For your information:
The HP timeline has moved up 5 years. (Hermione was born 1984. She started Hogwarts in 1996. The battle of Hogwarts was 2003.) Sam Uley is tree years older than in the movies and books, born 1983.

Chapter 16

21th August 2006, Hermione's House, Washington

Hermione let out a deep breath as the door closed behind Jasper. The house was quieter now. Save for the soft chatter of Teddy and shea in Sam's arms. It felt surreal. A moment she had only dreamed of but never fully believed it would happen.

Sam stood in the center of the room, holding both children as if it was the most natural thing in the world. His large frame dwarfed their small bodies, but his presence seemed to wrap them in safety and warmth. Hermione's heart swelled at the sight. This was only the beginning. But she was so glad, that he was there with them now. He wanted them. He wanted her and her babies. She had a shot at a relationship with someone who hopefully would not break her heart and leave her and her children. She still felt a bit scared, but now that he knew most of it and she knew about her being his mate or imprint, she felt a lot more secure.

She stepped closer, hesitating before speaking: "Are you alright?"

She watched him carefully and gazed into his warm, dark eyes, loosing herself in them for a moment. She noticed the weight of everything he learned today and squeezed his arm in support.

"Yeah. It's… a lot. But I am alright. These two make it easier", he said with a steady but low voice and looked down at the children with a soft expression.

Hermione smiled, thought her lips trembled slightly.

"They are wonderful, aren't they?"

"They are, and so are you", he agreed, adjusting Teddy so he could hold the boy more securely.

"I want to know everything about them. About Shea's first words, her favorite foods, her little quirks…", he said and chuckled softly as he looked at Hermoine.

"And Teddy's too. He feels like a part of this. I like them."

Hermione's heart squeezed at his words, and she had to blink back tears. Sam wanted to be a father for both of them. He wanted to include Teddy as well and it meant the world to her.

"Sam..", she began, but her voice broke.

She looked away and tried to collect herself. She felt an arm pull her to him and press her into his side. Looking up she saw that he was holding the toddlers in only one arm, them being small and his arm being large and strong.

"Hey. I am not going anywhere. I meant what I said. We will figure this out together. All of it", he told her softly.

"Thank you", she whispered, her vision blurry by unshed tears.

"But just to let you know, these are happy tears. I am so happy you accepted them and want to try this with me, with us."

He smiled and leaned down to her, giving her a peck on the lips before she realized. A faint blush formed on her cheeks and her heart beat a little faster. She could get used to this. She liked him touching and kissing her.

A squeal from Shea broke the moment and she squirmed in Sam's arms, reaching for the blocks on the floor. With a chuckle he let the toddlers go play. They started stacking the blocks to ab unsteady tower, Teddy helping Shea.

"They are good together", Sam observed.

"They are- Teddy's always been protective of her. He's been through so much already, but he has such a big heart."

She stepped closer to Sam and with a bit of hesitation she leaned her head against his shoulder. She felt his arm snake around her and pull her closer to him again, his hand resting on her waist.

"I'd like to be there for him too. I don't want him to ever feel left out."

Hermione's breath hitched. She realized just how deeply she had longed for someone to see not only Shea but also Teddy as more than just a child she cared for out of duty, or even worse a burden.

"He will love that. You don't know how much it means to me to hear you say that", she said softly.

He squeezed her slightly and kissed her temple before he said: "You look like you could use a break, maybe even a nap. Let me take care of them for a while so you can rest."

Hermione hesitated, glancing between him and the children.

"They will be fine", Sam assured her, his tone firm but kind.

She opened her mouth to argue, but the weight of the past few days hit her all at once.

"Alright", she relented, smiling gratefully, "But if the get too rowdy…"

"I've got this", he interrupted, his grin widening.

Hermione watched as he knelt on the floor with the children, his deep laugh echoing through the room as they babbled excitedly. Her chest tightened with an unfamiliar mix of relief and hope. She headed up to her room and lay on the bed with a smile on her face. Soon after she fell asleep.

HxS

Hermione stirred awake later in the evening to the sound of laughter. She sat up, blinking groggily as she tried to wake up. Then she slowly and quietly went downstairs. She took in the scene before her with a smile.

Sam was sprawled on the floor with the children, Teddy perched on his back and shouting triumphantly while Shea giggled beside them. The sight warmed her heart in a way she hadn't expected.

"Having fun?", she asked with a smirk.

Sam clanked over his shoulder with a wide grin and replied: "More than I thought possible."

Teddy scrambled off Sam's back and ran over to Hermione, throwing his arms around her legs.

"Mummy! Sam so strong! He can lift me and Shea too!"

"Is that so?", Hermione said with a chuckle, smoothing his hair and smiling down at him.

"Yeah! He is like giant! Like Hagrid! Bigger than uncles", Teddy said his voice filled with awe.

Sam chuckled as well and stood to brush of his Jeans, teasing: "I might have to teach him to wrestle."

Hermione rolled her eyes playfully and replied: "As long as he doesn't start breaking furniture."

"No promises", Sam said, winking.

Shea toddled over then, holding her arms up to Sam. He scooped her up with ease, his face softening as she rested her head against his shoulder.

"She is getting sleepy. I should get them to ready for bed", Hermoine said, picking Teddy up in her arms.

Sam hesitated slightly: "Do you… do you mind if I help? Show me their routine?"

Hermione blinked, surprised by the offer. She felt her heart warm again.

"Of course I don't mind. I am actually glad you are showing such interest", Hermione told him with a smile.

Together, they ushered the children upstairs, the quiet hum of bedtime routines filling the house. Hermione let Sam read the toddlers a story as she watched them listening raptly to his every word. She felt warm inside, looking at this scene, she had wished for this for so long. Blinking the happy tears away she smiled blissfully.

As Sam finished the story, Hermione kissed the toddlers good night and sent them each to their bed. Then she returned downstairs to the living room with Sam. She continued to the kitchen to make herself some tea.

"Do you want some tea as well?", she asked him as she bustled around the kitchen.

"No thank you, I am good."

As she had her tea she cuddled on the couch and motioned to him to come sit next to her. When he was seated she leaned into him with a content sigh. She smiled as she felt him put an arm around her slowly.

"This feels so comfortable. It is kind of strange. Just a week ago we were strangers again", Hermione said softly looking up at him.

"Not strangers. We've always been something more", Sam corrected her gently.

"Even after all this time?"

Sam smiled down at her, his gaze unwavering and nodded: "I've never stopped thinking about you. I didn't know what to call it back then, but I knew you were important in some way. And now… Now you are everything."

Hermione's breath hitched at his words. He had explained what an imprint was and how they felt, and she too felt a pull towards him. But she did not want to rush it. Before she could say something, he interrupted her.

"I am not trying to push you. I just want you to know. I'm here for you, for the kids. For whatever you will let me be."

Hermione felt her heart swell again and she smiled at him brightly.

"You mean a lot to me too, Sam. I want us to be… I don't exactly know how to explain but… I want us to be everything. Friends, a couple, partners, lovers, parents. But I also want to take it slowly. Maybe go on a few dates? Kissing allowed but not more for the moment?", she tried to explain herself.

"I can agree to that. Kissing sounds good", he growled lowly into her ear.

He took her breath away as he lowered his head to hers and kissed her lips for the second time that day. He pulled her closer with the arm he had around her shoulder and deepened the kiss. Her own hands were on his chest and shoulders as she kissed him back. This made her feel so connected to him and reminded her of their night together. Her cheeks flushed with heat and slight embarrassment. Before she could lose herself completely, they broke the kiss, both panting for air.

"It feels good too", Hermione said a bit breathless.

"Yes", he growled again, while nuzzling her cheek and neck.

Her hands started roaming while his were holding her tightly.

"Hermione", he growled her name and made her shiver, her hands not stopping.

"Hermione", he repeated more urgently, "We need to stop here, or I won't be able to hold back."

She froze in his arms and blushed. She looked up and into his eyes. They had darkened from lust and need, like hers probably had too. Their gazes were locked, and she was drawn to him.

Before their lips could touch again, his phone started ringing.

He groaned and sat up again, pulling her up with him. Somehow, they had managed to lay down on the couch. He pulled out his phone and looked at the screen. With a look to Hermione he put the phone on speaker, which surprised her. She made to stand up and give him some privacy, but he pulled her back to his side.

"Man! You told us you would let us know and we still did not hear from you. Are you okay? What about the little girl?", came the worried voice of Seth out of the phone.

"Is everyone there to listen?"

"Ehmm… yes? You know keeping secrets does not work with us."

"Come on, what happened?", Jared asked impatiently.

"Hermione is listening too", Sam then told the others with a smirk, while looking at her.

"Hi you all", she spoke, feeling kind of shy.

At first there was silence, then there was loud, unidentifiable shouting.

"Quiet", Sam said authoritatively, and they became silent again.

"It turned out that Hermione had my daughter two years ago. Her name is Shea. She also adopted a boy named Teddy. We will take it slow, but if all goes well we will be a family of four", he told them and caressed over her cheek with a smile.

"Congratulations!", was heard loudly from everyone.

"Thank you. You will meet them some other time. I want to get to know them first", Sam told them.

"Maybe not all at once. The children are used to a lot of people, but not so many strangers at once. Come by in pairs in a few days?", Hermione suggested.

Sam nodded and said: "I will see you tomorrow and we can talk more."

All said their goodbyes and then Sam hung up.

"Sorry about them. They can get very excited."

"And worried it seems", Hermione replied and then had to yawn.

"We should go to sleep. Could I stay over? I can sleep on the couch?"

"Sleep sounds good. This was a long day, and the kids will be up early in the morning. If you want to stay, you can have a guest room?"

After Sam nodded, they went up and readied themselves for bed. Hermione showed him the room he could use. Before she left him, she kissed him shyly goodnight. She would have good dreams tonight, she was sure of it.

AN: Another chapter for you! Thank you for your support and your patience. I hope you enjoy it! If you have any ideas or wishes, please let me know as well. Maybe I will make them happen.

I will try to post again soon.

Thanks for reading!