Hi guys! I'm home from work being sick, so here's a Little something to enjoy for you and me as well - new chapter! Yay, hehe So far - thanks fo all Amazing Reviews, love ya!

29 December 5 1993

"… innocent already… be there… friends… Jennie… Harry… fuck…"

"Sirius?"

Jennie peeked into the kitchen and the dark haired wizard jumped and whirled around to face her; he was obviously stressed about something. "Ah hello lovely!" His charming grin didn't quite reach his eyes, so she went closer and poked him in the chest.

"Snap out of it and tell me the problem!"

He snorted, so she figured it couldn't be that bad if he actually had some sense of humor left.

"I'm nervous."

"I think I have that one figured out already… nervous about what?"

"About a lot of things… most silly stuff, nothing you should bother you cute head with."

"Right… I'll pretend I believe you. If you feel like bawling later, just give me a shout, in the meantime I'll be in the bath."

She kissed his cheek and he rolled his eyes.

"Y'know, I really don't want to bother you…"

"Oh honestly! Sirius, how many times do I have to tell you; I care; when someone cares for another it is very natural to want to help in any way possible! Really! Gosh! I'm off to bathe, feel free to join me, or just stand here sulking", she rambled quickly and spurted away upstairs. She'd only been in the hot water for two minutes when the door creaked open.

"Got any room for a stray?"

"I'd hardly call you a stray, but I have plenty of room. Strip."

He laughed and shed his clothes and she moved a little as he sunk into the water opposite her.

"I'm freaking a little. This freedom thing is surprisingly scary. And I've got Harry now, he's my responsibility as well as yours, which sort of makes us, I don't know, more of a couple…and since we already have something going on, I feel like I should man up and take things further… but I also know I don't want to, not yet anyway, and I have a feeling you certainly don't so yeah, that's mainly why I'm freaking."

"Ah… I get it… I think… but what in the world do you mean by 'man up and take things further'?" she asked confused and he actually blushed a bit.

"Ah yes, that part… he he… you know I'm from an old family all that stuff, yeah?" "Yeah I don't remember exactly every little detail but yes." "Right. So, in my family it was custom to… how shall I put this… oh for the love of Merlin… when in a situation which has deeper feeling and responsibility and other important things, it was custom for the man to make a proposal…"

Jennie blinked, stared and blinked again.

"Are you saying you want to marry me?!"

####

Sirius stretched out on the sheet and grinned at the flushed blonde womjan beside him.

"Well, that was fun!"

She kicked his shin.

"Shut up!"

"What? It was!"

"Gosh you are such a guy! Can't you be serious?"

"I already am darling."

And she laughed, clear and loud and it made him smile and she scooted closer and trailed a hand over his chest.

"No pun intended… now really, about the proposal thing… I really like you, but I'm not the marriage type, and I don't love you so much…"

"Oh but you love me a little?" he grinned and she rolled her eyes and nibbled at his ear.

"Maybe… now, be good and scratch my back!"

He did as she asked and she gave a satisfied moan and arched into his touch, her hair sweeping over his hand like rays of sunlight.

"No Jennie, I'm not actually going to ask you to marry me… I'm just trying, and failing, to say that we share a responsibility with Harry, and we're also having this thing, whatever it is, and I'd like to keep it this way…" he mumbled and leaned in to kiss her shoulder.

"Mhm… so I won't be getting a box with a flashy diamond ring trust into my face anytime soon?"

"Certainly not! You're not a flashy diamond girl… I'd give you something small and subtle… like a garnet maybe, or an opal…"

"Sirius!"

"Just kidding love, just kidding."

Jennie giggled and then groaned as he dragged his nail down her back and over a slim thigh.

"Y'know, keep that up and we won't be leaving for dinner anytime soon…"

He pushed her onto her back and grinned before kissing her stomach.

"I can't really say I mind that…"

####

"So, I was thinking about Christmas holiday. Harry said he'd love to be here with us, so we have to plan something fun!" Jennie said later as she poured herself some water an accepted a plate of steaming hot stew from the man opposite her.

"Aha, and what do you have in mind?" he asked looking out of place. She smiled reassuringly.

"Nothing too fancy, it'd just be weird, but I was thinking maybe a tree and some nice games to play and stuff like that. Any ideas?"

"Darling, I haven't had a proper Christmas since I was in school… I'm sure whatever you're planning will be fine, but no I don't have any ides right now."

She pouted at him and Sirius chuckled.

"I'll shout if I think of something. When are the Holidays by the way? Should we pick him up?"

"Yes we shall! And he'll come here in exactly fifteen days."

"Right. We'll have lots of time to plan and play then."

Jennie snorted amused at the man who grinned sheepishly when he obviously realized how he sounded.

"Ah, didn't mean it like that! Jeez…" Smirking, she slid her bare foot up and down his leg.

"I don't mind planning and playing…"