Chapter 52: Living

A month passed.

Remus spent his days tending to his wife's every need, almost obsessively. Sirius hardly spoke over a sentence at Remus but was ever so attentive and concerned towards Tonks and Andromeda. Andromeda made sure the house was spick and span, cooking their meals as well, even if Remus insisted he could manage and Andromeda shouldn't strain herself.

"Dora, please,"

Sirius frowned, curious as he stepped out of the bathroom one afternoon to hear Remus' pleading tone. For a moment, he thought after their lovey dovey phase after reuniting, they're having a fight. He ran down the stairs only to find Remus standing by the couch, looking helplessly at his wife.

In the middle of the living room, Dora was on all fours on the carpet, her legs and arms straightened so her bum was in the air. Sirius raised a brow.

"Dora…" Remus shifted from one leg to the other. His brows were knitted together and his lips were turned down and he was obviously in distress.

"What are you doing?" Sirius pursed his lips and crossed his arms as he approached. Dora glanced up before resuming her pose.

"Yoga," She panted.

Sirius frowned, "you're exercising? And pregnant?"

Dora didn't look at him but she complained, "I'm not allowed to go out," She shot this at Remus, "you can't forbid me to do yoga. If I don't do any exercise I'm going to go crazy in this body,"

Sirius raised a brow, quipping, "I thought you have had your share of exercise in the bedroom,"

Dora glared at him, muttering something along the lines of jealousy. She then shifted to straighten out from that position. Remus jerked forward, his hands outstretched and ready to catch her as she struggled to regain her balance. She turned her glare onto Remus, "Remus, I'm fine; I just need to let loose some energy from being cooped up here all day,"

Remus bit his lips, watching nervously as Dora started doing squats, "Well…you can do something less…dangerous,"

Dora raised a brow at him, "This is dangerous?" she rose and squatted again.

He swallowed, "it is-" Remus was cut short as he shot forward to catch her when she almost lost her balance upon rising, "maybe we can watch a movie." He suggested weakly and Dora ignored him, rolling her eyes.

"Maybe you should suggest going back to the bedroom for some exercise, that'll be much more effective," Sirius muttered. Remus promptly flushed beet red. Sirius turned to the kitchen and brought out two glass of water.

As he left the kitchen, he heard Dora whisper, "That isn't such a bad idea y'know," but was hushed up by Remus when they both heard Sirius approaching.

"Here, drink up. You have to keep hydrated," Sirius offered her a glass. Dora muttered her thanks before she drank. She paused when she realised Sirius drank out of the other one.

"Here," She pointedly handed her half drank glass of water to Remus, her eyes on Sirius. The man in question walked towards the couch and settled down obliviously, "what's your problem?" she demanded

Sirius looked up; his brows raised, "none,"

"With Remus," Dora frowned, surging forward despite Remus' warning hand on her arm, "You're ignoring him," Remus flinched. Trust his wife to approach this with utmost tact.

Sirius glanced back at Remus, "I'm not," He muttered tightly before leaving the couch and heading upstairs without a backward glance.

Dora was glaring after her cousin, displeased with the treatment Remus got from Sirius. Remus chuckled as he beheld Dora's displeased expression. Her brows were drawn together, the roots of her hair red, her lips in a slight pout and her nose crinkling in distaste. That's his wife, always fighting for the disadvantaged as if she was obliged to do so.

"Hey," Remus placed a hand on the small of her back with a smile, "don't frown, it's bad for the baby,"

Dora turned to him and pouted, "Everything I do, you would say it's bad for the baby,"

Remus chuckled, "Guilty as charged, my darling," he pecked her on her lips to appease her and it worked wonders. Dora locked her arms around his neck, keeping him from pulling away, "Dora," he muttered against her lips, "Your mother-"

Dora huffed and let him go, "has seen kissing before and done worse. Where did you think I came from?" With that, she crinkled up her nose, shaking her head to clear her mind of that image. Remus smiled, placing the glass of water on the table and drawing his wife into his arms and settling them both into the couch gently.

She sighed as she lay her head on his shoulder blade, humming as he kneaded away the knot her lower back gently but firmly.

"Remus…" She muttered as she gazed out of the window, "Christmas' coming,"

Remus followed her gaze and nodded, "Yes it is," A comfortable silence hung in the air, "Do you want a tree for it?"

Dora sat up, her face lighting up in child-like glee, "can we?"

He smiled, "if you want to,"

She beamed, "and presents? For under the tree."

"Yes," Remus nodded. Dora squealed, throwing her arms around him.

"And snowball fights?" She whispered.

Remus frowned, shaking his head, "No going outside Dora," He drew her away and cupped her cheek, "especially not when it's snowing; when the ground would be wet and slippery and dangerous for you,"

She pouted.

Remus shook his head adamantly.

Dora stuck out her lower lip even more, her eyes widening.

He sighed and shook his head firmly.

Her hands tugged his hand gently, pleadingly.

Closing his eyes, he shook his head slowly.

When he opened his eyes, Dora's wide grey eyes were filling up with tears

He panicked slightly on the inside but steeled his exterior. No, he would not relent this time. It would be too dangerous for her and the baby and he would not risk them for anything, much less for Christmas.

A tear left her wide watery grey eye and rolled down her pink cheek.

Remus melted, "My sweet Dora," he closed his eyes and drew her in for a brief hug, "why do you blackmail me like this?" he kissed away her tears frantically, "Alright… snowball fight but only if you let me decide the fine details, like your clothes and how you would look and-"

Her face lit up in triumph and she nodded eagerly, "I love you, Daddy!" she grinned and pressed a firm kiss to his lips and both his cheeks.

Remus hid his smile and raised a brow, "only if I allowed a snowball fight?'

"No," Dora smiled sheepishly, "I love you every moment of every day," Remus chuckled.

Andromeda was horrified. Sirius grinned at Dora but started sulking when he was told he couldn't go by Dora. Remus was compliant but unhappy about it.

Dora had insisted that his promise of presents would automatically include it. Remus argued but after a few more yoga squats and Dora falling on her bum once, Remus relented with a heavy heart.

Andromeda offered to go but Remus had set up security procedures. Dora had a portkey in her pocket in the form of a scrap piece of paper. It would send her straight home and Andromeda would have to receive her from here if that should happen. Andromeda looked slightly impressed with his thoughtfulness but hid it behind pursed lips and a stiff but approving nod.

Sirius was told the plan by Andromeda but remained in his room to sulk on the afternoon that they were leaving the house.

Remus had transfigured his face so that he was unrecognizable. His nose was transfigured smaller, his lips thinner and his cheekbones higher. Dora was properly surprised with his skills in transfiguration, which Remus took deep offense with. It was subtle differences in his features that made him a completely different person as he pulled a cloak around Dora.

Underneath, she wore a thick white fur coat with a hood and Remus wrapped a thick black cloak over that despite her protests that she was warm enough.

"How did it come to this?" Remus muttered, shaking his head.

Dora grinned out from under her hood at him. Remus sighed and tucked her brown and hopefully unassuming hair under her hood, making her snug and warm.

They were going shopping in a nearby muggle street. Remus sighed, "Alright, time to morph your face,"

Dora grinned, "Wait," she said before leaning closer and kissing him soundly. She drew back and Remus blinked owlishly, "wouldn't want someone else's lips to be on yours after I morph," She explained and scrunched up her nose. Remus chuckled, shaking his head. His wife changed her heart shaped face to an oval shape. Her eyes became rounder from her usual almond shaped. Her lips became thinner and her nose changed from her button nose to a ski slope nose. When her eyes opened, her grey eyes were blue, "how do I look?"

Impressed, Remus managed, "attractive,"

She scowled, "should I be jealous my husband finds my morph attractive?" Her sculptured brow was raised.

He shrugged, "No matter what I reply, I'll never get it right," Dora grinned and turned to the door, "wait," Remus called. He removed a scarf from the hook by the door.

"Remus, please," Dora rolled her eyes.

"It's cold out," He told her with a purposeful look which efficiently reminded her of her promise

She sighed, "It's wet out,"

"And cold," he stated with an air of finality which he rarely radiated. Dora rolled her eyes before complying. Remus gently wrapped it around her neck. He smiled at her when he noticed that goose bumps formed over her soft alabaster skin where his fingers brushed. Then he drew his wand and gently tapped it on her arm, "temperature regulating charm, in case you overheat." Remus explained with a sheepish smile but Dora smiled and kissed his nose appreciatively.

"Be careful," Andromeda spoke and they both turned, not noticing her there before.

"We will, Andromeda," Remus nodded and she inclined her chin in acknowledgement. Dora shot her mum a bright smile before they left the house.

The streets were wet and the sky was cloudy and grey. Remus kept his arm around Dora's waist, making sure she's close to him and also to catch her if she should trip. He had spelled her boots to be anti-slip when he put it on for her so he would only have her two left feet to worry about.

"What shop do you want to go to?" Remus asked as they headed out to the apparition point, "only in a muggle town," he reminded.

"We should get some clothes, as Christmas present for our little one," She decided and Remus nodded before he apparated them both away.

They appeared in an alley in a muggle town. They could see many muggles in the streets but knew the apparition point was spelled to be invisible to muggles. It was raining here. Remus wordlessly casted a waterproof spell on Dora's cloak as they walked out of the alley.

As they exited the alley, Remus felt Dora tense. She kept her head down under her hood and they walked quickly to the store selling toddlers' clothes. Dora smiled at him and he offered a weak smile back. She grasped his hand and they walked over to the shelves of baby pyjamas.

"Look at these," Dora squealed, picking up a blue onesie that looked terribly small, even for a baby, "they're so cute,"

"These, sweetheart," Remus pointed to the row of pink flowery ones.

Dora rolled her eyes at him, "our baby is going to be a boy, Remus. Why would you do that to your son?"

Remus shrugged, "I'm not. I just don't think our baby girl will appreciate blue all the time," Dora rolled her eyes and continued browsing till Remus insisted that they have to move on or they'll never make it back in time.

"New shirt and pants for you," She insisted and dragged him into the nearby shop. The place was well lit but had few people within. Remus managed a small smile at Dora when she looked back to him.

The shop owner was a pleasant looking lady whose brown hair was littered with silver strands. She looked up and smiled when they walked in and Dora returned it but Remus managed only a nod.

Remus followed as Dora shuffled between two shelves of neatly ironed shirts. Grinning, she reached for a purple one and held it up in front of Remus. He hid a smile as he watched Dora contemplate it. She eventually nodded approvingly, "we should get you this one," She smiled. Remus raised a brow and stared. Dora bit her lip but a laugh burst forth from her. He chuckled, enveloping her in his arms; he buried his lips in her hair.

"Do you need any help?" Remus tensed and looked up sharply. The kindly lady was standing a distance away from them, watching them with a small smile on her face.

"No, thank you," Remus replied stiffly. The woman seemed taken aback by his aloofness, a huge contrast to how he interacted with Dora.

Dora frowned up at him from his embrace, "We're looking for shirts for my husband," She smiled.

The lady looked apprehensively at Remus before approaching, "Your husband looks the type who would prefer a simpler design…" She stepped past them and reached for a simple white shirt with grey stripes.

Dora took it with thanks and looked it over.

"Thank you," Remus spoke, his tone softer than before, "this does resemble what I'm comfortable wearing," he shot Dora a gentle reprimanding look. She stuck her tongue out at him, which caught his whole attention.

The shop owner chuckled, "you're a beautiful couple,"

Remus flushed slightly and Dora smiled appreciatively, shooting Remus a smug look, "thank you," Dora grinned.

"How many months in are you?" The shop owner asked.

"5 months I think," Dora smiled.

"Is it a boy or girl?"

"Boy," Dora said confidently.

"Girl," Remus replied at the exact same moment. They locked eyes and the shop owner laughed, "We haven't checked,"

Eventually, Dora managed to insist on 2 new shirts, one dark blue, one maroon, and one pair of black pants.

As they walked along the street to the next store, Dora pouted, her hand resting on the crook of his, "how am I supposed to get you to Christmas present if you're with me,"

Remus raised a brow. He reached over and gently brushed her swollen belly, "this is all the present I'll need from you for the rest of my life. This one beautiful child," Dora smiled and went on her tip toes to peck him on his cheek gently. Remus grinned, turning to press his lips against hers before they could press against his cheeks, "Or you could obliviate me after you've bought the present," He whispered cheekily. Dora mocked a scowl.

Eventually, Remus was blinded folded the muggle method as Dora picked out a present for him. They bought a necklace that read 'grandma' for Andromeda, a neon pink dog collar for Snuffles and a limited addition Ducati magazine for Sirius. Afterwards, she turned to Remus expectantly, to which he raised a brow in feign ignorance. Dora tried to hide her disappointment but Remus noticed the slight dip in her shoulders and the duller sparkle in her eyes, amused. Then, Dora was dragged, despite her pitiful whines and pleas, back to the apparition point and back to the house.

"We're home!" Dora hollered as she burst through the front door, kicking off her boots by the door. Remus chuckled as Dora grabbed his hand and twirled herself around.

"That took a long time," Andromeda commented as she emerged from the kitchen.

Dora frowned, "No it didn't,"

"You were gone for half the day," Andromeda retorted, her arms crossed. Dora shrugged in happy oblivion as she attempted to bend over to sort her boots out but Remus beat her to it. She grinned at him happily before practically skipping up the steps, Remus hurriedly following to support her if she should trip, "where are you going off to now?" Andromeda called after them.

"Present-" Remus replied but Dora hushed him nosily and they disappeared into their room.

Andromeda raised a brow and managed a smile as she turned around to see Sirius entering though the back door of the house.

"She's happier," Sirius stated.

Andromeda nodded, "yes," She studied Sirius closely, "you're not happy about it…" It was said with uncertainty but not a question.

Sirius pursed his lips underneath his trimmed moustache, "I'm happy that Nymphie's happy, I'm just not sure this will be the permanent type of happy that my dear baby cousin deserves to have," He looked away from Andromeda, "Remus loves fiercely but he's unpredictable. His insecurities would act up any time and there's nothing anyone can do about it when it does. I should've known it would happen, Andy. I should've warned Nymphie and spared her all the-"

"Yes," Andromeda interrupted, "you could have warned her but would she stop?"

Sirius clenched his jaw, "No,"

"So do what you can and talk to that best friend of yours. Make sure he's in it for real this time," Andromeda told him sharply, "Although," Her demeanor softened, "the sincerity he has when he care for Dora and the baby, is impossible to fake," With that, Andromeda picked up an open book from beside the table lamp and sat down to read.

Sirius was stunned but it was a very typical Black way of throwing it a suggestion; sharp, harsh but realistic. Andromeda's right but first, he would have to mend that relationship, he broke by being hostile towards Remus, with his baby cousin. He chuckled and nodded, turning into a black dog as he scampered up the stairs.

A/N: I truly apologise for the long wait. After all that angst, this chapter refuses to be written and good news, I've been writing a good number of chapters for the fluffy sequel! Thank you to those reviewers of past chapters who stuck with me throughout all the long waits; Guest, Guest, Guest, remusdora and MoonDoll33. Hope you'll enjoy this chapter!

Don't forget to review this chapter too!