A/N: after several months, I have finally decided to come back and finish this fic. I have kept this day at bay for a long time, because...well I'm not really sure. I was afraid of something, I think. And now I'm not. It's been so wonderful to write for all of you, and I plan on doing it again, soon. I wanted you all to know that I'm starting a real novel, a project that has been in the works for quite some time. If ever it should get published, you all will be the first to know...in the authors note of my next fic. :D Harry and Draco have been a part of my life since the series began and I have no intention of changing that. That being said, I present to you, the last chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM HPDM

Chapter 21

"Complete"

Draco

The fire blazing in the hearth of my small hotel room did nothing to ease the chill in my body, nor the ache in my heart. I sipped slowly at the hot chocolate I had made a few moments ago, hoping to bring some color back into my already pale face. The dancing flames hypnotized me while I rubbed my abdomen ever so slightly in tiny circles. I suppose it was a subconscious thing; something to comfort me when nothing else could.

It was just the baby and I now. That's all I had left. I wondered briefly if I should have allowed Harry to stay in our lives. But that was out of the question. I had already alienated him from myself, as if he were nothing to me but another guy.

But he was so much more than that! He was my sun and my moon, my breath and my lungs. He made my life worth something, where before it had no meaning. Only...the man who I called father for 18 years of my life, was now dead.

My cheeks reddened and I shrugged the blanket from my knees, becoming angered. Why should that matter to me? The man was a bastard! I hated him...and yet...I loved him. I couldn't help remembering the times when he would look me in the eye and genuinely smile at me when I did something very well. I couldn't stop the memories of falling down as a two year old, and having him pick me up and tell me everything was alright. For all intents and purposes he was my father, until the dark lord turned him into someone else. Something else.

Under the dark lords return, I would come to see a change in that caring loving parent into a cold and heartless monster. I grew to abhor his very presence in a room. I would've liked to see him dead I think if it weren't for the small part of me that thought I could change him. I thought somewhere deep down inside of him there had to be something left of the man he was. If I could only show him the love he had once shown me, maybe seeing that man again would have been possible.

I blamed Harry, for what I could never achieve.

Suddenly the dancing flames became blurs and hot salt rolled down my cheek, dripping onto my lip, and I smothered my face in a nearby pillow. I had become everything my father said I would. A fuck up. A Failure. The man I loved was out of my life, I had a child to raise on my own, and my father would not be alive to see his grandchild grow into an adult.

My tears eventually ebbed away and faded to nothing, but my pain still resonated ferverantly in my soul. I didn't deserve the ability to cry. I had made my choice, and though I knew my mistakes, I was too much of a coward to fix them.

And I suppose, in that one way, I would carry on at least one fine Malfoy family tradition.

Harry

Grabbing my wallet from the computer desk, I read over my note one last time to make sure I had everything correct.

Hermione,

I went to find Draco. Will be in London if you need me. I'll have my mobile, and I'll let you know when I get there safely.

Thank you for being such a great friend. I don't deserve you.

Harry

I flew past the desk attendant and the surprised doorman. Out of breath and still panicky from Draco's note, I had to calm down if I didn't want to split myself in half while attempting aparition. Finally my breathing became even again and I squeezed my eyes shut, the gut-wrenching queezy feeling I always got began sneaking up on me. You would've thought I would be used to that by now, but I still preferred the most mundane travel methods to that one, if I wasn't in such a hurry.

My private jet was already thrumming with power and it's engines were roaring with life, filling me with a sense of adventure and thrill.

"GWEN!"

"Yes, Mr. Potter?" She asked, rushing to me and snapping to attention at the entrance to the jet's cabin.

"Tell the pilot to enter a flightplan to London. I want to get there as fast as possible. Now, call your old connections and get me an address. Listen to me carefully, because this is very important."

Gwen broke out a pad and pen, looking expectantly at me.

"Tell them to find a Mr. Draco Malfoy. He'll have moved into the country from America not but a few hours ago. Check airlines if you have to, call cab companies, I DON'T CARE . Just get it done. Understood?"

She nodded while writing down all the information.

"I want that information as soon as you have it, and I'll need a cab ready and waiting at our landing hangar to take me to that address."

"Yes, sir." She replied. As she turned to walk away, she threw a smirk over her shoulder. "I love it when you're all business."

I growled, "You won't love it if you fail."

Gwen threw a raspberry my way and disappeared into the cabin.

Running a hand through my hair, I settled into a couch and poured myself a glass of water. The ice clinked against the glass in tandem with my shaking hand, and I put it down for a moment.

This was one of the most crazy things I had ever done. I had no idea what time it was in London, I had no idea if he would be home or even if he would allow me to see him. All I knew was that I had to go, or I would regret it for the rest of my life. I tried to stop the shaking by meditation...something Gwen always tried to get me into, but never seemed useful until now.

The serenity I had reached was shattered almost the moment it began, when my phone blared the lyrics to the Brady Bunch theme song...Hermione's ringtone.

"Hello?"

"Harry! You're going after Malfoy?"

"Well you don't waste any time, do you?"

"Shut up, Potter!" She spat, reminding me much of the blonde in question. "What do you think you're doing? He asked you not to come after him!"

"Hermione," My voice softened, "If Ron asked you to NOT save him should he ever decide to jump off a cliff, would you do so?"

"Of course not!" Her tone rang indignantly in my ear.

"Then you understand -"

"What I understand is that it's too late! You going to see him right now is a mistake. Harry, he said he didn't want to see you, and I think you should respect those wishes...You can't save someone who already jumped."

"You don't know everything." I said quietly. "The man I love...the same man who is bearing my child, is now halfway across the world and the only mistake I made is letting him leave in the first place."

Draco

Turning the key in the rusty lock to my new house, I almost felt like smiling. It was a quaint little cottage type home. Something I had always dreamed I would live in. When times were really bad at Malfoy Manor, I would picture myself and some nameless lover walking on a little carved path through some woods and appear before a beautiful cottage with flowers growing in a small garden, and homemade pie cooling in the window.

In a life filled with all the luxuries one could ever want, it was really the small things that would come to matter to me in the long run. Things that being in love and having a companion would offer to me.

All thoughts of smiling vanished as I once again thought of my current situation. My boxes were stacked high up, close to touching the ceiling, filled with all the things I had acquired over the years. Parts of my life in London from before, and parts of my other life in New York. Here I was again, going back to where I started. Instead of feeling like a fresh start it felt like a hide-away.

Still, I could imagine that I might be alright here. I could survive here. This place would make my survival bearable. The creak in the door of the white picket fence surrounding the property seemed cute and exactly perfect. The rusty locks seemed like they belonged, and the vines that covered the walls on the outside looked beautiful to me.

Yes, with a little work, I could make a home from this place.

My little pal gave my belly a swift kick and I grinned sadly.

"Welcome home, kiddo."

My eyes widened slightly at the term. I heard it on the tele once, and at the time thought it extremely unintelligent and a little silly. But now it seemed fitting. I was a parent now.

I decided I should call Ella. She was one of the few friends I had, and she had slipped me her number when we were exiting the plane. I dug around in my boxes for a while and finally I found the one labeled 'Electronics'. I plugged in my phone and rummaged in my pockets for the card, kept safely in my wallet.

It rang a few times and I contemplated hanging up. She didn't want to hear from me...she was probably enjoying her day. I was just about to give up when...

"Hello?"

"Ella?" I paused. "It's Draco...the man you met on the plane."

Her tone warmed. "Of course I remember you."

I smiled. "I was just wondering...well you see I don't know anyone really..." I fumbled, feeling stupid.

"Would you like to come over for some tea, dear? I just made a fresh pot!"

I let out a breath I hadn't known I was holding, and I was actually grateful that I had called.

"Sure. I would love to."

Harry

Too anxious to sleep and too nervous to do much else but pace back and forth every couple of minutes, I could tell that we were close to landing. The pilot had announced the beginning of our descent ages ago and I was tired of waiting.

"Gwen!"

She crossed the room, coming to stand before me once more. "Yes, Mr. Potter?"

"Do you have the information I requested?"

She smiled, pulling out a manilla envelope. "I do. It's all here. There are records of his travel and lodging expenses and how they were paid, and his current residence, that was bought and paid in full a few days ago. There's a listing for his known contacts and friends, and last but not least, the bill for your cab that will be waiting for you when we land in about...ten minutes."

I was irritated and happy all at once. "Thank you."

I grabbed the folder and began looking through its contents, glad to have some sort of distraction. Satisfied with the information, I leaned back to look out of one of the many windows adorning the walls.

This was it. I was in London...to see Draco...who didn't want to see me. I was going to arrive at his house, explain exactly how much I loved him, and hope for the best.

Would he curse me? Kill me? Threaten me, or throw me off his property?

"Mr. Potter?" Gwen questioned, breaking me from my thoughts.

"What is it?"

"We've arrived."

I swallowed a nervous lump in my throat, and fought to keep calm. "Thank you."

Draco

I shook my head and bit into another buttered croisant. "These are exquisite!"

Ella laughed, and the loose bun that held up parts of her graying hair shook with the force of it.

"Thank you for the flattery young man, but you still haven't answered my question."

Gingerly I placed the croissant on the table and wiped my mouth, meeting her gaze only after that. "No...I don't think I'll ever see him again."

"And why not?"

"It wasn't meant to be." My gaze floated to the windows, wistfully as I said this.

She scoffed. "I don't believe you. What's the real reason?"

My eyes narrowed and I sipped my tea. "This could use more sugar."

Her eyebrow raised. "The tea, or your attitude?"

I grabbed the sugar scoop and didn't bother to reply.

"You should forgive him, you know. I can tell that you love him."

I thought about that for a moment, chewing on the breaded treat again. Finally I shook my head. "That isn't it."

She sighed a weary sigh. It made me feel slightly guilty.

"Then what is it for heaven's sake?"

Her blue eyes penetrated my silver ones and I considered her for a moment. Quietly I conceded. "It isn't him that I have to forgive."

Understanding dawned and she looked at me with a new perspective. I think she appreciated that I understood myself that well, but I knew she really had nothing to be proud of.

"You're...mad at yourself? For everything that's happened?" She ventured.

"I've...done things to us that can't be undone with a simple apology." I shook my head. "It's too late to fix it."

She surprised me by snorting. A gesture I didn't think possible of a woman like Ella.

"Darling, that isn't a reason. That's an excuse."

I dabbed at the corners of my mouth with a napkin, covering it.

The old wooden chair set that we occupied creaked when she sat back to examine me from across the flower embroidered table cloth. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, I finished my tea and she still hadn't said anything. Abruptly she started gathering her dishes up and walking to her kitchen. I could see from where I sat, the sink being readied for washing the dirty tea set, and I felt I should get up and help.

As I was about to get up, she came back into the room with a towel clasped in her hands. Her gentle face was hard with resolve, like a mother talking to her child, the lines and wrinkles etched into her skin giving her some sort of wise authority to be respected and listened to. So I did.

"Draco, it isn't for me to say, but I can't help it. There comes a time in our lives where we have to stop running from our problems and just deal with them. Especially the ones we've created ourselves." She straightened, and gathered more dishes. "Now if you know what's good for you, you'll go and apologize to this...Harry. And you'll make things right between the two of you."

I stared at her retreating back, digesting what she had said.

My baby kicked again, and I rubbed at the spot.

"Ouch! Hey kiddo!" I whispered. "Ease up on me, alright? Ella may know a thing or two, but I can't go back to your father."

I kept rubbing my belly still, hoping to comfort myself as well as my unborn child. "I just...can't."

Harry

The elegant scrawl that belonged to my agent, Gwen, confirmed that the cottage before me was indeed the house belonging to Draco Malfoy. Somehow though, I couldn't imagine Draco in such a space. He always seemed like a city man to me, one for concrete and stale air. The beauty of the small home astounded me and immediately captured my heart.

It was so full of life and untapped hope. It seemed like it came right out of a fairy tale. I grinned, thinking of how that must make me the Knight in shining armor. Clearing my sleep-hazy thoughts, I walked slowly up to the door and took a deep breath. The weight of my arm grew as I lifted it to knock, and in one lightning decision I rapped my knuckles against the smooth wood three times in succession.

There was a window in the door, but the curtains were drawn so that I could not get a decent view inside. After about a minute or so, my heart sped up, and my brain scrambled for explanations as to why he wasn't answering.

I raised my fist once more, and as soon as it made contact with the door, it slid open allowing me access. I noticed for the first time that the lock was rusted with age. Under normal circumstances I would chastise Draco for being so careless. He had a child to think about now! But at the moment, I just needed to find him.

The silence was eerie, and the only sound was of the nature pouring in from the cracked windows all over the cottage. Birds sang and crickets chirped and yet there was no Draco! No sign that he had even been in the house, except for a small phone plugged into a wall unit, that I recognized from his apartment.

"Draco?" I asked tentatively into the void.

Of course there was no answer, and I walked around, trying to find him. Perhaps he was napping.

It was beautiful if you really stopped to look. Walking down the halls I noted the sandy texture and color that the walls were made of, and the chocolate brown of the wooden floors that looked recently redone. There was a living room which was attached to the kitchen, a small bathroom, and two bedrooms down the hall from the sitting room. I fell in love with the place, every step I took.

But everywhere I looked, Draco was not to be found.

He must be out. Grocery shopping...or maybe buying new furniture? I noted the bed and then walked into the living room again, looking at the small but charming couch. It was raspberry colored, and looked like an antique. It reminded me of Draco.

Sitting noiselessly on the cushion, I decided I would wait for him to return. I would NOT leave until I saw him. As I decided this, I let out a small yawn and stretched out, having not had the chance to sleep on the plane.

My foot rocked back and forth, and I crossed my legs to try and stifle the nervous habit.

My eyes closed, thinking of seeing Draco's face again.

Before I could stop it, I slipped into my dreams, where all I could knew was the man I loved.

Draco

Ella sent me off with a tin of sugar cookies and a package of her own special blend tea, making me promise that I would call her when I made it home. Coming upon the entrance, I stopped in my tracks. The door was open.

I could swear I shut and locked it before I left! Grabbing my wand from my pocket, I stepped in with one foot and peered forward into my new house. My eyebrows furrowed and I realized that someone was running a chainsaw, and then turning it off every few seconds.

That's when I spotted him. HIM. On MY couch. Angrily I stomped in and put my hands on my hips. The git! I told him not to come after me. It just goes to show how much the thick-headed man listened to me.

I tapped my foot, hoping it would wake him. When it didn't I tried huffing every few seconds. I contemplated tipping the couch on its back, but it was antique and I really didn't want to damage it.

Frustrated and a little ticked off, I stomped my way into the kitchen and laid my things down, picking up my phone. I dialed the numbers I had memorized quickly, and waited impatiently for her to pick up.

"Hello?"

"It's Draco."

"Oh hello. Did -"

"He's here."

"What?"

"Harry. is. HERE."

Silence.

"Well what did he say?"

"He didn't say anything. He was too busy snoring on my couch for him to comment on my return." I rolled my eyes.

I could hear the gears turning in her head, through the phone.

"He's not staying." I said petulantly.

"Draco!" She scolded. "Don't be an idiot. He's here. That has to mean something, right?"

I didn't say anything.

"Draco...just give it a chance. You may not want to fix your problems, but he loves you enough to let you try. Don't turn him away...you don't see that kind of love very often."

She was right. This is what I wanted. More than anything I wanted to be back in Harry's arms...but could I apologize to him? Could I bring myself to be that big of a man?

"Have a good evening Ella."

And I hung up. Biting my lip, I strode to the living room and peered down at the sleeping man, allowing myself a small smile.

Even if I felt guilty and scared and confused and frustrated, there was something that made me feel better than I ever thought I would again.

Despite everything I'd put us through...he had come for me.

Harry

When finally my eyes opened and my blurry vision cleared, I could see orange light flickering across the ceiling.

Oh hell. I had fallen asleep!! I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and pushed myself into a sitting position. From where I sat I could see clearly out of a window, and it was most definitly night.

I whirled, looking around the room for the reason I had come here in the first place. My eyes met his from across the room where he was sitting in an armchair.

His head tilted slightly to the side. "Hello." he said quietly.

My heart fluttered slightly, and I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. "Hi."

Fluidly, he crossed the space between us and handed me a glass of water, then returned to his seat.

The cool liquid slid down my throat, flooding the desert there. When the cup was empty, I set it carefully on a side table and noted that he'd done some unpacking while I had been napping.

"Thank you." I whispered, not knowing what else to say despite the hours I'd spent practicing speeches for this very moment. He was so beautiful, even now, when he looked so broken.

I cleared my throat in anticipation of speaking.

"I'm sorry." He said.

To him, I'm sure my eyes looked comical, widened as they were. He was apologizing?

"For what?" I choked out.

He looked ashamed for a moment, playing with the fraying sweatshirt he wore.

Silver eyes met mine. "For everything."

"Draco..." I tried to wrap my mind around the fact that he was blaming himself.

"Look you don't have to say anything. You didn't have to come here, Harry. I messed up and I know that. I never should have run out on you or tried to keep our child from you. It was wrong of me to assume that you wouldn't fight for him."

That threw me. "Him?"

Draco grinned ruefully. "Well, I'm kind of hoping it's a boy."

I smiled, but it faded, after his words sunk in.

"You think I came here, just for the baby?"

His brows furrowed together. Again...so beautiful.

"Well...after what I said to you." he shook his head. "The hospital and the airport...I just...I figured..." He floundered. "Why aren't you hating me right now?"

I stood slowly, my knees cracking slightly as I did so, and made my way to his chair.

"Draco." I shook my head and knealt by his side. "You shouldn't be apologizing to me. I murdered your father. Who in their right mind would ever forgive someone for doing that? I came here because I had to let you know how I felt, regardless of the fact that you didn't want me here. I know I stole a part of your life that you can never have back, ever again, and for that I am sorry. Your father may have been a bastard, but I can see now that you loved him. I don't deserve any sort of forgiveness from you, but I needed to tell you in person how sorry I am. No email could ever do that for me."

The man before me gaped in surprise. It was clear he hadn't expected this.

"Harry, what..." he continued to look at me, mouth open.

"Yes?" I asked gently, stroking his cheek.

Unexpectedly tears started flowing from his eyes and I pulled him to me. He sobbed for a while, and then straightened, embarrased.

Wiping at his face furiously with his sleeve, he muttered. "Fucking hormones."

I laughed, and his watery chuckles joined me a few moments later.

Then he turned serious.

"Harry, I don't know why you think you have to apologize...in fact I expected to have you storming in here with talk of lawyers and contracts and all of that." he grabbed my face in both of his hands. "Do you realize that I took your child from you and flew across the world to avoid ever seeing you again? Our child could have grown up, never knowing you! I hate myself just thinking about it. How can you not?"

I considered him. Then shook my head.

"When will you stop this?"

He leaned away from me, his gaze questioning.

"You have to stop taking the blame for other's mistakes. Your father didn't show you that he loved you and so you blamed yourself for never being good enough. You felt trapped and you needed me to show you that I loved you, and I just let you go, so you blamed yourself for 'stealing' my child from me. What you don't seem to realize is that it was a fault on my part, for not fighting hard enough for you."

Draco scoffed and was about to protest, but I put a finger to his lips, silencing him.

"Despite what you seem to think, the world doesn't revolve around you." I smirked at his indignation. "Also despite what you seem to think, you ARE worth fighting for. Everything that has lead up to this point, only proves it. I wouldn't be here otherwise. When you start trusting that life doesn't have to be about waiting for the other shoe to drop, then I can show you how happy I can make you."

He sat in awe, still trying to comprehend that I still loved him.

"Will you let me?"

"W-w-what?" Draco stuttered.

I smiled and placed gentle kisses on his lips. Tentatively he returned them.

I whispered against his lips "Will you let me show you how happy I can make you?"

"I...I don't...understa-"

I cut him off with a kiss, and then returned to my position on the ground, one knee out and the other supporting my weight. I took his left hand in my own and grasped it firmly.

"Draco Lucien Malfoy,"

"Oh god.." he breathed.

"Will you do me, Harry James Potter, the honor of taking your hand in marriage so that we may live out our lives together, raising our child, and spending each day allowing me to show you how much I love you?"

He stared at me in shock, and I thought he wasn't going to answer. Briefly I thought I might need to call paramedics, but finally...wonderfully he whispered to me the sweetest thing I ever heard in my existence.

"Yes..." He swallowed. "Yes. I do."

And in that moment, I felt something shift inside of me. It felt like the closing of a chapter and the beginning of a new one. It felt like eating a home cooked meal after starving all of my life. It felt like coming home. It felt like lying in his arms, and kissing his lips.

Finally, after nearly 29 years of existing, I was complete.

A/N: So...yes. That was the chapter! Don't worry folks, tomorrow when I'm coherent again, I'll write an epilogue. So um...read, review and most importantly, enjoy!

Also note: I didn't really remember when I had set this story, so I went back in my notes and it said originally that I had planned for Harry to be 29 when the story ended. So if I stated otherwise in a previous chapter, I'm sorry! and I'll go back and fix it.

love.