"Shiver"

Disclaimer: Still don't own Remus or Tonks, but since they have not gotten married in J.K. Rowling's universe as of yet, this plot is entirely mine, with bits of canon inserted where needed.

Note:

Needed the shelter of someone's arms

And there you were

Needed someone to understand my ups and downs

And there you were

With sweet love and devotion

Touching my emotions

I wanna stop and thank you baby

I just wanna stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you

Michael Buble: "How Sweet It Is"

Chapter 5:

Remus awoke the morning of his wedding next to the woman he loved. He'd come to appreciate looking to his right and seeing the sweet, angelic face of Nymphadora Tonks. Never had he had the opportunity to see such a wonderful sight so early in the morning, never had he thought it would happen. But here he was, and today they were to be joined in holy matrimony. He was bursting with excitement.

After a few moments staring at his lovely bride, her eyes flickered open and looked sleepily back at him.

"Hello, darling."

"Hello love."

"Do you know what today is?"

"How could I forget?"

"Are you happy?"

"Ecstatic."

"Are you busting?"

"I'm busting!"

Tonks reached over, grinning, and enveloped Remus in a large hug with her thin arms. He, in turn put his around her. They sat there for a moment, just enjoying each other's embrace. Remus mused that every morning was to be like this, a wonderful beginning to another day with the woman he loved most.

"So," Remus began, when their embrace ended. "When does this 'can't see the bride before the wedding' begin?"

"Never." Tonks said seductively, placing a hand on the back of Remus' neck and drawing him in for a kiss that sent Remus rocketing up near the stars.

"You know," he said when their lips had parted. "Not everyday is going to be happiness, sunshine and roses. There is a war on."

"Uh-huh…" Tonks began fondling his hair, pushing it off his face. He swallowed.

"And, er, we both have our share of duties in the conflict and…" he closed his eyes. "Please don't do that while I'm trying to explain, Tonks, it's ruining my concentration."

"I just can't help it, you look so sexy in your plaid pajamas." She grinned.

"Don't make fun, you got them for me!"

"I'm not joking, why do you think I bought them? You're irresistible in them."

"Tonks, please, let's not defile the purity of our marriage day."

"Why not?"

"No, honestly, we need to talk."

Tonks sighed and turned on her back, away from Remus. "We've talked, Remus, thousands of times. You've told me all the disadvantages of being married to you, you've told me how hard it's going to be and that it won't be all happiness. This is the last time I am going to say this, I don't care! I have never cared, all I care about is you and the way you love me and the happiness I feel when I'm with you, despite all the things you've listed! I hope it will eventually sink in that it says 'for better or for worse' in our vows and I am willing to stick it out."

Remus sat, dumbfounded, looking at the ceiling. It would never sink in that someone could love him that much. He'd told her that, and she had said he would have to get used to it.

"I know darling," he leaned over to look at her. "I know."

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"Where are my cufflinks?" Remus exclaims. It's only been about five hours since he sat so peacefully in bed with Tonks and now he was about to breakdown. "I just can't find them, I thought I put them down here when I went to put my tie on and now…they're gone!"

"Remus, I've got them, relax." Harry Potter says from behind him.

Remus turns around and sees Harry, his savior with two small gold cufflinks in the palm of his hand. "Thank you! I knew there was a reason I made you best man…besides being one of my best friends' son."

"Yeah, there's that too." Harry smiles.

"Thanks, Harry. I really mean it, I don't know who would be in this position if you weren't here, all my friends are gone. I really appreciate you being here."

"Remus, don't worry about it. I've told you, I'm honored to have this opportunity! You were my favorite Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and you're my father's last living friend. We're both in a bad position in the way of relatives, we need to be here for each other."

Remus felt tears in his eyes, Harry had turned out so well. He brought him into a one-armed hug.

"Well, it's just about time, eh?"

"Yes, I wonder how Tonks is faring."

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Tonks was sitting in the bathroom of the church with her head between her knees. "I am so nervous," she moaned.

"Oh, come now, there's no need!" Molly Weasley, her ever-present mother figure told her. "You're marrying a wonderful man. He loves you, you love him, why is there any need to be nervous?"

"Because I'm a klutz!" she closed her eyes, just thinking about it made her wince. "I know I'm going to trip or step on his toes or…something! I'll probably knock the vicar over."

"Dear, if you keep thinking about it, it's bound to happen." This came from her mother, Andromeda.

"I know, I know, anticipation is worse than the actual thing." she repeated wisdom that she had often heard in her childhood.

A head popped in the room. "Ready, pumpkin?" It was her father, Ted. Andromeda smiled reassuringly at him. Although he would never admit it, he had spent most of the morning agonizing over giving away his only daughter. His only consolation was that he knew the man receiving her would take good care of her.

Tonks rose from the floor, took a deep breath, looked at her father and said, "Yes, I'm ready daddy."

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Music began to play and the wedding party began filing down the center of the church. Remus straightened his tie nervously and Harry gave him a reassuring pat on the arm. First, there came the flower girl, a cousin of Tonks', only five years old. She obtained many "aww"s from the gathering. Next came the bridesmaids; Ginny brought in by her brother Charlie, Hermione accompanied by Ron, and Fleur escorted by Bill. Remus heard an intake of breath from Harry when he saw Ginny, she was very pretty.

And then the wedding march began, Remus wiped his brow. Out of the doors came Ted Tonks, arm in arm with Nymphadora, looking breathtaking. Her pure white dress complimented all her curves, white gloves up to the elbows made a classy touch, and a veil covered her hair, dark brown for today. Remus didn't think she could get any more beautiful, but she had, every day.

The father and daughter approached the altar. Ted kissed his daughter's cheek and took his place next to her mother. Tonks smiled sweetly at Remus, he smiled back and they took each other's hands. The ceremony began.

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"…I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride."

Remus leaned in and kissed his new wife. He had never been so inexorably happy, everything was going his way when he kissed those soft lips. When they parted, they looked at each other and just giggled with pure bliss, they were married! They walked down the aisle to applause and cheers and music from the ancient organ. When they reached the doors, Harry, Hermione, Ron and other former students of Remus' pelted the new couple with handfuls of rice. They laughed and made there way to the limousine that would take them to the banquet hall for the reception.

In the limo, they kissed passionately, not wanting to be apart in any fashion.

"Well, Mrs. Lupin?"

"Well Mr. Tonks?"

They burst out laughing. Remus just held her close. He knew the reality; Tonks was set for a long road. It was not going to be all happy days or moments. But he could enjoy them when they came his way. And this was the happiest of his life.

"I wonder who will catch the bouquet?" Tonks mused.

"Perhaps Ginny…" Remus said, smiling, Harry needed this happiness he was feeling.

A/N: It came to my attention that I've placed this in a somewhat odd time frame. The war isn't over yet so it must be before the seventh book, yet it seems as though they're getting married awfully soon…sorry for that, LOL. Hope you enjoyed it; it's far from over! Please review!