WHO: Mandy Brocklehurst-Boot and Draco Malfoy WHEN: 5 June 2005 WHERE: the balcony at the beach house WHAT:Draco’s 25th birthday Rating/Status: R/completed
Mandy had spent days trying to figure out what to get Draco for his birthday and in the end still didn’t know what to do for him. He was a hard person to give a gift to, not because he was picky but because he had what he needed and wanted. In the end she decided to do a small getaway for them to a quaint bed and breakfast near the coast in Brighton. It was a peaceful place set outside of the city and very near the beach. It seemed like a relatively simple thing but a night without the children and adult time had been glorious in France and she was looking forward to it again.
The hardest part of the plan was getting the Ministry to approve them a portkey for the trip. The woman at the desk had acted like she was asking for something unheard of. Go on holiday? To the beach? With Draco Malfoy? Gasp and sputter, it was insanity. Mandy had refrained from hexing the stupid witch and instead paid the extra 10 galleons they charged and kept her mouth shut. She really wanted the birthday to work and was willing to do whatever it took to get everything in order.
Flooing to the cottage on Sunday, Mandy had gotten everything ready for him to arrive on Sunday morning. Breakfast, food, clothes, and everything they needed to block out the rest of the world for a few hours. Her mother would be watching the kids for the day and night and Mandy was prepared to take advantage of the situation.
Sitting on the balcony of the room, she waited for Draco to arrive via portkey at exactly 10:45 am. His gifts spread out on a nearby table; a set of old and valuable potions books, a new pair of dress robes to replace the ones ruined during an art class, and a bottle of wine to share.
Draco had packed early that morning while waiting for the arrival of Mandy’s mum at the townhouse. He’d checked over everything twice, making quite certain he hadn’t forgotten anything he might need while away. When Mandy’s mum arrived, he made certain she was comfortable, and that she didn’t need anything else, while the children declared that they could take care of her just fine and would show her where everything was.
As he readied to leave, it felt strange to leave someone behind in his home, but it was simplest this way. The children were all comfortable here, and he had made certain to put away behind locks anything he didn’t want them (or Mandy’s mother) getting into, such as his work. He made sure to give all three children hugs and kisses, and then he left.
He stepped into the cottage, smiling to see Mandy before he even looked at the gifts. One eyebrow rose as he went to join her.
Mandy looked up from her spot on the balcony as she heard Draco enter. She stood up and crossed the space, a smile on her face. “Happy Birthday, lover.” She wrapped her arms around him and tilted her head up for a welcome kiss. “I have been looking forward to this day for weeks now.” She said with a grin, the stress of the past weeks melting away. Sure, she saw him everyday and spent a lot of time casually touching him, kisses and hugs were commonplace for her. She loved to touch but to be alone, without children on his birthday felt different.
She had planned a leisurely day complete with a romantic dinner in the evening but wanted to just be held for a few minutes. It scared her but she loved him.
Draco wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in close as one hand cradled her head and he lingered over the kiss. “Bel oiseau,” he murmured before he kissed her again. He had never been so comfortable touching anyone but Alyssa before Mandy entered his life, but with her he was relaxed and easy. He almost needed to touch her, to have her close. He had come to realize exactly how important she was to him, and it was a terrifying thought in many ways, but he had accepted it. She was a part of his life, and that was that.
He drew back finally, a half smile quirking his lips. “So, what have you planned for us?”
“I have a quiet day of shopping, the beach, and relaxation planned.” In reality she had hoped he wouldn’t mind spending at least part of the day in the big bed. She had gotten passed most of the sickness from her pregnancy and realised her hormones were a bit out of control. She had been a bit insatiable and the prospect of spending the day with him with no interruptions made her very happy. “I have a few gifts, nothing special.” She waved her hand in the general direction of the table where the wrapped gifts sat. She tilted her head back up and kissed him. It was a slow, leisurely kiss, just like the others she normally gave him.
“I wanted it to be a quiet day for us, a special dinner and just relaxation without all the kids around. I didn’t think you wanted anything big or loud where we invited everyone to celebrate.”
“Being toasted was enough of a public celebration,” Draco admitted. He hadn’t minded having it mentioned at Virginia’s party, particularly since she had wanted to share her day. But he didn’t need anything more than that. “Gifts aren’t even necessary as long as I have you here.” His mouth trailed kisses down her neck, nipping at soft skin. He liked that he didn’t have to be circumspect, that he could be leisurely and tease her, not worried about one of the children interrupting. “Although I could begin unwrapping my gifts, if that’s what you think I might do first.”
“I don’t know.” She was smiling, leaning against him as she pretended to ponder the question. “I think the gifts could possibly wait and lunch isn’t for a few more hours... We could always find something here to occupy us.” She slid her hands under his shirt and against his skin. “I bet we could be very creative and think of fun games to play while we pass the time.” She couldn’t get any closer to him, the length of her body pressed against his. “I can think of one or two things I would like.” The smirk on her face made it obvious what she was thinking about, she had even wondered if the private balcony was private enough.
Draco turned her, pulling her back against his front, hands sliding under her t-shirt to rest against her belly as he nipped at her neck. “This gift cannot wait,” he murmured between nips, teeth scraping over her skin. “And I intend to unwrap her immediately. Just one moment...” He slipped his wand from his pocket, casting a spell to distract attention from the balcony. His teeth found her ear then, as he pulled her bum back firmly against himself, where he was most definitely becoming aroused. “The only question,” he whispered, “is can you be quiet enough? No one will see...”
*** [ FADE] ***
Face buried at her neck, breathing slowed again and he nodded. Draco wrapped his arms around her and lifted, carrying her as he stepped back from the rail, towards the chair. He moved slowly, supporting her under her bum, not wanting to withdraw from her before he had to. By taking great care, he managed to straddle the lounge, then sit backwards, lying down in the lounge with her atop him, cradling her close, and letting out a long breath as he could relax. His hand stroked through her hair, then down her back, just wanting to touch her. “I suppose I ought to open my other gifts eventually,” he murmured.
“I like this much better.” She said, her mouth seeking and finding his collarbone and neck as she nuzzled his warm skin, kissing and sucking a small path on the pale skin. “But more importantly than those presents, I have a special present for you today.” She was barely coherent after the pair of orgasms, their bodies still joined intimately and Mandy was feeling relaxed. She traced her fingertips along his chest. “Want me to give it to you now or do you want to wait?” She teased as she came to the realisation that she had lost the challenge. “And I am asking for a rematch. You cheated.”
He kissed her hair. “I did not cheat. You always scream in the end if you’re happy.” He smirked faintly. “I just ensured you were happy, bel oiseau.” Draco rubbed small circles at the small of her back. “A special gift?” He paused, as if to give thought to that even though curiosity already had the best of him. “Now,” he decided. “And oui, of course you may have a rematch later. And I will win again, without cheating.” He nudged one finger under her chin, tilting her face up so he could kiss her, slow and soft.
Mandy returned the kiss, taking the time and exploring his lips with her own, running her tongue along his bottom lip. She pulled away but just a little bit, her breath ghosting against his cheek. “It’s a boy.” She whispered, her voice full of emotion at the announcement. She had known for almost 24 hours and it had been hard to keep it from him. She wanted it to be a surprise. “I wanted to know for your birthday. I am 12 weeks 5 days.” She was smiling as she leaned forward to kiss him again. “Happy Birthday baby.”
A son. He was going to have a son. His smile was lopsided as he kissed her, soft and sure, lingering over the taste of her and the thought that they were having a son. “Je t’adore,” he murmured. “Épousez-moi.” He had to pull back, just a bit, to summon his wand, and once he had that, to properly summon the small box he had hidden in the depths of his bag. It took a moment before it came to him, landing neatly in his hand, as he held it out to her. “I had hoped to request a gift from you today. Not to rush--it is too soon. Between us, and others as we choose to tell them. For the future. Our future. Some day, when it is time, I would like to have you as my wife.”
Mandy felt warm and adored, the sun on her back as she lay wrapped in his arms. They were having a son, a baby that had been completely unexpected but meant so much to both of them. She frowned a little as he summoned his wand and then summoned a small box. Understanding dawned slowly and she nearly stopped breathing as she looked at the box and back at him. She felt tension form in her stomach, butterflies and her heart was pounding erratically. She stared at him, speechless, as small tears formed in her eyes. “Draco.. She couldn’t find the words, couldn’t explain how ridiculously happy it made her as she hugged him close.
She moved to open the box and stared at the ring. It was old, clearly a family heirloom and her breath hitched at the beautiful stones. “Draco, I never thought... are you sure?” She wanted to shout yes, to dance and sing in jubilation but couldn’t believe that he actually wanted it.
One eyebrow arched slowly, mouth twisted in a half smirk. “Do you truly think I would ask if I weren’t sure, Mandy?” He slipped the ring from the box, then reached for her hand, pausing there. “I brought this to give it to you, Mandy, in return for your promise to marry me. When the war is won, when you have mourned, when our son has been born. When we are ready. But I know that I intend to have you in my life. I hope you intend the same.”
“I said it once before but I will say it again..I never intend to let you go Draco. I found something that I can’t explain, that I adore. I love our little family..” She paused and looked at him. “I love you. It hasn’t been so long but it feels right.” She kissed him, slowly. “ Yes. I would love to be your wife, once this is all over and we have won this war. And after our son is here to walk down the aisle with us.” She held her hand still so he could slip the ring the rest of the way on. Her heart felt like it would explode, the feeling of togetherness and love so overwhelming.
He held her hand, touching the ring and her finger, feeling as it settled itself in to the perfect size. Then he kissed her slowly. “Perfect,” he murmured. Draco gathered her in, then, just wanting to cradle her close, his eyes closed. “It was my grandmother’s. My father’s mother,” he clarified. “And likely someone’s before that, although I can’t recall the lineage off the top of my head. It has always been given by a Malfoy to his wife, and then held for later generations.”
Draco didn’t ask the difficult questions, such as discussions of naming, or how to write a guest list that didn’t result in murder during the celebration. They had more than enough time. The promise made was enough for now.
Mandy held her hand up and stared at the ring on it. It hit her suddenly that she never remembered taking off Terry’s ring but suddenly she had realised that she no longer wore the ring he had given her on her wedding day. Her heart skipped a beat as she contemplated the ring that occupied her finger now. It was antique and beautiful, the perfect size and cut for her hand. She had always hated the engagement rings that were as big as a girls hand. She turned her head to kiss him lightly. “I love you.” The words felt right even if they made her nervous. He had become important to her.
“I don’t even want to leave the bed now, let’s just stay in and work on the rematch for our challenge.” she was grinning as she shifted and licked a trail down his chest. She was to be married. She was a little shocked but mostly thrilled beyond words.
“We aren’t in the bed,” Draco pointed out with a hint of a smirk. Not that he minded continuing right here, although he suspected the chair was going to leave some odd marks on his skin. “But I have no arguments with staying in. And if I win again? Will there be another forfeit?”
His fingers ran through her hair, tangling lightly as he used that grip to tug and get her attention, waiting until she looked up at him. His other hand caressed her cheek. “Je t’aime,” he said quietly. He had thought about it, long and hard, and knew that if he wanted her in his life, wanted her in his bed, his house, wanted her family merged with his, then he loved her. That was the way the word was meant to be used.
She laughed lightly at his observation, she knew very well they weren’t in bed but didn’t want to break contact with him to actually move to the bed. She squeezed her inner muscles lightly, moving her hips to rub against him slowly. She felt like a very contented cat rubbing herself all over her owner. She bit his skin lightly, a small pleased sound slipping out. “You won’t win although even if you do, the forfeit isn’t scary. You would have to be very imaginative to shock me.”
She stilled at the feel of his hand in her hair, her breath catching at the tug. It was one of her weaknesses, the grip making pleasure shoot through her. The words were unexpected and she smiled. She knew how much it took for him, she was beginning to understand more about him and why he was so cool and collected all of the time. She leaned forward and kissed him, her heart in the kiss. It felt like she had found what she had been searching for in him.