Disclaimer: I don't own HP or "Breathe (2 AM)." J.K. and Anna Nalick do.

And life's like an hourglass glued to the table,

No one can find the rewind button now

It was two o'clock a.m. on a Saturday morning. Severus lay in bed with his arms around his very pregnant wife. He was sleeping very soundly, his chest rising and falling steadily with every breath.

Until he felt the woman next to him shaking him and saying "Severus. Severus, wake up!" He woke up, startled. He realized what was happening. He sat up quickly and turned on the bedside lamp.

His wife, Hermione, was lying next to him, sweating profusely and looking strained. He swallowed. It's time.

"Hermione, are you alright?" he ventured. She shook her head vigorously.

"Sev, I think it's time," she breathed, looking up at the ceiling.

He jumped out of the bed frantically and started running around like a chicken with his head cut off. He didn't know what to do first. Hermione could tell. Even through her painful contractions she managed to speak.

"Severus… Madame Pomfrey… Floo," was all she could manage.

"Right! I'll Floo Poppy!" he yelled, running into the living room. He dropped in front of the fireplace, grabbed a handful of Floo powder, and stuck his head into the green flames.

Up in the infirmary, Poppy was sleeping lightly. She jumped at the sound of the flames crackling and Severus's voice saying "Poppy!" She stirred and looked at the fire.

"Severus! What is it?" she asked, knowing the answer already.

"It's Hermione! It's time for the baby!" he exclaimed, looking panicked and ecstatic at the same time. She squealed.

"Okay, Severus, keep calm, and keep her calm. I will be there in a flash!" she said, grabbing all of her supplies and Flooing directly into the Snape living room.

When she entered the bedroom, Severus was sitting next to his wife on the bed, holding a cool rag to her forehead.

"Breathe, baby, breathe," he was saying quietly. Poppy smiled and cleared her throat. Severus looked up, relief flooding his face. "Look, sweetie, Madame Pomfrey is here. She's going to help you deliver this baby," he said, getting up. Hermione yanked him back on the bed by his arm.

"Don't—leave—me," she said through her teeth. He winced at her grip on his arm. He settled in, rubbing his arm.

"Okay," he said simply, holding her hand.

"Alright, Hermione, this is what I want you to do," Poppy said as she waved her wand, making the bed and all of her tools sterile. "I want you to breathe like we practiced, okay?" Madame Pomfrey had given Hermione birthing lessons once a week for the entirety of the pregnancy, so that she would be ready when this moment came. Hermione nodded slightly and started to breathe.

"What do I do?" Severus asked, looking at Poppy. She smiled knowingly.

"You hold her hand, and try to ignore any hateful things she says to you," Poppy said, "just know she doesn't really mean them. And she won't mean to hurt you either," she said, gesturing to his arm. He nodded and gulped. "Hermione wanted a natural childbirth, so I will not be placing any pain relieving spells on her. This is going to be painful, so brace yourself," she whispered to Severus. "Hermione is already aware of the pain she is going to feel; no need to remind her."

And so it began.

/\ four hours and countless contractions later /\

It was finally time for the baby to start making its way into the world. Severus's hand was already bruised by Hermione's deathgrip, but he didn't care. At least she hadn't said anything hateful to him yet. That was about to change.

"Alright, Hermione, I need you to push! On the count of three… 1, 2, 3, PUSH!" Poppy exclaimed, positioned at the end of the bed. Hermione pushed and screamed at the top of her lungs, squeezing Severus's hand harder than ever. He winced at her squeeze, but more at her scream. He couldn't imagine the pain she must be going through. Tears slid down Hermione's cheeks as she turned her head toward Severus's. He started to tell her he loved her when she opened her mouth first.

"DAMN YOU, YOU SON OF A BITCH! YOU DID THIS TO ME! IT'S YOUR FAULT I FEEL LIKE MY UTERUS IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE MY DAMNED BODY INTO SMITHEREENS!!!!!! GET OUT OF HERE!" she screamed at him angrily, then turning her face away from his. Severus looked at her, hurt. He started to get up and leave, thinking she really meant what she said. As soon as he stood up from the bed, she screamed again. "NO, SEVERUS!! COME BACK!!!" Severus quickly sat back down, gripping her hand in his.. He looked up at Poppy, who looked at him sympathetically.

"Remember what I said Severus, she doesn't mean it," Poppy said quickly before turning her attention back to Hermione. Severus sighed and kept squeezing Hermione's hand reassuringly. "Dear, again. On the count of three…"

This happened several more times before Poppy finally announced that she could see the baby's head. Hermione was sobbing by now, and Severus's eyes were filled with tears.

"She's got a head full of black hair, just like her father," Poppy said, smiling at the two of them.

Hermione pushed and pushed.

"Okay, Hermione, this is it. One more big one and you're finished," she said soothingly. Hermione shook her head and sobbed.

"I-I c-can't d-do it," she stammered, closing her eyes. Severus looked down at her.

"Darling, you have to. You've done such a great job, it's almost over, please push for us, sweetie," he pleaded, kissing her perspiring forehead. She took a deep breath.

"Okay, but this is the LAST time!" she said loudly. Poppy smiled and counted to three.

With that push, their daughter's cry filled the room. Hermione fell against the pillows, breathing heavily, tears streaking her face. Severus gasped and stood up, getting a better look at the baby. Poppy waved her hand over the child, cleaning her. He sat down again next to Hermione, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. Hermione weakly positioned herself in front of him, and he pulled her gently between his legs and leant her against his chest.

Poppy walked to the head of the bed and placed the tiny pink bundle in Hermione's arms. She gasped quietly as she looked down at their daughter.

She had Severus's raven colored hair and Hermione's caramel colored eyes. She was the most beautiful creature Hermione and Severus had ever seen. Severus felt a tear roll down his cheek as the looked at the life he and Hermione had created. He had never felt more proud in his entire life.

Hermione could barely believe it. She was a mother. A mother of a gorgeous baby girl. She and Severus were starting the family she had always dreamed of. She already loved the baby more than she could've imagined.

She looked up at her husband, her eyes shining with tears. He smiled and leaned down to kiss her gently.

"Our daughter, Severus. Isn't she beautiful?" she said, beaming.

"She's absolutely perfect, darling," he replied. She repositioned herself and handed the baby to Severus. His heart leapt to his throat as he looked down at the precious little person in his arms.

Hermione and Severus had already decided on a name long before tonight. Hermione smiled at the baby and then up at her husband.

"Felicity Adalia Snape," she whispered, holding the baby's tiny hand in her own and holding Severus's hand with her other.

Severus smiled and kissed the baby's forehead gently.

He felt a warm feeling all over him; he had it all. A loving wife, and now, a perfect daughter.

"Severus?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Yes?" he asked, looking at her.

"I'm sorry for saying those horrible things to you. I didn't mean it," she whispered.

He grinned. "I know, Poppy warned me that happen. I love you," he said, kissing her lips gently.

"I love you too," he replied, then looked down at the baby. "And I love you."

And breathe, just breathe, whoa breathe… just breathe.

tbc

A/N: Yes, I know all babies are supposedly born with blue eyes, but that just didn't fit here. :D Please review!! Love, love!

-r