I feel as though I've started the last three chapters with apologies for how long it's been so I'll spare the speech! Just know that now with summer vacation being here I will have a lot more time to write and update! And let me assure you, things are getting good!

Song: "Sugar We're Going Down" by Fall Out Boy

Chapter 37: Is This More Than You Bargained For Yet?

Even before she opened her eyes, Lily knew she was in Ben's arms and it made her instantly warm. She hated fighting with anyone, especially Ben and knew that the combination of her hormones and the fear of actually being a parent in a few months had made them both say stupid things. Lily cracked her eyes opened and softly smiled at the angelic look on Ben's face. He looked so peaceful and his boyish features were prominent. Lily couldn't stare for too long though as her stomach started to rumble. She ran a hand over it.

"I know," she said softly and Ben started to stir.

"Did you say something?" He asked groggily, his eyes still shut.

"The baby is hungry." Lily responded and Ben opened his eyes, alert.

"You can tell when she's hungry?" He placed his hand on her belly and Lily smiled.

"Well I'm hungry, so I guess she is too." Ben smiled sheepishly and kissed Lily's forehead.

"I'm sorry. Last night. You know I'm a moron." He admitted and Lily wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer.

"I know. And I was wrong too. I love you. We're going to be fine." Ben nodded and ruffled her hair. Lily pulled back and swatted at him.

"Seriously, you are turning in to James!" Ben opened his mouth in mock shock.

"He would only be so lucky if I stooped to his level!" Lily giggled.

"You better hope I don't tell him that!" A sound from the room across the hallway made them listen closer.

"….broom! dada, no cookie, play, yes, up, down, up, no." Ben and Lily both chuckled at Isabelle's babbling and Lily got out of bed.

"I'll start breakfast," Ben offered.

"Scrambled eggs!" Lily called as she walked out of the room. She walked into Isabelle's room and found her sitting up in her crib playing with a picture book and a stuffed dragon.

"Da-gon!" She said, holding up the dragon when Lily walked in.

"That's right Isabelle! I bet Uncle Charlie got that for you. Are you ready for some scrambled eggs?" Isabelle's hands shot up to Lily and Lily lifted her out of the crib and wrinkled her nose in disgust. "First, we need to change your nappie!"

"No!" Isabelle said, giggling.

"Oh please do not start that again," Lily said, shaking her head.

"Molly's getting off easy." Ben noted as he and Lily walked up the path to The Burrow, Isabelle in Ben's arms and fast asleep. The three had spent a fun day walking around Diagon alley then going to the Muggle zoo. Isabelle had only had one minor meltdown when she spilled her ice cream, but Ben had made up for it by swinging her upside down just like the monkeys in the cage. Isabelle had cuddled right up to Ben and kept calling him "Benny", something Lily found both hysterical and adorable. Seeing him with her made Lily even more excited that they were having a girl.

"And of all people, she would know how to deal with a toddler in the terrible twos." Lily agreed, shifting the bag of Isabelle's clothes from one shoulder to another.

"Do you want me to grab that?" Ben asked.

"You've already got Isabelle and both of our rucksacks, I think I can manage." Lily told him, though her side was sore. "Are you coming over my house for dinner tonight?"

"Yeah, James and I have to do some wedding thing first but then I'll be over." Ben said, looking at Isabelle who was fast asleep. "She's easy when she's sleeping."

"A lot easier." Lily nodded, reaching out and pushing the hair off of Isabelle's face. Lily opened the backdoor to the Burrow. "Grandmum?" Molly came into the kitchen from the sitting room and gave Lily a warm hug.

"And how was this little one?" Molly asked, motioning to Isabelle.

"How did you ever raise seven?" Ben shook his head and groaned.

"It's easier when they're your own. You'll see," Molly said, looking at Lily's belly. "Ben, dear, why don't you just tuck her in the crib set up in Ginny's old room?" Ben nodded and took her upstairs. "It's adorable seeing him with a little girl," Molly noted to Lily.

"I know." She said, smiling and rubbing her belly. "I can't believe we're going to be parents in a few months. It just seems so…surreal. Some days I'm actually pretty excited, but then I get so nervous. What if we're too young, if we're not ready..."

"Lily, darling, you could be thirty and you would still feel like you aren't ready for a baby. I promise you though, you will be a wonderful mother. You have a large support system behind you and you have a wonderful man to share it with. You and Ben will do just fine." Lily smiled and gave her grandmother a warm hug.

"Was my mum nervous with James too?" Lily asked, pulling back. Molly chuckled.

"She was, and your dad too. Don't tell anyone, but Hermione was the worst. Parenting is the one thing books can't teach you. She was a right wreck, Ron had a few rough months with that." She said, a twinkle in her eye when remembering what seemed like yesterday.

"Now that I can believe." Lily said. Ben walked into the room.

"She's all tucked away." He said. "Are you alright Lily?" Ben asked, as Lily was smiling but looked very pale.

"Yes, just feeling a little worn-out." Lily said, pushing away his worries. Ben was always so tuned in to her feelings and though he accepted her answer, he still felt as though something was off. He and Lily bid Molly a good afternoon and Lily apparated home while Ben went to Grimmuald Place to meet James who was conveniently walking down the pathway.

"Emma and Rose are in there planning a baby shower for you and Lily." He said, shaking his head. "Don't tell them I told you though."

"When is this taking place?" Ben asked, his eyebrow raised.

"On the two of your birthdays." James told him.

"You mean my twenty second birthday is going to be spent watching Lily unwrap cribs and nappies and bottles?" Ben winced.

"'Friad so, mate. Welcome to parenthood I guess. So are we going ring shopping for my baby sister?" Ben's mouth dropped open.

"How did you know?"

"One, you are my best mate. Two, you've already knocked her up, might as well marry her too. Plus then you two can move in to a flat. And three…Emma said she saw you staring in the jewelry shop when the two of you had lunch the other day."

"Not as thick as you used to be, eh?" Ben asked smiling. James looked sheepish.

"Well many of those thoughts may have been Emma. Speaking of, it's a good thing we're going because I want to get her something nice. She's finally given up on me helping what-so-ever with the wedding and I figure I should show my appreciation."

"You're bribing your fiancée with jewelry so she stops asking about flower arrangements?" Ben asked with a laugh.

"A bloke's gotta do what a bloke's gotta do."

"So then Professor Thomas told me I was doing a wonderful job and I was sure to do just fine on my N.E.W.T.S. though Transfiguration won't be my hardest subject and I think Defense Against Dark Arts will be okay, it's just Ancient Runes, I always mix up the translations pre and post dark ages." Lily rambled on to Ginny as the two prepared dinner.

"I don't know where you got your fascination with that, you father and I never took that subject." Ginny chuckled.

"I don't know with-ow," Lily said, her left hand flying to her abdomen.

"What's wrong?" Ginny asked, instantly by her side. "Did the baby kick?"

"No," Lily said, rubbing her stomach. "It felt like a-a cramp. A really," Lily winced "Really bad one." Ginny looked concerned.

"We'll go to Saint Mungos," Lily shook her head.

"No, mum, I'm fine it's probably normal-OW!" Lily's eyes welled up in tears.

"Harry! Albus!" Ginny called and Harry came in to the kitchen out of his study.

"Lily?" He asked, going to her side and rubbing her back.

"Harry, we need to take her to Saint Mungos now, Albus," She said to her son who had appeared at the doorway and was looking nervous. "Tell James and Ben when they get here to meet us at the hospital." She and Harry led Lily towards the fireplace and Harry grabbed a handful of floo powder, shouting "Saint Mungos" and the three disappeared. Albus sat down at the table and tried to take deep breaths. He thankfully only had to wait a few more minutes before Ben and James walked through the front door, chanting some old Quidditch cheer.

"Alby!" Ben called as he and James walked through the halls.

"Lily's in the hospital." Albus blurted out. James' eyes widened and Ben's face froze.

"Why?" James asked.

"I don't know but we should go now," Albus said and the three hastily made their way to the front of the yard before apparating to the hospital. It took them a few minutes to find the maternity ward but when they did the three boys rushed to Harry who was sitting in a chair looking worried.

"Dad!" James called and Harry stood up.

"They took her in to the emergency section , your mum is with her, she was starting to faint."

"What happened?" Ben asked.

"Ginny said something about a cramp in Lily's side, it was hurting her a lot so we came here. Was she okay today?" he asked Ben.

"I mean she seemed a bit worn out but I thought it was because she was chasing Isabelle, she was stressed out yesterday…" And we fought. Ben remembered, mentally kicking himself for adding more on to her already full plate.

"So do we just wait?" James asked, but his question was answered when Ginny came into the waiting area.

"She and the baby are okay." Ginny said first and she was met with four relieved faces. "However, Lily hasn't been sleeping much with all of her studying and then traveling back and forth from home and school and it's taking a toll on her. The stress from being pregnant, worrying about the N.E.W.T.s and dealing with the rumors around school hasn't been helping, the cramp was kind of like the baby's reaction to everything."

"But the baby, she's okay?" Ben asked, taking everything in. Ginny nodded.

"They want to keep her for another hour just to make sure, but you can go see her first if you want." She said and Ben nodded and walked to the room she directed him to. He walked in the door and found Lily pouting on the bed.

"Hey there," he said and she turned her head toward him and sighed.

"Never a dull day, huh?" Ben gave her a half smile and sat down on the bed with her, kissing her forehead.

"You girls scared me there for a minute." He said, giving her belly a rub. "What's going on?"

"The baby doesn't like being stressed out." Lily said. "I don't either but honestly, what can I do? I can't drop out of school and skive off my exams, I only have six more weeks, I can do this…I've got to do this." Lily said, her eyes starting to tear.

"Baby, you don't have to do anything that you think may put you or the baby in danger." Ben tucked a piece of stray hair behind her ear and looked at her earnestly.

"I don't want our baby to grow up thinking she was the reason I didn't finish my last year and feel guilty and think I don't love her." Lily said. "And I know that sounds mental, but it worries me."

"I know Lils, it worries me too. But right now it's really about what's best for you and the baby. I don't want more hospital trips…" He said. Lily took a deep breath and sighed.

"Making decisions about what will stress me out less is stressing me out." She said, leaning her head back. Ben smirked.

"How about I got get your family and you can have your family talk of Harry wanting whatever you want, Ginny wanting the opposite, Albus being the voice of reason and James being the comedic relief?" Lily smiled and rolled her eyes.

"Alright, send them in."

NEXT: The family tries to help Lily decide about her future