Pansy had always felt just as at home in the Malfoy Manor than she did in her own home. And lately, she felt even more comfortable. The scary part was, it was because she was starting to feel like a real family there. A part of her truly loved her mother. Her father was another story, and Darren was less than wanted. But even though she knew her pregnancy hadn't exactly been wanted, Narcissa Malfoy had done nothing but make her feel like the woman carrying her grandchild at the least, nearly a daughter at best. Sure, Draco's father still gave her the creeps. He'd given them all the creeps while growing up. But at least he didn't make her feel like an insignificant spec the way her own did.
And of course, Malfoy Manor had Draco. She'd loved him since she was six years-old, after all, and nothing had changed except years of trials and hardships. But maybe that was for the best. Despite their young ages, they'd seen more than a lot of much older adults. Maybe a lot of people thought they didn't stand a chance raising a child, but Pansy didn't see it that way. The both of them had been raised with plenty of mistakes and both of them had every intention of not repeating them with their own son or daughter.
But there was still the tiny detail of actually getting married. She'd liked the idea of a small wedding before the baby and a much larger one afterwards. So she'd taken up hiding on a couch in the parlor at the Malfoys', pieces of parchment spread in front of her. Names of guests on one, possible locations on another, foods to be served on yet another. With one hand on her stomach, grinning every now and again as the baby moved, she'd occasionally jot down an idea or scribble a whole new sheet of parchment.
"What's all this?" Draco entered the room with a small smile on his face. He had never really been the smiling type, but since finding out he was starting a family, he'd been doing it a whole lot more often. He knew his and Pansy's situation wasn't ideal in everyone's eyes, but it was perfect in his so he didn't much care. He had spent too much of his life trying to please everyone else. He wanted Pansy and he wanted their baby. It gave him purpose; it game him a reason to get up in the morning despite all the hurt and pain he caused. "Ooooh, looks like someone's getting in the wedding spirit." He perched next to her, ignoring the parchment strewn about. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek. "Missed you. I though Ernie was never letting us go."
With the toll the war had taken on them all, Pansy hadn't actually thought this would ever be possible. And now that she had a smiling, almost chipper Draco by her side, she was a little disbelieving. "Well it's about time someone did," she told him, turning her face to brush her lips against him before leaning into his side. "If we're seriously considering two weddings here, it's going to take some seriously intense organization. And you work more than I do, so it's really only fair that I do most of it." She didn't comment on Ernie not letting them go because she was too bloody grateful Draco even had Ernie.
He ran a hand through her hair and down her back. "Hmmm, I think it was my brilliant idea," he reminded her. "And I think I picked out the perfect..." He tapped the ring on her finger before moving some of the papers out of her hand. He nuzzled her neck. "I think I've done my part, yeah?" His other hand moved to her stomach. "How is he today? How are you? Any pain? Feeling sick?" He bombarded her with the usual questions.
As usual, Pansy rolled her eyes, but she leaned into his touch, brushing her lips against his before pulling back. This was serious! There was a lot of work to be done. ""Are you trying to tell me that this," she asked, covering his hand with hers, "was part of the hard work you did?" she teased. "I'm fine, would you quit asking that? And your daughter is, too. I think she's in a good mood today, but she's not allowed to listen to Celestina Warbeck anymore." It felt strange but really nice, talking about the baby as if he or she were already there. Except that whole not knowing the gender thing. She was pretty sure they'd know that once the baby got there.
"Still think it's a girl?" Draco laughed as he turned his hand palm up so he could engulf Pansy's. He loved how their hands fit, but never told her. It seemed like a very "unmanly" thing to reveal; thus it was his little secret. "Oh? Did she protest that awful screeching too?" He leaned against Pansy's stomach to whisper, "Good girl. Daddy's girl."
"Maybe. But if it's a boy, we definitely have to have a talk about his music tastes. I think he liked it!" Her nose wrinkled at the very thought, but she was smiling down as he called the baby 'Daddy's girl'. She never should have worried about what kind of father he'd be. For a moment, she actually wondered what sort of picture they made. So young but so obviously in love with their tiny family. "Do you think we should invite the Bulstrodes? Millicent and I aren't even that close, really."
Draco glanced up and made a face. "She's a house-mate so she's practically family, but..." A mischievous expression gleamed in his eyes. "Let's just keep it really small."
"So much for that big affair and all," she teased, leaning up to press a kiss against his nose. Leaning against him, she crossed the Bulstrodes of her list of potential party guests. "And her parents are scum. The Greengrasses are an obvious one, that'd be like telling Teddy and Mrs. Nott not to come. I don't see that one going over well."
"It can be big and selective," Draco pointed out. "Of course, I have a feeling Teddy would have something to say about that too." He rolled his eyes in a way that clearly showed as much as his cousin exasperated him, Draco couldn't help loving him. "Para, naturally. And I suppose Ernie and Teddy both will throw a stink if Abbott isn't invited. Who else?"
And Pansy, too, would do anything Teddy asked. Even invite a Hufflepuff to her wedding. "At least she'll keep the both of them amused. I was afraid we'd have to bring out the flame jugglers or maybe get a dancing poodle." A beat later, she looked up at Draco with a wicked grin. "Let's invite the dancing poodle!" she declared, grinning.
"The epitome of class, clearly." Draco nudged his future wife playfully though with much greater care than he would have when they were younger. "Tap shoes and all? I won't spring for it unless you promise me that much."
Giggling felt good. The first few months of her pregnancy had been all stress and worry and secrets. Now that they were starting to prepare to be an actual family? She could laugh and enjoy herself with her husband-to-be. "Well, if you insist on it. But it's got to be in a pink dress, got it?" Her eyes grew dark as she hesitated, then looked up at Draco carefully. "I was thinking... The smaller wedding. The one we should probably have soon if we want to be legally married before Junior gets here?" She squeezed his hand in hers. "What would you think of a Christmas wedding?"
He had suggested it, but hearing her ask for something so soon made it all the more real. Fear stung his heart, but something else was stronger. The excitement over the baby and spending his life with Pansy gave him a sense of braveness he had never had. "I think it would be brilliant," he assured her. "And with my mother and Aunt Kaleigh, you know we can pull it off." He rubbed circles into her back. "If you are sure..."
The smile she gave was small but sure. If he really wanted this, she was in. Of course, she was more practical than her fanciful fiance. She knew there were struggles ahead, both in a marriage and in parenthood. But she was looking forward to facing them, really. "Your aunt really should go into the event planning business. And take your mother with her. They're brilliant." Hesitating only a minute, Pansy looked up again. "You think they'd approve?"
"Yes," Draco replied. He couldn't promise his father was on board, but he knew the women in his life supported him without question. It was how he got through the way. He had them and always would short of death. Hell, even then, he was pretty sure they'd haunt him. "But, as nice as that is, I approve and that's what matters, yeah?"
She chewed her lip anxiously and shrugged. "I want them to approve of me, Draco. They wanted us married for years but somehow..." Her hand lightly rubbed what she was pretty sure was her baby's tiny foot. "I don't think this is what they had in mind. I know everyone's disappointed in us, I want to make it work out for all of us."
A scowl appeared on Draco's face as Pansy spoke about disappointment. When he had been anything other? "It might very well not be what anyone expected, but it's happening and we're happy." He gently grazed the top of her hand with his thumb. "You are happy, aren't you, darling?"
Nodding, Pansy realized she was without even thinking about it. She knew without a moment of hesitation that this was what she'd always dreamed of. Just not in that order, exactly. "I have you. I have Baby Delilah. I even have a job I actually enjoy. Honestly, love, I couldn't ask for anything better."
"Delilah?" Draco pulled back though he was smiling. "When did you name our daughter? I feel very gypped."
Pansy grinned up at him playfully before leaning up to kiss his neck. "Just like I'm trying out different genders, I'm also trying out different names. By the way, as nice as Professor Slughorn was, we're not naming the baby Horace. I hate it."
Draco wrinkled his nose. "He was an old git anyway, thank you." He went back to rubbing his betrothed's stomach. "This baby will have the most special name in the whole world." He paused. "And nothing anyone can mock either."
"Kids are cruel," Pansy reminded him. "They can mock anything if it's what they have their minds set on. We did the same thing, people did it to us." Her free hand rested on top of his and she looked up to meet gray eyes with hers. "We're just going to have to raise him to be smarter than all of them. Even if it means he'll get sorted into Ravenclaw."
"He'll be plenty smart in Slytherin," Draco protested though his face softened as he thought about his child going off to Hogwarts. "Can you imagine? Another little Malfoy. Maybe he will break tradition and be more special than any of us."
"And, best of all," she added with a sly grin. "No Potters. No Potters at all. I knew we were smart getting started early!"
Draco actually burst into laughter. "Love? I think that is the best thing you could have reminded me of!" He swept in for another kiss.
Melting into the kiss, Pansy smiled against his lips, pleased to have made him laugh. "I'm taking it I don't have to invite him, then? Or the Weaslette?" she murmured against his mouth, giggling to herself.