Heyy. I know it's been years since I last updated but here I am. Please do note that Lily's POV is still italicized. Serena and Nate, are, yes, caused by my addiction to Gossip Girl. And they are the children of….
Well, you just have to find that out.
This is Kristina, hoping some of the nagging questions in your head are answered. I hope.
Answers for the rest of your bloody questions will be answered on the following chapters. Boracay, by the way, is this paradise resort in the Philippines. Visited by millions of tourists every year. I myself have been there once. And it is absolutely divine!
Comments are always and forever, highly appreciated. ILY. _____________________
"James." The moment his name escaped her lips, she knew.
Her life's going to endure a 360 degree- turnabout.
"Lily." James said.
Well, this is awkward.
"Uh, pardon me, but, I think I need to change." Lily uttered, gesturing to the still-damp bathrobe she was wearing.
"Lily, you do know, I've seen you in way less than that." James quipped, hoping to erase the consuming tension in the room. And when Lily's alluring face turned on a pink-red hue, he laughed.
Lily, on the other hand, was far from laughing especially when she saw Corazon silently shaking her head and preparing to leave. Wait. Corazon?!? Oh merlin.
"Cora, you must know that this…creature here was referring to the time we uhmm, what was it James?" Lily told the housekeeper while desperately looking at James for some kind of support.
Hello? I'm clutching at straws here? And I'm pretty sure I'm not doing a great job.
"Oh, yes, the summer when we went to Boracay to celebrate your birthday and you were in a yellow bikini."
Bloody hell! Is he shaking with laughter out of my demise?
"Yep." But she need not answer for she met by the closing of the door by a bewildered Corazon.
" God! James? What were you thinking? Corazon practically worships the ground Sirius walks on!"
"So, you're saying, you're 60 year old housekeeper has a crush on Sirius? That is well, pretty disturbing."
With his remark, Lily had to bite her lips from smiling. "No, silly, she acts as if she's Sirius's mother and she has this desire to keep us together. Sirius and I, of course."
"Oh."
"Right. So, when did you come back from Italy?" Lily asked, forgetting that she was still in her silk bathrobe.
"Last night."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"I mean, it was nice meeting you again. But really, you see my dilemma here. I need to change." Lily abruptly said while rushing to the comfort of her room.
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Why? Why is here? Did he come back for me? Is his return too soon? Too late? Why am I feeling this way? Did he meet some new girl in Italy? When will he return to Italy? Does Sirius know?
Sirius. The name of his loving fiancé jerked Lily back to reality.
The ringing of her phone also broke her dream-like stance.
"Lily. Lily Evans speaking."
"Good afternoon, Lily. I was just wondering what time you'd pick me and Nate up."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Serena. Don't worry. I'm coming. Just had the misfortune to deal with some bloody bloke."
"No, it's okay. I was just informing you that our teacher announced that we have a one-hour practice for our Drama Fest so, if you have other plans for an hour, it's okay."
" Sure. Thanks. Bye. I love you." And Lily hung up the phone.
Great! I actually forgot I had to pick the kids up. But, well, I still have an hour left.
With the intention of avoiding James, she decided to just go to work. And hopefully, finish at least, a couple of documents before her presentation the following morning.
Half-running, she pulled open her walk-in wardrobe and picked clothes and shoes at breakneck speed. Now properly dressed, she combed her long, thick red tresses and applied mascara and lip gloss.
Ready.
Rushing down the grand staircase of the manor, she suddenly stopped when she saw James reading the newspaper in the living room.
"James?"
"Lily. Merlin," he added, "you look great."
"Yeah right. Anyway, I mean this in the best way possible but why are you still here?
"Well, I was hoping for a chance to speak to you." James asked the one question Lily was dreading since yesterday.
"Oh. That."
"Yeah. That."
"Sure."
Please, Dear Lord, help me. Help me end this impending doom unscathed.
Out of nowhere, James laughed. His hand was on his stomach when Lily was struck by the ugly realization. She actually said her little "prayer" out loud. Loud enough for James to hear.
"So, you're absolutely craving this talk, huh, Lily?
Lily, red as a tomato due to her murmured outburst, didn't dignify James's retort with a response.
"Anyway, Lily, could we talk in private? I know I've been gone for 3 years but I know this great Italian restaurant."
"Uh, no."
"But, Lily, we have three years of catching up to do."
"We do. But I also have a week of catching up to do in my office or else, I'll have a five year catching up to do regarding my job…with the CEOs.
"Aren't you hungry?
"Look, James, you're too late. You can't just come barging into my life after years and expect me to welcome you in it with open arms.
"Well, maybe, if you give me chance to explain, you would."
"I won't."
"Think Lily. What if Sirius founds out you ignored me all throughout my visit in America?"
"He'll understand."
"He will. But what if someone, ahem, gives him an idea that you ignored me because you were afraid you'd fall in love with me once again after spending time with me?"
"That is completely out of the point."
"But it is a possibility."
"Whatever."
"Let's go."
As they exited the front door, Lily was so preoccupied with the thought of a "Talk" with James that she forgot to place her foot on the last step. And well, I don't need to narrate this, but, she stumbled and was about to fall when James got hold of her arm with his calloused yet incredibly soft hands and supported Lily.
"Are you alright?"
"Well, let me see, aside from the fact that I am probably blushing from head to toe, I am peachy keen."
"Peachy keen?"
"Yep."
"Is that part of the newest vocabulary of America?"
"No, that's Lily speech."
"Cool."
Snorting, she opened the door of her chauffeured car, when James closed it and gestured to his sports car.
"You know, Potter?"
"Hm?"
"A girl like me shouldn't be exposed to too much humiliation in one day by one human being only."
His reply was a sound, throaty laugh.
Seated on the plush leather cover of his sports car, Lily felt as if she's reliving the past. Their past.
I used to ride shotgun on his sport cars. I always complained because he likes it with the top down. I'll complain and shout.
He'll shut me up by enveloping me in his toned arms and kissing me. That always works.
With Simple Plan's "I Can Wait Forever" softly playing in the car, they were both enjoying the silence, slowly built up through the years that made it actually comfortable.
You look so beautiful today
When you're sitting there it's hard for me to look away
So I try to find the words that I could say
I know distance doesn't matter
But you feel so far away
And I can't lie
But everytime I leave my heart turns grey
And I, I wanna come back home to see your face tonight...
Cause I just can't take it
Another day without you with me
Is like a blade that cuts right through me
I can wait, I can wait forever
When you call my heart stops beating
When you're gone it won't stop bleeding
I can wait, I can wait forever...
You look so beautiful today
It's like everytime I turn around I see your face
The thing I miss the most is waking up next to you
When I look into your eyes, man, I wish that I could stay
And I can't lie, but everytime I leave my heart turns grey
And I, I wanna come back home to see your face tonight...
I know it feels like forever
I guess thats just a price I've gotta pay
But when I come back home to feel your touch makes it better
'Til that day there's nothing else I can do
Another reason is that they were both pretty much preoccupied with almost everything.
When they reached the restaurant, Lily couldn't help but gasp at the authenticity and beauty of the place. Trust James to know these kinds of places.
"Potter." James answered the Maitre 'D's inquiring greeting as they entered the restaurant's threshold. In other words, James booked a reservation beforehand.
Incredible! The size of his ego. He knew I would go with him –willingly or not- no matter what.
Suddenly, Lily felt as if someone's staring at her. True enough, when she looked up, heads were turned in their direction. Ladies were gazing admiringly at James's gorgeous face while men were staring at her.
Her face burning up once more, she followed James into the back of the luxurious restaurant.
The moment Lily put down her menu to place an order; she felt James' smoldering eyes on her. And she was right.
Fearing another brush with embarrassment, she asked the first question that came to mind.
"How are you?"
"I'm fine, really. How about you?"
"I'm perfectly fine too."
"Ok, let's end this awkwardness. I missed you."
The revelation caused Lily to commit a mistake- she looked into James' enigmatic eyes.
"Oh."
"Lily, did you miss me too?
"Of course. We've been friends for like, forever." Lily covered up her mistake quickly… but James knew better than to believe her little façade.
"Lily, look at me." Lily stopped brushing off imaginary lint on her dress and turned her eyes on James.
"I'm looking."
"Do you love Sirius?"
"How dare you ask a question like that? Of course, I do."
"Then why are you getting all defensive?"
"I am not!"
"You are."
"Oh please. You act as if you've been the epitome of innocence while you were gone."
"I was."
"Sirius, or I, for that matter, didn't receive one bloody lett—What?"
"I said I was. I came to work everyday. Lily, I was actually punctual. I was burying myself in my work that I had no social life, well, at least, I didn't date anyone. A night out meant a few drinks on a bar with a few friends. I attended charity balls and everything customary to my name. But other than that, I was a muggle. Can you imagine? A pureblooded wizard like me… living a muggle's life."
"Why did you leave?"
"Why did you resort to Sirius?"
"Excuse me? I, for your information, like Sirius."
"Like? Well, that is something. I notice you didn't mention anything about love."
"Well, like is almost love, I some ways."
"How?"
"Why did you come back?"
"Wow, we're actually answering each other's questions with a question."
"I know."
"You."
"What?"
"You wanted to know the reason for my return. Now, I'm answering your question. I came back for you."
" Why?"
"I was hoping for a second chance."
"WHAT?!?"
"I love you, Lily. That is still a fact, up to now. You loved me. And you know it. And judging by your face right now, you still have feelings for me. Stop fighting it."
"No. You're wrong."
"How come, then?"
"Oh, maybe you're right. But what I feel for you? Is nothing but pity. You came back looking for me, hoping for another chance but I'm sorry to say that all your efforts are in vain."
"Lily, as I have explained to you a million times, I did all of those because I love you."
"You wanted to prove your love by hurting me?"
"Lily, please understand."
"You smothered me, James! You were like my father, but worse! An obsessed stalker is a much better comparison to you three years ago!"
"I wanted to protect you."
"How? Wherever I go, you were there. Whoever guy I talked to, you send scampering away. I had no life. I was dying of suffocation. From my dad, Petunia, work, magic and you. I was dead years ago. Sirius revived me."
When Lily stopped to catch her breath, she noticed James's hand on her own and to add to that, her face was dangerously close to James.
Why is this happening to me?
But she suddenly had no strength to pull her hand away, or to get away from him.
Like moth to flame, James was unconsciously pulling her in.
Please don't tell me he's leaning in.
Lily closed her eyes to await the impact of his lips on hers when..
"Lily?"