For MaliceMalAmyMalevFaery

Tonks leaned against the counter, sipping on her warm cup of tea as she watched Charlie Weasley and her young son Teddy playing in the living room. It had been a few years since the war and a lot had changed since then; she had to get used to living her life without her husband everyday and lost a lot of other people along the way. She still felt the ache and pain of losing Remus but with every growing year the pain was slightly dulling and the person she had to thank for that was now standing in her living room, helping her young son to sit on a training Quidditch broom.

Charlie had been there for her ever since Remus had died, he had been the first one to console her as she stared at her husband's lifeless body on the floor of the Great Hall, his arm still outstretched trying to hold her hand. She had been so in shock she hadn't known how to react, the sudden loss of the man she loved overwhelmed her and she didn't know what to do. As Charlie had entered the Great Hall he had taken one look at her and rushed over, his eyes gazing down at the older man's body and his heart broke for her. He enveloped her in a tight embrace and whispered in her ear, telling her that everything was going to be okay and that she would get through this.

But how could she when she had not long found out she was pregnant with Remus' child, although he had been hesitant at first, Remus had grown excited over the early months of her pregnancy, even with the War looming. Their unborn baby had been a sign of better times to come and as Dumbledore had said, Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. And their baby had been their light.

Her heart had been heavy with the realisation that Remus would never get to see their son grow up to be a wonderful young wizard, he wouldn't be there to see his first steps or read bed time stories to him at night. Those thoughts always brought tears to Tonks eyes, she hated that Remus was gone. She hated that he had been taken away from her so soon. And for a while Tonks was angry, angrier than she had ever been.

But then Charlie came along, he had moved back home after the death of Fred and the two bonded over their losses. They had always been great friends during their time at Hogwarts together and Tonks had always felt bad for falling out of touch with Charlie. But as soon as he was back it was like he had never left. And soon, Tonks found herself beginning to heal. Her broken and angry heart was slowly beginning to heal and Charlie had been the one to help her. She could never repay Charlie enough for bringing her back from the brink of darkness.

Now here she was, standing in her kitchen watching the grown dragon tamer and her young son bonding over their love of Qudditch, leaving her to wonder just how she had fallen for the second eldest Weasley. Not that it took much wondering because Charlie was a great man, but her heart had been so broken and she was adamant that she was not going to allow herself to open up to another man like she had with Remus. But Charlie was different, he didn't ask anything of her and didn't pressure her into anything. He had slipped under her skin without her knowing and slowly she begun to realise that she had feelings for him. But she couldn't tell him, she would risk too much and she didn't want her heart to be broken if he rejected her. She didn't want to go near the darkness again.

A high pitched laugh broke her out of her thoughts and memories, she entered the living room and smiled as she found Teddy zooming slowly around the living room on his broom. Charlie stood at the edge, watching with a proud grin as he cheered Teddy on. Tonks felt her heart melt at the sight, she didn't know if Charlie wanted kids or not but he was certainly good with them.

"Go Teddy!" She grinned as Teddy looked up at her, a proud and joyful smile on his face

"Look Mum! I'm doing it!"

"You certainly are buddy"

Tonks grinned, reaching over as he passed her and ruffling his ginger hair that he so often changed to when Charlie or a Weasley family member came to visit.

Charlie stepped around Teddy as he passed by again, now standing beside Tonks. "He's a quick learner"

Tonks nodded, "Takes after his Father" She whispered

The two fell silent, both hurting at the mention of Remus, but it was the truth. Teddy was every bit like his father; he was quiet but could be mischievous when he wanted to be, he had a thirst to learn and most importantly, he was loyal. Teddy was everything she could want in a child. She was just sad Remus couldn't be here to see it.

A gentle pressure on her hand again brought her out of her thoughts, she glanced down and now saw that Charlie's hand was holding her's, giving it a small squeeze and as she looked back up to meet his eyes, Charlie was now wearing a sad smile. "Can we talk? In private"

"Sure" Tonks nodded, walking back into the kitchen and making sure to stay near the door to keep an eye on Teddy, even though the Quidditch broom had stabilisers and only hovered a few inches off the ground she was still afraid he would fall and hurt himself.

"What's up Char?"

Charlie chewed his lip nervously, this had been the first time in a long time he had felt this nervous but he couldn't help it. What he was about to say would either work out wonderfully or ruin their friendship entirely. But he couldn't hold it in any longer, he had to tell her the truth. For the first time in a long time, Charlie Weasley was putting his heart on the line.

"Tonks" He began, scratching the back of his head before taking a deep breath to continue. "I'm glad we've got to reconnect this past while. I've missed your company, and forgot about all the amazing memories we have together"

Tonks felt her heart thumping against her chest, ready to burst at any moment.

"I'm sorry for what happened to Remus" Charlie held a breath as he watched her, seeing the sadness flicker in her eyes but it was brief. The look of sadness that turned into something different, something he couldn't put his finger on. "If I could go back in time and bring Remus back for you I would"

Tonks felt like there was going to be a 'but' here

"But"

There it was

"I'm going to be selfish for a moment here" Charlie said truthfully. "And it's going to be quite brazen of me but I need to get this off my chest and I need you to hear it before I drive myself crazy" He grinned

"And here I thought you were already crazy" Tonks teased playfully

Charlie quirked an eyebrow but grinned, "I am crazy" He agreed. "I'm crazy in love with you" He whispered

Tonks felt her heart stop momentarily as she heard what he said, he couldn't have said what she think he said, could he? She felt her mouth drop open in surprise as she gaped at him. She couldn't believe this was happening, their relationship had been progressing for some time now but she had though it was only her feelings that had changed into something more than friends.

"I am 100% in love with you. And I know that's really selfish to say after everything that you've been through" Charlie gulped. "I don't want to replace Remus, I know that I could never replace as you two had such a strong and special relationship. But I want to be here for you and Teddy, I love both of you so incredibly much and you both deserve all the happiness in the world. I want to give you that. I don't want to watch some other guy do that. These past few months I've debated with myself whether or not to tell you. I know you've had such a hard time getting over Remus but...If you could give me a shot to make you happy again, I would love that"

Tonks felt the tears beginning, she sniffled and Charlie's eyes widened, thinking he had hurt her feelings he pulled her into his chest, hugging her tightly. "Tonks...I'm sorry. I should..I should never have..."

Charlie was cut off by the warm pleasant feeling of lips touching his own, his eyes widened in surprise as he realised that Tonks was kissing him. Actually kissing him. He had dreamt of this moment for a while now, it felt surreal to finally do it. His body relaxed and he responded to her kiss, letting one hand remain on her bank but placed the other on the nape of her neck as he pulled her flush against him.

The two remained in a tender embrace before Tonks pulled away, her cheeks flushed and eyes alight with happiness. She smiled up at Charlie, "Silly man" She giggled. "You don't have to be sorry for anything. You've done so much for Teddy and I, we're so grateful to you" Tonks moved her hand and placed it on Charlie's stubbled cheek. "You're right, you can't replace Remus and no one can"

Charlie nodded, his heart falling at what he thought might be a rejection. "But our love story has ended. You've helped me so much Char, you were the one to pull me back from the darkness. You were the one to stay with me during those lonely hours as I lay in bed and cried myself to sleep. You were there for me. You've been there for Teddy. You're the man he looks up to and you're the man he wants to be like when he grows up. You are everything to us both"

Charlie sucked in a breath as he took in her passionate words, he had been waiting what felt like a lifetime for this moment and here it finally was, he was going to cherish every moment of it.

"I love you Charlie Weasley. So damn much"

"I love you too Nymphadora Tonks"

"Don't. Call. Me. Nympahdora"