Ron was woken early, startled as Hermione jumped out of their bed and ran into the en-suite. He leapt out of bed, instinct kicking in, wand drawn, before he realised what was wrong. He heard her being sick and stumbled to join her. He pulled her hair back and rubbed her back offering reassurance.

"There, there, let it out. My poor love. So sorry you have to go through this."

"It'll be worth it" she whispered as she finally lifted her head.

Ron fetched her the anti sickness potion and sat with her until the nauseousness passed. They freshened up at the sink, washing faces and brushing teeth in their his and hers sinks. Afterwards Ron picked her up and carried her back to bed.

"It's going to be a long 8 months, wife of mine"

"It'll be worth it" she repeated, grinning. "Hopefully the sickness will pass in a month of two."

Ron groaned, he couldn't bear to see her ill or hurt, Merlin knows how he'd cope with the delivery. But that could be thought about later, much later. For now, they could cuddle in bed. He reached for his wand.

"May I?"

"Of course Daddy, anytime you like" Hermione beamed at him as he cast the confirmation charm. They watched in silence at the little orbs floated to the three nearby heartbeats. It was reassurance for both of them.

"I could get used to hearing that. Daddy." He chuckled. "How long until the baby can talk."

Hermione laughed. He was so adorable. They kissed as he rubbed her belly. Even though there was no sign of a bump they wanted to connect with their little one. Ron wanted to show Hermione how happy he was. As their kissing got increasingly passionate she drew back.

"I'm so sorry, as lovely as this is, I'm absolutely starving."

"Wow, that's usually my line." he mumbled, still nuzzling her neck.

"Yes, I've read even in the first trimester women have a bigger appetite. Apparently growing a baby uses a lot of energy." She teased.

"You've been reading have you, well I never." He winked at her making her giggle. "Well your wish is my command. I look forward to feeding you up!" Ron hopped out of bed. "Just stay right here and rest. I'll be right back, we'll have breakfast in bed."

"Thank you, love. But nothing too heavy, I need meals to be small and often and we're due at the Burrow for brunch."

"Merlin, I can't wait to tell my Dad." He was so happy and excited. It warmed Hermione's heart seeing him like this. She prayed everything would work out for them. They were talking like there would definitely be a baby in 8 months time. She frowned, she shouldn't have called him Daddy, she was getting his hopes up and they hadn't even been in for the healer's assessment yet.

When Ron returned she was deep in thought, brow furrowed biting her lower lip. He peaked around the door frame. She hadn't noticed him. He took out his wand and cast the confirmation charm. He wasn't sure how near you had to be for it to work.

She looked up and smiled to see a little orb of light float from the hallway and into her chest, warming her, followed by another which entered her tummy.

"When you think we'll get bored of doing the charm?" she laughed. He was relieved to see her smile and joined her in bed. The tray he'd levitated upstairs settled on the bed in front of them. Hot buttered bagels, tea for her and coffee for him.

"Never!" he grinned mischievously. "You were lost in thought when I came up. I know that look. What's wrong?"

She sighed. Never a good sign.

"I'm just suddenly scared we're getting ahead of ourselves. What if the healer's assessment shows a problem this week, or the damage to my system doesn't let the baby grow to full term? I'm sorry I shouldn't have called you daddy." She took a deep breath. "Maybe I shouldn't have even told you until after the assessment, I was being selfish."

"Wow wow wow. Hold on a minute." Ron held up his hands, where on earth had that come from. How had she spiralled into this misery in the 10 minutes he'd spent in the kitchen?

"Firstly, I've been with you every step of this journey. I've been here since you found out about our fertility issues at 19 years old. You can't cut me out now, not when it's getting good. Secondly this journey has been bloody shite, no one deserves to suffer like this, and definitely not us. We helped save the bleeding wizarding world… is it too much to ask that we be afforded simple privileges like starting a family. It's such a normal thing for others to expect it but it wasn't guaranteed for us. Lastly, if this isn't it, if this doesn't work out, I pray that it does but I'm here for it right now. Let me enjoy these moments while we have this tiny bit of hope. Please let me be stupidly happy and call me daddy. It makes my heart jump. Our baby is in there right now and that makes us mummy and daddy right now. If it goes wrong, we'll deal with it together. I love you so much Hermione. Whatever happens, just know I love you so much."

He was red in the face trying to find a way to express himself. They hadn't spoken about babies since they'd made the decision to stop trying. All the difficult conversations had been had, all the tears had been cried. They'd picked themselves up and started their new path in life without looking back. Determined to carve out happiness for themselves as a couple.

Hermione had tears running down her cheeks. "Oh Gods, I love you too Ron. Please let this be it. You're right we deserve this, we'd be great parents."

They hugged, he cast the charm from behind her back making her giggle. She sniffed as he wiped her tears away. "I'm a mess" she laughed.

"My mess" and he pulled her chin towards him for a tender kiss. "Now eat, you need fuel."

She happily picked up a bagel and munched on it. After breakfast they cuddled until it was time to head to The Burrow.

….

Ron appeared at The Burrow's fireplace first, ready to help Hermione come through. She'd warned him it made her feel ill and he wanted to be there to catch her should she pass out again. Fortunately, she controlled the sickness having had the potion at breakfast. He had pulled over a chair and got her to sit down as soon as she arrived.

He looked around, The Burrow was so quiet. It was strange visiting home with no one else here. It was still comforting and inviting but soooo quiet. The Weasley family had exploded in size, all his siblings had partners and at least one child each never mind the adopted family like Teddy who was always welcome. His mum helped everyone with childcare and when they all got together for a celebration or a holidays the The Burrow was absolutely bursting at the seams. Just the way his parents liked it.

Today though was quiet. It was just him, Hermione, his Mum and Dad. A rare treat to have their full attention. He looked out the kitchen window to see them in the garden. His dad was sitting at the table reading the Daily Prophet in the sun, his mum levitating food onto the table and fussing about adding flowers to a vase. A gnome was peering out from behind a bush ready to steal something from the table.

When Hermione was feeling better he took her by the hand and headed out the kitchen door into the garden.

"Hi…Hello" they waved to his parents.

"Ah they're here! They're here Arthur!" Molly rushed towards them, meeting them halfway. She pulled Ron into a tight bear hug. He towered over her now but still appreciated a hug from his mum, probably even more so than when he was an awkward teenager. Not something he'd ever grow out of now he thought, nor would she let him.

She pulled back and took his face in her hands, beaming at him. "Mum" was all he could say suddenly choked up. The acknowledgement of the secret past between them.

"My darling boy, so good to see you" her eyes were swimming, holding back tears. She moved to hug Hermione and guide her to a seat.

"Oh Molly you shouldn't have gone to so much trouble, thank you for all of this, what a treat." Hermione looked appreciatively at the spread.

Arthur folded up his paper. "Hello you two. Glad to see you back safely from another mission Ron. How did it go? Success?"

"Ah you know Dad. Just the usual. Dodging curses, catching the bad guys, living the dream, you know." Ron laughed pulling up a chair next to him.

Hermione suddenly realised she still hadn't had the mission debrief, she'd meant to ask him about it this morning. She was already succumbing to baby brain. Later she thought.

Molly looked from Ron to Hermione to Arthur eagerly. She was positively bursting with excitement.

"Let me get you both a drink, what will it be, tea, pumpkin juice?" trying to distract herself. She honestly couldn't believe she'd managed to keep the big secret from Arthur.

"Juice for me please" said Hermione.

"Are you feeling better Hermione dear? You're still looking a bit pale. She was in a right state while you were away, Ron. Thank goodness for your mother, always knows what to do." Arthur smiled at his wife.

"Well umm sort of." Hermione looked to Ron. This was his moment and he should be the one to tell him.

"Oh dear, that doesn't sound encouraging. Maybe you should see a healer? A tummy bug should be passing by now, shouldn't it Molly?" Arthur was a bit concerned.

"Well the thing is Dad." Ron turned to face his dad properly. "Hermione doesn't have a tummy bug. She's…ummm…she's pregnant. We're going to have a baby." Ron's voice wavered so he stopped talking and just smiled at his father.

"Well I never. How did I miss that? Congratulations my boy. And to you Hermione, dear. Congratulations to both of you! Merlin, another grand baby. I'm losing count." He laughed getting up from his seat to hug them both. He paused, pulling back from Ron looking and looked with concern at his son's tear stained face, he looked around everyone, they all had wet cheeks.

"What is going on, this is fantastic news. Is everyone ok?"

"Yeah, yes of course. Sorry, I only found out last night. It's still something of a shock to us." Ron wiped his eyes with the heel of his palm. "You see, Hermione and I have been trying for a very long time and we'd given up hope of having our own family. We hadn't told anyone, but I believe mum can fill you in later. I just…I just can't believe I'm going to be a Dad too."

"Oh Ron, Hermione, I'm so sorry to hear that, we had no idea. But this is really fantastic news. You'll be a great father." Arthur slapped him on the back encouragingly.

"No one did. Until very recently" Ron looked to his mother and reached across to the table to take her hands. "Thank you for looking after her…them. I can't believe I wasn't here."

"Don't be silly Ronald, I'm always here…for all of you."

"Hermione's to go to St Mungo's for a full assessment this week. We'd really appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone just yet. There's every chance this might not work out for us. What did they say Hermione, high risk?" Ron explained.

Hermione nodded.

"Yes of course. But Molly you've known the whole time?"

"Only from when Hermione vomited all over the dishes then promptly passed out in the kitchen on Thursday morning." Molly laughed heartily. "It's the longest I've ever kept a secret from your father Ron, I'm so glad you've finally told him."

"Merlin" was all Arthur could manage to say.

Hermione watched the loving exchange between the Weasley's. She couldn't wait to share the news with her own parents. Their first grandbaby, she couldn't take the smile off her face. She was proud to be part of the Weasley family and thankful to be carrying another member of the clan. Ron rarely, if ever, had time alone with his parents. She thought it best to give them a moment to themselves.

"I just need to pop to the bathroom." she excused herself.

"Do you need any help? Are you feeling sick again?" Ron jumped to his feet then flushed realising his mum and dad were staring at his sudden chivalry.

"I'm fine, honestly Ron, relax. I'll let you know if I'm feeling unwell. Promise" she giggled. Indeed, this would be a long 8 months if she had to calm him every time she moved. Although she wouldn't have him any other way.

She used the bathroom but after rather than go back downstairs she went upstairs to Ron's bedroom. She loved his childhood bedroom, so many happy memories of visits to The Burrow, she'd been so comforted being here those few nights recently. She peered out into the garden and saw her husband deep in conversation with her in-laws. Suddenly Molly and Arthur both got up from the table and pulled Ron out of his seat into a hug. She was glad he had a little time with his parents, it was rare to get their undivided attention.

In the garden Molly took the opportunity to make good on her promise from Thursday. She leaned forward, taking his hands.

"Ron, Hermione told me everything, about your struggles trying to conceive. But not just that, she told me about how she found out merely a week after the battle. I've been thinking about it constantly and I need to tell you a few things. Firstly, I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you. I was consumed by grief losing Fred and I didn't…I didn't see that you and Hermione were in pain. I'm sorry."

"Mum stop. Stop please. You were going through enough and we had each other. We would have told you if we'd needed to. We had each other." He repeated, he felt bad his mum was apologising. He didn't want to worry her then, since or now. It had been their choice not to share.

"But you were only children. My poor boy. Anyway that leads me to the next thing I need to say. I am so incredibly proud of you. I've always been proud of you Ronald. It wasn't easy growing up in between the twins and Ginny. You've grown into the most remarkable man. What you did for Harry, bringing him into our family. Everything you did for the war. Everything you've done for that beautiful wife of yours. You've been a dedicated brother, especially to George and you're still sacrificing and saving people as an Auror. Ron, your father and I don't tell you enough, but we are so so proud, baby boy. Aren't we Arthur?"

"Yes, yes of course." Arthur was desperately trying to take in and process all that Molly was saying. He really needed to hear the whole story but regardless of these recent developments he knew Ron well enough to know he was proud of his youngest son.

Ron blinked back tears. Wow where the hell had this come from he thought. They pulled him out of his chair and held him tightly in a three-way hug, in the middle of The Burrow garden. He couldn't have been happier.