one year
"Mummy!"
It was far too early. But that didn't stop the little creature that was no doubt sitting right next to her head and would lay on top of her in a few moments from waking her at this hour.
"Mummy?" This time it sounded more like a question.
Further along beside her she heard the familiar laughter of, next to her son, the dearest person in her life. "Mummy doesn't like getting up early in the morning, Jamie. But you'll find out sooner or later," that voice said to her son.
What she had predicted came to pass and James half lay on top of her as she still gave no sign that she was awake. Slowly she gave up the fight against waking and stretched a little before slowly opening her eyes and looking into her son's warm brown eyes, which looked exactly like Harry's except for the colour.
"Mummy!" exclaimed James happily, a big fat smile on his face.
Ginny yawned. "Happy birthday, Jamie," she said then, returning his smile.
She turned her head to the right and caught sight of her husband leaning against the headboard of their bed, smiling lovingly at her.
"Good morning, Gin," he said cheerfully and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Morning," Ginny grumbled back. "What time is it?"
Harry laughed. "Seven o'clock."
"Jamie! I've been telling you for a year that Mummy needs her sleep and I'm not available before nine."
James laughed his sweet baby laugh and pressed his head to her chest, a clear sign that he wanted his breakfast right now - at least the liquid part of it. Grinning knowingly, Ginny turned onto her left side so that she could look at Harry and pulled James with her. She pushed her sleep shirt up and let James enjoy his breakfast.
They both watched their son for a moment until Ginny's eyes settled on her husband. "I can't believe he's already a year old!"
"Neither can I," Harry replied, running his hand through James' hair. "It seems like yesterday he was born."
"Don't remind me what I went through around this time a year ago. Because at this time a year ago, James was not yet born, in case you don't remember."
Of course he could still remember it. He would forever remember the 2nd October 2003, 10:23pm.
"Speaking of which," he began, turning towards his bedside table. "I have something for you."
"For me?" asked Ginny, confused. "It's James's birthday, not mine."
"I realise that," Harry replied. "But you were very involved into James being here today." He handed her a small bouquet of flowers and a small box.
With her free hand, she accepted the box while her left hand still rested on the back of James's head. Harry placed the bundle of flowers on the bed next to James. With slightly trembling fingers, she opened the box.
Ginny swallowed. "Oh Harry, this is beautiful!"
She held up a gold chain, the pendant of which represented a J. Finely engraved there was the name James.
"Since you've discovered your love for gold jewellery lately, I thought you might enjoy this."
A broad smile spread across her face. "Thank you, love!" She reached her head up and Harry's face came closer and kissed her.
~
"There's the birthday boy!" exclaimed Molly delightedly as Harry, Ginny and James stepped through the fireplace.
"Gin-Gin, isn't James a bit too big for you to carry?" asked George with a grin as he stepped into the living room.
His sister glared at him. "Shut up, Georgie! But you're right." She turned to Harry and handed him her son. "I've carried Jamie around for nine months. Now, for the next nine months, it's your turn, Harry."
Her husband laughed but readily accepted James.
"Is he still not showing any signs of walking on his own soon?" asked Molly, ushering the Potters into the dining room where some of the family were already gathered.
"No, he just shimmies along things, or walks when one of us takes his hands," Harry replied, settling James into a high chair. His eyes settled on his only male cousin so far, Freddie, who was sitting on his mum's lap.
"Fweddie!" he exclaimed, pointing at George and Angelina's six-month-old son.
"I think James climbs out of his bed at night and practices in his room, only he enjoys being carried around far too much, even though he's actually perfectly capable of walking on his own," Ginny replied, sitting down in the chair next to him. Harry, in turn, took a seat on James' other side. "Or am I wrong about that, Jamie?"
"No!" he cried, clapping his small hands together.
Harry laughed. "That's mean, Gin, you know James's favourite word is no."