Chapter 66: His Family
"Harry agreed to be godfather," Remus announced brightly as he reentered the sitting room. "They are all well and offer their congratulations."
He had returned from Shell Cottage possibly even happier than when he left. Perhaps the added presence of the wine Bill had offered was making Remus even more giddy than he was already. It was like the scene at Grimmauld Place with Harry had never happened. Yet another weight was lifted from Remus's shoulders and he was practically floating.
Tonks beamed up at Remus from the armchair she was resting in with Wag curled in her lap. Ted, Andromeda, and his father barely looked up; their attention was focused intently on Teddy.
Teddy was gazing dreamily up at Lyall, who was holding him. Lyall stood and bounced Teddy lightly in his arms. Lyall was wearing a goofy grin that Remus had never seen on his father's face before.
"Remus," Lyall said, not taking his eyes from his grandson, "Teddy's hair turned green when you left, then blue and now back to black. He is absolutely incredible."
Tonks smirked. "I've been changing my hair color for more than two decades and everyone lost interest, but the moment a baby starts doing it, it's incredible again."
Lyall chuckled.
"Black must be his natural hair color," Andromeda said. "Up until Nymphadora was a few weeks old, her hair would revert back to its natural brown and then she seemed to just choose pink. It has always felt the most comfortable to her. I'm sure Teddy will do the same with a color."
"Remus's mother's hair was dark like this," Lyall said, "that must be where Teddy gets that color."
Remus moved over to his father and put his hand on his shoulder, peering down at his baby boy. "Any chance of me getting my son back?" Remus teased.
"I suppose that would be alright," Lyall said with a facetious sigh. He carefully handed Teddy back to Remus.
Teddy squirmed at the transfer but remained serene.
"Did you miss me?" Remus asked his son softly. "Because I missed you."
"He is just like you," Lyall told Remus. "You looked exactly like him when you were a baby, besides the hair of course."
"I think he looks like Remus too," Tonks piped up. "But he doesn't believe me."
"I think Teddy is the image of you," Remus said, turning to his wife.
"You just think that because he can morph," Tonks argued. "He has your eyes, your nose and your chin."
Remus raised his brows at her. "If you say so." His cheeks were sore from smiling so much. "Dora, are you feeling tired?"
That phrase had become their code for when they wanted time alone, usually resulting in intimacy.
"I just had a baby," Tonks said. "I'm bloody exhausted."
"Why don't we have a lie down and perhaps see if Teddy wants to eat again," Remus suggested. He just wanted to be alone with them both, with his family.
With Teddy held in one arm, Remus wrapped the other around Tonks's waist and led her into their bedroom. Once there, he shut the door to give them privacy.
"I hope you're not planning on trying anything," she said sarcastically. "I may never let you come near me in that way again."
"Well, I would be sincerely sorry of that," Remus returned, kissing her chastely on the cheek.
Tonks settled herself, cross-legged on top of the bedding and Remus rested beside her with Teddy, stretching out his long legs.
Tonks peered down at Teddy in Remus's arms. "We made this," she said in wonderment. "I spent hours pushing his big head out of my body and I still can't believe it."
Remus laughed. "Don't tell our son he has a big head," he told her with amusement. "His head is perfect."
"I never said it wasn't," Tonks protested. "It's a big, perfect head."
"He is perfect, isn't he?" Remus said. "I suppose all parents think that, but I'm pretty sure our baby is the best."
"I couldn't agree more," Tonks told him, resting her head on his shoulder.
Remus put his arm around her. "Do you think he might be hungry?"
"I'm not sure," Tonks said. "He hasn't cried much. So far, he is a very well-mannered, quiet kid."
"Are we sure that he's yours," Remus joked.
Tonks nudge him in the side. "He gets that from you," she said. "I can already tell that he's just a little Remus in the making."
"And you're alright with that?"
"I'm thrilled about it!" Tonks said. "I know what I was like as a kid, we don't need another Dora."
"I would love a little Dora," Remus said in a daze. "I think Teddy would like a few siblings."
"A few!" Tonks spluttered.
"Yes," Remus said. "Maybe if we have another boy, we can name him after my dad or after Sirius. Of course, we've already decided on Hope Andromeda for a girl."
"And who do you plan on having all these children with?" Tonks laughed.
"The lady down the road," Remus replied without missing a beat.
"Well, you need to slow down," Tonks said, smiling. Remus's happiness was radiating from him. Tonks could almost feel its glow like sunshine of her face.
"I'm sorry," Remus laughed. "We just clearly make beautiful children."
"You are quite cute, aren't you?" Tonks cooed at Teddy. "Are you hungry?"
She lifted her jumper over her head and then reached around her back to unclasp her bra. Her breasts were full and firm.
Remus, forgetting to breathe, passed Teddy to his wife. Teddy immediately latched on and began to feed, filling the room with gentle sucking sounds. Remus summoned a blanket from other side of the room and draped it over Tonks's bare shoulders. She gave him a grateful smile.
There was something so beautifully intimate about being there with his wife and son. His son!
"What are you thinking?" Tonks asked him.
Remus grinned. "Only that you might think me strange if I burst out in tears while you're breastfeeding," he told her. "Dora, I feel so happy I don't even know what to do with myself. Surely, no one has ever been this happy."
Tonks giggled, making Teddy bounce in her arms. "Enjoy it," she told him. "You deserve so much to be happy."
Remus leaned in and kissed her lips, Teddy between them, his family.
XXX
As always, thank you for reading!
TJ
