Well, well, well, it has been a long time. A long, long time. And I apologize a million times! So many things have been going on..my life has been crazy. But I've finally started writing again, and I felt awful about abandoning this fic, so have no fear, it's being completed! Sorry again it's been so long, I understand if you all want to kill me. Oh, and sorry if I'm a bit rusty. I'll improve, promise! Muchos loves!

James

I couldn't believe it. I really couldn't believe it.

Lily was finally, finally mine. Mine! All those years of longing, lusting, chasing, finally coming to an end.

We sat outside on a bench, alone in the courtyard, which was decorated beautifully with fairy lights and white roses. I held her in my arms and could feel the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed, the beating of her heart. We had just finished the opening dance, and I had gotten the nerve up to kiss her. And, oh yeah, tell her I loved her.

All of our seven years at Hogwarts I'd never told her that. I mean, it was one thing to think it, but actually say it out loud? And to her, no less? It was kind of frightening. But I did it. And you know what the best part was?

She loved me too.

She said so herself, right after kissing me again. And now, here we are, rightfully in each others arms. You have no idea how long I've waited for this night, this moment. It was perfect. Just like her.

"James?"

Lily turned her head, facing me, and looked into my eyes. God, her eyes were beautiful. One of my favorite features of hers.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry."

I cocked an eyebrow.

"Sorry? For what?"

She took a deep breath. Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no. My heart started beating a mile a minute. What if she was going to say this was a mistake? I don't think my heart could take it. But why would she? I mean, there's no doubting what we've got.

"I probably haven't been the easiest girl to pursue lately. I don't know what came over me. Well, actually, maybe I do. I don't know," she sighed. Relieved, I brushed a strand of hair from her face. She smiled. "Nevermind, it's stupid."

"No, really, it's not. I'd like to hear it," I encouraged.

"Well, I don't know. I guess..I guess I was, well, confused. And afraid," she said, the words slowly tumbling out.

"Afraid..? Of what?" I asked.

"James, I meant what I said in the Great Hall. I love you. Deeply," she paused, taking in a breath. I slightly squeezed her hand, and she went on. "And I don't think I could take it if something were to ever happen to us to make us not be together. I was afraid of loosing you."

Loosing me? But she hadn't even had me. Besides, why would she loose me? I love her!

"Lily, darling," I said, stroking her cheek. "How could you loose me? We've only been together thirty minutes."

She sighed and sat up. "James, it doesn't matter how long we've 'been together'. I was too afraid to even start a relationship with you in fear that it would end, resulting in my heart being crushed. And I don't think I could handle that." She looked down to the ground.

I must admit, that hurt. I didn't get it. How could she think that? Why would I break her heart? Or leave her! I'd spent the past seven years of my life trying to get her! I lightly placed my hand under her chin and lifted her face so her eyes looked directly into mine.

"Evans, I thought you were smarter than that," I teased. "There's nothing in this world that could make me want to be with anyone other than you."

She smiled, but water started to fill her eyes. Oh God. Had I said something wrong?

"How can you be so sure, James? I'm willing to put everything I have into this relationship and I'd do anything for you. I just need to know that before I do, I won't be wasting my love. I need to know that you won't break my heart."

I stared into her eyes for a long time. She turned her head to look away, but I gently guided her face towards mine again.

"Lily, I've spent seven long years longing after you. Believe me, I tried to get over you. To move on. But what I have for you isn't some school crush. It's the real thing, Lily. Why else would I spend so long chasing after you? Just to dump you in a couple of months? No way. Lily Evans, I meant what I said back in the Great Hall, too. I love you."

And I really did mean it. And, apparently, she believed me this time, because once again she kissed me. And then I kissed her back. And, well, you know...

"Oh my God. Remus, Remus, come quick! It's happened! It's finally happened! Lily and James are hooking up!"

"SIRIUS!" I roared, jumping about ten feet in the air and then scrambing up, fixing my dressrobes.

"Wow, Sirius, you were right! I thought you were pulling my leg," Remus said, joining Sirius. "It's finally happened. Took them long enough, eh? I do believe it was I who claimed the seventh year?"

"Oh Remmy, we aren't still keeping track of that bet, are we?" Sirius whined.

"Of course we are, Sirius. And I think that means that you owe me five galleons," Remus grinned.

"But Rem, we made that bet in third year," Sirius whined again.

"A bet's a bet, Sirius. Besides, if you'd have won, you'd be sticking to your guns right now too," Remus said.

I couldn't believe this. My best mates had bet on when I'd hook Lily. Unbelievable.

"Um, excuse me, sorry to interupt this little debate, but is there any reason you two decided to come out here and bother us?" I asked, feeling slightly embarrassed. And as far as I could tell, so did Lily, considering her cheeks were badly flushed. But, then again, that might not be because she was blushing..

"Bother you? No. Deliver a message? Yes," Sirius grinned.

"Professor Dumbledore needs you two to come in. He said it's time for your speeches," Remus informed.

I glanced over at Lily. I sure hoped she had some good stuff to say. I hadn't really had time to think of anything, considering the past couple of days. Not that I was any good at speeches and stuff like that anyway.

Remus and Sirius started inside, and I held out my arm for Lily. She took it, and we walked inside together, me straightening my glasses and her smoothing down her dress robes. I couldn't help but grin.