Remus was expecting a return owl from Sirius, so he didn't even think twice about motioning for the next bird to wait while he penned a quick response. It wasn't until he opened it that he realised he didn't recognise the handwriting.
And then he read it.
Oh. Not Sirius. Sirius' cousin.
Dismissing the bird -- he'd send another with his response -- Remus sat in the centre of the bed where he'd been reading when the owl arrived and stared at the parchment for a long time. As surreal moments went, he supposed it was possible there could be a moment more surreal than sitting in the middle of the room that had once been his son's, during a childhood he'd been dead for, reading a letter from the wife he wouldn't marry for another ten years and still pictured as a toddler. He wasn't sure what could be more surreal. But, given Fate's fickle nature, he was sure there was something.
For a moment, he almost wished the boys were still cursed. That was something he knew how to deal with. This? Well, if he was honest with himself, he'd been hoping he wouldn't have to face it. Remus didn't do relationships even less than Sirius and James Sirius who were at least able to pretend what was between them was casual. Remus didn't even do casual.
But, his future self had. His future self had found a woman he could trust himself with and married her.
And she remembered him, while he knew nothing of her or himself.
For all his book smarts and "wise counsel", Remus was very often pants at dealing with people. He didn't know how to do these things!
Still, he had to try because it wasn't her fault things were so turned about any more than it was his. And, Ted deserved a whole family, one where his parents could at least be friends, or friendly. And, really, what kind of Gryffindor was he to be terrified of something like this?
Mrs.Miss Dear Nymphadora,
You've done nothing that I can see which requires forgiveness. If you're asking for it because of how long we've gone without corresponding, it is not necessary, I assure you. I cannot fault you for needing time to think. We've all been thrust into a rather confusing situation. You owe me no apologies.