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Day 29: Doing Something Sweet
Ron had heard Harry talk about it, but no words could describe how he was feeling.
It was almost unreal. Years, he thought, years have lead up to this moment. Years where anything could have gone wrong… but it didn't, and here we are.
He was glad it was only him and Hermione in the room, because he was sure he wasn't going to be able to hold her long without crying. Sure, she was small, and red, and looked slightly inhuman, but that wasn't the point, because she was theirs. Their daughter, not Harry or Ginny's, not Percy's or George's, theirs.
It had been scary at first, at least for Ron. Hermione, as always, had been on top of things, telling him exactly what they needed to do (such as getting to the hospital as opposed to staring at Hermione's stomach with his mouth hanging open). And then there was the whole birthing experience which, as Ron realized, was better experienced by Hermione's head, no matter how many bones she broke while supposedly 'holding' his hand. After that it had been terrifying. All Ron could remember was a lot of noise and some people telling him that they were sure both the mother and child would be fine, that they just wanted to run a few tests to make sure there were no complications.
Fortunately, there weren't. Hermione had fallen asleep quickly afterwards (Ron couldn't blame her; he was tired, and that was coming from the bloke who hadn't just spent hours in labor). She'd insisted that he wake her up as soon as he heard anything and he'd promised to do so, but now he wasn't so sure.
She looks exhausted, Ron thought, tearing his eyes off the newborn baby to look at his sleeping wife. But a promise is a promise… and she'll kick my arse if I don't…
Besides, what really was the significance of this moment if he couldn't share it with his wife?
"Hermione," he murmured, securing the baby in one arm before leaning to poke her with the other. "Hermione, wake up."
Hermione seemed awake, but hardly. "Hmm?" she asked, not opening her eyes.
"It's her. She's okay. She's… she's perfect."
Hermione eyes fluttered open to look at him, exhausted, numb, but relieved. "She's healthy?" Hermione asked as she caught sight of her in his arms. A thin smile stretched across her face.
"Yes, you did brilliantly."
"Can I… can I hold her?" Hermione seemed uncertain.
Ron nodded and, very carefully, stood and handed their daughter over to her. He kneeled beside the hospital bed as Hermione held her, her eyes glistening with tears. "She's alright," she whispered, closing her eyes as tears escaped. "We're parents, Ron."
Ron kissed the side of Hermione's head, burying his face in her hair to hide it from her. He'd rather not let her see how emotional he was right now. He watched as Hermione stroked the wisp of signature red Weasley hair on the baby's head and felt more than slightly overwhelmed.
"What's her name?" Hermione asked.
"We narrowed it down to a few," Ron said.
"Which ones?"
"Well, I think Rose was one of them," he replied, purposefully choosing his favorite first.
"I like that; she looks like a Rose."
"I think so too."
"And?"
"Rose Jean Weasley?" Ron suggested.
Hermione smiled. "That doesn't sound too bad."
"Well then, welcome to the world, Rosie." Ron lay his hand against her head, about to comment on how small his hand made it look when he decided against it. "Our family's a little big but you'll like it. Grandma Molly always make sweaters for Christmas so you have that to look forward to, and Uncle George will probably give you a discount at his joke shop." Ron grinned, settling in. "And then you'll have your Uncle Percy. Don't pay him any attention – he's a load of rubbish. And Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur are always happy to babysit; they make really good food when Grandma isn't hogging the limelight. Now, about Uncle Harry-"
"Ron, you know she's not even awake?" Hermione asked kindly.
Ron gave her his most sincere glare. "Excuse you, but I'm talking here." He turned back to Rose. "Don't mind Mummy, she's just a little cranky is all."
Hermione muttered something matter-of-factly.
"Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, your Uncle Harry. He may think he's all that, but really, he's kind of a tosser. He and Aunt Ginny will try to tell you things like 'Seekers are really important' or 'Chasers are the best' but listen to me right now: Keeper is the way to go. Got it? Good."
Ron must have gone on for several minutes, Hermione adding a few comments here and there. After a while, Hermione dozed off, and Ron took Rose and sat down in the chair with her again.
"You may wonder why I'm telling you all this," he said, "and that is a very good question, Rosie, because I have a very good answer.
"Many years ago there was a very bad man who tried get rid of people like your mum – people raised by non-magic folks. Uncle Harry, Mummy and Daddy all fought against him back in the day and we won. Thank Merlin, otherwise your probably wouldn't be here now.
"There's a reason Mummy still wakes up in the middle of the night sometimes, and a reason that Daddy will sometimes be really sad, but you will never need to worry about that, Rosie, because the bad guy's gone. We finished him for each other, for our family, and especially for you, so you will never have to live in the same fear we did growing up. You don't know how lucky you are to be a Weasley, not to mention your mum! She's the brightest witch of the age, y'know? She's brilliant and strict, but that's where I come in.
"I've told your mum this before, but it's time for you to hear the speech. Whatever happens, no matter how big or small, I will always be here for you, Rosie. I will always be willing to put my life on the line for you or your mum, and I will do anything in my power to make sure you are both safe. It took me a long time to get this life and I'll never let anything ruin it for you."
He sat there in silence, the sense of pride and protectiveness he'd felt when he first took her expanding until it felt like he was wearing a large, heavy plaque on his chest. Leaning down to kiss Rose on the forehead, he whispered, "I love you, Rosie."
And for that moment, if only for that single moment, everything was perfect.
What? No! Me, cry? LOL YOU'RE CRYING CRY-BABY
Anyway, I'll get the final chapter posted today as well (sorry, band camp threw me all off). I'm kind of sad to see it over… I was thinking that I could perhaps do some other challenge. Of course, it would be more of a weekend challenge (considering I have to school now xP) but I don't know… maybe I could write a prompt based off the each of the letters of the alphabet or something? What do you guys think?
Thank you all so much for your love and support in the last month! I honestly don't know what I would have done without you all and if I could I would give you each all the love and candy in the world (? It's late)!
Favorite/review if you enjoyed! I think next chapter I'll be making a full list of honorable reviewers because... I don't know maybe it'll help emphasize how much you guys mean to me? (Words won't cut it)
I'll see you all later!
