"I can't believe this is actually happening, you're actually marrying her," said Sirius, he and James were inside the Potter mansion, James and Lauren's wedding was being held in the huge garden. James and Sirius were waiting to be called.
"Yeah, I'm getting married," said James slightly dazed.
"How do you feel?" Sirius asked, knowing exactly how he felt before he married Lily. He had been a wreck, convinced she had come to her senses and would leave him at the altar, and then how excited he was to finally be marrying her.
"I'm fine," said James
"You sure?"
"Yeah it's weird I was a mess last time, but I'm fine now. I guess it's just easier the second time," said James.
"Yeah, especially when you don't love the woman you're marrying," said Sirius.
"What the hell? Of course I love Lil… Lauren," said James angrily.
"Yeah I know you love Lily, that's why I can't understand why you've let things get this far."
"I love Lauren, I'm marrying Lauren and that's that, just because you don't like her… why the hell did you agree to be my best man?"
"Because I'm your best mate, and you know I'll support you no matter what but I think your making a mistake"
"I'm not so just drop it, Lily and I are over, finished. I'm marrying Lauren"
"So I guess you won't care that Lily is leaving today, and according to her she's not coming back," said Sirius almost casually.
"What? When did you talk to her? Where is she going?" said James forcefully.
"I spoke to her yesterday and I don't know where she's planning to go but it's not back to Scotland, but she was very clear that she would never set foot in England again," said Sirius slightly stretching the truth.
"What? Why? Isn't she even going to say goodbye," said James sadly, he didn't want Lily to leave again, anything could happen to her and he might never find out. At least if she was in the country he might hear something or read in the paper. He didn't know why he kept focusing on this, but it scared the hell out of him that she could be killed in the war and he couldn't protect her and wouldn't even be notified or be able to say goodbye.
"Don't think so, she said she said everything she had to when she saw you in the Leaky Cauldron and she doesn't see any reason to stick around, so I guess she's just going to slip off," said Sirius.
"James, Sirius we're ready for you," said Mr. Potter.
"Right okay, we're coming dad," said James, "We'll talk about this later," he added to Sirius.
"No we won't you'll be busy with your wife," said Sirius.
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James was standing at the altar waiting for Lauren to come out. Sirius' words were haunting him, 'your wife' 'your wife'. He was going to have a wife that wasn't Lily. But back in the house it had been natural for him to almost say that he loved Lily, Lauren just didn't sound right. 'this is my wife Lauren' It just sounded weird, he'd just have to get used to it, he wasn't marrying her for her name.
Just then he looked up and over at the fields next to the garden and standing on the other side of the fence was Lily. And she looked really gorgeous, her hair was down and she was wearing a light pink summer dress.
She was looking straight at him, she gave him a small smile and then waved. He discreetly waved back. Then Lily smiled sadly and turned and started to walk away in the opposite direction.
James didn't know what made him do it, whether it was just seeing her, or seeing her walking away for the final time when he knew she loved him. James didn't say anything he just sprinted up the aisle, across the garden and over the fence into the field.
"LILY, LILY WAIT," he shouted running to catch up.
Lily turned round and saw him running towards her, "James what are you doing?"
"Stop," was all he said grabbing her wrist.
"I've stopped, what's going on," she said then she heard the uproar of the wedding, "What did you just do?"
"I had to come and see you," he panted.
"Why, I thought we said everything. We could both move on, it's your wedding day"
"Why did you come?"
Lily looked down at the ground, she had known it was a bad idea but she just had to see him one last time. "I wanted to see you before I left, just see you not…"
"I heard you talking to Alice the other day in Florish and Blotts," James blurted out.
"Oh… um I don't know how to…"
"I love you," said James finally saying it aloud.
"James… it's your wedding day," sighed Lily sadly.
"I know… I know I shouldn't have waited but I love you I do, I've never stopped loving you I was just too afraid to admit it"
"James it's just pre wedding nerves everyone gets them, me being here just…"
"I never had nerves when I married you, my only concern was that you'd come to your senses and leave me, I never had any doubts that I wanted to marry you"
"James…"
"Look at me, come on look at me and tell me you don't love me too," said James.
"I can't but…"
"No buts I love you and…"
"Lauren remember James," said Lily.
"I know, I'll …. Can you do me favour?"
"Depends what is it?" said Lily.
"Go to Sirius' flat and wait for me. I have to go back, I can't leave things like that, but…"
"Okay," said Lily.
"Right it's…"
"I know where it is," said Lily.
"Thank you," said James, "I love you but I have to go" then he dashed off.