Yay for another chappie, sorry it's a short one, but moving on to immediately work on the next chapter for you all. Enjoy.
Present Day part 8
Everything got a little bit fuzzy around about the time the midwife said "one last push". Noise died away and everything moved in slow motion.
It didn't really, but with Draco suddenly realising how close this fatherhood gig was to happening it all felt that way.
Hermione finally relaxed against his chest where he had been situated behind her to support her during that last stretch. At this point neither cared how sweaty or gross they were, they just listened intently for the gender announcement. The cry. Any noise that would indicate this whole venture was worth it.
It took a few seconds that stretched out to feel like hours. Hermione made the effort to lift her head again and look around the room for her baby.
Then there was a whimper. Then a tiny, short, indignant yell.
Hermione only laughed and relaxed again. "He's a Malfoy. What did I expect?"
"Yes, Malfoy's don't cry." Draco replied, with a sniffle and a waver in his voice. Hermione didn't look up at him, only squeezed his hand a little which he flinched at. It was probably still tender from when she almost broke it.
A medi witch came across the room to them with a bundle in her arms. Gently laying the baby on Hermione's chest. Little arms waved around jerkily and a little face screwed up in distaste, eyes still closed and head still a little misshapen. She placed one hand on the baby's tiny back, stroking and calming the whimpers. She could feel the short breathes of her baby against her skin.
Draco reached around and stroked a finger down the tiny face, then down to the tiny little fingers screwed up in a baby fist.
"Ten fingers, ten toes. Look at our baby Hermione. I never knew anything in this messed up world could be so perfect…" Hermione only sighed and smiled, too tired and euphoric for words.
The medi witch came back over to lift the baby, giving an explanation about cleaning and weighing and mum needing rest. Draco slid out from behind his wife, briefly looking down at her to see that she was mostly asleep now anyway and she gave a little wave for him to follow their baby.
Draco would follow his child everywhere; he vowed nothing was every going to happen to the precious little being that has so changed his world.