Hooked - James Sirirus Potter.

Added Extra 1. That awkward moment when Sarah got more than she bargained for...

"Claudie hold still!" Paige ordered, running at her through the shop. "Dad said we can't buy anything that won't fit the baby."

Claudia watched, holding back laughter as she placed the pink frilly dress over her neat little bump. "It's a little big."

"It's a shame, they don't do my size either." She sighed, walking back to put it on the rail.

Claudia turned back to the elasticated jeans in her hands, the rail said "Pick your normal size" but she was seriously doubting that fact; these looked far too small. Small hands landed on her stomach as Paige sprinted back over to her.

"Did she kick?"

"No Paige; you've not missed a thing." She laughed, running her hand through her hair. "We can't buy dresses yet anyway; baby might be a boy."

"I know it's a girl." Paige shrugged, resting her head against her side as Claudia walked through the racks of maternity wear towards the changing rooms. "And I think I know what you're going to call her too."

"Do tell." Claudia laughed, looking down at Paige's dark eyes.

"I can't, I don't want to ruin things." She whispered, "I'll write it down at school and give it to Mrs Simmonds to look after."

"That is a very good idea." Claudia smiled; "Do you want to come in and sit down or wait outside?"

"Come in." Paige yawned; "My feet hurt."

"Excuse me, that woman is taking a child into the changing room." A voice sneered. Everyone froze as Claudia turned around, her pregnant stomach evident. "That is my child."

The staff stopped, unsure how to react to this situation. "Paige is my step daughter; we came shopping together." Claudia explained; "That is her mother who hates me."

"Can I go shopping with Mum for a bit?" Paige asked; excited at seeing her mother again. "I promise we'll not be too long; she can drop me off home later."

"Come on Paige; spend some time with your real mother." Sarah stated, holding her arms out as Claudia's jaw locked. "She's not even your stepmother; she's not married him... She's just his whore; I'm surprised he's stuck around now she's fat, that's when he chucked me."

Claudia balled the clothes in her hand into a tight fist as Paige skipped away with Sarah. "Is there anything I can do?" a shop assistant asked gently.

"Aside from murdering the bitch, no." she sighed, "My partner was trying to dump her when she got pregnant; she was six months gone when he found out... he's not a bad man, Paige lives with us."

"I believe you." The woman smiled nicely, but Claudia couldn't stay.

"Here, I don't want to try them on." She said, handing her the clothes she desperately needed. "Thank you."

—-

James walked into the house to find all the curtains shut, all the lights were off and nobody was downstairs. Dropping his bag to the floor, he looked around the downstairs, dropping his lunchbox off in the sink before climbing the stairs to where he could hear the low mumbles of voices. He went to check Paige's room, but the door was wide open showing the empty room. Frowning, he turned down the hall to his bedroom; maybe they'd gotten into their bed to watch one of Claudia's movies.

Pushing the door open, he stuck his head around the door slowly and saw a lump in the sheets, with the laptop screen visible behind it. Kneeling on the bed, he rolled the lump around and saw Claudia's tear stained cheeks. 

"What happened?" he whispered, leaning down and kissing her cheeks. "Claudie, why are you crying?"

"People think I'm a bitch." She sobbed, freeing her arms and wrapping them around his neck. "They think I'm a silly little whore and you're evil!"