Disclaimer – I own nothing from Harry Potter nor do I make money from this fanfiction.
Well. Hello, everyone! It's been a horribly long time since I have even read this story back, let alone worked on it. I think I stopped because I didn't want it to end, then once I did, I lost all contents on my laptop along with any motivation to continue this story. Someone brought this story back to my attention (thank you, Stacy!) and I have a renewed love for our happily married, almost-parents pair. Hopefully I can add to, and nicely wrap up, this love story that I always thought they deserved but did not get in JK Rowlings version.
Warning – All. The. Fluff.
Walking down the street, holding his wife's hand, knowing his daughters were safe and growing within her womb did something to him. Severus had never believed in happy endings, had never viewed life as something to truly enjoy. The stupid smile plastered to his face was proof that every negative notion he'd had was officially erased, gone, thrown into the rubbish bin and set ablaze. His daughters. He could not have fathomed that outcome, but it did nothing other than force a pride in him to arise within his chest.
Hermione, however, was still a bundle of nerves. Severus had barely said two words since they left and she was beginning to worry that he was disappointed that she was not bearing him a son. The smallest piece of shame wove it's way through her nervous system, making every part of her body tingle unpleasantly. She knew somewhere in the back of her mind that she was being crazy and hormonal, but she couldn't bring herself to look at her husband. So it was a surprise to her when they appeared in front of the baby store he'd promised her during the appointment.
Severus paused when he felt her trepidation, his elation morphing into concern when he turned to see her downtrodden face. "Love, what's wrong?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowed.
Tears pooled in her eyes and fell down her cheeks. She took in a shuddering breath and her husband gathered her up in his arms without another question, holding her as close as possible. She sobbed into his black jumper, all her fears and worries melting away, his unique smell calming her almost instantly. He tried not to tense, wanting to be a pillar of strength for his clearly distraught wife, but undoubtedly confused by the outburst. He stroked her hair, kissed the crown of her head, made gentle circles along her back, waiting it out until she was done.
"Thank you," she whispered after a few moments, her tears slowing now. "I'm sorry, Severus. I don't know what overcame me."
"Let's talk about it," he offered, pulling back and using his thumbs to wipe away her tears. He kissed her forehead lovingly, hating to see her in distress. She shook her head slightly but he insisted. "Hermione, we need to stay open with each other, even if it's hard or you think it's not important. I want to work through all these moments with you."
"I feel stupid now," she admitted. "I just kept thinking about how I wasn't having a boy to carry on your name."
Severus tried to not laugh at her, seeing in her eyes she was serious and still teetering on the edge of holding it together. "Listen to me very carefully," he said, his voice quiet but stern. "I am so honored that you are carrying our children right now. It could have been any outcome and I would have been equally happy. I can't begin to explain to you the amount of sheer love I feel for our unborn daughters. We're having two amazing, smart, beautiful, wonderful girls and I could not be more excited."
"I'm sorry," she said again, her voice wavering, her eyes watering again and he immediately felt bad. "You were quiet so I immediately assumed the worst because I already felt so on edge. I should have talked to you about it instead of letting my emotions get carried away."
He brought her back into his embrace, holding her face to his chest, his cheek taking up it's favorite place atop her head. "I apologize for being quiet and not gauging your mood. I know this has been extremely up and down for you and I should have been more aware. I'm genuinely so proud and so excited to welcome our daughters into this world with you, my wife."
Hermione nodded against his chest, finally feeling safe enough to allow the excitement to fill her. "I hope they have your eyes," she murmured.
"I hope they have your smile," he responded.
"I hope they have your wit," she said with a laugh.
He chuckled. "I hope they have your determination."
She hummed her appreciation at that one. "I hope they have your intuition."
"I hope they have your nose. Merlin help us if they end up with mine."
"Hey!" she yelled indignantly, pulling back to meet his eyes. "I happen to love your nose."
"Not on our precious baby girls."
Hermione rolled her eyes and smacked his chest affectionately. Looking at him now, all she saw was joy lighting his face. How stupid she had been to think he'd be anything other than supportive and excited. She sighed in relief, relaxing and accepting the fact they were only a few months away from meeting their children. She tilted her chin toward him and he smiled, bending down and fulfilling her silent request. He kissed her soundly, still aware they were on a public street. His hands instantly cradled her bump, something she would never tire of. She kissed him back a little more exuberantly than he was expecting, but made no move to pull back until she had her fill.
"I love you," she breathed against his lips. She felt him smile.
"I love you," he said, kissing her once more before pulling back and looking into her now-calmed caramel eyes. He hands rubbing small circles on her stomach through her thin shirt. "I also love our two girls very much."
"Me too. I know they love you, too. They are constantly moving when you're talking. They love hearing your voice. I don't blame them," she said with a laugh.
He nearly rolled his eyes. "Are you still feeling up to shopping, love?"
"Are you ready for all the frills and glitter?"
"Absolutely," he responded confidently. "I plan to host tea parties, buy robes to match their dresses, take them out to every daddy/daughter activity."
Hermione swooned. "You're going to be the best dad."
"And you the best mom." He kissed her forehead and reluctantly pulled back, taking her hand again and leading her up the stairs. They barely made it to the doors when she paused again.
"I have another confession," she blurted. He faced her, his expression the epitome of patience. "Once I saw their faces, all the names I've liked fell short. Neither of them look like a Lekzie or a Kirsten or a Mariska."
As she was saying the names, he fought the urge grimace. None of those names captured the beauty of their daughters. "I agree. Don't fret, we'll figure it out," he assured her, the worry clear on her face. "We need pretty, classy names. Something timeless."
She stared up at him, mystified at how in tune they were. "I completely agree."
"Come on, let's enjoy shopping for clothes and we'll discuss names later. We still have another few months to decide."
Hermione agreed quietly and they finally went inside. Her spirits were lifted to the highest peaks while they walked around the clothes, the ruffles and bright colors making her forget her earlier worries. She laugh at her husband, leaving him for only a few moments yet coming back to find nearly one of everything in their cart. She'd learned not to fret over money, trusting in him to be able to take care of – maybe even spoil – their daughters. They bought multiple matching outfits, but not too many, both agreeing they wanted to keep them to a certain degree of individuality.
It was awhile later when he realized Hermione was starting to slow so he made the offer to come back another time to look at the other items on their list in exchange for lunch. Her eyes lit up, a pep returning to her gate and he contained the laugh in this throat, knowing her wrath wouldn't be worth it. She insisted on taking him to lunch at the little diner down the street from home, and who was he to argue with his witch? They quickly paid for and shrunk their purchase, returning to the house to deposit them before deciding to walk the few blocks at Hermione's insistence.
They sat together for a long time, talking of all the outfits they bought and what they still needed. Severus was happy when she ordered a waffle and a soup to go along with her club sandwich and fries. The beginning of her pregnancy had been nothing but losing the food she ate almost as soon as it was consumed for weeks on end. She wasn't gaining any weight, the nausea potions barely making a dent. It had taken the first two months for Severus to brew her one that worked and she took it a few times a day still, but her appetite had thankfully returned around month four. She ate when hungry, having no shame in delving into the occasional craving.
Severus was excited any time she ate, knowing it was nourishing their babies. He actively encouraged her to eat, even having put on a few pounds himself because he didn't want her to feel guilty for eating. She never talked about putting on weight, knowing it was inevitable but worth it. She had taken up cooking, both of them deciding that it was best she stay away from the brewing potions while she was pregnant. That wasn't the plan but during the first few months she couldn't even smell the fire against a cauldron without retching. Severus taught during the day but returned home the moment his final class was over unless he had remedial lessons scheduled. The entire school noticed that he rarely gave detentions anymore.
"Severus?"
He looked up, realizing he'd gone off into his own thoughts. "I'm sorry, what was that?"
"Mom was asking if she could come around the time the babies are born. I didn't want to give an answer until I spoke to you first."
"How would you like to do it?" he asked. He genuinely wanted whatever she wanted, taking no issue with her mother staying with them during or after when the babies came.
"I think it would be good to have the help," she said slowly, gauging his reaction. "Of course I want us to have time just us four, but I can't imagine not needing the help. Remember how much Harry and Ginny were telling us that they desperately appreciated us every time we came over when they were first born?"
He nodded, recalling the many evenings they spent at the Potters, changing diapers and rocking their Godchildren to bed while Harry and Ginny snored on their couch. "The house is big enough. Even if we got a little overwhelmed with company, we'll be able to sneak off for some us time."
Hermione's eyes flashed and his pants immediately tightened. "You know how much I enjoy our 'us time', Severus."
"Wife," he warned.
She giggled and bit into a fry, earning her an exasperated sigh. "Would you mind if she came for a few weeks to help?"
"Even if it wasn't to help, I do not mind your family coming to stay with us," he said seriously. "I appreciate you speaking to me about it first. However, I want her there whenever and for as long as you do. Same goes for your father, of course."
"Thank you." Hermione reached across the table for his hand, which he gave willingly, encasing her fingers and squeezing it lightly. "I love you."
Severus smiled and kissed her hand. "I love you."
"Can you believe that we're only a few weeks away from meeting our little ladies?" she asked, the excitement clear in her eyes.
"It's taken so long to get here but also no time at all. I want to enjoy what time we do have before they get here. I was going to wait until next weekend, but I think this is a good time to tell you."
She sat up a little straighter, instantly concerned. "Is everything alright?"
The smile on his face put her at ease. "Of course," he assured her. "I've read those articles and books you showed me and I saw something called a baby moon and wanted to treat my wife to one. We weren't able to take a proper honeymoon so this is a little bit of that as well." The shock on her face made him laugh. "So, not this week, but the following, we'll be taking a two week vacation."
"Are you serious?" she asked excitedly. "Where are we going? How did you get the time off from teaching?"
"Minerva agreed to watch my classes if I worked over those weekends near Christmas," he explained. "I typically worked them anyway, so it didn't seem like anything extra."
Hermione had a sneaking suspicion the older witch said it just to get him to agree in order for him to feel as if they were exchanging things rather than her doing him a favor.
"You want to know where we are going, or have it be a surprise?" he asked, debating with himself for the umpteenth time since buying the vacation rental.
"I want to know!" she said immediately. "I've really appreciated looking forward to things lately."
He took a deep breath. "Well, my beautiful wife, we will be going, for two weeks, to New Zealand."
The handful of patrons in the diner looked at them when Hermione screamed, bounding out of her side of the booth and scrambling into his, hugging him tightly. He chuckled, wrapping her in his arms, loving the way she bounced with glee. He had been planning the trip for them after she'd told him her dream place to go was New Zealand all those months ago.
"Thank you so much," she cried against his neck. "Thank you."
"Of course, love. I can't wait to be away with you for a little while," he admitted. "We have a few things planned while we're there. We're going to go slowly, though. I don't want Apparition to cause any issues."
Hermione reluctantly released him. "You're the best," she said, tears filling her eyes. "You've been such an amazing husband and partner and I don't know what I did to get so lucky."
"Hermione," he sighed, the diner fading completely, his crying wife his only focus. He wiped her tears and kissed her forehead. He was used to the sudden outburst of tears, but was thankful these ones were happy. "You are everything to me, Hermione. I'm the lucky one. I merely wish to give you what you deserve; this trip is scarcely a percentage."
"Sorry for blubbering all over you," she said with a sigh, her hand coming up to stroke his smooth cheek lovingly. "Thank you for being such a phenomenal husband and partner. You give me the world even though I'd be unimaginably happy with just you."
He kissed her softly, never tiring of the feel of her lips against his. "I could say the very same about you. However, we have the time and the ability, so we might as well take it. I wasn't sure where you wanted to stay so I choose a nice little town just outside of Wellington. We won't be too far from big cities but it's a nice mix of mountain and ocean."
"I can't wait!"
Severus was borderline obsessed with the happiness radiating off his pregnant wife. It had been a difficult and sad first trimester for her, more so than she let on but he wasn't stupid to it. He knew the fake smiles and the pretending to eat for his sake. She worked tirelessly between bouts of illness on renovating their home, helping with his grading, coming up with ideas for potions that she couldn't even tolerate making. Taking her on a trip was the least he could do.
Hermione pulled her plate over, choosing to stay next to Severus rather than return to her seat. The food she'd ordered suddenly tasted much better. She hoped with all her might that her meal would settle without issue in her stomach so she could show her husband just how much she appreciated the gift once they got home.
A/N – Please leave a review, they are very much appreciated! Thank you for reading!