"James! He's coming, he's coming! Call Madam Pomfrey! NOW!"

James paled and hurried out of the room. He soon returned with Poppy Pomfrey and sat down. He was asking a million questions and Lily was getting annoyed very quickly. "James! No, I do not need to go to St. Mungo's! Poppy can do this, she is a Healer!"

Poppy snorted. "I just like working with children better, Potter. You, however, were always a pain in the -"

"Poppy! He's just anxious. James, why don't you call the boys and have them calm you down. Just don't blow the house up!" She called after her husband who had nodded and gotten up to leave.

"Okay, Lily. Now remember your lessons?"

"Prongs, quit pacing!" Sirius said, getting up and pulling the father-to-be down in a chair. "She'll be fine! They both will."

"I know, Siri, but we were so close! I don't wish the prophecy on anyone, especially not Frank and Alice, but -"

"I know, I know. But you're safe. Peter would never tell, but where is he?"

James looked up. "I don't know. Remus will be here in about ten minutes..."

"Actually, I was able to get out early. How's Lils?" Remus asked, entering the room briskly.

"Think she'll let me in to see her?" James asked. Remus nodded, Sirius smirked.

James went up and knocked. "Get your butt in here, James!" Lily yelled. James laughed and opened the door. Lily was sweating and groaning. He went and offered her his hand, causing her to smile and take it. Only an hour later, a small baby boy was screaming his new little lungs out and Lily was laying back with her eyes closed. James wiped her wet hair off with a soft towel.

"Poppy took him to do check ups and clean him up. She'll be back in just a moment, Lil." She opened one of her bright green eyes. "Lily?"

"I never want to do that again!"

James laughed. "I wouldn't think so. Perhaps Harry will be worth it?"

Lily smiled. "He better be."

"Here you are! He's as healthy as he could be." Poppy said, carrying a bundle into the room. Lily tried to sit up and James rushed to help her. Poppy handed the child over and stepped back as the new parents gazed at their little boy.

"Oh, James! Look at him! He's so beautiful." Lily said softly, laying her head on his shoulder. James sat beside her and softly stroked Harry's head softly.

"Worth it?"

"Definitely."

There was a bright light. James and Lily looked up to see Sirius holding a camera and Remus and Peter filing into the room. Sirius handed Moony the camera and came over to see his Godson.

"Oh no, it's a mini-Prongs!" He said in a pretend panic voice. Lily and James chortled.

"Well, Sirius, he is my son, too. There's bound to be some of me in there."

James pecked her cheek. "I'm sure there is, Lily. How could there not be? He probably looks like me but will act like you."

"Uh-oh." Sirius said, really beginning to panic. Lily glared, since she couldn't slap him. Remus snapped a picture.

"Well, congratulations Potters, but I really must be going. If you need anything, Lily, don't hesitate to ask." Lily nodded to Pomfrey and said her thanks, only to have the witch wave them off. "Just hope he does act like you. I don't think I could handle having another boy in the wing over half of the year."

James sulked but Lily and the marauders laughed and watched her leave. "It's not my fault!" James moaned.

Lily kissed his cheek. "Of course, darling." Which only caused Sirius and Remus to laugh harder than ever.

"Oh, Lily! Make him stop, make him stop! It's three in the morning!" James moaned. Lily laughed.

"Harry's a baby, James. He's hungry. It gets better, I promise. Wait til he starts talking and playing. Will you get him for me?" Lily said, trying not to laugh.

She sat up and accepted the child her husband handed her. "I don't care if it gets better or worse, Lily. He's perfect either way."

Lily smiled up at him. "What makes you say that, James?"

"He's ours." James stroked his sons head and the baby cooed. "Alice and Frank had their little boy, too. Poppy told me. His name is Neville."

Lily looked sad. "Harry and Neville, both forced to hide. Will we ever be able to live without fear, James? I don't want Harry to be raised in hiding! For the first year it won't matter, but eventually... I just want him to live a normal life. Be a normal child."

James nodded, hoping the same thing. "He'll be a happy child, no matter what. How could he not be with us and the marauders to keep him occupied?"

The baby had fallen asleep to the sound of their voices. Lily leaned back. "Here," James whispered, taking the little one over to his crib. Then he crawled back into bed to hold his wife.

Lily curled into him. "Oh, James, I'm so scared. Not for us, but for him. If anything were to happen to us... I trust Padfoot, I really do. But I want Harry to have his parents. I want us to be there for him."

"I know, Lily. I want to be there for him to. Maybe everything will turn out fine. Not all prophecies come true."

Lily nodded into his chest and they both fell asleep, only to be awoked four hours later by baby Harry.