A/N: Well I suck again. I don't know what it is, but writer's block always hits me this time of year. Plus I was being extremely crafty for presents this year. I hope my lovely readers had a merry Christmas, happy Hanukah, happy kwanza, and happy new year. I was going to writer Severus' birthday but like I said, writer's block. I am so sorry. So we're going to have a very cheesey Valentine's day I don't know why, but I'm a sucker for cheesey romance. Also, since Hermione's mother isn't ever officially named, I made one up. So I know this one ran a little short…and I'm evil…but I wanted to get you a chapter, and it just seemed to be perfect to stop where I did. I'll try to do better with the ext chapter, but school just started again and I work two jobs on top of that…it's a wonder I ever sleep. Anyway, I hope enjoy.

Chapter 40

That was it, Hermione felt fat. Logically, she knew that she wasn't really fat, but looking at herself in the mirror, her hormones made her irrational and she wanted to cry. She felt gross and fat. And she had completely finished her studies, only waiting until her N.E.W.T.s to officially graduate. She was really nervous that having a child would make her too exhausted to do her best, but she shook the thought from her mind. She had plenty of offers from Mrs. Weasley and even Tonks to watch their daughter. It bugged her that their little girl still didn't have a name. Hermione had offered to name her after his mother, but he turned it down. She knew the only other woman he cared deeply for was Lily, but she refused to entertain that thought. Lily was Harry's right. Although she loved her own mother deeply, she didn't much like the name Winona, and neither did her mother. Leaving them no where closer to finding a name.

She sighed and grabbed her sweater from Christmas, which barely fit her despite it being entirely too big when she first got it. She hated her jeans with their elasticity charm, but had no choice. To completely her look, she grabbed one of her new cloaks, that actually concealed her stomach some and headed towards Severus' office. It was one of the few days anymore that he was actually there, and she liked to sit in the office reading. Lately it was baby name books, reading names aloud and Severus mumbling with an occasional firm no.

She walked in slowly, smiling at the look of Severus sitting at his desk looking at papers. Taking her place on the couch, Hermione opened her book of names.

"And what letter are we at today," Severus spoke with only a little bit of his usual sneer. But it was meant in a playful way.

"We're in the 'D's today."

Severus shook his head as she began rattling off names. He mostly just ignored them, letting them float in one ear and out the other. Occasionally he responded to the ones he didn't like, but so far no name fit his daughter.

"How about Dabria, it says here that it means "Angel of Death."

Severus shook his head, she did that, sometimes, just to get his attention. "Then you're just asking for her to be a death eater."

"Fine then, there's Dacia, Dada, Daffodil, Dagmar, Dagny, Dahlia, Daisy, Dak-"

"Wait, go back."

"Daisy?" Hermione was puzzled, although a good name, it didn't seem like one Severus would choose.

"No, the one before that."

"Dahlia?"

"Dahlia Snape? I guess that one is a maybe."

Hermione smiled to herself, at least they had made some progress, so she continued rattling off names, "Dakini, Dakota…"

Severus shook his head, laughing at how obsessed she was. She didn't even notice that he had his plans for Valentine's Day in front of him. And didn't know he had a name in mind that he was pretty sure she would like.

Hermione had stopped her rattling of names and dozed off on the couch. She slept a lot lately, and Severus loved being able to watch her sleep. She looked so peaceful, despite everything going on.

He forced himself to stop watching her, and look back to his plans. He had never liked Valentine's day, in fact he detested the holiday, however he wanted to make every holiday with her count. If these were her last holidays, despite his intentions to protect her at all costs, he wanted them to be as good as they could be. Everything was in order and it was time for dinner in the great hall.

Severus walked over and placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder giving her a gentle nudge to wake her up. She gave a groggy smile and took his outstretched as she struggled to get up. If it weren't for the lack of a name, Hermione wouldn't mind if their daughter graced them with her presence a little early, she could barely wait the next month to hold her little girl.

Hermione woke up the next morning, Severus already gone from the bed. It was Valentine's day and she was shocked when Severus said they would be along in the group of teachers supervising. As tired and sore as she was, Hermione forced herself out of bed, and stopped to peek into their closet turned nursery, placing a hand on her stomach she started to imagine their life together. Severus had a sweet side, and she could see him caving to his little princess, Slytherin or not. She'd smile at him, her black eyes sparkling back at him as she called him daddy. The thought was pleasant enough to make her smile, almost giggle.

"And what are you thinking about," Severus said, sneaking up behind her.

"Oh nothing, just kind of wanting to stay in bed all day until she decides to come."

"Well that is not an option today, and neither are robes. Come with me, I have a dress that you should wear."

"I don't want to wear a dress, Severus, we're going to be walking around Hogsmeade with a bunch of horny teenagers and girls my age being skinny and flirting and me being big and tired and fat."

Severus rolled his eyes, knowing full well that they both knew she wasn't fat. He took her hand and led her to the bedroom. He led her to the bed and had her sit while he reached in the closet grabbing a red dress, befitting the ridiculous holiday.

"Severus, that won't even fit me. And even if it does, it will just make me look as fat as I feel."

"Just put it on. Trust me, Hermione. And then come meet me," He kissed her forehead softly before leaving her in the room.

Hermione sat there, the dress lying on the bed next to her; he had a habit of picking her clothes, and had been right. Reluctantly she removed her loose fitting night gown and grabbed the dress.

It fit her perfectly, but when she looked in the mirror, she didn't look as pregnant as she felt or was. It was charmed, it didn't hide her pregnancy completely, but it made her feel much more comfortable with how she looked. She had a pair of black flats that were charmed to comfort her feet at all times that put on before running into their restroom and putting her hair up with a claw, twisting her hair and sticking it in place as a ponytail. She moved as fast as she could, wishing the dress made her feel as good as she looked, to go join her husband. She put her arm through his and he led them through the castle to Hogsmeade, where the students were being led by Minervain a straight line. The Slytherins were the only ones who even looked like they might enjoy their time.

"Could we maybe stop and get some tea and scones? We did skip breakfast and we are hungry," Hermione asked, gesturing to Madam Puddifoot's Tea shop.

Severus managed to keep from grimacing, but it was all part of his plan. He nodded and led her that way. He almost regretted this plan when they were assaulted by hearts and cupids and cramped space. But he had prearranged everything for today and went straight back to a quiet room.

"Severus, what is this," Hermione asked, mostly curious and wondering what he could possibly be up to.

"Simply a little private breakfast. It's much too crowded in this place around Valentine's day."

'I thought you hated this holiday."

"Certain circumstances have made me realize that I should cherish the days I have with our little family. This may be our only Valentine's Day together, and I did not want it wasted for you."

Hermione was surprised at his sentiment, but she appreciated it very much, "Well, thank you very much Severus."

Madam Puddifoot came in carrying a tray full of breakfast pastries, all with berries in various shades of red and pink. She had even brought in scrambled eggs that had been dyed pink. She set it down and scurried out, a look of fear evident on her face.

Severus watched as Hermione grabbed a strawberry tart and some rock cakes and placed them on her plate, before slathering strawberry rhubarb jam on some toast. She looked blissful. He reached out for a rock cake, taking advantage of one made by anyone other than Hagrid, who over cooked them and left them out too long. As he began to eat, he never let his eyes stray from his wife. She was beautiful, and happiness made her shine.

Hermione looked up form her plate and noticed Severus' stare. She smiled at him and was happily surprised when he smiled back. They ate happily with small chit chat and ate they're overly pink food in a moment of sheer bliss. When they finished, they rose together and walked out, Hermione's arm in Severus'.

But as they walked through the streets of Hogsmeade, Hermione stopped, her face twisted in pain and a hand over her stomach.

"Severus, something's wrong. I think the baby's coming."