Hello everyone! Sorry that this update took so long. I had a busy week last week, I also updated the first chapter. I had it pointed out that the end of it didn't make sense, and I fully agree, so I tweaked it a little. I wanted to thank everyone for following my story. I will try to update as much as I can. I just started spring semester at college, so it takes up a bit of my time. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I know it is short, but the ending felt like a normal way to end it. I'll update soon.

Please read and review!

Lily and Sirius waited for Nancy to walk down to collect Hermione that afternoon, before dinner. They waited for the knock to sound at the door. Sirius answered with a smile and invited her in. Hermione and Harry were reading quietly in the living room while Lily and Sirius had been in the kitchen. However, when her mother came through the door, Hermione got up and grabbed her tote bag for her books and placed her book inside carefully before walking up to greet her.

"Did you have a good day, sweetheart?" Nancy asked and Hermione gave her a small smile and nodded. Lily took a breath and held her tongue for the moment, unsure how to proceed. She and Sirius had talked about it while the kids played, but it just didn't seem right to leave the Grangers in the dark. They had the answers, even if they didn't know they had the questions. She settled with greeting Nancy cheerfully and asking,

"Do you have any plans tomorrow, Nance? We thought it would be nice to barbeque." Nancy had walked into the living room where Harry greeted her as well. "Just something simple, really. No fuss." She smiled as Nancy agreed enthusiastically.

"Of course! That is a great idea. I'll let Rob know. What should we bring and at what time?" She was watching Hermione put her shoes on.

"Oh you know, whatever. And I would say around 2pm?" Lily waved as they walked down the walk and then shut the door.

The next morning started late and lazy and the heat in the house was almost unbearable. Sirius rolled out of bed and walked out of his room and right into Lily, who was leaving her room as well, dressed in shorts and a tank top, her hair piled in a mess on her head and her nose bumping into his bare chest as her hands went up to try and prevent the collision. Sirius reeled back a couple steps, still only just waking up, but reaching out to stop her from stumbling over while her hands went to his chest.

"Whoa, what's the hurry?" She asked, refocusing her attention on his face as he did the same. He had been looking at her scar. He was only wearing his boxer briefs. He normally wore significantly more clothing. The heat was getting to everyone, but she was not expecting him to just appear in front of her. She took a step back as well.

"Uh, shower." Sirius cleared his throat as he released her shoulders and she moved her hands away as well. He walked to the bathroom and the door clicked shut. Lily shook her head a little and then continued towards the stairs to go down into the kitchen. She heard the water in the shower turn on and shook her head again to clear the image that had formed there. Harry was already in the kitchen, drinking juice when she walked in, Charlie was laying at his feet, stretched out over the cool tiled floor. She pulled out some fruit and yogurt and placed a bowl of it in front of him as she reached into the icebox for a few cubes of ice. She gave one to Charlie and placed the other on the back of her neck. Charlie looked at her expectantly, waiting for more. She ruffled his fur and kissed him on the top of his head, his tail thumping happily.

"How did you sleep, baby?" She pushed Harry's hair back off his forehead, his scar a stark contrast to the rest of his face, and kissed it then sat down next to him.

"It's very hot." He took a large bite of his fruit and sat there chewing. Sirius walked in shortly after, fully dressed this time and his hair dripping slightly. He needed it cut again. He snagged a piece of pineapple from Harry and tousled his hair as he sat down.

"I think sprinklers are in order later for the kids. It's too hot. Yesterday was hot, but somehow it seems worse now. I can head to the grocery too. We can all go. It has air conditioning. Be nice to cool off a bit. Get an air conditioner ourselves." Lily nodded in agreement

"Burgers will be nice. And I'll make a fresh cucumber salad. Super easy and barely any work. I'll be glad when fall comes. This heat wave is insane." She brushed the strands of hair back from her face as she spoke. Harry jumped down from his chair and took his bowl to the sink before opening the sliding glass door out into the back yard. Charlie took off and Harry took off with him, laughing. It was already past ten o'clock in the morning. Lily stood again and started to make iced tea. Once it was in the ice box, she looked over at Sirius, who was staring at her again, but averted his eyes when she turned around. He was about to speak when the phone rang. He hated the things, but they were convenient, especially with how much into the muggle world they had ventured. He stood and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Hello Mr. Black. I'm glad I caught you. It's Marcy, from the office. I just wanted to see if you were busy tonight?" Sirius rolled his eyes. How thick could this woman get? She kept talking. "I know we left things a little– awkwardly yesterday and I just wanted to make it up to you, you know?" She paused as Harry came racing into the kitchen again with Charlie barking at his heels and peels of laughter coming from his mouth. Lily yelled at him to be careful as they tore into the living room at breakneck speed. He could almost feel Marcy's shock.

"Look Marcy… I told you, I'm honestly really not interested." Then on impulse, hoping this would work if telling her no to every advance she made didn't. "It is completely illogical that you are chasing after a married man with a kid. So goodbye and see you on Monday." He hung up and turned around, Lily was staring at him, trying not to laugh or even smile.

"Married, huh? You think that will work?" She teased as she brushed past him to the living room to water the plants. "Aguamenti," she pointed her wand at each plant in turn.

"She might be the type to go after a married bloke. Maybe I should have said I was gay?" Sirius had followed her into the living room and was now watching her water the plants. "She just won't take no for an answer. Besides, it wasn't all that untrue. I'm living with you and Harry. It's kinda like marriage. I just want her to leave me alone without jinxing her or something."

"Why are you even saying no? Well, I guess calling you at home is somewhat distasteful, especially if you haven't reciprocated any of her advances." Her eyes gleamed as she turned back to him. "Though, the lipstick on the collar yesterday when you got home seems to suggest otherwise." Sirius ignored this comment and instead looked at the calendar. It was almost a full moon, Remus would not really want any visitors. It just seemed weird to be having this conversation with Lily and he couldn't say why. He just wanted to talk to someone that wasn't a woman. Or maybe just someone who wasn't Lily. There was the sound of running footsteps followed by a crash as Harry came running back into the living room and out the door, Charlie chasing after him. However, Charlie skidded on the floor and went crashing into the table with a potted plant on it and sent it crashing to the ground before he scrambled back up and outside to chase Harry again. There was dirt everywhere, on him and on the floor, as he streaked back outside, trailing dirt behind him. Bloody thing was a menace. He waved his wand and the mess disappeared. At Lily's exasperated look, he said.

"You wanted the dog. Dogs make a mess and so do children. Together, they are a disaster waiting to happen. Remember that." Lily just rolled her eyes.

"He's a good dog. And don't kid, you love it as much as I do. I see you sneak him treats from the table and snuggle him when you think no one is looking. Stop acting like a hard ass around him." She smiled sweetly over at Sirius. They got ready to head out to the store.

After the grocery, they came back and Lily started cutting up vegetables and Sirius loaded the coal into the grill, lighting it with his wand when there was a knock at the door, they looked at each other and took deep breaths, steeling themselves for the task ahead. Hoping the Grangers would take what they were going to say well.

After the Barbeque, and the long conversation with Nancy and Robert, Lily and Sirius were cleaning up the kitchen as the sun went down and the day slipped into a balmy night with the sound of crickets floating in through the open windows as the radio played. "I Love Rock and Roll" by Joan Jett. Lily started to sway back and forth as Harry jumped up and down. She scooped him up into her arms and sang along,

"I love rock and roll so put another dime in that juke box baby

I love rock and roll so come and take your time and dance with me!"

Sirius laughed and shouted the words along with her, watching her jump around with Harry and laugh at herself. As the song came to an end, she was breathing harder from laughing and jumping around with Harry in her arms. "I Want to Break Free" by Queen started next and Harry squirmed to get down.

"Mummy, you dance with Sirius. I have to go potty!" and he ran out of the room leaving Lily and Sirius alone. Sirius offered her his hand and she took it and stepped closer to him and placed a hand on his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her and swayed. He chuckled under his breath, but since his mouth was next to Lily's ear, she heard him.

"What's so funny?" She looked up at him, her eyes so open and happy. It was good to see her laugh and smile. She was doing that more and more lately. It made his heart skip a little when she smiled at him the way she was right now.

"The last time we danced was at your wedding." He watched the smile fall slightly at his words and then she leaned her head on his shoulder and he held her a little tighter.

"I miss him, Sirius. But I miss being happy, too." she said quietly.

"Me too, Lils. I miss him too. Some days are easier than others. Like right now when everyone is happy and laughing. It reminds me that life keeps moving forward." He kept swaying a little.

"I'm glad I have you and Harry. I–don't think I would have survived otherwise." The song came to an end and Sirius let her move away as Harry came back into the kitchen. She turned the music back down again as Iggy Pop started playing.

"Can I have a cookie, please, Sirius?" he looked up at him hopefully. Knowing he had asked him because he wouldn't say no, Sirius reached for the tin and opened it for Harry to choose. He put the tin back up and saw Lily giving him a reproving look and he just gave her his best wicked smile.

"I can't say no to him like you can. Either way, it's a bedtime treat." Harry sighed at the mention of bedtime, but continued to eat his cookie, albeit, more slowly. Sirius lifted him up and threw him over his shoulder when he was done and carried the kicking and giggling child upstairs and dropped him on his own bed. Lily came in behind them with Harry's PJs in her hands. Harry obediently lifted his arms as she tugged his shirt over his head and slipped on the night shirt and pants.

"Go brush your teeth, now, love." She swatted him playfully as he ran past her. Always running. She placed his clothes from the day in the hamper and tidied up a little as well. Sirius sat on the edge of the bed, watching her for a moment before getting up and turning on the bedside lamp and turning off the overhead as Harry came racing back into the room. Charlie, who had followed them upstairs, jumped into the bed next to Harry, who clutched him around the neck closer to him. He settled in and waited for the bedtime kisses. Sirius ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead, pulling his glasses off and setting them aside, and Lily pulled the sheet up a little higher and kissed the tip of his nose, a light and cooler breeze blowing in from the open window.

"Goodnight, love. Sweet dreams." she turned out the lamp and the twinkle lights glowed.

"Can we have a barb-que tomorrow, too?" Harry asked as he yawned.

"Maybe in a few weeks, kiddo. Hermione will be back on Monday and you both can play again." Sirius clicked the door shut behind him and turned to Lily.

"Well, today turned out better than I thought it would. Far more questions than I thought they would have, but they seemed to be genuinely excited about Hermione being a witch, don't you think?" Lily asked him as she walked back downstairs to put the dishes away. Sirius followed along behind her.

"Yeah. Surprisingly, they were perfectly fine with it. Just wanted answers. How did your parents react when they found out?" Sirius took the dried plate from her and placed it in the cupboard.

"They reacted pretty similarly. With a lot more pride. It was a shock at first, but McGonagall was patient and answered all the questions they had. But it had to wait until I got my letter for answers to be given. I already knew what I was, but didn't know how to tell them." She paused and gave him a very serious look. "They will need to know the whole story about us. They need to know not to say anything about you, Sirius."

"I know. But I think that what we did tell them is enough to suffice for now. We will cross that bridge when it comes along. A few years still. No need to scare them and potentially deny Hermione her right as a witch to learn. But, yes, I agree, they will need to know, eventually." Having put away the last glass, Sirius made his way to the living room and picked up the guitar that he had bought and was learning to play. He sat on the edge of the couch and Lily curled her legs under her as she sat next to him and listened. He had actually gotten really good in the past few months. He started to strum out "I'm on Fire", his fingers picking at the strings confidently. He started to hum the tune under his breath then sang the words,

"Hey little girl is your daddy home, did he go and leave you all alone? Mmm hmm

I got a bad desire…. Oh oh ohhh I'm on fire" He started to nod his head with the beat

"Tell me now, baby is he good to you? Can he do to you the things that I do? Oh no

Oh oh oh I'm on fire" His voice was soft and Lily just listened as he continued to play, her eyes drooping with exhaustion.

"Sometimes it's like someone took a knife, baby, edgy and dull and cut a six inch valley through the middle of my soul. At night I wake up with the sheets soaking wet and a freight training running through the middle of my head– only you, can cool my desire. Oh oh ohhhh I'm on fire. Oh oh ohh I'm fire." The song came to an end and sirius sat back a little.

"That song is beautiful and sad. I never knew you could sing." She yawned and covered her mouth with the back of her hand. Sirius set his guitar aside and stood up and tugged her hand as she refused to get up again.

"I think that it is bedtime for you, too. Don't make me have to carry you like I do the kid." Sirius smirked a little as she got up begrudgingly and led him up the stairs. She turned to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Thank you for today. I really am so glad that I'm not alone." She looked up at him, tears sparkling in her eyes. Sirius leaned in slightly, his forehead against hers, eyes closed before he realized what he was doing. He pulled away slowly, eyes on hers, which opened as he stepped back.

"I'll always be here Lily…. Goodnight." He turned away and closed the door before leaning against it, his head back and his eyes closed as he took a deep, shaky breath. What was he doing?! He had almost just kissed her. His lips had been so close to hers and he had wanted to kiss her so badly. He bit his bottom lip, hard, and sighed at the pain. His mind was whirling and confused. He couldn't do this. She wasn't his, she was James's. It wouldn't be right. But as Sirius climbed into bed he thought that, for just a moment, she had wanted to kiss him, too. He flicked his wand at the light and the room went dark and he tried to quiet his thoughts.