Love That Keeps You Awake

Written for TheNextFolchart for being Captain and winning in the Christmas Battlefield.

Lily was reading her new book on Charms when there was a tapping at the window. She smiled in relief before slowly pushing herself to stand. She placed a hand on top of her large stomach before opening the window. Helga, a beautiful barn owl James had bought her for her last birthday, flew straight to her stand. Lily frowned, a worry deep in the pit of her stomach. She closed and latched the window, placing a well practiced hex for protection. Making a note to drink a potion for her swelling feet, Lily took the letter from Helga's claws. The moment she opened it, her heart stopped. This was the letter she had sent out. Her eyes shot to her clock, it was already 9 in the evening. She looked at her written plea for James to let her know he was alright. He hadn't responded. She really didn't dare to think of what that meant.

Numbly, Lily sat back in her chair and continued reading the book. It was only an hour later that she finished it, and she threw the book onto the table and made her way to the kitchen. She cleaned out her fridge, then cleaned the counters. She would have cleaned the stove, but she wasn't able to bend that way any longer. Casting tempus she choked back a tear as 11:37 appeared illuminated before her. Lily rubbed her face vigorously. "He's fine." She told the empty kitchen. Her darling baby chose that time to kick her softly. She smiled down at her stomach, knowing her child was comforting her.

As she thought about her son, Lily knew what she could do next.

James quietly entered his house. Lily wasn't on the couch, so she must have gone to bed. James winced as his bruised shoulder bumped the door frame. The Order's mission for the night had gone well. It had been hard work and no one had left without more bruises than anyone had the energy to heal. He checked his watch and nearly groaned, it was almost 2 in the morning.

James turned off the lights Lily had left on for him and headed upstairs. But he paused when he noticed the light in the small bedroom was on. Peeking in, he found Lily sitting in her rocking chair. Her wand was pointed at the wall and he watched as a roller moved, covered the off-white wall with a light green color. He smiled at his wife, but then he noticed the streams of tears that she seemed unaware of.

"Lily." He whispered, hoping not to startle her. She still jerked and the roller hit the floor with a thud. Seconds later she had pulled herself from the chair and pressed her face to his chest. She began to openly sob and he just held her close. He had been foolish to assume that she would go to sleep before he came home. "I'm here love." Her fingers just clutched him closer. "Shh, it's alright. I am sorry I was so late. Shhh."

He felt her knees tremble and guided her to their bedroom. They both lay fully clothed on top of the covers, and Lily buried her face in his neck. Her tears had subsided but her arms still shook. "I won't ever leave you Lily. I'll always be here. I'll always protect you." It was only a little while later that she fell asleep. James used his wand to cover them both, and turned off the light. He pulled his sleeping wife toward him, and soon fell asleep as well.

This was written as part of the Midnight Challenge