It had been a week since Marlene had died. Her family was only one of five other families in that neighborhood that had been killed by death eaters. All wizarding families. James could only thank whoever was listening that there were only five.
Only.
Five whole families that suddenly came to a halt.
Five groups of people had suddenly lost cousins and aunts and uncles and friends.
James was sitting at the apartment's table, cold toast and coffee sitting in front of him.
Lily padded in from the bedroom and stopped behind him. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and James reached up for her hand. He had waited so long for a casual intimacy like this. Even though the world was at war and people were being killed like flies- it made moments like this all the more important.
James didn't know how much longer the two of them had left. He didn't know if they would make it out of this war or if they would ever have a family. All he could do was hope that if they had to die in this war they would go together.
"You're thinking about her, aren't you?" Lily's voice sounded tight.
"Aren't you?"
"Can't stop."
"Thinking about who's next?"
She took a minute
"What if it's us," it wasn't so much a question
"Then we'll make the most of things while we're here." James turned around and tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear. Lily moved her arms from around his neck and sat in the dining chair closest to him.
She rested her forehead in her hands and stared at the table.
"What about a family, James?" she asked quietly
"What about one?"
"Our wedding is two weeks from today. We don't know what's happening with voldemort and the death eaters. They don't exactly seem to be on a schedule. What are we going to do? I mean, i want kids at some point but this is hardly the time." she looked up slowly, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Is there ever a good time?"
"What do you mean?"
"There's always going to be a war. There's always going to be something. If we decide to have kids we're just going to have to make the most of whatever timing we have."
Lily sat for a moment, considering him.
"What if we die?" she finally asked quietly.
"We won't."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because i will be damned if i abandon anyone, much less my own child."
"It's hardly a choice."
"I'll make it a choice."
"That's a great sentiment and all, but i suppose it's all a bit useless."
"How so?"
"I mean, do you even want kids?"
"Always have."
She smiled a little.
"Boy or girl?"
"Either."
"Really? I would have to say boy."
"Why?"
"I grew up with a sister."
James couldn't help but smile a little.
Treasure the little moments he told himself. Treasure the little moments...
