Edited: because I can )

Chapter 29: Plans and Setbacks

Lily's day consisted of apartment hunting with James, and by the end of the morning they had found a suitable place just two blocks away from everything they needed, right in the middle of a popular wizard district.

James had wanted out of the old mansion ever since his grandparents had passed away, and he had decided to put it on the market. It sold quick, in less then a month. He had always found the place too big, and with the money they made off of selling the house, they had quite the savings account now.

The apartment was on the fourth floor, it wasn't huge or spacious but it was completely affordable and perfect for the both of them. The landlord had gone to Hogwarts himself and he had shared a lot of interesting stories from his day.

Lily had fallen in love with the apartment, it was comfortable and Lily immediately felt as if it could be a home for them – for now anyway. The floors were a beautiful oak and the kitchen was painted a Summer Green. The living room wasn't cramped at all, and there was a lot of potential for it. It was painted a blueish-grey that was far from depressing, instead it was warm and inviting.

"Of course we'll have to fill it with furniture," Lily mumbled, glancing around the empty apartment and picturing the finished layout in her head. She smiled and turned to face James, begging him with her bright emerald eyes.

James smiled at her, having already fallen in love with the place himself. He was already calling it 'their first place' in his mind.

"It comes with the appliances, but you will have to buy some furniture," Jim Cuttingdale nodded in agreement. "But the good thing is you can move in as soon as possible!"

It had one bedroom, a nice sized bathroom, and a little room where they could do there laundry without having to go down to a dry. The bedroom was painted Misty Evening blue, and the bathroom was White Lilac purple.

"It looks like it's all just been painted!" Lily exclaimed, bewildered and touching the wall with her finger. "You don't have to repaint or anything!"

"It has just been painted," Jim Cuttingdale nodded, winking. The term magic was on his lips but he didn't say anything. He was leaning against the counter, watching Lily with a smile on his face.

"We'll take it!" James exclaimed. Jim handed him the paperwork to fill out, and James promptly began filling it out while Lily wondered around. She glanced out the living room window onto the busy street below.

"Your rent will have to be paid by the 31st of every month, unless you give me a really good excuse," Jim explained, a twinkle in his faded blue eyes. Jim was elderly, but he still exceeded the energy of a twenty year old.

"That will be no problem," James said, signing the last of the forms. Jim handed him a couple of keys to the apartment and pocked the forms.

"You can move in whenever suits you," Jim told him. He glanced over and saw Lily looking out the window onto the street below. "It's whatever you want to see," he called to her. "Think of something!"

Lily closed her eyes and pictured a waterfall and when she opened them and glanced outside again, there was indeed a waterfall there.

"Awesome!" Lily said, pleased. It reminded her of the Great Hall magic.

While James and Jim continued to talk money, Lily walked into the bathroom and sat down on the toilet. She glanced around with a huge content smile on her face. It had a bathtub/shower combined, and a huge contour where all her makeup would feel right at home and still leave tons of space for James's stuff. Lily couldn't wait until they moved in.

"Want to go furniture shopping?" James asked once Jim had left them alone in the apartment. He stood in the bathroom doorway, cocking his eyebrow. Lily gnawed on her lower lip in thought and glanced at her watch.

"We've got to be back for six, Mum's making dinner," she informed him, standing up and walking into his open embrace.

"Does she know?"

"Not yet, I think she might suspect it because I told her I had big news," Lily answered. James pulled her even closer and kissed the top of her head.

"Let's go then, we'll go to that new Muggle place. I like their 'modern' furniture," James said, kissing her soft lips quickly.

"I sort of don't want to leave," Lily confessed, smiling up at him.

"The sooner we get all our furniture, the sooner we can move in!" James reminded her, locking the door right behind them.

"What happened to the stuff from the mansion?" Lily wanted to know as they headed down the hall to the elevator. As they walked, Lily slipped the new shiny key onto her keychain.

XXXX

By five o'clock, James and Lily had purchased a startlingly nice plush dark blue couch with two matching chairs and a couple dark redwood end tables. They also bought a small oak table that sat four at the most, and a dark redwood bedroom suite. The expenses barely put a dent in the money James had got from selling the mansion, and it was already all they really needed for furniture for the moment.

On their way back to Lily's Mum's house, they decided bright and early the next morning they would go out shopping again – this time for plates and silverware, pots and pans and other kitchen necessities.

They planned all this as they walked up the stone steps to the Evans front door.

"Hey Mum! We're here!" Lily called out cheerfully as she pushed open the door and stepped into the front hall.

"Lily dear, we're in the living room!" Mrs. Evans called. Lily dropped her purse down on the table by the door. Her good mood had suddenly vanished, as she had pretty clear idea on who "we" consisted of. She glanced at James, the worry showing clearly in her eyes.

This would be her first encounter with Petunia since the icy words she had thrown at Lily like daggers just months before, after she had learned the truth of their father's death.

Not saying a word, James placed his arm protectively around her waste and steered her into the room. Lily knew that he wasn't pleased about Vernon and Petunia's presence either, but he took charge and put a smile on his face for her mother.

"James! Lily! It's good to see you both!" Mrs. Evans stood up, she had been sitting on chair across from the sofa were Vernon and Petunia were stiffly seated.

"Mother," Petunia said, her eyes icy and voice cold. She looked at Mrs. Evans as if for an explanation. Clearly, Petunia was as surprised about the situation as they were.

Mrs. Evans smiled as if nothing was wrong. "It's so wonderful, having my two daughters in the same room together." The point was clear in the message, and Petunia didn't say any more on the matter.

"So Lily, what did you and James do today?" Mrs. Evans asked, picking up her Earl Grey tea and taking a delicate sip. She looked at Lily and James expectatly. Mrs. Evans looked as if she had gotten in too deep. Lily could tell just by looking at her mother that she longed for this dinner to go perfectly and for Petunia and Lily to make amends. Unfortunately, Lily couldn't see that happening. She couldn't forgive Petunia for the things she had said. But she would try to make this dinner work, for her mother's sake.

"Well, we looked at a couple of apartments," Lily said rather awkwardly. James took her hand in his own and gave her a reassuring squeeze.

Mrs. Evans eyes widened with surprise and pleasure. "Did you find anything?"

"Actually yes, it's perfect," James replied for her, smiling. "You should see it once the furniture's delivered!"

"Lily!" Mrs. Evans squealed, jumping up out of her seat and rushing over to her daughter's side to yank her hand out of James's. "Is this what I think it is?" she pointed at the ring on her finger.

Lily smiled, genuinely happy – her mother sounded very excited and pleased. "Yes it is, James asked me to marry him."

"When!?! This is wonderful news!" Mrs. Evans squealed, yanking Lily up and grabbing her in a hug.

"At the wedding!" Lily found herself getting caught up in her mother's excitement, and she almost forgot Petunia and Vernon were there – until they spoke again that is.

"You're getting married?" Petunia said coldly, standing up promptly. Vernon stood up as well, looking horrified by the idea.

"Yes," Lily replied, just as coldly.

"Don't expect us to go to your little union," Petunia informed them. She picked up her purse.

"Where are you going?" Mrs. Evans questioned. "The roast is almost ready!"

"I've suddenly lost my appetite mother. I'm sorry. I'll call you…later," Petunia's eyes narrowed as she glared at Lily and James.

There was no mistaking the hurt in Mrs. Evans eyes as Vernon and Petunia shut the door smartly behind them.