Lily woke up the next morning, not to her maids, but to her mum and Mary quietly debating in the corner over whether or not they should let her sleep a bit longer or wake her up now so she'd have more time to eat before Emma came in with the team of stylists.

Lily was glad that she'd guessed she'd have early morning visitors today and sent James back to his room after he was no longer drunk. The thought of her mum walking in on her with a boy in her bed, despite the fact that that boy was her fiancé and Lily was a fully grown woman, mortified her.

"Emma said that she has to be ready for pictures in only a few hours." Her mum was saying. "She'll want to eat first-"

"I know, but Emma's not in charge of everything and I think she'd want to sleep a bit longer."

"I would like to sleep a bit longer, but you woke me up with your loud whispering."

She heard feet padding across the room and then Mary was throwing herself into the bed. "Good morning, Lily!"

"Morning, Mary." Lily yawned, not yet opening her eyes as she shuffled further into her pillow. "Couldn't you and mum debate when to wake me up before you came into my room."

"That probably wouldn't have woken you up," Mary pulled the blanket off her. Lily simply grabbed a different blanket. "But you do need to get up if you want to eat. Gran is bringing food up shortly."

"Well then I can stay in bed until she gets here," She countered, determinedly keeping her eyes shut.

That was a fight she lost, Mary was in a hurry to eat so she could put on her own dress. Of course, her excited energy kept Lily from getting too anxious, so she appreciated her friend a little more than usual this morning.

Anita came up with a large tray, Gwen carrying a second tray behind her. The four of them stuffed their faces and it was nice to have breakfast in bed with her best friend, her mum and her gran. It was nice to feel so connected to her little family in a way that she normally didn't. It was also very nice to see her mum and gran getting along. They both seemed to have put aside whatever issues they had with one another for the sake of Lily and that kept her smiling while she ate her toast and eggs.

After breakfast was put away, they carried their teacups around the room as all the supplies arrived. Lily's dress was first, and seeing it carried in, in a bag made it look so much larger and fluffier than it had looked when Lily had been wearing it. Then the rest of the dresses and the hair stylist walked in with Emma.

Lily kept breathing and not letting herself think too far ahead. Of course, telling herself not to think ahead, didn't magically accomplish the goal. But her gran and Mary seemed to understand that she wanted to be distracted and so there was not a moment of silence all morning. Mary had a million things to tell Lily that she just hadn't gotten around to yet, and Anita kept bringing up Lily's friend who she'd get to see in a few hours. Marlene had left the townhouse to accompany her great aunt, and Dorcas would be coming with her husband. Princess Susan Bones of Hufflepuff couldn't attend, but she did send the most beautiful arrangement of flowers.

At least, that's what Anita said, Lily hadn't seen the flowers.

She wanted to see James again, but he had things that he needed to do this morning as well. The wedding was at noon. Which was much closer than Lily was comfortable with, but again, she was trying not to think about that. Besides, the wedding had been much closer than she was comfortable with since it was announced that she had to get married before she was coronated.

"Lily, you look so lovely," Lily turned her head to see Mia walking into the room. She hadn't heard a knock over all the activity in the room. Mia was already dressed and ready for the wedding, and she looked lovely, but Lily was still in a robe.

"Thank you," She said, smiling at her. "We're moving slowly along."

"Well slow and steady is not a bad thing," Mia leaned down and kissed Lily's cheek. "A sense of urgency isn't what we all need today."

"How's James?" Lily asked quietly. Mia smiled at her.

"He's doing well. He asked me to give you this," She said, taking a small envelope from her pocket. "He said he wasn't going to try your phone."

"I don't even know where my phone is," Lily said, her heart beating a bit faster as she took the envelope from Mia. She didn't bother waiting for a quiet moment to read it, she wouldn't get a quiet moment today. Though Mia did step back to give her a bit of space.

Dear Princess Lillith,

First of all, I'm not hungover. I feel like that is an important place to start. However, much water you managed to trick me into drinking last night did the trick. Thanks for taking care of me after Sirius got me pissed. Also, the snogging was great fun.

Secondly, and I'm being serious here so prepare yourself, I can't wait to see you in a few hours. I know that this wedding is not everything that you pictured for yourself, since you seemed to have pictured falling in love with Santa Clause whilst living in a snow globe as a dog sang you Christmas Carols... However, this is so much more than I had ever let myself hope for. You are so much more than I had ever let myself hope for. I do hope that someday, you no longer feel as though you are missing out. I meant what I said a week ago, I do consider myself lucky to have the rest of our lives to get you to fall in love with me.

Thirdly, I need you to know that I understand that your anger with this situation is not about me. I know that whatever frustration you feel is toward a system that was put in place to hold women back, it is not about me. I know that today is weighing on you and I hope to take as much of that burden as possible.

I support you today and every day, in whatever way you need from me.

Yours,

James

Lily took a deep breath through her nose and looked at the floor, trying to keep the tears from spilling over.

Fuck it all.

All of it, just- fuck it.

Maybe they were meant to be together. Maybe someone had been pulling the strings behind the scenes and made sure that Lily picked James, that he accepted, that they met. Because in this moment, she could picture it, she could picture standing next to him, today and every day as they changed their country for the better. They would support one another as they pushed for change and progress.

She took another deep breath and looked up, finding Mia looking at her cautiously. "Alright, dear?"

Lily smiled at her and nodded. "I think I am." She looked down at the note as she folded it up. "Your son is sort of wonderful."

Mia laughed quietly and put a hand on Lily's shoulder. "He's alright." Lily looked up at her and laughed as well, feeling much lighter than she had earlier.

"Alright!" She set the note on her vanity and stood up. "Let's get the dress on so we can start with the pictures." She still wanted to see James, but the note had helped.

This time when she looked at her reflection once the dress was on, she did not feel the need to burst into tears. She appreciated the fit, and the feel of the silk on her skin. She ran her fingers over the drapes and lace and beads. It was the most beautiful gown that she'd ever worn. It might just be the most beautiful gown that she would ever wear.

"Oh, Lily," Her mum gasped as she walked into the room with a small box, seeing her in her dress for the first time. "Oh, baby," And then her mum was crying, and Lily smiled at her. Rose walked over to hug her, and Lily kissed her cheek.

"You like it?" She twirled the skirts as much as she could. There were many layers and it was quite heavy.

"It's perfect."

"I think so too," Anita grinned.

"Kate Middleton's was better," Mary shrugged, and Lily tossed her a glare. "Just trying to keep you humble."

"Thank you for that."

"I have something for you," Rose said, setting the box down on the vanity, covering half of James' note. "It was my mothers, and her mothers." She looked nervously at Emma and then opened the box. Encased in a velvet envelope was a delicate hairpin, a small flower at the top, small and slightly worn petals trailed by a small line of white pearls. Lily remembered seeing the hairpin when Rose had remarried David, and when Petunia had gotten married. She'd forgotten about it until now.

Lily reached out and ran her finger over it, memories flooding back to her, mainly of her and Tooney sharing flower girl responsibilities at Rose and David's wedding. Petunia had gotten to put the pin in Rose's hair.

Lily sat carefully on the vanity stool and looked in the mirror as her mum picked it up and looked over her hairdo to find a good place for it. Then she slid it into her hair as gently as she could. "Thank you, mum. It's beautiful."

"I hope it's alright with your people," She glanced at Emma.

"There is always room for tradition in weddings." Emma gave her a kind smile. Lily almost didn't recognize her like that. But then she checked her watch and started waving them out of the room. "Alright, out we go. We don't want to keep Gilderoy waiting."

"You hired Gilderoy?" Lily whined.

"He's a fantastic photographer."

"I know that, but he's always name dropping and I highly doubt he's ever met any of the people he talks about. He's a photographer from Gryffindor, he's not met Beyoncé or Taylor Swift."

"Remember that time he told you that he swam the English Channel in February?" Mary snorted. "I bet he wishes you had agreed to marry him instead of James."

"I'm sure he tells people that he turned me down." Lily shook her head and Mia chuckled, which Lily took as confirmation, even if that's not what she meant by laughing.

The pictures seemed to take forever, which was a little odd since they only had about an hour. Gilderoy wanted to take some inside, in the library, in the garden, on the steps of the palace. To which she had to remind him that they were not at the castle, so they could not make that happen. She took pictures with Mia and Montey, with Rose and David, with Anita, the most with Mary, Reggie was in a few of them, though he preferred to stay back. She knew that the tradition was to not have the bride and groom see one another until the wedding, but she wished that she had gotten to take a few pictures with James.

She didn't know what this need to see him was from, but it pulled at her all morning.

Soon she was sitting in the back of the car, in front of the church, waiting for security to give the okay that it was safe to get out of the car.

Anita was sitting next to her and she reached over and took her hand. "You've been very calm today."

Lily nodded.

"Are you alright?"

Lily nodded. Anita waited for further explanation.

"James wrote me a nice note this morning." Anita was still quiet. "I think I might be falling in love with him." She said this very quietly, but Anita still heard her. She squeezed her hand.

"Well, we weren't expecting that, were we?"

"No." Lily shook her head, not sure how she felt about the words being out there in the open. Mary was going to be pissed that she hadn't told her first. She hadn't been planning on saying them out loud just then, but didn't surprise her either. Something tugged on her heart again and she looked toward the church.

"Did he tell you that he love-"

"No." Lily shook her head. Though he had told her that all of this was destiny. He had looked her in the eye and told her that he believed in her, and in that moment, she had felt loved. "We've really only been dating for a week or so. There's no need to rush things."

Anita chuckled. "Sure, but you are getting married today, there's no reason to take things slowly either."

"I've never disagreed with you more." Lily laughed.

"What about when I claimed that hazelnut was superior to almond?"

Lily sucked in a breath through her teeth. "That is now in second place. Almonds are better."

"No one flavors their coffee with almond, Lily."

"Some people do! Almond extract is a thing!"

Moody knocked on the car and then pulled it open. Anita squeezed her hand again and then stepped out. She paused once standing and waited for Lily. Lily was a bit shocked to see that the security team had created a tunnel from the car to the church doors. They were standing on the bottom of a very large piece of white fabric and holding up the top part, forming a cube of sorts. Lily couldn't see any of them since they were standing on the other side of the thin fabric.

"We would have gotten ready here, but Emma wanted the pictures done at the house." Anita shrugged.

"I want more pictures here too," Emma grinned, squeezing her way into the tunnel. "I mean, this little tunnel that they made is pretty cool," She looked around and Anita clicked her tongue.

"No, Emma. We're not standing about outside until you can find a photographer."

"I know!" Emma shook her head. "I know, let's head in." She stepped around Anita and Lily and started for the church.

From then on, everything happened too quickly.

She wouldn't remember the rest of the walk into the church, or the little room that Emma had her wait in until they were ready. She wouldn't remember Mary continuously asking her if she needed anything. It wasn't nerves, at least she didn't think that it was. It was just a very big moment in her life and everything was coming into focus, which led to a bit of tunnel vision.

Before she knew it, the music had started playing and her gran was offering her an arm so that they could walk into the room together, so that they could greet all of the guests.

Anita gave her a small smile. "Are you ready, my love?"

Lily smiled back, but she didn't answer, she didn't know how to answer.

They faced the door and Lily bit down on her tongue, forgetting to breathe as the doors were pulled open.

Everyone stood and turned to face her as she and Anita took their first steps into the room. She tentatively looked around the room, finding the pews filled with people she hardly knew, finding the faces of the men who thought they could cow her into abdicating by enforcing this law. She stood up a bit straighter and looked forward. She wouldn't let them see her discomfort or her uncertainty.

She had prepared herself as best she could for this day and now it was here, and she could stand tall and walk down this aisle.

But then she looked at James.

Her eyes found his from where he stood at the front of the church, looking perhaps the most handsome she'd ever seen him, and looking at her as if she'd brought the sun with her when she walked into the room.

She was falling in love with this man and he was looking at her like she was the center of his universe.

"I can't do this." She said quietly. They had made it halfway down the aisle now, Anita hadn't heard her over the music, but Lily slowed down and that she noticed.

She looked at her carefully, putting a hand on top of Lily's and patting it. "Take a breath," She said quietly.

Lily stood up straighter, continuing to put one foot in front of the other as they moved down the aisle.

"I know this is frightening." Anita said quietly. "But you can do it. Once you are up there, you'll see your friends and family, not all these other people."

She thought Lily was worried about something completely different than what was actually causing Lily to feel as though someone was holding her back, as though she was fighting for every step forward.

She looked at James again, and just like always, he seemed to be able to read her emotions far better than anyone else. He gave her a small smile and shifted his weight from one foot to the other, and then he gave a single nod.

Like he could read her mind. It was impossible of course, Lily wasn't even sure what it was she was thinking just then, but she felt a sense of comfort and calm wash over her when he nodded. He supported her. He promised her that he would support her in whatever way she needed.

They reached the front of the church and Anita turned toward Lily and pulled her in for a hug. "I love you so much, my girl." She said, holding a moment longer than was expected. "And I always will, no matter what choices you need to make."

Perhaps her gran hadn't been misunderstanding Lily before.

She turned back toward James, who had walked down the steps to meet her, he held out his hand. "Alright?" He asked quietly.

She took his hand and squeezed it tightly. She wanted whatever it was she was feeling to dissipate now. She'd made it down the aisle, she made it through the church, she'd made it to James, she should feel better now, she should feel confident. Like she normally did when she found James. She'd wanted to see him all day, she'd wanted to stand next to him and let him calm her.

But it still felt like there was something squeezing her heart.

They stepped up and Lily heard the crowd sit down, and then there was white noise. She didn't hear the bishop start speaking.

She couldn't do this.

It was the clearest thought she'd had all day, even though she'd said it only a few moments ago. This time, when it rang through her head, it made sense to her.

She couldn't stand up here and get married to James. For a million reasons, she couldn't do this.

It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair to her, or to him, or to the country. It wasn't fair to all the women who came before her, to all the women she spoke for. It wasn't fair and she couldn't go through with it.

She stepped back into her body rather quickly, pulling her hands from James and taking a small step backward. "I can't do this." She said quietly.

The bishop had been in the middle of speaking and cleared his throat before he looked at her. "What was that, princess?"

"Lily," James said carefully.

"I can't," She shook her head and looked out at the crowd. She caught sight of Rosier first, the smile he wore should have made her stomach twist, but it actually offered her even more clarity. She looked back at James. "I can't marry you," She said, the corner of her mouth turning up slightly.

He looked confused, as though he was trying to mask the hurt, so Lily stepped toward him again, standing on her tiptoes so she could kiss him.

"Excuse me," The bishop shook his head, "That part comes later." Lily laughed, and she heard some other people laugh as well.

"I'm terribly sorry." Lily squeezed James' hand as she turned toward the bishop. "But I don't think your services are required at the moment."

"No? Why- What is going on?"

"Hopefully, progress." Lily smiled at him and then picked up her skirts as she stepped around the bishop and up to the small podium behind him.

She looked out at the sea of shocked and confused faces, finding a few of them to be vindictive, but that didn't bother her. For the first time since she heard that she would have to abdicate or enter into an arranged marriage, she felt like she had found her feet. And her voice.

"I will not be getting married today." She said, addressing the room at large. The gasps that came from the guests almost made her laugh, but that was probably the relief she was feeling. The relief at finally, finally feeling like she knew what she was doing again. "I know that you all came here to see me get married, but that's not going to happen, because the only reason that I was getting married today, was because of a law that I don't believe in, and that doesn't seem like a good enough reason. I will not be getting married today," She repeated.

There were a few scoffs that rang throughout the extremely silent room, and they were potent. Lily continued to smile as she looked around the room. "My grandmother, Anita Evans, has been successfully ruling this country without a man at her side since my father's passing, and I know that people have overwhelmingly approved of the work that she has done. I am so proud of the work that she has done.

So I'd like to ask you all, to think about what it is you're asking me to do today. You're asking me to get married to appease a law that should never have existed in the first place. Would you force your mothers, sisters, or daughters to do what you're trying to force me to do?" The silence continued and Lily had never felt more like she had lost a room, but she didn't lose her momentum or her hope. "I believe that I will be a great queen," She pushed forward. She had made a decision, one that after a month of confusion and discomfort, she finally felt sure of.

"I understand Gryffindor to be a land that draws beauty and tradition from the past, and combines it with all the best hope for the future. I have learned so much about my family, people that have loved and served you, the people of this great country, and I feel in my heart and soul that I can rule Gryffindor. I love this country.

I love this country so much, that I cast aside what I knew was right in my heart because I felt as though I didn't have any other choice. I am standing in front of all of you in a wedding dress that I had picked out for me because the members of parliament decided to only give me twenty eight days to get married." Not everyone in the room had been privy to that information, so that got a bit of a reaction, which was a relief because it broke the silence.

"I understand that you all require sacrificed from me, that you need to know that I am dedicated and loyal to promoting the welfare of this country and its people. But when I marry James, I want it to be because I love him, not because I had my position held hostage." She found Mary in the front row next to her mother, and Mary gave her a thumbs up, smiling hugely. Lily smiled a bit wider.

"I stand here, ready to take my place as your queen. Without a husband."

To Lily's eternal shock, people started to clap. She heard Sirius's voice shout 'Viva Queen Lily!' but most people were not quite that enthusiastic.

But it wasn't a negative reaction and that was something she could work with. If they didn't shut her down immediately here, then she had cracks to get between and push apart further.

"Every time,"

The clapping tapered off as everyone turned to Rosier, who stood up in the middle of the room and spun around slowly, addressing everyone before he looked at Lily. "Every time this charming and vivacious young woman opens her mouth, she demonstrates a contempt for the customs of Gryffindor." He turned to address the room now. "The law clearly states that an unmarried woman cannot be queen." And then his smirk turned in her direction. "Fortunately, there is another heir."

"One who is currently under investigation for slander, breaking multiple nondisclosure agreements and he also never finished college. Because he was expelled from his university." This was Dorcas Meadows, who stood beside her extremely baffled, elderly husband. She reached down and pulled him to his feet. "My husband and I believe that the crown should pass on to Princess Lily, regardless of whether or not she gets married today or twenty years from now. She is a bright, caring, confidant ray of light that this country could sorely benefit from. Right, Marcus?"

"Oh, um- yes, of course! Lily has already brought so many colorful and brilliant initiatives and ideas to the floor. She has a vision, and that is what makes a great leader." Lily was surprised to hear him speak so highly of her. He was usually so quiet.

"What kind words," Rosier's tone implied that he did not agree in the slightest. "I did not know we had decided to let our wives speak for us on government matters-"

"We're actually in a church at the moment," Marlene spoke up from beside her great aunt, "And parliament isn't in session, so I believe anyone is able to speak their mind right now."

"Who would be next in line for the throne? After Bertram?" Horace Slughorn asked. Lily's stomach pinched with nerves. She couldn't allow for that line of questioning.

"Bertram is a fantastic candidate. He is bright and young-"

"So is Lily!"

"We can't have women going around breaking laws!"

"Bertram would make a fine king."

"James would have made a fine king, can't we just make her marry him?"

"Sit down," Gordon's voice cut through everyone else's and all chatter immediately stopped. He stood from his seat and walked up to stand next to Lily on the podium. "Make a motion, Lily." He gave her an encouraging smile.

"Right," Lily nodded. "Prime Minister, I move to abolish the marriage law, as it applies to future and present queens of Gryffindor. Will anyone second my motion?" The room was quiet again, that silence that made Lily's heartbeat irregular. She did not relent though, she continued to look around the room at all of them.

"I second the motion," Marcus stood up again, though this time it did not appear to be at Dorcas' prodding. "I have strong and opinionated daughters, who's voices deserve to be heard just as much as my sons. This law does not reflect an equal society."

"Wonderful," Gordon nodded. "All those in favor of abolishing the marriage law, say 'aye.'"

Again, there was an uncomfortable pause while the men in parliament looked back and forth between one another. And then Lord Slughorn stood up. "I've always liked you, princess. Aye."

Lord Flitwick quickly followed, and then Lords Longbottom, Diggory, McMillian and so many others stood as well. Lily had to quell the swell of emotion that she felt at seeing this overwhelming support from a body that she normally felt did not support her.

Gordon smiled at her. "The ayes carry the motion. Congratulations, Princess Lily."

There was more clapping, and Lily could not believe what had just happened.

The law was gone. Just like that. She didn't have to get married and she got to keep her crown.

She'd won.

She saw Emma standing up in front of everyone and making an announcement, but she couldn't hear a word she was saying. Soon Moody was at her side and escorting her out of the main room, into a small side room where she would have gotten dressed had Emma not wanted pictures at the castle. Pictures that now meant nothing. It might have been the room she waited in before, but she couldn't remember.

Lily laughed and spun around after Moody left the room, telling her that someone would be in to help her change momentarily.

She did it.

She stood up for herself and what she believed in, and she actually got the men in parliament to agree with her, to see things from her point of view, and they abolished the law.

It would have been wonderful if they had done it a month ago when she first asked, but they were here now, and that was what was important.

There was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in!" Lily sang out, assuming that it would be Mary.

But of course, it was James.

Lily, who hadn't stopped smiling since people started saying 'aye,' beamed at James.

"Thank you for your note," She said, reaching into her bust and pulling the small slip of paper out and she took a step toward him, rubbing her thumb over the paper. "Didn't even mind that it made me cry, though it did concern your mum a bit."

James just looked at her.

"I didn't plan on calling it off." She said, suddenly fearful that he was hurt with what she had just done. That he might be thinking that she had kept him in the dark. "I would have told you if I had planned this. I got halfway down the aisle-"

"You said 'when.'" He interrupted.

"What?" She looked up at him, eyes wide.

He stepped closer and took her face between his hands. "You said 'when.' When you marry me."

Lily blinked at him and felt her cheeks heat up. Had she said that? She told this bloke that she fancied him a week ago. Of course, she had fancied him for longer than a week, but she'd still only known him for twenty-three days. But yes, she had said 'when.'

"It's like you said last night," She said quietly. "Call it fate or destiny. But this time, it is my choice. And I want to choose you. And I want to do it just because I want to do it, not because anyone else is telling me that I have to." She was smiling again, and the corners of his mouth quirked up. "You know, if you'll let me."

James brushed his thumb over her cheek, his eyes were sparkling like they had been that night at the State Dinner and he nodded. "I want to choose you too."

Lily's cheeks hurt as she continued to beam at him. "How lucky for us."

And then she kissed him.

Epilogue

The press hadn't been allowed in the church that day, but there had been one camera team that had been live casting the entire event to the entire world. The support that Lily received for standing by her ideals and fighting for equality, was astounding. There were a small percentage of people who believed that she was wrong to not marry James of course, and Mary seemed to be one of them.

"I just miss him is all," Mary said as the girls stood at the edge of the balcony, peeking out at the crowd below, trying to catch a glimpse of the Potters before the coronation began. "He doesn't live here anymore, and I've only got you to hang out with now."

"You think I should have gotten married so that you can have more people to hang out with?" Lily laughed.

"Yes," Mary nodded. "It's the nice thing to do."

"What are you two doing?" Lily turned to see her sister standing behind them with a hand on her hip. She had arrived with her family and their mum a few days ago. Lily had spent every day since then chancing her nephew through the halls.

"Don't act like Emma," Lily shook her head. "I'm just trying to spy on my boyfriend," She turned back around and looked over the crowd, smiling at herself when she called James her boyfriend. She had given back the ring, which felt very weird to do. But James had just smiled and quipped that she'd have to purpose to him next time.

It had been hard to adjust to James no longer living in the castle, since she had liked always having the option to walk down to his room or knowing that he could show up at her door at any moment. But she didn't regret anything.

The first week after everything, they had still gotten to spend a lot of time together, going on television to explain to everyone what had been going on behind the scenes, being honest about what their relationship was now and what it had been then. Emmeline Vance had laughed when she had them on air, remembering that everyone had assumed Lily was pregnant and that was why the wedding had come so soon. She even had Bertram on as a surprise guest, where he infuriated Lily by joking about how he had tried to trick her into giving up her throne. Though he had failed and was being so lighthearted about it, that the crowd had found all of his antics hilarious.

And then he announced that he would be running for Lord Rosier's Parliament seat in the fall, since Lord Rosier had decided to resign after he didn't get his way and lost the support of a few of his more slippery friends in parliament.

Lily wasn't upset about that. It didn't seem like a terrible trade off.

"I'm not acting like Emma," Petunia said. "Emma told me that if I found you two, I should drag you back to your room by your hair and I'm not doing that!"

"She's never not going to be upset with you," Mary poked Lily in the side. Lily rolled her eyes.

"I know. But it's not like I ruined everything!"

"Come on," Petunia waved her hand at them. "You do need to get in your dress."

"Just a couple more minutes." She turned back to the crowd just as James walked in with Sirius. Monty and Mia behind them. Both of the boys were looking for them, but Sirius spotted them first. He nudged James and nodded in their direction. James smiled up at them as Lily and Mary waved enthusiastically at the both of them. They didn't wave back though, lest they draw attention to Lily and Mary's hiding place.

So much had happened in the last month, so much that she couldn't have gotten through without James standing beside her and supporting her. He'd challenged her in ways that she needed to be challenged, he listened to her when she needed someone to listen. He hid biscuits in his pockets and let her cry all over his nice clothes. He told her that she looked like flowers and the sun, and he believed in her.

They had come so far in the last month, much farther than they should have had to, but Lily thought it was a blessing.

And now, they had all the time in the world and that thrilled her entirely.

"Alright," Lily stepped away from the curtain they'd been hiding behind. "I'm ready now."

an: Well shit. I was kind of starting to think that I'd never find a way to end this story.

I know it's probably not the ending that a lot of you thought was coming, but I do hope that you like it! This was my plan from the very beginning, and as I've told you all, a lot of my earlier plans got derailed entirely, so it feels good to have made hit the target in this instance.

This fic was so much fun to write! I can not tell you how much I appreciate all the support I've received from all of you since I've started posting this fic. Thank you so much to those of you who have been on the ride since the beginning, or those of you who binged the entire fic last night and those who will read it years from now!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I promise I'll be posting a new project shortly!