Harry crawls into bed late. Far later than he meant to and far later than she expected him. But even half-asleep, she is aware that he is now home and by its own accord, Ginny's body turns towards his. He sighs as she curls around him, and he touches her hand, patting it softly as though it is a physical embodiment of him whispering, 'there, there, I'm here, I'm home'.

And it is just as they are both drifting off that the baby kicks, hard, and it jolts Harry awake. Ginny laughs because as hard as he felt it, it came from inside her and isn't it funny that their unborn child is already displeased with the hours his father keeps?

Harry turns, and in the half-light of their bedroom, she sees how tired he is and she touches his face.

"Sorry, love."

"That's a rambunctious child you have inside you, Mrs Potter," Harry said, voice sounding gruff.

"Takes after his father," Ginny murmurs.

"And here I was thinking he takes after your lot." Harry reaches out and gently touches her belly - reverent and almost in disbelief as though he still can't believe that there's a part of him in there.

"My family would never be so rude as to kick out their mum's belly while she's trying to get some rest."

Harry has no answer to that, just a raised eyebrow. He ducks his head down and kisses her stomach, whispering something. When he pops his head back up, she gives him a questioning look.

"I told him to be nice to his mum. She keeps him safe, warm, and fed while he's in there and no son of mine is going to disrespect that."

Ginny snorts softly and touches his forehead, brushing his fringe away from his tired eyes.

"Glad that's settled then," she whispers. Both of their eyes finally drift closed again as sleep trys to descend once more. Which is why it is so funny when their son kicks again. Ginny tsks and finally sits up, bringing the lights on in the room with her wand. Harry groans, so she lowers them again, but only just.

"I'll go down to the settee," Ginny said, knowing that she is probably done with sleep tonight. This baby is active and fierce, and yes, she fears that Harry is right. It does indeed take after her lot.

"No, stay. Please, love," Harry said quietly, voice full of…Ginny's not sure what, exactly. She realizes it must have been a tough mission indeed.

"You need your rest, Harry."

"I need you."

And by the brazen glint in his eye she can see that, yes, he does. And he doesn't mean for sleeping.

Ginny smiles and nods, laying back down. They kiss and before she knows it he has her there - at that deliriously intoxicating peak between love and passion, and even though she feels as though she is as big as a house these days, Harry never makes her think she is anything less than the most beautiful and precious thing in the world.

She feels like a flower waiting to open when he touches her, and before long, Ginny blooms for him and offers up her body as she always does and as she always will. Because Harry has always had her, long before she even understood what that meant. He takes her joyously and gives back as much as he can, making sure she is satisfied before allowing himself to even think of letting go. And the very fact of their love is between - their first child growing inside her - and it has made them both more appreciative of what the physical act can mean. Their love has created life, and sometimes Ginny feels as though it is the most rebellious act either of them can claim to have ever done. She thrills at the idea of a little part of her and a little part of him mixed together, forever, living on long after they are gone.

Afterwards, they cuddle properly this time and she grins as she kisses the side of his neck, now damp with sweat. Ginny realizes their son must have given up for the night.

"I think he'll be quiet now," she murmurs.

"I should hope so after that display," Harry chuckles, sounding done in. But she can now hear the smile that had been missing back in his voice, and she joins him, feeling light and carefree.

Ginny knows that before they realize it, these moments between them might not happen for a while. They will, no doubt, be preoccupied with their child, and rightly so, but for now, now she is happy to fall asleep in her husband's arms. They are a family. Not yet, and not quite, but soon. And as scary as that is to her on some level, Ginny knows that their love with fill their days with a new kind of joy.