Disclaimer – I own nothing in the Harry Potter universe, it all belongs to JKR.
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For the best
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Previously:
Once the door of Sirius' flat was shut behind us he turned to me with supporting the most arrogant grin I have ever seen. I glared at him.
"So what time should we head over to Prongs' then?" he asked, trying and failing miserably to sound innocent.
"How about never?" I replied, wishing that that was still an option.
He seemed to contemplate my answer. "No I don't think I'm free then. We'll go in about half an hour, when he gets back from work." I scowled at him. "You know Lily I think everything that has happened so far today has been for the best!"
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Chapter Ten
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The one thing I have continuously found myself questioning over the years is why James Potter had decided to become best friends with Sirius Black. I just couldn't comprehend it. The guy was an annoying git, a moron and one of the most loyal bastards I had ever met. Actually come to think about it that last one might be one of the reasons.
For the last half hour he had refused to let me out his sight for a single moment. And now my time was up. He was forcing me into my coat, holding my wand hostage, in case I acted on my current thoughts to get the hell away from everything.
"Come on Lils, it's going to be fine. You'll tell him, cry a little, he'll hug and kiss you and then you'll live happily ever after as the perfect little family." He was looking far too smug right now and it really wasn't helping to contain my flaring temper. He pulled me towards him. "I am not taking any chances, and letting you escape this." And with that I felt the familiar tight squeeze of apparation.
I looked around. We were standing in the middle of James lounge.
"Ok you can let go of me now!"
"Promise you won't run away?"
"I might run to the loo."
"Huh?"
"I think I'm going to vomit."
"Oh shit." Sirius quickly let go of me and let me make a mad dash to the toilet. This was the first time I had apparated since I fainted a few weeks ago, after the Order meeting, and my body was not reacting well to it.
When I made my way back into the lounge Sirius was sprawled out on the sofa, like he owned the place.
"Seems Prongs isn't back yet," he said acknowledging my return.
"Oh well then let's not be rude and stay here uninvited. We can just go and come back another day. If you could just give me my wand we can be off!"
"Fat chance my dear Lilyflower."
"But he's not here!"
"Then we wait."
"He could be ages!"
"Sit!" he commanded.
Sighing heavily I obeyed. Without my wand there was no way I could sneak away, without him quickly catching me. We sat there in silence for what felt like forever, waiting for James to return. It was nearly an hour before he arrived. He looked exhausted and completely drained.
"You look like you could use a firewhiskey or five." Sirius called out, alerting James to our present in his house. He spun around a reply to Sirius obviously on the tip of his tongue, until he spotted me.
"Lily!"
"Hi James."
"Why are you... I mean what are you doing here?" I could see a flicker of hope in his eyes. "Are you coming home?" he asked.
I stood up and swallowed, trying to shove the massive lump that had formed in my throat downward, so I would be able to speak.
"She's got something she needs to tell you Prongs," Sirius gave me a pointed look. "Don't you Lily?"
"I erm... yeah I..."
James stepped towards me, putting his hands on my waist.
"What is it Lily? Are you ok? Did something happen?"
His voice was so full of concern. I just wanted to cry. I could feel my eyes filling with tears as I looked straight into his eyes. They reflected the anxiety of his voice.
"I'm sorry, I can't..." I broke down, tears flowing freely down my face. "I'm sorry. I'm just so sorry."
I repeated it over and over again as he pulled me into a protective hug.
"Whatever it is you can tell me. I don't care what happened! I just want you to come home Lily." He kissed my forehead. "What is it Lily? What's happened?"
I took a deep breath.
"I...I can't do this." I turned to look at Sirius. "Please don't make me do this!" I pleaded.
"Either you do it or I will. I mean it Lily!"
"Please Sirius, please!"
"Tell him now!" Sirius demanded.
"Tell me what?"
I looked up at James who still had his arms around me. He looked so confused, so lost, so completely bewildered by mine and Sirius' exchange.
"James I love you." He gave me a small smile before transforming his face back to its puzzled look.
"Lily quit stalling!" Sirius growled warningly.
"Ok, ok!" I tried to shallow the lump which had reformed in my throat. "I just... James you need to know I love you and I never meant to hurt you. The thing is I... I'm..."
James looked at me expectantly waiting for me to continue, but it seemed Sirius had reached breaking point.
"Oh for Merlin's sake Prongs, she's bloody pregnant."
James' eyes, which had drifted to look at Sirius, immediately snapped back to staring at me, growing wider.
"She's having the first mini marauder. That's why she did her disappearing act on you." Sirius continued, before deciding it was time for him to retreat out of the room.
James' jaw had dropped and he was gulping like a fish, trying to digest the information he had just been given. His piercing stare made me squirm, but that just made him tighten his grip on my waist.
"Why?" he asked, having regained the ability to speak.
"Why what?" I replied.
"Why didn't you just tell me?"
"Because I don't want to see you get hurt."
He recoiled slightly, "You're not planning on getting rid of it are you?"
I shook my head, "No. Harry is here to stay."
"Harry? It's a boy?"
"I don't know. I just like the name Harry. It feels right."
"Harry... Harry... Harry... I like it." He gave me a soft smile. "I'm really going to be a dad?"
Grimly I nodded.
"But I still don't understand. Why did you leave?"
"Because I couldn't stay. I make you too much of a target."
"That's for me to worry about not you!" he said indignantly.
I snorted and sat down on the sofa Sirius had left vacant when he withdrew.
"It's true. If I want to take the risks that come with being with you, with having a family with you, then that's my choice," James insisted.
"You really don't get it do you?"
"What's there to get Lily?"
"It was for the best. Me..." I put my hand on my stomach, "Us leaving then and now, is for the best. I can't stay James."
"Yes you can!"
"No I can't."
"Lily be reasonable! You're pregnant with my child. I want to... I can look after you, both of you."
"You can't make me stay James."
"Yes I bloody well can!" he growled.
"No you can't." I felt my fingers grip around my wand which Sirius had left lying on the sofa. "Please believe me James, it's for the best." I stood up and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips. "Goodbye." I whispered softly before quickly disapparating away, without giving him a chance to react.
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Authors Note: Like I said when I updated Protection, I am so sorry this has taken forever to update. There is no real reason I can give. Also I'm really sorry this chapter isn't that great but I have tried writing it so many different ways and was never completely satisfied. In the end I decided that I'd made everyone wait long enough.
I'm hoping to update Rebound soon. But I will do my best not to leave this one too long before I update again.
I know I don't deserve them but I would really apprechiate and comments and feedback, so please review.
Sareface xx