Within and Without

Twenty-One

*******Hermione*******

The hot blanket wrapped around her is very heavy.

And it has hands. One is holding her breast. Her eyes open as she remembers the previous night. Then they close again, and she finds she doesn't mind the hot blanket currently overheating her, because it is him. Severus. She squirms again, more deliberately this time.

"Mmm." A low rumble sounds behind her, and Severus moves, attempting to pull her closer. His thumb skims across her nipple. His hips flex forward into her backside. His lips brush her shoulder. Hermione moans slightly at the pleasing sensations. Suddenly, he stills behind her; as if forgetting how they got there, but it is obvious when he remembers. He kisses her again, firmer this time, and she sighs. "Good morning," he murmurs.

"It is, isn't it?" she sleepily replies, moving her head a little to entice him to kiss more. A deep, rumbling chuckle filtered through her ears. Hermione felt herself being pulled to rest on top of his chest.

"Yes it is," Severus murmured, combing his fingers through her hair gently. "Makes me wish we could stay in this bed all day."

Hermione pressed her lips to his chest, "Why not? We've been working almost nonstop. And you of all people certainly deserve a break."

She watched as his telltale brow furrowing appeared on his face. Seeing this made her smile. No matter what happened, he was still the same man underneath it all. "I suppose we are deserving of a break," Severus finally agreed with a grin forming on his lips. Hermione mirrored his expression, her fingers dancing along his smooth pecs. They stare into each other's eyes for a while, both smiling and allowing this new reality to sink in. His lips brush hers once, just barely; then connect more fully, but still softly, in a brief kiss. "And frankly, I haven't had my fill of you yet, love."

He called her love.

It made her heart warm. It was by no means a declaration, but it was clear that those feelings were developing. Hermione giggled with delight, kissing Severus passionately. He returned her kiss with equal fervor and before long she was grinding on his cock. Both of them moaning as they shared in the intense, hot, sensations traveling through them. Not fast, but slower motions, as if they were savoring every bit of their time together. Personally Hermione was enjoying every inch of Severus shaft which was buried deep inside her. The rise and fall of her hips brought lewd sounds into the air which mingled with Severus's grunts and groans. They finished together, gasping, nails digging into skin, bodies tensing first and then relaxing in a sort of boneless state of satisfaction.

They lay together, this time with Hermione on Severus's side, her head resting in the crook of his neck and her hand on his chest. Mentally she was thanking her lucky stars for the strong charm she placed to hide her pregnancy from Severus. A moment like this would be ruined if he were to suddenly see her five month long pregnant belly. Speaking of bellies, Hermione was currently humming as she stroked her lover's toned stomach with her fingers. She was surprised when he suddenly stopped her motions, bringing her hand to his lips. The ring on her finger sparkled in the sunlight. "You know, even though I can't quite recall giving this to you; it feels right having you wear this," Snape murmured, meeting her eyes. "I gave up on having any semblance of a romantic relationship. And after that horrible battle at Hogwarts, romance was the furthest thing from my mind. I was focused on defeating Voldemort only. My own life was of little consequence. But you....I'm very glad you haven't left me Hermione."

"Severus," she breathed, leaning up to look into his eyes more directly, "I will never leave, unless you want me to. I love you. I know you might be feeling pressured to remember, but today I just want us to relax and enjoy each other. It means the world to me that even now, you like seeing your ring on my hand. It just reaffirms all the reasons why I still wear it. Because you're still you, Severus. You're still the man I fell in love with. The man I someday wish to marry."

He kissed her then. Sweetly, and heavy with emotion. There were no additional words, but none were needed. "Well then, we missed breakfast--but, I do know of a nice spot for a bit of brunch. Perfect, for lazy days like this."

*************Severus**********

She was laughing. Well, giggling more like, as she popped another delicately prepared pastry into her mouth. Her hair fell to the side in glossy curls and a flower hair pin (which she transfigured from the roses last night) that kept the hair pulled back. Her lips were coated in a bold, seductive shade to match and by contrast her dress was a very pale shade of pink. Absolutely gorgeous. Severus couldn't fathom how he was granted with the privilege of being in close proximity with such beauty. Presently, he was sipping his mimosa, Hermione having opted for tea, and he was regaling her with the happier tales of his childhood. Few they may be. "Ohhh....you were positively adorable as a child!" Hermione cooed and Severus rolled his eyes,

"Ah yes, just how every ten year old boy wishes to be described as...." he drawled, a hint of a smirk on his lips. And then thirty minutes later they were leaving the restaurant, stomachs full, and arm in arm. Severus couldn't recall a time where he felt so happy and relaxed. He found himself being dragged into a nearby store. An antiques shop to be exact. The shop was filled to the brim with all sorts of things. From furniture, to books, to lamps, to toys, to clothes, and whatever other trinkets and things you could think of. Severus regarded most of the things to be junk, but he did not dissuade Hermione from having a look around. He wandered around the store himself, examining a few items in a vaguely interested sort of way. A gasp from the opposite end of the quiet store caught his attention.

"This is gorgeous," he heard Hermione say and as he neared he saw that she was not alone.

A woman, small in stature, but with equally curly hair (hers was light gray) was at her side. "Yes. I'm glad you think so. Most people have passed this up, for a more traditional design. But I think the snakes are very elegant." As Severus joined them, he finally caught sight of what exactly it was the two were commenting on. A blanket. It was a shimmery whitish silver color, with deep emerald green snakes at the corners. The fabric was rather lush as well.

"You're right, it is a nice blanket, a bit small...." Snape observed, drawing the gaze of both women.

The elder woman chuckled, "Well that's because it's a baby blanket sir. Your wife has a good eye."

His wife. Rather than correct the old woman, Severus just smiled. "That she does. Although I'm sure people doubt that now since she's been with me." That earned him a swat to his arm.

"Oh hush love, you're very handsome. You just want me to boost your ego," Hermione teased, pecking his cheek. "Please ma'am don't mind him; he's always like this."

The gray-haired lady grinned. "Still in the honeymoon phase I see how lovely. My name is Mrs. Juniper by the way. I'm sorry I couldn't greet you when you first walked in. You'd be surprised how much inventory I get in regularly. I'd be happy to help you both if you're looking for anything in particular... This is your first child I presume?"

Beside him, Hermione stilled and then stammered, "Oh! Uh, uh, uh, act-actually I was j-just l-looking. This blanket caught my eye, that's all," she explained. She looked up at him and he was shocked by how wet her gaze was. Was something wrong? "We don't need to--"

"We'll take it," Snape insisted, grasping both of Hermione's shoulders in his hands. "After all, you never know what the future could hold."

Mrs. Juniper nodded and took the blanket from Hermione gently. "I'll go ring this up and get it bagged for you."

Once she was gone, Severus focused on Hermione. "You seem sad all of the sudden, what's wrong?"