A/N: this is the very last chapter of 31 Days, 31 Drabbles. I can hardly believe it! I've had so much fun writing this challenge and developing these characters – ridiculous as it sounds to say, I really feel as though I know them both a lot better now.

It's not without a fair amount of nostalgia that I say – for the last time ever in this story, I might add – I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.

"James?" Lily's voice was soft as it cut into his dreams. "James, can you help me with my slippers?"

"Er, what?" he asked, sitting up blearily.

Lily was perched on the end of the bed, a half-amused, half-exasperated expression on her face as she tried and failed to reach her slippers over her heavily pregnant stomach.

James leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Of course, love," he said, rolling off the bed and making his way to her side.

He slid the slipper onto her foot, grinning cheekily up at her. "A perfect fit."

Lily rolled her eyes, but there was far more affection in the gesture than anything else. "Get on with it, won't you?"

"As the lady wishes," he said, fitting the other slipper onto her foot and giving a dramatic bow, nearly toppling over onto his nose as he did so.

Lily snorted, eyes sparkling playfully. "Some prince you are."

"But you prefer me to some brutish, ugly knight in shining armour," he countered, offering his hand to help her stand.

She slapped it away. "I'm pregnant, not dying." But while there was exasperation in her voice, it was mostly affection, no denying it.

"Exactly," he said, wrapping his arm around her waist and resting his hand protectively on her stomach.

Lily sighed, somehow managing to do it fondly. "You're going to be the best father, you know that, don't you?"

"And you're going to be the best mother," he said, kissing her temple lovingly.

But she didn't reply, instead dropping down on the bed and letting out a deep sigh, her hand rubbing soothing circles on her stomach.

"Lily!" he said, sitting next to her and brushing his thumb along her cheek. "What's wrong?"

"How can I be a good mother if I can't even protect my baby from a stupid prophecy?" she asked, looking up at him with her green eyes full of desperate sadness.

"We don't know for sure the prophecy means Harry," he said gently, pulling her close. "And even if it does, we still have years before it comes into effect."

"You think so?" she asked, hope glimmering in her eyes through the tears.

"Of course," he said firmly. "And as for that rubbish about not being able to protect Harry – don't be ridiculous, Lil, you're one of the best witches in the world."

"And I can't even put on my own slippers," she said dryly.

"Well, true, but you have me," he said, glad to return to their playful, affectionate banter.

"I do," she said, snuggling against his chest. "And you have me, even if I do resemble a ripe watermelon at the moment."

"Everyone knows the ripe ones are the best kind," he reminded her, tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear. "And no offence, but you're far too red to be a watermelon."

"Hey, I have green eyes," she protested, widening them at him for dramatic effect. "And everyone knows watermelons are red on the inside."

"All right, all right, you win," he said, raising his hands in playful surrender. Lily sighed contentedly and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Let's just stay here, like this, for a while," she said, her voice half-muffled by his shirt.

"Fine by me," he said softly, tracing gentle patterns on her cheek. "I love you, you know that, right?"

"Of course I know that," she said, reaching up and covering his hand with hers. "And I love you."

James rested his cheek against Lily's, wrapping an arm around her round stomach, and felt pure, perfect contentment, because as long as they had each other, all was well.

A/N: and that, guys, at long last marks the end of 31 Days, 31 Drabbles. I couldn't bring myself to write James and Lily's deaths, not after all the development I've gone through with them in this fic, so I'm ending it here – where everyone is safe, alive and happy.

A huge thank-you to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed and favourited this story – sappy as it sounds to say, it really means so much to me. I really can't thank you all enough, and I sincerely hope I'll see you guys when I do this challenge again next year.

Speaking of, I'm going to be doing a different pairing (i.e. Harry/Ginny) next year, so if you have any requests or suggestions, feel free to PM me about them. I'd love to hear from you guys and what you want to read!

And now, partially because I can't quite make myself say goodbye to this challenge quite yet, and partially because I can never say no to a bit of shameless self-advertising:

I will start publishing a new, Christmas-themed Jily and Blackinnon fic called A Christmas Wish fairly soon. It's written in honour of (and in the style of, LOL) all those soppy Christmas romances currently circulating on Netflix. If you like the sound of it, please do check it out one of these days.

Also, I'll be posting some random Christmassy one-shots, so if you have any prompts, requests or suggestions, again, feel free to PM me.

I think I have now stalled the inevitable for more than enough time: 31 Days, 31 Drabbles is officially over. Thank you all again, so, so much, for your patience and kind words. I really do hope to see at least some of you in my other stories.

A very good day to you all. ~ Lynn

UPDATE (because I just can't leave well enough alone, can I?) : if anybody notices any typos or grammar mistakes in this story, please, please point them out to me - I really try my best to catch them, but nobody's perfect, and I detest typos and grammar mistakes. Thank you very much to everyone who has done this so far - as a fellow grammar perfectionist, I will love you forever for pointing them out. Thanks :)