chapter 24

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The next day, Addie woke up early, the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. Carefully, she extricated herself from Draco's embrace, not wanting to wake him. She slipped into her robe and tiptoed over to the bassinet where Emily slept peacefully, her tiny chest rising and falling with each breath. Addie felt a pang of guilt for the fear that had consumed her, the fear that had kept her from fully embracing her new role as a mother. But looking at her daughter now, she knew she had to be strong for her, for both of them.With a quiet resolve, she picked Emily up, swaddling her in a warm blanket. She kissed Draco's forehead, whispering a goodbye that he wouldn't hear, and left the room. The cold floor of the hallway sent a shiver down her spine, a stark contrast to the warmth she had just left behind. She knew that today would be a long one, but it was necessary. She had to prepare their home for the challenges ahead, to ensure that it was a safe haven for their family.The ride to Malfoy Manor was short but filled with tension. The whispers of the prophecy were ever-present, and she couldn't shake the feeling that every bump in the road was a sign of impending doom. But when she arrived, the sight of the grand estate, with its ivy-covered walls and gleaming windows, brought a small measure of comfort. This was where Draco had grown up, where generations of his family had lived and loved. It was a place of strength, a bastion against the chaos of the outside world.Addie knocked softly on the door, and it swung open to reveal a sleepy Narcissa Malfoy, her black and blonde hair pulled back in a loose bun. She looked surprised but quickly composed herself, taking Emily into her arms with a gentle smile. "Thank you, Addie," she murmured, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "We'll take good care of her."

Draco emerged from the shadows, his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep. He leaned in to kiss Emily's forehead before turning to Addie. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice tight with concern.Addie nodded firmly. "yes the house is a mess and we have it babyproof the house," she said, her voice low and steady. "We need to be ready for anything."Draco's gaze searched hers, understanding the depth of her determination. "Alright," he said, squeezing her hand. "But remember, we're in this together. You don't have to do it all alone."Addie nodded, her eyes never leaving Draco's. "I know," she said softly. "But I need to do this. For us, for Emily."With a sigh, Draco leaned in to kiss her forehead. "I'll send some house-elves over to help," he offered, knowing that she was stubborn and would likely refuse his assistance. "absolutely......not no "Addie bit her lip, looking torn. "I appreciate it, but I need to do this," she said, her voice firm. "It's not just about the physical safety of the house; it's about me taking charge, about proving to myself that I can handle this. and i know that you'll be home if i need help"Draco nodded, understanding the need for her to regain some sense of control in the face of the prophecy's looming presence. "If you're sure," he said, his voice filled with both admiration and concern. He knew how much Addie valued her independence and didn't want to take that away from her.Addie's eyes shone with determination. "I am," she said, placing a gentle kiss on Draco's cheek. "And once the house is ready, we'll come back and get Emily. Maybe we can even sneak in some us time before the chaos hits again." Draco looked at her knowing exactly what she meant by "us time". Draco managed a small smile. "I'll hold you to that," he whispered, watching as she turned and disappeared into the Manor.

Three hours later, Addie was in the kitchen of their London flat, her AirPods Max headphones snug in her ears, the sound of "Summer Nights" from "Grease" filling the room. She had always loved the song, the way it captured the excitement and innocence of a new romance. But today, it took on a different meaning, serving as a reminder of the happiness they had found in each other amidst the chaos. She sang along, her voice a soft melody that danced through the kitchen as she danced with her muggle music.The lyrics about summer love had her smiling, thinking of the way she and Draco had come together in the most unexpected way. Their love had grown quickly, just like the relationship in the song, but it was far from fleeting. It was a bond that had been forged in the fires of a prophecy, a bond that she knew would stand the test of time.As she sang, Addie lost herself in the task at hand, scrubbing the counters and organizing cabinets with a renewed sense of purpose. Each song that played through her headphones brought a different memory to the surface, from their awkward beginnings to the fiery passion they had shared the night before. It was a strange juxtaposition, the whimsical tunes contrasting with the gravity of their situation, but it helped keep her spirits high. "summer lovin happend so fast" addie singing the words to herself with a smile.Suddenly, the music was drowned out by a deep, off-key voice from the doorway. She spun around to find Draco standing there, a sheepish grin on his face. He had apparently picked up on her playlist and was now serenading her with "I Met a Girl crazy for me." Despite the seriousness of their circumstances, she couldn't help but laugh at his attempt. He was clearly out of his element, but the sight of him, standing there in his robes, trying to croon like John Travolta, was too endearing to ignore."You know, I didn't know you had it in you," she teased, setting down her cleaning supplies. Draco rolled his eyes but continued singing, his voice growing stronger with each line. "It's just a bit of fun, Addie," he said, his smile widening. "Besides, it's not every day you can serenade your wife in your own home."Addie couldn't help but laugh. "Ok, calm down there, lover boy," she said, playfully swatting his arm. "We're not married yet."Draco's singing abruptly ceased, and his cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson. "Right," he mumbled, running a hand through his hair. "Sorry, I got carried away."Addie's laughter filled the room, a melody that seemed to break the tension that had been building since the prophecy had entered their lives. She stepped closer to him, placing a hand on his chest. "It's alright," she said, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "But maybe stick to Quidditch, yeah?"Draco's blush deepened, but he couldn't help the chuckle that bubbled up from his chest. He leaned down, his forehead resting against hers. "Fair enough," he murmured, his smile playing at the corners of his lips. "But I'll have you know, I have hidden talents."Addie raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Oh, really?" she said, her voice light with teasing. "Like what?"Draco took a step back, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You'll just have to wait and see," he said, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "But for now, let's focus on the task at hand. The house won't babyproof itself, after all."Addie rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. "Fine," she said, "but you're going to owe me for this."Draco's grin grew wider as he leaned in closer. "Oh, I already have something in mind," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. draco pulls her closer to him by her hips "it involves me doing this"

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