/N spidergirl and gilly: Sorry about the long delay between chapters but real life have been demanding to both of us. We hope the wait was worth it and let us know what you think, please. There's just one more chapter left in this little Ron and Hermione tale.

Special thanks to our wonderful beta rubraaura, for her amazing beta work. Without her, we couldn't make it!

Thanks for reading and reviewing. You have made our days. : )

A/N spidergirl: This chapter is dedicated to my dear friend risiepookie, who is going through a tough time right now, and has been an amazing friend to me. And also to my good friend queenb23, who is always so supportive about my writing and my decisions in my real life. She needs to get an extra hugs package from all her friends right now .

Hope this chapter can cheer you up, darlings.

Both of you deserve to get the best that world can give to you. : )

Winter 2008: Boxing Day Morning

"Mmm, you smell good, love," Ron said sleepily, turning over in his and Hermione's bed, kissing her shoulder. "Let me see, cinnamon shampoo," he said, trailing more kisses up her neck. "Mm, and strawberry body lotion," he growled hungrily, kissing her cheek. "And…" he trailed off, kissing her mouth softly.

"Oh, Ron, stop it. You're tickling me," Hermione giggled, swatting his arm playfully as she pushed him off. "Look at the time, sweetheart. It's time for Matt to wake up. We need to get up and dressed. I would love nothing more than to lie here with you all morning but…"

Ron snuggled Hermione's body to his, pulling the sheet up, covering them.

"I know, I know," he said disappointedly. "But I'll only get up from this bed if you give me a proper kiss. It's up to you, Mrs. Weasley," he teased, giving his lopsided smile that was always her undoing.

Hermione laughed. "Another one? The last one wasn't good enough for you? You're insatiable, Mr. Weasley."

Ron kissed her nose. "And you love it. You still have to thank me for your extraChristmas gift, remember?"

Hermione snorted. "You mean your extra Christmas gift. It's only good for one thing," she smiled playfully. "Your stomach."

Ron pulled a childish, sulking face, but still managed a smile. "That's not fair!" he said playfully. "I bought that culinary planner thinking it would help with your busy lifestyle, planning for work and Matthew's stuff and now, with another baby coming, you have to admit that your husband was a genius getting you such a perfect gift."

Hermione arched an eyebrow. "A genius? I would say after all these years your Divination classes have still not paid off. It was as if you guessed the family would be getting bigger or I dare say you want me craving Black Sapote again. Tell me though, why pick up a planner with a picture of that fruit on the cover?"

Ron smirked. "I remembered how much we loved... eating that fruit."

Hermione playfully poked at her husband's ribs. "You don't fool me, Ron. You're more interested in its effects than eating it."

They both laughed and Hermione gave Ron a quick peck on the lips before getting up from the bed. She opened the wardrobe and stepped back, mentally debating on what she should wear. She noticed a yellow dress she had kept from her first pregnancy. She smiled, caressing the soft fabric of the dress her mind drifting to the day she last wore it. Suddenly she felt her husband's hands snake around her waist as he gently rested his head on her shoulder.

"You were wearing this the day Matt was born, remember? When I left for Canada."

Hermione nodded and instinctively touched her belly. "It was one of the happiest days of my life. Oh, Ron, I'm so happy we are expecting another baby."

Ron turned her around and caressed her cheek. "Me too. Do you know, I didn't know what I should do first when I came in your room at St Mungo's: kiss my wife or take my baby son in my arms."

Hermione looked at him with a special glow. "Your look that day was one of the things I never will forget. It was worthy of all our waiting, of all those rough treatments in St Mungo's after the last battle."

Ron kissed the back of her hand. "Have I mentioned I wouldn't change a thing about our life, past and present?"

Hermione smiled. "Yes, you have and you know I wouldn't either, especially that cherished memory that one Sunday afternoon…"

22 October 2005 - Hogsmeade

"Oh, you are very active this morning, little one. You're planned for tomorrow, just be patient for a few more hours, then we can see each other," Hermione said, rubbing her tummy affectionately.

She was sitting outside the restaurant in Hogsmeade where she and Ginny had arranged to meet for lunch together.

Ron was in Canada with the Chudley Cannons playing against one of the best Canadian Quidditch teams, the Moose Jaw Meteorites, for the International Quidditch Cup.

Hermione was relieved when the healer had told her that their baby would be born on Sunday, the day Ron would arrive back in England. Even though after years of dealing with Ron's pre-match nerves, and finding different ways of combating them, he still managed to turn into a quivering wreak before each match. The thought of being in labor and her husband playing a match was enough to put Hermione on edge, but everyone was relieved that the birth was not until after this big game.

She saw Ginny approaching, smiling and carrying lots of expensive looking shopping bags. Her sister-in-law kissed her cheek and rubbed her belly softly. "So how is my nephew? Being patient or acting like his dad?"

Hermione chuckled, her hand still rubbing her belly. "Just like his dad. I have to say though, today he seems much more impatient."

Ginny winked and called the waitress. "I'm thirsty. What do want to drink?" she asked Hermione, looking around and paying no attention to her friend. "I know, I know," she chuckled. "You're only drinking water."

Hermione answered with a little scream. "Ginny, water!"

Ginny turned around to her sister-in-law. "I know, you don't need to say it like you're shocked. I remembered. Hermione?"

Hermione was biting her lip. "Not water to drink! Water in my chair, Ginny. I think the baby's coming now!"

Meanwhile, in Quebec, Canada...

The Quidditch stadium was loud and overcrowded. Cheerleaders for both teams waved their colored pompons vigorously, singing and dancing to entertain the overexcited crowds.

Ron was having an excellent game. He had saved several goals and the Cannons were winning 120-20. His hair was ruffled and sweaty and although his face showed signs of exhaustion, his tall, broad shouldered figure was straight, focused on where the Quaffle was going through the skies.

Suddenly, a little owl hooted above Ron´s head trying to take his attention.

"Pig, what are you doing here? I can't read your message right now, I'm in the middle of a game!" he shouted over the crowd's cheering. "Go over there, next to that hoop, you'll get yourself killed here."

But a rush of curiosity ran into Ron´s veins as Pig flew away. Then he thought about Hermione. The baby! "Pig, come here!" he shouted.

Ron didn't notice that the Quaffle was running his way and he only just managed to stretch out far enough for his fingertips to divert it from the goal before his broom made a whole loop sending him to the ground. The crowd waved enthusiastically for his defense and also for Seeker Michael Stipe who caught the Snitch, winning the game.

"Bloody Hell!" Ron murmured against the ground, spitting mud from his mouth. "I'm glad I wasn't any higher, Mike. I own you one, mate."

Ron's entire body was sore but he felt proud of his performance. Hermione had always been right about his Quidditch skills. He never needed to get the Felix Potion for get success. It was always a question of controlling his nerves.

Thinking about his nerves, he looked for Pig. But a crowd invaded his personal space.

Everyone from his team was celebrating and singing:

He never leaves a single ring

He didn't let the Quaffle in

Weasley is our king

Our history has a new chapter

That's why Cannons all sing

The cup is going to our shelf

Weasley is our king

Ron´s teammates were singing badly but with heart, celebrating their victory at the Quidditch International Cup. Ron took the parchment from Pig's leg (a hard task because Pig was very excited due to all the noise around them) and grinned when he read what Ginny wrote about his baby boy being born eight hours before.

Even as he was in middle of the pitch surrounded by hugs and pats for each goal he'd saved, Ron didn't care, just nodding to each mate that congratulated him.

What really mattered to him at this moment was that Hermione and their son were all right.

He cheered and congratulated along with his teammates a moment longer before running over the pitch to take a shower.

And then he Apparated home as quickly as he could.

Hermione was feeling tired but very happy. She held her and Ron's son in her arms.

Our baby boy, she thought.

She had felt something completely inexplicable when she first felt the baby growing inside her. And then when he was born and she experienced his smell and felt how soft his skin was for the first time, she felt a myriad of emotions that couldn't be explained or described in any of her books, something that could only be felt.

He was born twelve hours ago, and it was like their connection always had existed, only waiting for the right moment that he could appear in her and Ron's life.

Ron would be there soon and she couldn't help feeling very excited for see his reaction.

Just then Ron entered her room with an orchid bouquet after a quick knock at the door.

My favorites, she sighednoticing the flowers. He is amazing.

"Hi, love. I came as soon as I could," he said, leaning down to the baby and touching his little hands with his fingers. "Hi, kid," he whispered softly. Then he turned to his wife, his eyes brimming with tears of joy. "Mione, he is… perfect. He has my hair and your nose!"

Hermione smiled. Ron kissed her with a touch and a reverence like she was a goddess.

She felt a rush of pride that made her tremble inside. "Do you want to hold him?"

Ron beamed and awkwardly took the baby in his arms. "He will be tall, look the length of his legs. Man, I think I don't know how to hold him!"

Hermione smiled at her husband's embarrassment. "Course you know, love. Try pulling him against your chest but remember to keep his head in your hand. Like this, yes. See, I told you it was easy and you've already held Harry's twins, remember?"

Ron snorted. "Yeah, but I found I don't remember anymore. Oh, but I think I catch the right way now," he said as Matthew snuggled closer.

Hermione laughed and winked. "Babies suit you, love."

Ron sat on her bed keeping the baby in his arms. He kissed her again. "Does that mean you want another baby soon?"

Hermione´s eyes widened, taking the baby from him. "Ron! The baby is not even a day old!"

Ron chuckled. "I was kidding, love. I enjoy winding you up to see the fire spit from your gorgeous eyes."

Hermione´s face softened and she kissed her husband lightly. "We have to decide which name we will pick for him, Matthew or David?"

Ron passed his thumb over the baby's cheek. "I like both. Maybe we could save David for the next time?"

Hermione nodded, pulling the newly named Matthew against her chest. He made soft baby sounds, cooing against her.

Ron put his arm over Hermione´s shoulders, bringing her and the baby close to him. "Matthew Granger Weasley, welcome to this crazy world."

Mathew turned his head like he was getting what his father told him. And smiling to his parents, he fell asleep.

Winter 2008: Back to Ron and Hermione ´s bedroom

"Mummy? Daddy?"

"Come in, Matt. Sit here on the bed while Mummy finishes her bath."

Mathew ran and jumped into the bed but looked at the door and made a pleading look at his father.

Ron sniggered. "Yeah, Shanks can come in, too."

Matthew grinned and called in the old cat who entered and settled down on the carpet.

Matthew turned to his father. "Dad, can I fly with you on your broom, pease?"

Hermione entered in the room, cleaning her wet hair with a towel. "Hello, sweetie. We have to change those pajamas for the new clothes Uncle George and Aunt Alicia gave you."

Ron pulled Matthew in his arms and put his legs around his shoulders. The little boy grinned because he loved his father walking around the house with him above his shoulders. "Matt, first you take a bath and then we fly, okay?"

Matthew nodded and they left the room singing the lyrics of "Weasley is our King", a ritual they performed every time Ron took Matthew flying.

Hermione shook her head, smiling.

He is growing so fast. And I already can't wait to see him playing with his new sibling.

An hour later, Hermione watched by the bedroom's window as Ron and Matthew flew by with an excited Pig hooting above their heads.

She wished for a little girl to join to them very soon. All Weasleys liked Quidditch and she knew if they got a girl this time, she would love it, too.

Even she had learned to like Quidditch from Ron, and she had thought that was impossible.

Love moved in mysterious ways indeed.

To be continued…