Hello my beautiful ones :D

I am so very, very sorry it has taken me so long, I've had the worst writers block so I've just sort of slapped this chapter together so I can try and get back in the groove for when I write the wedding.

How was everyone's Christmas and New Year? I hope it was amazing, filled with presents, love and happy memories :D

As always, I have a few people I am very, very grateful for and who brighten up my darkest days; FaithfulHPReader, T149Man, hawaiiangirl258, HermioneGrangersTwin, mouse123, ravenclawLupin11, Ashlie, .318, ImRandom, LiLoveheart, XXJAMESLILYXX, shroomy-eyes, missgeorgeweasley, joesbaby14, CaraGrace, crazycat999, hello-goodbye146, SecretlyAGryffindor, hpdreamer500, xheheitssamx, The DA is dressed to the nines, TmoVie, bookworm1545, hptwilightlvr.

Thank you, I love you, you're beautiful.

Xxx xxx


JAMES

The thick curtains were drawn so the bright sun had no way in, the room in an almost complete darkness except for the dim light by the bed, illuminating my target who had his eyes closed; oblivious to me stalking around him room, oblivious to what I held in my hand; to my determination to finally give him what I'd been dying to give him for a long time.

My hands were still and ready, my body poised, my heart beat steady. I feel no nerves; no doubt, I don't even feel panic at being caught. I am just a calm ocean, braced for the on coming storm. With a measured breath I move my left foot forward and then my right, striding out of the shadows, not even bothering to check if the coast was clear. It takes me five steps before I'm towering over the sleeping man, so innocent and fragile looking in his slumber. I smirk to myself. Pfft, yeah, right.

My hand clenches hard and I cut myself from the object I'm holding; a small line of blood drips down my palm, I feel no pain. I feel nothing. I stare hard at the face, lolled slightly to the side and strike quickly, no thought for consequences. I thrust the invitation hard into my dad's hand; hoping it will startle him awake as my other hand clasps his shoulder and squeezes down hard.

"Dad!" I say loudly into his ear.

Nothing.

I push my dad over on the bed so I have enough room to lie down next to him; just like I'm a little boy, just like the old days, just like when mum was still here, when each day I woke up wasn't an achievement; but a guarantee.

Gently I take my dad's hand and close his fingers around the invitation, forcing his hand to grip it tight. I keep my hand around his so the invitation doesn't slip out.

"I should have come sooner but I guess I couldn't bring myself to do this until the very last moment, until I really had no other chance, I guess I figured you'd be awake by now, suppose you could say this is my last ditch effort because if this doesn't get you to wake up dad, I'm at a loss at what to do next."

I take a deep breath and rest my head on my dads shoulder, curling my body around his.

"I'm getting married first thing tomorrow morning dad, and it's meant to be the best day of my life, the happiest day of all and it's tainted; this whole day is going to be tainted because you should be there, I need you to be there ok? Please dad, if you can hear me at all, please just wake up, please be my dad and come and watch me start my own family, please don't make me experience one of the biggest events in my life without you. I love you dad, just wake up and everything is going to be ok, just please, wake up,"

Dad's chest moved slightly and I held my breath, waiting for his eyes to open, for some sign of life, for any more movement at all.

I waited, I watched…and nothing happened.

I could feel the exact moment my heart broke, pin point when the emptiness spread through out my entire body and only a shell was left.

I moved off the bed stiffly, the invitation falling limp out of my father's hands and landing on the floor, I square my shoulders and leave the invite where it fell; I don't look back and from this point on I have no intention of ever returning here.

*

"Prongs man, you seriously need to cheer up!" Frank told me, slapping me on the back.

"You are acting like it's a funeral rather than a wedding," Remus added.

Sirius nodded soberly. "Well, he is signing his life away, makes sense for the kid to be a bit concerned,"

I smirked at Sirius. "Shut up man,"

"I'm serious Prongs,"

"I know," Frank, Remus and I said at the same time.

"Ha ha very original like I haven't heard that before, no but listen, you're going to become one of those 'we' people,"

I turned my face into mock horror. "No! Not the 'we' people, bail me out now!"

Sirius crossed his arms and pouted his lips. "Everyone's a comic aren't they?"

I slung my arm lazily around his shoulder. "Relax; you're just fun to tease princess. And I'm not down about getting hitched, have you seen who I'm marrying? I've dreamt of this day for years, I don't care that I'm becoming an 'us,' or 'we' in fact I love that I have another half now I just…this isn't how I pictured my wedding day,"

Sirius grinned wickedly. "Ahh yes, back when you were only a little girl, dreaming of cupcakes, unicorns and the perfect wedding,"

I chuckled. "You're one to talk, wasn't it you that wanted the horse drawn carriage?"

Sirius's face fell, his eyes wide with horror and anger.

Remus clapped him on the shoulder. "Didn't know you were such a romantic mate,"

Sirius scowled. "You're lucky I promised Evans I'd be on my best behaviour Prongs, very lucky,"

I grinned and ruffled his hair. "You know I'm just messing with you man. What I was trying to say is, I just wish I had my family here with me today,"

One by one silently the boys came and put their hands on my shoulders.

"They are here Prongs," Sirius told me softly. "It's all family supporting you tonight, family goes deeper than just blood you know,"

I smiled, touched. "I know, thank you,"

"So, are you nervous?" Frank asked. "I was really nervous,"

I shook my head and sat down on Frank's couch. "Nope, I'm anxious. I feel like I've waited my whole life for this,"

Peter smiled cheekily. "Keen to start living life without sin?"

"I'm keen to tie Evans down and add another ring to that finger so every man knows that hot little number is my girl and mine only,"

Remus smirked. "Who knew you were so possessive?"

"I did," Sirius replied. "You ever seen Prongs around feeding time? Boy is like a Sphinx guarding a treasure,"

I shrugged. "I don't like sharing things I love,"

"So where'd you go before?" Frank asked through a mouthful of chips. "You missed out, the afternoon we got to help decorate Sirius' yard,"

"To see my dad," I replied tonelessly, the emptiness creeping back in.

"Oh,"

"Yep,"

Sirius came and fell into my lap, his weight almost winding me.

"Jesus mate, lay off the turkey dinners would you?"

Sirius smiled and ruffled my hair and then curled his body around in the foetal position. "Does it scare you that now that you're getting married the next step is kids? You could be doing this for real soon enough, have a little face like this staring up at you,"

I felt the emptiness fade a bit and a small smile filled my lips. "Sirius, you're telling me I could be having a giant baby that looks like you and this is meant to make me feel better?"

Sirius grinned and patted my cheek affectionately. "Life doesn't seem so bad now though does it? I got you to smile,"

I pushed him off my lap and he fell with a loud thud on the floor. "You've also made me lose the feeling in my legs,"

Sirius rolled to his feet and dusted himself off. "Rude! Anyway, what's the plans for tonight? Please tell me it involves avoiding the girls, wedding madness makes them go craaazy I don't know if I can stand being yelled at by Carla one more time about folding the napkins the wrong way I swear to god I'm going to seriously consider becoming a monk,"

Peter and I laughed but Frank nodded in agreement.

"You should have seen Alice," Frank told him. "One day she asked me what colour looked best, Champagne or Cream and I said I didn't care…man I swear she almost called the wedding off just for not caring!"

They both turned to me with expectation in their eyes, and I had to grin.

"I wish I could join in with you boys but Evans has been great, hasn't even yelled at me once,"

Sirius and Frank scowled. "Lucky bastard,"

I chuckled. "I've had seven years of being yelled at boys, so I think I'm due for a break,"

"He does have a point," Peter said.

Before the boys could reply there was a light knock on the front door.

"If it's Carla, I'm not here," Sirius whispered, rolling under the couch.

"Coward," I whispered as I trotted to the door.

I opened the door to reveal Lily standing there, looking as beautiful as ever, smiling up at me.

Immediately I clapped my hands over my eyes and turned my back on her.

"Well, that wasn't the welcome I was expecting," she said in her silky voice, placing gentle hands over mine, trying to pry them off.

"Evans, I'm not meant to see you until tomorrow morning, you know that, its bad luck,"

Lily giggled. "Didn't peg you for the traditional type,"

I smiled. "It's nice to know I can still surprise you,"

Lily wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me in for a kiss. "We could live to ninety James and I'm sure you'll still be surprising me,"

Keeping my eyes closed still, I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her in for another kiss.

"Oh come on! You're going to be spending every day for the rest of your lives together, this is your only time to be apart and you're still side by side?"

I pulled Lily behind me so I couldn't see her and faced Sirius with a grin. "What can I say? She's the best company I've got,"

Sirius came at me with a run and just before he reached me a huge black dog landed on my chest instead.

With a squeal Lily jumped out of the way as me and dog-Sirius came crashing onto the floor. I looked up to see Sirius with his version of a dog grin, dripping drool onto my face.

"Alright, alright, I love you, you're awesome, can you please get off me now?"

With a playful snap at my shoulder Sirius moved off my chest and trotted a few steps away, turning into normal Sirius as he got further away.

At that moment Remus, Frank and Peter all came crashing in, wands raised.

"We heard a noise, what's wrong?" Remus asked tersely, taking in the scene.

Lily stepped forward carefully. "Easy boys, everything's ok, just Sirius here thinking he was funny,"

Sirius held his hand up. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, let's get something straight here; I am funny,"

Remus ignored Frank and turned to Lily. "What are you doing here Lils? Isn't it bad luck for the Groom to see the Bride on their wedding day?"

Lily shrugged. "I was going crazy in that house, Carla, Violet and Alice are so bent on giving me the perfect wedding it seems like my help isn't even needed,"

Lily moved over and as I went to cover my eyes she caught them and kissed them, smiling up at me. "Besides, we make our own luck. Come on Potter; let's go for our last walk as free agents before we tie our lives together for good in a few hours,"

I grinned down at Lily, my everything and took her hand in mine. "Sure beautiful, where ever you're going, I'll follow,"

LILY

"So, where exactly are we going?" James asked, as we walked through the crowded streets of London.

"I thought nothing mattered as long as you were with me?"

James smiled. "This is true, but if you're going to take me to the slaughter house I'd like to at least be able to say goodbye and prepare myself,"

I raised an eyebrow. "And why would I be taking you to the slaughter house?"

James grinned wickedly. "Trying to upgrade before it's too late?"

I chuckled and picked up my pace, pulling him along with me. "Shut up, come on!"

"You never answered me, where are we going?"

I smiled sweetly, knowing he wasn't going to like my answer and praying I could soften him up a bit.

"Well…I kind of promised Carla I'd pick up the wedding cake, so…"

James stopped walking and froze in place. "You're dragging me along to do wedding stuff?"

I smiled hopefully and nodded slightly.

James dropped to his knees and covered his heart with his hand. "Oh no, not wedding stuff! Take me to the slaughter house just please no more wedding stuff!"

I rolled my eyes and began to walk away from him; knowing of course that he would follow. "You're such a drama queen, keep up princess, I'm not waiting for you,"

James jumped to his feet and rushed to fall into step with me again. "So, what if I don't like the cake?"

I raised my eyebrows. "You're going to be eating it, what does it matter how it looks? I've seen you and Sirius eat some pretty questionable things,"

James winked at me. "Touché pretty one, touché indeed. So how far to the cake and then what other wedding stuff has Carla roped us into?"

My heart skipped a beat and I smiled broadly. "Us?"

James pulled a stray piece of hair behind my ear. "Of course, haven't you heard? We're an 'us' people now,"

I beamed up at him and wrapped my arms around his waist. "Oh no, not the 'us,' people!"

James pecked me on the forehead. "I feel like I've waited forever to become an 'us' with you Evans, couldn't happen soon enough for me. Now come on, we better get the cake; hell hath no fury like Carla when her schedule is thrown out of whack,"

I grinned and pulled him along with me again; content to just get lost in the crowd. Just two normal teenagers, walking the streets in love, living the dream.

I sighed. If only.

I pulled James to a stop in front of the cake store. "This is it,"

James pushed open the door and gestured for me to go inside. "Ladies first,"

I grinned and gestured for him to go ahead. "Age before beauty,"

James laughed and then moving quickly, threw me over his shoulder. I put up a weak struggle and giggled as he walked us through the door.

"Ah, this must be the future Mr and Mrs Potter,"

James slid me off his shoulder, but kept me cradled in his arms as he turned to face the shop keeper. "That would be us, we're here to get the cake so we can make it to the wedding,"

The shop girl eyed James and giggled, twirling her hair slightly. "Poor guy, you must be under a lot of pressure,"

James shrugged and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "It's definitely worth it in the end, what's a few weeks of stress compared to a life time with the most beautiful woman in the world. Is the cake ready?"

"I'll just go get it for you," she told James in a much more professional tone.

I nudged him gently. "Can't take you anywhere can I?"

James chuckled. "You have nothing to worry about Evans, I already got the woman of my dreams, I don't even notice other girls anymore,"

"You trying to get into my pants Mr Potter with flattery?" I mock demanded.

"That depends, is it working?" he replied.

I giggled and smacked him gently before sliding myself out of his arms, but staying close enough for him to wrap himself around me.

The shop girl came back with a trolley with our cake on it, the breath caught in my throat as I saw it; it was perfect.

"Oh Carla, you've really out done yourself this time," I whispered as I moved out of James grasp to inspect the cake fully.

Standing five levels high, white base with chocolate piped around the edges and strawberries and edible flowers decorated around the sides with beautiful decorations all up it; it was sensational enough, however the top of the cake really made it the most amazing thing I had ever seen.

"I will never complain about the wedding ever again," James said as he moved closer. "And when Carla gets married I am her errand bitch,"

I couldn't agree more. On the top of the cake were life like statues of me and James, the mini James was sitting on a broom arms out stretched to catch what would normally be a snitch but instead the mini me was hovering above James, his own personal snitch; his ultimate goal.

"As soon as you cut the cake the figures will move," the sales girl told us. "The guy will catch the girl and she will sit on his lap and they kiss,"

I felt my eyes tear up slightly. "It's perfect, thank you so much. How much do I owe you?"

"It's already been paid for," the girl replied. "Some tall, dark haired, good looking guy came in and paid; it was his idea for the adjustment to the figurines,"

Sirius.

James nodded and patted the girl on the shoulder. "Thank you so much, we'll take it from here, you don't have any magic's to prevent from apparating right?"

The girl glared at James. "Well how else is everyone meant to get their cakes out safely without the muggles noticing or the cake getting ruined?"

"So that's a no on any preventative magic?" James asked with a smirk.

Rolling her eyes the assistant moved out the back and left me and James to ourselves.

"Guess someone slept on their wand the wrong way," James whispered to me loudly.

I giggled. "Shh! Come on, let's get this home, then we better get some rest, big day tomorrow,"

James grinned and ushered me in front of the him by the trolley so he had one arm around me to touch the trolley and the other with his wand.

"Ready…steady…"

The room whirled around us and moments later we were in Sirius's living room, the place cluttered with presents, decorations and people.

"Finally! I was worried you had forgotten about the cake and I was going to have to make it from scratch myself tonight!" Carla burst out, hands on her hips.

I opened my mouth to say something but James was quicker and moved over and pulled Carla in for a big hug.

"Thank you, so much," he whispered to her.

Carla softened immediately and patted James on the back. "Anything for you two, you know that,"

I took this opportunity to go over to Sirius and give him a hug of my own, paired with a kiss on the cheek.

"You big softie, thank you,"

Sirius rubbed my back and blushed slightly. "I just like making you happy, the both of you,"

I patted his cheek affectionately. "You're a good guy Mr Black, the very best,"

Sirius shrugged out of the hug looking slightly uncomfortable about all the eyes on him.

"Well, I think that's enough excitement for one night, you two shouldn't even be around each other, Sirius take James back to Franks so I can get Lily all settled here," Carla instructed.

Sirius saluted her with a smirk and moved over to place his arm on James; shoulder. "Ready Prongs?"

James turned to me with his mega watt smile, lighting up his whole face. "I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning Miss Evans,"

I grinned right back, blowing him a kiss. "It won't be 'Evans' any longer tomorrow,"

James took my hand and kissed it tenderly. "Hallelujah,"