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

Chapter 15

Hermione was still standing in front of the now empty fireplace when Ron spoke.

"Could you take Rose for a minute?" He asked, shifting her on his shoulder. Hermione turned to him and took the sleepy child from his arms. Rose languidly adjusted in her hold, tightening her grip on her lamb as she pulled an arm up grasping Hermione's shirt in her first.

Ron brushed down Rose's curls before he left the room. A few moments later he returned and gestured Hermione toward his bedroom. She followed him slowly; unsure of what was to happen next.

Once Hermione entered the room she noticed a crisp white cot with a perfectly fitted mattress inside, covered in a tight pastel yellow bed sheet with white polka dots spread across the fabric. A large, pink, shiny, bow was attached to the front of the white wooden panels. Ron stood awkwardly to the side of the cot with his hands in his trouser pockets. Hermione's mouth opened in surprise at the item Ron purchased for their daughter.

"I figured she needed a cot of her own until she's big enough for her own bed." Ron began nervously. "I mean, the bed's large, but now she has a space just for her…" He trailed off. It took Hermione a moment to react to his words, unable to process the meaning behind the gift. 'Obviously he wants his daughter here with him.' At the thought, Hermione decided to test the waters.

"It's beautiful Ron. But, there's really no need. Rose will be able to Floo tomorrow evening, and-"

"Yea, I wanted to speak with you about that." He cleared his throat, removed his hands, and walked toward the bed. He leaned over to the other side and picked up Rose's blanket that had been discarded from the night before. He rubbed the material in his fingers a few times and then paced over to Hermione holding the blanket out to her.

"Why don't we talk after Rose is put to bed?" Hermione nodded in agreement knowing that was a conversation she was not excited to have. Ron bent down toward the small child.

"I love you Rosie." He whispered and kissed the top of the, now sleeping, toddler's head and left the room.

Hermione exited the bedroom pulling the door until it was almost shut. She wiped her face with her hands, taking a deep breath in. As she exhaled, she moved her hands to her hairline, and smoothed it down the back of her curls. Hermione continued with the deep breathing as she slowly walked into the living room where she found Ron sitting in one of the padded chairs with two fresh cups of tea and a steaming kettle on the table. She walked over to the couch, in front of the second teacup, and carefully sat down.

Ron looked at the curly haired woman; her posture was rigid. She sat with her back straight as a board, legs directly in front of her with her feet flat on the floor. There was no comfort in her pose. Ron was familiar with seeing her like this, like she was about to take an exam. Extremely focused, serious, intense; she was prepared for a fight. He adjusted his own posture to make the situation less tense, reaching forward to push the teacup closer to Hermione. She glanced up at him and he gave her a small smile. She visibly relaxed as she picked up the tea and took a trivial sip. Ron figured that it would be the best time to begin.

"Hermione, I know Rose will be able to Floo again tomorrow evening. I reckon you're planning on returning to America tomorrow as well." Ron looked at Hermione trying to read her reaction to his statement. She kept an emotionless look, not meeting his eye, confirming Ron's suspicions.

"I can't have her go Hermione. I've missed over two years of her life, I'm not missing anymore." Ron swallowed again. A lump seemed to be forming in his throat and tears started to blur his vision. He coughed to clear his throat, when Hermione looked up.

"You're right. I am planning on moving back to America with Rose. We can visit on weekends, and you can come see her anytime you'd like-" She explained when Ron cut her off.

"No. No, I can't not see her for a week and then see her for two days? And what if I'm on assignment?" Ron argued, attempting to keep his emotions under control.

"Then you can come visit after you get back. Ron, we'll sort it out. But, she only knows America! That is her home." Hermione sighed, leaning against the back of the sofa. But, Ron wasn't done.

"That was your decision. I know that something went wrong –letters went missing or weren't delivered or something- I get that. Maybe you wouldn't have moved if you got them. The fact is you left and made another place her home." Hermione started to speak but Ron continued.

"You tried to make America her home, but her home is where her family is. Her family is here, in England. I'm here. Harry and Ginny are here. Mum and dad and all my siblings are here. You could be here too Hermione." He ended weakly on that last point, breathing heavily.

Hermione thought about what Ron had said. She had plenty of reasons to move her daughter across the globe. However, she had to admit Ron was right, she was the one who moved her child. She did make America her daughter's home. She wanted to come back to England. It was her home, and she missed it dearly. She also wanted to raise her daughter somewhere she knew. She had to think if it was worth moving back. What would it be like here?

Ron leaned forward and gently put his hand over Hermione's that was set on her knee. She snapped her head up to look at Ron. He squeezed it gently and spoke.

"I know your brain is working a hundred kilometers an hour right now. So, I'll make this short. I am not leaving Hermione. From now on, I am going to be part of Rose's life. Hopefully, a large part, but that decision comes from you. You and Rose belong here."

Hermione looked down at Ron's hand on hers. It was really the first touch they've shared since the night three years ago. She could already feel her heartbeat pick up in speed. She took a deep breath.

"I'm not going to say yes right now. Nor am I saying no." She looked to Ron; his eyes full of hope. "I'll think about it."

Ron smiled and squeezed her hand once more. "I'll take what I can get. Thank you." He removed his hand and stood. He took out his wand and vanished the items on the table to be cleaned in the kitchen. He stretched and nodded toward the other end of the flat.

"When I got Rose's cot, I also got a bed for me. I couldn't spend another night on that sofa." He chuckled slightly.

"You can have your room back; I don't mind taking the spare." Ron shook his head.

"No. It's fine. Besides, Rose is already set up and comfortable in there." He shrugged and gave a small smile again. "Goodnight Hermione."

"Night Ron." She whispered as he already turned and walked to the guest room.

Early the next morning Ron awoke and got ready for the day. Before he started breakfast, he peeked into the master bedroom to check on the girls. Hermione was turned to the side and sleeping heavily by the look of it, while Rose was sitting up and yawning in her cot. She looked around sleepily while clutching her lamb tightly to her side, only able to use one of her hands to rub her eyes. Ron entered the room and gathered the small child to let her mother sleep.

After a new nappy and fresh clothes, she was prepared for the day. Ron cooked up breakfast and fed Rose. While he was cleaning her from the oatmeal mess, he glanced toward the door which hid Hermione. He couldn't help but wonder why she was taking so long.

"Daddy play now?" Rose asked as he did a final wipe of her face with a washcloth. He chuckled as he pulled the fabric away from her face.

"Sure, love. We can go play." She giggled with joy at the statement. Ron removed her from her high chair, pecked her on the cheek, and set her on the floor. She instantly grabbed his hand and pulled him to the living room. She gathered up her toys and brought them over to Ron, who sat on the floor next to Rose. She dumped her toys on his lap and proceeded to hand some to Ron.

After some time, Hermione exited the bedroom fully dressed in day attire. She saw Rose playing with Ron on the living room floor. As she walked closer, Ron looked up and grinned at her, while she was stifling a yawn.

"Morning. There's extra breakfast with a warming charm in the kitchen." As Ron spoke, Rose turned to see her mum watching them from a distance.

"Mummy!" She jumped to her feet and ran toward Hermione with her arms stretched wide. Hermione bent down and caught her daughter in a tight embrace. She gave a few kisses to the side of her face, as Rose squirmed and turned herself in Hermione's hold to face her father.

"Daddy play with me!" She exclaimed as she bounced on her feet, causing her auburn curls to spring as well.

"I see that. Daddy's good at playing, isn't he?" Rose nodded her head in agreement. Hermione gave her another peck on the head and released Rose to run back to Ron. Hermione smiled letting her eyes linger on the sight, before moving to the kitchen. Twenty minutes later, Hermione was finishing the last of her tea in the living room. She chose to sit in a stuffed chair looking down at her bubbly child.

"The weather is nice out today. It's not supposed to get too hot. I was thinking maybe we could go to the park for a bit." Ron suggested as he rubbed the lamb's ear in his fingers. He looked up once he finished the sentence. He was hoping this would be an opportunity for them to go out as a family… and for Hermione to see that they would work. He was running out of time to convince her. Ron checked the St. Mungo paperwork; Rose would be able to Floo that evening.

"As lovely as that sounds, and as much as Rose would enjoy it; no one knows about her. I can't risk the Daily Prophet finding out, especially before we tell your family." She sighed, setting her teacup on the table, and folding up her legs and tucking them underneath her. Ron turned fully toward her, focusing on what he would say to Hermione. Rose noticed the loss of his attention, and upset, she walked over and sat on his lap, looking toward his face.

"I've thought about that as well. We could go to a muggle park. I know of one not too far from here. We could catch a taxi to drive us in." At this point, Rose had put her chubby hands on each side of Ron's face, gently pulling it down to look at her.

"Daddy! No talk to mummy. Play with Rosie!" She commanded, quickly adding a small, "Pwease." Ron smiled a crooked grin and kissed her quickly on the nose and pulled her into a hug. He looked at Hermione over Rose's shoulder and around her head.

"You thought of that yourself?" Hermione questioned. "You know what a taxi is? Since when did you learn so much about the muggle world?" Her eyebrows were raised in curiosity, something very familiar to Ron. Rose left Ron's lap, happy to have his attention again, and went to flip through one of her books.

"Always a tone of surprise." He laughed. "You learn a lot being an Auror." Hermione pondered the situation while nibbling on her bottom lip.

"You're sure it'll be safe? It's far away from anyone who would recognize us?"

"Absolutely, Hermione. Besides, it's a Monday. Most people would be at work." Hermione decided that Rose would love the day out, and she wouldn't mind it much either.

"Alright, let's go then."

Their morning was spent with laughter and fun. Rose loved playing on the muggle playground. The swings were her absolute favorite, which made Ron excited for her future flying skills. Rose had been to parks before in America, but they were often filled with children, as Hermione worked every weekday and could only take her on the weekends. She often spent the time anxious about every move her daughter made, in case she got hurt, wandered off, or was taken by a stranger. She also didn't like taking Rose anywhere alone. She always tripled checked that she had her wand in case they ran into trouble. The war left her even more apprehensive about any form of crowd in her outings. Hermione never looked forward to the trips, but knew Rose needed time outside playing.

However, this trip was much different. She was able to take a step back and instead of being the constant provider, she could be an observer. Rose was excited to play with both of them, but Ron was new in her life, and he hadn't worn his welcome quite yet. Hermione rolled her eyes thinking about how many times she heard the word 'daddy' that day. She was quite enthralled by him. Hermione supposed it was because Ron was only a person in a picture to her before. Now, he was here in real life, able to play, snuggle, kiss, and overall, love her.

After eating lunch in a muggle café, they walked on the pavement as Rose stood between them and reached her small arms out on each side to grasp their hands. Hermione laughed and grinned down at her daughter, who was singing her own made up song. She thought this was something she could get used to. She felt like a family then, the three of them.

The weather began to heat up, so Hermione discreetly cast a sun block charm on Rose. Also feeling thankful Ron dressed her appropriately in a light purple polka dot sundress with open-toed sandals. Rose gasped and pointed straight ahead of her.

"DUCKIES! Daddy! Mummy! Duckies!" She screamed, and sure enough just ahead was a group of ducks waddling by a pond. Rose led them closer and sat underneath the shade of a small tree. Ron laughed at his daughter's reaction. He couldn't believe how excited she would get for the simplest things. Hermione also chuckled and looked around. Across the park on the asphalt path, there was a small ice cream cart. Hermione told the pair that she would go get some and be back in a few minutes. Rose could not have cared less what her mother said to her; she was too focused on the ducks.

Hermione stood in the long line of people waiting to get their ice cream. The line wrapped behind a corner by a line of tall, lush plants that blocked the view of the pond. School must have recently been released causing the park to flood with children. She wished the older man who was operating the cart would have put it in the shade; instead, he and the others in line were all standing in the sun. As she pondered if she should cast a nonverbal cooling charm a voice spoke behind her.

"Looks like luck's on my side today. Standing behind such a perky arse." Hermione's eyebrows knit together in surprise and rage as she turned to confront the speaker.

"Excuse me?" She retorted, after completely turning around she almost brushed into his chest because he was standing so close. She took a step backwards and looked at the man, as she gripped her wand inside her trouser pocket. He was a few inches taller than her, but not nearly as tall as Ron. He had rich black hair that was spiked at the ends, and wore a tank top, showing off the rippling muscles in his arms.

"Whew! Nice pair of tits too! And a pretty face. Quite the bird, aren't you?" Hermione was flabbergasted. Of course she has had people speak about her before, but never so vulgar, and to her face.

"How dare you make perverted comments like that about me! I am a woman, not an object. There are children around, you disgusting git!" She kept her voice harsh and low not to alert the kids playing around them. He took a step closer to Hermione leaning down a bit.

"Well we could take this somewhere without kids around. What do you say, love?" Hermione's heart started to beat faster. She felt extremely uncomfortable; didn't other people see what was going on? She glanced back and noticed the man at the ice cream cart was too far to be able to see her, and from his angle, possibly blocked too. Leaving them practically alone in that area.

"Get away from me. I am here with my family. Now leave me alone." She spoke very seriously so her point could not be mistaken. He reached down to her left hand and pulled it roughly up to his face, so quickly that her sweaty palm lost its grip on her wand. He examined her fingers as she squirmed to try to yank her hand away.

"I don't see any ring. I think you're just a hot bird playing hard to get." He grasped her other hand and pulled her toward him again. Hermione panicked and was just about to scream when another voice entered the struggle.

"Let her go." A voice cold as stone was speaking now. Hermione whipped her head to see Ron standing straight as a board, holding Rose closely in one arm, his other hand by his side, ending in a white knuckled fist. The man instantly sized up the redhead, possibly concerned about the height difference, and the rage on his face, released Hermione. She instantly took several steps away from the man, and toward Ron.

"We were just having a little conversation. No harm done. Right, love?" The man smoothly spoke while raising an eyebrow in challenge. Ron passed Rose to Hermione's arms and stepped toward the man, using his height and his build as an advantage.

"Don't call her that." Ron hissed. He then went on to tower over the smaller man and continued to speak in a tone that Hermione couldn't hear. Rose entwined her arms around Hermione's neck letting out a small whimper. She could tell something was wrong and was becoming scared. Hermione hugged her tighter, and smoothed down her curls to reassure both Rose and herself.

"Got it?" Ron spat. The other man nodded his head and with a queasy look on his face, left quickly. Ron watched him go and turned to Hermione. By that time, no one else was around and it left the three now under the shade of a nearby tree.

"You alright?" Ron asked as his features softened and looked concerned. Not trusting her voice, she only nodded her head and rocked Rose gently, hoping that the shaking in her hands had calmed down.

"Let's head back, okay?" Hermione swallowed and nodded in affirmation again. Ron pulled Hermione close and tucked his arm around her waist, resting his hand just above her hip. She stepped in closer to his embrace, and rested her head on his chest as they walked away from the park.

When they returned to Ron's flat, Hermione laid Rose down in her new cot for a kip. She quietly slipped out of the room, shutting the door behind her. Heaving a huge sigh, she leaned against the door, and let her eyelids fall to a close as well. She was exhausted from the wave of adrenaline that rushed through her earlier. The witch couldn't have been more grateful that Ron was there. Yes, she could have handled it herself, but Hermione had to admit that she panicked and made a mistake. Images fluttered through her mind as she started to ponder what could of happened if Ron didn't show up.

"Did she go down easy?" Her eyes popped open as Ron's voice broke into her thoughts. Her eyes found him quickly. He was standing a few meters away leaning his shoulder on a wall with his arms crossed against his broad chest.

"She did." Hermione croaked. She cleared her throat, but it seemed like her emotions were winning.

"Thank you for being there today. I didn't me-" Her voice cracked at that last part, and tears flooded her eyes. She bit her bottom lip as sobs racked her torso, and shook with tremors coursing through her body. Ron reacted instantly moving to engulf her in his embrace. She opened quickly to him, as his comforting arms wrap around her body. Another cry plagued her and Ron squeezed tighter. She didn't know how long Ron stood there rocking her gently back and forth, whispering words of security, and giving small kisses to her hair.

Eventually she felt her sobs turn into sniffles, and tears were almost gone. Ron lowered his arms from her back to her waist, as she pulled back to look him in the eye. He gave a hint of a smile at her and gently tucked wayward curls behind her ear.

"Better?" She could see the honesty in his eyes. She nodded and wiped her face with her hands.

"I haven't been good with crowds or going out since the war…" She inhaled deeply and sniffed while a few extra tears leaked down her cheeks.

"We always had to be on our guard you know? And the moment I let mine down today…" A dry sob caused her breathing to become erratic. He moved his hands to cradle her face, her sight instantly snapping back to meet his eyes.

"You don't have to explain Mione. I understand. The war messed me up too." He attempted another smile, but she could see moisture start to accumulate in his eyes. They stood there staring into each other's eyes, both of them realizing just how much they missed the person they were currently holding. Ron began to dip down a bit, leaning closer to Hermione; his eyes flitting between her eyes and lips.

Just as she was about to push up on her toes to meet his lips, a tapping sound came from the kitchen window. The pair turned their heads simultaneously toward the sound to see a large grey owl perched on the edge beating it's beak against the glass. Ron sighed heavily and turned back to Hermione.

"Why don't you rest before dinner tonight? You'll probably need it with seeing the whole family again." Hermione exhaled, and gave a small nod, while mentally cursing the owl. Ron looked in her eyes again before leaning in and giving a small kiss to her forehead. Hermione closed her eyes the moment his lips touched her skin, exhaling slowly. He pulled back and removed his arms from around her, leaving to go attend to the owl.

Hermione couldn't help but notice the chill that had come over her body once he broke all contact. She turned, rubbing the goosebumps from her flesh, and walked back into the bedroom where her daughter was snoozing. She laid on the bed and the last thing she thought before dozing off was how her life could be living in England with Rose and Ron.

A/N: I truly hope you enjoy this chapter. When I sketched chapter 15 out, this is not what it looked like. But, I thought, why not? We need to see a little hope for their relationship. After all, this is a Romione fic. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I take in everything you all have to say and it really does help me form the story!

More to come!