Chapter twenty nine

When the time came to find out the sex of the baby, Ginny and Lucius decided to be surprised. Ginny had known that Kyra was going to be a girl because it made things easier if she knew, where money was concerned. That was no longer an issue, so she felt it would be nice to be surprised this time. Lucius indulged her. She continued to expand and it seemed the bigger she got, the more Lucius told her how beautiful she was. The hormones caused her sex drive to skyrocket and Lucius was more than happy to help her out with that.

The first time Lucius felt his child move was after having made love to Ginny; they were spooning and his hand was once more on her tummy. The baby booted his hand hard. "I know you had to feel that!"

Ginny exclaimed.

"That's amazing! Does it hurt?" His hand was kicked again. "Wow!"

"No, it doesn't, really. It's just weird, getting reminded that my body is not mine alone." The baby kicked again. "I think baby wants you to move your hand."

"I don't want to. I'm enjoying this feeling too much, and the baby needs to learn that we are the ones in charge here."

Ginny laughed, "Just keep telling yourself that, dear. In a few months, you'll be jumping when the baby says to and asking how high on the way up." He laughed, knowing she was right.

Ginny was walking down Diagon Alley one afternoon. She already had been to the joke shop and the bank when she stopped in at a cafe to have a coffee; no, really to use the loo. After ordering the coffee, she headed to the restroom. On the way out, her path was blocked by a man. "Mrs. Malfoy," he said as he reached out and ran a hand along her stomach. It caused Ginny to shudder in fear; she was paralyzed with fear as he continued, "Your husband really should be more careful about letting you out alone." She finally reached for her wand, which was gone. "Looking for this?" The man, whose face was hidden in the shadows, showed her he had her wand. "You won't be needing it," he stated and snapped it in two. "Now, you're going to come quietly with me, or I'll cast a spell that will cause your child's heart to literally burst."

Ginny could only nod. As they made their way out of the loo hallway, Ginny spotted Harry and relief washed over her. Harry stopped her and knew something was wrong. He took in the scene and reacted quickly. "Ginny, you have to come with me now." The man took off at lightning speed out of the cafe and once he reached the street, Disapparated. Ginny then fell apart.

She was checked over by her healer, and she and baby were fine. Lucius went crazy as there was no idea as to who the man was. And as a result of this, Lucius made it very clear that Ginny was not to go out alone unless directly to the home of family or Luna. And only if they knew she was coming, unless she was with someone of age. She understood that it was not that she could not do magic, or that her husband felt she could not defend herself. It was simply with the changes to her body, she was not able to move around as well as before, and the baby made her more vulnerable. Ginny's family even completely understood Lucius' reasoning, and her sisters in law, Fleur and Angelina, who stayed at home with their own children, were willing to go out with Ginny during the day. However, Lucius said that with Fleur still pregnant herself, she would be just as vulnerable as Ginny. All Ginny had to do was say she wanted to go somewhere and Lucius would rearrange his schedule. If this could not be done, then Draco would take her and if both were unavailable, Lucius would find someone to take her. However, the choices were limited to her family, Severus, or Potter. Lucius found that Potter having lingering feelings for Ginny could be manipulated for his own uses.

When Lucius and Ginny sat Kyra down to tell her about the baby, Kyra reacted well to the news. She once again took time to think about how it would affect her, then came back with questions from time to time. She was very excited to have her own baby on it's way. Ginny was surprised that Kyra never asked about Ginny's growing size. Ginny could tell that Kyra was thinking of the new baby as a doll, but Fleur explained that it was normal. Fleur herself had done the same thing as a child with Gabrielle.

Lucius and Ginny were relaxing in their sitting room one evening. He was rubbing her back as they talked. "We need to pick godparents for this one. But I would like to know why Severus is godfather to Kyra?"

"Why? Do you mind?"

""I have no problem with it; in fact, he is also Draco's godfather."

"Oh. I did not know that. Well, I had told you before, some of it was that I wanted her to have a close relationship with someone so she would know not all Death Eaters were bad. But also I saw and heard how Severus did everything in his power to protect Harry, even if it did not seem that way at times. If he could do that for the son of a man he hated, I felt he would be a good choice."

"You're forgetting that he loved Potter's mother."

"Still he, Harry, looks so much like his father it would have been hard to forget the fact. You know, I think Lily made a big mistake. Severus is clearly the bigger man. Somehow, from what I hear, I don't think James Potter could have done the same thing if the roles were reversed. Okay, so who were you thinking of for godparents?"

"I was thinking Draco and Fleur."

"Two of my closest friends...that will work. Lucius, I have one question for you. For a while now, I have noticed you have begun to care about what others think about us. What has changed?"

"My dear sweet wife," he began as he shook his head, "to be honest, I really don't care what the world thinks of us. For me it makes little difference. However, I do realize that we have children and because of my actions in the past, when it comes time for them to marry, Kyra and any other daughters we have may have a limited amount of pureblood choices. Other pureblood families would think long and hard about allowing their son to marry a daughter of Lucius Malfoy, including former Death Eaters and Voldemort supporters may have second thoughts."

"And what happens if one wants to marry a Muggle-born?"

"I pray that won't happen, but if it does, I will have to find a way to deal with it. I won't turn my back on any of our children."

"Well, that's a relief because I think this one wants to become a Muggle football player, the way it kicks." She rubbed her tummy absent-mindedly.

The room next to Ginny and Lucius was changed into a nursery, which Ginny decorated with beautiful antique furniture she found in the attic. Lucius was more than willing to buy new stuff, but Ginny had fallen in love with several pieces which included the bassinet that had been Lucius' when he was a baby, a rocking chair that Luicus' grandmother used to rock his father in, and a few other pieces. She did buy all new linens and gave the room an enchanted forest theme.

It was the very end of November and Lucius was staying late at the office when Ginny's water broke. She knew it was too early. Thankfully, Draco had been home and came running when she called for help. "Ginny, what's wrong?" he asked, then noticed the puddle of fluid at her feet. "Oh god! What do we do?"

"Floo the healer, then your father."

"Right," he said and headed to the fireplace. Ginny went to leave the room. "Where are you going?"

"I need to use the loo."

"Right."

Ginny asked Patty to get her bag. She returned to the parlour to find Lucius and Draco; they were talking in hushed voices, both looking angry. Lucius looked over at her and rushed to her side. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm a little scared. It's so early."

"We have bigger problems, Ginny. There was a massive werewolf attack up north. Every healer is at St. Mungo's and it's been closed to everyone else at this time."

Ginny's eyes grew big and she went white. Lucius wrapped his arm around her. She then almost doubled over in pain as a contraction hit her. She tried to breathe through it. Both Draco and Lucius watched, unsure of how to help. Once it passed. Ginny said, "Draco, Floo my mother. Explain things to her; she's done this six times. Angelina was studying to be a healer; maybe she's at home. I'm sure Fleur will help, too. Lucius, help me to our room. Draco, maybe take Kyra to Andromeda's, Teddy is staying there this week."

Lucius looked at her. "Are you sure?"

"What other options do we have? Would you prefer we go to a Muggle hospital?" Lucius shuddered in disgust, then led Ginny to their bedroom and helped her change into a large t-shirt. When he went to place her on the bed, she stopped him. "The sheets," she said with concern.

"We have more and we'll buy new ones." he assured her. Once he placed her on the bed, he asked. "Do you want anything?" There was a knock on the door and Molly poked her head in.

"Ginny dear, don't worry! All of you children were born at home. Angelina and Fleur are both on their way."

Hours later it had become clear that Ginny would need a second removal. Angelina looked at Molly, not having to say the words, then she looked at Ginny and Lucius. He was sitting behind Ginny as she used him as a backrest. "Lucius, I can't do this; I'm not strong enough."

"Ginevra, you're the strongest person I know. If anyone can do this, it's you!"

"Ginny, the baby is not going to come on its own, and if we don't get it out soon, you both could die," explained Angelina. "I'm going to try calling Madam Pomfrey at Hogwarts; maybe she can help."

Ginny nodded and Angelina moved away to Floo Hogwarts. Lucius felt Ginny shudder. "Is it the pain?" he asked in a soft voice.

"No, I'm scared."

"Ginny, you've done this before," he said.

"That was at St.Mungo's, with a healer!"

"You're both going to be fine, Ginny. You're strong and brave. Did I ever tell you when I knew that I could love you?" She only shook her head, not wanting him to realize she was crying. "It was that night that you were brought here, once we returned to Voldemort."

Molly was standing off to the side and across the room, but she was watching and listening to what Lucius was saying and doing. At first, she was mad that he would bring up the night he raped her little girl, but she continued to watch and listen.

"After everything that you went through, you stood there baiting him, knowing that if he wanted to, he could kill you in a second. But you showed how brave you are. And then over the last eightteen months, I have watched you, and when others stood quivering around me, you did not even bat an eye. You're the bravest person I have ever known, and I love you for that. I remember after the final battle you coming over and asking about Severus, showing no fear of me once more. If anyone can do this, it's you."

"Madam Pomfrey has her hands full already, but Ginny, I have assisted on a removal before. I can do this," Angelina explained. There was a knock on the door and it was Snape. He arrived with blood replenishing and pain killing potions.

"I need a few minutes to perpare. Do you mind staying, Lucius, until we are ready to start?" Angelina asked.

"I'm not leaving," Lucius said, and no one questioned him. However, he had to move out from behind Ginny before they could begin.

Angelina pulled Lucius to the side. "You realize that the baby might not make it, right?" Lucius nodded. "Ginny is in no place to make any decisions. If something goes wrong, who should I focus my attention on?"

"Ginevra would want you to worry about the baby. However, if there is no hope for the baby, do what you have to to keep Ginevra alive. I'm not even worried about more children; just keep her alive."

Angelina nodded, hoping she would not fail them. Ten minutes later, Fleur was holding the new baby girl in her arms, with her breathing fairly good and all baby parts intact. Lucius was sitting next to Ginny, holding her hand. As much as Lucius wanted to meet his new daughter, he would not leave Ginny's side. She was awake and kept asking about the baby. Finally, Angelina said, "I just have to seal everything, She'll be fine. Lucius, go meet your daughter."

Before leaving Ginny's side, he kissed her on her forhead,."I'm very proud of you!" He gave her a big smile.

"Bring her over here," Ginny requested. He nodded, and as he made his way over to the bathroom where Fleur was cleaning up the baby, he caught his first glimpse of red hair. The baby's eyes were still puffy, but Fleur was being so gentle with the baby, it was not crying anymore. Lucius stepped closer to Fleur to better view his daughter.

As Fleur continued, sponging she said, "I'm so 'appy for you boat', she seems so perfect, but small."

Fleur grabbed a diaper, placing it on the baby. Then she wrapped her in a couple of blankets to keep her warm. As she lifted the baby, she gave Lucius a smile, then handed him his daughter. Lucius looked down at the baby; he had never seen any living human that was so tiny. And his daughter was beautiful. Fleur was saying something, but Lucius did not hear her. He only knew that in this moment, love at first sight was possible.

Fleur gently touched his arm. "Take 'er so Ginny can see 'er."

Lucius realized his error, "Yes, of course." He then moved back into the bedroom towards Ginny. He smiled down at his wife as he took a seat. "Are you ready to meet your daughter?" He gently placed the baby on Ginny's chest.

"She's so small!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Yes she is, but she is beautiful, just like her mother," said Lucius.

"Hello, little one! You gave Mummy quite the scare." The baby and Ginny began to cry.

Ginny tried to soothe her. "Ginny, you need to let her get up to a good full cry," Angelina said. "It will help her lungs. I'm finished here. Of course, a real healer will have to check you over later. The baby too, I'm sure. But I'm not going to leave until you have been checked out."

Fleur came over. "I need to go feed my liddle Dominique," she explained. Bill had come with Fleur and was caring for his own two month old while Victorie was at George's with little Fred. "De udders will want to know, should I just tell dem dat you're boat' fine?"

"You can tell them that it's a girl," Lucius stated. Fleur nodded, then left. The baby was now in a full cry.

"Ginny, try nursing her now," Angelina said. Lucius took the baby while Ginny moved into a sitting position, with help from Angelina. Molly, who had been assisting in the removal, came over while Lucius held the baby as if she might break with one wrong move. "Oh Ginny, she's smaller than the twins were, and she's so beautiful!"

Lucius handed the crying baby back to Ginny. As she brought the baby to her breast, the small infant latched on, instantly knowing what to do. "Hungry, aren't you?" Ginny asked. Lucius simply watched in amazement. "Lucius, did you ever decide on a name?"

Lucius looked down at his newborn. "She's a fighter. What do you think of Athena, after the goddess of wisdom and warfare? Because she is also a child from two different sides."

"Athena? I like it! What about a middle name?"

Lucius smirked, "Angel?"

"Athena Angel Malfoy. Hello, Athena Angel Malfoy." Ginny clearly got what Lucius was thinking. If it weren't for Angelina, she and the baby could have died; it seemed a fitting thanks.

Angelina did not allow anyone else in to see the baby until St Mungo's finally realized who Ginny was and sent a healer over to check on them and give them the all clear. Arthur, Draco, and Kyra were the first to enter the room to see the newest member of the family. Draco had brought Kyra back once the healer arrived. She was very excited to have a little sister. When she was allowed to hold her sister, she started telling the baby about all the toys they had. After a couple of hours visiting, everyone had left, and Kyra was in bed. Draco had appointed himself to take charge of Kyra for the next couple of days to give Ginny and Lucius time to adjust to a baby schedule. Once alone, Ginny was holding the baby and feeling very tired. Lucius watched her, concerned. "Let me take her. You need some sleep."

"I don't want to be away from her; she's so little."

"Fine." He placed a charm on the bed so Ginny could not roll over on the baby or off the bed. "Lay down and get some sleep."

"Aren't you coming to bed?" she asked hopefully.

"Do you want me there?" he asked back and she nodded. He thought she might want some space after everything, but she wanted him close, which made him happy. He changed and then climbed into bed next to Ginny, who was still very sore. She had placed the baby on the bed with its head resting in the bend of her arm. She was on her side and Lucius lay on his side very close to her. He propped his head on his hand, looking down lovingly at both of them.

Over the night, when the baby woke to feed, Lucius took her and changed her diaper, with instruction from his wife. He did not want Ginny to have to get up for anything, for fear she might hurt herself.

Lucius started working for the most part from the Manor while Ginny stayed pretty close to home. She had to worry about Athena getting sick because it was more dangerous for preemies. But she did make a couple of trips between feedings to Diagon Alley for Christmas gifts. A week before Christmas, Ginny was in the nursery feeding Athena and Lucius was putting Kyra to bed. Draco knocked on the door. "Come in." Ginny assumed it was Lucius; he had been very respectful of her privacy. She guessed it was because of how Narcissa had been with Draco. She could tell he enjoyed watching her feed Athena, so she didn't even look up as the door opened.

"I enjoy looking at breasts as much as the next man..." Ginny looked up in surprise. She did not have an extra blanket to cover herself.

As she turned red with a blush, she urged, "Grab me a blanket!"

Draco did as he was told, but as he handed it to her he kept his eyes on Ginny's eyes. Once she covered herself, he finally asked,."I was wondering: is anything going on here on Christmas Eve?"

"No, just a quiet dinner. Why?"

"I was wondering if you would mind if I invited Astoria for dinner?"

"Is she coming for approval?" Ginny asked.

Draco stared at her, "Father already knows her and he does not have any problems with her. I just need my closest friends to like her."

Ginny blushed again. "Thanks. Of course she can come, unless she's ill."

"I would never endanger Athena's health" he promised. Ginny had become the perfect female friend for him; a woman who spent enough time disliking him to be willing to put him in his place, a woman who he had no chance of shagging, and she not being his friend because of something she wanted from him. He enjoyed having a true friend.

Christmas Eve dinner went very pleasantly. Ginny liked Astoria, even though the girl seemed a little shy. However, Christmas morning was the more interesting part of the holiday. Once everyone was asembled in the living room and were opening presents, Kyra brought one over to Lucius. "Daddy, Grandma had told me to give this to you." She handed him a package that Ginny thought for a second she knew what it was, then realized it was for Lucius. She watched with curiosity as he opened the package, revealing a black Weasley jumper with a green 'L' on it.

Lucius looked at his wife with an expression that could only be confusion. "Oh Lucius." Ginny, who was feeding Athena, smiled, then continued, "Relax. I'm sure she knows that you would never wear it. It's symbolic; she accepts you as part of the family."

"Now my life is complete," he sneered sarcastically.

"Daddy, you're so funny!" Kyra laughed.

A couple of days later, Ginny came upon Draco in the library. One look at him and she knew something was wrong. She walked up to him. "Draco, what's up?"

He gave her half a smile, "I asked Astoria to marry me last night. She said no."

"Oh, Draco! I'm sorry! What happened?"

"I told her I felt that if we were to wed, it would be beneficial to both our families and any children we had would benefit from the fact that we are both pureblood. I pointed out all the benefits of our union, but she slapped me across the face and told me to leave."

Ginny shook her head. "You really are a complete idiot! I would have been really worried if she had said yes to that. God, Draco, I don't care who she is; every woman spends a great deal of time thinking about how she will be proposed to. From what I just heard, you made it sound like a business deal."

"Well, how did Father ask you?"

"Draco, when you have a child, things are so very different. Your father's proposal was, well, like everything he does; his way or no way. You screwed up big time! This calls for something really big. You have to make her feel like she's the only woman in the world. You need to put a lot of thought in to it. Start with her favorite things, or something she said she always wanted to do but never has."

That spring, Lucius and Ginny attended Draco's wedding. Andromeda and Teddy were also sitting with the groom's family.

A/N This is the second last chapter of this story But I have posted the first chapter of my second story. It's called Mistress, and it's another Ginny/Lucius story. Please read it!!