Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
Part Eight- Disrupting the Routine and Epilogue
Their schedules upon returning from their week-long honeymoon to America soon became routine. They would wake in the morning; then George would shower and dress first, while Hermione drank her tea and read the Prophet. Then, George would Apparate to the shop, and Hermione would get ready for work. In the evening, they would have dinner. Most of the time, George would cook, but sometimes they would go out or have dinner at the Burrow or with their siblings. At night, they would climb into bed, George would tell Hermione he loved her and kiss her, and she would curl up in his arms and sleep.
This went on for a month, until the day before Hermione's twenty-third birthday. As George was cooking dinner that evening, they discussed the events of the day. Hermione mentioned that Ginny and Remus wanted everyone at the Burrow for dinner the next evening.
"I'm sure they're pregnant," she stated simply. "I should hope so. It's our week in the pool."
"Oh yes, I'd forgotten about that," George said with a devious smile. "I'd better Floo everyone and tell them to bring their money."
As he set their plates on the table, he pointed his wand in the air, and called "Accio, Hermione's birthday present!" A wrapped box came flying into the room. George caught it deftly and set it in front of Hermione.
"I couldn't wait until tomorrow," he said with a smile. "I hope you like it."
"George, I don't know what to say," she replied while ripping the paper from the box. Inside, she found a soft leather briefcase with her initials, HGW, monogrammed onto the front. "It's wonderful!" she exclaimed. "Thank you. I love it!" She leaned to kiss his lips briefly.
"Hermione, don't think me a bad husband, but I haven't got anything special planned for tomorrow. I mean, since we have to go to the Burrow, but I didn't know if you wanted to do something after," George said ashamedly. "Is there anything special you'd like to do?"
Hermione sighed and set her fork down. "Yes, I should like to have sex," she stated.
George dropped his fork loudly onto his plate and nearly choked on his dinner. "You...you should...what?" he stuttered.
"I've been reading about it for the last week, and I've decided I'm ready. So, I would like to have sex tomorrow night, if that's okay with you," she answered.
George stood suddenly from the table and paced. "Hermione, are you sure?" he asked. "I mean, I want to. I really, really want to, but are you positive?"
"Yes," she said simply. "It's been a month, and I don't think I'm being a very good wife denying you this. Plus, if we start tomorrow, it's the right time in my cycle to get pregnant."
George looked away, embarrassed, and cleared his throat nervously. "Hermione, thinking about it like that...well, you're taking all the fun out of it," he said with a smirk. "And I don't feel denied. I told you, I want this to be something you want. But, if you'll let me, I'll show you how just much I love you."
Hermione blushed and nodded. "Yes, I want to."
The next day went by too slowly for George's taste. He didn't dare tell Fred why he was so nervous and excited, for he'd never hear the end of it. As it was, he and Hermione were going to have to sit through dinner with the entire family that evening, and he hoped that it wouldn't break the mood he'd been in all day.
Over at Gringott's Hermione's day was passing all too quickly. She felt as though she'd barely made it to work before it was lunchtime. And her afternoon literally flew by, and before she knew it, she and George were Flooing to the Burrow for dinner.
Sure enough, Remus and Ginny announced they were expecting their first child in May. All the other siblings and spouses grudgingly paid George and Hermione, who were quite thrilled about their winnings. Shortly after dinner, George and Hermione returned home. George had promised himself that he would let Hermione come to him. He didn't want to pressure her or overwhelm her.
George proceeded through his pre-bedtime routine and was disappointed that Hermione did not once attempt to interrupt him. However, when he emerged from the loo to get into bed, he was shocked to find Hermione perched on the bed, in the button-down shirt George had worn to dinner.
"Now this is a nice surprise," he murmured, crawling onto the bed. He didn't give her a chance to respond and kissed her deeply. She responded eagerly and pulled him towards her.
She ran her hands over the slight bit of red hair on his chest and appreciatively felt the muscles of his torso and back. In all honesty, she'd always preferred his body to Ron's lanky figure.
"Are you sure?" George murmured much to his own dismay.
"Yes, George," she whispered. "I want this. I want you."
George slowly unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it off her shoulders as he slowly kissed his way down her neck. She ran her fingers through his hair and pulled him down on top of her as she laid back onto the bed.
"I love you, George," she breathed. His eyes widened in blissful surprise. His heart clinched at her declaration, and he grinned at her.
"Finally!" he exclaimed with a smirk. Looking at her lying breathless before him, his voice softened, and, between kisses, he said, "I love you, too, Hermione."
An hour later, George lay with Hermione's head on his chest; her bushy hair in his face, and he realized he'd never been happier. Her giggle broke his thoughts.
"Come now, love," he teased, "I can't help it if all of me has freckles."
Hermione snickered even louder. "That's not what I was laughing about. I was just thinking about what you said at Ginny's wedding. I mean, if that was rubbish, then I don't want to know what good is."
George joined in her laughter, and they reveled in their happiness for the rest of the night.
George woke on the morning of his thirtieth birthday and reached over for his wife. However, all that his hand found was a scrap of parchment. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and read the note.
"My darling George,
Sorry I had to leave you this morning. But Katie had a Healer appointment and needed someone to watch the kids, since Ron had classes. I'll be back soon.
Love,
Hermione"
He smiled sleepily and leaned back onto his pillow. Since they'd gotten married, Fred and George had alternated working on their birthday, each having their birthday off from work every other year. George would have to work tomorrow, with Fred staying home.
He drifted back to sleep until the cries of a young child woke him again.
"Daddy? Daddy, where are you?" the voice called.
The door to the bedroom burst open, and a five-year-old boy with bright red hair and big, curious brown eyes came running towards George and jumped onto the bed.
Andrew Frederick Weasley had been born eleven months after George and Hermione had married. He was an inquisitive child, very observant and extremely bright. His parents said he got the best of them both.
"Andrew! Did you and Mum just get back?" he asked.
Andrew smiled at his father and nodded enthusiastically. "We went to see Uncle Ron and Aunt Katie. Aunt Katie had to go to the Healer. She didn't look sick, but her tummy's getting real big."
"Yes, that's because she's going to have a baby," George said. "Remember, Uncle Ron told us?"
"Yes, she found out today she's having a girl," said Hermione from the doorway. She looked rather haggard.
"Another girl?" George said laughing. "I bet Ron was in a snit."
"Well, can you blame him?" Hermione asked. "Three girls already in five years, and now another one's on the way. They certainly went from cheek-pecking to baby-making in record time."
She came over and kissed her husband while ruffling her son's hair. "Andrew, are you ready to go?"
"Go where?" George asked, confused. He'd been looking forward to spending time with his family today.
"He's going to spend the day with his cousin," Hermione replied.
"Which one?"
"Sirius," Andrew answered excitedly. "I don't want to play with Albus or Minnie. Last time I was over there, Albus turned me into a canary." Albus and Minnie were Fred's and Angelina's children. They took after their father and created mischief wherever they went.
"Well, you make sure you tell Aunt Ginny and Uncle Remus hello for me, okay mate?" George asked.
"Yes, Daddy," he replied. He appeared thoughtful for a moment. "You know what? Aunt Ginny said that Uncle Remus and his friends used to turn into animals every month at school. And Aunt Ginny told Mummy that Uncle Remus is an animal at other times too, but only after Sirius and John are in bed."
George and Hermione looked at each other and stifled their laughs at Andrew's innocent conversation.
Sirius had been born nine months to the day after Remus' and Ginny's wedding. Molly spent much of the time after his birth insisting to people that he must have been a touch premature, but no matter since he looked healthy. John had followed two years later.
"Let's go, little man," Hermione said. "They're expecting you."
"But why can't I stay with you today?" Andrew whined.
"Because your daddy and I want to spend some time together, but you can stay up late with us tonight when you get back, alright?" Hermione asked.
That seemed to satisfy young Andrew. But his innocent questions weren't over. "But what will you do all day?" he asked. "Will you play games?"
George chuckled. "Yes, I can think of a few games to play with Mummy."
"Like what?" Andrew asked, wondering what had made his mother's face turn so red.
"Never you mind," Hermione said sternly. She turned to George and said, "I'll be back in a moment."
"I'll be right here," he said smiling broadly and leaning back onto his pillow once again.
"I'm counting on it," his wife smirked.
That evening, after George, Hermione and Andrew returned home from the Burrow, Andrew was put to bed, having been so exhausted from his day at the Lupins. When George found Hermione, she was lounging on the sofa.
"Today has been the best birthday ever," he said with a broad grin. "And I have you to thank." He stretched out next to her and gave her a leisurely kiss.
"George, you know before long Andrew will be going off to Hogwarts," she said.
"Yes, I know, along with all his cousins," he replied, playing with their intertwined fingers. "Hogwarts will have six Weasley's and one Potter all in one year. Bill and Fleur already have Marie there. Luc starts next year, I think." He sighed. "After Andrew leaves, we'll be all alone." His voice had taken a hint of sadness in that statement.
"Yes, I've been thinking about that," she replied.
"Have you now?" he said, getting the lustful look in his eyes that made Hermione's heart beat erratically. "You want to have another baby?" he asked hurriedly. He'd secretly wanted another child or two for a while now. "But your career, what about Gringott's?" he asked.
"Well, I worked until a month before Andrew was born," she reminded him. "And you know Bill will let me work from home if I need to for a while."
"Let's get started then," he said suggestively, wiggling his eyebrows. He kissed her again, and when he pulled back, she laughed.
"I believe we've gotten off to am excellent start today," she said cheekily. "But I suppose practice makes perfect."
She leaned over and kissed him deeply, sending shivers down both their spines. George was continually amazed that, even though they'd been married for almost six years, they still had as much passion as they had their first year of marriage.
"George," she said, "I'm so glad we had to get married. Otherwise, I never would have fallen in love with you. Thank you for being so patient with me in the beginning. It only made me love you more."
"Hermione, I've loved you since I was sixteen," he said in a soft voice. "I'm so happy with you and Andrew and the new one that's going to come before too long." He paused in thought for a moment. "So can we tell everyone we're trying for another baby?"
Hermione giggled. Secrets were a precious commodity in the Weasley family. They were few and far between, and when you had one, someone inevitably winkled it out of you before too long.
"Yes, I suppose we should, but I don't want your mother giving me advice this time," she said. George shuddered at the memory.
"Don't I know it," he replied. "Although I think Dad was worse. He kept telling me which positions to use. I mean, I know they had seven kids, but really! No bloke wants to think about his parents like that."
Hermione giggled. "But his advice worked, didn't it? That's how we got Andrew."
"Don't remind me," he said. "I hate it when my father's right." His expression changed from one of tender and loving to devious. "Speaking of..." he stood, lifting Hermione in his arms and hurried off to the bedroom. "Shall we go to bed, my dear?" he asked teasingly.
She laughed in his arms before sighing happily as they got into bed. "I love you, George. I always will. Don't ever doubt that," she said earnestly.
"I won't, Hermione," he replied in a whisper. "But you couldn't possibly love me more than I love you."
"Care to wager?" she asked.
"You're on Weasley!" he replied, kissing her passionately.
End
A/N- Thanks to all who have reviewed. I hope you enjoyed it!