AN - I realise timeline wise, this doesn't really work with canon - but it's a Christmas fic - I had to end it with one, last, special Christmas..

Chapter Fifteen - A Wonderful Weasley Christmas Part Two

After dinner, Tonks, feeling a little warm, slinked off into the kitchen, grabbed some chocolate cake, and slipped out into the back garden. Heading to the perimeter wall she jumped up and settled, her back to the Weasley house. Eating chocolate cake, on that wall, their wall, she was reminded of her first meeting with Remus. She could remember how much she'd been dreading spending Christmas with anyone that year, how desperately she had wanted to just curl up in her own flat, alone. Thank Merlin she hadn't! She could have so easily missed out on the best thing that had ever happened to her – meeting Remus.

Though Tonks knew she would still have met him less than a year later, when she joined the Order, she also knew her boyfriend well enough to know just how differently things might have gone if they'd been introduced him then. Though they'd been together for nine months before Dumbledore began to reassemble the Order, inviting Tonks and a few other new members to join, it hadn't taken Remus long to raise concerns about their relationship once they started going on stake outs together. He worried constantly that them being involved would diminish their effectiveness, harm their work for the Order, cloud their judgement – but finally it was Sirius who had gotten through to Remus. She'd never been told exactly what was said, but she knew that Sirius had asked Remus if he really thought not being in a relationship with Tonks would change how he felt about her.

It hadn't been easy – their relationship, they'd already been through so much. He'd walked away from her, from them a few times. The first time was when he'd resigned his position at Hogwarts. Knowing the article would out him as a werewolf, he'd told her they had to end things, that he wouldn't risk her career. He'd left but he'd come back a few days later. Then there was Sirius' death. After weeks of tentatively looking after her, nursing her back to health after her run in with Bellatrix, he'd told her that they needed to take a break. She'd known it was a mixture of grief, guilt and love that made him walk away that time and she'd also never doubted he'd return, which he did, a few weeks later.

The last time he'd ended things with her was a little different. It was just before he went away to infiltrate the packs. Something about his demeanour was different, she knew that he believed this goodbye was the last. It had taken her a little longer to accept it, but when days, weeks and then months passed and he didn't come back, Tonks finally started to accept that maybe they were over for good. Sirius had been right, not having him there, not being with him, it didn't change how she felt about him, or how much she thought about him. It didn't for a second stop her from loving him.

Then Dumbledore… Tonks shoved the last piece of cake into her mouth, savouring it in his honour – he'd always had a bit of a sweet tooth. That night as her and Remus had comforted each other, she'd asked if he was back. He'd told her that he wanted to be, but that he couldn't promise that he'd never have to leave again. Tonks had told him that she could live with that, live with him leaving, as long as he always came back.

Thinking back to the first time she saw him, as he'd offered her a hand to help her up, here in the Weasley garden, her heart lurched. Just the mere idea that if they hadn't both decided to accept Molly's offer at the last minute, they might never have found each other, it made her stomach physically hurt.

"Erm, sorry – who are you? You're not a Weasley."

Tonks smiled at hearing his voice. Waiting until he'd jumped up on the wall and snuggled in next to her, she replied, "Well deduced. What gave me away? Was it the hair?"

Remus gently toyed with a piece of her shoulder length hair, "well exactly, I'm afraid I think you'd have been disowned the minute they spotted any signs of brown showing." Leaning in, he kissed her gently. "I didn't notice you slip out. You okay?"

Tonks nodded, "Mmm, I was just reminiscing actually, about that first Christmas, when we met; this wall."

Remus put his arm around her shoulder, "Argh yes, I have to say, the Weasley's garden will always be one of my favourite spots in the whole world."

Tonks snuggled into him, leaning her head on his chest. "It's peaceful out here. Not that its' the usual rambunctious Weasley Christmas in there." she said gesturing with her head towards the house.

Remus sighed, "No, there is something oddly discomforting about subdued Weasley's. Like their stillness is an omen that all is not right with the world. Still, I am glad we came here this evening. I have many happy memories of the Christmases we've shared here. Speaking of Christmas, I have a gift for you."

Tonks sat up and smiled, "Oh Remus, you didn't have to get me anything. Besides, it isn't Christmas day yet. We should open our presents with Mum."

Remus had a cheeky grin on his face, "And we will, but not this one." He pulled a small rectangular box from his inside pocket and nudged her with it until she took it.

Shaking it gently, she heard nothing which gave away the contents of the impeccably neat gift-wrapped cuboid. She tore into the parcel in one swift movement and held in her hands a little gift box. Taking off the lid, she turned to Remus and couldn't help the grin that took over her face. "Remus, did you make me a mixtape?"

Remus was beaming too. "Just like the one you made me. Which I still treasure to this day. I even managed to persuade Ginny to help me record a version of one of her more, unusual Christmas songs."

Tonks eyes wide said, "You and Ginny are on here, singing?"

Remus couldn't have looked goofier, or more perfect, "Yep. I'll admit it wasn't entirely made without magic, but I can assure you," he slid his arm back around her, "it was most certainly made with love."

Tonks lent in and kissed him gently, then leaning her forehead against his said, "Remus, this is perfect. Honestly I couldn't think of a better gift."

The pair sat in a peaceful silence, enjoying being together, in each other's arms. Tonks couldn't help but notice how much happier and warmer she felt now Remus was here. It wasn't the gift or that he'd distracted her, it was just his presence. Whenever he was around, she just felt grounded, safe, loved.

All too soon, Remus was suggesting they should head back inside to spend some more time with the Weasley's. Remus jumped off the wall into the Weasley garden first, helping Tonks down after him. Hand in hand, they had only taken a few steps before Remus pulled on her hand, turning her towards him.

"I completely forget" he said, patting his jacket with his other hand, "I actually have another present for you."

Tonks smiled but shook her head, "Remus, really, we should save some gifts to open with Mum. Besides, you've already given me enough. The mixtape and your love – what more could I want?"

Remus stopped searching his jacket and instead fixed his gaze on Tonks, cupping her cheek with the hand not entwined with her own. "It could never be enough Dora. I'll never be able to give you anywhere near what you deserve." Tonks opened her mouth to interrupt, knowing where this line of thinking usually led, but Remus smiled and shook his head, "No, I don't mean… Do you remember the first New Year we went to your parents party, and they both cornered me separately in the kitchen."

Tonks chuckled, "How could I forget. I felt so smug the entire night that I'd finally been able to pull the wool over their eyes about something."

Remus smiled, "But they knew. I told your Dad that I knew I could never deserve you and he agreed."

Tonks looked aghast, "Remus, he didn't, I'm so…"

Remus cupped her check again, "He told me no one would ever deserve you, but he made me promise that I'd always look after you, never lie to you, protect you to the best of my ability and that most importantly," Remus took both of Tonks' hands in his own, bring them up to his chest, "that I would love you with all my heart."

Tonks eyes pooled with tears, "Oh Dad. Oh Remus…"

Remus squeezed her hands, "And I do Dora. I love you with every inch of my rotten heart. It isn't much, but it's all I have and it's yours."

Dropping her hands, Remus took something from out of his jacket pocket and dropped down on to one knee. "Will you allow me to love you forever my darling Dora?"

Tonks stood in the middle of the Weasley's garden, on a bitingly cold, late December evening, clouds blocking any starlight and Arthur hadn't had time to put any lights outside this year, but Tonks felt like she'd never seen anything more romantic.

Remus opened the cube he was holding, sitting inside was a silver band with a small gemstone twinkling green, then pink, then sage. Tonks gasped.

Remus spoke at speed, "I know it isn't very big, but it is rare. It was my great-grandmothers. My Great grandfather apparently felt that the changing colour of the gemstone reminded him of her many wonderful qualities. It's Zultanite. I never dreamed I'd be so lucky as to want to give it to anyone, but it couldn't be more perfect, a gemstone that changes colour in different lights, seems like it must have been made for you." Taking a deep breath, Remus closed his eyes and chuckled.

"Sorry, it seems I'm a little more nervous than I thought I would be and so of course I'm rambling, because that's what I do when I'm nervous, I just talk and talk – well I don't have to tell you, you live with me…"

Tonks laughed behind the hand which had shot up to cover her mouth when she'd first seen the ring.

Taking another deep breath Remus spoke again. "My dearest, sweetest Dora, will you make me the most ridiculously lucky and happiest man in the world? Will you marry me?"

Tonks fell to her knees, tears flooded her cheeks and dripped onto the floor below. "Yes, of course yes! A thousand times, yes!" She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him until she couldn't breathe. Pulling apart, both smiling dopily, Remus took her left hand and slid the ring on her finger. Immediately, Tonks felt connected to it, as though it had always been there.

Remus helped Tonks to her feet and the pair stood, wrapped in each other's arms, kissing, giggling, looking at the ring and kissing some more. Eventually, with his forehead leaning against his fiancés, Remus suggested that they go inside and share their good news with the others.

Molly was sitting in her chair knitting, Celestina Warbeck warbling over the wireless. The twins were bickering with Ginny over something and Bill was helping Arthur put back together a radio he'd taken apart last week. All of them were sat by the small tree, which looked adorable, as the lights twinkled around the room, Tonks wasn't sure if this was an idyllic scene, or if the ring sitting on her left hand had placed some rose tinted glasses on her – either way, she felt warm from head to toe.

"Remus, Tonks, have you been outside all this time? You must be freezing, let me get you both some hot chocolate."

Before she had time to put her knitting down, Remus stepped forward, his hand still in Tonks'. "No, Molly, we aren't cold in the slightest. We actually wanted to tell you all something." At his words, all the Weasley's stopped, a silence engulfing the room. Tonks realised the world they currently lived in probably led them all to think what Remus was about to say would be negative or bad, though she was sure the smile on her face would give it away. Saying nothing more, Remus instead lifted Tonks left hand up so all could see it. Happily, she turned it and splayed her fingers.

It was Ginny who caught on first. Jumping from her position on the floor, she bounded over and flung one arm around each of their necks, pulling them both in towards her. "Oh Tonks, Remus! I'm so happy. Congratulations." She pulled them in for another hug, before stepping back and taking Tonks' hand in her own. "It's so beautiful! Is it… does it change colour?"

Tonks beamed, "It does. It's a rare gemstone that changes colour in the light. Isn't it perfect?"

Remus, standing behind Tonks, wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder, "Just like the woman wearing it."

At Ginny's exclamation, the others had all jumped up, each hugging Tonks and Remus and offering their congratulations. After hugging him, Arthur had clapped Remus on the back and told him that as Ted wasn't around, he felt it only right that he warn Remus to look after Tonks, or he'd have himself and Andromeda and Molly to answer to.

Molly stood back, behind all the others. It was a good five minutes before Tonks realised, she hadn't yet spoken to either of them. Finally, as the mass of red hair thinned out, Tonks caught a glimpse of the Weasley matriarch, the woman who had been much like a second Mother to her, tears running down her face, but the smile plastered across it showed just how delighted she was for them both. Tonks rushed forward and engulfed Molly in a hug.

"Oh Tonks dear, I'm so happy for you." She reached out and took Remus' hand. "For both of you. We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present."

Arthur, who had gone into the kitchen, returned with a floating tray carrying 8 flutes of champagne. As they stood and toasted their engagement with the Weasley's, Tonks felt so overcome with emotion. Not only did she have the heart of the man she loved, not only would she get to marry him and spend a lifetime with him; she also had a loving Mother waiting for her at home, and these 8 wonderful people stood around her. The looks on their faces showed that they were as happy for her and Remus as they would be if it was their own news. This was her own little family, it was missing a few people, and none of them were connected by blood, but these were the loved ones who helped get her through the tough times and celebrated with her in the most wonderful of times. Tonks took her soon to be husbands hand in her own and smiled, knowing that it was because of these wonderful people that the would win the war, they just had.

Losing was not and option. They simply had too much to live for.

Raising her glass for another toast, rather than toasting her fiancé, Tonks smiled and exclaimed, "Here's to another Wonderful Weasley Christmas!"

The End.

AN - So that's it. We are at our end. I really hope you enjoyed this, Christmas during summer journey with me. As always your comments, reviews, follows and favs mean a lot to me! I have two new Remus/Tonks on the go plus a one shot - all of which I'll be posting soon. So if you like my fics, please follow so you can be notified when I add a new story :) Thanks all. Stay safe!