It was now December 11th, exactly two weeks before Christmas. Since Hermione's pregnancy had been made public, things have been going a lot smoother for her. Everyone was being nice to her, and helped her when she needed it. Everyone also knew of her relationship with Severus, though its not like they flaunt. They notice the way Severus cares for her whenever she gets ill, the stolen glances across the room when they think no one is looking, that she's allowed to call him by his first name, the stolen kisses when they think they're alone. The little things. And they're happy for the both of them. They were a perfect match. Plus, potions class was 10 times better now that their professor was happy. Why ruin it?

In Hermione's spare time, she would go to Severus's chambers and read books on parenting. She still didn't know what she was going to name her daughter. She did know that she wanted her to take Severus's last name.

When Severus wasn't teaching or with his witch, he was secretly meeting with Minerva and the students, planning the surprise baby shower. They picked New Year's to have it, and the theme was Hermione's favorite story, Beauty and the Beast. They even got Hermione a burgundy to wear, like Belle wears at the beginning of the movie. They also, with help from the house elves, mostly Fifi, they were able to enchant the tea sets to look like Chip and Mrs. Potts. They were pulling all the stops to give her the best baby shower ever.

Right now, Hermione is curled up on the couch, craving Chick-fil-A nuggets, waffle fries, and a chocolate milkshake to do them in. She scribbles a note to Severus with her request and calls for Fifi to take it to him. Fifi returns a few moments later with a note 'Be ready in 10 minutes'. She jumped off the couch, slipped on her favorite jumper and her slippers. By the time she was ready, she heard a 'pop'. Before she turned around, she felt strong arms snake around her waist, pulling her towards his chest. "Are you ready, sweetheart?" He asked in his deep, baritone voice as he nips her ear. She groans in response while nodding her head. Severus chuckles at her reaction and apparates them to Minerva's office. "May we borrow your floo, Minerva? We're going to be out for awhile." Minerva smiled, "Of course, Severus. Send a patronus if you need anything." And with that, Severus flooed them to a little home in Kerrville, Texas that belonged to his dear friend, Brianna. You could say they were like brother and sister.

"Severus!" She greeted him, running to hug. He chuckled in her excitement, it had been almost 7 years since he had seen her. "How are you, little sister? Let me look at you." He said, pulling back from the hug. Hermione watched in awe, she had never seen this side of him before. Whe she got a good look a Brianna, she noticed she had shoulder length, multi-tone brown hair. SHe was about 5'2, with a freckle on her collarbone. She looked to be in her early 20s and was very cheerful and sweet. "I am doing great, brother." Brianna turned to Hermione, "And you must be Hermione. Oh, you're prettier than he described you." She said, causing both Severus and Hermione to blush. "Well, welcome to Texas, love. My name is Brianna, but you can call me Brii, or Bb as some of my family calls me." Hermione smiled, feeling the love already. "Thank you, Brii."

Brii turns to Severus, "Well, what brings y'all to Texas?" She asked in her sweet Texas accent. "Hermione, here, is craving Chick-fil-A. And instead of taking her to one of the international ones in London, I figured I'd bring her to Texas to have the real stuff." "Awe, that's so sweet, Sev." Brii said. "Bb?" a little voice calls. The three adults turn to see 9 year old Addison, holding her 1 year old brother, Cullen. Brii walks over to the two kids, and Severus watches with an arched brow, wondering when his little sister became a mother. "Yes, sweet pea." She asks, crouching down to be eye level with the young girl, taking Cullen from her and placing him on her hip, "Who are they?" She asked, pointing to Severus and Hermione. Brii just smiles and tells her, "Why don't you get Bailey, and meet us in the living room and I'll introduce you. Okay?" Addison nods her head and runs off to find her sister. Brii leads Severus and Hermione to the living room and invites them to sit.

"May I hold him, Brii?" Hermione asks timidly, pointing to Cullen. "Of course," she says, walking over to Hermione. Hermione, who has no experience with babies, takes him cautiously. Brii, sensing her discomfort kindly shows her the best way to hold him. Severus smiles as he watches the interaction between the two witches. "There you go, love. He's a very laxed baby, so he shouldn't give you too much trouble." Brii goes and sits on the couch across from the loveseat that Hermione and Severus had occupied. Moments later, they hear the pitterpatter of little feet and see Addison and Bailey walk in. They quickly run to where Brii was sitting and sit on each side of her, curling up into her sides.

"So.. little sister, you have kids?" Severus asked. Brii breaks into laughter. "No brother, I'm single as can be. These are my cousins, Addy, Bailey, and Cullen." She introduces the kids. Addy and Bailey laughing along with her. "Addy, Bailey, this is my friend, Severus. He adopted me as his little sister a long time ago. And that is his girlfriend, Hermione. Can you go say hi to them?" The girls jump off the couch and jump into Severus's lap, earning them a 'oof' from him, and laughs from all the girls. Hermione watched as Severus started playing and tickling the girls like he had known them his whole life. It was in that moment she realized she loved him.

After a few minutes, Hermione spoke up, "Okay, I hate to spoil the fun, but when are we going to Chick-fil-A. I'm hungry." Severus laughed, "We can go now, are you ready my dear?" He asked. She nods her head, she turns to Brii, "Would you and the kids like to join us?" Before Brii could answer, two voices yell, "YES", causing everyone to laugh. Brii nods, "Lemme just grab the diaper bag and keys, we can take their mom's car. Its built for seven people."

Hermione and Severus didn't get home until 8 that night. They were all smiles when they stepped into Minerva's office. "Well, it seems you two had a good day." Hermione skipped over to her, "We did! I got to meet Brii and her little cousins. And she let me hold her youngest one and let me help take care of him, letting me get some practice with how to take care of a baby. And we all went to Chick-fil-A. And she showed us around town, and then we watched movies. It was so much, mom." Minerva smiled at Hermione, she hadn't seen her this happy since Yule Ball, when she was dancing with Krum. "I'm glad you had a good day. Brii is a sweet girl, I'm glad you got to meet her."

"Well, it's time we go to bed, dear." Severus spoke up. Hermione sighed, not realizing how tired she was until he mentioned going to bed. She nodded her head, "I think you're right. I'm tired." Minerva and Severus chuckled. They said their good nights and all turned in for the night.

**Only change I made to this chapter is I added pictures of myself with Addy, Bailey, and Cullen. EmilySnapexx southernmuggle **