Chapter 49

It was now April. Not much had really happened during the past few months. Lily had her baby and had called her Natalie Lisa Lupin. She was a beautiful child with brown hair and striking green eyes. The same as her mother. It had been a long, difficult delivery, and it had kept all of them up, including Mr. and Mrs. Potter. The little girl had been born on February 12.

Around that time, Sirius had begun to experience symptoms of morning sickness again, frustrating both Sirius and James. They both predicted that it was because of some bad New Years celebrating. When Sirius visited the doctor, his fears were confirmed and he was thus deemed pregnant. This had caused Lily great joy, as she felt like laughing at someone for their misfortune. James was uncertain as to what to do. He couldn't quit his job, but he didn't want to leave Sirius alone without any supervision during the growing dark times. Lily had solved that problem by suggesting that they alternate between staying together in different homes, as Remus didn't want her to be alone either.

Also during that time, Sirius's book of poetry had been published. This instantly brought in a nice pay check. It had sold a few million copies in the first month and seemed to be enjoyed by critics and readers around England alike. This gave them more financial comfort and allowed Sirius to stop worrying about finding another job. Recently he had been working on more poetry. In fact, the last week of March he had sent another album of poems to his publisher.

Now it was April though. It was nearing Ana's birthday and they wanted to do something special for her. They were planning on a simple birthday party in which she could invite some of the muggle friends that she had recently been playing with. She seemed to be rather popular in their neighborhood, even though most of the adults disapproved of James's and Sirius's relationship. They also found it odd that they had a daughter, but they simply said that she was adopted. Which was half true…at least for James.

So it was April first, leaving only one full day to finish up the plans on her birthday party. They had sent invitations to the people that they thought would most likely show up and to Remus and Lily. Remus had later responded that they couldn't make it, as Remus had important work that day and Lily was feeling sick. Most of the other parents were a bit concerned about leaving their children alone with James and Sirius, but most replied that they would love to come. James's parents were coming though, although they said that they might be late.

"Alright," muttered James, sitting at the kitchen table with Sirius. "We have balloons, pin the tail on the donkey, and a clown."

Sirius shuddered. "Do we really have to have a clown? Clowns really do scare me. And I find pin the tail on the donkey to be a highly atrocious game that implants bad thoughts and teaches children bad habits of violence towards animals."

James raised his eyebrows. "Uh-huh. Yeah, but no. If Ana doesn't like clowns, then we've learned. But if she does, then that will only make her birthday more fun. As for pin the tail on the donkey…you've just got to let some things go, mate."

Sirius laughed at that and leaned back in his chair. "If you say so," he mumbled. James grinned and got up to find plastic plates and cups and utensils. As he found each one he'd cross it off of his list. Sirius watched anxiously. He really did not want to go to the mall right away to get some weird thing for the party. He was bloody four months pregnant! He had the right to stay home.

"Alright, we've got everything we really need. Now, are you going to bake the cake or am I?"

Raising his eyebrows, Sirius answered, "When was the last time I baked anything? Whenever I try, something blows up. Either you cook it or go out to buy one that's already made."

James thought about his options before saying, "I'll be back in a few minutes. I hope." With that, he apparated out of the room, leaving Sirius to think of a fun way to celebrate a birthday.

James rushed through the store. He had apparated into an alley outside of the store so as not to be seen. He had done it several times before, so by then he was confident that he wouldn't be found. If only he could find a cake quickly.

He ran to the bakery section and looked around. As he examined them he muttered to himself, "Too pink…too expensive…ew, who uses that kind of color for a cake…ooh, no wait, she's a girl and most likely does not like basketball…well that was a sexist statement…okay, then she's only four and probably has no interest in the Lakers just yet…oooh, that one! Um, excuse me, but can I get that cake right there please?" he asked the dude behind the counter. The man had been watching him with raised eyebrows as James talked to himself but now snapped to attention.

"Um, yeah sure." The man got the cake ready and put it in the box and rang up the price quickly. "Yeah, that would be ten dollars."

James raised his eyebrows, and muttered under his breath, "That's a lot of flipping lot of money for a cake. It's not even a good color. No cool logos or nothing." This did not stop him from purchasing the cake though. Once it was paid for, he grabbed the box and left in a hurry, wanting to get home as quickly as possible. He went back to his alley and apparated back to his house and waiting husband. However, he was not aware of someone watching him depart…

next day

"Alright kids," exclaimed Sirius, standing by the wall of his house. "Please, no pushing, fighting, any type of violence. This is a happy party that we're all being happy at that."

"I thought it was a birthday party," a little girl with pigtails responded, looking up at Sirius.

Sirius drew his eyebrows together but responded, "It's that too. Now let's be happy for Ana."

Ana was sitting with one of her closer friends talking about the cake. Sirius smiled at her and settled back into a chair next to James. He had a concealing spell on again. Even though he was only four months along, he was already beginning to show. The doctors were thinking that it might be twins again. Sirius was dreading that, mainly because of what had happened last time.

"I think this party is turning out fairly well," muttered James as he watched the children running around. Sirius simply nodded and closed his eyes. Carrying around a child, maybe two, was exhausting. Not to mention he had a bad feeling about…something.

A loud crack was suddenly heard and about twelve death eaters apparated around their house. James stood up quickly and grabbed Sirius by the wrist. "Take Ana and Matt and go, Siri," he commanded.

"But, what about the other children?" asked Sirius. All of the children were backing away from the figures in the black robes.

"I'll take care of them. Just take the kids and go." When Sirius didn't comply immediately, James pushed him slightly and yelled, "Now!"

Sirius called Ana over and grabbed Matt and quickly rushed out of the yard and to his new car. "Come on, sweetie, we're going to go visit Lily and Remus. Doesn't that sound like fun?"

She looked back towards her party. "Were those the clowns?"

Sirius laughed in spite of himself. "Yes, they are," he responded, not completely lying. To him, they were just as frightening as the clowns. "Now come on, settle down and be quiet. I need my concentration."

The little girl nodded and Sirius quickly put the car in drive and drove off, reluctantly.

A.N. ha, a little bit of suspense never killed a person. Well, in one case it might have, but that's not the point. Next chapter will be up soon. In the meantime please review and thank you for reading this.