"Oliver! I think we need to have a talk with Molly and your Mum," Iris yelled up to the open library from the living room one evening a week later. He popped his head over the railing and looked down.
"Why?" he asked. Iris held up two handfuls of letters, all of which had arrived that day.
"These are just from today. Linen choices, sample invitations, centerpieces… I could go on. It's just a bit much… and none of it is what I want," she said, sighing in exasperation. Oliver stood and ran down the stairs, walking over to Iris.
"I thought we were supposed to have less to worry about letting them plan most of it," he said, looking at the many papers in her hands.
"I did too, until I saw what they were planning… I think I just need to get them both here and sit them down and talk," she said, looking at them too.
"So you've figured it out, then? What you want for the wedding?" he asked. Iris looked up at him.
"Well… enough to know that I do not want everything to be decked out in blue and gold or red - no offense," she said. Oliver laughed.
"I didn't think they'd get so hung up on my house and team colors though I suppose I can see why as you don't have any," he said, pulling out one letter and opening it, glancing over it's contents.
"Or a red carpet. Or do it at a giant castle. Seriously, do we need that?" she asked. "We're not celebrities. At least I don't feel like one..."
"Ehm… I don't think so…" he said, confused. Iris sighed and threw the letters up in the air, letting them flutter down around them. "What on earth are you doing?" Iris laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Let's elope. Run off somewhere and get married. Just the two of us. And maybe Harry. He'll probably kill me if I don't let him walk me down the aisle," she said.
"As tempting as that is, I don't think we could get away with that between my mum and Molly Weasley," he said with a laugh, as he placed his hands on her waist. Iris sighed.
"Honestly, I think I'd be happy with just a small wedding in a garden somewhere. Or, just outdoors, really. With lots of flowers," she said.
"Then you should just tell them that," he said.
"What do you want?" she asked, realizing she never really thought to consult him.
"Just you walking down the aisle towards me," he said before kissing her lightly on the lips. "Though I do like the sounds of somewhere outdoors. Both of us have spent too long locked up in tight spaces in recent years. I think we deserve to have an outdoor wedding." Iris smiled.
"Then it's settled. I'll have Martha and Molly round for tea in the next few days and put my foot down," she said.
"Have you decided on the wedding party?" Oliver asked.
"Yes, thankfully that was easy. Fleur, Angelina, Audrey, and Hermione," she said. A small look of pain passed over her face before she covered it with a smile.
"Still thinking about James, are you?" he asked. Iris nodded slightly.
"It's just... I never would have expected him to betray me like that," she said. "I guess I should have been listening you all along."
"You couldn't have known - even I didn't realize the extent of his jealousy," Oliver said. "Besides that, he's been put away. Nothing more to worry about there."
"Why is it when my safety is at stake, it's all 'guard Iris,' but then when yours is at stake, you don't have a care in the world?" she mused.
"Well... you're more important to me. And, as I said, he's been put away," he said with a smile.
A pecking on the window drew both their attentions. A tawny owl sat on the ledge on the balcony. Iris went over, opening the French windows and stepped out, taking the letter from the owl. Once it had delivered its parcel, the owl flew off. Iris walked back in, shutting the door behind her. It was addressed to Oliver.
"Mail for you," she said, holding it out. He took it and walked over to sit on the sofa. Iris sat next to him. Oliver looked it over and then opened it, sucking in his breath sharply.
"It's from Tonks' Mum," he said. Iris immediately sat up, listening. "She wants to know if I'd like to come visit Teddy." He went silent.
"Do you… is that something you're ready for?" Iris asked. He hadn't seen the infant since the night he left to go to Hogwarts with Lupin and Tonks. Oliver sighed and put the letter down.
"I think I am… I do miss the tyke even though I was only with him for a short bit of time," he said, looking over at Iris. "It would be… good… to see him. I should have gone before now, to be honest."
"Harry's mentioned wanting to visit again as well. He's already been a few times," she said. "Perhaps we should all go together." Oliver nodded.
"That would be good," he said. He stood and started walking towards the stairs to the library. "I'll send a reply that we'll come by this weekend."
"Sounds good."
Saturday came around and Iris, Oliver and Harry were standing on the doorstep of a large house located out in the country. Oliver reached up and grabbed the large knocker on the door, knocking rapidly. He stepped back, shifting his feet nervously. Iris knew why he hadn't been yet. He was still coping with losing Tonks and Lupin.
The door opened and a friendly older woman answered, a smile on her face.
"Oliver! Harry! So good over you to come! And this must be Iris. So nice to finally meet you," she exclaimed.
"Nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Tonks," Iris replied shyly.
"Please, call me Andromeda," she said, pulling her into a hug. Iris smiled. "Come in, come in." The three entered behind her.
"We brought some presents," Oliver said, holding up a few brightly wrapped packages.
"Oh lovely. Teddy will enjoy them, I'm sure," she led them into a sitting room where a young woman was sitting on the floor with an infant, who was grinning and giggling. "That'll be all for now, Mary." The woman looked up and smiled. She stood, lifting the child into her arms and then handing him over to Andromeda, then left quietly. Andromeda turned to the group.
"Finally got around to hiring a governess to help out with him. He's turning into quite the handful and almost a year old. Teddy, look who's come to visit. It's Uncle Oliver and Harry. And someone new to meet - your Aunt Iris," she crooned. The child looked up at Oliver and grinned before gabbering off in baby talk. He held his pudgy arms out for him. "You can take him." Oliver stared at him a moment before looking up at Andromeda. "It's okay," she assured. Oliver handed the gifts to Iris and then hesitantly reached out and took the toddler in his arms. Teddy giggled and reached up, grabbing his nose. He grinned as he walked over and sat on the sofa. Harry followed him and sat next to him.
"Hiya, Teddy," he said as the baby looked at him and giggled. Iris smiled as she stood back and watched the two playing with the baby.
"He's quite good with him," Andromeda said softly next to Iris. Iris jumped a little, forgetting that she was there. She looked at the older woman and then back at Oliver, who was now bouncing the baby on his lap. She nodded.
"He is," she replied.
"Won't be long before he's bouncing around one of his own, don't you think?" the woman asked, a knowing look in her eye. Iris laughed.
"Well, he will someday. But we plan on waiting a few years," she said. "I'm… still getting used to the whole idea of children," she admitted. Andromeda gazed lovingly at Teddy.
"I'm sure you two will make great parents. When the time is right. If that's what you want," she said. The baby giggled loudly as Oliver held him up in the air. Teddy looked over and grinned at Iris, or perhaps it was his grandmother, she wasn't sure. His hair changed color as he giggled. Iris was surprised. She hadn't known that Tonks had passed on her metamorphmagus abilities to her son. "Why don't you go hold him?" Andromeda suggested. Iris looked at her and then back at the baby. She had never held one before and was slightly terrified that she would drop him. But something drew her to the infant at the same time. She walked over to the sofa, sitting next to Oliver. She set the packages on the ground and quickly pulled off her coat.
"Hi there, little one," she said, smiling at the baby. The baby reached over for her.
"Looks like someone wants to meet his Aunt Iris," Oliver said with a laugh. Iris cautiously reached out and took the baby from Oliver. She wasn't sure how to hold him, as she had never held a baby before, but he settled into her lap, reaching for her hair. Grabbing a strand, his hair quickly changed to a shade of red that matched hers. Iris laughed, looking up at Oliver.
"I'd say he likes you," Harry responded. She looked back down at the baby and began rocking him slightly.
"Hello, Teddy," she said. The baby grinned at her, reacting to the sound of her voice. "You are cute, yes, you are." The baby reached for her face, touching her cheek then laughing again. He settled into her arms, content to gaze up at her. Iris stood and began walking around the living room, bouncing him slightly. "I'm Iris and we certainly have a lot in common," she said, making her eyes flash bright blue. The baby giggled. "Oh you like that? How about this?" She changed her hair bright blue. Teddy shrieked in delight. Iris changed her hair back to normal.
Oliver and Harry watched from the couch. Oliver didn't think it was possible to love her anymore than he did, but in that moment, watching her with Teddy, he hoped it wouldn't be too long before she was walking around with their own child.
A few hours later, after they had helped Teddy open his presents and played with him, Iris was rocking him on the sofa as he dozed off in her arms.
"I think he's taken quite a shining to you," Andromeda said, grinning. Iris looked up at her then back down at the baby.
"He's going to be quite the heartbreaker when he gets older. I can tell," she said. Andromeda held her arms out and Iris walked over, depositing the sleeping child in her arms.
"I think it's time I put him down for his nap," she said. Oliver and Harry stood.
"We should get going," Harry said. Andromeda smiled and nodded.
"Don't be a stranger," she said as the three put their coats on and started making for the door.
"We won't," Iris said. Once they were outside, Iris looked at Oliver, noticing a slight sheen of unshed tears in his eyes.
"Are you alright?" she asked, concerned. Oliver smiled and nodded.
"That was easier than I expected," he said, putting an arm around Iris as they walked down the path.
"Teddy has that effect on you," Harry said. "Make you two rethink waiting a few years before having your own?" Iris laughed.
"Well, I suppose we'll have to see about that, but I do hope to visit more often," she said. Oliver kissed her cheek.
"We will," he said. They stopped.
"Well, I've got to go into the office a bit. I'll see you two back at the flat," Harry said. Iris nodded. He then apparated.
"Ready to get home?" Oliver asked. Iris nodded.
"Let's go."