Thank you everyone, again. I'll never be able to thank you all enough for the reviews. *huggles* You really all make my day-the good, the bad, and the funny.
Okay, I've a few things to say. First, I know, this was a quick update, huh? LoL. I'd had this started in the middle of the last chapter and really wanted to get it finished. So it's a bit short, but…well, it's all important in due time.
Also- I've a song in this chapter. This is the first song that I've put in the story, and no, it's not fitting for the time BUT it's fitting for the moment. So, I'd just like to say that if I do happen to ever put a song in, I suggest, no…I DEMAND (LoL) that you listen to it. *nods* It'll…(hopefully along with my writing *wink*) get you all…twisted feeling in your tummy.
So—Disclaimer: I only own bits and pieces. JKR owns the characters and the inspiration to my plot. The song is not mine either, darn it, all rights of the fantastic lyrics go to Kent Blazy and Garth Brooks. So…no one sue me. I've got nothing anyways.
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Chapter 7
-Summer 1980--Accepting Fate-
The dry, hot air made the very round Lily Potter uncomfortable. The current heat wave would be the end of her, she kept thinking to herself. Being in the kitchen fixing dinner wasn't helping her situation any; even magic couldn't hide the heat.
She smiled when she heard the faint pop from the living room. James was home.
Lily made her way into their quaint living room where James was skimming through the day's post.
He looked up when he heard her walk in with a brilliant smile, "Evening, Love."
Lily smiled back and waddled to him. James dropped the post and pulled the red head into his arms. He kissed the top of her head, smiled, and leaned his forehead to hers."You are the most adorable thing I have ever laid my eyes on," he whispered.
Lily giggled, "James, I'm fat, hot, and tired."
"And you wear it well!" he beamed.
She gave him a quick kiss before turning to head back to the kitchen. James grabbed a hold of her wrist and twirled her back to him.
"Just where do you think you're going?"
"To finish dinner," Lily laughed. "James!"
James started to tickle her, and before they knew it, the two were laughing over themselves on the couch. Lily had somehow managed to be lying on top of James, her head on a pillow.
She sighed and glanced out the window.
"What's wrong, Baby?" James looked deep into her emerald eyes.
"Can we go for a walk after dinner?"
"Certainly. Anything you want," James nodded.
"It's where I want to walk to, though," Lily added quietly.
James raised a brow, "Okay…Lils?"
Lily let out a deep sigh, "I want to walk to the cemetery, James. I need to go there before our baby comes."
James nodded, understanding the deep reasoning she held. He hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead, "Of course. Now, why don't we go finish dinner together?"
Lily smiled at her husband and led the way into their picturesque little kitchen. They finished dinner, James making Lily forget her sad thoughts of before. They ate and cleaned up the muggle way; the way they often liked to do things.
"How was work today?" Lily asked James as she washed the dishes and he dried. Ever curious to what was going on, Lily was always fascinated in hearing her husband's exuberant rants on the news in the Wizarding world.
James simply smiled at her, "Good. I missed you, though. I was thinking, Lils-"
"James," Lily laughed.
"What?" He stopped and looked at her.
"You have soap on your nose," she smiled at him. She laughed harder when James crossed his eyes in attempt to see the suds on his nose his self. He blew on his nose as he scrunched it, causing the bubbles to fly off, aimlessly making their way down.
He looked at Lily and smiled, "Are you laughing at me?"
Still chuckling, she nodded.
"Well, I never!" James turned on the sink and splashed Lily with water. After a moment of shock, her mouth hanging open and James laughing, Lily took the cup she had been washing, scooping up water and throwing the water at James.
James jumped back but retaliated by scooping up a bunch of soap suds and smearing them on Lily's face.
"James!" Lily yelled, laughing. She launched herself at him, nuzzling her now wet hair in his face. He laughed back as he fell against the counter. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, kissing the top of her head.
"Okay, truce?" He winked at her.
Lily pulled back from his grasp and smiled, "Certainly…" She quickly grabbed the towel he'd been using to dry the dishes with, rolled it up and smacked him on the stomach with it. "As of now."
His hand went automatically to the stinging sensation on his stomach as he shook his head with a grin. The red head went back to the dishes, complete with the smirk on her face. James watched her resume doing the dishes.
The only person I'd let have the last word, he thought to his self as he picked up the towel and helped her again.
*
They finished cleaning and headed outside. The sun was beginning to make its decent, letting night take over. The hughes in the sky reminded Lily of lazy summer evenings as a young child. The faint purples and pinks streaming from the orange and yellow glows left from the sun faded into the far eastern sky where the first stars were starting to twinkle.
The heat was simmering down, leaving with the sun. A cool breeze had taken to blowing over the green fields as the Potter's made their way towards their destination.
No words were spoken during the walk. James held Lily's hand most of the way. He stopped when they passed a patch of wild flowers. James picked one, placing it behind Lily's ear with a smile and wrapped his arm around her waist as they headed on.
Finally they reached the cemetery. They stopped when the stood in front of the gates, both taking deep breaths. Neither of them liked to come here; neither of them wanting to accept what had become of loved ones nor what would possibly become their fate eventually as well.
James thought back to when it had started. The summer he'd lost so many relatives. The summer he'd lost his mother. He'd been much too young to take on decisions he'd began making then. He'd been much too young to have had such a traumatic life. He was much too young now, to feel so old.
He smiled then; that's why he was proud to be a Marauder. Being with Lily and the boys made him forget the seriousness of life and to remember life is what one makes of it. He glanced at his wife. From the expression he read on her face, she was having the same conversation with her self.
Lily looked up to James and nodded. They entered into the cemetery.
Lily couldn't help but glance at all the headstones they walked passed. No, she'd hardly known anyone buried here, but she felt a loss anyways. It was hard, when most everyone loved that you'd lost was taken away from you. Her grandmother had passed away when Lily was a young girl. It had been hard, but Lily learned to accept it. It was only the next step in her Grandmother's life to have gone to the next plane.
Lily noticed her and James' walking slowed as they came to the first headstone on their journey.
But these people. It hadn't been their time yet. They had all gone, paying a price for something so strong that the only thing they could give up for it was their life.
Lily admired each and every person she was visiting this breezy summer evening. They had each made a difference in her life, an impact.
Tears burned the brim of Lily's eyes as she stared at the headstone. She hadn't thought to bring any flowers; the only one being behind her ear.
James squeezed her hand and let go. He knew she needed time to herself. Taking a deep breath as he walked towards the back area of the cemetery, James tried to clear his mind of depressing thoughts; obviously a hard thing to do considering where he was and why.
James stopped and let his eyes wonder across the markers.
Potter.
This was his family. His life. The ones who gave him life and made him who he was. These were the people that taught him about love, acceptance and beliefs. The people who showed him how to stand his ground and fight for what he believed in.
It was the same people who made him feel powerless, the ones who he cried over, the ones who made him feel alone so often growing up.
He missed them.
He walked to one of the larger headstones and knelt down.
The Potter's
Beloved family and friends to all.
May they Rest in Peace- Having fought for us all.
Richard Potter Corrine Potter
He wiped away the single tear drop and stood. Glancing to the sky- he knew that his father was proud. Even with all the choices he'd made.
His only regret- that he never got to thank them; thank those who meant the world to him for being there, for making him who he was.
*
Lily, cheeks wet from the tears, made her way to the final memorial she needed to see.
Her parents weren't buried here; they were in a muggle cemetery with the rest of her family. But there was a small memorial near the pond for them, here in this Wizard's cemetery.
Lily lowered herself to the ground and tangled her legs together. She picked at the grass for a few moments, the tears failing to fall suddenly.
"When I was young, Daddy always told me that I could be whatever I dreamed of being. He'd hold me on his lap and bounce me up and down. I remember giggling because it was fun. He'd smile and laugh saying I looked so pretty with my red curls bouncing.
When I was eight I declared that I wanted to fly to the moon. And bring my unicorn with me. Momma laughed at me, but Daddy smiled and told me to send pictures.
Petunia cried the day I left for Hogwarts. I wanted to, too. I was so scared. I never dreamt that Unicorns really did exist…that magic was a way of life, a form of living…that I was a witch. I vanished into an unknown world, full of wonder and amazement…I didn't know anything. I read every book I could lay my hands on to learn about this world…to understand…to fit in.
Fate would deal me a hand to place me into the Wizarding world at what became a dangerous time for Muggles and muggle born. My family…they didn't understand anything…"
Lily looked up to the cement stone engraved with her parents' names on it. The tears were finally falling now.
She took a deep breath, "Mamma, Daddy, I hope your proud of me. I hope forgiveness goes beyond the world I see. My baby is due soon…
God, what a time to be bringing a child into this world! Who knows what's going to become of tomorrow? James…he's so…he's so wonderful. He's so excited about our baby. This child coming from our love…if only our love could do more…
He's gaining more and more power every day," she shook her head. "It's so hard to fight…"
She broke down into sobs, her head in her hands.
"How can I bring a life into this world when I've had a hand in taking lives from the world?"
She sat there, on the ground for a few minutes, wallowing in her self pity. She deserved it, she thought. Mountains of emotions from the past few years falling with every tear drop. She sniffed and looked back up to the memorial.
"I never imagined what my life would really be like. Nothing like this, if I had. But…James…he makes me so happy. In every twisted way, in every annoying thing he does, all the sweet things, all the romantic things…he's always there…to hold me, to take care of me.
And I know that he needs me. He's always needed me. I," she smiled. "Keep him going. I keep him living, and fighting.
I am going to make this world a better place. I'm going to make a difference. I'm going to make you proud of me."
As Lily stood from the ground, she smiled at the memorial. Something she'd never done before.
She knew she didn't have to do anything else to make her parents proud.
She just had to be proud of herself.
* * * * *
Once again, the walk back home was silent. No words were needed to be exchanged. They both had gotten out something they needed at the cemetery; something that neither one of them could give each other.
It was something they both loved about one another; the understanding.
They arrived back to their house; Lily obviously tired from the walk, and sat on the porch swing. James wrapped an arm around her as they sat and stared out at the night.
"Where'd your flower go?" James asked her.
"Oh," Lily felt behind her ear for the missing flower. "I left it at the memorial."
James nodded, "Did it help?"
Lily sighed, "I think it did, James. I think it did."
"Good," he held her closer to him, leaning his head down onto hers. "I love you, Baby."
Lily smiled and snuggled even closer, "I love you. Oo, your hand!"
Lily grabbed James' hand and put it to her bulging stomach. She looked up and beamed at James' grin of feeling the baby kick. His eyes were wide with excitement as he looked back at her.
"You're going to make one hell of a mother, you know that, Lils?"
She blushed, "Only because you'll make a damn good father."
"Being a bit modest, are we?" He teased her. "Want some hot chocolate?"
"James," she laughed as he helped her out of the swing. "It's summer time! And hot! And you want hot cocoa?"
James smirked, "Well, it's good."
Lily rolled her eyes, but followed her husband inside. She let him wonder into the kitchen while she wondered towards the baby's room. James and the boys were still hoping it'd be a boy. Lily chuckled at the thought. A junior Marauder running around… She'd be happy either way.
Her only worry was that the child would get James' unruly hair; as much as she loved it. She didn't want another poor soul to be irritated with it the way James could get.
She walked through the room, admiring everything they had ready. The baby was due in a few days. She ran her hands across the box of diapers…the blankets …the mobile of stars hanging over the crib…Lily moved around the room. She stopped and gazed at the photo's hanging on the wall.
As enthralled with moving pictures as she was; Lily was still muggle born and liked stills. They captured a moment, frozen in time; one moment, one thought, one feeling.
She looked at the muggle pictures. There was one of her parents, of James' parents, one of her family including Petunia…back when the sisters still got along…a picture of the Marauders…of all the girls back in Hogwarts. She'd even managed to capture a muggle picture of Dumbledore.
The one moving picture was one of James and her. Their wedding. James was twirling her around. It was snowing.
Lily smiled as she felt strong arms around her.
"How long have you been there?" She asked him, closing her eyes to the scent of her husband; her best friend.
"Long enough to fall in love with you over and over again," he kissed her neck.
She giggled, "Well, Mr. Potter, I think it's time for us to get ready for bed. We're quite tired from that long walk."
James smiled at her saying 'we'. He rubbed her stomach with one hand while pulling Lily's head to his with the other, "I'll be up soon. I just want to finish reading the Daily Prophet."
Lily smiled and kissed him, "That's fine. G'night, Love. I love you."
"Mm," he kissed her again. "I love you."
He watched her walk out of the nursery with a slight skip in her walk; a happy skip. He sighed, looking around the room.
He was going to be a father in a few days. This thought both excited him and scared him to death.
He walked to the front porch, stepping out far enough to get a good look around the neighborhood.
Everything seemed quiet enough. Safe enough.
He walked back in, shutting off lights the muggle way as he headed up the stairs. He sighed to his self, thinking of what his day had been. He'd seen the thoughts in Lily's eyes when she asked about the walk- he then decided to avoid talking of his day.
He stopped at the doorway of their room and smiled.
There she was- asleep already- looking like the peaceful angel that she was. Her dark red tresses framing her beautiful face as she laid on her side.
The tear came without his realizing as he watched her slow and rhythmic breaths. She was his life, his everything. Even when she hated him; she had kept his heart beating at times.
Without taking his eyes away from his flower asleep, he readied for bed and curled up beside her.
It didn't matter to him anymore, what came of the world, or him. As long as she was okay. As long as their child, a result of their love was okay. As long as she knew that he loved her with all his being; he'd accept whatever fate lay before him.
If Tomorrow Never Comes
Sometimes late at
night
I lie awake and watch her sleeping
She's lost in peaceful dreams
So I turn out the lights and lay there in the dark
And the thought crosses my mind
If I never wake up in the morning
Would she ever doubt the way I feel
About her in my heart
(chorus)
If tomorrow never comes
Will she know how much I loved her
Did I try in every way to show her every day
That she's my only one
And if my time on earth were through
And she must face the world without me
Is the love I gave her in the past
Gonna be enough to last
If tomorrow never comes
'Cause I've lost loved ones in my life
Who never knew how much I loved them
Now I live with the regret
That my true feelings for them never were revealed
So I made a promise to myself
To say each day how much she means to me
And avoid that circumstance
Where there's no second chance to tell her how I feel
*chorus*
So tell that someone that you love
Just what you're thinking of
If tomorrow never comes
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missers©
*hugs and cookies*