Chapter 8

JPOV

I wake up the next morning with Rena sleeping soundly next to me. Her head is resting on my chest with my arms wound tightly around her. I pull her closer and let out a small sigh, my eyes falling shut. I can't remember the last time I was this happy. I was never this happy when I was away, not even when I was with Jenna. I push the thought aside. I've been doing really well with not thinking about Jenna. I only dated her for a few months and it wasn't even that recent, but for some reason it hurt to think about. Maybe it was because I knew how much it would hurt Rena if she found out. When she finds out, I correct myself. I have to tell her. I'd rather tell her myself than have her find out another way. Not that there's really another way anyway. Jenna was from Australia and even though she was a witch she didn't know who I was. Well, she knew my name, but since I never spoke of my family with her I don't think she ever put two and two together.

I shake my head, trying to think of something else. I knew Rena would be waking up soon and I didn't want to somehow let it slip that I had had a girlfriend while I was away. Not that it mattered anymore. I never really loved her the way I loved Rena, which is why I broke up with Jenna in the first place. She was remarkably cool about it though which was something I greatly appreciated.

I look down as I feel Rena start to move around, she makes the cutest noises when she starts to wake up. I watch as she yawns, and tilts her head back so she can look up at me. "Good morning sleepy butt," I say, pushing her hair out of her face. "How did you sleep?"

"Good," she says slowly, sitting up. "I can't believe I fell asleep in here."

"What's the big deal?" I ask, tightening my grip on her waist as I pull her on to my lap.

"James," she tries to pull free, but I have a pretty decent grip on her waist. "I said I wanted to take it slow remember?"

"I know… and I am. It's not like I'm trying to kiss you or anything… I just want to cuddle with you," I give her my best puppy dog eyes. I really did just want to cuddle. I love just having her in my arms. She's so warm and adorable.

"Fine," she sighs and rests her head on my chest. "But only for a minute. I have shopping to do."

"That's good enough for me!" I rest my cheek on the top of her head and slide my fingers through her hair. If only she knew how much I missed this.

SPOV

I sigh plopping down on my bed. James and I had just gotten back from Christmas shopping and it was the worst Christmas shopping experience ever. Every store was crowded muggle and wizarding alike. I'm so tired I feel the most awake I have in forever.

"That was exhausting," says James setting all the bags we had gathered onto the floor. Clearly he felt the same about the whole experience.

"I know," I moan. "And to think we have to wrap them next!" I can't believe I left it this long.

He laughs. "We won't have to wrap them so soon. We have a week left."

"Yeah, but I'd rather do them tomorrow then rush on Christmas Eve," I yawn, slightly less awake than I had originally thought.

"Hey!" I hear a yell coming from the kitchen.

James frowns. "Who could that be?"

"It's Kat remember? We're babysitting Ophelia while they Christmas shop," I respond, walking towards the kitchen. Good luck to them. It's probably just as packed.

"There you are," says Kat setting Lia down. Lia is Ophelia's nickname since she can't exactly say her full name. She definitely knows what it sounds like though. She can be a bit of a handful. "Did you finish your shopping?" she asks as James chases Lia around laughing.

"Mostly," I say pulling my hair back. "I just need to get something for James."

"Have fun with that," she laughs.

I stick my tongue out at her.

Lia runs behind the chair and peeks over the arm while James says: "I wonder where Lia could be..." He's stumbling around looking behind random things. She giggles and he whirls around. "I heard that!" he says walking towards the sound. "Make more noise!"

"No!"

He laughs and jumps behind the couch.

"Ahh!" she screams.

"I found you!"

She laughs hysterically.

I smile.

"He's really good with her," says Kat, smiling at me.

"Yeah I know." I cross my arms and watch him give her a piggy back ride around the living room. He's on all fours thumping around. She laughs pulling on the collar of his t-shirt. They've only known each other for a little over a month, but she's taken more of liking to James than I've seen her do with anyone. Besides her parents of course.

"He's going to make a good dad," says Kat giving me a meaningful look.

"Katherine. Please don't." I sigh. "I don't even want to think about that. I haven't even thought about it if I'm being honest."

"I know, but I'm just saying. You should think about it. He's been really good the past month. He's practically the same James that left. Except I think he's settled down a bit."

She's right of course. He's been amazing. He's always around, he does chores all the time and he recently started giving quidditch lessons to younger kids. It's so sweet how good he is with them.

Alright I have to go," Katherine says, pulling me out of my thoughts. She kneels and calls to Lia. "Come here Lia!"

James helps Lia off of his back and she walks over to Kat (a bit slowly, but she's getting there) and gives her a hug.

"You're staying here tonight okay?"

She nods.

"Have fun alright?"

Lia smiles at her before walking back over to James.

"Here's her stuff," says Kat gesturing to the bags on the floor.

I nod. "See you tomorrow."

"Yep!" She pulls me into a hug before apparating away.

"You two have fun. I'm going to take a nap and then I'll be back," I say heading towards my room.

"Okay," he says smiling at me, Lia resting on his hip.

I wake up a few hours later and walk out to the living room to check on them. I find Lia wrapped in James arms and both are fast asleep on the floor. They look so cute I run back to my room to get my camera. It's not there. I come back out and find it on the kitchen table. I turn it on and flip through the pictures. There are loads of the two of them playing and even a couple of me sleeping. I wonder if James realizes how creepy that is, then I realize I'm doing the same thing. I go and take a couple pictures of them anyway before putting the camera back on the table.

I'm about to start cooking dinner and then I decide I want to eat pizza. Plus it's about ten times easier. So I order a large half cheese, half pepperoni pizza. I go pick up Lia and put her in the playpen James had set up, but didn't put her in. Then I wake up James.

"Jamie," I shake his shoulder. "Jamie come on get up!"

He moans and rolls over. "James, come on."

I sigh because he still isn't getting up. So I tickle him. It used to work so maybe it still does. "Jamie," I say. "James."

A laugh escapes him and with his eyes still closed he tries to swat me away. "Jenna quit it."

I immediately stop.

He sits up and rubs his eyes. "What is it?"

"Um," I say looking at the wall. "I just ordered dinner and put Ophelia in her playpen." I don't know what else to say. What do you say to your ex who just called you by the wrong name?

"Okay," he says slowly. "Serena what's wrong?"

"Um," I say glancing at him. "It's just...you...um..." I look back down at the floor. "You just um, called me Jenna," I say quietly.

"Oh um..." James blushes. "Sorry."

"Who is she?" I ask softly.

"She's this girl I met when I was away," he responds awkwardly.

I nod. "Did you... date her?"

"No," he says shaking his head quickly. "I mean, yeah I did."

"Oh," I say quietly. "That's um…" Thankfully I'm saved from saying what exactly that was when the doorbell rings. "Pizza is here," I murmur, getting up and going to the door.

He wakes up Lia while I pay the pizza guy. I bring it back inside and see James setting her chair up while she watches, laughing when he messes up.

He finally gets the chair set up. I cut Lia a couple smaller pieces and quickly grab a piece for James and I. Lia and James make faces at each other across the table while I eat quietly.

I wake up on the couch. I look around and see James sprawled across the floor by the playpen while Lia is giggling at how silly he looks. I smile and push the blanket off of me. I walk over to her and pull her out.

"How about you wake up Uncle James?" I ask her. I sit back down on the couch and watch her, pushing both what Katherine said and what James said out of my mind. Just focus on watching Lia. I think to myself, as I watch her nod enthusiastically before poking James and tugging gently at his hair.

"What?" he asks, rubbing his eyes, after multiple pokes to the face.

Lia tackles him and he laughs. He has a really nice laugh. "Lia get off me!"

"I'm hungry!" she says, getting off of James, satisfied now that he's awake.

"Well we'll just have to get you some breakfast won't we?" I ask.

She nods and I pick her up and carry her to the kitchen. I set her in her chair and get her some food.

James comes out and yawns before falling into his seat. Ophelia giggles. I give him a bowl of cereal and some coffee and put Lia's food that Kat left in front of her.

I fill up another bowl and mug for myself and sit down at the table.

We had just finished eating when Louis and Kat apparate into the room.

"Daddy, Mummy!" says Lia clapping her hands.

"Hey baby girl!" says Lou, picking up Lia and spinning her around. She giggles and he kisses her forehead. "Did you have fun?"

"Yeah!" she smiles.

I grab the dishes and put them in the dishwasher as James walks over and gives her a big hug. "Bye Lia!"

"Buhbye Jamie!" she waves.

While they exchange goodbyes I pack up her toys and clothes, while Katherine gets her playpen.

"Thanks for watching her," says Kat.

"No problem," I say handing her Lia's bags. "She and James had a lot of fun. I'll show you the pictures sometime."

She smiles. "Okay."

I say goodbye to Ophelia and they apparate away.

"Looks like Lia really likes you," I comment, cleaning up her mess.

"Yeah I know," he replies and I can tell he's smiling.

"She's your new favorite person isn't she?" I ask tossing the trash into the bin and the cloth into the sink.

He thinks for a second. "Well, no. Technically you're my favorite."

"Oh," I say stunned. "Uh okay." I was honestly just expecting another grin and a nod.

He blushes a bit. "I'm going to go get dressed."

"Yeah okay. Uh me too."

"James!" I yell. "I thought you were bringing me the wrapping paper!"

"I'm trying to!" he says.

I've been trying to ignore the fact that James had a girlfriend while he was away. It really shouldn't bother me as much as it did and still does. I just need to get over it. Just because I didn't date anyone doesn't mean he didn't either.

I groan and jog into the bedroom and find James wrapped up in the paper, lying on the floor.

"Oh Merlin," I say stopping in the doorway, all thoughts of this Jenna gone for the moment.

"Please help," he begs, wiggling around in the paper.

"How did you manage this?" I ask, honestly confused as to how one person could cause so much trouble.

"I waved my wand a bit too enthusiastically and this happened," he says, motioning his head to the mess.

"I'll help." I walk over to the desk. "Right after I take a picture." I stick a bow on his forehead. "Say 'I love wrapping presents!' " I snap the picture while he just looks at me. "That wasn't very good. Try again." Right now, I could really care less about taking these pictures, but I know later I'll regret it. Even if nothing happens with James and I.

He gives me a lopsided grin and I take another picture.

I put the camera on the bed and sit down in front of him. I pull the bow off his head. "I don't really know how to get you out with magic so I'll just have to unwrap you."

"I don't care, just get me out!"

I laugh slightly and look around trying to find the end of the paper. I roll him over and find him laying on it. I have to un-tape it. "Jeez James. You actually cast a spell that wrapped you up like a present! It's taped together!"

He groans. "Hurry!"

"I dunno James this is pretty impressive. I think we should stick you under the tree."

"Just unwrap me for fucks sake."

"Jeeeez, someone's hostile." I fall back into the familiar pattern of bickering with James as I start unwrapping him only to find out there's another layer. "How many pieces of wrapping paper are you in?" I ask.

"I dunno. Loads."

"Fabulous," I mutter. "Okay, I'm going to help you stand so this will go faster."

"Anything."

I grab his shoulders and attempt to pull him into a standing position, but he almost crushes me. "Okay. Alright. Got it," I say as I get him to stand straight. "We'll just start at the bottom I guess." I look around and find the tape. Soon his legs are unraveled and I don't have to help him stand. Thank god. I touched a couple places I don't really feel comfortable mentioning.

"So you're wrapped in at least five layers of this shit," I say starting to unwrap his torso.

He sighs. "I am so stupid."

"No you're not." I get have two layers left on his torso, then I have to do his chest and head. You can only see his mouth and eyes.

"Serena. Who else do you know that has wrapped themselves up in wrapping paper?" he asks.

"Well no one," I say, starting on his chest. "It could happen to anyone."

"Anyone stupid."

I slap him. "How do you know I haven't wrapped myself up in wrapping paper?"

"You would've told me."

"Not necessarily." I toss a piece of wrapping paper on top of the others. "I could have been really embarrassed about it."

"You haven't. And nothing is more embarrassing than being wrapped in wrapping paper."

"Oh yeah?" I challenge. "Remember when you're mom thought we were having sex back at Christmas in sixth year?" I see him cringe and wish I hadn't brought it up.

"That was terrible," he moans. "And I thought we weren't going to speak of it ever again."

I shrug.

After a few more minutes I only have to unwrap his head. He starts jumping around. "I'm freeeeeeeee!"

"James!" I shout. "It's still around your head!"

"Who cares! I can move!"

"I care!" I put my hands on my hips. "C'mere!"

He walks over to me and stands completely still. I find the tape and start unwrapping his head. He watches me carefully. A few minutes later I pull the last piece off and you can see all of his face.

"There," I say ruffling his messed up hair. Why is his hair so soft? "All unwrapped."

"You know..." he says quietly.

"What do I know?" I bite my lip, knowing it'll be something stupid that comes out of his mouth, but also cute.

He smiles slightly. "You just unwrapped your Christmas present! Merry Christmas!"

"You wrapped yourself up on purpose?" I say in disbelief.

"Well no, but you can just pretend I did."

I laugh. "Well this is one of the weirdest presents I've received then." One of the most attractive if I'm being completely honest about it.

"And hopefully the best..." he says leaning in towards me.

Oh merlin, oh shit. I thought we weren't doing this. No, no, no…

But it happens anyway because when it comes to James, I'm a wreck.

After a few minutes I pull back so I can breathe. I lean my forehead against his, not caring that this definitely goes against what I said. But it does. After a few moments I finally gather enough strength to step away.

I pull out of his arms and he gives me a hurt look. "James… we aren't supposed to be doing this." I shake my head and back out of the room. When I get to the living room I apparate to Katherine's.

"We have a problem!" I yell once I'm there. I know that'll get their attention even if it's not exactly life or death.

"What!" yells Louis racing down the stairs. "What happened is everyone okay?"

"Yes and no…"

"Are you hurt physically or...?" he looks me over. "So you aren't dying. What happened? What's wrong?"

"Can you just get Kat, Fred and Mandi? I need to talk to you guys about something."

"On it!" He heads upstairs, but he pauses at the top of the stairs. "What about James? Do you want me t-"

"NO!" I yell shaking my head.

"Okay okay I'll get the others." He turns and finishes ascending the stairs.

I walk into their living room and collapse head first on the couch.

What am I doing? I can't get back with James! I can't. I can't. I can't. He only got back a couple of months ago. He left us for three years. I can't. I should make him move in with Al and Scorp like I originally planned. Or maybe I'll leave him the apartment and I'll move in with Lily and Rose. That's what I'll do. My thoughts are interrupted when I hear Fred's voice.

"Serena?" I hear Freddie ask. "You okay?"

"Lou had us apparate here immediately. What's going on?" asks Mandi.

Fred walks over and sits on the couch next to me with Mandi on the other side. He wraps his arms around me. "Are you okay?" he asks again.

"Serena what happened?" asks Kat as she walks down the stairs with Lou. "Where's James?"

"He's at the apartment I guess."

She frowns. "So whatever happened was because of James?" she sighs waving her wand so the other couch is closer to ours.

I shrug.

"Okay. Lets hear the story," she says, grabbing Louis' hand and pulling him onto the couch.

I sigh and quickly tell them the story of how James was all wrapped up in paper and what he said after he got unwrapped and the events that followed.

I hear Fred groan. "Are we really going to have to deal with the process of you two getting together… again?"

I just look at him. "Was it really that bad?"

"Yes!" they all say together.

"Well I mean, I guess I could ask someone else…?" I ask confused.

"Of course not. Louis, Fred, why don't you go find James okay? Just hang out with him," says Mandi.

They nod and get up before disappearing with a pop. I guess it really was bad the first time.

"You're scared," says Kat simply, sitting down next to me. "Again," she tacks on the end.

"I am not," I protest. "I just said we weren't going to rush and this whole thing is stupid."

"You could stay with one of us?" suggests Kat, but it comes out as more of a question.

I bite my lip. "I think I'm just going to stay where I am. We aren't in the house at the same time except for breakfast and dinner anyway."

"Are you sure?" asks Mandi. "If this is really bothering you it'd be easier to collect your thoughts if you were somewhere else."

"I'm sure," I nod. "It'll be okay. Plus if I need you I know where to find you."

"If you're really sure that's the best way to go about it…" replies Mandi, looking a bit lost.

I let out a sigh, "I'm sure."