Lily heard the familiar creak of the front door.
52 steps
She could picture the way he'd run his fingers through his perpetually messy hair, the colour of the midnight sky he'd just emerged from.
She knew just how he's remove his coat, right arm first, then left.
She could visualise how he'd walk over to the hook, second from the left, and hang the jacket in the same position as always, where it would sit until he had to go out again.
She knew how he'd carefully pull the invisibility cloak out from inside his jumper, and hang it on the hook third from the right.
She could picture him pausing for a moment and stretching, the same way he did after every outing, back muscles rippling, arm muscles tense.
She heard his familiar footsteps padding across the floor, a soft groan resounding through the house as he stood on the bottom stair.
45 steps
Pad, pad, pad up the stairs...the occasional creak, the occasional groan of wood.
27 steps
He'd stopped, and gently opened the door to the nursery, taking a look inside. It made her heart swell to know how excited he was about the baby.
19 steps
She could hear him, his footsteps as familiar to her as the sound of his heartbeat.
11 steps
The door to the bedroom gently swung open, light spilling in through the cracks.
5 steps
She could hear his breathing, gentle, rhythmic, as his clothes landed softly on the floor.
1 step
The bed creaked as he settled his weight onto it, wrapping himself in the blankets
"You're home" she whispered, the smile obvious in her voice.
"Lily" he chastised with a laugh, kissing her forehead, and laying a hand on her stomach.
"What have I told you about waiting up for me?"
"And what have I told you about not being able to sleep until you're home with me?"
It had been James' first outing for a while. He'd gone to Order Headquarters, for a meeting with Dumbledore, and she hadn't been able to breathe properly from the moment he'd walked out the door.
"How did the meeting go?"
"Fine" he responded through a yawn. "Routine stuff, mostly. Was good to get out and see everyone again. They all send their love".
Lily nodded in acknowledgement.
"Sirius had had a bit to drink before we got there, ended up as a bit of story time around the fireplace, actually".
James laughed.
"Sirius finally revealed to Dumbledore how we got into so much mischief when we were there; told him about the invisibility cloak. Merlin was he interested in hearing about that bloody thing!"
Lily laughed too.
"I bet he was interested..."
The couple fell into a comfortable, familiar silence. Lily could see James' eyelids drooping.
Before sleep could completely claim him however, she muttered,
"James?"
"Mmm?" he mumbled sleepily.
"Do you...do you realise that our lives are about to totally change...any day now?"
Forcing his eyes to open, James looked at his wife.
"Yeah I've realised" he said, pulling Lily closer, and rubbing circles across her stomach. "We're ready Lils, I know we are".
Lily nodded, burying her head into his shoulder.
"Are you scared?" he asked, continuing to trace patters across her skin.
"Of the labour? A little," Lily admitted. "It's a pretty daunting prospect. I really can't wait to meet our baby though...but mostly, mostly I'm scared for after..."
"After?"
"After, like when we bring the baby home...and it's just the three of us, facing life together. What if I'm no good at being a mum, James?"
Her biggest fear finally voiced, Lily looked nervously at her husband awaiting an answer.
James propped himself up on one elbow, so he could see her better in the pale moonlight.
He pushed the hair off her face and kissed her gently on the forehead before responding.
"Lily, you're going to be an incredible mother".
"But what if..."
"No. I mean it. I can feel the love you have for that baby practically oozing out of you. There is no way you could ever stuff up something that you love so much. Our baby...our baby is going to have the most amazing mother in the world".
He lay back down, pulling her as close as he could.
She sighed contentedly, reassured and calm.
"I love you" James muttered into her hair as he drifted into a sleepy haze.
"I love you".
Just a bit of fluff, the real action starts soon! :D
Thank you so much to all the followers and favouriters over the last chapter, I appreciate every single one!
Of course, I appreciate reviews too ;)
Also, just a note to the 'Guest' who reviewed asking if they can use my idea in their story... chuck me a PM and I'd be happy to discuss it with you!
Thanks again guys -xox-
