So many kudos to my beta, RESimon - you're the best to work with, and both my fics would be in *quite* the state without you.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
"Oh, how the tables have turned," Hermione said, raising an eyebrow at her husband as she slid off the hospital bed, fixing her robes.
Draco crossed his arms, ignoring her. "I just thought a little suspense would be nice, is all."
Hermione giggled. "If I recall correctly, you were very unimpressed when I decided to leave the gender to the birth last time," she said, raising an eyebrow.
"I just think it'll be nice, is all," he said. "All that matters to me is that I know that this baby is mine."
"I love you," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and drawing him down into a kiss.
"I love you, too," he said back, leaning his forehead against hers when they pulled away. His hands were nearly always planted on her bump now, and he constantly hovered over her, catering to her every need. "What shall we do today?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist.
Hermione laughed. "Aren't you tired of me by now?"
"Never," Draco said, meeting her eyes meaningfully. "You're my world, Granger. Every moment spent with you is a moment I'll cherish forever."
She leaned up to give him another lingering kiss.
Her stomach growled then, interrupting them. "I think the baby's hungry," she said, rubbing her rounded belly.
"Daddy is on it," Draco cooed at her stomach before ushering them out of the room.
They went to a small muggle restaurant that served greasy American food. Draco turned up his nose as he watched her salivate over her cheeseburger, observing his own with trepidation.
"They don't even use utensils," he complained. "This is barbaric."
Hermione moaned happily as she took another bite of her burger. "Who cares?" she mumbled. "This is divine."
Draco blinked at her.
"What?" she asked, hastily wiping at her face.
"If a meal causes you to make those noises then I'll have the kitchens prepare this...burger concoction for you every day," he said pointedly, smirking at her.
She rolled her eyes, swirling a french fry in ketchup and popping it into her mouth. "What baby wants, baby gets," she shrugged.
"I've been thinking about names," he said. "If it's a girl, Cassiopeia-" he paused when she wrinkled her nose. "What, Granger?"
"It's awful, Draco," she deadpanned.
"We can call her Cassie for short," he shrugged.
"No."
Draco rolled his eyes. "If it's a boy, then Scorpius."
Hermione wrinkled her nose again.
He threw up his hands in the air. "Honestly, Granger, you're being too picky now-"
"That was two names, Draco!"
"Exactly! Two excellent options and you've rejected both of them-"
"Draco," she rolled her eyes, plopping another fry into her mouth.
"Fine," he crossed his arms. "What did you have in mind?"
"I don't know, maybe Sarah, if it's a girl-"
Draco made a face. "Sarah? It's so...common," he said.
"Well, I am a commoner, after all," she said indignantly.
"You are the wealthiest and most powerful witch in Britain," he said. "In Europe, actually - I've checked. Act accordingly."
Hermione rolled her eyes, at him again, wondering vaguely if they would stick after the number of times she'd done so in the past fifteen minutes.
"We can name her whatever you'd like, Granger," he said after a few moments of them eating in silence. "All that matters to me is that our baby is born safe and healthy."
She smiled, placing her hand over his where it lay on the table. "Me, too."
"Lyra," he said after a few more minutes of silence. "If it's a girl, I'd like to name her Lyra."
"I like it," she agreed. As if on cue, the baby kicked as well, volunteering its approval.
X
Hermione was playing with Emma and Crookshanks on the floor of her nursery one evening when Severus Apparated in suddenly, startling her. They stared at each other for a moment before Hermione struggled to her feet.
"I can go if you'd like," she said when she stood, shifting awkwardly. He'd been cordial in the few encounters they'd had before she'd gotten pregnant again, but had refused her company since. He wasn't as cold as he had been previously, but he hadn't warmed much to her, either. She'd kept her distance, and had found him in Emma's nursery on more than one occasion of late.
He shook his head. "You may remain."
Emma tugged on Hermione's hem then, and Hermione reached down to pick up her daughter, cradling her gently. Crookshanks mewled as he, too, pawed at her robes, causing her to tut at him. "Now Crookshanks, you know I can't very well hold both of you," she scolded. "You will have your turn when I know that Emma won't cry."
As if in understanding, Crookshanks turned and stalked away, causing Hermione to roll her eyes at the creature.
Severus watched them quietly, an unreadable expression on his face.
"Would you like to hold her?" Hermione asked tentatively as she carefully watched his expression.
He was quiet for so long that she thought he wouldn't respond, but he eventually gave a soft nod.
"Emma, baby," Hermione asked, holding her out towards her father. "Will you let your daddy hold you?"
Severus reached out, and Hermione held her breath, fearful of him retreating if Emma squirmed away. Thankfully, she didn't and went into her father's arms happily. Crookshanks hissed loudly then, fur bristling and teeth bared as he took in Severus and Emma. He was crouched low, prepared to strike at the new intruder.
"Crookshanks!" Hermione scolded. "He is my husband, not your enemy. You mustn't attack him the way you did Pinky or I will keep you locked in my rooms for the foreseeable future."
Crookshanks bristled for a moment longer, then trotted away, nosing at the glowing ball he and Emma had been playing with earlier.
Hermione watched Severus hold their daughter awkwardly, while Emma looked back at him curiously, reaching out a tiny hand to pull at his cheek. Hermione stifled a giggle as she watched their interaction. But when Emma suddenly babbled a new phrase, Hermione froze completely.
"Dada," Emma repeated, giggling as she tugged on her father's hair.
When the infant repeated the word yet again, Hermione unfroze, gasping. "Oh my goodness baby girl!" she exclaimed. "You're right, he is your daddy," she cooed, moving over to kiss her daughter's cheeks. "You are such a smart girl!"
Severus grunted, and she looked up at him, giving him a gentle smile. "She hasn't started speaking yet, but her babbling gets more coherent every day," Hermione explained. "She's grown so much," she added wistfully. "She can even stand on her own for a few seconds - she could start walking soon."
"Walking," Severus repeated quietly, watching their daughter.
"Mm," Hermione confirmed. "Can you believe that she's eight and a half months old already?"
"Eight and a half months," Severus breathed. He closed his arms around Emma until she was cradled to his chest, and Hermione smiled as she watched the infant gently lay her head on her father's shoulder, appearing quite content.
"I have missed...much," Severus said, holding their daughter close.
"You have much to look forward to," she answered easily, smiling down at Emma. "She's just perfect, isn't she?"
Severus was quiet, but nodded.
"She knows you, Severus," Hermione said softly after watching them for a few moments longer.
"Barely," he said. His voice held no emotion, yet she knew that something lingered near the surface.
"You have plenty of time to catch up," she smiled.
He nodded again, cradling Emma to his chest. Hermione peeked at Emma's face, feeling tears spring to her eyes as she saw how peaceful and serene her daughter looked in her father's arms.
"Are you alright?" Severus asked. She didn't realize that she'd made a choked sobbing noise until she saw him looking at her in concern.
"I'm fine," she said, giving him a watery smile. "It's just beautiful, seeing you together."
He held her gaze, his dark eyes swirling with an unreadable emotion.
"I apologize for not doing more for her," he said, looking down at her. "You…"
She searched his eyes, waiting for him to finish.
"Thank you for bearing me my daughter," he finished.
Hermione wanted to hug him then but feared his immediate rejection of the action. Instead, she settled for taking his hand, surprised by its warmth, which was a direct contrast to his cold exterior. She squeezed it gently, then let it go, nodding at him before she turned to leave, ushering Crookshanks out before her as she turned to go. The last thing she saw before she pulled the door closed was Severus turning to carry their daughter to her crib, cradling their sleeping child as though she was the most precious thing he had ever touched.
X
Hermione was passing through the main sitting room of her and Lucius' suites when she felt a sudden wave of nausea and sank down onto the chaise lounge nearest her, sucking in sharp breaths as she tried to calculate if she'd have enough time to make it back to her bathroom.
She heard the door to Lucius' rooms open then, and when she looked up she was surprised to see him crossing over to her, frowning slightly.
"What's happened?" he asked sharply, looking her up and down.
"It's nothing, I'm just feeling a little nauseated," she said, waving a hand dismissively as she tried to stand. She stumbled, and Lucius caught her quickly, holding her up with a firm arm around her waist.
"Are you certain that's all?" he asked, his arm tightening around her as she attempted to take a step forward and stumbled once more.
"Y-yes," she said, feeling her vision getting hazy as her world started to sway. "I just need-" her body felt weak suddenly - very weak, and she fell limp into Lucius' arms.
"Are you in pain?" he asked urgently, scooping her up as he strode toward her rooms.
"No, I just-" her mouth felt thick as she tried to form the words, and she swallowed before attempting to speak again. "I…" she trailed off, rolling her head back as she tried to speak, feeling as sluggish as though she was underwater.
They were moving then, and her world dissolved into a blur of color as Lucius moved quickly through her rooms. "Draco," she breathed, vaguely registering Lucius depositing her into her bed.
She hadn't realized that she'd passed out until she blinked open heavy lids to see Healer Johnson's face floating in front of her, his brow furrowed in concern.
"Are you with us again, Mrs. Malfoy?" he asked concernedly.
"Yes," she croaked, looking behind him to see Draco hovering in the background, looking frazzled.
"Are you in pain?" Healer Johnson asked.
She shook her head. "No," she said. "Just a little tired."
The older healer's mouth was set in a frown as he analyzed the diagnostics in the air above her. Hermione craned her neck as she tried to read them, but her limbs felt like lead.
"Your blood pressure is high," he said eventually. "And Mr. Malfoy informed me of your other symptoms."
"-preeclampsia, then," Hermione concluded sadly.
He nodded. "I'm afraid so. It appears mild at this point, but you have been showing some symptoms that border on severe. I would recommend bed rest for now," he said.
Hermione nodded, smoothing a hand over her rounded belly. "And the baby?" she asked.
"The baby is fine, and I will return daily to check your condition. You should be due in the next few weeks, and it is imperative that you remain in bed until then, Mrs. Malfoy."
She nodded in understanding, and Healer Johnson turned to Draco, giving him a list of instructions and potions to be administered. He left with a nod to them, leaving her alone with Draco, who immediately rushed to her side.
"How are you feeling?" he asked. "You can tell me the truth."
"I'm alright, Draco, I promise," she said, cupping his cheek gently. "Just a little tired."
He searched her eyes before nodding. "I won't leave your side," he said, and she nodded gratefully. He climbed into the bed behind her, gently wrapping his arms around her waist.
She snuggled back into him, falling back asleep cradled in his warmth.
X
Hermione blinked her eyes open to see the soft glow of moonlight illuminating her room, signifying the late hour. She'd awoken after yet another heated dream of herself in bed with a husband she couldn't identify, waking just at the moment she'd been about to tumble off the precipice of pleasure. She turned to snuggle into Draco, craving the only intimate contact he'd allowed since she'd been assigned bed rest. When she turned her head over, however, she was surprised to see that Draco was awake himself. He hadn't noticed that she'd awoken, however, and it took a moment of focus for her to realize why.
His head was leaned back against the headboard, and his eyes were squeezed shut as he bit his lip in concentration. He was wearing only a pair of pants, and she let her eyes travel down past the contracting muscles of his bare torso to where his hand was beneath his shorts, moving in a telltale rhythmic motion.
"Draco?" she whispered, and he froze instantly, his eyes flying to her.
"Granger?" he said, quickly dragging his hand out of his pants. She thought she spotted a blush coloring his cheeks and smiled at him languidly.
"Why did you stop?" she whispered, looking pointedly at where she could see the outline of his cock straining against his pants.
"Go back to sleep, Granger," he said, tugging at the sheets that she held taut in her hand.
Hermione shook her head. "Take off your pants," she pressed. "I want to watch."
"You know we can't, Granger, you need to rest-"
"I just want to watch," she said, running a hand along his abdomen.
At that, he groaned again, his eyes darkening for a quick moment of indecision before he tugged his pants off, his rock-hard cock bouncing up against his stomach. He started fisting his cock slowly, groaning as he met the hungry look in her eyes.
"What do you think about?" she asked softly, tracing a finger along his bare skin.
"You," he moaned. "Always you."
She smiled at him before biting her lip as she watched him fist his cock harder, still watching her intently. His pupils were blown with lust, discernibly dark with desire even in the minimal lighting of her rooms. She tugged at the straps of her nightgown until her breasts slid out, and Draco moaned in response, reaching out a hand to knead one softly.
"Fuck, Granger," he groaned, panting. "Want you - always."
She bit her lip, then lifted her nightgown, exposing her bare pussy to him. "I want you, too," she whispered, trailing down a hand to her mons. "Take me, Draco."
Draco groaned, stopping his movements. "You know I want to, Granger, so bad, but Healer Johnson said you need to take it easy, and that almost definitely means no sex."
"I'm a healer too," she grumbled, crossing her arms. "It'll be fine!"
"You're also the excessively horny one," Draco deadpanned. "Forgive me if I'm not exactly trusting of your judgment at the moment."
She huffed again in response.
"You know how much I want you," he said. "But I don't want to hurt you."
"And I told you that you won't!"
Draco sighed as he met her pleading gaze. "Just my fingers," he said finally.
Hermione pouted again.
"I could just go back to sleep-"
"Fine!" she said, grabbing his hand before he could turn over again. "Please, Draco," she begged, spreading her legs. She took his hand and slid it down between her legs, pressing down against her clit.
"Mmm," she moaned, biting her lip as Draco started to tease small circles around her clit.
"Tell me," Draco's voice was pitched low. "Tell me how you want it," he said, nibbling at her ear.
She let out a breathy moan as his fingers dipped lower, ghosting teasingly across her pussy lips.
"Draco," she breathed. "More, please,"
He chuckled lowly. "I love it when you beg." He slipped a finger between her folds, breaching her entrance just enough to make her arch her back, squirming as she sought more friction.
"Please," she moaned, clutching his arm.
Draco complied suddenly, shoving two fingers inside her and pumping hard.
"Oh!" she cried out as he increased his pace, roughly finger-fucking her. It was heaven. The second he pressed a thumb to her clit, she came, convulsing around his fingers.
When she came down from her high, however, she was still strung high on the feeling of his fingers that were still inside of her, pumping slowly through the aftershocks of her orgasm.
"Draco," she moaned. "I need you," she said, squeezing his cock.
He stifled a moan, attempting to pull away. "We can't, Granger."
She gripped his cock harder, giving him a pleading look. "I want you, Draco."
He groaned. "I always want you - fuck!" he exclaimed as her hand squeezed his cock again, pumping it slowly.
His fingers were still inside her, and she ground down on him in time with her pumps.
"Turn around," Draco commanded suddenly, pulling her hand off his cock.
When she whined, he pushed her gently until she was lying on her side. "Draco-" she started, then gasped as he hitched her leg over his thigh and drove his cock into her core.
"Ohh," she moaned, grinding down on him. He started thrusting shallowly, dragging his cock in and out of her as gently as though she were glass.
He planted gentle kisses across her skin, murmuring words of adoration as he moved.
"Faster, Draco," she moaned after a few minutes of his ministrations.
"Just relax into it," he said instead. "Just feel me." As he spoke, she felt a gentle wave rising within her, building slowly as he continued to thrust into her. She let out quiet gasps and pants as it continued to rise, crying out in pleasure when it crashed over her, bathing her in ecstasy.
X
After three weeks of bed rest, Hermione was thoroughly restless. Draco had rarely left her side, spending his days entertaining her or perched over her desk, rifling through mounds of paperwork and occasionally muttering to himself. She'd had the elves move Emma's crib to her rooms, and with the combination of the elves tending to her and her child, in addition to Healer Johnson's visits - as well as many from her other concerned husbands - there had been a steady amount of traffic through her rooms of late.
It was late one night when Hermione woke, noting the soft moonlight floating through her tall windows. She stretched, extracting herself from Draco's arms as she swung her legs over the bed. Before she could move to stand, however, she froze, noticing a dark figure standing over Emma's crib. She snatched up her wand and a spell as tumbling forth when the figure turned slightly, revealing that it was none other than Severus Snape.
"Severus?" she called in a whisper, mindful of Draco's soft snores that emitted from behind her.
He turned, eyebrows raised slightly. "I apologize," he said. "I did not mean to frighten you."
"It's fine," she said, standing slowly. "Is Emma alright?" she asked as she approached.
He nodded, and Hermione peeked into the crib to see her daughter sleeping peacefully, ever the picture of cherubic innocence.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Hermione said, admiring their daughter.
"Mm," Severus grunted. "Have you been well?" he asked after a few moments of silence, looking at her rounded belly.
"Yes," she whispered. "I have a mild case of preeclampsia, but it's nothing critical."
"Good," he said quietly. "And your parents?"
"They're well," she said. "They've been enjoying their time with Emma, and even wish to take her for the weekend - if you approve, of course," she said after a long bout of silence.
He nodded, eyes still trained on Emma.
"My gratitude to you and Lucius for what you did...it knows no bounds," she added softly.
He met her eyes then, and she was surprised was the dark intensity that swam within them. She lifted a gentle hand and cupped his cheek, surprised when he showed her no resistance.
Before she could move again, he snatched her forward suddenly, drawing her into a deep, bruising kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing herself impossibly closer even as he crushed her to his body. This kiss was not as sweet as she had gotten used to her other husbands - no, this was fueled by lust and need, and she leaned into it hungrily, letting out a small moan which granted him entrance to her mouth. It felt almost as though he was trying to consume her, his possessiveness almost tangible enough in the air around them to touch with her bare hands. The kiss was raw with frustration, all teeth, and tongues–
Draco let out a snore, causing them to spring apart. Hermione turned to see her other husband now sprawled on his back, still deep asleep. When she turned back to where Severus had stood earlier, he was already gone, the lingering tingle of his kiss on her lips the only evidence that he had been there at all.
Only one more chapter until the birth! Reviews mean the world to me.
