HOME IS WHERE HIS HEART IS

Chapter Seven


Harry waited patiently with Michael in his living room for Remus to come through the fireplace almost a week after he came back from London.

“So, who is this man that’s comin’?” Michael asked, playing a racing game on Harry’s television.

“He’s an old friend – an uncle I suppose,” Harry replied, also playing the game.

“Why’s he comin’?”

“He’s coming to just be with me, I guess. Cheyanne’s funeral is later today, and he’s my family.”

“It’s sad your friend died, Haze. I had a dog that died when I was little. I remember when we buried him by the barn,” Michael said, putting his control down to look up at Harry.

“It is sad,” Harry sighed. “I’m going to miss her.”

“I’ll be here for you, Haze and Mommy and Colby,” Michael smiled.

“Thank you, Mikey. It means a lot to me. And Colby will be coming home tomorrow, so I’m sure I’ll be kept busy,” Harry said, leaning over to turn off the game system.

“You think he’ll like the decorations we put in his room?” Michael asked. They finished Colby’s room the day before with the focus being dragons – Michael’s idea.

“I’m sure he’ll love it,” Harry grinned, nudging Michael with his elbow on his side.

They both looked to their right when the fire roared to life in the fireplace. Harry stood up to greet Remus. “Hey Moony,” Harry greeted, returning the embrace.

“Hello, Harry,” Remus smiled, then pulled away to look around him. “This is your new home?”

“Yes, my first,” Harry grinned, then felt Michael’s fingers take his. “This is Michael, Doreen’s son, and a friend of mine,” he added. “Michael, this is Remus Lupin.”

“Hello,” Michael smiled, holding out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Sir.”

Remus returned the hand shake. “Nice to meet you too, Michael,” he smiled.

“Come. I’ll show you to your room, then give you a tour of the place.”

“We gonna show him Colby’s room?” Michael asked, following Harry and Remus down the hall.

“Michael helped me decorate,” Harry smirked. “So, you okay to spend a couple of days?”

“Yes. I had some time coming to me. I can stay for three days,” Remus replied, looking around. “This is nice, Harry.”

“I like it,” Harry grinned. “I’m glad you can stay for a while. I pick up Colby tomorrow from the hospital.”

“Already?” Remus asked.

“The doctor was surprised too, but I’m not going to complain,” Harry grinned, shrugging his one shoulder.

“Then I’m glad I’ll be here to meet your son, Harry.”

Harry and Michael gave Remus a tour of the house, ending in the backyard. They walked around the outside of the farmhouse just as Doreen and Keith were getting out of the car. Introductions were made, then Keith took Michael home so one of the boys could take care of him for a couple of hours while they were at the funeral. By the time he returned, Remus and Harry were ready to go.

~*~

Harry sat in the front pew of the church, with Remus and Doreen, sitting on either side of him, both holding his hand in support. The ceremony was short, but heartfelt in the church before they followed the hearse to the graveyard. All Cheyanne’s friends came to pay their respects, each placing a wildflower, that Chey loved so much, on the casket. Harry was last, placing a lily and a picture of Colby in the middle. “Love you, Chey,” he hoarsely said, placing his hand on the wooden casket briefly before stepping back.

Harry, Remus, Doreen, Keith, and Mitch stayed behind as they lowered the casket, silently standing, each in their own memories of Cheyanne. Afterwards, they soberly climbed into the car to make their way to the bar where a small reception was going to be held in Cheyanne’s memory. Mitch was in charge of the wake, and did a very good job of it. On one whole wall, were pictures of Cheyanne, with her co-workers, family, and of course, Harry.

“So, tell me something about these pictures, Harry,” Remus quietly said, pulling Harry to the wall.

Harry spent the next couple of hours going through the pictures, each a story to be told. “You know it was her that kind of gave me a push to see you again. Made me realize not to take friendships lightly,” he quietly said, looking at a picture of Cheyanne and himself on his motorbike. “I’m sorry about not keeping in touch more,” he softly added.

“I was sorry to see you go a few years ago, but I understand why you left. I can see from the pictures, and how you are with the people around you here, that you’re happy. I would like to be there for you too, Harry. I’ve missed you,” Remus said, turning his gaze from the pictures to look at Harry.

“I’ve been an idiot, haven’t I?” Harry grinned.

“Yes, you have,” Remus agreed.

“No need to agree with me, Remus,” Harry laughed. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to everybody.”

After another hour, Harry, Doreen, Keith, and Remus left the bar. Mitch took Harry aside and gave him a large scrapbook with the same pictures that hung on the walls, plus a few mementoes from her friends. Harry held the book close to his chest as he was pulled into a group hug from Mitch, Crystal, and Dylan. The book was addressed to Haze and Colby.


~*~


Harry and Remus sat on the front porch, Remus on a single chair, Harry lounging back in the hammock he put up the day before.

“Draco came to see me that day you came to London,” Remus said, breaking the comfortable silence between them.

“Oh, and what did he have to say?” Harry asked.

“He asked where you were, and are.”

“What did you tell him?”

“That you were somewhere where you want to be. He asked who Colby was,” Remus smirked. Harry raised a brow in question. “I told him he was the new man in your life,” Remus added. “That was all right wasn’t it?”

“Yeah. You weren’t exactly lying,” Harry smiled, shrugging his one shoulder. “I hope I didn’t ruin everything seeing him. I wasn’t going to but . . . ”

“You just had to see him,” Remus finished. “Did you still feel anything when you saw him?”

“Yes, he still looks so good. I miss the friendship we had. I miss looking into those grey eyes of his,” Harry sighed. “Oliver is a great guy. I’m happy for them.”

“And what if they ask for your address to send you an invitation to their wedding?” Remus grinned.

“That is so – so not funny, Remy,” Harry replied, giving him a small smile. “I don’t think I’d want to go, to see them married. I’m happy for them, but a part of me wants to really hurt Oliver for taking Draco away.”

“Why don’t you tell him, Harry?”

“Tell him what Remus? That I love him with my whole heart and soul. Want him to be with me always. Really? Can you see him here, living like this, being a father to Colby?”

‘Yes, I could,’ Remus thought to himself. “You should think about it, Harry. People change. You know that more than anyone.”

“I’ll think about it,” Harry quietly said.

“So what time do we pick up Colby tomorrow?” Remus asked, changing the topic, glad to see the smile appear back on Harry’s face at the mention of his son.

~*~

The next day, Doreen drove Harry and Remus to the hospital. Doctor Michaels took Harry aside to give him the assurance that Colby was going to be okay. “Any concerns, you can phone me, Harry,” the doctor smiled.

“Thank you,” Harry said.

“You going to be okay?”

“Nervous as hell, but I’ll be good,” Harry replied, leaning down to slip his hand under Colby’s warm body and the back of his neck to lift him.

Harry held Colby close, smelling that baby powder baby smell, as he walked towards Remus and Doreen.

“You need to put him in the seat, Harry,” Doreen grinned.

“I know,” Harry replied, not letting go yet. “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” He asked, looking up at Remus.

“Yes, he is,” Remus smiled, holding the blanket that will cover him.

Harry grudgingly lowered Colby into the seat, double checking the buckles to keep him in the seat. “I’ll sit in the back with him,” he said.

“Was expecting you to,” Doreen said, leading them out to the car.

Remus and Doreen talked quietly in the front seat of the car, as Harry gazed down at his son, his fingers lightly stroking the tiny hand while the baby slept, the occasional moving of the arms and legs making Harry smile to himself.

Once they arrived back at the ranch, Doreen quietly left, making sure her phone number was on quick dial in case Harry needed her. The ranch hands knew he wouldn’t be around for a couple of days, so the training would continue the following week. He was given numerous books on horses and training to study when he could.

Hours later, after games of chess and talk of others, Remus was about to get up from bed when he heard the tiny sound coming from Colby’s room. He knew it would be a full out cry within minutes. He waited until he heard Harry go to the kitchen for the bottle, then went to Colby’s room. When he went into the room, he leaned against the doorframe, watching as Harry sat in the rocking chair, gently rubbing the nipple of the bottle against Colby’s lips, then smiling when the baby greedily took in the bottle into his mouth.

“Do you think mum and dad would have been happy to be grandparents if they were here?” Harry quietly asked, not looking up, but sensing when Remus sat on the single bed in the room.

“Yes, although I imagine they would spoil him rotten,” Remus smiled. “He sure drinks it back doesn’t he?” He added.

“Every couple of hours,” Harry softly laughed. “I told Arthur about Colby when I was there. I think we should visit the Burrow. Molly would never forgive me if she didn’t get to see him.”

“When do you plan on the visit?”

“Maybe in a few months. Ginny’s birthday maybe.”

Colby finished the bottle, and Harry put a small blanket on his naked shoulder before raising Colby to his chest, lightly rubbing the baby’s back until he heard a light burp.

“You look like a pro doing that, Harry,” Remus smiled.

“I’ve been reading lots, and don’t laugh, but Cheyanne and I were practicing on life size dolls in a child care class.”

“I’m not laughing. I think it’s great that you prepared yourself.”

“I think Cheyanne knew she wasn’t going to be here, so she wanted me to be prepared,” Harry quietly said, getting up to change the baby’s diaper, then slip the pajamas on again. He laid the baby in the crib, rubbing soothing circles on the stomach and chest before he felt Colby go back to sleep – until the next feeding.

“G’night Remy,” Harry tiredly said, hiding the yawn behind his hand as he went back to bed.

Remus stayed behind to just gaze down at the newest member of his family. He smiled as the baby’s tiny fist raised up then down again. He quietly left to go to his own bed, thinking of Harry when he was first brought home from St. Mungos.


tbc