Author's Notes: A quick note about some canon points in this story, especially this chapter. When I first started writing this story back in October 2007, JK Rowling hadn't released the information that Draco Malfoy married Astoria Greengrass, and all that was mentioned were the facts that Draco did indeed marry at some point after Voldemort was vanquished and then went onto father Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy. Subsequently, the main inspiration for this story was who did Draco marry and how did they meet. However, half-way through writing and posting, JK Rowling updated her information, but I decided to continue the story. Therefore, a few liberties have been taken with this story, particularly this chapter. Please forgive me not sticking 100 percent to canon. Thanks.
My notes of thank you etc. are at the bottom of the chapter.
Epilogue: Ten Years Later
Morrigan Malfoy-O'Brien sat in a bed in the maternity ward of St. Mungo's hospital. Sleeping peacefully in her arms was a tiny, black-haired baby girl.
The slumbering child awoke, opened it's bright green eyes and looked up at her mother, before she began crying.
"Hush, hush, Lilith," Morrigan cooed, smoothing her daughter's hair and rocking the child gently.
Lilith Mary Malfoy-O'Brien was the first girl, and second child born to Draco and Morrigan. Their first born being their now two-year-old son, Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy-O'Brien.
As Morrigan comforted her daughter, and Lilith drifted back to sleep, the mother thought about all the events that had brought her to this moment.
Ten years ago, after Draco's decleration of love, when he'd presented Morrigan with an emerald pendant as a token of his affection, she and Draco had continued living together happily for four years.
They'd fallen into a comfortable routine of working and looking after the house Morrigan had inherited from her paternal grandmother, Mary. Additionally, they were lucky enough to have a vacation home in Florence, Italy.
When Morrigan's family had found out about her relationship with Draco, they'd been overjoyed. Isabella had welcomed Draco into the family like a son, and was thrilled her daughter had found someone who she could share love and happiness with. While Connor had been equally as pleased for his daughter, in true male style, he said little past expressing his happiness for the couple. Additionally, Morrigan's bother, Sean, was thrilled for his sister and related to her new relationship, due to the fact he'd just gotten engaged himself.
Draco's parents – Narcissa and Lucius – were just as welcoming to their only son's girlfriend. Despite the strain Draco's relationship with his parents has been since Voldemort was vanquished, after Draco had a showdown with his mother, the situation slowly started to improve. Narcissa and Lucius stepped back from Draco's life – safe in the knowledge Morrigan was there to look after him – and allowed their son to grow and gain independence on his own. Eventually, Draco came to realize, with the guidance of Morrigan, that his parents truly did love him, and that despite some bad mistakes, they'd tried their best to raise him. As the months had past, and Draco trusted his parents more and more, their relationship improved. He started off visiting them for a few hours once a month – just to let them know he was ok, and as the years went by, this grew to him now visiting them once a week.
Narcissa made no effort to hide her opinion that she thought Morrigan had had a lot to do with herself and Lucius reconciling with Draco, and expressed her gratitude frequently.
Therefore, after three years, it was no surprise when the O'Brien and Malfoy families celebrated the news that Draco and Morrigan had gotten engaged. An extravagant party was was held at Morrigan and Draco's home in Ireland, where many quests were invited.
The night went without incident, and everyone there had a wonderful time, especially when Sean announced that he and his new wife, Camelle were expecting their first child.
The icing on the cake came when the portrait of Lilith – the twin Morrigan had tragically lost at a young age – spoke publicly for the first time. For over a year, the painting had been conversing with Morrigan, but had chosen to remain silent with other members of the family. However, on the night of her twin's engagement party, Lilith finally found her voice, and much to the surprise and delight of everyone there, congratulated the couple and wished them all the best for the future.
That evening, when the party was over, and everyone had left, Morrigan turned to the portrait of Lilith and grinned.
"Thank you so much for being there tonight for me," she said.
"Hey, not even death could stop me congratulating my twin on her engagement," joked Lilith. "Seriously though, I know you and Draco will be very happy together."
"Is that just kind sentiment or does being 'on the other side' allow you to see the future?" questioned Morrigan.
"I can't say," insisted Lilith. "Whether I do or don't know what the future holds, it would be wrong of me to reveal it, incase I accidentally alter the course of history."
"Alright," returned Morrigan, quite happy with the knowledge that there might be a few surprises left in store for her.
A year later, Draco and Morrigan were married in a huge ceremony in Italy, where so many friends and family members turned out to the event, that it was hard to cram them all into the hall that had been hired. Thankfully, they managed it though, and for weeks afterwards guests commented on how beautiful the wedding had been.
Morrigan's one-year-old niece, Mary, was the flower girl, and walked up the aisle - magically aided by her parents - throwing lily and rose petals from a small basket in her hands.
Isabella wept in delight, as her daughter walked down the aisle on her father, Connor's arm, dressed in beautifully flowing silver robes, the emerald pendant Draco had brought for her suspended in pride of place around her neck.
The newly married couple danced the night away as man and wife, until finally departing, the a hail of crow cawing, and left for a month's honeymoon in the family's vacation home in Florence.
Six months later, another celebration was held, when Morrigan announced that she and Draco were expecting their first child.
Narcissa delighted in the news that she was going to become a grandmother, and for the first time in his life, Lucius embraced his son and patted him on the back.
"I'm proud of you, Draco," he'd said simply.
On the 9th November, Morrigan gave birth to a silver haired, blue eyed boy, who looked so much like his father and grandfather that it was uncanny.
The child was named Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy-O'Brien, the first and middle name coming from ancestors in the Malfoy family tree.
Just when Scorpius was learning to walk, Morrigan announced the happy news that she was expecting the couple's second child.
Once again, both the O'Brien and Malfoy families gathered together for a massive celebration, during which time Morrigan's now three-year-old niece, Mary, had everyone in hysterical laughter by asking where babies came from.
Unfortunately, it feel to Felicia – Morrigan's younger sister – to explain the 'birds and the bees' to her niece.
A soft knock at the door brought Morrigan out of her nostalgic trance, and she looked up as her husband and son entered the room.
"Mama, where baby?" asked Scorpius as he ran to the bed.
"She's just sleeping, so be quiet, ok?" replied Morrigan in a whisper.
Draco came to sit besides his wife, and after kissing her softly on the temple, looked down at the sleeping form of his new born daughter.
"She looks just like you, and Lilith," he said finally.
"I know," returned Morrigan with a smile. "Which is why her name is so fitting."
"Very true," agreed Draco.
The family feel silent again, contented simply to watch young Lilith sleeping peacefully.
Finally, as Scorpius drifted to sleep in his father's arms and the baby gurgled softly, Draco turned to Morrigan and smiled.
"It's been ten years, you know, and I still mean every word I said on that day I gave you the pendant," he said reaching across to touch the necklace.
Morrigan nodded her head, "Uh-huh, I know."
"I love you," Draco whispered.
"I love you too," Morrigan returned.
The End!!
A/N2: I know, I know! It's super cheesy! I just can't resist a happy, 'fairy-tale' ending though, so I hope y'all enjoyed it!!
I want to say thanks to each and every person that read this story along the way, whether you commented on it or not.
Special thanks go to my regular reviewers:
waffenmac, Disco Inferno1, Isengard, ReAdErWrItErWhAtEvEr, turnmeawayagain, Ramzes, Indeffinate, insomniastalker, Hannah Loves Lupin, Persephoniii, xo.A.m.o.r.e.t.t.e.xo, SailingAwaySoftly, Alistriona, Hatsue Cybanne, hpjedi1, C0mdLicAt3p and xLittlexItalyx love, hugs and cookies for y'all
Seriously, your comments have meant the world to me, and I appreciate each and every one of them more than I could express in writing! You guys are awesome!! (love, hugs and cookies to y'all)
Finally, my eternal gratitude goes to my wonderful beta, Karen (IMissPadfoot) for all your amazing help! I love you very much, honey!!