A/N: First and foremost, sorry for the delay. But I was really busy, honest. I had to finish my senior project research paper, and as my graduation and future depend on it, well, I had to spend a lot of time working on it. But I've turned it in! Yes! I'm so happy. So, as for the poll last week, we had some votes for cheerleading, skiing, curling (what is that exactly?), Latin, Quidditch (what school WOULDN'T want it?), archery, ice-skating, and tae-kwon-do. I'm glad there's such a variety, it lets me know my school isn't the only one lacking activities. We don't have any of those but cheerleading and Latin. Ok, so thanks for answering the poll question! This week's poll question? If you could visit any country, which would you visit? This should be interesting, as we all live in different places. So, read, review, and answer the poll! Have a good night and week!
Chapter Twelve: Birthday Surprises
James,
Hope your day was wonderful! Would you like to come to dinner tonight? We need to talk about tomorrow. Owl me back when you get a chance. I love you.
Shnuckums
James folded the note in his hand and scrambled around his parents' garage as he searched for a scrap piece of parchment and a quill. Finding what he was looking for, he wrote Lily a quick reply that he would be over after a shower and patted Ralph on the head before he set out on his journey.
James stretched and put his hand through his hair as he looked at Lily's Ford Thunderbird convertible, now a beautiful shade of baby blue. He, Sirius, Remus, and Peter had worked on it constantly the last few days, and now it was actually finished. He had rushed home from training just to make sure everything was intact before he gave it to Lily tomorrow and was now heading back to his flat before rushing to Lily's for what was sure to be a delicious meal.
When James arrived at Lily's, he was overwhelmed with the aromatic waves wafting from the kitchen; it was obvious that Lily had been busy all day.
"James!" Lily exclaimed as he walked in, she greeted him with an awkward kiss, holding the knife as far away as possible while still being able to embrace James.
James grinned and chuckled. "Is it safe to let you walk around with a knife in your hand? Or are you just ready to attack any intruders that have the guts to enter your flat?"
Lily smirked. "You really shouldn't tease a woman with a knife in her hand, Potter."
"You really shouldn't leave your door unlocked like that, Lily." James replied in a more serious demeanor.
Lily let out a sigh as she walked back to the kitchen, James tailing her at a safe distance, as Lily loved to talk with motions, and she was currently holding a knife sharp enough to dismember any part of him.
"I knew you were coming, honestly, I only unlocked it a few minutes ago. It's not like the Apples are going to let just any stranger come up here."
"You know that's not what I mean." James replied in a hushed voice, causing Lily to turn around and give him a solemn look.
"I know, I promise I'll lock it from now on, and put a few charms on as well. It was only this one time, James. Honestly."
James just gave her a small smile as they entered the kitchen and focused his attention to the food being prepared, as any hungry young man was likely to do.
"I've fixed pork chops." Lily said with a quick blink, levitating the top covering the pan of simmering pork chops with her bright eyes.
James didn't know whether to be more fascinated by the food or by Lily's talent.
He decided to smile at her. "The pork chops look delicious. Are you practicing your optic magic?"
"No, actually, I was just darting my eyes around the place looking like a fool for absolutely no reason." Lily replied with a sarcastic smile, causing James' heart to speed up and flutter with laughter. "Dinner is ready."
James nodded and began helping her carry the food out onto the table; it was when he saw the table set for two that he realized Charlotte wasn't there.
"Where's Charlotte?"
Lily gave a secret smile. "She's out with Sirius."
"Ah." James replied as he took his seat. "I believe Sirius did mention something about that."
"What did he say? What's going on between them?" Lily energetically asked, with a girlish way about her.
James laughed at her amusement with the situation and explained what Sirius had said to her, leaving a few of Sirius' choice words out, for Sirius' sake and his. He highly doubted Lily would like him talking about their sexual status with anyone; it was a private matter, after all.
Over the course of dinner, they laughed at Sirius and Charlotte's secrecy, talked about work, and joked about exactly how Petunia would react to their marriage.
It was only when James realized there was barely anything left on his plate when he realized Lily had invited him with a purpose.
As she began to clear the table, James stood up and helped her, while at the same time continuing the conversation.
"So was there something specific you wanted to talk about tonight? About tomorrow?" He asked as Lily levitated the dirty plates and glasses into the sink with the slightest of clanks, and began bringing chocolate pudding out of the refrigerator.
James, shortly occupied with the chocolate pudding, focused his attention back to Lily when she began to reply.
"Yes, actually. Hold on."
She quickly placed the pudding and dishes on the table before dashing to her room and returning with a piece of parchment, quill, and a bottle of emerald-colored ink.
James only raised his eyebrows as he returned to his seat, intent on eating the pudding and listening to Lily at the same time.
"Right. Well, I was thinking about how to tell the news to my parents, and I realized we need to have a response if they start flooring us with questions."
"Do you really think that likely?" James asked light-heartedly, even as his stomach began clenching with butterflies.
Lily nodded with the most seriousness James had seen in her all night.
"Yes, knowing my parents. I just don't want to be caught off guard." Lily explained as she watched James move his hand slightly to force the spoon to serve the pudding onto their dishes.
"Show off." Lily grinned and continued. "I think we've just got to ask ourselves some questions about marriage, to get some answers prepared."
James nodded while he spooned the dessert into his mouth and listened. Lily nodded responsively and began to talk again.
"I think the first thing we have to ask ourselves is where we're going to live, I know I have this flat on lease for a year, so there's still a good six months or so I'm going to have to find a flat mate for Charlotte, and then there's your flat." Lily started writing down the question asked and prepared to write down their options.
James grinned as Lily scrawled and he reached his hand over to put a lock of hair behind her ear that was threatening to fall into the inkbottle. Lily looked up and smiled back as he spoke.
"We'll just have to look for some flat mates for Sirius and Charlotte, I think Remus could live with Sirius, and maybe Grace with Charlotte. And as for where we're going to live, I'd like to buy a house for us."
Lily raised her eyebrows at James's presumptuousness. "Are you sure we can afford a house?"
James nodded doggedly. "Yes, I mean, my parents have given me all sorts of saving bonds and such for an occasion like this, and I'm working. It won't be a big place, just a small cozy cottage, maybe in the country."
A broad smile shimmered on Lily's face as she thought of a peaceful white cottage with a garden for her and James to share. "I like that idea, if you're sure we can afford it, and that it's worth it."
"Of course it's worth it. It's for us, for you. You're worth everything, Lily, and so much more." He gave her his silly grin and began eating again, and Lily smiled to herself as she jotted down the response.
As the evening pressed on they were able to touch a wide variety of topics dealing with married life, and Lily and James found themselves feeling excited and hopeful by the end of the evening.
They were certain life was going to be just perfect.
The parchment was full of their plans and dreams and Lily smiled as she looked over it as James cleaned up the kitchen with a few half-hazard swishes of his wand.
"All done." James announced triumphantly grinning and folding his arms proudly.
Lily laughed as she placed the parchment back on the table and embraced James with a warm hug and a tender kiss.
"I should help clean up more often." James observed as they broke apart, smiling like the fool he was.
Lily swatted him playfully before her eyes lit up. "Let's go for a walk in the park!"
James grinned and soon found himself following Lily down the streets of London until they got to what Lily claimed to be the best park in the city, James just laughed and cooperated, and as he looked at her, he knew tomorrow was going to be one of the best days of his life and that everything would work out.
James had left Lily's two minutes after midnight, after being the first to wish her a very happy eighteenth birthday.
It was now six in the morning, and James had apparated to his parents' house to pick up Lily's car and then drive it to London to pick her up.
He would have liked to have picked up the car and gotten away unnoticed by his parents, but knowing his mother and father, it had been impossible.
"James, is that you?" he heard his mother, clad in a nightgown and robe, call as she appeared on the back lawn, watching James drive the car from the garage.
James sighed and put the car in park before going to meet his mother.
"Morning, Mum." He greeted her with a hug.
"What are you doing out here so early?" a questioning look passed over her striking, yet tired features before realization hit her. "Oh, that's right, it's Lily's birthday. Hold on, I have something for her."
"It can wait Mum, we're going to be over tomorrow night for dinner, like I told you, I've really got to go…we're due at Lily's parents for lunch and it's a two hour drive to London from here and another two hour drive to Surrey." James replied in the most polite, yet anxious manner.
His mother ignored him and continued on her way to the house. "Monday isn't Lily's birthday, James. She needs her present today."
James let out a sigh of impatient exasperation but let his mother run in the house to grab her gift. She appeared minutes later with an elaborately wrapped package. She handed it to James and then smiled.
"That's from your father and I. Tell Lily I said happy birthday." she said.
James took the present and nodded. "Yes, Mum. I'll see you tomorrow."
He then put the gift in the car and opened the driver's side door when his mother stopped him yet again.
"You look nice, James." she smiled. James couldn't help but blush a little. He had put on a bright royal blue shirt with a dashing black tie with matching black pants. "Drive safely."
James nodded and continued on his way, appearing at Lily's door approximately two hours later.
"Happy birthday, Shnuckums." James said as he greeted her with a kiss by the doorway. She looked lovely, as usual, with her thick red hair cascading down her shoulders and wearing a pretty light blue summer dress.
James felt Lily grin into him as they kissed and when they broke apart, Lily was smiling.
"I'm so excited, are you ready to go?" she asked with such an energy that it surged into James as well, so that he felt that it was his birthday as well.
"Yes, but you're going to have to close your eyes. I have a surprise for you." James said he pulled out a bright red handkerchief.
Lily's eyes sparkled with excitement and she beamed. "What have you done, James Potter?"
"Nothing, it's just a small surprise. Now put this on."
Lily put her hands on her hips in a playful way. "I know you, Potter. There's no such thing as 'small' with you."
"Just turn around." James persisted. Lily sighed and relaxed her arms to her sides as she turned around and closed her eyes. James smiled to himself as he tied the blindfold around her head and then turned her to face him. "Ready?"
Lily smiled and showed her white teeth. "I need my purse and coat."
"I'll get them for you, just stay right there. Where are they?"
"On the couch." Lily replied as she wiggled in the one spot, teasing James by looking like she was going to move, but never daring to. She was clumsy enough with sight as it was.
James appeared behind her moments later with her purse and coat in tow, he then locked the door behind them and led Lily down the stairs and to her new car with caution.
Lily laughed to herself as they made the slow trip. "People are going to think you're robbing and kidnapping me."
James chuckled as well. "I am."
"Just hold me for a good ransom. At least a million galleons."
"And here I was thinking you could go for half of that." James teased as the noise of the street abused their ears as they exited the building.
James walked Lily to his parking spot and held her still with his arms around her waist as he whispered into her ear.
"Ready?"
Lily smiled. "As long as you aren't about to push me into traffic, yes."
James chuckled as he undid her blindfold and let it fall carelessly to the sidewalk.
He heard Lily gasp as she opened her eyes.
"James! Is this for me?" she asked astonished by the baby blue convertible sitting just inches from her touch.
"No, the present inside is." James replied with sarcasm. "Of course it's for you, I don't have any other fiancée to restore and customize American cars for."
Lily elbowed him playfully and turned around to kiss him.
James obliged happily and let his arms travel around and down her waist.
"This is too much, James." she whispered.
James smiled. "It's not enough. I love you, and come on; you'll look beautiful driving this car."
"I really can?" she asked excitedly.
"Yes." James replied as he held out the keys to her. "Let's go."
Lily let out a small squeal as she climbed into the car as James walked to the passenger's side door and let himself in.
Three hours later after much, in James' opinion, narrow escapes with death, two run traffic lights, and three times getting lost, the arrived in Lily's old neighborhood.
"Bloody hell, Lily. I thought you would be a good driver." James teased as they started to make their way down a familiar street.
Lily chose to ignore him with no response except for the smallest twitches of a threatening smile playing on her face.
They pulled into Lily's drive and James let out an over-exaggerated sigh of relief.
"Thank Merlin, we made it, alive and with all our limbs! Rejoice, Lily, oh love!" he chuckled.
Lily tried to glare at him but it was hopeless, she turned off the engine and unbuckled her seat belt before turning to James with a smile.
"Ready?" she asked in a quiet, almost timid tone.
James nodded and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Yes, let's go."
Lily grinned, quickly reached the back of her neck, unlatched the back of her necklace, and slid her engagement ring off the silver chain before delicately placing it on her left ring finger. James grinned back at her and they made their way to the doorstep.
She turned the doorknob and let James in and Walter, her old lovable cat, out.
"Lily dear, is that you?" they heard Mrs. Evans call from the kitchen.
"Yes Mum, we're here." Lily replied as she placed her coat and purse on the coat rack.
Beverly Evans appeared in the living room wearing an apron and smiling in a welcome, motherly fashion before pulling them both into hugs and kissing their cheeks.
"Happy birthday, dear." she said to Lily before turning her attention to James.
"And I swear you've grown another foot since I saw you last."
James smiled back at her with his face tingeing slightly red.
"You two should really stop by more; you aren't that far away, you know." Lily's mother commented as she made her way back to the kitchen.
Lily looked at James before following her mother into the kitchen. "I write at least once a week. Where's dad?"
Ms. Evans shuffled around the kitchen. "Oh he's outside doing something or another. And when you write, it's only a sentence or two. At least write longer letters."
"All right, Mum." Lily obliged as she helped her mother set the table. James stood in the kitchen awkwardly looking around for something to do when he heard Mr. Evans come in the front door.
"Who's car is out in the driveway, Bev?" he called out.
"What car?" Ms. Evans replied, walking back to the living room, as she hadn't noticed any odd car.
Lily and James exchanged a look before smiling and following Lily's mother back into the living room, like they were playing some sort of child's tag game.
"It's mine, Dad." Lily said proudly. "James gave it to me for my birthday."
Mr. Evans seemed to notice his daughter and her boyfriend for the first time as he turned his attention to her and then to James, with the slightest of suspicious looks.
"Yes, he fixed it up and painted it for me." Lily said, standing closer to James.
James nodded. "That's right. Sirius, Peter, and Remus helped too, of course."
Patrick Evans raised an eyebrow. "Are those mechanics?"
A look of confusion passed over to James as he glanced at Lily. What was a mechanic? "Um, they're friends."
"Is it safe? Has it been inspected?" he asked.
"Yes sir, it's safe. I wouldn't let Lily in anything that was dangerous. I inspected it with a few spells I know."
Mr. Evans nodded approvingly and then smiled at James before patting him on the back.
"It's nice to see you, James. Hope Lily hasn't driven you mad."
Lily rolled her eyes at her father. "Nice to see you too, Dad."
Patrick smiled at his youngest daughter. "Well I suppose we should go on with lunch, then? It's not every day a man's youngest daughter turns eighteen. I need a drink."
Beverly chuckled at her husband. "The food's ready." she then turned to Lily. "Petunia and Vernon weren't able to come; they had some important dinner for Vernon's work. She's dreadfully sorry and says to wish you a happy birthday."
Lily scoffed. "I'm sure she did."
The fact that her sister and ignoramus brother in-law weren't there for the meal only lifted Lily's spirits, and she dragged James into the dining room for lunch.
Taking their seats, Lily's mother smiled broadly at her as she began to dish food onto her daughter's plate. Lily shook her head and just laughed.
"Mum, you haven't put food on my plate since I was like…ten." Lily protested lightly.
Lily's mother just shook her head. "You don't eat enough, honestly. Put some meat on those bones."
"I have plenty of meat on my bones." Lily said somewhat self-consciously as she looked down at her soft stomach and touched it lightly. Lily had never thought herself particularly pudgy, but she wasn't just a bag of bones, either.
James just smiled at her and then Mrs. Evans began to pile food on his plate as well, but James didn't bother protesting.
"This looks lovely, Beverly." James commented as he looked down at the delicious pork-chops Lily had fixed only last night for him. Lily got James's attention by placing her hand softly on his knee. James looked up with surprise and they shared a smile. James eyeing the pork-chops, and Lily knowing he would never grow tired of them.
"I just know how you love them." Mrs. Evans replied with a smile. "I hope you like everything else."
James nodded approvingly as he started to eat the noodle salad in front of him.
Patrick Evans just ate quietly, and Beverly felt the need to develop conversation.
"So Lily, what are you doing tonight for your birthday?" she asked. "Going out with friends?"
Lily dabbed her lips with her napkin and thought for a moment. She hadn't yet made up with Allison, but she hadn't seen Ellie in a few weeks. Sure, they corresponded often, but they hadn't actually spent time together since June. "I think so. It depends what time we get back tonight."
Beverly nodded. "Before you leave don't let me forget to give you your presents. And the cake, it's lovely."
Lily smiled. "Have I ever let you forget my presents?"
"No, but eighteen, that's getting on up there." Patrick replied quick-wittedly. "You'll start forgetting things soon."
Lily stuck out her tongue at her father, causing him to laugh, James to chuckle, and Beverly to scold her.
"That's not polite, dear."
Lily grinned at her mother and continued to eat.
Lunch passed by with loving conversation and many laughs, and soon Lily helped her mother clear the table and set the place for the birthday cake.
"The cake is delicious, Mum." Lily complimented as she took another bite from her slice, as James tried discreetly reaching for another piece.
Mrs. Evans caught him however and piled a large slice onto his plate, causing Mr. Evans to laugh and James to thank her repeatedly.
Once the cake started to disappear, Lily realized they needed to tell her parents. She caught James's eye and he nodded.
Lily smiled at her mother and father and James cleared his throat.
"Beverly and Patrick, Lily and I have an announcement to make." he said with a deeper tone Lily recognized as the mature tone he used when he used to ask her out. James's stomach knotted in anticipation and his palms were sweaty out of nervousness.
"Lily and I, we're engaged. We're going to get married."
All right, I have some reviewers to thank! I appreciate all of your reviews, really.
myzteek (cross country! Yay! I run it too!), shadowsquirrel, IAMSOAP, ktsweep08, Heather gernenz, hoolihoopgrl131, complicated123, kaean, luv24+Alias, glowing-ice, blvd, forest unicorn, chikichiki, and hilaryjojo.
Jude Harrison: Oh latin is fun! I've taken 3 years of it.
dancergrl19- I wrote before HBP, and yes they're going to defy Voldemort three times, don't worry.
White Camellia: No, they haven't slept together.
Thanks for the reviews!
So please, review again, and answer the poll!