Lily Evans Potter

Normally, I’m the blunt one.

Then this wouldn't be any exception.

His lips curved into a smirk.  ”Good, because I do love my red. I would be happy with wall to wall red you know.” He knew that his wife probably handled this a bit more understated, which was okay too.  ”Oh you know it. I’m only with you for all the red, and yes, your hair is still very red, my ginger queen.” He then laughed at his own words and kissed her cheek, before handing her a small package  ”Okay so here’s my corny present but no laughing at me, okay?”  He smiled at her again a little shyly as he waited for her to open it. 

Taking the little package from it, she inspected it curiously, turning it over and even shaking it for a moment to no avail. "Corny? Now I'm definitely curious." It didn't take long for her to peel back the wrapping, only to find a stack of skinny papers in her hand. They were bound together (magically, she guessed), and if the first one made her raise her eyebrows and flush slightly, the rest certainly didn't reverse the reaction. They were, however, accompanied by a few laughs, until finally she looked up at James again. "You're completely awful. But I love it. This is very clever." Holding up the booklet, she shook her head with another chuckle. "And I'm going to have to use them very strategically."

LIly’s Anniversary Present - Coupon Book - 2/2

LIly’s Anniversary Present - Coupon Book - 1/2

Listening to her describe what she had done for the next gift and he smiled at her. “Wait, are you trying to tell me that we’re going to actually have a bedroom that’s not the boring look that looks like it’s 100 years old.”  James loved their cottage, but Godric’s Hollow wasn’t the most modern place in the world, so it was really nice that she did something like that.  ”That’s really amazing though.  Tell me though, is it something that has at least a little red somewhere? You know I’ve got to have some red in every room. It’s why I married you, you know.” 

"Of course there's some red in there," she chuckled, looking at James. The whole thing wasn't red as he might have wanted it to be, but she hadn't forgotten to include some aspects of the color. "That's the only reason you paid attention to me in the first place," her eyes lit up in amusement. "And now, one year later, you're still stuck with me. Luckily for you, my hair's still just as red." Her fingers ran through it demonstratively.

Well no, and I mean I know it’s important to you, but if she decides to suck, you can’t stop her.

I believe that's what I just said, only in blunter terms.

I know but I mean, she should let you be in their life.

I would enjoy that very much, but I cannot force her to do anything.

It does reverse things but I bring a lot financially.  You think you won’t ever meet the child?

I don't know, and I hate not knowing.

If I told you to do chores, you’d hit me. And I don’t have a job.

Exactly. I'm the only one making money, which rather reverses things. Though I still get to be the one having the child, regardless. I admit part of me is sad at the thought that I could become an aunt but never meet the child.

He’d make a good pureblood elitist.

To be fair, most men go to work and expect household chores to be done. And Petunia loves household chores. She loves order. I just hope she's not so eager to have a child so there's someone around more often.

Your sister?

Yeah. I know it's not my place to pry, but I just don't see Vernon as the 'constantly at home and helping her here and there' type of guy.

Well that’s true. I mean, sometimes people who are married decide that it’s time to start trying, after a certain length of time being married and all. 

I just wonder how supportive he'll be. I wonder if, well... I wonder if maybe she's a little lonely.

I think I’ve grown up a bit. But let’s pretend I’m not judgmental. Tell me more about your sister’s desire to procreate.

Well, Mum didn't write a ton since it's rude to convey too much personal information through the post, but she said Petunia talked with her about how she wants to have a child. As you know, they've been married for a little while now, and Vernon is apparently settled nicely into her job, and a few of the people with whom she's friendly already have children.

I’m better than I used to be.

And I'm very glad for it.

They were justified.  I can still be very judgmental.

You just proved that wonderfully. Though I know I shouldn't spend so much effort in trying to make both of you less critical.

When I was like that, you didn’t like me. 

You weren't my family member, and I had no proof that your actions were in any way justified.

Smiling at her reaction, he leaned in and kissed her.  ”I’m glad you like it. I think everyone can use generic boring parchment but my mum used to always say that an owl can mean a lot, so you might as well do it in style, love.”  He really found that he remembered so much of what his mother taught him so much of the time, and he knew that one day, when he and Lily had a baby, she’d be the best mother ever too. 

"I really like it," Lily's gaze was directed down to the gift as she ran her hand gently over the piece of parchment that rested on top. Maybe she had already expressed such a sentiment, but still, it was a beautiful gift. "Now," she spoke up, remembering she still had another present for James and so she shouldn't just sit there admiring what he had given her. "Your second gift isn't something I could wrap in a bow and hand to you, and I admit it's somewhat for us rather than just you. In any case, you know that I've been working to update and furnish the cottage. For the past several months, I worked on getting everything together needed to redecorate our bedroom, and once we left, Blinky went to work snapping all of it into order. Is that lame?" a hopeful half-smile lit up her face.