Chapter Six

Severus got up early on Christmas Eve. He was staying in the guest bedroom with Vernon. They had plans to go into town to get Lily and Petunia extra special presents. Mr. Evans had overheard their plans and had asked to come along as well. He wanted to get something for Mrs. Evans as well. So the three men got into the car before anyone the girls were awake.

"So, Severus," said Vernon. "When are you going to pop the question?"

Mr. Evans looked at Severs through the rearview mirror. "I'm not sure yet."

"Well, you love her right?"

"Of course I love her."

"Then ask her."

"It's not that simple," said Severus quietly, but Vernon didn't seem to have heard him. They stopped at a nice jewelry store.

Severus was looking for something a lot more special for Lily. Mr. Evans had found a beautiful set of rose earrings with diamond studs. Vernon found a wonderful necklace with a ruby and diamond heart. Severus was having a little difficulty. He walked by a case full of rings when he saw it.

It was the most beautiful ring that he had ever seen. It was perfect for Lily. The diamond was in the shape of a flower and had rubies and sapphires and emeralds embedded into the diamond. It would be perfect for Lily's finger. But he wasn't sure if he was ready to propose yet. He got the ring anyway, knowing that someday, he would be. He also got her a set of earrings and a necklace that matched the ring flawlessly for her Christmas present.

When the men returned back home, the girls were sitting at the table. Eyes full of fire.

"Hello, my dears," said Mr. Evans.

"Just where were you three?" scorned Mrs. Evans.

"We decided that we needed some man time," Mr. Evans tried to explain.

"MAN TIME! What is that supposed to mean?"

"Mrs. Evans," Vernon began.

"You agreed to this "man time," Vernon?" Petunia asked.

"Well-"

"It's Christmas Eve and you left us here."

Severus sat down beside Lily. She glared at him. "What about you?"

"We went out to get you girls something special," whispered Severus.

"At least he was a gentleman and told the truth," huffed Mrs. Evans.

"But we also did go out for some guy time. That wasn't the initial plan, but it got to get near lunch time, and we were hungry," Severus explained.

"Well, a note would have been nice. So, what did you get us?" asked Petunia.

"Now, Petunia, dear," said Vernon. "It's not Christmas yet-"

"Vernon, we should just give them their presents. There already wrapped anyways," said Mr. Evans.

So the men took out the Christmas presents and handed them over. Mrs. Evens let out a gasp when she opened her earrings. Petunia shrieked and jumped into Vernon's arms. Lily stared at hers and didn't say a word. Severus looked at her and saw that she was crying.

"Lily, what is it?" asked Severus desperately. "You don't like it?"

Lily shook her head. "How did you know I was looking at these?" She threw her arms around Severus and continued to cry into his neck.

Severus was so relieved that she wasn't upset that he decided that it was time. After the late afternoon tea, he asked Mr. Evans for a private word while the girls were taking a nap.

"Severus," said Mr. Evans when they were sitting in the kitchen. "I know you love my Lily very much. You two were inseparable growing up. Her first friend before Hogwarts, her best friend at Hogwarts. And now her boyfriend."

"Sir, Mr. Evans," started Severus. He was very nervous. This wasn't even close to telling Lily how he felt. "I wish…to ask you…Um….Could I have your daughters hand in marriage?"

Severus waited and waited for what felt like an eternity. "Yes, Severus. I would be happy to call you my son."

Severus smiled. "Thank you, Sir. So much."

"Please, Severus. Call me Bob. I will, after all, become your father in-law."

Dinner was soon upon them and Severus was preparing for his proposition tomorrow. He kept thinking of how he was going to say it. Lily kept asking him why he was so quiet. Severus just said, "I'm just a little tired. It's nothing, Lil."

Severus couldn't wait to get to bed. Christmas couldn't come soon enough for him.

He woke to find that Vernon was already getting dressed. He was in a very smart looking suit. Severus quickly found his nicest clothes and ran down the stairs into the living room. He sat on the love seat waiting for everyone else to come down. He looked in the mirror multiple times, checking his hair and his teeth.

"Good morning, Severus," said Mrs. Evans when she saw him sitting on the sofa. "A very Happy Christmas to you."

"A very Happy Christmas to you as well, Mrs. Evans," responded Severus.

Mr. Evans nodded at Severus as he walked into the kitchen to help Mrs. Evans with breakfast. Vernon nodded as well and sat in the kitchen. Petunia and Lily were the last ones down.

Severus stood up and saw that Lily was in the cutest dress that she ever wore. It was a pale pink with blue flowers all around it. Lily was always looked perfect to Severus, but now she looked superb. They sat down to eat. Mr. and Mrs. Evans had made scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, and pancakes. It was delicious.

Soon the family went into the living room to open up presents. Lily handed Severus his. When he opened it, he saw that it was a book about potions. His favorite subject. Severus had gotten Lily a hair comb that matched her hair perfectly. It was a magic comb that formed to the combers hair and never tore out hair. It could even be left in the hair as an accessory.

Soon all of the presents were unwrapped. "Well, is that all of them?" asked Mrs. Evans.

"No," said Severus. "There's one more." Severus stood up and got down on one knee in front of Lily. "Lily Evens, I promise to love and cherish you for the rest of my life. Will you please marry me?"

He opened the box and showed Lily the ring that he had gotten the other day. He waited with bated breath, looking into her beautiful green eyes. She looked back into his, her hand over her mouth in disbelief.

"Sev, I-I," she took a deep breath. "Severus, yes. I will marry you."

Severus put the ring onto her finger and picked her up and kissed her. This was the happiest moment of his life. Mr. Evans was holding Mrs. Evans and Vernon was holding Petunia. Severus put Lily down.

"I promised you that I would tell you who I liked," said Severus. "You remember that?"

"Yes, Sev, I do," she whispered with a smile.

"Just so you know, I love you. I love you with all my heart," Severus whispered in her ear.

"I love you, too, Sev."