V is for Victory Character: Serenus Summary: Serenus leaves a note and a gift where Tybalt can find them on Valentine's Day.
[Left on Tybalt's pillow is a small square box; within is a wristwatch, the face of which lifts up to reveal a hidden chamber that holds a magical moving photograph of the whole family: Tybalt, Serenus, and the twins. There is a note included.]
Dear Tybalt,
Although I don't share Severus' aversion to sentimentality, Valentine's Day is still not one of my favorite holidays; there is too much baggage attached, I suspect, for me to enjoy it with a completely unfettered heart, but last year did much to heal the wounds, and I find myself regarding the day with far more anticipation and far fewer shadows of the past than I expected. That is entirely due to you and the joy you have brought to my life.
Never did I imagine we would come to this when you first approached me in the pub; you threw me off-balance from the moment we met, and I'd no idea what to do with you. Then, at least. Now I have plenty of ideas about what to do with you! You likened me to a cat back then, spitting and lashing out at a hand out-stretched to offer affection rather than pain, and looking back now, I am even more grateful for your persistence and patience. Without it, we would never have reached this point, and considering how difficult I was and how many obstacles we had to overcome, I'm amazed you were willing to put up with as much as you did. Not many people would have done it, but you fought and won me in the end, and I will do my best to ensure your prize was worth the effort it took to secure it.
Severus says any idiot can fall in love, but it takes work to remain in love, and I agree with him. My past has taught me that sustaining a relationship is not as easy as one might wish; it takes commitment and a willingness to work through the problems together. Getting our relationship to this point has been the hardest thing I have ever done, but it is also the most worthwhile thing I have ever done, and I have no regrets. You've given me so much - love, hope, a family - and on this day, I want to celebrate commitment rather than romance. I want to celebrate our victory.