A/N: Hmmmm...what to do next…..?

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The next few months were filled with ups and downs. Severus did his best to help Hermione through her trauma as well as dealing with his own. Some days were better than others but overall he felt like their relationship was stronger having gone through this together. Not that he would have ever wanted to go through anything so horrible but it was nice knowing that they could get through anything. Of course having his sister Salome, and Lola there as a support helped a lot too. Especially when they were still dealing with the wannabe politicians on the Board. Severus sneered into his coffee as he nibbled on an apricot danish. Today was another work from home day which he personally didn't mind. Anything to get away from that weasel of a man, Artemis Jigger. These battles were starting to become tedious and Severus was starting to worry about their endgame. He was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Until then…

"Severus, please tell me that isn't the last danish," Hermione grumbled, shuffling into his study in a soft gray shirt that he recognized as one of his own. Her hair looked like a bird's nest and her arms were piled with parchment and a few quills stuck out of her bronze curls at odd intervals. She was barefoot, clearly wired from caffeine herself but altogether he was mesmerized.

"Ah, it is," Severus lied, hoping Lola wasn't listening in. Trust the overzealous house elf to pop in and ruin his fun. "It seems we'll have to share."

That earned a smile from the brilliant witch and she walked up to his desk, set the parchments down and climbed onto his lap; straddling him. Immediately he curled his arms around her waist, gazing into her eyes, a smirk lighting up his features. Wordlessly she took a bite from the half eaten pastry out of his hand and then her lips were on his. It was reminiscent of their first kiss but sweeter, and more real. Maybe because there was love too? Before things got too intense she pulled back and stroked his face, "I just love our mornings at home. I hope you don't mind, I just couldn't stand going out to the office today."

Severus shook his head, leaning into the warmth of her hand, "No love, I'm not upset. In fact, I'm starting to love our mornings at home too," he confessed, stealing another kiss. "Especially if it means having you in my lap like this."

"It has been a while hasn't it?" She breathed and he froze, wondering if she meant…sex. It was something they danced around after the miscarriage.

He decided to answer truthfully, "Yes, it has been. But honestly Hermione, I just love having you close." He punctuated this by kissing her palm.

"See, that's exactly why I feel like I'm ready now. You've been so wonderfully sweet and patient. And I know that this has been hard for you too," Hermione acknowledged, settling in his arms and coaxing him into a slow, lingering kiss. It was hot and he felt the familiar stirrings of his arousal.

He groaned, and his hands slid to her bum which he squeezed, earning a gasp from the witch as she reflexively ground on his growing erection. "God Hermione, are you sure?"

"Yes. Very fucking sure. I need you Severus," She said as she kissed him more forcefully which he returned whole heartedly. It didn't take long for both of their clothes to come off. In mere minutes he had a naked, flushed Hermione draped across his desk. His mouth on her breasts, fingers pumping in and out of her tight, wet cunt as she cried out in pleasure. "More, please Severus….it's been so long…"

"All in due time my love," Severus smirked, removing his fingers and sampling her juices. "Exquisite as always," he purred, his dark eyes glittering down at her, wanting to see her face as his rigid cock entered into her for the first time in months. He was not disappointed. Her eyes screwed shut, jaw dropped and she clawed at his desk, a hissing sound leaving her mouth. Severus was similarly affected. "Merlin, you're snug," he gasped, steadily pushing forward until he was buried to the hilt. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this good. "And warm, wet, and inviting. I've missed this. Missed you."

"Mmmm…..I've missed you too Severus," his beautiful witch confessed, her dainty hands now mapping along the hard planes of his chest and abs before hooking around his neck. "I miss having you like this. God, you feel so good."

Hearing her speak like that was so intoxicating. He could hear the lust and the pure pleasure in her tone. There was something novel about hearing his usually prim and proper girlfriend get down and dirty. And he was the only one who got to have her like this. Panting, moaning, cursing, and clawing at his back. Her tight cunt squeezing him like a vice. It was sheer perfection. Severus groaned and picked up speed as he rammed into her pussy. His lips found hers and they shared a passionate, fiery kiss. One that ignited both his loins and his heart. It was like he had forgotten what this kind of intimacy could be like. Cradling the woman who possessed his heart in his arms, in the throws of passion. Both of them were connecting on so many levels. He honestly didn't want this to end. But of course all good things must.

And he could scarcely hold back his own climax. Especially when Hermione came, screaming his name and clenching him so tight that he was forced to let go. He groaned, grasping onto her fleshy hips, and burying himself deep, his sperm painting her walls as his cock twitched until he was completely spent. And then, Severus stared down at Hermione, her skin shining from the sweat built up on her forehead and chest, between her breasts and on her neck. And her beautiful breasts heaving with every breath she took, her legs spread wide for him as her body so willingly accepted his seed. It's an amazing view, but her eyes have his attention. Slowly, Severus lowered himself and brushed his lips against Hermione's, kissing her gently, tasting the salt of her sweat on her lips, which he cleaned the delicious flavor off with his own after breaking away, just for a moment before he blurted:

"Marry me."