Final chapter, folks. I want to say thank you to everyone who's read and reviewed and favorited and not written mean things to me. I truly appreciate all of it, and it's what drives me to continue writing. Enjoy!

Epilogue
Hermione stared out the front window watching as Draco spun their son, Carter, around in the air. She could hear the gleeful laughs of the little boy, see the smile that lit up Draco's eyes. Her eyes met her son's, eyes that were so much like his father's, and she couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips when he waved joyously to her. Draco turned and flashed her a smile before making his way inside with Carter safely tucked in his arms. Hermione moved away from the window to open the front door for them.

"Did you have fun?" she asked, taking Carter from Draco.

"So, so much," the two year old exclaimed. Hermione kissed his round and rosy cheek as Draco mussed his brown locks.

"And you?" she asked Draco, already knowing his answer.

Draco rested his hand on her lower back as the small family moved deeper into the house. He sighed in exhaustion as he took a seat on the sofa. "So, so much," he replied, with just slightly less enthusiasm than Carter had. "He wears me out though."

Hermione kissed Carter's head before setting him down on the carpet. She took a seat beside Draco and rested her head against his shoulder. "Yeah, but you love him," she murmured.

Draco nodded his agreement and kissed the top of her head. "I love you too," he whispered, taking her hand. His thumb rubbed the band of the diamond she wore on her left ring finger. He smiled as he remembered the day he proposed.

Draco had just returned home from St. Mungo's to find Hermione asleep on the living room sofa with Carter in his bassinet beside her. He checked on his three month old son, finding his eyes wide open as he stared up, fascinated by his father. Carter cooed, grabbing at Draco's thumb as the older man stroked the baby's soft face.

"Such a good boy," Draco murmured, "letting your mummy get some rest."

"Until his daddy slammed the front door too loudly and disturbed what little peace she had," Hermione quipped, her voice hoarse. She blinked to clear the sleep from her eyes and smiled up at Draco. He wore a look of guilt as he towered over her. "How was your meeting?" she asked.

Reaching into his pocket, Draco pulled out a piece of parchment similar to the one he'd given her eleven months ago.

Hermione unfolded it and smiled wider. "One year sober," she read. "I'm so proud of you." She stood up and hugged him tightly.

Draco returned the gesture, but pulled away seconds later. "There's something else I want to give you," he said, reaching into his other pocket. His hand remained there as she eyed him warily. "Just let me get this out before you say anything," he added, nervously rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. She nodded that she would remain silent, and he cleared his throat and proceeded.

"I know our start was rocky, really rocky. We hated each other as kids, and even as adults we couldn't seem to get along." He produced a short laugh as he remembered the night he climbed into her bed. "But when I needed you, really needed you, you never once hesitated to come to my rescue. You're my best friend, Hermione, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He pulled a diamond ring from his pocket and held it up to her. "Will you marry me?"

Tears glistened in her eyes as she covered her mouth with her left hand. Her right hand rested on his shoulder for support as her legs turned to jelly beneath her. "Yes," she whispered, pulling her hand away from her mouth. She let it cup the back of his neck as she rose up to meet his lips.

They were married less than a year later, the day before Carter's first birthday. It was a small ceremony held on the Manor grounds. Harry and Ginny, Neville and Hannah, and Molly and Arthur Weasley were the only ones in attendance. There had been a long debate about inviting Adrian, but Draco won out in the end. Hermione conceded, fearful that old jealousies could re-arise that would be detrimental to her fiance's recovery.

Carter's tinkling laugh drew him from his reveries. "Coming," he said happily. He bounded over to his father, resting his hands on Draco's knees. Draco gladly picked him up, settling the small boy on his right leg.

"Who's coming, buddy?" he inquired, tightening his hold on Carter as he began to bounce with excitement.

"Jimmy," Carter replied.

Draco glanced at his wife, expecting an explanation. Hermione, hesitant to provide one, scooted away from him.

"Ginny and Harry are coming over," she finally told him after receiving a glowering stare from Draco. "She said they have news."

Draco shook his head and smiled. "I have ten galleons that says she's pregnant again," he replied.

Before Hermione could scold him, Harry and Ginny stepped out of their fireplace, James safely holding onto Harry. Their son, a spitting image of Harry, wiggled around until his father put him down. Pleasantries were exchanged before Hermione demanded they tell her their news.

"We're pregnant," Ginny exclaimed, unable to contain her jubilation.

Draco merely held out his hand, awaiting his wife's payment. Hermione pushed it away as she stood to hug her friends. "We should toast," Hermione suggested, excusing herself to the kitchen. She returned with four flutes and sparkling cider. "Sorry, it's the hardest thing we keep in the house," she said to Harry when she noticed his frown that told her sparkling apple cider wouldn't be his first choice of drink.

"It's fine," he replied, glancing quickly at Draco who began to pour. "How's he doing?"

Hermione smiled. "Three years last month," she told him. "I never thanked you for helping him. I'm not sure we'd be together now if you hadn't."

Harry gave her a sheepish smile as he squeezed her shoulders. "You're still my best friend, Hermione. You deserve to be happy," he said. Draco handed him a glass, which Harry promptly rose. "To happiness," he toasted.

"To Harry and Ginny," Draco said, raising his glass.

"And me," James interrupted.

"Me too, Daddy?" Carter asked.

"And to Carter and James," Draco added before they all took a sip.

Hours later, after dinner had been served and the Potters left, Draco tucked Carter into his bed.

"Love me, Daddy?" he asked sleepily. His eyes were already closing as Draco kissed his forehead.

"Always, buddy," Draco murmured softly.

"And Mama?"

Draco smiled. "Mama too. Go to sleep now." Carter nodded and rolled onto his other side to sleep. With one final glance at his son, Draco left the nursery for the master bedroom. Hermione rested on the bed, her hand atop the small bump that was already beginning to grow.

"Did you get him down okay?" she asked, sighing contently as he lay down beside her and pulled her to him. Opening her eyes, she saw him nod.

"Why didn't you tell them?" he asked, gently caressing the swell of her stomach.

Hermione shrugged. "Didn't want to ruin their news," she replied. A solemn look crossed his face as he watched his hand move across her stomach. "What's the matter?" she asked quietly.

He shrugged, settling deeper into the mattress. "Do you ever worry that you love someone so much that there might not be enough room in your heart to love someone else too?" he asked.

"No," she answered honestly, her brow furrowing as his frown deepened. "And I don't think you have to worry about it either. You can love Carter and me and the new baby all at the same time. Your heart has grown, Draco Malfoy."

Draco cast a hopeful smile her way. "Well," he said thoughtfully, "I've never known you to be wrong before."

The End.