The Long Wait
Author's Note: Originally published on August 9, 2009
She understood his reasons, but that didn't make things any easier. She had once naively hoped that their sacrifices in the years previous would curtail this, but she had learned from her position at the Ministry that even the fall of absolute evil wouldn't stop those elements of human nature which strove to cause discordance in society. She prosecuted those people every day, but someone had to find and capture them initially. Why did it have to be her Ron?
She instantly felt guilty, but she knew it was the worry that was causing these feelings. Ron had put his own aspirations on hold for years to help his brother rebuild the business after the war. In the meantime, while he was toiling away to help his family, she had established her own successful career. Now, he had finally realized his dream to become an Auror. She should be supporting him, but she couldn't face the possibility that he might not come home one day. She didn't realize the waiting would hurt so much, and this was only his first mission. Ron had assured her that it was going to be routine, but that didn't help to calm her fear and anxiety.
She had spoken to Ginny earlier and asked how she coped. All she got in return was a sad smile and the promise that she would get used to it—eventually. Hours ago, Ron himself had answered the question of why he had to do this. He simply rubbed her swollen belly and told her he was doing it to make sure their child would never have to face the horrors that they had been forced to.
She gingerly sat down in the comfortable chair facing the window and watched as torrents of rain pounded against the windows of their cozy home. Snippets of a song she had recently heard on her mum's radio slowly drifted into her thoughts, the lyrics a perfect match to the regret she suddenly felt. All the things she and Ron had said to each other over the years, miles of words even, but had they said everything they needed to say?
She pondered the events of that morning; it felt like it was weeks ago. Before he had left for the mission, had she told him that he was everything to her? That her life felt complete when she was in his arms? That the life growing inside her was the most precious gift that they had ever shared?
She was interrupted by the sound of raging winds outside as the door banged open. She heard a breathless voice call out her name. She left the chair and raced to the front entrance, barely slowing down before launching herself into his open arms and holding him tightly, needing to feel him. She didn't care that he was cold and dripping wet, all she could repeat, over and over again, were the three simple words that told him everything he needed to know.