James loves his birthday, not just his birthday, everyone’s birthday, he loves celebrating that the people around him had lived another year of life. James knew that this was an achievement, a whole year full of adventures, sadness, laughter, jokes and love, he has always received much love from those around him.
It was his twenty-second birthday and the day had already started well.
James had just woken up to the crushing weight of a black-haired boy who was singing a happy birthday song off key and this boy happened to be his best friend.
"Happy birthday Jamie" Sirius said with the biggest smile the boy could manage, James could see that Sirius had a little teary eyes, this made James' heart light up, Sirius didn't used to get sentimental but the fact that he dd because of James's birthday, it just showed how much love James had around him.
"Thanks mate" James said as he raised his arms a little to hug Sirius who was still sprawled on top of James, actually James was beginning to have difficulty breathing from Sirius' weight. James didn’t knew how his best friends got inside his house, Regulus probably let them in.
"Pads, take off, I want to hug him too" Peter could be heard saying from behind them. "Yes, Padfoot share the birthday boy" then Remus's voice was heard and then James could see how the boy put his hand on Sirius's shoulder to remove him.
“Fine” Sirius said faking annoyance while he discreetly wiped his eyes from the rebel tears that escaped.
James sat up in bed to receive Peter's hug and then Remus's and finally his birthday kiss from his gorgeous boyfriend Regulus.
"Now... the gifts!" Sirius exclaimed, arriving with boxes wrapped in muggle magazine shreds simulating wrapping paper.
If James had to do his top three birthday rituals it would be, first the cake, second the party and third the gifts, don't get him wrong, he loves gifts, he just prefers to give them than to receive them, but there he was opening the last gift from Remus which was a new leather jacket and sunglasses.
"For today's outfit" Remus commented smiling at James. "Thank you Moony, this is so cool!" James said while standing up to put the jacket on and check himself on the mirror.
Thanks Merlin James birthday had landed in a Saturday, that meant no work and a massive party. Now James was sure that his friends had all planes the thing was, for James twenty two birthday they wanted to make it in the Griffyndor commo room to remember the good teenage days, after all, when was he going to be turning twenty two again? never, the problem was his fellow Griffyndor teacher, Lily Evans, not so newly professor of potions at Hogwarts was giving them a bit of a problem with that. They had already been given permission from Dumbledore and from Mcgonagall , asking Lily was simply courtesy and routine from they’re priors years at Hogwarts, he knew that he was going to convince her, but he also knew she was going to make him work for it, what Lily didn’t know was there were going to use their secret weapon: Remus John Lupin.
"No, that's my last answer," Lily said without even looking up from the book she was reading, "and don't give me those Sirius puppy dog eyes, I told you they only work with your brother, James and Remus."
"But Evans please, it's James's birthday, and not just any birthday, it's his sweet twenty two, you can't deny us a party" Sirius told Lily desperately. "No Sirius, I'm sorry, but I'm not going to let you bring alcohol and who knows what other substances into the common room, the common room isn't your and you aren’t even a student anymore, you know there are kids here, and you want to throw a massive illegal party I just won't allow it" Lily finished sternly closing the book she was reading and challenging Sirius with her eyes to tell her something else. It was time after lunch and all the preparations for the party were ready, the only thing missing was Lily permission, Peter and James had already tried the entire lunch hour and the next to convince Lily, it had always been a challenge to get Lily to approve of the parties, the marauders really didn't want to use their last resort but it was either that or James wouldn't be left without a party.
With a sigh, Sirius turned to look at his boyfriend who was admiring the failed attempt to persuade Lily in front of him, Remus was sitting on the chair in front of the sofa where they were trying to convince Lily, when Sirius turned to look at him, he knew it was his moment to shine. Remus got up and walked over to the couch where Lily was sitting, took her hand in his and put on his best face. "Lily, we've got it all figured out, we just want, no, we need your approval," Remus said as gently and convincingly as he could. Lily looked at Remus and then to his other three friends waiting for an answer, you couldn’t really say no to Remus John Lupin. "Even if I say no, you are going to have the party, right?" Lily said as a matter of fact. "Yes... but it will be good if you say you agree with it" said Peter sheepishly. Lily sighed in defeat. "Let's give James his sweet twenty two" the redhead said as she smiled. The boys cheered as they gave each other high fives. "Just one thing, we do it when are sure all the students are in bed and we put silencing charms on their dorms so we don't disturb them" Lily exclaimed pointing a finger at the four boys. "Consider it done, Lilypad" James said with the biggest smile of all.
The party was at its climax, everyone was having fun and enjoying themselves, James was having the time of his life with his friends and all fellow and ex students of Hogwarts, he had really missed this place, but now it was cake time.
The music stops and James sees Regulus and Sirius carrying a huge cake in front of where James is standing, while the entire party sings Happy Birthday. For this very reason, James's favorite part was the cake, many people found it uncomfortable, not James, took this moment to appreciate and thank everything that had happened to him in his year of life, recognize all the people who had been with him at all times, fill up and let himself feel all that love they were giving him, observe how each year one more candle was added to the cake, and congratulate himself because he had achieved another year of life. Also James loves to be the center of attention.
"... to youuuuu!" the song had just ended and everyone was looking at James. "Make a wish" Regulus said beaming at James, he looked at the boy and smiled more if that was possible, they had been in a relationship for years now and James didn’t get tres of seeing him smile and he was so proud he could reunite Sirius and Regulus again, but that was another story.
A wish, what to wish, James thought he had it all, he couldnt wish anything more than that for the moment to last for ever, but he knew that it would be a waste of a birthday wish, after all everything most come to and end. So he thought, and he thought hard, until it reached him. The perfect birthday wish.
"Come on James, this is heavy" Sirius complained, still holding the cake, waiting for James to make the wish. "You're such a baby" James teased.
One
Two
Three
'I wish for another year of life with this amazing people around me’.
James blew out the candles without difficulty.
Cheers and claps could be heard from all around the room. “Who wants cake?!” James yell to the crowd.
The party had been fantastic, it was 4:00 am and James and Reg were already cuddle in bed, at their home, Regulus had just gave James his birthday gift, that type of gift that only Regulus could give to James. Sleep was washing over them and James was just enjoying the moment post coital and appreciating everything he lived in his birthday. “Did you had a nice birthday love?” Reg mumbled half sleep. “The best” James answered kissing Regulus, when thy broke apart James heard a faint “Happy birthday James Potter” from Reg. James smile while holding him tighter and he felt asleep.
James didn’t knew about anyone else but he was feeling twenty two.