I pushed open the door of Shell Cottage, tears in my eyes. All I wanted to do was lie down on my bed, burrow under all the covers, and stay there. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I didn't even want to see anyone. I just wanted to wallow in self-pity all by myself.

But, fate seemed to have other plans for me. Because when I walked into my house, who did I bump into?

Teddy Lupin.

Of course.

Why did seem that whenever something major involving Colin happened, Teddy was always at my house afterward? He'd been here after I told Colin I was pregnant. He'd been here when I went to see Colin behind his back. He'd been here after I slept with Colin after getting back from my N.E.W.T.s. I was beginning to sense a pattern.

He took one look at me. At my tear-streaked face. At the sadness in my eyes. At the way I was clutching Jackie to me, like if I let go then she would leave me as well. And his face immediately was filled with concern.

"What did he do to you?" he asked, his voice low. His expression angry.

"He left," I replied, my voice quivering. I felt my entire body shaking. Teddy reached out, taking Jackie from me.

"Left?" he asked. "You mean for good?"

I nodded slowly.

For good. Hearing Teddy say those two words out loud made it suddenly seem more real. Colin was gone. And he wasn't coming back.

"But… but, it's been a year. Why would leave now?"

I shook my head. "I don't know," I whispered. "I don't know."

Teddy opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted when Jackie grabbed a large chunk of his hair and pulled, giggling loudly.

"Jackie, sweetie, stop that," said Teddy, pulling her hand away. "Pulling hair isn't nice."

She looked up at him, completely unashamed, and smiled widely. "Ted-dy," she cooed.

Was she seriously going to say everybody's name before mine?

Teddy's eyes widened. "She just said my name!"

"Her third word," I replied.

"Third? What were the other two?" he asked.

"Well, her second word was 'dada', which she said literally minutes after he informed us that he was leaving us forever."

"Merlin," said Teddy, "that must have been terrible."

"Pretty much."

"And her first word?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I don't want to talk about it."

He looked confused. "Er, alright."

I sighed. "So are you here for dinner?" I asked. "I swear, nobody ever bothers to tell me when you're coming over."

He laughed. "Well actually, this time was a surprise for your parents as well. My grandmother wanted to stop by to give them her news."

"What news?"

"She and Arnold are getting married."

Arnold was Andromeda's 'gentleman friend.'

My mouth dropped open. "That's excellent," I exclaimed.

"Yeah, everybody's in the kitchen. You should come give them your congratulations."

"Definitely," I said, turning towards the kitchen.

"She's really happy," said Teddy. "Basically she and Arnold been going around from house to house telling everybody. I told them that they should just write letters, but I think they like being able to see everyone's excitement for themselves. We went to the Potter's house first this morning. Lily has already decided that she should be able to plan the wedding, even though she's only eleven. Luckily, we were able to convince her that she'll be too busy, seeing as she's starting at Hogwarts in the fall."

I laughed, pushing open the door to the kitchen. Lily Potter had always been one of the most romantic people in the family. She was always reading fairytales and daydreaming about marrying Teddy. She couldn't wait to start school and meet some handsome Gryffindor boy who would sweep her off her feet and ride off into the sunset with her. Who she would then proceed to dump for Teddy once she was old enough. She was always asking Rose, who was two years older than her, what the boys a Hogwarts were like, which would always lead to Rose complaining about Scorpius Malfoy.

Sometimes I envied Lily. She was so young, so naïve. In her mind it would be so easy to find her knight in shining armor. She didn't know what boys were really capable of. How they could make you love them so easily. And then shatter your heart once you realize that they're no knight. Not even close.

In the kitchen, I hugged Andromeda, told her how happy I was for her. I kissed Arnold on the cheek, told him that I knew he's make her happy. I smiled and laughed and pretended for a moment that my life was perfectly normal. That Colin wasn't gone. That I was happy and in love like them.

Afterwards, Teddy and I walked down to the beach. We spread out a blanket and sat down, staring up at the stars. I told him about Jackie's first word. About my fight with Colin. About what Colin has said to me today about why he was leaving.

Teddy always seemed to know exactly what to say. His words always made me feel better. He was so kind. So charming. So smart and handsome. Sure, he had his flaws. He could be bossy. He could be arrogant. He could be too flirty with other girls. Maybe he wasn't a knight in shining armor. But he was pretty damn close.

So after I told him everything, when we were sitting in silence, I turned toward him and leaned in. I wanted to feel his lips against mine again. I wanted him.

But, just as our lips were about to meet, he pulled away. "What are you doing?" he murmured.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" I asked. "I'm trying to kiss you."

He scooted away slightly. "No. That's not happening."

I scooted toward him. "Why not?"

He stood up. "Because, Vic."

I stood up as well. "But the night before I went into labor, you said that if I wanted to be with you again, that you would take me back. That you would always take me back."

"And I meant that," he replied. "But only if you truly wanted to be with me as well."

"I do want to be with you," I replied. "Why else would I try to kiss you?"

He shook his head. "No, Vic. You don't want to be with me. Not truly. I know what's really happening here. Colin just broke your heart. Again. Last time he did that, after you told him you were pregnant, you came running to me. You told me that you loved me. You snogged me. You became my girlfriend. But as soon as Colin was back in the picture, you dumped me. You went back to him. Not immediately, but you did. And now he's out of the picture again. So here you are. Telling me you want me again. I'm your rebound. I'm the guy you choose when you can't be with Colin. But I don't want to be that guy this time."

I shook my head. "No, you're wrong. It's not like that all."

"Then explain to me what it really is," he asked, his voice low. "Because it sure seems like that to me."

" I've always had a lot of trouble choosing between you and Colin," I said. "It was never like he was the one and you were just some rebound. I honestly loved you both. But I thought being with Colin would be the better choice. Because he's Jackie's father. But now he's gone. And you're here. And I've realized that you've always been here. You've been here for me through everything. All through my pregnancy, even after I broke up with you. All through this first year of Jackie's life. Colin's let me down. Twice. But you never have. You've always been here for me. And you always will be. So I've realized that I don't have to choose between you and Colin anymore. Because there is no choice. It's just you. It's always been you. I was just too blind to see it."

I stopped talking, wiping the tears out of my eyes and looking up at Teddy. He was staring at me, a small smile on his face.

"I love you," I whispered.

"Merlin, Vic," he murmured in reply, "I love you too." He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. "So much."

Our lips met and we kissed softly. I never wanted to let go of him. Maybe he wasn't quite perfect. But he was perfect for me.

YAY! Teddy and Vic!

So, are you guys fans of the Hunger Games? Have you seen the movie? What did you think? I saw it last night and I thought it was amazing.