A Priceless Gift

Chapter 19

"You should go in and spend your anniversary with your very upset boyfriend. I don't know how to handle him crying," Blaise mumbled from where he had stepped out onto the back stoop. After searching the whole house, he had finally found Harry still in his bathrobe and sitting out in the garden at the picnic table.

Harry looked over his shoulder coldly. "I have nothing to say to you," he seethed. "If Draco's upset, it's your entire fault. You seem pretty assured I'm not good for him. You comfort him. After all, I must be getting mighty fed up with it after five months."

"I'm serious, Harry. He thinks he fucked up with you once more," Blaise said imploringly. "He made himself sick again. I'm not used to him being so emotional! He... he needs you..." Harry didn't miss Blaise's reluctant tone, and he snorted.

"According to you, he needs nothing but his mates!" Harry snapped. "Fuck off, Blaise. I'm not going to waste my time making an effort with you anymore."

"I'm an arsehole, Harry. I've been told that for years. I had no right to say any of that shit to you. You're the best thing that ever happened to Draco, and it kills me to admit that. You're his life, his breath, and his existence. I know you didn't stop him contacting us. I just wanted someone to blame. I miss him," Blaise admitted as he approached Harry and sat down heavily next to him. "I wanted it to be like usual when I came home. I expected him to have a laugh with me, drink a dozen bottles of wine between us and reminisce about school and our old crowd. Instead, I come back to find him completely wrapped up in you and the baby and unbelievably satisfied with it."

"So, you ruin our anniversary because of your petty jealously?"

"It wasn't like that. You anniversary slipped my mind. I just came up because I wanted to spend some time with Draco. I'd hoped you were both going to join me for breakfast," Blaise mumbled.

"What part of morning sickness don't you get? He hasn't eaten breakfast before nine in months. Not to mention the fact that we may have still been sleeping, among other things. If you can't have a little bit of consideration for us, then maybe you should go stay with Pansy," Harry said and wrapped his bathrobe tighter around himself. "And on that note, both you and Pansy own Owls. Draco wasn't the only one who hasn't been forthcoming with correspondence. It was unfair of you to completely lay the blame at his feet."

"ZABINI!" Draco's angry shout came from inside the house.

"I thought you said he was upset and sick," Harry said.

"He was! I could barely make out his words between the sobs and the retching," Blaise insisted.

Harry cocked and eyebrow at him. "You better take cover. You're about to experience a pregnancy mood swing, Draco style," he warned. "I'm glad it's you and not me this time. This will be so amusing to witness."

"Bloody hell, thanks so much," Blaise said sarcastically. "What can I do to stop it?"

Harry just laughed harshly. "By the time he's finished with you, you'll have a whole new appreciation of just how much I love him," he said smugly, and Blaise gaped at him.

Draco came storming out of the back door, red-faced and eyes flashing angrily. "YOU'RE A FUCKING ARSEHOLE, ZABINI! IF YOU SO MUCH AS BREATHE ON HARRY THE WRONG WAY AGAIN, I'LL PERSONALLY DIVEST YOUR BALLS OF THEIR SCROTUM AND FEED IT IN BITE SIZED PIECES TO THE NEAREST HIPPOGRIFF!"

If at all possible, Blaise's eyes widened further. He opened and closed his mouth, floundering for something to say in response, but Draco wasn't done.

"I DON'T CARE IF YOU HAVE A FUCKING PROBLEM WITH ME, BUT DON'T YOU EVER BLAME HARRY FOR ANYTHING AGAIN! YOU BLOODY ACCUSE ME OF NOT BEING IN CONTACT WHEN YOU COULDN'T PULL YOUR HAND AWAY FROM YOUR DICK LONG ENOUGH TO OWL ME EITHER! AND SO HELP ME FUCKING GOD, IF MY FACE IS BLOTCHY FROM YELLING AT YOU, I WILL RIP OFF EACH OF YOUR FINGERS OFF AND SHOVE THEM UP YOUR ARSE ONE BY ONE!" Draco finished with a firm poke in Blaise's chest.

Blaise gulped and took a step back, glancing pleadingly at Harry to help him. Harry just crossed his arms and shrugged. After a few moments of silence, Draco pursed his lips and nodded succinctly before spinning on his heal and striding back into the house.

"Erm," Blaise started and Harry smirked at him.

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Harry commented. He patted Blaise on the shoulder and strolled back inside to find Draco.

o o o o o

Harry found Draco in their bedroom, as he expected. What he didn't foresee, however, was Draco in their bedroom, completely naked with a smirk on his face and a hungry look in his eyes.

"I'm going to show you just how much I've appreciated you these last eight years," Draco purred and licked his lips. "Lose the bathrobe." Harry swallowed thickly and immediately shed the worn and thoroughly un-sexy piece of terry cloth. Draco's smirk widened when he saw Harry's boxers tented out; he growled and advanced on Harry.

Harry fell back against the closed door as one of Draco's hands fisted the back of his hair, and the other slipped down the front of his satin boxers, long fingers teasing the dark curls of Harry's pubic hair. Harry gasped, but it was cut off by Draco's lips pressed to his in a searing kiss.

- CENSORED: SEXUAL CONTENT REMOVED -

"I love you..." Harry murmured, feathering his fingers through Draco's hair. "Happy anniversary, my sweetheart."

Draco smiled and managed to lift his head slightly to gaze adoringly at his lover through heavy-lidded eyes. "Love you... happy anniversary..." he mumbled before placing his head back on Harry's stomach and dozing off.

o o o o o

"Are you sure you don't want me to do that?" Blaise asked.

Harry looked up from where he was wiping down the kitchen bench and smiled. "You've done plenty for us this evening, Blaise." Blaise ducked his head and blushed slightly.

After Harry and Draco had disappeared upstairs earlier that morning, Blaise, feeling guilty about his tantrum, had started putting together a romantic dinner for Harry and Draco to have together for their anniversary, complete with flowers, candles, and the expensive silverware. When Harry and Draco had retreated from upstairs after spending the afternoon making love, they had been greeted by the sight of their dining room looking like a five star restaurant and the smell of a delicious gourmet meal being cooked. Blaise had apologised profusely again and then made himself scarce while Harry and Draco enjoyed a lovely anniversary meal together.

The couple finally swapped gifts (a t-shirt for Harry that had 'Property of Draco Malfoy' printed on the front, and gold fountain pen for Draco with 'Harry and Draco Forever' engraved on the side) and ended the evening sharing the remainder of a bottle of one of the most expensive champagnes.

Just as they had started cleaning up, Blaise had peeked around the corner to see if it was safe to get a glass of juice. As he was going to disappear back into his bedroom, Draco had stopped him and asked him to stay and chat with them while they cleaned up. Now Blaise was offering to clean up again for about the tenth time in five minutes.

"I don't mind. You should be relaxing," Blaise insisted. "I want to make up for out of line comments this morning."

"You've made up for them plenty," Harry replied with a laugh.

"Then why do I still feel as guilty as shit?"

"Because you know how much out of line you were," Draco supplied and smirked at Blaise from where he was stacking the clean dishes into the cupboard.

"You look like you've had one too many, Draco. You're all flushed in the cheeks," Blaise pointed out and laughed.

"I'm just hot," Draco said.

"What's with the t-shirt?" Blaise giggled. "It's not like we don't all know it!"

Harry grinned and puffed out his chest proudly. "It's great, hey?"

"I hope you aren't planning on wearing that in public. You can't - Draco!" Blaise cried as he was interrupted by Draco passing out in a heap on the floor, smashing the plate that was in his hand in the process.

"Fuck! I told him not to drink!" Harry shrieked and hurried over to kneel next to Draco.

"The drink did this? Draco holds his liquor well! He wouldn't black out like a common drunk!" Blaise cried, and Harry looked affronted, knowing full well that blacking out was often what he, himself did when he had one too many. "You sure it's not one of those freaky pregnancy things he does? Pregnant women faint all the time, don't they?" Blaise asked anxiously.

"Draco is not a pregnant woman!" Harry protested.

Draco started groaning. His eyes fluttered open and he winced at the bright light. "What am I doing lying on the kitchen floor?" he mumbled. "Urgh, it's all dusty."

"You passed out, honey. Are you feeling ok?" Harry asked gently.

"Then why didn't you fucking catch me?" Draco snapped. "Ow, my head hurts. Don't make me get angry at you, it hurts to complain."

"I was on the other side of the counter! You were in a heap before I got to you!" Harry protested. "And I wasn't making you mad at me! You do that so well alone!"

"Don't talk so loud," Draco grumbled and dragged himself up into a sitting position. "Oh, shit... everything's spinning..." Harry pulled Draco close, and Draco rested his head on Harry's chest.

"How do you fancy a hot bath together and then a long massage with that new oil you bought the other day?" Harry suggested and kneaded Draco's shoulders with one hand to give him a preview of what could come.

The phone started ringing before Draco could answer, and Blaise grabbed the receiver and handed it to Harry.

"Hello?" Harry said.

"Oh, is this Harry?"

"Yes. Who's speaking please?" Harry asked.

"Harry, it's Bill, Draco's boss," Bill said. "Can I please speak to Draco?"

Harry glanced down at Draco and frowned slightly. "Sure," he said grudgingly. "It's for you, love. It's Bill." Harry handed Draco the receiver.

"Help me up?" Draco asked, so Harry held him securely while he pulled himself up off the floor and got his bearings. Draco shuffled over to the kitchen table and sat down. "Bill? ... It's eight o'clock on Saturday night! ... Um..." Draco glanced warily at Harry and gulped. "I suppose... No, not really... About half an hour I suppose... I know, I understand... Will it take long? ... I shouldn't really drive. I passed out a little while ago... No, I'm ok now... If it's absolutely necessary, of course I'll come... I'll meet him out the front in ten minutes..." Harry growled deeply, and Draco could see him clenching his fists as he slowly turned a bright shade of red. When Blaise put his hand on Harry's arm to try and calm him, Harry flung it off as if he had been burnt. "Goodbye, Bill." Draco pressed the button to end the call and then looked up worriedly at Harry. "I... I have to go into the office. There is an urgent matter the senior staff needs to rectify..."

"OUR FUCKING ANNIVERSARY, DRACO!" Harry exploded. "EIGHT O'CLOCK AT NIGHT ON OUR FUCKING ANNIVERSARY AND YOU ARE GOING TO WORK?!"

"It won't happen all the time! It's just a one off!" Draco argued.

"YOU'VE ONLY BEEN A FUCKING SENIOR STAFF MEMBER FOR HALF A DAY! THIS IS BLOODY RIDICULOUS!" Harry shouted. He ran both his hands through his hair and paced in front of the fridge a couple of times to try and calm his temper. "FUCK IT! I DON'T CARE! PISS OFF TO WORK!" Harry yanked his wand out of his pocket and Disapparated with a loud crack.

o o o o o

Harry didn't return that night, and after getting home after midnight, Draco had laid awake the rest of the night, sick with worry as to where Harry had gone. Harry had left on his own accord, and it was the middle of the night. Draco knew it would be inconsiderate of him to call around all their family and friends to try and locate his furious boyfriend.

Draco had been picked up by Victor, one of his now fellow senior partners, and had been really out of sorts when he got into the car. Victor immediately questioned what was wrong, and Draco had burst into tears. Again. When he managed to calm down, Draco realised Victor wasn't as accommodating as Bill. Draco explained that it was his anniversary and also was feeling a bit unwell after his fainting spell. Victor was considerate about Draco feeling under the weather, but the anniversary issue was a whole different story. He had merely shrugged and told Draco that to get on in the legal world, his job had to come first and foremost with everything and Harry had to learn to like or lump it - as Victor stated his own wife had done. He also added, rather harshly, considering Draco's current situation, that his own children grew up just accepting that their father would be home when he was home and that was it.

Draco spent the rest of the night feeling sick from a cause other than Couvade Syndrome: complete and utter guilt and regret. He could barely remember what was discussed at the office by the time Victor dropped him off home. Blaise had been in bed when he got in, and Draco suddenly felt overwhelmingly alone.

It was now the morning and Draco pulled himself out of bed and sat on the edge. The urge to cry was creeping up on him again, so he pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes to stave it off. His back was aching and he was just feeling generally miserable all over.

Draco dragged himself over to their fireplace and dropped to his knees in front of it. Hermione? Ron? The Weasleys? Remus? Draco grabbed a handful of Floo power and called for his destination. A few moments later Narcissa's head appeared, and Draco put his head in his hands as the tears started again at the sight of his mother.

"Harry's gone!" Draco sobbed. "I went to work on our anniversary. He went somewhere after he got angry, and he didn't come home last night!"

"I know, darling," Narcissa replied gently.

"H... how do you kn... know?" Draco hiccupped.

"Harry came to Hogwarts to see me last night after you left for work, honey, and he fell asleep on the couch once he had yelled himself out. He was quite depressed. I didn't have the heart to wake him," Narcissa explained.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Draco exploded. "I've been worried sick! Is he ok? Does he hate me?"

"Just calm down, my darling," Narcissa advised. "Harry asked that I not call you and tell you where he was. He was extremely angry and needed time to cool off. He's alright, just upset, I assume. You know he doesn't hate you."

"Can I speak to him?" Draco asked feebly.

"He's having a shower. Draco, sweetheart, please be honest with me. Was it entirely necessary to go into the office on your anniversary night? From what Harry said, you didn't even tell Bill on the phone that you were busy or that it was your anniversary."

"It was urgent..." Draco hedged. "But I guess they would've understood if I couldn't have made it..." he admitted with a sigh. "I didn't want to shirk on something so soon. They only gave me the promotion on Friday! How would it look if I didn't go participate in the first managerial responsibility they threw at me?"

"Are you trying to convince me or yourself, Draco?" Narcissa challenged. "It was rather extreme, honey. Eight o'clock on your anniversary night. What would you have done had Harry decided to take you away? You couldn't have gotten to the office even if the whole place was burning to the ground!"

"I... that's right! Harry was going to take me away! Why didn't he?" Draco cried.

"Don't you turn this around to make yourself the victim, young man," Narcissa scolded. "He didn't take you away because you had argued, rather intensely from what I gathered, the night before your anniversary, and Harry didn't want to compound any residual emotions by trying to have a romantic weekend away if it wasn't meant to be. By the time things seemed to be sorted out, it was too late, and he lost the booking."

"He actually had somewhere booked?" Draco asked in a tiny voice.

"Not just somewhere, Draco. He was going to take you to Paris for the weekend," Narcissa told him and she visibly winced at the crushed look on Draco's face.

"Why didn't he tell me?"

"Because you were so wrapped up in yourself and your work! He was going to surprise you, but he couldn't find an ideal enough moment to spring it on you because you were all consumed with the promotion business," Narcissa said. "Darling, I know how important your career is and how hard you've worked to get where you are. Harry knows all this as well. No one is asking you to give it up, but you also cannot expect Harry to continuously take a back seat. If it's very different things you both want, then maybe it's time to re-evaluate your relationship."

"Are you saying we should break up?" Draco gasped and reeled back. "You think I should choose between Harry and my job?"

"Yes, Draco," Narcissa said seriously. "I think that it is becoming increasingly obvious that since there has been a baby in the picture, you are struggling to balance your responsibilities. You have the promotion you have so yearned for. You are going to be having the baby you didn't think you could have. Between all of this, Harry is the one who you have given little to no consideration, and he deserves better than that. If you aren't able to commit yourself entirely to him, then maybe he should cut his losses."

"I -" Draco started.

"Career advancement and children are supposed to enhance your life, my son, not quash the only part of your life that is, and has been for a long time, the most valuable to you," Narcissa said wisely. "Think on it, Draco. Harry is coming home to you shortly. He already told me he was. He is upset with what you did last night, but again, he is accepting of it as part of your supposed important career. Don't keep hurting him, Draco."

o o o o o

By the time Harry got home, Draco was still in his pyjamas, complete with unshaven face and messy bed hair. Blaise had taken a trip into the city to meet up with friends, so Draco hadn't bothered with much of anything.

Draco swallowed thickly as Harry came into the living room and flopped into an arm chair across from Draco. "How are you feeling this morning?" Harry asked finally and eyed Draco's attire.

"Not too well. I didn't get much sleep last night," Draco mumbled.

"Hmm," was Harry's noncommittal reply. "Been sick?"

"Yeah," Draco said with a slight nod.

"Do you want some toast?" Harry offered, but Draco shook his head. "You should try and get something in your stomach. You know you always feel better once you've eaten." Draco just gave Harry an upset look, so Harry sighed, got up and went over to him. He sat down next to his boyfriend and put his arms around him, kissing his forehead. "Just forget it, ok?"

"I'm sorry, Harry. I shouldn't have gone last night." Draco buried his face in Harry's shoulder and breathed in Harry's scent, taking comfort in the familiarity of it.

"Leave it, Draco," Harry sad firmly. "You look like hell this morning. We'll just take it easy today so you're in better form for work tomorrow."

"Fuck it, Harry! I need to know you aren't still hurting from this!" Draco cried.

"But I am, Draco," Harry told him softly. "And there is nothing you can do or say at this point in time to stop that. Something's got to give, and we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. You know my feelings on the situation. You know how much you hurt me by leaving last night. I'm not going to keep revisiting this over and over. I'm tired of it. I just want to enjoy the last few months of the pregnancy. I'm going to be there for you and Hermione, and I'm going to love you like I always have and always will."

"I never meant to hurt you," Draco said tearfully. "I'm so confused. I can't handle this anymore!" Harry rubbed Draco's back, sensing Draco was nearing another emotional breakdown.

"I can't -"

"Just promise me that you know I love you!" Draco cut in.

"I shouldn't need to do that, Draco. Our love was never in dispute. You know that. I have no doubts about how much you love me. I just have concerns about how you are going to continue to show me that love," Harry finished. He stood up, bending to kiss the top of Draco's head as he did. "I'm going to take nap. I'd love you to join me, but it's up to you." Then he turned and walked out of the room, running his hand restlessly through his hair.