Sirius paused and took a deep breath as he slowly opened the door to Cat’s bedroom. Peering in, he smiled tenderly as his heart grew warm at the sight of her. She was sleeping peacefully, her hair splayed over the pillows and her lips parted slightly. “Oh Cat” he sighed softly as he leaned against the door, remembering the comfort of her warm flesh and wishing he could join her.

“Well, go on then” a woman’s voice said from behind him “You’re every bit as tired as she is, and I know you want to be near her.”

Sirius shook his head “I can’t … I mean…”

“Listen to Aunt Orpha” she cooed, “Kitty needs to heal, to do that she needs to feel loved and be comforted, she loves you and Harry both, and it terrified her to think either of you could have died. Besides I’m right here, nothing will happen.” she added, raising an eyebrow at him. “Right?”

“Of course” Sirius replied “It’s just,…. Aunt Orpha, I miss her so much, and its been so long since I’ve been ‘with’ a woman. I’m afraid of what I might do…heaven help me I love her so much.” he explained as his voice cracked with emotion.

“I know you do dear, just as I know she still loves you.” Orpha responded, “Go to her, offer her your arms and your heart, I doubt very much that she will refuse you.” she said as she gently pushed Sirius towards Cat’s bed as she herself took a seat on the chair, picking up a stray book that Cat must have been reading earlier.

Sirius looked at Orpha, the discomfort of the situation evident upon his face. He wanted to do as she asked, but part of him didn’t feel right about it, after all, shouldn’t it be Cat who invited him? He gazed at her again, the same familiar longing welling up inside of him. “But Orpha, what if I….”

“You won’t” she said matter of factly “You loved her enough to wait once, you’ll do it again. Now get some sleep, or else.” she added as she raised an eyebrow and shook her finger at him.

Sirius nodded as he hesitantly pulled back the covers, he looked up at Orpha and asked “Are you sure she won’t be upset? I don’t want her to be angry, I need to talk to her, I need to tell her things. I need her to be in love with me so we can marry and have our own family.”

Aunt Orpha set down the book and walked to Sirius and gently pushed him onto the bed. “If you want to talk to her, then I suggest you wait until she wakes up.” she pulled off one of his boots. “If you want her to love you again, than act like her husband, be there for her, support her, and love her son.” she pulled of his other boot. “If you want to confess to her, then please, wait until tomorrow, I prefer the children not have to witness any outbursts.” Orpha smiled as she pushed him flat “And she won’t be upset to find you here, although I’m sure she’ll notice the lack of beard” she winked “I was hoping you’d have enough sense to get rid of that thing, you already look years younger. Now offer her your arms, close your eyes, and get some sleep, its going to be a very late night for all of us.”

“Why a late night? Is something going on?” Sirius asked as he wrapped his arms around Cat, who sighed softly, but never woke.

“Of course dear, clan and kine are arriving for dinner, it will be late, after the younger children are in bed. Now, get some rest, I’ll stay here and make sure no one disturbs you, ‘and’ I’ll make sure you remain a gentleman.” she added, winking playfully at him.

Sirius couldn’t help but smile at Orpha’s words, although he still felt awkward. But he had to admit, it felt wonderful, he sighed deeply as he realized, for the first time in years he would be able to sleep in a soft bed, holding the love of his life and not have to worry about Snape or the Mom, or anything else. He was a free man here, free to walk the land, free to sing and dance, free to explain his life to Cat, and free to pray she would understand. “Must I wait until tomorrow to tell her Aunt Orpha, I’ve put it off far too long already. I should have told her weeks ago.”

“Yes, you should have.” she replied knowingly, “So I don’t see why one more day will hurt you. Its going to tear her heart apart to know how you suffered in Azkaban and she didn’t even know enough to come to your aid.” She watched as Sirius lifted his head and stared at her, the glimmer of fear in his eyes. “That’s right dear, Merlin and Cash told me all about it, that’s why I want you to wait one more day. Let her enjoy the day with her son, allow Harry to bask in the love of his clan without any clouds hanging over him. By this time tomorrow, I promise you, I will see to it that the two of you are left alone, far away from any distractions, and you can confess everything to her then. If you love them as much as I think you do, a few more hours shouldn’t matter.”

Sirius nodded his head, Orpha was right, it wouldn’t be fair to ruin the first holiday they had together. He sighed as he pulled Cat closer, only to give a heart wrenching smile as he felt her cuddle up against him, her back pressed tightly against his chest. “oh gra” he sighed as he kissed her neck tenderly, inhaling her perfume and snuggling against her as he quickly drifted off to sleep himself……

The sun was just skimming the horizon when Cat began to stir, stretching, she felt a pair of warm arms encircling her. Without thinking, she turned to face the owner of those arms and nuzzled against his chest, only to hear him sigh as he pulled her closer. “Sirius?” she whispered softly, hearing him mumble something unintelligible, she looked up to see his now clean-shaven face “Sirius?!” she gasped as she pulled the covers up around her shoulders. Confused and bewildered, Cat’s eyes frantically searched the room, hoping they were not alone.

Hush gra” Sirius cooed in a deep, sleepy voice. “It’s alright, Aunt Orpha’s here with us, and Harry’s with his cousins playing outside.” He explained as he propped himself up on his elbow, smiling softly at her tussled hair and sleepy eyes. “Although at the moment I wish we were alone, I had forgotten how beautiful you look when you wake up.” he added as he touched her cheek tenderly.

“Well it seems you’ve gotten your wish” Cat replied, “either that or Aunt Orpha’s gone invisible again.”

“Invisible? What are you talking about? She’s right over there……” Sirius looked at the noticeably vacant chair and practically leapt out of the bed. “I’m sorry Cat, honestly, she was there, she told me I looked tired too and that I should just be with you, offer my arms to you and just sleep….and…and…” he paused and hung his head as Cat gave him a questioning look. “I promise, I wasn’t trying to..”

“I know” Cat said softly, “and that whole ‘offer her your arms’ is vintage Orpha.” she sighed, “I believe you Siri, but where is everyone? And what time is it?”

“As far as I know, everyone is probably downstairs, more than likely cursing you for the snow.” Sirius teased, “I think you may have over done it a bit Miss MacLeod.”

“What do you mean ‘cursing me’ and how is two or three inches overdoing it?”

“Two or three inches?!” Sirius repeated, disbelief evident in his voice. “My darling Cat, look outside. It hasn’t stopped snowing since this morning, its more like ‘ten’ inches or so…..” Sirius stifled a laugh as Cat’s eyes grew wide and she dashed to the window, groaning loudly as she looked outside.

“I am in ‘such’ deep trouble.” she moaned as Sirius chuckled and wrapped his arms around her …

Harry beamed as Orpha explained what would be expected of him tonight, although all he could think about was the fact that she had told him that his mum and Sirius were in her room ‘resting’ and not to disturb them.

“Harry, ….Harry” Orpha said sharply. “Honestly child, at least pretend to listen to me.” she chided as she finally got his attention

“I’m sorry Aunt Orpha, I was just thinking about ….things.” Harry said softly.

“Things huh?” Orpha countered. “Would that be your mum sort of things, or girls sort of things.” she smiled knowingly as she watched Harry blush deeply “I see, well I can speak to you if you want, or you may feel free to ask your father or uncles if you feel more comfortable talking to a man about it.”

“My father?” Harry replied as his head rose abruptly

“Yes, your father, Sirius.” Orpha remarked, “Judging from the way he treats you, and you treat him, I would certainly consider him your father. Or am I misunderstanding something?” she asked, raising an eyebrow curiously.

Harry smiled from ear to ear “No, you understand completely” he said “Do you think they’ll marry soon?”

“Each other?” Orpha teased, only to regret it when she saw Harry’s face crumble before her “Oh, no… now listen to me my darling boy” she cooed as she wrapped Harry in her arms “I know Kitty is torn between two men, and I would never dismiss the depths of her feelings. And granted, I haven’t met this teacher….however, neither Cash or Hamish is fond of him, and so far the clan seems to adore Sirius. But I must caution you Harry, Kitty must do what is best for the clan, she is our future, and her children, including you, will also be our future. What I can tell you, is whatever happens between Kitty and Sirius, he will always be welcome here, he will always be part of us.”

“But I want to have a real family Aunt Orpha, I want a mother and father, I want to be like other kids. I’m tired of being ‘the boy that lived’, I don’t want to be special, I …”

“Shhh, hush now Harry.” Orpha said gently as she kissed him on his hair. “Company is coming, so lets keep a happy face and a good thought. And while we’re at it, lets make sure you, Kitty and Sirius end up sitting next to each other at dinner tonight.” she added, winking conspiratorially.

She smiled as Harry nodded enthusiastically, “Go on then, tell your mum to get herself together and get down here, she’s been sleeping for hours now. And while your at it, tell her to stop this snow, she’s over done it, again. That girl needs to learn her own strength and stop doing things like this.” Orpha sighed “Oh, and take a good look at your father, he’s finally shaven off that birds nest he called a beard.” she added, chuckling softly as Harry bounded up the stairs in his excitement to see his parents. “Well Merlin, I guess that answers any questions we had about his views.”

“Did ‘we’ have questions Orpha dear?” Merlin teased as he smiled brightly, his form barely more than a shadow as he walked across the kitchen. “I thought it was Tris who had the questions. Although I must say, its really not like you to do someone else’s dirty work.”……..

Harry tore down the hall and banged loudly on Cat’s door before bursting in. “Mum, dad, hurry up, Aunt Orpha said….. Oh, I,.. .uhm.” Harry paused and faltered when he saw the shock on Sirius’s face. “I mean….Sirius….”