Meeting Rainie Black.

"I am too." She smiled.

She hadn't thought so a few minutes ago but now she was glad that she came.

In the very hour of her arrival she learned the reason why James didn't write to her. But, he kept the murderer to himself. He couldn't bring himself to tell her that the woman he had loved so much that he had been ready to marry her at eighteen (With or without his parents permission as he had bought a ring before asking his mother for the family ring in case she said no) was the one who had murdered his parents.

Lily Evans and James had dinner together everyday since then. Remus joked that they should both move in. Lily even invited him to her sister Petunia's wedding. She had brought all her stuff to get ready for the wedding. Like she had said she needed some time 'Petunia and Vernon Free'. James told her she was always welcome.

"You are sure you want me there?" He asked, tying his tie.

"Of course." She nodded, "Why?"

"It's just...i don't know what to do when muggles are around."

"Are you really that confused?" She laughed.

"And, I was waiting for Rainie." He admitted.

She was about to ask who was Rainie but the doorbell rang and James headed out excitedly,

"I think she's here." He said.

"James?" Lily heard a girl shouting. "JAMES! Where are you?"

"In here, Rainie." James stepped out of his bedroom and walked in the living room.

"Hello, Rainie!" He hugged the fifteen year old girl who came inside, dragging her trunk in. "You get here okay? Did Padfoot come to pick you up? Did you eat on the train? Are you…"

He asked many questions in one go.

"Yes, yes." She said, quickly. "Sirius came. I ate in the afternoon. I am fine. I am okay…"

"Who is this?" Lily asked.

"Oh…" James turned. "This is Adriana Black, Padfoot's cousin and my little sister. And, Rainie, this is…"

"No, no, no." She stopped him, "Let me guess. This is Caroline."

Lily's face turned red.

"I am kidding, of course." Rainie burst out laughing. "Nice to see you, Lily."

"We are going to a wedding." James shook his head at her. "I'll be back by twelve, I think."

She nodded,

"If you want something to eat." He said. "I made your favorite this afternoon."

"Thanks." She smiled.

"Lock the door when I leave." James said, "Remus will come by in twenty minutes, let him in."

"Yeah, yeah.." She waved her hand. "I know the military drill, James."

Lily looked at them.

"You ready, Lils?" He asked.

"Yeah. I'll grab my purse." She told him.

Lily and James headed out. They entered the wedding reception only a few minutes late.

"Why is Rainie at your house?" Lily asked, curiously when they took their seats.

"Oh, she and Sirius were kicked out of the Black family house for making muggle friends." James said.

"WHAT?" Lily jumped.

"Yes." James said silently, "So, she spends summers at my house now. Like Sirius has been doing for years."

"Oh, wow." She didn' know what to say. "What about her books and robes for school?"

"Oh, I'll take her shopping some time in the summer." He shrugged as it wasn't a big deal. "Whenever she wants, whatever she wants."

"Lily." A middle aged woman approached them both. "You are here, I was looking…"

"Hi, Mom!" Lily smiled. "Mom, this is James."

"Hello, Mrs. Evans." James smiled pleasantly.

"Oh, James." She shook his hand. "I have heard so much about you. So much,"

Lily blushed.

"Good things, I hope." James said.

Before she could answer, a guest called her. She apologized and left.

James made idle chatter with some guests while Lily listened to the sister's chatter about how great Vernon is.

"Mr. Evans." James snuck through guests and shook hands with Lily's father. "Hi….I think you don't know me….but, I am…"

"You are James Potter." He smiled. "I must say meeting you is a nice change from listening to my daughter rant about you all the time."

He smiled.

"Good things, I hope."

"Well, a lot has changed since last year." He told James.

"That's because I have changed." He nodded at James.

"Mr. Evans..." James hesitated. "I know this is a little too early but there is something I have to ask you."

He stopped. He didn't know how to ask him if he wanted to marry his daughter. In a matter of a few weeks, James Potter had fallen in love with Lily. He remembered how great she was. He remembered how beautiful she was. He remembered how perfect she was. He remembered how much he had loved her.

"I was thinking,…" He said, "If I could have your permission to….."

Mr. Evans smiled at his hesitation.

"I have a family ring…" This was probably the first time James was having a difficult time finding words. "Not today but I would like to marry your daughter."

"I'm sorry, James." He shook his head, " Petunia is already married."

James was shocked for a second then he laughed. "I give you my blessing, James,"

James was a little surprised. He hardly knew James. How could he agree so quickly?

"I know what you are thinking." Mr Evans grabbed two glasses of champagne from a tray passing. "You think how could I say yes so quickly when I hardly know a thing about you."

James nodded,

"Well, it's true I don't know a lot about you. But, from the little things Lily told me a few weeks ago what happened in Hawaii and you are not the person everyone thought you were."

James smiled. He knew Lily wouldn't tell him everything. But, it was nice to know that she thought him to be a respectable man. A person you tell your dad about.

"And, I have never seen Lily happier than she has been in the last few weeks." He said. "So, this is for my daughter's future happiness."

He handed a glass to James and raised his own.

"To Lily's happiness." James repeated, smiling.