Ron woke in the middle of the night as his heavily pregnant wife shuffled, struggling to roll out of bed. He almost laughed out loud as he hopped out of his side and made his way around to help her. But one look at her face told him that it wasn't just one of her many pee trips. She looked grey, pale and clammy. Obviously trying not to be sick. Taking both her hands he gently pulled her to her feet, she leant forward and promptly vomited in the space between them. Ron winced but it wasn't the sick that bothered him, he'd hated watching her be so ill. Sickness was supposed to ease as pregnancy progressed but Hermione suffered throughout.

"Aw Love. Come on, let me help you to the bathroom." She stepped sideways over the mess and Ron put a supportive hand around her to make sure she was steady on her feet. She didn't answer him and that meant she wasn't done. He took her into the en-suite where she leaned over her basin, too big now to get down on the floor to kneel in front of the toilet. He pulled back her hair and secured it off her face with one of her giant clips. She stood there swaying slightly, taking deep breaths through her nose, eyes closed. She didn't look ready to swallow anything yet but he placed the anti-sickness potion and a glass of iced water beside the sink for her nonetheless. Stroking a hand down her back he noticed her pyjamas were damp with sweat. "Let me get you some fresh jammies…and I'll clean up in here." She nodded, still breathing heavily and gripping the basin.

Ron returned to the bedroom and tended to the puddle of sick with a swish of his wand. He'd perfected these types of cleaning charms after eight long nausea inducing months. Next he picked her a new set of pyjamas from the mahogany chest of drawers, choosing shorts as she was obviously too warm. Suddenly he wondered if the bed sheets were sweaty too and might need changing or at least a refresh. He pulled back the covers.

"What the fuck is that." He muttered to himself. There was thick black liquid on Hermione's side of the bed. Fuck…Fuck…Fuck. That's not right! He turned and ran back into the bathroom. Hermione was still clinging onto the sink, her knuckles nearly white. The same black tar-like substance coated between legs and was trickling down onto the floor. He rushed over to support her. "Hermione, are you ok?"

Trembling she jerked her head ever so slightly indicating no. She was definitely not alright.

"I'm going to summon the healers. Let's get you back to bed?" She looked at him wide eyed, scared and frantically shook her head before leaning forward and throwing up into the basin. Ron was starting to panic, this wasn't the plan, what the fuck was that black stuff. Not being able to communicate with his wife was freaking him out. He needed back up, using one arm to support Hermione he conjured his patronus.

"Terrier to Stag.

Emergency.

Code 1.

Solo.

Salix Cottage.

Now!"

As his silver terrier dashed off he caught Hermione as she passed out. He gathered her up in his arms, disgustingly reminded of the attack not so long ago, but this time he couldn't take her in the floo. Call it instinct but his gut was telling him she wasn't fit to be moved.

This wasn't the damn plan! They were going to check into St Mungo's at the first sign of labour or if her waters broke. But it was supposed to be like water, Monica mentioned a kind of clear liquid, maybe a bit of blood. No one said a fucking thing to him about black tar. He should have supported Monica's request to check Hermione into the hospital when she reached the 9-month mark. Why was his wife so damn stubborn!?

Still clutching his wand in the hand which supported Hermione's legs, he summoned the duvet off the bed and some towels from the bathroom. Arranging them on his side of the bed he laid her down on top of them. Purposefully not cleaning her or the bed…the healer's needed to see this.

The floo roared downstairs and footsteps thundered up the staircase. Ron was never more happy that Harry, Ginny and James had moved out of London, near to themselves at Willow Cottage and The Burrow. His patronus hadn't had far to go, it couldn't have been more than three minutes since he'd sent it.

"Ron?" Harry shouted as he got to the top of the stairs.

"In here." Harry arrived into the room and stopped abruptly taking in the scene, eyes landing on a very pregnant unconscious Hermione.

"Merlin…what…"

"There's no time. Floo to St Mungo's, straight into the private fireplace I showed you. Raise the alarm. Get Monica and a dark magic specialist here. Now!"

"Understood." Without another word Harry took a few strides to reach the fireplace in the master bedroom, grabbed floo powder and disappeared through green flames.

Ron returned his attention to his wife kneeling on the floor beside her, his hands automatically reaching for her head and stomach.

"Help's coming Hermione. Hang on Love. Hang on Rosie baby. They'll be here any minute."

He summoned a cloth from the bathroom, dampened it and wiped down her face. She was still grey, there was a sheen all over her skin where she'd been sweating but now she seemed cold. Her skin raised with goose bumps and her body involuntarily shaking in what he hoped was nothing more than a chill. Suddenly he remembered she wasn't supposed to be lying directly on her back and he gently pulled her onto her side. He couldn't remember why but he knew it was important this late on in pregnancy and chastised himself for forgetting. This gave him an opportunity to see that the black discharge hadn't abated, the towels now also covered. Not knowing what else to do he pulled a blanket up over her and prayed for Harry to hurry the fuck up.

"Ron? Ron!" Harry's face appeared in the fireplace, Ron scrambled over on his knees to speak to him. "Open the wards…I can't bring the healer's through."

"Fuck, sorry." Ron flicked his wand and removed their security enchantments. Hermione's wards were second to none, developed since they'd been in that god forsaken tent. Harry and Ron had even used adaptations for work, training Auror teams how to place wards effectively. Hermione had mastered how to control who could access where and when. Setting levels on their cottage to allow certain magical signatures entry and block others.

Everyone except Harry that is…even Willow Cottage's very highest setting didn't block Harry. The golden trio always have full access to each other's homes. Yes, sometimes they walked in on unexpected situations but they found free access necessary to keep them feeling safe and connected.

Ron hadn't anticipated how exposedand anxious he'd feel when he and Hermione had moved out of Grimmauld Place. He'd been living with both his best friends for years, save a few school holidays, then it wasn't just living in the castle or at The Burrow but sharing that tiny space while on the hunt. They lived and breathed one another.

Ron had felt sick to the pit of his stomach when he'd left during the hunt and that same feeling returned and festered when they'd moved out. He couldn't sleep without nightmares of something happening to Harry, who was home alone.

What should have been the happiest time of his life, wedding planning and settling into their new home, was nerve-wracking. The underlying unease of suddenly splitting the trio caused all sorts of consternation and he found it difficult to relax or sleep. Eventually he discussed it with his mind healer who suggested the three of them get together and talk it out.

Ron had felt embarrassed to speak the truth that was affecting him; it reminded him of those torturous hours after the battle when he couldn't even let them separate for a shower. However much to his relief the others admitted to feeling something of the same. It may have been years since the war but the trauma that bonded them would always be there. So plans and promises were made to help each of them cope. Open floo networks and invitations to one another's homes, breakfast at Harry's together before missions, dinner at Willow Cottage once a month…and they'd stuck to them…the routine and accessibility helped.

In the early days it wasn't unusual for any of them to be found unannounced in the wrong house. Sometimes Ron would go downstairs to find Harry sleeping on the couch, especially when Ginny was away training or for him and Hermione would take a sudden notion to stay in their room at Grimmauld Place. It was odd and unconventional but it worked for them and if it helped them feel safe who bloody cares.

Harry's head disappeared in the flames and Ron crawled back to the bed, possessively reaching for Hermione who was stirring. Harry appeared fully in the bedroom followed by Monica and three more healers. Harry immediately moved towards the bedroom door, obviously unsure if he should leave or not.

"Ron? What's happened." Monica was by his side.

"I dunno. She woke up and was sick. She was really hot and sweaty but now she's shivering. I came in to get her fresh clothes and change the sheets and I found this." He motioned to the black mess on the bed. "I didn't clean it because I wanted you to see it, in case it's important."

Ron didn't miss the look the Monica gave Harrison, the dark magic specialist. It made his heart hammer harder in his chest.

"Will I clean it up now? What can I do?" He asked helplessly.

"No Ron, we'll deal with it all. Can you wait in the hall while we assess the situation?"

Ron looked around dumbly as if deciding if he could do that. After a pause Harry came towards him, obviously an indication that he was going to be escorted from his own bedroom. Urgently Ron bent down and kissed Hermione's temple. "I'll be right outside Love. Be brave." He whispered into her hair. "You too little one." He rubbed the side of her stretched belly. Harry gently placed his hand on his shoulder and it spurred him to move.

Ron followed Harry out of the bedroom as the healer's sprang to action. He could hear cleaning and sanitisation spells being fired by the medi witch. Monica was checking on the baby, Harrison was investigating the black tar.

The door closed and again Ron felt numb. Instead of panicking or crying he suddenly felt very bare. Here he was standing in boxers and a t-shirt, which he hadn't noticed had his wife's sick all down the front, while his house was full of healers and Harry, all of whom were fully clothed. Shit he might be heading to St Mungo's in a moment…he needed to get dressed.

Knowing the laundry had been piling up he summoned himself clothes from the utility room. He didn't move from outside the bedroom door nor did he hesitate to remove the mussed up t-shirt in front of Harry. He replaced it with a clean one followed by a Gryffindor hoodie. Finally, he pulled on a pair of jeans, socks and summoned his runners which he knew he'd left at his ass under the coffee table in the living room.

"Should I go?" Harry asked.

"No." Ron said firmly, cutting him off.

They fell into silence for a few tense moments. Both leaning against the doorframe straining to hear what was happening on the other side.

"Do you think she's in labour?" Harry asked.

"Dunno mate." He shrugged, staring resolutely at the door handle.

"They'll be alright Ron." Harry nudged his foot with his own. "They've made it this far. They're going to be ok."

"They have to be." Ron lifted his gaze to Harry's, eyes swimming with unshed tears, tentatively nodding his head.

The door opened and they both jumped. Monica slipped out to join them in the hall.

"Ron, I need to talk to you."

"Go on. Don't worry about Harry, I'll tell him everything anyway."

Monica nodded, obviously expecting as much. "The baby was moving towards the birth canal which should have triggered labour however unexpectedly the dark magic seems to have tried to prevent that from happening. This is the most unusual case. We've never seen anything like this before. The damage…no one could have predicted this. There's been some sort of rupture in her womb."

"Rupture?" Ron didn't know much about wombs and birth but he sure as fuck didn't like the sound of rupture. "Rosie?"

Monica nodded. "The baby is ok. She's under a lot of stress though. We can't move them. The situation is too…delicate. We don't think Hermione would have the energy to naturally deliver even if we did rouse her. We need to get the baby out right now. Ron, you're her bonded kin. I need your approval to deliver the baby."

Ron stared at her dumbstruck. "But, but…this wasn't the plan." Even as he voiced the thought he knew it was a stupid comment to make. Monica knew their birth plan in as much detail as himself. Hermione having gone over her wishes at their last few appointments. She'd obviously planned it, researched it and wanted it to be as natural as possible.

"I know. Sometimes things just don't work out that way." Monica implored.

"You're…you're going to cut her?" Again feeling stupid for stating the obvious but he just wanted to make absolutely sure he was understanding everything.

"Yes. Ron, I know this is a lot for you to process but we need to get the baby out now and heal Hermione. Other…otherwise we could lose them both."

"Fuck it's that serious?" He ran a hand through his hair. Ron glanced at Harry, he'd paled and looked as scared as Ron felt.

"I'm afraid it is." Monica nodded solemnly.

"Do it." Ron confirmed. If this is what needed to happen then so be it.

"I need your magical signature." Ron reached out and grabbed Monica's forearm as she grabbed his. A thin purple coloured cord entwined their arms and glowed briefly as Ron wordlessly gave his permission for Monica to save his wife and baby. Once it was complete Monica wasted no more time and led them straight back into the room.

Ron barely recognised his bedroom. Bright lights were levitated to the ceiling producing a momentarily blinding illumination in the darkness of the night. His bed had been moved into the centre of the room and transfigured to be a much narrower, higher operating table. The bed clothes were gone, Hermione was in a hospital robe and there were trays floating beside healers holding potions and instruments.

"I'll be right here if you need me." Harry's voice broke his thoughts, he'd stopped at the threshold. With a final reassuring nod and sympathetic smile, he leaned forward and respectfully pulled the door closed. It was somewhat comforting to Ron knowing his best mate was just there in the hallway.

The medi witch hit Ron with sanitisation charms and moved him to stand at the top of the bed, behind Hermione's head. She was again lying on her back, looking serene, he recognised the glittery cloud sparkling weakly around her and realised she was under some kind of suspension again. He watched the healer's surrounding the bed. Monica level with Hermione's bump on her right side. Harrison on the left. He felt sick. He couldn't believe this was happening, they'd had such a nice evening, cuddling in bed. Who knew only a few hours later he was going to be forced to make these sorts of decisions.

They had to be ok, his girls. Hermione had suffered so much throughout this whole pregnancy, Rosie had defied the odds, she was strong, she was so close to being with them. If anything happened to either of them he wouldn't know how to cope. He pushed the panic and spiralling thoughts aside. He needed to be here, be present for them. He stroked her forehead with one hand, the other reached forward to her left shoulder.

"Ron, we'll cast a strong disillusion charm to prevent you from witnessing the procedure. Unless you've any objections?"

"N…no." He said uncertainly.

A magical curtain of fuzzy colour prevented him from focusing on Hermione's bump. Monica and other healers were reaching in and out of the unfocused area.

"Ok, we're making the opening. Rosie will be with you in a moment." Monica's voice calm like she did this every day. Of course she delivered babies every day, but not like this. Not in the middle of the night, outside of the hospital, with dark magic trying to stop the baby from being born. She'd told him as much, this wasn't a normal birth for her. But she sounded so reassuring, he was so glad it was her here performing this operation.

Ron watched the disillusioned area seeing shapes and colours moving but without letting him see the graphic detail of what was going on.

Then a cry. A baby's cry. Monica pulled the baby from the localised unfocused area and Ron laid eyes on his daughter for the first time. She was red and covered in gunk, her face scrunched up at the bright light and temperature change. A healer took the baby and Monica returned her attention to Hermione. His baby was taken to the side of the bedroom where she was placed on a cushioned matt resting on his set of drawers.

Ron left Hermione and moved to look over the medi witches shoulder. She cleaned and checked over the little one. Ron looked over his daughter in disbelief, it was all so sudden. Harrison joined them and flicked his wand over the child as well. There was a brief exchange between Monica, the medi witch and dark magic healer but Ron didn't catch what they were saying. He was totally enthralled by the tiny person crying from the mat. Finally, after what felt like forever the healer placed a small knitted hat on the baby's head and wrapped her tightly in a blanket.

"Are you ready to meet your Daddy, tiny witch? Here's your little one, she's absolutely perfect Mr Weasley." The healer said, offering the bundle to Ron. He awkwardly accepted the package, shocked someone would hand the child to him, terrified he might drop her. He couldn't help thinking how large and uncoordinated his hands felt. Little Rose was content now, swaddled tightly, warm and adjusting to the new environment. Her blue eyes fluttered to the new Daddy, who was completely speechless, lost in the moment being introduced to his daughter. "Now then, can we take you into another room? This wee one will need to be fed."

Ron looked up at the healer confused. "But…Hermione…she wanted to breastfeed." He turned his attention back to his wife who was still unconscious and being worked on by three healers. He'd almost forgotten she was still fighting for her life while he was distracted meeting Rose. Fucking prat, he chastised himself. Monica was completely focused on Hermione and it scared the living shit out of him. Talk about a bittersweet moment.

"I'll express some of Hermione's milk and bring to you." The medi witch offered.

Ron nodded and looked at his daughter. She was blinking rapidly like she was trying to focus on his face but the bright lights were blinding her. Realising the healer was right, the baby didn't need to be in here while her mother was being operated on. He knew what he had to do. Ron took one last look at Hermione and determinedly moved to the door. Harry stepped back and Ron motioned for him to follow him into the newly furbished nursery.

"Sit." Ron instructed. Harry sat in the rocking chair looking slightly confused but obedient. "So here's the thing…they've delivered the baby but…but…Hermione's not ok. The healers are still working on her and…I dunno if she's going to make it and I can't be in two places at once. They say this one's healthy and safe so I think I need to be with Hermione." Harry nodded just taking it all in. "The medi witch is going to bring some of Hermione's milk in here, can you…err..please feed the baby and I dunno burp her and do all the things you're meant to do with a new born." Harry continued to nod his eyes widening as the explanation went on. "You know what you're doing better than I do anyhow mate." Ron gave a sad chuckle at his half arsed attempt at a joke.

"Of course I will but don't you want to be the one to feed her first?" Harry offered.

"Hermione wanted to do it herself. She'll be devastated if she pulls through."

"When she pulls through." Harry corrected.

"Right, yeah. But she can't right now and I won't leave her alone to…to…" Die was the word he was going to say but it stuck in his throat.

"It's alright mate. Can I hold her?" Harry cut in obviously knowing what Ron was thinking.

Ron realised despite his rant he was yet to hand over his baby. He looked down at the tiny little doll and kissed her forehead. His heart felt like it would burst with love and pain at the same time.

"Rose, you're going to hang out with Uncle Harry here while I look after Mummy. Ok?" Ron passed the baby over just as the healer appeared with a small bottle of milk. She flicked her wand to summon a pillow for Harry to rest his elbow on, changed the lighting in the room to something softer and cast a warming charm to raise the temperature.

"Aw look at you wee one." Harry took his first proper look at the baby. "A beautiful name for a beautiful girl." Harry looked at Ron. "She's perfect, mate. We'll be fine…honestly. Go look after Hermione."

"Right yeah." Ron knew between Harry and the healer that Rose was in safe hands.

"I'll come get you if we need Mr Weasley."

"It's just Ron. Thank you." He took one last lingering look at the baby and had to physically tear himself away to return to the master bedroom.

It had only been a few minutes but when he returned to the brightly lit room it seemed the number of healers had doubled. There was a frantic energy in the room as they lined the bed around his wife focusing on her midsection. He could see that black tar being syphoned by two wizards while Monica was casting spell after spell at Hermione, another had just finished pouring potion down her throat and was using her wand to make her swallow.

He didn't know what to do or how to do it. He couldn't help with this, his Auror field training dealing only with basic first aid and knowing when to get proper help. Not wanting to interrupt anyone he skirted around the edge of the room and made it back to the head of the bed. He decided not to watch the healer's manoeuvring about his bedroom any longer. With a heavy sense of dread in his stomach he turned all his attention back to his wife. Leaning forward over the pillow he pressed his forehead to hers and cupped her face with his hands.

"Hermione. She's here." He whispered in her ear, keeping his one sided conversation private. "Our Rose is here and she's absolutely beautiful, she's p…p…perfect. Harry's looking after her right now but she wants to meet her Mummy. Please p…please survive this Hermione. I can't do this without you. I can't do this alone. Well maybe I could but I don't bloody want to!" He sobbed and nestled his face into her hair. The flood gates finally opening. "I love you Hermione. I love you with everything I have. Please don't leave me."

Ron wasn't sure how much time had passed. He knelt there by the head of the bed whispering to her and crying until he felt someone's hand on his shoulder. Looking up he saw the reassuring smile of Monica. The harsh bright white lights were gone, the room returned to soft candle and fire light but also the grey early morning daylight was seeping into the room. He was surprised to see most of the healers had left, only Monica and a medi witch remained and the maternal medi witch he assumed was still with Harry.

"Ron, she's going to be ok." Monica was always direct and to the point which he valued greatly.

"You're …you're sure?" He physically felt the weight lifting off his shoulders as he sighed with relief.

"Yes. We're sure. We confined the rupture, removed the dangerous toxins and closed her up. All her vital signs are returning to normal and we've every reason to believe she's going to make a full recovery. Or at least return to how she was pre pregnancy."

"So the dark magic is still in her womb." Ron felt queasy thinking that something so unwelcome was still inside his wife.

"Yes but contained as it was before. There's no reason to worry about it at the moment."

"At the moment?" He asked, confused.

"We can talk about it later but it'll only be a concern if you're planning on having more children."

"Fuck no. I'm never ever going through that again. I thought she was going to die!"

"I understand. We'll talk it through together when Hermione is well enough."

"Ok. Later. What happens now?"

"Well I can transfer them to St Mungo's or we can let her recover at home with home healer visits set up."

"I think she'd like to stay here." Ron suggested.

"So do I. Why don't we go and check on the baby and let healer Barrett get Hermione comfortable in her own bed again? Then we'll wake her up."

"She can meet the baby?" Ron asked, suddenly excitement and happiness were chasing away the anguish that had consumed him.

"Yes. She'll be very tired but I'm sure she'd want to meet her daughter before getting some rest."

Ron nodded, kissed his wife and followed Monica out of the room. Entering the nursery, they found Harry gently rocking in the feeding chair with Rose fast asleep on his chest.

"Hey mate. You ok?" Harry asked.

"Yeah."

"Hermione?"

"Yeah…we think so."

"I'm just going to do a few checks on this wee one. If you don't mind Harry? Just keep still…" Monica announced.

"No problem."

Monica swished her wand over Rose who didn't seem to mind one bit. Ron couldn't believe how cute the babe looked, plump lips open slightly, her little cheek smushed on Harry's chest. Sleeping so soundly…it must be exhausting being born. He couldn't wait to get started on Dad life, couldn't wait to have cuddles like that. Soon. First Hermione.

"Ron, she's absolutely perfect. It's unbelievable really…she's completely unscathed." Monica sounded astonished despite trying to reassure him. "Now I want to wake Hermione. Do you want to bring Rose? I'm sure she'll want to meet her…"

"Yeah of course. I'll be there in a minute. Wait for me?" Monica nodded and headed back to the master bedroom.

"You ok mate?" Harry immediately asked, concern obvious on his face.

"Fuck…I dunno…yeah?...I guess." Ron leaned against the wall then slid down it. He ran his hands through his hair and kept his head bowed while he took a few deep breaths. Exhausted and overwhelmed but ultimately relieved.

"You've done amazing, mate. Honestly they're lucky to have you."

"You think?"

"I know." Harry confirmed, Ron gave a weak smile. "Go put your family back together. I'll head home now everything's calmed down? Unless you need anything else?"

"Thanks mate. For everything."

"Anytime."

"Will you come back in a while? Bring Ginny? Hermione's something she wants to ask you both." Ron grinned.

"Course, say about noon?" Harry's face lit up. Ron knew he must be hopeful to be asked to be godfather to the sleeping bundle still snuggled on his chest…being there for her birth, getting the first cuddles and feed…he was bonded with her already. But he didn't say anything more. Hermione could have this one.

"Yeah, I'll message you if anything changes. Here, don't tell Mum yet. Please. I need a few hours to get my head around this all…talk to Hermione. I'll floo call her in a bit." Ron pleaded.

"No worries, mate. Right then…I believe this is yours. On your feet Auror." Harry instructed jokingly as he shifted forward and got out of the chair.

Ron got up and looked nervously at the sleeping baby. "What if I wake her? How am I supposed to lift her when she's all squished against you?"

"You'll get used to it." Harry laughed. "I didn't realise how much James has grown…now I'm back holding a new one. It's been a privilege Rose, lovely to meet you but you've gotta go see your Mummy now." Harry gently lifted Rose from his chest and placed a kiss on top of her head before manoeuvring and positioning her in Ron's waiting arms.

"Cheers mate…see you in a bit."

"Bye." Harry headed downstairs to use the living room fireplace.

Ron made his way back to his bedroom. Everything had been returned to normal, the bed, the lighting, no more floating tables of instruments. Hermione was tucked up looking cosy in fresh pyjamas and bed sheets…if he wasn't holding the outcome of it all he wouldn't have believed anything had happened here tonight. The only oddity that remained was Monica hovering. Ron kicked off his shoes and very gently climbed onto the bed beside his wife. It was awkward, not knowing how to position himself with the baby.

"Right then Ron, I'm going to remove the suspension. Do you want me to stay and explain everything or will I let you do that? I'll be back hourly throughout the day anyhow."

"Do you mind if I do it?"

"Of course. I'll floo back at 8am." Monica waved her wand and the suspension cloud fizzled and dissipated. Then she moved to the fireplace and disappeared into the green flames.

Ron savoured having his home for themselves again. It had been busy and chaotic and he just wanted some peace and quiet to think. Feeling brave he reached back with one hand and fixed pillows so he could lean back more comfortably, he bent his legs up and laid Rose along the length of his thighs so he could take a good look at her.

She'd a soft red fuzz on top of her head he couldn't help stroking. He smiled knowing she was a true Weasley. But she'd the cutest wee button nose and Hermione shone through too. He put his finger in her wee fist and even though she was still sleeping she instinctively gripped him. Her little fingers didn't even touch as they wrapped around his finger, they were so tiny. He couldn't believe they'd made her.

After ten minutes or so he felt Hermione stir and watched as she woke from the suspension. She smiled up at him. Looking remarkably well having gone through what she just had. She always did feel rested after waking though.

"Ron." She croaked.

"Hey love." He said, watching her nervously. Suddenly he thought why the fuck haven't I been planning on what to say to her…shit…shit…shit.

"What happened? I feel…off…somethings wrong?"Hermione wrinkled her brow.

"Well…umm…I don't know how to tell you this…bloody hell. I'm so sorry, love. Don't hate me. But we had to deliver the baby."

"WHAT!?" Hermione's hands flew to her belly which wasn't hadn't returned to completely flat but her large pregnant bump was definitely gone. She struggled to sit up, wincing at the tender pain in her abdomen. Ron used his left arm to reach around her shoulders and help her up to sitting, pulling her into his chest.

"Take it easy! I'm so sorry Hermione but there was a major complication, a rupture, you nearly died."

But she wasn't listening. She'd found baby Rose lying on his lap and was mesmerised.

"Ron." She choked.

"She's fine Hermione, she's perfect and so are you. We're all going to be ok."

Ron appreciated that Hermione was confused and disorientated. She always was after waking from suspension and that was when they were scheduled, knowing she was going under. She'd no idea what had just gone on in their cottage. That it'd been full of healers, Harry had been here, Rose had already had her first feed. She'd been cut open, so close to…something unimaginable.

He'd tell her everything eventually but not right now. It didn't matter. For now, he was happy having one arm draped around his wife cuddling her close as they stared dumbfounded at their beautiful baby Rose.