CHASING PAVEMENTS ⇒ wolfstar

TWENTY SIX

Lily enters the Gryffindor common room to find her boyfriend and his best friend curled up on one of the sofas, James laying horizontally as his head rests in Peter's lap while the blond's fingers dig deep into the mess of raven hair. James likes to have his hair played with and stroked, that is common knowledge.

"No teen parents?" She asks. "Where have they gotten to? Dorcas? Marlene? Is it just the three of us? Am I a third wheel to you guys now?" Lily quizzes with a mischievous smirk playing on her lips as she takes a seat in one of the large arm chairs. "Why so glum, boys? What's eating you lot today?"

James glances up at her. "We've been awake since seven this morning, Moony went into labor earlier this morning..." James trails.

Lily's emerald eyes widen slightly. "Seriously? But he's just gone seven months, that surely can't be safe?" She tucks a strand of auburn hair behind her ear before, "How're they doing? Is Elliot alright?"

Peter sighs. "We don't know. They haven't poked their heads back here so she mightn't be here yet,"

"Oh I can't believe this! She's going to be here today? That's so exciting," Lily smiles softly, thoughts of a tiny baby girl with striking eyes and the signature Black Roman type nose rushing through her head. "I hope they're getting on okay, even though it is extremely early,"

Nodding, James replies. "Kind of scary. Moony seemed so out of it earlier, Sirius was like a mad man, a proper maniac if you asked me," He says sadly. "All my gear is compiled in the corner of our room now, my bag, you might be wondering? Gone to St. Mungos," James says.

"Screw your quidditch gear, we're going to meet Remus and Sirius' baby today," Lily squeals, twisting a strand of hair around her index finger. "Isn't that really exciting? Aren't you guys excited? Remus is going to be fine, he'll pull through like he always does. Don't be so worried, he's in great hands," She tries to relax them.

"Elliot will probably be very small and they might even keep Remus in hospital for a little while. It's very premature labor, they'll do the best they can but Elliot most likely won't be in a good condition when she gets here," Peter pauses. "We mightn't get to see her for a little while either if they put her into a preemie area,"

"Preemie?" James asks.

"It's something premature newborns are called," Peter elaborates, his fingers thread through James' hair gently. "Elliot is a premature newborn,"

Lily shakes her head, huffing sadly. "Remus is very strong. He can do this, I know he can,"

"I cant do this anymore," Remus moans as a strong contraction tightens over his stomach. He hisses in pain as he squeezes Sirius' hand. "Sirius, it hurts so bad," He whispers, staring into the other teenager's eyes. He's laying on his side in the incredibly small bed, in agonizing pain that seems to wash over him much quicker than it had before. "It feels awful,"

Sirius doesn't know how much his heart can endure as he looks at the boy he loves in agony, wrapped up in thin materialed hospital sheets. He brings Remus' hand to his lips, pressing soft kisses along his knuckles. "You're doing so well, you can do this. I know you can, we're almost there," He mumbles against Remus' pale knuckles. "Almost there, kiddo, almost there," He pauses. "And then our girl will be here with us,"

"A-and we can be a family?" Remus whispers hoarsely with tears welling in his red rimmed eyes.

Sirius feels his own eyes well up with fresh, prickling tears. "Exactly, babes, we can be a family," He confirms in a soft tone.

Remus nods, he let's a hand stroke his belly as Elliot tumbles around inside. He closes his eyes, his knuckles still recieveing soft pressing kisses as he begins to imagine Elliot as a means of soothing and grounding himself as he rides out the pain.