"Surprise"

Severus Snape woken up from his slumbered reverie looked up, and was met with the most charming grin any proud father could hope to see.

"Happy Birthday! Daddy, come on lazy bones! Papa is making you breakfast. and he says you have two minutes flat"

"Ok Dracelle, tell my insufferable husband, that I will be with him shortly, now get out before I turn into the BOOGEY MAN AND EAT YOU, WHOA WHOA"

Severus laughed as he saw his five year old daughter rush through the door screaming for her other papa's help

"Papa help, daddy's turning into the boogey man again" screamed a happily giggling Dracelle.

Running up to her papa and hugging his legs burying her head in the bend behind his knees Dracelle Snape giggled splendidly, she loved playing chase with her father. Her papa loved to watch the antics of his beloved husband and daughter.

Only 7 years ago he had had his heart ripped apart when the love of his life left him. He knew it was going to happen. In a way, he had prepared himself the best way that he could, for the loss. Now aged 37 Oliver Wood was where he had always wanted to be in his life, in love with a wonderful man and with family that truly needed him.

Events hadn't been kind to Oliver 7 years ago, the love of his life Draco Malfoy, upped one day, and returned to his estranged lover Harry Potter. Oliver knew that the romance between Harry and Draco was merely dormant, never dead. He knew that as long as Harry was still alive Draco would never be his. It was the only real companion he actually had for the ten years they lived together.

Draco had settled back into his life with Harry as if they had never been apart. They now had two children and were regulars at candlelit soirées hosted by Oliver and Severus. To show how much their lives had moved on Draco and Harry had called their first born Olivia, whilst Severus and Oliver following suit with the naming of their first child Dracelle.

Thankfully Severus Snape found him that cold Sunday in December back in 2010. Oliver had written Severus to inform him of his plans to commit suicide.
He had been depressed and wanted a way out, his life held no meaning for him anymore. With Draco happy again and back with the man he was destined to be with, pain and solitude had eaten away at the normally fun loving young man's soul. What was left, he didn't want to be part of anymore. He just wanted to die.

Severus did a most remarkable thing that day. He agreed. He agreed to help Oliver take his own life, but would only do it on the proviso that Oliver helps him do the same.

Flashback

Dear Severus,

As you are no doubt aware, Draco has returned to his life with Harry. He has done this with my blessing, but I must admit I am broken. I cannot function without him in my life and I call on the friendship we have enjoyed this past ten years, to ask that you help me alleviate this burden from my heart.
Without going into too much detail, I would rather the draft I need, be made by you. I thank you in advance for your help in this matter and ask that you trust me when I tell you. There is no other way for me.

Regards dear friend

Oliver

Severus replied straight away to that letter.

Dearest Oliver

I can of course help you with your request, on one understanding. You also help me do the same. I like you have struggled to come to terms with how my life would be without the person I loved so much, not being part of it. I decided that I would be patient and wait for him to be free from the unrealistic hope he was clinging to. Ten years I have waited and it now seems fate will deal me another blank card.
I will help you end your life because without you in my life I may as well be dead. Agree to help me end my life and I promise to help you end yours.
Maybe in the next life we may realise that we have been loved by someone all along.

You're devoted servant

Severus

Oliver received the letter and immediately went to Snape Manor, the realisation that this man, who all this time, had been the rock that Oliver had relied on, actually loved him, like that, was something Oliver hadn't counted on.
Knocking on the door he was greeted by his Sev, and in that instant, as Oliver's blue eyes met Severus ebony black, they both knew.
Both knew that they were destined for one more chance.
Oliver held out the letter he had received that morning from Severus, just as Severus held out his own correspondence.

"Sev I never knew" a tearful Oliver said, eyes not leaving those of his old friend

"If I had told you, would you have come to me? Severus replied.

"Probably not, but I would have thought about the chance to be happy with you, against the waiting for forgiveness Draco had to give Harry" Severus held out a hand and took the parchment from his ex student. Telling Oliver of his deepest feelings for him.

"I have loved you since you were in my care, I cannot let you do this alone, if you want to die, I will need to join you. If you want to love, let me give you a reason to live, and learn to love me in return"

Oliver stepped forward and feeling Severus' breath against his face lunged into his friend in a deep and needing kiss, the letters were dropped and the door left open as Severus allowed Oliver to manoeuvre him inside, once in the hallway Severus pulled at the cloak Oliver was wearing, receiving similar treatment from the younger man. One by one clothes were shed until they both stood in each others arms naked, and in need of the others love.

"Bed" Severus whispered in between deep bouts of kissing. Oliver surprised the older man by sweeping him up in his arms and carrying him to the bedroom.

"Promise me you will never want another Severus; promise me I won't ever see you walk out that door, in another man's arms"

Severus looked deep into his loves arms and tears started to fall silently down his face.

"I promise you, I promise"

End flashback

Today was Severus' 55th Birthday; happiness had come late in life for him. But what joyful, passionate happiness it was.
Oliver never left the Manor after that morning, after making love for what seemed hours Severus got up to go to work, asking Oliver what his plans were. When Oliver said he didn't know, now that he had been saved from himself. Severus told him he didn't have to leave if he didn't want to.

That was seven years ago, and the man who had cared for his heart and soul was entering the kitchen, still in great shape for a man in his sixth decade.

"Happy birthday love" Oliver said, moving back against the warm body embracing him.

"Give Daddy his special present papa" Dracelle shouted, Severus could tell by her animated antics, there was something that he hadn't been told yet.

"My special present?" Severus asked turning his husband around to face him, at the same time feeling Dracelle' s weight on his shoulders as she jumped off the table and was now clinging to his neck. Adjusting his daughter so that she sat comfortably in his arms, Severus asked again.

"Ollie, what is this special present, my daughter seems so overjoyed by?"

Oliver was beaming at his husband of five years, Dracelle was giggling and pulling her papa into the huddle she was enjoying with her daddy. Oliver leant in giving Severus a deep kiss on the lips, a silent tear rolled down his cheek falling on Severus chest.

"Don't cry papa, daddy is going to be so pleased, we are going to be the happiest family in the world, aren't we daddy?" Dracelle looked at her fathers with huge eyes filled with wonder.

"So Ollie, are you going to give me my special present before our little minx explodes?"

Oliver took Severus's free hand and placed it on his tummy, Dracelle giggled uncontrollably as the realisation of what Oliver was expressing sank into Severus.

"What we are..?" Severus was speechless, he couldn't get the words out for the sheer joy and excitement the discovery gave him.

"Yes darling, it's true. We are having another baby. Happy birthday"

THE END

Many thanks for your wonderful support

This fic is gifted to my good friends Angel aka thrnbrooke, Beth aka Blue Phoenix and my Minx. Hope you all enjoyed the ending.

Martin