--- We’ll see.

I’m going to try not to be.

You could never be a wash-out of a mum.

I got pregnant by accident, when neither James nor I are remotely ready, moped around for almost two weeks and quit my job for the most part because I have a very small amount of time to teach myself how not to be a complete wash-out as a mum, because my own is too-- well, dead, for me to ask her for advice. I don’t even have a mother-in-law. I’ve told enough people by now for this to not be all that exciting for me, and I have to say that I’m entirely more interested in your momentarily selfish pity party. My own has gone on for too long already.

It’s nothing. I’m happy for you and I don’t want to ruin something that’s exciting and ought to be celebrated with my own momentarily selfish pity parties. There’s nothing to worry about, I’m fine. I certainly don’t think it’s fair that this is the sort of conversation you have to have after announcing you’re pregnant. It’s meant to be about you. How are you? You and James weren’t exactly planning, were you, so it must have been a bit of a surprise? I’ve just gotten some biscuits if you’d like some.

Mmmmhmm. Alright, love.

‘M comfortable with a lady.

Self-help books we nicked to annoy my sister? You really can’t though. I use that charm on everything from my foot to my toes. Who would we be without the warming charm? We are a shame to the muggle world, but I guess Merlin would be pretty proud that we make such excellent and dedicated use of what we’ve got. And hey, you aren’t completely awful with the oven anymore either. Under supervision, you haven’t burned anything in ages. You’re doing better and better.

I’d tell you to stop with the flattery, but I never say no to praise willingly. I’m glad you like it, though, because I’ve got enough to feed a village or two. It’s so peculiar how it seems like it’s not going to be enough when I’m making it, and then I can’t figure out how we’ll finish it all when it’s made. A vicious cycle like no other.

Remind me again how we ever managed to get by in the completely muggle world? You can’t go back after discovering the true purpose of the old warming charm. But at the same time, we’re never going to be left dependent on magic. We– Well, you’ve got the oven thing down. But yes, please. Just hold the fork still–

Oh my god. It’s perfect. The salt is perfect. It is entirely unfair how you can do it all but all I can do is fall more madly in love because of it.

I know.

The food is all fine and warm, don’t you fret. I put a slight warming charm to keep it from cooling as quickly, but so it won’t burn our tongues right off once we get eating. That’d be awful, don’t you think? Want a taste? Let me know if the salt’s fine.

I had a feeling.

I love you too. Like, a lot. I think the potatoes are getting cold.

Maybe. Maybe not. We’ll see who we’re most comfortable with.

You’ll be seein’ a lady doctor, yeah?

prudenceleigh:

I’m not a Legilimens, Lily.

Neither am I, Prue. That’s why I’m asking what it is that’s wrong, because you made a face, and not a bad face, but maybe kind of a sad face? You’re my dear mate, and I care for you, deeply, so if there is something that is the matter, I’d like to know.

I don’t know what you mean.

Yeah, I believe so.

Yeah, yeah, s’whatever you –

– will they be lookin’ at your – ? 

Should I need to?

Are you trying to manipulate me?

I love you, you know that?

Gasp! The horror. Honestly, Lily I don’t think I could even begin to imagine such a bleak dimension. What other struggles are alternative you and I facing? The boots were our butterfly effect, the one little thing that set everything in the right direction. At least where tequila shots and bottles of wine were concerned. There is always Mr Potter. It’s always good of us to let him feel useful in this relationship, I think. Ha, this is very true. I doubt they’d be able to keep up with us but bless their probable matching socks, they’d try. Thank you kindly, my eyes appreciate that. You wily minx… Who would I be to deny you your heart’s wishes? Well, in my defense it was a week ago and I was running late last Wednesday and I uh, sort of had to tip the drawer upside down a little and really it all just went wrong from there. I’m sure baby Doe will understand. Either that or be horrifically ashamed, oh no. They’re too good, just too good.

Putting even butter to shame… I ought to start introducing myself like that I think. Although, it might just be you who brings it out in me. My words wouldn’t dare stumble and stutter over each other in your presence. Plus I’m pretty sure my vocabulary expands exponentially when we’re together– there are just so many ways to say ‘you beautiful flower petal, you’. Always an act of love, promise. You’re always helping me reclaim my far and few cool points. How could I have forgotten? Remind me again how I got so lucky as to wind up with you as the love of my life, apple of my eye, Gryff to my whore– I mean dor. Gosh, this is Marlene. Always in the back of my mind badly influencing. I’ll barge into the office of the head honcho and make sure that’s right. Unless- Unless that would be Moody because somehow I don’t think he’d be too sympathetic to our island dreams. It is always good to be prepared. Plus the whole point of retirement is to no longer worry, at all. My aching toes can hardly wait. That we are. I do, I understand quite perfectly. I do love all of those things. Not to mention sleepovers, secrets and ridiculous borderline-blackmail material photos. Speaking of ice-cream though we should definitely have some for dessert. We’re pretty great though, huh? You and me, me and you. Spanning years, trials, tribulations. Terrible first year hair cuts. That there is. Toss the plant revolution under the ‘done’ title because we’ve got a plan no green mastermind can overtake. Oh gosh, you are just too much. I think I might just fall in love with you a little more every day, Lily Evans. Okay, all jokes aside… We are. We’re going to survive. I told you, we’re survivors. We’ll take whatever comes our way and we’ll kick its ass, together. You’re my Lily Evans– Potter-Meadowes, and I promise you I will be careful. Always. You’ll never get rid of me, I think we both know this by now. I mean, we’re having a baby. That’s about as stuck as you’re gonna get and by stuck, I mean incredibly lucky. There will be plenty of matching outfits, tiny ones especially and yours will be the very best one. The catchiest. Listen, I want us to survive too, you know. That’s half the battle, wanting to live– wanting to believe. It’s just as important as anything else and guess what? I’m a believer. –I’m super excited for the life this gonna bring.

I’d have to, or else the Icarus Flytes and Lily Evans’ of the world would have my neck.

I’m sure you’ll make the utmost effort.

I think I’m going to be a terrible mum, and I can’t do it alone, and I need all of you to help me not be a terrible mum. I can’t do it alone.

Whatever.

You’re lying to me.

I was imagining James confusing your future baby as a quaffle in the midst of parental sleep deprivation. It was a tad concerning.

That’s sweet of you, but you don’t have to not drink just because I can’t, love. It’s okay, I don’t mind. I read in one of the baby books that a couple of sips of wine every other week won’t do the alien baby thing any harm. I’ll survive.

I booked us an appointment for the doctor’s for tomorrow. Is it okay by you if we see a muggle one for this? I think I’m more comfortable with that, for some reason.

S’pose it’s not fair for me to drink when you can’t, yeah?

Butterbeer.

What do you want to drink? Apple cider for me, thanks.

S’worth it.

--- Prue? What’s wrong? And don’t you say nothing, young lady, because I won’t believe you for a second.

She was aware there ought to have been words running through her mind, words coming out of her mouth, but for a moment, small as it was, nothing came. Finally, Lily’s news seemed to break through her awkward with child bouncing around her head as Prudence tried to process, to arrive to the part where she could manage out a congratulations. She lost control of her carefully maintained wall as the news settled, unable to stop the split second of sadness and heartbreak that flickered across her face. She had been better with Alice, or perhaps she hadn’t been as concerned about feigning a lack of absolute understanding with Alice, perhaps Alice’s own desire to be pregnant had better prepared Prudence for that moment. She wasn’t sure. She wasn’t sure why, with Alice, it had hurt less, had felt less like a punch in the gut, had been easier to push back the swirling emotions which she kept tucked away until the long hours of night came.

She was happy for her, she was sure. Did not begrudge her the pregnancy, but the parts of her–the parts that she had never been proud of–could not help but think that it was now two, two of her close friends who in nine months would have a small squirming little child that they would keep and hold and get to love. It was not fair for her to let her own baggage invade on this moment, to bring down Lily’s own happiness as she watched her future child grow up. Watch them grow up, the words seemed to weigh her down, sinking until it created a pit in her stomach. Finally, after what she hoped was nothing more than a split second of selfish indulgence, she managed a small smile, pushing aside her own brimming thoughts on missed chances and closing doors.

“Congratulations!” She sputtered finally, drawing Lily into a hug which served to provide her a moment to regain her features as much as it gave a physical representation of her happiness for Lily. “How far along are you then?!”