I panicked. James and Sirius were at the Ministry, and why the -- did Aya have to start labor?
"OK, A, don't panic." I said to my gasping friend. "I guess I'll take you to the hospital myself. Hold on…"
Aya was in no state for Apparition. I caught a taxi to the hospital.
She was quickly taken, sweating now, to the labor and delivery area. I went in with her. It wasn't going well, the nurse said. Was it Miss Black's first birth? To be expected then.
Some hours later, she caught at my hand, gasping. "Sirius…"
"Not Sirius, Lily. Lil."
"Where's Sirius?"
"Auror office." I muttered.
"Mrs. Potter? Your husband is here, and so is Miss Black's." There was something that boded ill in her tone.
I asked, "Are-are they are all right?"
"Your husband- Mr. Black will attend to Miss Black. I think you should come see your husband."
There was a gash in James's scalp. He was pale, and a trickle of drying blood ran down his face.
"Oh. My. God." was all I could manage. "Will he be all right?"
"It's nothing serious, won't even leave a scar. We'll clean him up, he'll rest, and then you're good to go-unless you want to stay with Mr. and Ms. Black?" The nurse's voice was questioning."
"I-I'll stay." I sat down. James was dutifully cleaned up, and he woke up.
The baby was a girl, Elizabeth Michaela Black. "After you, Lily. And Aya and I would like to name you and James as godparents-if you'll accept."
We grinned. "Of course!"