I want to issue an apology to all of my faithful readers. There is absolutely no excuse for the long wait between chapters- unless planning my wedding counts! :D Honestly, this was one of the hardest chapters I have written so far for this story. Plenty of drama for everyone! Special heartfelt thanks to Pattie for the PM to let me know that Natalie has been missed!

A few days later, Natalie leaned over the fireplace and stirred the stew that was bubbling in the cauldron suspended over the flames. Dinner would be ready soon, and Remus would be home from the Weasleys' house any minute. She lifted the wooden spoon to her lips and tasted the hot liquid. It needed more salt.

She dropped the spoon back in the cauldron, but before she could turn around, she jumped as warm lips pressed into the skin at the base of her neck. Shivers went up her spine as the kisses moved up to her jaw line; she found herself tilting her head to allow him to reach the tender spot beneath her ear. His hands snaked around to encompass her waist, pulling her close.

With difficulty, she turned in his arms to face him. "Remus-" she started, but broke off when he kissed her full on the mouth. She allowed herself a few moments to enjoy the passion that flooded her veins before breaking free. "The children are here-" she protested.

Remus stroked her waist with a gentle thumb. "And?" His cheeky grin reminded Natalie suddenly, forcefully, of Sirius. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Now was not the time to allow herself to sink into bitter memories.

She stood on tiptoe and kissed Remus back. He responded impatiently for a few moments before coming to his senses. With a sigh of frustration, he buried his face in her shoulder. When he spoke, his breath was warm on her skin, his voice muffled. "I want you, Nat," he confessed in a whisper. He raised his head to meet her gaze. His brown eyes were troubled. "I miss him, too, but it's been over six months since-" he started, but before he could finish his thought, Ron, Hermione, and Harry trooped into the kitchen.

The two adults broke apart at the teenagers' sudden appearance. Remus met Harry's frown head on, while Natalie busied herself with filling ceramic bowls with steaming stew. She set them down on the table in front of the children and Remus before wiping her hands on her robes and leaving the kitchen. She stopped right outside the door, leaning against the cold stones and breathing deeply. She tried to collect her thoughts as the clink of spoons against bowls told her that the others had started eating.

Natalie fought the tears that were forming as she tried to calm her breathing. Remus was right- it had been several months since Sirius had died. Her time of mourning was over- she needed to move on, find someone who could be a good husband to her, and most importantly, a good father to James. She couldn't deny the attraction she felt for her best friend, but why did it have to be the same man that Sirius had grown up with? A man he trusted? She felt as if she were betraying his memory by having feelings for Remus.

Suddenly, raised voices interrupted her thoughts. Harry was yelling.

"She's Sirius' wife!" he bellowed.

Remus answered him calmly. "She is Sirius' widow, Harry, there's a difference."

"She loved him!"

"As did I!" Remus' voice shook with emotion. "Have you forgotten, Harry, that Sirius was one of my best friends?"

"No, I haven't," Harry spat. "But apparently you have."

There was a long pause as the two men faced each other. "He's gone, Harry," Remus said finally. "It's time we all accepted it and moved on with our lives." When Harry didn't reply, Remus pushed, "Do you want Natalie to be miserable and alone the rest of her life? Because of a twist of fate no one could control?"

Harry muttered something about filling dead men's shoes that Natalie couldn't quite make out.

Remus continued, his voice suddenly cold. "What about his son? What about James? Do you want him to grow up without a father- without someone to raise him to be a good, honorable man?"

"It takes an honorable man to raise one," Harry replied.

Natalie closed her eyes in shock as a chair scraped across the flagstones, letting her know that Remus had stood to his feet. "What are you saying?" Remus bit out.

"You're spitting on his memory!"

"I- how-" Remus was at a loss for words. Natalie scurried around the corner at the sound of footsteps, slipping behind a wall tapestry. She caught a glimpse of Remus' face as he strode by, his jaw set and his features livid. Somewhere down the main hallway, the front door slammed, and Sirius' mother's portrait began screaming. Ignoring her shouted insults, Natalie hurried past her, taking the stairs two at a time and hurtling into the master bedroom. Below her, she clearly heard Hermione scolding Harry for his bold words. She threw herself onto the bed where she had slept and made love with Sirius what seemed like a lifetime ago. She hugged a pillow to her chest and closed her eyes, wishing the pain away fervently.

A soft tapping at her door awoke her several hours later. She sat up, wiping her eyes, as the door opened and a sliver of light entered the room. She recognized Remus' dark outline silhouetted against the lights burning in the hallway before he stepped inside, clicking the latch shut behind him.

He crossed the room and sat carefully down on the edge of the bed. Natalie hadn't bothered to light any candles, and the room was dark. Remus made no move to change this- in fact, he kept his head averted from her gaze. She didn't say anything, but waited for a long time until he finally spoke. "I'm guessing you heard what was said," he said softly.

Natalie laid a hand on his cold one, noting the way he flinched when her skin touched his. "I did," she confirmed. She laughed humorlessly. "It was hard to miss, Remus."

"What do you think?" he asked her.

She paused for a moment before answering. "I think you both have a point."

"How so?"

She sat up straighter, scooting closer to him across the bed. "I will always love Sirius," she said bluntly. He flinched again at her husband's name. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "But you were right- Jamie needs a father, someone to be a role model for him."

"And you?" His voice quavered.

"You're my best friend," she admitted softly. "We both miss him. You of all people should understand what I'm going through." He sighed as she continued, "Of course I have feelings for you, Remus. We've been through a lot together. I just- I want to make sure this is right. You know, before I let my emotions run away with me."

Remus turned his head towards her, and although she couldn't make out his features, she knew he was staring at her. "You truly have feelings for me?" he repeated stupidly.

"Of course I do, silly." She squeezed his hand. "I've told you that."

They sat there in the oppressive dark for a long moment. Suddenly, Remus reached for her, and she allowed him to pull her close. His lips met hers again, hungrily. Natalie ran her hands through his graying hair, feeling him quiver at her touch. He wrapped an arm around her waist, rolling them over until she was pinned beneath him. He pulled away, his nose an inch from hers, breathing hard. "You're sure about this?" he asked her.

In response, she tugged at his robes, and he sat up, allowing her to undress him. She ran her fingers lightly along his skin. He closed his eyes and sighed, enjoying her touch. She began trailing soft kisses along his neck, before leaning back and pulling off her own robes. "Show me how much you love me, Remus," she encouraged him softly. Without a word, he laid her back down on the bed. She gave in willingly to his shy caresses, clearing her mind of sharp memories of Sirius that threatened to overwhelm her. Where Sirius had been playful, rough, Remus was gentle and passionate. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to enjoy his touch, knowing nothing would ever be the same again.

*grins hopefully* Forgive me? Of course, I know that I have completely frustrated my Natalie/Sirius shippers with this chapter, but don't worry, this story is not over yet! I pinky promise to do better with my updates from now on. Love to all of you!