In your arms I can still feel the way you
want me when you hold me
I can still hear the words you whispered
when you told me
I can stay right here forever in your arms

Forever and Always ~ Shania Twain

Narcissa sat beside Lucius with her eyes drooping as she stared at the door Harry disappeared through. She didn't regret letting Harry sit with Draco, but she still wanted to be with her son. Every time she thought of what he did to himself, she shuddered. Her poor little boy. He'd been through so much and there seemed to be no end to it.

Forcing her eyes away from the door, she looked to her husband. Lucius had become stoic, staring off into space, but she could see the pain in his eyes. She knew she was making his pain worse and some of her anger began to dissipate. He'd given-up trying to touch her, as if the few moments she'd allowed him to hold her hand were more than he thought he deserved.

Sighing, she got to her feet and resettled in Lucius' lap with her arms wrapped around his neck and her head rested on his chest. The feel of his body calmed her. His arms wrapped around her and he rested his head on hers. If she closed her eyes she could almost pretend everything was normal and she was home cuddling with her husband.

"I love you, Cissa."

"I love you, too."

"Does this mean I'm forgiven?" he asked, stroking her hair. "Or did you just need a pillow?"

His lame attempt at humor made her smile. Even at the worst of times, even when he couldn't see her face, he wanted her to smile.

"I'm sorry," he added. "I've treated Draco horribly and upset you. It was selfish to indulge in a sulk at a time like this."

"You're tentatively forgiven," she told him, "but only because I need a pillow. You have to make things right with Draco. You're his father; that doesn't change because he's gay. And you can't change him. He's committed to this relationship."

"Clearly, I used to be able to sway him with a well placed glare."

"He's not a child anymore," she reminded him, curling her fingers through his hair. "He has to decide these things for himself."

"Well, it's not like I always gave him the best advice. Looking up to me never did him any favors."

"Don't say that. Draco loves you and he'll always look up to you. That's why it's so important that he knows you accept him."

"I'll talk to him."

"Are you going to tell him you accept his relationship with Harry?"

"Yes."

"Do you?" She tilted her head to look into his eyes. "Draco's not stupid, Lucius, his actions tonight notwithstanding. He'll know if you're lying and he may not be able to forgive you for it."

"I won't by lying, Narcissa. I've done a lot of thinking while sulking and even more tonight. I can accept this and I will, for my son."

She beamed up at him. It felt wrong to smile so broadly while waiting for her son to awaken from serious, self-inflicted injuries, but suddenly she knew it was going to be all right. Lucius was going to make everything all right.

"I'll talk to him after he wakes, once you and Potter are done coddling him, of course." He grinned at her. "You know he deserves a kick in the arse for a stunt like this, right?"

She lowered her head back to his chest and closed her eyes. She didn't want to talk about why. The thought that her Draco could do something like that terrified her.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't mean to upset you. Don't worry, Cissa. Draco's going to be fine. We'll make sure of it and Potter will, too."

"You'll eventually have to stop calling him Potter, you know."

"As long as he doesn't call me Dad, I'll deal with it."

She laughed. "I am so asking him to do that."

"Don't you dare."

Still laughing, she cuddled closer to him. After all the time she wasted ignoring him, it felt good to bask in his touch. She'd missed him. Would he feel this lonely when she was gone forever?

With her eyes closed and her husband silent, Narcissa was surprised how quiet the hospital was. No Healers running about. Either they were in a secluded part of the building or it was a slow night. Even Hermione hadn't been back to check on Draco; although her red-haired friend slipped into the room once.

"How are you feeling?" Lucius finally asked. "A night like this can't be good for you."

She smiled. He'd done so well. He let her worry and lecture, without commenting on her health. She realized he'd been biting his tongue the whole time. He'd probably drawn blood keeping himself from suggesting she stay home.

"I'm tired," she admitted, "but that's most likely because it's the middle of the night. Really, Lucius, I'm fine. We need to focus on Draco tonight."

"We'll focus on Draco when he wakes up. I'll even refrain from kicking his arse. But, in the meantime, why don't you try to get some sleep. You've got an oversized pillow, after all. I'll wake you when he's with us."

"You'll hold me?"

"Nothing makes me happier."

"I love you, Lucy," she mumbled before burying her head in his chest and falling asleep in his embrace.