Proof that Tony Stark has a Heart

Chapter 13

I was in St Mungo's for two days before I was allowed to take Lucas home. Despite having used magic to heal the caesarian wound, my body still needed time to adjust to no longer carrying a baby. I, therefore, had to experience the extreme discomfort of my abdominal muscles shrinking and readjusting themselves for my magic to remove the womb it had created until my body needed it again. I didn't mind; it gave me two days to stare at my beautiful baby boy without the disturbance of family, Gringotts' owls, or the Prophet. I'd issued Luna a statement to publish in the Quibbler, telling them the name and gender of my child and assuring that everything was fine, but past that, I didn't think any of it was their business. Still, I was glad to go home when Healer Thompson discharged me, even if it was on restricted movement. I didn't feel up to any vigorous activity anyway. I grinned as I walked into the nursery for the first time with Lucas in my arms, the baby wide-eyed as he looked around. Barely two days old, he was already a curious little sod. 

"This is your new room, Luke. Much better than that boring old hospital room, isn't it?" I mused, smiling as I sat in the armchair beside the cot with my son in my arms, "Of course, you won't be sleeping in here for a while yet. You're in with me first, pup."

"Pup?" I glanced up at the voice, smiling sheepishly at Remus.

"It's what Sirius used to call me," Harry admitted, "And I called him puppy when he was still in me." 

Remus grinned, slipping into the room to stand by my side, peering down at Lucas, who was staring intensely back up at him.

"It suits him. He's all small and confused like a puppy," he joked, making me snort, glaring lightly at my pseudo-uncle.

"You'd be confused too if you were in his place! Leave my baby boy alone," I retorted playfully, "I should probably put him down for a nap, don't you think?" 

Lucas' eyelids were starting to droop, and Remus nodded, running a hand through my hair as he said, "I don't think he's the only one. I'll take the next feed, cub; you just get some rest. Let's get him settled in his new bed, yeah?" 

I nodded, easing myself to my feet with Lucas safely in my arms. Remus and I left the new nursery next door where the bassinet was set up beside my bed, along with a small mountain of baby necessities piled on the dresser. Gently bouncing my son in my arms as the baby drew closer and closer to sleep, I eased him down onto the bassinet, settling him down and securing the blankets around him. I couldn't help but grin as Lucas yawned widely, eyes closed, and fell asleep within seconds. 

"You're going to have to stop staring at him if you want to get some sleep, Harry," Remus pointed out lightly, making me snort softly.

"I know, but it's easier said than done," I complained. 

I was still shocked that something so perfect had come out of me. I was a parent. Sighing to myself, I reluctantly turned away from my sleeping son, grabbing my pajamas off the bed. Remus placed a monitoring charm over the bassinet, then leaned over to kiss me on the forehead.

"I'll turn the charm over to you for the feed after next," he promised, though we both knew I would wake as soon as Lucas made the slightest fuss. "Sleep well, love."

"You too, Moons. Goodnight," I said, walking to my closet.

Changing into my pajamas as Remus left, I practically fell into bed, letting out a quiet sound of pleasure at being back in my bed. The hospital beds weren't terrible, but nothing beat home. Crawling under the duvet and rolling to face the bassinet, I grinned to myself, listening to Lucas' soft breathing. 

"G'night, little one," I whispered, eyes sliding shut. Everyone with experience had told me that the essential rule of newborns was to sleep when the baby slept.