A/N: this is a re-edit of a previous story i had uploaded and never finished. i had intended to stop writing, and after deleting my other stories, for some reason i felt i couldn't leave this one incomplete. this is a two part story.

disclaimer: the characters belong to j k rowling and any other associated companies.

Resurrection

April 2001

"Mummy, that's not your nose!"

"It's not? Oh no! … Is this my nose?"

"No! That's a pig nose! Oink oink!"

"Aha! Oink oink that's right, Teddy! Well done!"

"Mummy being silly."

"Yes Mummy's being silly isn't she, Albie? Maybe she can have your noses instead!"

"Mummy!" "No!"

As Remus groggily made his way down the stairs, head throbbing and limbs stiff, he headed towards the location of the merriment- the living room. Normally the boisterous mornings now common in the Lupin household would brighten even his most sullen of moods. He usually considered the chaotic energy that surrounded his wife and children a bright way to start the day. However today with dizziness blurring his vision, he grimaced. Pausing in the doorway of the living room, a wave of nausea took over, and for the first time in a while he wished to still be in bed.

He opened his eyes and was greeted by the sight of his wife, dressed in his red tartan pyjama shirt that fell almost to her knees, and hair the brightest orange crying with laughter as she dodged four tiny podgy hands. Their owners, dressed in matching Quidditch themed pyjamas, giggled hysterically as they tried to stop her from her tickling attack. With one boy pinned under each hand, she loudly kissed all over their happy faces and they squirmed away with cries of "Mummy". Observing in the doorway, he couldn't take his eyes off the scene and gave into a quiet chuckle. It soon became a muffled coughing fit, head throbbing, and when he looked up again he caught his wife smirking in his direction.

"Hey look who's up boys!"

Two wide-eyed faces looked in his direction. Remus gently smiled back.

"Daddy!"

Two little boys launched themselves towards him and he stooped to pick them up. His shoulder protested against the extra exercise and he blinked against the nausea, and then at the excruciating blue colour Teddy's hair had become. It was a trick the three year old has recently learnt he could semi-control, and like his mother, had the fascination of wanting to replicate every colour ever known. Judging by the big grin on his son's face at the effort, Remus had a feeling this was only the beginning of the mischief the boy had planned for them in the future.

"How are my boys this morning, hmm?"

Their youngest, Alastor, placed his head on his father's shoulder, the two year old clutching onto his dressing gown, which covered Remus's bare chest.

"We had, we… we had eggy wizards this morning Daddy!" Alastor grinned.

"Eggy wizards?"

"Yeah! And, and Mummy said we're going to hunt for chocolate in the garden later because, because you did when you were little" Teddy bounced with excitement.

"Chocolate eggs? That sounds fantastic."

"Mummy said it's, it's a Muggle special day, and your Mummy cele...celeb'ated it. I can't 'member," Teddy's face scrunched up as he thought. "Mummy… Mummy what day is it again?"

"It's Easter Sunday, sweetheart" Tonks replied.

"Yeah that"

"Are you, are, are you better, Daddy? The moon not makes you poorly no, no more?" Alastor asked, thumb in his mouth.

"Daddy's feeling much better now, Albie" Remus kissed his forehead. "Thank you."

"Did Mummy give you a magical kiss? Mummy gives us magical kisses that make us better when we're poorly" Teddy tilted his head expectantly.

Just as she started to rise from the floor, Tonks suddenly fell back down laughing. "Mummy gave Daddy a very magical kiss to make him feel better last night Ted…"

"Dora" He could feel his ears turning red.

"Mummy's kisses are, are special Daddy. They make you better."

Breathless from laughing she clutched her side. "Yeah Daddy, don't you forget it" she winked. "I have very smart, caring boys don't I? So I think my very smart, caring boys should put all their crayons away so we can get ready for some chocolate, hmm? And quick before Gem gets them! Go go go!"

With squeals of agreement, Remus chuckled as he placed the wriggling boys back on their feet. Tonks, walking to Remus, tapped their bottoms as they ran past to where everything was scattered. A scramble of limbs, crayons and loose parchments became a tornado of movement and watching he wasn't sure if it was actually becoming any tidier. Gemini, the black fuzzy old thing Tonks called a cat, peered around the sofa at the noise. She watched the boys as they hurriedly packed away, waiting for a crayon to be forgotten so she could enjoy her favourite pastime of destroying things left unattended by them.

"So, if a good old snogging session cures Lycanthropy, where have you been going every month since 1996 hmm?" purred Tonks, her arms wrapping around his neck, bringing his attention back to her.

He pulled her closer by the waist, gently stroking her side. "Sunday…"

"Mmhmm. You were asleep for most of yesterday and Friday. The flu you've had hasn't helped. Thought I'd let you sleep in late today. How are you feeling?" she rubbed his arms in comfort.

"But you had work yesterday. The boys… I'm so-"

"Your dad offered to watch them but I took the day off. Wasn't feeling too well in the morning myself so we had a nice day of watching films on Dad's old TV. The boys loved it."

Remus pulled back a bit, assessing his wife. Aside from her bright hair she had the faintest hint of dark circles and pale skin left as if she hadn't fully gone through with whatever morph she had planned. He placed a hand on her stomach, the tiniest baby bump starting to finally show.

"I was telling them stories and when I realised the date I told them how you used to celebrate Easter with your Mum and they became obsessed with chocolate eggs and the magical bunny" Tonks continued with a smile. "They're too little to properly understand but at least it's something from their Muggle sides they can do now."

"Are you okay? What's wro-"

"I'm fine. It's just a little morning sickness. Now how are you feeling?"

Her tone implied a change of subject. Alastor arriving almost three months early and the memory of the weeks spent in St Mungo's following still had them both shaken two years later. Especially Tonks. With their third child on the way, Remus knew Tonks was petrified it could all happen again. But she'd never show it intentionally. No, he would just hear her feet hitting the wooden floor after pacing for a while, and then the predictable trip over their bedroom furniture in the night, unable to sleep. If he made even a hint into being awake or wanting to talk about it she'd just jump back into bed and curl into him.

Now staring into her almost black eyes, and his own head now housing what felt like a Quidditch match, he knew it wasn't the time to bring any concerns up. He would relent on his questions… for now. Today he would make it a fun day for the boys, as she wanted.

"Exhausted, but fine," he kissed her forehead. "Honest."

"Well if you're still achy, Mummy can give you one of her very special kisses tonight?"

Remus smiled. "Hmm well I do feel a bit sore…"

"Excellent' she grinned, and tilted her head up for a kiss, leading his chin down with her hand at the same time. He hummed in approval, squeezing her side as he deepened the kiss.

"Ew Mummy!" Teddy cried covering his eyes.

"Ewwww" Alastor cried, copying his older brother.

He could feel her laughter against his lips. She pulled away with a final exaggerated kiss, and walked over and scooped the boys into her arms.

"Right you cheeky boys, you're under arrest," they giggled as Remus watched his wife throw them over her shoulders. "Under the Ministry of Mummy and Daddy you are required to get washed and dressed. If you do not co-operate, punishment will be Mummy eating all the chocolate eggs."

"Nooooo" the boys cried.

"That means you too, Daddy!" Tonks winked at him as she walked past him and up the stairs. "There's a potion on the table for you that'll get rid of that headache before you head up."

"Thanks love. I'll be up in a bit."

"Oh and see if you can find any socks around. I think the boys got hold of the washing yesterday and gave them to Gem to play with…"

Heading into the kitchen, he flicked the kettle on. He took a seat at the table, rolling his neck and found comfort in the crack and the release of pressure. Tiredness hit him like a Bludger now he had a moment to think about it. All he wanted to do was fall back asleep. But he wouldn't ruin the day Tonks had planned for the boys. They had such excitement on their faces at the prospect of hunting for chocolate, and he refused to allow the moon and a simple cold affect that. He rubbed his eyes, hoping a cup of tea and the potion would reenergise him. About to take a gulp of the potion, he pressed the bottle to his lips when the doorbell rang.

Not expecting visitors, he quickly downed the potion and placed the bottle on the table. He stood, knees cracking, and walked down the hallway to the front door. Checking his reflection in the mirror on the wall, he tried to make himself look presentable enough, tying his dressing gown together and fixing his hair a bit, not knowing whom to expect.

Not for the rest of his life did he expect to see the face that greeted him at the door.

"… Sirius?"

Sirius grinned. "Hello Moony."