What I Love About You...
Hermione looked in the floor length mirror as her children ran around the room, hopefully not ruining their outfits. They were all dressed to the nines, Hermione especially in a simple, white dress with thin straps that fell to just below her knees. She tamed her mane for the occasion, her hair now in soft curls rather than the bushy mess it usually was. The outfit was finished off with white flower earrings with gold accents and matching gold sandals.
"Mummy, you look beautifullllll," Maeve said, in a sing-song voice. She came near and ran her hands over the fabric of her dress.
"Thank you, love." Hermione bent down and pressed a kiss to the girls' cheek. "Now are you, James, and baby Holden ready?"
"Yes, Mum," Maeve replied. At six years old, Maeve acted like the oldest, her maturity level miles ahead of James'. She could rely on Maeve to help with the chores, while it took a hundred reminders for James to do his.
"Why don't you take your brothers outside and sit with Auntie Luna and Uncle Ron?"
Maeve nodded and reached down to grab Holden who was sitting on the floor, trying to play with a makeup brush of Hermione's. He grabbed Maeve's hand and waddled away with her.
"James! Go with your sister outside."
He bounded off the bed and ran out ahead of Maeve and Holden. Taking another look in the mirror, she smoothed over her dress and applied soft pink lipstick. Her heart was beating so fast, but she knew there was no reason to be nervous. She and Harry had been married ten years, and they were renewing their vows in front of their family and friends. When they wanted to take an island vacation to renew the commitments they had made, the island of Bora Bora seemed the perfect place.
Hermione took a deep breath, shoved down the anxiety that was in her throat and put on a smile.
The ceremony was beautiful, and Hermione's favourite part was Harry's vows. He put a lot of thought into them, just like everything else he did.
"Hermione, you know I love you, I make sure to tell you every day. But what I don't tell you is what love about you. There are a million things I love about you but here are a few:
You are an amazing mum to our children.
You always say what is on your mind.
You can admit when you're wrong.
You always stand by my side.
You are perfectly imperfect.
You have made the last ten years amazing, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I love you."
She cried like a baby as he spoke and barely made it through her own vows without sobbing. Then they exchanged new rings—Harry's was just an upgrade of his old band, and Hermione's was a new ring with three different birthstones representing each of their children. When one of the islanders who was officiating the ceremony finished, Hermione couldn't throw herself into Harry's arms fast enough.
He dipped her, and their little crowd cheered when he placed a kiss on her lips. As much as she wanted to deepen the kiss right there, they had an audience—not a show they wanted to put on for their children.
When she opened her eyes, and Harry put her upright, tears fell from the corners of her eyes once more. In that moment, she felt so loved, so blessed, so lucky. The last ten years really had been ten of the best.
"I love you," she mouthed to Harry, grabbing his hand and lifting it into the air to more cheers and whistles.
He grinned back at her. "I love you, too."
They ran back down the aisle, their children waiting at the end. She couldn't wait for the next ten years. They promised to be just as good, if not better.
