The following morning, I pulled on my robe and made my way to the kitchen for a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. I watched absentmindedly as Petunia fiddle with the window before she set an envelope in front of me. In James' signature scrawl 'Evans' was across the front. I opened the envelope and unfolded the letter, a small card folded fell out with the words 'P. Evans' written across it. Petunia picked it up from the floor and looked at it strangely.

"This one is for me?" She asked not trying to hide her surprise.

"Seems so. Read yours first." I smiled.

She read over the letter and looked across the breakfast bar to me before handing me the note quietly.

Older Evans,

I wanted to thank you for joining us for dinner, I understand that you aren't entirely comfortable with magical people. I know it meant a lot to your sister to have you around. Personally, I think she really misses you. I hope I wasn't too intrusive into your life and your world. I had a great time with your family, and I hope we can all spend time together again soon.

James Potter

I blinked down at the folded piece of paper and sighed.

"He's right you know. I do miss you. And it did mean a lot that you joined us for dinner last night. And I'm sorry Tuney, I'm sorry that I make you uncomfortable." I said sadly as I handed the note back to her.

"It was very thoughtful of him to include me in his reply. Please tell him I said as much. And I'm sorry too." She said before getting up and returning to her room.

I picked up the longer sheet of parchment and began to read as I started to eat my breakfast.

Evans,

I really had a good time. My mum insists that you should join us on the twenty-first for Yule. I told her that I wasn't sure if you and your family celebrated it together or not. She's excited to meet you. And Tinks and I sat in the kitchen last night and split one of your tarts. She asked me to ask you if you wouldn't mind sharing the recipe with her. I tried to hide the rest of them in my room, but I woke up to Sirius with a face full of berry tart in his underpants asleep on my bedroom floor. Anyway, I hope we can do this again, I really like your family.

James.

I took the stairs two at a time back to my room to hurry out my reply.

Potter,

Back to last names, are we? I had a good time too, watching you learn to muggle. I'd be happy to teach Tinks to make anything she asks. And you can tell your mother that I would love to join you all, but our fireplace isn't connected. As for Sirius, I did tell you to share, didn't I? I think my parents really enjoyed meeting a real pureblood wizard, it's so fantastical to them still. Tuney said that she appreciated your note to her. I think she'd also like to continue to be part of our adventures so long as they're muggle ones.

Evans

I sent the note off quickly and smiled out my window as I watched the owl fly off into the distance.

That afternoon I received another owl with a small parcel attached to the note.

Evans.

You'll always be Evans to me Lils, might as well accept it. Don't open the box until you're ready to go, in it is a portkey for 7am on the 21st. You might want to bring a swimsuit. I'll look forward to seeing you in a few days. If it wouldn't be too much trouble I wouldn't mind some more of those snacks, you really are a good baker.

Potter

I chuckled at the note and pocketed the small box before sitting down at the table for dinner.

"The Potters' insist on having me over since we had James over yesterday. I hope you guys don't mind but I already told them yes." I said as I moved the food around on my plate, a bit too excited to eat.

Both of my parents approved the outing and I returned to my room not long after dinner. The next few days I spent writing a small notebook of recipes for Tinks and wrapping up gifts for Yule. I made sure to make a hefty box of snacks for the boys. That night I made sure to go to sleep early. The morning of my visit Tuney woke me up at some ungodly hour when the sun wasn't even up yet to do my hair into a remarkably simple looking but complicated hairdo and paint my face. I gave her a light hug and smiled at her, she was trying, so I would try too.

I opened the package to see a charm bracelet with a doe, stag, and lion charms on the bracelet. I felt the sickening pull in my stomach as I latched the bracelet onto my wrist. I fell into the garden of Potter Manor a few moments later to see James waiting for me.

"Graceful Evans, real graceful." He laughed as he extended his hand out to me.

"What are you gonna call me when I get married someday?" I asked as I dusted myself off.

"You'll still have to be Evans. It would be confusing if we were both 'Potter' don't you think?" He smiled a half smirk at me.

"Cheeky git even in the morning. So, I guess you don't want the breakfast I brought?" I smiled as I bumped him as we walked into his home.

"Don't be cruel woman, I've been having withdrawals." He whined as his parents came into view.

"It's true my dear, he's been raving about you more than normal. You must be Lily. Just call us Flemont and Mia." His father said as he extended his hand to me.

"It's a pleasure sir. I love your home. I hope you don't mind, I brought us breakfast." I said as I held out the box.

We all sat at the smaller table and had apple fritters and tea, Tinks almost cried when I asked if she'd like some before giving her the brown wrapped package that help her new cookbook.

"Oh Miss, this is too much. Much too much." She said as she flipped through the pages.

"I hope you enjoy it Tinks, they're all my favorites to make." I told her as she hugged my leg and popped away with her new book.

"That was very thoughtful Evans, good on you." He said as he swallowed his breakfast.

"One of you has to be good to her. Heaven knows how she still functions after helping raise you." His mother laughed as she sipped her tea. "He used to sit on her as a child."

"You mean yesterday?" I asked as I sat my own cup down. James' cheeks pinkened slightly.

We all turned to Flemont as he spluttered tea all over himself laughing.

"Hot tea is hot." He said laughing as he cleaned himself up.

We finished up and James and I cleared the table.

"Sirius is still dead to the world, probably won't be up for another couple hours. Lazy bum." James said as we wandered around the house. "How do you feel about flying?"

"I'm not good at it." I answered as we walked through the gardens.

"Would you let me take you up? It's the best way to see the Manor." He asked softly.

"Is it safe?" I asked.

"Do you think I'd let anything happen to you?" He gave a cocky smirk and tugged me towards a tucked away shed.

He pulled out his broom and mounted it before helping me situate in front of him.

"Just hold on and trust me. I won't let you fall." He whispered in my ear as one hand gripped the broom and the other tugged me snugly against him.

I closed my eyes as I felt the broom lift off the ground.

"Lils, open your eyes." He said softly as I felt a breeze pass over us. I gasped as I opened my eyes, seeing all the colors decorating the grounds.

"It's beautiful." I murmured as I felt his hand tighten slightly on my stomach.

"I love being up here." He said as we began to move forward slowly.

"Thank you for bringing me up." I said as I put my hand over his.

He didn't say anything about the action, but I did feel the slight intake of breath.

"I'd be happy to take you up anytime ma'am." He said as he rested his chin on my shoulder lightly as we glided over the property.

We relaxed into each other's touch and soon we were touching back to the ground in the main garden.

"Would you like to see the library?" I nodded as we made our way up the long staircase.

"The portkey that brought me here, is it just a bracelet now?" I asked as we sat on the couch in front of the large fireplace on the second floor of the library.

"Yeah. I wanted to get you something for Yule, so I chose the charms and had Dad turn it into a portkey for the trip." He answered before he picked up a leather-bound book.

"I love it, really. I also got something for you." I said as I pulled a thin parcel from my shoulder bag.

He unwrapped it quickly and looked to me as he saw the blank book in front of him.

"They're charmed so that only the owners can read them, otherwise it looks like school notes." I explained.

"They? There's only one." He said looking at it in awe.

"I have the other in my desk at home. I made them last year for an extra credit in Charms." I explained. "It'll change color when it has a new entry."

"This is brilliant." He smiled before giving me a brief hug. "Thank you."

We both picked a book and began to read, laid out on opposite ends of the couch with our feet entangled under a soft throw blanket. An hour or so into our readings James looked up at me and softly placed his free hand over mine to get my attention.

"I'm glad you're here Lils." He said as I looked up from my book.

"I'm glad I'm here too." I said as I squeezed his hand softly but didn't pull away as I turned the page and we continued reading quietly, listening to the crackle of the fire.

"Oi, you two old maids are in here reading on a day like today. Really?" Sirius yelled from the bottom floor of the library.

"We've been waiting for you to wake up princess." I chided as I stretched before putting my hand back into James'. His hands were warm and calloused but not overly rough.

"Well I'm up now. Let's go swimming before lunch." He yelled up the stairs.

James sighed as he got up, lifting me up with him before letting my hand go. "I don't want him to get the wrong idea." He explained softly before walking down the staircase with me.

"I hope you brought your suit." He said as we walked out to an enclosed room with an Olympic sized swimming pool sitting in the middle.

"There are changing rooms in here. We'll be waiting for you, and don't worry, the pool is heated." He said as he directed me around.

"Honestly, Potter, I didn't think we'd be swimming in an unheated pool in December." I said as I walked into the changing area.