THIRTY-THREE
Friday, 18 December 2020; twenty-seven weeks
Sunday was spent as a quiet day in. Most of the day was spent curled up with James on the couch under a pile of blankets. They watched Christmas movies with the curtains open so they could see the snow fall, dusting the ground in white. Each time a movie ended, she offered to change the channel, but he declined which made her even happier to watch the next one.
Monday she had woken in a bit of a panic to find that he was still laying beside her. After calming her down, he explained that he had called out because there were other things he wanted to do with her that day. The first one he showed her right away, taking time to kiss every square inch of her body before sliding into her until she shattered around him.
When they finally got out of bed, they showered and dressed before taking leave of the house. She had tried to protest when he told her the plan was to buy a tree. Her main argument was that Christmas was already less than two weeks away, but he didn't care. By the time they went home, they had a new prelit tree; white with multicolored lights and far more ornaments than necessary. When she asked him what happened to all of the decorations she knew he had stored in the garage, he had simply shrugged and told her there was always room for more memories.
They picked dinner up on the way home and spent the night putting up the tree and decorating it. He told her that the following year they would do the holiday right and go all out on the exterior. Neither one of them spoke about what they were planning on doing for Christmas. Traditionally, that holiday was spent at the Burrow with Ron's family. It was always the central hub and Molly loved hosting it. It had never bothered her that she spent more time with them as her parents made it a habit to travel the Sunday before Christmas every year, returning a few days after the new year.
Though Hermione doubted either she or James were going to be invited anywhere this year.
At least she wasn't alone in all of this. So long as she got to spend the holiday with James, it would be a good one. She was sure they would make the most of it. She doubted it would be worse than Thanksgiving.
Before heading up to bed that night, Hermione shut off all the lights except for the tree and stripped off her lounging pants and knickers before straddling James' lap. She held his gaze, watching the burst of technicolor reflecting back at her as they came for one another.
Tuesday, with James at work, Hermione decided she didn't want this week to be like the last. She wasn't going to spend her days wearing the same clothes and wallowing in despair. Instead, she took a shower shortly after he left, made herself breakfast, and set out to work. She started in the nursery, putting things away and rearranging what she could. It took her two days before it was all settled. The only thing left was to find a chair they actually liked and the baby itself.
Thursday she went through the Christmas boxes in the garage and rummaged until she found the ornaments she knew held a lot of importance to him. A few were ones that Harry had made when he was little, the one he and Lily had purchased to commemorate his first Christmas, as well as the one they had had made for their own first one together. He didn't say anything when he came home and saw that she had added them. He had just stood there, staring at the tree, his eyes misting over as he ran the tips of his fingers over them.
"You didn't have to do this, Hermione," he said as she came to stand beside him, his arm winding around her as she curled into his side.
"I know," she replied, turning her head to stare up at him. "But she'll always be a part of you and it doesn't bother me."
He had turned then, his lips crashing down on hers as a single tear rolled down his cheek, flavoring their kiss. The dinner he had brought home with him lay forgotten atop the table in the kitchen as he picked up her up and carried her upstairs to thank her.
And on Friday, when he came home a little later than usual, he had a surprise for her. She watched as he approached, taking his hand when he held it out, and followed him to the tree. His other hand came up to the tree, placing something on a branch. Right above where his and Lily's first Christmas ornament hung was their own. She broke away mid kiss to drop to her knees, not even the least bit shy about the fact she wasn't able to wait to get him upstairs.
The next morning, as they lay in bed watching the snow fall outside the window, they finally spoke about the holiday. "I don't want to make a big fuss over it," she said, watching his fingers dance across her swell of her belly. "You got the ornament for us already. I think that's good enough for me."
"You don't even want one gift to open?" he asked, his breath warming her skin from where it was buried in the crook her neck from behind.
"All I want is you," she said, reaching one arm back to thread her fingers through his hair.
He stilled from behind her, his hand flattening over her middle. "Is it okay that I already invited Sirius over for Christmas Eve?"
Hermione chuckled and patted his cheek before dropping her arm, her hand coming to rest over his on her stomach. "I suppose that means we'll have to get him something."
"We don't have-"
"We do," she insisted. "He's been nothing but supportive and he right now, he's the only one still willing to talk to us."
He smiled and pressed his lips to her skin. "We should go shopping today then. If you're up for it."
"Maybe we could go see a movie?"
"Whatever you want," he murmured. "But first..." he added, his hand sliding lower until he found her core.
Saturday, 19 December 2020; twenty-seven weeks
It wasn't hard to find something for Sirius. They had gotten it out of the way in one stop. They had gone into a large chain liquor store, one that boasted a sizeable humidor with a range of cigars. James picked out a few along with a new box to keep them in. While he made that selection, Hermione found a bottle of his favorite whiskey.
She laughed as she picked it up, remembering one of the few times she and Harry had stayed the night at his place. They had been in middle school and decided to try it. It was the foulest thing she'd ever put in her mouth. In fact, she hadn't even tried another alcohol until she was of age. The most memorable part was the next morning when they woke to Sirius sitting at the table with the bottle in front of him; a grin on his face as he asked them how it tasted.
Even James had made fun of them when he picked them up later that day. Of course, the humor faded as he pulled up to her house, begging her not to mention that to her parents.
The bottle tucked under her arm, she moved to the aisle with all the boxed sets and found a set of four glasses, whiskey stones, and tongs for them. She knew mostly drank straight from the bottle, but she was determined to make him civilized at some point in his life. Something James laughed with her over when he saw what she had selected.
"Are you sure you don't want to exchange gifts this year?" he had asked once they were back in the car.
"I'm sure," she replied, reaching over the seat for his hand. "You said next year we're going all out with the decorations so we'll go all out with presents too. I promise."
He had brought their joined hands up so he could kiss the backs of her knuckles and then they were off towards the movie theatre.
After nearly buying half the concession stand, they found their seats and settled in. She was glad he was fine with seeing something on the lighter side. Something that wasn't going to wreck her already frazzled emotions she had been working diligently to keep in check. When the movie was over, she still wasn't quite ready to go home. James picked up on it and decided to take her out to dinner, choosing one of his favorite restaurants.
With it being the last Saturday before Christmas, neither of them were the least bit surprised that there was a bit of a wait. Putting their name down with the host, they stood off to the side. Hermione declined an older gentleman's offer for her to take his seat. It was as she scanned the establishment for the restrooms, her eyes did a double take at the sight of a familiar face. She tugged at James' sleeve and nodded in the direction of the bar where Remus, Tonks, and Sirius had a drink while they waited for their table to be ready.
James hadn't said if Remus had found out about them yet. Whether he had and it didn't matter or he had and he didn't accept it, she wasn't sure. He hesitated for a moment, but without a word, took her hand and pulled her towards them. Sirius smiled when he saw them approach, but it was very clear after one look where Remus and Tonks stood when it came to their relationship. The way Remus' eyes flickered to their joined hands had her want to let go, but James squeezed her hand, refusing to give in.
"Fancy meeting you two here," Sirius said, tipping his beer towards them.
"We didn't know you'd be here," James said, his voice light, but Hermione heard the strain.
It was Remus' words that made Hermione flinch. "That's because you weren't invited."
Sirius frowned at his friend. "Oh come on now, Remus. There's no need for that." He then looked James and Hermione again. "You're welcome to join us."
"If they're staying, we're leaving," Remus interrupted, his gaze settling anywhere she and James weren't.
"Remus-"
He did look at James then and shook his head as he slid off his chair. "It's not the age difference, James. It's who she is." His gaze flickered over her for a second, almost as if he couldn't stop himself. "She's always been like a daughter to you and I'm sorry, but I'm not okay with that." He turned to his wife and held out a hand for her to take. "Have a nice holiday."
They watched the pair leave and only when they were out of sight did James press a kiss to her temple and then let go of her hand to pull out the chair Tonks had been in for her. "I suppose that's why I'm godfather," Sirius said, giving her a wink. "Also, I'll need a ride home." James nodded at that, but Sirius was still looking at Hermione. She narrowed her eyes at him when his foot nudged hers under the table. "Cheer up, Kitten. He'll come around, just like the rest of them."
She smiled back at him, grateful to have at least one person wholly in their corner. "Thanks, Sirius."
"What were you two up to today?" he asked.
"Did a bit of shopping and then caught a movie before this."
"Does that mean my gift is in your car?" he asked, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes.
James chuckled under his breath as he leaned back in his chair and placed an arm around the back of hers. "Maybe."
"If you see it before I have the chance to wrap it, it goes back to the store," Hermione teased.
Sirius' bark of laughter startled a few of those around them. "Sounds like a true mom already!" Hermione rolled her eyes and kicked him playfully under the table. He laughed again and looked at James. "Your woman's playing footsie with me, old man."
"Quit calling me that," James said with a shake of his head. "You're older than me."
"You both sound like children," Hermione groaned.
"Sorry, mother darling," Sirius drawled, making her laugh. "There," he said, pointing with his beer. "That's all I wanted."
She nudged him one last time with her foot and smiled. "Thank you." He inclined his head at her, but she pressed on. "For everything. Your support means a lot to me." She turned to James, his lips brushing over hers a moment later. "To both of us," she said, turning back to Sirius.
"It's going to cost you," he replied, sending another wink her way.
Her eyes widened at that as she tipped her head to the side. "We already made you godfather."
"Yes, but I think Sirius makes a wonderful middle name, don't you?"
She froze at that, watching as the humor faded from his gaze as he looked to James. His hand curled around her shoulder, squeezing for comfort. "We haven't talked about names yet."
"Oh," Sirius mumbled, but broke out into another grin anyway. "Then I call dibs."
Hermione couldn't help the laugh that bubbled past her lips as she told him she would consider it. And just like that, the incident with Remus and Tonks was forgotten as the three of them carried on with their night.