A/N- Some of you don't seem to care much for the name Draco, and I'm sorry that you feel that way – I hope you're still reading this! – but trust me, as he grows up, you'll see how perfect the name actually is. That is all I'm saying. And if Stephanie can call their daughter Renesmee, why can't I call their son Draco?
It's not time to make a change,
Just sit down, take it slowly,
You're still young, that's your fault,
There's so much you have to go through
Father and Son – Cat Stevens.
Bella
2 weeks later.
The wind howled and the rain crashed against my window with an almighty force. The past few days have been pure hell. I can't tell you the exact number of hours sleep that I've had, but It can't be more than ten. Sunday night, I thought I had it in the bag. During the day Draco had been really cranky and wouldn't nap for more than an hour at a time, and considering how much they sleep during a day at this age, I thought, for once, I would get a full night sleep.
… No.
It must have been the back of eleven when he finished off another bottle – I haven't gone for breastfeeding, but that's a different story – I burped him, soothed him and we had a nice cuddle for fifteen or so minutes. His eyes slowly closed before drifting off into a peaceful sleep. I somehow managed to take him up the stairs and into the crib without the slightest of disturbances – God knows how I did that. I made myself ready for bed, kissed my sons' forehead, whispered I loved him and practically leaped into the comfort of my bed. I fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow.
An hour or so later I wake up on high alert to the sound of Draco wailing from across the room. I then notice the rain and figure out that it must have been that which awoke my little boy. His crying soothed down once I brought him into my arms, I took several walks around my room, humming nursery rhymes and doing whatever the hell I could to help him go back to sleep. The rain gets louder, and so does his crying. Four o'clock in the morning and I'm still awake, singing Rock-a-Bye Baby for the millionth time, lying on my bed with one hand keeping my head propped up and the other protectively around my son.
That night, I tried feeding, I tried changing, I tried practically everything, but nothing worked. Thankfully the next day he napped a lot more, so I managed to sneak in some power naps to re-boost a small amount of my energy. But the storm kept brewing, and Draco kept waking up.
It's now five am on Wednesday morning, and I'm back to the same routine. Fortunately, the weather forecast has predicted that the storm should be over with for ten o'clock or so this morning. I'm praying for it to be correct – I can't take these restless nights.
My lack of sleep can't be healthy, which is why I'm reaching for my phone, but soothing Draco at the same time. "Let's have a chat with your daddy, yeah?" Edward is not going to like this…
He doesn't pick up before the voicemail service kicks in, so I hang up and try again. This time he answers.
"Hmm?" He grunts, clearly half asleep.
"Edward?"
"Hm."
"I need you to help me."
"Yeah."
"Look, I really need to… " his heavy breathing tells me that he's gone back to sleep. "Oh for goodness sake. Edward!"
"What?"
"Can you please listen to me?"
"…yam."
"No you are not!"
He coughs twice, then the heavy breathing returns.
Oh I'm about to murder this boy!
"Edward!" I use a little extra force than last time, which makes Draco whimper and I instantly regret my actions.
"What?" He screams. "Am I not allowed to fucking sleep?"
He did not just say that…
"You're really complaining about sleep? Our son has kept me up every night since Sunday. I desperately need to get some form of sleep."
"Okay, and I'm going to help, how?"
"Please, can you come over here and look after him whilst I sleep? I'll be awake and can take over in time for you to head to school." Edward has decided that he's going to finish his education and so he's been back there for over a week. It's only been two weeks since Draco was born! But, whatever, he can do what he likes I guess.
"Why can't your dad look after him?"
"Because he is your son!"
He mumbled something which I couldn't quite understand. "What did you say?" I asked.
"Nothing." He sighed deeply, "right, fine! I'll be over in twenty minutes."
After we hung up, I held Draco securely in my hands and raised him above me so that he could look straight down at my face. "Who's going to have some fun with daddy? " I made sure that my smile was large and my eyes were wide. Draco copied me by widening his eyes a little too – which I've heard could be a form of noticing my smile and trying to respond… or something like that. I can't wait until he can smile and laugh – Facebook picture moments.
Talking about Facebook, I was on it the other day – replying to people's messages, congratulating me and asking how I am. I had uploaded a photo of Draco a few days after he was born and smiled at all the loving messages it received. Just out of curiosity, I went onto Edward's page just to see if he had put or said anything.
And he had.
According to the date, Edward had posted a status the day after Draco was born saying: "watch out, there is another Cullen boy about. Welcome to the world Draco." It had received twenty-three 'likes' and when reading the comments some people left, I couldn't help but laugh.
Lauren Mallory congrats baby love you (: xxxxxxxx
Jessica Stanley congratulations! I must be so happy! :D X
Edward Cullen why?
Jessica Stanley oops! I mean u! LOL! X
Edward Cullen Ha.
I love how blunt he had been with them. Lauren and Jessica were probably hoping that Edward would be all 'thank you, love you too baby. Oh Jessica, you are so funny' but it seemed as though he couldn't give a damn. And frankly, neither could I.
Half an hour after Edward agreed to come over, he still hadn't turned up. But right before I messaged Alice to get him out of bed, I received a message from Edward saying 'just leaving, wont be long' . Even though he can be a complete pain in the ass, I must give Edward some credit. It is five in the morning and he's agreeing to come and take care of Draco as I sleep. I don't know whether he is doing it for Draco's sake and to spend more time with him, or if he's genuinely concerned over how tired I am and how much sleep I have missed out on. Either way, it's lovely of him to come out here after being so rudely awaken.
I knew, the second he stepped from his car, that Edward had come over just to see Draco. If it wasn't so early in the morning, he would have slammed the car door – he is pissed at me; I'll tell you that for free.
I had Draco settled in the living room in his baby bouncer so I could greet Edward at the door without having to balance him at the same time – I'm still nervous and a little unsure at all that. He walked straight into my house without muttering a word. Tore his jacket off and kicked off his shoes. "You owe me big for this," he finally said.
I wanted to scream and shout, but I found it in myself to keep my voice to a whisper. "Me? I don't owe you anything, Edward. I'm still recovering from his birth and I have to walk around this house at all hours of the day. It's only fair that you chip in and care for him too."
"Don't you even start, Bella. You said you haven't been able to sleep for days, so, tell me, why did it take you this long to call? Huh?" I didn't know how to answer. "Exactly, you were trying to prove to us that you can handle him by yourself. Well fuck that, you want me to chip in and help? Fucking pick up the phone and call me!"
My whole body went tense, trying to keep in my aggravation. "Will you just… shut up," I whispered harshly, "my dad is trying to sleep and I don't want you to swear like that in front of Draco."
Edward rolled his eyes, "whatever," he muttered, baking away from me and going to seek out Draco in the next room. A large smile crossed his face as he kneeled before our little boy, taking his clenched fist in his hand and shaking it lightly. Edward slipped his hands underneath Draco's arms and brought him out of the bouncer and close to his chest. "Hello my special, little boy. Daddy has missed you."
My heart swelled at the sight and adoration that pooled from both father and son – Draco's relaxed posture is a clue that he's happy to see Edward. I didn't want to interrupt them, but I had to get some sleep. "I'll put my alarm on for seven-thirty so you can still get to school on time. If you want some breakfast, just grab whatever from the kitchen. He had been fed and changed just a short while ago, so you shouldn't need to do any of that."
Edward didn't take his eyes off of Draco to speak to me, "I'll be fine. Go and sleep, Bella."
"Okay. Um… thank-thank you."
"My pleasure, just go and get some sleep."
And again, like Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Edward had changed into this loving person who I loved being around. The polar opposite of who had walked through my door not five minutes ago.
I didn't like leaving Draco downstairs, but I knew he is in brilliant hands, and that Edward wouldn't allow the tiniest of things to harm him. It's really sweet actually; I don't have to worry about Draco being left on the sofa when Edward leaves the room or anything, because he's too scared to leave him alone on the floor! But even so, like any parent, I have those nagging feelings at the back of my mind.
I didn't think I would get to sleep because of worrying, but I was out with the click of my fingers.
xxx
"Bella…" A faint voice began to bring me from my slumber. "Bella… you need to wake up now." At this current moment in time, I couldn't make sense of anything. Who is talking to me? Why do I need to wake up? What's the – Draco! How could I even forget about my tiny bundle of joy for the tiniest of seconds? Then everything came flooding back to me. Edward being dragged here, looking after Draco as I slept, then going off to school once I woke up…
Shit…
You know that feeling when you wake up, but you're almost certain you've over-slept? I'm having that moment right now. My eyes snap open and I sit up in bed – a bit too quickly I must admit – and see Charlie standing next to my bed with a snoozing Draco settled safely in his arms. I look around the room, trying to find a clock somewhere – forgetting where I had put my phone – but Charlie beat me to it.
"It's ten-twenty, Bells."
Ten-twenty?
Twenty past ten in the morning?
Shit!
"Oh, my God. Edward must be so late for school."
He's going to be so angry at me now.
"It's alright," Charlie sat at the foot of my bed, adjusting the way Draco lay before continuing to speak. "Edward went off to school with plenty of time to spare. I don't start until eleven, so I allowed you to sleep for longer."
Even so, that didn't take the guilt away from my mind. "How was Draco?" Charlie never gets a late morning start, and the one time he does, he's made to look after his grandson.
"He was as good as gold. When I got downstairs shortly after seven, Edward had heated up a bottle and in the middle of feeding him, I then over-heard him reading a story and playing 'This Little Piggy'. Draco must have been exhausted from all that fun and games, he's been asleep since Edward left. Well, he woke up a couple times, but soon went back off to sleep."
I take back every negative comment that I've thought towards Edward regarding how much he cares for his son. Charlie's story clearly shows how much he cares. I knew he would come around sooner or later. The number of times he said he didn't feel anything for Draco, when all along, he couldn't fight the love that he feels.
"Wow… thank you, dad. I really appreciate it."
"Don't sweat it, Bells. I know what it's like not to get any sleep, and you've been outstanding with Draco, you deserve the rest. But right now, I need to head to work, and I think that smell is coming from this little guy…"
Only now do I take notice on the strong smell wafting around the room. "Yeah, I think so too. Thanks dad, once again." Charlie passes over Draco without a word and smiles before waving slightly and leaving the room.
"Right, Mr. Smelly Bum, I think it's time you have a bath."
xxx
bring draco over at lunch
You know, Edward, it would be so much easier if you added in question marks. Are you ordering me to, or are you asking if I can?
His message had been sent just before ten this morning, but I only read it now once Draco had been freshened up and changed into a fresh and clean outfit.
Do you want me to bring him at lunch time? Or are you asking if I can?
I've made myself a small snack by the time a reply arrives.
can you
Again, punctuation would have been handy.
Er… actually yeah, I need to collect some work anyway, so I could get that down before lunch, and meet you afterwards?
k
Edward Cullen; a man of little words.
xxx
Heading to school wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I had been – pardon my French – shitting a brick at the thought of taking Draco into school and walking around, visiting my teachers and bumping into other people. But it all turned out okay. Ms. Cope even offered to look after him for me whilst I ran around the school getting my necessary work. I politely shot that offer down; I don't like being apart from him. My English teacher cooed and made terrifying faces at Draco, which made him cry – good on you, my son. Pupils in the class muffled their laughs the best way they could.
Shortly after the lunch bell rang, Edward, Alice, Jasper, Mike and Jessica (I doubt they were invited over, but oh well) came to meet me at the quadrangle. Alice sprinted up, pulled me into an enormous hug then crouched in front of Draco, covering his face in kisses and telling him how much she missed seeing his face – her words, not mine.
When Edward made it over, he stood impatiently behind his sister, tapping his right foot and rolling his eyes. I took this opportunity to thank him again for this morning. He waved it off with a shrug of his shoulders, mumbling that he didn't mind and it wasn't a trouble.
Funny, that's not what you said when you first arrived.
I didn't know whether Edward wanted me to know what Charlie had said, so I never mentioned it – he could be embarrassed.
He finally had the chance to take Draco in his arms and kissed the top of his head lightly.
"Oh, my goodness, Edward! He is such a little darling!" Jessica stood way too close for my liking.
Momma bear has arrived…
She was just about to prod his cheeks with one of her false nails, when I grabbed onto her arm to stop her. "Stand back from my son, please." My voice held no joke.
Jessica gave me an incredulous look. "Er… I'm not going to hurt him. Jesus Bella, calm the fuck down."
Oh, no she didn't.
I didn't have the time to think of a comeback. Edward snapped into 'protective father' mode pretty quickly. "What the fuck did you just say? Apologise to Bella and then get the fuck out of my sight. I don't want you anywhere around our son. Understand that? Or do I need to write it down?"
Jessica stood, wide eyed, terrified by what Edward just said. She stuttered a shit apology and practically fled the area – probably with her tail between her legs.
Mike Newton then thought that he should speak as well. "Ha, good one, mate. Bitch needs to learn a lesson, eh?"
Edward turned around to face Mike. "And what do you think you're doing here? We're having a family gathering. So you can go and follow Jessica too, if you could please be so kind."
Alice and Jasper had turned their backs to the situation. From the way their shoulders shook, I could tell they were laughing. I must admit, I'm trying to bite my laughter too.
"Eurgh, they never learn." Edward groaned, mostly to himself.
"My father will hear about this."
xxx
Shit ending, I'm sorry. But the last line, for those who aren't a fan of Harry Potter, is a Draco Malfoy quote. Just sayin'.
This will be my last update before Christmas, so have a very Merry Christmas and I'll see you all later!
Rosie xx
