Chapter 10: Finalizing
James closed the door behind Lily. "So what was the picture really?" Sirius asked.
"I need to talk to Ambre." James said heading toward the living room.
"Ambre? You need to talk to Remus' girlfriend?"
"I need him too. And Peter."
"Prongs, what was the picture?"
"A rose." He said simply, his long steps taking him right to the fireplace.
"A rose. A flower has got you all worked up?"
"I'm not worked up. Where's the floo powder?" He scanned the mantle.
"Erm, we're out?" Sirius offered.
"We can't be out. It's-right here." He snatched up the sack hanging off a nail in the wall. He quickly turned to Sirius. "Okay, tomorrow night I'm going over to Lily's for dinner. While I'm there, I need you to send her an invitation to my mum's birthday for next Saturday. While I'm out talking with Ambre, write a letter to my mum asking if we can have the yacht for next Saturday."
Sirius frowned. "You want me to ask your mum for the yacht for her own birthday?"
"Well don't tell her why I need it. Just tell her I want to borrow it and I'll explain it to her tomorrow over lunch or something."
"Okay,"
"When you get the reply back thank her."
"What if she says no?" Sirius cut in.
"She won't. I also need you to set up a Portkey for next Saturday, the ending location about two blocks from the dock. Send out letters to Moony and Worms telling them to meet us here at," James quickly glanced at his watch, "Say four? Its only noon now, I should be back in time."
"Should I also tell Moony that you've run off with his bird?"
"I'll explain it to him at four. Got everything that I need you to do?"
"Yes. Portkey, Remus and Moony at four, letter to Mum, yacht, lie and oh yes, did you also want me to pick up your dry cleaning or that rose?"
"No. I've got that under control. Thanks Padfoot. And don't forget the invitation to Lily tomorrow night."
"Yacht, letter, invitation, permission letter, ministry letter. Anything else?"
"I'll need a rose bush."
"You're kidding right?"
"Where else would I get the rose?" James grinned. "Thanks Sirius."
"Wait, do you really need a rose bush?" Sirius asked, James about ready to throw in the powder.
"Not just yet. I'll let you know."
"Well okay then." After James disappeared in the green flames Sirius set to work on the ministry letter requesting a portkey. He then apparated to the Potter's house, figuring he might as well visit.
He walked up the path, then went straight in. "Mrs. Potter?" He called. Not getting a response he slammed the door closed, going further inside. "Mrs. POTTER!"
Still he got nothing, so he stepped toward the stairs. "MRS. - Oh, hey."
"Sirius?" Mrs. Potter had appeared from the kitchen, a hand over her heart. "Merlin, you gave me a scare. What are you doing here?"
"Sorry. I just had to ask you something."
"Oh? Well I was just baking, come in though. You could help if it wouldn't be too much trouble."
"None at all." he assured her. Mrs. Potter nodded, slowly moving back to the kitchen.
"So is everything all right?" She asked over her shoulder. She was a short woman, with white hair. She always reminded Sirius of what he imagined Mrs. Claus would look like. White hair, short, a kind face that reflected her attitude, a round figure that simply added to her Mrs. Claus air. Like she baked sugar cookies for hundreds of elves everyday and couldn't help but sample some.
"Everything's fine."
"How are you?"
"Fine."
"And James?"
"A little mental, but fine." Sirius told her.
"Here, sit sit." She pointed at one of the island's chairs with the wooden spoon she'd picked up. Sirius sat, leaning heavily on the counter to peer into the bowl she'd taken the spoon from. It looked thick and chocolaty.
"What are you making?"
"Brownies. Something terribly simple I'm afraid." she smiled stirring in the clumps.
"May I?" Sirius held out his hand for the spoon. Silently she passed the bowl to him.
"So," Mrs. Potter wiped her hands on her apron. "You wanted to ask me something?"
"Oh, yeah. See James wanted to know if he could use the yacht for next Saturday." He stirred slowly, watching the wooden spoon make circles in the dark batter. He wanted to lick the spoon so bad. Or just eat the batter, forget the spoon.
"This coming Saturday? Or the one following?"
"I dunno. He just said next Saturday."
"May I inquire what for?"
"I dunno." He shrugged. "He said he'd explain tomorrow over lunch though. Are you going to add chocolate chips?"
"I have some, but I was thinking of adding nuts." Sirius looked at her, fighting a smile. "Oh, not those kind of nuts. Drag your head out of the dirty pit. Walnuts." She corrected.
"Chocolate chips would be better." he said, going back to watching the slow circles he was making.
"They're in the cupboard behind you if you want to add them." She offered.
Sirius left his post, getting the bag of chips. "Now, Sirius, why isn't James here asking for the boat himself?"
"Erm, he had to go talk to Ambre."
"I thought Lily was his girlfriend."
"She is." He answered absently, trying to open the plastic bag, but it was being stubborn.
"Then who's Ambre?"
"Remus' girlfriend. She's a sixth year at Hogwarts. Well was. She's a seventh year now."
"Scissors are in the drawer." Mrs. Potter told him. "I'm sorry you had to be his messenger. Having to hang out with an old hag like me isn't nearly as much fun as what you could be doing."
"You're not old. You barely look over twenty five." Sirius grinned. The woman laughed.
"You're too good to me. I don't know a soul of twenty five who has gray hair."
"I'd say it's a crown of white."
"I'll send you home with a plate. Stop flattering."
"Now, you're too kind to me!" He said as he dumped the bag's contents into the bowl. "Can I lick the spoon?"
"Of course dear, you know it's nice. Not having to use two spoons, just so you and James won't fight."
"We weren't that bad, were we?"
"You had your days. But in general you were the best boys a mother could wish for." Sirius smiled, leaning across the counter to kiss her cheek.
"Thanks for everything."
"Don't mention it." She patted his cheek before he pulled away completely. She silently watched as he stirred the chips in. Then she handed him a pan. "Dump that in there would you?"
"Sure." He tipped the bowl, spooning the batter in. Once it was in the stove he asked, "How are you feeling?" Sirius then licked at the spoon, waiting for her answer.
"Oh, fine. Old age isn't something to look forward to though. I'll give you that."
"You're not ill are you?" There was true concern in his voice. You wouldn't find anything close to that tone if it were his own mother he was talking to.
"No. I'm not ill, just old."
Sirius licked at the spoon for a while longer before Mrs. Potter spoke up again. "Did you have somewhere to be? Or would you like some tea while we wait for the brownies?"
"I have a few letters I need to write up for your son. But I would much prefer some tea with you." He hopped off the stool. "Or milk would be good. I'll get it."
"Sirius you are a dear. I'll just be out in the garden when you've got it."
O
"You want me to decorate it for your mother's birthday party?" Ambre asked, looking up at James in disbelief.
"Yes."
"But...what about the engagement celebration?"
"What about it?" James asked.
"Well, you are still planning on proposing aren't you?"
"Yes."
"So are you." Her forehead was wrinkled with confusion. "I mean, am I...Am I still going to decorate it for that too?"
"No."
"No?"
"That will be later."
"And you're not doing the party on this?" She waved at the large boat in front of them.
"No, I am."
"You are? So-"
"Just decorate it like you would have for the engagement party, only without the streamers. Don't worry about food either, just have tables set up. Make it classy."
"Yeah. Sure."
"I'll send Remus to help you then? And don't worry about finances. I'll pay for it, obviously."
"Right. So how are you planning on asking her?"
"My mum to her birthday party?"
"No. Lily to marry you."
"Oh. I'm still working it out. I'm sure Lily would love to tell you once I do it though." He said staring up at the yacht. "So, shall we?"
"After you." She said then followed him aboard. After a quick tour and instructions on where the band should be set up, the food tables placed, and where the eating tables could be they left.
As they walked to the apparition point, James noticed a house with an overgrown garden. The house itself was brick, looking neglected. It had a path through a front garden, two steps up to a porch that ran the length of the house, then the one story house. Through a large window on the left of the door one could see into the living room, on the other side of the door was another window of about the same size that peeked into the dining room. Past the dining room, was the kitchen, a sliver from their stand point.
"Ambre?" James asked.
"Yeah?"
"What's that sign in the front yard?"
"It's a real estate sign. The property's for sale. Why?"
"Maybe once Lily and I are married we could live there." He explained vaguely.
Ambre frowned at him. "You want to move in there? It looks abandoned."
"It's got potential."
"I'd talk to her about it first." She suggested.
"I will." He continued to stare at the house. He could almost see them living inside, though the yard would have to be taken care of. There was a lot of room for improvement.
Another moment passed before James said, "Come on," And they left.
~o~
Back at James and Sirius's flat, the Marauders were gathered. James had already explained his plan to them, so everything was planned out and detailed. All that was left was finalizing his speech.
"I say we do a dress rehearsal." Remus said. "You know, one last go before the real thing."
"All right." James agreed, though he wasn't really in the conversation, but rather going through all the things that needed to get done before he asked, and not to mention convincing his mom to attend her own surprise birthday party.
"I say it's Sirius' turn." Remus continued.
"What!" Sirius demanded.
"Get in your best girl's clothes. You're playing Lily."
Sirius scowled at him. "I am not cross dressing. No way. No how."
"It is your turn." Peter agreed.
"See. You had James propose to me." Remus reminded him.
"And dance with me." Peter added.
"And I had to propose to him, and dance with him." James joined in.
"Do you even know what they're going to make me do?" Sirius demanded of his best mate.
"Finalize my speech." James shrugged.
"In woman's clothes!" At that James snorted.
~o~
Several minutes later::
"I can't believe I let you talk me into this." James hissed wearing black boxers, since he didn't own slacks, and his collared shirt and tie from Hogwarts.
"At least I'm not making you go out on location." Sirius retorted. With Remus and Peter forcing him to wear girl's clothes he had made James dress nicely as well. Though since neither of them owned woman's clothes for obvious reasons Sirius had a towel pinned around his hips and wore a blouse one of his lady-friends left over. Along with water balloons to make up a chest.
"You boys ready?" Remus asked from the kitchen.
Sirius pushed James out the door. Peter howled with laughter when he saw them.
"Can we just get on with this?" James demanded.
"No need to get snappy darling." Sirius said in a girly voice. Mostly mocking the whole situation he was in. James shot him a glare, but Sirius just shrugged.
"How many?" Peter asked acting as their waiter and stifling a chuckle.
"2." James answered jutting his jaw out defiantly. This wasn't even how the damned thing was supposed to go. Not really.
"Right this way." Peter led them to a card table set up in the middle of James' living room, the other furniture pushed off to the side. "Gentlemen." He laughed.
Sirius cleared his throat loudly as James was about to sit down. He looked at Sirius who made a jerky head movement to his chair. James shook his head, not understanding. Sirius looked pointedly at his chair still jerking his head. It looked like he was having a seizure.
"Aren't you going to offer me a chair?" Sirius asked through his teeth.
"There's your chair." James told him.
"Pretend that I'm Lily, wouldn't you pull out her chair and offer it to her?" Sirius raised his eyebrows. James growled standing back up to offer Sirius her chair.
Once they were seated Peter asked if they'd like something to drink.
"A bottle of scotch. I'm gonna need it." James answered.
"No. What's Lily's favorite wine?"
"Chardonnay." James answered promptly.
"Then you should order that."
"Fine. Your best bottle of Chardonnay." James said.
"Right away sir." Peter said then disappeared into the kitchen. Sirius looked around.
"This is so lovely." He said.
"Yes."
"You should really say something like, 'anything for you baby.'."
"I would never say something like that." James protested.
"Let's try this again." Sirius said ignoring him. "This is so lovely Jamesy."
"Jamesy?"
"Would you please just try to go with it?"
"Fine. Thank you Siri-poo." Sirius looked at James, clearly not amused. Peter came in carrying a bottle of cider. Remus convinced him it would be better if they practiced sober. This was their last shot to get it right after all.
"Here you go James."
"Sir!" Remus shouted from the kitchen reminding him to follow the charade.
"Sir." Peter corrected.
"Thanks." James said holding up his wine glass that had been set on the table. Peter poured him a generous amount.
"For you madam?" He asked Sirius.
"Please." Sirius said.
"This is cider." James pointed out after taking a sip.
"Remus didn't want the two of you drinking." Peter told them.
"Just get us food so we can get this over with." James said.
"If you're going to act this way you better get Lily drunk so she'll agree." Sirius advised.
"Shut your mouth."
"All right, propose."
"There's no way I'm asking you! Even if it is just practice. Besides I think I have it well enough."
"I'm not wearing a skirt for no reason!"
"It's a towel." James corrected.
"Just ask." But James shook his head stubbornly.
"Remus!" Sirius called.
"What?" Remus asked poking his head out of the kitchen.
"Tell James that he agreed to practice. He has to prepare his speech."
"Prongs, there's no getting out of this. Besides, you're making it perfect for Lily." Remus said.
"I know what the problem is." Sirius announced after a minute of James silently refusing.
"Besides the fact that you're the worst girl ever?" James asked.
"Yes." Sirius scowled. "I'm not girly enough."
"What are you suggesting? We get a real girl?" Remus asked.
"No. We use a more girly guy." Sirius looked directly at Remus.
"No!" Remus objected. "Besides I already had my turn at humiliation. As did Peter."
"Well I have to propose, so I can't be Lily." James said.
"But you can!" Sirius exclaimed.
"No. I can't."
"Yes. You can. I'll be you, and you'll be Lily, and I'll show how this is supposed to be done."
"Sirius," James complained.
"Lily," Sirius began softly. "I've always loved you." James glared at Sirius crossing his arms.
"Sirius," James repeated angrily.
"Shh. Let me tell you this." Remus and Peter snorted trying to contain their amusement. James rolled his eyes. Sirius continued, "I want to make a life with you, and" He burst out laughing. "I can't do this. I'm sorry."
"I'm so glad you can take this situation seriously."
"I take every situation seriously. I'm serious after all." He stopped frowning. "I didn't mean for that to be a pun."
"Good job."
"Thanks. But I really didn't."
"Can we just get on with this?" James asked.
"Right." Sirius composed himself. "Okay. So, my dear Jilly,"
"Jilly?" Remus cut in.
"Yeah. It's James and Lily combined."
"Of course. Continue."
"Jilly, we've known each other a long time-"
"Jilly kind of sounds like jiggly." This time it was James to interrupt.
"It does!" Peter agreed.
"No it doesn't." Remus argued.
"Jilly, Jiggly. Yeah it does." James said.
"I was in the middle of something." Sirius frowned.
"Right. Sorry Padfoot. Go on." Remus urged.
"Thank you. Okay, where was I? Right. We've known each other a long time, and I think it's time that we combine our lives and-now what?" Sirius demanded as Peter had his hand raised trying to get his attention.
"Lily didn't like James when they first met." Peter pointed out.
"So?"
"So saying that he's known her for a long time implies that they got along." Peter explained.
"It's not good to start out with." Remus added. Sirius ran a hand over his face.
"Fine. Jilly, I think I know you well enough now, and I've been thinking that we should combine our lives." James sat there staring at Sirius like he was a complete goon.
Remus leaned in, "What are you saying James?" He asked in a high pitched voice. James glared at him, as if to say, 'how dare you provoke him, do you want this to continue?' Remus just shrugged looking back to Sirius.
Sirius was really into character now, he sighed deeply as if getting his bearings, "I love you." He got down on the floor, kneeling. "Jilly, will you marry me?"
James looked at him, thinking, why them? Out of all the people at Hogwarts, why did I have to befriend them? Oh, that's right, I'm crazy.
"Of course I will," Remus said playing Lily. Merlin save me.
"Lily isn't one to like all things corny." James said. "She doesn't like predictable. Frankly I'm not. If I start out with that she'll know I'm proposing."
"So, what you want it to be spontaneous?" Peter asked.
"Not spontaneous. I just don't want her to expect it."
"So no, Lily I love you, or Lily I think we've known each other a long time?"
"Exactly." James agreed. "I was thinking more of this..." And so much of the night was spent like that.
TA-DA! Okay so I have how James proposes in my head. I just have to get it down on paper. :D
Reader Challenge:: How do you think James is going to propose? Use your heads, look at the clues.
BETA's note to you:: if there are any errors that i didn't catch, kindly forward all flames and complaints to me. it's my first time beta reading in a long time and i'm a little rusty. *hides in a fort constructed of blankets*