Chapter 21

"Happy Christmas," I heard James whispering in my ear, nuzzling my neck. Mmmm.

I opened my eyes, stirring. My eyes focused on him and I smiled blissfully at him. "Morning, James."

"Morning, love," he said, his head still buried in my neck, his arm flung over my body.

I noticed our position – this was how we'd slept with each other for years, but this … intimacy was new. It was old combined with new. It was lovely.

James had appeared late last night outside my window. I had been about to go to bed, but once he arrived, we decided other things were more important. We'd had a rather intense snog session before falling asleep. It was rather fun, actually.

I shifted so my head was nestled in his shoulder, his arm resting gently on my stomach. "I still can't believe this has happened."

"I know," he said and I felt his chest rumbling beneath me. "It feels weird, but at the same time, it feels right."

"I know," I said, automatically grinning.

Suddenly the door opened, and Mum came briskly in, saying, "Morning, Milla! Happy –"

She stopped midsentence as she surveyed James and me. "Oh, hi, James," she said, warmly. "Didn't know you came home with us last night."

"Oh, erm, I did, later on," lied James. Maybe we could stave off her questioning for a bit, at least, with some lying about James sneaking over. Our parents knew we'd slept in the same bed for years – since we were children – but James never snuck over before. So maybe we could buy some time if we were lucky enough.

"Oh, that's lovely," said Mum, but then her eyes narrowed a bit as they landed on my face, which still had a euphoric expression on it. "Wait a moment."

Uh oh. James and I exchanged a glance.

I could tell the cogs in her brain were turning furiously, putting two and two together. "You and James were gone from the party last night for a while … you came back beaming …. I didn't see you come home with us last night … Milla looks unusually happy for this early in the morning …. Merlin! You two are an item!" Mum exclaimed, beaming at us.

I stared at her in disbelief. "How did you do that?"

James was gobsmacked. "Bloody hell, Sarah."

"So I'm right, as I can discern from your jaw-dropping and disbelief," Mum said smugly, eyes glittering with triumph.

I looked at James. I didn't need to tell him that there was no point in denying this, that everyone would know in fifteen minutes.

"Yes, Mum, we are," I said, allowing myself a small smile.

James rested his arm around my shoulder. I instinctively leaned into him.

"Ginny owes me twenty galleons!" Mum said triumphantly.

"What?" James asked in shock. "You've been betting on us?"

"Obviously," Mum said offhandedly. "I mean, come on, it's so obvious. We knew it was just a matter of time?"

"We?" I asked wearily.

"Yes," said Mum. "Ginny, me, Ed, and Harry. We've had running bets for about two years now."

James and I exchanged a look. Typical. Of course our parents would bet on us ending up together. I suddenly remembered the letter Mum had sent me a while back asking me if I fancied James. Humph. Maybe parents do know best.

"That's lovely," I muttered. Dad would have hell to pay. I only expected this bullshit from Mum (and Ginny). Those two were a match made in hell and signed a Devil's pact.

"Well, we are happy for you," added Mum, seeing my expression. "You two are quite perfect for each other."

I inadvertently smiled. We were, weren't we?

"Anyway, darlings, up and at em. We have presents to open, you know. James, darling, your family is headed over as we speak. We're spending Christmas together, like we usually do," said Mum. She gathered some clothes that I'd left on the floor (I wasn't really the neatest person in the world…) and left.

"She is the Devil reincarnated," said James once she'd left. I let out a short laugh.

"Damn straight," I said. "She's bloody insane. But she does have a point. We should probably get up."

"I don't want to," said James, pulling me down into the warmth of the bed, covering us with the duvet.

"But –" I was cut off as he began to kiss my neck. Mmm.

Maybe staying in bed wasn't such a bad idea.

"Ian, love, here's your gift from us!" said Ginny, smiling broadly as she handed a gift to Ian.

"Happy Christmas," added Harry jovially.

I suddenly remembered my gift for James. I stood up, retying my robe which had come undone and fallen open to reveal my tank and pajama pants that loosely hung around my hips. James raised an eyebrow, raking his gaze over me. I glared at him. I refocused on the task at hand. Right. James's gift. Hm. It was too big to lug into the room so I decided to bring James with me to where it was stashed – our family room, behind the couch.

"James, come with me!" I said.

"Milla, where are you going?" asked Dad with a frown. "We're opening gifts as a family."

"But James's gift is in the other room," I explained. "We'll be back in a moment."

"Okay. Hurry up," said Ginny. "We'll be taking family photos in a bit."

Joy.

But I tugged on James's arm and he followed me, curiosity written all over his face.

"What did you get me?" he demanded.

Once we got to the family room I dragged the couch away from the wall and pointed to the shoddily wrapped gift (okay, I admit it – I'm a sucky wrapper). He hauled it out from behind the couch and sat down on the ground, tearing it open. From my vantage point I could admire his bloody sexy shoulders. Maybe later –

"This is brilliant!" he said happily, examining the Snitch and Bludgers and various other paraphernalia for playing Quidditch. I sat down next to him and smiled.

"I'm glad you like it," I said, pleased that he liked his gift.

"I wish you hadn't gotten me something so nice," he said, turning and kissing me.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. I pulled away briefly. "I wanted to."

"That" – he kissed my neck – "is very sweet" – he kissed my ear lightly - "and now time" – he nipped at my ear – "for your gift."

I gave a deep sigh, not focusing on his words at all, but when he produced two … tickets from his pocket, I felt curious. I grabbed one and read with rapidly widening eyes that they were tickets to the Quidditch World Cup.

"Ah! James!" I exclaimed. I hugged him excitedly. "This is excellent. We're going to have so much fun."

He smiled. "Only you would be so excited for a Quidditch game. Except maybe Char. But she's not you," he said. "She's at least nice to me."

I smacked him upside the head. "Tosser."

"That's not a nice thing to say to someone who is going to give you a gift," said James with a gleam in his eye.

"What…? You just gave –" I stopped short as he pulled a box out of his pocket. I wordlessly took it and opened it to see a charm bracelet with assorted Quidditch charms, a dog, a heart, and an entwined J and M engraved on a piece of silver.

I looked at him in complete shock. "James – this is lovely – why … when?" I said in confusion.

"I had this done after your birthday for you. If we weren't together by Christmas, it was going to be next year's birthday present for you," he explained sheepishly, looking down and fiddling with his shirt.

"James," I said with such tenderness that he looked up at me. "I love it. Thank you. And I love you."

I pulled his head down to meet mine and he began to snog me, growling as he laid me onto the ground and moved on top of me. As his hand moved under my robe and under my shirt, I stopped breathing. He cupped my breast and I had to suppress a groan so my parents wouldn't hear. Shit. My parents. Christmas. James's parents.

I wrenched my mouth from James's. "As much as I want to continue this, our families are in the next room," I said.

"Ugh," he muttered. "Okay. Let's go."

"But, love," I said, a gleam in my eye. "We'll finish this later."

He smiled and put his hand on the small of my back as we walked back to our families. I remembered to fix my robe and hair before walking in.

"Good present, eh?" said my dad, winking at me.

I scowled at him. "Yes," I said airily, glaring at my dad. "It was excellent."

"Brilliant," added James, grinning stupidly.

God. James was such a bad liar.

"Anyway," interjected Mum. "There's a few more gifts for you under the tree!"

Ooh lovely. I loved presents!

After we played two-a-side Quidditch (Albus opted out to go see his friends), Mum called us inside and said we had to get ready.

"Mum," I whined. "Everyone's coming over in THREE HOURS."

"That's not that long!" she said indignantly. "Just do what I say, darling, and there'll be no trouble."

I petulantly groaned and moaned, but eventually went upstairs to get changed. James opened my door and walked in. "Forgot my stuff," he said by way of explanation.

"Ah," I said. "Why don't you just get changed here? You can just Summon your things. I mean, you're coming back here anyways."

"Okay," he said, shrugging. He flicked his wand lazily and his clothes came zooming from his house (a few doors down).

I pulled out jeans and a sparkly top and a cardigan, tossing them on my bed. Then I pulled off my shirt and tossed it into the corner. Deciding I could just freshen up instead of taking another shower today, I turned to grab my top but stopped as I noticed James gaping at me, running a hand through his hair.

"Er, love, you do realize that you're in a bra?" he asked a bit warily.

"Yeah," I said nonchalantly.

"And you don't care?" he asked incredulously.

"No. You've seen me like this before and will continue to do so for a long time. So, no, I don't care," I said, shrugging carelessly and pulling on the top.

"Okay," said James simply. And I smiled and pulled on my cardigan.

I changed into my jeans and threw some heels on. I looked over after fixing my hair and applying some makeup and saw James buttoning up his shirt…the wrong way.

"You're doing it the wrong way," I said in amusement.

"Oh, shit," he said, staring down at himself.

"Here, let me help," I said, undoing his crappy job and rebuttoning.

"Thanks," he said gratefully. "You're a lifesaver."

"No, I'm your best mate," I said. "And girlfriend," I added, grinning.

He smiled.

"There, all done," I said, patting him on the shoulder. "Let's go down, shall we?"

James nodded and followed me down the stairs, where everyone was standing, holding cocktails and chatting animatedly.

"Miranda!" I shouted gleefully, tottering over in my heels (bad idea, eh?). "Haven't seen you since… yesterday. But it does feel like a bloody long time, doesn't it?"

"You're in a chipper mood," she commented dryly, but she had a hint of a grin on her face. "You and James going well then?"

"Yes," I said happily. "It's going brilliantly."

"Happy Christmas, by the way," she said, smiling.

"You too. You look lovely," I said, admiring her black dress.

I felt someone envelop me in a huge hug from behind. "MILLA!" came Char's voice. "I'm so happy for you. I haven't been able to stop talking about you and James!"

"It's been bloody annoying, that's what," said Luke, joining us. "It's all, 'Aren't they lovely together' or 'Are they as happy as Ben and I are.'''

"That's nice to hear you like being with me," said Ben sardonically, suddenly appearing and holding two flutes of champagne.

Char gave him a reproving look and he threw his arm around her.

"Where's Nate?" I asked, looking around.

"He'll be joining us later," said Miranda, flushing. "He's having dinner with his family at his grandparents' then coming for dessert."

"Excellent," I said. "Where has James got to?" I craned my neck, searching for him.

He was chatting with Harry but he caught my eye and raised a brow. I flushed and he smirked. I tried to look at him sternly but failed miserably and instead blew him an air kiss.

Suddenly my attention was diverted by someone making gagging noises next to me. It was Luke. Of course.

"Thanks, Luke," I commented sarcastically. "Nice to know you support me."

"I do, but not all your PDA. It's ruddy disgusting," he said, making a face.

"When you're in love," said Char with a glare at Luke, "You'll be doing the same thing." She batted her eyelashes at Ben affectionately.

Ben snorted. Charlotte sent him a murderous look. "Char, my dear," he said. "You don't usually behave like a desperate flirt when you're in love."

"I'm a desperate flirt, am I?" Char's voice was rising dangerously, and she gesticulated with her champagne glass.

"No, I just meant –"

"No, I know what you meant, Ben Thompson, and if you think there's going to be any alone time tonight you're sorely mistaken," Char said angrily.

"Oh, I was very much expecting some," said Ben sarcastically. "Cos that's all I want from you is snogging."

"Don't be sarcastic with me, Benjamin," snapped Char.

"Oi!" I decided to intervene before Char blew up. "Relax! It's Christmas, for fuck's sake."

They ignored me.

Luke laughed and I glared at him.

Miranda was looking at Char reprovingly. Char tried to avoid her gaze but she looked guilty. Miranda kept staring at Char until Char burst out, "Okay, okay. I'm sorry."

"Excellent," said Ben laughingly. "About time. You can be so melodramatic sometimes."

"Shut it, or I'll kill you," said Char menacingly.

"Mhmm. Okay," Ben said, eyes crinkled with laughter.

I smiled at them. They were quite the pair.

"What's been going on over here?" came James's voice as he appeared at my side.

"Oh, nothing, just the usual Char antics," I said airily.

James burst out laughing. "Of course."

"Very glad to amuse," bit out Charlotte.

I impulsively hugged her. "You are a lunatic, by the way," I whispered in her ear. She smacked me.

"You've run mad as well," she added, but there was a teasing quality to her voice that made me know everything was okay.

"She has," agreed James. I gave him a look. "She's bloody mad."

"Then why are you dating her?" asked Char with a raised brow.

"Because," said James, slinging an arm around me. "She won't go away. It seems we're stuck together for life."

Although we'd just been dating for twenty-four hours, the prospect of what he said didn't seem bad at all.

In fact, it seemed pretty damn good.