Home To You (a Draco Malfoy Love Story)

Epilogue

Twelve Years Later

"Happy birthday, Daddy!"

"Oof," Draco said, as three small beings hopped onto his chest. He rolled over to look at the time - 6:15. "I thought we said no waking up Daddy and Mum until 7?" he asked, as Mel rolled over and cracked a smile.

"Happy birthday," his oldest daughter, Lianne said, tucking her small head under his chin and cuddling into his chest.

"Thank you, darling," he said, giving her a kiss. The two boys cuddled up on Mel's chest, one of them sitting on her stomach. Draco quickly went to move him, but Mel waved him off as she scooted Scorpius onto her side instead.

"What do you say we make some birthday breakfast for Daddy? And maybe let him sleep for ten more minutes?" Mel said, hoisting the kids up and out of bed. "Go ahead - I'll meet you downstairs," she said, as they ran off. Mel slipped back into bed with Draco, running her fingers through his hair. "Happy birthday," she said, giving him a kiss.

"How did we raise three children that are so obsessed with birthdays?" he asked. "They couldn't even sleep until 7 - they were just so excited." She laughed. It was true - Draco had never particularly liked his birthday, but their children loved it. They loved seeing their friends, their grandparents, giving gifts - eating cake, which he assumed had a lot to do with it.

"They just love you. And I do, too." Once he'd finally made his way downstairs, he watched as a very patient Melanie guided three children through destroying her formerly clean kitchen. When they were finished, something that resembled pancakes, and a cup of tea prepared by Mel sat in front of him.

"This looks so great - thank you so much," he said to his three, beaming with pride. "Come share with me." They sat, eating breakfast, while his children chattered - another strange characteristic they must have acquired from Melanie. He remembered being silent as a child. Though he did ensure his children had a different lifestyle than he did at their age.

"Should we put our swimsuits on, and go to the beach?" Mel asked, and before she was finished, the table was empty - they were gone. She turned to Draco, taking his hand. "And I'm already exhausted," she said, smiling at him.

"Why don't you stay home? I'll take the kids to the beach, you can stay here and get some rest?" 

"Absolutely not. You wrangle all three of them every day during the week while I'm at work. I'm coming," she said. "Besides - you're always so protective when -"

"I'm not protective, I'm cautious," he said. "What's the saying? What's life without an abundance of caution?" She laughed.

"Something like that."

"But seriously - you're already cooking and cleaning the entire house for the party later. Let me handle them for two hours. And take a nap, please. That's my birthday request." She rolled her eyes, but agreed.

"Fine - but don't forget, your parents are going to be here soon to help," she said, as Jason raced past her.

"Daddy, put your swimsuit on!" he said, a bucket of beach toys already in hand.

"Okay! Wait here, please," he said, quickly changing, and gathering up his tiny gang before heading out. They walked the short path to the beach, the kids racing ahead of him, oldest to youngest - Lianne out in front, Jason close behind and Scorpius just trying to keep up. He smiled, enjoying the sight of their tiny heads - two dark and one blonde - bobbing against the green grass. Despite being married for over ten years, he'd never told Mel about the prophecy Professor Trelawney had given him. Now that it had come true, he held it close to his chest.