"I don't know Remus! Just pick a damned shirt!" he winced at Sirius's voice yelling through the phone.
"I just wanna look nice!" he protested. "'Dromeda and Ted won't give a damn! Just grab that red shirt, throw on those brown pants, slap on that black tie, put your coat on. I'll be at the shop in fifteen minutes."
"Okay, okay, calm yourself." Remus tied his tie swiftly, grabbing his coat, keys, phone and wallet as he rushed out the door. Then he stopped, took a few steps back and actually remembered to lock the door.

Remus found himself running through the cold to the coffee shop. The evening wasn't as chilly as the ones before, and it seemed like a good 50 degrees Fahrenheit, unusual for a November Thursday night. He had a light jacket on, with his phone, keys, and wallet in his pockets. He had contemplated bringing a book earlier, but decided against it.

Remus ran a hand through his wavy sandy brown hair, brushing some of it to the side. He shoved the other hand in his pocket. He stood outside the closed coffee shop, leaning against the window, looking like nervous wreck with his messy hair, unsteady posture, and shaky expression.

He spotted a child and teenage boy walking down the sidewalk a foot or two in front of him. The child, a girl of no more than five seemed to see Remus and smiled at him with a wave while her older brother (he guessed by their body language) looked on quizzically. Remus grinned back. Then he heard more footsteps coming down the street. He looked up to see Tonks, smiling at him.

She wore a button up red and black plaid dress tied at the waist with a braided leather belt that fell just above her knees, with a leather jacket on top. Her black leather boots slapped against the pavement as she walked towards him. Tonks wore more makeup than usual. Her heart-shaped lips were painted red, and when she blinked, he saw the delicate eyeshadow she'd brushed on. Her long eyelashes weren't in need of mascara. Her cheeks were a light pink from blush. Remus couldn't help but stare, her eyes were shining as she laughed.

"Happy Thanksgiving," she greeted kindly, arms open for an embrace.
"Happy Thanksgiving." he answered, hugging her tightly.
"Excuse me," they heard a little voice say, "I really like your hair."

They glanced down to see the little girl who clutched her brother's hand tightly. The child wore pigtails in her blond hair, under a blue hat. She was dressed in black leggings, a pink shirt with an animal on it, and a jacket. Her brother wore jeans and a flannel shirt under a coat. They shared the same blond hair. Remus smiled.

Tonks knelt down on the sidewalk, eager to talk to the little girl, "Thank you. And I really like your shirt."
The little girl giggled, "Really?"
"Yes! What animal is that?"
"It's a flamingo!" the child answered, covering her mouth with her hand as she giggled.
"It that your favorite animal?" Tonks asked, her eyes twinkling.
The girl nodded, "Yes! What's your favorite animal?"
"My favorite animal is a rabbit."
"They're so cute and fluffy!"

Remus looked on happily as Tonks and the little girl chatted about animals. They seemed to chat as equals, and never once did Tonks make the little girl seem less than her. Remus found himself watching this girl with a smile. A fluttering and warm feeling blossomed in his stomach as his heart thumped. He felt the smile on his face was unable to be put away. He admired her. That kindness and gentleness. That smile. Oh lord, Remus didn't know what he was thinking.

The little girl asked one more question before she and her brother left, "Is that your boyfriend?"
Tonks laughed, throwing a brown curl over her shoulder, "No, we're friends."
"Oh." The girl sounded disappointed, "It's nice you're friends with a boy. The ones at my school are so annoying." He heard Tonks laughed after the little girl had added this.
"Come on Sophie, Mom and Dad want us home now." her brother urged, "Say bye."
"Bye."

Tonks waved at them, as did Remus. What she had said about them hurt for some reason. He couldn't control the aching his chest. Why did it hurt? It's an honest statement and they were just friends. Remus knew better than to force himself on a lady who wasn't interested.

He saw Tonks smiling softly, golden waves of a gentle kindness seemed to radiate from her. Her chocolate colored eyes were shining as the little girl skipped down the sidewalk with her brother, raving as she walked and her brother laughed, not mockingly but supportively.

They saw a black car pull up and horn at them. Remus found himself jumping at the sound. The window rolled down, and Sirius's teasing smirk could be seen from miles away.

"I call shot gun." Tonks said, winking at him. Remus laughed.
"Hey people! Get in car, we're gonna be late!"
"Calm yourself, Sirius. You act like Mum and Dad will care." she flicked a lock of hair over her shoulder as she spoke.

Remus was trying to be polite when he opened the side door, of course they needed up grabbing the handle at the same time, and he found himself blushing profusely. I screwed up, he thought. She was laughing sat down inside the car while Remus sat in backseat.

They drove while listening to some band or singer that Tonks and Sirius liked. Remus actually liked the songs, which was strange for him, since he preferred classical music.

After driving for a while, stopped in front of a kind looking little house. The walls were a white color with marble stairs leading to the door. The roof tiles were red, it the house itself was two stories tall. The doors opened to reveal an even kinder looking woman with dark hair and eyes, who embraced Tonks and Sirius eagerly.

"Happy Thanksgiving, Mum." Tonks gestured to him, "That's our friend Remus. You know, the one I said would be spending Thanksgiving with us."
He gave a small wave while the woman held out her pale hand, "Happy Thanksgiving, Remus, I'm Andromeda, Dora's mum. My husband's inside finishing up the turkey."

They all hurried inside to get away from the evening chill. Sirius and Tonks both eyed the tray of cookies sitting on the table eagerly. They both reached out to grab one, as Andromeda smacked their hands sharply, berating them that dessert was for after the dinner. Remus laughed, feeling a warm feeling in his chest.

So this is what a normal family was like, he thought.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! (Merry Christmas Eve to those on my side of the world.)
I HOPE YOU GUYS HAVE FUN WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND GET A LOT OF PRESENTS AND EAT FOOD.
🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄

And ID LOVE TO SHOW YOU A PAINTING I FINISHED RECENTLY!

(The lighting makes it look better than it actually is.)

SEE YOU ALL NEXT CHAPTER.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
LOVE YOU!
Abby