Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the story line...sadly. JKR owns everything - including the characters, spells, and the entire world of Harry Potter. I wonder if I could buy it from her for a dollar?
Thanks to my wonderful, wonderful beta - dragonsangel68.
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Chapter 17
"Pardon me?"
"You heard me."
"You're pregnant again?"
"Yes, you insufferable moron."
"How-when-I didn't mean to, Gin."
"This is what you wanted though. It's my own fault for forgetting the charm. I knew I should have kicked your arse out that night."
"Gin, it'll be all right-"
"No, it won't be all right! Not for me it won't!"
"How can you say that? You know I'll take care of you no matter what."
"I could give a shit. I'd rather have nothing and be doing this the right way. I'm going to be fat and pregnant again. Just when I got my life back in order, I get knocked up with another one of your kids. It's ludicrous."
"I don't know what to say."
"What is there to say? This is my lot in life. Keep spitting out your kids and live this way. I may as well learn to live with it."
Draco sighed and scrubbed his hands over his face and through his hair.
"I should just accept that I'm never going to have the fairy tale. I'm never going to get married for the right reasons and I'm never going to have children in the right circumstances. I feel so humiliated. I don't even know how I'm going to tell my parents. You're mother will probably be thrilled."
"Of course she will. She loves Jayden. Your parents will be happy as well."
"My parents want me to be happy. This doesn't make me happy. My father would eventually like me to become an honest woman."
"Gin, I'll marry you if that's what you want."
"I don't want it like that, and you know it. I want to be courted and I want to fall in love. I don't want to get married for convenience or for function. If I wanted that, I would have married you years ago."
"I know."
"Yeah, you do."
"All right, do we want to tell Jayden?"
"No, not yet."
"Ok, well I promised him I'd take him flying today. He's finishing his breakfast."
"Go ahead and go. I'll be all right. It's just going to take a few minutes to be able to move. Retching for thirty minutes, twice a day, doesn't add to your energy level."
"Okay, we'll be at the park if you need anything."
"Okay."
-------
Draco and Jayden returned to the flat early. Both were worried about Ginny. They walked in the flat quietly.
Creeping down the hallway, they pushed the door open to find Ginny asleep in the bed. She was on her side cuddled up to a pillow. Both men crawled into bed with Ginny: Draco behind her and Jayden in front up against her chest. Draco wrapped an arm around her middle and rested his head in her shoulder.
"Mmmmm. Is Mummy getting sugars from both her boys?"
"Mummy, do you feel better?"
"Yes, baby. Mummy just didn't feel well this morning. I'm sorry I scared you."
"It's okay as long as you feel better, Mummy."
"I do, baby."
"Good." Jayden snuggled closer to Ginny.
"Are you hungry, baby?"
"Uh huh."
"Draco, would you go make him some lunch?"
"Sure, do you want anything?"
"No, I'm fine."
Draco and Jayden both got up, and went into the kitchen leaving Ginny behind in bed. Draco made Jayden his favorite lunch and went back into the bedroom with Ginny, leaving Jayden with strict instructions not to disturb them.
"Gin?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I come in?"
"Yeah."
"Are you really feeling better?"
"What do you think?"
"I think you still feel like shit."
"And you'd be correct."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Lay with me."
Draco got into bed behind her and put his hand on her stomach. "This feels like old times, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, it does. You used to go to sleep and pet my stomach. Even after you were asleep, if I moved you'd start petting it again. Every time I moved, you'd start. It was sweet."
"I'm sorry it turned out this way, Gin, but I'm not sorry you're the mother of my children."
"That's sweet, Draco. Thank you for that."
"I only speak the truth. I do have one request though."
"And what's that?"
"Think we could have a girl this time?"
"Maybe. We'll see."
"I'll take a maybe. Are you going to be all right for a bit?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. You should go have fun with Jayden. It's your day."
"I'll be back later. I'll bring dinner. Let's see if I can remember what it is that you liked the last time, huh?"
"Okay. I'll see you later."
Draco kissed her neck and whispered his good-bye in her ear.
--------
Jayden and Draco went to Diagon Alley because Jayden wanted to get Ginny some flowers to help her feel better. Draco also had to pick up take-away for supper.
They went into Fortescue's for ice cream. Draco wasn't above bribery and his son knew it. They sat at a table with their ice cream when Draco spoke up.
"Jade, how would you feel about staying with one of your Grandmum's tonight?"
"Yeah! I went to Grandmum Weasley's last weekend, so I could spend the night with Grandmum Malfoy tonight?"
"Okay, we'll go home and pick up some stuff, and you can give your mum her flowers."
"Okay."
They finished their ice cream and did just as they had planned. Ginny loved her flowers and was out of bed arranging them when he and Jayden left. Draco dropped Jayden off at Malfoy Manor and returned to Diagon Alley to pick up Ginny's take-away. It wasn't from the place she used to like it from when they were at the cottage, but it would have to do. He picked up the last few odds and ends he wanted for dinner and Apparated back to Ginny's flat.
Ginny was in the shower and Draco smiled. He thought about joining her, but he had another purpose this evening. He set up the dining room table with the candles he'd picked up and laid out the cloth napkins he'd purchased just to add to the new place setting he'd bought. He put the dessert in the freezer and put the take-away onto the new plates.
He heard Ginny emerge from the bathroom and start down the hallway. "I'll be out in just a minute. I have to put on clothes."
"Don't get dressed on my account. I'd be content if you walked around starkers all the time," Draco yelled after her.
"Hush, you!"
Ginny came out of the bedroom in a pair of cotton, elastic waist sweat pants and a thread bare, white, baby doll t-shirt. She was rubbing a towel through her hair.
"It smells great. What's all this?
"I thought since you're carrying my baby, you deserved a nice dinner."
"Well, this is more than nice. Thank you."
"This isn't nearly as tense as I thought it would be. We just kind of fall back into old habits, don't we?"
"The old habits are kind of entrenched."
"I suppose so. We should eat before it gets cold. Reapplying heating charms makes it taste funny."
"I agree."
They ate and had tense, if not polite, conversation. They moved to the couch and watched television until around midnight.
"I'd better get going."
"You're not staying?"
"I have to go into the office tomorrow."
"Okay. Tell your Mum I'll pick Jayden up tomorrow after work."
"I'm going out of town tomorrow evening and I'll be gone for at least a week. If you need anything during that time, owl Mum. Promise me that you'll go stay at your Mum's or at the Manor if you start getting as sick as you did with Jayden."
"A herd of wild horses couldn't stop me. If I start getting that sick, someone will have to help with Jayden."
"I'll see you in a week, okay?"
"Okay. Have a good trip."
--------------
Draco had been gone for six days and Ginny was staying at the Burrow. The morning sickness had hit her full throttle and she couldn't even stand the smell of eggs cooking, so breakfast was a nightmare.
Draco had owled almost everyday he was gone to check on her.
Ginny had come back to her flat to get ready for work. I was easier to come back to the flat everyday, rather than transferring all her things to the Burrow.
An owl tapped on the window. Yet another letter checking on her made her smile. I wish he'd get a mobile, so I could just call him.
Ginny got ready for work and left her flat with a smile on her face. It may be time to buy some maternity clothes for work, these are a bit snug.
Ginny arrived in the office and dropped her purse off at her desk. She picked up her messages and went into the break room to make a cup of tea. "Don't forget to drink caffeine-free tea, Gin. Caffeine isn't good for the baby," Draco's voice reminded her. "Pushy bastard. You're giving up caffeine again, as well," she thought.
She came to a dead stop in the doorway of her office. There was a huge bouquet on her desk already attracting the attention of her female office companions. She shooed all them out of her office shutting the door in their curious faces. She plucked the card from its holder.
To the Mother of my Children
Ginny smiled. How sweet of him.
The day drug on with every woman in the office coming into her office at least twice, asking ridiculous questions about her flowers. Deciding to leave early, Ginny grabbed her purse and her flowers just as an owl began tapping on the window madly. Sighing to herself, she set her things back on her desk and let the tired looking owl in the window. She removed the note while the owl waited obviously wanting a response.
Ginny-
I hope you enjoyed the flowers.
I just wanted to let you know that things aren't going as smoothly as I'd hoped, and I'm going to have to stay here for another few days. I'm sorry, pet, I'll be back as soon as I can.
I owled my Mother and told her about the problems you were having with the smell of assorted breakfast foods and she said you're more than welcome to stay at the Manor. I'd like it if you went and stayed there, but you don't have to if the Burrow works out better for you.
Owl if you need anything. My mother is waiting to hear from you, if you could owl her and let her know whether or not you'll be staying there, she'd probably appreciate that.
If not for the fact that you've given me two children, I'd love you anyway.
--Draco
She scribbled a note to both Draco and to Narcissa. The owl looked slightly annoyed with being issued two tasks, but nipped at her hand when Ginny tried to remove one of the messages from its leg.
---------
Ginny and Jayden had been staying at the Manor for a few days when she felt Draco crawling into bed behind her. He'd been gone for eleven days. He hardly ever went out of town and it drove her nutters every time he did. The little voice in the back of her head always acted up and told her Draco was afoot with evil deeds when she wasn't there to keep him in check: He was eating bad food, drinking too much, and bedding amorous women. She knew in her heart of hearts this isn't what actually happened, but the little voice made her worry regardless.
She snuggled back into Draco's cool skin.
"Is it cold out there?"
"Yep, warm me up, wench."
"You're already raping me of my body heat. You'll get warm in a minute. How was your trip?"
"Boring. Italy is gorgeous, but too many of the people in that branch are morons. The ones that aren't morons are wankers. The next time I go, I insist that both Jayden and yourself go with me-the new baby, too. I was frightfully bored without you lot there with me."
"I'm sorry you were bored. I've never been to Italy."
"We'll go after you have the baby."
"That'll be nice. Now pipe down and so I can go back to sleep. What time is it?"
"A little after three."
"Ok. Cuddle me."
"Yes, ma'am."
--------
Ginny's second pregnancy went much like the first. She was dreadfully uncomfortable every day at work where she had to sit in a desk chair for most of the day and her ankles were the size of purple softballs.
"This is ridiculous!"
"What's ridiculous, Gin?"
"Draco, what are you doing here?"
"I came to take you to lunch. What's ridiculous?"
"Sitting in this chair all day is ridiculous. I'm so uncomfortable."
"I don't know what to say to make that any better. You won't listen to me when I say you should quit, so all I can do is treat the symptoms every night at home. You checked with the Medi-witch about a charm or something?"
"She said there isn't anything they can do unless the I had poor circulation every where."
"Ah, well, are you hungry?"
"Starving."
"Let's go to lunch, then."
"I can't get up from this blasted, wheeled chair." Draco offered his hand. "Wait a minute, I have this part down to an art." She tucked her toe underneath the bottom drawer in her desk and pulled it out and picked her wand up from the desk. She looped her purse string around the tip of her wand, and yanked her purse out of the desk drawer.
Laughing, Draco asked, "Why don't you just use your wand to levitate it out, Gin?"
"Because I have quite a time figuring out new an inventive ways to do things. They've lightened my workload considerably since I told them I was pregnant. Stop spoiling my fun."
"Ok. Let's go to lunch."
Draco helped Ginny up from the chair, and Ginny waddled down the hallway with Draco talking small steps beside her.
-------
A few days later, Ginny's boss, Sandra, came into her office and shut the door behind her.
"Ginny, we need to talk." Sandra sat down in one of the chairs in front of Ginny's desk. "I think maybe you should take some time off."
"What?"
"You're obviously horribly uncomfortable and you're going to be taking maternity leave soon anyway, so I thought maybe you'd like to take an extra couple of months to get ready."
"Are you firing me?"
"Oh, Ginny, heavens no! I'm going about this the wrong way, aren't I?" Sandra laughed heartily and Ginny's heart rate began to return to normal. "I'd like you to start working from home. There is no reason that you can't do what you do here while sitting on your couch with your feet up. You live in a Muggle building, don't you?"
"It's wired for electricity if that's what you mean."
"That's what I mean. You can do everything you need to do from there. I don't want to see you in the office until your maternity leave is over." Sandra stood and walked towards the door. Opening the door, she turned and smiled at Ginny, "Have a nice day!"
------
Ginny was in a fit. The Daily Prophet hung from her hand as she stomped outside onto the Spanish tile of the rose garden.
"What in the bloody hell is this shit, Draco!" She gestured to the paper.
Draco lifted his eyes to Ginny briefly and then resumed looking at the sports rag he had previously been reading. "I bought the magazine."
"You what! What on earth did you do that for?" Ginny screeched.
"Because I didn't like you sitting in the office every day and coming home dreadfully uncomfortable, so I bought the magazine."
"Draco, I don't want special treatment because you own the magazine."
"Tough shit."
"See, this is your problem! You never consult me on what I'd like. You just barge in and take control, and I'm forced along for the ride!"
"Ginny, this is what's best. You can still work from your flat or the house. You won't be able to stay here or at the Burrow, but I'll be around to help you when you need it."
Ginny gave an indignant huff.
"Eat Ginny, the baby needs food."
"I'm not hungry. Just so you know, I don't need to gain forty pounds to have a healthy baby. The Medi-witch says I'm on target for weight gain."
"Fine."
"Fine." Ginny flopped down in the chair across from Draco.
"I think you should move back into the house."
"No."
"Why not? There isn't another bedroom in your flat."
"I'm just going to put the bassinette in my room. I'll consider what to do about another bedroom when the baby gets big enough for that nonsense."
"There is an extra bedroom in the our house. It needs to be decorated."
"I don't live there anymore. It's not my house. I have a flat, and just because I'm not living there, doesn't mean I can't decorate it."
"I'd like you to move back into our house. Do I have to buy your apartment and have you evicted as well?"
"Don't you dare."
"I'll do it, Gin." Draco hadn't lifted his eyes from the magazine he was reading, until this point. He had expected this and wasn't surprised at all.
"Don't you fucking dare."
"Don't push me, Gin."
He sighed and put down his reading material. He scooted his teacup to the side and put his forearms on the table. "Let's try this again. I'd like you to move back into the house. I'd like you to be there to decorate the nursery and I'd like to be nearby to help with Jayden and all the pregnancy related things. I'd like for both of us to be close to our belongings and there isn't enough room for a baby, myself and my belongings in your flat."
"That's it. I'm moving to Germany," Ginny muttered.
"You most certainly will not."
"I'm not your child, Draco. You shouldn't be able to buy and sell my life the way that you do, but you've managed to do it. You enjoy taking all my choices away from me."
"If you'd just listen to reason, I wouldn't have to do things this way."
"Why do I have to do things your way?"
"Stop looking at it as my way and start looking at it as the sensible way. Working from home affords you more comfort. You'll have time to shop to decorate the nursery. You won't have horridly swollen ankles every night. You'll have help with Jayden. It is a sensible choice, Gin."
"I'm not necessarily saying that it isn't sensible, I'm saying that it isn't a choice as you've made a habit of taking all my choices away. I know your spoiled brat tendencies well enough to know that your threats aren't empty. You wanted me to quit my job and I wouldn't, so you bought the magazine and put me on forced leave. You'll buy my building and then I won't be able to work unless I move back to the house if I don't do what you want willingly. I'm no better than a prisoner."
"It's not like that, Gin."
"What is it like, Draco?"
"I just want what's best for you and our children."
"Jayden has been just fine through all of this. The new baby will be fine with the way things are as well."
"I don't disagree, but things will be better this way."
"Says you."
"Says me."
Ginny got out of the chair she'd been sitting in with tremendous difficulty and walked silently into the Manor. Draco sighed and only managed to stay seated for a few minutes before he followed her into the Manor.
He searched for her for what must have been thirty minutes, but hadn't managed to find her. He was getting irritated when Nippy appeared in front of him. "Master, why is Missus crying?"
"Where is she?"
"Missus is wandering about the old wing of the house the last time Nippy saw her, Sir."
"Thank you, Nippy." Draco stalked off towards the dusty, unused wing of the Manor.
He found Ginny in the main hall. It hadn't been used since before he was born. Narcissa had renovated a section of the Manor when she and Lucius had married, and this is where his Grandparents used to live.
He saw her next to a large, mounted painting tracing her fingers through the dust on the surface of the paint.
"Gin?"
"What?" She sounded defeated and small.
"Are you mad?"
"No, Draco, I'm not angry. I've given up instead. I don't have it in me to fight with you anymore. You always get what you want in the end anyway."
"Gin, you know what's best for you just like I do."
"We have different ideas of what is good for me."
"Gin-"
"No, Draco, just stop. I can't remain who I am when you force me to do things that go against everything that I am. Since who I am seems to be so offensive to your palate, maybe I'll just give up and become what you want me to be instead. I'm just tired of it being a constant fight. It's obvious I'm never going to be free of you, so I may as well acquiesce now, rather than wasting more time."
Draco felt an inch tall and said as much.
"I don't understand why you'd feel an inch tall. You never have when you've done this before. You'll feel better in a little while when you've realized you got everything you wanted." She patted his cheek and started her walk back to Narcissa's wing of the Manor. "I'm tired. I'm going home. I'll leave Jayden and come back for him later. He's having fun with his Grandmum."
She Flooed home as Draco had insisted she quit Apparating in fear she'd splinch herself, and their child.
She stepped out of her fireplace and turned the Floo off. "No Apparating is so aggravating. Draco is impossible," she said to no one in particular.
She lay down on her couch, exhausted, and cried herself to sleep.
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