I have been trying JKR's idea of writing in coffee shops. It's actually really nice, aside from the occasional curious person ("Hey there, whatcha writin?").

I have never actually been pregnant (excuse me while I find some wood to knock on), so I don't know what it's like. So if I'm vastly off on what it's like, my apologies. Feel free to correct me.

Chapter 20- Morning Sickness

Lily loved the holidays. Since the wizarding world liked things that glittered and sparkled all year round, they really went all out for the holidays. In her first few years of school she had always gone home at the Christmas holidays, but it had always been tense, with Petunia sneering at her and her parents trying to ignore the animosity between their two daughters. Finally they had given in when she had asked to stay at school, for "extra studying". She remembered her Christmas holidays at Hogwart's fondly- the amazing decorations of real glittering fairies, the Christmas carols sung by suits of armor in the halls, the great feast on Christmas Day presided over by Dumbledore. Friends, presents, snowball fights followed by hot chocolate and a warm fire…she loved everything about the season.

For the first time since she'd been seriously with James, they were not spending the holidays with his parents. She was afraid it would be hard for him, and so she had decided to "do" Christmas at their house, and invite all of their friends. It had occurred to her that they were all without any other families. She was certainly not going to spend the holiday with Petunia, James's parents were gone, Sirius and Morgan had no families they would speak to, Remus barely kept in touch with his parents, though that was his choice, not theirs. In short, they were the only family each other had, and in Lily's opinion, no one should be alone during the holidays.

She was determined to make it a big deal- parties, decorations, presents, and food, but she quickly found out it was an enormous undertaking. James was a huge help, rather surprisingly, because he had so much free time since he'd been suspended from his job at the Ministry. It gave him something to do, which was good because he was not a man who adjusted well to being idle. Still, she was left with a huge amount of cooking, shopping, and preparing. It would have been easier had she not picked up a flu, or some such thing that left her feeling under the weather. Still, she didn't bother to see a healer. She wasn't feeling too badly, and in the muggle world people usually just let that sort of illness run its course.

The Weasley's were holding a party on Christmas Eve, to which they had invited a number of people from the Ministry, even those who were in disgrace after the notorious "Malfoy Incident", which everyone secretly thought was hilarious, though few admitted it. Lily was glad to take the night off and let Molly play hostess. Molly was, perhaps not surprisingly, pregnant again, due in early March. Lily wondered if they'd finally have a girl. She genuinely liked the Weasley family so much, and she and James set off for the party in high spirits.

The little house was lit up beautifully, with the garden magically enclosed to stay warm despite the falling snow. Molly had outdone herself decorating and preparing. But as Lily looked at the food, a lately common wave of nausea swept over her again. She excused herself and made her way to the kitchen, thinking maybe a glass of water would help, or Molly might have a potion to settle her stomach. The kitchen was empty save Molly and Alice, chatting companionably.

"You've really outdone yourself Molly, this is wonderful."

"Oh, thank you. We wanted to do something for just friends, outside of all the formal Ministry celebrations."

"We haven't gone to most of them, what with James being in the dog house." They all snickered. "And I haven't been feeling very well. In fact that's why I came back here to hide out." She explained.

"Oh, I think I have a potion that will do the trick." Molly said cheerfully.

"Have you seen a healer?" Alice asked, concerned.

"Nah, it's nothing. I just feel a little sick or dizzy sometimes. It passes. No big deal."

Molly paused, a small blue vial in her hand. "Dizzy? And sick, you say?" She frowned.

"It's a flu. Seriously you two, stop acting as though I have the plague."

They exchanged a glance. Molly delicately put the potion back in the cupboard she had taken it from. "Maybe we should hold off on that. Are you sick when you get up in the mornings particularly?"

"What?" It seemed an odd question.

"Lil, have you put on some weight?" Alice asked casually.

"Alice!" She cried, offended. She might have put on a few pounds, but didn't everyone over the holidays?

Molly's mouth twitched slightly, as though she was trying not to smile. "Lily, has it occurred to you that it might not be the flu, but morning sickness?"

"Morning sickness." She laughed. "But for that I'd have to be-" She went completely white. "Oh!"

"Oh indeed." Alice grinned. "Is that a possibility?"

"Well…I mean…yes…it's possible…" Lily started to get some color back, in fact, started to turn rather red. She had been so busy and occupied lately, it had not occurred to her that she had missed a very obvious sign that made it likely that was the case. The other two women correctly interpreted her blush.

"You should see a healer straight away you know." Said Molly, obviously an authority on these things. "But there is a simple spell to tell…"

******

Alice nudged Frank with her elbow as they left the Weasleys'. "Hey guess what?"

"What?"

"Lily's pregnant. Due around the end of July."

"No kidding? Imagine that. Did you tell her?"

"Nah, not tonight, she was too in shock."

"Wow, so our kids will be the same age. Reckon they'll be friends?"

"I don't see how they'd avoid it."

******

I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant. Oh Gods, I'm pregnant. I'm going to be someone's mother.

As James slept, Lily turned this thought over and over in her head. She had not told him yet. He and Sirius had overdone it on the mulled wine at the party and she didn't think when he was somewhat tipsy was the time to tell him about impending fatherhood. Besides, she had not yet digested the idea herself. Yes, she had always assumed someday they'd have children, but "someday" was off in the vague future, this was "now", immediate and real. A real person- one who they'd be able to see and hear and touch in about seven months.

Lily didn't know what to feel- thrilled, terrified, exhilarated, apprehensive, and curious as to who this new little person would be. She fell asleep imagining little "James Jr.", whoever he or she might turn out to be.

******

James awoke with a slight headache- damn Sirius and that mulled wine- and realized it was Christmas, but still very early. Resisting the childish urge to get up early because it was Christmas, he contented himself with watching Lily sleep. She was perfect- red hair spreading over the pillow, her eyelashes curling against her cheeks, spattered with the freckles she so hated. And then, as though she felt his gaze, her eyes fluttered open, and he was again amazed by the brilliant green.

"Merry Christmas."

She smiled. "Merry Christmas." And then a wider smile. "How are you feeling?"

He smiled a little ruefully. "Fine. I don't know why you put up with me."

"You're entitled now and then." She sat up and looked at him seriously. "I have to tell you something."

"Okay."

"You know I've been sick lately."

He nodded, suddenly grave "I told you to see a healer."

"Well, I mentioned it to Molly."

He scowled. "She's not a healer."

She gave him a look. "Can I finish?"

"Sorry."

"Well, I mentioned it to Molly. She thought it wasn't the flu. She had another idea." He waited, having been chastised for interrupting. She took a deep breath. "She thinks it's morning sickness."

She watched his mind go through the some process hers had. "But that would mean-"

She nodded.

He gaped at her, opening and closing his mouth several times. "But…how…?"

"James."

"Well, I know that, but…I mean…I…wow."

He didn't say anything for several minutes, just blinked at her.

"James, what are you thinking?"

"I just…wow…I mean, it's unbelievable. It's amazing, I mean…wow."

He went on like that for several minutes, muttering "wow" and "unbelievable" at intervals. Then suddenly, he caught her up in a rib-crushing hug. "I'm going to be someone's dad!"

She giggled, undone by emotion. "I know."

"When?"

"Late July, give or take."

"Wow." He laid a hand on her stomach. "Think I can feel it kick?"

"I'm no expert, but I don't think it has legs yet."

"Really? We should get a book on this."

"We will." She laid back, and he pulled her against his chest. Questions and doubts would come later, but that morning everything seemed perfect.

******

The day was altogether as fun as she had imagined. Everyone got fully into the Christmas spirit, needing a break from everyday worries. Gifts were exchanged all around, there was an excellent dinner, and a fair amount of wine was consumed by everyone but Lily. It was finally after dinner when they decided the moment had come to tell their friends. Morgan gave them an opening.

"The two of you have been grinning like a cat that swallowed a canary all day. What's up?"

They exchanged a look. It was Lily who said it. "We've just discovered that, at the end of July, there's going to be a new Potter."

It took a few moments for the words to make sense. Sirius spoke first.

"Hell."

"Wow." Said Morgan, echoing James's reaction.

Remus was the first to recover. "That's amazing. Wonderful. Congratulations you guys!"

Lily felt herself blushing again. "Thanks."

"Damn." Sirius was still in shock.

Morgan kicked him gently. "That's brilliant, you guys will be great parents."

"You…you're going to be someone's Dad." Sirius stared at James.

"Yeah." He grinned proudly.

"You're going to have to start saying parent-like things now." Morgan said thoughtfully. "You know, like "don't make that face or it might freeze that way" and "don't take that tone of voice with me."

James turned and pointed at Sirius. "You are so grounded young man!" Then at his friend's alarmed look, added "Just practicing."

"Do you know it's going to be a boy?" Asked Morgan.

"Sure. James Jr."

"We don't know." Lily corrected.

Sirius grinned at James. "Could be a girl Mate. Serve you right when she brings home a boy like you!"

He barely had time to consider how awful that would be before Morgan said "Or worse, a boy like him." She indicated Sirius.

"Really, you'd better hope it's a girl. If it's a boy it might have the misfortune to look like his father."