I run into the bedroom and open the closet door, pulling my clothes off the rack and throwing them on the floor.

"What the fuck are you doing?" hisses Draco from the door way.

"I'm packing my things." I say as I continue to throw clothes on the ground.

"Oh, is that so? Well, I bought all of those things so they belong to me!"

I stop what I'm doing and take a deep breath. "Fine!" I yell as I stomp by him.

He grabs my arm. "You belong to me too." He hisses.

I yank my arm out of his grasp. "No, I don't! I know in your warped little mind you think that, but you can't own people!" I stomp into the bedroom and go to open the door.

I feel his arms wrap around my middle and pull me back. "Yes, you do and yes, I can." He whispers in my ear.

"Let me go, you cheating bastard!" I scream as I try to wiggle out of his grasp. To my annoyance I hear him start laughing.

"Is that what this is about? You think I'm cheating on you? Let me guess, you heard me talking to Pansy earlier… is that right?"

"It doesn't matter! That's just one little thing on the long list of reasons why I shouldn't stay with you!"

He loosens his grip on my stomach. "You promised, remember? It was the only reason why I didn't kill that scar-headed freak."

"You break your promises all the time." I say as I step out of his arms and turn to him.

His eyes narrow. "I'm not having an affair. If you would have stayed for the entire conversation you would have known that."

"How can I believe that? You lie all the time! And like I said that's just the newest reason as to why I don't want to be with you!"

"Like what?" He yells. "I've been nothing but nice to you!"

I start laughing. Does he really think that? He's more messed up then I had originally thought.

I put may hand up and start counting off on my fingers. "You kidnapped me, you forced me into marriage, you had your father kill my brother, you were a death eater, you forced me to have sex with you, you hit me, you forced me to carry your child, you took my wand away from me for three years, you tortured me by locking me in that room, you made it so I could never talk to anyone that I loved, you tortured someone in front of me numerous times, you humiliated me in front of all of your friends because you could, you cheated on me…probably all the time, you made it so that my parents hate me, you made sure I can't do anything without your permission, you lied to the newspaper saying you saved me, my son was almost killed the other day because of you, oh, and you killed my cat!"

"Your cat was in the way, I didn't mean to kill it. Besides that was like four years ago!"

I start laughing a hollow laugh again. "Out of all of those horrendous things you did to me, you feel the need to defend the cat?" I throw my hands up in the air in disbelief. "I guess that's just another reason!"

He walks up to me and grabs my shoulders. "Stop doing this." He demands.

"Doing what, Draco? Saying things you don't like?" I push at his chest. "Now you know how I've felt the past five years!"

"You just need to calm down. You're not going anywhere. You know I won't let you. You're just upset… you should be happy that we're going to be parents again." This is his attempt at turning the conversation but I will be having none of it.

"Happy? Why should I be happy that I'm bringing another child into the world so it can be raised by a monster like you?" I yell. At this point I don't care what happens. I'm not even thinking before I speak. "It would be better if the kids never knew their father! At least they would have a chance at a decent life!"

His eyes narrow into slits and he clenches his fists at his sides. "You don't mean that." He says slowly, his voice deadly and calm. "Take it back."

He advances on me when I don't answer him. He pushes me up against the closed door, his body is pressed painfully into mine. "Take it back!" he yells.

"No, I meant every word." I say, my eyes never leaving his.

If looks could kill I probably would be dead. "Take it back, you stupid little bitch."

Does he really think calling me something like that will convince me? "I hate you!" I scream before I can stop myself.

He brings his hand up and smacks me across the face. My head goes flying to the side. I'm surprised by it. He hasn't hit me since we came to Italy. I turn my head and glare at the panicked expression on his face.

"Goddamnit!" he yells as he backs away from me and starts pacing back and forth. "Why did you have to push me?" He turns back to me with his hands on his hips. "I didn't want to hit you."

I bring my hand up to the red spot on my face. "Like that ever stopped you before." I snap.

He rubs his hands over his face and through his hair, sighing heavily like he was upset. He walks over to me again only his body isn't tense with anger anymore. In fact he looks a little defeated.

"Let's just go to bed." He says as he stops in front of me and brings his hands up to my face. "Let's forget this conversation happened and go to bed."

He sounds tired and upset. I want to give in but I can't bring myself to. He has no right to be upset. "That won't solve anything."

He nods his head sadly as he buries his head in the crook of my neck and I have to stop myself from touching him. "I'm sorry." He whispers. I still don't acknowledge him.

He drops to his knees, something I've never see him do before. He keeps on apologizing over and over again as he rests his head on my stomach and wraps his arms around me. I finally break down and bring my hands up to run through his hair.

He looks up at me and his eyes are glassy and his brows are furrowed. Is he crying? What is going on? "Tell me you won't leave." He begs "Tell me that you love me."

I freeze as I look at his face. He looks so sad and torn up about this whole thing. I'm too far into this to ever be set free, I know that. I lean down and kiss him gently on the lips. "Let's go to bed." I whisper.

X

Its five o'clock in the morning and it's still dark outside. Draco won't be awake for three more hours so I disentangle myself from his arms and sit up as I look down at him. His face is relaxed and happy as he sleeps. He looks so handsome and oddly innocent in this state that I can almost believe that he's the person I want him to be. His hand is across his bare chest and his other arm is outstretched from where I was sleeping on it. It's going to be hard leaving him today but I know I have to. It hurts to do it but I need time to think and I need to be away from him to do that properly. I get out of the bed and quietly get dressed before I bring out a suit case and pack some clothes.

When I'm finished with that I walk back to the side of the bed where he's is sleeping. I watch him for a few moments, just taking him in before I give him a light kiss on the cheek. "Goodbye." I whisper. He barely moves.

I open the door and leave the bedroom, closing it softly behind me so he won't wake up. When I reach the boys room I start packing some of their things. Like clothes and their favorite toys. When I'm done with that I shrink the bags and put them in my cloak pocket so I have my hands free to hold both of them. Making my way over to Gavin's bed I lightly lift him to my shoulder, letting his head rest by my neck. He whines sleepily before relaxing and putting his arms around me. Cassius is next. I wake him up with a light push on his shoulder.

"Wake up, Cass." I whisper.

Cassius opens his eyes and scrunches up his nose. "It still dark." He says tiredly as he turns his head away from me.

"I know, little man. But you have to wake up."

He starts whining as he sits up and stands by the bed, watching me as he crosses his little arms over his footed pj's. "What are we doing?" he asks.

"We're going bye bye." I say and take his hand. "Now, come on."

"Why we gotta go now?" He asks tiredly as he yawns into his hand. "Where's Daddy? Isn't he gonna come with us?"

I don't answer him and I lead them both to the main fireplace so we can floo to the only place I know we're welcomed no matter what. Somewhere I can think and not make any rash decisions. To the Malfoy Estates in France…

To Narcissa Malfoy.

X

I stretch as the morning sun streams across my face. Last night was terrible but at least we ended it on a good note. I can't believe I lost it and hit her again. I had promised myself I was never going to do that again, I never wanted to hurt her that way. She just makes me so angry. I yawn and reach my arms over to her side of the bed so I can hold her. She's not there. My eyes snap open. She usually sleeps later then me.

I jump out of bed and start looking for her immediately jumping to conclusions. She's not in the bathroom or the closet. I open the bedroom door and make my way down the hallway. The boy's doors are open and they are no where inside, not under the bed, or behind the curtains. What the hell is going on? I run around the entire house checking every nook and cranny. I even enlist the help of the house-elves in my search to find them and they all turn up empty. I finally fall to the ground in center of my office, defeated with my head in my hands.

She left me.

An owl taps at the window viciously bringing me out of my depression. I want to ignore it but I see it's my mother's so I reluctantly get off of the floor and let the bird in. I take the scroll from its leg with shaky hands and read her note. It's short and leaves out details but it makes me relieved. Ginny and the boys are with her and need some time to relax. It still hurts but I feel a little better, at least she didn't go to where I originally thought she would.

X

"Thank you again for this, Narcissa. I really appreciate it." I tell the older blonde woman as we sit on the patio watching the boys play in the garden.

"Don't mention it, dear. Every woman should have a place to go to when she needs to get away for a while." She brings a pink cup of tea up to her mouth and takes a delicate sip.

I smile at her. Narcissa and I have never been close but since Lucius died during the war she has become warmer and she loves seeing the boys. I wanted to go to someone who has been married for a while to give me perspective and Narcissa was married to Draco's father, after all. I don't think she knew the extent of what happened to me. I think she knew it wasn't my choice to marry Draco, but after that I'm not sure. We didn't see them that often.

Since I can't go to my mother I thought she would be the next best thing. I know nothing good would have happened if I went to Ron and Hermione's. They already hate Draco and they would just shove that down my throat the whole time. I'm not sure what I want but I know I don't want that.

"If you don't mind me asking, Ginevra," Her voice brings me out of my thoughts. "What exactly happened with Draco?"

I lower my head. I'm not exactly sure if I should tell her all that happened. This is her son after all.

"We've been trying to have another baby…"

"Oh, that's wonderful!" she cuts me off excitedly, smiling happily at me.

"Yeah, well, I found out that I was pregnant and I wanted to tell him. I overheard him talking to Pansy Parkinson and it seems like he was cheating on me or something."

"Oh… well, did you talk to him about it?" she asks in a softer tone.

"Kind of… He said he wasn't doing anything with her but he's lied so many times before, I don't know if I believe him."

I feel her place her hand on top of mine. "I know things in your life haven't been the way you wanted them to be… but since you've been with Draco, especially for the past two years, I've seen a big change in him. I know Pansy Parkinson and I doubt he would be cheating on you with her. She's in love with him, always has been, but he doesn't return her feelings."

My cheeks grow hot at what I'm about to confess. "He hit me again." I whisper. I feel her pull her hand back as she sets down her cup, "We were fighting and we both were saying hateful things and he slapped me." It felt good to say it, at least get it off my chest.

I raise my head to look at her, feeling a bit nervous. She's staring straight ahead with her face emotionless. "I'm sorry he did that to you." She said and it sounded like she meant it. "Draco is just like his father. They both have uncontrollable tempers and they never learned how to handle it properly. I thought I had taught Draco better." She whispers, more to herself than to me.

She brings her hand up and touches her cheek like she was remembering an old wound there. "Did he apologize?" she asks me after she regains her composure.

"Yes… a few times…."

A sad smile comes to her face. "At least that's a step in the right direction. Lucius never apologized for anything." She turns to me and looks me square in the eyes. "Do you love him?"

I hesitate before I answer. "Yes, yes, I think I do."

She nods her head. "If you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go lie down for a while."

I watch her back and she walks into the house going back over the conversation we just had. I guess we're more alike than I knew.

X

"I want my Daddy!" screams Cassius from the hallway.

It's one o'clock in the morning and I've been trying to get them to sleep for four hours. They were lying down in the bed with me when all of a sudden Cass decided that he wanted Draco and started screaming at the top of his lungs. After a while I just started ignoring him and he stomped out into the hallway because he wanted to wait for Draco to come get him.

Gavin has been whining every now and then but thankfully he hasn't thrown a fit like Cassius is doing right now. I hear Cass start banging the floor with his foot.

"I. Want. My. Daddy. Right. Now." He says between stomps. I'm so tired and frustrated that I just want to cry.

I leave Gavin in the room as I go into the hallway and see Cassius leaning against the wall with a determined expression on his face and his arms crossed. I put my hands on my hips and glare down at him. He sends a pretty impressive glare right back at me.

"Stop making so much noise. Your brother is tired and wants to sleep. We're going to bed now." I make to grab his arm but he wiggles his way out of my grasp.

"I not going!" he screams.

I let out a frustrated squeal. "Cassius Malfoy! We are going to bed right now!" I yell.

"No. I want Daddy!" he yells back and starts the hysterical sobs again. "I want my Daddy!"

I bring my hand up and rub my eyes. "I know. I know but will you please just stop screaming? You're going to wake up Grandma and that's not very nice."

"No!" he yells. I know he's past the point of reason.

I'm so tired and I just want him to stop making that loud pitched screaming noise. I call for one of the house elves and tell it to keep an eye on Gavin as I pick up the resistant three year old in my arms and storm to the nearest floo connected fire place.

I floo us to the villa in Italy and head for the stairs, stomping my feet the whole way because of my frustration at my current situation. Cassius is still screaming bloody murder and he's moving around so much that it's taking all of my strength not to drop him. The thought even crossed my mind, as horrible as that is. After the longest walk in my life I finally reach the bed room door and go to turn the handle but the person on the other side beats me to it.

Draco is standing there in only pajama pants rubbing sleep from his eyes. "What the hell is going on?" he asks sharply.

"There's Daddy." I say as I thrust him into Draco's arms. "Now you can stop screaming."

Cassius stops crying immediately and hugs Draco tightly. I'm so mad at the little toddler right now that it's probably unhealthy. As he sniffles into Draco's neck I bring my hand up and cover my eyes that burn from exhaustion.

"Rough night?" I hear Draco ask me as he holds Cass closer to his chest and rests his chin on his shoulder.

"You have no idea." I bring my hand down and look at him. Cassius is already starting to doze off against his shoulder. "He has been screaming for you for four hours straight."

"Ouch." Says Draco and winces for me. "Where's Gavin?"

"I left him with a house elf at your mothers." I say. We stare at each other for a while before he breaks the silence.

"Oh, you do look really tired… do you want to stay here?" he asks me uncertainly.

I know he's nervous and I find that so endearing. Paired with the way his hair is all disheveled and the toddler that he's holding tenderly, he looks so heart warming that I have to remind myself why I left in the first place.

"If Gavin wakes up by himself with a house-elf in the room he will freak out…"

Draco nods his head like he understands "Alright, you better go back then. Cass can stay here for the night."

"Ok" I say to him with a thankful smile on my face.

I have to stop myself from kissing him but as I turn to walk away I feel him grab my hand. I turn and watch as he brings my hand up to his mouth, placing a light kiss on my knuckles.

"Goodnight, princess." He says softly, looking into my eyes.

X

"Where's Cassius?" asks Narcissa as me and Gavin walk into the breakfast room.

"He's with Draco." I say and notice her raised eyebrows, but she doesn't say anything.

We're silent all through breakfast, which I'm thankful for since I didn't get much sleep last night. I've only been here a couple days but I already miss Draco terribly. I'm kind of surprised that he hasn't come and gotten me, forcing me to go back. Would it be ok to go back to him after what he did? It's not like he's never done something like that before but things are different now. We were like a real family. I don't know the answer, I never know the answer.

"Mistress." I'm so absorbed in my own thoughts that I didn't even notice the house elf pop in. "Master Draco is in the sitting room with young Master Cassius."

Narcissa looks at me questionably. "I'll go." I say as I put my napkin on the table.

When I walk into the sitting room Draco is standing by the fire with his hand resting on the mantle piece, looking all regal and handsome like he always does. Cassius is sitting on the floor playing with a toy he must have brought from home.

"Hey." I say as I walk into the room. Draco looks up at me surprised.

"I was expecting to see my mother." He states honestly.

"If you need to talk to her I can go get her." I say and start turning back to the door.

"No, wait." I stop and face him again. "I'm glad it's you."

We stand there in awkward silence for a while until I hear him sigh. "When are you coming home?"

"I don't know."

He looks put out as he nods his head and turns back to the fireplace. "Anyway… I thought I'd bring Cassius back. If he does this again don't hesitate to bring him over." His voice is short but the gesture of him returning Cassius does no go unnoticed by me. It's very unlike him to be thoughtful.

"Do you want to see Gavin?" I question.

"Yes, I would."

I get the baby and bring him into the room. Gavin's face lights up when he sees him and runs into his open arms, embracing him tightly and telling him how much he misses him. It makes me smile in a sad kind of way. I can never take them away from him no matter what I do. After they reconnect for a while Gavin starts to play with Cassius leaving me and Draco standing there awkwardly. He takes a letter out of his robes and sets it on the table. I look down and see that it has Hermione's handwriting on it so I look up at him quizzically.

"It's only fair." He states, looking past me.

I pick up the letter with a little smile on my face and hug it to my chest, feeling so happy to have actually have a connection with my old friend.

He brings his hand up and rubs the back of his neck. "I guess I should get going."

I don't want him to go. "Wait." I say.

He stops and stares at me with an eyebrow slightly raised. I start shuffling uncomfortably in my spot because of it. I don't really know what I want to say. He watches me closely, waiting for me to continue talking.

I shrug my shoulders. "I don't know." I look to the floor sadly unable to come up with anything but wanting him to stay by me.

He walks over to me and the floor board's creek under his polished shoes. He hooks his finger under my chin forcing me to look up at him and blink a few times, trying not to cry. His silver eyes are looking deep into mine and the intimacy of it makes me shiver. I suddenly became nervous and I feel tears in my eyes as he watches me. He crooks his lips into a lopsided smile.

"Don't cry, love… I never meant to hurt you." He says softly as he studies my face. "You can come home when you're ready."

"Really?" I question. He's letting me make the decision on when I come home, this is new.

"Really." He confirms.

That's all I needed to hear. I stand on my tip-toes, snake my arms around his neck, and kiss him on the lips. I pull away smiling because he made something my choice. He actually is letting me do what I want with out interfering. It's so unlike him.

"I want to go home now." I say against his lips. I feel him smiling as he kisses me again.

"I was hoping you'd say that." He whispers as his hands go to my waist to pull me closer.

I know it was weak but he's all that I have. He's the only solid thing I have in my life right now. I hear the door behind me open and close. We both look and find Narcissa standing in the doorway with one pale hand on her hip.

"I'm glad you worked things out." she says. "But if you don't mind, I would like a word with my son."