A/N- A fluffy little way for James to propose to Lily. Don't know what came over me.
4.29.07
"You realize that we're pretty much perfect for each other, right?" he asks semi-nervously as they walk past a dark forest.
The mist that gathers overnight begins to collect at their feet.
Her favorite time.
Her favorite place.
She smiles, "Of course we are." She assures him.
"Good," he takes a shaky breath, "Because I know that… and I don't ever want to be without you…"
Her eyes widen. She can feel what's coming the way she did when he first told her that he loved her.
He takes her other hand, and pulls her close. A mischievous twinkle appears in his eye, as he sees her reaction.
He crouches on one knee, and pulls a velvet box from his pocket.
"I love you so much… Will you marry me?"
The breath catches in her throat. She can't speak. She tries to push the words out, but they won't come.
He begins to panic. Why isn't she saying anything?
She nods frantically.
That's answer enough for him.
He slips the silver band onto her finger. She stares at it, thought-less.
He leaps to his feet and swirls her around in an ecstatic circle.
She giggles. She actually giggles. They've been friends for years, and he'd never heard her giggle. He calls her on it.
"Well…" She says slowly, a smile creeping across her lips, "I guess that's how I am when I really love someone…" his smile grows even wider. "And when I have news…"
He gazes curiously into her gorgeous green eyes. "I'm pregnant."
He blinks, "You're… you're what?" he stammers.
"I'm pregnant." She says again. She looks up at him almost pitifully, fearing a bad reaction.
His smile is gone. He reaches up a hand to ruffle his hair. "Pregnant…" he whispers.
"Don't be mad!" she begs.
He looks away from her.
"James!" she cries.
He still doesn't meet her gaze. Doesn't look into those pleading eyes.
"Who's?" he grunts.
"Yours! Of course!" she exclaims, frantically.
His hazel eyes flicker to her stomach, then up to the black, starry sky.
He takes a breath. "Oh…" he mutters.
"Oh?" She gasps, "Oh? That's all that you have to say to me? Oh?"
"Oh…" he whispers again.
Her eyes grow cold. She can't believe him. "I guess you want this back, then." She mutters furiously. She thrusts the ring into his palm, and storms away, shaking.
He turns the now cold diamond band over in his fingers.
He makes up his mind.
He runs after her.
"Wait!" he shouts.
But she doesn't. She can't face him while she's wiping tears from her eyes.
He catches up to her. "Of course I don't want this back!" he exclaims, turning her forcefully to face him. "I love you, remember? And I'll love a baby, too. I just… I didn't expect…" He pushes the ring back onto her finger, and pulls her closer.
Her tears don't stop.
"Forever." He whispers. "I'll love you both forever."