Disclaimer: All the characters that you recognize belong to J. K. Rowling.

Author's Note: Thanks to lOvEiNhEaVeN, MissMrprk, vickiicky, SevenPeach, stef, J.E.A.R.K.Potter, MonkeyGurl1, and Madison for reviewing! It means sooo much to hear what you all think of my story!

The next morning Lily awoke to find James right by her side. She smiled as she remembered how he had comforted, he was so sweet to her. Lily didn't wake James up, but she was pretty sure that she should head back into her own room. If anyone had found them sharing the same bed, the wrong type of conclusions would be made.

As Lily quietly pulled the covers off, she felt James arm snake its way around her waist. She looked down at him, ready to scold him, but she saw his eyes were shut. Lily really didn't want to wake him, but she needed to get out of the bed before someone came in.

She began to slowly pull his arm off her and set it down on the bed. She then proceeded to swing her legs around, and then leave the room. However, as soon as she sat up, James pulled her back down, "Where are you going?"

"James, oh, you're awake. I was just going back to my room before someone came in," she explained.

"Don't bother," he told her, still not releasing her from his grip.

"James."

"I'm serious, they're too busy with the crap for the party tonight that they won't come in room until ten minutes before it starts," he assured her.

"But still, I should really be going," Lily tried.

"No, I don't want you to go," he said, trying his hardest to look adorable.

"James, stop," Lily whined, unable to resist his charm.

"I don't want to stop," he told her, smirking as he pulled Lily onto his lap.

"James, really," Lily began.

"Really, you really want me to," he asked, his eyes glittering with mischief.

"What on earth are you saying now?" Lily questioned.

"Lils, don't talk," he whispered, and then kissed her softy on the lips.

Lily couldn't resist his kisses, she never could. Even though she knew it was proper for her to be kissing James in his bedroom, wearing only a nightgown, she did it anyways. His tongue slid against her lips, wanting entrance, which she allowed instantly.

As the kisses became more passionate, Lily found herself underneath James. She was breathing hard when she felt his lips against the soft flesh of her neck, playing and teasing her. Lily moaned slightly, wanting him to continue, which he did.

However, much to Lily's displeasure, she felt his hands against her thighs, trying to make their way under her nightgown. "James, no," she told him.

At those words, James stopped what he was doing and looked up at her face. Her eyes told him that she wasn't ready, and reluctantly, James backed off.

"Sorry," he said, breathing hard against her.

"It's okay, I'm just not ready," she replied, her face turning red as she said it.

James noticed how uncomfortable the topic was making Lily and decided it would probably be a good idea to get off of her.

---

Several hours later, Lily and James found themselves at the party. To Lily, it was amazing; she had never seen anything like it before. For one, the Potter's had a gigantic ballroom in their house, which could have seated 200 people minimum. The place was truly decked out, and Lily was amazed at all the beautiful dressed people all around her.

Of course, the Potter's weren't going to allow Lily to embarrass herself by showing up wearing simple clothing, so they had picked out a gorgeous light blue gown for her to wear, and the house elves shrunk it to fit her figure perfectly. In James' opinion, and many other people's opinions, Lily was clearly the most beautiful woman at the party.

"Oh my God, James, this is so cool," Lily exclaimed.

"Yeah, yeah, but when you've been every year since you were born, they can get a bit dull," he told her.

"What are you talking about? This is so much fun, and oh my God, is that the Minister of Magic?"

"Yeah, he's pretty nice, can be a bit cross at times though," James replied.

"Wait a second, you personally know the Minister of Magic?" Lily asked.

"Yeah, he comes for dinner a lot." James noticed the dumbstruck look Lily had been wearing on her face and added, "He's been a friend of my dad's since Hogwarts."

"Well, still, this is so much fun!" Lily exclaimed, looking as excited as a child on Halloween.

James let out a smile chuckle; she just looked so thrilled to be there.

"And what may I ask is so funny?" Lily asked him.

"You."

"What? Do I have something on my face?" Lily asked alarmingly.

James laughed again. He couldn't believe how much his laughter was freaking her out. "No… You just look so happy to be at my mother's party. And the only thing more boring then them, are Professor Binns lectures."

"What are you talking about? This is amazing!" Lily shrieked.

"Sure, whatever," James said while throwing his hands up in defeat.

Just then, their conversation was cut short by a man speaking, "Well if it isn't James Potter, I haven't seen you in quite awhile."

"Hey, Mr. Bristow," James told the Minister of Magic.

"How have you been lately? Not causing too much trouble for Dumbledore, are you?" he asked.

"Well, I'm keeping him on his toes," James joked.

"That you always are James," he laughed.

"Oh, and this is my girlfriend, Lily Evans," James said once Mr. Bristow had stopped chuckling.

"Ah, yes, it's very nice to meet you Miss Evans," he told her as he shook her hand.

"It's nice to meet you too, sir," she responded, hoping that she didn't sound too out of place at such an extraordinary gathering. James seemed to notice this, and he slid an arm around Lily's waist, as if to assure her that he wouldn't leave her side.

"Well, Mr. Bristow, it was nice seeing you, but unfortunately there are other guests that I've got to show Lily off to," James said. And as he said it, Lily felt her face reddening, but the Minister of Magic laughed and said his goodbyes.

Once they were out of his hearing, James whispered, "See, what I'd tell you, these parties are awful."

But Lily didn't have time to respond as another person walked up to the two of them. This time he looked about their age, maybe a little older. He had dark brown hair, and the same hazel eyes as James.

"Hello, James, who's' your friend?" he asked.

"This, is my girlfriend, Lily," James began, and then added, "Lily, this is my cousin, Elijah."

"Hello, you look lovely," Elijah told her, and he took her hand in his, and lightly kissed it.

As soon as his lips touched her skin, James went mad with fury. He hated other people touching Lily, but most of all, he hated his cousin. Elijah had always loved to have everything James had, and most of the time, he got it too. James pulled Lily closer to himself, not letting Elijah charm his way into Lily's heart.

"I hope my cousin is treating you right," Elijah told her, a dazzling smile on his face.

"Oh, he's such a sweetie," Lily responded, and playfully flashed a smile of pearly whites at him.

"Yes, well, it does run in the family," Elijah responded, a hint of an egotistical tone in his voice.

"I'm sure it does," Lily responded.

James looked at his cousin, hatred written all over his face. Then he said, "Come on Lils."

She looked a little confused, but followed him anyways.

---

After nearly an hour of mingling with people who Lily had just met, and who James really could care less about, James decided it was time to leave the party. Besides, Elijah had been hanging around Lily a little too much for James' liking. Always trying to get James out of the picture, and flirting with her whenever he got the chance.

"Come on Lils," James said as he grasped her hand in his own.

"Where are we going?" she asked, not really sure if she wanted to go off somewhere with him.

"Just outside, I've had enough of this party already," he responded.

Lily allowed him to lead her out to the back yard, where the only source of light was a candle on the patio.

Lily planted her feet on the patio, not sure what they were doing out here. And as she stood there, she took a good look at the Potter's backyard, well, as good a look one can get when it's dark outside. She saw a figure that looked like a gazebo overlooking a pond, and beyond that, she thought that she could vaguely see the outline of three hoops in the air, which she assumed were part of a small quidditch area.

"Come on," James told her as he started to walk down off of the pathway.

"James, where are we going? Its pitch black outside," Lily whined.

"I know, which is why I have my wand," and with that said, James enchanted his wand to make a lighted.

"You still didn't tell me where we're going."

"That's because I don't know where we're going," he responded, and then smiled at her.

The couple began to walk around the pond, not sure as to where they should go next. Then Lily spotted a tree, and went to go sit down beneath it. "Come on, I'm tired of walking around, I'm wearing really big heels you know," Lily commented.

"Alright," he responded, sitting down next to her.

"James, what's bugging you?" Lily asked.

James looked her in the eye, she always could sense when he was upset, and not even his best friends could do it as well as she could. "Nothing."

"James, don't lie to me."

James let out a sigh, but didn't say anything.

"Is it your cousin?" she asked.

James looked into her bright green eyes once again, "How do you do it?"

"Do what? Know when something bothering you?" she asked.

"Yes, and know what it is too," he responded.

"I don't know, call it woman's intuition," she joked. "No, actually, I could see the death glares the two of you were shooting at each other."

"Yeah, sorry 'bout that," he told her.

"Now, why would you be sorry?" she asked.

"I don't know, just seemed like the right thing to say," he answered, and then saw Lily laugh at his comment.

"You know, he's not my taste," Lily told, and leaned her head against his shoulder.

"He's not?"

"No, he's too, just ewe. And way too high maintenance for me."

"Go on," James prodded.

Lily let out another giggle, and then said, "I like my guys sweet, and caring, and charming, and funny, and don't take as long as I do to get ready."

"Hmm, sounds like someone I might know," James kidded.

"Really? Do you think you could set me up with him?" Lily asked, and then gave him a light kiss on the lips.

"If you do that again, then I might be able to make an arrangement," James told her.

Lily kissed him again, and then said, "I'd like that."

"Good, because I know him pretty well, and I think you two will be very happy together."

Lily laughed once more, and then settled down to watching the stars above her. She was in complete bliss, resting under the tree, with the man she adored.

---

After a comfortable silence James began to look at the pond, mischief glowing in his eyes, and then asked, "How cold do think it is in there?"

"I don't know, it's pretty cold out here though, and I'm surprised that it's not frozen over," Lily responded.

James smiled at her, knowing that it had a spell that made it 80 degrees no matter what the temperature outside was, and said, "You want to see just how cold it is?"

"Are you bloody mad?"

"No, come on," he told her.

"No, I'm not going in there James Potter, I'll freeze to death," she responded.

"Oh, come on Lils, it'll be fun," he teased.

"No, and you can't make me."

"Want to bet?" he asked as he picked her up from her spot on the ground.

"James, put me down!" Lily shrieked.

"Alright, I will."

And with that said he jumped into the pond, taking Lily with him. Lily was surprised to feel that the water was warm against her cold skin. And she was lucky that they were in shallow water as well, because her dress was dragging her down.

"See, aren't you glad you came in?" James teased, popping up behind her.

Lily turned to see his smiling face being illuminated from the wand which was left only feet from the pond. He had a devilish look to his face, but at the same time he looked so sweet and innocent.

"Yes, I'll admit it, its fine in here. But, it's going to be bloody freezing walking back to your house," she responded.

"Well, as long as you're enjoying yourself now," he replied.

Suddenly, James felt a huge splash of water against him. And he heard Lily's giggling voice in front of him. So, with the first splash established, the two of them swam along the edge of the pond, splashing each other and having fun.

It wasn't until Lily found herself wrapped in James' arms after a splash did the fun moment die down. Lily looked up and saw James's warm eyes dancing with joy. He looked so amazing, and she kissed him, allowing herself the pleasure of being in his embrace.

It wasn't until some time later when they found it hard to support themselves in the water, and they had been backing up toward the edge of the pond.

"James, I think we should probably get back inside now," Lily told him, her teeth now chattering together.

"Yeah, it's getting late and pretty cold out here," he agreed.

With that said, the couple made their way out of the pond, Lily's dress dragging her down, and making her feel twice as cold. She shivered against the brisk temperatures that she was forced to face. Quickly, the couple made their way back to the house, and into nice hot, (separate) showers.

---

After getting warmed up, Lily and James found themselves by a nice, hot fire in the second floor living room. They were sitting on the couch, cuddled up together, and soon fast asleep. And that was where Linda and Gerald Potter found their son and his girlfriend. Both of them couldn't help but think how sweet they looked together.

Author's Note 2: I hope you all like this chapter! It's the longest chapter I've ever written! Anyways, please review!