ALWAYS

Secret Keeper ?

The days flew by quickly. With Harry around Lily and James barely had time to relax, and by night fall Lily would pass out on the couch while James cleaned up. James would then have to pick Lily up, bridal style and carry her back to their bedroom. But this week was the most awaited week. It was Harry's first birthday and James and Lily were beyond excited. 

Lily and James were very excited for his birthday and decided to throw Harry a birthday party. They wrote to the Marauders hoping that they would make an exception from their no meeting each other rule for Harry and would come over, but to their dismay all of them refused with the excuse that it was for their own good. 

Lily was disappointed but understanding. James on the other hand was cribbing and whining like a baby for a whole day. Lily had to coax him out of his mood with his favourite dishes. But deep down even James knew it was not safe. 

THREE DAYS LATER 

"One more day to go!" yelled James as he plopped his head down on Lily's lap as she read a book. Lily absent mindedly played with James hair while giving him a distracted nod. James looked up whilst waiting for a reply but sighed at the absence of one and closed his eyes. He drifted deeper into her lap and fell asleep as Lily gently stroked his hair.  

"James. Babe, wake up". James could hear Lily's soft voice and he stirred in his sleep. "Ughhh" he groaned as his hands searched for the small of her back, to pull her into a hug. But Lily swatted his hands away with an annoying grunt and James opened his eyes. "Hey, what was that for?" he says before his eyes land on Sirius and Peter standing near the fireplace. 

"Hey guys" James says confused and looking from his fellow Maruaders to wife for an explanation. "We need to talk" Sirius says looking at James and Lily. Lily visibly tenses up and James slowly walks up to her, dreading the news he was going to hear next. He pulls her close as they sit down and grabs her hands, giving them a gentle squeeze before looking back at Sirius to continue. 

"You need to make Peter the secret keeper" Sirius blurts out after pacing back forth in the room for a few minutes. "What? Why?" Lily immediately say, standing up, waiting for an explanation. "People have been following me a lot now a days . It's not safe" he says.

Lily expression changes to worried but she stands her ground. "What makes you think they wont follow Peter ?" she questions. Sirius looks at James for support but turns back to Lily when James gives him a shrug and waits for him to give them an answer. 

Sirius sighs. "They wont. They think I'm much more closer and trusted. So they'll keep following me and your secret will be safe with Peter." he explains. James and Lily look at each other with hesitation. "I don't know Padfoot-" James says. But before he could finish that sentence Sirius interrupts, "I don't care James. This is not up for debate. Peter is your secret keeper from now and that is it." he says firmly, glaring at both Lily and James daring them to defy him. 

James and Lily look at each other. Both of them knew Sirius would do nothing to hurt them. And if Sirius was being this serious about something then he must be really worried and sure about it. So after a moment James gets up and nods. "Okay" he says. 

"Okay?" Sirius asks, just to make sure. "Yes" James says again and Sirius lets out a relieved breath. A few hours later Peter is the new secret keeper and James and Lily were standing at the door waiting for Sirius to finish saying his goodbye to Harry and leave. After a few minutes Sirius gets up and James would've sworn that he saw Sirius cry. As they leave, James closes the door and joins Lily on the couch. 

Lily places her head on shoulder and James pulls her close and holds her hand. "You okay?" he asks her. "I don't have a good feeling about this" she whispers. "Me too" he agrees as he places a kiss on her head. They continue watching Harry play with his toy for a bit before deciding it was time for them to go to bed. James takes the little boy playing on the floor into his arms and smothers him with kisses before walking to his room. 

Fifteen minutes later James walks back to a familiar sight. Lily had fallen asleep on the couch, again. James shakes his head, amusement in his eyes. He slowly bends down before planting a kiss on her forehead. Placing a loose strand of hair behind her ear he strokes her smooth skin with her thumb. He chuckles lightly as Lily smiles in her sleep, knowing her husbands loving touch. He takes her into his arms before slowly making his way to their room. 

He gently tucks her in and proceeds to close the curtains when he hears Lily whine in her sleep. "Get in here Potter" she demands. "Coming Evans" he says as he looks at Lily for her reaction at the use of her maiden name. He joins her in bed. 

When Lily feels the bed dip she immediately shuffles over and rests her head in the crook of James's arms as James pulls her close, stroking her hair. 

The next day the couple wake up to the sunlight flooding through their bedroom. Lily's eyes flutter open and dart to her husband, sound asleep beside her. She needed to wake him up but decided to let him sleep for a few more minutes so that she could admire his peaceful face. A few minutes later she leaned in to his ear, "good morning" she whispered. A few seconds later James stirred in his sleep and grabbed Lily closer. Lily let out a giggle before planting a kiss on James's face before getting up to go take a bath. 

James followed and a few minutes later they were all dressed up and ready to celebrate their sons first birthday. They tiptoed to his room, only to see him wide awake in his crib and playing with the soft toy of a black dog Sirius gifted him. They smiled down at him and picked him up. 

Lily gave Harry a bath and dressed him while James made breakfast. They played with Harry and James made snow fall from the ceiling. At around lunch time James and Lily heard a light tap at the window and turned around. 

An owl. They looked at each other before taking the package from the owl and going back inside. "What even is this?" questioned Lily now a bit scared for the safety of her son. "It's from Sirius" James assured as he examined it closely. He pulled out a card that addressed the package to Harry. 

To Harry- With Love, Padfoot 

James smiled before handing the package over to Harry who was busy playing with his new toys. But he retargeted his attention to the package and with a great rush of excitement watch him tear open the wrapping to reveal a mini broom. One big enough for a toddler to ride. Harry squealed with delight looking up at his parents. 

James and Lily smiled as they watched their son show them his newest toy. They nodded smiling and James gently helped him up onto the broom. And within no seconds Harry was zooming across the living room a big smile plastered across his face as James attempted to catch a hold of him. 

Lily quickly ran and grabbed the camera on the shelf and rushed to take a picture of father and son. She smiled as she clicked and the polaroid glided out. She looked at it as a little boy zoomed in and out of the picture while she could find James's legs running behind their son. 

She looked up from the picture to find James tackling Harry on to the ground along with the broom. Lily shook her head in amusement. No matter what would happen the two people on the floor of their house would always remain her boys. Always.