tonks and remus
WHO: Remus and Tonks LUPIN.
WHAT: The wedding!
RATING: PG
STATUS: Completed








A few hours earlier, Remus' stomach had been doing flip-flops. All the same doubts came rushing back (too old, too poor being the most prevalent) but having a support system which included the trio, Weasleys, and, hell, even Draco buoyed Remus into accepting that he was doing the right thing not only by Tonks and Felicity, but by himself. Heck, he deserved happiness finally didn't he? The ceremony went quickly, but was beautiful. The flowers were perfect and Tonks looked more gorgeous than ever. Remus had written his own vows, and while sappy, he meant every last word tenfold. However, now the party was in full swing and it was time to kick back and relax with his bride. He kissed the sleeping Felicity gently on the cheek before handing her off to Andi. Coming up behind Tonks, he wrapped his arms around her from behind. He let his lips brush against her neck. "Hi, there Mrs. Lupin."

Tonks felt herself flush with pride and pleasure at both the touch and the sound of her new name on his lips. She hadn't expected it to feel quite that amazing. When she said it (and she'd said it an awful lot in the last couple of years), it sounded like a silly little girl playing make believe. But when he did? Or her mum or Charlie or Molly or anyone else who knew, it sounded like she was taking on a whole new identity. Which she was, really, she supposed. Wife, mother. She had created all sorts of new responsibilities by becoming Mrs. Remus Lupin. And she wouldn't lie. She loved it. Nestling into his arms, Tonks tilted her head to brush a light kiss against his jaw. He was, quite possibly, perfect. For her, at least. So what if he was a few years older? Who cared if he thought himself too poor to support her? They both had steady work now, and they'd build up a neat little nest egg for the three of them in no time. And the werewolf thing they were learning to cope with as a couple, and as she'd said time and time again...she didn't care. "Hi there yourself, Mr. Lupin," she teased, brightening at the sound. "Though I really still think you ought to have taken my name. Sounds a bit odd calling me Tonks now, in a way."

He chuckled in his easy-going way. It really was rather funny that his wife preferred using her surname in a replacement for her first, but it just made him adore her all the more. She was independent, refusing to even settle for a name given to her by others. She made her own rules and while he could sometimes want to wring her neck for it, it was that spunk made his heart clench whenever he rested his eyes on her. "I can just imagine James or Sirius…" He shook his head, realizing, for once, it was easy to speak the names. They were watching him; he was sure of it. Lily and Severus too. He only hoped Mr. Ted Tonks was watching with an approving eye.

Tonks had actually thought of her dad plenty that day. Despite her confidence in knowing Charlie was the next-best-thing to walk her to Remus' side, she'd have given anything for her father to be in his rightful place. And Remus' friends... Things might've felt a bit smoother, if she could just guarantee his happiness. But then, if James Potter had lived, then perhaps there never would've been a second war. Sirius would have lived as normally, and Remus would still look at her as Sirius' pesky little cousin. The world worked in very strange ways, and who was she to argue? "They're here," she murmured, turning and slipping her arms around his waist. She buried her face against his chest for a moment and just breathed. "Promise. They've been right here the whole time." Pulling back with a wicked giggle she added, "well, hopefully not all the time!"

Remus' cheeks colored though her words did comfort. "Tonks," He whispered, his head yanking around as he made sure no one had overheard. "Hush, you!" Still, grinning, he leaned in, allowing his lips to meet hers.

Tonks let the kiss linger for a moment before looking back up at him, a smug expression on her face. "Remus," she began matter-of-factly, but she did keep her voice low. "I'm relatively sure everyone knows we're sleeping together. Ahem?" She nodded her head to where her mother was holding their daughter.

"And she didn't murder me." He shook his head. "Brilliant that mum of yours."

"Don't tell, but I'm pretty sure she's done it, too," Tonks replied with a very serious expression. "I mean, I look a lot like her, after all, she very likely gave birth to me."

Gently swatting at his wife's arm, Remus gave her a playful roll of his eyes. "I could do without the image, you know!"

"I know!" Tonks agreed, attempting to remain serious but knowing she wasn't doing well. "I tried to convince them the stork brought me for years."

"Well, we certainly know no stork brought our little bundle." He cast another glance toward the baby who had been passed off to young Theodore Nott. "Amazing what life does," he murmured, holding her close.

She tucked her head under his chin and grinned. "No, I can vouch for her being all ours. Worth it, though." Merlin, was she worth it. All pretty round eyes and her fickle, ever-changing hair. "And perfect. And sweet and brilliant and have you noticed how smart she is already?"

Remus' eyes twinkled though he agreed whole-heartedly. "I do believe every parent says that!"

"Well this parent is right," Tonks argued firmly. "She's so attentive! She really listens when you talk to her, you know? And she loves being read to and hearing music and oi, I think she may even have a bit of a thing for Kirley Duke already, good taste that one."

"Tonks, he'll be…like fifty by the time she's old enough to even recognize him!" He gulped. "And I'll be even older, oy."

Rolling her eyes, Tonks sighed heavily at her husband's ignorance concerning the greatest band in the entire world. "Kirley isn't that old, you goof. I was already into the Bee Gees when I was four! Besides." Smirking, she winked up at him. "Us Tonks women have a thing for older men, hadn't you heard?" Not that she didn't have every intention of beaning any man who looked at her daughter wrong over the head.

"Gee, thanks for reminding me!" Despite himself, he squirmed in discomfort. He pushed the thoughts aside and began to sway as the music slowed down. Granted, they were off to the side, but Remus preferred it that way. No one should see him try and move.

However, Tonks was not that easily swayed. Literally. Taking his hands, she stepped backwards a few steps, pulling him along with her. "Come now, I love this song and it really is your duty now, you know."

"Tonks," he groaned. "What was wrong with where we were?"

"I couldn't show off my wonderful new husband?"

Relenting as he usually did, he allowed himself to be pulled further into the dance floor. "Well, I guess I can stand being the envy of every bloke here for a few minutes."

Giggling, Tonks shook her head. "You're impossible. Half these blokes have gorgeous women of their own, and in case you hadn't noticed? You're the one I married. Not them. Besides, I personally think you got jipped in this deal, Lupin."

Remus shook his head stubbornly. "Please." He rubbed her back as they moved to the beat. "Beautiful, smart, and witty…I'm the winner here."

"Smart?" Tonks scoffed. "Hardly!" Alright, so she'd pulled the marks to make it into the Academy, and gotten a position at the Ministry almost immediately. Not the point. "Witty, I might give you. But you also forgot uncouth and dead clumsy."

"And endearing and wonderful and…" He winked. "The list goes on, you know."

"Biiiiiiaseeeeed," Tonks told him in a sing-song tone. "Biased and wonderful and far too sweet to be saddled with the likes of me."

Smirking, Remus threw caution to the wind and dipped his love. "Maybe, but I hope to stay biased then."

Despite their surroundings, Tonks released a slight squeal at the sudden gesture and gripped his neck. "Remus Lupin, don't do that! You know I've the grace of a baby hippogriff, these are new shoes, and this dress is not exactly moveable! I don't want to wind up on the next episode of Wizarding Weddings' Most Embarrassing Moments here!"

"Hey! Don't you trust me?" He steadied her, his eyes actually turning serious every so briefly. "I'll never let you get hurt."

Merlin, she loved those eyes. Felicity's eyes, really, when they were in their natural state. Impulsively, she took his face in her hands and, no matter who was watching, gave him a good, thorough snog. At the smattering of catcalls and giggles around them, she laughed. "I know you won't," she whispered, looking at him more fully. "However," she continued in a louder tone, "you can't really be held responsible for me having four left feet."

Remus felt the breath leave his body as she kissed him. Godric, she was a good kisser. "Well, I'll watch the two you can't then."

"Remuuuus," she groaned, but there was a distinct giggle in her tone. "You're supposed to say how I'm not clumsy at all and it's really just..." Pausing, she shook her head. "I can't make you lie, it burns."

"See? I have to set an example for the children. Ours, the students..."

Tonks reached up, brushing his cheek gently with her fingertips. "I'm not worried. I don't think the world could ask for them a better role model."

"Well, I highly doubt that..." He melted at the touch, allowing his cheek to lean into the caress.

"You would," Tonks reasoned, "because you're not conceited or snobby or any of those things. I, however, am, and am willing to brag that my husband is just shy of perfect."

"Remember that when I get my pot belly," he responded, nodding in mock seriousness.

Please. He was too thin as it was. She knew it was likely because of his condition, and it did give her cause to worry, but she loved being able to take care of him when he needed it. "You? Hardly. I think you eat less than I do, someone really needs to remind me I'm not pregnant anymore."

"Welllll."

Sticking out her lower lip, Tonks made to move away from him.

"No, no!" He quickly realized his mistake. "I only meant...well, we could change that. Some day."

At that, Tonks stopped suddenly. She turned back to him with a look of surprise on her face. She'd only been teasing when she'd stepped back but she knew his serious tone when it happened. "Really? You... Well, you want another?"

"I...erm.." He shrugged. "I mean I know what I said before she was born, but...I always wanted a sibling growing up and..." He flushed. "Crazy?"

Ever so slowly, a large smile crossed her face. She had always wanted siblings as well, at least one. Being taken in and loved by the Weasleys had helped, but she knew it wasn't the same as having someone to tag along after or to have look up to her. As an adult, she knew she wanted more, at least one, maybe two, who knew? To know that he did, as well? "You mean that? I didn't misunderstand or anything?"

Slowly, he shook his head. Did she not think it a terrible idea?

"Oh..." She gave a small gasp of delight before abandoning all possible dance steps and throwing her arms around his neck. "Not yet, of course, no, I've just gotten to working again and all and I'd like to enjoy Felicity for a bit before we go saddling her with a kid sister or a baby brother and all, but..oh, brilliant! Just brilliant!"

Thrilled, Remus caught her in his arms. "Oy, Tonks, you and me and...babies. A family. Us."

"As it should be," Tonks replied affirmatively, squeezing a bit tighter before releasing him. "Does it get more perfect than this? I mean, really?"

Taking a moment to breathe her scent, he nuzzled into her, his cheek resting against her neck. "I don't think so, love. I don't think so."