"Prongs!" Lily cried, running to him where he sat under the tree. Finding that running in her pointe shoes after class was a bad idea, she crashed right into him. Her laughter filled his ears as toppled over him, sending them both face first in the green grass. James laughed and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her down safely to his lap. She was still in her dance uniform-pointe shoes, tights, leotard, and skirt still on, James found her beautiful.

"What is it, Lily Flower?" He asked, smiling. Lily grinned at him, glowing with pride.

"Well… I got a solo in the showcase in July!" She cried, beginning to take off her pointe shoes. James beamed at her.

"Really? Ooohhh! I'm so proud of you!" He said happily, kissing her. Lily beamed at him and pointed her feet as she threw the shoes under the tree. She slowly began to take out the many bobby pins that had been holding her long but heavily layered hair back. James held out his hand as she placed them one by one in his offered hand.

"Why didn't you change today?" James asked curiously. Lily offered him another smile and pointed and flexed her feet, trying to regain some feeling in them. James cringed at the bruises and cuts on her feet and ankles.

"I was so excited to tell my wonderful boyfriend." She said happily. James shook his head, still grinning. Lily threw a black tank top over the pink of her leotard and slipped her Chucks on, throwing her pointe shoes into her bag. She removed the remaining bobby pins from her hair before shaking her curls out. They reached her waist elegantly. She sighed happily. James put the bobby pins in a case and threw them in her dance bag.

"I've been waiting to do that for the past hour." She said, standing up. James followed her lead and wrapped his hand around hers, throwing her bag over his left shoulder.

"How was class today?" He asked as Lily began to swing their hands back and forth.

"Oh, it was tiring. You know how much she works us." Lily sighed, slightly frowning. "But it was loads of fun! She said I was best in class and offered me a solo performance at the showcase in July." She smiled happily and began to skip, dragging James behind her. James vaguely wondered how her feet didn't hurt from all the cuts and bruises.

"I never understand," He said, pulling her back to him. "how you have so much energy after dance."

"Only on days when you pick me up!" Lily said brightly. She stopped and turned to face him. "Can we get ice cream?" She begged. James, who could never say no to Lily's glowing smile, nodded.

"Where to, my dear?" He asked playfully. Lily's eyes lit up and she began to run again, dragging him in her footsteps.

The way you move is like a full on rainstorm
and I'm a house of cards,
You're the kinda reckless that she send me running,
But I kinda know I won't get far.

Lily offered James a lick of her black cherry chocolate ice cream as she took his mint chocolate chip cone out of his hands. Taking a bite of it, she smiled softly. But James saw the mysterious glint in her emerald eyes. Suddenly, Lily jumped up out of her seat and ran over to where James was sitting. She sat on his lap, looking innocent. James eyed the ice cream in her hands nervously.

"Hi, Lily." He said, slowly wrapping his arms around her waist. He moved his right hand a little up her back, then slid it over her tummy, then very lightly over her arm. His hand enclosed around her wrist softly and he slid his fingers over her long ones and tried to grab the cone in her hand. He managed to wrap his hands around it before Lily had crushed it in her hand. But Lily Evans didn't stop there. She proceeded the smash the rest of it in James's face. His mouth dropped in surprise as he dropped Lily to the floor. She stood up, laughing. There was ice cream covering her hands. She looked at them for a moment before leaning over to James, hiding her hands behind her back.

"Hello, James." She said happily. She smiled at him and cupped his face. James jumped back and shook his head.

"No! I already have enough ice cream on my face!" He cried, smirking. Lily didn't listen. She walked closer to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She shrank slightly as she slipped her shoes off.

You stood there, in front of me,
Just close enough to touch,
Close enough to hope you couldn't
See what I was thinking of.

When they broke apart, Lily looked over his shoulder and smiled widely. Her eyes lit up as she pulled James out of the ice cream shop. They walked out and were instantly drenched; rain was pouring in buckets. Lily cringed horribly as she pulled I across the sidewalk. James looked down at her bare feet. They were covered in bandages from dance.

"Where'd your shoes go?" He asked, looking down at her feet, frowning. Lily shrugged and pointed to the ice cream shop. Her shoes were sitting on the chair, covered in ice cream. James sighed again as he looked back up at her.

"Never frown because you'll never know who is falling in love with your smile." Lily said, tracing his lips. He smiled at her touch. Lily stood on her toes, cringing as she did so, and met his lips.

Drop everything now,
Meet me in the pouring rain,
Kiss me on the sidewalk, take away the pain.
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever
You smile.

They stood there for what felt like hours, kissing the rain. Lily's chiffon skirt from dance was dripping water and James's hair was falling into his eyes, causing the rain water to fall into their kiss. When they broke apart, Lily was grinning widely and her emeralds were sparkling. Lily looked absolutely beautiful in the rain. Even with her eyeliner running down her face and her lipstick fading, she was so stunningly and heartbreakingly beautiful and James admired her for that. Her smile was radiant, and it reminded him of the sun breaking the stormy clouds.

Get me with those green eyes, baby,
As the lights go down,
Give me something that'll haunt me
When you're not around,
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever
You smile.

Her soft eyes searched his face eagerly. It looked as though she was trying to memorize his sharp features. She placed her hands on either side of his face and stared into his hazel eyes. She smiled.

"I love you." Lily whispered. James smiled widely.

"What?" He asked. He'd never heard those beautiful words slide off her tongue.

"I love you, James Potter." Lily said, smiling. James kissed her passionately.

"I love you, too, my beautiful Lily." He whispered against her lips. She blushed at his words and kissed him again.

"Lily?" James said, twirling a strand of her hair around his fingertip. She looked up at him from her spot on his chest.

"James?" She smirked. James smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Do you think we'd ever get married someday? Or what if we have a baby?" He said, his eyes shining. Lily turned around and sat up, beaming at him.

"We'll have a beautiful wedding," She promised.

"I hope we have a daughter." James smiled. Lily laughed.

"I hope we have a son." She giggled.

"We'll have one of each." James promised. Lily giggled again.

"Why are you asking about this now?" She asked, tilting her head slightly to the right. James laughed at that.

"I dunno…" He said softly. "I just… I have a feeling."

"You have a feeling about what?"

"That someday, we're gonna get married." He said. He put his hand in his pocket. Lily smiled.

"Do you really?" She asked, beaming. James nodded.

"You know, my mum loves you," Lily said, wrapping her arms around her waist and burying her face in his chest. "but my dad doesn't like you." She continued, placing her hand over his heart. "He thinks you're too reckless. He says I need something more stable."

"And I'm not stable enough for you?" James asked, frowning.

"Nah, you're not stable enough for my dad." Lily corrected him. "You're just perfect for me. Reckless and dangerous… just what I've always wanted." Lily smiled.

"How much do you love me, Lily?" James asked. Lily pulled away from him and looked up into his eyes.

"More than anything." She whispered, smiling softly. "But you know that." Her smile grew bigger as she moved closer to him. James grinned at her and pulled the box out of his pocket, hiding it from her. Lily continued to stare into his eyes, reading them.

"Do you love me enough to marry me?" He asked, opening to box and presenting it to her. Lily gasped in surprise.

"Are you serious?" She murmured, her eyes wide. James nodded. Lily ran her fingers under his shining and worried eyes and traced his lips that were twisted up into a wide smile.

My mind forgets to remind me
You're a bad idea…
You touch me once and It's really something,
You find that I'm even better than what
You imagined I would be.
I'm on my guard for the rest of the world,
But with you, I know it's no good.

Lily kissed him softly.

"I love you enough to marry you, James." She whispered. "I love you more than enough to marry you."

"Really?" James asked, his eyes wide. Lily nodded. James smiled at her and took the ring out of the velvet box and Lily gave him her left hand. Looking directly into Lily's eyes, James slid the ring on her slender finger and brought it to his lips. "I love you, Lily." He whispered against her hand.

And I could wait patiently,
But I really wish you would
Drop everything now,
Meet me in the pouring rain,
Kiss me on the sidewalk,
Take away the pain.
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile.

"You're getting married?" Sirius exclaimed upon seeing the glittering ring on Lily's finger. James smiled and Lily giggled. But before either could speak, Remus spoke.

"Does this really come as a surprise to you, Padfoot?" He said quietly, staring at the small but beautiful ring on Lily's finger. "It was bound to happen sooner or later." He pointed out, reaching for Lily's hand, who handed it to him, beaming. He took it his hand delicately and examined the ring closely. "Is this your mother's ring, James?" Remus asked, looking up at James. James nodded happily. Remus looked back at Lily. "He must really love you," He smiled. "he wouldn't give this ring to anybody."

"Why is it that James always gets the pretty girls?" Sirius asked, smirking.

"Oh, please, Sirius. Look at all the girls you've dated." Lily laughed.

"Yeah, Padfoot, how many girls are you up to now?" James smirked.

"Erm… I dunno," He answered, grinning. "too many to count, mate."

"See? That's what's sad. You move around too much. Why don't you give any of them a real chance? I mean… other than sleeping with them." Remus said. "Try having a normal relationship, you know, without just shagging the girl a couple times before moving on to the next unsuspecting victim." Then Remus smirked. "Besides, who wouldn't want you with your charming personality?"

"Oh, shut up, Moony." Sirius smirked. He threw a stick at him. "I do have a very enchanting personality!"

"Remi has a point, though, Pads." Lily said fairly, smiling at Sirius. "You need to give these girls a chance."

"I do! I gave that one girl… Lindsay a chance." Sirius retorted. "And that lasted for quite a while."

"Two and a half months." James said, remembering the girl. He'd rather liked her.

"And that other girl… Mia. We dated for a while."

"And by dating, you mean she was your fuck buddy?" James laughed. Sirius glared at him.

"That's not exactly true."

"Oh, shut up, Sirius, you know it is." Lily said, lightly kicking him. "And anyway, it doesn't really count 'cause you two never actually went on a date. You spent too much time in broom cupboards and empty bathrooms and classrooms. It was more of a 'friends with benefits' kinda thing."

"She was pretty good, though." Sirius said.

"Come on! We don't wanna know that!" Remus said, laughing. Sirius rolled his eyes.

"You just wish you could get some action, Moony." He said. Remus rolled his eyes.

"You've meet my most recent girlfriend, have you not?"

"Yeah, and she seems very…"

"Sirius Black, I swear to god, if you finish that sentence, I will hex you." Remus said darkly.

"You don't even know what I was gonna say!" Sirius protested.

"Yeah, but I know you well enough."

"I like her, Remi." James said, playing with the ring on Lily's finger. She was smiling and picking at the green grass. She slipped her shoes off and they all cringed at the cuts and bruises. "She's very nice and pretty. I think you two make a very nice couple."

"Whoa, who are you and what have you done with my Jamsie?" Sirius looked at James, his eyes wide. James laughed.

"Really, I'm serious."

"No you're not! I'm Sirius!"

Everyone ignored him.

"Really, Padfoot, you have to admit… Remi and Bethany make a very cute couple." Lily said fairly, staring at Sirius, who sighed in defeat.

"I know they do." He said. "But not as cute as you two!"

"Well, no one's as cute as we are." Lily smiled. Remus and Sirius nodded.

"That's true."

"Have you gotten any action?" Sirius suddenly asked, looking at Remus.

"Seriously?" Remus said, rolling his eyes. "Are you really asking me that question?"

"Well, then. It's true; our Moony is still a-"

"Sike." James said, winking at Remus.

"What?"

"Yeah, remember that one girl he dated a while back? Her name was… er, Jennifer." He said. "And, well, they-"

"Guys, seriously, stop talking about my sex life."

"Well, we never get to! How are supposed to know if you really aren't a-"

" 'Cause I'm not!"

"Well, it's no secret that I'm not. And of course James and Lily aren't. And we never hear about you, Remi. It's not cool." Sirius said, grinning at his best friend. "So, please enlighten us, Remus." Sirius looked at Remus expectantly. Remus cleared his throat and turned red. Lily giggled.

"It's not that hard, Moony, honestly…" She laughed. Remus rolled his eyes.

"He just doesn't wanna reveal the secrets of his non-existent sex life." Sirius said, smirking. "He's too much of a good boy to be evolved in such vulgar activities." He laughed. "Aren't you, Remi?"

"Sike," James said again. "He secretly sneaks out every night."

"Well, Prongs, you know, Moony is a werewolf." Sirius said, laughing. "And you know, we do sneak out with him to, you know, do his business."

"Nah, not during the full moon." James corrected himself. "I've seen him. And.. he comes back looking like…"

"James, seriously." Remus said, turning bright red. Lily giggled again.

"Looking like?" Sirius asked, his eyes shining. Remus frowned.

"I've been sneaking out to see Taylor every night." He muttered. Everyone laughed.

"I thought you were going out with Bethany!" Lily said, giggling. Sirius's eyes widened.

"Oh my god! Remus John Lupin! Are you…"

"Are you dating Bethany by day and shagging Taylor by night?" James laughed. Remus blushed.

"Oh, Jamsie, our little Remi is finally growing up." Sirius said fondly, playfully ruffling Remus's hair. Remus shook him off.

"Nah, I ended it with Bethany a couple weeks ago." He explained. "And… well, Taylor just… happened."

"She just happened?" Lily giggled.

"Yeah, we just happened."

"How d'you mean?"

"Oh, by the way, James, Jennifer was just a girlfriend. We never did anything." Remus said, looking at James. Lily sighed and pulled her dance bag over to her.

"I'll be right back. I gotta get dressed for dance." She said, and threw her pointe shoes at James, who caught them and looked at her curiously. "Hold them for me 'till I get back, kay?"

"God, I'll never understand how she can do this." James said, putting her shoes next to him. "Have you seen her feet?" They all cringed.

"Anyway, how d'you mean, you and Taylor just happened?" He asked Remus.

"It's kinda hard to explain." Remus muttered, still staring at Lily's shoes. "We were just… talking in the library one night, and well… she kinda came at me."

"She kinda came at you?" Sirius clarified, tilting his head to the side curiously. Remus nodded, bringing his eyes up and looking at his brothers.

"Yeah," He started, playing with his hands. "It was like, one minute we were just talking about… something. And then we were kissing." Remus said, once again staring at Lily's torn up and trashed shoes; she'd need new shoes soon. The ribbons were fraying. "She attacked me. I mean, in a good way, but then… well…"

"In the library?" Sirius exclaimed, his eyes wide. Remus nodded, smiling. "Oh, Jamsie, it really does seem look like our little Moony is growing up! Doing the dirty in the library!" Sirius said proudly. James laughed.

"Oh, Remi, I'm proud of you." James smiled. Remus laughed and shook his head.

"You know, I think you are the only guys in the world that would be this proud of it." He laughed. "Only you two."

"Oh, and that's the reason you love us, Moony." Sirius smiled. Remus rolled his eyes.

"I s'pose so." He smirked.

"Hi, guys!" Lily beamed, skipping over to the group. She plopped down in James's lap and took her shoes from Remus. She began to slip them on and tie the fraying red ribbons around her ankles and smiled widely when she was done.

"Ready for dance?" James asked. Lily shook her head and took all the bobby pins from her bag.

"Here, hold these." She said and began to pull her curls up in a neat bun. She took the bobby pins from her fiancé's hand and tucked in the hair that wouldn't fit. "Now I'm ready!" James rose from his spot and Lily jumped on his back. James looked back at his friends.

"I'll be back," He said. And with that, he ran off with his fiancé giggling happily in his ears. James dropped her at the entrance of her studio and kissed her passionately before she skipped through the doors, leaving James by himself for the next two hours.

"Have fun, Lils. I love you." James said catching her hand and pulling her back to him.

"I love you, too, James." Lily smiled softly. She kissed his cheek and ran back inside. She turned around and smiled at him again. James waved at her and Lily disappeared. He stuck his hands in the front pockets of his jeans and began to walk back over to his friends, who were still talking about Remus's sex life. James laughed and fell next to Sirius.

"How long is class?" Remus asked as James plopped down to the ground.

"Two hours." He said, frowning. "I will just never understand how she can do this. It's crazy. She's killing herself with her dancing. I mean, I know it makes her happy and everything, but… have you seen how thin she is?"

"Well… She does pointe, mate." Sirius said, patting James on the back. James frowned and nodded. "Isn't her teacher really strict on the weight and stuff?"

"My sister did pointe for a while." Remus offered. "She was… dangerously thin. Her instructor had even gave them a diet. She stopped following it and gained about twenty pounds." He looked at the ground. "She got kicked out."

"Are you serious?" James asked, his eyes wide in fear. Remus nodded sadly.

"Yeah, they're really strict on it." Remus said, frowning. "But it's what makes her happy, Prongs. She's doing better than my sister was… Lily looks healthy and happy."

"She's still pretty thin."

"I know, but she's healthy, isn't she?" Sirius asked, frowning at James. "She's not like dangerously thin. She's not starving herself or throwing it all up. Lily's happy and she knows how to take care of herself, Jamsie."

"I know…" James scowled. "But still…"

"There is no 'but still', James, she's taking care of herself. Lily's a smart girl and she knows what's right and what's wrong. She's doing perfect, James." Remus comforted James. "She's fine. Just trust her."

"I do trust her! I'm just saying… It kinda worries me sometimes. I see some of the girls in her class," James muttered. "I don't mean to be mean here, but they look disgusting with how thin they are."

"And does Lily look like that? No, she doesn't. She's perfectly healthy." Remus said. "Just leave it and watch her…. If she starts to look like them, that's when you need to start getting worried."

"I know…"

"I still don't get how you got Lily to agree to marry you." Sirius laughed, changing the subject. James threw a handful of grass at him, smiling. "I mean, honestly…"

"Oh, shut up, Pads." James said teasingly. "Has the thought ever crossed your twisted mind that she might actually love me?"

"Of course it has! But… the question is how she loves you. Why she loves you." Sirius said, trying and failing to keep a straight face.

"If you're suggesting that James spiked her coffee with a love potion," Remus smirked, "Then you're crazy. But then again… He could have Charmed her."

"I Charmed her?" James repeated, raising his eyebrows. Sirius and Remus stared at him for a moment before turning to look at each other, smiling, then faced James again and nodding. James rolled his eyes. "You two are delusional. I'm serious- Don't you dare, Padfoot- She really does love me! Unlike Sirius, I actually do have a decent and charming personality. I don't shag a girl and leave her." James stuck his tongue out at the Sirius.

"You used to." Sirius pointed out. James slightly blushed before shaking his head.

"No, that was always your thing. I was the good boy and stayed with the girl after I shagged her." James retorted. Sirius sighed.

James stood at the front of the church, looking nervous. Sirius stood behind him, being his Best Man, he was doing the best to calm his brother down.

"She loves you. It'll be fine. Lily's not gonna run out on you, Prongs. I promise." Sirius said soothingly in his ear. Remus nodded in feverish agreement.

"She looks beautiful." He added. James smiled. "I saw her earlier. She's just as nervous as you are, mate." Remus assured him. Peter stood there, looking just as scared as James did.

The piano started to play. James's heart went into overdrive and he lost his breath. Lily walked down the aisle, the sunlight following her every step. She was beautiful. Beyond beautiful. Perfect. She was looking at him as though he was the only person left on earth, and she was smiling that special smile that was only reserved for James. When Lily finally reached James, she slipped her hand in his and faced him, her eyes shining with love. James couldn't focus on the words the priest was saying; he could only see Lily's glowing smile.

"I do," He finally whispered, looking into Lily's emerald eyes. Lily's smile, if possible, grew bigger.

"I do," Lily murmured. James had never heard such beautiful words.

"You may kiss the bride."

I'll run my fingers through your hair,
and watch the lights go wild.
Just keep keeping your eyes on me,
It's just wrong enough to make it feel right
and lead me up the staircase.
Won't you whisper soft and slow,
I'm captivated by you, baby, like a
fireworks show.

Lily and James escaped the crazy reception that Sirius and Remus had taken over. It was raining outside and Lily's white wedding dress clung to her as she rested her arms on her husband's shoulders. The beat of the rain on the pavement was the music they danced to. Their first dance. It was private and peaceful. Something only they would remember, something they would only know. Lily's perfect curls unfurled and covered James's hands. Lily moved the hair out of his hazel eyes and kissed him. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day as the full moon and stars shone down on them. James froze in his tracks, terrified. Lily looked up and her eyes widened.

"Full moon." James whispered, his eyes widening. He looked at Lily, who nodded.

"Remus needs you more right now." She said, kissing him. James looked reluctant to leave her, but when he saw Sirius and Peter rushing Remus out of the hall, James followed and the familiar routine began. Remus screamed out in pain before transforming into the monster that he so feared. A stag, a dog, and a rat all ran after the wolf as it ran into the forest.

Lily paced back and forth in the pouring rain, biting her lip. She knew that they all knew what they were doing; they'd been doing it for years and years now. But every time they left, Lily not only feared for James, but she worried about the other Marauders. Especially Remus. Of course, it was always hardest on him. She stayed in her dress and in the exact spot her and James had danced hours before. As the morning sun rose, Lily ran to the group. James and Sirius were supporting Remus carefully while Peter trailed behind, watching Remus almost fearfully. Remus smiled tiredly at Lily.

"I'm so sorry, Lily. We didn't realize…" He whispered. Lily shook her head and threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek.

"Don't be silly, Remus. It's okay. I'm just glad you lot are all okay. I always worry." She pulled back and assessed the group. Sirius had a new cut on his cheek and James was hiding bleeding hands. James, Lily noticed, also had a cut on his forehead that was bleeding down into his eyes. She shuddered. Peter seemed unharmed, though he did look tired. Sirius wiped the blood from his cheek and James wiped his hand on his pants as they carefully let go of Remus, setting him on the cobblestone stairs. He yawned and looked around. His eyes widened at the fresh wounds that both Sirius and James were trying desperately to hide from him. Before he could speak, Sirius sat next to him and patted him on the back.

"It's all good, Moony. It doesn't even hurt." He smoothly lied. Remus, being as exhausted as he was, didn't detect the lie. They all sat on the cobblestone stairs next to Lily's heels and Remus fell fast asleep on Sirius's shoulder. Lily looked at him sadly.

"Really, Sirius, how much does it hurt?" Lily asked quietly. Sirius frowned.

"Like a bitch." He whispered. Lily turned to James.

"How are your hands?" She asked. James shook his head.

"They're bleeding a lot." He sighed. "He cut my hand really badly when we were trying to calm him right before the moon was setting and the sun was rising. We hid it from him, but…" James looked at Sirius. "He always sees the scars."

"And the scars never really heal." Sirius added. He nodded over in Peter's direction. "He's lucky, though, he never seems to get hurt. I guess being so small helps reduce the risk of injury." He whispered. Peter didn't seem to hear him.

"I love Remus, though, that's we keep doing it." James said. He held out his arms to Lily, who walked into them and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest. James hugged her tight.

"I'm just glad you all are okay." She sighed. Sirius looked over Lily's head and frowned at James. James shook his head very slightly, and Sirius kept his mouth shut. He looked at Remus sadly and pulled a leaf out of his brown hair. Remus continued to sleep soundly on Sirius's shoulder. Lily reached up and wiped the blood off of James's face and kissed him. The touch of her lips relieved the pain and he closed his eyes, breathing her in.

Drop everything now,
Meet me in the pouring rain,
Kiss me on the sidewalk, take away the pain.
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever
You smile.

"I love you, James." Lily whispered as she lay on his chest, watching the night sky, waiting for the fireworks. "You're the best husband any girl could ever ask for."

"I love you, too, my beautiful Lily Flower."

"Dude. Seriously. We're right here." Sirius said, throwing a flower at them. James sighed.

"You don't have to be over here, Pads." He pointed out.

"Yes I do."

The first firework burst into the sky and the light lit up Lily's eyes and she smiled in amazement.

The sparks fly,
Oh, baby smile,
The sparks fly..