CHAPTER 12

There was only ten more hours before Draco's birthday, and still Hermione debated on what she would do for him. Why, she wondered, was it so hard to plan something for a man's birthday, and not just any man, but a man who had almost everything he wanted?

"Tinkerbelle."

Sitting up from her position on the couch she looked up to see Draco. He looked tired and in dire need of rest.

"You look like you had a rough day; did you want something to eat?"

Draco shook his head, "A cup of coffee after I shower."

"Okay."

She watched as he made his way up the stairs without turning back. He really did not remember that his birthday was in the morning. With a sigh Hermione left the living room and went into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee, still brooding over what she would do for his birthday.

"I'm leaving in the morning for a business trip."

Hermione looked up from her cup of coffee, "What?"

"I'll be gone for the weekend."

"You're leaving? But you just got back from work!"

"I came back for a quick shower and some clothes. Why are you yelling?"

"I'm not yelling! You—why didn't you tell me?"

"I've gone away on weekends before, and you didn't seem to mind."

"I—but we had something planned."

Draco raised one of his eyebrows over his cup, "We did?"

"Well—I did. Why didn't you tell me you had a business trip this weekend?"

"Sorry Tinkerbelle, it was kind of last minute. What did you have planned?"

"Oh—nothing. I guess it wouldn't matter to you anyway."

"Tinkerbelle—"

Draco set his cup down and reached out to cup her chin with his thumb and finger, tilting her bowed head up to meet his gaze.

"Was it something important?" He asked.

Hermione sighed and shook her head, "No, it was nothing. I hope you have a nice trip."

She said and moving out of his reach stood up with her cup and walked over to the sink. Turning on the faucet she began to wash her cup, disappointed in him and in herself.

"Tinkerbelle." Draco came to stand behind her, a hand coming to rest on her shoulder.

"Goodnight." She said without turning back to look at him.

He let her go, wondering why she was so upset with him leaving for the weekend.

At first light the next morning Hermione woke up to the smell of brewing coffee and breakfast. Slowly stretching out she sat up from bed and made her way downstairs. Malfoy would be gone by now, she thought as she found her way into the kitchen.

She smiled when she approached the breakfast table. A small breakfast of an omelet and bacon was already sitting in a plate for her, with a glass of juice and a cup of warm coffee. At least he was considerate enough to make breakfast before he left, she thought as she sat down.

Leaning down she breathed in the smell of her breakfast, and satisfied with it she picked up her knife and fork. Taking in the first bite of the omelet made her groan in delight.

"Glad you're enjoying my breakfast."

With a yelp Hermione jumped and dropped her fork and knife onto the table.

Slowly she turned around to find Draco leaning in the doorway, staring at her.

"You—aren't you supposed to be gone?" She asked when she was finally able to stop staring and speak.

"I rescheduled the trip."

"Oh." She said and turned pink in the cheeks.

"Tell me," He said as he walked into the kitchen, "Do you always wake up this late when I'm not here?"

"N-no." She said, stumbling over her answer as she brushed away the bangs covering her eyes.

"Does anyone else know you're lazy?"

"I-I'm not lazy! I just—I was up the whole night and I—I need to take a shower." She finished and rushed out of the kitchen before she could further embarrass herself.

Cursing she made her way back down the stairs after a quick shower and change. Draco was still in the kitchen, sipping more coffee and lighting a cigarette.

Hermione frowned as she made her way towards him. "I thought you said you weren't going to smoke inside the house."

Draco looked up at her and chuckled.

"What are you laughing at?"

"You're cute when you get mad."

"I—" She stared at him in a daze and then snapped, "Stop changing the subject!"

"Tinkerbelle, why can't we have a conversation that doesn't being with an argument?"

She stared at him with disbelief.

"When you stop smoking!" She said and turned around to leave, but stopped short when she heard his chuckle. "Why didn't you go?" She turned around to say, her anger boiling close to the surface.

"I thought we had something planned for today." He answered in all innocence.

"No we didn't. Nothing was planned. I lied to you. So you can leave now."

"Tinkerbelle."

Draco put out the cigarette and stood up, coming to her.

"Stop calling me that!" She said pushed his hand away.

"You want to tell me what's going on?" He asked, his arms coming around to hold her to him.

"No." She mumbled in a soft voice, trying to push him away.

"What did you have planned today?"

"Nothing."

Draco sighed and stepping back looked down at her. "Are you mad at me for smoking inside?"

"No."

"Then why are you angry?"

"I'm not angry."

"Why are you looking away?"

"Because."

"What?"

"Because you're laughing at me."

Draco tried not to grin, "I'm not laughing at you."

"Yes you are. I can hear it in your voice."

He cleared his throat before speaking, "I'm not laughing at you Tinkerbelle."

He waited for her to finally look up at him. She was still angry, he could tell by the little spark in her eyes.

"What did you want to do today?"

She said nothing.

"We haven't spent any time together lately. What did you have planned?"

She did not answer.

"Tinkerbelle."

"We're going to bake a cake,"

"Great! We're going to what?"

"Bake a cake." She said and moved past a stunned Draco.

"Bake a cake? If you want to eat a cake was can by one!" He said, coming after her.

"I want to back a cake."

"Tinkerbelle."

She stopped to turn around and face him, a smirk on her face.

"Is the great Draco Malfoy afraid to bake a cake?"

"I am not afraid to bake a cake. And just so you know the Malfoy's are great cooks!"

"Good. Then you'll have no problem making a cake!"

They sat together, staring at the cake, both covered in flower and frosting.

"I thought you said you knew how to make a cake." Draco said, staring at one dripping side of the cake.

"You were the one that said that Malfoys were great cooks."

"But I never said I was the great cook."

"Well, we did follow the directions."

"We must have missed a part."

"Should we go to plan B then?" Hermione asked with a sigh.

"I'll get the car keys."

They walked into the small shopping mall searching for the tiny bakery within it.

"I think it's that way." Hermione pointed and began in the direction she had pointed at.

"I thought you said you knew where it was?" Draco groaned as he followed her.

"I do. It's just been a while."

He gave a grumble from beside her, "Why do you want a cake so badly anyways?"

Hermione did not answer him as she hurried ahead.

"See! There it is!" She pointed out, turning to give him a triumphant smile.

"Alright. Now let's get a cake and go home."

"Maybe we should have cleaned the kitchen before we left." Draco put in as they stood in the doorway staring at the mess in the kitchen.

Hermione nodded, "I guess cake will have to wait."

Draco was put in charge of sweeping the floor while Hermione cleared the counter tops and washed the utensils. By the time they finished their cleaning it was already mid-afternoon and bother we exhausted.

When the family came over it was to find them curled up on the sofa in the living room together, sleeping. The bakery bought cake was left on the table before them, untouched.

"I guess they already had a long day." Lacy smiled over at her parents.

"She's good for him." Narcissa said with a secret smile at her husband.

"She is, isn't she? I heard he woke everyone at the company up at two in the morning just to help rearrange thing." Lucas agreed.

"Well, I guess he didn't need us this time to remind him to take some time off."

"Yeah. Let's leave the presents." They left the small gift and left the two to sleep.

When Draco woke the sun was already setting. Yawning he stretched his arms over his head and looked down at Hermione, her head laying on his lap, curled fast asleep. Smiling he reached down to slowly push away the bangs covering her eyes. For the first time in a long time, he felt content to just sit and watch as time slowly passed by.

"Happy Birthday Draco."

"What?"

He looked down at her, staring at the still sleeping form. There was a secret smile on her face as she curled deeper into the sofa. Draco tried not to laugh out loud as he set his head back to close his eyes. He had forgotten it was his birthday.

So that was why she wanted me to stay and bake a cake, he mused. With a sigh he opened his eyes and looked down at her and wondered if things could be different for them.

Again he reached down to lightly touch her cheek, but at the touch Hermione began to move and wake. Quickly he closed his eyes and leaned back, pretending to still be asleep.

Hermione opened her eyes to stare at the untouched cake. Blinking, she slowly sat up to stare at Draco's sleeping form. Reaching up she let her palm rest on one of his cheeks.

"Happy Birthday Draco." She whispered as she silently watched him before gently getting up. "Thank you for staying home today." She added before heading up the stairs.

Draco waited for the sound of a closing door before opening his eyes to stare up at the plain ceiling, wondering himself why he had stayed home.

AN: Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reading and PLEASE REVIEW!