Chapter 57
In the days that followed their first kiss, the relationship between Harry and Luna changed in a subtle but unmistakable way. They didn’t need to talk about it; it was in every glance, in every casual touch that lingered just a little longer than necessary, and, of course, in the kisses that had now become a constant.
They always found excuses to be together. If they were in the kitchen, while chopping vegetables or setting the table, they would often lean in to steal a quick kiss, a mischievous smile playing on their lips. With every small exchange, their cheeks would flush, and their eyes would shine with happiness.
If they were watching the babies on the rug, they would sit close together, as if there wasn’t enough space. Their fingers intertwined, and their eyes spoke of their deepest feelings. Their kisses took many forms—tender, affectionate, playful, and filled with longing. These moments were full of anticipation, joy, and love.
One afternoon, while taking care of the twins, Luna held James in one arm while changing Albus’s diaper with the other. Harry walked into the room, watching her in admiration. On impulse, he suddenly leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek.
“Harry!” she protested, trying not to laugh.
“What? You looked irresistible holding two babies and still being so efficient,” he teased.
“I’m going to end up dropping one of them if you keep that up,” Luna said, but the laughter in her voice only encouraged him.
They were caught off guard when Albus, lying on the changing table, giggled. Harry stepped closer, grinning widely.
“You’re laughing, my love?” he asked Albus, who giggled again.
Luna laughed, her heart overflowing, and as if following her lead, James also started giggling. Luna kissed his cheek firmly, making him laugh even more.
Harry picked up Albus and moved closer to Luna, wrapping his free arm around her waist. The two babies laughed at each other, and in that moment, Harry and Luna felt like their hearts could burst with love.
Harry pressed a soft kiss to Luna’s lips. “I’ve never been as happy as I am now, with you all.”
“Me neither,” Luna smiled.
After their nightly ritual with the babies, Harry turned off the nursery lamp and looked at Luna, who was carefully tucking James’s blanket. She gave one last glance at the sleeping babies and smiled softly, the love evident in her every gesture.
“They fell asleep so fast tonight,” Harry murmured, his voice low so as not to wake them.
“It was a long day for them,” Luna replied, adjusting her pajama sleeve. She turned to Harry, and together, they left the room, closing the door gently.
In the hallway, they paused for a moment, a comfortable silence settling between them, now tinged with something deeper. Harry wrapped his arms around Luna carefully and kissed her forehead. He didn’t want to let her go, but he knew this was the moment when they would go to their separate rooms. He missed holding her as they slept, but he wouldn’t impose, so he let her go.
Luna started walking toward her bedroom but hesitated at the door. Harry took a step forward, stopping beside her. “Good night, Luna,” he said softly, offering a small smile.
She looked at him for a moment, not wanting to say goodbye. Her hand tightened around the doorknob, but instead of going inside, she took a deep breath and turned to him.
“Harry,” she started, her voice almost a whisper.
“Yes?” He tilted his head slightly, waiting patiently as he always did.
Luna bit her lip, her heart pounding. Something inside her pushed forward, and she knew she couldn’t run from it anymore. “Would you… sleep with me tonight?”
Harry froze for a moment, clearly caught off guard. His eyes searched hers, as if confirming that she truly meant it. “Are you sure?” he asked, his voice gentle but filled with emotion.
She nodded, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation. “I am.”
A soft smile appeared on Harry’s lips. He stepped closer, standing right in front of her. “If that’s what you want, then of course I do too.”
Luna felt warmth spread through her at his words, and something within her relaxed. She opened the door to her room, offering a small smile before stepping inside. Harry followed, closing the door behind them.
Inside, the soft glow of a bedside lamp cast a warm light over the cozy space. Luna walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, adjusting the pillows while Harry lingered near the door, watching her. He seemed hesitant, but also clearly moved to be there.
Luna looked up at him and smiled. “You can relax, Harry. I won’t bite,” she teased, her voice filled with affection.
Harry chuckled softly, crossing the room to sit beside her. “I know, but sometimes, being bitten is nice.” His voice carried a playful tone, and Luna playfully smacked his arm.
“Harry!” She laughed.
He placed a hand over hers, intertwining their fingers, his gaze locking onto hers. “Being here… it means a lot to me.”
“It does to me too,” Luna replied sincerely.
They lay together for the first time in a long time, the silence filled only by the soft sound of their breathing. Harry draped an arm around her, pulling her close, while Luna rested her head against his chest.
“It feels strange not having your belly between us,” he murmured.
“Sometimes I miss it,” Luna admitted with a small smile.
“I always thought you fit perfectly against me before, but now even more so.” He stroked her hair gently.
Luna hugged him tighter, pressing her body closer to his.
“This is what I missed the most,” she whispered, but there was no pain or resentment in her words.
“Me too,” Harry agreed. “I love sleeping with you, ever since the first time.”
Luna kissed his chest before resting her head back down. “Considering we have two babies, we should get some sleep before they wake up.”
Harry chuckled softly. “Good night, Lu,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head.
“Good night, Harry,” she replied, feeling a peace she hadn’t felt in a long time.
The morning light streamed gently through the curtains, filling the room with a golden glow. Harry and Luna were woken by the sound of crying.
“I’ll get them,” Harry said, already getting up and leaving the room.
A few minutes later, he returned with Albus and James in his arms. All three of them had their hair sticking up in all directions. The two babies, who had been crying moments before, were now smiling.
“I’m not sure whose hair is the most unruly,” Luna laughed, watching them from the bed.
Harry carried them over and laid them beside Luna, then climbed into bed himself.
“There’s no denying they’re mine,” he chuckled.
The soft babbling of the babies filled the air as James and Albus, still in their sleepwear, took in their surroundings with curiosity.
Harry lay on his side, propped up on one arm, watching the twins with a lazy smile. James was determined to grab his glasses, while Albus seemed fascinated by Luna’s hair, gently tugging on a few strands.
“You have surprising strength for someone so small,” Luna remarked with a laugh, carefully prying Albus’s fingers from her hair.
“It’s the Potter instinct,” Harry joked, catching James, who had rolled over and gotten stuck against him, unable to roll back. “Determination and an innate talent for getting into trouble.”
Luna laughed, leaning in to kiss James’s forehead before laying him back beside Albus. The two babies began babbling at each other, as if engaged in a conversation only they could understand.
Harry looked at Luna, now lying on her back, watching the boys with a serene smile. His heart clenched in a way that was both overwhelming and incredibly light. His heartbeat quickened as he saw how the morning sun illuminated her delicate features.
She was so beautiful, he thought. Not just in appearance, but in the way she seemed completely at peace in the moment—the love in her eyes as she watched the boys explore their world.
He took a deep breath, unable to hold back any longer. “They’re perfect,” he whispered, but the way he looked at her made it clear he wasn’t just talking about the babies.
Luna turned her head to meet his gaze, her smile softening. “They really are.”
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. The laughter of the babies, the warmth of the sunlight, the glow in Luna’s eyes—it all conspired to create something perfect.
And then, Harry finally said the words he had been holding back. “Luna… I love you.”
The confession escaped so softly, yet each word carried an enormous weight, as if he had been waiting for that moment for a long time—and he had. The words lingered in the air for a moment, like a wave that arrives gently but irresistibly. Luna remained still, her eyes wide, as if trying to process what she had just heard. But then, something in her gaze softened, and a slow smile began to form.
"Harry..." she started, her voice trembling slightly, but before she could continue, Albus let out an excited squeal and flailed his little arms, as if he knew he was interrupting something important.
They laughed, the sound breaking the tension of the moment. Harry held Albus’s tiny hand, which the baby immediately brought to his mouth, giggling. “Well, at least he approves,” he joked, but the intensity in Harry’s gaze remained.
Luna reached out, gently touching his face. “I love you too, Harry,” she finally said, her voice filled with the honesty and sweetness he had always loved.
His smile grew even wider, and without thinking, he leaned in and kissed her. It was a soft kiss, brief, but full of promises and the deep love that was now spoken between them.
James babbled loudly, as if demanding attention, and they both laughed as they turned their focus back to the babies.
In that moment, as the four of them lay together in bed, Harry felt something he had never felt before—he had a family. And Luna, as she watched him playing with the boys, knew that she was no longer alone.