Harry woke up to an empty bed the next morning. Draco had never returned and Harry was actually kind of appreciative of that. He had known how close to the edge Draco had been last night and had not wanted anything to happen that they would both regret. They had had many happy years since Draco had last hit him and Harry didn't want that to end.
He padded down the hall, after quickly getting dress, to Maia's room as he thought about last night. He could honestly say that Draco had every right to be angry with him. They had planned everything out for that visit. They had anticipated Lucius's reaction to Snape's involvement in Maia's development. They had planned for Draco to do all the talking and for Harry to just sit there and be the docile and polite spouse that Lucius would want to see. They had even laughed at Harry's joke about getting a pearl necklace and heels to go with his façade of the perfect housewife.
Harry quietly turned the doorknob and walked into the nursery. Maia was awake and staring at the painted birds that were charmed to flit about her ceiling.
"Hello, my love," Harry said quietly with a smile. Black eyes immediately trained on him and her arms and legs began to flap in excitement. Harry smiled wider and scooped her up into his arms. Her morning nappy change could wait just a minute more while he found solace in the weight of her in his arms.
"You did so well in your room all by yourself," Harry crooned. "Such a big girl already." He held her squirming warmth close as he rocked back and forth. "But you know I would have wanted you with me, don't you? It's only that Daddy had something to say to me that was a bit too grown up."
Maia huffed and nuzzled closer to his neck.
"Ah, you're right. He wants to be called "Father", doesn't he? Well, still, it smacks just a bit too much like that man that is unfortunately related to you." Harry lowered her back down into the crib and reached for a nappy. "I think you should call us whatever you want, love. And you can call that man anything you want, too. Even if it's a bad name." Harry quickly changed her and pulled her back up to his chest. "Come, poppet, I bet your hungry, yeah?"
Ten minutes later and Harry and Maia were seated at the dining room table.
"I'm sorry we missed Daddy, but he had to go to work today," Harry explained as he pulled off a bit of toast. He fed it to her as it was and it went down without a hitch. "Such a big girl, eating it all by yourself," he praised. Maia breathed rapidly in excitement and Harry laughed. He fed her some fruit and eggs and some ham that he helped her with, of course. Harry knew that pre-chewing the food for her was probably gross, but he really couldn't dredge up any abhorrence to it. He was feeding his daughter, what could be gross about that? Still, he would make sure that he'd refrain from doing it in company. Well, maybe he'd do it in front of Ron just to get a rise out of him.
After breakfast, he and Maia moved out into the sunroom so they could look at the plants and trees through the windows. It was a beautiful day outside.
"Ably?"
A pop and the house-elf appeared, his eyes down.
"What's wrong, Ably? A bit under the weather?" Harry asked in concern.
"Yes, Master Harry. But Ably will still do all that he can for Master Harry and Mistress Maia."
"You hear that, love? You're a mistress," Harry chuckled. "Ably, will you bring my and Maia's coat? Oh, and a small lunch. The mistress and I have decided to take a walk."
Ably began to wring his hands and tug on his ears. "Forgive me, Master Harry, but Master Draco said that you and the small mistress could not leave the house today. Master Draco said that you were to wait for him to come home," the elf said in a trembling voice.
