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 8
A rustling of the covers disturbed Ginny's sleep. She felt a kiss pressing into her temple before she heard Draco speak.
"Go back to sleep. I have to go into the office today. Owl if you need anything." He stroked her hair and removed himself from the tangled covers.
Ginny smiled sleepily and returned to the delicious dream she'd been having.
She awoke several hours later and went through her morning routine finding that she rather missed having Draco around, even if conversation was kept to a minimum in the mornings.
For the next few weeks, Ginny busied herself during the day with decorating the interior of the cottage, tending to her garden and flowerbeds, and reopening correspondence with friends and family. She hadn't seen much of Draco as he left for the office well before she woke up and, although she had tried to wait for him, returned to the cottage late at night. Every morning she was roused by a kiss to her temple and a plea to return to sleep. This was the one of the only indications that Draco hadn't abandoned her.
One morning Ginny was tending to her vegetable patch in an attempt to ward off the nagging emotion of loss. She hadn't the heart to visit her family at the present time and only halfway admitted it to herself because she held a silent vigil that Draco would return to the cottage early or surprise her for lunch. She was jerked from her musings when a singing pain in her abdomen caused her to hiss as her hand flew to her stomach. Hunched over and breathing hard she hoped the pain would pass, but soon realized it was returning every so often. This had happened before and deep breathing usually made the pain stop, but this time was unlike those before. She called for the house elf instructed to tend to her, and the creature helped her inside before calling for the medi-wizard.
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"Miss Weasley, you're very lucky. Your stress level is too high and your pregnancy could have terminated had you not called me immediately. You can resume light activity in one week, as long as you take this potion every day and continue with the potion even after the initial week of bed rest."
"Yes, sir. Thank you so much for your help. I'm sure I'll be fine."
Just then there was an audible pop of an Apparition and the clamoring of expensive shoes on the hardwood floor.
"Ginny? Is everything all right? I got an owl-it told me you were hurt and I needed to come immediately."
"Yes, she's fine. I've put her on complete bed rest for the next week, but she can resume light activity after that. She needs to drink this potion everyday, but you can split it into two small doses if she prefers. The taste is rather acrid. Here are the instructions and supply list for the potion. It needs to sit for two days after preparation in order to cure properly. It keeps rather well, but the bitterness increases the longer it sits. I've left a week's supply here, but it would be pertinent not to wait too long before preparing another batch. I trust you to make it effectively, Mr. Malfoy."
"Yes, sir. Thank you."
"You're welcome, Mr. Malfoy. Owl if you should need my further assistance. Good day, Miss Weasley." The healer gave her a curt nod before Disapparating.
"What happened?"
"I was out in the vegetable garden and I got this pain in my stomach. I've been getting them a lot lately, but they always go away. Obviously this time was different or I wouldn't have called someone."
"You should have told me. We would have had it checked."
"When am I going to tell you, Draco? You're never here. You told me that you'd be gone a few days a week, but, at my last count, I haven't seen you in seventeen days. I know you crawl into bed with me sometime after I go to sleep and I know that you crawl out of bed sometime before I wake up."
"You could have owled."
"And say what? `Draco, honey, I'd like you to come keep the fat, pregnant lady company.' I wouldn't have put my child in danger had I known the pains were serious. I've been so bloody uncomfortable lately. I didn't want to deal with your smug, elitist Medi-wizard if I didn't have to."
"You should have owled. And if you don't like my Medi-wizard, we'll get another."
"Fine. I'll owl if this happens again."
"This won't happen again."
Draco stopped going into work the very next day. He stayed at the cottage with Ginny and basically did her bidding. He allowed the house elf to stay on at the cottage as both the house elf and Ginny began to cry mournfully when he'd told the creature to go back to the Manor. In the end, Draco was happy with the decision in the end as the house elf took care of Ginny's garden when Ginny wasn't feeling able. No sense getting dirt under your nails for no reason.
Ginny was extraordinarily happy with her new Medi-witch and everything was going swimmingly for both people in the cottage.
One night over dinner, Ginny informed Draco that she wanted to go home. Her parents had gotten over the initial shock, and, while they were not happy with the situation, they would like to be present for the birth. They talked about the options in terms of living situation and decided the best decision was to buy a flat in London where all parties could be close to their families and Draco could return to work without the use of a Portkey.
The next day, they packed their belongings and headed back to London. After a short lunch at the Burrow, Draco set off to look for a flat suitable for Ginny and the baby. Ginny stayed to visit with her Mother, as she was so large that moving about was difficult and trying.
"But I want to go help pick out the flat."
"I know, Ginny, but let me weed out those deemed unacceptable and then I'll come back for you."
"You promise?"
"I promise. You'll get a say in the end. You don't want to be put back on bed rest, do you?"
"No, of course you're right. I'm just so tired of being pregnant. My hormones are going nutters and I just want to be able to move about like a normal human being! I wish it would just come already!"
"I know. Do you need anything while I'm out?"
Ginny gave him a laundry list of bizarre foods she was craving and a request for a specific blend of tea. He kissed her forehead, bid Mrs. Weasley a good day, and Disapparated.
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To say that the real estate market was flooded was an understatement. It also wasn't finishing the complete thought. The real estate market was flooded-with crap. He didn't mind the idea of Ginny painting and doing minor decorating, but the thought of her installing drywall with or without a spell was not appealing in the slightest.
He was only slightly irritated that he had been cajoled into using this woman as a realtor, but had been convinced by the matriarch of the Weasley clan. She was friend of the family trying to get her business off the ground. Mrs. Weasley assured him she was reputable. He wasn't so sure.
Draco was ready to call the hunt for a flat to a halt when the obviously barmy witch next to him promised the next flat would be perfect. She had said that before they saw even the worst flats, but he found his almost lifeless body being pulled towards the Apparation point.
He closed his eyes only to reopen them in what appeared to be a suitable neighborhood. Unlike the streets they had previously visited, there was no garbage littering the street, no large magical creatures tied to trees, and no inhabitants of Knockturn Alley inhibiting their path. It was picturesque.
He was prepared for the worst as they came up to the flat in question. It wasn't a flat, but a decently sized house. They had discussed not having something too large, but Draco really liked the idea of a house. Not a Manor, but a house. He walked up the front walk and through the door. He could hear the woman behind him droning on about the features of the house, but he was trapped in his own thoughts about how perfect the place was.
He turned asked if the house could be fitted with Muggle electricity, as Ginny had become rather attached to it. She replied in the affirmative. With instructions to stay put, he flicked his wand and returned to the Burrow to find Ginny.
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The only way Ginny could be happier with her life at that moment is if she weren't two weeks overdue. She'd been busying herself with decorating her new home, visiting her friends, and even had a small get-together so everyone could see the place. The nursery was done, and she was sitting miserably on the couch that had just been delivered two hours previous.
Truth be told, she had been stuck on this monstrosity for the past two hours and unable to extricate herself. She cursed Draco, the house elf, and everyone else who had the indecency to not be in her presence at her time of need. She had tried yelling, cursing, and crying, but still no one came.
Ginny grunted and groaned and finally managed to scoot herself the two inches she required to be able to reach the pad of paper on the end table. She yelled for Draco's owl that appeared with a swish of wings and feathers. She strapped the scrawled note onto the owl's outstretched leg and sent it away.
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Thirty minutes later, Ginny was relieved when Draco Apparated into the living room of their new home.
"You're right, I do like the color of that couch." She extended her arms, and he helped her up from the couch. "Was that all you needed or was there something else?"
"Don't be an arse. I'd been stuck there for two hours. Nippy is off running errands and I couldn't get to the floo or my wand. I want this thing out of me!" She looked down at her stomach and yelled, "Get out of me you revolting little troll!"
Draco chuckled. She'd taken to calling the baby a troll when she was a week from her due date. He knew she must be terribly uncomfortable, but there was very little he could do to help her. Merlin help him, he'd tried everything to assuage the hormonal woman next to him and none of it had worked.
"Gin, please don't bite my head off, but what do you want me to do?" The scowl she sent up at him fueled his desire to amend his statement. "What I mean to say is, what can I do to help?"
"You know what you can do? Bring me my Medi-witch and see if she can get this thing out of me!"
"All right. She'll be here as soon as possible."
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Later that afternoon, Ginny lay on the bed in her room with the Medi-witch standing above her. Murmured spells, poking fingers, and a lack of communication between herself and the Medi-witch had Ginny ready to pummel the other woman. Any questions she had asked had been shushed much to Ginny's annoyance. Draco was seated safely in the corner prepared to act as a referee and to seek cover if the need arose.
Finally, the Medi-witch seemed to be done. Ginny was flushed she was so angry. "Well? What can be done to get this vile wretch out of me?" Ginny spouted.
"Is there anything wrong?" Draco asked.
"No, Mr. Malfoy, there is nothing wrong. First pregnancies are notoriously late. There are, however, a few things you can try to speed things along. None are proven, but at least it will make the two of you feel as if you are helping the process."
"What are they? Tell me! I'll try anything," whimpered Ginny.
The Medi-witch listed several things that might be of service and Draco wrote them down dutifully. He not only wanted to see his child, but he wanted the mother of his child to demonstrate a personality other than that of a disgruntled Giant.
Draco quickly made his exit to procure all the necessary items for the removal of his child from the woman he now referred to as Hades.
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Later that night, Draco had given Ginny the tea, the food and all the other items the Medi-witch had suggested, but none of it seemed to be working. He was considering putting a silencing spell on Ginny to have a moment's respite from her moaning, but decided against it.
He had one thing left to try. Right as he was about to leave earlier in the day, the Medi-witch had rushed out and suggested one last remedy to him. He was shocked at her suggestion, as she knew their situation, but she assured him that even if it didn't bring the baby, it would relax the mother. He was in the apothecary picking up herbs for a suggested potion, and found himself in front of a display housing massage oils. It wasn't as if he hadn't done this with Ginny before, so why not try it again? One good turn deserves another, right? He picked a rich, almond scent for the oil and the apothecary mixed the oil and added it to his package.
He'd tried everything else and nothing had worked. He was about to go have a fit if Ginny didn't quit her drabble. He knew she was entitled, but he couldn't take it anymore. He stood, yanked her up from the couch and pushed her into the bedroom. Her huff of protest was silenced by a wave of his hand and a request for her silence.
She pushed her to sit on the edge of the bed and began digging around in the closet. He threw her a tank top.
"Strip down to your knickers and that tank top. Get comfortable. I'll be back in a minute."
He went into his room, and then headed into the bathroom. He changed into the boxer shorts and t-shirt he'd found for himself. Willing himself to be strong, he dug in the bathroom cupboard for the oil he'd purchased from the apothecary. "Here goes nothing."
He returned to the bedroom to find Ginny clad only in her tank top and knickers cuddled on her side in the U-shaped pillow the Muggle wife of a co-worker had suggested to him. He was pleased she found it in her best interests to listen to him at this point. He crouched down on the bed and popped the top of the oil. Its heady aroma spread quickly as Draco began to massage Ginny's calves. He covered her calves and thighs before he crawled further up the bed and put his hands up the back of her tank top. A moan of appreciation found its way out from between her lips, prompting him to rub harder. He removed his hands from the tank top and traveled up the remainder of the bed. He began working on her neck and her exposed arm. Draco sunk down into the bed on his side and propped his head up in one palm while beginning to rub her belly with his available hand. He could feel her muscles twitching underneath his hand as the tension from them released. He ran his hands up her ribcage and felt the side of her breast on his knuckles. He heard her intake of breath and he found it pleased him.
He craned his head down next to her ear. "Turn over so I can get you other side." Ginny dutifully turned over and nestled her stomach down into the fluffy, supportive pillow while Draco began to massage her side, arm, and shoulder.
Ginny was very nearly asleep when she felt the telltale brush of Draco's lips against her own. His hand had moved from her side to travel underneath her tank top. Draco's tongue played with Ginny's as he began stroking her breast. He moved to hover over her without separating their lips and carefully rolled her onto her back. He began playing with the waistband of her underwear. He knew how volatile she'd been lately, and he didn't fancy her yanking off any of his important bits, so this act had to be carried off with a certain amount of finesse. He moved his hands to rub over her stomach and, finally, to palm her breasts. Ginny's hands gripped his sides as she let out little moans and writhed the slightest bit under him.
Draco placed little kisses across her cheek and down her neck as he began toying with the waistband of her underwear again. The kisses moved down her body as her underwear made their trek down her legs.
Draco sat on his knees and pulled Ginny up to sitting. He pulled her tank top off over her head and placed a kiss on her lips as he lowered her back down onto the bed. He removed his own shirt and slipped off the edge of the bed to pull his boxers off his hips. They fluttered down his legs and he stepped out of them.
He crawled back onto the bed and laid himself between Ginny's thighs. Placing her legs over his shoulders he began teasing her most sensitive parts with a mixture of teeth and tongue. Little sounds of pleasure were making their way to his ears and they pleased him more than he'd admit. He put two fingers in between her moist folds and with gentle pressure put them where they would drive her wild. He laved attention on her bundle of nerves as he curled his fingers within her.
Her thighs gripped the sides of his head, but he could still hear her as she shouted out his name as she came and he couldn't help the rumble of satisfaction that came from his throat. He continued licking her and thrusting his fingers until the last shudders of her orgasm came to a stop. She was nothing but a panting, heaving mess and he loved every minute of it.
He lay down on his back beside her. He pulled her up as he guided on thigh so she would straddle him. He held her hips up as she gently let his penis slide inside of her. Grasping her hips, he set a slow, easy pace. He let one hand trail up to a breast as he palmed and squeezed it. If the noises Ginny was emitting were any indication, she enjoyed what was happening to her.
She tried to speed up the motion, but found Draco's hand was drawn away from her breast and affixed to her hip. He wouldn't let her speed up the process, but did manage to get his thumbs near her clit. He massaged it lightly as he thrust up into Ginny gently. Sweat was dripping down between her breasts and Draco had to fight the urge to find a way to lick it off.
They'd kept up this pace for quite some time when Draco allowed Ginny to speed up, but only a little. She came with a force that made her ears ring. He followed suit only seconds later.
She rolled off of him and lay in his arms until their breathing had returned to normal. He'd managed to get her up and into the shower where he'd washed her hair and helped her get all the massage oil off of her skin.
They'd dressed in their nightclothes without conversation. Ginny hoped he was planning on sleeping with her. Once they'd left the cottage, Draco hadn't slept in the same bed with her. The house he'd bought for them had three bedrooms. She thought one would be a guest room, one a nursery and one theirs, but she'd been mistaken.
He moved to leave the room, but a small sound stopped him. He turned to look at Ginny. She looked as if she wanted to say something but wouldn't unless prompted.
"Did you say something?"
"No-but-well, I was wondering why you didn't sleep with me anymore."
"I thought sleeping by yourself would be more comfortable."
"Oh."
"Isn't it?"
"No. It's lonely." Ginny hesitated. "I'd like it if we slept in the same bed." She stared at the floor.
"All right."
He walked over to the bed and crawled in on the side he knew wasn't hers. He moved the damned U-shaped pillow to where it would house them both and held out his arm to show her the place he'd made for her.
She hesitantly got into the bed. She lay on her side so the pillow was supporting her as Draco curled up behind her.
"Better?"
"Much."
"Good." Draco gave her neck a soft kiss and snuggled closer to her. He fell asleep with a large hand laid protectively over her stomach.
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