My voice and heart were breaking -- 2017

I really did not want to do this, but Daddy had said he wanted to do something special.  I bit my lip as I stood in the bathroom in front of my bathroom mirror.  I was wearing my hair loose around my shoulders, a dress that was as simple as could be but it was one of my dad's favorites on me.  I jumped slightly when I saw my husband's reflection in the mirror behind me.  I turned around and smiled at him the best that I could.  "Hi honey," I said.

I smiled at her and put my hands on her shoulders.  "How are you holding up?" I asked her.  I knew that this entire thing was so difficult for her and their entire family.  Remus was always so kind to me, too.  I was glad that they were able to do something like this.  Everything was getting harder and harder... Remus was losing his battle.  I felt guilty because it was all because of my family; they did this to him.  Them and Bellatrix when she tortured him years ago.

I leaned into my husband and took a deep breath.  "I've been better... but this is something I am going to have to do," I said.  If I did not do this, then I would regret it for the rest of my life.

I nodded, putting my arms around her and trying to give her some of my strength.  "I understand... are you meeting him somewhere...?  Or is he coming to pick you up?" I tried to sound casual, but I thought that with his condition, it would be best if they stayed at either the Lupin cottage or our place.

"He's going to pick me up," I said, though I was not entirely sure if that was the wisest idea for my dad to do.  But I would not argue with him about anything.  This could be one of the last times I saw him this healthy and sane... I pulled away from Ayden when I heard a knock on the door.  "This is it... can you get the door?  I want to compose myself..."  I took a deep breath, trying to fight my tears that came to my eyes at the idea that this was possibly one of the few times I would see him again.

I nodded, giving Lucy a kiss on the cheek before going to the door.  I opened it up and smiled at Remus -- the man who accepted me to marry his daughter despite my family.  I motioned for him to come in.  "She'll be down in a minute," I said to him, feeling slightly awkward.

I heard them downstairs, but I could not quite bring myself to go down and see my dad.  I wanted this to be a good day, not a day where all I would be doing is crying.  That was not going to be okay.  I needed to stay happy and focused... I wanted to remember this as something special.

I nodded at Ayden.  "Thank you,' I said quietly.  While we waitedf or Lucy, I looked at him.  "How is she doing?" I asked, though I was sure I kenw the answer.

I sighed, shaking my head.  "Not that great," I said to him honestly.  "But what else do you expect, really?" I did not mean that as an insult, but it was the truth.  She lost her mum... she was losing her dad...

I coul hear the men talking down there, but it was hard to get my emotions in check.  I took a deep breath and finally got myself under control.  I started to teh stairs and to head down to where I heard my dad's comforting voice.  A voice I knew that would not be there to calm me much longer...

His wors hurt, but they were the truth. I was going to say something when I heard movement coming down the stairs.  My daughter, looking as beautiful as ever, reminded me so much her mother, was coming down them.  She looked so beautiful.  I smiled at her, feeling tears come to my eyes.  "Hi baby," I said to her, offering my hand to her so she could walk down the last few steps with assistance.

I turned to see Lucy standing there.  She did look pretty.  I saw Remus's expression and it nearly broke my heart.  It was like the way someone would look at a loved one when they knew it was the last time they would see them.  I ended up turning away because I did not want Lucy to see me start to have tears in my own eyes.

I took my dad's hand and smiled at him.  When I got off the stairs, I spun arond, remembering what I did on our first date.  "Isn't the dress pretty?" I asked, knowing I may not be saying the exact words, but it was close enough.  I wanted him to know that I remembered that day as clearly a young girl could have.

I smiled and watched her spin, what she said touching my heart.  I easily conjured some flowers, just like I did before.  "And these are yours, my pretty baby girl," I said to her, handing her a bouquet of daisies.

I knew all of this was something that I woul have to help Lucy with when she got home.  It was going to kill her on the inside as much as it would make her feel better.  I wanted to take a picture -- even though it may be a long time before Lucy would be able to look at it.  But I knew my wife would want one.