"Hiya."
"Sirius, where have you been? I've been trying you for ages."
"Sorry, I had a meeting with Owain about - actually, I've got no idea what it was about."
"Hang on a sec. I'm just getting on the bus."
"You're going in early."
"I know. Marco rang. He wants me to open up. He's goin' the dentist. I'm quite excited I am. It's my first time opening up on my own. Anyway, shut up a minute. I've got something to tell you."
"What?"
"The woman we saw a couple of weeks ago, Louise, she thinks she might be pregnant."
"Oh my god. Seriously?"
"Yeah, I had a message from her when I woke up."
"Has she done a test?"
"No, she's waiting until she gets home."
"Oh my god. I can't believe it."
"I know."
***
Cardiff, Wales
Sirius' office phone rang. "Sirius Lupin?"
"Lily's just text me. I've just had a text from Lily. She's text me. She's just sent a text. Lily's just text me."
"Mate, can I call you back? I'm on the phone to Rem."
"Did you not hear what I just said?"
"Yeah, Lily sent you a text. I don't really see what the problem is."
"There's been no contact, nothing. This is the first contact. She never texts. There's been no contact since...that. What do I do?"
"Surely you talk to her about Harry?"
"No. I've been talking to Poppy and Lyall when they've got the baby. I spoke to Severus twice. That was a barrel of laughs."
"Right. Just calm down. Where are you?"
"Outside the house. I'm having a look at this extension with Wormy."
"Hang on a minute." Sirius held his mobile back up to his ear. "Babe?"
"What's goin' on?"
"It's Prongs. He's had a text from Lily or something."
"Oh my god. Serious? Lily never texts."
"Did you just tell Remus?" James' voice floated through the office phone.
"Yes."
"Are you a dick?"
"Sirius, Lil's on the other line. I'll call you back."
"Okay, just don't tell her that-" Remus hung up. "Oh god." Sirius sighed before returning to his phone call with James.
"I'm meant to be coming down with the boys this weekend. All she's done is make things awkward."
"Why? What did she say?"
"I'll tell you what she said. I've got it here. Ha! You won't believe this. Hope you're okay."
"What's wrong with that?"
"What does that mean? That could mean so many things. What's she trying to say?"
"It was your choice to sleep with her again. You could've said no."
"I don't know if I slept with her, do I? I mean, I know we fell asleep together. I know we opened the oven door, but whether we actually baked the potatoes, I don't know."
"What were you wearing when you woke up? That's usually a clue."
"I was completely naked. She was wearing an Aston Villa shirt."
"Aston Villa?" Sirius pulled a face of disgust.
"Yeah, I know."
"Aston Villa?!"
"Look, dad's calling me on the other line. Ring me on your lunch, okay?"
"You are still coming down?"
"I dunno."
"Please. We're all excited."
***
Barry Island, Wales
"Thanks a lot." Remus smiled as he handed the customer their change.
"How far gone is she?" Lily asked as Remus turned back around.
"Hardly anything. A week. Ten days?"
"Has she done a test?"
"No, she's waiting until this evening." Remus smiled. "I can't believe I'm going to be a dad."
"Yeah, well, don't get too excited Rem. It's not all it's cracked up to be." Lily looked down at Harry in his pram and smiled. "Don't get me wrong, I loves Harry the baby. He's a good bloke." She looked back at Remus. "I wouldn't be without him for the world. At the end of the day, he's needy. He's always after something."
"Rem, I need your help." The pair turned to the counter where Poppy stood. "Hiya Lil." He nodded.
"All right Poppy? You coming in?"
"I won't. Not today. I've got too much on."
"How come?" Remus asked.
"Breakfast cereals. The list is endless. I don't know what to get for the boys. I mean, in my day, it was simple; Weetabix or Corn Flakes. You knew where you stood. Now, I'm looking at a Weeto, a Cheerio, a Coco Pop, a Frosted Shreddie, an Oat So Simple, a Gillian McKeith Organic Amaranth Cereal Flake and would someone please tell me what a Choco Rock is?"
"Oh, they're lush they are. They're like chocolate and bits of rocks." Remus said.
"Why don't you do them a fry-up?" Lily asked.
"I'm doing a fry-up. Of course I am. This is the continental option!"
"Oh, Poppy, don't raise your voice at me, all right?" Lily stepped forward and Poppy stepped back. "Sorry Rem."
"That's all right." Remus turned to Poppy once more. "Why don't you get a variety pack?"
"Well, I thought about that. I really did. Answer me this - who's gonna eat the Ricicles?"
"Good point."
"Fair play." Remus and Lily both murmured. Harry began to cry. "Right, I gotta get off. Sev's going Stonehenge. Party of twelve - pensioners."
"Who's havin' Harry then if we're goin' out?"
"Who do you think?"
"Dad." Remus laughed. "Have you asked him yet?"
"No. I'm just gonna drop him round. What's he gonna do?"
***
Barry Island, Wales
Sirius and Remus climbed out of the car and Sirius was pulled into the middle of his friends.
"Where's your bags?"
"I dunno. Where's your sheep you dirty Welsh slag?" Peter laughed as he slapped Sirius on the back. Lyall came out of the house and put his arm around Remus' shoulder.
"Hiya."
"All right, Lyall?" James grinned. "Do you know everyone from the wedding?"
"I think so. Hello again."
"He hasn't met Gideon." Peter said as he pushed Gideon forward.
"Hello Gideon. Welcome to Barry."
"S'mae Gideon, ydw I a dw I'n hapus iawn bod yma yn y Barri." Lyall shook his head.
"Sorry, but I don't speak-" James stepped forward.
"Lyall, wait a minute. What're you doing?" He asked Gideon.
"I've been learning Welsh. I did a course because I knew we were coming down. I wanted to understand what everyone was saying." The other guys started laughing.
"You twat." Peter shook his head.
"What?"
"No one speaks Welsh."
"Listen Gid, no one here or where we're going tonight speaks Welsh." James said.
"That's not strictly true." Lyall pointed out.
"Don't make it more difficult for him."
"What about the signs?"
"I know." Sirius shook his head. "You've just gotta ignore them."
"I don't understand."
***
Cardiff, Wales
"Sirius."
"Hiya."
"Poppy's really drunk."
"She's only had a couple."
"I know but she doesn't drink, does she?"
"I'll go and see if she's all right."
"No. I have something to tell you." Remus took Sirius' hand and led him outside to where it was quieter.
"What's going on?"
"I got a message."
"From who?"
"Louise."
"Mhm?"
"She's pregnant."
"Oh my god! Really?!" Remus nodded. "Why aren't you happy about this?"
"She's changed her mind."
"What?"
"She wants to keep the baby."
