Time

Hermione turned over for the hundreth time that night as Ron snored next to her. She huffed, and sat up, switching on the bedside lamp and picking up her old battered copy of Hogwarts: A History. She groaned as pain shot through her left side. Her bump was quickly growing with their first child, and they had not yet thought of a name for the foetus. At 30 weeks, they didn't have a lot of time left, and after reading a page or two of her old faithful book, Hermione lay back down. Pain shot through her stomach once more, and she took a deep breath. It was just nerves, there was no needs to get worked up about it. She lay her arm across Ron's bare chest, trying to get comfortable, but still she felt discomfort. She leant on her elbow and looked at Ron. He looked so gorgeous and peaceful...

"Ron, wake up!" she nudged him, frustrated. His eye-lids fluttered open and he looked around in a daze of panic.

"What's goin on? You alright? What-"

"I think the baby wants some ice- cream" she smiled cheekily.

"The baby? Or you?"

"The baby" she smiled sweetly, caressing his chin with her fingers.

Ron huffed and threw the blanket back, swinging his leg over, and reaching for some trousers.

"The baby's getting impatient" she grinned.

Ron huffed, dropped his trousers where they were and walked over to the bedroom door. He looked back at Hermione and gave her a wink, wiggling his hips, and promised her ice cream shortly.

God she loved that man. She rolled over and lay in the middle of the bed, spreading her arms and legs out, and enjoying the space. Another pain shot through her side, and she ignored it, probably just nerves. She had been thinking about birth lately. On the whole, Hermione could cope with pain. She'd been present at the birth of a few of Ron's nephews and nieces, so she knew what she was getting herself in for. They had made a specific plan of what would happen when it was the baby's time to arrive. He father would stay at the Weasley's with the rest of Ron's family, and her mother and Ron would be in the delivery room. There would be a recurring theme of ice - cream , of course, something Hermione had been craving since day one, and then, once the baby was born, they would stay in the spare room at the Burrow for a couple of weeks until they had their routine worked out and they were a bit more settled. Seemed like a perfect plan.

"Hey, so we've run out of chocolate, you've ate it all ,so vanilla will have to -" Ron stopped dead as the door swung open leaking light into the room.

"What's the matter now, just give me the bloody-"

"Holy shit, quick call an ambulance!"

"What, why ?"

Ron had dropped the bowl of ice cream which smashed all over the floor. He ran over and pulled the blanket further back, revealing blood soaked sheets. Hermione's heart stopped in her chest.

"Oh my-"

"No, stay where you are, don't move, okay!" Ron was dialling 999 as Hermione struggled to get up. Tears threatened to escape down her flushed face, but she held them in. Now was not a time to panic, now was a time to be strong, calm and do what is best for the child. Hermione lay back ,and grabbed her mobile phone from near the lamp.

"Hello, yes, ambulance please. My wife's pregnant, and she's bleeding, it's really bad, all over the sheets. I dont know. No. Okay. 34 weeks and 3 days"

Hermione's heart broke as she heard Ron talking to the operator. He even remembered how many days...

Ron continued to talk down his phone whilst Hermione dailled the numbers on hers. She wasn't remotley listening to Ron as he maneouvered her into different positions, checking for things the operator told him to check for.

"No, it's just blood, there's no water, nope. No. Okay. Thanks so much. Bye"

He put the phone down and ran over to Hermione, who by now had thrown her mobile across the room. It was the middle of the night, of course no- one would be picking up.

"Hermione, the ambulance is going to be here any minute"

Hermione was sweating and shivering, clutching onto Ron. She took a deep breath, had a drink of water off of her bedside table.

"Ron, I'm so sorry, I've been having pains for the past half an hour, I thought it was nothing, I didn't even see the blood" tears began to fall down her face.

"Look, don't worry, the baby's going to be fine, we're all going to be fine. This baby is a product of a Weasley and a Granger, we'll just get to the hospital, they'll try and stop the bleeding, see what's wrong, it's all going to be fine, okay?"

"Ron, we haven't even thought of a name yet. This is my fault!"

"This is not your fault, now stop panicking okay, the ambulance is on it's way, and they're going to sort what ever needs sorting, and then we can come back here tonight, I'll even buy some more chocolate ice-cream, and we can let the baby grow a bit more, and then soon enough we can put him or her in that basket that your mother brought, the one you've been going on about for weeks. We've got it all planned, remember?"

Hermione had slumped back against Ron's chest, and her breathing had become shallow.

"Hermione? HERMIONE! No, oh God, come on, look at me !"

Ron jumped as a loud banging came from downstairs. He placed Hermione's head down on the pillow, and rushed down as fast as he could, still in his underwear, and opened the front door.

"My wife, she's upstairs-"

A man and a women in brightly coloured coats entered with boxes of equipment, rushing up the stairs. The women gave him a pat on the arm and told him to try and stay calm. He left the door open, and ran up, staying as close to Hermione as he could whilst the paramedics tried to get her to talk. She was mumbling and had gone very pale. They gave her some oxygen, whilst Ron threw on the first clothes he could reach. They placed Hermione on a stretcher, and led her downstairs. Ron held her hand as they loaded her into the back of the ambulance. Her chest rose and fell, and Ron unsuccessfully tried to stop the tears as he kept her grasp tightly with his, the other placed on her stomach.

rh-rh-rh-rh-rh

Ron drank his third coffee within the past hour, and rubbed his eyes with his calloused hands.

"Ron! There you are, Harry rung us, what's going on?"

Mrs and Mr Granger were running towards him as he waited outside the delivery room.

"It's the baby, she started losing blood, we don't know why, I think she's gone into premature labour. They can't stop it, and - oh, doctor, what's happening?"

A doctor stepped out of the room, and into the hall. He nodded at Mr and Mrs Granger, and turned to Ron.

"There has been a placental abruption. The placenta has seperated itself from the uterine wall, and we've tried everything, but we've got no other choice. In order to save Hermione's and the baby's life, were hoping for an early delivery. We're prepping her for a cesarian section now"

He heard the muffled sobs of Mrs Granger, but Ron couldn't take the words in. He sat down on one of the plastic chairs that lined the corridors, and the doctor sat patted him on the shoulder.

"We are going to do everything we can for your wife and child Mr. Weasley", and then he was gone.

There was no way that Ron could let this news sink in. Mr Granger was talking to him, and yet he couldn't understand a word he was saying. He was going to have a child. Today.

If everything goes to plan.

Oh be quiet Ronald, he heard Hermione's voice in his head. These doctors know what they're doing. I know what you're thinking, muggles, but you have to be strong, for our child.

He smiled as he pictured Hermione's face in his head. He excused himself and made his way to the toilet. He took a deep breath and sent a patronus to his mother. She would make sure that everybody knew what was going on.

...

A few hours later, the same doctor came walking down the hall towards Ron. He looked tired, and unkempt, different from how he looked earlier on.

"What's happening, is she okay, the baby?"

"Your wife has lost a lot of blood Mr. Weasley, but she's stable for the moment and in good hands. The nurses are looking after her to the best of their abilities-"

"The baby?"

"We-"

"Oh, God, please tell me the baby's okay?"

"The whole procedure was very stressful for her"

"Her?"

The doctor nodded"Yes, her, and we had to get her out as soon as possible. On of her arms are broken, and an ankle may be fractured. She looks a good healthy weight for 34 weeks-"

"34 weeks and 3 days"

The doctor smiled.

"Congratulations".

He felt numb as the Grangers embraced him, crying from sadness and happiness. They still didn't know what was going to happen to Hermione. He left them to sit down for a while as a nurse led him down the corridor, through some double doors, another corridor and more doors, all the while Ron's heart was thumping louder than it ever had his life.

I have a child

A daughter

Bloody hell

The nurse scanned her card through the device near the door, and the doors opened. Ron looked around, and saw a dozen incubators, all holding tiny small babies.

One of these could be mine

"Right this way "

Ron followed the nurse to the end of the room, and they stopped in front of an incubator near the window. Ron could see the morning sun peeking from behind the clouds, and then his eyes met the most wonderful sight he had ever seen.

A baby, healthier than the ones he had seen as he entered the room, wired up to machines and drips, her chest rising and falling quickly, her fist clutching a blanket that lay next to her. Ron's breath caught, and the nurse smiled

He took the chair the nurse offered him, and he couldn't take his eyes off of this baby. His baby. He couldn't believe it. A tear strolled down his face and he pressed his hands against the plastic box. He watched as the baby's chest rose and fell at a fast pace, twitching slightly as she slept. She had gorgeous ginger hair, and Ron's smiled widened.

"Your first?"

He looked up and noticed a man across the room from him. He looked tired and pale, and Ron was sorry to see he was next to one of the most fragile babies in the room. Ron wiped his face, and nodded.

"Yeah"

"She got a name yet?" the man asked.

"No, not yet. We never came up with one"

"This little man here's called Alfie" the proud Dad looked at the child he was sitting vigal by.

"That's nice. Where's your wife? If you don't mind me asking"

"She's in recovery. She fell down the stairs and we rushed her to hospital as he had contractions. She was only 29 weeks. But Alfie seems to be pulling through. We can just sit here and pray now" he looked at his baby sadly.

Ron nodded and turned his attention back to his daughter. He looked up, and for the first time, noticed a painting that hung on the wall above his child's incubator. They were some of the most beautiful roses he had ever seen. Ron didn't know how long he sat there looking at his baby, but when the nurse came to get him it was almost dark again. She led him through more and more corridors once more.

"Your wife seems to be doing better . She's responding well to the donor blood that she's recieving, and things are looking a lot better"

"Hermione!" they opened a last door, and there was his wife. Her gorgeous bushy hair splayed over the pillow, wired up to so many machines. Ron rushed over and took her hand, kissing the back of her palm.

"Ron?" he heard a mumble.

"Yes, I'm here, the baby's fine Hermione, little girl , she looks just like you, got my hair, she's so gorgeous. Oh God, I thought I'd lost you both!"

Hermione smiled and tried to sit up, but the nurse firmly told her to stay where she was.

"Your going to be in here for a while I'm afraid Mrs. Weasley. You've had a cesarean section, and I strongly advise you to stay where you are, the stitches aren't going to heal themselves"

Ron instantly thought of the dittany Hermione keeps in her handbag at all times. If only he had that small vial now...

"Ron, the baby" she muttered, her eyes flickering open.

"She's fine, she's brilliant. She's the healthiest one in the room, I promise you"

Hermione smiled and her fingers intertwined with Ron's. Her parents entered the room, and there was more sobbing, and congratulating, and Mrs. Granger, just like Molly, would fuss and ask every five minutes if she needed anything.

rh-rh-rh-rh-rh

A few days later, everyone had arrived from the Burrow to see the new baby. They brought gifts and balloons, Teddy nearly producing magic in front of muggles due to his excitement, and finally Ron and Hermione had some peace. The colour in Hermione's face was slowly seeping back, and Ron was sitting at the bottom of her bed when their midwife came in. She coughed and Ron looked up from his magazine.

"Would you like us to bring Weasley junior in now Mr. Weasley"

"Now?" Hermione said "Are you sure she's well enough-"

"She's more than well enough. We've just taken her off of the breathing apperatus, and she's breathing on her own, so do you want us to bring her through or-"

"No. I'll come and get her" Ron said. Hermione grinned at him, and she sat patiently as Ron exited the room. Her heart beat wildly as the clock ticked. Apart from her heart beat, it was the only sound in the room and one could have heard a pin drop. Suddenly, she heard approaching footsteps. She leant back further into her pillow and couldn't help but grin.

Tap Tap...Tap Tap...Tap Tap...

A nurse entered the room, holding the door open as Ron pushed an incubator in. Hermione couldn't move even if she wanted to. She was frozen in shock. It was one thing feeling a baby inside of you for months, but actually seeing it, here , as a seperate being. There were no words to describe the amount of elation and happiness she was feeling. Her hands covered her mouth as Ron wheeled it to a stop beside her bed. Tears streamed down her face as she took in the glorious sight. Small locks of red hair, pink fingers and toes,tiny finger nails. Ron's lips.

"She has your hair, and your lips" she half laughed, tears streaming down her face. Ron nodded, sitting at the side of her. "I thought she was going to die Ron, I thought she was going to die" she sobbed as Ron held her tightly. "All the blood. I kept seeing it, on the way to the hospital. I could hear your voice, but I couldn't speak back! I just kept seeing it , in my head, all the blood, and all the guilt. I'm so sorry I should have told you about the pains"

"Hermione, you weren't to know, now look. Look!" he demanded. He pulled back from her and nodded towards the infant in front of them. "That's our baby. She's going to be fine, I promise. The doctors say she's broken her arm and fractured an ankle on the way out, but those will heal. Shes bloody gorgeous, look at her!"

Hermione stopped sobbing and now took in the tiny bandages around her child's arm and ankle. It could have been a lot worse, she reminded herself.

"Ron?"

"Yes?"

"Can I hold her?"

"I-" Ron looked around and saw a nurse standing outside the room. He beckoned her over and asked if it was possible.

"Do you think Hermione would be able to hold her?"

"Not at the moment dear, she needs a bit more rest, especially with those bones that need to heal" Hermione nodded and felt huge dissappointment. "But if you want to put your hands through?"

The nurse opened a hatch on the side of the incubator nearest to Hermione. A small hole, only big enough for a person's hand to fit through. Ron looked at Hermione. Ron pulled it closer, wheeling it nearer to Hermione so she didn't have to stretch as far, and Hermione reached out a hand. The baby's head was facing towards her, and she placed her fingers on her cheeks. So soft, so warm and delicate. Hermione's beamed as the baby moved her head, searching for the touch as she withdrew her fingers. Ron placed his hands on her chest, feeling that wicked fast heartbeat he had observed earlier. He stroked her hair, feeling the tiny fibers between his finger tips. Nobody said anything for a long time, they both just sat and drank in the sights of their first child.

"She doesn't have a name" Hermione whispered, her hand still held out, the baby grasping Hermione's finger.

Ron remembered the painting. He remembered the man who's child was not well, and the way the sun shone down on his little angel the first time he saw her.

"Rose" Ron whispered in Hermione's ear.

"Rose" Hermione whispered "I like it" she smiled.

"Welcome the the world Rose Weasley" Ron said, placing a kiss on his fingers and placing them on his little girls cheek.

rh-rh-rh-rh-rh

Sorry about all the fluff, it's actually impossible for a person to write a chapter like this and it not be fluffy. So what did you think ? Also, if you could check out my Ron/ Hermione story Listen to the Wind. Its about what would have happened if Ron died half way through the series if Jk would have had it that way, and how Hermione would have coped. A tad emotional, but so worth it !

GingPig X