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Cissa let out a light laugh as Ophelia reminded her of Keven Pyke and his brick-like feet on the dance floor when they were younger. Merlin, it seemed like forever ago but after as many hard years as Narcissa and Lucius had had, Cissa was feeling older than she really was. The emotional drain of repeated miscarriages and lost dreams had taken a toll on her internally, but externally she was as resilient as ever. Anyone unaware of the troubles the Malfoys had experienced would have no reason to think that Cissa had ever had a trying day in her life.

The waiter came and asked for their orders, so Cissa held her tongue on her thoughts of young Pyke. There would be plenty of time to reminisce when they were alone – or as alone as a crowded restaurant could afford the pair. “I’ll have a strawberry salad, dressing on the side. And Draco will have a bowl of fresh peaches.” She looked at the waiter sternly. “Fresh ones. I’ll know if you’re trying to pawn off canned ones to my little prince.” She gave a tight smile before looking back as Lia.

"Well, Felix is still single...” Cissa added with a little giggle. Marriages between third cousins were not uncommon, especially if you were limiting your options to families within the Sacred 28, but marrying your first cousin was simply barbaric. Who would even suggest such a thing?!

Draco gave a little whimper, having had the spotlight removed from him for longer than his liking, and Cissa turned her full attention to her child, offering him a spoon to play with and telling him what a “charming little boo” he was.

“Some of them are,” she mused, “but there are the rare hidden gems just waiting for the right witch to come along.” A few of his mates were even going through a divorce or were separated from their wives, but Lia didn’t need to deal with any of that. Soiled goods were no good at all, and Narcissa wouldn’t dream of setting her friend up with someone who had already proven an inability to make a marriage work. Marriage was hard work, as Cissa and Lucius knew all too well, but she hid the pains with a glamourous smile and focused her efforts on ensuring their son never felt even an inkling of the sorrow his parents had known before his arrival.

Draco greeted his mummy’s friend like a charming little prince, and Cissa was practically glowing watching the interaction as Lia shook his little hand. He hadn’t fussed or pulled away or anything, an absolute gentleman. “This one makes it look easy,” she said of Draco and of motherhood. “He’s been sleeping through the night for some time now, and he hardly ever cries.” Though the fact that Narcissa gives in to nearly every whim the infant had, was mostly the cause for that. She anticipated his needs and fawned over his schedule so that she could easily predict when he was going to need a nappy change or when he was getting hungry. She rarely ever left him alone long enough for him to get bored or to get into any sort of mischief, but even if she had she couldn’t fathom her little angel doing anything one might view as naughty. “I know every mother says it, but Draco is actually a little angel.” Cissa beamed at her little love, who was sucking on the sleeve of his shirt and beginning to drool. “He’s getting another tooth,” she explained adoringly, looking through her tiny handbag which had been enchanted so that it could double as a nappy bag without all the fuss until she found his chewing ring. “Here, lovey.” Cissa swapped out his shirt sleeve for his ring and Draco hardly seemed to notice or care in the slightest.

Draco was nearing his first birthday and Narcissa was already well into party planning, despite being a few months away. It was a tremendous achievement to have their son with them after all the heartache and troubles they’d gone through to have him. And he was absolutely perfect. Pale gold hair just like his father’s. Piercing eyes like his mother’s. And spoiled to absolute perfection just as he ought to be. Cissa was so incredibly enamored with her boy, she simply couldn’t help it. His birthday celebration would be the talk of high society for years to come, but this weekend they were pressing pause on the party planning in favor of a few Easter celebrations. Narcissa was hosting a lavish luncheon tomorrow to commemorate Draco’s first Easter, but today they were going out to an event. Well, she and Draco were going, while Lucius had work to attend to, but so long as he was present at tomorrow's affair, Cissa hardly minded that he wasn't accompanying her to the book event. She’d read about it in the Daily Prophet; a children’s book event with a fairy theme. It sounded darling and although Draco didn’t seem to care much for books yet, Narcissa thought he would have a good time.

Dressed in a darling little sprite outfit, Draco was sure to be the talk of the town. Narcissa carried him through the bookshop proudly, her chin raised ever so slightly as they stepped out into the patio which was full of other parents chatty away while their wild children ran amok. “Look at that, my love. Isn't it darling?” Narcissa repositioned Draco so that he could look at the festive decorations that hung around them. Instead of sitting straight away, Cissa and Draco strolled leisurely through the crowd, stopping to let Draco grab play with things here and there.

Nose raising slightly into the air as Andromeda made a scene, Narcissa sat still, her hand on Draco’s pram, and waited for the dramatics to be over. Andromeda was always so unrefined; boorishly rolling her eyes so exaggeratedly that it no doubt would catch the eye of the patrons at the back of the restaurant. “What could happen, Andromeda? Merlin only knows what sort of manners you’ve imposed on your family.” The hint of a sneer could be detected as she said the word ‘family’. What Andromeda had was hardly a real family. Calling it that demeaned what she and Lucius had together, what every other proper pureblood family had. If there were any other word for it that she could have used in public, she would have, but alas the only civil thing was to pretend Andromeda’s disgusting betrayal was legitimate. A quick glance around the immediate area of the restaurant showed no signs of Andromeda’s muggleborn husband. That was for the best, although she didn't like the idea that he might be lurking somewhere in the shadows nearby, either. “Where is your husband? One would think you’d be glued to his hip after abandoning your real family for this… lifestyle.”

This was to be their first Christmas as a real little family. No more sadness. No more isolation. No more tears. Lucius and Narcissa had made it through the nightmare that had been their journey toward parenthood, and they had come out the other side with a perfect little boy. Narcissa wanted to celebrate the momentous occasion with a plethora of the most perfect gifts wrapped elegantly under a large, festive tree. They would have their portrait done in front of that tree so that they would always remember their first Christmas together. It was going to be splendid.

Every year prior, Narcissa had managed to finish her Christmas shopping early in December with enough time to relax for all the merriment the season had to offer. With little Draco taking up so much of Cissa’s attention, the new mum was rather far behind in checking off her shopping list. Packing up a nappy bag and dressing the blond bubby in a darling little outfit, Cissa and Draco set out for Diagon Alley to take care of a few gift-giving errands while Lucius was away for the day. “Daddy is going to love his gifts, my little darling. You are such a brilliant little shopper.” Narcissa leaned forward over the handle of Draco’s pram, softly complimenting the infant for his part in their busy day. She tapped her pointer finger gently on the baby’s nose. Draco laughed and smiled, wriggling his arms and legs happily at his mother’s action.

Right now, several bags of shopping were being delivered to Malfoy Manor. Draco had bought his father a gold watch, engraved with a message to “the best daddy in all the world”. A pair of ivory collar stays and matching cufflinks meant to match the new suit Narcissa had ordered from Luci’s tailor. White gold pocket watch and a dainty silver locket, both with photographs of baby Draco, perfect for the Blacks to celebrate their newest – and most adorable – grandchild. There were a few more names left on her list, but Cissa’s feet were beginning to ache and Draco was growing fussy. It was the perfect time to stop for a little treat, and Almathea’s had a wonderful cheesecake that would add a lovely touch to the perfect day she and Draco were having. The pair were sat at a table in the center of the dining room, affording all the other lucky customers the opportunity to see the most perfect little bubby in the world. Narcissa was happy to show off her little man as she waited patiently for the waitress to bring her cheesecake.