~June~
“Da! I can’t find my blue socks!”
Remus looked up from the stove, his face scrunched. “You have eight pairs of blue socks, Teddy! I promise you, there is some in your drawer!” He yelled back, flipping the omelet he was making.
“No, I need my light blue socks!”
“You don’t have light blue socks! They’re all the same color!”
“Da, Paddy bought me light blue socks last week, I can’t find them!”
“Then ask Paddy, not me!” Remus yelled, turning the stove off. “I have breakfast! Find those socks and get down here!” He plated up the omelets and set out milk and orange slices, listening to Teddy and Sirius talk from upstairs. He leaned against the counter for a moment, a dull pain stretching across his stomach.
“Bloody hell…” He groaned quietly, rubbing his belly. He’d been having contractions for weeks now, all of them false. He was ready to be done with this pregnancy, his body wasn’t meant for 39 weeks of this. Teddy was born at 35 weeks, and even with him being a bit early he was still over it at the time.
“Da! You’re wearing my light blue socks!” Teddy whined, coming into the kitchen.
Remus breathed out and moved his foot to the side a bit and leaned over, finding his foot wearing a light blue sock. “Teds, I can’t see my feet. I don’t know what I’m wearing half the time. Sometimes, I don’t even know if I have pants on.” He sighed.
“That’s disgusting.” Teddy gagged, sitting down at the table. “You’re so embarrassing.”
“Thanks.” Remus rolled his eyes, waddling over to the stairs. “Padfoot! Breakfast!”
“Coming!” Sirius was pulling his hair back into a bun as he rushed down the stairs, nearly knocking Remus over. “Hello, love.” He smiled, giving his husband a quick kiss, before sitting down to eat.
“Good morning…” Remus sighed, sitting down with them.
“Who’s taking me to school?” Teddy asked, his mouth full.
“I am.” Remus said. “And we have…10 minutes before we need to leave.”
“Can Paddy take me?” He asked.
“No can do, Teddy, my bike is in the shop.” Sirius pouted.
“Then…drive the car.” Teddy said. “Please, I want you to take me.”
“What’s wrong with Da taking you?”
“He’s Da.” Teddy said, as if that explained anything.
“Right here, just so you know. I’m sitting right here.” Remus said, looking at the two. “Plus, I’m dressed, Paddy is not. He’s wearing a robe.”
“Yet I would still like his to take me to school.” Teddy shrugged, finishing his breakfast. “I’ll be in the car, Paddy.” He grabbed his bag and the keys, walking out the front door.
Remus huffed, pushing his plate away, food untouched. “He’s eight years old and he acts like a teenager. I don’t like his attitude, I’m sure he gets it from those friends of his.”
“He just wants to have friends, Remus. He’s the new kid at school, he went in knowing no one. He’s still figuring things out, and sometimes that means acting a little differently, even if we don’t like it.” Sirius said.
Remus folded his arms and looked down at himself. He swallowed, turning his head to the kitchen window. “Am I embarrassing?”
“No?” Sirius questioned. “Why, did something happen?”
“Teddy called me embarrassing because I have his socks on, but, now I can think of multiple occasions where he said the same thing. The grocery store, the park, school…” Remus could feel tears coming.
Sirius looked at his husband, quickly moving to his husband’s side. “Hey, Rem, I’m sure it means nothing. He’s just learned a new phrase is all, and I’m sure it’ll pass in a couple days.”
“He’s been saying it for months.” Remus whispered. “Fuck, Sirius I think he’s embarrassed of me.” He hiccuped. “And - and who wouldn’t be, I’m a pregnant man, I look ridiculous. I am ridiculous.”
“You stop that. Stop it right now.” Sirius said sternly, holding Remus’ face in his hands. “You are carrying our child, Remus. And once, eight years ago, you carried Teddy as well. No one else has said anything, and Teddy doesn’t mean any of those words. He’s just a kid, who’s trying to figure himself out. You aren’t embarrassing, or ridiculous. You are brave, and smart, and kind. You are loved just as you are.” He pressed a kiss to his lips, then his nose, then forehead.
“I just…didn’t expect anything from my own son.” Remus whispered, his eyes pouring silent tears.
“And I will talk to him in the car. We’ll get this figured out, okay? There’s nothing to worry about, my love. You are perfect. You are handsome. You are mine.” Sirius gave him a soft smile, standing up straight. “I’ll be home soon, just gotta take the spawn to school.”
Remus nodded, wiping his eyes. “I’ll see you when you get back.”
Sirius blew him a kiss. “Eat your breakfast! I want my baby nice and strong!” He called out, then the front door closed behind him.
— - —
In the car, Sirius played some music, Teddy humming along in the backseat. Sirius looked back at him through the rear view mirror. He smiled slightly, then turned the music down.
“Hey…” Teddy whined.
“Just for a minute, love. I want to talk to you.” Sirius sighed. “Are you doing alright in school? Like, you have friends and stuff?”
“Yes…” Teddy scrunched his nose.
“No one is bullying you?”
“No…why are you asking?”
“I’m just trying to figure out why you’re being weird around Da. He said you called him embarrassing, and that’s not okay.” Sirius said.
“Yeah, because he was wearing my socks.” Teddy huffed.
“No, you’ve said that to him before. And then you didn’t want him to take you to school, and that made him upset. He likes taking you to school.”
“I didn’t want him to take me. I wanted you.” Teddy crossed his arms, glaring out the window.
“But why?” Sirius asked, and Teddy pinched his lips together. “Edward, answer me.”
“Because! Because you’re cool, and he’s not! My friends like you! You have a motorbike, and you wear leather, and you dance and are famous! Da isn’t, he’s a teacher and he’s pregnant! My friends tease me about it, and I don’t like it!” Teddy cried out.
“Okay…” Sirius breathed out, pulling into the school parking lot. He doesn’t usually, but this conversation needs to happen now. He parked, then turned around in his seat. “One, I am not famous. I just dance on the West End sometimes.” Teddy rolled his eyes. “Two, I’m not cool, there’s so many uncool things that I do. Like…okay I can’t think of anything right now, but Da could definitely tell you how uncool I am.”
“You’re still better than him.” Teddy mumbled.
“Teddy.” Sirius groaned, hitting his head on the head rest. “Da isn’t embarrassing. And he feels horrible that you think of him like that, you do realize that if he didn’t get pregnant with you, you wouldn’t be here? Same with the baby, they wouldn’t be joining our family if Da didn’t give up nine months of his life to bring a baby to us. He’s special, Teddy. Your Da is so special, and he is living as his true self, while doing something he didn’t think he would be.
“If it were me, if I was pregnant, would you find me embarrassing? Would you tell me that I’m not good enough to be around you?”
“Th-that’s not what I said!” Teddy cried, hot tears running down his cheeks now. “He is good enough, just not right now!”
Sirius let out a tired sigh, watching his son. “Go to school, Teddy. We can talk about this at home.”
Teddy cried louder and shook his head, curling up in his seat. Sirius waited a moment before getting out of the car, opening Teddy’s door, and pulling his son out. Teddy screamed and held tightly to his neck, his little legs wrapping around Sirius’ waist.
“Are we really doing this today?” Sirius asked, glancing around to see who was watching. “Love, come on, you’re getting snot all over my neck. Just go to school, learn, and we can talk with Da after.”
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry, Paddy!” Teddy cried, muffled. “I wanna go home!”
“Fine…fine, you win. Just get back in the car.” Sirius mumbled, setting him down. “Come on, let’s go.”
— - —
After crying his little heart out to Remus, Teddy had fallen asleep on the couch. Remus wasn’t fond of the idea of Teddy missing school, especially since there were only four days left. But, Teddy was distraught, and Sirius is a pushover.
Remus was making himself another cup of tea when a stronger pain filled his torso, enough to make his gasp and groan.
“Moony?” Sirius asked, looking up from his phone. “Hey, look at me, it’s alright. You’re okay.” Sirius moved to his side and squeezed his hand, giving Remus an anchor.
“That’s the third one this morning…” Remus mumbled, rubbing his side. “They’re getting stronger, too.”
“Is it go time?” Sirius asked. “Should I call the midwife?”
“No, no not yet.” Remus said, picking up his mug. “Still early, my belly hasn’t dropped.”
“That doesn’t always mean labor, love.”
“Teddy dropped, this one will too.” Remus sighed, relaxing a bit as Sirius massaged his hips. “What - what did Teddy say in the car? Were you able to talk to him?”
“Oh.” Sirius paused for a moment, then kept massaging. “I thought he told you when he was crying on the couch?”
“I couldn’t understand him, he was all snot and hiccups.” Remus sighed. “Can we talk upstairs? I need to lay down.” He didn’t wait for an answer, and made his way to their bedroom. Sirius followed, his thumbnail stuck between his teeth.
“So?” Remus laid down, stuffing pillows behind his back.
“Um…is it really that important, I mean, he’s eight…” Sirius said, his voice getting higher.
“It was that bad?” Remus whispered. “He hates me that much?”
“He doesn’t hate you!” Sirius quickly said. “He just thinks you’re like, not cool.”
“I know I’m not cool, Sirius.” Remus said. “I teach history, I wear sweaters that are from the 70s, I take books everywhere with me, I look like this.” He gestured to his belly. “That’s all he said?”
“Well…”
“Tell me now.” Remus growled.
“He just thinks you’re embarrassing, and I don’t think he’s completely grasped the concept of being transgender, and honestly it isn’t common to see pregnant men everywhere, and I’m the cool parent and apparently famous, while you’re…you.” Sirius rushed out, sitting on the bed. “I’m sorry. He feels terrible, but, when you are new to a school, and you just want to fit in, people around you influence how you think.”
Remus nodded slightly, picking up the book on his nightstand. “Okay.”
“Okay?” Sirius asked, scooting closer to his husband.
“Yeah, I get it, he just wants people to like him. If making fun of me is the way to go, then that’s what he has to do.” Remus shrugged, opening to his bookmark.
“You aren’t okay with this.”
“Of course I am. Teddy wants friends. I only want him to be happy. Who cares about my feelings, what I’m going through, how this affects me. He can be a bully, I don’t mind.” Remus focused on his book, his eyes burning with tears. “Go away now. I want to read.”
Sirius sunk, his heart aching. “I’ll go start lunch, my love. What do you want?” He asked quietly, rubbing Remus’ shin.
Remus only shrugged, and a tear slipped down his cheek. Sirius sighed, getting up. “I’ll make pesto sandwiches, your favorite.”
Sirius left, pulling his phone out of his pocket. He walked past Teddy who was still sleeping, and into the kitchen where he put on some music, letting the rhythms take his emotions away.
— - —
Teddy woke up the same as he did every morning. His alarm went off at 6:45 a.m., he got dressed, lazily ran a comb through his hair, and headed downstairs. Except things were not as they usually were. Remus was always making breakfast when he left his room, but the kitchen was empty this time.
He knew his Da was upset with him, but Teddy still needed to eat, right?
Cautiously, he went back upstairs, to his parent’s door. He listened, not hearing anything.
Was he so bad that they left him?
He opened the door, holding his breath and wishing for them to be there. He looked around, they weren’t in bed. He opened the door more, and on the other side of the room, Sirius and Remus were standing, rocking side to side with each other. They looked tired, barely awake.
“Paddy? Da?” Teddy asked. “Isn’t it…a bit early to be slow dancing?”
“Da isn’t feeling good, Teddy, we’re easing the pain…” Sirius whispered, and Remus whined a bit, putting more of his weight on Sirius. “Breathe, Rem, breathe it out…”
“What - what’s happening?” Teddy asked, panicked. “What’s wrong?”
“Contractions, Teddy, the baby is coming.” Sirius said, and Remus relaxed, breathing hard. “Go eat cereal, Lily is coming to take you to school.”
“No, I don’t want to go, I want to stay here.” Teddy said, walking into the room more. “I won’t be mean, promise. I don’t want to leave.” He pleaded.
“I don’t want you here.” Remus whispered, turning his head slightly to look at his son. “Go.”
“But you’re hurting…” Teddy whispered.
“He’s okay, Teds. He’ll be alright, just go get ready.” Sirius nodded. Remus looked away from him, resting his head back on Sirius’ shoulder. Teddy swallowed, nodded, and went back downstairs.
He silently ate cereal, hearing soft cries from his Da. Teddy didn’t like this feeling. He didn’t like that they were making him go to school when something like this was happening. He didn’t like seeing his Da in pain, it made him squirmy.
There was a knock at the front door, a key in the lock, then it opened. Lily walked in, poking her head into the kitchen. “Hello, love. You almost ready?” She asked, kissing his head.
“Yeah.” He mumbled.
“Alright, I’m just going to talk with your parents for a moment, finish up and grab your things.” She smiled, heading upstairs.
Lily knocked softly on the bedroom door, giving a calm smile to Sirius. “How’s he feeling?” She whispered.
“We’re getting through. Contractions are 15 minutes apart, they’ve stayed regular since about four this morning. Greta is coming once he gets down to 10 minutes, and from when I checked, he dilated to a four.” Sirius said, rubbing Remus’ back.
“Good, good.” Lily smiled. “Well, I am still good to pick Teddy up after school, and I can take him to Reggie’s after.”
“Thank you.” Remus whispered. He smiled weakly at Lily, and she blew him a kiss.
“I love you both, you’ve got this, and don’t worry about Teddy, everyone is here to help.” She smiled, leaving the room.
“I’m ready.” Teddy said, standing by the stairs. Lily jumped, slightly startled by the boy.
“Goodness, Teddy, I didn’t even see you.” She chuckled, ruffling his hair. “Come on sweetie, let’s get you to school.”
— - —
Teddy hated school. He was never going back again. Never ever.
He was already nervous going into class, he wanted to be with his Da, he wanted to make him feel better. But Aunt Lily dropped him off with a kiss on his cheek, a smile on her face, and she told him she would see him after school. Not even Paddy could pick him up.
As class went on, Teddy couldn’t focus. Now, he was a good student. Sometimes he talked too much, or got questions wrong, but he was good. He did well enough that his teacher liked him, and his parents were happy with his grades. He was supposed to be doing math, when his mind wandered and he focused on the tree just outside the class window. Then someone was calling his name.
“Teddy? Teddy…Edward.” He snapped up at his full name, looking at his teacher. “Are you paying attention?”
Everyone in class looked at him. “Sorry, Ms. Tenner.” He said quietly. “I can’t really focus, my Da is having a baby, like right now.”
“Your Da?” Lucas snorted. Teddy turned around without hesitation, narrowing his eyes at the boy.
“Yes, my Da. He’s special, so back off.” He growled.
“Fag.” He chuckled, and Teddy…well.
He begged the principal not to call his parents. He knew they couldn’t come, and he didn’t want them to know what he’d done. He couldn’t call Lily, he felt ashamed and he knew she would lecture him, even if she was being gentle. So, an hour later, James walked into the school, still in his football uniform. He offered a charming smile to the secretary, who blushed and lost track of her thoughts for a moment. Teddy rolled his eyes and grabbed his bag, making his way to his uncle.
“Hey, Teddy.” James smiled, ruffling his hair. “Heard you got in a fight…is that what this is from?” He asked, tilting the boy’s chin up to look at his swollen eye.
“Can we go?” He asked, and James took him outside. “I didn’t mean to make you leave practice early, Reg didn’t answer his phone.”
James started the car, driving away from the school. “He’s got dance classes all afternoon, and today was slow. I’ll catch up tomorrow.” James said, straightening his glasses. “So, do you want to chat about it?”
“I - I’m a bad kid, Prongs. A very bad kid.” Teddy mumbled. “But Lucas started it! He called me a fag! I didn’t like it, and then - then he was crying, and I was angry, and I just want my Da!” He cried.
“Wait, he called you what?” James asked. “What did you just say?”
“I’m n-not saying it again.” Teddy cried.
“I’ll call the school later I guess…” James sighed, rubbing his face. “I’m sorry he said that. That’s not nice at all.”
Teddy nodded, wiping his eyes. “I want to go home.” He mumbled. “I want my Paddy, and Da, he’s hurt, Prongs! I hurt him!”
“Teddy, you didn’t hurt him, he’s having a baby, and that can be painful. He’ll be alright soon.”
“No, I hurt him. I said things and made him sad, I told him cruel things, and then he was angry at me, and Paddy was angry, and n-now they don’t even want me at home…” he cried, curling up.
“Teddy…” James sighed. “I - I used to say things to my parents all the time that I didn’t mean. Sometimes I said very naughty things, and yeah, they would get angry and I would feel bad, but they still always loved me. They still do love me, and your dads still love you. There’s just a lot going on right now, and they can only focus on one thing at a time.”
“Then why can’t I g-go home and say sorry? Why don’t they want me?” He hiccuped.
“Because they don’t want to scare you. Having a baby can be scary, Teddy, and your Da might just need to scream and cry without you hearing it. When he had you, even I was scared, and there was nothing I could do to help him.” James said. “But it’ll be okay, so let’s just get to my house, and we’ll hang out for a bit. Haz will be out of school in a couple hours, then you can play.”
“When can I go home?” Teddy whimpered.
“When Pads texts me, I’ll take you back. But we might have a sleepover.” James nodded. “Just relax, Teddy, everything is going to be okay.”
— - —
Remus was regretting his home birth choice. He had Teddy at home, and he did great during it. Besides the excruciating pain he was in for 16 hours, that whole ordeal was wonderful.
Now, he really just wanted some drugs. Strong ones.
“Count it out, Rem. Nice and slow.” Sirius said, resting his husband against his chest. “Breathe, Moony. Breathe…”
Remus groaned, hands gripping the sheets on his sides. He could faintly hear Sirius counting behind him, and once he hit 22, the contraction eased and his back fell onto Sirius’ chest, heavy breaths escaping him. He didn’t want to be in bed, but Greta suggested he stop moving around, and she needed his walkway to fill up the birthing pool. So, bed it was.
“I’m so tired…” Remus whispered, his voice already hoarse. He hasn’t screamed at all, but the deep groaning was straining him, and he could really use some tea.
“I know, love. You’re doing great though, it’s going well.” Sirius nodded, wiping his forehead with a cloth. He definitely looked like a mess, sweaty face, his hair soaked and sticking to his forehead, a loose shirt on that was also sticking to him. He felt like a mess.
“Please, pull my hair back, do something, I feel stuck.” He whined, sitting himself up. He slowly scooted over to the edge of the bed, resting his feet on the floor. He held tightly to the bed, panting as he waited for Sirius to do something about the mop on his head.
Sirius pulled a hair tie off his wrist and kneeled behind Remus, gently combing his hair back into a short ponytail. He leaned back and grabbed hair clips off his nightstand, then pinned back the loose pieces.
“I hope you weren’t planning for pictures, this hairstyle is…bad.” Sirius quietly chuckled, rubbing Remus’ shoulders.
“I don’t give a fuck, I just need it out of my face.” He sighed, closing his eyes. A phone buzzed, and Sirius pulled his out of his pocket.
“Huh.”
“What?” Remus mumbled.
“Prongs just picked up Teddy from school, said he let Lily know, but he’s got him for now…” Sirius said, texting back a reply.
“Why - why is Teddy out of school?” Remus asked, looking at his clock. “It’s not even lunch time.”
“I just asked.” Sirius said, his phone buzzing again. “Teddy got in a fight…he’s got a black eyes but he’s okay.”
“A black eye?” Remus asked, turning to face his husband. “Thats not okay, tell Prongs that that’s not okay.” He huffed. “My son was is a fight? For what! He’s eight, he shouldn’t be fight - ooh…”Remus groaned loudly, curling over his belly with a contraction.
“That was only six minutes apart.” Sirius said, looking to Greta. “He jumped four minutes.”
“He’s stressed, he can’t be stressed.” Greta said, moving over to Remus. She leaned over and felt his belly, clicking her tongue. “Too tight, he needs to relax.”
“My son, is hurt. I have a good reason to be stressed!” Remus gritted out, falling back onto Sirius. ”Find out what happened right now Sirius, or so help me, you will be hurt.”
“As soon as you calm down, I’ll find out.” Sirius nodded. “Is the water ready?”
“It’s not warmed up all the way, but enough that he’ll survive.” Greta said, grabbing Remus’ hands. “Come on dear, slow steps.”
Remus stood up, groaning with the weight change. His body was on fire, but he really wanted to be in the water. After seven steps, he was standing next to the pool, not wanting to lift his legs up. “I can’t do it…” He whined, putting his weight back on Sirius.
“Yes you can, you can.” Sirius said quietly, kissing the back of his shoulder. “Come on, just two big steps, that’s all.”
Remus took a deep breath and lifted his leg up, letting Sirius nudge him into the pool. The water wasn’t as warm as he thought it would be, but it was good enough. He planted his foot down, the edge of the pool between his legs. “I can’t, I can’t get my other one up…” He panted, squeezing Sirius’ arms. “Fuck, contraction…”
“Okay, okay this is fine. You’re fine.” Sirius nodded, holding onto him. Remus shook his head and tried to hold back from pushing, but Sirius could feel him trying. “Hey, darling, don’t push please.”
Greta’s head shot up, and she glared at Remus. “Don’t you push mister. You aren’t ready.”
“I didn’t even push!” He whined, forcing his other leg up and over the edge. He lost his footing, and slipped into the pool, his head going under.
The room froze, and Remus sat up, stunned. Sirius’ eyes were wide as he looked between Remus and Greta. Then, Remus snorted, and started laughing quietly, then loudly.
“Bloody hell, I’m a mess…” He laughed weakly, leaning back against the pool. “Worst birth story ever…”
Sirius smiled, laughing quietly. “We weren’t striving for perfect, darling.” He chuckled, wiping Remus’ face with a towel. “You poor thing.”
— - —
“And these are my trains, and these are my cars, and these are my planes…”
Teddy tiredly nodded along and Harry showed him all his toys, ones that Teddy has seen a million times. He didn’t think he could make it through a sleepover with his cousin.
“And we can’t play with any of them, just looking. Oh, I got new Pokémon cards, I’ll get them!” Harry ran out of his room, and Teddy took this opportunity to sneak downstairs, into the kitchen where James was.
“Do you like grilled chicken? I was just about to go out back to get dinner started.” He said, turning to Teddy. “Where’s Harry at?”
“He talks too much. I ran away.” Teddy mumbled, resting his head on the counter. “Can I go home yet?”
“Interesting…” James said, opening a cupboard. “I haven’t heard anything yet from Sirius, so I think the answer is still no.”
“Fuck.” Teddy mumbled.
“Hey! Language, Edward!” James gasped. “Couch, now.”
“Ugh!” Teddy groaned, stomping off to the living room. He fell onto the couch and screamed into a pillow, kicking his feet. He’s eight, he’s allowed to have tantrums.
He kept his face buried and shoved Harry away from him when he tried to show him his Pokémon cards, didn’t answer James when he was told he could come out of timeout, and didn’t looked up when the front door opened, Leo running inside at full speed, and Regulus carrying a car seat as he shoved his way through the entrance.
“Oh, hello Teddy.” He smiled. “Are you…alright?”
“He’s in timeout!” Harry said, running up to Regulus. “Papa, I have new cards to show you, we traded at recess.”
“Oh, how fun. Just give me a moment, Hazzy, I haven’t even set Evie down.” Regulus said. Harry nodded and ran off to find Leo, and Regulus sat down in a chair next to Teddy and got Evie out.
“Teddy? Can you hear me?” Regulus asked, bouncing Evie on his knee. “Love?”
Teddy turned his head and looked at his uncle, his face covered in snot and tears. “I w-wanna go home.” He whispered.
Regulus set Evangeline down, the six month old happily babbling to herself and moved to kneel down if front of him. “Darling, what happened to your eye?” He asked, moving Teddy’s curls to the side.
“Reggie…” Teddy whimpered. “I - I really wanna g-go home…”
“I know, love, I know. Your Paddy said everything is going well, maybe you can go home tonight.” Regulus gave him a small smile. “Now, tell me what happened.”
“Someone called me a fag.” He whispered. “I punched him. He punched back.”
“Oh, darling…” Regulus whispered.
“Then Prongs put me in timeout, I just accidentally said a w-word, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do anything…” Teddy cried. “I want my Da!”
“Alright, alright…it’s okay…” Regulus picked up the boy and held him in his lap, rocking slightly. “I know this is hard, I’m sorry that someone said something so awful to you, I’m sorry you miss your dads, and - James! Come here!”
James poked his head into the living room, looking at his husband. “Hey…babe. Welcome home.” He offered a nervous smile.
“Do you think timeout was the best decision?” Regulus asked.
“He said fuck.” James whispered.
“You just said fuck.”
“Yeah but he’s a kid.”
“And he’s stressed and panicking, he doesn’t feel loved right now, and he just needs someone to be with him.” Regulus said. “And did you get him something for his eye?”
“Um…no.” James sighed. “Teddy, I’m sorry. I’m now realizing I wasn’t very fair to you. Do you forgive me?”
Teddy nodded and wiped his eyes. “It’s okay, Prongs.” He mumbled.
“There, now that everything is in order, James go finish dinner, Leo and Harry need to wash up, and…Teddy, let’s see how your dads are doing.” Regulus said, pulling out his phone.
— - —
“Have your waters broken yet, Remus?” Greta asked, leaning more into the pool.
“No…” Remus whispered, his head resting on the pool edge. “Please tell m-me I’m close…”
“Nine centimeters, baby is as ready as you are, if your waters don’t break soon, be prepared for the sac to still be in tact. That’s nothing bad, we’ll just break it once they’re out.” Greta said.
“Okay…okay…” Remus whimpered, fighting through another contraction. He had Sirius’ hand in his right, and a handle from the pool in his left.
“Hold it, love, hold it.” Sirius whispered, kissing his hand. “So good, Moony, so good…” He got distracted, his phone buzzing in his pocket. He waited until the contraction finished before pulling it out. “Reg is calling.”
“Answer it.” Remus panted. “Teddy, it might be Teddy.”
Sirius answered the call, Regulus’ face showing up on his screen. “Hi?” Sirius asked, his voice quiet.
“Hey, this is probably weird, yeah? You’re about to have a baby and I’m calling?” He asked.
“Um, a bit…” Sirius said, looking at Remus. “Has something happened?”
“No, not…right now, at least. I just have someone who really needs to see you for a minute.” Regulus passed the phone to Teddy, and the boy took it greedily.
“Paddy!”
“Hey, love, how are you?” Sirius asked, looking at his son’s tear streaked face. “Oh, your poor eye.”
“Let me see.” Remus whispered, holding out his hand. “I want to see him.”
“Don’t break my phone.” Sirius warned, giving to the Remus.
“Da…” Teddy whimpered. “Da I want to come home.”
Remus nodded, Sirius pushing his sweaty hair back. “I know, love, I know. Soon, okay? This baby is really stubborn.” He whispered.
“I’m sorry, Da, I didn’t mean anything I ever said. I was a bully to you, I’m really sorry. Now can I pleasecome home?”
“You aren’t a bully, Teddy…don’t cry, my love.” Remus passed the phone back to Sirius, another contraction pushing through his body.
“Da! Da!” Teddy cried.
“He’s okay, Teddy, don’t worry. I’m here.” Sirius said, giving Remus his free hand.
Remus groaned, his back arching painfully. “My waters, they just broke, ugh, I can feel the head!” He cried out, Greta moving quickly to see.
Sirius looked at his husband, then back at the phone. “Teddy, I need to go, but I’ll see you soon, okay? As soon as the baby is here I’ll text Regulus, then you can come home. It won’t be long, I promise.”
“Okay…” Teddy cried. “Promise? You w-won’t forget?”
“No, love, I won’t. Pinky promise.” Sirius nodded.
“Okay…” Teddy mumbled. “I love you.”
“We love you too, love. I’ll see you soon.” Sirius nodded, hanging up.
Remus whined, panting heavily as Greta pulled back. “He’s ready to push.”
“Finally… Remus groaned, not wasting any time to start a long push.
Sirius stayed behind him, touching him in any way he could. He kissed his head, used his free hand to rub is shoulder and chest, fiddling with his wedding ring when Remus wasn’t squeezing his hand. When Remus asked for another home birth, Sirius wasn’t keen on the idea, especially when he so vividly remembers Leo’s birth, and how Regulus was rushed to the hospital after eight hours at home.
He didn’t want the same for Remus, but he insisted, he wanted this to be for them, and he wanted comfort and intimacy. So, Sirius agreed, and he made sure that this would be a peaceful experience, one they could work through together.
“Siri, Siri…” Remus whined, pushing again. “Fuck, fuck…”
“You’re okay. Come on, darling.” Sirius whispered, kissing his ear. “Push, let’s get this baby here.”
“Nice and slow, Remus, everything is looking great.” Greta smiled.
Remus nodded, his eyes closing as he relaxed. “Right there, right there…” He pushed and fell back, chest heaving. “That p-push, it was too short, what - what’s wrong?” He asked, looking over at Greta. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing I can see, Remus. There’s a little blood, but I’m not concerned about it. Does something feel off?” Greta asked.
“I can’t tell.” He groaned. “I can’t stop, though, I can’t - ugh!” He pushed harder, and Sirius winced as something popped in his hand. “Fuck!”
“Calm down, you’re stressing yourself out.” Sirius soothed, petting his hair. “Greta, what’s going on?”
“You just have a large baby coming, that’s all. Big head circumference.” She smiled. “Push when you’re ready, it’s nearly there.”
“Ugh that’s the worst kind!” Remus groaned, pushing once more. Slowly, the head came out, and Remus gasped. “Holy…”
“Beautiful, Remus, keep it up.” Greats smiled.
“Come on, come on Rem.” Sirius whispered. “Nearly there. You got this.”
“I really - don’t!” He cried out, pushing with the hope he doesn’t have to anymore. His face turned pink as he bore down, going for at least 20 seconds before Greta reached into the pool and set a plump red baby on his chest.
“Remus, Remus, Remus…” Sirius cried, kissing his husband all over. The baby let out a loud shriek, and Remus laughed as Greta placed a blanket over them.
“They’re here, they’re here…” Remus cried, his body finally relaxing. “Oh, what a big baby, too!”
“She’s nice and healthy.” Greta smiled, wiping the baby’s face off.
“She?” Sirius asked. “A little girl?”
“Little is stretching it.” Remus laughed. “Oh, a sweet girl…”
Sirius laughed and wiped his eyes, leaning down to look at his daughter. “She’s so perfect, Remus. She’s so lovely.”
“Teddy.” Remus gasped. “Text, please, let him come home.”
“Alright, alright. Let me find my phone.” Sirius kissed his head, then grabbed his phone. “You worry about you, my love. Teddy will be here soon.”
Remus nodded, his baby quiet again his chest. He smiled, holding her a little tighter.
— - —
“Why doesn’t she have my hair color?” Teddy asked, running his finger over his sister’s head. He was curled up in bed with Remus, clinging to him as Remus held the new baby. Sirius was on Teddy’s other side, softly combing through his curls.
“Because she has Paddy’s hair, just like how you have mine.” Remus said, adjusting his daughter in his arms. Her weight came out to nine pounds and 2 ounces, and Remus almost lost his head when he heard. He knew he was huge while pregnant, but he wasn’t expecting that.
Teddy hummed, poking her cheeks next. “She’s got chipmunk cheeks.”
“She does, doesn’t she.” Sirius smiled. “A very beautiful chipmunk.”
Remus snorted, gently passing the baby to his husband. “So, names. She needs one, and I can’t decide.”
“We’ve narrowed it down to two, but…I’m torn.” Sirius sighed. “Teddy? Which one did you like?”
“Yes, you choose. I would love for you to choose, darling.” Remus smiled, kissing his head.
“Um…Aurora.” Teddy said. “Like the lights, I think they’re pretty.” He smiled, looking over at the baby. “I think she’s quite pretty as well.”
Remus couldn’t stop the tears, he honestly had no control over anything anymore. “Oh, love…” He cried, hugging Teddy close.
“It’s a good choice, Teddy.” Sirius smiled, rubbing Teddy’s cheek. “Aurora Hope Lupin.”