Almost Lover

Chapter 3
If You See Her…

DarQuing - That wasn’t originally how I was going to bring her in. But the original idea… I hated it and it seemed I don’t know wrong to me. I like that one better… and I’m pretty sure Narcissa has a wizard on the side lol

Ithilwen - Yes, Snape knows her. I can’t tell you why. But you’ll find out eventually ^^ Sorry this took so long! I kinda.. well hell College. Thats my excuse.. that and work. Work fails -.-;

^^ I love my reviewers. You make me happy ^^. On to the story.
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Lucius stood out on a balcony as the sun rose slowly above the water. It was peaceful standing there. No one was out and only the birds were calling out. It was calming to Lucius.

And once again, he was lost in his memories. He remembered standing with her, just like this after spending the evening together. She’d told her father she was staying with her friends, and he had told his own he was with Severus. Not that his father had approved of Severus much more due to his parentage. But he had tolerated the boy.

She was wearing one of his button up shirts, this was the week before they’d parted ways. He had stood in the doorway watching the sun light up the natural highlights in her dark hair. She was leaning against the railing, a tempting sight. She had jumped when he had wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck taking in the unique smell of her skin.

He didn’t recall leaving the room that day. But he recalled with the greatest clarity, the way she had smiled as he complimented her. The way her cheeks would turn red when his hand would brush over her breast.

Lucius groaned and clenched his fists. Just thinking about her made his body harden. Not even Narcissa could draw his attentions like that. She was beautiful. There was no doubt about that. But she was not what he wanted. Lucius straightened and turned from the railing heading back into the room where Draco was staring sleepily around.

“Good morning Draco.” he smiled as his son who offered a sleepy one in return. He watched Draco grab his things and head into the bathroom. He sighed softly and settled into the large leather arm chair. There were so many memories attached to this place, he shouldn’t have come back.

At least he felt this way until Draco came out with a grin. Maybe this was a good thing. Replacing old memories with new ones. While he never wanted to forget her and the time they had together, he knew it would be best,

“Can we go back to the beach today father?” he asked bouncing on the balls of his feet already dressed for the beach. Lucius couldn’t say no to him. So he simply stood and grabbed a pair of swim shorts. He heard Draco make an excited noise before he shut the bathroom door.
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Lucius made sure that Draco was covered in sun block before sending him out to run around in the sand and water. Lucius though he tried to keep up with watching the boy, found himself simply enjoying a view he hadn’t enjoyed in a while. He stripped his shirt and settled into the sand.

Today his smiles were real and it seemed people noticed. A few women, young enough to be his daughters stopped and flirted a while and Draco only made it worse. They thought he was adorable. When they finally walked off Lucius relaxed again with two numbers resting in his trunk pockets.

He lost Draco in the crowds once or twice, but always managed to find him again. He was always in the same company. Another blonde haired boy with a deep tan was always at his side. But the last time Lucius looked he didn’t see either boy down by the water.

Lucius was panicked for a moment and stood shirt clenched tightly in his hand. He sighed when he saw him with the boy standing by a woman whom Draco’s friend seemed to know. He shook his head and walked towards them,

“Draco, we came here for you to swim not bother other people.” he said with a light smile as the boy turned with a smile,

“But father, David and I were showing his mom these really pretty shells we found while we were building our sand castle.” he said proudly holding the shells up for Lucius to see,

“Oh I see. They are rather nice…” Draco deposited them in his father’s hands, and ran off with David again causing a sigh to pull from his lips,

“I apologize if he’s bothering you. This is the first time…” he had turned his head to look at the woman and had lost all the words he had been about to say. It was her, Arianna. There were no doubt changes, but it had to be her. The same bright blue eyes masked by dark hair. But she didn’t seem to recognize him,

“Oh it’s alright. I’m just happy David’s made a little friend. The boy’s so un-social really.” she laughed a musical sound and Lucius’ heart began to ache, “I’m Arianna Dalen by the way.” she said turning her attention to him and offering him her hand. Lucius took it almost tempted to say his actual name, but not knowing if she would recognize it anyway,

“Jonathan Baxter.” he admired her for a moment as he shook her hand. She was as beautiful as ever. Soft tanned skin, but not overly so, that was barely covered by the bikini she wore. It was a blue color to match her eyes almost perfectly. She smiled,

“It’s nice to meet you Mr. Baxter.” she checked her watch when he released her hand and silently cursed,

“David! Come on. I was supposed to have you back half an hour ago. Your grandfathers going to kill me!” she called before turning back to Lucius, “I hate to break up their fun…but dad will begin to freak out if we’re not home soon.” she gathered up her bags as David arrived back at her side,

“Mom? Draco said that they’ll be here for a while! Can We hang out again soon? Please?” the boy begged and Draco added to it by making the saddest face he could. Arianna bit her lip and looked at Lucius,

“That’s up to Mr. Baxter and your grandfather. You are supposed to be visiting him after all.” she told him before taking his hand. Lucius quickly pulled out a pen and wrote down the number to the hotel they were staying,

“Just in case.” he told her as he handed the number to her, “There’s no problems.” she eyed the number then nodded walking around Lucius and Draco as David waved goodbye.

After that Draco exhausted himself rather quickly and it wasn’t long before they were back in the hotel. Draco was fast asleep within moments, a content smile on his face. Lucius shook his head and went about ordering some lunch for when Draco woke up.

Lucius couldn’t believe he’d found her again, and only because Draco had found her son among all the people at the beach. He sighed and dropped his head into his hands, fingers sliding through his hair. Of all the people to run into… he lifted his head staring at the wall. He was seeing the blonde haired boy, David and wondering idly how old he was. About Draco’s age he believed.

He glanced at his watch then turned his head towards the phone as it began ringing. It had been nearly two hours since they left the beach and he’d bee lost in thought the whole time. He picked up the phone after staring at it a moment longer,

“Hello?” he wasn’t expecting the voice on the other end of the phone, at least not this soon,

“Mr. Baxter?” Arianna seemed hesitant and Lucius didn’t answer for a moment before he finally found his voice,

“Yes, Miss. Dalen I presume?” his voice was slightly shaky but she didn’t seem to notice. If she did she chose not to comment.

“Yes, David’s been bugging me ever since his grandfather told him he could visit… so he’s insisted I call and set something up.” Her voice was unsure, and Lucius’ heart soared. He would get to see her again. The conversation only lasted a few moments and Lucius hung up the phone feeling lighter then he had ever felt. Tomorrow Draco and David would get their play date…and he would get to see her again.

~.~.~.~

Lucius watched Draco bounce on the balls of his feet, and he couldn’t bring himself to tell him to sit down and be patient. After all, Lucius himself wanted to dash around and check his watch. He was just as impatient as his son. The restaurant they had picked for the meeting was right on the beach, so the boys could enjoy the sun and water. It was peaceful and Lucius could recall spending days there with her.

He could still see her standing in the sand, barefoot and with a smile that brightened him more then the sun ever could. Her hand was stretched out to him and all he wanted to do was to hold that hand forever. To never give up on the emotions that spilled form him like a fountain. But in the end, he had given her up. For no reason other than the fortune that was to be his. His mood darkened considerably until Draco tugged on his arm and pointed.

The moment she came into his sights he stood, pulling out a chair for her. Always the proper gentleman. She gave him a shy smile, one that sent his icy heart fluttering. She was dressed in a light blue sundress, sandals hanging from her fingers. Lucius couldn’t help but feel over dressed. His dress shirt and slacks stood out among the swim trunks and sandals.

“Mr. Baxter.” she greeted taking the seat he offered. He simply smiled and pushed her chair in before sitting. Draco and David wasted no time in running off into the sand. Arianna watched them, and Lucius noticed her nervousness.

“Miss Dalen…” Lucius began only to have her face turn to his with hatred. Gone was the happy woman. This was the face of a scorned lover. What was that term? Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned? Instantly his smile faded.

“Don’t think me a fool Lucius.” she snapped and Lucius winced. He should have known she would recognize him. True he wasn’t the same person he had been then, but she could see through anything. “What do you want? Why are you here?” she asked her questions rapidly and her sighed.

“A vacation with my son… I’ve told him so much about this place… that he had to come. Arianna please.” he said feeling like that boy again. Unsure of his feelings, what good would it do to tell her that he had missed her? Would she even care? He didn’t care. He needed to tell her, everything. But she spoke first.
“I could have lived without seeing your face again Lucius. I knew from the moment I saw you who you were. I had hoped you truly didn’t recognize me. But I could see the… change that came over you the moment you realized who I was. I don’t know who you think you’re fooling!” she said in a hushed tone. She was still angry at him. His posture changed immediately and he let his head fall forward.

“Arianna…” he made himself wince at his tone of voice. He sounded weak, like the teen his father had beat out of him years ago. “You cannot know the nights… I sat awake wanting you and knowing you wanted nothing more to do with me. How I wanted to run away from everything and into your arms. How afraid I was that you would simply turn your back on me. I needed you more then I‘ve ever needed anyone, wanted you, loved you.” He reached his hand out to her. He simply wanted to touch her skin again. To feel the softness beneath his fingers. But she pulled away and he dropped his hand. That thin encasing of ice that had been around his heart began to thicken.

He would not let her see his pain. He stood abruptly and called out sharply “Draco! We’re leaving.” he barely acknowledged her as he left. Draco seemed confused and he looked at Arianna whose eyes had widened slightly. Lucius glanced at Draco and after a stern glare Draco followed, whispering a goodbye to his friend.

Lucius moved swiftly across the sand and Draco saw the change in his father. This no longer the Lucius who had agreed to the trip. This was the cold-blooded killer, who went to his knees before his lord.