Authors' note: Sorry for the late update! With Memorial Day being on Monday, it kind of threw both of us off! Sorry for the delay! In this chapter you get more of Jon/Allie and the girls plus Gabriel's arrival in London. Enjoy!
Jon grinned at Allison as he came into the kitchen. They were enjoying a quiet evening in with their girls since Jon had the night off from the pub.
"How are my wife and son doing?" Jon asked beaming at her. He'd been like this ever since that morning when they'd found out the baby was a boy.
"Shhhh!" Allison said. "We don't want the girls to hear. I want to see their faces when we tell them."
"They're giggling too hard with Mia in there," Jon gave her a kiss. "Al..." he swung her around. "We're having a boy!"
Allison giggled. "Put me down!"
"I'm lifting you up while I still can," Jon laughed, kissing her again.
"That's not funny," Allison said hitting him in the arm.
"All right, I'm sorry." Jon grinned at her.
Allison smiled back at him. "You should have seen the look on your face when Lizzy told us it was going to be a boy."
"What did I look like?" Jon laughed. "Like this?" he dropped his jaw and widened his eyes.
"Just about," Allison giggled.
Jon kissed her again. "Al I'm so happy right now!"
Allison smiled. "So is your little boy. He's kicking me..."
"Let me feel," Jon put his hand on her stomach.
"Right here," Allison said moving his hand. "See?"
Jon laughed. "That's my little footballer!"
"Mummy!" Emma said running into the kitchen. "Em hungry!"
Allison scooped her up. "I was trying to finish making your snacks, but your Daddy was being silly."
"Daddy's funny," Emma giggled.
"Yes he is," Allison said kissing her on the forehead. "Are you having fun with Caroline and Mia?"
"Yes," Emma answered. "We play dress up!"
"Is that why you're wearing this gown that is way too big for you?" Jon asked his daughter.
Emma shook her head. "Just right. Not too big."
"That's right baby girl," Jon took her from Allison. "Would the beautiful princess dance with me?"
Emma nodded and looped her little arms around Jon's neck.
Jon kissed Emma's cheek then spun around the kitchen with her, dipping his daughter back so her curls touched the floor.
Allison smiled at them as she finished putting crisps in a bowl. "Come on you two. Let's go in the sitting room."
"Kay!" Emma squealed as Jon dipped her back again.
Allison led the way back into the sitting room. "Your daddy and I want to tell you girls something."
Caroline looked up from where she was playing with Mia's blonde hair. "What is it Mummy?"
"You remember how daddy and me went to see Aunt Lizzy today at the hospital?" Allison asked.
Caroline nodded and Emma, after looking at her sister, followed suit.
"We found out that the baby is doing very well," Allison continued. "And we also found out whether we were going to have a little boy or a little girl."
"You did?" Caroline exclaimed, accidentally pulling on Mia's hair.
"Ow! Caroline!" Mia squealed, but she was laughing.
"Sorry!" Caroline said her eyes shining.
"New sissy?" Emma asked patting her mother's stomach.
"Not a new sissy," Jon laughed. "You two girls are going to have a baby brother soon!"
"A baby brother?" Caroline squealed.
"That's right," Allison beamed at them.
"That's so cool, Daddy!" Caroline said giving her father a hug.
"I take it you girls are excited about that," Jon laughed as Caroline nearly bowled him over.
"That's great news, Mrs. Weasley," Mia said. "I bet your little boy will be way nicer than my cousins."
Allison laughed. "Thank you Mia."
"There's something else we wanted to run past you girls," Jon said. "You know that we don't have that much room in the house and we have to make do until we can afford a bigger place."
"What does that mean Daddy?" Caroline asked, sitting down with Mia again.
"Well," Jon began. "We wanted to know if you girls would mind sharing a room and letting us use Emma's room as the nursery."
"You mean Em would get to sleep with me every night?" Caroline asked. "She already does that!"
Allison laughed. "And we wasted all that money on the big girl bed for her too."
"Em sleep with sissy?" Emma asked.
"Would you like that?" Allison asked her. "To share a room with Caroline?"
"Yes!" Emma said excitedly. "Em share with sissy!"
Jon looked at Caroline. "You going to be okay with that, Angel?"
"Okay Daddy," Caroline smiled. "I don't mind."
"That's my girl," Jon said tickling her. "And you can help us set up the nursery."
"That sounds like fun," Mia told her friend.
"It does, doesn't it?" Caroline said grinning at her parents. "Daddy?"
"Sure it does Angel," Jon ruffled her hair.
"Were you this happy when you found out about me?" she asked him.
"Absolutely we were," Jon said.
Caroline beamed at him. "Even if I wasn't a boy?"
"I couldn't be more thrilled with the two girls I have," Jon said with a grin.
Emma giggled. "Em love Daddy."
"Daddy loves Em," Jon said, tickling her.
"Mum loves having them around while I'm working at the studio," Allison said fondly.
"Em dance," Emma told them all. "Watch!"
Mia giggled. "Your sister is so cute Caroline."
"I love watching her do this," Caroline said as Emma started to move.
"Get down with your bad self," Jon laughed. "Go on Em!"
"Come on, Mia," Caroline said. "Let's join her!"
"What?" Mia asked. "Caroline!"
"Come on!" Caroline said grabbing her hand. "Mummy, can we put on some music?"
"Of course we can," Allison said, turning on the Wireless.
"I thought Katie was going to join the sleepover?" Jon asked over the music.
"She got in trouble!" Caroline called back. "She tore up one of Ashley's paintings and her mummy wouldn't let her come!"
Jon shook his head. "Think they'll ever get along?" he asked his wife.
"Maybe when they're older," Allison replied. "I'm so glad Caroline and Emma are so close."
"Me too," Jon told her.
Allison rested her head on his shoulder. "This reminds me of those nights in our old flat. You remember when we'd sit on the sofa with the Wireless on and eating popcorn?"
"Do I ever," Jon laughed. "And sometimes Josh and Lizzy would come over too."
"I loved that old place," Allison said dreamily.
"I miss it too," Jon said. "But this is where we have our family."
"Yes it is," Allison agreed.
"You make me happy Al," Jon kissed the side of her head as their daughters and Mia danced in the middle of the room. "Happiest I've ever been."
"You do the same for me," Allison said relaxing against him. "You always have."
"We may not have as much money as everyone else but I think we do pretty damn good." Jon replied.
"We do," Allison said. "Look at how happy they are."
Jon laughed as both the older girls copied Emma's moves.
"So what are we going to do about names?" Allison asked. "We haven't really talked about it."
"Maybe we'll just let Caroline pick it out again," Jon teased.
"We have loads of time," Allison said.
"That we do," Jon agreed. "Another five months."
"Unless Junior here decides to make an early entrance," Allison grinned.
"Jon Jr..." he mused. "I like the sound of that..."
"J.J.," Allison said giggling.
"Daddy you can't call the baby J.J.," Caroline stopped dancing.
"Why not?" Jon asked her.
"Because that sounds dumb," Caroline put her hands on her hips.
"I don't think it sounds that bad," Jon said defensively.
"Em name baby," Emma said suddenly.
"Do you have a name picked out?" Allison asked.
"No," Emma shook her head.
"You want to think about it?" Allison asked. "And get back to us?"
"Kay," Emma agreed.
"I'll help her Mummy," Caroline said. "Emma and I will think of a good name."
"Caroline did come up with a winner for Emma," Jon said grinning at her.
Caroline grinned proudly. "They were calling her Baby Girl Weasley," she told Mia. "So I decided to name her Emma and Daddy agreed. And so did Mummy when she woke up!"
"Emma is a good name," Mia said nodding.
"Em good!" Emma said happily, digging into the bowl of crisps.
Allison laughed. "I was wondering how long it would take for you to notice those, Emma."
"Yummy," Emma declared.
"Can Daddy have some?" Jon asked.
"Yes!" Emma laughed as Jon hauled both her and the bowl into his lap.
"Come on Mummy," Caroline said. "Dance with us!"
"That's okay Angel," Allison said. "I think the little guy is already dancing enough for both of us."
"Is he moving?" Caroline asked excitedly.
"Yes he is," Allison said. "Want to come feel?"
Caroline nodded. "Where do I put my hand?"
"Right here," Allison said. "Mia if you'd like to see you can." she smiled at the young girl.
"Okay," Mia said standing beside her best friend.
"Wow!" Caroline exclaimed when she felt some movement under her hand. "This is soooo cool!"
"Em feel too!" Emma leaned over.
Allison laughed. "Okay, Em. Come here baby."
"Oooh," Emma's eyes grew wide.
"Can he hear us, Mummy?" Caroline asked.
"Not yet Angel," Allison said. "In a few more months he'll be able to."
"And he'll probably want us all to shut up," Jon joked.
"Daddy that's not nice," Emma scolded.
Jon held up his hands. "Sorry, Em. Daddy was being silly."
"Bad word," Emma wagged her finger as Allison covered her mouth to hide her grin.
"Daddy won't do it again, promise," Jon said.
"Kay," Emma said, holding out one of the crisps to him.
"Thank you, baby," Jon said reaching for it.
"Em feed Daddy!" she said.
Jon laughed and then opened his mouth.
"Yum," Emma said.
"Come on Mia," Caroline said. "Let's change into our other dresses."
"Em go too!" Emma said running after them.
"I have the perfect dress for you!" Caroline's voice carried into the sitting room.
Allison laughed. "I don't think they'll be going to sleep anytime soon."
"I doubt that," Jon said. "We'd best break out the popcorn soon."
"Mmmm," Allison said. "Popcorn. Do we have any chocolate syrup left?"
"Al," Jon wrinkled his nose.
"I ate it when I was pregnant with Caroline and Emma," Allison said. "And they turned out perfectly healthy, Jon..."
"But that's really gross..." Jon said.
"It's not that bad," Allison said. "And I'd be very grateful if you went and made some for me. Peas?"
"Just don't eat it in front of us," Jon replied.
"Your son is going to love it," Allison said smiling sweetly at him.
"But the rest of us don't," Jon grumbled, heading for the kitchen.
Allison stood up and followed him. "Jonathan..."
"Don't tell me you want strawberries with it too," Jon said.
"No," she said. "You don't have to fix it for me since it grosses you out so much. I can do it."
"I'll do it Al," Jon said. "I'm just giving you a hard time."
"Thank you," she grinned. "And I really do think you'd like it. Just be grateful I'm not like Chiaki was with the twins. She craved some strange, strange things."
"Yes she did," Jon shuddered. He leaned over and gave his wife a kiss. "You could never REALLY gross me out you know."
"And I've tried to hard to do just that," Allison said giggling.
Jon shook his head. "All right, regular popcorn and chocolate popcorn coming up." he said.
"Do we have any hot sauce?" Allison asked.
"I really hope we don't," Jon said.
"I was just kidding," she said laughing. "Hot sauce, popcorn and chocolate syrup would be disgusting."
"Yes it would," he nodded as they heard the girls' footsteps heading back into the sitting room.
"I'll go," Allison said. "Don't be long, we're hungry."
"I won't," Jon promised.
*** *** ***
Gabriel spent the majority of the flight to London sleeping. The night before visiting his father, he hadn't slept much since he was so nervous and apprehensive. And all the emotional drama of the past few hours had finally caught up to him.
Seamus managed to catch some shuteye too, but only off and on and spent most of his time going over script notes on his laptop computer.
The pilot's voice came over the loud speaker announcing that they would be landing soon.
Seamusshut downhis computer and stowed it in his bag. He looked at his son who was still sleeping peacefully.
"Gabriel?"
"Hmm..." Gabriel mumbled.
"We'll be landing soon," Seamus said grinning at him.
"We're there already?" Gabriel rubbed his eyes.
"Aye," Seamus said. "You slept most of the flight."
"Oh..." Gabriel sat up. "Sorry..."
"No need to apologise," Seamus reassured him. "I'm glad you were able to get some rest."
"Guess I kind of needed the sleep." he said. "I've got to use the bathroom."
"You'd better go now," Seamus told him.
"Right," Gabriel unbuckled himself and stumbled off towards the bathroom at the front of the plane.
"Your son looks just like you," an older woman across the aisle from Seamus said politely.
"You think so?" Seamus asked proudly.
"Oh yes," the woman said. "Practically the spitting image."
"He's just graduated from high school," Seamus said conversationally. "Top of his class."
"Well that's just lovely," the elderly British woman raved. "What's he planning on doing with his life?"
"He's going to be a doctor," Seamus said proudly. It occurred to him suddenly that he didn't have any idea what area of medicine Gabriel was going so specialise in.
"Enjoy them while you can," the woman said sagely. "They grow up way too fast. I know I don't have to tell you that."
Seamus nodded. "Thanks for the advice."
Gabriel came back and Seamus stood up so his son could sit down. He buckled his seatbelt and looked out the window.
"How much longer until we land?" Gabriel asked. "I can't see anything but clouds down there."
"Shouldn't be too much longer," Seamus said. "And I hate to break it to you, but you'll probably see nothing but clouds while you're here. And I hope you like rain..."
"So that tale about it always raining here is true?" Gabriel asked with a grin.
"Pretty much," Seamus said grinning back at him. "You'll get used to it, but I imagine you'll be missing the California sun."
"I never thought I'd get to come here," Gabriel said, still gazing out the window. "At least not until I made some money."
"Hopefully, this will be the first of many trips here for you," Seamus said. "And my mum is probably going to do everything in her power to make you stay."
"You'll have to tell me more about them," Gabriel said. He was feeling more amicable now that he'd gotten some sleep.
"My dad was a salesman for a hardware company in a small village just outside of Dublin," Seamus told him. "Until he retired and now he spends most of his time playing golf and going to the pub."
"What about your mother?" Gabriel asked.
"Mum taught school at one of the village schools for quite some time and she still does that every now and then," Seamus said. "And she spends most of her time rowing with Dad. Of course, he's scared to death of her because he knows she's---"
His voice trailed off as he realised he was about to tell Gabriel about how his father hadn't known Seamus' mother was a witch until after they'd married.
"He's scared of her?" Gabriel looked amused.
"Aye," Seamus said chuckling. "And she uses that to her advantage."
"My grandfather always tells me to let the women win," Gabriel laughed. "Or at least let them THINK they've won."
"Your grandfather is a smart man," Seamus said. "That's how Lavender and I have lasted as long as we have."
"Is she angry about me?" Gabriel ran his hands through his hair. "I mean, you said she'd understand right?"
"She's not angry," Seamus said. "And she is trying to understand. This is all new to her, Gabriel. We didn't really have that much time to talk about it before we left, but she's wonderful and I think you'll like her."
"It's weird to think I have a stepmother," Gabriel confessed.
"And a father," Seamus said putting his hand on Gabriel's arm. "We're your family, Gabriel."
The younger man nodded. "Think we can get something to eat when we land?" he asked.
"Lavender emailed me that she was going to have a big breakfast for us at the flat," Seamus said. "Think you can wait until we get home? We don't live that far from Heathrow."
"That's fine," Gabriel nodded.
Back at the flat, Lavender was running around in a panic trying to make sure everything was perfect. The cook had made waffles, eggs, sausage and French toast. "We should have fruit too, Templeton," Lavender said. "Do we have any citrus fruits? Strawberries? Blueberries? This has to be perfect. Absolutely perfect."
"Yes miss," he said walking over to the large icebox and pulling out the fruit he'd already sliced. "Perhaps you should go check on the table..."
"Okay," she said as the doorbell rang.
"They're early," Lavender said the colour draining from her face. She checked her reflection in the mirror before running toward the door. With a wide smile, she swung open the door. "Welcome! How was your----oh, it's just you guys."
"Nice to see you too," Harry said sarcastically. "You have that evil stepmother bit down, don't you?"
"Shut up Harry," Lavender said. "I'm nervous enough already okay?"
"Aunt Lav, he's going to love you!" Saffron said shrugging out of her jacket. "I can't wait to meet him."
"Thank you Saffy," Lavender said, hugging her. "And thank you for helping me out last night."
"Did you get everything set up okay?" Saffron asked.
"We're just setting out breakfast," Lavender told them.
"All kidding aside, how are you holding up?" Harry asked Lavender.
"Anything we can do to help?" Hermione asked.
"I'm okay," Lavender said. "Nervous, but okay."
"And let's all remember no talk of magic," Hermione said. "Gabriel doesn't know about that yet and it's not our place to say..."
"Be glad you didn't invite Aunt Cho," Saffron joked. "In fact, until Gabriel knows, I think you should keep him far, far away from her. Uncle Ron, too, for that matter."
"He'll have to find out eventually," Harry said. "You know that right?"
"Of course," Lavender said. "But that's going to be Seamus' decision when to tell him, Harry."
"Of course," Harry said,
Just downstairs, Seamus and Gabriel were entering the building. Gabriel looked open-mouthed at the ornate building.
"Welcome back, Mr. Finnigan," the doorman said politely. "Nice to see you again."
"Thank you Martin," Seamus nodded. "My wife's here right?"
"Yes sir," Martin said. "Your friends arrived just a few minutes ago as well."
"Friends?" Seamus asked. "Oh- Lav must have invited Harry and Hermione over."
Gabriel felt an overwhelming sense of unease. He didn't know Seamus' wife and now he had to meet more people.
"Harry, Hermione and Saffron some family members," Seamus explained to him. "Saffron's the one I was telling you about- right around your age."
"Oh," Gabriel said nodding. "Okay."
"Harry and Hermione are great too," Seamus said as they got into the lift. "Really nice people- wait until you see Harry and Lav get into it with each other. They're always bickering."
"Which button do we push?" Gabriel asked as he was standing closest to the panel.
"Top floor," Seamus replied.
Gabriel pushed the button for penthouse and leaned against the wall. "I worked as bellboy at the hotel mum used to waitress at a couple of summers back," Gabriel said. "I thought that place was nice, but this..."
"Like it?" Seamus asked.
It was a beautiful building and Gabriel could see why someone as famous as Seamus would live here, but for some reason, he felt sort of out of place here. Not wanting to hurt Seamus' feelings, he just nodded.
"If you'd like to rest up I'm sure everyone will understand." Seamus told him. "If not, perhaps later we can go look around the city."
"You don't have to do that Sir," Gabriel said. "I'm sure you have better things to do than help me sightsee. I can manage on my own."
"You don't have to call me sir," Seamus said. "And I want to spend time with you."
"There is something I've always wanted to see," Gabriel admitted.
"What's that?" Seamus asked with a grin.
"I've always heard about English soccer," Gabriel said. "I'd...I'd really like to see a match."
"You want to see a proper football match?" Seamus asked. "I'm sure I can get us some tickets."
"Really?" Gabriel asked as the lift pinged open. "I coached a kids' team at the local Y and I'd love to go back and tell them what I saw."
"Absolutely." Seamus said. "I'll get some for a few games."
"Thank you, Sir---I mean, Seamus," Gabriel said lifting the handle on his grandfather's old suitcase and wheeling it out of the lift.
"Well are you ready?" Seamus asked.
"I suppose so," Gabriel said apprehensively.
"It'll be all right," Seamus assured him.
Gabriel nodded and followed his father down the corridor. A huge set of wooden double doors greeted them and Gabriel took a deep breath when Seamus opened the door.
"Lav?" Seamus called. "Sweetheart we're here!"
Gabriel set his bag down beside the door and watched as Lavender and some people he didn't recognise followed her. The older man and woman smiled warmly at him and the younger girl looked as if she were sizing him up. He suddenly found the floor very, very interesting.
"How was your flight?" Lavender asked giving Seamus a kiss.
"Oh it was fine," Seamus replied. "Harry, Hermione and Saffron- I'd like you to meet my son Gabriel Boyd."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Gabriel," Hermione said extending her hand to the young man.
Gabriel shook her hand and politely said hello.
"You weren't kidding, Aunt Lav," Saffron said. "He does look exactly like Seamus."
"He does," Lavender said smiling at the young boy. "Welcome to our home."
"Um, thank you," Gabriel said quietly.
"If you want to go lie down, we've set up the room just upstairs facing west." Lavender told him. "We'll have someone take your suitcase up."
"I can take it myself," Gabriel said hastily.
"Nonsense," Lavender told him. "That's what Templeton does."
"Its okay, Mrs. Finnigan," Gabriel said quietly. "I don't need anyone waiting on me."
"If he wants to take it let him take it," Seamus told his wife.
"Okay," Lavender relented. "We've got a big breakfast prepared if you're hungry."
"I'll help him take his suitcase up," Saffron offered.
"Thank you, Saffy," Seamus said giving her a hug. "That okay with you, Gabriel?"
"Sure," Gabriel replied, grasping his suitcase.
"It's just this way," Saffron said motioning for him to follow her. "I'm Saffron, by the way, but everyone calls me Saffy."
"Okay," he said. "You can call me Gabe if you want to."
Saffron smiled at him. "You just graduated, right? I have another two years left to go."
"Yeah from high school," he smiled at her. "I'm going into medicine at college this fall."
"I thought about going into medicine," Saffron said conversationally. She decided not to mention her professional Quidditch ambitions. "But I haven't made up my mind yet."
"Seamus told me you're top of your class too," Gabriel said looking around the room. "Hey this is really nice. I can't believe they went to all this trouble for me."
"Aunt Lavender did it all last night," Saffron said. "With my help."
"She did?" Gabriel asked.
"She did," Saffron said smiling at him. "You have your own bathroom right through there."
"Wow," Gabriel tried not to show how impressed he was but failed miserably.
"So you like?" Saffron asked him.
"Yeah," Gabriel said with a smile. "I like it very much."
"Great," Saffron grinned at him. "Do you want a couple of minutes to freshen up or are you ready to go back downstairs?"
"I'm pretty hungry," Gabriel said. "But this is all just so nerve-wracking, you know?" for some reason he felt like he could confide in the pretty brunette. "I mean, a day ago I hadn't even met my father and now he's taken me to England."
"Feels like your world's been turned upside down overnight, right?" Saffron asked him.
"You can say that again," he agreed.
"Well, if you need someone to talk to, I'm here," Saffron said. "And you're more than welcome to hang out with me and my friends."
"Thanks," Gabriel said genuinely. "I'll probably take you up on both of those."
"Great," Saffron said. "Now, let's go get something to eat. I'm starving too."
"Okay," Gabriel agreed, feeling a little apprehensive again.
Downstairs in the dining room, Lavender scowled at Harry. "Don't sit there!"
"Why?" Harry looked flabbergasted.
"Because that's not where you sit," Lavender said rolling her eyes. "Honestly, Harry! Seamus sits there and I sit across from him and then you and Hermione there...and Saffy beside Gabriel."
"I didn't realise there were seating arrangements," Harry exchanged an amused glance with Hermione.
"Of course you don't, Mister I-Still-Drink-Juice-Out-Of-the-Carton," Lavender said shoving him toward the other chair.
"You're so refined," Harry smirked at her.
"Saffron's puppy is more refined than you," Lavender said. She looked appraisingly at the table. "Oh God! What if he would rather have something simple like cereal and toast! Templeton!"
"Lav calm down," Seamus said. "This is fine all right?"
"Templeton!" Lavender called out. "Bring every cereal we have!"
"What's with the shouting?" Saffron asked as she and Gabriel came into the dining room.
"Er... nothing," Lavender said sheepishly. "Gabriel, is this okay or did you want cereal- or toast, or did you want oatmeal or--"
"This is fine, Mrs. Finnigan really," Gabriel interjected. "Thank you."
"You can call me Lavender," she told the young man. "Or Lav... it's totally up to you." she smiled at him.
"Okay," Gabriel said feeling very uncomfortable. This woman was completely different from his mother. He wondered what she would have thought of all this.
Seamus reached over and squeezed his wife's hand. "How about some juice Gabriel?" he asked.
"Um sure," Gabriel said. "Thanks."
"We've got orange and apple," Seamus told him. "Or if you'd like a Bloody Mary I'm sure we could make an exception," he teased.
"Can I have a Bloody Mary?" Saffron asked eagerly.
"You most certainly may not," Hermione said. "You can have a sip of mine but that's it."
"Orange juice is fine," Gabriel said. He smiled as his father poured him a glass. "My mum used to drink it with---"
"With what?" Saffron asked.
Gabriel shook his head. "It's not important."
"Tell us," Saffron urged.
"Orange juice and milk," Seamus said smiling at his son. "Sam used to like orange juice and milk together."
Gabriel looked over at him in surprise. "You remember that?"
"Milk?" Saffron wrinkled her nose.
"Course I do," Seamus said. "It used to gross me out almost as much as Lav's sushi does."
"I can't believe you remembered that," Gabriel said.
"Kind of hard to forget," Seamus helped himself to some eggs.
"That sounds disgusting," Lavender said wrinkling up her nose much like Saffron had.
"It was my mum's favourite drink," Gabriel said quietly.
"I-I didn't mean---" Lavender said hastily. "I just---"
"Is this your first time abroad, Gabe?" Harry asked.
"Yeah," Gabriel answered, taking a bite of toast. "We didn't really have the money to travel much- if it wasn't for my mum and for my scholarship, I wouldn't even be going to college this fall."
"You don't have to worry about money now," Lavender told him. "Seamus and I would be happy to---"
"I can pay for school myself," Gabriel interrupted.
"I'm sure you could, but you don't have to do that now," Lavender said warmly. "We can pay for your room and board and you don't have to worry about getting a crummy job or anything like that."
Gabriel shrugged. "We'll see..." he said noncommittally.
"What area of medicine do you want to specialise in?" Hermione asked.
"Paediatrics," Gabriel replied.
"Wow," Harry was impressed. "That's quite the field to be in- you must be really good with children."
"Yes, sir," Gabriel said. "I was telling Seamus that I coach a kids' soccer team back home. And when my mom was in the hospital, I spent some time in the cancer ward with the kids."
"That's wonderful," Hermione said warmly.
"Gabriel's grandmother let me borrow a couple of photo albums," Seamus said trying to include his wife in the conversation. "And his baby book."
"I'd like to see them if that's all right with you," Lavender looked at Gabriel.
"I don't mind," Gabriel said.
"Okay," Lavender chanced a smile at him. She so wanted Seamus' son to like her.
"When do you start filming?" Harry asked his friend. "Straight away?"
"In a few days," Seamus said. "Tomorrow I've got to meet with my cast and crew for a read through of the script."
Gabriel listened as his father told everyone the details on his movie. He felt Lavender watching him and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"While Seamus is filming I can take you around the city," Lavender offered. "We'll do whatever you want."
"That's okay," Gabriel said. "Really."
"Lex and I can show him around," Saffron said helpfully.
"But I want to do it," Lavender said.
Hermione put a hand on her daughter's arm and shook her head the tiniest bit.
"Lavender's a great tour guide," Seamus told his son. "If you keep her away from the shops."
"I live to shop," Lavender smiled.
"Okay," Gabriel said. "If she doesn't mind..."
"I don't mind at all," Lavender said happily. "You just let me know when you want to go and I'll clear my schedule."
"I thought I'd show Gabriel around later this afternoon after he's had a chance to settle in," Seamus said. "Take a drive around the city."
"That sounds like fun," Lavender nodded. "Perhaps we can take him by the Tower of London and the Eye."
"Would you like that, son?" Seamus asked.
"Sure," Gabriel said. "That sounds like fun."
"This will be fantastic," Lavender said eagerly. "A family tour of London. We'll have to be careful to avoid the paparazzi though."
"Do you get hounded all the time?" Gabriel asked his father.
"More in LA than here, but yes," Seamus replied.
"And we don't want them finding out about Gabriel," Lavender said without thinking.
"Why not?" Saffron asked.
"Seamus having an illegitimate son would be bad press," Lavender said. "And I don't imagine Gabriel wants to have his photos splashed on the front page."
"I do want to acknowledge Gabriel," Seamus said. "But you've got a point Lav."
"I'm not saying we don't want to acknowledge him," Lavender said. "I'm just worried about what the tabloids would say." she looked at Harry and Hermione who nodded in agreement. "Gabriel- they can be very vicious sometimes."
Gabriel pushed back in his seat. "I'm---I'm kind of tired. Would it be okay if I went upstairs to take a nap?"
"Of course," Seamus nodded.
"Thank you," Gabriel said setting his napkin down in the chair. "It was nice meeting all of you."
With that, he hastily left the room. For the longest time, no one spoke.
"I made a bloody fool of myself," Lavender buried her face in her hands. "I can tell that he can't stand me."
"That's not true," Hermione reassured her.
"I'm overreacting to him," Lavender shook her head. "Going overboard already."
"He doesn't hate you, Aunt Lav," Saffron said. "He's just going through a tough time."
"Give him some space, Lavender," Seamus said softly. "It's not all going to happen in one day."
"I know," Lavender had tears in her eyes. "But I just want us all to be happy."
Seamus reached for her hand. "We will be. It's just going to take some time. Sam died only three months ago, Lavender. "
Lavender nodded. "Okay," she said. "I'll try harder not to be so overbearing."
"Thank you for doing all of this," Seamus said smiling at her.
"You're welcome," she said, wiping her eyes. "If he's important to you then he's important to me."
Seamus beamed at her.
"He seems like a nice young man," Hermione said. "So polite..."
"Yeah he's pretty cool," Saffron agreed. "He liked the room by the way."
"Really?" Lavender asked, buoyed by this.
"He was really impressed that he's got his own bathroom," Saffron giggled.
"He'd have to have his own bathroom," Harry said. "Could you imagine sharing with Lav?"
"I'm not that bad," Lavender said defensively.
She looked to her cousin for support, but Hermione suddenly became very interested in the waffles on her plate.
"I don't think you're that bad," Saffron said loyally.
"That's my girl," Lavender said smiling at her.
"Harry?" Seamus asked a serious expression on his face. "Would it be okay if I had a quick word?"
"Course," Harry said, getting up.
Seamus led him into his study. "How do you do it?" he asked Harry point-blank.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Being a father," Seamus replied running a hand through his hair. "I have no idea what I'm doing."
Harry smiled. "It's not as hard as you think, most of the time."
"He's still so angry and hurt," Seamus said. "And proud. He doesn't want me to help him; he doesn't want me to pay for anything..."
"Just give him time," Harry assured his friend. "Give him space, and just let him know you're here for him, when he wants to talk. He'll come around."
"I missed so much," Seamus said. "Years that I'll never get back; that he'll never get back."
"I know," Harry clapped his shoulder. "But at least you found out now- you've got loads of time to make up for now that you're in each others' lives."
"And what if he hates me after he finds out about me being a wizard?" Seamus asked. "He spent all his life not knowing who his father was and I don't like lying to him now."
"Then you need to tell him about it as soon as possible," Harry advised. "You won't be able to hide it once Ron and Cho meet him."
"Right," Seamus said nodding. "You know how my dad didn't know about my mum until after they were married? He was so angry that she hadn't told him the truth. I don't want him to hate me, Harry."
"He won't hate you Seamus," Harry reassured him.
"Thanks, Harry," Seamus said.
"And you know we'll be here if you need any help at all," Harry told him.
"I appreciate that," Seamus said clapping him on the back. "I'm going to need a bunch of help."
"Saffy will probably have him out so much you won't remember he's around," Harry teased.
"I'm glad that they hit it off," Seamus said. "It'll be nice for him to have someone to talk to."
"Me too," Harry said.
"Thanks," Seamus said. "Come on...let's go finish breakfast."
"Sure," Harry agreed. "Where'd Saffy go?" he asked when they returned to the dining room.
"To ring Andrew," Hermione said. "They're going over to see RJ's new place later this afternoon."
"What's this Andrew like?" Seamus asked with a grin. "Harry's baby girl dating..."
"Shut it you," Harry said glaring at him. "He's a good kid. Andrew Kirke's son."
"I remember him," Seamus nodded.
"And he's going to play professional for Wimbourne," Harry said. "Starting out as a reserve, but the coach has big plans for him."
"That's great," Lavender said. "The picture Saffy gave us of the two of them at the ball is sweet."
"You'll get the chance to meet him in Brighton," Hermione told her.
"Good," Lavender grinned. "I've got to give him the protective godmother speech."
Seamus and Harry laughed and the adults continued their conversation oblivious to the fact that Gabriel stood just outside the door listening in. He hadn't been able to sleep and he'd thought about coming back to apologise when he'd heard them chatting. About things and people he didn't know.
"What are you doing?" Saffron asked softly behind him.
Gabriel jumped. "Um... I couldn't really sleep so I was about to go back in there," he lied.
"Looks to me like you were eavesdropping," Saffron said raising an eyebrow at him.
Gabriel shrugged and gave her a sheepish smile.
She giggled. "It's okay. I'm a champion eavesdropper. You know when your parents tell you that you should step out of the room so they can talk? That's just a challenge to me."
Gabriel chuckled. "Sounds like I could learn a few tricks from you."
Saffron grinned. "I'd be happy to teach you my devious ways..."
"They're talking about some guy named Andrew in there," Gabriel motioned with his head.
"They're not saying anything bad, are they?" Saffron asked inching closer so she could hear.
"No," Gabriel told her. "They're saying he's really nice- why?"
"He's my boyfriend," Saffron whispered.
"Oh," Gabriel grinned.
When the adults' conversation returned to something mundane, Saffron turned back around. "So, you get weirded out before?"
"Yeah a little," he said. "Shows doesn't it?"
"You're an easy person to read," Saffron said quietly. "They're just trying to look out for you."
"I guess," he said. "Before I left my Gran told me I shouldn't be so hard on him."
"You miss your mum, don't you?" Saffron asked. "Stupid question."
"Yeah," Gabriel said. "She had cancer- really bad."
"What was she like?" Saffron asked curiously.
"She was always really soft spoken," Gabriel told her. "And she always was there when I needed her for anything. I know a lot of guys don't really get along with their mothers but I did."
Saffron smiled. "I wish I could have met her."
"My dad told me that she was the only woman aside from your aunt that he cared about," Gabriel said. "So I guess that means something."
"You know you just referred to Uncle Seamus as your dad," Saffron said grinning at him. "I think that's huge."
"Yeah," Gabriel smiled back. "He's not so bad, really."
"I like to think I'm a pretty good judge of character and I like him," Saffron told him. "And I have a good feeling about you, too."
"Thanks I think," Gabriel grinned sardonically at her.
Saffron hit him on the arm. "You have a nice smile. You should show it more."
"I'll try," he said. "I promise."
"I'll hold you to that," Saffron said. "And I know you're going to busy this afternoon, but how would you feel about going to the movies with me and my friend Lex on Friday night?"
"Okay," Gabriel agreed. "Will your boyfriend be okay with that?"
Saffron nodded. "He's fine with it. He's going to be out of town anyway. Come on, you'll love Lexie. What else do you have to do?"
"Nothing I guess," Gabriel said. "Count me in."
"Great," Saffron said happily. "I'll ring you later on this week with the details."
"Sounds good," Gabriel stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Think they'll be mad if I go back in there now?"
Saffron shook her head. "Come on. I'll go with."
"Gabe," Seamus smiled. "Not as tired as you thought?"
"Not really," Gabriel replied sitting back down. He helped himself to some waffles, even though he figured they'd be cold by now. To his surprise, they were quite warm. Maybe their cook had put out a new serving while he'd been out of the room, he thought.
"We're glad you decided to come back in and join us," Lavender said softly.
"These are really good," Gabriel said after he swallowed his bite.
"Glad you like them," Seamus said. "You can have them every morning if you want. But when company's not here, Lav likes to try and get us to eat cottage cheese and tofu in the mornings."
"That's not true!" Lavender said swatting him on the arm. "Gabriel can have anything he wants."
"You always try to make ME eat that," Seamus laughed.
"That's because you're OLD and you need to watch your diet," Lavender reminded him.
"I am not old," Seamus replied. "And if I'm old so are you."
"Moving on," Lavender said breezily.
Gabriel caught Saffron's eye and laughed silently.
"Declan and Rose called earlier and I told them you had big news," Lavender told Seamus. "But don't worry, I didn't tell them what."
"My parents," Seamus explained to Gabriel.
"Thanks," Seamus said. "We'll head up there this weekend."
"You'll love them," Lavender told Gabriel. "They're fantastic."
"I'm looking forward to meeting them," Gabriel said honestly.
"Is it all right if Gabriel comes to the movies with me and Lex on Friday though?" Saffron asked.
"I don't see why not," Seamus said. "I thought we'd leave on Saturday."
"Cool," Gabriel said with a real grin.
"So," Lavender said to her stepson. "You have a girlfriend back home, Gabriel?"
"No," Gabriel said. "Well not anymore. I had one and we broke up right before graduation."
"I imagine you'll turn quite a few heads while you're here," Lavender said smiling at him. "You are just as handsome as your father."
"Thanks," Gabriel turned red.
"And I'm so glad you'll all be joining us in Brighton," Hermione said. "You'll really like it there, Gabriel."
"I've heard it's nice," Gabriel said politely. "Do you all stay in one house?"
"Oh yes," Saffron grinned. "It's so much fun."
"We go each summer with some family friends," Hermione told him. "The house is full of children, grandchildren..."
"Must be a huge house," Gabriel commented.
"It's just big enough," Lavender said hastily.
"And I'll join you on weekends and nights," Seamus said. "I'd put off the filming if I could, Gabe."
"I understand," Gabriel nodded.
"You don't want to see him on set," Lavender said grinning at her husband. "He's a tyrant."
"I get things done," Seamus corrected as he laughed. "I run a tight ship."
"He's scary," Lavender said.
"No scarier than you are when a strand of hair is out of place," Harry teased her.
"Need I remind you that you slipped down to number two on the list of sexiest wiz...?" Lavender started to say.
"Only because my son in law took over my spot," Harry retorted.
Gabriel stared curiously at them.
Harry grinned sheepishly. "Lav and I always fight," he covered quickly. "It's second nature for us."
"It's like breathing," Lavender said feeling foolish for almost letting their secret slip out.
"Right," Seamus said, thinking he would have to tell Gabriel about magic sooner rather than later.
The rest of the meal went by pretty quickly. Harry and Hermione left with Saffron, who promised to ring Gabriel later in the week.
"Well if you'd like to get freshened up, you have your own loo," Seamus said. "Lav said she stocked you up with everything you should need, but if there's something missing you want, let us know."
"Okay," Gabriel said. "Thank you."
"Guess I'll leave you to it then," Seamus was reluctant to leave- he wanted to spend as much time with Gabriel as he could but at the same time he didn't want to overload the young man.
"Mr. Finnigan?" Gabriel asked turning around. "I mean, Seamus...it meant a lot to me that you remembered that about my mom."
"About the juice?" Seamus asked with a grin.
Gabriel nodded. "Yeah."
"It was definitely interesting the first time I saw her with it," Seamus laughed. "But it didn't taste half bad."
"You drank it?" Gabriel asked in amazement.
"A few times," Seamus replied.
"Now I know you must have cared about her," Gabriel said laughing.
"At least she didn't eat sushi," Seamus joked. "Lav knows better than to eat it in front of me."
"Right," Gabriel said the smile on his face faltering a bit. "Um, I'm just going to go up to my room then."
"Sure," Seamus nodded. "Listen, I do want to talk to you about some things, so you just find me when you want to talk. I'll be around the rest of today- tomorrow's when I start pre production."
Gabriel nodded and went off to his room.
Seamus went into the room he shared with his wife. "Breakfast went pretty well," he said as he stretched out on their king size bed.
"I'm sorry for almost letting it slip," Lavender said. "I wasn't thinking..."
"I'm going to tell him later," Seamus told her.
"He's already been through so much, are you sure that now's the right time?" Lavender asked.
"What if we slip up again?" he asked. "I mean, I think him finding out accidentally and realising we kept it from him might make things worse."
"How do you think he'll take it?" Lavender asked sitting down on the edge of the bed.
"I'm not sure," he confessed, patting the spot next to him.
Lavender moved closer to him. "How was the flight? Did you get to talk? Get to know each other?"
"Yeah a bit," Seamus nodded, putting his arm around her. "He fell asleep a little way in though."
"He hates me," Lavender said leaning against him.
"He does not," Seamus kissed the side of her head.
"I'm the complete opposite of his mother, aren't I?" Lavender asked. "He probably thinks I'm shallow, vain and mean."
"You and Sam are different," Seamus said. "But you have some of the same qualities- you're both caring, both beautiful. This is a big change for him Lav."
"And me too," Lavender said honestly. "I feel so selfish because I want him to like me, but I can't help thinking what all of this means for me. I'm used to being the most important person in your life."
"Your place in my life will never change," Seamus assured her. "It'll just be a little tighter squeeze." he grinned.
Lavender turned and kissed him. "I think I'll just hang around here while you take him on that drive. When you tell him, I think it'd be best if it was just the two of you."
"Are you sure?" he asked.
Lavender nodded. "I think it would be best."
"All right," he kissed her again. "But I'd like us all to go out for dinner this evening together."
"If he's still speaking to us," Lavender said. "I think that'd be lovely."
"Good," Seamus said. "Now lie down and let your husband show you just how much he loves you."