Chapter 17

Lucius' POV

I hated to admit it, but I was tempted to do some very dark magic. Each time I saw Ginevra, I wanted her more, but I also saw that she was happy here with him. I didn't want her to be happy with him; I wanted her to feel she was settling for second best. Last night, when I heard the door slam, I was hopeful it was my in. It wasn't.

I knew Severus; his jealousy was the best way to get him in a bad mood. That would make him a cruel arse. But my best chances to make him jealous were when Evangelina was around. She loved him, and I didn't want to risk my relationship with her. This could have been the greatest battle of my life and the most difficult game of chess ever.

I looked over at the girls as they were both engrossed in something on Marie's phone. If this is normal for teens, perhaps Eva did need one. "Ladies, how would you feel about a shopping spree?" I asked.

They looked at each other and smiled. "Boxing Day!"

"Lucius, you're done for now!" Wyatt advised.

"What is Boxing Day?" I asked him.

"It's the worst day in the world! Everywhere is packed with people trying to buy everything, and people will line up hours before the stores open," he explained. "They, teen girls, love it."

"Then we will be going shopping that day, ladies!" I turned back to the boy. "Wyatt, come with me." I led him away from the girls. "These phone things; where does one get one?" We spent some time looking into these phones. I bribed the lad to keep quiet about my surprise.

The following evening, we headed out to see this Candy Cane Lane. It was a high number of homes along a lane all decorated for Christmas. There was a large amount of Muggles as well, some in cars, some walking, and some in horse pulled wagons. Ginny had a long, dark blue coat on with a cream coloured scarf, hat, and mittens. Her hand was safely tucked into the apex of Severus' arm. As much as I disliked them together, he did protect her and kept her safe. I really never saw this loving, tender side of him. Evangelina was all over the place. The girls were taking something called 'selfies' with Marie's phone.

I honestly didn't mind this activity. It would have been nicer without the Muggles or the parking issues. Marie came running back to Ginevra and Severus. "Can we stop at the Ledge after, please?"

Ginevra glanced at Severus, who gave the briefest nod. "Of course."

"You guys are the best parents!" Marie said to them.

"Your dad is a great parent," Ginevra stated.

"Yeah, when he's around, which is never!"

"Marie, sometimes a parent who isn't around much is better than one who is always around," Severus advised.

"Father," Evangelina touched my arm to get my attention.

"Yes, my dear."

"What does your Manor look like all done up for Christmas?"

"It has changed over the years. My former wife preferred a very dull, monotone look for the holidays. Your mother was only there for one Christmas and only made adjustments, but my mother; she loved Christmas! Those were the glorious times! There was no place anyone would rather be than Malfoy Manor! The parties were lavish and grand. She would bake pastries and pies, and there were always treats to nick. When I was little, she would host a kids' Christmas party. My favorite part was the gingerbread houses we would build."

"That sounds really nice."

"On Christmas Eve, my parents and I would go for a sleigh ride." Evangelina smiled at me. "Draco and I continued the tradition."

"What are the holidays like there now?" she asked.

"Your sister in law doesn't like the Manor. She and Draco live in the city."

"How far from the city do you live?" Marie asked, having joined us.

"Malfoy Manor is closer to Stonehenge than it is to London," I informed them both.

"Stonehenge? Really? I have always wanted to see it," Marie stated.

If she weren't a Muggle, I would have invited both her and Evangelina to come to the Manor for some time in the summer.

When we returned to the house, Ginevra made hot chocolate for everyone. She kept shivering, though. Severus looked at her. "Ginny, you caught a chill. Take yours upstairs and warm up in a hot shower or bath."

"I will; I just want to tidy up," she promised. She started to put things away.

Severus stopped her, taking the cocoa from her. "I said go upstairs!" He had his professor tone in his voice.

"Sorry, sir." She turned and headed for the stairs.

He waited until he heard the bedroom door close. "She tries to do it all every year," he muttered.

"She is an excellent wife, Severus," I stated.

He got a look on his face. "She is, and I couldn't have been luckier. Lucius, in the next three days, she will go a bit insane. The children and I have learned that she will try to do it all, so we let her focus on Christmas and we try to take care of our own needs and help her as she requires. I ask that you do the same."

"We can make pancakes for breakfast tomorrow, Dad," Evangelina offered.

"If you do, you will also be cleaning up every dish and spoon from it. Your mother has additional stress this year!" he strongly advised.

"Yes, Professor," Evangelina replied, with cheek and Draco's smirk.

I couldn't help but wonder how different my life would have been had Draco been a girl, or if his mother had been someone like Ginevra. I love my son, but one does wonder. I, of course, have wondered more times than I cared to admit how different my life would have been had I reacted differently that day. What would our Christmas look like? Would Ginevra have wanted more than one child? How would I have reacted to that? Would she allow the house elves to do some of the work for the holidays?

"Lucius, I know that look. You're scheming," Severus said to me.

"I'm not, truly. I was reflecting."

"On what, may I ask?"

"On my own mistakes," I admitted.

Severus walked over and poured us both a drink, then returned to me. "This is a bit better than the hot chocolate. I have been there; seeing her happy with someone else and wishing I had acted differently."

I noticed the girls looking over at us. Wyatt, on the other hand, was busy playing a handheld game.

"Dad, how does this really all piece together?" Evangelina asked. "I have heard bits from each of my parents, but I need to fit those pieces together."

"Together, we could only give two sides of the story," he stated, trying to put her off.

I can't imagine how to explain the story so that a Muggle would understand or believe it.

"Evangelina, how about this;" I proposed, "Allow us to talk and agree on what details matter and are age appropriate, and we will then sit down with you and give you the full story, all three sides of it."

"Fair enough," she conceded.