A/N Sorry for how long it took to get this chapter out to you. We are finally home from the Mayo Clinic and my husband is recovering well. What a whirlwind journey that was. Life altering and everything. Nothing will be the same now. But, he made it, thank the lord.
I would like to thank all my new followers and everyone, who has read this. I certainly hope my next story, should I write one, will go a little quicker and smoother. As I look back at the beginning chapters, which I wrote over a year ago, I can see how my style of writing has grown and changed. I like where I ended up and see a lot of room to grow still. What a fun experience this was, thankyou for sharing it with me.
Chapter 39: Pearls and Motorcycles
Astoria tried to stay calm and sit on the large plush loveseat in her mother's parlor with her ankles crossed and her hands folded neatly on her lap. Draco was pacing enough for both of them and just watching him walk aimlessly back and forth while they waited for her father was making her tired. Dalton Greengrass had been very secretive about why he asked the two of them to come over today. Astoria didn't figure it could be bad news, he had already given his blessing for them to marry, in fact the wedding plans were already in full swing. So it couldn't be that, but she still had that nervous upsetting feeling one gets in their stomach when waiting on news, fearful it is something you don't want to hear.
Daphne had her first real fashion opening today. Her line with Saks wouldn't hit until the new year as a part of their spring line, no, today she had ten bridal gowns going on the racks in Madam Malkin's store, in a variety of sizes. Astoria hoped her father would come in soon, she wanted to get to the store and see the dresses. There was one of them, she was hoping was still there in her size when she arrived. The only one she wanted to wear when she got married. Oh, she knew Daphne would just make her a new dress and it would be lovely, but she wanted this one and she wanted to walk into the store, pick it up, try it on and buy it. The store didn't open for another couple hours, so there was still time, as long as Daddy didn't yammer on and on about what ever had made him call them over.
Draco suddenly stopped pacing and turned quickly to look at Astoria. "I did tell your father I had to work at eleven, didn't I?"
Astoria smiled at him and shook her head. "Yes, my love. You told him." She stood up and walked over to Draco taking his hands in hers. "It's only nine Draco, we have time."
He sighed, a sign he was trying to relax. "I hate working the eleven to seven shift. There is this crabby old Wizard I know hates me, who comes in all the time with a new complaint." He walked over to the loveseat, unbuttoned his suit jacket button and sat down. "There is never anything wrong with him, but he makes you run every test you can think of chasing nothing until he is satisfied." He leaned back on the seat a little. "He always requests me, says it's to make sure I am too busy with him, to mess up anyone else's treatment."
"Maybe he is lonely." Astoria said as she sat back down beside him.
"What?" Draco made a face and sat back up.
Astoria smiled and kissed his cheek. "I said, maybe he is lonely. You said he is old. If he comes in alone, perhaps he is lonely, and you are someone worthwhile to talk to."
Draco sat there a moment; mouth open unsure how to respond. He finally took a deep breath. "Lonely, why on earth would he want to talk to me, if he is lonely?"
"You're interesting, smart, witty and I am sure don't take any grief from him. He probably respects you more then you think." Astoria started to rub Draco's thigh.
Before Draco could react to her statement Lord Greengrass finally came in. "Sorry to keep you kids waiting, I got an unexpected owl from one of our properties and needed to handle it right away." Dalton sat in the chair across from them a parchment in his hands, a happy smile on his face. He held up the parchment. "This is worth the wait though, I assure you."
"You're being very mysterious father, what is going on?" Astoria asked as she discreetly removed her hand from Draco's thigh and politely folded her hands on her lap again.
Dalton took a deep breath. "First you both must promise not to be angry with me, well not very angry with me."
Draco folded his arms over his chest. "Why?"
"Because I am asking you too son." Dalton smirked at Draco's apprehensiveness.
Draco scoffed. "I can't speak for Astoria, but I make no such promise. Why are we here?"
"Draco, please." Astoria pulled his left arm out from its resting place across his chest forcing him to let her hold his hand. She gave him a stern look, the one that always told him to behave then looked back at her father. "We promise to hear you out, how is that?"
Despite Draco's attitude Lord Greengrass still had a silly lopsided smile on his face. "I will take it." He adjusted in the seat to get comfortable then cleared his throat. "Astoria as you are more then aware, your condition makes having a baby very difficult, if not impossible for you."
"So why bring it up?" Draco asked, a sneer still on his face.
Greengrass only smiled at him. "Because Draco, over the last few months, really since you came and ask for permission to marry Astoria, I have been working with her Healer. He discovered a Muggle condition, which presents in Muggle patients, the same way Astoria's condition presents in her." He held the parchment out to Draco. "They have a treatment, in which many of their patients respond with full remission for many years."
Draco looked at the parchment in Lord Greengrass's hands as if it would bite him if he touched it. Apprehensively he finally took the parchment and unrolled it, before reading it though he asked. "Are you saying we should try this treatment on Astoria?"
"Yes, I am. In fact, Draco, Healer Albert has already tested the treatment several times on the latest samples of Astoria's blood from her last tests." He turned his attention to his daughter and smiled brightly. "The results were more then positive darling. He feels if you choose to undergo the Muggle treatment, under his care of course, you could also see remission, meaning you would live much longer and you and Draco could possibly, have a baby in the future."
Astoria sat quietly, not moving. She had heard every word her father said. But it felt like a dream. For most of her life she had been told she would die at an early age, perhaps fifty if she did everything the Healers told her to, sixty if luck was on her side and a baby had always been out of the question. Out of the question unless she was ready for fifty to become forty or younger. Now her father sat there telling her not only had Healer Albert found a possible treatment that was better then anything he had tried yet, but that a baby was possible if she responded well to it. A treatment which was Muggle! Astoria stood up, her turn now to pace. Muggle! It kept running through her mind, a Muggle treatment! After a moment she sighed and laughed at the thought.
Draco had been sitting in silence, frantically looking over the parchment Lord Greengrass had handed him. He looked up at Astoria with a puzzled look. "What is so funny?"
"The treatment." Astoria looked at him and laughed again. "It's Muggle and why not? We never thought to look to the Muggles for help, why would we? A wave of our wands, a broken bone is healed, they must wait weeks for the same result. But if you think about it, that only makes them more resilient, like with everything else. Look at the phone Blaise gave you, Muggles couldn't communicate as quickly as we can, so they found a way. Every time we think we have something superior to them, they find a way to do it without magic. Cars, planes, computers, lights," she pointed to the parchment in Draco's hand. "Medicine."
Draco looked at the parchment again. She was right. He hated to admit it, but she was right. More times than he cared to think about while living amongst Muggles, they surprised him with their innovation.
Astoria sat back down beside him. "Well, does it look good?" She asked as she gestured to the parchment.
Dalton took off his glasses. "I had Healer Albert give me the findings for you Draco. I knew you would want to see them. It wasn't easy, he said the two of you don't really get on. I will confess, I also never thought the Muggle's would have anything to offer, so I never looked."
Draco took a deep breath. "Albert doesn't trust me." He shook off the thought, rolled up the parchment and turned to Astoria. "It looks solid Astoria. Please understand, this is not my area of study. I am a trauma Healer; I work in the emergency ward not to mention I am still only an intern."
"An intern who is brilliant and will be a resident by fall." She reached over and took his hand giving it a squeeze. "Plus, you're the man I love, I want your opinion Draco. Do you trust what you read? Do we go to Healer Albert and tell him to go ahead? Can I give you a son?"
Draco put the parchment on the seat beside him and quickly leaned forward capturing Astoria's lips in a passionate kiss forgetting her father was there until Lord Greengrass cleared his throat. Draco pulled back a little embarrassed and rested his forehead on Astoria's. "Yes Astoria, I trust Albert and his findings."
Dalton interrupted them before they had a chance to kiss again. "Remember kids, you have to wait for the treatment to take effect. You have to wait for a few years after before you have a baby, and it might be a girl Draco."
Draco looked over at Lord Greengrass and beamed. "Yes, it might be. Either way, boy or girl, I don't care." He looked at Astoria, seeing her eyes filling with tears. "I love you Astoria."
Astoria threw her arms around Draco's neck and kissed him again, hard before she pulled away and threw herself into her father's arms. "Thank you, Daddy, thank you so much. I should be furious with you for not including me from the start, but I am far too happy to care."
Dalton looked his daughter in the eyes and smiled. "I was afraid of getting your hopes up, if things didn't turn out well. I know how hard it would have been to hear you might live longer only to have that pulled away if it didn't work out." He looked from her to Draco. "I know how very much you want an heir." Draco tried to cut him off and interject that he would be fine without one, but Dalton waved at him. "Now, now son, please, you excepted there would be no baby, but that never changed how much you want one, did it?"
Draco looked at his feet for moment, then took a deep breath puffing his chest out a little and looked back up at Lord Greengrass. "No, it didn't. Please know though sir, that if this doesn't work and we still can't have a baby, I will be fine with that. I love Astoria, being with her is what I want, more then anything."
Dalton leaned over and put his hand on Draco's shoulder. "I know that son. I trust you and know you have only the best of intentions when it comes to my daughter." He smiled and stood up taking a cleansing breath. "I love giving happy news for a change. Come Astoria, let's go join your mother for brunch before Draco must head off to work and we head to Madam Malkin's, then I have happy news for your sister later on."
xXXx
Helen continued to wring her hands together nervously trying to decide weather or not she should step into the floo. She hadn't gone to tea with Lady Malfoy after Marcus's trial as she had promised. Christopher wouldn't hear of it. In fact, over the last couple of weeks, he had barely let her out of his sight. Marcus, who once had the ability to make his mother beam with pride at all of his accomplishments as child, was now sitting in Azkaban, more like his father then she had ever realized.
She hated to admit, Andrew was her favorite son, her greatest achievement, but he had moved out of the family home, the day before Marcus's trial. Andrew had threatened many times in the past to move out of the family home when he and his father fought, now he had finally done it. Andrew said, for the sake of his career and his boys he needed to distance himself from his father and brother. The family home would belong to Marcus one day anyway. No way was Christopher going to change that, no matter what the court said Marcus had done and Andrew wanted something of his own. Helen really couldn't blame him.
Now the Mansion was home to only Christopher and Helen, without her grandsons running around, the place seemed emptier and alone then it ever had. At least with Krissy and the boys there Helen had someone to talk to, grandchildren to entertain and love. She looked up at the floo powder and wondered how Narcissa and Veronica dealt with the silence in those big homes with their kids gone.
She jumped a little when she heard Christopher's booming voice ring down the hall as he yelled at some servant. Since Marcus had ended up in the paper for assault the staff at the mansion had changed twice with people claiming they couldn't work for the Flint family any longer. The change in staff members had only added to Christopher's already constant bad mood. He had lost his seat of twenty-two years on the Wizengamot because of his attempts to blackmail Greengrass and his position as head of the Magical Games Department at the Ministry was precarious at best.
Christopher was still an elder, but that was only because he could only be removed by the public voting him out. Elections for the board of elders had been set to happen once every four years, he had just been reelected. The board was stuck with him for another three years. Christopher was certain that was plenty of time for the public to forget about everything which had happened over the last few months, and he would be able to maintain he position on the board. He just needed to concentrate on work and make sure his job was secure, everything else would work out.
Helen didn't know for certain how work was going for her husband. She had stopped visiting him at the office a long time ago. When they first married, she would take lunch to him all the time. Of course, back then, Christopher only worked in the Magical Games Department, now he was the Boss. She used to be waiting by the floo when he came home from work, throwing her arms around his neck, the two of them barely making it to their bedroom, a trail of clothes showing their path. Now when he got home, she would try and stay out of his way. Helen couldn't remember the last time she had been excited for her husband to come home. When had that giddy feeling been replaced by anxiety, she really didn't know. She looked at the new bruise on her forearm, angry and purple, still painful to be touched. Christopher had always been rough around the edges. When they were young and started dating, she would describe him as aggressive, but never violent.
He had been an ambitious man, who always got what he had wanted, no matter what it took or who he had to step on. A Slytherin through and through. Helen had been a Hufflepuff, a year younger than he, she had found him exhilarating and powerful. Christopher Flint had been forbidden by her father and as a teenager, that only made her want him more. She remembered how excited she got the day the seventh year finally noticed her. Christopher had pursued her the way he pursued everything, aggressively. She knew she wouldn't be his first and had chosen to ignore the rumors during her seventh year about his infidelity while she finished at Hogwarts, and he began his internship at the Ministry. He wanted her, that was all she cared about. Once she graduated and their relationship escalated to the next level, Christopher had been a greedy lover, but Helen liked him telling her what he wanted, that way she knew she was pleasing him. He had always made sure she was pleased as well. Pleasing her in the bedroom, seemed to only stroke his ego. Back then Helen saw it as passionate.
She had been happy to give him not only one, but two sons. Looking back now she figured she should have seen the signs of abuse. Marcus had always more of a mama's boy. Clinging to her legs when ever Christopher was in the room. Once he was a teen Marcus always found a way to not be home when Christopher was. The two of them shouting at each other when Marcus didn't have an excuse to leave. Andrew was a little stronger emotionally then his brother, but still always flinched when his father walked past him and would cower when Christopher yelled his name. Marcus had developed a need to prove to his father he was the best, at everything. Scared to death to tell the man when he failed. Andrew constantly talked of not being able to wait until he was old enough to move out. It always broke her heart to hear Andrew talk about moving away from her. She knew that was the only reason he hadn't, until now. Neither of the boys ever said a bad word about their father though. Never told her about any abuse. All three of the Flint men had made sure to keep it well hidden.
Eventually though, Marcus became larger than his father, becoming the professional Quidditch player Christopher had only dreamed about. He had worked endlessly to achieve the goal of being the best chaser in the game. Helen hadn't noticed how much the rest of Marcus's needs had suffered. He hadn't grown into a loving, compassionate and gentle man like his younger brother. The man the papers described as a ruffian and bully was now sitting in Azkaban. Helen wondered if it wasn't somehow her fault. Andrew had become a stronger wizard then Christopher by the time he was thirteen. She remembered the day Andrew came home on holiday, excited to show off a new spell for dueling he had learned. Christopher had taken the young wizard out back to duel, so he could put Andrew's ego back in place. Andrew had beaten his father easily. To easily. That was really when Christopher's abuse of his wife began. Christopher would grab her roughly, push and pinch. He stopped making love to her completely at that point, calling her fat and old. She only experienced a slap like Lady Malfoy and Lady Greengrass had the privilege of witnessing once in a while. But now, since Marcus had been incarcerated and Andrew had moved out, he did far worse. She already had to hide once in her parlor powder room to mend a broken arm.
As she looked at the bruise and listened to her husband yell at the servant in the other room Helen finally found her resolve, stepped into the floo and threw the powder, making sure to say the words, 'Malfoy Manor' as clearly as she could.
A house elf greeted her within seconds of her stepping out of the floo. Helen told the little elf who she was and that she was hoping to see Lady Malfoy. The elf nodded and lead Helen to the gardens where Lady Malfoy was having tea with her husband. Helen stopped in her tracks, fear suddenly gripping her chest and making it tight. She had been ready to see Narcissa, to ask for her help in leaving Christopher. But not Lucius. Lord Malfoy was a different man now, then he was years ago. It wasn't that. He wore glasses now from time to time. His platinum blond hair not nearly as long, was always pulled back. His face showed the signs of the strain of his past as well as his age. He walked a little slower and if you paid close attention, he actually used the walking stick he carried around just slightly. But he was still, a formidable man. Tall, thin, solid. No, it wasn't his past or who he was really that Helen was suddenly fearful of. It was because he was a man.
Once she became pregnant with Marcus, Helen didn't really spend much time outside the home. When she did, it was events with the boys and Pure-Blood parties where she was always surrounded by other women. She didn't know really how to interact with a man. A man she wasn't related to.
The elf walked up to the couple and quietly announced their quest. As Helen was trying to decide if she should walk over to them or run in fear of having to face Lucius, Narcissa was getting up and rushing to her side. She took Helen's hand and lead her over to the table to Lucius. Helen's hand shook a little when Lord Malfoy stood, took her hand and kissed the back of it, as if she was the nobility not him. It seemed he could sense her unease and he asked the elf to please take his tea and sandwiches to his study so he could give the ladies some privacy to talk. Helen was taken back by how gracefully he took his wife in his arms and by the admiration he showed for her in the way he kissed her. She felt the sudden pain of jealousy as she watched Lucius rub his nose against Narcissa's and tell her he would see her later. He nodded to Helen and went inside.
Narcissa had gone on and on about something as they sat down and she poured Helen a cup of tea, but Helen's head was spinning, and she honestly didn't hear a word. It was when Lady Malfoy reached out and took Helen's arm, touching the still fresh bruise making Helen jump, which caused Helen to focus on where she was and what she was doing.
Narcissa knew what was going on the moment Helen showed up in her garden. She had a room prepared and waiting for Helen ever since the night Lord Greengrass ended the contract between Marcus and Daphne, in hopes that Helen would leave Christopher and choose to come to her for help. It only made sense to Narcissa that Helen would come to the Malfoys. Going to Veronica would mean Dalton and Christopher having to confront each other again, when Christopher showed up looking for her, which he most likely would do. But Christopher never went up against Lucius, not even back in school would he ever try to go toe to toe with Malfoy. Christopher would never have admitted it to anyone, but Helen knew, something about Lucius Malfoy scared her husband.
Perhaps it was the fact Lucius was a better wizard. Perhaps it was the fact he stood almost a head taller than Christopher. Perhaps it was because Malfoy was a more intuitive businessman and had doubled his families fortune once becoming the patriarch of the family and Christopher had all but lost his families money. Perhaps it was because when Christopher was a fifth year and Lucius only a third, Christopher had asked Narcissa out. When she turned him down, he had taken the liberty of grabbing her behind anyway. Lucius, even though not yet Narcissa's boyfriend, had threaten to cut off Flint's hand if he ever touched Narcissa or any of the Black sisters again. It was the joke of the Great Hall during meals for a long while after that. But everyone knew, Malfoy was serious.
Narcissa had taken Helen upstairs in the room prepared for her within an hour of Helen arriving. The two women, never really friends before sat on the edge of the bed, Narcissa holding Helen and lightly rubbing her back, as Helen cried while both the fear and the excitement of leaving her husband washed over her. Helen didn't know which emotion to let take over. The fear of what divorce really meant. Or the excitement of starting over, being free and having an actual friend who was ready to help, before she even asked.
It took the rest of the day, but Helen stirred around the room in amazement as the Malfoy house elves went back and forth from this room to her home with Christopher retrieving the items she asked for. By the time the sun set and Narcissa was back from helping her future daughter in law pick out a wedding dress, Helen found herself unable to sleep. Instead, she sat on the balcony of the room she had been given. Sipped tea, her tears having long since ran out and she wrote a list of all the things she needed to do in the upcoming days. From getting an attorney to figuring out how her finances. Her father had left her a small trust, one she and Christopher had never touched. It should be enough for now. Once she finished with the list of things she needed to do, she made a list of things she wanted to do. Number one on the list, be a better grandmother to Andrew's son's then she had been as a mother to Andrew.
xXXx
Daphne knew not to expect tons of reporters and people to show up just because she was hanging a few dresses on a rack for the first time. She told herself to be happy if her sister and friends showed up.
So, she was pleasantly surprised by the reporter from Witch Weekly and the one from the Prophet who had shown to get pictures and quick interviews. More then that was the small crowd of thirty Witches waiting outside for Madam Malkin to open her doors for the day. Even in the Wizarding world, having the perfect dress for your big day was important. New dresses, by a new designer, meant new possibilities that you would be wearing something fresh and never seen.
Astoria and Lady Greengrass were standing toward the back of the group trying to get to the front to see Daphne.
Sally Macmillan walked up to them, gave her friend Tracey a wink and nodded to Astoria. "Just follow me ladies." She turned around and dramatically put her hand on her stomach. "Oh no! Tracey, I think I am going to be sick again. Damn morning sickness!"
Somehow Sally actually made herself look green and as if she would throw up on the road. People quickly got out of the way as she and Tracey made their way to the front of the crowd. Lady Greengrass grabbed Astoria's hand and quickly followed them. The four women made it to the front of the crowd as the doors were opened, allowing the four of them to be the first inside.
Lady Greengrass found Daphne right off and pulled her in a tight embrace as Astoria rushed past them toward the dresses in search of the one Daphne had shown her a few weeks ago. Sally and Tracy where in a fit of laughter over Sally's stunt as Tracey too pulled one of Daphne's dresses off the rack holding it up to her in a mirror.
"I can not believe you did that Sal. What would Ernie say?" Tracey asked her as she handed the first dress to Sally and turned to another rack to choose another before they were all picked over.
Sally smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "He would most likely scold me for misleading people. To which I would reply, 'perhaps I wasn't really misleading them Mr. Macmillan'."
"Wait, what?" Tracey stopped what she was doing and turned to her friend, then saw Daphne walking toward them a proud Astoria following her, chatting with a saleswoman about the three dresses the saleswoman was carrying. "Daphne!" Tracey yelled shoving the next dress in Sally's arms and running to Daphne giving her a hug. "These are amazing Daph really. I don't know how I will choose. You will never believe what Sally did to get us to the front." Suddenly remembering what Sally had hinted at Tracey turned to her pulling the dresses out of her arms. "Oh Salazar Sally, I am sorry. Are you okay, do you need to sit."
Sally took the dresses back from Tracey. "Oh Tracey, stop being so dramatic." Sally pulled another dress in Tracey's size off the rack draping it over her arm. "I only think, I might be pregnant. I haven't been to a Healer yet."
"Sally that is amazing news." Daphne gave her friend a hug, taking the dresses from her and handing them to a store clerk to take to a dressing room for Tracey. "Ernie won't know what to do with himself when you tell him."
Astoria noticed the slight sadness in Daphne's voice. She took Daphne's hand. steered her away from the group toward the dressing rooms. "Daph, are you okay. You sounded a little sad. Today is huge for you, you should be happy."
"Oh, I am Tori. It's just, well..." Daphne stammered for a second, then shook her head. "No, everything is great. You and Tracey are getting married, my dresses seem to be a hit and Sally and Millie are both having babies. Everything is great."
Astoria gave her sister a knowing look. "You may be happy about those things, but I can tell you're upset, because Theo still hasn't proposed."
"Oh, stop Tori, he will." Daphne opened the dressing room door pushing her sister inside and stepping in with her. "He said he had something planned. Besides, things have been busy with Marcus's trial and me getting ready for today. I am sure he is just waiting for the right moment." Daphne picked up the first dress. "Now, try this one on first."
"I am sure he is." Astoria took the dress from her sister then stroked her sister's cheek. "But admit it, you thought he would have by know."
Daphne took a deep breath and looked down at her feet. "I suppose I did. It's silly Tori, growing up I always thought I would be the first of my friends to be engaged, married, having little Theo's running around." Daphne looked up at Tori. "Hell, he practically proposed when he was fifteen, back then we were engaged as far as I was concerned. I never thought Millie would beat me down the aisle." Daphne laughed lightly. "I never thought you would beat me down the aisle, or that it would Draco Malfoy, the great prat himself, you would be walking down the aisle too marry."
"Can you imagine it Daph, too best mates, falling for sisters." Astoria couldn't stop beaming as she started to undress so she could try on the dress.
Daphne shook her head. "Back in school Theo would have broken every bone in Draco's body if he had made a move on you."
"I was only thirteen though Daph, so I suppose Theo would have had every right back then." Astoria held up the dress before putting it on. "This one was my favorite; I do hope it looks good on me."
"It will Tori, I made it with you in mind."
By the time Astoria stepped out of the dressing room to show her mother, Lady Malfoy had finally joined her. The mothers were sitting on pink blush oversized armchairs, sipping champagne and talking excitedly about the news of Astoria being able to have a baby.
"What?" Daphne looked at her sister, forgetting the gown completely. "How can you have a baby, I thought it was impossible?"
Astoria nodded, color filling her cheeks as the thought of making a baby with Draco came to her mind. "My Healer found a treatment. If it works Draco and I should be able to."
"They have to wait a few years, to make sure the treatment is working, and she is strong enough, but then yes, she should be able to have a baby." Lord Greengrass's deep baritone filled the small space where the women were gathered.
Daphne started jumping up and down, screaming as if she was at a rock concert, twirling Astoria around making the wedding gown spin around their feet in a brilliant cloud of silk and lace.
Lord Greengrass cleared his throat. "Ladies, I have one more thing I would like to announce, then I shall leave you too it." He gave Astoria a soft smile. "You look beautiful in that gown darling. Your sister is very talented."
He walked up to stand between his daughters but looked directly at his wife. "It has taken some time to sort everything out. I made mistakes early on and I am sorry for what I put the family through Veronica, you deserved better. But now that everything is set right, it is time to announce to you and my daughters, that I have officially made Daphne my heir. All my lands and my title will pass to her."
Veronica stood; her hands raised to her mouth as she couldn't believe what her husband had just told her. "Really? Dalton, please tell me you are serious and have put the silly need for a male heir behind you."
"I have my love. I am serious." He took his wife in his arms and kissed her tenderly. "Now, I will take my leave. You don't want a man interrupting this party."
Astoria crabbed her father's arm. "Daddy, what about the family business? Will Draco still run it?"
"That was the plan, when I thought, everything would pass to Marcus Flint. I didn't want the estate and business in Marcus's hands." Lord Greengrass turned to Daphne. "My plan now is to ask Draco and Theodore to share in running the business, and sharing the duties that come with my title, once I retire." He cocked an eyebrow at his eldest daughter. "Unless you want to take that on, instead of designing. The choice is yours Daphne."
"I... I don't know." Daphne fiddled with her fingers for a moment. "Astoria, is running the family business something, you want to do?"
Astoria shook her head no. "Oh no, I have never been interested in Real Estate. I would much rather continue in my charity work with mum and Lady Malfoy."
Daphne took a deep breath. "Well, Daddy, to be honest and hopefully you won't be disappointed, I think I would like to keep designing, not learning how to run the family business. I would like to take on the estate." She bit her bottom lip for a second and sighed. "Daddy, since Theodore has yet to propose, you may want to hold off on asking him. I would just leave the business to Draco for now."
Dalton gave his eldest daughter a sly smile. "If we are being honest with each other, I have already talked to both Draco and Theodore and they have eagerly agreed to make sure the family business is well handled and kept in the family. After all, running it together will be easier, since Theodore has his own business and duties as an Earl and Draco is becoming quite the healer." He walked up to Daphne and lifted her chin with his finger. "As for Theodore not proposing yet. You may want to step outside." He then kissed the tip of her nose and turned her around to face the front doors just as the sound of a motorcycle engine being revved up could be heard outside the shop.
Suddenly Daphne's legs felt heavy, and she couldn't move. Everything was coming together for her. Her designs were a hit. Saks wanted her to design more for them, still unaware of the world she came from. She no longer had to wed Flint. Her sister would very likely be cured and be able to have a baby. Her father had made her his heir. The only thing which would make every one of her dreams come true, would be that sound meaning Theo was outside. Outside on one knee.
Daphne finally forced her legs to carry her to the doors and looked out. Theo was out there all right. But not on one knee. He was leaned up against his bike. Black leather jacket on, unzipped revealing yet another Muggle band she had never heard of Nirvana. He had his thumbs hooked in the black belt he was wearing with his faded blue jeans and black biker boots. His feet were crossed at the ankles as Witches and Wizards were gathering, taking notice of the striking Wizard and his Muggle bike, outside Malkin's clothing store.
Daphne took a deep breath, the smug smile on Theos' lips almost melting her making the door seem impossible to open. As she did though, Theo reached up and slightly moved the sunglasses he was wearing down to gaze at her from over the top of them. He ran his other hand through his already messy brown hair, his smile changing from smug to satisfaction as his watched Daphne come out, but he didn't move from his leaned position on his bike.
"Was today a success Greengrass?" Theo playfully asked as he pushed his sunglass back in place.
Daphne crossed her arms in front of her. "Mostly. You're creating a scene Nott."
Theo looked from side to side. "I tend to that, no matter where I go." He stood up straight, biting his bottom lip and shook his head. "Damn you're sexy. Would you like to go for a ride?"
Daphne fought the blush filling her cheeks. "I am a little busy Theo. I can't just leave in the middle of my depute." Daphne took a few more steps, getting closer to him. His scent of earth, musk and exhaust from the bike awaking every cell in her body.
Theo gave her a crooked smile. "Then I suppose I will have to do this right here."
"Do what, exactly?" Daphne asked him, her hands now playfully on her hips.
Theo closed the gap between them and took off his sunglasses. He leaned down and kissed her gently on the cheek. As he straightened up, Theo put his sunglasses in the inside pocket of his leather jacket and pulled out a small white silk box. Daphne's heart beat a million miles an hour as she looked at the box, so small and delicate looking in Theo's hand.
Theo noticed her eyes were glued to the box and his right hand started to shake, as it always did. He almost opened right then, forgetting everything he had wanted to say. The flash from a camera behind Daphne, made him remember. He almost cursed the shaking of his right-hand outload, but instead took a deep breath. "Daphne, I love you. More than anything. We have defiantly had our share of trials over the years to finally get where we are now. But we made it Baby. My business is safe. The Nott lands are mine, as is my father's title. I think the Nott name is finally on its way to being restored. You're a designer, like you always dreamed. Everything we talked about during our fifth year, is actually within our reach. Those years we were forced to spend apart, taught me that I will always love you. It taught me, no matter where I go, or what I do, I will always return to you. You are my home."
Theo stopped a moment to wipe a tear off Daphne's cheek with his thumb, then he got down on one knee. Camera flashes were going crazy behind Daphne and once again, she knew this would overshadow her depute. But, unlike when Marcus would steal the spotlight to talk about his latest match, this would be about her, her and the only man she ever wanted to marry.
Theo breathed deeply, before speaking again. "Daphne, nothing is real until I share it with you. None of my accomplishments mean anything, unless you are there to celebrate them with me. You have always been and always will be, my whole world. I fell in love with you, when I was eight years old. I will still be completely in love with you, when I am a hundred and eight years old." Theo opened the little box. The blue diamond catching the light, the pearls surrounding it glimmered brightly. Daphne's hands had moved from her hips to her chest when Theo had pulled the little box from his pocket. Now looking at her engagement ring, nestled in the box waiting to be put on her finger she covered her mouth to stifle the squeaking noise she was sure she was making as she tried not to cry.
Theo smiled up at her, knowing this was what she had wanted. "Daphne Rene Greengrass, will you marry me?"
Daphne leaned down and kissed Theo deeply, her hands intertwining in his hair. Theo's arms went around her waist and he pulled her down on her knees so he could press her body close to him as he kissed her back. He put both knees on the ground to steady them as he held her tightly. The camera's flashing and the two reporters who had come to cover Daphne's depute were beside themselves as they realized they were there to not only cover the depute, but would also get to cover Lord Nott, proposing.
Theo finally pulled back and pressed is forehead to Daphne's. "Is that a yes, Lady Greengrass?"
Daphne nodded several times quickly. "Oh yes! Yes! I will marry you, Lord Nott. A thousand time yes! I love you Theo."
Theo leaned back on his heals and pulled the ring from the box. Daphne offered him her left hand. With a shaking right hand Theo gently slid his mother's ring off Daphne's finger. He held his mother's ring tightly in his hand for a second before putting it his pocket. He then kissed Daphne's ring finger quickly before he slid the engagement ring in place, smiling prouder at that moment then he ever had. Theo had promised over six years ago to replace his mother's ring with a proper diamond. Now he finally had.
Slowly Theo stood up, pulling Daphne with him. The crowed actually cheering for them. Theo kissed Daphne behind the ear and whispered softly. "Just you know Baby, that is last time, I plan to ever be on my knees." He winked at her. "At least, in front of anyone but you."
xXXx
Once upon a time Daphne Greengrass had thought Astoria's tales of laying naked in bed with Draco after sex were crazy. Astoria had insisted that all though sex with Draco was very satisfying, it was the cuddling after she enjoyed the most. But for Daphne, the idea of just lying there with your partner reading, talking, eating or whatever seemed absurd. Sex with Luc always seemed rushed never really giving her the chance to get used to him seeing her naked. With Marcus, she just wanted him to leave, as quickly as possible, so she could take a bath and loose herself in her daydreams. But now...
Daphne lay in bed with Theo. Only a sheet coving them, however she was warm enough in his arms. After the proposal they had gone inside Malkin's to shown off the ring and were congratulated for a few minutes. Then Theo had somehow managed to disappear before the reporters could forget about why they were there asking him questions about Arthur Prince and the new medical supply factory, his plans as an Earl or how he planned to distance himself from his father's reputation, allowing Daphne to finish the afternoon as the center of attention.
Her depute had been a success. When it was over, Theo had reemerged from wherever he had been hiding and took Daphne for a ride before going to her parents' house for dinner. The prophet had already sent over a copy of the article that would hit the front page in the morning. It had been wonderfully written, making sure Daphne's gowns were the highlight, with the proposal an added bonus. The reporter had written, 'Lord Nott showing up and proposing made an already amazing day, that much sweeter.'
Theo had carried Daphne to their room and made love to her, now she lay in his arms admiring her ring, a forgotten book on her tummy, as Theo lay on his back, drawing circles on her arm while he watched a Muggle baseball game.
Theo noticed Daphne staring at the ring. He pulled her a little closer and kissed the top of her head. "Do you like the ring Baby?"
Daphne rolled over so she could look at him. "I love it Theo. Thank you for today."
"Of course. Everything I do is for you Daph. Everything." Theo pressed a quick kiss to her temple.
Daphne turned back over and lay her head on his chest as Theo went back to watching his game. After a moment he asked her. "Are you happy?"
"So happy Theo." She pulled his arm a little tighter around her. "So should we set a date?"
"Any time you want. I will make it work, but I thought you wanted a spring wedding, so that is in, what, eight months?" Theo pushed himself up so he was sitting and could focus more on Daphne instead of the game.
She sat also and snuggled up to him. "Yep, sounds perfect. That would also work since Astoria and Draco are having an Autumn wedding, putting ours six months after theirs."
"Are you okay with that, getting married after Tori?"
"Yes, I actually am." Daphne sighed a little. "I always assumed we would be first, not last. But you never know how things will work out."
Theo gave her a little smile. "Well, if you think about, we were engaged first, technically."
Daphne only smiled in response. "Do you want kids Theo?"
He nodded yes as he answered. "Yes, two or three, I think. Girls maybe."
"Girls, why girls?" Daphne sat up looking at him a little concerned. "Don't you want a son, an heir?"
Theo looked at his right hand as it started to shake. "Of course I do, want a son, that is. My heir doesn't have to be a boy, but Daph," he held up his hand, "what if I turn out like my father? For some silly reason, I feel like I wouldn't with a daughter.'
Daphne grabbed his hand and held it to her chest. "You are not your father Theodore. You will be an amazing dad, I know it. I hope we have both. I would love a little girl to dress up, but I have always dreamt about giving you a son."
Theo smiled at her, his throat getting a little tight. "Okay, one of each."
Theodore Nott Jr. kissed the love of his life, pulling her close to him, knowing he finally had everything he had ever wanted.
The End
A/N So that is the end of the base story. The epilogue is next. I have many ideas as to what I want to write but would like your feedback. What would you like to read about. Five years in the future, ten, more? Would you like to read about their kids? Who would you like to see included, Draco and Astoria, Tim and Clair, maybe Greg and Millie? Let me know!
