lilies *James Potter*

Chapter 14

"I can't believe you dragged me here. I don't even have a reasonable need or want for a connection for these people." Regulus complains with a pout as Liliena drives, following the red minivan as James and Sirius pull in first to a driveway that could be missed easily. There was a small beat of music, Bruno Mars in the background so they weren't sitting in complete silence on the way to their destination.

"Because you love me enough not to let me suffer alone." She tells him as the house comes into view.

It was a large manor—stones than panel and three stories high. The front yard was blooming with winter flowers that looked carefully placed. There was a white gazebo in the far distance that had dark green ivy growing, noticeable from the white contrast to the large green pine trees that mainly surrounded the home. But everything from the moment she had pulled in was radiating off a homey feeling.

She hasn't even met the people yet and already felt one step in the door to feel at home. But she still felt cautious. The niceness could be put on for show, not that she doubted James. But it also comes from Sirius, yes, she will doubt in some.

"Ready?"

"I feel like I should be asking you that." He grumbles but unclicks his belt and pushes open the door simultaneously. Liliena rolls her eyes at him while doing the same in addition to turning off the car and slipping the keys into her pocketbook purse.

By then, James had already grabbed a non-see-through tote that he managed to hide the planned presents inside the morning by waking up at the crack of dawn to also make breakfast which contained eggs, two styles, and pancakes from scratch.

It was a little later than one as Sirius made his way to the front door knocking in a rhythmic pattern with a smile blooming on his face. Regulus and Liliena eyes the door waiting for it to open. It took less than ten seconds, but a man with a salt-and-pepper coloring hair opened the door and quickly pulled Sirius into a hug beaming a smile that could match James without a second thought.

It was an interesting sight for Liliena. She was imagining James' father next to him along with Harry and it might as well be looking at a child growth chart from how many similarities the three shared.

From the mess of curls on their head, the round thin-framed glasses, a bright and cheery personality that could be spotted from a mile away.

Liliena makes a quick mental note to hope that the babies don't come out as another copy-paste situation that she was now seeing.

That would be a disappointment.

James' father lets go of Sirius just as his mother appears behind her husband with Harry running out the front door. His father pressed a kiss to his wife's temple as she noticed James with the large tote in hand as Harry tackled James' legs.

"Jamie-boy, what you got there?"

"A box full of presents he insists on not letting me see," Sirius complains as Liliena and Regulus make their way closer to the group.

She could feel herself tensing as they walked on the pavement.

What if they didn't like her? What if they don't approve? What if they make James leave her or convince him to do the worst-case-scenario stuff she couldn't even think of on the spot?

Instead, his mother lands her eyes on her and instantly smiles which makes the smile wrinkles on her face dig deeper into what was laid naturally on her tanned complexion. She leaves her husband's side making her way through the cold. "You must be Liliena."

"Uh... yeah. Yes. That's me."

"I'm Euphemia. But you can call me Effie, James said you weren't able to make it but here you are."