Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
A few days later on Christmas Eve Lily was relieved that James was going to be going back to the nursing home in a couple of days so that everything can go back to normal in their home. Though she did love having him home with the family this week, it was just too tiring to work all day and then come home to care for him. She had settled into a routine though for the rest of the week while James was going to stay with them. She was grateful for the help that Mrs. Weasley had provided for James and even being willing to help Remus out with starting dinner as well. She knew that the kids loved having him here, but they couldn't wait to get back to their normal routine. When she got home from work on Christmas Eve she had the kids go with the Weasley kids caroling in various nursing homes again, since not all of the residents are lucky as James to be able to spend time at their family's home, though almost all of them will have visitors to come and visit them on Christmas Day. She was also looking forward to spending some time with Severus since she did invite him over in order to keep him from spending Christmas alone even though he would be at the school for the holidays. Lily only hoped that she was doing the right thing in having him over with James and Sirius here also, but she also wanted to see Severus as well. Lily had finished wrapping all of her Christmas presents when Sirius and Remus had arrived with Harry and Jamie, even her present for Severus was all wrapped and ready to go.
"How did you enjoy going Christmas caroling?" Lily asked the group when they arrived home.
"It was okay and we're already used to what we would see there because of dad," Harry told his mum.
"Yeah and some of the old people liked having us come by," Jamie answered her mum. "Is Remus or Sirius with you?" Lily asked her children.
"Yeah, they're in the kitchen probably getting a snack or something knowing Uncle Sirius," Harry replied.
"That's good, I wonder if they know what time to come by tomorrow, since I just sent Uncle Severus a reminder."
"I'm sure that they do know mum, since you've already told Uncle Remus earlier today."
"I just want to make sure that everything is perfect for tomorrow, since this will be your father's first Christmas home since his accident."
Both Harry and Jamie reassured their mum that everything was going to be perfect for their dad, besides he probably wouldn't notice too much about his surroundings. Lily knew otherwise since she didn't tell her kids about James's night terrors.
"Besides this is his first Christmas in a long time that he'll get to spend the entire day with us instead of a couple of hours at St. Mungo's so he would be thrilled about that, even if we had no Christmas decorations," Harry reminded his mum.
Lily put James to bed earlier that night because she knew that the kids would want to get up earlier the next morning because of Christmas Day. The next day as expected both Harry and Jamie woke Lily up excited about opening up their presents. Of course Lily had to remind them that they had to wait for Remus, Sirius and Severus to come by before they could open their presents. Both Jamie and Harry were dejected at this news, but they realized that their Uncles Remus and Sirius would want to see them open up their presents. Lily went downstairs to James's room to see if he was awake yet and when she saw that he was, she started to get him ready for the day. The kids of course were waiting by the door eager for their guests to arrive so that they could open their presents. As soon as Sirius and Remus came in the front door they were eagerly greeted by Harry and Jamie who wondered what they brought them. Of course they were disappointed that they had to wait for Severus before they could open up their presents when they heard him at the door a few minutes later just coming from Hogwarts. Harry and Jamie eagerly greeted him at the door so that they could get started in opening up their presents. As soon as everyone was settled in the living room, including James the presents were started to be handed out. Of course Harry and Jamie were curious to see what their Uncle Sirius had bought them this year since they knew that he always brought the coolest presents. When the six of them were settled in the living room around the Christmas tree, Lily started to hand out presents to everyone. Of course the kids were pleased with Sirius's present as usual he actually gotten them season tickets along with Lily for the Chudley Canons Quidditch team's upcoming season. Both Harry and Jamie were excited about that present because they both were avid Quidditch fans. Of course Remus always brought the two of them books for Christmas and he even got James a copy of his book on tape, that unbeknown to everyone that he had recorded himself. Severus bought the kids candy from Honeydukes in Hogsmeade and a wizarding chess board set for the two of them to share. Lily had gotten the two of them new outfits and toys for them. Harry and Jamie couldn't wait to play with their new toys while the adults watched them enjoying themselves with their new toys, even James seemed to be interested in watching his children since Lily had moved his wheelchair closer to the Christmas tree before they had opened presents so that he could see the action. Of course Lily had taken pictures of everyone opening up their presents, even Severus since she had gotten him a present this year as well. Severus was surprised to find out that Lily had gotten him a present. James even did get a few presents also even from Severus much to Lily's surprise. Of course once the kids had opened up their presents they couldn't wait to start playing with the toys and putting away the clothes until later. The adults loved watching the children play with their gifts, even Severus. James seemed to even be watching them intently also. After a few minutes, Sirius wanted to know when they were going to eat since he was already hungry. At that question Lily immediately went into the kitchen to lay out their Christmas dinner while Severus followed her into the kitchen.
"Do you need any help with anything?"
"Only to help in setting this food out, since I know that everyone must be hungry now even the kids."
Severus helped Lily in setting out the food, wondering if any of James's friends will help Lily with him since they were his friends. He wondered if he the two of them ever did get married if they would have Christmases like this with everyone over for the holidays and possibly some of their own children. Of course now he had to settle for Lily's friendship knowing that it could even be years before she could be free to marry him. Though he knew now that she loved him almost as much as he loved her, even though she was still married to Potter and had to take their two kids into consideration, plus she is still responsible for Potter's care even if he is now living in that nursing home. He was starting to enjoy these stolen moments that he had with Lily, even though now he was with her family and friends. At least Lily was thoughtful to include him in her family celebration, especially with James here even though he probably wasn't too aware of what was going on around him. He was relieved though that at least he got to spend Christmas with Lily and not at Hogwarts. When the table was set Lily let everyone know that it was time for them to eat and instructed Harry and Jamie to put away their presents for the time being. She then wheeled James into the dining room, where Sirius offered to feed James for Lily since it was Christmas and he knew how special it was to have his friend home for the holidays. Lily seemed to be glad of to have someone else take over the responsibility for once, she can enjoy the holiday meal with her friends and family. Severus was glad that Sirius finally realized that she might need help with James while she enjoyed a family celebration. Of course Severus realized that if James did come home for his birthday again that he would need to do this for Lily, since James was her husband and Sirius and Remus were his friends. He knew that he better treasure every moment that he had with Lily, since they were few and far between since their jobs made it hard for them to get together once a month. He did plan to take her out for dinner for her birthday though in a few weeks, though since he was planning to go with her, Remus and the kids to take James back to the nursing home the next day, where he might receive a present from some well meaning villagers, ironic for someone who had as much money as James to receive a present on Boxing Day like Severus did when he was a child. Sirius wondered what Severus would do if James would ever get better, since he seemed to have feelings for Lily who was still married to James. Though he did enjoy still being included in these family celebrations, since he really didn't have a family to spend the holidays with since he ran away from home.