The Marriage Decree

Chapter 161: Second Chance at a Family

As six o'clock approaches, Draco excuses himself, heading for the lifts at the end of the corridor. While waiting, he stretches his back and legs, having been sitting in an awkward, hunched position at the end of Sarah's bed for the past few hours. Stepping inside the metal box that he still struggles to trust, Draco makes a mental note to find another chair for Sarah's room. He doesn't know how long he's going to be here with Hyperion, awaiting the arrival of Sarah's sons, so he might as well make himself comfortable.

Once on the ground floor, Draco exits the hospital and walks towards the secluded park, where he had apparated to earlier in the morning. Upon finding himself a bench, he removes his phone from his pocket and dials Hermione's number.

"How's Sarah doing?" His wife asks as soon as she answers.

Draco feels the tension in his shoulders relax upon hearing her voice. "There's no change. She's hanging on for now."

"Are you and Hyperion doing okay?"

"We're okay. Hyperion's been telling me stories about his life in the lead-up to meeting Sarah. He's lived quite the life. So has Sarah. However, her sons sound like a nightmare. I've met one of them, and he was awful. They all think Hyperion has been planning to scam them out of their inheritance, but that doesn't make any sense knowing Hyperion has lived with Sarah for the past thirty years," he chuckles in disbelief.

"They do sound awful," Hermione agrees. "Try not to get involved in any arguments defending Hyperion. He can take care of himself." When Draco remains silent, Hermione sighs, "It's too late, isn't it?"

"Maybe," Draco mutters.

"Remember, you're there for Sarah, not to get under each other's skin".

In the background, Draco hears Scorpius calling for his mother.

"I'm just on the phone with your daddy."

"Dada?" Scorpius questions.

"Yes, would you like to speak with him"?

"Hi, Dada," Scorpius says as soon as the phone is at his ear.

"Hello, son. Are you getting ready for nursery?"

"Yea, me 'ave b'eakfas'."

"What did you have?"

"Egg an' toast," his son informs him.

"That's sounds lovely."

"Where Dada?"

"I'm with Uncle Hyperion," Draco answers.

"O'tay, bye, Dada," Scorpius bids him goodbye, returning the phone to his mother.

"We're just getting ready to leave."

"I'll try to be home before you. Hopefully, Sarah's children will have arrived by then, and I can get away."

"Okay, see you later, love you."

"Love you too," Draco replies with a smile as he hangs up.

Walking across the car park towards the main entrance, Draco spots two men who look a lot like Arthur. While one is taller and with less hair, the other is small and stout. They're both very clearly two of Sarah's sons, and given the time it would take to fly home from Poland, Draco assumes neither is Benedict. An angry, protective feeling overwhelms Draco as he follows them into the lift.

The atmosphere is silent, but Draco can feel their eyes glaring at him. In a similar sense, he assumes they can also clearly see his Malfoy features and are questioning their relationship with him. Draco swiftly turns to the two brothers with a strained smile, not wanting to keep them guessing.