My apologies for the long delay. The truth is that I've had these chapters ready for a while now. So I will keep on posting, even it it takes some time. I'm just a little busy at school right now.

Thanks to all that reviewed and to Nats who can honestly say that she enjoys being a supportive beta!

Chapter 8- Sore Limbs and Strollers:

Lily awoke feeling incredibly sick the next day. Her head was throbbing violently and she appeared to have slept on top of her arm, it felt oddly numb. It was only when she sat upright that she realised, she and James had probably fallen asleep together in her hospital bed. Lily turned around, looking for him, but he wasn't there. Wondering briefly what cause had driven James from her side so early in the morning, she slowly attempted to stand, but she realised almost at once that that would be no easy feat, she hadn't stood up since before she'd given birth, and her legs seemed to have lost a bit of their balance.

When Lily eventually managed to stand upright, she walked up to Harry's crib. He was already awake, staring up at the ceiling and moving his little arms and legs energetically. She smiled down at him.

"Why, aren't you a little angel!" She remarked, picking the baby up and holding him to face her. "Up already and you didn't even wake me!" Harry moaned lightly in response and continued to kick his little legs aimlessly in the air.

Lily decided she'd better pace around the room to regain the proper feel of her legs. Her eyes suddenly fell upon a hastily scribbled note lying on top of her bed sheets. She picked it up, and read:

Dear Lil,

Enchanting night, I think I may have a slight back spasm.

Next time, be sure to remind me to sleep holding your

hand, as opposed to having my arm around you. I might

never be able to bend my elbow again. I'll be glad

when we can sleep in our own bed again. Which, may I remind

you, has enough snuggle-space and a SOFT mattress.

I found out that the Longbottoms were here yesterday, they

apparently had their son the day before we did.

While you and Harry sleep on, I'm gonna go off and explore

for a bit, I should be back soon... try not to miss me too much.

Love,

James

Ps: Sorry, rhetoric question: did you sleep well? I noticed you were

leaning a bit too much on you're left arm, but I didn't want to

move you in case you awoke and bit my head off. I'll expect a

full list of sore limbs when I get back!

Pss: I just think you should know that there's a slight possibility

that yesterday's healer might not show up today...

Lily shook her head smiling and put the note in her pocket. She wondered briefly what made James think that the healer may not be returning, but then she decided she did not want to know.

"Blood hell!"

It was with deepest frustration that James once again attempted to figure out how to work Harry's baby stroller, as he and Lily prepared to leave the hospital.

Why Lily insisted on using the wretched thing, James would never understand. It was impossible to work; yet his wife thought it was 'practical' to fold it. James snorted.

"Practical sure, if you have three hours to spare in which to figure out how to UNfold it..." He attempted to take off the breaks. It didn't work. He tripped and almost fell. He went to the other side and pulled the stroller by the wheel. The thing promptly fell, handle hitting him painfully on the shin. James pushed the gadget away, cursing, and sat on the floor massaging his pulsing ankle.

"Why don't you get Harry's stroller ready James?" He muttered grumpily, in a perfect imitation of Lily. "Honestly, I can understand not wanting to leave the muggle-world completely, but there should be a rule against this kind of stuff... stupid thing doesn't even need a break. It never works anyway. If I find out who's the dolt that came up with the idea of folding this thing up, I'll hex him into the next millennium." He brutally attempted to unfold the stroller; this time he was slightly successful. The stroller opened with a snap and it's lower part hit James with such force that he was knocked to the ground, his already impaired back burning in pain.

Muttering all the swear words he could think off under his breath, James got up and found that he could not stand straight.

Lily came into the room carrying an overly bundled up Harry in her arms. She looked from James to the stroller and then raised her eyebrow inquiringly, the sides of her lips twitching.

"That – stupid. Harry's stroller made a pass at me!" James said grumpily, his hand still on his back.

Lily burst out laughing. "I-don't-BELIEVE-IT!" She giggled, walking over to the stroller, adjusting it and then placing Harry inside. She turned to face James, looking thoroughly amused. "I leave you here for five minutes. I come back and the score is fifty –zero for the stroller!"

"Those Muggle devices are designed to make my life hell, Lily! Why can't we just CARRY the baby home, I don't mind doing it!"

"Bet you can't now with you're new hunchback!" James frowned. Lily snickered again.

"Here." She said gently, moving him to sit down on a chair. He winced in pain. "I'm just going to put a Tranquillising Charm on that, it'll ease the pain for a while... so that I don't have to look after two babies at once." She waved her wand and the ache subsided, James stood up easily.

Lily turned back, probably to make sure that Harry was secure in his stroller before they left, but James grabbed her by the waste and turned her around to face him. He gave her a small peck on the lips.

"I'm going to ignore the fact that you just unwisely insulted my puerile innocence, and say: thank you!" He kissed her again, and this time she responded. Then he broke the embrace and added. "But just in case you're thinking I'm not going to come back to this... I will! Marauders always retaliate, and I'm sticking to that rule!"

"Fine." She said. "I can deal with that."

"Good." He said. "Now let's get out of here before this stupid thing decides to fold itself or something." And he cautiously began to push the stroller, looking extremely calculating and doubtful.