Author's Notes: Sorry it took me a while to update this – I've been busy with work (blech!)Thank you to Mon 2, Brunette89, MorgainTheFairy and Drastic Diner for your reviews!! And now…

Chapter 8 Amends

Sirius looked at himself in the mirror one more time. He was wearing a white linen button-down shirt and a pair of black wool pants. He ran a hand through his hair, noting that his cheekbones weren't as hollow as they used to be. If he tried hard, he almost recognized himself in the man that stared back at him.

'You look lovely.' Lily sighed.

'You look hot.' James wiggled his eyebrows.

"Sirius, you look very handsome." Remus said, with a smile, from the doorway. "Now, come sit and just relax. It's only 6:30."

Sirius checked his pocket again, the apology speech was safely folded within.

"He'll come, won't he?" Sirius asked anxiously.

"Yes, he will."

6:55 pm found Sirius pacing anxiously in front of the door. Remus patted his shoulder reassuringly.

"Everything's set in the dining room and we're floo-ing home and-"

"Is he here yet?" Cassius came clomping down the stairs.

"No. Do you see him here?" Remus asked with a laugh.

"Well – no, but he might have an invisibility cloak." Cassius scowled.

"It's a possibility but he still would have had to knock. And anyway, we are leaving Sirius and the soon to be arriving Jack alone." Remus gave Sirius a quick hug. "You'll be fine, everything will be fine."

"Good luck, Cousin." Cassius thumped Sirius on the shoulder and smiled before he and Remus walked down the stairs. "Can you heal my hand? I was lighting the candles and -" Cassius's voice got quieter as Remus was obviously pushing him towards the fireplace.

Sirius stood next to the door for another couple minutes and then, right at 7 o'clock, there was a knock at the door. Sirius took a deep breath then opened the door.

"Hi."

"Hi." Jack walked into the hallway, shaking the snow off his coat.

"May I take your coat?" Sirius held his arms out.

'Very polite! Great beginning!' Lily applauded.

"Thank you." Jack handed the coat over watching Sirius as he hung it up.

"Come up to the dining room." Sirius walked up the stairs, feeling more nervous by the moment.

"Wha…" Jack stood in the doorway, looking stunned.

Sirius scanned the room. He, Remus, Cassius (just a little) and Clara had spent a full day getting the formal dining room cleaned and ready. All the portraits of the Blacks were frozen so Sirius and Jack could have a private meal. Soft violin music was playing. There was a huge bouquet of red roses in a tall vase in the center of the long table surrounded by six white pillar candles. Another dozen candles floated in the air above their heads gently illuminating the room. Two place settings were at one end of the table with goblets and an opened bottle of red wine. Also on the table were a bowl of Caesar salad, a loaf of garlic bread, a pan of lasagna. The dessert was charmed to appear at Sirius's command. There wasn't anything missing that Sirius could tell. He looked back at Jack nervously.

"You did this all for me?"

"Yes." Sirius whispered. "Well…I had some help."

Jack walked slowly towards the table. "Is this why Liam wanted to know what my favorite foods were yesterday?"

"Uh…yeah."

"So…there's crème brulee for dessert?" A smile was flitting around one side of Jack's mouth.

"Yeah, Clara made it." Sirius walked over to one of the chairs and pulled it out. "Won't you have a seat?"

"Thank you." Jack walked over and sat down.

"Are you hungry or…" Sirius shifted his weight back and forth anxiously.

"I'd like the apology speech now…the food's all charmed to stay hot, isn't it?" Jack looked up at him.

"Yes. All right." Sirius pulled the paper out of his pocket. "I just um…I'm just going to read it, ok?"

"Ok."

'Sit down before you fall over.' James suggested helpfully.

"I'll just sit down first." Sirius sat down in the chair next to Jack. He cleared his throat nervously. Jack was watching him attentively. "Don't interrupt me until I'm done." Jack nodded. "Ok. 'Dear Jack'…I wrote it like a letter…that was kind of silly, I guess…ok…never mind.

"'Dear Jack, I am really, really sorry for what I said to you, for saying I only was fucking you because you look like Remus because that's not why I was fucking you at all. And we're not fucking, it's so much more than that. I never made love to anyone before I met you. You're the only person I've loved that I've had sex with. I want to be with you for the person you are inside. It doesn't matter what you look like. You're strong and intelligent and you don't look at me like I'm useless or insane even though I told you I have people in my head. You quiet the voices and you keep my nightmares away. I love the two dimples you have and the way your eyes are the exact color of butter beer. I love the sound of your laugh and how you slip your hand in mine during Order meetings. I love you.

"'I only said that horrible thing because I always fuck things up and I thought I would fuck it up with you and that you'd be better off without me. You still might be better off without me but I don't want to be without you. I don't want you to think I don't want to be with you because I do. I've been so lonely without you. I am so very very sorry and I hope you'll forgive me because I'll never do it again and I'll make it up to you even if it takes forever.' Um. 'Love, Sirius.'"

"My eyes are the exact color of butter beer?" Jack's voice had a laughing note in it.

"Yes. I noticed it after I drank about five of them one night last week. They made me more lonely for you."

"Sirius."

"Yes?"

"That was a very nice letter." Jack paused, and Sirius held his breath. "I forgive you."

James and Lily burst into cheers and Sirius smiled, feeling happier than he had in weeks. "You do?"

"Yes. But you should know that I don't give third chances."

"All right." Sirius nodded. "I am sorry."

"How are you going to make it up to me?"

"Well, I was going to start with kissing you. May I kiss you now?" Sirius asked softly.

"You better." Jack answered. Sirius flung himself at Jack, kissing him all over his face before kissing his mouth, sucking his tongue, grinding into his lap. Jack's arms were pulling Sirius closer and Sirius thought he would come just from kissing Jack. Jack broke the kiss, breathing hard. "How about we eat now…then you can continue to make it up to me later?"

"You bet." Sirius nodded, standing up, smiling giddily. He knew everything was back to normal when James muttered 'what a girl' under his breath. He served them both wine. Jack stood, serving them both salad and a piece of lasagna. Sirius gave them both garlic bread.

"I missed you." Jack said, pulling his chair closer to Sirius's.

"I missed you, too." Sirius leaned over and kissed Jack.

"Did you have a nice Christmas?"

"Yes. Harry was here for it. It was wonderful. He's such a great kid."

"I heard. That must have been nice for you to spend time with him." Sirius nodded. "Kiss anyone under the mistletoe?"

"No. Cassius and Remus hogged it." Sirius laughed. "Did you kiss anyone?"

"No."

"Good."

They ate, happily catching up with each other.

"We can have dessert later." Jack stood, pulling Sirius out of his chair. "Please?"

Sirius couldn't speak, he just pulled Jack up the flight of stairs to his room. His hands shook as he reached for Jack's shirt and slid it over his head.

Jack unbuttoned Sirius's shirt as he walked backwards towards the bed. It was a blur as the rest of their clothes were discarded and they fell onto the bed. Sirius slid on top of Jack, burying his face in Jack's neck. He took a deep shuddery breath, he was so glad Jack had forgiven him. He made love to Jack slowly, savoring each moment, each movement as Jack arched under him. He collapsed and rolled to the side, bringing Jack with him.

"Sirius, I love you." Jack moved closer to Sirius's side and wound his arms around Sirius's thin frame and rested his head on Sirius's shoulder.

"Of course you do." Sirius said with a smile.

"The great Sirius Black. You had quite an ego back in school." Jack said with a laugh. "Glad to see some things stay the same. Like your rivalry with Snape."

"He's a git." Sirius said automatically.

"Mm. And you're blameless."

"Mmm." Sirius kissed Jack's forehead. "Course I am. I love you."

"I love you too, even if you're stubborn and impulsive and rude to Snape. Because you're also sensitive and caring and brave and great in bed." Jack kissed Sirius until they were both breathless.

One more chapter to go – it'll be up in about a week.