Disclaimer: rolls eyes Do I really have to do this? Well, the characters
belong to JKR, and the song "I Can't Go There" belongs to the hot Kenny
Chesney.
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Chapter 4 I Can't Go There
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You know that restaurant on highway one
With the key lime pie, that song, the sand and the sun
Where we ran in our bare feet
Built a castle on the beach
Just the wind, the rocks, the waves and you and me
I can't go there
'Cause that's just too much us
I can't go there
I still feel your touch
There's places in my heart and head That feel as empty as our bed
So most nights I don't even walk upstairs
'Cause I can't go there
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
A year later...
It's been a year. James was now three, and they were both happy. Especially Hermione. Though, she still had that fear of Draco being behind her at any moment. But now, she checks over her shoulder only when she's in Diagon Alley, even then, Draco wasn't there. A part of her still cared about Draco, but she knew she couldn't.
More than all, James has become a smart little boy. He knew Remus was just a friend of his mommy's, but always asked Hermione where his daddy was. Hermione didn't want to tell him yet. She thought he was too young to understand, but she was amazed how brilliant he really was. She knew that sooner or later he would know what happened.
Hermione was sitting on the couch when James came running through the front door laughing, with snow in his messy, jet-black hair. Hermione looked up from her book to smile at her three-year-old son. She couldn't help but think of Harry when she saw her son.
...Four years ago...
It was a crisp December morning. Hermione was cooking breakfast waiting for Harry to wake up. She was flipping the pancakes when she felt someone's arms wrap around her waist. She smiled happily.
"Morning," Harry whispered softly in her ear, and then kissed her neck. "So, what's for breakfast?" He settled his hands on her hips.
"What do you think it is?" Hermione answered.
Harry looked over her shoulders, "Pancakes and sausage?"
"Yep."
Hermione moved the already-done pancakes to a plate next to the stove. Harry grabbed the plate and took it to the table, where he sat down and put five pancakes on his plate. He was reaching for the syrup, when Hermione brought over the plate of sausages.
"My, my. Aren't we hungry today," Hermione said, as she sat down in her seat, watching her husband pile some sausages on his plate.
Harry looked up from his plate. "Did you forget? Ginny and Seamus are coming to visit. So is Ron and Lavender."
Hermione looked horrorstricken. "That was today?! I thought that wasn't until next week?!"
She put her head in her hands and started to mumble to herself. Harry couldn't understand anything she was saying. He found this funny and started to laugh out loud. Hermione looked up from her hands and stared at her husband.
"What's so funny?" Hermione demanded.
"Nothing really. I just love it when you get angry and frustrated," Harry replied.
Hermione shook her head and took out her wand. "The house is a mess." She murmured a spell, and the once messy kitchen was spick and span. She got up from her chair and moved to the living room. Harry got up as well, and followed his wife.
"'Mione, you're forgetting that they could care less what our house looks like," Harry said. He sat down in the oversized burgundy chair.
Hermione turned around to face her husband; she had just made the living room spotless. "Harry, I don't care what Ron, Ginny, or even Seamus thinks about our house. It's Lavender that I /i care about."
Harry looked at her shocked. "Why is that?" Hermione sighed and sat down on Harry's lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Because, after we started going out, she became jealous, and she had been very competitive. She thinks that she was better for you than me. She /i have a crush on you, Harry. Besides, she can be such a priss, and thinks she's better than everyone because she's so beautiful. Yeah right, she'll look better without all the makeup." Hermione rested her head on his shoulder and sighed again.
A smile crept on Harry's lips, thinking that it was nice that his wife was getting jealous. "Aw, 'Mione, Lavender was always like that with every guy she had the hots for. Trust me," Harry said. It was true, Lavender got jealous if anyone dated the guy that was "the flavor of the week" according to her.
Hermione smiled, knowing her husband was right. "You're right," she said, kissing Harry on the forehead. "But I know you love the idea that I get jealous of Lavender."
Harry fixed his face with confusion and said, "What makes you think that?"
"Oh, I know. I remember back in Seventh Year," Hermione said.
"That was an accident. Remember, Patil kissed me. I didn't do it, or respond!" Harry said, defensively. He put both of his hands in the air.
"Yeah, right," Hermione said with some sarcasm in her voice. She got up and walked to the front door. She grabbed her gray coat and hat off the coat rack, and her gloves. She put them on and opened the door.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Harry asked.
"Out. I need to walk this emotion off before everyone gets here," Hermione said, walking outside, closing the door behind her.
Harry got up from his chair and ran for the door. He grabbed his coat, hat, and gloves, put them on, opened the door, and ran outside after his wife. It was snowing outside. He saw his wife walking down the un- shoveled driveway. The snow was knee deep, and he knew she wouldn't be able to run away from him. He got behind Hermione, and picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder. Hermione screamed and started to laugh.
"Harry James Potter! Put me down this instant!"
"As you wish, my lady," Harry said, grinning. He took her down from his shoulder, but instead of lightly setting her down on the ground, he dropped her in the huge snow bank. Hermione felt the cold snow underneath her, and gasped at the sudden cold at her neck.
"Potter, you are so dead for that!" Hermione yelled with a smile on her face.
"Now, my lady, it isn't nice to threat a knight with death threats," Harry said, smiling back. "Do you want help getting up, my lady?" Harry held out his hand, waiting for Hermione to take it.
"Yes," Hermione said, with a devilish smile on her face. She took Harry's hand, but instead of having him help her up, she pulled him down on to her. They both laughed, and ended up kissing.
...Today...
"Mommy! Remus and I built a snowman outside. It's really cool, you wanna come and see it mommy?" James said enthusiastically. He pulled on his mother's hand, trying to get her off the couch.
"Alright James. Just let me get my hat and coat and we'll go see this snowman you built." Hermione got up from the couch and slipped her shoes one. She grabbed her gray hat and coat and put them on. James grabbed her hand and pulled her outside.
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Remember San Francisco on that cable car
Our reflection in the window of that store
How we danced the night away
With the lights out on the bay
Then wound up in a blanket on the floor
I can't go there
'Cause 'Frisco's too much us
I can't go there
I still feel your touch
Now there's places in my heart and head that
still feel empty as our bed
So most nights I don't even walk upstairs
'Cause I can't go there
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Hermione woke up to the pressure on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and yawned. Looking up, she saw Remus smiling down at her. She smiled back feebly.
"This is the third time this week that you fell asleep on the couch," Remus said, a look of concern washed over his face. Hermione sat up, rubbing her eyes, trying to get them to wake up. Remus sat down next to her. Hermione rested her head on his shoulder, as he put his arm around her shoulders.
"I guess I loss track of time when I read," Hermione answered.
Remus shook his head. "I don't think it has to do with that. You fall asleep every night at ten. What's going on Hermione?"
Hermione yawned again. "I don't know. Maybe James just wears me out."
"That's not true," Remus said. He squeezed her shoulder. "You only been like this since we took James to Hogsmead. Tell me what's really going on. I had you as a student for a year at Hogwarts, and I know you can't leave a question half or not answered."
Hermione laughed weakly. Remus did have a point. But how can she tell him what was going through her mind? How would he know how she felt at that moment?
...Two Years Ago...
It was a cool spring day, and Hermione and Harry decided to take Baby James to Hogsmead for the first time. He was only three months old, but they figured that they would be bringing him here quite a bit when he gets older. They were shopping for their friend, Ron, for his birthday, considering it was only a month away.
"What do you think we should get him?" Hermione asked, holding James close to her.
"Um," Harry answered, lost in thought. "Maybe we should stop bye Honeydukes and Zonko's. You know how much he loves those jokes and he has such a sweet tooth."
Hermione nodded while she wrapped the blanket around James more. There was a slight breeze, and it was cool. James already got over a cold, considering he was only three months old.
"If he doesn't like any of that, then well, I don't know what we can get him," Harry said.
"Quidditch," Hermione said.
"What?"
"Anything that has anything to do with Quidditch," Hermione repeated. James made a small cooing noise from under the blanket.
"You agree with that, James?" Harry asked, with a smile playing on his lips. Hermione laughed. "What's so funny?"
"You," Hermione replied. She held out James to Harry, and he took him without protest. "You talk to him like he's eleven. I mean, you tell him how to fly a broom when he's not even crawling. Like last night, you were teaching him tickling charms...demonstrating them on me." Harry smile broaden as he held James.
They spent most of the day shopping for Ron, Chocolate Frogs, Every Flavor Beans, etc. On the way they bought some things for themselves. James had fallen asleep, and the two decided to call it a day.
Once they got home and put James to bed, the sky had already turned dark with gray and purple clouds. Rain started to splatter on the window, and they could hear the distant rumbling of thunder. Harry and Hermione made their way back downstairs. Harry settled himself down on the couch and Hermione followed soon after him. She curled up to him, and pulled the blanket off the back of the couch. Crookshanks walked into the room, stretched and yawned, then curled up in front of the fire. Hermione rested her head on Harry's shoulder and closed her eyes.
"'Mione?" Harry asked softly.
"Hm?" Hermione answered. Her eyes were still closed and her answer seemed distant.
"I love you and James more than I love life itself," Harry said, kissing the top of Hermione's head.
"So do I, dear. So do I," Hermione replied sleepily. Her breathing became shallow and Harry grinned. She had fallen asleep.
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
If it was only Florida or California
Maybe I could let myself move on
But its everywhere we've been
And everywhere I turn
I can't love again
'Cause I've learned
That I can't go there
Its something I can't do
I can't go there
I'll run into you
I can't go there
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
"Mommy! Remus! Wake up!" James cried with delight.
Hermione opened her sleepy eyes to look at her son. He seemed awake and alert, more than what she felt at that moment. She looked up and saw Remus rubbing the sleep away from his eyes.
"What is it James?" Remus asked as he yawned.
"Santa came!" James answered back.
Hermione's eyes snapped open. She had forgotten it was Christmas. Yesterday was Christmas Eve, and she never knew it. She looked over at the tree, but there were presents already under the tree. Some she knew that Remus had put there, but there were others that she didn't know where they came from.
"Mommy. Can we open the presents now?" James asked with anticipation. The look on his face was the same look Harry had. His eyes were big and bright, full of happiness. He had a smile on his face that was so bright that Hermione had to smile herself.
"How about if we had some breakfast first," Hermione said.
"Aw, do we have to?" James complained.
"Yes, we have to," Remus replied, a smile on his face. He picked up James and threw him over his shoulder. James giggled and then started to scream from Remus spinning around in circles.
Hermione felt a giggle slide out of her mouth. Remus was an excellent father figure to James, but it was hard for her to realize that James still didn't have a father in his life.
They ate their breakfast, and to Hermione's surprise, James ate rather slowly. He kept looking at Remus and her oddly.
"James, what is it hunny?" Hermione asked.
"Why were you two sleeping on the couch?" James asked coyly.
Hermione and Remus looked at each other. Hermione didn't know how to answer the question.
But to her rescue, Remus took the turn to answer. "Well, we were going to try to wait up for Santa so we could ask him if he could visit you, but we fell asleep." Hermione looked at Remus, trying hard to believe what he said. He just lied to her son.
"Really?" James said, wide-eyed. Apparently he bought the lie, and believed every word Remus had said.
"Yes, really," Hermione answered, still looking at Remus. Usually he would tell James the truth, but this time he told a lie. She didn't understand. The truth was, that they both fell asleep last night just talking to each other. Just talking about everything, from Harry to James, feelings to desires. They also did something Hermione thought she would never do with Remus. They kissed. Not just a friendly peck but a long, loving kiss, a kiss that Hermione hasn't experience since she was with Harry. She also remembered that Remus asked her a specific question the night before, a serious question that she had to think about. A question that she needed to sort out the pros and cons of each answer there was.
"Mommy?" James' voice cut into her reminiscing.
"Yeah?"
"Remus said we can open gifts now," James said, taking his mother's hand in his. Hermione knew she was obligated to go. She got up from her chair, and allowed her son to drag her into the living room.
Remus was sitting in the loveseat, drinking a cup of coffee. Hermione took a seat next to him. He grabbed her hand, but she didn't pull away. She intertwined their fingers, and squeezed his hand gently.
"Mommy, this little box is for you," James said, holding out a tiny square box to his mother.
Hermione looked at him quizzically, took the small box, and looked at Remus. Remus nodded. She ran a trembling finger under the side of the box, and ripped the paper off the box. Her eyes widen, afraid what the tiny box would hold. She opened the box, and nearly fainted at what she saw in it. There laid a small silver band with three small stones. The middle one was a diamond, and the other two where sapphires. She looked at Remus.
Remus smiled and cleared his throat. "Hermione, you know I love you and James very much, and I've been there for you two for the past year. You know I will never leave you two alone ever. I want you two to be in my life forever, that's if you would let me." Remus slid off the loveseat onto the floor. He was on a knee, facing Hermione head on. "Hermione, would you marry me?"
Tears were stinging Hermione's eyes. They weren't like tears that usually fell from her eyes, which were usually because of sadness. These tears that were falling because of happiness that she felt. She loved Remus, not as much as she loved Harry but more than Draco. Tears were falling freely down her eyes, and her cheeks were shining with tears.
"Remus, why did you make Mommy cry?" James asked, a concerned look on his face.
Hermione smiled at her son and said, "Hunny, I'm crying because I'm happy, not sad."
Remus looked up at Hermione. "Is that a yes then?" A smile was creeping on his lips.
"That means a yes," Hermione said, a small laugh escaping through her lips. Remus smiled at Hermione, and kissed her gently on the lips.
"What's going on?" James asked innocently.
"James, we're going to get married," Hermione answered her son. James looked at her confused. "It means you're going to have a new daddy. That's if you want Remus to be."
James smile broaden and was bright as ever. His hazel eyes were full of joy and excitement. "Remus is going to be my dad?!" He ran up to Remus hugging him tightly around the waist.
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When the sun shines, when it rains
Christmas parties, football games
I can't go there Winter, summer, fall or spring
I see you in everything
I can't go there
It's too much us
I can't go there
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Chapter 4 I Can't Go There
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
You know that restaurant on highway one
With the key lime pie, that song, the sand and the sun
Where we ran in our bare feet
Built a castle on the beach
Just the wind, the rocks, the waves and you and me
I can't go there
'Cause that's just too much us
I can't go there
I still feel your touch
There's places in my heart and head That feel as empty as our bed
So most nights I don't even walk upstairs
'Cause I can't go there
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
A year later...
It's been a year. James was now three, and they were both happy. Especially Hermione. Though, she still had that fear of Draco being behind her at any moment. But now, she checks over her shoulder only when she's in Diagon Alley, even then, Draco wasn't there. A part of her still cared about Draco, but she knew she couldn't.
More than all, James has become a smart little boy. He knew Remus was just a friend of his mommy's, but always asked Hermione where his daddy was. Hermione didn't want to tell him yet. She thought he was too young to understand, but she was amazed how brilliant he really was. She knew that sooner or later he would know what happened.
Hermione was sitting on the couch when James came running through the front door laughing, with snow in his messy, jet-black hair. Hermione looked up from her book to smile at her three-year-old son. She couldn't help but think of Harry when she saw her son.
...Four years ago...
It was a crisp December morning. Hermione was cooking breakfast waiting for Harry to wake up. She was flipping the pancakes when she felt someone's arms wrap around her waist. She smiled happily.
"Morning," Harry whispered softly in her ear, and then kissed her neck. "So, what's for breakfast?" He settled his hands on her hips.
"What do you think it is?" Hermione answered.
Harry looked over her shoulders, "Pancakes and sausage?"
"Yep."
Hermione moved the already-done pancakes to a plate next to the stove. Harry grabbed the plate and took it to the table, where he sat down and put five pancakes on his plate. He was reaching for the syrup, when Hermione brought over the plate of sausages.
"My, my. Aren't we hungry today," Hermione said, as she sat down in her seat, watching her husband pile some sausages on his plate.
Harry looked up from his plate. "Did you forget? Ginny and Seamus are coming to visit. So is Ron and Lavender."
Hermione looked horrorstricken. "That was today?! I thought that wasn't until next week?!"
She put her head in her hands and started to mumble to herself. Harry couldn't understand anything she was saying. He found this funny and started to laugh out loud. Hermione looked up from her hands and stared at her husband.
"What's so funny?" Hermione demanded.
"Nothing really. I just love it when you get angry and frustrated," Harry replied.
Hermione shook her head and took out her wand. "The house is a mess." She murmured a spell, and the once messy kitchen was spick and span. She got up from her chair and moved to the living room. Harry got up as well, and followed his wife.
"'Mione, you're forgetting that they could care less what our house looks like," Harry said. He sat down in the oversized burgundy chair.
Hermione turned around to face her husband; she had just made the living room spotless. "Harry, I don't care what Ron, Ginny, or even Seamus thinks about our house. It's Lavender that I /i care about."
Harry looked at her shocked. "Why is that?" Hermione sighed and sat down on Harry's lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Because, after we started going out, she became jealous, and she had been very competitive. She thinks that she was better for you than me. She /i have a crush on you, Harry. Besides, she can be such a priss, and thinks she's better than everyone because she's so beautiful. Yeah right, she'll look better without all the makeup." Hermione rested her head on his shoulder and sighed again.
A smile crept on Harry's lips, thinking that it was nice that his wife was getting jealous. "Aw, 'Mione, Lavender was always like that with every guy she had the hots for. Trust me," Harry said. It was true, Lavender got jealous if anyone dated the guy that was "the flavor of the week" according to her.
Hermione smiled, knowing her husband was right. "You're right," she said, kissing Harry on the forehead. "But I know you love the idea that I get jealous of Lavender."
Harry fixed his face with confusion and said, "What makes you think that?"
"Oh, I know. I remember back in Seventh Year," Hermione said.
"That was an accident. Remember, Patil kissed me. I didn't do it, or respond!" Harry said, defensively. He put both of his hands in the air.
"Yeah, right," Hermione said with some sarcasm in her voice. She got up and walked to the front door. She grabbed her gray coat and hat off the coat rack, and her gloves. She put them on and opened the door.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Harry asked.
"Out. I need to walk this emotion off before everyone gets here," Hermione said, walking outside, closing the door behind her.
Harry got up from his chair and ran for the door. He grabbed his coat, hat, and gloves, put them on, opened the door, and ran outside after his wife. It was snowing outside. He saw his wife walking down the un- shoveled driveway. The snow was knee deep, and he knew she wouldn't be able to run away from him. He got behind Hermione, and picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder. Hermione screamed and started to laugh.
"Harry James Potter! Put me down this instant!"
"As you wish, my lady," Harry said, grinning. He took her down from his shoulder, but instead of lightly setting her down on the ground, he dropped her in the huge snow bank. Hermione felt the cold snow underneath her, and gasped at the sudden cold at her neck.
"Potter, you are so dead for that!" Hermione yelled with a smile on her face.
"Now, my lady, it isn't nice to threat a knight with death threats," Harry said, smiling back. "Do you want help getting up, my lady?" Harry held out his hand, waiting for Hermione to take it.
"Yes," Hermione said, with a devilish smile on her face. She took Harry's hand, but instead of having him help her up, she pulled him down on to her. They both laughed, and ended up kissing.
...Today...
"Mommy! Remus and I built a snowman outside. It's really cool, you wanna come and see it mommy?" James said enthusiastically. He pulled on his mother's hand, trying to get her off the couch.
"Alright James. Just let me get my hat and coat and we'll go see this snowman you built." Hermione got up from the couch and slipped her shoes one. She grabbed her gray hat and coat and put them on. James grabbed her hand and pulled her outside.
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Remember San Francisco on that cable car
Our reflection in the window of that store
How we danced the night away
With the lights out on the bay
Then wound up in a blanket on the floor
I can't go there
'Cause 'Frisco's too much us
I can't go there
I still feel your touch
Now there's places in my heart and head that
still feel empty as our bed
So most nights I don't even walk upstairs
'Cause I can't go there
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Hermione woke up to the pressure on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and yawned. Looking up, she saw Remus smiling down at her. She smiled back feebly.
"This is the third time this week that you fell asleep on the couch," Remus said, a look of concern washed over his face. Hermione sat up, rubbing her eyes, trying to get them to wake up. Remus sat down next to her. Hermione rested her head on his shoulder, as he put his arm around her shoulders.
"I guess I loss track of time when I read," Hermione answered.
Remus shook his head. "I don't think it has to do with that. You fall asleep every night at ten. What's going on Hermione?"
Hermione yawned again. "I don't know. Maybe James just wears me out."
"That's not true," Remus said. He squeezed her shoulder. "You only been like this since we took James to Hogsmead. Tell me what's really going on. I had you as a student for a year at Hogwarts, and I know you can't leave a question half or not answered."
Hermione laughed weakly. Remus did have a point. But how can she tell him what was going through her mind? How would he know how she felt at that moment?
...Two Years Ago...
It was a cool spring day, and Hermione and Harry decided to take Baby James to Hogsmead for the first time. He was only three months old, but they figured that they would be bringing him here quite a bit when he gets older. They were shopping for their friend, Ron, for his birthday, considering it was only a month away.
"What do you think we should get him?" Hermione asked, holding James close to her.
"Um," Harry answered, lost in thought. "Maybe we should stop bye Honeydukes and Zonko's. You know how much he loves those jokes and he has such a sweet tooth."
Hermione nodded while she wrapped the blanket around James more. There was a slight breeze, and it was cool. James already got over a cold, considering he was only three months old.
"If he doesn't like any of that, then well, I don't know what we can get him," Harry said.
"Quidditch," Hermione said.
"What?"
"Anything that has anything to do with Quidditch," Hermione repeated. James made a small cooing noise from under the blanket.
"You agree with that, James?" Harry asked, with a smile playing on his lips. Hermione laughed. "What's so funny?"
"You," Hermione replied. She held out James to Harry, and he took him without protest. "You talk to him like he's eleven. I mean, you tell him how to fly a broom when he's not even crawling. Like last night, you were teaching him tickling charms...demonstrating them on me." Harry smile broaden as he held James.
They spent most of the day shopping for Ron, Chocolate Frogs, Every Flavor Beans, etc. On the way they bought some things for themselves. James had fallen asleep, and the two decided to call it a day.
Once they got home and put James to bed, the sky had already turned dark with gray and purple clouds. Rain started to splatter on the window, and they could hear the distant rumbling of thunder. Harry and Hermione made their way back downstairs. Harry settled himself down on the couch and Hermione followed soon after him. She curled up to him, and pulled the blanket off the back of the couch. Crookshanks walked into the room, stretched and yawned, then curled up in front of the fire. Hermione rested her head on Harry's shoulder and closed her eyes.
"'Mione?" Harry asked softly.
"Hm?" Hermione answered. Her eyes were still closed and her answer seemed distant.
"I love you and James more than I love life itself," Harry said, kissing the top of Hermione's head.
"So do I, dear. So do I," Hermione replied sleepily. Her breathing became shallow and Harry grinned. She had fallen asleep.
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
If it was only Florida or California
Maybe I could let myself move on
But its everywhere we've been
And everywhere I turn
I can't love again
'Cause I've learned
That I can't go there
Its something I can't do
I can't go there
I'll run into you
I can't go there
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
"Mommy! Remus! Wake up!" James cried with delight.
Hermione opened her sleepy eyes to look at her son. He seemed awake and alert, more than what she felt at that moment. She looked up and saw Remus rubbing the sleep away from his eyes.
"What is it James?" Remus asked as he yawned.
"Santa came!" James answered back.
Hermione's eyes snapped open. She had forgotten it was Christmas. Yesterday was Christmas Eve, and she never knew it. She looked over at the tree, but there were presents already under the tree. Some she knew that Remus had put there, but there were others that she didn't know where they came from.
"Mommy. Can we open the presents now?" James asked with anticipation. The look on his face was the same look Harry had. His eyes were big and bright, full of happiness. He had a smile on his face that was so bright that Hermione had to smile herself.
"How about if we had some breakfast first," Hermione said.
"Aw, do we have to?" James complained.
"Yes, we have to," Remus replied, a smile on his face. He picked up James and threw him over his shoulder. James giggled and then started to scream from Remus spinning around in circles.
Hermione felt a giggle slide out of her mouth. Remus was an excellent father figure to James, but it was hard for her to realize that James still didn't have a father in his life.
They ate their breakfast, and to Hermione's surprise, James ate rather slowly. He kept looking at Remus and her oddly.
"James, what is it hunny?" Hermione asked.
"Why were you two sleeping on the couch?" James asked coyly.
Hermione and Remus looked at each other. Hermione didn't know how to answer the question.
But to her rescue, Remus took the turn to answer. "Well, we were going to try to wait up for Santa so we could ask him if he could visit you, but we fell asleep." Hermione looked at Remus, trying hard to believe what he said. He just lied to her son.
"Really?" James said, wide-eyed. Apparently he bought the lie, and believed every word Remus had said.
"Yes, really," Hermione answered, still looking at Remus. Usually he would tell James the truth, but this time he told a lie. She didn't understand. The truth was, that they both fell asleep last night just talking to each other. Just talking about everything, from Harry to James, feelings to desires. They also did something Hermione thought she would never do with Remus. They kissed. Not just a friendly peck but a long, loving kiss, a kiss that Hermione hasn't experience since she was with Harry. She also remembered that Remus asked her a specific question the night before, a serious question that she had to think about. A question that she needed to sort out the pros and cons of each answer there was.
"Mommy?" James' voice cut into her reminiscing.
"Yeah?"
"Remus said we can open gifts now," James said, taking his mother's hand in his. Hermione knew she was obligated to go. She got up from her chair, and allowed her son to drag her into the living room.
Remus was sitting in the loveseat, drinking a cup of coffee. Hermione took a seat next to him. He grabbed her hand, but she didn't pull away. She intertwined their fingers, and squeezed his hand gently.
"Mommy, this little box is for you," James said, holding out a tiny square box to his mother.
Hermione looked at him quizzically, took the small box, and looked at Remus. Remus nodded. She ran a trembling finger under the side of the box, and ripped the paper off the box. Her eyes widen, afraid what the tiny box would hold. She opened the box, and nearly fainted at what she saw in it. There laid a small silver band with three small stones. The middle one was a diamond, and the other two where sapphires. She looked at Remus.
Remus smiled and cleared his throat. "Hermione, you know I love you and James very much, and I've been there for you two for the past year. You know I will never leave you two alone ever. I want you two to be in my life forever, that's if you would let me." Remus slid off the loveseat onto the floor. He was on a knee, facing Hermione head on. "Hermione, would you marry me?"
Tears were stinging Hermione's eyes. They weren't like tears that usually fell from her eyes, which were usually because of sadness. These tears that were falling because of happiness that she felt. She loved Remus, not as much as she loved Harry but more than Draco. Tears were falling freely down her eyes, and her cheeks were shining with tears.
"Remus, why did you make Mommy cry?" James asked, a concerned look on his face.
Hermione smiled at her son and said, "Hunny, I'm crying because I'm happy, not sad."
Remus looked up at Hermione. "Is that a yes then?" A smile was creeping on his lips.
"That means a yes," Hermione said, a small laugh escaping through her lips. Remus smiled at Hermione, and kissed her gently on the lips.
"What's going on?" James asked innocently.
"James, we're going to get married," Hermione answered her son. James looked at her confused. "It means you're going to have a new daddy. That's if you want Remus to be."
James smile broaden and was bright as ever. His hazel eyes were full of joy and excitement. "Remus is going to be my dad?!" He ran up to Remus hugging him tightly around the waist.
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When the sun shines, when it rains
Christmas parties, football games
I can't go there Winter, summer, fall or spring
I see you in everything
I can't go there
It's too much us
I can't go there
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