Epilogue
He was in the zone. In one pan he was frying up some vegetables, broccoli because it was Teddys' favorite for whatever reason, and aubergine for Remus. He really was mixing with a tasteless bunch. Sirius truly had no clue whether it went with the salmon in the second pan but knew Teddy would gulf it down either way. Lastly, he had some potatoes boiling. Remus could really eat an incredible amount of potatoes in one sitting, it was quite fascinating to watch.
'Oh, I thought I smelled something!' Hope Lupin sang as she wandered into the kitchen. Sirius threw her a smile from where he was chopping carrots into sticks (another one of Teddys' favorites).
'I need to make use of this stove while I still can,' he said, looking fondly at the vintage stove with open burners. Their new place, and subsequently new stove has sealed burners so Remus will be less likely to start a fire. It was an actual conversation they had to have. Sirius loved that man.
Hope hummed. 'I'll miss having so much noise here,' she admitted.
When Sirius and Remus met he and Teddy were living with Hope. For Remus, with London prices and the whole single parent thing, living away from his mum was almost impossible. Not that he minded, he always said he'd miss her once they started looking at new places. But then life got in the way, Sirius and Remus had been together for almost two years and still hadn't moved in together. In all fairness, Sirius did spend more time here than at his own flat, but still. So when Hope announced that Stan might be moving in soon, they decided it was time to find their own home. Stan was great, he had even been a fireman when he was younger and he spoiled Teddy rotten. He and Hope had been together for about a year, and Remus always told Sirius how relieved he was that his mother had found someone.
'Oh, I wouldn't hope to be rid of the noise anytime soon. You know Teddy can't stand to be away from you,' Sirius said, putting a hand on her arm. 'Not any of us, you're the only functioning adult in this household.'
Hope laughed at him, and batted his hands away from the cutting board to assist him.
'I'll miss you, cariad,' she told him affectionately. Sirius still got a lump in his throat whenever she called him that, it's what she always uses for Remus. 'But I'm so very happy for you, and Remus. He couldn't have dreamt of someone better than you, Sirius. I know he'll be very safe and loved, that's all that matters,' she finished. Sirius still felt overwhelmed sometimes, with how much love this family had, and how freely they gave it.
'I couldn't have dreamt of someone better either,' he smiled.
Just then the front door flew open, and Sirius heard Remus softly helping his son out of his shoes and jacket.
'Hey, how was your date?' He called from the kitchen, sharing a grin with Hope. Sirius met them in the hallway, quickly being tackled by Teddy who he picked up swiftly. Sirius adored how easily Teddy loved. 'Hey bear,' he whispered.
'It went well, thank you,' Remus answered, walking over to first kiss his boyfriend, and then plant a kiss to Teddys' hair. 'I'm still contemplating leaving you for that fiery redhead,' he mused.
'I wouldn't blame you,' he admitted. Teddy wanted to be put back down and Sirius complied, always reluctantly. He was growing up quickly even though Sirius kept telling him not to. 'How was Harry, did he eat sand again?' He asked, watching Teddy sprint to the kitchen, undoubtedly to tackle his poor grandmother.
'He did,' Remus sighed, wrapping his arms around Sirius to lean on him. 'I'm sure at this point he's just doing it to rebel.'
'Ah,' Sirius held him by his waist, 'he takes after me,' he said, somewhat proudly.
'You eat sand often, do you?'
'No, but I reckon if James told I couldn't, there'd be no sand left,' he noted. Remus shook his head.
'I can't believe I'm raising a child with you,' he said, but smiled as Sirius kissed him.
'Believe it, baby. You'll have to put up with me every day soon,' he smirked, kissing his jaw softly.
'Is that so?' Remus hummed, 'sounds like I should be financially compensated.'
Sirius smiled against his skin. 'You'll be compensated in love and affection.'
'Meh,' he awnsered dryly. Sirius stopped what he was doing to glare stonely at his cruel boyfriend.
'I hate you.'
'I love you too,' Remus smiled, and exhaled shakily, 'so much.'
Sirius felt a tug at his heart. How did he get so lucky?
'I love you.'
-
'I'm genuinely starting to second guess this decision,' Remus announced, standing in the middle of an empty room. It was dull-looking and spacious. It really was quite nice looking during the day, with big windows and hardwood floors.
Sirius had worked late so they didn't make it to their new house until past Teddy's bedtime. Logically, they could go tomorrow. They wouldn't be sleeping here anyways since there were no beds. But when Sirius got home, Remus stood there with the key he'd picked up earlier that day. Being sentimental saps, they wanted to unlock the door together, so Remus had waited.
It only took one excited look to silently agree that they had to go see it tonight. It had been Sirius's idea to bring take-out to eat on the floor.
'You love it,' Sirius grinned. He took out the candlesticks he'd secretly packed and lit them silently. Suddenly the room felt cozy and warm, mostly because now he could properly see Remus and Teddy.
'Such a romantic,' Remus huffed, sitting down in front of him.
'Can we eat now?' Teddy asked, opening his pizza box.
Whilst they ate Remus kept insisting that their bedroom walls couldn't be painted black. Teddy was making sure he was still definitely going to get those large wall stickers he wanted, the ones with different zoo animals. Sirius mostly sat quietly to appreciate the two most important people in his life.
He was also sweating a bit, nerves getting the better of him.
'It's lovely, isn't it?' Remus asked, something very soft in his tone. He was looking around the room, their home, with big eyes. Sirius smiled looking at him.
'It is.'
'Padfoot,' Teddy whispered, still insistent on using the nickname James always used for him.
Sirius turned to find the boy with a question in his eyes; now?. Sirius nodded. 'I'm gonna get Sheba,' he said proudly, as practiced. Sheba was his favorite stuffed animal, it was hideous.
'Alright-' Remus responded, but Teddy was already out of the room.
Sirius exhaled once. This was it.
'Remus?' He swallowed. The man looked up at him, an eyebrow raised.
'Yes, Sirius?' His mouth quirked up in amusement.
He took his hand, and collected his thoughts. It was hard, those green eyes always threw him off.
'I'm... I used to think that I would never find anyone that I wanted to be with forever. You know, besides James there's never been a whole lot of people that I've been close to, that i- that I loved,' he paused, Remus was looking softly at him. 'And when I met you I was... I've never felt like this for anyone, not even close. I didn't know that a person could be this happy, and it's not just you, it's- its Teddy and Hope and... I feel so lucky,' there were tears in his eyes that he did nothing to prevent, 'You are everything, Remus. you make me feel like.. Like I’m someone who can do anything, who is loved and- and you're home for me. You're my family, you and Teddy.'
The door creaked as it opened, and in came a boy, carrying a little velvet box. There was a sharp intake of breath.
'That is,' Sirius said, as Teddy sat down beside him, handing him the box. 'if you'll have me.' He opened it to reveal a golden ring.
Remus was crying, and there was a choked sob before he answered.
'Yes, yes, yes, yes.'