A/N: Thank you all for the encouraging reviews!! So, here's some more story for ya! (oh, and I have NO idea why it says that there's 1 extra chapter than there is… but I guess it's not hurting anyone…)
Chapter 15: Doctor's Orders
It took some time, and a lot of help from friends and family, but after a few days, the Potters found themselves settled into their new home. Things returned to normal as James went back to work and Lily started looking for a new job.
"Lil," James said one night after returning from work, "you really don't have to work. We're doing fine."
"I am not going to be one of those wives who just sits around cleaning and cooking all day. I need something more stimulating to do."
James knew there was no point in arguing with her. They had already been through this same fight time and time again. So, he sighed and gave in. "Well, if there's anything I can do to help you find something, just say the word."
The next few weeks flew by without any major occurrences. James was hard at work with Sirius trying to track down Voldemort and his supporters. Mr. Ocran seemed to be working them harder than ever, but it was not without just cause. The Death Eaters had gone on a rampage, attacking witches, wizards and muggles alike, and no matter what they did, the Ministry of Magic seemed to always be 10 steps behind.
It was a snowy evening at the end of January when James came home and was surprised to find Jem sitting in the living room waiting for him.
"What's going on? Where's Lily?" he asked, nervously. Lily had never not been there when he got home.
Jem smiled. "Don't worry, everything is fine. Lily is actually upstairs lying down."
"Why?"
"Doctor's orders, I'm afraid."
James didn't waste a second. He ran upstairs and was relieved to find Lily lying in their bed without any injuries.
"What's wrong, hon?" he asked.
Lily smiled. "I've been ordered to stay in bed for the next couple of days."
"Why?"
"Well, James, we're going to have a baby…"
James collapsed onto the bed. "What?"
"I'm two months pregnant."
After the initial shock had passed, James grew quite excited about the idea of having a child.
Two nights later, Lily had invited everyone over for dinner.
"Think of all the pranks we can teach him!" Sirius laughed.
"Oh, no you don't," Lily warned. "You will not be teaching my child to get into all of the trouble you four used to…"
"Oh, so now you weren't involved in any of it, is that right?" Remus grinned.
"Besides," Lily added, "how do you know it's going to be a boy?"
"Yeah, think about how darling James would be carrying a little princess around," Jem said.
Sirius and Remus rolled their eyes. Just then James walked in carrying a huge stack of papers. He dropped them onto the table and kissed Lily hello.
"What's all that?" Sirius asked.
"Work. Remember? You used to actually go once in a while…"
"My how the tables have turned," Lily said, laughing. "Darling, would you mind not leaving all of that on the table while we're trying to eat?"
"Sorry," James said. He flicked his wand and the papers disappeared onto his desk in the study. "What's for dinner?"
Lily summoned a plate of lasagna for him along with a drink. "That's all that's left, I'm afraid. You should have let me know you were going to be late again…"
"So what are you hoping the baby is, James?" Jem asked. "Boy or girl?"
"Just so long as it's happy and healthy, I really don't care." Everyone laughed. "No, really… boy or girl, either is fine with me."
"Well, at least we can agree on that!" Lily said, squeezing his hand. "These madmen over here are hoping for a boy though, and I refuse to let them teach him any tricks!"
"We'll have to wait and see about that," James said, winking at Sirius and Remus.
Lily slapped his hand playfully and everyone laughed.
Once all of their friends had left, it was already quite late so Lily and James decided to head up to bed. Lily sighed. "I have the worst headache…"
"Do you have anything to take for it?"
"Hmm… actually, yes, I do. There's a little brown bottle in the medicine cabinet. Could you get it for me?"
James got up to get the bottle. When he found it he looked at it cautiously. "What's this?"
"It's something that Claire gave me a while ago. It works wonders…"
"If you say so," he said, looking at her skeptically. "But if it's from Claire, god only knows what's in it…"
Lily laughed. "You really ought to have more faith in your sister… after all, she's going to be an aunt soon!"
James smiled. "I know, you're right."
"Of course I am, that's nothing new… Now come on and get in this bed," Lily smiled.
"Yes, ma'am!" James said. He then climbed into bed and took Lily in his arms.
By the end of the week, it seemed that everyone in the world knew that the Potters were expecting their first child. Countless congratulatory cards arrived by owl each day, along with various baby magazines and books that Marilyn had sent with a short note.
My darlings,
I'm so sorry that I can't be with you to celebrate this joyous news for I have been detained out of the country. Rest assured that I will be there as soon as I can though. For now, read through these and let me know if and when any decisions are made or if you have any more news!
Love,
Mum
True to her word, Marilyn appeared on their doorstep early the following week. She sat with Lily and they went through the various magazines, Lily showing her the different pieces of furniture and nursery décor she was considering.
During the next few weeks, it became more and more obvious that Lily was pregnant. In addition to the morning sickness and extreme fatigue she had already been experiencing, she started having mood swings. Gradually though, these symptoms all seemed to subside, much to James's relief. He loved Lily, but at times she was almost too much to handle.
Before they knew it, Lily was well into her fourth month of pregnancy. "Are you going to come with me to see Dr. Voyles today, James?" she asked.
"What time is the appointment?" Lily looked at him with horrified eyes. "I'm only kidding. Of course I'll be there. 2:30, Right?"
Lily forced a smile. "Yes," she said.
"I'll meet you there, don't worry. As if I'd miss this… today we find out whether we're having a boy or girl…"
When James arrived in Dr. Voyles' waiting room, he wasn't at all surprised to see his mother sitting there waiting with Lily. "Hello, mum," he said, walking over to them.
"Here you are!" Marilyn said. "Finally…"
"What? I'm early!"
"She's just giving you a hard time," Lily said, smiling.
"Mrs. Potter?" the nurse called.
"Coming!" Lily said, getting up from her chair.
James looked at her and smiled. It was beginning to show that she was pregnant. "I'm right behind you," he told her. He then turned to his mother. "Are you going to stay out here?" She nodded.
Lily and James returned to the waiting room nearly an hour later, both with wide smiles on their faces.
"Well?" Marilyn asked anxiously.
"Congratulations," Lily said, "You're going to have a granddaughter!"
By the time Lily and James got home, Sirius and Jem were already there, Jem with a big pink teddy bear. "It's so wonderful!" she squealed.
"I know! I'm so excited! I knew it was going to be a girl, I just knew it!" Lily exclaimed. "Come on upstairs, I'll show you the new wallpaper that we picked out!"
Without another word, the girls had run upstairs, leaving a bewildered James and Sirius behind.
"You wanted a son, didn't you?" Sirius asked, once he was sure the coast was clear.
"I thought so, but this might be better…"
"Man, you are going soft… you are just going to spoil this little girl to death, aren't you?"
"And what if I do?"
"Nothing, nothing. She's your kid. But just to let you know, I ain't smoking no pink cigar!"
James laughed. "But I think I'd pay money to see that…"
"At least we'll get to teach her how to defend herself. Between you and Lily she's gonna be quite the pistol."
"She will not! She'll be the princess that she deserves to be!"
"A-ha!" Sirius shouted. "I can't believe you… don't go all mushy on us now!"
"Sod off!"
"And what kind of language is that for a father of a little 'princess'" Sirius said, mocking him.
"When are you going to grow up?"
"Half past never."
"That's obvious," Jem said, coming back downstairs.
Lily joined them a minute later. "What's going on?" she asked.
"Oh, nothing. Sirius just admitted what a child he is…" Jem said menacingly.
Lily laughed. "Some things will never change." She kissed the top of Sirius's head as she walked behind his chair. "And we all love you dearly for it."
"At least you do, Lily," Sirius said triumphantly.
"Hey, back off, jacko, she's spoken for!" James joked.
Everyone laughed. The four of them stayed up well into the night discussing various things, but mostly the baby and work.
A/N: Please review? Please, please, please??? Thanks!