"Are you sure Remus?" Sirius asked as a small smile spread across his face.
"Yes I'm sure and I think I should do this, not only for my parents but for myself.." Remus said seriously.
Two years had passed since the Sirius and Xayla's engagement and with it being nearly eleven months since they'd wed in our back yard, life had settled nicely around us. Life had become simple, predictable and though not quite a piece of cake, it was nice.
The only exception to the predictability seemed to be Remus, as the more time that passed, we all had begun to notice a change in our friend, a sort of loneliness that had seemed to follow the werewolf around no matter where he went. I hadn't noticed it at first, but I suppose after Xayla's struggles with postpartum depression, I wasn't exactly looking out for Remus as I should have been. But nonetheless, he'd seemed to be more isolated than normal, wondering off on his own and getting lost in thought. It was one of these moments when I'd come to talk to him about it that he'd told me what he'd been considering.
"Your parents?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow. I could understand why he'd want to take this step for himself, but what did his parents have to do with anything?
"Yes my parents." Remus confirmed with a nod. "When I was fifteen I told my parents that I wasn't going to have children because I didn't want to pass down my 'condition."
"Well, what matters is what you want." Zander said and Xayla nodded, standing beside him.
"I can imagine your mother must've been heartbroken though."
"She was," Remus replied sadly, then smiling he continued, "She never said anything about it though, she understood- if anyone always understood my heart, it was her." I beamed at this, understanding easily the feelings he was describing. If my children ever gave me hard news about what they wanted, I might be sad, but it wouldn't mean I'd love them any less. "That's why I'm changing my mind, all my mum ever wanted from me is a grandchild and I couldn't even give her that... until now."
"As long as it's also for you, Monny." Sirius said as he took his wife's hand into his own and looked at his friend. "We want you to be happy, not take something on because you think it's what others would want from you.
With all of our nods of agreement, Remus looked between us, gratefully. "I've been thinking on it for while now." He said, "I'm not making an irrational decision and I'm not taking my choice lightly. I could try and wait to find someone, settle down and get married, but I'm not all that traditional to begin with." He smirked and we all gave laughs of understanding. "I've weighed every option, every possible outcome and I came to you guys because when I woke up this morning, after months and months of thought, it's still what I want."
I smiled warmly, glad he was finally taking a big step toward finding himself happiness. If this was what he wanted then why shouldn't he be allowed some joy and excitement? Growing a family and raising up the next generation was one of the most rewarding things I'd ever done and i hoped it would be for him. "So, what made you change your mind and how would you go about doing that in the wizarding world, considering you're not with anyone?"
Last year, after Xayla and Sirius' wedding, Zander had taken Remus out to try and hook him up, but after both came home a little too tipsy a few times and no dates lined up for Remus, they'd abandoned the mission and Remus carried on, choosing not to date.
Now, our friend chuckled, "If I'm being honest, the thought process started when I first moved in and it only grew seeing you guys with all your kids- it kinda made me feel really lonely and to be fair, I always wished I could have a family of my own. I've just been so scared because.. yeah." He shook his head, "last year though, after my failed attempts to date, I started looking int9 other ways to grow a family. I kept flip flopping and being unsure, but this past month, I've been nothing but sure and this morning, I knew I had to do it."
I beamed at him, over the past years, we'd been working on building up our werewolf friends' confidence and I was so glad it was seeming to work. That he could make decisions and be fully confident in them. Sirius had even taken to trying to teach Zander how to transform into an animagi- Remus was honestly shocked Zander had never done it before, but my husband had said that he'd had other ways of staying hidden as a youth without transforming into an animal. I enjoyed watching watching the lessons, which seemed much harder than expected, but it appeared that my husband would be fully able to do it any day now.
"How do you even do IVF in the wizarding world? I know it's very different from how we do it in the muggle world." Surprisingly, I knew a lot about the IVF method of having children, when I'd been taking college classes, before Zander and I had gone into hiding, I remember doing a project on the new method in which children could be born, I remember writing an argument piece, arguing in favor of the method, while my classmate had argued against it. It had been a good class and I'd thoroughly enjoyed it.
"In the wizarding world if you want to have a child without having a partner, all you have to do is go to St. Mungo's and they'll use a bit of yours and someone else's DNA to make the baby,"
"So it's exactly like the muggle way!" Sirius commented with a laugh,
Remus grinned "it's Similar, except in the Wizarding world a woman doesn't get implanted with the sperm and egg and doesn't carry the child, it is held in an incubator like environment of sorts." He explained and I raised an eyebrow with a whistle.
"Ooooh, so I guess that's where the term muggles use might've really come from." I said, "For a while, they called them 'Test Tube Babies'."
"Just- Just Wow." Sirius said and we all laughed.
"Hello! Welcome to St. Mungo's, how may I help you this lovely day?" The most perky little blonde assistant asked as soon as we were within communication distance of the front desk.
Remus nodded, giving her a kind smile while I stood there, staring, trying not to giggle as I imagined how my sister-in-law would respond to this woman's 'Every Day is a Happy Day!' Attitude.
Xayla was originally supposed to have come with Sirius and Remus, but when she came down with Embulastasis, a magical ailment where she'd developed purple spots and kept sneezing and coughing purple dust. She'd developed it last week, and since then, I'd wanted out of that house and nothing to do with that sickness. Though it wasn't deadly to witches and wizards, it could be to muggles, so Zander had quarantined Xayla and was staying with her, while I'd stayed as far away as possible.
"Can you please direct us to the birthing center?" I shook myself back into the moment, my thoughts veering away from Xayla as Remus beamed at the front desk assistant, who giggled at his smile and directed us to floor fifteen.
"Thanks!" Remus, Sirius and I said in unison and we turned and headed off, my thoughts quickly returning now to our task at hand.
We walked up a long flight of stairs before finally reaching floor fifteen. We entered a small, clean lobby where a young man was seated at a fine wood desk. "Welcome to the St. Mungo's birthing center, how may I help you?" The man asked politely. He wasn't as perky as the young blonde downstairs, but he was certainly kind looking.
"I have an appointment with Dr. Pendant." Remus informed the young Man, who's name tag I now saw said Keegan nodded and wrote something down.
"Is this your first time here?" Keegan asked and Remus nodded "Here you'll need to fill out some paperwork then." He handed Remus a thick stack of papers and I snickered, feeling bad for my friend. I despised paperwork and I did not envy him for having to fill it out.
Thanking the receptionist as he took the stack of papers and a quill and ink bottle, Remus led us over to a small group of chairs so we could sit down. As we sat, Sirius waved his wand helpfully and Remus' paperwork floated in front of him, so he could hold the quill and ink effortlessly. I watched the two men then as Sirius helped him fill things out and the pair joked and laughed as they did so.
Then, my thoughts turned to our families and how it was about to grow. We'd all agreed that Remus' son and/or daughter— we haven't ruled out the possibility of twins, would be the last children we bring into the family for awhile. With so far, there being six kids under five years old, we were getting run ragged and while Remus was a big help and deserved his own family, we felt we all needed a break, at least for awhile while we gathered our bearings. The good news was that the twins were soon to turn two years old in just under a month, so we didn't currently have any infants and when this baby came, the rest of the kids would all nearly be three and over. They were all growing so fast, I just couldn't believe it sometimes.
I looked up, ripped from my thoughts quite abruptly when the sound of the door leading to a long white hallway opened and slammed shut suddenly, and a woman came storming out of the room looking furious. A young boy of around eight was stumbling behind her as she yelled at him.
"IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT YOU WORTHLESS LITTLE-!" She let loose a string of swears that made me heart beat hard in my chest..
"I- I- I'm so s- sorry m- m mu- mummy!" The boy cried, cowering before her. "I promise- I won't-I won't in trouble anymore! They said-said I-I-if the police don't come any-anymore, we can do it!" Tears were flooding down the boys face as he ran after her and I couldn't help but stare at the scene in front of me in utter disbelief.
I'd never, not once in my life, seen anyone make such a scene in public in this way before, much less make the scene by speaking to a little child in such a way. "I CAN'T BELIEVE I EVER TOOK YOU IN, YOU FILTHY PIECE OF-"
"Woah ma'am, calm down!" The man at the desk suddenly exclaimed in alarm, jumping to his feet and the woman merely glanced at him before nodding and glowering at the boy, her face a seething mess of rage.
"I guess it's back to the orphanage with you!" Her hissing was like venom dripping from her lips, before she gave a short harsh laugh.
The boy trembled, "B- b- but m- mu- mummy, I'm s- sorry! I- I promise I'll try m- my best to be a good boy!"
I was watching this with a horrible feeling in my stomach- what was going on? Why were the police involved with these people and was the boy so scared of this woman? Would she really be cruel enough to send him packing to an orphanage? Was it really so bad that he trembled at the prospect of going back? All of this and more swirled through me as I stood, my jaw set against the lady's impending verbal assault toward me. "You know, you don't have to be so terrible to him!"
The woman turned her sneering gaze toward me. "Oh, and who the bloody hell do you think you are? This is none of your business, so what do you think gives you the right to speak to me in that way!?"
"Oh me?" I stood my ground as Sirius and Remus now looked up at me, concern etched identically into their features. "I'm only a caring mother who's not going to just sit here and watch you treat an innocent child in that way in public." I replied with an attitude of annoyance, and the woman's look darkened further. "You made this my business when you started acting up in a space where others are bound to be."
"Oh, well then caring mother, don't you worry you're pretty head. I'll be nice- it'll be all fine. I won't be talking to him in any sort of way either way once he's back in that dirty filthy place for reject children like him." She cooed in a sickly sweet voice as she stroked the back of the trembling boy beside her.
My blood boiled at her sarcasm and my face went red, causing Remus to set down his ink and quill lest he and Sirius have to intervene. After all, I was just a muggle, but despite this, I was an Evans in both surname and fiery temper, and so without a moment to spareI exploded and before I could stop myself, I said. "Why not just leave now, bi-" Sirius kicked my leg, causing me to stumble my words, but not backing down, I continued, "He doesn't have to go Anywhere that he doesn't want to." I said and now my friends were really staring at me, as if I'd just taken my clothes off and began running around.
"Now what on earth do you mean by that?" The women snapped glaring at me with such fierceity, it seemed she was trying to murder me with her eyes. I returned her gaze, giving it the ole' Evans fire and seeing this, Sirius finally stood.
"I mean if you won't take him home, I'll find another one for him." I said and at this, the woman shrieked with laughter, causing the man at the counter to politely ask her to keep our discussion at a two when she was clearly at a nine or ten.
"What? You run an orphanage? You take in the rejects? Good luck with that! He's useless, unloveable!" The woman said with a harsh laugh. "If you're sure though-" she shoved the boy toward us and turned away. "Don't come crying to me when he becomes too much trouble."
"I wouldn't come crying to you if I were on fire and my guts were spilling out of me." I hissed and Sirius set a hand on my shoulder and guided me to sit down.
The woman shrugged, now with a horrid smile, "Good!" And with that she turned and left as the receptionist watched us in absolute concern. He stood and came around the desk, asking Sirius about what had just happened, but assuring him we were fine, the young man glanced at the child now standing awkwardly nearby and big his lip.
"I really don't want to do paperwork, are you all going to contact the department of Individual and Family Wellfare?" At my nod, the young man finally nodded and went back to his desk with a sigh of relief. Poot kid probably did not get paid enough for this.
"That was terrible," I muttered as I looked over at the trembling boy now as Sirius told him to come sit down next to me. Now as I looked at him, I gave a gentle smile, my heart still pounding from the conflict I'd just had. "What's your name?"
The boy stared at me for a long moment before he began crying uncontrollably yet quietly, as if he always had to cry like this. "I'm so sorry! I dunno what I did this time, now she don't want me no more!"
"it's okay!" I said in whisper, hugging the boy. "I won't hurt you, just tell me what happened."
The boy trembled as he explained, "Me mum and dad died when I was only five so this lady sent me to the orphanage. Then a lady named Mrs. Cockonson adopted me. Her real son Richard always liked to beat me up and when I would tell on him she would beat me up and so would Mr Peter Cockonson."
I couldn't help it as I burst out laughing and was glad when Remus and Sirius did as well. The boy however just looked confused, so I explained, "They have very funny names, you never told me your name by the way." I said chuckling still.
"I'm Toby John Mathews." He said, beginning to cheer up, "Are you really gonna find me a home?" He asked hopefully. "A home where I'm not getting beaten up?"
Turning, I looked at Sirius and Remus. Sirius grinned "Well, we had agreed on only just one other but what do you guys say we just let him stay with us? I mean-" he broke off and looked at the boy, "How old are you?"
"Almost eight years old, sir!"
"You know about Hogwarts?"
The boy nodded and at this, Sirius looked back at us, "He'll be off to Hogwarts in about three years so why not just let him crash with us?" He asked and Remus shrugged. He wasn't little and guessing by his life so far, he'd probably be really capable of taking care of himself. It seemed mostly what he needed right now was a family and if there was one thing we were amazing at, it was being a family.
"It's really up to you and Zander though." He told me and I shrugged.
"I'm sure he won't mind, plus having an older child could be helpful." I smiled and at this the boy nodded excitedly.
"I be plenty helpful!"
"So you want to be in our family?" Remus asked and at the small eight year olds tearful but cheery nod, Sirius grinned.
"Well then, welcome to the family Toby!"
Remus smiled, and finally having finished with the paperwork, he walked over to the man at the desk and handing him the paperwork he said, "Here I've filled it all in."
The man nodded, "Will you please follow me."
Looking back at us Remus said, "Stay here," and without another word he followed the man into a side door that led to a long white hallway.
"Where would we go?" I whispered to Sirius, "Out with the wicked witch of the west." Having seen the Wizard of Oz since living with us, Sirius cackled at my joke and we hugged Toby and got to know him as we waited for our friend.
Remus reappeared about 30 minutes later carrying a little booklet, "So how'd it go?" I asked, taking Toby's hand as we left.
While we'd waited, Sirius and I had got to know the boy after sending word to Zander and Xayla about what had happened, and now cared about him more than ever as we'd found out so much that broke our hearts. His mother had been here in anger about her son, Peter because he'd been born through this service and when Toby had gotten upset for being bullied by his brother, he'd unleashed a wave of accidental magic that hurt the boy and now his parents were having to pay for his care.
The center had refused to help as the woman had several ongoing police reports from the Department of Individual and Family Wellfare because of Toby and until those police cases were settled, the clinic had said that they couldn't get involved with any legal issues, including the most recent where Peter was hurt.
"Well," Remus began smiling. "They said I had good, strong DNA and to prepare diligently for the baby. They will be born in just six months, but they will keep them for the additional three to observe and make sure they're alright. Their official birthdate will be the dsy I receive them.
"How are they born so fast?" I was so curious and intrigued but the answer honestly sounded kind of boring. Apparently, the incubators were installed with Time Turners that sped up the babies growth is really complicated ways.
"Ugh, magic is weird." I muttered and Sirius laughed.
"Hey Remus we got a letter from the birthing center!" I exclaimed.
"Really!" Remus said eagerly looking up from the game he'd been playing with Toby and I nodded. Ever since we'd brought the boy home eight weeks ago, he'd slid right into our normal routine. He was polite- if not a bit jumpy, always caring toward others and loved roughhousing with the littles.
Sirius said that Toby was a lot like himself as @ child and looking at him, we all agreed that we could see it. As for the boy himself, Remus had been the one he'd seemed to really take a liking to and wanted to hang out with and be near him all the time.
"Zander had to go get it from the designated location we give out instead of our address and it's for you." I smiled as I handed him the letter which he took, opened and began to read aloud,
"Dear Mr. Lupin
We are pleased to inform you that the procedure was very Successful and that you will be having a baby girl, You are from this moment welcome to visit the center to see the child's progress and note any information you would like documented. We will ask over these next months that if any paperwork is mailed to you, you fill it out and return it immediately.
~Thank You and Congratulations!
St Mungo's~"
Remus smiled at the letter and looking at Toby he said, "You're going to be a big brother! Of a little girl"
Toby cheered. Since he'd come here and he and Remus had bonded, before I or anyone else knew it. Toby was calling himself a Lupin and with this, I knew we were finally complete. Our family was perfect!
