Many thanks for the kind reviews and for welcoming these bonus chapters. It's just me being a little indulgent wanting to see snippets of their future.

8 August, 2008: 1:57pm

Hermione sat in a plush chair in the back garden. The breeze was balmy but comfortable. Pipsy had thrust a snack and a glass of water upon her with no choice to enjoy it even though all she'd intended to do was get some fresh air while she read.

That would have been the case anyway if she hadn't spent the last hour checking her watch every few minutes, distracting her from her book.

Draco and Rose were late. She'd told him today was the day Molly and Arthur would be visiting the townhouse for their monthly Sunday visit. They'd continued to trade off sometimes, and especially now that she was six months along in her pregnancy, Molly insisted she not have to make the floo trip to the Burrow. Hermione didn't see why it mattered. She could still travel but arguing with a determined Molly Weasley had never been a good idea.

But Draco and Rose were late. He'd taken her and her new friend Colin to watch a quidditch match with Theo and Blaise and she'd been certain she reminded him at least three times about what time they needed to be back. Any minute now the Weasleys would be here and she was becoming increasingly annoyed. It wasn't like him to be late. And Rose's relationship with her grandparents had improved as she settled into the new normal. She let Molly play board games with her and showed Arthur how to fly a kite. She was thriving in the changes.

Hermione was just thankful for the improvement. Even more than that, Rose was rich in love. It helped assuage her nerves about being a mother of two instead of just the one. They'd always had her mother and Harry and Ginny but now there was Draco and all of the people he brought into their world with him. It seemed everyone was happy

Except for the baby in her stomach.

"Oh, bloody hell," she breathed. She looked down at her stomach. "Give it a rest with the kicking, will you? We've still got three months like this, you and I."

The back door opened and just as she feared, it wasn't her husband and daughter but Arthur and Molly Weasley who entered the garden, led by Pipsy who was trying to ply them with drinks.

"Goodness," Molly said after Pipsy popped off for the kitchen. "Insistent little thing, isn't she?"

Hermione bit her lip because another pop later, the elf returned with glasses before she left them.

"I'm not sure who has more nervous energy these days, me or her," Hermione said, pushing herself to stand and greet them.

"Oh no, no, no," Arthur waved her back into her chair as they charged further into the garden. "Don't get up on our account."

Her mobility wasn't compromised yet but she could see that change on the horizon. However, not wanting to argue, she sat back down and gestured at the table for them to join her.

"Draco took Rose and one of her friends to see a quidditch match. They were supposed to be back almost a half hour ago now."

Molly waved her off as she set her customary tin of homemade biscuits on the table. "Not to worry. We wouldn't want to ruin their fun. I'm sure they'll turn up shortly."

"How have you been, Hermione?" Arthur asked.

Hermione had begun to view her relationship with the Weasleys as pre-Draco and post-Draco. Pre-Draco was oddly awkward and at times a little strained. Post-Draco everyone seemed so much more at ease. She wasn't sure if it was because there was no loose end where Ron might have once been or because they were merely just so happy and encouraging seeing the positive changes in her and Rose's life. Regardless, it was hard to complain. They'd settled into a new sort of comfort and it was nice.

"Exhausted," she said, sending them a tired smile. "But otherwise well."

"And how is Draco adjusting?" Molly asked. She always asked after him, whether he was present for these visits or not. It spoke volumes really.

Hermione bobbed her head from side to side as she considered her answer. She could be truthful and tell them that he oscillated between being a nervous mess and overly doting or she could lie and tell them he was perfectly calm.

Molly laughed before she could answer. "You don't even have to say. I can tell from your expression. He's a mess, isn't he?"

She sighed. "More than I could possibly describe."

"Oh, he'll relax eventually," Arthur assured her with a lopsided grin.

"Yes, well—"

The comment died on her tongue when Rose burst out the back door, Draco hot on her heels. When Hermione turned to face her, she felt her heart climb to her throat and she was on her feet in an instant.

"What in Merlin's name happened to your head?" She cried.

Rose stopped before her, eyes large and apologetic as she looked up at her. "It was a snitch!"

Hermione found Draco just behind her, looking guiltier than she'd ever seen him. "What. Happened." She groaned out.

He swallowed and gestured at the puffy gauze bandaged to Rose's forehead. "Well, you see…it's sort of funny really…"

"Someone in the stands released an illegal snitch," Rose said, jumping in, "and it went like this—" She made a horizontal flying motion with her hand. "And then the officials didn't see it at first so the seekers were going after both!"

Draco sighed heavily. "Long story short—she got nicked by the illegal snitch's wings—the after market ones are absurdly sharp—and the stadium officials wouldn't let us leave until the mediwitch had a proper look at her head because they were afraid I was going to sue their bloody socks off—which I did consider."

Rose wrinkled her nose. "A man a row below us nearly lost his ear. There was a lot of blood. Uncle Blaise almost fainted."

Hermione sighed, allowing her eyes to close for a second as her blood pressure slowly lowered to normal. Her child was fine. It would not do to murder her husband.

"Alright. You seem well enough then. Go say hello to your grandparents."

Draco approached after Rose took a seat with Molly and Arthur, recounting the story once more for them.

"I'm sorry," he said, pleading. "I didn't see the bloody thing until it was right in our faces or I'd have tried to catch it." He slipped his phone from his front pocket and shook it. "I tried to text but I was so damn frazzled and the signal was horrendous with all of the magic around."

She folded her arms tightly over her chest. "You know how I feel about that sport."

He groaned. "You feel that way about lots of things. We can't put her in a bloody bubble, Hermione. The mediwitch said it shouldn't even scar. It wasn't that deep, just a bad nick."

She felt irritation swell in her chest but chose to tamp it down. She shook her head at him. "And Colin is alright?"

Draco visibly relaxed when she didn't chastise him further. "The kid's fine. Wood was playing, you know. He met us to gather him while they were looking at Rose's head." He lifted a finger. "That little bugger better not be setting sights on Rose."

Hermione scoffed. "Draco, they're nine. They're more interested in sports and George's new gross out sweets than they are in that."

He pressed his lips together firmly and nodded. "It better stay that way."

"Oh, stop. Colin is a lovely little boy and I'm glad Rose now has a friend her age who will go to Hogwarts with her."

She gave a discreet wave to Molly and gestured that they'd be going inside. Draco waved as well and followed her without a word.

"I really am sorry," he said again when they arrived in the kitchen.

Hermione sat herself at the island and propped her chin on a fisted hand. "I'm hungry and dinner's not until seven. Apologize with a sandwich."

He snorted and leaned forward to kiss her quickly. She lifted her hands to his face, feeling the growing stubble along his jaw tickle against her palms. He was always a balm to her nerves. Despite the initial fear, she knew Rose was in good hands. Draco would never let anything truly happen to her.

She sighed when they separated. "I'm sorry for getting angry. If it's any consolation, when she was two I took her to the park with my mum and dad. One of our neighbors was walking their corgi and the dog absolutely loved Rose. They were running together—as well as a two year old can run that is—and I looked away for two seconds and she fell on the walking path. She skinned both elbows and you'd swear she was dying by the way she wailed. I felt horrible for days."

Draco groaned at himself. "I still feel horrible though. She was great about it. She didn't even cry. I just—Merlin, this part isn't easy, is it?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm afraid not."

He nodded as he rounded the island and began pulling out ingredients for her requested sandwich. His attempts at cooking were improving but still lacking most of the time. However, he was stubborn so despite that she'd given him an out last month to give up, he refused. Tomorrow night he'd be attempting a beef roast for the first time. Hermione made sure to pick up a frozen pizza from the market as backup in case it didn't work out. She asked Pipsy to hide it deep in the freezer.

However, Draco was an expert sandwich maker and it was officially his job. She'd seen him preen a little when Rose even tried his odd ingredient combinations.

"How's the baby?" He asked, his hands juggling bread and deli meat as he set up his work space.

Hermione ran a hand over her stomach and sighed. "It's being rather temperamental. It's been kicking me all afternoon."

Draco leaned over the counter and shook the butterknife in his hand. "Oi, calm it down in there!" He flashed her a cheeky smirk.

She laughed at his antics. Sometimes she still saw the broody man he'd likely always be to some extent but he'd changed so much in the last year and a half. He was happy and she didn't see him carrying as much weight on his shoulders anymore. Even Narcissa commented on the changes last weekend over dinner when he left the room.

"Thank Merlin for you, Hermione," she'd whispered.

He rounded the counter and slid a plate in front of her at the same time that the sound of angry footsteps pounded down the hall. Hermione nearly choked on a mouthful of turkey and ham when Ginny entered the room unannounced. She'd not even heard the floo.

"Are my parents here?" She asked, eyes wild.

Draco waved a hand at her. "You alright there, Red?"

She sent him a stiff smile. "Fine, thanks. Just want to get permission to commit a family murder. Are they in the garden then? I'll help myself."

Neither had a chance to respond before she was gone and Harry hurried into the kitchen next.

"What the hell is going on?" Draco asked.

"And where's James?" Hermione asked.

"He's with George for the afternoon." Harry sighed warily, reaching under his glasses to rub his eyes. "What do you think?"

Hermione and Draco shared a look.

"Ron." "Weasley."

Harry nodded. He gestured at the sandwich ingredients. "Do you mind if I—It's been a long day and I had to make a last minute trip to the Ministry this morning and then I didn't get to eat just now…"

Draco fell onto the bar stool next to her and waved a hand. "If you make it yourself, have at it."

"What's happened, Harry?" Hermione asked. Her sandwich was all but forgotten now.

Harry shook his head, an annoyed pinch to his brows as he slathered a piece of bread with dijon mustard. "I almost feel like I shouldn't say but you'll just likely see it in the papers if I don't." He slapped a few pieces of meat and cheese together before looking up. "Ron's fiance is pregnant."

Hermione blinked. For a moment, she had no immediate reaction. It wasn't especially surprising. She didn't expect that he would get married and that he and his wife wouldn't have children. But then she realized, she felt…nothing.

There were a litany of smart remarks on Draco's tongue, a number of sarcastic quips. However, he swallowed them, buried them deep. If he'd learned one thing since they were married, it was that it was best not to react to anything about Ron Weasley. Hermione was at peace and Rose was happy. He didn't need to ruin the foundation of their family by revisiting the darker parts of their history.

He cleared his throat. "And Red is upset with her brother because?"

Hermione nodded. "It's not as if no one expected they wouldn't have children some day."

Harry chewed a bite of his sandwich, a thoughtful quirk to his mouth. "Well, it's not Ron actually. We were having a late lunch with them." He found Hermione's eyes. "I'm not convinced he and I will ever be friends the way were were but he's still my brother-in-law."

She cut a dismissive hand through the air in a way that reminded Draco of his mother. "You don't have to defend yourself, Harry. And it would be your choice if you wanted to be friends with him again or not."

He shrugged and dropped his sandwich completely to the cutting board. "Well, anyway, Molly is trying harder and so I thought Ginny should, too. But it was something his fiancé said. That she was sort of glad now that she's pregnant that you didn't let him get to know Rose. Because he won't be distracted from her and the baby."

Draco inhaled a sharp breath and his gaze immediately drifted to Hermione. She didn't meet his eyes though. She was still looking at Harry.

"I thought this witch was the one who originally wanted him to make amends," Draco said.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Malfoy, I don't know. To frank, I think she's a bit…well bossy really."

Draco's eyes flickered in Hermione's direction again and she backhanded him. "Ow! Violent, witch."

It was rather obvious that Harry was trying not to laugh. "He might have a type in that regard—no offense, Hermione—but she's nothing like Hermione at all."

"Probably nowhere near as brilliant," Draco said.

Harry scoffed. "No one is as brilliant as Hermione. Not even you, Malfoy."

Hermione waved her hands to shut them up. "As much as I appreciate this lovely ego boosting, and I can understand the perceived slight towards Rose which doesn't make me happy, I can't exactly say she's wrong. Why is Ginny so upset?"

"I think it's because she doesn't like the idea of Ron forgetting his actions," Harry said. He reached for his sandwich again. "And Ron wasn't especially happy with the way it had been phrased either. I think he's still holding out hope that maybe one day Rose might be comfortable enough to be on speaking terms with him."

Draco tried not to show any reaction to that. Instead, he stood and rounded the island, pushing Harry out of the way so he could clean up. He could feel her eyes on him though. He knew she wouldn't be dropping it once they were alone again.

Harry took up his vacated seat and took a bite from his sandwich.

Hermione sighed. "Well, I've been rather clear with Ron about his role in Rose's life. After all, it was me who told him not to refer to himself as Rose's dad." She lifted her shoulders in an uncertain shrug. "And I suppose if I were in her shoes, I might find it easier to manage if my fiancé wasn't also having to be a father to someone's else's child."

Despite her words, Draco got the impression she still felt the slight and it sounded as if that was how the rat's fiancé had intended for it to be. His defensive hackles rose and he spoke before he could stop himself.

"Yeah, but that doesn't absolve the moron of the truth." He lifted his hands. "She my daughter, Hermione, and I'd duel that bastard to the death for her. However, I'm not so egotistical as to remember whose genes she has. Nurture over nature though, love."

Harry polished off the last of his sandwich and wiped his hands. "Well, regardless, Ginny isn't happy with him and you know there's no arguing with her once she'd made up her mind. Honestly, she and his fiancé don't quite get on well." He glanced at his watch. "I think that should have given her enough time to rant. We'll get out of your hair."

He left his stool with a wave and disappeared down the hall. He and Ginny were over so often that he knew he way around by now.

Hermione waited until she couldn't hear his footsteps any longer before she spoke. "What are you thinking?"

Draco inhaled a breath. They still saw the counselor together every other month. He wasn't supposed to bottle things, even if they might be hurtful to other people. Sometimes she had to tease things out of him, press him just a little. It was a new form a magic he was learning, working with his emotions.

"That I'm afraid one day Rose will want a relationship with the idiot." He shook his head quickly. "And I feel like real arse for it. If she wanted to know her biological father one day, that would be her right."

Hermione reached for his hand and pulled until he took up Harry's vacated stool. "But you're the one putting in time to parent her. I get it, Draco. However, I don't think you've much to be worried about. Maybe one day she'll be able to at least speak to him in public but I can't honestly see her ever wanting a relationship with him. I mean, would you?"

He huffed and twisted their hands until he could twine their fingers. "No. And in a way, I didn't have a real father either. Not like what Rose deserves. He may have been present but I almost wish he hadn't been."

She squeezed his hand. "But you're a wonderful father, Draco. You're nothing like him."

And each time she said it, he started to believe it a little more.

6:00pm

"We're adopting!" Theo announced.

Draco paused with his glass hovering near his lips. His gaze slid towards Hermione but she didn't notice. Her shock was written all across her face though. That tended to happen though when in the middle of dinner, someone made such a random and surprising declaration.

Neither Theo nor Blaise had mentioned a word about children, at least not the idea of their own, in months. Draco almost thought Theo had given up on the idea altogether.

"C-congratulations!" She said once she gathered her wits. She elbowed him in the side.

He grunted. She had rather pointy elbows. "Yes, that's exciting. When did this come about?"

Blaise tapped his forefinger on his dinner glass as he shared a look with Theo. "We've been discussing it for some time now." He glanced at Hermione. "Though I think it was Granger's pregnancy that sort of pushed us along."

Hermione glanced around the table, her confusion palatable. Draco shrugged when she looked at him.

"I don't understand."

Theo swished his fork through the air rudely. "Don't they call it…baby fever? I don't bloody know. But watching you lot become such a nice little family," he paused to smile at Rose who'd just stuck a forkful of pasta in her mouth, ignoring them all entirely while she read the book Hermione begrudgingly allowed her to bring to the table, "and then the new little one on the way. It's sort of…inspiring I'd say."

Draco lifted a brow as he found Blaise's eyes. "And you're ready?"

It wasn't a secret that Blaise had been most of the hold up until now. For all his confidence, Blaise wasn't that different from Draco. He had his own emotional scars to deal with, most of which came from his relationship with his mother and never having a stable family situation.

Blaise nodded calmly. "As Granger told us, children aren't easy but…it seems rewarding. And we don't have to be like our own parents."

And there was the root of it.

Draco sighed and Hermione sent him a questioning look. He found her hand under the table and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"We'll be nothing like our own parents," Draco assured him.

9:15pm

"What a busy day," Hermione sighed as Draco closed the bedroom door behind them.

He unstrapped his watch and laid it carefully on his nightstand before he sat on the edge of the bed. "You could say that. Between Potter's wife ready and willing to commit murder and Theo and Blaise's announcement, I think I may have emotional whiplash."

She closed the space between them to stand between his knees. He titled his head back to kiss her when she leaned down. "Aren't you happy for Theo and Blaise?"

He nodded and his hands rested on her stomach. "I am. The next thing you know, it'll be Pansy next."

"How are she and Madeline getting on? I've made a point not to ask too many questions at work lest word gets back to Pansy that I'm being nosy."

Draco outright laughed. "Last I heard, it sounds as if an engagement could be in the near future."

"And how do you think her parents handle that?"

"She says they're coming around actually."

"I'm glad to hear it."

His hands trailed a path from her stomach to her lower back. Her eyes fell closed when he pressed his fingertips into her flesh, massaging the knots.

"Why don't you have a bath? You seem tired."

She nodded wearily. She'd forgotten how tiring being pregnant could be. Last time she didn't have a nine year old to balance on top of work and a husband.

Hermione exited the bathroom, her robe wrapped snugly around her. She found Draco waiting in one of the armchairs. He arched a brow at her and pointed sternly at the chair opposite him.

She sighed. If anyone thought he was doting before she was pregnant, they hadn't seen anything. He stood and carefully guided her into the chair, though she had half a mind to remind him that she wasn't so pregnant yet that she needed the extra help. She then watched as he sat on the low table between the chairs and uncapped the jar of expensive creme. The scent wafted to her and she nearly melted on the spot. It smelled as expensive as she knew it had to be, something floral and fresh. He refused to tell her how much he paid for it and that was probably for the best. She was afraid that the shop keepers in Diagon Alley were beginning to realize that if they tried to sell him anything for her or Rose, he was a complete sucker.

"Open the robe," he ordered gently.

She rolled her eyes but did as he said. She didn't even know why she still fought this. It was useless. Whenever Draco got it in his head that he would be doing something for either her or Rose, there was really no talking him out of it.

The cool bedroom air kissed her heated skin. She was bare all but her knickers and she inhaled a sharp breath when his cool fingertips began rubbing the creme into her stomach. The same thing he'd been doing for the last two weeks after he brought it home.

She rested her head on a fisted hand while she watched him. "Do you honestly believe this lovely smelling concoction is going to reduce stretch marks, Draco?"

His eyes flicked up briefly from his task and he narrowed them. "You honestly think Madam Cartier would put her name on a product that didn't?"

Ah yes, this little purchase came from Paris and not Diagon Alley. He'd had a last minute business trip he'd not been able to get out of and returned with this and a number of other little trinkets for her and Rose. Sometimes she loved him so much she thought her heart might actually burst. It wasn't the objects. It was just him.

"Does the idea of me having them bother you that much?" She couldn't help the self-conscious lilt to her voice when she asked the question.

He stopped for a moment and sent her a wounded look. "I just didn't want you to feel even a hint of what I have over my scars."

She sighed. "I was so young when I had Rose, I think I must have gotten fairly lucky. I have no idea what I'll be left with after this baby. I'm not going to be bothered unless you will be."

He swallowed and tore his gaze from hers. Another moment of discomfort. She'd have to remind him to discuss this with their therapist.

"I won't care, Hermione. You're going to be beautiful to me no matter what. I just thought I might be saving you from feeling…well, I don't know."

His hands stopped suddenly, a look of shame washed over him and she reached for his hands as he pulled them away. She brought those hands back to her skin and leaned forward to kiss him gently.

"No one exactly chooses stretch marks if they have the option." She tipped her head. "And regardless of whether it actually works or not, I was quite enjoying the massage. You're nearly halfway through foreplay as it is."

She was relieved to see the spark in his eyes again, a dangerous little glint that often came right before they fell into bed together.

"That's one thing that's consistent with my last pregnancy," she said, halfway between a moan and a sigh when he continued. "Lucky you."

Lucky her as well. She recalled a woman in her office mentioning a couple years back how her husband seemed to lose interest in sex while she was pregnant. That was certainly not the case for Draco. As often as she wanted it, he was more than happy to oblige.

She gasped when his hands found her breasts. Her teeth dug into her bottom lip when he gave them a gentle squeeze, testing their weight. They were rather tender today. She was half torn between the idea of ripping his clothes off or asking him to continue the gentle massage.

"Are they—are they getting bigger?"

She snorted. "Yes, and it's a bloody annoyance as I think I may need new bras again."

He tilted his head before his eyes met hers, his fingertips still tenderly running along the shape of them. "For the record, I don't mind them this size but I like them as they normally are just as well."

She bit her lip against a smile. "Thank you for the reassurance." And she meant it. Each time he caught her eyeing her body in the mirror, he made sure to stop those thoughts.

His eyes flickered up again, a smirk starting to contort his mouth. "Should I take you to bed then?" He looked down. "You've been fidgeting for friction in this chair for at least a full minute now."

"You're such a pest sometimes, " she muttered, the tepid insult earning a chuckle before she latched a hand behind his head and leaned in to kiss him.

11:58pm

"Mummy!"

Hermione's eyes snapped open in the dark at the same time that a bolt of lightning flashed outside the bedroom window.

Thunder rocked the house and once more she heard a plea of, "Mummy!"

She ran a hand over her face before she shuffled across the mattress, having to fight a bit to get out from under Draco's arm. They'd had to rearrange sleeping positions after she started showing. She couldn't sleep on his chest now and instead, he'd opted to curl himself around her, his chest pressed to her back.

"Wassit?" She heard him mumble.

"It's Rose. I need to get up."

He gave her a gentle push to help her up and she shuffled to their bedroom door. She reached for her hair with a tired hand and found it still slightly damp from their rushed shower before bed. A yawn escaped her as she opened the door. Rose stood in the hall, her Paddington tucked against her chest and nothing but the wall sconces lighting the otherwise dark townhouse.

"What's wrong, darling?"

"I can't sleep. It's so loud and I had a bad dream."

Hermione sighed tiredly. "Alright. I'll come tuck you in and stay for a while."

"Just put her in bed here," Draco muttered from behind her.

Rose's eyes were so large in the dark as she peered up at her. She normally slept so well but even Hermione could understand being scared during this storm in such a large house.

"Are you sure?"

He lifted his head. "For the love of Merlin, everyone needs to sleep." He whipped the covers further back to make his point.

Hermione shut the door behind her and climbed back into bed first. She took Rose's Paddington and waited for her to climb in as well but it was a bit of a struggle given the height of the bed. Once she was in, she took her place again and welcomed Rose into her arms.

"Is everyone comfortable then?" Draco asked. "Good. Now sleep."

Rose flinched in Hermione's arms when thunder rolled over them again. She pressed her lips to her forehead. "You're fine, love."

Draco groaned. "Well, I'm not. Now I've got to have a wee."

It was enough to earn a tired giggle from Rose as he got out of bed and shuffled into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.

"I'm sorry I woke you, mum."

She yawned. "Not to worry, darling." She brushed a hand over her hair blindly. "How's your head?"

"I'm…fine." The words came out slurred, a child already on her way back to dreamland.

The mattress dipped a few minutes later and she felt Draco press at her back again. His tired huff disturbed her hair as he settled close.

"Is she asleep?" He whispered.

"Yes."

"Hmm," he hummed against her hair, curling his arm around them both.

Another crack of thunder shook their house and Hermione sighed. Sandwiched between her two favorite people, she let their warmth lull her back to sleep.

Thank you for reading.