Before we start the chapter, we want you all to know that the H/Hr storyline we mentioned months ago STILL has not been written yet. So please, please do not ask about it anymore. It is a Potter centric storyline, and it's HUGE, but it has not been started yet. We are working towards it. And we will let you know when we get to it.
Also, please realise that this is more than just a story/fanfiction. This has literally become a soap opera saga type of thing. It's going to 'drag' it's going to have lots of filler, and it's going to have cliffhangers. We could skip around, but then the story would end a hell of a lot quicker and many of you don't seem to want that either. We hope you guys will stick with us and enjoy everything we have coming your way!
"Your father tells me all the time how well you're doing," Hermione said reaching into the cabinet for some biscuits.
Ethan nodded. "I love being an Auror."
Hermione turned back around and looked at her son. "Are you okay? You're fidgeting..."
"I'm fine..." Ethan couldn't stop thinking of his wife waiting for him upstairs in that little pink thing.
"Well, you are in luck," Hermione said setting a plate of biscuits before him. "They have those lemon biscuits you like so much. I remember when you were a little boy you couldn't say the word 'lemon' and you kept calling it 'lemmies'. It was the cutest thing ever!"
Ethan coughed. "Great..."
Hermione poured them both a cup of tea before joining him at the table.
"Where's Dad?" Ethan asked.
"He took Katie and Ashley into town for a movie,'" Hermione said. "So, it's just you and me."
Ethan felt bad for his thoughts. He loved his mother, but right now wanted nothing more than to be upstairs with his wife.
"Isn't this nice?" Hermione asked sitting down across from him. "We never get to chat, just the two of us. I've missed it."
"Me too," Ethan said. "Maybe you can come down and have lunch again like that one time. Or I'll come up and see you."
"I'd love that," Hermione said smiling at him. "And I have great news. Your grandmother is going to spend a few days here."
"Hey, great." Ethan perked up a bit. "I've missed seeing her. When's she coming?"
"Tomorrow," Hermione replied. "She's been a little lonely and I thought being around her family would be good for her."
"Cool," Ethan nodded, draining his tea. Merlin, he hoped Maddie wouldn't be angry at him for making her wait.
"And you know how much she loves you three," Hermione continued.
"We'll make sure we stick around and spend loads of time with her," Ethan glanced at the clock over the sink. It had been fifteen minutes since Maddie had gone upstairs.
"And your sister is getting so worked up over Andrew's visit this weekend," Hermione said. "Young love..."
"They'll work it out," Ethan said absently.
"I certainly hope so," Hermione said. "So...what's new with you, Ethan James?"
Ethan shook his head, not sure if he wanted to disclose the fact that he and Maddie were going to try and start a family. "Just enjoying the holiday."
"It's always great when we can all get away like this and just be with each other," Hermione said thoughtfully. "Family really is what it's all about."
"Right..." Ethan shifted in his chair as he again thought of Maddie in the lacy pink negligee.
Hermione began talking with him about some law she was thinking about passing and while he normally would have been happy to listen to her, his heart really wasn't into it.
"...and I think we just have to really work at it and we'll get it passed through," Hermione was saying.
Ethan nodded, his thoughts elsewhere. "I'm sure you'll work it out."
Maddie, who had gotten tired of waiting, came downstairs clad in her robe. She heard voices in the kitchen and she smiled knowingly at Ethan.
"Hello, Maddie," Hermione said warmly. "Sit down. I'll get you a cup of tea."
"Thanks," Maddie sat down next to her husband.
"I'm so sorry," Ethan whispered.
"It's okay," she said patting his hand.
Hermione set a cup of tea in front of her daughter in law. "There you go love."
"Thanks, Hermione," Maddie said. "It's great that Frankie and Will found Hannah, isn't it?"
"Quite so," Hermione nodded. "I was worried about her."
"We all were," Ethan said. "But she's safe and sound now. And Frankie's pregnant..."
"I think that's wonderful," Hermione nodded.
"She's such a great mum," Maddie said softly. "I know she didn't think she would be, but she really is."
"They'll do just fine," Hermione nodded.
"I rang my mum earlier to see how she and dad were doing," Maddie said. "They miss being here, but said they might try and bring the kids up for a day trip."
"That will be fun," Hermione nodded. "And interesting."
Maddie smiled. "Daddy's so good with them."
Ethan nodded and turned to look at his wife. He noticed the spaghetti strap of the pink lingerie on her shoulder and swallowed hard.
"How are things at work for you, Maddie?" Hermione asked conversationally.
"I haven't had a vision in ages," Maddie replied. "So I haven't spent so much time at the Ministry as I used to."
"Oh?" Hermione asked.
"I hope I haven't lost my gift," Maddie said softly.
"Is it normal to go this long without visions?" Hermione asked.
"Smythe told me sometimes people won't have one for years," she replied. "I hope that's not me. I'm able to help people this way."
"You hadn't mentioned that to me," Ethan said.
"You haven't been home much lately," Maddie replied. "I just haven't really thought about it is all."
"I'm sure you haven't lost your gift," Hermione reassured her. "I'm sure that your grandmother had lapses too."
"I'm sure that's all it is," Ethan squeezed his wife's hand.
"I hope so," Maddie said leaning against him.
Hermione got up to pour herself another cup of tea and Ethan looked at his wife. "I really, really want to take you upstairs right now..." he whispered.
"Later," Maddie promised.
Ethan didn't want to wait for later as her robe slipped off one shoulder.
Salvation seemed to come for them in the form of Ethan's baby sister. The teenager came into the kitchen and sank down into one of the chairs. "Mum can I have some tea, too?"
"Sure sweetheart," Hermione said. "What's up?"
"Gabe and Lexie started snogging and I thought I'd hang out with you if that's okay," Saffron said.
"Mads and I are going upstairs," Ethan said, taking her hand. "You two have fun."
"Where's the fire?" Saffron called after them as Ethan practically yanked Maddie up by the arm and pulled her out of the kitchen. Comprehension dawned on her. "Ew, gross. Mum, I think they're going to go shag."
Hermione laughed. "We won't think about that."
Saffron shuddered and poured some honey into her cup of tea. "Disgusting."
"You'll be the same way when you're married," Hermione told her youngest.
Upstairs, Ethan barely closed and locked the door behind them before Maddie nearly pounced on top of him.
"I thought I was going to lose it," Ethan said in between kisses.
"I was wondering what was keeping you down there," Maddie pulled up on his shirt.
"She cornered me," Ethan said pulling away so he could take it off.
"Did you tell her about us trying to have a baby?" Maddie asked, untying her robe.
Ethan shook his head and looked admiringly on as her robe dropped to the floor. "Whoa..."
Maddie smiled at him. "Would you like to take it off?"
"Oh yes," Ethan said, his eyes darkening.
She beckoned to him with her index finger. "You are entirely too far away right now."
"Let's see what I can do about that," Ethan said coming closer. He pulled one of the straps of her negligee down and trailed kisses along her shoulder.
"Mmm..." Maddie closed her eyes.
Ethan pulled the other strap down. "Let's get you out of this..."
Maddie raised her arms so he could take the negligee off.
"You are the most beautiful woman in the world," Ethan said softly.
Maddie leaned in. "And I think you are the most handsome bloke..."
Ethan kicked off his trousers and then his boxer shorts before kissing his wife.
"There's my Ethan Jr..." Maddie said huskily as he began to walk them towards the bed.
Ethan laughed. "Maddie...what am I going to do with you?"
"You don't need me to spell it out, do you?" Maddie asked, twisting a long lock of hair around her finger.
"Absolutely not," Ethan said as they tumbled down on the bed.
Maddie giggled. "You'd better cast a silencing charm on this room..."
He reached blindly for his wand on the bedside table and did as she requested.
"Now..." Maddie rolled over on top of him. "Show me how much you want me."
"As you wish," Ethan said before kissing her.
Downstairs, Frankie awoke from her kip. She gently eased away from Hannah, not wanting to wake her up, and headed for the kitchen. "It's still raining?" she asked Hermione and Saffron with a yawn.
Saffron nodded. "Do you want a cup of tea, Frankie?"
Frankie shook her head. "Not unless it's decaf."
"How about some milk instead?" Hermione suggested.
"Sounds good," Frankie sat down.
"Hannah still kipping?" Saffron asked.
Frankie nodded. "Her and Will, both."
"She's such a sweet little girl," Saffron said. "I'm glad she's okay."
Frankie nodded. "I feel bad we didn't notice her reaction to the news. Will and I decided we'll sit down and have a talk with her about everything later."
"She's been through so much and the only person she felt loved her was taken from her in such a tragic way," Hermione said thoughtfully. "You just need to make sure that she knows how much you and Will love her and will always love her."
"She's never going to feel second best to the baby," Frankie put her hand on her stomach. "Not even for a moment."
"She's your little girl," Hermione said smiling at her.
"That she is," Frankie smiled. "I'm still in a little bit of shock over this though. I mean... Will and I talked about trying for a baby but we really weren't trying yet."
"But you know what it is to be a mum now," Saffron said.
"I know..." Frankie said. "But I wasn't pregnant with Hannah."
"I know you're scared," Hermione said softly. She set a glass of milk in front of her goddaughter. "But you can do this, Frankie. You're a great mum."
"Thanks Aunt Hermione," Frankie took the glass. "I guess I can't go wrong with this support system."
"Help is here," Hermione said. "You just have to ask."
Saffron grinned. "And I will seriously baby sit. For free. I'll do it now, for Hannah, if you want. I love kids."
"Thanks, Saffy," Frankie said. "She loves spending time with you."
Saffron looked pleased. "I'm glad. She was so shy at first."
"Mummy?" a small voice asked from the doorway.
"Hi sweetheart," Frankie turned to look at her daughter, who was rubbing her eyes.
"Would you like some biscuits, Hannah?" Saffron asked. "We have chocolate chip ones and lemon ones."
"I never had lemon biscuits before," Hannah ventured into the kitchen, holding onto her blanket.
"I'll get you two chocolate chip ones and you can try one of the lemon ones just to see if you like it," Saffron said standing up.
"Thank you," Hannah moved next to Frankie, who put an arm around her.
"Is Daddy still sleeping?" Frankie asked.
Hannah nodded. "And snoring."
Frankie laughed. "No wonder you woke up."
Saffron set a plate of biscuits in front of Hannah. "Here you go."
Hannah smiled gratefully at her. "Thank you Saffy."
Hermione looked at her daughter. "Saffy, how about you and I go see what's on the telly?"
"Okay," Saffron grabbed a few more biscuits and followed her mother out of the kitchen.
Hannah took a bite of the lemon biscuit. "These are yummy."
"I think I'll have one too," Frankie reached for one.
"Mummy?" Hannah asked.
"Yes baby?" Frankie asked.
"I really am sorry for running away," she said looking down at her plate. "My real daddy said you'd stop loving me."
"Your real daddy?" Frankie's eyebrows knit together. "Hannah... he can't hurt you anymore. Or talk to you, or even see you."
"I heard his voice in my head," Hannah explained. "I believed him."
"Sit on my lap for a minute," Frankie patted her thigh.
Hannah did as her mother asked.
"Whatever David Wright tells you, in your head or otherwise, is nothing but a lie." Frankie said firmly. "Nothing on earth could make me or your daddy stop loving you. Not this new baby or anything else."
"I was so scared that you didn't want me around," Hannah said. "I just love being with you and Daddy and I thought you would make me leave."
"No sweetheart," Frankie kissed the top of Hannah's head.
Hannah started to cry and she turned around and wrapped her arms around Frankie's neck. "I love you, Mummy."
"I love you too," Frankie hugged her back. "So, so much. You changed so many things for me Hannah."
Hannah wiped at her eyes. "Am I going to have a brother or a sister?"
"We don't know yet," Frankie smoothed Hannah's hair back. "I'll have to talk with Will to decide if we're going to find out ahead of time or not."
"Don't you want to know?" Hannah asked.
"I kind of do," Frankie said with a smile. "Your vote counts too. What do you think?"
"I'd like to know," Hannah replied.
"That makes two of us then," Frankie kissed her cheek.
"Daddy's outvoted," Hannah said with a smile.
"We don't know what he wants yet," Frankie nudged her. "It might be unanimous."
"What's... ananimous?" Hannah asked.
Frankie smiled. "Unanimous. It means that everyone votes the same way."
"Oh," Hannah said. "I like that."
"What do you want to do with the rest of the rainy day, Miss Hannah?" Frankie asked her.
"I don't know," Hannah reached for the last lemon biscuit.
"I have a few new magazines," Frankie said.
Hannah brightened. "Can we read the advice columns?"
Frankie grinned. "Of course. We haven't done that in ages."
"I love when we read magazines," Hannah leaned against her.
"Me too," Frankie said putting her arms around her.
"Hey," Will yawned as he appeared in the kitchen. "How long have you two been up?"
"Just a little while," Frankie said. "Hannah woke up thanks to your snoring."
"I don't snore," Will replied indignantly.
Frankie scoffed. "Yes you do..."
"You do a little," Hannah said. "Just a little, Daddy."
Will laughed. "But you both still love me, right?"
"Of course," Frankie grinned at him. "Hannah and I were just going to read some magazines."
Will grimaced. "I'll leave you two to it."
"What are you going to do Daddy?" Hannah asked.
"I might run to the shops and make something for us all for dinner," Will said.
"Will you make your special garlic bread?" Hannah asked. "It's my most favouritest."
"Oooh," Frankie said. "Yes, please."
"Can I help you make it?" Hannah asked.
"I can't make it without you," Will said mussing her hair.
"Okay," Hannah said, feeling better than she had all day. "Daddy? Me and Mummy want to know if the baby's a boy or girl before it's born."
Will was heartened to see Hannah mention the baby in a positive context. "You do? Well, that makes three of us."
"That way we can know how to decorate the room," Hannah said.
"That's right," Frankie nodded. "We won't be able to find out quite yet though."
"Were my grandparents really happy?" Hannah asked.
"All of them," Frankie nodded. "And they're happy that you'll get to be a big sister."
"A big sister," Hannah said. "That could be nice."
"If you want pointers, you can always ask Em and Caroline," Will replied. "And I think you'll be a wonderful sister, Hannah."
Frankie nodded in agreement. "And there's something I wanted to tell you. You know how your Grandpa Neville has three daughters---Chiaki, Allie and me?"
Hannah nodded.
"And you've seen how he loves all three of us and doesn't treat us any differently?" Frankie asked.
"Cause you're his girls," Hannah replied.
"That's right," Frankie said. "But you want to know something? When my mum was younger, she was dating this man who she thought she loved. And she found out that she was going to have a baby and this man left her to go on her own..."
Hannah's eyes grew wide. "What did she do?"
"Well," Frankie said. "She had a lot of good friends like Hermione, Harry, Ron and Luna and your Grandpa Neville. He was there for her and they fell in love. And when your Grandma Cho gave birth to a baby girl, he adopted her and that little baby was your Aunt Chiaki."
"Aunt Chiaki's adopted too?" Hannah asked.
Frankie nodded. "And you'd never know it, would you?"
Hannah shook her head. "No."
"He's always treated her just as he treated me and Allie," Frankie said. "And Allie and I have always thought of her as our sister."
Hannah nodded. "I promise to love the baby a whole lot."
"And I know that the baby is going to love you," Will said. "And I know this is early, but I'm putting the name William Junior out there."
"Oh you're so convinced it's a boy," Frankie shook her head. "What if it's another little girl for us to spoil?"
Will pretended to think. "Um...Wilhelmina?"
"Ew," Hannah and Frankie said at the same time.
"Frankie, Junior?" Will suggested.
"I like that," Frankie nodded with a grin.
"No, I've got it," Will said winking at Hannah. "Alicia."
"William Barron--" Frankie began.
"Kidding," Will interjected giving her a kiss. "We have time to come up with a name that we all agree on, right?"
"Can I help you think up a really good name?" Hannah asked.
Frankie nodded. "Of course. As long as it's not Wilhelmina or Alicia."
"I don't like those names," Hannah replied.
"Me either," Frankie said giving Hannah a hug. "Now, you and I have a date with a few advice columns."
"And I have a date with the shops," Will said, grabbing his jumper off the back of a chair. "I'll be back in a little bit."
Hannah slid off of Frankie's lap and ran toward her father. "I love you, Daddy."
Will scooped her up and hugged her tightly. "I love you too sweetheart."
"Even though I ran away?" Hannah asked.
"You silly girl," Will kissed her cheek. "I couldn't stop loving my Hannah if I tried."
Hannah smiled and hugged him once more. She was starting to think that being a big sister was going to be okay. And she was still going to be Frankie and Will's little girl. That's all that mattered.
*** *** ***
On Friday evening, RJ found himself standing outside his brother's pub wondering what he was doing. He hadn't been this nervous around a girl since he'd first starting going out with Lexie. Back then, he'd been nervous that Alexa would decide that she deserved better and drop him. He'd never admitted that to anyone and even though he still had strong feelings for his ex-girlfriend, it was time to move on. She'd done it and there was nothing to say that he couldn't.
He wasn't looking for anything serious, but he liked Audrey and wanted to get to know her better.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door and went inside. He saw Audrey and Victoria over by the bar so he made his way to them.
"Hey," he smiled at her. "How's it going?"
"Hello, Jon's little brother," Audrey returned. "What can I get for you?"
"Beer?" RJ asked. "And... um... what time do you get off here tonight?"
"Ten," Audrey replied.
Victoria grinned as she handed RJ his beer. "Smooth, Junior." She affectionately tapped him on the shoulder before heading to the other end of the bar.
"Junior, eh?" Audrey grinned at him.
RJ laughed. "RJ stands for Ronald Junior. Ronald Bilius Weasley, Junior if you want to get technical."
"Bilius?" Audrey asked.
"An old family name," RJ explained. "My great-uncle. Not too many people know that's my middle name so I'd appreciate it if you kept that hush- hush."
"Mum's the word," Audrey promised. "So how are things going?"
"Pretty good," RJ replied. "How about with you?"
"Same old," Audrey shrugged. "I've been working here a lot lately. My tuition is due soon and I need the money."
"Your parents aren't helping out?" RJ asked.
"They do what they can," Audrey told him. "But I have three other brothers and sisters that are younger than me."
"I can certainly relate," RJ said. "I'm the youngest of six."
"Jon told me you were the baby of the family," Audrey teased, pouring a drink for another patron.
"Oh yes," RJ said rolling his eyes. "This basically means I have four mothers---five if you count my nana, which I do. Maddie, Drew, Darla, Mum and Nana."
Audrey laughed. "Jon had lots of tales about you."
RJ pulled back on his beer. "You can't believe half the rubbish that comes out of his mouth."
"Oh?" Audrey's eyes twinkled. "So when he said you were a really decent bloke and I should go out with you should you ask, that was a lie?"
RJ laughed. "Well that would be the half you could believe."
"Oh?" Audrey asked.
"Yeah," RJ grinned. "So you spoke to Jon about me then?"
Audrey blushed. "Just a bit."
"I asked him about you too," RJ flirted. "Just a bit."
"And I'm sure whatever he told you was completely true," Audrey laughed. "Because he doesn't know anything bad about me... yet."
"Ahhhh," RJ laughed. "A sweet girl like you has a bad side?"
"Maybe," Audrey said coyly.
RJ was about to say something else when another patron motioned for Audrey. She excused herself to go and wait on him and RJ watched her go. She wore her brown hair in two plaits tonight and she looked absolutely adorable.
"You know, your brother did have some nice things to say to her about you," Victoria was leaning on the bar. "He rang here the other night."
"I'll have to thank him for that," RJ said smiling.
"For what it's worth, I think she likes you too," Victoria grinned at him before heading off to one of the tables.
RJ smiled to himself as he thought about this. Audrey came back over to him carrying a tray of dirty glasses.
"So where's your heartbroken friend tonight?" Audrey asked him.
"Andrew?" RJ asked. "Getting ready to go see Saffron tomorrow. Hopefully she won't be a brat and mess things up."
"No love lost between you and this Saffron?" Audrey guessed.
"Not anymore," RJ shook his head. "It's a long story."
"Maybe someday you'll tell me about it," Audrey said setting glasses underneath the bar. "I happen to love long stories."
"Yeah but you don't like boring stories, I'm sure." RJ replied.
"Depends on who is telling them," Audrey said.
"Maybe I will tell you sometime then," RJ leaned back in the seat.
"I'll hold you to it," Audrey said. "Are you sure you don't want anything to eat?"
"Surprise me," RJ grinned at her.
"You're on," Audrey said heading toward the kitchen.
He really did like her, he realised as he watched her go. She was witty, smart and fun to talk to.
She returned a few minutes later with two plates. "Club sandwich and chips. And because you're such a nice customer, you get the pleasure of eating with me while I'm on my break."
"Well aren't I the lucky one?" RJ grinned. "Let's find a table."
"It's quieter in the back," she said handing him one of the plates.
"Thanks," RJ led her to a cosy corner table in the back.
"Excellent choice," Audrey told him.
"So I was thinking..." RJ said when they were both eating. "Um... I know it's late, but there's this great theatre in London that shows old movies around midnight. If you're not already busy... do you want to go?"
"I'd love to go," Audrey replied.
"You would?" he asked in surprise.
She nodded. "I like old movies."
"Old scary movies?" RJ questioned.
"The scarier the better," Audrey said with a grin.
"You really do sound like my kind of girl," RJ replied without thinking.
"Do I?" Audrey asked smiling at him. "You've just met me."
"You seem like it," RJ said hastily.
"A girl who likes old scary movies does it for you then?" Audrey asked dipping one of her chips in some catsup. "You might need to get out more, Junior."
RJ shook his head. "I like what girls usually do when they watch old scary movies," he said with a devilish grin.
"Shriek and grab hold of your arm?" Audrey asked.
"Sure," RJ nodded.
"I usually don't do that, but I can if it will make you feel better," Audrey teased.
RJ laughed. "Deal."
"So tell me more about yourself," Audrey said. "What makes RJ Weasley tick?"
"Oh I don't know," RJ said, remembering this girl was a Muggle. "I like sport."
"I'm not that much of a fan, but I've gone to few football matches," Audrey told him.
"Football's great," RJ nodded. "It's more fun when you go with someone who likes it a lot."
"You should meet my dad," Audrey said. "He loves it."
"Maybe I'll get to sometime," RJ grinned at her.
"Maybe," Audrey said grinning back at him. "I think I've seen your dad in here a couple of times. He seems really nice."
"Did he devour your kitchen?" RJ asked.
"Now that you mention it, he did eat quite a bit," Audrey said. "He was with a pretty blonde girl...your sister?"
"My sister or my mum," RJ nodded. "If she was eating as much as he was, then it was Mads."
"She was eating as much as him," Audrey remembered.
"Then that's my sister," RJ shook his head. "It's amazing how they never gain any weight."
"And that little Emma can put it away too," Audrey said with a laugh. "She's adorable."
"I'm her godfather," RJ said with a grin. "You should see this picture I have of her..." he reached for his wallet.
Audrey smiled and pushed her plate out of the way.
RJ passed the photo to her. "She was eating blueberry muffins and it got all over her."
Audrey giggled. "How cute!"
"She's really too much," RJ laughed. "Every time I see her, she's got something new to talk about. She says the funniest things."
"She's going to break some hearts when she grows up," Audrey said handing the picture back to him.
"Jon and Allie are going to have their work cut out for them with her," RJ nodded.
"My little brother Steven was the same way," Audrey said. "He's seven going on 20."
"That's Caroline," RJ replied.
"She's really sweet," Audrey said. "I dropped some napkins and she helped me pick them up."
"She's like Allie," RJ said. "She's a good kid."
"And your nephew?" Audrey asked.
"Adam?" RJ grinned. "He's going to be just like Jon- a handful."
Audrey laughed. "I bet you were the same way."
"Who me?" RJ asked. "I was perfect."
"Right," Audrey said rolling her eyes.
"You don't believe me?" RJ teased.
"Not for one second," Audrey said winking at him.
"You're smart then," RJ grinned at her.
Audrey watched as he reached for one of her chips. "Hey!"
"These are really addicting," RJ snatched it off her plate.
"So you finish yours and move on to mine?" Audrey asked swatting at him.
RJ laughed. "My sister Maddie always steals food off her husband Ethan's plate. It drives him mad."
"Must run in the family," Audrey said as RJ took another one of her chips.
"It must," RJ reached for another and she smacked his hand. "OW!"
"I'm not finished," Audrey laughed.
"All right, all right," RJ withdrew his hand. "You slap like a girl, anyway."
"Those are fighting words," Audrey said before taking another bite of her sandwich.
"Am I supposed to be scared?" RJ asked with a teasing smirk.
Audrey nodded. "If you're not nice, I'm not going to go out with you."
"Ooh," RJ leaned back. "Okay then. I'll be the nicest bloke in the world."
"Good answer," Audrey said pushing her plate toward him. "You can finish this up and I need to get back to my tables."
"Thanks," RJ grinned at her.
Audrey grinned back at him before heading back to the front of the pub.
He watched her go, sitting back as he finished his meal.
He liked this girl and wanted to get to know her better and see where this went. He hadn't felt this optimistic in quite some time. In the back of his head, he pictured Alexa and thought about the day they'd danced at the wedding. She'd turned him down. She was with Boyd now and that wasn't going to change anytime soon. It was time to move on and Audrey could help him do just that.
Ten came quickly enough and RJ approached the bar where she stood talking to Victoria. "Are you ready?" he asked.
"Absolutely," Audrey replied. "Take me out of here."
"Because it's such a bad place to work," Victoria deadpanned.
"It's not, but I've had my fill of pissed blokes trying to grab my arse," Audrey said to her boss. "I'll see you tomorrow, Vic."
"Night Audrey," Victoria smiled at her. "And say hello to Jon if you talk to him, RJ."
"I will," RJ promised.
They left the pub together, heading towards downtown London. "How about a coffee, first?" RJ asked.
Audrey looked thoughtfully at him. "Okay."
"Well we're going to be up for awhile if the movie starts at midnight," RJ said.
"I never need an excuse for caffeine," Audrey said linking her arm in his. "I'm a university student. We exist because of it."
"What are you studying?" RJ asked interestedly, and happy at the close contact.
"Sociology," Audrey replied.
"Wow," RJ was impressed.
"I have quite a few more years left," Audrey said. "But it's all that I've ever wanted to do. "
"That's really cool," RJ held open the door to a local coffee shop for her.
"Thank you," Audrey said. She scanned the room. "I'll get us a table. I like cappuccinos."
"Cappuccino it is," RJ nodded. He headed over to the queue and ordered one for her plus a regular coffee for himself.
"Thanks," Audrey said when he sat down.
"I don't ever remember what drink is what," RJ shook his head. "I usually wind up ordering the wrong thing unless I get just plain coffee."
"There is quite a variety," Audrey said before taking a sip of her cappuccino. "So...what about you? What is it that you do?"
Jon had told him Audrey knew nothing of the wizarding world, so he had to think fast. "Um... my mum does this freelance gig, and I sometimes take pictures for her articles."
"I'd love to see some of your work sometime," Audrey said.
"Sure," RJ nodded, resolving to take more Muggle photographs the first chance he got.
"I have a confession to make," Audrey said. "This is my first date in quite some time. I broke up with my last boyfriend about six months ago. I've been so busy with school and work I haven't had that much chance for a social life."
"It's mine too," RJ replied. "My last girlfriend and I broke up shortly after the new year."
"Were you the dumper or the dumpee?" Audrey asked.
"Dumpee, actually." RJ said ruefully. "But to be honest, she was a real pain in the arse. I'm better off."
"Maybe we should introduce her to my ex," Audrey said with a laugh. "He wouldn't know the truth if it came up and hit him in the face."
"I'd love for something to hit Serena in the face," RJ rolled his eyes. "Might ruin her nose job."
"She sounds high maintenance," Audrey said sympathetically.
"She was above high maintenance," RJ shook his head. "I'd take her to family gatherings and she'd fall asleep because the attention wasn't on her."
Audrey gaped at him. "Oh no. That's terrible. Jon's always talking about your family and how you're always there for each other. I know it can't have been easy to have someone around like that."
"It only lasted a few months," RJ replied.
"Months you'll never get back," Audrey said.
"We all make mistakes," RJ said simply.
"Some more than others," Audrey commented.
RJ shook his head. "We're sitting here talking about our exes... something tells me there are better things we can discuss."
"Absolutely," Audrey said. "What do you want to talk about?"
RJ shrugged. "What else do you do aside from work at the pub and study?"
"Well," Audrey said thoughtfully. "I like to read and I love being with my friends and my family."
"That's kind of like me," RJ said. "Minus the reading part."
"Let me guess?" Audrey teased. "The only things you read for fun are sports magazines?"
"Pretty much," RJ sent her a grin.
"Typical bloke," Audrey said laughing.
"What can I say?" RJ finished his coffee.
Audrey smiled at him. "You know, I was glad when you walked into the pub tonight. I've been thinking about you."
RJ grinned. "You have?"
Audrey nodded. "And after talking with Jon, I had a feeling you fancied me..."
"Jon said I fancied you?" RJ asked, making a mental note to kill his brother.
"Not in so many words, but he did say that you had asked about me," Audrey said. "And I figured that you wouldn't have asked if you weren't interested."
RJ sat back. "I guess I've been found out then."
Audrey smiled at him. "I like things being out in the open. Honesty is very important to me."
RJ nodded. "All right then. I like you. You're the first girl I've had any sort of feelings for in awhile."
"I like you too, RJ," Audrey said reaching for his hand. "Very much."
He squeezed her fingers. "We should get to that movie..."
"Right," Audrey agreed. "And you can buy me some chocolate."
RJ laughed. "Chocolate for you, and liquorice for me?"
"Chocolate, popcorn and liquorice," Audrey said smiling at him. "If I'm going to hang out with a Weasley, I suppose I should try and eat like one."
RJ laughed even harder. "Sounds like you've got us all pegged. Wait until you really see my dad and Maddie at dinner."
"And Emma?" Audrey asked.
RJ nodded. "Can't forget her."
Audrey linked her arm with his and RJ felt optimistic for the first time in forever. This was a beginning and he looked forward to getting to know this girl.