Lucius returned from the Ministry late, and quickly walked up to check on Narcissa. She was reading a book as he entered the chamber. "Hello, darling," he murmured, kissing her on the lips and lingering there for several moments. She smiled up at him, cupping his cheek and returning the kiss. "How're you feeling?" he asked, placing a few items down on his dresser.
"Alright, I suppose," Narcissa sighed, putting the book down on the nightstand, and watching her husband. "Still finding it difficult to walk."
"Did you at least get some rest?" Lucius asked, walking back toward her.
"I did," Narcissa nodded, wrapping an arm around his neck as he slowly lifted her to her feet. She fought off a gasp of pain as she slowly started walking a few steps. "Wish you would just carry me," she grumbled as crossed the room.
"I carried you the first three nights you were home," Lucius replied firmly, stopping as she doubled over slightly. "The doctor wants you to get used to walking, and I am determined to get you there as fast as possible; or, at least at your pace."
"Torturer," Narcissa grumbled, as she took another step forward. "Sometimes I wonder if you enjoy my pain."
"Only when I'm causing it in bed," Lucius smirked a bit, and she shot him a glower; however, he knew that it didn't carry much weight as they reached the loo. He waved his wand and started the tub, and then finally picked her up. "Now, I'll carry you."
"You're not getting a kiss."
"I'll get one later." He tapped his wand to her body, and her clothing disappeared as he gently placed her into the water, caressing her cheek briefly. Narcissa continued glowering for several moments, until Lucius joined her in the tub. The water was nice and hot, and immediately eased the ache in her side. Lucius placed several kisses on her neck and shoulders, causing her to relax. She shook her head irritably, but a small sigh escaped her lips and she felt his smile broaden, making her more irritated with him. He then traced his fingers down her spine, causing a shiver. "I'm getting closer to that kiss," he whispered.
"No, you're not," Narcissa replied, though she leaned back against him as he began washing her. His expert hands ever so lightly touched her incision and moved on. "Why were you so late at the Ministry?"
"Haggling a particular bribe," Lucius replied, continuing to wash her body. "Or rather, donation. Trying to pass laws that protect muggles more from us, the likes of that."
"Nothing you want me to worry about?" Narcissa asked, smiling up at him.
"Precisely," he whispered, leaning close to her neck again. "You need to worry about getting better."
"Is it because you truly care about my well-being?" she asked, taking the washcloth from his grasp as she slowly began washing him. "Or because you want to get back to our nightly activities faster?"
"Why can't it be both?"
Narcissa chuckled, reaching up to wash his shoulder. "It can be, however, I do recall you being rather miserable that we weren't able to make love for over two months after Draco was born. And even afterward, it was a bit difficult for me."
"As I recall," Lucius said, gently, tilting her head back a bit by a gentle pull of her hair. "I was very understanding of that."
"Of course, darling," she replied, smiling up at him. He smiled back, releasing her a moment later. "You are still the strangest man I know."
"Love makes me do strange things," Lucius agreed, pulling her back against him. She smiled as she looked up at him, caressing his cheek. They remained that way for several moments, caressing each other. "Do you remember sneaking into the prefect's bathroom for moment's like this?"
"Of course," she giggled fondly at the memory. "McGonnagall almost caught us, and Slughorn almost had a stroke when he heard the rumor."
Lucius gave a hearty laugh, rubbing her shoulder and holding her hand tightly. "Slughorn had to pull me aside and discuss the things a proper gentleman would do if something were to result."
"Nothing resulted until my seventh year," Narcissa murmured, her voice saddening slightly.
Lucius looked down and met her eye, and nuzzled her cheek. "Think it's time we went to bed." Narcissa nodded, shifting a bit as Lucius got up. Once he had his robed and pajama pants on, he returned and wrapped her up in a robe and helped her out of the tub; though, he made her walk to the door before carrying her to the bed. "You want my side or yours tonight?"
"Mine," she replied as he helped her into a nightgown. He nodded and gently placed her in the sheets, before crawling into the bed beside her.
His arm slowly slid under her body, wrapping around her upper abdomen while his other hand wrapped her chest, most noticeably around her breasts. "I could get used to this," he murmured, squeezing her breasts.
"Down, boy," Narcissa chuckled, sliding his hands between hers, smiling a bit. They remained that way for several moments, Lucius running his hand along her side, making her sigh.
"Should we postpone Draco coming home?" Lucius asked.
Narcissa looked over her shoulder to glance at him curiously. "I don't think we should," she said slowly. "Eileen mentioned he's getting restless, and I'm sure he wants to be home as much as I do."
"Yes," Lucius agreed. "But, I'm more concerned about him tiring you out. You're also having difficulty walking right now, and if you have to chase after him, I'm worried it'll cause you more pain."
"We have the wheelchair," Narcissa pointed out. "Not to mention, I can apparate with it. So if Draco tries running off outside, I can probably keep up."
"Probably being the keyword."
Narcissa glanced at him over her shoulder. "Do you want to him to stay away longer?"
"No," he admitted. "I want us all home together again."
"Is there much going on at the Ministry that you really need to be a part of?" Narcissa asked, stroking his arm. "Or, can you stay here?"
"There is the govenor's report that I'm still waiting on the responses," Lucius sighed. "But, otherwise, no there's nothing that needs my immediate attention."
"Then stay with me."
Lucius sighed a bit, and a ghost of a smile crossed her lips. She knew she'd won. "You're the only person who can persuade me so easily," he grumbled, pulling her tighter to his chest, and kissing her cheek.
"I would hope so," she smirked. "Otherwise, we'd have a problem."
⨝⨝⨝
Draco was very glad to be home, and overly excited to see his mother. He was a bit surprised to see her in a wheelchair, though when he arrived at the manor. "Why are you in a wheelchair?" he asked, glancing up at his father.
"It just hurts to walk too much, Draco," his mother replied, opening her arms out to hug him tightly. "I won't be in here forever." She turned her gaze to her husband. "Your father is going to great lengths to ensure that I do."
His father beamed proudly for a moment. "Why don't we take a stroll through the gardens?" he suggested, walking behind his wife to push her.
She smiled up at him gratefully, before turning back to her son. "How was staying with your cousins for a bit?" she asked.
"Alright," Draco shrugged, taking his mother's hand that she offered. "Aunt Eileen's and Aunt Dawn's are much smaller houses, so it was more cramped. We still played Quidditch, though, to get more practice. Aunt Eileen refused to let us use actual bludgers, though."
"I should think so," Narcissa replied firmly. "It's certainly not pleasant when you're struck by a bludger. You'll be able to use them when you get a bit older."
"How are your uncles?" Lucius asked.
"Didn't see much of them," Draco shrugged. "Only for meals. The rest of the time they were out of the house doing something or other."
Narcissa glanced up at Lucius, who placed his hand on her shoulder. Draco could see that she wanted to say something about the matter, but opted to remain quiet. "Did you only play Quidditch or did you find anything exciting to do?"
"Went to the Magical Zoo," Draco replied. "Had ice cream out and all."
"But you missed us?" Narcissa replied, a smile crossing her lips.
"Missed my room," Draco replied stubbornly, kicking the stone pebbles.
Narcissa chuckled softly, sighing as she leaned back a bit.
"Think it's time to return to the manor," Lucius murmured. "Dobby should have supper ready soon."