Thanks for the reviews everyone…those posted and the couple that were emailed.

This chapter has not been beta'd and the verb tense goes back and forth in places…sorry….

Part 3

Three days later on a rainy Thursday afternoon Jimmie and Austin were pretending to be rock starts. With all the racket and the start of a migraine Percy just barely heard the doorbell ringing. What had ever possessed him to buy a three year old a mini drum kit?

He'd tried again to take away Austin's drumsticks and failed; rainy days were a single parent's hell. When he finally reached the front door he could see a tall figure turning away. Quickly throwing open the door Percy called out to the man.

"Oliver?"

The man turned back to the house slowly with his head bowed Oliver walked up the steps. Slowly Oliver lifted his head to face the red head, "Hey Percy."

The first thing Percy noticed was the shiny black eye.

"I told Ron not to hit you."

Oliver grinned. "He didn't. Your brother just bound me to chair and made me aware of a few facts."

"Draco on the other hand after listening to all the letters undid the binding, stood me up and swung once. After he picked me up he said I didn't deserve you or Austin. He's probably right."

"Damn he must have been pissed. Draco does his best never to resort to physical violence. Ruins his manicure."

"Percy, I…"

"Come inside. Whatever our conversation is going to be it shouldn't be done on the front porch."

As they enter the house Percy realizes it's oddly quiet. Too quite for a house with two almost four year olds fresh from a nap. He entered the destroyed family room and found it empty. Floating five feet in the air are a pair of drumsticks with a scrap of parchment attached.

Percy

Hide the drum kit and the sticks! Have been watching Wood the last few days and saw he finally left his home today and made his way to an international portkey station. Figured you would need a peaceful meeting. Merri is helping us with the kids this afternoon. Take your time and remember your promise. Don't just fall into bed with him.

Ron

PS

You may want to transfigure the drumsticks into something quieter. Austin is far too good at finding hidden objects. - Draco

Percy smiles at the letter and transfigures the sticks into Spongebob and whatever the purple thing is and tossed them on the couch. He looks up and Oliver is looking at all the photos covering the longest wall of the family wall. Most are of Austin, some include Percy, a few others have Ron and Draco's smiling faces. Slowly and reverently Oliver touches the photo of Austin's first birthday party. It is one of Percy's favorites.

It's a muggle photo but the emotions just jump from the picture. The boy is a chocolate mess and thanks to the baby's chocolaty kisses, hands and honestly head first dive into the cake Percy was just as chocolate covered. But it was the look of adoration in both red heads eyes for each other that made Oliver close his eyes and thin his lips.

The boy in all the pictures was beautiful. His Percy's red curls danced wildly on the small head and the strong little body already favored Oliver's burley build.

"Percy," the man still faced the wall. "I'm so sorry. I've been such a coward all these years. I left you with only a note. I wasn't man enough to face you. Draco was right I don't deserve either of you."

"Sit down Oliver. Do you need anything? Tea, biscuit, my handkerchief?"

"No, no I'm good and I deserve my tears. They are of my own making."

The two men sit on opposite ends of the couch and neither speaks. Both just stare at each other. Taking in the changes in each others faces, Percy noticed that Oliver had the start of crows feet on his face that had not existed the last time he saw the man. Oliver in turn saw a quiet joy in Percy tempered by a slight sorrow in his eyes.

Ever since the two men were boys they had an uncanny ability to just simply know what the other was thinking. After several long minutes Percy smiled at Oliver.

"I can't say that I can forgive and can simply forget everything that has happened between us. But your answers to a few questions will determine what kind of future our family will have."

Oliver looked at the red head, his red head.

"Our family," questioned Oliver hopefully.

"You are Austin's father. I've never spoken ill of you in front of our child. Actually I've never spoken ill of you to anyone. If you want a place in Austin's life that's not a problem. Just don't ever think about taking him from me."

"I'd never do that. I've caused you enough pain because of my idiocy. I'd love to be a part of our son's life. What part if any will I have in yours?"

"Are you seeing anyone?"

"No. I've had no social life at all. I didn't want anyone but you. I've sort of reverted to the Quidditch madman I was at Hogwarts. Are you involved with anyone?"

"No, Austin's been my focus and driving force. He became my reason for living since everyone…since everyone for lack of better words…abandoned me."

"I'll never be able to apologize enough for what I've put you through. I'm so sorry Percy."

"You're here now and have apologized. We have to try to put everything else aside, our hurt, pride, even to some degree our child, what do you feel for me? I could have had Austin and apperated to your flat and made you face reality. I could have shown up to one of your games preggers with a sign and fireworks proclaiming you the father. Place a birth announcement in the Prophet and the Quibbler. I could have made you face the fact you were a father but I didn't."

Oliver takes a breath and grins at his red head.

"You are at your heart a good man Percy Weasley. You are more than I deserve. Never would you have made a public spectacle of yourself or even of me. If you allow me I'll try everyday for the rest of my life to show you how much I truly love you."

Percy stares hard at Oliver whose eyes are bright with tears.

"Those are very pretty words Ollie. But I of all people know all about words. Words can be a cruel, cruel weapon whether voiced or written. I want to believe you but it's so hard and this time I'm not the only one who'll get hurt if you decide you can't handle our relationship. My boy….our boy doesn't deserve to be hurt if our family can't survive your fear of your boss's prejudice."

"I'm not going to play professionally after this season. Headmistress McGonogall has offered me Madam Hooch's job. Next season she starts coaching the Harpies. I spoke to her yesterday about the possibility of my son visiting occasionally. She surprised me when she said, "It's about time Mr. Wood. Percy and Austin are always welcome but I would rather the two of you formalize your union before having any overnight stays.' "

"I think all Heads of Hogwarts are omniscient. I ran into her Professor Dumbledore a few years ago at an art show in New York. Austin was asleep in my arms drooling on my shoulder. I never told her who Austin's father was but I'm not surprised she knew."

"Are you going to take the job Oliver?"

"Yes, I just hope I don't screw it up."

"You'll be fine. An excellent instructor of flight. So when do you want to meet Austin and where?"

"Today. Here. One so I don't loose my nerve and two it's a comfortable known environment for him."

"Very good answer."

"I've been reading parenting books hoping not to screw things up."

Percy laughed out loud at what Oliver stated, "I'll call Ron ask him to bring the monkey home."

"Wait. You asked me and I really have no right to ask you anything but I have to know where I stand with you aside from being your sons other father. "

"You Oliver Wood have been the greatest love of my life. I don't think I ever stopped loving you but I haven't liked you for quite awhile. We'll go slow and see what happens and I don't want to get Austin's hopes up that both his daddies will live with him."

"Thank you. That's more than I deserve and more than I was expecting."

"I often think Austin is more than I deserve. He deserves a family, his fathers, grandparents and uncles and aunts. You are my first step. If mum invites us to the Burrow he'll get a set of grandparents and at least two more uncles in Bill and Snape. So when are you telling your mum about Austin?"

Percy goes into the kitchen to call Ron on the cell phone he made his brother purchase. As he talks he starts making a simple snack of his boy. After Percy finishes his conversation Oliver follows him into the kitchen both men are eventually standing at the large window looking out into the backyard.

Oliver reaches out to touch Percy, the other man's body tenses at the contact. When he starts to remove his hand Percy reaches out to hold it. Oliver runs one had up Percy's arm reaching his face. Ever so gently he traces the red heads face. Reaching for both of Percy's hands Oliver stares into his beloved's eyes and kisses every knuckle. Oliver closes his eyes and tears roll down. At that Percy pulls Oliver in for a tight hug.

"Don't you ever leave me again Oliver Wood. I don't think that I could take it."

"Never, never," whispers Oliver wrapping his arms around Percy's trembling body.

After holding on tightly to the redhead for several minutes Oliver pulls away slightly to look directly into the other man's face.

"Percy may I kiss you? I need to remember how you taste."

Percy pulls back and gives Oliver a watery smile, "Just a kiss. I promised Ron I wouldn't fall into bed with you. Or the couch, the floor, he pretty much wanted me to avoid you and horizontal surfaces. And closets."

Oliver chuckles, "Sounds like a very Weasleyesque promise."

"Shut up and kiss me."

Unbeknownst to either man Ron, Draco and Austin had returned. Instead of shouting that he was home Austin had told his Uncles he was going to sneak up on his Da. However as he entered the kitchen on tip toes with exaggerated steps he came upon a sight he'd never seen.

His daddy's were together and they were kissing. He had never met the other man but knew that man was his other daddy. He stood there watching and waiting for them to stop.

He waited an entire minute which for which any three year old is an eternity. As he counted the seconds away on his fingers he waited yet another minute before going over to the two men.

He tugged on Oliver's pant leg and cleared his throat. The two men parted then looked down. For several long seconds all three just stared at each other. Austin finally broke the silence.

"Did you ask for directions?"

Oliver, to whom the question was directed to, was as confused as Percy by the question.

"Umm what do you u mean?" Oliver asked while going down on his knees to speak to the boy properly.

"Da said you were confused and a little lost but that when you found your way again you'd come home to your heart. Merri said it might take awhile because men don't like to ask for 'rections or help when they are lost."

Percy bit his cheek and tried to hold back his laughter while Oliver attempted to find and appropriate answer.

"You could say that. Your Uncles Ron and Draco were very helpful."

"Are ya gonna stay? Are you gonna be my Daddy?"

"I very much want to be your daddy. I have to go to Bulgaria next month and a few practices between now and then but I hope to spend a lot of time with you and your Dad."

"He's Da, sometimes Daddy or Papa but not Dad."

"I'm sorry I didn't know I wish I had been here to watch you grow up. I promise to do better from now on."

The little boy studies the man before him as if trying to judge his sincerity. He looks over to Percy and seems to ask a question with his eyes. At Percy's nod the little boy looks back to Oliver.

"That's okay. I have lots of growing ta do you're tall like Da."

Percy smiles down at his men. "Why don't you take your Daddy over to the window seat, eat your snack and tell him everything about you. I'm going to talk to Uncle Ronnie and Draco see what they want for dinner later. "

"Okie dokey."

Taking Oliver's hand he leads him over to the window seat. The area is quite obviously claimed by the young boy. A small green broom is propped up by the window and the center seat is open to reveal many toys.

The windows are covered in quidditch decals and other cartoon looking figures. The sponge looking creature that Percy had transfigured the drumstick into was represented as well. Percy watched the two as Oliver asked what the sponge creature was and watched as the man became confused regarding television, cartoon, and bikini bottoms. It was quite funny Oliver was not from a traditional pureblood family but the last muggle in his family tree was over a hundred years ago.

Percy left the two as Austin introduced the man into his world and entered the family room and got yet another laugh at Ron and Draco's expense.

They were sprawled upon the couch entangled on one another looking tired and quite dazed. At the laughter Draco opened an eye and glared quite heatedly at the laughing and hair mussed man.

"So did you two enjoy taking my spot for parent's day out?"

"I hate you Weasley. Fourteen children under the age of six! Fourteen! The giant here became a human jungle gym."

Ron remains with his eyes closed and occasionally whimpers. Draco drops a kiss on his head and rubs his back.

"I would have warned you but I had no idea of what would happen today. But I thank you both for all you've done for me."

Draco smirks and crawls out from under Ron who lets out a long whimper of loss. "Do you thank me for the black eye?"

Percy gives Draco a brotherly hug, "Especially for the black eye."

Draco chuckles and begins to tease that it looks as if Percy has been snogging. Ignoring the man Percy asks what they want for dinner. Ron just continued to whimper while Draco continued to ask about his snogging session. Percy decided to ignore both younger men and that pizza would be good enough for dinner.

TBC…..