AN: I'm so, so, so sorry. You may throw things at me now. I'm really sorry for the late update¡XI've just been very busy. I hope you guys haven't decided to desert me yet. Hope you'll like this chapter! :)
Disclaimer: Do I even have to say it?
Chapter 26: My Sorrow
James was awake and alone when Sirius entered.
"Hi," James croaked.
"Prongs. How are you?"
James smiled. "I'm good." Then his face turned serious. "Sirius, I have to tell you¡X"
"I know. Your memories are back," Sirius interrupted.
"How'd you know?"
"Phoebe. She talked to your Healer."
James sighed. "Well, that makes things easier." He rumpled up his hair.
At that, Sirius burst out laughing. "I missed you, man."
"Couldn't live without arrogance, huh?" The two guys hesitated, then hugged.
"Let's be glad no one saw that," Sirius kidded after they drew apart. "Might spoil our image. But wait, you already did that, Mr. Naïve Goody-Two-Shoes."
James laughed. "I was that bad, huh?" He leaned back on his pillows. "So, you been taking pretty good care of Lily."
Sirius fiddled with a stray candy wrapper. He really preferred that they kept Lily out of this conversation. "Yeah, I guess."
"You two make a really great couple," James chirped. "I never noticed before, but you guys are very compatible."
Sirius blinked. Huh? This wasn't ¡Kright. He should be the one encouraging James to be with Lily, not the other way around.
James had an amused smile on his face. "No need to look so shocked, compadre. Me being with Elsa isn't so bad."
Sirius still couldn't answer; he was still thrown by James's statement.
James played with his blanket, staring almost dreamily at it. "I mean, she's so sweet and kind. Really smart too. She'd make a great witch. Not to mention the perfect girlfriend." He looked up suddenly. "You think she likes me?"
Sirius finally found his voice after a few minutes of struggling. "Are you sure you're back, James?"
"Why?"
"What about Lily?"
James leaned over and patted his best friend on the back. "Lily and I had a lot of good times together," he said. "And I will always care about her. But maybe our story was just supposed to end there. She's all yours."
There was a moment of silence. Then James spoke up again. "Would you mind getting me a butterbeer?"
After Sirius left on his errand, James slumped in his bed. The pain he'd willed to keep hidden poured out of his eyes. He'd done what he had to do. He'd decided earlier that he would no longer allow Lily to experience the pain he'd made her feel. He would let her go, go where she would be happy. He knew Sirius would devote himself to doing just that. He'd done what he had to do, he reminded himself again. But it still hurt¡Xhurt so badly. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he recalled every memory he had of Lily. He didn't know how long he cried, but he gave up stopping the tears. It was a time to cry for him.
Eventually they dried up. James's eyes were red-rimmed, and every bit of strength had drained out of him. But it was a relief to cry. A relief to release the grief in him. Tired, but feeling more peaceful, his eyes began to flutter close in rest.
AN Again: Sorry this chappie is kinda short. I will make the next chapter longer, promise!
But it might take a while for Chapter 27 to be uploaded, as I'm still very busy. Please continue to R and R! Love you all! :)