Severus couldn't believe so many wonderful things could happen to him after the life he had lead. He had been a Death Eater, a rude and seclusive man that had shun human contact. He had murdered people to please an evil man. Granted, he had been a spy for the good side, but hardly anyone had known that. He was the most feared and hated teacher at Hogwarts, and reveled in that fact.

  But now....now Severus had a wonderful husband who loved him deeply, a place he could finally call home, and people who accepted him and called him family. Then yesterday, the best news of all came. They were going to have a child. He still couldn't believe a man his age could become pregnant, but it had happened.

  In a fit of passion four weeks ago, he had let Harry top. They thought nothing of it until last week. Severus had been making a potion and had been overcome with nausea. He had made this potion many times over the years and the smell had never bothered him. But every time he tried to stir it, he would have to stop and fight the gagging. He became worried later in the day when, once Harry had called him upstairs for lunch, he had to run from the room at the sight of the heavy food. Harry thought he was coming down with something and had sent him to bed for the rest of the day.

  For the rest of the week, he felt fine as long as he didn't go near his lab and didn't eat any heavy or spicy foods. But his husband noticed.

  "Sev, you haven't done more than step inside the door of your lab and turn right 'round all week. That isn't like you at all. I'm worried, love. You need to see a Healer."

  "You know I detest those incompetents at St. Mungo's, Harry. All they do is whisper and stare."

  "Then let's go see Poppy. You trust her, and you know she won't stare."

  Severus sighed, knowing he would never win with Harry Worried about him. "Very well, we can go tomorrow. Use the Floo and set up an appointment."

  Harry smiled and immediately went to make a call to Hogwarts. The next day, the two apparated to Hogsmead and walked to the school. Meeting Headmistress McGonagal at the entrance, they went to the hospital wing. Professor McGonagal stood by and tried to keep Harry calm while Madam Pomfrey scanned Severus from head to feet while she asked him questions.

  "So Harry," his former Head of House started, trying to distract him from his nervous pacing. "how is married life treating you?"

  Minerva smiled as Harry's eyes instantly softened and a loving smile spread across his face. Minerva never would have guessed that those two would have ever formed a friendship much less have become blissfully married. The men had hidden their feelings so well- even from each other- all through their school years. No one, not even the couple themselves, could tell you when their attraction had blossomed.

  "It is treating us very well, Minerva. I am as happy now as the day we were married." It had taken months of Headmistress McGonagal prodding Harry to call her by her given name. Now he was finally used to it. After the war, when Harry and Severus had begun dating, Minerva had informed him that he was no longer a student but a friend, and that they should really be on a first name basis.

  Minerva smiled at Harry's statement and had opened her mouth to reply when there was a commotion and Poppy dropped her wand.

  "I am WHAT?!"

  Harry turned white and looked in danger of fainting right where he stood. Minerva reached out to steady the swaying man, but before she could touch him, he shot to the bedside of his husband.

  "What is it Severus? What's wrong? Are you okay? Oh please, Severus, tell me you are going to be okay."  Harry was trembling and still looked ready to faint. Severus on the other hand looked ready to throw a few well placed curses. He looked over at Harry, and seeing the tears in his lover's eyes, his face softened.

  "Oh, Harry, it's fine. I'm going to be okay. It was just a shock. That's all. I couldn't believe what Madam Pomfrey told me." He turned to the witch who had recovered from her surprise at Severus' outburst. "I'm sorry, Poppy. I shouldn't have yelled. Are you absolutely sure of your diagnosis?"

  Poppy smiled. She was just getting used to Snape's slight change in attitude since marrying the Gryffindor four years ago. Harry had softened the man, even if only a little. "Yes, Severus. I am sure. There is no doubt."

  Everyone watched at the (still) snarky potions professor's eyes widened and a smile slowly spread across his lips. Harry's breathing increased and he felt like he was going to begin panicking if someone didn't tell him what was going on soon. Harry tried to calm himself, but it wasn't working.

  "What. Is. Going. On?" he asked in a strangled whisper. Severus turned and looked at his husband. His features changed from happiness to a worried frown. He didn't know how Harry was going to take this news. They had never discussed children. He knew Harry doted on Ron and Hermione's daughter whenever they brought her over and he was always buying something for little Teddy as well, but a child of their own? He really didn't know how this news would be received.

  Severus turned until he was fully facing Harry and looked the love of his life in the eyes. Taking a deep breath, he prepared to tell him what Poppy had said.

  "Harry. You know I love you, right?"

  Harry looked like he was about to cry all over again. He could only nod. Severus continued. "I am not sick, Harry. Nothing's wrong. I'm pregnant."

  Harry's eyes widened and his breath hitched. He opened his mouth and then fell in a dead faint on the floor.

***   ***   ***   ***   ***   SSHP SSHP SSHP SSHP   ***   ***   ***   ***  ***   

  Harry opened his eyes to a pair of dark blurry figures and the sound of laughter being smothered.

  "Nnnngh. Where are my glasses?"

  Severus placed them in Harry's hand. "You broke them when you hit the ground, love."

  The smothered laughter turned into loud guffaws. "I don't believe it! The great and wonderful 'Boy-Who-Lived-turned-Boy-Who-Defeated-Voldemort' just fainted! Fell dead away! That was priceless, Harry! Oooof!" Ron was elbowed hard in the side by Hermione, who's face was turning exceedingly pinker by the second as she tried to suppress her laughter.

  Harry's look of complete confusion slowly morphed as realization dawned. "You-you're-I-" Harry couldn't seem to form a coherent thought. Then he suddenly sat up and got to his feet. Grabbing Severus' hands, he looked him in the eyes. "You're pregnant?"

  Severus nodded slowly. "Yes, Harry."

  Harry made everyone jump in shock as he let out a yell of joy and wrapped his arms around Severus. "We're going to have a baby!" he said through tears of joy. He pulled out of the hug and noticed that Severus' eyes had misted over. His grin disappeared. "What's wrong, Sev? Are- are you not happy about this? I know we never talked about having children..." He closed his mouth as Severus smiled.

  "No, love. I am very happy. I am just so relieved that you're happy about this. I was so afraid you would be upset about it."

  Suddenly they were surrounded by friends congratulating them. Hermione enveloped Harry in a hug as Ron vigorously pumped Severus' hand up and down. "This is great! Soon little Rose will have a playmate!" Ron said with a goofy grin planted on his face. Severus could only stare as Hermione extracted herself from Harry to turn and hug Severus. Severus was so shocked he could only stand there, frozen. Then he slowly returned the hug.

  Congratulations, Severus. I am so happy for you two. If you need anything, please let me know. I know that sometimes, you just want someone to listen. Just give me a call, okay?"

  Severus had been awed when Harry's friends had accepted him as Harry's lover and then his husband, but never had they treated him like this. Like a friend, yes. But never like they treated Harry. Harry was family.

  Seeing the look on Severus' face and recognizing from his first holiday at the Weasley's, Harry smiled and wrapped his arms around his husband. "It's okay, Sev. You're their family. And we're about to be our own family as well." Severus smiled and settled himself into the embrace. "Come on, Severus. Let's get you home."