The Last Laugh
Chapter Eighteen: The Call of the Cat
By: Star*dust
A/N: First of all I have to warn you that this chapter will probably turn out to be absolutely nothing like you expect it to be. It includes the wedding; the bachelor party…; resolution of the fight and something else… (You guys are making me feel really bad always asking me about Sirius and Angie!!)
Thanks to everyone for the reviews and for being patient with my last chapter. Have fun!
~*~
James swore. "She's got to be kidding me. This is crazy," He said jumping up and following after her. James found Lily in one of the rooms upstairs sitting by the fire.
"Lily?" He asked tentatively.
"What?" She asked with a sniff.
"Don't cry over me," He said coming closer. "I'm not worth it." He said.
"This isn't a joke, James." Lily said wiping her nose on a tissue. "I'm going to have a baby. We're going to get married and live together. Are you ready for that?" She asked. James was silent staring into the fire.
"Honestly, it scares me." He finally said. "But I'm going to be here,"
"I'm scared too," Lily said.
"Lily," He said looking straight at her. "I've got a lot to learn. About you, about us, about life. So, I wanted you to know that I'm sorry. I feel like I've been through hell and back and I took it out on you. I'm sorry. I also wasn't able to take into account this whole… pregnant issue," He said. Lily half-smiled. "But I'm going to try harder; I'm going to do better next time. OK?" He asked. He was now standing over her.
"You weren't home for Christmas," Lily said half joking with him.
"That's part of my job," He said.
"Are you saying you'll never be home for Christmas?" Lily asked becoming serious again.
"I didn't say that, but if I have to be away then I have to be away."
"What about your wife and your child?" Lily asked.
"Well, I was hoping they would be a little more supportive and understanding," He said, becoming slightly angry.
"I know it's your job but you can be home on CHRISTMAS," Lily said with horrible emphasis on Christmas. "The least you could let me do is tell me you won't be home," She added.
"How the hell was I supposed to do that?" He snapped.
"Well, seeing as I'm your fiancée I would expect you to find a way! I don't think it would be so hard to write a letter!"
"It's not that easy! I could blow the whole operation,"
"I think you could find a way. They are people to; they're going to understand that it's important to send a letter to your fiancée." Lily said, anger rising inside of her every moment.
"MY JOB IS A HELL OF A LOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN-" He suddenly cut himself off knowing he had said too much.
Lily didn't even allow herself to sit in shock. She simply got up and walked out. She walked down the stairs and when she came to the front door she just kept on walking.
~*~
"Lily!" Sirius called. Angie had just left. He glanced out the window just in time to see her disapparate. James quickly came down the stairs.
"Did she just leave?" James asked in shock. Sirius nodded.
"What did you say?" He asked. James closed his eyes and shook his head.
"Where do you think she could have gone?" James asked.
"Her parents?" Sirius suggested.
"Not likely," James said.
"OK, here's the plan:" Sirius said. "I'll go to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, if necessary, and look all around there for her. You go anywhere else that she might be and if we don't find her we meet at Hogsmeade station in two hours. If you find her, than don't bother coming to meet me, if I find her, I'll bring her, OK?"
"Sounds like a plan. Grab your cloak, it's raining like a bitch out there," James said as he quickly strode out the door. Sirius sighed, the things he did for these people.
~*~
An hour later Sirius was completely soaked. He hadn't seen a strand of red hair since he left. So, he ducked into the three broomsticks and emerged a few minutes later with a mug of butterbeer. He sipped it and his eyes slowly slid up the mountainside to the place where the Marauders cave was perched. And suddenly he saw something move.
He quickened his pace and kept walking towards it. In no time at all he had reached the base of it and was looking up and a very wet blonde. As he climbed the mountainside with ease he soon realized who this person was.
It was Angie.
"The wet look is a very good look for you," Sirius said when he reached her, noting her white shirt. She glared at him. "Guess you're not in that kind of a mood," Sirius said sitting down on a rock next to her.
"You don't seem to sport the look well," Angie said, speaking finally. She noted his flat mat of hair and clothes that stuck to him.
"You haven't happened to have seen Lily, have you?" Sirius asked.
"Lily?" Angie asked. "No, why?"
"I'm looking for her," Sirius said.
"Why? I just left like an hour and a half ago," Angie said.
"I know, but like right after you left Lily stormed out. I don't even know what happened but James and I are out looking for her," Sirius said with a sniffle. "Damn the rain," He said.
"When is Lily going to just apologize to him and get it over with?" Angie asked.
"Lily won't apologize, she won't compromise her position. It'll have to be James who apologizes. She is the pregnant woman," He replied.
"So? Do you think that we aren't capable of having normal feelings?" Sirius seemed to consider this for a few moments.
"NO!" He said loudly.
"Well, James is not man enough to apologize, trust me," Angie said.
"No, way. Do you see the way he hangs all over her? Definitely going to be James."
"So, Lily," Angie argued.
"James!"
"Lily!"
"James!"
"I bet you one hundred galleons that it's Lily," Angie said.
"I don't have a hundred galleons," Sirius said.
"Fine, what do you suggest?" Angie asked. He thought for a moment.
"If you win, I'll have to baby-sit for-"
"Five years! Whenever I want you to," Sirius hesitated.
"All right, I'm cocky enough to take that bet," He said. "And if I win, I get to name your child,"
"WHAT?!" Angie exclaimed. "You're crazy!" She said.
"Well, if you're so sure you're going to win then why not take the bet?" He asked.
"That's just stupid. I'm not going to let you NAME my child," Angie said.
"Middle name?" He asked. She again hesitated.
"There has to be some rules. It has to be a real name. It can't be like 'desk' or something." She said.
"Deal," Sirius said.
"I believe I'm cocky enough to take that bet," Angie said with a grin.
"Good, you just watch," Sirius said.
"No, YOU watch," Angie replied.
"Anyway, what are you doing out here?"
"I don't know," Angie said. "I didn't feel like going home yet. I just kind of wondered around up here," Angie said.
"You shouldn't have come here alone. Who knows what could have happened to you," Sirius said, sounding rather concerned, but adding a loud snuff after it.
"I'm not going to get attacked Sirius," Angie said.
"How do you know that? Your parents were killed. Your sister was killed. And you remember that Halloween dance, right here in this village," Sirius said. "Not to mention your sister," He added.
"That woman is not my sister," Angie said evenly.
"Angie, just look at what I have for a sister. You just have to learn to deal with that part of your life. It's no good arguing otherwise because the bitches always come back," He said, he wiped his nose.
"Snuffles," She said with a giggle.
"I thought I got you off of that name a long time ago!" He said sniffling.
"It's going to haunt you for the rest of your life!" She exclaimed. "But anyway, what is the deal with that?" Angie asked.
"Gemini?" Sirius asked. "I don't know. She's just an evil person corrupted by desire of money and power," Sirius said.
"And you, having that, aren't corrupted by it?" Angie asked him.
"I wish it would all go away," He said. "Well, I guess the money is nice to know it's there. Because I don't have to be serious about a job or anything right now. Once I turn 25 I won't ever have to work again,"
"What's up with the whole 25 years old thing?" Angie asked.
"It was in my parents' will. I guess they wanted to make sure that I was old enough not to like spend it recklessly and be mature enough to know what to do with it," Sirius said. Angie laughed.
"They should have waited until you were 111!" Angie quickly became serious again. A long silence followed.
"Sirius?" She finally asked softly, so that it was barely audible over the patter of rain on rock. "I wanted to say that… that I'm sorry, if you were upset about…" She trailed off and took a deep breath. "About me getting pregnant," She said. Sirius's eyes locked with hers. He hadn't expected her to say anything like that.
"I just wanted to make sure he was going to take care of you," He said after a while. "You deserve the best,"
"Like you," She said sarcastically, but he remained serious.
"I don't deserve you," Angie felt her throat tighten as she was painfully reminded of something she was desperately hoping wasn't true. "And I'm sorry for everything I put you through," he continued. "I'm sorry for everything at school, and for that night… at the reunion, and," At this point Angie burst out crying.
"Sirius," She sobbed. "There's something very important I have to tell you," He moved right up beside her.
"What is it?" He asked concerned. She was crying too hard to say anything. Suddenly Lily came into their view and approached them. Angie did her best to stop her tears and calm herself.
"Lily! We've been looking all over for you!" Sirius exclaimed when he saw her.
"You look like you've been looking ALL over," She said sarcastically noting their sitting position.
"James is really concerned about you," Sirius said ignoring her.
"I doubt it. He's probably back at work, since it's so important to him," She said.
"Look!" Sirius exclaimed jumping up. "I don't know what was said but that man would give his life for you! Lily this, and Lily that. That's all I hear, and he calls me pathetic," Sirius said. Lily looked like she was about to cry. "Not another one," Sirius said referring to his growing line of crying girls. "All I can tell you is that he's out here somewhere in the rain looking for you and I had to help him, because you are two of my best friends. You can't let one little dispute ruin what you two have. You're going to married, and have a baby, and most important of all, he loves you, and you love him back. That's worth more than all the money in my safe," Sirius said. "Come on, give me a smile," He said. Lily turned being stubborn.
"Don't smile, don't you dare smile," He teased with a huge grin on his face. Lily had no choice but to smile and laugh.
"I don't know what's wrong with him, though," She said. "He's been really distant and moody and depressed. All we've done is fight since he came home."
"I'm sure he's not intending to do that. Why don't you just go talk to him?" Sirius asked. "He's supposed to be meeting me at Hogsmeade station in about ten minutes," Lily nodded.
"OK," She said as she got up to leave. "Sirius," She said suddenly turning around. "Thanks," And then she disappeared.
"Despicable!" Angie declared. "Absolutely despicable. You are the most loyal person I have ever met. You're funny, good looking, rich, the best friend, the lady's man, the jerk and the cockiest man alive. I absolutely cannot stand you! I think you're the best person in the whole world you jerk!" She said.
"Did I miss something?" Sirius asked.
"You can be the worst person in the world, but somehow you always make it up. And I absolutely hate you for being able to do that. No wonder I'm so god damn attracted to you,"
"Aw, thanks," He said sarcastically. "You know, I could go on about you too,"
"Sirius?"
"Yes?"
"Shut up,"
"OK,"
Then she kissed him. YES. She. Kissed. Him. Then she broke apart. Tears were in her eyes.
"I don't think we should see each other anymore," She said quickly standing up and disapparating before he had a chance to do anything.
~*~
Sirius apparated back to the Potter's but he spent about an hour just wandering around the front yard in the rain. Soon, Lily came outside holding a cloak over her head.
"What are you doing?" She asked. Sirius was surprised to see her; he hadn't realized anyone was home.
"Just thinking about pregnant women," He said. Lily frowned. She was slightly thrown off by that remark. "Lily, you know what it's like to go through these mood swings and stuff, so what does it mean if a girl, who used to like you a lot, and now has a boyfriend, and is pregnant, talks to you for a while, even though she says she hates you, then SHE kisses you and then says we shouldn't see each other anymore?"
"OK, first of all. Slow down, you're not making much sense. Second of all, you and Angie are starting to scare me. Third of all, it's raining really, really hard out here, so COME INSIDE!" She said grabbing his drenched arm and dragging him in the house.
So, Lily brought Sirius inside where James was reading a rather thick book in the living room quietly. Sirius explained the whole story to Lily who looked almost mortified.
"HEY!" Sirius shouted before Lily could reply to this development. "What's up with you two?" He asked Lily and James.
"Oh, well," Lily said. "We've just been talking… and stuff." She said nervously.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Do you think I care about what you've been doing?" Sirius asked. "NO. I want to know who kissed ass and apologized." James looked up from what he was reading to look at his friend. He raised and eye brow and shook his head. Sirius stared at Lily waiting for an answer. "Well?" He asked.
"Don't look at me. You don't honestly think I got down on one knee and begged." Lily said.
"I did not beg!" James protested.
"Yes, you did," Lily said. Sirius was grinning. But more because he had won the bet and not because this was a rather amusing conversation Lily and James were having.
James muttered several things as he situated himself and began reading his curse-blocker book again.
"Whether she likes it or not she's going to have to talk to me sometime now," Sirius said with an evil grin on his face.
"What are you talking about? Why is she going to have to talk to you?" Lily demanded, confused now.
"Because she lost," Sirius said and that was all Lily or James could get out of him on the subject.
~*~
Lily took the opportunity of James being home to spend every waking minute of her time to plan for the wedding and go shopping for the new baby and the wedding.
James didn't have to go out on long assignments for well over a month, so either James had said something to his boss, or Moody had got the hint at Christmas.
Lily didn't work a whole awful lot, and to be honest she didn't like it. She would have to visit crime scenes and things and recall violent scenes from someone else's memory. However, Lily was being very productive. She frequented the ministry and Azkaban testifying.
James always gave her some time alone after she came back from Azkaban. She always came back slightly shaken and he didn't blame her. He had encountered a dementor once, and even after learning the Patronus spell he never wished to encounter one again.
When Sirius came around he always had some story for the day to tell. Like 'did you hear Angie and Josh made a bit of a scene in the Three Broomsticks? Rosie didn't seem too happy to have to tell me about it. Can't imagine why though…'
So, the month of January passed rather uneventfully except for the fact that there was a lot of wedding plans going on and Angie steadily grew more pregnant.
On February first James had to go out on assignment but Moody swore that he would be back for the wedding. Lily was worried but everyday Moody assured her.
On February 13th, the day before the wedding James returned home. Lily was relieved but I think Sirius was even more relieved than she was. He had to deal with the stressed Lily not to mention trying to get everyone together to plan the bachelor party.
Lily and the girls were having what they called a baby shower but it turned out to be slightly more like a teenage girl's slumber party. James came home and after talking to Lily for over two hours he went to sleep until he was roused by Sirius at about 9:00 in the evening.
"Where's Lily?" He asked with a yawn walking downstairs.
"She's having her little baby shower thing. But who cares what she's doing. This is your last night being a bachelor. You're having a major party man!" Sirius said excitedly. James looked at him as if he had turned into the giant squid.
"What time is it!?" James suddenly cried.
"9:00," Sirius said. "But don't freak out! Lily didn't want to wake you. We didn't exactly need you anyway. I know, it's stupid to have a rehearsal dinner without the groom but Lily was all superstitious about not seeing you tonight and she said you needed to sleep and that it wasn't very important,"
"I missed my own rehearsal dinner," James said shaking his head.
"You didn't miss much, trust me," Sirius said. "We just kind of had dinner and talked and that was about it," James was utterly miffed about all this.
"Anyway come on, get on your party hat and let's rock and roll!" Sirius said.
"There's a bachelor party?" James asked.
"Yeah, except for Matt McKinnon is coming. He's married, but his wife is going to the bachelorette party so-"
"I thought it was a baby shower?" James interrupted.
"Well, whatever. It's her last night being single too," Sirius said.
"Yeah, but she's pregnant, she's at a slight disadvantage," James pointed out.
"That's the spirit," Sirius said clapping him on the back.
"All right," James said. "Let me go change, OK?"
"OK, but HURRY UP!" Sirius said. He couldn't wait.
~*~
"WHAT KEPT YOU?!" Several guys yelled as James and Sirius walked in the door.
"I know, I'm sorry." Sirius said. "The life of the party has arrived," He said taking a small bow. "Unfortunately, so has the death of it," Sirius said looking at James who looked almost as if he had gone back to sleep standing up. Several people laughed.
Before James even knew what was happening he was being led away by a bunch of his friends who were all shouting at nothing in particular. Sirius slipped out quickly with a grin and a slip of parchment.
A minute later he walked inside another house and was greeted with giggles, shouts, and screams. "SIRIUS!" Lily and Angie yelled. He had walked right in on the girl's little get together.
"I know, the life of the party has arrived," He said, again, taking a bow. He wasn't met with laughs this time, but rather looks from Angie and Lily along with a couple of giggles.
"What are you doing here?" Angie asked following him as he walked around and inspected things. Sirius ignored her. "Excuse me," Angie finally said as he was taking out his wand. "This is a BACHELORETTE party, so would you like to explain to me what you're doing here?" She demanded.
"Oh come on, I knew you wouldn't have hired any live entertainment," He said pointing his wand at a speaker on a radio. A jet of light flew to it.
"What are you doing?!?" Angie cried as the music changed.
It was a very upbeat Italian beat. He started singing as loud as he could; just to embarrass her he sung a song by Louie Prima. It was about Angelina, the waitress at the pizzeria, and he kept singing to her and she would blush look away and started laughing. He even knew the Italian. "I eat" (Italian word here…) "twice just because she is so nice Angelina… Angelina, the waitress at the pizzeria. I keep soup and minestrone just to be with her alone Angelina… Angelina, the waitress at the pizzeria." That's the chorus to the song. By the time he had finished everyone was laughing, including Sirius who could hardly finish because he was laughing.
"Well, ladies, I hate to leave this party, but I think I've done enough damage here for a while…" He said starting to leave.
"What the hell was that about?" Angie and Lily wanted to know. Sirius shrugged.
"Oh, I almost forgot, the whole reason for coming here," Sirius said taking out a small slip of parchment and holding it out to Angie. She looked at it for a second before placing her fingers around it. Her eyes locked with Sirius' and stayed there for a split second before he turned and disappeared out the door.
She looked down and it said:
First Name:_____ M. Elizabeth Star
~*~
Sirius came back into the bachelor party where Remus was taking loudly above the others telling them about some crazy story, except he seemed to slur a lot of words and Sirius burst out laughing seeing his friend up there. He rolled his eyes and looked for James.
Sirius found him wearing a grin but he still seemed to be tired and tense.
"Where have you been?" James asked as Sirius came to his side.
"Taking care of business,"
"Business?" James asked looking at him with a raised eyebrow. "'Sirius' business or serious business?" Sirius smiled.
"That's getting old." He said.
"I'm getting old," James said with a sigh. "I feel old, I'm getting married tomorrow," He fell silent for a moment. "HOLY SHIT!" He burst out suddenly. "I'M GETTING MARRIED TOMORROW!" Sirius started laughing.
"Loosen up, man." Sirius said handing him a glass and turning to walk away. James looked at the drink in his hand, sniffed it and shrugged.
"What's this?" He asked following Sirius.
"A drink," Sirius said.
"Not only is this illegal, but it's also not a good idea, seeing as I am getting married tomorrow, and Lily will know if I've been drinking," James said handing it back to Sirius who pushed it away.
"You, suit yourself. This is your last free night, and one drink won't hurt you, you've been completely wasted before, and let me tell you, that's some funny shit," He said.
"Shut up, you make me out to be some alcoholic or something. And when have you ever seen me wasted? You must have been just as gone as I was, which would mean you'd be too drunk to remember,"
"True," Sirius said. "Hey, look, I won't let you pass out or anything, but you need to loosen up. Get rid of those dark circles, and relax man. This is your party," And with that he left James alone… well, sort of.
~*~
An hour and a half later…
"I want t'maka toast t'James." Sirius said. He kept laughing, though and James was cracking up harder than anyone else there. James had 'loosened up' a bit, but Sirius had gone all out, as he always did and now he was about to sing, like he often did and James couldn't help but wish he had a muggle video recorder. "This 's fo' you, you can sing this t' Lily any time, like tomorrow night," Sirius said, becoming very serious for a second and then bursting out laughing.
"Ci-ci my playmate,
Come out and play wit'me,
And bring your dollies thee,
Climb up my apple t'ee.
Slide down my rain barrel,
Right through my cellar door,
And we'll be jolly friends, forever more." He ended horribly off key and among shouts of laughter. James personally was laughing harder than he ever had and he seriously wondered how many brain cells he was starving of oxygen. Sirius was supposed to be the one keeping an eye on James, and now look at him. This just made James collapse into his chair with even more laughter as Sirius stumbled over to the table.
"This's so much better than th' girls party," Sirius said sitting down.
"You know where that is?" Matt McKinnon asked with wide eyes. James burst out laughing for no apparent reason.
Sirius motioned for Matt to come closer. "I'll tell you where it's at," he whispered and then started laughing. "It's," He said even quieter than before. "APPLE!" He suddenly yelled. "That's a funny word, apple!" He declared and they all started laughing. Then, Sirius suddenly became serious again and leaned over as if to whisper to Matt. "IT'S AT YOUR HOUSE!" He yelled as hard as he could and dissolved into laughter which could not even be controlled by James.
At any rate, a bunch of slightly drunk teenage boys now had information of as to where the bachelorette party was and they didn't stick around to talk about it. In no time at all there was a huge party at the McKinnon's which did not end until well past midnight. James however helped Sirius, who had gone very dizzy, back to the house and Angie and Lily went home to sleep, though neither Lily nor James slept at all that night. They had much too much to think about.
~*~
Lily bolted out of the guest bedroom at Angie's at six-thirty the morning of February 14th, Valentine's Day, and the wedding. She ran to the bathroom just in time, seeing as she puked upon entering. A few moments later she came out groaning and holding her stomach. Pregnancy sucked! (For lack of a better word…)
Angie sleepily came out of the bedroom tying a robe around her waist. "I don't feel good," Lily whined. Angie gave her a sympathetic look.
"The first trimester the worst for morning sickness," Angie told her. "It'll go away soon," She said. "And then you'll start getting strange cravings and gain weight and mood swings and-"
"OK, OK," Lily said interrupting her.
"Ready for the big day?" Angie chirped, uncharacteristically in a good mood, considering the time of day.
"No," Lily said running back in the bathroom. Angie made a face and proceeded to the kitchen to start to make breakfast.
~*~
"Ugh," Sirius groaned putting a hand to his head. "Tell me it's not Valentine's Day," He said to himself.
"It's Valentine's Day," James said. Sirius sat bolt upright, startled by James, who he had not realized was there. Sirius swore.
"YOU'RE swearing," James said sarcastically. "I'm the one getting married," Sirius moaned and let himself fall back onto the couch.
"What time is it?" He asked.
"7:00AM."
"Ugh," Sirius groaned again.
"When do we have to go get ready?" He asked.
"Three hours," James replied.
"Ugh,"
"I'M getting married here. How do you think I'm feeling?" James asked sharply.
"Better than me, I'm sure," Sirius replied putting a head on his head. Without realizing it James rolled his eyes.
~*~
"Oh my god," Lily said. "This is not how I planned this!" She yelled starting to cry. It was late morning at Lily's 'morning sickness' had not gone away. She was going through stress and pregnant mood swings.
"Lily," Angie said trying to comfort her although not being able to move seeing as she was having her hair done. "Don't cry. You'll mess up your make-up," Angie said.
Lily nodded and tried to stop. Everything was so stressful. Everything was going wrong. This was not how she pictured this day. It was supposed to be perfect in every way! DAMMIT!
"Cheer up! You're getting married!" Angie said cheerfully.
"Don't remind me,"
"What are you talking about? At least James is marrying you. Josh hasn't even proposed!"
"I'm just so scared, Angie. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing!"
"If this is wrong the whole world is screwed." Lily rolled her eyes. "Come on! Be happy! Give me an 'L'! Give me an 'I'! Give me an 'L'! Give me a 'Y'! What does that spell?"
"Shut up!"
"I'm sorry, that's incorrect." Angie said sarcastically.
~*~
James was pacing around the basement an old church. It was a quarter 'til one in the afternoon. Just fifteen minutes until the wedding. Fifteen minutes until James had to do the hardest thing of his entire life. Not necessarily the HARDEST thing, he wanted to get married, he was just afraid. He wasn't exactly sure what of, he was just nervous, to make it an understatement.
"How the hell do you get into this thing?" Sirius asked loudly still trying to get his fifty-million piece tuxedo on.
"You're not dressed yet?!?!" James screeched when he saw Sirius.
"It's on my to-do list, now what the hell is this?" James looked like he might burst an artery so Remus took over and started to help Sirius.
"There are a BUNCH of people here. There must be like 500!" Peter said coming down the stairs. He had just been up to inspect things.
"Thanks, I feel all warm and tingly inside," James said sarcastically.
"Grumpy, dwarf #4, didn't get his beauty rest last night, so don't pay attention to him," Sirius said. Sirius, now fully dressed, surveyed himself in the mirror.
"Not leather, but not bad," He said smoothing down his hair. James rolled his eyes.
"The people I'm friends with. The conceded one, the smart ass, and the werewolf, sorry Remus," James added.
"No offense taken," Remus said.
"Yes, and we've all got Grumpy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as our friend," Sirius replied.
"Go make yourself useful," James said. Sirius shrugged and jogged up the steps out of sight.
~*~
He curiously headed to the 'girls room' where Lily and the bridesmaids were supposed to be but on his way past the back door Lily and Angie and several other people rushed in.
"Oh my god," Lily yelled. "Sirius, are they all ready?" She said frantically.
"You just got here?" He asked quickly following her into their room. Angie was already dressed but Lily was not in her dress yet.
"Oh my god," Lily kept saying as she quickly took off her shoes. Sirius burst out laughing.
"Lily's late to her own wedding!" He said started laughing harder and Lily glared.
"Get out," She said taking the protective plastic coating off her dress.
"Why?" He asked.
"I have to change you idiot!" She yelled and then moaned and clutched her stomach.
"There's a bathroom right over there dear," Angie said pointing.
"Oh my god, she's gonna blow!" Sirius said dramatically turning and running to the door. Lily, even though her stomach was upset, smiled.
"Just stall for me, please," She said and Sirius turned and bolted down the staircase where James and the rest were getting ready to come up.
"Where are you going?" Sirius asked stopping them. "The…uh… priest isn't quite ready yet," Sirius lied. "Something with his robes… or something," He said shooing them back into the basement.
"What!?" James exclaimed. "How's Lily?"
"Um…" Sirius said. James eyed him.
"What is it?" He asked cautiously.
"Nothing, she's just been having some… morning sickness…" he said.
"Is she OK?" James asked.
"Um… I'll go see," Sirius said dashing back upstairs. Angie met him at the door.
"She's got the dress on but as you can hear she's a bit preoccupied at the moment. She has an on-going date with the toilet at the moment," Angie told Sirius.
"Poor Lil, I hope she feels better," Sirius said.
"By the way," Angie said looking at Sirius. "We need to talk," She said.
"We do? About what?"
"This," She said handing him his slip of parchment.
"What?" He asked.
"Elizabeth? Missing your Brad-crazy friend?" Angie asked.
"It's a pretty name, and it works," Sirius replied.
"It works? You have no idea what I'm going to name my child. And by the way, this is a girls name; the doctor said it was a boy, so I'm afraid you are out of luck there. And if you dare suggest Sirius I swear I'll slap you across the face." Angie said quickly.
"I wasn't going to suggest Sirius because it's a girl," He told her.
"How do you know?" She asked.
"How does the doctor know?"
"What kind of a question is that?"
"A question that was answered with a question,"
"What?!" Angie was confused now. "Anyway, what's with this 'M'?"
"It's a surprise," Sirius said.
"A surprise? I don't seem to recall any surprises attached to this bet, nor do I recall me agreeing to let you name my child with two middle names,"
"You never said otherwise either," Sirius said.
"Angie!" Lily hissed from the other side of the door.
"Wait here!" Angie said and hastily ducked inside. A moment later she stuck her head out.
"Go tell the priest we're going to be late and to make an announcement to everyone. Don't worry, I just have to fix her make-up, slightly," Angie said. "Hurry up!" She commanded flipping her hand at him. Quickly he strode away.
He couldn't find the priest so he informed the organist and them proceeded to the front of the church. He whistled loudly and everyone quieted down.
"The bride has been having some…er… complications with her…um… stomach. We are postponing the wedding for a few more minutes, so thank you very much for waiting patiently," At the end he added a loud whoop for Lily and James and ducked out of the sanctuary.
"Sirius? What's going on?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"Lily's stomach is upset, don't worry about it, headmaster," He replied flying down the basement stairs.
"We're almost ready, hold on a minute," Sirius said running back upstairs. He was certainly getting his work out for the day.
"Are you ready?" Sirius asked knocking on the door.
"OK," Lily replied.
Sirius dashed back to the sanctuary and told the priest and then ran downstairs and brought everyone else upstairs to get all lined up. James took his place and Sirius rushed to meet Angie to walk down the aisle with her as the best man and maid of honor. He was very hot by now and quite out of breath.
"What happened to you?" Angie asked as they started walking.
"I've been running all over this church!" He replied.
The wedding flew by like a summer day. Lily was cured of her morning sickness, nothing could be wrong now. Every moment James and Lily swirled farther and farther from reality and closer and closer to each other.
Looking back the only thing Lily really remembered afterwards of her wedding was the incredible feeling of happiness and fullness and the kiss.
Everything was perfect.
And Sirius cat-calling when they kissed would forever be ringing in her ears.
~*~
A/N: Don't you love how Lily's day starts out? The day of the wedding, that is. I don't know; I just was in a weird kind of a mood… This whole chapter was a bit weird. I'm sorry about taking so long and I know that the wedding was probably nothing what you wanted but the reception will be hilarious and also *cringes* include some sappy romance stuff. But not too much because I don't know how much of that I can write!
Well, anyway, the next chapter is the reception, which should be pretty interesting… and also Angie has her baby and Lily might have Harry… I haven't decided if I want to go quite that far or not.
Yes! Another chapter down! I'm getting closer to the end. I can taste it. I'm working hard people! I'm sorry this took a while again, but I'm really going to try and speed up the next chapter. I really am.
Thanks for being good sports and sticking with me. You won't regret it.
And, since you're done reading this chapter if you don't have something else to do go read 'To Be Lost' by HBFred. You'll love it. I do. It's excellent. HBFred stands for Harmony's Brother Fred and Harmony of course is my friend Harmony Slytherin, the excellent writer! So, if you get bored go check them out!
Thanks for everything! All the feedback I appreciate it so much!
~Star*dust
PS JINGLE BELLS!!! (Don't take it personally…)
Chapter Eighteen: The Call of the Cat
By: Star*dust
A/N: First of all I have to warn you that this chapter will probably turn out to be absolutely nothing like you expect it to be. It includes the wedding; the bachelor party…; resolution of the fight and something else… (You guys are making me feel really bad always asking me about Sirius and Angie!!)
Thanks to everyone for the reviews and for being patient with my last chapter. Have fun!
~*~
James swore. "She's got to be kidding me. This is crazy," He said jumping up and following after her. James found Lily in one of the rooms upstairs sitting by the fire.
"Lily?" He asked tentatively.
"What?" She asked with a sniff.
"Don't cry over me," He said coming closer. "I'm not worth it." He said.
"This isn't a joke, James." Lily said wiping her nose on a tissue. "I'm going to have a baby. We're going to get married and live together. Are you ready for that?" She asked. James was silent staring into the fire.
"Honestly, it scares me." He finally said. "But I'm going to be here,"
"I'm scared too," Lily said.
"Lily," He said looking straight at her. "I've got a lot to learn. About you, about us, about life. So, I wanted you to know that I'm sorry. I feel like I've been through hell and back and I took it out on you. I'm sorry. I also wasn't able to take into account this whole… pregnant issue," He said. Lily half-smiled. "But I'm going to try harder; I'm going to do better next time. OK?" He asked. He was now standing over her.
"You weren't home for Christmas," Lily said half joking with him.
"That's part of my job," He said.
"Are you saying you'll never be home for Christmas?" Lily asked becoming serious again.
"I didn't say that, but if I have to be away then I have to be away."
"What about your wife and your child?" Lily asked.
"Well, I was hoping they would be a little more supportive and understanding," He said, becoming slightly angry.
"I know it's your job but you can be home on CHRISTMAS," Lily said with horrible emphasis on Christmas. "The least you could let me do is tell me you won't be home," She added.
"How the hell was I supposed to do that?" He snapped.
"Well, seeing as I'm your fiancée I would expect you to find a way! I don't think it would be so hard to write a letter!"
"It's not that easy! I could blow the whole operation,"
"I think you could find a way. They are people to; they're going to understand that it's important to send a letter to your fiancée." Lily said, anger rising inside of her every moment.
"MY JOB IS A HELL OF A LOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN-" He suddenly cut himself off knowing he had said too much.
Lily didn't even allow herself to sit in shock. She simply got up and walked out. She walked down the stairs and when she came to the front door she just kept on walking.
~*~
"Lily!" Sirius called. Angie had just left. He glanced out the window just in time to see her disapparate. James quickly came down the stairs.
"Did she just leave?" James asked in shock. Sirius nodded.
"What did you say?" He asked. James closed his eyes and shook his head.
"Where do you think she could have gone?" James asked.
"Her parents?" Sirius suggested.
"Not likely," James said.
"OK, here's the plan:" Sirius said. "I'll go to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, if necessary, and look all around there for her. You go anywhere else that she might be and if we don't find her we meet at Hogsmeade station in two hours. If you find her, than don't bother coming to meet me, if I find her, I'll bring her, OK?"
"Sounds like a plan. Grab your cloak, it's raining like a bitch out there," James said as he quickly strode out the door. Sirius sighed, the things he did for these people.
~*~
An hour later Sirius was completely soaked. He hadn't seen a strand of red hair since he left. So, he ducked into the three broomsticks and emerged a few minutes later with a mug of butterbeer. He sipped it and his eyes slowly slid up the mountainside to the place where the Marauders cave was perched. And suddenly he saw something move.
He quickened his pace and kept walking towards it. In no time at all he had reached the base of it and was looking up and a very wet blonde. As he climbed the mountainside with ease he soon realized who this person was.
It was Angie.
"The wet look is a very good look for you," Sirius said when he reached her, noting her white shirt. She glared at him. "Guess you're not in that kind of a mood," Sirius said sitting down on a rock next to her.
"You don't seem to sport the look well," Angie said, speaking finally. She noted his flat mat of hair and clothes that stuck to him.
"You haven't happened to have seen Lily, have you?" Sirius asked.
"Lily?" Angie asked. "No, why?"
"I'm looking for her," Sirius said.
"Why? I just left like an hour and a half ago," Angie said.
"I know, but like right after you left Lily stormed out. I don't even know what happened but James and I are out looking for her," Sirius said with a sniffle. "Damn the rain," He said.
"When is Lily going to just apologize to him and get it over with?" Angie asked.
"Lily won't apologize, she won't compromise her position. It'll have to be James who apologizes. She is the pregnant woman," He replied.
"So? Do you think that we aren't capable of having normal feelings?" Sirius seemed to consider this for a few moments.
"NO!" He said loudly.
"Well, James is not man enough to apologize, trust me," Angie said.
"No, way. Do you see the way he hangs all over her? Definitely going to be James."
"So, Lily," Angie argued.
"James!"
"Lily!"
"James!"
"I bet you one hundred galleons that it's Lily," Angie said.
"I don't have a hundred galleons," Sirius said.
"Fine, what do you suggest?" Angie asked. He thought for a moment.
"If you win, I'll have to baby-sit for-"
"Five years! Whenever I want you to," Sirius hesitated.
"All right, I'm cocky enough to take that bet," He said. "And if I win, I get to name your child,"
"WHAT?!" Angie exclaimed. "You're crazy!" She said.
"Well, if you're so sure you're going to win then why not take the bet?" He asked.
"That's just stupid. I'm not going to let you NAME my child," Angie said.
"Middle name?" He asked. She again hesitated.
"There has to be some rules. It has to be a real name. It can't be like 'desk' or something." She said.
"Deal," Sirius said.
"I believe I'm cocky enough to take that bet," Angie said with a grin.
"Good, you just watch," Sirius said.
"No, YOU watch," Angie replied.
"Anyway, what are you doing out here?"
"I don't know," Angie said. "I didn't feel like going home yet. I just kind of wondered around up here," Angie said.
"You shouldn't have come here alone. Who knows what could have happened to you," Sirius said, sounding rather concerned, but adding a loud snuff after it.
"I'm not going to get attacked Sirius," Angie said.
"How do you know that? Your parents were killed. Your sister was killed. And you remember that Halloween dance, right here in this village," Sirius said. "Not to mention your sister," He added.
"That woman is not my sister," Angie said evenly.
"Angie, just look at what I have for a sister. You just have to learn to deal with that part of your life. It's no good arguing otherwise because the bitches always come back," He said, he wiped his nose.
"Snuffles," She said with a giggle.
"I thought I got you off of that name a long time ago!" He said sniffling.
"It's going to haunt you for the rest of your life!" She exclaimed. "But anyway, what is the deal with that?" Angie asked.
"Gemini?" Sirius asked. "I don't know. She's just an evil person corrupted by desire of money and power," Sirius said.
"And you, having that, aren't corrupted by it?" Angie asked him.
"I wish it would all go away," He said. "Well, I guess the money is nice to know it's there. Because I don't have to be serious about a job or anything right now. Once I turn 25 I won't ever have to work again,"
"What's up with the whole 25 years old thing?" Angie asked.
"It was in my parents' will. I guess they wanted to make sure that I was old enough not to like spend it recklessly and be mature enough to know what to do with it," Sirius said. Angie laughed.
"They should have waited until you were 111!" Angie quickly became serious again. A long silence followed.
"Sirius?" She finally asked softly, so that it was barely audible over the patter of rain on rock. "I wanted to say that… that I'm sorry, if you were upset about…" She trailed off and took a deep breath. "About me getting pregnant," She said. Sirius's eyes locked with hers. He hadn't expected her to say anything like that.
"I just wanted to make sure he was going to take care of you," He said after a while. "You deserve the best,"
"Like you," She said sarcastically, but he remained serious.
"I don't deserve you," Angie felt her throat tighten as she was painfully reminded of something she was desperately hoping wasn't true. "And I'm sorry for everything I put you through," he continued. "I'm sorry for everything at school, and for that night… at the reunion, and," At this point Angie burst out crying.
"Sirius," She sobbed. "There's something very important I have to tell you," He moved right up beside her.
"What is it?" He asked concerned. She was crying too hard to say anything. Suddenly Lily came into their view and approached them. Angie did her best to stop her tears and calm herself.
"Lily! We've been looking all over for you!" Sirius exclaimed when he saw her.
"You look like you've been looking ALL over," She said sarcastically noting their sitting position.
"James is really concerned about you," Sirius said ignoring her.
"I doubt it. He's probably back at work, since it's so important to him," She said.
"Look!" Sirius exclaimed jumping up. "I don't know what was said but that man would give his life for you! Lily this, and Lily that. That's all I hear, and he calls me pathetic," Sirius said. Lily looked like she was about to cry. "Not another one," Sirius said referring to his growing line of crying girls. "All I can tell you is that he's out here somewhere in the rain looking for you and I had to help him, because you are two of my best friends. You can't let one little dispute ruin what you two have. You're going to married, and have a baby, and most important of all, he loves you, and you love him back. That's worth more than all the money in my safe," Sirius said. "Come on, give me a smile," He said. Lily turned being stubborn.
"Don't smile, don't you dare smile," He teased with a huge grin on his face. Lily had no choice but to smile and laugh.
"I don't know what's wrong with him, though," She said. "He's been really distant and moody and depressed. All we've done is fight since he came home."
"I'm sure he's not intending to do that. Why don't you just go talk to him?" Sirius asked. "He's supposed to be meeting me at Hogsmeade station in about ten minutes," Lily nodded.
"OK," She said as she got up to leave. "Sirius," She said suddenly turning around. "Thanks," And then she disappeared.
"Despicable!" Angie declared. "Absolutely despicable. You are the most loyal person I have ever met. You're funny, good looking, rich, the best friend, the lady's man, the jerk and the cockiest man alive. I absolutely cannot stand you! I think you're the best person in the whole world you jerk!" She said.
"Did I miss something?" Sirius asked.
"You can be the worst person in the world, but somehow you always make it up. And I absolutely hate you for being able to do that. No wonder I'm so god damn attracted to you,"
"Aw, thanks," He said sarcastically. "You know, I could go on about you too,"
"Sirius?"
"Yes?"
"Shut up,"
"OK,"
Then she kissed him. YES. She. Kissed. Him. Then she broke apart. Tears were in her eyes.
"I don't think we should see each other anymore," She said quickly standing up and disapparating before he had a chance to do anything.
~*~
Sirius apparated back to the Potter's but he spent about an hour just wandering around the front yard in the rain. Soon, Lily came outside holding a cloak over her head.
"What are you doing?" She asked. Sirius was surprised to see her; he hadn't realized anyone was home.
"Just thinking about pregnant women," He said. Lily frowned. She was slightly thrown off by that remark. "Lily, you know what it's like to go through these mood swings and stuff, so what does it mean if a girl, who used to like you a lot, and now has a boyfriend, and is pregnant, talks to you for a while, even though she says she hates you, then SHE kisses you and then says we shouldn't see each other anymore?"
"OK, first of all. Slow down, you're not making much sense. Second of all, you and Angie are starting to scare me. Third of all, it's raining really, really hard out here, so COME INSIDE!" She said grabbing his drenched arm and dragging him in the house.
So, Lily brought Sirius inside where James was reading a rather thick book in the living room quietly. Sirius explained the whole story to Lily who looked almost mortified.
"HEY!" Sirius shouted before Lily could reply to this development. "What's up with you two?" He asked Lily and James.
"Oh, well," Lily said. "We've just been talking… and stuff." She said nervously.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Do you think I care about what you've been doing?" Sirius asked. "NO. I want to know who kissed ass and apologized." James looked up from what he was reading to look at his friend. He raised and eye brow and shook his head. Sirius stared at Lily waiting for an answer. "Well?" He asked.
"Don't look at me. You don't honestly think I got down on one knee and begged." Lily said.
"I did not beg!" James protested.
"Yes, you did," Lily said. Sirius was grinning. But more because he had won the bet and not because this was a rather amusing conversation Lily and James were having.
James muttered several things as he situated himself and began reading his curse-blocker book again.
"Whether she likes it or not she's going to have to talk to me sometime now," Sirius said with an evil grin on his face.
"What are you talking about? Why is she going to have to talk to you?" Lily demanded, confused now.
"Because she lost," Sirius said and that was all Lily or James could get out of him on the subject.
~*~
Lily took the opportunity of James being home to spend every waking minute of her time to plan for the wedding and go shopping for the new baby and the wedding.
James didn't have to go out on long assignments for well over a month, so either James had said something to his boss, or Moody had got the hint at Christmas.
Lily didn't work a whole awful lot, and to be honest she didn't like it. She would have to visit crime scenes and things and recall violent scenes from someone else's memory. However, Lily was being very productive. She frequented the ministry and Azkaban testifying.
James always gave her some time alone after she came back from Azkaban. She always came back slightly shaken and he didn't blame her. He had encountered a dementor once, and even after learning the Patronus spell he never wished to encounter one again.
When Sirius came around he always had some story for the day to tell. Like 'did you hear Angie and Josh made a bit of a scene in the Three Broomsticks? Rosie didn't seem too happy to have to tell me about it. Can't imagine why though…'
So, the month of January passed rather uneventfully except for the fact that there was a lot of wedding plans going on and Angie steadily grew more pregnant.
On February first James had to go out on assignment but Moody swore that he would be back for the wedding. Lily was worried but everyday Moody assured her.
On February 13th, the day before the wedding James returned home. Lily was relieved but I think Sirius was even more relieved than she was. He had to deal with the stressed Lily not to mention trying to get everyone together to plan the bachelor party.
Lily and the girls were having what they called a baby shower but it turned out to be slightly more like a teenage girl's slumber party. James came home and after talking to Lily for over two hours he went to sleep until he was roused by Sirius at about 9:00 in the evening.
"Where's Lily?" He asked with a yawn walking downstairs.
"She's having her little baby shower thing. But who cares what she's doing. This is your last night being a bachelor. You're having a major party man!" Sirius said excitedly. James looked at him as if he had turned into the giant squid.
"What time is it!?" James suddenly cried.
"9:00," Sirius said. "But don't freak out! Lily didn't want to wake you. We didn't exactly need you anyway. I know, it's stupid to have a rehearsal dinner without the groom but Lily was all superstitious about not seeing you tonight and she said you needed to sleep and that it wasn't very important,"
"I missed my own rehearsal dinner," James said shaking his head.
"You didn't miss much, trust me," Sirius said. "We just kind of had dinner and talked and that was about it," James was utterly miffed about all this.
"Anyway come on, get on your party hat and let's rock and roll!" Sirius said.
"There's a bachelor party?" James asked.
"Yeah, except for Matt McKinnon is coming. He's married, but his wife is going to the bachelorette party so-"
"I thought it was a baby shower?" James interrupted.
"Well, whatever. It's her last night being single too," Sirius said.
"Yeah, but she's pregnant, she's at a slight disadvantage," James pointed out.
"That's the spirit," Sirius said clapping him on the back.
"All right," James said. "Let me go change, OK?"
"OK, but HURRY UP!" Sirius said. He couldn't wait.
~*~
"WHAT KEPT YOU?!" Several guys yelled as James and Sirius walked in the door.
"I know, I'm sorry." Sirius said. "The life of the party has arrived," He said taking a small bow. "Unfortunately, so has the death of it," Sirius said looking at James who looked almost as if he had gone back to sleep standing up. Several people laughed.
Before James even knew what was happening he was being led away by a bunch of his friends who were all shouting at nothing in particular. Sirius slipped out quickly with a grin and a slip of parchment.
A minute later he walked inside another house and was greeted with giggles, shouts, and screams. "SIRIUS!" Lily and Angie yelled. He had walked right in on the girl's little get together.
"I know, the life of the party has arrived," He said, again, taking a bow. He wasn't met with laughs this time, but rather looks from Angie and Lily along with a couple of giggles.
"What are you doing here?" Angie asked following him as he walked around and inspected things. Sirius ignored her. "Excuse me," Angie finally said as he was taking out his wand. "This is a BACHELORETTE party, so would you like to explain to me what you're doing here?" She demanded.
"Oh come on, I knew you wouldn't have hired any live entertainment," He said pointing his wand at a speaker on a radio. A jet of light flew to it.
"What are you doing?!?" Angie cried as the music changed.
It was a very upbeat Italian beat. He started singing as loud as he could; just to embarrass her he sung a song by Louie Prima. It was about Angelina, the waitress at the pizzeria, and he kept singing to her and she would blush look away and started laughing. He even knew the Italian. "I eat" (Italian word here…) "twice just because she is so nice Angelina… Angelina, the waitress at the pizzeria. I keep soup and minestrone just to be with her alone Angelina… Angelina, the waitress at the pizzeria." That's the chorus to the song. By the time he had finished everyone was laughing, including Sirius who could hardly finish because he was laughing.
"Well, ladies, I hate to leave this party, but I think I've done enough damage here for a while…" He said starting to leave.
"What the hell was that about?" Angie and Lily wanted to know. Sirius shrugged.
"Oh, I almost forgot, the whole reason for coming here," Sirius said taking out a small slip of parchment and holding it out to Angie. She looked at it for a second before placing her fingers around it. Her eyes locked with Sirius' and stayed there for a split second before he turned and disappeared out the door.
She looked down and it said:
First Name:_____ M. Elizabeth Star
~*~
Sirius came back into the bachelor party where Remus was taking loudly above the others telling them about some crazy story, except he seemed to slur a lot of words and Sirius burst out laughing seeing his friend up there. He rolled his eyes and looked for James.
Sirius found him wearing a grin but he still seemed to be tired and tense.
"Where have you been?" James asked as Sirius came to his side.
"Taking care of business,"
"Business?" James asked looking at him with a raised eyebrow. "'Sirius' business or serious business?" Sirius smiled.
"That's getting old." He said.
"I'm getting old," James said with a sigh. "I feel old, I'm getting married tomorrow," He fell silent for a moment. "HOLY SHIT!" He burst out suddenly. "I'M GETTING MARRIED TOMORROW!" Sirius started laughing.
"Loosen up, man." Sirius said handing him a glass and turning to walk away. James looked at the drink in his hand, sniffed it and shrugged.
"What's this?" He asked following Sirius.
"A drink," Sirius said.
"Not only is this illegal, but it's also not a good idea, seeing as I am getting married tomorrow, and Lily will know if I've been drinking," James said handing it back to Sirius who pushed it away.
"You, suit yourself. This is your last free night, and one drink won't hurt you, you've been completely wasted before, and let me tell you, that's some funny shit," He said.
"Shut up, you make me out to be some alcoholic or something. And when have you ever seen me wasted? You must have been just as gone as I was, which would mean you'd be too drunk to remember,"
"True," Sirius said. "Hey, look, I won't let you pass out or anything, but you need to loosen up. Get rid of those dark circles, and relax man. This is your party," And with that he left James alone… well, sort of.
~*~
An hour and a half later…
"I want t'maka toast t'James." Sirius said. He kept laughing, though and James was cracking up harder than anyone else there. James had 'loosened up' a bit, but Sirius had gone all out, as he always did and now he was about to sing, like he often did and James couldn't help but wish he had a muggle video recorder. "This 's fo' you, you can sing this t' Lily any time, like tomorrow night," Sirius said, becoming very serious for a second and then bursting out laughing.
"Ci-ci my playmate,
Come out and play wit'me,
And bring your dollies thee,
Climb up my apple t'ee.
Slide down my rain barrel,
Right through my cellar door,
And we'll be jolly friends, forever more." He ended horribly off key and among shouts of laughter. James personally was laughing harder than he ever had and he seriously wondered how many brain cells he was starving of oxygen. Sirius was supposed to be the one keeping an eye on James, and now look at him. This just made James collapse into his chair with even more laughter as Sirius stumbled over to the table.
"This's so much better than th' girls party," Sirius said sitting down.
"You know where that is?" Matt McKinnon asked with wide eyes. James burst out laughing for no apparent reason.
Sirius motioned for Matt to come closer. "I'll tell you where it's at," he whispered and then started laughing. "It's," He said even quieter than before. "APPLE!" He suddenly yelled. "That's a funny word, apple!" He declared and they all started laughing. Then, Sirius suddenly became serious again and leaned over as if to whisper to Matt. "IT'S AT YOUR HOUSE!" He yelled as hard as he could and dissolved into laughter which could not even be controlled by James.
At any rate, a bunch of slightly drunk teenage boys now had information of as to where the bachelorette party was and they didn't stick around to talk about it. In no time at all there was a huge party at the McKinnon's which did not end until well past midnight. James however helped Sirius, who had gone very dizzy, back to the house and Angie and Lily went home to sleep, though neither Lily nor James slept at all that night. They had much too much to think about.
~*~
Lily bolted out of the guest bedroom at Angie's at six-thirty the morning of February 14th, Valentine's Day, and the wedding. She ran to the bathroom just in time, seeing as she puked upon entering. A few moments later she came out groaning and holding her stomach. Pregnancy sucked! (For lack of a better word…)
Angie sleepily came out of the bedroom tying a robe around her waist. "I don't feel good," Lily whined. Angie gave her a sympathetic look.
"The first trimester the worst for morning sickness," Angie told her. "It'll go away soon," She said. "And then you'll start getting strange cravings and gain weight and mood swings and-"
"OK, OK," Lily said interrupting her.
"Ready for the big day?" Angie chirped, uncharacteristically in a good mood, considering the time of day.
"No," Lily said running back in the bathroom. Angie made a face and proceeded to the kitchen to start to make breakfast.
~*~
"Ugh," Sirius groaned putting a hand to his head. "Tell me it's not Valentine's Day," He said to himself.
"It's Valentine's Day," James said. Sirius sat bolt upright, startled by James, who he had not realized was there. Sirius swore.
"YOU'RE swearing," James said sarcastically. "I'm the one getting married," Sirius moaned and let himself fall back onto the couch.
"What time is it?" He asked.
"7:00AM."
"Ugh," Sirius groaned again.
"When do we have to go get ready?" He asked.
"Three hours," James replied.
"Ugh,"
"I'M getting married here. How do you think I'm feeling?" James asked sharply.
"Better than me, I'm sure," Sirius replied putting a head on his head. Without realizing it James rolled his eyes.
~*~
"Oh my god," Lily said. "This is not how I planned this!" She yelled starting to cry. It was late morning at Lily's 'morning sickness' had not gone away. She was going through stress and pregnant mood swings.
"Lily," Angie said trying to comfort her although not being able to move seeing as she was having her hair done. "Don't cry. You'll mess up your make-up," Angie said.
Lily nodded and tried to stop. Everything was so stressful. Everything was going wrong. This was not how she pictured this day. It was supposed to be perfect in every way! DAMMIT!
"Cheer up! You're getting married!" Angie said cheerfully.
"Don't remind me,"
"What are you talking about? At least James is marrying you. Josh hasn't even proposed!"
"I'm just so scared, Angie. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing!"
"If this is wrong the whole world is screwed." Lily rolled her eyes. "Come on! Be happy! Give me an 'L'! Give me an 'I'! Give me an 'L'! Give me a 'Y'! What does that spell?"
"Shut up!"
"I'm sorry, that's incorrect." Angie said sarcastically.
~*~
James was pacing around the basement an old church. It was a quarter 'til one in the afternoon. Just fifteen minutes until the wedding. Fifteen minutes until James had to do the hardest thing of his entire life. Not necessarily the HARDEST thing, he wanted to get married, he was just afraid. He wasn't exactly sure what of, he was just nervous, to make it an understatement.
"How the hell do you get into this thing?" Sirius asked loudly still trying to get his fifty-million piece tuxedo on.
"You're not dressed yet?!?!" James screeched when he saw Sirius.
"It's on my to-do list, now what the hell is this?" James looked like he might burst an artery so Remus took over and started to help Sirius.
"There are a BUNCH of people here. There must be like 500!" Peter said coming down the stairs. He had just been up to inspect things.
"Thanks, I feel all warm and tingly inside," James said sarcastically.
"Grumpy, dwarf #4, didn't get his beauty rest last night, so don't pay attention to him," Sirius said. Sirius, now fully dressed, surveyed himself in the mirror.
"Not leather, but not bad," He said smoothing down his hair. James rolled his eyes.
"The people I'm friends with. The conceded one, the smart ass, and the werewolf, sorry Remus," James added.
"No offense taken," Remus said.
"Yes, and we've all got Grumpy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as our friend," Sirius replied.
"Go make yourself useful," James said. Sirius shrugged and jogged up the steps out of sight.
~*~
He curiously headed to the 'girls room' where Lily and the bridesmaids were supposed to be but on his way past the back door Lily and Angie and several other people rushed in.
"Oh my god," Lily yelled. "Sirius, are they all ready?" She said frantically.
"You just got here?" He asked quickly following her into their room. Angie was already dressed but Lily was not in her dress yet.
"Oh my god," Lily kept saying as she quickly took off her shoes. Sirius burst out laughing.
"Lily's late to her own wedding!" He said started laughing harder and Lily glared.
"Get out," She said taking the protective plastic coating off her dress.
"Why?" He asked.
"I have to change you idiot!" She yelled and then moaned and clutched her stomach.
"There's a bathroom right over there dear," Angie said pointing.
"Oh my god, she's gonna blow!" Sirius said dramatically turning and running to the door. Lily, even though her stomach was upset, smiled.
"Just stall for me, please," She said and Sirius turned and bolted down the staircase where James and the rest were getting ready to come up.
"Where are you going?" Sirius asked stopping them. "The…uh… priest isn't quite ready yet," Sirius lied. "Something with his robes… or something," He said shooing them back into the basement.
"What!?" James exclaimed. "How's Lily?"
"Um…" Sirius said. James eyed him.
"What is it?" He asked cautiously.
"Nothing, she's just been having some… morning sickness…" he said.
"Is she OK?" James asked.
"Um… I'll go see," Sirius said dashing back upstairs. Angie met him at the door.
"She's got the dress on but as you can hear she's a bit preoccupied at the moment. She has an on-going date with the toilet at the moment," Angie told Sirius.
"Poor Lil, I hope she feels better," Sirius said.
"By the way," Angie said looking at Sirius. "We need to talk," She said.
"We do? About what?"
"This," She said handing him his slip of parchment.
"What?" He asked.
"Elizabeth? Missing your Brad-crazy friend?" Angie asked.
"It's a pretty name, and it works," Sirius replied.
"It works? You have no idea what I'm going to name my child. And by the way, this is a girls name; the doctor said it was a boy, so I'm afraid you are out of luck there. And if you dare suggest Sirius I swear I'll slap you across the face." Angie said quickly.
"I wasn't going to suggest Sirius because it's a girl," He told her.
"How do you know?" She asked.
"How does the doctor know?"
"What kind of a question is that?"
"A question that was answered with a question,"
"What?!" Angie was confused now. "Anyway, what's with this 'M'?"
"It's a surprise," Sirius said.
"A surprise? I don't seem to recall any surprises attached to this bet, nor do I recall me agreeing to let you name my child with two middle names,"
"You never said otherwise either," Sirius said.
"Angie!" Lily hissed from the other side of the door.
"Wait here!" Angie said and hastily ducked inside. A moment later she stuck her head out.
"Go tell the priest we're going to be late and to make an announcement to everyone. Don't worry, I just have to fix her make-up, slightly," Angie said. "Hurry up!" She commanded flipping her hand at him. Quickly he strode away.
He couldn't find the priest so he informed the organist and them proceeded to the front of the church. He whistled loudly and everyone quieted down.
"The bride has been having some…er… complications with her…um… stomach. We are postponing the wedding for a few more minutes, so thank you very much for waiting patiently," At the end he added a loud whoop for Lily and James and ducked out of the sanctuary.
"Sirius? What's going on?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"Lily's stomach is upset, don't worry about it, headmaster," He replied flying down the basement stairs.
"We're almost ready, hold on a minute," Sirius said running back upstairs. He was certainly getting his work out for the day.
"Are you ready?" Sirius asked knocking on the door.
"OK," Lily replied.
Sirius dashed back to the sanctuary and told the priest and then ran downstairs and brought everyone else upstairs to get all lined up. James took his place and Sirius rushed to meet Angie to walk down the aisle with her as the best man and maid of honor. He was very hot by now and quite out of breath.
"What happened to you?" Angie asked as they started walking.
"I've been running all over this church!" He replied.
The wedding flew by like a summer day. Lily was cured of her morning sickness, nothing could be wrong now. Every moment James and Lily swirled farther and farther from reality and closer and closer to each other.
Looking back the only thing Lily really remembered afterwards of her wedding was the incredible feeling of happiness and fullness and the kiss.
Everything was perfect.
And Sirius cat-calling when they kissed would forever be ringing in her ears.
~*~
A/N: Don't you love how Lily's day starts out? The day of the wedding, that is. I don't know; I just was in a weird kind of a mood… This whole chapter was a bit weird. I'm sorry about taking so long and I know that the wedding was probably nothing what you wanted but the reception will be hilarious and also *cringes* include some sappy romance stuff. But not too much because I don't know how much of that I can write!
Well, anyway, the next chapter is the reception, which should be pretty interesting… and also Angie has her baby and Lily might have Harry… I haven't decided if I want to go quite that far or not.
Yes! Another chapter down! I'm getting closer to the end. I can taste it. I'm working hard people! I'm sorry this took a while again, but I'm really going to try and speed up the next chapter. I really am.
Thanks for being good sports and sticking with me. You won't regret it.
And, since you're done reading this chapter if you don't have something else to do go read 'To Be Lost' by HBFred. You'll love it. I do. It's excellent. HBFred stands for Harmony's Brother Fred and Harmony of course is my friend Harmony Slytherin, the excellent writer! So, if you get bored go check them out!
Thanks for everything! All the feedback I appreciate it so much!
~Star*dust
PS JINGLE BELLS!!! (Don't take it personally…)