A/N: Sorry this took a bit longer to get out. It had two things working against it – first, I couldn't get it the way I wanted it; second, I've been glued to the news for the past week. If you have in any way been affected by the disaster in Asia, you have my most heartfelt sympathies. I can't even get my mind around the magnitude of what's happened.

Happy New Year to you all – I hope 2005 brings you joy!

I don't own Harry Potter.

The Christmas Gift

Lily trembled slightly as she looked at the clock. James would be home any minute, and she still hadn't decided how to give him the news that they were to become parents. She ran her hands over her flat abdomen, trying to imagine what it would feel like over the course of the next several months. She was in for quite a few changes.

She flopped down on the couch, and picked up a magazine. After flipping through it without seeing a word, she flung it aside. She frowned as she tried to come up with a new way to kill the time until James came home.

"We need a television," she muttered to herself. "What house doesn't have a tv? We need one – especially with the baby. I can't imagine my child not having the opportunity to watch cartoons, or movies, or . . ." She trailed off, considering what she had just said.

My child.

The panic began to return. It was true. She was going to become a mother. Before the summer ended, she was going to have a child of her own.

"I've always wanted to be a mother," she told herself. She sighed. "I'm sorry, Baby. I just didn't expect to have you so soon. I'm not sure how to be a mother. But I'll try. I promise that I'll do my best to be a good mother to you."

The fireplace jumped to life, startling Lily out of her seat. James rarely Flooed home. But who else would come in at this time of day? Could it be . . .? She didn't know, but she didn't feel safe, either. She edged slightly away from the fireplace, one hand reaching for her wand, while the other protectively covered her abdomen.

She gave an audible sigh of relief when James stepped out of the fireplace. He brushed the soot off his robes as he straightened up. It was just James . . . But that meant that he was home, and she had to tell him about the baby.

"Flooing home?" Lily asked lightly, trying to push down the butterflies in her stomach.

"I was in no mood to Apparate," James replied. "You won't believe what Dumbledore's done!"

"What?" Lily asked, not sure if she was glad for the delay or not. He had bought her a few extra minutes, but the wait was only making her more nervous.

"I'll tell you and Sirius together," James said.

"Sirius?" Lily asked faintly. Was he saying that they would have a guest?

"Yeah, I told him to come over for dinner tonight. He's going to need to hear this news in person."

"Oh. . ."

James suddenly stopped, and looked at her intently. "Oh, man, Lil, I'm sorry. I didn't even think – you're sick – I shouldn't have –"

"It's all right," Lily interrupted, remembering a previous conversation with Sirius, promising that he would be the first to know if she was pregnant. "I'm feeling much better, and I have something to tell Sirius, too. Both of you, actually."

"Do you want to tell us together when he gets here?"

"No-o," Lily said slowly. "No, I want to tell you now."

"All right," James said, sitting down in his favorite armchair. He spread his hands out, palms up in an open gesture. "Tell me."

Lily took a deep breath, and knelt down in front of him. She took his hands in hers, and looked up into his hazel eyes, searching for the right words to tell him. As she watched him without speaking, a shadow of fear fell across his face.

"Lily, you're okay, aren't you?" he asked, his voice tight with concern. "The Healer didn't tell you . . .?"

"Oh, no!" Lily exclaimed. "No, it's nothing like that!" She took another deep breath, hating herself for scaring him. "No, James, it's just hard because it's not something we planned . . . it's just . . ." One last deep breath. "James, I'm pregnant. We're going to have a baby."

James looked at her for a long minute, then blinked. "What?"

"I'm pregnant."

He stared at her a moment longer, then smiled. He leaned forward, and kissed her forehead. "Thank God."

Tears sprang into Lily's eyes. This was the last reaction she had expected. "What?"

"My God, Lil, I was so scared! You've been so ill, I thought something was seriously wrong with you . . . I thought after all we've done, after all the battles we fought, I was going to lose you to some sickness . . . but this . . . this . . ." He slid off his chair so that he was kneeling with her, and pulled her close, gently kissing her. "Thank God you're all right. I don't know what I'd do without you."

The tears began to fall down her cheeks. "Oh, James," she whispered.

"Hey," he said softly, brushing away her tears, "what's this?"

"I was so scared to tell you!" she exclaimed. "I still am scared! James! We're going to have a baby!"

"I know," he said, kissing her again. "And it scares me, too. How can anyone expect me to be a good father? But, Lil, if we can face Voldemort three times and live to tell the tale, I'm sure we can handle a baby."

Lily smiled. "I suppose. I do want this baby. I've always wanted to be someone's mummy. It's just such a surprise."

"If we had been able to choose, we probably would have waited," James agreed. "But don't you think that makes our little baby even more special?"

"I guess it does," Lily replied, smiling wider. She ran her hand through James's hair. "I hope the baby has your hair."

James smiled. "I certainly don't. This hair and I have been in constant battle for years!" He traced his finger over her lips. "I hope he has your smile."

Lily smiled. "He?" she repeated. "Why not she?"

James smiled, and kissed her again. "In that case, I hope she looks exactly like you. I want her to have your red hair, and your green, green eyes."

Lily smiled. "What are the chances that she'll look exactly like me?"

James laughed. "About as good as the chances that a boy would look exactly like me. But we can dream until . . ." He trailed off, and laughed again. "When will this little one join us?"

"In July or August. We have an imaging appointment on Christmas Eve. We'll get the exact date then."

James nodded, and kissed her again. "Well, that gives me plenty of time to take care of you both."

"Oh, James, I'm fine now! Healer Lewis gave me a potion so I won't be so sick anymore, and he said I can go back to work within a week. I don't need you babying me. I can take care of myself."

"Please, Lil –"

His statement was cut off by a crack. Sirius looked around for a moment, then saw his friends together on the floor.

"Hello," he said with a knowing grin. "Should I come back at a more convenient time? You two look a little . . . busy."

James grinned as he stood up. "Padfoot, you have the dirtiest mind." He held his hand out to help Lily to her feet.

"Hey, I just said that you looked busy. Whatever meaning you gave that came from your own dirty mind."

"Honestly," Lily sighed. "You two will be the death of me."

Sirius grinned, and crossed to kiss her cheek. "How are you feeling, Little Flower? James tells me that you've been sick."

"I have been," Lily agreed. "But I'm much better now."

"You went to a Healer, then?"

"Yes."

"And?"

Lily glanced at James, who took her hand. "You tell him," she smiled. "You've been friends with him longer."

James grinned. "Well, Padfoot, I hope you're prepared to do a lot of babysitting in the near future."

Sirius frowned. "Babysitting?" he repeated. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open as understanding hit him. "Are you – are you -?"

Lily nodded with a smile. "I'm pregnant."

"Congratulations!" Sirius exclaimed. He grabbed Lily, and pulled her into a bear hug that lifted her off the ground. He set her down again, and hugged James. "I can't believe you two!" he exclaimed. "What made you decide to do this so soon?"

"Well . . ." James smiled, exchanging a glance with Lily.

Sirius laughed. "Even better. Surprises are great!" He grinned. "I can't wait to be Uncle Sirius. When will my nephew be born?"

"July or August," Lily replied, certain that a battle over gender with Sirius was a waste of her time.

"That's a bit long to wait," Sirius said. "Can't you hurry it up a bit?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "And you're going to be a role model for my child?"

Sirius grinned, and touched Lily's stomach. "Remember, kid, I'm on your side. I'm the fun uncle."

James laughed. "Oh, this little guy is in for an interesting life."

It was late when Sirius left that night. James looked at Lily, who had circles under her eyes.

"You need to sleep, love. I'll clean up."

Lily didn't even bother to protest. She smiled, and kissed James's lips. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

She started to leave the room, but stopped in the doorway. "James?" she asked, turning to face him again.

"Yeah?"

"Are you really happy? About the baby?"

"Lil . . ."

"No, James, I mean it. I know we both said we're happy about it, and I am okay with the idea now that the shock has worn off a bit, but really . . . We've never talked about having children so soon. It's always been something we wanted to do later, when we're more established . . . And we're in the middle of this war, when our world is so dangerous. This isn't the best time to have a baby."

James crossed the room to stand in front of her, and tipped her chin up to look into her eyes. "Do you want this baby?"

"Yes, of course!" she exclaimed. "I'd never do anything to hurt the baby! I guess it just doesn't seem real – or maybe I don't want it to be real . . . I don't know!"

"Lil . . ."

She sighed. "I know, James. I know. I know that this is our child, and I know that I'm going to love and adore it. But I just . . . I just need some time to get used to the idea."

James nodded. "It is weird to think about it, isn't it? You're right. It doesn't seem real. I mean, I know in my head that we're going to have a baby, but I can't seem to convince myself that I'm actually going to be a father."

"It's just such a scary thing. And this is such an unstable, scary time . . ."

"I know all that. Everything you've said is all I've been able to think about all night. You're right; this is the worst possible time for this. We're too young, and we aren't ready. We don't have a clue how to be good parents.

"But we have to get ready. This isn't about us anymore, Lil. This is about our baby now. I know you're scared. I'm terrified. But I also know that if we work together, there's nothing we can't do. And that includes being parents. We will love our child, and we will be the best parents we can. We'll teach him and protect him, and we'll watch him grow up and go to Hogwarts and . . ." He smiled. "I know you're going to be a fantastic mum."

Tears filled Lily's eyes as she kissed her husband. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He kissed her again. "We only have a few months to get over ourselves, Lil. We'd better start trying to think like parents."

Lily clutched James's hand as they walked into the Healer's office. James smiled at her.

"Not nervous, are you?" he asked.

She gave him a glare. "We're about to see images of the small person who is currently living inside my abdomen. Yes, I'm a bit nervous!"

James smiled, and squeezed her hand. "Don't worry, love. I'm sure the baby is fine. And I'm sure you're fine, too."

"Are you still going to say that once I weigh as much as a killer whale?"

James laughed. "You're not going to gain that much weight. And even if you do, you're still going to be beautiful."

She rolled her eyes at him as the receptionist called her name.

"Let's go," James said, ushering her ahead of him.

"I can't believe you're so calm about this."

He shrugged. "One of us has to be. Besides, we're going to see our child for the rest of our lives. We might as well start now."

Lily rolled her eyes again as the receptionist showed them into an examining room. She handed Lily a gown.

"Please take off your clothes and put this on," she said. "Healer Lewis will be in shortly."

Once she was gone, Lily changed and hopped up onto the examination table. James frowned slightly.

"What?" she asked.

"I could have helped you up."

"But I made it up fine on my own."

"But you could have fallen."

"James, please! You can't follow me around and try to do everything for me until August! It's going to make me crazy!"

"I'm sorry."

"I know that you're concerned, but I'm really fine."

James smiled. "I know. And I know how strong you are. I'm just going to have to work harder to remember it now."

The door opened, and Healer Lewis stepped into the room. "Well, hello!" he said cheerfully. "How are you? Feeling any better, Lily?"

"Much, thank you," she replied. "I'm going back to work after the holidays."

"That's great! And you're here today so we can get our first look at the baby, right?"

"Right."

He nodded. "Excellent. Now, Lily, just lie down, and we'll get started."

Lily did as she was instructed, and held her hand out to James. He stepped over to stand next to her, and took her hand firmly in his.

"Now, you'll want to look over there," Healer Lewis said, indicating an open space in the center of the room. "We'll be able to see a three dimensional image, and I'll be able to give you picture to take home with you." He pointed his wand at Lily's abdomen, and muttered a spell, then aimed the wand at the open space, saying another incantation.

A bright jet of white light erupted from the tip of his wand. For a moment, thousands of specks of light sparkled in the air. Then they began to move, coming together to form an image of the tiniest baby Lily had ever seen. As she looked at the little baby – her little baby – tears began to form in her eyes.

"There we are," Healer Lewis smiled. "You can see the head here – the feet here – arms and hands . . . Congratulations. So far, it looks like your little one is healthy and developing right on schedule."

Her tears beginning to fall, Lily looked up at James. He was staring, mesmerized, at the image of their baby. Tears stood in his eyes, and his mouth was slightly open. Lily gently squeezed his hand.

"James?" she whispered.

He looked down at her. A tear fell from his eye, and dropped down onto her cheek, mingling with her own tears. For once, words failed him. He leaned down and kissed her lips.

Healer Lewis moved his wand, and the image disappeared. Lily gave a cry of dismay.

"Don't worry," he smiled. "I'm giving you three pictures to take with you. And . . ." He looked down at his clipboard, where his wand was recording information. "Your baby will be born on August 4. Would you like to know the gender?"

Lily and James looked at each other for a moment, then shook their heads. The Healer nodded.

"We'll let it be a surprise, then. You're done for today. You'll just need to make an appointment for next month." He smiled, and handed them the pictures. "And you'll want to take these."

As the Healer silently left the room, Lily looked down at the pictures in her hands, holding them as if they were an incomparable treasure. James kissed her forehead.

"My God, Lil," he whispered hoarsely. "That's our baby."

"Our baby," she repeated. She looked up at James with starry eyes. "You were so right. We can do this! We can be parents. We don't have to be scared!"

James looked a bit dazed. "I was right," he said softly. He touched the picture, tracing the baby's head.

Lily beamed at the picture. "Look at our little angel."

James kissed her again. "I love you, Lily. I love you so much." He leaned over even farther, and kissed her still-exposed abdomen. "And I love you, my little angel."

James Apparated with a pop into Sirius's living room. He looked around, searching for any sign that his friend was home.

"Hello?" he called. "Sirius? Are you here?"

"Right here," Sirius said, coming out of the kitchen with a puzzled look on his face. "What brings you over to my bachelor abode?"

James grinned. "I needed to talk."

Sirius sat down on the couch. "Well, I'm your man. What's up?"

James sat down in the chair across from him, and ran his hand through his hair. "I just went to the Healer's office with Lily. We had an appointment to check on the baby."

"Is he all right?" Sirius asked, concern already showing on his face. "The Healer didn't tell you --?"

"No, nothing like that," James said quickly. "The baby is fine. Perfect, actually." He grinned. "I got to see him, Sirius. I got to see my baby."

"Come again?"

"It was an imaging appointment. The Healer took an image of the baby, and showed it to us. We got to see him! It was the most amazing thing . . . The Healer just pointed his wand at Lily, then at the room, and there was the baby. He's still so tiny, Sirius. It was amazing! I've never seen anything like that . . . I've never felt anything like that! I just . . . I just . . . I love this baby so much, Sirius. So much. To see it there like that, so little and . . . And it made me love Lily even more. If you had told me last week that I could possibly love her more, I would have laughed. But I do. Right now, I love her so much that I can't even describe it . . . She's my child's mother, Sirius. That's our baby she has inside of her! Can you even imagine?"

Sirius had sat silently during James's speech, his eyes never leaving his friend's face. He swallowed before responding.

"No," he said a bit hoarsely. "No, I can't." And thanks to Olivia, I may never be able to experience any of what he's talking about.

James drew a deep breath. "Look, I have to tell someone, and I can't let Lily know, so it has to be you."

"What can't you tell her?" Sirius asked with a frown, bringing his thoughts away from his lost love.

"When Lily first told me she was pregnant, the first thing I felt was relief," James said. "I was worried about how ill she had been, and I was afraid something was really wrong with her. But after a bit, when the excitement of her being well was over . . . I was scared, Sirius. No, not scared. I was terrified! I had never been so scared in my life, not even when I was fighting Voldemort."

"You were scared of being a dad?"

"Yes! The idea of someone's life being in my hands is rather frightening, don't you think?"

Sirius grinned. "I'm sure McGonagall would agree."

James laughed. "Yeah, she probably would."

"Did you tell Lily you were scared?"

"No, of course not. She was already completely terrified, and I didn't want to add any more nervousness to her. So, I've been pretending to be fine with everything, and telling her that it's all going to be all right."

"Very good of you," Sirius commented.

"I didn't know what else to do! I couldn't make her more scared. I had to do something to reassure her. So that's what I tried to do."

"You're talking in the past tense," Sirius observed. "Does that mean you're not scared anymore?"

James shook his head. "I'm still a little nervous," he admitted. "But after seeing my baby today . . . I feel different. I feel . . . I can do this. I can be a dad. And I want this baby, Sirius. I want her more than I've ever wanted anything."

Sirius grinned. "Her?"

James waved his hand. "Either way. I just want to have my baby, to teach it, to love it . . . I want to be its Daddy, and to always be there to take care of it."

Sirius shook his head. "This may be the saddest day of our lives, Prongs."

"Why?"

He grinned. "You've officially grown up. You're not thinking of yourself anymore." He shook his head. "The old James is gone, and the new, responsible, Dad James has taken his place! What am I going to do without my friend?"

James grinned. "I'm still your friend, Padfoot."

Sirius sighed. "You know, I almost envy you."

Surprise crossed James's face. "You want to be an old, married dad?"

Sirius shrugged. "What you described when you came in . . . everything about how seeing the baby made you feel . . . I sort of want to know what you're talking about."

"You will, someday."

"Will I?" Sirius looked away for a moment, then looked back at his best friend. "The only woman I've ever even considered marrying and having kids with is Olivia. The only way she'll be with me is if I marry her now. The only way we could stay married is if we wait – there's no way I'm ready to be married now. How exactly does that translate into me having kids?"

James sighed. "I don't know, mate. I wish I had some advice for you, but I don't."

"Neither do I," Sirius replied. He shook his head. "Maybe I should do what you did to get over Lily when she wanted nothing to do with you."

James's eyes widened. "You mean . . .?"

Sirius nodded, a slow grin crossing his face. "I think Sirius Black may go back to being a swingin' bachelor."

"God help the women of London," James laughed.

"London?" Sirius laughed. "Why think so limited? I'm thinking all of England!"

James laughed again, and shook his head. "You'll never change."

"If I did, you wouldn't find me so irresistible!" Sirius laughed, his eyes twinkling.

"You're sure this is a good idea?" Lily asked as she curled her hair.

"I'm positive," James replied. "They're going to be so excited!"

Lily bit her lip. "They won't think we're too young?"

James came up behind her, and kissed her cheek. "My mum was nineteen when I was born. If they say anything about us being too young, that's just hypocritical. And this is definitely the best way to tell them."

Lily smiled uncertainly. "If you're sure . . ."

"I'm sure. Now, hurry and finish your hair, or we're going to be late."

Lily nodded, and went back to curling her hair. James squeezed her shoulder, and left the bedroom.

Ten minutes later, Lily and James Apparated to the Potters' house. James's parents and Hetty were all there to greet them; they all exchanged hugs and kisses. Mrs. Potter took Lily's face in her hands, and looked deeply into her eyes.

"You look a bit tired, Lily," she said with concern in her voice. "Are you feeling all right?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Lily smiled.

"She was under the weather for a bit, but she went to see a Healer," James added. "She's fine now."

"Good," Mrs. Potter replied, patting Lily's cheek. "Are you both hungry? We have dinner ready, and if we don't eat soon, we'll be late for Mass."

"Mum, it's seven o'clock," James protested. "Mass doesn't start until midnight! We have five hours!"

"We can't be late on Christmas Eve, James!"

"Let's go sit down before the food gets cold," Mr. Potter interjected. He took Lily's arm. "You stay with me," he advised in a loud whisper. "We'll let the two of them fight it out."

Lily giggled, and James and his mother both laughed. The two couples walked into the dining room together, where Hetty was waiting to serve the first course of the meal.

"Sit down, Hetty," Mr. Potter said as they all took their seats. "You know Christmas is a time for family to eat together."

"But who will serve?" she squeaked.

"We can all take care of ourselves," Mrs. Potter said confidently.

Hetty was about to protest again when James pulled out a chair for her.

"Have a seat, Hetty," he smiled. "I never get to eat with you anymore."

Her protests silenced, Hetty sat down.

James looked at Lily, who nodded. He reached into his pocket, and cleared his throat.

"Before we start, Lily and I would like to give you a Christmas present."

His parents exchanged surprised glances, then looked back at the younger couple.

"All right," Mrs. Potter agreed. "I am a bit surprised, James. You normally don't want anything to do with presents before Christmas morning."

"I know," James replied, taking the carefully wrapped package from his pocket. He handed the small box to his mother. "This one is special. We hope you like it."

Giving them a curious look, Mrs. Potter took the box from James. She untied the ribbon and ripped open the paper, then lifted the lid off the box. For a moment, she started into the box as if dumbstruck. Then, with trembling hands, she took out the picture.

"Is this – is this --?"

"Yes," James grinned, taking Lily's hand. "That's your first picture of your grandchild."

"James . . . Lily . . ."

Lily smiled. "You have to wait until August to actually hold her, but that's the best we could do for now."

"You mean you two . . .?" Mr. Potter asked, swallowing hard.

Mrs. Potter gave a cry, and jumped from her chair. She pulled both Lily and James into hugs as tears streamed down her cheeks. As soon as she released them, Mr. Potter hugged them close. He let Lily go, and looked down at her.

"I didn't hug you too hard, did I?" he asked. "You're both all right?"

"We're fine," Lily smiled, loving saying "we" to include her baby.

Hetty flung herself at Lily. "Oh, how will we wait until August?"

Mrs. Potter laughed. "You'll be amazed by how quickly the time goes. You said 'her,' Lily – Are you having a girl? Is this my granddaughter in this picture?"

"We don't know," Lily admitted. "James and I want to be surprised. We've been using 'he' and 'she' interchangeably."

"It's better to be surprised," Mrs. Potter agreed. She smiled, and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Well, this is by far the best Christmas present I've ever received!" She held up the picture, and gently touched the baby's head. "I can hardly wait to meet you, my little one."

"I can't believe we're using the same trick twice," James said as they prepared to Disapparate.

"It was your idea," Lily replied.

James laughed. "Maybe, but you agreed to it."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Oh, let's go. We're going to be late for Dana's party."

"Yes, ma'am," James laughed.

Everyone had already arrived at Dana and Aidan's flat by the time James and Lily Apparated. Dana, Olivia and Laura were laughing together, while Sirius, Peter, Remus and Aidan were talking. James and Lily both noted that Sirius and Olivia were carefully avoiding each other's eyes.

"They still love one another, don't they?" Lily whispered.

James shook his head. "It's obvious to everyone except them."

"Oy! Prongs!"

James laughed. "Happy Christmas, Padfoot!"

Sirius crossed the room to join them, and shook James's hand. "Running a bit behind today?"

"When aren't we?" Lily smiled.

Sirius kissed her cheek. "How are you feeling?" he asked in a low voice, knowing that they had not yet shared their news with the others.

"Fine," she replied with a smile. "James has been taking good care of me."

"Thank goodness!" Dana said as she appeared behind them in time to hear Lily's comment about James. "We were all worried about you with that flu. Liv said you looked like death!"

"Liv!" Lily laughed.

Olivia shrugged with a grin. "Well, I tell it like it is. You looked awful, Lils! But you look much better now."

"I feel much better, too," Lily smiled.

"Aidan just opened a bottle of wine," Dana said. "Can I get you a glass?"

"Thanks," James smiled. "That sounds great."

Dana nodded. "Lily?"

"I'll just have water," she replied.

Dana nodded again. "We don't want to tax that stomach," she said as she went to retrieve the wine and water.

"We certainly don't," James said, putting his arm around Lily.

"Any new death-defying assignments at work, Lils?" Laura asked with a grin.

"Not recently," Lily laughed. "I think we actually scared Dorcas last time. She keeps telling us to back off."

"Well, it was scary," Laura said. "Of course, all I heard about at work was the thousand ways the Prophet could have been sued if something had happened to you girls while you were at the meeting."

Lily laughed. "If I had died, I wouldn't have been able to sue anyone."

"I think they addressed that, too," Laura grinned. "Believe me, there was a way somehow."

Dana reappeared, and handed James his wine and Lily her water. James looked down at Lily with raised eyebrows. She gave him a beaming smile and nodded, feeling her face grow warm.

"Everyone!" James called. "Can I have your attention?"

Everyone stopped and looked at James and Lily. Lily looked up at James again with a confident smile. She could hardly wait to share this news with their friends.

"Lily and I just got this picture developed, and we wanted you to see it," James said as he pulled the picture from his pocket.

"What is it?" Peter asked.

James grinned, and passed the picture to Remus. Laura stepped closer to him, trying to see the small paper over his shoulder. Remus studied the picture for a moment, his eyes growing round. A grin spread across his face.

"When do you need me to babysit?"

A shriek rang throughout the room as the others rushed forward to see the picture of James and Lily's baby. Laughing and crying, the girls hugged them both. Remus hugged James, then Lily.

"How do you feel?" he asked, looking at her with the eyes that should have belonged to a Healer.

"Fine," she answered honestly. "I was sick at first, but I've been taking a potion to make me healthier."

"Good," he replied. He kissed her cheek. "Congratulations. You're going to be a brilliant mother."

"I hope so," she smiled.

"I know so," Remus replied confidently.

He stepped aside as Dana flung herself at Lily again. Looking to his right, he noticed Sirius watching the excited congratulations with a smile.

"You knew, didn't you?" he asked quietly.

Sirius turned to him, his smile dimming slightly. "Yeah, I knew."

Remus nodded silently.

"Look, Moony, it's nothing personal," he said. "I just happened to visit them the day they found out. Of course, they were excited, and they had to tell me – not because I was me, but because I was there. They wanted you to know first today. James gave you that picture, didn't he?"

Remus nodded again. "They do seem happy," he said as Peter hugged James.

"I think they are," Sirius grinned. "It's going to be fun to have a baby in the group, isn't it?"

Remus shifted his attention from the conversation between Peter and Lily to Laura, who was talking excitedly with Olivia. "Yes," he agreed, still watching his wife, "yes, it's definitely going to be fun."

Laura waved her wand to illuminate the dark sitting room of her house, and turned to Remus with a smile.

"Can you believe Lily's pregnant?"

Remus grinned as he hung up his cloak. "It's brilliant. She and James are going to have so much fun with that baby."

Laura smiled, and came up behind him with her own cloak in hand. "They're really excited, aren't they?"

"Wouldn't you be?" Remus asked, taking her cloak from her and hanging it beside his.

Laura's smile faded somewhat. "Yes," she said softly. "I would be incredibly excited."

Remus turned to face her, and tipped her chin up so he could look into her eyes. "You want a baby, too, don't you?"

"Remus . . ."

"No, Laura, tell me the truth. The waiting is killing you, isn't it?"

"Remus, we've only been married a couple months. Lily and James have been married nearly a year. I think it's a bit early to get impatient, isn't it?"

He shook his head, and kissed her. "I don't want to wait anymore."

"What?" she asked in shock. "But what about everything you said about the Healers and it not being safe and --?"

He silenced her with another kiss. When he finally broke it, he smiled at her.

"I'm going to make an appointment with the specialists tomorrow. I mean, it takes about a month to get in to see them, so I won't have clearance right away, but it's a start."

"But you said you wanted to have a job . . ."

"I have a job."

Laura gave him a reproachful look. "Being the 'house-husband' does not qualify, love, and you know it. If I stay home with the baby, who's going to go to work?"

"Who said you have to stay home with the baby?"

"What?"

"Laura, look. You love your job. You have so much ambition, and you want to move up in the Ministry. You're already well on your way to becoming a prosecutor. But . . ." He shrugged, and smiled helplessly. "I don't have the kind of drive to work. Or, more accurately, the rest of our world doesn't want me to have a stable career – at least not one that will support a family. I can stay home with the baby, and you can go back to work."

Laura's eyes widened. "What?"

"You don't like that idea?"

"It's not that I don't trust you with the baby," she said. "It's just so different, so not what people do! The mother always stays home with the baby."

Remus smiled. "Who says we have to be like everyone else?"

"You've really thought about this, haven't you? You really want to do this?"

"I really do. Do you?"

Laura smiled, and bit her lower lip. "I really do, too."

Remus grinned. "I love you."

"I love you, too," she smiled, leaning up to kiss him again. "When can we get started on our baby?"

Remus laughed, and pulled her even closer. "I still haven't talked to the Healers, so we can't start on the baby yet . . . but we can still practice tonight."

Laura laughed, and kissed him again. "I definitely think practicing is a good idea."

"So he really hired Snape?" Sirius asked in a low voice, nodding in Dumbledore's direction.

James nodded. At the Order New Year's Eve party, he had finally found the opportunity to tell Sirius about his newest coworker. "Shocked doesn't even begin to describe how I feel," he said, taking a sip of his drink. "You should have seen my face when Snivelly walked into the room!"

Sirius laughed. "You'll have to give him hell, you know. You can't be in that school with him without making his life miserable."

"I'm a teacher now, Sirius," James laughed.

"That just means you'll have to be more covert," Sirius replied, giving him a wink. "Come on, Prongs! I know there's still plenty of marauding left in you!"

James opened his mouth to answer, but was cut off by a loud call from Frank Longbottom.

"Could everyone make sure they have a drink?" he called. "I'd like to make a toast!"

Lily made her way over to James and Sirius, and took a place between them. "Do you guys know what's going on?"

"No," James replied.

"Got me," Sirius said. He eyed the glass in Lily's hands suspiciously. "What are you drinking?"

"Cider," she replied defensively. "And Remus got it for me, so stop assuming that someone is trying to slip me alcohol."

"Did I say that?"

"You didn't need to. I know what kinds of things go through your mind, Black."

Sirius laughed. "If that were true, you'd be in a scary place, Little Flower."

"Does everyone have a drink?"

A hush fell over the group as all eyes turned to Frank. He held out his hand for Alice, pulling her to the center of the room with him.

"As you know, Alice and I have been focused on our careers as Aurors for quite some time now," he said. "We have dedicated our lives to ensuring the safety of our world, and to fighting Voldemort. But, our lives are about to change."

"They aren't quitting?" Sirius muttered, the color draining from his face. "We need them on our side! They're two of the best Aurors the Ministry has!"

"Shhh," Lily cautioned.

"Alice and I recently received some news that we have been waiting for for a long, long time," he continued, a grin lighting up his face. "I'm not sure that everyone will be excited, given the current events of our world, but I hope you can all be happy for us as we look forward to the birth of our first baby this summer."

A cry of joy went up around them as everyone rushed forward to congratulate the couple. Sirius looked at Lily and James with a smile.

"They've wanted a baby forever," he said. "They've been married for years, and they've spent so much time working . . ." His smile faded as his voice trailed off. "I'll bet Moody's not too happy about this. He didn't even like the idea that they were married." He shook his head. "So, are you two going to announce your happy news now?"

James looked at Lily, and they both shook their heads.

"Let's let them have their moment," James said. "They've waited for it far longer than we have."

After the party, when they had come home to change the calendar to 1980, Lily took out a sheet of paper and a pen. James looked at her curiously as she sat down at her desk, shoving her parchment and quills aside.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

Lily smiled at him. "Completing my first New Year's resolution."

She thought for several moments, then began to write.

"Dear Petunia,

"I know it's been a long time since our last communication – too long. I respect all that you said in your last letter, and all that you feel. Even so, you must understand that I cannot apologize for being the person I am, or for living the life I live. But, I wish that things could be different between us, especially now.

"I just found out that I'm pregnant! I know we're young, but James and I are very excited. The baby will be born on August 4, and Petunia, I want you to be there with me. You are my baby's aunt, and I want you to be a part of his or her life. I want my baby to know my family – you and Vernon.

"I know that things have been wrong between us for a long time, but I'm ready to make them right. Please help me fix our relationship, Petunia. If not for me or for you, do it for our children. They deserve to know one another. They deserve to know their mothers' family.

"I hope to hear from you soon. You and Vernon will always be in my thoughts and prayers.

"Love,

"Lily."

She read the letter twice, then carefully folded it into an envelope. She sealed and stamped it, and put it on her desk. She would mail it as soon as the post office opened. She wasn't sure why, but she felt an odd desire – no, need – to reconnect with her sister. Something told her that it was imperative that she fix this rift with Petunia before it was too late.