Hey everyone, this is going to be a bit of a long note, bear with me my FF friends :D
First off, I really need to apologise to you all for this chapter, I've been dealing with some stuff the past few weeks so it's been a struggle to write a well balanced chapter with lots of happiness when I'm feeling the opposite. It irritates me when I don't deliver perfection for you all when you're all so, so wonderful to me. Please don't judge me too harshly on this one.
Next, this is going to be my last update for about 3 weeks since my man is up next week and my best friends the week after that. So, that being the case, I personally want to wish each and every one of you the best Christmas ever and the safest new years whilst still being insanely off tap fun. I hope you all get spoilt ridiculously and make only the best memories you can treasure for years to come.
You are all such precious, precious people in my life. Like my own little online family. Only wishing you the best, and sending you so much love.
Honourable mentions to; Ravenclawlupin11, XXJAMESLILYXX, hpdreamer500, joesbaby14, Adorkably Adorkable, SecretlyAGryffindor, Undercover Hufflepuff, hello-goodbye146, Jaz09, crazycat999, The DA is dressed to the nines, KatieMAGICLove, hptwilightlvr, LiLoveheart, TmoVie, bookworm1545.
Thank you always, you amaze me xx xx xx
P.S a special mention to Amanda who cheered me up and got me through the week xxx
JAMES
Sharp, long, blood stained nails reached forward for Lily, her eyes wide and alarmed, her body frozen with her arms wrapped securely around her chest. 'Run' I tried screaming but she wasn't listening, like she couldn't even see me here. I tried to move forward myself but found I was frozen in place, invisible bonds holding me so I was immobile.
"Lily! Move! Run!"
The bony, evil hand reached forward once more and this time Lily backed up slightly. The hand then beckoned slowly and it was only then I saw the big picture.
Lily, her back turned to the hand had a small baby wrapped in her arms protectively, all I could see was messy black hair poking out in tufts in the gaps through Lily's arms. Growing impatient the hand swung back and rushed forward swiftly, when it pulled back again it was drenched in thick, red, blood.
I woke up violently, jumping right up, heart racing, panic filling my entire body. Something was wrong, there was something wrong. Wait…where was I? In the darkness I patted the spot next to me to only feel the bed; Lily wasn't anywhere on the bed. The breath caught in my throat as I tried to separate dreams from reality.
"Evans?" I managed to croak.
A stream of light and a loud creak snapped my attention to the door that led to the balcony. Lily stood there in only my shirt, concern and love etched in her face.
"You alright Potter?" she asked. "Did you have a bad dream?"
Sweat dripping down my face and back I nodded, still feeling shaky.
Lily moved silently forward, crept onto the bed and sat behind me, wrapping her arms around my back, resting her chin on my shoulder, holding me close so I felt grounded.
"Was the dream really that awful?"
I sighed and it came out broken. "I don't want to even think about it Evans,"
Lily rubbed my back comfortingly. "Did Sirius steal your favourite dress robes?"
I rolled my eyes and nudged her gently. "No Evans, that wasn't it,"
"I'm sorry," she said seriously. "He told you, you guys can only be friends right? No more midnight cuddles?"
This time I laughed or at least tried to, the image so ridiculous I couldn't help but feel cheered up.
"There! Got a smile didn't I?"
I leant back and tilted my head up for a kiss. Lily leant down and obliged, smiling at me so lovingly I almost forgot I had been devastated moments before.
"Why were you out before?" I asked.
"Come on,"
I allowed Lily to pull me through the glass doors and onto the balcony.
"The sunrise," she explained to me, wrapping my arms around her waist before leaning on the balcony. "It's my favourite thing in the whole world…besides you of course. I love that every morning is a fresh start, a beautiful beginning with every chance that it's going to be a great day, that there is hope it will be better than the last,"
I snuggled in close to her neck, pecking her gently. "I like the sound of that Evans,"
"Will you watch with me?" she asked.
I looked out at the tiny yellow ball in the distance, slowly rising, illuminating the world.
"Where else would I be Evans?"
Lily shifted closer and together in silence we watched the sun rise, the animals slowly move out into the light of the world as the darkness diminished.
"It really is beautiful," I whispered.
Lily squeezed my hand. "I know, when things are getting me down I make sure to catch the next sun rise, gives me some semblance of hope,"
An idea hit me then so perfect, so ingenious and romantic I had to smirk on how amazing my reward would be once I made it happen for Lily.
"What?" she asked. "Is there some joke I'm not aware of?"
I shook my head and spun her around to face me.
"I've just had the best idea ever,"
Lily gestured for me to go on. "Let's hear it then,"
"We get married!"
Lily rolled her eyes and held up her left hand, her engagement ring sparkling in the sun. "What did you think the ring was for?"
I shook my head. "No, no, no, we get married right here, at sunrise. A new beginning in every sense of the word, as the sun comes up and lights up the world, we will face whatever's next as a newly formed family,"
Lily's smile put the sunrise to shame as she beamed up at me. "Sometimes Potter I swear you get these lines from a book or maybe there's someone in your ear whispering the perfect things to say,"
I smirked as I tweaked her nose. "Ever thought that perhaps I'm just perfect?"
Lily shrugged. "Maybe, but I'll never admit it, your ego would never deflate,"
I chuckled and gave her a little peck on the lips.
"What's the plans for today love?"
Lily smiled up at me and then looked down at the only thing she was wearing which was my shirt.
"I think I'm going to need to get dressed before we do anything else,"
As Lily tried to walk away I caught her around the waist and pulled her back and close into my body.
"I like you in my clothes," I purred into her ear. "Sexiest thing you could ever put on,"
Lily giggled and slipped out of my arms.
"Come on Potter, we're burning day light. I'm going to go have a shower, if you're lucky I might let you join,"
I didn't need telling twice, I quickly rushed after Lily, only to skid to a halt as we found Sirius laying on our bed, eye brows raised as he stared at Lily.
"Sirius! What are you doing here?" I asked.
Sirius rested his arms behind his head and smiled his little sideways smile. "Bachelor party tonight mate, we gotta get you away from Evans before you get all cutesy and we're forced to apparate you to opposite sides of town,"
I stared at Sirius incredulously. "Pad foot, it's only…seven am…so I'm going to ask again, what the hell are you doing here?"
Sirius turned away from me and stared at Lily, looking her up and down.
"Evans, less is definitely more, I never ever thought I'd say this to you but hubba hubba!"
Lily blushed and pulled the edges of the shirt down.
"Alright, let's go," I said, pushing Sirius off the bed.
"I'll see you later gorgeous," I told Lily.
"I'd give you a kiss goodbye but I need to go and scrub my skin raw after having Sirius undress me with his eyes," Lily replied, blowing me a kiss.
I chuckled as Sirius scowled and frog marched him out of the room.
"Your girlfriend can be insufferable sometimes," he sulked as he fell into the couch.
"It's fiancée and she's got great taste," I replied just as Frank, Peter and Remus strolled into the room.
"Longbottom!" I said in delight. "It's been weeks man , how you holding up?"
Frank grinned. "The thought of Sirius mapping out a whole day for your bachelor party has cheered me up considerably,"
I rolled my eyes. "Great support unit you are,"
Remus moved over to clap me on the shoulder. "I'm on your side,"
I smiled at him warmly. "I know you are Moony, you're the only one that keeps me sane,"
"What about me James?" Peter piped up. "I'm on your side too!"
"Are you?" I countered.
"Wh- what?" he stuttered.
"On my side. Are you on my side?"
Peter looked stricken at the simple question so after a few moments I gave him a break.
"I'm just kidding Wormtail, I know you're on my side. I'd love it if you could knock Sirius out for the next week or so though,"
Peter smiled at me sheepishly. "I love you mate, but you're on your own there,"
"Traitor," I retorted and for a split second Peter looked like he might cry, however he covered it so quickly I may have imagined it.
"So, any reason why we're up so early? Aren't these things generally at night?"
"They are," Remus replied. "But the girls wanted Lily completely free the whole day for pampering before the girls night so we had to steal you away,"
As if on cue the girls came giggling through the house, completely ignoring us and going straight into mine and Lily's room.
"That is a lot of pampering," I whistled.
The guys all murmured in agreement as we stared at the closed door, not even able to comprehend what they could do for a whole day and night.
Sirius came out of the trance first. "Enough of this, let's go do some guy things,"
I sighed. "Such as?"
"Getting more sleep at my place," Frank said, rubbing his eyes. "Al is going to be out all day and I'm freaking tired,"
"That sounds so good," I replied, my eye lids feeling heavy.
"And waste the day? Come on guys!" Sirius protested.
"Sirius, come on, are you going to honestly tell us that with Carla in your bed you got a full nights sleep and aren't tired at all?" Remus asked.
"Maybe an hour or two wouldn't kill us…" Sirius hedged.
"It would give you more energy for tonight," Peter piped in.
Sirius' eyes lit up. "You are so right Wormtail, let's go rest up we will definitely need all the energy we can get. Let's go!"
I sighed as Remus rubbed my back.
I turned to Peter and glared. "My side my arse," I muttered.
*
I woke up hours later to flashes on light in my face.
"Whazzamatter?" I asked jumping up and smacking my head into the camera pointed at my face.
"Ouch! Oh jesus! What the hell!"
Sirius looked down at me sheepishly. "Sorry mate, I'm just making sure I capture every moment of today,"
I rubbed my eyes, trying to adjust to what looked like mid day light.
"Guys, he's up!"
Remus waltzed in first, followed in quick procession by Frank and Peter.
"Good afternoon sleeping beauty," Frank grinned.
I sat up with my legs crossed. "What's the time?"
"One thirty, you have definitely wasted half the day. Evans tire you out that much?"
I threw the pillow at Sirius's head and stretched my muscles and joints. "So, what's the plan for today?"
Sirius grinned. "If I told you, I'd have to kill you. Get dressed and let's go, we have a few stops,"
I groaned and fell back into the pillows. "Can't I just skip it?"
"Your own bachelor party? Not a chance," Frank replied. "It's an important rite of passage remember?"
I groaned again and forced myself out of bed. "Alright fine, let's do this. Where's stop number one?"
Sirius' face lit up, his smile mischievous. "Let's go find out, Petey put the blind fold on,"
Peter clapped and rushed off to go get the blindfold as Remus smiled at me apologetically.
"You'll never forget this," Sirius promised.
I rubbed my forehead in circles. No doubt.
*
"Are you ready Prongs?" Sirius asked as he guided me forward, hand firmly wrapped around my biceps.
"Would it matter if I said no?"
"Nope,"
"Then I guess I'm ready,"
Sirius chuckled slightly and began fiddling with the ties of the blind fold at the back of my head.
I braced myself for scantily clap women, for the entrance to a bar, hell maybe he'd take me into town to one of those crazy muggle raves or something. I was braced for everything, everything except this.
As the blind fold came off my mouth opened in surprise, my eyes practically popping out of my head. It was unlike anything I could have ever imagined in my wildest dreams.
"Sirius…" I began, trying to find words. "What…?"
Sirius shrugged and as I finally turned to him I noticed he was looking more humble than I'd ever seen him.
I turned back again to my parents holiday house; the first place I ever took Sirius, our first holiday with my family that had cemented our friendship. We hadn't been here in years, not since the big storm had almost completely damaged. It was perfect now though; in pristine condition; like someone had made sure it was well looked after, had taken the time to completely remodel it in exactly the way it had been before. I was guessing that someone was Sirius.
"Where are the strippers?" I asked.
Now Sirius laughed. "No strippers mate. This is the first place I've ever gone on a holiday and had fun, our first real trip together, remember? I want today to be about us you know, and how far we've come. I know that when you get married you're going to want to make you own memories and stuff so I just figured this one day I could have you to myself and it could be all our memories in one. So when you look back on your bachelor party, it's gonna be a perfect day,"
I stared at him, touched. "Sirius…you know that just because I'm getting married it doesn't mean it's going to change right? You're always going to be my best mate, nothing is going to change,"
Sirius smiled wryly. "Everything changes mate, look how much has changed already,"
I slung my arm around his shoulder. "Not for us it doesn't. You're my best man, if you ever produce a strong enough Imperius I'll be best man at your wedding, you'll be God dad to my kids, we're going to be old geezers trying to convince our kids we were once the coolest guys ever, and it's going to be together we have the biggest moments in our life,"
Sirius' eyes looked watery and he turned away from me.
I sighed and leant in close to his ear. "You want to go get drunk? I'll pay for one lap dance for you,"
Sirius looked back at me, eyes dry and interested. "Really?"
I grinned. "If you're a really good boy I'll lie to Carla and tell her we just went to the old haunts all day and avoided all women,"
Sirius wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "And that's why you're my best mate, come on then, we still have a few hours before the real fun begins!"
"What real fun?" I asked but Sirius was already skipping away.
"Sirius, what real fun!"
Sirius either didn't here me or ignored me and just kept running away, laughing merrily as he tackled Peter to the ground.
I looked up at the sky and took a deep breath. Here we go.
LILY
"This is so relaxing," I murmured as my back and shoulders were rubbed.
"Everyone should get this done once a week, I swear there'd be no war; everyone would just be too mellow," Carla replied.
I giggled. "Yeah babe that's the problem, Voldermort is just tense,"
"Hey, it's a possibility, can you honestly tell me you feel any anger what so ever right now?"
Every ache and pain I'd accumulated over the year was gone, the tension and stress eliminated so I was just lying limp on the table, feeling content and relaxed. I don't think I could work up enough angry energy to smack Sirius out if he'd been here now making smart arse comments.
"Fair point," I finally replied. "Tell you what, next time we see Voldermort or any of the death eaters I'll be sure to mention this place,"
Carla snorted. "Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit Lily,"
I giggled. "Sorry,"
"You know what we need?" Alice asked as she had her scalp massaged.
"Some chocolate and good sex after this?" Violet asked with a cheeky grin.
Alice chuckled and shook her head slightly. "Close, but not quite. We need to teach the guys how to do this, wouldn't it be awesome to go to bed after a half hour back and shoulder massage, followed by a scalp massage?"
We all took a moments silence to imagine every night ending with the same relaxing routine, no matter how stressful the day had been. It would be the perfect end to every day really.
Carla sighed first. "It makes me sad because I know it will never happen,"
Violet huffed in frustration. "I know all I get is my hair played with not ever a back massage. Remus gets all shy about using too much strength or scratching me or something,"
"Frank rubs my back sometimes," Alice added. "No often but sometimes,"
Carla sighed again. "Let's face it girls, the lucky on here is Lily because she has the guy that would go to Australia to get her chocolate and then go back again if it was the wrong type,"
I laughed out loud as all the girls murmured their agreements. "That's not true at all. James is wonderful but he's not that whipped,"
Alice snorted. "Denial is a powerful thing Lil,"
"He isn't," I protested. "No more than Frank or Sirius or Remus,"
Violet leant over to pat my arm. "Just keep telling yourself that,"
I rolled my eyes and decided to change the subject, there was no way I was going to win this when I was out numbered.
"So, after the pampering what are we doing?"
Carla scoffed. "Are you honestly going to tell me you've had enough of being pampered?"
I smiled. "Not at all but we have been here all day I was just wondering what was to come,"
Violet and Alice immediately burst into a round of giggles,.
"What? What's so funny? Carla what aren't you telling me?"
Carla shrugged. "Nothing at all, it's just going to be a fun night,"
Tension slowly crept its way back into my body. This couldn't be good. "Carla? There's no strippers right? Please tell me there's no strippers!"
Carla just smirked a little to herself. "It's a surprise Lily, just trust me ok? This will be a night you won't soon forget,"
I put my hand to my forehead, all sorts or crazy images flooding my head.
"Make sure you have your camera," Violet giggled. "You're going to want proof later on that it really happened,"
There was going to be strippers for sure.
James was going to kill me.
*
Six hours, a roast dinner, five shots, seven cocktails and hundreds of photo's and laughs later, I sat on a lip shaped couch in a pretty apartment the girls had rented out for me sharing boy stories with the girls, a little more than tipsy.
"I can't believe you're getting married!" Violet gushed. "And to James Potter!"
"I know!" I giggled in return.
"Don't you feel old?" Carla asked, her head lolling to the side a bit. "You'll be an old married couple soon."
"Hey!" Alice argued. "I'm a married old couple,"
I raised my glass in a toast. "And you make it look so good, you barely look over seventeen, what's your secret?"
Alice nudged me gently. "Shut up you!"
"You's guys are gon' like have kids and everything soon," Violet said, spilling her drink a bit.
I pulled a face I'm sure matched Alice's face of disgust. "Not on my watch, I don't want kids until I'm like…thirty,"
Alice clinked her glass against mine. "Here, here! We can have babies at the same time ok? They'll grow up to be best friends,"
"Of course they will," I replied fervently. "All of our kids are going to be the best of buddies, I just know it!"
"I'm not having kids," Carla told us firmly.
"Why the heck not?" Alice asked.
"Can you imagine little Sirius's running around? It would be the death of me, one is more than enough!"
I laughed. "Well, you might want to tell him that, I heard him and James picking out matching brooms for their kids once,"
Carla hung her head in her hands. "Oh god, can you imagine that? They'd spend their whole school lives in detention, they'd be worse than the boys are,"
I snorted. "Not with mum's like us, we'd keep them in line,"
"Sirius would have girls anyway," Violet said.
We all turned to her in surprise. "Why do you say that?"
Violet stared at us like we were dumb. "It's like, the rule of the world. Player's and ladies men always get daughter's, it's karma for what they put other dad's through,"
We all started laughing, imagining the look on Sirius's face when he realised he got a little girl he'd have to keep away from guys like himself.
"I hope I live to see that happen," I said without thinking.
The girls, realising what I'd said all went silent, the implications thick, the light mood disappearing a little.
"Why wouldn't you live to see it?" Alice asked quietly.
I shrugged, I had no words to explain it and no words to comfort them. The alcohol prohibiting me from lying successfully.
Carla jumped in to save me. "It's just about time everyone, get comfy!"
I locked my eyes onto hers in alarm. "Time for what?"
Carla grinned devilishly. "Show time,"
I sat up alarmed. "Carla, I don't want any strippers, I've told you that all day."
"Just relax," Carla told me, holding onto my arm firmly.
"No, I'm serious. Make them leave, or I will,"
Carla rolled her eyes. "You're being dramatic, just ride it out ok? You might be pleasantly surprised,"
"Just give us five minutes, please?" Alice begged.
I relaxed back into the couch and crossed my arms over my chest. "I'll give you three,"
Alice clapped in excitement. "Excellent. I'll be right back,"
Violet jumped up, eyes alight with excitement. "I'll go give you a hand,"
I groaned and tried to calm myself down. How bad could it be, really? The girls wouldn't completely humiliate me right? And James couldn't get mad, he had Sirius planning his whole night. This would just be one of those don't ask don't tell things. Everything was going to be fine, this was a rite of passage, I just needed to relax.
Moments later Alice and Violet returned, each pushing a giant cake into the room. Having a brain in my head, I knew there was someone inside the cake, but the cake did look delicious; maybe I could divert the guys attention to one of the girls and sneak off with the cake; I was craving something sweet.
As Violet and Alice squealed and sat back down on their couch sexy music began to play and the lights dimmed slowly.
"I'm going to kill you," I whispered to Carla through clenched teeth.
She smirked at me. "I'm not convinced of that, just watch,"
After a couple moments of music and the cake sliding backwards and forwards on it's wheels in what was meant to be seductively, a male hand reached out of the top of the cake, dipping a finger into the icing and then gesturing for me to come closer.
"Oh, I'm fine here thanks," I called politely.
Carla was having none of that and pushed me forward.
Figuring I may as well go along with this, even if only for my friends benefeit I moved closer and the hand offered me the finger of icing. Taking a deep breath I leant down and licked the icing off.
My earlier assumption was right; it was delicious.
Without warning, the naked upper body attached to the hand burst from the top and I jumped back in shock, stumbling back onto the couch.
Once my eyed adjusted; the most beautiful sight was in front of me.
"Did someone order a stripper? Come here beautiful,"
I smiled, my cheeks flushed and moved forward, tentatively avoiding the cake and wrapping my arms around James Potters neck.
"Surprised?"
I smiled and nodded.
"Good surprise?"
"The best," I replied and pressed my lips against James.
