The Start of Our Lives
Summary: After a drunken one night stand, bushy-haired bookworm Hermione Granger finds out that she is pregnant to none other than Master of Apathy Draco Malfoy. They begin their lives as teenage parents and learn to live together and maybe even eventually fall in love? Read & Review.
Chapter Twenty-One: Waitin' On the World to Change
"Twenty-one hours and no baby," Draco moaned with his face in his hands. "How the hell are you doing this Hermione?"
Hermione smiled peacefully and turned to look at him. "I guess I'm a bit of a hero."
"Ugh I'm soo glad I'm not a girl."
It was six am and everyone, especially Hermione and Draco, were tired and anxious.
"I can't believe this is taking so long."
Hermione snorted. "Imagine how I'm feeling."
The door opened and Kate entered.
"Hey sweetie, how are you doing?" She asked quietly.
"Not so good. I think the potion is wearing off. The contractions are getting stronger again."
Kate sighed and rubbed her daughter's back. "Would you like me to go get the Healer and ask if you can have some more?"
Hermione remembered the intense pain the potion brought to her body when she drank it and shook her head. "I think I'll be alright. I've come this far, it can't get any worse."
Kate didn't have the heart to tell Hermione that it can and it will. She just simply smiled and turned to Draco.
"You look tired, Draco. Maybe you should get some rest."
Draco rumpled up his hair as he shook his head. "Nah, I don't want to miss anything. Besides I'm not tired." He ruined this by suddenly yawning hugely. Hermione giggled and gave him a stern look.
"C'mon Draco," she coaxed him. "Just grab a blanket and lie on the lounge. I'll wake you up if I need you."
Draco looked reluctant but he glanced longingly at the lounge behind him that Ron had previously been asleep on and trudged over to it.
"How about you get some sleep too mum," Hermione whispered, gesturing over to a chair near the door. Kate nodded.
"Sounds like a good idea to me."
Both Kate and Draco were asleep within minutes. Hermione sighed and closed her eyes. The baby kicked her legs feebly from inside her, as though she was just as tired as Hermione was. She closed her eyes, trying to ignore the stabbing pains that were growing more painful with every passing second. She managed to eventually fall asleep.
Outside in the waiting room, the gang were all curled up on chairs, some fast asleep, others just woken up and looking wearily around them. Harry sat up and rubbed his tired eyes and saw that Blaise Zabini was still awake.
"Granger hasn't had the baby yet," Blaise informed him before Harry could ask. Harry groaned.
"Why is it taking so long?"
Blaise didn't bother to answer him. He closed his eyes and tried not to think about anything but the light in the room was blindingly bright- he didn't understand how the rest of them could sleep through this.
"I'm gonna kill you for this Draco," Blaise mumbled under his breath.
Around nine in the morning, after being in labour for twenty-four hours, Hermione woke up. A sudden contraction had hit her hard and she let out a scream, waking both her mum up and Draco. Kate jumped up and was by her side immediately. Draco looked around groggily, trying to get his mind back into focus.
Hermione grabbed Kate's hand and squeezed it hard. "Oh my gosh!" She panted for breath. "This is a really bad one."
"Just breathe through it honey, you can do it."
Hermione was nearly in tears by the end of it. Not even Draco letting her squeeze his other hand and trying to soothe her would do anything.
"It hurts so bad," she whimpered as she arched her back off the bed, the pain intensifying.
"I wish I could do something," Draco whispered, burying his face in the thick masses of her hair. "You're really sweaty."
"Really?" She yelled in a voice dripping with sarcasm. "You don't say!"
Draco didn't retort but instead grabbed the hairband around her wrist and tied her hair back up into a tight high bun.
"Thanks." She slumped back down on the pillows, her body shaking from the aftermath of the contraction.
"It has to be nearly time." Draco looked up at Kate with a pleading expression. "It's been an entire day."
Kate smiled gently and put her hand against Hermione's hot red cheek. "I'll go get your Healer, it's been a while since she checked up on you."
When the door shut behind her, Draco bent down to kiss her cheek.
"I love you."
She didn't reply but she turned her face away when he tried to kiss her lips.
"I hate you right now Draco Malfoy. You put me through this terrible pain and I don't know if I can ever forgive you."
Draco didn't bother taking her words to heart. "That's the hormones talking, love."
"Don't call me love."
"Can I call you dearest?"
Hermione scowled heavily up at him.
"How about sugar plum?"
"If I had my wand I would curse you into oblivion."
"Snookums?"
"You're pushing your luck Malfoy."
"Cuddly-wuddly cupcake?"
Hermione raised her eyebrows but didn't say anything.
"Baby-bugga-bear-boo?"
"That may just be the most disgusting thing I've ever heard."
Draco sighed as if she was really hurting his feelings.
Just then the Healer and Kate came back into the room. Healer Gregory lifted up the sheet to examine Hermione, who was glaring at Draco with her arms crossed over her chest.
"Well it looks like you're ready, hun."
"Don't you start too!" Hermione practically shouted at the stunned Healer.
"Don't mind her," Draco assured her. "She's just a bit hormonal."
"Anyway…You're ten centimeters dilated. Time to have this baby."
Hermione suddenly got wide-eyed and grabbed her stomach. "Oh my gosh, I'm not ready! I want the baby to stay in me." To Draco's surprise, she started to cry. He sighed and ran his hand through her hair.
"You know that that can't happen, Hermione."
But Hermione was shaking as badly as she did when she had a contraction. "I'm not ready, I can't do this! Not yet!"
"Hey look at me," Draco grabbed her and forced her to look into his eyes. "You're Hermione Granger. You're the strongest person I know and the bravest. You can do this."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure. C'mon. Let's meet Sunshine."
Hermione stared up into his eyes and a moment of understanding passed between the both of them. Hermione nodded and swallowed.
"I can do this."
Half an hour later, Hermione wished that she could take back her words. I can't do this, I can't do this, ran through her head constantly. She had thought the contractions by itself was bad enough, taking the epidural potion was horrible but this…There were no words for it. The pain was unbearable and Hermione didn't even want it to be over. She just wanted to die.
This must be what the Cruciatus Curse feels like, she thought to herself as her next contraction finally passed.
"When the next contraction comes Hermione I want you to bear down as hard as you can and push," the midwitch informed her. When it came a minute later, Hermione cried out for the pain was so bad.
"Count faster!" She shouted- Healer Gregory was counting so slowly as if she wanted to taunt Hermione and make her stay in pain for longer.
"Draco?" She rasped weakly, looking around for him through her blurred eyes.
He laced their fingers tighter together. "You're doing so good Hermione. A few more pushes and she'll be here."
Hermione shook her head, moaning. "I can't do this, I can't! It's too hard."
"You can't stop now Hermione," Healer Gregory informed her from between her legs. "Like Mr. Malfoy said, a few more big pushes and it will be all over."
"Just think about Sunshine," Draco encouraged her. "Think about our daughter."
The next push, Hermione felt a white-hot sensation- she was so lightheaded she thought she was going to black out.
"Good, the baby's head is crowning."
"Should I look?" Draco asked Hermione tentatively.
"Don't you dare!" She screamed at him. "You are never going near me again! You suck, you suck, you suckkkkkk!"
She grabbed his head and nearly crushed it in her vice-like grip but he didn't protest- a fractured hand was nothing compared to what she was going through at the moment. And frankly, Draco couldn't wait for it to be over nearly as much as Hermione did.
"One more push, that's it," the Healer ordered. Hermione's hair had partly fallen out of it's bun and was sticky with sweat, her whole face red as though she had been sunburnt and tears were streaming heavily down her face. She looked an utter mess but she could hardly care less. She just wanted it to end.
This was the final push, she knew it and it was killing her. The effort in itself was more than she could ever have imagined She never, ever wanted to do this ever again. She was shaking so badly that Draco had to hold her up. Her stomach muscles tightened, her energy was nearly gone.
A tiny high-pitched wail shattered the room. Hermione had barely realized that she was out.
"Congratulations, it's a girl!"
Hermione already knew that but she burst into tears all the same. To her surprise, so did Draco. He buried his face again in her hair, trembling with suppressed sobs. Hermione gasped for breath. It was over.
"You did so good baby," Draco whispered in her ear.
"We have a daughter," Hermione mumbled quietly as she pushed her sweaty hair out of her eyes.
The cord was cut and the baby was taken to be cleaned off. Hermione craned her neck to see what she was going on. She got a glimpse of her baby's perfect profile and burst into renewed sobs.
"She's so tiny." She covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head. Healer Gregory stepped forwards holding a small bundle wrapped in a pink blanket.
"Here she is."
The baby started crying as she was placed into Hermione's arms. The moment Hermione held her daughter for the first time, a warmth so powerful surged through her body. She felt complete.
"Hi sweetie," she whispered as Draco gently kissed her forehead which was covered by a pink hospital cap.
The baby stopped crying and for the first time, opened her eyes up. Hermione gasped softly in amazement.
"She's looking at me, she knows who I am."
Draco couldn't say anything; his throat was so thick with emotion.
"She's absolutely perfect."
Hermione couldn't agree with him more. The baby's tiny face was creamy ivory and her delicate cheeks flamed with colour. Her eyes, so innocent and doe-like were wide as she stared up at her mother. They were blue, the colour that all babies had when they were born. Hermione wondered whose eyes she would soon inherit. Her nose was like a button, her pink lips full and pouty. One miniscule hand was out of the blankets against her cheek and Draco took a little finger and shook his head in astonishment at how small it was.
Hermione looked up at Draco just as he looked up at her. They met each other's eyes and Draco pressed his lips against hers, Sunshine cradled between them.
xox
Kate, Harry, Ron, Blaise, Ginny, Fred, George and Mrs. Weasley paced the reception area impatiently. Kate had been told that Hermione was in the delivery room and they knew that any minute now, the Healer would come out and inform them. Ginny was practically squealing anxiously with excitement.
When Healer Gregory stepped into the little corner, everyone pounced on her at once.
"What happened?
"Did Hermione have the baby?"
"Is she alright?"
"Can we see them yet?"
Healer Gregory held up her hands and smiled.
"Hermione has safely delivered a baby girl."
Everyone sighed and hugged each. Kate burst into tears and was embraced by Mrs. Weasley, who was quite teary herself.
"Hermione is in recovery and she and the baby are perfectly healthy."
"Are we allowed to see them?" Kate asked through her tears. The Healer smiled and nodded her head.
"Follow me."
Everyone had to agree with one another later, it was quite a precious sight to see. Hermione was lying in the bed holding a bundle of pink blankets and Draco was sitting right next to her, stroking the baby's tiny head.
"Oh Hermione!" Kate gasped. Hermione smiled. "She's just so gorgeous."
"I know," Hermione said smugly. "Isn't she just perfect?"
Kate silently gestured if she could hold the baby. Hermione nodded and Kate picked the baby carefully up out of her arms. Everyone got in for a closer look.
"Hello sweetheart," Kate whispered. "Gosh I can't believe how cute she is."
Hermione and Draco smiled widely. It was true. Little Sunshine was only one hour old and already she had quite a few admirers.
After Mrs. Weasley held her and spent about five minutes cooing affectionately to the baby, Ginny had to practically force the baby out of her arms so she could have a turn.
"You look just like a little doll. Hey sweetie, I'm your auntie Ginny. I'm gonna teach you how to play Quidditch like a pro."
"Hey that's my job!" Harry argued as he took the baby from Ginny.
"Wow, she looks like both of you guys," he commented. Ron frowned and looked down Harry's shoulder and the sleeping figure.
"Huh. Well whaddya know?"
Ron was a bit nervous about holding a baby as he had never done so in his life but Harry positioned his arms right so that the baby was comfortable.
"How can someone be so tiny?" He wondered to the room in general.
"If she was any bigger, she wouldn't fit in my stomach," Hermione grinned.
Fred was next. He bounced the baby lightly in his arms.
"Never thought that I would be holding the spawn of Malfoy."
If he didn't have Sunshine in his arms, Hermione would've thrown a pillow at him.
"Way to go, guys," George commented when it was his turn to meet the baby. "Who knew that a Malfoy could actually have a cute baby?"
Draco rolled his eyes but didn't say anything.
Blaise was the only one had hadn't held her yet and he looked like he didn't want to but everyone was staring so intently at him. He sighed and took the bundle. After about a second of looking quite disgusted, his expression changed with the baby yawned.
"She's…" He looked around the room, searching for the right words. "Well, she's quite adorable."
"That is a lot coming from you Blaise," Draco smirked at his good friend.
"I'm no liar," he said lightly. "You guys did pretty good." He smiled down at the baby and Draco smiled in surprise. He had never seen Blaise smile like that before.
"Ok Uncle Blaise, you're hogging her!" Draco whined. "I want to hold her again."
Blaise looked bewildered at being referred to as an uncle but Draco just smiled and nodded at him. Blaise smirked in return.
"So?" Ginny asked once Draco was holding his daughter. "Do we have a name for this little cutie-pie?"
Draco and Hermione smiled at each other.
"Actually yeah, we do," Draco grinned at the room. "You wanna say it?"
"Ok!" Hermione said enthusiastically. "Everyone. I'd like you to meet Mira Gracelyn Malfoy."
"Awww," Ginny cooed, clasping a hand to her chest.
"Is Mira short for Mirabella?" Kate asked excitedly.
"Nope, it's just Mira."
"Little Mira Malfoy," Harry smirked. "Charming."
"I think that's a gorgeous name," Mrs. Weasley said brightly.
After about fifteen minutes of everyone talking about Mira, Kate ordered that they all left the room. Hermione's eyes were growing heavy and everyone knew how exhausted she must be.
Draco sat down in the chair, holding Mira to his chest as everyone congratulated them and walked out the door.
"Draco?" Hermione called quietly.
"Yeah?"
Hermione smiled tiredly at him. "Thank you."
He arched an eyebrow. "For what?"
"For giving me such an incredible gift."
Draco smiled and waved his hand like it was nothing. The both of them felt elated. Sunshine was finally here. There new lives were only just beginning.
A/N: Aww she's here! Ok practically everyone loved the name Mira so that's what I called her! Her name was originally going to be Adriana Gracelyn (Addie for short) but I just fell in love with the name Mira and so that's her name!
I want reviews. I want every single person who reads this to review it. This was such a big moment! I want more reviews than I can count! I want to get as many reviews as possible before the story ends. And Mira was born on June 3rd.
Much love xx