LIAB Future Cookies

No Greater Joy

August 2016

Harry walked into the bedroom with Hamish to find Hermione sitting on their bed, cradling Daniel in her arms.

“Morning, Mummy,” Four year old Hamish said, letting go of Harry’s hand and running over to give Hermione a kiss.

Hermione leaned over and kissed her son’s cheek. “Morning, sweetheart.”

Hamish clambered up onto the bed next to Hermione and plonked himself down. “Is Daniel okay?” he asked, reaching out to stroke his younger brother’s hair. Hamish adored Daniel; they were the best of friends.

“Daniel’s not feeling very well, sweetie. I think maybe he’s getting sick.”

Hamish considered this for a second, then patted his brother’s cheek and hopped off the bed. “Are we still going to Grandma and Grandpa’s today?” Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance; they were supposed to be taking the boys to see Hermione’s parents.

Harry held his hand out to Hamish. “Why don’t we go downstairs and get you some breakfast? How about you go and get dressed first, though, then we’ll eat. Do you want Daddy to come and help you get dressed?”

Hamish looked up at Harry with a stern look on his face. “No, Daddy. I’m a big boy now, I can dress myself.” As if to prove a point, he ignored Harry’s hand and stomped out of the room.

Harry watched him go with an amused grin, then looked at Hermione, who was trying hard to conceal her laughter. “Hmmm, I wonder where he gets that from?” he mused.

Hermione shook her head. “Nuh uh, you’re not pinning that on me. The stubborn streak is definitely from your side of the family.” Harry smiled, then crossed the room to sit down on the bed next to Hermione. Daniel was asleep, his head against Hermione’s chest.

Harry reached out and felt his forehead. “He’s a bit hot.”

“I know. I don’t think we should take him outside today; he probably needs to sleep it off and I don’t want him to be unsettled.” She sighed. “I can’t put Mum and Dad off again though; they won’t understand it for a third time.”

Harry thought for a moment, then gently stroked his son’s cheek. “Why don’t you take Hamish, and I’ll stay here with Daniel? That way, you and Hamish can still see your folks, and I can keep Daniel here in bed. Then everybody’s happy.”

Hermione paused, then nodded. “Okay. I don’t really want to leave him, though.” She kissed the top of Daniel’s head.

“I know you don’t, honey. But as you said, you can’t put them off again. You go; I’m sure Hamish will keep you more than busy.” He leaned over to kiss her softly. “Go hop in the shower. I’ll check on Hamish and get him some breakfast.”

Harry gently lifted Daniel from Hermione’s lap, and the two year old immediately wrapped his arms and legs around his father. Hermione stood up, and kissed her baby’s cheek, before turning to go into the ensuite.

Harry grabbed her arm. “Hey, you didn’t tell me,” He slipped a hand beneath her pyjama bottoms to rub her tummy gently. “How’s the little one doing this morning?” he asked with a grin.

Hermione was four months pregnant with their third child; an unexpected but pleasant surprise for them. Harry and Hermione had decided they were happy with their two sons, and were most surprised to discover Hermione had fallen pregnant for a third time. Nevertheless, now they knew, they couldn’t imagine not having a third child.

Hermione grinned back. “Our daughter is fine, Harry.” She reached up and gave him a passionate kiss. Hermione was convinced this time they were having a girl; this pregnancy had been so different from the first two – no sickness, no nausea. Hermione felt wonderful and was just glowing. She was also barely showing; with Hamish and Daniel, by the fourth month, she’d been huge. They kissed for a few moments, but reluctantly separated when Daniel stirred in Harry’s arms.

“I love you,” Hermione whispered.

Harry smiled. “I love you too, honey,” he replied. Hermione gave him one last kiss, then disappeared to take a shower.

---

Hermione slung her handbag over her shoulder and took Hamish’s hand as they reached the front door. Harry followed, with Daniel still in his arms, his head resting comfortably on Harry’s shoulder. He’d slept most the morning, waking only to have a bottle.

“Okay, I’ll try to get home early this afternoon, if I can.” Hermione said as Harry opened the door.

“We’ll be fine. I’ll ring you if he shows any signs of getting worse, okay?” Harry and Hermione had installed a Muggle telephone when they’d first moved into the house, given the fact that Hermione’s parents were still not used to owls swooping in with messages from their daughter. Since both were Muggle raised, they were adept with a phone.

“Okay.” Hermione leaned over and gently kissed Daniel’s cheek one last time, then reached up to kiss Harry goodbye.

“I love you,” he said quietly as she pulled away.

Hermione smiled. “I love you too, Harry. I’ll see you soon.” Harry smiled back, then watched as Hermione leaned over to pick Hamish up.

“You are getting very heavy, young man,” she said, perching Hamish on her hip.

Hamish gave an exasperated sigh. “That’s because I’m a big boy now, Mummy!” It was clear from his tone that he was tired of repeating this rather obvious fact to his parents.

“Well, I hope you’re not too big to give Daddy a kiss goodbye,” Harry said teasingly. He leaned over and kissed Hamish on the cheek, and Hamish patted his face accordingly. Hermione smiled; Hamish had gotten into the recent habit of patting everyone he loved on the cheek - it was a sign of affection from him.

She put him down and held his hand as they made their way to the car. Hamish took the opportunity to turn back one last time and wave goodbye as he hopped into his seat; Hermione strapped him in, then blew Harry a kiss before climbing into the car and driving away.

---

Harry checked his watch to find it was almost 4pm. He was exhausted. Daniel had woken around 1pm and seemed to be feeling a lot better, although his head was still a little warm. He’d drunk another bottle, then decided it was time to play, so Harry had spent the last two and a half hours crawling around on the floor, playing with various blocks and cars.

Harry had used his wand to make the cars fly; Daniel had clapped his hands in delight, then tried to catch them without success. Harry could tell from the squeals Daniel made that he was soon frustrated with that game, so they’d moved onto something else.

After a few hours, though, it seemed that playing had tired Daniel out, and he’d crawled back onto Harry’s lap and had promptly gone to sleep. Harry had been content to sit on the lounge with Daniel in his arms for awhile, using the opportunity to look at his younger son. Very much Hermione’s image with his light brown hair and chocolate eyes, he was the more sensitive of their sons, happiest when he was clinging to either of his parents.

Harry stroked his son’s cheek gently, content to be there at that moment with his arms around one of the three people who brought so much joy into his life. One of the three people he couldn’t imagine his life without.

All of a sudden, Harry found himself stifling a yawn, and found himself carefully getting up from the lounge and making his way upstairs to have a nap. He moved towards Daniel’s room, but then looked down at the sleeping toddler in his arms and changed his mind.

He turned around and carried Daniel into his and Hermione’s bedroom and then, without turning down the covers, kicked off his shoes, lay Daniel down in the middle, and crawled onto the bed next to him. Pulling his son into his arms, he kissed his head, then drifted off to sleep.

---

It was just after 7pm when Hermione and Hamish arrived home. Hermione hadn’t wanted to stay so late, but her parents had insisted they have an early dinner there. Hermione had tried to ring Harry at five to let him know, but there had been no answer. She wasn’t unduly concerned; the phone was downstairs in the kitchen. If Harry was upstairs, then he may not have heard it – although Hermione made a mental note to install another phone in their bedroom, like they’d been threatening to do for years.

She shifted Hamish to one side, then placed her handbag and car keys on the small table in the foyer. Hamish had fallen asleep in the car; consequently, Hermione had had to carry him in, unable to wake him up to get him to walk.

He’d had a very busy day, filling his Grandma and Grandpa in on all sorts of things; then drawing them a new picture for their fridge. He’d also wanted to know why the people in the picture he drew didn’t move; Hermione had patiently explained that the colour pencils Grandma and Grandpa kept at their house for him were not magical ones. Hamish seemed less than impressed by this information, but was soon soothed by Grandpa’s offer to have a look at his office out the back, where Grandpa worked from.

Hermione used this break to catch up with her mother, filling her in on the results of the ultrasound she’d had the week before. Her mother had been disappointed Harry and Hermione had chosen not to know the sex of the baby, but Hermione had not bothered to justify it. They’d chosen to be surprised with all of her pregnancies, so she couldn’t understand why her mother had expected it would be different this time.

Still, she was glad she’d spent the day with her parents – although she missed her husband and son.

“Harry?” Hermione called out quietly. There was no answer, so she did a quick search of the bottom floor, before heading upstairs. She poked her head into their bedroom…and the sight that awaited her made her heart smile. Harry was on his side with Daniel resting in his arms, his little head on the pillow next to Harry’s.

She crossed the room and slipped out of her shoes, then placed Hamish on the bed next to Daniel. He stirred, but didn’t wake. Realising all of a sudden how tired she felt, she, too, slipped onto the bed.

As she lay down, she propped herself up on one arm so she could take in the sight of her children lying between herself and Harry. Harry. She smiled as she watched her husband sleep; he looked so peaceful. He’d taken his glasses off, and Hermione was amazed at how different he looked without them on. She reached over and softly ran the back of her hand down his cheek, and was startled when Harry’s hand came out of nowhere to grab hers and move it across to his lips so he could kiss it.

“How was your day?” he asked sleepily, opening his eyes and propping himself up so he could see Hermione.

She smiled. “It was nice. My folks send their love. How’s Daniel?”

“He’s better. We played all afternoon.” He grinned as Hermione raised an eyebrow.

“Ooh, I bet that was fun. Tire you out, did he, love?” Harry didn’t reply. Hermione grinned. “The joys of parenthood, huh?”

Harry looked at his wife; they stared at each other for a long moment. He kissed her hand again, and weaved his fingers through hers. “I can’t think of any greater joy, can you?” he asked.

“Other than being married to you? No.” They beamed at each other; Harry squeezed her hand, then laid back down. No more words were necessary. Hermione did the same, leaving her hand entwined with Harry’s; this meant her arm was now resting lightly across her sleeping sons. No, she thought to herself as she drifted off to sleep, Harry was right – there was no greater joy.

Completed September 15, 2001