The end.

*

7 years later

Remus tugged and tugged at the key, internally swearing and berating himself. He'd been doing this for almost a decade, you'd think that after all this time he would be able to open his own damn door. He cursed himself again for being so stubborn and refusing to get the old lock fixed, insisting that it was fine, however, he was not fine.

"Need some help?" A smug cockney voice called, and Remus knew exactly who the voice belonged to.
"Nope, 'm fine," Remus replied with a grunt, begging the old key to turn, his forever competitive side telling him that he needed to win this fight, don't back down.

"You dinnae look fine," Sirius teased, and Remus knew that if he could see him, there would be a massive smirk plastered all over his beautiful, no, infuriating face. So Remus chose not to reply, instead using his other hand to try and push the key through the rusting lock.

"You know Moony, that key would be a lot easier to turn if we got new locks..." Sirius trailed off, leaning against the doorway so that he was now in Remus's peripheral vision, irritating him more and more with each passing second.

"Fuck off," Remus said, giving it one last rage fuelled yank, and successfully clicking the door open, finally letting him into his own bloody shop.
"Success! And what? It only took you..." Sirius looked down at his imaginary watch, "ten minutes?"
"New record, go me," Remus deadpanned, dropping the shopping on the counter and hopping over it, bending down to collect his apron from underneath the register.

"I'm serious though babe, I really think we should get new locks," Sirius said, unstacking the chairs and placing them at the tables.
"I know you're Sirius , I've only been dating ya for seven years," Remus joked, avoiding the question.

"Oh hardy-har," Sirius said sarcastically, setting out the day's menus and laying out the cutlery.

"Don't forget, dinner with the Potters tonight, be there for seven," Sirius reminded, pointing to the calendar on the café wall, where a big red circle with, Party Dinner* at Potters, was written.

"Wait, aren't we arriving together?" Remus asks, chucking Sirius's apron at him, walking into the kitchen, still not used to how big it was now after they had gotten it redone so that they could start surviving proper lunches and dinners. The Lunar Café had turned into a mini-restaurant, with Sirius cooking the main meals and Remus doing the desserts.

"I'll already be there, I'm babysitting Prongs Jr so that they can get everything together for the meal," Sirius explained, tying his signature black apron around his waist, knowing that it would probably be dirty by tonight, he was a messy cook.

"Well then, why don't I come as well, keep you company?" Remus called from the kitchen, fishing out the batter he'd prepped the night before.

"No, don't do that, God no. Just, no ," Sirius spluttered, making Remus stop what he was doing, heart sinking slightly. Sirius had been so secretive lately, sometimes going out for hours at a time, spending all of his time with James. Remus didn't want to fear the worst but he found it harder and harder to ignore the signs.

"Alright, okay then," Remus said, slightly deflated.
"So be there for seven, yeah?" Sirius said, walking into the kitchen, looking unusually nervous.
"Yeah, seven."

*

"Rem, this is Sirius we're talking about here, he'd never cheat on you," Lily argued, wiping down the sticky counter with a rag.
"I know, but he's been acting so weird lately, like this morning he told me he was babysitting Harry, but where's Harry? Here. With you, so he's obviously not babysitting Harry, he lied to me, Lils."

"Moon Moon!" Harry adorably called from his highchair that was specially placed where they could keep an eye on him, whilst also serving customers and making lunch.
"I told you, he's with James, we swapped places," Lily shrugged, picking up three coffees and balancing them perfectly. Her days as a waitress at uni had certainly helped in the café.

"Shit, where's Tonks, I shouldn't even be doing this, I own the bloody place," Lily muttered, somehow able to balance a tray of cakes as well as the coffees.
"She's gonna be late in today, she told us like three weeks ago she had a hair appointment," Remus defended their teenage waitress, who the three had hired to help them with the large number of customers they now had.

"Och, wonder what colour that lassie's hair will be today," Lily scoffed with a fond smile.
"My personal favourite was the pink."
"I liked her blue moment, not gonna lie," Lily replied.

"Well this time she's green!" Tonks announced, giving the pair a fright.
"Holy hell— a little warning eh?" Lily yelped, managing not to drop the trays.

"Here Mrs Potter, give those to me—"
"—for the love of god Tonks, just call me Lily," Lily smiled, gratefully passing the trays to Tonks, letting her battle to balance them whilst carrying them to the customers.

Remus laughed slightly, earning himself a death stare from Lily, "What's so funny Lupin?" she asked, her now perfected mum-stance (™) putting fear into Remus's bones.
"Nothing, Mrs Potter," Remus quipped, popping a batch of cookies into one of the ovens.

"Laugh all you want Lupin, har har, I married James Potter, but just remember who now lives in a mansion."
"Manor, it's a manor," Remus corrected, dusting off his apron.
"I'm sorry Rem, where's your manor?"
"Up ya mum, that's where it is," Remus retorts childishly.

"Exactly," Lily said smugly, icing a cupcake. Remus fell quiet for a moment, letting his insecurities wash over him, heart panging as he feared the worst.
"Rem. Trust me, he's not cheating on you," Lily said softly, a comforting hand placed on his shoulder.

"Yeah, whatever," Remus mumbled, watching Tonks bounce into the room.
"Mr Lupin, there's someone here for you," Tonks said almost nervously as she ran a hand through her freshly green hair.
"Tell Marlene to just come through the back," Remus answered, head currently in a cupboard.

"It's not Marlene, she says that she's your mum," Tonks said nervously, and Remus immediately shut the cupboard, looking at Tonks quizzically. Lily shared the same look as Remus, knowing that not once did Remus's family even bother to contact him since they'd moved here.

"Rem—" Lily began, watching Remus nod curtly, walking past Tonks and out of the kitchen, standing behind the register.
"Lunar Café, how can I help you?" Remus said formally, seeing the woman that was once his mother standing on the other side of the register, looking extremely nervous as she fiddled with the buttons on her coat.

"Oh my god, Remmy," Hope Lupin smiled, her welsh accent had slightly faded, and her once dirty blonde hair that had matched Remus's was now greying, but somehow her whole face looked brighter, as if someone had pulled the cloud from her eyes, Remus was taken aback slightly.

"What do you want?" Remus said coldly.
"Jesus Christ Rem, it's been what? eight years?" Hope said breathlessly, almost like she hadn't been expecting to actually see her son.

"Actually, it's been nine years, now what the fuck do you want?"
"Remus, I'm sorry—"
"— whatever Hope, save your sorries for Lyall, does he even know where you are? Don't want to upset him, do we?" Remus said, voice bitter with all the memories of the times in his childhood that Hope stood pathetically behind Lyall. Never being able to stand up for them, sitting idle whilst Lyall tormented Remus.

"Everything okay here?" Lily interrupts, walking through with Harry on her hip as she flashes Hope a sceptical look.
"Yeah Lils, I was just telling my mother to leave," Remus said, turning to Lily, forever thankful for her uncanny ability to know whenever he was in distress.

"Oh my... Lily ! Look at you honey, and oh my goodness . Is that your son?" Hope asks, a hand on her chest earnestly. Causing Remus's chest to tighten, remembering all the nights he spent wrapped up in Hope's arms, (whenever Lyall wasn't home).
Lily softened slightly, giving Hope a small smile and a nod as Harry babbled, for a two-year-old, he was extremely talkative.

"Mumma and moony, mamma and moooony," Harry chirped, pointing at Remus with a gap-toothed smile. Lily sighed and passed Harry to Remus on instinct. Remus grabbed Harry, holding the small boy on his hip.

"Remus is he..." Hope said, looking from Lily to Remus with concerned eyes. Remus just laughed, and Lily followed suit, giggling at even the thought of Harry being their baby.
"I know it's been a decade, but you do remember that I'm gay , right?"
"Yes, yes of course, I was just—"
"— Forgetting your own son's sexuality?"

"Remus, come on. That's not fair," Lily said, giving Remus's arm a light punch as Remus brooded, unable to understand why his mum had just come crashing into his life.
"I was hoping if we could just talk, just give me five minutes annwyl, five minutes," Hope pleaded, her light blue eyes filling with tears. Remus looked away, but he nodded.

"Five minutes," Remus finalised, opening up the counter so that Hope could walk through, "Come with me. I'll be back soon Lils," Remus said, ignoring the sympathetic look on Lily's face— he'd talk to her about it later.

Remus walked through the kitchen, trying to ignore how small his mother looked. The two came to the back of the cafè, and Remus opened the back door for Hope, letting her walk out into the alley next to the shop, which was used as a staff entrance or for whenever supplies are getting delivered.

Remus remained silent as he shut the door behind them, reaching in his jean pocket for a light and his packet of cigs, "Do you still smoke?" Remus asked, handing a cig to his mum, who took it gratefully.

"Unfortunately, awful habit, you really shouldn't—" Hope began, before stopping herself to chuckle slightly, "I forget that you're thirty now, and can do whatever the fuck you want." Remus smirks slightly, passing his mum the lighter, taking a draw from his own lit cig.

"Why now Ma? Why not nine years ago, why not last year? Why didn't you even call ?" Remus asked, swallowing his pride and asking her the questions he wanted to know, he needed to know.

Hope closed her eyes for a second, leaning back onto the stone wall and exhaling. She looked so young at that moment, like how she was before . Like how she looked in the fresh-faced pictures she would show Remus when he was little. The pictures she would wistfully look at whilst Lyall was gone,

"That's Mummy before I met your Da," She would say, and even six-year-old Remus knew what she actually meant, "That's Mummy when she was happy."

"I left Lyall," Hope said casually, snubbing out her snout with the toe of her slip-on shoe. Remus's head shot up, looking at his mum like she was some sort of bomb about to go off.

"You—"
"— I left him for good. Forever ." Hope said stiffly, fiddling once again with the buttons on her denim jacket. Remus felt like crying. He felt like laughing, hell , he felt like singing.

"Why, um, and er when?" Remus choked out, snubbing off his cigarette and practically bouncing off of the wall to be face-to-face with his mum.

"When? Well, about..." Hope flipped her wrist to look at her watch, the same one she had been wearing on her wrist for twenty years, ever since her mother died, "Four hours ago?" Hope laughed, a genuine heart-wrenching laugh.

"And, why ?" Remus asked, looking down at his mother. He'd been towering over her since he was 12, which wasn't exactly hard as she was just barely over 5'1.

"He kept me from you, annwyl," Hope said, her voice thickening, her eyes spilling with silent tears as she looked down at the ground, "He knew where you were. The entire time."

"And you didn't?"

Hope shook her head, hastily drying her tears as she laughed tunelessly, "He said that you phoned, and that you said you never wanted to see us again, see me again," she sniffled, looking up and grabbing Remus's hands in her own.

"And like the idiot I was, I believed him. I fucking believed him. I believed him when he said that had no idea where you were. I believed him when he said that you had ran away because of me— "

"Ma, that's not true," Remus assured, squeezing Hope's hand, trying not to cry.
"I know, mo ghràidh, I know," Hope smiled, cupping Remus's scarred face.

"I believed him for so long, and today," Hope paused, steeling herself and letting go of Remus. "I was putting away some old shoes in his wardrobe, and a box fell on me, a big box mind, and it was just filled with newspaper clippings," Hope explained, and Remus's heart dropped, thinking of all the times that the cafè had been in the papers.

"Newspaper clippings of you , this little café, Lily and another guy—"
"— Sirius, his name's Sirius," Remus smiled, and Hope nodded knowingly.

"And Sirius. All these articles Rem, writing about you having the best cafè in Scotland, it was just so amazing," Hope smiled proudly.

"But then I realized that Lyall had been keeping this from me, he knew where you where and he fucking hid it from me," Hope said angrily, her fist clenched, "So I waited until the bastard got home, and I just silently handed him the newspaper and told him that I was done, and I left."

Remus hesitated for a moment, before leaning forward and hugging his mum, burying his head into her hair as she gripped him back tightly.
"I'm so sorry Ma, I should've tried to visit you. I was just so angry , I thought that you hated me," Remus confessed.
"Lyall Lupin eh?" Hope laughed, and Remus chuckled too, glad he had his mum back.

*

"T he Secret History ? An excellent choice!" Remus grinned at the nervous teenager. It was around 4 pm now, and Hope Lupin was still sitting in the cafè, tucked up on an armchair with a copy of Jane Eyre .

"Have a nice day," He waved, watching the random teenager who'd just bought a book walk out, her shoulders slightly less hunched. Remus worriedly looked over to Hope, wondering if she needed a refill on her tea.

"Rem, pack that in. She's fine," Lily said, putting some freshly decorated cakes into the display.
"She thought I hated her Lils," Remus said flatly, heart-wrenching as he was looking at his mother.
Lily put a comforting hand on Remus's shoulder, smiling at him softly, "She's here now , so who the fuck cares about the past?"

Remus nods, blinking his eyes rapidly to try and wick away the oncoming tears. Lily looked at Hope and then back to Remus, a smug smirk playing on her lips.

"Invite your Ma to dinner tonight," Lily said, licking some rogue buttercream that had stuck to her fingers.
"Are you sure? Is that alright?" Remus said, slightly relieved.

"Yes, now go call Sirius, like I know that you're dying to," Lily said, a smug hand plastered on her hip. Remus rolled his eyes but he nodded, practically running to the mini-staff/Harry's room to phone Sirius via the landline.

Tonks was in the room, sitting next to Harry, watching him play in the playpen they had set up for him.
"Yes Harry, that's a bus , clever boy!" Tonks cooed at Harry, waving to Remus who was standing in the doorway.

"Hey boss, need the room?" Tonks asked, picking up Harry and slugging him on her hip, "Don't worry I'll take this little monster through to the library," Tonks said cheerily.

"Wait Tonks?" Remus said, stopping the now-green headed teenager.
"Aye boss?"

"You can just give him to my Ma, she'll look after him, and then you can go home," Remus instructed, knowing how much Hope had wanted to get her hands on adorable baby Harry.

Tonks smiled and mock-saluted, "Aye aye captain. See ya tomorrow?"
"See ya tomorrow," Remus laughed, shaking his head at the eccentric teen.

He walked over and rang the number to Lily and James's inherited manor, hearing the ringtone drawl through the phone, his heart in his throat.

"Yello? Potter residence?" James answered, making Remus wanna smack him in the face.
"It's Remus, put Pads on."
"Hey Moon-shine, one sec-a-rooney," James annoyingly said, making Remus audibly sigh.

He waited for a minute, after hearing James scream for Sirius, obviously forgetting that he was also screaming right in Remus's ear. So, Remus was still recovering when Sirius picked up.

"Hey love, what's happenin?" Sirius answered, his once strong cockney accent now forever tainted with that distinct Scottish drawl, Remus absolutely loved it.

"You'll never fucking guess what's happened Pads," Remus laughed, dragging a hand through his hair.

"Umm, did the café blow up?"
"Considering that I'm phoning you from the café, I'd guess not," Remus deadpanned, but a smile was emerging on his face.

"Okay, okay I cave. What's goin' on?"
"Well, my mum's here," Remus said nervously, awaiting Sirius's reply. The line went quiet.
"Your mum? What is she doing there?" Sirius finally asked.

Remus sat down on the sofa, sighing slightly, "She's left Lyall. He lied to her, told her that he didn't know where I was, hid loads of articles about me, us and the café."

"Holy shit," Sirius breathed out.
"Holy shit indeed. It's crazy, I haven't seen her for like a decade and it just feels so— normal."

Sirius chuckled, "I'm so happy for you Moons. Tell her that she must come to dinner tonight."
"Lils said the same thing, are you and Prongs sure it's okay?"

"More than okay darling," Sirius reassures, and Remus smiles, forgetting all of his worries.
"Thanks Pads, see ya later."
"See ya later, and wear something nice tonight? We're all dressing up," Sirius said suspiciously.

"Dressing up? For a Wednesday night dinner?" Remus scoffs.
"Just do it, alright Lupin?"
"Okay, but do you mean nice as in, church-nice or nice as in sexy?"

"Nice as in sexy," Sirius said gruffly, and Remus laughed.
"See ya Black, I love you."
"Love you too."

*

Remus glanced at himself in the bathroom mirror. Wearing his best not-too-fancy-but-still-posh shirt and his most expensive pair of jeans, he felt awkward. He knew that his mother was in his flat, and that freaked him the fuck out. It was like two alternate realities had collided, and now Hope Lupin was sitting in the living room of the flat he now shared with his boyfriend.

He splashed water on his face, drying it with a towel and stealing some of Sirius's overpriced aftershave. He put on a brave face and left the bathroom, walking into the living room and smiling at his mother.
"What'd ya think?" He asked with a small smile, somehow shy around the woman who had literally given him life. Hope looked up from her mug of tea, smiling as she looked at her boy.

"Mo ghràidh, you look so beautiful. When did my son get to be so handsome?" Hope complimented, and Remus couldn't hide his bashful blush.
"Ma, stop it," Remus laughed, sitting beside her on the sofa, tugging a hand through his hair.

"So, are you intending on telling me about your boyfriend? Or am I going to have to ask him myself?" Hope said cheekily.

Remus batted her away playfully, smiling so wide he thought he might explode, "Well, what's there to say? Um, we've been dating since we were twenty-three, he's best friends with Lily's husband, and that's how I met him. He's English—" Hope rolled her eyes slightly at this, forcing Remus to bite back a smile.

"—Oi, he's not that bad, I've got him well trained now," Remus laughed, and Hope smiled.
"He now owns the shop with me and Lils, and..." Remus paused, unable to hide his smile,
"...I think he might be the love of my life."

*

"Ma stop fidgetin, there's no need to be nervous, it's the Potter's house, not buckingham palace," Remus joked, trying to settle his flustered mother as the two waited at the entrance to the Potter manor, looking at the sign that read:

Potter House
Bed, Breakfast and Beer.
[Rooms Available]

"They might as bloody well be, why didn't you tell me that Lily had married rich?" Hope whined, looking at the manor with some amazement, similarly to how Remus did the first time he saw the house.

"Cause she hasn't trust me, the house it's... inherited," Remus said softly, trying not to think about how Effie and Monty weren't here anymore to welcome him into the house.

His heart panged, he would've thought that after six years he would have stopped missing them, however, Remus knew that he would always miss them, no matter how much time had passed.

"Well it looks awfully poshy, and I'm wearing a denim jacket and jeans," Hope grumbled, and Remus was thankful to see the door finally open.

"Moony! Hello," James greeted, wearing an embarrassingly cheesy apron that said; "World's most mediocre husband," On the front. Which had been a lovely present that Sirius had given James for his six-year wedding anniversary with Lily.
"Oh and is this the fabulous Hope? I always knew that Remus had good genes," James flirted, causing Hope to giggle and flush slightly.

"Oi Potter, you better not be flirtin' with Hope," Lily said, walking up to the front door with Harry on her hip, "Cause that's my job." Lily winked, and Hope burst out into more laughter whilst Remus smiled gratefully at his family.

"Well Lily, I am a single woman now," Hope shrugged, stepping into the house. Remus rolled his eyes and James gave him a hug, "You alright Moons?" James asked, and Remus pulled away, nodding. A small smile in the direction of his mother, who was now gratefully holding Harry like he was baby Jesus.

"Where's Pads?" Remus asked, looking around, unable to locate his boyfriend. James suddenly looked worried as he smiled awkwardly, "Padfoot? He's erm, he's nowhere."

"Wait, he's not here?" Remus questioned.
"No, he is here," James answered awkwardly.

"Great, then tell me where he is," Remus said, folding his arms and looking down at his friend, who looked like he was about to explode. Good thing Remus knew that James couldn't keep a secret to save his life.

"I have to— dinner's getting— bye," James stuttered, before fleeing the hallway and bouncing off to the kitchen, leaving Remus Lupin more confused than ever.

Remus shrugged off the sinking feeling in his stomach, fearing that all of his fears had come true and that Sirius was cheating on him. It had been seven years after all. Maybe Sirius was fed up with him—

"Lupin, your face looks saggier than my vagina, and that's saying something. Since I birthed this ," Lily interrupts, bringing Harry up and waving him in Remus's face. Remus couldn't help as he grabbed onto Harry, blowing raspberries onto the giggling boy's tummy.

"Who's the cheekiest monkey ever, who's my little idiot!" Remus cooed, smiling as Harry infectiously laughed.
"Talking about me again, love?" Sirius said, making Remus whip his head up and smile, seeing his cocky boyfriend.

"Well, I'm not gonna blow raspberries on your stomach," Remus said, a playful smirk on his face as he put Harry down, letting him toddle back to Lily.
"No, you're gonna blow something els—"

"Sirius? Hello, I'm Hope," Hope interrupted, leaving Sirius slightly shell-shocked.

"Hello Mrs Lupin, It's lovely to meet you," Sirius said earnestly, shaking Hope's hand, a nervous smile on his beautiful face. Hope smiled and shook her head slightly,
"Please hen, call me Hope, it's the least I can do to thank you for looking after my boy."
"Ma—"

"— Don't worry Hope, he's the one who's been looking after me," Sirius said, smiling, and Remus knew that he'd won his mum over, the smile that she was giving Remus was that of pure happiness.

Hope was about to say something when James burst through, panting at Sirius whilst babbling, "Padfoot, the roasted pickle is out of the jar, cannot locate pickle."
Apparently, Sirius knew what this meant as his eyes widened, running to James frantically,
"What do you mean it's out of the jar? I put it in the jar inside of the fridge like two minutes ago!"

"I mean , it's out of the bloomin' jar!" James said and the two rang into the kitchen, leaving behind a pair of very confused Lupins.
"Shit, Rem? Did he just say that the roasted pickle was out of the jar?" Lily asked, shuffling over with Harry grabbing at her skirt.

"Um yeah?"
"Crap, um— one minute, have Harry," Lily said as she swished into the kitchen.
Remus lifted Harry up, sharing a look of utter confusion with Hope.

"Do you have any idea what their waffling on about?" Hope asked, and Remus shook his head, walking into the Potter's living room. Remus couldn't lie, when Lily and James had first moved into the manor he couldn't even be in it for too long without crying, the manor had been so odd without Effie and Monty.

However, Lily and James stood it in their stride, giving Remus and Sirius their share of the inheritance to expand the cafè, and using their half to fix up the manor, completely transforming it into a home for them. Even though by then Sirius had already moved out, moving in with Remus into the flat above the shop that he used to share with Lily.

So, to make some money, (and take up some of the empty rooms), they opened it up as a B&B, taking in the travellers who'd decided to visit The Highlands, and surprisingly, the couple had done very well. Turns out there were a lot of gap-yearers who passed through, looking for a break from the shitty youth-hostels or crappy IKEA tents they had purchased, looking to gain some ' culture ' from the Highlands.

In fact, it was one of those pretentious gap-yearers that had now appeared in the living room, sporting a pair of expensive waterproofs that probably cost more than Remus's car.

He was tall, blond and looked like he grew up in some sort of gated community. Remus's inner working-class self almost shivered at the sight of him, he was the total opposite to anything Remus had ever been. Ever. Remus guessed that by the matching look of disgust on his mothers face, she was thinking the exact same thing.

"Oh hello, I'm guessing that you're the staff? I've got my room but I can't seem to find the trouser press anywhere!" The posh todd said, his accent resembling Sirius's when Remus had first met him, forcing Remus to suppress a smile.

"The... Staff?" Hope said slowly, bouncing Harry on her hip.
"Well, you must be the nanny," The man said, as if it was Harry's god-given right to have a nanny. That time Remus did laugh.

"Anyways, so... trouser press?" The expectant dickhead said to Remus, who was now starting to feel less amused.
"Are you on a gap year by any chance?" Remus asked, unable to control himself, the man smiled.
"Oh yes, I'm backpacking through Europe as a gift from my parents, thought I'd come see the rustic Highlands for myself."

Remus nodded and his mother let out a giggle, "That's lovely, so Mummy and Daddy are paying for it, ya?"
As if the posh tod had suddenly gained some self-awareness, he furrowed his eyebrows, looking down at Remus.

"I don't know how that's relevant to the trouser press? Now, can you tell me where it is?"

Remus felt a surge of anger run through him, not just because of this one posh yob, but because of all the posh yobs like this that had bullied him his whole life.
"I think that you'll find dickweed, is that I don't bloody work here, it's my family's house," Remus snarked, loving the sight of seeing the twat sink a bit lower, a flush appearing on his pale skin.

"Oh... Sorry," He said, skirting out of the room as fast as his designer brand waterproof covered legs could carry him. Remus laughed and looked over to Hope, who looked slightly deflated.
"Your family?" She asked quietly, careful not to wake the now sleeping Harry.

Remus looked at his mother, unsure of what to say, "Lily, James and Sirius are my family, but it doesn't mean that you can't be a part of it." He grabbed his mothers hand, and she smiled softly.

"Rem?" Lily said in a whisper, standing at the doorway, smiling softly.
"Hey Lils," He whispered back, pointing to the sleeping Harry on Hope's lap. Lily smiled and quietly tip-toed over, picking up the sleeping Harry.

"Rem, Sirius is waiting for you in the garden," Lily whispered, and Remus stood up, ready to confront Sirius on why he was acting so weird.

He nodded at his mum and Lily before leaving, walking through the house and through the back door, towards their 'spot ' in the garden. Remus stepped into the night air, seeing that the usually lit garden was pitch black. He froze for a moment before whisper-shouting, "Sirius? Pads? Where the fuck are you?"

"Over here," Sirius whispered back, and Remus turned left, walking towards the darkness, with the only sounds he could hear being the crunch of the grass underneath his feet, and his own breaths.

"Sirius this isn't fucking funny, now tell me what the hell we're doing out here and why you've been acting so strange," Remus demanded, ceasing his steps and standing, shouting into the night air hoping that Sirius could hear him.

"Tell me! Tell me why you've been gone so much lately, are you fed up with me? Is it someone else? Have— have you met someone else?" Remus asked, his voice cracking as he shouted into the darkness, voicing the fears that had been building over the last few weeks.

Remus felt the night still, the silence that remained in the air broke his heart. He stayed like that for a moment, before taking one deep breath and turning around, ready to cry as soon as he stepped into the house. He was about to start walking when he heard a panicked whisper.

"Prongs, turn them on, NOW."

Remus was about to ask what the hell was going on, when suddenly the entire garden was lit up.

Hundreds of fairy lights twinkled all over the bushes, lining the paths and wrapping around the trees. Remus watched as the garden was set alight, the golden glow framing the night perfectly. He smiled, and turned— seeing a sparkling pagoda, and the love of his life standing underneath it, smiling nervously.

"Sirius?" Remus laughed, feeling all of his anger bubble away as he watched Sirius stand at their spot, dressed in a ridiculously sexy suit, looking like he was just plucked out of a Ralph Lauren ad.

"Remus, I could never be fed up with you. Ever since I stepped foot in this strange little village, you've had my heart wrapped around your beautiful fingers," Sirius began, and Remus smiled, walking back up the path to meet him.

"Then, I saw your book-shop café, I knew that I just had to get this ridiculously adorable baker, who makes the most delicious muffins, into my bed," Sirius winked, and Remus blushed, lovingly rolling his eyes at his boyfriend.

"Pads—" Remus began, but Sirius shook his head, putting a finger on Remus's lips.
"There has never been anyone but you Moony. You're it for me. I want to wake up next to you forever, I want to fight with you forever, I want to eat your stupidly amazing cupcakes forever ," Sirius said, his voice shaking as he got down onto one knee.

"Holy fucking shit— Holy shit —" Remus whispered, tears forming in his eyes, his hands clasped over his mouth as Sirius laughed, taking out a box.

"Remus John Lupin. My Moony . Will you do me the honour of putting up with me? For the rest of our lives?"

Sirius opened the box, presenting a thick, silver ring that was engraved with Celtic crosses that wrapped around the outside. Remus wiped away a tear, grabbing Sirius and pulling him up to meet him, kissing him with all of his might.

"Yes you stupid posh Englishman, yes ," Remus said, pulling away, watching as all the anxiety melted from Sirius's face, slipping the ring onto Remus's finger.

"GUYS, HE SAID YES," Lily yelled, and a scream of cheers erupted from the other side of the garden, where now a small group was gathered, watching the two with anticipation.

The two broke their kiss to see the people that the majority of Godric's Hollow was now crowded on the patio, cheering. Remus felt a tear slip down his cheek, which was quickly wiped away by Sirius.

" This is what you've been doing?" Remus asked, still in shock.
"Do you realise how hard it's been trying not to tell you? Getting Prongs to keep a bloody secret?" Sirius laughed, and Remus kissed his cheek, hanging onto his waist, perfectly elated.

"I think you've made a mistake Moons, I hear that Sirius wouldn't make a very good wife," James said, throwing an arm around Remus, the biggest grin possible plastered over his face.
"Who said that?" Sirius asked, poking James in the side.

"I did," Lily said, a huge grin over her face as she brought a camera up, pointing it towards the boys.

"Right now, say... Sirius smells!" Lily said, and the boys all got into positions.
"Sirius smells!" All three of them said, laughing like lunatics afterwards.

"Right, now tell me, how long did it take to put up all of these lights?" Remus asked, hugging Lily.
"Too long, I still have nightmares about untangling fairy lights," James said, and Remus shook his head at him.

"Thank you guys," Remus said, bringing in his family for a group hug. They all laughed again, and Remus scanned the grass, eyes falling on his teary-eyed mother, who was approaching the group with a hand on her chest.

"Oh mo ghràidh, congratulations!" She said, grabbing Remus's face in her hands and kissing his cheeks, before turning to Sirius, "Oh pet, thank you!" Hope grabbed the blushing Sirius, kissing him on the cheeks and hugging him fiercely.

Remus smiled, looking at his family with pride.

*

The rest of the evening was spent getting congratulated, with Marlene, Dorcas and their baby girl, gifting the newly engaged couple the fanciest bottle of champagne that Remus had ever seen. The Weasleys made an appearance, with their expansion of three new children. Even Horace was there, discussing and still trying to prove his innocence over the Case Of The Missing Hose ™ .

The tired couple finally arrived back at their flat, after saying their goodbyes and setting Hope up in a bed at Dorcas and Marlene's Inn. Sirius opened the door for Remus, smiling softly as the Scottish man kicked his shoes off.

"We should get engaged every week if the booze is that good," Remus hiccuped. Both of them were more than tipsy, and Sirius barked with laughter at this.
"Just wait for the wedding Moons," Sirius said, shrugging off his suit jacket and unfastening his tie, sitting next to Remus on their sofa.

"Holy shit. We're getting married ," Remus said, grabbing Sirius's arm and smiling. Sirius nodded, pushing some of the hair out of Remus's face, "Can I take your name? I don't want to ever be a part of the Black family ever again."

Remus nodded, bringing Sirius's head down so that it was on his chest, stroking his long dark hair and sighing, "I wouldn't want it any other way, love."

Sirius nodded, but suddenly went still.
"I wish Mum and Dad could be there," Sirius said after a pregnant pause, and Remus nodded, kissing the top of Sirius's head.

"Effie would've loved that proposal."
"She probably would've killed me for not doing it sooner."

Remus burst out into laughter, "Yeah she probably would've." Sirius followed Remus in his laughter, bringing Remus's knuckles to his lips.

"So, can I now ask what the hell 'roasted pickle is out of the jar' meant?" Remus asked, and Sirius laughed, burying his face in his hands.
"It was code for, 'the engagement ring is out of its box.' Prongs like the idiot he is, almost lost the ring because he put it on the counter to shine and then forgot where he put it," Sirius explained, and Remus lifted his hand, looking at the ring lovingly.

"Well I'm glad he didn't lose it, it's perfect," Remus said, and Sirius looked up at him, smiling.
"I want you to have one too Pads," Remus said, and Sirius's smile expanded, nodding happily.

"I love you so much Moon-baker, probably too much," Sirius admitted, turning so he was now laying his head on Remus's stomach.

"I love you more, Pads. Thank you for ruining my perfectly peaceful life," Remus said, smiling as Sirius gave him a kiss.

"Anytime Moony, anytime."

*

A/N

End Curtain.

That's it! The End.

This story has been SO fun to write and it's the first full-length fic I've ever finished, thank you all for all your support, your comments, kudos and kind words have meant the world.

Check out some of my other Marauders fics, and I hope I did the ending justice.

Thank you!