Hey everyone. Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. It took a little research. I hope you all enjoy it. I have another chapter that I have already written that will be out shortly after I post this one.

Thank you to everyone that has followed this story and reviewed and thank you for all the encouragement!

Lily walked into the bedroom a little while later and sat on the bed. Remus stirred a little, looked up at her and then rolled over away, pulling the blanket higher and over his head. His body ached, his head was pounding. He knew she would want to talk about it. Sirius hadn't said or done anything, just been there with him, Lily would not do the same.

"Remus?" She tugged at the blanket gently. "I made food…" he still didn't emerge. "You're going to have to say something eventually, you know." Remus groaned and then spoke through the blanket, his voice muffled.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Please, talk to me. I'm worried about you." He felt her hand against his back. "What happened?" He could hear the concern in her soft voice. He felt a tug on the blanket and he let her pull it down away from his head. She didn't say anything then, just waited. Eventually he turned to her, his face blank. He considered his words.

"I'm sorry…I didn't really think about it…coming here. I put you in danger–"

"No one was in danger and that wasn't what I meant. What happened last night that made you come here? Are you hurt?" He looked back at her. She was wrong about the first part, but he didn't contradict her. She was very clearly pregnant now. She had one hand on her swollen belly and the other on his shoulder. His self hatred increased as he thought of what could have happened that morning.

"I–I'm not hurt." In fact, he rarely injured himself anymore during his transformations. Other than general soreness and a few bruises, nothing self-inflicted, no gashes, no bites. Lily looked down at her hands, as if she didn't want to ask the question.

"Did–did you hurt someone else?" She looked up when he didn't answer her.

"Not– no. Not like that…I– Adelaide was there, when I woke up." He avoided her eyes, she had looked confused not understanding what he meant. "I'm not… you know I'm not fully myself at first. Not until the moon fully sets. I was human, b-but not really." He wished she would look away from his face. Wished she didn't have that innocent, sweet, compassionate look. "I reacted to her presence…she wouldn't leave when I told her to. I got angry and said…I said some things that I should have said differently. I think– I think I led her on. I just didn't react– I didn't have control over the way I said things. I knew she liked me, I was trying to pull away–"

"Why would you pull away? I guess I'm not understanding. You like her, don't you?" Remus gave her a sharp look and sat up abruptly.

"That doesn't matter. I'm not– I'm not human, Lily. I can't– it's better in the long run if attachments aren't made." Lily glared at him and grabbed his hand and held it up to his face.

"This is human, Rem. You are human. You deserve better than what you allow yourself and frankly, it's annoying that you keep going on in this vein that you deserve nothing."

"I could have hurt her, Lily. I could hurt you and Harry. I have hurt Sirius and James. It kills me that I have done it. Pure luck is all it is that there wasn't lasting damage. We were stupid children, running around the grounds, around Hogsmeade. There were a few times I could have hurt someone and they took the brunt of it. That is what I am. I'm a monster at the full moon. That will never change!" He pulled his hand from hers. She looked at him sadly, standing.

"I don't agree with that." She said simply, walking to the door. "You are not a monster." She left him then, laying under the blankets. Charlie scooched closer to him, his head on his chest and he stared at him. Remus looked down and his tail started thumping. He darted his tongue out and licked his face. Remus pushed him back, wiping the slobber. He rolled out of the bed, following Lily out of the room stiffly, his body very sore. He sat down at the counter and a plate of spaghetti was placed in front of him. He ate quietly for a moment.

"When are you due?" He asked Lily. She looked up, a smile lit up her face.

"August." She placed a hand on her belly. "The twins are kicking more and more each day." He nodded as Sirius and Harry came home and he said very little after that. Sirius gave him his space, for once. He stayed for the rest of the evening and eventually made his way home, collapsing onto his own bed, staring up at the ceiling.

The next night, He walked into work, still sore, still tired. He walked through the halls, everything was quiet, no emergencies yet tonight. He saw Adelaide waiting for him, her face drawn. He stiffened as she approached and held up his hand when she went to speak. He went to walk past her, her hand brushing his arm and he turned, too tired to fight back.

"Please stop this. I don't want to hear what you have to say. I've already said everything I needed to. This isn't going to work. I don't need to hear any more apologies." And he walked away from her, ignoring the tears that fell from her eyes. Hating himself with each step he took.

The days and weeks went by slowly for both Remus and for Adelaide. Neither talked to the other and eventually, they were on separate shifts altogether. And Remus felt more alone than ever before. The days started getting warmer and longer. The summer came in full force for both Britain and South Carolina. The water warmed and the waves calmed. Harry was about to turn five and visited with Hermione and the Grangers and Lily felt more and more uncomfortable. She woke one morning in late June and inspected the larkspur and the tiny little sprout. A stem had started to grow and split with little buds starting to form. She smiled and touched the petals of the larkspur and hummed as she made breakfast. Remembering fondly the morning she had inspected it a few months ago and noticed the sprout had changed.

Lily woke one night shortly after getting into bed the second week in July. She walked into the bathroom and suddenly braced herself against the sink. She took a deep breath. She had been having twinges all day, but then she felt wetness spread down her legs and she took a deep breath. It was too soon.

"Sirius?" She called quietly, a pain shot through her and she leaned harder against the counter in front of her. There was no answer. "Sirius!" She yelled. She heard a thud and Sirius swore. He stumbled into the bathroom, squinting in the light, and his eyes finally focused on her. He looked at her and then at the floor, his eyes widening.

"Now? Like now now?" He stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her as a light popped above them. He looked at it, slightly confused. "Do you want to go to the hospital?" She shook her head and he led her to the edge of the bed and he turned on the lamp. Her breathing was increasing, her hand on her stomach.

"I'm fine for now. The contractions are going to be too far apart." Sirius nodded. He had no idea what that meant. "We can wait." Her breathing slowed as she rubbed her belly, leaning back on her other hand. Sirius sat down next to her, concern on his face. She looked over at him.

"Isn't it early? You aren't 9 months yet–"

"It's ok." She took a deep breath, held it, and then let it out slowly. She looked at the clock. It was a little after 10 o'clock. Time passed slowly. She stood and paced and Sirius mimicked her, following her from half a step behind her. She let out a breathy laugh. "Sirius, you don't need to follow my every move." She winced as she felt a strong contraction. Sirius grabbed her arm, one hand around her waist as her knees bent, helping her to stay upright. They were getting closer together, but this one was worse than the others. Her mouth opened in a silent scream. It passed, and her breathing was faster. She looked down and gasped and Sirius followed her gaze. A thin line of blood was running down her leg. Her breath started coming in gasps, fear over taking her. The lights started to flicker.

"What's going on Lily? Breath." She looked at him and she took a deeper breath, he nodded encouragingly. As she exhaled, the bulb in the lamp popped, plunging them in darkness. He heard her breathing quicken again. He waved his wand and the lamp lit again.

"Erm… maybe we should go to St. Mungo's…" he said, delicately, trying not to let his own anxiety show. "I don't think that the muggles are equipped for this. Just breathe. Can you walk?" Her eyes were wide but she nodded. He grabbed her robe and helped her into it then helped her out of the room. He waved his wand at Harry's door, calling to him as the door flew open. The little boy walked out of his room, rubbing his eyes.

"What's going on?" He said sleepily as Lily groaned, her knees starting to buckle a little. Harry's eyes went round. "Mummy? What's wrong with mummy?"

"The babies are coming. We have to go." The hall light went out and Sirius heard Harry gasp. He slipped an arm around Lily's waist, he was starting to panic as well. He half carried her to the living room to the fireplace, Harry right behind them. "Harry step up to the fireplace." The little boy did as he was told and Sirius threw in floo powder.

"Number 7 Heathgate." Green flames erupted and Sirius took Harry's hand and stepped through. They walked out into the living room in Hampstead Garden. Lily whimpered and sank to her knees, her hands around her belly.

"Remus!" Sirius shouted and he heard a grunt and then footsteps pounding down the steps. He took in the scene in front of him. Harry was close to tears and Lily was kneeling on the floor with Sirius knelt next to her, his face strained. Remus rushed forward just as Lily started to moan louder and the bulbs in the living room lamps popped.

"What's going on?" He gasped as he knelt beside the pair.

"She needs to go to the hospital… I–I can't– I can't go with her." He looked up from Lily and Remus could see the fear in his eyes.

"You are NOT– leaving me– Sirius!" Lily gasped. She had grabbed his robes and pulled him closer, a slightly mad look in her eyes. The lights that had not blown started to flicker and Harry was clinging to Remus's arm, tears streaming down his face. Lily ground her teeth together, a groan escaping her. Remus's mind was racing. There was a choice to be made.

"Remus, please!" Sirius pleaded. A split decision made, Remus replied.

"I'll be right back." He set his face and stepped out the door and was gone with a crack. He raced up the stairs and started to rap on the door, praying she was home. He waited for a moment and then the door opened. Adelaide stood before him, her hair free around her shoulders, and her face darkened from confusion to irritation until she saw the look on his face.

"What is it? Was ist passiert?" She pulled the door further open. She must have been in the middle of getting ready for work.

"I– need your help, please. It's an emergency." She looked him over. He was standing in front of her in his socks and a shirt and sweatpants, his hair rumpled and his face filled with panic.

"What kind of emergency?" She stepped from the door, grabbing her robe and slipped on her shoes. She turned and stared at him.

"My friend, Lily… she's pregnant. Sh–she is in labor. She cannot go to the hospital…please…we need to hurry." he had stepped into her flat. She nodded, looking at him skeptically, twirling her hair up into a fast bun and grabbing her bag and stepping out, snapping the door shut behind her.

"Where are we going?" He just held out his arm in answer and she grabbed it and was whipped away. She opened her eyes and found herself in the yard of Remus's house. The lights inside the house were flickering.

"I need your discretion." He said hurriedly and she looked at him, a look of shock on her face. She said nothing but stepped into the house. There was a little boy crying and a man and woman kneeling on the floor. The woman was facing her, her face strained and filled with fear. She stepped forward and snapped at Remus.

"Take care of the child." Remus hurried forward and picked Harry up as she knelt next to the two on the floor and blinked, taken aback when the man looked away from the woman and into Adelaide's face.

"Sirius Black–" A strangled cry interrupted her sentence. Sirius's face went stony. Adelaide shook her head and turned her attention to Lily, soothing her quietly.

"It's ok, dove. It's alright. We can do this." She stroked Lily's back. "Breathe for me–in and out. Breathe and relax. I've got you now." She started to breathe in puffs, demonstrating for Lily what to do. Lily mimicked her. "There you are, dove." She pinned Sirius with a look, debating for an instant on what to do about him. Remus had asked for discretion and she didn't know if she could do that. She placed her hand on Lily's abdomen, feeling two heads. Her eyes widened infinitesimally.

"Twins?" She asked. Sirius simply nodded, having noticed her eyes widen. Adelaide looked back at Remus. She didn't think she could do this alone. Not twins. "Black, bring her upstairs to one of the beds." He nodded again and lifted Lily into his arms easily and carried her upstairs. Adelaide turned to Remus, a glare on her face.

"I don't know what you are playing at here, but I do not approve. I'm here for that woman, but I cannot do this alone. Is there anywhere the child can go?" She looked at the boy in Remus's arms and gave another start. She saw the thin scar on his forehead, her mind going to the woman upstairs. That must be Lily Potter, she thought to herself, her hand going to her forehead, her thoughts coming too quickly for her to understand.

"There are neighbors that know him–" he started, but Addy interrupted him.

"Bring him there. I need your assistance. Do not take your time.." She said curtly and then turned and followed Sirius up the stairs, leaving Remus alone. She walked into the room, it was dim and she flicked her wand and the lights went on and instantly the bulbs blew again. She lit the tip of her wand instead.

"There's blood… she's bleeding…" Sirius's face was wild with worry, his hands in his hair.

"I need to examine her, Black, take her hand, keep her calm for me, I need the lights to stop going out." She glared at him as Sirius gripped her hand, his hand stroking her face as she started breathing harder. She was fully in labor and her panic was making the situation worse. She placed her hand on Lily's leg.

"Lily, I need to examine you, yes? This will be uncomfortable, I'll make it as quick as I can. You'll need to take a deep breath for me when I do." Lily nodded impatiently, barely paying attention. She slipped the pajama pants and panties down and placed a sheet over her to protect her decency.

"Bend your legs, dove. You got this. That's it. Deep breath now." She saw Lily tense up, Sirius's fingers going white with the pressure she was putting on them. "You are at 7 centimeters. I need you to breathe. You've been pushing, we cannot push. Your contractions seem to be around 3-5 minutes apart. How long has she been in labor?" She directed this to Sirius and he blinked.

"I don't know. Not long. Maybe 5 minutes. We came here immediately by floo powder." Addy grimaced. Not a great choice. The travel would have sped up the labor. It would explain the bleeding. She glared at him.

"I don't mean this portion. When did her contractions start? And moving her was possibly the worst decision you could have made." She said in a clipped tone and she saw Sirius's face drain and her face softened a little. Sirius looked at his watch.

"Her water broke maybe three hours ago?" he answered. Lily let out another tight lipped yell and Sirius turned to her, his fingers brushing her hair out of her face. The lights flickered.

"Breathe with her. Lily, dove–" Addy started.

"I think I need to push," She gritted out as she gripped Sirius's hand and threw her head back against the pillow behind her.

"No. Not just yet." She stepped up beside her, placing her hand on Lily's shoulder, soothing her. This was moving much too fast. "Let me examine you again. Please take a deep breath for me." She moved to inspect her. Definitely far too quick. "10 centimeters. I'm going to need you to sit up, dove." Lily tried to sit up with Sirius helping her and the lights popped off again. Addy waved her wand, yet again.

"I'm sorry– I'm not– trying to–" Lily panted.

"I know, Lily. I know." She looked at Sirius. "Get behind her, brace her. She cannot sit up on her own. Try to absorb her power. I cannot have the lights going out." Sirius set his face and carefully lifted Lily into a seated position and climbed behind her as she groaned. He let her lean back against him, her hands in his, his knees bent similar to hers. He looked uneasy, his anxiety clear in his eyes. She watched as he pressed a kiss to the damp skin at her neck, murmuring in her ear quietly. Her breathing calmed slightly. The sun started to brighten the sky outside the window.

"Lily, with the next contraction, I need you to push. You're ready. You can do this. Lean into Sirius." She smiled and settled on the mattress in front of her, a hand on her stomach. She felt the contraction and Lily tensed. "Ok, push, dove." Lily pushed, a strangled yell coming from her mouth as she bared forward, strangling Sirius's hands, sparks coming from her fingertips. Sirius winced at the shocks but said nothing. Lily slumped back against Sirius, releasing her grip on his hands. Sirius flexed his fingers.

"That's it, dove. Relax. That was beautiful." Sirius was breathing behind her, his chest rising in slow motions. Lily tried to match it, her head against his shoulder. There was a knock at the door and it slowly opened. Remus cautiously stepped in, having no idea what to do.

"Get over here and get me the clean towels and a blanket from my bag." Addy commanded not looking up at him, her hand still on Lily's abdomen, the other at her entrance.. She could feel the child's position just about the birth canal. "Lily on the next contraction, you will crown. This is good! You are doing so well!" She encouraged as she reached for a towel in Remus's hands and placed it below Lily. She felt the next contraction come. "Push!" Lily let out a groan as she pushed.

"Beautiful, Lily. I can see Baby's head. Just one more and you can rest. Nice and easy with the next contraction." Remus was beside her and as she looked up, she noticed his eyes were screwed shut. A few moments later, Lily pushed again and she slipped her hand under the baby. With a rush, the baby slid out into her hands, Lily gasping with relief. She was so tiny, she opened her small little mouth and let out a wail. Addy smiled. Sirius looked up as he saw Adelaide lift the baby and he heard her cry, a smile spreading across his face.

"It's a girl, Lily." he whispered, pressing a kiss to her neck again, his eyes on the child and tears coming to his eyes. Lily raised her head and looked at the child, a smile on her exhausted face. Addy felt her eyes mist as she watched their faces and went back to work immediately. The baby girl was crying strongly. She was small, but healthy in all appearances.

"Hand me the clamp, Remus." She held out her hand, but nothing happened. She looked up. Remus looked pale as he stared, his eyes wide and trained on the child in her arms. He must have opened his eyes at exactly the wrong moment. She snapped her fingers in his face and he blinked and grabbed what she had asked for. She clamped and cut the cord. She quickly cleaned off the little girl, noting the black hair curling on her tiny little head, ensured the airway was completely clear and grabbed the blanket from Remus's hands. A simple wave of the wand knotted the end of the cord and unclamped it. She wrapped her in the blanket and brought her forward to show the couple their little girl, noting that the girl's hair had changed to a dusty blond. Lily raised her hand and placed a finger on her tiny little cheek.

"She's beautiful, yes?" Adelaide asked her. "Just breathe for a moment, Lily. I'm going to give her to Remus. She will be fine. We have more work to do, you and I." She turned and placed the small infant into Remus's arms, she smiled as she noted the hair was now red. Remus looked a little dazed, maybe even scarred for life, but he held her like she was precious and breakable.

"Monitor her airway and her heartbeat. You can do this. If either starts to slow, tell me immediately." She looked up into his eyes and he looked down into hers. A moment passed and he nodded. Addy turned back to Lily, placing her hands on her abdomen again. The baby was not in position and there was bleeding.

"Lily, dove, I have to reposition the baby. This is going to hurt, but it has to be done." She saw Lily straighten a little , her breath quickening, but she nodded. With her hands on her abdomen, Addy pressed and turned as Lily let out a scream. "I know, I know it hurts. Just one more time." She looked down, seeing more blood. They had to be quick. She pressed and turned again and Lily went pale as she screamed again. Sirius was stroking her hair, his face distressed at the sound of her pain, his lips pressed to her temple and murmuring softly in her ear. Addy kept a hand on Lily's abdomen so the baby wouldn't revert to its original position.

"Remus, get a blood replenishing potion from my bag and give it to Lily please. And a needle that it labeled oxytocin. That needs to go into her arm. Depress all of it." Remus did as she instructed. "Lily, breathe nice and easy. The contractions will start again. I'm going to help you this time. It will be uncomfortable, but we have got this, you and I." She encouraged as Remus handed Sirius the vial of potion for Lily. He and Sirius were both pale. They could see how much blood was on Addy's hands, and yet, Addy was cool and collected and calm. Lily swallowed the potion with a grimace and then she groaned. Addy pressed down at the top of her stomach as she pushed, a yell coming from Lily's mouth at the pain.

"Push! Push harder, Lily." Lily strained again and again and again with each contraction, her face paling, a sheen of sweat on her skin. She was getting tired. She was losing a lot of blood. Finally, the head and shoulders were born and Addy gently pulled, freeing the baby.

"A boy!" She exclaimed quietly as the child added his own voice to that of his sister's. He was slightly smaller, strawberry hair dusted the top of his head as she cleaned him off, wrapping him in another blanket. She walked him forward and showed Lily, her eyes focused on the little boy as Addy placed him on her breast, a sigh of relief on her lips.

"You did so well!" Addy brushed the hair from her eyes and set to work again, cleaning Lily and ensuring the bleeding stopped as the placentas were birthed. She watched bemused as Remus handed the little girl to Sirius, who was still behind Lily, and stepped away towards the door, looking as if he would be sick. She nodded and he left the room quickly, closing the door quietly behind him.

"They are beautiful, Lily." She said, as all traces of blood vanished with the wave of a wand and Adelaide pulled the sheet down over Lily. She looked exhausted but satisfied, grimacing as she straightened her legs, looking at the children. She gave them a minute as she stepped into the bathroom adjoined to the room, washing her hands and splashing water on her face. She blew out a big breath, straightening her shoulders as she walked back into the room. Sirius was now sitting beside Lily, one arm around her as he held his daughter in the other.

"What are their names?" She asked kindly. Lily looked up. They hadn't really decided. Caught between a few, but as she looked down at her newborn son, she knew.

"Caelum Orion Black." She turned to Sirius, waiting. He was also looking down at the child in his arms when he simply stated, "Ivy Rose." He watched her for a moment and then his eyes widened. Her eyes, which had been blue a moment ago were now gray and changing to green as he watched.

"A metamorphmagus. As she gets older, she will eventually settle on the true version of herself. In the meantime, keep an eye on her." She paused, thinking. They both looked up at her.

"I'm– I will report their births quietly, anonymously. None will be the wiser. I am… sorry. For how I acted–earlier. Congratulations, both of you." She grabbed her bag and turned to leave when Sirius spoke. She turned her head back to him.

"I don't know– you don't know me. You have no reason to trust me or keep this a secret—but thank you." He looked back at Lily and the twins.

"I think that everyone deserves a fair chance. I'm not here to judge. As I said, I apologize for my reaction." She went to leave again when she turned back. "They can travel within a few days, by floo. Just make sure they do not breathe in the ash. I can come and check on them tonight and again in the morning." She nodded and left the room. She walked down the stairs and into the living room where Remus was sitting on the edge of the couch. He stood when she walked in, rubbing his hands on his pant legs. He went to speak, but the look on her face stopped him. He waited.

"It's alright. I'm glad to help. I have to get to work. I'm late." She was walking briskly towards the back door when a hand stopped her. She looked back at him, his eyes unreadable. She blinked. He looked as if he was working up the nerve to say something, so she waited.

"I– I'm sorry. I'm sorry about…" he looked around trying to find the words. "About not being completely honest with you. It wasn't for me to tell. And I'm sorry for– for everything else." He looked at his feet as he spoke again. "I'm not– I'm not someone you want to be with, Addy. I can't change who I am. I am always what I am, even when it isn't a full moon. I cannot change it, no matter how much I want to. And you don't deserve that." She took a step forward and he looked up, his eyes guarded. She gazed into his soft ochre eyes. She just didn't understand how he couldn't see how beautiful a person he actually was. She shook her head.

"Yes, that I can understand, but we were friends, Remus. I trusted you. You should have trusted me. But that is not what matters here. What we are does not define us, Remus. It is who we are and what we do with our lives. How we overcome the challenges in our lives. The people around you define you. That family upstairs? They love you and trust you. I can see that. They accept you for who you are, not what you can become on a full moon. I daresay they could care less. I don't care what you are either, I never did. You need to accept that not all people see only the surface. While you may think it is noble of you to distance yourself from others, I do not agree.

"How can you not see that I want to be with you despite what you are? Because it does not matter to me. I care about who you are and who you are is someone who is kind and gentle and loyal, almost to a fault. You never put yourself first, although I could argue that you are putting yourself first in this friendship, out of fear. Thinking your way out of it will not help you overcome your fear. You cannot let your fear of what could happen immobilize you. Everything you want is simply on the other side of it. Mind over matter." She took a breath to keep going, but paused. He was staring straight at her, his eyes wide. She could almost see the color of them swirl in the early morning sunlight. He took a step closer.

"I can't be the one that hurts you, Addy. I just can't." He pleaded with her, taking another step toward her.

"Then you won't." She said simply, her head tilted upward to continue looking him in the eye. She felt her heart stutter at their closeness. She reached her hand out to him, placing it on his chest, she could feel the pounding of his heart through the thin fabric of his shirt as his breath quickened.

"But I could. And it would kill me." He whispered. They were almost chest to chest now.

"You won't hurt me." She slid her hand up and around the back of his neck, pressing her temple to his chin as he breathed in deeply. He tilted his head down as she turned hers and their lips met. And this time, he didn't pull away.

Hopefully this is enough to tide all the Remus/Addy fans out there! More to come, I promise!