A/N: Thanks to all of you who have read and reviewed. I do appreciate it greatly. I am replying, I promise. If I've missed replying to your review, rest assured it was just an oversight on my part, for which I am greatly apologetic. I like this chapter… even thought I did tear up a bit. Hey, I'm the author. I'm allowed to be emotional.

Disc.: Standard "I did not create" statement.

Halloween Surprise

Lily had tried on half a dozen outfits before settling on a pair of jeans and a simple, plain tee shirt. Both of them neither accentuated nor hid her growing stomach. She pulled on her coat, belting it loosely across her waist before grabbing her purse and leaving her apartment in Blevins. She decided to take the Knight bus, with how uncomfortable apparating made her feel. She didn't want her baby to be in any discomfort.

During her bumpy ride to her father's house on Halloween, she thought about what she would need to start thinking about purchasing to get her baby around. Apparating was out, certainly, and after this ride on the Knight bus, she was certain she'd never want to bring her child on here. She thought about a car and wondered if she could learn to drive one or if she could get away with muggle public transit. That sounded more doable, in Lily's eyes. Plus she really didn't want to deal with all that came with being a car owner.

"Miss? Your stop is next," the wizard who had taken Lily's money has said. Lily looked up and nodded. She had never felt more nervous than she did now. This over shadowed every moment that had come before it. This wasn't one of those events where Lily would be ok with her family's disapproval. She needed them to be ok with it. No. Lily needed her dad to be happy for her. Rose had told her that he would, but until Lily saw it with her own two eyes, she'd dare not believe it.

"Your stop," the wizard said as the bus lurched to a quick stop in front of Lily's parent's house. She glanced at the familiar yard and felt the uneven thudding of her heart. She nodded, swallowing nervously as she stood. She was barely a meter clear of the bus when it took off again, leaving Lily without a way to run. She hesitated at the front door, uncertain if she should knock or head right in. She stood there for a minute or more before the door swung open and Kate threw her arms around Lily.

"Sister!" Kate cheered merrily. "Happy Halloween."

"You, too Kate," Lily said as she looked at the enormous stomach barely contained by Kate's shirt. "How's pregnancy?"

"Ten days late and no sign of the darling," Kate said laughing as she patted the mountain. Lily's eyes were wide, as if she was fearful. She was, in fact, afraid that she'd get that large.

"It can't stay in there forever, can it?" Lily joked nervously as Kate ushered her into the house.

"Too right, sister," Albus laughed as he hugged his sister. He looked at her curiously but said nothing. Lily blushed slightly and she unbelted her coat, hanging it on the coat tree by the kitchen door. Harry, Aunt Hermione, and Rose were in the kitchen, whipping up a Halloween feast. Lily walked in unannounced, unobtrusive, and took a seat beside her Uncle Ron.

"Lily, hungry?" Ron asked moodily. "Because if you are, these torturous fiends will deny you until you starve to death."

"Quit being so overdramatic, Ronald," Hermione said shooting him a look. Her eyes fell on Lily and she beamed, knowing full well Lily's secret. "How are you feeling, Lily? Would you like something to eat?"

"Sure, feed the kid," Ron grumbled. Lily laughed.

"No, I'm fine, Aunt Hermione," Lily said. "Do you need any help?"

"We've got it sweetie," Harry said throwing her a smile over his shoulder before focusing on the dish he was working on. "How's work?"
"I'm sure Shanna's keeping you updated," Lily said quickly. She grinned as he laughed, his laughter filling the room. Lily could only hope that his good mood would continue and that he would still feel like laughing once she told him her big news.

"I still like to hear it from you," Harry said as he turned and looked at her. Lily met his eyes for a moment and looked away. She casually gestured.

"It's just the same old thing," Lily said.

"Shanna said you moved," Harry said raising and eyebrow. Lily looked at him and flashed a stunning smile his way.

"I got my own place in Blevins," Lily said grinning. "It's so cute, a little one bedroom place with a view of the park."

"Wait, you moved out of that sweet apartment Malfoy's kid gave you? Why?" Ron asked as he looked at her in surprise.

"Well, Uncle Ron, Scorpius and I broke up," Lily said slowly. Ron didn't seem fazed by that remark.

"So? It was one hell of an apartment," Ron said. Lily laughed, surprised that she was able to laugh about being dumped.

"I needed a fresh start, a clean break. This apartment is mine, all mine," Lily said grinning. "I don't have to be thankful for a gift and anyways, it would just be awkward living down the hall from my ex-boyfriend. Imagine how it'd feel if Victor Krum lived next door to you guys."

"Ugh, I hate that guy," Ron said frowning. Hermione laughed and offered him a cookie. He took the plate from her.

"It's good for me, closer to work," Lily said. She laughed as James walked by, carrying Petri on one arm and Tina on the other.

"Aunt Lily!" Tina cheered as she practically leaped from James' arms. Lily embraced her niece, happy to see her.

"Tina, how are you?" Lily asked as Kate waddled into the room.

"Annoying as ever," Kate laughed as Tina stuck her tongue out at her.

"So, you and Scorpius broke up?" Harry asked slowly, carefully as if he was forming his words with precision and precise care. Lily nodded.

"Yes," Lily said. "It was time."

"I can't blame you myself," Ron said with his mouth full. "A Malfoy, after all. And the way he was talking marriage and family and what not, I was afraid that we'd have you married off to him by summer."

"No," Lily said simply. "I never wanted marriage."

"Or a family," Albus teased. "Merlin, remember when you told her that you were going to be a dad, I thought she was going to choke on her lunch."

"Yeah," James said chuckling at the memory.

"Well, yeah," Lily said uncomfortably as she looked at Rose and Hermione helplessly for a moment. Both of them just smiled at her warmly, comforting her without words. "Things like that change sometimes."

The room grew quiet as her family looked at her, really looked at her. She was sitting close to the edge of the table, the table cloth and table hiding her lower half. She had leaned forward on her hands.

"Lily?" Harry asked uncertainly.

"Yes, Daddy?" Lily said in her sweet, innocent, I'm-still-your-princess voice.

"What do you mean things change?" Harry asked slowly.

"Well…" Lily trailed off. She sighed slightly and stood. Her family looked at her, Kate and Maggie catching on quickly while the men-folk looked at her dumbfounded and clueless. Lily laughed nervously and pressed her shirt tightly against her stomach, outlining the perfect little mound that had cropped up just below her belly button.

"Is that what I think?" Harry asked quietly, looking at his daughter in surprise. Lily felt her resolve shattering. He didn't look happy.

"I'm p-pregnant," Lily stuttered.

"W-what? H-how?" Sputtered James and Albus in unison, only to have the same thing echoed by Uncle Ron a half a second behind them. Lily rolled her eyes.

"Malfoy!" James growled. "That good for nothing…"

"Now wait, James," Lily said in protest as she raised his hand to stop him. "It takes two, and I am just as much as at fault as he is, if not more so for not protecting myself from it. This isn't Scorpius' fault."

"He dumped you because you are pregnant, didn't he?" James snarled in anger. Lily looked at him in shock.

"Why would you say that?" Lily asked.

"It's true, isn't it?" James demanded. He looked ready to kill and Lily was afraid that he'd hurt himself or Scorpius. She felt stupid to care what happened to Scorpius, and she tried to convince herself it was because of the loss of Bean's father's life and not for the fact that Lily still was hopelessly in love with him.

"No, of course not James," Lily snapped as she crossed her arms. She glared at him.

"Then what? He doesn't want to marry you now, is it? Make an honest woman out of you?" James demanded.

"You are hopeless, James!" Lily exclaimed in outrage. "I already told you, told everyone. I don't want to be married. Scorpius and I broke up. It had nothing to do with my baby. Leave it alone, James."

"So that's it then? He knocks you up and then drops out of your life?" James said as his fists remained clinched at his sides. He was visibly angry. Lily touched his shoulder, hesitantly, before she lightly hugged him.

"Thank you for loving me so much that you want to defend my honor, James, but honestly, please, just leave it alone," Lily begged quietly. "Just be happy for me, and accept me."

"Of course I'm happy for you, Lily," James said as he relaxed almost instantly, lightly hugging her back. "I just… I don't like to see you hurt, that's all."

"I'm not hurt," Lily lied. She smiled at him. "We all know I said that I didn't want marriage. Scorpius and I are just too different."

"Damn straight," Ron muttered. Lily laughed as she pulled away and looked at her father hesitantly.

"Dad?" Lily asked almost fearful of his response. How he reacted would make or break Lily. If he accepted and was happy for her, she could do this on her own. Anything less, and she was certain that she would shatter into a million pieces right there before them. Harry stepped forward, the room's eyes on him. He looked at his daughter and embraced her.

"I am very happy for you, Lily. I honestly never thought that I'd get a grandchild from you, and while this isn't exactly the way I pictured it, I am still thrilled," Harry whispered to his daughter. Lily laughed, hugging her father back. Tears sprung to her eyes and she wiped them away hastily.

"I still want to go kick Malfoy's ass," James whispered to Albus, who nodded.

"No, James," Harry said shaking his head sternly.

"But Dad!" James protested.

"It does explain why Malfoy wanted the extended station in Argentina," Albus said dismissively. Lily looked at Albus curiously as the rest of the room groaned.

"What's in Argentina?" Lily asked reflexively. Harry cleared his throat.

"Anyone up for some pumpkin tarts while Hermione and I put the finishing touches on our feast?" Harry said a little louder than normal. Lily rolled her eyes.

"I get it, I do. Can't tell the Healer because she's not an Auror," Lily said grumpily.

"And a good thing, too," Albus said as he poked Rose in the stomach. "Like our department could really stand to have two people off for maternity leave."

"It's only for a year, and I'll still be doing some work from home," Rose snapped as she slapped his hand away. "And I'll remind you that Tabby does not like to be poked."

"Sounds like a cat," Albus smirked. Harry popped him upside the head.

"That's your cousin's daughter you're talking about," Harry said. He looked to Lily. "Speaking of, how far along are you? Do you know what you are having?"

"I'm fourteen weeks," Lily said. She saw her dad cringe slightly but he smiled.

"So, too soon to tell," Harry commented.

"But there is only one, despite her already starting to show quite much," Rose said helpfully. Lily rolled her eyes.

"As soon as I find out, I'll let you know, Dad," Lily promised. He hugged her from the side.

"Whatever you have, Lily, it came from you and I will love it," Harry promised. Lily smiled, glad that he seemed to be taking it well.

"Please just do not name is Scorpius Junior," James begged through clenched teeth. "It's bad enough that its' a Malfoy."

"I was thinking of keeping the baby's last name Potter," Lily said quietly. Harry looked at Lily in surprise.

"Do you think Scorpius would allow that?" Harry asked curiously.

"It's my baby, not Scorpius'," Lily said defensively. "It's not his decision to make."

"Still, I'd think that he'd want a part in his child's life," Harry said quite confused. Lily shook her head slightly without realizing that she had done it.

"I'm committed to raising my baby on my own," Lily said quietly. Harry didn't push the topic any and instead went about finishing up their feast. The group sat down to eat as the first of many door bells chiming interrupted them. Each one took their turn answering the door and passing out candy to the dressed up muggle children. James and Lily stood beside each other as a little girl with big blue eyes approached. She had a broom and a pointed hat.

"Look, a witch," James commented. The little girl looked at him.

"I'm not a bad witch," the little girl assured him. "I'm a good witch." Lily laughed and handed the child some candy. James looked at Lily.

"So, that's the reason, then," James said quietly. "You don't have to lie to me, Lily. It was written all over your face. Scorpius and you broke up over the baby."

"Please leave it alone, James," Lily said quietly in a begging tone.

"I want to kick his ass, but out of respect for your wishes, I won't," James said quietly.

"Thank you, James," Lily said quietly. He looked at her and forced a smile.

"You know, if you ever change your mind on that…"

"You'll be the first one I let know, James, I promise," Lily said. James grinned.

"It's all I ask," James said. He thought a moment or two. "What I don't get is Scorpius has wanted to marry you and start a family for as long as I can recall. I get that you don't want a marriage, but I can't believe that he'd be so against you having his child out of wedlock that he'd want nothing to do with you. Either of you."

"I don't know what to say," Lily said sadly. "I guess words were meaningless. When it came down to it, Scorpius and I just weren't meant to be."

"How are you holding yourself so together?" James wondered aloud. Lily smiled weakly.

"It's not easy, but Bean needs me to be strong," Lily said as she tenderly touched the mound. "I never knew love like I know now. Between you and me, I was all set to end the pregnancy. It was Rose that showed me the light, so to speak."

"Wow," James said as he glanced over at his very pregnant cousin. "I'm glad she did, Lily. You really will make a good mother."

"Who'll make a good mother?" Albus came up beside the two of them, followed by Kate.

"Lily will," James told him. Albus snickered.

"The girl who never wanted kids," Albus teased.

"I'm good with Tina and Petri," Lily defended. Kate groaned quietly.

"I bet she's going to be great with this little bugger too," Kate said. Lily looked at Kate curiously.

"Are you ok?" Lily asked as she went to Kate's side.

"Fine, fine," Kate said waving her off. "Just those fake contractions."

"How often have you been having them," Lily said as she went into Healer mode.

"I'm not in labor," Kate laughed. "I would know. This isn't my first rodeo."

"Humor me, Kate," Lily said as she put her hand to Kate's stomach. It tightened under Lily's hand as Kate groaned again.

"It's not labor, Lily," Kate laughed harder. A quiet pop was barely heard and suddenly Kate looked really serious. Lily grinned.

"That, my dear sister in law, sounds like you might have broken you water," Lily grinned bigger. Kate's eyes darted down to the floor where a little puddle of water was forming at her feet.

"That's just nasty," Hugo grunted.

"Just you wait, Hugo," Albus laughed. "Kate's water broke in bed last time and we thought she'd had an accident."

"Albus!" Kate snapped at him, suddenly in a lot of pain.

"Looks like I'm going to be an aunt again," Lily said calmly as she timed the next contraction. Her face went serious. "Look unless you guys are up for a Halloween baby born at home, you may want to get everything in gear and start heading to the birthing center."

"Don't leave me with these idiots," Kate begged as everyone began running around like crazy. Harry grabbed the keys and a stack of towels.

"I just got it detailed," Harry said sheepishly as Lily and Albus helped Kate to the car.

"I'll keep an eye on Tina for you," James called as Rose and Hermione joined the birthing crew in the car.

"Whatever!" Kate shrieked as pain ripped through her.

"Wow, this is kind of scary on this end," Lily whispered to Rose as the car whipped in and out of traffic, Kate and Albus in the front seat of the car with Harry.

"It's scarier on this end!" Kate shrieked. "Oh, GOD, it hurts. I want to push."

"No! Not yet!" Harry begged. "Not in the car."

"Gee, great dad," Albus joked. "Don't want your next granddaughter born in the car, do you?"

"I'm going to kill you Albus," Kate threatened as she tried to breathe through the pain. "And Harry, if you don't get to the center now, I'm going to pop this kid out onto your dash board."

"Wow," Lily said wide eyed.

"Just you wait," Albus joked from the front seat. "She'll start blaming me for everything. Labor brings the devil out of every woman."

"Something to look forward too," Lily whispered.

Harry screeched the tires as he pulled to a stop in front of the birthing center. It was a rushing whirlwind of activity as Kate and Albus were hauled off to a room. Lily had no intention on being in there with her brother and sister in law, but Rose and Hermione drug Lily in there to witness firsthand the business of bringing a child into the world. Lily looked horrified and in awe all in the same moment as her newest niece, Sarah Potter, was born. The baby had a tuff of orange-red, Weasley colored hair and was screaming it's blotchy little head off, dripping with ooze and blood.

"She's so beautiful," Albus whispered as he kissed Kate's forehead, both admiring the baby.

"Happy Halloween, love," Kate said as she looked up at Albus. Lily felt a lump form in her throat and the familiar sting of tears. She would be alone when she gave birth, in a strange muggle hospital instead of a warm, magical birthing center. She'd not have a husband or even a lover who'd be willing to hold her hand and then rejoice in the birth of their child.

"I love you, Kate," Albus whispered as he was handed his daughter. Kate looked up at him from her bed as if he was a god and smiled.

"I love you too, Al," Kate breathed. Lily turned and walked out of the room. She headed off toward the courtyard of the center, sitting by the fountain. She buried her face into her hands and sobbed. It was too late, but Lily knew what she wanted. She wanted Scorpius to be a part of her and their child's life. But it was too late, Lily knew this. Scorpius had laid it down and ended any future. Lily would do this alone, not because she wanted to but because she had no other choice.