The healer had sent the dads out of the room. Really he hadn't needed to, he could have run the tests with them there, but thought it best. Neither man had left their son's side since he was brought in, and they needed out, if only to stretch their legs. He had heard others try to convince them, to at least take turns, but they refused. He had seen it with much younger children, but it was obvious how much the little boy was loved, and by a lot of people as well. He had been family healer to the Blacks for a long time, he had gone to school with Orion, and was on the case because of it. He had also had the child brought to him, a year ago, to see if he could help with the size.

They were just finishing the tests when he began to wake up. The healer knew it would happen soon, but had hoped he'd wait, until his dads were back. He knew the child, he didn't like healers, and Ryan soon made that clear.

Ryan groaned as he came around in the bed. The light hurt his eyes when he tried to open them. "Where am I?"

Healer Bryx sat down on the bed. "You're in the hospital Orion. There was a little accident at the book store."

Ryan shook his head. "Where are my daddy and Papa?"

The man tried to calm him. "They just stepped outside, they'll be back soon. How about I give you something for the pain?"

Ryan shook his head. "No."

The man sighed. "I can see you are in pain. You remember me don't you?"

Ryan pulled away from him. "Grandsire's healer. You stuck me full of big needles."

The man should have known the boy would remember. "I was just trying to help you feel better, like I am now. Your grandsire asked."

Ryan shook his head. "I don't like you, I don't want you, I want Papa."

The healer was aware his Papa was a medic. "I will get him for you."

Ryan sobbed. "I want my daddy. I just want my daddy and Papa."

The door opened moments later and Regulus came into the room. "Oh prince, we're here, I promise we're here."

Both his daddies sunk down onto the bed with him, and Ryan buried his head against his daddy. Regulus was as careful as possible, even though his son's bones had all been set, as not to jostle him too much. He had not been this worried, about his son being so fragile, since he was a baby. He knew he had been assured his son would be home in a week or so, though on bed rest for some time, but it was still hard to see him like this.

Severus sat with them, and they gently probed their son, asking what he remembered. At first he didn't say anything, he just remained in his daddy's arms, but eventually his muffled voice could be heard. Both men ground their teeth when he was telling them.

Severus ran a hand through his son's curls. "You must be in pain prince. Will you take a potion for us?"

Ryan hated potions even for his Papa. They got a muffled. "No."

Regulus kissed his head. "I have a book from Nanny, she sent it, and you know you can't read if you aren't feeling well."

Severus saw his son look up a bit. "And Uncle Luc and Aunt Cissy are bringing Draco by later. But only if you are feeling up to it."

Ryan looked up all the way. "Okay Papa."

Severus had hospital privileges and summoned a potion. "Come on prince, this should help."

Regulus was relieved when he could feel some of the tension release from his little boy. "You know you will soon have a library of new books."

Ryan looked at the new one from Nanny and over at another. "Who is that from? Grandsire?"

Severus shook his head. "He might be hurt he got beat to the punch twice. That is from your Uncle's friend Moony."

Ryan looked around. "Where is Uncle Padfoot? I know Nanny can't come, but where is Padfoot?"

Regulus assured his son, as he opened the book, his Uncle would be back soon. He knew something must be going on, more than James' cryptic message, since his brother was gone so long. Sirius had been just as reluctant to leave Ryan, but had gone to court, for his brother's sake. As he read to his son, he wasn't upset; he knew how much the wolf meant to his brother. Severus thought of his mum, as he watched his husband and son drift off to sleep together, only a page in. The potion had a sleeping potion included, and his husband was finally able to sleep, knowing his son was doing better. Severus knew his mother would come as soon as safe, but she had to be careful, living at school. The world thought her dead, and if Albus knew she was there, she'd be at risk. Abraxas was poisoned, to get Lucius the Malfoy estate, as his father was not dark. When Eileen's brother was dying, she stood to be Lady Prince, and she knew she may be next. She faked her death, and had been in hiding ever since.

A few hours later, Severus managing to drift off for a time as well, the three of them awoke to promised visitors. Orion had come in, and seeing them asleep, had gone home for a bit. Lucius and Narcissa had brought Draco, who on learning what happened, demanded to come.

Draco looked worried at his cousin. "You look bad. Daddy said you were almost flattened like a pancake."

Lucius scolded his son. "Draco."

Narcissa kissed her nephew on the head. "Glad you're okay Ryan."

Draco bounced on the bed. "I got the best surprise for you. Mummy and daddy said you get to come on the trip with us."

Lucius shook his head. "I told you, that you had to ask your Uncles first."

Severus shook his head. "You leave in a week. Besides, we said before this happened, we didn't think it was a good idea."

Narcissa assured them. "We thought perhaps the last few weeks. Lucius had to be back for a meeting, and can bring Ryan than."

Lucius agreed. "We will be in California for those weeks, and there is plenty for the boys to do. Including Disney Land?"

Draco reminded his cousin. "Morkey Moose lives there. Uncle Sirius showed us those cartoons."

Ryan smiled a little. "He'll be jealous."

Seeing Ryan was happy, his dads thought it would be good. They always did, it was the length of time, which worried them. But three weeks wouldn't be bad, and Ryan would have fun, in California with them. Narcissa and Regulus shared a laugh, that a grown man like Sirius, would use his television he had installed, to watch cartoons. He had done a lot to introduce the boys to it.

Sirius appeared when Lucius was enquiring in surprise to where he was. "Right here. Just needed to pick up a guest."


Sirius had to find Remus. He knew James, James was spiteful, when he didn't get his own way. He thought James had changed since school, but Severus thought he was the same man, he had always been. He just thought it took the whole Harry/Ryan incident, for Sirius to finally open his eyes, and see him for real. And Sirius was starting to think his brother in law may be right on that. James was pissed Remus didn't help, and he knew the man would do something to hurt Remus, even before what he said in court. He needed to find Moony.

He was shocked, when he came to Moony's apartment building, and found an eviction notice on Remus' door. He was not surprised when he read who the owner of the building was. He knew James owned a lot of real estate from his parents, but thought this building, likely a new one.

He had no idea but he went to the one place where he thought to find Remus. Sure enough. "Moony."

Remus didn't turn to look at him. "I guess you know."

Sirius went to his side. "That James evicted you from your flat, yes."

Remus's shoulders slumped. "I didn't know he owned the building. I was locked out, my few possessions, in the trash can when I got home."

Sirius snarled in anger. "He has no right to pull this shit just because you wouldn't testify."

Remus sunk down onto a rock. "That's not all."

Sirius took a place next to him. "It can't be worse."

Remus shook his head. "It can."

Sirius was worried. "What did he pull?"

Remus wouldn't look at him. "The publisher for my text books, he dropped me."

Sirius was in rage. "He can't do that. You have a contract."

Remus shook his head. "I don't have the money to fight it. He claims I never disclosed I was a wolf."

Sirius couldn't believe his ears. The man would have known, even if Remus and James hadn't told him, which one would have. And being a wolf was not grounds for breaking a contract, the discrimination laws had been over turned, over the years. As long as the curse didn't interfere with their work, or put people in danger hey couldn't be refused a job. Of course the full moons always put into question that.

Remus looked at the home in front of him. It was the one he grew up in, but had been forced to sell, after his parents had died. The new owner had never lived there, and the home had fallen into disrepair, over the years. It was only a small cottage, but was his childhood home.

Sirius said. "Let me buy this place for you. You deserve somewhere else to live."

Remus shook his head. "I will just have to sell it again. I don't have a job."

Sirius stopped him. "You know I would never let that happen to you."

Remus stopped him. "I wouldn't take charity before, from James, or from you. And not now either."

Sirius cut him off. "It's not charity; I want to take care of you. You can come and stay with me, and you can pay me back for this place."

Remus shook his head. "I could never pay you back in a hundred years."

Sirius assured him. "We own publishing houses. And Severus' husband owns a book shop. We will find you work."

Remus hated accepting charity, but like James' offer, this was a job not money. "I will accept a job, but not this home or your…."

Sirius cut off his ranting. "You are moving into one of my rooms Moony and that is final. And I am buying this place as well."

Remus shook his head. "You really have been around your family too long. You think you can buy…."

Sirius pulled him in for a long kiss. "I love you, you stupid obstinate fool. I am not offering charity; I want to take care of you."

Remus just stared at him for a moment, lost in his words, having no idea how to take them. Lily had accused him, of flirting with Sirius, over the years. He had known perhaps it was true, but he had never thought the attraction was returned, Sirius was too much of a playboy. The word love may have been a bit too strong, but Sirius did care deeply for him, and far more than just a friend. He needed Remus to get that.

Remus returned the kiss, not as long, but a kiss just the same. He had thought Lily and James were wrong; they were just upset he was still friends with Sirius, when they had said such things. Perhaps he had been the one fooling himself.

Sirius pulled away. "Now are you coming with me of your own free will, or do I have to kidnap you?"

Remus smirked. "I am not a child last time I looked, and do I have to remind you, you're an auror?"

Sirius went to pick him up. "Abduct it is, and don't worry, I can afford the best attorneys."

Remus laughed and stopped him. "I'll come with you. But kissing or not, I will be paying you back for this place."

Sirius had a mischevious look on his face. "You know one day it might be yours another way."

Remus knew what he meant but joked. "Oh you left me in your will? Shouldn't have told me that, I might see to an accident."

Sirius smirked. "I can remember suddenly why you and Severus were once good friends."

Remus shook his head. "You're not the only one I gave up for them."

Sirius put an arm around him. "And I'm not the only one who is willing to give you a second chance. Come with me to the hospital."

Remus smiled a little. "I'd like to see him. And perhaps your nephew."

Sirius couldn't tell him yet, about who Ryan was, it was not his place to tell. But as Remus came to the hospital, he hoped he would one day. Severus was a bit surprised, but happy to see Remus there, and that he had come to his senses. And Regulus smiled, when his brother introduced Remus to Ryan, not as his friend, but as his boyfriend. He thought it took his brother long enough.

Regulus looked at the man. "If my father can't offer you a contract, I am sure you could be of a lot of help at my book store."


Ryan had been in the hospital for a few days, well since he woke up. He was doing better, and since his Papa was a medic, he was to be allowed home in less than a week. Like at the hospital, one of his dads would be home with him every day, during that time. Hopefully after a week, he could go back to the shop with his dad, he missed it. Remus it seemed was going to be put to work right away. Orion was willing to get him a contract, doing charms and runes texts, not defense as he did before. But Regulus wanted to expand more in the muggle books, and Remus had good contacts, and was to partner on it. He would also be helping to run the shop, while Ryan was in here, and on bed rest.

The day of his grandmother's birthday dawned. He wasn't too disappointed not to be able to go, though he had the book collected, he wanted for her. She may not be as fun as nanny was, but she was his grandmother, and it was important to remember that.

Ryan was surprised when Arthur and the twins came in. "What are you doing here?"

Fred smiled. "Came to check on our little friend."

George agreed and handed him a gift. "Had to make sure that you were on the mend."

Arthur turned to his dads. "I hope it is okay, brought Ron to join Hector, they are cleaning bed pans down below."

Severus nodded. "I think it would do a good job to lift our son's spirits. I wasn't aware the boys knew each other though."

Arthur laughed and told them what the twins had told him, including the first visit. "Of course Molly doesn't know that part."

Regulus shook his head when he heard. "I knew there was a lot of my brother in there."

Arthur motioned to the bag he brought. "Molly thought you may be tired of hospital food, and sent this along for you."

Ryan looked up. "Thank you. Me and Papa will be missing the feast tonight. Daddy gets to go though."

Regulus groaned when he was reminded. "Don't remind me prince."

Sirius who had come in agreed. "I think your grandmother would love to see her son in law, and your Papa has been with you all day."

Ryan shook his head. "You and Daddy have to go; you know she would be disappointed if you didn't."

Ryan knew enough, not to say her sons, as he knew Daddy's cover. But he was right, Wallburga would expect to see both of her sons, she always did. The fact her son in law wasn't there, would seem like icing on the cake, for the woman. She had given birth to both the boys, something she reminded of them constantly, and them coming was not too much to ask for. Her sons reluctantly left Ryan, with his company, to go.

Ryan and the twins were soon talking and looking at the gift. They had brought him the same type of game they showed him in the shop. Severus was happy to see his son smiling, and knew the visit was good for him.

He looked at Arthur as their time was coming to an end. "Perhaps the twins can come visit more. My son has few friends, he'd like it."

Arthur laughed when the twins turned and nodded a lot. "I don't think that should be an issue."

Fred whispered to Ryan when they were about to leave. "You know that blue bubble thing was cool, that saved us."

Ryan went pale and wouldn't look at them. "I didn't do anything. I didn't hurt you."

George assured him. "You saved us, and it was so cool. But don't worry, we won't tell anyone."

Ryan whispered. "Thanks."

Severus saw his son's face fall a bit when they were gone. "You will have another visitor soon, when it is safe, and hours are over."

Ryan knew who it had to be, and was so excited. He thought he had to wait till he was out, to see Nanny, as the hospital was way too public. But Severus had arranged, with some help from his father in law and the healer, for her to come. She would come for a weekend, when he was out of the hospital, but for now just for a visit. She was anxious to see her grandson.

Ryan smiled when they were eating deassert later and Eileen came into the room. "Nanny."

Author note: One last chapter, before we jump to Ryan at 11. Yes, for those who didn't read the original, we'll find out who Eileen is at school.

Please continue to read and REVIEW, reviews are important even for adoptions. PLEASE review.