So this is the end of this fic. It's 20 chapters longer than I thought it would be, but I have thoroughly enjoyed writing it. I hope you have enjoyed coming on this journey with me. Now onto the epilogue.
It's my eldests 18th birthday today. I can't quite believe it. I've been in the kitchen most of the morning preparing the buffet, the muggle way. It's nice to go back to your roots and remember where you came from every once in a while. Everything is almost finished. I just need to get the cake out of the oven and then get dressed.
"Minerva" I yell out the kitchen door "get over here" I hear a faint "coming dear" in response. I make my way back over to the oven to get the cake out. As I rise I feel her presence enter the room. I've always known when she's near. It's like I can feel her love wrap itself around me. It makes me warm every single time. I turn around to place the cake in the center of the table amongst all the other buffet items. It looks good. I feel her arms encircle my waist and her nose nuzzles into my neck. I sigh and rest my arms over hers and lean back. I take a moment to rest in her arms, basking in the strength and love that is so freely offered.
"Looks wonderful love, I'm sure she will appreciate that it's all been prepared the muggle way" is whispered in my ear. Her lips rub across the shell, making me squirm a little. I smile at the compliment. I doubt Rose would care either way, she'll probably think Rhona prepped it all, but I had to do this, for my baby. I can feel myself getting teary thinking about Rose's life.
"I just hope she likes it Min" I worry. "18 dear Merlin, where did the time go? It doesn't seem like 5 minutes ago she was starting Hogwarts" and what a day that was. The four of us had been to Diagon Alley to get her books and other items a week before September 1st. Minerva was worried about joining us at the station, making our relationship public for the first time, but Rose had begged her to come with us, and once Rose gives Min those puppy dog eyes, she is unable to resist her anything, so the morning of September 1st the four of us arrived at Kings Cross, as a family. We saw Rose off at 11am and Minerva was all for apparating to Hogsmeade to make sure the train got there on time, and that Rose was doing okay. She was worse than me.
I get turned towards her and she cups my face in both of her hands
"You worry too much, she is going to love it. All her friends are due in the next hour, the family in half an hour, you've done a splendid job setting this up for her" she kisses my lips, and then her tongue is in my mouth, caressing mine. Merlin I could kiss Minerva forever. I feel her pull me in closer, and rub her hands up and down my back. This gesture is so familiar to me now, I moan as I know what it normally leads to, and I'm never disappointed except this time we are interrupted by Hugos entrance.
"Guys, please" he exclaims. "We all know you're together and deliriously happy but can you put each other down for 5 minutes? Rose is going to be here any minute and Mom you've still got to get dressed" he reminds me. Min pulls away from me and we're both grinning. It was such a relief to me that both my children accepted our relationship so easily. Min pecks my lips and then pushes me towards the door.
I make my way up to the top floor and our room. Minerva has laid out what she would like me to wear today on the bed. It's one of my favourite outfits so I don't object but I do add some sexy underwear underneath for later. My gift to Minerva for the last amazing 8 years of our life together. I never imagined that our life would be this perfect when we started out. I was so worried it wouldn't work out, it was so soon after Ron's death that I thought we were bound to hit bumps, but it's been everything I had hoped for and more. She's been amazing with the kids, helping them through being away from home, making sure all the holidays were filled with happiness and surrounded by family. Our first Christmas together I think is my favourite. Rose had been back for a few days, when she told me what she intended to do for Minerva as a present. I wholeheartedly agreed and helped her get it organised.
Christmas morning, and there are a lot of presents beneath the tree in the den. Naturally the kids go first, a jumper each from Molly along with some Bertie Botts beans. Minerva had gotten Hugo a drum kit as she promised and for Rose flute lessons, for as long as she wanted them. A few other odds and sods from other family and friends. Minerva was going to fetch my parents around midday so they could join us. They were shocked when we first told them that we were together but once they saw how happy Minerva made me and the kids they encouraged our relationship, gave us their blessing. Rose looked over at me, asking if now was the time. I gave her a nod of encouragement and she left the room to go and get her present. A few minutes later, Rose walked in holding a huge square wrapped package.
"Who's that for Rose?" Min asked.
"You" she replied simply. Rose brought the gift over to her and leant it against the arm of the couch, and then stepped back.
"Go on then" she encouraged.
I could see the tears in Minerva's eyes, she had no idea Rose was doing this.
"Okay, but you didn't need to get me anything, having you all here is present enough" she insisted. She rose from her position on the couch and she tore the paper away.
She gasped and raised her hand to her mouth, then she pulled Rose to her and gave her the longest hug, giving herself a moment to compose herself.
"Rose, it's beautiful, did you draw them all?" She asks.
"I did, Mom helped to make them move" she informed her proudly.
It was a montage of our time together this year. The picnic at the loch, my head in Minerva's lap, splashing each other in the loch. She even included the night she saw us in the drawing room, and me hugging her from behind. In this image Minerva turns to me and kisses me. The four of us lying in Mins bed after the funeral, baking, playing instruments in the music room, laughing. It's perfect.
"I love it Rose, thank you" she whispers. Wiping a tear from her eye. Minerva immediately levitated it to the wall and stuck it pride of place. Rose got another hug for her efforts and then she came over to me and kissed me. It got a little out of hand, but an "eww" from the children had us stepping away from one another with a grin on our faces and then Minerva chased both kids around the house, threatening to tickle them for interrupting. I smile each time I remember that Christmas.
I finish getting ready by adding Minerva's favourite perfume to my wrists and neck and then make my way downstairs to welcome Rose home.
"You look gorgeous love" Minerva compliments me. I blush, I've heard it everyday since we've been together but it still makes me tingle to hear it.
"You're biased, but thank you" I say, making my way over to her and slipping my arm around her.
Rose appears a few moments later, in the hearth.
"Mom, Hugo, Min" she exclaims and hugs us all in turn. "It's so good to see you all"
"Happy Birthday Rose" we all sing.
"I can't believe my baby is 18" I cry, and fling my arms around her neck.
I hear a disgruntled "Mom" in my ear but she's hugging me back just as hard so I know she doesn't mind. Not really. I release her from my hold once I've gotten my emotions under control.
The party is going well, Rose loves being the centre of attention. Minerva has been a bit….. off… is the only way I can describe it. She's not said much to anyone, keeps feeling her chest and wiping her hands down herself. I hope nothing is worrying her. If she's still not right after the fireworks, I'll entice her upstairs for a chat.
The buffet has been finished and the cake is being dished out. Rose is gathering everyone outside for the fireworks that George brought with him when Minerva snags my hand.
"Min? What are you doing?" I ask.
"Hermione, the last 8 years have been the happiest of my life, being with you and helping you raise Rose and Hugo has filled me with more love than I probably deserve, I think it's time, we took our relationship to the next level" she says and slowly lowers herself to one knee. Oh Merlin, is she doing what I think she's doing. She pulls a box from her inner pocket and looks into my eyes, I can feel the tears, I bring my hand up over my mouth, my fingers are trembling. We never discussed getting married, I didn't think it was something she wanted.
"Hermione, Love, will you do me the greatest honour of becoming my wife?" She finishes.
"Yes, of course yes" I agree and fling myself at her. I'm kissing her, my tongue massaging hers. I have tears running down my cheeks but I'm smiling like the Cheshire Cat. She slips the ring on my finger and then she rises and twirls me around. I then hear whoops from behind us. Rose and Hugo have entered to celebrate with us.
"Told you there was nothing to worry about Min" Hugo jibes as he gives her a hug.
"You knew?" I question.
"Sure, we both knew, Min asked us for our blessing last year, it's taken her this long to pluck up the courage to actually ask you Mom" Rose informs me.
I look over at Minerva to see that her cheeks are a lovely toasty red
"Yes, well, we needn't discuss that. I've done it now" and she pokes her tongue out at the kids. Honestly she can be such a child at times.
"So, you don't mind then?" I ask, just to make sure
"We both told her she should have done it years ago, Mom" Hugo says.
"We love both of you, and wish you all the happiness in the world" Rose follows up.
I smile over at them and give them both the biggest hug.
Then I'm back in Minerva's arms, and I can feel her hands roaming across my body.
"Rose, would you mind terribly if we, erm, missed the rest of the party sweetheart?" I ask, already pulling Minerva towards to stairs
"No, you go, just keep the noise down, we don't need a repeat of Hugos 15th now do we?" Rose chuckles as we leave the room.
Min and I had gotten a bit frisky in the kitchen preparing Hugos birthday breakfast and they walked in on us after a particularly high pitched giggle from myself, to find us with Minerva's hand up my skirt and my hands on her breasts. Rose has never let us forget that.
We make our way to the top of the stairs, and I place a muffliato outside the door in the hall, and another once we make it into our bedroom. Can't be too careful when we have guests in the manor.
Minerva pulls me into her arms, and kisses me deeply.
"Oh Hermione, you've made me the happiest woman alive." She murmurs against my lips. She begins to remove my clothes, once she sees the underwear I'd popped on earlier I hear a growl and I'm being pushed down onto our bed. I scoot back a bit, but she pulls me back to the bottom, and grabs the lacey underwear between her teeth and pulls them down my legs, then her mouth is on me. Oh Merlin, she's so good at this. Her tongue swirls around my clit, and then she's lapping at me gently, I'm so wet, she brings her hand up to my entrance and penetrates me and she purses her lips and blows on my center. I begin to undulate against her, countering the rhythm to her fingers, she curls them just so, to find that special spot just inside that always make me fall into oblivion, her tongue does another swipe over my clit and then i'm there on the precipice, I hang there for a moment and then I fall, allowing myself to succumb to the pleasure that Minerva is giving me. I feel her remove her fingers, and she ascends my body, kissing every part as she makes her way to my mouth.
She kisses my lips and I feel tears splashing on my cheeks.
"Oh Min, whatever is the matter?" I ask as I wipe her tears
"I'm just so grateful and happy, Love" she says as she smiles down at me. I roll her over onto her back and run my fingers over her face. She kisses my fingertips
"Please, Hermione, I need you" she begs.
She's still dressed, so I work her robes up her body, until her breasts are visible, and then I'm feasting on them, I feel her rise a bit to pull the garment over her head. I swirl my tongue over her nipple, and massage the other with my hand. Her head thrashes from side to side and her hands are gripping the sheets beneath her. I let my right hand slowly trace its way down over her midsection, to the apex of her thighs. Her legs open wide, and she grabs my hand and urges it down further, to where she needs me. I play my fingers through her wetness and she cries out my name, I rise above her, to watch as she comes undone as I fondle her intimately. I've never seen such a sight as becoming as Minerva cuming as I pleasure her. Her eyes are shut tightly, her mouth open as she tries to draw in much needed oxygen, and then she tumbles over and "Hermione" leaves her lips like a benediction to Merlin himself. I keep my hand moving, to draw the pleasure out for as long as she can take it. A few moments later her hand is on my wrist pulling it away from her. I move to hover over her, my hands either side of her head and lower myself on top of her, and kiss her with all that I am. She then rolls us onto our sides, and runs her hand over my hip and buttocks. She opens her eyes and looks directly into my gaze
"I love you Hermione, with everything that I am"
"I love you Minerva, always" and then I kiss her lips once more.
The End.