All I Need: Epilogue
Epilogue
Severus absently carded his fingers through his hair, one eye on his family who were making a fool of themselves in the Atlantic Ocean, the other on the double baby carriage holding the twins.
As their belated wedding present - they could only leave after the school ended for the year - the Malfoys had offered them a week-long stay at their beachside Chateau in Arcachon, all other expenses paid by Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes courtesy of George and Harry.
The strain of caring for a pair of very active newborns while taking care of a hyperactive three year old - thank Merlin, Minerva had given him the year off teaching - had been enough to drive him up the wall and he had grabbed at the opportunity like a drowning man to a floating straw.
But the honeymoon had turned into a family vacation when Teddy had thrown a tantrum, attaching himself to his father's leg and practically begging them to not leave him behind and Severus had turned to Remus looking for the world like a kicked crumpet, that Remus had no choice but to comply. So, they bundled up their entire troupe and landed here - Remus already preparing mental apologies for the havoc that a three-year old tornado would no doubt leave in his wake.
But so far it had been an easy going, barring only a few minor skirmishes… nothing that Severus couldn't, with threats of banning sweets, control. Like this morning when Teddy had apparently decided that as an older brother, he was perfectly within his limits to get his jollies from transforming his hair flaming red and his nose into a more pronounced version of their father's "beak" and entertaining his sibllings with loud animalistic noises. The twins had been inconsolable and Remus had had his hands full with two wailing infants and a very sleep deprived Severus. Finally, Teddy had taken a pity on him and tackled the more difficult task of placating the irate parent, and Severus had calmed down enough to suggest an outing to the beach.
Severus turned his attention to the carrier, leaning down to uncover the tiny faces. The fraternal twins Luke and Leia (Remus' suggestions, though Severus claimed he had been unfairly outvoted) gurgled and fussed sleepily, then almost simultaneously turned towards each other and immediately quieted down.
Both Molly and George had warned them that the twins would be inseparable, at least for the first few years, and Severus had started praying that twins took after Remus' mum in temperament. Because if Remus' mischievous "Marauder" streak was combined with Severus' temper and tendency to hold grudges, the results would be very disastrous… especially for those who would have to deal with it. Remus had laughed when Severus had initially expressed his concerns, but even he had started praying for the same.
"Hey!" Remus greeted quietly, placing the squirming brat beside his father's chair. The boy immediately clambered onto the beach lounge, latching on to the reclining man with a contented sigh. "How's my beautiful man?" he asked, leaning down to press his lips against his husband's temple.
"Fine," Severus smiled tiredly, silently casting Drying and Scourgifying Charms over Teddy, while ogling the way Remus' swimming trunks clung tightly to his legs and the rather well-endowed organ like second skin. He blushed, thinking about the spectacular way Remus had woken him up, before the twins had started wailing from Draco's old nursery, tilting his head to offer up his cheek.
Remus grinned and pressed his lips to the cheek, then flopped on the mat beside the lounge, leaning in to press soft kisses to the tiny heads. He looked up to find Severus looking at him with a strange expression. "Sevy?" he asked worriedly, a little wary to presume Severus' needs because he still wasn't comfortable asking for help, and Remus did not want to chance hurting him again.
Severus smiled and raised his hand to his husband's cheek. "I'm fine, Remy," he replied, using the term of endearment he used only it was just the two of them and he was feeling extremely contented. "Really."
Remus relaxed and leaned into the touch, turning his head slightly to press a kiss into his palm, and Severus smiled shyly knowing that as long as he had his Remus and their kids, he would always be fine.
TimeStamp: Naming of the Two