Hermione tightened her grip on Ron's arm as the feeling of side-along apparition grabbed hold of her.

"Almost there, luv," Ron murmured softly against her hair. "Just keep your eyes closed. It's a surprise."

The months following Ron's attack had been terribly hard on everyone. Ron hadn't responded to the treatments at first, forcing Harry and Hermione to call on Neville and his gift for herbology to work with the healers and find the right course for Ron. Eventually, they did so and Ron's positive attitude and determination helped his recovery along. Hermione had remained steadfast by his side, secretly confiding in Ginny that if this was the life of an Auror's wife, she didn't know how she's do it. Ginny had assured her they would weather it together. Hermione had only to take one looking at a sleeping recovering Ron to realize she was right. Nothing would ever tear her away from Ron again, especially her own fear.

Ron had fully recovered three months ago, after four weeks in the hospital and eight weeks of vigorous physical therapy. The healers were astounded by his recovery. At one point they had warned the family that Ron may never walk again, due to the pressure on his spinal cord during the curse. Ron had walked into Hemione's arms one week later, as Harry had smirked at the gobsmacked healers.

None sooner had he been pronounced healed, he had graduated from the Auror program with full honors, at the top of his class. He accepted his certificate proudly as Hermione and Harry looked on, their faces streaked with happy tears that even Harry didn't feel the need to hide. The best part had to be George and Percy, picking Ron up bodily as he walked down the stage, and clapping him proudly on the back, their own eyes bright.

Life had been busy after that. If it was difficult to date an Auror trainee, dating an Auror was even harder. But Ron did not let a moment pass without making sure that they connected in some way, be it an owl or a note hidden somewhere away in Hemione's flat. When he was away on missions, it was horrendous. But the reunions were that much sweeter.

Ron had come into Hermione's office a few days prior, his face a mask of seriousness. She had asked him what was wrong, her thoughts going to Harry or some other horrible thing.

"I owe you a date."

"What? We have a date, Ronald. Friday night."

"No, a date…our date from before the…well, I was going to surprise you!"

"oh, well, honey that's okay--"

"How about tonight? Seven o'clock?"

"Can't we just wait for this weekend--"

"No, Hermione. Please…tonight, seven o'clock? Oh, and don't' forget the white sundress, okay?"

Their had something so desperate in his eyes, Hermione had readily agreed. This date was different somehow, and Hermione couldn't even allow herself to hope, the let down would be too much. She knew what the future with Ron held…marriage, family…everything they both wanted. She had hoped that the future would be sooner rather than later. Ron wish to 'hold off on being together sexually until their wedding night' had more than shocked her. She supposed it shouldn't have. Ron always was somewhat old fashioned, and as much as he teased her about her 'properness' he held many of the same values. Ginny had commented that they wouldn't surely be married before her and Harry. "My brother is mental for you…Merlin knows, he won't be able to wait that long!' She had prayed Ginny was right. Sometimes things got so intense between them, Hermione felt as if she would die without his touch on her bare skin. Six months of incredible snogging had left her extremely frustrated, and although it astonished her to admit, she was the one very close to convincing Ron that their 'plan' needed to be reconsidered.

"Ron! I want to open my eyes…I smell the sea! Am I right?"

Ron chuckled. "Of course you are, love. I can't get anything past you. Go on then. Open those gorgeous brown eyes"

Hermione opened her eyes, taking in her surroundings. The blue waves of the magnificent sea were crashing steadfastly into the ragged cliffs all around them. Hermione looked up into the distance at the tile roofed cottage on the top of the cliff…Shell Cottage.

"Is this…?"

"Hmmm-mmm. Do you remember that day, Hermione? The day I found you down here?"

"Hermione!" Ron's voice dragged Hermione form her thoughts. She rose form her seat in the cold sand, dusting the mess form her jeans as Ron ran toward her.

"What is it?" she asked, seeing Ron's panic stricken expression

"What in the bloody hell? Damn, Hemrione…you scared me to death!"

Hermione was just about to chastise Ron for swearing at her and treating her like a child when he swept her into a crushing embrace.

"I couldn't find you…I was so scared. I couldn't find you," he murmured over and over into her chestnut locks.

"I'm fine, Ron…I just need some space, that's all…time to think. I need to stretch my muscles, work out the stiffness form the Curse. Fleur said this part of the beach was in the wards. I took her wand with me. Really, I'm okay." She returned his embrace firmly, stroking the long wisps of red at the back of his neck.

Ron took a step back, his arms still locked firmly around her. 'I almost lost you…I felt like I was dying…I wanted to die when I thought you were…Then I went looking for you and I couldn't find you…Harry didn't know where you wee. I didn't even think to ask Fleur…I just stared searching…I was desperate to find you.' He grasped her hands tightly in his and brought them to his mouth.

'Ron,' Hermione whispered, her own voice full of emotion. Ron raised his azure eyes to hers for a moment, before dropping his gaze to her full rosebud lips. Hermione's pulse quickened as he moved ever so slowly forward…

"Ron! Hermione! Dinner!'

Bill's voice rang out from the cliff above, causing them to step apart,. Ron raised his hand in acknowledgment before turning back to Hermione with an exasperated sigh. Smiling sheepishly, he offered a hand, which she took as they made their way back to the safety of the cottage.

"You were going to kiss me that day…weren't you?"

"Yes, I wanted to kiss you…to tell you how I felt, but it wasn't the right time. That's what I fought for Hemrione…time. Time to tell you how I felt…time to love you…time for us. I realized it that night we escaped Malfoy Manor. I knew before I felt something for you…but I never realized how strongly…how much…until they tired to take you away. I never want to be away from you…never."

Ron pulled out a small box form his pocket and took a deep breath. He slowly got down on one knee before Hermione.

"Oh my God!"

"Your dad coached me through this the muggle way so let's see if I can do it right. Hermione, I love you. You are so many things to me…my soul mate, my lover, my best friend. The only life I could ever want is with you. I want to love you forever, Hermione. I want to make love with you under the stars and stand at your side when our children come into this world. I want to come home to you, and see your beautiful face every morning. I want to grow old with you and watch the silver streak your hair, watch you become even more beautiful, more wise. I want you…forever. Hermione Jean Granger, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?"

Ron opened the box, revealing the elegant sapphire, setting in the middle of two perfect diamonds. Hermione dropped to her knees in front of Ron.

"My mum's ring…that is Mum's ring!"

"Yes, your parents thought it would make a grand Granger heirloom."

Hermione cried openly, reaching out a finger to touch the sparkling stones.

"Mione, what is it? You don't like it, do you? You want your own ring?"

"Oh! Oh no, Ron, no! I…" She wiped the tears from her cheeks, and looked up at Ron, smiling brilliantly. "I've always loved this ring. Mum would let me wear it when I was small…under her close supervision, mind you. I would wear it and wonder if I would ever find someone to love me how Daddy loved Mum and now I have. Having this ring…oh, Ron--it is more than I could have ever hoped for. You are more than I could have ever hoped for!"

"Is that a yes?"

"OF COURSE IT IS A YES, YOU PRAT!"

Ron laughed , dragging them both to their feet to spin Hermione on the around over and over, until they fell to the sand, laughing. Pulling her hand toward his, Ron slipped the ring on her long slender finger, where it glistened in the setting sun. "Perfect."

"Yes," Hermione breathing, pulling him into a earth shattering kiss, "absolutely perfect."

The end.

Author's note: Sorry about the delay. We moved so I've been a bit busy. Hope you liked my story. I am considered turning it into a series of sorts. The "Making It Work" Series? Happily Ever After Series? Any thoughts? I'd love to hear them. Lots of love!!