Thank you so much for your comments. I know some of you are frustrated that my updates have slowed. It's not intentional I promise and I'm not going to abandon this story, so don't give up on me! After all the great things you have said, I couldn't just abandon all of you; that would horribly cruel!

Hopefully, you'll enjoy the news in this chapter!

Severus saw it happening in that horrific slow motion that occurred when life wanted to mock someone with their helplessness; Lily's body twisted at a horrible angle, her face was a mask of pain and fear as her body arched back. He reached for her, his own stomach giving a panicked lurch. But he was too late.

His fingers brushed Lily's sleeve but he couldn't stop her. There was a sickening crack as her head hit the wall and he only managed to get his arms under her falling frame, sending both of them crashing to the floor.

All the wind rushed out of Severus' lungs. Several places on his torso screamed from their collision with the stairs. Pain darkened his vision and he did so well, but he closed his eyes to get his mind back together. As he was so well train he made his brain compartmentalize the pain; he couldn't let it take over so he blocked it out. He had to focus, had to block it out so he could help Lily. He inhaled sharply and felt his lungs give a violent protest but sweet, wonderful, pure oxygen pushed its way back into his lungs and even though it hurt like hell, it helped to clear his mind that much more.

"Lily," he gasped, dragging himself into a sitting position. She was crumpled on top of him. As he heaved his own twisted body into a better position on the stairs, he moved her gently and slowly.

Only her head had hit the wall right? His body had taken most of the impact.

Right?

The crack hadn't been her neck. It just hadn't.

His whole body was shaking. He had to move her if he was going to be of any help to her. He wrapped his arms around her, his eyes raking her body for some kind of sign, any kind of sign that indicated this wasn't as horrific as his mind was playing out for him. Her chest was softly rising and falling and he through he could cry with relief. He pulled her body to him and cradled her head to his shoulder. "Lily!"

She wasn't responding.

His shaking fingers reached for her neck, gently seeking her pulse. It was taking all of his will power to remain calm. He found her pulse and sucked in a grateful breath of air when he felt the faint thump under his fingers.

He knew revival spells. He knew spells to help her, but he didn't know the effect in the baby. Severus scooped her up in his arms and disapparated.

He appeared outside the hospital. He considered pausing to changing his apperance but he didn't want to waste time. He needed to know that both Lily and the baby were okay.

Severus shouldered the door open and went straight to the desk, ignoring the man with a book that kept hitting him on the head and side-stepping the witch covered in bright pink feathers, he approached the witch at the desk.

"What floor?" she asked, not bothering to look up.

"She fell down the stairs. She's not responsive. I need help," he hissed softly, putting that extra dangerous emphasis behind his voice. He didn't have time to waste with formalities and he felt no shame at doing something extra to make sure Lily was attended to immediately.

It worked. The witch's eyes glazed over but he had her full attention.

"Follow me please." She probably wasn't supposed to leave her post but he would leave her to deal with later.

They rushed down the hallway to an empty room. Severus laid Lily on the bed then turned, irritated to see the hostess still standing there.

"Go!" he barked. "Get a healer!"

He leaned over the bed and brushed strands of hair away from her face. His heart wrenched at the sight of her shallow rapid breathing. His cupped the side of her face, wishing he could do more.

This child was beginning to terrify him. It was only 3 months old and had already drastically altered his life. He didn't like feeling helpless or useless but he didn't know what else to do. He couldn't bring himself to try any spells that could put it in danger.

His chest gave an unpleasant tug when he called it an it. The word felt harsh and distant. That was how he'd grown up. The idea of even giving his child a moment of that kind of treatment made him sick to his stomach.

They needed to discover so many things about her pregnancy. He needed to know if he could make her potions. If he could perform healing charms on her. Surely there were some things that were safe and only affect her and not the child…but he knew he wouldn't try without being told it was safe first.

Moments later, a healer in a white coat came into the room with her wand raised. "What happened?"

"She's pregnant and she fell down the stairs. I-I tried to catch her but she hit her head...I didn't want to try anything that might hurt the baby."

The healer nodded and started waving her wand over Lily. Time seemed as though it was no longer moving forward. He stood in agony waiting. If something was wrong...he'd promised to protect her and he couldn't even keep her from falling down the stairs.

The healer conjured a cloth and laid it across her head then turned to Severus.

"How is she? How's the child?" he asked quickly.

"Bruised. She's hit her head here and there could be swelling. They both need rest. We'll get her something to help with the swelling and help settle her," the healer explained. She patted Lily's hand the swept from the room.

Severus sat on the bed and bounced his legs anxiously. She would be okay. The healer didn't seem overly concerned. She was bringing two potions to help. All right, that seemed a little excessive, but Lily never did anything without making a grand show of it.

Absent mindedly, he dragged his hand up his arm, stopping momentarily on his Dark Mark, his fingers tracing the outline through his sleeve.

The healer returned with the potions. She placed them on the bedside table then took her wand, tapped the cup, then tapped Lily's lips. She repeated the process for the second potion.

"I'm adept at potions," Severus began, glancing at the two cups on the table. "She's had a couple of days where she's felt overly drained or stressed and she's asked me to make her something. I've refused, because I don't want to hurt the child…"

The healer gave him a kind smile. "First time father?"

A tense smile tugged at his lips. It was odd to be sharing information about his private life with someone he didn't know, but he nodded his head.

"There are some potions and spells that are safe for expecting mothers. We usually discourage any self-spelling because too often people are over enthusiastic, but there are books that are available that can give you some of the safer ones. I'll get you some of the better titles and bring them back. As with anything in pregnancy, what usually effects the mother will affect her child. So something like a Cheering Charm means that not only will mother's mood be increased but so will the child which can mean periods of extreme baby activity and little rest for mum."

Severus nodded and smiled slightly. "Thank for ahead of time for the recommendations."

The healer smiled and left the room.

Sometime later, another healer appeared with forms. "We just need your signature."

Severus shook his head. "Later," he said, perhaps a little too firmly because the the witch looked momentarily perplexed, but she nodded and left the room.

He hated that he was reluctant to associate his name with hers but it was more for her protection than his.

Severus was sitting with his head in his head when he heard a soft moan from the bed. "Lily," he said softly, hurrying to her side.

Her eyes fluttered opened and she moans, pressing her fingers to her head. "What happened?"

He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You fell. I was worried and I brought you to St. Mungos..."

"Is the baby okay?" she asked immediately.

Severus nodded. "But you need to take it easy."

"Babies," a voice from the doorway called.

They both turned.

The healer he'd been speaking to before came into the room and handed him a small piece of parchment with three book titles written in a slanted script.

"What did you say?" he asked softly; his brain refusing to process what he thought he'd heard.

"B-babies?" Lily echoed.

The healer smiled. "Yes, babies. You're having twins."

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