Disclaimer: I own nothing. J.K. Rowling owns everything.

"What are you doing here?" Lily asked, looking up from her novel. Her husband had just apparated into the living room of their modest flat. She had only a couple of minutes before settled down with a large glass of wine, bowl of pesto and her latest romance novel.

"Surprising you," James answered, pulling a bouquet of blue tulips (her favorite) out from behind his back. He smiled and bent down, giving her a gentle kiss. They had been married for six months but had already fallen into what Lily had thought was an unalterable schedule. James had been a surprisingly attentive husband but one night a week, he went out with Sirius, Remus, and Peter. Normally, she had no problem with this but lately, with all of the turmoil going on around them, she found herself missing him on his Friday nights.

"If you had told me you were coming I would have slipped into something a bit more presentable," she grinned, tucking a strand of her long red hair behind her ear.

"You look lovely and, anyway, I'm not incredibly interested in what you're wearing," he raised his eyebrows suggestively.

"Why Mr. Potter, are you trying to seduce me?"

"You bet your socks I am. Is it working?"

"You bet your socks," she replied coquettishly. "Are you hungry?"

"Ravenous. Let's retire to the bedroom Mrs. Potter."

"So forward! Do Sirius and Remus know you're ditching them?"

"Huh?" James asked distractedly. "Oh, yeah, Sirius wanted to go and find Remus a girlfriend. I thought I'd have more fun here and those three bachelors can have a bit of a stag night. Now, I believe I was saying something about the bedroom," he scooped Lily up his arms, her wine sloshing dangerously.

"James! The new sofa!" she exclaimed, catching the few drips with her hand.

"Sod the sofa," he murmured in his low, sultry baritone. He carried her to their small bedroom, laying her gently on the bed. She giggled girlishly as he pulled off his t-shirt. She pulled off her own jumper and kicked off her shoes. In a mad fervor, they tossed the remainder of their clothes to the floor.

An hour later, they lay on their backs, panting heavily. "God that was good," Lily murmured, staring at the ceiling in amazement.

"Tell me about it. We are on fire." James traced a loving finger over her shoulder. "We should be awarded a medal." Lily laughed. She turned over on her side to gaze at him. She had hated him and he was the last person she would ever have seen herself with but he had wooed her. His forced vibrato and macho exterior had melted away and she saw him for who he really was. He was fiercely loyal and despised all manner of dark magic. He could be sweet and made her laugh, something that was rather difficult for most people. Did he have his faults? Of course he did. He could be an arrogant prick and had a tendency to say the exact wrong thing at the worst possible moment but he loved her.

He turned over, running his hand through her hair. His intense gaze sent a shiver up her spine. "I love you Lily Potter," he whispered. She smiled faintly, moving closer. He kissed her softly and she felt safe in his arms. Despite all of this talk of You-Know-Who and the Ministry in upheaval, she felt utterly and completely safe. She couldn't explain it and she certainly could not explain what she said next.

"What do you think of children James?" she asked.

"Children, they're . . . small? Why do you ask?" He fingered a red tendril.

"I think we just . . . "

"Really?" he asked, his voice brightening. She nodded; it just felt different than usual. He rested his hand on her flat abdomen and smiled. "Well what do you think about that?" he intoned absently.

"With all of this chaos though James. I had never thought to bring a child into the world like this."

"He'll have us won't he? We'll be bringing a little sunshine into the world. What better time could there be?" Her love for him intensified and all of her fears abated. Warmth washed over her and she felt like the luckiest woman in the world.

"You said he."

"Did I?" He cocked his head to one side. She nodded. "Maybe that's a sign. How do you like the names Sirius?" Lily snorted, scooting against him and nestling her head against his chest. His long arm went round her shoulder.

"Not on your life. How about Prescott."

"Only if you want him flogged. Rex?"

"Am I giving birth to a puppy? Albert."

"Nuh uh. James Jr.?"

"Two James in one house; that would just be confusing. What about Harold after my dad?" Lily asked, her voice cracking slightly. Her father had passed a month and half after their wedding.

"I like Harry," he put in hopefully.

"Harry James Potter," Lily said slowly, savoring the words.

"Harry Potter, this is my son Harry," James whispered.

"It's perfect," Lily said reverently.

"He'll have your eyes."

"And your unruly hair," she laughed.

"He'll have your brains."

"And with my luck, your penchant for mischief."

"But of course. He'll have loads of girlfriends."

"Loads? I don't think so, just one, the right one."

"With any luck he'll find one as amazing as his mum." Lily brought her hand down to her stomach, resting it on top of James'. "He'll change the world he will," James murmured.

"And we'll keep him safe."

"Always." James looked deep in her eyes as if trying to reassure her that she was safe, that she was home. He bent his face down till his lips brushed the soft skin of her belly. "We'll be waiting for you Harry Potter, we'll be waiting to see you my son." Lily's heart melted and she took his face in her hands, drawing it up to her own. She felt pretty sure but, well, you could never be too safe . . .

A/N: So, this little fic is over. I hope you liked it. If you noticed, it followed a relationship pattern. This chapter was my favorite. I feel like James was never fully hashed out in the book. You never saw what Lily could love about him so this is my little ode to a more grown up James Potter. Thank you to all who reviewed. I love you all. The next fic is going to be about Charlie but I have a twenty page paper due in the next couple of weeks so I don't know when it will be up. Have a happy Monday!

Love,
Liz