A/N: If anyone wants to see what Lily's dress looks like, let me know and I'll sent you the link.
Love is the Reason
The morning of November 2nd dawned bright as sunlight streamed into Lily's bedroom. But this was not her bed, nor her room. She was staying in one of the large suites of the Boleyn Mansion, which dated back to the fifteenth century, where, in mere hours, her and James's wedding would be held. The king-sized four poster bed was directly across from the door. To the left of the bed was a night stand, and next to that was a large mirror and vanity. On the right side of the room was a full length mirror and a screen Lily could change behind and a door which led to a bathroom that was about the size of her own bedroom. The room was decorated in deep blues and greens, giving it a calming sense. Alice, Dorcas and Elizabeth were staying in separate, smaller rooms just down the hall. The guys were still at Sirius and Remus's apartment; even Peter had stayed over.
Lily's eyes slowly fluttered open. The early morning rays of light poured through the window to the right of her bed. She glanced at the clock on her night stand - 6:15. She suddenly felt wide awake as she turned to stare at the ceiling. Less than eight hours, she thought, not even making an attempt to hide the smile that was creeping onto her face.
So much had happened in just a few short years. Three years ago she thought that James Potter was nothing but a bullying prat, and had no problem telling him so. But so much had changed - they had changed. Looking back, she realized that this past year had been the best of her life. They could just be walking down a street together, but when she was with him, she felt complete.
Lily looked at the clock again. 6:30. She sat up and flung her legs off the edge of the bed. Raising her arms above her head and arching her back slightly, she stretched.
Suddenly, a gently rapping came from the other side of the door. Lily walked to and opened it. Standing in the hall were Alice, Dorcas and Elizabeth, all looking excited. After Lily ushered them inside, she asked, "I know why I'm up so early, but why are you?"
"Well, Alice over here couldn't sleep and was being very loud, so we didn't really have a choice." said Dorcas as Alice rolled her eyes. Lily and Elizabeth both laughed – they knew all too well how much of a non-morning person Dorcas was.
"Well, I was about to get into the shower, so if you guys wanna hang out, your more than free."
"Alright" said Elizabeth as Dorcas tried, and failed to stifle a rather large yawn. "Are we all going to get ready in here?"
"You might as well– this room is big enough." said Lily. "Why don't you guys go get your things and I'll bring them in here while I get in the shower." Her three bride's maids nodded before they left the room.
Lily walked into the bathroom, shut the door, took off her pajamas and stepped into the glass shower. After washing both her body and her hair, she let the hot water flood over herself, inhaling the left over scent of her soap and shampoo.
By the time she finally turned off the shower, her chest and back were slightly red from the heat of the steam and water. After stepping out of the shower, she grabbed two of the soft towels that were hanging on a railing. She wrapped one around her body and the other around her head as a make-shift turban to help dry her thick, dark red hair. After drying off, she put on a white, soft bath robe (compliments of the mansion's staff). Lily finally came out of the bathroom and saw Alice, Dorcas, and Elizabeth bent over a cart that was piled high with nearly every type of breakfast food she had ever seen. The girls looked up when Lily entered and Alice explained, "Some guy in a suit just dropped it off...said it was part of the deal, or something."
Lily nodded, suddenly remembering that this breakfast was part of the arrangement she and James had made with this place. It had seemed like a good idea at the time, but now she wasn't feeling too hungry. But she grabbed a biscuit anyway, not because she was hungry, but now she had something to focus her attention on, and sat down on the bed.
"Is that all your gonna eat?" asked Elizabeth.
Lily merely shrugged, looking down at her biscuit. "You guys can help yourselves, you know," she added as an afterthought, still not looking at them.
"Your not getting cold feet now, are you?" asked Dorcas with a concerned voice as all three girls sat next to Lily on the bed.
"I don't know...I just feel really nervous all of a sudden."
"I know exactly how you feel," said Alice kindly. "I was so nervous before Frank and I got married, even now, I'm not sure why I was, because I knew I loved him...but there was just something that I couldn't put my finger on...But it all disappeared when I saw him standing at the alter..."
"That's what I feel like. I mean, I know I love James and I know I want to be with him for the rest of my life, but I'm still nervous."
To get Lily's mind off her nerves, Alice, Dorcas and Elizabeth spent the next few hours reminiscing on their Hogwarts days. And before anyone knew it, Lily's mother was bursting through the door, and wondering why Lily wasn't getting ready, sounding slightly hysterical.
"Mum! It's alright, we still have plenty of time." Lily said, trying to keep her mother calm. "Look, your not even dressed yet. You go and get ready and we'll help each other get ready, okay?"
"Oh, alright, dear...I'll be back in a little while."
After Mrs. Evans had left, Alice, with a questioning look on her face, turned to Lily and said, "You seemed awfully eager to get your mum out of here."
"Well, I didn't want her to see what I'm going to wear under my gown." said Lily simply, yet with an air of mischief.
"And that would be...?" asked Dorcas.
Lily's full mischievous smile was in place as she replied, "Nothing at all,"
000
By some great miracle, Lily and her bride's maids had their dresses on, hair done, and were in the process of putting on their make-up by one o'clock– an hour before the wedding was to begin. By now, Lily's mother had returned, along with James's mother, who were both twittering away over nearly everything. Lily was sitting at the vanity, her white gown spread around her, as Alice was putting the finishing touches on Lily's blush. Lily's hair was curled and arranged off her shoulders. Once Alice finished, Lily stood, gathered part of her gown in her hands, and made her way over to the large, full length mirror to survey herself. Everyone else gathered around her as she slowly turned to see herself from every angle. Once she made a full turn, she straighten her jewelry; her heart-shaped diamond necklace James had given her last Christmas, the teardrop diamond earrings that belonged to her grandmother, and, of course, her engagement ring.
"But there are still two things that are missing," said Mrs. Evans softly.
"What?"
Mrs. Evans glanced at Mrs. Potter before Mrs. Potter said, "Well, this for one." She withdrew a small, diamond tiara from behind her back. Lily's eyes grew wide as Mrs. Potter placed it on Lily head and continued, "This has been in my husband's family for years. His mother gave it to me on my wedding day, and now I am giving it to you,"
"Th-thank you so much," Lily stammered as she hugged her soon to be mother-in-law.
"It's my pleasure, Lily." Mrs. Potter, her eyes shining bright with tears.
"And this as well," said Mrs. Evans as she placed a lace veil right behind the tiara. "I wore this on my wedding day, as did your grandmother."
"Thanks, Mum," said Lily as she gave her mother a hug as well.
Suddenly, they heard a knock. The six girls turned to face the door as Remus, dressed in black dress robes, let himself in.
"Mrs. Potter, Mrs. Evans, we're getting ready to start," said Remus. Both women gave Lily an encouraging smile and headed towards the door. After he ushered them out, Remus turned back to the girls and said, "You ladies look lovely," as his eyes lingered slightly on Elizabeth before he turned to leave, closing the door behind them.
Alice took Lily's hands in hers and asked, "Are you ready?"
Lily took a calming breath and said, "Yes,"
"Great, now let's get down stairs before they think you've run off."
Lily couldn't help but laugh as she and the other girls headed out the door.
000
Before Lily realized what was happening, she was standing lone in the main hall, bouquet of white and cream colored lilies, roses, stephanotis, and lily of the valley in her slightly sweaty hands. Only a door was separating her from the wedding. Sirius and Alice had just walked into the chapel and the doors had been shut for "effect". Lily's heart hammered against her rib cage as two of the workers opened the doors. Only one thought was running through her mind: Please, don't let me trip over my dress.
But once the doors opened, all of her fears seemed to vanish. She didn't even register all of the people that were standing there, including the entire Order of the Phoenix and a few of her old professors. All she saw was James, who looked nearly as nervous as she felt. She smiled at him, which he happily returned, as she made her way down the aisle. Soon she was right next James as she gave her bouquet to Alice before Lily put her arm inside they one James had offered as they both turned to the minister.
"Dearly beloved," the minister began, "we have gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Marriage is a supreme sharing of experience, and an adventure in the most intimate of human relationships. It is the joyous union of two people whose friendship and mutual understanding have flowered in romance. Today, James and Lily proclaim their love and commitment to their love to the world, and we gather to rejoice, with and for them, in the new life that they are about to undertake together.
"Love is the reason why this day was chosen by you both to begin your lives together and love is the reason why you both will give with all your hearts for the good of each other. Love is the reason that together you will become one, one in hope, one in believing in life, and one in sharing the coming years.
"Please face each other and join hands" They did.
"Do you, James, enter this marriage in perfect love and perfect trust?"
"I do"
"And do you, Lily, enter this marriage in perfect love and perfect trust?"
"I do"
"Now the vows,"
James gave Lily's hands a gentle squeeze before vowing, "I, James, join my life to yours, not merely as your husband, but as your friend, your lover, your confidant, and your soul mate. Let me be the shoulder you lean on, the rock on which you rest, the companion of your life. On this day, I vow that, come what may, I will love you, until death do we part." Even though James was trying not to show it, he was fighting back tears of happiness.
"I, Lily, join my life to yours, not merely as your wife, but as your friend, your lover, your confidant, and your soul mate. Let me be the shoulder you lean on, the rock on which you rest, the companion of your life. On this day, I vow that, come what may, I will love you until death do we part." Two tears slid down her cheek.
"And now the rings," directed the minister.
James and Lily turn away from each other to get their rings from Sirius and Alice (respectively) before turning back to each other.
"I offer you this ring as a sign of my faith in, and my commitment to, our love," said James as he slid a diamond wedding band on her left hand.
"I offer you this ring as a sign of my faith in, and my commitment to, our love," repeated Lily as she slid a gold wedding band on his left hand. All they could do was gaze into each other's eyes.
May the confidence, trust, and affection you have for each other on this day sustain you as you both go forward upon you journey of life together, with its joy and laughter. May you fulfill your goals with each others help and guidance, and may you always dwell together in peace, love, and joy.
"James and Lily, having witnessed your vows of marriage with all whom are assembled here, and by the authority vested in me, it is with great pleasure that I pronounce you husband and wife.
"You may kiss your bride."
James didn't hesitate; he wrapped his arms around his bride as her arms slid around his neck before he kissed her.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor and distinct pleasure to introduce to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. James Potter."