November . . .

Lily and Marlene walked into the apartment after an evening out. The moment she was in the door, Lily slid out of her fantastic but incredibly uncomfortable shoes.

"I told you they'd drive you mad by the end of the night," Marlene teased.

"Shush," Lily said. "You have to admit they look . . . " she searched for the right word.

"Sexy," Marlene suggested. "I'm actually surprised James let you out of the apartment dressed like that," she said.

Lily laughed. "Well," she said, "he trusts me. Though it's usually a battle to get out of the bedroom when I'm dressed like this."

Marlene grinned as she wandered over the kitchen to get a drink. "Do you want anything?" she asked.

"Mmm . . ." said Lily, massaging her sore feet. "There's wine in the refrigerator, if you don't mind."

"There's a note next to this wine bottle," Marlene said. "Did you know?"

"No," Lily said, turning toward the kitchen. "What does it say?" She was already smiling.

"Hmm . . . It says 'Because for you, one glass of wine is tipsy, two is all my dreams come true, and three is far, far too much.' What in the world," Marlene asked, looking over at Lily, "does that mean?"

Lily smiled wider, resting her cheek on her arms as she looked over the back of the couch. "It means my boyfriend loves me," she said grinning. "And," she added after a moment, "thinks I'm a lightweight who gets a bit randy after two glasses of wine."

When Marlene looked baffled, Lily decided she should explain. "He'll probably hate that I've told you, and you are – under no circumstances – allowed to repeat it to Sirius or any of the lads, but it's just something James does. He leaves these little notes sometimes. They're just little reasons he loves me." She felt her cheeks flush, but still couldn't help being happy about it.

"That's sick," Marlene said. She brought the bottle of wine, little note, and two glasses over to the table, flopping down next to Lily. "Seriously. It's like when you're a kid and you go mad on Halloween, eating far too many sweets and making yourself sick. That's what you and James are." She sighed, looking over at Lily. "I'm very torn between being horribly jealous that your boyfriend leaves you sappy little love notes for no reason at all and happy that you're so obviously happy."

"Hopefully the happy wins out," Lily said, smiling.

"Yes, yes," Marlene waved it away. "I'm not a complete cow." She turned to Lily with a grin. "So, what other ridiculously romantic things does James do without prompting?" she asked. "We might as well get all the jealousy out now. Like purging."

Lily snorted. "Excellent. I'm so glad we make you feel this way."

"Come on," Marlene prodded. "I haven't had a date in ages. I need to live vicariously through you."

"Hmmm . . ." Lily said, thinking it over. "He brings home flowers for no reason. I'm fairly sure they're stolen, but," she smiled wickedly, "I definitely don't discourage him from continuing."

"Oh, stolen flowers are the best," Marlene sighed. "Well, I'm assuming their stolen from gardens and whatnot, rather than off a shopkeeper."

Lily laughed. "Oh, that I can confirm. He isn't the best at picking them cleanly. I'm a bit concerned he'll have the authorities called on him, as I can just picture him sneaking around some old woman's yard, making off with all her best blooms."

"Oh, that's an image," Marlene laughed. "Can you picture him trying to explain himself to the police?"

Lily nodded. "It gives me nightmares."

"Where is our darling James tonight?" Marlene asked, glancing around the empty apartment and having another sip of wine.

"Oh, he's out with the lads," Lily replied. "Apparently Peter's been a bit down lately, so they're taking him round for a few pints to try and cheer him up."

"Ah," Marlene said, sipping on her wine and avoiding any further comment.

Lily sighed. "I know you aren't a huge fan of them, but truly, I think you'd change your mind if you gave them a chance."

"Oh, I like the other three well enough," Marlene commented, "but it just seems that Pettigrew doesn't have much to recommend him."

"You mean he's not handsome," Lily scolded.

Marlene threw her a glare. "I'd like to think I'm not that vain, thank you. I'll admit his beady eyes give me the shivers, but I was referring more to his personality."

"And?"

"And it doesn't seem like it's a particularly good one. I'm not saying he's a monster or anything," she went on quickly before Lily could say anything. "I just mean he seems a bit," she shrugged, "like a sheep, you know. Whatever I've thought of the others, you don't have to doubt that they have the courage to simply be who they are. Even when that was a bunch pompous prats. Pettigrew," she gestured with her wine glass, nearly spilling some, "seems content to bask in their limelight. And I find that a hard trait to respect."

Lily sipped her wine thoughtfully. "I can see why you'd feel that way, but I think he's just overshadowed. The others are all very talented and smart, and were always popular. I think he just doesn't have anything to make him stand out. To be honest, I find myself pitying him for it."

"I'm sure he'd appreciate that," Marlene commented with an eyeroll.

"You're right," Lily smiled. "He'd probably be horribly offended by both of our opinions."

"Which is an excellent reason for us to move on," Marlene said. "And, as it happens, by move on, I mean go to sleep. I'm shattered."

Lily laughed. "Of course. Are you sure you won't take the bed? James was planning on staying over at Sirius' tonight."

"Don't be stupid," Marlene waved her away. "I'm not kicking you out of your own bed. The couch will be lovely."

When James came home in the morning, he found Marlene asleep on the couch. She had managed to twist herself into what looked like a very uncomfortable position, but she seemed to be sleeping soundly, so James left her to it.

He made his way quietly into the bedroom. Sure enough, Lily was sleeping. As always, she had sprawled across it, with her arms and legs outstretched. James grabbed a small card and scrawled a short message on it.

Because you manage to take up the whole of the bed, whether I'm in it or not.

He examined the little card, decided it would do, and set it gently next to Lily on the bed. He took a quick shower, making a concerted effort not to wake either of the girls, and dressed quietly in the bathroom.

He smiled when he found them both sleeping when he finished. He moved quietly into the kitchen and began cooking. He pulled out eggs and sausages and brewed some tea.

As the smell of cooking breakfast began to permeate the apartment, he heard Marlene stir.

"Oh, you are a bloody catch," she mumbled, making James laugh. "Is any of that for me?"

"As much as you'd like," he said.

Knowing she would want some without needing to ask, he brought her over a cup of tea with milk and sugar.

She took it gratefully. "Aren't you a dear," she said, sipping it slowly.

"I think so, yes," he agreed, nodding sharply and earning a laugh. James glanced at the bedroom with concern. "Listen," he whispered, "I've a favor to ask you."

Marlene raised an eyebrow. "Alright," she said. "I'm surprised it's you asking and not Lily, but I'm sure I'll do whatever I can."

Again he glanced at the bedroom. "That's sort of part of it. It's about Lily, and you have to keep it to yourself."

Marlene eyed him suspiciously. "You're making me nervous now, James. I didn't think you had any secrets from Lily."

"Well," he said, scratching at his ear. "I think she'd rather it be a surprise."

"Oooh," Marlene got on board immediately. "I love surprises. What is it?"

"Well," he whispered. "It's just that I need some help figuring out her ring size. I was going to just nick one of hers and bring it to the jeweler, but she doesn't have any. I mean, what kind of a girl doesn't have a single –"

He was cut off by the high pitched noise that came from Marlene as she decided what it must mean that he want Lily's ring size. Somehow he didn't think Marlene would like to be considered someone who screamed in excitement at moments like these, but James couldn't think of a better term.

Unfortunately, his goal had been secrecy, and the stirring in the bedroom suggested Lily would join them momentarily.

"Listen, not a word," he said. "Please."

Marlene made a gesture of zipping and then locking her lips, which baffled James slightly, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. "Can you meet me at the Jeweler down the south end of High Street tomorrow at 3:00?" he asked in a hiss.

Marlene nodded. "Absolutely. Oh, James, I'm so excited," she said, bouncing and clapping.

"Yes," he said. "I gather that. But we don't want Lily to think anything's up, so you've got to keep it under control."

"Of course," she said, nodding more calmly. "Of course."

When James felt somewhat assured she could keep it together, he went back over to the kitchen to finish breakfast. His timing was spot on, as Lily appeared only moments later and greeted him with a smile and a kiss. She seemed amused by the card he had left her.

I'm slightly undecided, but the next chapter should either be picking out the ring with Marlene or the actual proposal (if I decide to scrap the whole picking out the ring bit). If you have a strong opinion one way or the other, feel free to let me know.

As always, thanks to those of you who reviewed.

-Naj