Chapter 10

Baby, it's cold outside

March arrived with heavy snow fall, Which made it more difficult for Ginny to get Tom to let her outside. Whenever she asked, his answer was always the same.

" It's to cold out. Why would I let my wife who is 6 months pregnant go outside and walk on ice."

Tom entered their room one day to see Ginny asleep on the bed. He had to admit he was surprised, she rarely did things he wanted when he wasn't around. He moved quietly to her side of the bed and sat next to her. He looked down at her, so beautiful, her fire red hair to match her temper was one of his favorite things about her. She looked so peaceful and small, the placement of the blanket across her body showed her baby bump. He wondered how he didn't notice before.

He slid a hand over his growing daughter, she didn't stir. He waited a moment, hoping to feel some sort of movement, to prove that it was real. That his daughter was actually growing inside her, it seemed like a dream to him. Tom didn't have dreams, not normal dreams. He wanted world domination and the potter brat dead, He didn't dream of a woman and children, except now he did and it scared him because they would become his weakness. He had to make her believe that he was happy about their daughter.

He ran the back of his fingers across her cheek.

"Ginny" He said softly. She groaned and brushed his hand away.

" Ginny....love wake up."

" What Tom ? I'm sleeping" she wined

" I know but you have to wake up." He said caressing her cheek trying to get her to open her eyes, When she didn't he kissed her.

" Fine I'm up." She said pulling herself to a sitting position.

" You told me to take a nap and then you interrupt it" She said yawing and stretching her arms above her head.

" I know but its 1:30, You need to eat lunch."

" Fine, but can we eat here, I don't feel like dressing."

"Sure" He picked up her hand and kissed her palm " What would you like ?" Ginny thought for a moment before answering.

" chocolate pudding , and umm a cherry coke."

" You just want just chocolate pudding ? maybe you should ..."

" No don't bring anything else I won't eat it. Tell them I want it still warm." She said stubbornly. Tom called the house elf and gave their order a few minutes later Ginny was feating on a big bowl of warm chocolate pudding with Tom sitting by the bed eating a sandwich.

" That is so cute" Tom said after several minutes of silence.

" What is ?"

" That little Mmm sound you make when you take a mouthful" He smirked at her. Ginny sat down her spoon and looked down.

" Don't make fun of my eating habits, I was craving chocolate, I can't help it." She mumbled wiping a stray tear form her eye.

" I'm not making fun of you love. Oh merlin don't cry." He moved over to sit next to her. He cupped her face and forced her to look up at him.

" I don't want you to cry."

" Then don't make fun of me. I know I look like a fat cow, you don't have to point it out."

" I don't think you are a fat cow. I think its cute, you are very cute."

" Can I go outside ?"

" Its cold out "

" I have a coat !" She said aggressively.

" Hey, calm down, There is no need to get mad."

"There's no need for you to keep me in this room !"

" I'm just looking out for my baby." He said in a sickly sweet tone.

" OUR baby is floating in a nice WARM pouch of amniotic fluid, She doesn't give a shit wether I'm cold or not !" She yelled.

" First, don't yell at me, second, you should calm down because if your blood pressure rises, it could be bad for our little girl, and third I wasn't referring to our baby, I was referring to MY baby, which is you" He said placing one finger on her chin.

" Don't call me baby" She said grumpily

" You are are in a foul mood my love."

" You shouldn't press my buttons, It's not fair." He leaned over and kissed her, Then trailed down her neck.

" There is one button I definitely want to push" He whispered seductively in her ear while running a hand up her thigh and under her nightie.

"No, not in the mood. Don't want you to push that button." She pouted. He continued to kiss down her throat as his hand reached her center she gave a little whimper.

"What was that my love ?"

"I said don't want...you to...push my button" She said breathlessly.

" I'm sorry I didn't hear you, what did you say ?" He asked again this time his fingers making direct contact with her "button"

"I...I s..said ....oh never mind" She gasped.

"Thats what I thought you said" Tom succeeded in making her forget about going outside well into the afternoon and by the time she thought to ask again it was dark.

" You know next time this isn't going to work" She said as they lay in bed tired and satisfied.

" I don't know what you mean"

" I want to go outside tomorrow Tom !" Tom started nuzzling her neck again.

" Stop I'm already exhausted. Please let me go outside."

" Why do you always have to pick a fight Ginevra. We've just had a lovely afternoon and you have to ruin it."

" I'm not trying to pick a fight. I want to know why you won't let me go outside. I love to sit under that tree and read, please don't take that from me too" She said adding a sniffle at the end.

" Please don't cry." He said pushing her sweaty hair away from her face.

"Don't give me a reason to. You should be more sensitive, Its your fault I'm like this."

" I know it is, I like you this way." He said still kissing her neck.

" You like me fat and emotional ?"

" You're not fat, But I like seeing you carrying my child. Its sexy." He said caressing her lovingly.

" Thats not true at all. You like me dependent on you, You think this makes me weak. You treat me as though I am ill, Well women have been having babies forever and some do it alone. You don't like that this is the one thing that I have more control over then you. You're trying to control what you can, Its why you picked my healer, why you dictate when I eat and where I can go." She said this with absolute certainly and not an ounce of fear. Tom just looked at her,unmoved because he knew it was true.

" See, you can't even deny it." Tom was stricken by how right she actually was. He knew her like a book but was surprised to learn that the same was true for her. He struggled to find something to say in return.

" I...I'm just taking care of you."

" Fine you want to take care of me, Ask the house elf to bring chicken parmesan for dinner." He raised an eyebrow at her and saw her resolve falter, wondering if she may have gone to far.

" You know if you don't stop being so cheeky I won't give you your surprise tomorrow night." He said before calling the house elf and giving her instructions.

" What surprise Tom ?" She said pulling herself out of bed and pulling on one of his shirts.

"Why are you wearing my shirt ?"

" Because my nightgowns don't really fit anymore, now don't change the subject. What surprise ?"

" If I told you then it would not be a surprise, would it ? I must say I like that shirt on you, perhaps I should get rid of your night things."

" You better not !" She yelled. " If I had my wand I could enlarge them so they would at least fit ! Now stop distracting me, What surprise ?" She asked again.

" I've arranged for a ball tomorrow night." He said as he sat down to the dinner the house elves had brought.

" How is that a surprise for me ? I don't even like anyone you would invite." She said between bites of chicken.

" It dawned on me that I have never actually introduced you as my wife and now that you are expecting my child it seems appropriate for a formal introduction."

" You mean to your death eaters ?"

" They won't harm you, they will bow to you as my queen."

" Please don't make me be around them."

" You will be at my side. The arrangements have already been made, it will be fun. You say you never get to do anything. The house elves will deliver your gown tomorrow."

" I...I don't get to pick it ?" She asked nervously knowing he would pick a dress that would be sure to show off her stomach and her enlarged breasts.

" No, I did. Its quite lovely. I want to show off my wife, is that so wrong ?"

" It is when you are going to put the mother of your child in a room full of murderers. And to be honest our tastes in fashion don't seem to match up."

"I've already told you that they will not harm you. You won't leave my side. As for the dress I promise you will look beautiful. This is not something you should get upset over Ginevra." She sighed in defeat and dropped her fork, pushing herself away from the table.

" Don't sulk Ginevra."

" I'm not sulking" She snapped.

"I should ask Severus for a potion to control your moods" He teased. Wrong thing to do, She shot daggers at him as she got up from her seat.

" You will do no such thing" She said punctuating each word with a stomp of her foot.

" Ginevra, You need to calm down. I was just teasing you."

" I really need you to stop, I can't stand this."

" Can't stand what ?" He pulled her onto his lap.

" Not being in control of my emotions. You know I'm not some weepy girly girl and I hate that you've made me into one."

He put a hand on her cheek. " I've made you a mother, and you've made me a father. The weeping comes with the territory, I'll try to be more considerate of your feelings love."

" Thank you."

" Tell me you love me." She didn't answer right away. " You know you do, why won't you say it ?"

" I love you" She whispered. Tom walked her over to the bed and they both climbed in. Tom kissed her then her stomach, Ginny ran her fingers through his hair as he gently laid his head on her stomach. It was getting harder for Ginny to ignore her feelings for Tom. It was so easy for her to forget what he was, within these four walls he was a different person. Ginny had to remind herself that she was only acting the part out of self preservation and for the protection of her daughter.

" You should talk to her Tom, so she knows your voice." Ginny whispered quietly before falling asleep.

A.N : just to let you know I've lost track of time in this story so I said its march but I don't know if thats accurate, not a big deal but just letting you know. Please review !