Word count: 503

It isn't like James to sleep late, even on his days off. That was one thing Lily had found strange about her husband in the beginning. Given how rarely he takes anything seriously, why would he wake early if he didn't have to? But, as it happened, he's usually quite predictable in that department , always awake before eight in the morning.

But not today, of all days. Lily frowns and looks at the breakfast she's prepared for the occasion. All of James' favorites are there, right down to cranberry scones he loves so dearly; Lily had had to practically beg Euphemia for her recipe. It had been worth it, though, because James' birthday was such a precious day to her. Now, though, the food was getting cold, and she was growing more and more worried.

With a sigh, Lily pushes open their bedroom door. Sure enough, James is still curled up under the blankets, snoring and completely oblivious to anything else going on in the world outside his slumber.

"Hey, you," Lily says softly as she sits beside her husband. "C'mon, sleepyhead. Wakey wakey."

Yawning and stretching until Lily can hear the faintest crack of James' spine, he opens his eyes and blinks. "Evans?" he sits up, yawning again as he grabs his glasses from the bedside table and slides them onto his face. "Don't I usually wake you up?"

"With your obnoxious singing, yes." She laughs and shakes her head. "You slept in. I suppose you've earned it, with it being your birthday and all."

"My... " James tips his head to the side in visible confusion, dark brows knitting together like he's trying to solve a riddle known only to him. "Oh. I didn't even realize it was my birthday. Blimey, the Order…"

Lily understands. Of course she does. With everything going on right now, the Order has been swamped. She's sure the only reason she hasn't worked herself into exhaustion is her pregnancy. Even then, it feels like there aren't really any free days. The war has taken so much from her, but the possibility of a normal marriage is one of the hardest losses to cope with.

"I know. Things get a bit blurry sometimes, don't they?" she chuckles. "Are you okay?"

"I am now that I've seen your face."

She rolls her eyes, but the smile on her lips gives her away. "Sap."

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

Chuckling softly, Lily shakes her head and climbs to her feet, holding out her hand. "Come on, birthday boy. You've got a very special breakfast waiting for you. Sirius, Remus, and Peter will be by for lunch, and I want a little alone time before then."

They don't have a normal sort of marriage. This seemingly endless war has made sure of that. In the end, though, it is perfect in its own way, something Lily wouldn't dream of trading for the world. And, really, something comfortable and all her own is better than something normal any day.