"Yes, Draco. We need to talk"

"Are you sure? I can come to your store tomorrow if you want. After a long day I think it's better you both take rest"

"Wait..you know I own a store?"

"Yes, just like I know the owner of your place is Sarah and she is also a dentist like your parents. You seriously think I will sit around in my office doing nothing after you left with my baby? I knew your address the 3rd day after you left. I checked up on you personally from time to time to see if you both are ok"

So much for living secretly. "Let me get this straight. I face stupid people every day asking about my baby's father, I face a terrible time giving birth to Emma due to some stupid complications in my uterus, I raise her all alone these 2 years and you mean to say you spied on me..don't you feel ashamed, Draco?"

"Why should I? You are carrying my baby, woman! I have every right.

She laughed drily. "Don't try to fool me here, Malfoy. You kept checking on me so that the Malfoy heir is born without a problem. Who cares if I die during the process, isn't it?"

"Don't insult me, Hermione. God, woman. You are pulling my tongue,here!" He was perplexed as if speaking all this is hurting him bad.

He then settled Emma into her cradle, when he was satisfied she is asleep, he returned and faced Hermione in the living room.

"I wanted to keep you both safe. Not just..Emma" he spoke her name for the first time, he then smiled as if relishing the feel of the word in his mouth.

"Ha. Say that to people who believe you, Malfoy"

"You want to do this the hard way? All right, then. Who suggested you this place"

"My friend from my muggle school, Meghna"

"Nonsense. I wandered around the neighbourhood for a solid 1 week day and night to find this place and asked Sarah to inform your Meghna so that it reached you. And before you explode, Sarah is a witch. She was the one who told me about your pregnancy complication and I..I gave her the potions I made for it."

He looked away as if there was something else, but Hermione didn't press upon it. "So I guess the mysterious gifts are from you?"

His eyes suddenly shown bright, he answered, "Yes! I didn't know what she liked so I sent all sorts of muggle gifts. There is a whole cupboard of magical gifts which I will be sending from now on.."

He added, "The people whoever troubled you...let's just say they will have a hard time bringing back their teeth. And you didn't raise Emma alone, I was there, every step of the way. After all, I was the one who suggested we name her Emma through Sarah then to your gyna..gynaecologist."

Hermione grew silent. She didn't know what to say. It was as if some creature sat on her mouth preventing her talk.

"Hermione, I know this is all hard to take in. But I did what I had to do. I could have talked to you, but I didn't want to create a fight with Emma in..inside you. And..and I thought it will be fine if I see her grow from a distance without disturbing your life but I can't anymore. After today..after I saw her cry..I can't live peacefully wondering where and how she is..you have to do something to accommodate me in her life, Hermione. Please..I have no other way.." he looked away. Hermione could have sworn he had tears in his eyes.

She silently went and sat down in one of the couches and stared blankly at the opposite wall.

He spoke up again. "I know this is too much to ask, but promise me you will at least think about it.." he was pleading with his eyes.

She nodded curtly. He looked up at Emma, a smile started to form on his lips. Then he apparated.