Okay, let me first say that I've been floored by the kind messages and reviews ABB has received. I'm so happy this story has resonated with so many of you and that you all love HG & CW as much as I do.

A few weeks ago, I received a review from silvs which stated a request for a chapter on Hermione and Charlie learning that they're having a baby. Now, normally requests in a story that's complete don't usually tickle the muse, but this one did. I think it's because I knew that in writing about this time, we'd learn about why certain things happened the way they did in the Epilogue.

So, here, an short and sweet early Valentine's day gift to you- the Before the Epilogue-Epilogue.

Oh, also it gets a bit lemony ahead. (Naturally).

"I'm home," Charlie announced, stepping out of the floo. He glanced around for Hermione, frowning slightly.

It was quiet. Too quiet.

He wondered if it was just him being spoiled. Ever since he'd been pulling late nights a few times a week, Hermione had been greeting him by jumping in his arms, which usually led to a make-out session on the couch, or sometimes even the floor in front of the floo. Even now, four years after she'd moved in with him, the bedroom seemed much too far sometimes. Most of the time. He smiled to himself.

He peeked in the kitchen and walked down the hallway toward their bedroom.

"I'm in here." Her voice was more like a croak.

Charlie dropped his tool bag and ran to the room, where Hermione was huddled under what looked like a mountain of blankets and throws. The room was dark, as she'd pulled all the curtains except for the balcony glass. The sunset threw a streak of orange light across her abdomen, reaching toward the wall. "Hey," he said. "What happened? What's the matter?"

"I'm just not feeling well," she said, blowing her nose with a handkerchief for emphasis.

He walked quickly to the bed and had a seat. Hermione yelped as his weight made her jumped up a bit. "Sorry," he said. He grabbed her hand, his thumb running nervous circles on it. "Do you think you need to go to a Healer, Hermione? This is what, the third time in a couple months I've found you ill in bed? Not to mention Longbottom told me that you fell asleep at the lab earlier this week. That's not you, love."

Hermione swallowed and blinked, forcing two tears to stream down her cheeks.

"Hey, hey." Charlie leaned over, pulling her towards his chest. He hated when she was upset because he always felt so helpless. All he knew to do was hold her, which never seemed like quite enough.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I know we have reservations for—" she took a shuddering breath— "for Valentine's—" The 'day' part of the sentence turned into a wail and Charlie tightened his arms around her.

"Don't worry about that," he mumbled into her ear. "I don't bloody care about reservations."

"Charlie," she whispered, taking in a long breath. He waited, his spine stiffening with the urgency in her voice. "I went to a Healer today."

He pulled back, his eyes wide. He gulped. "What did— what did they—"

"I'm pregnant."

Charlie's whole body froze, as though she'd just stupefied him.

"I know we weren't, weren't planning this. I wasn't planning this. I don't know how we—"

"When I came in late," he said, running a hand through his hair. "That first night a month and a half ago. Remember? When Anna gave us dinner. We shagged practically inside the floo, ate the lasagna leaning against the warm bricks."

Hermione laughed, wiping her eyes. "Gods. You're sure we forgot the charm then?"

"I remembered it the next morning, actually. But you were just on your monthly and I figured—"

"Charlie!" she said, smacking him. "That's when I'm most... fertile, you, you—"

"Well, that certainly explains why you wouldn't let me in the bloody house without pulling my cock out first."

Hermione laughed as he pulled the covers down, revealing her violet flannel pyjamas. He pulled up her top and ran his large, calloused hand over her belly. "Our baby's in there," he said, and the reality of it struck him again, only this time, his body filled with an unnameable warmth. He was shocked to feel the sting of tears at the corners of his eyes.

"Charlie," Hermione breathed. "Are you—"

Before she could finish, he flung his face to hers, kissing her as deeply and sweetly as he could. He pulled back just as fast. "You're pregnant."

"I am."

"Hermione," he said, wiping an eye. "This is brilliant."

"It is?" she asked. "But what about your Spiraltongue project? And we've just started the second of tests mixing Rama's tears with toadleaf—"

"It's brilliant, love." He leaned down to press his lips to her belly. "Hello, beautiful baby," he said in a low voice. When he looked up, he was amused to see the widened pupils of Hermione's eyes.

"So you're okay with it?" She was a bit breathless.

"Did you not hear me at all, woman?" He lowered his head, kissing each hip.

"But, but we're supposed to get married sometime this year—"

"Who bloody cares about that?" He gave her a lopsided grin.

She smacked his head. "Arsehole. I'm finally ready, Charlie—"

"So let's get married."

"But, oh gods, your mum, Charlie, she's going to rile me up with her incessant meddling—"

"So let's not get married."

"Charlie!"

By then he'd already pulled off her pyjama bottoms. He rested his head on the top of her thigh, staring up at her.

"Rama's tear treatment has helped me a lot," Hermione said. "But while I'm pregnant, I don't know if I can do it. Go through all the fuss of wedding planning, plus your mum and the way she gets about grandchildren—"

"So let's not tell them."

She blinked. "What?"

"Let's not tell them. Wouldn't be unusual for us to coop up here for a few months, yeah? Then, when you're ready, we'll surprise 'em."

"All of them?"

"The lot."

She gulped. "And the wedding?"

He smiled, his fingers edging under the band of her knickers. "Let's elope, love."

"Charlie!" She hit at his fingers, pushing them away. "You know I want my parents there. And Harry and Gin and the boys—"

"So let's hit them with a surprise wedding, too, then."

"How the hell do we do that?"

He shrugged. "You're the intelligent one of us." Her eyes were on the French doors, and he knew she was caught in a whirlwind of plans already. Probably brilliant ones, knowing her. He took the opportunity to pull her knickers off and drop them on the floor.

"Charlie," she said, giving him a gentle kick, but her eyes were still glazed. "We could tell them we're doing a family portrait. And show up with a minister."

"Ah. I knew you'd come up with something perfect." He tried to pry apart her knees, but she gave him a harder kick in the abs.

"Your mum will lose her shite, though."

"She'll live."

"So will Ginny."

"She'll live, too." Looking up at her furrowed brows, he ran his hand back on her belly. "Don't bloody worry about them, Hermione. What matters now— all that matters, really— is that you, future Mrs. Weasley, and our baby feel as good as possible. And if that means keeping my family in the dark for a few months, then so be it. You have my blessing."

She exhaled slowly and put her hands on his, smiling. "We're having a baby."

This time, her legs parted under his hands. "Charlie," she said, moaning under his fingers. "I'm not kidding about feeling off. I'm not really in the mood for sex."

"Who said anything about sex?" Before she could respond, he pressed his tongue to her clit. Smiling at her gasp and the subsequent grabbing of his hair and pulling him closer, he slid his tongue up and down her cunt until she refused to stop moaning fuck.

He glanced up. "Do you want me to stop?"

"Don't you bloody dare, you—"

He chuckled, returning his mouth to her, where he went to work until she arched her back and trembled and whispered his name. Afterward, he rested his head on her hip, placing a hand over her belly as she caught her breath.

"Charlie?"

"Yes, love?"

"I'm hungry."

He laughed, causing the whole bed to shake. "Good thing we have reservations, then, yeah?"

She smiled. "I need to get ready."

He lifted his body, watching her stroll to the armoire bare-arsed. "Wear that green dress with the—" he made a motion with his hand to his chest. "Cleavage."

Hermione snorted. "We barely make it through the floo when I put that one on."

"That's the idea." He grinned as she scoffed, but he was delighted to see that was precisely the dress she grabbed.

"I love you," she said as she zipped the dress up.

"I love you, too, love." He turned over in time to see her adjust her breasts. Jumping up, he grabbed her waist and placed her on the dresser, settling his hips between her legs.

"Charlie!" she squealed. "I just put this on!"

"I just need to kiss you again." He placed a hand on her belly as he did so. She eagerly sucked on his tongue, which caused his cock to grow even harder.

"Well," Hermione said, breaking the kiss and wrapping her hand around his erection. "I suppose we could fit in a celebratory fuck."

"Are you sure?" he pushed back. "You said—"

"Shut up and fuck me, Charlie."

He smiled and pulled his cock out of his trousers. "Well, we do have a lot to celebrate, don't we?"

She smiled, moaning into his mouth as he entered her. He thrust harder and harder, causing whatever her response was to dissolve into groans. Charlie placed his hand between her legs, eager to make the future Mrs. Weasley feel as good as possible again and again.

Thank you again! I am SO grateful for you. -the ravenclaw woods