Chapter 42:
A week had passed and Hermione's morning sickness really started to kick in. Besides the usual nausea and vomit Hermione was delighted with her current condition.
With all the difficulties that the pregnancy has brought on her at first, Hermione now felt like all of that was just a horrible nightmare and she couldn't have been happier about her decision not to abort the baby.
The bond between her and Draco grew stronger. They spent most of their time walking around inside shops, looking at baby products and learning all there is to know about a baby coming into their lives. During the evenings they would take long walks to the park where they would often meet with the trio: Ron, Ginny and Ruby.
Ron and Draco became closer friends a short time after their peace making. They learned they have a lot in common, especially loving quidditch and hating books.
The one thing they both enjoyed the most was having manly talks. Since Harry was gone and Draco was hiding, neither Ron nor Draco had a close guy friend they could talk to, so they found that friendship in each other.
Hermione was thrilled to see how well Ron and Draco were getting along, and how close they became. The fact that she had Ron's trust and approval in Draco calmed her; it would help her a lot when she would confront Harry about her future husband and baby's father.
It was a late august evening. The clouds were as clear as ever and the starry sky was fully visible. The stars and moon illuminated the dark skies and caused a breathtaking sight. Hermione and Draco were sitting on the porch of their house taking in the evening's fresh air. They discussed there near future and the plans they should fulfill before the baby arrives.
"I think we should purchase an apartment so that we wouldn't be burden on your parents." said Draco, holding her hand in his.
"I'm sure we wouldn't be a burden, but I would prefer living on our own." said Hermione, sighing deeply.
"Three months ago, I would have never imagined for all of this to be true." Hermione added with a smile.
"Neither would I, but I am too happy to care." said Draco kissing her passionately on the lips.
He than picked her up and brought her inside the house, being extra cautious and gentle. Once he placed her on their bed, and was ready to get undressed he saw Hermione's owl tapping on their bedroom window.
"Oh my God. My parents, they wrote back." Hermione said getting up happily.
Draco opened the window and let the owl in. The owl had a parcel attached to one leg and a small turquoise colored box attached to another.
Hermione detached both the package and the parcel and started reading.
"Hermione dear:
Your father and I were very thrilled to hear from you once again. We cannot wait to get home and meet this charming young man you told us about. We are sure that both of you love and care for each other very much.
We think getting engaged at such a young age is a little rush, especially since you've only been together for a short period of time, but after all it was a decision made by you and we hope you are happy with it.
As a token of our love and approval we sent the both of you a little engagement gift. It's nothing much but we hope you will find a great use for it.
We should be home by the end of this week; we love you and miss you.
Hugs and kisses, Mom and Dad."
"Aww." she said as she handed the letter to Draco and reached for the turquoise box. On the box was black lettering that created the words TIFFANY & CO. Hermione knew that this box contained some sort of jewelry in it.
She waited for Draco to be finished with the letter. Once he was seated down beside her with a sly grin on his face, they opened the mysterious box together.
Inside the box were two matching platinum wedding bands. Although they were plain they had a unique beauty to them. Hermione looked at the bands and smiled happily.
"Draco they got us wedding bands." she said, smiling at him.
"I know, this is so thoughtful." said Draco, a little shocked by their consent.
"Yes, and it also means they're ok with it. They're ok with us getting married." she added cheerfully.
"Yes, it does. This is amazing good news." said Draco happily. He then brought her into his arms and pecked her on the lips gently.
"Let's do it." he said, looking into her eyes.
"Do what?" she asked.
"Get married." Draco answered.
"Draco we will get married, eventually." said Hermione.
"I know we will, but let's do it now. Just me and you." said Draco.
"But Draco, we can't. Your name is not cleared out yet, and my parents are in the United States, your mother is not here, none of our friends are here. We have to get a church, and book a hall, I don't have a dress. This kind of event needs a lot of planning you know." said Hermione kindly, pecking him on his pouting lips.
"Hermione, we don't need anybody or anything. Neither do we need a priest that would tell us we love each other. We know all of that on our own. We only need each other's love and a promise for the future. I don't want to wait only god knows how long to swear to you that I would love you for eternity." said Draco, gazing into her beautiful brown eyes.
"Draco I don't want to wait for so long either, but I don't know what to do." Hermione said a little taken aback by his rush decision.
"Hermione there's nothing to know. When you love someone there's no right or wrong. It just comes out of your heart, naturally and freely. We don't need a priest to dictate vows to us." Draco urged.
After a few minutes of pondering over his proposal Hermione decided that it wasn't such a bad idea after all.
"You're right. Let's do it." she said grinning.
Draco got up and told her to wait for five minutes. He then headed to the living room and started decorating the room with his wand, to fit the occasion.
He placed white drapery all over the walls. He decorated the drapery with white roses, kale lilies, lilies and orchids. He also added some purple roses and orchids to add some color.
The flowers hung in centerpieces on the walls, making them fall off naturally and create an unimaginably beautiful sight. He conjured long white candles and lit them all with a flick of his wand; he then enchanted them to float around the room freely.
On the floors he placed the softest white carpet. He sprinkled it with white and lavender rose petals and gold and silver sparkles. He turned off the lights and draped the windows for the room to be illuminated only by the candlelight.
He then conjured two big and fluffy white pillows and placed them on the floor. He placed the turquoise box next to the pillows and removed all the furniture with his wand. The living room looked perfect. He headed to Hermione's bedroom to fetch her hoping the transformations would please her.