Disclaimer - I own nothing! I'm just borrowing from J.K. Rowling!
Chapter 37
Hermione woke up, with the weight of very heavy eyelids that refused to open. After several attempts at opening them, she eventually succeeded allowed them to flutter as her eyesight adjusted from its blurry state. When she realized that she was in her own bedroom in her own home, she questioned herself on how she got there. When she realized that there was a strong body behind her, with matching arms holding her, her question was answered, knowing that it was Severus that took her home. Only then did she remember Alice in the hospital and jerked up abruptly to grab her mobile on the nightstand.
Severus woke up because of her sudden movement, and yawned as he stretched his body. For a moment he felt bad, awakening from his peaceful sleep. It was probably the best sleep that he had in two weeks. But he couldn't blame Hermione though with waking in such a manner. He understood completely and she was still distressed over Alice. He continued to question to himself who exactly she was to Hermione. As always, he had to wait until the time she would give him the answers that he needed. Now wasn't exactly the perfect time to ask them.
"Half past noon," Hermione informed him, sitting back against the headboard. "How the bloody hell did I get here? I got to call the hospital." Just when she was about to press the call button, a hand stopped her.
"You're friend Alice, she's in good hands. She's doing well, and will regain consciousness soon enough. Jacobson is the one handling her case. You know he's the best. She hasn't woken up yet, and if there's any updates on her health, Alan or Jacobson himself will call." When he didn't get a response from her, he pulled the phone away from her hand, and set it aside. "Hermione?"
"It was supposed to be me, not her," Hermione started softly. "I was supposed to be the one making the delivery, but she wanted me to rest in instead since I haven't been having enough sleep."
"And why haven't you been getting enough sleep?" Severus questioned. And what about deliveries was she talking about. It then occurred to him that the delivery might be in relation to the plan she had in mind of leaving him when the project was done. Was she still going to leave? Whatever he decision was, he promised himself he was going to follow her. He only prayed that she wouldn't push him away and reject him.
"I see him when I close my eyes," she said brokenly as she looked away from him. She felt ashamed somewhat. "I actually see him on top of me, taking me, hurting me… raping me." Hermione turned to face Severus, and with teary eyes she then said, "And when I open my eyes, you're not there."
"Come here you." Severus wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. Soon enough she was laying on top of him, curled up on his body.
Hermione sighed deeply as she closed her eyes for a moment, relishing the safety, comfort, and love that she had missed. She then asked herself why she ran away from him, when he was exactly what she needed.
Severus had his lips against her brow. "I'm here now," he murmured against her skin. "And I will always be here when you need me. Never doubt that."
"Severus… I'm sorry," Hermione apologized as she looked up at him.
"Whatever for?" he asked with a frown.
"I slapped you when you were only trying to help me. Not only that, but I ran away from you. I only realize now that it's you I need. If you're mad, I'm not going to hold it against you."
"Don't worry about it Hermione, I understand. And I'm not mad."
"How can I make it up to you?"
Severus gave her a small smile. "A kiss on said injured area will do."
Hermione could only smile in return and did as told. After giving him a kiss on the cheek, she lightly trailed her mouth onto his and looked into his deep black eyes. "I love you Sev. I always have, and I always will."
"My Rose," Severus said against her lips before capturing it into a soft and gentle kiss. With her body on top of his, he could feel himself responding to such a kiss. His morning erection was getting harder, and he wanted nothing more than to feel himself buried inside her. He rolled over, and pinned her down with his weight and her ground his erection against her core.
Suddenly the images of Ron being on top of her, and raping her, made Hermione break the kiss and suddenly shut her eyes tightly.
Shit! Severus cursed at himself inwardly. He then moved his lower body off her, setting it by her side, but not on her. "Hermione? Hermione?" he called to her several times until he saw that her eyes opened. When he saw tears fall away from them, he wiped them with the tips of his fingers.
"I'm sorry!" Hermione sobbed.
"No, it's me that should be sorry," Severus said in hushed tones.
"I want to make love to you, I really do."
"And we will when you're ready. I won't force you to do anything that you're not ready for. We will make love again Hermione… one day." Severus then maneuvered both of them so that they were lying side by side, facing each other.
"I want to go and visit Alice," Hermione told him. "I want to be there in case she wakes up."
"She means a lot to you, doesn't she?" Severus asked.
"Everything," she answered back. "She has taught me many things, and because of her, I am who I am today."
"Then I will accompany you…" Severus told her. "That is, if you want me to."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Hermione said. She squeezed his hand, grateful to have him at her side at such a time of need.
Hermione sat alone outside Alice's room as she waited for Severus's return. He had left earlier to get some food down the street, since they had eaten a small lunch at home. Alice had yet to wake up, and Dean and Philippe left earlier to check on some things on the farm as business still had to run. Dean promised to return a later on so that she wouldn't have to stay with Alice all the time, but that is exactly what Hermione wanted. She didn't want to leave Alice's side.
"Hermione!" a very familiar female voice called from down the hall.
When Hermione turned to the source of the voice, she saw Giselle coming towards her, with Severus a few steps behind.
Giselle immediately wrapped her arms around Hermione as soon as she got to her. "I came as soon as I heard. Narcissa and Lucius would've come, but they have a celebration to hold for the Malfoy Foundation. But I am here if you need me," she told her. "Do you need anything?"
Hermione only shook her head. Despite how things started with her and Giselle, she was pleased that things had worked out smoothly between them. There were no negative qualms towards each other, and they had become good friends. It pleased Hermione to have friends such as her, one that she could confide in and lean on.
"Listen," Giselle started, "with all the bad things that have happened to you, I think you need a vacation. Severus told me you like roses, and there was this place that I wanted to take you to last week, or so, it's just outside the city. But then we can wait until your friend gets better, and she come along too if you want. It might coincide with my birthday, and we'll have a grand celebration. What do you think?"
"Roses?" Hermione questioned. She had a feeling that she knew the destination that Giselle was talking about.
"Yes," Giselle replied. "It's the rose farm with an inn, just a few hours drive away. I've seen pictures and they have the most unique and prettiest roses in the world. Even Narcissa said she was coming."
"What about you?" Hermione asked Severus when she looked up at him. "Are coming along?"
"If you want me to," Severus replied. "Though I cannot say the same for Lucius. He hates Narcissa's gardening and all."
Hermione didn't have to think about it. Her other life with her roses could no longer be hidden. She couldn't hide it anymore, nor did she have a reason to. The truth had to come out, and it was about to come out very soon. With that, she wanted the people who were most important to her to be there, most especially Severus. She just had to lie a little so that she could plan surprise for Giselle. "I'm sure my friend wouldn't mind coming along. But I also want Alan, Lucius and Draco to be there as well."
"Okay," Giselle smiled brightly. "I'm sure Lucius won't be able to say no to you. I'll talk to Malfoys as soon as I talk to Alan." Before she departed she gave Hermione a cheek to cheek, and said her farewells to Severus, leaving the both of them alone.
"Pastrami with cheddar with sourdough bread," Severus said, offering her a deli bag.
Hermione started to eat at her deli sandwich without saying much. More worries had come to mind knowing that everyone would soon know about her life at the rose farm. Her decision remained the same, wanting to buy the farm from Alice, but how was everyone else going to react? Was Alan going to get mad since she had done so little on the potions project and more on a bunch of roses? And what of Severus? Was he going to stay with her there? She doubted it, knowing that potions was his life, and no longer a part of hers.
It was past midnight, and Severus could only help but stare at Hermione's sleeping form on the couch as he leaned back against the window inside Alice's room. Dean had stopped by earlier, and said that he had some business to take care of, which is why he couldn't stay as promised.
Since Giselle's visit earlier, and offer about vacationing at some rose farm, he noticed that Hermione had somewhat become silent, with barely any words spoken. The look in her eyes told him that she was in very deep thought about something, and it bothered him that he didn't know what it was exactly. He thought that she would be pleased and happy about vacationing at such a place that involved roses, but her reaction told him otherwise. Maybe if things got a little better with Alice, she would be more excited.
"Where am I?" Alice's voice croaked painfully as she brought a hand up to her throat. It hurt to talk.
Right away, Severus was at her side, with a glass of water, allowing her to drink from a straw. "The other night you were in a car accident, and was brought here. You are in the Grand Wing in San Francisco General."
"Thank you," Alice said, frowning at the strange man that she couldn't recognize. Was she suffering from amnesia? "I'm sorry, but who are you?"
"My apologies," Severus said courteously, "I think it's best if I wake Hermione and call for the healers."
"No, wait!" Alice said. She wasn't suffering from amnesia, and right away, she knew who she was talking to when she saw Hermione's sleeping for on the sofa across the room. "I'm sure she needs her rest. Let's have a little talk… Severus."
Severus couldn't hide his shock. "You know who I am?" he asked.
"I know exactly who you are," Alice replied. She then patted the side of her bed, offering him to sit next to her so that she could take a better look at him. When he took his seat, she said, "I've known Hermione for many years. And the first time I saw her, I could clearly see the heartbreak that was written all over her face."
Severus nodded in understanding, knowing that he was the cause of Hermione's heartbreak.
"She has pained and pined over you for so many years," Alice continued. "I can't see her hurting anymore. She deserves all the happiness in the world."
"And with everything that I am, I intend to give it to her," Severus said quietly. The both of them kept their voices in soft tones so as not to wake Hermione up.
"So that means you love her, and I mean truly love her?" Alice asked. She needed to hear it from the horse's mouth, and not just from Hermione's.
"Very much," Severus replied back firmly.
"I may work in the Muggle world Severus, and may not use my wand as often. But Merlin help me, if you break her heart one more time, you will be hexed into nothing, you understand?" Alice warned.
"Yes ma'am." Even though Severus didn't know the witch at all or the capabilities of her magical power, he took Alice's warning seriously. He was slightly scared, having a gut feeling that she could do some damage to him. But he really didn't have to worry. He too made a promise to himself that he no longer would hurt Hermione. She was right, she had been through enough and it was all because of him. He vowed to make Hermione happy for the rest of his life.
AN – Finally, an update, and finally, Alice and Severus have their little talk. Review please, as they are much appreciated and do well for the plot bunnies :)