A/N: Okay, the next chapter will be the last one, I promise!! LOL. I'm getting quite nostalgic witht his story, and I keep finding ways to stretch it out, but I have nowhere else to go if I don't put the wedding in the next chapter, so it will definitely be the last one! I have most of the first chapter of "Thrice" written as a rough draft, so I should be able to post it on the same day as the last chap of this fic. Now, enjoy!
Dreaming of Tomorrow
James Potter had prepared the perfect romantic evening for himself and his fiancée on the eve of their wedding.
"I want to give you one last chance to back out," he had teased, hugging her tightly from behind and kissing her temple when he told her that he had a special evening planned.
The preparations for the wedding were all going better than anyone could have hoped for, things happening just on or ahead of schedule. Lily had been stressing herself out to an unprecedented level, waiting, as always, for the bottom to drop out and for all of her plans to be ruined.
That was the true reason that James had arranged a special evening for them. He wanted her to relax, to feel the same blissful feeling that crept up his spine every single time he realized that the day of his dreams, the day he would marry Lily Evans, was approaching faster than he could even believe.
The first part of the evening had been typical, romantic dinner at one of their favorite restaurants, a quiet walk in the park, holding hands and ducking behind the bushes to kiss in the moonlight. Now, James had more of an exhilarating surprise for his bride as he tugged at her hand, trying to coax her into walking more quickly.
"I want to look at the stars," Lily said dreamily, staring into space, a look of complete wonderment on her face. "It's been too long since I just laid back and looked at the stars."
"Just come on," James said, grinning at her. "You'll see plenty of stars tonight." He led her deeper into the heart of the park, into the trees where the stars were now obscured from view.
"Where on Earth are we going?" Lily asked, now laughing at his boyishness.
James stopped suddenly, turning to face her. "Right here," he said. He let go of her hand and reached into his pocket, digging around for a moment and then clasping something and bringing it out. Lily looked at him curiously. "Close your eyes," he insisted, holding a hand to her face to conceal her view.
She could hear him whisper a spell, then he moved his hand, urging her to keep her eyes closed, and wrapped both of his arms around her waist. He picked her up gently and set her on some sort of thin surface. She felt a slight shift of weight as James climbed up behind her.
James draped his arms around her shoulder, hugging her close. "Open your eyes," he whispered, his voice close enough to her ear to cause a shiver to creep down Lily's spine.
She did open her eyes and gasped as she did. They were floating about five feet off the ground on a flying carpet!
"James!" she exclaimed, her face lit up with elation. "But, carpets are outlawed, how did you-?"
James cut her off kissing her cheek. "My family's had it in the attic for years," he said. "When I was little my dad used to take me out late at night like this, just so we could look at the stars."
"It's amazing, it feels so strange," Lily murmured, brushing her hand across the rug's soft surface. She hadn't even cared much for flying on a broomstick, but somehow this was different, safer. She realized that the security she felt was a result of James' arms, still firmly wrapped around her, making certain she had no opportunity to fall.
Lily turned her head, looking at him out of the corner of her eye. "Let's fly!" she said, her voice a breathless whisper. James laughed at her excitement, holding her a little tighter as he urged the carpet up into the sky. They flew above the trees and stared out into the expanse of the stars. The moon was large and bright before them, half full. Lily laughed as the wind tickled her face and shivered in the cold atmosphere. James whispered a spell, conjuring two warm cloaks from mid-air and wrapping one around her shoulders. Lily looked back at him, and together they shared a kiss, miles above the ground.
The final part of their evening found Lily and James lying in a cocoon of blankets next to the fire in James' living room. Vanilla scented candles filled the room with a deliciously sensual scent and an ethereal glow.
"I still don't know how you had the time to do all of this," Lily said, gazing around.
"I had some help," James said, offhandedly. Lily giggled softly, trying to imagine Sirius, Peter, and Remus lighting candles and creating such a romantic atmosphere.
"It's a wonder that your little helpers didn't burn the place down," she said, laughing again.
James chuckled, then leaned down and kissed her. The kiss began simply, tender and soft. Lily was the first to deepen it. James grinned against her lips, taking control and rolling them over so that Lily lay beneath him. They kissed passionately, furiously, placing open-mouthed, hot kisses on each other's mouths. James' hands rested on Lily's waist beneath her blouse. He slowly moved them upwards, cradling one breast in his palm. Lily gave a soft moan at his advance, wrapping her arms around his neck, tuggig gently at the hair on the nape of his neck.. James moved his attention slowly down her jaw line and to her neck, gently suckling and nipping at her tender flesh. His hands were both fondling her breasts, reaching around her back to unhook her bra. He started to lift her shirt ober her head.
"James," Lily said, her voice a breathless warning.
"I know- don't start if you can't finish," James replied. He regretfully removed his hands, allowing Lily to take a moment to re-adjust herself under her blouse. James sighed, laying down next to her again and kissing her cheek instead of her swollen, red lips.
"Sorry," Lily mumbled softly.
"'S'okay," James replied, wrapping his arm around her waist. Lily snuggled closer to him, burrowing her face in his neck. James leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Tomorrow night, we'll finish."
The next morning was a hectic one at Potter Manor. At least it was for everyone but the bride. Lily was still in bed at eight o'clock on the morning of her wedding. The ceremony was set to start at eleven. Emily rushed upstairs, bursting into her almost-daughter-in-law's bedroom and gently rousing her.
"Wake up, lovey," she said, shaking Lily's shoulder. "It's your wedding day and you've already overslept."
Lily jolted upright. Her hair was stretched out in every direction, her eyes were red-rimmed from sleep and wide from panic; her face was a mask of terror.
"I set an alarm, I swear I-" she reached over to the muggle alarm clock that sat at the side of her bed.
"It's a muggle device, dear. Too much magic," Emily explained, already trying to smooth Lily's bedraggled hair. Lily closed her eyes tightly then opened them again. She sighed in a frenzied sort of way and got out of the bed. She had a wedding to get to and less than three hours to get ready for it!
A/N: R&R Please! I don't care if you just say "Cute story, I liked it!" or "crappy story. I hated it." I'd prefer the first option, but be true to your opinions. Criticism is always welcome. My critics help me to improve.
Love from
Lyny Angell
