...Christmas Recuperation...

Draco drops next to me, panting, sweat rolling off of us. "Did I make myself clear enough Isabella? You lost. No more toys. Bring it up again and I'm selling your custom-made knife sets first." he pants. I roll over pouting and pull the sheets up to cover myself. He rolls over wrapping me in his arms and pressing me to his chest. Our naked bodies pressed against each other we fall asleep quickly.

I wake to him kissing my shoulders. "No more. I'm worn out." I groan making him laugh. "I made a nice bath." he whispers kissing my cheek. I turn to him and wrap my arms around him. He picks me up and carries me to the bathroom. "Are we going to have another argument today?" Draco mumbles stroking my hair.

I turn to him and kiss him. "We didn't have an argument Dray we had a discussion." I frown. Draco turns me back around in the tub and goes to the sink. I sigh sinking lower into the water. I'm still sore from yesterday's intimate activities but the good kind of sore. I let my head fall back moaning softly as the hot water relaxes my aching body.

When I'm done with my bath Draco picks me up and carries me to the counter. I put my head on his chest as he combs my hair. "Are you still tired?" he wonders dropping down to eye level. I shake my head. "Did you work too many patrol shifts before the break?" he asks putting a hand to my forehead.

"It's not that. I'm hungry. Really hungry." I pout. I hop off the counter and slip into one of Draco's shirts. He sighs leaning on the wall. He looks me over as if wanting to say something. I skip past him and to the kitchen. I take my time perusing my toys. Some were gifts, some were in lieu of payment, and others Draco bought me.

I grab panini press and then take out the ingredients for a breakfast sandwich. Draco goes to his office to read the paper and his homework. I take him the egg, bacon, and tomato sandwich when it's done. I kiss his cheek before leaving and go back to the kitchen.

I work on some new sketches while I eat and feel Draco's arms around me. "Your still not well love. All those shifts are wearing you out. You need to rest. I don't want you to get sick again." he whispers holding me tightly. "Nap with me? Just for a little while." I murmur. He nods and leads me back to bed. "If I don't do the shifts, I won't get tougher." I mumble as he tucks the covers around me. "I don't think being tough should be your focus Iz, you need proper rest. Now go to sleep." he smiles.

I wake late in the afternoon and groan. Draco walks in with a tray of snacks and drinks. I sit up and hold out my arms. He places the tray on the bedside table and crawls into bed. He lays me down and puts his head on my chest. I run my fingers through his hair. "Yes Isabella?" he smiles. When I don't say anything, he looks at me. I shake my head and he sighs. He taps my arm and I scoot over to make space as he crawls under the covers.

He strips out of his clothes and takes off the shirt I'm wearing. I give a little gasp as he pulls me close and kisses me. "Let's just lie here like this, ok?" he smiles. He then puts my leg over him and my head on his arm. It's an intimate embrace to say the least yet it's also comforting. I do a little fidgeting and he smiles.

"Yes?" I whisper. "Oh, it's nothing. You're just absolutely beautiful." he laughs. I blush and hide my burning face in his chest. "Your smile is so bright and your laugh is gorgeous. I am positively in love with the way you look at me like I'm the only person in the room. When you say my name it's like I'm on cloud nine. I'm sorry for hurting you the way I did and I'll never forgive myself. Never, until the day I die." he murmurs rubbing my back. I blink up at him in surprise.

"I shouldn't have run like a coward like I did in the beginning. I should've treated you like this the entire time. Let me spend the rest of my life making up for it, Isabella." he whispers kissing the top of my head. I start to tear up and he holds me closer. "I want so very desperately to make it up to you and treat you better like you deserve." he whispers in my ear.

In the morning I roll over to look at the clock and Draco pulls me back groaning. "It's too early darling and we have to be at your grandparents by three in the afternoon. Rest a little while longer please." he mumbles. I lie back down upon his request. "Why didn't you tell me?" he wonders.

I frown and tilt my head. "About the incidents. Why didn't you tell me about the incidents?" he rubs my arms. "I just didn't want to worry you but it seems that I've worried you anyways. I'm sorry and I'll be honest and upfront about it in the future." I promise and kiss his hands.

I dress quietly while Draco talks to dad in the living room. When I walk out, I give dad a hug. "Ready to go?" Draco asks handing me my coat. I nod slipping into the coat. "Come on then before we're late. I'd rather not be scolded by Dione again." dad frowns getting to his feet. We head out and I tighten my coat when the wind whips up.

Grandma sweeps us into the house and out of the cold. The rest of the family is here or on their way. Draco guides me to an empty seat after taking my coat. "You're such a worry wart." I sigh. He kisses my cheek and goes to put our coats away. Grandma comes from the kitchen and hands me a mug of tea. I smell medicine and frown. "Draco told your father about your incidents because of all those patrols. You truly need proper rest, a good diet, and vitamins. Let that boy take care of you. Don't be stubborn girl." she looks at me with worry.

I nod obediently and drink the tea. She watches me until I've emptied the cup and then hands me another mug. I groan and she gives me a fiercely disapproving look. I drink it and make a funny face. She takes the mugs to the kitchen and I catch a glimpse of grandfather, dad, and Draco talking. Aspen, Neoma, and Bridget come over to talk to me. We turn our conversation to Aspen who's six months pregnant.

"Are you excited?" Neoma asks. "Obviously both of them were or she wouldn't be pregnant right now." I smirk. "Isabella!" the three of them gasp in shock. I begin to hum 'Let's Get it On' by Marvin Gaye under my breath. Aspen blushes and scurries into the kitchen with Neoma and Bridget close behind her.

I go to get up but am forced back down. Frowning I turn to the hand on my shoulder and find Draco frowning at me. He walks around my seat and crouches down. "Did I not feed you enough before we came? Why are you teasing Aspen?" he sighs. "Because she has the most adorable blush." I smile. He frowns and pinches my cheek. "Stop teasing her." he warns.

I nod and he nods for me to get up and I do. He sits down pulling me onto his lap. I put my head on his shoulder and play with his hand. "Did you tell grandfather?" I ask quietly. He nods. "He's very disappointed and I can't blame him. I as well as your father and grandfather are highly disappointed that you didn't say something sooner. Do not repeat it." he orders in a worried tone.

I kiss his cheek and then get comfortable. "You'll be the very first person I tell next time." I whisper. He rubs my arm and holds me tighter. "Promises, promises." he chuckles. "Grandmother made me drink two full mugs of medicinal tea. It was nasty." I pout. Draco suppresses a burst of laughter and kisses the top of my head. "If you keep hugging me like this, I'm going to fall asleep." I yawn. He tilts his head in confusion.

"Warm tea plus a bit of fun and teasing plus being held like this in the most comfortable position equals a very sleepy Mrs. Isabella Malfoy." I whisper in his ear. His heart picks up speed and he loosens his hold slightly. I turn slightly and wrap my arms around him. "I love you dummy." I murmur running my fingers through his hair.

Dinner is a very lively event and by the time everyone is ready to go to bed there is not a single crumb of food left on the plates. Draco and I go up to our room and collapse onto the bed. I shrug out of my clothes and toss them to the floor. I crawl under the covers and Draco follows suit. He rests his head on my chest and we fall into a deep slumber.

We're shaken awake by his mother in the morning. I go to sit up but Draco groans and tightens his arms so I can't get up. I groan and tap his arms. He doesn't budge. "Draco! Get up right now!" his mother orders. His eyes flutter open and he looks at me in confusion. I nod at his mother and he groans again but doesn't get up. "Yes mother?" he sighs rolling over to look at her clearly.

"The girls are going down to the spa Dione has here. I came to fetch Isabella." she frowns at Draco's behavior. I'm still hitting his arms trying to get him to let go. She grabs my robe and slippers and I pout at him and start squirming. "The boys are spending the day with the Dark Lord so get out of bed too you lazy child." she smiles.

She places my slippers by the bed and hangs my robe on the bed post. "15 minutes you two." she points a finger trying to be stern and then whisks out of the room. Draco drapes his arm across me and kisses my exposed shoulders. "Dray, I have to go." I whine quietly. He groans as go to get up and pulls me back down. "Five more minutes." he whispers in my ear.

When his five minutes are up, I turn and kiss his cheek. "Behave Dray." I whisper. He sighs and sits up. I straddle him and kiss him softly. "I don't want to leave this bed with you." he whines. I pepper his face with kisses until he smiles. "Don't be a brat." I whisper. He raises an eyebrow and gets up carrying me to the bathroom.

After a quick shower I head down to the spa. Grandma tuts disapprovingly. "You two! You're almost grown and yet still pushing each other into water to wake up." she smirks. I blush "He didn't want to wake up. I tried everything." "Did you try kissing him awake too?" Amber giggles. I nod unashamedly. "Go change you two." grandma laughs and waves us into the changing room with the other girls.

I change and get some water. Aspen makes her way over and hugs me. "My sincerest apologies. I didn't know about the incidents." she whispers. I nod politely. "Why didn't you tell any of us? We're family. I'll always be by your side. You know that right?" she pouts. "Of course, I know but I'm not the type to want others worrying about me. It makes me feel bad." I insist.

She continues pouting and I hug her. "Come now, if you continue pouting like this Dylan's going to kick my ass." I pout. She sniffles and tries to smile. "Scratch Dylan kicking your ass, grandma will kick your ass." Amber whispers as she passes. I roll my eyes. I sink into the steamy water and a sigh of relief leaves my lips.

I let myself relax playing with the flower petals in the water. Grandma brings me another mug of medicinal tea. I frown and start to scoot it away but she places a large jug of the tea by the mug. "Drink up Isabella." she smiles and pats my shoulder. I sink below the water to hide my attitude that is rapidly surfacing.

I reemerge and down the vile tea. Grandmother smiles at me as I gag. "If you don't love me anymore you can just say it. You don't have to torture me like this." I mouth at her in French before dipping back into the water. I continue to drink the tea making funny faces all the while. I walk back up to me and Draco's room at the end of our spa day feeling relaxed my skin smooth as satin glowing softly after its treatment.

I slip out of my robe and beneath the warm sheets. "What a pretty sight." I hear Draco smirk and I nearly fall out of the bed in shock. Draco walks out of the shadows and crawls into bed beside me. He kisses me softly while running his hands up and down my arms. "Soft as sin. Let's pick up where we left off this morning." he smiles getting under the covers with me. We cuddle for a bit before falling asleep.

In the morning Draco is stroking my hair and kissing my cheek. I groan and roll over. "You have to wake up and take your medicine." he whispers in my ear. I groan again and whack him with my pillow. He throws the pillow across the room. "I agree Mrs. Malfoy. We only need one pillow. You can use me if you want." he smiles turning me to him.

I wrap my legs around him and kiss his neck. "We have to get up before we get 'summoned' again. Please?!" I whisper. He groans in complaint but sits up. The sheets fall off of us and I shiver as the cold air hits my skin. I cling to Draco trying to stay warm. I can feel him laughing as he climbs out of bed with me.

I drag a brush through my hair while Draco watches me. I turn to him setting my brush down. I wave him closer and wrap my arms around him. "Didn't we have to get ready before being summoned." he asks in a shaky voice as I dance my fingers across his shoulders. "So, I'm not allowed to kiss my husband. Fine then. I won't. Don't start pouting and complaining then." I pout turning back to the mirror.

"No, I want..." I turn to him with a frown cutting him off. "No more kisses for you mister." I snap and push him out of the bathroom and close the door. He knocks sadly on the door and I stifle a laugh. I contemplate letting him be sad a little while longer but instead make my way to the door. I open it a crack and find Draco staring sadly at the floor.

I make kissing noises at him and quickly shut the door to get dressed. I open the door and Draco pulls me into his arms and kisses me passionately until we're both gasping for air. My hands are in his hair and he picks me up and lays me on the bed. "Stay right here and behave Isabella." he whispers. I nod and point at the medicinal tea. "Drink up. All of it." he kisses the top of my head.

I drink the tea without complaint and wait for Draco. He comes out dressed similarly to me. I hold my hands out. He walks over with a smile and I get to my feet. "The tea is really working. You look like you were never sick. Much better love." he whispers caressing my face. I close my eyes and lean into his hand.

We walk downstairs hand in hand. "Wow, do my eyes deceive me or is the sleepy couple one of the first to wake without a summons?!" aunt Carwyn teases. I nudge Draco towards the table and sit next to him. Draco and grandmother have a whispered conversation that I'm not allowed to even be near.

I collapse into bed after another full day. Draco laughs at my behavior. I sit up and watch him. He grabs a book and joins me. I lay on his chest while he reads. "Go to sleep Isabella." Draco whispers. I shake my head as much as I dare. "Go to sleep love." he whispers kissing the top of my head and pulling the covers around me.

I wake early in the morning and slip out of bed. Draco finds me 10 minutes later soaking in the bath. He sits on the edge of the tub and watches me. I cover myself and turn away. "I've already seen all of you Iz. Why are you hiding from me?" Draco chuckles. "You made me go to sleep last night. Your punishment is not being able to look at me. Away with you." I huff.

Draco picks me up and turns me to him. I shiver as the cold hits my body. I sit back down dragging Draco with me. He stares at me in shock. I turn away flustered by my own actions. "Come here Izzy." he whispers. I shake my head. He begins counting and I bite my lip nervously. When he gets to ten, he turns me to him and kisses me. We fall back into the water lips locked.

I run a brush through my hair pouting. "Oh, stop it, you love me." Draco smirks kissing my shoulder. I turn away slipping my negligee on. "That's hardly the point. I was enjoying a nice relaxing bath. Why'd you bother me? I don't bother you." I huff. "Oh, but you do. Everything about you bothers me. From the way you look when you're screaming my name to the way you call out for me when you're asleep." he smirks pinching my cheek.

I poke his chest to get him to move but he pulls me closer. "What do you want?" he wonders. "To lay beside you while you read. I can fall asleep on my own. I just wanted to lie there." I mumble looking down. Draco lifts my chin and I stare up at him. "You still need to rest. You don't know how worried I am do you?" he whispers. I put my head on his chest. "I'm sorry." I murmur.

I spend the morning in Draco's arms. Grandfather went out to deal with something and won't be back until tomorrow. I sit up and begin poking Draco. "Yes?" he groans. "Is it ok if I go and fix some food in the kitchen?" I ask. Draco raises an eyebrow. "No, I'll be bored without you." he pouts. I whine and lean over him. "I'll go with you while you play. Wouldn't want you 'accidentally' acquiring more toys." Draco sits up and leans close to me.

I gasp and lean back. He smiles and kisses my cheek. "Time for Izzy to get dressed. Come here." he scoops me up and carries me to the closet. I pout as he sets me down. "You can't walk around in... that." Draco waves a hand at my negligee. Sighing I untie it and let it fall to the floor. I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his neck. "What should I wear then?" I smirk.

I open the pantry and grab the ingredients I want to use. Draco watches me though pretending to read his book. "What are you making?" he wonders trying to sound uninterested. "You'll see." I stick my tongue out playfully. As I prep everything Amber and Theo and Chann and Pansy enter the kitchen sniffing appreciatively.

I roll my eyes and continue working. I feel all five of them watching me though they say not a word. "How long are you five vultures going to watch me? You're all too quiet for my liking." I giggle. They start to fuss and I shoot them a look. "Since you're here and I have more mouths to feed... Amber! Could you grab the apples, persimmons, pears, and walnuts and wash them? Chann you can grab the kiwis, kumquats, and mandarin oranges. Thank you." I smile. They walk off to do their tasks muttering all the while.

I set the apple, persimmon, pear, and walnut tear and share bread on the table and drizzle it with chocolate and dust it with powdered sugar. Then I mash the kiwi, kumquats, and mandarin oranges with a bit of honey. I nod for Draco to come over. "Put even portions in the cups." I order. "There's only six of us love." Draco points to the numerous cups. I smile and walk to the kitchen door and open it. The rest of the family tumbles in. Even Blaise, Daphne, and Bellatrix have made an appearance.

He nods and turns to his task shoulders shaking in silent laughter. I laugh mockingly and return the pot bubbling away on the stove. Grandma and Blaise wander over sniffing the air. I open the lid and they migrate instinctively to the pot. I close the lid and frown. I nod them to the table and Daphne and Bellatrix guide them to the dining table.

Draco finishes his task and beckons me. "Am I free to eat now?" he asks hopefully. I point to the tea kettle on the stove. He starts to groan but I frown. "Take everyone a cup." I nudge him gently and he begins to hand out the cups. I check the pasta fagioli soup and French bread rolls. Draco, Chann, and Blaise are at my side in an instant. "Theo!", I call softly, "Why don't you take these three and make a salad."

The boys go rather reluctantly. I finish lunch and bring it to the table. I serve Aspen a bit extra and she smiles gratefully. While the adults are distracted by the meal, I stick my tongue out at her and her growing belly. Dylan gives me a warning look and I hurry to my seat next to Draco who gives me a frown. I give his cheek a quick peck before starting on my meal.

I see Daphne frowning at something Blaise tells her and she smacks his shoulder. I turn curiously but Draco puts a hand on my knee. I turn back and ladle more soup into his bowl. When everyone has had their fill, I bring in dessert. A luxurious and extravagant four tier golden vanilla cake with white chocolate mousse, vanilla custard, raspberry buttercream.

"I was going to save this for dinner but to hell with it." I smile and place it on the table and refill everyone's tea. Draco eyes his slice of eye cake with a frown. "There's no apple!" he mouths as I sit down. "Behave Dray." I mouth back. He pouts and grumbles until I put some of the cake in his mouth. His eyes widen and he eats without complaint.

Draco falls asleep quickly and I place his book on the nightstand. He groans and pulls me to his chest. "I'm sleepy. Stop moving Mrs. Malfoy." he mumbles. I smile and lay down. He sighs contentedly and pulls the covers higher. "I love you dummy." I whisper as I fall asleep.

I yawn tiredly as Draco carries me up to the castle. "Don't yawn like that. No one told you to stay up late studying. I thought I told you to go to bed early." Draco frowns. I kiss his cheek "I did, but then I couldn't sleep. So, I got back up after you left and studied some more. Don't be too upset. I just wanted to know a bit more about the potions you like to study. Please tell me you're not upset. I won't be able to sleep properly if you're mad at me." I murmur.