How Adam's Ears Changed Stan

The sound of tiny matchbox cars being rolled back and forth was the only noise to break the solemn stillness of the hospital room. Stan Granger felt oddly aware of the concept of generation as he watched his grandsons; Simon and Adam (whose names were SUPPOSED to be George and David) push them around on the floor of what was likely to be the room their great-grandfather died in.

It was painful for Stan to watch his father lie there, dying, so he watched Hermione's children instead. Simon was four now, and a guide to his nineteen-month-old baby brother Adam in every way.

A little fire engine hit Hermione's foot. She simply moved her foot back while Harry, her husband, pushed gently back over to Adam. Hermione had been acting oddly lately, as though she was nauseous. Harry rubbed her shoulder tenderly, and she pressed her head against his chest delicately.

Stan's younger brother Derrick, opting to break the awkward silence, said, "So, Catie, what's new with you?" He was referring to his oldest niece, Catherine. She was the twenty-nine-year-old daughter of Stan's sister Delia.

Catie was married to a man named Chris, and they had two small boys as well. Jaden was just shy of five months younger than Simon. Regan was two years younger and a month Adam's senior. Regan was sleeping in Chris's lap as Jaden watched Simon and Adam play with their cars, a longing look in his eyes.

"Nothing much, Uncle Derrick," she replied. "Chris and I have been wondering what to get Jaden for his birthday next month." Jaden looked up at her when he heard his name, then back at his mother's second cousins.

The new silence was broken when Simon turned to Jaden and, with a smile, told him, "You can play with my cars too if you want." Jaden smiled back and quickly seized a blue sports car. "No," moaned Simon. "That one looks just like my daddy's car! Can you play with this one?" He held up a green pick-up truck.

"Wow," Derrick said to Hermione. "The lad has such good manners, I'm impressed!" Hermione nodded.

Delia laughed suddenly, before saying, "This reminds me of the time that my geometry teacher lectured about the Pythagorean Theorem. He was trying to make flirty conversations with the girls as disgustingly usual, and the whole time he had a huge piece of lettuce stuck in his moustache! No one wanted to say anything about it, so there was this awful silence!" She laughed again, and this time the whole room laughed with her.

This joke roused the room to become lively with chatter on all sorts of topics. The only ones who didn't seem to be talking were Hermione (who still looked ill) and Harry (who apologetically fought off conversation so he could devote his entire attention to rubbing Hermione's shoulder and whispering sweetly in her ear.)

Hermione went into the adjoining bathroom later on, and Harry followed her in. The whole room went quiet at the sound of her regurgitating in the sink. When she came out, Harry had his arms wrapped securely around her waist.

Another one of Stan's sisters, Kathleen (who was known for her bad temper), snarled at Hermione, "If you're throwing up you shouldn't be here! You're grandfather is already very sick, you realize..."

Harry protectively tightened his grip on Hermione. With an angry look on his face, he snapped back, "God, she's pregnant, give her a break! Haven't you ever heard of morning sickness?"

The room started muttering again. I seemed Stan had slipped his mind and forgotten to tell them about Hermione's expectancy. He twiddled his thumbs, attempting to look modestly proud. No one noticed. Damn.

Shocked and defeated, Kathleen mumbled, "Don't the two of you already have enough kids...?" She crossed her arms and put on what she clearly thought was a patronizing look.

Stan actually felt a stab of annoyance. "Kathleen," he rumbled. "Don't undermine my grandchildren." Mrs. Granger looked happily surprised.

"I thought you hated them."

Stan stood up, pointing one long finger at his older sister. "I'll have you know that Adam has MY ears!" Hermione ducked back into the bathroom, Harry on her heels with a cry of 'Hermione, sweetie?'

"Stan, Kathy," came a weak voice from behind them. "Stop bickering, you sound like children." Everyone turned to see the sickly Lars Granger wheezing out a laugh in his bed. "Stanley's GRANDCHILDREN, aye, I'm getting old." He turned to Hermione as she immerged from the washroom. "So, sweetheart, I don't believe I've been acquainted with your husband."

Harry walked towards the bed and held out his hand for Stan's father to shake. "My name is Harry, sir, Harry Potter."

"Well, it's nice to meet you Harry Potter," Granddad Lars answered, shaking Harry's hand. "A nice straightforward chap, I see! You married a good man, Hermione, dear." Hermione nodded, looking quite nauseous again, causing Harry to rush back to her side, enveloping her in a supportive embrace. Granddad Lars smiled. "What do you hope Hermione's baby will be, Stan, a boy or a girl?"

Mr. Granger thought for a moment before answering, "I personally hope it's another boy. I suppose if they keep having boys, perhaps they'll name one after me!"

Mrs. Granger took joyous notice of the fact that Stan said 'they'. Also, he was HAPPY Hermione was pregnant, when had this happened? He had been furious about Harry and Hermione's first baby, Simon (see 'Where's My Little Girl?'). He had been unhappy about Hermione's pregnancy with Adam, but had held his tongue. It HAD to have been Adam's ears...

***("Ladies and gentleman, I'm about to travel through time. I bid you adieu.")***

Hermione was bringing her new baby over. As usual, Mr. Granger has his face buried in 'The Daily Mail" when she arrived.

She greeted him with a simple, 'Hello, Daddy.' kissing him on the cheek. Stan shook Harry's hand, forcing a smile. It was going to be another one of those tough Hermione-is-bringing-over-the-result-of-her-having-sex-with-her-husband days.

But as his wife held their grandson, Stan realized something. No... it COULDN'T be... He look closer to the boy to make sure...it was true... "This child has ears just like mine!"

Hermione giggled. "I tried to tell you that Adam had your ears, Daddy." From this time forward Stan was much warmer towards his grandsons.

***(back to the hospital room)***

Harry was rubbing Hermione's stomach slowly. Stan drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair as he watched them. What to unsuccessfully name his daughter's child next. George Stanley and David Charles were already failed attempts, so Stan decided that if this baby was a boy, its name would be Aaron Daniel, and a girl would be named Joanna Louise. Yes, that was it.

Hermione whispered in Harry's ear, "Can I talk to you alone?" Stan knew she said this, he'd read her lips. Of course he needed to know what they were talking about, so Stan secretively moved his chair right next to the door they strolled out of. Through the crack between the slightly ajar door and the wall, Mr. Granger watched the scene unfurl.

Harry looked concerned. He tilted Hermione's head up to look into her eyes. "Hermione, are you going to be alright?"

To Harry's surprise as much as Stan's, Hermione laughed. "Harry," she choked out. "We already have two kids; this is nothing new."

"Then what did you want to talk to me about?" Harry looked severely confused.

"Nothing, I just want some time alone with you." She rested her head on his muscular chest and Harry put his arms around her, swaying back and forth slowly.

A tug on his pant leg interrupted Stan's spying. Looking down, he spotted young Adam, wobbling slightly in front of his grandfather. "Gandad!" he said. Scooping Adam up off the floor, Stan shushed him. "If you're going to spy on Mummy and your evil Daddy with Granddad, you're going to have to be quiet."

Mrs. Granger rolled her eyes.

TO BE CONTINUED