Both of Us

When Neville came to examine her four weeks after her last visit, he asked if she wanted to take labor classes.



“That’s a good idea Pansy.” Ron told her. “You’d be aware of what will happen.”



“He’s right, you wouldn’t go into labor blind.” Neville confirmed.



“Alright. Where do I need to go?” She asked.



“I’ll get you signed up. She’ll need a coach Ron.” Neville told him.



“Will they let me?” He asked.



“Anyone can be a coach, not just the father.”



“Can I be the coach?” He asked.



Pansy smiled at his excitement. “Yes, if you want.” Ron was more excited then Pansy was about classes, and when the time came around he made sure he had everything he needed.



“Ron are you sure you want to do this?” She asked as they walked down the hall to where the classes were held.



“Yes. Come on, we don’t want to be late.” She giggled as they rushed into the room.



They were welcomed by a medwitch who told them to help themselves to drinks if they wanted and find a place in the circle. They seated themselves cross legged on the floor.



Together they learned the labor process and the potions available. They also went over what was done when things went wrong and emergency situations, then were told they would be taught breathing exercises.



Pansy was a little nervous about sitting in between Ron’s legs, but he cradled her gently and she began breathing with the rest of the room. As the instructor told her, she rested her head against Ron’s shoulder and listened to his breathing in her ear. It was indeed relaxing as the nurse said it would be.



Ron was glad that he had a pillow resting between him and Pansy, because he had the biggest erection he thought possible. He was rock hard because a pregnant woman was sitting between his legs? What kind of twisted and perverted git was he to get a hard on from a pregnant woman breathing?



He focused on trying to breathe with her and make her comfortable. Then he was told to cradle her belly while she breathed. Reaching with his hands, he rested them on her belly, while Pansy let her own drop beside his legs. He felt movements beneath his hands, and smiled to himself as the baby either kicked and punched. He couldn’t resist it and circled her belly with both hands. She didn’t stop him, merely continued on with her breathing.



Before one of their later classes let out, the nurse told them to practice at home. That night they did just that. Sitting as they had learned in class, they practiced and as Ron slid his hands along her belly again he brushed her breasts in the process.



Both of them froze, not knowing what to do. Pansy felt her body react and to her embarrassment, felt her nipples stiffen. Would he think she was a slut because of her response? She didn’t move at all. She remained with her head resting on his shoulder and her hands limp.



“I’m sorry.” He whispered in her ear, his breathe warm and comforting.



“It’s alright.” She whispered back, still not moving. She closed her eyes as she felt Ron’s kiss on her neck. She rolled her head to the side as his open lips kissed her again. He brushed his lips up to her ear and for a while just held her.



He helped her to her feet and walked her to her room. He gave her a kiss on her cheek and wished her a goodnight.



During the middle of the night Ron left his room heading to the kitchen and noticed Pansy’s door was open. He looked inside and saw her sleeping. Moving beside her bed he looked down at her face. She was so tranquil in her sleeping expression and Ron could almost detect a smile on her face.



She had kicked off the blanket in her sleep and he saw the rolling movements of her baby inside her. He smiled to himself and looked up again at her face. Pansy was a true beauty and the thought of her leaving was depressing to him.



As he watched her eyes, they slowly opened and blinked a few times, then focused on him. She didn’t move a muscle.



Ron leaned down and place a light kiss on her lips. Pansy pursed her lips and took his kiss with gratitude. In silence he went to his own room.



It was some time before he fell asleep. He thought about Pansy and his feelings. He dreaded the thought of her leaving for Draco’s castle. He wanted her here. He wanted to be there when her baby was born, he wanted to coach her through her birth. He wanted her to return him with him.



He thought of how wonderful it felt to leave the infirmary and come home to have her here to talk to in the evenings. Lately, as he felt her moving belly as they practiced, he had come to anticipate the birth as much as she did.



He knew what he had to do. He knew he had to talk to her, and the anxiety of talking to her kept him from getting much sleep.





Pansy slowly walked into the kitchen. The smell of coffee was too tempting to stay in bed any longer. She had wanted to ask Ron why he was watching her last night, but unsure of how to go about it. She didn’t want to sound insulted, because she wasn’t. She felt safe with him there beside her, and a sense of comfort at his gentle kiss.



She was greeted by his smiling face and a fresh breakfast. “Good morning.”



“Good morning.” She said returning his smile. As they tucked in Pansy deciding waiting would just put off the inevitable. “Ron, why were you watching me last night?” She kept her expression light and curious.



“Well, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” He said finishing his plate and looking at her. “I’ve been thinking about how things are with you here lately and it feels good.”



“I’ve enjoyed staying here too Ron.” She told him.



“I’ve more then enjoyed it Pansy. I’ve come to think of it as a joy in my life. You don’t know how I look forward to coming home and seeing you here.”



“I don’t know what to say Ron.” She was confused about what he was getting at.



“I don’t want you to leave Pansy. When Draco returns I want you to stay with me.”



“What are you saying Ron?” She asked.



“I’m saying Pansy, that I want you to marry me.”



Pansy nearly had a heart attack. “You want to marry me?” She whispered.



“Yes Pansy. I want to get married.” He told her.



“Ron, you can help me out and be there for me without marrying me.” She said wondering at his motives.



“That’s not why I want to marry you, although I do want to take care of you and the baby. Pansy my ideal woman, is a woman of strength and courage, one who sees that there are more important things in life then social image, and who isn’t going to trade in her beliefs just for the sake of appearances. Some who understands sacrifices made for love.”



“You think I’m like that Ron?” She asked.



‘Yes, I’ve told you before that it takes a lot of bravado to do what you are doing. I know you understand sacrifice because you are doing it for your child. I’ve seen how you enjoy helping in the infirmary, and I know you can see how great things are here. We may not be madly in love but we can make a good life together Pansy, one for us and for the baby. You are my ideal woman and I want us to get married and be a family.”



Pansy felt her eyes welling up. Ron was a wonderful man. She used to have dreams of man who loved her more then life but his words mean more then declarations of undying devotion. He was asking to be the one to take care of her and the baby. He was asking to be the man in her life, and the security she wanted. Her dreams of a husband and family were right in front of her and all she needed to do was accept it.



“Ron I…….” Her eyes flew open and she gasped.



“Pansy what is it?” He followed her eyes down to her lap and saw her jeans were soaked. “Pansy your water broke.”