Epilogue
Christmas Eve, One Year Later
Hermione awoke slowly. Not ready to get up yet, she lay still. She was perfectly warm and cosy, snuggled into the arms of her fiancé. Sighing happily, she thought back to his proposal just a few weeks prior. It had been perfect; he'd taken her back to Trattoria Bella Rosa, the site of their first date.
Hermione should have realised that something was up when the note had arrived with Matilda at lunchtime. It said:
Let's go to dinner tonight. Can you be ready for seven? Wear something pretty.
I love you,
Your Christmas Admirer
If she'd been paying closer attention she would have noticed that it had been precisely one year since she'd received the first gift, and note, from her "Christmas Admirer." That lunch delivery from Trattoria Bella Rosa had been the beginning of their relationship, and the catalyst in forming a wonderful bond with the owner of the restaurant and her grandson.
When Fred had arrived to pick her up and announced that they were going to Trattoria Bella Rosa, she still didn't suspect anything. They had been regulars there since their very first date when Nonna had ushered them into a small, private dining area and proceeded to fuss over them, presenting all sorts of delicious dishes to try, many of which weren't even on the regular menu. It had been a wonderful, memorable evening.
Upon arrival at the restaurant, they were again taken to the private dining area. They hadn't used this room since their first date. That was when Hermione wondered if something was going on, but she brushed the feeling aside. The restaurant was very busy. It was possible that they were just being given preferential treatment as "part of the family."
By the time their meal was finished and they were ordering pudding, Hermione had forgotten all about that momentary feeling of suspicion. But when the waiter slipped out, Fred took both of her hands across the table and gazed deeply into her eyes.
His words to her that night would be forever ingrained in her memory. "Hermione, this past year with you has been the most amazing year of my life. I love you."
Then he stood, coming around to her side of the table. She felt tears spring to her eyes as she gathered what was happening. He knelt next to her chair, extending his hand and holding out a beautiful ring. "Will you make me the happiest wizard alive and say that you'll marry me?"
"Yes!" she'd exclaimed, jumping into his arms and nearly knocking him to the floor. As they kissed, she'd heard the sound of a door opening, and loud cheers filled the room. She looked up to see waiters and waitresses filing into the room, carrying all sorts of desserts and bottles of champagne, followed by their family and friends, and of course Luca and Nonna.
Hermione felt Fred stir next to her and was brought back to the present. She rolled over and saw that his eyes were open. Snuggling close, she leaned up for a kiss and had the happy thought that they didn't have anywhere to be. Fred and George weren't going into the shop at all that day, so they could stay in bed all morning if they wanted to. They only had to make it to The Burrow in time for dinner.
*** Christmas Eve, Three Years Later
Already exhausted from the evening's festivities, Hermione Weasley lounged in bed waiting for her husband to join her. She was in their assigned room in the new addition at The Burrow.
As the couples had all married and started having children, it became apparent that more rooms were necessary to accommodate their rapidly growing family. Both the kitchen and the sitting room had been enlarged, and a playroom, several bedrooms, and a couple of bathrooms had been added to the home. This had allowed Molly to continue having them all stay over for Christmas, among other annual festivities.
Wondering what was keeping Fred, Hermione started to get up to go see, but just as she began to sit up, the door opened and he came in carrying a book. "What on earth? Where did that come from?" She squinted; was that a picture book?
He grinned at her. "You forgot this. I went back home to get it." Sitting down on the bed, he held it out to her.
Confused, she asked, "Why do we need this now? We don't-"
Caressing the slight swell of her tummy, he leaned down to kiss her. "It's Little Bean's first Christmas. I wanted to make sure that we don't miss out on starting your favourite tradition."
With a watery smile, Hermione sniffed. "This is why I love you so much, Fred. You're the best husband, and you're going to be an amazing father. I can't believe you thought of this. Thank you."
"I love you too." Passing her the book, he instructed, "Now read us a story, mummy. We like your voice the best."