Senses

Epilogue

oO September 2004 Oo

"Severus, please...Please don't..." Hermione whined softly against the closed bathroom door.

"It must be done." Severus' healed voice was deeper than before, like rich melted chocolate and though he lacked volume, he made up for it with tone.

"There must be another way, please. I'll do anything." Hermione pressed her forehead against the door.

"Why mummy whingy?" Aurora kicked her legs lightly against the bathroom cabinet, her head tilted up towards her father who was looking into the mirror.

"She has a wont for the dramatics." Severus leaned closer to the mirror, the blade of his razor running over his lip.

"I heard that."

"Silence woman." Severus glanced to the side when Aurora giggled to his words.

'You still love Papa don't you?'

'I always love Papa.' Aurora smiled brightly at her father's grin. The love in his heart easily felt by her.

Severus sighed softly and brought the towel up to his face. He'd never really taken any care for his appearance but today was a special day.

"How does Papa look?" Severus pulled the girl from the counter and to his chest letting her fingers run over his newly shaven jaw.

"It's smooth, like Mummy's legs." Aurora was fascinated by the new appearance her large eyes turning this way and that as he carried her towards the door.

"You look like a baby." Hermione pouted playfully when the man revealed himself. The small beard he'd grown and maintained over the time that had passed completely gone.

"Smooth baby." Aurora giggled when her Severus nipped playfully at her fingers before setting her down, "No more scratchy kisses!"

Hermione chuckled lightly at her daughter's delight, there was nothing the man before her wouldn't do for their child. She had found his facial hair to be rather becoming. Tightly trimmed along his jaw and around his lips. He looked like a father to her, a man who had come into his own. While she would miss the look she still loved the man beneath.

"She's got you wrapped around her little fingers." Hermione smiled kissing his cheek, "I'm almost jealous."

"She's scarier than you." He grinned leading the way towards the bedroom door.

"Definitely." Hermione giggled as she followed him out, "We're supposed to be at the church at 4:00 did you want to make something to eat before or eat after?"

"Before." Severus scooped up Aurora on the stairs, the child moving too slow for his liking. He set the girl on his hip before turning towards the kitchen.

"Pancakes!" Aurora bounced on his hip.

"Not a chance, young lady." Severus could be firm when the situation called for it and his look stopped any protests, "It's Mama's big day, she gets to pick."

Severus released her back to the floor after which she ran to the step ladder to stand at the island. She loved helping cook, no matter what it was though mostly she just made a glorious mess.