Chapter Nineteen – Merry Christmas? Part 1

Narcissa fingered the crisp shirt before standing back to look at it, "Does this look like something Lucius would wear?"

Darlene scrutinized the shirt before shaking her dark brown hair, "Nope."

"Why is he so difficult to shop for?" Narcissa groaned as she flipped through the rack of men's shirts.

"First off where in a clothes store," Darlene laughed as she played with the cuffs of a blue button down. "Don't think he's really going to want clothes for Christmas."

Narcissa rolled her crystal blue eyes before sighing heavily, "I just want to be different this year."

"Buy him something grown up," Darlene suggested with a shrug, "Like candles or something."

Narcissa snorted before walking away from the rack of clothes, "Candles are definitely not Lucius style."

"What do you suggest?" Darlene complained as she followed behind her friend,

"I don't know, that's the problem," Narcissa groaned, "I want it to be grown up and romantic."

"So you were looking at clothes?" Darlene laughed as Narcissa sat on a small bench. She soon followed her friend's example, "Honestly, what's going on in that head of yours?"

"He's gone through so much in the last couple of years, he deserves something special. Something that screams I love you and I'm always going to be yours."

"Um . . . this is going into dangerous territory," Darlene sputtered out as she flicked the snow off the bench's arm.

Narcissa groaned loudly before swatting her friend, "Not that! What kind of girl do you think I am?"

"A Black," Darlene mumbled as she pulled her hood over her hair. "Why are we sitting in the cold again?"

"What do you think he wants?" Narcissa pondered as she looked at her black satin gloves. "Maybe I should just ask him."

"No," Darlene frowned, "He's going to like anything you give him; anything at all. It can be leftovers from two days ago, and he'd give you a kiss and tell you how much he loves you."

Narcissa bit her lower lip as she removed herself from the worn bench. "I'm supposed to meet Lucius at the hospital. What are you buying Jack?"

"Dinner," Darlene shrugged, "We decided to save all our money for the wedding."

"Shove that in my face, again."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Lucius!" a shrill voice shouted over the falling snow. Lucius turned his head over to look at a black clad Mythica Windle.

"Mythica," he greeted as he stopped his pace on the street and turned to meet her.

"You're a quick one," Mythica laughed as she reached him. "I was unsure if I'd ever catch up to you."

Lucius smiled politely before clearing his throat, "Going to the hospital?"

"Yep, just on my way," Mythica smiled, "You?"

"Yeah," Lucius nodded, "I'm meeting Cissy there."

"Oh," Mythica replied weakly. Her voice went an octave lower as she spoke and her eyes fell to the ground.

"Yeah, we're going to lunch today," Lucius added awkwardly, "Is my mom doing better?"

"I haven't seen her today, but she seemed okay yesterday," Mythica said quickly, "I wish she'd wake up."

"You and me both," Lucius replied in a friendly tone as he opened the door for her. They both walked into the hospital in silence; the only sound made was the tapping sound of Mythica's heeled boots.

"Lucius," Narcissa smiled as she walked up to the two of them, "Your mom looks good today. She actually moved on her own. She squeezed my hand, you have to—oh, Mythica."

Lucius gulped, "Mythica met me on the street."

"Yeah, running to work," Mythica replied sharply as she gave Narcissa a one over, "You look well."

"Thanks," Narcissa mumbled as she turned to Lucius, "Did you want to see her?"

"Of course," Lucius smiled as he moved towards Narcissa. He gave an awkward wave towards Mythica before being pulled down a hallway.

"What a wench," Narcissa groaned, "What is she trying to pull?"

"I don't think she's doing anything," Lucius mumbled as they stood in front of an elevator. It opened and they both entered.

"Of course you don't," Narcissa snorted, "You never noticed anything when it comes to girls."

Lucius chuckled before grabbing her hand, "I thought we were going to pretend like she's nothing at all."

"I wish she'd realize that you are mine," Narcissa frowned before sliding her fingers between his.

"You know, and that should be enough," Lucius smiled as the elevator opened and they both exited the small contraption.

"I like when you admit it," Narcissa giggled as she wrapped herself closer to him as they walked.

Lucius chuckled as he opened the door for his mother's patient room. His movement shifted as he entered and his hand left Narcissa's. He walked towards the chair beside the bed and sat down in it.

Narcissa put on her brightest smile as she walked over to the bed. "Want to see what I discovered?"

Lucius smiled gently at her, but the smile didn't reach his eyes, "Yes, show me."

Narcissa smiled before grabbing Celesta's hand. She squeezed it gentle and the fingers from Celesta gripped Narcissa's in return. Lucius was suddenly beside her and was smiling widely.

"She does that by herself?"

"Yes. Try." Narcissa commanded as she let Celesta's hand fall away from hers. Lucius grabbed it quickly. He squeezed it with slightly more force than Narcissa. His mother squeezed his hand lightly before having it relax in her son's.

"Do you think she's getting better?" Lucius asked as he stared at his mother ashen face.

"I think so," Narcissa smiled as she moved to smooth down Mrs. Malfoy's hair. "I think before you know it this whole mess will be taken care of."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Narcissa clutched onto her hot coco as Lucius led her across the street. She stumbled on the ice slightly as they moved across the road. Lucius took her hand and led her to a small green bench that was covered by a wide canopy. The bench sat across a vast lake that was shield with a thick form of ice.

"This is pretty," Narcissa shivered as she moved into Lucius's form.

"Thought you'd like it," Lucius smiled as he took his wand to reheat her hot chocolate. "Drink up, you'll feel warm in no time."

Narcissa agreed as she sipped the hot drink slowly, "This is really good."

"It's a nice café."

"Even if it's muggle," Narcissa teased as she moved closer to him. "This is really nice."

"Mm-hmm," Lucius agreed as he buried himself in her thick hair.

"You know I was shopping for your gift today," Narcissa started as she took a deep gulp of the warm liquid. "Do you know that you're surprisingly hard to shop for?"

Lucius chuckled lowly before kissing the top of her blond locks, "Whatever you get me will be wonderful."

"But it needs to be perfect," Narcissa cooed as she cuddled into him, "I feel like a serious couple, it has to be perfect."

"We're a serious couple?" Lucius teased before he was swatted by a black clad glove.

"Of course," Narcissa snorted, "I take you very serious."

Lucius smiled before kiss her cold lips, "I take this serious, do not worry."

Narcissa grinned before kissing his lips again, "What did you buy me?"

"I think it's a surprise," Lucius laughed as he pulled away from her. "I think you will really like it though. It didn't really cost much, but Darlene said it was "totally you"."

Narcissa chuckled before wrapping her arms around his waist and place her head against his chest. "Let see, I think I know exactly what to get you."

"Wonderful," Lucius smiled as he kissed her hair once again, "Now that presents are out of the way, I have a question to ask."

"What kind of question?"

"How would you like to spend Christmas with me?"

Narcissa looked up at him with a puzzled expression on her face, "Mom and dad already expect you."

"Jack is going to be at Darlene's," Lucius replied simply, "And I know for a fact that Rod and Bella will be with your parents. I was thinking we could spend Christmas at my place."

"Your apartment?"

"Yes," Lucius smiled, "Dinner, presents, and a guest or two."

"Guest?"

"Only for awhile," Lucius added quickly, "I really want it to be about us."

"I'll ask my mom," Narcissa blushed, "Though I'm sure she'll be angry about being left alone with moody Bella."

Lucius nodded his head, "If that's what you want."

"Of course I want to spend Christmas with you," Narcissa blurted out, "I think that will be nice. We hardly have enough time as it is."

"I agree," Lucius smiled, "That's why I planned this."

Narcissa nodded vigorously, "I want to spend Christmas with you. I'll tell my mom she'll have to survive without me."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lucius walked into his room quietly. He shut the door softly behind him and fell on his bed with a soft thud. He sighed heavily as he shuffled against something rough. He lifted his body before clutching onto a small letter on his bed.

He lay down once again and fingered the familiar Malfoy seal. Lucius pealed open the parchment and read the letter at a leisurely pace.

Lucius,

It seems that your mother was poisoned. I am sure that you realize this by now. I am shocked at her condition and feel that we must discuss this. Come and see me in my office on Tuesday and 3:15pm. Do not be late, Lucius, for I have meeting afterwards.

Abraxas Malfoy

"Stupid bugger," Lucius snorted as he let the letter fall onto the floor. His eyes shut soundly and he drifted into sleep.

A/N: Took awhile but I just started a new job and I swear I have no time at all. So this is a two part chapter. This is like the intro to all the juice stuff that we get to hear next time.

Lucius will be talking to his father, though they haven't spoken to each other in years. Narcissa and Lucius will spend Christmas with each other. And some more exciting surprises.