"Please Remus." Daemon begged over the phone. "I really need you to do this
for me."
"I don't know.." Remus voice came from the other line.
"Please. I would normally get Lé Anna to but she's gone right now and Sirius isn't here. Besides, this will be the first time I'll be seeing him in almost four years."
"Alright. I'll be there in a minute."
"Thank you so much Remus. You have no idea how much this means to me. I'll see you in a minute." She said as she hung up the phone.
"Nikki," She called up the stairs. "Come down here."
"What Mommy?" Nikki asked, rubbing her eyes. She had her mom's glossy black hair falling to her shoulders and her dad's pale blue eyes.
"Remus is going to be coming over to babysit you today and tomorrow."
"What about Lé Anna?" She asked, still in her pajamas.
"She had to go somewhere"
"Oh, okay." She sighed, taking an apple out of the fridge. "Why didn't Remus babysit me yesterday instead of Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George and Percy?"
"Because Remus turns into something big and furry every moth and that's what he was doing yesterday. So he might be tired so could you take care of him?"
"Yep," she said through a mouth full of chewed apple.
There was a swooshing sound from the other room and a green light from the fireplace as Remus came into the white-washed kitchen.
"Well, I'm here." He said coming into the room where the two girls where currently standing.
"Thank you so much Remus. Nikki has to go to school in an hour, she can get there by herself because she has a friend who she walks with and the cross guard is there in the mornings, but you'll have to go get her at around three. She's going to TEC, The Education Center, and she should meet you out front. There's no school tomorrow so she can stay up until she gets tired. I'll see you all tomorrow, bye."
"Say hi to Daddy for me Mom!" Nikki yelled as her mom left through the fireplace.
"I'm going to get ready for school Remus. I'll be pack in a minute." She yelled, running up the stairs.
Remus fell down into a chair; he could hear Nikki running pack down the stairs, her shuffling around the kitchen and then walking towards him.
"Remus.." Nikki's small voice came. He wearily opened his eyes; there she was holding a mug filled with a thick brown liquid.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Mommy told me that you turned into a big furry creature last night and that you weren't feeling well. And when ever I'm not feeling well, she always makes me a chocolate shake so I though that I'd make you one." She explained while handing it over to him.
"Why thank you. What's in it?" He asked while lifting it to his mouth.
"The usual things that's in it. Chocolate fudge syrup, vanilla ice-cream, milk, ice.."
"Sounds good," He said before taking a sip.
"Cat food"
Remus' face turned white as he chocked down what he had in his mouth. "Why did you put cat food in it?"
"Mommy said that you turned into a big furry creature and I thought that it was a cat. So I thought that you would like cat food."
Remus just started at her. Not knowing what to think, it was cute but at the same time, the taste of sea food flavored cat food hung in his mouth reminded him that it wasn't.
"I'll go to school now..." She said in a small voice. "Bye." She picked up her school bag and left through the front door.
"Cat food milkshake," He laughed as he lifted the mug back up to his mouth and took another sip before spitting it out again.
~*~
Daemon's footsteps echoed as she was guided down the dark, dusty hallway of Azkaban. The Dementor left her in front of Sirius' cell.
"Hello, darling," She croaked out.
"Daemon!," He said gleefully. "I missed you so much."
"Nikki says hi."
"How is my little princess? She has to be what, five now?"
"Yes. She should be at school right now."
"Really? My little angel. Who's watching her?"
"Remus is. He like the rest of the world doesn't believe that you're innocent. Only me, Nikki, and Lé Anna, I convinced her."
"I heard from some of the newest people that got brought in that you almost gave Fudge a broken nose when you found out that he sent me here."
"It was no almost. That man's nose will never be in the same place again." She grinned broadly. "No one ticks me off and gets away unhurt."
"That's the girl I married. Daemon, I have to tell you something...important."
"Go ahead Sirius."
"I'm sorry"
"Sirius.."
"Listen to me. I'm Sorry. I'm sorry for all the mean things I might have said. I'm Sorry... for all the things I did or didn't do. I'm Sorry...if I ever ignored you or if I ever made you feel bad or put you down. I'm Sorry... If I ever thought I was bigger or better than you."
"Sirius. You don't."
"I Love You. Don't ever forget that! Through bad times and good, I'll always be here for you. I am Sorry... For everything wrong I've ever done. I'm telling you this because what if tomorrow never comes? What if I never get to say good-bye or give a BIG hug to the people I ever cared about? What if you never get to say I'm sorry or I love you?"
"Sirius, you didn't have to tell me that. I always knew that." She choked threw tears.
"I know but sometimes, in here, it feels like no matter how many times I say it, it'll never be enough."
~*~
Remus ran across the temporarily deserted road, he was half an hour late picking up Nikki. She'd most likely be crying. He saw a low ceiling where there was a porch that people could stand under if it was raining, and then he saw Nikki fly right above it, then back down.
"That couldn't have been Nikki." He told himself as he ran around the building. When he got there was two girls in cheerleading uniforms catching her and throwing her straight up again.
"Hi Remus. How are you?" She asked, also in a cheerleading uniform, as she got caught again.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Basket tosses. What does it look like?"
"Why?" He asked, in slight disgust.
"She's on the junior squad for the SAERC Saints," Explained one of the girls.
"SAERC? I thought that this was TEC." He said, suddenly confused.
"Oh, it is. We came here to pick up our little sisters and brothers. SAERC is the Seasonal Activity and Educational Recreation Center," Explained the other.
"Catchy name; come on Nikki, we should get home if you're done here."
"Okay. Bye Mya, bye Tori. See you Monday." Nikki yelled, skipping along side of Remus. They walked up the hill hidden by trees and through the tall grass where Remus lost Nikki.
"Nikki..Nikki where are you Nikki?" He yelled anxiously.
"Hi Remus," She yelled from the house's front door. "What's taking you so long?"
"What happened to you?" He asked her, running across the yard.
"I'm shorter then the grass Remus, I could be standing in there and no one would be able to find me."
"Well I found that out."
~*~
"Nikki, what are you watching?" Remus asked her later that night. He found her on the couch clutching a tub of ice cream staring at the TV screen.
"It's my favorite movie; want to watch it with me?" She asked, scooping out a giant spoonful of ice cream and eating it.
"Sure, what's the name of it?" He asked, sitting down beside her.
"It's a home movie. It has my dad, Lily, James and the no good rat Peter." She said disgusted. "He put my dad in jail and now everybody hates my dad."
"Everybody doesn't hate your dad Nikki." He consoled her.
"But you do, don't you Remus.." She remarked more then asked him. "Don't answer, we're coming up to the good part." She said, turning her attention back to the TV.
Who ever was holding the camera went outside and Remus realized where they were at once. They were outside in the yard decorated for Daemon's and Sirius' wedding. There seemed to be a lot of people laughing. The camera turned to show Sirius on a platform singing.
"Do ya love me? Do ya love me? Do ya love me? Do ya love me?"
The camera paned to the other side of the yard. There was Daemon trying to hide herself in James' shoulder from all of the laughter. Beside James was Lily and Lé Anna both enraged.
"Stop singing Sirius. Please have mercy.." They begged only to have him sing louder.
The TV went blank for a moment and showed Lily in a church running around in a t-shirt and jeans.
"Where is James? We're supposed to get married in an hour and he's not here yet. Oh God, I'm hyperventilating."
"Lily, come on, we got to get you into you dress." Lé Anna begged dragging her away.
"Is it okay if I make myself a sandwich Remus?" Nikki asked from beside him.
"Yeah, go ahead." He smiled as he turned his attention back to the television. Daemon, Lily, Lé Anna, Lily's mom, and Lé Anna's mom were all in the dressing room trying to get everything organized. Daemon and Lé Anna, wearing red maids outfits, were trying to get Lily to change in to her wedding dress.
"If Daddy doesn't get here soon, I won't be able to marry James. I need my Daddy to walk me down the aisle." Lily complained.
"If you get into your dress your Daddy will come." Lé Anna told her while handing her the dress.
"No he won't."
"If you don't get in to the dress you can't have any wedding cake; Chocolate wedding cake." Daemon bribed Lily. Lily immediately snatched the dress and went to change.
"She's pathetic"
The screen went blue as Nikki sat back down on the couch.
"The movie will start again soon." She informed him; taking a bite of her sandwich.
"What kind of a sandwich is that!?" He exclaimed.
"It's my own creation. The bread is pound cake, and then you spread chocolate syrup on it; add some gummy worms, M&Ms, jellybeans and caramel and you have a sandwich. Want one? I made about five."
"No thanks. The movie is back." He said, turning his attention back to the screen. It was showing James, Sirius, Peter, and himself all sitting around the table in Daemon's and Sirius' kitchen. There were a lot of empty Butterbeer bottles on the table and quite a few on the floor. James, Sirius, and Peter were all talking while Remus tried to tune an acoustic guitar.
"Remus you're never going to get that damn thing tuned again," James criticized, having trouble keeping his balance.
"I'll prove you wrong. If I can tune it, we'll all have to sing that song your dad used to sing." Remus growled.
"Deal." James said, having trouble to sit still in his chair. Not more then three minutes later Remus had the old guitar in tune.
"Now you all have to sing." Remus crackled.
"Oh shut up. You have to sing too."
Remus picked up the guitar and strummed it. "Whenever you're ready boys."
"Keep Smilin', Keep Smilin'. 'Cause at the end of the tunnel the light's coming in. Keep Smilin', Keep Smilin'
"Long ago when I was back in school, I tried to be a rebel, tried to act so cool. Nobody gave me a second glance, then she came along and she gave me a chance. Pretty Lady put an end to my strife. Congratulations we were high on life."
"A dozen beers later she became my wife" Sirius sang alone.
"It took you a dozen?" James asked shocked as Peter snapped his fingers.
"It'd take me more then a dozen to get married." Remus admitted.
"Stop that snapping!" James snapped.
"Oh it was a gamble." Sirius trailed off.
"Keep Smilin', Keep Smilin'. 'Cause at the end of the tunnel the light's coming in. Keep Smilin', Keep Smilin'
"At twenty five my wife was still around. The only job of choices were the crown and the clown. Flipping burgers in a stupid hat - God life sucks, you want fries with that? Got a call for a job out west packed my wife and kids and I sold the nest. When I got there well you know the rest
"So, did you get the job?" Remus asked Sirius eagerly.
"Will you shut up and just sing?"
"KEEP SMILIN'."
"Not yet, not yet.."
"Now I'm old and my kids are gone. I've moved back because that's where I belong. Happy ending to a life of pain, My body's shot but I still got my brain. I'm feeling kind of bothered and I'll tell you why; All there's left to do is pay my taxes and die
"Daemon is going to have a fit when she gets home, just look at this place"
"'Nother beer?"
"Well..If ya wanna walk a mile in my shoes, well ya gotta be ready to pay my dues. Keep Smiling..keep Smiling. 'Cause at the end of the tunnel, the light's coming in."
"Did you just hear a car door?"
"WHAT'S THIS?!" Daemon screeched from the door way on the TV.
Remus laughed as he watched himself and his old friends run out the door to escape "Hurricane Daemon."
"Does your mom still have that temper Nikki?" He asked her. Remus turned and looked at her and saw her laying spread eagle on the couch, clutching one of her sandwiches, fast asleep. One of Daemon's furry cats was curled up on Nikki's chest, purring contently. Remus tried to get up to bring Nikki to her bed room when he felt something heavy on his lap. There was Oreo, claws keeping him in tacked, asleep and heavy. Remus threw his head back and fell asleep.
A/N: Could it be? Oh My gosh! It is! A New Chapter! Halleluiah!
On a sadder note, exams start Monday so that'll lessen my updates (not like I updated in a while). Sorry that it took so long but I was having trouble with finding the song Lyrics. On a brighter note, my cousin turns two tomorrow (the 24) so..Yah!
Dani - Glad to hear from you again! I'm sorry that I killed Lily and James (Well, really Voldemort did but, same diff) but it's sort of important to the story.
Super Poet Gurl - Cat Food Milkshake. Care for some?
KirjavaLyra - Once again I'm sorry that I took them away but I had to. It's complicated. Too complicated for even me to understand. As for Daemon she's more..Yell now, Cry later. Like me..
"I don't know.." Remus voice came from the other line.
"Please. I would normally get Lé Anna to but she's gone right now and Sirius isn't here. Besides, this will be the first time I'll be seeing him in almost four years."
"Alright. I'll be there in a minute."
"Thank you so much Remus. You have no idea how much this means to me. I'll see you in a minute." She said as she hung up the phone.
"Nikki," She called up the stairs. "Come down here."
"What Mommy?" Nikki asked, rubbing her eyes. She had her mom's glossy black hair falling to her shoulders and her dad's pale blue eyes.
"Remus is going to be coming over to babysit you today and tomorrow."
"What about Lé Anna?" She asked, still in her pajamas.
"She had to go somewhere"
"Oh, okay." She sighed, taking an apple out of the fridge. "Why didn't Remus babysit me yesterday instead of Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George and Percy?"
"Because Remus turns into something big and furry every moth and that's what he was doing yesterday. So he might be tired so could you take care of him?"
"Yep," she said through a mouth full of chewed apple.
There was a swooshing sound from the other room and a green light from the fireplace as Remus came into the white-washed kitchen.
"Well, I'm here." He said coming into the room where the two girls where currently standing.
"Thank you so much Remus. Nikki has to go to school in an hour, she can get there by herself because she has a friend who she walks with and the cross guard is there in the mornings, but you'll have to go get her at around three. She's going to TEC, The Education Center, and she should meet you out front. There's no school tomorrow so she can stay up until she gets tired. I'll see you all tomorrow, bye."
"Say hi to Daddy for me Mom!" Nikki yelled as her mom left through the fireplace.
"I'm going to get ready for school Remus. I'll be pack in a minute." She yelled, running up the stairs.
Remus fell down into a chair; he could hear Nikki running pack down the stairs, her shuffling around the kitchen and then walking towards him.
"Remus.." Nikki's small voice came. He wearily opened his eyes; there she was holding a mug filled with a thick brown liquid.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Mommy told me that you turned into a big furry creature last night and that you weren't feeling well. And when ever I'm not feeling well, she always makes me a chocolate shake so I though that I'd make you one." She explained while handing it over to him.
"Why thank you. What's in it?" He asked while lifting it to his mouth.
"The usual things that's in it. Chocolate fudge syrup, vanilla ice-cream, milk, ice.."
"Sounds good," He said before taking a sip.
"Cat food"
Remus' face turned white as he chocked down what he had in his mouth. "Why did you put cat food in it?"
"Mommy said that you turned into a big furry creature and I thought that it was a cat. So I thought that you would like cat food."
Remus just started at her. Not knowing what to think, it was cute but at the same time, the taste of sea food flavored cat food hung in his mouth reminded him that it wasn't.
"I'll go to school now..." She said in a small voice. "Bye." She picked up her school bag and left through the front door.
"Cat food milkshake," He laughed as he lifted the mug back up to his mouth and took another sip before spitting it out again.
~*~
Daemon's footsteps echoed as she was guided down the dark, dusty hallway of Azkaban. The Dementor left her in front of Sirius' cell.
"Hello, darling," She croaked out.
"Daemon!," He said gleefully. "I missed you so much."
"Nikki says hi."
"How is my little princess? She has to be what, five now?"
"Yes. She should be at school right now."
"Really? My little angel. Who's watching her?"
"Remus is. He like the rest of the world doesn't believe that you're innocent. Only me, Nikki, and Lé Anna, I convinced her."
"I heard from some of the newest people that got brought in that you almost gave Fudge a broken nose when you found out that he sent me here."
"It was no almost. That man's nose will never be in the same place again." She grinned broadly. "No one ticks me off and gets away unhurt."
"That's the girl I married. Daemon, I have to tell you something...important."
"Go ahead Sirius."
"I'm sorry"
"Sirius.."
"Listen to me. I'm Sorry. I'm sorry for all the mean things I might have said. I'm Sorry... for all the things I did or didn't do. I'm Sorry...if I ever ignored you or if I ever made you feel bad or put you down. I'm Sorry... If I ever thought I was bigger or better than you."
"Sirius. You don't."
"I Love You. Don't ever forget that! Through bad times and good, I'll always be here for you. I am Sorry... For everything wrong I've ever done. I'm telling you this because what if tomorrow never comes? What if I never get to say good-bye or give a BIG hug to the people I ever cared about? What if you never get to say I'm sorry or I love you?"
"Sirius, you didn't have to tell me that. I always knew that." She choked threw tears.
"I know but sometimes, in here, it feels like no matter how many times I say it, it'll never be enough."
~*~
Remus ran across the temporarily deserted road, he was half an hour late picking up Nikki. She'd most likely be crying. He saw a low ceiling where there was a porch that people could stand under if it was raining, and then he saw Nikki fly right above it, then back down.
"That couldn't have been Nikki." He told himself as he ran around the building. When he got there was two girls in cheerleading uniforms catching her and throwing her straight up again.
"Hi Remus. How are you?" She asked, also in a cheerleading uniform, as she got caught again.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Basket tosses. What does it look like?"
"Why?" He asked, in slight disgust.
"She's on the junior squad for the SAERC Saints," Explained one of the girls.
"SAERC? I thought that this was TEC." He said, suddenly confused.
"Oh, it is. We came here to pick up our little sisters and brothers. SAERC is the Seasonal Activity and Educational Recreation Center," Explained the other.
"Catchy name; come on Nikki, we should get home if you're done here."
"Okay. Bye Mya, bye Tori. See you Monday." Nikki yelled, skipping along side of Remus. They walked up the hill hidden by trees and through the tall grass where Remus lost Nikki.
"Nikki..Nikki where are you Nikki?" He yelled anxiously.
"Hi Remus," She yelled from the house's front door. "What's taking you so long?"
"What happened to you?" He asked her, running across the yard.
"I'm shorter then the grass Remus, I could be standing in there and no one would be able to find me."
"Well I found that out."
~*~
"Nikki, what are you watching?" Remus asked her later that night. He found her on the couch clutching a tub of ice cream staring at the TV screen.
"It's my favorite movie; want to watch it with me?" She asked, scooping out a giant spoonful of ice cream and eating it.
"Sure, what's the name of it?" He asked, sitting down beside her.
"It's a home movie. It has my dad, Lily, James and the no good rat Peter." She said disgusted. "He put my dad in jail and now everybody hates my dad."
"Everybody doesn't hate your dad Nikki." He consoled her.
"But you do, don't you Remus.." She remarked more then asked him. "Don't answer, we're coming up to the good part." She said, turning her attention back to the TV.
Who ever was holding the camera went outside and Remus realized where they were at once. They were outside in the yard decorated for Daemon's and Sirius' wedding. There seemed to be a lot of people laughing. The camera turned to show Sirius on a platform singing.
"Do ya love me? Do ya love me? Do ya love me? Do ya love me?"
The camera paned to the other side of the yard. There was Daemon trying to hide herself in James' shoulder from all of the laughter. Beside James was Lily and Lé Anna both enraged.
"Stop singing Sirius. Please have mercy.." They begged only to have him sing louder.
The TV went blank for a moment and showed Lily in a church running around in a t-shirt and jeans.
"Where is James? We're supposed to get married in an hour and he's not here yet. Oh God, I'm hyperventilating."
"Lily, come on, we got to get you into you dress." Lé Anna begged dragging her away.
"Is it okay if I make myself a sandwich Remus?" Nikki asked from beside him.
"Yeah, go ahead." He smiled as he turned his attention back to the television. Daemon, Lily, Lé Anna, Lily's mom, and Lé Anna's mom were all in the dressing room trying to get everything organized. Daemon and Lé Anna, wearing red maids outfits, were trying to get Lily to change in to her wedding dress.
"If Daddy doesn't get here soon, I won't be able to marry James. I need my Daddy to walk me down the aisle." Lily complained.
"If you get into your dress your Daddy will come." Lé Anna told her while handing her the dress.
"No he won't."
"If you don't get in to the dress you can't have any wedding cake; Chocolate wedding cake." Daemon bribed Lily. Lily immediately snatched the dress and went to change.
"She's pathetic"
The screen went blue as Nikki sat back down on the couch.
"The movie will start again soon." She informed him; taking a bite of her sandwich.
"What kind of a sandwich is that!?" He exclaimed.
"It's my own creation. The bread is pound cake, and then you spread chocolate syrup on it; add some gummy worms, M&Ms, jellybeans and caramel and you have a sandwich. Want one? I made about five."
"No thanks. The movie is back." He said, turning his attention back to the screen. It was showing James, Sirius, Peter, and himself all sitting around the table in Daemon's and Sirius' kitchen. There were a lot of empty Butterbeer bottles on the table and quite a few on the floor. James, Sirius, and Peter were all talking while Remus tried to tune an acoustic guitar.
"Remus you're never going to get that damn thing tuned again," James criticized, having trouble keeping his balance.
"I'll prove you wrong. If I can tune it, we'll all have to sing that song your dad used to sing." Remus growled.
"Deal." James said, having trouble to sit still in his chair. Not more then three minutes later Remus had the old guitar in tune.
"Now you all have to sing." Remus crackled.
"Oh shut up. You have to sing too."
Remus picked up the guitar and strummed it. "Whenever you're ready boys."
"Keep Smilin', Keep Smilin'. 'Cause at the end of the tunnel the light's coming in. Keep Smilin', Keep Smilin'
"Long ago when I was back in school, I tried to be a rebel, tried to act so cool. Nobody gave me a second glance, then she came along and she gave me a chance. Pretty Lady put an end to my strife. Congratulations we were high on life."
"A dozen beers later she became my wife" Sirius sang alone.
"It took you a dozen?" James asked shocked as Peter snapped his fingers.
"It'd take me more then a dozen to get married." Remus admitted.
"Stop that snapping!" James snapped.
"Oh it was a gamble." Sirius trailed off.
"Keep Smilin', Keep Smilin'. 'Cause at the end of the tunnel the light's coming in. Keep Smilin', Keep Smilin'
"At twenty five my wife was still around. The only job of choices were the crown and the clown. Flipping burgers in a stupid hat - God life sucks, you want fries with that? Got a call for a job out west packed my wife and kids and I sold the nest. When I got there well you know the rest
"So, did you get the job?" Remus asked Sirius eagerly.
"Will you shut up and just sing?"
"KEEP SMILIN'."
"Not yet, not yet.."
"Now I'm old and my kids are gone. I've moved back because that's where I belong. Happy ending to a life of pain, My body's shot but I still got my brain. I'm feeling kind of bothered and I'll tell you why; All there's left to do is pay my taxes and die
"Daemon is going to have a fit when she gets home, just look at this place"
"'Nother beer?"
"Well..If ya wanna walk a mile in my shoes, well ya gotta be ready to pay my dues. Keep Smiling..keep Smiling. 'Cause at the end of the tunnel, the light's coming in."
"Did you just hear a car door?"
"WHAT'S THIS?!" Daemon screeched from the door way on the TV.
Remus laughed as he watched himself and his old friends run out the door to escape "Hurricane Daemon."
"Does your mom still have that temper Nikki?" He asked her. Remus turned and looked at her and saw her laying spread eagle on the couch, clutching one of her sandwiches, fast asleep. One of Daemon's furry cats was curled up on Nikki's chest, purring contently. Remus tried to get up to bring Nikki to her bed room when he felt something heavy on his lap. There was Oreo, claws keeping him in tacked, asleep and heavy. Remus threw his head back and fell asleep.
A/N: Could it be? Oh My gosh! It is! A New Chapter! Halleluiah!
On a sadder note, exams start Monday so that'll lessen my updates (not like I updated in a while). Sorry that it took so long but I was having trouble with finding the song Lyrics. On a brighter note, my cousin turns two tomorrow (the 24) so..Yah!
Dani - Glad to hear from you again! I'm sorry that I killed Lily and James (Well, really Voldemort did but, same diff) but it's sort of important to the story.
Super Poet Gurl - Cat Food Milkshake. Care for some?
KirjavaLyra - Once again I'm sorry that I took them away but I had to. It's complicated. Too complicated for even me to understand. As for Daemon she's more..Yell now, Cry later. Like me..