Chapter Text
It was an exciting night at the little bookstore as curious fans lined up in front of the table, waiting for their turn to have the book signed by the author.
The author himself would not stop smiling. As he sat there, signing books after books, and granting requests for selfie, he had gotten to meet various kinds of people: From an old-time fan of his former band to a former student. Hell, he even had an HIV/AIDS activist coming to ask him if he would be willing to talk on their podcast.
Meanwhile, at the far end of the room, a pink-haired woman seemed to be struggling with a little boy --who just would not stay put. If he was not running around, the toddler would shout and point at things. Including his mother.
“Tonks!” he shouted. “Tooonks!”
“Teddy, no! How many times should I tell you … You can’t call me ‘Tonks’! I’m your mother!”
“Tooooonks!” this time, he pulled his mother’s leather jacket angrily.
All the visitors in the room laughed at the sight.
The man himself could only shake his head, but there was no hiding the happiness in his eyes.
--
“I hate it when people said that,” Tonks protested.
She was crouching in front of the pram, fastening the seat belt to keep Teddy safe as he dozed off. Meanwhile, Lupin stood behind it, waiting for them to be ready.
“Which part?”
“You know, when they say things like ‘Oh, must be nice to have your wife following you around. She’s such a dutiful wife.’ What the fuck? I mean, I’m not your servant. What year do they think it is?”
“Oh, that one. Yeah, that’s annoying. But don’t worry, I …”
“Sorry, do you mind handing me the wet wipes?”
“Oh. Coming.”
Lupin reached inside the bag to hand his wife a pack of wet wipes.
“His hands are really dirty, he really won’t stop touching things these days …”
“Well, the life of a toddler.”
“Yeah … Alright, he’s good. Let’s go!”
The couple made the move to leave the little bookstore, bracing the cold autumn night. As they walked down the street, Tonks would not stop hugging her husband’s arm, putting her head on his shoulder as he pushed the pram gently.
“You were saying something before this?”
“Oh, that. Well, he said these things about you following me around and serving me, right? Well, I turned back his words …”
Tonks lifted her head. “What did you say?”
“Simple. I told him that next summer your band is going on a tour. And since it’s a holiday, Teddy and I will be following you around and serving you.” Lupin smiled. “Like a dutiful husband. He seemed pretty shocked."
Tonks burst out laughing. “Oh, I love you!”
The couple continued their walk until they arrived at an area where there are quaint shops and restaurants around. People were gathering at some spots in the pavement, talking and laughing as fog coming out of their mouth.
The air was cheerful but that was not the reason why our couple stopped and stared.
“Remus, this place …”
“Yes, this …”
“This is where we had our first dinner! Look, that’s it! That’s the place!”
Tonks would not stop pointing at things as more and more familiar spots showed up. “That’s the electric shop! Oh my God, that bloke is still working there!”
“Well, at least he doesn’t look very bored now.”
“And that’s where we pranked the tourists!”
The excitement peaked until the couple stopped under a lamp post. Suddenly, the mood became sombre.
“This place doesn’t really change, does it? Meanwhile, we …” Tonks sighed. “So many things had happened.”
Lupin reached out to give his wife a hug. “Well, for a start, there’s three of us now.”
“Yeah. Three of us,” Tonks chuckled, staring at the pram before she suddenly lifted her head. “Do you think it’s too early to teach Teddy to prank people?”
She stuck out her tongue as she waited for his reply.
“Honey.” Lupin closed his eyes exhaustedly. “Do you know how much trouble that will lead us to? As his parents?”
Tonks blushed. “Oh …”
“A lot,” Lupin stressed, his eyes widened.
“Right, sorry.”
“Which is why we need to start as soon as possible.”
Laughing, Tonks punched her husband playfully on the arm. Once their laughter had died down, the couple shared a kiss under the warm light of the lamp post, as their little boy slept on inside his pram.
Their world might be small, but it was enough for the three of them.
END