Authors' note: We are so happy you guys like the new storyline. We're having fun writing it. There's still loads more. We hope you enjoy the latest chapter! Please read and review!
There was a knock on the door and Julie stood up to answer it. "Maddie."
"Hi," Maddie said. "I heard the conference and wanted to see how you were all doing."
"We're holding up," Julie said. "We finally convinced Mum to eat something."
"That's good," Maddie sat down next to her husband. "I've been hoping for a vision of some kind involving Saffy, but I haven't had anything yet."
"Thanks for trying," Ethan said giving her a peck on the cheek.
"I'd do anything to help," Maddie said.
"We know that," Ethan said.
"A few months ago, around Easter, I did have a strange vision," Maddie told him. "It was of a man- and he was saying 'Mine...'. I put it in a Pensieve, and I've been looking at it all morning, but I can't get any details. It's very foggy and non descript."
Ethan looked at his wife. "Do you think---?"
"I'm not sure," Maddie said. "And I really just can't make anything out."
"It was probably something else," Ethan said with a sigh. "This is so damn frustrating."
Maddie nodded. "I'm sorry. I'll keep trying..."
"We appreciate it," Harry said to his daughter-in-law.
"I just wish there was something more I could do," Maddie said. "I keep trying to reach out to Saffron in my head."
"She always thought of you as a sister," Hermione said softly.
Maddie smiled. "She was one of the few people at Hogwarts that was nice to me."
Harry nodded. "That's my girl."
"Saffy loves you," Ethan told his wife.
Maddie looked at Ethan. "She loves you, too. I remember when I was eight and you had just finished up your first year at Hogwarts. She was three years old and she was so excited."
Maddie thought back to that day so many years ago. She and RJ had accompanied her parents to pick up her sisters from Hogwarts. They were waiting on the platform for the train. Saffron was getting antsy as she sat on Greta's lap waiting for her big brother.
***
"Where's Ethan?" Saffron asked looking at her nanny.
Greta chuckled. "He'll be here any minute darling."
Maddie sat down beside Saffron and Greta. "I can't wait to see Drew and Darla. We're going to have a big dinner for them and everything!"
"A big dinner?" Saffron asked.
"A big dinner," Maddie said excitedly. "I helped Mummy make it and everything!"
"It sounds yummy," Saffron said. "Daddy made sketti, cause Mummy can't cook."
"That's Ethan's favourite," Maddie remembered fondly.
RJ grabbed the bear from Saffron's hand and threw it down the platform.
"RJ!" Saffron cried out. "No!"
RJ laughed. "The train will run over it!"
"Ronald Bilius Weasley Junior," Ron called out. "You apologise to Saffron right this minute."
"No," RJ crossed his arms.
"I'll get it," Maddie offered running down the platform.
"RJ, do you want to sit up in your room while we have that dinner for your sisters?" Luna asked.
"No," RJ sulked.
"Apologise to Saffron," Ron said firmly.
"Sorry," RJ muttered.
Maddie wiped off a smudge of dirt from the stuffed animal before she handed it back to Saffron. "Good as new."
"Thank you Maddie," Saffron hugged the bear protectively to her and glared at RJ.
"It's no problem," Maddie said sitting back down. "RJ doesn't mean to be like that. He didn't really want to come to the train station with us."
"Why?" Saffron asked.
"He wanted to go flying with Jon," Maddie whispered. "But Jon had a lesson to give so he couldn't go."
"RJ's a big baby," Saffron whispered back.
Maddie grinned. "Yes, he is."
"I think I hear the train," Greta said standing up with Saffron.
Saffron squealed. "Ethan!" She hadn't seen her big brother since Christmas and she couldn't wait to give him a hug.
"You're just going to have to wait a few more minutes," Harry swept her up.
Saffron frowned. She didn't like to wait.
Students began to file out of the train and Ron scanned the crowd for his twin daughters. He caught sight of one of them---snogging a boy. "DARLA WEASLEY!"
"Daddy!" Darla jumped away.
Ron put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "And who are you?"
"Um, well, I'm," the boy stammered.
"DADDY!" Darla turned red. "We were just saying goodbye!"
"Then say goodbye," Ron said ominously. "VERBALLY."
"Bye, Connor," Darla muttered. "I'll write to you."
"I'm sure Connor will be far too busy to write back," Ron said clapping the nervous boy on the back.
"Daddy," Darla said through clenched teeth.
"Bye, Darla," Connor said making a hasty retreat.
"You were so mean to him," Darla put her hands on her hips.
"Darla, you are 16 years old and I don't think that you should be---" Ron started to argue.
"We're so glad to have you home," Luna interjected, giving her daughter a hug. "Where's Drew?"
"Saying goodbye," Darla retorted.
Maddie ran over and gave her sister a hug. "Hiya, Darla!"
"Hey Mad Dog," Darla hugged her tightly. "I missed you!"
"I missed you, too!" Maddie exclaimed.
"Where's Ethan?" Saffron asked looking all over for him. "Daddy, do you see him?"
"I'm sure he'll be coming any second now, sweetheart." Harry said.
"There he is," Greta spotted him.
Ethan had just walked off the platform with his friends in tow. Saffron practically jumped out of Harry's arms and ran toward her brother.
"Saffy!" Harry called, running after her. "Saffron Grace!"
"ETHAN!" Saffron screamed, hurling herself at her brother.
"Saffy, where did you come from?" Ethan asked, trying to push her away. He didn't want his friends to see him hugging his baby sister.
"Over there," Saffron refused to let go. "Ethan I missed you a whole lot!"
"Is that your girlfriend?" Justin teased.
"No, it's my baby sister," Ethan grumbled. "Dad! Can you get her, please?"
"Ethan," Harry chuckled. "She's just happy to see you."
"Daddy and me made sketti for you," Saffron said excitedly. "And you can play with me, too. Greta gave me new dolls!"
"I'm not playing with dolls," Ethan muttered, turning red as Justin guffawed.
"I'll see you later, mate," Justin said shaking his head. "Have fun with your dolls."
Ethan glared at him as Saffron continued to tug at his jumper.
"It's good to have you home, son," Harry said, mussing Ethan's hair.
"Thanks Dad," Ethan said. "Saffy-- Ow!"
Saffron held up her hands. "Pick me up, Ethan!"
"No way!" Ethan said in embarrassment.
Maddie came up behind them. "Saffy, you dropped your bear again."
Saffron reached with one hand while her other held on fast to Ethan's jumper. "Thanks Maddie!"
"Hi, Ethan," Maddie said softly.
Ethan's face turned an even brighter shade of red. "Hi," he mumbled.
"Come on, Saffy," Maddie said taking the little girl's hand. "Drew and Darla have a new owl. Do you want to see it?"
"A new owl?" Saffron's attention was momentarily diverted.
"Yeah, he's all white," Maddie said. "He's beautiful."
"Can I go, Daddy?" Saffron asked.
"Sure," Harry replied. "We'll be right behind you."
Saffron took Maddie's hand and the two girls hurried away.
"Dad," Ethan said holding up his hand. "Don't say it."
Harry shook his head. "Do I have to?"
"You were 11 a long time ago," Ethan replied. "Would you have been thrilled if your baby sister would have come running at you talking about dolls in front of your friends?"
"I suppose not," Harry said. "But she worships you, Ethan."
"I know," Ethan grumbled. "I'll make it up to her."
"You're a good boy," Harry said. "And your mum can't wait to see you. She had to work but she'll be home for dinner."
"After dinner, can we practice flying?" Ethan asked. It was no secret that he wanted to make the house team next year.
"Of course we can," Harry nodded. "In fact, I was just at Quality Quidditch Supplies with Saffy and we bought--"
"Bought what?" Ethan asked excitedly.
"The new Twister Air 6000," Harry said with a grin.
Ethan gaped at him. "Dad? Are you serious?"
"You can thank your sister," Harry nodded his head. "Saffy's the one who convinced me to get it for you."
"She did?" Ethan asked.
Harry nodded again.
Ethan set his bag down and walked over to where his sister was standing with Maddie.
"Come here, Brat," Ethan said kneeling down in front of her.
Saffron bolted into her brother's arms.
"I missed you too," Ethan said hugging her.
Saffron giggled. "I knew you would."
"You did," Ethan said tugging at one of her ponytails. "Did you?"
"Uh huh," Saffron giggled. "And Mummy helped me write you letters."
"I know," Ethan said with a grin. "Thanks for writing to me."
Maddie watched this exchange and couldn't help smiling at how Saffron was beaming up at her big brother.
"You know what?" Ethan asked. "Dad just told me about my new broom. I was wondering if you knew of anyone who might want to go for a ride on it?"
"ME!" Saffron jumped up and down. "I want to go!"
"We can't tell Mum," Ethan said. "She'd freak."
"Secret," Saffron nodded.
"Come on," Ethan said picking her up. "Let's go home."
***
"I remember that," Maddie said fondly. "I don't think I'd ever seen her so excited."
"We spent three hours that night on the broom," Ethan remembered.
"She was born on a broom," Harry said.
Hermione gave a half-hearted smile. "She loves to fly. I was always afraid that she'd get hurt but she never had any fear."
Harry squeezed his wife's hand. "She's a brave girl, Hermione."
"She is," Hermione agreed.
"We'll get her back," Harry said. "And she'll be okay."
"Right," Julie nodded.
"I want that more than anything," Hermione said.
Harry looked at his watch. "Ethan, we should get back to the office and see if anything new has come up."
"And after that, you're getting some sleep," Ethan said.
"Ethan--" Harry began.
"Ethan's right," Julie said. "Just for a couple of hours."
"We'll see," Harry said,
He's not going to listen to me, but he really does need to get some sleep.
Maddie turned and looked at her husband. "What was that?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "I didn't say anything."
"But--" Maddie's eyebrows knit together. "I just heard you..."
"I didn't say anything, Mads," Ethan said pushing back in his chair. "I'll catch up with you later. I'm going to get back to work."
I hope there's some good news. I can't take anything bad. I just want Saffron home.
Maddie had been looking at Hermione when she heard her mother in law's voice. But, Hermione hadn't said anything, had she?
Maddie shook her head. Perhaps she was the one who needed to kip.
Harry stood up and offering his hand to his wife. She did look knackered. She definitely needed to get some sleep, but he wasn't about to broach the subject with her.
"I'm going to owl some of the other Ministers," Hermione said tiredly. "See if they'll help."
"That's a great idea," Harry said putting his arm around her.
"I just... I have to do something." Hermione rubbed her eyes.
"I know," Harry said. "I've never felt more useless in my life."
Hermione's eyes filled with tears again. "I just can't stand this. I can't stand the thought of my baby out there alone with some madman."
Harry pulled her to him. "Hey. Sweetheart, I know."
Hermione clung to him. "How could we have let this happen to her?"
"It's my fault," Harry said softly. "You heard that reporter today. There's a queue of people who hate me."
"It's not your fault," Hermione looked up at him. "We should never have let her go into town alone that day."
"I'm sorry," Harry said breaking down. "If anything happens to her--"
Now it was Hermione's turn to comfort him.
"Hermione," Harry said burying his face in her shoulder.
Ethan ushered his wife and sister out of the room. "We should give them a few minutes," he said. In truth, Ethan couldn't handle seeing his father break down that way.
"I don't know what to do," Harry admitted. "He could have taken her anywhere."
"I know," Hermione said. "That's what's hardest- not knowing where to start."
Harry sank down on one of the couches, putting his head in his hands. "I don't want to sleep, Hermione. I don't want to rest. I can't. Not until she's home."
"Me either," Hermione sat down behind her desk.
"Everyone keeps telling us that we need to rest," Harry said wiping at his eyes.
"I don't know what good it would do," Hermione said, writing quickly.
"I need to go back to headquarters," Harry said.
Hermione nodded. "Just find her..."
"I will," Harry said. "Whatever it takes."
"I love you," Hermione said quietly.
"I love you too," Harry said meeting her eyes.
Hermione gave him a small smile before returning to her letters.
Harry closed the door behind him. He wasn't going to break down like that again. His daughter needed him to be strong. He was going to have to focus his attention on getting her back and then he'd worry about making that sick bastard pay.
*** *** ***
Due to Saffron's disappearance, Sean's death and Alexa lying in a coma, the Brighton visit had been cut short that year. Nick and Julie spent most of their time at home or at the Minister's mansion, never letting their daughters out of their sight.
Greta was helping out as best she could, but she was grief stricken over Saffron's disappearance.
They only travelled by Floo these days as well. Katie was currently over at Jon and Allison's playing with Caroline, and Ashley was sitting at the window, her sketchpad in her lap.
It was opened to a blank page, but Ashley couldn't draw anything. She was far too preoccupied with her aunt being missing.
"Ashley Beth," Nick called out to her. "Could you come into the kitchen?"
"Just a minute," Ashley called back, closing her sketchbook and putting it aside.
She walked into the kitchen and was surprised to see Brittany, Zander and Zander's mother in the kitchen.
Brittany walked over to her friend immediately and gave her a hug.
"What are you guys doing here?" Ashley asked.
"Your mum asked us to come over and keep you company," Zander also gave her a hug.
"Mrs. Murray was kind enough to bring them by," Nick said.
"We're so sorry to hear about Saffron," Mrs. Murray said to him. "If there's anything at all we can do to help, let us know."
"We will," Nick said shaking her hand. "Thank you for letting them come over."
"I'll be back later for you both," Mrs. Murray said. "It's lovely to see you, Ashley."
"You too, Mrs. Murray," Ashley said softly.
"We've been so worried," Brittany squeezed her hand.
"We wanted to come sooner," Zander told her.
"Thanks," Ashley said softly. "We've been spending a lot of time with my grandparents."
"I can't imagine what this has been like for you," Brittany said. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Ashley shrugged. "There's not a whole lot to talk about. We don't know anything yet."
"Why don't we go and sit down?" Brittany suggested.
Despite what was going on, Ashley was extremely glad to see her friends.
They settled down in the sitting room and at first Zander and Brittany didn't really know what to say.
"So, what have you been doing?" Ashley asked.
"I've been flying a lot," Zander told her. "Trying to get in some practise so I can try out for the house team."
"That's great, Zander," Ashley said. "I'm sure you'll make the team."
Zander turned red. "I've also been practising piano a lot."
"He's started to write some of his own stuff," Brittany told Ashley.
"Really?" Ashley asked. "Want me to have my dad take a look at it?"
Zander shook his head. "Not now, Ash. Not with everything that's going on."
"Okay," she said. "If you ever want him to, I'm sure he'd be glad to check it out."
Zander smiled. "Thanks."
"How about you?" Ashley asked Brittany.
"Just relaxing," Brittany said. "Enjoying summer hols."
"She's happy because my aunt took her to Harrods's yesterday," Zander told Ashley. "I didn't even know it was possible to buy that many clothes. My uncle is going to freak out when he gets the credit card bill."
Brittany shrugged. "A girl has to look good, Zander."
"You bought the same jumper in what seven different colours?" Zander asked, shaking his head.
Brittany glared at him. "Well I never know what I want to wear, and now I have one in every shade!"
"Yellow, blue, red," Zander rolled his eyes.
"No," Brittany corrected. "Cornflower, periwinkle, taupe, lavender, ivory, cobalt, and magenta. Honestly, you know nothing, Zander."
At the look on Zander's face, Ashley had to giggle.
"Those aren't colours," Zander said. "Brit---"
"Actually they are," Ashley said. "I have them all in paints."
"See?" Brittany said smugly.
"Thanks," Zander said jokingly.
"We'll have to educate him," Brittany said smiling at Ashley.
"Sounds good to me," Ashley nodded.
Zander shook his head and held up his hands. "That's okay. I get enough grief as it is for having two girls for my friends."
"You have the two COOLEST girls as your friends," Brittany corrected.
"One of them is," Zander said looking pointedly at Ashley.
"Gee thanks," Brittany huffed.
"We are a lot better than Sam," Ashley said. "Right, Zander?"
"Anyone's better than Sam," Zander replied.
"That's for sure," Brittany said.
"So did you enjoy your time in Brighton while you were there?" Zander asked.
Ashley shrugged and looked at her best friends. She hadn't even told her parents about this. "Saffy and Alexa asked me if I wanted to go with them that morning. I just keep wondering if I would have been able to do something if I'd been there. But, I probably would have been too scared to move."
Both her friends gaped at her. "You almost went?" Brittany asked.
Ashley nodded. "But I promised that I'd help Katie and Caroline with a sand castle. I just---I feel glad that I wasn't there and then I feel guilty for feeling that way."
"You shouldn't," Zander said. "Ash--"
Ashley wiped at her eyes. "I'm a terrible person."
"You are not," Zander put an arm around her. "You're far from a terrible person, Ash."
"Absolutely not," Brittany said patting her friend's shoulder. "Anyone would feel that way. And I bet Saffy is really happy that you weren't there."
Ashley sniffled. "I just hope she's okay."
"Your grandpa and uncle are going to find her," Zander said. "I know they will."
"I hope so," Ashley said. "I hope they do soon."
"They will," Brittany said.
"I'm really glad you guys came over," Ashley said softly.
"Us too," Brittany said. "We're here for you, Ash. Whenever you need us."
"Thanks," Ashley began to cry again.
Zander had never really known what to do when girls cried, but he did the only thing he could think of at the moment. He hugged Ashley.
"It'll be okay," he said.
Brittany sat back. It was so obvious her cousin fancied Ashley.
Zander patted Ashley's back awkwardly.
"I'm sorry," she apologised.
"It's okay," Zander said.
"Everyone's just so worried all the time," Ashley said.
"Is there anything we can do?" Brittany offered.
Ashley shook her head. "Just you guys being here makes things a little better."
"Maybe we should do something to take your mind off of it," Brittany said thoughtfully. "Zander, you could play something for us."
"I don't know," Zander said.
"I'd like that," Ashley said wiping at her eyes.
"Do you think your dad would mind?" Zander asked.
"I can ask him, but I don't think he'd mind," Ashley said standing up. "Come on."
Brittany and Zander followed her out into the kitchen. "Hey Dad?" Ashley asked. "Is it okay if Zander uses your piano?"
Nick looked up from the paper. "Sure. Ashley told me you were quite the musician, Zander."
"Yes sir," Zander said.
"No need to be formal," Nick said pushing back from his chair. "You can call me Nick and I'd love to hear you play."
"You would?" Zander squeaked.
"Sure," Nick said putting his arm around his daughter.
Zander was terrified of the prospect of playing in front of Nick Malfoy but he nodded after a reassuring look from Ashley.
"Let's head on down to the studio," Nick said.
"Um... so what'll it be?" Zander asked once they were inside and he was seated at the baby grand piano.
"Play that one you've been working on," Brittany urged.
"Okay," Zander said nervously. He touched his fingers to the keys and began to play.
Brittany watched Nick and Ashley as her cousin began to play. Nick's expression was unreadable, but Ashley was beaming at him.
Ashley still couldn't believe how enormously talented her best friend was.
"It's still a work in progress," Zander told them when he finished. "I'm just starting to write my own things."
"You wrote that?" Nick's eyebrows shot up.
"Yes, sir," Zander replied. "It's a work in progress, really."
"It's quite good," Nick replied.
Zander's jaw dropped. "Really?"
Nick nodded. "I'm quite impressed, actually. I was at least fifteen before I began writing my own music."
"Thank you," Zander said smiling at him.
Ashley sat down on the bench beside her best friend. "I knew he'd like it. That was really nice, Zander. Do you have a name for it?"
"Um," Zander turned red again.
"What?" Ashley asked.
"Tell her, Zander." Brittany said.
"Um, well it doesn't really have a title," Zander lied.
"Yes it does," Brittany sang.
"Britt," Zander glared at her. "No it doesn't."
Brittany wouldn't have known if she hadn't peeked at his notebook. The very notebook he carried every single place he went.
"I promise I won't laugh," Ashley told him.
"Midnight Forest," Zander admitted in a voice barely above a whisper.
Ashley grinned at him. "I think it's perfect."
"You plan on keeping it an instrumental?" Nick asked. "Or do you have lyrics?"
"I don't have lyrics," Zander said.
"If you come up with some, I'd love to hear them," Nick said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and pick up Katie. Ash, Greta and your mum are upstairs if you need anything."
"Okay," Ashley nodded. "Thanks Daddy."
"Thanks, Mr. Malfoy," Zander said. "For taking the time to listen to my song."
"Anytime," Nick smiled at him. "I'd like to hear more when you're up to it."
Zander nodded. Once the three of them were alone again, Ashley nudged her friend.
"I thought it was perfect," Ashley told him.
"I still have a few things I need to fix," Zander said.
"You're like me with my artwork," Ashley said. "I always think there's something else I can do even when everyone else thinks I'm finished."
"I wish I could draw like you," Brittany said wistfully.
"You're great at shopping, Brit," Zander told his cousin with a grin.
"Great," Brittany replied. "That's true, though."
"I'd love to play the piano," Ashley said running her hands over the keys. She pressed down on one and winced at the sound. "Or maybe not..."
"I thought you said you used to play," Brittany said.
"Ages ago," Ashley said. "And I wasn't very good."
"What about your sister?" Brittany asked.
"She's a dancer," Ashley said. "And she's a good singer. But she's not a musician."
"I didn't know she could sing," Zander said.
Ashley laughed. "She loves anything that puts her in the spotlight. When my dad used to tour, sometimes he'd bring us up on stage. I was terrified, but Katie loved it."
"She's a riot," Brittany stretched on the sofa.
"She sounds an awful lot like you," Zander commented.
Ashley laughed. "I love my sister, but she's not that much like Britt."
"Ashley," Greta called out from upstairs. "Can you come up here for a moment?"
Ashley excused herself and left Brittany and Zander alone in the studio.
"You do have words to that song, Zander," Brittany reminded him. "I saw them in your notebook."
"Why are you looking in there," Zander snapped at her. "It's private!"
"You left it out," Brittany argued. "And it was wide open."
"You can't ever say anything," Zander said. "Promise me."
"I won't," Brittany promised. "You know, I think it's sweet. A boy writing a song for a girl..."
Zander turned an even brighter shade of red. "It's only because she understands art like I do."
Brittany looked at him. "Yeah, that's it. If that's all it was, you'd have told her what you'd really named that song."
"Shut up," Zander muttered.
"Okay," Brittany said. "I promise not to say anything."
Zander was doubtful, but he nodded. "Thanks."
"For what it's worth, I think you two would make a cute couple," Brittany said thoughtfully.
Zander rolled his eyes. "Ash is my FRIEND," he said. "I don't want a girlfriend!"
The door to the studio opened and Brittany bit back her response.
"There's biscuits and juice upstairs if you want," Ashley said joining them again.
"Sounds good," Zander said eager to escape his cousin's inquiry.
"Greta's been baking all morning to keep her mind off of Saffy," Ashley told them.
Brittany nodded. "Totally understandable."
Ashley led the way upstairs. "Greta loves Saffy like she was her own daughter."
"She was her nanny, right?" Zander asked.
Ashley nodded. "Up until she came to work for us."
Nick had just gotten home from picking up Katie, and they were in the kitchen when Ashley came in with her two friends.
"Hi, Katie," Ashley said. "Did you have fun at Caroline's?"
Katie nodded. "We decided we're going to have a party when Grandpa brings Aunt Saffy home."
"I think that's a great idea," Julie said. "Your Aunt Saffy would love that."
Katie nodded. "I really miss her."
Nick kissed the top of her head. "We all do, sweetheart."
"Here are some more biscuits," Greta said. "Chocolate chip with walnuts."
"Greta, we haven't finished your first batch," Nick said.
"I have another almost ready to come out of the oven," Greta set the plate down. "Sugar."
"Brit, you and Zander can take some home," Ashley said. "We'll never eat all of these."
"Oatmeal is next," Greta hurried back to the oven.
"Oatmeal raisin are Saffy's favourites," Ashley remembered.
Greta nodded, blinking back tears.
Nick came up behind her. "Come here."
"Nicholas," Greta sobbed. "I'm so worried about her."
Nick hugged her tightly. "And she always hated to see you cry."
"I just want to know that she's all right," Greta said.
"She's going to come home," Nick said. "Harry and Ethan will see to that."
"I hope so," Greta wiped her eyes. "I hope she comes back soon."
"She has to," Katie said. "She has her big match soon. Right, Daddy?"
Nick forced a smile. "That's right baby."
"I've never seen Greta like this," Ashley whispered to her mother.
"Me either," Julie put a comforting arm around her.
"It's really great having Zander and Brit here," Ashley said. "I just...I feel guilty for laughing ..."
"You shouldn't," Julie answered.
"Really?" Ashley asked.
"Your aunt Saffy would still want you to live your life," Julie told her. "So would Alexa."
"I didn't even ask about her," Brittany said. "How is she doing?"
"Still comatose," Julie answered. "We're really hoping she'll wake up soon. I don't think Gabriel's left the hospital since this all happened."
"This is so sad," Ashley said. "They were all looking forward to this summer and now..."
"They still might have most of the summer," Nick reassured her.
Ashley hoped that was true.