Thank you to all our reviewers! My lovely co-writer and I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas! (Yes, I know this is 'early' but I am in Australia, and therefore it's been Christmas for HOURS!)

Tonks wrapped her arms around Remus' neck. "Mmm, you smell good."

Remus smiled and his hands curled around her arms. "How was work, Wife?"

Laughing, Tonks shifted so she could sit on his desk. She was still in uniform. "It was... eventful. But I'll let Harry tell you. He had quite an exciting day."

"Where is he?"

"Shower." Tonks traced a long scar down Remus' cheek and neck before her finger stopped on the collar of his shirt. "How was your day?"

"I missed you," Remus pushed himself to his feet and led his wife to a wing chair where he pulled her onto his lap. "A great deal actually."

"Did you now?" Tonks kissed him. "Missing me must be very distracting."

"Oh, it is."

She laughed again at him. "Did you get much writing done?"

"A little. I'll have Harry go over it again. He seems quite adept at adding small things to it."

"That boy has a mind like a trap. Besides, I think he still enjoys your stories, even if he is too old to admit it."

"Most likely."

"What are you thinking?" Tonks asked, her fingers wrapping around a piece of his hair as she met his eyes that held a familiar look.

"How lucky I am. How lucky we are that you tripped into our lives."

"How lucky you are that I am more stubborn than you," Tonks teased.

"Yes," Remus sounded serious. "Very lucky."

Tonks lifted his hand and kissed his wedding ring. "I am just as lucky. Two and a half years. Can you believe it?"

"It seems like it was just yesterday." Remus' voice was grave. "When you walked down the aisle… with no shoes on."

"Hey! I thought it was a brilliant plan! And I told you I wanted to be different."

"You were exquisite."

"And I had the best painted toe nails."

"I didn't notice."

"Didn't notice!" Tonks feigned insult.

"I was too busy looking at your gorgeous face to notice your toes."

"Nice save." Tonks laughed. "I love you."

Remus kissed her slowly. "I love you, Sergeant Lupin."

Tonks blushed. "It's funny to see new cops come into the precinct and call me two different things."

"Well, you will always be Mrs Lupin to me."

"I like being Mrs Lupin to you," Tonks whispered. "What time is Sirius going to be home? Are we waiting for dinner for him?"

"No, I think he was planning to be home at a decent hour tonight."

"Good." Rising, Tonks flashed him a smile that he would never get sick of. "I am going to have a shower. I'll be down soon. Unless…"

"Hey Uncle Remus!" Harry burst into the room and Tonks rolled her eyes.

"Never mind."

"Rain check." Remus promised with a laugh as he rose. He ruffled Harry's still wet hair. "Come help me in the kitchen. Dora tells me that you have had an interesting day."

"Was it ever?"

"Well, then? Probationary Constable Potter, come and help me with dinner and then you can tell me about your thrilling day."

Harry grinned. "That seems like a fair trade off. Are they predicting snow this year? It's already freezing!"

"It's going to be a long winter." Remus agreed. "The frost lasted till nearly eleven today. Grab two onions for me. Now, your day?"

"It was brilliant! Ron is going to be so freaking jealous!"

Remus smiled at the enthusiasm.

"There was the best car chase today. I have never driven so fast in my entire life!"

"I should hope not," Remus muttered.

Harry laughed. "Dora is an awesome driver, don't worry. She said she is going to give me points on driving and how to manage situations like that!"

Remus began to slice the onions. "When are you two planning on that?"

Harry shrugged. "She said she'll set it up so she can do it with Ron and me at the same time."

"So, did you catch your… person?"

Harry laughed again. "Yeah, we did. He'd been involved in a burglary and then stole the car. We got him and then took him back to the station. Dora let me watch the interrogation and Sergeant Shacklebolt was incredible, I've never seen someone so thorough. He is going to run a class for us."

"I am glad that you are enjoying it."

"I love it. I'm thinking about becoming a detective. What do you think?"

"Well, I think that you need to look at the pros and cons of both. You spent a year in training and have been working at the station for eighteen months now. You have a good grounding."

"Yeah, but most of it's been traffic work. Or basic things. Interviews and stuff. There was a homicide last week. Dora told you, yeah?"

Remus nodded. Tonks had been the one with nightmares that night.

"And we had the detectives crawling the office all the last week. They are incredible. I mean. So are normal cops but… I don't know."

"Can you talk to the detectives? Find out what they need to do to get where they are? You have seen what Dora does for years now so you have one of your two options covered. Now you just need to research what you need to do to become a detective. And then decide if that is the path you want to go down."

"I don't know."

"There are advantages to both, aren't there?"

"Yeah."

"Why don't you get a few years of basic experience under you and then you can chase being a detective."

"That does make sense." Harry agreed. "I love being a cop."

Remus smiled. "I am glad."

"What time is Uncle Sirius getting home? Do you think we will have time to look at my bike?"

Remus sent the young man a disapproving frown as Harry grinned. "Sirius should be home soon. He told me he would be closing on time today," Remus sighed.

"We should have a party." Harry sat on the edge of the bench watching his uncle move around the kitchen. "You know, two years since he became a responsible grown up."

Remus laughed. "Maybe we should," he agreed. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well, maybe Dora could blow up that photo we have of him holding the sale papers to the bike shop? And we could cook his favourite foods?"

"Which happen to be your favourite?" Remus guessed.

Harry ignored him. "And have a cake in the shape of a motorbike."

"Now you are stretching my creativity."

"And have a banner."

"With 'congratulations! It's been two years since you were grown up enough to buy the bike store and make it into an awesome business'!" Tonks' cheerful voice broke into the conversation.

"Let's not use awesome!" Harry laughed, the sound much deeper than Remus would like to dwell on. "We don't want him to get a fat head."

Remus surveyed the two critically. "And exactly who would be organising all of this?"

"I'll make the banner?" Harry suggested.

"You are our favourite, you know." Tonks wrapped an arm around his waist and sniffed the pasta sauce he was making. "Smells good. And parties are fun."

"Fine," Remus sounded almost resigned. "A party next Friday for the anniversary of Sirius becoming a responsible adult. Harry James, off my bench!"

Remus woke with a gasp and his arm flung out. Searching for his wife. The bed was empty, warm but empty, and as panic rose inside him he flung the blankets aside. "Dora," his voice was hoarse from the cries that had been wrenched from his throat. "Dora?" There was a light coming from under the bathroom door.

"Dora?" He pushed the door open and the panic eased a little. "My love? What is it? What's wrong?"

Tonks lifted her head. She was sitting on the floor beside the toilet. Her face pale. Her eyes swept over him. "I'm ok," She reassured. Holding her hand out she waited from him to take it before squeezing gently.

"You aren't ok," Remus whispered. The panic he had woken with was easing now he was with his wife, yet worry was rapidly becoming the defining emotion. He gently tugged her to her feet and Tonks slumped against him.

"I just felt a little sick. I'm ok now."

"You were vomiting?" Remus reached for a face washer and ran it under cold water.

"Yes, but I honestly am fine now. I was just mustering up the energy to come back to bed." She smiled faintly as Remus gently wiped the cloth over her face.

"You should call in sick to work today."

"I am truly fine." Tonks smiled. "You are adorable when you are worried." Reaching up she smoothed the lines around the corners of his eyes. "Nightmare?"

"Was worse when I woke and you weren't there," Remus acknowledged softly. "I was worried."

Tonks winced. "I'm sorry!"

"No, my love. Don't be silly. Come back to bed. You are still so pale. Maybe you should see a doctor?"

"Remus, I am honestly fine." She tugged his hand gently. "You are right. Bed sounds heavenly now and I want to snuggle with you before I have to go to work."

Remus wrapped his arm around her tightly as he guided her towards their room. "I wish that you would call in sick, my darling."

Tonks rested her head on his shoulder as they walked down the hall. "You worry too much."

Remus shrugged as he tucked her into the blankets before settling beside her in their wide bed. She curled against him instantly and Remus wrapped his arms around her.

"I can't help but worry." Remus kissed her forehead. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"And please, love, please see a doctor."

Tonks smiled and ran her fingers through her husband's hair. "If I am still feeling sick in a week then promise that I will go see a doctor. Don't worry about me, Remus, I promise, I am fine. I will be as right as rain in a few hours."

"Hmm." Remus looked unhappy.

"You shouldn't worry so much." Tonks kissed his fingers. "I promise. I am fine."

Tonks had been both correct and very wrong. Her symptoms, for whatever it was, were quite peculiar. On that first day, she did feel better rather quickly, but it didn't last. The next day, and the next, and the next for about a week continued as the first: she seemed to always wake up abruptly with the need to run to the loo, whether it be from a night of uneasy sleep or even an afternoon nap occasionally. It was when she left the toilet at work looking paler than normal that she realized that, maybe, she should go find out what was wrong.

"Uncle Remus said you've been like this every morning, Dora," Harry whispered, his tone a bit harsher than normal. He looked concerned, even with his obvious intentions to seem more adult and professional while at work. "I even heard you yesterday afternoon. We're worried…."

"I don't know what it could be," Tonks sighed, slumping into her chair. She was grateful only Harry had seen her walk out of the bathroom looking like death warmed up. "I've had both food poisoning and the flu before, and they're nothing like this. I've been putting it off, but I suppose I can go call Milly before I decide to go to hospital for this… no need to get worked up over something small."

"You're off in an hour, why don't you head out now? I'll finish this report and then do the filing you've been meaning to do," Harry said, sitting up straighter. "I'll get a ride from the twins."

Tonks looked over at the boy, who was looking like less of one every day, and smiled. "You're a good kid," she sighed, standing up and letting her hand brush his hair as she grabbed her bag. "I'll see you at dinner. Hopefully there won't be broccoli, the mere thought of it…."

Harry waved her off. She grabbed her phone out of her purse and decided to take a walk instead of going to sit in the car, thinking some fresh air might be good. She was glad she had decided to get a more permanent phone, both so her mother could keep in touch and Remus could send her little messages. Calls from the former were frequent, while the rare, almost shy messages from the latter always made her day brighter. "I hope you're not at work," Tonks said, sitting on a bench, once Camilla answered her phone. "Or with a guy, I don't want to interrupt."

"Sadly, I am all alone and doing dishes. I need an interruption," Camilla groaned. Tonks could hear a thump and assumed her friend had flung herself onto her couch.

"I aim to please," Tonks smiled, already feeling better as she sat in the (relatively) warm sun.

"Did you call for something or are we just going to gossip because I need to tell you all about the date I went on two nights ago. Dora, he was beyond awful," Camilla enunciated.

"Ooh, trust me, I'd love to hear all about it," Tonks said, shifting on the bench to lean sideways against the back. "But I did call for a medical question."

"If it itches-"

"Don't," Tonks laughed, rolling her eyes. "I've just been feeling under the weather for the last week or so, and I'm worrying Remus-"

"It's a bit late for the flu, dear," Camilla started.

"Oh, I know it's not that. And it's not food poisoning either, I've been there, done that. But it's similar. I can't seem to stop running to the toilet, but I can usually manage to hold down dinner but not breakfast, and Sirius cooked some asparagus the other day, I love asparagus!- and don't get me started on broccoli," Tonks complained.

"Are you late?" Camilla asked abruptly, her tone changing slightly.

"I just got off work, I left a bit early actually," Tonks began before stopping when she heard her friend scoff.

"Your period, Dora. When was your last?"

"It's just the… seventh," Tonks trailed off, sitting up a bit too fast and blinking at the sidewalk in front of her. "Oh."

"Well," Camilla said, taking a breath. "As a professional, I suggest you go see your own doctor. As your friend… Dora…."

"Oh dear," Tonks whispered, barely able to comprehend the situation. She glanced down at her stomach, invisible behind the bulky uniform.

"Are you alright? This… this is great, isn't it? Remus will be thrilled, I'm sure," Camilla said, trying to contain her excitement as she waited for her friend to gain some awareness.

"Oh, no," Tonks laughed, the sound somewhat off. "He's going to be terrified, Camilla. Completely terrified."

"Harry said you left early? To see the doctor?" Remus limped to the car and waited with scarcely concealed impatience as Tonks climbed out of the car.

Tonks kissed him. She could see the worry and fear etched across his face. "I'm fine. I ended up visiting Mill who waved her magic wand and fixed me."

No smile crossed his face. "You never leave work early."

"Sweetheart," Tonks sighed. "I am fine. Honestly. I truly am."

"You aren't. I know you aren't. You keep throwing up, you look miserable, you are pale, and you've lost weight…."

Tonks touched his cheek. "Such flattery. Come inside, love. Let's have dinner and then we can talk."

"Dora…"

"Please. Dinner then we will talk. I promise." Remus' eyes slid away and Tonks wrapped her arms around him. "Please. Come inside, it's cold. Your leg has been acting up this last month and I know that standing outside in the cold won't be helping it at all. Let's eat and then you and I can have tea in our room. You can have your leg up and we can talk."

Remus stared down at his wife. His eyes searched her face closely. "All right." He nodded. "Dinner is nearly ready. Do you want a shower first?"

"Yes." They walked towards the house. "Twins got Harry home safe then?"

"Yes. We tried calling you."

Tonks winced at the strain in Remus' voice. "My mobile died. I'm sorry, sweetheart, I didn't even think about charging it at Mill's."

"Never mind," Remus helped her out of her coat. "Go and freshen up. Dora…" He called to her as she made her way to the stairs. He was pale, his scars standing out brutally on his face. "Are… is…"

She retreated back to his side and pulled his head down so she could kiss him. "I am fine, honestly, darling, fine."

Remus rested his forehead against Tonks'. "Promise me?"

"Yes. I promise."

Tonks could feel the worried looks of her three men as they sat at the table. Remus had retreated into silence that characterised his concern, and his overactive mind, and Sirius's eyes were almost constantly flickering between his cousin and his best friend.

"Honestly, you are all acting like old women!" Tonks exclaimed crossly. "I am fine!"

"You look like shit." Sirius's voice was blunt. "And we are protective. Comes of you being the only girl in the house."

Tonks snorted. "You guys are idiots." Her foot rested against Remus' leg.

"Eh, you love us."

"Well, I kind of have to. Remember, Remus told me you all came as a packaged deal."

"Poor Dora! Get with a guy and then get a kid as well."

"Two kids," Harry spoke gravely.

"Yes, two, but at least one of you grew up." Tonks sounded sad. "I mean, look at you, Harry, Remus and I are so proud of you. But Sirius…" She shook her head.

"I hate you." Sirius sighed. "Why did you have to marry someone who picked on me so much, Remus?"

Remus glanced up at the mention of his name.

"Have you been paying any attention to us?" Sirius complained.

"No. Sorry."

Harry frowned. "I can clean up tonight."

Sirius sighed. "Honestly. Volunteering us for kitchen duty. You need to stop being so nice, Harry. Where did you learn that from? It certainly wasn't me."

"It's probably just as well that Uncle Remus spent more time with me." Harry grinned. "It meant that I grew up with some order and manners."

"Ha. You are so, so hilarious!" Sirius flicked a pea at his godson.

"I do try."

Tonks smothered a laugh. "Oh, you are so very modest, Harry."

"I really am."

"Oi, Lupin."

Remus glanced towards Sirius.

"Go upstairs. Take tea. Harry and I will clean up. You actually look worse than Dora." A hesitation. "Just come and tell us if it's anything serious."

"Honestly!" Tonks sighed loudly. "I am fine! But you all won't be if you keep mentioning how awful I look."

Three sceptical looks was all she received.

"You lot are actually worse than my mother. Harry, would you be a darling and bring a pot of tea upstairs for us? I am kidnapping my husband before he decides to clean up the kitchen."

"I'll bring it up soon." Harry promised. "Normal tea?"

"Please." Tonks touched his shoulder. "Oh, and Moody said you are advancing really well. He's impressed, says that you must have picked up skills from these two."

Harry grinned. "Really?"

"Keep up and you will climb the ranks and get any position you want."

A slow flush filled Harry's face, one that deepened when Remus' hand replaced Tonks' on his shoulder.

"I'm proud of you, Lad." His voice was soft. "Your parents would have been, too."

Tonks handed the tea cup to her husband. "How's the hip. And don't shrug."

Remus half smiled and reached for her hand. "My knee is worse," he admitted softly. "But it's not unbearable and it will be easier now it's up." He glanced towards the pillow that she had placed under his knee. "Dora. Please."

Tonks sighed and settled onto the bed. She sat cross legged so she could see him and reached for his free hand. Her fingers gently caressed the stumps of his hand. "I need to buy you a new pair of gloves. Your old ones still have that hole in them from that nail."

Remus placed the tea aside. "Dora… Please… what is it? What is wrong? I… You are ill. You are losing weight. Please. I am terrified."

Tonks kissed his hand. "I am not sick. I promise. I am not sick. I would tell you if I was."

Remus' eyes searched her face. "It's not the flu."

"No. You are right."

"Do you know what's wrong?"

Tonks swallowed as she thought of the six pregnancy tests that had sat in front of her before she had believed what her friend had already concluded. "Yes. I do."

"Please. Dora. Just tell me."

Tonks tightened her fingers over her husband's. "I love you, more than anything. You have given me a life that I had never, ever thought would be possible."

"Dora…" Remus was white and his voice cracked.

"I'm pregnant."

The little colour that had remained in his face rapidly bled away and he wrenched his hands from hers. Rising awkwardly, he stumbled, his bad knee twisting under him. "What?" His voice was hoarse. "You can't be. You are on the pill!"

Tonks rose and followed his retreat across the room. "Well abstinence is the only sure-fire way, and we sure as hell haven't been doing that. And I ran out for a couple of weeks a while ago when I forgot to get more."

"Dora! How could you forget!" His eyes were wide and panicked. "How… How could you forget something like that!"

Tonks paused and reached for his hands. "Remus, it's all right. It is going to be all right."

"No! No! I said I didn't want children. You know that! How could you! Why?"

"Remus, look at me! Look at me!" She spoke firmly. "Tell me why you don't want children. Tell me."

"I would be a horrible father. Look at me! Look at my father, Dora! You knew that I didn't want this. I don't want to be the father to someone that I had. I—"

"You wouldn't be like that! You helped Sirius raise Harry! And he turned out beautifully!"

"No! It's not the point." Panic clung to him. "No… Dora… No… I can't. I can't be a father."

"Remus…."

"No… I can't. Harry was one thing. He needed us, he didn't have a choice. I am unstable. I have nightmares. I can't stand crowds. What father would I make? Any child would be ashamed. They should be ashamed. God. God. I should never have—"

"Don't!" Tonks spoke sharply. "Don't say anything!" Tears burned her eyes. "You are shocked. You are upset. But you will be a wonderful father, I know you, you are a wonderful, wonderful person and you are loved. This child," her hand rested on her flat stomach. "Our child will love you. And you will love them. You will love them so much. I know you, Remus, I know you."

Remus mutely shook his head. "I can't. I can't be a father. I…" His eyes flickered around desperately. "I… please… I need time."

"Remus!" Tonks pleaded as her husband fled the room. "Remus!"

Half an hour later, after Tonks had calmed down, she went downstairs to find the remaining two members of the household looking even more worried than before.

"Dora-"

"Why is Remus hiding out in my garage?" Sirius asked, an ugly frown marring his face as he rose, leaving Harry on the couch with his brow furrowed.

"Because it's too cold, and dark, for him to go to the gardens like I'm sure he wants to," Tonks said flatly, throwing herself onto one of the armchairs. She knew what was going on inside her husband's head, but that didn't mean she had to like it. She could understand him, in way, but it didn't stop the sting of him, in his distress, blaming her for the pregnancy, or the frustration that he was underestimating himself. Again.

"What's happening?" Harry asked, pushing up his glasses absentmindedly.

"If you have some sort of disease, Dora-"

"I'm pregnant," Tonks said, her arms crossed as she raised an eyebrow at Sirius. "If you want to call that a disease. But the real illness here is Remus's stupidity-"

Before Tonks could go any further, the two men before her jumped up and, suddenly, were engulfing her in one mass hug.

"That's amazing, I'm going to be an uncle again!" Sirius cried, pulling back but keeping his hands on her shoulders. A wide grin was spread on his face, the likes of which she hadn't seen since Harry got into the academy. Harry looked rather dumbstruck, as if a baby had never occurred to him before.

The two began speaking all at once, forcing a smile onto Tonks' face. She knew Remus would come around, but it was still nice to get the support and excitement that this announcement deserved.

"But… why is Uncle Remus upset, then?" Harry said suddenly, causing Sirius to break off.

"Did you tell him?" Sirius asked.

"Don't think so highly of yourself, of course I told my husband before you," Tonks rolled her eyes, sitting down on the couch this time with Harry beside her.

"Then why-"

"You know Remus better than I do, why do you think," Tonks sighed, giving Sirius a pointed look and watching him frown again.

"Ah."

"What's the matter? Shouldn't he be happy?" Harry asked.

"Getting Remus to believe he would be a good husband was just the beginning," Tonks said, leaning back into the couch and picking at the hem of her shirt.

"And getting him to believe he'd be a good father is a whole different fight," Sirius finished.

"He did great with me, what's the difference?" Harry asked incredulously.

"I think he thinks since there's a choice this time," Tonks started before seeing Harry sit up, his eyes wide.

"What do you mean? Does he wish he had a choice in raising me?" Harry asked, his emotions reading loud and clear in his bright green eyes.

"No, no, no," Tonks began before Sirius came to sit on the coffee table in front of them.

"Don't you think that," Sirius said firmly. "Remus and I had our choice, which was in choosing to be friends with your father. After that, after we became brothers, there was no other option but to take care of our own. And we wouldn't change that for the world, Harry. Remus adores you."

"It's not about you, it's about him. I think he believes you wouldn't choose him. That this baby wouldn't choose him," Tonks said, shaking her head, blinking her eyes in an effort to not allow her tears to fall.

"What kid wouldn't?" Harry demanded, standing up suddenly, anger clear on his face "Any kid would be damn lucky to have Remus as a father, and he doesn't believe that?"

Before anyone could respond, Harry quickly stormed out of the house, the door slamming behind him as he stomped towards the garage.

"Harry?" Remus sat up in surprise from where he sat hunched over on one of Sirius's work benches for his personal collection. He looked ragged even though he had not been there for long: eyes bloodshot and hair a mess. He was about to shakily stand when Harry stopped right in front of him, giving him no room to get up.

"You're a fool," Harry said, his voice colder than Remus had ever heard it (except for the time that blond kid in his class made fun of the Weasleys back in school). Having it directed towards him caused Remus to be speechless, his eyes growing.

Hearing no answer, Harry continued.

"Dora just told us that she's pregnant. You should be in there, with us, celebrating. But you're out here? Why."

"You wouldn't understand," Remus all but whispered, shaking his head as his gaze fell.

"Try me," Harry hissed.

Remus looked up, frowning, at Harry's tone. His eyes got a bit harder as he took a similar tone, one he had used only a handful of times, if at all. "You've heard the stories, but you know nothing about what I've been through," Remus ground out. "I took care of you, but I was incapable of doing anything normal, and you know that. I could barely take you outside let alone do the things a normal father would, what your father would have done. I'm damaged and in no condition to bring up a child. I'm the last person a child would choose. I would do nothing but cause it trouble for having me as a father and having to deal with whatever society would give it because of that."

"That's bollocks and you know it, Remus," Harry said, his voice growing louder as he tightened his crossed arms. He didn't think he had ever been this angry with one of his uncles before and it scared him a little.

"You're just biased," Remus started, but was interrupted again.

"You're just delusional!" Harry cried, throwing up his hands before beginning to pace around the small garage. "I know what I could've had! I know that I could've my parents. But I also could've had the Dursleys. Or some foster home, or some orphanage. I know my life could have been different, but I refuse to believe that it could've been any better. I like my life, I like how I grew up. It might've been a bit unconventional but I was loved, I was happy. I am happy. And there are so many kids out there who would love to be able to choose you for a father, and you're mental if you think no one would."

"But if you could choose to have been raised by your parents-"

"And I would!" Harry yelled. "I would, if I could. But you know what? I'd also choose you! I'd also choose you and Sirius. And Uncle Sirius and I have talked about this, and he's always said if my parents lived, I would have had five parents- before Pettigrew betrayed us. I'd love to have my parents, but that doesn't mean I'd just cast you aside. You are like a father to me, Uncle Remus, and you were a damn good one."

Remus blinked up at Harry and opened his mouth to respond, but was stopped again.

"And I think my dad would be disappointed in you for acting like you don't want this. You're in a much more stable position than he was at twenty and in the middle of war. Frankly, I'm rather disappointed in you, too. You deserve this, you deserve the chance to make a family with Dora. Don't throw it away. Believe us when we say that that child in there is going to be the luckiest kid on earth next to me. And even if you do have trouble taking the kid to the park, I'll take him or her. Because that's what siblings, or cousins or whatever I will be, do."

Harry was now standing in the middle of the room, breathing hard. He took a deeper breath, letting it out slow and releasing some of his anger as he stared at the stunned Remus. He doubted he had ever spoken that loudly, for that long, to this man before. But he hoped it made his point clear. He suddenly spun around and saw, to his surprise, that the door was open and Sirius and Tonks were standing there. Blushing slightly, he quietly made his way back into the house with Sirius following him, leaving Tonks to silently stand there watching Remus stare at the ground.

"I wasn't expecting him to come out here," Tonks spoke softly. "But he is right. You do deserve this. Happiness. The chance to be a father."

"I won't be a good father."

"Harry disagrees."

"He's…"

"Biased?" Tonks huffed. "And our baby won't be?"

Remus hunched in on himself. "What… what if I hurt them?"

Tonks approached and cupped her husband's face in her hand, tipping it so she could look at him. "I love you, but sometimes you are really stupid. You never hurt Harry, did you? I remember when I first met you. You were putting yourself through hell for him, so you could watch him play sport. Your first date with me, the real one as you call it, you forced yourself into an uncomfortable situation to make it special for me. You are a good man, a wonderful man."

Remus shook his head. "Dora… I…"

"I'm scared too," Tonks whispered. "I'm scared that I will screw the kid up. That other mothers won't think I'm an appropriate role model. I'm scared that I'll let them cry too long. Or what if I don't feed them enough."

"You would be an amazing mother," Remus' voice broke. His hands moved slowly to curl around her wrists.

"Then why can't you believe that you would be an amazing father?"

"I…I… What if they aren't like Harry? What if they don't understand why I am such a… mess?"

"You aren't a mess!"

A reluctant smiled crossed the white face. "Aren't I?"

"You aren't. You are wonderful. You can do this. We can do this."

"What if…"

"They won't hate you. They will love you because you are their father and this baby is so lucky to have a hero as a father."

Remus breathed in deeply before shaking his head minutely. "I'm sorry."

"It's ok. I probably could have told you better."

"No… No… I… Dora, I don't know."

"Please, give us a chance?"

His eyes locked on hers helplessly.

"I will be with you every step of the way, so will Sirius and Harry. And look, think of Harry as a trial run. You guys did just fine with him so I know you will do just fine with this baby." She moved his hand so it was over her flat stomach. "We made this baby, Remus. You and I. We made a person."

Remus moistened his lips and slowly tension eased from his shoulders. "Yes," he agreed softly. "I suppose you are right."

"And we can do this?"

"I… I can try."

"We can try," Tonks whispered. She slid her arms around him and pressed her face against his neck. They stood there silently, letting things settle, before she broke the silence. "And I'm always right, darling."