So this was super fun for me to write. Just throwing it out there. =) Wedding is coming here I think in 2 chapters! =D Be ready!! =D
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"Tell me baby... will you be here when I wake up, even with no makeup?" –Naked, DEV ft. Enrique Iglesias
A steady knocking on the door was what woke Audrey the next morning. It was all too obvious she didn't want to get out of bed as she pulled the sheets over her head in an attempt to shield her ears from the noise coming from the door. It had been a long night, and all she wanted to do was sleep. However, she deemed her efforts were futile when she heard the door open and someone enter the room.
"Good morning!" she heard Artemis' voice echo through the room. She had hardly met the boy, but for one reason or another, the greeting did not seem to fit with the formal and very uptight individual she met the night previously. "I just thought I would tell you that Butler has made breakfast; waffles, so I do hope you're hungry."
Audrey feigned sleeping, and was surprised to hear Draco answering rather loudly, "Go away Artemis."
The Irish boy was taken aback for a moment by his cousin's brashness. "Well... I just thought I'd tell you before everyone else ate the entire meal."
"Thanks, now go away," Draco once again responded. Audrey could tell he was just as tired as she was, although he was far grumpier than she was this morning. Though she was entirely unsure why...
When she heard the door shut, she figured Artemis took the hint and had left them alone. The girl felt Draco pull her tight to his bare chest, and instantly she felt at ease. Audrey released a deep breath she hadn't realized she had been holding when she recounted the events of the previous night and the sheer bliss that was still overwhelming her. Part of her couldn't believe it had happened, but then the feeling in her stomach reminded her that there was no way she was imagining it.
The girl closed her eyes, a huge smile still plastered to her face. Audrey was finally starting to doze back off when she heard Draco whisper gently into her ear, "Good morning, beautiful."
Her eyes fluttered back open to see Draco's grey eyes staring back at her. She smiled upon seeing it. Draco's face was admittedly her favorite thing to wake up to. "Morning," she greeted quietly as she rested her head back on his chest.
"How are you feeling?" he asked her almost immediately.
At first, Audrey was entirely baffled as to how to answer his inquiry. There were only a billion ways she could answer it. She had never had so many emotions, feelings, aches running through her body at the same time. After thinking for a few moments, Audrey finally answered, "Completely perfect."
She looked up at him just in time to see a smile form on her fiancé's face. "I'm glad to hear that. You're not in pain are you?" he went on.
"None that wasn't totally worth it," Audrey breathed. "I've had far worse pain. Remember, I'm the girl who for all intents and purposes played Quidditch with a broken ankle and fractured wrist. This isn't anything I can't handle sweetie. Though I appreciate your concern." She sat up just far enough to plant a quick kiss on his cheek before pulling herself all the way up.
Draco chuckled lightly. "I suppose you're right. I had almost forgotten about that incident." He too sat up, stretching lightly. And that was when Audrey caught a glimpse of his left forearm for the first time in several visits. The last time she had seen it, the Dark Mark stared back at her menacingly, and now all she saw was clear, though slightly shiny, skin, as if he had been severely burned over the region.
"Draco... what the hell happened to your arm?" she asked, briefly wondering why she hadn't noticed it before now. But then she remembered it was dark last night so it was no wonder as to why she didn't notice the Mark's absence.
A frown formed on his face. "I err... had the Mark removed," he answered hesitantly.
"How?" Audrey demanded answers.
"Artemis helped me burn it off," Draco replied. As Audrey opened her mouth to say something, he stopped her. "I know... there are far less painful ways to remove it, but I figured that I deserved the pain it caused me. Let's face it- I was a monster. But now it's gone and it doesn't have to haunt either one of us."
Audrey admittedly didn't know what to think at first. Although she would never admit it to anyone, she had always found the Dark Mark to be pretty awesome; she just hated what it stood for. She honestly couldn't have cared less if Draco had decided to keep it forever, so long as he never reverted back to those old ways. And even then, Audrey was fairly sure she wasn't just going to stop loving him. "It didn't bother me, Drake, but if you feel better without it, I completely understand that too," she answered him.
"I meant to tell you sooner, but it just didn't seem to be important as everything else, know what I mean?" Draco said.
Audrey nodded. "It doesn't matter to me. Tattoo or no tattoo, you're still my sexy beast." She winked at him, something Draco was entirely not used to.
"Have I ever told you how much I love you?" He gave her a quick kiss before he smiled and said, "Now shall we go eat these waffles before Artemis has a cow?"
*****
Narcissa set her half empty tea cup down on the table as she watched her nephew enter the room with the most bewildered look upon his face, something she had never seen before. She had never seen Artemis confused, and seeing him so puzzled her. Artemis took his seat at the table, staring blankly at the plate in front of him for several moments before speaking.
"Do I offend?" he asked to no one in particular, resting his head in his hands.
"I must say, darling, you mustn't talk to yourself," she cautioned him as his mother sat down next to her. "People might begin to think you're crazy."
Artemis' head shot up in her direction, a very crazed look in his eyes. "I think something isn't right with Draco. You know I went up there to tell them that breakfast was done, and he told me to 'go away.' He's never told me to go away."
Narcissa glanced at her sister-in-law, Angeline, before speaking. "Well, perhaps he had a long night. You might've woke him up long before he wanted to be up. He tends to be like his father in that regard."
"What on Earth could've possibly kept him awake all night?" Artemis went on, completely oblivious to the whole situation.
Both women sighed. "One day you'll understand, Arty," his mother spoke.
Artemis shook his head back at them. "You are all off your rockers," he stated before standing once again. "I need some fresh air."
Once he was out of the room, Narcissa turned to Angeline. "He's unbelievable, that son of yours. Is he that... unknowing?"
"I think he's more in a state of shock and disbelief than unknowing," Angeline admitted, laughing slightly as she picked up a small blond boy who was tugging at her dress. "So what was the plan for today then? Were you still planning on taking Audrey out to look for a dress?"
Narcissa nodded. "So long as she's up for it," she snickered.
"Well, I can't imagine why she wouldn't want to," Angeline went on. "What girl wouldn't want to go find the dress of her dreams?" She paused for a moment. "Mind if I join you?"
"Oh of course not," Narcissa assured. "The more the merrier. The poor girl will need all the help she can get since her mother is incapable of doing the task with her."
Angeline smiled. "Well, I certainly will do my best to assist her. I've always wanted a daughter, and all I had were boys. I'm going to have fun with this one."
Before Narcissa could say anything more, she noticed Draco and Audrey entering the room. Both were still clad in their pajamas, and were practically half asleep. She waited for them to sit and begin plating their breakfast before greeting them. "Good morning, children," she said sweetly. "I trust you slept well?"
"Yes, mother," Draco answered, though he had a hint of sarcasm lingering in his voice.
Narcissa didn't say anything for several moments as she began to observe how her son and his fiancée were acting that given moment. She had never seen them sit so close, look at each other the way they did now... it was as if all of their feelings for the other had intensified immensely since last night. It was all Narcissa needed to confirm her suspicions, though she would never voice them out loud. She was honestly shocked that this hadn't happened sooner.
"Now, Audrey dear, are you okay with going to pick out a dress this afternoon?" she eventually asked, picking her cup back up and taking a small sip.
The brunette nodded as her mouth was full of food. Upon swallowing she answered, "That would be quite lovely, mother."
"Good, Angeline and I will do our best to assist you in the matter," Narcissa assured. "So when you're done eating you should go get ready for the day so we can leave soon after." When Audrey nodded once again, Narcissa put her attention back on Draco. "And Draco, darling, do keep your cousins out of trouble while we're gone. I'm sure Artemis will be more than helpful when it comes to keeping Myles and Beckett out of trouble."
Draco sighed out of protest. Narcissa knew he was not thrilled about babysitting his much younger twin cousins. They were only five, and were a complete handful. Narcissa was sure it was going to be the twins keeping Draco and Artemis out of trouble more than anything while they were gone. "Fine mother," Draco said quietly.
Audrey stood, holding her plate in her hands. Narcissa couldn't believe how quickly the child had eaten her food. "Where would you like me to put my plate?" the girl asked.
"Oh you can just leave it there," Angeline answered her. "Butler will take care of it once breakfast is complete."
"Mmkay," she answered, setting her plate back down on the table. "I'll be back down shortly." And with that, the young girl made her way out of the room and presumably back upstairs to the bedroom, leaving Draco sitting at the table with his mother and aunt.
"Just wait until your father hears about this one," Narcissa laughed slightly, positive her son knew exactly where she was going with that remark.