April 1998
Darcy's eyes widened at the sound of Tonks' cries of pain. Sirius saw her expression and chuckled.
"Makes you think about having your own, doesn't it?"
She nodded. "I can't believe Mrs. Weasley did this seven times."
"I've heard it's worth it", Sirius shrugged. "Although I do not have the authority to say for sure. If I made that claim I'm afraid your mother would hex me from her grave."
Darcy smiled a bit. "I hope Tonks is alright."
"She will be", Sirius assured her. "Andy used to be a healer, she's in good hands."
It was nearly half an hour before the yelling stopped and Andromeda appeared in the kitchen to announce that the baby had arrived. Sirius and Darcy stood and hurried into the bedroom.
"Are we ready for visitors?", Sirius asked softly.
"We are", Remus smiled brightly. "Well, at least Dora and I are. Someone is already asleep."
The two of them stepped closer to the bed and Darcy's hands flew to cover her mouth. The baby was so small, and so cute.
"I know", Tonks nodded, also smiling. "Do you want to hold him?"
"I don't know how to", the teenager blurted.
"Here." Sirius gently picked up the bundle of blankets. "Hold out your arms."
Darcy did.
"You have to support his head, so put your left hand out like that, good. Ready?"
She nodded and her godfather placed the baby in her arms.
"Hi", she whispered. "He's so cute."
"He is", Remus nodded. "Takes after his mother, thankfully."
Everyone laughed quietly.
Sirius gently took the baby's little hand. "What's his name?"
"We thought we should name him after my dad", Tonks replied, wiping a few tears off her face. "So, this is Edward Remus Lupin."
"We're thinking he'll go by Teddy", her husband chimed in.
"It fits him", Sirius said. He glanced at his goddaughter. "You alright over there, love?"
Darcy nodded. "Yeah. He's just so...tiny."
"Babies tend to be", Remus chuckled. "We actually have something to ask you, Darcy."
She looked up.
"Will you be his godmother?", Tonks asked.
"Me? Why?"
"Because the way you've been staring at my son for the last few minutes proves that you already love him", Tonks joked. "And, if something happens to us, we'd want him with you."
"What about Sirius?", Darcy asked.
"I'm already taken", Sirius smirked. "You'll be good at this, kiddo. I promise."
"Okay", she said. "Yeah, I will."
"Thank you, sweetheart", Remus told her. He stood from his spot on the edge of the bed and kissed her cheek. "Can I have my son back, please?"
"Oh, sure", Darcy carefully passed the baby over. Sirius put his arm around her.
"Feel that? That's how I feel about you", he told her quietly.
Darcy smiled and leaned into him. "Wow."
"It's crazy, right? You don't even know him yet, but you love him."
Later that day, Tonks was resting while the others were in the sitting room. Remus was holding his son, who was also asleep. Darcy couldn't take her eyes off the baby.
"I think you might've given someone baby fever, Moony", Sirius chuckled. He turned solemn and gave his goddaughter a hard look. "Hold off for a few years, please. We're all too young for you to become a mother."
"The fact that you think I even have someone to consider that with is hilarious", Darcy rolled her eyes.
"Hey, you never know. Your celebrity crush might come back soon."
"Shut up."
"Are you talking about Neville?", Remus asked, eyebrows raised. "What did I miss?"
"You are so oblivious, Moony", Sirius shook his head. "She's had a crush on him for years. Remember when we were at Grimmauld Place, and I struck the fear of Merlin into him?"
"Oh, yes. How could I forget?"
"I still can't believe you did that", Darcy said.
"Well, Remus wasn't going to and someone has to protect my little girl."
"Your little girl who's almost eighteen."
"Ugh, don't remind me."
Remus chuckled quietly to himself.
"What's so funny?", Sirius asked.
"Nothing, I'm just imagining Teddy growing up with all of us", Remus said wistfully. "With you and Darcy as influences. I'm doomed."
"Hey! I'm a good influence!", the teenager exclaimed, affronted.
"I know you are, but it's a toss up on who this little guy will listen to."
"He'll listen to me", Darcy said proudly. "I'm his godmother."
"That means nothing", Sirius scoffed. "You hardly ever listen to me."
"Because you're a bad influence."
"Oh, hush. We also get to tell him about all the times you got into trouble. That'll be fun."
"There aren't many", Darcy retorted. "Not that are that embarrassing, anyway."
"I have one", Remus said. "Remember when you were nine and got angry with us so you ran off into a crowd in Diagon Alley? And then threw a tantrum when we caught you?"
Darcy blushed. That was not one of her finest moments, to say the least, and it did not end well for her.
"I said there aren't many that are that embarrassing", she repeated. "That happens to be one of them." She unconsciously reached up and rubbed her ear. "I can still feel your fingernails digging into my ear."
"Good, it was supposed to leave an impression."
Teddy stirred and opened his eyes.
"Hi, cub", Remus said softly. "Hi. You're so calm, Teddy."
"He is really quiet so far", Sirius remarked. "You screamed for a month straight, Darcy. You didn't like being out here with the rest of us."
"I think that's fair, given the circumstances."
"True. Teddy doesn't seem to mind, though. Can I hold him, Remus?"
"Sure."
Sirius gently took the baby in his arms and smiled.
"Let's see if you can keep your streak of being good with babies", Remus joked.
"It seems to just be the babies of my friends", Sirius observed. "Other kids, meh. You and James had cute ones."
"How many other babies have you been around?", Darcy asked.
"That's the point. I'm two for two."
Teddy began to cry and Sirius was able to calm him down quickly.
"See?", he said with a smirk. "Two for two."
"Now I understand why Lily always hated how fast you calmed Darcy down", Remus shook his head. "You're already doing better than me."
"Oh, hush. I'm just here to help."
"When I do have kids", Darcy said suddenly. "Are you two going to be their grandparents? How does that work?"
The glares she got in response to that question made her laugh until there were tears in her eyes.