Chapter 57: Just Being Normal

Sirius and May were back in the routine of their marriage. Work, food, sex and sleep. Then repeat. Usually with the occasional Order meeting in between. Much to May's annoyance, Sirius was still staying out late and coming home late. She never argued with him. She just thought he was doing things for the Order. But May felt like he was lying to her. Again.

Their life moved on. It was soon Harry's first birthday but neither Sirius nor May could make it. It broke their hearts to not be with nephew on his first birthday. They bought him his first broomstick. Much to Lily's dismay and to James' delight. May and Sirius visited two weeks after Harry's birthday. They rarely visited and it was a delight to be with them.

Sirius and May had been at James and Lily's for a few hours and showed no signs of leaving. The two males were entertaining the one year old Harry by using magic and encouraging him to ride his toy broomstick around the house. The sister-in-laws were in the kitchen catching up. Both had a cup of coffee in their hands and were sitting opposite each other. "It's great to see you, May." Lily smiled at her sister-in-law.

"You too. I've been so busy, I swear I don't even sleep." She chuckled as she sipped her coffee. "How's being in captivity? Sorry, in hiding." Her smile grew a little as Lily laughed. "Must be frustrating."

"Not for me. I'm happy that we're all safe." The red-head smiled broadly. "Harry is none the wiser. But James is getting frustrated with the fact that he is still stuck here and not doing anything." Shrugging a shoulder and placing her coffee cup on the table. "He knows it is for a good reason."

May gave her a small smile. "You'll be free soon. I hope you are. It's getting boring not being able to talk to you everyday."

They laughed together before Lily started talking again. "How are you and Sirius now?"

"Hmmmm..." She sighed, "we're okay. More than okay. We're better than before." A blush crept onto her cheeks.

"What?" Lily raised an eyebrow. "I bet you two are having very loud sex and the neighbours have complained a lot."

May laughed loudly and shook her head. "Half of that is right." She snorted a laugh and rolled her eyes at the sight of Lily blushing. "We're trying for another baby."

"Oh May! That is wonderful news!" She reached over and held May's hand.

"We both decided it is time and we really want to be parents." May grinned widely and squeezed Lily's hand. "Sirius will be a great father."

"You will be an amazing mother. I watch you with Harry and I can see you being a great mother one day."

May smiled and blushed as she sat back on her chair. "Well, I think it maybe soon." She laughed softly. "I skipped my last period. I'm not counting on it but I hope so."

"Oh May!" Lily smiled broadly. "Well, if you are. Congratulations." Smiling broadly still. "I'll keep it quiet." She chuckled and sipped her coffee. "How's the outside world?"

"Getting frustrated?" May scoffed and drank the rest of her coffee. "I would be."

The red-headed woman laughed. "I am. I hate not knowing what is happening past these walls. I have James and Harry to worry about but I worry about you and all of our friends. I don't want to have the message that you or Padfoot or Moony have been hurt. Or killed."

"Don't say that." Shaking her head and then sighing heavily. "I feel the same." Running her fingers through her hair nervously. "I don't know what I would do if I lost anybody else." Her memory shifted to her lost daughter. Losing her daughter was not associated with the war but it still hurt to think about what may have been. Every day in work, she met children who had lost their parents or one of their parents. She knew how they felt. "I just live for now and not think about the future. I just see nothing."

"What about trying for a baby? Don't you see that?"

She shook her head and stopped a tear from running down her cheek by wiping it away with her hand. "No. We've been trying for four months and nothing. I just want something to look forward to. Both of us don't seem to have time for each other any more. He's out all the time and working constantly."

Lily stood up and moved around the table. Kneeling down and hugging May. "Hey. You know what it is like. This war is making people work harder. Sirius is an auror. He is probably working extremely hard trying to stop people getting hurt." She moved away from May and looked at her best friend. "May, stop worrying about everyone else and think about yourself and Sirius. You are trying for a family. You don't need this stress."

May gave a laugh and wiped away her tears. "I can't help it. I think of you here and I wish it was different. I wish we were not apart all the time. Talking to you makes me less stressed." The two women laughed as May wiped away the last of her tears. "Let's go and rescue Harry from our husbands."

"You are right." Lily laughed as they stood up and moved into the sitting room, where the two men were laughing as Harry flew around the room on his toy broomstick. "Harry James Potter! Are you being naughty?" The small boy stopped flying and shook his head. Lily reached down and lifted him up. "Of course not. Definitely not the son of marauder." She said sarcastically as she handed Harry to May.

"Oh definitely not." May laughed and kissed Harry's chubby cheek, making the boy giggle. "Right, auntie May and uncle Sirius have to go home."

Sirius gave her a small smile and moved to her side. He ran his hand through Harry's unruly hair. "Sorry kiddo. But we will be back soon."

"Yes." She grinned widely and kissed her nephew on the cheek again before handing him back to Lily. "We'll come back soon." She felt the tears welling up in her eyes. It was going to be hard as she knew that they would not see them a lot. She gave her brother a hug and then Lily a hug. "See you soon."

They all said their goodbyes. Making promises to meet again soon. Unknown to them all, that was the last time they were ever together.

Sirius smiled as he watched her cook them a roast dinner. He sat by the window in their sitting room and smoked another cigarette. His fifth since the day began. This war was taking its toll on him. He was barely sleeping and constantly working. He now had two days off and in those two days he was going to spend it with his wife. She made sure she had time off at the same time as Sirius. This was the end of their first day off. They had spent the day in Oxford Street, just being muggles. They shopped, had lunch and just spent the day being free. Free from war. Free from loss. They were just being normal. Of course, they had their wands on them but they did not need to use them.

"Sirius, get the white wine out of the fridge." She spoke softly as she dished out their dinner.

"Sure." He took one last drag of his cigarette and stubbed it out. He stood up and moved into the kitchen, opening the fridge and pulling out the chilled bottle of wine. "Dinner smells gorgeous." He stood behind her and kissed her neck. "You look gorgeous." Her long hair was pulled up into a bun on the top of her head. "As always." Kissing her exposed neck again.

"Thank you." She chuckled as she poured gravy on their dinners.

Sirius poured two equal glasses of wine and put them on the dinner table. He sat down as May brought their dinners out. "What shall we do tomorrow?"

"Hmmmm..." May sighed as she thought and sitting opposite him. "Can we stay in? I feel like a lazy day tomorrow. Especially after a long day like today."

"Okay." He nodded. "Does that include no clothes?" He smirked and laughed when she laughed. "I'll take that as a yes."

A/N: Nearing the end of this story. ARGH! I know! BUT there is a sequel. Hee hee!

Responses from chapter 56:

CharlotteBlackwood: I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hope you enjoyed this one. :)

Rebecca: Awwww I hope you are better from your surgery. :) Thank you so much.

ac1212: Wow! I'm glad you took your time to read the story. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The squeal will be soon. :)