extraordinary girl.

Emmeline chewed her lip for a moment, terribly curious and beyond excited but trying desperately not to pry. If Lily didn’t want to share anything yet than it was absolutely none of Emm’s business. Even if there were only so many reasons to need to cover your bases for pre-natal care. 

It was not her business. It totally wasn’t her business. Oh Merlin, Lily Evans was pregnant! Not. Her. Business. She wanted to know so badly.

“I’m glad there’s no emergencies.” She said honestly. “Here, I’ll go see if there’s anyone about, might be able to get you in there sooner.”

“Oh, I’d appreciate it,” Lily smiled cautiously. “I’m getting worried that by the time I get to my appointment, my water will be breaking.” She had to keep reminding herself this wasn’t a taboo topic- sure, she wanted to be discreet (after all, teen pregnancy? how cliche), but in a few months, there would be no way to hide it.

“Just, er, do me a favor and keep it quiet? There’s a lot of people who don’t know yet that should probably hear it from me.” Marlene sprung to mind, as did Mary. But on the scale of minor catastrophes, seeing Emmeline at the hospital ranked very low on the list. She trusted the other girl, knew she would understand. 

“Nope!”

“Yes.”

“...Yes.”

“Yes.”

He put his hand over hers on his knee and tried to still his leg. Their fingers wrapped together and he was comforted, even though he knew he was the one that ought to have been doing the comforting. He leaned over and kissed her on the top of the head, communicating, as she was, silently.

“I love you too,” he told her, settling back into his chair. “And Chinese sounds great. How do you feel about extra egg rolls?”

The Healer on duty called the next person into the rooms and James gestured with the hand still wrapped in Lily’s.

“Well, we’re moving – slowly, but still moving. I’m sure it won’t be much longer. Tell me again what we’re doing today? Will they tell us the gender?”

“You know how I feel about extra egg rolls,” Lily rolled her eyes. How soon did pregnancy cravings start? She wondered if it was too early to start using that as an excuse for always adding extra egg rolls. 

She watched the Healers consulting lists of names with baited breath, wondering how long it would be before she heard her own. “Hopefully. I’m not really in the mood to wait.” Patience was neither of their strong suits. “Don’t think so. Too early for that, yeah?” She’d always listened to other mothers preen about how they just knew their child was a boy, but she had no idea- no psychic blast had hit Lily yet, no prophetic dreams. She hadn’t progressed beyond baby. “I think they’ll just be making sure I’m healthy and that everything’s working fine, y’know? Make sure my body’s not totally fucked up before I carry a human for nine months.”

"I already am.”

“Thanks.... maybe?”