Her Mother

After introductions had been mad, before all the questions could be asked, Skyler had been showed her room and started to unpack.

"Need some help?" her father offered.

"You're trying to avoid them aren't you?" Skyler observed.

"You always could tell if I was lying," he said, smiling.

"It's just because I'm too much like you." They both chuckled.

"So do you need any help?" he asked again.

"No offense dad, but I've been taking care of myself for a long time." She saw his face drop. "Besides, it's not like I have that much to unpack anyway," she told him, pointing to her two bags.

"True," he agreed. "Look, Sky, I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For not being there for you." His face had dropped again.

"It wasn't your fault. Mom's the one who left you." He noticed that tone.

"Still haven't heard from her, huh?"

"No, and I don't expect to," Skyler answered, with more of a bite in her tone.

"Sky..." her father started, but she held up a hand to stop him.

"Don't worry about it, I'm fine," she reassured him, taking a seat on the bed.

"That's not what I'm worried about, I'm worried about you," he told her, sitting down by her.

"Dad..." She rolled her eyes at him.

"Sky..." He looked her straight in the eyes.

"Look, I admit it, being back here is a little weird, but I've been waiting for this," she gestured at the two of them. "for fourteen years. I can handle a little weird."

He just smiled at her, and pulled her close, just holding her.

"I missed you so much," he told her, kissing the top of her head. "You have no idea how much."

"If it's anywhere near how much I missed you, I think I do have an idea," she replied, head still resting against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

"It's more," he assured her.

"I really doubt that," she told him firmly.

They both just sat there for a minutes. He was still holding her when Lupin came in to tell him the meeting was getting ready to start. He kissed her forehead and followed Lupin.

"Maria's her mother, isn't she?" Lupin asked on the way downstairs. "Sirius?"

"Yeah, she is."

"She looks like you." Sirius smiled. "Does she act like you too?" Lupin inquired, again Sirius smiled.

"Yep," was the answer.

"How much like you?" Lupin asked cautiously.

"Just wait Remus, you'll see." Lupin had a worried look on his face.