The Result of a Drinking Binge by MrsDanielRadcliffe

Rating: NC17
Genres: Angst, Romance
Relationships: Draco & Ginny
Book: Draco & Ginny, Books 1 - 5
Published: 12/07/2005
Last Updated: 03/09/2006
Status: Completed

Ginny Weasley is a plain girl waiting for her prince charming. One morning after a drinking
binge, she realizes her most recent transgression may stick around to haunt her for the rest of her
life. *COMPLETED*




1. The Realization of a Transgression
-------------------------------------



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.

~~~~

Chapter 1

Someone was obviously trying to kill her. The pounding in her head, the seasick feeling and the
urge to pee were all too great for her to fully acknowledge at once. She rolled over in the bed,
pulling a pillow over her head to shut out some of the early morning sun. With that one motion, the
urge to stay in bed and shut out the world quickly became overpowered by the urge to toss the
contents of her stomach into the porcelain bowl in her bathroom.

Making the mad dash of a woman possessed, Ginny made it to the bathroom in just enough time to
throw herself of the floor in front of the toilet and begin retching violently.

-----

Thirty minutes later, she made it out of her bathroom, feeling as if someone had beaten her.
Slowly, she walked to the kitchen for her morning cup of tea.

*“Dry toast might be in order, as well,”* her subconscious offered.

She sat at her kitchenette and placed her elbows on the table while rubbing her temples.
*“What exactly happened last night?”* She had no earthly clue, and that was the main problem
she was facing right now. Whatever she had done, it had no doubt, involved a lot of drinking.

Thinking over her previous day, she remembered being reprimanded for the faults of a coworker.
Upset and irritated, she had left for the day with one purpose: making her way to the nearest pub
for a pint. Deciding she didn't have the desire to get sloppy drunk and end up in the *Daily
Prophet*, she opted for a Muggle pub with an easy access Apparation point. She knew just the
place. The last thing she remembered was her third pint going down the hatch and a handsome
stranger chatting her up.

Ginny grimaced as she recognized the familiar ache consistent with some sort of vigorous sexual
activity resting throughout her thighs. *“Oh fuck.”*

Dwelling was not what Ginny favored at the moment, so she made her way to the refrigerator and
removed the cure: cooled Pepper-Up Potion. She blanched at the taste, even though the potion was
considerably less toxic in taste when cooled.

*“Shopping. That's the cure. I'll be better in no time.”*

-----

Things went much the same way for the next couple of months. Ginny had forgotten her
transgressions soon after they had happened, having drowned out her frustrated fears with the
beauty that is retail therapy.

Her mundane life continued. She had afternoon tea twice a week with Hermione. She was planning a
baby shower for a friend from work. She went home alone to her one-bedroom flat and cooking dinner
for herself, except for the one night a week she spent at the Burrow.

However, one morning her mundane life got a little more interesting. She woke with the feeling
of seasickness again, but without the feeling of being completely ravaged the night before or the
headache signifying she'd been on a bender.

While puking her guts out, realization set in. *“Oh fuck.”* *[Author
ID2: at Mon Jul 11 09:18:00 2005 ]* *[Author ID2: at Mon Jul 11
09:18:00 2005 ]*

-->



2. An Awful Accident
--------------------



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.

~~~~

Chapter 2

Sitting in the bathroom of the same pub where this awful accident began, Ginny pulled out the
Muggle pregnancy test and read the instructions. Carefully urinating on the stick, she sent her
prayers up to every higher power she could think of. She stood, placed the test on the top of the
toilet paper dispenser, pulled up her undergarments and put the toilet seat down. Sitting, she
looked at her watch and it occurred to her that this was the longest three minutes of her life.

------

She returned home a short while later and threw herself on her bed. Sobbing, she wondered how
something like this could happen to her. She was always so careful. She was a good girl, she went
to work, paid her debts, and held out for the love all her family and friends had seemingly found.
She patiently waited for that last part, but it seemed to elude her at every turn.
*“Fuck*.”

What was she going to tell her parents? No one was going to be very forgiving about her getting
pissed at a pub and spawning a child whose father was unknown. What was she to do? Put up wanted
posters? Sure, some no-name man was going to come forward to claim a love child from a one-nighter.
That was bloody likely. *“Fuck, fuck, fuck.”*

She lay in her bed for the remainder of the day, thankful that it was the weekend.

-----

Monday morning, Ginny had realized a sense of purpose. She had to at least try to figure out who
had helped her do this to herself, and maybe, if he was decent, he'd help her figure out what
had happened and what to do about all of this. *“It's a long shot, but I'll have to take
it.”*

After work, she returned to the pub where she both conceived and found out about the conception.
Walking into the bathroom and straight to the basin, she splashed cold water on her face willing
herself to remain strong. She walked out of the bathroom and up to the bar.

She politely asked the bartender if he remembered her.

“Sure do, miss. You'd be difficult to forget.”

Blushing, she asked him why he would say that.

“Not every day you see someone with that particular shade of red hair. My wife has tried for
years to get that exact shade. Nearly bankrupted me paying every salon in London in her
attempt.”

Thanking him profusely and recommending a salon she knew was quite reputable, she went on to ask
him if he remembered the man she had begun talking to that night.

“Yes, ma'am. Can't remember much. Two of you disappeared a bit after he started chatting
you up. Don't know his name, but I can tell you what he looks like. He's pretty regular in
here, but doesn't talk much. Sits in the back, corner booth by himself. Drinks scotch.”

Would he mind giving her a description?

“No, ma'am. Hey, would you like something to drink? Water, sure. Coming right up. Where was
I? What your gentleman looked like...oh yes. Somewhere around six foot three or six foot four,
blonde hair, blue eyes…well, they might be another shade. It's hard to tell seeing as they are
so light. Man's got a bit of a slender build, but he's not skinny…just…what does my wife
call it…sinewy. That's it. You can tell he's got more of a muscular build. Looks like a
smaller footballer.”

Was that all?

“Yes, ma'am. As I said, I don't know his name, but he's regular in here. If you
spend enough time in here, he'll show back up. Haven't seen him today, but he'll be in
here later this week, for sure. Yes, ma'am. If he comes in, I'd be happy to give him this.
Not a problem. Good day to you too, ma'am.”

-----

She walked down the street as fast as she could. She was passive-aggressive she knew, but it was
the most she could bring herself to do right now. The letter she'd given the barkeeper had told
her name, where she could be contacted, and that said that she'd like to get together again.
*“Now, to go and clean up the flat in case he shows up. This is my only hope.”*

------

Ginny waited all week for her mystery beau to show up on her doorstep, but he never did. She was
panicking. What was she going to do? She couldn't do this alone and confiding in someone was
not an option. Could she have the baby without acknowledging the father? Could she go somewhere and
go through her pregnancy and then quietly give the child up? Worst of all, was she the type of
person to use Muggle abortion as a form of birth control? *“Oh fuck.”*

------

Ginny was still making up her mind as to what to do the following Thursday evening when a knock
sounded on her door. She had been quite the lump lately and her atrophying muscles screamed as she
painfully moved from the couch to the door.

She opened it and instantly regretted not using the peephole.

Standing in front of her was a tall, blonde man holding her letter and wearing a smirk.

“Couldn't get enough, could you?” His smirk became larger as those words exited his
mouth.

“Oh fuck.”

-->



3. How Things Are Supposed To Be
--------------------------------



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.

~~~~

Chapter 3

“Do you have no manners or do you swear at everyone that comes to your door? The least you could
do is invite me in and offer me something to drink.”

Ginny stood to the side and held the door open for him. He glided into her flat and regarded it
with only slight repulsion. “For crying out loud, Weasley. Seeing as I know cleaning and scouring
charms, you must know them.”

She nodded. He sighed and cast the charms for her. Within minutes, the front room of Ginny's
flat was pristine again and Draco sat on the couch. Ginny was still rooted to her spot beside the
door she had finally managed to close. Standing with an afghan clamped around her shoulders, she
rethought her views on running away or using Muggle means to terminate her pregnancy.

“So, you left me this and here I am.”

“Yes, here you are.” She wasn't ready for this. She had to find somewhere to run. So, she
ran directly into the bathroom and purged her ice cream binge from earlier in the evening.

Revolted, Draco walked into the modest kitchen and put water on to boil.

When Ginny found her way off the floor of her bathroom, she reappeared in the living room. “Do
you vomit for all your house guests or just for me?”

“Just you normally, but lately it's been for everyone.”

“Ah. Got a touch of the flu, do you?”

“If only that were it. Merlin knows I wish that were all it was.” Her hand instinctively went to
her stomach as if to protect her unborn child from it's own father's view.

A confused look crossed over Draco's features, but vanished as he waved away Ginny's
cryptic words.

“So, how have you been, Weas-Ginny. I should call you Ginny, considering I've seen you
naked.”

“Yes, you could probably get away with it.” She moved to the opposite end of the couch Draco was
reclining on and seated herself. “I remember very little of what happened. Perhaps you could tell
me exactly how we ended up doing what we did.”

Draco had the decency to look sheepish. Rubbing his hand up and down the back of his neck
repeatedly, he related the details of the story to her. “Well truth be told, I don't remember
much of it either. I remember sitting in my usual spot in the back of the pub, until I saw you come
in. I'd never seen anyone I recognized come in there and decided, for some reason, to talk to
you. I suppose we traded barbs as usual, but that's where it becomes fuzzy. I do remember
asking if you wanted to go somewhere else, you nodding and us shagging in the women's loo at
the pub.”

“The women's bathroom!” Ginny was horrified. Now she met the father of her baby in a pub and
simultaneously conceived and found out about the conception all in the same damn bathroom.

“Yeah, the women's bathroom. I don't remember what we talked about before or after, but
I do remember that the sex was phenomenal. I suppose that explains why I responded to this
letter.”

“Phenomenal? Come off it, Draco. I'm sure it wasn't that spectacular.”

“Yes, it was. No matter what you might think, I've not had as much experience as is rumored.
However, I've had enough of it to know that the sex we had was phenomenal.”

“Ah. Well, I'll take your word for it.”

“So, as I said, how have you been?”

“I've been pregnant,” she spat out.

“Oh?” Draco's eyebrows shot up.

“Yes.” Silence draped the room until they were both nearly stifled by it. “I've been
pregnant, and, apparently, you're the one who helped me become that way.” Ginny fidgeted with
the edges of the blanket.

“Oh?”

“Yes. That was my real reason for sending the note. I didn't remember enough of the evening
to recall what I had done, hence the letter. I've only known for about a week and a half.”

“Really? How do you know for sure?”

“I took a Muggle pregnancy test. Consequently, I took the test in the bathroom at the
pub…apparently also the site of the conception of said child.”

“That will make a fabulous story someday.”

“I'm sure it will be funny after the fact,” she said while shooting him a wry glare.

“I'm not trying to add insult to injury, but how do you know it's mine?”

“No matter what you think of me, I don't commonly go into pubs, get pissed, and sleep with
random people. In fact, I've never done that before and I've not had sex in two years
except for that night. There isn't anyone else that could be the father. I just didn't know
what else to do except for leaving that note. I didn't want to do this alone and my thought
process led me to believe that if I found the father, I might not have to.” Ginny hid her head in
her hands to conceal her tears and embarrassment.

“I wasn't trying to imply that you were common whore. I was merely inquiring as to how you
came to the conclusion that the baby was mine.”

“Well, of course I didn't know it was yours or I would have been more discrete.” The thought
of running away to a deserted island was beginning to appeal to Ginny more and more by the
second.

“What is it that you want me to do?”

“I don't know what *I* want to do! How am I supposed to know what I want *you* to
do?” The elevated level of her voice caught Draco off guard and he jumped a little as his eyes
snapped up from the floor to look at Ginny.

“Alright, that's valid. In the ideal situation, what is it that you'd want to
happen?”

“I don't know. I suppose having some support in the matter would be nice. I don't know
how I'm going to tell my parents and I don't know how I'm going to handle the entire
situation. I'd like to discuss the options like adults.” Ginny pulled her legs up on the couch
and wrapped the afghan around her tightly.

“Alright, what are the options you've considered?”

“There are a few I suppose. Several viable, some completely ludicrous.”

“Do tell,” he said flatly. He turned his body towards Ginny and looked her straight in the eye
in full Malfoy mode.

Ginny launched into her description of the options. “I could keep the baby. You could decide you
don't want anything to do with us and I could keep you a well-guarded secret. I don't think
I'm strong enough for that at this point, but I guess it's still an option. I could go
away, keep this whole thing a secret, and give the baby up for adoption. I could have a Muggle
abortion…” she trailed off.

Draco winced at the mention of an abortion. The sound of the teakettle whistling brought him out
of his thoughts. He rose and went into the kitchen. The tea was conveniently located just beside
the stove and he made tea for the both of them. Upon returning to the living room, he handed her
the cup. He looked at her closely. She looked broken…hopeless even.

He resumed his perch on the couch. “This is so hard. I never thought things would happen this
way. This isn't how things are supposed to be. I just want to die,” she said so quietly he
almost didn't hear it.

“How things are supposed to be is a loose theory at best.” He shrugged his shoulders as his head
cocked to one side. “We could try to present a united front for the sake of the child. It
didn't ask to be created after all. Simply because it is the product of a drinking binge
doesn't mean it has any lesser worth,” he offered.

Ginny's gaze snapped up to rest on Draco. “I suppose that is also an option.”

“Well, I'm laying it on the table. I don't think that dying is a good choice. I refuse
to let you get an abortion and I don't like the idea of adoption. I don't think going away
is a bad idea, though.”

“You refuse to let me have an abortion? It's my body. What if that is what I want to
do?”

“It's supposedly my baby you're carrying. Given that a medi-wizard confirms paternity,
I'd like to have as much say as you do in the matter. I, of course, will provide for you in any
way that I am capable of,” Draco reasoned. “I can't control you at every moment of the day and
couldn't stop you if that was your choice, though I'd like it if that weren't your
decision.”

“What do you mean that going away isn't a bad idea?”

“I mean that I think it might not be a bad idea. We can tell the pertinent people of recent
events and then leave town to avoid the hellfire raining down on us for participating in the act as
if we were randy teenagers.”

Ginny smiled a little at his metaphor. They had indeed acted as if they were randy teenagers.
“That sounds nice.”

“Of course this isn't the ideal situation. I hardly know you and you hardly know me.
However, we should make an attempt to get to know each other better if we're going to be bonded
together for life. If you had a boy, it would be my heir. I'd have to show him the family
business and such nonsense. If it's a girl, she'll have to be taught societal niceties that
can only be provided within the proper societal circles and with the proper training. She'll
need those skills in order to marry well.”

Ginny's mind was swimming with the possibilities. Would she be thrust into the public eye?
Would their indiscretion be fodder for *The Daily Prophet*? What would her family say? Was
going away with the father of her child to some location unbeknownst to her an option she was
willing to consider? *“It appears to be my only option at this point? I wanted support,
didn't I? He seems willing enough to give it. I should take it.*”

“Alright, I suppose that's our plan of attack then. When should we go for the test?”

“What test?”

“The test of paternity.”

Draco was taken aback by Ginny's statement. Finding that he'd already accepted this
child as his was startling. What was more disconcerting was that he found he rather liked the idea
of becoming a father. He heard his mother's voice in the back of his head, *“Draco, darling
you're twenty-six years old. It's time to settle down and provide an heir. You do nothing
but work. You're going to find yourself too advanced in age to procure a suitable wife if you
don't move quickly.*” But, was Ginny Weasley a suitable woman to marry? *“I doubt it.”*
“Too right. I'll make an appointment with my family's medi-wizard and owl you with the
time. The test will be done here as to minimize the stress and to ensure proper discretion.”

“Lovely.”

“I'll owl you as soon as I know the time and date, then?”

“I'll be expecting your letter.”

Draco rose from the couch and started towards the door. He found he wanted to give her some
indication that things would be alright, but he didn't know how to go about assuaging her
fears. Displays of affection weren't a part of his repertoire, so he just unlocked the door and
moved to open it.

“Draco?”

He turned to look at her.

“Thank you.”

“Of course. I'd never shy away from my responsibilities.”

A bittersweet smile crossed her lips.

“Put the wards back up when I leave, if you have any.”

She nodded. “I had them down because I didn't want the father of my child knocked onto his
bum when he showed up looking for me.”

“That is much appreciated. It's safe to put them back up now.”

She nodded, and he opened the door and left.

Ginny rose from the couch feeling a bit better, but a bit worse at the same time. Raising the
wards, she wiped the tears from her cheeks.

-->



4. Daddy Dearest
----------------



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.

~~~~

Chapter 4

The following Monday Ginny owled in sick to work as she'd finally received word from Draco
the day before. The father of her child would soon be here with the medi-wizard in tow. She took a
deep breath and readied herself. Of course Draco had to make sure she was telling the truth. She
understood that; however, that didn't make the process any less nerve wrecking. She lowered the
wards and took up residence at the kitchen table with her tea.

After what felt like hours, a knock thudded on the door. Ginny moved to open it and invited the
stodgy looking Mediwizard, along with Draco into her home. The Mediwizard set up an examination
table while Ginny turned off the floo.

*“I could just imagine Mum's head popping up in the floo while I'm laying there having
a paternity test, with Draco Malfoy standing at my side. She'd come through the floo and demand
an explanation. I'm not ready for that yet. Baby steps…that'll make the process much
easier.”*

“Please lay on the table, Miss Weasley.”

She looked at the table uneasily.

Draco moved to her side and bent his head to her ear. Taking her hand in his, he said in a low
voice, “Take a deep breath. It will be all right. I'll be by your side the entire time.” Ginny
looked up at him. He nudged her back with his other hand. “Go on, Gin. Trust me.”

She sat on the table and moved to a reclined position. The Mediwizard whispered several
incantations and Ginny's torso let off a small glow.

“I've finished. You may sit up, Miss Weasley. I would suggest that Mr. Malfoy lie down,
seeing as he has to acknowledge the idea that he's going to be a father in the next few
months,” the Mediwizard said.

Both pairs of eyes grew large, even though they both knew what the results of the test would be
in advance. Draco, who had kept a hold on Ginny's hand during the entire procedure, gripped her
fingers with renewed force.

Ginny stood up and went to sit on the far more comfortable couch, unconsciously dragging Draco
along. The Mediwizard packed up his things, renewed his promise to remain quiet about the test, and
let himself out of the apartment. Ginny vaguely felt herself grab her wand and raise the wards
after he'd left.

Draco and Ginny sat on her couch side-by-side for nearly an hour. When she suddenly felt dizzy
she let go of Draco's hand and lay down on the couch. Making herself more comfortable as she
rolled over onto her back throwing her legs over Draco's lap. He mindlessly began massaging her
calves in a gesture to keep his hands busy more than anything else. He continued staring straight
ahead and Ginny fell into a comfortable sleep.

------

When Ginny woke, it was dark. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she remembered the events of the
day. Reaching out in search of her wand, he spoke.

“You're awake.” With a whispered word, a fire burst to life in the grate of the fireplace
and Ginny's eyes were drawn to Draco. He was sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of her.
He casually set his wand down and sat up on his knees.

“Why are you staring at my stomach?”

Draco remained silent. His hands reached out. Catching the bottom edge of the shirt she was
wearing, he pulled it up slightly. Rubbing his hands lower over her stomach, he pushed the
waistband of her skirt down as well. Ginny felt oddly exposed, but let him continue his silent
exploration. He placed his large hands over her lower stomach and continued staring.

Draco rubbed his hands over her for quite some time. Not in the past few months had Ginny felt
as relaxed as she was at this moment. She was almost asleep when she felt Draco's hands move
aside to accommodate something else entirely. Her eyes opened sleepily and she found that he was
placing small, chaste kisses on her stomach.

Her hand moved to pet the hair of the man who was the father of her child. He turned his head to
look at her as her hand slipped to his cheek.

“My baby's in there.”

“Yes.”

He leaned down within an inch of the place where their baby was growing and whispered, “I know
this isn't the ideal situation, but I'll be the best father I can be. I know that isn't
much given my record, but it's all I can promise you. No matter what happens, I'll always
be your father.” He placed one more kiss to Ginny's stomach, and he pulled her shirt down and
her skirt up.

Rising to his knees, he offered her his hand. “Are you hungry?”

“Yes.”

“I'll take you for dinner then.”

-->



5. Papa Bear
------------



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.

~~~~

Chapter 5

“Take a deep breath. It will be all right. I'll be by your side the entire time.” Draco
squeezed Ginny's fingers as if to transfer some of his strength to her.

She looked up at him, gave him a small smile and took a deep breath.

They had decided it pertinent to tell Narcissa of the pregnancy first, as she would be less
volatile. She would probably yell, scream, screech and throw a tantrum, but she would not send six
redheaded hit men to dismember Draco. Both soon-to-be parents decided it would be to their benefit
to put off telling the Weasley clan until they were packed and the Portkey was only minutes from
activating.

They entered the foyer of Malfoy Manor. Ginny had never felt so intimidated in her entire life.
She imagined the grandeur that surrounded them was as intimidating to her as Draco would find her
family to be. She was brought out of her thoughts by the sickly sweet voice of Narcissa Malfoy.

“Draco, darling, you haven't been home in a week. I was beginning to worry about… Who is
she?”

“Mother, I'd like you to meet Ginny Weasley. We both have something we'd like to speak
with you about.”

“Oh?”

Ginny saw the resemblance between mother and son in their look of surprise. Their eyebrows
arched in much the same way.

“Yes. Why don't we sit down for dinner, Mother? We'll all sit down in the parlor
afterwards and discuss business.”

“Yes, that would be the way of the civilized, wouldn't it?” Narcissa clapped her hands
together to summon the head house elf. “We'll take our meal in the main dining room this
evening. Draco has brought a guest.” With a flourish of robes, Narcissa had turned and was stalking
towards what Ginny could only conclude was the main dining room.

*“I wonder what she'd say if I said her rump looked very undignified in those robes and
that she swaggers like a drunk when she's angry?”* Ginny thought with relish.

------

Dinner was a tense affair. Narcissa dropped several veiled insults in Ginny's general
direction. Draco had taken the seat beside her in a chivalrous gesture to keep both women from
coming to blows. He held Ginny's hand under the table and squeezed every time her resolve began
to slip.

The evening meal dragged on until Ginny thought she couldn't take it any longer. She was
used to the raucous gatherings at the Burrow. Discussions were held at the table as a means to
enforce family solidarity. One didn't have to wait to tell news, good or bad, until everyone
was seated in the proper parlor.

She couldn't take it anymore. She leaned over to Draco and whispered in his ear. Draco
whispered back to her, and Ginny removed the napkin from her lap.

Narcissa's steely gaze was focused on Ginny. “It's not polite to whisper, Ms. Weasley.
Care to let everyone at the table know what is so important?”

Ginny's eyes grew quite large and Draco sprung to her defense. “Mother, it's a private
matter.”

Ginny rose in order to leave the table. “Private matters are to not to be discussed at the
table, Draco. You've been brought up with proper manners, unlike *some people*. I'd
appreciate it if formalities were respected in this house. Ms. Weasley, please sit down until you
are given leave.”

Ginny sat back down in her chair.

“Mother, leave her alone. She wasn't being blatantly rude. We run our home differently to
the way she runs hers.”

“Draco, I'd also prefer it if you didn't challenge me in front of company. If she
hasn't been taught how to properly leave a table, perhaps she ought not try to leave one.”

Ginny blushed at this comment and stared at the table. Draco had let go of her hand, so she had
no choice but to fidget with the edge of her skirt underneath the table.

“Mother, she was merely asking—” Narcissa cut him off.

“I don't care *what* she was asking, Draco—“

Ginny had had enough. She stood up and slammed both palms against the table causing the
table's contents to shake. “Bloody hell, you two! I just wanted to use the loo! For the love of
Merlin, I was trying to be polite and, in the attempt to do so, have offended you in some
nondescript way, Mrs. Malfoy. I'm sorry, but since you already think I'm a rude, unkempt
troll, I'll say it again: I have to use the loo. Please direct me to it before my bladder
bloody well explodes!”

“I'll show you where it is.” Draco stood and threw his napkin on the table.

When Draco returned to the dining room, he looked pointedly at his mother. “I've never seen
you be so rude. That was completely uncalled for. I would suggest you gather the necessary niceties
in the parlor immediately, because Ginny and I will be leaving soon.” He turned and left the
room.

Narcissa let out an irritated sigh and clapped her hands together to signal the house elf once
again. “We obviously won't be having dessert, but put a tea service in the parlor.”

------

Draco led Ginny to the parlor. They sat on the settee across from Narcissa as she served tea for
all three of them.

She began tensely, “So, I believe the two of you have something you'd like to speak with me
about.”

“Yes, mother, we do. It's a rather delicate situation, but we've already decided the
course of action we'd like to take, in regard to handling it properly. This is not a
discussion, it is merely a statement of facts.” He squeezed Ginny's hand and continued, “It
seems as though, through a series of unfortunate events, Ginny has become pregnant with my child.
We're going to go away for a few months on holiday, so her pregnancy is as stress-free as
possible.”

Narcissa's face went from shocked to angry. As Ginny watched the woman's progression
through these emotions, she felt the trepidation build up. She knew what was in store. She could
count the seconds and feel the air molecules hitting her skin while she waited for Narcissa to
explode.

“Do you even know this girl, Draco?” Narcissa's voice was oddly quiet, but laced with
malice.

“We knew each other at school, Mother.”

“That doesn't answer my question, Draco.”

“No, Mother, we don't know each other very well. That is another advantage of going away for
the remainder of the pregnancy. We need to get to know each other better.”

“You should have done that beforehand. This isn't a game. This is the heir to the House of
Malfoy you're playing with Draco. Just wait until I tell your father what you've done.”

Draco stood and hovered dangerously over his Mother. “If I'm not mistaken, Father is in
Azkaban. He'll die before he finishes serving his sentence. For that reason I am fairly certain
he has nothing to say in this matter. This child will create no more blight on the Malfoy name than
has already been bestowed upon us by my dear, loving Father. I am the head of this household and
what I say is final. I have engaged in the gesture to include you in our decision, but I will not
yield. You have no say in this, Mother, so, if you have any desire to see your future grandchild or
myself again you *will* learn how to be polite and congenial to the child's mother. The
matter is closed. I will owl you when we arrive at our chosen destination. Come, Ginny. I think
you've endured enough for one evening.”

Draco offered Ginny his hand. He turned and bid his mother goodnight, before dragging Ginny
through the halls of Malfoy Manor to the foyer. He grabbed her around her waist and Apparated.

-----

They Apparated straight into the living room of Ginny's flat and Draco released her.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For standing up for me. I appreciated not having to speak to her more than you know.”

“It is my duty to protect my child. That duty extends to you.”

“Thank you, anyway.”

“You're welcome.” He took a step towards her and kissed her forehead. “I'll be going
now. You're all right for the evening?”

“Yes, I'm fine. I'm just going to take a bath and go to bed. I'll pack my bags in
the morning.”

“All right, I'll owl you for lunch tomorrow and we'll go to see your parents.”

“Okay, I'll see you then.”

Draco bent at the waist and placed a kiss on her rounding stomach. “Goodnight, I'll see you
in the morning.” He straightened, kissed her on the forehead once more and rubbed her stomach with
the back of his hand. He removed his wand and with a popping sound, he was gone.

-->



6. Interlude to Disaster
------------------------



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.

~~~~

Chapter 6

The meeting at the Burrow the following day had gone only slightly worse than the couples'
meeting with Draco's mum. Molly cried, Arthur sat in this chair with a broken-hearted look on
his face, and all six of Ginny's brothers were cracking knuckles and necks before it was over.
Draco had pulled Ginny out of the front door and quickly Apparated them back to her flat.

They gathered her things, shrunk them to fit in the pocket of her overalls and waited for their
Portkey to activate.

“You ready?”

“I think so. I'm fairly certain I have everything.”

“Even if you don't, it isn't as if we can't buy new once we get to the cottage.”

“A Malfoy in a cottage?”

“Yes, is that strange?”

“A bit. I didn't imagine us staying in a cottage. A quaint, cozy little cottage— I'm
sure it's lovely.”

“It is all of those things. I'm rather attached to it, though I'm not certain why. It
was left to me by a relative I never even knew.” Draco checked his watch. “The Portkey is ready.
Let's go.”

The familiar tug at her stomach made feel Ginny slightly nauseated. Her surroundings began to
come into focus, and she began looking around. The cottage was modest, but had a large hearth in
the main room and a kitchen of a good size. As she walked into the bedroom, she heard Draco clear
his throat.

“It's on the small size, but I thought it would suit us just fine. It's fitted with
Muggle electricity— that's what all these switches are.”

“Really? That's fun. It's very nice, but there is only one bedroom.”

“I thought about that, and I'll sleep on the couch.”

“Oh. All right.”

Ginny took her luggage out of her pocket. With a flick of her wand, it returned to normal size
and she began to unpack. Draco followed suit. After unpacking their things, both were
exhausted.

Ginny went into the kitchen and made dinner while Draco readied the couch for slumber. They ate
in virtual silence. Ginny raised herself off the couch with only slight difficulty and gathered the
dinner dishes. She set them to washing themselves in the sink and went into the bedroom to change
into her nightclothes. After rummaging through all of the drawers she'd carefully arranged,
Ginny came the realization that she had forgotten something — nightclothes. She padded back into
the living room and informed Draco of her oversight.

She followed him back into the bedroom. “I'm sorry. All the sets I had were getting so
uncomfortable. I meant to buy some new ones before I left, but I completely forgot with all the
commotion.”

“It's all right. I have the perfect solution.” Draco pulled out what looked like a brand new
set of satin nightclothes. He handed her the shirt to the set and took the pants. “I'll wear
the bottoms and you can wear the top. I'm sure the shirt will be loose enough to be
comfortable.”

She thanked him and Draco left the room. The fabric felt like heaven on her skin. As it smoothed
across her back she felt the tension she'd been holding begin to release.

Ginny heard Draco beckon from her from the living room. She made her way down the short hall out
into the main room of the cottage and was greeted with a scene of pure relaxation. Draco had pulled
the over-stuffed footstool over to meet the couch and had the couch made up with a fluffy blanket
and feather pillows. He'd extinguished the harsh overhead lights and turned on a lamp in the
corner. The fire was blazing and he was staring at the built-in bookcases with interest.

“Why don't you sit? I'm searching for something specific.”

Ginny curled up in the corner of the couch furthest from the footstool and covered up with the
puffy quilt lying on the arm of the couch. Finally finding what he was looking for, Draco plucked a
book from the shelf. Sitting on the couch, he stretched his legs out over the footstool. Holding
his arm out, he curled his fingers in a silent signal for Ginny to join him.

“What?”

“Come lay with me. I want to read my child to sleep.”

Ginny slid down the couch and ensconced herself in the crook of Draco's arm. Plucking the
volume from his fingers, Ginny read the front cover.

“A book of Muggle children's stories?”

“Yes, it's the only age-appropriate literature I could find.”

Ginny laughed. “Age-appropriate? Where did you hear that term?”

“I've been reading up. You'd be amazed at the amount of literature one can find on
pregnancy and such related nonsense.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. Now hush. My little one is tired. He's had a big day.”

“He?”

“Or she.”

“That's better.”

He smirked and sunk down into the corner of the couch so Ginny could be more comfortable. She
snuggled into his chest. Draco began reading from the book while rubbing the side of her stomach
softly.

They fell asleep like this. To anyone with an outside view the perfect picture of a burgeoning
family was present. Little did they know what the future held in store for them.

-->



7. The Difficulties of Knickers
-------------------------------



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.

~~~~

Chapter 7

The next few weeks went by in a blur. Ginny was starting to look pregnant rather than simply
looking as if she'd gained a few pounds in unfortunate places. Her back was starting to arch
and she was beginning to waddle, much to Draco's amusement.

The only problem was, Ginny was becoming incredibly bored. She could conduct her daily schedule
without even thinking. Wake up, shower, and get dressed. Eat breakfast with Draco after he returned
from his morning run (where he ran was a mystery to her as it seemed they were surrounded by
nothing but a large, grassy field and a pond), set the dishes washing, curl up on the sofa and read
a book. She had read virtually every book of interest on the shelves and now knew more about
American World War II fighter planes than she cared to admit. After eating lunch together, she and
Draco would go for a walk around the pond outside. Afternoon went much the same as the morning, but
laced with more chores Ginny invented to busy herself. They would nap in the afternoon and
they'd make dinner together. Draco read the baby to sleep every night. Ginny had begun to enjoy
this, as it seemed to calm the baby so it would quit treating her bladder as if it were a Bludger.
The Mediwizard had been to the cottage several times to check on Ginny and to reassure the couple
that the pregnancy was going according to plan.

It was after breakfast but before lunch. This was how Ginny charted time — by what meals she was
in between. In a huff, she threw her book across the room.

Draco looked up curiously from whatever it was he was busying himself. “Something wrong,
pet?”

“Yes! I'm bored out of my mind! Not that this isn't lovely for the first couple of
weeks, but I cannot sit here for another minute! Can we please go into whatever town is
nearby?”

“I thought you were happy staying here,” Draco stated in a quiet voice.

“I am happy *living* here, but I'd like to leave here once in awhile.”

Draco stood from the small desk he had been sitting at. “All right. That shouldn't be a
problem. Go get dressed.”

Ginny went into the bedroom to change, with a grin on her face.

------

After forty-five minutes, Draco began to worry. He'd heard her get into the shower. He'd
heard her muttering the charms to make her wavy, auburn hair behave and the drawers opening and
shutting. Now, there was dead silence. He walked to the door, knocked and softly uttered her
name.

“Come in.”

“Ginny, what's wrong? Why are you crying? I thought you were happy we were going into
town.”

“Nothing fits. I've gotten too big to fit into anything nice.”

It hit him like a ton of bricks. She needed new clothes and he'd completely fallen short of
taking care of her in this respect. He sat beside her on the edge of the bed and put his arm around
her shoulders.

“Surely something fits well enough for us to make it into town and get you something else?”
Draco stood up and moved to the armoire. He pulled out her overalls and found a short sleeved,
light green t-shirt lying in a pile of clothes on the bed. He laid the overalls on the bed and held
the t-shirt up for her inspection.

“The t-shirt doesn't cover my stomach. It's too short.”

He returned to the armoire and pulled out one of his own t-shirts. “This will do, I'm sure.
It might be a little tight across the middle, but that's to be expected. We'll get you new
clothes straight away, not to worry.”

Ginny continued sniffling.

“Ginny, what's the problem now? My t-shirt isn't going to look so terrible. It isn't
as if you'll have to walk around in it for long.”

Ginny looked down to her lap and mumbled something that Draco assumed was supposed to be
intelligible. He crossed the room and laid the t-shirt beside her on the bed. Reaching down, he
pulled her chin up so she was facing him. “Ginny, I cannot be expected to understand you when
you're staring at the floor and mumbling. Out with it.”

“None of my knickers fit.”

Draco had the grace to keep his mouth shut, but lines of color appeared on his cheeks anyway.
One more time he went rummaging through the drawers and found the solution to Ginny's
problem.

“Here. Wear these.”

Ginny looked at the given item suspiciously.

“They are boxer briefs. Wonderful for keeping everything in check when I run. They'll
accommodate you until we can find you something more suitable.”

“Ok. I'll get dressed then.”

Draco left the room and Ginny dressed in anticipation for their outing.

-------

Several minutes later, Ginny emerged from the bedroom clad in her overalls and Draco's
shirt. Draco smirked as he remembered she was wearing his knickers.

“All right, then?”

“Yes. I can't believe I'm wearing your knickers.”

“But you wear them well. You look very nice.” He placed a kiss on her forehead, wrapped an arm
around her waist, and Disapparated them to the nearest shopping district.

-------

The shopping trip went without a hitch. Arriving at the clothier, Ginny picked out several new
outfits.

They went from one clothier to another where Ginny shooed Draco away. She had told him there was
no need for him to see her knickers. Draco bought two cold drinks from a street vendor and waited
for Ginny outside the store.

Ginny appeared and gratefully took the drink Draco offered.

“Find everything you needed?”

“Yes, I didn't know they made knickers to accommodate this huge lump I'm calling a
belly.”

“Did you find something suitable to wear to bed as well?”

“No. Actually, I rather like the shirt you gave me to sleep in. It's looking worse for wear
though.”

Draco nodded and offered her his hand. He guided her along the street, giving foul looks to
anyone who so much as brushed up against Ginny. They arrived outside a store Ginny knew to be
exclusively for the bluest of the blue bloods.

“Do you need something?”

“Not particularly, but you said you'd like some more of the shirts I gave you. This is where
I buy them.”

“Oh.” Ginny looked sheepish. “We don't have to buy them in here, we can get the same thing
someplace cheaper, I'm sure.”

“I'm sure we could as well; however, I wear the bottoms, and I rather like the ones they
sell here.”

“Okay.”

Ginny and Draco entered the store and went straight to the sleepwear section. They picked out
several colors that suited both of them for purchase. Draco handed the cashier the appropriate
amount of money, and they exited the store.

Once on the street, Ginny looked at Draco with amusement dancing about her face.

“What?” he asked irritably.

“I think the pink set would have complimented your skin tone wonderfully.”

“Ha—ha—you evil bint. I let you get away with the purple ones, didn't I?”

“Point taken.”

A silence had fallen over them when Draco heard Ginny's stomach growl rather forcefully.
Draco looked at his watch and realized the time.

“I didn't realize it was getting so late. You're probably hungry. Where would you like
to go?”

“Where ever that delicious smell is coming from.”

Draco led her to the establishment that was emitting the aforementioned pleasing odor, and they
were seated inside the cool interior of the restaurant. Their orders were taken and Ginny excused
herself to the loo.

When Ginny returned to the table, the food had arrived and she tucked in heartily.

“Is there anywhere else you'd like to go?”

Ginny looked pensive. She finished chewing, before opening her mouth, and, for this, Draco was
grateful.

“I'd like to go to a bookshop. I'm sick to death of every book in the cottage. I was
also wondering about something that I'd like to ask you about.” Draco nodded. “I was wondering
if I might plant a garden and some flowers. Nothing too lavish, just something to occupy my time a
bit. I was also wondering if I might do some decorating inside the cottage, just to make it feel a
bit more like home. We aren't leaving anytime soon, are we?”

“Not unless you want to leave. You've still got a few months left until the baby comes. I
thought we'd stay for a bit longer. We'll go and get you gardening supplies right after
lunch. If you've still got the energy, we'll also go to look for things for the house.”

“Thank you.”

“I have actually been putting off going into my office for quite awhile. I didn't want to
leave you alone. I thought being there would keep you from being bored out of your skull.
Obviously, I was wrong.” A smirk graced Draco's features and Ginny realized the last part was
meant in jest. Draco continued, “I didn't realize how bored you were, but I'm glad to bring
some things to the cottage that will keep it at bay.”

“So you're going to start going into work, then?”

“Not everyday, but at least three days a week. I was toying with the idea of nicking a house elf
from the Manor for you, in case you needed something.”

“I'm sure that would be fine.” Ginny's face had fallen a little. No one without a
trained eye would have noticed it, but Draco did.

“All right then. Are you finished?”

“Yep,” Ginny replied.

“Ready then?”

“I'll always be ready to spend your money, Malfoy.”

Draco chuckled. “It's a pleasure to have something of value to spend it on, Weasley.”

-------

Ginny was more than exhausted. She really had pushed herself too hard, but she wanted to get
everything for the cottage and her garden so she would have something to keep herself busy while
Draco was gone. She had bought several new volumes for the bookshelf, some paint and Muggle brushes
to add some color to the otherwise white walls, some accent pieces for the living room, and a
pretty stationary set with a new quill, so she could write her family and friends. She had been
able to visit a teashop and got several types of flavored tea that she was ecstatic about. The only
sad part was that most of it had to be delivered, so Ginny was busying herself with putting her new
clothes away.

She heard the pop of an Apparition and hurried out of the bedroom. She was famished and Draco
had just returned with take-away. How the kitchen always seemed to be stocked with whatever items
she needed to make whatever meal she desired Ginny had yet to find out, but neither had felt like
cooking.

They ate and exchanged small talk until they were both finished with their meal. Draco picked up
the boxes and bags and trekked to the kitchen to toss them out. Ginny went to the bedroom and
picked out one of her new sets of pajamas and put on the top. She took the pants out to the living
room and left them on the couch arm for Draco, before returning to the bathroom to continue her
nightly routine.

Draco found the pants, put them on all the while muttering about how dainty the dark purple
satin made him look. Walking into the bathroom, he found Ginny applying some sort of lotion to her
distended belly.

“What on earth are you doing?”

“Putting this stuff on my belly. The woman at the store where I bought my knickers said it's
supposed to help.”

“Help with what?”

“Draco, for you information, pregnancy is not in any way comfortable. It feels like I'm
stretching out from the inside. My ankles are swollen, my legs and lower back ache, my shoulders
are so tense I can hardly move my head and I can't ever get comfortable enough to sleep
well.”

“I didn't know. You didn't tell me. You don't often tell me about anything you need.
You needed new knickers and you didn't tell me. You needed new clothes and you didn't tell
me. I have no idea about what you need. I've never done this before.”

“I've never done this before either, and, if you must know, it's rather difficult asking
you for things. It's not as if this is the most normal situation in the world. I thought you
might have a better clue than me, considering you've read all those books,” Ginny reasoned.

“Ah. Well, from now on, you tell me when you need something. We may not be in the relationship
typical of these situations, but you should not want for anything that will increase your
comfort.”

Ginny opened her mouth to speak, but Draco had grabbed her lotion and her hand. She was being
dragged towards the living room courtesy of Draco Malfoy.

Standing to the side of the couch, she asked, “What are you doing?”

Draco crawled onto the over-stuffed piece of furniture. “Sit down on that end and give me your
feet.”

Ginny eyed him suspiciously, but did as she was told. Draco squeezed some of the flowery
smelling lotion into his palm and rubbed his hands together to warm it. He began rubbing her feet
as if he were a professional masseuse. Ginny's head fell back onto the arm of the couch. Moving
up her legs, Draco increased the pressure slightly to release the tension in her calves. Ginny put
her arms beside her head to dangle over the edge of the couch. Ginny had been so lost in the
sensations of Draco's large, strong hands easing the aches in her calves and thighs, she
hadn't expected the cool rush of air that greeted her stomach when he pushed the edges of her
nightshirt open. She heard the top of the lotion bottle snap closed and Draco's hands rubbing
together before she felt him begin to rub her belly.

“Feeling better?”

A hum left Ginny's throat. “Umm hmm” was her only response. He massaged her sides and moved
to hover over her, his hands running underneath her lower back to release as much of the tension as
possible given the position he was in. A deep moan escaped Ginny's lips as his fingers rubbed
in slow, restricted circles on her lower back.

Draco bent and kissed Ginny's stomach. She had expected that as he'd made a habit of
showering her rounded stomach with attention, but what she didn't expect was the shift that
came next. She felt the brush of his lips on hers. It was nothing more than a moist, soft caress of
lips upon lips, until Draco's hands made their way out from underneath Ginny's back to cup
her cheeks. Her arms moved from the arm of the couch so her hands could tangle in the short hair at
the base of his neck. Her mouth opened slightly and she felt his tongue barely caress hers. The
kiss didn't deepen past this point, but the couple stayed in the same position: him straddled
over her hips with his torso hovering above her pregnant belly, his hands cupping her cheeks while
his thumbs stroked her face while her fingers massaged the base of his neck. It was sweet and
loving, not at all typical of this unconventional couple.

Draco ended the kiss with a few drugging, yet chaste sips of her lips before he rose from the
couch and offered his hand. Pulling her from the couch, he led her into the bedroom that she'd
slept in since her arrival to the cottage. He peeled back the covers and helped her get situated
before moving around to the other side of the bed and slipping beneath the coverlet. He curled up
to her side and kissed her temple before snuggling down in the pillow and placing a hand on her
stomach. Ginny fell asleep to the motion of Draco's fingers stroking her stomach.

-->



8. Author's Note
----------------



To all of my devoted, wonderful readers,

Thanks so much for all the absolutely stupendous reviews y'all have given me since I began
publishing this story. I appreciate it more than you'll ever know. I know that I promised to
update every Sunday, but obviously that hasn't been happening. I can already hear the gnashing
of teeth and the ripping of hair from follicles, but never fear. I completed this story before I
ever published it, so it will indeed continue. I will ask that everyone simmer down just a bit and
take the lack of updates with grace. My beta, dragonsangel68, is deep in the trenches of familial
hardship and needs to spend her extra time with her family at the moment. I refuse to get another
beta until the time comes that she informs me she will no longer be able to complete those
functions. At this moment, I refuse to pester her about proofing chapters and I would ask that
everyone understand that fact. As soon as she is able to send more chapters my way, I will not
hesitate to send more chapters your way. As of now, Chapter 7 is the last chapter she was able to
beta for me and that will be the last update until she has her own life under control again.

Thank you for all of your patience and understanding.

~~MrsDanielRadcliffe

-->



9. Comfort
----------



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.

~~~~

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.

***********

“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.

-------

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.

-------

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.

-------

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.”

-------

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.

-------

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.

-->



10. New Addition
----------------



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.

~~~~

Chapter 9

Ginny woke with Draco wrapped around her. It was slightly disconcerting only because it
hadn't ever happened before. He'd always woken before her. She somehow rolled off the
mattress and waddled her way into the bathroom to use the loo and take a shower.

When she emerged from the shower the smell of breakfast being cooked wafted through the room.
Her stomach growled loudly as she took in the rich aroma of sausage. She dressed quickly and made
herself as presentable as she could. Humming under her breath, she was shocked to find Nippy in the
kitchen making her a tray.

“Nippy made breakfast for Missus.”

Ginny smiled and thanked the house elf.

“Missus, Master left a note.”

Ginny took the note from Nippy and read Draco's neat cursive.

*Ginny,*

*Had to go into the office for a bit. Owl if you need anything. I'll be back before
dinner.*

*Draco*

Only Draco didn't return before dinner. He hadn't sent so much as an owl to let her know
he'd be late. After deciding the dinner she'd made for them was beyond repair, she readied
herself for bed.

She hadn't realized she'd drifted off to sleep until she felt Draco sinking into the bed
behind her. Ginny felt him wrap up behind her and kiss her neck; she let out a sigh of contentment,
falling back to sleep immediately.

Draco was gone in the morning, but this time he didn't leave a note. The tight feeling in
Ginny's gut was becoming unbearable. She moped around the house in her nightclothes, unwilling
to shower or bring herself to fix up. She snapped at Nippy and that only made her feel worse.

By late afternoon, Ginny was feeling particularly achy. She ran a hot bath scented with lavender
and soaked for almost an hour. The aches in her body wouldn't cease. When she stepped out of
the bath, she felt a rush of fluid run down her legs.

“What in the bloody— Nippy!”

“Yes, Missus?”

“Owl Draco! The baby's coming!”

Draco appeared in record time clamoring into the bathroom. “Ginny? Ginny! Are you all
right?”

He found her huddled with her back against the bathtub with her hands around the underside of
her thighs. She was rocking gently back and forth with her head bowed towards her knees.
“Draco!”

“Are you in much pain?”

“Discomfort, but not really pain necessarily.”

“Come on, Gin, we'll get you to St. Mungo's.” He pulled her up and carried her to the
front room where he sat her down gingerly and called for Nippy. After instructing the servant to
floo Ginny's family and his mother and alert them to the situation Draco Apparated them to St.
Mungo's.

Ginny was admitted and placed in a private room. Draco knew the Weasley clan had arrived when
the noise level in the hallway escalated. Draco kissed Ginny's forehead and insisted promised
her he'd be right back. Walking into the hallway, he was barraged with a plethora of questions.
He held up his hand to shut them all up.

“She's fine. Only dilated to something like four centimeters. The medi-wizard has said that
we could be here for a while.”

Be there for a while turned out to be an understatement. Six hours passed and Ginny only dilated
two more centimeters. The thought that his hand might be broken crossed Draco's mind several
times and that he might also go nutters from all the commotion in the hallway. The Weasleys never
shut up.

Finally the medi-wizard came in at hour seven and said Ginny was ready to start pushing. She
swore the anti-pain charms weren't working, but everyone she told informed her she'd had
all they could give her.

After what seemed like forever Draco held his son in his arms. Jayden William Malfoy. Draco
thought this too frilly of a first name to give his son, but Ginny told him that both his first and
last names could be shoved around in such a way that their son would have plenty of choices for a
nickname.

Draco leaned down to deposit a kiss on Ginny's forehead. The flash from Colin's camera
nearly blinded them both, as had all the previous flashes that had gone off during the day, but
they were both too happy to wound Colin.

“Thank you.”

“For what? Not rendering you incapable of doing this to another living creature?”

“Absolutely.”

Ginny smiled as she realized she actually cared for the father of her child. This was one of the
happiest days of her life. Jayden was taken from Draco to meet both of his maternal grandparents,
his numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and other mysterious relatives. Narcissa Malfoy was not
present, a fact that only bothered Draco.

-------

Things continued much as they once had, but with the addition of a squalling newborn in the
background. Draco stayed home more, the U-shaped pillow was tucked neatly in a closet, and Ginny
slept in a king sized bed with her son. For the first few months of her son's life, her
son's father would occasionally creep into bed with them late at night.

Ginny knew this wasn't how things were supposed to be, yet still she was happy. She had a
wonderful house, a beautiful son, and anything else she wanted. Well, almost everything she wanted.
Draco came home less and less as time progressed. He would make appearances to play with Jayden,
perhaps take him to the park on Sunday afternoons, but he seemed oddly detached. He spent most of
his nights at the office and returned only briefly to change clothes and remind his son that his
father did in fact exist.

She would receive owls a few times a week explaining away his absences with Ministry functions,
business meetings, and the like. But as his face appeared in *The Daily Prophet* more often,
she felt herself begin to hate all the beautiful witches that adorned his arm. His clothes began
disappearing from the house slowly. Evidence that he was sleeping somewhere else and sending his
laundry out. She decided that she too would have to make a change.

She took precious few of the things that had grown to mean something to her, but several
suitcases stood by the front door. She'd be damned if she didn't take Jayden's things,
he owed her at least that. Shrinking all of the bags to the size of thimbles, she gathered her
six-month-old son on her hip and Disapparated to the Burrow.

-->



11. Escape
----------



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.

~~~~

Draco woke beside a voluptuous brunette who went by Pandora early one morning. He'd taken
her to the Ministry's yearly Gala celebrating some ridiculous triumph for some ridiculous
minority; however, he was a Malfoy and he was expected to attend.

Pandora had served her purpose. She'd driven thoughts of Ginny from his mind, but now they
were back full force. How long had it been since he'd seen Ginny and Jayden? A month? Maybe
two? He was unsure. The last time he'd gone home to see his child, Ginny had appeared tense and
irritated. He'd asked why she as upset and she'd shrugged it off as fatigue. He'd
believed her merely because he'd wanted to. He knew something was wrong, but wasn't man
enough to fix it. He'd run instead. To be exact, he'd run to Sheila, Cherie, Laila, Pandora
and a multitude of other witches to bury his thoughts of Ginny. He'd stayed at work late,
attended numerous functions he normally wouldn't be caught dead at, and, because of his
attendance, his business was booming. Who knew personal relations was this beneficial to
business?

He'd busied himself with the fresh wave of mergers, investments, and meetings that plagued
him day and night. He'd made more money in the past two months than he had in the previous two
years. Not that any of it mattered, his fortune was great enough as is. He did it simply because it
gave him an excuse to ignore what was going on all around him.

He gathered his things, dressed and Apparated to his office. Sitting at his desk, he stared down
at a picture of Ginny, Jayden and himself on the day Jayden was born. He was kissing Ginny's
forehead when that dolt Creevey had lit up the room with that damned flash bulb.

He stoked Ginny's face and his son's head through the glass. He had to go home. He
missed them both terribly. He grabbed a freshly laundered shirt off a hanger from the bundle that
hung on the back of his door and set off for home.

Only he found home to be a little less welcoming that he'd planned. Something about the
living room made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. “Ginny! Jayden!”

He didn't care if they were sleeping.

He burst into the bedroom only to find it empty. He checked Jayden's room to find most of
the contents previously housed in the room to be missing. The bathroom produced less than favorable
results, as did the rest of the places Draco looked.

“NIPPY!”

The elf appeared quivering at his feet. “Yes, Master?”

“Where is my son? Where is Ginny?”

“Missus has made Nippy the keeper of her secret. Nippy mustn't tell.”

“Nippy must tell if Nippy wants to remain in a job,” Draco growled dangerously. “I've got a
sock right here with your name on it.”

Nippy made an audible squeak and disappeared from Draco's grasp.

Draco was in a rage. He tore apart the house room by room. He wasn't looking for evidence as
to where Ginny had gone; he was having a world-class fit. He dumped over bookcases, threw
Ginny's remaining wardrobe out of the armoire, threw pictures, broke dishes and generally tore
the house and it's contents to bits. What upset him more was that the house didn't even
smell of her anymore.

Finally having vented his frustration, Draco realized he was staring at the little blue bunny
he'd given Jayden in the hospital. It has been his son's first toy. He grabbed it and held
it to his face. Draco slid down the wall and began to sob uncontrollably.

-----

“Missus, Master returned. Master is tearing the house apart. Master threatened Nippy with
clothes but Nippy still didn't tell where Missus or Little Master Jayden were.” Nippy beamed at
Ginny's feet.

“Thank you, Nippy. Will you please pack a bag for Jayden. He'll look for us here when he
gets his head on straight.”

“Nippy will do it, but where does Missus want to go?”

“To see Narcissa. Perhaps she'll want to see her grandson.”

Nippy's eyes grew large, but she scurried away to pack anyhow.

-----

Ginny kissed her Mother's cheek as she said goodbye to her family. “I'm sorry, Mum, but
I'll owl you as soon as I get a chance. I'm just not ready to see him or hear from him yet.
I need some more time.”

“Of course, Ginny, dear. We'll just miss you. I'll miss my Poppet as well.” She kissed
Jayden's fat cheeks and waved goodbye to Ginny.

-----

Ginny appeared at the foot of Malfoy Manor. It was an imposing piece of architecture.
*“I'm quite lucky she didn't set wards. I should have thought of that. Pregnancy does a
number on your mind.”* Ginny strode up to Malfoy Manor holding her son on her hip. Nippy was
trailing behind like a coward.

Ginny knocked on the door and it opened with a rush of air. A small house elf by the name of
Jester opened the door and escorted her in. She was instructed to wait in the main parlor. She
remembered this place and it frightened her, but this was her only hope.

“Miss Weasley?” An icy cold voice from behind her caused chills to go up her spine.

“Hello, Mrs. Malfoy.”

“Why are you here?”

“I thought you might like to see your grandson.”

Narcissa's eyes softened as they found the small child clinging to Ginny's side. She
took a step towards Ginny and ran her finger along Jayden's cheek.

“What did you name him?”

“Jayden William Malfoy. Do you like it?”

“It's a fine name.” Narcissa hesitated. “I would have been at the hospital to see him, but
I'm rather stubborn. I apologize for the spectacle the last time you were here, but you
can't expect me to approve of this—situation.”

“No, I don't expect you to approve, but it's happened and you have to accept it.
It's not hard to accept, just look at what you get for a little bit of acceptance.” Ginny
gestured to her son. Narcissa tickled him under his jaw and Jayden giggled. Ginny hoisted her son
up so they were face to face and gave him a noisy kiss on the cheek.

“Jayden, this is your Grandmum. She's your Da's Mum. Why don't you go say
hello.”

She turned Jayden around and pushed him towards Narcissa. Jayden grinned and extended his arms
in a silent plea of *“Pick me up now!”*

Narcissa took the chubby baby into her arms and moved to the settee near the fireplace. She
cooed at Jayden who cooed back. Ginny smiled as she watched the two interact.

“Where's Draco?”

“I'm not sure, Mrs. Malfoy. We left the house in town about two months ago. I haven't
seen him since. I don't even think he knew we were gone until today, if you want to hear the
truth of it.”

“Too busy attending Ministry functions and going into the office for late business meetings, I
presume?”

“From what I can gather. I saw more of him in *The Daily Prophet* than I did at home.
He'd come home to change clothes and take Jayden to the park at first, but then he just quit
coming around at all. I'd catch a whiff of his cologne when I stepped out of the shower or came
back from running errands, but that was the only evidence of him coming around other than his
mysterious disappearing wardrobe.”

“I'm all too familiar. Lucius was much the same way. Where are you staying now?”

“I'm not staying anywhere. He threatened Nippy with clothes in order to get her to tell him
where I was, but Nippy's a good house elf. She didn't utter a peep.”

“Good for her. I'd wager Draco is driving himself nutters trying to find you about now.”

“Probably, but I don't really care. I was at home with my stretch marks taking care of his
son day and night while he went gallivanting to parties with gorgeous women. My heart bleeds for
him.”

“I know exactly how you feel. Would you like to stay for dinner?

“As long as it isn't an inconvenience.”

“Not at all. The last place Draco would look for you would be here.”

“Probably not the last place, but it will definitely take him a few days of thinking before he
looks here.”

Over dinner all formalities were thrown out the window. Ginny was Ginny and Narcissa was
Narcissa. Miss Weasley and Mrs. Malfoy were no more. They laughed, snorted, and made silly noises
at Jayden. For the first time in a long time, both women had *fun*. Narcissa offered Ginny a
place to stay and Ginny accepted.

Nippy showed Ginny to a room right next to Narcissa's suite. Ginny thanked the house elf as
Jayden blew spit bubbles as some sort of appreciative gesture. Ginny bags were already unpacked,
presumably by Nippy, so she made herself and Jayden ready for bed. Ginny set protection spells as
well as silencing and locking charms on the room. No sense being careless at this point.

Ginny spent two weeks at Malfoy Manor before things got hairy. She and Narcissa got to know each
other as Narcissa got to know her grandson. They took afternoon tea in the garden, trimmed the
roses together, and generally had a good time together.

One night, Narcissa came into the parlor looked rather distressed. “Ginny, I have something to
talk to you about. Draco has been owling me constantly for a few days. I'm sure he has no idea
that you're here; he probably just wants to come and tell me what's happened. He assumes
that I'll help him find you. At any other time, he might assume that conviction and be correct,
but this time he is sadly mistaken. For many years I put up with his father behaving in much the
same manner. I never had the strength to stand up for myself. You are much better than I was in
that respect.”

“Thank you for telling me and for the compliment. I have to go pack.”

A hand on Ginny's arm stopped her. “Ginny, remember that Draco is a good boy. He'll come
to his senses; you just have to teach him his lesson just as you're doing now. You don't
have to run forever.”

“I know, Narcissa. I'm just not ready to talk to him yet. I still have to get my thoughts in
order.” Ginny took a deep breath to steel herself. “Would it be alright if I went to the cottage
that Draco took me to while I was pregnant? I don't even know where it is and I don't have
a Portkey to get there.”

“Of course you can use the cottage. Stay for as long as you like. I'll floo over to the
Ministry and get you a Portkey while you're packing. Don't leave while I'm gone,
I'm going to raise the wards. Pack quickly, dear.”

Ginny nodded her agreement and her thank you. She walked as fast as her feet could carry her and
Jayden up to her room.

“DA!” Ginny stopped in her tracks. Ginny stiffened and turned around slowly but didn't see
Draco. It hadn't even occurred to her that her child had just yelled out his first word.

Jayden pointed to the portrait on the wall and yelled, “DA!” Ginny looked in the direction of
her child's pointing finger and, sure enough, there was a picture of Draco making faces back at
Jayden.

“Yes, Poppet, that is a picture of Da. Now we have to go.” Ginny continued walking while Jayden
continued in his chorus of “Da—Da—Da—Da—Da.”

Ginny packed as quickly as she could considering Jayden seemed to be hell bent on not leaving.
She would turn around to put something else in a suitcase and Jayden would take it out. This
continued on until Narcissa appeared in the doorway.

“Ginny, aren't you packed yet? The Portkey activates in 10 minutes!”

“I was trying but Jayden doesn't seem to want to leave. He keeps unpacking us.”

Narcissa picked up the small, sticky-fingered little boy. “That's because he doesn't
want to say goodbye to his Grandmum. Do you?” The little boy drooled on Narcissa's robes, but
the woman didn't seem to notice.

“He said `Da' for the first time in the hallway. He saw the portrait of Draco and just
yelled it. I wish I were in the position to be more excited about that. I thought he was a
Mummy's boy, but I guess not. I show him pictures of Draco all the time so he'll know who
his Da is.”

Hearing the word cross Ginny's lips, Jayden began pointing into the hallway again and
renewed his chorus of “Da—Da—Da—Da—Da!”

“That's wonderful, dear. Finish packing, you only have a few minutes left.”

“Thank you, Narcissa—for everything. It's been really nice getting to know you.” Ginny gave
the woman's hand a firm squeeze and started throwing things into her bags.

Ginny finished packing and shrunk the bags. She fitted them into her pocket, and took Jayden
from Narcissa. She took the handkerchief wrapped Portkey from Narcissa just as a pop resounded
downstairs.

“Mum? Are you here?”

Narcissa grabbed the Portkey from Ginny and unwrapped part of it. “Grab on, dear,” she hissed.
Ginny felt the pulling sensation and knew she'd escaped.

Narcissa blew out a tense breath and rushed into the hallway. She hurried down the stairs to
greet her son.

“Draco, darling, why are you home?”

“She's left with Jayden, Mum, and I don't know where she is. I've looked everywhere
and I can't find her.”

“Oh, darling, tell Mum all about it.” She led him into the parlor. Narcissa secretly loved it
when Draco called her Mum. He only called her that when he was too depressed or sick to cling to
the formalities he was brought up with.

“Draco, make yourself comfortable and I'll be there in just a minute.” Narcissa watched her
son's sloped shoulders move into the parlor, and she ran down the hall whispering for
Nippy.

Nippy appeared when Narcissa reached the kitchen. “Yes, Mistress. What can Nippy do?”

“Nippy, I want you to make sure everything is cleaned up from Miss Ginny's stay here.
Anything she forgot needs to be put away where Draco can't find it. Make sure the dinner dishes
are put away, and clean out her suite. Make sure it doesn't even smell like her. Bring a tea
service for Draco and myself and then get all the other elves to help you. After all the evidence
is gone, go to the cottage and stay with Ginny. Help her in any way that you can. Understand?”

Nippy smiled and responded, “Yes, Mistress. Nippy is happy to help.” With a snap of her fingers,
Nippy was gone.

Narcissa returned to the parlor to see a tea service had already appeared. Unfortunately,
Narcissa didn't spy the yellow elephant plush that was lying on the floor in front of the
fireplace that was now in Draco's grasp.

“Mother, what is this?”

“It appears to be a yellow elephant plush.”

“Where did it come from?”

Narcissa's kept her face nonchalant. She had bought that for Jayden during his stay. How
could she explain it away?

A house elf appeared in the doorway. “Master! We thanks for finding it! Jester will be happy to
have his Fifi back! Jester is unable to sleep without his Fifi!”

“Fifi?”

“Yes, Master, Jester's stuffed elephant, Fifi. Jester cannot sleep without his Fifi!”

Draco handed the stuffed animal down to the outstretched hands of the house elf. *“Strange, a
house elf with a penchant for stuffed animals. How did he get it?”*

The house elf seemed to read Draco's mind. “Dobby gave Jester his Fifi! Jester is not
himself without his Fifi!”

“Oh, alright, quit your babbling,” Draco remarked.

Narcissa looked over her shoulder at the retreating elf and saw Nippy smile at her from the
corridor. *“I must remember never to give that elf clothes. She's really top-notch.”*

Narcissa sat down and served tea for both herself and Draco. She was ready to hear her son's
version of what happened—in fact, she was ready to hear precisely how her son was able to shift the
blame off of himself.

After several hours of hearing Draco bemoan his situation, Narcissa was quite surprised at her
son's maturity. Obviously this woman and the fact that he now had a son of his own had brought
him to the cusp of manhood. She was impressed. He was quite honest about what had happened, even if
certain bits did still reek of a child who had his lolly taken away.

They talked throughout the night until her grown son fell asleep weeping in her lap. *“What a
change. He hasn't wept in front of me since he was a child. I think I may like this—change may
not always be bad after all.”*

--------

The next day found Ginny at the cottage clad in her favorite satin nightshirt. Jayden was
chattering happily in his highchair while banging his spoon in anticipation of breakfast. Nippy had
arrived sometime during the night, but was now set on making fresh applesauce for Jayden. Ginny was
munching on bacon and eggs and cooing at Jayden contentedly.

After lunch, Ginny convinced Jayden he was sleepy and she put him down for an afternoon nap.
Ginny went out in her garden to tend to the weeds that had grown up and not been eradicated by
Nippy's frequent visits. Everything was readying itself to bloom.

She was content and tired and felt safe. Ginny mentally prepared herself for what she knew would
come, but refused to feel any trepidation for the time when it would happen.

It took considerably longer than she thought. Seventeen days later, she was walking past the
plate glass front window, ready to put Jayden in his playpen, when she noticed something out of the
corner of her eye. She whirled around and saw Draco standing in the tall grass that surrounded the
manicured lawn of the cottage. Most of the time, she appreciated that the cottage was located away
from civilization, but at the moment she wished she had a neighbor to run to.

She stood rooted to the spot and stared at Draco with her mouth slightly open. He stared right
back at her. He looked so forlorn she almost rushed out the front door to him. She might have found
the strength to do it, but he disappeared just as quickly as he had appeared.

He appeared several more times over the next few days. He never yelled for her or spoke at all.
He never tried to enter the house. He just stared at her from a distance. When she'd finally
gotten used to him randomly appearing, he stopped appearing at all.

Numerous days passed with no sighting of Draco. This last day had been the hardest. She just
wanted to throw herself into his arms and apologize for everything that had happened. Of course, in
this little fantasy he also apologized. In reality, she doubted that he would. She had neither the
desire nor the Portkey to go home. Her depressed mind seemed completely content to sit on the couch
and stare out the window waiting for Draco's imminent return.

Late in the evening, Nippy appeared with a glass on a tray, “Nippy brought Missus warm milk.
Milk will help Missus sleep. Nippy put Sleeping Draught in the milk she made for Missus.”

“Thank you, Nippy. Is Jayden asleep?”

“Yes, Missus, Little Master is sleeping.”

“Is he in my bed?”

“Yes, Missus, Little Master is sleeping on Missus' bed.”

“Thank you, Nippy.”

Ginny drank the milk gratefully. As she felt the draught begin to take effect, she made her way
into the bedroom. She pulled out the U-shaped pillow from its hiding place and placed it in the bed
around her son. She crawled into bed beside her son and gave him a kiss on his chubby cheek. The
pillow made her feel safe—like she was sleeping with someone. Deep sleep greeted Ginny moments
later.

Sometime during the night, Ginny roused slightly when she felt the mattress sag. The pillow
shifted and a warm weight snuggled up to her back. A masculine hand came around her torso and
petted her son's head. She would have been shocked, but she knew who it was.

She felt breath on her ear. “I'm sorry, Ginny.” He placed a kiss on her neck and snuggled
down into the pillow.

Ginny woke in the early hours of the morning, and went into a panic. She sat up and felt around
the bed for Jayden when she looked up. In front of the bedroom window, the dull morning light
afforded her a view of the silhouetted form of Draco holding Jayden. Jayden was resting on his back
held up by the forearms of his father. Draco was cooing into Jayden's face. Draco's hair
fell into his face and he smiled.

“I love you, little man.”

Ginny lay back down in the pillows with a smile on her face.

-->



12. Foolish
-----------



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.

~~~~

Chapter 11

Ginny woke happy. Happier than she'd been in weeks. Her son was snuggled to her front and
Draco was snuggled to her back. She would have thought it to have all been a dream, but she could
feel Draco's warm breath through the satin on her shoulder. She stroked her son's head and
smiled to herself.

She had to get over her giddiness. This was serious business. She had to have a serious talk
with Draco and she couldn't do that with a big, stupid smile on her face.

She gathered Jayden up in her arms and rolled onto her back. Lifting Draco's arm off of her
stomach, she rolled away from him and placed Jayden where she had previously been.

She felt the cool wood floor beneath her feet as she made her way to the bathroom. She used the
loo and got into the shower. She quietly returned to the bedroom to find fresh underwear and her
bra. She didn't know why, but she just felt like lounging in her favorite nightshirt while
still being fresh from the shower. She wrapped her hair up in a towel like she always did on days
she didn't have anywhere pressing to be and went into the kitchen. She tiptoed past Nippy, who
had made herself a spot underneath a hutch in the dining room.

Ginny began making Jayden's breakfast as well as something for herself and for Draco. Just
as she finished serving everything onto plates, Draco appeared with Jayden cradled in his arms. He
had the forethought to look sheepish.

“Hi.”

“Hi. Why don't you put Jayden in his high chair and I'll get breakfast served up.”

“Alright, I can do that. How does this thing work?”

“There are levers on the bottom that release the tray. Pull those and pull the tray out a bit
before you try to put him in. You fasten the little safety belt and then pull the levers to push
the tray back up. Don't push it so far back up that he doesn't have any room to move.”

“Alright.” Draco balanced Jayden on his hip and did what Ginny asked, but it didn't turn out
as it was supposed to. “How do you manage this with one hand? Oh, bugger it.” Draco took out his
wand and the high chair moved of it's own accord. He put Jayden in, the belt fastened itself
and the try moved up a proper distance.


”Took you long enough to figure out the easy way.”

“Why didn't you just tell me to use my wand?”

“You're resourceful. You need to figure out some of these things on your own. I had to.”

The last remark stung a little, and Ginny knew it. It was meant to sting. “We have to talk. You
know that, right?”

“Yes, I know. Let's have breakfast first, and then we'll take Jayden somewhere. Then we
can talk alone — ok?”

“We'll take him to the Burrow so my parents can see him. They haven't seen him in weeks.
They'll be thrilled to have him. I'll owl them right away. Your owl is still here,
correct?”

“Yes, she is.”

Ginny went to the small desk that had previously housed all of Draco's work-related things
and pulled out a piece of parchment. Draco summoned the owl and it landed on the desk just as Ginny
finished scribbling the note. She attached it to the owl's outstretched leg and it flew off to
deliver the note. Ginny returned to her breakfast.

Jayden was pretending his highchair was the best drum in all of the land rather than eating his
breakfast.

“Draco! DRACO! Make him eat some of his breakfast, please.”

Draco took the spoon from his son and began the arduous, not to mention messy, task of trying to
get a small child to eat applesauce.

After all was said and done, Ginny and Jayden had both managed to eat most of their meal.
However, Draco was covered in a good portion of Jayden's breakfast that hadn't made it into
the child's mouth. Ginny was almost falling out of her chair with amusement at the sight before
her. Draco had applesauce in his hair, on his face, and dripping down his chest.

“Serves you right, Malfoy.”

“Hush.”

“I'll clean him up, you go ahead and eat,” Ginny offered.

“No, I'm not very hungry at the moment.” Draco stood and began to leave the room. “I'm
going to take a shower, if you don't mind.”

“Fine.”

“Oh and Ginny?”

She turned to look at Draco. “Yeah?”

“It's Draco, not Malfoy. Malfoy is merely my surname.” He glided from the room and towards
the bathroom. *“A surname I plan to give her, if I have my way.”*

Ginny packed some of Jayden's things and began to prepare for whatever might befall her in
the next few hours.

“Da!” Jayden pointed at Draco while looking at Ginny.

Ginny turned to look at Draco and then looked back at Jayden. “Yes, Jayden, that's Da.”
Jayden clapped his pudgy little hands together in happiness.

“Da—Da—Da—Da—Da—“

Draco's mouth hung open a little. “Is he calling *me* Da?”

“Yes, Draco, that's only natural considering you are his father, no matter how
negligent.”

“How does he know?”

“I showed him your pictures every day. I show him pictures of all his relatives, but mostly you.
Even if his Da's not around, he should know who his Da is.”

Draco was speechless. He walked across the living room and hauled Ginny up into his arms.
“I'm so, so sorry for what I've done. We're going to talk about it and figure out how I
can make it up to you.”

“It's not me you should be worried about. It's Jayden.”

“No, it's you. He knows who I am, thanks to you, and he seems perfectly happy to let me pick
up where I left off. It's you who's going to hold the grudge and you who I have to figure
out my relationship with. Kids are easy, adults are the difficult ones.”

“You might be right. Should we go? My parents are expecting us.”

Draco grabbed the bag Ginny had made for Jayden and hoisted it onto his shoulder. Ginny grasped
her own bag by the handle and picked up her son. Draco wrapped his arm around both of them and
pulled out his wand. With a crack, they were gone.

-->



13. Apologies
-------------



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.

~~~~

Chapter 12

After leaving the Burrow, Draco had taken Ginny back to the Manor.

“Draco, I don't want to have this discussion with your Mum and all the house elves
fluttering about our heads.”

“It's just a stop-over, Gin. I have to pick something up.”

------

Ginny was shocked. She hadn't ever expected something so large. A change of clothes, an
extra pair of socks, possibly a shaving kit, but nothing this sleek and bold.

“Mr. Malfoy, I'm shocked you own something so obviously Muggle.”

“It's just a car, Gin. Driving is soothing when you don't have to do it all the time.
Muggles aren't all bad, apparently and they really do have some top-notch novelties.”

“So you expect me to get into this contraption and let *you*, of all people, drive me about
all day?”

“Yes, I do expect that. I'd like to take you into Muggle London and I'd be much happier
driving than I would trying to find safe Apparation points.”

He did have a point. She knew he did. So with a reluctant air she climbed into the passenger
side of the car. Draco climbed in the driver's side and adjusted the mirrors and seats. He
noted how amusing it was that Ginny looked completely uncomfortable.

“Gin, there are buttons on the side of the seat in between the seat and the door. You can adjust
it, you know. There is also a lever that makes the seat tilt back. If you need more foot room,
there is a lever underneath the seat near the console.”

Ginny found the buttons and the lever, but she had only managed to become sandwiched against the
dashboard when she tried to adjust the seat. Her proximity to the dashboard at this point was
nothing short of intimate and she was getting more irritated at this by the second. Draco's
stifled laughter wasn't helping one bit.

“Draco, fix it this instant or I'm going back to the Burrow.”

He leaned over her and grabbed the back of the seat while searching for the lever to fix her
predicament. He pulled the lever and pushed the seat back with a smug smile on his face.

“You have to pull it and push the seat back at the same time.”

“You could have told me that ahead of time. I've never been in a car with so many
*conveniences*,” she said in a tone tainted with malice.

---------

London was a bit of a trip from Malfoy Manor. The rainy, murky day seemed to fit the mood of the
couple in the car. So far, neither had spoken a word. Ginny had kicked off her shoes and placed her
feet on the dashboard. Draco smiled at the thought of her footprints being etched in the finish of
the wax-covered material. He reached over and snaked his hand beneath her ponytail to massage the
base of her skull. She leaned into his hand as her eyes shut and a contented sigh crossed her
lips.

Draco's hand slid from her hair and back to the steering wheel. “Better, love?”

“Yes, much. You don't realize how much tension is wound up in your muscles until it's
gone.”

“Are you hungry?”

“Yes, but I'd rather wait until we're in London. I do have to pee though.”

Draco nodded and pulled into the next establishment they passed where the lavatory would be of
an acceptable quality.

---------

The rain had let up a bit. Draco was leaning up against the side of the car getting his bum
suitably moist while waiting for Ginny to return. He was picking at his fingernails when he looked
up to see her walking towards him. Clad in comfortable, form-hiding clothes, she still had a grace
about her. She wore her favorite, all-purpose overalls and a white t-shirt covered with a thick,
cable-knit, muted green sweater. Simple wide-laced, rubber-toed sneakers had been replaced on her
feet when she'd exited the car.

Draco stood up from the side of the car as she walked up to him.

“I'd like something to drink,” she said.

His hand rose to push a stray lock of hair from her eyes. “Alright, let me go in with you. I
could use something as well.”

They walked into the store, selected their drinks and Draco paid the man at the cash register.
He held the door open for Ginny and led her out of the store with a hand on the small of her back.
Ginny smiled. She loved it when he did that.

They walked back to the car, but as Ginny began walking over to her side of the vehicle, Draco
stopped her with a hand on her arm. She turned as Draco wrapped his arms around her. He embraced
for just a few moments, but to Ginny it felt like a lifetime. Too soon, the embrace was broken with
a kiss to the top of her head. Draco took Ginny's hand and led her to her side of the car. He
held the door open for her and shut it once she was safely inside. Draco got back into the car and
the rest of the ride to London was as silent as the first stretch of the trip had been.

--------

They arrived in London and found a tiny bistro that suited both their palates. They ordered and
received their meals in record time. They ate in silence. When the server returned to refresh their
drinks and clear their plates, Ginny broke the silence.

“Silence isn't going to help us fix our problems.”

Draco locked eyes with her and replied, “I know.”

“What do you suggest?”

“I don't know.”

“What was that hug earlier about?”

Draco looked down at the table. “I don't know how to explain it without sounding like a
ridiculous hero out of a romance novel.”

“You don't love me.” It was a statement not a question that crossed her lips.

“No, not in the sense of being in love with you I don't.”

“I don't love you either.”

“I didn't expect as much.”

“I don't hate you.”

“I don't hate you either.”

“Alright.”

“What else?” Draco asked.

“Let's leave and go somewhere else. The rain is clearing. I'd rather be outside.”

Draco summoned the waiter and requested the check. He tossed the appropriate amount of Muggle
money on the table and they left the restaurant. They walked down the street in silence and found a
park. While they were holding hands, it seemed both had been rendered incapable of speech. He
stroked the inside of her hand with his thumb continuously and that sensation was the only thing
that reminded Ginny she wasn't in a never-ending dream.

“What do you want from us?”

Draco stopped walking and turned to look at her. The newly exposed sunlight was kissing the gold
strands of her hair and the light breeze had freed several strands of hair from their
ponytail-prison.

“What do you mean what do I want from you?”

“I mean, what do you want from us? Do you plan on coming and going as you please while expecting
me to sit around and raise your child? What do you *want from us*?”

Draco looked at Ginny closely. He could see the tension returning to her neck and the blush
creeping into her cheeks. He could also see the fire in her eyes warning him to tread carefully.
She'd grown up considerably in the past few months. She was now very sure of herself and he
knew she wasn't going to sit around waiting for him to make a decision again.

Ginny broke the silence again. “I refuse to have my son affected by his father's negligence.
If you want to be around, then be around. How much is up to you, but I must stress this point to
you: You'll be around regularly or you won't be around at all. I'm not having any of
this visiting on the holidays bullshit. You're going to be a part of his life or you
aren't.”

“I understand. I'd like to be a part of his life.”

“Alright, now how do you plan on doing that?”

“I'd like to start taking him to the park on Sundays again. I'd also like it if the two
of you moved back into the house.”

“No, I'm moving back into the Burrow. I'm going back to work and Mum is going to take
care of him while I'm there. I'd rather have her do it than a nanny.”

“Oh. Well, then I'd like it if the two of you came and stayed at the house a few nights a
week.”

“You'd like it if we came and stayed at the house? Why? Why can't you just take
Jayden?”

“I like waking up with you and my son. I don't know why, I just do.”

“I like it too, but it complicates an already difficult situation. It's only going to affect
Jayden negatively in the end.”

“How is it going to affect Jayden negatively? He wakes up next to both of his parents and
that's a bad thing?”

“It's not that. I want him growing up having a healthy idea of love. I want him to realize
that there is hope for him to find someone that he loves and cares about. I want him to realize the
situation that brought him into this world wasn't typical.”

“Right now he doesn't know the difference. When he starts asking questions about it or it
starts affecting him in an adverse way, we'll discuss it. As for now, I'd really like both
of you to spend a couple of nights a week at the house. It's our home. Will you please listen
to reason?”

“I reserve the right to change my mind at any given time.”

“Fine, but we'll make it work, Gin.”

--------

Draco and Ginny arrived at the house the following day to transfer some their belongings back to
the house.

Ginny was aghast. “What happened here?”

Draco looked at the floor cursing himself for forgetting to have the house elves clean up after
his rather embarrassing tantrum. “I had a bit of a fit when you left.”

“Did you now?” Ginny turned to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. The air of amusement
that had taken residence in her features did not please him in the slightest.

“Yes I did, woman. No need to dwell on it.” He extricated himself from her grasp and began
flicking his wand rapidly to repair the damage.

She began laughing heartily. “Did someone take your favorite toy away?”

“No, some evil bint took my son and I wanted him back.” The second the words were out of his
mouth, he knew he'd pay for them. Without turning around, he knew he'd crossed the line and
what the expression on Ginny's face looked like at that very moment. It was a regular feature
in his ongoing nightmares.

“Well, if my son's father hadn't been out shagging nearly every air-headed twit in all
of Britain, maybe I wouldn't have left.”

Draco stilled his movements. This had to be handled with the proper amount of tact or he
wouldn't emerge alive. With his arms out in an apologetic gesture, he turned ready to pacify
the hopping mad witch behind him. The words never got a chance to grace her ears.

“*Silencio*!” Ginny's wand made the proper movements to quiet Draco's convoluted
apology before he had a chance to present it. She stepped up to him and stared directly into his
face. Her voice was deadly calm. “If you *ever* dare speak to me like that again it'll be
the last time I ever allow myself or my son to be in your vicinity. You will *never again*
insinuate that I didn't have proper reason to do what I did and you will *never again*
insinuate that it wasn't your fault I reacted the way that I did. For months, I waited here for
you to come home and do things in the proper manner. For *months,* I sat here waiting for you
to stop appearing on the society pages with another tart on your arm.” Her voice continued to
escalate. “*FOR MONTHS,* I sat here and waited for you to take an interest in your son, and
for months I waited for you to acknowledge us. So, the next time you feel like delving out an
insult to heal your bruised ego, remember that I left you once and I'll do it again. Only the
next time, it'll be permanent. Remember that I could give a shit about what you went through or
what my actions did to you. I could give a shit about your ego. What you went through was
*nothing* compared to what I went through. I suggest you think about *that* before you
open your mouth again.”

Ginny removed the spell and placed her hands on her hips. Her glare still deadly.

“Now, you'll apologize or I'll leave until you're ready to apologize.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Not good enough.”

“Gin, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have said it.”

“Still not good enough.”

“Damn it! Bloody hell, woman, what do you want me to say? That I'm sorry for shagging all
those women? That I'm sorry for leaving you here alone with our child? That I'm sorry for
how I treated you and that I'm sorry there wasn't a full-page spread in *The Daily
Prophet* announcing our son's birth? What exactly is it you want me to say? Tell me what it
is and I'll say it!”

“That'll do, but say it again with a little more feeling.”

Draco rubbed his hands furiously over his face in exasperation. He pushed Ginny over to the
newly cleared sofa and knelt down between her knees. Grabbing both of her hands, he began to speak.
“Ginny, I'm sorry for the way I treated you. I'm doubly sorry that you were here by
yourself while I was out shagging to my heart's content. I know I was wrong and I'm
*terribly* sorry for it. I'm trying to be better to you and to our son, but you have to
understand that this isn't a natural state for me. When you realize that, you'll realize
how hard I'm trying to make this work. I want to help raise our son and I want to be a real
father to him. I'm sorry, Gin.” He dropped her hands, stood up and offered her his hand. She
took it and looked up into his face.

“Apology accepted, you wanker.”

“Thank you.”

-->



14. Beautiful
-------------



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.

The arrangement between the parents went without a hitch for months. Jayden's first birthday
party had been at the Manor, with most of wizarding England in attendance. Narcissa, content with
her change of heart, introduced her grandson, his maternal grandparents and even Ginny to everyone.
Narcissa and Molly found they shared an interest in Muggle romance novels and vowed to start
exchanging volumes as part of a book club as soon as possible. Narcissa entrusted the Black Family
Cookbook to Molly, as she herself hadn't ever had the desire to use it, nor did she understand
why the recipes of house elves would be put into print. To put things short, everything had gone
swimmingly.

After the party, Draco and Ginny returned to their home. Jayden was asleep on his father's
chest, obviously tuckered out from the festivities. Piles of gifts followed the family into the
home on the shoulders of house elves.

Ginny looked around at the growing mountain of gifts. “Where are we going to put everything?”

“I don't know, but we'll figure it out tomorrow. I'm knackered.”

“Me too. I'm going to take a shower and get ready for bed.”

“I'll put Jayden down, you go ahead.”

Ginny gave him a sleepy, lazy smile and went upstairs. Draco went into the kitchen to prepare a
bottle for Jayden and followed up the stairs a few minutes later. He laid Jayden down in his room,
content not to have his child in bed with him for one evening. After minimal fussing, Jayden took
his bottle and fell back into a restful sleep. Draco put a stuffed purple gorilla at his side and
covered his son up with an afghan his Grandmum Weasley had made especially for her grandchild.
Before he left the room, Draco stroked his son's head lovingly.

He walked into the bedroom he shared with Ginny when she stayed at the house and rifled through the
drawers for his favorite sleep pants. A picture on the dresser caught his eye and he picked it up,
trailing his fingers over the glass. It was a close-up picture showing him and Ginny staring into
each other's faces. Ginny was holding Jayden. It was the day Jayden had been born. Draco
replaced the picture where he'd gotten it from, and silently entered the bathroom.

The air was steamy and he could see Ginny's form through the glass of the shower. He removed
his clothes and slid the glass to accommodate his entry into the shower. Her head snapped up
realizing she had a guest in an otherwise private moment. Draco's arms wrapped around her waist
and he lowered his head to kiss her. Ginny's hands gripped his arms and the kiss deepened. As
he traced little circles with his fingers on her lower back, Draco pulled Ginny closer to him. She
could feel the outline of his muscles as well as his other parts hardening in want for her. With a
little pressure on her hips, Draco pinned her against the wall.

She placed her hands on his shoulders and with gentle pressure she pulled herself closer to his
lips. Draco's hands went to Ginny's backside. He lifted her slowly and smoothly against the
wall, as her legs went around his waist her arms circled his neck.

If the pressure of Draco's lips on her hadn't pinned her head to the wall, she would have
thrown her head back in ecstasy as he entered her.

Ginny was in heaven. Draco's lips never once left hers while he gently thrust within her. The
even, slow strokes were something she'd never been accustomed to as most males she'd been
with were in such a hurry they didn't bother with gentleness. It was driving her mad. Mewls,
grunts, and sighs of pleasure were all trapped in her throat as Draco continued his assault on her
mouth.

She was close; he could feel her tensing and releasing against him where he was buried inside her.
Her elbows were now propped on his shoulders and her hands had found purchase in his hair. She was
kissing him back as madly as he was kissing her. Her inner muscles clamped down so hard he thought
he might never escape. She tore her lips from his so the sounds of her orgasm could echo against
the shower walls. Draco could have died as her muscles milked his cock. He kept thrusting languidly
thinking his orgasm was quite a way off, but was taken by surprise as it burst forth with a force
he'd never felt before. A string of expletives shot from his mouth into Ginny's shoulder as
she kissed his forehead and held on for dear life. Draco gripped her backside as he pumped the
remainder of his essence into her.

Between the gentle, sipping kisses that came after their lovemaking, Ginny spoke. Still pinned to
the wall, she said, “You don't love me.”

He sucked on her upper lip and released it. “How can you be so sure?”

He brushed his lips down the side of her neck and sucked on her collarbone.

“You don't love me.”

“Never make statements you can't prove.” He pulled out of her and set her feet on the floor of
the shower. They washed each other while placing errant kisses on various parts of each other's
bodies. Stepping out of the shower, they dried each other and dressed for bed. Draco was taken
aback when Ginny found her wand and placed a contraceptive charm on her belly.

“Can't take any chances, now can we?”

He nodded his assent disregarding the gnawing in his gut.

Given their exhaustion, both slept quite well that night.

-------

Nights at the Weasley-Malfoy residence continued much in the same manner for the next two years.
Ginny still refused to make it her permanent place of residence much to Draco's chagrin. Jayden
had progressed from an infant to a toddler and spent many of his nights in his new “big boy bed.”
Draco missed sleeping with his son, but he was enormously pleased with the privacy it afforded him
and his vivacious redhead.

He took his son to the park every Sunday, unless the weather wasn't up to par. He and Ginny
enrolled Jayden in Little Wizard playgroup. Celebrations were held at the Manor most often, but
Christmas was held at Draco and Ginny's home to avoid any fights between the paternal and
maternal families.

Draco and Ginny were at home one evening in front of the Muggle television Draco had bought her for
Christmas. Jayden was in bed and they were snuggling on the couch. Ginny was stretched out on the
couch under a soft blanket lying on Draco's chest. His feet flexed in white cotton socks on the
footstool. Draco's hand trailed lazily up and down Ginny's upper arm as her hand stroked
over his chest.

“Hey, Gin?”

“Mm Hmm.”

“I have a ball that I have to attend next weekend.”

“And?”

“And I'd like you and Jayden to be there. He'd only enough to behave himself.”

Ginny remained silent and Draco shook her shoulder. “Gin?”

“Oh, of course I'll go. Jayden and I will go out tomorrow and find him dress robes.”

“Good.”

---------

The next day found Ginny in Diagon Alley. She'd found the cutest set of dress robes for Jayden,
but she hadn't been able to find anything suitable for herself. She was beginning to get
irritated with the extra bit of hips she'd acquired during pregnancy. She hadn't had a need
for anything dressy in quite some time, and found that what used to fit her no longer did. She
stood in front of one of the newer shops and sent up a prayer to the higher powers in hopes that
she'd find something in this shop of last resort.

A hook-nosed, slim man with slicked back hair greeted her. “Hello, can I help you?”

“Yes, I need something to wear to a Ministry Ball. I've had no luck anywhere else. Please, can
you help me?” The desperation in her voice startled even her.

“Of course. You have a lovely figure. You need something tasteful yet elegant, yes?”

“I don't know about my figure. Pregnancy did a number on it.” She glanced down at Jayden.

“Hello!” Jayden piped up enthusiastically.

“Well, hello there. What's your name?”

“Jayden William Malfoy. This is my Mum.”

“Well, aren't you the little helper?”

“Yes, sir. I a big boy. What's your name?”

The man knelt before the small, flaxen-haired boy. “My name is Theodore. Can you be a big helper
and sit quietly while we make your Mummy beautiful?

“Yep. I a big boy.” Jayden stepped closer to Theodore and crooked his tiny index finger. “Come
here. I tell you a secret.”

Theodore leaned into the little boy's mouth and listened to the hushed whispers. “Da said if I
was a good boy, he'd take me in the sky. I have to be a good boy for Mummy or Da won't take
me.”

“Oh, well I suggest you be a good boy then.” Theodore smiled at Jayden as he nodded
enthusiastically.

Ginny looked suspiciously at the pair, but didn't have time to question either her son or
Theodore as the dressmaker pulled her away by her wrist.

Jayden sat down quietly in the corner of the room while the man gave his Mum several dress robes to
try on. This was going to take awhile, but he had to be a good boy.

Ginny was whirled into and out of several different fashionable dress robes, but none suited her
the way she liked. Each one was sent through several different color-changing charms, but still no
luck. Ginny had just put on a Muggle style dress Theodore had recommended, when she heard Jayden
sob.

“Mummy, I try to be a good boy, but-.”

Ginny rushed over to her son and immediately realized what the problem was. She hadn't meant to
bring him without his trainer's on that day, but with all the excitement she'd forgotten to
change him into them.

“Oh, baby, it's okay. Mummy's sorry for ignoring you. It's okay.” She took her son into
her arms and stroked his hair lightly.

“I-try-to be-to be-a good boy-Mummy.”

“Oh, baby, you're being Mummy's best boy today. This isn't anything that a
*Scourgify* won't fix. It's all right, honey. Don't worry.”

“You won' tell Da I was a bad boy?” The crying boy seemed to become happier with this
statement.

“No, baby, you weren't a bad boy. Mummy was a bad Mummy for ignoring you. Interrupting Mummy to
go to the bathroom doesn't make you a bad boy and neither does you trying so hard to be a good
boy that you had an accident.”

“Ohtay.”

“You tell Mummy the next time you have to go potty.”

“Ohtay.”

“Promise?”

“I promise, Mummy.”

“Okay. We'll be done here in a few minutes and then we'll go get ice cream like Mummy
promised, okay?”

“Ohtay.”

Ginny cast the *Scourgify* charm on her son and turned to go back to the mirrors.

“Mummy?”

Ginny turned. “Yes, baby?”

“You look beauty-ful.”

Ginny smiled. “Thank you, baby.”

Theodore cleared his throat. “I do think we've found it.”

Ginny stepped up onto the raised podium in the middle of a bank of circular mirrors. Her mouth
dropped open and she turned to see the dress from all angles. It was cut on the bias with a
straight seam going across her chest. The strap went over one shoulder and met the other side of
the dress after plunging to reveal most of her back. The seams were decorated with little white,
twinkling gemstones and the skirt went down into a subtle flourish. It clung to her figure
slightly, but not so much that it made her look like a tart. It swished when she walked and made
her feel like sex on heels. Theodore showed her shoes with a four-inch heel also bejeweled in the
same fashion as the dress.

Theodore made minor adjustments to the length and fit before Ginny nodded her approval. He wrapped
up her purchases and Ginny paid him a generous gratuity.

Ginny and Jayden left the store with smiles on their faces and headed to Fortesque's for ice
cream.

---------

Draco woke on the morning of the Ministry Gala with a smile on his face. Ginny had refused to stay
at the house the night before. She said she'd had appointments to attend. She had dropped by
and left Jayden with him, but he still missed Ginny.

She'd crawled into bed behind him that morning and given him a kiss on his neck. “I have to go
to my appointment, but Jayden is in his bed. He hasn't had breakfast, so he'll be starving
when he wakes up. His dress robes are in the closet. I'd appreciate it if you could get him
ready. See you tonight.”

Draco had rolled over too slowly. He'd had every intention of trapping her in bed with him for
at least a few minutes of “How's your Father”, but she'd been too quick for him. Merlin,
she smelled good. She left that scent wherever she went and he loved it. He supposed it was a mix
of her grapefruit shampoo, flowery body butter and the Muggle perfume she wore. It was intoxicating
at any rate.

Fully awake, he roused himself from the bed just as Jayden bounded into the room and into his too
aroused lap. Draco seized up in pain as his son went on babbling about how he was a good boy for
Mum and how he got to go flying on Sunday.

As the pain subsided, Draco cracked open his eyes to find his son eyeing him expectantly.

“Da?”

“What Jade?”

“Can we?”

“Can we what?”

“Can we go up in the sky today?” Jayden held his arms out as if he were flying.

“You said you were good for Mummy while you were robe shopping?”

“Uh huh. I extra special good. I had an accident, but Mummy said it was ohtay,” Jayden babbled in
his special brand of baby talk.

Draco nodded. “We'll have breakfast first. Why don't you find Nippy and ask if she can make
us something.”

Jayden nodded and slid off the edge of the bed until his tiny feet reached the floor.

Draco's voice caught him at the door. “Jayden.”

“Uh huh?”

“Do not tell Nippy that we want ice cream for breakfast again, is that understood?”

Jayden looked at the floor pitifully and nodded his head.

“Tell her what you'd like, but it must be breakfast food.”

“Ohtay.”

Draco eyed Jayden suspiciously as his son suddenly seemed to have an idea and scampered off
quickly.

Draco moved off the bed and decided a quick shower was in order. He had to relieve the lust Ginny
had caused along with the ache his son had inflicted.

--------

Breakfast was a jovial affair. Nippy had caught onto Jayden's tricks early on, but still
hadn't found the heart to deny him. She was happy he listened to his father, so she didn't
have to go to Fortesque's this early in the morning again. French toast with powdered sugar and
honey was served to both Malfoy men and they ate heartily.

After breakfast, Draco dressed himself and Jayden in warm clothes and they went flying. Ginny hated
it when Draco took their son flying, but she'd consented when Draco had pouted.

They spent a majority of the day flying. Draco took his son to the ground when he'd fallen
asleep. They both took a nap and then headed into Diagon Alley to pick up the new dress robes Draco
had purchased for the occasion.

“I need a hair cut, little man.”

“Me too, Da.” Jayden pushed the hair out of his face mimicking his father.

“Alright, let's go get handsome for Mummy, shall we.”

“Yeah!”

-------

Ginny couldn't believe she'd subjected herself to this. Not that it was all bad, the
massage had been very nice, but the charms for hair removal were not pleasant. Hermione had once
told her how the Muggles did it and it left Ginny horrified. She preferred magical means since they
seemed far less painful. Ginny had come in rather early this morning and it was nearing six
o'clock. They'd given her a massage and inflicted so many hair removal charms on her she
couldn't imagine having any hair left. They'd done her hair and make up. Now she just had
to wait for her toes and nails to dry properly.

She'd gone to Theodore for a recommendation as to where to procure all of these services and
this is the place he'd recommended. He'd called and made the appointments for her as she
knew very little as to what went on in establishments such as these. She had listened while he
described what he envisioned for her and told her where to go and what time to show up. She was
eternally grateful.

The pedi-witch took her hand and cast one last charm on her to ensure her make up, hair, and polish
remained unblemished, handed her the instructions for the charm to remove said coif and such, and
bid her good day. She grabbed her dress and shoes, paid for the services and walked out the front
door to an Apparation point.

Ginny Apparated into the house to find it empty, and she was grateful for that. No good the boys
seeing her look incomplete. She went into the bathroom and hung her dress on a hook next to the
shower. She caught a glance of herself and was floored. She looked beautiful, even if she did say
so herself. Her hair was in an elegant up-do and her make up was flawless and natural, but still
striking. She couldn't believe the transformation. She heard the pop of an Apparation and heard
her son ask Draco if she was home.

“Gin?”

“Mummy?”

“I'm in the bathroom. Don't come in here!”

“Alright, we'll be ready as soon as I get Jayden cleaned up and we get dressed.”

“Okay.”

Ginny heard whispering, a few moments of silence, and then a little knock at the door.
“Mummy?”

“Da's not with you, is he, poppet?”

“No, Mummy, jus' me.”

Ginny opened the door and let her son in the bathroom.

“What do you need, poppet?”

“Da and I went up in the sky today!”

“Did you?”

“Yes, Mummy! Then we got Da's clothes and I got a hair cut like a big boy!”

“I see that. You look very handsome.”

“Thank you, Mummy. You look beauty-ful. I go tell Da so.”

“Alright, baby. Go with Da and get ready.”

“Ohtay.” Jayden left the bathroom and went back to his father.

“Everything okay, little man?”

“You gotta tell Mummy she's beauty-ful. She likes when you tell her that.”

“Alright, little man. Let's go get the ice cream off your face and get dressed.”

--------

“Gin, what's taking so long,” Draco shouted from the living room.

“I'll be out in a minute.” Truthfully, Ginny had been ready for quite a while, but couldn't
stop looking at herself in the mirror. She hadn't ever looked so elegant and couldn't
believe she was looking at herself. She'd cast anti-charms and every spell she knew to make the
mirror stop showing her a false impression, but the image hadn't changed.

She finally decided that she did look that gorgeous. She was thrilled. Exiting the bathroom she
made her way down the hallway and stairs to the living room.

Draco couldn't believe his eyes. She looked stunning. He never knew a Muggle dress could look
so beautiful. Jayden pulled on Draco's dress robes and crooked his little finger to signify a
secret was about to be told.

Draco leaned down and the little boy whispered, “Don' forget, Da.”

Ginny descended the rest of the stairs as Draco stood with their son holding on to one hand. He
offered her his other arm. “You look stunning, Gin.”

“Thank you. You aren't so bad yourself.”

“You look so ravishing I might not want to take that dress off you later,” his voice toned with
lust.

“Maybe I won't give you the option.”

“You can't withstand my charms.”

“Of course I can, but we'll see if I feel like resisting them later. We're late.”

Draco nodded and picked up his son. Ginny held her wand out and gripped onto Draco's arm
Apparating them to the Ministry Ball.

The evening was going momentously well. Jayden was being extremely well behaved as he was escorted,
via his mother's hip to and from different groups Draco felt it pertinent for them to meet.
Ginny was amazed that most of the people they were introduced to were “Pleased to meet her"
and “Had heard so much about her and her son."

Narcissa arrived so late it almost wasn't fashionable, but hurried over to her grandson and
freed him from his Mother's grasp.

“Go enjoy yourself for a little while. Get a drink. Make Draco dance with you. I'll keep an eye
on my tired, little grandson.” Jayden tucked his head into the nook of Narcissa's neck and
continued sleeping.

Draco's hand found the small of Ginny's back. “Mother has a wonderful idea. Let's
dance, shall we?”

Draco didn't wait for a reply as he led Ginny out onto the dance floor. The orchestra began to
play a waltz and the couple swayed in step to the music.

“Having a good time?”

“I am. I do rather enjoy all the compliments I've gotten about how smashing I look. It pays to
spend an entire day in a salon.”

“You didn't have to do that. You're smashing without all the trimmings.”

Ginny blushed. “Thank you. It was murder trying to find something to fit over my hips. I didn't
realize how much my body had changed. I haven't had a reason to get dressed up since before
Jayden was born.”

“Well, it's a raving success.”

“Thank you.”

The music ended and Draco escorted Ginny off the dance floor. He made his way over to the group
they had been talking to before dancing and took back up in the conversation.

“Excuse me, but I'm going to go get a drink.”

“I can get it for you.”

“No, Draco, it's fine. I'm capable of getting it myself. Stay and chat.”

Draco nodded and Ginny made her way over to the bar. She'd been on her feet the entire night
and most of it with a toddler on her hip. Regardless of what charms had been placed on the shoes
she wore, her legs were killing her. She sat on a stool at the bar as the bartender waited on his
last patron.

“What'll you have, miss?”

“It's been ages since I had a drink. What do the society types typically order?”

“Wine that they don't really drink.”

“Ah. Why don't you surprise me with something other than wine? Nothing too strong either, if
you don't mind. I haven't had much to eat-this dress wouldn't fit properly if I had.”
They both laughed and the bartender mixed her drink.

“My name is Mike. What's yours?”

“Ginny Weasley. Nice to meet you, Mike.” She extended her hand with the intention of shaking his,
but he pulled her hand up to his mouth and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. Ginny blushed
furiously.

“So, what brings you here, Ginny?”

“Oh, my son's father works closely with the Ministry and wanted us to accompany him this
evening.”

“Your son's father? You aren't married?”

“No, we're not. It's a long story.”

“Alright. You have a boyfriend, Ginny?”

Ginny hesitated. “No, I don't.”

The conversation was light, but continued from there. Mike was a nice guy and he seemed to like her
well enough. That's the reason why when he asked if he could take her out sometime, she gave
him permission to owl her at the Burrow. Draco appeared during that moment in the conversation and
asked for another Fire Whiskey.

“Alright, Gin?”

“I'm fine. Can I have another as well?” Ginny downed the drink in front of her.

Mike handed both their drinks.

“Thank you,” both said in unison.

“It was nice talking to you, Mike.”

“Same here, Ginny.”

Ginny walked away from Mike with Draco's hand on her back once again.

They talked amiably with much animation and laughter for the next couple of hours. As it neared
midnight, Ginny couldn't take the aching in her legs any longer.

Her hand was tucked in the curve of Draco's arm, so she merely squeezed a little to get his
attention.

He looked down at her with an arched eyebrow and leaned his ear close to her mouth.

“These shoes are killing me, Draco. Would it be rude to leave? You can stay if you want, I can just
get Jayden and we'll go on home.”

Draco nodded negatively, but she wasn't sure to what. His arm snaked around her waist and held
her tight to his side. Finally, he began making his apologies and bid his associates a good
evening.

“I'm sorry that took so long, but yes, it would have been rude to leave right then. Unless our
child was in serious distress, it would have been frowned upon for you to leave without saying
good-bye to everyone and, most especially, to the host. In this case, the Ministry is the host, so
you can get away with just saying good-bye to everyone else.”

She nodded and leaned into his shoulder. They made their way around the room with Ginny
considerably shorter than she had been earlier in the evening. She patted Draco's chest pocket
to make sure that her shrunken shoes were still present and continued to tell all her new
acquaintances that she'd had a lovely time.

They reacquired their son from Narcissa and promised they'd come over for tea the following
day. Once home, they put Jayden to bed, and made a mad dash for the shower. It wasn't until
Draco's hands had freed her from her dress and began to let down her hair did she remember the
anti-charms to release her hair from its servitude and vanquish the make up from her face.

She rummaged around in her bag to find the instructions. Draco snatched them from her hand once she
was back in the bathroom. He muttered the incantation and removed the pins and clips holding her
hair up. He massaged her scalp as her hair fell down around his fingers. He pulled the hair to one
side and kissed her shoulder and neck.

“Do you realize how beautiful you looked tonight?”

“No. Show me.” Draco hoisted her into his arms and carried her to bed hell-bent on showing her
exactly what she asked.

-->



15. Raging
----------



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.

~~~~

Chapter 14

The next day found Draco and Jayden running around after a football on the grassy patch beside
the rose garden. Ginny and Narcissa sat at a table under a shade tree sipping tea. Beside
Ginny's plate sat a rose Draco had handpicked for her.

“Did you have a pleasant evening?”

“It was much more enjoyable than I ever thought it would be.”

“I'm glad. Usually those events are so dull, but I have to admit, I did have a rather good
time showing off my grandson.”

“He was sleeping practically the whole time! I think the excitement got to him.”

“He woke up for a bit while you and Draco were dancing. He charmed some of the other wives for
quite some time.”

“Did he?”

“He's got his father's penchant for women.”

Ginny smirked. She knew about the Malfoy charm all too well. She stared over at Draco rolling
around on the ground with their son. *So un-Malfoy-like. I wonder what he'll say about the
grass stains.*

“Ginny, I'd like to share something with you.”

Ginny focused on Narcissa instead of her son and his father.

“I've never seen Draco quite as happy to be alive as he has been in the past two years.
I'm grateful to you for that.”

“I'm sure it has very little to do with me and more to do with our son.”

“Jayden has a lot to do with it, but you should take most of the credit.”

“I'm glad he's happy.”

“I am as well. I'd like to see you just as happy, though you aren't.”

“I'm not?”

“No, you're not. I see the vacant expression in your eyes on occasion. I'd like to know
if there is anything that can be done about that.”

“I don't know what you're talking about, Narcissa.”

“Have you and Draco talked about your relationship?”

“What relationship? We raise our son together. That's all.”

“If there isn't a relationship there, why don't either one of you seek out another?”

Ginny sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger. “I've asked
myself that question so many times I've lost count.”

“And?”

“And I'm as useless for answers as you are.”

“Ah.”

“A man at the Ball did ask if he could take me out.”

Narcissa leaned forward excitedly. “And?”

“And I told him he could owl me. I haven't been home yet, but I doubt he will. Right after
he asked, Draco came to the bar for another drink.”

“The bartender asked if he could take you out?”

“Yes, his name is Mike. He's a very nice bloke. Not too hard on the eyes, either.”

Narcissa laughed. “He was rather fetching. If he does contact you, what will you say?”

“I don't know. I should probably try to find some semblance of a relationship.”

“I think that's a wise move, Ginny. You deserve to find love, and if my son can't give
it to you, then you should find it elsewhere.”

Ginny heard her own voice in her mind, “*You don't love me.”* She remembered that
night, and she also remembered what Draco had said in response to her statement, *“Never make
statements you can't prove.”*

Just then Draco and Jayden came barreling up to the table. Jayden jumped into Ginny's lap
and started kissing her face from the front while Draco grabbed her sides and began tickling her.
Ginny twitched and contorted her body in an attempt to get away from Draco's hands, but
wasn't able to until her son vacated her lap in favor of his Grandmum's outstretched
arms.

Ginny stood and spun around. “You're in for it now!”

“I'm certain I am.”

Draco took off towards the grass with Ginny in hot pursuit. He grabbed her around the waist to
pick her up and swung her around in a circle. Narcissa could hear their laughter and it made her
smile. *They don't know it yet, but they'll figure it out.*

“Do you want a biscuit, Poppet?”

“No, I want to play with Mummy and Da.”

“Leave them be for a few minutes and sit with Grandmum. Tell me about flying with Da.”

Jayden's eyes grew large as he went into an animated tale of how he and his father had gone
flying the day before.

Draco continued spinning Ginny, until she managed to get free of his grasp. She ran across the
grass until Draco tackled her and then ended up rolling down a small hill. Laughing and breathing
hard, they looked into each other's eyes. Draco lifted his fingers to Ginny's temple and
brushed a few red strands from her face and leaned down to kiss her. Ginny's hands went to
Draco's back and traced large circles over the smooth muscle. The kiss was broken when they
heard Jayden's voice calling for them.

Draco stood up, pulling Ginny with him. “Go back to Grandmum, Jade. Mummy and I are going for a
walk.”

“Ohtay,” Jayden muttered in a downtrodden voice.

Although it was a bright sunny day, the path through the woods was shady and secluded. They
pushed each other up against various trees to ravage lips, petted each other in embraces that took
just a little too long, and gave furtive glances to the other in the midst of these small physical
gratifications.

Once they were far enough down the path to avoid any embarrassing voyeurism, Draco shoved Ginny
up against a tree trunk and began sucking on her neck. His hands caressed her breasts through her
shirt and moans of pure pleasure fell from Ginny's lips. She could feel him, hard as a rock,
through his causal clothes and the burning need to have him was well ensconced between her thighs.
Her agile hands went down his back and around his sides, causing him to shudder. She undid his belt
with practiced ease and pushed his pants and undergarments down over his hips. He pushed her
cardigan over her shoulders before she lifted her arms and he pulled her shirt over her head. He
attacked her neck again and let his tongue slide down onto one nipple.

“If I've never told you before, you have truly magnificent tits.”

“Thank you. Enough talk.”

She grabbed the back of his head and pushed him back into position as he undid the snaps of her
pants. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her up to him as he stepped out of his pants. He
thrust his tongue in her mouth as they sunk to the ground without separating. He knelt between her
thighs and wrapped an arm around her as to facilitate gentle placement on the ground and aimlessly
swept the earth beneath her. As soon as Ginny was deposited safely onto the ground, he attached his
mouth to hers to squelch any cries she might made and drove into her.

Ginny's legs wrapped around Draco's waist, as she tried to keep up with his thrusts.
Their orgasms came quickly and with a cacophony of sounds from both parties.

They lay there on the ground for several minutes catching their collective breath.

“That was brilliant. Didn't I tell you the sex was fabulous?”

“I never said I didn't believe you.”

He kissed her one last time before they separated and began the search for their clothes and
wands. Ginny lifted her wand to cast the contraceptive charm when Draco grabbed her hand.

“Draco, what are you doing?”

“Don't cast the charm, Gin.”

“Why not? I don't think we need another baby.”

“Maybe we don't *need* one, but don't you *want* another?”

“Of course I want another, but hopefully I'll be married to the bloke first. I've never
tried the marriage then kids bit, so I thought it might be the way to go next time.”

“Gin—“

“What, Draco? You don't love me. I deserve to find someone who does. Did you think this
situation was going to last forever? You're going to meet a witch that strikes your fancy
someday and, hopefully, I'll meet a wizard that does it for me as well.”

“What if I don't want to meet another witch?”

“You don't have to. You can be a bachelor for your entire life if you want to, but I do want
to get married and have more children someday. I can't keep having your babies if I want that
to happen.”

“What if I don't want you to meet another bloke?”

“Draco, that doesn't matter. I deserve someone who loves me and who wants to make a life
with me.”

“What have we been doing, Gin? We have a life together. And who says I don't love you?”

“We do have a life together, but I need more. It's not just finding someone who loves me;
it's about finding someone who is *in love* with me. Don't worry, Draco, it's not
going to affect your relationship with Jayden.”

Draco remained silent. He nodded his head and buttoned his shirt. He found his wand and cast
*Scourgify* spells on both of them in several different places. Ginny stood there not knowing
what to say, but merely followed as Draco made his way out of the woods towards the Manor.

Draco gathered Jayden's things and packed them in the little bag they had brought with his
things. Ginny said her goodbyes to Narcissa and promised to bring Jayden by later in the week.
Draco pulled his son up to his side and put an arm around Ginny as he Apparated them back to the
house.

When they returned to the house, Draco wandered upstairs into the bedroom and shut the door.
Ginny was at a loss. What was she supposed to say? Was she supposed to tell him that life could
continue as it had forever? She wanted more. She deserved more. It occurred to her this was one of
the nights she and Jayden normally stayed at the house, but she wasn't feeling very welcome at
the moment.

“What's wrong with Da?”

“I don't know, baby. Maybe he needs a hug. Why don't you go give him one?”

“Ohtay.” Jayden toddled up the stairs while holding onto the rail with a death grip. He opened
the door to find his Da face down in a pillow. He crawled up onto the bed and laid his head beside
his Da.

“What's wrong?”

Draco rolled his head to the side. “Nothing, little man, I'm just not feeling well. Why
don't you and your Mum stay at the Burrow tonight? If I'm coming down with something, I
don't want you or Mummy to catch it, okay?”

Jayden looked at his father and his shoulders slumped. “But I wanted to stay with you.”

“Tomorrow night, little man. As long as it's okay with your Mum, you can stay tomorrow
night.”

“Ohtay,” Jayden said dejectedly.

“Go tell Mum.”

“Ohtay.” Jayden gave pitiful look.

“What, little man?”

The toddler wrapped himself around Draco as best he could, given the situation. “Mummy gives me
sugars when I'm sad. Maybe it might make you feel better, too.”

Draco circled his arms around his son. “Ooh, ooh, oh—Da feels all better now.”

Jayden smiled and slipped off the bed. “Ohtay, I'll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay, little man. Be good for Mummy.”

When Jayden returned to Ginny he told her what Draco had said. “Da's sick, Mummy.”

Ginny accepted the answer and Apparated home to the Burrow.

Molly looked up from the stove where she was cooking dinner. “Oh, Ginny, dear! I didn't
expect you home tonight.”

“Da's sick,” Jayden explained.

“Does he have a touch of the flu? It's been going around.”

“I don't know, Mum. Jayden, take your bag upstairs and go play outside with your
cousins.”

“Ohtay.”

When Jayden had come back downstairs and run outside, Ginny flopped down in a chair at the
table.

“Ginny, is something bothering you?”

“I don't know.”

“Did you and Draco have another row?”

“Yes—No—Maybe—I think so.”

“What about this time, dear?”

“I met a man at the Ball and I told him he could Floo me.”

“And that upset Draco?”

“No, he doesn't even know that part. I just told him that someday I'd like to have more
children and that I wanted to find someone that was in love with me instead of just existing with
someone who loved me as a person. It wasn't those exact words, but that was the general
idea.”

“That makes sense, dear. Not all men are afraid of commitment. Some even relish in it.”

“It's not that Draco is afraid of commitment, he does really well with Jayden. It's just
that he isn't in love with me, and that's okay. I just want more, even if he's content
with what he has.”

“Well, of course he's content, Ginny. You spend a few nights a week there, you help with
keeping the house up and you're there for him when he gets home. You cook his supper on most
nights and you're there to help with Jayden. He has the best of both worlds. He has the family
life and the single life all rolled up into one. Let me ask you a question, Ginny? Where does he
end up when he doesn't work late and you're here?”

“He comes over here to play with Jayden.”

“Right. And when he's done playing with Jayden?”

“Sometimes he sleeps here. Sometimes I go back with him. Sometimes he goes home alone.”

“Right, but what happens far more often than not?”

“I go back to the house with him.” Molly gave Ginny a knowing look. “What, Mum? He pouts if I
don't. I can't take the pouting. It's easier just to let him have his way.”

“But ask yourself this, Gin-bug: Why do you care whether he pouts or not? You haven't ever
caved because your brothers pouted. You rarely give in when your nephews or Jayden pout. You give
it to it so infrequently, Jayden hardly pouts at all.”

“I'm not following you, Mum.”

“Think about it and I'm sure you'll come up with an answer.”

--------

Ginny and Jayden stayed at the house the next night. Draco didn't speak to Ginny out of
anything but necessity and got up from bed right after she'd crawled in. She found him asleep
on the couch the next morning.

When she went back to the Burrow, she waited for Draco to appear after work, but he never did.
Molly told her he flooed for Jayden during the afternoon while Ginny had been taking a nap, but
that was the only word they'd had from him.

On the sixth day of the silent treatment Ginny had had enough. She'd been alternating
between feeling like she was repulsive and like she just plain didn't exist. She left Jayden
with Molly and went to the house. Draco wasn't there. She went to his office. No dice. She
flooed Narcissa, who told her the wards were down and to Apparate over.

“Ginny! Where's Jayden?”

“I left him with Mum. I've been trying to find Draco. I think he and I need to have a
talk.”

“He's gone away on business, dear. I wonder why he didn't tell you. It was rather
sudden; it probably just slipped his mind. He'll be in Italy for two weeks.”

“Oh.”

“Well, come sit and have tea.”

“All right.”

--------

Draco was miserable. This was Italy. It was beautiful and sunny and warm. He used the excuse of
business, even though they didn't need him here nearly as badly as he'd let on. He
hadn't told Ginny where he'd gone and felt awful for leaving Jayden. He'd Flooed and
his little man had understood that Da had to work. It tore his heart out. He was getting so grown
up.

When he'd asked Ginny why she cast the Contraceptive Charm after every time they made love,
he'd expected her to say something to the effect of, “I didn't think you wanted any more
children.” To which he could have responded with a definite affirmative in the children department
and they would live happily ever after.

But she wanted love. He thought she'd known he loved her for quite some time now. He'd
used the Ministry Ball as her and his son's coming out, and he thought she'd understood
that.

He'd never said the words, but he'd shown her on multiple occasions how much he loved
her. Maybe she was right; maybe he wasn't in love with her. Perhaps his mother was right as
well — maybe he just liked the idea of Ginny. He'd really run to Italy to figure out what it
was that he wanted; what it was he felt.

He'd been there for twelve days and his conclusion on this particular day was the same
conclusion he'd come up with on the first. He packed his bags and went to the Portkey
Authority. He was cutting his business trip short.

------

He Apparated home, dropped off his bags and Apparated straight out again.

He appeared in the dining room of the Burrow and called out, “Jayden! Ginny! I'm home
early!”

Molly appeared from the backyard. “Oh, Draco! How nice to see you, dear. How was your trip?”

“It was fine, Mrs. Weasley. Where is my son? And Ginny?”

“Oh, they aren't here, dear. They've gone out for ice cream with that Mike fellow.”

“Mike?”

“Yes, Ginny met him at the Ministry thing you took her to. He'd been Flooing or owling
everyday for a week wanting to take her out. I think they finally went out three or four days ago,
but today he asked if he could take her for ice cream. Jayden overheard and asked to go as
well.”

Draco's temper rose by several degrees. His son was out with Ginny and this Mike bloke? The
nerve of her! She was sitting here frolicking about with some random bloke she'd met while out
with *him* and now she was taking their son along for the ride.

“Draco, dear, are you all right? You look a little peaked. Have you eaten today?”

Draco shook his head to clear his thoughts. “No, ma'am, I haven't. I should be going
anyway.”

“No, dear, stay for supper. I'm making your favorite, as it turns out.”

“That would be lovely, Mrs. Weasley. Thank you.”

--------

Draco sat and waited. Mrs. Weasley kept insisting he was too thin and cramming him full of more
food. Ginny was taking her sweet time, wasn't she? *“Probably off sucking face with
what's his name,”* Draco thought morbidly.

Just then, he heard the floo flare up. “Mum, we're home.”

Draco walked into the kitchen as Ginny was casting cleaning charms on both her and his son—and
some bloke.

“Sorry we're late, but Mike took us to see a picture in London. I invited him home—“ Ginny
locked eyes with Draco, “—for dinner. Hello, Draco. You aren't supposed to be home for two more
days.”

“I cut my trip short. I missed my son.” Jayden bounded up into his father's arms while Draco
gave Ginny a cold stare. “Has he eaten?”

“No, we came home for dinner.”

Mike cleared his throat sensing the tense mood. “Maybe I should go. We'll have dinner
another night.”

“No, Mike, it's fine. Stay, please.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I'm sure. Mum, Draco, this is Mike.”

“Hello, Mike. I hope you're hungry,” Molly said while ushering him to the kitchen table.

Ginny walked slowly past Draco into the kitchen.

Draco thought he had been stuffed before, but he could surely fit a little more in, couldn't
he? For the sake of appearances, he was sure he could.

Draco sat down at the place he had just vacated. Jayden had refused to release his hold on
Draco, so Draco went about making room for Jayden's plate beside his own.

Weasley boys kept coming in and out nicking various items off the table as after-dinner snacks.
Molly and Arthur were sitting at the table with Ginny, Mike, Jayden and Draco, tucking it to their
suppers avidly. Draco observed the dinner conversation. He also observed the light touches and
glances thrown towards Ginny from the man to her right. Draco's wand hand itched to hex the
git's arm straight off.

“Da, we went to see movies today!”

“Did you, little man?”

“Uh huh. We had ice cream, too!”

“Wow, you must have been a good boy while Da was away, huh?” Jayden nodded his head furiously.
“Eat your supper, little man. We have to go in a little while.”

“Go, where are you going?” Ginny asked.

“Home, of course. I haven't seen my *family* in nearly two weeks.” He looked pointedly
at Mike. Mike's arm fell from where it had been rubbing small circles on Ginny's back.

“I'd better get going. Thank you so much for the wonderful meal, Mrs. Weasley. I hope we can
do it again soon. I'll show myself out.” He brushed a kiss across Ginny's cheek and waved
to Jayden, who returned his wave with enthusiasm.

“He seems a little hyperactive, Ginny. Why did you let him eat ice cream before dinner?”

“Mike?”

“No, our son.”

“Oh, he's not hyper, he's just excited. We had a good time didn't we, Poppet?”

“Uh huh. We saw movies!”

“You like movies, do you, little man?”

“Uh huh.”

“Well, we'll have to start going to see more movies then, won't we?”

“Yeah!”

Tense silence filled the room as Ginny and Draco shot each other death glares over the
table.

“Da, I'm full.”

“You've barely eaten anything.”

“But I'm full.”

“All right, but don't expect dessert until you've finished your dinner. Gin, we've
leaving soon.”

Molly wrapped up the rest of Jayden's dinner along with some leftovers for Draco and gave
them each a large hug. Ginny went upstairs and packed bags for both herself and Jayden when Draco
appeared in her doorway.

“Jayden is downstairs waiting. Is his bag ready?”

“Yeah, I think we're ready to go.”

“We? Jayden was the only one coming to stay with me or so I thought. I assumed you'd rather
go out with your new friend Mike than spend a night with your family.”

“What are you implying, Draco?”

“I'm implying that while I've been away you've been acting like nothing better than
a common streetwalker and that you're now dragging our son into it.”

Ginny's ears were violet and the blush was rising in her cheeks. “How dare you speak to me
like that, Draco. You leave town without even telling me and I go out with one man and take our son
with me one time and I'm a *streetwalker*? Are you insane?”

“No, I'm not insane. I'm simply calling it like I see it. We sleep together mere hours
before I leave on a two week business trip and within that time you're already cavorting with
another man? What would you call it?”

“Do you not listen to a word I say? Honestly, Draco, put your fucking listening ears on. I told
you that I have to find a man that loves me. I have no intention of dying an unmarried woman. I
want to have more children. I want to get married. This situation *cannot* last forever.”

Draco stood silently in front of Ginny. He had the odd urge to shake her. He was in no mindset
to be around another living thing. “You keep Jayden tonight, but I'll be back for him in the
morning.”

Before Ginny could stop him, Draco had Apparated out of the house.

---------

Before Draco knew it, he was tearing his house apart for the second time. He tossed over the
couch, uprooted the coffee table and threw the remote through the screen of Ginny's Muggle
television. He'd thrown all the clothes out of the closets and pulled the sheets off the bed.
The mattress was half way across the room and all of Ginny's toiletries were broken on the
bathroom floor. The only room he left untouched belonged to his son, and that's where he fell,
exhausted and void of emotion. He'd lost the strength to be angry or happy or sad. He fell into
a deep sleep on his son's big boy bed.

He had a dream that he and Ginny were happy. They were happy together and there was no Mike.
There were no other blokes and they were happy in their little home with their son. It was a happy
place where he didn't have to beg Ginny to come home with him three or four nights a week. It
was a place where she loved him. Draco liked it there.

He awoke crying. He wasn't quite sure why, but it pissed him off all over again. He went
into the house and destroyed everything that hadn't previously been destroyed. He was in the
kitchen smashing the dishes Ginny had picked out only months before when he heard his son's
voice in the living room.

Draco turned around and flew into the living room. Jayden shouldn't be up this late and he
wasn't allowed to use the Floo yet, but he watched as his son came tumbling through the Floo
onto the living room floor.

“Jayden, would you like to explain to me what the *fuck* you're doing here? Or what the
hell you're doing using the Floo without your Mum helping you? Or what the *bloody hell*
you're doing up this late?”

Jayden's chin trembled in the sight of his father's anger. “Da, I had an accident. Mummy
is crying and my sugars didn't help. You have to give them to her to make it better.”

“Fine, Jayden, but what were you doing using the Floo without Mummy or Grandmum there with
you?”

“Mummy is crying so she can't help and Grandmum was asleep. I'm a big boy. Big boys use
the Floo by themselves!”

Draco bent down and grabbed his son's shoulders. “You are *never* to use the Floo by
yourself ever again. *EVER*. Do you understand me?”

“Uh huh. Are we going to give Mummy sugars now?”

“No, son. My sugars won't fix Mummy now.”

“Why not?”

“Because I said so, son. I can't take you back tonight, so you're going to have to sleep
here. Go up to your room and watch out for glass on the floor, please.”

“You need sugars, Da.”

“No, I don't, son.”

“Ohtay.”

“Go to bed, please. I'll owl your Mum.”

Jayden went up the stairs carefully avoiding anything that might house glass and went into his
room.

Draco sat down to write Ginny a letter.

*Ginny—*

*Our son arrived at our home by Floo just a few minutes ago. He's fine and he's in
bed. I had plans for the two of us tomorrow, so I'll bring him home the day after
tomorrow.*

*It has come to the point where our situation is hurting our child. You were right. I thought
this situation could continue forever, but it can't. Unfortunately, our son had to make his way
up to bed amongst many broken articles that used to decorate our home. You have a way of making me
go into rages. I'm sorry our son had to see that.*

*I'm also sorry that you're crying. I wish we could fix whatever is broken in our
relationship, but I don't think either one of us knows how to do that. Jayden may suggest
sugars as being the remedy to cure all wounds, but giving each other sugar was never our problem,
was it?*

*I suggest we have dinner sometime later this week to discuss some sort of a custody
arrangement.*

*-Draco*

Draco sealed the note with his crest and called his owl. He attached the letter to her leg and
went about cleaning up his house. He'd let Ginny have what she wanted and give the rest away.
The house could be redecorated at a later date to ensure the eradication of her memory.

Draco pulled himself up the stairs after repairing the damage he'd wreaked on his residence.
He went into his son's room and curled up in bed with him. Maybe sugars were the answer, after
all.

-->



16. The Birthday Party
----------------------



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.

~~~~

Chapter15

“DRACO MALFOY, GET YOUR ARSE DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!”

These were the words that began Draco's second day of hell.

“What in the bloody hell do you want, you shrieking banshee?” Draco yelled from the top of the
stairs. Draco walked down the stairs to confront her face-to-face.

“I want my child! And I want a fucking explanation!”

Jayden peeked out from behind his father. “Mummy! You swore! Grandmum's going to spank your
bottom!”

“Hush, Jayden. What the hell were you thinking using the Floo without Mummy or Grandmum there?
You could have been lost or hurt—what the bloody hell were you thinking?”

Jayden cowered behind his father who was offering very little protection. “I just wanted you to
stop crying. Da's sugars make it all better.”

“He came to get me so I could come give you sugars, Gin. Said his sugars didn't make it any
better so he thought I should come give you sugars.”

“Jayden, baby, thank you for the thought, but that isn't any excuse to blatantly go against
the rules. Come here, we're going back to the Burrow.”

“No! I want to stay with Da!”

Draco spun around. “Listen to me, little man. You're never to talk back to your mother like
that. Are we understood?” Jayden nodded his head. “Now apologize to your Mum.”

“I'm sorry for talking back, Mummy.”

“Apology accepted. Now, come down here. I'm taking you back to the Burrow.” She hauled
Jayden up on her hip and gave a pointed glare to Draco. “We'll finish this when I get
back.”

“Can't wait,” Draco responded dryly.

Ginny arrived at the Burrow, gave Molly strict instructions as to what Jayden was allowed and
was not allowed to do until she returned. She quickly Apparated back to the house.

She stood in the living room and heard no signs of life. She stalked up the stairs and threw
open the bedroom door to find Draco lying in their bed with his hands behind his head.

She jumped onto the bed and straddled Draco. “What the fuck do you think you're doing? You
come home early from a business trip you told me nothing about, and then antagonize my date in my
own home?”

“What the fuck do I think I'm doing? What the fuck do *I* think *I'm* doing?
Get the hell off me, woman!” Draco sat up and tossed Ginny off of him. He stood up and began pacing
around the room. “What the fuck *I* think *I'm* doing is trying to save my family. I
don't understand why we can't just continue on the way we were. Everything was fine. There
is nothing stopping us from having more children or living together. Why does everything have to be
tainted? I love you.”

“You do not love me.”

“I do love you.”

“You do not!”

“DO TOO!”

“DO NOT!”

“Fuck it. Bugger this to hell! I do love you, and I don't care if you believe it or
not!”

“You aren't in love with me and that's what I need, you evil little troll! So, why do
you have to make this so hard for me! If you loved me at all, you'd want me to be happy, not
just sit here with you and pretend it's all I want in the world! It's all you want, so you
selfishly think that's what works for everyone! But it doesn't work for me!”

“What about our son? Doesn't it work for him?” Draco pleaded.

“It probably does. He had both his parents together, loving him. But I would wager that
eventually he's going to catch on to the fact that this isn't how things are supposed to
be. He's going to realize that Mums are supposed to love Das and Das are supposed to love Mums.
They aren't just supposed to be friends who fuck a lot!”

“We don't fuck a lot,” Draco replied.

“We do, too. What the hell would you call it?”

“We don't fuck. What we do isn't that vulgar.”

“Well, what the fuck would you call it then?”

“I don't know; I just wouldn't call it fucking.”

“Whatever. Call it what you want, but I want to be in love. I'm never going to find it if we
continue on like this. It's ridiculous.”

“Fine. I'm through fighting with you.”

“Fine.”

They sat there silently just staring at each other for the longest time.

“What are we going to do?” Ginny asked.

“I guess you should move your things out. Whatever you don't want, you can give away. Leave
Jayden's things or take them. We'll buy new for whichever place doesn't have the right
stuff.”

“All right.”

“He can stay with you three nights one week and two the next. I'd like to have him on
Sundays— you can have him on Saturdays. You can drop him off Saturday nights if you want to.”

“All right.”

“Take him to my Mum's once a week if you could. I'd appreciate it.”

“Of course. Narcissa and I have tea once or twice a week, anyway.”

“That's it, I suppose. The dissolution of our family and our happy home. We were happy for a
little while, weren't we?”

“We had our moments,” Ginny replied.

“Okay, then. I'll help you pack if you want.”

“Okay.”

And so they began to pack Ginny's things. By late afternoon, they had finished and Ginny had
instructed Draco where she wanted everything sent. He agreed to have to done the following day. She
went home and he started sending her pertinent articles through the Floo and she placed them around
the living room.

“Ginny, dear, what's going on?”

“I moved out of the house with Draco. We've decided that it's too difficult on us and
not good for Jayden. We're just going to share time with him and Draco is going to help with
expenses.”

“Oh, Ginny, I'm so sorry. Do you want to talk about it?”

“No, Mum. I'd just like to get the rest of my stuff and go to bed.”

“All right then. I left some tea steeping in the kitchen if you'd like some.”

“Thanks, Mum. I'll see you in the morning.”

-------

Months passed. Jayden was turning four in a matter of days and Narcissa was planning his
birthday party. She passed Ginny yet another small square of cake.

“Ginny, are you paying attention?”

“Oh, I'm sorry.” Ginny popped the piece of cake in her mouth. “It's good.”

“You've said that about the last twenty samples, dear. We really do need to decide on a
flavor for the party. It's in just a few days, you know.”

“I know. Just pick one. I trust your judgment. He likes chocolate. Any of them will do.”

“Ginny, is something bothering you?”

“Nothing more than usual.”

“Are you having problems with Mike?”

“Mike and I are over.”

“Good heavens! Why?”

“He proposed and I said no.”

“Oh, Ginny, congratulations! Wait—you said no?”

“Yes.”

“You said yes or you said no.”

“I said no.”

“Why on earth did you turn him down? I thought everything was going so well.”

“It was going well. I'm just not ready to get married.”

“I rather thought that was the whole point,” Narcissa scolded.

“It was. I just wasn't ready to marry him.”

“And who are you ready to marry, dear?”

“I don't know, it just wasn't him,” Ginny lamented.

“Oh. Well, then, let's change the subject to something a little less sensitive, shall
we?”

“That would be good.”

“Any news about where your new flat will be?”

“I found a nice place in London not too far from work and close to Jayden's new school.
It's a bit out of my price range, but I'll manage. Draco said he'd pay for Jayden's
schooling, so I should be able to swing it.”

“What's it like?”

“It's nice. Big kitchen, two bedrooms, only one bathroom though. It has lots of windows. I
like that. It's a Muggle building, so it has electricity. I've become rather attached to
television.”

“It sounds lovely, dear. How are you going to decorate it?”

“I'm not sure, but I'll figure it out. Nothing too fancy at first, money is kind of
tight for that sort of thing. I mean, I have quite a bit saved up, but it's going to have to
last.”

Narcissa looked thoughtful. “Ginny, don't worry about decorating it. You deserve a nice
flat. I'll send over my decorator and you pick whatever you want. Consider it a gift.”

“That's very nice of you, Narcissa, but it's too much. I couldn't accept it.”

“Nonsense, it's my pleasure and I insist.”

“It's no use arguing with you, is it?”

“No, I'm quite stubborn when I set my sights on what I want. A family trait, from what I
understand.”

Ginny nodded, but missed Narcissa's underlying meaning. She half-heartedly went through the
rest of the various aspects of the party Narcissa wanted her opinion on.

-------

“Mummy! Wake up, Mummy! It's my BIRTHDAY!” Jayden jumped into the middle of Ginny's
stomach.

“Oof! Jayden, are you trying to kill Mummy?”

“No, I wouldn't try to kill you. I love you.” Jayden smiled a white-toothed grin.

“Good, because it just so happens that I love you too. Give Mummy sugars.” Jayden showered Ginny
with hugs and kisses. “Oooh, Mummy loves her sugars.”

“I'm hungry! What's for breakfast?”

“Ooh, I suppose that just because it's your birthday you want me to get up and make French
toast, do you?”

“Yeah! Like Nippy used to make!”

“Oh, all right. Get off Mummy and let her go potty.”

“All right, but hurry up!”

“Ok, Mr. Bossy Britches.”

Ginny walked into the bathroom, used the facilities, and tied her hair up in a ponytail. She
padded out into the main room of her apartment and screamed.

She felt ridiculous once she realized it was just Draco sitting on her couch. “I thought
you'd never get up, Sleepy Head. We've been waiting for breakfast forever.”

Ginny rolled her eyes. “And you couldn't start it or set the table or anything, right? You
had to send my son in to break me in half?”

“Well, yeah. I'm a nightmare in the kitchen. You know that.”

“Oh, no you aren't. You're just too impatient.”

Draco walked over to Ginny and wrapped his arms around her. “But you make the best French toast
in to world, pet.” He nuzzled her neck after he finished buttering her up.

“Draco, stop. You can't keep showing up here like this and acting like nothing has changed.
I can't handle it.” She pushed his arms from around her.

“Come on, Gin. Don't be like that.”

“Draco, for crying out loud, what do I have to do? Move to Germany?”

“Why would you move to Germany?”

“For the love of—I'm not moving to Germany!”

“Why did you say you were?”

“I didn't! I want this to stop. I would set wards, but I don't want my son's father
going splat in such a manner.”

“Why would you set wards, Gin? Then I couldn't sneak in at night and—“

“That's enough, Draco! I can't take this! It has to stop! I can't tell you to stay
away totally, because Jayden needs his Da, but I can tell you to stay away from me.”

“What if I can't do that, Gin?”

“You're going to have to.”

“Gin, don't do this, you don't mean it.”

“You don't love me, Draco. You care about me because I'm the mother of your child, and
because we're friends. The sex is a by-product.”

“Gin, I'm telling you, don't do this.”

“Draco, you have to leave me alone. If you care about me at all, you'll leave me alone.”

“Fine.”

“Fine? That's it?”

“Yes.”

“All right. I'm going to go make breakfast. Will you help Jayden set the table?”

“I've lost my appetite. Tell him I'll come by and take him to lunch.”

“Draco, don't do this. He'll be crushed.”

“Jayden! Come here.”

Jayden scampered into the room and looked between his parents. “Were you two having a row?”

“No, Jayden. Come here and listen to me. I have to go into the Office so I can't stay for
breakfast. I'll come by and pick you up for lunch. We'll go to Diagon Alley and eat
wherever you want to. Then, if you're good for your mum until then, we'll go flying after
lunch, okay?”

“Why do you have to go to work on my birthday, Da?”

“It's not all day, little man. It's just for a couple of hours this morning.”

Jayden stared at the floor and shifted on his feet. “Ohtay, Da.”

“That's my little man. Be good for Mummy.”

“Ohtay, Da.”

“Go start setting the table, Poppet. I'll be there in a minute to make your breakfast.”

Jayden drug his feet all the way into the kitchen. Ginny waited to hear him pulling silverware
out of the dishwasher.

“How could you do that to him? He's heartbroken. He just wanted to have breakfast with you
and you don't even have to go into the office.”

“I always have to go into the office, Gin. I just pawn the work off well. That's what
happens when you own the company. And, just for the record, Gin: he wanted to have breakfast with
*us*. He'll get over me not being here for breakfast. It appears as if though he'll
have to get used to it.”

Ginny flinched at the last remark. “Draco, can't you put aside our difference of opinion for
our son's well-being? I can't be with you, because it makes me crazy. It's not that I
don't enjoy being with you and it's not that I don't care for you. Things would just be
so much easier if we were in love. You don't understand how much I want someone to love me with
all they have, Draco. It's too hard to have you half way. It can't be as hard to live
without your affections, as it is to live knowing you don't love me and that you'll
eventually leave me for someone you do love.”

“I'll never leave you, Gin. I have no interest in any other women.”

“But you'll have interest in one of them someday. And then I won't be enough anymore. I
sent Mike away, what more do you want?”

“I didn't ask you to send Mike away. I just told you not to marry him.”

“But why did you tell me not to marry him? He was good to me; he was good to Jayden. Why
wasn't he good enough?”

“Because he wasn't me. It doesn't have to be like this, Gin. I offered you the ring,
didn't I?”

The voice in the back of her head piped up at that moment.

*“Gin, don't marry him. Marry me.”*

*“Why?”*

*“Because you deserve better than that Mike bloke.”*

*“And you think you're better than him because?”*

*“Because I love you.”*

Ginny shook her head to shut off the mental playback of that horrible night. “You offered me a
ring as a means to an end. You don't want me marrying someone else, so you thought I'd
marry you and then I couldn't find someone else. You weren't asking me to marry you for the
right reasons.”

“So why did you turn Mike down?”

“Because he wasn't right for me.”

“Why not?”

“Because I didn't love him enough. I wasn't in love with him.”

“Was he in love with you?”

“I think so. He was the first, so I can't be sure.”

Draco placed a kiss on Ginny's cheek. “No, he wasn't the first, Gin. He won't be the
last either, I'm sure. I have to go to the office. I'll be back around noon to pick Jayden
up for lunch. Have a good breakfast.” With that, he Disapparated and was gone.

Ginny felt a knot form in her stomach. Why did they always do this? It just wasn't
healthy—for them or for Jayden. She went into the kitchen to make breakfast for her birthday
boy.

---------

Later that day, Jayden's birthday party was in full swing. Draco hadn't yet made an
appearance. He'd gone home after taking Jayden for lunch claiming he had to change for the
party.

Jayden was running around with all his cousins shooting the water guns Narcissa had ordered from
a Muggle toy store. Apparently, Fred and George had gotten a hold of them, because every time the
water from one of the guns hit someone, they would let out a random animal noise. Molly had made
all the food except the cake and the even the most stodgy guests were enjoying the home-cooked
extravaganza.

Jayden ran by Narcissa and Ginny making monkey noises while Fred and George were barking like
dogs. Everyone was having a great time.

“Narcissa, you did a wonderful job this year. Everything is really great. Jayden's having
such a good time and thank you for including my mum. I know she really enjoyed trying the recipes
out of the Black Family Cookbook. I'm sorry I just didn't have the concentration to help
plan as much as I would have liked.”

“Oh, Ginny, don't think on it another second. I had a wonderful time doing it. After all,
what am I good for besides planning parties? It's in the blood, dear.”

“You're good for other things besides planning parties.”

“Pish posh, it doesn't really matter, does it? Where is Draco? It's been an hour since
he dropped Jayden off.”

“Speak of the devil and the devil shall appear— with a Playwitch model,” Ginny replied.

Draco was honestly disgusted by Pandora, but she was a persistent one. She'd managed to hang
out doing secretarial work at the Ministry, so he ended up seeing her quite often. It was obvious
what she was doing, but, at this point, Draco didn't care. He placed an arm around
Pandora's waist and escorted her over to his where his Mother and Ginny were standing. Her
perfume was going to make him pass out. Apparently, she didn't abide by the fashion motto “less
is more.”

“Draco, darling, what took you so long?” Narcissa kissed her son on the cheek. “And who is this
sickeningly sweet smelling creature you've brought along with you.” Pandora beamed at
Draco's side.

“This is Pandora, Mother. Pandora, this is my Mother.”

“Charmed.” Narcissa was obviously not pleased.

“This is Ginny, she's Jayden's mother.”

Ginny shook the woman's limp-wristed hand.

“Da! You're here! Look what Grandmum got for the party! Uncle Fred and Uncle George put
charmed water in them!” Jayden squirted Draco and he began roaring like a lion. It wore off within
a couple of seconds and everyone laughed, even Draco. “Thanks again, Grandmum!” Draco picked Jayden
up in his arms.

“Don't forget to thank your other Grandmum for making all the food and everyone else for
your presents. Better yet, do you want to write out thank you cards with Grandmum next week?”

“Yeah! I'll help!” Jayden paused and shifted in his Father's embrace. He whispered in
Draco's ear, “Da, who's that?” Jayden glared at Pandora.

“This is Pandora. Be polite and say hello.”

“Da, she smells funny. Why is she here?” Draco stifled a laugh.

“I'll have you know this is designer French perfume! It does not stink!” Pandora
exclaimed.

“Pandora, there is no reason to yell at my son,” Draco commented. “Jayden, would you please
apologize for being rude.”

“I'm sorry, *Pandora*,” Jayden said ruefully.

Draco sat Jayden down on the ground. “Go play, little man. We're probably going to have cake
and presents in a bit.” Jayden ran off to rejoin his cousin in their water gun fight.

Narcissa's smirk curved abnormally. Draco knew what was coming next. *This ought to be
amusing.*

“So, *Pandora*, what is it that you do?”

“Oh, I do lots of things. I work at the Ministry. I'm also dabbling in modeling. I am quite
photogenic,” Pandora bragged.

“Oh, really? What do you do at the Ministry?”

“I help out in a lot of different areas.”

Ginny scoffed. *Helps in what `different areas'—her boss' stick and berries?*

“Oh, you know—I help wherever I'm needed.”

“Pandora, are you being blatantly coy, or are you just so intrigued by your own climb up the
social ladder that you cannot answer the question due to the nature of the services you
provide?”

Draco's mouth fell open. *I was right, this is amusing.*

Pandora opened her mouth to speak, “Mrs. Malfoy, are you insinuating—“

Narcissa continued, “I can only imagine that with you apparent lack of class and the way you are
clinging to my son's arm that you think he is the key to your acceptance into civilized
society. And make no mistake, I am not *implying* anything, I'm stating it outright.
Unfortunately for you, *dear*, you were obviously not raised with an extensive enough
vocabulary to be blessed with the sarcasm and wit that is characteristic of such an upbringing.
Normally, speaking one's mind is not characteristic of someone of my position; *however*,
I have paid my dues and am old enough where I can get away with it.”

“Mrs. Malfoy, I don't know what I've done to offend you, but whatever it is, I'm
sure it was a simple misunderstanding.”

“No, your mere presence and *scent* offends me. Pandora, I'm sure that your liberal
application was purposeful. No doubt you assumed the more liberally you apply it, the faster my son
would jump on top of you. I'm sure you can open your eyes and see what is in front of you?”
Narcissa gestured to Ginny. “While I'm sure her birth was to a family you consider far beneath
yours, she has a brain between her ears. My son finds that far more attractive than your
*assets*.” Narcissa gestured to the rather large breasts that were hanging precariously from
Pandora's shirt.

“Mother, that's enough. Pandora is our guest—“

“No, she's not. She is *your* guest. Who brings a date to their child's birthday
party? You and Ginny should be hosting the party celebrating your son's birth *together*—
not from opposing corners.”

“Narcissa, that's enough. If Draco wants to bring a date to the party, that's fine.
It's really not an issue.”

“Honestly! You two are impossible! I must see to my other guests.” Narcissa began to walk away,
but turned towards them again, as an afterthought. “I would say it was a pleasure to meet you, but
it wasn't. Have a nice time at the party, Pandora.”

The three remaining members of the group stared after Narcissa with mixed emotions on their
faces: Draco looked amused, Pandora looked furious, and Ginny was shocked. She'd never know
Narcissa to be anything but poised and collected—such outbursts were completely uncharacteristic of
her.

“I'd better go check on Jayden. I'll see the two of you later.” Ginny walked across the
lawn towards her son.

“How could you let them treat me as if I were common waste on the street?”

“Well, Pandora, when you smell like `common waste,' as you so eloquently put it, how can
they come to any other conclusion?”

Pandora laughed as if Draco were joking. “Oh, Draco, such a sense of humor you have!” She
reattached herself to his arm. “Never mind them, why don't you introduce me to some of your
other friends?”

Draco stared off into the distance where Ginny was running around with Jayden and the other
guests. She shot Jayden with the enchanted water and he began to howl like a coyote. Draco
smiled.

“Draco?”

Draco shook his head to clear his mind. “Actually, Pandora—“ he removed her nails from his
bicep, “—this was a mistake.”

“A mistake?”

“Mother was right, you don't have the brains of a parrot. I shouldn't have brought you
here.” Draco wrapped an arm around her and Disapparated.

Ginny heard the crack of Draco's Disapparation and felt her stomach fall. Jayden ran at her
and knocked them both to the ground. He was giggling as if his life depended on it and kissed her
cheeks.

“Mum, don't look so sad—Da will be back. He wouldn't miss my BIRTHDAY PARTY!”

“I know, Poppet.” She kissed his cheek and began tickling him madly.

------

Draco and Pandora appeared outside Pandora's apartment. Immediately, Pandora tore herself
from Draco's grasp and began pummeling him with her fists.

“You're such a prat! What is your problem?”

“My problem, Pandora, is that I took you to that party for all the wrong reasons. I
shouldn't have taken you at all.”

“You think I'm not of your stature?” Pandora sneered.

“No, that's not it. I *know* you're not of my caliber, but I used to halfway enjoy
your company. I don't anymore.”

“But, Draco, why did you bring me home then? You know you fancy me.” She traced a long,
manicured nail down his chest while attempting to press herself further against him.

“Asking you out today was not out of a desire to see you.”

“Fine! Go then!” Pandora pushed Draco's chest as if to hurry him on his way.

“I planned on it. I just didn't fancy you being a lump of goo against the wards at my
son's birthday party.”

“You're repulsive, Draco.”

“And a prat, don't forget that.” Draco disappeared from Pandora's grasp as she began to
throw a temper tantrum in the hallway outside her apartment.

------

Draco returned to Malfoy Manor and made his way up to his old suite of rooms. He quickly changed
into something more appropriate for rolling around on the ground with his son.

He quickly descended the stairs with practiced ease and made his way out onto the lawns.

He scanned the lawns and found what he was looking for. Ginny and Jayden were fighting a losing
battle with Fred and George, but seemed to be having a great time all the while. He grinned and
jogged over to them picking up a discarded water gun on the way.

He joined the water fight and helped Ginny and Jayden win their war against the twins. They were
all caterwauling like various species of animal when Molly announced it was time for cake.

Presents were opened and more water fights were had. As darkness approached, fireworks erupted
in the sky as a crowning event to the evening. People made their excuses and said their good-byes
as the house elves began to make themselves known to clean up after the party.

Ginny lay in a wide, reclining chair in the rose garden. She was nearly asleep with Jayden
curled up into her side when Draco appeared and motioned for her to shift over.

Ginny scooted over towards the side of the chair to make room for Draco. She turned on her side
and cuddled her son closer to her chest. Draco lay down on his side facing Ginny and began stroking
his son's blonde hair.

“Where did Pandora get off to?”

“I took her home.”

“Why?”

“Because Mother was right. My son's birthday party is the wrong place to bring a date.”

“When are you going to see her again?” Ginny asked, tension apparent in her voice.

“It doesn't matter. Did you enjoy the party?”

“I did, and it does matter.”

“Why does it matter?”

“Because I said so.”

“I'm not our son. That excuse doesn't work on me. Why does it matter when I do or do not
take Pandora out? Why does it matter when I take any woman out? You're the one that told me to
leave you alone,” Draco reasoned.

“I just take offense to you bringing such questionable women into our son's presence.”

“I'm sure that's all there is to it.”

“That's it,” Ginny said succinctly.

“No one assumes that any of the women I would consider dating are up to your high standards, but
since I can't date you I have to take the next best thing.”

“And the next best thing is some tart only interested in climbing the social ladder and being a
trophy wife.”

“The sex must be spectacular as well.”

“Draco! Our son is right here!”

“He's sleeping and we're whispering. He hasn't heard a thing.”

Ginny let out an exasperated sigh. “This is hard.”

“What is?”

“Nothing.”

“Don't lie, it doesn't become you. I also heard it's bad for your complexion.”

“You vain git.” Ginny smirked at the look that crossed his features briefly at her comment.

“Maybe so, but that doesn't change the fact that you're avoiding the topic.”

“What topic?”

“Fine. We'll discuss it later. It's late. We should get him home.”

“It's all right. I can manage.”

“I know you can, but I don't care. I'm tired of this. We're going to put him to bed
and sit down on the couch and talk all of this out once and for all.”

“Draco, I'm too tired to deal with this right now.”

“You'll always have an excuse.” Draco was so irritated he got up off the lounge chair and
flung his hands through his hair.

“We're going home. We'll figure out the presents tomorrow.” Ginny picked herself and her
child up and stalked off into the night.

---------

Ginny had arrived home in a huff. *“I'm surprised I didn't splinch us.”*

She put Jayden to bed kissing his forehead. “I love you, Poppet.”

Jayden mumbled, “I love you, too, Mummy.” He turned over and buried himself in his pillow.

Ginny smiled and shut the bedroom door behind her. Shedding clothes as she entered her bedroom
she couldn't shake the feeling that she was doing being watched. *“I would have heard someone
come in and Draco wouldn't set faulty wards. It's fine. I'm just tense.”*

The spray of the shower eased some of the tension out of her muscles. She dressed in her pajamas
and went downstairs for some hot chocolate. After what resulted in the startle of her life, she
went over to Draco and slapped him square across the face.

“When I said I was coming home, I didn't mean that as an invitation for you to follow. This
is the second time you've appeared in my living room without an invitation today. Do you enjoy
making a nuisance of yourself?”

Draco rubbed the spot on his cheeks that was reddening rapidly. “Ginny, I don't make a habit
of hitting women, but you make me want to shake the shit out of you sometimes.”

“I'd like to see you try.”

“Don't push me, woman.”

She literally pushed him.

“Ginny, we will not beat the tar out of each other within earshot of our child. It isn't a
fair fight. I have no desire to have my bits disintegrated and I do not have the presence of mind
to allow you to batter me without striking you back.”

“I don't give a flying fuck if it's a fair fight. I think I fancy the idea of taking out
some of my aggression on your patrician features!”

She pushed him again.

“Stop *it*!” Draco grabbed her wrists as she raised her arms to push him again.

“I've had enough, Draco! I have had fucking enough of this horseshit!” She thrashed from the
wrist trying to free herself from his grasp.

“Ginny, we are going to discuss this calmly and rationally.”

“How do you suppose we'll do that? This isn't a calm or rational situation!”

“Point taken, but as I said before, we are not going to knock the tar out of each other within
earshot of our child. With that said, this type of volatile situation can't do any more for him
than our extremely complicated relationship.”

Ginny's death glare gave him shivers. If she was within reach of her wand, she'd have
hexed his balls off by now—that much could be considered gospel.

“Let—me—go—now.” Her words were cool and calculated.

Draco considered his options. Let her go and possibly be hexed or keep a hold of her and be
hexed later for sure. He released her wrists and Ginny showed him her killer right hook. It knocked
him back a few steps. His hand flew to his jaw.

“I don't need my wand to cause you pain, Draco.”

Rubbing his jaw Draco stared at Ginny incredulously.

His voice was low and dangerous when he spoke again. “That's it. I've had it.”

Pushing past Ginny he walked straight into Jayden's room.

“Don't even think about it, Malfoy.”

“I'll think about whatever I want, Weasley.”

Before Ginny could stop him, he'd picked up Jayden and disappeared with him.

“BLOODY FUCKING HELL! I'M GOING TO BEAT YOU SENSELESS, DRACO MALFOY!” Ginny screamed into
the empty room.

-->



17. Better
----------



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.

~~~~

Chapter 16

Ginny lay in a sweaty heap on the floor of her living room. She'd gone catatonic and when
that happened she did what every red-blooded woman did — she cleaned. She cleaned *without*
her wand.

Her whole house was sparkling. The clothes were washed, ironed and put away. The dishwasher had
been run and emptied. Everything had been dusted. Jayden's room was spotless. All the junk
drawers had been cleaned out and there were twelve sacks of garbage by her front door. Her bathroom
grout was white once again courtesy of three toothbrushes and a bottle of bathroom cleaner.

Clad in only white knickers and a tank top, Ginny was an exhausted woman spread-eagled on the
hardwood floor of her living room. She was still panting from the speed at which she had cleaned
and was inspecting her ceiling for possible dust specks.

She hadn't followed Draco for a number of reasons. She didn't trust what she would do to
him when she found him and she didn't think it would do her son any good to see his father torn
limb from limb by his angry mother. She really didn't know where Draco had gone either. He was
probably just pacing about the Manor, but he could be at the house, or the cottage, or any number
of other places and she didn't see the need to splinch herself over such a prat. She knew her
son was safe, and that's what really mattered. Jayden had no idea that he'd actually been
brought home so he wouldn't know the difference when he woke up.

“Ugh!” Ginny flung herself into a sitting position. She had no idea what to do. Dawn was
breaking. She could go shopping or to the Burrow. She could owl Hermione and see if she wanted to
have lunch. What did she normally do on the days when Draco had Jayden? Sunday was his day and this
was indeed Sunday. She was used to this, but she wasn't used to being this angry on her days
off.

She began stomping around the flat with no apparent reason or direction. She flung off the tank
top she was wearing and shed her knickers on the way to the bathroom. Her wand found her palm and
the bathwater began to splash into the tub with a tap of her wand. Her favorite bath salt flew from
the shelf by the mirror and added themselves to the rising water followed by a dab of lightly
scented bubble bath. She sunk into the water and flipped the switch to the jets located around the
tub. *“Bless Draco for this gift, but screw him for everything else.”* Draco had insisted on
replacing the small tub originally located in the flat with the monstrosity she was now basking in.
Chin deep in swishing, foaming water, she began fade into her own thoughts.

Over the hum on the jets, she didn't hear Draco shedding his clothes or stepping into the
bathroom.

“Scoot up.”

“Damnit, Draco! What the fuck? You just show up here every time you feel like it without any
regard to what I'm doing! I'm pissed as hell at you right now and I don't think us
being in the same room is beneficial to the health of either one of us!”

Ginny began to rise out of the tub without a stitch of modesty. He'd seen it all before,
hadn't he? Yes, he'd seen it many, many times before and Ginny really didn't care if he
saw any of it again.

“I didn't say `get out of the tub', I said `scoot up.'”

“Fuck you.”

“Maybe later, I'm not in the mood right now. Scoot up.”

“Bugger off, Malfoy. Where's my son?”

“Jayden's with my Mother and I'm coming in whether you like it or not. We're going
to have a bath and talk this out. We can't do any harm to each other in such a relaxing
setting.”

“What if I drown you?”

“I'll take my chances. Are you going to scoot or not?”

“Not.”

“Fine.” Draco put one foot in the tub and swung his other leg over Ginny's head. He sat on
the edge of the tub and slid off the edge of the tub into the water. Ginny held on to the edge of
the tub and tried to brace her feet to keep him from sliding in behind her.

*“If only I were a little taller I could put up more resistance, damnit,”* Ginny
thought.

“If you were just a hair taller, you might have more luck keeping me out.”

Ginny gritted her teeth in aggravation. “Reading my thoughts again are we?”

Ginny had scooted up as far as she could without being out of the tub. She made a move to get
out of the bath, but he grabbed her around the waist and hauled her back to his chest. She
struggled with all the force she could muster, but was unable to unwind his hands from around
her.

“Damnit, Draco. You can't keep doing this.”

“Can't keep doing what? Taking baths with you?”

“You can't keep showing up and having your way. That's your problem, you don't
compromise.”

“I compromise with you all the time. We raise Jayden together very effectively thanks to our
compromises.”

“That's not what I'm talking about.” His grip loosened on her waist and her head fell
back onto his shoulder.

“What are you getting at then?”

“I'm saying that whenever you feel the need to have a conversation about something you
consider important, you just show up here and force me to talk to you. You never take into
consideration that maybe I don't want to talk.”

“I have to do it this way or you'd never talk to me about the important things.”

“What important things do we have to discuss, Draco? We know this isn't working and we know
why. The only thing I can think of that we could possibly need to talk about is how we're going
to manage to quit shagging.”

“Why would we quit shagging?”

“Because it's not good for either one of us. I want something that you're never going to
be able to give me. It's not that I want it from you necessarily, but it would make life a tad
simpler.”

“What's that?”

“I've told you millions of times. I want to fall in love. I want someone to fall in love
with me. No matter how wonderfully functional our situation is, I can't watch you go off and
shag other woman, and then come back to me.”

“I don't do that anymore. I haven't done that since you left me when Jayden was a baby.
I haven't shagged anyone but you since then, either.”

“That's not the point. The point is that I don't want to continue this when I know
it'll end someday.”

“What do you mean?”

Ginny let out a breath. “What I mean is what I've told you a hundred times before.
You'll meet another witch and you'll leave. I'll be crushed and that'll be
that.”

“Ah, now we're getting to the meat of it. Why do you think I'd leave you? I've been
with you for three years now.”

“Three years—a lifetime, what's the difference, right?”

“Fuck, Gin. What do you want me to do?”

“I want you to really listen to me, for once. You say we're getting to the meat of the
issue, but this isn't anything I haven't said to you before. You just choose what you want
to hear and ignore what you don't. I am sick of wasting my breath.”

“I'm listening now.”

“And?”

“I want you to tell me what you're thinking and how I can fix this.”

“You can't fix it, Draco. I want someone to fall in love with me, marry me, and be the
father of my future children. I want to buy a house with him and sleep in the same bed with him. I
want to have fabulous sex with him and eat meals with him. There is so much that I want, but
it's all wrapped up in one person.”

Draco's fingers linked with Ginny's over her stomach. “I don't know how to give that
to you. I don't want you to find another bloke that makes you happy.”

“Why not?”

“Because we're happy right now. Notice that everything you just mentioned with the exception
of the marriage we've already done. We have a child, we've bought a house, we have slept in
the same bed many times over the years, and we eat meals together several times a week. We also
have fabulous sex, if I do say so myself.”

Ginny's shoulders started to shake in what he originally thought was laughter. The jets of
the tub had long since gone off. Ginny's hands pulled from his and covered her face. When she
leaned forward and crossed her legs under the water, he realized she was crying. Draco put a hand
on her shoulder to try to pull her back to his chest, but she pulled away from his touch. He slid
up towards her and gave her no choice when he wrapped his arms around her.

The width of the tub was enough so he could turn her around without much effort. With his legs
spread wide, he yanked her to face him and pulled her into his chest. He wrapped his legs around
her hips at the knee to afford her no possible means of escape.

“Gin, I'll give you anything you want if you'll stop crying. I'll even buy you a
pony.”

This only proved to make her cry harder. Her sobs made her body shake as tears poured out of her
hands. He was forced to into action. He only knew of one way that made her quit crying, and it had
always proved effective. *“Jayden really is a sharp kid—Da sugars really do make the Mummy stop
crying.”*

He pried her hands away from her face and lifted her chin to look at him. He ran his thumb along
her lower lip while tears continued to course down her face. A sob made it's way out of her
body as he lowered his lips to hers. She tried to pull away, but Draco had a firm grip on her to
avoid that very situation from occurring.

When she finally stopped trying to escape, Draco lowered a hand to her happiest of places and
moved his thumb gently over her clit. A moan rumbled in her chest when he increased the pressure.
He slipped a finger into her and kissed down her neck.

“I do love you,” he whispered into her shoulder before catching her lips in another kiss. His
hands captured her backside. Lifting her slightly, he put his legs straight and she moved to
straddle him. He lowered her onto his newly sprung erection and kissed her hard.

She didn't move. He pulled away from her lips. She was crying again, and her head hung
low.

“I'll make it all better, love. Ride me. I'll make it all better.”

Her tear-filled eyes moved up to his gray ones. Her hands moved up to his shoulders and she
began to move. His hands grasped her hips in an attempt to control the pace, but she didn't
seem to care. She shifted in all different directions in a quest for the orgasm that would make her
see stars and forget her problems.

“That's it, Gin. Come for me.”

She rode Draco with all she had. Bathwater sloshed onto the white tile below and screams of
built up passion and rage reflected off of the walls.

Wrapping his arms around the woman that had collapsed on his chest was all he could think to do
after an orgasm of that magnitude.

Their breathing eventually stilled and Ginny let his depleted member fall from her when she got
out of the lukewarm water. She wrapped in a towel and left the bathroom. Draco was left alone with
his thoughts.

In the bedroom, Ginny dressed herself and left her flat.

--------

The next two months progressed and neither parent talked to the other much at all. They dropped
Jayden at meeting places with Grandparents as much as possible, to avoid seeing each other.

That is, until one Sunday morning when Draco arrived to pick up Jayden.

Jayden was sitting at the breakfast table looking miserable.

“What's wrong, little man?”

“Mummy's sick again. She made my breakfast and got sick again. It's not my fault is
it?”

“I'm sure it isn't, little man. Where is Mummy?”

“She's in the bathroom.”

“I'll check on her. Finish your breakfast, little man. We're going flying today.”

“Ohtay, Da.”

Draco walked down the short hall to the bathroom and heard Ginny retching.

Draco grasped the handle of the partially open door and knocked softly. “Gin?”

She stopped dry heaving long enough to say, “What?”

Draco pushed the door open and sat on the floor beside her. “Gin, do you have the flu?” He
gathered her hair at the base of her neck and twisted it up in a makeshift bun.

She swatted his hand away and fell back onto her bum. She scooted her back against the wall
beside the toilet bowl and put her hand on her forehead. Draco stood and wet a washcloth under cool
water. He wrung it out, folded it and handed it to her. She looked dreadful.

“Gin? Are you ill?”

“Yes, you bastard. It's all your fault, too.”

“I don't have anything. I'm not ill. How is this my fault?”

“You said you'd make it better and I guess you did. You made it better for you.”

“What the bloody hell are you on about, Gin?”

“You got what you wanted. I'm pregnant again, you fertile bastard.”

-->



18. Giving Up
-------------



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.

~~~~

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.

-->



19. Scarlet
-----------



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.

To everyone who has reviewed, thank you so much. This is my first complete story (that
wasn't a one-shot), and y'all have made it a pleasure to complete. I finished writing it a
little over a year ago, and I'm so excited to finally be done. I'd prefer to not hear the
word "sequel" -- although there is one in the works. It won't be completed for quite
some time, but, until then, I have a slew of one-shots that I'm going to put up (still every
Sunday) until I've completed the sequel to ROADB.

Thanks again, everyone!

~~~~

Chapter 18

Later that night Draco Apparated to Ginny's flat. He stroked the hair back from her face and
shook her gently awake.

“Gin?”

“What could you possibly want now?”

“Get up and get dressed. I want to take you out.”

“I don't want to go out with you.”

“Gin, get up, take a shower and get dressed. Please?”

“Bugger off. I want to lay here *by myself* and be depressed.”

“Gin, will you please get up and get dressed?”

“Oh bloody hell! You'll never just leave me alone, will you? You insist on making my life
this bloody roller coaster of emotion. Everything is fine one minute, then the next you're
ordering me around again. Fine, I'll get dressed. You won't leave me the hell alone until I
do.” Draco helped her up from the couch and she did the best mock curtsy a pregnant woman could do.
“I'll be back when I've done your bidding, *my Lord.*”

Draco's cheeks tinged with pink as he watched her mock him and walk away. He flopped down on
the couch and turned on the telly flipping through channels until she emerged from the bedroom.

“Draco, come in here please.”

Draco sighed and walked towards the bedroom.

“What should I wear?”

“I don't care what you wear, Gin.”

Ginny clasped her hands around her stomach and made her eyes wide and innocent. “But, my dear
sir, I have been rendered completely incapable of making my own decisions. If I wear something my
Lord disapproves of, he might take all my clothes and make me walk around BLOODY STARKERS! Then,
he'll buy all the shops he doesn't like and ban me from shopping in them! It will be the
catalyst for an entire chain of events that little old me wishes to avoid.”

“Bloody fucking hell, Gin!” Draco rummaged through her closet and threw her the first thing his
hands met. “Wear that!”

“If my *Lord* would like me to wear a brown skirt and a purple top, both of which
haven't fit in months, then I will squeeze my fat arse into them, as long as it does indeed
please my Lord.”

“Your arse isn't fat.”

“That isn't the point.”

“What is the point then?”

“The point is that since you've taken away my ability to make my own decisions on all the
topics that really matter, why don't you just make all of my decisions for me.”

“Fucking hell.” Draco took the few steps it took for him to stand in front of Ginny and clasped
her shoulders. “What—the—bloody—hell—is—wrong—with—you?” Each word was enunciated with a gentle,
but sharp shake of her body.

“Get your bloody hands off of me!”

“I've told you before that you try my patience, but that I'd never hit you—although I
desperately wanted to shake you on occasion. I just couldn't resist at the present time.”

“Get the hell out of my bedroom. I'd tell you to get the hell out of my house, but you
won't leave until you decide to. Otherwise you'll just stay here and drive me INSANE!”

“You're already there.”

“Only because you've made me that way!”

“I'll be in the living room waiting.”

“Fine.”

Ginny found her trusty overalls and white tank top. Flip-flops and a deep, jewel-toned cardigan
sweater were the finishing touches to her outfit. She desperately wanted to dress like a hag and
embarrass Draco, but she knew it wouldn't do any good. *He's such a bastard.*

The second Ginny walked into the living room, Draco walked over to her and Apparated them to
Diagon Alley.

“I had planned for this to be nice, but since you threw such a fit at the house I believe we are
destined to have a hellish evening. However, we both need to eat and I neither feel like cooking
nor do I trust you not to poison me presently.”

Practically dragging her down the street, Draco kept his death grip on Ginny's hand. She
finally managed to yank her hand away.

“Damnit, Draco. I'm heavily pregnant and am wearing flip-flops, you fucking wanker.”

Draco had made it several steps in front of Ginny after she'd freed her hand, so he closed
the gap and ran his hands from her shoulders down to her thin fingers. “I'm sorry.”

“Fine, just walk slower.”

“No, I'm sorry for being such a wanker all the time. I'm just trying to do what's
best for my family. I don't deal well with situations when I don't get my way. I don't
have much experience with that.”

“No, you don't.”

“I am sorry, Gin. Can we please put all the nastiness, however warranted, and have a decent
dinner and talk?”

“Why bother? You never listen.”

“I listen.”

“No, you hear me. You don't listen. You hear what I say, and then do whatever the bloody
fuck you feel like doing regardless of what I've just said.”

“Fine. We'll have a nice dinner and I'll listen.”

“You've told me that before—that you'll listen. You didn't then either.”

“I'll listen, I promise. I'm even open to discussion about work and the move.”

“I don't want to fight anymore. It's so draining.”

“We won't.”

“Yes, we will, but only if you don't get what you want.”

“Gin, give me one last chance. I promise I'll make good.”

She looked—really looked—at his face. He seemed sincere, but then again he'd seemed sincere
before. “Fine.”

“Leave the `fine' behind, Gin. Now, would you like to go and have dinner?”

“I suppose.”

“You suppose?”

“The smell of random foods makes me ill.”

“How about this, I'll go get something—anything you want—and we'll go eat it in the park
so you don't get sick. It's a lovely night.”

“That sounds fine.”

“Ok, what do you want?”

“Fish and chips and a cold pumpkin juice.”

Draco thought the combination sounded horrible, but he grabbed her hand and led her through the
crowd towards the establishment that made the best fish and chips in town.

------

Draco had left Ginny outside the restaurant to wait for their food so he could Apparate home for
a blanket a couple of pillows.

They walked to the park in silence. Draco carried the take away carefully wrapped in one arm
while Ginny carried two pillows under her arm with the blanket hung from her hand in a neat roll.
The hands that were unoccupied clung together as they wove their way through the crowd.

They searched the park for a place with a nice view, but little foot traffic. Ginny spread the
blanket and Draco unpacked the food. They ate in the same silence they'd walked to the park
in.

Lying back on the blanket they stared at the stars with their heads cushioned on pillows.

“So?” Draco cautiously asked.

“So what?”

“So we should talk.”

“What should we talk about?”

“Lots of things that I promised to listen to you about.”

“Yeah. What should we talk about first?”

Draco rolled onto his side so he could see Ginny properly. “Let's talk about you
moving.”

“Okay. It makes sense for me to move back into the house, but I don't like the way you went
about the whole situation. Yes, you asked me to move back into the house previously, and I said
no—I understand that. However, that doesn't give you the right to run around behind my back and
manipulate my life, as if you are the God of my universe.”

“I'm sorry, Gin, but I really was doing it for a good reason. My heart was in the right
place.”

“Sure it was—if the right place is shoved up your arse. When you originally asked me to move
back to the house, and I said no, you threw a tantrum. You knew my job and my flat were important
to me. You also knew that if I didn't work, I'd have to give up my flat unless I moved back
to the house, and I knew you wouldn't pay for my flat unless I moved back into the house.”

“Gin, in my mind, my heart was in the right place.”

“Yes, I'm sure in your mind it was, but what you have to realize is that I put up with a lot
of selfishness from you on a lot of different levels. I put up with it because I know that
underneath it all that you're a good person. Plus, you get me gifts, because in your mind that
makes you better on some level. I don't bitch because I still get the presents.”

“Okay, so I'm selfish.”

“Yes, on some levels. You aren't always selfish and you've gotten better over the years,
but buying the magazine I work for and forcing me out of a job—that was pure selfishness. That was
your wounded ego proving to me that you could make me do what you wanted me to do. You refused to
take into consideration what I might want, or what I might need. It isn't as if my job was
strenuous. I could understand you putting your foot down if I was endangering the baby, but I
wasn't.”

“I know you weren't putting the baby in danger, but I hated seeing you in so much
discomfort. Maybe I was being selfish in the end, but it started out well enough.”

“It did, and that's why I say you're not always selfish. But I'm allowed to say no,
Draco. I'm even allowed to say no to you. I don't do it often. I normally let you have
whatever your little heart should desire, but if you make all my decisions, I'm not me
anymore—I'm merely an extension of you.”

“Okay. What about moving?”

“It does make sense and I find myself not wanting to move simply to refuse you. That's not
right and it's not fair to me or the baby.”

“It's fair to me?”

“There's the selfishness again. This isn't about you. It's about me and our unborn
child.”

“Maybe it is a little callous and selfish, but I enjoyed being around for the pregnancy last
time, and I'd like to be around this time. I know how hard the last one was on you, and I know
this one is going to be worse, simply because you don't have as much help, and you have Jayden
with you all the time. I want to help, Gin. Why won't you let me help?”

“It's not that I don't want you to help, and it's not that I don't need help,
because I do. I just don't want to give in to you, and have you thinking you've won the
right to control my life again. Simply because we have children doesn't mean that you have
exclusive rights to me, or can make demands of me.”

“Okay, you can knock my block off the next time I'm being unreasonable. Just be sure to let
me know why you're knocking me out first.”

“All right.”

“Are you going to move back in with me?”

“Yes, but know it's just because I need help and the flat really isn't big enough for
another baby. I still want to keep it though.”

“Okay, that's not a problem. Are you still mad about working?”

“No, I just wish it could have gone a different way. It was completely ludicrous of you to buy
the entire magazine, just to get your way. I ought to have beat the hell out of you.”

“Yeah, you probably should have. I guess I deserve it.” Ginny shot him a scathing look. “Okay,
okay! I deserve it, but please don't hit me. I bruise like a peach.”

“You really do.”

“Are you going to keep working?”

“I don't know. I'd really just like to do some freelance writing.”

“You could write for the magazine. I'm sure it could be arranged, as I know the boss
intimately.”

“No, I don't want any special favors. Of course now my boss isn't going to be honest
with me about my work, because you own the magazine, and because of our relationship.”

“Well, if you want to keep working, do it. If you want to quit, do it. You know you don't
have to work. I've always supported you and Jayden, and that's never going to change.”

“You say that now.”

“I mean it now, too.”

“I might cut back, but I don't want to quit. I enjoy editing, but I'd like to write as
well. I'll write under a pseudonym, or something, to get honest reactions.”

“That's a good idea. When do you want to move back in?”

“After I get the house redecorated. You did an atrocious job after I moved out last time. Trying
to rid the place of my memory?”

“Yeah, I let Mother's decorator have free reign. I hate it. I liked it the way it was when
you lived in there. It's far too art deco for my taste.”

“I'll start tomorrow. I don't have a lot of time to get it all ready.”

“No, you really don't. I'll help if you want me to.”

“That would be nice.” Ginny sighed and stretched her arms above her head. “I have to pee.”

“Do you want to go or do you just want to find a restroom around here?”

“I'd like to stay, but I think I'll be too stiff to move tomorrow if I lay here much
longer.”

----------

“Gin, when I said I'd help I really didn't bargain for this.” Draco was splattered in
yellow paint from head to toe.

“I know, but you said you'd help, so quit your bellyaching.”

“This is going to take forever.”

“I like doing it the Muggle way.”

“I don't.”

“I don't care, Draco. If you're going to keep up with the complaining I'm going to
have to insist that you get the hell out. I'm the pregnant one, I'm the one the gets to
bitch.”

“All right, I'll stop.”

“Good.”

“Hey, Gin?”

“Yeah?”

“Look at this.”

“What?” As she turned, she was hit with huge dollops of paint launched from Draco's
brush.

“Oh, you're going to get it!”

A full on paint war erupted with both parties flinging paint from brushes and rollers at each
other.

“Okay, okay—I give!” Draco held his hands up in defeat.

“Okay,” Ginny said, laughing. “Get to work, the people come to put in the new carpet tomorrow
and we still have to finish in here and then do the living room.”

“What color are we doing the living room?”

Ginny walked over to the paint cans in the corner of the kitchen. “This one,” she said gesturing
to a steely lavender color.

“I like that. Let's finish up here and order delivery. I'm starving.”

They finished painting the bottom floor of the house as well as the stairwell. Draco felt like
he was home again. The warm jewel tones were back and Ginny was moving back in. What was this
feeling he was having? Was it happiness? *Yes, of course, I'm happy again.*

-------

By the time Ginny finished what she called her “nesting phase,” Draco had bought completely new
furniture for virtually every room in the house, there were new draperies, new dishes, even new
silver. The purchase he enjoyed the most was the new bed Ginny had picked out for their room. It
was four-posted, had a thick, plush mattress and she'd topped it with a feather comforter
covered with silvery rose colored satin. Pillows of all different shapes and sized in varying
shades of green added a contrast that he'd found he rather liked.

The only thing they hadn't completely finished was the nursery. Draco had bought a frilly
new bassinette for their bedroom. Ginny had fawned over the surprise and had given him a kiss on
the cheek that made him blush.

They were sitting together eating lunch at their new dining room table. Jayden was absent as he
was still staying at the Burrow while renovations were still in progress.

“Draco?”

“Yes, pet?”

“Have you ever heard of a sonogram?”

“No, why?”

“Well, I owled the Medi-witch and she said it's too late to find out the sex of the baby
with a charm. She advised a Muggle sonogram.”

“You want to know?”

“Yeah, I want to buy some more things for the nursery. I'm tired of the white walls. I'd
like to put up some border or wallpaper, or buy frilly blankets or something. I'd do green or
yellow or some other neutral color, but I did that with Jayden's nursery. I'd really like
to do another color this time—a more gender specific color.”

“It doesn't hurt the baby?”

“No.”

“How does it work?”

“I don't know, but I can find out.”

“All right, make the appointment.”

------

A week later, Ginny and Draco were in the sitting in the waiting room of a Muggle obstetrics
office. The stood and followed the nurse into the back of the office when they heard Ginny's
name called.

“Ms. Weasley, you can undress behind that screen. Put on this gown, opening to the front. You
can leave your knickers on, but please remove your brassiere. When you're done, please get up
on the table and the doctor will be in a few minutes.”

“Thank you. Draco can stay with me, can't he?”

“Of course. You can have a seat in the chair beside the table, sir.”

Draco sat in the armchair beside the table Ginny was to lay on and Ginny undressed behind the
screen. Draco helped her onto the table when she was done and the doctor came into the room.

“Hello, I'm Dr. Watkins.” He shook Draco's and then Ginny's hand.

“Draco Malfoy. This is Ginny.”

“Nice to meet you. How's the patient feeling today?”

“I'm fine.”

“Do you want to know the sex?”

“Yes, we do. Rather the whole point, isn't it?” Draco asked.

“There are a lot of reasons for a sonogram, Mr. Malfoy, but determining the sex is usually the
primary reason expectant parents have the procedure done.”

The doctor squirted lubricating gel on Ginny's stomach and turned on the machine. A loud
thumping began reverberating through the room.

“Whoa, what's that?”

“That's the baby's heartbeat, Draco.”

A look of amazement crossed his face. He stroked Ginny's hair and kissed her forehead.

“There's a leg and an arm. Finger and toes: five of each so far. Oh, there are the others
all in tact. That's the head.” Dr. Watkins pushed a button between each view.

“Do you know what it is, yet?” Ginny asked with an edge in her voice.

“Yes, I just like to let the excitement build a little.” Dr. Watkins winked at her and smiled.
“You're having a girl.”

“A girl? Are you sure?”

“She's a girl or he's missing some parts.” All three chuckled.

Dr. Watkins wiped Ginny's stomach clean and turned the machine off after ejecting a
videocassette from a slot underneath the monitor.

“Here are a few pictures of your baby and here's the tape of the whole procedure.”

“Thank you, Dr. Watkins.” Draco shook the man's hand before he left the room.

Ginny changed and they left the office after paying their bill.

They were walking down the street to The Leaky Cauldron when Draco asked, “What is this
for?”

“It's a videotape, silly. You play it in a VCR.”

“Whatever that is we should go buy one immediately.”

They stopped at an electronics store before reaching The Leaky Cauldron. Draco couldn't stop
looking at the pictures of their new little girl.

“Are you excited?”

“Of course.”

“Are you excited it's a girl?” Ginny questioned.

“I would have been excited either way, but I'm quite pleased it's a girl.”

“Good. Me too. I'll let you in on a little secret. I've already bought a bunch of stuff
for a little girl.”

“I figured as much. I actually have quite a few things on order.”

“Do you really?” Ginny squealed.

“Yes, I couldn't help myself. We really have to do this sonogram bit every time.”

“Every time?”

“Yes.”

“You're planning on knocking me up again? When were you planning on letting me in on
this?”

“Eventually, when the time was right.”

“Ah.”

They went back to the house to hook up their new VCR.

--------

“That's my new baby sister?” Jayden asked excitedly.

“Uh huh. Da did good, didn't he?”

“Yeah! I always wanted a baby sister!”

“That's good, because you're getting one really soon.”

“What's that?”

“That's her tummy. And those are her feet, and that's her neck.” As each part of his
daughter flashed on the screen, he tickled the matching body part on Jayden.

“Are you lot watching the sonogram video again?”

“Yes, we are. Do you have a problem with that?”

“No.” She sat down with Draco and Jayden and snuggled under the blanket with the two of them. It
was early on a Saturday morning and all were still clad in their bedclothes. They were smiling and
looked like the perfect family. Ginny looked at the two men and smiled.

“Ooh.” Ginny grabbed her stomach.

“What's wrong, Gin.”

“Nothing, just a little pain. It'll be fine. I'd appreciate it if you'd rub my back
a little though. It's been testy for a couple of days now.”

Draco rubbed slow, firm circles on Ginny's lower back with his knuckles while Jayden turned
the telly from the sonogram video to cartoons.

“Ooh!”

Draco stopped rubbing. “Did I hurt you?”

“No, but I'm fairly certain my water just broke. Ugh, yeah, my water just broke. All over
the new couch, damn it.”

“Don't worry about the couch, Gin. Jayden go get dressed and Floo your grandmums. Tell them
Mummy's gone into labor and we'll on our way to St. Mungo's in a few minutes.”

“I'm not allowed to use the Floo yet, Da. I'm not big enough yet.”

“You're about to be a big brother, I think we can make an exception today. Go!”

“Stay put, Gin. I'll be right back.” Draco took the stairs two at a time and ran into the
bedroom. He changed into a cerulean button down dress shirt and rolled the sleeves up. He slipped
slacks over his hips while toeing trainers on his feet. He grabbed Ginny's overnight bag and
yelled for Jayden to hurry up.

He ran down the stairs and helped Ginny change into the set of clothes he'd brought.

“Jayden, let's go!” Draco yelled.

“I'm coming, Da!”

Jayden started coming down the stairs a little too quickly. “Jayden! Use the handrail! We
don't need Mum to worry about you getting stitches while she's having your baby
sister!”

“Draco, we've got to go. It hurts.”

“I know, love. Let's get you up. Jayden! Get out of the kitchen!”

“But Mummy hasn't had breakfast!”

“I don't need it, baby—ooh---thank you for the thought though, Poppet. Come out
here—ooh—with me and—mmm—your da.”

Jayden ran out from the kitchen, grabbed onto Draco's leg, and the three of them Apparated
to St. Mungo's.

They went to the admissions desk. Draco helped Ginny into a wheel chair and pushed her down the
hall after the nurse. The nurse helped her change, cast a few charms to dull the pain, and left the
room to call the Medi-witch.

“Oh, that's so much better. Those charms work wonders.”

“Does it hurt, Mummy?”

“Yes, baby, it does, but it's worth it in the end. This is how I got you.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Why don't you go in the hall and wait for everyone to get here, little man?”

“Okay, Da.”

“Draco, we haven't thought of a name yet.”

“That's right, we haven't, have we?”

“What do you think?”

“Agnes?”

“No, that's too matronly.”

For the next twenty minutes, they went through all the girl names they could think of.

“How about Scarlet?” Draco asked.

“I like that. What about a middle name?”

The brainstormed over the middle name until Jayden came back into the room.

“Mummy, everyone's here. When's my baby sister going to be here?”

“I'm not sure, baby. Soon, hopefully.”

“What are you lot doing in here?” Jayden asked.

“We're thinking of baby names.” Draco said.

“I like Elaine. We read a story in school about a little girl named Elaine.”

“That's perfect, baby. What do you think, Draco?”

“First or middle?”

“Middle.”

“Scarlet Elaine Malfoy. What do you think, little man?”

“Is that going to be my baby sister's name?”

“Maybe, what do you think, Poppet?”

Jayden's grin got quite wide and he ran into the hallway. Draco and Ginny laughed when they
heard Jayden yelling, “Grandmum Weasley! Grandmum Malfoy! I got to pick my baby sister's middle
name!”

Later that afternoon, Ginny delivered Scarlet. Later the room was filled with Weasleys all
staring at Narcissa holding her newest granddaughter. Colin was snapping pictures with reckless
abandon.

Everyone had their turn holding the little strawberry blonde baby with hazel eyes, and during
the din Ginny had fallen fast asleep. The family had left and had taken Jayden with them. All were
on their way to a celebration at The Leaky Cauldron and on a quest for a flower shop with enough
flowers for everyone to get something for Ginny. Draco sat in the reclining chair holding his
sleeping daughter. He petted her hair as her little hand wrapped around one of his large
fingers.

“Where did everyone go?” Ginny asked sleepily.

“They went to eat and find you flowers.”

“Did they take Jayden with them?”

“Kicking and screaming. He wanted to stay here with you and his new sister, but they got him
started on how he got to pick out her middle name and he didn't even realize they were walking
him out.”

“That's funny.”

Draco put Scarlet in the crib the nurse had brought into the room and walked over to Ginny's
bed. Ginny scooted to one edge of the bed to make room for the rather imposing man beside her.
Draco lay on his side and propped his head up on his elbow. His hand cupped her cheek as his thumb
stroked over her lower lip.

“I do love you.”

“Maybe. I haven't decided yet,” Ginny retorted.

“The jury's still out?”

“Uh huh.”

“They'll find in my favor, I'm sure.”

“You think so?”

“They won't have a choice, because I am head-over-heels in love with you.”

“It's just the excitement of the day, Draco.”

“Nah, that can't be it. If that were the case, why would I feel like this everyday?”

“Keep it, and tell me on another day when you're sure.”

“I am sure.”

“Just keep it, and tell me on another day when I'm covered in baby goo, and the newness has
worn off. Tell me when we're staying up all night taking care of a squalling newborn.”

“All right, I'll save it for as long as you want me to, but only as long as you realize that
I like you covered in baby goo.”

“You do not. When Jayden was a baby, you used to make me go shower.”

“That was only because I like you better wet and naked. That's how we ended up with Jayden,
and I'm fairly certain Scarlet was the product of a very, *very* nice bath.” Draco
smirked.

“Of course, I should have known. Wet and naked, I rather prefer you that way as well.”

“Do you now?” Draco's chest puffed out slightly.

“Yes, it means you're silent except for the moaning and grunting.”

“Yes, except for that. I rather enjoy that part as well.” Draco's eyes closed and a leer
settled on his face.

“I'm sure you do, pervert. Now, stop picturing me naked.”

“I think you enjoy it as well.”

“You would think that.”

“I might have to cut you off, if you keep it up.”

“No sex for a few weeks anyhow. Even if we did have the energy to shag, we're not supposed
to.”

“Why not?”

“Because everything has to settle back into place and regain its old shape.” Ginny laughed at
the look on Draco's face. “Draco, I just pushed a baby out of there. It's only natural that
everything would be a little—displaced.”

“I hadn't thought of it that way.”

Scarlet began fussing. “Give her to me. She might want to eat. We'll see if she'll
breastfeed. Jayden never would.”

“That's because I told him your tits belonged to his da and weren't for eating.”

“You're incorrigible.”

“I know, and you love me for it.” Draco retrieved Scarlet and laid her in her Mother's arms.
“Now, Scarlet, I would have a pep talk with you, but since it's so important to your Mummy to
breastfeed, I think I can share.”

“She's not wanting to.”

“Because you're smothering her. Hold it up like this.”

Scarlet latched on and began eating heartily.

“I might have read a few books and I might have attended a few meetings. I also might know
because that's how I like to do my suckling as well.”

“Draco, you're disgusting! I'm trying to feed my child and it isn't sexual. Tits
were made for function, not for decoration!”

“But they are so much fun as decoration.”

“You can't make feeding our child into a sexual act. That's gross.”

“In my mind, what I do with your tits and what Scarlet is doing to your tits are two separate
acts: one sexual and one not sexual. I am sexual, Scarlet is not. I'll stop though. I'll
remind you that I'm sexual soon enough.”

Colin opened the door silently and took a picture of the two proud parents staring down at their
new child happily eating her first meal. The next picture he snapped captured Draco placing a soft
kiss on Ginny's lips.

--------

Ginny had ordered the nursery repainted a warm ivory shade and had bordered the room half way up
the walls with a pretty striped pattern of the same ivory and a dainty pink, not that anyone would
notice that considering the state the room was in.

Scarlet had been home for two weeks and last night hadn't been pleasant. Ginny lay in an
exhausted sleep with Scarlet draped across her chest. She had tried everything. She'd brought
Scarlet to bed with her and Draco. She'd tried walking her and dancing with her. She'd
tried singing, and even begging. Finally, she'd sat in the rocking chair and Scarlet had been
lulled to sleep after fussing and fighting for an hour.

Ginny woke up when Scarlet started rooting against her chest. She helped Scarlet find her proper
place and pushed the rocking chair back and forth with her toes.

“Look at my girls.” Draco was leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest.
His silken sleep pants hung from his hips lazily and his hair stuck out in all directions.

“Nice hair.”

“You should talk. Yours isn't exactly the height of fashion.”

Draco sat on the floor beside the rocker. His hand moved to play with Scarlet's hair in a
soothing motion. Ginny smiled down at him before his gaze returned to their daughter.

“I love you, you know.”

“I know.”

“I'm in love with you, but you knew that too.”

“I didn't,” Ginny stated as though she was unaffected.

Draco's hand went to cup Ginny's cheek and forced her gaze to his. “I do love you and I
am in love with you.”

“That's good.”

“Why is that good?”

“Because I'm fairly certain I return the sentiment,” Ginny admitted in a hushed voice.

“Do you now?”

“I think so.”

“It took knocking you up twice for me convince you that you belong with me, huh?”

“I'm pretty stubborn.”

“I noticed.”

“You are as well.”

“I know.”

Draco rose up on his knees and placed his hands on the arms of the rocker. A small smile played
on his lips. “I love you.”

“I think I love you too,” were the last words Ginny spoke before Draco gave her a gentle
kiss.

The End

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