Chapter 25

The rest of their honeymoon was spent in much the same way. Basking by the pool, relaxing in their room and just generally enjoying the calm that they had been allowed. Storm figured given Hermione's news that things would soon be getting much more hectic for the pair.

She found herself wandering down the beach once again during their last day of the quiet, hand in hand with the shorter witch, their fingers curled together. The sand warmed by the sun that was now dwindling quite low on the horizon casting orange hues across the land around them both. Their shadows elongated and distorted stretched out behind them.

The waves crashing gently against the shore, and the birds calling overhead as they flew high above the only real noise around. The wind carrying the distinct scent of salt with it as it gently curled around them, blowing through their hair. They'd spent the day on the beach, relaxing on a few beach towels with an umbrella between them.

There was a little bit of sadness for having to leave the calm, for having to leave the experience that had been just for the two of them. Though, there was an excitement welling as they wandered hand in hand. Hermione's beach bag full of everything they may or may not have needed for the day slung lazily across Storm's shoulder.

"Are you excited to tell Ginny and Harry?" Storm questioned as she flicked her dark eyes down towards the smaller woman beside her. "I can't believe any of this has actually happened you know" She laughed then, shaking her head a little as she rubbed the back of her sunburnt neck.

No matter how many times Hermione had forcefully applied sun lotion, she had still managed to burn. Though, she couldn't find that she minded very much at all. There was something so calming about being in the sun and the salty air, something so soothing.

"I'm excited for it all" Hermione replied, her voice chirpy as she did so. She gave the crook of Storm's elbow a squeeze where she was holding on to the younger woman, using it as leverage to lean up and press a kiss to the hinge of her jaw. "I can't wait for absolutely everything that this brings us" She added almost as an afterthought.

After a little while longer she paused, halting her movement forwards entirely as she tugged Storm back to stand with her. The Shifter's features twisting a little in confusion as she raised a brow in quiet question. Watching as the older woman simply watched her in return. The look Hermione normally got when she was analysing or just simply considering what she might say next stretched her own features as she regarded the younger woman.

Without much warning at all Hermione was stretching up onto her tip toes to wrap her arms around Storm's neck, pulling the Shifter down into her totally. Pressing her lips a little hastily to Storm's own as the Shifter relented and melted into the embrace. Of course there would never be any resistance there, none at all.

"What was that for?" Storm muttered a little dumbly as Hermione pulled away only to smirk a little coyly and continue as if nothing had happened at all. Dropping her hand to wander off, leaving the Shifter to hurry after her.

"For just being you, I don't want you to ever change" Hermione spoke once again, the chirp returning to her voice as Storm finally caught up to her. Lacing her larger fingers through slightly smaller ones.

"It bodes well that you like me for being me" Storm laughed out loud then, her own happiness welling within the pit of her stomach.

"Shall we have Ginny and Harry over once we've returned tomorrow?" Hermione questioned then, "I suppose we could put that barbecue you insisted on to good use" She teased. Storm had come home with the contraption not long after their wedding, claiming it was a gift for the both of them from herself. She had set it up, and it had remained on their decking untouched. Though, Hermione had caught her a few times playing with it's dials and knobs.

Whenever she had enquired about when the younger girl was going to actually use it, Storm simply shrugged and stated she was waiting for the appropriate occasion to get it going. It seemed the Shifter had used their wedding as an excuse to get them many "Gifts" that weren't particularly useful or needed. But Hermione figured she was always coming home with weird and wonderful things.

"That sounds like a plan! I can't wait to tell Joe too, I think I'm most looking forward to that to be honest" Storm spoke then, "He should be breaking up for the summer holidays soon but not soon enough, so I suppose I'll have to write to him" She added, though the look of pure disappointment in her eyes told Hermione everything she needed to know.

"When is his next Hogsmede weekend? We can always go and see him there and tell him in person?" Hermione tried. She too figured that would be the best option, she wanted to tell the boy in person herself and couldn't quite imagine how Storm felt.

"I believe it's the first week of June, so I suppose we could wait until then to tell him. We'll have more news from our visit to St. Mungos then, won't we?" Storm questioned, dropping her voice a little as they neared their hotel and in turn the muggles who were also staying there.

"We'll definitely have a bit more to tell people after that point." Hermione reassured, her lips curled up into a wide smile as she considered their conversation. If anyone had told her a year ago that she would be in this situation, she probably would have laughed at them. A year ago, she was going through divorce, so entirely lonely and had nothing but work to keep her company.

She had truly stumbled into the life she had been meant to have when she met Storm again. So much so, she felt as if everything else had simply been a dream. As if she had gone through the years in a daze of denial.

There was absolutely no part of her that regretted anything they had been through together in the short space of time. The pieces of the puzzle finally feeling as if they fit together just right. She sighed as Storm pulled her a little more firmly into her side as they approached the doors to their hotel. Having eaten while they were out, the plan had been just to pack their things and settle down for the evening.

"Can we do this again next year?" Storm questioned, having enjoyed the time away from their lives. She loved to submerge herself within the muggle world, and figured Hermione never really minded it. "I bet the little one will love swimming!" She added, flicking her gaze down for a moment to meet Hermione's own.

"If they take after you at all I'm sure they will" Hermione laughed, moving through the door Storm had opened for her. Pulling Storm through the halls and towards the elevator, gently guiding the shifter as she chatted on idly about her hopes for their child.

"Will you have time for a second one if you're going to be the Minister of Magic?" Storm questioned then, an eyebrow raised as she paused at their door. Fiddling in her pocket to pull her wallet from it's confines. The leather still well worn, the photo of Joey now joined by a photo from their wedding day.

She pulled the keycard out, and unlocked the door easily. Moving to slide the little bit of plastic into the holder just inside the wall in order to turn the lights on. Moving to lock the door behind them, doubling it up as she pulled her wand to set a charm in place in order to keep their privacy a little more effectively.

"I'm not the Minister of Magic yet, and even if I was of course I would make sure I had time. You and our family will always come first" Hermione spoke then a little airily as she perched on the edge of the bed. Pulling her shoes off one at a time to set them neatly by her bedside table. Her gaze moving up to watch Storm once she had relieved herself of her trainers.

"Well, I know but I mean I don't want to push you into a second one. We only really ever discussed one" Storm stated simply as she moved to flop down next to the older witch. Landing with a huff on her belly, bouncing a little bit as the plush mattress gave way to her weight.

"I would love a second one Storm, but we should get through this one first" Hermione laughed, moving to face the younger witch a little more. Her hands going to push the baggy t-shirt up the Shifter's back to expose deep red sunburn to the cool air of the room.

"Honestly, imagine if someone turned around to you in Hogwarts and said you'd not only have been sleeping with me, but you married me and ended up having my children" Storm added a little smugly as she twisted to pull her t-shirt off entirely. Leaving her just in her bikini top and swim trunks. Her skin all but glowing in the dim light of their hotel room.

"I truly would have questioned their sanity" Hermione quipped, no need to lie to the younger woman before her. They were both well aware of the dynamic they had had during their time at Hogwarts.

She stood from the bed, moving to pull her wand from her own pocket in order to start their packing. Leaving a few bits out for them to change into in the morning, not bothering to leave anything for them to sleep in that night. Storm was like a radiator, and she found given the warm climate she had been sweltering every night since being here.

"Do you fancy getting in the shower first while I'm just sorting these last bits out?" Hermione asked then, moving to check over their luggage.

Storm had rolled from her spot on the bed and padded towards where the brunette was rummaging through their things. Taking the opportunity to press herself flush to the older woman's back, moving to press tender kisses across the sensitive skin at Hermione's jaw.

"You know, we could shower together. It is an awfully big shower, and we should definitely make the most out of it seeing as it is our last night" Storm muttered a little huskily into the brunette's ear.

Hermione sighed, dark eyes fluttering shut as she thought on the words that had been spoken. Of course, Storm had a point. She always did when it came to such things. Though, Hermione was never one to actually argue with her.

"You are insatiable sometimes" She muttered, the task at hand entirely forgotten as she turned in the embrace she had been held so tightly in. Leaning up to capture Storm's plump bottom lip between her own to suck on gently for just a moment.

"Well, have you seen my wife… I mean, can you really blame me?" Storm laughed then, shaking her head as she moved to pull away from the embrace. Taking Hermione by the hand to lead her into the bathroom in order to start the water. Intent on making their last night really alone as special as could be.

-x-x-x-x-

A few weeks later Storm found herself standing on the deck outside their home on the beach, the salt stinging her nose and the wind coming from the sea whipping her short messy hair around. Hermione was pottering about inside finishing the last bits that they needed for their bbq, they had decided to wait until after they'd been to St. Mungos to tell everyone. Something Storm had found quite difficult.

She had struggled not to just yell it as soon as she had seen her best friend, and she knew Ginny had figured out there was something. She knew Ginny knew her too well for that. But the Redhead had simply smirked at her and left her to it.

But now, as she waited for Harry and Ginny to arrive she was all but bursting with excitement. Hermione had started to show, and she guessed their time was truly running out on the secret front. People would know eventually as it became harder, and harder to hide.

A warm hand on the small of her back brought her out of her own head, and she looked down to see Hermione standing beside her. The older woman smiling up at her fondly as if she knew exactly what was being processed in that moment. "They'll be here any second" She spoke quietly then, moving to lean up and press a kiss to the underside of Storm's jaw.

As if on cue a small crack sounded and as Storm looked up she took in the sight of her best friend and the green eyed boy getting their bearings. Ginny herself was huge pregnant and looked increasingly fed up, but her smile was almost blinding as she took in her best friend's almost frantic appearance.

"Hermione's pregnant!" Storm spilled then, the words all but flowing from her as she spoke loudly over the sound of the ocean in the background.

"I told you!" Ginny spoke then, turning to Harry as he rolled his eyes and rummaged in his pocket to pull out a galleon to hand over to the redhead.

"Congratulations" He spoke then, much more calmly than his wife as he moved to take his best friend into a hug. A wide smile tugging at his lips as they embraced for a moment before he pulled back once again.

"Thank you" Hermione spoke with a quiet laugh, moving to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear as dark eyes flicked to watch Storm who had already grabbed a few drinks to hand out. The redhead already perched quite comfortably in one of the chairs that sat on the deck.

"How far along are you then?" Harry questioned the brunette as he took the butter beer Storm had handed over to him. The Shifter already nattering away quickly with Ginny. The pair deep in conversation about whether or not Joe knew yet.

"About four months now" Hermione smiled sheepishly, moving to smooth her slightly uncharacteristically baggy t-shirt down over her small bump. Showing it off a little proudly to her best friend who seemed to look on with a sparkle in his eyes.

"Blimey, so that weekend away you pair took after the wedding sure did what it was intended for" Harry laughed then. She had disclosed that she had hoped the area would relax Storm enough for it to make it easy. Having researched the best ways to get pregnant successfully.

Of course that hadn't surprised the man she had called her best friend for years. It would have been more of a shock if that hadn't been the case. "It was very relaxed" was all Hermione spoke in return, the blush that crept up her neck giving her true meaning away.

"Is that what we're calling it these days?" Harry teased, an eyebrow raised as he questioned her. Knowing there would be no answer to the question.

The sound of erupting laughter met their ears and they both turned to take in Storm and Ginny giggling at something they were sure was nowhere near as clean as their own conversation. The red hue Storm's cheeks had adopted giving her away as dark eyes flicked to them, her grin nothing short of sheepish as she rubbed the back of her neck. "Ginny's being vulgar" Was all she said as she hooked her thumb over her shoulder towards the redhead just shaking her head.

"Storm hasn't grown up yet, well done Hermione you'll have two children by the time the year is out" She laughed as she moved to slap the Shifter on the shoulder non too gently. Watching with thinly veiled amusement as Storm turned to glare at her.

"I am not a child, I just can't believe it happened so quickly" Storm muttered with a laugh, truly unable to believe how she had gotten so lucky.

"What's for dinner?" Harry asked then, changing the topic away from anything the pair of them may come up with.

"Well, I was hoping you'd help me bbq" Storm spoke then, twisting to point at the still unused bbq she had bought months ago. Claiming it had been a wedding gift to them from herself. Though, Hermione had doubted that had been the actual reason. Figuring it was much more likely that Storm just wanted it.

"We can give it a go, it's been years since I've used one of these" Harry admitted, though his interest had definitely been piqued by the contraption.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Later that night, long after Ginny and Harry had gone Hermione had found herself unable to really sleep. Storm was flat out on her stomach, snoring quietly to herself. The sheets pooled around her hips, exposing her naked back to the moonlit room.

The television was on and playing some documentary Hermione had thought might be quite interesting. Her dark eyes fixed on the screen, but nothing the program said had really sunk in. Her keen mind wrapping itself around the prospect of what the morning would bring.

Joe had a Hogsmede weekend and they would be going to see him to break the news in person. Something Storm was absolutely buzzing for. She hadn't stopped talking about it since they had decided on the plan, and though Hermione was sure the boy would be elated for the pair she couldn't help the nerves that had butterflies erupting in her stomach every time she thought on it.

A low hum an a rustle of the sheets wrapped around them both caught her attention, and she noted then that Storm was stirring. Dark eyes barely cracking open to take in the fact her wife was still up. Hermione's fingers going to brush dark curls away from Storm's face as the younger witch made to sit up against their headboard. Confusion pulling at her features as the older woman regarded her warmly.

The indents from where the sheets had imprinted on her cheek evident even in the dim light from the t.v, her eyebrows furrowing together as she frowned in concentration for a moment. Dark eyes scanning the older witch to ensure all was well. "Why are you awake?" Storm muttered then, bringing a fist up to rub at her face tiredly.

"I'm nervous for what tomorrow might bring" Hermione admitted a little sheepishly, a small smile tugging itself across her lips as she moved to sink further into the bed. Using Storm's chest as a place to rest her head. Dark curls pulled up into a bun and out of the way already. The sound of Storm's heart rhythmically beating beneath the surface soothing her so nicely.

"You've fought some of the darkest wizards of all time, and you're afraid of Joey?" Storm smirked, though there was no malice in her tone. "I think I love you even more for that" She added, pressing a tender kiss to the top of Hermione's head. Moving to stroke her fingers down the older witch's side gently.

"I just want everything to go right. I would be devastated if he hated this situation" Hermione spoke, telling Storm lifting the weight from her shoulders as the younger woman reassured her.

"You heard him, he wants siblings! I'm sure he'll absolutely love the little one. It's going to be huge for him, just like it is for us" Storm spoke quietly, her voice tired as she shut her eyes for a moment. The light from the television flickering through her eyelids.

"I know, I'm just over thinking it." She admitted with a yawn. The Shifters words soothing her every worry. She figured quietly that this is why they worked so well together. Just Storm's presence was reassuring, it was safe and secure and had been since that fateful moment during the war.

She knew this is exactly where she was meant to be, wrapped tightly in the younger woman's protective embrace as they embarked on a journey tailored just to them.