Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I own nothing of hers!

Chapter 11

Ron reluctantly opened his eyes, but luckily it was a beautiful sight. In front of him on the bed he saw Rose lying on her back with her arms up over her head. He gave a small chuckle and pulled himself up to sit on the bed. He was having a wonderful dream; one that last week was just that, a dream. But now, he realized it could possibly come true. He stretched and gave a yawn. He looked around for his Quidditch magazine, realizing he fell asleep on top of it. As he straightened the magazine out, he smelled food cooking. Confused, he looked at the clock. It was nearly five in the evening. He slowly stood from the bed, watching Rose to not wake her. He took the pillows and surrounded her on each side so she wouldn't roll off the bed. He continued to watch her as he walked backwards towards his bedroom door. Leaving the door open, he paced through the living room, and into the kitchen.

There he saw a second attractive sight. Hermione was in the kitchen standing over the stove, stirring a pot. She was still in the cream blouse and grey pencil skirt. She was barefoot and running her left hand on the back of her neck while rolling it; stretching out. Ron knew what he wanted to do, if the past three years never happened. But, he knew it wasn't the time. He didn't even know how Hermione would react. He took a deep breath and cleared his throat.

"Hey," He spoke, keeping his voice quiet. She turned around quickly a bit startled at the sudden introduction. She released a breath and gave a small smile.

"Hey," She replied softly. Ron walked over to where she was, making sure he kept a few feet of space between the two.

"Smells good. I didn't mean to nap as well, I could have made dinn-" Hermione cut in, waving him off as she spoke.

"No, it was fine. You were already asleep when I returned and I was just relieved that she slept through me being gone… that was the furthest I've ever been from her…" Hermione returned her focus to the pot she was stirring. She couldn't tell him that seeing him with Rose made her heart ache and want to burst at the same time. And, how much it worried her to be so far away from her child.

"What are you making?" Ron asked, peeking into the pot and changing the subject.

"Spaghetti with meat sauce. It's one of the only things I know how to make," Hermione mentioned, giving a small laugh, as she walked over to the sink to drain the noodles.

"Give that a stir, would you?" She nodded towards the other pot on the stove bubbling away. He took the spoon and gave it a small stir.

"Well, it's not burnt, and it smells delicious. So, it's already better than anything I could have made."

She laughed at his comment and brought the spaghetti over to mix with the sauce. She accidentally brushed against his torso as she did so.

Ron froze in his spot, moving the spoon out of the way for Hermione to dump in the pasta. Hermione was tucked into Ron's side, leaning into him as she finished pouring the noodles in. Ron replaced the spoon, and combined the spaghetti with the red sauce. Surprisingly, Hermione didn't move. She set the now empty pot down, and watched as Ron stirred the pot. Hermione's arm was close to Ron's abdomen. She took a deep breath. She took in the acidic tomato, fresh basal, and seasoned meat. Yet, among all the scents involved in the meal, she smelled Ron. A scent she hadn't smelled in three years. Her eyes started to water of all that had happened. Ron watched her; taking in her emotions. He began to rest his hand on her back, when they heard a cry from the bedroom.

"Mummy!"Rose wailed.

Ron instantly snatched his hand back. Hermione swallowed her tears and quickly walked to the bedroom. Rose was sitting up on the bed looking terribly confused. She rubbed her little fists on her eyes, while tears poured down her cheeks.

"It's alright darling. I'm here." At Hermione's voice, she removed her fists from her face and raised them in the air with open hands. Hermione picked up her sweet girl and held her close. Rose had settled down and was now relaxing into her mum. She breathed in her scent as well. She thought back to what happened in the kitchen.

You shouldn't have done that Hermione. You're not ready.

She scolded herself. She checked Rose's nappy and changed her into a fresh one. Hermione stood Rose on the bed to straighten her outfit.

"Are you hungry Rosie?" Hermione spoke quietly but got close to her daughter's face- the tips of their noses touching. Rose nodded and giggled quietly.

"Are you? Are you SO hungry Rosie?" Hermione started to tickle her sides and give her kisses all over her face. Rose shrieked and laughed, falling onto the bed as Hermione continued to find her most ticklish spots.

Ron appeared in the doorway. He crossed his arms and watched the scene before him. Hermione was laughing as Rose broke hers with shouts of 'mummy!' For the second time that night he heard the sound. He couldn't remember the last time he heard it before then, even longer than three years. In the kitchen, it had been a small polite laughter. This, this was unbridled laughter; it was music to his ears. A grin spread across his face.

"How are my girls?" Startled, Hermione stopped at once, and Rose took the opportunity to escape her mother to stand wobbling on the bed and rush towards Ron. Ron was there as soon as she stood.

"Daddy!" Rose flung her arms around him as Ron enveloped her in his arms and plucked her from the bed. Hermione stepped back and watched, she did not miss the not so subtle 's' added to the end of girl. Rose pulled back to look at Ron, giving him a smile.

"I heard mummy say someone was hungry." Rose nodded her head.

"Rosie hungee!" Her smile spread even more looking at the father and then to her mother. Ron laughed.

"Well then, let's go eat, shall we?" They headed into the kitchen. Hermione had already set up the high chair and laid a bib on it. Ron placed Rose in the high chair and fastened the bib securely on her neck while Hermione set to work cutting up Rose's food. Ron made Hermione's and his. They ate a semi-eventful dinner. Ron hadn't seen toddlers eat in quite some time, so he was entertained with the mess Rose was making. Hermione kept fairly quiet and watched the two interact. By the time they were done eating, Rose was in desperate need of a bath. Covered in tomato sauce, Ron picked up the child, as Hermione started to fill the bathtub. Once there, Hermione began to remove Rose's clothing. Ron looked nervous and averted his eyes. Hermione gave a small laugh and shook her head.

"You're going to have to look if you're ever going to do this yourself." She looked at him and raised her eyebrow. Ron slowly turned around and walked toward the bath.

"Ducky! Ducky!" Rose squealed as Hermione pulled out her bath toys. Rose's favorite had always been the yellow rubber duck which would suck up water and squirt it out its beak. Rose clutched the toy to her chest giving it a hug, and held it out to her dad.

"Ducky!" She squeezed it and a shrill squeak came out, causing her to become ever more excited. Ron gave a chuckle as well, still standing by the bathroom door. Hermione picked up the wiggling child and set her in the tub; sitting on her knees by the tub. Rose sat down and continued to take her duck under the water and fill it with water, spraying it back at herself. Hermione smiled, and turned to look at Ron. She met his eyes and she nodded her head towards the spot next to her in front of the bath. He proceeded towards her and kneeled down, copying her. Hermione showed him how to make sure to completely rub in the shampoo and tilt her head backwards so the soap wouldn't get in her eyes.

The bath time went smoothly, and Hermione couldn't believe what a natural Ron was. He listened to everything she said about caring for Rose, and executed it flawlessly. Ron wrapped Rose in a fluffy towel and dried her off. Hermione set out Rose's pajamas, and helped Ron dress their daughter. It was much easier this time, due to Rose's cooperation. They made it back in the living room, where Rose was contently playing with the toys Hermione brought back from their cottage. They were all sitting on the floor, Rose in between Hermione and Ron. Hermione was leaning back on the sofa, as she stifled a yawn. Ron looked over at Hermione. She was clearly exhausted. Her shirt was rumpled, with splatters of pasta sauce sprinkling the front and patches of slightly damp fabric from Rose's bath. She was curled up on her side as Rose brought her toy over to her as she spoke nonsensical sentences. As Rose went back to show Ron her toy, Hermione yawned again.

"If you want to take a shower, I can watch Rose." Hermione looked back to him after realizing he was speaking to her.

"I mean, you were at the hospital for a while, and I'm sure you could use some time to yourself…" Ron continued. Hermione looked at him, unsure if he was ready to handle Rose by himself when she was awake. She glanced at Rose who was talking to her stuffed animals. She seemed perfectly happy… Maybe she could take a few minutes to herself.

"That sounds wonderful." A grin spreading across her face.

Hermione decided it would be best to slip away while Rose was distracted. She didn't want her to have a repeat of earlier in the day. But, as Hermione walked through the doorway to Ron's room, she peeked back at her daughter still happily playing with her father and her toys. At that, she questioned if Rose even would be upset if she left. She continued to her suitcase from which she grabbed a clean set of knickers, some sweatpants and a modest sleep shirt, and her toiletries. As she walked into the bathroom she turned the nozzle to a hot temperature, and began brushing her teeth. Hermione undressed as steam filled the room. She took her time in the shower, loving every moment under the hot cascade. The water bouncing firmly off her back, lathering her hair with shampoo, the scrubbing of her skin and scalp felt so refreshing. She hadn't showered in days, and it was everything she imagined it to be.

She just finished drying her hair when she heard a scream, the sound of running feet, and then a small thumping on her door.

"MUMMY!" Rose shrieked from the other side of the door. Through another wailing cry she heard Ron speak, hearing the slow rise of panic in his voice.

"Rose, love, it's okay! Mummy's right inside the door." Hermione sighed, and quickly threw on her clothes.

"I'm here Rosie! Mummy's just getting dressed." Hermione was pulling up her sweats as she spoke.

I guess leaving her with Ron and in a new environment was just too much for her...

She opened the door, and instantly crouched down, knowing that the tot would throw her small arms around her neck, and cling to her while the sobbing slowed down. Hermione wrapped her arms around Rose and squeezed gently.

"Shhh sweetheart. It's alright, mummy's here love," Hermione whispered soothingly into her hair. Hermione stood, as soon as she did, a small pair of legs wound around her torso. She paced over to the bed and sat, turned her body so her legs were spread along the bed and her upper body leaned against the headboard. Ron stood watching as Hermione crossed her ankles and gently rocked side to side, giving her kisses and snuggling into Rose's neck.

Some moments later, Rose's sobs turned into small hiccups, and then into slow breaths, thoroughly exhausted after the events of the day. She brought her face from the crook of Hermione's neck, up to rest on Hermione's chest. She lowered her arms to her sides as she was too fatigued to clutch her mum any longer. Hermione knew it had been a tiring day for all three of them. She stroked her hand over her daughter's red curls and spoke softly.

"Maybe daddy would want to read you a story before bed?" Hermione asked, looking at Rose and then to Ron. Rose nodded her head, not having the strength to lift it from Hermione. Ron Accio-ed a book from Rose's nappy bag, and walked over to the bed. Hermione was still sitting up against the headboard; Rose facing the opposite direction he was. Ron wasn't sure how Hermione would react, but he went with his gut. He tentatively walked around the bed and sat down. Getting comfortable, he rested his back like Hermione and stretched out his lanky legs among the bed. Scooting closer, he was almost brushing shoulders with her. He took a breath and began reading. By the end of the story, Rose was sleeping deeply on Hermione. Ron smiled at the sight.

"Well, that happened nicely." Hermione gave a confused look to him. He looked back, not fully prepared for how it would sound. The last thing he wanted was to send the wrong signals.

"I mean, if you're staying here, I wanted you to sleep in here; while I sleep on the couch! So, erm, you and Rose can be in one room, and you can stay comfortable..."

Real smooth Ron.

He cringed at his words. Hermione bore into Ron's eyes, trying to hide her skepticism of what his true meaning was. Ron continued.

"I didn't get a cot for Rose, when I went to town I completely forgot," He sheepishly muttered while he closed the book and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.

"That's alright. I didn't expect you to get one for only a few nights."

Hermione looked down on Rosie, curling one of her auburn ringlets around her finger. Doing so, she missed the look of hurt that flashed across Ron's face. He changed his facial composure quickly.

"I forgot to shrink hers and bring it with me. So, I guess that means she's staying right where she is tonight," She whispered with a small smile.

Ron looked at the two. He knew he loved them more than anything in the world. He knew this was a sight, the two of them, so innocent, so loving, and right here with him. Ron was lost in his thoughts when Hermione realized he didn't respond. She removed her eyes from Rose and turned them to Ron. He was staring at the two of them, meeting his eyes she saw a mix of emotions, but one very strong one... she thought back to a night where she had seen that same emotion overtake him before. Ron broke the eye contact.

"I guess I'll head to bed then." Ron cleared his throat and changed his focus to Rose. He leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the head, making him dangerously close to Hermione.

"Goodnight darling, I love you," He whispered to her. He pulled back to see her head turned toward him, cheek squished against Hermione's body. Her small nose was slightly red. Her lips puckered out and slightly open as she took soft breaths, occasionally moving a bit as if looking for her dummy. He gave a lopsided grin, and started to carefully move off the bed.

He placed the book on top of the nappy bag and stood to face his girls again. Noticing Hermione was almost literally pinned down, he spoke.

"Do you need anything?" He tried to keep his voice formal. There would be nothing in the world he wanted more than to stay with them, but he knew if he stayed any longer, he would risk losing both of them again.

"I'm alright. Thank you, Ron. For everything." Hermione felt tears warm her eyes. Ron nodded, murmured a welcome, and held the door handle. He turned to look at the pair once more.

"Goodnight Hermione." He pulled the door closed, and just before it gave a final click he heard her whisper.

"Goodnight Ron."

A/N: Whew! Two in one night! I'm not a fan of writing and then not sharing it with y'all. I'm far too eager to hear what you think! It often influences what I write. Hope you enjoyed this one! More to come.