24 Weeks

"What did you think of the movie?" Sirius swung the arm that held the bag of takeout. "It's the movie I wanted to see with Hermione, that week you were out of town, but they were sold out that night. We ended up seeing some odd movie about a witch and her husband. It was hilarious, but I think I liked this one better."

Harry laughed under his breath. "Maybe because of all the action and violence?"

Sirius shrugged. "Do you think it could actually happen? You know, an alien invasion?"

Harry was at a loss for words. "I have no idea, I suppose. I doubt we're the only life in the universe."

Sirius took on a far off look. "Exactly."

Harry bit back a smile.

"We have a lot of takeout," Sirius said suddenly, "we should go see if Hermione's hungry."

"Wait, what?"

Before he knew it, Sirius dragged Harry down the nearest alley and disapparated them to Grimmauld Place. Harry was still coming too, reorienting himself when Hermione opened the door and greeted them happily with a kiss on their cheeks.

"Nothing much," she answered Sirius's question, which Harry hadn't had a chance to hear.

He followed them into the basement kitchen and plopped on to a chair. He watched Hermione set out the food, grabbing the nearest container.

"I was looking over my calendar for the next few weeks and trying to decide whether or not I want to take birthing classes."

Sirius sputtered, dropping his egg roll on the table. "There are classes?"

Hermione chuckled. "Yeah. My mum said I should consider it. Plus, I need to set my next prenatal appointment."

"You've got a lot on your plate, Mai," Sirius grabbed his egg roll.

She shrugged and attempted to pick up the noodles with her chopsticks. "I kind of want to set a day aside to just relax. I mean, I relax here at home, which is fine, but go out, you know? Goodness, I'm not making any sense."

"What did you have in mind?" Sirius asked, trying to get her to continue.

"I want to go to the beach," she murmured.

"The beach!" Sirius slammed his hand down on the table, making Harry jump. "That's an excellent idea. We should make it a family outing."

Hermione's brows rose. "Family outing?"

Sirius stuffed the whole egg roll in his mouth. "I'm going to see Remus." He jumped to his feet and chewed hurriedly. He squeezed Harry's shoulder and then gave Hermione a quick hug. "I'll see you both later."

"Sirius!" Harry called after him, but his godfather bolted out of the kitchen and through the front door before they could stop him.

He and Hermione shared incredulous looks.

Her shoulders shook slightly, holding back another laugh. "Don't look at me, he's your godfather."

Harry shook his head in disbelief. "A visit to the beach sounds nice."

"You'll come too?" She sounded wistful.

He nodded. "It sounds like fun. Besides, it's been ages since I've gone to the beach."

Hermione finished eating and she packed up the takeout again. Harry snuck the food into the refrigerator as she went upstairs.

When he finally joined her, she sat on the sofa in the sitting room, her feet tucked beneath her. Crookshanks lay languidly in front of the telly. He walked into the room quietly. He settled beside her. "How are you feeling?"

She rested her head on his shoulder. "Tired. I haven't been sleeping well these last few days."

"Really?"

She nestled closer. "Heartburn and my hips and lower back hurt."

He moved his arm over her shoulder. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

She turned her head, peering cautiously. "I want to lay down. Will you stay with me? Just for a little bit."

He observed her warm eyes, the corners creased with concern. His gaze slipped down to her mouth and the little frown that tugged on the corner. "Of course. I'll stay as long as you want. I'll say forever if you'd ask me too," he slipped out. He blinked back his surprise.

She laughed nervously. "A little while tonight is enough, Harry." She stood up and switched off the television and slowly made her way out of the room and upstairs to her bedroom.

He didn't think about how cold he suddenly felt without her in his arms. Instead, he stood and followed her up the stairs. On the second floor landing, he could see into the room Hermione had made into Ruby's nursery.

He eased closer, his gaze landing on the cot he and Hermione built a month ago. A small four drawer dresser had been added to the room and a folded up play yard lay beside it.

"Harry?"

He wheeled around. He took in her appearance, cotton shorts, and sleep shirt that was tight enough to display her pregnant belly.

He took her hand and led her back into her bedroom. Once they entered her room, she let go of his hand and crawled into bed, burrowing beneath her sheets.

Harry kicked off his shoes, pulled his shirt over his head, and shucked his jeans off before climbing into bed beside her.

She immediately scooted closer, wrapping an arm around his torso and snuggling into his chest.

"Hermione, is everything alright?"

She nodded. "It's just one of those days, Harry."

"What does that mean?" He voiced into her hair.

"Just hold me," she whispered back.

He laid his head on his arm and wrapped the other around her body, holding her just as she asked.

Did Hermione have a stressful day? No, there was something on her mind. In addition to her discomfort, she was ruminating over something. He gazed at her face. Her eyes were closed, but her brows were furrowed. Her lashes rested against the tops of her cheeks and he noted the dark circles beneath her eyes.

He reached up and rubbed his thumb over the bridge of her brow. "Relax," he said softly.

The corner of her lips lifted.

"What's on your mind?"

She shook her head, hiding her face in his chest. He played with the ends of her hair. "Come on, Mai, you can tell me. Don't you trust me?"

She leaned back, her gaze shifted between his before trailing down. Her attention seemed to settle on his throat. "I trust you, Harry."

He caressed her cheek. "Then what is it?"

She didn't answer. They remained quiet. Harry's hand was still on her cheek. He brushed his thumb over her cheek, then traced the line of her jaw.

Merlin, she was so soft. So close. His thumb touched the edge of her bottom lip and she finally spoke.

"I'm not ready yet."

"Ready for what, Mai?"

Her lips parted.

His eyes focused on her lips. "Ready for what? The baby?"

She licked her lips. "Harry?"

His nose bumped against hers, startling him. He leaned away and refocused his attention, meeting her eyes which were blown wide by surprise.

He swallowed hard. He pulled her closer and placed a kiss on the curve of her cheek and then the top of her head. He wrapped his arm around her again. "Relax now and sleep."

She resettled in his hold, but he could sense her mind was still whirring about. Now, he couldn't get his own to slow down.

"Not so fast, mister." Hermione took a firm hold of Teddy's arm and dragged him back. He leaned against her belly. "You need sunblock before you go running off to the water."

"But, Mai!" Teddy tried to stomp his foot, but it simply sunk into the sand. He groaned.

"No buts, Ted." Harry bent over wiping sunblock over his legs. "It's important." He spread more sunblock onto his arms and chest.

Hermione finished spreading the sunblock on Teddy's face, making sure to be careful around the eyes. "You need to wait a few minutes before you go in the water or it will wash off."

Teddy jumped away and grabbed his sand toys. He rushed off to the edge of the surf line, barely touching the wet sand. He plopped down and started scooping sand into his bucket.

"And you Harry Potter?" Hermione asked, blushing as she caught him staring at her.

He grinned. "I could use some help with my back."

Hermione laughed. "Help me sit down."

He took her hand and steadied her as she kneeled on the sand, sitting on her bent legs. She patted the space in front of her. He dropped down slowly.

Harry was granted a day off and so he, Hermione, and Teddy were spending their Saturday at the beach. Sirius said he would join them later, while Tonks and Remus said they would try but quietly told Harry they were hoping to take advantage of the day to themselves.

Hermione squeezed some sunblock directly on his back and began massaging it over his skin. He closed his eyes and relaxed under her touch. It was over too soon and he sighed under his breath.

"My turn," Hermione chimed.

Harry almost scurried behind her, earning a strange look from her. He squeezed some sunblock onto his and proceeded to rub it onto her back. He lifted the straps of her swimsuit and made sure to spread the sunblock evenly, taking extra precaution at the nape of her neck.

He sat back when he finished. "Do you want me to set up your chair?"

"Yes, please."

Harry stood and began unfolding her beach chair while she straightened and secured their beach blanket. She set their cooler full of drinks and food in the corner under the shade of their umbrella.

Harry opened the other umbrella and attached it to the chair. "All set, Mai."

"Thank you, Harry." She placed her large brimmed hat on her head. She held her hand out to him and he took hold of it, helping her to her feet.

He unconsciously rubbed his hand over her belly. She rested her hand over his. "I'm going to take a short walk. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"You sure?"

She stepped out from beneath the shade of the umbrella. "I'll be back." She walked toward Teddy first. Harry followed closely behind.

She ran her fingers through his brown hair. "A few more minutes until you can hit the water, alright?"

He smiled brightly at her. "Okay, Mai. Look, I'm gonna make a ginormous castle."

"I can't wait to see it."

Harry sat down beside Teddy, cringing slightly at the feel of wet sand against his swim trunks.

Hermione turned away and started down the beach.

Teddy patted sand into his bucket. "Where is Mai going?"

Harry grabbed a shovel and another small bucket and began filling it with sand. "She's just going for a walk."

Teddy flipped over his bucket and slowly lifted it off the sand tower he just made. "Harry?"

"Yes?" Harry flipped his bucket over.

"When Mai has the baby is she still going to talk to me?"

Harry's gaze rested on his godson's face. Teddy's brown fringe wasn't long enough to hide the worried expression in his eyes. "Why do you think she wouldn't talk to you?"

Teddy frowned. "Tim said his parents are busy with his new little sister a lot and he lives with them. What's going to happen to me? I don't even live with Mai."

"Teddy, I think Hermione would get really sad if she couldn't talk or see you anymore. She loves you very much."

He dug his shovel into the sand. "But, the baby."

Harry shifted closer, resting his hand on Teddy's shoulder. He suddenly realized how very young Teddy still was. This would be the first time he'd be vying for attention from someone he loved. "Babies take a lot of work and energy. It's the truth. But, someone new in the family doesn't push another person out. When Hermione has the baby, do you think she'll stop talking to Sirius, or your mum and dad?"

Teddy shook his head. "But they're big. I'm just a kid and now she's going to have her own kid."

Harry's eyes widened at his declaration. Was Teddy scared he was being replaced in some way?

He pushed some hair out of Teddy's face, the same color brown he fashioned after Hermione's. "I know she's not going to stop talking to you or loving you. She's really looking forward to you meeting the baby in person."

"She is?" His hazel eyes brightened.

Harry smiled. "Of course she is. She loves that you like to talk and play with the baby. She's so excited for when you two can talk and play when the baby is born."

"It won't be the same anymore, with me and Mai, will it?" Teddy's voice was soft. "And you and me."

Harry caressed the back of Teddy's head. "Some things will change, yes. Our love for you will not. Is that okay?"

Teddy shrugged. "I don't know."

Harry kissed the boy's forehead. "I love you lots, Teddy-bear."

Teddy smiled. "I love you lots, Harry." He turned back to his sandcastle and resumed his building.

Harry lifted his bucket and watched as the sand inside slumped over. Teddy began to laugh. "Harry, that's not how you make sandcastles."

"But I did it just like you." Harry smiled as he watched the boy scramble to take hold of the sand toy.

"No, you're not using the right sand. Harry, how are you going to show Ruby how to make sandcastles if you don't know how?"

Harry shrugged, watching Teddy pack the sand into the bucket. "I'll just have you show her how. Just like you're showing me."

Teddy giggled. Harry's mood lifted as he watched Teddy's instructions on how to make a proper tower. Harry was in the middle of trying out his own when Hermione returned.

Hermione laughed at the sight of them. "I thought there was going to be a ginormous castle when I returned." She stood between them, her hand rested on Harry's shoulder.

"I am!" Teddy said, exasperated. "But I had to show Harry how to make the towers."

Hermione glanced Harry's way. He shrugged. "That sounds right," she said, "I've told him he needs to improve his sandcastle building skills."

"I just need practice," Harry defended himself.

"Lots of practice!" Teddy exclaimed. "Mai, can I go in the water now?"

"Yes, you may. Don't go far."

"I won't!" He scrambled to his feet and launched himself toward the waterline.

Hermione ruffled his hair. "Is everything okay?"

He nodded. "Teddy's worried you won't talk to him anymore after the baby comes."

She frowned. "I don't think I've done anything to make him think that. Maybe I should talk to him?"

Harry got to his feet and held out his hand for her. "We talked," he said, "I think he needs to realize on his own."

She grasped his hand and he led her to the water where Teddy was busy jumping over the surf as it crawled toward him.

"I used to love doing that," Hermione said, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water.

Teddy noticed them approaching and ran toward them. "Harry, Mai, the water feels great. I want to go in more."

He ran around them and raced back to the water, kicking and wading further until it was up to his knees.

Harry sighed. "Merlin, I want Teddy's ability to bounce back from serious conversations."

Hermione chuckled beside him. "The delights of children." She took the lead, dragging him along, stopping right where the water would reach them.

They watched it slowly creep over their toes and feet. Hermione hissed under her breath. "Oh, that's quite fresh."

She let go of Harry's hand and pushed on, stopping near Teddy who was bent over waving his hand through the water, picking up mounds of wet sand.

Teddy straightened up and held something out for her. She took it and examined it closely.

Harry slowly waded closer. Hermione held out her hand, showing him a small seashell.

"Let's go in," Teddy told them. He jumped further and further into the water until he was up to his waist.

"You better go after him before he gets dragged away," Hermione said.

Harry hurried after Teddy, while Hermione followed behind more slowly. By the time she reached them, Teddy was soaked from head to toe, and Harry had fallen as a wave had crashed over him.

Hermione braced herself and soaked in the warm sun. She closed her eyes and let the sound of moving water and Teddy and Harry's laughter and chatter fill her up.

Hermione opened her eyes and watched as Harry held on to Teddy and attempted to help him jump over the waves. She couldn't stop the smile beaming on her face. She wrapped her arms around her belly. "I can't wait for you to see this."

"I'm heading over to Grimmauld Place. Do you want to come with me?" Harry asked, stuffing his wallet into his back pocket.

Sirius stretched his arms over his head. "I was going to head over to see Remus. I'll ask if they want to stop by."

"Okay." Harry strolled to the front door.

"Give Hermione my love!" Sirius called after him.

"I will!" Harry rushed out and disapparated, appearing moments later in a hidden alcove around the corner from Grimmauld Place. His request was sincere but he was glad Sirius decided not to come. It gave him a chance to pick some things up before heading to Hermione's.

He picked up some pastries from the bakery she liked and then walked to the closest grocery store, picking up some essentials. On his way to Grimmauld Place, he bought a small bouquet of tulips from a flower cart.

He finally made his way to Grimmauld Place, he jogged up the steps and knocked on the door.

He rocked back and forth on his feet. She couldn't be out, could she?

The door slowly opened and he straightened up. But, the doorway was empty. He looked down and found Crookshanks sitting before him.

"Hey, is Hermione home?"

Crookshanks stepped out and rubbed himself along Harry's pant leg. He walked around his legs and then sauntered back into the house.

Harry stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He walked down to the kitchen, but it was empty. He set the groceries and pastry box down on the counter and then walked back upstairs, heading to the first floor.

He followed the sound of the television and found Hermione lying long ways on the sofa.

"Good morning," he greeted.

She propped herself up on her elbow. "I thought it was you." Her eyes landed on the flowers. She sat up fully. "Harry."

He entered the room and sat down beside her. He held out the flowers.

She smiled brilliantly and held the flowers to her chest.

He rested his hand on her thigh. "How are you? Have you eaten?"

"I had some biscuits," she answered. She leaned back. "I haven't gone downstairs. Our beach day really wore me out."

"Are you okay?"

She nodded. "Just really tired."

He rubbed the space above her knee. "Can I make you some breakfast?"

She gave him a grateful smile. "You'd do that?"

He stood and placed a kiss on her forehead. "What would you like?"

"Eggs and toast. Orange juice. Some tea."

"Alright, I'm on it. Crookshanks, keep Hermione company." Harry headed back downstairs to prepare her breakfast.

He spent the rest of the day caring for her. Eventually making lunch as well. Rubbing her feet and back, massaging lotion on her baby bump.

She fell asleep around two p.m., leaving him to clean up a bit before he sat on the floor beside the couch where he could talk to Ruby and read from the few children's books Hermione had.

His gaze landed on Hermione's face. Her lips were slightly parted and her eyes fluttered every few minutes or so.

It had been a carefree, relaxed day. They hadn't done much but enjoy each other's company. As his eyes lingered on her face, he determined he wouldn't have had it any other way.

Now, he just had to figure out how to tell her that.