Recovery

89

James walked back over to the bar and held his hand out. Victoria took it and let James pull her to her feet. "Jasper's going to meet us here. Go get your kid." James said. "Alright." She replied.

About an hour later, a young boy sat in Sirius office, reading a book with James. James learned she had three children. Two boys, ten and eighteen, and one daughter, sixteen. She told James she didn't want to leave her boy with the teenagers, because they worked and had their own studies. She wanted them to get their education and build their lives. James, understood this. "Why don't you read to yourself? Let me talk to your mom, alright?" James asked the boy. "How come I have to keep it on?" He asked, asking about his mask. "There are infants in the house and Christopher is still in the hospital. He is high risk, and could easily get sick. We don't want that. If your just around me, or another adult, then you won't have to." James said. "But if I leave the room?" He asked and James nodded. "Willow is also high risk. I know it isn't fun, but it's best for everybody." James said. "Okay." He replied. 

Sirius was okay with the boy keeping in his office while James took Victoria to meet Jasper and little Johnathan. Johnathan? Got excited when he seen grandpa and reached for James quickly. James smiled and took the baby in his arms. Johnathan was pretty big for a one year old, and Victoria just assumed he was a toddler, not just a year old. Victoria smiled. "What's your name?" She asked Johnathan who got a little shy around the new lady and hide his face in James neck. "Johnny is a big boy. He just turned one on the third." Jasper said. "I wouldn't have guessed that." She said, shifting her weight to her other food. "Jasper, this is Victoria. Her boy, Sky, is feeling under the weather." James said. "it's already eight, so I'm assuming the evening?" Jasper asked. "Yes, that would be best." James said. "Alright...That leaves Tommy watching him in the morning. The class starts at eight." Jasper said. "I thought you wasn't doing the double class." James said and Jasper crossed his arm. "I never said that. You just assumed. Enough parents agreed. I got a small group of boys coming after school, so that pushed my other to eight." Jasper said. "Alright, alright. Tommy will be fine. He doesn't have a temperature, currently, if so, I'll just keep up." James said. "Brother is home you know, so is that man." Jasper said. "Thompson, isn't watching a child until his classes as been completed. I'll work the details out later of the morning hours. It's fairly quiet, please come meet Sky." James said.

Jasper followed his father inside the bar. Johnny looking around for uncle Sirius. He grind and pointed at Sirius. "Pads!" James called for. Sirius smiled lightly and walked over. Johnathan reached out for him. "Alright, bugger." Sirius said, Grabbing the boy. Johnathan grind and started baby talking to Sirius who acted like he could understand the baby boy who give Sirius a big hug when he finished talking. "Alright, James. You got to get the boys out the bar. They really can't be here." Sirius said. "I got it. Somebody wanted to say hello." James said. "I know." He said, handed Jonathan back to James.

Another hour later, Victoria followed James to the beer room. "Thank you." She said softly, tucking a loose piece of hair behind her ear. "Victoria...Sirius talked to, hasn't he?" He asked. "He told me about what happened. He told me what he understood...so I understand if your don't want to engage...and If I'm bothering you...I can leave you alone." She whispered. "It's not...that I don't like you, Victoria. I just...I don't know. I do like you, Victoria." James said, and she walked closer to James. "I spent...time with my last husband, and it wasn't great...I just...your a good man and a good father, a family man. My teens...have a distant father and Sky father is a bit of an ass...just seems...they could use somebody like you in their lives and I would love to get to know your family." Victoria said, before she stood on her toes. He paused, but did let the smaller woman give him a light kiss. "Alright." James replied back.

The following morning, March 28th, Harry woke up when James and Victoria came home about four that morning. Sirius had dropped the pair off, who both were intoxicated. James turned to see Harry standing there, yawning himself. "Father. You will wake the house if you don't quite it down, and please tell me you two didn't drive and is she missed clothes?" Harry yawned, seeing the half naked woman standing there. Her left hand, locked on James's arm who's hair was everywhere. It was obvious what the pair had done. Harry was somewhat thankful. He knew James had been lonely for some time. He needed somebody, somebody how would give him more meaning. His sons were grown and James needed a partner. "Pads D-drove. P-pro." James said. "I'll keep an eye on Sky." Harry said. "G-got two T-teens." Victoria half giggled before whispering something in James ear. "I think they can get themselves to school, but Sirius has your home address? I can check on the teens." Harry said and she nodded, watching James run a hand up her back slowly. "Father, try and keep it down." Harry said, giving them a light push to the bedroom James used.

Come half after six, Harry knocked on an apartment door on the third floor of the complex. A sleepy 18 year old boy opens the door. Harry smelt something cooking on the stove. "Can I help you?" He asked. "I'm here to see you two off to school." Harry said, making a small stance. The boy I recognized the uniform. "We can see ourselves to school, sir. Mother and our father, would be called if we didn't make it to homeroom. " He said. "How old is your sister over there?" Harry asked, seeing the teenager walk over. She looked uncomfortable around the stranger. "Sixteen. We are allowed to be home alone. For a time." He replied. "Agreed. However, I don't want your mother to have to worry about you two." Harry said. "We...can see ourselves to school, Captain." She said softly. "Very well." Harry said. "So, I assumed your his eldest son? That navy man, Mr. Potter. He made the papers." He said. "Yes, I am. My father will have to answer your questions at another time. Have a good day at school, you two." Harry said, before he walked away form the apartment.