New Beginnings

Chapter 14 Tears

It had been five weeks since Draco and Hermione’s vacation at the Manor. They had moved her into the loft and put her flat on the market. Together, they redecorated the loft so it looked less like Draco and more like ‘them’. They were settling into their life as a ‘real couple’ better than they ever expected; it just felt right to both of them.

“Draco, I’ve got an appointment tomorrow morning so I won’t be able to have breakfast with you.”

He looked at her, “Ok, do you want to have lunch?” Draco was lying in bed reading while Hermione prepared her clothes for the next day.

“Sure, tomorrow is my light day. I’ll come by after my appointment.” He nodded; then looked up at her.

“What’s your appointment?”

“OB/GYN.”

“What’s that?”

“Sorry Love, it’s like a Mediwitch for Women’s Health.” He nodded, his brow furrowed.

“Are you ok?”

“I’m fine, Draco. It’s just a check-up and I think I may be getting a cold or something. I’ve been feeling a bit run down lately. We’ve been doing so much since we got back from vacation, trying to get everything settled, I may have overdone it a bit.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” She turned and looked at him; she could see the concerned look on his face. Hermione walked over and sat on the bed next to him.

“That’s sweet, Love, but it’s not necessary. It’s just a routine checkup. I have one every year. I’m fine, I promise.” The look on his face told her that he wasn’t convinced. “What is it, Love?”

“I guess I just get a little nervous when I hear about those Healers because of Mother.”

“I can understand that, but try to look at it this way. We’ve been together and intimate for the past three and a half months, right?” He nodded. “You know my body better than any doctor does, true?” Draco started to blush. “So, does everything look and feel ok, Doc?” Hermione placed one of his hands on her breast and the other between her legs.

“Yes…” She kissed her, softly, on the lips. “You’re the only person that can make me do that, you know.” He rested his forehead against hers.

“Do what, Love?”

“Make me blush, I never blush but for some reason, you can make me blush.” Hermione just smiled as she ran her fingers through the back of his hair. “Are you coming to bed?”

“In a few minutes, I just have to brush my teeth.” She kissed his forehead and got up. When she came back, Draco had turned out the light; the room was all aglow from the fireplace. She climbed into bed and snuggled next to him. His warm arms snaked around her, pulling her closer. He kissed her softly as he slid his hand into her panties, gently caressing her folds.

“Mm, Draco…” She spread her legs to give him better access. He deepened their kiss as he slid her panties down her thighs, pushing them off with his foot. Hermione whimpered as his fingers entered her wet pussy. His kisses were warm and soft as he brought her closer and closer to her peak. Hermione reached for him and began to work his member. His head slick with pre-cum. He groaned as she worked him towards his release. Hermione gasps and buried her face in the crook of his neck as she reached her peak. Her body trembled as her walls clenched around his fingers. She pumped his cock faster, in time with his fingers. Draco growled as he came hard, his body shaking, his teeth clenched. As they started to come down, they continued to kiss, tease, and taste each other.

Draco used his wand to clean them up and pulled her closer to him. “I love you, Hermione.”

“I love you,too, Draco.” They fell asleep almost immediately.

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Hermione had gotten up early, showered, dressed and made breakfast for Draco and was about to leave for her Doctor’s appointment when a sleepy Draco descended the stairs.

“Morning, Love. Did you eat?”

“No, I didn’t. I have to have blood tests so I’m not supposed to eat until afterwards.” He nodded.

“Are we still having lunch?”

“Of course we are. I’ll call you when I’m done with my appointment. It shouldn’t take too long.” She paused. “But then again, muggle doctors aren’t known for being punctual. Anyway, I will call you when I’m done and I will be back afterwards.” She walked over and kissed him as she headed for the door. “I love you.”

“I love you.”


&&&&&&&&&&&&&

“Good morning, Hermione. How have you been?”

“Good morning, Kelly. I’ve been fine, just a bit tired lately.” The doctor smiled at her.

“What’s been going on with you lately? Have you been working a lot of hours, as usual?” Hermione smiled, her doctor knew she was a workaholic.

“I was for a little while but that was just before mid-terms. My boyfriend took me on a nice surprise vacation for a couple of days, a few weeks ago, so I’m surprised that I’m still so tired. Maybe I’m getting a cold or something.”

“You have a boyfriend? That’s something new. How long has this been going on?”

“Since the beginning of the term, so three and a half months; we’ve known each other for a long time, since we were kids, as a matter of fact. We just moved in together a few weeks ago.” The doctor nodded and smiled. She could see that Hermione just beamed when she spoke of him. “He’s…just wonderful. I can’t believe I got so lucky. He takes care of me; I’ve never had that, Kelly, not ever. I’ve always been the one that takes care of everyone. I can’t believe he’s real, sometimes. I never thought I could be this happy.”

“That’s wonderful. Love becomes you. Ok, Hermione, let’s see what’s going on with you and find out why you’ve been so tired.” She nodded and Kelly started the exam. There was a knock on the door, Kelly’s assistant, Rose, came in to help her and bring in the test results. When Kelly finished, she told Hermione to get dressed and she would meet her in her office.

“So Kelly, do I need some vitamins or something?” Hermione sat down with a cheerful smile on her face. Kelly had the same smile.

“Yes, Hermione, you do need some vitamins,” she handed her two prescriptions, “and I will need to see you in four weeks.” Hermione started to read the papers in her hand as she spoke.

“Why do you need to see me in…Kelly? Are these?” Kelly nodded. Hermione’s eyes filled up with tears, “I’m…pregnant?” Kelly nodded. She just looked from the papers to Kelly. “Kelly, please tell me this could be wrong? Please?” She was crying openly, her body was shaking.

“Hermione, I thought you would be happy about this? You’ve always said that you wanted to have children. You’ve even discussed in vitro fertilization; I don’t understand.”

“I do, I always have. But Draco… He…he doesn’t…His father was…horrible…abusive…He doesn’t want children…Even the idea, it terrifies him… I…I can’t have this baby…I’ll lose him.” She was heaving and crying, making it difficult to talk. Kelly walked over and sat next to Hermione, taking her hands.

“Hermione, listen to me. You have a life growing inside of you. This is something that you’ve always wanted. This baby is a part of both of you and you love each other. Talk to him; the idea of a child and a child are two very different things.”

“Kelly, you don’t understand, this isn’t something he said in passing. He freaked out; he told me he couldn’t be a father. He’s going to think that I’m trying to push him into something that he doesn’t want. I have to terminate this pregnancy.”

“Hermione, I’m not going to let you do anything rash because you’re upset. I also know you well enough to know that you need as much information as possible when you’re trying to make a decision. I will give you the pre-natal vitamins; I want to take them, no matter what you decide. They will help with the fatigue. I’m going to give you some reading material so you know all of your options. I want you to read everything thoroughly and come see me in a week so we can talk, just talk. Can you do that, please?” Hermione nodded and sniffled.

“I didn’t want it to be like this. I wanted it to be happy, I wanted him to be here with him…I wanted him to be happy… This wasn’t supposed to hurt…I wasn’t supposed to have to choose…Him or our child? How is that fair? Kelly, it’s not fair.” Kelly put her arm around Hermione’s shoulder and let her cry.

“Hermione, I can’t tell you that it’s gonna be ok because I don’t know that for sure. I do know that the man you told me about does not sound like the type of person that would abandon you and your child. He loves you too much to do that. Now, I want you to go home and get some rest; make sure you eat lunch. I know you haven’t eaten yet today. Don’t make any decisions today and please don’t make any decisions without Draco. I know you’re scared but he really does need to be involved in this.”

Hermione nodded. Kelly gave her a gentle hug before gathered the books and pamphlets and vitamins for Hermione. “I’ll see you in a week. If you need anything, just call. I put my card in the bag; it has my mobile number on it. Don’t hesitate to call if you need to talk, ok?” Hermione nodded. “I’m going to have Ellen come in her to set up your next appointment then she will show you out the back way so you don’t have to walk through the waiting room.” Kelly walked to the door. “Hermione, I’m here if you need me.”

“Thank you, Kelly.”

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Hermione wondered around aimless for a while before she took a taxi back to the loft. She went straight upstairs to their bedroom, sat in the middle of the bed and began to look through the material that Kelly gave her.

• So you’re having a baby, now what?
• Raising a child on your own
• Terminating a pregnancy: what happens to you, body and mind.
• The life growing inside of you.
• You and your baby
• Telling him you’re pregnant when he’s not your spouse

Hermione spread everything out in front at her, staring at all of the material. Tears began to trickle down her cheeks as she reached for ‘Telling him you’re pregnant when he’s not your spouse’. The book gave many stories and scenarios, most of them good, where the partner was shocked but happy about the baby. Hermione curled up with Draco’s pillow pressed against her stomach and cried.

‘These are all muggle stories. They don’t know, they can’t relate to what we’ve been through, what he’s been through. This will never have a happy ending. I’m going to have to choose between you and your daddy, little one and I don’t know which to choose. I’m so scared.’ She drifted off into a restless sleep, her heart aching.

Draco looked at the clock; it was 12:30pm. Hera’s appointment at 8:30am, she should have been back a while ago. He had called her mobile several times but she didn’t answer, he was starting to get concerned. He got up from his desk and walked out to give some contracts for Alice to send out.
“Alice, has Hermione called?” She could see the concerned look on his face.

“No, she came home a couple hours ago. I actually thought you were upstairs with her. I saw her through the window; she looked like she was upset. You might want to go up and check on her.” Draco’s heart jumped into his mouth. He nodded.

“Um, Alice, I don’t know if I’ll be back or not. Can you take care of things?” She nodded.

“I’ve got it covered, Drake. Go check on Hermione. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Alice.” She nodded and smiled.

Draco ran up the front stairs. He saw Hermione’s shoes next to the door, along with her coat. She wasn’t in her office or her study. He ran upstairs to their bedroom. When he reached the bedroom doorway, he gasped. Hermione was curled up in a ball in the middle of the bed hugging his pillow. There were books and papers all around her. Her face was pink and puffy from crying. Draco walked over to the bed slowly, and sat next to her. He glanced at the material on the bed, his heart almost stopped.

‘Terminating a pregnancy: what happens to you, body and mind. What? Why would Hera have this?’ He reached for another book, ‘Raising a child on your own’ then another ‘Telling him you’re pregnant when he’s not your spouse’. Draco felt his heart pounding and he started to sweat. His mind started to reel.

‘Hera’s pregnant…we’re having a baby? I’m gonna be a father? I’m gonna be someone’s Daddy? What if we have a little girl? I hope she has Hera’s lips and those curls. Oh, but I would love it if she had my eyes then everyone would know she’s a Malfoy. Hmm, Malfoy, she would be a Malfoy, wouldn’t she? I’d like that.” He felt Hermione stir next to him; he stroked her cheek as she opened her eyes. They were bloodshot and puffy. She started crying immediately when she realized that he saw what was on the bed.

“Draco, I’m so sorry. I promise, I didn’t do it on purpose. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I’m so sorry. I’ll take care of it. Please, Draco, I don’t want to lose you… I’m so sorry.” He could hear the despair in her voice, she was terrified. He pulled her into his arms, rocking her, kissing her head. She was coughing and nearly hyperventilating.

“Shhh, Love, breathe… Hera, calm down… You’re going to make yourself sick.”

“You said you didn’t want this… I didn’t do this to try to trap you.”

“Hera, stop… Look at me… I need to hear you say it…Please…” She looked at him, she was shaking.

“Draco, I’m pregnant.” His heart felt like it was about to burst with joy. Yes, he was scared to death but his joy was overshadowing his fear. They were going to be a real family. His brain was reeling with all of the things they could do as a family. All of the wizarding vacations they could go on. He was even looking forward to going on muggle vacations like taking them Disney World and Universal Studios. “Draco, please say something…” He could hear the fear in her voice. He touched her face, lovingly.

“We’re gonna have a baby?” He reached down and rubbed her belly. He was completely awestruck. “There a part of both of us growing in here?” He looked into her eyes. Hermione nodded, not sure how to react to his questions. “When? When are we having a baby?”

“I…I don’t know… I was too shocked to ask.”

“They’re sure… They’re positive? We’re really having a baby?”

“Yes…” she said nervously as she wrung her hands. Suddenly, Draco jumped up and moved to the bottom of the bed. He tossed all of the pamphlets and books on the floor, snatched the pillow away from her and tossed it across the bed. He grabbed her legs, pulling her towards him. Draco pushed her jumper up and unbuttoned and unzipped her pants. A look of terror crossed Hermione’s face until she felt his warm lips just below her navel. Draco rested his cheek on her belly as he gently rubbed her sides. She touched his head tentatively.

“Thank you…Thank you…Thank you, Hera…” Draco rested his head there for a moment or two before he crawled up her body and started covering her face with kisses. “I love you…I love you…I love you…” He started undressing her; Hermione still stared at him, in shock. Draco began to pepper her face and neck with kisses. He undressed Hermione then undressed quickly. When she felt his warm body over hers, Hermione’s emotions finally caught up with her. She started to cry as Draco kissed her. “No more tears, Love… Shhh… Everything’s ok now…”

“But you said…”

“Forget what I said…My Baby is having our baby…I’m so happy…” He kissed her deeply as he entered her slowly, gently. Hermione gasped. She was surprised at how ready she was for him, despite being so upset. She sighed softly as he filled her completely; warmth spread throughout her body. Hermione clung to him, reveling in the feeling of the moment. She looked into his eyes, desperately needing his reassurance.

“Draco… Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. We’re gonna be a family.” She smiled and kissed him passionately. They made love slowly and gently then Hermione fell asleep in his arms.

Hermione woke up to Draco stoking her hair. “Hi Love. I made you some lunch; Chinese Chicken Salad in a Pita Pocket and Pomegranate Tea, no more caffeine for you, Beautiful. If you eat all of your lunch, we can go to Ichabod’s for cupcakes later.” He sat the tray on the bed in front of her, placed the tea on the bedside table before going to the other side of the bed to sit down.

“Draco, are you sure you’re ok with this? You said…” He kissed her temple.

“Hera, I know what I said and I know that this was meant to be. I want a family with you. Yes, this is sooner than I was expecting and yes, I’m scared to death. But I am so happy I could jump out of my skin…I want to yell it at the top of my lungs… We’re having a baby…I am completely elated.” He kissed deeply, making her toes curl. “When is your next appointment? Can I go with you?”

“You want to go?”

“Of course I want to go. I don’t want to miss a moment of this.”

“It’s next week, Wednesday at 9am. Kelly, my doctor, will be happy that this turned out well. She was very worried about me. I kind of fell apart this morning.” Hermione was still in shock. ‘Could it be? My dreams are going to come true?’

“I heard; Alice saw you crying when you got home.” Hermione wasn’t sure whether to be upset for Alice telling Draco or relieved that she told him. She was leaning towards relieved at the moment. “Hermione, were you really thinking about ending this pregnancy?”

“Draco, I didn’t know what to think. All I could remember was what you said when we were at the manor. I didn’t want to force you into something that you didn’t want because of my carelessness.” He sighed, partially out of frustration. Draco cupped her face in his hands then kissed her on the lips.

“Hermione, WE created this baby… You weren’t careless and if you were, then so was I. From the beginning, we never discussed contraception; I’m not sure why…But I don’t regret it for a minute. Maybe this was supposed to happen; maybe it was supposed to happen now after we started building a home together.” Draco brushed a stray hair away from her face. “This is going to be the biggest, scariest adventure of our lives and we’re going to go through all of it together. I’m going to be by your side, holding your hand through all of this.” Hermione looked at him; searching his face for any signs of doubt, there wasn’t any. “You’re stuck with me, Hermione.” He smiled. He took out his wand and guided the tray off of the bed, setting on the table by the fireplace. Hermione snuggled close to him so her head was on his chest; Draco pulled the fluffy green blanket up to cover her as she made herself comfortable.

“You're still tired, aren’t you, Love?” She nodded. “Do you want me to stay with you?” She nodded, again. He kissed her head and slid down so he was more comfortable. Within a few minutes, Draco could tell that she was sound asleep. She was holding him tightly; she had a sweet smile on her face. His heart skipped a beat.

‘We’re having a baby…” Draco drifted off to sleep with a smile on his face.