lilies *James Potter*

Chapter 45

Liliena had gone through half of the presents already with James. The big gifts were almost out as she opened the third present that goes with the first two already carefully set away of a matching baby swing, each in a different elemental colour even though Hope had no clue what names would have been chosen from the four of three. The gift had been from Hope and James grinned as he told her another thank you with a flash of a toothy smile with a comment occasionally that he may have used with Harry for his first experience of being a first-time father.

The adults who had children attending too weren't too focused on the gift unwrapping which eased Liliena's nerves a bit. But she couldn't help but often spare a glance towards Euphemia and Fleamont who hadn't said much directly towards both her and James.

Liliena knew it would only be a matter of time before being polite, though she could notice the slightly harsh glares Lily would send the older woman. But Hope and Lyall had been often talking with the couple so their being entertained was plenty enough.

The younger kids, most were either snacking or coloring all piled at one picnic table. Teddy had joined in on the colouring but was talking among himself with Bill and Charlie Weasley, Percy silently reading with Draco by his side humorous enough.

"This one is from Sirius, and this one as well," James announces to Liliena reading off the small nametag and passing the larger one to Liliena so she could open the other one after James takes his turn. A silent system they worked out between one another.

Sirius sits up straighter with pride as James uncovers through the first one. James only manages to cover the top carefully before his mouth goes slack and he shifts the careful form into a merciless tearing.

"Oh my gods, Sirius, this is..." James smiles at Sirius. It was a light smile full of pride. "It's your best work yet."

"What is it?" Liliena asks leaning over slightly to see what James is holding.

James was holding a medium size canvas. The grey scale of shades was painted carefully and Liliena's mouth was open in amaze. She's never properly seen a work done by Sirius besides the small paper drawings in Harry's bedroom or sketches hung around in James' flat. This was a whole new thing she'd never seen before.

When Liliena had gotten her last ultrasound, the babies had grown in size and two of them could hardly fit on the single screen alone so Doctor Sprout had to get images of each baby individual. But what Sirius had painted, was entirely precise and accurate where each baby was visible but where they would've been lying on one another in the womb.

The canvas was painted as if it were an ultrasound picture, all in black, white, and grey. It was impressive. Very impressive. Each of the outlines for the shaping of the babies had the tiniest letter on the visible body part either being in a toe or finger between A, B, and C.

"I didn't know their names you guys had probably already chosen so I did the next best thing, the alphabet that's on the pictures," Sirius speaks awkwardly with his cheeks pink while watching his best friend and his girlfriend observe the painting with amazement.

James looks over to Sirius. His eyes flashed with pride over Sirius but also confusion. "Where did you-?"

Blushing, Sirius reaches into his back pocket. In his hand was a nearly folded roll of scans that had been developed on their most recent appointment. "You had so many copies, I thought you wouldn't have missed one I took it out of your hair. I wasn't going to keep it, I just wanted to make sure I had everything perfected as much as I could."

"It's beautiful, Sirius, thank you," Liliena compliments shifting her gaze over to the man. "I think I might just want to hang this up in the nursery. When I get to it, that is." Sirius beams with glee. "I take it the other one is also another amazing painting you had made?"