We Didn't Have a Choice

44 - Distractions

We arrived at Edward Estate the morning after I returned from Hogwarts. Julius and Valentina greeted us at the door, and Valentina held onto Cordelia.

"Happy holidays!" Valentina greeted me as she hugged me. She passed Cordelia into my arms who was alert as ever.

"It's nice to see you, Valentina. Where is Blair?"

"Blair is still in bed. She had a long night," she explained.

I replied with a knowing nod because I already knew she was one of the people on the train last night.

"She is up in her room if you would like to see her. I'm sure she would love to see you."

"Thank you. It was nice seeing you."

Valentina gave me a kind smile and I made my way up the grand staircase. I entered Blair's room and set Cordi in the crib which sat in the corner of the room.

Blair lay in her bed, buried by her blankets, so I climbed in beside her and pulled her head into my lap.

I gently played with her hair and read a book as I waited for her to wake up, and sure enough, she began to stir a little while later. Her eyes slowly opened and a smile spread onto her face. She sat up and placed a kiss on my lips before resting her head back in my lap.

"Goodmorning, love," I chuckled.

"I missed you," she mumbled as she wrapped her arms around my waist.

"I missed you, too. Are you excited for Christmas?" I asked, being careful not to touch on her previous night.

She nodded. "I already got Cordi so much stuff. She is going to be so spoiled."

"Yeah, my mother had to pack an entirely separate car just for Cordi's presents."

Blair laughed and shook her head. "She's not even six months old and she is already the most pampered baby in the UK."

"I wouldn't expect anything less from our families."

With that, Cordi burst into tears and Blair sat up urgently.

"Relax. I'll get her," I said, pushing Blair back into bed.

I retrieved our daughter from the crib and passed her over to Blair who comforted her.

I smiled down at my two girls - how did I get so lucky? They are both absolutely perfect.

"Staring?" Blair questioned.

"Mhm," I hummed. I have no problem admitting it. "I like to admire pretty people."

Blair rolled her eyes but a small blush crept onto her face; I love still having that effect on her.

When Cordi had finally calmed down and fallen asleep, Blair climbed out of bed.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Dress fitting. The annual ball is coming up."

I smiled. "Little repeat of last year's events?"

She laughed as if I was joking. I stood up and looked down at her. "I find it funny how you think I'm joking."

Her laughing stopped and I smirked down at her. "It'll be a fun night," I whispered.

-

-

-

I walked into the parlor, carrying Cordi. My mother and Narcissa were already there.

"Just wait till you see Cordi's dress! It's absolutely adorable!" Narcissa exclaimed as several house elves walked by with garment bags in their hands.

Mother nodded in agreement as she handed me a bag. "Both your dresses are in here. Go try them on!" she said happily.

I walked to one of the bathrooms nearby and took out the dresses. Needless to say, they were absolutely stunning.

My dress was a silver tight fitting, v-neck, with a slit for my leg. Cordi's was also silver. The top was decorated with sequence and a little bow connected the skirt which was poofy and had a lace patterned-trim.

"Do you like it?" I asked her.

A joyous look appeared on her face and she giggled softly. I smiled down at her and kissed her head before getting her into her dress.

After getting dressed, I returned to the parlor."So? How do they look?" I asked as I entered. Narcissa smiled and my mother clapped.

"Draco is going to melt!" Narcissa cried. "He is just so lucky to have such gorgeous girls!"

"Thank you," I said as Cordi squealed.

-

"Where is your dress?" Draco asked after I returned to my room from the dress fitting a while later.

I walked into the bathroom and started a bath. He followed me. "That is a surprise."

"But I wanted to see what it would look like on the floor!" he whined.

A laugh escaped me and I turned to him. "You will after the ball."

He rolled his eyes and pouted at me. "You're getting a bath ready, can't you just put it on and give me a little sneak peek of what will happen after the ball?."

"No, because this is for Cordi," I said as I shut the water off.

"Bu..." I cut him off with a kiss.

"If you stop whining, then maybe we can share a bath later," I called over my shoulder as I left the room to get Cordi.

When I returned, Draco had poured in the bubbles and bath toys. He smiled proudly at me as I removed Cordi's dress and set her in the bath.

"Yes, Draco?"

"I quit whining and I even prepared the bath, now can we please get to it?" he asked urgently.

"If you want a dirty daughter, then sure," I responded while rinsing her with water.

He huffed loudly. "Well, can you at least hurry?"

"Draco, love, it'll go a lot faster if you help."

He rolled his eyes and seemed super annoyed, but I could tell he was actually happy to help. Although, that only lasted a couple of minutes because he ended up getting bored, so as a result, he placed a handful of bubbles in my hair.

"Draco..."

"Sorry, darling, but look, she loves it," he said, pointing at Cordi who was covered in bubbles herself.

A small smirk formed on my face as I scooped some bubbles from the tub and smeared them into Draco's hair. A loud laugh rang out from where Cordi sat in the tub, but Draco glared at me.

"Seriously?" he jeered.

"Look, she loves it," I replied, biting back my laugh.

He glanced over at our daughter and his expression seemed to soften, however, that didn't stop him from standing up, picking me up, and setting me in the tub alongside her.

"Draco, I swear to Merlin if you ruined my shoes!"

He chuckled and bent over the edge of the tub. He pulled my face to his and kissed me. "I'll buy you a hundred more pairs."

Cordi squealed and we turned our attention back to her. She wore a joyful smile as she splashed in the water. Draco picked her up and wrapped her in a towel before holding a hand out to me to help me out of the tub. He also handed me a towel and kissed the top of my head.

"Are you still up for that bath?" he asked giddily.

"Well, it seems I already took one so what's the point?" I teased.

"I'm sorry! I was just playing around!"

"If you get one ready, sure."

A big smile spread across his face, and before I could even ask him if he wanted me to tuck in Cordi, he was gone.