A/N: I am SO sorry for ignoring my story for so long. Reason 1: I've been to competitions every weekend in February. Reason 2: I just had exams. Reason 3: I misplaced my notebook for a bit there. Then I cleaned my room.

Disclaimer: Don't own. Except for Gabriel, Mishka, and the twins. And the song Lily sings as she cleans is I Slept With Someone From Fall Out Boy And All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me by Fall Out Boy.

Chapter Twenty One

Hey Driver

The next morning, Lily carefully removed herself from James' hold. James simply rolled over and continued sleeping. Lily gazed at him for a few moments, admiring the way the purplish dawn light played across his face. Looking out the window at the rising sun, Lily scowled. There weren't any clouds in sight. Today would be clear and sunny. And she couldn't leave the castle, unless she wanted to explain to those who didn't know her real age why she was sparkling like a fresh blanket of snow. Putting these thoughts out of her mind, Lily moved into her bathroom, performing tasks she hadn't needed to do in one hundred and ten years, mainly out of habit. One thing she'd done to improve the castle had been to install indoor plumbing. Stepping into a scalding shower, Lily felt only the tiniest bit of warmth on her skin. She shampooed her hair, and stood in the heat for long minutes, her eyes closed and her face upturned to the spray of the water.

Lily wasn't sure how long she stood in the shower, but by the time she got out and redressed, the sun was fully up. She'd pulled on a black v-neck sweater over a peacock blue tank top, and pulled on skinny jeans. Walking out into the bedroom, Lily saw James sitting up in bed, his messy hair standing straight up. A grin broke over his face when he saw her there, glittering in the sunny room. His bare chest was exposed by his position, but the blankets covered his green and black plaid pajama pants. Lily thought she'd never see a man look at her with such love in his eyes. She loved the glow it gave her, and she wanted him to be looking at her like that for the rest of their existences.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." Lily walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. "You may want to wait a bit before taking a shower. I used all the hot water."

"Not a problem, love." James pulled her closer and placed a kiss on her forehead.

Lily sighed contentedly. The two of them lay like that for nearly an hour before James groaned and stood, starting to get ready for the day. As he moved into the bathroom, Lily began to tidy the room. She was making the bed when she heard the water go on. Smiling to herself, Lily began to sing softly to herself as she fluffed pillows and straightened the sheets and quilts.

"I found the cure to growing older, and you're the only place that feels like home. Just so you know, you'll never know. Some secrets aren't meant to be told. I found the cure to growing older."

"You've got a gorgeous voice, Lils. You should sing more often." Sirius walked into the room unannounced. "Nice place. Where's James?"

"Shower. Any particular reason why you're here so early, Sirius?" Lily looked up from her navy blue comforter, which was perfectly laid out on the bed.

"Oh, there's this kid from the village downstairs. He says you'll be wanting the food today." Sirius shrugged. His shaggy black hair brushed the shoulders of his soft green sweater.

"You need a haircut." Lily commented, moving toward the door.

"Some girls like the long hair, Wonderflower." Sirius trailed after Lily as she walked down the corridor towards the stairs that led to the main entrance. His steps made flat slaps against the stone, echoing off the stone walls.

"If you say so. In my day, the boys had clean shaven faces and trimmed hair. They were gentlemen."

"My dear, I hate to break it to you, but it isn't 1869." Sirius said loftily as they headed down the stairs. "It's 1979."

"I know. Now go annoy Remus and James. I've business to do." Lily shooed him off, entering the foyer.

Sirius pouted, but retreated back to Lily's wing of the castle. Lily sighed when she saw Bron, the boy she'd saved. Behind him, through the open door, she saw a cart of bread, eggs, cheese, and some meat.

"Close the door, Bron. I can't stay in the light." Lily murmured. The boy jumped and did as he was asked. "Better. Thank you for bringing the supplies."

"It's our pleasure." Bron said eagerly. "Do you need help bringing things in?"

"Thanks for the offer, but I believe my friends will suffice." Lily smiled a bit. "Give me a moment, and I'll fetch them."

Lily left at her natural pace – which was fast – and returned five minutes later with Remus, Sirius, and James. The boys set to work bringing the food to the kitchens, grumbling quietly. Keeping in the shadows, Lily oversaw them, breaking a minor squabble between James and Sirius involving French bread swords.

"Aunt Giselle says there will be another soon enough." Bron said in a low voice. For the first time, Lily noticed that they were conversing in Bulgarian Russian dialect.

"There may be." Lily replied evenly.

"Then her prophecy regarding the other won't come to pass." Bron looked vaguely amused. "But I must go back."

Lily watched him go, his cryptic words annoying her. They were added to her growing list of unknowns. Growling low in her throat, Lily dug out pots and pans, collecting food to make into a breakfast omelet.

"Lily, why are you angry?" Remus asked as the boys brought in the last of the supplies.

"I always get this angry when I don't understand." Lily snapped.

"Oi. Who put bitchy in your breakfast blood?" Sirius narrowed his eyes as he watched her fry peppers and mushrooms in a small pan, scramble eggs, and mix dough for biscuits. Of course, she was doing all this at the same time, at 'vampire speed'.

"Lily, sweetheart, what are you doing?" James asked, alarmed. He took a tentative step forward.

"Making your breakfasts." Lily answered. Her frenzied movements were slowing to visible speeds.

"Alright..." James, Sirius, and Remus stepped away from the redhead. They'd never seen her lose her temper, and this didn't even look like she'd fully lost it.

Within fifteen minutes, Lily had set three steaming plates of scrambled eggs topped with mushrooms, peppers, chunks of ham, and cheese before the boys. She then put a basket of buns on the table that sat in the corner of the kitchen. Lily glittered whenever she passed into the light. She sat across from them, watching with cloudy green eyes as they ate. On their part, the boys were impressed that she'd made a meal that good after not cooking for one hundred and ten years.

"This is excellent, Lils." Sirius said, his mouth half full. Luckily, all his food stayed in his mouth while he spoke.

"I agree." Remus was more polite, chewing and swallowing before speaking.

"Thank you, Lily." James leaned over, and kissed her temple.

"You're welcome, James. And thank you for your compliments, Sirius and Remus." Lily's eyes finally cleared, and she gave them all a smile.

"When's the last time you fed, Lily?" Remus inquired. He'd noticed her eyes. They were clear, but they were dark.

Now that Remus mentioned it, her throat burned, and her mind flashed to the last time she'd fed – the chicken blood from Tuesday night. She looked down guiltily as she began to stand.

"I'd best do that now." She grimaced.

The boys watched as she vanished out the kitchen door. James followed her glittering form with his eyes until she had disappeared into the dark forest.