If I were brave enough to ask you to stay -- Late Summer 2016

I smiled at her and shook my head slightly.  "Well, then there's no point in being this awkward around each other.  We are married, you know," I pointed out, giving her a wink.  I knew it would be hard to get around everything, but still.

I chuckled, happy to see this side of Draco again.  It was hard for me when he had started treating me the way he felt towards his own father.  of course, I had caused that.  I did not want a disgrace to the family name, but I had never realized what it would do to Draco.  I hit him with a pillow playfully.  "That is true, Draco.  I think that I'll make some dinner... what do you want?  I can make your favorite... still haven't lost my special touch," I teased.

I was glad that we were easing up on each other a tad.  "I dunno... last time your special touch on my favorite dinner was blackened to a crisp salmon," I pointed out, teasing her.  "Perhaps I could just make some supper..."

I rolled my eyes, wanting to smack him.  "Oh, alright.  I suppose Ian would prefer that, anyways.  Though I have gotten much better," I pointed out, knowing that being a mother and wife I should be able to cook better.

I highly doubted that and I gave Pansy a skeptical look.  "Uh-huh," I said, shaking my head and starting to head downstairs.  "It's alright... you don't need to know how to cook I suppose."

I chuckled and rolled my eyes.  "You are quite the arse, Draco," I pointed out playfully as we went towards the kitchen.  "I can still help with something, though.  Give me a job to do."

I pretended to think of a job for her to do.  "Stay out of the kitchen," I teased as I started to grab ingredients to make supper.  I knew Ian would be home soon.

I shook my head at him.  "You are such an arse, Draco," I said, glaring at him a moment.  "I'll go set the table I suppose." I grabbed dishes and walked out of the kitchen.

I stepped out of the fireplace after having walked Stan home and could hear voices.  I swear, if their mum was here... I may have to say something to Dad.  I turned the corner and saw my mum setting the table.  "Hi Mum," I said, startled by seeing her here.  She has not been around since they started to try a separation before a divorce.  She looked happy.  I gave her a kiss on the cheek and then went into the kitchen to see Dad making supper.  "Hey Dad," I said to him, noting how he looked as though he were... somewhat happy.  The look I was accustomed to seeing on his face.

I looked up from chopping vegetables and saw Ian.  I smiled at him and said, "I didn't hear you come in."  I continued chopping when I sensed him still standing there awkwardly.  I stopped and turned around, crossing my arms in front of me casually.  "Alright, Ian, what's going on?" I knew my son well enough to know something was on his mind, but like me and his aunt, he was awfully good at hiding it.

"Mum's here," I said, uncertain what was going on.  I was glad that she was here, but Dad was here, too.  Was something wrong?  Were they gettig together to tell me as a team that they were ending their marriage or something?

I chuckled slightly at Dorian's response.  "Yeah, I know.  So what's the problem?" I asked, going back to cutting up the vegetables.  I knew that it must seem foreign for him to see her here now, though.  I stopped and turned back to Ian.  "We're going to work things out... that's why she's here.  She's actually back."

I raised my eyebrows at him.  I wanted to be happy about it, but was guarded.  One thing I learned from grandfather was not to let your opponent know your emotions.  Not that Dad would lie to me on purpose or really was an opponent, but it was something I practiced on a regular basis.  I wanted to be more like my grandfather in the long run than Dad.  Dad had grown weak according to Grandfather, something I did not want to do.  "Are you serious?" I inquired, wanting to know for sure before I smiled about it.

I knew that Dorian tried to hide his emotions and protect himself.  I nodded at him.  "I wouldn't lie to you, Ian," I assured him.  "This is for real.  I'm not going to promise that it'll work, but I'm going to try to make sure it does."  I wanted Ian to have a family and a better family than what I ever got.

I heard the boys talking in the kitchen.  I smiled slightly when I heard what Draco was telling Ian.  I walked in and looked to see what else needed done.  Teasing them, I said, "You two really haven't gotten much done in here... so I need to start cooking?"