Thank you for reading - I'd really appreciate a review :)

I own nothing, just exploring what might have happened in those 19 years.

Hermione fell out of the fireplace at Willow Cottage, Ron was there to steady her, having arrived moments before, but could do nothing to stop the nausea. She bent over and threw up, right on their living room rug. He held her and before she could even gather herself he'd cleaned up the mess. He moved her to the sofa and accio'd the anti-sickness potion from the master bedroom en-suite before helping her drink it down.

"Oh that was silly. Why didn't I ask for some potion from your mum? I felt just fine before the floo. Sorry about that." she said, taking deep breaths.

"Not to worry. Easily fixed. I just wish you didn't feel so bad." he said, concerned for his wife.

"Well I don't feel bad constantly, it's really sudden. Plus, in some screwed up way I kind of like it. It makes it feel real." She said shyly, knowing that sounded idiotic.

"That's true. I just feel guilty. You'll just have to tell me what I can do."

"Oh I will! Don't worry about that." she said playfully. Moving sideways and reclining back she put her feet up on his lap. "You're already amazing, cleaning up my mess and fetching my potion. But you can continue by rubbing my feet. I think the baby would like that" she said with a cheeky grin.

"Oh would the baby like that?! I see. Well your wish is my command. You're lucky I'm in such a good mood Granger, you deserve a spank for being naughty." he teased.

Hermione giggled and swotted his arm. "Behave yourself Daddy!" She lay back and closed her eyes. She could feel the potion calming her insides and the room was no longer spinning. Ron removed her pumps and started to rub her instep with his large hands. It was bliss.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, she lifted her head to look at him. "How long have you got reprieve?" she asked.

"Back on duty Wednesday. But I've to attend debrief meetings on Tuesday first thing." He didn't lift his gaze to her, he'd been trying to avoid this subject for as long as possible.

"That's unusual? You haven't given me the mission run down yet? Usually we talk about it the moment you're home." Hermione sensed he was hiding something but the weekend was nearly over and she needed to hear about it.

Ron groaned, lifted his head back and winced at the ceiling.

"I know. I know. But this was a tough one and you had much more exciting news! I don't want to burst this little bubble." he groaned, rubbing one hand up a calf muscle.

"We'll I've to work tomorrow and Kingsley is scheduled with Bottcher for the ministerial debrief at 8am so you can either tell me now or I'll hear from him in the morning." she nudged him with her foot.

"Ugh don't gooooo…...take another sick day" he begged.

"No Ron. I can't. I've had two days off and need most of this coming week off for the healer's assessment. Merlin knows what I've missed already and I need to talk to Kingsley about the pregnancy and maybe cutting down." She sounded anxious.

"Ahhhm, definitely cutting down." He corrected her, raising his eyebrows pointedly.

"Let's see how the assessment goes. There may be no point." She said in a small voice.

Seeing her fear rise up again, he pulled out his wand and cast the confirmation charm. One little golden light floated into his chest, one into hers and the last tiny orb floated lazily into her tummy.

"Definitely cutting back." He repeated forcefully.

She gave a half smile. Happy he was keen to take care of her but that niggling doubt about the success of the pregnancy was still there.

"OK, ok, stop hassling me. Tell me about the mission. You know I need to know. Stop changing the subject."

"Alright, as long as you promise to believe this is going to work out for us until we're told otherwise. You'll take all the recommendations and cut down on work."

And there he was. The fiercely overprotective Ron that she loved.

"I promise." she conceded. He was right they had to maintain some sort of optimism and she needed to do everything within her control to protect the baby.

"OK, now we've cleared that up…." he raised his eyebrows again, this time questioningly, she smiled and nodded. "Good. Right well the mission was a bloody shit show."

"Ronald!"

"Well it was! We ended up on the southern coast, at the base of cliffs duelling five death eaters. It was really rocky, hard to keep our footing, the tide was closing in behind, waves hitting the rocks making it more difficult."

"Oh Ron, was the whole team there?" she winced, she needed to hear but hated hearing at the same time.

"Yeah, Harry and I had our full Alpha squad and a junior there. Should have been plenty of cover but the terrain had us on the back foot. The front team has really come together over the last year. It's amazing the improvement there is when they bond enough to trust one another."

"Well that's because they've the best leaders. That's how us three always survived, trusting our lives to one another." she smiled encouragingly and he smiled warmly back, continuing to rub her feet.

"A pair of them, Guther brothers, retreated into the caves, Harry and I went in after them. I saw the junior had been hit and Harry shouted to Hood to cover him. Check he was ok, protect him from further curses, that kind of thing. That left Banks, Mitchel, Everly and Smith dealing with the three death eaters on the rocks. Smith was trying to get into the caves after us but honestly the curses were flying and the access was difficult to reach. Could hardly look to see where to put your feet, waves crashing in, was nearly dark, it was bloody bedlam." Ron rubbed the back of his neck nervously. Hermione bit her lip not wanting to interrupt.

"Anyway, in the cave Harry and I had the two of them cornered, one on one. It all happened so fast. There was a split second where Harry slipped on seaweed or some shite, just the slightest stumble, it was hardly noticeable but as he looked down to regain his balance the guy he was duelling threw off a curse. I just about managed a shield charm for Harry while my guy got me with this" he pointed at his new scar on his forehead. "It was a really clumsy shield, I just didn't have time, it kind of hit the curse instead of getting in front of it. Anyway it ricocheted to the back of the cave above their heads, caused an explosion and collapsed the back end of the cave on top of them. Harry and I were thrown backwards but were back on our feet before the dust settled prepared to duel or deflect or whatever. We were both a bit shell shocked but ready to go again. When we realised they were under the rubble we tried to save them. The fella I was duelling was dead, instantly I think, don't think there was much we could've done from him. I think we both knew we weren't going to pull him out alive from the moment of the collapse. In the chaos the brother Harry had been duelling must disapparated. There was no sign of a body. We've no idea where he got to. No leads at the minute, he could be anywhere, doing Merlin knows what. We believe it was his older brother that was killed." Ron sighed sadly. He knew what it was like to lose a brother.

"You know what it's like bringing in a dead body Hermione. Harry and I were separated, interrogated, the whole team was. I have to prove I acted properly. It was being investigated over the weekend and I'll find out the verdict on Tuesday. But if I hadn't reacted Harry was a goner. I wouldn't have done anything any different. I didn't act to kill, it was just a bad rebound in an unfortunate location." He shrugged.

Hermione knew Ron well enough to know he was trying to suppress the weight of his true feelings. She knew he'd be devastated to have killed someone. Even inadvertently and in the line of duty. There was a time immediately after the war he was hell bent on revenge. But they'd all visited mind healers to help them cope with the trauma they'd suffered on the hunt and he'd undergone mind evaluations and training through the Auror academy. He'd grown so much and learned to control the pain and redirect it from revenge.

"Oh Ron, I'm so sorry. I didn't realise it had gone so wrong. I was preoccupied. I'm so glad you and Harry are OK. Sounds like you saved his life…. again." She gave him a weak smile.

"Ah you know how it goes. The ledger book will balance on the next mission. We trust each other with our lives constantly. That's how we work."

"No you are partners which run the British Active Field Auror Squad of 30 elite witches and wizards. You make it sound like you are newbie recruits. Honestly Ron."

"Thanks love. Yeah I'm proud of how the teams developed. We've come a long way in the last few years. I'm wondering when I can hang up my active field robes and swap out to something more desk based like strategy. Especially now…." He absentmindedly cast the confirmation charm again.

"Gods it's like you live in a different world on a mission. I'm just so…detached. Here I am at home finding out about this baby and you're across the country battling evil risking your life." Hermione's voice was getting higher and higher in pitch.

"That's how I want it. Our lives should be detached from this shite. Anyhow…that's the news. I'm sure I'll be called in front of Kingsley Tues and I'm sure I'll be cleared for duty on Wednesday. Ready to hunt the brother down." He grimaced. "Let's keep the scary stuff at bay for the rest of our weekend." He wanted to calm her and found it best to play down the details. He lifted his wand and cast the charm again thereby ending the conversation, they watched the orbs float about and grinned at each other.

"OK, but do you need to catch up with Harry before the meetings?" she still seemed concerned.

"Nah, I know I acted properly and he'll have my back. I trust him. Plus, I don't know if I'll be able to keep this secret when I come face to face with him again." He grinned widely and cast the charm. Hermione giggled.

"I know. But please try. I want to be there to tell him too. Are we…ummm…going to tell him about all the other stuff."

"I guess we should. I've hated lying about it all and he'd want to know. In the beginning it was easy to just not talk about it. Even when we got married we were still young enough and people didn't know we were trying. It was getting harder and harder though, what with all the other Weasley babies arriving. When Ginny got pregnant I knew it was a matter of time…I was actually going to quietly tell him something just to stop him joking about us getting 'up the duff' as he puts it." He laughed, performed the charm and placed his near hand on her tummy. "We should fill him in, especially now there's a real possibility of a happy ending."

"I agree. It has felt wrong to keep this to ourselves and for so long. It was a relief to talk to your mum this week. After the healer's assessment let's schedule a 'golden trio' get together" she giggled and paused. "I love you Ron."

"I love you, Hermione"

"Plans for this evening?" she asked.

"Let me see…. how about a bath, bed for cuddles and leftovers?"

"We can't have breakfast and dinner in bed Ronald" she laughed in mock outrage.

"Course we can. That's exactly what we're going to do actually. Let's shutout the world for the rest of the evening. You need to relax, this is going to be a long week." He grinned and pulled her off the sofa.

"I still need some physical activity, you know. " She winked at him.

"Is that so love"

"Absolutely…join me for the bath Daddy?"

"Absolutely" his grin splitting his face as he led them upstairs.

…..

On Monday morning Hermione arrived for work fuelled by anti-sickness potion. She was prepared with small snack meals, more potion and the healer's medical report which had been owl'd to Willow Cottage.

She arrived early, even for her, and was waiting anxiously in her office, listening for Minister Kinsley's arrival. She heard his booming voice and laughter coming up the corridor as he joked with his personal assistant about the weekend. Hermione was very nervous. She felt queasy and wasn't sure if it was the thought of letting down colleagues at work or just pregnancy nausea. She thought the latter unlikely as she was up to date with the potion. She jumped up from her desk and left her office to hover at the Minister's office door.

"Good morning, Hermione. Keen this morning I see." Kingsley smiled as he approached her.

"Good morning Minister. May I have a word?"

"Of course. Come in. We'll continue this later Penny" he dismissed his personal assistant. "Close the door, take a seat" he was slightly concerned. This was unusual behaviour for Hermione.

"Thank you."

"So what can I do for you at 7am on a Monday morning. I'm guessing it's not to ask how my weekend was."

"No, sorry Minister. I need to discuss something with you and I think the sooner I do the better. You have hardly a minute free in your schedule today. I couldn't find a space for a proper appointment."

"Don't be silly Hermione, I will always make time if you deem something of importance."

Hermione smiled and passed over the healer's report. It explained everything, very…clinically. It was direct and to the point which she appreciated. She knew she couldn't have explained the whole story without getting emotional. Handing over the report was an easier option.

Kingsley took it silently and spent the next 5 minutes reading it over. He folded the parchments and returned it to her.

"Magicae viam invenient. Incredible Hermione. Truly incredible. I'm thrilled for you and Ron. Such wonderful news. Congratulations to you both. Of course we will make arrangements to reduce your work pressure. Whatever you need. Your health and that of the baby is of utmost importance. I'll try my best to keep the ministry standing while you take leave. It'll be here when you're ready to return. Assuming you wish to? "

"Oh yes I do. I always wanted to have a career and I don't see why having a family should prevent it." She flushed. She'd never considered becoming a housewife. She'd worked hard at school and hoped to make a real difference in the world. Not that raising a family wasn't a noble path, she had the utmost respect for Mrs Weasley but it just wasn't her planned life choice. Her and Ron hadn't directly talked about it but she was sure he knew her feelings on the matter.

"Very well then. What do you need this week? It said you're to be assessed. Let's organise the immediate and book an appointment to discuss more long term arrangements next week."

"I can work today and Tuesday until lunchtime. I'm to attend St Mungo's 2pm Tuesday and will be there for the rest of the week. I need to hear the results of the assessment before I can say any further. Thank you for being so understanding. I know we're dreadfully busy and this is the last thing you need."

"Nonsense Hermione. This is what we fought for. Family and freedom. There are more important things than work. Can I ask who else knows before I speak out of turn?"

"Only myself, Ron, Molly and Arthur, oh and our healer. No one else. Not even Harry." Kingsley raised an eyebrow. "I don't want to tell people until we're sure." Tears welled in her eyes which she tried to blink back.

"Of course." He gave a warm smile, the report detailed their fertility history and Hermione was glad Kingsley didn't directly mention it. "I look forward to hearing good news next Monday."

"I'll schedule it with Penny right away."

Hermione left his office relief washing over her. Unsure why she ever felt so uneasy about telling Kinglsey. Possibly because a year ago she'd accepted this position thinking she could completely dedicate herself to it. Now she had the opportunity to have a family she was conflicted about her desire to have both. Would it make her a bad mother, would her job suffer? Both thoughts were ridiculous, rationally she knew it and pushed them to the back of her mind with the other niggling foolish thoughts that liked to plague her. She knew Ron would support her in whatever she wanted to do and having both should be perfectly acceptable.

The rest of Monday was busy. She sat in on the ministerial debrief from Bottcher, listening to the mission summary and the recommendations put forward regarding her husband's actions which had resulted in a prisoner death. It was uncomfortable listening to the statements of the Auror team in attendance. Harry's was particularly difficult to hear, but Hermione had developed a way of compartmentalising her work and private life. She felt able to treat work related connections with Ron and Harry impartially. Or as impartial as one could be considering it was her husband and best friend.

As usual it sounded as Ron had been modest followed with a healthy dose of being hard on himself. Harry's statement painted Ron as the hero, saving his life not just with the shielding charm but then pulling him out of the way of the cave collapse. Ron had come up with the strategy which had led to the capture of three death eaters who had been tracked since escaping from the Battle of Hogwarts and the follow up raid over the weekend seized many dark artefacts. The death of one was to be ruled an unfortunate accident and the escapee was placed highest on the person of interest list.

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. Ron had appeared nonchalant over the potentially serious career situation. She knew deep down he would be anxious over the outcome, as well as upset over the death.

She was so proud of him.