A/N: This chapter is a break from Gabriel, but you do get the Hogwarts crew and then some E/M along with F/W. Hope you enjoy, and please let us know what you think!
PS- also guys, we want to make sure you all realise that nothing romantic is going to happen between Saffron and Gabriel! They're cousins- in a way!
We're sorry this update is so late- but with portkey moving servers we were not able to update this last night! But here you go now :) and new update will still be on Tues!
Later that afternoon Saffron went over to help RJ set up his new flat. "And he's from California," she told Alexa about Gabriel. "Muggle, but really nice and he's cute too."
"Hello, isn't he like your cousin?" RJ asked her as he came into the room carrying a box.
Saffron shrugged. "I can still think he's cute."
"I think it's nice you invited him to come to the movies with us," Alexa said.
"What's this?" RJ asked setting the box down.
"Saffy and I were going to go to the movies Friday night since you're going to be out of town with the team," Alexa said. "I told you about that."
"Jealous?" Saffron teased him.
"Hardly," RJ scoffed. "I just wish I'd been told that you're going to the movies with another bloke."
"What's this?" Andrew came into the room and dropped a box on the floor.
"Our girlfriends have big plans with some American bloke," RJ told him.
"He's my cousin!" Saffron said rolling her eyes.
"By marriage," RJ pointed out.
"You are so ridiculous sometimes," Saffron told him.
"I have to agree with Saf on that one," Andrew said. "Ease up, RJ. She already told me about it."
Saffron beamed at him. "I love how you're not jealous."
Andrew tickled her. "Besides, RJ is the one who needs the lecture. Big party with Puddlemere..."
"Yeah," Saffron giggled, sharing a look with Alexa. "He's the one who has a roving eye."
"I do not have a roving eye," RJ said defensively. "Maybe I used to but not since I got my Lexie here."
"You'd better not or I'll castrate you myself," Saffron told him.
"Saffy!" Alexa laughed.
"It's just a party," RJ said. "Just something the veterans on the team do to welcome us rookies. Lexie doesn't have anything to worry about and there will be no need to castrate me, Saf."
"Just bring us to the next one," Saffron grinned at him.
"Deal," RJ promised. He looked around the flat. "So what do you guys think? Isn't this place great?"
"It's pretty cool mate," Andrew said. "I'm jealous. I'm still living at home for the time being."
"You could move in here with me," RJ said. "There's certainly more than enough room."
"I can't afford the rent," Andrew began.
"Bollocks," RJ scoffed. "Come on, mate."
"You should," Saffron encouraged. "Come on Andrew..."
"Okay," Andrew said with a grin. "Looks like you just got yourself a flatmate."
"Yay," Saffron hugged her boyfriend. "It'll be easier for us to meet!"
RJ laughed. "Because it really is all about YOU, Saffy."
"Shut up RJ," Saffron shot back.
"I may take back my offer if she's going to be around," RJ retorted.
Alexa grinned at Andrew. "That's going to be 10 galleons, please."
RJ and Saffron looked curiously at them.
"What's this then?" RJ asked.
"We made a friendly bet," Andrew explained reaching into his trousers pocket for his wallet. "About how long it would take for you two to start a fight."
"We aren't fighting," Saffron said. "Not yet at least."
"So I don't get the money?" Alexa asked frowning.
"You made a bet on me?" Saffron gave Andrew a pouty look.
"Just a little one," Andrew said hastily. "And I had you going much later in the day."
RJ laughed at the look on his girlfriend's face. "You a sore loser baby?" he teased.
"No," Alexa said wrapping her arms around his waist. "You're all sweaty..."
"I thought you liked me that way," he joked, giving her a kiss.
"I do," Alexa said smiling up at him.
"Those two lovebirds," Saffron said from where she and Andrew were pawing through a box of pictures. "They're so cute."
"So are we," Andrew said grinning at her.
"Yeah," Saffron gave him a big grin. "We're the cutest I think."
Andrew took out some of the photographs. "RJ, you take these? These are fantastic."
"Thanks," RJ said. "You know if I wasn't doing Quidditch I'd probably take up photography full time. My grandfather wanted me to intern at the Quibbler but I can't now that I'm signed on to Puddlemere."
"You could always do it during the off-season," Saffron said thoughtfully. "These really are some great shots, RJ."
"Maybe," RJ said offhandedly.
"What kind of party lasts all weekend anyway?" Saffron asked. "Sounds to me like just an excuse to get pissed and behave like Neanderthals."
"It's a welcome party Saf," Andrew explained. "If I ever get off the reserve team for Wimbourne, they'll have one for me."
"Like I said just an excuse to get pissed and behave like Neanderthals," Saffron said rolling her eyes. "You know Puddlemere is the only team in the league without a female on it."
"But you'll change that won't you," Alexa grinned at her best friend,.
"Damn straight," Saffron agreed.
"If you want, early on next year I'll drop your name," RJ offered. "And convince them to come see you play at school like they did for me."
"Really?" Saffron asked. "You'd really do that?"
"Sure," RJ grinned at her.
"Thank you," Saffron said grinning at him.
"The way she plays, I'm not so sure you'll have to drop her name," Alexa said. "She's fantastic and I'm not just saying that because she's my best friend."
"You guys are making my ego swell," Saffron joked.
"We'd better stop then," RJ said. "This place has a low ceiling."
"Your ego's bigger than mine," Saffron said hitting him on the arm.
"Says you," RJ said, grabbing her arms and holding them behind her back. "Come on Andrew- tickle her while I've got her trapped.
Andrew grinned mischievously. "She can't do magic outside of school, so she can't hex us..."
"Don't you dare!" she squealed.
Andrew tickled her sides and she giggled. "Stop guys! Let me go!"
"This has been a long time coming," RJ teased her.
"Let me go, RJ!" Saffron squealed.
"No way," RJ said. "Come on Andrew get her!"
"I'll never kiss you again, if you---" Saffron started to say, but Andrew cut her off by tickling her sides yet again.
Alexa grabbed a throw pillow from the sofa and hit RJ upside the head with it.
"Hey!" he said. "You're not supposed to do that!"
"We girls have to stick together," Alexa said sweetly, hitting him again.
"Lex hit Andrew!" Saffron was trying valiantly to pull away from RJ.
Alexa did just that. "Come on, guys!"
"You so are not getting snogged for the rest of the day," Saffron told Andrew, only half serious.
"You enjoyed it," Andrew said dodging Alexa who was trying to hit him again. RJ grabbed her by the waist.
"Oh, no you don't!" he said laughing.
"Don't YOU dare!" Alexa exclaimed.
"I just did," RJ said spinning her around.
Saffron shoved Andrew down on the sofa. "You are going to pay for that!"
"I'm really scared Saf," Andrew gave her a devilish grin.
"You should be," Saffron said tickling his side, but he didn't flinch.
"I'm not ticklish," he reminder her.
"Bother," she said. "I just won't kiss you anymore today then."
"You'd never be able to do it," he said grinning up at her.
"Oh you think?" Saffron raised an eyebrow.
"I know," Andrew said cheekily. "I'm irresistible."
"Please," Saffron scoffed. "I can go longer than you can."
"This from the girl who jumped me right out on the street," Andrew said with a laugh.
"Your point being?" Saffron wasn't smiling.
"You think you can hold out?" Andrew asked her.
"More than you can," Saffron was serious.
"You're on," Andrew said sitting up. "First one who caves..."
"Buys dinner," Saffron stuck her hand out.
Andrew shook it and then inched closer to her as if he was going to kiss her. "Deal," he whispered.
"I'm making you take me to the most expensive restaurant in London," Saffron said, curving her fingers around his nape as she licked her lower lip.
"You're getting awfully close," Andrew said trying to stay in control.
"Can't handle it already?" she asked in a low voice.
"N-no," Andrew stammered. "Course not."
"Right," Saffron smiled before backing away.
"That's a stupid bet you two," RJ said. "You can't snog each other. Sounds like torture."
"Mind your own business RJ," Saffron said in a sweet voice.
"Okay, Paprika," RJ said in an equally sweet voice.
"Cassandra," she shot back before flouncing into the kitchen with Alexa.
"You going to be able to hold out?" Alexa asked her friend.
"More than he can," Saffron said as they went into the icebox for something to drink.
"Juice or soda, Saf?" Alexa asked her.
"Soda's good right about now," Saffron said. "I'm so thirsty."
Alexa handed her a can and took out one for herself as well. "This place is really big, isn't it? And already furnished, too....some woman from the team apparently knows a designer who came in here and did all this."
"I think it's great," Saffron agreed. "We are going to have so much fun on holiday now that we have someplace like this we can come to."
"I know," Alexa agreed. "And I think we'll have fun on Friday night, just the two of us. We haven't done anything by ourselves in quite some time. Well, we won't be entirely alone..."
"You'll like Gabe," Saffron assured her. "He's really nice and I feel bad for him- he's had a lot to get over in the past few days."
"I look forward to meeting him," Alexa said.
"Maybe we'll set him up with someone while he's here," Saffron giggled. "And all of us can go on one big date."
"You and your matchmaking," Alexa said giggling.
"It worked for you didn't it?" Saffron laughed.
"Yes it did," Alexa said nodding. "Very well. So well, in fact that I---well, that I---"
"That you what?" Saffron asked.
"When we go to Brighton," Alexa whispered. "RJ and I are going to....we're going to....Merlin, Saffy! I can't even say it..."
Saffron's eyes widened and she gaped at her friend. "You and RJ are planning on sleeping together?" she asked in a hushed voice.
Alexa blushed and then gave a slight nod.
"Oh my gosh," Saffron said. "Lex that's so... so... grown up!"
"I'm still a little scared," Alexa admitted. "Okay, I'm a lot scared."
"Does RJ know that?" Saffron asked.
Alexa shook her head. "He's done this before and I've never...what if I do it wrong? What if he thinks I'm horrible? Part of me thinks it would be better if we wait..."
"You'll do it when you're ready," Saffron assured her. "And I know RJ's a pain, but he'd want you to be comfortable Lex. He loves you so much the last thing he wants to do is pressure you."
"But I kind of already said I would," Alexa said.
Saffron gave her a look. "You don't actually think he'll be angry if you decide you're not ready do you?"
"Maybe," Alexa said. "When I told him I wanted to, at that moment, I thought I did. Now, I'm not so sure. It's such a big thing, Saffy."
"Well I hope you don't feel like you have to because of Christina," Saffron said.
Alexa vehemently shook her head. "No, it's not that. I love him, I do. I just don't think I'm ready for that step yet."
"Just be truthful with him then," Saffron said. "He's not going to be angry Lex."
Alexa hugged her friend. "You're the only one I could talk to about this. My mum would have freaked out if she knew I was even thinking about it."
"I'm here for you anytime," Saffron said. "You're my best friend in the world."
"And you're mine," Alexa said. "So, how about you and Andrew...you guys thinking about..."
"Not yet," Saffron said. "It was a big enough step for me to realise that I'm in love with him. I don't think I'm ready to sleep with him right now though."
"Sometimes I wish we could go back to being 11 when we didn't even think things like these," Alexa said leaning against the counter. "Life was so much more simple."
"Tell me about it," Saffron said. "But having boyfriends has been a lot of fun too. Has it's ups and downs of course, but for the most part I've enjoyed the perks." she grinned.
"Perks, eh?" Alexa teased.
"Oh the snogging is definitely high up," Saffron said. "But I love it when he touches me too."
"So when you going to put him out of his misery and snog him?" Alexa asked.
"Once he kisses me first," Saffron said pertly. "I'm not losing this wager."
"My money's on him caving before you," Alexa said giggling.
Saffron grinned. "And he'll be treating me to dinner."
"At the poshest restaurant in London," Alexa said grinning back at her.
"I thought you two were going to help me move in not sit in my kitchen nattering," RJ said coming into the kitchen.
"We needed something to drink," Saffron told him.
"You could have brought something out to Andrew and me," RJ said walking over to the icebox. "By the way, he ran out to go and tell his parents he's moving in here. He'll be back in a bit."
"Gives me more time to plan my method of attack," Saffron rubbed her hands together, making RJ and Alexa laugh.
"You're going to torment him, aren't you?" RJ asked her. "Until he gives in..."
"I'm not telling you a thing," Saffron said. "You'll just go tell him."
"Would I do that?" RJ asked innocently.
"Yes," both girls said.
"For what it's worth he's going to give in before you do," RJ said. "We're guys..."
Saffron grinned at him.
RJ laughed and went over to the icebox to get himself a drink.
"I'm actually going to go and ring my parents and let them know I'll be home later," Saffron said looking at Alexa. She mouthed the words "Tell him" before exiting the kitchen.
RJ shook his head once Saffron had gone. "What would your parents say if they knew we were all alone?" he joked.
Alexa laughed. "I'm not sure."
"I guess as long as we stay out of the bedroom we'd be okay?" he grinned at her.
Alexa nodded. "Um, RJ, speaking of the bedroom..."
"Yeah?" he asked, digging through the cupboard for something to eat.
Alexa leaned back against the counter trying to get her words straight. "Well, remember how I said when we went to Brighton..."
"What about it?" he looked over at her.
"I've had some time to think about it and I don't think I'm ready," Alexa said biting her bottom lip.
RJ looked at her properly for a moment. "Ready for what we talked about you mean? About us sleeping together?"
She nodded, unable to look at him.
"Lexie," he sat down next to her at the table. "If you're not ready--"
"I thought I was," she said meeting his gaze. "I really did, RJ."
"It's okay," he assured her. "It really is. I want to be with you when you're ready."
"You're not mad?" Alexa asked.
"Of course I'm not mad you silly girl," he looked at her like she'd gone crazy.
Alexa hugged him. "You are the best."
"I love you," RJ said. "I want to make you happy Lexie."
"You do," Alexa said softly. "I love you so much."
"If I ever make you feel like I'm pressuring you I want you to tell me," RJ tucked a loose curl behind her ear.
"Okay," Alexa said smiling at him.
"So what do you think of this place, really." RJ said.
"It's amazing," Alexa said looking around. "My mum would love this kitchen."
"Sad thing is, I don't think I'll be around that much," RJ said. "I'll be so busy with the team..."
"How often will you be away?" Alexa asked.
"Not so much at first while we practise but once the season starts, who knows," RJ said.
"You'll be living out of a suitcase then?" Alexa asked.
"Just sometimes," he grinned at her.
"You should take your camera and take pictures of all the places you'll be going," Alexa said.
"I will," RJ promised.
Saffron had just hung up the phone when she heard a loud pop behind her. "Andrew," she said sweetly. "Want to give me a kiss hello?"
"No," Andrew replied.
"Not even a peck on the cheek?" Saffron asked.
"Nice try," he grinned at her.
"All right then," Saffron stretched in a catlike way, arching her back. "Suit yourself."
Andrew purposely averted his eyes. She was playing him like a violin. "So where do you think we should put these?" he asked holding up the frames they'd been looking at earlier.
"I'm not quite sure," Saffron said lazily. "Goodness, I don't know why I wore this jumper. It's really very warm today..."
"Maybe...maybe you should get some water," Andrew said weakly. "Cool off..."
"Nah," Saffron said, pulling her jumper off to reveal her tight fitting camisole. "This is much better already."
"Uh-huh," Andrew said watching her for a few moments before returning his attention to the contents of the box before him.
Saffron kneeled next to him and pulled her hair up, fanning the back of her neck.
Andrew turned to look at her. "What...what are you doing?"
"Helping you," Saffron gave him her most innocent look as she let her long hair drop.
"Do you have to do it right here?" he asked her. "I've pretty much got this covered, Saf."
"The box is full," she pointed out.
"So it is," Andrew said sheepishly. He shuddered as she leaned in and brushed something from his shoulder.
"Lint," she said, leaning in a bit further.
"I really hate lint," Andrew said trying to remain strong, but with her this close, it was very, very difficult.
"It's a good thing I got it off you then," she smiled slowly, widening her eyes just the tiniest bit.
He didn't even realise it, but his hand was resting on her thigh. "Saffy..."
"Yes?" she asked.
"You're driving me crazy," he said huskily.
"I know," she said softly.
"What time should I pick you up?" he asked.
"For what?"
"Dinner," he answered before crushing his lips to hers.
Saffron giggled as she wound her arms around his neck, kissing him back just as passionately.
"You're good," he said in between kisses.
"You're the best," she answered breathlessly.
"I'm weak," he said laughing. "Where you're concerned."
"I like that in a guy," she said, kissing him again. "And I love that quality in you..."
"I'm going to miss you this weekend," he said softly touching her cheek. "But when I get back, we'll go and have the most expensive dinner on the planet."
"Doesn't really have to be the most expensive," Saffron replied. "I don't care where we go as long as I'm with you."
"We'll go somewhere nice," he promised.
"I'm just so glad I can go on real dates with you now that I'm 16," she said, resting her head on his shoulder. "You know my dad thinks you're great."
"He's pretty cool," Andrew said. "And I think he knows, I'd never want to hurt his little girl."
Saffron giggled. "No chance of that," she agreed. "You make me too happy."
"So I guess you'll be over here a lot this summer," Andrew said grinning down at her.
"As much as possible," Saffron said. "And I can't wait for you to come to Brighton with us."
"And we can go out on the boat," Andrew said playing with the strap of her camisole top.
"All alone," she said, her eyes darkening.
"All alone," he echoed giving her another kiss.
"I love you Andrew," she murmured, pressing her lips to his.
"I love you too, Saffy," he said, not upset in the slightest that he had lost the bet.
*** *** ***
Ethan, Maddie, Will and Frankie had managed to get a night off together and decided to have dinner out and then hit up a few clubs. Currently, they were at Frankie's favourite club Empress and were tucked into a corner table, talking and laughing.
"One more round!" Frankie told the waitress enthusiastically. "And make them strong!"
"I'm not so sure I should have any more," Maddie protested.
"Oh come on," Frankie told her best friend. "You don't have to work tomorrow!"
"I know but I don't want to wake up praying to the porcelain gods tomorrow either," Maddie said.
"I'll make you a potion if you need it," Ethan told her.
Maddie groaned as the waitress set another glass of wine in front of her. "You lot are a bad influence on me."
"I know I am," Ethan grinned at her.
"It's useless to argue with Frankie, she always gets her way," Will said slipping his arm around his wife.
"See he's learned quite well," Frankie gave Will a kiss. "Ethan you'll be the same way."
"He already is," Maddie teased.
"She's got me whipped," Ethan admitted.
Frankie opened her mouth to make a smart remark when she saw her ex-best friend Alicia making her way toward them.
"Franks!" Alicia exclaimed taking the empty seat across from her. "It's been way too long!"
"Excuse me?" Frankie raised an eyebrow.
Alicia tossed back her hair and laughed. "I had about given you up for dead and when I saw you come in, I had to come over! How have you been?"
Frankie exchanged a look with her husband who shrugged. "What do you want?"
"To catch up with my bestest friend in the entire world, of course," Alicia replied as if the answer was obvious. "And her handsome husband, of course. Hello, William."
"Alicia," Will nodded as Ethan smirked at the blonde woman and pulled Maddie closer to him.
Alicia smiled sweetly at Frankie. "Where did you get that dress? It is gorgeous!"
"Alicia you haven't talked to me in months," Frankie told her flatly. "What the hell do you want?"
Her smile faltered somewhat, but she just laughed dismissively. "Franks, I told you. We have been through far too much to let one little row break up our friendship. And I cannot bear to deal with that wannabe Gretchen anymore."
Maddie looked at Frankie. "Want to go dance?" she asked, knowing her best friend was about to blow her top.
"That sounds like a lovely idea, Madeline," Alicia said. "Let's go show them how it's done, Franks!"
Maddie gave Alicia a frosty look. "She doesn't want to talk to you Alicia. Why don't you leave Frankie alone?"
"Because she's my best friend," Alicia said. She looked across the table at Frankie. "Come on, Frankie. You're my oldest and dearest friend and I've missed you. I know I treated you horribly and if I could do something to change that, I would."
"Alicia I think you'd better leave before I do something you'll regret," Frankie said.
"Frankie," Alicia pleaded. "If we could just talk you and me..."
"I have nothing to say to you," Frankie said angrily. "Alicia get out of my face."
"You don't want to be my friend anymore, fine," Alicia said. "But if you could just do me this one favour..."
"I knew it," Will muttered to Ethan.
"Which is?" Frankie asked glaring at her.
"Well," Alicia smiled placatingly. "I heard you know Seamus Finnigan, the world famous director. And he's filming a movie right here in London!"
Frankie rolled her eyes. "And?"
"I heard he's looking for extras," Alicia said in a sugary voice. "But you see- I'm quite the accomplished actress."
"If you count faking orgasms," Frankie said sarcastically.
Ethan, Maddie and Will snorted back their laughter.
"I am really trying to break in to the business and you know as well as I do that it's not what you know, but who you know," Alicia continued, ignoring Frankie's last comment.
"Alicia, go away," Will told her.
"William, I didn't ask you, I asked Franks," Alicia said glaring at him.
"Same thing," Frankie said. "Alicia, go away."
"Ethan," Alicia said turning her attention to the dark-haired man. "I've always thought you and I got along quite well. And you know Seamus, right? You could talk to him about me..."
Maddie put her hand around Ethan's arm. "Let's go dance," she told him.
"Sounds great," Ethan said. "Nice to see you as always, Alicia."
Maddie dragged her fiancé away. "I can't believe her," she said.
"Nothing she's ever done has surprised me," Ethan said. "I'm just proud of Frankie for not falling for it."
"She's really a great person," Maddie replied as Ethan curved his arms around her. "I mean, she's truly become the best friend I've ever had."
"Who ever would have thought that?" Ethan said pulling her closer.
She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I feel bad we can't go to Brighton," she changed the subject. "But at the same time, it's because of our honeymoon..."
"That's right and right now that's more important," Ethan agreed.
"Quite," Maddie agreed. "Merlin I am so excited about the wedding!"
Ethan laughed. "Me too. I can't believe it's nearly here."
"Just a few months away," Maddie shook her hair back.
"I have a feeling that you are going to be well worth the wait," Ethan said softly.
She laughed. "I love you so much for waiting," she told him as he steered her over to a darker corner. "It really means so much to me."
"It certainly hasn't been easy," Ethan said.
"I know," she said, stroking the hair at his nape. "You've been more than patient with me."
"Maddie Molly," Ethan said leaning in to kiss her.
"Mmm..." she said, closing her eyes as he opened her mouth under his.
Ethan's arms snaked around her waist as he deepened the kiss. This reminded him of the last time they'd tried this at a club. Hopefully, there wouldn't be any intrusions or interruptions.
Maddie settled herself on his lap as Ethan pulled them onto a sofa. The amount of wine she'd consumed that night had left her feeling pleasantly buzzed but not completely out of control.
"Now who's being the bad influence?" he asked her.
"Me," she said with a grin.
"And I'm reaping the benefits," Ethan said huskily.
Maddie smiled down at him as he ran his hands up and down her back. "Kiss me," she said as she leaned in. "Touch me Ethan."
He kissed the hollow of her neck and Maddie gasped as his lips tickled her throat.
"Yes," she said huskily. "That's exactly what I want you to do."
Ethan's hand slid under her jumper. "Still okay?"
"Mmmhmm..." she said. "You know that..."
He cupped her breast and again marvelled at how warm and soft her skin was against his hand.
Maddie closed her eyes and leaned against Ethan, her hands buried in his hair.
"I love you," he whispered. "So much."
"I love you," she whimpered as he slid his other hand into the waistband of her knickers.
"Still okay?" he asked.
"Yes," she said. "We've done this before Ethan... you make me feel so good..."
His fingers slid inside her and he kissed her to muffle her cries.
"You know... exactly... what to do..." Maddie said breathlessly.
"Do I?" he asked grinning at her.
"Always," Maddie told him.
"It helps when I have a willing subject," Ethan said softly.
"That's always me," Maddie kissed him again.
Out of the corner of his eye, Ethan could see another couple sitting down on the other edge of the sofa. Reluctantly, he pulled away from his fiancée. "I wish we were getting married tonight," he said grinning at her.
"So do I," she agreed wistfully as they got up.
Frankie looked up when she saw her friends returning to the table. One look at Maddie's swollen lips and rosy cheeks and she knew what they had been up to.
"Madeline Molly Weasley," she said grinning at her.
"What?" Maddie asked, blushing guiltily.
"I always knew there was a tart in you just dying to get out," Frankie said giggling.
"Frankie!"
"I did," Frankie said. "And I am almost always right."
Ethan grinned. "She doesn't kiss and tell."
"She does to me," Frankie sing-songed. "Best friend, remember?"
Maddie giggled and sat down. "You finally got rid of Alicia?"
Will laughed. "Yes, but not before she tried to stage a dramatic reading in front of us. I wish you'd seen it!"
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Glad we missed it."
"She really has some nerve," Frankie said shaking her head. "I wouldn't help her across the street let alone introduce her to Seamus."
"You've outgrown her," Will told his wife.
"And how," Frankie agreed. "I was never as bad as her, was I?"
"No way," Will said.
"Not even close," Maddie reassured her. "You care about other people, whereas Alicia only cares about herself."
"Thanks, Maddie," Frankie said smiling at her.
"To Frankie," Ethan grinned at her, holding up his glass. "May she be deeper than the puddles outside from the rain." he teased.
Will and Maddie laughed and held their glasses up as well. "Here! Here!"
"Thanks Ethan," Frankie said sarcastically.
"To Frankie Barron, my beautiful wife who is the most vivacious, sweet, loving and caring woman I know," Will said. "And may she never have wrinkles, grey hair, or----what else, was it sweetheart?"
"A sagging bosom," Frankie finished.
"Right," Will said clinking his glass against hers. "I have got to remember that one."
"You wouldn't like it," Frankie kissed her husband.
"I would love you even with grey hair, wrinkles and a saggy bosom," Will told her.
"Well thank you," she laughed.
"She wanted to put that in our vows," Will told Maddie and Ethan.
"Hmmm..." Maddie looked at Ethan. "Wonder if I should make you swear to love me when I'm ugly."
"You could never be ugly," Ethan told her.
Maddie kissed him. "I love you."
"I love you," Ethan said putting his arm around her.
"So Mads," Frankie said. "Did I tell you I picked up my dress yesterday?"
"You did?" Maddie asked eagerly.
"And it looks fantastic," Frankie grinned.
"You should see Caroline, Emma and Mia in their dresses," Maddie said. "They're so cute."
"They love the flower crowns," Frankie replied.
"And Mary was really touched that you wanted to have Tim Junior as ring bearer," Will said.
"I'm really glad she doesn't mind," Maddie said, sipping her wine. "He's the perfect age."
"It was either him or Blue," Ethan said. "And I'm thinking Tim Junior will do better than Blue."
"Blue?" Frankie asked. "The pixie?"
Ethan nodded. "Since we had a shortage of little boys in the families, Mads came up with the idea to use Blue."
"Madeline!" Frankie laughed. "You can't be serious."
"Why not?" Maddie asked. "He is part of our family and I think he should be a part of the wedding."
"He's a pixie," Ethan told her. "Staying with your parents while we're on the honeymoon."
"He could be an usher," Maddie said thoughtfully.
Ethan gave Will and Frankie a panicked glance.
"Or he could serve champagne at the reception," Maddie said trying to keep a straight face.
"Madeline don't start," Ethan said.
"Lighten up, Ethan," Maddie said laughing. "I was only teasing. Besides, Blue doesn't like being around crowds. It would scare him."
"He's still shy of me," Ethan grumbled.
"He's warming up to you," Maddie said squeezing his arm. "He sat on your knee this afternoon and he felt really bad about tearing your trousers, Ethan."
Frankie laughed. "I think Ethan felt worse."
"Why don't you keep him in his cage?" Will asked.
"He likes to be free," Maddie explained. "Normally when I'm home he'll sit on my shoulder while I do things around the flat."
"You should see this thing, mate," Ethan told Will. "He can pout just like Mads and it's spooky watching him in that cage, just pouting at you..."
Will nearly choked on his pint he was laughing so hard. "What are you teaching this little pixie?" he asked Maddie.
"He's the sweetest pixie," Maddie said. "You should see him when he thinks I'm sad, he'll just sit on my shoulder and play with my hair and try to make me feel better."
"That is rather sweet," Frankie said.
"Watch out Will," Ethan said. "Or Frankie will want one, too."
"That would be like having a kid," Frankie replied. "No thanks."
"I thought you guys wanted kids," Maddie said. "I know not now, but down the road..."
"Eventually," Frankie said.
"I cannot wait to be a mum," Maddie said dreamily. "With a house full of kids."
"Uh oh," Ethan pulled back hard on his beer. "What does that mean for me?"
"You'll need a really big house," Will said grinning at him.
"Let's focus on the wedding first," Ethan nuzzled his fiancée's neck. "And the honeymoon..."
"The honeymoon," Frankie said dreamily. "You two are going to come back so tan and relaxed. I'm going to be so jealous."
Will looked at his wife. "Like we did when we came back from Hawaii? Although I must say, I wasn't very relaxed." he grinned wickedly.
"You had a good time," Frankie said nudging him. "Let's just leave it at that."
"Yeah don't scar me for life," Ethan said in a smartass tone.
"You had enough scarring with your mum and dad," Frankie teased.
"Don't remind me," Ethan said as he signalled for another round.
"I think it's great that they're still like that after being married for so long," Maddie said. "And so sweet."
"You wouldn't be saying that if it was your parents," Ethan said sarcastically.
"Mine are sort of like that," Maddie replied mildly. "Just not as demonstrative."
"No one's parents are THAT demonstrative," Frankie said laughing.
"Can we talk about something else?" Ethan asked. "Because I'm sure I could always get Alicia to come back over here."
"Anything but that," Frankie said cringing. "The actress...."
"She's good at acting fake," Will rolled his eyes.
"She couldn't act her way out of a paper bag," Frankie scoffed. "I cannot believe I was ever friends with that hag."
"I can't either," Ethan agreed dryly.
"And then she wants me to do her a favour after all the things she said and did to me," Frankie said. "Ha! Fat chance!"
"She's completely delusional," Will and Ethan shared an amused look.
"I almost want to tell Seamus about her and watch him fall all over himself laughing at her 'acting' abilities," Frankie said chuckling.
Maddie shook her head. "Let's talk about something else."
"All right," Ethan agreed. "Speaking of Seamus- can you lot believe that about him having a son?"
Frankie nearly choked on her drink. "W-what?"
"You hadn't heard?" Ethan asked. "I thought your mum had told you."
"I don't even think my Mum knows," Frankie said. "Because if she had, she would have told EVERYONE."
"He's got a son," Maddie explained. "His name is Gabriel and he's 17. His mother was a woman Seamus was with while he was broken up with Lavender."
"How scandalous!" Frankie exclaimed.
"Apparently she died," Ethan said. "And Gabriel went and introduced himself to Seamus."
"Whoa," Frankie said taken aback. "That took some guts."
Will shook his head. "And he had no idea that the kid was around?"
"No," Maddie replied. "Of course not. But he's brought Gabriel to England to spend the summer with him."
"Wow," Frankie shook her head.
"We've not met him yet, but Saffy says he seems like a nice bloke," Ethan said.
"She's invited him to go out to the movies with her and Alexa," Maddie smiled.
"And he and Aunt Lav are going to Brighton with the family too," Ethan reported. "Wish we could tag along this time."
"No, you'll be too busy with the wedding plans," Frankie said. "Maybe we'll meet this Gabriel during the wedding. You planning on inviting him?"
"Of course," Maddie said.
"Not too much longer now," Frankie said grinning at them. "Before you are Mr. and Mrs. Ethan Potter."
Ethan and Maddie grinned goofily at each other.
"To the wedding," Frankie said raising her glass again.
"The wedding," Ethan gave his fiancée a kiss.
"To no more drama," Will said.
"To no more Alicia," Frankie grumbled.
"I kind of thought she fell under the 'no drama' thing," Will said laughing.
"It follows her wherever she goes," Frankie rolled her eyes.
"It seems to follow us too," Ethan said.
"Will's right," Maddie said. "No more drama."
"Not possible, but a good thought," Ethan said clinking his glass with hers.
"Come on baby," Will said to his wife. "It's our turn to cut up the floor."
"You want to dance?" Frankie asked in surprise.
Will leaned over and whispered something in her ear, making Frankie blush and tug on his arm, nearly yanking him away from the table.
"Any guesses what he said to her?" Maddie asked Ethan.
"Something incredibly obscene?" Ethan said with a grin.
"Probably," Maddie winked at him.