Lily opened her eyes slowly, turning on the lamp. She sat up on the side of her bed and looked down at her feet.
Even in the soft lamplight, they sort of twinkled an 'I'm getting married in two days' glow.
She looked over her shoulder at James's sleeping figure.
No, don't jump to conclusions. But wouldn't you think it's kind of odd that two people who are getting married in two days to never have slept in the same bed together? And I mean SLEPT. Being the next prince of Gryffindor is a busy job.
It was all arranged. Arabella was not going to be her maid of honor, like they had planned in fourth year, but Grace would be. Arabella was a bridesmaid, and both women would be dressed in lavender, a color that suited both of them.
Lily was to leave that morning. James would be in the company of his groomsmen and most importantly, his best man, Sirius. Albus Dumbledore would do the honors of walking Lily down the aisle.
It was June. Three months before Lily's birthday and everything was set.
It seemed too—Calm.
She closed her eyes and turned off the lamp again, creeping into bed next to James and remembering their engagement party.
The grass was freshly cut and there were little children running about in their Easter Sunday dresses and suits. People were smiling, laughing, catching up. The pond nearby was crystal blue and the bridge was nearly brimming over with happy families.
Not too far away from the white gazebo stood a large oak tree who's shade overlooked a long stretch of green that continued to form a hill. On the top of the hill, in a somewhat silent seclusion, sat the happy couple.
Lily's hair had been pulled away from her face, flowing down her back, and they sat on the cold stone bench, facing one another. Lily's eyes were downcast, but James looked straight at her.
"Can't look at me now? Wait until we have kids. Daddy, why can't Mummy stand being in the same room as you are?" James joked, and Lily smiled quite sincerely.
He thought it seemed all too easy.
She had played the simplicity card, wearing a loose, silvery-white silk dress with a long skirt, a lace overdress and short, fluttering sleeves.
"What's wrong, Princess?" He asked her, inching closer and holding both of her hands in his.
She smiled at him, leaning in for a soft kiss. "Nothing. I'm just happy."
He stood up, still holding her hands. "A dance, Princess?"
Lily looked up at him innocently. "That would be wonderful."
He helped her up and they began a very flirtatious, sloppy tango. It wasn't too long before they were laughing.
"Adorable those two. Awfully shy, though." Someone commented nearby. Probably some blue-haired lady who drank Bloody Marys at church socials.
Lily and James looked at one another, bursting into laughter once more.
Sirius, Arabella, Munguldus, Nadia, Ronan, Remus, Grace and Blossom, their estranged roommate, burst out of nowhere, lightly splashing the couple with water. Never ones to give up a chance at fun, James took off his jacket and tie and Lily removed her shoes, beginning a chase around the lawn.
"Adorable but awfully rambunctious." The same person who had just called them shy was murmuring.
Lily and James looked back at one another and splashed each other.
Before long, everyone was tumbling down the grassy hill, wet and careless.
Lily stood up with James's help and they watched their friends. They looked back at one another, and began walking back up the hill together. It wasn't long before Lily was standing really close to James, his arm around her shoulder and her head on his.
Albus Dumbledore watched his former students on the lawn, dancing around, dripping wet and spinning in circles. He sighed in reminisce, they were acting as if it were their fifth year rather than the eighteen and nineteen-year-olds they were supposed to be.
It was good that though they knew beyond the hills and the valleys, there were Dark forces at work, they could still play around.
Especially those three of which burdens would seriously be handed to.
Sirius. He was going to be such a good godfather, when he could.
Lily. She would give up everything for that child.
James. Whether or not he lived beyond age twenty-five, he would die defending Lily, Sirius, and their children.
Their futures seemed unchangeable. All Albus could do is sit back and wait for life to play itself out.
Lily smiled back at James's sleeping figure, knowing that in two days, they would finally be done fighting what they had known since they had spoken to one another three years before.
She got up and hurried off to pack, almost unable to keep her excitement silent. She went into the bathroom to pack her toiletries and her reflection caught her eye.
"I'm getting married in two days!" She whispered happily. The Lily in the mirror smiled understandingly. "FINALLLY!"