Hey everyone. I am so sorry that it took me this long to update. These past few weeks of school have been utter hell. Not only have I had large assignments due for every class I also got sick to the point where it was hard for me to get out of bed. So I'm really am sorry that I left you guys with a cliff hanger like that for so long. It truly was not my intention.

So I know I haven't been so good at responding this time around, again that whole being sick thing just kind of took it out of me. But I wanted to thank everyone who reviewed. It really means a lot to me that you do. But I wanted to explain al little bit why I wrote this story the way I did.

When I asked you guys what kind of story you wanted me to write next many people said that they didn't care as long as I kept writing. I thought that was very sweet. However as far as this story goes, a lot of it came because of fan suggestions. I took charmedsisters suggestion of showing what happened to Harry and Ginny concerning their baby, also I wanted to show a little bit of Fred and George with their little ones. I also wanted to show Hermione and Ron's wedding but really in the scheme of things I didn't feel that there was enough to write a whole story on just that event. So I decided to show the wedding using the pensive because video recorders don't work in Hogwarts and I thought the pensive would be the perfect way to show that event. And I took violet snicket's suggestion to heart when it was suggested that I show what the twins were like during their younger years. I actually did that for two reasons. One, because I think the twins are absolutely adorable. And two, because what happens hear kind of leads into what happens later in their story. But I haven't written that one yet.

However, I would like to take this chance to tell you that I am almost ready to start posting the how they got together story. Well, I think I've blathered on enough here. Haven't I? So, I'll let you get on to the final chapter of the story then. Thank you so much for sticking with me and please let me know what you think of it. Was it a waste of my time to write? Or was it the perfect something to tie you over to the next story? Let me know what you're thinking.

Oh two more things. Charmedsisters, Malfoy was apprehended my Harry and his crew and was brought back to Azkaban. Trials are still pending whether he should receive the kiss or not. And Ruinsul, I realized that mistake in Hermione's Gone when I was going through and making corrections, getting it ready for reposting. Rest assured it's been fixed in the copy I have saved to disk and will be posted as soon as the entire story has been corrected.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any characters, places or phrases associated with the story. They belong to the wonderfully creative J.K. Rowling who will be blessing us with her next book very soon.

Chapter 4: Naspanial

Ron turned away from the Healer as he lifted his wand to cast a cutting charm. He pinched his eyes closed as he squeezed Hermione's hand, pressing their entwined fingers to his lips.

He could see faintly through his lids the pulsating glow of the charm as the Healer directed it towards Hermione's swollen abdomen. If Ron would have been watching it might have eased his mind to see the efficiency of the Healers work.

While one healer was making the magical incision another was standing close by preparing to retrieve the baby so that the umbilical cord could be severed and the third could immediately being to heal the incision. The team worked fast and were soon carrying a pale, silent baby across the room.

Ron opened his eyes to see the Healers retreating back. Sighing with relief, he pressed several kisses to Hermione's knuckles until he realised that he had not yet heard the baby cry.

Bounding instantly to his feet, never letting go of his wife's hand, Ron turned and watched as several Healers bent over his child casting charms and spells at it in a rapid rate. Just when he thought he would go insane from the defining silence there was a faint cough and the most beautiful sound he ever heard filled the room. The shrill sounds of his babies cry.

Three of the four Healers stepped back and let the remaining Healer wrap the baby in a warm, soft blanket. Turning with a bright smile on her face she walked briskly towards Ron and held out the small bundle. Ron released Hermione's hand as he reached out to accept the child.

"Congratulations Mr. Weasley." The Healer said as she relinquished the child. "You have a son."

"A son?" The Healer nodded and stepped back as Ron looked down and caught sight of his son for the first time. He sank onto the chair beside Hermione's bed as he gazed adoringly upon his son's tiny features. He was a red, wrinkly little thing with his long nose and already a feather light dusting of the trademark Weasley hair at the top of his small head. Turning back the folds of the white blanket, Ron extracted a tiny hand and counted all five fingers before reaching for the other. Satisfied that all ten of his perfect fingers were in place he counted every toe, finding each one to be adorable.

Making sure the blanket was rapped securely around his son he finally looked to Hermione who was gazing about the room with a very dazed look on her face.

"She's going to be all right, isn't she?" he asked a Healer, his eyes never leaving her face.

"She'll be fine Mr. Weasley." The head Healer assured as he cast a cleaning spell over his body, removing it of any signs of blood. "She lost a lot of blood when she haemorrhaged, but all damage was repaired. She'll need to stay in bed a few extra days to rest and regain her strangth. But she should be able to go home by the end of the week."

"Thank you." Ron tried to say more but found that he could not find words to express his gratitude.

Seeming to understand the Healer waved away his thanks. "I'm just doing my job Mr. Weasley."

Ron looked down at his now sleeping son and ran a finger gently across his cheek. "Mione." Ron lifted his head and waited for Hermione to look at him with her slightly hazy eyes.

"Ron." She smiled reaching out to him. He took her hand in his instantly. "Do we have a baby yet?"

Ron smiled at the almost absurd nature of her question. "Yes Mione." He leaned in and kissed her tenderly on her brow. "We have a son."

She smiled happily as her eyes drifted closed. "Good." She mumbled softly. "I always did want a son."

Several hours later Hermione woke, slightly groggy, to find Ron sitting in the chair beside her bed, one arm holding their small baby and the other extended so that it clutched hers tightly as it rested on the bed. Her heart swelled when she saw that Ron was fast asleep, his head tilted back, mouth partly open as his soft snores filled the room. He was so adorable when he slept.

After several minutes of staring at Ron's haggard features her eyes drifted lower to gaze adoringly at their baby. The baby wasn't small by any means. Compared to the size Hero and Helena had been when they were born this child was huge. But even so that baby seemed so tiny compared to the two two and a half year olds.

Hermione couldn't see much of the baby's face as it was turned into Ron's broad chest as it slept. But from what she could see she could tell that the baby was pale and that it had it's father's fiery red hair.

As Hermione watched the baby twitched slightly, its head turning away from Ron's chest. A tiny mouth opened and the silence of the room was broken by the baby's unhappy wails.

Jerking slightly with surprise Ron woke up and instantly realized that he was holding his child in his arms. Letting go of Hermione's hand he used his now free hand to brace the baby's neck as he lifted it to eye level. "What's the matter little man?" Ron asked as he lightly rocked his son, thinking him, red faced, crying and all, to be one of the most beautiful sights in the world.

Hermione smiled at her husband as he cooed at the small baby. "It's a boy then?" She asked with her strained voice.

Ron's head snapped in her direction and a broad smile covered his face. "Welcome back love." He rose gently to his feet, making sure not to jostle the baby, and sat on the edge of the bed beside her. "How did you sleep?"

Hermione bit her bottom lip as she thought intently for a moment. "I imagine I slept fine." She said tilting her head slightly to the side. "I don't actually recall falling asleep." She suddenly sat up a little straighter in bed. "As a matter of fact I don't remember having the baby."

"It's all right love." Ron pressed a kiss to her brow as he gently placed the still crying baby in her arms. "I think he's hungry." Ron explained when Hermione looked up at him. She smiled with surprise when she realized that Ron was right. Shrugging the gown off her shoulder she exposed a breast and led her son's mouth to it. Instantly he latched on and fed hungrily.

Hermione felt Ron's arm circle about her shoulders as they settled back together into the pillows. Turning her head, Hermione kissed him sweetly on the cheek. "How did you know he was hungry?"

Ron shrugged his powerful shoulders. "I just knew… I guess." He mumbled as his own stomach made his hunger known.

Hermione chuckled and shook her head as she gazed adorningly down at her son. "He's beautiful." She whispered as she grazed a finger down the length of his podgy white cheek. He had his father's slightly long nose and slightly freckled skin. His eyes were closed so she couldn't see their colour but imagined them to be the same shocking blue as Ron's.

Hermione looked up into Ron's adoring eyes. "What happened Ron? I don't remember."

Ron wrapped his arms more securely around his wife, drawing her close to his body. Hermione could sense instantly the terror and worry Ron must have experienced a short time ago and grew tense at the thought of what might have happened to her. What had almost gone wrong?

Ron brushed stray curls off her face and kissed the tip of her nose before finally speaking. "The baby wasn't turned all the way." He began unsteadily. "It wasn't caught initially because the Medi-Witch who did the tests on you is only the student. Because of inexperience she didn't think to check for it because it is so rare."

Hermione's brown eyes widened with comprehension. "Oh I see." And Ron was certain she did see. Their library at home was filled with books and books on having children. Most of them medical texts from both the magic world and the Muggle world.

Ron watched the wheels turn in her head for a few moments until they seemed to come to a grinding stop. "Ron," her voice quivered as she stared up at him with uncertainty. "Will we be able to have anymore children?"

Ron blessed her with his most enchanting, heart stopping smile. "Don't worry Mione. The Healers said there were no permanent complications. We should be able to have as many children as we wish."

Hermione sighed with relief as she once more settle back into Ron's arms, gazing adoringly at the small bundle nestled in her arms. "What should we call him?"

Ron's brow furrowed as he pondered Hermione's question. "I think we should continue with tradition. It's worked for us so far."

Hermione looked up at him, puzzlement evident on her face. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you were named after that Shockspeare bloke."

"Shakespeare, Ron."

"Right," He nodded. "Shakespeare. And Hero and Helena were named after his characters as well and look how wonderful they turned out." Hermione couldn't help but smile at his sweetness. "So I think we should make it a tradition in our family to name our children after characters of that Shakespeare bloke."

Hermione nodded her agreement as she stared at her son intently going through her advanced knowledge of Shakespeare's plays to find the perfect name for their son. After ten minutes of silent quandary she tilted her head to the side in consideration.

"Do you have a suggestion?" Ron asked picking up the subtle hints he knew to look for.

"Yes." She bit her bottom lip slightly. "I think he looks like a Nathanial."

Ron's eyes narrowed as he looked more closely at his son. "Nathanial?" he questioned knowing there was more behind her choice of names then merely he looked like a Nathanial.

"Well, I was thinking. Nathaniel because it is one of the more obscure Shakespearian names. But also because if we call him Nathanial we can shorten it to Nate, and it will kind of be like naming him after Nathan Shanks, but not really. After all Hero's middle name is Elizabeth after Lizzie. So there's that. But also because Nathaniel sounds traditional and that fits in with your family. I mean look at you and your brothers. You're names are William, Charles, Percival, Fred, George and Ronald."

Ron smiled. Hermione had obviously put a lot of thought into the name and Ron had to admit that he did like the sound of it. "Nathaniel Weasley." He tested the name out loud.

"Nathaniel James Weasley." Hermione corrected.

"Why James?"

Hermione shrugged. "Well for a moment I contemplated Nathaniel Harry, but it didn't have as nice a ring to it. But then I thought Nathanial James sounded rather nice and that way he would be named after two brave and loyal people, James and Harry Potter."

Ron rested his head lovingly on his wife's head. "I think Harry would be honoured." After a moment of silence Ron snickered. "Let's just hope this doesn't go to his head."

"What do you mean?"

"Well," Ron scooted farther down the bed so he could look more easily into her eyes. "Harry already knows he's going to be the father. Let's hope naming the baby after him as well won't go to his head."

Hermione shook her head and batted playfully at Ron's arm before she shifted Nathaniel who had just finished eating, so that she could pull her gown back over her shoulder before placing him there gently so that's he could pat his back.

"Has the family seen him yet?"

"No." Ron shook his head and smiled evilly. "And let me tell you they are probably ready to tear down that door."

"Ron," Hermione started in her most serious voice. "What did you do?"

"Nothing." He drawled out with his beautiful eyes twinkling. "They just have no idea what's happened."

"Ronald Bilius Weasley." Hermione snapped, startling the baby out of his restful state. "What do you mean that have no idea what's happened?" She asked in a softer voice as she tried to sooth their son into a calmer state.

"It's not as bad as you're think, Mione." Ron said indignantly as he sat up, releasing her in his agitation. "I had the Healers tell them everything was all right, that mother and child are both healthy and resting. But I wanted us to introduce our son to them together."

"I'm sorry, Ron." Hermione apologised finding his reasons absolutely enduring and sweet. "You're right. It is definitely more special to introduce Nathanial to them together. It's just that…I still get scolded, particularly by you mother and Ginny, for that little prank you convinced me to go along with that day with Malfoy."

"Yeah," he conceded. "Mum hasn't let me forget that either." Ron pulled Hermione close to his chest, directing her head to rest on his shoulder. "They're probably going mental aren't they?"

Hermione couldn't help but snicker at the thought of the Weasley clan being forced to wait in the hallway for several hours with no clues as to what the gender of the baby was and despite the reassurance that both she and Nathanial were fine, not getting to see that for themselves. Harry, she imagined, was more than likely at the braking point by now. With all the visits to the hospital he had had to endure in his life, he disliked spending time in them now. After being forced to spend several hours in the hospital with no information and no means of escape, he was more than likely driving Ginny mad along with him.

"Let's introduce him to the girls first." Hermione suggested after several minutes of silence.

Ron nodded his agreement. He pressed a quick kiss to his wife's brow before striding to the door. As soon as the smooth panel creaked open several disgruntle faces pressed in around him. Ron smiled apologetically. "Hermione wants the girls to come meet their new sibling first." Hero who had instantly spotted her father was already trying to climb up his leg as Helena reached out at him from her Grandfather Granger's arms. Ron scoped Hero up from the floor before accepting Helena as well. "Just give us ten minutes. Then you can come in."

Ron heard Harry growl with frustration as the door closed. "Bloody git. Didn't even tell us what the baby is."

Inside the room Hermione smiled brightly at the sight of her daughters. "Hello baby girls."

"Mummy!" Helena cried excitedly as Ron set her on her feet to run to the bed herself. After several attempts of climbing up onto the bed herself she finally relinquished her desire for independence and let Ron help her up. Hero rested her head on his shoulder as she smiled happily at the sight of her mother.

As soon as Helena was situated on the bed she crawled closer to her mother, her eyes wide at the sight of her mothers now flatter stomach. It was at that moment she saw the baby sleeping contently in her mother's arms and her eyes grew even wider. She scooted even closer until she was kneeling at Hermione's hip. "Hero," she said softly looking between her sister and her brother. "Look a baby."

Hero lifted her head from Ron's shoulder for the first time and looked down interestedly where Helena was pointing. Her eyes scrunched in thought like her father as she gnawed on her bottom lip similar to how her mother did. After a minute of thought her eyes lit up. "My baby?" she asked like her birthday had come early this year.

Ron chuckled as he went around to the other side of the bed and sat at Hermione's other hip still holding Hero. "That's mummy and my baby." Ron said as he set Hero comfortably in his lap. "This is your baby brother Nathaniel."

"Naspanial." Helena cried brightly causing Hermione and Ron both to chuckle. Hermione looked down at her son with sympathy. She had the strange notion that 'Naspanial' or some form of it would become her son's childhood nickname.

Eyes feeling heavy again, Hermione settle back into her pillows. She listened as her daughters chatted happily with each other and their father, filling her heart with happiness and content as she drifted off to sleep.

"Mummy?" Helena questioned when she heard a soft snore escape Hermione's slightly parted lips. Helena placed a small hand on her mother's shoulder as she leaned in to get a better look. "Mummy?"

"Shhhh." Hero pressed a finger to her lips mimicking the way Ron usually quieted them. "Mummy's sleeping."

"Oh." Helena nodded her understanding. Feeling rather tired herself after the exciting day they had spent in the hospital, she laid her head on her mother's shoulder and closed her eyes. Several minutes later she was fast asleep.

"Daddy?" Hero looked up at her father and he smiled down at her. "It's all right, love. You look tired. Why don't you go to sleep?"

Hero nodded her head once as she rested it against Ron's chest. He laid back gently beside Hermione, turning slightly to the side so that Hero eased down gently between his and Hermione's body. The young girl shifted for a second but relaxed into the warmth created by her parent's body. Ron smiled as he eased one arm beneath Hermione's neck creating a pillow before letting his own head rest on his arm.

He heard the door to the room creak open and the shuffling of feet and murmur of voices as his family entered the room. Ron lifted his head and glared at his family placing a finger over his lips indicating quiet as they came into the room. When the group quieted he let his face relaxed into a proud smile as he stared adoringly at his wife and children ignoring his family who was gathering around the bed their own faces smiling at the sight before them.

When the large group had stopped moving Ron looked up at them once again and saw that Nate Shanks and Lizzie Connoly had joined the large group. Harry moved in close to Ron and patted him on the back affectionately. The new father's face spread into an even bigger smile. "Everyone," he said in a hushed voice so as to not wake his sleeping family. "I want to introduce you to my son, Nathaniel James." Ron looked pointedly at Harry who nodded his head in understanding.

The room seemed to let out a collective aww. Molly stepped forward and gazed down adoringly at her new grandson. "He'd adorable Ron." Molly beamed. "Spitting image of you when you were born."

"Yeah," came Fred's voice from the back of the crowd. "Let's just hope he doesn't grow up to be as ugly as you too."

Angelina smacked her husband on the back of his head. "Ignore him Ron. He's just jealous 'cause he knows you're the handsome one of the group. Lands sake, if it hadn't been so apparent all those years ago that you belonged to Hermione I would have gone after you myself, instead of this git here."

Ron smiled at Angelina's words as he turned back to his wife. She was right of course. He always had been Hermione's and always would be.