Till Death Do Us Part

Chapter 1

Lily Evans stood in front of a full-length mirror readjusting the ring of white flowers on her head for what seemed like the hundredth time. In ten minutes, she was going to walk down the aisle and marry James Potter. She loved James with all her heart and couldn't believe that she was going to be his wife, but an annoying voice in the back of her head kept asking her if this was really what she wanted.

"It's quite normal to have those feelings," her Matron of Honor, Molly Weasley, kept telling her. "I had doubts up until the time the doors opened, and I saw Arthur waiting for me. At that point, I knew I was ready to spend the rest of my life with him." Lily had recalled her friend's advice many times in the past couple of weeks.

The sound of a door closing brought Lily back to the present. Molly had just walked in.

"Oh, my! Lily, you look so pretty. Your white gown really makes your hair stand out."

Lily had to admit that she did look good in white. It made her long red hair shine.

"Thanks, Molly," she gushed. "You look great, too."

Molly was wearing a hunter green gown that accented her own red hair.

"Have you been messing with you crown?" Molly asked playfully. "Stay where you are and I'll fix it. I know you are nervous, but everything will be fine as long as you stop fretting."

Molly repinned the flowers to Lily's hair and stood back to take another look at the blushing bride. Lily's red hair was hanging straight down her back. The white dress clung to every curve of her body, and the white daises in her hair added a touch of elegance.

There was a knock at the door and Lily and Molly called "Come in!" at the same time. Sirius Black, James' best friend and best man entered the room.

"Lily, you look gorgeous! Molly, you look great, too! So, is the lovely bride ready to go?" he asked.

Lily took a deep breath and replied, "Yes, I think I am."

"Good. Well, I better go back and make sure James is ready. I'll see you ladies in a few minutes." And as quickly as Sirius had entered, he left.

"If only I was a few years younger," Molly said dreamily.

"Molly!" Lily exclaimed.

Molly laughed, "Well, you've got to admit that he's good looking. That long hair and those eyes!"

'Oh, Molly, you're too much. Let's go before I'm late for my own wedding," Lily replied.

Lily picked up her bouquet of daises and followed Molly out the door. I've got my whole life ahead of me and my best friend is going to be with me through it all, she thought as she closed the large wooden door behind her.

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James was looking out the window when Sirius burst through the door. His long black hair was tousled and his blue eyes were shinning.

"Lily is ready to go, and she looks marvelous. But I don't need to tell you that," Sirius said playfully.

"At least one of us is ready to go. What if this isn't how I'm supposed to spend the rest of my life?"

"You love Lily, don't you?" Sirius inquired.

"Of course!"

"Well, then, there's nothing to worry about. Love conquers all, remember?"

"Right. Well, we'd better get to the front of church before Lily walks out thinking I left her standing at the altar."

James checked his reflection in the mirror one last time. Can't you lie flat for one day? he thought as he tried to make the back of his hair stay down. Giving in to his black hair, he followed Sirius out the door. Lily, I hope I can be the husband you've always dreamed of, he thought as he took his place behind Sirius.

The wooden doors in the back of the church opened and Molly stepped out. Once she and Sirius had taken their places at the altar, the doors opened again and Lily appeared in the doorway. James' mind began to race. She's gorgeous. That gown looks great on her. Oh my, here she comes.

The next thing he knew, Lily's father had kissed her cheek and placed her hand in his. Hand and hand they walked the rest of the way to the altar.

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Lily had no idea how she made it down the aisle. She'd been shaking so much she thought she was sure she was going to faint. The minister saying, "James and Lily, please join you hands" brought her back to the present

I'd better pay attention or I could end up saying, "I don't."

"Do you, James, take Lily, to be you wife? To love and cherish her?"

"I do," James said in a soft passionate voice, his eyes locking with Lily's

Lily could see the love in his eyes. As he said, "I do," James began to rub his thumb over Lily's hand. She felt a tingle go up her spine.

"Do you, Lily, take James, to be your husband? To love and cherish him?"

"I do," Lily said never moving her eyes from James' gaze.

During the rest of the ceremony Lily couldn't take her eyes off James. Molly was right. When I saw James waiting for me, I knew I'd made the right decision in marrying him.

"I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. James Potter!" the minister announced at the end of the ceremony.

Lily turned to James at the same time he turned to face her, and they shared their first kiss as husband and wife.

Till Death Do Us Part