Word Count: 377
Lily scowls to herself as she chops the onions. There's a spell to make it go much faster, but she prefers it the Muggle way. At the moment, she is annoyed with James, and there's something comforting about the motions of the knife. Her eyes flicker out the window. The grey skies have darkened further, and rain mercilessly pounds against the house.
James should have been home an hour ago.
"Lils? Hey, sorry I'm late!"
Lily turns, still dripping the knife. She scowls when she sees her husband, dripping wet and making a mess on the floor.
"I can't believe you did that," she says, eyes narrowing. "Not only did you get home late without a word, now you're all wet, and just… James Potter, you are an irritating man!"
"I can fix that," he tells her, and Lily only notices the box in his hands when he sets it aside. He retrieves his wand and mutters a quick spell that leaves both him and the floor dry. "See? All better."
Lily shrugs. She knows she has been too hard on James, but her husband can feel like a real handful sometimes.
"Would you like to know why I'm late?"
She nods. "I thought something happened to you." It's an admission she hates making, but it's a sad truth. The war means she never knows which goodbye might be her last.
James' expression is something between pain and sadness. Still, he smiles, and it's enough to make her relax, if only a little. "Oh, Lily. You know not even ol' Moldyshorts can keep me away from you."
She laughs, though the sound is dry and strained. "I suppose in just being silly."
James reaches out and grabs the box again, grinning. "I thought it was such a gloomy day. What could be better than doughnuts on a day like this?" He opens the box, revealing a dozen chocolate glazed doughnuts. "I couldn't remember which filling you liked. Had to find Remus to help me."
Lily takes one, biting into it. The Bavarian cream is sweet on her tongue. A satisfied moan escapes her lips.
"Am I forgiven?" James asks.
She takes another bite, smiling. "Doughnuts in exchange for forgiveness?" she teases. "I'd say that's a fair trade."