life in Eze
Eze is a place many would call frozen in time, with its stone buildings, walls, and narrow walkways. It is the epitome of modern meets history. Despite the narrow gaps in the city, there had been a manor that overlooks the sea surrounding the place. The mansion was situated near the top of the hillside, giving them more privacy than anticipated, given that Eze was a muggle city that was sometimes filled with more muggles due to its popularity for weddings, anniversaries and honeymoons.
The mansion itself was in great shape when they moved in before Draco had given birth, it was cleaned and renovated regularly by a squib who had been hired by Theo’s father to keep the place functioning and ready to receive guests at all times. Hints of muggle technology (which Draco had been fascinated with and definitely did not break) and the historical aspects of the mansion co-existed perfectly. Theo had been more than gracious when he provided Draco with the biggest room, big enough for him and the baby.
It was baby Jean’s first month celebration. Theo had decided to go all out with the occasion, inviting the muggles they had made a connection with during their stay at the villa and the Zabini couple. There were streamers laid out on top of the french doors that granted entrance from the pool area to the inside of the house, the big long table outside was set up in formal placements (which, if you ask Draco is a necessity) and the pool had several multi coloured balloons adorning its blue hue.
The party was in full bliss, laughter was heard as they ate their dinner and shared stories of babies they knew growing up. Wishing the star of the party a life filled with joy and love. The sun was now setting behind them, Pansy and Blaise were talking to the old man seated in front of them, exchanging cooking tips and recipes to try for the witches' growing miracle. Theo, was playing with Mary’s grandchildren on the pool while Draco was sitting in the patio daybed with a sleeping Jean on his arms smiling at the sight.
The guests soon left, leaving Draco and the former Slytherins to clean up the dishes. Well, more like Theo and Blaise were cleaning while Draco and Pansy looked through the gifts as Jean played with his mobile enchanted as stars he could play with (courtesy of the old man they met who turned out to be a wizard).
Mary, their neighbor had gifted Jean several crimson red and dark green onesies she knitted herself; Old man Al, their generous neighbor gifted them a walker he had made himself from one of the tree’s on his farm; Jules, one of the art studio owners had gifted them a portrait of Jean and lastly, Lorenzo (the squib who took care of the estate) had gifted the child with some potion supplements he bought from the wizarding market in Paris during his visit. Pansy and Blaise gifted them an activity play mat with animals that ran around the mat.
“Is that a Dragon and a Lion?” Draco says laughing at the embroidered charmed animals on the mat. “Customized it so both of his parents were playing with him.” Pansy takes a sip of her juice before setting it down the side table, continuing. “He’s still looking for you, you know. I think he might go crazy soon.”
Draco breathes in, looking at the girl in front of him with a pointed look. “Pansy…you know why I left.” The girl sighs, patting her friend's shoulder. “Just thought I should tell you, either way you’re gonna see him at the wedding, you have to be there Draco.” Draco sighs and nods before he looks down at Jean smiling in his sleep.
“Ready to go, tesoro mio?” Blaise says, holding a hand out for the witch beside Draco. “Go be disgusting somewhere else.” Draco says, rolling his eyes. “We live to infuriate you, Darling.” Pansy says kissing his cheek. Draco stuck his tongue out at the couple before smiling at them sweetly. “We’ll see you next week, if all goes well with your plans.”
“Think about what I said, you stubborn child. Goodbye, my lovely godson. May your Maman finally grow some ba- courage and talk to your father.” Pansy kisses the child's cheek and apparated with her husband to be, before Draco could hit her.
“She never changes, does she?” Theo says, taking the baby from Draco’s arms, rocking Jean back and forth making sure the child stays asleep. Draco just rolls his eyes and yawns as he stretches his arms out.
When Jean turned 3 months and 8 days old, he finally rolled on his tummy all by himself. Draco sent photographs to Pansy and Blaise who were at their villa in Italy awaiting Pansy's birth, proud of his child. Louis was born the next day.
At 5 months old, the cheeky little fellow started grabbing everything he could get a hold of. A milestone Blaise Zabini would never forget as his godson somehow grabbed a hold of his wallet which contained both muggle and wizard currency and refused to break his hold. No one could break the poor chrome hearts wallet free from the child's small hand. (It wasn’t until a day later that he got his precious wallet back when Draco had changed the wallet for a bejeweled rattle.)
At 6 months, he started babbling shooting out “puhhh” (when he disliked his mashed vegetables or the face Theo\Blaise was making at him) “nnuuhhh” (when he wants something, mostly directed at Blaise and his wallet) and “bwoah!” (when he sees someone he likes and wants to be in their arms). Old man Al was too fond of “talking” to the child during his visits when he would drop off a variety of vegetables\fruits from his farm. They would talk until the child eventually got hungry or sleepy. Jean had started using "bwoah!" more often when Blaise & Pansy would come over with their son.
When the 8 month mark came, Jean had said his first word much to Draco’s dismay. Jean’s first word was “papa!” followed by an incoherent “Theo”. The child would shout “Papa ‘E-O” whenever he would see the boy, much to Theo’s delight and amusement. Draco sulked for days at Theo (even if it wasn’t his fault).
In those months, Draco had felt nothing but glee in Eze. Pansy was recuperating after her pregnancy and would soon hold a grand wedding after Pansy’s father had a fit about Blaise and Pansy’s elopement, getting married with only Draco and Theo present in front of a judge in Eze. He was strolling through Place Cachèe, waiting for Theo to finish his business at Gringotts Paris location. Jean was babbling in his arms, pointing to everything shiny and waving at the more handsome looking strangers much to Draco’s embarrassment.
He sat on a bench in front of the fountain, taking the child's bottle out to feed him as he basked in the sunlight creeping through the tall establishments. Draco smiled at Jean who drank merilly in his arms, helping the child hold the bottle up. “You’re so strong already, just like your father.” He says laughing at the stronghold he felt on his pinky, closing tightly.
“Draco…?” He looked up to the voice, still smiling. His face quickly fell as he saw the man who called him, standing in front of him. He gulped, his breath stuck on his throat. “...Potter.”