AN – I own nothing!

--

Chapter 37

Hermione felt well the third morning she had awaken in Severus's loft. She didn't feel a single bit a nausea or the need to run to the bathroom immediately. She felt well rested and wanted to go out into the city.

Severus, who was glad that his wife felt well, obliged and accompanied her. He had plans for giving her a gift because she was pregnant. He placed the order earlier in the jewelry store and hoped that Hermione would like it.

They walked hand in hand along the sunny streets of London. It was a beautiful summer day.

The first shop that they entered was a bookstore. They walked around the store, and quickly scanned through the new books, and best sellers, seeing if there was any book that would interest that. Then, something caught Severus's eye. He pulled Hermione along, and headed towards the maternity section.

"I never thought there would be so many books," Severus murmured for he was shocked to see an entire aisle of books dedicated to expecting parents and taking care of children.

"I never thought that you would walk into this section of the store," Hermione grinned up at him.

He rolled his eyes and then drawled, "Well we are expecting are we not?"

Hermione couldn't argue with that logic. She pulled out one book that caught her interest, but couldn't help but continue to watch Severus from the corner of her eye.

Severus then started to look for the books in which he would need. He thought about it and concluded that he barely knew anything on pregnant women and childcare. Yes, he may be a teacher at Hogwarts, but that was a different subject.

Hermione watched as Severus started to pull out a few book one by one. He skimmed the inside briefly, and pulled out another, piling up the books in his hand. "Severus, you do not have to buy the entire bookstore."

"I will not be a dunderhead father when it comes to you being pregnant and raising our son," he sighed as he continued to skim.

She reached up and took hold of his chin, tiptoeing to kiss him. "You are anything but a dunderhead. You will be a great father Severus. All you need in the end is undying love and care for him." She took his hand, and gave him a slight tug. "That's enough books for now. Let's head somewhere else."

"This names book is thicker than the bloody dictionary," he said as they walked towards the counter, examining the book at hand.

Hermione shook her head and giggled a bit. He really did look clueless when it came to the topic of fatherhood. Still, she could easily imagine him as a wonderful father.

--

"Here it is," Severus said as he stopped in front of a jewelry store, and urged Hermione to enter as he opened the door for her.

Hermione stepped into the store and looked around. It was a very upscale store like Tiffany's and wondered what they were doing there. Was there a special occasion that she had missed or forgotten? It wasn't even her birthday.

"Severus Snape," Severus told one of the suited men that were standing behind the counter.

"Yes, good afternoon sir," he greeted with a smile. "Your order is this way." He walked towards the other side of the store. Both Severus and Hermione followed.

"Severus, what are we doing here?" Hermione whispered.

"It's a surprise," he whispered in his silky voice into her ear. The way he said it made her stomach flutter.

Hermione looked at the glass display in front of them. There were numerous little colorful little charms. Most of them were shoes, but there were a few animals and toys as well. All were gold. There were some with no diamonds, and others with few. Others were painted with small patters such as ladybugs or butterflies. She had never seen such cute jewelry charms in her life.

"This is our Aaron Basha collection," the man informed them. "And this is your order Mr. Snape." He pulled out a small velvet box and opened it, presenting it to them. "It is one of our rare items."

Hermione's jaw gaped open. It was a little white gold shoe that was glowing and glittering under the light. It was paved in a number of light blue diamonds, and small white diamond on the center of its ribbon.

Severus held the charm in his fingers and looked at Hermione. "Aaron Basha's charms are special. Mostly given to expecting mothers by their husbands," he informed her.

"It's absolutely gorgeous," Hermione said.

"Are you still wearing your chain?"

Hermione nodded, and pulled it from beneath her blouse. Severus stood behind her, and unlocked the chain. He slid the charm down the chain, and relocked it. Hermione stared at the small shoe as she held it in her hand.

"Do you like it?" Severus whispered in her ear.

"Thank you," she sniffled as a tear went down her cheek.

"No," he kissed her cheek. "Thank you."

"Is this your first pregnancy?" the sales man asked as he handed the receipt to Severus after he paid with his card.

"It is," Hermione answered.

"Congratulations, and good luck," he smiled at them. "Thank you and I hope to see you again."

"Maybe next time, I'll buy you a pink one," Severus said to Hermione as they left the store.

"Severus!" Hermione gasped in shock.

"I wouldn't mind having a little girl," he told her as he placed her hand in his.

--

They were both seated under the shade a big tree in the park. Severus was leaning against the tree with his back, while Hermione's back was to his chest as she sat between his legs.

"Where you serious awhile ago Severus?" Hermione asked as she took a bite of the fish, from the small take out box of fish and chips that was close by.

"About what Love?" Severus asked as he continued reading a book entitled 'The Expectant Father.' He reminded himself that Poppy was going to be Hermione's healer, and that she had to know the truth.

"You want to have a little girl," she told him as she turned her head to face him.

Severus placed his book down and looked into her eyes. "I don't see why not? I would like to have at least one of each."

"You really do surprise me," she said as she kissed his cheek.

"I too surprise myself."

Hermione grinned and decided to tease or annoy him. "Our son, a Gryffindor."

Severus eyes narrowed. "And what makes you think that our son, my son, or any of my children will be a Gryffindor?" he sneered. "Slytherin!"

"You are married to a Gryffindor," Hermione reminded him.

"Fine," he grumbled. "As long as they aren't a Hufflepuff and… hopefully, they won't have my nose."

Hermione placed her nose on his, and rubbed it. "I like your nose. I don't want them to have my curls though."

"I like your curls," he murmured against her lips before kissing her.

In reality, neither of them cared about how their son or children would look like. Even housing didn't matter to Severus. all that mattered to them was that their children were going to be healthy, and hopefully, live in a peaceful world, free of the Dark Lord.

--

AN – A dosage of sweetness, and a slightly nervous Severus. Can you imagine him in the delivery room? Hopefully, he'll be ready for it when the time comes. Lunch with King Richard, next. Review!