Family is Everything

Disclaimer: While I love the books, if I owned the rights to them, the story would have been different.

Summary: The war is over and Harry is starting his life with Severus and Lucius. The arrival of his godson changes his perspective on the men in his life causing him to flee the country. 12 years later, after the death of his husband, he returns with a few surprises in tow. SLASH HP/SS/LM, HP/OC, HP/SS. Ignores HBP and DH. AU/OOC MPREG

AN:This probably would have been a better way to end the last chapter but it's to late for that. I almost posted this as it's own separate chapter but then I thought it was wrong to tease you like that.

I apologize for the delay in posting. I've got family in town, a new nephew coming any day now and I posted a multi-chapter prequel to Time to Wake Up. Still not done with it but I wanted to work on the next chapter of this story before working on it again.

Everyone turned and looked at the door as Harry rushed out. Then everyone seemed to move at once towards the door.

"Severus, please stay here with the children and I will go after him."

Severus was ready to start spitting fire balls at the old man.

"I think not Headmaster. This discussion is already long over due and I am not about it allow it to drag out for one minute longer."

"Surely your need for confrontation can wait a few days. The man is hurting and confused and needs to work through a lot of things."

"While I can concede that he has a lot to think about, there is also a lot we need to discuss. NOW. He has hidden from me for nearly thirteen years now. He's kept MY FAMILY away from me for nearly thirteen years Albus! I will have my say and I will have it today! He's a grown man and it is time for him to own up to his responsibilities and the consequences of his actions. We either deal with this now in a civilized manner or I will take him to court for custody which will force him to talk to me. I lost the man I love and my family for more than a decade because he could not be bothered to listen to an entire argument before running away. Well, no more! Thirteen years is long enough to run. He will face me today and we will have the conversation we should have had thirteen years ago. WITHOUT your interference old man! YOU will sit here and play the good loving grandfather that you are and console your grandchildren until we come back and so help me Albus if they are not here when I come back, I will hunt you down till the ends of the earth. I WILL NOT LOSE MY FAMILY AGAIN!"

With that, he turned on his heels with his robes billowing out behind him to find his long lost brat.

Severus was sure he knew where to find Harry. He was right. He could see Harry's huddled form underneath a tree by the lake. He stood there for a moment observing the man that he had loved for over a decade. The man he had been through hell and back standing side by side time and time again. He knew that this would be another of those times. And just like all those times they went into battle together. He knew that this was one battle that they would come out victorious. Yes there would be injuries and there would be newly awakened fears. However; in the end, he was sure it would be all worth it. As long as he had the man he loved and his family with him at the end of the battle.

After contemplating the man before him for a good ten minutes, he moved closer and made his presence known.

"Harry?"

Quickly jumping to his feet and drawing his wand, Harry spun towards Severus a stupefy on the tip of his tongue. Seeing who was encroaching on his brooding, he lowered his wand. Softly, almost hesitantly he greets the other wizard.

"Severus."

Neither really knew what to say. There was so much pain and so many years between them that neither really knew where to begin. Finally after a few minutes of silence, Harry spoke.

"I...I'm...I'm sorry. Oh gods, I am so so sorry." The tears that had stopped only moments ago, started anew. "I thought that you didn't... and I was so hurt. And then I left... and I was so lonely. And then I found out I was pregnant... and I was so scared."

Severus could not understand most of what Harry was saying. He was speaking so fast and his sobs were so hard that only a few words here and there were breaking through clear enough for Severus to actually hear. Severus quickly moved over to Harry and wrapped his small form in his own large arms.

"Shh. Harry. Slow down. I can not understand most of what you are saying. Now take a deep breath. That's it. Now try again."

Taking another deep breath, Harry took a step back from Severus. He saw a flash of disappointment in the other man's eyes before being replaced by an emotionless mask.

"I am so sorry Severus. From what I had heard, you were siding with Lucius and I thought you didn't want me. I was so hurt that the only thing I could think to do was to run. So I made arrangements with the help of my father and I left. I was so lonely even though I had a few friends right away but I still missed you terribly. I kept telling myself that it was for the best. That you guys didn't want me and it was best not to be around at all. And then I found out I was pregnant and I was so scared. I didn't know what to do but I was afraid of what you and Lucius reactions would be so I couldn't allow myself to tell you about the twins. I'm so very sorry. I should have confronted you guys and I should have told you about the babies but I thought I was doing what was best for my and my family. I don't know how I can ever ask you to forgive me."

Harry looked away not being able to stare at that emotionless face any more and being afraid of what he'd see if the mask fell.

"Our family."

Harry whipped around to look at one of the men he loved. The words were softly spoken but he thought he had heard correctly.

"What was that?"

"I said, OUR family. I was hurt. I still am and it will take awhile for me to come to terms with everything enough to forgive you but that does not change the fact that at least one of those children are mine. As such they are OUR family."

"Severus..."

"I know you have a lot of grief to work through, as much as it pains me to know that you love another man. However; I am not about to lose my child because you do not love me any longer. I also do not think it is fair for one of them to suddenly have another parent while the rest are left with just you. As I see it, they come as a unit. Blood be damned, I accept one, I accept them all. And I have no wish to lose my child so we must find away to get along."

Harry was slightly astonished. He'd been so wrong about the wizard before him. That realization was a knife twisting into his broken heart.

"I never stopped loving you Severus. Wait don't interrupt. Yes I love Nate. I probably always will. But he and I both knew that even with everything I went through, you always came first in my heart. As much as I would like to ask if there is hope for a future, I just buried my husband and it will take some time before I can be in a place where I can ask that."

"I understand Harry. I would expect no less. When you are ready, I shall be waiting. Just promise me that you won't take the children away again."

"I promise on the condition that you protect them from anyone, including Lucius. I was wrong about you but you can not deny I was correct about him."

"You are correct in your assessment of him. And yes I will protect all of them from any hazards that may arise. Even Lucius. May I ask..."

"Yes, they know about you and Lucius. I will have to sit down and explain what happened that day. I've never really told them anything. Just that I left England when their biological fathers decided they didn't want any other children."

"I would like to be there."

"Of course."

"Shall we head back up before Albus thinks we have killed each other?"

"Lead the way."

"Am I correct in my assumption that Altair is Lucius?"

"And Anemone is yours."

"A nymph that turns into a flower?"

"Well if you want to go that far, a nymph that turns into a flower and morning star. Her name is Anemone Danica"

"And the others?"

"Altair James. Named after a star in the constellation Aquila and his grandfather. Siria Acacia named of course after Sirius and thorny tree. Of course Acacia sounds prettier than it's meaning."

"All beautiful names for beautiful children. I have not seen much of them since their arrival; however, I can see that you have raised them well."

"Thank you Severus. That means a lot to me."

Having reached the entrance doors, Severus holds the doors open for Harry to pass through.

"Come. I think it's time I was formally introduced to my children."

AN: A little shorter than normal but I hope you like it. Tell how you feel about how Severus feels about all the children. Personally, I think it's the right way for anyone to handle the situation. It's not fair for one child to go off with his other parent to lead a second life while the others are left on the sidelines so I thought it was only right for him to man up and take responsibility for all the children not just his own child.