A Sirius Christmas

A Sirius Christmas

"Do we really have to go to this tonight?" Sirius asked in an exhausted sort of voice.

"Of course we do! This is your department's holiday party, if you didn't show up, not only would you be in trouble with the DC, but your staff would think you were either a wimp or snooty,." commented Cordelia, Sirius' muggle wife of nearly four years.

"What I really want to do is go home, light a fire, have a glass of Balvernie and make love to you,." he whined.

"Well, there's loads of time for that later, Sirius. Besides this is the first year I've been able to really do this up right! If you recall, I missed last year after Charlie got that awful flu and fever and threw up on my dress," Cordelia reminded. Her voice was starting to get a bit louder and Sirius could tell a rant when approaching.

"Then the year before that they had that horrid themed party and I was forced to wear that awful costume," she said with a look of immense distaste, but went quickly on.

"The year before that I was so pregnant I could barely stand and while that was a lovely maternity dress, I still felt like a beached whale and was so tired I think we left before nine. Nope, this time you are not getting out of it. I'm dressing to the nines and we are dancing until dawn!"

Sirius knew when he was defeated. He groaned and put his head on the desk, and banged his forehead a couple of times. He lifted his head, smiling and rubbed his face. "Right then, go home and get yourself set. I'll be home in an hour or two. I promised you an evening of enchantment, and that's what you shall have."

"Good. Besides mum has Charlie all night," she said with a seductive smile.

"All night?" he asked with one eyebrow raised.

"All night, which definitely increases your chances for first thing in the morning sex."

"In that case, it may be worth it to go after all."

"Trust me, I'll make it worth your time and energy," she said with a wink over her shoulder as she exited his office.

**********************

Cordelia stepped into her sanctuary, the foyer of the townhouse on Palace Court Road she'd owned for 10 years. Sirius was right, it would have been nice to stay in, it had been a horrible hectic week. She'sd had 15 contacts to make and ten disputes between muggles and wizards to smooth over. Cordelia worked as special liason to muggle governments and businesses for the Deputy Chancellor's office. Her job was to inform those muggles who needed to knowto, keep them muggles happy, and help them understand the wizard world and its limitations. She had been looking forward to this party for some time, though and she was sure once she was done with her bath she'd be energized and ready to dance all night. For now she had one hour to get ready for the Department of External Affairs Holiday party, quite a ritzy affair. Sirius had been Department head for two years now and the Christmas party was one of only three events each year that nearly the entire department attended. It was also attended by the other department heads and the Deputy Chancellor. Because of this she'd decided to spare no detail getting ready for this evening. She'd had her hair done up in an upswept do, and even gotten a facial and manicure. Now all that was left was the bath and getting dressed.

Before long Cordelia was immersed to the neck in bubbles and hot water. She sank deeper into the tub, closed her eyes and cleared her head. She let the heat seep into each and every pore, finally thawing from the grey London weather that had plagued the month of December. She let her thoughts wander from Christmas preparations to Christmases past to dreaming of Christmases to come. Before getting in the tub she'd put on some soothing music, and set an alarm. She had 30 minutes to soak, then she had to get out to finish with her makeup and dressing.

She heard him before she saw him; the soft footsteps on the stairs, the rustle of robes being hung in the closet. She heard him come into the bath, but still refused to open her eyes. The breath felt cool on her warm skin. The hands disturbed the tranquility of the water as they reached for the sponge and the soap. She felt the sponge gliding over her arms, across her chest, encircling her breasts, down her legs and finally about her toes. This was very nearly heaven. She was afraid if she opened her eyes it would disappear. She felt the sponge floating abandoned in the water, replaced by a soft, warm mouth trailing up her inner arm. The hands were beginning to roam about beneath the water. She could feel her heart rate increase, she felt more than a bit breathless, and suddenly the warm comforting water was a trifle too hot.

"BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ" went the alarm clock at the appointed time.

Cordelia's eyes flew open as Sirius jumped back and in doing so flung bubbles off his wet arms into her eyes.

"Damn!" Cordelia exclaimed as Sirius grabbed for a towel to hand to Cordelia as she frantically rubbed the soap from her burning itching eyes.

By this time they were both laughing and Cordelia was trying hard not to disrupt her carefully assembled coiffure. The moment had passed, and it was time to get dressed. Cordelia climbed reluctantly out of the tub, wrapped up in a thick terry robe, pulled Sirius to her and kissed him. "Catch me later tonight and we can finish that." He kissed her back, deeply, thoroughly, and swiftly.

By the time she'd toweled off and done her makeup, Sirius was pulling on his formal black dress robes over a clean white shirt and a pair of grey wool trousers. She had her lingerie on and stepped into her gown. Sirius helped her zip the dress. It was a slim blue velvet strapless gown, a straight cut with a slit from the ankle to the mid-thigh. She slipped on her deep blue sandals as Sirius let out a low whistle. She flashed him a brilliant smile, then finished the ensemble with a sapphire necklace and earrings. Her ring was already glowing blue as she suspected it would all night.

"I best go get myself a drink before I do something rash," he murmured coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist and trailing his tongue up her neck.

"Stop that…that tickles…GO! Get me a drink too. If you think I'm going to this party stone sober you're sorely mistaken," Cordelia said with a wave of her hand, banishing Sirius to the lower level to await her.

She put the finishing touches on her lipstick and descended the stairs.

******************

The party was winding down. They'd had dinner. They'd danced. All that was left was some final announcements of door prizes and he could get out of here and continue what he started with Cordelia in the bathtub this afternoon. His fingers were itching to take her hair down and peel her out of that dress. Mmmmmm, that dress. It fit every lovely curve of her body. He wasn't sure he really liked the rest of his department to see that much of her, but he hadn't much say in the matter. However, now that she was wearing the dress he may as well enjoy it.

He could tell she'd had a few glasses of wine. Her face was flushed and she laughed so easily. She was talking with Mr. MacKenzie looking into his face and responding in a very animated fashion. Wine generally made her a bit reckless and definitely uninhibited. This would clearly help later on in the evening. Not that she was inhibited in bed, but when she was a bit flown with wine he could experiment a bit more. She was more playful and laughed more. She seemed to lose herself more readily. He loved the feeling of being lost in her and could always tell when she'd reach that point as well. Was this infernal party ever to be over with? He began to look about for a private place he could move her towards. Maybe get her thinking about leaving a bit sooner than later. Maybe he could take her in the alcove that was over by the coat closet. Hmmmm, the coat closet, that was an idea. No, that would be a popular place soon. Damn why couldn't they just go home?

He was eyeing a broom closet under the grand staircase when Mrs. Armistead tapped him on the arm to ask about some department issue, he was loathe to turn his attention away from the vision in blue velvet. "Ummm yes, er yeah I ummm…What was the question again?"

"Should the Deputy Chancellor be involved in this decision or should we just handle it within the department for the time being?" she asked.

"Ummmm," Sirius shook his head and purposely turned his back on Cordelia. As long as he was watching her he knew he would not be able to think quite straight. How could he. All the blood had drained from his brain. "Right, now what decision was this again, forgive me I was a bit distracted."

He finally finished up the conversation and he searched the room for her. He spotted her facing away from him looking at the edge of the dance floor. He crossed the room, came up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her. "I want you." He whispered in her ear.

She turned and beamed at him, but whispered back, "Not yet, I want to chat a bit with Kris. I never get a chance to talk with her anymore, and she was so helpful with things when Charlie was first born. There she is. I'll be back." She gave him a quick kiss and set off to chat some more.

"Who the hell is Kris, and why should she take precedence over me?" He said to himself as the air grew noticeably cooler with her departure.

"She's the ambassador to France from Trinidad. She has some issues with muggles. I've read some of her writings and she has some very insightful comments." Colin said as he came up behind Sirius. He and Aidan had come to the dance floor.

There was a bar just to the left. "Double, straight up," Sirius ordered.

"Cordelia ditched you, aye?" Aidan asked innocently.

"Bloody socializing."

"Isn't that why we're here?"

"I suppose," Sirius commented as he took a large gulp of his whisky. "But watching her in that dress makes me want to…well, never mind."

Colin laughed. "Charlie's spending the night with Cordelia's mother tonight, right? You'll have loads of time. Patience, man…patience."

"Spoken by one who doesn't need to share his partner with a meddling two year old."

Colin laughed and put his arm on Aidan. "Ahhhhh, meddling children?"

"Wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that we're going through that period where Charlie has figured out that she can get out of bed at night. She seems to really like claiming nightmares and migrating to our bed in the middle of the night."

"That can't be fun."

"It's not all that bad. Kind of cozy sometimes. Great family moments, they are. But it does tend to make Cordelia wear her flannels way too much for my tastes."

"Flannel can be very sexy."

"You haven't seen Cordelia's flannels. Just about as far from sexy as pajamas can be. Not that that tends to hamper those middle of the night trysts, but a two year old certainly can."

"Well, Colin is too sound a sleeper for middle of the night trysts," commented Aidan.

"Too bad, they can be fun," Sirius said wistfully.

They drifted into conversations about Quidditch and whisky and investments.

The band finished up, and began to pack away their instruments before Cordelia came back to Sirius. "Take me home, I'm very sleepy, my feet hurt, and I've had too much wine."

"Your wish is my command," Sirius said with a slight bow.

***********************

Miraculously he found a parking place right in front of the townhouse. As he got out of the car he noticed a cloaked figure turn and cross the street at the light about a half a block up the street. He made a mental note to have Colin investigate if any activity had been reported. Probably just a random wizard out for a walk. Sirius opened the door for Cordelia but found her fast asleep in the car.

With a bit of assistance from a levitation charm he carried her upstairs and laid her on the bed. He removed her shoes, stockings, then turned her over and removed the dress. She opened a very sleepy eye during this process and attempted to sit up and kiss him, but decided not to and closed her eye again. He managed to get her into a flannel nightshirt and tucked her into bed. Pouring one last whisky he took a seat across from the bed on the chaise that was usually piled high with Cordelia's clothes, but had actually been cleared earlier.

God he loved just looking at her and watching her sleep. He recalled the morning she'd come back to him, the night after he'd told her everything. He could look at her forever. He'd like to do more than look, but he knew she hadn't gotten a lot of sleep this week, so he contented himself to look for the moment.

The clock struck three and he was startled awake. He stretched his limbs, stiff from falling asleep sitting up. Finally getting up, taking his formal clothes off and slid into bed. He reached for her and she turned and snuggled against his chest. One hand automatically moving towards his chest, but he could tell she was definitely back to sleep. He wrapped his arms tightly about her and kissed the top of her head and slipped into a warm comfortable oblivion.

He awoke with a start, turned over and checked the clock. It was nearly 10 in the morning. They had not been able to sleep this late for ages. He reached out for Cordelia. She turned and stretched in his arms and settled into the hollow of his shoulder with a contented hum. He began to run his hands down her back. She still smelled of vanilla and cinnamon. Her hair felt like silk cascading onto his chest and her skin was pleasantly cool and smooth. She lifted her head to him and kissed him thoroughly and deeply and with all the passion she had slept through the night before.

For his part he could never get enough of kissing her. Her lips were perfect. Her breasts were just the right size for his hands. Smooth and round feeling the nipple tighten and peak as his thumb toyed with them. He could absolutely consume her. He had wanted to for nearly 15 hours now and had been put off twice. He was not going to let this morning slip by without making love to her. The curve of her back was too inviting. The soft part of her inner thigh was the perfect shape and texture. The roundness of her bottom was too good not to touch, hold and squeeze. He could feel her hands leisurely exploring all his softer spots and some of his harder ones.

"I want to drive you crazy, slowly and softly," she said coming over him and looking down from those incredible eyes.

"Can we do the slowly thing later…ummmm…ahhhhh…"

Then all he heard was her breathing, that matched his own; a heartbeat that matched his rhythm; a door opening downstairs and a shrill little voice calling…

"Mommy!"

With the woman above him cursing under her breath and a fair amount of florid language running through his own head. It was a mad dash for clothes as the little fiend was right quick at climbing the stairs now.

"Mummy! Daddy! Have fun at the party?" the wee cherub asked with her eyes shining brightly and excitement lighting her face. Charlotte Bronwyn Black was nearly three years old. Her birthday was January 6^th, and she reminded you every chance she got. She was barely three feet tall and just a wisp of a thing, in her purple tights and Pink tunic with the black puppy dogs all over it. She had a bit of a thing for large black dogs.

"Yes, mummy had a wonderful time at the party," Cordelia answered having slipped into her robe and slippers. Let's go back downstairs and say goodbye to Grandmum Kate, shall we."

"Okay," said the angelic voice.

Cordelia gave him a rueful look over her shoulder as she boosted Charlie onto her hip and left to go downstairs.

The rest of the morning was occupied with getting ready to go up to the farm for Christmas. There were suitcases to pack, packages to stash in the trunk, and two year olds to keep occupied so as not to get into the suitcases or the packages. They were flying Cordelia's car with the standard escort of security wizards. Colin had informed Sirius that there had been some dark creature activity near his house in the last few days, so extra security was assigned to their trip to the farm.

The security was generally unobtrusive, but troubling all the same. Before long Charlie was happily chattering away snug in her car seat in the back of Cordelia's now flying Jaguar. Of course you couldn't let your mind wander while Charlie was chatting because she needed an acknowledgement every minute or so or she would go into continual repeat mode. Unfortunately Sirius was immune to these chatter sessions and could successfully tune out the chatter and the repetition. Cordelia remembered that it was a trait endemic to the male of the species to tune out all but the immediate interest.

"Is Remus coming up to the farm, I told you to invite him."

"Damn, I completely forgot. He's been on an assignment for Harry for the last few weeks. I could send him an owl once we're there."

"A bit late for that. I was hoping we could include him. It will just be the three of us, with Mum and Trevor on that cruise, and he always seems so dreadfully lonely."

"Look mummy flying wizards," Charlie shouted in an excited tone.

"Yes, you know them sweetie, Uncle Colin is in charge of them and they keep Daddy safe."

"Okay," she said chirpily as she went back to industriously trying to undress her Glenda the good witch doll.

They finally reached the farm and commenced the opposite procedures that occupied them in London. It was dinner time and the rest of the evening was occupied by cooking eating, cleanup, baths, reading time, and finally bedtime.

Cordelia came downstairs and collapsed into the overstuffed chair by the fire in the family room. Sirius came behind the chair and began to rub her shoulders. She laid her head back on the top of the chair and closed her eyes in contented bliss. His hands crept lower over her sweater until she batted them away.

"As much as I'd love a romantic interlude, Sirius, we really have a lot to get done tonight."

"Damn. Oh well…," Sirius said wearily as he crossed the room and began to extricate the presents from their hiding places.

"Wine or whisky, chose your poison," Cordelia asked as she struggled up from her comfortable chair.

Sirius blew all the air from his cheeks and surveyed the pile in front of him. "Whisky…definitely whisky. Strong, neat and a double while you're at it, Thanks."

Cordelia returned with a short cut crystal glass for Sirius and a large glass of cabernet for herself. She put on some traditional Christmas music, gave Sirius a pair of scissors and tape and set to work. Sirius, of course, had charms for a lot of the work, but there were still some things that needed to be done by hand. As the tasks grew fewer, and the wine decreased in her glass, she found her mind wandering more and more back to their close encounter that morning. She became more aware of his eyes. They were so warm and laughing. He was regaling her with a tale from his Hogwarts days. Apparently his friends and he had decided to stay over the Christmas holidays. It was while they were still trying to figure out all the corridors and set them to some sort of map. As he talked she listened less to what he was saying…she kept an interested smile on her face, but the story was not what held her interest.

Yes those eyes were marvelous, and the lips aren't so bad either. She was remembering the warm firm lips on her ear earlier. She edged a bit closer so she could feel the warmth of him differentiated from the warmth of the fire. He went on with his story as she went on with her inventory. She found her fingers curling in desire to reach up under his sweater and run her hands along his shoulders and chest.

"Have you heard anything I've been saying?" she suddenly heard him ask.

She could feel herself blushing a bit while stammering, "…well…er…no. Not really."

Sirius rolled his eyes, but laughed. He put down his wand and commented that enough was enough and started levitating all the gifts and surprises for Charlotte into a closet. They still had tomorrow to put finishing touches on things. Cordelia watched as he moved about putting things away. She had stretched out on the couch by then and just admired his long legs wrapped in worn jeans and the broad shoulders bound by the woolen sweater.

He came and sat on the edge of the couch. "Where on earth are you? You've been a bit distracted?"

"Who me? Never….well maybe just a bit. But it's your fault, you get me all heated up this morning and then we have to play domestic…," she smiled.

"Can I pick up now where I left off maybe?" he asked as he began to slide his hand under her sweater.

"Mmmmmm," she murmured as she sat up and wrapped her arms about his neck and pulled him down to her.

She loved his kisses, at times soft and questioning, at others hard and insistent, but as far as she was concerned they could go on all night and never come up for air. They had all they needed right there. If she needed air she could take his and she would gladly give him her breath if it meant they wouldn't have to part lips. The only reason she wanted his lips to leave hers was to go other places on her body. But luckily his hands were doing nicely on their own and so the lips weren't needed at the moment. She had slid her hands up beneath his sweater and tugged it off over his head. Ahhhhh, that was much better. Free access to the marvelous skin and heat of him. He was still trim and strong for nearly 50 years old. No grey in the chest hair that sprung soft and curly beneath her fingers. Chest muscles still well defined, no paunch of extra material in the belly. Other parts seemed rather firm at the moment as well if she wasn't mistaken.

She felt his hands performing a similar inspection of her fitness. Back, belly, and finally and luxuriously breast. She'd dispensed with her undergarments much earlier in the evening for comfort sake, and that certainly assisted his ministrations. A shiver of arousal shot through her as he gently stroked and fondled her. His mouth disconnected from hers and began to trail down her neck as he began to maneuver her sweater towards her head to lift off.

There was a loud thud followed by some desperate sounding scratches on the French door.

Sirius pulled back startled, and promptly reached for his sweater. "What the hell could that be?" Sirius muttered getting up and grabbing his wand.

Looking out into the dark night through the French doors that led from the sitting room onto the veranda, Sirius could not see what had made the noise. He did see a large full moon lighting the sky however. Nights like this always made him think of Remus. How many years had they planned their adventures around the full moon. It always affected him. He felt wilder and definitely more feral on nights like this. Particularly when surrounded by the wilds of the farm. Ever since Harry had found Remus a year ago, Sirius had been trying to talk him into coming up to the farm so they could go exploring again. He knew it wouldn't be an activity his security team would be enthused about, but he figured at the farm he could ditch them. Sirius thought if this was Remus he picked a hell of a time to take him up on his offer to visit. Feeling a bit feral generally made him want to stay in and play a bit with Cordelia rather than explore the wild, but that wouldn't be polite.

Slowly and carefully he opened the door, he saw a security wizard at the end of the veranda skulking about.

"I'll be right back, I need to go check something out here," he commented to Cordelia, leaning his head back inside for a moment.

He slipped out and transformed. He knew he was a better hunter as a dog. His senses were heightened and he could get anywhere more quickly on four legs rather than two. Yes, that was it. It was a scent he was very familiar with though he hadn't smelled it in years. His heart began to beat more quickly in anticipation of what he might find. How long had it been? At least four years, maybe longer than that. Down towards the forest, trying to avoid the security. He was rather good at avoiding them up here. He made it to the wood and began to slow his pace. The path narrowed and twisted bent and turned. He'd been down the path before, but lit as it was it seemed foreign and more threatening.

There curled up by the large rock was the wolf. Not just any wolf. This one he knew as well as his own skin, in whatever form. The wolf was underfed and seemed sluggish. They could communicate in a basic fashion. Nudges and head jerks took the place of words. Sirius was able to discern that the wolf was hungry and tired, but not sick. The whys and wherefores would have to wait for the complexities of human speech. Sirius indicated for the wolf to stay put and that he would be back.

"Lupin's here." Sirius said in a hushed but excited voice when he got back inside. "I'm not sure if he's okay or not. I have to go back out."

"Damn, Sirius…I was hoping to get a bit of time with you."

"I know, I was hoping for the same thing. How long can you stay awake?"

"Probably not that long. Why doesn't he come in to get warm? Doesn't he use the wolfsbane potion."

"It makes him a bit safer, but he's still a werewolf."

"I'm not really afraid of him….too much. Although it does give me pause…"

"Paws?"

Cordelia groaned at the stupid pun. "Right, well…don't be out too late. Won't you be cold?"

"No…I'll be just fine…thick coat of fur after all."

"Be careful, should I tell Colin?"

"Yeah, but just him."

"Okay, bring him in for breakfast."

"I will. I'll try to get away a bit ahead of dawn so we can have some time together."

"Right, then…go have fun."

Sirius smiled that smile that just shone mischievousness and anticipation of adventure. He gave her a deep lingering kiss that promised a lot that she doubted he would have the time to fulfill. And he was gone.

She didn't begrudge him that. His job was a lot of diplomacy and paperwork and dealing with witches and wizards with any number of complaints and troubles with muggles. A bit of fun with an old friend couldn't hurt anything.

Cordelia wearily climbed the stairs and slipped quietly into Charlie's room. All was silent, as she turned off the night light and brushed a hand down her daughter's cheek. She always felt reassured to hear the steady breathing and feel the soft warmth of her daughter while she slept.

She then moved into her own room, slipped into her flannel nightshirt and snuggled down into the quilts. Although the quilts were warm, Sirius was warmer and she missed him. It was like having a mini-space heater in bed with her every night. Her hands and body were tingling with the feelings he'd aroused before leaving abruptly. She cursed under her breath and turned the reading light on by the bed and picked up her latest book obsession, and novel about an English army nurse and a Scottish Highlander.

****************

Sirius dodged the wizards stationed about the farm. He knew the paths he could take covertly as a shorter animal than human. He realized they were there for his safety, but they bugged him. They made him feel like he was continually on display. He understood the risks and didn't much care on this night. He managed eight years without a contingent of security wizards watching his every move. He certainly could keep himself alive for one night. He did however notice a faint prickling on his neck like someone was following him just out of sight as he made his way down past the stables. He figured that while he could fool the rest of the team, Colin was not that gullible. That was why he agreed for Cordelia to tell Colin about his plans and figured he would follow.

Once out in the fresh air he felt exhilarated. He couldn't run like this in London and usually didn't take the time to do this when he was up here for the weekend. He'd transformed a few times, but with no one to play with it wasn't much fun. But tonight Remus was here. He couldn't wait. He found the wolf by the same tree he left.

***********

There was a small hand moving down her cheek as Cordelia came back into consciousness. She looked up in time to see Charlie clambering into bed with her and wriggling under the covers. Cordelia pulled her daughter close and tickled her in the tummy so she giggled. Charlie wrapped her little arms around Cordelia's neck and squeezed and they both drifted off again for a fraction of an eternity. Next thing she knew she was being jumped on and her arm was being pulled.

"Come on mommy, bekfatht….come on, come on."

"Okay, hang on let me get my robe."

Cordelia sat up slowly and ran her hand through her hair. Pulled her robe over her shoulder and noticed the other half of the bed hadn't been slept in. She climbed out of bed, fastened her robe and lifted Charlie on her hip.

As they entered the kitchen she could hear voices laughing and talking over each other. Remus was sitting at the table looking tired and thin, but laughing very hard. Sirius was standing by the counter trying to talk through a similar round of laughter. He was holding a coffee cup which was practically spilling as he was too caught up with mirth to notice.

Cordelia set down Charlie, who immediately ran to Daddy with cries of uppy, uppy, as Cordelia removed the coffee mug from his hand.

"Good morning Remus. I'm glad you could finally make it up here. I wasn't expecting you, but you're always welcome."

"Good morning, I'm sorry about keeping Sirius out all night. I hadn't intended to intrude, but found myself up here after an assignment and hadn't had the chance to get back to London and get my, ummm, medication. I knew Sirius was here and could help keep me in check, so I took the chance. I appreciate you loaning him to me last night."

"It looks to me like he enjoyed it as much as you did. Have either of you slept? Or eaten for that matter?"

Sirius was finally calm enough to answer. "No on both counts, but I'm sure Charlie wants pancakes."

"Pancakes, Pancakes for brekfetht."

"Right then you men get cleaned up and I'll make breakfast. We need to finish up the decorating then I thought we could take a ride down to the Kirk in town for Christmas Eve Service. I know you two aren't the most religious sorts, but it always puts me in the right mood."

"Remus, we've been given our orders. You can take the bedroom with the bath in the south wing. I'll get you some clothes and towels," Sirius said setting Charlie down in her booster seat with a kiss and leading Remus from the kitchen.

**********

They passed the rest of the day companionably. This was the first time Charlie had spent an extended time with Uncle Remie, as they decided Uncle Remus had too many social undertones. Sirius, Remus and Charlie all took extended naps in the afternoon. Charlie fell asleep on Sirius's chest in the study while he was reading to her and Remus took the opportunity to retire to his room and get some rest. This allowed Cordelia to dash into town and do some last minute shopping and still have time for a glass of wine and a couple of chapters in her book by the fire before everyone awoke. A near perfect afternoon if anyone had asked.

They had ridden the horses down to the Kirk to sing Christmas carols, with Remus and Sirius intentionally singing off key in order to make Charlie giggle. Sirius had rigged up a harness to allow Charlie to ride in front of him, plus he always took the gentler mare rather than the black stallion he generally preferred. Remus got the honor of trying to gentle Donas this day. They all made it back in one piece and had a festive dinner.

It was bedtime for Charlie. They laid out cookies and milk, and she said her goodnights.

"Mommy?"

"Yes, darling?"

"Fader Kissmiss coming tonight?"

"Yes love, but only after you sleep." Cordelia answered getting up from the couch and lifting the child onto her hip.

"After I sweep?"

"Yes, love, only after you sleep."

"Fader Kissmiss coming tonight," she said with much more certainty.

"Yes, let's get you up to bed, shall we?"

"Mommy and Daddy sweep too?"

"Yes, we need to sleep too."

"Mommy and Daddy go night, night now," she said firmly.

"Yes, mommy and daddy will be going to bed very soon," Cordelia assured her sleepy daughter. "I hope," she added in an undertone.

They climbed the stairs in silence then with Charlotte's arms wrapped tightly around Cordelia's neck. Her face nuzzled into Cordelia's shoulder.

Cordelia reached Charlotte's room and laid her gently in her bed. Tucked the wee fluffy black pup she took everywhere next to her and snuggled the blankets up to her chin. Charlotte turned over and nestled deep into the covers.

"Night, night mommy," Charlotte mumbled sleepily.

"Night, night sweetheart," Cordelia said as she smoothed the hair away from the tiny forehead.

***********************

The conversation had drifted amiably from subject to subject with Remus and Sirius filling each other in on various humorous, and hair-raising stories. Cordelia had reentered the room, having tucked Charlie in and changed into her flannel nightshirt, blue chenille robe, and sheepskin slippers. She snuggled contentedly against Sirius with her head on his shoulder and draped an arm across his leg. Sirius took hold of her hand. She could feel his warmth seep into her, warming as the robe just couldn't do. He'd begun toying with her thumb, running his own across hers. Even this little touch tended to set her flesh to goose bumps if she was in just the right mood, and she was. She ran her other hand surreptitiously down the outside of his leg. Her movements were hidden in the folds of her robe, but she could feel the effect they had on him. He tightened his hand in hers, but began to move his thumb along her palm in slow caressing circles.

She honestly was trying to pay attention to the story Remus was telling, and she knew Sirius was listening as he seemed to respond at the necessary intervals, but her mind kept wandering to thoughts of other activities. Lost in the fantasy of it all she caught herself nearly groaning with anticipation. At that point she knew she needed to remove herself from this position or tear his clothes off, which definitely would not be polite in front Remus.

"Um, can I get you a brandy, Remus? I know my mum has some excellent French stuff."

"Yes, that would be fine. I'd quite enjoy that."

"Sirius?"

"Yes, that would taste good about now," he said with a contented smile as she rose from the couch and approached the area where various liquors were kept.

"Damn, the bottle's nearly empty. I think mum has some more in the cellar. I'll run down and fetch some. If I'm not back in five come search for me, I may have gotten lost," Cordelia said to Sirius with the faintest of winks.

Cordelia bided her time casually browsing the bottles of red and white wines her parents had accumulated from their travels. There was even some single malt left from her grandfather. Her mum had pointed the bottles out that were thickly laden with dust. She knew just where the brandy was kept, but that had not been her motivation for coming to the wine cellar. After what seemed forever, she finally heard the door click open and shut again, and footsteps on the stair.

They seemed hurried, and she was ready.

"Cord?"

"Back here, behind the…"

He'd found her and his lips interrupted other speech, his hands interrupted other thoughts. He moved her swiftly against the wall and crushed her to him. His hands had undone the robe and were lifting the nightshirt above her thighs. She stripped his sweater off over his head, and ran her hands across his chest and down his stomach muscles that were tense with effort. His hands were gone momentarily as she felt herself held up only by his mouth on hers. Then she felt his flesh on her, in her, as she heard the door click open.

Their eyes locked as they froze movement.

"Cordelia?" said a voice from the top of the stair.

She struggled with breath and tried to expel a strong voice in as bland a tone as she could manage, "Yes, Remus?" she managed to croak.

"Don't you say a word," she hissed to Sirius.

"Trust me I can't," he grinned as he held her tighter.

"Charlie is calling for you. Seems she wants some water, should I get her some?"

"Don't make me stop," came the whisper in her ear.

Cordelia cleared her throat trying to get it to work without sounding as breathless as she was. "If you would, tell her I'll be a long in a moment, I'm nearly through here."

"Don't move," came her voice in a whisper back to him.

"Are you all right down there? Do you need some help?"

Sirius bit her neck.

"NO!" she said a bit too forcefully. "Sirius is ……down here …..ummm…..helping me. Ummm, we're just fine, thanks. Looking over on the other side there…" she stifled a small gasp that threatened to escape her throat.

"Right then," came the voice from above, "I'll go check on Charlie and then come back in case you need a hand."

"I've got all the hands I need just now," as one hand that was not her own began to roam at will in various ticklish spots on her body. "Thanks, but…ummm….. that won't be necessary, I'll be up in a minute and it's rather crowded down here. No need for someone else to get dusty," she said stifling a giggle.

"If you're sure."

"Yes, I'll be along."

Finally the door closed. "Don't say a w…." She could feel him smile against her mouth. But her other words were cut off by that very insistent mouth. She was definitely carried away with the moment.

"Don't stop, don't ever stop," she murmured against his lips."

Sirius had kept himself still through all this and now took up movement with a vengeance. She knew they didn't have much time, but she wasn't going to put this off, not again. His hands seemed to be everywhere on her body; her legs, her breasts, her back, her shoulders, and finally firmly clenching her fine arse as he usually called it. For her there were no responsibilities, no guests to make comfortable, no two year old lurking to steal way privacy in their bed, actually come to think about it, no bed.

She gave herself up to the swirling dizzy sensations that engulfed her whenever she was in his arms. The world seemed to stop, but she still spinned. Up on a crescendo that seemed to rise to the stars. Then that electrical feeling that felt like a power surge had shot around the room and enveloped them in the energy that crackled in the air.

She hadn't lied to Remus. They were done shortly, but lingered against the wall a bit longer. Cordelia could feel the nail impressions and bite marks on his shoulder and knew she would have some wounds of her own.

"Cordelia, if I don't have you again soon, slowly, I'm going to die of want."

"Just a couple hours with Remus and then I'm all yours."

"Promise me."

"I promise, no matter how late."

"No matter how late," he promised adjusting her robe and pulling his sweater back over his head.

They climbed the stairs, brandy bottle in hand. Separated at the top of the stairs with a lingering kiss as Cordelia set out to check on Charlie upstairs and Sirius went back to the den where they had left Remus.

*******************

By the time Cordelia got downstairs, Sirius had drifted off on the couch and Remus was nursing a brandy. The moon was waning and he would not turn tonight.

"I tried to talk a bit more with him, but he kept dozing off, so I just let him. How is he?" Remus asked. "Harry told me a bit about your first year together."

"Oh, that? He's doing rather well, although he still wakes up in nightmares occasionally. The therapy has helped enormously."

"These nightmares, are they about Azkaban, or before?"

"Both, sometimes neither. They're about everything from being back in Azkaban to killing James and Lily himself, to killing me, to locking Charlie up, that used to be my gig, but we've progressed a bit."

"That must be awful."

"Well, it's no picnic, but Dr. Huebner is helpful. She insists that he write these dreams down and discuss them with her and me as soon as possible after the dream. We also try to keep an eye out for triggers, like certain smells, and sounds. It's a bit bizarre which things will be a problem. Usually simple things that are in no way terrifying in themselves, but just combine to cause that reaction." Cordelia was looking absently into the fire.

"What happens when you run across a trigger?"

"If I recognize it before it affects him I can usually head off a reaction by warning him of it. If he's caught unaware a lot depends on the rest of his life. If it's been a good week, the trigger will pass unnoticed. If it's been a stressful week, we might see anything from an uncharacteristically angry outlash to a full fledged dissociative episode. I've only seen 5 of those in 3 years, but they are frightening, let me tell you."

"Just what I would expect every new marriage to need, constant vigilance to every stimuli?"

Cordelia laughed. "It's not as bad as all that. It's a challenge, but none more so than a new culture, new job, and new baby."

"All that in 3 years, you make me feel like an unadventurous soul…you must like a challenge?" he said with a raised eyebrow.

"I suppose I was too settled in my before life. Why on earth did I need coffee that night?" she said with a chuckle. "No I have had so many wonderful moments since meeting Sirius. The difficulties are more than worth it."

They were silent for a bit as Cordelia poured herself another glass of wine.

She settled back on the couch and lifted Sirius' feet onto her lap. He shifted as the ghost of a smile crossed his mouth. "So how are you? We haven't seen you in months."

"I'm doing well. Harry is keeping me very busy. I think I'll finally be able to buy a place in _________. The rental flat is too noisy and not much privacy."

"You need to come up here more."

"That I do! I haven't been able to run like that in years. I thank you again for your grounds and for letting Sirius come out last night. You have a lovely place here."

"Thanks, it's been in the family for generations. My mum would remember all the history. How did you know how to get here? I've been meaning to get you directions, so you could just come up on a whim without an invitation."

"I've been here before."

Her eyebrows raised in surprise. "You have?"

"Yes, the day of your wedding, I was here."

"You were? I didn't see you. There is a lot of that day I don't remember, but I would have remembered you!"

"I got turned away by the security team before Sirius could be told I was here."

Cordelia looked shocked, but Remus waived his hand to dismiss the indignation. "No matter, I snuck in and saw the vows, then slipped out and left before they could spot me again," he paused, "I wanted to make sure you were right for him, and once I saw his face I knew you were."

Cordelia blushed, "Thank you. Though if I'd known you were here I would have forced you to stand up with Sirius, right beside Harry. He talks about you a lot, you know."

"Really?" Remus smiled a bit embarrassed.

Cordelia just smiled over her wine.

"On that self-centered note, I think I'll go up to bed. I'm usually knackered after a full moon, if you'll excuse my lack of social courtesies."

"Not at all! I want you to feel completely at home here. No prerequisite conversation here. We have books!" she said with a wry smile.

"And some very good ones, I might add. There was a biography I've wanted to read and I found it in the library this afternoon. Do you mind if I borrow it?"

"Nope, books are for reading, they feel better when they're opened wide and being caressed by an appreciative pair of eyes."

Remus laughed, "I suppose they do. Any particular wake up time?"

"Well, Charlie is up at seven, so that's when I'll be up. As long as she doesn't disturb you, you can sleep as late as you want. We may not hold breakfast…"

"Don't worry, I can cook," he commented with a smile.

"In that case I'll have you up and making pancakes at six!"

"I warn you I'm not much of a cook at six, but I can manage toast and coffee."

"Just kidding, we will see you when we see you. Sleep well," Cordelia called as he moved towards the door.

Just as he reached the door he turned and sighed. "He's very lucky, you know."

"Good night, Remus."

"Good night, Cordelia."

She turned back to the fire and sat amongst her thoughts, and eventually dozed off a bit herself.

******************

Sirius jumped a bit as he came rapidly awake from a nebulous dream he tried to hang onto, but vanished like fog in the sun. Because he had had his feet resting in Cordelia's lap he had accidentally kicked her and she was awake cursing as well.

"OW!"

"Oh, sorry, you all right?"

"Ummmm…sure," she said with a yawn.

He sat up rubbing his face, leaned over and kissed the spot on her thigh that he'd kicked. "Better?"

"Yes, definitely. Kissing always helps," Cordelia commented as she leaned over to him and nudged him gently on the shoulder.

"Shall we go up?"

"Yes, I do believe it's way past your bed time."

"Yes, I do believe it is," he said rising from the couch offering his arm as she took it and leaned into him and matched his step. Charlie all right then?"

"Yes, she's fine. She just wanted to make sure we knew that Father Christmas was due tonight."

"Oh, Aye I think we know that well enough!" he chuckled. "If we don't now we will next month when the bills come in."

They climbed the stairs in silence. He ushered Cordelia in and closed the door, turned her towards him, "Is it too late?"

"I told you it wouldn't be too late." She kissed him deeply and thoroughly and pulled the sweater over his head and leaned into his arms. Absorbing his warmth and strength. And even though he had removed her robe she wasn't cold in the least. She was still wearing her flannel nightshirt, but it wasn't positioned in a way that would yield any kind of thermal properties.

She didn't notice when he removed it, she did feel herself moving backwards, but trusted him to keep them upright as long as necessary. Their bodies were starting to approach that point where all boundaries between the individuals melted. It used to be just during the act itself, but lately it had been happening sooner, almost the minute her flesh touched his.

He moved her back onto the bed, laid her flat, and came over her. "You are very very beautiful," he murmured as he traced his tongue along her lower lip...

"Tell me again."

"I could lose myself in your eyes, but I'd rather lose myself elsewhere," he said with a wry smile.

That earned him a punch in the solar plexus. "You're supposed to be seducing me."

"Do I have to, you're my wife for god sake," he said with exaggerated exasperation.

Cordelia giggled. "Yes, if you expect to get any tonight, you best start whispering sweet things in my ear."

"Didn't seem to need talk downstairs?"

"I was carried away by the atmosphere," she smiled.

"Can I carry you away again?"

"I'm waiting for that right now," assisting him out of his jeans, and drawing the comforter up over them both.

He began to kiss her, she assumed, to stop her rambling. His mouth was firm and warm, demanding yet promising. His tongue toyed with her own, inviting her to duel. His hands fulfilling the promises of his mouth, they skimmed lightly over her body sending gooseflesh bubbling all over her. She stretched luxuriously as his mouth left her body and began the exploration of her neck. She giggled as he licked and bit the sensitive skin just below her earlobe. He tickled her belly as she squirmed sensuously against him. She trailed he hand down the bones of his spine. Feeling each tiny bump of his vertebra as her hands worked there way down and across his well-muscled back.

They touched and stroked and kissed and just generally spent as much time as they could enjoying each other's bodies as thoroughly as possible. It had been months since they had had the time, opportunity, or energy to pursue this particular pleasure. To let all reality fade away and spend as much time as they wanted to simply enjoy each other. They spent a lot of time together on a daily basis, but it was rare they could leave responsibilities behind and indulge in simple carnal pleasure.

Later after the explosion of sensations had faded and they had dozed contentedly for an undetermined time in sated bliss, Sirius turned her on her side and wrapped his body behind hers.

"Happy Christmas," he whispered sleepily in her ear.

"Happy Christmas, Sirius."