Chapter 30 – Baby Stuff

Sirius Black never learned. Playing Scrabble against Remus was never a good idea if you wanted to win. Sirius looked down at the scores. It was pathetic. He was losing by nearly a hundred points. He sighed. "I've got a Q and a Z and no vowels except E's – I'm never going to win, unless the word 'Queeez' exists, which I seriously doubt. I'll just give up now, shall I?"

Remus grinned. "OK. I win. Again."

Sirius growled. "You always do. Want a return match of Chess? Or Gobstones?"

"Sirius, remind me why we're sitting here playing board games and not outside in the sun?" Remus asked, rubbing his forehead. Sirius stood and walked around to Remus' side of the table and sat on his knee. "We're waiting for James and Lilly to bring their baby round."

"Why, is it unconscious?"

Sirius grinned and kissed Remus' cheek. "I love it when you're funny."

"Come on, let's sit in the garden for a while. You're far too pale."

Sirius smiled and stood, pulling Remus to his feet. Then, holding hands, they walked outside. Remus slumped down in the grass, which looked less like a lawn and more like a field every day. "You need to cut this grass."

"I like it this way. It's tickly …" Sirius replied, lying back into the grass and pulling Remus with him. The werewolf rolled onto his side, grinning. "I suppose it isn't that bad … But you'll do the front garden, won't you?"

Sirius nodded. "Yeah, if you want. So long as you don't make me do the weeding; you know I hate that."

Remus snuggled up to Sirius, who gave him a one-armed hug and kissed his forehead. He murmured after a moment, "We'll be parents soon. It's only two and a half months to October …"

Remus smiled. "I know …"

"Will you mind if I decline the offer to be on the National Quidditch Team?"

Remus frowned. "Why? I thought it was what you want to do."

"If you don't want me to – "

"I want you to be happy."

"And I want to play for the Cannons. James is going to play for the Nationals, but … it's too much attention for me right after this. And I like the Cannons."

"But, I thought …"

"Remus."

The werewolf shrugged. "Whatever you do doesn't matter to me … Just so long as you stick around."

Sirius ginned and kissed him again. After a while, they heard a shout from inside the house. Sirius got to his feet slowly and pulled Remus up. "Our visitors have arrived."

They walked inside slowly and James met them in the hall. He walked over to them both, ginning, and said, "It's good you're home. I'm glad I don't have to worry about you any more …"

Sirius smiled as he and Remus were pulling into a hug by their best friend. When James released them they walked into lounge. Lilly was sitting on one of the sofas, holding a small baby. Sirius and Remus both went over and sat on either side of her, smiling down at the little boy. "What's his name?" Sirius asked after a moment, realising that he didn't actually know.

Lilly and James replied in unison, "Harry."

Sirius grinned and reached over to touch one of Harry's tiny hands. His fingers curled around Sirius' finger after a moment. His smile widened as Harry opened brilliant emerald eyes and gave him a gummy smile. Remus grinned as he watched Sirius pull his finger out of Harry's quite firm grip. /Babies are stronger than you think, Remus! Stop grinning like that./

Lilly looked over at Remus and passed Harry to him, then stood up. Sirius shuffled over to him and looked over Remus' shoulder at Harry.

/Sort of makes everything worthwhile, doesn't it?/

/Yeah …/ Remus replied as Harry looked from one of them to the other. /I think he likes you …/

Sirius smiled again, leaning over to kiss Remus' cheek. /What's the matter?/

/Nothing!/

/It's our deal with Blade, right? Seeing Harry's made you think about … about giving one of our children away …/

/Yes./

/We'll write to her and tell her we've changed her mind./

/But –/

/Remus, shut up. She said that we could change our mind any time!/

/But what if she does mind?/

/Remmie … Blade will understand, I think./

James coughed to get their attention, sliding his arm around Lilly, effectively stopping their conversation. "Sirius, we were wondering … would you be Harry's Godfather, please?"

Sirius blinked slowly. "Seriously?"

"Yeah. Please will you?"

Remus replied before Sirius could, knowing that Sirius would dance around the question before answering. "Of course he will. Who's going to be his Godmother?"

The conversation drifted in the direction of Harry's Christening, then Remus passed Harry to Sirius while he and Lilly went to make drinks. The little boy reached up for Sirius, gurgling happily. James sat down next to Sirius and said, "He really does like you."

Sirius barked a laugh and asked, "Doesn't everyone?"

James punched his arm gently. "Bighead."

Sirius grinned. After a moment, he asked Remus, /Can I tell him about Blade?/

/Go ahead, I was just about to tell Lilly./

Sirius took a deep breath. "James, before Voldemort took me and Remus away we decided … we decided we were going to try and have children. No, listen! There's this charity …"

Sirius explained how they were going to have children thanks to the charity Jorja had introduced them to. When he had finished, James was grinning. "So when're they due?"

"October. They could be early though."

James shook his head. "I tell you everything about me, and you go and do something like this behind my back!"

Sirius grinned and shot back the same remark James had when he'd complained about not being told about Lilly being pregnant immediately. "Well it's not like they're yours, it is?"

James shook his head again. Sirius passed Harry to James and said, "I'd better go help carry the drinks …"


That evening, when the Potters had gone home to put Harry to bed, Sirius and Remus went out into the garden again. It was dusk, but the house hid the setting sun and the garden looked a lot darker than usual. Sirius slid his arm around Remus' waist and whispered, "I'm glad we told Lilly and James."

"Me too. I told my mum while you were … unconscious. She came to visit and I told her to cheer her up."

"She pleased?"

"She's going to have grandchildren. Of course she's pleased. And she really has forgiven you for … my drug problem. She was really worried about you," Remus smiled. Sirius leant his head against Remus'. The werewolf asked after a moment, "What about your mum and dad? What do you think they'd say?"

"That'd hate me even more. They'd say I'd polluted the blood of the 'Ancient and Most Noble House of Black' or something …"

Remus laughed softly and snuggled closer, looking up at the sky. The stars were starting to glisten in the black sky like glitter thrown on black velvet. He smiled as he looked for the Dog Star; it was automatic now, the first star he always looked for. Sirius looked down at him and kissed his cheek suddenly.

"What's that for?"

"I have to give a reason now?"

Remus shook his head and pressed his lips to Sirius' again. They eventually parted and just stood in the growing darkness, looking at one another. Remus murmured, "I think we should go shopping tomorrow."

"What for?" Sirius murmured, leaning forwards and nuzzling into Remus' neck. The animagus stroked Remus' hair. "Baby stuff – clothes, bedding, toys …"

Sirius smiled. "Yeah, we can go tomorrow. Can we redecorate one of the rooms?"

"Sure. We can enlist James' help – if he has time."

"He'll make time. You know how he thinks he owes us now …"

"Hmm. Sirius, can we go to bed now?"

Sirius kissed the werewolf's neck and bent slowly to pick him up. Remus panicked slightly, then simply wrapped his arms around Sirius neck and allowed him to carry him upstairs to bed.


Finally, after a lot of work for a week and a half, the bedroom was done. Sirius leant on the doorframe and looked at it critically. Remus came upstairs carrying two cups of tea. "Hey, how's it going?"

Sirius turned and took one of the cups. "It's done – finally! Go look."

Remus walked into the room and almost tripped over James, who was crouching in the doorway painting the last corner. Remus steadied himself just before tea spilt over the new carpet. James looked up and grinned. "Sorry."

"After I brought you a cup of tea, too …"

James got up and took the mug from him, taking a long drink. Remus looked around the doom and smiled. "It looks great. You two have done a great job."

"No magic either," James said. Remus raised his eyebrows. James scowled. "Don't worry, we both read the instructions on everything. It's not going to fall apart at the seams!"

Remus walked over and kissed Sirius' cheek. "Well done. When you've both had a wash you can put a drying charm on the paint and whatever else you've used and we can move all the stuff in. I can't stand having it all in the lounge a minute longer!"

Sirius laughed and they wandered towards the bathroom, still drinking their tea. Remus went downstairs and wrinkled his nose at the things in the lounge. He sighed and walked over to remind himself exactly what they had bought. This could take a long while.


It took them a couple of hours but eventually the room was planned out to Sirius and Remus' specifications and everything was out of the lounge. James sighed, looking around the room. "It looks like a real nursery now."

Sirius smiled over at Remus. /And it'll look even more like one when we get a baby in here./

Remus grinned back, leaning against the wall. James clapped his hands together. "I'd better go. Lilly'll be trying to get dinner ready and look after Harry at the same time. I have to go help."

Sirius nodded and their friend apparated and Sirius and Remus were left alone. Sirius sighed and walked over to Remus. "I've done enough for one day, and so have you. Let's get a takeaway."

Remus smiled and pushed him off. "Go wait in the living room; I'll call for a pizza."


An hour later, they migrated upstairs to the bedroom and sat on top of the bedcovers, leaning back against the headboard. Sirius snuggled up to Remus and kissed his cheek. "I love you."

"Love you too. Sirius?"

"Hmm?"

Remus started to unbutton Sirius' shirt. "Make love to me?"

Sirius kissed Remus gently, then pulled the werewolf's t-shirt over his head. He kissed down Remus' neck, running his fingers down his sides until he reached the waistband of his trousers. "You never have to ask for that, love. You know it."

Remus sighed and snuggled closer to Sirius as the animagus started to nip and suck at his neck. He closed his eyes as Sirius pulled him down so his head rested on the pillows. Sirius took off his clothes and dropped them at the side of the bed before he knelt over Remus' body. Remus smiled, running feather light fingers up and down Sirius' arms. The animagus took his hands after a moment and kissed each knuckle. "I really do love you."

Remus smiled and pulled Sirius down to kiss him. "I know you do, Siri, but please hurry up …"

Sirius smiled and sat up again. Then he unfastened Remus' trousers and pulled them and his boxers off.

Then Sirius was kissing him. He pulled back and moved back to crouch with his knees holding Remus' thighs apart. He slid his fingertips up and down Remus' inner thighs, watching the werewolf whimper and moan under him. He leant forwards and licked up his cock. Remus gasped, reaching down to pull Sirius closer by his hair. Sirius smiled and ran his tongue over Remus' tip, before dragging his hair out of his shaking grip and pulling back.

He whined, watching Sirius with dark eyes. Sirius murmured, "What do you want?"

Remus arched up off the bed. Sirius lay down on top of him, rubbing his cock against the werewolf's and pushing him back down onto the bed. Remus groaned at the intimate touch, and yelped desperately, "Want you – now – inside me!"

Sirius smiled as he felt Remus' legs wrap around his waist. He pushed forwards and felt his tip brush against Remus' entrance. He nipped at Remus' collarbone, moving up to his earlobe and leaving a trail of light marks, then let out a long, slow breath against Remus' neck. The werewolf gasped. As Sirius thrust forwards he muttered, "Love you. Need you."

Remus yelped as Sirius pushed inside, one palm on the small of Sirius' back to stop him from moving away, the other hand's fingers in his hair, dragging him down into a kiss. Sirius groaned, his passion mounting as their bodies moved together in a rhythm as though they were one.

All barriers ceased to exist in this state, and they were as close as possible to being one. Sirius could feel every thought, every sensation Remus had as though they were his own and vice versa. He lowered his head onto Remus' shoulder, moaning in pleasure. Remus squirmed under him, pushing Sirius' painfully hard cock further into himself.

Sirius whined, nuzzling into Remus neck. The werewolf moved his hands so he could wrap his arms around Sirius and crush their bodies together. Sirius ran his fingers into Remus hair, every nerve ultra-sensitive. His greying hair felt silken against Sirius' fingers. He thrust further into Remus, hitting his g-spot. The werewolf yelped, every muscle contracting. Sirius groaned, pulling himself almost completely out of Remus' body before thrusting back inside, hard. Remus gasped and came, although his fierce arousal didn't dissolve.

Sirius rubbed his cheek against Remus', then pulled him into a kiss. Remus wriggled again, rubbing his body against Sirius'. When Sirius pulled back for oxygen, Remus smiled. "I love you."

Sirius smiled and closed his eyes, leaning down into Remus neck again. Remus moved one hand up to the back of Sirius head, holding him close. Sirius keened softly, feeling pain squirm in his groin. "Remmie …"

Remus kissed Sirius' hair gently. "Love you."

Sirius gasped and thrust forwards one last time before he came against Remus' prostate. Remus let out a low cry of ecstasy as he came too. Sirius went limp over Remus' body, all his energy spent. Remus smiled and stroked his hair, placing gentle kisses there and then on his cheek when he worked up the energy to lift his head. Sirius breathed, "I love you too."

Remus rolled onto his side, moving Sirius with him. Sirius pulled out of his body, causing a light gasp and a frown. Sirius muttered something, probably an apology, and snuggled into Remus' chest. The werewolf curled around him, holding him close and safe. Sirius smiled, kissing Remus' chest. In the aftermath of their lovemaking, Sirius could still sense Remus' every feeling, although dully. It was a pleasant feeling, knowing how his mate felt and what thoughts flickered through his head. Remus nuzzled into Sirius' hair and Sirius pressed closer, revelling in the feeling of skin on skin and minds so closely intertwined they were one.


Sirius sighed and walked out into the garden. He had put it off as long as possible, but Remus had literally thrown him out of the house and refused to allow him into their bedroom until the job was done. A slight problem if Sirius wanted any decent sleep – or anything else. Besides, he didn't want to spend a night away from his werewolf. And, as Remus said, he had promised …

So he stared at the long grass in front of him, willing it to cut itself. He had no idea whether or not there was a spell to cut grass, and he wasn't willing to try and invent one. Sirius sighed as he grabbed the handle of the lawnmower in a death grip. This had to be his least favourite job. He tapped the mower with his wand and it started up; he couldn't be bothered uncoiling the wire and actually plugging it in. He sighed deeply and was about to start cutting the lawn when there was a crash that sounded very much like breaking crockery.

Quickly, Sirius tapped the lawnmower again and it stopped. He hurried to the front door and poked his head inside. "Remmie? You OK?"

There was no reply. He dashed down the hall and into the kitchen, pushing open the door. Remus was using the table to hold himself up, a smashed plate at his feet. Sirius could see that someone was using the floo network to talk to him, slowly and soothingly. Sirius walked around the table, frowning, and kissed Remus' cheek, sliding an arm around his waist. "What's the matter?"

He turned to the fireplace. It was Chris. She took a deep breath and said, "Blade's just gone into labour."

Sirius went white. His mouth dropped open. He closed his eyes and tried to get his brain into gear. After a long moment, he whined, "But it's AUGUST! They aren't due to be born until OCTOBER!"

Remus made a small, agonised noise. Sirius kissed his cheek again. Chris said, "Everything's OK so far. She's at St Mungo's. Will you come down?"

"Sure … of course. As soon as Remus has stopped being catatonic we'll be there," Sirius replied. Chris nodded and left, the green flames disappearing with her. Sirius turned his attention to his mate. "Are you all right, Remmie?"

The werewolf let go of the table and slung an arm around Sirius' neck. "Need to sit down …"

Sirius picked him up and carried him into the living room. He gently deposited him on the couch and sat beside him, stroking his hair. After a while, Remus murmured, "What if something happens?"

"Nothing is going to happen. Remus, everything's going to be fine. Come on, love, it's OK."

"We're going to be parents, Padfoot!"

"I know, wasn't that the point?" Sirius replied soothingly. Remus sounded almost as though he was going to start hyperventilating. Sirius pulled him into a tight hug. "Remus, hush. Don't make yourself ill."

The werewolf took a shaky breath and said, "We'd better get to the hospital, hadn't we."

"I'll go and send James and Lilly and your mum owls while you sort out that plate, OK?"

Remus nodded and wandered into the kitchen, still in a state of shock. Sirius apparated.


Five minutes later, they were sitting in a badly decorated waiting room with three other men, sitting along the opposite wall. Remus was fidgeting, twisting his fingers together. Sirius had his head leaning back against the wall, staring blankly at the ceiling. After a while, Remus looked at Sirius. "How can you be so calm?"

Sirius hissed back, "You think this is calm?"

He looked over at Remus, and he saw the agitation in Sirius' eyes. He slid an arm around the animagus' shoulders and found the muscles tensed. He pulled him close and kissed his temple. "It's OK."

Sirius closed his eyes and tried to relax into Remus' touch. A moment later, one of the men opposite coughed. "Are you sure you're in the right room?"

Sirius opened his eyes for a moment and glared at him. Remus tensed. The werewolf growled and told him, his voice clipped, "Yes we are in the right room, thank you, sir. Now would you kindly shut up?"

He shut up. No one argued with that tone of voice. Sirius carried on staring at him until he became unnerved and turned to talk to one of the other men about the weather. Only then did Sirius close his eyes again and Remus relax slightly. No one else commented.

After a while, Chris bounced through one of the doors out of the room. Two pairs of eyes widened. She walked over and sat next to Sirius. She was beaming. "Hey! Everything's going great, nothing to worry about."

"But … They're two months early," Remus whined, sounding like a petulant child. Chris' smile became gentler and more comforting rather than hyperactively excited. "It's OK. The healers say they are going to be just fine. Another couple of hours and you'll be the proud parents of twins."

"Twins!" Sirius squeaked. Chris stood up again, nodding frantically, practically bouncing with enthusiasm. Remus raised his eyebrows. Chris bounded out of the room again. Sirius turned to look at Remus. He asked incredulously, "What is she on?"

"Whatever it is, can I have some?"

Sirius grinned. "Bad wolfie. Can I share it with you?"

Remus smiled back and ruffled Sirius' hair. The animagus pushed him off, yelping in annoyance as his hair was messed up. Remus leant over and finger combed it for him until it lay flat again. While he was close he whispered, "Your hair looks best all messy. It looks very … feral."

"Feral?" Sirius asked, his eyes full of laughter. Remus smiled. /Yeah. Reminds me of how you look when we've just made love. You always look beautiful then./

Sirius smiled, blushing, and snuggled up to Remus, sliding his arms around the werewolf's torso. Remus kissed his temple and nuzzled into his ebony hair.

::To be continued::


(A/N: This chapter is – are you ready for it – the next to last. The next one is the last chapter ever – for this story. And it's LONG so be prepared … I know the title's rubbishy, and the chapters kind of boring – so sue me, I've written worse! So. Anyways. REVIEW, please? I was upset and shocked at the lack of reviews I got last time I posted. I got 3. So please review! Please? I'm begging! I go back to school tomorrow - give me a nice (or not so nice, if you want) review to come home to! Please!! REVIEW!)