Chapter 30
Draco awoke slowly as he became aware of movement in the bed beside him. As the months passed, Cait became more and more uncomfortable while she slept. He couldn't help but feel bad for her and her inability to find a comfortable position. Her swollen belly had grown significantly since they had arrived at the Order's safe house-which they had since learned was located in Sweden. She had the most amazing glow about her and despite the looming curse that was hanging above them all, she looked so happy whenever they spoke about the baby.
Turning onto his side, Draco stared down at Cait's sleeping form as he smoothed the hair back from her face. He was still processing losing his mother, but between Cait and Molly Weasley, he had overcome some of the worst of his sorrow and was growing to accept her passing. Molly had told him one night, before Cait had awoken from her coma, that a mother's greatest sacrifice was the one that kept her children safe. His mother had certainly made the ultimate sacrifice and it had been for him to get free-to be safe. Once he pushed the guilt aside, he was able to appreciate what his mother had done for him.
Cait's eyes fluttered as Draco continued to stare down at her, but she didn't awaken. He couldn't help but think of their shared past and how they had gotten to where they currently were-it was something of a past time for him as of late. She had always been so strong and independent, even in her most vulnerable of states.
He remembered how broken she was after the passing of her mother. How she had struggled so hard to keep herself together when her whole world was falling apart. He could clearly remember the nights that he had visited her in an attempt to comfort her. He had held her tightly as she cried, wishing so much that he had the ability to take all of her pain away.
He remembered as they stood near the lake in the Nott Manor lawns. He had been worried about her as the anniversary of her mother's death approached. She had looked so sad as she stared towards the greenhouse in the distance, and then she had turned her gaze to him. She told him how appreciative she was of him always being there for her, and then she had kissed him softly. His first kiss.
He remembered the stubborn and triumphant look that she had worn on their first night at Hogwarts when she had been sorted into Ravenclaw in spite of her father. She had consciously made the decision to be sorted into the blue and silver house to prove to her father that she couldn't-and wouldn't-be controlled.
He remembered the night that he had told her and Theo about his mission that he had been given-that he had been forced into taking. The hurt that had flickered across her face before she had risen from her perch on her brother bed. He didn't even think that she knew he had seen it, but he had and it had hurt him nearly as much.
He remembered the way that she looked sprawled against the marble floor the night that his father had performed the Cruciatus Curse on her and she had stubbornly refused his help as she limped her way back to her room. He wanted nothing more than to gently take her into his arms and carry her to her bed, but she wouldn't have hated him even more if he had done so, so he merely followed her before getting the one person that he knew she would allow to help.
He remembered the way she had appeared to be brave as she was stared down by the Dark Lord as he issued her the task that she was expected to complete. Even though he knew her well enough to know that she was frightened and furious, to everyone else she had appeared brave and stoic.
He remembered the smooth and graceful movements with which she danced-the way she seemed to float across the floor. The way that she moved made him forget everything else that was going on around him, there was only her and her dance.
He remembered the soft look on her face after the first time they had made love; how beautiful she appeared as she lay beside him with her hair fanned out against the pillow. He had wanted to keep that moment with him forever, and in a way he had. He treasured the look of affection that he had seen shining through her eyes and hoped that his eyes had shown her the same emotion. He knew that he was her first, and for the first time in his entire life he wished that she had been his as well. No one else mattered, nor would they ever compare.
He remembered the determined look that she'd had when she learned that her friend had been capture. When she had thought of Hermione Granger being locked in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor she had known that she had to do something to save the girl. And Draco had known that he would do anything to help Cait, even if that meant facing the wrath of both his father and Voldemort.
He remembered the night that he had realized that he was truly in love with Cait. The night that he realized that he would do absolutely anything for her, no matter the consequences.
He remembered the look of relief that she'd had when she had come back to Hogwarts. She had looked so thin and weary when he had first laid eyes on her, but her shoulders that lifted as she drank in his appearance. A rage had filled her eyes as she revealed each injury that had been inflicted on him. He had felt true horror when she had told him that she would be returning home. The consuming despair that had plagued him when he found her gone from his bed and knowing that she was walking into a snake pit.
He remembered the way his heart had nearly stopped when he had seen Cait sitting at the table beside the Dark Lord after she had visited him at Hogwarts. She had looked up at him, her eyes conveying how sorry she was. He wasn't sure whether to be grateful that she was unharmed, to be upset that she had been so stupid, or to be fearful of what was potentially going to happen to her for helping the muggle-born to escape.
He remembered the look of defeat she'd worn after the loss of her father and realizing that she had inadvertently fallen directly into Voldemort's plan.
He remembered finding out that she was carrying his child. The swell of emotions that had filled him had been both overwhelming and confusing. He feared for the fate of the child, but at the same time he couldn't help but feel elated. He loved Cait and their love had produced a child-something that was both a piece of him and a piece of her.
He remember how magnificent she had looked as she walked down the aisle and towards the alter. They may have been forced into the marriage for a dark and ulterior motive, but to Draco, nothing made him happier than making Cait his wife. Despite everything that had happened, he was completely in love with her.
He remembered seeing her curled in the fetal position, crying out in agony after they had escaped from their honeymoon. His mind had been a swirl of emotions, but one look at the love of his life lying in the dirt and clutching her swollen belly had replaced all other emotions with fear. He couldn't bare to lose Cait or the baby, especially not so soon after losing his mother. If all three of them were taken from him… he couldn't even bare the thought. Desperately he had clung to the hope that she would pull through-that they would pull through.
He remembered the fury that had risen up in him upon waking after Theo had drugged him with a sleeping draught. One look at Cait sitting up in the bed and everything else disappeared. Relief flooded through him as he gripped her tightly and sobbed into her hair. His heart had been so clenched with fear that she would never awaken that the releasing of that fear was nearly painful.
And now, as he stared down at his very pregnant he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed once more by the emotion of it all. There was still fear and uncertainty in their future, but Draco had hope too. The best curse-breakers were working on a way to nullify the cursed ring and lift the effects from their child. If they were successful, Draco had ever intention of taking his small family and moving to the ends of the earth where they could live peacefully, happily, and safely.
As his gaze swept over her face once more, Cait's eyes fluttered open. He smiled down at her softly, lovingly.
"Good morning, love." he murmured, kissing her sweetly.
"Good morning," she replied before bringing her hand swiftly to her abdomen.
"What is it?" Draco asked in alarm, his heart rate increasing rapidly.
"I think… I think the baby is coming," she gasped, her eyes wide.