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As Harry walked up the cobblestone path to your modest cottage, he couldn’t help the smile that overtook his features at the thought of finally being home. It had been a long two weeks away from home when business had swept him away and late-night calls could only do so much to ease the ache of being away from his family.
Walking through the familiar halls, Harry chuckled as he stepped over the toys that had been strewn across on the floor. From the kitchen, he could hear playful shouts and bursts of laughter, that could only belong to his family, flowing into the house from the open window. Harry took a moment to pause and soak in the image of you and your three children and thank Merlin for each and every blessing that had come his way. The scene before him was something he never would have even thought possible a mere ten years ago.
Finally having enough, Harry set down his belongings and walked outside to the backyard. “Are you having all the fun without me?” he asked, feigning hurt.
At his words, three pairs of eyes turned in his direction and a sudden shout of “Dad!” was all the warning Harry got before three bodies piled on top of him, knocking him off his feet.
All Harry could do was let out his own laugh and embrace each of his children, kissing the tops of their heads and relishing in the fact that he was able to see and hold them once more. It warmed Harry’s heart to know that his family had missed just as much as he missed them, and Harry was in no rush to force them off him. In fact, he enjoyed the overlapping tales of every little thing each of them had done in the past two weeks Harry had been away.
“Alright, let’s let your father breathe, you little goblins.” you teased, coming up from behind with your hands on your hips, though a smile wasn’t far behind.
James, Albus, and Lily all took their cue to stand up while Harry simply stared at you with stars in his eyes and an open mouth. In that moment, he swore it was like he was seeing you for the first time and falling in love all over again. “Hi.” he breathed out, almost breathless.
“Hiya, Harry.” you replied, your smile growing, and arm outstretched to him.
Gladly, Harry took your hand and allowed you to help pull him up before he was face to face with you, his hands automatically finding your hips and looping around them. With great care, you reached up to straighten his glasses and giggled and the way his nose scrunched up as you did so. If seeing his children had made him that happy, seeing you and holding you once more was like coming home and feeling safe after an eternity of being lost.
No other words were needed as you wrapped your arms around your husband’s neck and pulled him against yourself, brushing your lips against his for the first time in what had felt like forever. The kiss was sweet, gentle, and familiar. Harry longed to hold you flush against his chest, deepen the kiss, and explore every inch of you, but Harry knew the two of you had an audience and limited time. As if reading his mind, there was suddenly a choir of “ewww” from behind you, causing you and Harry to break about with a chuckle.
“Ew? Don’t I get to say hello to your mother to?” Harry asked, running towards his kids, managing to catch Lily and Albus in his arms and immediately tickling them.
When he finally relented his form of ‘torture,’ Harry stood back up and intertwined his hand with yours, running his thumb up and down the back of your hand. “Were the three of you good for your mother while I was away?”
“I always am, daddy.” Lily chimed in, looking up at Harry with her toothy, six-year-old grin. “But James and Al weren’t.” she added.
“That’s not true.” and “Tattletale.” immediately followed Lily’s claim and the young girl in question ran behind her parents’ legs before either of her brothers could retaliate.
“Of course, we were good, dad. And I looked after everyone just like you said.” James shared proudly, Albus nodding beside him.
Harry laughed and ruffled his son’s hair. “Well, I’m glad. I suppose that means it’s okay to give you presents now.” Harry said with a sly smile.
The word ‘presents’ was like setting of a firecracker, as James, Albus, and Lily all began to jump and crowd around their father, eager to see what he had brought back. Watching from the side, you smiled as Harry ‘accioed’ for his bag from the kitchen and began to disrupt various candy and other small gifts. Though some may argue that Harry spoiled your children, you knew he was simply trying to make up for his own childhood experiences.
“And these,” Harry suddenly spoke, bringing you out of your own thoughts. “are for your mother.” he said, producing a bouquet of flowers from his bag and presenting them to you.
The flowers varied in color, shape, and size but looked beautiful as you graciously accepted them from your husband. Bringing them up to your nose, you closed your eyes and savored their sweet scent. “Thank you.” you whispered, and leaned in for a quick peck, knowing your children wouldn’t allow anything longer.
Stepping back, you grabbed Harry’s bag and sent him a wink, silently letting him know you would put his things away and get dinner started while he stayed with the kids. Two weeks felt like an eternity to James, Albus, and Lily, and you knew how eager they were to spend time with their father again. Besides, all the while you made dinner, you were able to watch Harry run around, chase, and laugh with your kids. It was a sight that never failed to take your breath away.
As the evening continued on, you eventually called the rest of your family back inside to eat before the kids dragged Harry around, showing him every little thing they had done in the time he was gone. He sat with Lily and allowed her to read aloud a story she’d been practicing while he was away, then sat in awe as Albus showed him each and every drawing while Harry was away, before heading back out to watch James on his broom.
At some point in the evening, all three of your kids (plus Harry) had reconvened in their playroom. By the time it was time to get ready for bed, you peaked in to see James, Albus, and Lily snuggled up next to Harry who held an abandoned copy of ‘The Tales of Beedle the Bard’ in his hands, his own eyes flickering between staying awake and the realm of sleep.
“Well done, Mr. Potter.” you whispered with a smile, leaning down to pick up Lily while Harry picked up Albus (who, heartbreakingly, was quickly approaching the point of being too heavy to be picked up).
Slipping your daughter into bed and pressing a kiss to her forehead, you walked back, and gently coaxed James awake and guided him to his own room. With three kids successfully sleeping, you made your way to your own room and began to get ready for bed. As you finished putting on a moisturizer for the night, you felt Harry come up behind you and wrap his arms around your waist.
“I missed you so much.” he whispered, pressing soft kisses to your neck and shoulder.
With a slight shiver, you leant back into Harry’s touch and closed your eyes. “We missed you too.” you reassured him, then turning around to face him, hands cupping his cheeks. “Please don’t leave us for a while.” you said, staring into his green eyes.
“I promise.” he mumbled and leaned in to give you the first proper kiss since he had arrived home.
Harry only broke the kiss to lead you back to your bed, where he promptly wrapped his arms around you, enjoying the weight of your presence once more. He knew that no matter what, he would always have his family to come home to at the end of the day, and there wasn’t anything better than that.