"We have an announcement we'd like to make." James said, standing at the end of an Order meeting. "Lily and I are expecting! The baby is due next summer!" The room erupted in cheers as everyone rushed the happy couple. Someone pulled out a bottle and toasts were made all around.
Marlene smiled as she watched how happy Lily and James were. They were night and day from her and Sirius. She couldn't imagine having children now. Not in this war. Not when they might be tortured and killed just for existing. No, she wasn't emotionally wired to handle that. And Frank and Alice had announced last week too. They were all deliriously happy, but Alice and Lily would not be allowed on missions anymore, and Marlene knew that she wouldn't be able to handle that kind of restriction. If Sirius was out fighting then she would be to, just like they had agreed on when the war started.
Sirius walked up behind her and wrapped her in his embrace. This was what she lived for, these moments when everyone was happy and celebrating.
"Marlene," Sirius whispered. "You alright?"
She nodded and leaned back into him. "We're so different you know? Us and James and Lily. Did you know they were actually trying for this baby?"
Sirius chuckled. "Yeah, James has been a bit clinical when it comes to talking about sex lately. We went from stories about how awesome it was to him going on about the best time to do it to get the girl pregnant."
Marlene shuddered.
"Speaking of differences between us and them," Sirius said nuzzling her neck. "Do you remember that talk we had a couple nights ago? About getting married?"
"Yes. I still don't want our wedding during a war."
"I don't either. But I thought you might like this." And he pressed a simple white gold band into her hand. "Just so you know I'm serious."
She laughed as she felt his smile against her neck, "Is your name on it then?"
"No, the dumb ass clerk thought it tacky to put my name on a ring I was giving my fiancé."
"Ignorant git." And she turned in his arms to kiss him.
"I want to get you a real engagement ring, but I figured for now you'd probably prefer something simple."
"You really do know me Black." She smiled as she slid the band on her finger.
"Biblically even." He chuckled as he kissed her again.