Chapter 44

"James, chill," started Sirius, "do you really think that Regulus would be calmly sitting here, talking calmly with me if I didn't think it was alright?"

James moved forward cautiously. His wand was not in his hand, but it was obvious that he could reach it easily. "I don't know what to think. All I know is that someone from your deadbeat family is here."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "I'm a big boy, James. I can take care of myself."

"Yeah, well, I don't really care right now. You're seven months pregnant, and bad things can happen if you get overstressed or…something else."

Regulus smiled at that and chuckled. Ana turned to look at him with wide eyes. He held out his arms and she crawled over to his lap. He picked her up and pushed her dark curls back from her eyes. Both James and Sirius watched him closely, James in anger and Sirius in happiness. "I thought I said to stay away from her," growled James, barely containing his anger. He hated the thought of either of his loved ones getting hurt by this...this scum!

Regulus simply rolled his eyes again, not really caring what James thought,and addressed Ana. "Hey, I'm your Uncle Regulus, or Reggie if you prefer. I don't really care. Yeah, basically I'm an evil person who suddenly saw the light when I met a pair of big brown muggle eyes."

Sirius laughed at that. "Are you still meeting her?"

Regulus shook his head slightly. "I'm not putting anything past our parents."

"They're in prison," snapped James.

Regulus shook his head. "They were in prison. Certainly you must know more about our parents than that. They have way too much influence in the different departments. They ratted out Jacob and he went to prison and they got out." He smirked slightly. "Where's the justice, that's all I ask."

Sirius laughed bitterly. "Justice? What's that?"

"Precisely."

James watched them interact, anger growing more intense. He did not want Regulus to hurt his brother like he had before, but Sirius was being far too trusting, and as such, was not being helpful.

"What do you want, Black?" snarled James. He was not going to put up with the younger Black, and was not going to even pretend to accept him.

Sirius, however, had a different plan. Slowly he stood up, his hand on his stomach. He flashed a grin and Regulus and grabbed James's arm. "Can I see you in the kitchen for a minute?"

James was tempted to say no, but Sirius looked determined so he reluctantly followed Sirius into the other room, but not before shooting Regulus a poisonous glare. "Why is he here? And why are you being so trusting with him?"

Sirius shrugged. "He's my little brother, right? Well, what he just told me made a lot of sense. He was never really evil, I know that for a fact, just…I don't know, very naïve and…willing to conform. He didn't ever really do anything bad to me, he just didn't do anything to stop it."

James raised his eyebrows. Now that he thought about it, Sirius never had complained about his brother, only his parents and Jacob. "Oh. Well, what are you going to do?"

Sirius shook his head hopelessly. "I don't know. Jacob's in jail now, but my parents are now free. I guess it doesn't really affect me right now. As for Regulus, I don't think I can turn him away. He is my brother."

James nodded, but didn't lose his suspicious air. "If you say so. I'll try to accept him, but it won't be easy."

Sirius smiled slightly and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. "That's why I love you. You try so hard to make me happy even if you don't want to do what I'm asking of you."

James smiled and leaned in to kiss him in return. "I'm glad you love me. Now let's go talk to your brother who I don't trust worth crap."

"Agreed," he grinned.

They walked back out to find Regulus sitting on the floor playing with legos with Ana. They seemed to be having atug-a-war over one of the pieces. "I'm trying to build my dream house, kid. Do you have a problem with that?"

Ana said, "Yes," and clapped her hands together happily, letting go of the piece. Regulus laughed and leaned in to mock tackle her. He pushed her over gently and began to tickle her.

Beside him, James tensed slightly, but didn't do anything. Sirius smiled and continued to watch the interaction between his daughter and brother. They seemed to be having fun. James, however, got tired of just watching and cleared his throat. Regulus looked up immediately, a grin on his face and twinkle in his eyes. It was the first time that they had not seemed so cold. In fact, they hadn't seemed cold the entire time that he had been there.

"Well, what's the verdict?" he asked, getting to his feet, much to Ana's dismay. He looked at James anxiously. He knew that it was James that he had to convince. Sirius watched both of them eagerly. He was hoping for a quick reconciliation, even though it most likely wouldn't be.

"We're going to give you a chance," said James, looking Regulus up and down. "Innocent until proven guilty."

With those words spoken, James walked over and picked up Ana. He walked up the stairs, leaving Sirius and Regulus behind to talk.

"Well that was a bit more than I expected," muttered Regulus. Sirius smiled at him and slung his arm around his shoulders, steering him into the kitchen.

"I would really like for you to come and live with us," he said sincerely. Regulus looked at him as if he'd lost his mind.

"Why would you want me to stay here?" he asked, uncertain as to whether or not he had heard correctly.

Sirius rolled his eyes as if he'd lost his mind. "Because you're in trouble and we can help you. At least until school starts again." He smiled suddenly. "Not to mention you are the only one who can cook."

Regulus laughed at that and nodded. "Well, if you're sure, I guess. I don't want to impose though."

"Don't worry about that. You're family."

"So is mum and dad and you wouldn't want them staying with you."

Sirius laughed at that and nodded. "Too right."

A.N. that was lame, I know. Thanks, review, bye.