Allow me to express my gratitude to Marlgrl94 for beta'ing this huge fic. And to Lana, thank you for your help with the first chapter.
Chapter 25: Starting a new.
Healer McTavish kept her in his ward for a week longer. Monitoring her healing process and how the newborn developed, much to her chagrin. She grew tired of the "How do we feel today?" from nurses and Healers, seething to Draco this morning, "How the hell do I know how THEY feel?" He smiled condescending but redrew it instantly when she stared at him furiously, "Draco, I just want to go home."
He stretched his frame sideways next to her in bed, turning her chin towards his face, "I know." She got stronger with the coming days, the pale colour had been replaced by a healthy complexion, her eyes now sparkling full of life, though at this very point it was more annoyance.
The stirring of Scorpio on her chest demanded her attention, and she pulled her body into a more comfortable sitting position, getting ready to feed their nugget, "Someone's hungry again. Just a second sweetie." Feeding him became her second nature, and the baby's weight improvement was rewarding. He was now more sturdy, according to Draco and the first attempts at sleeping in a nursery bed successful, though the man confessed missing the contact.
She had forced him to enlarge her bed on the second night, and he now slept with her, mostly her over him surrounded by his arms. But a hospital room was not their quarters at the Manor, and she missed their privacy.
"How do we feel today, Mrs. Malfoy?" The handsome face of Healer McTavish peeked through the door, and Hermione answered snarky, "I don't know, you tell me." At the same time, Draco motioned, waving his arm, "Don't ask her that."
"Excuse my curiosity, Hermione. I promise not to do it again. I hope," chuckling. The witch didn't give him a seconds rest, "When will I be discharged?"
"Hermione, we need to monitor you," his complacent tone was not appreciated, "Your son needs…"
"Do you have any medical reason to keep us here, or is it essentially out of precaution?" Draco followed the conversation but didn't intervene. If Hermione felt healthy enough to return to their home, who was he to say no? His wife grew impatient from the Healers' reluctance, shooting him glares while changing the nursing baby from side, "Well, Healer McTavish?"
"I guess that we can let you go if you promise to return at any sign of aggravation." The frantic nodding from Hermione along with Draco's extensive smirk closed the deal, "You have my permission to leave today when you feel ready."
The blond wizard stretched his arms above his head after he stepped out of the bed, "I know what to do, then," Kissing his wife softly on the lips, "Give me an hour and I'll return to take you home."
He apparated at the Manor, calling for his mother and Krops, "Mother, good morning. Krops, will you make sure everything is ready for Hermione's return?"
His mother stared at him, surprised, "Is she finally coming home?" His shoulders shook with his laughter, "I guess McTavish had no more balls to say no. You know Hermione when she's determined to have it her way." He joined her for a cup of coffee, pondering, "My son under my roof, finally." A plate of his favourite biscuits appeared magically next to him, and he shifted his gaze at a broad smiling Krops, "Krops much happy to serve little master Scorpio. Krops not scared of dirty nappies."
"Will you say the same, when he crawls around being naughty?" His day could not go wrong, thought Draco, especially when the elf remarked, "If he has anything like you, Master when you were a toddler…" Narcissa snickered, "The elf is right, Draco, you did quite a number when you were little." The wizard grabbed a pair of biscuits on his way back to St. Mungos, "Is everything ready for Hermione's arrival?"
Bowing to his master, the elf confirmed, "Yes, Master Draco, it has been for quite a while."
"Mother, I'll return in a few."
"Wait, son!" Clueless, Draco waited, "Wait before you go, I'm going to give you some clothes for Hermione."
He smacked his forehead with a hand palm, "Merlin, I didn't think of that. I still need you, Mother." Moments later, she handed him a tote bag with some garments. "I'm glad you know it." Her thumb ran through his cheek, "A new start."
In a blurry move, Draco hugged his mother, "I love you." He was eager to bring his wife back home, "See you in a few, Mother."
Upon his return from St. Mungos, he was dumbstruck. There was an arrival committee of elves waiting for them at the Floo hearth, all nicely clothed in bright white pillowcases. Krops even held a pink rose in his hand, his big eyes beaming at Hermione, "For Misses Hermione, welcome home."
"Oh, well, Krops, how thoughtful of you." She kissed him on his head and found herself surrounded by the elves, all so curious for a first glance at the newest family member. She uncovered the baby face, and a series of oh's and ah's was heard. She exchanged a glance with Draco, who smiled gratified, "He has more fans than you, Draco."
"There's no competition, I know that I've been surpassed by that cuteness you hold." His mother scrapped her throat, "It has been a whole day since I've held my grandson. I'm experiencing withdrawal effects."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "We can't have that now, can we Draco?" Both witches met each other in the middle, and the bundle in the blanket changed from a pair of arms, Hermione placing a soft kiss on Narcissa's cheek, "I've missed our tea's together."
Krops suggested, "If you wish, Mistress, we can have it all set up in a matter of seconds, it's a lovely sunny day outside." Draco nodded, "We can place a heat bubble around Scorpio, to keep him warm."
Hermione sought his embrace, "Let us do it." He held her tight against him, a warm feeling invading his heart from feeling her inside his arms again and placed a loud kiss on her lips, "Your wish is my command."
"I bet you will regret those words."
"Never."
I've been a whole time away from this fic, because I knew several things: back in november I've rushed the storyline too much and I've always regret it. So I put it on hold, polished it until I was satisfied with giving their path more body, starting from being paired until they fell in love. Then Lana started the beta work, Marlee took over and I didn't want to update as long as the full beta job wasn't finished.
From now on, I'll try to give you again weekly a new chapter. I'm good to go! Thank you for not losing the faith in this story, I'll finish it.