Chapter Forty Five
James was laying on the couch in his living room and he sighed audibly, though there was no one around to hear him. He was admiring the little item that was glittering in his grip. It made him excited and yet solemn, as his mind was consumed of Lily. The thought of spending the rest of his life with her filled him with content happiness. Everything he wanted, his future, his life was symbolized in what he held in his hand: the silver engagement ring, one diamond and two little emeralds sparkling in the light.
Yes, he had bought the rig, the perfect wedding ring for Lily. After Frank and Alice's marriage became so real and so soon, it brought to James' attention how short life really was. He wanted Lily in his life, part of it with him. And she wasn't yet, not permanently. That was something, in James' mind, that needed to be remedied. Soon.
James sat up and reached for the small hand mirror on his coffee table. He grinned as he looked once again at the ring in hand, then turned once again to the mirror and very clearly said, "Sirius."
After a few moments and one bright flash, there were many different voices that could be heard, but Sirius' smug smirk could be seen through the glass of the mirror.
"You rang?" Sirius said.
"I did, indeed." James chuckled.
"And right on time, too. Guess who I've got here with me?" Sirius said, then ducked from view and another familiar Marauder appeared.
"Evening, Prongs. What are you up to?" said the voice of Remus Lupin.
"Nothing much. Just waiting on Lily to show up for dinner tonight."
"You mean, you're not going to paint the town with us? James, I'm offended." he said sarcastically.
"Who's us?" James asked. Remus suddenly disappeared and the last Marauder came into view.
"Hey there, James." said Peter Pettigrew.
"Wormy!" James exclaimed. "Long time, no see, buddy. Where've you been?"
"Well, I moved out after an argument with my parents, so I was out trying to find a job and a decent flat. You know, without rats and stuff."
James laughed. "But you're settled in now?"
"Yup. I met this guy... and he, well... he gave me an offer I couldn't refuse." Peter said, somewhat grimly.
"Well, good for you." James said. "I hope that means we'll get to see you more often."
"Yeah, I'll be around." he smiled.
"Great. Let me talk to Sirius."
Peter waved and then Sirius appeared. "So what's up, Prongs? You're not going out with us tonight?"
"Well, unlike you three losers," James said jokingly, "I have a girl. And today is Valentine's Day. That requires soft music, candle light dinner and romancing tonight."
"I don't believe it. He's whipped." came the voice of Peter from the background.
"You have no idea," James muttered. "But I'm glad you all are there, because I have something to show you."
"Really?" Sirius said, and all three faces crowded the mirror. James laughed, then held up the ring.
Silence.
Crickets.
"Man, you really are whipped." Sirius said.
"Are you purposing?" Remus asked.
"Tonight?" Peter said incredulously.
James laughed again. "Oh, no. Not tonight. She's just coming over for dinner. I only got the ring today."
"So guys, Jamsie-poo is getting married!!" Sirius shrieked as only Sirius could, then he, Remus and Peter started dancing around.
"Guys..." James chuckled.
"And you know what that means, mates?" he said, placing an arm around both his fellow Marauders. "It calls for a bachelor party."
There was cheering on the other end of the mirror, and James was laughing when there was a loud bang from the other room.
"I've got to go, fellas. I think Lily's here. I'll talk to you later. Bye, Sirius." James said to the mirror. Immediately, the image of dancing and cheering Marauders faded and all was silent.
"James?"
He grinned. Then Lily appeared around the corner. She was decked out in a long clingy black dress, make-up acutely applied, and a silver chain with quaint diamond earrings.
James was speechless.
"Wow," he breathed. Lily blushed and did a little turn at the request of his hand. "You look... incredible."
"Why, thank you. You don't look too bad yourself, Potter." She said, fixing the collar of his robes.
He cringed. "Ugh, please don't call me that."
"Why not?" she grinned, kissing him quickly. "I like your last name."
"Good," he smiled. "I'm glad. Bu coming from you, i just reminds me of the days when you used to hate me."
Lily froze and looked up at him solemnly. Then she started laughing.
"I don't think it's funny, Lily." James chuckled.
"But James, it is. To think I used to despitefully hate you with a passion..."
"Oh, yes. Thank you for reminding me. Such wonderful memories, too." James mumbled turning away.
Lily stopped him by placing a hand on his cheek, then smiling up at him. "And now, I can't wait another day to be your wife, so I can share the rest of my life with you, James Potter."
James grinned. "Soon, Lily flower. Very soon."
Then he leaned over o place a quick kiss on her lips. But she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him there, reveling in his kiss, enjoying the warmth in his arms. James' kisses always made her day and she soon realized that it was something she didn't want to live without.
She pulled back and smiled up at him, then sighed, laying her head on his solid chest. "It's amazing how far we've come since then, isn't it, James?"
"Almost unbelievable." he mumbled.
After a moment, Lily pulled back. "Well, come on, Mr. Potter. We've got reservations." But James didn't budge.
"Nope. I'm not done holding you yet, Mrs. Potter." he said.
"Mmmm," Lily smiled, then placed her cheek once again on his warm torso.
A few minutes later, James squeezed her. "Okay, now we can go."
----
"You'll never guess who I saw today at Auror training class." James said later that night after dinner, underneath a blanket by the fireplace.
"Let me see... Alice and Frank?" Lily said with a smile.
"How did you know?" said a dejected James.
"I talked to Alice the other day," Lily said, "She said she spotted you at the Ministry on the first day of class."
"Well, you wanna know something else?" James said.
"They set a date for the wedding."
James slumped back into the couch. "You're no fun."
"Oh, come on." Lily pulled him close again and kissed him quickly. "Alice is my best friend. We had lunch the other day and she was so excited she had to tell someone."
"I just want to surprise you with something." he pouted.
Lily grinned and kissed his cheek. "I'm sure you'll find something..." she said, then kissed his jaw and his neck, soft and gently teasing.
"Guess who I saw in my classes?" Lily said between kisses.
"Uh... Dumbledore?" James said, though he was no longer paying attention. He had closed his eyes and he was enjoying the feel of Lily's lips.
"No, silly." she giggled. "Jenny and Travis."
"Really?" James said, not really interested.
"Yup." Lily said, pausing from her kisses and fingering the black tresses on the nape of his neck. "Travis is looking into teaching Defense of the Dark Arts back at school, can you believe it? And Jenny is studying to be a Healer or an assistant nurse."
"You know, of all the people on the quidditch team, I thought Travis would be the one to go professional."
"Guess his heart is still at Hogwarts." Lily said, returning the kisses to James neck gently.
"They married yet?"
"Nope. I think they may be rooming together, but they haven't done the dirty yet." Lily smiled.
"Jeez, did all you females come up with some stupid oath to torture all the males on the planet?"
"Of course we did," Lily grinned wickedly. "Jenny, Alice and I swore to wait till marriage. And that was just to make sure that our man would surely marry us. Because you see, that's all men think about."
Lily then rose from her seat beside him and straddled his lad. "And us innocent virtuous women, we're not so carnally minded." The she placed a hot, passionate kiss on his lips. James responded fervently, putting his hands on her hips and pulling her close.
"Mmm hmm, like I believe that for two seconds." James mumbled and she giggled. "So Frank and Alice set a date?"
Lily smiled, "Yup, July 1st." Then she returned to kissing his neck. James cringed as she nipped at his neck playfully. Or, at least, that's why she thought he cringed.
"So far away?"
Lily paused. "That's a short engagement. Only five months to plan a wedding."
James sighed. "Five months."
"What's the problem, James?" Lily mumbled against his lips.
"When are we going to set our date?" he almost whispered.
Lily froze then pulled away. "What?"
James smiled up at her amorously and took her hand in his. "I love you, Lily and I want to marry you."
"Oh my... you're not purposing, are you?" Lily said, almost breathless.
"Not yet," he grinned. "That's a surprise you won't take away from me."
Lily giggled.
"But I just want you to know that... and maybe you should keep it in mind." he said, almost apprehensively.
Lily then leaned over and kissed him, fondly, ardently and reassuringly. "I love you too, James." Then she laid her head on his chest and sighed contentedly, listening to the steady sound of his heart beat.
"So let me try to get an idea... what's your favorite season?" he asked, while smoothing down her long red hair.
"I like the fall." she said without hesitation.
"Well, that doesn't give me much time, does it?" he chuckled and she smacked him playfully.
"Because it's gorgeous outside with the changing of the leaves, and it's cold enough to snuggle with you and you'll keep me warm."
"I'd have to agree with that." he said, pulling her closer.
Then she looked up at him and smiled. "It's also when I realized that I was falling in love with you back at school, and I want to remember that forever."
"You're joking."
"No, I'm serious, James." she said; and she was serious. "All that Travis crap and all our horrid arguments , was just me denying my feelings, avoiding reality."
"Fighting fate." James said.
"Exactly." she smiled.
"Well, I'm glad you finally gave in." James said, pulling her to him.
"Me, too." Then she kissed him again.
----
A/N: Hey guys. Kinda shorter, I know. I hope you guys could enjoy that, a little too kissy maybe?? lol... I dunno... I didn't really like this chappie... just one of those necessary things... I'm gonna like the next few chapters better. Hopefully you will too! -grins-
FYI: End coming soon! I can't believe I'll be finished soon. And if I really squeeze everything into really long chapters -like you'll complain- I think I might wrap it up around Chapter Fifty. And I have no idea when I'll start posting Daring Destiny. Just thought I'd give you guys a heads up.
Review!! I live on those things. So please keep me alive or I'll never post the last chapters and you'll never know what happens! -giggles-
