In this chapter you get the rest of the Hannah scene, and then we have some E/M, which a lot of you have been clambering for ;) and then we also have some RJ/Alexa stuff believe it or not haha
We hope you enjoy it, and we're also trying to put up another Sims page update soon! Please review!!
Mrs. Roman smiled at her. "I can definitely say they've got my recommendation, sweetheart. But it's up to the courts to make the final decision."
"What else do we have to do?" Frankie asked.
"I'll make my recommendations and we have to visit with Hannah's father to get him to sign away his rights," Mrs. Roman said. At the mention of her father, Hannah got up from her own chair and hopped on Frankie's lap.
Frankie put her arms protectively around the little girl and kissed the top of her head. "Does Hannah have to see him again?" she asked quietly.
Mrs. Roman shook her head. "Of course not."
Frankie felt Hannah relax. "Good," she answered.
"During the adoption hearing," Mrs. Roman explained. "He will be there though, but Hannah doesn't have to be. The judge will hear from her separately and then make his decision after talking to you."
Will nodded. "Sounds good."
"I'll be in touch," Mrs. Roman said. "It was lovely to meet you both."
"You too," Will shook the woman's hand as did Frankie.
"I'm going to take Mrs. Roman back to the house so she can visit with Joey," Luna said to Hannah. "I'll be back to get you in a couple of hours, okay?"
"I get to stay?" Hannah brightened.
Luna nodded. "For a couple of hours."
Hannah grinned at Frankie.
Frankie grinned back and waited until Luna and Mrs. Roman were gone before showing how happy she truly was.
"That went so well," Frankie said giving Hannah a big hug.
"I want to come live here so much," Hannah said.
"We want that too," Frankie said softly.
"Very much," Will added.
Hannah gave Frankie another hug. "Did I do okay?"
"You did perfect," Frankie kissed the side of her forehead. "Absolutely perfect."
"I was nervous," Hannah admitted.
"So was I," Frankie replied. "But it looks like everything's going to work out."
"I talked to my mummy last night," Hannah said softly. "In my dreams."
"Did you?" Frankie asked, brushing her hair back. "What did you talk about?"
Hannah smiled. "She said that she loved me and that she was sorry she couldn't be here, but she'd sent you to me and that you'd look after me and love me just like she did."
Frankie's eyes filled with tears. "That's beautiful Hannah."
"And she said that Will was nothing like my Daddy," Hannah said looking shyly at him. "And that he would love me very much."
Will smiled. "I think your mum was very right," he chucked her gently under the chin.
Hannah giggled and gave him a hug.
Will gave the little girl a kiss on the cheek. "I know you ate a lot of biscuits, but how about Frankie and I take you out for dinner tonight?"
"Really?" Hannah asked.
"Do you like Italian?" Frankie asked.
"What's that?" Hannah asked.
"Pizza, spaghetti," Will told her. "Things like that."
"I like pizza," Hannah said. "We had it last night."
"We don't have to eat Italian since you had that last night," Frankie said.
Hannah shook her head. "I want to," she said quickly. "It was yummy."
"Okay then," Will said smiling at her. "Pizza it is."
As they left the house, deciding to walk since the restaurant was close by and it was a nice evening, Hannah took each of their hands in hers as she walked between them.
"Halloween will be coming up in a few weeks," Will said conversationally. "What are you going to dress up as?"
"Dress up?" Hannah asked. "You mean like when I dress up for the princess club?"
Will nodded. "You don't have to dress up like a princess, though. You can dress up as anything you want."
Hannah looked at Frankie in confusion.
"It's really fun," Frankie said. "You get to pick out a costume and you wear it on Halloween and kids can go trick-or-treating and you can play fun games. Our neighbourhood has a really nice carnival. Will and I have never been, but we were thinking that perhaps you'd like to go."
Will smiled. "They have a really nice costume contest and lots of sweets."
"You'll go with me?" Hannah asked them. "The whole time? Do Emma and Caroline go too?"
"We'd go with you," Frankie replied. "And I'm sure Caroline and Em would love to come with."
"And I have to wear a costume?" Hannah asked. "What do Caroline and Emma usually wear?"
"Well last year, they went as princesses, but the year before Caroline was a cat," Frankie said. "She had whiskers and a tail. She was so cute!"
Hannah giggled. "I like cats."
"Em's thinking of being Little Red Riding Hood this year," Frankie told her. "Allie says it's her favourite story right now."
"She'd be really cute," Hannah said. "My mummy read me that story."
"It's one of my favourites too," Frankie said smiling down at her. "You can get a lot of good costume ideas from books."
"Can we make a costume together?" Hannah asked a bit timidly.
"Of course," Frankie replied. "That'd be fun."
Hannah grinned as they went up the steps and into the restaurant.
They settled in a corner booth and Hannah squeezed in beside Frankie.
"What are you in the mood for?" Frankie asked. "Do you want some soda like you had at our house that first time?"
"Please," Hannah said politely.
"And do you want some pizza or would you like pasta?" Will asked. "They make the best pasta here."
Frankie picked up the menu and pointed out some of her favourites. "This lasagne is delicious and wait until you try the garlic bread, Hannah."
The little girl's eyes grew wide as she looked at the menu. "There's so much food!"
"And you can choose anything you want," Will told her.
The waitress had placed a paper child's menu in front of them when they sat down. "I can't really read any of this," Hannah admitted.
Frankie put an arm around her. "I'll help. Okay, there's macaroni and cheese. And spaghetti, of course. Or you could get an individual pizza of your choice..."
"My own pizza?" Hannah asked. "I want that!"
Will grinned. "What do you want on it?"
"Lots of cheese," Hannah said. "Lots and lots of cheese!"
Will recognised one of his friends from work and he stood up to go over and say hello. Frankie looked conspiratorially at Hannah. "Okay, Hannah. I'm going to tell you something about Will, but you can't tell him I told you."
"What?" Hannah leaned in.
"It's so funny," Frankie said with a grin. "He always studies the menu like he's making this big decision. And you think he's going to order something different, but it never fails. He always orders the manicotti with extra meat sauce. Every single time. You watch. When he comes back to the table, he'll say that he thinks the spaghetti looks good or maybe he'll try the stuffed mushrooms, but he then orders the manicotti each and every time. I'd bet a thousand galleons he does it again tonight."
Hannah giggled. "Will's funny."
Frankie nodded. "He is very funny."
"Do I really get to have my own pizza?" Hannah leaned against her.
"Your very own pizza," Frankie said putting an arm around her. "And you can get anything you want on it. Pepperoni, mushrooms, sausage, hamburger...."
"Hamburger on a pizza?" Hannah made a face.
"I know," Frankie said nodding. "Not exactly appetizing, is it? I like to get spinach and mushroom on mine."
"I just like cheese," Hannah said, smiling shyly at her.
"Then cheese it is," Frankie said. She looked up and saw Will coming back over to join them.
"That was Tom," Will explained. "He's working on that chapter with me, remember?"
"Right," Frankie grinned at Hannah. "So sweetheart, what are you in the mood for tonight?"
Will picked up his menu and studied it thoroughly. "Everything looks so good. Stuffed mushrooms....hmm...."
Hannah stifled a giggle as Frankie grinned knowingly.
"Or the spaghetti," Will said nodding.
"I'm going to get a spinach salad," Frankie said. "And a side order of stuffed ravioli."
Will closed his menu. "I think I'll just get manicotti."
Hannah couldn't hold her giggles in anymore and Will looked at her perplexed.
Frankie giggled too which only confused Will even more.
"Am I missing something here?" he sat back.
Frankie shook her head as she tried to stop laughing.
"Hannah?" the corners of Will's mouth turned up. "Want to let me in on the joke here?"
Frankie nodded her consent and Hannah grinned. "You always order the manicamotti."
"The manicotti?" Will asked with a grin. "So Frankie pulled you in on her little story didn't she?"
"It's not a story, Mister Predictable," Frankie said nudging him.
"Yeah, yeah." Will gave his wife a little kiss. "Same goes for you Ms. Salad and Ravioli."
"Yes, well unlike you, I have eaten other things here," Frankie said.
The waitress came back over that moment and Frankie let Hannah place her own order.
"Pizza with extra cheese," Hannah said shyly. "Please."
"Excellent choice, madam," the waitress said. "Would you like a salad, too?"
"I don't know..." Hannah looked at Frankie.
"You can get a salad if you want, and I'll finish it if you don't like it." Will told her.
Hannah nodded and looked at the waitress. "I'd like a salad, please."
"Great," the waitress smiled at her. "I'll have that out for you soon."
"Thanks," Frankie said.
"Your daughter is adorable," the waitress said before walking away.
Hannah looked at the woman as she walked away. "That lady says I'm your daughter already," she stated.
Frankie nodded. "She thought that we look like a family."
"I think we do too," Will tweaked Hannah's nose.
"We are a family," Frankie said to Hannah. "No matter what happens, Hannah. We love you."
"I love you both too," Hannah leaned over and hugged her.
"My sweet girl," Frankie said kissing the top of her head.
"Frankie?" Hannah asked after a moment. "Do I get to spend the night soon?"
"We were speaking with Mrs. Roman about that and she doesn't think that would be a good idea until after the court makes their final decision," Frankie explained gently. "It's a rule that we have to follow."
"Oh," Hannah deflated just a bit.
"But that doesn't mean I can't stay over with you one night," Frankie said. "We could have our own sleepover."
"I hate to rain on your parade but you'd best speak to Luna before you arrange anything like that," Will said cautiously.
"Right," Frankie said hastily. "We'll have to run it by Luna and Ron, of course."
Hannah felt happier than she had in ages. "Can we stay up all night?" she asked. "If you can come?"
"We'll try," Frankie replied with a grin.
"And have popcorn and watch lots of movies?" Hannah asked.
Frankie laughed and tickled her side. "Yes, we can watch movies and eat lots of popcorn."
"I can't wait," Hannah giggled.
"Me either," Frankie agreed.
The waitress brought over their drinks and a large basket of garlic bread. "I put a few extra pieces in here for you three," she said, grinning at Hannah. "I'll be back in a few minutes with your salads."
Hannah smiled. "That smells so good!"
"Have a piece," Frankie picked a big slice and set it down in front of her.
Hannah took a bite and the look on her face made Will and Frankie laugh.
"Told you it was good," Frankie said giggling.
"That's the yummiest garlic bread ever," Hannah said, ravenously gobbling it down.
Frankie decided to splurge a bit and she too took a piece of bread.
"What is this?" Will pretended to be shocked. "Is my slender, calorie counting wife actually eating BREAD?"
Frankie finished her bite and looked indignantly at him. "Everything in moderation, William. Everything in moderation."
"Watch her when she gets her ravioli," Will told Hannah. "She'll eat it faster than Ron eats biscuits."
"Mister Ron eats really, really fast and he eats so much," Hannah said her eyes getting big. "Jenny and I just sit back and watch. And his little girl eats just as much as he does! But she does have the prettiest hair. Caroline was right."
"Isn't Maddie completely gorgeous?" Frankie agreed. "And the thing about her, is she's as sweet and nice as she is beautiful."
Hannah nodded. "She brought over her pixie for us to play with. I liked him a whole bunch."
"Blue's cute," Will nodded. "We kept him while she and her husband were on their honeymoon."
"He played with my hair," Hannah giggled at the memory of it. "And when Joey and Zach called me 'Hannah Banana', he made a really scary face at them."
"I think that means he likes you," Frankie smiled at her.
"I think so too," Hannah said happily.
"Here are your salads," the waitress set them down.
"Thank you," Hannah said politely.
"You're very welcome," the waitress replied.
"They're not my mummy and daddy yet," Hannah told the waitress softly.
"I beg your pardon?" the waitress asked.
"They're not my mummy and daddy yet, but they're going to be," Hannah said motioning to first Frankie and then Will.
"Oh," the waitress said. "Well... it looks as if they love you very much."
"Really?" Hannah asked, pleased.
"Definitely," the waitress winked at her before leaving for another table.
"We do love you very, very much," Frankie said as she cut Hannah's salad.
Hannah blushed happily and looked down at her lap shyly.
"And you never have to doubt that," Will told her. "We want you to be our daughter, Hannah. More than anything in the world."
"I want that too," Hannah nodded. "A whole lot."
Frankie knew that nothing was definite yet, but she liked their chances. Mrs. Roman had said as much.
She handed Hannah a fork. "Here you go, sweetheart."
"I never had salad before," Hannah replied.
"It looks as if they've given you Italian dressing," Frankie said. "Let me know what you think."
Hannah took a tentative bite. "It's.... okay."
Frankie laughed. "Not too many kids like salad..."
"Do you want to finish mine?" Hannah asked. "Is it really okay if I don't like it?"
"I'll take it," Will said. "And yes, it's okay if you don't like it. We're not going to make you eat something you don't like."
"You won't?" Hannah asked.
"Of course not," Will said spooning the rest of Hannah's salad onto his plate.
"My daddy always made me eat stuff I didn't like." Hannah said softly.
"Well, he was very wrong to do that," Frankie said trying to quell her anger.
Hannah nodded. "Can I have another piece of garlic bread?"
"You sure can," Frankie said setting another piece of bread on Hannah's plate.
"I really like this," Hannah bit into it.
"I think I might have another piece too," Frankie said eagerly grabbing another piece from the basket.
"Mark this occasion," Will took a huge bite of salad.
"Shut it, you," Frankie said. "This is a special occasion."
"Right," Will smirked.
They finished their salads and a few moments later, the waitress returned with their entrees. Frankie was having fun watching Hannah take in the new experience of going out to eat and couldn't help smiling as she watched her take a bite of her pizza.
"I love pizza," Hannah said.
"Have you ever tried manicotti?" Will asked her. "Have a bite of this..."
"What's in it?" Hannah asked suspiciously.
"Well, it's a bunch of cheese obviously," Will explained "Wrapped in pasta with marinara sauce." He placed a small bite on Hannah's plate. "Give it a try."
"Okay," Hannah took a tentative bite.
"Good?" Will asked her.
Hannah nodded. "I like it."
Will grinned. "Now you see why I always order it."
"Don't recruit anyone else," Frankie teased him.
"She's just mad because I didn't offer her a bite," Will said winking at Hannah.
"I have my own, William," Frankie speared her ravioli.
"Oh excuse me, Francesca," Will said.
Frankie gave him a good natured kick under the table.
"Ouch," Will said dramatically.
"What did you do?" Hannah peered under the table.
"She kicked my leg under the table," Will said. "Can you believe that, Hannah?"
"No," Hannah said solemnly.
"That didn't hurt, Will," Frankie said rolling her eyes. "You are such a big baby."
Will pushed his lower lip out, making Hannah giggle.
"Big baby," Frankie said shaking her head.
"You're both really silly," Hannah said.
Frankie tickled Hannah's side. "You're pretty silly, too so I think you'll fit in just fine."
"I hope so," Hannah took another slice of her pizza.
"I know so," Frankie said smiling at her.
*** *** ***
Ethan arrived home at his and Maddie's new place after his weekend out of town on assignment with his father. He was looking forward to seeing his wife and spending some time alone with her.
He let himself in the front door and heard her laughing in the sitting room.
"Ethan is that you?" Maddie called out. "You have got to see this!"
"Hey," Ethan smiled at her as he came in. "See what?"
Maddie giggled. "I bought Blue this little obstacle course at the Magical Menagerie. You have got to see him go!"
Ethan chuckled. "All right."
Maddie gave him a kiss hello. "How was work?"
"Kept me busy," Ethan said. "I'm so glad to be home."
"Me too," Maddie said. "Okay, have a seat."
"Hey little guy," Ethan said as Blue flew onto his knee. "Miss me?"
Blue stuck his tongue out at Ethan.
"Blue!" Maddie chastised. "What did we talk about?"
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Ethan asked.
"Well, you know how he's been a little down since we moved in," Maddie explained. "Well, I think he's reverting back to how he was with you before since he's not used to this new place. So, I bought him this little gift so he'd have something to take his mind off of it."
"I see," Ethan scratched between the pixie's ears with his finger. "Ahhhh... you like that don't you?"
Blue cooed.
"That's a good pixie," Maddie said smiling at him.
Ethan laughed. "I've never heard him make that noise before." he set the pixie down on the little course. "All right little guy, let's see how you do on this thing."
Maddie smiled. "On the count of three, Blue. One...two...three..."
Ethan got a kick out of watching the pixie tear through the obstacles. "He's doing good isn't he?"
"He is," Maddie said fondly. "And the witch at the shop said that this will really help him keep fit."
Ethan smirked. "I know what keeps me fit now."
"Ethan!" Maddie giggled hitting him on the arm. "Behave. Drew and Brian are going to be here any minute."
"What's bringing them over?" Ethan pulled her onto his lap.
"Remember?" Maddie asked him. "We were going to listen to RJ's match on the wireless? He's playing Andrew's team tonight. Big, big match."
"I forgot," Ethan said. "Sorry... with everything over this past week I just didn't even think about it."
"That's okay," Maddie said leaning against him. "They're bringing takeaway."
"Chinese?" Ethan gave her a kiss.
"With extra egg rolls," Maddie said with a grin.
Blue stopped performing his trick and flew in between Maddie and Ethan.
"What is it baby?" Maddie asked.
"I think he knows we were neglecting him," Ethan said as Blue flew back down to the course.
"A good snog will have to wait," Maddie rested her head on his shoulder as they watched the little pixie.
"Until tonight," Ethan said getting to his feet. He switched on the wireless so they could listen to the pre-match broadcast. "Hopefully, Andrew will get to play this match."
"I wonder what that would be like," Maddie said. "RJ and Andrew playing against each other..."
"Not too much fun, I gather," Ethan said thoughtfully. "RJ's team's undefeated."
"I just hope my brother wouldn't rub it in Andrew's face," Maddie said.
"Come on, Mads," Ethan said going into the kitchen to grab himself a beer. "RJ's not like that."
"He'd better stay that way," Maddie put Blue back into his cage and set the obstacle course aside. "I made some biscuits earlier."
"That's my girl," Ethan said grabbing one from the plate on the table.
"My favourite and yours," she put her arms around his middle.
Ethan fed her the biscuit. "Delicious?"
"You always taste good to me," Maddie grinned at her husband.
"Mmmm," Ethan said huskily.
"And Quidditch Weekly's rookie-of-the-week two times this season is none other than Puddlemere's own RJ Weasley," the announcer said on the wireless. "Tonight's match will find the rookie taking on his best friend and former team mate, Andrew Kirke Jr. We talked to both players...."
"Uh oh," Ethan said. "Let's hear if they're going to hurl insults."
Maddie took his hand and they went back into the sitting room to listen to the interview.
"Young Andrew Kirke hasn't seen much playing time in the short season," the announcer continued. "But his coaches are high on the former Gryffindor star who has shown promise since the start of the season."
"I'm just trying to work hard and learn what I can from the veterans," Andrew said. "My time will come and I just have to be patient..."
"Patience is key in this game," the announcer joked. "Unless you're RJ Weasley, who has yet to let a Quaffle by him."
Andrew laughed. "He is one of the best players out there, but don't tell him I said that. His head is big enough as it is..."
"He might hear this interview later," the announcer replied, also laughing.
"I guess I'm in trouble then," Andrew laughed.
"Will it be hard playing against your friend after so many years of being on the same team?" the announcer asked.
"I don't think so," Andrew said. "I mean, we keep Quidditch out of our lives away from the pitch."
"So win or lose, you'll still be mates?" the announcer asked.
"Definitely," Andrew replied. "Is it okay if I say hello to friends and family on here?"
"Of course," the announcer replied.
"I'd like to say hello to my mum and dad," Andrew said. "And to my gorgeous girlfriend Saffron, who's listening from school right now."
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Somewhere in Scotland, there's a bushy-haired brunette blushing and squealing..."
"I think it's very sweet," Maddie elbowed him.
Ethan shook his head. "I can see Saffy now...oh, Andrew!"
Maddie grinned. "Are you jealous?" she poked him. "That Andrew didn't say hello to you?"
"No!" Ethan said tickling her.
"Shhhh---RJ's coming on," Maddie said.
"Success has come easy for RJ Weasley, but he's not one to rest on his laurels," the announcer said.
"The schedule's been really rough, but I'm still out on the pitch every morning practising," RJ said. "It's lot tougher than playing at Hogwarts where we just had matches every other weekend."
"Do you miss the power of being captain and having the say over all plays your team made?" the announcer asked. "Or do you like just being a team player?"
"I do, but our team captain Scanlon knows the game better than I do," RJ replied. "And for me, it's all about the team. I'm playing with a great bunch of guys..."
"It's always important to get along with your team mates," the announcer finished. "Right RJ?"
"Definitely," RJ agreed. "And these blokes have treated me like a brother right from the start. The entire Puddlemere organisation is one, big happy family."
"And speaking of families, you come from quite a large one," the announcer said.
"Six brothers and sisters," RJ confirmed.
"That's more than enough for your own team," the announcer joked.
RJ laughed. "Well, me and my brother Jon were the only ones who really play."
"Josh never really cared for flying," Maddie said to Ethan.
"He was too busy drooling over Jules," Ethan said laughing.
"I wish I remembered that better," Maddie replied.
"It was kind of like you and your crush on me," Ethan said. "Only in your case, you got the object of your affection."
"That I did," Maddie grinned at him. "After loads of perseverance."
"And you finally beat me into submission," Ethan joked.
"Kissed you into submission, more like." Maddie closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his.
Ethan wrapped his arms around her and pressed her back onto the sofa. They were so wrapped up in each other, they didn't realise they had an audience until Maddie got a whiff on the takeaway.
"Hiya," Drew said giggling. "Newlyweds..."
"Drew!" Maddie exclaimed. "When did you get here?"
"About five minutes ago," Drew said. "We rang the bell ..."
"Sorry," Maddie blushed. "We um... we haven't seen each other all week."
"Brian and I could go," Drew offered.
"No, no it's fine." Maddie got up and hugged her sister. "How are you feeling? How's the baby so far?"
"Fine," Drew said happily. "We're both fine."
"And she has the appetite to prove it," Brian joked.
Maddie giggled and hugged her future brother in law. "It's good to see you Brian."
"Good to see you, Mads," Brian said. "Looks like you're all settled here."
"It's been a busy week," she nodded. "But I think we have everything set up the way we like it."
"You missed your little brother's interview," Ethan said as he gave Drew a hug.
"Uh oh what did Junior say?" Drew asked.
Ethan laughed. "Basically that he and Jon were the only ones in your family who liked to fly."
"That's pretty much true, aside from Dad," Drew said.
"Girlie girls, eh?" Brian teased.
Drew elbowed him. "Let's eat- I'm starved."
"There's the Weasley family motto," Maddie grinned taking her sister's hand. "Come on, I'll show you what we did with the kitchen."
"I can't wait to see," Drew replied.
Maddie excitedly showed her sister the small renovations she and Ethan had done to the kitchen.
"I love what you've done," Drew said smiling at her younger sister. "This place looks fantastic!"
"Thanks," Maddie grinned. "We had so much fun moving in."
"I find it hard to believe you got any work done at all given that little snog session Brian and I witnessed earlier," Drew teased.
"Stop it," Maddie blushed. "I'm married now; you guys can't give me grief anymore."
"Says who?" Drew asked.
"Me," Maddie laughed.
Drew shook her head. "Not good enough, Mad Dog."
"My husband?" Maddie tried again as she got plates from the cupboard.
"As if we've ever listened to him," Drew chuckled sneaking one of the biscuits from the counter. "Maddie, these are delicious!"
"Thanks," Maddie said. "I had a bit of free time so I made them earlier."
"Your niece or nephew-to-be seems to like them too," Drew said grabbing another biscuit.
"Help yourself," Maddie said. "I can always make more."
"Don't tell Dar, but right now you are my favourite sister," Drew said.
Maddie laughed. "My lips are sealed."
"But not for me," Ethan quipped, coming into the kitchen. He grabbed a few beers from the icebox. "We're going to eat in the sitting room so we can listen to the game, right?"
Maddie nodded. "Drew, what can we get you to drink?"
"Have you got any pumpkin juice?" Drew asked. "If not, water's fine."
"Pumpkin juice it is," Maddie said as Drew took the plates from her.
A few moments later, the two couples were seated in the sitting room listening to the match. RJ was starting as usual, but Andrew wasn't.
"I haven't seen Andrew play before," Brian said. "Is he any good?"
Ethan nodded. "He's not as good as RJ but he holds his own out there."
"Drew tells me your sister is quite good," Brian said. "She's going to play professionally?"
"She wants to," Ethan replied. "And if I know my sister, she'll definitely make it. Saf's very determined."
"She's even better than you were," Drew said as she spooned another helping of rice onto her plate.
"I beg your pardon?" Ethan asked.
Drew gave him a look. "She's the best player in your family, Ethan."
Ethan rolled his eyes. "She's good, but I think me and Dad were better...are better."
Drew looked at Maddie and they both burst out laughing.
"What?" Ethan asked looking at them. "I'll give you that Saf's the best girl player in our family..."
"I bet you she could catch the Snitch faster than you," Drew challenged.
"She has," Maddie said before Ethan could.
"One time," Ethan said defensively. "She did that one time."
"At age 10," Maddie told them.
"I seem to remember a few summers ago you two were playing and she caught it a full four seconds faster than you did," Drew said thoughtfully.
"Come on, Drew," Ethan scoffed. "Dad charmed it so she'd be able to catch it."
"She did not," Maddie nudged him. "Ethan, you can admit that she's better than you at Quidditch. It doesn't make you any less of a man."
"She is not better than me," Ethan said nudging her back. "I could have played professionally. I had offers."
"And I bet Saffy will too once she gets out of school," Maddie returned.
"Admit it, you like her better than me," Ethan pretended to be wounded.
"So much that perhaps I should have married her," Maddie deadpanned, making Drew and Brian snort in laughter.
"Mads," Ethan said snatching an egg roll from her plate. "That's what you get."
"I'll just eat it off your plate," Maddie stuck her fork into it.
Ethan shook his head. "I can't win."
"No one can against Mad Dog," Drew teased. "You should know that by now."
Brian nudged Drew. "Someone from Wimbourne got hurt by a Bludger..."
"Who?" Drew asked.
"Parker," Brian replied.
"...Parker will go to the bench," the announcer was saying. "And young Andrew Kirke will take his place as beater."
"Hey all right," Ethan said. "Andrew's finally got his chance to play!"
"Saffy is probably over the moon right about now," Maddie said with a grin, picturing her sister-in-law sitting by the wireless with a huge grin on her face.
"Oh Andrew," Ethan said in falsetto tone.
Maddie punched him in the arm. "Shut it, you."
"Ow," Ethan laughed. "That actually hurt."
"It was supposed to," Maddie said with a grin. "Ease up on your sister, or I'll tell her and you'll get another howler in the post."
"I thought you'd be on my side," Ethan leaned in and gave her a kiss.
"Think we'll be that way when we're married?" Brian asked his fiancée.
"Probably," Drew answered, taking another egg roll.
"So," Maddie said. "Have you two set a date yet?"
Brian shook his head. "We're thinking we might wait until after the baby is born."
Maddie smiled. "Darla's already made plans, hasn't she?"
"She's already got half the wedding mapped out," Drew said with a laugh.
"It's a bit scary actually," Brian said.
"Get used to it," Ethan told him. "You're marrying a Weasley."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Drew and Maddie asked in unison.
"Nothing," Ethan held his hands up. "It just means nothing is sacred. I never said it was a bad thing."
"Doghouse, party of one," Drew said laughing. "Potter, party of one."
"Whatever Drew," Ethan replied. "Mads knows I didn't mean anything bad by it, right?"
"We Weasleys are kind of quirky," Maddie admitted. "But it's part of our charm."
"That's it exactly," Ethan gave his wife another kiss.
...Weasley gets in position and blocks the Quaffle," the announcer commented. "And....Merlin's beard! It almost hit Andrew Kirke, but the rookie dodged it just in time...."
"Go Andrew," Maddie cheered.
"...Weasley earns boos from the Wimbourne crowd for that move, but his old team mate waves it off as if saying he knew it was just harmless play..." the announcer continued. "And if you listeners could see our stands today, you'd see that we have a celebrity in our midst. Serena Starr is in attendance and rumour has it that she has RJ Weasley in her sights..."
"Rubbish!" Drew called out. "RJ wouldn't look twice at her."
"She's been to all his matches," Brian pointed out. "That's a bit strange..."
"Well maybe she fancies him, but he's got Alexa," Maddie said.
"I'll kick Junior's arse myself if he messes that up," Drew said. "She's such a sweet girl."
"I love her to death," Maddie nodded. "She really keeps him grounded."
"Merlin knows he needs it," Drew said. "I was worried about him before..."
"During summer hols?" Maddie asked. "Me too, but he seems to have gotten over all that."
"Let's hope so," Drew said. "Paul was a different person when he was with the team. Well, that's probably not the best example. Junior's nothing like Paul."
Ethan rolled his eyes. "We all should hope not. What a wanker."
Maddie handed out the fortune cookies eager to get the conversation away from Paul. "Ethan, you go first."
"My favourite part," Ethan picked one and unwrapped it.
"The smart thing to do is to start trusting your intuition," Ethan read aloud. He crumpled up the piece of paper. "I do that already."
"Sounds like you," Maddie opened hers. "The best place to look is at the beginning," she read. "Whatever that means..."
"Come on, Miss Seer," Drew teased. "You mean, you don't know?"
Maddie crumpled the little slip of paper up and tossed it at her. "What does yours say?"
Drew cracked it open and pulled the piece of paper out. For a few moments, she didn't speak.
"What does it say?" Maddie asked.
"Um," Drew said. "It says that 'Out of true heartbreak will come true happiness'..."
"Well if that wasn't prophetic..." Ethan raised his eyebrows.
Drew looked across the table at her sister. "You don't think it means that there will be more heartbreak, do you? I mean, they're talking about what happened with Paul and Hope, right?"
"There won't be any more heartbreak for you," Brian told her firmly.
"How can you be so sure?" Drew asked putting her hand protectively on her stomach. "I can't lose another baby, Brian...I couldn't take it."
"Nothing bad will happen," Brian put his arms around her. "I just know it Drew. This time, everything's going to be perfect for you."
"You think so?" Drew asked hopefully.
"Absolutely," Brian gave her a kiss. "My turn now," he unwrapped his cookie. "Keep your eyes open for a treasure from your past."
"What do you suppose that means?" Ethan asked curiously.
"If this was a year ago I'd say it was definitely a fortune," Maddie smiled. "But I think Brian's found his treasure."
"I'd agree with that," Brian said giving Drew a kiss.
Drew hugged him tightly for a few moments. "You always make me feel better," she whispered in his ear. "Thank you."
"I love you, sweetheart," Brian said softly.
"Love you," Drew leaned against him.
"Awwww," Maddie gushed.
"You two are so sweet," Ethan batted his eyes.
"Ethan!" Maddie giggled.
"Like you two haven't been all kissy in front of us tonight," Brian joked. "Still on your newlyweds kick?"
"Yes," Ethan said with a grin.
"It hasn't even been a month," Maddie said. "And if it was up to me, we'd have taken more than a two week honeymoon."
"Yes well my taskmaster of a father wouldn't let me have that long," Ethan reminded her.
"Neither would Smythe," Maddie said. "And that's why we've continued it at home," she put her arms around her husband.
"This might be our cue to leave," Brian joked to Drew.
"The game isn't even over yet," Drew said.
"It's a given that Puddlemere's going to win," Ethan replied.
"You guys should stay until the match is over," Maddie said to them.
"If you say so," Drew grinned at her sister. "Got any more of those biscuits?"
"Coming right up," Maddie said. "And how about some ice cream to go with?"
At Hogwarts, a group of Gryffindors had gathered in the common room to cheer on RJ and Andrew. Puddlemere was currently winning the match, but Andrew had played extremely well and Wimbourne was actually giving them quite a match.
"I am so proud of him," Saffron was still glowing from Andrew's greeting to her before the match had started. "He's finally getting the chance to show how good he is and he's playing so well!"
Beth giggled. "I'm still trying to get my hearing back from when you yelled in my ear...."
"Sorry," Saffron said sheepishly. "I was just so excited."
"I think they heard her in New Zealand," Mimi teased.
"I think it's sweet," Alexa grinned at her best friend. "Andrew's really such a nice guy."
"He is pretty great, isn't he?" Saffron asked with a wide smile.
"We all know how wonderful, sweet, and gorgeous Andrew Kirke is," Beth teased her. "Makes us all wish we had one."
"You can't have mine," Saffron giggled.
"....Weasley blocks another goal," the announcer's voice said. "And earns even more cheers from Serena Starr..."
"Ugh," all four girls simultaneously made faces.
"If you were there you'd totally out scream her," Mimi told Alexa. "You are so much better than her Lex."
"Thanks, Meems," Alexa said smiling at her. "The papers are trying to make more out of their friendship than what there really is."
"He's only into you," Saffron said. "And I'd beat him up if he looked at her in any other way than platonically."
Alexa smiled. "I'd do the same for you with Andrew. Well, I'm not that threatening, but I'd do something really bad to him."
Saffron giggled. She had sworn to Alexa that she wouldn't tell a soul about how Alexa and RJ had gotten intimate and she knew because of that, her friend wasn't very worried about Serena Starr.
The match continued and to Saffron's delight Wimbourne was giving Puddlemere all they could handle. The Common Room was split between those pulling for each team and every play was greeted with cheers and then boos.
"It's like I don't know who to root for," Saffron confessed. "Puddlemere because they're my all time favourite team or Wimbourne because Andrew's playing!"
Ewan joined them and smiled shyly at Alexa. "I guess there's no doubt what team you're pulling for, eh Lexie?"
"I'm sort of biased," Alexa joked.
"RJ's really having a great season," Ewan commented.
"He's practised so hard," Alexa told him. "Every day he's out on the pitch."
"...the Wimbourne seeker is in wild pursuit of the Snitch," the announcer reported. "If he catches it, Puddlemere's undefeated record will be no more."
"I wish Andrew was the Seeker," Saffron leaned forward in excitement.
"Travers is reaching for it, but the Puddlemere seeker is flying up fast behind him," the announcer continued. "And he's.....he's got it! Travers has caught the Snitch! Travers has caught the Snitch! Wimbourne wins the match!"
Saffron screamed and jumped up. "Andrew's team won!"
Alexa knew how much RJ hated to lose and she wished she could be there to tell him it was okay and that he'd played a great match.
"Andrew played fantastic," Alexa said giving her friend a hug. "That's really great, Saffy!"
"He's going to be so excited," Saffron glowed.
And he was very excited. At that moment, Andrew was exchanging congratulations with his team mates who were yelling and screaming and doing victory laps around the Pitch.
"Wicked catch, Travers!" Andrew yelled out to his team mate.
"Alright Kirke!" Travers slapped him a high five.
Andrew grinned. He'd finally had the chance to prove himself and he hoped that he'd get more playing time as a result. He only wished Saffron was here to share in the moment. He looked down toward the ground and saw his best friend currently stalking off the field. He hoped his friend wouldn't hold a grudge. RJ had played a great match. But he knew as well as anyone how much RJ hated to lose.
And it wasn't just Andrew who had noticed RJ stalking off the field; Serena Starr quickened her pace to catch him.
"Don't look so sad, RJ," Serena said sympathetically. "You were amazing today."
"Yeah well we still lost," RJ yanked off his gloves. "I can't fucking believe it."
"You want me to kiss it and make it better?" Serena cooed.
RJ shook his head. "Serena--"
Serena smiled seductively at him. "You could come back with me to my place and we could have a drink....and see where the night takes us..."
"If I was to go anywhere, it'd be with my girlfriend," RJ said firmly. Truth be told he was getting a little sick of telling Serena over and over again about Alexa.
"The little girl still stuck in school?" Serena asked with a laugh. "Well, what use is she to you now?"
RJ yanked open the door to the locker room and let it slam behind him.
Serena stood in disbelief at the closed door. She wasn't going to be deterred.
"Relax mate," Scanlon told RJ. "We all lose sometimes."
"Yeah, well I've never liked it," RJ said throwing open his locker.
"We'll go out and drown our sorrows," Scanlon replied. "And this time Murphy can wear the dress."
"Sounds like a plan to me," RJ said with a slight grin.
"That is, of course... unless you want to join that hot piece of ass out there," Scanlon jerked his head in the direction of the door. "She's so hot for you man. Why don't you go for it?"
"I have a girlfriend, Scanlon, remember?" RJ replied grumpily.
"She's at school, you're here," Scanlon shrugged.
"What she doesn't know won't hurt her?" RJ asked him. "That's your reasoning?"
"You said it," Scanlon thumped him hard on the shoulder. "Come on RJ. Don't be such a straight arrow."
RJ thought about what his team mate had said. "You know you're right."
"Yeah!" Scanlon pumped his fist.
"I'm going to Hogwarts," RJ said with a grin. "Right after I get a shower..."
"That's not what I meant, Weasley." Scanlon frowned at him.
"I'm going to spend the night with my girlfriend," RJ said grabbing a towel.
"And how do you plan on doing that?" another team mate named Victor asked.
"Saf's sister is the DADA professor," RJ said. "I'm going to use her Floo connection."
"You're gutsy," Victor replied.
"What if you get caught, hotshot?" Scanlon asked.
"I won't," RJ said easily. "I know my way around that castle like the back of my hand."
Scanlon shook his head. "Good luck, mate."
"I won't need it," RJ bragged. "But thanks anyway."