"You look fabulous!" Lily announced. "It took me more than a month to find the perfect wedding dress, and you found yours in less than a week. Absolutely stunning."

"You look beautiful," Luanne agreed.

Alexa blushed. "I can't believe I'm getting married!" she exclaimed. "I mean, I'm marrying Sirius, James is best man, you're my maid-of-honor, and with a baby on the way! Luanne as my flower girl. Could life be any better?"

There was a stony silence for a moment as Alexa's words sunk in. Lily touched her stomach and looked away.

"Lil," Alexa breathed, realizing her slip. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

"I know," Lily said simply. "Everything will be fine, with Sirius as our secret keeper." Lily and Alexa both knew, of course, that Sirius was no longer secret keeper, but it was best not to say it out loud. No one ever did. It was easiest to pretend no one was in any danger.

Lily smiled again, a sincere, if not a bit sad around the edges, smile, and Alexa grinned magnificently. She had nearly everything she wanted.

"Well," she said happily. "Let's get this show on the road!" And with that she took a deep breath and glided toward the aisle. "Whenever my maid-of-honor and flower girl are ready."

*****

"Lily," Alexa said. It was months later, and Lily was quite large by this time. "You know that thing in your stomach?"

Lily snorted. "Very eloquently put, Alexa. Yes, I know that 'thing' in my stomach."

"Well," she shifted uncomfortably. "I think I might have one."

Lily laughed loudly. "It's not a cold, Alexa!"

There was silence, and Lily was hit with the full impact of what Alexa has said. "Wait, what?"

"One of those," Alexa said, poking Lily's stomach. "I think I have one."

Lily stared at her dumbly for a second. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?" she asked slowly.

Alexa got up. "Yes! I think I'm pregnant! You know, pregnant, knocked up, bun in the oven, P-R-E-G-N-A-N-T, pregnant!" She sat down again, looking at Lily sheepishly. "Sorry."

"No, no, it's all right," Lily said quickly. "It's just…did you take a test?"

Alexa shook her head. "No, I was afraid too. I mean, we never even talked about having kids. It wasn't something either of us really wanted. I figured we would wait until Luanne started school to even talk about it, much less…well, y'know, have one." At this, Alexa poker her stomach suspiciously, as if wondering if she might be able to wish it away.

"Wait," Lily said. "You don't want kids? But we always used to talk about it!"

"I didn't say I didn't want kids," Alexa corrected. "I said we weren't nearly ready yet. We aren't even close to being close to wanting to have kids!" At this, Alexa burst into tears.

"Oh, sweetie," Lily said soothingly, hugging Alexa. "It'll be alright, I promise."

*****

"Your turn to pee on the stick," Lily said, and Alexa laughed despite herself.

Minute One- Alexa: Will I get fat? Will my feet swell up like watermelons? And I'll start retaining water, too, right? My finger's will swell up like sausages, and it'll hurt, won't it?

Minute two- Lily: You think my fingers look like sausages? Really?

Alexa: No! Of course not! Well, maybe a little.

Minute three- Lily: I can't believe you would say that! Just last week you told me I was glowing!

Alexa: You are glowing, Lils, but you're also fat.

Lily: Well!

Minute four- Alexa: It's gonna hurt isn't it? I betcha it hurts like hell.

Lily: Hey! Watch it! Even if you're negative, I still have to do it!

Minute five- Alexa: N-negative? You mean you think it's negative? Oh my god. What if it's negative? Do I want it to be negative? Do I want it to be positive? Oh my god, I can't do this, Nononononononononono-

Lily: It's ready.

Alexa lunged for the stick, nearly knocking Lily over.

She promptly burst into tears. "I knew it," she sobbed. "I just knew it."

"Oh Lexi," Lily said sympathetically. "I know. I know you're sad. But now maybe you can talk to Sirius about it first."

"You don't understand," Alexa sobbed.

"No, I do," Lily assured her. "I know you're upset, and-"

"I'm not upset," Alexa argued. "It's positive."

*****

"Sirius?" Alexa asked worriedly. "Sirius, did you hear me?"

Sirius nodded slowly. "Yeah, yeah I think so. So, that's baby, B-A-B-Y, right?"

Alexa nodded and Lily rolled her eyes.

"Alright then," Sirius said. "I guess we should clear out some room for it….or something. What do babies eat?"

Alexa looked at him suspiciously. "You did hear me, right?"

Sirius nodded. "Of course."

"You're being very calm."

"Yes," Sirius agreed.

"James fainted," Lily pointed out.

Sirius looked at one arm, then the other. Then he twisted his head around to check the label on his shirt. "Why I'll be darned! I'm not James!"

Lily rolled her eyes.

"But are you happy?" Alexa asked. Sirius shook his head, and Alexa looked as though she were about to cry.

"No," Sirius said. "Truth be told I'm scared as hell. Bit happy, but I will be, if you are."

And she was.