Sirius Black had carried the engagement ring in his pocket for three months, never being able to work out a romantic enough gesture. He certainly didn't expect to blurt it out when he and Marlene were minding their godson.

"Redamancy"

Sirius Black tried not to burst out laughing. Really, he did. But seeing James' hair slicked back after dumping two large vials of Sleekeazy's onto his locks was just too much. His hair was so stiff that not even a split end would be able to stick up. Not to mention, his ruddy hair was charmed blond. He looked like a complete pillock. Sirius couldn't help but laugh his arse off. He adjusted his godson on his hip, so that the nearly one-year-old didn't tumble out of his arms.

"Shut it," James hissed, his eyes rolling.

"Merlin, you look terrible," Sirius said, a wide grin spreading across his lips. "I don't think Lily will want to go celebrate your anniversary with you looking like that."

James' jaw tightened, his hands pressing to his hips. "Well, it's either disguise ourselves so we look like totally different people or, you know, be spotted by Death Eaters and die."

The smile fell from Sirius' face. The weight of the night crashing into him with full force. When James had told him about his hair-brained scheme to take Lily out for their second wedding anniversary, Sirius had thought it completely foolish. Now, he only wanted to plead James not to go. While Sirius understood that they had been cooped up in the house for Merlin only knew how many months, he couldn't help the fear that mauled his chest at what could happen to them if they were discovered out and about.

They were targets. They were in danger. Sirius hated every single second of it. He spent most nights staring at the stars and cursing the skies that prophecies even dared to exist. He paced the parlor of his and Marlene's cottage until the sun came up, trying to figure out a way to save his best mates and his godson. He screamed and used his fists when face to face with a Death Eater, demanding answers to unasked questions.

"It'll be fine," James assured him.

Harry pressed his thumb into his mouth, his little legs swinging. Sirius pressed his hand against the back of the kid's head, holding him steady.

"Look, if you get into trouble, just Apparate, all right? Break the Statue of Secrecy for all I care. Just get the fuck out of there," Sirius insisted. "Go by my place and hide out. You don't want to lead them here to where Harry is. Send us a Patronus and we'll figure out where to go from there."

James nodded, his brows furrowing beneath his glasses. "When did you become so ruddy responsible?" he asked in a forced light tone.

The left side of Sirius' mouth quirked up. Perhaps it was when he had heard the terrible prophecy about his godson. His tiny and barely a day-old godson marked for death. Or maybe it was when he had rocked a four-month-old Harry in his arms, trying not to sob as Fleamont's and Euphemia's caskets were lowered into the snowy ground. Conceivable, it might not have been a singular moment. Nearly twelve months of constant anxiety and fear had finally beaten him down. Sirius couldn't imagine a world without any Potters in it. In fact, he didn't want to live in a world without any Potters. Sirius couldn't accept the fact that all three of them were being hunted so relentlessly.

"I'm just worried about you, mate," Sirius replied.

"I know you think it's silly," James reasoned, frowning. "It's just… we've been locked up for months. Harry's been locked up his entire life. I feel, I feel like…" he trailed off, shrugging his shoulders. "All I ever wanted was a family. I know Harry was unplanned and we're young, but I was so bloody excited to be a dad. I thought about all the things my dad did with me and I was so excited to share all those experiences with Harry. I haven't been able to do that because his life is in constant danger. Nothing is normal or easy or anything like I imagined it'd be. I just need something normal, Pads. I just need a normal night and to forget about the damn prophecy. And, and I feel like I can have one night with my wife because I know you'd die before you let anything happen to Harry. You're the only one I trust with him, Sirius. The only one."

Sirius' heart twisted in his chest. James had always been the grand romantic of their little group. The soppiest sop that Sirius had ever met in his life. James deserved a normal family life. In fact, Sirius didn't think anyone deserved it more.

"Go have fun with your wife," Sirius settled on saying, his throat tight. "I'll keep Harry safe."

James nodded, his face pulling. "I know it's stupid. But we're both in disguises and we'll stick to Muggle London where there's tons of people."

"Just don't go near Islington," Sirius warned, not even joking.

James let out a strained laugh. "Damn, you're foiling my plan to go have tea with Walburga."

"That's not even remotely funny," Sirius replied, though he couldn't help the incredulous grin that spread across his face.

James smiled. "You think the girls are done with Lily?" he asked, reaching out his hands for Harry but the small child shrunk into Sirius' arms as he whimpered. "Merlin, am I that scary looking?"

Sirius wrinkled his nose. "To be quite honest with you, you kind of look like a Malfoy. So, yeah, I don't blame him for not wanting you to hold him."

"Ugh," James replied, his face pulling. "Charm it brown then."

Sirius shook his head. "Nah, blond is a bigger change. You look less like you."

James sighed, clearly dismayed that Harry was actually scared of him in the disguise. Then again, Harry didn't take well to new people since he had been sheltered his entire life. While Marlene and Sirius stopped by several times a week, their other friends visited more sporadically. Normally, they paid Harry little attention because Harry shied away from them. Three weeks ago, Sirius watched Harry burst into tears upon Peter saying hello to him. Sirius had immediately scooped his godson up and left the room to calm him down, allowing James and Lily to visit with their friend.

"I'll meet you downstairs, yeah?" James said, a deep frown tugging on his features. "I just need to grab Lily's gift."

Sirius nodded, his attention turning to the small child in his arms. "Let's go downstairs, kid."

As Sirius made his way downstairs, he could hear voices wafting from the kitchen. Apparently, the girls were done disguising Lily for the evening. Making his way to the back of the house, the voices became clearer and clearer.

"I thought you were supposed to be at your dad's birthday dinner tonight," Lily commented.

Sirius stopped outside the kitchen, his palm pressing against the wood.

"That was when you two were going to have dinner in the back garden," Marlene replied. "When you two decided to go out, I didn't like the idea of Sirius minding Harry alone."

Sirius' brows furrowed, his body freezing at the comment.

Lily chuckled. "Surprisingly, he's really good with Harry. I never would have thought he'd be so good with kids."

"It's not that," Marlene insisted. "I know he can mind Harry without my help, but I hated the thought of him alone in the house with Harry. What if Death Eaters attacked? He'd be all alone trying to protect Harry and take them out at the same time. I just think given the circumstances, there should be two people with Harry at all times."

The tension eased from Sirius' shoulders.

Lily heaved a sigh. "We could do this next weekend. I feel dreadful you're missing your dad's birthday dinner."

"He's a grown arse man, Lily," Marlene reasoned. "When I told him what we were doing, he was more than fine with it. Besides, we're taking him out to breakfast tomorrow before he and Sirius go to Glasgow for the Gobstone competition."

Lily chuckled. "Sirius attending a Gobstone competition will never not be funny to me. He'll be so bored."

Marlene laughed too. "I know, but he likes my dad. I think he's trying to make a good impression. Although, he needn't anymore. My parents adore him. I think they may like him more than me. He reverts back into his proper and posh way of talking when he's around them. My mum thinks he's the politest person she's ever met in her life. I can't wait until he's more comfortable around them and they hear the mouth on him."

"You hope he'll become comfortable," Lily joked, amusement clear in her voice. "Your dad is intimidating! I'm still nervous around him!"

"He is not!" Marlene exclaimed.

"He's taller than Sirius," Lily pointed out. "And he's very… muscular. I'm sure Sirius is very well aware that he would not win in a fight against Merrick. Wizard or Muggle fight. He's the bloody Deputy Head of the Auror Department!"

Lily wasn't wrong. The first time he had met Merrick McKinnon at only sixteen years old, he had been intimidated. There was no way that the Deputy Head of the Auror Department didn't loathe the Black family and therefore loathe him. But if Merrick ever had any ill feelings towards Sirius, he never showed it.

Deciding it was a good time to announce his presence, he pushed open the kitchen door. "I'm not intimidated by Merrick," he said. "I could take him in a fight."

His eyes immediately landed on Lily, who now looked like she was born a Potter with her jet-black hair and hazel eyes. Sirius arched an eyebrow at her and, just like with James, Harry buried himself deeper into his godfather's arms to hide.

"Does your arrogance know no bounds, Black?" Marlene asked in a teasing tone.

Sirius turned towards his girlfriend. She grinned at him, her eyes lighting up with laughter. His mind wandered to his conversation he had just had with James upstairs. They had been young when James had started talking about marriage and kids. Sirius had always rolled his eyes and attempted to steer the conversation away from the topic. But over the years, Marlene had made him feel something. She made him believe that he wasn't that terrible of a person and that his family couldn't define him. He felt like he could talk to her about anything and everything without being judged. She was funny, kind, patient, and a good bloody person. She was everything Sirius wished he could be but wasn't.

It was why he had bought a ring three months ago. The damn thing sat in its black velvet box, switching from trouser pocket to trouser pocket, and never seeing the light of day. Truth be told, the very thought of proposing made him want to pitch the ring. He wasn't romantic like James. Sirius didn't even know where to begin in even planning a proposal. He refused to go to James for help. It would surely be over the top and too bloody grand to even pass for anything Sirius would even think of doing.

"I am the most humble person you have ever met, McKinnon," Sirius said, leaning in close to Harry's ear. "Don't let that mean godmother of yours tell you anything bad about your godfather."

"Sirius!" Marlene exclaimed, her face pinching. "You're a bloody idiot. The only person who rivals your arrogance is your best mate. The two of you are ruddy unbearable together."

Sirius wiggled his eyebrows. "Jealous much?"

Marlene rolled her eyes. "Of your and James' codependent friendship? Not in the slightest."

"Oh, yeah, that's believable," Sirius replied, a shit-eating grin splitting across his face.

Marlen's eyes sparkled. "I swear, one of these days, I am going to hide your mirror and see how you both cope to go a day without talking."

"That's just rude, McKinnon!" Sirius protested.

"Hush, both of you," Lily said as she crossed the room towards Sirius. "Darling, Mummy and Daddy are going to go out for a bit," she said, smoothing her hand over Harry's wild hair. The kid only buried his face into the crook of Sirius' neck. "Harry, it's Mummy."

"He didn't recognize James either," Sirius reasoned, rubbing Harry's back to attempt to soothe him. "I guess both of your disguises are good enough if your own kid can't recognize you."

Lily frowned, taking a step back and wrapping her arms around her stomach. Her bottom lip slid between her teeth.

"Once you take the charms off, he'll be crying for you to hold him," Sirius reasoned.

Lily offered him a closed-mouth smile. "Don't pretend like you're not loving every single second of this."

Sirius let out a bark-like laugh. "You're right. I am. I'm the favorite right now because he thinks his parents have abandoned him."

Lily shot Sirius an unamused look. "Stop it!"

Marlene joined them, positioning herself behind Sirius. He could feel her fingers tapping on his shoulder, attempting to gain Harry's attention. The little boy shifted in Sirius' arms.

"Come to Auntie Marlene," Marlene cooed, her hands sliding underneath the boy's armpits. "Uncle Sirius has hogged you enough."

The boy slipped from Sirius' arms with practiced ease. Marlene cuddled Harry close to her chest before she attacked him with a slew of kisses. Harry giggled and squirmed. Sirius felt a smile slid onto his face as he watched the two of them together.

"Don't worry about him, Lily," Marlene said, ceasing her kissing attack. "Sirius and I will spoil him and hype him up on enough sugar that he'll still be wide awake when you get home."

Lily rolled her eyes. "You better not!"

"We brought mini treacle tarts with us," Sirius added, shoving his hands into his trouser pockets. "You said he had some the other week and liked it."

Lily only shook her head, his brows tugging down. "Please, don't get him off his sleep schedule. I rather enjoy my sleep."

"If he's off his sleep schedule, the two of you are sleeping in the guest room and dealing with it until he's back on track," James announced from the kitchen door.

"Ah, so goal for tonight, burn down the guest room," Sirius said with a nod. "Got it, Prongs."

James pointed at Sirius, a grin on his face. "Burn it down all you like. You'll just be sleeping on the floor of Harry's nursery then. You're not getting out of righting a wrong, so don't even think about it."

"There will be no fires," Marlene assured as she swayed a giggling Harry in her arms.

James shook his head as he made his way over to them.

Sirius slung a lazy arm around Marlene's shoulders, careful not to hit Harry with his arm in the process. "I solemnly swear there will be no fires, because sleeping on the floor sounds terrible. I don't want to risk it."

James grabbed Lily's hand, tugging her away from the group. "Come on, let's go before they get any more bright ideas."

Lily took a step back, her worried green eyes staring at Harry. "I love you, Harry, darling! Be good for Sirius and Marlene! We won't be late!"

"He'll be all right," James whispered, wrapping an arm around Lily's shoulders. "Thanks, Padfoot, Marlene. Love you, Harry!" he added before he steered her out of the kitchen.

Sirius sighed, the quiet settling around them. He turned his head and leaned down to press his lips against the top of Marlene's brunette head. His hand roamed from her shoulder down to the small of her back, pressing firmly against it.

"Let's go in the parlor for a bit," Sirius suggested.

Minding Harry was easy. He wasn't a particularly fussy baby and now he was entering the more fun stage where he could play and babble. While Sirius had never heard anything coherent besides 'mama' and 'dada' from Harry's mouth, it was entertaining to listen to him string together nonsensical syllables because he clearly knew what he was saying even if nobody else did.

Sirius eased down onto the floor next to the kitchen playset in the parlor. Harry banged around the play pans and plastic food, happily talking to himself. Sirius stretched out his long legs and grabbed a discarded blue teacup off the floor, lazily turning it in his hands.

"What do you want to do for dinner?" Sirius asked, his eyes glancing up at Marlene who tidied up all the toys that Harry wasn't playing with.

"Well, we should probably make something Harry can eat," Marlene reasoned, crouching down to pack away the block set. "Pasta, maybe?"

Sirius shrugged. "Whatever you want. You know I'm not cooking."

Marlene laughed. "Yeah, that's a good thing because I don't fancy winding up with food poisoning. I'm more than happy to cook."

Sirius tossed the plastic tea cup up into the air and then caught it with ease. "What do you think about them going out?"

Marlene looked up with two blocks in her hands. "About Lily and James going out to dinner?"

Sirius nodded.

"Well, I think the disguises were a good idea," Marlene reasoned, sliding down into a seated position on the floor. "I can't imagine being locked up like they've been. It must be maddening."

"I hate that they can't have a normal life," Sirius admitted, his gaze sliding to where Harry played next to him. "I hate how that kid's never had a normal day in his entire life. I can count on one hand the number of times he's actually left the house."

"It's not going to be forever," Marlene said, her arms plopping in her lap as she clutched the wooden blocks. "One day, Harry will be able to go to the shops and the park and to school."

Sirius lolled his head back against the wall. "What if that never happens? You've heard the way they talk about Voldemort in Order meetings. It's almost like Dumbledore thinks he's invincible or something."

Marlene frowned. "Dad thinks Dark Magic is involved somehow," she said in a soft voice. "Apparently, a couple of years ago, he was able to survive against five highly trained Aurors. He killed them all. How can five Aurors not be able to take him down?"

Sirius jutted his jaw to the side. "Fleamont said once that when he dueled him a few years back that he went for the kill. Nothing happened. He swore the spell should have been deadly."

Marlene's gaze drifted to Harry. "Maybe he'll move on. Realize a toddler is no threat."

Sirius snorted. "Yeah, like that will ever bloody happen. He's not stupid. He knows Harry is going to grow up one day and be trained to fight. James and I will make sure he's prepared. He's not dying on our watch."

Marlene's eyes slid closed, her head bowing. "I hate this. I absolutely hate everything about this."

Sirius couldn't agree more as his throat narrowed painfully. Harry appeared at Sirius' side with a plastic carrot in his hand. Sirius held his tea cup up to show his godson and the little boy plopped the carrot into the cup.

Sirius smiled. "Thank you! This looks delicious."

Harry toddled away to the sink of his kitchen set where he pulled out another carrot and a cup. He plopped it in his own cup before making his way back to Sirius.

"Cheers, mate," Sirius said, clicking their cups together.

Harry giggled before pressing the cup to his lips. Tilting his head all the way back, the carrot hit him in the nose before it fell to the floor. Sirius chuckled. The kid was damn adorable. His eyes flickered over to where Marlene continued to pick up the blocks with a frown etched on her face. Sirius leaned in close to Harry, pressing a hand to the kid's back. He held out his carrot cup to Harry.

"Oi, go give Marly some carrot tea, yeah?" Sirius whispered, gesturing with his head to where Marlene was across the parlor. "I think she's sad."

Harry took the cup and practically galloped over to Marlene. He handed her the cup with a wide grin on his face and a string of babbles. Marlene's expression brightened, clutching the cup of tea in her hands. Harry scampered over to where his teacup and carrot were by Sirius, snagging them off the floor and rushing back over to Marlene. The kid plopped down into Marlene's lap and he hit her in the arm with his teacup.

"Ow, Harry!" Marlene laughed. "That hurt!"

"I think he wants to cheers," Sirius supplied.

Marlene's mouth formed an O-shape as she clanked her cup against Harry's before she pretended to drink her tea. She was so good with Harry, which really wasn't a surprise to Sirius at all.

The evening seemed to be going swimmingly. They played for a good hour while Harry made them questionable plates of plastic food and odd drinks. Sirius didn't know whether or not he was supposed to pretend to love or hate the chicken leg in his cup.

While Marlene prepared dinner, Sirius roped Harry into picking up his toys together. The kid did surprisingly well, laughing as though it were a new game they invented. When they were done, Sirius picked the kid up and placed him on his shoulders. He made sure to keep a tight hold of Harry's hands, knowing full well that he wouldn't hold on. The most difficult part was ensuring he bent down far enough through the doorframes so he didn't whack Harry in the head. Luckily, Sirius managed just fine without any bumps or bruises.

Sirius sat Harry down on counter, far enough away from the stove that he couldn't reach, but close enough that they could chat with Marlene while she finished up dinner. Harry's heels bounced off the cupboard door as Sirius stayed close to make sure he didn't fall.

There were plenty of times that Sirius and Marlene took care of Harry. They had changed their fair share of nappies, helped with bath time, fed him bottles and eventually food, had rocked him to sleep. But Sirius couldn't recall a time that it had just been him and Marlene alone with him for an extended period of time. Normally, James and Lily were always nearby. But this felt domestic in a way it never had before. Sirius wondered if this could be their everyday life if they were married with kids. They could give Harry a playmate.

Marlene carefully scooped a spiral noodle out of the boiling water with a spoon and held it out for Sirius to try. He accepted the noodle and then instantly regretted it, his mouth burning.

"Is it done?" Marlene asked.

"My mouth is too numb from being burned," Sirius mumbled as he tried to chew the noddle. "Merlin, Marly!"

"Was it soft enough though?" Marlene pressed, obviously not caring that she just burned his mouth.

Sirius nodded. "I think so," he said around bits of pasta in his mouth.

"Go set the table, please?" Marlene said, a smile dancing on her face.

Sirius sat Harry down on his feet and put him in charge of napkins, which he quickly realized was a mistake because the kid kept dropping them on the floor. By the time he got to the table, he sat down a bunch of crumbled up napkins on a chair because he couldn't reach the table.

"All right, so you're not helpful at all yet," Sirius told him as he put the kid in his highchair.

Marlene laughed from the counter. "He's not even one yet, Sirius!"

"He'll be one next week," Sirius retorted. "No longer a baby come next Friday. He'll be a toddler. He'll have to start earning his keep and carry napkins without dropping them," he said as he ruffled Harry's already messy hair. "You got that, mate? No dropping napkins."

"Can you cut up Harry's pasta?" Marlene asked as she slid a small plastic plate across the island. "I'll grab us each a plate."

Sirius nodded, snagging the plate from the island and went to chopping. He had paid close attention to Lily's instructions on how small to cut up food a while ago. He certainly didn't want Harry choking on his watch. That'd be an awful thing to have to explain to James and Lily. After cutting up the pasta, he stuck the plate to the highchair with a Sticking Charm. He had seen Harry throw his plate onto the floor multiple times in the past to know the charm was a necessity.

Marlene at their plates down so that their godson was in the middle. Sirius kept stealing glances at Harry to make sure he was doing all right. By the looks of his shirt, Sirius wasn't certain he was eating anything at all.

"How's the mouth?" Marlene asked, a smile dancing on her face.

Sirius shot her a look. "I can feel a flab of gum so thanks for that."

"I'm sorry, I didn't think about it," Marlene reasoned.

Sirius waved her off before he stabbed a few fusilli noodles with his fork. He glanced across the table at Marlene who pushed Harry's wild hair out of his face.

"This is nice," Sirius commented.

Marlene glanced over at him. "Yeah, it is."

Sirius and Marlene chatted about their itinerary for the morning, discussing where they'd take Merrick and Geraldine out for breakfast before Sirius and Merrick had to catch their Portkey to Glasgow.

"I fucking hate Portkeys," Sirius grumbled as he took a sip of his wine. "It boggles my mind why your dad didn't want to just figure out some Apparition points."

Marlene shrugged. "Maybe because it's just easier? I think Apparating multiple times back-to-back would be a little nauseating."

Sirius leaned forward. "One time, Orion side-along Apparated me from London to Leeds and I puked all over his shoes and robes. I was seven."

Marlene laughed. "How much trouble did you get in for that?"

"Well, I was denied food for the entire day because we had to Apparate back later that night and he didn't want me puking again," Sirius explained. "We got home too late for me to eat, so I had to go straight to bed. I remember being so bloody hungry."

Marlene's face pulled. "Who Apparates that distance in one go with a little kid and expects them not to puke? To deny you food is just cruel."

"Just a normal day in the life of the Black family," Sirius said in a dry tone.

"Let's just hope I never meet any of them," Marlene said in a dark tone. "I may lose my bloody mind on them."

Sirius searched her face. "Well, if you do, Walburga would definitely hate you, so you may just get in a very nasty screaming match. Practice your insults now. Bonus points if they're in French. It'll throw her off her game. She wouldn't expect a blood traitor to be so worldly."

Marlene pursed her lips to the side. "The only French you taught me were some very naughty words to use in the bedroom, so you'll have to teach me some more."

Sirius grinned broadly. "I can do that."

After dinner, Marlene started the dishes with a flick of her wrist before getting dessert together. Sirius tried to wipe Harry's hands and mouth so he didn't mix pasta sauce with treacle tart. Knowing they'd have to give the kid a bath, Sirius pulled Harry's shirt off over his head for the rest of the meal. Tiny bits of pasta and sauce stuck to his long locks in the process.

"Surprisingly, I think you ate more than I thought you did," Sirius said, offering Harry an upside smile as he plucked a noodle from Harry's hair. "I expected more on the floor."

Harry threw his barely used fork on the floor in response.

"You're a little shit," Sirius commented.

Harry cackled, his palms hitting the tray.

"Sirius, don't call him that!" Marlene scolded, sitting a cut up tart on his tray.

"I complimented him and he threw his fork," Sirius reasoned, accepting a piece of tart from Marlene. "Besides, I said it with love."

Marlene raised her eyebrows. "You're such a git."

"Oh, who's name calling now?" Sirius challenged, wiggling his eyebrows. "Do as Marlene says, not as she does. You remember that, Harry. Life lesson right there."

Marlene rolled her eyes as she sat down with her taught, a smile tugging on her face. "He'll be a perfect gentleman. Just you wait and see."

"With Lily's influence, possibly," Sirius replied, crossing the kitchen to grab the plates with slices of tart on them that Marlene had already cut for them.

"Merlin, Harry, slow down!" Marlene exclaimed as Sirius sat a plate in front of her. "Sirius, he's going to make himself sick."

Sirius grinned. "I guess Lily wasn't lying when she said he enjoyed treacle tart."

"It'd be nicer if he'd use a bloody fork," Marlene commented, her face pulling. "Definitely a bath after dinner."

Sirius watched as Harry ate the treacle tart with his fingers, smearing treacle all over his face and hair. He was a complete mess by the time he was done eating.

"Sirius, just take the plates," Marlene said with a sigh as she tried to wipe a bulk of the food off Harry before she picked him up in her arms.

Harry began to cry, big crocodile tears escaping his lashes. Sirius made his way over to help Marlene when the kid vomited. Marlene shrieked, her shirt covered in bits of pasta and a brown gunk. Sirius, automatically, took a step back which only garnered him a glare.

"Is he sick?" Sirius asked.

Harry whimpered, but he wasn't crying anymore. Marlene sighed, making her way across the kitchen and sitting him on the ledge on the sink so his feet were inside. She turned on water, testing it before she helped Harry scrub his little hands.

"I think he ate too much," Marlene commented. "Merlin, we shouldn't have done dessert. What one year old has dessert?"

Sirius made his way over to the sink to see what he could do to help. But he stopped as he watched Marlene help Harry clean up, her soft voice telling him he was all right. The kid's whimpers evened out as his big green eyes stared up at his godmother.

In that moment, a wave of love washed over Sirius as he watched his girlfriend comfort their godson so effortlessly. The weight of the ring felt heavy in his pocket. Even though it sounded ridiculous in that exact moment given all the vomit, he wanted more moments like these. He wanted a family with her. That was something he never thought he wanted a few years before.

"Will you marry me?" Sirius blurted out.

Marlene froze, her hands and Harry's hands still under the running water. Sirius knew it was a preposterous time to propose, and certainly not romantic, but he couldn't help himself. Watching her clean up Harry's sick off his little hands while being so gentle with him made his heart ache. It's what he wanted with her. To mind their godson, to have their own little ones, to be a family. He wanted what James had.

Marlene turned her head to look at him. "What?"

Sirius swallowed, his eyes searching her face. "Will you marry me?"

Marlene stared at him as Harry kicked his feet under the stream of water emitting from the faucet and getting his little trousers wet. "Yes," she said, turning back to Harry and pulling his hands out from under the water.

Harry's hands flapped, flinging droplets of water everywhere.

Sirius arched an eyebrow. "Did you understand what I just said?"

Marlene shot him a look as she reached for a tea towel before turning back to Harry to dry off his hands. "Sirius, I'm covered in vomit with chunks of pasta all over my shirt while trying clean up our godson. I will kiss you in a moment, all right?"

Sirius let out a breathy chuckle. "I love you."

Marlene picked Harry up and set him on the floor. "I love you too," she said as she flicked chunks of food off her shirt with a towel into the sink.

Sirius held out a hand for Harry. The little boy galloped over to Sirius and accepted the hand. He lifted his leg, wobbling, and babbled something that Sirius suspected had to do with his wet trousers. Once done cleaning up as much as she could, Marlene turned towards Sirius with a smile dancing on her face. She took a step closer to him and Sirius bent down to kiss her. It was quick and chaste.

"I'm going to take a shower and raid Lily's wardrobe," Marlene said.

Sirius grinned. "Good, because you kind of smell."

Marlene hit him gently in the arm. "Go get our godson ready for bed."

She made a motion to move but Sirius grabbed her wrist and tugged her towards him. His hand cupped her face as he pulled her close. Their lips crashed together as Sirius' heart skipped a beat. His entire body tingled and he couldn't wipe the grin off his face even if he tried. Harry's little body pressed against his leg, causing Sirius to pull away.

"Now you have vomit on you," Marlene observed.

"I'll raid James' wardrobe," Sirius replied with a shrug, hauling the dirty t-shirt off over his head and tossing it onto the counter. "All right, we all have to get cleaned up now. Especially you, mate," he said as he crouched down to help Harry out of his trousers. "Marly will make sure our clothes get nice and clean while we have a grand adventure at sea."

Sirius picked the kid up, cuddling him close to his chest. He winked at Marlene before he dashed out of the room, causing Harry to squeal as he bounced in his godfather's arms all the way to the bathroom upstairs.

Once Harry was in the bath, ship in hand, Sirius sat beside the tub with his own ship. Soon enough, the ships battled in the water as Harry whacked his ship against Sirius'. The kid was brutal, not holding back as his little arm swung.

"Ahoy, matey!" Sirius said in a deep voice. "You won't sink my ship!"

With a massive cackle, Harry did, indeed, sink Sirius' ship. The plastic toy slipped out of his fingers with one final good hit. When Sirius heard the shower turn off in the other bathroom, Sirius started to scrub Harry clean. He paid extra attention to his hair because there was so bloody much of it. Harry squirmed and whined.

"Oi, look up," Sirius said, trying to push the kid's head back. "You'll get soap in your eyes!"

Sirius tried his best to keep Harry's head back as he poured cup after cup of water over his hair to clean it. Running his fingers through Harry's thick hair, he decided he got all of the soap out and proceeded to wrap him up into a fluffy towel. He carried the kid into his nursery to dress him for bed when Marlene wandered in with wet hair and one of James' Magpies t-shirts.

"Put the shirt down and go dry your hair," Sirius said as he pulled the blue pajama top decorated in Golden Snitches over Harry's head. "I got him."

Marlene lingered by the changing table. "Did you mean it?"

Sirius glanced over at her briefly. "Mean what?"

"You asking me to marry you," Marlene said, crossing her arms over chest.

Sirius picked Harry up into his arms and turned to look at her. "Yeah, I did," he said as he fumbled in his pocket for the velvet box. "I actually bought it about three months ago."

With the ring clutched in his hand, he bent down to set Harry on his feet before he got down on one knee. He opened the ring box and looked up at her.

"Marry me?" he said again.

Marlene lowered herself to her knees, tears shining in her eyes.

"I know it's not the most romantic thing ever," Sirius admitted, his face wincing as Harry leaned into his side. "I could have asked James for ideas, but they'd be bloody well cheesy. And I didn't know how to do it, but I knew I wanted to because I love you. I can't imagine my life without you. There was just something about watching you with Harry that made me want to blurt it out. I wanted that to be our everyday life. I mean, not the vomit, per say, but just us with a family. I like the thought of us having a family."

Marlene swallowed visibly. "A million times yes," she said, wiping a stray tear off her face.

Sirius grinned as he plucked the round cut diamond with baguettes out of the box. He slid it on her waiting finger. Marlene sucked in a breath as Harry leaned forward between them to look at the ring. Marlene let out a watery laugh as she showed her hand to Harry.

"What do you think? Did your godfather do a good job picking out a ring?" Marlene asked.

A door banged opened. Sirius shot to his feet, pulling his wand out of his pocket in one swift movement. He put himself between the door and his loved ones, his heart hammering in his chest.

"James! Lily!" the familiar voice of Remus Lupin rang.

Sirius relaxed a tad but not completely. He had his suspicions about Remus for a few months now. His friend was always busy, never coming around or even attending Order meetings. He had become tight-lipped and secretive. Sirius didn't like it. Snagging the t-shirt off the changing table, Sirius hauled it over his head before he turned to see Marlene holding Harry close.

"Stay here," Sirius instructed before he left the nursery.

Remus called for James and Lily again, his voice on edge. Sirius descended the stairs, his fingers wrapped tightly around his wand at his side. Remus whipped around when the stairs creaked and their eyes met.

"What are you doing here?" Remus asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

"Minding Harry," Sirius replied, his chin gesturing. "What are you doing here?"

"Where are James and Lily?" Remus asked.

"Out to dinner," Sirius said, his irritation spiking as he stepped off the last step. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Remus' face fell. "They're out?"

Sirius clenched his jaw. "What the fuck is going on, Remus?"

"Marlene's missing," Remus said in an odd tone.

Sirius jerked his head back. "Why would you think she's missing? She's upstairs with Harry."

Remus' eyebrows shot up. "Marlene is here? Has she been here all evening?"

Sirius' eyes fluttered with annoyance. "Since about four, yeah. We've been here all evening minding Harry together. Now, do you want to tell me what the fuck is going on?"

Remus sighed, his eyes screwing shut. "Merrick McKinnon's home was attacked," he said in a low voice.

Sirius' stomach dropped to the floor. "What?"

"They're all dead," Remus continued, his eyes snapping open. "We assumed Marlene was there and was taken."

Sirius tried to process the words. "They're all dead?" he repeated. "Merrick? And, and Geraldine?" he whispered as Remus nodded. "What about Matthew and Rachel? Rachel was pregnant…" he trailed off.

"They're all dead," Remus confirmed. "The house was on fire with the Dark Mark over it."

Sirius didn't know what to think. His chest ached as he looked up the stairs. He'd have to be the one to tell Marlene that her entire family was dead. His limbs trembled. Sirius made fists to try to keep the quaking under control. Marlene was supposed to be at her father's birthday dinner. She had planned on going up until a few hours before. She could have died with them.

"Sirius?" Marlene's voice wafted from upstairs.

Sirius saw her holding Harry at the top of the stairs. She walked down as though in slow motion.

"What's wrong?" Marlene asked, her gaze flickering to Remus. "What happened? Are Lily and James okay?"

"They're fine as far as I know," Remus confirmed.

Sirius took a step closer to Marlene, his hands reaching out for Harry. She let Harry go without a single word.

"Sirius, you're scaring me," Marlene whispered, her eyes searching his face.

Sirius cleared his throat. "Can you sit down?"

Marlene obeyed, sitting on the step. Sirius crouched down so they were eye level. He dropped Harry to his feet but kept the little boy close to his side.

"Death Eaters attacked your parents' house," Sirius said in a strangled voice, his free hand pressing against the side of her neck.

Marlene's lip trembled, tears brimming in her eyes.

"They're dead, Marly," Sirius whispered. "I'm so sorry, but they're all dead."

Marlene sat frozen on the step. She blinked, tears falling down her cheeks. A sharp intake of breath and then Marlene crumbled. She sobbed something awful, her body collapsing against Sirius's chest. Sirius did his best to hold her and Harry close, the little boy trembling next to him no doubt from all the commotion.

Sirius' heart thumped in his chest as he buried his face into Marlene's hair. Tears burned his own eyes as he tried to swallow it down. Marlene needed him to be strong for her. Pressing a kiss to her head, he turned his attention to where Remus stood by the door. He couldn't help the gnawing in his chest that something didn't feel quite right. Why would Remus assume Marlene was missing and why would he come to Godric's Hollow?

Remus took a step closer to them. "Come on, Harry," he said, crouching down next to them and wrapping his fingers around the boy's arm.

Harry cried, his little hands frantically grabbing at Sirius. Irritation spiked as Sirius shifted Marlene in his arms so he could have a free hand to hold onto Harry.

"Can you bloody well stop?" Sirius snapped at Remus. "He doesn't want you. He's fine."

Remus sighed, his face hardening. "I was just trying to help."

Sirius rolled his eyes, tugging Harry closer to his chest. "You've never shown an interest in Harry before."

"Merlin, Sirius, what is your problem?" Remus retorted, his hand reaching out to grab Harry once more. "I can watch him."

"Stop!" Sirius shouted. "Just leave!"

"I'm just trying to watch Harry so you can comfort Marlene!" Remus bit back.

"He doesn't know you!" Sirius roared, causing Harry to sob louder. "You're never fucking around! You're a bloody stranger to him!"

The front door burst open. Sirius craned his neck to see James and Lily, with all the charms gone, soaking in the scene in front of them. Lily dashed forward, reaching for Harry. Sirius let him go and Harry wrapped his arms around his mother. James stood between Sirius and Remus, his head snapping between them.

"What the bloody hell is going on?" James asked.

Lily rose to her full height, shushing Harry as she rocked him in her arms.

Sirius' jaw tightened as he pressed his free hand to the back of Marlene's head. "Marlene's family was murdered," he explained in a strangled voice.

James' face drained of all color. "What?"

"I came by to tell you," Remus reasoned, his arms crossing over his chest. "Sirius lost his bloody mind when I tried to take Harry so he could comfort Marlene."

Sirius snarled. "He was crying! He didn't want you! How many fucking times do I need to say it?"

"Both of you just stop!" James hollered.

Harry sobbed even louder at his father's booming voice.

James pointed his finger at Sirius. "No fucking fighting," he hissed before he turned to point his finger at Remus. "No fucking fighting. You two are always fucking fighting lately! Can't you just stop? For once? People are dead!"

Sirius chest heaved, his grip tightening around Marlene. She had quieted down in his arms, but he could feel her tears soaking through his t-shirt.

"I want to go home," Marlene whispered. "Sirius, please."

Sirius nodded, pulling Marlene off the floor as he stood up. He kept his arms tight around her, shielding her face from their friends. Sirius glanced over to where Lily silently cried while clutching Harry close to her chest. His gaze slid over to where James and Remus stood together.

"Call me on the mirror later and let me know you two are all right," James said.

Sirius nodded curly before he led Marlene out of the house. As soon as they were out of the wards, Sirius Apparated them home. He didn't even care if it wasn't at a designated Apparition point. He didn't care if a Muggle saw them. Sirius just wanted to go home.

Once they arrived home, Sirius grabbed Marlene a Calming Draught from the cupboard. He then helped her into bed. Sitting next to her on the mattress, he caressed her hair until she fell asleep with her nose red and eyes puffy.

Sirius stayed up the entire night as he watched out the window to ensure Marlene was safe. His heart pounded in his chest as he couldn't help but feel like something was amiss with what had happened. More than ever, Sirius couldn't help the gnawing feeling in his gut that Remus was the spy.

I hope you enjoyed the one-shot! Don't forget to drop a review. They motivate me to keep writing and inspire new ideas.

Did I write this in hopes to write random ass one-shots in a Blackinnon raises Harry story? Why, yes, yes I did. Who is interested?!

Special thanks to prewettpotter for looking it over for me. Special thanks to funbunnypotter for her suggestions.