Unofficial Portkey Archive

A/N: Thank you all again for your awesome feedback- we both love reading your comments! This is another bit of a filler chapter, but it brings in a love interest for a character who *cough* really hasn't gotten any yet in this story ;) We hope you like this new character :D

Also- some of you seemed to be under the impression that Allie and Jon are sleeping together- they are not shagging- who thinks Neville would go crazy if he found them like that?? ;)

Again- please take a few seconds after reading to let us know what you think! We'd greatly appreciate it if you do!!

Forgive Me - Evanescence

Can you forgive me again?
I don't know what I said
But I didn't mean to hurt you

I'd give anything now
to kill those words for you

Allison and Frankie were sitting in the Potters' sitting room along with the whole crew of Weasley children waiting for Luke, Anna and Lizzy to arrive. "And I want you boys to be nice to her," Luna lectured her eldest sons.

"We'll be on our best behaviour," Jon promised, winking at Allison.

"We don't even know her," Josh protested.

"Of course you do," Luna replied. "You used to play together all the time when you were kids Josh."

"And she goes to school with us," Allison chimed in. "She's a Ravenclaw prefect."

"Thanks, Allie," Josh muttered. "Look all I'm saying is that I don't want to spend the rest of my holiday showing some daft girl around..."

"Joshua Lawrence," Luna said sternly. "Lizzy is not daft."

"Really," Allison said. "She's a really nice girl. We're good friends."

"Mummy says that you and Lizzy used to take baths together," Maddie said plopping herself down into her brother's lap.

"Mum!" Josh asked, blushing.

Allison laughed. "That's adorable."

"Josh, don't look so embarrassed," Luna chided him. "You were three years old at the time and it was that summer we all went to Brighton."

"Right," Josh muttered.

Maddie giggled. "Dolly took a bath with me last night!"

"Really?" Allison asked. "And nothing bad happened?"

Maddie shook her head. "She likes the bubbles."

"You mean to tell me that your mad Cornish pixie managed to take a bath without throwing water or pouring bubble bath all over the place?" Jon asked his little sister.

Maddie shook her head. "She's being a good girl. Just like me."

"That's right," Luna kissed her daughter's cheek. "My Maddie's a very good girl."

Maddie beamed. "Since I've been so good can I go with Daddy tomorrow when he takes Drew and Darla shopping?"

Ron's ears perked up at this. "Pardon me? Luna, what's this about me going shopping?"

Luna looked at him nonplussed. "I told you last night, you have to take Drew and Darla shopping for dress robes to wear to Julie's party next week."

"Why do I have to do it?" Ron asked. He didn't mind spending time with his daughters. What he did mind, however, was shopping---unless it was for a new broomstick or the latest comic book.

"Because I have to go to Daddy's office and help him out," Luna replied.

Ron looked pleadingly at his twin daughters. "You girls don't need new dress robes, do you?"

Drew grinned. "Yes, we do. We outgrew our old ones."

"But..." Ron faltered for a moment.

"I'll give you a cookie," Luna teased her husband.

"Just one?" Ron asked cheekily.

"All right, a few," Luna kissed him.

"Gross," Drew said. "You guys kiss all the time!"

"Not as much as my mum and dad," Ethan chimed in.

"No one could snog as much as your mum and dad," Josh teased. Josh grinned devilishly at Jon. "Well except for Jon maybe. How was your date last night?"

Jon and Allison both turned red. "We had a good time," Jon said hastily.

"Where'd you go?" Frankie asked trying to sound like she couldn't care one way or the other.

"Out," Allison said. "You're not getting any information from me Francesca. And Mum put a new charm on my diary so you can't get into it anymore."

"As if I care what you do," Frankie said walking out of the room in a huff.

"So," Jon said pulling Allison closer. "How many pages did our little date take up in this diary? One? Two? Six?"

"Jon!" Allison whispered.

"More than six?" Jon asked nudging her playfully.

"It was more than six," Frankie called out from the next room. "She spent nearly an hour writing about it when she came home!"

"Excuse me," Allison said, getting to her feet. "I'm going to go and kill my sister..."

Jon grinned as Allison ran from the room. Frankie's scream was heard several seconds later.

"Nice going Jon," Josh said without a trace of jealousy.

"Who me?" Jon asked innocently. The doorbell chimed and everyone got silent as all of the adults scurried for the door to welcome Anna, Luke and Lizzy.

"You'd think they were famous or something," Josh said, getting up on the sofa.

"They haven't seen them in awhile," Jon said, pushing his brother forward. "Remember what Mum said...be a good boy."

"Why does everyone keep talking about her in front of me?" Josh asked, annoyed.

"Because you used to take baths together?" Maddie suggested.

Jon, Drew, Darla and Ethan cracked up as Josh turned bright red. "Shut up Maddie."

"Anna!" Hermione squealed. "Look at you!"

"Hi Hermione," the redhead hugged her. "You look wonderful... Minister!"

Hermione laughed. "Anna, please..."

"Well, you are!" Anna said. "And you're glowing! What gives? That trip to Hillsdale must have done wonders for you...."

"More than you know," Hermione laughed. "I'm pregnant again!"

"WHAT?" Anna squealed. "That's fantastic!"

"Only about a month along," Hermione hugged Luke. "Lizzy! Look at you love you're so gorgeous!"

Lizzy smiled shyly at Hermione. "Thank you, Minister Potter."

"You know you can call me Hermione," she replied. "All the kids are waiting for you in the sitting room if you'd like to go in."

"I'll show you the way," Luna said helpfully. "They're all really excited to see you again, Lizzy."

"Great," Lizzy replied. She of course was looking forward to seeing Allison, but the person she wanted to see most was Josh Weasley.

Everyone looked up when the door to the sitting room opened and Luna walked in flanked by a girl with blonde hair that she wore in two plaits. She wore a pair of denim shorts, green t-shirt, glasses and sandals. It was Maddie who spoke first.

"You used to take baths with my brother," she said innocently.

"Maddie!" Luna gasped as Josh turned an even brighter red shade.

Maddie shrugged. "Well, she did!"

Lizzy was also a deep shade of red. "Hi Allie," she covered, hugging her friend.

"Hiya, Lizzy," Allison said looking over at Jon who was trying not to laugh.

Luna stepped forward. "And you remember Drew and Darla, of course. And Hermione and Harry's youngest, Ethan... and the smirking redhead over there is Jon, of course. And you remember, Josh..."

"Yes," Lizzy said smiling at him. "Hello, Josh."

"Hi," Josh muttered.

"You've got quite the tan," Lizzy commented. "Mum told me you lot when on holiday recently."

"Yes we did," Allison pulled her down on the sofa as Luna went back into the hallway with the other adults. "I have so much to tell you."

"Does this have anything to do with the fact that you were standing beside Jon Weasley and holding his hand when I came in here?" Lizzy asked grinning at her friend.

"Maybe," Allison giggled.

"What's the story with Josh?" Lizzy asked. "I thought you fancied him?"

Allison pulled Lizzy away from Frankie, who was listening to every word. "Well... at the beginning of holiday I did... but then Jon asked me out. And he's so sweet Lizzy." she lowered her voice. "He's told me he loves me."

Lizzy smiled. "That's great, Allie! You know I always thought he fancied you!"

"That's what he told me too," Allison looked over at her boyfriend who was currently teasing his brother.

"And have you told him that you love him, too?" Lizzy asked. "Don't answer that, Al. One look at you and I can tell. You do, don't you?"

Allison nodded, her cheeks going pink. "He's really amazing Lizzy. We've been going out nearly every night since we got back here."

"That's great, Allie," Lizzy said. She chanced a look at Josh who was now talking to Ethan. "So, Josh isn't still hung up on Julie, is he?"

"No," Allison shook her head. "Wait a minute..."

Lizzy blushed. "What?"

"You fancy him," Allison whispered. "I can't believe I never saw it before! All those times you were watching him in the library or the Great Hall!"

Looking up sheepishly at her friend, Lizzy nodded. "You're not mad, are you? I didn't say anything before because I knew how you felt about him..."

"Lizzy!" Allison hugged her. "I'm so sorry for going on about him all the time now!"

"It's okay," Lizzy said, relieved that her friend wasn't mad. "Do you think I might have a chance?"

"I don't see why not," Allison replied. "I have an idea- this week we'll double! I'm sure Josh will agree to go!"

"Really?" Lizzy asked. "I'm not so sure."

"I'll make sure he goes," Allison promised. "This will be so fun!"

"I think I'm going to go and try and talk with him," Lizzy said as Josh was now alone. "Wish me luck."

"Good luck," Allison went and joined her boyfriend on the sofa, giving Lizzy an encouraging smile.

"Hi," Lizzy said softly approaching Josh.

"Hi," Josh said. "Look I'm sorry about what Maddie said earlier. I don't remember seeing you naked... I mean taking a bath or anything," his face reverted back to red.

"We were only three at the time," Lizzy said with a laugh. "And if it makes you feel any better, I don't remember seeing you starkers either."

"Okay then," Josh said nervously. She was standing awfully close.

"Your little sister is really cute," Lizzy said motioning to where Maddie was playing with Drew. "Outspoken, but cute."

"Get used to it," Josh stuck his hands in his pockets. "She remembers everything she hears."

Lizzy smiled. "Kids are like that though. I'm sure we were when we were her age."

"Probably," Josh looked over at his brother and Allison, who were laughing about something together and off in their own world.

"You don't say much, do you?" Lizzy asked grinning at him. "Or maybe it's because I make you uncomfortable?"

"That's silly," Josh said. "Why would you make me uncomfortable?"

"Don't know," Lizzy said with a shrug. "It was just a guess."

"Well you don't," Josh said.

"Good," Lizzy said nodding. "I hope to see a lot of you while I'm here, Josh. I'd really like us to get to know each other better."

He stared at her a moment. "You do?" he asked.

"I do," Lizzy said with a grin. "I'm going to go and say hello to Mr. Potter." She started to walk away, but turned around and grinned broadly at him. "I'll see you later, Joshua."

"Bye Lizzy," he was still staring at her.

"You okay over there, Josh?" Jon asked.

"I'm fine," Josh answered absently.

"Hey Josh, why don't me and Jon double with you and Lizzy tonight?" Allison asked innocently.

"What does double mean?" Maddie asked.

"It means two of something," Frankie said, looking crossly at her sister.

"You mean like two dates?" Maddie asked. She looked at Josh. "You should go, Josh. That'd be fun!"

"Yeah thanks Mad Dog," Josh said sarcastically.

"Come on Josh," Allison said. "You know we'd have a good time."

"I don't even know her, Allie," Josh asked. He held up a hand. "And please don't anyone tell me yet again that we used to take baths together, okay?"

"I wasn't going to!" Allison protested.

"No but I was," Jon said mischievously.

"Josh..." Allison drew out his name. "Come on, please?"

"I don't know," Josh said hesitantly. "We won't have anything to talk about and we'll have to watch the two of you snog all night..."

"You're just making up excuses," Allison narrowed her eyes.

"Okay," Josh asked. "But the two of you better behave yourselves. I mean it, Jon."

"Right," Jon smirked. "We always behave ourselves."

"Okay, fine," Josh conceded. "I'll go."

"This is so unfair!" Frankie exclaimed. "She's been here less than five minutes and she gets to go on a date!"

"Francesca, shut up," Allison rolled her eyes. "You're too young to date!"

"Am not!" Frankie retorted.

"Are too," Allison said. "Now stop it before I tell everyone about... the knickers," she grinned evilly.

"Fine," Frankie said stalking out of the room. "I'm always too young for everything!"

"Relax will you?" Allison shouted after her. "In three years you can do anything you want!"

"She really needs to get over that," Ethan deadpanned. "It's really getting old."

"I agree Ethan," Jon replied. "Well said."

"Besides why would you want to date anyway?" Ethan asked.

"Ask yourself that in about six years," Josh answered him. "You'll realise girls aren't as bad as you think."

Ethan just shook his head. He looked around the room for Jon and Allison who had disappeared. "Where'd they go?" Ethan asked.

"Do you really want to know?" Drew asked, sitting back against the sofa.

"Eew," Ethan said crinkling up his nose. "Disgusting!'

Josh laughed at him. "I can't wait for you to start liking girls. I'm going to take the Mickey out of you so bad."

"You're going to be waiting a long time," Ethan retorted. "A long, long time."

"Right," Josh suddenly felt better about the impending evening as he mussed Ethan's hair. Much better.

*** *** ***

Ron coughed as he was hurled through the Floo network back to Harry and Hermione's place. He'd gone back to Ireland in the afternoon to check up on his shops, as he'd been gone since they went to Hillsdale. He was pleased to see that everything had been running smoothly, with only a few minor problems he and his fellow workers had been able to take care of quickly.

"Hi Daddy!" Maddie grinned up at him from the floor where she was playing dolls with Drew and Darla. His three daughters jumped up and gave him a tight hug.

Ron got down on his knees and hugged them back. "How are my girls this afternoon?"

"Good," Drew said, smiling. "And mum said to remind you again that we were going shopping tomorrow."

"Of course," Ron replied. He lowered his voice. "And afterwards how about we make a quick stop at the sweets shop?"

"We won't tell Mummy," Drew said conspiratorially.

"Right," Ron kissed each one of them on the cheek. "I hope we're having dinner soon. Daddy's starving."

"We are," Darla said. "Uncle Harry's in the kitchen cooking. He wanted you to come and see him when you got in, Dad."

"Okay," Ron said, ruffling Darla's red hair. He strode into the kitchen, whistling. "What's going on mate? Need help making dinner?"

Harry looked over his shoulder at his best friend. "No, I think I've got it covered. How's everything back home?"

"Everything's great," Ron said. "What are you making?"

"Spaghetti," Harry replied. "Is that okay with you, Weasley?"

"It's fine." Ron said. "Why are you so snappish tonight?"

"Sorry," Harry said turning around to look at his friend properly. "It's Julie. I'm really worried about her, Ron. She was finally doing okay, you know? Having Josh here has been fantastic and Chiaki got her to go out last night. And then..."

Ron bit his lower lip. "So how about I set the table?" he asked changing the subject rapidly.

"She is your goddaughter, Ron," Harry said. "I would have thought you'd be concerned about her well-being."

Ron sighed. "I am concerned," he said.

Harry nodded. "I'm sorry, Ron. None of this is your fault, of course. I just hate seeing her like this. Last night, I found her sitting in the dark, crying her eyes out. Your...nephew....he's back."

"I know," Ron said, knowing he would risk Harry's wrath by telling him this. "I saw him the other night..."

"What?" Harry asked narrowing his eyes. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"What should I have said?" Ron asked. "Nick's back, how about we have him over for dinner?"

"You could have bloody told me, Ron!" Harry retorted. "I could have warned, Julie. Well, if you're in such close contact with him, you can tell him to stay the hell away from my daughter!"

"He loves her Harry," Ron said quietly. "He came here to try and win her back. You don't understand what he had to do-"

"I don't care," Harry interjected angrily. "I should have known not to let her get involved with him. When I found out about the two of them, I should have stopped it. But, I didn't want him to feel that he had to sneak around like I had to do with Hermione. I wanted to give him a chance, Ron! And I did, and we all saw how well that worked out, don't we?"

''You don't understand," Ron said as if Harry hadn't interrupted him. "It was my bloody sister and Malfoy that put him up to it."

"Yeah, right," Harry retorted turning back around to the stove. "He kept telling us how he didn't care what they thought or what they did. He kept telling us he was his own man, Ron. Look, I know he's your nephew, but I don't want him anywhere near my family."

"Do you think I'd bloody lie to you about this?" Ron crossed his arms and glared at his friend. "I love Julie like she's one of my own. I'd never hurt her willingly."

"I know that, Ron," Harry said quietly. "But she is hurting. And your nephew is to blame. Forgive me if I don't want to just forgive and forget."

"I don't expect you to just forgive and forget," Ron replied. "Neither does Nick. He just wants the chance to explain things."

Harry shook his head. "You've known this kid for how long, Ron? He was raised by Draco Malfoy! How can you be so sure he isn't lying to you?"

"He's family Harry. I just know," Ron said.

"Ginny's your family, too," Harry pointed out.

"Good point," Ron sat heavily in a chair. "It's a sense I have. I trust him. Despite what he did to Julie, he's been nothing but respectful to me. And I don't think he'd have come back here to face you all out of spite. What would be in it for him?"

Harry didn't want to admit that Ron had a point.

"So what do you want me to do?" Harry asked.

Ron shrugged. "Give him a chance. I don't expect you to force Julie to face him but at least hear him out."

"I don't know," Harry said.

"Harry come on, how long have we been mates?" Ron asked. "I wouldn't do this to hurt you or your family."

"Okay," Harry said. "But only because of you..."

Ron grinned. "Really? You'll talk to him?"

"Against my better judgment, yes--I'll talk to him," Harry replied.

"Fantastic," Ron said, amazed that his friend was being open about it. "You're the best Harry."

"Tell me something I don't know," Harry said with a grin.

"Well you already know you're a rabbit." Ron replied cheekily.

"And proud of it," Harry said smugly.

"Dad?" Jon asked coming into the kitchen.

"Hey Jon," Ron cuffed his son.

"Dad!" Jon protested laughing. "Come on. I have something very important to ask you."

"Sure," Ron grinned.

"I know me and Allie have been out every night since we've been back," Jon began.

"And you want to go out again tonight?" Ron finished for him.

Jon nodded. "It's okay with Al's mum and dad if it's okay with you. And there's something else, too..."

"What's that?" Ron asked, helping himself to a piece of garlic bread.

"Josh and Lizzy want to come along," Jon answered, grabbing a piece of bread for himself.

"Okay," Ron said agreeably.

"Lizzy and Josh," Harry said. "Didn't they used to take baths together when they were babies?"

Jon grinned maniacally. "Yes, they did. And make sure to bring that up at dinner, too. Josh loves hearing about that."

"Funny," Ron replied, grabbing two more pieces of bread.

"Hey want to leave some for dinner?" Harry asked, snatching the basket away.

"Hey!" Ron protested. "I only had two or three pieces."

"Aye and that's enough to tide you over," Harry set it aside. "So you and Allison are getting on quite well Jon?"

Jon nodded happily. "Really well."

Harry smiled at him. "That's good to hear. She's a sweet girl."

"That she is," Jon agreed. "Can I ask you something, Uncle Harry?"

"Of course you can," Harry said, stirring the spaghetti around.

"I think Allie's dad likes me," Jon said sitting down at the table. "But he doesn't act around me like he used to before I started going out with Allie. He hasn't said anything to you, has he?"

Harry looked at Ron and they both chuckled. "Jon Neville likes you just fine. It's just hard for him to see Allie grow up and start dating." Ron replied.

"Aye," Harry agreed. "I was the same way with Julie. And you know Jon, if it wasn't you, they wouldn't have allowed Allison to date yet. Cho and Neville both trust you with their girl."

Jon smiled. "Good, I was really worried."

"Don't be," Harry replied.

"That's right," Ron nodded, trying to swipe another piece of bread. "You're my son and you do no wrong."

Harry slapped Ron's hand. "Shame the same can't be said about your father."

"Ow!" Ron said. "Damn it Harry."

"Try it again and you'll see what happens," Harry said moving the bread basket again.

Ron shook his head. "I wasn't going to eat anymore. My son there looks like he's hungry and I was just going to feed him."

"Leave me out of this, Dad," Jon said laughing as he walked out of the kitchen.

"Next thing you know you'll be blaming it on Dolly," Harry said shaking his head.

"Well that thing IS a monster," Ron said.

"Remind me again why you let your four-year old have a Cornish pixie as a pet?" Harry asked.

"Can you say no to her?" Ron asked. "When she turns those big blue eyes on you?"

"No," Harry admitted.

"There's your answer," Ron said.

Harry laughed. "Well, don't you go getting any ideas of sending her in here to get bread for you, either. It won't work."

Ron shook his head. "Damn you Potter."

*** *** ***

Later that evening, Chiaki was helping Cho teach one of the beginning ballet classes. Usually, Chiaki loved helping her mother out, but tonight her mind wasn't on what she was doing. Chiaki was still preoccupied with thoughts of Nick. His words from the night before continued to haunt her. A small part of her wanted to believe that he was telling the truth. But, he'd fooled them all before. She wasn't about to be taken again by him. She should have known better.

"Am I doing this right?" a young girl asked her breaking her out of her reverie. "I don't think I am."

"You just need to move your hands here," Chiaki positioned the little girl correctly. "There you go." she smiled.

"Thanks," the girl said. "I hope I can be as good as you someday."

"With a lot of practise I'm sure you will be," Chiaki said, smoothing back the girl's ponytail.

The girl beamed up at Chiaki. "Your mummy's really good, too. She talks about you all the time."

"Does she?" Chiaki asked as Cho led the girls into another position. "What does she say?"

The girl smiled. "She said that you practise all the time and that you always wanted to be a dancer. And she says that she's very proud of you."

"I'm proud of her too," Chiaki said, patiently helping the little girl with another position. "She's a good instructor aye?"

"She's the bestest," the little girl agreed.

Chiaki laughed. "That she is."

"Okay, girls," Cho said clapping her hands. "That was fantastic. You all did really, really well. I will see you all next time and remember to practise what we learned today, okay?"

"Okay!" all the girls chorused together.

"Mum they couldn't be any cuter," Chiaki said once the room was empty. "And they just adore you."

Cho grinned. "They always like it when you help out, Chi."

"I wish I could help out more," Chiaki pulled her long hair out of her bun.

"You're busy with your own dancing," Cho said. "You don't have as much free time as you used to. But, you know what? I think that you'd be a great teacher someday, Chiaki."

"Maybe once I've had my time in the company I'll take over this place," Chiaki replied, turning around in the mirror and twisting her body into first position.

"Will you now?' Cho asked teasingly. "Going to just throw your old mum out?"

"When you get too old," Chiaki teased before turning. "Ouch!" she cried, grabbing her ankle. "I think I twisted it," she said, sitting on the floor.

Cho hurried over and knelt down to look at Chiaki's ankle. "You didn't stretch properly, Chiaki. Let me go and get you some ice."

"No I'll be all right," Chiaki said. "I'm just... preoccupied."

"Is everything okay?" Cho asked, sitting down beside her daughter. "Is this about Toshio?"

"No," Chiaki said. "It's... it's about Nick actually."

"Nick?" Cho asked confused.

"He's here in London," Chiaki replied slowly.

"What?" Cho asked. "Why?"

Chiaki shrugged. "Beats me," she said, applying small amounts of pressure to her ankle with her fingers. "He was trying to feed me some cock and bull story about his parents but I don't need to hear any of that."

Cho sighed. "I can't help feeling that this is all my fault..."

"Why would it be your fault?" Chiaki asked, bemused.

Cho stopped herself from saying that if she hadn't gotten involved with Malfoy none of this would have happened, but to say that would have meant that she regretted having Chiaki. She would never regret her daughter.

"I just wish we'd never gone back to Hillsdale," Cho answered instead, which was partially true.

"Do you think us going to Hillsdale would have made any difference for Nick and Julie?" Chiaki asked.

"No," Cho admitted. "But you wouldn't have had to meet him or your…father."

Chiaki shrugged. "I can't say I regret meeting Draco Malfoy. It only reaffirmed that Neville is my true father."

Cho hugged her daughter. "He loves you so much, Chiaki. I don't know where we'd all be without him."

"Me either," Chiaki said, getting up gingerly. "It's okay," she tested her weight on her ankle. "Just pulled it a minute."

"Good," Cho said. "We should probably get you home. You need to rest on it tonight."

"Okay," Chiaki said. They closed up the studio and decided to walk home, enjoying the summer breeze. "So last night when I saw Nick, he said he was going to try and win Julie back. Told me he didn't really want to break up with her, that his parents made him do it."

Cho considered this for a moment. "I wouldn't put it past them, Chi. That sounds like something they'd do."

"I know, I agree," Chiaki said. "But I've got this nagging feeling that there's more to it than meets the eye."

"With Draco and Ginny Malfoy there always is," Cho said shaking her head.

Chiaki shrugged. "I suppose..."

Cho put an arm around her daughter. "What do you say we order in pizza? And before you say anything, we'll make sure they use the low-fat cheese. We need a night of peace and..."

Her voice trailed off as she saw her youngest daughter waiting on the front steps for them.

"Frankie doesn't look happy," Cho commented.

"Mum it's not fair!" Frankie started her tirade.

"Let me guess, Allie's going out with Jon and you want to go too," Chiaki rolled her eyes. "Will you give it up already?"

Cho sighed. "Chiaki, why don't you go inside and rest your ankle. I think I need to have a word with your sister."

"Okay Mum," Chiaki said, closing the front door behind her.

"Francesca," Cho said sitting down on the steps. "What's on your mind?"

"Why can't I go out like Allie?" Frankie asked in a huff. "I'm much more mature than she is!"

Cho put an arm around her. "Let me let you in on a little secret, sweetheart. Mature people don't go stalking out of rooms when they don't get their way."

"But Mum!"

Cho smiled. "I know you want to go out, Frankie. But you're 12 years old. Your sister is turning 16 in a few months. She's older than you are. There's nothing we can do about that. But, I will make a deal with you."

"What?" Frankie asked, eager to grab onto anything tangible.

"When you turn 15 if you want to date then," Cho began. "You can. But you'll have to follow the same rules as Allie."

"Really?" Frankie brightened. "So I only have to wait three years instead of four?"

Cho nodded. "But if you keep harping on this not being fair, I'll change my mind, Frankie."

"Okay," Frankie said. "I'll stop Mum, I promise."

"Good," Cho said, hugging her. "Now, I know this isn't as cool as going out on a date, but how would you like to order in pizza with Chiaki and me?"

"Okay," Frankie smiled. "Thanks Mum."

"You're dying to go and tell Allie, aren't you?" Cho teased.

"Can I?" she asked eagerly.

"Go ahead," Cho said with a laugh.

Frankie jumped to her feet and was in the door faster than Cho could blink.

Neville was nearly knocked down as Frankie ran past him and up the stairs to the room she and Allison shared.

"What got into her?" Neville asked his wife. "A few minutes ago she was sitting on the steps staring out into space."

"I told her she could date at 15 like her sister," Cho said with a smile.

Neville stared at her. "Oh, no. No, no, no. Cho!"

"Neville," Cho said. "Come on, if we let Allie date we can't very well let Frankie wait."

"Need I remind you that the two of you didn't let me date until I was 16," Chiaki chimed in from the sofa.

"Yes we know dear," Cho replied.

"But Frankie's my...she's the baby," Neville protested. "And need I remind you that I wasn't all that keen on Allie dating to begin with..."

"Neville," Cho placed a hand on his cheek. "You know we have to keep with the times right?"

"Well, that may be, but I don't have to like it, do I?" Neville asked.

"You wouldn't be a typical father if you didn't," Cho leaned in and kissed her husband.,

"Just out of curiosity," Chiaki said mischievously. "How old were you two when you were able to date?"

"Fourteen," Cho replied.

"Get out!" Chiaki said in amazement. "Fourteen? Grandma and Grandpa Chang must not have known."

Cho shrugged. "I was away at school. During that time it was the least of their worries, and then they died two years later."

"Oh, Mum," Chiaki said apologetically. "I shouldn't have…me and my big mouth..."

"It's all right sweetie," Cho said.

"I wish I could have met them, Mum," Chiaki said softly.

"So do I love," Cho said as Neville stroked her hair.

Chiaki smiled at her parents. "So, Dad. Are you going to join us for pizza?"

"We're having pizza?" Neville brightened considerably. "Definitely count me in. When your mum was pregnant with you that's pretty much all we ate."

"Don't forget the pancakes with jelly slugs," Cho said dreamily. "Those were so good."

"Ew!" Chiaki said turning up her nose. "Mum, that's disgusting!"

Neville nearly turned green at the memory. "Thanks for reminding me about those Cho," he said sarcastically.

"They are a sight better than those marmalade and cheese sandwiches you favour," Cho retorted.

"Those are really gross too Dad," Chiaki said in agreement.

"I wouldn't talk if I were you," Neville teased. "What was that bean curd stuff you used to eat all the time? That's disgusting."

"Now that stuff is good," Chiaki said. "In fact, I have a bit of a craving for it now..."