MPPSexxySiriusJamesRemus- I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for reviewing! Fluff isn't really my thing—I'm horrible at writing it—but I'm glad you thought otherwise. Made me feel special. J
CaliDuchess- I'm very happy about your feedback on the whole Caitlin/Sirius deal… but sorry! I've already chosen what will happen to them, and they will get married. Prepare yourself, though—I imagine the last chapter will be somewhat sad. The Epilogue, anyway. We'll see how long it takes Lily to say yes.
Laney-Wood- I see you've changed your name. Thanks for the awesome compliments! I'm glad you think I portrayed Lily in the right way. I'm glad you liked James' speech- I was trying to make it as touching as possible! Yay!
Potts- Well, I'm glad. Ok, I've already told you (naughty, naughty me) so… thanks for reviewing!
BlackLupin- I'm so glad! And I'm really touched! It's good to know my hard work has paid off a bit. J Well, yes, James believes him, but you can't deny that's how wonderful James would react to the news of his best friend getting married! LOL And I love Jake! If only life were like that, where you could create your own husbands… sigh LOL
A/N: So no one caught the thing about James and the Bludger? Think back to sixth year… think Snape and Lucius… then think Sirius… anyone figured it out yet? Well, I'll let you know what it was at the end of this chapter if you still haven't figured it out. Ta ta!
Chapter 34: I Do
Caitlin,
Please talk to me again. I miss you like crazy. I'll take back everything I said, I promise. Just stop avoiding me. Please.
Sirius
Sirius,
Only if you'll agree to let me invite Matthew. If you say no to that, then you'll have to tell your exes no and you'll be doomed to being followed around for the rest of your life.
Caitlin
Caitlin,
I still do not agree whatsoever to letting Steiner come to our wedding. It's preposterous!
Sirius
Sirius,
How so? I already told you, nothing would happen! We're only friends, and I'm marrying you, Sirius. Get that through your thick skull already!
Caitlin
Caitlin,
I just thought of something. Does this mean… are we still getting married?
Sirius
I don't know. I'm… kind of in a state of anxiety right now. Sirius, why won't you just relent? Nothing will happen! I'm marrying you! Can't you understand that?
Please don't write back. I'm going to bed.
Caitlin
Caitlin tucked her quill away while watching his owl soar out the window and quickly into the next, which held the Gryffindor boys' dormitories. She didn't want to face him in person, for fear she might blow up at him and do something extreme, like call off the wedding.
There was a rap at her door. Caitlin threw off her covers and slowly opened the door.
"Sirius?" she asked. "You're not supposed to see me until tomorrow! Argh! What… how did you get up here?"
"Broom," said Sirius proudly, hovering a few feet off the stairs on his Comet Two Sixty. "Pretty clever, huh?"
Caitlin sighed. "I suppose. What do you want?"
"Let me in?"
"Fine." Caitlin opened the door wide enough for Sirius to fly through. He landed and quickly got off his broom.
"Caitlin, I… I'm really sorry. I don't want to call off the wedding and I really love you. Just please, tell me Matthew Steiner isn't coming so we can end this."
"I will do no such thing, Sirius!" Caitlin exclaimed. "I invited a friend and he's coming! That's that, Sirius, and I'm not changing it. I can't believe you're so worked up over one of my friends coming to our wedding!"
"He's not only a friend! He's your bloody ex-boyfriend! Don't you think he'd be uncomfortable watching you get married?"
"Oh, Sirius, this isn't about him and you know it. It's about you. It always is. Why can't you just accept the fact that both Matthew and I have moved on and leave it? We're only friends now! I'm going to be marrying you tomorrow, Sirius, and no one else. Augh!" she yelled in frustration, so loudly that the owl sitting on the bedpost took off.
"I love you, Sirius, I really do, but I don't think in this condition we can get married," she said softly.
"What?" Sirius yelped. "So you're calling off the wedding?"
"Until you decide that you're going to let me invite Matt, yes."
"Wh- what? Why? How?"
"I just refuse to marry you until you let Matthew come," she said firmly.
"But—Caitlin, how can you? Don't you have any feelings whatsoever?"
"I've already told you: I love you dearly, Sirius, but I won't stand for this. I want to marry you, I honestly do. Tomorrow is supposed to be the happiest day of my life. I don't want this at our wedding. I refuse to marry on terms like these. Why can't you understand, Sirius?" she cried, frustrated.
"I…" Sirius didn't know what to say. "I love you too, Caitlin. So much that I can't stand to accept the fact that you had once been with another guy, and might've married him… It just shocks me how I could've never gotten you. And that's the reason I'm so… jealous of Steiner."
"Sirius, there's nothing to be jealous about. I'm marrying you tomorrow. If anything, Matt should be jealous of you, but he's not, and do you know why? Because we're only friends, Sirius. You've got to trust me. You're marrying me. If you can't trust me, there is no way we're going to be happy together for the rest of our lives," she said, tears in her eyes.
"I… Caitlin," Sirius said, wrapping her up tightly in her arms. "I'm sorry. Sorry for ever doubting your word. I believe you, and I trust you. You can invite him. But I have to be able to invite all of my exes as well."
"That's fine with me, Sirius. I trust you, too. But you've got to promise to at least be civil, if not friendly, to Matt tomorrow."
"Aww…" Sirius whined, but Caitlin shot him a look which made him say, "I promise I'll be civil."
"Thank you," Caitlin said, kissing him on the nose. "And I won't do anything horrible to your fourteen ex-girlfriends," she promised.
"Oh, I don't mind if you do," Sirius said, kissing her.
"Lily? Lily, get up!" a voice screamed in her ear. Lily groggily opened her eyes and saw a face in hers.
"Wha' 's matter, Caitlin?" she asked. "Go back to bed; it's early."
"Not too early!" Caitlin contradicted in a chipper voice. "It's my wedding day!"
Lily shot out of bed, so quickly that Caitlin fell off. "Ow…" came the mumble.
"Oh my God! Is it already? Did I oversleep? No, I couldn't have… I did! Did I? Oh… wait! Where's Sirius? Where's James? What time is it? What time do we start? WHERE IS EVERYBODY?" she yelled.
"We were asleep," came a voice from the bed next to Lily, "but no thanks to you, we're sort of not anymore."
"Oh, sorry Amanda," Lily apologized quickly. "Er… you could go back to sleep if you want."
"No way," Amanda said. "I'm up now, so I'm helping with the wedding." She went into the bathroom to get ready.
"Alright," Lily said. "We'll Floo as soon as we're dressed. Accio wedding decorations and essentials!" A pile of items came zooming into her hand.
"A little… small, don't you think?" Caitlin asked doubtfully.
"Oh, they're magic," Lily assured her. "I can expand them and everything once we get there. Makes it more compact. Everything's here: flowers, food, decorations… the works."
"Great," Caitlin smiled, but she didn't look it. Lily noticed.
"What's wrong?" she asked, concerned.
"I'm just… a little nervous, that's all. Don't worry; I'll be fine," Caitlin responded, her voice shaky.
"You'll be fine, Caitlin. You're getting married to the hottest guy in school!" Lily said, wrapping an arm around her friend's shoulders and smiling.
Caitlin winked. "Yeah, but that'll all change when you marry James." An odd look over came Lily's face.
"Shut up," she mumbled. Caitlin noticed her reaction.
"What… is something wrong, Lily? What happened?"
"Nothing 'happened', Caitlin. I don't want to talk about it," she snapped fiercely. Caitlin backed off.
"I'm ready!" announced Amanda, stepping out of the bathroom. The next moment, the threesome were in Dumbledore's office, throwing powder into the fireplace, and stepping into it.
"Wow," Caitlin murmured. "This place is a hundred times more beautiful in real life."
"Yeah, it is really pretty," Amanda agreed.
"Come on, you guys! We haven't got all day!" Lily said, determined to work. She wanted nothing else but to keep busy. Caitlin noticed something else was on her mind.
"Lily, is this about James?" Caitlin asked softly.
"I told you, I do not want to talk about him or anyone else," Lily said. "Let's just get this done."
But Caitlin had had enough.
"Lily, this is my wedding, and you're acting really sour. I won't stand for it. Tell me what's on your mind," she said stubbornly. Lily sighed and relayed to her all that had happened the previous two days.
"Merlin!" Caitlin breathed when she had finished. "I don't believe it… James said that?"
"Yeah," Lily sighed. "But I just don't know what to do about it. I mean, I have a boyfriend, and I really like Chris, don't get me wrong, but… I don't know what I feel for James and having to make this decision is driving me crazy!"
"Just go with your heart, Lily," Caitlin said softly. "It'll always be right, trust me. I had doubts about marrying Sirius, too… but I really do love him so I didn't let anything get in the way."
Lily thought this over for a moment, not saying anything. "Let's get to work," she concluded. "I don't care if James doesn't get here to help with the decorations. I suppose he's done his bit, being a guy and all. I want this day to be perfect."
Two hours before the wedding officially started, guests were arriving, flocking into Gloucester Cathedral. Caitlin peered at them from behind the door.
"Wow," she yelped. "They're already here!"
"It's alright," Lily said. "We've got two hours to get you ready. Let's get cracking."
Dum dum da dum… Dum dum da dum…
The organ played as the whole cathedral immediately quieted themselves. The doors opened, and Caitlin walked slowly down the aisle. Sirius, at the front of the aisle, in all his glory, dropped his jaw in awe at the sight of Caitlin. She was dressed in white, which contrasted wonderfully with her dark hair. She took her steps slowly, and Sirius couldn't help wishing her to hurry, even though he knew it wasn't customary. James had to nudge Sirius in the ribs softly before he closed his mouth.
She reached the spot next to Sirius, and turned toward him, smiling broadly. But no one had a bigger smile on their face than Sirius Black. He looked excited.
"Do you, Sirius Black, take Caitlin Grace Taylor to be your wife, to love and to cherish, for better or for worse, in sickness or in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," he said, grinning.
"And do you, Caitlin Grace Taylor, take Sirius Black to be your husband, to love and to cherish, for better or for worse, in sickness or in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I… I do," she said firmly, smiling back at Sirius.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife." Sirius slipped the ring onto Caitlin's fourth finger on her left hand and Caitlin did the same to him.
"You may now kiss the bride," the priest said, smiling. Sirius did, as he always did, as he was told. The couple ran down the aisle together, Caitlin shouting out, "Reception's at Hogwarts! My family follow James, Chris and Lily to the school!" before the jumped into the car, the words 'Just Married' written in white on the rear windshield.
"James, I… I wanted to say I'm really sorry," Lily began, seated in the front seat next to James, after a long silence.
"For what, Evans?" James asked.
"Please don't call me that. I'm sorry I pushed you away," she continued. "I'm sorry I've been such a…"
"Hag?" James suggested.
"Well, I was going to say worthless, insensitive, workaholic maniac, but 'hag' works as well. I've been really confused, and under a lot of pressure, but those are no excuses. I've been really insecure, and I… just wanted to apologize."
"Lily?" Chris asked from the back seat. "What's going on?"
"I…" Lily turned to face Chris. "Chris, I'm incredibly sorry. I wish it didn't have to happen this way, but… I suppose neither of us can change the past and we just have to face this… I'm really sorry, Chris, but… we can't do this anymore."
"Do what?" Chris asked, confused.
"I… can't date you anymore. Look, I've really enjoyed all the time we've spent together, and I loved getting to know you, and I think you're a terrific guy. But I can't date someone… when I'm not in love with them. Sorry Chris, but… you're awesome, but I really like someone else. I might even be in love with them. I really hope you'll understand," Lily finished, looking at the floor of the car in shame.
To her surprise, Chris took it quite well. He smiled a small smile.
"Lily," he said, "I have a confession to make. Remember when you wrote me that letter over Christmas break and I told you I had been too busy to write back?"
Lily nodded.
"Well, the thing is, a friend of mine was back in town, and she might move here now that her mom has a job here or something, so I was spending a lot of time getting reacquainted with her, so that's why I couldn't write. And… well, what I didn't tell you was that she was my old girlfriend, Ashley. It was a really long time ago, but when she came back in town I found myself falling for her again. I fought it and didn't tell you because I thought you'd be angry. I suppose now's the right time."
To Lily's surprise, she didn't feel hurt either.
"I understand, Chris. Congratulations; I hope you two hit it off. Are we still friends, then?"
"Of course," he smiled.
"Pardon me for interrupting this wonderful… thing," James said sourly, "but who exactly are you in 'love' with now, Evans?"
"You," Lily said softly, still looking at the floor. James swerved the car, nearly crashing into a telephone pole.
"God, Evans, I just learn how to work this blasted thing, and you have to mess with my mind. What is your problem? Why are you so cruel?"
Chris massaged his chest, trying to still his racing heart. "Merlin, Potter, do you even have a license?"
"What the hell is a license? License for what?"
"Never mind," Lily said quickly. "I meant it, James."
"Yes, Evans, we always know you say what you mean and you mean what you say. We'll leave the license matter alone."
"I didn't mean that; I meant… about… about… about loving you."
It was a good thing the car wasn't back on the road again, because this time James would have hit a telephone pole for sure.
"Excuse me?" he said icily. "Is this a joke?"
"James, I thought over what you said the last couple days, and I… I think you're right. I have been a coward and I've been running away. From you. Or myself. I don't know, but I was scared. I thought about what you said and actually accepted the fact. I… I only hope you still… feel the same," she whispered.
James stared at her, his face void of emotion. "You're… not joking, then?"
"James, I wouldn't dare joke about something as serious as this."
James stopped, pondering Lily's statement, then upon reaching his decision, grabbed her face and kissed her. Lily showed no hesitance in responding.
"Err… excuse me, but I'm still here," Chris said, clearing his throat. Lily blushed but smiled. James started the ignition, and pressed his foot on the gas pedal, exceeding the speed limit by countless miles-per-hour, his foot fueled by exhilaration, and cut the normal time it would take to arrive at Hogwarts in half.
"And this is my favorite cousin Andromeda, her husband Ted Tonks, and their three-year-old daughter Nymphadora," Sirius was telling Caitlin. Caitlin shook hands with Andromeda and Ted, and then gasped when she looked at their daughter. Nymphadora Tonks was a small child with a pig nose and bright blue and pink hair that was in short spikes on top of her head. Andromeda noticed Caitlin's shock, and looked down at her daughter.
"Nymphadora!" she scolded. "Fix your appearance. Now!" Young Nymphadora scowled and closed her eyes, wrinkled her nose, and immediately the pig nose was gone and her hair returned to a dirty blond color.
"That's better, Nymphadora, and stay that way, at least for today, alright?" Ted Tonks asked.
"No Nymphy-dora," the three-year-old insisted. "Me Tonks."
Andromeda sighed. "She's been that way ever since she could talk. Hated her first name and preferred to be called by her last name."
Caitlin smiled. She thought Nymphadora Tonks was an alright kid.
"Wow… Andromeda, you've changed," Sirius commented.
"Motherhood. It can do wonders," said Andromeda, sighing.
"Oh, and this is my Uncle Alphard," Sirius said, pulling Caitlin away from the Tonks family. "He left me a decent bit of gold in my vault after I ran away from home in sixth year."
"Ah, this must be Caitlin." Uncle Alphard was a medium-sized man, balding, with a moustache. He was a little plump and had red hair. "Yes, I've heard a bit about you. One of the Blacks now, eh?" he said as he took her hand. Caitlin shook it.
"Yes," she said, smiling. "Now I'm a Black." She smiled at Sirius.
"Well, I'll see you around a lot, I expect," Uncle Alphard said. "Right now I'm looking forward to the food table." He walked toward the food cart, rubbing his large belly.
Caitlin laughed. "I like your uncle," she said.
"So do I," Sirius said. "So do I."
Caitlin found Lily standing next to James, talking to him lively and animatedly. She raised her eyebrows in surprise and approached them.
"Hey, Lily," she said. "Um… hello, James. Might I ask why you two are on such friendly terms?"
"We're… um…" Lily shifted uncomfortably. "I kind of told him today that… I'd give him another chance."
"Give me another chance?" James said, smiling broadly. "She told me she loved me!"
"I said maybe, you lovesick idiot," Lily muttered, but she smiled.
Caitlin grinned. She was glad to see the two were finally on good terms again, and there was a good chance that they'd be more than that soon, and perhaps for life.
"So, Mrs. Black," Lily asked, "What's it like being a married woman?"
"It's strange. I still haven't gotten used to the 'Mrs.'," she admitted. A finger tapped her shoulder and she whirled around.
"Matt!" she exclaimed and hugged Matthew Steiner. Matthew hugged her back. "Wow! It's been a while since we really talked, eh?"
"Sure has," Matthew said. He had light feathery blond hair—that wasn't bleached—and blue eyes. Matthew Steiner was an average beach boy. "But it'll be longer, since now you're married and all…"
"Oh, don't be stupid," Caitlin said, punching him lightly on the shoulder. "I'll still call you and stuff, don't worry. How are things with your new girlfriend?"
"Marie? Oh, she's alright. Nothing like you, though." Caitlin blushed. Sirius noticed Caitlin talking to Matt and immediately marched over to supervise.
"Hello," Sirius said, sticking out his hand with a forced effort. "Matthew Steiner, I presume?"
"Yeah. And you're Sirius," Matthew commented. "You're very lucky."
"Oh?" Sirius asked, immediately suspicious. "And why is that?"
"You're marrying her," Matthew said, gesturing toward Caitlin. "Every man would think you're lucky."
"Are you trying to say something here?" Sirius started, beginning to advance on Matthew but Caitlin held him back.
"Will you just stop?" she asked. "Matt and I are just friends; must I keep telling you? Don't spaz about it," she hissed.
Sirius' fists were still clenched, but he stepped back ever so slightly.
"So where are you guys going for your honeymoon?" Matthew asked, trying to make light conversation.
"Actually, we've decided to-" Sirius started, but he was immediately trampled by a flock of girls.
"Oh, Sirius," Vylette Snyder whined. "You got married…"
"We all thought you'd chicken out," Rachel Morris said. "I lost Galleons on it!"
"Divorce is still an option, right?" Delia Richards asked hopefully.
"Argh" Sirius yelled. "Will you bloody parasites just leave me alone?!"
"But Sirius… you got married," Wendy Patil whimpered, as if that was enough reason in the world.
"I only invited you to my wedding because you would not leave me alone," Sirius shouted. "I never wanted you at my wedding, and I especially don't want you here at the reception. Out!" he bellowed.
"But Sirius…" Rachel whined.
"I mean it!" he yelled, and the fourteen crying girls left the Great Hall quickly, faces buried in heir hands.
"Good going," Caitlin said in admiration, watching after the fourteen girls. "We're going to Paris, and Rome, and then probably the United States. I've always wanted to go to Hawaii."
"Of course, the women rule the roost, Sirius," Lily said, laughing. "You'd better get used to that." Sirius scowled.
"Oh, I've just thought of something," Lily said. "Where are you guys planning to live after graduation?"
"Good question," James commented.
"We're going to be living at Caitlin's house for a while, until we both get decent enough jobs to buy a house," Sirius said.
"Well, Caitlin, I hate to be doing this, but I've got to run," Matthew said. "I've got somewhere I have to be in five minutes, and I can't be late or they'll kill me for sure." He winked.
"Okay. Thanks for coming, Matt!" she said, hugging him once more. Sirius glared at him from behind.
Matthew slipped something into Caitlin's hand. "My phone number," he said. "If you ever want to call me."
"Oh, of course!" Caitlin assured him. "I definitely will. I don't want to lose touch with old friends like a lot of people do when they get older."
Sirius clenched his fists again.
"Bye, Caitlin," Matthew said, kissing her on the cheek. "And congratulations."
"Thanks."
"And congratulations to you, too," Matthew said to Sirius, shaking his hand. "You really are one lucky guy." Sirius' teeth were clenched, but he managed a small smile. After Matthew had left, Caitlin slapped Sirius' arm.
"Merlin, Sirius, why'd you have to act so jealous?" Caitlin asked. "I am now married to you and look at the way you behave!"
"He kissed you, Caitlin!"
"On the cheek, Sirius! We're only friends! I swear, you can be so thick sometimes for the smartest guy at Hogwarts!"
"But he-"
"You know what? Let's just end this right here. Forget all about Matthew and what happened today. I love you, Sirius, and nothing could ever change that. I promise. Do you believe me?" she asked.
"Yes," Sirius murmured in defeat.
"Good. Then let's just forget about this. I love you, Sirius," she said kissing him.
"I love you," Sirius answered, murmuring into the kiss, but although what he said was incomprehensible, Caitlin knew what it was.
A/N: Wahoo! This chapter is finished! Now, peeps, enjoy the happiness in this chapter and the next (and probably the next one or two), because it's wrapping up! Yes, the entire story! Wow, I want to end it but at the same time I don't. Well, I've loved all of your support and reviews and wonderful compliments!
Ah yes, James and the Bludger. Chapter 16. Re-read and find out. Unless, of course, you don't care, in which case I will not force you.
Leave me a long review (I do force you to do that )!
OutofAzkaban
