Lucius paced his study for the third straight hour.

He didn't know what to do next. Imagine. HIM...at a loss. He knew he
couldn't tell Narcissa what he'd found out. He knew she wouldn't
understand. And it would probably drive her even further away. He didn't
want that to happen. He stopped pacing for a bit and stared into the
flames of the fireplace. HIS...daughter.

He couldn't get over that one. Inside his heart was bursting with joy.
She was a beautiful little girl. Long blonde hair and those eyes.
Like...well...like...her mum's. Pools that you
could never escape from. Not like any boy in his right mind would try to esca--
Wait. Boys. Snort.

Over his dead body.

He closed his eyes and sighed. By the gods. What was he going to do? He
looked up at the clock on the mantle. 4:15 am.

With a heavy sigh he turned and left the study and headed up the stairs
to his room. Once inside he reached for the lightswitch and -- no. Not
tonight. He waved his hand and a few of the candles lit, throwing off a
soft glow.

He walked over to the valet and pulled out his dark green robe.
Heading across to the bed, he slipped out of his coat and unbuttoned his
shirt, leaving the black silk to hang losely on his body. He stood
beside the bed for the longest time, lost in thought. Finally he sighed
softly and slipped off the shirt and pulled on the robe, tying it around his waist.

And more pacing.

Finally juat as the sun was struggling to rise over the treetops, he'd
been standing at the window watching the dawn break and he heard a
sound.

A soft squeak...and the quiet voice of a child singing some
unintelligible song that only a 2 year old would understand.

Lucius turned and left his room, walking over to Fallyn's nursery
door...he pressed his ear to it for a moment to listen. And a smile. He
looked up and down the hallway and then quietly turned the knob and
pushed open the door to peer in.

The moment she saw him, her face lit up and her mouth opened, and Lucius
put a finger to his lips. She mimicked him but her other hand still
held onto the railing of the crib and she bounced happily. Lucius
slipped in and made his way to the crib and when she reached up to him,
he threw a look over his shoulder at the door and then reached down,
lifting her up.

Fallyn giggled wildly and as one arm wrapped around his neck, her other
hand began to toy with the lapel of his robe.

"Papaaaa...purtyyyy..." She said softly...and those blue eyes turned to
his silvers.

"Yes it is, hm?" he said softly and walked over to the rocking chair and
slowly sank down into it, settling her on his lap. "But you need to get
some sleep, princess...your mother will be awake soon. And I'm sure you
have plenty planned to keep her busy during the day...now go to sleep..." And he began
slowly rocking her, as she flopped back against him, thumb stuck in her
mouth and one little foot bouncing as she hummed quietly.

Lucius couldn't help but chuckle softly as he kissed the crown of silken
gold on the baby, and she looked up at him -albeit upside down- and a
blinkblink.

He looked down at her and kissed her forehead as he felt a swell of
emotions. "My princess...Fallyn Tanis...Princess of Chaos...true to
your title.. How can I explain to someone who doesn't understand now...and
probably never will..." Heavy sigh. "I do think you're the most
precious thing...but...for reasons you may never understand...I can't be
your Papa. At least...like you want. Please...when you're old
enough...I'll explain it all. And only pray that you'll be able to
forgive me..."

Another few minutes and when she was lolling off to sleep finally he
eased up and carefully walked over to the crib again and laid her down,
pulling the blanket up over her. He stood over her for a little while
longer and finally when he heard Narcissa's alarm ring down the way he
leaned over and kissed the baby's forehead and turned and left the
nursery.

As he walked back into his room, that cold exterior washed back over him
and all of the previous emotion was lost.

And for the next 14 years...this...is the man Fallyn would know as
Father.

The End