The Best Gift of All

Chapter 14

                The next morning was Christmas and Elizabeth awoke to bright lights. She was being held warmly by Draco and did not want to move, but her curiosity got the better of her. Elizabeth slowly began to sit up only to have Draco pull her to him. Draco wasn’t asleep after all, “Merry Christmas,” he said with a sleepy voice and kissed her sweetly on the lips. It was just a sweet innocent kiss, but Elizabeth could feel herself wanting more, even though she was terrified after what Derek had done to her, she wanted Draco Malfoy with every fiber of her being. But he pulled back and just hugged her close. “It’s time to get up and see what Santa brought you,” Draco said, jumping up from the bed. He was wearing only his blue and green plaid pajama pants, his hair looking wild and Elizabeth thought he had never looked so beautiful, this lovely savior of hers. The only desire she had was for him to touch her, to help her heal the awful wounds and memories that Derek had left behind and replace them with memories of his own sweet loving touch and body, but Draco did not seem to desire her in that way and it was a little upsetting. Maybe he didn’t desire her anymore after she had been used by Derek.

                “Come on silly girl,” he came over to take her hand, noticing the down look on her face, he pulled her from the bed slowly, “I’ve never known anyone not to be excited about presents.”

                Elizabeth was touched. After she had fallen asleep, Draco had obviously been busy. There was a huge Christmas tree in one corner of the room, all lite up with white lights and ornaments. And underneath were several presents. “Draco, you should…” but she never got to finish, he covered her mouth with his hand. “Don’t say it. Will you just open the gifts please,” he scolded.

                Elizabeth smiled and walked over to sit on the rug by the fire wearing only her night gown. Draco handed her the first one. There were art supplies, books on magical history’s and spells, a cauldron and supplies for her to start working on potions with him. There was a beautiful sexy dress with heels and sparkling earrings. Elizabeth looked over at him with raised eyebrows and a smile on her face. “It should fit perfectly,” Draco blushed, “I thought you might like something to wear out to dinner with me on New Year’s Eve.”

                “It’s lovely,” Elizabeth let the soft silky material flow through her hands.

                “You have one more,” Draco handed her the box and Elizabeth slowly opened it. Tears started to gather in her eyes as she slowly took it out of the box. It was a beautiful porcelain doll, the same one she had admired so much when they had went shopping for Scorpius at the toy store. It had beautiful blue green eyes and long silky honey colored hair in ringlets and a shiny white ribbon in its hair. It was wearing a beautiful white lace dress with lace knickers and soft black kid leather shoes that laced up almost to the knees. She was beautiful, and Draco was wonderful because he had noticed her admiring it and somehow knew she had always wanted one. She set the doll down gently back in the box and leaned over into him; she felt his arm go around her. “How did you know? I have always wanted a doll for Christmas,” she said somewhat tearfully.

                Draco pulled her into his lap as she wrapped her arms around him; he rubbed her back tenderly, “I just knew. You told me some of your childhood and how your parents avoided you and I put two and two together, especially when I saw you looking at that doll yesterday.”

                “You are the most magnificent man I know,” Elizabeth kissed him slowly, warily, “But I didn’t get you anything,” she said upset.

                “Liza, the best Christmas present I could get is having you here with me, alive and well. And so I have you here with me,” he said in a voice filled with emotion, “That means more to me than any old present. That is the best gift I received.”

                Elizabeth brought her arms up around his neck and Draco could feel his body reacting, despite the fact that he tried to fight it. It was too soon and Elizabeth had to be ready mentally before they tried to make love again. But she wasn’t making it easy as she turned in his lap and ran her hands along his back and pressed her lovely breast against his chest. He could feel her hard nipples through the thin fabric of her nightgown as they pressed into his skin like a fire brand. She began kissing his face, softly at first but then her lips became more aggressive as she brought her lips to his and ran her tongue lightly along them to get him to open his mouth. Draco could not prevent himself from quickly capturing her lips and deepening the kiss, his tongue and hers caressing each other feverishly. His hands started to creep along her waist working their way up her body until he was using both hands to very gently caress her breasts. He could feel her moans in his mouth and it fueled his desire. She was in his lap now facing him, her legs wrapped around his back as they sat Indian style facing one another, her night gown having worked its way up to her waist and hips. Suddenly the words of the healer filled his mind. She wasn’t ready and she needed time. That sobered him quickly and put a douse of water on his desire which was becoming an inferno. He slowed down and broke the kiss, “I am starving,” he said quickly, stopping his hands moving along her body. Draco noticed the look of befuddlement on her face and then the hurt, but he couldn’t help it. He couldn’t take advantage of her, he must make sure she was mentally and physically healed enough to do this and that she really wanted to. He did not want to scar her any more than Derek had.

                He stood up, pulling her with him and led her over to where he had room service waiting on the small round table and they sat in the two chairs. Elizabeth was quiet and seemed suddenly withdrawn.  Draco didn’t know what to do about it and blamed himself that he might have upset her by getting into it so deep with her; he should have done a better job controlling his desire for her.

                Elizabeth looked over at Draco under her eyes as she ate the wonderful breakfast of stuffed french toast, bacon, scrambled eggs and kidneys, washing it down with orange juice. She was starting to feel a little humiliated at her own behavior when she had tried to seduce Draco. She knew he was being gentle with her because of what happened, but didn’t he realize that she needed him to help her overcome what happened with Derek. Every touch from Draco’s lovely hands and body killed the memories of Derek and the awful way he abused her body. She knew Draco would never hurt her like that. It had not taken her long to realize it. But now she was beginning to wonder if Draco would ever want her again. Maybe he didn’t want her in that way anymore because she was used goods. That hurt just about as bad as any of the things Derek had done to her.

                Draco noticed the change in Elizabeth. He should never have let them get so caught up in that kiss. He was supposed to protect her and there he was letting his desire for her get the better of him. It was obvious he had hurt her somehow. ‘I have to control this desire for Elizabeth’s sake’ he thought. If she is going to heal I must be a gentleman no matter how much it hurt.

                They both hardly spoke and then finally Draco asked her if she wanted to go out to a special village to work on her spells. Elizabeth agreed, needing to get out. This time Draco took her by broomstick and Elizabeth was glad because she didn’t care too much for apparating and with flying she got to hold on close to Draco, her head resting against his back to guard against the cold winds.

                For Draco he needed the cold ride to clear his mind and put a stop to his desire for Elizabeth, which was a little difficult with her body pressed in behind him on the broomstick. It was the first time she had ever flown by broomstick and at first she was afraid, hardly looking around. But then she looked out in awe and Draco heard her sigh of wonder as the beautiful white wonderland passed beneath them. It started to snow and he felt Elizabeth lean out away from him, holding her hand out in the air to catch passing snowflakes. She was so lovely, his beautiful girl, so full of life and love. The sooner his marriage to Astoria was over, the better. Then he could work on making this girl his forever.