Love Story
“How do I look?” Remus looked over to where Dorcas and Marlene were getting the finishing touches of makeup applied.
Dorcas looked over at him, “Like a fancier you!” Marlene laughed, “You look lovely! Stop pacing!”
“Have another glass of champagne!” Marlene raised hers and grinned.
He sat down, careful not to crease his suit and poured himself a glass of champagne. He’d barely slept. Sirius insisted on sleeping in James and Lily’s spare room, so they wouldn’t see each other before the ceremony, despite Remus pointing out multiple times that neither was a bride.
They’d decided early on that they wanted to get married at the first place they’d gone on a date, without knowing it was a date, the museum. Teddy, now nine, still loved going there and they found themselves there more than once a month usually. It made sense to celebrate their love there.
The museum had closed early and the staff were setting up for their ceremony. Somewhere in the museum, Sirius was getting ready with James and Lily. Davey, Benjy and Caradoc were entertaining Teddy and Harry, although just being allowed in the museum after hours would be entertainment enough, Remus suspected.
It was three years to the day that Sirius had been viciously attacked by a building and gone to A&E. Sirius’ key tattoo still had a small gap in the middle, but both pieces were perfectly lined up. He’d debated getting the gap filled in when they’d seen Pandora, but he decided against it. The gap was a reminder of the day his life changed, and he liked having a tangible reminder on his body.
“You’re very quiet,” Dorcas said after being doused in setting spray. “Not getting cold feet, are you?”
Remus laughed, “No, never. Just a bit overwhelmed by it all, I think.”
“I was like that before our wedding.” Marlene said, “She was calm as anything, all serene and lovely and I felt like my head was exploding.”
“I was serene and lovely on the outside only.” Dorcas said, “There’s a lot of moving parts today, but you have people to manage that for you. All you have to actually do is walk down an aisle, say some words, have a little smooch and you’re good!”
“Yeah,” Remus said, “That’s helpful actually.”
“How do you think Sirius is doing?” Marlene asked.
Sirius was doing fairly well, all things considered. Lily had just finished doing his hair and he didn’t feel like he was about to cry anymore. The three of them sat on opposite sofas, sipping champagne.
“Remember when you decided you were never going to get married,” James said.
“I was sixteen!” Sirius said, “I also said I was never going to drink again most weeks, and look how well I stuck to that.”
“Imagine telling sixteen-year-old you that you’re about to be married with a kid.” Lily giggled.
“Teddy’s—”
“Not your kid, yeah we know, but he is though. You’ve been around for a third of his life and he loves you as much as you love him. What does Remus say about it?”
“He tends to refer to Teddy as ours.” Sirius said, “Which I love, honestly. At first, I thought it might be erasing Tonks or disrespectful and Moony got all worried thinking I was having second thoughts about us and that helped put it in perspective I guess. Tonks is his mum, she will always be his mum. But we also discussed what Teddy might call me once we’re married.”
“Jamie, look at his little pink cheeks!” Lily threw back her head and laughed.
“Shut up!” Sirius covered his face.
“Did you settle on anything?” James asked. Sirius having Teddy around meant that they’d started doing dad stuff together and he was in his element.
“Well at the moment he calls us Dad and Pads.” James let out a high-pitched sound. “I think Remus is going to suggest Dad and Tad. Keep up the family tradition of the English person using the Welsh name. But if Teddy wants to carry on with Dad and Pads, that’s fine with me. I just want him to be comfortable and happy, y’know.”
“Sirius, the kid tried to throw you an engagement party on his own.” James chuckled. “Granted, you had to bust out the fire extinguisher, but he’s made it very clear that he approves.”
“He’s such a good kid.” Sirius sighed. He’s like a tiny Moony, but he reminds me so much of what Tonks was like as a kid. Down to the princess dresses.”
“Aren’t you glad we all left London?” Lily said smugly, “You’re welcome!”
“Thanks, Lils.” He rolled his eyes. “I really thought I’d get through my probationary period and probably transfer back as soon as possible for the first few weeks.”
“Until you met Remus.”
“The timing does look like that, yes.” Sirius stood and looked in the mirror to admire his hair. Lily had loosely braided back the top half of his hair, and weaved silk daisies through the braids. It looked elegant, but still very him. Like a fancier version of him. “What time is it?”
“First look’s in ten minutes. You want to head down?”
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Remus smiled as he saw Sirius’ back at the bottom of the stairs. He looked up and saw the photographer give Sirius the thumbs up. As he turned around Remus thought he might fall down the rest of the stairs. He’d refused to tell Remus how he was wearing his hair and fuck, it looked beautiful. The daisies woven into it were absolute perfection and Remus knew it was going to take some serious self-control not to run his hands through it multiple times before they even made it down the aisle.
Sirius was speechless. He’d seen Remus in a suit a few times (and had loved it every single time) but seeing him wearing a navy suit that matched his, with gold accents, including a gold hoop through his septum, was something else. He was back to feeling like he might cry. Before he knew it, Remus was at the bottom of the stairs and had wrapped his arms around Sirius.
“Everything ok, cariad?” He whispered.
Sirius nodded, “It’s perfect.”
Remus smiled, “The daisies are a nice touch.”
“Teddy’s idea. I can’t take the credit.” Sirius pulled away slightly to look at him. “You are,” he grinned, “absolutely breathtaking.”
“Pot, meet kettle.” Remus kissed the tip of his nose. “You’re mesmerising, Seren Bach.”
“Oh my god, shut up and marry me already.” When he heard the camera shutter as Sirius beamed at him, he already knew that picture would end up on their wall.
“Knock knock!” Hope poked her head around the door. “Are you boys ready?” They nodded and Hope opened the door, the wedding party filed in, all keen to look at the two men.
“You look so nice.” Teddy wasted no time joining their hug. “Both of you do!”
“Thanks, cyw. You look lovely in your suit too.” Remus smiled at him, “You ready to do the honours?”
Teddy nodded and Harry appeared at his side, “Nice flowers.” He said with a genuine smile.
“Thanks, spud.” Sirius grinned. “You’re looking rather sharp yourself.”
Harry did an exaggerated spin, finishing with finger guns. “I know!”
The wedding coordinator appeared in the doorway. “It’s time! Ok, if you can get in the order you’re going down the aisle in, and I’ll cue the musicians.”
Sirius looked at Remus as they started to get in order, “Last chance to run.”
“I’m good. You feel like running?”
“No chance.” He reached for Remus’ hand. “You’re stuck with me now.”
“I can live with that.” He brought their joined hands to his lips and kissed Sirius’ knuckles. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. You ready?” Remus nodded and smiled as the music started. After finally watching Bridgerton, Sirius went through a phase of listening nothing but to string quartet covers of pop songs, so a string quartet to play them down the aisle and during the signing of the register was a no-brainer.
First to walk down was Hope and Lyall, arm in arm, beaming at their son’s friends and family, followed by Andromeda and Ted. Sirius had asked them to be in the wedding party if they were comfortable with that. Andy had laughed and said she’d already bought a hat for Remus’ third wedding to Regulus. Apparently, that meant that they were happy to be in the wedding party. Next were James and Lily, both in navy, with matching smiles, followed by Dorcas and Marlene. The four of them stood at the front, next to the celebrant.
Teddy looked over his shoulder before he and Harry set off down the aisle, patted his pocket and gave his dad a thumbs up. Harry and Teddy, with linked arms, walked down the aisle grinning.
“Come on then, London.” Remus pressed a light kiss to his cheekbone, then smiled as they stepped into the main hall of the museum. “Let’s make an honest man of you.”
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“I believe the couple have written their own vows?” They nodded, “Sirius?”
Sirius took a deep breath. He’d been through this multiple times with Davey, Dorcas, Hope and Lyall and once the latter approved, he knew it would be fine. But he could still feel his knees shaking. “Remus. Rwyt ti'n ofalgar ac yn garedig, rwyt ti'n gwneud i mi chwerthin ac yn bwysicach rwyt ti'n fy ngwneud i'n berson gwell. Rwy'n addo sefyll wrthyt a dy gefnogi cyhyd ag y gallaf. Neu mewn tri gair, dwi'n dy garu di.” He smiled as Remus’ eyes shone, “I promise to love you, and Teddy with everything I have. I promise to make you laugh, and roll your eyes in that cute way where you think I’m ridiculous, but you love me too much to care. I love you so much, and I can't wait to be your husband.”
“Lovely. And now, Remus?”
“Every time I think that I can’t possibly love you any more than I already do, you go and speak Welsh to me, or help Teddy with his homework even though you hate maths and you both know I’ll need to look over it anyway, or you put... daisies in your hair.” His voice cracked slightly and Sirius reached for his hand and squeezed it. “What I’ve learned over the last three years, is that my love for you is infinite. I promise to keep loving you, keep rolling my eyes, always have your back, and make you happy as long as you’ll let me. Also, I really have never been so glad that someone got hit by a piece of a building.”
The celebrant looked a little concerned but then rallied herself. “Now, Sirius, please repeat after me. I, Sirius Orion Black…”
As Sirius repeated the words, never taking his eyes off Remus, he felt calm and happier than he’d ever been. The smile that lit up Remus’ entire face as he recited them back to Sirius was everything. Teddy nudged him and shook him out of his contemplation.
“Oh, the rings. Right. Thanks.” Teddy grinned at him as he took the ring from them. As practiced, he stayed standing next to his dad, as they exchanged rings. As Sirius slid the ring onto Remus’ finger, he smiled at both of them. Remus, repeating the gesture moments later, noted that Sirius’ hands were shaking, and held them firmly in his own as he slipped the ring on.
Everything else was a bit of a blur, but when the celebrant said “I pronounce you married, you may now kiss.” Remus wasted no time pulling Sirius into his arms and kissing him like his life depended on it.
“Ugh,” Teddy said after a few seconds, but when they pulled apart and looked at him he was still grinning. “Nobody needs to see that, Dad!”
As they signed the registry, the string quartet played a lovely version of Love Story. Sirius’ choice. After it was all legal, he rested a hand on Remus’ thigh under the table. “Husband.” He whispered, relishing in the low chuckle that came from Remus as he turned to press a kiss to his hair.
His mouth was next to Sirius’ ear when he also whispered, “Husband.” Goosebumps immediately appeared on Sirius’ skin, and he wondered whether they actually needed a reception or whether he could just take Remus to the hotel room they’d booked and spend the rest of the evening there. “Love you.”
“Love you too, enaid.”
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“This isn’t the first wedding of Remus’ that I’ve been to.” Andy paused as everyone laughed, “This actually isn’t the first wedding of Remus to one of my family that I’ve been to.” More laughter, Remus covered his face, but he was giggling. “I’ve known Remus since he was a grumpy teenager, and I’ve known Sirius since he was a tiny screaming baby. I’d love to say not much has changed, but both of these men have overcome a lot to get here, and that alone is worth celebrating. When we lost Dora, I didn’t know how any of us would feel happy again. It’s been six years and I know we all still miss her every day, but wherever she is now, I just know that she’s laughing so hard at the two of you being together. Remus, please try not to marry any more of my family, I know Regulus is very pretty, but weddings are exhausting and expensive.”
“I’ll do my best!” Remus said, before being nudged in the ribs by his husband.
“And Sirius, being able to love the incredible way you do is something you taught yourself because I know for a fact that growing up you had very few examples of what love looked like. I’m so immensely proud of the man you are. I’m so glad that you came here, I’m so glad that you love Remus and Teddy as much as they love you.” She looked down at Ted, who laced their fingers together as her lip wobbled, “I love you both so much, and I love the love that you have for each other.” She raised her glass with her free hand, “To Remus and Sirius.” The room followed suit and Andy sat down. She met Sirius’ eye across the room and smiled as he mouthed ‘I love you’.
The speeches went on for a while, James and Lily together, Lyall and then, to their surprise. Teddy stood up with the microphone.
“Hi, I’m Teddy, but you probably know that. Three years ago, a plug socket exploded at school and it was very cool. I got a couple of burns, and this firefighter came to have a look at them before I could go to the hospital. When I got upset because it hurt, he offered to show me his Bambi tattoo if I’d be brave and let him finish covering the burn on my hand. Then my dad showed up and they knew each other, but they were really awkward.” Sirius nodded, “So I drew Sirius a picture to say thank you and insisted we take it to him, because since when does my Dad have friends that aren’t Marlene and Dorcas?”
“Wow, roasted by my own son,” Remus muttered with a grin.
“And then Sirius started spending time with us. I was six, I didn’t know what was going on, but Sirius is hilarious so I didn’t mind at all. The next thing I knew, the three of us came here for the afternoon and as we were leaving, they kissed! I know that my mum made my dad very happy, and so does Sirius. And that makes me happy. I love you both.” He raised his wine glass of lemonade, “To Dad and Tad!”
As everyone repeated, Sirius turned to his husband with tears in his eyes, taking in Remus’ knowing smile. “You could have prepared me for that!” He whispered.
“Where’s the fun in that?” He kissed the tip of Sirius’ nose. “Mr Lupin.”