A/N: God, I've gotten bad at updating! Life has been busy and the computer hasn't been working. Not to mention the fact that I lost my notebook where all of this is written and only just found it after a day's frantic searching! Sorry about the suspense! For those of you wondering what the mystery present is…well, let's find out, shall we? (Hint: I love writing smut, and probably do it a little too often- I had to take out most of it here to keep the rating a T, but not all of it has been removed.) But really, it's not nearly as important as some think.

Once she was sure his eyes were closed, Tonks leaned over and kissed him. Her tongue found his. They explored the corners of each other's mouths, making the familiar seem just as foreign as it had the very first time he had kissed her. Lupin had always been like that. In his arms, Tonks felt safe and dangerous at the same time. It wasn't a sensation she could explain; more of a gut feeling. But after all, isn't love like that?

When they broke apart. Lupin picked her up and brought her over to the bed. Laying her down, he began to take off her clothing.

"It won't hurt the baby, will it?" he asked. She shook her head and began to unbutton his shirt.

In bed, Lupin had always been the gentler one. She was more daring. As her pregnancy advanced, Lupin had become even more tender. He didn't want to risk hurting the baby or its mother, for whom movement and touch were becoming more painful.

She liked how lightly he touched her. It only made her senses seem sharper. He seemed to know exactly where she was sore and what she needed to feel good.

…

"I love you," said Lupin. Both spent, she was laying next to him, using his neck as a pillow.

"I love you, too. So much. Did you like your present?"

"Mmhmm. I'll have a hard time topping that!"

"You just wait. There's more to come tomorrow!" she giggled like a little girl again. "God, I love Christmastime!"

"Me, too. Just think- this time next year, we'll be celebrating the baby's first Christmas!"

She snuggled closer to him, using his body heat to warm herself.

"I know!" she said. "And maybe the war will be over."

"Wouldn't that be a great present?"

She nodded dreamily.

"I think I'll make some tea," Lupin said. "Would you like some?"

"Yes, please."

Lupin slid out from under her, kissed her forehead and climbed out of the warm covers. When he returned, Tonks was talking to her baby.

"What have you two been talking about?" he asked, helping her sit up.

"We were wishing this place was big enough for a tree."

Little did she know that a twelve-footer was in their new living room right now.

Lupin handed her a mug. "Sorry, kids. I guess we'll see about next year."

"Bloody hell that's hot!" Tonks hollered suddenly. She had just spilled tea over her bare skin.

Lupin used the sleeve of his robe to wipe the hot liquid off (licking some off, for good measure.)

"Is that better?" he asked.

"Much, thanks."

He passed her some warm clothing, and both were soon asleep.

The next morning- Christmas Day- Tonks rose early. She went to the kitchen and made hot chocolate. When she returned to the bedroom, having only spilled a little, Lupin was still asleep. Tonks grabbed a pillow and hit him with it.

"Get up, sleepyhead! It's Christmas morning!"

Lupin rolled over and muttered "Kids these days!"

Tonks laughed. "Poor old man. I made you some hot chocolate, Ebenezer Scrouge."

He perked up at that.

After a lazy breakfast, Tonks could hardly wait to give Lupin her presents. Much to her annoyance, he insisted that they dress first. For once, she dressed faster than he did. In honor of Christmas, Tonks had vibrant green hair with bright red streaks.

Finally, Lupin was ready. Surprisingly, he was wearing a hat, scarf, gloves and cloak.

"Going somewhere?" Tonks asked.

"Yeah, I'm taking you for a ride. Go put a coat on! I love the hair, by the way."

When she returned a few minutes later, Lupin was holding her broom.

"You don't mind if we use your broom, do you? We're going for a ride, and I don't think mine could carry us anymore."

Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"I have something better. Let me get your present."

She raced back to the closet. When she returned, Tonks was carrying a long and brightly-wrapped package. Lupin carefully tore the paper off. Inside was a shining new Firebolt. It had been surpassed as the best broom, but not by much.

"Oh my god!" he exclaimed. "This is fabulous! Thank you!"

She grinned at him. "I'm glad you like it. You can't teach our baby to be the next Charlie Weasley or Harry Potter with your old pile of twigs."

He laughed and kissed her. "Thank you. Now are you ready for a ride?"

She nodded. "Just don't take too long. I'm not finished playing Santa Claus yet."

"All right. Hop on!"

Lupin climbed onto his new Firebolt. Tonks sat behind him, arms around his waist. After Disillusioning them both, Lupin flew out the window. He marveled at how much smoother his new broom was. It glided over the city faster than he'd ever flown before. All too son, they began to near the house.

"Close your eyes!" he yelled over the wind. Curious about what was going on, Tonks obliged him. She gripped him tightly, feeling the broom begin to tilt downwards. A moment later, they had landed. Lupin held her arm, guiding her toward the house. The peeling white paint was gone. In its place was a deep red. He unlocked the door and led her to the living room.

Tonks knew they were in a house, but she had no idea where. "Can I open yet?" she asked, voice bursting with curiosity.

"Go ahead!"

She opened her eyes and gasped.

"Merry Christmas, sweetie, and welcome home!"

Inside, the living room had been painted a warm, chocolaty brown. The window was adorned with turquoise curtains. A towering Christmas tree was in the corner, lit with hundreds of candles. A couch and two armchairs were by the stone fireplace. With a wave of his wand, Lupin lit a fire.

"You did all this yourself?" she asked. Much to Tonks's annoyance and embarrassment, her eyes filled with tears.

"The Weasleys helped a bit but I did most of it. What's wrong?" he asked, noticing her tears.

"N-nothing. I just can't believe you did this all for me. I love you so much!"

He wrapped his arms around her. "I did it for us and our baby because I love you two more than anything else in this world."

"It's perfect. Absolutely perfect."

"Here, come see the rest of the house!" Taking her arm again, Lupin gave her a tour of what he'd done.

It was exactly how she'd pictured it. Tonks had picked out and ordered most of the paint and furniture, but she hadn't expected to have it arranged or accessorized yet. The baby's room was her favorite. Once, it had been Moody's small, dark library. Now it was painted pastel green. A crib was on one wall, with a mobile of flying horses over it. Inside was a collection of stuffed animals. The biggest were a brown wolf and a bear that flashed a different color every minute.

"That's to remind him or her of Mum and Daddy," Lupin said.

"It's perfect. I love it. I love you. In fact, I love everything!"

He laughed. "Come on, we're not finished yet."

Lupin led her back downstairs. For the first time, Tonks noticed several presents beneath the tree.

"You got me more?" she asked, stunned.

"Of course I did! Now open them, missy."

She sat down cross-legged, opening her presents and exclaiming over each one. All too soon, only the largest remained. It was almost two feet tall, but light. When she ripped the paper off, Tonks squealed with delight. Inside was a green parrot, perched on a cage.

"How did you know I wanted one?"

He shrugged modestly. "I was going to get an owl but I saw this little guy instead."

She opened the cage and watched the bird fly around the room.

"This is the best Christmas ever!"

"Yeah, it is. It's perfect."

"We have to go back to my flat soon, though."

"What for? I like it here!" he said, pulling her close.

"Silly! I haven't finished giving you my presents!"

"All right. But we're moving here tonight, okay?"

She nodded and stood up.