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Saffron wondered what he was doing now. She'd seen the photographs in the paper. He and his team mate were the talk of the papers. To their credit though, whenever he was interviewed he told the reporters that he didn't like to discuss his private life. And from what she knew of Natalia, she was also protective of her privacy.
He really was the perfect guy, she thought sadly. And she had let him go.
"Noah!"
Saffron smiled when she heard the sounds of laughter coming from outside the hall. Josh, Lizzy and the triplets must have arrived.
"Noah Weasley," Josh was chasing after his son. "You come back here this instant!"
"No Dada!" Noah laughed as he dodged just out of his father's reach.
Josh looked at his wife. "Liz, help!"
Lizzy laughed. "Josh, I have Casey and Aidan. You can surely catch Noah."
"He might not be able to, but I can," Saffron said grabbing Noah and picking him up. "Hey, you little monster!'
"Sassy," Noah said mischievously.
"Thank you," Josh said setting their bags down. "He kind of got away from me."
"Sure," Saffron laughed. "What a little stinker."
"Hey, hi!" Casey waved at Saffron.
"Hi Case," Saffron grinned at her.
"Me too," Aidan said squirming out of Lizzy's grasp.
"Hi Aidan," Saffron set Noah down.
"Everyone must be out on the beach already," Lizzy commented.
Saffron nodded. "We were just heading down there too."
"Let me get these three settled and we'll join you," Lizzy said, looking down at Casey who was tugging at her leg. "What is it, Case?"
"Beach!" Casey said happily.
Saffron laughed. "I can help you guys if you want. It might get you outside faster."
"YAY!" Casey exclaimed jumping up and down.
"All right miss," Saffron said. "Let's go find your swim costume."
"Here's Casey's bag," Josh said handing Saffron a small pink suitcase. "Thank you, Saffy."
"No problem," Saffron said. "She's sharing a room with Emma and Hannah again, right?
"With Em!" Casey said happily, reaching for Saffron's hand.
Saffron grinned, happy that she had the kids here for a distraction. She led Casey into the bedroom she was sharing with Emma and Hannah. A crib had already been set up in the corner of the room.
Saffron set the bag down on one of the beds and opened it. There were two swim costumes inside. "What colour do you want to wear, Case? You have a pink one and a green one."
"Green one," Casey pointed.
"Excellent choice," Saffron said winking at her. "That's the colour of mine, too."
Casey let Saffron help her put her little swim costume on. "Em here?"
Saffron laughed. "Yes, she is. She's on the beach with her mummy and daddy."
"Can't wait to see her," Casey said as Saffron pulled a t shirt over her head.
"You're absolutely adorable," Saffron said.
Casey giggled. "Thank you."
Saffron picked her back up. "You want to see if your brothers are ready?"
Casey nodded. "Go to beach!"
Saffron laughed. "Let's go."
"Look at you Case," Lizzy grinned when she saw her daughter.
"Saf did it," Casey said happily.
"She did a great job," Lizzy said. "Daddy's going to bring your brothers along in just a few minutes."
"Hurry!" Casey called out.
A few minutes later, the six of them were headed across the sand where the rest of the family was already relaxing.
"Em!" the triplets yelled running toward her.
Emma turned. "Casey!" she screamed happily. "Noah! Aidan!"
"They love her to pieces," Saffron said to her mother with a grin. "I've never seen anything like it!"
"She's so sweet," Hermione laughed.
Emma screamed suddenly. "Noah! No sit there! You sat on Ramona's lap!"
Noah's eyes filled with tears at Emma's tone. "Sorry."
"It's okay," Emma said patting his hand. "Ramona's not mad at you. Don't cry!"
"Em yell," Noah wiped his eyes.
"I didn't mean it," Emma hugged him. "Em loves Noah."
"Love Em too," Noah seemed to be feeling better already. "Build castle?"
Emma grinned. "Sure!"
"Me too," Casey said.
"Absolutely!" Emma replied, motioning for the triplets to join her with their buckets.
"Hey, Minister," Ron said grinning at Hermione. "Where are your son and my daughter?"
"On their way," Hermione told him.
Ron turned sombre. "How are you holding up?"
"Fine," Hermione said. "I'm not letting this ruin our holiday."
"Good girl," Ron said. "No one's getting near this house. These wards are strong."
Harry nodded. "Stronger than anything I've ever seen."
Ron grinned. "I'd do anything for you guys. You're family."
"Thanks mate," Harry clapped him on the shoulder.
"Thank you, Ron," Hermione said giving him a hug.
Saffron set out her towel and looked towards Sean's family's house.
"When's he getting here?" Ashley asked her.
"What?" Saffron asked. "Oh um... later I think."
Ashley set her things down beside her aunt. "And what about Alexa and Gabe?"
"They're coming in about an hour or so," Saffron replied.
"Do you think we'll be able to go into town?" Ashley asked. "I know we have to be careful and all..."
"I'm not sure yet," Saffron admitted. "I hope so."
"Me too," Ashley said.
"For now, relaxing seems to be what we do best," Saffron told her niece.
"That sounds great to me," Ashley said lying down on her towel.
"The sun does feel good," Saffron closed her eyes. "And this is my last chance to relax for awhile."
"Before you start playing!" Ashley said excitedly.
"And THAT I can't wait for," Saffron replied.
"I can't wait to see you play in your first match!" Ashley said.
"You guys will be there front and centre," Saffron promised.
"Cheering on you and RJ," Ashley said.
"Can you believe RJ and I are going to be playing for the same team again?" Saffron asked.
Ashley giggled. "And it helps that you are getting along again."
"Yes that too," Saffron agreed.
"I still can't believe Alexa is going to move to the States," Ashley commented.
"I know," Saffron said soberly. "I'm going to miss her so much. But she's really excited about it- and she's happy she'll be so close to Gabriel."
Ashley nodded. "Will you get to see Sean a lot when you're playing and he's back at University?"
"Maybe," Saffron hedged. "I... I hope so."
"You're not sure?" Ashley asked.
"I don't know how I feel right now," Saffron answered.
"Maybe this summer will help you figure things out," Ashley said thoughtfully.
"I hope it does," Saffron said. "I still miss Andrew, and it's been a year since we've broken up."
"Maybe you and Andrew can get back together," Ashley said.
"He's with that other girl now," Saffron answered.
"Natalia, right?" Ashley asked.
"Yeah," Saffron muttered.
"Maybe it's not that serious," Ashley said.
"RJ told me she sleeps over all the time," Saffron sighed. "I messed up big time with Andrew."
"But if you still love him," Ashley tried to argue.
"It's not that easy, Ash." Saffron told her. "You'll understand someday."
Ashley nodded, but she couldn't really see why two people who really loved each other couldn't be together. Saffron still loved Andrew and Ashley was willing to bet that Andrew still felt something for her aunt.
"So, didn't you say Zander and Brittany might be showing up here?" Saffron changed the subject.
Ashley nodded. "They have family that lives near here. I hope I get to see them."
"I'm glad you had a good first year," Saffron said to her.
"Thanks to you," Ashley said. "It's going to be strange without you there."
"You'll have to show Katie the ropes when she gets there," Saffron said with a grin. "But she'll probably know it all, already."
"I don't know if Hogwarts is ready for Katie," Ashley laughed. "My sister is going to take it by storm."
"Yes she is," Saffron nodded.
Ashley looked over to where Katie was sitting on a blanket with Caroline.
"Did you hear her earlier?" Saffron asked with a grin. "She's got that royal thing down to a T."
"Oh, you missed it," Ashley said. "When you were still inside, she walked over to Uncle Ron and told him that she expected mints on her pillows tomorrow morning!"
Saffron laughed. "You have got to be kidding."
"And she loves those sunglasses," Ashley said.
"They make her look just like a movie star," Saffron said dryly.
"Don't tell her that," Ashley said.
"Might just go right to her head," Saffron joked.
Harry stood back from his family, watching them all. He watched Saffron talking with Ashley and laughing. He watched Katie and Caroline talking animatedly. He watched his oldest daughter teasing Nick. His eyes fell on his wife last. She was staring off at the ocean, a thoughtful expression on her face. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do to protect her. If Dolohov was stupid enough to make a move, Harry was going to make him pay.
*** *** ***
Gabriel had arrived later that evening with his father and stepmother. Alexa reluctantly shared him with the rest of his family, but couldn't wait to get him all alone. She hadn't seen him since Easter and she was eager to catch up with him and have him hold her in his arms.
Alexa came downstairs and smiled when she saw Gabriel sitting with Emma, who seemed to be hanging on his every word.
"I've been to Disneyland loads of times," Gabriel was telling her.
"Princesses?" Emma asked hopefully.
Gabriel laughed. "Yes, I saw some princesses, but you know not one of them was as cute as you."
Emma grinned and blushed.
"If you ever come to visit me, I will take you to Disneyworld and you can see all the princesses firsthand," Gabriel told her.
Emma bounced up and down. "Tomorrow!"
Gabriel laughed. "Not tomorrow, Em. But maybe next summer."
Alexa walked into the room and sat down beside Gabe on the sofa.
"No, Lexie!" Emma squealed. "You sat on Ramona!"
"Oh," Alexa jumped up. "I'm sorry Em!"
"It's okay," Emma reassured her. "Ramona said she still loves you."
"I still love her too," Alexa shared a smile with Gabriel.
"Gabey's going to take Em to Disneyland!" Emma told her.
"He is?" Alexa asked. "Is it a date?"
Gabriel looked at her. "I don't know...her mom was telling me about some boy in her play group called Jacob. "
"Jacob?" Alexa swooped Emma up. "Is that your boyfriend Em?"
"Sometimes," Emma replied playing with a lock of Alexa's hair.
"Sometimes?" Alexa teased.
Emma giggled. "Yes."
"Like when?" Alexa asked. "When he's got biscuits?"
"Emma, you threw me over for some snotty-nose boy with biscuits?" Gabriel asked dramatically.
"Sorry," Emma held up her hands. "His biscuits are good."
Alexa and Gabriel laughed at this.
"Emma and Jacob," Alexa said grinning at her. "I think that has a nice ring to it."
"Like Lexie and Gabey," Emma giggled.
Gabriel mussed Emma's hair. "I think so, too."
"Emma Madeline Weasley!" Allison called out. "It's bath time!"
"I have to go," Emma scooted herself down. "Come on Ramona- we have to take a bath!"
Alexa and Gabriel watched as the red-haired little girl hurried out of the room. "Don't worry, Gabe. I think you have the best biscuits," Alexa told him.
"You better," Gabriel returned with a grin as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Did I tell you how much I missed you?" Alexa asked happily.
"Not yet you didn't," Gabriel said.
"I missed you," Alexa said burying her face in his shoulder.
Gabriel buried his nose in her hair. "How about we go for a walk by ourselves?" he asked huskily.
"Just let me go and grab a jumper and a blanket," Alexa said.
"Sure," Gabriel gave her a kiss.
Gabriel watched her go. Even though his schedule had been crazy these last few weeks, he'd thought about her every single day. He couldn't wait to be alone with her.
"Okay," she said a few minutes later. "Let's get out of here."
Gabriel took the blanket from her. "Lead the way, O'Leary."
She took his hand and squeezed it. "I know of a little area where it's quite secluded. Nice and private..."
Nice and private sounded really good to him and he could only smile as he followed her out of the house.
"How's Saffy?" Gabriel asked. "She didn't say much at dinner and she looked a little preoccupied."
"She's just having some... girl issues," Alexa said. Saffron had talked to her about Sean and her feelings for Andrew, and Alexa had sworn not to tell another soul.
"Sean shows up tomorrow, right?" Gabe asked. "Maybe she'll be back to normal once he's here."
"Maybe," Alexa shrugged. "I hope so."
Gabriel smiled at her. "We should all do something together when he gets here. Do a group date or something like that."
"I like that idea," Alexa said happily.
"I like the fact that soon you are going to be living in California," Gabe said.
"So close to you," Alexa said. "We'll get to see each other all the time."
"It's going to be great," Gabe told her.
Alexa pulled him close and kissed him hungrily.
Gabe dropped the blanket and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her back just as urgently.
"I've been waiting for this all day," she murmured when they pulled apart.
"Me too," Gabriel said breathlessly. "Lexie."
"Let's find that spot," she said, her eyes gone dark. "I don't know how much longer I can wait for you."
Gabriel smiled. "Me too."
She reached down and picked up the blanket.
Gabriel smiled again at her. "So how much further?"
"Just over here," Alexa said, ducking under some low branches. "What do you think?"
Gabriel looked around. "I think that it's perfect."
"No one can see in here," Alexa said, spreading out the blanket.
"Are you up to something, Miss O'Leary?" Gabriel asked.
"Me?" Alexa feigned innocence.
"Mmmhmm," Gabe laughed, sitting down on the blanket. "I get the feeling that you have something planned."
"I have nothing planned," Alexa toyed with the strap of her tank top.
Gabriel covered her hand with his own. "So...you have no idea what we could possibly do out here?"
"Oh I definitely have an idea," Alexa said, pushing him down.
"Mmm," Gabriel said. "I think I might like where this is heading."
She laughed. "I bet you do..."
Gabriel kissed her again. "I love you, Lexie."
"Love you too," Alexa said softly as he loosened her hair.
She was the most beautiful girl in the world to him and he couldn't wait to be with her again. He watched admiringly as she took off her tank top and tossed it aside.
"Come on," she said with a grin. "You're behind already."
Gabriel laughed and lifted his t-shirt up and over his head.
"You're looking a little pale, Boyd." Alexa said, giggling. "Where's that California tan?"
"Give me a break," Gabriel said defensively. "I spent most of my time in a classroom, or in a lab, or in the library."
"You still look good to me," Alexa replied.
"Pale and pasty as I am?" Gabriel asked leaning in.
"You're not THAT pale," Alexa teased, kissing him softly.
"Very funny," Gabriel said. "I thought you were used to pale and pasty boys since you live in a country that sees the sun....10 days a year?"
"That's soon going to change," Alexa said, kissing his shoulder.
Gabriel pulled her back down on the blanket. "You are going to love California."
Alexa smiled. "I'm going to love being with you all the time in California," she corrected.
"Me and my biscuits?" Gabriel teased.
"You'd better believe it," Alexa laughed.
Gabriel grinned and unbuttoned her shorts. "Let's get you out of these...."
She arched her body so he could slide them off her.
"And these," Gabriel said pulling at her knickers.
Her eyes locked with his as he shed the rest of his own clothing.
He settled himself over her. "Lexie..."
"Gabe," she said, raking her nails over his chest.
Gabriel leaned down and kissed her.
Alexa opened her mouth under his; his tongue swept through her mouth.
Gabriel slid inside her and wrapped his arms tightly around her.
"Oooh," Alexa's eyes closed. "Gabriel...."
They began to move together, the only sound coming from the waves hitting the beach.
Alexa wrapped her arms around him, pulling him as close to her as she could.
He couldn't get enough of her either and he trailed kisses on her shoulder. This was exactly what he'd been waiting for. Everything was perfect.
"Gabe," she gasped. "Oh Merlin..."
He grinned down at her. "Merlin?"
"Sorry," Alexa said breathlessly. "Magical terms."
Gabriel laughed before kissing her again.
It wasn't long before she cried out her release, holding onto him as if he were going to disappear.
"That was amazing," Gabriel managed to say.
Alexa nodded. "With you it always is."
"This is my new favourite spot in the entire world," Gabriel said softly.
Alexa snuggled into him as he moved to her side. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," Gabriel said brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You are just the most incredible guy," Alexa said. "I'm really happy we're here together."
"Me too," Gabriel said feeling happier right then than he could ever remember feeling.
"Now we can be together all summer and then head back to California together," Alexa continued.
"Does it get any better than that?" Gabriel asked grinning at her.
"I can't think of anything better than that," Alexa kissed him softly.
As much as he'd like to stay there with her forever, he knew that they'd better get back.
They got dressed, sneaking in kisses every few seconds.
"How cute was Emma tonight?" Alexa asked as they made their way back to the house.
Gabriel laughed. "I love that little girl. She's too cute."
"If I ever have kids, I hope that they're just like her," Alexa said.
Gabriel reached for her hand. "I hope so too."
Lavender and Seamus were sitting out on the deck when the two teenagers arrived back.
"Hey, Dad," Gabriel said.
"Hi son," Seamus said. "Evening, Alexa."
Lavender smiled warmly at them. "It's a lovely night, isn't it?"
"Quite so," Alexa replied.
Gabriel and Alexa sat down together on one of the chaise lounges.
"We went into town," Lavender told them. "This one here even convinced me to have an ice cream."
"With actual calories?" Gabriel asked. "Way to go Dad!"
"It's okay to splurge every now and then," Lavender said defensively.
"Sure it is," Gabriel wrapped an arm around his girlfriend.
Just inside the house, Ethan was sitting in the living room with Ron, Luna and Maddie.
"In three weeks, we'll be getting three new children," Luna was telling them. "It seems so quiet in the house now, but the good thing is that all of our charges have been placed in permanent homes."
"I think it's lovely what you and Dad are doing," Maddie said to her mother.
"Thank you sweetheart," Luna smiled at her.
"Ethan, did you want another beer?" Ron asked his son-in-law. Ethan didn't answer him though. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.
Maddie nudged her husband. "Ethan?"
"What?" Ethan asked breaking out of his reverie.
"Want another beer?" Ron asked him, holding up his own empty bottle.
Ethan nodded. "That'd be great. Thanks."
"Are you all right?" Maddie asked him as her father went into the kitchen.
Ethan gave her hand a squeeze. "I'm sorry. I have a lot on my mind."
Maddie could certainly sympathize with that. "If you want to talk--"
"There isn't anything to say," Ethan interjected. "I screwed up."
"Ethan," Maddie said. "Anyone could have done that. You have to stop fretting over it."
Luna nodded in agreement. "Dolohov played the entire system, Ethan. You did everything you were supposed to do."
Ethan shook his head. "If I had, he wouldn't be a free man right now."
"Ethan," Maddie said giving him a hug. "You are a great Auror."
He wasn't that reassured. "No I'm not."
"You are," Maddie argued. "And everyone here thinks so."
Ethan sighed. He knew what she was trying to do and he loved her for it, but there was nothing she could say that would change his mind.
Ron came back and handed his son in law a beer. "I'm enjoying this peace and quiet while I can."
"You're going to love having more children in the house," Luna told him.
Ethan noticed the wistful expression on his wife's face.
"As long as they're not little troublemakers like Joey and Zach were," Ron shuddered.
Luna laughed. "I do miss those two..."
Ethan put his arm around Maddie.
"I'm sort of tired," Maddie said. "Ethan- are you ready for bed?"
Ethan nodded. "If you are..."
"It's been a long day," Maddie nodded.
Ethan stood up and offered his wife his hand.
"Good night, you two," Luna said. "We'll see you in the morning."
"Night Mum," Maddie said. "Night Daddy."
Ron watched the younger couple go upstairs and then turned his attention to his wife. "Maybe we shouldn't talk about children in front of Maddie like that."
"She's been feeling better about it lately," Luna told him. "She's spent a lot of time with Frankie and the children."
"I feel bad for her and Ethan," Ron said thoughtfully. "With this going on and what happened with Dolohov, it hasn't been easy."
"Not for either of them," Luna said. "But I think they'll be okay."
"I hope---" Ron started to say but his words trailed off as he watched a little red-haired girl tiptoeing down the stairs.
Allison and Jon had tucked Emma in just a little over an hour ago, but the little girl was still hungry. She knew she wasn't supposed to be out of bed, but she couldn't help it. She was just going to get one biscuit.
She didn't notice her grandfather watching her. "Come on Ramona," Emma whispered. "The kitchen's just here."
Ron put a finger to his lips and he and Luna crept into the kitchen right behind Emma.
Emma saw the biscuit jar just on the counter, but it was up way too high.
"Help, Ramona," Emma whispered.
Ron quietly withdrew his wand and pointed it at the jar.
Emma watched with wide eyes as the jar rose off the counter and toward her.
"Ramona," Emma whispered. "How did you do that?"
Luna tapped her granddaughter on the shoulder. "The better question might be why you two young ladies are out of bed?"
"Grandma!" Emma jumped.
Ron grabbed the jar and opened it.
"Well?" Luna asked her granddaughter.
"Em's hungry," Emma said in a pitiful voice.
Luna bent down and picked her up. "You had a big dinner, sweetheart."
"I know," Emma said. "But I want a biscuit."
"One biscuit couldn't hurt," Ron said. "And she did a good job helping with Casey earlier."
"Well just one," Luna relented. "I'm sure Jon and Allie want her in bed right now."
Emma hugged her grandmother. "Thanks, Grandma."
"Just one," Luna said as Emma reached into the jar.
Ron grinned at his granddaughter. "Get a good one, baby girl."
"Biggest one," Emma said happily. "I have to share it with Ramona."
"Of course," Luna said. "It's really good of you to share,"
Emma nodded. "Okay, we'll go back to bed now."
"Can I get a hug?" Ron asked.
Emma put her arms around his neck. "I love you Grandpa."
"I love you too," Ron said patting her back. "And I tell you what, Miss Emma, tomorrow morning, you can help me make breakfast."
"Pancakes?" Emma asked.
"Chocolate chip pancakes?" Luna asked.
Emma wiggled in excitement. "Yes!"
"Come on you," Luna said. "Let's get you back in bed."
"Kay," Emma said. "Come on Ramona!"
Luna took Emma's hand in hers and led her back upstairs.
"All right," Luna said. "Back in bed now, for the rest of the night."
"No more getting up," Emma promised.
"Good girl," Luna kissed her forehead.
Luna tucked Emma back into bed and then checked in on Casey and Hannah. Hannah was fast asleep, clutching one of her teddy bears.
Luna smiled at the young girl before she headed back downstairs. She could hear Ethan and Maddie talking behind their closed door and hoped everything was all right between them.
"Ethan, no one blames you for this," Maddie told him. "You have to stop beating yourself up over this."
Ethan just shook his head. "I know my dad keeps saying it's okay, but it's not."
Maddie sat down beside him on the bed.
He sighed. "I just feel like such an idiot."
"It was one mistake," Maddie tried to reassure him. "That awful man capitalised on one mistake."
"My mistake," Ethan raked his hands through his hair.
Ethan was a perfectionist when it came to his work and he'd been doing so well with everything that had been thrown at him. Most of all, he wanted his father to be proud of him.
"You're going to get past this," Maddie told him.
"I guess," he replied.
"You will," Maddie said softly. "Everyone makes mistakes, Ethan. You just pick yourself up and learn from them."
He nodded as she kissed him. "Thanks Mads."
"I love you no matter what," Maddie said resting her forehead on his.
"I love you too," Ethan put his arms around her.
"Come on," Maddie said. "Let's go to bed."
"Maybe I'll feel better in the morning," Ethan said as he kicked off his jeans.
"I'm getting a vision that you will," Maddie joked.
Ethan smiled at that. "You're good for me."
"You make it easy," Maddie smiling back at him.
"Love you," Ethan slid under the covers.
"I love you," Maddie said cuddling up to him.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly to him.
"Try not to think about it," Maddie whispered.
"I'll try," Ethan said as she pressed her lips to his.
Maddie wished there was something else she could say to take away his guilt. She loved him more than anything in the world and she hated to see him beating himself up over it.
"Good night," Ethan whispered to her.
"Night," Maddie said, hoping that things would look better in the days to come.