As Hermione got dressed for their evening out, she couldn't help but wonder if Draco had managed to make his way to Gotham yet. She hadn't heard from him, but that wasn't worrying in itself. He had mentioned that it might take a day or two to get an international port key approved, so she decided to push it from her mind at least for tonight.

The dress that Bruce had picked out was rather form fitting and didn't leave much to the imagination. The swell of her pregnancy was prominently on display as was her cleavage, as the dress itself had a rather plunging neckline that settled between her breasts rather enticingly. The length of the dress ended at her knees and the stilettos she'd chosen were rather daring for a woman who was twenty three weeks pregnant with twins. Thankfully, cushioning charms were perfect for walking in heels...

Leaving her hair down in the back, and pulled up on the sides by the set of antique pearl combs that were her mother's along with the same strand of pearls she'd worn on that fateful date with Bruce months ago...Hermione couldn't help but think back on all that had happened since that night. Staring at her engagement ring for the upteenth time that day, oddly she felt real hope for her future for the first time ever and it was a bit disconcerting if she was being honest with herself. In all her formative years, Hermione had never imagined making her permanent life outside the magical world, but sometimes life doesn't work out the way you plan. There was a time she had seen her future with Ron, little red-haired children and a happy life...perhaps rising to be the Minister of Magic someday.

But those hopes had been cruelly dashed during her time on the run and afterwards...she had desperately tried to make it work with Ron, despite knowing it never would. The fall out had been difficult, but on some level Ron had suspected they weren't a good fit...and for a brief time before he'd succumbed to the curse, had been happily dating Susan Bones.

Looking back on her decision to go to Gotham had at the time, felt right. She'd done her research on Bruce Wayne when she'd realized just whom he was and what he was trying to do. His sacrifice for the greater good in many ways paralleled her own...and she had been impressed that a Muggle could wield such power without magic. It was hard not to be instantly drawn into the man that was Bruce Wayne.

He was charismatic, enigmatic, brilliant, strong, brave, selfless, determined and held a sex appeal that few men could match. Draco held the same charisma, but there was something inherent in Draco's personality that made it difficult for her to get past. She'd been overwhelmed by his attentions, but never fully trusted in him as a person. Hermione didn't think that Draco Malfoy would ever been able to get over the fact that she was a mudblood...

Now Hermione realized, that it was she who had never gotten past that fact. She'd spent years glamouring her scars for that very reason. There had always been the need to prove herself, even before entering the Magical World...but after? Well, it became an obsession to be the best at everything...and she had succeeded to a certain degree, but there were many who still looked down upon her for the simple fact of her birth. It wasn't fair, but Hermione had come to the realization that life rarely was.

As she stared into the mirror, it was not easy to think about those times in her life. Once she and Bruce married, it would be likely he'd want to stay and raise their children in Gotham...after all, generations of Wayne's had lived there and his business was there. The thought didn't fill her with dread as it might have a few years ago. So much time had passed and except for a handful of dear friends...there wasn't anything keeping her in London anymore.

Magic had many benefits and the best one was the ability to easily visit her friend's should she wish it. Molly and Arthur would be the only grandparents her children would have. When they turned eleven, the choice would have to be made at that time where they would go to school. Their magical signature as such was already well defined...Luna sensed it obviously, which was good enough to know that both children would be blessed with magic. Would Bruce be open to having his children attend a magical boarding school? And where would they go? Hogwarts? Ilvermorny?

How would the lack of magical births start affecting the schooling in a few years? Would she need to home school her children? All these thoughts kept playing through her mind on a circuitous loop.

Shaking her head clear, Hermione didn't realize she was being observed until Bruce cleared his throat from behind her.

"You look beautiful." He grinned impishly and Hermione rolled her eyes as his gaze focused over her body heatedly.

"You do know, I won't be able to wear this dress again."

Bruce shrugged completely unrepentant. "Probably not...but you can't blame me for purchasing it. You are stunning. Every man in the restaurant will be envious of me this evening."

"Doubtful."

Bruce walked over and enveloped her into his arms, placing a gentle kiss on her lips as he gazed into her eyes. "You really have no idea how exquisite you are...do you?"

Shrugging her shoulders indifferently, Hermione reached for her beaded bag and silently transfigured it to a black clutch to match her dress.

"Show off." Bruce chuckled.

"Perhaps." Hermione grinned back. "You look very handsome as well."

And Merlin did he ever! His dark charcoal grey Armani suit was fitted to his body like a glove...the white shirt and dark maroon tie added a nice touch of color.

"I'm glad you approve." Bruce's eyes glinted with a hint of mischief before his gaze focused on the pearls draped around her neck. That was the second time he'd noticed them and Hermione couldn't help but be curious as to the why.

"You know," she stated quietly, "you noticed these when I wore them before. You have the same contemplative look on your face. Mind sharing what's on your mind?"

Bruce's eyes widened as they met hers and his face shuttered a bit, but he answered all the same.

"My Mother had a set of pearls very similar to these." Bruce gently traced his finger along the strand of pearls. "I still have them...she had worn them the night she was killed."

Hermione's face paled as she instinctively gripped her throat. "Would you prefer I not wear them?"

Bruce shook his head. "No, they seem to mean a lot to you...did they belong to your mother?"

Nodding, Hermione swallowed with emotion. "It's one of the few things I have left of hers...well, these and the combs in my hair."

Bruce's eyes traveled to her hairline as he noticed the antique pearl combs embedded into her hair. "They suit you." He offered quietly.

"I don't have a lot of jewelry, I've never been one for frivolities. It's odd, because when I was younger I never much gave thought to my looks...my studies were always more important. When I left London and took on my identity as Mia Black, it was important to distinguish myself apart from before. I think that's why the Aurors didn't recognize me immediately when they barged into my apartment that night...I look a bit different than what some people expect of me."

"Theatricality..."

"And deception, I know Mr. Wayne..."

Bruce chuckled and led Mia out of his bathroom. "You were deep in thought just a few minutes ago."

Humming in agreement, Hermione grabbed her wrap and folded it over her arm as Bruce led her downstairs where Alfred was waiting to drive them to dinner.

"Just processing."

"You've used that term before...it seems to be a catch all for how complex your mind processes information?"

"Sometimes." Hermione admitted sheepishly. "I do tend to overthink things a bit."

"Really?" Bruce mocked playfully, earning him a glare for his impudence.

"Are we really going to go there, Wayne?"

"Probably not tonight." He acquiesced calmly. "But you do know that at some point, we will have to discuss our future."

"I know...and I'm sure you have your opinions on the matter as do I..."

Bruce nodded as they followed Alfred out to the Bentley. "I do, but I'm happy to follow your lead."

"For now?"

Bruce couldn't help but smirk at how intelligent his fiancé was. "Now Mia darling, I did promise you that I'd do anything you needed me to."

"You did."

"And I intend to keep that promise."

"Good to know."

As the Bentley moved out into traffic, Bruce enveloped Mia into his side and kissed her temple reassuringly. "I can't claim to be an expert at relationships Mia...you know this...but I do know that our children will likely be magical and that makes me nervous as I'm not sure how much help I'm going to be under those circumstances."

Mia's amber eyes met his and they were filled with several emotions. Worry, love, concern...

"The truth is I don't have any idea either. That was one of the things I was thinking about. Where our children will go to school when they turn eleven. There is a magical school in the States on the East Coast...Ilvermorny. Of course there is Hogwarts in Scotland. But with the depletion of magical births, and not knowing what to expect going forward...I just don't know how that's going to look when the time comes."

"We could always home school? From what I've heard, their mother is the Brightest Witch of the Age, yes?"

"Prat." Hermione groused while Bruce just grinned.

"Guilty as charged, doesn't change the facts though."

Sighing in defeat, Hermione just shook her head at her fiancé. "No, I suppose it doesn't."

"Do you think your pregnancy might be the catalyst that could lift the curse entirely?"

"I don't know." Hermione admitted. "I just wish I had more information. I suppose I should do some research after the new year."

Bruce nodded. "I'd figured you would."

"I'm that predictable?"

"Not even close." Bruce smiled playfully. "I think you're the most complex woman I've ever known."

"Well at least you won't be bored, right?"

Bruce laughed out loud, garnering a smile from Alfred and a raised eyebrow from Mia. "Mia, you are many things...but boring isn't one of them."

"Happy to amuse you, Mr. Wayne."

Bruce tilted her chin up and kissed her deeply before pulling away. "I think I'm going to have my hands full keeping up with your brilliance. That's alright, I do love a challenge."

"You're no slouch in the intellect department Bruce."

"True, but that being said...you are brilliant Mia. In everything you do."

Mia blushed prettily and Bruce smiled fondly at his witch, who looked rather delectable this evening.

"You're very tempting in that dress..."

"So you've mentioned."

"Hmmmmmm...I shall endeavor to be on my best behavior this evening."

The car pulled up to their destination and Alfred moved out to open the door for them. Hermione smirked as she allowed her hand to run over Bruce's upper thigh suggestively.

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Mr. Wayne."