"Papa is back! Papa is back!" A little girl shouted over her shoulder at her brother. "Come on, don't be so slow, Ru'!" She demanded boisterously. Already moving, so sure that the other would follow her anyway.
"Ahh… Wait for me! Don't always leave without me!" The boy cried out, whinging when the girl simply stuck her tongue out at him.
Paul chuckled softly, as he watched from the porch the boy race after his sister towards the main gate.
Those were their bratty, beautiful children. There were still days he woke up and stared at them, reeling about the miracle of their existence and what a wonderful gift they were.
The last ten years had been quite a ride, though…
The news that Harry had been excepting twins had blown them all away. And it had worried them immensely. As Siddiq and Neville had informed them wizard pregnancies were apparently notorious fragile and carrying two instead of one baby was highly discouraged by healers.
Both Neville and Siddiq had been on high alert after Harry had revealed the news early on. The young mediwizard had prescribed a ton of prenatal potions and supplements and had put his wayward school friend on the equivalent of a pregnancy leave.
No strenuous activities, no stress, no sex in the first trimester and absolutely no excessive use of magic.
Paul could still clearly remember the way Harry had scowled in displeasure, about to open his mouth and to complain when Carl had lightly flicked his foster brother's ear.
"Ah! Don't even think about arguing! Daryl and Paul just brought you back after you pulled one hell of a suicide mission on us. You're going to sit the next 8 months out until my nieces or nephews are born." Carl's words had been soft, teasing even, but there had been an underlying sadness in his eyes. A deep worry, that was mirrored by Rick and Daryl.
"Lori had a lot of stress during her pregnancy and she knew that Carl's birth had been complicated as well… That we haven't lost Judith too was a miracle." Rick added softly, ruffling Harry's messy curls with a solemn smile.
"So please, listen to the docs and take it easy."
Paul had breathed a huge sigh of relief when Harry had visibly deflated after this, allowing Daryl and Paul to pull him into their sides. The cyan eyed scout had feared that his stubborn little wizard hadn't been convinced but after a few more weeks the morning sickness had come in – well, not morning but rather all-day-sickness – rendering all possible arguments on Harry's side fruitless and obsolete.
Under Paul's and Daryl's worried fussing, Harry had spent ages curled up with Lydia on their living room couch, feeling sick as a dog. The young man had looked dreadful.
Pale, sweaty.
All most all of the first trimester had been terrible for the young man, barely able to keep anything down and unable to move around too much. At some point Siddiq had been so worried that Harry might fall into a hunger metabolism that the doctor had insisted on setting up an IV with fluids to keep the green eyed man and the pregnancy stable.
Back then Lydia had seldomly left Harry's side, keeping watch over him with serious brown eyes, bringing him tea and bread he could keep down, reading stories to him and from the point on that the pregnancy had become visible, she had started to softly pet the wizard's stomach while doing so.
It had been so sweet and endearing.
But Daryl and Paul had both made sure to relief her regularly from her watch, making sure she played with other kids or spend time at the Grimes' home or at Aaron's.
Daryl still took her out for hunts and Paul kept training her. On those occasions their friends and family had kept Harry company, making sure the young man was alright or just coming over to chat idlily, giving the wizard some sense of normality.
After the first trimester things had settled into a steadier routine. And with the permanent sickness gone, Harry had finally started to look better…. Well not only better, but he had started to glow.
To Paul it had been a bit graveling to see how their husband's middle had slowly but steadily had started to fill out.
More than once, the scout had woken up to the sight of Daryl staring at Harry's swollen belly with a look of awestruck intrigue, while a big calloused hand had traced the baby bump reverently.
Despite their first shock and panic, despite their fear for Harry's health, both, Daryl and Paul had begun to feel excited at the prospect of having a bigger family.
Harry was having their children and when he had started showing Paul couldn't deny some primal satisfaction knowing that he had played a part in the chances Harry's body had went through and his own hands had often cupped Harry's ever extending stomach. Cuddles back then had often turned steamy – after getting the ok for such activities in a humiliating discussion with Neville and Madam Pomfrey over the mirror, that Paul still desperately wanted to erase from his memory.
The day the twins had been born had been one of the best and the worst of Paul's life, truly.
As planned with both mediwizards and Siddiq, they hadn't waited until Harry had hit labour to bring the kids into the world. All of them had deemed the risk too high to wait for a natural birth – especially when the only people schooled enough to handle a magical pregnancy were in fucking Scotland most of the time and so Madam Pomfrey had calculated the best date for the delivery. The mediwitch had come to Alexandria 3 weeks before the scheduled date to keep an eye on Harry and in case the Potter Luck would force their hand to act before then.
There had been a lot less painfilled screams than Paul had feared but everybody had been so tense… waiting and hoping…
Paul had been a mess and only Lydia's small hand in his own and Daryl's heavy hand on his bouncing knee had grounded him somewhat.
And then on June 22nd at 14 pm twin cries had pierced the air.
Loud and healthy their children had announced their arrival to Alexandria and their family.
Daryl had cried. He tried to deny it to this day but he had.
Rick, as well, had bawled like a baby. Carl had laughed at his old man, calling him 'Grandpa Rick', which had caused the former Sheriff to cry even harder. The man could be such a bleeding heart at times. Michonne had patted his back while barely stifling her own sniggering about her emotional husband. While Eric and Aaron had both hugged Daryl and Paul, Tara had pulled a bottle of whiskey from somewhere, filling glasses for a toast.
But none of all that had mattered when Madame Pomfrey had come out of the infirmary, telling them that Harry and both children were fine… She didn't even finish talking before Daryl and Paul had stormed the room, where an exhausted but happy Harry had greeted them. Two small bundles resting on his chest.
One pink. One blue.
Sarin and Ruta.
Paul grinned, when he spotted a proudly grinning Daryl, juggling his crossbow on his back and a child on each arm.
Sarin, with her dark brown hair and slated blue eyes, was climbing all over her papa, laughing loudly while she was rattling on and on about the day they had.
Ever the more rambunctious of the twins, Sarin was proving to be truly the granddaughter of James Potter and niece of Merle Dixon. Their second daughter was as wild as they came, a true prankster and a brave heart who found no tree too high and no adventure too dangerous. She loved without restrain, be it her parents or her siblings or a stray cat. But Sarin could also fight viciously and stubbornly to the point that she could drive all three of her parents up the roof.
Right from the beginning, she had been headstrong, standing up for herself and her brother as soon as the two of them had started to walk. And Ruta was a much shier character than his loud sister who scared more easily and worried a lot more.
Rue was a lot more soft-spoken than Sarin. He was a thinker, contemplating things before storming forward. And more than once he had been dragged along into trouble with his sister, who had charged ahead right into trouble.
Their son had inherited Paul's bright cyan eyes, with small flecks of green sprinkled in here and there. His wavy hair was a softer tone than Sarin's, more dark-blond than brunet. But for all their differences, both children shared Harry's fine featured, the noses, the lips…
"Oh my, Daryl's going to feel that tomorrow."
Someone had spoken up behind Paul. Turning around the long haired man grinned brightly when he saw Lydia walking up the steps to the porch. The young woman was wearing her long brown hair braided loosely and she was smirking as she watched the hunter wrangle Sarina and Ruta.
And their oldest daughter was probably right, while still surprisingly robust and strong, there was no denying that Daryl was well into his fifties now and his back was going to kill him after swing two ten year olds around like that. Fuck, Paul's own back had started aching recently, reminding him as well that he wasn't eighteen anymore.
"Nice to see you're back, chipmunk." Paul nudged her shoulder carefully.
"Carol and Ezekiel send their regards." She smiled back, although a little flushed when Paul used her childhood nickname. "Carl and I wanted to check in with the family before continuing towards the border."
"You're still set on that plan?" Paul's grin turned into an awkward grimace.
Lydia simply snorted and raised a mocking eyebrow.
"As if you wouldn't have jumped at a chance like this."
Ahh… too bad they had always opted for honesty with their children…
Now he had to listen to stupid truths when he wanted to be overprotective of his girl.
"I mean just think about it! Carl and I will get to explore the world! To see what has changed in the last decade! There has to be something new out there." Her big brown eyes sparkled in excitement.
And fucking yes, Paul could relate… he had loved scouting and feeling free in this new wide world.
Conquerors of life against ever present death and decay.
"There are less and less Walkers in the last two years and Negan and Connie definitely need a break as well from living as eremites at the border. Connie's missing her sister and friends, so she's really happy to come back here. Carl and I can pick up the slack and explore some." She chirped happily.
Wild laughter from where Daryl was still playing with Rue and Sarin reached them. Paul saw Lydia smiling softly at her siblings.
"They're going to miss their big sister. Sarin especially." He told her lightly.
Lydia sighed, resting her head onto her knee.
"I'm going to miss them, too. All of you." She admitted, brown eyes serious as they watched the playful chaos in front of them enfold.
Rue was being tickled and shrieked freely with laughter and suddenly there were small daisies sprouting from Daryl's beard and the kids' hair.
"Oh my… another bout of accidental magic, huh?" Lydia blinked, smirking at the slight exasperation that had probably appeared on Paul's face.
"Yep, there becoming more frequent as well, Harry will start teaching him soon. He needs to lean some control…" The long haired man sighed, watching with a small smile how Daryl carefully plugged a daisy from Sarin's hair, showing it to the embarrassed boy.
The hunter gently hugged Ruta, praising the pretty flowers in rough words until a shy and timid smile bloomed on the child's face.
Sarin was already making a flower crown out of her own loot of daisies.
"Do you think Harry's disappointed that only Rue inherited his magic?" Lydia asked suddenly.
Paul frowned a little… He had asked himself that as well… He thought not but…
"You mean if I'm disappointed that only our best behaved and even-tempered child is prone to bouts of accidental magic?" Harry snorted from behind them. "Yes, I am immensely displeased that I don't have to fear that Sarin's going to burn down the house in a temper tantrum." The wizard joked as he came over to them.
"I have you'll know that I'm very proud of all my children. Magic or not." Harry pulled Lydia into a big hug, pressing a kiss against her forehead.
Even at 22 and an inch taller than Harry, the young woman melted into the wizard's arms with ease.
"If the apocalypse has proven anything than that you don't need magic. Not for my love nor to lead happy and fulfilling lives. That's all I want for all of you." At those words Lydia leaned a little bit more into Harry, clearly enjoying the closeness after being so long away from home.
She was an adult now and they really tried to give her as much freedom as possible while always ensuring that she had a safe place with them.
Any time she needed one.
No matter what this was her home, too.
"And I'm sure your excitement for the next trip has nothing to do with the fact that you're going to get a lot of alone time with Carl." Harry mock whispered, a big teasing grin stretching over his lips.
"AWWWW! MOM! Just how long were you listening in on us?!" Lydia shrieked loudly, burying her red face into her hands.
Paul chuckled and Harry smirked, both enjoying the scene in a way most parents enjoyed making their grown offspring squirm.
After the birth of the twins, the kids had started calling Harry 'mom' or 'mommy', something the young man had taken in stride and with a little bit of pride. Paul would have been alright with any title as well, but Daryl had quite early on confide in them that he wasn't comfortable with being called 'daddy'… he and Merle had used to call their abusive father that. So, they had agreed that the kids would call Daryl 'papa' and Paul 'daddy'. And with her little siblings, Lydia had taken to it, too.
But Lydia's loud wail of embarrassment had caused the small body who had been sleeping peacefully on Paul's chest until now, to stir.
With a laborious grunt tiny arms and legs stretched thoroughly, and a fragile back arched up against Paul's gentle hold. Together the three adults watched as rose petal lips opened wide into a huge yawn and then got smacked a few times.
Her embarrassment momentarily forgotten, Lydia cooed softly, while Paul was chuckling again.
The renewed vibrations of their bedding caused a cute bottom nose to scrunch up and a pair of bright emerald eyes peered disgruntledly at them.
With a smile full of love and adoration Harry reached out to stroke the tiny head full of soft black fluff.
"Aww, Rian did we wake you up from your nap. Mama, Lydia and daddy are sorry." The wizard purred and Valerian turned his head more towards his mother with a soft whine when he couldn't get close enough because the three-week old baby still seriously lacked control over all of his limbs and most movements.
Harry leaned down to nuzzle their youngest's cheek, pampering the huffy child with kisses. Rian let out a sigh-like noise that might turn into a giggle in a few weeks, but he sounded a lot more satisfied now, which caused Paul to smile broadly at Harry and their child.
Nearly a year ago they had decided to have another child. And with Daryl in his fifties and Paul in his mid-forties it would probably be their last. They had been nervous after how the conception of the twins had went and how all over the place things had been at the beginning of this first pregnancy.
But this time they had been prepared better and when they had received the blessing this time all of them were much more in control. And carrying a singleton had proven to be a lot less stressful for Harry's health as well.
The pregnancy had been a real breeze, compared to the first one. All the kids had been very excited for another family member.
And where Rue and Sarin looked a lot like their fathers, this one was all Harry. Even now after just three weeks everyone could tell. From the soft black hair that just refused to lay flat to the bright green eyes.
Valerian was proving to be a very relaxed baby, very parents how Eric had commented after a few days ago. Rian was seldomly fussy, rarely cried and Daryl swore that he could already smile a little.
Right now, the tiny baby was snuffling against the fabric of Paul's shirt, dragging his nose over his daddy's chest. Huffing and cooing with the intense work like only a new born could, while Paul supported his small back and fragile neck.
When Rian didn't find what he was looking for, he let out soft little like meow that quickly grew into grizzling to voice his displeasure.
Cyan eyes met sparkling green ones.
Harry was already opening the buttons of his shirt and then took the obviously hungry little boy from Paul. Settling comfortably in his husband's lap, Harry adjusted his hold onto the baby, so Valerian could easily latch onto a slightly swollen nipple.
He really must have been hungry because the tiny glutton immediately went to work with big gulps.
The tell-tale sounds of deep, laboured breaths of a feeding baby filled the air between them.
The feeling of Valerian's solid warm weight in his arms, fed and satisfied now, was something Harry would never tire off. He already knew how quickly those times would be over so he was enjoying it all the more.
With an excited cry, Sarin rushed over to him, a flower crown sitting lopsidedly on her head, her beautiful blue eyes sparkling in joy. Daryl's strong arms caught her easily before she could throw herself at Harry and Valerian. Pressing a loving kiss against Harry's temple and stroking softly over Rian's flushed, chubby cheek, the hunter settled his pouting daughter down next to Harry and Paul.
Ruta was following at a more subdued pace, looking a bit unsure how and where to approach.
Their gentle boy most likely afraid that he might startle or scare the baby. But Paul was already holding an arm out, inviting the shy child in. Rue's face immediately cleared of concern, his cyan eyes shining brightly and he was quick to cuddle into Paul's free side.
Carefully, the ten year old leaned over to Harry, tickling one of Valerian's socked feet, muttering a high pitched greeting to his little brother.
Moved by the sweet sight Harry bushed a hand through Rue's soft dark blond hair.
He loved his four children and two husbands so much, that sometimes the magnitude of his emotions would threaten to overwhelm him. On those days he would watch his children sleeping peacefully in their beds, simply engraving their tranquil and innocent expressions into his mind.
After that he would make sure to snuggle close to Paul and Daryl, tracing their bonding runes with his eyes, reassuring himself that this was real.
That despite all the hardships, he had endured this wasn't some kind of fever dream.
That these wonderful people were indeed his family.
The little boy out of the cupboard under the stair was no longer lonely.
The boy who lived had no longer to fight for his life.
The claimed teenager who had been more of a half-dead scarecrow was finally alive.
Harry Potter had walked through unimaginable terror and had endured the worst horrors but he had built himself a home and a family.
He was grateful.
He was happy.
All was well.
The End
I can't believe it! It's done TT_TT
This story accompanied me for such a long time, through so many up and downs, global and personal.
I am so happy! And a bit sad!
But damn it this was the first story I ever wrote and I really want to thank everyone who read this, bookmarked, subscribed, faved and followed the story.
Thank you for all of your comments, because they pushed me when writer's blocks made continuing hard.
Thank you for encouraging me and supporting me!