Disclaimer: All characters that are from the Harry Potter series, along with locations & other things recognizable to Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling.

Chapter 15

It took a second for Severus to remember that Hermione and he had stayed the night at the Potters. He let out a sigh of bittersweet joy. He still felt horrible that Hermione had thought the ring was meant for Lily but was happy that she wanted to marry him and that she was pregnant with his baby. He truly thought she would love the simplicity and beauty of the silver band with the green gem. Not to mention it was Slytherin colors. He looked over to the woman that had her back pushed up against the front of his body. As he watched her sleep he thought back to their conversation about why she was so worried about him being mad at her.

"Hermione, why would you think I'd be mad at you? It takes two to tango, as muggles say." Severus said after carrying her into their borrowed bedroom. "I'm just as much to blame for this as you. Not that there is any blame, mind you."

"I know, but you just had Mercia and she wasn't exactly planned. Don't get me wrong, I love her, I really do, but I was afraid you would think that I was trying to replace her or take you away from her by getting pregnant." As Severus set her on the bed she pulled her legs up to her chest and laid her head on her knees. "Plus we never talked about marriage or having a family. I know we've only been lovers for a year but I have to be honest I started thinking about it after six months." Her cheeks turned a light pink as she blushed at her admission.

"Love, we haven't been 'lovers' since the third month. Just because we didn't say it then, we were in a relationship and we loved each other. We've been more then lovers for the last year and a half."

"I'm glad you feel the same way about us." She said as she looked at him. "I never brought it up after the war because I thought you wanted your privacy and it would be extremely hard to explain why I was pregnant but single. That and I didn't want to ask you to come out of hiding and have you do it just for me. I didn't want you to start resenting being with me."

"I will never resent you for anything." He pulled her into his arms and hugged her as he kissed first her forehead, then her eyes, cheeks, nose, and finally her lips. "I want you to be happy and I know that I make you happy. I can tell when I watch you looking at me. Yes I watch you with out you knowing. You telling me about your job and the conditions you gave Minerva, gave me a chance to come out of hiding besides jealousy of the men and boys that thought they could try and seduce you."

"You never have to worry about that Severus. No man or boy will ever hold a candle to the way you make me feel when I wake up with your arms holding me close to you. Or when you kiss me and make love to me. You're the only one for me." With that Hermione put her right hand behind Severus' neck and pulled him down to kiss her. That slow passionate kiss turned into a tender night of lovemaking.

Severus was broken out of his thoughts by Hermione turning over in his arms.

"Morning, love." He whispered before kissing her.

"Good morning, handsome." She snuggled into his side, resting her head on his chest as her arm circled his waist and while the other was pressed between their bodies. Her naked breast were pressed against his body as his left arm held her close to his body and his right hand lazily ran up and down her left arm; her naked leg was thrown over his leg, resting between both and could feel his ever growing erection.

"Do you think we have time before they call us for breakfast?" Hermione asked as she slid her left hand from his waist down to his hard cock.

"Probably not but I would enjoy Ginny and Harry walking in on that. That face would be completely priceless, love." Severus said with a smirk as he pulled her on top of him, teasing them both by making her hips grind against his cock.

"That's just wrong Severus." She said before leaning down to kiss him, but before she could place her lips onto his, she was pulling his hands off her body and practically running off the bed. "Oh shit!"

Severus quickly followed not sure what was going on. Thankfully he got there in time to hold Hermione's hair back as her morning sickness took over.

"Love, if we conceived the night of the wedding you'd only be two weeks along. Doesn't morning sickness start after a month?" Severus asked. He was getting concerned that it might be something more serious.

"Generally that is when it starts, but it's possible to have it the day after conception. I first started getting sick a week ago." Hermione leaned back against the bathroom wall while Severus got a small cloth wet to wipe down her forehead and the sides of her mouth.

Soon Hermione was done puking and Severus gently carried her back to bed. He tucked her in before placing a kiss on her cheek. "I'll be right back. I'll just let Ginny and Harry know how you are feeling and that we'll be down later. You need more sleep." With that he pulled on his jeans and t-shirt from the night before and headed down to the kitchen.

"Why are you even here? You come to apologize for being a right git to me and my husband?" Severus paused behind the kitchen door. He hadn't heard Ginny that upset since the day of the wedding when… Ron! What the fuck was he doing here? Severus thought to himself as he stood at the door wanting to hear what Ron had to say.

"Look, Gin, I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to cause you any problems that day. I know it was super last minute but I thought it was better if I wasn't there. Less likely for me to make an ass of myself." Ron said, his head hanging down.

"You are so full of shit Ronald!" Ginny yelled at him. "You just didn't want to see that you're baby sister was beating you at something. And how do you think it made Harry feel? You've been like a brother to him since the day we met him! You are such a selfish prat. I suggest you get out before Harry comes down stairs."

Severus decided he should go in before Ginny got to upset. Harry didn't want her wasting her energy on anger, especially with her being pregnant with twins.

"Ron, you're upsetting your sister. You need to leave before her husband gets down here and sees that. You're lucky I'm not grabbing you by the scruff of your neck and throwing you out." Severus said as he passed by Ginny to get to the stove. "How are you feeling this morning Ginny?" He asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

"I'm feeling fine. How's Hermione? Morning sickness getting her already?" Ginny turned her back on her brother, hoping he'd take the hint to leave.

"Why would Mia be having morning sickness?" Ron asked, hoping that what his mind was coming up with was wrong.

"Because my fiancé is pregnant with my baby. Now again, I suggest you leave before Harry… Ah, good morning Harry." Severus said as movement behind Ron caught his eye.

"Good morning, Severus." Harry ignored Ron and walked up to his wife. "Good morning, love." He hugged her and gave her a sweet kiss on her neck before heading to the stove for coffee. "How's Hermione doing?"

"She's doing better. But I put her back to bed after a bout of sickness. I just came down to let you both know so you wouldn't worry." He finished his coffee and then placed his cup in the sink. "Alright, I'm going to check on my witch and make sure she's actually sleeping and not worrying her little head away over nonsense." He walked by Ginny and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Thank you for last night Ginny. I don't think I would have had the courage to tell her what I wished and hoped for if you hadn't gotten her to tell me what was going on."

"You're very welcome Severus." Ginny said, patting his cheek lightly with her right hand.

With that Severus left, letting the door swing shut behind him. He wasn't even half way up the stairs when he heard Ron explode.

"HE GOT HERMIONE PREGNANT? THEY'RE ENGAGED? WHAT THE FUCK?"

Severus just shook his head and continued up to the stairs to his future wife. He wanted to talk to her about going to the jeweler and having her pick out a ring that she liked and swapping the ring he got. He didn't want her to ever look at her ring and be reminded of last night's worries and fears.

"Guess I'll wait until you wake up." He said with a small chuckle as he saw Hermione curled up with her head buried in his pillow, fast asleep. He quietly walked over to his side, took his clothes off, and crawled into the bed pulling her into his arms.

Date posted: 2/20/2012