The characters and canon situations in the following story belong solely to JK Rowling. I am not making any money from the publishing or writing of this story.

This is it. I hope you like it.

The stars were scattered across the dark blue sky above the garden and what was left of the birthday cake was either still on the faces of the Weasley grandchildren or safely stored away in the kitchen. The Weasley children were also scattered. Quite conversations intermingled with crickets as gentle snores of exhausted young party goers gave proof to the success of the event.

All of the children had found laps to curl up on and shoulders that were perfect to rest their heads against as the evening wound down. Molly smiled at the collected group of family. This was her favorite time, everyone together without the chaos of activity. Her heart smiled as she watched Ron manage to balance both a squirming Jamie and Lottie; one on either shoulder. Arthur lifted his wand with a swish and soothing music soon filled the night.

A family tradition was being up-held; Molly and Arthur rose together and began the time honored Weasley family way of ending a family event - dancing under the stars.

Bill with his small daughter in his arms offered his free hand to his wife and the threesome began to sway to the music. Harry looked at Ron and smiled, he quickly reached for Ginny wrapped her up in a tight embrace as they joined the others.

Charlie and Hermione had been quietly sitting next to each other listening to the conversations until the music started. Charlie's stomach had been churning with indecision since his discussion with his youngest brother and watching his family couple off made the churning turn into a torrent.

Ron watched his brother flounder with indecision. If it wasn't so important it would be comical. Clearing his throat and looking expectantly at the two, Ron whispered, "I can manage. Go dance."

Charlie looked at Ron and then at Hermione. She looked pleased. His hand moved of its own volition and found hers. They walked a little ways from the rest and faced each other.

"I guess this is the dance I owe you…" Hermione said only for Charlie to hear. It took a minute for Charlie to realize what she was referring to.

"Oh yeah, I guess it is." His hands slipped around her waist as hers reached for his shoulders. Together they began to sway in time to the music. Hermione's head fit perfectly into his shoulder and Charlie could almost hear the cogs and wheels turning in her brain as they both tried to sort out the day, the night, and their world.

The songs changed but the tempo stayed the same. Stars silently crossed the night sky and sleepy relatives slipped into the darkness to find their beds, but Charlie and Hermione did not notice any of it. For that perfect instant they had created a universe of just them. It wasn't until the music softly faded out that they lifted their heads and took note of their surroundings.

"I didn't see anyone leave." Charlie murmured as loosened his grip on Hermione's waist to turn and look around.

In contrast, Hermione's eyes did not want to open when she responded. She felt as if she had been in an extremely pleasant dream and did not want to wake up. "Hum?"

Charlie's attention centered once more on the head resting on his chest. The fragrance of citrus filled his breath and made his heart speed up. "I said it would appear that we are the last ones at the party."

Hermione gently rubbed her cheek against the soft cotton shirt underneath it. She did not want this dream to end. Charlie moved his left hand up to brush away the curls covering Hermione's brow and continued to sway to an unheard melody.

The night sounds seemed louder and Charlie's mind began to re-engage. All of his thoughts came back to Ron's statement about proposing to Hermione. He had so many questions, but only one that mattered.

"Why did you tell Ron, no, when he proposed to you earlier?" Charlie's voice was a whisper.

Hermione turned her face to look at Charlie, "Because, I don't want to marry him."

Charlie looked away and then back at Hermione's smile, "I don't want you to marry him."

"Good, then that is settled," Hermione smiled softly and started to nuzzle Charlie's neck when Charlie pulled away to look down again.

"If you were to get married, why not Ron? He is a good catch." Charlie countered, like a dog with a bone.

Hermione stopped swaying and removed her arms from around Charlie's neck. She gave him a quizzical look and replied, "Ron is truly a wonderful man and I do love him, however when I get married it will not be to him."

"Oh, really," Charlie's voice was getting louder, "who may I ask will you be marrying?"

Hermione smiled and stepped closer, her hand reaching for Charlie's face. Brushing away the hair from his eyes she paused and then laughed, "You, silly, you."

Charlie grinned and pulled her close. As his lips found hers, he whispered, "Well now that we have that settled."

The night sky was giving way to the first streaks of dawn, when Hermione and Charlie finally made their way inside. Not much had been discussed, and yet everything seemed settled. Getting ready for bed was completely different, shy glances, lingering touches, extra pairs of hands made changing into nightclothes exhilarating. Usually, Lottie slept in the middle of their shared bed, but whoever had put her to bed last night didn't know the rules. Lottie was curled up on the side closest to the door leaving the majority of the bed unoccupied.

Before tonight, Hermione and Charlie had been very circumspect and strictly stayed on either side of their daughter. Looking down at the sleeping child, Hermione whispered to Charlie, "It would be a shame to move her. She looks so peaceful."

Charlie nodded and pulled back the sheets motioning Hermione to slide in next to Lottie. Once she was comfortable Charlie gently, as not to disturb the sleeping princess, lay next to Hermione. Both turned on their sides to face each other working on getting comfortable. Charlie's arm wrapped around Hermione's waist, his hand splayed across her lower back.

Hermione's rested on Charlie's shoulder and pulled him closer, kissing him gently. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

The sun was too bright when Lottie tried lifting her mother's eyelid up to see if she was awake. Lottie had tried shaking both her mother and father, but neither one would wake up. The smell of pancakes was overpowering Lottie's self control. She was trying to be a good girl and not get out of bed without telling her mum, but her mum wouldn't wake up!

Pancakes won and Lottie scrambled out of bed and down the stairs. If she was a really good girl maybe Grandma Molly would let her have seconds!

Charlie felt the mattress shift with Lottie's departure and stretching he realized his hand was tucked under something or more importantly, someone. He remembered and grinned into the citrus smelling halo that was once again nuzzled into his chest. Sometime during the night, Hermione and turned in her sleep to face Lottie and was spooning with Charlie. In an attempt to shift his trapped hand, Charlie brushed against Hermione's breast, causing her to shift closer to him, causing his involuntary response of pushing back against her. Charlie silently groaned in his head, he was a normal healthy wizard with the typical morning issues. If Hermione didn't kill him for groping her chest, ramming her bottom with his 'morning glory' would certainly put her over the edge.

Counting to ten and waiting for the attack, Charlie braced himself. He felt Hermione stir and shift as she tuned to face him. Closing his eyes and holding his breath, he waited for the punch or the slap or a well placed knee. Just was he gasped for air, he felt her lips on his and her hands on his face, gently caressing his stubbly beard. It took Charlie a millisecond to process what was happening, before he had the common sense to wrap his arms around Hermione and flip her under him.

"Good morning sunshine," he said between kisses, "where do you think Lottie got off to?"

Hermione required a few more kisses before she could answer. "I smell pancakes."

Charlie nodded and kissed pulled himself up onto his elbows, he didn't want to squash the woman who was such a delightful kisser. While Charlie repositioned himself, Hermione took advantage and pulling her night gown upward, she was able to get one of her legs on either side of Charlie. Both groaned at how wonderful it felt to be so close to each other.

Charlie panicked, he hadn't really intended to wedge himself between Hermione's legs, not that he was complaining. Just as he tried to shift, Hermione pulled down for another heart stopping kiss. Charlie surrendered and stopped trying to fight, the woman was in charge.

Hermione could hear the rest of the household going about their morning routines. Arthur was reading the newspaper headlines to Molly as she made his tea. Part of her knew she should go downstairs and help with Lottie's breakfast, but she just couldn't. All she wanted to do was stay right where she was snogging her daughter's father like a randy teenager. If she were to be truly honest with herself, she desperately hoped they would go beyond a mere snog. Hermione's romantic experience had been limited and she wanted to make up for lost time.

Charlie's body was humming with tension, each and every part of him wanted her, wanted this now. To hell with all of the others wondering where they were. To hell with all of the guilt he had carried around for years. To hell worrying about anything but right here and right now. His t-shirt had found its way to floor along with Hermione's night gown and he was pretty sure her knickers were somewhere at the bottom of the bed. The only thing standing between them and nirvana were his boxers and they were losing ground fast.

Charlie's common sense fought its way back up to the front of his thoughts. "Hermione," he said in small gasps, "are you sure about this?"

Hermione's movement, which had been completely in sync with his, came to a complete stop. She pulled her head to look him in the eye. "Seriously? I have been waiting for three years, six months and a few days for this."

"Three years and six months?" Charlie asked.

"I spend the first three months of being pregnant throwing up - all I wanted was sleep. Once that lovely phase passed, all I wanted was to see you again. So, yes, Mr. Weasley, I am sure about this." Hermione smiled and slipped her hands down his back and under the boxer's waistband.

"Well as long as you're sure." Charlie grinned and reached for his wand.

"What do you need that for?" Hermione whispered in his ear as she discovered how wonderfully, ticklish his earlobes were.

Charlie stopped reaching and looked back at Hermione, "We aren't, you haven't, should we use, you know, protection," his face was now a shade closer to his hair color.

Hermione sighed, "Lottie shouldn't be an only child."

Charlie's face became a complete blank. He was stunned into silence. The implication of Hermione's statement took him to process. He had already committed to being Lottie's father and after last night, he realized being a family with his girls was going to happen. Having more children with Hermione was an unthought-of dream. His hand reached for Hermione's face and he wrapped his fingers in her hair.

"I absolutely agree" and he proceeded to thoroughly agree with her.

Charlie smiled as he pinned the notice to the board in the employee's lounge of the International Welsh Preserve. It read:

Lottie, Hermione, and Charlie Weasley

are pleased to

announce the arrival

of

Caroline Minerva Weasley

On

Tuesday, March 15th

Thanks to everyone that continued to read despite the delay in updates. The story took a completely different twist than I had originally planned and I did lots of early morning thinking.

Your support and praise was humbling.

Thank you.

Deaudle