Lily turned to glare at Celeste, who was trying her best to look angelic.
"That settles it. Let's go."
"No."
Sirius tried to lead her out the door, Lily dragging her feet.
"What part of no don't you understand? I said no, and I meant it. That means you can't take me anywhere without it being criminally classified as kidnapping. Under the Siberian Code, that qualifies as a minimum of eighteen months in a magical prison. So stop touching me. Now.
"Gee. I'm…sorry. I didn't realize it was such an issue to take a friend out to dinner. I didn't mean anything by it. I really am sorry; I should have been more thoughtful. You're probably the last person on earth right now that wants to have anybody touch them, no matter how casually." Sirius held his hands up, palm out, and backed away several steps.
Lily continued to watch him carefully, forgetting that he had been the one to retrieve her; only remembering the feel of him trying to lead her out the door, and its similarity to situations that had been far from friendly. Celeste watched the display avidly, her eyes darting back and forth.
Sirius studied her carefully, and his warm eyes settled on her evenly.
"Mummy? I'm hungry."
"I know, Celeste," Lily murmured.
"What if I cook something for you? Can I stay? You won't be anywhere against your will, and I'll leave whenever you ask."
Lily looked uncertain, and she looked around the room nervously. "That will be alright, I suppose."
"Good, I'll get started."
In the next fifteen minutes, the small flat was filled with the sound of Celeste's endless chatter to Sirius, who was no longer a stranger after an introduction, and of him easily rustling through the cabinets to find supplies.
Lily sat at the table and watched for a long time, trying to deal with everything she felt at once. Years ago, this could have been normal. Sirius would visit for dinner, in return, he would cook. They would all laugh and carry on, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew stopping in later on, but seldom for dinner. That was reserved for Sirius. He was James's best friend, cohort in crime, counselor, and attorney all in one. To Lily, he was like a brother-in-law, always there to watch out for something that belonged to James. He would check in on her if James had a long shift at the hospital during her pregnancy, just to see if she needed something.
"Are you here as James's friend or as mine?"
"Beg pardon?" Sirius turned from the stove, one eyebrow cocked in question.
"Are you here to measure the situation for James, or here because you're concerned for me?"
"I'm here as a neutral party. I'm here for you, but you know as well as I do that James is my concern."
"I thought so."
"He didn't send me."
"I didn't think he did."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Later."
*~*~*
Later came when Celeste was asleep in her bed, no doubt dreaming about unicorns and kittens and pink ribbons.
Sirius and Lily sat on the couch, staring out the window onto the street below.
"This is a mess, wouldn't you say?"
"I would. Where's Remus?"
"Germany. You know him, he gets around. Even more after you were gone. I thought England would drive him mad. We all love you, James wasn't the only one. No doubt you will see the other two soon enough."
"Remus is my good friend. Peter lacks the resources to be conniving. You're what's left, and frankly, you scare the hell out of me."
"If it's any comfort, you scare the hell out of me too, Lily. You effectively changed the natural order of the Marauders. And, you bumped me out of the number one position. I should be pissed at you, but I don't have the heart. You're too sweet."
"Was. I don't think I'm quite the same as before."
"That's understandable. So now my question is what are you going to do?"
"What do you mean? I'm getting money from the Department. I'm going to send Celeste to a nursery store, find a job, and take cooking classes. Lord knows I need them."
"I won't argue with that. What sort of job are you looking at?"
"Don't know. I don't have a lot of training, but I'm guessing my Head Girl badge my open a few doors."
"It should. What are you going to do about James?"
"And so we get down to the crux of the matter. I'm going to get divorce papers and divorce James. I don't really see any other options for the situation. Don't worry, I don't feel like stealing the Potter fortune, before you get your hackles raised."
"You two didn't have a prenuptial agreement."
"We didn't and don't need one. All I want is my stuff back. Photos, my parents' things. I doubt he wants yellowed pictures of me after my first attempt at makeup or my mom's engagement ring."
"You could get him back."
"Not and like myself afterward. I still have a heart, Sirius. I wasn't completely damaged."
"Don't you want him back?"
"Yes and no. You know what, this is ridiculous. Why am I talking to you?" Lily laughed, "I am talking to his best friend who will repeat every word I say. I quit. Go home, Sirius, and thank you for making dinner, it was great."
"But-"
"Remember our terms?"
"Yes. I'll leave. But one last thing…is Celeste his daughter or what? He deserves to have a part in her life if she is. You know how bad he wants children."
Lily smiled, "Time's up, Sirius. Out."
Sirius was effectively packed and shoved out the door in under thirty seconds, which was something he considered quite impressive.
And now, Sirius was faced with a rather daunting decision: Tell James or respect Lily's privacy. Lily was, at the moment, a wounded deer, ready to bolt at any movement. She did deserve honesty and respect from someone.
However, James was and always would be his number one priority. That was the deal between them, unyielding loyalty that went both ways. James demanded it from all of his friends, and Sirius had always respected that. Lily had changed that equation slightly with her appearance into their group that was thicker than any blood, but the principles were basically the same.
And that was why Sirius was going to talk to James now.
Sirius gritted his teeth as he knocked on the door. That was one of the things that had completely hacked him off about Penelope from the get go. Lily had made it obvious they were welcome at just about any time in her home. Sirius, Remus, and Peter all knew the location of the hide-a-key. Penelope made it obvious knocking was a requirement.
This was a tough bone for Sirius to swallow. It was practically like being asked to knock at his own house. Granted, Penelope was a more private person than Lily had been, but she just didn't respect the relationship of best-friends the way she should.
"He's in a bad mood, Sirius. Might I recommend coming back later?" Penelope asked, opening the door. She looked like she had just stepped from the shower, complete with shower cap.
"Nope, it's important. Is he in his little room?"
"Of course, where else would he go to sulk?"
"Good point. You looked ravishing, my dear." Sirius winked playfully and strode to the back of the flat.
Penelope made a sound of disgust and rolled her eyes.
"James? Pal, you in there?" he called through the door.
"Actually, I jumped out the window twenty minutes ago. I'm not home."
"Har-de-har-har. Come on, I've got some rather interesting news for you. First hand information."
"About?"
"I need you to come out here to listen."
"I'm brooding, leave me the hell alone. I've had a crappy day…a crappy week for that matter. Hell, it's been a crappy life."
Sirius took a deep breath for courage, and did the unthinkable. He opened the door to James's private retreat, and stepped right in.
He was incredibly shocked to find it unlocked.
James was incredibly shocked someone had the nerve to open the door.
"It wasn't crappy when you had Lily, now was it?"
*~*~*
A/N: That new chapter didn't come out quickly has intended. I would apologize, but there's frankly no help for it. I simply have a time shortage. I'll try my best, and that's about all I can offer. Thanks for not giving up on me: Trish, The Elfin Child, punkchicloser6078, CarmenSandiego, Julie, everblue3, Angelisa Snape, raphaella, tina, Kristen, Kelly, mistocean, RBFfreak22, torifire126, missy, luv-jinxy, lol, Clare, hpandkiki, kaylynn, JazzyNStu, Nicole, Life, Love Sanity, ljpottafreak, Ashley, Julie Anna, unicornjewel, Stefanorkle, Bambie, Eleanor, Natty Natterz, Melissa, Lily, Anna, Sarah, Mtmurphy89, mooncancer.