You guys do get to see Andrew's date, as well as some RJ/Audrey. Jon also reveals a big secret (like you guys don't know what it is lol) to Vic and there's some Weasley family time. Please review!
He'd started to accept the fact that he and Saffron were over. RJ kept telling him to quit dwelling on it, but that was easy for him to say. RJ and Audrey were going strong.
He still had a picture of them sitting on his dresser and he took it now and stuffed it into a drawer. "Stop thinking about her," he told himself.
"Who are you going out with tonight then?" RJ asked from the doorway.
"Natalia," Andrew answered. "That new girl on the team. She's from Italy."
"Oooh," RJ grinned.
"What are you up to?" Andrew changed the subject.
"Waiting for Audrey," RJ said. "She's coming by when she finishes her shift."
"Things going well for you two, then?" Andrew asked.
"Still early days, but we're good," RJ replied.
"I'm glad," Andrew smoothed down his shirt. "I like her."
"I do too," RJ said. "Where are you taking Natalia?"
"She knows someplace down in Diagon Alley that I've never heard of," Andrew answered. "Supposedly has great French food."
"So you're taking the Italian girl for French food in London," RJ joked.
"Crazy isn't it?" Andrew replied with a small smile.
RJ knew his friend was still thinking about Saffron and he still felt guilty for the part he played in their break-up.
"I should get going," Andrew said. "I'll see you later, mate. Tell Audrey I said hi."
"Try and have fun tonight, Andrew," RJ called after him.
"I'll try," he answered. "Thanks."
RJ was surprising Audrey with dinner and he went back into the kitchen to check on it. He hadn't had that much opportunity to cook, but thought it might be nice to make dinner for the two of them.
The chicken recipe was from Allison, and the rice pudding was Hermione's recipe. It was simple, but he hoped she would like it.
At just gone eight, there was a knock on his door.
"You have impeccable timing," he said with a grin.
Audrey grinned back at him. "I'm glad I had the early shift. Just as I was leaving, a stag party showed up."
"Then I'm definitely glad you left," RJ took her coat.
"Your brother can handle them," Audrey said giving him a kiss. "Oooooh....what smells so good?"
"Dinner," RJ said. "Thought I'd surprise you."
"You know that no bloke has ever cooked for me other than my dad," Audrey told him.
"I always did say I liked being a first," RJ grinned.
"Behave," Audrey said following him into the kitchen. She noticed a bottle of juice on the counter and her nose scrunched up as she read the label. "Pumpkin juice?"
"You have to try some," RJ said. "It's fantastic stuff."
"No thank you," Audrey said shaking her head.
"Just a little taste," RJ said. "If you don't like it, I went and got your favourite..."
"Okay," Audrey said laughing. "I'll have a taste."
RJ poured her a little in a glass. "What do you think?" he asked after she'd swallowed it.
"It's...it's different," Audrey replied.
RJ laughed. "Diet Coke it is, then."
"Thank you," Audrey beamed at him. She looked around. "Where is Andrew?"
"Out on a date," RJ answered. "So we've got the place all... to... ourselves..."
Audrey grinned. "Don't you go getting any ideas, mister."
"Just a few?" RJ pouted.
"A few, maybe," Audrey said sitting down at the table. "So...who did Andrew go out with?"
"A girl named Natalia," RJ answered. "From his team."
"Oh," Audrey said thoughtfully. "Colleen was hoping he might give her a call."
"I'd tell her not to wait around," RJ said truthfully. "Andrew... right now he's really not looking for anything serious."
"He still loves your friend, Saffron," Audrey said. "It's hard to get over your first love."
RJ nodded. "Yeah... you could say that."
"He just needs time," Audrey said as RJ set a plate in front of her. "Oooooh...this looks delicious."
"It's Allie's chicken recipe that she's planning on giving to Vic," RJ said. "Thought you might like to see how it is before the masses do."
Audrey grinned at him. "Your sister-in-law's quite the cook."
"Yeah she is," RJ sat down across from her. "I could sit in her kitchen all day."
Audrey took a bite and RJ looked expectantly at her.
"It's yummy," Audrey replied.
He grinned in relief. "Good. I was worried I cooked it too long."
"It's just right," Audrey said. "So, how was your day?"
"Pretty good," RJ nodded. "I was really just looking forward to you being here tonight."
"He cooks. He's handsome. He says all the right things," Audrey said reaching for his hand.
RJ grinned at her. "Only the best for you."
They finished their dinner and afterwards, they relaxed on the sofa. "This is nice."
"Yes it is," he agreed. "I really like doing stuff with you."
"Since I gave you a second chance?" Audrey asked.
"Yeah," he said. "I'm really glad for that."
"There's so much to get used to," Audrey admitted.
"I know you still probably have a lot of questions," RJ squeezed her hand. "And I promise to still answer any of them."
"Your brother still hasn't told Victoria," Audrey said. "I just think it would be best if she knew..."
"I'm leaving that up to him," RJ said. "I can't be the one to go in there and tell her."
Audrey nodded. "Victoria's really open-minded. I know you guys have to keep your secrets, but she's his partner."
"He knows," RJ assured her. "He's still planning on saying something. He just wants it to be the right time."
"Kind of like you?" Audrey asked.
"Sort of," RJ ran his hand through his hair.
Audrey leaned in and kissed him. "You don't have to feel guilty. I wish you'd have been honest with me from the start, but I understand why you couldn't."
"And I'm glad you have a somewhat forgiving nature," RJ pulled her closer. "At least for me..."
"You're hard to stay mad at," Audrey said softly.
"I've got that going for me," RJ kissed her again.
"Yes you do," Audrey said resting her forehead on his. "And we'll figure all of this out...together."
"Right," he said, loosening her ponytail. "I really, really like you Audrey."
"I like you too," Audrey smiled at him.
RJ kissed her again, pulling her onto his lap.
"This must be one of your ideas," Audrey teased.
"Could be," he said mischievously. "Care to find out any of the others?"
"Hmmm, what did you have in mind?" Audrey said before kissing him again.
He ran his hands up her back, still over her clothes. "That, for starters..."
"Good so far," Audrey whispered.
Kissing her again, he pushed her down gently onto the sofa. "And there's that..."
"Mmmhmmm," Audrey murmured.
They spent a good deal of the evening on the sofa, snogging. He was nearly breathless when they finally pulled apart.
"It's late," Audrey said smoothing down her jumper.
"A little, yeah," RJ said reluctantly.
"Thank you for tonight," Audrey said.
"I'll walk you home," RJ said. "Doesn't have to be over yet."
"I drove over," Audrey told him. "You can walk me downstairs to my car though."
"Guess that'll have to do," RJ helped her into her coat and took her hand.
Audrey leaned against him in the lift. "So, when is your first match?"
"In a week," he answered. "And if you want to come, Frankie said she'll get you a ticket. You can sit with my family."
"I wouldn't miss it," Audrey said smiling at him. "And hopefully your family can answer all the questions that I'm going to have."
RJ wrapped his arms around her. "Anything you want to know."
They walked out of the building and down the sidewalk to where Audrey's car was parked. RJ gave her a lingering kiss.
"I'll ring you tomorrow," he promised. "I want to see you as much as possible."
"Good night," Audrey said before getting in the car.
He leaned down as she opened the window and gave her one more kiss. "Night..."
RJ couldn't stop smiling the entire way back up to his flat. He only hoped that Andrew's date was going well.
Andrew was having a nice time, but he was pissed at himself. Natalia was beautiful and nice, but all he could think about was Saffron.
"I'm nervous about my first match," Natalia was saying. "But everyone's really been so nice."
"You'll do a good job," Andrew said. "Just remember to focus on the game and not the outcome."
Natalia smiled at him. "Thanks, Andrew. You know, I was feeling a little homesick, but you've really kept my mind off of it."
"I'm glad," Andrew tried to push his thoughts away. "You'll like living in London. It's a great area."
"Are you going to the after match party?" Natalia asked him.
"I guess," he said. "Thought it might be fun."
"Would you like to go together?" Natalia asked him.
"Okay," Andrew agreed automatically.
Natalia smiled shyly at him. "Really?"
"Sure," Andrew focused on her. "We'll have fun." he smiled.
"Were you that nervous before your first match?" Natalia asked him.
"I had a pretty bad case of the jitters," he nodded. "But once I got out there, I just knew I had to show everyone what I was capable of."
Natalia smiled at him over her glass.
"Would you care for dessert, monsieur?" the waiter asked Andrew.
"Um... sure." Andrew said. "Natalia- anything you like..."
"Chocolate mousse," Natalia replied. "Andrew?"
Natalia waited until the waiter had left them before she broached a subject she'd been wondering about all evening. "Is everything okay?" she asked. "You've seen a little distant all evening."
"I'm all right," Andrew didn't think he should disclose his thoughts. "I've just got a lot on my mind is all. I'm sorry."
Natalia smiled uncertainly at him. "We can cut the evening short if you're...."
"No," Andrew shook his head. "I don't want to do that."
"Neither do I," Natalia said. "I really like you Andrew and I was trying to get up the nerve to talk to you when you asked me out the other day."
"You were?" he asked, amazed. "Me?"
Natalia laughed. "You sound surprised. Surely you know how handsome you are."
Andrew turned red. "I guess..." he answered, feeling shy himself.
"To top it all off, you're one of the nicest blokes I've ever met," Natalia told him.
"I credit my dad with that," Andrew answered. "He's always taught me to treat women with respect."
"He taught you well," Natalia said smiling at him again. She blushed. "I'm usually not this forward. You're just really easy to talk to, Andrew."
The only person he'd ever really been forward with was Saffron. Andrew cursed himself again and pushed the mental image away. "I don't mind."
The waiter brought over their desserts. Natalia laughed. "I know that girls shouldn't eat in front of the boys they fancy, but I can't resist chocolate."
"I say eat up," Andrew replied. "It's nice to see a girl not pick at her food."
She took a bite of her mousse and practically swooned. "This is soooo good."
"Want to try this?" he pushed his plate towards her.
"Sure," she replied. "If you try the mousse."
"Deal," Andrew picked up his own spoon.
"Very good," Natalia said after she took a bite. "And what's your verdict?"
"Delicious," Andrew replied. "Wish I'd ordered that instead."
"Maybe next time," Natalia said, hoping that there would be a next time.
Andrew nodded, amazed that she wanted to go out with him again.
Natalia beamed at him. "Great."
Andrew paid the check and offered to walk her home. She lived nearby, which was nice.
"It's starting to get colder," Natalia said conversationally.
"I know," Andrew replied. "I can't believe it's almost winter again. Feels like it was just the beginning of summer."
"But in many ways, this is a new beginning," Natalia said softly. "At least for me..."
"Moving to a whole new city can feel that way," Andrew nodded.
"Away from my home and my family and my friends," Natalia said. "But I'm trying to think of this as a new opportunity to make a new life with new friends."
"New friends are always good," Andrew smiled at her. "Once you get used to the team you'll see that we're sort of like one big family."
Natalie grinned. "That's just what I need---more big brothers."
"We'll watch out for you," Andrew joked.
Natalia stopped walking and looked up at him. She hesitantly stepped closer. "Promise?"
"Sure," Andrew answered. "We all will."
Natalia gave him a hug. "Thank you, Andrew. That means a lot to me."
He patted her back, a bit awkwardly. "Sure." he said again.
She didn't say much the rest of the way back to her flat. As they approached her building, Andrew wondered if he should give her a kiss good night.
"Thank you for a lovely evening," Natalia said reaching into her purse for her keys.
"You're welcome," Andrew said. "Um... I'm sorry I wasn't better company."
"You were fine," Natalia said giving him a peck on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow at practise?"
"I'll be there," Andrew said. "Good night."
"Good night," she said before walking up the steps.
Andrew Apparated back to his and RJ's flat and let himself in, hoping he wouldn't be interrupting his best friend and Audrey if she was still there.
RJ was reading over a magazine in the sitting room when he heard his friend come inside. "Hey, mate."
"Hi," Andrew responded. "What's up?"
"You tell me," RJ grinned. "How was the date?"
"Fine," he said. "I'm sure she really thinks I'm a pathetic bore."
"Andrew," RJ shook his head. "I'm sure she doesn't."
Andrew dropped onto the sofa. "I just can't stop thinking about Saffron."
"Then why don't you try and get her back?" RJ asked. "Mads said that she's miserable too."
"I just don't think she wants me back," Andrew said moodily. "I messed up, big time."
"I did," RJ corrected him. "If I hadn't have cheated on Lexie, none of this would have happened. Saffy and I would still be speaking, you and she would still be together..."
"Yeah but you didn't make me go in and accuse her like I did," Andrew interrupted.
"I'm sorry," RJ said quietly.
Andrew half smiled. "How about a beer?"
"Absolutely," RJ replied.
A few minutes later they were sitting at the kitchen table with two open bottles. "I just wish I could go there and see her," Andrew lamented. "Force her to see how sorry I am."
"Might be best to wait until Christmas hols," RJ suggested. "Or you could write to her..."
"I've tried," he said. "Both times it came back unopened."
"At least she didn't send back a howler," RJ said dryly.
Andrew had to smile at that. "Thank goodness for small favours, aye?"
"It'll get better," RJ told him. "And you'll see her again during Christmas hols. You can try and patch things up then."
"Maybe," Andrew sighed. "Part of me wants to make up with her... but part of me says it's over and I should move on. Maybe things will get better if I keep seeing other people."
"I saw a picture of your date in Quidditch Weekly," RJ told him. "She's beautiful, mate."
"She's really nice too," Andrew pulled back on his beer. "I should really give her a fair chance."
"Good idea," RJ said.
Andrew thought for a moment. "I'm going to try writing to Saffron one more time. If I don't' hear from her, that's my cue. I'm really going to move on."
"Good luck," RJ said pushing back from his chair. "I'm going to bed."
Andrew nodded. "Thanks mate. See you tomorrow."
"Night," RJ said.
Andrew stayed in the kitchen for a few more moments while he finished his beer. He meant what he said. Three times was the charm. If Saffron still didn't want anything to do with him after one more letter, then he was moving on.
*** *** ***
With Audrey in the know about the magical world, Jon knew the writing was on the wall. He had to tell Victoria something he'd been keeping from her from the moment he'd taken the job. Victoria was one of the mostopen-minded people he'd ever met and he hoped that she would extend that to what he was about to tell her. He'd spent most of his shift trying to work up the courage to tell her.
It was nearing the end of his shift and Jon knew he had to come clean before he left or he might never fess up. He finished washing the glasses and stacked them in the cabinet before approaching the back office, where Vic was finishing up some paperwork.
"Allie rang earlier," Victoria told him. "She said that your youngest is still sick."
"He's got the croup," Jon told her. "Sleeping for the past few nights has been hell."
"I remember those days," Victoria said sympathetically. "My little girl Gwen had it when she was around Adam's age."
"Any tips?" Jon asked, sitting down.
"You should get a humidifier," Victoria replied. "If that doesn't work, take him to the doctor and they can prescribe something, I'm sure."
Jon nodded. "I'll pick one up on the way home."
"Will you be here tomorrow morning for the shipment?" Victoria asked him. "Steve said he'd bring it by around 10."
Jon nodded. "Sure..." his resolve was failing fast and he spoke up before he could talk himself out of it again. "Hey Vic? There's something I really need to tell you."
Victoria set aside her invoices and looked at him. "What's on your mind, Jon?"
"Well um... there's something I never told you about myself." Jon said, wiping the palms of his hands on his jeans.
Victoria raised an eyebrow. "I don't understand..."
"I can do magic," Jon said in a rush. "Like, not just magic tricks, but actual magic. Everyone in my family can."
Victoria looked at him with an unreadable expression. "Jon? Have you been drinking?"
"No," Jon answered. "I'm being serious."
"You need to go home and get some sleep," Victoria told him, pushing back in her chair. "You're talking crazy."
"I am not," Jon said again. "I'm serious. I can do magic. I'll show you something right now." he took out his wand and levitated her pen into the air.
The amused smirk on Victoria's face disappeared and she stared in awe at the pen.
"I can do a lot of different things," Jon let it fall back onto her desk. "But um... I wanted to tell you. Audrey knows, since she's seeing RJ."
Victoria shook her head. "Okay, very funny. Joke's onme."
"Vic I'm being serious," Jon replied. "Why would I joke about this?"
"I don't know," Victoria said shrugging. "You always like to pull those practical jokes and I'm not going to fall for this again, Jon. What you're talking about isn't possible..."
"It's not a practical joke," Jon was starting to feel a bit impatient. "What else do you want me to do? I'll prove it."
"This is completely crazy," Victoria said shaking her head again. "Of all the---"
Her words were cut off when Jon disappeared. "What the hell?" she asked looking around the room.
"That's called Apparating," Jon came back into the door.
"Y-you were there," Victoria said pointing to where he'd been standing just a few moments before. "And then you---you were gone!"
"I know," Jon nodded.
"I need to sit down," Victoria said feeling shaky.
"I've been trying to tell you for a few days," Jon said. "I just... I didn't know how you'd react. This won't change how I do my work or anything, I promise. I just wanted you to know."
Victoria didn't respond.
"Vic?" Jon asked. "You're... you're not angry, are you?"
"I--I don't know what to think, really," Victoria replied quietly.
Jon swallowed nervously. "I'm sorry..."
"You've never used this here, have you?" Victoria asked.
"No," Jon shook his head. "Just... sometimes after work, I would go down the street and Apparate home. But I've never used magic on you or any customers."
"And your whole family is like this?" Victoria asked slowly. "Allie? RJ? Your kids?"
Jon nodded. "Every last one of us."
"You didn't think you might want to mention this to me when we became partners?" Victoria asked.
"I wasn't sure how to," Jon confessed.
"Jon..."
"I know," he said hurriedly. "Vic... I just wanted you to know."
Victoria nodded. "Well, I appreciate your honesty."
"Are you okay with this?" he asked anxiously.
"I just need some time to process all of this," Victoria replied truthfully. "You---you should get home."
Jon sighed and stood up. "See you tomorrow?"
"Yes," Victoria replied. "You need to be here tomorrow at ten for that shipment."
"Right," Jon said. "Ten it is."
"I hope Adam feels better soon," Victoria said before she returned her attention to her invoices.
"Thanks," Jon lingered for another moment before heading out of the bar. He hoped telling Victoria was the right thing.
Back at the house, Allison was relishing the peace and quiet. She'd put Adam down a few minutes ago and was currently reading her daughters a bedtime story while trying to keep her own eyes open. None of them had slept that much over the last couple of days due to Adam's croup.
"Mummy, you read that page already," Caroline told her.
"Sorry, Angel." Allison yawned.
She was reading to them from the fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea. "Where was I? Okay....'The next morning when the girl woke up, the queen asked how she slept...."
"Sleep bad," Emma recited. "Like Sissy and Em."
"Adam's sleeping now," Caroline said. "Maybe that means he's feeling better."
"I hope so Angel," Allison said wearily.
Emma rested her head on Allison's shoulder.
"The girl answered that she'd slept very poorly and that she had barely closed her eyes all night..."
At that moment, the baby monitor crackled to life with Adam's crying.
Allison sighed. "I'm sorry girls. I think we'll have to finish this another time."
"But---" Emma protested.
"Go to sleep," Allison kissed them both.
Allison hurried out of the room and crossed the hall into the nursery. Adam was coughing and she picked him up. "Oh, Mummy's here, Adam."
Adam continued to cough and cry at the same time, and Allison's heart went out to her baby boy.
Allison patted his back trying to comfort him before carrying him into the bathroom. She turned the hot water on in the sink and in the shower; hoping the steam would help his breathing.
It seemed to help, for Adam stopped crying and his cough lessened a bit. "That's my boy," she said softly, trying to calm him down.
Jon arrived home and set the bag down. He'd gone to an all night chemist who had helped him pick out a humidifier for Adam.
"Daddy?" Caroline asked creeping out of her room with Emma.
"Hi sweetheart," Jon said. "Shouldn't you two be in bed?"
"Mummy was reading us a story and then Adam started coughing again," Caroline told him. "He's going to be okay, isn't he?"
"He'll be fine," Jon reassured them. "In a few days, I'm sure he'll be all better."
"Really?" Caroline asked.
Emma yawned and stretched her arms out.
"Just fine," Jon swooped Emma into his arms. "Come on, back to bed."
"Kay," Emma said sleepily.
"I want to check on Adam," Caroline said.
"Not now," Jon took her hand. "You'll see him tomorrow morning."
"Daddy, please," Caroline begged. "I want to make sure he's okay."
"No, Sissy!" Emma exclaimed.
"Why not, Em?" Caroline asked.
"Cause Em's sweepy," Emma replied.
"We all are," Jon muttered. "Come on, girls."
"Just for a minute?" Caroline tried again. "I'll just peek inside--"
"He's doing a little better," Allison said coming out into the hallway carrying Adam. Her hair was matted to her head and sweat was dripping from her forehead.
Adam's red hair was mussed and he looked weakly at his father. "Da----"
"Hey little guy," Jon said, kissing his son's forehead. "I bought him a humidifier at the chemist. Vic said it would help."
"Fantastic," Allison said. "I had him in the loo with the hot water going, but I couldn't take it anymore."
"Let me just put these two back to bed," Jon replied. "I'll relieve you."
"He's okay, isn't he?" Caroline asked looking up at her mother. Adam coughed again and then put his head on Allison's shoulder.
"He'll be fine, Angel." Allison said. "You both have school tomorrow, so you need to get to bed."
"Okay," Caroline said. "Get better soon, Adam."
Jon put his daughters to bed then came back out and took Adam from his wife. "There, there..." he said soothingly as the infant coughed again.
"I think we should move his crib into our room tonight," Allison said getting a rag and wiping her forehead. ""And we'll set the humidifier up in there."
"Sounds good," Jon nodded.
"I'm going to get him some juice," Allison stood up.
"Grab the humidifier on your way up would you?" Jon asked, carrying his son into the bedroom.
Jon sat down with Adam on the edge of the bed. His son looked like all he wanted to do was sleep. Jon could certainly relate. "Little guy, I promise you're going to feel better soon."
Adam let out a little choked sob and a tiny cough.
Allison came upstairs with the humidifier and a bottle for Adam.
"Thanks," Jon took the bottle. "I hope this will help him a little."
"Me too," Allison tore open the box. "How was work?"
"I told her," Jon replied. "She didn't believe me at first."
"About magic?" Allison looked up. "Did you show her a few things?"
Jon told her about levitating the pen and then Apparating before Victoria. "I think she just needs a little time to adjust to it."
"I hope so," Allison waved her wand at the humidifier and it turned on.
She sat down beside her husband and watched as Adam drank from the bottle.
"I'm so happy he's quiet," she rubbed her forehead. "It's been a really difficult couple of days."
"For all of us," Jon said setting the bottle down on the floor and sitting Adam up so he could burp him.
"Da-da," Adam murmured sleepily.
"Dada's right here," Jon said softly.
"My guys," Allison said looking at the two of them.
"You should get some sleep," Jon answered. "I'll get his crib in here."
"I'll hold him until you get back," Allison said. "Then we can put him down and then hopefully we all can get some sleep."
Jon nodded and passed Adam back over to his wife. "I won't be long."
"Okay," Allison said kissing her son on his forehead. "Feeling better, sweetheart?"
"Dada," Adam blinked up at her, his eyes hazy.
"Here he is," Allison said looking up to see Jon coming into the bedroom carrying Adam's crib. "You can sleep in here with us tonight, okay?"
Adam gazed at his father who quickly set up the little crib.
"Good job," Allison told her husband with a tired smile.
"Thanks," Jon gave her a kiss as he took Adam back.
Allison went into the bathroom to get ready for bed, struggling to keep her eyes open.
Jon came up behind her. "Need some help?"
"I think I've got it," Allison said. "Did he go to sleep?"
"Soon as I put him down," Jon answered. "I put the humidifier next to his bed."
"Good idea," Allison said. She brushed her teeth and looked at her husband who seemed lost in thought. "Hey....Vic's going to come around, Jon."
"I hope so," Jon sighed. "I really don't' need to be sacked."
"You're partners," Allison reassured him.
"I know, but she seemed really ticked that I didn't tell her before this," Jon replied.
"It is understandable," Allison reasoned. "But, you can tell her about how we have to keep it a secret and that you've never used magic when you're at the pub."
"I told her I never used it on anyone or anything there," Jon nodded. "But I'll explain the rest tomorrow."
"It's going to be fine," Allison said giving him a hug.
"Thanks Al," Jon hugged her back. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Allison said. She took his hand and led him back into their bedroom. To her surprise, Emma and Caroline were asleep in their bed. "When did they---"
Jon started to laugh. "You've got to be kidding me."
"It's good that we have a big bed," Allison said laughing, too.
Jon nodded as he got into his boxers and a t-shirt. "Caroline's been really worried about Adam. She probably convinced Em to come in here with her."
"Emma would go anywhere with Caroline," Allison said sliding in under the covers.
"Mummy," Emma said opening her eyes for a moment.
"Shhh..." Allison said. "Go back to sleep, baby."
"Mmm," Emma murmured.
Allison kissed her daughter's forehead. "Night, sweetheart."
Jon got in on the other side and he gently slid Caroline over.
"I sort of love nights like this," Allison gazed at her husband.
"You do?" Jon asked her.
"Not the staying up for almost three days straight," Allison said wryly. "But all of us together..."
Jon smiled at her. "Our little family."
"Not quite so little anymore," Allison grinned back.
"No, not so little anymore," Jon agreed. From his crib, Adam let out a small cough, but didn't cry.
Allison held her breath until she was sure he was asleep again. "Phew."
"Poor little guy," Jon said.
"I wish I could have it for him," Allison said quietly.
"He'll be better soon," Jon said softly.
"A few more days, probably." Allison yawned.
"Get some sleep, Al," Jon said.
"You too," Allison gazed at him. "You'll be the one up if he starts crying again."
"Adam and I had a talk when we came up here," Jon said closing his eyes. "He said he was going to sleep through the night."
Allison smiled. "I hope you're right."
"He better," Emma said grumpily.
"Em," Allison propped herself up. "I thought you were asleep."
"Mummy and Daddy talk too much!" Emma said giving her mother a look.
Allison pressed her lips together. "How about you and Caroline go back to your room then?"
"No!" Emma exclaimed. "No! Sissy and Em stay here!"
"Shhh," Jon whispered. "Em, you need to stay quiet."
"Em shhhhhhh," Emma said. "Daddy, too."
"She rules the roost, remember?" Allison quipped.
"Em needs sleep now," Emma told her father. "Now, Daddy."
Jon kissed her forehead. "Good night, Em."
"Shhhhhhh," Emma said before closing her eyes.
"Like she says," Jon whispered to his wife. "Night Al."
"Night, Jon," Allison whispered back.
"Night!" Emma's voice rang out.