I finally have internet back! Technological complications involving incompetent tech assistance, new products and general irritation left me stranded. So, I was hoping this could be a bit longer, but I was eager to get a new chapter posted. Grapes, Sharecrow, Guest, bbu22 , and doomsday2012, thank you so much for your kind words and wonderful support. Trapezefixe thanks for your suggestions, I hadn't considered a beta but maybe I should look into it.

Hopefully the typos aren't too much this time around and you all will enjoy!

Twins. Twins!

Severus shook his head; he couldn't believe this.

He looked down and met Lily's eyes. Large, wide emeralds stared back at him a bit dazed but happy.

"I'll leave you two with your thoughts," the healer smiled as she turned her back and left the room.

"Twins," Severus murmured.

"Two," Lily answered. "Two babies."

"Did you ever think…?"

Lily shook her head. "Not for a moment." Her hand grazed her stomach and she looked up at him, her wide green eyes glistening. "We weren't sure what we would do with one. What will we even begin to do with two?"

"Love them," he answered softly. "Raise them to be talented, intelligent witches or wizards."

Lily gently placed both of her hand on her abdomen and the corners of her mouth curved upward as she looked down. "I can't believe this is happening."

He smiled as he crossed the room and gently picked up her hand. He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it gently.

"I mean, I was just starting to get used to the idea of one baby…" Lily smiled, slightly shaking her head.

"But it's happening," he smiled, kissing her hand again. "Do you want something? A drink a snack?" He just suddenly felt the need to walk.

Lily seemed to understand this. She offered him a smiled and nodded. "A drink would be great, Sev."

His grin grew even winder until he was concerned that his face may crack. He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek, gave her hand a soft squeeze, and left the room.

His brain felt like it was doing a waltz with his heart. Even though the thought of a child had originally terrified him, there was something about the fact that it was twins that seemed to ascertain that this was something that was good and meant to happen.

He found his way to the tea room and took a deep breath, trying to restrain the smile. It wasn't like him to wear his emotions so obviously but he didn't think he could hold the smile in. He browsed the menu, noticing that he was alone in the room.

Or at least he thought he was.

"It's Snapey," a voice trilled.

Severus resisted the urge to tense up. What the hell was she doing here?

Clam. Composed.

He inhale deeply and turned around.

"There were rumors. Everyone said they weren't true, and that it couldn't be possible, but I knew better," Bellatrix smirked strolling into the room, soft wisps of black smoke curled away from her feet.

Mind blank, Severus repeated to himself. He had to focus. "And what rumors do you now have confirmed?"

Bellatrix came closer until they were chest to chest, she tilted her haughty chin up and locked eyes with him. "That you have a Muggle pet."

His hear did a stutter step in his chest.

"Isn't that right, Little Sevy? And to make it even better, you've have out her in a delightfully compromising position."

If he thought his heart had stopped before, that was nothing compared to the panicking feeling in his chest as he stared into the cruel eyes of Bellatrix Lestrange. Her face was simply alight with malice.

Panic unlike anything he knew was threatening to take over. There was nothing he could do to reverse what she knew. She was quicker with a wand and she had knowledge of far nastier spells than Severus could have hoped to defend against.

"What do you want, Bellatrix?" he growled.

She threw her head back and laughed a bone chilling cackle. "So many things, dear Severus."

With a quick draw he'd practiced to best Potter and Black, Severus whipped his wand out and flicked it in the direction of the door then the windows. Keeping with the same fluid movement, he held the wand and hands in the air in a symbol of surrender. "I did that so we can ensure we won't be interrupted. I don't want to play games. What is it that you want?"

"But I so enjoy games Severus."

He sucked in air fiercely, desperately hoping that the extra oxygen would help him to think straight. "This isn't a game."

"Really?" she smiled, tracing her hand down the front of his t-shirt. "What is this, Severus?"

Severus closed his eyes and spoke slowly. "What do you want?"

"I want it all, Severus."

"You want control."

"Yes. You are quickly becoming a favorite of the Dark Lord. That is dangerous, especially when you apparently cannot show loyalty."

"I have my loyalties," he growled.

"To a filthy little Mudblood?"

His body reacted to the term, his muscles clenched even tighter than they already were, but he could not react. She wanted exactly that to only prove her suspicions. "The loyalty of a master to its dog."

That statement took Bellatrix a back. She finally stepped away from him and cocked her head to the side as she folded her thin arms across her chest. "You're trying to tell me that you think of her like a pet?"

"I've not once failed the Dark Lord. I've completed every task he's required of me. I've completed it so satisfactorily that he is apparently gaining fondness for me. Why should she make any difference?"

"You have not told the Dark Lord," Bellatrix retorted. "Secrets do not display loyalty."

"And you have not told him of your fondness for those other than your husband. Do your little escapades not call your loyalty into question?"

Her hand shot out and slapped across his face. The blow snapped his head to the side and had far more bite than Lily had ever struck him with.

"What I do on my time is not any of your business, but I would never bring my toys to St. Mungos."

"So, we've successfully managed to keep the conversation in a circle. You've supplied me with more false accusations and yet you've said nothing of what you really want." Severus glared at her and folded his hands behind his back. Physically crossing himself or folding his hands was the only way he seemed to be able to restrain himself. "Again, I will tell you I don't like games. Tell me what you want or I'm leaving."

Bellatrix unfolded her thin arms as she bit her lip. "I want you to take your little pet home today. I'll say nothing, but I am so very glad we got to have this chat." Bellatrix turned on her heel and swept from the room and was gone.

Severus stumbled back against the wall and slid slowly down to the ground. His stomach had almost crawled into his throat; it was taking more concentration than he thought he could manage to make himself keep breathing. He brought his knees to his chest and pressed his palms against his forehead.

Why was it that he was stupid enough to believe that he would be allowed to be happy? Just because Bellatrix left didn't mean Lily would be safe.

Severus pounded his hands against his head. "Get it together," he growled.

He leaned his head back, bouncing it against the wall. He inhaled deeply and pushed himself off the ground. He needed to get back to Lily.

He couldn't tell her. There wasn't a way to make this make any sense. And he didn't need to scare her.

Severus knew he needed to tell her something but he didn't know what. He hurried down the hallway to the open door of the hospital room and felt her chest tighten when he realized she was not in the room.

I'm completely taking advantage of having the internet and there will be an update in a couple of days! Until this, what did you think? Your thoughts and comments are so helpful!