Authors' note: We hope you guys enjoy this latest update. Some answers to some FAQ"s we've gotten from the reviews. We haven't given up on writing H/Hr. They will and always will be the cornerstone of our story and they will have more moments ahead. We do have other characters, too and we don't want to short change them either. We're trying to give equal time. As for Josh and Lizzy, they are still dating, but are not married. And you will see the Longbottoms---Cho and Neville appear at the Burrow to spend Christmas with Jon, Allie and Caroline. And Greta is not dead. She is working for Julie and Nick now as their nanny since Saffron is away at school. Hope that clears up some questions for you guys and if you have any more, put them in your review and we will try and respond. Hope you enjoy the rest of Christmas at the Burrow.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Ethan's eyes shot open in surprise but then closed a moment later when she didn't move away.
Maddie had dreamt most of her life about what kissing him would be like. This was much better than anything she'd ever imagined.
Ethan wound his arms around her waist, pulling her even closer. He moved his hands up her back and kissed her harder.
Maddie pulled away a few moments later with a dazed, dreamy expression on her face.
"Wow," Ethan managed to say. "Maddie... that was..."
"Unexpected," Maddie said softly.
"You can say that again," he said. He realised how closely he was still holding her and reluctantly let his arms drop from her waist.
"Ethan!" Saffron yelled from the kitchen. "You better get in here or you and Maddie won't get anything to eat!"
"Come on," Ethan took her hand. "We'd best get in there or go hungry."
"Okay," Maddie said smiling at him as they walked into the kitchen.
"About time you two," Julie teased.
"Are you all right dear?" Luna asked her youngest daughter, putting an arm around her. "You look flushed."
"I'm fine," Maddie said exchanging a look with Ethan. "Never been better."
"What's this?" Luna lifted her arm and looked at the bracelet with interest. "Is that a Cornish Pixie in there?"
"Don't let it loose!" Ron exclaimed, joining his wife and daughter.
"Dad!" Maddie said laughing. "He can't get out!"
"I bet I know its name," Nick teased her. "Dolly the 33rd?"
"Maybe it is," Maddie said defensively. "And maybe you are a w-a-n-k-e-r, right Dad?"
"Madeline Molly!" Luna said. "You may be seventeen but you are a young lady."
"I never said anything about the name," Ron pretended to look injured. "And I'm the wanker?"
"No, she was referring to me," Nick said throwing a piece of his pastry at Maddie.
"That's really mature, Nicholas," Maddie said grinning at him.
Nick grinned. "I never claimed to be mature."
"What's a wanker, Grandpa?" Caroline asked Ron.
"Something not very nice," Luna answered for him. "Ronald don't you even start with your language."
"Is it a really bad word, Grandpa?" Caroline whispered in Ron's ear.
"Kind of," Ron whispered back. "I like to say it during Quidditch matches."
"Grandpa Neville does too!" Caroline said. "But if you don't think I should say it, I won't."
"Thank you," Ron grinned at his granddaughter. "You just got me out of the doghouse with your Grandma."
"Can I ask you something else, Grandpa?" Caroline asked innocently.
"Of course you can sweetheart," Ron said.
"How do you get your foot in your mouth?" Caroline asked. "Because you have really big feet and Grandma said that you are always putting your foot in your mouth."
"Luna said what?" Ron looked over at his wife who grinned sheepishly.
"Caroline," Allison said giggling. "That just means that your grandpa sometimes says things without thinking first."
"Oh," Caroline nodded. "Like Daddy does too?"
"I'm nowhere near as bad as your grandpa," Jon told his daughter.
"Thanks," Ron said sarcastically. "The support of my family makes me feel all warm and loved."
"I still love you, Dad," Maddie said squeezing his shoulder.
"Thank you sweetheart," Ron replied. "You're the only one that understands Madeline."
"Big surprise," Josh teased his baby sister. "You've had dad around your little finger for how long?"
"Since I was born," Maddie said smugly.
"Drew, Darla and Maddie had it a whole lot easier than we did," Josh said.
"Oh you two act as if you had such a rough life," Ron replied.
"We couldn't get away with anything," Jon argued. "What if it had been me or Josh who had torn up your Cannons shirt?"
"You'd still be begging for sickles on the corners," Ron said.
"Need I remind all of you that I fixed Dad's shirt?" Maddie chimed in. "And it looked much better..."
"After you spellotaped it," her brothers and sisters chorused at the same time.
"Yes, well," Maddie said glaring at them, but then bursting out into a fit of laughter. "I still say I did a pretty nice job."
"That you did," Ron smiled at his youngest daughter.
Ethan grinned at her as she took the seat next to him. "Still taking the mickey out of you for that all these years later?"
"Every family get together seems to get back to that eventually," Maddie said laughing. "Feel free to add to it if you'd like."
"That's all right," Ethan said, moving his chair a bit closer as he stole a muffin from right under Ron's fingers. "Want to split this? It's chocolate chip."
"Sure," Maddie said. "I'm starving."
Ethan cut it in half and handed her the bigger piece. "I remember how you used to eat these all the time at school," he remarked. "No one could get near the basket on the table."
Maddie looked at him in surprise. "You never paid any attention to me when we were in school..."
"I noticed you," Ethan said. "After you stopped trying to get me to marry you," he teased.
"Oh, please," Maddie said grinning at him. "You stayed as far away from me as you could because you were afraid I was going to ask you to marry me in the Great Hall or something. I'll let you in on a little secret...I kind of gave up on you when I was around nine years old. I figured it was a lost cause."
"Now do you think it is?" Ethan asked.
"I don't know," Maddie said truthfully. ""This is all new for me, Ethan. And you've just gotten out of a relationship."
"Yeah I know," Ethan replied. "I don't want you to think I'm being pushy-"
"I don't think you are," Maddie interjected. "Not at all, but I'm not so sure this is the best time for you and me."
"Maybe not," Ethan agreed. "But can we just see how things go while we're all here together?"
"I'd like that," she said with a smile.
"Great," Ethan said, reaching for her hand. "You still owe me a dance in the snow."
"You're on," Maddie said laughing as she took the last bite of muffin from him.
"Would you look at that?" Luna whispered to her husband, motioning to their youngest daughter.
"What?" Ron asked with his mouth full.
"Maddie and Ethan," Luna said.
"What?" Ron asked. "Since when? I thought he was dating that other girl!"
"Harry said that she left the other night, remember? She wasn't there when we decorated the tree yesterday?"
"Oh," Ron replied, looking at his daughter and Ethan who were laughing at something.
"You okay with that?" Luna asked him. "You're not going to go all Neville on them, are you?"
Ron snorted. "No," he replied. "Ethan's a good bloke. Of course I'll have to threaten him with bodily harm if he hurts her-"
"I'll hold him down for you if he does," Luna said.
"It looks just like Dolly," Maddie was now peering into the Cornish Pixie charm dangling from her wrist. She laughed delightedly as it flitted around.
"They all look pretty much alike, don't they?" Ethan asked her.
"That's not necessarily so," Maddie said, motioning for him to lean closer. "Some of them have little markings along their hands or feet..."
"Okay," Ethan said squinting to get a better look at the miniature pixie. "Maddie? How can you see little markings on this one's feet or hands?"
"Because they're red markings," Maddie said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Oh," Ethan said, still squinting. "I still don't see it..."
Maddie shook her head. "You'll just have to look closer."
Ethan leaned in even closer, holding Maddie's wrist up and finally managed to make out a miniscule red dot on the pixie's right foot. "Okay, I see...something."
Maddie smiled at him. "There you see? It wasn't that hard."
"No," Ethan said grinning back at her. "It was there this whole time and all I had to do was look for it."
He wondered if she knew he was talking about more than the markings on a Cornish pixie's feet.
She seemed to know for her smile widened a bit. "You really didn't have to get this for me Ethan. But I'm really glad you did." she giggled a bit.
"Of course I had to get it for you," Ethan said, holding her hand. "I saw the look on your face when you first saw it, Maddie."
"I've never been one to mask what I want," Maddie replied, squeezing his fingers.
"No, you never have," Ethan said laughing.
Caroline was bouncing in her seat. "When is Grandpa Neville coming Daddy?" she asked excitedly.
"I think they're arriving soon, aren't they Al?" Jon asked looking at his wife.
"After lunch," Allison replied, her hand on her belly.
"And Frankie's latest flavour of the month?" Julie asked. "I swear once that girl was able to date, she certainly took advantage of it, didn't she?"
Allison smiled and shook her head. "One of the two she's seeing at the moment, anyway."
"Two?" Ron asked. "She's seeing two blokes at the same time? Do they know this?"
"I have no idea," Allison replied. "So I guess we should say anything about the other one today."
"We'll keep Dad away from him then," Jon said cheekily.
Allison laughed and leaned forward to try and get up. "I guess I should go get showered and dressed." she said, holding onto the table edge. Ron came forward to help his daughter in law.
"You feeling alright today, Allie?" Ron asked.
"Yes, just enormous," she sighed.
"My son is helping you out, isn't he?" Ron asked looking over to where Jon was listening to Caroline telling him a joke.
"Oh yes," Allison nodded. "He and Caroline have both been wonderful," she smiled gratefully as Ron held her arm.
"Good," Ron said smiling back at her. "The smartest thing that boy ever did was fall in love with you..."
Allison laughed. "Thank you," she said, giving her father in law a kiss on the cheek. "I appreciate that."
"See?" Ron asked smiling at her. "Sometimes, I do manage to get the right words out!"
Jon came into the foyer. "Once in awhile, eh Dad?" he teased.
"Jonathan," Ron said laughing. "Take my place. I want to go and see if Mum still has any of those scones..."
Allison leaned against her husband as they went up the stairs. "I'm so tired already," she murmured.
"We were up at the crack of dawn thanks to Caroline," Jon said laughing.
"Aye," Allison said. "Think anyone would mind if I kipped for a bit?"
"Not at all," Jon said as they went back into their bedroom. He yawned. "In fact, I think I might join you."
"That sounds fantastic," Allison said, giving her husband a kiss. "I love you Jon."
"I love you," he said softly. "And you're not enormous, Al. You're beautiful."
"Sweet of you to say," Allison said. "But we both know I'm as big as a house. If I didn't know any better I'd swear I have twins in here."
"They do run in our family," Jon said grinning at her.
"It would certainly explain a lot wouldn't it?" Allison laughed as she eased herself onto the bed.
"Yes it would," Jon said lying down beside her. "We should have let the mediwizard tell us what we were having."
"We liked Caroline being a surprise," Allison said, her eyes already closed.
"Aye," Jon said sleepily.
Allison kissed him back as he leaned over and then she laid her head in the crook of his arm. "Just for an hour," she said faintly. "Then we'll... get up." she yawned.
"Mmhmm," Jon murmured as they both drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
Nearly two and a half hours later and Allison and Jon were still fast asleep. When she realised that her parents had probably already arrived, Allison moved as quickly as she possibly could to take a shower and get dressed. She and Jon finally made their way downstairs and were surprised to see the house nearly empty. On her way back into the kitchen, Molly told her that everyone had gone outside for another game of Quidditch.
"Your dad is in the sitting room with Caroline," Molly told Allison. "She wanted to show him all of her presents."
Allison smiled as she and Jon made their way toward the sitting room.
"Look at this doll, Grandpa," Caroline said holding it up for Neville. "She can cry and burp and talk."
"She can?" Neville asked. "Let me see!"
Caroline grinned and held out the doll for her grandfather to see.
"Mummy," the doll said causing Caroline to giggle. "This wasn't from Santa though, Grandpa," Caroline told him. "Daddy got this for me."
"Your Daddy does a good job with presents doesn't he?" Neville asked rhetorically.
"He does," Caroline said. She smiled up at him. "You and Grandma Cho do a good job, too."
"We love you," Neville said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "We want you and your cousins to have the best."
"Thank you, Grandpa," she said giving him a hug. As she did so, she caught sight of her parents standing in the doorway.
"Mummy! You're up from your kip!" Caroline exclaimed.
"Sorry about that sweetheart." Allison said as her father got up. "Hi Dad." she gave him as tight a hug as she could.
"You shouldn't be on your feet so much, Allie," Neville said leading her over to the sofa.
"Hello, sir," Jon said shaking Neville's hand.
"You've been my son-in-law for how long?" Neville asked laughing. "And still calling me 'sir'?"
"Sorry Neville," Jon coughed. "Force of habit."
"It's okay," Neville said settling back into his chair. "Caroline was just showing me her presents. She really made out, didn't you sweetie?"
Caroline nodded. "I can't wait to open the rest of my presents!" she chirped. "What did you and Grandma get me?"
"Caroline that's not nice," Jon chastised gently.
"What did you and Grandma get me, please?" Caroline tried again.
"Caroline," Allison spoke up. "It's not polite to ask for presents even if you're asking nicely."
Caroline nodded. "Yes Mummy. I'm sorry Grandpa."
"That's all right love," Neville hugged her again. "Oh it feels like you got so much taller since I saw you!"
"She's growing like a weed," Jon said grinning at his little girl. "It seems like just yesterday, I was teaching her how to walk."
"Daddy it couldn't have been yesterday," Caroline shook her head. "Yesterday we decorated the tree!"
Jon laughed. "You're right my sweet girl, but I was talking about how fast time flies."
"Oh okay Daddy." Caroline said. "Can I go find Auntie Maddie?"
"Sure," Jon said. "She's probably outside with everyone else. Can you get Nana to help you with your coat and mittens?"
Caroline nodded and scampered off into the kitchen.
"She is too much," Neville chuckled, nudging one of the presents that were stacked under the tree for gift opening later that day.
"She is that," Allison agreed. "I'm surprised you're not outside with the others, Dad."
"Caroline insisted on showing me what she'd received," Neville said. "And how could I refuse?"
Jon laughed. "She's a bit like Maddie was when she was that age. But she's never having a Cornish Pixie."
"Never," Allison agreed. "But she does have her heart set up a puppy..."
Neville grinned. "That's good to know..."
"Did you get her a puppy, Dad?" Allison asked.
Neville grinned. "I'm not saying a word." his eyes travelled to a package with quite obvious holes in it almost hidden to the side of the tree.
"Dad," Allison said laughing. "I'm guessing you failed the evasive tactics portion of your Auror training. You so got Caroline a puppy, didn't you?"
Neville grinned. "He looked just like that old Paddy," he said to Jon. "I couldn't resist."
"She's going to be over the moon about this," Jon said smiling at him. "You are going to be her hero."
"It'll be interesting when she opens it," Neville said, getting up. "We've been looking forward to seeing her face."
"Thanks, Dad," Allison said starting to sob.
"Allie," Neville instantly looked concerned.
Allison wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I'm sorry. I cry at everything these days. It's just so great to see you with Caroline."
Neville hugged his daughter. "I wouldn't miss my time with her for the world."
This only caused Allison to cry more.
"I wish it could h-have always been like this, Dad," Allison choked out.
"Sweetheart," Neville said. "It has been like this, for a long time now. I know things started off rough but we got through that."
"I know," she said. "But it does my heart so good to see you with her and to see you talking with Jon. It's just..."
Neville kissed her forehead. "He treats you like a queen and he worships Caroline. That's all I could ask for Allie." He whispered in her ear.
"Thanks, Dad," Allison said smiling at him. "That's all I could ask for too."
"Right," Neville said. "We'd best get you to see your Mum. And Frankie's coming by in a little while with Michael."
"I thought his name was Will?" Jon asked.
"No," Neville said laughing. "Will was her boyfriend during the summer. Michael is the lucky bloke at the moment. That is when Tim isn't around."
"Brother," Jon rolled his eyes. "I'm glad you're a simpler girl Al," he helped her sit down at the kitchen table.
"Hey Neville!" Harry came through the kitchen, Katie under one arm and Ashley under the other.
"Happy Christmas, Harry!" Neville said laughing. "You certainly have your hands full."
"With these two?" Harry grinned at his giggling granddaughters. "Always."
"Grandpa!" Katie squealed. "Put us down!"
Harry set them down and the giggling girls hugged him around the waist. "Hey how am I supposed to walk?" he asked.
'Very carefully," Ashley said laughing. "Come on Grandpa!"
"Where are we going?" Harry asked as they each grabbed his hands.
"You said you would read us a story," Katie said.
"Grandma said she would read us a story," Ashley said. "Grandpa said he would take us for hot chocolate."
"Hot chocolate," Harry nodded. "Let's make that here and then take it in to your grandmother."
"I can't believe you took us up so high on the broom, Grandpa," Katie said. "I was scared, but it was so much fun!"
"Make sure you don't say anything to your mum or your grandmother about that," Harry leaned down. "That's our secret!"
"But wouldn't that be lying?" Katie asked innocently. "Mummy says we should never lie."
"It's just a secret," Harry said. "Just a secret."
"Oh, that's okay then," Katie said smiling up at him.
"If it's a secret, don't tell Caroline's grandma," Ashley said. "She can't keep secrets."
Harry, Neville, Allison and Jon burst out into laughter at that. "You're a smart girl Ashley," Neville said.
"I get that from my Mum," Ashley said proudly.
"You certainly do," Harry swept her up and kissed her cheek. "Let's see where Nana Molly keeps her hot chocolate..."
"Can we have marshmallows, too?" Katie asked.
"You sure can," Harry replied. "Anyone else want hot chocolate?"
"I'll have some," Jon added. "Allie?"
"Sure," Allison agreed. "That sounds fantastic right about now."
Caroline came running into the house, dragging Cho inside with her.
"Can I please open my presents from Grandma and Grandpa?" Caroline asked her mother. "Please? If not all of them, just one?"
"Sweetheart you can wait until everyone gets here." Allison said firmly.
"Pretty please?" Caroline asked, trying the look that Maddie had showed her outside.
Jon began to laugh. "You've been talking to my sister, haven't you?"
"Maybe," Caroline admitted.
"No can do," Jon said. "You'll open your presents once Frankie and man of the hou- Michael get here."
Caroline started to walk away.
"Where are you going love?" Cho asked her granddaughter.
"To have a word with Aunt Maddie," Caroline said stalking out the room.
Allison shook her head. "Wasn't Ethan the same way with the looks you taught him Uncle Harry?"
"He tried," Harry said laughing. "I think he never could grasp that he needed to know when to pick his battles."
"Speaking of looks," Allison said. "Did anyone see him and Maddie looking at each other during breakfast this morning?"
"How could you miss it?" Jon asked. "But I'm not surprised. She's fancied him since they were kids."
"I hope he's not planning on rushing into anything." Harry commented. "He just broke up with Bree two days ago."
"Broke up with Bree?" Cho asked. "Whatever for?"
"Maybe because he was in love with Maddie?" Katie said rolling her eyes. "It's so obvious!"
"He's not in love with Maddie," Harry said.
"Not yet," Jon chimed in.
"Maybe, maybe not," Allison said. "Did you see that Cornish Pixie charm though? She was absolutely thrilled with it!"
"And they did snog," Ashley said causing everyone to look in her direction. She blushed. "I saw them when everyone was in the kitchen eating breakfast."
"He kissed her?" Allison asked with interest.
"I don't know who kissed who first, but they kissed for a long time," Ashley reported.
"Ashley," Harry said. "It's not nice to spy on people."
"I didn't spy Grandpa," Ashley said quickly. "I was going back in the sitting room to get my scarf from Aunt Saffy and that's when I saw them."
"Well don't tell anyone else about it all right?" Harry replied. "But we can always tell them that Cho spread the word."
"Harry!" Cho said swatting at him. "I'm not as bad as I used to be..."
"Yes you are," Allison, Neville and Jon said together.
"Thanks for the support," Cho said sarcastically.
"You're very welcome," Neville teased.
Later that night, Maddie had been on her way to the loo when she'd paused to look outside for a moment. A smile came to her face when she saw that it had started to snow and a moment later, she was creeping into Ethan's room.
"Ethan," she whispered, shaking him a bit. "Ethan wake up!"
"Maddie," Ethan said groggily. "What is it? Is something the matter?"
"It's snowing," she said with a grin. "Come on outside with me."
"Maddie," Ethan said lying back down. "You're not going to hold me to this now are you? Can't we do it in the morning?"
"No," Maddie tugged on his hand. "It may not be snowing anymore by morning."
Ethan smiled. "You're not going to let me out of this, are you?"
"You said you wanted to do it," Maddie replied pertly. "Come on. I'm going to go put some regular clothes on. I'll meet you in the kitchen in five minutes."
"Okay," he said pulling the covers back. He quickly changed into some warm clothes---the same jumper and jeans he'd worn that evening.
Maddie was already in the kitchen when he came down. She'd thrown her long blonde hair into a haphazard ponytail and was tugging on a warm pair of boots. "Come on," she whispered.
What Ethan wanted most to do was kiss her again and hoped that at some point during this late night dance in the snow, they'd do just that. He followed her outside.
"So where do we want to do this?" he asked laughing at how enthusiastic she was about this.
"Come back here." she grabbed his hand. "We're not so close to the house this way and we don't have to whisper and worry about waking everyone up." she pulled him into the woods and into a clearing.
When she finally found a place, she turned around and grinned at him. He put his hands in his cloak pockets as he watched Maddie begin to twirl around.
"It's just such a free feeling!" Maddie said, her eyes closing. "Come on silly. You didn't come out here just to stand there did you?"
"I'm not going to twirl, that's for sure," Ethan said. "I don't think blokes are supposed to twirl. It goes against our masculinity or something..."
"Ethan," Maddie stopped and put her hands on her hips. "You told me you wanted to come out here with me. You said that just this morning!"
"Okay, okay," Ethan said coming closer. "But you are going to have to cut me some slack, Maddie. I've never done something like this before."
Her grin had returned. "It's not hard," she said, reaching for his hands. "You just... start going around in a circle..."
"Can we call it spinning and not twirling?" Ethan joked.
"All right," Maddie laughed. "We just start spinning like this..." she began to guide him around.
"Or we could do something like this," Ethan said putting his hands on her waist and lifting her off the ground.
She let out a delighted squeal. "I'm flying!" she said, raising her arms up over her head.
Ethan laughed along with her, surprised to find himself enjoying this. He knew that it probably had more to do with the person he was doing this with than the actual event itself.
She closed her eyes and enjoyed the cold wind on her cheeks as he spun her faster and faster. "Careful!" she cried, laughing as he started to lose balance.
It was too late and Ethan tumbled onto the cold, wet snow bringing Maddie down with him.
"Sorry," he said laughing.
Maddie was giggling but she grabbed a handful of snow and tossed it at him.
"You are going to pay for that," Ethan said, but Maddie had him pinned down.
"Oh really?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.
"Yeah," Ethan said. "As soon as I'm able to get up, you're going to get it."
"What if I don't let you up?" Maddie asked, not realising that she was flirting.
"Well, I might have to just kiss you again," he said grinning up at her.
Her heart pounded in her chest at his words. "Maybe I'll let you," she replied breathlessly.
"I would if I could move my arms," Ethan said.
Maddie pushed herself off him and sat back, not noticing the cold wet snow seeping through her jeans.
"Maddie," Ethan whispered, stroking her cheek. "Was that really the first time you were kissed?" he asked, talking about that morning.
"Yes," she said softly, trying to look down but his hand moved to her chin, holding her gaze.
"It's nothing to be ashamed about," Ethan said, moving closer. "We all have to have a first kiss sometime."
"I know," Maddie whispered back. "I'm glad it was you Ethan. I dreamed of that moment for a long time."
He grinned in relief, leaning in and touching his lips to hers.
When they pulled apart a few moments later, Ethan smiled at her. "I was so stupid not to notice you before, Maddie."
She smiled and raised a trembling hand to brush a stray hair out of her eye. "Better late than never right?" she asked shakily.
"Right," he said resting his forehead on hers. "I know this is rotten timing, and you'll be going back to school and I'm going back to training, but...I want to write to you and maybe try and visit you on Hogsmeade weekends. And I'm...I'm rushing things again, aren't I?"
"No..." Maddie said, putting her arms around his neck. "But I can't help but be a little scared that this is rebound for you."
"Maybe we should give it some time then," Ethan said though it was the last thing he wanted to do. "I don't want to hurt you, Maddie."
"I don't think you would," Maddie said. "And I can't deny that I'm enjoying this. I am. I like kissing you Ethan."
"I like kissing you too, Maddie," Ethan agreed. "And spending time with you."
"Maybe..." she said. "Maybe let's see how this week goes. And we can talk right before I go back to school and see where we stand?"
"That sounds like a good plan," he said, getting to his feet. "Mind if we take this back inside? It's bloody freezing, Maddie..."
She looked down at their jeans and laughed. "It is a bit cold isn't it?"
"Yes well falling in the snow didn't really help," Ethan said offering her his hand to help her up.
She smiled as he helped her up then put an arm around her shoulders as they walked back through the woods. "Let's make some tea or something to warm back up," Maddie leaned against him.
"Good evening," Ron said as his daughter and Ethan walked back into the house. He'd been grabbing a midnight snack.
"Daddy!" Maddie said in surprise.
"Would you two like some of these biscuits?" Ron asked. "Chocolate chip, Maddie."
"Sure," Maddie said. "I never pass up a chocolate chip anything."
Ethan went to the cupboard. "I'll make us some tea," he replied.
"Why are your jeans all wet?" Ron asked as Ethan walked past him.
"I, uh...well...we...I," Ethan stammered.
"Easy," Ron said laughing. "Dancing in the snow again, Maddie?"
"Yes," Maddie nodded. "He's never done it before."
"Which explains the wet jeans," Ron said. "I thought Harry Potter's son wouldn't be so clumsy."
"It was only because he was twirling..," Maddie said, but when Ethan looked at her, she giggled. "Excuse me, spinning me around."
"I see," Ron leaned back and stuffed a few more biscuits in his mouth.
"Do you want some tea, Uncle Ron?" Ethan asked.
"That sounds good Ethan thanks," Ron agreed.
"Thank you for not going all 'protective father' on me," Maddie whispered to her father.
"I trust you," Ron whispered back. "And I trust him, too. But if he hurts you, you just say the word and he's toast."
"I don't think he will Daddy," Maddie replied quietly. "We're taking things slow."
"That's my girl," Ron said patting her hand.
"Here we go," Ethan brought three mugs of tea to the table and snatched a biscuit from Maddie's hand. "Thanks." he grinned at her.
"I don't remember giving it to you," Maddie said giggling. "But you're welcome just the same."
"They're really good," Ethan said. "Nana and Greta make the best biscuits in the world."
"You should try the chocolate chip biscuits Maddie makes," Ron said smiling proudly at his daughter.
"All this and she cooks too?" Ethan asked.
"I bake," Maddie explained.
"She's just being modest," Ron explained.
A slight pink blush rose in her cheeks. "If you want I'll have to make you some biscuits sometime," Maddie offered. "If my dad doesn't eat them all first."
"I'd like that," Ethan said grinning at her. "They've got to be loads better than those mud pies you used to make."
"I'm not the one that ate them," Maddie retorted playfully. Both she and Ethan looked at Ron.
"They weren't that bad," Ron said sheepishly.
"Daddy that's gross. They were mud," Maddie giggled.
"But you made them and you asked me to have a bite," Ron said. "And I didn't want to hurt your feelings."
Maddie was taking a sip of her tea as her father said that and her giggles got worse. She coughed and Ethan patted her back.
"Alright Mads?" Ethan asked.
"I think so," she wheezed.
"I better get back upstairs," Ron said a few moments later after the three of them had finished their biscuits and tea.
"Good night, Daddy," Maddie said kissing his cheek. "And thanks."
Ron pinched her cheek as he left the kitchen.
Maddie sat back down at the table. "I don't feel like going to bed yet," she said.
"What do you want to do then?"
"I don't know," she replied. "Go back outside and spin?" she asked mischievously.
"How about we just dance in here?" Ethan asked standing up. "May I have this dance?"
She stared at him a moment. "Okay," Maddie answered, feeling shy for once in her life.
Ethan walked over to the wireless and found some soft music. He kept the volume low so they wouldn't wake anyone.
They moved in a slow circle around the kitchen, his forehead resting on hers. "You really are a good dancer," she whispered.
"So are you," he said softly.
"All four of our parents are dancers," she said, feeling a bit self conscious. "So I guess it's natural that we'd both be good."
"I suppose so," Ethan said. He noticed that she seemed a bit nervous and he pulled back to look at her properly. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know," she answered quietly. "No one's ever paid attention to me like this before."
"I find that hard to believe," he said. "You're smart. You're funny. You have a big heart and you're beautiful."
"Flatterer," she said, looking down at the floor.
"You don't believe me?" he asked her, tilting her chin up.
"You wouldn't lie to me," she said, half answering his question.
"Maddie," Ethan said softly. "If no one else can see those things, they're crazy."
"Crazy for Completely Mad Maddie," she joked.
Ethan dipped her low and then brought her back up. "I happen to be crazy for Completely Mad Maddie."
Her heart began pounding as he leaned in and they kissed again. Maddie pushed her fingers into his messy hair as she had the first truly passionate kiss of her life.
"Maddie," Ethan said breathlessly when they pulled apart.
"What?" she asked, her blue eyes focused dazedly on his brown ones.
"I forgot to mention that you were a good kisser," he said his eyes twinkling.
"That was my... third kiss," Maddie answered.
"Fourth," Ethan corrected her. "You do remember kissing me when we were kids don't you? And look at this? I'm not running away from you..."
"I kissed you when we were kids?" she asked. "Are you sure?"
"I think so," Ethan said. "Julie and Nick's wedding. It was only on the cheek though."
Maddie laughed. "That's right. And you ran away and hid behind your dad the rest of the day."
"You were quite the bold little seven-year old," Ethan said laughing.
She giggled. "Yes I was," she answered. "Turned into the semi bold seventeen almost eighteen year old."
"Semi bold?" Ethan asked. "So I guess you've mellowed some as you've gotten older?"
"Only a little," Maddie said. "I'm not shy but I don't force myself upon people like I used to. I do my own thing."
Ethan nodded. "I like that, Maddie."
"I like you Ethan," Maddie answered.
He touched her cheek. "As much as I don't want to, we should probably get to bed. Separately, of course."
"Of course," she answered softly. He turned off the wireless and they put their dishes back in the cupboard.
They purposely took their time going upstairs and Ethan walked her down the hall toward her bedroom. "So I'll see you tomorrow morning?" he asked.
She giggled. "I should think so."
"Just making sure," Ethan said kissing her one last time.
"Good night, Mads."
"Good night Ethan," she answered softly.