January 1981
Delacour Manor
Florence was reading in her home library, from outside she could hear the happy squeals of her two-year-old sons who were playing in the backyard with their Uncle Padfoot.
She had called her boyfriend there for lunch that day because she needed to talk to him, but he had picked up the boys at the day care centre and taken them home earlier than usual just to delay their conversation.
After the four of them had lunch, Florence waited for Sirius to put the boys down for a nap in the middle of the afternoon and hoped they could talk then, but he had fallen asleep with the twins.
And when they had finally woken up, they all had tea together and Sirius took the boys outside to play a little more.
So it was nearly dinnertime and Florence still hadn't had an opportunity to talk to him.
She sighed in annoyance.
That childish behaviour of his was one of the reasons she could never see herself spending her life with him.
Sirius avoided any situation that made him uncomfortable, while she liked to tackle problems right away – whenever possible she even worked ahead of the problems, trying to stop them before they had a chance to happen.
Finally, she heard Sirius and the twins walking into the house and left the library, meeting them in the living room.
"Now, boys, you say goodbye to Padfoot and go upstairs with Tiffany to take a shower. Mum will have a word with your uncle while you two get clean for dinner."
The boys hugged Sirius and followed their house-elf upstairs.
"Come with me to the library, Sirius," she invited him.
"Listen, Flor, I know what you're going to say, and I-"
"Sirius," she called him, "Come to the library."
He sighed in defeat and followed her into the beautiful library, where they sat on the sofa.
"Please, now you listen," Florence started, "I can't express how thankful I am for all you've done for me and for my kids during these past two years – almost three, for you were by my side during my pregnancy," she paused, smiling softly at him, "You have to know that I am extremely grateful for your generosity, and for your love."
"Please don't speak anymore," he whispered, looking at her with sad eyes, "I know what you're going to say. Please don't say it, Flor."
"Sirius..." she sighed, "Don't make this harder than it has to be. In two years I haven't been able to let you touch me, I don't feel any desire for you – and it's absolutely NOT your fault!" she added, not wanting to hurt his feelings more than she knew it inevitably would, "You have been sleeping around during those years – with my full blessing, I might add – but you are tied to me at the same time. It's not fair to you. You deserve to find a woman to settle down. Or not! – if that's your wish. Just go on having fun for as long as you like. But I can't keep on pretending to be your girlfriend. I'm sorry."
Sirius stared at her, heartbroken, "I knew this was what you wanted to talk about..." he sighed, "I had hopes you'd love me someday."
"I do love you, but not like you want me to. I just... I can't keep cheating on you with Severus occasionally, while you go out every week to shag some random woman. This is not fair to you!"
He opened his mouth to say something but she held his hand and continued:
"Sirius, I don't love you as a man. I just... I love you, but like a dear friend."
He sighed, bringing her hand to his lips and kissing it.
"If only I could keep up a conversation with you," he said, "Maybe you could fall for my brains... but I don't get half of the things you talk about. And I honestly don't want to learn... I hate studying," he grimaced.
"I know," she smiled, "And I've never expected you to start enjoying books just because I do."
He looked at her with so much pain in his eyes that she felt like the worst person in the world.
"I love you, Florence," he said, touching her face.
"I know."
"Can I keep coming here to play with the boys?"
"Of course! They love you! You're Nick's godfather. And everyone thinks you are their dad. You'll always be welcome here!"
He kissed her hand again, "I truly regret that they aren't mine. Those two boys are amazing, Flor. I can't believe they're Snivellus's kids," he hesitated, "Although James reminds me of that from time to time."
"I know, right?" she chuckled with a small wince, "Ugh, that kid can test our patience!"
Sirius smiled sadly, "You've never stopped loving him, have you?"
"No," she shook her head, "And I know now I never will."
He shook his head too, having a hard time understanding how she could possibly love Snape that much.
Then he stood up, "I'd better be going then. The boys are beat, you'll probably be able to put them to bed early today."
"Fingers crossed," she said, getting up as well, "I'd like to read at least three chapters of the newest edition of Advanced Healing Spells tonight."
He smiled, "I'll never understand being happy over the possibility of reading three chapters of any book," he chuckled, then he touched her hair, pulling her towards him and kissing her lips one last time, "I love you, Flor."
"And I love you, my friend," she replied.
Sirius followed Florence out of the library and stopped in front of the living room fireplace, hugging her once more before going to Grimmauld Place by Floo.
February 2nd, 1981
Honeydukes
The candy store was fully decorated for Valentine's Day, with exploding hearts that dropped confetti on the customers, and flying angels that threw glitter arrows at every couple that walked in together.
Severus walked into the store and went straight to the chocolate section, looking for his mother's favourite bonbons – he never forgot to give her a gift on Valentine's Day – if it were up to him, Eileen would get a present every day for all she had gone through to raise him and all the love she'd always given him.
He was browsing, thinking what else he was going to give her, when he felt a familiar presence in his mind, making him sigh and smile.
He turned to his right and his eyes found her: Florence.
She was filling up a shopping basket with all of her favourite chocolates. He could also see some colourful candies and lollipops in there that were probably for her kids.
He saw her add eight boxes of cherry bonbons to her basket, filling it to the limit.
You should check if they have a shopping cart to lend you. He sent her through their bond, hoping she'd hear.
Florence raised her head, startled, looking around for him and smiling when she spotted him.
Do you think they do? Cause I don't think this basket will be enough.
Who are you buying all those chocolates for?
For all my many lovers, of course!
He arched an eyebrow, So what am I getting?
She looked at him with a smile, her green eyes going down his body, her mind showing him exactly what she'd like to give him. But her smile turned sad soon after.
Florence shook her head; using their connection to flirt was intimate and lovely and it made her feel free to say everything she wished she could say to him out loud. But it saddened her that things had to stay just in their minds.
She approached him, "I'm getting a Valentine's gift for each of my colleagues at the hospital, and for your mother too. Plus some for myself, obviously, and for my kids. And for the Potters and Remus. Oh! And I need something for the kid's teachers!" she added a few more boxes to her already full basket.
Severus frowned at her choice of stopping using their connection.
"Nothing for your boyfriend?" he asked.
"I did get Sirius's favourite chocolate but..." she averted her eyes briefly, "He's not my boyfriend anymore."
"Really?" that got Severus' attention, "May I know why?"
Florence didn't reply, glancing into his basket and noticing he had picked up Eileen's favourite bonbons but also something else – probably for his fiancée.
She forced herself to just smile at him and kept on shopping, trying to ignore his presence, using occlumency to block him from using their connection.
Severus went to the cashier while Florence was still shopping.
He paid for his sweets and she noticed that he had given a jewellery box to the man behind the counter.
Probably some special gift to his fiancée. She thought, feeling miserable and adding a couple more boxes of chocolate to her purchase.
When Florence got home, she put all five bags of candy on the dining table to sort them out.
She had the day off from work and the kids were at the day care, so she could take her time.
She opened up the bags full of sweets and began to write on the boxes the name of the person she was going to gift each of them to.
However, by the third bag, she came across a red and white box that she was certain she hadn't purchased.
Florence inspected it and saw her name written in an elegant handwriting that she immediately recognised.
She put the box on the table, knowing what she'd probably find inside. Those red and white boxes were known for being used to propose to your loved one on Valentine's Day.
She smiled, touching the box tenderly, wishing as always that she could say 'Yes'.
She slowly opened the box and inside there were many packages of all her favourite chocolates, and right in the middle of it she saw the medium heart-shaped jewellery box she had seen Severus hand the attendant.
With her heart beating faster in her chest, Florence opened the jewellery box and let out a relieved sigh when she didn't find a ring.
Instead there was a delicate white gold necklace lying on the velvet interior, a beautiful light green heart-shaped gemstone hanging from it.
Silver and green. A very Slytherin gift. She thought, chuckling.
Florence could tell that it was an expensive gift, and after finding the jewel's information card, she was sure of it.
The necklace was 18k white gold and the gemstone was a rare light green imperial jade.
She touched the stone, recognising that particular shade of green – that was the green of her veela eyes, the eyes Severus loved to see.
She could feel that magical being move inside her mind, purring in delight for her mate had given her such a unique and expensive gift.
The sudden ringing of the doorbell had her jumping from the chair.
Tiffany and Melody were both busy around the house, so Florence put the box on the table and opened the door herself.
"Severus," she said, surprised.
"Did you get my present?" he went straight to the point.
"Y-yes," she stuttered, "I've just opened it. Come on in," she quickly looked outside to check if anyone was around to see him walking into her house.
He walked in, hanging his snow dusted coat on the coat hanger by the door and going to the table where he could see the open jewellery box.
"Do you like it?" he asked her.
"Of course, Severus," she said as if that was obvious, "It's gorgeous. But you shouldn't have bought such an expensive gift, it is not-"
He simply ignored her protests and picked up the necklace from the box, using his wand to unclasp it. Then he walked to her, "Lift your hair," he softly ordered, stopping right in front of her.
Florence looked at him and hesitated. She shouldn't accept his gift, they were not a couple – they could not be seen as a couple!
Even having allowed Severus to enter her house had been too risky – someone could've seen him! And they could tell others and in a matter of hours her father might-
"Florence," Severus called, bringing her back to the present, the necklace still in his hands.
She sighed and gathered her curls in her hands, lifting them as he had asked, her heart pounding as she looked up into his eyes while he clasped the necklace behind her neck, using magic once again.
"Why the wand?" she asked.
"The clasp of the necklace is protected by a spell so that it doesn't open and fall off by accident."
"Because of it's value," she said, pointing out the expensiveness of the gift once more.
"Yes," he sounded annoyed by her speaking of the price, but his eyes never left her neck, "Do you know why I bought this for you?" he touched the gemstone, caressing her collarbone.
"I recognised the shade of green," she whispered, his hand touching her skin and his proximity were making her body burn in need.
"Yes," he whispered in a velvety voice, caressing the column of her neck with his nose, "When I saw this, almost a year ago, I had to get it for you. Such a perfect match to you lust-filled veela eyes," he kissed the side of her mouth, "Also, the gemstone of the necklace was graded a Perfect Gemstone," he rested a hand on her cheek, his thumb under her chin, lifting her face to his, "A perfect precious stone for a perfect precious woman," he whispered over her lips, teasing her with soft pecks and tiny bites.
And Florence was doomed; his touches were like a drug, taking control of her senses. Just a few touches and he could control her whole body; she knew her eyes were starting to match the necklace.
Severus stopped his kisses and looked at her, smiling.
"Yes. It's the exact same shade," he said before kissing her again, hungrily this time; wrapping his arms around her waist, taking her lips possessively, he focused on her bedroom and apparated them there.
Florence was so lost in need that she only realised they were in her bedroom when he dropped her onto her back on the soft mattress.
"Be mine, Florence," he said, sounding more like an order than a request.
"Don't ruin the moment, Severus," she said, glaring at him.
He growled in anger and frustration before crawling over her, between her legs, covering her body with his and making love to her until they were both spent.
Afterwards, Severus helped her lie down beside him and pulled her to his chest, looking at her; Florence's hair was messy and sweaty, her cheeks were flushed pink and her lips were red and swollen; she looked freshly shagged and gorgeous.
She had her eyes closed, slowly moving her head from side to side, and he saw a tear roll down her face.
"No... don't cry, love," he murmured, wiping away the tear.
"I love you, Sev... I shouldn't, but I love you so much..." she opened her eyes and stared at him, more tears rolling down.
"I love you too... please, forgive me, Flor, for everything. I regret every stupid thing I've ever done..."
"No no no," she kissed his lips softly, "Stop talking," she touched her nose to his, still panting, "Please. You have to stop talking," she couldn't listen to his apology, it would break her.
He sighed heavily, wishing he had just put triplets inside of her that afternoon and then he'd make her marry him.
She chuckled, having heard what was in his mind, "Triplets? You have no idea what you're wishing for," then she closed her mind using occlumency, "What time is it now?" she asked, raising her head to look at the small clock on the nightstand, "Five o'clock. Ok. We still have time." she laid her head on his chest.
"When do your kids arrive?" he asked, realising she was thinking about the twins.
"At six. Your mother will bring them home today."
He hesitated before asking: "Why do you let her be their grandma, but you won't let me be their father?"
Florence froze against his chest, "What do you mean?"
"Well, she's not their grandma by blood, but you let her act like it anyway. Your kids even call her grandma. I could marry you and... be their dad, even though I'm not."
She felt like she could breathe again, the fear that he could've found out the truth had just caused her to misunderstand him, "Well, Eileen asked me to be my kids' grandma before I had even learned I was pregnant. I don't have any family that I'd like to introduce the boys to... so it's great that your mother loves them like a grandma."
"Florence-"
"No," she interrupted him again, kissing his lips, knowing what he was about to ask, "Stop ruining the moment, Severus."
He sighed in defeat, "Only you could think that being proposed to on Valentine's Day equals a moment being ruined."
"It's not Valentine's Day."
"You know what I mean," he pulled her closer, caressing her hair.
Soon Florence's breathing changed and he knew she had fallen asleep.
Staring at the vaulted ceiling of her bedroom Severus sighed, wishing he never had to leave her bed.
When Florence woke up, her room was dark, letting her know night had long fallen.
The clock on the nightstand showed twenty-to-eight.
She sat up on the bed, knowing Severus wasn't there anymore, and wondered if that afternoon had been a dream. Then she touched her collarbones, feeling the necklace there, proof that it had all been real.
She got out of the bed, needing to go to the bathroom, but when she stood up, she felt the stickiness between her thighs.
Nope, it definitely wasn't a dream. She thought with a smile, remembering his triplets wish.
She quickly showered and walked out of the room to go have dinner with her kids.
Eileen was in the living room watching cartoons with her grandsons, who were playing with big legos on the rug.
"Mummy!" the boys shouted in unison when they saw Florence walking downstairs.
She smiled at the two dark-haired boys waiting for her at the bottom of the staircase. If only I could tell Sev the truth about them... She thought as she kneeled to hug them when she reached the ground floor.
"How was your day, my loves?" she asked.
"It was great, mummy!" said Nicholas, smiling.
But James didn't look as happy as his brother - something not unusual, "What happened, Jamie?" Florence asked, touching his sweet face, his dark eyes looking at her and making her think of his father as always.
"Grandma didn't let us have any candy when we arrived," the boy complained.
"Oh," Florence looked at the table, remembering the gifts she had left scattered there. But someone had taken them away, "After dinner you can have two bonbons, what do you say?"
"Awesome!" James exclaimed, hugging her once more before returning to his legos.
"And how was your day, mummy?" asked Nick, touching her face, his green eyes going to her necklace, "WOOW! THAT'S SO PRETTY!" he exclaimed.
Florence blushed, glancing at Eileen, who nodded: "I found the box," then she walked closer to take a good look at the necklace, "It's absolutely gorgeous, dear."
"Yes, I loved it," Florence replied, touching it tenderly.
"Do I get two bonbons too?" asked Nicholas.
"Of course, sweetie," Florence replied, kissing his head and watching him go play with his brother on the rug.