lilies *James Potter*

Chapter 18

"How's the whole party-planning thing going with Pandora and James?" Remus asks as he sits down on the stool of the bar while propping his cane against it as Liliena makes her way around the kitchen prepping lunch for when James and Harry would arrive. It was the day they would finally break the news to Harry, which is why she found herself making Harry's favourite sandwich of the moment, PB&J, along with chocolate brownies which were starting to smell good from their place baking in the oven.

Regulus was holed up in his room working alone on his album after he released his first song Astronomy.

It had gained enough attention which became a small trend on TikTok and other platforms for the first week before the world moved onto a newer trend. But it had impressed the company enough to go on with the album. Which was taking up much of his time but Regulus seemed to enjoy it more than breaking up fights and talking to people at a bar.

"Just sent her a few last-minute details that involved catering, which James had forgotten to update me on a peanut allergy I also have to work with your shellfish allergy but we're making it work. The party is in two days, it won't be extremely crowded with tons of people but I think the amount of kids will be equal among adults in balance."

Remus narrows his eyes at her.

"How many people and kids are going to be there? Kids, specifically."

"Well, for starters there will be Harry, Luna, and Draco. But I told James to invite one of his friends who also has a ton of kids of their own. Then there are all of James' friends he's inviting and mine."

"That's not a clear answer. I'm looking for an answer. Answer with numbers. Numeral."

"Fine." She sighs knowing there's no way around it. "There will be ten kids, but would it be calling them kids when two of them are above 10 and one's a young teen?"

"Minors?" Remus suggests.

"Fine, a total of 10 minors. Then I just sent Pandora a final list of a head count which comes down to... 12 adults. So 22 heads."

Remus nods. "Also, have you told Mum and Dad yet?"

"Hmm?"

"Hope and Lyall? My parents, your aunt and uncle? The ones who took you in when you were 9 after your parents died? Remember them?"

Liliena blinks. "No."

"Why not?"

"Terrified."

"So you're just going to hide the twins locked away in your room every time they come to the city?"

"They don't come to the city that often... Is that an option?"

"Ana!"

"Fine." She slumps. "I'll tell them soon."

"How soon?"

This time she narrows her eyes at him. "What's with the interrogating?"

"Why are you terrified of telling them?"

"Why are you terrified telling them you're gay? Which may I add you have been hiding for almost 16 years from them now."

Remus glares at her. "Touché."

"But seriously, Ana, you need to tell them. This is bigger than being gay. I have no intentions of falling in love anytime soon, so I don't have to hide an entire person. However in your case... we're talking about two babies."

"I know, Remus." She tells him unblinking. "You saw how Regulus was when we broke the news to James' parents. How pissed he was, along with myself may I add. I just... don't want to lose them. Even if we don't talk much, they mean more to me than the Potters. In a sense, they're my second-hand parents."