The morning light filtered through the curtains as Remus, Sirius, and Y/N gathered in the kitchen for breakfast. Today was a significant day: Y/N's first day at nursery. Despite the cheerful facade, there was a sense of tension in the air. Y/N, normally a bundle of energy, was unusually quiet, pushing her cereal around her bowl.
"Excited for your big day, love?" Remus asked gently, trying to mask his own apprehension.
Y/N looked up at him with wide eyes, her lip quivering slightly. "Will you and Papa be there too?"
Sirius knelt beside her, his heart aching at her uncertainty. "We'll take you there, sweetheart, but you'll get to play with new friends and learn lots of fun things. We'll pick you up as soon as it's over, I promise."
Her small fingers twisted nervously in her lap. "But what if I miss you?"
Remus leaned in, kissing the top of her head. "We'll miss you too, darling. But we know you'll have a wonderful time. And we'll be right here waiting for you."
The drive to the nursery was quiet, Y/N clinging tightly to her favorite stuffed animal. When they arrived, the vibrant colors and cheerful sounds did little to ease her anxiety. Remus and Sirius walked her inside, holding her hands as they met her teacher, a kind woman with a warm smile.
"Hello, Y/N! We're so happy to have you here," she said, crouching to Y/N's level. "Would you like to join the other children in drawing?"
Y/N glanced up at Remus and Sirius, her eyes pleading. "I don't want to stay here alone."
Sirius knelt down, holding her gently. "You're not alone, love. We'll be back before you know it. Just try to have fun, okay?"
Tears welled up in Y/N's eyes as she hugged him tightly. "Don't go, Papa. Please."
Remus, swallowing his own emotions, knelt beside them. "We love you so much, Y/N. This is just for a little while. We'll be right back."
With one final, tearful hug, they left her in the care of the teacher. As they walked back to the car, Sirius felt a lump in his throat. "I hate this," he muttered, his voice thick with emotion. "I hate leaving her like that."
Remus squeezed his hand. "I know. But it's part of growing up. She'll be okay. And so will we."
The day dragged on slowly. Both men found themselves distracted, checking the clock frequently, their thoughts always drifting back to Y/N. The usually comforting routines of the bookshop and garage felt hollow without her presence.
Finally, the time came to pick her up. They arrived at the nursery to find Y/N sitting quietly, her eyes lighting up when she saw them. She ran into their arms, holding onto them tightly.
"How was your day, sweetheart?" Remus asked, brushing a tear from her cheek.
"It was okay," Y/N replied, her voice small. "But I missed you both a lot."
Sirius lifted her into his arms, kissing her forehead. "We missed you too, love. And we're so proud of you for being so brave."
As they drove home, Y/N nestled between them, her head resting on Sirius's shoulder. They knew there would be more days like this, filled with the bittersweet pangs of watching her grow up. But they also knew that their love and support would always be there, a constant in her ever-changing world.
Back home, they spent the evening reading stories and cuddling on the couch, the comfort of their little family restoring the warmth and joy that had felt distant during the day. Y/N fell asleep in their arms, a small smile on her face, reassured by the love that surrounded her.
