Chapter 17 - Epilogue
As the night came to an end, the party died out.
Remus and Sirius had long gone- heading for their week-long honeymoon.
Regulus had offered to stay back and help Lyall clean, but the man shooed him away.
Lyall said the last thing Regulus needed was to be in more pain- so he sent him away with a hug and homemade remedies.
James had called a car and the couple just waited there contently in each other's arms.
When the vehicle arrived, Regulus ducked inside and James followed in pursuit.
James nodded at the driver as Regulus sent him a confused look.
"Where are we going?" Regulus questioned.
"Home, of course." James quipped, but there was a mischievous glint in his eyes that Regulus knew all too well.
Regulus squinted at him suspicious, but said nothing more.
The ride wasn't too long, but it felt like forever to Regulus.
When the driver had come to a stop, Regulus could see out into the ocean.
Regulus stepped out of the car as James talked to the driver.
He was so confused as James joined beside him, the car driving away- leaving them in the dust.
James intertwined their fingers before dragging Regulus along.
Regulus' shoes sunk into the warm sand and the smell of saltwater was gentle against his nose.
They stopped in front of a small cottage.
It was something out of Regulus' head. It had a pastel blue and beige scheme.
"James?", Regulus muttered in a daze, "Am I dreaming?"
"Yes." James gleamed as he brought Regulus to the front door before pushing it open.
It was just as cute from the inside as it was on the outside.
It was everything they had ever dreamed about.
"Welcome home, love." James mumbled, pressing a kiss to his head.
Regulus spun to look at James.
"This- this is ours?" Regulus quizzed.
"I've been getting everything ready since I graduated", James explained, "I figured it was only time we got our happy ending."
Regulus traced his fingers along the walls as he made his way through the living room and kitchen.
James directed him up the stairs and into the bedroom.
Regulus knew the bed too well. It was almost an exact replica to the one created by the Room of Requirements.
"Do you like it?" James asked.
Regulus pressed his lips to James' gently, but with every molecule of love in his body.
"I love it." Regulus gleamed.
Regulus roamed their home a bit more, making his way into an empty room.
"This is just an extra room", James explained, "It could make a nice office or library-"
"Or a nursery." Regulus quipped as he looked towards James.
James furrowed his eyebrows, confused.
"I mean- I guess it could make a nice nursery-" James started.
"James." Regulus stopped him, confusing the boy even more.
"Wha-"
A smile grew on Regulus' face, "I'm pregnant."
For a moment James was in pure shock- he didn't move or blink or even breathe.
And then his eyes sparkled and the expression on his face was pure joy.
James was right.
It was about time they got their happy ending.