hermione rested her hand on the side of her stomach and looked at him pointedly. "She's yours too, Ron. It shouldn't fall to Draco to accompany me to appointments and help decorate the nursery. It's not his responsibility to see that I'm alright. I know our relationship just ended, but you should be here."

"She?" he asked quietly. Hermione nodded, glad he was happy with the news. "We're going to have a daughter?"

"In less than four months," Hermione replied quietly, lovingly stroking her rounded stomach.

Nodding as he processed this new information, Ron shifted in his seat. In the past five months, he'd seen his ex-wife a total of four times. When their divorce was finalized, he thought of how he would miss her now that they were no longer a part of each other's lives. But this baby, their baby, brought them back together.

"Cho and I broke up," he announced. "I don't know. Once you told me you were pregnant, it just didn't seem right being with someone else. Maybe Mum's right, maybe we should get back together."

Hermione shook her head and looked away. "I can't do that," she whispered. "I just...I don't love you as I once did. And I won't allow our child to grow up in a home with parents who don't love each other."

"How will Malfoy fit in to all of this?" Ron wondered, his hands tensely gripping the arms of the chair.

A blush colored Hermione's cheeks at the mention of Draco's name. "I don't know yet, but I know he wants to be a part of my life as much as I want him to be. He's raised his son all on his own these past couple of years, and I really admire him for who he's become. He's been my best friend."

On the other side of the door, Draco listened to the conversation, smiling when he heard Hermione's final words.