I sat curled up at the head of the bed, hugging my knees. Remus was late, and I was getting worried. He wasn't usually late coming back from business with the Order.

I must have dozed off a bit, because the next thing I was aware of was a large, warm hand on my back.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting," Remus said. "There was something personal that came up."

"What happened?" I asked. Truthfully, I didn't care; I was just happy he was back.

Remus turned a slight shade of red. "I, er—went to talk to Harry."

I frowned. "Is that all you did?" I asked suspiciously. He certainly had a very guilty look in his eyes. When Remus didn't answer immediately I pulled my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

"You don't have to hide anything from me," I said gently. "We promised each other, remember? No secrets."

Remus gave a sort of odd grunt and pulled me tight against his chest, burying his face in my shoulder. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I'm sorry for everything…"

I laughed. "What? For making me the happiest girl in the world? How many times do I have to remind you that you didn't ruin my future—our future?"

"It's not that," Remus said quietly. "Well, partly—I feel so ashamed of what I just tried to do…"

I pulled back so I could look him in the face. "What do you mean?"

"I went to find Harry, Ron and Hermione to find out what they were doing," Remus said slowly. "When they didn't tell me, I offered to go with them as an added protection," he vaguely gestured towards the scars across his face. "Harry refused to let me, though, and… well, he insisted I come back here."

I studied my husband's face for a moment, feeling a mixture of heartbreak and elation. Heartbreak because he'd tried to go off with Harry and leave me—not to mention our unborn child—behind; elation because he came back. I sighed and leaned forward to kiss him, trying to tell him without words that I still loved him, no matter his mistakes.

"If you really wanted to go help Harry," I said softly. "Why didn't you tell me first? I could have gone with you to persuade him…"

Remus let out a dry sob and, quite suddenly, started kissing me passionately. We were flat on the bed before we broke apart. Pressing his forehead against mine, Remus finally answered me.

"I'm terrified of what might happen to you," he said. His voice was trembling. "I'm so scared that a Death Eater will—"

"Don't talk like that," I said firmly. "I'm still an Auror, remember? Just because we're married and going to be parents doesn't mean I can't defend myself."

Remus turned over and settled on his back, staring up at the ceiling. I could see worry plainly etched on his face. I smiled and nestled into his side.

"You know, sometimes I think you love me too much for your own good," I teased, hoping for a smile.

Remus let a short laugh slip before he composed himself, but I knew that I'd won. He looked at me and tried to look serious. "It's going to be the death of me, I swear."

"But not any time soon, right?" I asked, reflecting his mock serious tone.

"Definitely not," Remus agreed.

I smiled and propped myself up on my elbow to better see his face. With my free hand I traced one of the scars on Remus's cheek. "I love you," I kissed his nose. "I will always love you, no matter what."

"I love you, too," Remus reached up and cupped my chin in his hand. "No matter what."