Married by Law

Chapter Eighteen: Dinner and Decorating

Hermione grumbled irritably as she woke up to sunlight streaming onto her face. She hadn't slept much the previous morning. The baby didn't stop shifting and kicking all night, her back hurt terribly, and she had awful heartburn. Finally she fell into a fitful sleep around five am, but was awoken to the sun in her eyes, merely six hours after she fell asleep.

"Draco?" called Hermione, however there wasn't a response. He had started working with his Grandfather, Abraxas Malfoy, was showing him the ropes of his business. In January he was going to take control of the English portion. Hermione glowered at the fact that her husband wasn't here. She got up from the bed, it was a difficult task. At approximately thirty seven weeks, the baby was due at any moment. They hadn't even begun on the nursery yet! Hermione was so anxious about the baby, she decided to ring her mother. Jean asked her over for lunch, which Hermione was happy to oblige.

About an hour later, Hermione showed up at her parents. Being so far along in her pregnancy, she couldn't apparate and her parent's weren't connected to the floo. So it was, Hermione took muggle transportation all the way to her parents home, which thankfully wasn't far. Hermione knocked on their door, and her father answered.

"Hermione!" greeted Tom Granger cheerfully. He ushered her into the house and the succulent smell of a roast tantalized her taste buds.

"Hello Daddy!" chirped Hermione, kissing her fathers cheek and leading them into the kitchen. Jean Granger was busying herself over the stove. "Hello Mum!"

"Hermione, darling. Oh my! Any day now, I'd presume?" asked Jean, placing a motherly hand on her daughters swollen abdomen.

"Mm." hummed Hermione. "Any day cannot be soon enough."

"Don't talk little missy. You came one week late and I spent thirty six, thirty six!, hours in labor with you. Talk about soon enough." laughed Jean. Hermione blushed.

"Me? Late? Never." giggled Hermione.

"That's what I said ten years later? Jean here still uses it against me." chuckled Tom.

"I do not!" defended Jean.

"Yes you do." chorused Tom and Hermione. Jean huffed, before returning to her cooking.

"Oh come on Jeanny, you know I'm joking." coaxed Tom. Jean smiled brightly.

"So have you and Draco decided on her full name?" asked Jean, suddenly super excited. Hermione smiled mysteriously.

"Well, you too are my parents. So, yes we have. She's going to be named Audrey Grace Malfoy." revealed Hermione. Jean gasped.

"That's a beautiful name darling. Isn't it Tom?"

"Oh yes, beautiful." sniggered Tom. He turned serious, "But really dear, it's is pretty."

"Thanks guys. Draco keeps saying, it charming really. We still have to finish the blasted nursery. I mean, Draco merely started painting. Harry and him are trying to do things the muggle way." groaned Hermione. Her parents grew silents at her words.

"What did I say?" whispered Hermione after Jean set the food on the table. Tom and Jean cast each other glances.

"Sweetheart, your father and I understand that you are a witch, thus meaning you are...talented. But dear, maybe the 'muggle' way isn't so bad. It is, after all, how most of us have to do things." said Jean quietly. "And you know how I feel about magic."

Hermione suddenly burst into tears. "H-How many times do I have to say I'm sorry. I did it to protect you! You guys can't understand what I went through. No one can!"

Jean stood up and walked over to her daughter, hugging her tightly. "Mione dear, I didn't meant to upset you. You're right, your world was at war. But there in lies the problem, it's your world. Your father and I cannot fathom being in it. We can't understand what it's like to have to do things the muggle way. I'm sorry for upsetting you."

Hermione sniffled. "Oh Mum, I'm sorry. I'm just so-so, stressed. I mean, the baby can be here any day now. Oh my Merlin..."

"Come, eat." ordered Jean. She piled her daughter's plate high with roast beef, vegetables, and noodles. They maintained small chat throughout the rest of their late lunch early dinner. Suddenly there was a sharp rap on the window.

"Night" mumbled Hermione, walking over to the window. However, her stomach was such a nuisance that she had to use her wand to open the window. The owl hooted and flew to her shoulder.

"Hello Night." greeted Hermione. Her parents watched in fascination as Hermione plucked the letter from the owl. Her eyes scanned over Harry's sloppy scrawl. She shifted her gaze back to her mother and father.

"Mum, Dad? I'm terribly sorry to cut this visit short but it appears as though they've decided to start Audrey Grace's nursery!" Hermione was practically bubbling with excitement as she hugged her parents goodbye. Hermione quickly got home.

Once she arrived she noticed there were a lot of people there. Being as far along in the pregnancy as she was, Hermione wasn't really in the mood to visit with most people. Her parents she could handle, Harry and Ginny she could handle, Lucius and Narcissa she could not handle. Hermione scowled as she made her way into the future nursery.

"Mia! You're home! Oh my, you shouldn't be in here! Paint fumes cannot be good for Audrey." said Draco, jumping up to kiss his wives cheek. Hermione forced a smile as she leaned up against the door frame. Harry and Draco were both cover in paint, and the walls were about halfway done.

"Where's Gin?" asked Hermione.

"With Mother, putting together the crib in the basement." replied Draco, as he took the brush and returned to lathering the walls in pink. Hermione shrugged, before meandering into their basement. Instead of finding Ginny and Narcissa diligently working on a crib and changing table, she found the two women watching the Muggle telly. Lucius sat beside his wife, unable to mask his distaste.

"I thought you were working on the crib?" asked Hermione, sitting down beside Ginny. She groaned as the baby kicked again.

"Mione, Draco and Harry said they wanted to do it the Muggle way. We, however, did not." replied Ginny. Her eyes remained glued to the moving pictures.

"So you found out how to work the telly?" observed Hermione,amusement clear in her voice.

"Sadly." murmured Lucius. Hermione smirked. They sat in silence as the soap opera on T.V. played out. Narcissa and Ginny were completely immersed, while Lucius and Hermione were completely bored. Finally, around five Harry came down to announce the painting was finished and the fumes no more. Using magic, they brought the crib and changing table up to the third floor. Hermione groaned as she leaned against the wall.

"Mia? Here, why don't you rest. We'll take care of it." soothed Draco, leading her into their bedroom. Usually Hermione would have put up a fight, but she was incredibly fatigued.

"Mia? Mia? Mia?" whispered Draco. Hermione's eyes fluttered open and she saw her husband staring up at her.

"Hello dear." sighed Hermione, kissing his cheek. He held his hand out, to help her up. Hermione obliged.

"Would you like too see Audrey's room?" asked Draco, unable to maintain a monotonous expression. A mega watt smile shone through.

"Yes please." Hermione was suddenly extremely excited. He led her to the room. The white door was closed, so he opened it. When he did Hermione gasped. The room was decorated in shades of pink and white. On the far end of the room was a white crib with pink bedding. The bedding had flowers on it. Above the bed the wall had block letters on it that read Audrey Grace. Next to the bed, in the other corner, was a plush arm chair and ottoman. Beside that was a changing table, which was across from the white dresser. In the center and front right corner of the room was a large rug with tons of baby toys. Hermione walked over to the closet and opened it.

"Diapers!" giggled Hermione. The closet was literally overflowing with diapers.

"I love it." whispered Hermione, settling down into the chair. Draco grinned as he made his way over to her.

"I love you." said Draco, kissing her. He moved down and kissed her belly. "And Daddy loves you too Audrey."

A forceful kicked was placed. "Oof! Audrey loves you too Daddy. And I love you."

Together the couple sat in the nursery, happy and content. Possibly for the first time in months, maybe even years.