That Ship Has Sailed

Draco & Hermione III

"Draco, did you clean the kitchen like I asked?"

"Uhh--" Draco said slowly, looking toward the toddler who sat on the floor amidst a mess of cookie crumbs and broken glass.

Hermione then walked in, an infant on her hip and gasped when she saw the sight before her, "Draco, why haven't you moved her?"

"I'm in bare feet, I could get cut."

"After everything you've been through, I'd think some broken glass would be the least of your worries," Hermione said angrily as she handed him the infant and walked forward to the toddler's rescue. She spoke softly, reassuring the pouting toddler that it was an accident and they would simply replace the jar.

Draco stood, looking at the floor, then at the baby in his arms. Her brown hair and dark eyes were just like Hermione's. He took a silent breath and walked from the room, going to the nursery to set the infant in her play pen. She sat and began banging around some toys while Draco retreated to his bedroom. He sat on the bed and rubbed his tired eyes, trying not to cry. When he looked up again, he saw the picture on his night stand. Picking it up, he smiled slightly, stroking it with his thumb. Hermione looked so happy in the white dress and he looked so care free in his tux and bow tie.

When Hermione called him for dinner an hour later, he ignored her. When she came in to ask if he'd heard her, she saw him lying on the bed, asleep, the photo on his chest and another in his hand. She walked forward slowly to see a photo of himself and Rose before the accident. They had been good friends and he was smiling brightly. Her blonde hair and blue eyes shone brightly and she looked at him with love in her eyes.

After that, she left him alone. She and the children ate dinner together, then she got them ready for bed and cleaned up all by herself.

As she tidied the living room of it's clutter, she felt a hand stroke her arm. She turned to see Draco standing before her, his eyes red and his blonde hair, messy and sticking up all over the place. He leaned down and hugged her, "I'm sorry for ignoring you," he whispered.

Hermione hugged him, her hands still full of toys, "Don't apologize. I shouldn't have said what I did. I was out of line and I'm really sorry."

Draco let go of her and helped her clean without another word. When they'd finished, he stood in the doorway, looking lost. Hermione walked over and put her hand on his shoulder, "I'm really sorry, Draco. I know you loved her."

Draco turned, "That's not all of it," he said, "I chose you over her. I have guilt for that every single day. Not regret," he said quickly when he saw Hermione's gaze fall, "Just guilt. She'd still be alive today if it weren't for me and that stupid boating expedition. I'm the reason she's dead and the reason her little brother has no sister anymore. It's all my fault and I live with that every day. I have the scars as reminders of that raft ride and the day that I chose you over her. I have reminders every time I look in the damned mirror--"

"Draco," Hermione interrupted, "I miss her too. I know we didn't get along, but I never wanted her to die. I always thought that you two would make it off that island and have a family. I found that haven and kept it a secret so I could live there when you two left me. I never dreamed I'd be here today, let alone with you..."

Draco pushed hair behind Hermione's ear and shook his head, "I'd never knew that," he admitted.

"I'd never wanted you to. I only ever wanted you to be happy, even if that meant you were with Rose."

Draco pulled Hermione close and held her hand, "I wouldn't change a thing. I love you and I love our daughters."

Hermione smiled slightly, but it faded as she closed her eyes and held on to that moment. Draco put his head beside hers and together, the two swayed to the memory of the raft ride. Pain and guilt overcame them and they felt themselves swaying with the waves, reliving the moment that changed their lives forever.

Finally, Hermione broke the silence, "What made you choose me?"

Draco paused and stopped moving, but didn't change his position. He drew a slow breath and opened his eyes, "When you said you'd always loved me. I knew you thought you were going to die. Your last thought was going to be of me. That's how I knew you meant it. That's when I knew."

"What if Rose had been conscious?" Hermione asked, her voice cracking as she began to cry. "What if she'd seen you choose me over her?"

Draco pulled away so he was looking at his wife. He stared for a few, long moments before saying, "I never thought you would have baggage from that storm, too. Are you angry that I chose you?"

"No," Hermione admitted, "But I'm filled with guilt, too..."

Draco put his forehead against hers and closed his eyes as they had a moment of silence for Rose, their dearly departed friend, though they didn't always get along.

"What are we going to do now?" Hermione asked.

"I dunno, Min," Draco admitted, "All I do know is that I married you because I love you. I love our daughters and I never want to lose any of you. Not ever."

Hermione looked up at Draco, tears in her eyes. He looked back at her and the two nodded slightly. Draco then leaned down and pressed his lips to Hermione's. She closed her eyes and stepped closer. Draco could taste her salty tears, reminding him of Rose's salty lips as he gave her mouth-to-mouth. Tears began falling from his own eyes and Hermione pulled away when she tasted them.

"Are you okay?"

"As okay as I'll ever be," Draco replied, kissing Hermione once more.

"We can get help if you want," she suggested, "See a therapist or a doctor-"

"Why don't we visit her?" Draco suggested. "We'll rent a boat and pick a sunny day. We'll bring the girls and tell them the whole story."

"I thought you were afraid of water after what happened?"

Draco shook his head, "It doesn't matter," he insisted, "We need to say goodbye. Properly. We can't go on like this, Min. We've never addressed what happened before tonight. We need to address it. Face it...And say one last goodbye."

Hermione nodded in agreement, "Okay. We'll do it."

Draco nodded, "Okay," he said in confirmation.

Hermione slid slowly from Draco's grasp, but kept her hand in his. Slowly, she pulled him behind her, "Come to bed with me," she said, "It think we both need some rest."

Draco nodded slowly, but stopped Hermione, "Wait," he said.

She looked back, her cheeks damp from tears and her eyes, tired. Her clothes were baggy and stained with various food items from the baby and he could see the scars on her arms from the storm.

Hermione looked back at Draco and saw his wounds and scars written plainly on his skin. His eyes held a pained expression, yet were also filled with love as he stared back at her.

"You're the most beautiful woman in the world. Stained clothes, messy hair, stretch marks and all."

Hermione smiled slightly, "And you're the handsomest man. Battle scars, wounds, broken heart and all."

"You complete me."

"And you make me better."

"I love you, Min."

"I love you too, Draco."