A/N: Well, thank you all so much for the reviews and the follows. I've really appreciated all the support. This is the last chapter and there will be a short epilogue to follow.

Disclaimer: JKR owns Harry Potter, not me. *le sigh* I'm making no money from this story.

Chapter 13

"Come on, love, you're almost there," Andy encouraged her, wiping the sweat off her brow.

Hermione scrunched up her face, pushing as hard as she could. She had been in labor for almost six hours now and was becoming exceedingly tired.

Ron and Harry had tried to be supportive, but after an hour, Harry almost passed out when he accidentally caught a glimpse of what was going on down there. Ron tried to stay a bit longer, but Hermione became so frustrated with him that she shrieked for him to just leave her be.

This left Hermione alone with Andromeda and her healer.

"Hermione, you're close to crowning," the Healer said, patting her leg.

Hermione groaned, her eyes shutting. "Why won't she just come out? Doesn't she know how tiring this is?"

Andromeda laughed, giving Hermione's hand a tight squeeze. "I'm sure she's stubborn, just like her mother."

"I'm not stubborn," Hermione countered, wincing as another contraction hit.

"Sure you're not, love," Andy said smiling. She knew better than to argue with a woman in labor.

A gasp escaped Hermione's lips. "I can't do this!" she cried. "Isn't there some sort of pain potion or something I can take?"

The Healer shook her head. "Magical pregnancies are complicated enough as it is. It's better off not adding in any extra factors."

"I should have given birth in a Muggle hospital," Hermione grumbled. She could have an epidural or something at least!

"Well, it's a bit late for that," Andy said, rubbing her.

Hermione let out a scream.

"I can see the baby's head!" the Healer cried. "Almost there, dearie, we're at the home stretch."

Hermione took a deep breath, pushing with all her might.

Ron shuddered as he heard Hermione's scream. "I hope she's all right."

"She'll be fine," Harry said tiredly. He was exhausted from just sitting there; he couldn't even imagine what Hermione was going through.

"Sort of exciting though, isn't it?" Ron said eagerly. "We're going to be uncles!"

Harry smiled at that. "Yeah, we are. I wonder what she'll name her."

Ron shrugged. "Don't know. 'Mione wouldn't tell me, said it was a secret."

"Your Mum coming?"

Ron nodded. "I Flooed her an hour ago. She should be here soon."

Harry nodded. The two of them continued to wait.

Hermione sagged back against the headboard as a small cry filled the room.

"A girl!" the healer said, immediately bringing the baby off to the side to start performing diagnostic spells on her.

Andromeda held her hand tightly as Hermione laid there panting. "You did so well, love."

Turning to Andromeda, she smiled weakly. "I love you."

Startled, she bent down and gave Hermione a quick kiss too. "I love you as well, Hermione."

"I wouldn't have been able to do this without you," she said, sitting up weakly. "You've been my rock throughout this entire experience and I just… I appreciate it, Andy." Hermione started to cry.

"Shhhh, dear, there's no need to cry. You've given birth to a beautiful healthy girl and you've got such a bright future ahead of you."

"I hope so," Hermione said miserably. "This is going to be hard though… I still don't know if I'm ready to be a mother."

"Well, you are a mother, so congratulations dear!" the healer said, coming over with the baby wrapped up in a small pink blanket. "A perfectly healthy weight and all of her levels look healthy. Would you like to hold her?"

Hermione nodded, in complete awe of the little girl. The healer placed the baby in Hermione's arm, carefully instructing her how to hold her correctly.

"She's got your button nose," Andy commented happily, looking at the two people she had grown to love so dearly.

Hermione nodded. "And my brown eyes."

"And no resemblance to her father," Andromeda whispered, kissing the top of Hermione's head.

"I know, thank Merlin," Hermione shakily replied. She had been so nervous… so afraid her innocent baby would look like that monster. But no, luck was on her side. The little one was a carbon copy of Hermione when she was a baby.

"What are you going to name her?" the healer asked, the legal documents in her hand.

Hermione was quiet for a moment. "Esme Marie Granger." She peered down at the little squashed face. "My sweet Esme."

"Wonderful," the healer said, smiling. "Shall I send in the two men outside?"

Hermione nodded. Esme's eyes fluttered, before letting out a strangled cry. "Shh, dear, Mummy's here," Hermione whispered.

"Hermione?" Harry asked, nervously coming into the room.

"Harry, Ron, come meet Esme," Hermione said, motioning them over.

Andromeda stepped back, allowing the two boys to get a good look at their new niece.

"She's so beautiful," Ron whispered, gently stroking her cheek.

"Hermione, congratulations," Harry said, kissing her cheek.

"Thank you. It was hard, but she was certainly worth the wait."

The two of them took turns holding Esme, each cooing over the small girl. Molly and Ginny appeared later on, each of them bringing congratulations and gifts.

As Molly held Esme, Hermione let out a sigh.

"All right?" Andromeda asked immediately, brushing some hair out of Hermione's face.

"Just a bit tired, that's all," she smiled weakly.

"Should I ask the others to leave?"

"No, it's fine. I don't want to disturb them."

Andromeda waved her hand. "Nonsense, they'll have plenty of time to coo over Esme later on. You need some rest."

"Okay," Hermione whispered sleepily.

Andromeda shooed everyone out and placed Esme in the small bed. Going towards the bed, she saw Hermione was practically asleep.

"Move in with me?" she whispered, taking Hermione's hand.

"What?"

"You and Esme, move in with me and Teddy. We can be a family."

Hermione chuckled. "A strange family."

"But it'd be my family. Hermione, you are a part of my life and I don't want you gone. Please, say you'll move in?"

Hermione smiled. "That sounds wonderful, Andy. I'd be happy to move in."

"Oh, I love you." Andromeda kissed Hermione gently, letting the passion and love she felt seep into the kiss.

"I love you too," Hermione whispered before falling asleep.