Chapter 19

Lucius' POV

The following evening, after the drop in guests had all left, everything changed. On Christmas Eve, before the children go to bed, the family has s'mores. I watched as Ginevra burned two marshmallows. At that point, both Evangelina and Wyatt stepped back, making like they were busy. Severus helped Ginevra toast the perfect marshmallow while his chest was touching her back and his hands were on hers. She looked back at him, and in that moment I saw the love they have for each other. I knew there was nothing that could change what I saw. I wished that she felt that for me, but at the same time, my old friend deserved happiness. I decided to gracefully step back. After all, I was the one who caused her to leave me. I would admit, if only to myself, that I was jealous and I envied them.

I won't walk away from Evangelina, though. She's my daughter, and I will have a part in her life. And these days with the Snapes have been very enjoyable, despite the Muggles. In truth, this is most likely the closest I have been to being a part of a family in a very long time.

I enjoyed having my friend back. I enjoyed getting to know my daughter, even if it still seems odd to say I have a daughter. I honestly can say I even liked her Muggle friend. Wyatt is a fine young man, and I hope that he and my grandson Scorpius will become friends. As for Ginevra, there will never be a more desirable woman. She has class and charm, and she's beautiful, loving, and faithful to the man she truly loves.

Later that night, Ginevra arranged the last of the gifts under the tree. The room was lit by only the fireplace and the tree. When she finished, she stood back and looked at her masterpiece.

"This is one of her favorite holiday moments," Severus informed me. "When all the gifts are under the tree and the room is bathed in the light of the tree. She is very sentimental, but she hides it well."

"I have come to realise that there's no hope of taking her from you. I concede defeat," I admitted to my old friend.

He turned and looked at me, clearly wondering why. "And what changed?" he asked.

"I came here with the belief that she couldn't be truly happy and in love with you. I have seen that I was wrong. I want her to be happy, and she is."

"Then what happens now, Lucius?" Ginevra asked as she came over to join us.

"Now? I think the best way to parent Evangelina is if we're on good terms. While she is fourteen, she's still a child. She shouldn't have to choose between us or worry she's hurting someone. The best way is if we're all truly friends. I think, considering our pasts, that should be reather easy for us."

She smiled warmly at me. I knew that having her in my life as a friend was far superior than not having her in my life at all.

The next day, Christmas morning, Evangelina and Severus got up first. They put out juice, tea, pastries, and fresh fruit. I came down as they were finishing. "Happy Christmas, Father!" she said as she came over and gave me a hug. "I'm glad you're here."

"Happy Christmas, my dear. I'm pleased to be here too. Happy Christmas, Severus."

"Happy Christmas, Lucius. Would you mind seeing to the fire? I have one more gift hiding in Wyatt's room. The children will wake Ginny."

"Of course."

Five minutes later, Severus came down with a fair sized green box with a gold bow on top. "The children show more self control than Draco ever did," I stated. It's true; if Narcissa and I weren't up before him, he would have unwrapped everything under the tree before we came down!

"You don't recall Ginny when she's mad," Severus said. "The children don't see the side of me my students did because my wife is far scarier. I don't need to do a thing."

"Come on, Mom!" Wyatt said from the top of the stairs.

"Do we eat first?" I asked.

Severus shook his head. "She would never last that long. She gets such joy from watching everyone's reactions to their gifts."

Ginny and Evangelina came down the stairs together. Severus poured her some orange juice. "Happy Christmas!" she greeted.

"I'm passing out the gifts!" Wyatt announced as he headed over to the front of the tree. We all moved into the living area.

"Before we start, I would like a picture of Eva and Lucius in front of the tree," Ginevra demanded.

"Perhaps later, when we aren't in our nightclothes?"

"Oh, I'll take some later as well, but this is special for you, too," she vowed. She quickly took a few pictures. "Okay Wyatt, you may start the insanity," Ginevra directed. Wyatt brought over the gift Severus had hauled down minutes before. He placed it in front of his mother. "Wyatt? You should be first."

"This gift will not wait," Severus said. "The children are aware of this," he assured her.

At that point, the gift box lid moved on its own. Ginevra looked at Severus, but his face revealed nothing. She gingerly reached forward and slowly lifted the lid. As she did, the contents of the box whimpered. She dropped the lid and a blur of burgundy appeared visible in the box. "Oh, look at you!" Ginny gushed as she reached in and pulled out an Irish Setter puppy. "You're a doll!" She pulled the puppy to her chest.

"You seemed to be missing something to care for since school started. I thought it might be the time for this. She'll also do better at keeping the birds out of my crops. As she grows, you can take her on your runs," Severus explained.

Ginevra jumped up, still holding the puppy, and gave him a one armed hug. "So much better than a pair of gloves! Thank you!"

"What are you going to call her, Mom?" Evangelina asked.

"Maybe Doll? Or Dolly?"

My first gift was a sketch of a horse that Evangelina had drawn. It cost her nothing, but I will treasure it always. I don't think I own a more prized possession. The rules in the house seemed to be one person opens one gift at a time, going in birth order from youngest to oldest. I watched as Evangelina opened the package from myself. She's the type to rip and tear the gift wrap. I have always preferred people who rip a gift open over those who seem worried about saving the paper. When she uncovered the black velvet box, she slowed down, holding it like it would break. She slowly opened the box to find a dainty, small crest on a silver chain. "Oh Father, thank you! It's the Malfoy family crest, right?"

"It is," I assured her.

She pulled it out of the box and proudly put it on.

"Now to find one for Mom," Wyatt said.

"I have one here for her, Wyatt," I stated. "Ginevra, Severus, this is from both myself and Evangelina. Understand, this is simply meant as a thank you. Ginevra, you have provided me with a beautiful daughter." I handed her the ring box. She glanced at Severus. She's clearly feeling a bit uncomfortable. "It is a gift, with no hidden meaning to it," I assured her.

She opened it to find a ruby channel ring. "Perhaps you could get her a matching one with Wyatt's birthstone?" I suggested.

"Lucius, this is lovely! Thank you," Ginevra exclaimed. The ring was still in the box.

"Evangelina implied that Severus is a bit more practical, but I wanted something that would let you know how thankful I am for one of the most amazing gifts anyone has ever given me." I saw her glance again at Severus. I realised she was worried about how he would feel about the gift, with his wife wearing a ring another man gave her.

Severus' POV

Ginny sat holding the box with the ring, I knew my wife was concerned I would be upset if she were to wear the ring. Lucius was right; I am far too practical. I don't buy jewelry. She had to remind me to buy her a wedding ring. Had Lucius not conceded last night, I might have been bothered by this. And Lucius suggesting that I get her a matching ring was actually a good idea. It's not that we can't afford for me to buy her jewelry; I simply don't think of it.

I was very wise with money. While at Hogwarts, I was able to save almost all of my salary as my personal expenses were shockingly low and I was earning good money, plus I was brewing potions for sale. I bring in good money now between formulas I patent and stuff I sell. She could, and should, have a jewelry box full of nice things. "Ginny, it's fine. I, in fact, think Lucius is right. I should get you one in Wyatt's birthstone as well," I declared to her.

"It's quite lovely, Lucius," she stated as she took it out and placed it on her right ring finger.

My next gift was a nice quill set from Eva. She knows me so well. Then Wyatt handed Lucius a gift from us; a photo album of Eva.

"Wyatt, there are two matching gifts under the tree; one for you and one for Evangelina. I think you two should open them at the same time," Lucius directed.

Wyatt found both and handed Eva hers. The two tear into them. "A PHONE!" Eva excitedly screamed.

"You got me one too!" Wyatt said loudly.

"Ginevra, you said you figured you would have to cave this summer, but I couldn't miss how much the girls were into Marie's phone. If you insist on having my daughter live as a Muggle, I can't have her be an outcast."

"You are so COOL!" Eva gushed.

Ginny shook her head. "It's the Slytherin Quidditch brooms all over again." She isn't wrong. Lucius shows love with gifts.

"Mom, this is the best phone there is!" Wyatt announced.

"Dear, take that bow from the puppy; it's going to make her sick," Ginny said to Wyatt. "Lucius, those are very generous gifts!" she said to him.

That afternoon, after the turkey was put in the oven, the children disappeared to their rooms, Lucius was making a Floo call to Draco, and I watched Ginny playing with the puppy. She had stated over the years how much she loved the breed, and I did some research. The dog was a good fit for our lifestyle. I also disliked the number of coyotes we were seeing over the last while and I knew the issue with them was only going to get worse. The idea of Ginevra having a large dog with her when she was jogging was appealing.

She also missed the children and having someone besides myself to care for.

The rest of Christmas break flew by until it was time for the neighbourhood bonfire and tubing party. Lucius had offered to accompany the children back to the Hogwarts Express, but this was the night that Lucius would see how ridiculous Eva can be with her friends around. I watched as my wife put dog boots on the dog. "Would a spell or charm not be more effective?" I asked.

"Of course it would, but I can't explain that to the Muggles! I don't want to leave Stirling in that crate all evening." She had decided on the name after seeing the dog's papers. Ginny has spent hours with the dog each day. I outdid myself with the dog as a gift. I have no clue how I will top it next year.

Mike, Marie's father, came over. "Severus, Ginny, I can't thank you enough for taking care of Marie."

Ginny smiled at the man. "You know she's always welcome in our home," she assured him.

"I know, but I can't expect that you two will always be around. I was wondering about the school you send Eva and Wyatt to. I can't find anything about the place online," he said, sounding puzzled.

"Hogwarts is a very old school school; they don't believe in any form of technology. The kids have to use quills and inkwells, but even if they could take Marie, the school is only open to students who are British citizens or their children," Ginny explained.

"Oh. I was hoping to send her somewhere where she knows people." He glanced over and saw Lucius. Marie was talking his ear off. "That must be Eva's bio dad?" he guessed.

"Yes, that's him," I stated.

Marie then led Lucius over to us. "I want you to meet my dad. Lucius Malfoy, my dad, Michael Klack. Dad, this is Eva's other dad."

"Mr. Malfoy. We spoke on the phone. Thank you for helping out that night," Mike said.

Lucius was polite and smiled. "It wasn't an issue in the least. You have a charming daughter."

"You and Severus served together. I would love to hear some of those stories! Did you also serve together when Severus was in charge of the prince?"

"No. I was quite relieved to not have that headache!"

Ginny was trying so hard not to laugh that she almost choked on her laughter.