A/N: Fluffy, and kind of sad. I'm going to do a follow up Christmas-themed story for Snape next :)

It was just beginning to flurry outside as the last guest of their small Christmas gathering left.

"Happy Christmas!" James called from the front door, as Sirius had just gotten outside of the garden gate, and was about to Disapparate.

"You too, mate!" He gave a smile and a wave, before turning on the spot and vanishing with a crack.

James shut the door behind him, before coming back into the living room and embracing his wife. Lily smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

"That was lovely," she said. "It was so nice to see everyone…even though Peter seemed a bit down."

"I hope he's alright," James mused, looking concerned. "He hasn't really been himself lately, has he?"

"It's probably just the war," Lily replied, trying to sound nonchalant. James pulled her close, and she relaxed into him. She, herself, had been rather upset about the goings-on lately, and James couldn't blame her. Things were getting more dangerous by the moment, and it seemed as if every day there was more news of murders and disappearances. James only left the house when he absolutely had to, and just about the only place where Lily would go alone was old Bathilda's house.

They stayed like that for a while, just holding each other and savoring the moment of safety and peace. It was Christmas day; there was wrapping paper strewn across the floor and a smile pile of opened gifts under the tree. In the comfort of their sitting room, with the snow falling softly outside of the window in the twilight, it was easy to believe that there was nothing wrong in the outside world.

Finally, Lily broke the silence with a nearly inaudible whisper. "James…we're going to be safe, right?"

He kissed her forehead gently. "Of course, Lilyflower."

She gave him a small smile at the use of her pet name, but still looked worried. "Do you promise?"

"I promise," he said reassuringly.

She took a minute before speaking again. "I…I have another Christmas present for you…" She adjusted herself so that she could see him completely. She was blushing.

"What is it, love?"

Instead of speaking, she simply took his hand, and placed it on her tummy. It wasn't until now that he really noticed the slight roundness that had recently appeared. His eyes widened.

She looked at him imploringly. "Promise that you'll protect both of us…?"

"Oh, Lily!" He hugged her tight and kissed her. "Of course I will! Every day, my love. For the rest of my life, if I have to!"

True to his word, James Potter protected his wife and son until the day he died.