Worthy of Your Love: A New Found Love Sequel
Chapter 9 Ashes and Wine
(A/N: Sorry for not updating quickly enough, but I have you enjoy this one.)
Previously on WYL…
Bella's POV
"Of course we'll go with you! We'd love to!" they exclaimed happily. After years of searching, I never imagined I'll find my children this way, but I am happy I finally did. My problem now is: How do I tell them that I am their mother?
Present time, a few days later…
Bella's POV
I placed my head in my hands as I tried to think my life over and the things that happened to me in the last few days. Those kids are great, even Rad, and I have grown to love them in the short period that we have been together.
I brought them home to the house that I bought for myself and basically did everything from cleaning them up, shopping clothes and school supplies for them, etc. I went so far as to buy brooms for each one of them, even if first years are not yet allowed to join the Quidditch team, much less own one.
It was the second week of July now, and I intend to send them to school once they receive their letters. I knew all three of them are going to receive letters from Hogwarts because Rad told me his parents were wizards, but they are already dead so he had to find ways to survive.
The two kids…well, I feel that they are my children, but I haven't really confirmed it yet. I plan to bring them to St. Mungo's sometime in the near future, but I still don't have the guts to do it. I mean, what if they aren't really my children? I will die of heartbreak if that happens.
I have spent a little over a week with them and I am already smitten. I'm afraid I'm even spoiling them already. Right now, I really need some guidance in my life, so I called the kids and Apparated to the only place that still feels like home.
Standing in front of the gate of our family mansion, I touched the cold metal so that the place could recognize me and not raise the alarms. The iron melted away and made way for us, but it reappeared again after we've gone through it.
After having walked a short distance, we arrived in front of the huge wooden door that I was very fond of when this house was made.
Before I could even knock on the wood, the door opened, revealing Kreacher hiding behind it. A look of pure shock crossed his face and if the situation wasn't so serious, I would have laughed my heart out.
"Mistress Bella?" he breathed in disbelief. Might I mention that I haven't been here to visit my parents in a really, really long time?
"Greeting, Kreach. Is anybody home?" I asked him politely. He regained his composure after several seconds and nodded, opening the door further to let us in.
He eyed the children suspiciously, but when he saw the twins, his eyes widened. "Miss, are they your—?" he asked, before I cut him short. I couldn't have him shocking them just yet. They might stay away from me and flee, and I couldn't stand that kind of torture.
"I will explain everything to you when everything's clear to me already. All right, Kreacher?" I asked, agitated.
"Let me call the Lord and Lady. Shall I call your Uncle, too?" he asked obediently.
"Yes, please. Thank you." I thanked him for his service and before I could blink, he was gone. Even if that house elf is old, he is still very fast.
"Your parents are a lord and lady?" the girl asked. I still couldn't call her Lysandra since it isn't confirmed yet. Don't get me wrong, I really want to call her that because I know deep in my heart it really is her. I just wanted proof—solid proof.
Footsteps sounded through the house and I looked up to see Mother racing down to meet me. "Oh! Bella, it's been so long since you've visited us. Baby, I missed you so much." she crooned, and I almost felt embarrassed for myself.
Father just chuckled silently and rolled his eyes. I noticed his face, thought still handsome, already has a lot of lines and wrinkles. His hair is becoming gray, but at least he is not balding like other men his age.
Mother still looks beautiful as always, with her hair piled high on top of her head. There are some gray ringlets already, but not as noticeable as Father's. Her face remains as youthful as ever with no signs of old age showing.
Then, they both started to notice my companions. Mother scrutinized them for a few seconds until finally, realization dawned upon her. "Oh Merlin, Bella, are these—are they them?" she asked in disbelief, her hand covering her mouth.
"That's the very reason I came here, Mama. I wanted to speak with you and Papa privately, if that's alright." I requested, looking down at the children. "Is it okay with you if I leave you alone for a little while? We just have a few things to discuss. Don't worry, we won't be long." I said to the kids.
"Can we play outside, please?" the girl requested, using her puppy dog eyes on me. Although she is already eleven, she is a little bit childish still. Her brother, meanwhile, is more mature and grown-up than she is.
"All three of you can go out into the gardens and play. I will call you when we're done, okay?" I asked, giving each of them a soft pat on the cheek.
They answered me by running out of the door and Rad shouting, "Who reaches that pillar last doesn't take a bath regularly!"
I laughed and shook my head, and when I turned around to face my mother, she had an amused look on her face. "When did you find them and why did you just tell us now?" she asked continuously, leaving me no time to answer.
"I just found them a little over a week ago. I wanted to confirm if they really are my children, so I finally got the guts to ask you if you can determine whether they and I share the same blood or not." I told my father, hugging him after a few seconds.
"Of course I'll do it, sweetie. You didn't even have to ask." he said, stroking my hair softly. I still feel like a little girl sometimes, craving for love and affection from my parents.
"Thank you, Papa. I can never thank you enough." I thanked him sincerely with all my heart. "Where is Uncle Sirius, anyway?" I asked, blinking several times.
"He went out with Narcissa to Diagon Alley. She needed to get some things for her entertainment since she just stays home and has nothing to do but read or chat with me." Mother replied, crossing her arms.
"At least they have each other as company." I muttered, flopping unceremoniously on the elegant and extremely expensive couch.
"Everything will be alright, sweetie. Trust me, I know. You've been through hell and back; I think you can handle this. I'm so proud of the strong and brave woman you've become, Bella." Mother said, stroking my hair like she used to do when I was younger.
I gave her a smile of gratitude, but it didn't reach my eyes. "You still love Draco, don't you?" she stated more than asked. I know that even if those two kids I found on the streets are really my long-lost children, my life still wouldn't be complete because I was missing my other half. And I couldn't deny this any longer.
Every night, I yearn for his sweet embrace and his angelic voice telling me that everything will be okay, that we'd get through the obstacles like we always do. But it seems like we didn't survive this one.
He was my first love, and he is also the last man I will ever love. I regret that fateful night when everything went downhill right in front of my eyes, when I doubted whether he really is worthy of my love or not. It is the biggest mistake I have ever committed in my life, and I wish all the time that I could take those words back and tell him I love him.
But he is gone now, he finally had too much. I drove him towards the edge until he couldn't take it anymore. That's why he left me. I am to blame, and I am not denying anything.
"Mama, you know I am going to lie if I say I don't love him anymore. He meant the world to me, and I hope he could say the same about me. But even if I see him, I doubt he can still forgive me for breaking and ruining our marriage. I know I screwed up big time, and now I'm living in my own personal Hell." I sighed, holding back tears that threatened to fall.
"It's okay to cry, Bella. Just let it all out, it will ease the pain." Dad soothed, joining us on the couch.
"Thank you, both of you. I don't know what I would do without you. I cannot remember the last time we gathered as a family and bonded. I forgot how fun and comforting this is." I told them sincerely, half-laughing, half-crying.
We remained like that for some time, and for the first time in a very long time, I felt protected. I was home.
Nightfall…
Bella's POV
This is it—the moment I have been waiting for. Father secretly plucked a few strands of hair from the two children's heads and is now performing the spell that will determine whether they are my children or not.
There was too much tension in his study that I had to go out and take a little fresh air. The children don't know anything about it; I'm going to tell them when the result is out.
They fell asleep in the living room, exhausted from playing all day long. I could hear my heart racing in my chest and the blood pounding in my ears as I sat down and took a few calming breaths that acted as my lifeline.
If I didn't breathe more than usual now, I might have that Muggle disease they call heart attack.
"Bella, you do know that whatever the result is, that we'd be here for you?" Mama said, concerned for me. I was grateful for having her by my side, even though she was my enemy once, because mothers know best.
Sometime later…
Bella's POV
I gaped like a fish at my father, not being able to believe his words. He said that the hairs turned gold, so it is true…they are my children. I repeated it over and over again in my head, but I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I may still have the chance to complete my family.
Tears of joy flowed down my cheeks as I literally jumped my poor father. I didn't realize I had made so much noise I woke Scorpius up. After he had rubbed his eyes sleepily, he asked me a question.
"Why are you crying, Miss Malfoy? Are you feeling sad?" he mumbled, trying to keep his eyes open for me. I disentangled myself from my father and walked towards him.
"I will tell you tomorrow when you wake up, okay? Just go back to sleep, sweetheart." I crooned, kissing his forehead before wishing him goodnight.
He fell asleep almost immediately; his mouth slightly hanging open. I smiled at the image before me and wiped the tears away with a handkerchief.
"We're so happy, dear. Now, I finally have my grandchildren to dote on." Mother said happily, almost dancing around the room.
Father shrugged and rolled his eyes, following Mama upstairs. Before he was out of my sight, he wished me a goodnight.
I silently went to my own room and fervently prayed to express my gratitude at having retrieved my children. So much time stolen from us, and here we are. They don't even know I am their mother yet. I have to tell them tomorrow, but I hope they'd take it well and not drift away from me ever again.
There is only one person I want to share this moment with, but he is not present at the moment. And that person is no other than Draco Malfoy.
The next morning…
I woke up earlier than usual, feeling jumpy, excited, happy and nervous all at the same time. If I was going to do this right, at least I have to prepare them in some way.
Maybe I should take them to a nice place that they'd like and proceed on telling them the truth? Or maybe I should just tell them right here in my parents' house?
I had a million possibilities, but none of them seemed to fit the description "perfect". So, I went to the only person who can help me with these kinds of problem. Who else to call but my own mother?
I Apparated to my parents' room just to surprise the magic out of them and I saying that I succeeded is an understatement. My mom screamed so loudly I swear that even though the room is sound proof, she can be heard from half a mile away.
I laughed at her embarrassed then furious expression as she looked at me with those piercing eyes. "Bellatrix Black Malfoy…if you repeat that stunt again, I swear it will be the last thing that you will do. You are lucky you are my daughter because if you are somebody else; you would be ashes by now." she threatened, although she smiled all throughout the threat.
"Sorry, Mom, I just really need your help right now. Dad, could you give us a moment? Women's issues," I told him, choking a little from holding back a laugh.
"What could you possibly want at four-thirty in the morning?" she grunted, very unladylike for her.
"It is okay, Trix, I'd be down for tea in the kitchen. After your girl talk, you might want to join me for early breakfast." Dad said before finally disappearing down the staircase.
"Mom, I need your help on the children. How should I tell them that I am their mother? They might be shocked or something. They might even get scared of me! I want that moment to be perfect for me and for them. I cannot just blurt it out in front of them!" I said exasperatedly, all traces of my previous playful mood washed away.
"Bella, one thing I have learned in life is that nobody is perfect. Sometimes, we don't get what we want in life. But in the end, everything will turn out just fine. Maybe they don't need that moment to be perfect. Maybe…maybe they just want it to be right." she told me softly, holding me in her arms like the little girl I used to be.
"Thank you, Mom, for everything. It has really been an honor to be called your daughter. You know what? I don't even care what some people say about you, even if they call you crazy or what. I know the truth. I know that you are the best mom anyone can ever have, and I am grateful for having you." I told her sincerely, looking at her.
Her face glowed with happiness as she heard me say those words, and I'm happy I said them. Hopefully, my children could say the same about me.
Later in the afternoon…
The dining hall of the mansion…
We had just finished eating lunch, and I still haven't told them anything yet. I barely moved my food at all, just stared at it blankly. My parents noticed my lack of appetite and after dessert, he cleared his throat, meaning he is about to say something important.
"Children, especially both of you," he looked pointedly at Scorpius and Lysandra. "My daughter here has something important to tell you, and I want you to listen. Please hear her out and don't judge her or anything. Is that okay with you?" he asked softly but sternly.
I knew my Dad would make an excellent grandfather once they've accepted us in their lives. They were led to believe that their parents are dead. How would they react to finding out that that isn't true? Will they be overjoyed about meeting their parents or will they hate me?
All of this ran through my head as I swallowed nervously, fidgeting under the table. It's now or never.
"You see, eleven years ago, I had twins—one boy and one girl, and I named them Scorpius and Lysandra. But there are these bad guys—people who hated me because I fought them before, who stole them away from me. Since then, I spent every day of my life looking for them. That was until the day I found both of you." I started, tears welling up in my eyes but I tried my best to keep them at bay.
"What have we got to do with it?" Scorpius asked, even though I knew he was a smart boy and he already knows what's going on here.
"Wait, let me finish. At first, I had my doubts about you, but it was too much of a coincidence to ignore. I mean, look at both of you. I can almost see myself and my husband in both of you. You're like me and Draco combined. But what really confirmed my suspicion is the result of the spell my father performed on all three of us." I added, my voice thick with tears.
"The two of you are my children, and please, please believe that I never stopped looking for you after they stole you from me. And please believe that I love you both very much, and that I'd spent every second of my life making it up to you." I said as the tears finally flowed freely down my pale cheeks because I could no longer hold them back.
I buried my face in my hands, anticipating the rejection that was about to come. But it never did. Instead, two pairs of arms hugged me from either side, telling me that it's okay. It felt like a miracle to me.
"We love you, Mama." they said together, and I swore that I was the luckiest mother on Earth.
The next day …
Mom talked us into staying until the children left for Hogwarts. It saddens me to think that they have already grown up, and I wasn't there to watch them. We spent the night exchanging stories, and I nearly exploded when I heard about how they were maltreated by the people who raised them.
"Don't worry; I am here to protect you. Nobody can hurt you ever again as long as I live." I promised.
Now, I am going to take them shopping again at Diagon Alley. Since they are my children, that means they are also Blacks, and Blacks only deserve the best there is.
Before we left the mansion, I asked Rad a very personal question since I felt very light towards him like he was family. "Rad, I have been thinking about this since I met you in the streets. I am really grateful you protected my children from that man and I know they love you like an older brother, someone they could look up to. And I was wondering if…it is okay if I officially adopt you?" I asked crudely, not wanting to make this conversation any longer than it was.
After I had asked him that, he looked like a blind man seeing the sun for the first time in his life. He hugged me and thanked me over and over and over again. I doubt he would have stopped thanking me if I didn't pry him off of me.
I met with Uncle Sirius and Aunt Cissy last night, too, and they were simply delighted by the news. We haven't had a long conversation yet, but I look forward to spending the next few days with them.
I only took the three children with me since Mom wanted to stay at home and give me some bonding time with my children. Dad needed to go to work since he was summoned by the hospital. Uncle Sirius and Aunt Cissy are going to the Ministry together for work, too.
"Where are we going, Mom?" Lysandra asked, as I had started to call them by their proper names. I had even given them a nickname since their names are too long.
"We're going to this ice cream parlor I loved to go to when I was your age. Although the original owner died already, his daughter apparently inherited his talent in making ice cream. Fortescue's is still the best around here." I almost sang out, receiving cheers from the excited kids.
As we entered the ice cream parlor, I was immediately greeted by the daughter of Florean Fortescue, Florence. "What a surprise! You haven't been out in public since…" she trailed off, probably not wanting to disappoint me.
"It's nothing, Florence. Tell me, how is the business going?" I asked politely, looking at the petite girl. She is three years younger than I am, but still not married.
"Excellent. Oh, how rude of me. What are your orders, Miss Black?" she asked in a professional tone, addressing me using my maiden name.
"Um, I'll have a banana split and…what do you want, kids?" I asked, and she looked at them weirdly.
"I'll have a strawberry sundae!" Sandra sang happily, clapping her hands together.
"I want chocolate!" her brother exclaimed. "Oh, can I have cherry, too?" he asked, giving me his best puppy dog eyes look, even though it was completely unnecessary. At least I know they felt more like children now that they're with me. I doubt they have even tasted ice cream in their entire lives.
"How about you, Rad, see anything you like?" I asked my newly adopted son. The adoption papers will be finalized tomorrow and I cannot wait to have another member joining our family.
"Is…is it okay if I have the French vanilla?" he asked hesitantly, still shy when it comes to asking things from me.
"Of course, you can have anything you like. Don't be shy towards me, Rad. You are my son, even if you did not come from me." I told him passionately after Florence went to get our order, patting his head then heading off to find a nice private table.
The ice creams still taste as delicious as I remember them to be, maybe even a little better than before. While we were eating, we were making plans about where to go next and what to do. There is so much I wanted to show them, so much I wanted to teach them.
I promised to teach them how to play Quidditch before the school year starts, for they already received their Hogwarts acceptance letters already this morning. I also Flooed to the Castle and spoke with the now very old Minerva McGonagall and told her about the recent changes in my life and about what year Rad should be in.
She agreed to group him with boys his age, because I told her that I started teaching him advance lessons in magic already. Plus, Rad is a very intelligent boy, so I am sure that he will be able to cope up.
Just after I had snapped out of my reverie, the ornament above the entrance tinkled and I looked up to see the person I haven't seen in over ten years. But instead of being happy to see him, I felt dread spreading through my entire being because a woman was latched on his arm.
And it isn't just any woman; it is no other than Astoria Greengrass. She was one of my rivals in Hogwarts, although she is two years younger than I am. She is the younger sister of Daphne, one of the only Purebloods I can get along with.
However, Astoria is the exact opposite of her older sister. She is snobbish, arrogant, vain, and feels superior over everybody else. Right now, I think I'd rather see Pansy Parkinson on his arm than Astoria.
I suppose the look on my face was bad enough that my children started to worry about me. "Mom, you look like you have just seen a ghost. Are you okay?" Scorpius whispered.
"Uh, I-I'm okay, Scorp, no need to worry. I do tend to daydream all the time; I don't notice my surroundings anymore." I explained quickly, taking my eyes off the painful sight. I shut my eyes temporarily, turning my back to the pair as they made their way around the ice cream parlor, looking for a more private place.
"If you're all finished, I suggest we move on now." I muttered quietly, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. My lower lip was quivering as I tried to hold back my emotions, hoping the ground would open up and swallow me whole.
I left the Galleons on the table and gathered my things, scurrying out of the place with the children behind me. Before I could get out of the ice cream parlor, unfortunately, the person causing my distress chose that moment to notice my presence.
"Bella?" I heard my name being called by him, making me stop in my tracks. I closed my eyes and held my breath, trying to breathe evenly.
I slowly turned my head to face him, only to find out that he hasn't changed in the slightest. He still had that annoyingly beautiful face that made him so painful to look at. My heart clenched at seeing Astoria Greengrass holding on to his arm like a vice.
"Draco…" I breathed softly. His name fell from my lips like prayer, but I suppose he is just an unreachable dream now. I forced a smile and pretended to look happy in front of them for the sake of the little dignity I still have left.
Moments passed before either of us said anything, and I was the one to break the awkward silence. "It's good to see you. How long has it been?" I asked, sounding a little bit more cheerful than normal.
"I can't even remember anymore." he said in a daze, staring at me like it was the first time he has ever seen me.
"I…I probably need to go now." I mumbled, being the coward that I was. There was so much I wanted to tell him. So much I couldn't tell him because I lacked the courage to do so.
Just when I was about to escape from him, he called out to me again. "Wait." he said, only loud enough for me to hear.
"Can you…spare me a minute?" he asked hesitantly, pleading with me silently using his stormy gray eyes that until now I still couldn't resist.
My heart skipped several beats as I thought about an appropriate response to him. Before I could respond though, Astoria decided to whine in a very unsettling manner. "Draco, don't you think it is very disrespectful to a lady if you leave her alone with no company?" she asked calmly.
I think I prefer Pansy Parkinson with her flirtatious tone rather than this woman who spoke so calmly. It made me think about how she can easily stab me in the back when I am not looking without thinking twice.
"I am sorry, Astoria. I just really need a minute here." he apologized like the gentleman that he is, and almost dragged me out into the streets and around a secluded corner. Before we were completely out of the shop, I mouthed the words 'Take care of you and your siblings while I'm away.' to Rad since he was the oldest among the three.
Luckily, Astoria didn't notice because her face was so red I was surprised she hadn't exploded yet. It made me want to laugh at her, no matter how rude that would be.
"What is it that you wanted to tell me so bad that you can't even wait until we bump into each other next?" I asked, suppressing a giggle. I had never felt this giddy since the last time I saw Draco. In the back of my mind, I knew it was wrong. I should be letting him go now, not this.
He didn't say anything. Instead, he placed his hands on either side of me and kissed me—hard. I will lie if I say that I did not enjoy it. Truly, I did. But what I did next was very unpredictable, I wasn't even aware of it until I saw the pained look on Draco's face.
I bit him. Why did I do it? I don't know either. "Why did you bite me?" he asked, wiping away the blood from his lower lip.
"I'm sorry. I don't know why I did it." I explained quickly, thinking of ways on how to soothe his pain. That must have hurt a lot.
"You could have just told me to stop." he said, looking at me with those intense orbs.
"Would you have stopped if I asked you to?" I asked crudely, not thinking about what I was saying to him.
After some time, he finally responded to my question. "No. I wouldn't have." he told me honestly. I found myself drowning in those deep gray orbs that enchanted me so much. Not in the same way Edward dazzled me when I was still a teenager, no.
"How did we end up like this? We had the perfect life. Now, you have a mistress. I messed my life and got trashed. Why did it have to be like this?" I asked to no one in particular, tears welling up in my eyes.
Before he could respond, I did the only thing I'm good at-running. I walked away, just like that. I walked away as I heard my heart shattering again into a million tiny pieces. How could I be so stupid?
(A/N: Sorry, guys, you all probably hate me right now. But I have my reasons why I ended it like this. I promise you that the next chapter will be better.)
