I'm worried about you

POP

"Lily is that you?" James shouted, she was due home hours ago.

"Yeah it's me," she said

"Thank god, I was worried. Your shift finished hours ago," said James hugging her.

"I sent an owl,"

"I know but still. And you shouldn't be apparating"

"James we've been through this, I have to apparate and there is no medical proof that it affects an unborn baby," sighed Lily, her exhaustion evident in her voice.

"Sweetheart, sit down you must be exhausted you worked 15 hours today"

"I know I am tired. I just want to go to bed"

"When was the last time you ate"

"A few hours ago"

"What did you eat?"

"A chocolate bar"

"When was the last time you ate a meal?"

"About 2pm"

"Two, it's almost 11. You have to eat something"

"But I'm so tired and I have to do the ironing before work tomorrow"

"Tomorrow, when do you start tomorrow?"

"The same time I always start 8am"

"They can't honestly expect you to keep working like this, you're pregnant and working 15 hours a day, you'll exhaust yourself"

"I'm fine, I just want some sleep"

"You need to eat"

"I don't want to"

"I'm not discussing this with you, there's some food in the oven I just have to reheat"

"Fine, if it will stop you nagging"

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LATER

"Seriously, you can't keep working like this, it's not good for you or the baby," said James seriously as he handed Lily a cup of tea.

"I know, but what can I do?"

"Tell them, your boss. You're pregnant, you have to cut down on your hours"

"They're shorthanded and there is attacks every other day"

"For once in your life will you please think about yourself? Be selfish"

"For god sake, I've just worked a 15 hour shift, I'm exhausted and all you're doing is nagging me and giving me a migraine. I'm going to bed," said Lily angrily before stomping upstairs.

Lily was asleep when James followed her upstairs five minutes later.

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THE NEXT MORNING

When James woke up Lily wasn't there, he went down stairs and found her trying to wake herself up.

"Sweetheart what are you doing?" asked James as Lily swallowed the last of her coffee.

"What? Oh nothing, it was just a little hard to get up this morning"

"What are you doing up? You're not due in at work for another 2 hours"

"I told you, I still have the ironing to do and if I clean the bathroom this morning I won't have to do it tonight"

"Never mind the housework, it's you I'm worried about"

"Don't be I'm fine," said Lily standing up, presumably to go and do the ironing.

"You don't seem it. You look dead on your feet, you've barely slept and you're not eating right"

"Alright, alright. I get it," Lily snapped

"How do you feel, honestly?"

"I feel like shit, happy now I feel like complete and utter shit"

"No, no of course I'm not happy," said James hugging Lily.

"I'm just so tired and there is so much to do but I don't have enough time," said Lily hugging James back.

"It's alright. I'm going to floo the hospital and tell them you're not feeling well, and you are going to rest. I'm working from home today, so I'll be at your beck and call all day."

"But…"

"No buts, and I don't want you to worry about the housework either, I haven't been fair on you. But I'll find someone today,"

"A maid, I don't think…"

"It makes sense, we're both working full time, even though you don't have to…"

"Neither do you," argued Lily

"True, but if we both insist on working then we shouldn't have to do housework as well, so I'll get someone to do it, unless you want a house elf"

"You know I don't agree with our kind enslaving…"

"I know, I know…" laughed James cutting her off with a kiss, "So you'll stay home today?"

"Okay"

"Good, now go back up to bed, I'll come and check on you once I've spoken to the hospital," said James then he kissed her forehead.

"Okay," said Lily before she trudged up the stairs

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THAT AFTERNOON

Lily came downstairs after a nice long nap and found James in his study surrounded by papers.

"Hey," she said

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

"Much better"

"Are you hungry? I'll go and make lunch"

"Yeah, I am hungry now, but you look busy I'll make lunch"

"I'll do it"

"No I said I'm feeling better, you're working I'll do it"

"You sure"

"Yeah"

Ten minutes later James went into the kitchen to help Lily with lunch.

"I thought you were working," she said when she saw him

"I'm taking a well deserved break. Is there anything I can help with?"

"Um no everything is done, I just have to wait for the oven timer to go off," said Lily setting the table.

"Are you sure you're feeling better? You still look a little pale," asked James wrapping his arms around Lily's waist.

"I told you I feel much better, just a little tired still," she said leaning into him.

"You should have stayed in bed"

"I've slept enough, all I need is an early night tonight and I'll be good as new tomorrow"

"Alright if you're sure, but if you're still not feeling right tomorrow you're taking the rest of the week off"

"I'll be fine really. I'm sorry I was grumpy last night, I know you were just trying to look after me"

"It's alright, you were tired and I was fussing"

"Still I think you were right, I'm going to see my boss tomorrow about becoming part time and getting extended leave"

"What does that mean?"

"It means I'll only work 16 hours a week, instead of 42 and I'll go on maternity leave when I'm 5 months pregnant instead of 6 and go back when the baby turns 1 instead of when they are 6 months"

"That's sounds great, remember don't take no for an answer don't let them tell you they need you"

"I know, I'll be selfish"

"Good girl"

"I love you and thank you"

"For what"

"I don't need a reason to love you"

"No you don't, but why are you thanking me?"

"For looking after me"

"That's my job"

"And for making me see sense and realize I wasn't doing myself or the baby any good"

"That's my job as well, looking after both of you and making my stubborn wife realize when she is wrong"

"I know you were just worried about me"