After Melissa dropped the children off, she went to muggle London to pick a few things for the house. She was in deep thought, and did not notice the stray dog that was following her around. She walked into the store and shopped while the dog waited outside the sliding doors.

"Is that dog yours?" The cashier said to Melissa as she checked her items out.

"What dog?" Melissa looked up from her wallet.

"The one outside the doors. He's been sitting out there since you came in here. Poor thing looks like he hasn't had a decent meal in ages, or a bath for that matter."

Melissa looked over at the door and for a second thought it was Sirius, but she knew how absurd it would be. "No he's not mine. He's probably just hungry." Melissa paid the cashier, took her bags and walked out of the store. The dog got up and followed her down the road.

"Shoo, I don't have anything for you." Melissa waved her hand and kept walking. She walked down the empty road where Melissa could safely apparate home. "Ok dog. I'm going home and you should find someone else to help you." The dog bark and Melissa jumped. "Seriously I already have three kids, I have no room for a dog."

The dog snarled and walked towards her which caused Melissa to take a step back. They continued this dance until Melissa was against a wall. "I don't have anything for you! Shoo!" Melissa froze as she watched the dog's form change. No longer was he a dog, he was a man. He was Sirius.

Before Melissa could say anything, Sirius put a hand to her mouth and whispered, "Home."

Melissa grabbed a hold of him and apparated them into the house. She quickly waved her wand and shut all the curtains before turning towards him, "I-I don't even know what to –"

Sirius cupped her face and kissed her powerfully. Melissa sighed and held his waist kissing him back. It was like they haven't been apart all these years. Melissa didn't care that he was dirty or had a faint odor of trash and filth. The only thing that mattered was him being in her arms again.

Melissa pulled away and combed her fingers through his hair, "Welcome home." She whispered. Sirius sighed softly and looked her over. She was the same way he left her. "Say something."

"You still have your ring on," He picked up her left hand.

"Of course I do. You are still my husband, Sirius. Nothing would ever change that," Melissa took his hand and led him up the stairs. Sirius followed looking at all the pictures on the walls. Part of him regretted leaving that night. He left his pregnant wife, his daughter and his home, but another part of him regretted coming back because by the look of the pictures they seemed to be doing fine without him.

By the time Sirius realized where they were headed, Melissa had the shower going for him. "I still have some of your clothes. I couldn't part with all of it. Take a shower and I'll make you some food alright?" Melissa looked at him.

"I'm home."

"You're home," she kissed him once more before walking downstairs.

Sirius took off his clothes and stepped into the shower. The water was steaming hot and burned his skin, but he welcomed the pain. He let his head drop and let the water just hit his skin. He didn't move for a while. He thought that this was all a dream, that it was just another happy thought that the dementors would soon take away from him. It's a dream, he decided. Finally he picked up the soap bar and for the first time in 12 years had a decent shower.

By the time he got out of the shower, Melissa already finished making him a meal fit for a king, "There you are. I was about to send a search party," she smiled softly. "The clothes still fit I see."

Sirius looked down at his clothes, "It's not like I gained much weight."

"Well that's about to change, Sirius. Sit down."

Sirius sat down and dug in, "Your food got better."

"No, you just haven't had real food in a while," She poured him some juice and sat down next to him with a cup of tea.

"I can't stay long," he muttered between mouthfuls. "It could be dangerous for you."

"The kids are at Hogwarts, so if someone comes a knocking I can defend myself."

Sirius froze. The kids. How could he not have asked? Merlin, he was the worst father in the history of the world. He swallowed thickly, "How are the kids?"

"Perfect. I'll show you the pictures," she slid over a photo album. "I knew you were going to ask. This album goes in order. Brenda, Harry and Jaime."

Sirius took the album and flipped through it slowly, as if he was trying to commit all the pictures to memory, "Merlin, she's perfect. What house is she in?"

"She's in Gryffindor and a prefect. Our lovely 15 year old also is dating one of Molly and Arthur's sons- Fred Weasley."

"A boyfriend? How long have they been together?"

"First year."

"Harry looks just like James."

"But with Lily's eyes," Melissa smiled softly. "He hears it all the time. Also in Gryffindor, gets in trouble and plays guitar. Just like James."

Sirius chuckled softly and turned the page. "Whose that little girl with Brenda?" He pointed.

"Oh that is Remus and Jen's 7-year-old daughter Lilianna. They adopted her when she was 3."

"Why did they adopt?" Sirius smiled softly and the family photo of Remus, Lilianna and Jennifer.

"Jen can't conceive. It broke her heart, but she loves Anna like her own." Finally Sirius got to the pictures of Jaime, "Meet your twin."

He couldn't help it. Sirius started crying staring at the family picture of Brenda, Harry, Jaime and Melissa at Christmas.

"Sirius," Melissa took his hand. "It's ok."

"How can you say that? You told me not to go and I did. I left you alone to raise three children. Hell I missed my own son being born! It isn't ok Melissa. He doesn't even know me."

"Yes he does. I made sure of it. I have always told them the truth. I always made sure they knew that you are not a killer. I'm not doing to deny that I wasn't furious at you for leaving me alone or that Jaime hasn't gone through his own things without having a dad, and Brenda has never given up hope for you to come home."

Sirius rubbed his face, "I should go Melissa." He got up.

"What? Why now? You just got here?" Melissa also got up.

"Aurors are probably staking out the house now. I'm sure they've been watching you since I broke out."

"I don't care. I can-"

"They'll send you to Azkaban. I'm not going to let the only parent our children haven known get put away. I won't let it," Sirius touched her face gently.

"Where are you going?" Melissa sighed holding his hand to her face.

"I have something to take care of then I'll figure something out, Love."

"I don't want you to walk out of my life again. I can't handle that. Let me help you," Melissa pleaded.

"You can't help me Melissa. I'm a fugitive. I promise I'll write you when I have the chance."

"At least let me pack you some food," Melissa sighed realizing that there was no reason to argue with him anymore.

Sirius sighed and pulled her close, "As much as I would love that, it would look suspicious for a dog to be walking around with a bag of food."

Melissa put her head in his neck, "Ok. Fine. Just please be careful ok? I don't want you back in Azkaban or dead. I want you home."

"I'll be as careful as a fugitive can be," Sirius kissed her head.

"If you need a place to go, the Manor is empty."

Sirius looked at her, "your dad-"

"It happened a long time ago. You should go before I make sure you can't leave," Melissa touched his face. Sirius nodded and leaned down and kissed her gently.

"I love you Melissa."

"I love you too Siri," Melissa sighed and watched him turn back into a dog and run out of the doggie dog they had built into their backdoor so long ago. Melissa moved from her spot a few minutes later and wrote a letter to Remus.

She had to make sure that if the owl got intercepted that no one would know what they were talking about. Melissa knew that Remus had strong doubts about Sirius and what really happened that night, but she had to tell him. He had to know that Sirius wasn't mad. That he was the same Sirius they knew all those years ago.

However, Melissa didn't expect the harsh reply that Remus sent. She definitely didn't expect to fear Sirius' life if he and Remus were ever to meet again.