| Harry and Ginny paced nervously outside of the hospital wing along with Fred, George, Arthur, and Molly. Monica had been woken up to come down and she was now lying tiredly on the floor next to Daisy. Everyone was waiting anxiously for word� and an explanation.
The door opened and everyone looked up. It was Madam Pomfrey. �Harry, Ginny,� she said quietly. �Mr. Weasley is asking for you.� Hermione had been moved to a private room in the back of the wing, but her screams could still be heard. Ginny sighed in relief. At least he hadn�t called them in to tell them she was injured or something terrible. Ron emerged from the back room, draped in hospital robes. He looked both frantic and excited. �Oh good!� he called, moving toward them. He flung himself at them and then backed away. �Okay� I know this is crazy, but let me explain.� And with that, he clarified the events of what had happened only hours ago. How he had walked in to see Hermione having contractions and intended on walking in there to propose. He explained how they were engaged and what he told Madam Pomfrey. His ears flushed red and he stared at the floor. �And I know you probably think I�m a nutter because of this� but it�s like I know. You know how long it usually takes me when I�m trying to decide something, but I decided all of this within minutes� I just� knew.� Ron looked at them cautiously. They were both smirking at him. Ginny�s eyes had filled with tears. �What?� Ron asked innocently. Ginny mimicked her brother and flung herself on his neck. �I�m so proud of you.� Ron had definitely expected some kind of reaction, but this was certainly the last. He looked at Harry, as if asking if he felt the same way. He only gave his nod of approval, but Ron could distinctly see tears lining Harry�s bright green eyes. �Tell everyone what happened,� he said, wiping his own tears away. �This is amazing� is this what it�s supposed to feel like?� The two nodded in unison, and without another word, Ron disappeared into the back room. Ron ran back to rejoin Hermione and Madam Pomfrey excitedly. His heart was beating a mile a minute, his entire body jumpy at the thought that in only a matter of minutes, he would be a father with a real family. A family that he had not had for eleven years. He was finally going to get what his brothers and sister had. Hermione looked up at him as he entered, her eyes full of pain. Ron raced over to her side and pressed his lips to her perspiring forehead. �I�m here, I�m here,� he whispered. �Ron,� she gasped. �Sh, don�t speak. Concentrate.� She quieted at that moment, leaning her head toward his and breathing heavily. He closed his eyes blissfully. It was actually happening, all of it. He was not going to wake up in a minute and realize it was a dream. Hermione was really here, she was back in his life, and they were having a baby. A baby. A real family. I�m finally going to have someone calling me Daddy. �Miss Granger, you�re dilated to ten centimeters. It�s time to deliver this baby.� Hermione�s eyes widened with fright and Ron noticed it immediately. He took her hand and in a reassuring voice, whispered, �I�ve got you, my love. I�m not going anywhere.� Harry and Ginny retreated to the hall, and after telling them everything and answering questions they had, the door to the hospital wing burst open, and Ron stood in front of them, smiling from ear to ear. �It�s a boy!� Everyone in the hall clapped and cheered. Monica threw her arms around her uncle. Daisy threw her arms around his legs. �He�s eight pounds, twelve ounces. His name is Christopher Ronald Weasley.� They all looked around, delighted. They showered Ron in hugs, kissing him and congratulating him. He couldn�t believe the attitude they had. He had only known about the baby for a few hours and all of a sudden, he was a father. They were celebrating like they had been waiting around nine months for it to happen. Ron then went back to visit with Hermione and his son. My son, he thought happily. Hermione stared at Ron with a pair of loving eyes as he kissed her tenderly. �Hello, daddy.� Ron closed his eyes happily and sat down on the bed next to Hermione. �I can�t believe this,� he whispered. �Six hours ago my life was hollow and empty,� he stared at the baby resting in Hermione�s arms, �and now I have a family.� �I� I don�t think there are any words,� she sighed. �I�m curious to know,� he said, gently petting his son�s hair, �how he got this?� The tuft on Chris� head was bright red, almost identical to Ron�s. Hermione flushed. She looked at Ron, smiled and answered, �I guess I have a thing for redheads.� Ron smiled dreamily, leaning his head down to meet her lips. He let his left hand softly caress her craned neck. This was heaven. This was everything. This was life. He was no longer just Uncle Ron. |
 |
 |