Disclaimer: None of the characters in this fan fiction belongs to me. They're owned by J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. The only ones that belong to me are those that you don't recognize.

IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ: All right, people. You might think that I'm rushing things, but I REALLY want to get this fic over with. So, I'm going to get Lily's pregnancy over with, okay?

Oh, and I'm sorry this chapter took awhile. I wasn't lazy, I promise! Well, maybe a bit, but the real reason it's late is because I've been so psyche with my new Lily and James story! You can forgive a girl for that, right?

Chapter 42

The baby was due any day now. A few months earlier, Lily had found out that it would be a boy. James was beyond ecstatic. He and Sirius began to write down pranks ideas to teach Harry. ("No, no. We did that one already!"-- "The Slytherins will be ruined!" -- "Too bad Filch confiscated the map.")

At that moment, Lily and Bella had just returned home from shopping, their bags filled with cute baby clothes.

"Help me put the bags in the baby's room, Bella?" Lily asked.

"Sure."

"Great. I'll get us some tea."

Bella put the clothes into the closet and came into the kitchen to find Lily at the table with two cups of tea.

"So what's going on at work?" Lily asked. James had made her stop working a few weeks earlier. Lily put up a fight, but James had insisted. Plus, he bought her a big jar of pickles and a huge carton of ice cream.

"Nothing much, really," said Bella, sipping her tea. "Everybody misses you, though."

"Ah…I miss them too. I hate not working. It's so boring at home…. So what's going on with you and Sirius?"

Bella put down her cup. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. Come on, Bella. I'm your best friend. I can tell something is wrong."

"Everything's fine, Lily. Really."

"You sure?"

"Uh huh."

"All right. Hey, I'm in the mood for some ice cream. You want some?"

"Sure."

"Okay. Go sit in the living room, or something. I'll be out with some ice cream right away."

"Why don't you sit down? I can get it."

"Nah. I'll get it. I can use the exercise."

"Well, what's the point of getting the exercise if you're going to eat ice cream afterwards?"

"Oh, shut up. Wait, now I want some pickles. But ice cream is good too. I know, I'll get us both, okay? 'Kay."

Bella laughed and left the kitchen. She flopped down on the couch and picked up a copy of Witch Weekly. She leafed through it and stopped at a short article called Men Are Idiots and Have Always Been. (A/N: Sorry if any guys are reading this and are offended, but hey, this is a chick magazine. Plus, men are idiots.)

For eons, men have been idiots. Big idiots. They simply just don't listen. Now, that's just the majority. There are a small number of men who are actually considerate. This is rare though. Very rare. So if you are lucky enough to find one, hold on tight and don't take him for granted. As for the rest of you ladies who have to deal with the idiots, here are some tips on what to do.

Bella was halfway through the amusing piece, when--

"BELLA!" came Lily's voice.

Bella rushed to the kitchen and saw Lily leaning against the oven. She was extremely pale and sweating a lot. Bella rushed to her friend's side at once.

"Lily, what's wrong?"

"M-my water broke," Lily managed.

"Oh my gosh!" Bella panicked. "Erm…er…we need to get you to St. Mungo's quick!"

"J-James," Lily said.

"What?"

"G-get James."

"I'll get him later; we need to get you to the hospital now."

"But James--"

"Lily, I promise I'll get him as soon as you're settled, okay?"

"'K-kay."

"All right. Er…er…oh gosh! Well, erm…can you apparate?"

"I-I don't know. I c-can try."

"Good. Good. Let's just hope you'll get there in one piece."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A/N: Sorry! *Ducks rotten vegetables* I'm so sorry! I know this is mega short, but…. I hope the next chapter is a bit better. Please review.