ALWAYS

Harry James Potter

6 MONTHS LATER 

Lily was now nine months pregnant. Her belly was protruding and the Marauders were awaiting the babies arrival. It was a Sunday afternoon and they had just received news that Alice had gone into labour and was admitted at St.Mungos. James told Lily and both of them rejoiced. James took Lily's dinner plate from her and put it in the sink. He joined Lily on the couch. 

"Ughhh.... hmphff" groaned Lily. James gave her an amused look. Her legs had been aching for the past month and it had gotten worse the past few days. "Here, I'll help" he said looking at her. Lily slowly put her legs on his lap and he began massaging her feet. Lily fell asleep as James massaged her feet and James began reading the Daily Prophet. In the evening they received new that Alice and Frank had a baby boy and had named him Neville. James and Lily were very happy for them. They decided to go celebrate with Sirius, Remus and Peter who were in Sirius's house. They put on their coats and within a short walk they were in Sirius's house. They shared the news with them and they all sat down for a cup of coffee. 

They brought out the board games and began playing a competitive game of Exploding Snap. At around one in the night Lily and Sirius were in the middle of yet another game while James, Peter and Remus were too exhausted to stay awake and watch the game. Sirius had just lost the game and Lily let out a gasp.

 "Sirius" she whispered.  "Yes Lily I know that you won. You can stop gloating now" he said frowning at her. "No Sirius, the baby" she said. "What baby?" he whispered back. "Oh that baby" he said looking at her. "It's coming. I'm having contractions" she said. Sirius's eyes grew wide, he started panicking. "Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god! The baby is coming and I don't know what to do" he said, completely spiralling and panicking. "You don't need to do anything. Just go upstairs and wake James" she said. But Sirius was too scared to do anything. "No no no" he said. Lily tried calming him down as the contractions shot pain through her body. After a few minutes she had had enough and hollered at the top of her lungs. 

"James!" . An asleep James startled wide awake and ran down wand in hand, ready to fight. "I'm having contractions. The baby is coming" she said. "It is ?" he said surprised as he rushed to her side. "Yes you fool! You think I'm joking" she said now angry that they were doing nothing and just standing there. "Lets go" she said. "What were?" asked James confused. "St.Mungos you ass" she said hitting him across the head and grabbing his hand she apparated to St.mungos. Sirius, Remus and Peter right behind them. They rushed to the counter and gave the details to the nurse at the counter. The nurse ushered them to a room and a few minutes later a doctor walked in and told her that it was time she started pushing. 

Lily grabbed James's hand and gripped it tight as she pushed and pushed for her baby to come. Almost thirty minutes later she heard the cries of a child and immediately knew it was her child's. She let go of James's arm as the doctor congratulated them and closed her eyes, tired and sleepy. "Congratulations! It's a beautiful baby boy!" said the doctor. James picked him up and held him in his arms, as he took in the sight in front of him. His child, his son, wrapped in a soft blanket, his eyes closed. He had jet black hair, just like James, just like Charlus. He kissed his son tenderly on the forehead and held him in his arms. 

Outside the room, the rest of the Marauders and Frank and Alice had also joined them. Sirius was pacing back and forth as James walked out with the baby in his hands. "Is that him?" asked Sirius. James nodded. "Do you want to hold him?" he asked Sirius. Sirius hesitantly nodded and James gently handed the baby to Sirius. As Sirius held the baby in his arms a smile crept onto his face. James looked at Sirius as he bobbed up and down holding the baby. James went to Alice and Frank. Frank was holding a tiny bundle in his arms. "Is that- Is that him? Neville?" asked James. Alice nodded happily. James looked at Frank and Frank handed him the baby. James held Neville in his arms. "He's so cute" said James as he handed the baby back to Alice. James turned around to see that the Marauders were all huddled around Remus, who was now holding the baby. He went back and Remus gave him the baby. "Oh my god! That was so stressful. I thought I'll drop him" Remus said. "You won't Moony. Calm down" said James before heading back to the room and placing the baby in his crib". 

He walked up to Lily, her eyes closed. She was tired. He smiled as he tucked a few strands of her dishevelled hair behind her ear and kissing her forehead. He was about to go sit on the couch in the room, when Lily grabbed his hand in her sleep. He smiled to himself, summoned the couch closer and sat down, closing his eyes and gripping her hand tighter. 

A few hours later James was awake and was playing with the baby when he saw Lily stir and wake up. "Ohhh.... Look who's awake.... Mommy's awake" he whispered to baby. Lily smiled at the sight as she held out her arms and James handed her the baby. She held the baby in her arms, as she smiled at the baby. "Look who decided to open their eyes" she said, as tears filled her eyes. James looked at the baby, and sure enough he had. "He has your eyes babe" he said, looking at Lily. "And your hair" said Lily stroking the babies hair. 

"We need a name" said James as he looked at Lily who was feeding James. "I don't know. But Dorea was saying that if it was a boy we should name him Harry" said Lily who averted her attention to James. "Harry" said James, as he rolled the name around his tongue and after a minute smiling. "Harry. I like it" said James. "Me too". So Harry then? Harry Potter?" asked James coming closer to Lily and Harry. 

"Yes.... Harry James Potter" said Lily looking at James. James looked at her with tears in his eyes. He gave her a kiss and they decided that they should tell the rest of them. As soon as James went out to call the rest of them inside they all piled in. Alice and Lily looked at each other and squealed in delight. Alice ran to Lily and handed her Neville as she took Harry. "Hey" greeted Lily to the little boy in her arms. She gently kissed his forehead and rubbed her fingers against his cheek. A minute later everyone was complimenting on the name - Harry James Potter. 

A few hours later everyone was too tired and decided to head back. However, Sirius stayed back and after a everyone had left James and Lily looked at each other  and smirked. "Sirius we have something to tell you" said Lily. Sirius looked at them, unable to prepare himself for what devastating news he had to hear now. "What now?" he asked. "Padfoot, would you like to be the godfather to our son?" asked James beaming at him. "Me?" asked Sirius unable to believe his ears. "You" assured Lily. 

"But why me? I'm not responsible. Remus is. I can't be trusted with a baby" argued Sirius. "Padfoot you'll be a great godfather" assured James placing a hand over his shoulder. Sirius calmed down and smiled at James and Lily, tears in his eyes. He hugged James. 

"Hey.... Harry and I want a hug too" whined Lily. James and Sirius chuckled and scooted towards them and pulled them into a warm hug. Harry gurgled as they hugged and everyone looked at him and burst out laughing. Their family was together, and happy after a long time. Lily hoped that for the sake of Harry, they would always stay like this. Always.