A/N: Yes I've been MIA since 8th June and I apologize.
I was just going through a minor writers block with so many things going in my everyday life.
Trust me, being in a relationship isn't easy.
And yeah, Italy was amazing!
And we all saw a stream of great shows at the Olympics!
oh oh! And Suicide Squad!
Alright, that was a glimpse of the three months of my vacations which is soon going to end and I really hope that I get time for writing.
Entering into third year of architecture and all. *facepalm*
Anyway, hope you enjoy this one and please feel free to leave me reviews or inbox me regarding this chapter, this story or any of my stories in fact.
Draco Malfoy was a doomed man.
He had done wrong hiding that one secret from his lovely wife; in fact his whole bunch of loved ones and Draco knew they were not going to stop complaining and hating him in doing so.
The last thing he had heard was that Hermione was on the verge of giving birth to their child before his head started to spin and unconsciousness took over yet again.
Oh he hated himself so much at that moment.
"When is daddy gonna wake up?" He could faintly hear his son's timid question. "Mummy, I'm scared!"
Draco felt something bothering him as Scorpius kept murmuring sadly. However what caught his attention was the soft cooing of a baby from a distance.
"Daddy will wake up soon Scorp, he's sleeping." He heard his wife reply in a soft yet broken voice. "He will be up to meet you and Cassie. Let him rest for now sweetie."
He felt something strike into his heart at his wife's broken voice and wanted to do nothing but pulling her into his waiting arms and assure that he was going to stay with his family forever.
Only if it was true.
A small moan escaped his mouth before Draco heard his son shuffling on the bed next to him. Slowly, the older Malfoy managed to open his eyes only to find himself being curiously stared by his son, who's chocolate orbs were bloodshot and tears didn't fail to stop falling off them.
"Daddy! Daddy I thought you were dead!" Scorpius cried jumping on to his father's body and hugged him as hard as he could. "Uncle Blaise- he - he was telling mummy that you don't have time!"
Draco couldn't help but wrap an arm around his son's small form while catching his weeping wife from the corner of his eye. His eyes finally invited those unwanted tears as he watched Hermione silently shedding tears while sitting in that uncomfortable wheelchair.
And yet again, there was a small cry from his right.
Scorpius' eyes trailed his father's to the cradle where his newborn sister was lying while she cried her lungs out. Slowly scrambling off his father, he gingerly walked over the cradle and shook it gently while cooing at the baby.
"Daddy is up Cassie, I told you." Scorpius told his sister. "He looks okay."
Draco laughed at his son as a lone tear slipped off his eye. Scorpius was being a responsible brother already. The Malfoy knew that he didn't have to worry much about his daughter after he was gone.
Looking back at his wife, he gave her a sad smile to which she frowned and looked away. Draco's heart ached at her behavior and wished that he could get on his feel and pull her close, however now he knew he couldn't afford to.
Both knew.
He watched silently as Hermione gingerly got off the wheelchair and slowly waddled towards his cot. She held out her hand, which Draco immediately took and slowly sat up comfortably.
"Hermione," Draco murmured as his wife kept ignoring his gaze and brought a pillow for his back to rest on. "Please listen-"
"Scorp, do you want to sit up with daddy?" Hermione asked her son, ignoring her husband. The little boy nodded excitedly and ran up to the cot before snuggling into his father's warmth.
Draco's heart kept getting heavier as Hermione kept a distance away from him. Sure Scorpius tried to help by talking childish gibberish, however the little boy's attempts were of no help.
His eyes fell again on the cradle where his newborn kept cooing softly and Hermione didn't fail to notice.
Waddling over to where her newborn cooed, she gently scooped the little bundle into her arms and smiled brightly at the baby. Draco's heart thudded harder against his ribcage with every step his wife took towards the bed. The moment she came to stand inches away from him, Draco couldn't help but feel like an excited child while eyeing at the baby in Hermione's arms.
The brunette merely smiled at her husband as he feebly brought out his arms to hold his newborn, while her son grinned from ear to ear as the baby was gently placed into Draco's waiting arms. What brought her heart to painfully clench was the look of awe on her husband's sickly face as he carefully examined their daughter's features; the baby was truly a beauty after all.
"Hey there Cassiopeia, my beautiful baby girl!" Draco gently murmured taking in his daughter's baby breath. He gave out a small laugh as the baby responded with a gurgle and shifted slightly in her snug blankets. "I see you've got my nose," He further commented stroking the slope of Cassie's nose. "That's kind of disappointing because I'd rather want you t have your mummy's nose than mine." He finished with a laugh and looked at his wife who just stood there with tears in her eyes. Their eyes exchanged many unsaid words when a knock on the door broke their moment.
Three pairs of eyes averted towards the door to find Harry standing rigidly at the room entrance.
"Um, sorry to interrupt but I'm here for Scorp," Harry said looking at the little boy. "Come on buddy, it's your time for nap." He further said apologetically to the boy who frowned at him.
"But-but daddy just woke up!" Scorpius exclaimed. "I need to tell him-"
"Scorp, Uncle Ron is waiting for you outside," Hermione gently cut her son's tantrums with a smile. "He said that he will get you back later in the evening before supper and let you sleep here with daddy if possible." She finished with promising words that brought Scorpius' eyes to widen and the look at his sister. Sighing, the little boy placed a sloppy kiss on his father's cheek followed by a small kiss on the baby's forehead. Getting down the cot with Harry's help, he then gave his mother a hug and left unwillingly left the room with his uncle.
The moment of awkward silence and unsaid words was broken by the baby's soft coos which averted both the parents' attention towards her. Draco's heart stopped the moment his little girl opened her eyes for him.
"She's got my eyes," He murmured in awe and gently kissed his daughter's forehead and looked at his wife. "Hermione she's beautiful. She looks just like you. I-I couldn't ask for more."
Hermione then openly allowed tears to roll off her eyes as she took the seat next to the cot dearly looking at two of her loved ones as they bonded. It was a sad yet happy sight knowing that Draco wouldn't be here for long.
That thought caused her to sob loudly.
Draco's eyes clouded with concern as his wife continued to cry freely. He looked at the baby who curiously kept eyeing at him and then gently snuck a hand to cover Hermione's.
"Love, please don't," He requested quietly which only caused Hermione to sob louder. "I-"
"Draco you could've told me, it wouldn't have hurt anyone!" Hermione retorted and wiped her tears. "I had all the rights to know!"
"I know sweetheart, I know." Draco said softly while rocking the baby in his arms. "I wanted to tell you so many times but, you were pregnant with this little one and after we almost lost Scorpius I-" He paused and looked at his daughter who's little eyes had started to droop. "I was scared it would happen again Hermione. My aunt almost ruined your health and I knew you couldn't handle this news. You gave birth a week earlier than expected- that was the outcome."
Hermione had no reply to his answer because she knew that her husband was right. When she was pregnant with Scorpius, her father had met with a major road accident. She stressed and almost miscarried; Scorpius was a strong boy after all or else he would've made it four months earlier.
"Hermione, she's asleep." Draco whispered and smiled at the sleeping bundle, before placing a gentle kiss on her head and passing her to his wife. The brunette rocked her slowly before placing her back into the cradle and took the seat next to Draco's cot yet again.
"Love, come here," The blonde man cooed at his wife and gave her a teary smile before she could sit next to him on the bed. The moment he wrapped an arm around her fragile form, Hermione couldn't help but let her tears express her agony and pain. Burying her head into Draco's neck, she spoke.
"There must be something which can save you," She said. "I'm sure it's not too late-"
"Hermione, I was diagnosed back in November and it was too late for proper treatment," Draco explained. "Blaise tried hard sweetheart, he found so many ways to cure me, but he failed each and every time-"
"You can't just leave your children like that!" Hermione exclaimed angrily. "Have you thought about Scorpius? How would he react if he got to know that his daddy won't be there to see him off to Hogwarts on his first day or to teach him Quidditch? And Cassie, who's going to protect her from boys, pamper her to death?" She sobbed harder. "And what about me?" He asked softly. "I've already lost so much. I can't afford to lose you too."
All Draco did was to smile sadly and hold her close and place a kiss on her hair. He knew all these questions were going to show up and had all the answers ready at the tip of his tongue.
"You know, all those years ago before Potter left, I confronted him about the letter he got from the American Ministry," Draco started. "I was furious you know, because I was falling so hard for you and I knew how much you loved Potter. I knew you'd be heartbroken if he left and so you were. Po-Harry had seen all of it coming. He wanted to take you with him but he also knew that you loved your parents and you didn't want to leave them just right after you found them. He knew the consequences of him leaving; he knew I had feelings for you," Their eyes then met in a gentle gaze. "Hermione, it was very hard for Harry to leave and it was hard for you too. He gave me a chance to express my hidden feelings for you and I did. Look where we are now. You've given me so much of happiness Hermione; our beautiful children, love, everything. I took care of you when he wasn't there because I love you. What makes you think that Potter wouldn't do the same for me? For you?"
Hermione was stunned at her husband's revelation about Harry wanting to take her with him and start a new life together. He had hinted her about such things before he left but Hermione was a fool not to realize that.
And after the kiss they had shared after Cassiopeia's birth followed by-
Hermione's eyes widened in realization as her husband smiled wildly and continued.
"You still love him." He stated casually. "I don't blame you love, it's alright. Just for you to know, which I'm sure you already do, Potter is still head over heels for you. I've had a talk with him already and I've understood that he was always the man for you. Our children need a father figure in their life and he's the right one to take up the place. He loves you Hermione, more than I can ever love you. And he loves Scorpius. I'm sure Cassie will grow up to be his little girl and break rules like her mother and father." He finished with a laugh.
Hermione laughed with him and shook her head. "She will always be your little girl Draco. And you will always remain Scorp's and Cassie's father," Hermione spoke against his neck. "Nothing will change that Draco. And neither does my love for you. I might've kissed Harry in the heat of the moment after I gave birth earlier today but-" She saw Draco giving her a sheepish look. "I'll always love you."
Draco nodded and leaned in as their lips met for a kiss. They had shared many before through their dark and happy times however this one signified so many incomplete promises and that one which lovers share before they part.
For Hermione, it was going to be hard to let Draco go, but she was aware that a certain someone was going to wait for her even if it took a century and there was nothing to rush about.
Draco was ready to let go of his wife because he was in love and he knew she and his children would be in safe hands once he was gone.
He knew that Harry Potter would take his responsibilities seriously when it came to gain back Hermione's trust completely and making her fall for him allover again.