Chapter Twenty

This was a mistake, she knew it was a mistake. They had tried twice before and each time he had messed it up, but there was something so sincere about the way Sirius had begged for another chance. He had, for the first time ever, told her how he truly felt about her and how sorry he was for the way he had behaved in the past. Well, you know what they say.

Third times the charm.

Flopping onto the edge of her bed Marlene fingered the clothes that were sprawled next to her. She had spent over an hour trying to find something suitable to wear, stressing herself out to the point of exhaustion. She had narrowed it down to three dresses but she didn't know which. Groaning, she fell backwards whilst covering her eyes with the heels of her palm.

"Come on, stop being so dramatic." Marlene heard a voice giggle from behind her. Removing her hands she turned her head to see Alice walking into the room, frowning at the amount of clothes littered about the room. "It's only Sirius. It's not like you have never been with that man child before."

"Yes Alice, it's just Sirius. Sirius! I haven't been with him since I was seventeen. My first love, my first everything." Marlene ranted, sitting up before slapping the mattress in frustration. Alice rolled her eyes but smiled anyways. Marlene had always had a weird undying love for Sirius, something Alice found both sweet yet exasperating.

Gathering up all her clothes Alice quickly tidied up the room before turning to her friend who was looking at three dresses she had spread out on the bed. "Do you know where he is taking you?" She asked, hoping to get some details that might help with choosing.

"He just said somewhere nice." Marlene sighed. Looking at the three choices Alice flickered her eyes between them and the pouting girl on the bed. Nodding her head she quickly grabbed two before putting them back in the wardrobe.

"That's the one you're wearing. No fights." Alice told her, dragging her from the bed to start on her hair and makeup. Once everything was done Marlene slipped on the dark maroon dress, smoothing it down with her hands.

"How do I look?"

"Beautiful." Alice commented, smiling. "Sirius won't know what hit him. Also, if he messes up again there isn't going to be a fourth time. He's had way too many chances as it is and I won't be held responsible for what I may do if he fucks up." Smiling, Marlene forced a hug upon her friend whispering a thank you before a knock was heard from downstairs.

Yelping, Marlene pulled back with a look of anxiety plastered on her face. Taking a deep breath, and taking in the reassuring look Alice gave her, she made her way downstairs. Heading to the front door Marlene paused before swinging it open to reveal a smartly dressed Sirius, who gave her a beautiful full smile the moment his eyes found her.

Seemingly not able to speak, Sirius glanced at her outfit, his eyes roving up and down her body. Marlene bit her lip whilst waiting for his verdict, and trying to ignore Alice who was leaning on the banister as she watched the two of them.

"You are breathtaking." His voice was sincere, a breathy tone to it as he spoke causing the woman to blush delightfully. His eyes flickered up to the stairs, spying the other woman who gave him a cheerful grin and wave of her hand. Sirius waved back with a chuckle. "Are you ready to go?" Nodding her head, Marlene accepted his hand as she listened to Alice yell goodbye behind her.

Marlene found herself silent as Sirius led her to a rather beautiful restaurant. Grinning to herself she stared at him from across the table. "You're pushing the boat out a bit aren't you?" She joked. Sirius smiled as he shrugged nonchalantly.

"I want to do things right this time around." He told her, causing her smile to slip from her face. She felt an overwhelming sensation take over her body at the intensity of his words and the look in his grey eyes. Smiling shakily at him, Marlene was secretly glad when someone came to take her order. She needed a minute to collect herself.

The date went smoothly, something she was thankful for. Marlene had had a small fear that it was going to be a tad awkward due to their past, and that they had stayed friends for the past couple years. They worked as friends but she wasn't too sure if they really suited well as a couple due to how it always turned out. It was never her fault but Sirius had showed her she was never enough in the past, something which she was loathe to admit still ate away at her sometimes.

Dinner came to an end, the couple left and ended up waking side by side down the darkened street. They came by an abandoned park, the moonlight hitting the pond beautifully as it shimmered against the water. Grabbing his hand Marlene dragged him over to it, carelessly sitting on the cold grass before taking off her heels. Sirius sat down next to her, looking up at the night sky.

"I want to thank you for tonight." He mumbled, still not looking at her. "You have no idea how happy, and honoured, I am that you decided to give me another chance. That you have given me this opportunity to show you that I'm not the same stupid kid I was back in school." Sighing, he stopped speaking as he turned to look at her, absentmindedly plucking the grass with his fingers. The moon, that was reflecting on the water, was bouncing off of her skin and almost making it look like she was the one producing the glow from within. "I want, need, to show you how sorry I am for my past behaviour. You deserve so much more..."

"Why don't you let me decide what I deserve." Marlene told him seriously. Reaching over she grabbed his hand in her own softer one, squeezing tightly. "Trust me when I say you have all the time in the world to show me you are sorry for you past discretions. Not that you need it though, because I do forgive you. You can stop trying now."

Not knowing what to say the two simply stared at each other, their presence seemingly enough. Staying in the park for a while longer, Sirius kept his arm wrapped around her shoulders as they stared out at the sparkling pond until the weather got too cold for them to stay outside any longer. Taking her home Sirius lingered outside her door for a few moments before saying goodnight and pressing a kiss to her cheek.

Scoffing, Marlene grabbed his arm to stop him leaving. "That was a pathetic kiss." Smiling she reached up to press her lips against his. It didn't last long but it sure did leave an impression on the man. God, he had missed her. If he had known she would be this important to him he never would have messed around when he was younger. He had just let himself down, subtracting years he could have had her with him instead of her being with another man. But he had her now and he sure as hell wasn't letting her go again.

Whispering a goodnight Marlene pressed her lips softly, barely, against his lips once more before turning to enter her house and simply wanting more. Wiggling her finger tips she smiled almost sensually at him before closing the door. Biting his lips to stop the smile from blooming Sirius shook his head. Nope, he definitely wasn't letting her go again.