Chapter 17: Treacherous

Lily chewed thoughtfully on her chocolate croissant as she watched TV that morning. Her legs were carelessly kicked up over the side of one of the chairs in her hotel room. The dress for the wedding was draped across the opposite chair, it's pink color affronting Lily's eyes without even trying. James had left almost immediately after he arrived. He'd gone ahead to the wedding venue with Alice for security measures. Frank and Dung had stayed back at the hotel with Lily and were standing in the hallway outside of her room, waiting for her to leave.

She was expected at the gardens at half past ten to start getting ready with the bridal party. Lily kept herself at a sluggish pace most of the morning, if only so that the morning would drag on. However, like clockwork, soon Lily had to stop beating around the bush. She threw on a pair of sweats and her blue baseball cap, ate the last of her breakfast and then draped her bridesmaid dress across her arm.

When she opened the door to her hotel room, Frank and Dung turned to face her immediately. Lily was used to seeing them with earpieces and in shirts from Moody & Associates Security, but she was surprised to find they were in normal clothes that morning. Frank wore khakis and a nice button-down shirt, his hair gelled back. Mundungus matched Frank's wardrobe but he also wore an old blazer that looked as if it had seen better days. Lily wondered if they were planning to blend into the background of the wedding. She appreciated the gesture, if that's what it was, because she was already anxious of upstaging Petunia on her wedding day.

"Ready to go?" Frank asked Lily gently, looking her up and down, "Alice sent word and there are about fifty or so people waiting outside the gates of the gardens but only five of them are paparazzi, the rest are fans."

"It wouldn't be a wedding without fanfare I guess." Lily responded, hitching her dress into the crook of her elbow, "is my car here?"

"Yeah," Frank offered out an arm to take the bag in Lily's left hand, "it's waiting at the lobby."

Thankful for his help, Lily passed her bag over to Frank. Her phone vibrated in her pocket as she got into the car with tinted windows. She pulled it out to see it was Petunia, asking if Lily was on her way. Lily texted Petunia back that she was coming before opening her tumblr application. It was quiet, since it was morning, but some of her fans were chatting back and forth about the wedding that night. Lily saw photographs of the venue and Frank was right, it was already packed with fans and admirers trying to get a glimpse of Lily.

Petunia wouldn't be thrilled about that.

Lily liked a post from jbrun and reblogged a post from down-in-flames. She scrolled through the jily tag for a bit, smiling at all the new edits. Constancezin had drawn a beautiful photo of Lily performing in upstate New York that she reblogged and added lots of squealing hashtags too. Mostly, she just relaxed in the knowledge that one day, jily, would be more than a hopeful hashtag on the tumblr app.

It was a whirlwind once Lily got to the venue. The gardens were private, boarded by hedges and mazes. It really was a private place, Petunia's best pick when concerning her sister. Still, Lily had to get inside the gates before she was clear of paparazzi. When her door was flung open by Alice, Lily found herself being shuffled through the hands of many security employees. James was waiting for Lily at the gates, already helping the other security staff to keep the paparazzi at bay.

Lily only offered her fans on the side a little wave, "sorry, I'm running late for the bridal party!"

When Lily disappeared behind giant green hedges, the screaming lessoned but didn't dissipate. One of the employee's in a tween skirt led Lily to the place where the bridal party was getting ready. Lily stayed relatively calm as she was led through the grounds, which were covered in a slight dew from the dreary London weather. There were lots of greenhouses and gardens, but the focal point was a giant stone and glass cottage. Vines of different kind wrapped around the century old brick and light glowed golden on the inside.

Lily marveled at the architecture as she entered the main building, eyes wide. Inside, the air was warm, and employees of the gardens stopped what they were doing when Lily appeared. Lily waved gladly at them, feigning her ease.

Lily was bustled through a long hall filled with old armor until she was in a corridor lined with dangling plants. Lily could hear Petunia's boisterous laughter from inside the nearest door before she even entered. Lily chewed on her bottom lip nervously as she was led into the room filled to the brim with Petunia's friends.

Petunia was already getting her make up done so Lily waved at Petunia through the mirror her sister was using. Petunia's Maid of Honor, Marge, hardly registered Lily. The door was shut behind Lily and she felt the push of the breeze, forcing her to join the conversation of normal girls who weren't anything like her.

Petunia must've noticed Lily's apprehension because she snapped, "for heaven's sake, Lily, get changed."

"Right."

Lily nodded, eager for something to do. One girl, a friend of Petunia's that Lily didn't recognize, jumped forward immediately as Lily started gathering up her dress folds. She was brown haired, blue eyed and had soft dimpled cheeks. Lily smiled kindly at the girl, hoping she found one person in the bridal party that Petunia hadn't turned against her.

"I'm Rachel," the girl held out a hand, "I'm a big fan, Lily."

"Hi Rachel." Lily started pulling off her sweats, "it's a pleasure, how do you know Pet?"

"We're coworkers at the firm!" Rachel shot her thumb back at Petunia, "we've been fetching coffee for our husbands before they even knew they were our husbands!"

Lily let out a laugh that didn't reach her eyes, "well, I'm happy Pet has someone so lovely to keep her company at her job."

Rachel beamed at the compliment before continuing, "I'm doing everyone's hair, would you like me to do yours? Or did you bring a glam team from Hollywood?"

"No glam team," Lily admitted with a sigh, "so if you're good at hair, I'll gladly take the help."

Lily pulled the dress over her legs and zipped it up the side. The color was still awful but, in the full-length mirror, Lily guessed she didn't look totally hideous. The worst part was the giant, puffy bow on her arse, which did nothing for her in the style department. The other girls, including Rachel, wore the cupcake dresses that Petunia had originally picked. Because she'd needed a sample size, Lily was now totally set apart from everyone again.

Luckily, Marge was Maid of Honor and also wore a long gown similar to Lily's. That only made Lily feel a little bit better, especially since Marge was pissed Lily didn't look like everyone else. Still, Petunia asked Marge to stay away from Lily and Marge did so, thankfully.

Lily looked over her sister tenderly while Rachel pined up Lily's red curls. The makeup artist had highlighted Petunia's best features, including her brown eyes. If Lily had to compare Petunia to anything as a bride, it would be a forest fairy. She had her hair straightened down her back and she wore a lacy gown the color of champagne. It was classy, high necked, and very expected from her practical sister.

"Hey Pet?" Lily grabbed her sister's wrist when Pet passed by close enough, "you look beautiful."

Petunia's face flickered tenderly for a half a second, "thank you."

Petunia gave Lily an awkward half-armed hug, but it was something. Lily was okay with something from her sister, more than nothing. Rachel finished Lily's hair, leaving strands of curl to lightly fall against Lily's bare shoulders. The make-up that Lily used was simple, mostly natural. Even Lily's lipstick was a light pink that wouldn't clash with the flamingo pink color of her bridesmaid dress. It wasn't Lily best look, but she didn't look totally invasive next to the other girls.

All while the girls got ready, a man and woman with fancy cameras were taking photos. The man was giving Petunia suggestions as he moved around, and the woman appeared to be recording the special moments. Lily tried her hardest to stay out of the frames, scared of the photos being sold. Petunia didn't bother asking Lily to join in on pictures with the rest of the party.

Finally, it was time for the wedding to begin. Lily held her small bouquet of pink roses tightly as she walked alongside a groomsman who was sweating bullets. Lily's eyes found her Granda in the audience and kept her gaze on him, for sanity purposes. Lily stood between Marge and Rachel, purposely standing closer to Rachel. Petunia entered the viewpoint of everyone just as a pianist started playing Here Comes the Bride and Lily saw the look of pride on her dad's face as he escorted Petunia down the aisle.

Under the glowing venue lights and with all the hanging plants, the entire ambiance was unreal. Petunia clasped hands with Vernon only five feet away from Lily. They stared at each other like they were in love more than anyone had ever been in love before. Multiple times during the ceremony, Lily looked for James in the crowd. Her eyes vulnerably searched for his strong and stoic form amongst all the strangers and friends. He wasn't in the hall, at least not where she could see him. Disappointed, Lily let her eyes fall to the floor and she waited for the ceremony to end.

All in all, the wedding was sweet and personal. Vernon and Petunia wrote their own vows. Vernon's ring was brought to Petunia on a drill bit, something very Vernon to do. Lily spotted her father and Granda crying in the pew as the camera man got every angle possible of the bridal party at the altar. By the time the wedding Petunia and Vernon were named husband and wife, there was nothing more Lily wanted than to be in Petunia's place.

Not married to Vernon, of course, but getting married to James. Lily wanted a sweet wedding with personal vows, and she wanted her father to cry as she was walked down the aisle. Lily wanted a pretty white dress and a husband to love her even on her hardest days. Lily wanted everything Petunia had, that day, and forever.

Being a part of the bridal party meant Lily was forced to get photographs outside in a misty garden with Petunia and Vernon's friends and family. Lily smiled politely for the cameras but stayed in the back of all the photos. She got distracted a lot, looking for James' familiar hazel eyes amongst the bodies moving around the garden paths. She tried her best to look content as she took a photograph with Petunia and their dad.

Stephan Evans hugged both of them so tightly, kissing each of them once on their foreheads.

"My girls," he boasted proudly, "My best girls."

"Love you dad," Petunia said, placing her hand on his heart and kissing his cheek.

Lily met her sisters gaze and felt the shock through her heart when Petunia smiled at her again. Lily took one photo with her sister and they hugged, Lily awkwardly kissing Petunia's cheek before drawing away quickly. Petunia dropped Lily's hand the moment Vernon reappeared with his family for photographs. Lily took that opportunity to join the rest of the guests inside the warm banquet hall.

Lily meandered among tables lined with food, picking up random pastries as she danced between bodies. She still hadn't seen any of her security team, but she supposed that's how they wanted it. No one wanted to draw attention to the pop star in the room. Lily was okay with that, finding peace in being alone. The only problem, as that she wanted one other person at her side.

"Is any of that for me?"

Lily spun on her heel, her face lighting up at the sound of his voice. James was standing behind her in khaki's and a blue button down that brought out his hazel eyes. She had to resist every urge to leap into his arms, so she just picked up one of her donut holes and held it out to him cheekily. James smirked and took her offering, popping into his mouth and chewing it as if he were trying to figure out what it was made of. Lily picked up another pastry and hummed happily as she munched on the sweet flavors.

"I'll have to get the recipe to those," he said casually as she licked cinnamon and sugar from her fingers, "I haven't seen you eat anything so eagerly since ramen noodles."

"Har, har." She said before picking up a champagne glass, "dinner isn't for another two hours and I'm famished."

James leaned towards her, "what drama did I miss while playing escort to paparazzi sneaking into the hall?"

"Escort to paparazzi?" she countered with a roll of her eyes, "was it Rita Skeeter?"

"Absolutely, one hundred percent was Skeeter." James said, "How'd you guess?"

Lily plucked a raisin off the hot cross bun, "she loves to invite herself into people's lives, ruining them before they've even started."

"You should've heard the mouth on that woman as I walked her out." James said boisterously, "but, then again, better not."

Lily shook her head at James, "enjoying the night, though?"

"Would be better if I got to spend more time with you." He conceded, "but it's been rather eventful, at least."

"Bit boring on the party side," Lily said, "care to help spruce the night up?"

"How?"

"Run away with me, Romeo?"

"Baby, I'd love too."

James eyes flickered noticeably even in the dim lighting; he was clearly remembering the last time she asked him to run away with her. She was remembering too, and the events that transpired after. She watched the light leave his eyes when a plate dropped nearby and they both remembered they weren't alone.

Dung came over, carrying a beer he'd nicked from the open bar, "you two as bored as I am?"

"On the contrary Dung," James said, stuffing his hands into his pockets, "I'm not bored because I'm doing my job."

"We ain't got to worry here." Dung waved James' comment away, "The gardens have their security lined up at every entrance after that one Skeeter woman snuck through the gates."

"In that case," Lily put down the plate of food she'd assembled, "let's take a walk in the gardens."

James tucked a hand into his pocket, "you want to go back outside?" he asked, "you're safer in here from cameras."

"I'm suffocating in here." Lily argued forcibly, "people keep staring at me."

"People always stare at you, Evans." Dung said, "if ya hadn't noticed."

"Come on," Lily egged both her bodyguards on, "if you both come, no one will bother me."

Dung, as per usual, waved them away, "you two go ahead, I'll stay near the spirits."

Lily beamed, jumping at the chance to spend quality alone time with James. She waved at Dung before motioning at James to follow her out of the main reception hall. James sighed deeply but followed, saluting Dung on his way after her. Lily led the way through the flickering hallways of the old stone citadel. Outside stained glass windows, Lily spotted Petunia and Vernon still taking photographs in the rose garden.

James and Lily walked out onto a stone path that carved through the gardens and around various glass domes. The greenhouses were all different. Lily explored each eagerly, loving to have something to do with James. Even James relaxed, pointing out some of the plants he knew. Occasionally, their fingers brushed each other as he opened glass doors for her. The tension between them only grew as they explored the outskirts of the gardens.

Lily danced just beyond his reach, laughing as the chilly November air cut through her bones. They walked along the hedge mazes made of twirling yellow roses. James walked just behind her, careful to remain professional as they strayed far away from wandering eyes and cell phones. Lily pushed through the door of a greenhouse, spotting a rope swing adorned to the branches of a cherry blossom tree. The humid air made her hair stick to her forehead. James followed her inside, shutting the glass door behind him. She skipped over to the swing, kicking off her heels as she went.

James followed her, hazel eyes iridescent, "you're adorable."

Lily sat on the swing and pushed her toes gently into the hard ground. Sun shone through the canopy of trees around them and a trickling brook moved through the glass house. James glowed brilliantly under the natural lighting and Lily felt her heart jump to her throat at the sight. He looked so handsome that she didn't kick the swing off, hoping to entice him closer. She was rewarded when he stood over her, his hands wrapping around the rope holding the swing in place.

"Hi," he whispered, his eyes changing from hazel to molten gold in a second, "have I told you how beautiful you look today, Red?"

She dug her toes into the ground more, "feel free to tell me right now?"

"You look lovely today, love."

She hummed, swinging softly away from him. James tugged her forward against with the tiniest of shoves, as if challenging her to try and escape his gaze. She'd never try to run from his gaze, not when it was full of so much idolization.

"I was so happy when you surprised me this morning." She told him, "wish you could've stayed longer."

James tilted his head at her, "I am disappointed I didn't get a kiss for those chocolate croissants."

"You can have one to make up for it now."

He gave her a saucy smile, "you are trouble tonight, Red."

"I'm trouble every night."

James laughed knowingly, "that's the truth."

Lily kicked out playfully at his good leg, "And tomorrow we go back to New York."

"And?"

"And it's much easier to snog you senseless when I'm not in and out of my childhood bedroom or a hotel suite."

"Touché." He agreed, "although, I never got to snog you in your childhood bedroom so, that's kind of a major regret."

"Don't you want my dad to like you?"

"I bet I could snog you in front of him and he'd cry of happiness."

"You're probably right."

Lily chewed on her bottom lip, trying to contain her glee at how spirited he was being. James kept the swing still, his eyes tracing her every curve and facet like it was brand new. She took a deep breath, contentedly letting it out, knowing she was in love.

"Your father already asked me if I was planning on staying your bodyguard."

"What did you tell him?" Lily wondered, recalling how her father had seen right through her and James' hush-hush.

"I told him that I would make my decision when the time came but for now," James' body leaned down into hers so that their noses almost touched, "I'm looking at all my options."

"He's going to be thrilled when we finally break the news." Lily leaned her head closer to him with a smile, "he really likes you, my Granda loves you too."

James twisted her hair around his finger, "I've been thinking about how we want to tell people."

"Tell people?"

It was such a surprise to hear those words come from his mouth. James had been vehemently stubborn that he didn't want to tell anyone until his contract was up. James licked his lips and shifted on his feet. He had his jaw clenched, a sign of deep thought. Lily narrowed her eyes warily at him.

"What are you saying, James?"

"I've been thinking about it," he said, "and I think we should tell your family about us."

"James," she reached up to cover one of his hands with her own, "my dad already figured it out."

James pulled back slightly, "oh?"

"Yeah," she said, "him and my sister have some inkling about us."

He looked down at his feet before asking, "are you okay with them knowing?"

"Are you okay with them knowing?" Lily countered, since he was the one who primarily wanted their relationship a secret because of the contract.

James looked like it was dilemma he'd been considering before that moment. His eyes searched her face and his fingers moved against her palm. Lily kicked off slightly against the ground, shaking him awake from his daze.

Lily placed a hand on his cheek, "What changed, James?"

His hazel eyes were striking, "a lot."

Lily smiled knowingly at him, "you were so adamant about staying independent."

"I will be independent."

She tried not to get her hopes up, "James, this is something you're still working on and you want to be—you want—I can't give—I don't want you to regret picking me."

"Shhh," he put his finger to her bottom lip, "Lily, I wouldn't just up and quit having a job, or a life."

"You always say that your contract cannot be broken," she reminded him, "you said you'd get sent away from me."

"That's only if I stay working for Moody and Associates."

He tore away from the swing, stuffing his hands into his pockets. He paced back and forth in front of her. Lily watched him pace, her eyebrows fixated together. Something else was going on in his head, something he hadn't said out loud yet. He acted as if the conversation was similar to walking on quicksand. He acted as if he were about to start sinking the moment that he said whatever was plaguing him.

"James." Lily said firmly, making him look up from his marching, "what's going on?"

James' left hand withdrew from his pocket to shoot into his black curls. He looked almost pensive in a way. She really couldn't read his mind, so she waited for him to fill her in on his thoughts. James took one step back to her, leaning over her on the swing. Lily looked up at him, her eyes worried.

"Why do you look so conflicted?" she asked softly.

His face relaxed, "what if I told you that I was offered another job?"

Lily perked up and she stood up then into him. Her fingers wrapped into his shirt and she beamed wildly at him. James looked startled by her forward movements, but he let his fingers fall to her face.

"James that's amazing!" she said, "but where?"

"Annie offered me a job as a partner at her gym, when my contract is up."

Lily jumped up into her toes animatedly, "Annie offered you a job? James! Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

James chortled at her enthusiasm, "I haven't accepted it yet, I wanted to see what you thought first."

Lily's hands caressed his face, "I think it's a fantastic idea!"

"Really?" he seemed thrilled by her enthusiasm, "you think I'd be a good partner in a gym?"

"You could totally make a career out of it," Lily murmured as he traced patterns on her bare arm, "talking to people, motivating them! Look at how much you've helped me!"

"Maybe," he hummed, twirling a strand of her hair again, "but I'd miss this job."

"Would you?"

"I quite like my job."

She smirked, "sounds like you have a hard choice to make, Mr. Potter."

"I do get to spend a majority of my time with the most beautiful pop star in the world." He winked and he couldn't stop smiling, "so going to work with Annie means seeing her less."

"That is a dilemma." Lily grabbed ahold of the swing rope, leaning into it as she flirted shamelessly with him, "but maybe the pop star could move back to London, buy a little flat in the countryside…"

Lily grinned and leaned up, kissing him sweetly as the green house lights twinkled through the trees around them. James' index finger tilted her chin up to change the angle of the kiss, sweetly purring against her lips. Lily lifted her hands off the ropes, her fingers twisting into the curls at the bottom of his neck. He pulled back, smiling a smile that could light up a whole town.

"I love you." She whispered, "so much and I'll support whatever choice you make."

James shook his head in disbelief at her, "how are you everything I never knew I needed?"

Lily quirked her head and winked at him. She swept her gown out from under her feet as she sat down on the swing again. James wrapped his hands on the ropes and shook her spiritedly, eliciting her laughter.

"I'll push you."

He came behind her and pushed lightly against her shoulders, making her swing forward in her little bench. It was like she was a kid on the playground again, her skirts flying around her ankles. James was laughing along with her as the swing ropes creaked against the wood of the old tree. Lily felt like she was living in another time, a fairytale type of place.

They spent an unreadable amount of time in their little greenhouse, only interrupted later by Dung, who'd been recruited to find Lily for more family photographs. When he stumbled in on James pushing Lily on the swing, he rolled his eyes and shouted for Lily. Lily dug her feet into the ground as James cackled and caught her waist to drag her to a stop. Dung flicked his cigarette on the ground and stomped it into the dirt with his foot.

"Princess." Dung reprimanded, "yer sister has been screaming her bloody head off for ya for the last fifteen minutes."

"Opps." Lily dismounted the swings with laughter still pealed in her throat.

James collected her heels and Lily stuffed them on her feet before they ran out of their little heavenly greenhouse. Dung led Lily to where her family was standing, waiting for her. Petunia was cross that Lily had disappeared, but Lily caught the smile on their dads face when he saw who Lily had emerged from the woodwork with.

The rest of the night was dancing with her Granda, watching Petunia cut her cake with Vernon and eating anything she could get her hands on. She had three slices of cake, the sugar rushing through her system with the champagne. It was no Hollywood party, but Lily hadn't felt so relaxed on a dance floor since before Manchester.

She only wished James could dance with her too. He was forced back into his role, but she caught him talking to her father at one point. Lily was ecstatic when her dad hugged James, like they were old friends. Everything was falling down like puzzle pieces into place and Lily couldn't fathom how anything could go wrong from that point on.

Back at the hotel room, after sparklers had sent Petunia and her new husband on their honeymoon, Lily sat on the edge of the sofa in the sitting room. She had a stack of tea options in front of her, a steaming pot ready to go. She poured earl grey into a cup and mixed it with milk and honey. She had her TV flipped on, but she wasn't really watching as she hummed lightly, stirring her tea with a spoon.

A suitcase sat in the corner of her hotel room. Juniper rested on top of it, breathing heavily as she slept. They were set for a plane early the next morning. Lily had to be back in New York for Piper press immediately. Peter had sent her an updated list of appearances in her email in the middle of the wedding. Lily had interviews, photoshoots and more prepared for her when she got back to the United States.

A part of her wished she could have one day more in England. Lily's dad had gotten stuffy when he dropped her off at her hotel room after the wedding. Lily knew he didn't want Lily to leave but he also knew that she couldn't stay out of Hollywood forever and keep her singing career. Lily still wanted a normal life, but she also wanted to sing and write songs. She had to figure out how to get the best of both worlds.

A knock at her door at midnight had Lily placing her tea down and looking to the peephole to find it was James. She opened up the door, confused. He was holding himself tall and professional.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Why?"

"I thought I should check on you before your flight." and he slipped inside her room, a clever look in his eyes.

"What—"

But then his lips were on her mouth and his hand was behind his back, locking her door ingeniously. She grinned devilishly against his mouth, her fingers automatically reaching up to grasp him closer. His back fell against the door and her brain was swimming with dopamine from his kisses. James' fingers were tracing the lines of the silk gown she wore, stopping just at her thighs.

"I missed you," James said against her mouth, "I'm so grateful to call you mine."

She melted at his words, so sweet, "I missed you too."

They stood wrapped up in each other's firm grasp. The only sounds she could hear came from the television, which was playing an old mystery drama show. Lily was so caught up in his touch and his breath that she could've cared less that she still hadn't taken her hair down or make up off. She stood under his adoration feeling like she could never do anything wrong, as long as it included him.

Their bodies shifted against the door as he pulled her slip over her head and cast it onto the ground. As his hands explored the planes of her bare skin, Lily got to work on his clothes. He was wearing entirely too many of them and she tugged roughly at each layer. Before she could work on his work khakis, James lifted Lily up by her hips. She hooted vivaciously as she wrapped her legs around his torso sloppily, the kisses only deepening.

Their charades moved them against each other, their bodies all friction. Lily felt as if the room were burning up around her. Her face was hot, her hands were shaking, and her mouth was puckered. James was faring no better, having to turn them so she was pressed against the door for support as they melted even more into each other.

"How'd you escape the wandering eyes of your coworkers?" she asked as his lips trailed sensually down her neck.

"Told 'em I was going to meet my grandmother for midnight mass."

Lily snorted at the stupidity of the justification, "and they believed you?"

"Nah." He chuckled, and the vibrations brought out goosebumps on her skin.

"Liar." She good-humoredly raked her fingers through his hair, "I'm in love with a liar."

"I'm certainly about to do some worshiping," he reasoned, "just not with my grandmother."

"Stop talking about grandmothers, please."

He laughed again as he caught her lips for a stinging kiss. Nobody could touch her like he could, light fingers and deep kisses that she would never take for granted. Her fingers worked on the buttons on his khakis, helping to ease the fabric lose until it was pooled at his waist. Clothing followed their bodies into Lily's hotel bed until she was sitting on the edge of the white mattress and he was towering over top of her.

It was late but she didn't want to go to sleep. It was the last thing she longed for, as James explored her body in a new way, his mouth taking over where hands had once roamed. When he finally kissed her mouth again, she was burning for him to touch her below the waist with his treacherous mouth. Or fingers. She wasn't too picky. She just needed him, as per usual. Then suddenly, without prompt from Lily, James' fingers were playing her like a violin. She gave a breathy sort of laugh, her hips moving on their own accord.

"Fuck," her eyes fluttered back, "that's—James—fuck."

He smirked overtop of her, leaning into his work, "articulate, for a Grammy winning songwriter."

"You should he—hear the songs I'm—I'm gonna write about you." She challenged, pathetically.

"Is that a threat?" he sounded amused, "because it sounds like your threatening me with music."

Lily wiggled underneath his touch with her eyes clapping shut, "for a—a—fucking hell."

"I've spent the last week dreaming of touching you like this." He conceded, "but feel free to keep trying to hold a conversation."

And it was easy, opening her eyes and finding him watching her squirm under his device. Her hands dug into the mattress as her hips lifted off the sheets in response to his tempting fate. Her demands were lost in shaky breathes and soon, he was back to kissing Lily on her mouth. It was so warm, so blistering, that she felt like she was laying under a furnace. Her hands gripped and ungripped everything around, from the sheets to hair. She was unable to stay still with James driving her crazy.

"James?"

He ripped his mouth from hers, looking at her worriedly. It was almost like James was afraid she was going to tell him to stop. That gave Lily all the courage she needed to tell him to keep going.

"I want you, right now." She said earnestly, "however you're most comfortable."

His forehead fell into hers, his eyes staring into her very soul. His fingers lifted from between her legs and for a moment, they were a breadth apart. She licked her lips, waiting for him to tell her what to do. She couldn't get him out of her head and she just wanted to throw him down onto the bed beside her. James' left hand came up to tuck against her cheek and she made sure to give him a reassuring smile.

"You're top." He breathed.

Excitement flooded through her bones at his words, "you're sure?"

He found her instant keenness appealing, kissing her chin considerately, "I've never been more sure about anything in my entire life."

The night sky outside the hotel windows was dark, but Lily felt like she was surrounded by stars as she fell into a pattern with James. She felt shivers from her head to her toes. The world shifted as their bodies moved tenderly against each other in the sheets. Her kind words were replaced by sighs and his firm touch became incoherent hands.

All they were was skin and bone, trained to get along.

She was so caught up in James, in loving him, that she lost track of time. All she wanted was to fall in so deep that she forgot about anything that wasn't James. He was beauty, passion and tenderness all at once. It was drowning her, and she didn't care in the slightest. And God, it was like fighting a losing battle to make it last, she was so acute to his body.

It was almost effortless, Lily spiraling into a beautiful mess in the darkness of the hotel room. It was freeing, letting her inhibitions go as they danced in the black room. After, she lay in James' arms, buried amongst his limbs and his kisses, feeling completely tranquil. He dragged his fingers through her hair as they breathed in and out under the covers.

"After the Piper premier," he whispered, "I think we should tell everyone."

Lily sat up over him, her hair swinging like a curtain around them, "even your boss?"

"I'll take the job with Annie," James said, "I just know I don't want to hide anymore."

"I don't either." She agreed, "so after Piper, I'll tell Peter to do a press release and you can tell Moody you want to break your work contract."

She settled back into his arms and he said, "I still don't know what will happen when I tell Moody."

"You get fired?"

"Or he tries to reassign me." James whispered, "it's a contract for a year and I haven't even made it seven months."

"Don't accept a reassignment." Lily stated, obviously, "tell him you got a better job."

"Yeah." His fingers traced patterns on her hip, "hopefully it's that easy."

"If he even suggests you go guard some lame Princess in Sweden," Lily muttered jealously, "I'll march into his damn office myself and kill him."

James sniggered at her brash tone, "you're scary sometimes, Red."

"But you love me anyways."

"I love you always."

They didn't speak again, and it wasn't long until they both slipped into the best sleep of their lives.

The next morning, they separated unwillingly. James had to go pretend he hadn't just spent all night making Lily his in every way and form. Her fingers reached for him through the sheets. Her body ached in places from his strong grip. Her lips still tasted salty. Lily couldn't wait until they no longer had to get out of bed if they didn't want too.

Lily got into the shower and washed off the night's adventures, only keeping the memories for herself. The hot water scalded her skin, turning it bright red like a lobster. Once she was clean, she packed her suitcases, humming a soft song all the while.

She had a whole album to write.

An album for James Potter, the love of her life.

Lily danced around in the hotel bathrobe, singing into her hairbrush. Juniper protested when Lily turned her happy-go-lucky mood onto her. Lily picked up the fat cat and started dancing with her, singing one of her old songs loudly. Lily's toes trailed along the tile and her smile was so wide that her cheeks actually hurt. Juniper clawed out of Lily's arms, affronted by Lily's good mood.

It was eight in the morning when the pounding knock came to her door.

The sound startled Lily into dropping her make up brush, she hadn't been expecting anyone to get her until nine. She stood up from the vanity cautiously, tucking her red hair behind her ear and looking through the hole in the door. Outside the door was something she hadn't expected even more.

Lily's father was standing in the hallway, bold as brass, wearing an orange sweater. He pounded on the door again and called Lily's name. Lily yanked her door open at the same time that the door across the hall opened and James came out, confused. Lily met James' gaze before turning her attention to her father. She'd never seen Stephan Evans so distraught, at least not in a long time. Lily brushed her hair back with her fingers, apprehensive.

"Dad?"

"I'm sorry Superstar," his lip wobbled, "I'm so sorry."

"What—"

"Someone snitched on you two!"

Suddenly, out of the same door James had just exited, Frank entered the hallway. He had his phone on and opened, staring at it. Frank's face was red and blotchy with anger. Lily felt like she was standing on a stage where everyone around her knew what the play was about, and she was left in the dark. The hall seemed to close in on her as her anxiety grew.

"What?" she repeated.

Lily's father passed Lily a tabloid that he'd had crunched up in his hand. Lily sucked in air as she stared at the magazine cover. Lily's heart was pounding in her chest. It looked so charmed, the photograph, despite being the very photograph Lily feared most to see on a tabloid.

The page cover was of Lily and James inside one of the greenhouses at Petunia's wedding. James' nose was touching hers, creating an aura of love that no one could deny. James, seeing the picture, fell backwards. Lily's father looked back and forth between them, concern on his face. Lily felt tears slip from her eyes as she sought James' face. He was pale, like he'd seen a ghost.

Lily swallowed thickly and asked softly, "what do we do, now?"

"There's nothing we can do, look at that photograph! It's clear as day!" James cursed and his hands flew to his hair as his eyes closed, "fuck!"

Lily tossed the tabloid on the floor and crossed the hall to grab his wrists. James opened his eyes to look down at her, clearly distressed. The slope, so treacherous, had finally made them both slip out from their safety nets. The fear pulled at Lily like quicksand. James put his lips close to hers but made sure they didn't touch. Lily's fingers reached for his shirt, keeping him positioned in front of her.

"Maybe you won't get in trouble." She said urgently, "maybe this is for the best! We were going to say something soon, anyways!"

He was out of focus, despite being eye to eye with Lily. Suddenly, every phone in the hallway was going off. She couldn't decide if it was a choice, getting swept away in her own fears. She heard the sound of her own voice, asking James to stay. The tears fell from Lily's eyes at the same time James pulled away, slipping from her grasp.

So

I've noticed there're a lot of readers but not a lot of reviews.

Let's change that with this chapter

Maybe that will incline me to update faster ;)

xoxo

Petals