Tonks covered her mouth to hide a yawn. Remus could hardly blame her for being so tired. With the Dark Lord in power, the lives of the Order members had been more stressful than usual. The fact that Tonks was pregnant didn't help matters.
"Go to sleep," Remus sighed.
"I'm not tired," she murmured, betraying herself with another yawn.
"Nymphadora..."
"Don't call me that." Even her protests lacked their usual strength.
"You need your rest," Remus said, concern clear in his voice.
The witch grumbled inaudibly, curling against her husband's side. "Tell me a story, Remus."
"Tell you a what?"
She peered up at him through her lashes. "A story," she repeated. "You know, a bedtime story."
Remus stared at her in disbelief. Her youth had once been an excuse for him not to act on his feelings for her, but sometimes he forgot just how young and innocent she could be. He sputtered for a moment, trying to remember how to string together a proper sentence.
"It'll be good practice," she added, stroking her pregnant belly. "For when you're a father."
His cheeks flushed a soft pink. "I don't know any stories," he admitted quietly.
Tonks pursed her lips, resting her head on his chest. "Make something up," she yawned.
Remus sighed, absently stroking her hair. "Once upon a time," he began, trying not to laugh at such a cliche way to start a story, "there was a very lonely werewolf."