Posted: Dec. 29, 2004

Chapter Twelve: A Strong Family Front

Draco hated traveling by Portkey, but it was necessary when traveling long distances. He had finally gone to Iceland to put the final touches of his plan into action. He would have sent Crabbe, like he always had, but something told him that he should do it in person.

While there, he met up with Fred Weasley, where he promptly told him he couldn't stay longer than a few days, because his wife was expecting him home in time for the birth of their first child, which they were both very excited about. Fred had managed a forced smile and congratulated him.

But they soon had to put their differences aside, because if things went well on both fronts, within a year's time Voldemort would be nothing more than a few pages in The History of Magic. Draco already knew that he had plenty of support, that the people that were in hiding wanted to take down the Dark Lord more than anything. But somehow, Draco knew he wanted to see that happen more than anyone else. Draco wanted to make sure that his son grew up in a world were he wasn't forced to do things merely to survive.

Draco was determined to have his son grow up feeling loved and safe, the way he never had. And of course, he was going to love his son's mother to the best of his ability. He didn't really have a great example of what love was growing up, but somehow Draco knew that it didn't matter because Angelina was always patient and understanding. . . okay, most of the time she was patient and understanding.

And after what they had been through in their first five years of marriage, they knew they could rough any storm. And as the months few by, doubt had pushed itself out of Draco's mind and he was beyond sure, that nothing would be able to break down what they had started to build, nothing. . .

Except maybe missing their son's birth. "Her name is Angelina Malfoy," Draco told the man behind the nurse's counter. "She's just had a baby, just tell me what room!" Draco was getting upset.

"Your father's a moron, yes he is," Angelina said playfully in a singsong voice as she held her firstborn. "I told him whatever he had to do could wait, especially since my due date was so close, but did he listen, no he didn't." Angelina lifted her head as her hospital room door opened.

"Tulip, you don't know what I just had to go through," Draco said as he entered the room.

"What you just had to go through?" She cocked an eyebrow.

Draco leaned on the back on the door and smiled as he put his hands in his pockets. "That's a beautiful sight right there." He took in the image of Angelina holding their child. He then pushed himself off the door and walked towards them. "So how's little Damien?"

"Fine, except for the name Damien," she stated.

"What do you mean?" He leaned over the bed and moved the bit of blanket that blocked his sleeping child's face and smiled. "I thought we agreed on Damien?"

"I know, but I didn't think that was proper for a little girl."

Draco's brow furrowed as he looked to Angelina. "Little girl?" He shook his head slightly. "You mean this baby isn't mine?"

"Not yours?" Angelina was a bit confused. "Of course this baby is yours don't be ridiculous."

"I'm not being ridiculous," his voice became cold and flat. "So who does this child belong to?" Noting to himself he would kill any man who touched his wife. "I assure you, I'm not angry," but his tone begged to differ, "I know you had lovers after Montague."

"I had no one after Montague!" she said heatedly, but then whispered. "I was afraid of what would happen if I did."

"You're lying to me."

"No, I'm not," she was starting to get upset. "What would make you think she wasn't yours?" The anxiety Angelina was feeling could be sensed by the baby and she started to stir.

"I told you. Malfoys have always had males as firstborns. It's been that way since-" he stopped when he heard the baby cry.

"Shh, it's okay," Angelina cooed as she rocked the baby. She then looked back up at Draco with determination in her eyes. "If you don't believe me, than see for yourself. I want you to hold her and after you really look at her, I want you to try to tell me she isn't yours."

Draco took the crying child in his arms. She had fair brown skin and matted down curly brown hair. Draco imitated Angelina by rocking her. Then as her crying slowly ceased and her eyes began to open, a smile spread across Draco's face. His daughter had big, bright slate gray eyes.

Draco laughed in relief, feeling like a fool, as he sat on the bed. He felt the hand of Angelina on his back and then a kiss on his cheek. "I forgive you, but next time I tell you I'm not lying, don't question me." She said harsher then she intended to.

But Draco didn't seem to notice the harshness in her voice. "I'm sorry love, you're right. I'll never doubt you again," he promised her. "Have you chosen a name already?"

"Yes, Rosalina. Rosalina Draconna Malfoy."

"Little Rose," Draco whispered. "And all that once used to taste so sour, will be made sweet, with the gift of a flower's flower."

"What was that?" Angelina asked.

"Nothing, Tulip," he told her. "Just something I never understood till now." He turned his head towards her and gave her a quick kiss. "Now tell me you love me."

"You've been a jerk, why should I?" she asked.

"Because you do," he told her.

Angelina narrowed her eyes. "I hate it when you're right." She then whispered sweetly in his ear, "I love you."

"Always?" he whispered back.

"Till the end of time."

Time. The word seem to resound in his head.

OoOoO

"I have come to a very important decision. One I have agonized over, because it will tie us in a way that should never be broken."

"Draco, what the hell are you talking about?" Goyle asked as the two of them sat on the porch of Draco's Manor.

"How long have we know each other, Gregory?"

"To long, if you ask me."

Draco smiled. "Right, right you are."

Just then Angelina came out onto the porch and handed Draco and Goyle each a glass of pumpkin juice. She then went and stood behind Draco and leaned down to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Have you asked him yet?"

"Ask me what?" Goyle pondered.

Draco sighed. "Goyle, we have known each other since childhood and you have always been there for me. I didn't realize how much that meant to me until recently. I used to think-"

"Goyle would you like to be the godfather of our daughter?" Draco looked up at her. "What? You were taking too long." Angelina then looked back over at Goyle, who had a blank look on his face.

"Why not ask Crabbe?" he asked.

"Well, I thought about him too, but then I realized it's you I've always considered my brother. I mean, we sure do bitch like we are. Besides, next to my wife, I trust you the most," Draco explain.

"You trust me?" Goyle was amazed that Draco had even used the word as a smile came across his face.

"Not only with my life," Draco told him, "but also with my family's."

Goyle nodded his head. "Then I would be honored to be Rosalina's godfather, brother."

Angelina had waken up to see that it was still very dark outside. She turned her head towards the night stand to see that it was nearly six o'clock in the morning. She went to reach for Draco when she became aware that he wasn't there. A bit alarmed she sat up, but immediately calmed down when she heard a soft voice come from the darkness.

"Some say love it is a river, that drowns the tender reed."At first, still half sleep, Angelina thought it was an angel. "Some say love it is a razor, that leaves your soul to bleed." She had never heard anything like it before. "Some say love it is hunger, an endless, aching need." She then gasped, when she realized it was Draco singing. "I say love, it is a flower and you its only seed." The singing was coming from the baby monitor on Draco's night stand.

Angelina then heard Rosalina cooing as Draco spoke, "My precious Little Rose, you and your mother mean so much to me. One may not be able to tell if they looked at us now, but that woman used to drive me insane. I guess, because in a way, I've always loved her, just never wanted to see it I suppose. I lied to her that day she learned we were to be married. I told her I had never loved her, but I had at one time. We were merely children when I met her for the first time -I was only eight- but she left such an impression on me."

Angelina listened hard, thinking maybe Draco had been mistaken, because she didn't remember meeting him until she was a fourth year when he joined his house's Quidditch team.

"I was on the swings, playing by myself, like I normally did, when this older girl came up to me and told me I was stupid, because apparently I was swinging wrong. So I told her- Shi- Dang," Draco didn't want to curse in front of his daughter. "Looks like daddy is needed at work and you need rest." Angelina then heard him say, "Sweet dreams, Little Rose."

A few moments later, he was back in his own bedroom getting dressed. "Draco?"

He turned around. "Oh, I didn't know you were awake," he said and went back to dressing. "I fed Rose, but you may want to check on her in a little bit."

"Okay," she nodded. "Have any idea when you'll be home?"

"Don't ask, you know I don't," he was short with her. He sighed. "Baby," he said softly turning around and making his way to the bed. He then climbed in and rested his head on her lap looking up at her.

"It's okay. I know you're tired," she spoke, running her fingers through his hair. "You'll be careful, won't you?"

Draco closed his eyes for a moment and felt her touch. "You worry too much. I've got everything under control," was his answer to her.

"I know, it's just," she put her hand on her stomach. "I've got a bad feeling."

"You know what?It's December first, way don't you get the house elves to help you put up the Christmas tree, huh? That always seems to cheer you up."

"Yes, but I don't want to do it alone."

"Get Dick to help you. I'm sure he'll be happy to."

"Dick?" Angelina shook her head.

"Grayson. His first name is Dick. For crying out loud, Tulip. How long have you known the man and never knew his first name?"

"I thought Grayson was his first name," she told him. "Wait a second. His name is Dick Grayson?"

"Yeah, what about it?" Draco was confused.

"Dick Grayson?" she repeated. "As in like, Robin?"

"Who the hell is Robin?" he asked with a bit of jealousy in voice.

"You know - Robin. Batman's sidekick," she explained. "You know, from the Muggle comic books. Batman is this dark superhero and Robin is - Never mind, Draco." She shoved him away.

"Hey, don't get angry at me over some stupid Muggle comic book." He quickly turned over and started tickling Angelina.

She giggled and fought his hands away. "Stop!" she yelled lightheartedly.

He continued to tickle her. "Not until you tell me who loves you," he demanded.

She finally managed to grab his hands and panting heavily said, "You, my dragon."

"Damn right," he looked at her seriously before smiling and kissing her on the forehead. Angelina then saw him look down at his arm. "I really have to go. I'll be home as soon as I can." He got up out of bed and was out the door.

Please be careful, was Angelina's final thought before she went to check on Rosalina who was already fast asleep.

To Be Continued. . .

Preview of Next Chapter:

"Draco you smell like perfume," she said in a tiny voice.

With his hands planted firmly on the desk Draco pulled away and looked into his wife's eyes. "Are you accusing me of something?"