Recap:

- Lily and the Marauders receive their NEWT results.

- Alice and Frank get attacked by Death Eaters.

- James takes Lily on a date where he was about to propose to Lily until she put him off.

Sirius shrugged. 'See you later?'

'Sure, sure,' James sighed.

He watched Sirius ride off into the night sky. He turned on the spot, eager to head home. Little did he know, he was in for a shock.

- Chapter Four -

~ James's Sole Request ~

James illuminated the room he had just Apparated into and shrugged off his jacket, when he found his mother lying with her eyes closed on the sofa. He hoped she didn't try staying awake for him; it was going to become a habit of hers.

'Mum,' said James softly, nudging his mother gently. 'Mum, get up. You're going to hurt your back even more, sleeping like that.'

Mrs Potter didn't respond. Colour seemed to be draining from her face before his very eyes.

'Mum,' James said again, panic clear in his voice. He rocked her roughly. She didn't awaken. 'MUM! MUUUUUM!' His heart was beginning to pound almost painfully. 'Mum, please! Mum? Mummy? Mama? Mum?!'

He could hear her breathing extremely lightly. He felt the pulse in her wrist; it was still there, as weak as it seemed.

James lifted his mother up and turned on the spot. Once again, they were off to St Mungo's. A Healer got to James quickly. Mrs Potter was taken away to get checked over while James waited impatiently outside the room, pacing out of nervousness. How could he have left his dear mother alone? What was wrong with him? How could he be so stupid?! She was, as much as either of them hated to admit it, getting old. She just wasn't the same strong woman she once was.

It was getting quite late. The hospital was fairly empty, besides a few Healers rushing around looking harassed.

A couple of hours later, a blonde-haired Healer returned to James.

'How is –?' James began fearfully.

'Your mother's doing fine, Mr Potter,' said the Healer warmly. 'She had a strange type of heart attack, due to overworking herself in terms of magic.'

'She what?' James asked stupidly.

'Basically, she's been working herself a little too hard,' said the Healer kindly. 'We're going to keep her here under observation for sixteen hours and after that, you can take her home, but she's allowed to do little to no magic for seven days.'

'Seven days?' James repeated. 'Oh – okay. I understand. Thank you, Healer.'

The Healer nodded kindly and left James. He entered the ward in which his mother lay and fell asleep in an chair by her bed while holding onto her hand, thinking about life and how it could be taken away at any time … It was foolish the way all of them took the time they had in this world for granted, took the people who accompanied them on life's journey for granted. But, no, he, James Potter, was going to do that no more. Who knew how much time they had left? Between natural causes of death and the Wizarding war … it could be him next.

*.*.*

Order meetings seemed highly inappropriate when their wonderful host was lying in bed on Sirius's insistence. Indeed, Mrs Potter survived the seven days without magic in the comfort of her own bed with James and Sirius for entertainment, while Lily and Remus had fun in the kitchen. This worked out, because Mrs Potter, James and Sirius often conversed about matters they'd rather Lily didn't hear.

'You haven't asked her yet?' Sirius asked, shocked.

'I don't want to just spring this one on her,' said James lowly. 'And it doesn't seem the right time for it, you know, with Mum and all …'

'Oh, James,' said Mrs Potter, 'I think now would be the perfect time. I've got everyone shaken. Everyone needs a reason to celebrate.'

'I agree with Mumzie,' said Sirius instantly. 'James, do it – before she gets the idea that you're never gonna.'

'What if she doesn't love me?' James asked. 'What if she doesn't feel like I'm, you know, the One? We've only been going out for a few months. What if it's too soon?'

'No one will ever love Lily the way you do, mate,' said Sirius solemnly. 'You held onto her for years, despite the bitter relationship you used to share. You couldn't give up on her. She loves you despite your flaws. You two complement each other. I can't imagine a pair more made for each other. And that all just came from me.'

'Wow,' said James. 'You really think?'

'Yes,' said Sirius impatiently. 'And I think a nice wedding would lighten up these dark times a little.'

'In that case …' James breathed, 'I'll try again. I will. And I won't back out.'

Just then, Lily and Remus burst into the room, bringing an aura of happiness along with them. Lily was holding a tray of food.

'Lunch,' she chimed. Sirius got up so that Lily could give Mrs Potter the tray.

Remus put the glass of pumpkin juice down and continued eating his box of biscuits. Sirius went over to him and nicked a few.

'Made it myself,' Lily chirped. 'Remus was feeling just a little too unhelpful earlier.'

'Sorry, Lil,' said Remus apologetically. 'These biscuits are really nice.'

'They're my old dog biscuits,' Sirius frowned, helping himself to a few more. When he moved out of the Potters' house and into his new place, Sirius had left a few things behind.

Remus choked and began coughing. James banged him on the back.

'Your – what?!'

'Dog biscuits,' said Sirius casually, having some more. 'I'm the Dog Star; it's perfectly acceptable for me to have dog biscuits. You, on the other hand …'

'I don't want anymore,' said Remus instantly, thrusting the box to Sirius.

Mrs Potter, Lily and James burst out laughing, and once they started, they couldn't stop, for this was one of those moments in time in which everything was perfectly fine, and there was the slimmest chance that things were going to be this easy again.

*.*.*

'That's sick,' said Sirius disgustedly, screwing up some parchment and throwing it in the fireplace.

'What's wrong?' Peter asked him.

'Just got a letter from my cousin Andromeda,' Sirius said in that same tone. 'Her little sister Narcissa just got married to Lucius Malfoy.'

'Lucius Malfoy?' Lily repeated. 'That creepy blonde-haired rumoured Death Eater who used to be a Prefect?'

'That's the one,' said Sirius. 'I swear people in the Black family have a weird taste in partners. Besides Andromeda, of course.'

'Doesn't she and Ted Tonks have a child?' Remus enquired.

'Yeah,' said Sirius, 'the little Metamorphmagus, Nymphadora. They have an odd taste in names, as well …'

'Wait, Metamorphmagi, that rings a bell …' said Lily slowly. 'They can alter their appearances at will, can't they?'

'Yup,' said Sirius easily, 'I see an Auror in the family.'

'I'm sure she'll make a great Dark wizard catcher,' said Lily lightly, 'if there're any Dark wizards left when we're done with them. Honestly, the way we're being trained …'

James was quiet. He was still thinking about when he was going to propose to Lily. He found himself carrying her ring around just in case he managed to pluck up the courage. It was lucky he did this, because his timing couldn't have been any more perfect.

Days after his first attempt, he was to try again.

Lily was lazily splayed on her bed, kicking her legs and reading a book. Sometimes, reading was her only getaway, but she hadn't been able to in a while with so much going on. It was strange how, when she was a child, unaware she was a witch, she had wished and wished magic were real – she believed in fairy tales, in "happily ever after"s, she would have given anything for wands and magic to be real. And now, if being magical came with wars, she wasn't certain she wanted magic to be real anymore …

But, still, magic had led her to James, whom she was unbelievably happy with. That had to be the silver lining.

Lily's bedroom was filled with flaming orange sunset light. She turned another page of her book, but, before she could read a word of it, someone knocked on her bedroom door, although it was open.

Lily put her book down and looked up, smiling as James strode in and sat on her bed next to her.

'Hey,' she said softly. 'I didn't think I was going to see you today. I thought you said you had plans?'

'I do,' he replied, 'with you. Do you want to go out somewhere for dinner?'

'You're so spontaneous,' Lily smirked, sitting up. 'Of course. I thought I was just going to lie here and read for the entire night.'

'Aren't you glad I came along now?' he said, mimicking her smirk. He kissed her softly on the lips three times before pulling away.

'You keep thinking you're doing me a favour,' she said, kissing him. 'Now, get up and out. I must get changed.'

'You look beautiful how you are right now!' James protested, standing up, but Lily got up herself and pushed him out.

She was ready in ten minutes, dressed in a fashionable, short-sleeved, sparkly midnight top and an elegant rose-red skirt. James whistled when he saw her come down the stairs. She whacked him with her scarlet handbag, grinning and blushing.

'Forgotten anything?' he asked.

'No,' she answered, locking the front door and taking James's hand.

He Apparated the two outside a large restaurant Lily wasn't familiar with, but the name (written in an elegant script) seemed Italian. Lily cast a nervous glance around to make sure no one caught their Apparition.

'It's okay, Lil,' said James smoothly. 'Even if a Muggle saw us Apparate, they'd probably think they were going crazy.'

'Is that supposed to be reassuring?'

James smirked and led her into the restaurant.

It was just as fancy on the inside as it was on the out. The lavish, velvety carpet was a pretty shade of burgundy and the drapes hung loosely on the walls. The restaurant was well-lit and the noise levels were bearable. It was obvious James had chosen this place by himself.

'Reservation under James Potter,' said James to smartly-dressed man.

'Table number seven for Mr and Mrs Potter,' he said to a waiter, smiling at the couple.

'Er – Evans,' said Lily hastily, trying not to blush, 'Miss Evans.'

'Oh, my mistake,' said the man, crossing out something in his book.

Lily and James followed the waiter to their petite, round table. James pulled out Lily's chair for her and waited for her to sit down before taking a seat himself. The waiter poured the two drinks and left.

'Really classy,' said Lily. 'Your find?'

'You know me well,' said James.

They continued conversing in low tones until the waiter returned and asked them if they were ready to order. It was then that Lily and James looked down at their menus; they were so caught up in conversation.

'I think I'll have pasta with …' said James.

'I'll have what he's having,' she said quickly, putting her menu down. When the waiter left, she added, 'If it doesn't taste nice, that's your neck on the line.'

James laughed. 'I've been here before, it's okay.'

'With who?' said Lily hastily, thinking of all the girls she had gone to Hogwarts with.

James chuckled yet again. He was enjoying this. 'My parents when we were littler. It was some family thing with these Muggles Dad knew. All I remember of that day was Dad fumbling around with paper money. Why is the money made of paper? It's only paper, not like gold or anything. It's not really all that valuable at all.'

'It's not about how it looks,' Lily explained, 'but how much value's put on it. In this case, paper has a lot of value. The same applies to most objects. You can look at someone's family heirloom and see it as being valueless, but to them, it could mean the world.'

'Hmm … I suppose that's true,' said James, sipping some of his drink.

When their food finally came, they found they ate very little of it, for Lily accidentally started a food fight. She was talking to James at the same time as having a bit of pasta on her fork. When she shook her hand, the bit of pasta flew off her fork and hit James on the face, leaving sauce stains.

James's jaw dropped. He pelted a bit of his own pasta in Lily's direction, but, in a fit of giggles, she ducked and their waiter got hit instead. He turned around and looked at them, his face contorted with rage, but said nothing as James was looking innocently up at the ceiling and Lily had her back to him.

When the same waiter came along to take away their plates, Lily carelessly knocked over a glass of water in an attempt to help him, and he found his trousers were soaked.

'I am so sorry,' said Lily, sounding panic-stricken while James hid his laughter.

People from nearby tables were now watching with mild amusement clearly etched on their faces.

'It is okay, it is okay,' said the waiter, and for the first time Lily noticed he had a strong Italian accent.

He hurried away before they could do anything else to him.

'James, don't laugh!' said Lily imploringly as James covered his mouth with his hands, trying to shut up. 'Seriously!'

Dessert was even worse, only it was James fault this time. The waiter had come with their long-awaited desserts, only, at the same time, James decided to visit the men's. When he pushed his chair back, he bumped into the waiter. Consequently, the desserts were tipped on him. Lily's jaw dropped as she hurriedly stood up and handed napkins to the waiter. A fellow colleague, too, tried helping and another went to the kitchens to sort out Lily and James's desserts again.

'Really sorry about that,' said James solemnly, running a hand through his hair.

'It's okay,' said the waiter, smiling painfully. He looked like he wanted to do nothing more than tip dessert over James's head, but there wasn't any more to do so. When he walked off, Lily swore she heard him counting to ten.

'I think I'll just stay put,' said James, sitting back down.

Lily burst out laughing, taking great pleasure in the fact that it wasn't her fault this time.

Another waiter came to them with dessert, and left abruptly, as if frightened of the couple.

'We've really done it this time,' James grinned.

As they were enjoying their dessert, the conversation turned to Sirius.

'You know, I'm kind of worried about him,' said Lily, playing with her spoon. 'Why doesn't he find someone? You know, a girl.'

'Are you insinuating that he shouldn't swing the other way?' James asked seriously, although Lily knew he was joking.

'No! He can if he wants – but – I mean –'

James cut in, laughing. 'I know what you mean. But we all know what Sirius is like. He's too much of a rebel to bother with girls.'

'Are you saying that girls are too much to bother with?' said Lily, her eyes narrowing.

'No,' said James, 'that's only the case with Padfoot.'

'But to say that of one girl,' said Lily quietly, 'is to say that about all girls. Am I too much work for you?'

James laughed again. Big mistake.

'Don't laugh!' said Lily for the second time that night. 'James …! Fine,' she said, waving her hands in an I-surrender sort of way.

Unfortunately, she hit a waiter who was passing by with drinks. The drinks toppled over on Lily and James's waiter, who had their bill.

'Actually,' said the waiter, sounding highly exhausted and on the verge of tears, 'forget. You two. You don't have to pay. Please just leave without causing any more trouble!'

'Don't you want to discuss this with –' Lily began.

'PLEASE LEAVE!' the waiter cried in despair.

James grabbed Lily's hand and dragged her out as quickly as he could; as they were leaving, he left a fifty pound note on an empty table, saying, 'Thank you!'

When they were out of the restaurant, they were doubled up with laughter, they even had tears in their eyes.

'That was a disaster,' Lily cried, still laughing. 'A complete fiasco! Only with you, James Potter, could that have happened. I don't think we'll be allowed back there again.'

'Doesn't matter,' said James, easing up and drying his eyes. 'We've still got each other, right?'

'Ah, yeah,' Lily said, sniffing as the last tears rolled down her cheek. 'Where to now, though? I don't fancy going back home yet.' She leaned against James's arm snugly as he started walked.

'I don't know,' he replied, 'I didn't plan all of this … I know what about the fields near Godric's Hollow? It's peaceful over there.'

'Anywhere,' Lily whispered happily.

James Apparated the two back to where they had once had a picnic. Here was perfect. They were only in the company of millions of stars and the crescent moon, along with some candles James had just conjured.

He laid down on the grass and Lily joined him. They were huddled together looking up at all of the constellations.

'James?' said Lily. 'If you were a superhero, what superpower would you want to have?'

Lily heard James's deep chuckle.

'The ability to see through clothes – no, I'm just kidding,' he added when Lily gasped. 'There's no need to fly when you have a broomstick … no need to read minds when you can learn Legilimency … probably super strength.'

'That's boring,' Lily scoffed.

'I would be an extra macho man without needing to work out – that's pretty awesome,' he said defensively.

'That's lazy,' Lily laughed.

'Fine – what superpower would you want?'

Lily thought about it for a long while. 'I would probably want to … be a shape-shifter. Kind of like a Metamorphmagus, but more so.'

'You can use magic for that,' said James.

'Not to turn into an object, you can't,' said Lily.

'What object would you want to turn into?' he said cheekily.

Lily slapped his arm.

'I wish I could be a genie,' said Lily. 'A genie's a character of make-believe. They often come from lamps which must be rubbed three times. Genies grant the person who set them free three wishes.'

'Wouldn't you want to be the wish-maker?' James asked, sounding confused.

'No,' said Lily lightly, 'I prefer making people smile.'

James kissed her head. 'You do a great job.'

'Thanks,' she replied. 'As do you. I can't imagine running to anyone else when I'm in need of a laugh. I can't imagine being with anyone else, full stop.'

'R – really?' James stammered, sitting up.

'Yeah,' said Lily, sounding surprised and sitting up herself. 'What's up with the surprised tone?'

'I – I just thought I was alone in feeling that,' he replied, taking her hand.

'Hardly,' said Lily. 'I don't know why, but I can't picture living my life with another man, or even alone. I've always thought you'd be with me until, well, the day I die.'

'I will,' said James sincerely. 'There's no way I'll ever not be by your side. I'll die before I let anything happen to you. Actually, there's something I've been meaning to ask you.'

'Yes?' Lily felt her heart race, but told herself not to get her hopes high. She watched nervously as James slipped a hand into his pocket and took out a small, black velvet box.

'Lily Evans …' For some reason, her name from his lips gave her butterflies – or was it the way his hazel eyes burned into hers? 'I can't – and don't want to – live the rest of my life without you. I don't ever want to give my heart away to some other girl. I want you to be with me in every step of my life, and I want to be with you through thick and thin, good times and bad. Lil, it scares me how I love you; I love you more than life itself. It scares me the ways I've changed since we've gotten together – I've never changed for anyone before. But I love it, all of it. I love you. Will you marry me?'

The last four words did it. Moments later, Lily felt tears spill out of her eyes, and impatiently rubbed them away as James opened the box to reveal a silver and diamond-encrusted ring. It was beautiful, but that wasn't why Lily loved it so much; she could tell it was James's choice and it meant more to her than any material object in the world.

'Yes,' she whispered. 'Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. I honestly can't think of another man I would want to marry, another man I want to go forth in life with. James, I love you. And I can't thank you enough for all you've ever done for me. You welcomed me into your family of friends and actually made me feel like I belong. You know how to love, how to appreciate – you're all I've ever wanted in a man: selfless, giving, loving, caring … you're real.'

James delicately took Lily's left hand and slid the ring onto the finger next to her little one. It fitted perfectly and looked pretty, sparkling there. Lily put her arms around James's neck and kissed him. She thought she felt tears trickle down her face that weren't hers, but then assumed she imagined it, as, when they broke apart, she saw his eyes were dry.

James held onto her tightly. 'See. No war can get in between us. I promise, it won't break us apart.' He kissed her forehead.

Eventually, they went to James's place where Mrs Potter, Peter, Remus and Sirius were lounging around. They appeared to be waiting for them.

Peter squeaked and Sirius yelped upon looking at the ring resting on Lily's hand. Mrs Potter hurried to their side, hugging them both and kissing James on the cheek.

'Mum,' said James, although he looked quite happy.

'I'm so pleased!' she said in a high-pitched voice. 'Your father would be so proud of you, James, so, so proud!'

Meanwhile, Remus hugged Lily tightly and whispered, 'Just look how happy you made him,' in her ear. Sirius pushed him aside for a hug from his "favourite flower". He quickly kissed her forehead and hugged her again, not even giving Peter a chance.

'That's enough,' James grinned, 'I'm pretty sure you're suffocating her, Padfoot. Release.'

Like a dog, Sirius obeyed.

Someone opened many bottles of Butterbeer and they spent the rest of the night drinking and chatting until Mrs Potter decided it was quite late and they should all head back to their own homes.

James Apparated to Lily's with her, just to see her off safely, before going back home and getting into bed himself. But he couldn't sleep, he was too excited. He laid in bed for many hours just thinking, thinking about the life he and Lily would have together.

A/N: Sorry for the bad structuring of this chapter. I wrote lots of little things and tried mushing them all together.

Tuesday 10th October 1978