AN - I own nothing! I'm just borrowing from J.K. Rowling!

-----

Chapter 25

Both Hermione and Severus were in the bathtub. He was behind her, as she was seated with her back towards him, between his legs. They had been there for well over an hour, enjoying the warmth of the water, and just relaxing.

"God… right there…" Hermione moaned as she kept her head on Severus's shoulder. Her eyes closed as she sighed, feeling him press on the tight knots in her lower back. A while ago, it started from her neck and shoulders, as his hands massaged her.

"Hurts?" Severus questioned on the skin of her neck as he pressed his palm behind her pelvis.

"No," Hermione answered. "You have magical fingers and hands. Did anyone ever tell you that?"

"No but I am a wizard," he answered.

Hermione opened her eyes, and turned, frowning at her husband, who was just smirking. "Did you just make a joke?"

"Maybe," he replied.

Hermione laid her head back on Severus's shoulder again. "You are full of surprises Severus Snape." When she felt his hands move onto her stomach, she placed hers on top of his, entwining their fingers.

"Feeling better?"

"Much," she replied. "Thank you, not just for the massage, for this weekend. Really had fun."

"As did I," Severus told her.

They had made love every night, and just went out for a short walk and a small meal during the day. Shopping wasn't done much, only when Hermione spotted something that she liked from the windows. It really was just a weekend were the enjoyed each others' company, and being more open to each other.

"But we have to get started on the baby shopping," he reminded her. "And plan on the nursery. Which makes want to ask, are we going to move to my room and change your room into a nursery?"

Hermione turned her head and smiled up at him. "I don't mind as long as you always sleep next to me."

"You know I will," Severus said, rubbing his nose against hers.

"We'll have to put some actually color on the walls though with some design. Pink with pony unicorns maybe," she suggested. When she saw Severus slightly scowl, she giggled. "Not everything can be left neutral or black. Our little baby girl will want color, and there is nothing wrong with baby pink."

"Fine," Severus grumbled, giving in. It wasn't like she was asking him to wear pink.

"I know that you've done a lot for me, and spoil me even, but I'm afraid that you'll spoil our daughter rotten when the time comes," Hermione said. "She'll drag you by your nose before you know it."

"Can't complain there." He promised himself that he was going to try and be a good father, and be nothing like his abusive father. It was possible, after all, he never imagined being a good husband, and yet he was with Hermione if he wanted to be.

Hermione sighed contently and rubbed her belly as she felt his finger trace around her navel. "We haven't even thought of any names or decided on any. Do you have a particular choice?"

"Anything with an S is sounds good to me," Severus replied. "Sara, Serena, Samantha."

"They all sound good to me."

"What about you?" Severus asked. "Any name choices?"

"No," Hermione shook her head. "Just as long as she's as healthy as a button, I'm happy. I want her to be able to live life to the fullest, and be the happiest little girl that she can be. I want her to be able to smile without a care in a world. Merlin knows what kind of life we lived when Voldemort was alive. But things are different now. I want her to be loved… and I want her to know… that I loved her." She was starting to get all emotional and choked up at the thought of dying again.

"Hermione, I thought we talked about this?" Severus said quietly, pressing his brow onto her temple. He could feel his chest tighten with worry. He hated it when she was so negative, and sometimes wanted to shout at her. But he didn't have it in him to fight with her, or hurt her. "You're not going to die. I can't, won't, and I'm not going to lose you."

Hermione turned and allowed her brow to lean on his. One of her hands went up to the back of his neck as she gently rubbed it and pulled him towards her. She didn't know exactly what to say, and could hear the fear, anger and desperation in his voice. She gave him a firm kiss on his lips and pulled back. "You promised before that you would love our daughter and I need to hear you say it again."

"I promise," he said.

"Love her enough for the both of us if I'm not there—"

"Hermione—"

"Say it. I need to hear you say it," she said tersely.

"I promise," Severus said brokenly.

"There she goes again," Hermione commented, feeling their daughter kick. Ever since the first kick the other night, the kicks were quite frequent.

"She's strong, just like you," Severus said.

"I'm only this strong because you're around to take care of me," Hermione admitted. "Things might be different if you weren't around."

"And I will always be around," he promised, as one arm traveled up beneath her breasts, hugging her close, and molding his body around hers.

"This is weekend has been the most romantic thing that we've ever done," Hermione spoke. She brought her hands up to the surface of the water, and saw that the tips of her fingers had turned prune. Still, she didn't want to leave the tub. "It's like the honeymoon we've never had."

"And where would you like to go?" he asked curiously.

"I've never really been out of the UK. Maybe another European country. Have you went to others?" she asked.

"I have," Severus replied. "Greece, France, and even Spain to name a few."

"I'm jealous," Hermione said.

Severus kissed the back of her head. "When we can, I promise I will take you anywhere you want for our honeymoon."

"You've made so many promises to me already."

"And I won't make them unless I intend to."

Hermione hugged herself and continued to enjoy the feel of her husband around her. She wished that she could freeze time and stay with him in the tub forever. However, there were only a few hours left until they had to check out, and go back home. It was nice to escape from the reality of it all, even if it was just a moment.

-----

AN – I'm all teary… Review!