Ikea

"Honestly, Ron. You're going to make me ride blindfolded in the car?" Hermione whined incredulously as Ron lead her to their old red Volkswagen. After agreeing to go along with the whole surprise shenanigan, Hermione was beginning to rethink that choice. Ron was not the strongest driver, and usually she took care of that whenever they had to go somewhere the muggle way. For whatever reason, he was insisting that that was what happened today, and Hermione was sure that is was because she always nagged him for choosing the easy way out. Obviously he was blind as to where would be taking her wishes too far.

As Ron gently led her to the passenger seat, he smarty responded, "Well, I thought you wouldn't want to dissapperate like that. You know, with little Ron Jr. on board."

Abruptly, while concealing her laughter with a too-loud cough, Hermione turned on him, pulling up her blindfold slightly. "You want to name him after yourself, Ron Billius Weasley?"

"Well, I don't know. It was just the first name to come to mind, you know?" Ron responded as he winced. "If you have another idea, feel free to share it."

"We don't even know if it is a boy or a girl yet. But there will be plenty of time," she responded thoughtfully.

After Ron insisted that her blindfold be put back on properly and a quick, unseen peck on her lips, they were both in the rusty old car, bound for Ron's surprise.

Despite her previous fight, Hermione was beginning to wonder where it was that Ron intended to bring them. So, naturally, a guessing game began.

"Is it…the beach?"

"No."

"A restaurant?"

"Nope."

"Have we been there before?"

"What is this, bloody 20 Questions?"

"Just answer me," Hermione warned.

"Not together. I doubt you would have gone with your parents, either. It's relatively new."

"Is it run by muggles?"

"Mhm."

Hermione was honestly puzzled. She wracked her brain, but her many years in Hogwarts also meant many years of isolation from the muggle world. She had spent almost all of her teenage years in the Wizarding World. Only since after the battle had she really resituated herself, after moving into a mixed neighborhood with Ron.

Ron looked over at her and sighed, seeing her frustration. "You don't have to guess. It wouldn't be a surprise then, anyway."

"I guess your right," she responded. "But, one thing: I need to take this blindfold off. I can't see the miracle that is my husband driving safely."

They both laughed, and he reluctantly agreed. When he wasn't looking, Hermione carefully scrutinized the trees and bushes lining the ditch next to the freeway, but Ron was right. She didn't recognize any of it.

Twenty minutes later, Ron pulled off the big road onto a different one.

"How did you know how to get to this place? The muggle way of all ways?" Hermione asked incredulously. She still didn't even have the slightest idea as to where they were.

Ron just shrugged. "I have my ways," he responded mysteriously, before continuing more seriously. "Actually, Harry and Ginny have been here before, so Harry gave me directions."

"Now it makes sense," Hermione concluded, falling back into her reverie of thoughts as Ron put on the radio. As close as she was to Ginny, she didn't know everywhere that her and Harry went. After all, Harry was like a brother to her. She had no intentions of knowing the exact details of her brother's love life.

She was jolted out of her thoughts as Ron let out a shout. "We're here!"

Sure enough, Hermione looked out the window and was greeted by the sight of at least a mile's worth of parking lot and a large blue building, sporting yellow letters that read IKEA.

"Well?" Ron waited, gauging her response.

Hermione smiled at her husband not wanting to hurt his feelings, before asking, "Um…what is this place?"

Ron pulled into a parking spot as close to the door as he could find and turned to face her. "It's like a giant, fun department store. I was thinking, since we just moved in to our new place, it still needs some more furnishing. And now…" he trailed off, placing a gentle hand on Hermione's flat belly, making his point.

She caught on quickly. "You want to get stuff for the baby's room?" she asked excitedly before throwing her arms around Ron.

He laughed. "Well, they're going to need somewhere to sleep, right?"

Hermione pulled back and kissed him forcefully on the lips. "I'm so lucky I have you. Have I ever told you that you're amazing?"

"Not recently."

"Well that needs fixing," she responded suggestively.

A low moan erupted from deep inside his chest, but he resisted the urge to tear her clothes off right there in the front seat of their car and show her just how lucky she was. Giving her a peck on the cheek he hopped out pf the car and moved to the other side to open her door for her.

"Later," he whispered in her ear as she got out. Her only response was a grin.

Inside the store, Hermione found that it was very easy to get wrapped up in all of the merchandise. There was so much to see, so much that they could use. The flat needed some floor rugs, as the ones there were faded and musty. It wouldn't officially be their home until they put their own decorating expertise into it.

Hermione looked up as Ron called her name. "How about this one?" he asked expectantly, gesturing to a magnificent floor lamp. Impressed by her husbands taste in home furnishings, she nodded.

This continued for quite some time, and by one they had an overflowing cart, complete with drapes, lights, wall décor, towels, and rugs.

"I'm starved. Want to have lunch now?" Hermione asked hopefully.

Recognizing his wife's hunger at once, Ron agreed. "Is little Billius hungry?" he cooed in that tone only ever used for babies and incredibly cute pets.

She scoffed as he took her hand and they began to stroll casually towards the cafeteria. "Stop calling him that! We are not naming our child Billius. Thought we already discussed this," Hermione warned, but her underlying tone was a joking one.

Ron smiled. "We'll talk about that later. I actually had a few ideas. But there are more important things. Like our parents…"

"There's a thought for you. I think they'll be pleased. Your mother's been practically begging for more grandchildren; it seems like the woman can never have enough," she replied thoughtfully.

"When should we tell everyone?"

Hermione thought. "Well, we go over to your parents on Sundays for dinner, but that seems like it's too far away."

"We could suggest a Wednesday dinner," Ron suggested.

"Then they'll suspect that something is up."

"…Well they'd be right. We're having our first baby." Hermione's hair on the back of her neck stood up at his words.

"You'd want more after this?"

"Well not if you don't." It was obvious to her that he thought she would lash out at him. In a reassuring manner she moved to put her arm around his waist as they walked. He mirrored her movements.

"Of course I would. Maybe not seven like your family," she laughed at the thought, seven little red headed children running around the parents. "Two is a good number."

He considered what she had said. "I'd say. I don't want my kids growing up competing for attention from their parents because there was always someone else. Not like I did."

Now they were standing in line to get their lunch. "I think you turned out pretty good, Ron Weasley."

They both laughed, and Ron wrapped his arms all the way around her so both his hands were on her stomach.

"You know the baby won't kick yet," Hermione informed him, as she did not even have a baby bump yet.

Ron gasped. "Bloody hell! It's going to kick?"