"What?"

"Come here." Lily was in the process of taking off her wedding dress, and James was in the den lounging on the couch. He could hardly stand not seeing her; he wanted to be near her every second for the rest of his life.

"James, I'm only half-dressed. Just a mintue."

"Lily, darling, I'm not one of your goggling boyfriends, I'm your husband. Come here."

Lily came into the den where James was sitting on the couch in front of the fire. She looked at him questioningly as she buttoned a shirt. It was the only thing she was wearing save for her underwear. James took his glasses off, revealing his gleaming gaze, and beckoned to her.

She went over to him, waiting dutifully, and was taken by surprise when James placed his hands on her hips and started rubbing his face against her stomach.

"What are you doing?" Lily said.

"Something far worse than goggling," James replied. He moved his hands under her shirt, and his fingers traced the hem of her panties. Lily was subtly taken over by love and pleasure, so overcome with happiness that when James stood abruptly it startled her.

His smiling hazel eyes melted into hers; they kissed. James's lips moved gently away from her mouth across her cheek and down her neck. Lily's arms tightened around his naked back and she kissed his chest, treasuring the feeling of his heartbeat against her lips. She looked up, wanting to kiss him again, but James was staring pensively into the fire as he absentmindedly entangled his hands in her hair.

"Are you all right?" Lily asked. James looked back at her, changing his expression.

"Yes. Yes, of course I am."

"You're worrying about something."

James's eyes flickered. "There's always something to worry about these days."

"Not here. Not with us," Lily said softly.

James smiled, genuinely happy and comforted. "No. Not with us." Their eyes locked again.

Lily kissed his chest briefly. "I can never reach you when I want to. I'm far too short to kiss your lips."

"And far too tall for other things."

Blushing, Lily was going to protest, but was cut off with a kiss.

"Let's go upstairs," James murmured against her lips.

"You're tired?"

"Hell, no, I've got way too much energy pent up from standing around all day."

"Oh, no," Lily groaned teasingly, as she allowed James to lead her up the staircase.

~*

Upstairs, James and Lily kissed with their arms around each other; they had no intention of rushing things, feeling perfectly content in the concept of being eternally together. The firelight made their golden rings shine on their hands. James broke the kiss off.

"Hey, Lily?" he said quietly, falling into her emerald gaze.

She nudged her nose against his and smiled. "What?"

"This might be a stupid question, seeing as how we're married, but I feel like I should ask . . ."

Lily raised her eyebrows inquiringly. What on earth did James Potter feel like he had to ask for? "What?"

James grinned, almost bashfully. "Will you sleep with me?"

She only looked at him, taken aback for a moment -- then she let out a soft laugh, her eyes shimmering. "Yes."

James smiled at her happily, and Lily mirrored his gaze. He kissed her softly, then gathered her up in his arms and kissed her again. She stood on her tip-toes to reach him better, and they drew apart slightly to look at each other and smile again, pure joy overpowering everything else in their world.

I only recently gained the ability to draw the line between what I need and what I want. Too often have I confused the latter for the former; Lily opened my eyes to that, among so many other things.

Tonight, I knew what I wanted and I knew what I needed, and they were completely different. I wanted her -- her skin, her body -- I wanted to satiate the fantasies I'd been having about this girl since I was seventeen.

But what I needed -- what we needed was not lust, not thoughtless passion, but assurance: simple assurance that we are together, that I am hers and she is mine. There was passion, yes, and pleasure, definitely, but I know she was surprised. I was rather surprised myself. I still can't believe she let me in.

I lie here next to her, not hugging her, not touching her, just watching. The dying fire plays shadows and light across her face. Her lips part slightly as she breathes. Her eyes are closed and unmoving; peaceful, dreamless. Even in the dark, her red hair is a sharp contrast against pure white sheets and her pale skin. Honestly, I've never seen anything more beautiful in my entire life, and knowing that that is only the chocolate cover on the heaven-sent creamy filling of her amazing mind sends me reeling with wonder. I still cannot believe she let me in. I still can't believe that the mouth that blackened all my unnecessary dignity years ago is the same mouth that gave me gentle whispers of affection hours before.

God, is it possible for a man to love this much? Is it possible that she could love me just as much? I've had assurance but I want more -- want, not need. Like a dog that knows how to pine for a bone, I know that if I hurt, Lily will comfort me, and if I need she'll give me anything. Right now I'd rather not take advantage of that. The scarcity of her touch and affection only makes it that much more precious to me when I truly need it.

I'm planning to need a lot during our honeymoon. I'm only human. But right now I just want to watch her sleep.