Hermione sat and watched her wife go in and out of sleep for the better part of the last two hours, only sneaking out once to go see their daughter and try to snap a few new pictures for Bella. She truly hoped that Bella would get to see the baby in person soon enough. Pictures would only pacify the dark witch for so long. The anesthesia on top of all of Bella's pain potions were really taking a toll on her body not to mention the grueling labor and almost dying. Everyone who was still at the hospital had come in to check on Bella at some point during that time and everyone was still around somewhere except for Harry and Draco. They left after Bella had come to a sense of normalcy and asked where Kate was. It had been hours since Draco had left her in Diagon with Kandi and he hadn't received so much as a text message from her. "The two of you must work under one shared brain cell," she yelled. Hermione tried to calm her down but Bella was on a roll. "No, Hermione. These two geniuses here had one job. Keep Kate from acting foolishly and what did they do? They left Kate alone with a prosititue and the man on a murdering streak who just so happens to be her father," she stopped when she saw everyone's eyes go wide. "Oh yes. I figured that out ages ago. I guess I forgot to tell you as I was too busy giving birth and trying not to die. Now," she turned back to her nephew and boss. "Go save Kate before she winds up dead. I don't think Mark will forgive us this time if she's here in matching hospital gowns with me. I don't want to see either of you again until the situation is fixed." She sent them away with a shoo of her hand and shrugged, immediately falling back to sleep. Bella will always be a force to be reckoned with even in an altered state.

"Minister Black," the doctor greeted her when she came by to check on Bella. "I see she is still asleep."

"Well she was in and out of consciousness for a while. She even had time to demand her employee and boss to get back to work. I think she's doing just fine," they shared a laugh. "She did ask about seeing her daughter though."

"Precisely why I'm here." She walked over and took a look at Bella's machines and looked at her charts. "I had a chance to complete a full physical on Cassiopeia. She's a very strong and determined little girl," she stopped talking when she saw her patient stirring in her sleep.

The dark witch blinked her eyes a few times, coming into focus, "doctor. You were talking about Junior?"

"Junior?" Addison asked with a smirk on her face.

"Don't ask," Hermione rolled her eyes. "So you said that you did an exam on our baby?"

"Yes," Addison took a seat. "Cassiopeia is a very strong little one. Her lungs seem to be clearing out the extra fluid she ingested during the birthing process. She has a little rattling in her lungs but it's to be expected. She may need to receive some oxygen if her levels drop but she currently seems to be doing fine. She also seems to have a touch of Jaundice."

"What's that? Does that hurt her?"

"No Madam Black," the doctor reassured her. "Jaundice doesn't hurt the babies. Cassiopeia's skin has developed a yellow tint which is caused by the buildup of bilirubin in the blood. Jaundice may occur if the liver can't efficiently process red blood cells as they break down. It doesn't cause pain and in most instances clear out on its own."

"I didn't notice any jaundicing of the skin when I was with her," Hermione looked nervous.

"That's not shocking. Jaundice usually takes a few days after birth to show up but since your daughter is only 30 weeks the onset is quicker. She'll receive some intravenous medicine to help as well as be placed under special lighting through her stay until her liver levels are elevated. This will come with age. She will also need to put on weight but as you saw," she turned and looked at Hermione. "She has a very healthy appetite. Cassiopeia will have to be in the hospital for at least 5 weeks with a 7 week max stay. If her lungs are clear and the Jaundice subsides, I see no reason she won't be cleared for discharge in 5 weeks."

"That's a lot of information to take in," Bella's mind was racing. There were so many details surrounding the tiny human she made and didn't even get to meet yet. The muggle medical talk was very confusing and she would have to ask Hermione for clarification after the doctor left.

"Any questions?"

"I do have one…"

"You have one more bag of blood to receive," Addison started prior to Bella even getting a chance to ask her question. She had been doing this long enough to know what the mother wanted. "After your blood transfusion, medication and dinner, I'll have the orderlies come in and help you into a wheelchair so you can go meet your daughter. You will hurt during the transfers since your incisions are fresh. If it gets to be too much they will want to stop and try again later once you've healed more."

"I get to meet my daughter," Bella looked relieved. "It wouldn't matter if I was being crucioed, nothing will keep me from seeing her."

Addition looked over at Hermione for clarification but the brunette just smiled and shook her head, "she's ready to meet her."

"Okay," the doctor got up from her seat. "I'll order the blood and medications. Someone will be in to sort out your dinner then I'd say in about two hours, you'll get to meet your daughter. If there are any other questions about yours or Cassiopeia's recovery don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you," Hermione and Bella called out as she left the room.

"Two hours?" Bella smiled but it faltered. "What if she doesn't like me?"

"Oh Bella," Hermione's voice was soft. "She is going to love you more than anything. She looks just like you. I snuck out for a few more pictures while you were sleeping." She handed Bella her phone and watched her flip through the photos.

"She is beautiful," Bella handed the phone back just as the nurse was coming in carrying another banana bag, blood bag and a piece of paper. "Oh good. The vampire has arrived."

"And she's back to normal," Hermione laughed as the nurse hooked Bella's bags up to her two IVs and informed them that the paper was the menu. Bella could order whatever she wanted and so could the Minister. Hermione just had to take the paper out to the nurses stations once they've decided. "So," she sat next to Bella after the nurse left. "What looks good?" She handed her wife a small pencil to make her selections.

"I don't see any Big Macs," she scoffed.

"Just pick something," Hermione rolled her eyes and sent Andy a quick message asking her to bring them some McDonalds. "You'll need all the energy you can get."

"Did you just text someone to bring me a Big Mac?" She saw Hermione smile. "You love me."

"I will provide whatever the mother of my daughter requires, even if it's junk food," she placed a gentle kiss onto her wife's lips. They were chapped from surgery so Hermione reached into her pants pocket and pulled out a tube of chapstick and applied it to Bella's lips. "There," she kissed her again. "All better."

Hermione forced Bella to pick something with vegetables from the menu, took the sheet to the nurses station and came back in to see Bella had found the remote and already located the channel with Friends playing. She looked up smiling, "look. It's Friends."

Hermione sat down next to her wife and watched the show in comfortable silence. She had thought that Bella had dozed off again before she started laughing. "What's so funny?"

"Just thinking about how your blood is being siphoned into my body right now," she cackled. "Just when I thought two people couldn't physically get any closer." She turned to look at Hermione and saw a weird smirk on her face. "What's that face for? I don't think I like it. It's making me uncomfortable."

"Oh sweetheart," Hermione patted Bella's hand. "That's not my blood."

"What? What do you mean it's not your blood? You are my wife."

"It seems that you haven't updated your paperwork here at the hospital since 1998." She got up and walked over to the chair sitting in the far end of the room. "I asked for copies of your paperwork," she walked back and opened the file, pointing to a line. "Read that."

"Oh no."

"Oh yes," Hermione read, "I, Bellatrix Druella Black Heiress to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, refuse to accept any blood other than that of a pureblood."

"If this isn't your blood then whose is it?"

"McDonald's is here!" Andy announced as she burst through the door holding bags of food.

Hermione looked from her wife to the middle Black sister and back to her wife, "no," Bella shook her head. "No, absolutely not."

"See the importance of updating your paperwork?"

Andy unloaded the bags of McDonalds when Bella's favorite blue haired little boy stuck his head in the door, "can I come see Auntie Bella now?" Andy turned to see the state of her sister before shrugging. "I'll be a good boy and I'm not scared of anything," he added, trying to sweeten the deal.

"Come on buddy," Bella called as Hermione took the bed remote and raised her into more of a seated position. She inhaled sharply and winced in pain from the pressure on her incision site. "Well that's not pleasant."

Teddy came in tentatively and walked over to his favorite auntie. He stood near the bed, looking Bella up and down then following the tubes from her arms up to the bags hanging above them. "Does it hurt?"

"A little," she reached out and ruffled his hair.

"Do you have scars like me and Aunt Mione?"

"She's a part of the club now, kid," Hermione smiled at the curious boy.

"Where's Cass?" He asked looking around for his cousin.

"Oh," Bella looked at her sister for a nod before speaking, "well you know how she was growing in my stomach?" Teddy nodded, "it seems that she was ready to come out but she's early. She didn't finish growing but she's going to be just fine. Cass is very small and just a little sick but she's ready to begin her journey with us. If you go ask your Aunt Hermione nicely she might show you the pictures she took of her."

"Okay," he started to move away but turned back and kissed Bella on her cheek. "I'm glad you are okay."

"Me too, little man," she ruffled his hair again before he ran across to the other side of the bed and crawled his way into Hermione's lap.

"So," Andy approached the bed holding a bag of food with a shit eating grin, "how's the blood transfusion going?"

"I hope your blood doesn't turn me into a little bitch like you," Bella rolled her eyes.

"I saved your life. Which essentially means you owe me a life debt. Meaning, you have to protect me until the end of time."

"Now just one minute."

Andy threw her hands up, "I don't make the rules. We've always taken life debts very seriously."

"Hermione, pet?" She looked over at her wife. "If I update my paperwork now do you think they can siphon Andy's blood out of me and replace it with yours?"

"No," Hermione shrugged. "It's a fitting punishment for being a pureblood snob."

"That's Granny's blood?" Teddy looked both excited and creeped out. "Wicked."

"Wicked indeed," Andy's smirk grew wider.

Bella pouted, pulling her tray over in front of her so Andy could set the bag down. She opened it and her mouth immediately watered at the smell, "I'm only letting you live today because you brought me McDonald's."

"And saved your life."

"Thin ice, Andromeda."

True to the good doctor's word, the orderlies came in two hours later with a wheelchair, "okay Madam Black, we are going to help you transfer. If the pain is overwhelming we can stop and try again in a few hours."

"Fuck the pain," Bella used Hermione's extended hand to help her sit up. "Take me to my daughter before I kill every last person in this hospital."

The orderlies stopped moving and looked scared, "you heard the lady boys now take her to her daughter."

"Yes Minister," one of them called out as the other rushed to help Bella slowly stand up. She grabbed at her stomach, grunting with pain. "Ma'am?"

"I'm fine," Bella growled and slowly made her way over to the wheelchair, mostly leaning on the orderlies for support. They helped as she sat down in the wheelchair on top of a few pillows to cushion the blow. "Fuck me, giving birth is the worst."

"That's what we've been told though from what we've heard you've had it worse," the one orderly said.

"Playing into her antics already," Hermione laughed. "Sure fire way to get on her good side."

The second elderly was hooking her IV bag up to the wheelchair so they could get going, "ready ma'am?"

Bella shot one last unsure look to her wife before nodding, "yes."

"May I?" Hermione asked, walking up and grabbing the handles on the wheelchair. She started to push her wife out of the room and slowly down the hallway. "Doing okay love?"

"Physically? No. Emotionally? Also no."

"It's going to be okay," Hermione grasped her shoulder. "She's been waiting for you."

"And I, her." Hermione stopped them outside the door and waited while Bella looked at the names, searching for her daughter. She swore she heard a hitch in her throat when she found the Cassiopeia cloud. She saw Bella reach up and brush a stray tear away before she nodded. The orderly opened the door and Hermione pushed Bella through and into the room. She was slightly surprised how unaffected Bella seemed to be passing the small, sick babies. "Still okay?"

"Is that her?" She pointed to the small bassinet in the back corner of the room.

"That's her," she stopped beside the bassinet. "Bella, meet our daughter, Cassiopeia. Cass this is your mummy."

"Hello Cass," she reached into the bassinet and touched the baby's cheek. "Can I hold her?"

The NICU nurse from earlier appeared as if on cue, "there's your mummy," she smiled coming over to check the baby's stats. "She's a good sleeper, just woke up. She's been letting us know she's hungry. Would you like to feed her?" She looked at Bellatrix waiting for an answer.

"Of course," she looked confused and scared and then turned to Hermione.

"Why don't you try to transfer into the rocking chair and open your hospital gown for the skin to skin contact. Do you need the orderlies?"

"We can manage," Hermione responded. "Thank you." She helped the dark witch slide from the wheelchair into the rocking chair that she had sat in earlier. Reaching behind her neck, she undid the ties that were holding her hospital gown up. "I don't want to expose you. I'm sure we can find a blanket to cover you up."

"Everyone has seen me naked Hermione. I'm not shy. If this is what the baby wants, this is what the baby gets." She looked up when she heard a little cry coming from the bassinet she had just vacated. "Is she hurt?"

"Just very hungry," the nurse reassured her when she walked over. "Okay sweet one. Here's your mummy." She gently laid the small baby into Bella's waiting arms. "Let me grab her bottle."

"Sure," Bella was holding her baby. She didn't know what to do. She looked at her wife one last time before lowering her eyes and taking the first real look at her daughter. "Hello," big brown eyes looked up at her. Bella couldn't pull her own eyes away. This little human she had spent 30 weeks getting to know, talking to and bonding with was here. "You are gorgeous," she lowered her nose to her baby's head and inhaled, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. A small little cry came from Cass, "did I hurt her?" She looked up at Hermione.

"I think she's just hungry," she pointed to the nurse standing there with the tiny bottle. Bella grabbed the bottle and watched as their baby took the small nipple in her mouth. Hermione felt that Bella needed to have this moment with their daughter alone like she had earlier. "I'm going to return some phone calls. Will you be okay?" She watched as her wife nodded her approval but didn't take her eyes off of their daughter. "I love you," she kissed Bella on the top of her head and ran a finger over Cass's forehead. "I'll be back."

Bella stared at her daughter just watching, looking, memorizing every little detail. She had Bella's eyes, black hair and the cutest little dimple on her left cheek. "Slow down, my little love," she spoke in soft gentle tones. "You're going to get a belly ache if you suck it down that fast," she chuckled. "Salazar," she smiled, "you truly are perfect. I've waited my whole life for you." She listened to the soft suckling sounds Cass was making as she enjoyed her bottle. "You are the most precious gift I never knew I needed." Just as the nurse had done for Hermione, she helped Bella burp the baby and then place Cass into a comfortable position on Bella's chest. "We are going to torture your Aunt Andy. She deserves it. I'll teach you about Quidditch and how to fly. We can practice spells and dueling when you get bigger. I'll get you any stuffed animal you want from the toy store." She felt Cass snuggle into her neck and sighed, content. "I love you, kitten. Tell no one. It's our little secret."

week 2*

Bella, Hermione and Cass had settled into quite a little routine. They would take turns feeding Cass. She was on a regular schedule and demanded food every two and a half to three hours. The nurse said it was because she was so tiny and needed more frequent meals. This was not a problem as it meant more time with their little girl. Bella insisted that they set up an extra bed in her room for Hermione in case she wanted to stay over though she often made Hermione go home overnight to relax and recharge. "It is draining being in the hospital all day," Bella reasoned as to why Hermione should go home. The brunette had it on good authority that Bella just wanted extra alone time with the baby. Cass still needed to stay in the NICU for some time. Her jaundice hadn't cleared yet but she was getting a little bigger. She now came in at a whopping 4 lbs, 2 ounces. It didn't seem like a lot but for a baby born at 30 weeks, she was progressing remarkably. It was December 23rd which meant Bella was turning 52 tomorrow. She wanted to forget her birthday this year. It didn't seem right for her to be celebrating anything while her daughter was still suffering in the NICU. Bella's recovery process was almost over and she was feeling better physically with only slight pains in her stomach and uterus when she was moving around. She still felt weak at times but that may be due to the loss of blood and the fact that nobody told her she would be having an endless moon's time after the birth. "How long is this bleeding going to last?" She asked Addison yesterday. To which the doctor replied, "I'm sorry but until your body is clear of the pregnancy hormones, you will continue your period. It's usually about 6-8 weeks after the birth. I know. That's the worst news I usually deliver." That was pretty shitty news but at least she and her baby were healthy.

The NICU was decorated for Christmas which the family loved. They all had an opportunity to come and meet Cassiopeia over the two week period as long as they wore protective gear. Aside from the mothers, the two people who hogged snuggle time with the youngest Black were Andy and Pap Pap Jack. Visiting hours were just about over for the day and Jack was still in the rocking chair talking to his granddaughter. Hermione and her mother were outside the window watching while Bella was taking a quick nap. "Oh I hope you know your father is going to spoil her rotten."

"I wouldn't have expected anything else from dad. He was always a grandparent, he just didn't have his grand baby yet," Hermione smiled watching her dad being so gentle with the baby. He already brought her a few little stuffed animals that she wasn't quite big enough for. They sat on the windowsill next to the balloon Andy and Teddy had brought her and the flowers from Cissy and Aviya. "I mean look, 2 weeks old and already spoiled."

"I was down in the cafeteria with your sisters-in-law and I heard them talking about the nursery."

"Oh we hadn't even got to set it up yet. She just came so soon."

"You didn't hear it from me but I think her aunts have a little surprise waiting for all of you when you finally get home."

"I haven't been home to look. Cissy's house is the closest to Mungos so when I'm not here, I'm over there sleeping. What have they done? Is Bella going to kill them?"

Katherine shook her head, "not this time. I think they've done a wonderful job. I may have seen pictures."

"It's not pink is it? Bella will murder them."

"It's very, Cassiopeia," her mother smiled and kissed the side of her daughter's head. "Your father and I will be back for Bella's big day tomorrow. I know you said she didn't want to celebrate but it's Christmas Eve and her birthday. We wouldn't let that go by. You may also want to grab her sisters. They seem to be making a fuss about it."

"Great," Hermione rolled her eyes. "Now I have to worry about Bella setting fire to the hospital tomorrow."

"Everything will be fine, buttercup. Go get some rest. I'll see your father out."

Hermione watched as her mom put her mask and gown on before entering the room, walking over to her father and the baby before she waved goodbye and walked back to their room. She saw that Bella was still sleeping. Curled up on her side, softly snoring and Hermione's heart clenched.

She really did pull one over on the universe in the wife lottery. I think I'll stay here tonight, she thought. She looked at her bed then looked over at Bella. Hermione made quick work in the bathroom, taking a shower and changing into a pair of sweatpants and one of Bella's old quidditch shirts that she took for herself over the years. She walked over to the bed and crawled in behind her wife. Bella stirred when Hermione draped her arm gently over her stomach. "S'okay? Cass?" She heard her raspy whispered response.

"Cass is perfect. Go back to bed my love," she kissed her behind her ear, placing her nose in the base of her neck and inhaling her drug. "My alarms are set."

"Okay," Bella breathed and snuggled deeper into the bed.

The next day-

Bella woke up a little grumpy though she would admit her wife's arms around her all night helped with the whole turning 52 thing. She just wanted to be at home with Hermione and their daughter. "Pet?" She asked as she rolled over and turned onto her back.

"Hmm?" Hermione stirred just enough to adjust her position and rest her face in Bella's neck. "Happy Birthday," she placed a soft kiss on her neck.

"Sleepy Hermione is one of my favorite versions of you," Bella chuckled. "Always very agreeable."

"Am not," the weak rebuttal came from her wife.

"Are we going to do the whole Santa thing?"

"What time is it?" Hermione tried to turn to get her phone.

"No," Bella held her tighter, "not yet."

"I would like to have a muggle Christmas with Cass. My family loves it and so does Teddy. You see how happy he is on Christmas morning."

"Hmm," Bella thought over what she said. "Teddy does enjoy it but that might just be due to the pile of presents he gets."

"Well he is a very good boy every year."

Bella chuckled, "he is." She started running her finger through brunette waves. "Don't you think Santa is a creepy concept? An overweight elderly man with a sweets obsession breaking into people's homes and leaving gifts for the small children? Seems a bit suspicious if you ask me."

"Well when you describe it like that, it does indeed sound creepy."

"My daughter will be smart enough to see through the ruse. Should we take bets now on how old she is when she figures out Santa is a lie told by the muggles to keep their children in line all year long?"

Hermione hummed, "8 years old."

Bella cackled, "please. I say four at most. The mother closest to the age gets Christmas morning orgasms."

"I'll take that bet," she pulled her hand out from its resting spot and shook with her wife.

"Easy win," Bella wrapped her arms around Hermione tighter. She basked in the birthday snuggles as long as she could.

"I'm taking you out today," she felt her wife stiffen. "Before you can object, I cleared it with the doctors and I talked it over with Cass's nurses. I want to take you out for your birthday. Even if it's just to get something to eat. I want to get you out of the hospital for a little bit. Just a couple of hours. Please don't say no. It's non-negotiable."

Bella sighed, "non-negotiable, hmm? Will there be someone from the family here to feed Cass? I don't want a stranger to do it. I'm sure Twiggy will come if needed."

"The nurses aren't strangers, love."

"They aren't family. Twiggy, she's family."

"My parents will be around and your sisters. I've already talked to them."

Bella shrugged, "I guess we can go. Plus, I won't have to see my sisters today if we time everything right. Nothing worse than having those slags around to remind me how old I am."

Hermione grimaced but it couldn't be seen from her cuddling location, "so let's go see Cass for a few hours then we are scheduled to head out around 2. Does that sound good?"

"You know what sounds good? Remember that birthday, my 50th I believe, where you woke me up and fucked me real good? That sounds like what I need this morning," she let her hand skim down Hermione's back, touching the small area of skin that was on display from where her shirt rose up over night. "I can think of very enjoyable ways to start my birthday."

"You just gave birth, 2 weeks ago. You aren't supposed to have sexual relations for at least 6 weeks but because of everything that you went through it's probably longer."

"No fun," Bella pouted. "You are going to deny your wife simple pleasures on her birthday?"

"Nothing is simple about our pleasures, love," Hermione laughed.

"I could just give you a go. I'm fine without a turn."

Hermione hated that she actually took a moment to think that over, "let's just go see our daughter. I think she'll want to wish her mummy a happy birthday. I'll make up for this when we get home. Lots of sex. Between all the sleeping, feeding, burping, playing and nappy changing."

"I do miss Twiggy. She will be very enthusiastic about caring for the baby," Bella sighed. "I need a shower. Help me?"

"If I go into that shower with you, it won't just be for washing. Go on. You are 52 and perfectly capable of showering alone. I'll change your bandages after."

"Sounds very enticing," Bella rolled her eyes but gave her wife a small smile before making her way to the shower.

They left the hospital about three hours later hand in hand. Bella was struggling only slightly with her walking since the whole ordeal but she had just taken a vial of pain potion before they left so she was feeling good. "Who would've thought my wife would be busting me out of the hospital after giving birth weeks before my 52nd birthday?"

"Honestly? I think this is exactly how we are meant to be celebrating. I have a gorgeous wife, a dream job, a beautiful home, and now," Hermione shrugged and grabbed Bella's hand, "the world's most perfect daughter." She squeezed her hand and looked over at her. "So," she smiled, tucking a stray curl behind Bella's ear, "where can I take you, love?"

Bella pursed her lips, considering, "and you are certain that bed isn't an option?" Hermione smiled that smile that lights up Bella's whole world. "Take me to that pub by your parents house. You remember? The one we were at when you punched out that woman with the fake tits. Then buy me a book? A muggle book. Something awful to numb my brain. It's kind of boring in the hospital when you leave and Cass is asleep."

"I'll buy you a hundred books if you'd like," Hermione put her arm around her waist preparing to disapparate. "Just say the word and it's yours."

"A hundred? How long do you think we are going to be stuck in there? I'm not a ravenclaw. A couple will do me, I'm sure," Bella cackled. "Whisk me away, pet."

"As you wish," she grabbed her tighter and disapparated just outside of the hospital grounds.

They successfully ate a late lunch at the pub sans having to punch anyone in the breasts for which Hermione was grateful. Her punching fists haven't seen much action since becoming Minister for Magic. After they ate, Hermione took Bella to a muggle book store where the dark witch spent over an hour browsing all of the horror and mystery books and settled on two mystery thriller books by an author named Lisa Gardner. "A female detective, what's not to love, pet? It's practically like she wrote these about me." She cackled as they left the bookstore with her bag. Hermione just rolled her eyes, "your ego never falters." Bella bumped shoulders with her, "you love me no matter what." They had been gone just shy of four hours and decided it was time to head back to the hospital since Bella was starting to feel a little fatigued and Cass was probably missing them. "Did you have a good birthday?" Hermione asked when they entered the front doors of St. Mungos.

"I did," she brought their lips together in a soft kiss. "Thank you. Though the gifts aren't necessary as you are my favorite treasure." She smiled when she saw the blush forming on her wife's cheeks. All the years later and she could still elicit pink cheeks. "Let's go see our daughter."

They entered the NICU and Bella stopped in her tracks, "where's my daughter?" She asked as soon as they got into the room and noticed Cass's bassinet wasn't in its normal placement in the corner under the window. Anger seething through her body, she grabbed the nearest nurse by the shirt and pulled her over to Cass's empty spot, "my daughter is meant to be right here? You tell me right now. Where. Is. My. Daughter?"

"Bella," Hermione rushed to the nurse's defense. "Calm down and let's talk to the nurse and figure this out."

"Calm down?!" Bella started to shout then looked around at the other babies and changed her tone to a harsh whispered yell, "how do you expect me to calm down when my daughter isn't where she's supposed to be and this nurse is looking at me like an incompetent asshole?!"

"Bella, please."

"Well?" She tightened her grip on the nurse's shirt, "I'm waiting for an answer. Where is my daughter?"

"They took her ma'am," she swallowed.

"Took her where? She's a fucking infant for salazar's sake and she didn't have any tests scheduled because if she did we wouldn't have left." Bella was reaching her breaking point. "You have five seconds to answer before Bellatrix Lestrange pays you a visit." The nurse looked scared, absolutely petrified. It may have been years since Bella changed for the better but her reputation precedes her, always. "Five," Bella's knuckles were turning white where she was holding onto the nurse. "Four," she looked over at Hermione who seemed to be stuck in her spot. "Three," she dropped one of her hands and reached for her wand. "Two," she brought the wand up and rested the pointy end under the nurse's chin. "One…"

"They took her down the hall. I wasn't supposed to tell you but I truly don't want to meet Madam Lestrange. Room 210."

Bella's demeanor changed instantly. "See," she let the nurse go and patted her head. "That wasn't so hard. Was it?"

When they left the NICU, Bella grabbed Hermione's hand and started pulling her down the opposite end of the hall towards room 210, "Bella, you can't just threaten the nurses like that."

"Nonsense, of course I can and it got me the information I needed."

"Bella," she caught herself whining.

"The nurse is fine," Bella shrugged. "Let's go see where and why the idiots took my daughter out of her room without her mothers' consent."

The room looked dark when they stopped outside and realization dawned on Hermione, "oh Merlin."

"What?"

"I know what this is. Promise me you won't kill anyone in there," Hermione almost begged.

"But it's my birthday I should be able to kill anyone I see fit," Bella stuck her chin up in the air like the petulant child Hermione had grown so fond of.

"Please? For me? Consider it your Christmas present to me."

"Awfully bold of you to assume that I was getting you a present, pet." When she looked at her wife, she saw big nervous honey eyes staring at her. "Fine," the dark witch rolled her eyes. "I won't kill anyone," she conceded before adding, "today." Bella turned and reached out to grab the door knob and realization finally dawned on her, "it's my fucking sisters isn't it?"

"I'm afraid so," Hermione laughed. "They love you so much. It's your special day."

Bella hung her head, "if it means I get time with Cass outside of the NICU then bully for them."

"That's the spirit," Hermione smiled. "Go right on through then."

Bella opened the door and there was a quiet round of surprises being said from a room full of friends and family. "Why are we whispering?" Hermione asked, following her wife in.

"The baby is sleeping," Andy nodded over her shoulder to the rocking chair where Jack was holding Cass.

"I'm going to kill you," Bella stared daggers at her sisters. "Both of you."

Hermione could see right through those daggers. She knew her wife would never admit it but her sisters arranging a surprise for her meant something to her. The fact that they sweet talked Cass out of the NICU was also a big help. "How did you get the baby here?"

"That was all Cissy."

"I just explained to them that it was a very important occasion and we would make sure to monitor her at all times. Plus, when her one mother is an ex-death eater and the other, Minister for Magic, the hospital is pretty lax in their rules and policies."

Hermione watched as Bella went around and said hello to everyone before stopping in front of Jack and Katherine. It would never go unmentioned how much she adored the way Bella was with her parents. They truly loved each other. "May I?" Bella asked Jack while pointing to her daughter.

"Of course," he said standing with the baby, waiting for Bella to sit before passing her Cass. "Happy Birthday," he leaned down and kissed the side of her ear. "I brought you some horror books and cans of coke."

"You know me so well," she thanked him before turning back to her baby. "It's so nice to see you outside of that room." Cass's eyes were wide open today. She was starting to have more awake moments and Bella ate up every minute of it. She loved staring into those big dark brown eyes. "You are the best gift of all," she kissed her forehead.

"She almost murdered that nurse," Hermione whispered to Andy.

"Almost. Collateral damage was always a risk but look at her," they both looked over to see Bella going back and forth in conversation between Luna and her baby. "That smile? It was worth it."

week five*

"You've got to be kidding me," Bella was frustrated. No, it was more than frustration. January was half over and she was still in the hospital with her daughter. She was told originally that this would be the week they were leaving but because of the jaundice levels not normalizing, Cass was tasked with spending another two weeks in the hospital with more time under the lights. If it wasn't righted by the end of two weeks, surgery was an option. They started her on medication to help with her red blood cell levels. If the fact that Cass was stuck in the hospital for more time wasn't bad enough both Astoria and Luna have had their children and have already been released. "They got to take their babies home. After one days time. How is that fair?" Bella was upset after both of their discharges. "It's not fair at all, love." Hermione tried to help her wife calm down. Bella wasn't having it. She requested a meeting with Dr. Montgomery. "If I want anything done right, I have to go to the top."

The talk with Dr. Montgomery didn't go exactly as Bella had hoped it would. She wasn't exactly used to waiting for things and being told no or that she couldn't have what she wanted. "You are free and clear to leave the hospital whenever you want, Madam Black. I know I said Cass would likely only have to stay the five weeks but quite frankly I don't see her as well enough to leave yet."

"What are you talking about? She's on medication for her jaundice. When the nurse checked her levels this morning, she said Cass was doing excellent, that's the word she used. Excellent seems like the term someone uses to describe a baby that is ready to leave."

"That's not exactly how these things work," the doctor actually sighed at that comment. This wasn't the first time they were having this conversation. She knew Bella wasn't leaving without her daughter and the woman was influential enough to be able to stay as long as she wanted. "We will assess your daughter again at the beginning of week seven and revisit the conversation surrounding discharge. I'm sorry, Bellatrix."

With that, Addison exited the room leaving Bella alone with her thoughts. Andy was scheduled to go back to Hogwarts this week because Minerva had said that she was needed back at the hospital wing so she had been coming by daily to annoy Bella and spend time with her niece. When she had arrived with the usual lunch time treats for Bella, she was also outraged to find out she would miss Cass's homecoming. "This is just ridiculous at this point," Andy lamented to which Bella agreed 100%. "Cass looks perfectly fine to me. She gained a decent amount of weight. Okay, she's still a little yellow but she's on medicine for that."

Bella rolled her eyes, "that's what I nicely tried to explain to the doctor and she basically told me to go fuck myself and that we could discuss it at the beginning of week seven. That's still two weeks away. I may burn this whole fucking hospital down by then. Also," Bella's tirade continued, "Cass isn't in the NICU anymore. She's been put in the regular nursery with the healthy babies. She gets to spend the night with me sometimes. Plus, Luna and Astoria already got to take their babies home." She crossed her arms over her chest, "it's not fair."

"Do you want me to kill Luna and Astoria?"

Bella let a little laugh escape her nose, "no Lyra and James need their mums. Maybe Potter and Draco."

"If I kill Draco, Cissy will kill me. I don't think I can risk my own life for this."

"You never follow through with your murderous tendencies. I always thought you were a shit Slytherin."

"Save your murderous streak for when you get back to work and have to deal with Kate," Andy cackled. "Harry told me everything that went down at the Leaky Cauldron."

"I'm not looking forward to that," Bella grumbled.

"Are you kidding me? You love any and every opportunity to berate that idiot hufflepuff. I mean," Andy conceded, "she fucked up big time. Went against all of your rules but got the job done."

"I don't know what I'm going to do with that one. She's good at what she does but her passion is a little misguided."

Andy laughed again, "sounds like someone else I know."

Bella did not look amused, "look are you going to help me smuggle my daughter out of this hospital or are you just going to compare me to that hufflepuff?"

"Let's do it. Where is Cass now?"

"They took her to check her bilirubin levels. They will drop her back off to the nursery and call me when she can come back in here. It's been the same for the past week. Probably ten or twenty minutes left to go."

Andy grabbed a burger, "then let's eat and get my niece out of this hospital."

30 minutes later there was a knock on the door and one of the nursery attendants was wheeling Cass's bassinet into Bella's room. "Here she is. She did a great job as usual."

Bella noted the small band aid on her foot where they must have drawn her blood. Her little feet were battered and abused during the five weeks she had been here. It made Bella's heart ache from seeing the bruises on her feet. "Of course she did. She's a Black after all."

"We can come back to get her whenever you'd like. Here is her next bottle. She'll let you know when she's ready."

"Yes," Bella dismissed the attendant. "Thank you. My sister and I wish to visit with her now so you are free to go."

"Let us know if you have any questions," she pointed to the call bell before she exited the room.

"So how are we doing this?" Andy asked as she walked over to the bassinet and scooped up her niece. She indeed had gained some weight. Cass now weighed in at a whopping 5 lbs, 11 ounces. "Little piggy she is," Andy kissed her on the forehead.

"Maybe it was all the burgers," Bella cackled. "We could just walk her right out the front door. Who is going to stop the Black sisters?"

"True but she's a baby. Maybe we can put her under your outer robes. You can hold her against your stomach and we can fix the robes around the two of you."

"That'll work," Bella shrugged. "Let's feed her first so she doesn't cry and give us away."

"May I?" Andy reached for the bottle and when Bella nodded she walked over to the chair to feed the baby. "She is such a good eater. Dora also loved to eat. She would cry when her bottles were done and Ted would eventually give in and make another ounce or two of formula. Spoiled little things aren't they."

Bella walked over and looked down at her daughter and for the first time she felt her sister's pain, "I wish I would've gotten to know Nymphadora. The way you speak of her. She was truly special."

"You would've loved her. She was a little spitfire and reminded me a lot of you."

"Yes well," she patted her sister's shoulder and Andy knew that was as close to acceptance and love that she was going to get from her sister on the subject.

"Cassiopeia already has that little mischievous twinkle in her eyes. I can sense it. Hermione better start insuring the house now," Andy smiled up at Bella.

"A daughter of mine? A Black? I just pray she has some of her other mother in there or we are all in trouble," Bella laughed.

"We are all praying for that one," Andy focused her attention back to the baby who was happily eating her lunch. Five minute later, Cass had drained the bottle and started to whine when it was empty, "I knew she'd be like Dora with her bottles."

"Just sit her up and burp her. Her tummy gets too full and she doesn't realize she's not hungry anymore," Bella offered the advice.

"Look who has motherly bones in her body."

"I know," Bella smirked, "it came as a shock to me as well."

Cass let out a rather large burp for such a little thing, "well now you must feel better. She's giving you a run for your money with her burps."

"An heiress never belches," Bella tried to say with a straight face.

"Okay sure," Andy wiped the dribble from Cass's chin. "So I'll just change her nappy and get your robes on. We will get the hell out of here."

"Perfect," Bella took the bottle and threw it in the bassinet and grabbed her cloak as Andy changed the soiled nappy.

Andy walked over and handed Bella her baby, "just hold her close to your boobs, they are big enough to mask her right now."

"Stop looking at my tits, Andromeda." Bella placed Cass against her chest and Andy closed the robes. "Well how do we look?"

"No one will be able to tell."

"Perfect," they were walking towards the door when it suddenly flew open. "Cissy, what are you doing here?"

"I was on break and wanted to see my niece. Why are you wearing your robes?"

"Thought I'd get some fresh air with Andy," Bella lied easily.

Narcissa looked between her two sisters and felt that something was off. She noted the baby bassinet behind them. "Where's my niece?"

Bella looked at Andy who just stared at her. Fine, Bella knew she had to be the one to lie. "They took her for more tests. Said she'd be back in an hour or two."

The blonde still wasn't buying it, "why is her bassinet here?"

"Muggle doctors are useless?" Andy gave her sister a cheeky smile.

"Okay, what is really going on here?" Narcissa crossed her arms over her chest. "Open up your robes, Bella."

She didn't skip a beat, "I'm naked."

"I've seen it before," she rolled her eyes and approached her sister. Andy stepped in Bella's way, "get out of the way, Andy."

"Seriously. She's naked."

A small cry was heard coming out from under Bella's robes, "are you serious?" Cissy closed the distance and opened her robes. Her tiny niece was being held against her mom's bosom. "Come here my Angel," she grabbed the baby and didn't meet any resistance from the dark witch. "Auntie will take care of you," she rocked the baby in her arms and spoke in a harsh whisper, "are you two out of your minds? You can't take the baby out of the hospital."

"And just why not? She is mine."

"What she said," Andy thumbed towards her older sister.

"I spoke with Addison earlier and she said Cassiopeia has to stay two more weeks. I know it's terrible news for you, Bella but it's what's best for her in the long run."

Bella turned towards Andy, "she's using that logic and reason bullshit that Hermione uses and I hate it."

"We could just wait until she leaves," Andy whispered.

"If I even think for one minute that you will try to leave with my niece before she's been cleared by the doctors, I will call your wife. You don't want Hermione to find out about this. She's very scary when she is angry," she had rocked Cass to sleep but continued swaying with the baby.

"Fuck she's right," Andy went and stood next to her younger sister. "Hermione is one scary witch when she's mad. I don't want to be on the receiving end of her fist today. Well it was a solid try."

"For salazar's sake," Bella washed her hand down her face. "You never were a slytherin were you? The sorting hat really needs to be replaced."

"I'm not looking to get onto Hermione's shit list," Andy reasoned. "She's known for just punching people with little to no reason."

"Two more weeks, Bella," Narcissa passed her the sleeping bundle. "You can do it."

Discharge Day- week seven*

Bella was flying around her room packing everything she had acquired over the last seven weeks and everything that Cassiopeia had received since her birth, "well don't just sit there," she looked at her wife. "Help me."

"They said discharge would be in a couple of hours. Besides," she pulled out a book. "Cass still needs to pass her car seat test."

"Excuse me?" She dropped the shirt she was holding. "Her what?"

"I brought her car seat."

"She has one of those?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "yes."

"What's the test?"

"Our baby will sit in her car seat for 90 minutes signifying a car ride home. During the test, the nurse will monitor her heart rate, breathing and oxygen level. If she passes, we can take her home."

"Well that's just fucking ridiculous. We are apparating to the manor. No car seat required."

"Every baby has to pass the test, magical or muggle."

"Cassiopeia Bellatrix Black next in line to become the Heiress to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black will not be completing a 'car seat' test," she accentuated her words with air quotes.

"Well my daughter who is part muggle and will be riding in the car with her grandparents on some occasions will be completing the car seat test today," Hermione crossed her arms and gave her a look. "Is there going to be a problem?"

"My sisters were right," Bella grumbled. "I hate when they are right."

"Right about what?"

"How scary you are," Bella plopped down on a chair next to her wife. Hermione's mouth fell open, "don't play innocent now, pet. Your reputation precedes you. Been hanging around the Blacks too long."

"I'm not a scary person."

Bella sighed and settled in for the next few hours. If passing a stupid muggle car seat test was all they had left to do before she could take her baby home, she could make it. "No family tonight, right?"

Hermione smiled, "no. Just us and Cass spending the first day together in our home."

"Perfect," Bella reached over to her bedside table and grabbed one of her Lisa Gardner books. "You'd like this detective. Pet. She's bold, sarcastic, a little crass and she loves to eat."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "so it's basically a book about you?"

"Pretty much which is why I said you'd like the detective."

"Let me have the book when you are done," Hermione thought it over. "I do love a crass female detective."

Bella smirked, "I knew it."

True to her word there was nobody waiting at Black Manor for them when Hermione apparated them just outside of the gate. Bella even let Hermione talk her into carrying Cass in that stupid looking muggle car seat stating it would be safer to travel with the baby that way. Bella led them up the walkway and pushed the door wide open. She smiled when she saw the big handmade sign that read Welcome Home Cassiopeia hanging above the main fireplace. She looked down at her sleeping bundle, "I think your cousin Teddy made that for you."

"He's so happy that she's coming home. I told him he could come spend the weekend with us. If that's okay with you of course."

"A weekend with my daughter, my beautiful wife and my favorite little guy," Bella smiled as she put Cass's car seat on the long hallway table. "Sounds like the perfect weekend. Now," she turned to Hermione. "Unleash our baby from this wretched muggle prison so we can give her the proper tour."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "you are going to have to learn to do this one day."

"Exactly. One day. That day is not today," she stepped out of the way, letting Hermione undo the complicated straps holding Cass into the seat. "Shall we give her the extended, proper tour of the grounds or only hit the highlights?"

"She's due for a bottle and a nap in about 30 minutes so whatever you can show while ending in her nursery works for me," she cradled her baby. "Twiggy?"

The small elf popped into the room, "yes mistress? This be the little madam?"

Hermione bent down so the elf could get a look at the baby, "this is Cassiopeia."

"Beautiful like her mothers. What can Twiggy do for you?"

"Can you prepare a 4 ounce bottle of that formula," she pointed to the container Bella was holding. "It gets warmed in the bottle warmer. Just add water to the mixture. The instructions are on the back."

"Yes mistress."

"Bring it to the nursery in 30 minutes time?"

"Of course," Twiggy took the formula from Bella. "It's nice to have you home, mistress Bella."

"It's good to be home, Twiggy," she patted her elf on the shoulder before she left the room to start preparing Cass's bottle. "Should we start at the Quidditch pitch? She's probably going to be spending a lot of time there."

"It's a little cold outside today for a tour of the pitch. Maybe we can show her the library."

"Library it is," Bella stepped aside. "Lead the way."

They took Cass on a tour of the house, spending extra time in the library and their own bedroom. They stopped by Teddy's room and his toy room which would be converted into a shared playroom. The tour concluded outside of the nursery. There was another smaller Welcome Home Cassiopeia sign on the door. "Now kitten," she turned to face her daughter who was still nestled in Hermione's arms, "we didn't get a chance to prepare the nursery so it might look a little bare but we promise to fix it up as soon as we get a chance." She looked up and noticed a sparkle in those honey eyes. "What's the look for?"

"Just open the door, Bella."

"What did they do now?" She didn't need any more information. She knew her sisters had done something to this nursery and didn't waste another minute. She pushed the door open, slowly and walked in, stopping just inside the door with Hermione and the baby following. The walls were painted a dark bluish gray color with slight purple accents. The walls were decorated with a bright big full moon and their family constellations. The crib was wooden, teal in color and was surrounded by a draped navy curtain. There were fairy lights throughout the room to brighten it though the big bay windows brought in enough light to illuminate the room. There was a matching teal changing table and dresser. A big toy box with a bench sat under the window. There was a hanging net in the one corner of the room filled with stuffed animals both of the magical and muggle variety. There was a big oversized grey rocking chair sitting under a bookshelf already full of childhood favorites. "It's perfect," she whispered, walking around looking at everything in the room. "It's better than anything I could've imagined for her."

"Well," Hermione turned Cass out so she could look around the room though she knew she couldn't see any colors or far distances yet. "What do you think, sweetheart? Perfect."

"She's going to love it. May I?" Bella walked over and waited for approval before she scooped their baby up.

Hermione watched as the love of her wife slowly and with purpose walked their daughter around the room, quietly describing everything to the 7 weeks old little baby. If she wasn't madly in love with this woman already, seeing the way she was with their daughter would certainly push her love to maximum capacity. There was a slight scratching at the door which Bella didn't hear as she was showing Cass her selection of books but Hermione turned and watched as her long-time familiar came waltzing into the nursery. "Crooks, your sister is here. Would you like to meet her?" He meowed and head butted Hermione's leg, purring his agreement. Bella was already sitting in the rocking chair with Cass, reading to her. "Bella, someone is here to meet the baby."

She looked up confused then saw the orange fluff walking over to them. "Hello sir," she greeted him when he jumped up onto the arm of the rocking chair. "Crooks, this is your sister Cass. She will probably terrorize you but it's all out of love. I can assure you of that." The cat stretched until his face was inches from the baby. He sniffed her and rubbed his head on her cheek before jumping down from the chair and settling at Bella's feet. "I think that went well," she chuckled.

Cass started fussing and as if on cue, Twiggy popped into the room holding the warmed bottle, a bib and a burping cloth. "Twiggy has the baby's bottle. Would you like me to feed her?"

"That won't be necessary. Thank you," Hermione grabbed the bottle and bent down to whisper something in her elf's ear before the little elf nodded and left.

"What did you say to her?" Bella asked, reaching out for the baby supplies.

Hermione put the bib around her daughter's neck and laid the burp cloth on Bella's shoulder, handing her wife the bottle. "I told her if she starts getting things prepped for dinner that I'll finish up and she and Winky can take the rest of the day off."

"Well that is mighty generous of you," Bella laughed, turning her attention back to the baby who was happily drinking.

"Purely selfish, I assure you."

"You are starting to sound like me, pet."

"I was told that many times over when you were giving birth. Something about how married couples start acting like their partner," Hermione laughed. "I just really want to spend the rest of the day here with you and Cass. We have a lot of time we need to make up for."

"Indeed we do," Bella kissed their daughter and smiled up at her wife. "We can do this right?"

"What do you mean?"

"This," she motioned to the baby. "We can do this right? Cassiopeia is going to turn out okay?"

"Oh my love," Hermione walked over and perched herself on the arm of the chair. She kissed her wife on the top of the head. "I have no doubt that Cass is going to be an extraordinary human being."