Married by Law

Chapter Twenty: Welcoming Audrey Grace!

"Are you sure you're okay?" inquired Ginny as she lifted up her twins, cradling them each in seperate arms.

"I'm fine Gin." replied Hermione, fighting to keep the edge out of her voice. She walked towards the fireplace, waddling actually, her thirty nine week pregnant belly jutting out.

"Alright. Mione, this baby will come any time. Literally. Be prepared. So you guys have a hospital bag prepared? I didn't and it would have made all the bloody difference." sighed Ginny. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Gin, ever since my birthday Draco's had the bloody bag at his side. Ever fucking time I groan or sigh it's, 'Is she coming!'" replied Hermione. She ushered her best girlfriend toward the floo.

"Kicking me out, eh? S'alright. I understand. Don't forget to owl us when you go into labor." reminded Ginny.

"Ginny, I will. You've been visiting me everyday. Believe me when I say that you'll see me again tomorrow, pregnant as a whale." laughed Hermione. Ginny merely shook her head, a smile on her face. She took a handful of floo powder, a miracle to Hermione how she managed, and was whisked away.

"Mia dear?" called Draco's voice from the door. Hermione waddled over to him. Draco was working extremely late recently, mostly to save up hours so that he could take off for the baby. It was one of the reasons Ginny stayed with her.

"Hello sweetheart. Dinners on the table, warmed. I hate to do this to you, but I really just want to turn in. I'm so tired." mumbled Hermione, kissing his cheek. Draco understood, even though he wished he could spend more time with her. Hermione followed Draco into the kitchen, where his food sat just as she had told.

"Alright, I'm going to bed. I love you." said Hermione, kissing him sweetly. He nodded.

"Love you too dear."

"Gah." groaned Hermione. It was nearing three am and she had been up since one. Her back ached and she was bored. Draco snored loudly beside her. That man could sleep through everything. In the back of her mind, she wondered if she was in labor. However, she pushed them a way. She did not want a repeat of last time.

Hermione got up and waddled down the stairs and into the library. She picked up Hogwarts, A History and walked down the stairs into the living room. Never one for T.V., she clicked it on. It was a sitcom called Seinfeld. The main character was telling jokes. Hermione smirked as she cracked open the book. Hermione was through the first two chapters and one full episode of the sitcom when she felt it.

"Oh shit." mumbled Hermione. She looked around frantically. Finally: "DRAAAACOOO!"

Hermione breathed deeply. She heard a loud thump from upstairs. She preoccupied herself with the gushing fluids. She used magic to practically stopper it, actually making the fluids disappear upon leaving her body.

"Mia?" gasped Draco, his voice groggy. He was only in a t-shirt and boxers.

"My water broke." whimpered Hermione. Contractions had began. Hermione grabbed a nearby pillow and squeezed it tight. "Oh my god!"

"Oh shit. Uh, call a...a...what the hell do I do?" gasped Draco, frantically running around. Hermione groaned.

"Put on some fucking pants and get the bag. We'll floo to St. Mungos." ordered Hermione. She hoisted herself up. Draco reappeared two minutes later. Hermione grit her teeth as another contraction ripped through her body.

"She's coming fast." observed Draco, taking a handful of floo powder.

"Yes, and if we don't act quick we'll have her on our living room floor." gripped Hermione. She was soon whisked away into the pristine hospital.

"Hello, welcome to-"

"This baby is about to fall out." shouted Draco, cutting off the recording. A meditwitch looked up.

"What he means is, the baby is coming now." corrected Hermione. A wheelchair appeared, along with a different medi witch.

"Alright, Mrs..."

"Malfoy."

"Mrs. Malfoy, can you please fill-" The blonde stopped as Hermione gasped. She gripped the sides of the chair, trying not to cry out.

"How far apart are the contractions?"

"I've been having them all day, but my water broke about twenty minutes ago. Since then they've been roughly four minutes apart." explained Hermione.

"You've been having contractions all bloody day!" gasped Draco.

"Yes, but I didn't want to sit in the hospital for twelve hours, so I waited until the last second. Now, I suggest you get me to a room, seeing as my child is damn near ready." said Hermione bossily. The medi witch quickly wheeled her around the corner and into an elevator. On the way, another contraction hit. Hermione cried out this time.

"They're getting closer together." evaluated Draco. Hermione suddenly burst into tears. Draco attempted to soothe her as they were walking to the room.

"I hate you!" sobbed Hermione. "I'm in fucking pain."

Draco sighed. "It's alright Mia. Think of little Audrey."

"What if something goes wrong? Oh my Merlin. Oh my Merlin." panicked Hermione. Draco began rubbing her back. The medi witch lifted her up. Using her wand, she transfigured Hermione current attire to a hospital gown. Draco was about to help her into the bed when a contraction hit.

"Two minutes apart."

Draco helped Hermione, who's legs had given out, into the bed. They put her feet onto the stirrups.

"The doctor will be in in a minute. Hermione, looks like you'll be giving birth within the hour." At those words, Draco passed out.

"We're here! We're here!" shouted Harry Potter, sprinting into the room. Ginny jogged behind him. It was nearing five am and Hermione was about to begin pushing in. Draco sat in the corner, looking slightly green.

"Ahh!" screeched Hermione, a hard contraction. They were now thirty seconds apart. Harry ran over to her, grasping her hand. Dr. Lounge walked back in.

"Alright Mrs. Malfoy, are you ready to meet your little bundle of joy?"

"Draco get your ass over here." spat Hermione. Draco did as told. He walked over to her left, and held her other hand. Ginny stood beside the doctor.

"Alright, on three. One...two...three..." Hermione took all she had left, and applied the pressure. Pain rippled through her body as she did so. They repeated these steps ever thirty seconds for the next five minutes. It was then she heard:

"Alright, the baby's crowning. Come on Hermione, a couple of big pushes." Hermione did as told.

"Heads out."

"Come on Mia." whispered Draco. Hermione beared down and pushed as hard as she could.

"Congratulations!" chirped Dr. Lounge, holding up the writhing infant. She handed her to Hermione, who was crying slightly. Draco's mouth dropped.

"Welcome to the world, Audrey Grace Malfoy." whispered Hermione, placing a kiss on her daughters nose.