After All This Time

A chance

Severus took Aleah home and she is nervous, thinking if this is the time to tell Selene about Severus.

Arriving at the apparition point, Severus looked at Selene and he can see she's nervous.

"Aleah, it's okay if you don't want to do this now.", he said, assuring her that he can wait until she's ready.

"No Severus, I'm just nervous on what her reaction would be.", she said.

Severus held her hand and gave it a light squeeze.

"Aleah, she loves me as Mister Snape already.", he said and chuckled.

Severus is right, Selene admired him as Mister Snape. She always snuggled Mister Sev (the teddy) when she's sleeping and excited when Severus is there. Selene is a bright child, she already sees their resemblance and asked Aleah about it and so Aleah knows she would be happy.

"You're right. Let's go.", she said and smiled at him.

Severus apparated them at the Black's household.

Sirius opened the door and can sense something with the couple, "Selene, mummy is here.", he called out for Selene to hear.

Aleah and Severus went inside and settled at the sitting room. They heard tiny footsteps that descended the stairs.

"Mummy!", Selene squealed and went to her mum to hug her

"Look who's here love.", Aleah said backing away from Selene's hug and turning to Severus.

"Mister Snape!", she said and rushed to Severus

Severus pulled her up and hugged her.

"It's Daddy Selene, not Mister Snape.", said Severus.

Sirius's eyes widened and looked at her daughter, Aleah just gave her father a nod and Sirius slowly calmed down.

"Daddy?", Selene asked, confused.

"Yes love, i'm your daddy.", Severus said smiling at her.

"Yay! I know you are! We look very much alike.", Selene said and they all laughed.

"Severus join us for lunch.", Sirius said

Severus put Selene down and the little girl rushed to the dining room, pulling Severus with her.

They just chuckled at how excited Selene is.

"I'm happy you finally did it Aleah.", Sirius said to her daughter. Aleah smiled at her father and they followed into the dining room and enjoyed their lunch.

Severus spent the whole afternoon playing with Selene. When she fell asleep, Aleah indulged him with Selene's pictures when she was born until the present, Severus felt sadness creep up to him and wasn't aware that it is visible in his face,

"Severus?", Aleah looked at him and touched his hand, "Are you okay?", she asked.

"I should've been there as she grew up Aleah,", he said looking at her hands clamped into his, "If only the situation then was opposite.", he said looking at her and cupped her cheek.

"I'm sorry i've been selfish Sev-,"

"You're not,", he cuts her off, "I would've done the same thing if I were you and seeing Selene now, she's grown to have so much love around her, she has you and Sirius making up for a missing father.", he added.

Severus kissed Aleah, long and deep. They both felt sorry for the situation that led them both to the present. Indeed, if fate had been kind to them that day they would've still communicate and would've raised Selene together.

After they had their dinner, Aleah prepared Selene for bed.

"Daddy, would you read me to sleep?" Selene asked looking at her father who's leaning in her doorframe.

"Sure love.", he replied and took the book Aleah gave her. Severus sat beside Selene and read, 'Beauty and the Beast'

When he noticed that Selene is fast asleep, Severus stared at her daughter for awhile, admiring her. Severus didn't realize the time he had spent admiring her daughter, when he felt Aleah's hand on his shoulder, he grasp and squeezed it looking at her and gave each other a sweet smile.

Severus stood up and followed Aleah to the door and closed it gently.

"I should go now.", Severus said and head to the door. When he had his things with him, Severus looked back at Aleah and was surprised by her sudden embrace.

"Thank you Severus.", she said, she parted from him and smiled.

Severus cupped her cheek, smiled at her and leaned in to capture her lips for a sweet kiss.

"Thank you Aleah, for giving me a chance.", he said after breaking the kiss.

They smiled at each other and Severus turned to take his leave.