It had been a month since Lily and Remus had been allowed out of St. Mungo's. In that time they both showed the correct amount of appreciation for Sirius' bike, but both refused to have a go on it. Lily returned to her normal job, while Remus continued looking for one. Every now and then he was given a job but as always when his employer found out about his lycanthropy he was fired. The world continued to spin and Voldemort and his supporters became even more brazen in their attacks on Muggles. The Muggles, of course, had no idea about the truth behind the disappearances and deaths of their loved ones. However, even the stupidest Muggles were beginning to notice that a lot of strange things were happening in the world. Despite the deaths and heartache, there was always good news. As Lily found out one morning, almost exactly one month after being discharged…

Lily, Molly and Alice were all out together enjoying a lovely lunch in a Muggle restaurant. Molly was several months pregnant with her sixth child and was had just finished talking about the horrible morning sickness she had just gotten through. Although this her sixth time going through it all Molly still wasn't used to the morning sickness. While Molly had spoken, Alice had been concentrating solely on the food in front of her, though she didn't eat a bit. When Molly did stop, Alice looked up.

'Molly, may I ask you something?'

'Of course.' Molly shoved a large piece of chicken in her mouth.

'Um, well, I was just wondering, how do you… know?'

'I'm not sure I understand.'

Alice sighed. 'How do you if you're pregnant?'

'Oh, that's easy. The morning sickness has always given it away for me. Why do you ask?' Molly was looking very suspicious and Lily was feeling the same way.

'Well, I think that I… might be… you know, pregnant.' Alice glanced up at Lily and Molly to see them both staring open-mouthed at her. 'I've been sick every morning and I'm going to the doctor today to check.' Alice bit her lip.

'Wow, congratulations, Ally!' Lily hugged her friend and Molly did the same.

'I have to say though that I'm a little worried. Frank and I have talked about it, but we had decided to wait for a while longer. And then a while ago, well, you know.' Alice had turned bright red and looked down.

'Relax, Alice, I'm sure that Frank'll be over the moon.' Molly said reassuringly.

'I hope so,' Alice checked her watch. 'Well, I have to go if I'm to make this appointment. I'll let you guys know what happens. C'ya.'

Alice waved at them and bounded out of the restaurant. Molly and Lily laughed at her abrupt exit.

'Well, that's wonderful news for her and Frank. To be honest, I think Frank's mother has been bugging him for a grandchild since they got married.' Lily said, her eyes still on the door Alice had left through moments earlier.

'It wouldn't surprise me. Anyway, what about you?'

'Me? What about me?'

'You and James. Are you trying?'

'Yes, but nothing's happened.'

'That's what you think.'

'What are you on about, Molly?' Lily sighed. 'I haven't had any morning sickness.'

'Your point? You don't always get morning sickness. When I was pregnant with Bill I had no idea until five months in. And I only found out because Muriel made me take a pregnancy test.'

'She made you? Why?'

'I have no idea. I think just really wanted us to have some kids. Anyway, my point is you really don't know for sure unless you do a test. Simple as that.'

…

The next morning, Lily left the doctor's office and headed straight for Remus' house, hidden away in the hills. When Lily knocked on the door, a window high above her head opened and Remus stuck his head out.

'Lily? What are you doing here?'

'Can I talk to you, Remy? It's important.'

'Yeah, give me one second.' Remus' head disappeared back inside the window and a few minutes later the door in front of her opened and Lily threw herself into Remus' arms. 'Lily? Is everything okay?' Remus felt Lily nod and he pulled her inside. The two of them went into Remus' kitchen and sat down at the table. 'Do you want anything, Lil?'

'What? Oh, no, thank you.' Lily smiled brightly at him, and Remus calmed down slightly. He had, for a while, been thinking that Lily came bearing some horrible news. The smile on her face told him otherwise.

'Okay, so what's going on then?'

'I've just been to see a Muggle doctor.'

'What? Why? Is everything okay?'

'Yes, now shut up and let me finish.'

'Sorry.'

'Thank you. I just to see a Muggle doctor and I had a test done.'

'Hang on, Lil. Why do I get the feeling that this is something you should be telling James first?'

'Probably because I should be.'

'So why are you telling me?'

'Remy, I may be married to James but you were my friend first.'

'By that reasoning you should be telling…' Remus stopped himself as Lily's eyes flicked downwards.

'Severus?' Lily looked up and Remus nodded. 'Well, to be honest, I don't think he'd be very happy this.' Lily swallowed remembering everything he had said to her about James over the years.

'Oh and why not?'

'You'll understand if you let me actually tell you.' Remus smiled and help up his hands in defeat. Lily smirked and continued 'Thank you. I had the test done out of curiosity. Remy, I'm pregnant!'

Without saying a word Remus jumped up and embraced Lily tightly. 'Congratulations, Lil!' he said when he finally let her go. 'But you definitely have told your husband first.'

'Yes, well I wanted to tell you first, so too bad.'

'Not complaining. And when are you going to inform the father? Assuming of course, that James is the father.'

Lily lightly hit Remus arm, laughing. 'Of course he is, you twit. And I'm going to see him now to tell him actually. But I was hoping you would be there.'

'Why? In case you need a mediator?'

'No. I just want you there. Sirius will be there as well, no doubt. Please, Remy?'

'Of course, Lily. Do you want me to go now, so it doesn't look suspicious?'

'Yes, please.'

'Alright, I'll see you there.' Remus hugged Lily once more before Apparating.

Lily waited half an hour before following him.

…

When Lily did arrive she found James, Sirius and Remus all together in James and Sirius' office. Remus looked around when he heard her come in and winked at her encouragingly. Lily smiled at the three of them and said hello.

'Lily? What brings you to our humble office?' Sirius asked. Lily shot him a glare and then looked at James. He frowned and made his way over to her.

'Lily?'

'Hi.' Lily smiled again.

'Hi…' James dragged out the word in confusion. Although Lily did visit them during the day it was usually during his lunch hour and not the middle of the day.

Lily's eyes flicked downwards as she steeled herself for what was to come. Although James wanted baby, like all wives, Lily wasn't sure how he'd take the news. 'I… um… I just had an appointment with a doctor. Nothing serious,' she added quickly when she saw the worry on James' face. 'I just wanted to get a… a test done to be sure about something and it came back positive.' Lily took a deep breath and looked at her husband in the eye. She then took James' hand in hers. 'James, honey, we're going to have a baby.'

For a second James didn't understand what Lily had just told him. It was as though he had heard her from a great distance away and his brain was trying to catch what had been said. When Lily said his name and he saw the worry on her face, however, it seemed to click. I'm going to be a father. James grinned stupidly at Lily for a second before swooping her up into his arms and swinging her around the room. Lily held onto him tightly and laughed happily. Sirius and Remus, having heard what Lily said, were grinning madly as well. James finally put Lily down and hugs and 'congratulations' were said.

…

Later that night, when James and Lily were finally alone, Lily lay in her husband's arms, a hand on her belly. The grin on James' face hadn't slipped once since she had first told him the news. The grin had only gotten larger as he told the happy news to everyone who would listen to him. After they had all finished work, the four of them, along with several of their friends and Lily's mother had gone out to celebrate at a Muggle restaurant. Now, at home and in the quiet, the fears came into Lily's mind.

'James?'

'Yeah, Lil?'

'I'm scared.' Lily whispered. James tightened his arms around her. He had been waiting for this.

'Me too, Lil.'

'That's not really helping, Potter.'

'I know, but would you have believed me if I said otherwise?'

'No.' Lily sighed. 'How can we protect our baby if we can hardly protect ourselves?'

'I'm not sure, Lil. But I'll think of something, I promise.'

'I don't want to go into hiding.'

'Me neither. That will only be an absolute last resort,' James kissed the top of Lily's head. 'We'll be just fine, Lily. You'll see.'