October 13, 2010

He was pacing the waiting room anxiously. It had been two hours since he had last heard any news and the silence was driving him mad. He was dreadfully concerned and was just about to turn around and storm through the swinging doors when he heard one of them open and spun around.

"Mr. Malfoy…" A nurse in green robes said as he rushed over to her.

"Yes?" Draco said at once, nearly out of breath from his constant movement for the past two hours.

"Follow me please sir." She said and turned without another word, leading him down a bright corridor with a lime green stripe going straight down the middle of the floor.

His heart was pounding heavily against his ribcage as they made their way down the corridor. He could barely breathe from worry when the nurse suddenly stopped in front of a door on the right side of the corridor and looked at him.

"You may go on in." She said quietly but giving no indication of the outcome of what he'd find.

He pushed past her and rushed inside, finding Hermione in the hospital bed, holding a bundle of a cream-colored blanket. She had a smile on her face as she looked over at him.

"Draco!" She said, "Come meet our daughter."

He rushed over and kissed Hermione on the lips, feeling immense, overwhelming relief that she was all right. When he looked down, he was met with a pair of warm honey-brown eyes that were watching him sleepily.

Hermione smiled at him and passed the baby to her husband who accepted the warm bundle eagerly into his arms.

Draco grinned, looking down at his third child. He walked over to the window seat and sat down, afraid his legs might give out from a mixture of fatigue and relief.

Hermione watched the scene with a warmth blooming in her chest and a smile on her face.

When Draco spoke up, he spoke quietly so as not to disturb the little one. "Why…why didn't they let me back here?" he asked, before looking over at his wife. "I was with you when you gave birth to Lyra." He said.

Hermione sighed, seeing the fear and concern in his slate-grey eyes "It was a difficult delivery, but we're both perfectly fine. I swear, Love. I'm so sorry."

He furrowed his brow but nodded, blinked, and looked back down at their newborn child.

"I ought to go get Scorp and Lyra so that they can meet their little sister." He whispered.

Hermione nodded, "I know but would it be all right if we wait a bit? I'm rather worn out and could use a bit of rest…if that's all right."

He nodded, "Of course, Love. Get some sleep. I'll take care of the baby."

She smiled and laid her head back against the firm hospital pillow before closing her eyes, almost immediately falling asleep into a much-needed rest.

When she woke, she didn't move at first, but rather listened as Draco spoke quietly.

"…and then your Mummy slapped Daddy across the face. Don't worry though, Daddy completely deserved it."

Hermione couldn't contain her smile as she opened her eyes, finding Draco still holding the baby while leaning against the wall by the window.

"What on earth are you telling our child?" she asked quietly.

He looked over at her and grinned, "The truth about your brutal ways toward her father. Don't worry though. I doubt she'll tell anyone." He smirked.

Hermine smiled, "She needs to eat."

He nodded and handed the baby over to her so that she could nurse.

It was sometime later that Blaise and Ginny Zabini brought Scorpius and Lyra up to St. Mungo's to meet their new baby sister. Ginny had their own son, Bran Draco Zabini, on her hip as they all entered the room.

"Hermione, she's so beautiful." Ginny said with a smile.

Hermione thanked her friend before Draco spoke up.

"We'd appreciate it if you and Blaise would be her godparents." The blond wizard stated.

Ginny smiled with tears in her eyes as Blaise nodded, "We'd be honored, mate."

"Dad…" Scorpius said.

"Yeah, Scorp?" Draco replied.

"What's her name?" the 9-year-old asked.

Draco smiled and looked at Hermione who nodded.

"Her name is Carina Astoria Malfoy." Draco said with a smile.

Blaise and Ginny both nodded in approval of the name honoring the woman who had made it possible for the family to be together.

"That's pretty." Scorpius said.

Hermione nodded, "Yes, it is." She smiled. "Would you like to hold you baby sister?"

The young boy nodded eagerly.

Draco grinned and told him to sit down on the window seat. Draco carried Carina over to her big brother, laying her in his small, yet protective embrace.

Draco helped 2-year-old Lyra climb up next to her brother. The image was one that neither Draco nor Hermione would ever forget. Their three perfect, healthy children sitting together for the first time. The first of many times to come.

Their family was complete. And they had honored the woman who had sacrificed herself, making it possible for them to all be together. Life was good and in time it would only improve.

-Fin

Thank you all for reading this story! I hope you enjoyed it!