Lily woke up the next day to the sun shining in, and James's arms around her, holding her close. Carefully detangling herself so as not to disturb him Lily walked over to the window and opened it. James had had a balcony installed earlier that week so Lily could sit out there and read. It was then that Lily noticed, as she stepped out, that the world was now iced and glittering. Some of the students had already discovered this, and had begun throwing snowballs and building snowmen.
All her problems from the night before forgotten, she jumped on top of James and kissed him.
"James wake up! It snowed! Come on wake up we must go out there!" She giggled with girlish delight as she ran and got the awakening twins ready for a day in the snow.
James rolled over and climbed out of bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Looking at the snow that had just begun to fall, he got dressed and walked over to Sirius's door. He answered.
"Sirius I am sorry for calling you a prat and not making time to hang out with you guys except for, of course, the full moon. But today I want to make things up to you. Why don't you and Remus come out today and just have our annual snowball fights and everything."
"Okay, but you still owe me more than this. Can Lily watch the kids with Lexi and Roxxi? I'm sure they would love having time to talk about… whatever girls talk about."
"Maybe not. Lexi hit on me last night, and I told Lily. God that girl has a temper. I'm glad I'm not on the receiving end this time."
Astonished, Sirius closed the door behind him and burst out laughing. Bewildered, James asked his friend what was up.
"I hope Lily can find a way to shut her up, because God that girl talks constantly."
Remus opened his door, seeing as he was right next door to Sirius, and poked his head out. James explained why he and Sirius were overwhelmed with hysterics, and soon all three of them were laughing and entering James's apartment.
"God James, you certainly live well." Whistled Sirius, not bothering to hide how impressed he was.
"You can thank the lovely Lily for that. She picked everything out." Laughed James.
"I'm glad you boys like it. I find it will be rather hard to leave at the end of the year." said a voice behind him.
"Hey Lily, hello girls." James walked over, giving the twins a peck on the head and Lily a kiss on her lips.
"You've got to admit, they are happy together." Sighed Remus, "Jealous at all Padfoot?"
"Now that I look at them, no. James has never been happier and for once in her life Evans has her nose out of a book." Said Sirius.
"I heard that Black!" laughed Lily, and the group walked outside. The snow crunched beneath their feet, and a gaggle of excited third year girls offered to watch Dawn and Luna so Lily could have fun with the Marauders.
Lily and James were on one team, Black and Lupin on the other, until Roxxi and Adam joined them. The second years were more than ecstatic to watch Roxxi's bouncing baby boy. Roxxi then joined Lily with James, and as the war began, asked her about Lexi.
"Okay so run this by me one more time." Roxxi questioned her friend as a snowball whizzed by her ear.
"Lexi hit on James. Now I want to hex her stupid blond locks off, or at least find a way to shut her up completely." Explained an exasperated Lily, who was tired of throwing huge snowballs continuously at Black and Lupin.
It was nearly suppertime by the time they were completely tired, and the babies had dozed off. Paying the second years for their time, the group walked back up to the glowing castle, tired, hungry, and refreshed all the same. That night, they all ate together, laughing and talking as their children frolicked on the rug.
This is what I missed most about my friends. Nights like these when nothing seems to matter and you are laughing, talking, joking without a care in the world. Being with my friends and the guy I love the day before Christmas Eve. There is nothing more that I could ever want.
James woke up first on Christmas Eve morning. He carefully removed his legs and arms that were entwined within Lily's. There was enough time to make her favorite breakfast, hot coco, and finish wrapping her gifts.
Heating up the water on the stove, James grabbed a skillet and broke a few eggs. He noticed that he had gotten the hang of many things while living with Lily, and cooking was one of them. There wasn't a tree, but he had gotten a fire going and laid out her presents on the chair. Just as the eggs were finished, Lily walked out of the room in her old, worn out nightgown. Once again, she never fails to look fabulous. James thought to himself. Bringing her breakfast over to her, her gave her a quick peck on the neck before going to check on the girls. Thankfully, they had yet to wake up, giving him and Lily time to themselves.
Lily had noticed the presents, and with a gleam in her eye, ditched the eggs and ran to open them. Her squeals of delight filled the room as she unwrapped a book about potion making that she had had her eye on for forever, which was from Roxxi. Lexi had even gotten her her favorite sweets from Hogsmeade, saying she was horribly sorry and hoped her friend could forgive her. Lily knew she could, for being mad at Lexi for forever was seriously impossible after she apologized. Even Lupin and Black had bought her an emerald cloak. But there was a gift missing from a someone. A very special, certain someone.
"James, there isn't anything here from you." She declared. James walked over and sat down by her.
"Well my dear, maybe you aren't looking hard enough." A devilish gleam filled his hazel eyes as he whipped out a large red package from behind his back.
Lily opened it hesitantly at first, and then her face lit up when she unfolded the golden silk pajamas. They were her size and matched her hair perfectly. Giving James a huge hug, she laid back in the chair, until a movement from James caught her eye. He was on one knee. Oh my God he can't be…o don't be stupid Evans he's probably fixing the fire!Oh my gosh what if he isn't what if he's actually going to… Lily's thoughts were cut off.
"Lily Evans, you make me feel happier than anyone ever has in my entire life. There is nobody else I could imagine joking with or sleeping beside or cooking for than you. Lily I need to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me, Ms. Evans?" proposed James, and with a flourish he popped open a black velvet case. There, dead center, was a beautiful ring. It had a white gold band, and four diamonds were cut in the shape of a heart. On the band, in tiny scrawl, were written the words 'My one true love'.
"Yeah. I mean yes.. I mean HELL YEAH I'll marry you!" Lily shouted as James laughed, slipping the ring on her finger.
They stood up hand in hand, and James picked her up and spun her around, finally setting her down.
"Ms. Evans, would you please share a dance with me?"
Laughing, Lily entwined her fingers in his and spun around the room, the diamonds sparkling as they caught the fire's light. As they slowed to a stop, Lily had one more surprise for James.
"I have a present for you." She smiled.
"What is it?"he asked, wondering what she possibly could've gotten him.
"I'm pregnant." She revealed as James dropped in a dead faint.