A/N: Written for The Pregnancy Challenge and the Hangman Challenge in the HPFC. The prompt is pregnancy/expecting.
-.-.-
"Merlin, I am exhausted," Lily said, falling into the winged back chair in the living room.
"Why don't you stay home today, love? You've been complaining of fatigue all week, you're working too hard," James replied, reaching from behind her to massage her shoulders.
Lily sighed, "I can't just play hooky, James. I have a job, responsibilities, plus a very important deadline coming up."
"I'm sure your boss wouldn't mind, Lils. You've been working your arse off for weeks. You deserve a break."
Attempting to stifle a large yawn, the redhead pulled her legs under her. "No James. I have to go to work. This project is too important; Mr. Prectin would blow a fuse if I called out."
"Blow a what?" James asked, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
"It's a muggle phrase." She leaned to the side and kissed her husband's hand that now sat still on her shoulder. "I love you, James. But I've got to get ready for work."
After standing up and giving a good stretch, Lily reached for James to keep from stumbling. "Whoa! Lily are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine, James. Just a bit dizzy. Too much blood rushing to my head, I suppose." The raven-haired man nodded once without any real conviction. He was worried about his wife, mentally and physically. "Would you stop pestering me? I thought Sirius' animagus was a puppy, not yours!" she added with a bite of attitude.
-.-.-
Knock knock knock "Mr. Prectin, I have the second part of my report for you."
"Thank you, Potter. Put it here on my desk and continue to part three."
Lily took the two steps to the wooden desk in her boss's office, "Actually sir, I was wondering if I could...er..."
The balding, cross-eyed, stump of a boss glanced up from his own paperwork, "Spit it out, Potter. Haven't got all day."
Lily straightened her shoulders, "I would like to request the afternoon off. I need-"
"Afternoon off?!" he shouted, standing so quickly that his chair fell over, "Are you out of your bloody mind? We need you here, Potter, whether you realize that or not. I need everyone to be working at 110 percent capacity to meet all of these insane deadlines the Minister set."
"With all due respect, sir-"
"No exceptions, Potter. I just can't give you the time," he answered sternly. Giving his employee a second glance, his watery eyes softened, "I'm sorry, Lily. I really am."
Giving a small nod, Lily turned and left Mr. Prectin's office, stifling another yawn with her fist. She shook her head, hoping to wake herself up with a cup of coffee in the break room before returning to her work.
"Two teaspoons of sugar and just drop of cream," she said to herself, pulling the mug close to her as she sat at the table. With another long, loud yawn, Lily set her head on her arm. I'll just close my eyes for a minute
"Potter!" Huh? "What are you doing? Sleeping on the job?" Mr. Prectin's voice was deep and barking.
"S-Sorry sir. I just dozed off for-" she looked at the watch on her wrist, "Two hours?!"
"Potter..." he sighed indignantly, "Just go home."
"I'm sorry Mr. Prectin, please don't fire me!"
"You're not fired, Potter. Just go home. I'll see you Monday."
Whew! "I'm so sorry, Mr. Prectin. Really I am. I don't know what's got into me. I'll be here bright and early Monday morning!"
Grabbing the wand from her pocket, she made her way to the lift and held on for the ride. It was only three o'clock on a Friday afternoon, so most of the Ministry employees were still in their offices, filling out paperwork or whatever it was their duties were.
When a burly man stepped into the left, Lily instantly scrunched her nose. What is that god-awful smell? She thought. Is that nacho cheese?
Her stomach churned as the lift lurched forward, her hand grasped firmly around a leather strap by her head. Oh Merlin, don't be sick in the lift, Lily.
"Level One-" She didn't wait for the announcement before rushing out of the confined space and sprinting to the Floo.
The rush of her transport caused her stomach to disagree once again, and finding herself on the floor of her living room would have been a relief if it weren't for-
"Lily! I'm so glad you're home, and early! I've got quiche in the oven for you. Your favorite!" James exclaimed happily.
"James Charlus Potter, if you don't get that smell out of my house this instant I will hurl in your favorite pair of shoes!"
"Wha-?"
"Now, James!"
"O-okay."
The raven-haired man hurried back into the kitchen as Lily crawled to the couch, clutching her angry abdomen. The smell slowly began to dissipate and James returned to the room.
"Are you okay, love?"
"I'm fine, James. Really... Just not feeling well. I actually fell asleep at work today. Mr. Prectin was not amused."
"I told you to stay home, you're overworked."
"Yes, well, I was able to turn in my report before he banished me-"
"You got sacked?!"
"What? No! He sent me home for the day. But I need to make sure I get to work early on Monday to show him I'm really in this project. I don't want to get skipped over simply because I'm coming down with something."
James sighed through his nose and slid onto the couch next to his wife. "Why don't you take a nice, hot bubble bath and relax. I've invited Sirius over for supper, he should be here in about an hour or so."
Lily nodded tiredly, "Yes, a bath... That could help." She gave James a swift kiss and made her way to the loo.
The tub filled quickly, vanilla and cinnamon bubbles dancing above her as she sank to her chin in the warmth.
Oh good gracious this is perfect... she thought to herself, eyes drifting shut once more
-.-.-
"Lils?" step step step "Lilyflower?" James stepped into the stifling hot bathroom to the sight of his beautiful wife snoring loudly, her naked body hidden within the soapy water.
He gently coaxed her awake, aided her into a towel and left her to get dressed. When she finally joined him downstairs, the fireplace flashed green. Sirius had arrived.
"Padfoot!" James exclaimed, stepping towards his best friend.
Sirius' face lit up, his arms outstretched for an embrace, "Prongs!"
Lily rolled her eyes. "And I'm Lily. Can we get on with dinner now? I haven't eaten in hours and I'm starving."
Sirius' eyebrows flew up in surprise, "Wow, Evans-"
"Potter,"
"Nahh you'll always be Evans to me. You feeling alright? You look a bit...green."
"Have you pulled a prank on me already? You only just arrived, Sirius, I'll hex you straight to McGonagall's office, don't think I won't!"
"Whoa, whoa, what's up with the redhead?" Sirius asked his best mate. "What's got her knickers in a bunch?"
"What did you just say to me?" Lily's face was quickly becoming as red as her hair.
"Actually I said it about you, not to you-"
The young woman pulled her wand out faster than Sirius could blink, pointing it at him menacingly, "I swear on my life, I will end you, Sirius Black."
"Honestly mate, you promised you'd warn me if she was ever on her monthly..." the dog animagus muttered to James.
Lily's emerald eyes narrowed on him, teeth clenched and chest moving quickly with ragged breath.
"W-what did you say?" she asked, eyebrows loosening on her face. "D-did you just say..."
James looked between the two, struck with confusion and trepidation. Sirius swallowed hard, "I-I just meant... I didn't mean anything by it-"
Her breaths came even harder but her face with overcome with realization and fear before she bolted back up the stairs.
"What the bloody hell is up with your wife, mate?" Sirius asked, making his way towards the kitchen.
"I'm not exactly sure, Padfoot. Sorry about that, though."
"It's much easier to track Moony's monthly; even muggle calendars have the full moon on them," he replied. The two men sat at the breakfast nook and cracked open some elfen wine when Lily returned in a rather hurried and anxious manner.
"James may I speak to you in the living room for a moment?" she asked, attempting to keep her wits about her.
"Lily, I don't underst-"
"James," she said threateningly, "Living room, please."
Her husband pushed his glasses further up his nose and followed her, watching her fidget nervously with her wedding ring and glancing around the room as if it held some sort of dark magic. Seeing her in such distress only pushed his own worry, and he chose to speak up.
"Lily, I-"
"James, I'm pregnant."