A/N: Here we are, the last chapter, I can't believe it. What started as a random start grew into the longest thing I have ever written and I have really enjoyed the journey. To everyone who has read, favorited and reviewed, a massive thank you – it means the world to me that you take the time. I have some more D/G left in me so if you want to stay tuned, add me on author alert.

Now I'm sure you don't want to listen to me ramble anymore so here you go, the final installment.

Three Months Later

"Do you think he'll like it?" Ginny asked and Draco looked up from where he was attempting to put together an IKEA dresser meant to be so easy to put together a child could do it. He'd like to see that child, the flatpack prodigy.

"I'm sure he will." They were in the guest bedroom, now painted a blue pulling towards grey. Ginny was dressed in a pair of worn jeans and one of his sweatshirts, a stain of the paint on her cheek. She looked adorable. And there was something sexy about the tool belt slung around her shapely hips as well.

Their intention was to make the guestroom into James' own but the boys were arriving back tomorrow and they were short on time. Ginny still had her little house but was spending just enough time there to pick up the mail and water the plants. Draco couldn't be happier about sharing his house with her for as long as she wished. So talking about it the other day she had decided it was time to make it official, to herself, to her family and her son. They were moving in to his house. Their house. He had started to feel a thrill at the silliest things, like mail arriving addressed to her at the house. Seeing her little pots and bottles in the bathroom cabinet (which had been replaced with a larger one pretty quickly), her coats in the hall and her keys in the bowl on the hall table. The signs of a woman living there were the return of something familiar but the real joy came from knowing it was her things. He had had to tell himself he was being ridiculous when he smiled at the semi-skimmed milk in the fridge that she preferred.

Routine had been easily found, a rhythm that suited them like they'd always known it. He woke up first, showered and dressed before making coffee. The only way he could budge her from the bed was to put it where she could smell it but not reach it without getting out of bed. She'd grumble and get up, give him a sleepy kiss before her shower. Slightly brighter she'd join him at the breakfast table, hair still damp and smelling better than anything he'd ever known.

Work suddenly had to start doing without him putting in late nights, he was too eager to get back home now to stay for anything but emergencies. If she had beat him home he'd get there to find her in the kitchen, usually with bare feet tired of heels and tapping them in time to the music as she cooked. She'd turn and smile at him and he wondered how he had ever considered this house a real home before. Seeing her smile at him he knew he was home now. Joining her they'd finish the cooking, talking about their days, their sons, their thoughts. Conversation never seemed to run dry with her. Evenings were spent doing anything they wished and then he got to fall asleep with her in his arms and life seemed pretty perfect.

Letters arriving from Score contained stories Draco was sure weren't made up and though he wouldn't win any popularity contests any time soon he seemed to have friends now. In his replies he was sure his son could read equal happiness and everything was just beginning to feel…right.

"Are you sure that piece goes there? It doesn't look much like the picture…" Ginny interrupted his thoughts and he looked down to see he'd just automatically gone ahead and stuck pieces where they looked like they fit and now something that had to be incredibly loosely described as an interpretative dresser stood in front of him.

"Ah. Well, damn." She laughed and returned to the painting, almost done with the third wall now.

"Help has arrived, and man it looks like you need it." Draco heard Blaise and looked up to see him and Luna, Oliver and Neville behind them.

"Thank Merlin. Does anyone speak Swedish cartoon images?"

"I know something better," Blaise answered and took his wand out, sending a quick "Reparo" at the dresser. Wondrously it undid itself and floated into place, suddenly the dresser from the picture.

"How does that work? It wasn't even broken."
"It was in pieces, that seems broken to me."

o.O.o

Ginny stood in the kitchen, the sandwiches that someone had conjured quickly disappearing from the plate, washed down with pumpkin juice. The three Zabini-Lovegood children were playing on the floor of the room. Playing meaning Reena and Lu putting on a play with their stuffed animals for Xander. The story was somewhat disjointed as Reena's plot was about the destruction of a planet called ReeLu in less than an hour, the only one able to save it the bold Captain Snufflefluff. Meanwhile a subplot of heart wrenching romance between the pilot of the spaceship, Patrick Turtle and his co-pilot, Kitty was unfurling between Lu's protagonists. Xander didn't seem to mind the different plots and followed both with wide eyes.

At the table Luna and Neville were talking about some rare plant and the supposed qualities of it. At the counter Draco and Blaise were teasing Oliver about his Quidditch Quarterly cover. Ginny sighed happily. She had never lacked for help when she asked for it, her brothers would be there in a heartbeat if she asked but with the tension still in the air between some of them she didn't think it would be wise to let them close to any of Draco's breakables. But though they couldn't be here, her friends could. It made her think of something James had talked about just before he went to school. He'd said you had the family you were born with and the one you made for yourself and standing around in her kitchen was the family she'd made. Hugging herself both at the thought that this kitchen was hers and that she had an extra little family she met Draco's eyes. He was smiling about something Ollie had said and it still sparkled in the silvery grey depths when he met her gaze. Her heart stuttered and she felt a vague blush spread on her cheeks. Merlin, she hoped that would never change for as long as she lived. The months the boys had been at school had been, though she missed them both terribly, fantastic in other ways. She supposed they would have to go back to being more…discreet from tomorrow when they were home over the Christmas holidays.

It would be great, she couldn't wait to have them home again. She hoped the transition wouldn't be too hard on James. The little house was still theirs as she'd wanted to let him say goodbye to it (though that may just be her wish, really). It had just been a stop on the road kind of house but it had been where they had become their own little family. Now that was going to change and two little families were becoming one. Her sigh was slightly less content as she wondered how her son would take it.

o.O.o

Score had thought his dad and him were fairly good at celebrating Christmas. They had a tree and they ate turkey on the 25th and exchanged a present. When he'd been younger it had been more than one but nowadays he usually asked for one thing. But since Ginny and James were now in the house too they were incorporating their traditions too and there were a lot. Like a general Ginny was directing them with decorations, shopping bags with enough food to feed an army and cleaning instructions. Rolling his eyes at him behind his mother's back James grumpily followed her directions but Score didn't mind. It was nice to get the house ready, feel the anticipation building for the day. And cooking all the food was fun. Most would have to be done on the day but Ginny insisted on all homemade and so all four of them puttered around the kitchen, James mainly getting teased for his misshapen cookies.

About a month ago at school they had both been surprised to realize they were best friends. It had sort of crept up on them. James had lost a few friends in his house because of his newfound friendship with a Slytherin but he had just shrugged and said they were idiots anyway. Score could hardly believe it. The kids in his house had hardly gotten better but he didn't mind as much anymore now that he had some friends in other houses. The Weasleys, who could be found in all houses but Slytherin had welcomed him and from their approval some more housemates had followed. He wasn't one of the popular kids but he was certainly not friendless anymore. It made school more than bearable, it made it fun.

Back in his room after a day of cooking and decorating – he and James had hung miles of garlands it felt like – Score was smiling as the Gryffindor parted with the words,

"Night, weirdo." When there was a knock on the door he was sure it was him back again so he called,

"Come in, loser." It wasn't James but his dad and he grinned.

"Loser, huh? Is that any way to greet your one and only father?"

"Depends. Did you deserve it?" Draco snorted and sat on James' bed.

"I never do. I'm practically perfect in every way."

"That's not what Uncle Blaise says."

"Your uncle is blinder than a bat and stupider than two empty boxes so you don't have to heed his opinion. Your opinion however…" His dad's eyes grew serious again. He pulled a little box from his pocket and flicked it open to reveal a glittering ring. "What do you think?"

Score's heart beat painfully in his chest. Heavy thuds that rung in his ears. Everything was changing - again. The safe ground that was his dad in his life shifted and he drew a deep breath.

"I'm flattered but I'm just not ready for that kind of commitment." His dad's lips twitched.

"Funny. How about that kind of commitment from me to Ginny, are you ready for that?" He could say no. He could and his father wouldn't think twice about putting the box in a drawer until he was ready. But he couldn't do that to him. Not when he saw the wish in his dad's eyes, as starkly as if he'd painted it on his chest. So he summoned his smile.

"Go for it. If she'd say yes – that's a completely different matter."

"Tell me about it." He shut the box and put it back in his pocket, then got up and pulled Score close in a hug. "You're always first, Score. You'll always be first." His smile was easier to call on this time.

"I know. But you can have both. Me, and Ginny and James. You don't have to choose. You deserve both."

"Thanks, midget."

"I grew two inches since you saw me!" Draco hooked him under his arm, bent close.

"But you'll always be my midget all the same."

o.O.o

Draco squared his shoulders and ran a hand through his hair. The first visit of the evening had gone well, he'd seen his son take another step towards being a man in his wish for him to be happy and being happy for him. This one he was less sure about. But he knocked on what was now James' door and heard a muffled

"Come in," over the pounding rock. Antagonism, by Rhapsodic, he noted.

Inside, the room was a mess. He may have only been home for two days but the contents of his trunk was spread everywhere. Not surprised in the slightest Draco didn't even flinch to find that it looked like the trunk had exploded. James was sitting on the bed, his phone that wouldn't work at school in front of him, his scrawny frame dressed in slouchy jeans and a washed out t-shirt. His hair was sticking up and the recognition speared through him at the sight. It could've been a thirteen-year-old Harry Potter sitting on the bed. It was a strange sensation that when it was the father he saw he felt annoyed but when it was his son a wave of tenderness washed over him at the sight.

"Hey." James looked up, a grin on his narrow face.

"Hey. Did you see Morbid are releasing a new album? That's going to be awesome! Their last one was classic."

"Really? That will be awesome. The base line in Tornado was the best I've heard in years." Nodding enthusiastically James put his phone aside.

"I know, right? I hope they can make something that'll be like that but maybe a bit more Crash or even Left-handed." It would have been easy to get into a discussion about rock bands and forget why he was here. But he shouldn't.

"That'd be great. But I actually came in to ask you something."

"Yeah? If it's what I want for Christmas you can put the new Nimbus on top of the list." Draco snorted as James grinned.

"Right. No, it's more about what I got your mum for Christmas." He pulled the box from his pocket again, the narrow goblin wrought silver band glinting in the light. "I would like to give her this. But I would like to ask for your permission first." James' eyes were trained on the ring, widened in surprise. "You're the man of the house and I would like your blessing. I promise I will take care of her, I'll love her and treasure her, every day." He crouched to get on eye level with James. "And if you'd let me, I'd like to be your family. I know you have a dad and I respect that. But if you ever need a spare, then I would be honored if you'd let that be me." James was silent for a while, shifting his gaze from the ring to stare at the wall. Waiting patiently he heard the song end and silence enveloped them. After a few minutes he heard a small sigh from the teenager and he finally looked back at Draco.

"You can't ever forget her birthday. You have to bring her flowers sometimes and you can't think work is more important than her." Seriously, Draco nodded.

"That's all fair. I promise." James' eyes narrowed.

"When's her birthday?"

"The 11th of August. This year I took her to a Quidditch match and dinner. Next year I was thinking of getting her a holiday somewhere and get two rooms so you tadpoles can entertain each other." James seemed to consider this.

"When you promise her something you have to keep it. You have to call when you're late and if she's sad you have to be nice to her." Swallowing the urge to strangle Potter for teaching his son these weren't normal conditions of a marriage he nodded again.

"I swear. And I promise the same to you, James."

"To me?"

"Of course I do. I don't think you want flowers but I'll keep any promise I make to you, I'll cheer you up when you're sad and I'll remember your birthday. It's the 12th of February and I got you tickets to the RadioActivity concert in London." James' head snapped up.

"You got me my present already?"

"Well, those tickets sold out in a day. You have to be on the ball if you want to-" James latched on to him in a hug and surprised, Draco hugged him back. Quickly the teenager let go again, looking extremely uncomfortable.

"Ah…I…" He cleared his throat. "I guess it's okay if you want to marry my mum."

"Thank you, James."

"Yeah." He picked up his phone again and Draco got up to leave. When he was about to close the door James spoke again. "I guess it doesn't ever hurt to have a spare." For a moment he didn't understand but then his own words floated back into his mind and he felt happiness bubble under his skin.

"Good night, Jamie."

o.O.o

James hunched over the table and frowned. This was so not fun. His mum had said they'd been invited to dinner at Draco's family's place. He remembered the many Italians that had showed up to the party before he went back to school, so he'd agreed. He'd even thought it was pretty cool, his mum rarely took him out to eat (as she wouldn't use the money his dad sent every month, conscientiously depositing them at Gringott's for when he turned seventeen) so it would be a treat.

To start with it had been cool, just the four of them had eaten together at a table and they had had a good time. The food was pretty sweet and he'd eaten enough to make his trousers uncomfortably tight. But then Score had been pulled away by a boy their age or slightly younger who wanted him to help with something upstairs, a level or a jump, or whatever. It had been in Italian so when Score had been off he had been left with his mum and Draco. Soon after Draco was pulled into the kitchen to help cook something and his mum got involved in a conversation at another table full of women who kept laughing loudly.

So he was sitting by himself, wanting nothing more than go home. He didn't like it. This family might be new but it was looking like he'd be the one left behind and forgotten in this one too. This whole place was stupid, it smelled of garlic and it was noisy and warm and everyone had someone to talk to but him. He should just get up and leave, catch a train home. See how they liked that. He felt a sweet longing at the thought of his mother looking for him in a frenzied panic, her eyes frightened as she saw a life without him stretching in front of her. That would teach her. Then she'd find him and hug him close and whisper she'd never leave again. And maybe Draco would pull him close to, promise to never forget him again…Shaking his head at the childish fantasy he was still annoyed how tempting it seemed.

"James!" He looked up from staring at a whorl in the wooden table when he heard his name called. Looking into the kitchen he saw Draco motion for him to come in and with careful steps he maneuvered out of the booth and into the kitchen. He'd never been in a restaurant kitchen before. All the surfaces were a shiny chrome and the smells made his mouth water though he had never been more full in his life. Febrile activity surrounded him as four people chopped, stirred and fried things. In an oasis of calm in the middle of it stood Draco with the old man that had been introduced to him as Marco.

"James, maybe you can help us out. Marco here is looking for an unbiased judge and I apparently won't do."

"You're trying to spare my feelings."
"No, I told you the old one is better."
"Because the new one is a disaster. A train wreck."
"I didn't say that. Now, James, would you please taste both and tell us your honest opinion?" He continued, to Marco, "You'll never get blunter truth. Right, James?" Feeling strangely proud to be relied on for an opinion he accepted the spoon and tried a mouthful of what they were referring to as "the old one". It was amazing, a simple taste that grew on your tongue and warmed you from the inside. Though he was full to bursting he could have eaten the sauce - on anything. Then he tried the new one and though similar it didn't warm him or make him want to lick it off the floor should any of it spill.

"So, Jamie, which one is it?" Marco's pronunciation of the nickname was strange but James found he didn't mind.

"The old one is better." Marco nodded.

"Davvero. But why, young man? Can you tell me that?" Frowning to pick the right words to convey it, James tried to explain.

"The new one is…flatter, it doesn't grow on your tongue or warm your insides. It's like eating the olive oil stuff my mum buys instead of butter to not get fat." Draco let out a loud laugh and slung an arm around James shoulders, bringing him close.

"I told you he was smart." Feeling his heart fill with a bright, blinding pride at the tone of Draco's voice, James tried to squash it. Draco wasn't his dad. He had agreed he could be a spare but he was someone else's dad and James had his own father. But he didn't know the last time he'd heard that kind of pride in his dad's voice when he spoke about him.

"Indeed," Marco nodded sagely. "Well, give me un momento and I'll try again." He dashed off, rummaging on shelves and muttering in Italian.

"You've inspired him now. He hasn't had fresh taste buds to try this on in years. Ever since he discovered "The Sauce", as it's referred to in this house, by accident he's been trying to best it by skill alone. So far it's not going too well. But he enjoys it. Now he's going to add some stuff to the new one, using what you said and then he'll make you taste it again. In fact, I will have to wrench you from his grasp bodily to ever get him to let you leave again."

"I don't mind", James mumbled. No one had ever set any real store by his opinion before and it was a heady feeling.

"Well, we'll be in here a while. Might as well make ourselves useful. Have you ever cut tomatoes with a seriously sharp knife?"

"No?"

"You're missing out. I'll show you how, and if you don't listen close and lose a finger I'm telling your mum you were running around with it, waving it in the air like a crazy person." James nodded. Trusting his opinion, trusting him with seriously sharp tools. He stood up straighter. Draco may not be his real dad but he could see James wasn't a baby anymore. They could be friends, there was nothing wrong with him liking the older man. He glanced sideways as Draco set a cutting board and a knife that did look lethal in front of him. He wasn't sure friendship was what he felt when Draco's large hand rested on his shoulder and he nodded approvingly when James slowly cut the tomato with three deep cuts. It fell open almost like a flower and knowing he reminded of nothing so much as a puppy looking for praise, he was still pleased when the man's eyes warmed in approval.

"That's it. Well done, just keep going like that." Draco moved around to the other side of the counter and picked up his own cutting board and knife. Then James' eyes widened as the food seemed to fall into neat pieces almost as if by magic, Draco's cuts quicker than he could follow. He wanted to be able to do it like that. It looked really cool. And he thought Draco would maybe sling an arm around his shoulders again and tell him he was doing really well if he could learn. Look at him like what he did had mattered. That it made him proud. Suddenly he knew he wanted more than anything in the world to make Draco proud of him. To look at him like he looked at Score.

"There you go, perfect." Draco said as he surveyed the results on James' cutting board. Meeting his eyes James hadn't thought he'd get his wish so soon. Feeling like a balloon was swelling inside him and embarrassed a tear was traitorously creeping into his eye he looked down.

"Thanks."

o.O.o

"Ah, look at that. Three generationes together." Ginny turned to look to see what Maria was referring to and her heart softened. Marco, Draco, Score and James were all standing in front of the stove and Marco's head was bobbing excitedly as James was talking. Then they all laughed and Draco put his arms around the two boys' shoulders as they leaned forward to inspect something in the pot. Draco's hand absently ruffled James hair and when he looked up she caught the look in his eyes. He looked intently proud and Ginny felt all the air leave her lungs. Emotions fluttered and rose in her like feathers caught by the wind, light and dancing. Then they fell, like bright little stars all around her. Her family. This was her family. It was always going to be her family. Feeling little tears gather at the corners of her eyes she looked away and cleared her throat.

"Oh, cara, I understand completely." Maria said and laid a hand on her chest. "Sometimes you look at the, your familigia and you just…" She sighed and though she couldn't convey it in words, Ginny knew exactly what she meant.

When they arrived home Score and James set off upstairs, James to his new room and Score to his. They were laughing about something as Score told him of the level he had to clear for the Montrelli boy. Draco steered into the kitchen, still wearing his coat and tossing his keys on the table before pressing the start button on the kettle. Turning towards her he smiled and rubbed his hands together to warm them and she knew she couldn't wait for the right moment or the right setting. She wanted this with her whole being so the words just tumbled out of her.

"Draco, will you marry me?" He stopped mid-rub and just stared at her. Fidgeting with her purse strap, Ginny set it down and drew a calming breath.

"I know it's not been that long, we can wait, but I…I just want you to know I want this, Draco. I want you. I want to be with you every day for the rest of my life. I want to have a family with you. Be a family with you. I want you to be James' father and I want to be Score's mum - if he'll have me. I want to make a baby with you, I want to carry your child under my heart, and I- I just love you, Draco, and I know I will forever." She took a step forward as he remained silent, staring widely at her.

"Don't you want to?" Her voice was small.

"You wench." Shocked, she could only splutter. He took a step forward. "You beat me to it." He reached into his pocket and brought out a small velvet box. Flicking it open Ginny lost her breath at the sight of the beautiful ring inside.

"I will marry you, Ginevra Weasley, and I will be the proudest man that ever lived to be your husband. I will be your family and I will give you mine. I will love and cherish the sons we have, and the children we'll make and I will never go a day without trying to make you as happy as you make me."

Epilogue

James Sirius Potter sighed in content as he opened the door. Stepping in he knew he was home. The familiar smells of cooking, of his mother's perfume and the vague, fresh note the cleaning spells left behind greeted him and as always they brought him back in time. This house hadn't always been his home but it had been the one that would always be home in his heart. It was the house where he had found a family and his place in it. Shrugging off his coat and bending slightly to check he wasn't too grimy from the long travel, both through Apparition points and Floos since early in the day he met his eyes in the reflection of the hall mirror. They were still the deep honey brown passed down from his mum, the only visible sign of her in his genes. The rest was very similar to his father, the narrow face, the lean build and the sinewy muscle. If he skimped on gym days he quickly grew gaunt and vain enough to avoid that he was currently quite pleased to have some visible muscles.

Running a hand through his hair, it was getting a bit too long and would brush the collar oh his shirt – if he ever wore one. He'd have to get that sorted before Christmas Day or grandma would tut at him. If he was really unlucky she'd put a pot over his head and cut around the bottom edge. He didn't think his image could survive that. Entering the living room he heard Christmas music – it sounded like Draco had won the choosing game and a bluesy version of White Christmas was playing. His mum was sitting in an armchair, his two-year-old sister Evie sleeping in her arms. She looked as she always had to him. Somehow she didn't seem to age. A few crow's feet at the corners of her eyes from laughing maybe but little else had changed. Wearing a green jumper she was smiling at where Draco was sitting on the floor playing cars with Liam. The little metal vehicles ran over the carpet to the sounds of revving engines and squealing tires. A few casualties lay overturned under the Christmas tree.

It was his little brother who spotted him first and with a shout he was up and rushed towards him. His little body slammed into James' legs and he hoisted him high.

"Hi there, Liam." Pretending to struggle under the weight of him Liam giggled. "Did you get bigger? You're…so…heavy…I don't think I can…." He put him down and his little brother grinned up at him, tiny milk teeth winking in a face that was a harmonious mix of both his parents. He had the blonde hair of his dad and the brown eyes of his mum but the grin was all Malfoy.

"I did! I growed lots. I'm more tall than before." At five he was short for his age but knowing growth spurts came late in this family no one was surprised.

"I can see that! Why don't you go choose me a car? I want to play too." Nodding enthusiastically Liam set off. Heading over to his mum James bent over her and received a one armed hug. Careful to not wake Evie he whispered,

"Hi, mum."

"Hi, baby. How are you? You look great."
"I take after my mum." She smiled and shook her head.

"Flatterer. It's great to have you home."

"It's great to be home." Kissing the top of her head he turned to greet Draco. Unfolding his tall frame from sitting on the floor he still had about two inches on James. Opening his arms he gave him a hard hug.

"Hi, kid."

"Hey, dad." It amused their relatives to no end that James referred to both Draco and Harry as dad but to him that was just the way of things. He had two dads, ever since he was thirteen. He still remembered the first time it had slipped out. It had been two years after Draco had married his mum and she had been pregnant with Liam. He'd been home for the summer and had gone to ask if he could go to a party held by a mate in London. He had all his arguments prepared and had worked out a deal he hoped she'd agree to. So he'd knocked and entered to find his mum on the floor, white as a sheet. Getting no reply when he shook her he'd panicked and run downstairs. Draco had been in the kitchen making lunch and it had just slipped out –

"Dad! Dad, you have to come!" And Draco dropped everything and rushed his mum to the hospital where it had in the end turned out to be nothing serious but while they waited, all three of them holding hands in the waiting room of St Mungos James had known without a doubt he had two dads now.

"Are you all in one piece, no parts missing, no heartbreaks, no third degree burns, no sniffles?" He sent a teasing glance to his mother. "Your mother worries about all of them." James' lips twitched.

"All good. How about you? Old age catching up with you yet?"

"I would be stupid if I let it, wouldn't I? No, all parts still in good working order."

"I'll vouch for that," his mum interjected from the couch.

"Gross, mum. Thanks." She chuckled and rose.

"This is looking like a long nap, I'll go put her in the crib and then we can all talk at a normal pitch." Ginny left and Draco offered him a drink.

"A beer please, I've been travelling since dawn." Then he settled down on the floor with Liam who offered him a little blue Lotus.

"Sweet."

o.O.o

Ginny got back downstairs to find Score just entering the hall. Rushing forward, now unobstructed by Evie she wrapped him in a hug.

"Sweetheart, you're here!" He had to bend to hug her back, as he was easily as tall as his father.

"Hi, mum. I've only been gone two weeks."

"It felt longer. Let me look at you." She stepped back and trailed her gaze over his face. As handsome as ever though he was slightly less the replica of his dad he had been when he was younger. If Draco looked like a rogue prince then his son looked all rogue. The dark hair was cut recently and his eyes, almost black in the dim light of the hall, glittered in amusement. He was dressed in a grey suit and a striped shirt and could have easily adorned any glossy magazine ad. "Still so good looking. I have such handsome sons."

"Liam, yes. The other one I'm not so sure. That may be motherly affection talking." Laughing that he couldn't help getting in a jibe at his brother she shook her head.

"I'm sure you like to think so." Score shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over the back of a chair rather than hanging it on a hook where it would damage the structure of the garment.

"Are you excited for tomorrow? A Weasley, Zabini-Lovegood, Montrelli Christmas?"

"Excited. Paralyzed. I don't know what possessed me to offer to have it here."

"Were you drunk?" Ginny laughed.

"I'm afraid not, just momentarily insane. But Liam and Evie are excited. She's just learnt what Santa means so we hear little else from her." Score chuckled.

"I'm getting a drink, can I get you something?"

"Please. Whatever you're having. We're all in the living room, come and sit with us."

"I will. It's good to be home, mum." He kissed her cheek and headed into the kitchen and Ginny sighed. She was still madly in love with her husband but even if she hadn't been she would be eternally grateful to him for the gift that was her second son. The day he had first called her mum something had clicked in place for her as if she'd always known he was hers. It had been the year after she married his father and he had come into the kitchen when she was doing the dishes. He had stood in the door for a little while holding something. Then, clear as day he had said,

"Mum, can you help me?" It had just been a ripped button on his shirt but she'd had to hug him and wipe a few tears before she could perform the easy spell to fix it. She still had that shirt though he had long since outgrown it.

Sighing in content knowing all her children were home she went back to the living room. Liam and James were now running the cars and Draco was sitting on the couch. Holding an arm out she easily slipped under it and settled against him.

"Score's here, he'll be in in a second."

"So can you relax now, all your chicks in one place?" She lifted an eyebrow at him.

"Are you calling me a mother hen?"

"Yes." She elbowed him. "A sexy one though." Rolling her eyes at him he grinned and the little thrill she still got from it chased down her chest to her stomach.

"Like you're not thrilled to have them all home." He sighed and pulled her close.

"I am." Score entered and greeted his dad and after a long hug he joined James and Liam on the floor and Draco sat back down. "We haven't done so bad, have we?" They looked at their three sons playing on the floor and Ginny smiled at him.

"I think we've done perfectly."

o.O.o

Score stretched and blinked at waking up in familiar yet strange surroundings. His old room hadn't changed since he left, his parents preferring to extend the house to giving his room to Liam or Evie. The walls were still the same quiet green and the bed the old single one he'd refused to upgrade. It was the most comfortable thing to sleep on he'd ever encountered. Squinting at the alarm clock he saw it was getting close to nine. Everyone but James would already be up at the breakfast table and knowing it was Christmas Day he decided to push the lazy former Gryffindor out of his room to join them all. Pulling on a sweatshirt to match the pajama bottoms he padded out in the hall. New pictures had joined the old ones on the wall. He saw the ones of him and James playing quidditch, of family days out, of holidays, of his parents' wedding, of his and James' graduation. Newer ones showed Liam and Evie, of all the siblings playing, of Liam proudly holding his first broom. Evie wrapped in the blanket with frogs on it she loved. There was a new one of his parents taken in the garden, a wizarding one and in it they laughed at each other before leaning in for a kiss that lingered. Smiling at them before crossing the hall to get to James' room Score knoecked a second before entering.

"Get up, loser." Picking up a cushion from the pile on the chair (it was there to sit on the made bed but when James was home it served little purpose) and threw it at the lump under the covers. Sitting up with a groan, his hair sticking out madly the former Gryffindor glowered at him.

"Are you looking to die, Malfoy?" Score leaned against the doorframe.

"I'd like to see you try that. Come on, I smell pancakes and I want some before dad's eaten them all."

"Pancakes?" James perked up slightly and with a sigh he rolled out of the bed. Pulling on a pair of sweatpants and a long sleeved t-shirt he reached for his glasses, too early in the morning to bother with his contacts. "Let's go – I need coffee, preferably served in a bucket."

"You have such a refined character, Potter."

"Bite me."

"So inspired."

"Wait til I've had coffee, will you?" James grinned and they headed down the stairs.

In the kitchen their parents were sitting at the table, pancakes piled high on a plate in the middle. Evie in her high chair was humming to herself as she poked at a piece of pancake with a little plastic spoon. Liam was wholly focused on shoveling food into his mouth and his mum and dad were laughing at something, their heads bent towards each other.

"Morning," he greeted them. Evie squealed and kicked her legs and he bent to press a kiss on top of her bright red curls. "Hiya, gorgeous." His parents greeted him back and Liam mumbled something through the pancakes in his mouth. Ginny cleared her throat and his little brother swallowed dutifully before repeating,

"Good mowning." James grunted in return and poured coffee into a mug, drinking from it like a man dying from thirst.

"What's the rush, Liam?" Glancing at his mum and finishing chewing this time before speaking Liam responded,

"Santa's been here! There are presents under the tree and in the stockings!"

"No? Cool."

"But I have to finish breakfast first, daddy says."

"Yeah, he's a real party pooper." Liam snorted with laughter and Draco shook his head in amusement.

"Just for that you have to finish your breakfast too before you get presents."

"Aww, dad!"

"Way to go, Malfoy, make us all suffer," James joked and piled pancakes on his plate. Tucking in he sent his mum exactly the same look Liam just had before swallowing and speaking.

"Nice pancakes, dad."

"How do you know he made them?" Ginny asked, her eyes narrowing.

"They're better than yours." Eyes glittering he bent his head over the plate as his mum laughed.

"We'll see if Santa's left you anything at all with those manners." Feeling he was truly home Score reached for a pancake of his own.

o.O.o

Draco was amazed they all fit. The Montrelli clan, the Weasley dynasty, the Zabini-Lovegood family as well as Oliver and Neville, all spread through the house. Food stood in the kitchen and everyone could go and get themselves some when they wanted as there was no chance of fitting everyone for a sit-down meal. Milling in and out people were chatting while holding plates and drinks all around. At a glance he could see one of the teenage Weasley boys staring dreamily at a Montrelli niece as he blushed furiously. Luna was talking to Maria Montrelli about wine to improve her conjuration and Ollie was demonstrating a quidditch move to a group of younger Weasleys. If someone had told him eight years ago this scene would ever occur in his kitchen he would have laughed in their face and herded Score away to safety from the lunatic. Yet here they all were and all because Ginny Weasley had to inspect his house for illegal magic use. Looking around for her he spotted her just coming into the room, Blaise behind her. A tug went through his chest. She was still so beautiful. He had seen her every day for seven years and still she managed to make him catch his breath. She was wearing a silver dress and glittering diamonds hung from her ears, her vibrant hair was swept up and leaving the column of her throat bare. He couldn't wait to set his teeth to it and hear her sigh, his name falling from her lips like a whisper. As if she sensed his gaze she turned to him and as her eyes met his he felt the electricity crackle in the air. Her hand fluttered to her throat and the rings he'd given her winked from her fourth finger. He saw her swallow and felt his own throat tighten. The caramel color of her eyes deepened to brandy and a vague blush bloomed on her cheeks. He saw his own wish reflect in the depths of her gaze and his grasp on his glass tightened.

"Don't you think you're too old to have eye sex with your wife in a room full of people?" Neville, in search of a drink, had appeared next to him. Without losing eye contact with Ginny Draco smiled and sipped from his drink, enjoying the sensation of the whisky easing his dry throat.

"No. Not when my wife looks like that." The former Gryffindor chuckled.

"Well, she's a lucky woman." He turned, a glass in his hand. "And you're a lucky man." He set off towards Oliver and Ginny reached him.

"Hi."

"Hello yourself." He brushed a curl that had fallen from the hairdo behind her ear. "Neville thinks we're too old to have "eye sex", what do you think about that?"

"Eye sex?" She laughed. "Is that what we're doing?"

"It was most definitely what I was doing."
"I could feel that." She stood on her tiptoes to press a peck to his lips but before she could let go he put his drink down and hauled her against him. Deepening the kiss he felt rather than heard the sigh he'd been imagining escape her. Drinking in the taste of her he thanked whoever would listen for the millionth time for bringing the light that was his wife into his life. Setting her back down she blinked a few times.

"Well, wow." He smiled at her.

"Why, thank you."

"My pleasure."

"Ours, I think." She cleared her throat and the delicate blush reappeared.

"Ours." Shaking her head she continued, "You're very distracting. I came in here to check on the food."

"There's still plenty and that's after everyone in your family has been up for seconds twice."

"Good," she sighed and looked out over the room. "I can't believe they all fit."

"I was just thinking that."

"And I can't believe Harry made it. I think this is the first Christmas he's made it to since James was a baby."

"He's here?"

"Yeah, in the living room. I even think he's having a good time."

"Good. Did James see he's here?"

"Mhm. He's happy to have both his dads in one place, I think."

"It doesn't happen too often."

"Thank Merlin." Surprised, Draco looked down to meet her gaze.

"Really?"

"Of course. I like when Harry comes for James' sake but I have all I need when you and our children are here." His insides softened.

"Me too."

"Are you two being gross and lovey-dovey?" Blaise interrupted the moment.

"We're trying to, so if you could kindly shove off and let us get back to it, Zabini."

"Like I want to be here while you spout lame poetry and look like a puppy gazing adoringly at his mistress. I'm here for the booze."

"Color me surprised. Leave some for the rest of us. Staying drunk is the only way we can bear your presence." Blaise grinned and hooked an arm over Draco's shoulders.

"I love you too, you bastard." Then he toasted them and winked at Ginny before steering towards his wife.

"Is he drunk?" Ginny asked, surprise painted over her features. Grinning, Draco shook his head.

"No, I think we just saw some seldom seen Christmas cheer."

Four hours later the partygoers had left and Ginny was pulling the earrings from her ears, putting them in the little bowl on the dresser she used for the purpose. Full and content Draco lay on top of the covers on the bed watching her. Pulling the clip from her hair it tumbled down her back and his blood suddenly started pounding in his veins. Like waves on a shore he felt it ebb and flow, pounding in his abdomen. After seven years together he knew exactly what those curls felt like when he ran his hands through the silky weight of it, how it ran soft like water over his hands when he wound them in it. Meeting his gaze in the mirror above the dresser she smiled and tilted her head.

"Would you mind helping me with the zipper?" Getting up he felt his skin warm, lightning gathering in the air as the tension built.

"Not at all." Reaching her he felt her hair brush the back of his hands as he pulled the zipper down. The sound of it seemed to echo in his head much louder than normal and he felt the warmth of her skin against his fingers. Running his hands back up to her shoulders he pushed the straps down and the garment fell, pooling at her feet. Turning to face him he felt as if he lost all the air in his lungs. Under the dress she was wearing a black strapless bra and matching panties, a lacy garter belt holding up sheer stockings.

"Merlin, you're beautiful."

"I hate it when you call me Merlin in bed." A choked laugh escaped him and he lowered his head to her shoulder.

"You look…absolutely breathtaking…Ginevra."

"That's better." Her voice was a little breathy and he knew he wasn't alone in feeling the tension.

"I wanted to thank you for my Christmas gift. It's perfect." He brushed his lips over her neck and felt her pulse flutter under her skin.

"Good, I'm glad you like it." Her head fell back under his ministrations and her hands bunched the fabric of his shirt where she gripped it.

"But I…ah! I…wanted to ask for one more gift." He stopped what he was doing, admiring the way her pale skin had a blooming mark from his lips.

"Anything." He would always give her anything she wanted. Anything that was in his power, anything he owned, anything he could humanly accomplish would all be hers if she wanted it.

"Draco, would you give me another little girl?" His smile was instant and he lifted her off her feet to spin her around. Joy like fireworks exploded in his chest.

"I take that is a yes?" She laughed and held on to him.

"A thousand times yes. As many as you want to give me I will give you." She wrapped her legs around his waist.

"Well, maybe not a thousand. One will do." Laughing with her they fell to the bed and in moments the laughter gave way to the building heat. Before drowning in her completely Draco marveled how this woman could show him new heights of happiness, over and over until sorrows paled into mere shadows, bleak now from the sun. Where there had before been only impenetrable darkness there was now blinding sunlight, leaving only shades in the deepest crevices. With everyday with her the light reached further into the recesses of his mind until he realized the ghosts of the past were dead and gone. And all because of her. She wasn't only the woman he loved, the sun in his universe – she was his new beginning. Where his life had started over. The second beginning.

The End

A/N: Wow, this is sadder than I thought it would be! Thank you everyone, I hope you enjoyed. If there is something you're itching to see while waiting for my next story then you can always prompt me, either drop me a message here or on Tumblr where I'm SilkenDreamer. I hope to see you around.

Love,

Sannikex

Muddier waters: I'm really glad you enjoyed the party – I had a lot of fun writing it. I hope you liked this one too, it's almost as long again! Thank you for taking the time to review!

Guest 1: Thank you :)

Pizziagirl: Thank you, as always!

Lady Mischief: The party was fun, I'm happy you enjoyed it. As for Score I thought it was time James made good on his promise they were friends for real! Thank you very much for reviewing it means a lot

MissesE: I know, their house seems pretty awesome, doesn't it? I want to live there too! I'm glad you enjoyed the pot/kettle joke, it seems to be a hit around here and I had a lot of fun writing all Draco/Blaise scenes. I'm so pleased you're liking the story and thank you for taking the time to review – three times!

Guest 2: He is blissfully happy indeed! I think they both are :) I will definitely write more and D/G is always a given for me – I've shipped it for sixteen years now so I'm not about to give up, haha.

Roni2010: Thank you for leaving a review! The Harry and James scene was tricky to write so I'm really glad to hear you liked it – I think Harry will be a better dad in the future but that doesn't mean you can't have two! Score and James grew up to be best firneds, I think and will enjoy each other's company until they're old! Thank you for sticking with the story!

Pottermum: Thank you and thanks for your support through the story!

Blinck22: I do a happy dance myself when I get a review alert! I'm so happy you liked the party chapter. I'm quite sad to wrap this up myself, I've really enjoyed writing it and it's been with me a long time now. I can assure you I will keep writing, just add me on Author Alert to see when!

Guest 3: Thank you, I'm glad to hear you do!

Hpfangirl6998: Wow, thank you – that gives me hope someone will like my original stuff once it's out there one day. I thoroughly enjoy the Romeo and Juliet vibe to D & G, it's what drew me to the ship in the first place so I'm really glad you like that too! The sex scene was cut short to keep with the rating, I'm afraid, but hopefully we can all use our imagination for what happened next :P

KayLeng: Is that a Mass Effect username you have? If it is I can only approve as I'm wearing my N7 shirt as I write this :D I will always keep writing, I hope you will be around to enjoy! So glad to hear you like it and thank you for taking the time to review!

Guest 4: Thank you and you're welcome, feedback on what I do is a big part of the reward for me!

Little Miss Invisible: In a way you can be happy to catch it late as my poor followers have had to wait a VERY long time for each update! I'm so happy you like the characterization, I really like writing my little weirdoes so much. I'm also really pleased you consider D/G possible, I have liked this pairing for a very long time so anyone liking it too makes me happy! I'm sad to be finishing but I'm amazed at the support I've had and how much fun it's been – I can't wait to find a new world to "furnish" with my characters and ideas. Your Merry Christmas came on the right day for me as we celebrate the 24th in Sweden and it was a great Christmas present! /S.

Guest 5/6: I'm pretty sure you're the same guest, if not I'm sorry! I do agree with you, stories that make Harry mentally unstable or violent so Ginny can be with someone else are ridiculous. Draco certainly has many traits I have invented for him, but as you say he was largely uncertain at the end of what we know. I believe time has changed him a bit, if not as much as he has in this story! Well spotted on noticing my borrowing the name Prentiss from Criminal Minds, that is indeed the case, I was watching it at the time of writing the first chapter. I didn't actually make a connection between Hotch's relationship and this one until you mentioned it but it is quite similar. And dad rules are always different than mum rules – I've had a few fun dad nights too. So pleased you are enjoying and that you like the dialogue – my characters do spend a lot of time talking! Thank you for taking the time to review, it means a lot to me!