(sorry it took so long, hope you can forgive me!)
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR: Zila Rose
It took a while for Daphne's news to sink in for both Draco and Astoria. Draco was so surprised by how calm Daphne was about the whole situation, and as for Blaise... Although Draco and Blaise were both working men now, Draco still saw him and his best friends as kids really. Well, not kids, but at least not quite grown up enough to have children. The aspect that Astoria was confused by was how Daphne and Blaise weren't actually that close. She didn't think they were really in love. Having a child was such a massive thing.
Nonetheless, she and Draco had both agreed to being the baby's godparents and Draco, surprisingly, was looking forward to stepping up to the role. Since he'd been with Astoria he'd discovered that he was actually not too shabby with children, which had been a surprise to everyone, even himself. Caitlyn especially was very taken with him and he had, on a very rare occasion, looked after her alone. Draco had a sneaking suspicion that Astoria was also looking forward to becoming a god parent, though she never said as much. It had come as quite a shock to her.
A week or so after Draco asked Astoria to move in with him, it actually happened. He managed to take an extra couple of days off work to help her move all of her stuff in, as she put her business planning on hold. Draco arrived at Astoria's home early on the Wednesday morning to find piles of boxes waiting in the hall, as well as a trunk and several suitcases.
"Holy shit," Draco uttered under his breath as he stood alone in the hall way, staring around at all of his girlfriend's stuff. Was there going to be enough room in the house for all of this stuff? He'd started to wish he'd picked something a little bigger but he wasn't to know that two years down the line he'd be moving a girl in with him. To be honest, it was the last thing he'd expected. He would have thought it more likely to make his home a bachelor pad and move Blaise in.
Astoria descended the stairs, smiling from ear to ear. "Morning, roomy!" she greeted Draco, standing on tip toes and kissing him on the cheek. He snorted with laughter at her greeting.
"Roomy?" he asked in a skeptical voice.
"Oh, sorry. I was under the impression I was moving in with you today?" Astoria said.
"Well, so was I until I saw how much stuff you're bringing with you!" Draco teased. Astoria rolled her eyes at him.
"Oh, come on! It's not that much."
Draco's mouth gaped open in disbelief. Was she blind? He genuinely had no idea how all her stuff was going to fit. He shook his head at her as she laughed.
"So, how did your mum take the news so soon after finding out about Daphne?" Draco asked in a hushed voice.
"Oh, she was fine," Astoria told him, cheerily. "You know how much she thinks of you." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "To be honest, I think she wishes Blaise was more like you."
Draco scratched his head awkwardly. Blaise was relaxed under almost any circumstance. Too relaxed. Draco hadn't spoken to him much since finding out about the baby, but he knew that although he wasn't ecstatic about getting Daphne pregnant, he wasn't exactly bothered either.
At that moment Celia appeared in the hallway from the lounge. "Thought I heard your voice," she said to Draco.
"Alright, Celia?" Draco asked.
"Good thank you. Nothing like an unexpected day off work!" she smiled at him as he nodded in agreement. "All ready for the big move?"
Draco exhaled deeply and raised his eyebrows, glancing around at Astoria's stuff again. He didn't really need words to express his feelings.
"Ah, yes," Celia said. "Both of my daughters seem to have this tendency." She too looked around at Astoria's things as Astoria stood with her arms folded. "In fact, Astoria packed far too much stuff before her first year of Hogwarts, we couldn't have taken it all. She cried when I told her she would have to leave some things behind."
"Mum!" Astoria hissed as Draco laughed.
"Well, I'd better try my best with this lot then. Don't want you bursting into tears, do I?" he said, playfully pinching her cheek. She scowled at him.
Some hours later, after all of Astoria's boxes had been successfully moved to her new house and she and Draco had spent some while with and said goodbye to Celia, the pair apparated right onto the top step outside the house's front door. It was already fast approaching darkness; the day had gone so quickly. Astoria turned to Draco and grinned.
"So, welcome to your new home, I guess!" Draco said, grinning back. "I would offer to carry you in and all that, but we're not married yet-" Draco realised what he'd said a bit too late. He'd said 'yet'. He hadn't meant to say 'yet'. An awkward moment of silence ensued before Astoria spoke.
"Yet?" she questioned him. Her heart was beating a bit faster. Surely he wasn't planning on proposing to her any time soon?
"Slip of the tongue," Draco said, feeling himself turn slightly pink and hoping Astoria would just let it pass. Thankfully, she did, though not before she'd given him a funny look.
Astoria went into the house first, heading straight into the kitchen, Draco closing the front door behind him, leaning on it and closing his eyes. He couldn't stop thinking what an idiot he was. How could he have said 'not married yet'?! He shook himself and followed Astoria through to the kitchen, winding his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.
"Why don't you go upstairs and sort all your clothes into the wardrobe while I crack on with making some dinner?" Draco suggested to Astoria in a low voice.
Astoria smirked. "Hmm, I don't know, Draco. I could get way too used to this." She giggled and he laughed at her before planting a soft kiss on her neck.
"Go on," he ordered her, giving her a light slap on the bum. "Upstairs. And don't come back down until I call you."
"Yes, sir!" Astoria said, mockingly standing to attention, saluting her boyfriend. Draco shook his head, before opening up the kitchen cupboards and selecting half of their contents as ingredients. Astoria made her way slowly upstairs.
Upon reaching Draco's - her - bedroom, she sat herself down on the edge of the bed and stared around. She was still struggling to take this in. Something that had started out as a silly crush had turned into this. She, Astoria Greengrass, now lived with Draco Malfoy. The Draco Malfoy. She would never in a million years have imagined this. She smiled to herself as she began sorting through her clothes and arranging them into the wardrobe. Looking at it now, maybe Draco was right, maybe her stuff wouldn't all fit.
Almost two hours later, Astoria did not want to look at clothes any longer. She put on a pair of slippers and padded downstairs, the smell of food hitting her and making her realise how hungry she was. She opened the kitchen door and found Draco with his back to her, head bent. She could make out the apron strings tied behind his back and, if it weren't for everything else, she would have burst out laughing.
There were several candles lit and placed on the table, with some soft music playing in the background. Draco had also laid out cutlery and plates, wine glasses, a selection of breads and Italian meats, olive oil and olives. It was so romantic. Who knew Draco could be such a big romantic? The smile on her face was huge.
Draco turned to see her standing in the doorway staring it him. His face was a little red from slaving over a hot stove. A smile played on his lips when their eyes met.
"Had to make the first night special, didn't I?" he asked. "This is a one off, so don't go getting any ideas!" he added, smirking.
Astoria folded her arms and leant against the door frame, cocking an eyebrow. "Honey, you cook most nights and you always have done whenever I'm here..."
Draco leaned equally as casually against the kitchen worktop. "Yeah, but candles... Music... You don't normally get this kind of treatment, do you?" he said, spreading his arms to indicate to everything he'd done.
Astoria smiled and fluttered her eyelashes a little, brushing some stray hair from her face.
"True, Malfoy, very true. Keep up the good work." She winked at him and he laughed heartily as he made his way over to a chair and pulled it out for her.
"Would madame care to be seated?" he enquired.
Astoria giggled her usual innocent giggle as she made her way over and sat down. It wasn't long before Draco was dishing up one of her favourites, spaghetti bolognese, topped with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. He then seated himself opposite her and poured her a glass of wine, followed by himself. He took a sip and glanced towards her, the candlelight glinting in his eye. They smiled at each other, and then he extended his glass towards her.
"Here's to..." he paused to think. "Here's to... A long and happy life together."
Astoria's smile widened as she brought her glass up to meet his. "I love you," she told him. This was something neither of them said often and that much was obvious as Draco seemed to stumble every time she said it to him. He coughed every so slightly as he swallowed down another mouthful of wine.
"I love you, too," he said certainly, after some moments. Astoria liked that they didn't say those words often because when they did say them, it always felt special.
After a few more moments, they began to tuck in to the delicious food Draco had prepared and chatted about how things were going to be different now they were living together.
"Oh, come on, we were practically living together before, anyway," Astoria pointed out, whilst twirling some spaghetti around her fork.
"Yeah, but now we really are. It's the real deal. I wonder how long before you get sick of me..." Draco mused. Astoria snorted into her meal. The very thought of her getting sick of Draco was beyond ridiculous considering she'd wanted him for so damn long. He really has no idea. Typical man. She shook her head disbelievingly.
"Whatever," she muttered, though she couldn't help smiling.
Draco leant back in his seat, keeping an eye on her. "Come on... I'm a clean freak, I have an obsessive disorder, that's bound to bother you at some point. Like when I'm yelling at you to keep the clothes in our wardrobe in order of colour..." he joked.
"Don't joke, Draco, I bet you actually do that!" she teased him back.
Draco's mouth sagged open in shock. "I do not!" he said, defensively. There was a long silence and then, "How about when I'm really busy in the study with work stuff and you're really desperate for sex and I won't give it to you?"
Astoria laughed out loud. "I think I know you well enough to know what to do to make you up for it!" She smirked at him, watching him trying to think of a come back but he couldn't. She was absolutely right, he could never say no.
As time ticked on, all the food and wine slowly vanished and it wasn't long before Draco lead Astoria upstairs by the hand, where, not only had he found a moment to light some candles (she suspected when he went 'to the toilet') but he had even put some rose petals on the bed, too. Astoria suspected she was the only person who had seen and would ever see this side of Draco Malfoy.
He treated her to a massage, before they got down to business - their first time in 'their' bed. Not long after, Astoria fell asleep in Draco's arms as he stayed awake, stroking her hair and watching her looking so peaceful. Then his eyes lingered for a second, on the dark mark that he still bore on his left arm and, for the first time ever, he didn't even care that it was there anymore. He had his girl who loved him for who he really is, and that was all he wanted. Snuggling down under the duvet, he gently moved Astoria's head so that it was resting on his bare chest, and he fell into an easy sleep.
Before they knew it, Draco and Astoria had been living together for six months and everything had gone smoothly. Not once had they argued, though they bickered over silly things, and they'd even managed to establish their 'normal'. Of course, what with Draco constantly working for the next available promotion and Astoria's shop finally open for business, the hours they were together which weren't spent asleep were very few, except for Sundays.
In the week, they would wake up together, get ready for work and eat breakfast at the breakfast bar in the kitchen, Draco often with his nose shoved in the Daily Prophet, a habit which he'd undoubtedly picked up from his mother and one which Astoria was unable to talk him out of. However, she couldn't complain too much as he'd always have something tasty waiting for her when she got out of the shower - crumpets, scrambled eggs and bacon, fruit salad and yoghurt, full english. You name it, he did it. She absolutely could not fault him when it came to his dedication in the kitchen. He hadn't been lying when he told her mother he enjoyed cooking.
After breakfast, each would go their separate ways for work and they wouldn't see each other again until the evening where they would reunite back at home and one would take over cooking duties while the other relaxed. After dinner, they'd relax and unwind; watch a movie, take a bath, drink wine, play cards, ready for the next day at work.
Although they both loved their jobs, they loved Sundays even more. Draco rarely worked Saturdays, but Astoria did. She didn't want to lose the business as Diagon Alley always did a roaring trade on weekends. Draco would sometimes come into the shop on Saturdays to offer a helping hand. She did, however, sacrifice Sunday profits in order for her and Draco to spend time together. They would do something different every week, whether it be visiting one of their family homes, days out in London or Diagon Alley, dinners out or just having lazy days in their tracksuits and cuddling on the sofa. Sunday was definitely the best day of the week. One Sunday in February was very different from all the previous ones, though.
Draco and Astoria had been having one of their lazy days when Celia's owl tapped sharply on the lounge window.
"Oh, jesus!" Astoria squealed, jumping out of her skin. "That thing gave me a bloody heart attack!"
She lifted her legs, which had been draped across Draco, and he crossed the room to let the owl in. The note it carried was brief.
"Daphne's in labour," Draco informed Astoria, glancing up from the note and looking at her from across the room.
"Oh my god!" she exclaimed. They hadn't seen Daphne and Blaise for a few weeks, she'd completely forgotten that her sister's baby was due at any moment. "Oh my god, Draco, get dressed! We have to go... Go and get flowers and... And a card and..." She stood up from the sofa and started dashing around, acting like a mad woman.
'Typical woman' Draco thought to himself, shaking his head and trudging upstairs to change into some proper clothes. He made a mental note to thank Daphne for ruining his lazy Sunday.
An hour later, Draco and Astoria were perched on uncomfortable chairs outside of Daphne's room in St Mungos, waiting to be given the all clear. Astoria was clutching a card and bunch of flowers for her big sister. Draco, on the other hand, was left holding a big cuddly bear for the baby and had never felt less manly in his entire life. His expression was sulky until his best friend and soon to be father came out of the double doors. They heard Daphne screaming from inside.
Draco stood up in surprise, casting the teddy aside on the chair. Blaise looked complete drained.
"Mate, if she squeezes my hand any tighter she's guna snap my fingers off!" Blaise moaned, massaging his own hand. Draco gave him a sympathetic clap on the back.
"Seriously though, bud, what are you doing out here? Daph's guna kill you as soon as she's able..."
Astoria shot Draco a scathing look. Though her big sister annoyed her sometimes, she was very protective of her and it wasn't nice of them to make jokes on her at such a time. Draco felt pressured under his girlfriend's stare.
"Anyway, mate, get back in there," he encouraged, shoving Blaise towards the door. With that, Blaise grimaced and disappeared back through the double doors.
"Reckon they'll come and get us when it's out?" Draco asked Astoria, sitting back down beside her. Yet again, she shot him another scathing look. Draco glanced at her as if to say 'jeez, what have I said wrong now?' and decided not to say anything more.
Two hours later, they were still sat on the same chairs and Draco was beginning to get impatient. He stood and began to pace back and forth in front of Astoria.
"I mean, why did they bother sending us a note if it was guna be this long before the thing made an appearance..."
"Draco, for christ sake, sit down and shut up. And in a few years time, remind that I do not, under any circumstances, want to have a baby with you!"
Gobsmacked by his girlfriend's outburst, Draco sat back down, once again clutching the teddy bear in his hand. He looked down at the floor and didn't say another word until Celia emerged from the room almost another hour later. She was beaming.
"Come in," she said to Draco and Astoria. Astoria snatched the teddy out of Draco's hand who was beginning to feel rather like a naughty school boy, the way she was treating him. He begrudgingly followed her into the room.
Daphne was propped up against several pillows, looking decidedly less attractive than she normally did - no make up, her face was red, her hair stuck to her forehead. She looked completely tired out. Then Draco's eyes wandered downwards as he drew closer, to the tiny bundle in her arms, resting on her chest. Draco could see that Daphne had such a huge smile on her face. They'd been friends for over nine years and were practically related now. He loved her. Seeing her so happy made him happy.
He stopped several metres away from the bed, where Astoria placed the gifts on the side, kissed her sister on the cheek then made a big fuss over the baby. Blaise sat in a chair beside Daphne, looking relieved it was finally over and Celia was sat comfortably on the end of Daphne's bed, still beaming. Blaise looked over towards Draco who just stood watching the scene before him.
"It's a girl," Blaise called out. "You've got a little goddaughter, mate. Zila Rose."
Draco didn't need any words, he just winked at his friend and smiled which Blaise absolutely knew was Draco's way of saying congratulations. After a few minutes, Daphne noticed Draco standing away from everyone else. He was finding the situation rather weird.
"Draco, come here!" Daphne ordered, and the two sister's shared a glance as if to say 'he's a bit useless, isn't he?'.
Draco slowly made his way over and Astoria moved out of the way for Draco to get a closer look. He peered down at the baby, his goddaughter, who in a few weeks time he would swear to protect for the rest of his life. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen - so tiny, a gorgeous skin tone, and a tiny mop of black curls. Her eyes were closed.
"Can I?" Draco asked for his permission to hold her, not knowing what had come over him. Astoria's eyes widened in shock and Daphne winked across at her sister as she handed her baby over to Draco.
"There you go, sweetie, go to your uncle Draco," Daphne said in a soft voice.
Draco took Zila as carefully as he could, instinctively knowing to support her head. As he looked down at her, he sort of melted inside. She was a little person, it was amazing.
"Fucking hell," he whispered to himself as he held her in his arms. He used a finger to softly stroke the baby's cheek and her eyes fluttered open, looking into his. He couldn't help but smile.
"Hello," he whispered, softly. "Hello little baby. Hello baby Zila." The gentle words sounded so funny coming from his mouth, Astoria and Daphne couldn't believe what was happening. Astoria hadn't expected this reaction from Draco in a million years.
She watched on tentatively as Zila's tiny hand stretched out and grabbed hold of Draco's finger, which was three times the size as her own. Draco had a dumb smile on his face as he watched the little girl hold onto his finger. He was acting as if there were no-one else in the room.
Astoria couldn't help it, she fell in love with the sight before her. Not even two hours ago, she'd told Draco she never wanted a child with him. Now, here she was, her mind in overdrive, and all she could think about was what an amazing dad Draco would make. From that moment she knew that she had to have a baby with Draco. She wanted to give him something that could make him smile that much - a child of his own. She wanted to have Draco's baby and she didn't want it to happen too far in the future.