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I would have had this up two days ago, but I had trouble posting.
They Way Life Works Chapter 14 Christmas Day
With the wedding only three days away and Petunia acting like a banshee James and Lily took the opportunity to hide away in the den and spend some quiet time together, doing their homework, talking and just enjoying the company. Occasionally, Rose and Robert would take turns hiding out with Lily and James in the den which allowed Lily's parents to get to know James and James to get to know Lily's parents, and each moment they spent together they liked each other more and more. Their personalities just matched really well, James was charming and funny, while Lily had inherited her parent's intelligence, her mother's poise and focus but also her father's sense of sarcasm. Basically, Lily and James grew closer, James grew closer to Lily's parents, and everybody avoided Petunia as much as they possibly could.
The peace only came on Christmas Eve, when Rose put her foot down and forced Petunia to think of something other than her wedding, they sat around sipping cider after they had eaten a delicious meatloaf made by Rose. Petunia was still quiet and spoke to no one with the exception of Vernon, who had joined them that night. She occasionally shot angry glances at Lily and James but she was wringing her hands over and over again, clearly nervous about her wedding quickly approaching. James honestly thought she looked like she was going to vomit, but he kept that to himself, and just chatted amicably to everyone. He tried to engage Vernon in conversation, but he was pretty sure that Petunia had told Vernon about him and Lily because he refused to acknowledge that either of them even existed. He was just as cold, if not colder, than Petunia was, James could tell that he had a mean streak about him. Vernon left early after a very stilted and awkward goodbye, Petunia saw him out and no one still in the room wanted to know what was happening on the front porch. After Vernon left, Petunia left to go upstairs and immediately the atmosphere in the room relaxed and the conversation flowed freely. Lily and James went to bed early, they'd had a long day.
Christmas morning dawned cloudy and cold. The family and James gathered in front of the tree and opened presents. James had gotten Lily a white gold bracelet with little lilies entwined in ivy. He had also gotten nice things for Rose and Robert and even Petunia. She would never admit she liked what he had gotten her, but she did, and everyone, including James, could tell that she did, and to them that was all that mattered. The rest of them, including Lily, were surprised by James's good taste. He had gotten Robert a beautiful watch, Rose a hand blown vase to hold her fresh flowers when they bloomed in the spring, for Petunia he had gotten a soft sweater. Lily had gotten James a pocket watch. James carried around his fathers pocket watch, which didn't work, as it was broken when during the fight where he was killed. The pocket watch Lily gave James was an exact replica. James was touched, because it allowed him to move on but still keep a piece of his father with him, and now he would actually know what time it was.
The peace was short lived, as Boxing Day was the day before the wedding. Rose spent the day cleaning the house for the reception. Lily, James and Robert helped clean up, despite Rose's objections, but she had to admit, things were finished sooner thanks to the help she received. That night Petunia was pacing back and forth so Lily and James hid in the den again until it was time to sleep.
The day of the wedding arrived and James had his pants and shirt on but was having trouble with his tie. Lily knocked and entered when James said to come in, she admired him in his suit. He looked amazing. She watched him struggle with his tie for awhile longer before she stepped in front of him and took over. James put his arms loosely around her and was looking into her eyes while her eyes were focused on his tie. When she was finished, his tie looked perfect, and he tightened his arms, not that she was complaining and she moved closer and wrapped around his neck, she met his eyes.
"You look absolutely beautiful." James said quietly.
"Thank you. You look really handsome, I'll have to find reasons to get you into a suit more often."
"As long as you're here to tie my tie." He said and they both laughed. James kissed her and then he just stared at her. She looked back, knowing he wanted to say something but needed some time to sort his thoughts. Surprisingly, she didn't mind being held by him until he figured out what he wanted to say.
"Lily, would it completely freak you out if I told you I was… if I said I was in love with you?" James said softly and timidly, which was much unlike him. Lily was shocked but very happy.
"Not at all. I'm in love with you too. I just haven't had the guts to say it."
"I know, it took a lot for me to say it, I couldn't help but thinking it was too soon. Last night though, when we were in here talking and we were both falling asleep, I didn't want you to leave. And I knew that it wasn't just that I didn't want you to leave the room or get off the bed, it was that I didn't want, don't want to leave, ever. That's when I knew that I loved you." James admitted. Lily looked like she was going cry but in a good way.
"I felt the same way. I can't describe the way it feels to be held by you other than to say it's the best feeling in the world. That's when I knew that I loved you." The couple kissed with a passion that no longer frightened them. They were interrupted by another knock on the door, they broke apart and Rose entered. She knew at once what had transpired because of the looks on their faces, they were relaxed and jubilantly happy. Rose hid her smile and told them it was time to assemble for the wedding. They all got in the car and headed to the church. Lily and James held hands the whole time.
James watched the flower girl head up the aisle, she was a chubby girl in a hideous purple dress, and James knew instantly she was related to Vernon, as she dropped rose peddles and made her way up to the alter. Vernon's sister was next, a large women, also wearing a hideous purple dress, and had a look meaner than Vernon's. Last, but certainly not least, was Lily. She was smiling, in a purple dress that, though not her best color, looked amazing on her, at least in James's opinion. She stood next to Vernon's sister and found James's eyes in the crowd. He gave her a wide, love filled smile, that made her knees weak. Petunia made her way up the aisle next, in a wedding dress, covered in lace and beads, far to gaudy for James's, or anybody's taste, but whatever made her happy, James thought. The wedding went off without a hitch. The reception moved smoothly over to the Evan's home, with only family invited, not including James of course, it was relatively small and Rose made an excellent host. James and Lily avoided Vernon's family as much as possible but did do the polite thing and wish the couple well as they left for the honeymoon.
After everyone had left, the four collapsed in the living room, the ladies had changed into their pajamas and the men had taken off their ties and jackets and loosened their shirts. They spent some time chatting but all were very tired and headed to bed early. As much as James and Lily wanted to be together, they knew they couldn't upset her family that way, so they reluctantly bid each other good night. Knowing they would spend the rest of vacation in a house without Petunia before they headed back to school to meet up with their friends again. More importantly, they'd spend the rest of vacation with each other, in love.