Together

(c) 1999  Breea

Disclaimer: I do not own all of the characters, most belong to J K Rowling. Plot line is mine, though, thank you very much.

Chapter Seven

            Draco walked out of Red Lobster not sure whether to cry or hit something. He felt every emotion possible at once. He was angry with her, mad at her, and happy to see her again, to know she was okay. "Man, just as I was getting back on track." He whispered to himself.
            He looked at his car but knew he was in no condition to drive. He walked down the street a few blocks and sat on a bench to think.

Harry had been talking about Ginny since he met her. She was great and she had a little boy and he loved spending time with them. Draco had been happy for his friend and couldn't wait to meet her. After all, Ginny wasn't a common name, but common enough that there hadn't been any alarm bells going off in his head.
            When he woke up that morning, Draco had felt uneasy. It lasted all day until he was getting ready for the triple date. Then it turned into nervousness. On the ride to Red Lobster he had been down right scared. He pushed the feelings down, dismissing them as being silly. What could go wrong with this night?
            He got his answer. At first, the sight of her was so natural he didn't even notice. Then he realized who she was. He was speechless. So much had to be said that nothing came out.
            He left before anyone could see the tears in his eyes. Tears of anger, sadness, surprise and joy. Why was she here? He hadn't realized how much he missed her until he saw her again.
            He had to know why she left. They had both moved on with their lives and they could continue to go their separate ways but he had to know. He had to know why.
            He got up and headed back to the restaurant, determined to get his answer.
            By the time he got back the group had left the table. "Damn," he muttered and headed toward his car. Sara must have gotten a ride with someone else. He headed toward his car but slowed when he noticed someone standing by it. As he got closer he realized it was her.
            "Hey," Ginny said softly.
            "Hey," He replied warily.
            "Can you give me a ride home? We need to talk." Ginny asked. Draco nodded and unlocked the doors.

* * * *

They drove in silence for a while, Ginny giving him directions before they left.
            "What did you want to talk about?" Draco finally got straight to the point.
            Ginny continued to look out the window. "I have to tell you why I left." she replied softly.
            "Well, I think you at least owe me that." He replied coldly.
            Ginny took a deep breath and forced herself to look at him. He was paying attention to the road but she knew he was listening.
            "I had to leave to save you. From ruining your life. At the time I thought what I was doing was for the best. Only now I realize what a mistake I made. Draco, I've regretted every day since I left. It wasn't fair to you, it wasn't fair to me, it wasn't fair to," Ginny choked on her words but managed to say softly, "Jacob." She turned her head away from him.
            "Jacob?" He asked sharply. "Who the hell is Jacob?"
            Ginny bit her lip to keep from crying but it didn't help. Tears began rolling down her cheeks. She turned back to him and told him. "Your son."
            The car stopped so fast Ginny got whiplash. Draco turned to face her. "Excuse me?" His eyes burned into her's. He was not happy.
            "Jacob is your son." Ginny whispered fearfully. She shrank away at Draco's angry expression.
            "You're telling me I have a son? I've had a son for all these years and I never knew? You just left and had our baby and I never knew?" Draco could barely spit out the words he was so angry. Ginny could only nod.
            "Get out. Get out of my sight, get out of my car." Draco said coldly.
            Ginny did what he said. She stood there while his car raced off. Her tears had stopped but were threatening to return. No, she told herself. I deserve this. I was wrong, I made a mistake, and now I'm paying. You can't run from your problems and I just have to be brave and face them. No more running. She pushed the brief thought of disappearing again from her mind.
            She collected herself and began walking toward home. She still had a couple miles to go, she might have to call a cab.
            A few minutes later, Draco's car pulled up next to her. The passenger window was rolled down. "Get in, " he demanded, not looking at her.
            Not having much choice, Ginny climbed in gratefully, but her relief was short lived. Draco only glared at her as he sped off toward her apartment.
            "I want to see him." His voice was surprisingly calm with no hint of anger. "Can I?"
            Ginny nodded then realizing he wasn't looking at her replied, "Yes. He'll be sleeping but you can see him."

            Draco followed her to her door silently, taking in his surroundings. Checking to see if I was raising his kid in a slum, no doubt, she thought defensively. She unlocked the door and went in.
            "You're back early," Jessie claimed, turning around from the chair. She stopped when she saw Draco. There was no doubt who he was, the similarities between him and Jacob were unmistakable. "Oh, hello." Jessie said uncertainly.
            "Jessie, this is Draco. He'd like to see Jacob. I'm sure he's sleeping, right?" Ginny asked quickly. Jessie nodded. "Okay, well, I'm home for the night. You can go home."
            Jessie nodded and gathered a sleeping Randy from the couch. Ginny walked her to the door.
            "Thank you. I'll call you, okay?" Ginny tried to smile.
            "Okay. Take care, honey." Jessie looked worried but left.
            Ginny took a deep breath to prepare herself. She walked back into the living room.
            "Follow me," She told Draco softly.
            He no longer looked angry. He actually looked scared. He obediently followed her down the hall and into Jacob's room.
            He had been tossing and turning so he was twisted up in the blankets. His light blond curls were all messy but his face looked so angelic in sleep. His features were just like his dad's, down to his crooked grin and straight nose.
            All Draco could do was stare at this perfect little creature that was half him. All the emotions he felt struck him speechless.
            Ginny walked over to fix the blankets.
            "Hey," Draco whispered. She saw him trying to fight back tears. After all the crying both had done that night she didn't know how he found the strength. "Can I do that?"
            Ginny nodded and stepped away. Draco approached slowly, never taking his eyes off the sleeping boy. He gently untangled him then pulled the covers up to Jake's shoulders. Jake turned over and mumbled in his sleep. Draco sat cautiously at the edge of the bed.
            "What's his name?" Draco asked softly. She knew he ment his full name.
            "Jacob Thomas." Ginny replied softly. Draco turned to her for a second, meeting her eyes in the dark. He turned back to look at Jake. He nodded slowly.
            "He's got so much of you in him, Draco," Words began spilling out softly. "Expressions, mannerisms, tone of voice. He's like a little you. His eyes are even the same shade of gray. He hates it when I ruffle his hair, just like you did. He gives me looks sometimes that break my heart because it's you I see in that face..." she trailed off, not sure how to continue. How was he going to react- not only had she taken herself and their child away, she had caused Draco to miss out on the first four years of his son's life. How could he ever forgive her?
            Draco just sat, staring at Jake. He was thinking about all he missed out on in the past four years. Years that he couldn't get back. But that was over and nothing could be done to change it. As much as he wanted to wring her neck, he understood now. She had been a scared kid who made a huge mistake and as much as it had hurt him and still hurt him, he could forgive her. Because he still loved her. He loved her and his son. And love can heal all wounds.
            He stood up and walked over to her. It was time to get over the past and move on with the future.
            He stood in front of her, staring into her eyes. She stared back, waiting for his next move.
            "I could never love anyone as much as I love you, " he whispered, barely audible. He leaned down and touched his lips to her's gently and briefly. He walked past her into the hallway.
            Ginny took a minute to collect herself. She walked over and gave Jacob a quick kiss on the forehead. Then she followed Draco down the hall to the living room.
            He faced her. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. I'm just overwhelmed-"
            Ginny held up a hand. "Say no more. It's been a long night and a lot has happened. We're all a little emotionally exhausted. Why don't you go home and get some sleep."
            "Ginny," Draco paused. "Does Jacob know about me?"
            Ginny nodded. "Yeah," she replied softly. "I never kept his father a secret. And I always told him he'd meet him one day. He's going to be so happy."
            Draco nodded. "Well, when you think the time is right for him, I'm ready."
            "Goodnight, Draco. I'll call you tomorrow." Ginny gently urged him out the door.
            She collapsed in bed, knowing there would be no sleep tonight. Emotions and questions ran through her head about the future. And three people kept popping into her thoughts, Jacob, Draco and Harry- what was she going to do now?

Drawing close to the end…