A/N: Sorry for not posting for like agessss, but I've been snowed under once again with coursework and open evenings and what now. Anywho, thanks to every one that is reading along and also to every one that continues to send in their thoughts, comments and support, that is what keeps me writing. Now, enough rambblings, enjoy!

Sitting on the beach

For the next few days the little family sat on the beach. Hermione sat playing in the sand when she wasn't swimming in the sea or relaxing on her emerald green towel while Minerva lay in Severus' arms watching her daughter play happily. Severus lay holding his wife and gently rubbing circles on her growing stomach, in a little under four months, their new baby girl would be born. Minerva smiled and snuggled closer to her husband as Hermione lay down and shut her eyes.

"This is the most relaxed I've seen you in such a long time, Minni."

"I know. Make the most of it while it last though, Sev, in a months time I will constantly be moody."

"Oh joy." Severus sighed. "Will you still be teaching?"

"I don't know, I haven't really thought about it."

"What do you want to do?"

"I want to continue teaching, but I'm finding it hard enough as it is." Minerva sighed, she loved teaching, but she couldn't teach even one lesson without being exhausted.

"I'm sure Albus won't mind you staying in our quarters, you can help me out if you wish."

"Really?"

"Only if you want to, my love."

"I'll think about it." Minerva too closed her eyes and let sleep take her over.

Severus ran his fingers through her hair and continued making small circle on her stomach with her other one. A smile sneaked itself across his face as he watched his and wife and daughter sleep in the sun, soon enough, Severus too had slipped into dreamland.

Minerva and Severus awoke to the flashes and clicks as Hermione snapped the camera at them. Chuckling, Severus stood quickly and started chasing Hermione up the shore towards the house. Hermione threw the camera too her mother as she sprinted up the sandy beach giggly and screaming when Severus got too close to her. As the pair turned 'round and headed back towards Minerva, she started snapping photos causing Severus to side track from Hermione and head straight for his wife. Minerva squealed and attempted to get away, but she moved much too slow and Severus caught her around the waist and held her, he brushed his lips against hers, a warm splash of water on his back, brought him back to reality and he set off after his daughter again. Minerva laughed and watched as the pair dashed in and out of the water before they collapsed in the sand, the water lapping at their bare feet. Minerva laughed and stood over them, their towels draped over her arm. She held out her free hand to Severus and helped him up. Hermione stood and started up to the house. Severus wrapped an arms around Minerva's waist and held her close and they too started slowly walking up to the house, talking about all and nothing. When they got to the house, Minerva sat on the sofa with Hermione and waited as Severus made up a quick dinner for the three of them.

An hour later, Severus had finished making up the lasagne and had gone into the living to get his angles, but he found them asleep together on the sofa. Hermione had her head in Minerva's lap and Minerva had her head back on the sofa and was holding their daughter as close to her as possible. Severus smiled and shook his head. He picked up the camera and took a few shots before he asked Winky to keep the food warm while he woke his girls. He knelt in front of the sofa and brushed a loose lock of hair behind their daughter's ear and pressed a kiss to her nose, causing her to stir.

"Daddy?" Hermione's voice was barely a whisper and thick with sleep.

"It's me, petal." Severus whispered, knowing that Minerva needed her sleep. Hermione put her arms around Severus' neck and he lifted her carefully from her mother's lap. He sat her in her mother's chair opposite and sat himself next to his wife. Minerva stirred slightly before bolting upright frantically searching for Hermione. Severus held Minerva as the tears poured and she came back to reality. "Shh, it's okay tabby. I'm here. Hermione's here. Nothing's going to happen." Severus pressed a light kiss to her hair and held her as she cried, whispering words of love in her ear, stopping briefly only to ask Hermione to bring in the dinner.

Three hours later, the Snape household was silent, all for the loving sounds of Severus and Minerva as they held one another.