Love Is

(Andromeda/Ted)

By SharkiesGirl

"I was burnt off the family tree, Ted, burnt off! Rejected, disowned! I am filth to them now, Ted, filth! Sure, they weren't ever a good family to me, but once, my mother held me. Once, my father smiled at me. Once, my sisters laughed with me, and shared their secrets with me. Once, my family loved me, Ted."

Ted sighed as he watched a tear escape his wife's soft, brown eyes, "Darling, I love you. You chose it to be this way when you married me."

Andromeda looked up at her husband, "Ted, I'm sorry. I do love you. It's just so hard."

"I know darling, I know."

---

Ted and Andromeda walked hand-in-hand towards the upcoming park that was located near their small house. Things had changed a lot since they were first married. Ted's stomach had gotten larger, Andromeda no longer broke down, and now they had a playful, little girl whom brightened up their lives. But, things were changing in the world too. Voldemort was gathering more followers and it was becoming more and more dangerous each day to be outside.

"Mummy! Daddy! Come quick! There is a free swing over here," called out their 6-year-old daughter, Nymphadora.

Ted looked at his wife and motioned for her to go, "I'll be there in a minute, I just have to do something first."

Andromeda looked curiously at her husband then, ran along to catch up with Nymphadora. Ted smiled as he watched his two girls run to the swings before turning into a nearby shop.

---

"Sir, would you like a red rose to go with the box of chocolates?"

Ted looked longingly at the rose and then back to his nearly empty wallet. He was in a chocolate shop buying a small gift for his wife.

"I-no, that'll be all." He payed the proper amount of muggle money before leaving with a beautifully-wrapped box, topped with a bow, and the complimentary card that came with it.

---

"Mummy? Where's Daddy?" Nymphadora asked, looking around the park.

Andromeda looked around before pulling her daughter onto her lap, protecting her from the harsh wind. "He just went to do something, but he'll come back soon, Dora." She started swinging slowly as she reassured her daughter, and herself.

But, why did she doubt Ted? She loved him. Of course he would be back soon, he had said so himself. She trusted him. Ted wouldn't just run off, he was the world to her. She gave up so much for him.

"He'll come back soon." Andromeda repeated.

---

Ted quickly walked towards the park, checking his watch, hoping he wasn't gone for too long. As he got closer he saw them – his two girls on one swing. The small bit of remaining sunlight made their hair shimmer- Andromeda's long, light brown and Nymphadora's vibrant, shoulder-length pink. A smile rose on Ted's face as he continued walking. His girls were everything to him. Everything.

---

Andromeda smiled as she saw Ted. She was still slowly swinging with her daughter on her lap. Ted kneeled down, to be in eye-view with Andromeda. They gazed into each others eyes, love reflecting on both pairs.

"Dromeda, happy Valentines Day," Ted whispered into her ear as he handed Andromeda a gift. Andromeda opened the card and read it out loud, in a shaky, tearful voice,

"To my beautiful Andromeda,

Love isn't a box of chocolates, darling, but I wanted to get you something to go with what I give you every day.

Love is holding you when you break-down after walking past your sister at Diagon Alley.

Love is feeling my heart tap-dance as the warmth of your hand spreads over mine.

Love is watching our little girl and knowing that she is perfect as she is a part of both of us.

Love is wanting to know more about you when there is nothing else to know.

Love is needing you by my side.

Love is being so happy because I know you love me back.

Love is never wanting a day to end, yet it is looking forward to tomorrow.

Love is everything to me when it comes from you.

Happy Valentines Day, sweetheart. I love you.

-Ted."

After she finished reading, she opened the box of chocolates, which she shared with her daughter and her husband. She thanked Ted, before he walked over to a nearby patch of daisies and pulled them out of the ground. Looking around first, he transfigured them into a bunch of roses, then, handed them to his wife.

"For my sweetheart," he said quietly.

But, Andromeda shook her head, "No, Ted. I liked them the other way."

Ted was stunned, but turned them back into daisies, then, once again, tried to hand them to Andromeda. Smiling, she accepted them and said, "Love isn't expecting to receive the most beautiful things, it is hanging onto whatever is given." Ted smiled back, and together they walked home, their little girl between them.

---

"But before we hear from Royal and Romulus," Lee went on, 'let's take a moment to report those deaths that the Wizarding Wireless Network News and the Daily Prophet don't think important enough to mention. It is with great regret that we inform our listeners of the murders of Ted Tonks and Dirk Cresswell."

Andromeda listened intently to the radio program, her heart aching, memories arising. She was sobbing softly, trying to control herself as she didn't have Ted to hold her anymore.

Her daughter, who was pregnant, sat next to her on the couch, tears streaming down her face, staining her cheeks, "Mum, Dad isn't buying chocolates this time, is he?"

Andromeda looked at her daughter and pulled her close, the only part of Ted she had left, "No, Dora," her voice was rough and weak, so unlike her usual.

Nymphadora got up slowly before walking outside into the cold wind, wanting to feel something else, other than the growing pain.

Andromeda sat in silence until she whispered something in the same croaky voice as she had before, "Ted, love is never wanting to forget yesterday."