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“I can’t believe they’re having another baby.” James says while sitting next to his husband on the floor.
“Two, actually.” Regulus says as he places blocks on top of each other. Which doesn’t stand for very long, as a tiny hand knocks them over. Regulus lets out a faux sigh of exasperation and spreads his arms wide, a giggle escaping the little boy sitting beside him.
Regulus and James are currently babysitting Remus and Sirius’ son Colt, while they’re at the hospital adding two new Lupin’s to the family.
James lets out a low whistle, “Two newborns and a one year old. Wow.”
“Colt is two in December.” Regulus says absentmindedly as he continues to play with his nephew.
James hums, “Still, three kids under three. No thank you.”
Regulus grits his teeth, “Well at least they have kids.” he says bitterly. James looks at him confused, clearly taken aback by the harshness of his voice, Regulus ignores him.
Picking up on the tension between the two adults, Colt looks at them with wide eyes, his bottom lip starting to tremble. Guilt starts to nab at Regulus as he sees that his nephew was getting upset because of him.
Standing up, Regulus picks Colt up and places him on his hip, “Come on buddy, let’s go get some food.”
James watched as they left, still feeling confused. James didn’t know what just happened, one minute they were talking about the new additions and the next, Regulus was angry with him.
James stood up and followed Regulus into the kitchen, leaning against the doorway he watched as his husband fed his nephew some banana.
“Did I do something?” James asked.
Regulus glanced at him and quickly looked away, handing Colt another piece of banana.
James walked over and sat on the chair opposite him, “Regulus.”
“What.” Regulus says, not looking at James.
“Can you look at me please?”
Regulus huffs and reluctantly looks towards James, “What.” he repeats.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.”
“Then why are you in a mood?”
“I’m not.”
James sighs, “Regulus, talk to me.”
Regulus’ eyes flitted between Colt and James, before settling on Colt.
“You sounded like you didn’t want any kids.” he whispered, wiping Colt’s face clean.
Not for the first time that night James was confused. How on earth did he come up with that?
“What are you talking about?”
“You don’t want kids.”
James frowned at him, “I never said that.”
“You might as well have.”
James was thinking back, clearly trying to remember something he never said.
“Reg, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Regulus huffed, god he has such a stupid husband. “In the living room,” James still looked confused, “When you said ‘three kids under three. No thank you’ remember that?”
A look of realisation appeared on James’ face, “Oh love,” James reached out and grasped Regulus’ free hand in his own. “I just meant that having three kids that are so young is going to be hard. Of course I want kids.”
Regulus looked at him, “Really?” he asked in a soft hesitant voice.
James smiled, “Really.” he leaned over and planted a kiss on Regulus’ lips.
Regulus pulled back, “I’m such an idiot.”
James laughed, “Yeah, you are.”
Regulus shook his head and hit James’ arm. They were leaning in again but were interrupted by Colt.
“No kissy, yucky.” he said and scrunched up his face in disgust. James and Regulus laughed.
Once Colt had finished his bananas they settled back in the living room, Colt sitting in between James and Regulus. The tv was playing a children's movie, making Colt giggle every now and then.
Regulus looked up at James, “You really want a baby?”
James smiled at him, “I do.” he kissed Regulus on the top of his head.
“Okay then.” Regulus smiled at him.
Just as they were settling into the movie the doorbell rang, James reluctantly detached himself and went over to the door. The voices of small children echoed into the living room. James came back a few minutes later and resituated himself back onto the couch.
“Do you think we should have taken him trick or treating?” James looked at his nephew who was entranced in the movie.
Regulus shook his head, “No, I think there’s enough going on today.”
James nodded, “Fair enough. How do you think it’s going?” he asked, hoping that everything was fine.
“I’m sure everything’s good. Remus is probably silently freaking out,” James chuckled, thinking back to when Sirius went into labour with Colt. It was the middle of the night, and James woke up to a phone call from a very frantic Remus. Now that he thinks about it, that’s what happened this time, only it was in the morning. James smiled at the thought of his friend and his nervous energy. “And Sirius is most likely being amazing like he was last time.”
James nodded, remembering when Colt was born. Him and Regulus were with them in the room, they watched as Remus helped Sirius through labour, soothing him during contractions and holding his hand during the birth. Sirius was incredible that day, James could hardly believe that his best friend had actually had a baby.
“Yeah.” James said smiling, he reached over and ruffled Colt’s curls making the young boy laugh.
Regulus looked at James who pulled Colt onto his lap and began tickling him, the shrieks of laughter bringing a smile to his face. James was amazing with Colt, he could picture James with their own child and he couldn’t wait for the day that happened.
Maybe they could start trying? At least now he knows that James actually wants a child, so he doesn’t have to worry about that now.
He was slightly jealous of his brother and brother-in-law for having children, when he found out about Colt he was happy but also upset. And when he found out Sirius was pregnant again, this time with twins, he was devastated. Of course he was happy he was getting two more nephews but that feeling of resentment was so strong, it hurt.
He remembers that night, Sirius and Remus had asked them over for dinner and after they’d finished eating they announced Sirius’ pregnancy. When they arrived home Regulus went straight to the shower and cried.
He didn’t tell James how he was feeling, James was so excited and he didn’t want to ruin that. He thought that Remus might know how he was feeling, whenever anyone had mentioned the babies, Remus had subtly looked at him trying to decipher his expression.
Remus had never confronted him about it and for that he was grateful.
His thoughts were interrupted by James jumping off the couch and squealing at his phone. Colt made a distressed noise at practically being shoved onto the couch, his face landing on the cushion.
Regulus looked at his husband dancing around like a mad man, wondering what on earth is making him act like this.
Regulus cleared his throat, “Mind sharing with the class?” James stopped dancing and looked at his husband who had an expectant look on his face, he also saw that his nephew was sitting back up and had his little arms crossed, looking like he wanted to hit James.
Brushing past the fact that his nephew wants to murder him, he bounded over to Regulus and shoved the phone in his face.
There on the screen was a photo of Remus and Sirius, each holding a bundle in their arms. Remus had a big smile on his face and Sirius, although looking exhausted, was also smiling.
“They’re here!” James shouted, Regulus winced at the volume of his voice, James picked Colt up and began spinning him around, Colt giggling in his arms. “Reg, they’re here!”
Regulus looked at him amused, “I know, I saw.” James eventually calmed down and sat back onto the couch, Colt sitting on his lap. James took the phone off Regulus and showed it to Colt.
“What do you think buddy?” James asked as he showed him the photo of his parents and new brothers.
“Mummy, daddy!” Colt exclaimed, pointing at Sirius and Remus.
“Yeah, mummy and daddy. But look at what’s in their arms.”
Colt looked closer at the photo, his face scrunched up in confusion, his tongue sticking out as if he was trying to solve something difficult. Taking pity on his nephew, Regulus pointed towards the two bundles.
“Do you see that,” Colt nodded, “They’re your new little brothers.” Colt gasped.
“Woah.” Colt said drawing out the o. James and Regulus smiled at the awestruck look on his face.
“You’re a big brother buddy.” James told him, smiling.
“Like mama.”
“Yeah, like mama.” Regulus smiled at James from over the top of Colt’s head.
“Did they say when we can go over?” Regulus asked James, wanting to see his new nephews.
James nodded, “Remus said to come in the morning, he wants to let Sirius rest for a little bit.”
Regulus hummed, “Makes sense.” he ran his fingers through Colt’s curls, the little boy still staring at the phone. “How is he?”
James took the phone back from Colt and looked through the messages. “He’s doing good, just tired.”
Regulus nodded, he wrapped his arms around Colt, who had climbed onto his lap after James took the phone back. Colt cuddled into Regulus’ chest, his head resting in the crook of his shoulder and neck. James smiled at his husband and nephew, feeling a wave of love wash over him.
He loves his family and he can’t wait to meet the two new members of it. He especially can’t wait until himself and Regulus add to it.
As they headed up to Sirius’ hospital room, Regulus was trailing behind James who was running up the halls with Colt, unaware of the scowls they were receiving, Regulus smiled to himself and apologised to the staff members.
When he caught up to them they were waiting outside the door, practically jumping in excitement. Regulus shook his head fondly and knocked on the door. They heard a faint ‘come in’ and Regulus was pushed out of the way as James ran into the room, Colt hot on his heels.
Regulus entered the room and softly closes the door behind him and makes his way towards the others. Colt had already situated himself on top of the bed, he was sitting on his heels looking at his parents excitedly.
“Hey Reg.” Sirius says tiredly, Regulus notes the dark circles under his eyes and his skin is slightly more pale than what it usually is. He looks exactly like he did when Colt was born.
“Hey Siri,” Regulus smiled at him, “How’re you feeling?”
“I’m, y‘know,” he makes a gesture with his hand, Regulus nods, understanding what he means. It’s a gesture that they used when they were younger, if one of them asks how the other is, they use that gesture to let them know that they’re okay without saying it. A way for them to communicate without letting their parents hear them. Just as he’s about to ask Remus, James buts in.
“Come on,” he whines, “I want to see the babies.” Regulus looks at his husband as he pouts, looking like a child. Colt is also eagerly nodding his head.
Remus chuckles at them, “Alright, alright, calm down.” He walks over to the two bassinets and carefully picks up one of the babies. He gently places the first baby in Regulus’ arms and after he picks up the second, he places him in James’ arms.
“Reg, you’re holding Christopher, he’s the oldest. And James, you have Jack.” Sirius says smiling at them.
Regulus looks at his nephew with awe, “Hey, little man.” he says lovingly, brushing his thumb across his face before placing a finger in Christopher’s hand, the baby gripping tightly onto his uncle’s finger. He glanced over at James and saw tears in his husbands eyes as he cooed over the little boy. He turned towards Sirius and Remus and smiled at them. “They’re beautiful.”
Remus nods softly, “yeah, they are.” he says affectionately, completely in love with his two little boys.
“They’re perfect.” James whispers, admiring his nephews. Regulus feels his heart clench, he so desperately wants to give James a baby.
“Of course they are, they’re mine.” Sirius laughs, Remus nudges his shoulder but his lips quirk up. Colt makes a noise gaining the attention of the four adults. “You okay baby?” Sirius asks him as he gently places his son on his lap.
Colt leans against his mother’s chest and looks up at him with wide eyes, “Babies!” he says and points at the twins.
“You want to see the babies?” Remus asks him softly, Colt nods his head eagerly.
James and Regulus walk to the side of the bed and lower their arms letting the boy see his little brothers.
Colt peers at them and carefully pokes them both in the face. When they don’t do anything he pokes them again slightly harder, causing Remus to pull his son's hand away.
“Careful buddy, you need to be gentle with them, okay?”
“Sorry daddy.” Colt says, his eyes starting to shine with unshed tears.
“Hey, it’s okay, you didn’t know.” Sirius soothes, running his hand through Colt’s curly hair. Colt nods and sniffles, he turns his gaze back towards his little brothers.
“Sorry babies.” he whispers and carefully touches their cheeks. Remus and Sirius look at their son with love as he interacts with his new brothers.
Remus sits beside Sirius on the bed and reaches his arms out for Christopher, Regulus obliges and hands him over. James does the same with Sirius, he gently passes Jack to his mother and steps towards the end of the bed, wrapping an arm around Regulus.
“Ima be the bestest big brother ever!” Colt shouts happily, a big smile adorning his face.
Remus and Sirius smile at him, “We know you will be buddy.” Remus tells him.
“Actually,” Regulus buts in, “You have some competition little man.” he tells his nephew who looks up at him with amber eyes, a perfect replica of his fathers.
“Huh?” he says confusingly.
“Your mama is also a big brother, remember?” Colt nods, “Well, I personally think that your mama is the best big brother ever.” Regulus turns to Sirius and smiles at him. Sirius stares at his little brother with shining eyes.
“You do?” Sirius asks him softly.
Regulus gives him a disbelieving look, “Obviously.” he says like it’s the most ridiculous question to ask.
“Oh, okay.” Sirius smiles at him and Regulus happily returns it.
Their relationship wasn’t the best when they were younger, and Sirius thought that Regulus still held a bit of resentment towards him. But knowing that he thinks that Sirius is the best brother fills him with so much joy and relief.
The day passes by quickly, Regulus and James leaving the hospital after saying goodbye to their friends and nephews, James carrying a sleeping Colt in his arms.
As they make their way home Regulus glances at James and grasps onto his hand interlocking their fingers together. “I think we should start trying.” Regulus tells him.
James quickly darts his eyes towards him before focusing back on the road, “Trying? Like for a baby?”
“Yeah.” Regulus picks at his nails, “Do you not want to?” Regulus asks hesitantly.
James smiles at him, “I want to Reg, bloody hell of course I do.”
Regulus returns his smile, “Good. How about when we get home?” James chokes and glances at Colt who’s sleeping peacefully in the back, “He’ll be asleep.” Regulus tells him.
James chuckles and brings Regulus’ hand up to his mouth, kissing it softly, “You’re crazy,” James says and shakes his head, “Let's do it. Let’s have a baby.”
Regulus grins at him, James returning it. He can’t believe they’re actually going to try for a baby. He can’t wait until they bring a child into the world, he just hopes it will be soon.
Little does he know that in a couple weeks he's going to fall pregnant, and in nine months they’re going to be welcoming a little boy called Harry into the world. Completing their family.
Sirius and Remus though, they have to wait another eighteen years to complete theirs with little Teddy. But, until then, they’re perfectly happy with their little family.