I have to ask - is it wrong that I baked a pie for Father's Day and didn't share it with anyone? And then last night, I ate 1/3 of it for dinner. Is that wrong too?
Chapter 7
"Pretty beach, Daddy," Cece said, pointing a photo of the beach at sunset. "Can we go to a beach someday?"
As he studied the picture, Draco nodded. "I think that would be fun," he decided. "Maybe when you and Gabe are older though. He's still a bit too little to really enjoy himself."
Cece rested her head against his arm as they continued to flip through the photos. "Where's that, Daddy?" she asked.
"That's Fiji," he told her. "Mummy and I went there for our second anniversary. She wanted to see all the ancient sights, while I wanted to lay on the beach all day. I did it for one day and came back all red and burnt."
"Did Mummy take care of you?" she asked. "She always takes care of me when I get hurt."
He nodded. "Well, she teased me first," he replied. "But you know your mum, she takes good care of everyone."
Cece closed her eyes. "Tell me more, Daddy," she murmured, her voice suddenly sounding tired.
June 2001
Hermione smiled as she dug her toes into the sand. "Okay, so maybe there's something to this lying on the beach plan of yours," she admitted as she stared at the crystal clear water.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, bare chest pressed to her exposed back. "See, not just a pretty face," he joked. "Despite the bright red nose."
"You're still handsome even with the red nose," she assured him. "Although, that burn might give you freckles. Dye your hair red and you'll look like a Weasley."
His arms tightened around her. "Picking on the injured," he muttered. "I should throw you in the ocean for that." And when she merely shrugged, he kept his word. She shrieked in surprise as he lifted her up bridal style and giggled as he ran towards the water. He ran into the surf, splashing salt water around them as he went. Waist deep, he stopped.
Hermione held tightly to him. "Can I tell you a secret?" she asked, staring down at the water. "This is the first time I've ever been in the ocean. And I know you're intent on throwing me in, but please don't."
"I won't," he promised when he heard the fear in her voice. "I won't let you go until you tell me to."
She nodded as she dipped her toes in the water. "It doesn't scare you even a little bit?" she asked. "The waves rushing at you. It's like they're just waiting to sweep you away."
"It doesn't scare me," he replied. "And I'm not going to let it sweep you off. I like you too much to let it take you."
As they stood in the water, wave after wave hit them until they became too intense. "Can we get out now?" Hermione asked, panic in her voice. Nodding, he turned and walked out of the ocean. Back on the sand, he placed her back on her feet and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, that wasn't so bad."
Draco laughed. "Your toe got wet," he pointed out.
Hermione shrugged as she spread out a towel and sat down. "Did you stop to consider that's why?" she asked.
He stretched out beside her and sighed. "I think tomorrow we should go sightseeing," he decided, closing his eyes against the hot sun. "Make a list. Any temple, museum, ruin, forest you want to see, we should go."
"You won't complain?" she asked.
"Not once," he promised. "I mean, I might if I'm being eaten alive by some indigenous wildlife, but I get a pass on that, right?"
Hermione giggled. "Fine, if you're being eaten, you can complain," she agreed. Reaching out his arm, he placed it around her shoulders, and pulled her close. "I might even let you complain if it's too hot. But they can only be legitimate complaints."
Draco grinned. Though it had been his idea to take a trip for their anniversary, a part of him feared a week alone with his wife. They had spent the majority of their first year of marriage apart while Hermione attended school. The second, both had thrown themselves into developing careers; Draco with the family company and Hermione with the Ministry of Magic. There were too many distractions, too many people back home to occupy their time, especially after the birth of Pansy and Harry's son. But this was a week of no work, no distractions, no friends. Just them.
"Do you have any complaints?" he wondered. "You know, besides the usual snoring and smelly feet. Any new ones I should know about?"
Hermione took her time as she considered the question. "Yes," she finally said. "I have one. I thought this trip would be a disaster and it's not. Which makes me question why we never did this before."
"You could have brought up the idea before," he pointed out.
She shrugged as she rolled onto her stomach and lifted up onto her elbows. "I didn't think it was something you'd want to do," she admitted. "You've been so busy with work this past year anyhow, running it in your father's absence. I didn't want to interrupt."
He sat up just enough to reach her lips. "That doesn't sound like the Hermione Granger I know," he murmured. "You walked into the bathroom last week to brush your teeth while I was on the toilet. Nothing is more intrusive than that."
Hermione scoffed. "You hold twenty minute conversations with me while I'm in the shower," she countered. "Besides, it's not like I saw anything."
There was a look of mock indignation on his face. "You dare insult the anatomy of the future father of your children?" he chided.
She looked away, down at her hands. "About that," she said. "I want to start trying to have a baby. We have eight years to have two, and given my...issues, I don't know how long it could take. And I'd like them to be a few years apart. Now, I talked to Kingsley, and he said he'd grant me an extension as long as we have one within the ten year period."
He sat up and turned to face her. "Hermione, I know you're this fantastic planner and you have a schedule for everything, but we don't have to rush this," he told her. "We care about each other, and that's enough for now. I don't want you feel pressured. I don't want you to do this if you don't love me."
She offered him a hesitant smile. "That's the thing, Draco," she replied. "I do love you. It's okay if you don't feel the same way though."
He wore a soft smile as he placed a hand on her back. "Really?" he asked. "Like more than just as a friend. It's not the same kind of love like you feel for Harry?"
Sighing, she shook her head. "It's the kind of love that I've never felt for anyone," she told him. "Ever."
His smile grew. "I love you too, Hermione," he replied. "It shouldn't have taken me this long to say it because I've felt this way for awhile, but I love you."
