You Only Live Once

CHAPTER 53

"Mom" Melody found Mira cleaning,in the kitchen that night, after everyone had gone home. Evan was the only one who stayed , just like every year during the holidays. Mira simply refused to let him live on his own.
"Yes, baby?" Mira asked , continuing to wipe down the counter . Regulus and Evan were trying to make the house presentable again after so many people had been in it.
"We're holding Christina's and New Year's dinner here this year right?"
"Yes" Every year they gathered to a different house so everyone could share the responsibility . In the end no one did it on their own but it was a tradition nonetheless.
"Why did dad freak when he heard his name?" At that Mira stopped what she was doing at once. She knew Melody would eventually ask but not that soon. She didn't know how she should have answered. She didn't like lying to her daughter but telling her the truth could lead to more questions. But she decided to do it anyway.
"His father was our classmate. They look so much alike , Mel" she replied, turning her attention to her daughter who was sitting on the kitchen counter.
"So...you must have known his mother as well. And you must know that-"
"Yes, Mel" Mira exclaimed, cutting her off. She closed her eyes and sighed, putting her weight on the counter behind her and crossing her arms over her chest. "I did know Christie. Her death was...it was hard for all of us. You were so young."
"So you knew her well"
"In a sense"
Melody nodded , keeping her eyes on the floor. She seemed to be thinking of something and Mira knew that it was never good when she had to think so much to ask her something. Melody had always been open with her parents and it was easy for her to talk to them.
"I was thinking...we've been together for almost two years . We've been friends for six . I've always felt bad that I got to spent the holidays with so many people that love me and he had to spent it with just his dad. And I know his dad loves him and he loves his dad but...they have no one else mom. So I was thinking..." she hopped down the counter and walked closer to her mother. "Can we invite them over for New Year's?"
Yes! Please do! Was what Mira wanted to say. They hadn't seen Theo in a very long time and maybe it was time for him to be forced out of the shadows that he had hidden himself in since Christie died. But maybe everyone wouldn't be as forgiving as her. They had all tried to help him, comfort him but he simply shut the all off. And she really wanted to meet his son, her daughter's boyfriend of two years that she hadn't met because Melody wanted to be sure that he was the right guy before he introduced him to her parents. And now she felt stupid for never asking for at least a name .
"Mel..." Mira started to walk away , not wanting to make a hasty decision without discussing it with her husband first.
"Please, mom" Melody begged, following her mother out of the kitchen and into the living room  where Evan, Regulus and the twins had just finished putting everything  back in place.
"I don't know if it's a good idea" Mira replied, trying to find anything around her that needed fixing so she could avoid her daughter's eyes.
"What isn't a good idea?" Regulus asked , seeing the troubled expression on Mira's face. Evan and the twins had taken their rightful places on the couch and were watching the scene play out in front of them like a movie.
"I asked mom if we can invite the Notts over for New Year's. It's just the two of them, dad. It could be good for them" she turned to her dad, seeing as her mom avoided her.
"It's..." Regulus started but then looked at Evan who gave him a stern look. They had all missed their old friend terribly even if he had been an absolute idiot and deserted them. But the choice truly belonged to one person. "Up to your mother" her said with a sigh, turning his eyes to Mira. But she wouldn't look back at him. She wouldn't look at anyone.
"Please, mom?" Melody pleaded in a soft tone approaching her mother and putting her hand in her shoulder. "I really do love, Teddy"
"Teddy?" Mira asked , finally turning to look at her daughter, a smile forming on her face.
"That's what I call him" Melody smiled back.
"I think the answer you're getting is yes, Mel. Go tell him" Evan interrupted , replying for Mira after seeing the smile on her face.  Melody thanked them all , hugging the tight and making them all laugh before running up the stairs to her bedroom.
"You better be so okay with it when I get a boyfriend" Nova pointed a finger at her dad before going into the kitchen.
"Good job dad! Try not to kill the boy though" Marcus patted Regulus on the back, going up to his bedroom as well leaving the three adults in the living room, fond smiles on their faces.
"I'm gonna go as well. I'm not as young as I used to be" Evan said, standing up from the couch and yawning.
"Good night, Ev"
"Sleep tight, mate"
Regulus and Mira were left alone, both trying to understand what they had just agreed to. Regulus moved to hug Mira and she immediately copied his actions, burring her face in his chest.
"The grocery store bill will be high this year" Regulus muttered with a heavy sigh.
"Good thing you're rich then" Mira raised her eyebrows at him. He laughed and kissed her hair before bringing her back into the hug.
"I guess you're right. I have everything I need."

..........

On New Year's Eve the house was packed with twenty nine people. Regulus had put a warming spell on their back yard and that's where they set the tables for everyone to fit. The kids had also decorated the backyard with Christmas lights and ornaments and had made a huge tree their Christmas tree so they could put the presents underneath. Everyone had arrived by nine, so they could help  set the tables and get all the food outside before they started eating. Everyone but two people. So when the bell rang at ten ,Mira knew exactly who it would be. Melody went to open the door, seeing as her parents were busy. But when she got inside she had only brought one person.
Mira who was fussing over some napkins that had been blown away looked up to see her daughter with her boyfriend.
"You must be Theodore" Regulus said , coming on his wife's side so they could properly meet the boy.
"Yes, I am sir" he replied, sitting uptight. Regulus chuckled, before extending his hand for him to shake.
"Call me Regulus"
"It's so nice to meet you, Theodore. I have heard so much about you" Mira shook his hand as well , a huge smile on her face.
"Where is your father?"
"Umm, he's outside." Mira simply nodded.
When Melody left to introduce Theodore to the rest of the family Mira and Regulus' smiles dropped.
"Go" Regulus said and Mira looked at him to make sure she had heard him correctly. He smiled at her and pecked her lips to show her he was being sincere.
When Mira reached the front door, she hesitated opening it. So she took a deep breath, closed her eyes and turned the door handle. When she opened the door she  found Theo sitting on the front steps , a cigarette balancing between his fingers. He must have sensed a presence behind him but he didn't even flinch. So Mira walked down the front steps and slowly sat next to him.
"You'll never give that up , will you?" She asked, looking at the night sky. Theo chuckled, throwing the cigarette to the ground and putting it out. "Teddy-"
"Your daughter calls my son just that , you know"
"I know" Mira laughed. "It's been-"
"Fourteen years" he finally turned his head to look at her. He looked different, older, more tired. Mira wondered if she had changed, if what he was seeing was what she was back in the day. "Thank you for the meals from time to time. But I hope you do know we have house elves."
"I know" Mira scoffed, rolling her eyes. " I just hoped you'd get out of the house and I could fix everything" she confessed .
"Did you have a great life as you promised?" He asked out of the blue, bringing his eyes to the floor.
"Why don't you come inside and see?" She stood up and offered him her hand. He looked at it for a while before he took it with a smile. As soon as he was up Mira brought him into a tight hug. It had truly been too long.
Once they stepped out to the backyard everyone stopped talking , too stunned by what they were seeing. The kids were confused when their parents' mouths went completely agape.
"Oh, don't just stand there, Nott. Come and join us" James said breaking the silence.
"Welcome back, mate" Regulus immediately walked up to Theo and gave him a tight hug. After that everyone took their turns , greeting him and soon enough things had gotten back to normal.
"They kids will have so many questions" Regulus whispered, walking up to Mira and holding her by the waist , kissing her forehead.
"And we have nothing but time to answer them" Mira laughed, turning her head to look at him.
"Maybe we will need more than a lifetime but we only live once."
"I don't"
And as Mira looked at the people she loved more than anything in front of her, laughing and talking amongst each other she never felt prouder.
"I love you, Mira Black"
"I love you, Regulus Black"

                                THE END