Rhythmic bells jingled in time with equine footfalls, metal-clad hooves striking the pavement in an almost melodic tone as muscles rippled beneath coats of black hue. Manes flowing like smoke in the wind, the two high-stepping Friesian horses trotted happily along at speed in the warm spring sunshine.

Lucius held the reins factiously between leather-clad fingers, guiding the equines through the small town in which his Manor sat on the outskirts. The small narrow streets lined with charming homes.

Hermione sat beside him; a small smile plastered upon her face as she clutched a baby tightly in her arms, swaddled in a light muslin wrap.

"Everyone ok?" Lucius asked, turning his head just so, glimpsing his two eldest children in the corner of his eye. Their striking blonde hair waved carelessly in the wind as the horses continued trotting, both children sitting primly upon the carriage seat, hands folded in their laps.

Lucien had many of Draco's sharp features, whereas Quinevere, despite the white-blonde hair, threw more to Hermione's softer face.

The babe in her arms stirred softly, waking from her slumber. Rocking the baby gently, she ran a single digit over the baby's forehead gently. The small smattering of blonde hair peeked out just beneath the wrap that had adorned her head.

Hermione inhaled the fresh spring air hungrily. Thankful she no longer held the position of power she once did prior to the twins and she felt at ease, she felt as if this was the life she was meant to be living, with Lucius, having children with him. She would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy having him in her life. In fact, she loved it. Hesitant at first to give up working, as she didn't want to rely on a man in her life, nor to be labelled a gold digger, she was happy about her choices.

"We need to make another one," Lucius growled low in his throat, his gaze shifting slightly to Hermione.

"I just had this one." She swatted at his arm playfully. "Give me a year or two to recover."

"We need to fill our home. The more the merrier."

The truth was, he loved having the children around. They filled an otherwise lonely and desolate mansion and brought life back into the belly of the home. No longer was the only noise you heard was your own breath. Now, now the home was filled with laughter and joyous cries of the children, his children.

He was letting Hermione raise them as she saw fit, not wanting to step on her toes or drive his children to a life of misery and uncertainty. He already royally screwed up with Draco. He didn't want a repeat.

They didn't have to keep up appearances because there was no one to keep up appearances for. Any family he had was dead, and they had slain any friends he may have had in the war, some were in Azkaban or wanted nothing to do with him anymore. His universe and life were within the walls of his mansion, and he wouldn't change it for anything.

Susan still hung around, of course. Lucius couldn't get rid of her, and he was fine with that. Susan needed a job when Hermione resigned so Lucius gave her one by going through his archives of receipts, invoices and contracts he had accumulated over the past twenty years. He figured it would take her at least five years to go through each item and so far, three years in, he was correct in his assumption. Of course, that was his plan, keep her close for Hermione's sake and he would be lying if he didn't see Susan as family now too. Hell, she even had her own room at the Manor and had somehow, at one time, moved in without it ever being discussed. They had also appointed her the twins' godmother and guardian should anything happen to Lucius and Hermione.

Lucius loved the little witch sitting beside him and needed her more than the air he inhaled into his lungs and the sun that shone on his skin. Without her, he would have been a cold, lonely man locked in his home, still mourning the loss of his wife and son. It was odd how life played out, once sworn to murder her and her kind, and now he was married to her and couldn't imagine his life without her.

He sighed lightly. A small smile flittered across his lips as he navigated the horses through the narrowing streets, nodding his head to the locals as he passed by. He used to take this route with Narcissa and Draco many a moon ago before he had even set foot in Hogwarts as a first-year and he wished he had done more of this with the boy.

"Are you ok?" Hermione asked, her soft voice gently bringing him back to reality.

"Fine, dear. Just thinking how lucky I am to have you in my life. You are an amazing wife and the best mother to our children, and I need to thank you for everything."

Hermione smiled broadly. "And I too love you, Lucius Malfoy."

A/N: I thought I owed everyone a brief chapter to wrap everything up. It wasn't long, but I hope it tied up the loose ends.