We know a lot of you have been waiting for a Saffron scene, but we hope RJ, Audrey, Emma, Ethan and Maddie can stave your appetites for the time being ;) Saffron appears again next chapter!
Much to RJ's relief, the situation with Saffron had kept him from having to do much with Audrey's cousin Becca, who had inserted herself into their lives in a rather abrupt fashion.
Everywhere he turned, there she was with Audrey. He wanted her family to like him, but Becca made him feel more than a little uncomfortable.
He headed into the pub, hoping for once Audrey would be there alone.
To his great relief, he saw his girlfriend alone behind the bar.
"Hey you," he said with a grin.
"Hey, yourself," Audrey grinned back at him. "I thought you were at practise."
"Just got out," RJ leaned over the bar and gave her a kiss.
Audrey smiled. "How did it go?"
"Fine," RJ nodded. "I feel bad for Saf, though."
"She still didn't show up?" Audrey asked.
"She did, but it was obvious she's distracted," RJ said.
"Did she find out about----?" Audrey's voice trailed off.
"No," RJ shook his head. "They said it was too early to tell."
"I'm sure she's not pregnant," Audrey said optimistically.
"She really doesn't need that right now," RJ said. "Not when things are just kicking off for her."
"She's lucky she has a family and friends like you who will support her no matter what," Audrey said reaching for his hand.
"You too," RJ pointed out. "She really likes you."
"I like her too," Audrey said with a grin. "I didn't think we'd ever be friends, but we've come a long way."
RJ nodded. "You still see Natalia?"
"I saw her this morning," Audrey said. "We had breakfast before classes."
"How's she doing?" RJ asked.
"Better," Audrey replied. "She's actually going on a blind date this weekend."
"Good for her," RJ nodded. "I'm glad she's moving on."
"Me too," Audrey agreed. "So, what can I get you?"
"You," RJ said with a grin.
Audrey giggled. "Well, I'm a given. But, what else d you want? And before you answer, you're in luck. Allie's filling in for the cook today. She's in the kitchen."
"Oh man," RJ's eyes gleamed. "See if she'll make me some of her chicken, would you?"
"Go on back," Audrey said. "I have to check on my customers."
"Sounds good," RJ gave her another kiss before slipping behind the counter.
RJ smiled when he saw his sister-in-law in the kitchen. "Aud told me you were back here."
"Hi RJ," Allison smiled at him.
"You don't by any chance have any of that chicken do you?" RJ asked, sending her his most charming smile.
Allison laughed. "I knew you had an ulterior motive."
RJ leaned against the counter. "Come on, Allie. I just finished with practise."
"I'll get you something to eat," Allison said. "You're just as bad as Jon, you know."
RJ put his hand to his chest in a dramatic fashion. "Ouch, Allie. I'm not that bad, am I?"
"Definitely not as bad as your dad," Allison teased.
"Or Em," RJ said grinning at her.
"You'll get to see her if you stick around," Allison said. "Jon's just left to pick Caroline and Emma up from school."
"Great," RJ settled himself onto a stool.
"So," Allison said as she set about making him a plate. "How are things with you?"
"Good," RJ nodded. "Keeping busy."
Audrey entered the kitchen. She walked over to stand beside RJ and leaned against him. "Only two more hours and then I get to study for the rest of the evening..."
"Study me, I hope," RJ grinned at her.
"I'd much rather do that," Audrey said grinning back at him.
RJ circled his arm around her waist and pulled her to him.
"Don't mind me," Allison joked.
"We won't," RJ teased.
"We have to sneak in some quality time when we can," Audrey said softly.
"Turning my back now," Allison said.
"It's okay," Audrey laughed. "We're going to behave. Oh...Jon's going to be back soon, right?"
"Pretty quick," Allison said. "The girls' school is nearby."
"I told Becca to come by at three," Audrey said. She didn't notice RJ tense up at the mention of her cousin.
"That's your cousin, right?" Allison asked. Audrey nodded. "She wants to make some extra money and Jon said he'd interview her for the waitress position."
"What?" RJ asked.
"There's an open position since Jackie left," Audrey reminded him. "And Becca mentioned the other night that she wanted to find a job. I thought this would be perfect for her."
"Oh," RJ muttered.
"Well, if she's anything like you, Audrey, I'm sure she's a shoo-in," Allison said setting a plate of food in front of RJ.
"She is," Audrey said. "Becca and I are really close."
"Where's Adam?" RJ asked, eager to change the subject.
"He's with Nana," Allison replied.
Audrey grinned. "I bet she's not going to want to give him back."
"And he doesn't ever want to leave," Allison laughed.
RJ picked up his plate. "You know maybe I'll take this home. I'm kind of knackered---"
"What?" Audrey asked. "RJ you just got here!"
"Sit down," Allison said. "You know Caroline and Emma will be upset if they find out they missed their uncle."
RJ hoped they'd get back and he could be gone before Becca arrived.
"Besides," Audrey said. "It's my break and we can eat together. Come on...our table is free..."
"Okay," RJ said.
"You're so easy," Audrey teased. She walked over to the icebox and retrieved her pasta salad and a bottle of water. "Come on, Weasley."
RJ took her plate and bottle. "Lunch with my best girl... can't say no to that."
Audrey led the way toward their table. She started telling him a funny story about a customer she'd had earlier in her shift.
RJ laughed. "Are you serious? She said that?"
"Yes," Audrey giggled. "I was completely floored. It's not every day that you hear a woman that old say something like that, you know?"
"No kidding," RJ agreed, swiping one of her noodles.
"Hey," Audrey protested. "You could ask, you know!"
"But I'm so cute," RJ grinned at her.
"Yeah, you are," Audrey laughed. "One of the many reasons I'm crazy about you."
"I'm completely mad about you too, you know," RJ said softly.
Audrey reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "I know."
"There is something I wanted to talk to you about later," RJ began.
"Oh?" Audrey asked intrigued.
"Yeah," he said, growing a bit nervous. He'd been planning on asking Audrey if she wanted to move in together but wondered if it wasn't the right time.
"Uncle RJ!" Caroline squealed when she saw him. She and Emma ran at full speed toward their table.
"Hey you guys," RJ said as Emma propelled herself into him.
"Mummy's chicken!" Emma exclaimed.
RJ laughed. "Dig in, Em."
Caroline looked at her sister. "Em, it's Uncle RJ's lunch."
"Just a bite?" Emma asked.
"Who could say no to that face?" RJ asked tugging on one of Emma's curls. "You can have a bite, Em."
"Hey, Caroline," Audrey said warmly. "How was school?"
"Fine," Caroline said. "I got full marks on my essay I wrote about Max!"
"Way to go," Audrey said grinning at her.
"I can't wait to show Mummy," Caroline said proudly.
"She's going to be so proud," Audrey said. "And what about you, Em?"
"Um..." Emma thought for a minute. "I drew a picture of my house!"
"And got in trouble because she was dancing in class when the teacher was trying to teach," Caroline reminded her.
Emma glared at her. "Tattletale!"
"I was standing right there when she told Daddy," Caroline reminded her.
"You didn't have to tell everyone," Emma pouted.
"It's okay, Em," RJ told her. "If I had a knut for every single time I got in trouble in class, I'd be set for life."
"See," Emma said to her sister.
Caroline shook her head.
"Why were you dancing in class?" Audrey asked the little girl.
"Because I wanted to!" Emma said. "I was bored!"
"Let's see this famous dance," RJ said to his niece.
Emma grinned, always glad to have an audience. She hopped out of the booth and began shaking her little bum.
"Emma Madeline Weasley," Allison called out from the kitchen. "In here. Right. Now."
Emma stopped. "But Mummy--"
"Now, Emma," Allison said.
"I think Daddy told Mummy," Caroline whispered to Audrey.
"I think so too," Audrey agreed as Emma stomped towards the kitchen.
"Nana says Em's a free spirit," Caroline said. "I don't know what that means..."
"She's one of a kind, just put it that way," RJ gobbled up the rest of his food.
"She does stuff like that all the time," Caroline said. "She doesn't like to sit still."
"That definitely sounds like your uncle," Audrey teased.
"Hey!" RJ protested.
Audrey and Caroline laughed.
"You don't like to sit still," Audrey said swatting playfully at him. "You're always ready to do something."
"Yeah, so?" RJ asked.
"Part of your charm," Audrey said grinning at him.
"True," RJ winked at her.
"Peek-a-boo," Becca said coming up behind him.
RJ nearly jumped out of his seat.
Becca giggled. "Gotcha!"
"Hey," Audrey grinned at her cousin.
"I'm early," Becca said sitting down. "I know, but I wanted to make a good impression."
"Nothing wrong with that," Audrey slid out of the booth. "I'll let Jon know you're here."
"I'll come too," Caroline scampered after her. "I want to show Mummy my essay!"
"All right," Audrey took the little girl's hand. "We'll be right back."
RJ frowned. The last thing he wanted was to be left alone with Becca.
Becca slid in across from him. "So... RJ..."
"So, Becca," RJ said, avoiding her gaze.
"You haven't been by," she said.
"Yes, well," RJ said looking at his watch. "I've been busy."
"Too busy," she pouted.
"Aud and I went out the other night with your brother and his girlfriend," RJ said. "I really like him."
"Mmm..." Becca clearly wasn't interested.
"I should probably go and check on Audrey," RJ started to get up.
"She said she'd be right back," Becca pointed out, grabbing his hand.
"Becca," RJ warned, pulling his hand away.
"What?" She asked innocently.
"You know very well what," RJ hissed.
"Not really," she smiled at him, letting her blond hair fall over her shoulder.
RJ sighed. "I love your cousin. I'm not going to do anything to screw that up."
Becca shrugged. "Wouldn't ask you to."
"Then what is it you want from me?" RJ asked her point-blank.
Becca smiled as Audrey called for her. "You already know..." she whispered in his ear.
RJ sighed. "Leave it, Becca."
"For now," she said in a sultry tone, sliding out of the booth.
RJ could only shake his head as he watched her go. This girl was trouble and he didn't know how to even bring it up to Audrey.
His girlfriend slid in across from him again. "I hope she gets the job. It would be so fun having her work here!"
"Yeah," RJ muttered.
"You okay?" Audrey peered at him.
RJ nodded. "Yeah, I'm just a little tired."
"I'll give you a massage later," Audrey promised.
RJ smiled. "Promise?"
"Anything for you," Audrey leaned across the table.
RJ kissed her. "I love you, Aud."
"I love you too," Audrey said. "More than anything, RJ."
"Aud, we've been together for a long time now," RJ started to say.
"I know," Audrey said. "It's been great, hasn't it?"
RJ nodded. "It has. I mean, we've had our ups and downs, but we've always made it through."
"Of course we have," Audrey squeezed his hand.
"I've done a lot of thinking," RJ said softly. "And what I've ---"
"Uncle RJ!" Emma came out. "Look! I have Mummy's chicken too!"
Audrey laughed. "And here I thought you'd be on bread and water as punishment."
Emma shook her head. "No way!"
Audrey helped the little girl set her plate on the table. "So, you're not in trouble?"
Emma frowned. "A little bit."
"Uh-oh," Audrey said. "What do you have to do?"
"Stay in my room," Emma pouted.
"It could have been worse," Audrey tried to make her feel better. "You could have had no dessert for a week."
"That's a bad punishment," Emma's eyes were wide. "Don't tell Mummy that one!"
Audrey nodded. "I promise."
"I should get going," RJ said.
"Stay," Audrey said. "Come on. Don't you want to see how Becca's interview turned out?"
RJ shrugged. "Well... I guess."
"What were you going to tell me," Audrey said. "Before. It sounded important."
RJ didn't want to go into it in front of Emma. "It can wait."
"You're sure?" Audrey asked.
RJ nodded. "Yeah."
"I should get back to work," Audrey said. "Em, you keep your Uncle RJ company."
"Kay," Emma nodded. "I can do that."
Audrey kissed RJ on the cheek. "I'll be back."
Emma giggled. "Aud loves you." she told RJ.
"I love her too," RJ said. "Very much, Em."
Emma seemed to find that funny. "And she kissed you!"
"What are you laughing at?" RJ asked nudging her.
"Nothing," Emma giggled.
"You're too much, Em," RJ said feeling better.
"I know," Emma replied. "Are you going to marry her?"
"Marry her?" RJ asked. "I--um---well..."
"Can I be in the wedding?" Emma continued.
"There's not going to be a wedding anytime soon, Em," RJ replied.
"Why?" Emma asked.
"W-well, we're a little too young, for one," RJ stammered.
"Mummy and Daddy were like you," Emma said.
"Not exactly," RJ said.
"Were too," Emma countered.
"How do you reckon that?" RJ asked.
"They told me," Emma said simply.
RJ snuck a piece of her chicken. "They had to get married when they did. They didn't have a choice. Aud and I are just fine as we are, Emma."
"That was my food!" Emma exclaimed.
"You had some of mine," RJ reminded her. He was glad that he'd distracted her from talk of marriage.
"Just one piece," Emma wagged her finger.
"Okay," RJ promised.
"No more," Emma said.
"Yes, ma'am," RJ said. "Never come between Emma and her food."
"No," Emma said solemnly.
"So," RJ said. "What about you? You have a boyfriend, Miss Emma?"
"Ewww," Emma made a face.
"What about that kid that was at your party?" RJ teased. "The one that followed you around?"
"He's gross!" Emma exclaimed.
"He was in lurve with Emma," RJ said in a sing-song voice.
"Was not!" Emma crossed her arms.
"Only teasing," RJ said leaning back.
"Hmmmmph," Emma replied.
RJ was about to say something else when he saw out of the corner of his eye, Audrey talking excitedly with Becca. The two girls hugged each other and RJ knew that Becca had gotten the job.
He sighed. "Great," he muttered.
"What's great?" Emma asked curiously.
"Nothing, Em." RJ said. "Let's take you back to the kitchen, okay?"
"Okay," Emma said happily. "Ice cream!"
"There you go," RJ said, taking her hand.
"Congratulations are in order," Audrey said to RJ. "Bex got the job!"
RJ forced a smile. "Nice." he nodded.
"You're going to be seeing a lot more of me," Becca beamed at him.
"Great," RJ tried to sound enthusiastic for his girlfriend's sake.
"I start training with Aud tomorrow," Becca said happily.
"We're going to have a blast," Audrey said excitedly.
Emma tugged on RJ's arm. "Come on. Ice cream!"
"Right," RJ said. "See you later, Aud."
"I'll come by after I finish studying," Audrey promised. "And I'll give you that massage I promised."
"Can't wait," RJ leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the lips. "Love you."
"Love you," Audrey said beaming at him.
"Come ON," Emma tugged harder at his hand.
"Right, right," RJ said laughing at his niece's eagerness.
Emma dragged him into the kitchen where Jon, Allison and Caroline were sitting at the counter.
"Em and I were wondering if we could have some ice cream," RJ said.
"Didn't you just eat a whole plate of chicken?" Jon asked his youngest daughter.
"So?" Emma asked. "I'm still hungry."
"Just a little bit," Allison said. "One scoop and that's it."
"And no more dancing in class, Em," Jon told her.
"I know," Emma replied.
RJ laughed as he went to the icebox to retrieve the carton of ice cream. "Funny that you should be counselling her on how to behave in classes, don't you think?" RJ asked his brother.
"Very funny, Junior." Jon replied.
"Daddy was bad?" Emma asked.
RJ guffawed. "Em... we don't even want to go there."
"I used to get into trouble," Jon said shooting a glare at his brother. "But, your grandma and grandpa would get so angry and they'd punish me and I learned the hard way to behave."
"Oh," Emma replied.
RJ looked over at Caroline. "Do you want some ice cream, too?"
"Can I, Mummy?" Caroline asked.
"Sure," Allison replied. "One scoop for her, too, RJ."
"Sure thing, Allie." RJ grabbed another bowl.
"Mummy, did you cook lots and lots of food today?" Caroline asked.
"I did, baby." Allison said. "So it's pizza night."
Caroline and Emma looked at each other and grinned.
Jon laughed. "You two were waiting for that, weren't you?"
Caroline giggled. "Pizza night is the best. Can me and Em get what we want on it?"
Allison smiled. "Green peppers, extra cheese, extra pepperoni, right?"
Emma nodded happily and banged her spoon against the table.
"Em," Allison said. "Relax, baby."
Jon laughed. "She gets excited over pizza and ice cream, don't you, baby girl?"
"Very excited, Daddy." Emma agreed.
"Um, Jon, can I have a word?" RJ asked after he'd set bowls of ice cream in front of his two nieces.
"Sure," Jon replied.
RJ led him over to the corner of the kitchen. "You hired Aud's cousin?"
"Becca?" Jon asked. "Yeah, why?"
"She's never waited tables before," RJ said. "I was just wondering if that was the best idea..."
Jon looked at him strangely. "Audrey had never waited tables either before we hired her. What's the big deal?"
"Nothing," RJ muttered.
"You don't like her?" Jon asked.
RJ shrugged. He didn't want to ruin things for Becca and he wondered if perhaps he was reading far too much into this. "I don't really know her that well."
"I'm sure she'll do fine," Jon told him.
"Yeah," RJ said forcing a smile.
Jon patted his shoulder and went back to his wife and daughters.
"Uncle RJ, your ice cream is melting!" Caroline exclaimed.
"Thanks Caroline," RJ no longer felt like eating it but sat down anyway.
"Where's Aud?" Emma asked.
"She's working, Em." Jon told her.
"I want to work here when I get older," Caroline said thoughtfully.
Jon grinned. "You do, Angel?"
Caroline nodded. "In fact, Em and I were going to play restaurant when we go home, right Em?"
"We can play restaurant?" Emma asked, her eyes wide. "And eat?"
Allison tickled Emma's side. "I take it you'll be the customer then since you want to eat?"
"Yes!" Emma said, giggling.
"I'll let you take one of the trays home with you," Jon told Caroline.
"Thanks Daddy!" Caroline said happily.
Allison grabbed one of the spare aprons and put it around her oldest daughter. "There you go."
"This is going to be so much fun!" Caroline said.
Emma nodded, hoping her mother would forget that she was supposed to stay in her room that night.
"But it's going to have to wait until after Emma's punishment," Allison said.
"But Mummy--" both girls began.
"Emma Madeline, you misbehaved in class," Allison reminded her.
Emma sulked, looking at her empty bowl.
"It's okay, Em," Caroline told her. "I'll wait to play when you're not punished."
"Thanks," Emma replied.
"I'll get it all set up for us," Caroline continued. "It'll be so cool."
"Thanks, Sissy," Emma said gratefully.
"Crisis averted," RJ said. "I should get going."
"Bye, Uncle RJ," Emma said sliding off her chair to give him a hug.
"See you later, Em." RJ gave her a kiss. "And you too Caroline."
"Bye, Uncle RJ," Caroline said, waving at him.
RJ came out into the bar area hoping Becca had left so he could properly say goodbye to Audrey.
Audrey was just going behind the bar when she saw him. "Hey, Weasley."
"Hey," he grinned at her. "I'm taking off."
"I'll see you later, right?" Audrey asked.
RJ nodded. "Jon said he'd get you through the Leaky Cauldron so you can get to my place."
"It's a date," Audrey said looping her arms around his neck.
RJ gave her a quick kiss. "Love you."
"I love you," Audrey said.
"See you later," he gave her one more peck then ducked out from the bar.
He was in good spirits when he walked out of the pub until he saw Becca sitting on the bench. "Hi," she said smiling at him. "I'm waiting for the bus."
"That's nice," RJ said, walking past her.
"Did you bring your car?" Becca called after him.
"No," he answered.
"Are you walking home then?" Becca asked.
"Something like that," RJ didn't stop.
Becca hurried after him. "I'll walk with you."
"I'm close by," he said.
"Oh," Becca said pouting at him.
"See you," RJ hurried away from her.
He knew that he was being rude, but he couldn't see any other way to get through to her. The good thing about living where he did, there was no chance of her following him.
Becca watched him rush out of sight and smiled to herself. She did love a challenge.
She knew he had a wandering eye, after all. Audrey had told her about what had happened with his last girlfriend.
"And sooner or later, RJ, it WILL wander to me," she said to herself as the bus pulled up to her stop.
*** *** ***
Maddie and Ethan had both had a long week at work and the two of them fell asleep the moment their heads hit their pillows. Maddie didn't know how long she was asleep when she heard cries coming from the nursery. Ethan slept on and Maddie sighed. She'd get this one, but he was definitely getting the next one.
Maddie pulled on her dressing gown and stepped out of the bedroom.
"Hi baby girl," she cooed upon entering the nursery.
Kiera's face was red and her face was tear-stained.
"What's wrong?" Maddie asked, gingerly picking up her daughter. "Hmmm?"
Kiera let out a choked sob.
Maddie patted her back in a comforting fashion. "Baby, it's okay. Mummy's here."
Kiera hiccupped as Maddie sat down with her.
"It's okay, sweetheart," Maddie whispered.
The infant rested her head on Maddie's shoulder, her breathing growing steady.
"I missed you today," Maddie whispered. She'd had to drop off the baby at Nana's today and the entire day she'd felt as if a part of her was missing. It reminded her of how her mother must have felt that summer that she'd had to leave her and RJ at Nana's the first couple of weeks at Hillsdale.
Maddie remembered how much fun she'd had at the Burrow, but she had been ecstatic when she and RJ finally joined the rest of their family at the resort.
The first night, she'd not wanted to go to sleep, afraid she'd miss something. The next morning, she was the one who woke everyone up because she wanted to see this big lake that her brothers and sisters had been raving about.
Maddie crept into her parents room and pulled at their covers. "DADDY!" she shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Where's the food?" Ron asked, jerking out of sleeping and sitting straight up.
"No food!" Maddie exclaimed. "Swimming!"
Luna rubbed at her eyes and sat up in bed. "Madeline, sweetheart, it's still early. Your brothers and sisters are still asleep."
"No, we're not," Darla said grumpily from the doorway. "I think they heard her in Australia."
"Darla!" Maddie jumped up and down.
"Hey, Mad Dog," Darla said smiling despite how tired she was.
"I missed you," Maddie ran over to her sister.
"I missed you too," Darla said giving her a hug. "It's been way too quiet."
"Daddy," Drew stalked into the room. "Jon's in the loo and he won't come out and I really, really have to go!"
Ron groaned. "I guess everyone's up."
"Including RJ," Jon said coming up behind his sisters.
"Thank Merlin!" Drew exclaimed hurrying off to the bathroom.
"Jon!" Maddie squealed. "Hold me!"
Jon laughed as he swung his baby sister into the air.
Maddie giggled. "Do you think that mean lady will be back?"
"Your Aunt Ginny will probably not be back," Luna said trying to not get angry as she thought about how horribly Ginny had treated Molly last night.
"Good," Maddie said. "She was MEAN!"
"What'd you think of Nick?" Jon asked her.
Maddie giggled again and buried her face in Jon's shoulder.
"He's so hot," Darla said. "It's a shame we're related to him."
Ron looked at his daughter. "Hot? Darla...."
"What?" Darla asked.
"I don't know if I like you calling boys 'hot'," Ron grumbled, getting out of bed.
"Ronald," Luna patted his arm.
"Daddy, you are so not cool," Darla said rolling her eyes as she left the room.
Maddie slid down from Jon's arms. "Daddy, it's okay if you're not cool."
Luna stifled a laugh.
"Thank you, baby," Ron said opening up his arms. Maddie ran into them and gave him a big hug. "Did I tell you how much I missed you, baby?"
"Lots and lots!" Maddie nodded.
"I'm glad to have all of you back under the same roof," Luna said fondly. "I love all of you so much."
"I love you too," Maddie scrambled over to her.
Luna grinned at her. "How about I help you get ready? We'll eat breakfast and then head on down to the lake and you'll get to see your Uncle Harry and Aunt Hermione..."
"And Ethan?" Maddie asked.
"Yes," Luna smiled knowingly. "Come on, sweetheart."
"I'll get the baby," Ron said.
"RJ missed you too, Daddy," Maddie informed him.
"Dad, RJ doesn't look too good," Josh said carrying his baby brother into the room. "His forehead feels hot and he sounds congested."
Ron set Maddie down. "Let me see."
Josh gingerly handed the baby over to his father.
Ron frowned. "He does feel warm, Luna."
Luna touched his forehead with her palm. "Oh, my poor little boy..."
Maddie frowned. "Does this mean we're not going swimming?"
"I don't know, sweetheart," Luna said.
"Do you need me to do anything?" Josh asked.
"Would you get me a cold rag?" Luna asked.
"Sure, Mum," Josh replied.
RJ let out a choked whimper.
Luna sat down with him. "It's going to be okay."
Maddie sat down beside them. "He was good the entire time at Nana's."
"How about you?" Ron asked.
Maddie nodded. "We helped Nana with the gnomes!"
"How fun," Luna said, smoothing RJ's red hair back.
"Come on, RJ," Maddie said touching her baby brother's arm. "Don't you want to go swimming?"
"Maddie," Ron said. "He's not feeling good."
Maddie frowned. "Oh."
"Let's just see how he feels in a few hours, okay?" Luna asked.
"Okay," Maddie said.
"I can stay here with him while you lot go to breakfast," Ron suggested. "As long as you bring me back some waffles."
"I will," Maddie promised.
"That's my girl," Ron grinned at her. "Come on. I'll help you get dressed while your mum takes care of the baby."
"Okay," Maddie took her father's hand.
"Even if we don't go to the lake today, we can always go tomorrow," Ron told her.
"Promise?" Maddie asked.
"I promise," Ron said following her into the bedroom she was sharing with RJ. "So, what do you want to wear for your big Hillsdale debut, Miss Madeline?"
"A dress," Maddie decided.
Ron smiled. "Okay...why don't you pick one out?"
"This one," Maddie pointed.
"The blue one with the flowers?" Ron asked.
"Yes," Maddie nodded. "It's pretty."
"You're going to the prettiest four year old at Hillsdale," Ron said smiling at her.
Maddie giggled. "I know!"
"Your Nana said that you were talking about Ethan a lot," Ron commented.
Maddie blushed. "Just a little."
"Just a little, eh?" Ron teased.
"Daddy!" Maddie turned even redder.
Ron laughed. "I'm only teasing. I bet he's going to be happy to see you."
"I just want to have fun," Maddie insisted.
"You're going to have a blast," Ron told her. "Especially when I take you into town. There's this really great toy shop and a ice cream parlour that has the best sundaes in the entire world."
Maddie perked up. "Ice cream?"
Ron helped her into the dress. "Yes, you can get hot fudge, caramel, butterscotch, strawberry..."
"All of them!" Maddie said happily.
"That's my girl," Ron said. "We'll have to try every single thing they have before we go home."
"Okay," Maddie agreed, throwing her arms around him.
Ron hugged her tightly. "I'm so glad you and your brother are finally here, Maddie."
"Me too," Maddie nodded.
Josh, Jon, Drew and Darla walked into the room.
"Mum said we could go ahead and take her," Josh said. "She's going to join us after she gets dressed."
"All right," Ron agreed. "Remember my waffles. And a few muffins. And if they have bacon, and some sausage--"
Josh laughed. "Good thing there's so many of us. We can all bring back something for you."
"And I won't eat it," Maddie said.
"Come on, Mad Dog," Jon said taking her hand. "Wait until you see the restaurant."
Maddie smiled at her brother. "Good cause I'm sooooo hungry!"
Jon laughed. "Me too."
"He just wants to see Allison Longbottom," Drew said in a sing-song voice. "That's why he's in such a hurry..."
"Shut up Drew." Jon turned red.
"And Josh wants to see Julie," Darla giggled. "Julie, Julie, Julie..."
"Shut up Darla," it was Josh's turn to redden. "You two have no idea what you're talking about."
Darla and Drew giggled even harder.
"Drew, Darla," Ron called after them. "Behave. Don't mention your brother's crush on Julie."
"Dad!" Josh exclaimed.
The twin girls giggled. "Okay Dad!" they chorused.
"Come on, Maddie," Jon said tugging on his little sister's hand. "You're the favourite sister right now."
"Yay!" Maddie said happily.
The six Weasley children walked into the restaurant and Maddie felt her stomach tighten when she saw Ethan Potter sitting with his parents and older sister.
"ETHAN!" she shouted.
Ethan turned. "Hi."
"I thought you were going to come and see me," Maddie said excitedly. "We just got here yesterday!"
Ethan ignored her.
"Maddie, you look gorgeous," Julie said smiling at the little girl.
"Hi Julie!" Maddie said excitedly. "Are you here with Nick?"
Julie blushed. "Um, no, actually I'm not. "
"Why?" Maddie asked.
"I reckon he's with his mother," Julie said looking down at her plate.
"I don't like her," Maddie said bluntly.
"I can't believe she's a Weasley," Jon commented as he sat down.
"Not anymore," Julie muttered.
Maddie sat down beside Ethan. "Did you see her, Ethan? She's scary."
"No," Ethan replied, scooting away.
"Ethan James," Hermione warned.
"What?" Ethan asked.
Hermione just shook her head. and mouthed the words "Be nice" to him.
"I am," Ethan said.
"Where's your little brother?" Harry asked. "And Ron and Luna?"
"He's sick," Maddie reported.
"Oh," Hermione replied. "I'm sorry to hear that. "
"He'll be okay, Aunt Hermione," Josh said. "It's probably just a cold."
"Good," Hermione nodded.
"Oooh," Maddie said looking at Ethan's plate. "Can I have a piece of your bacon?"
"No way!" Ethan said.
Maddie looked at him. "Please?"
Ethan sighed. "I guess..."
"Thanks," Maddie beamed at him.
Ethan cracked a small smile. "Sure."
"Food always looks better on your plate," Maddie said taking a piece of bacon from him.
"What?" Ethan asked.
"Food always looks better on your plate," Maddie repeated happily.
"Why?"
Maddie giggled. "I don't know! Just 'cause."
Drew giggled. "It's cause she thinks you're cute."
Ethan turned as red as a tomato. "Mum!"
"Ethan, relax," Hermione said mildly.
"Why don't you tell Maddie about how great swimmer you've become?" Julie suggested.
"I'm not that great," Ethan muttered.
"He's just being modest," Julie said proudly. "He's doing really well."
"Jules," Ethan glared at his sister.
"I can't wait to go swimming," Maddie said. "We can't go today because of RJ, though."
"Well we're going later," Ethan informed her.
"Oh," Maddie said, disappointed that she wouldn't be able to go. But, she also didn't want to leave her brother when he was feeling bad. He always liked it when she was close and she wanted to make him feel better.
Ethan turned away and began eating his breakfast quickly. "Come on Mummy," he said.
"Ethan," Hermione said looking sternly at him. "Slow down."
"I'm hungry," Ethan said taking a huge bite of his muffin.
"Me too," Maddie said picking up her menu. "Joshie, I can't read this!"
"I'll help you Mad Dog," Josh said.
"Thanks," Maddie beamed at him.
Josh moved over and sat beside Maddie. "Come here." Maddie sat on his lap and looked at the menu.
"They have muffins," Josh told her. "The blueberry ones are really good, but I know that you love the chocolate chip ones the best."
"Chocolate chip," Maddie nodded. "Two of them. And waffles for Daddy."
Josh grinned. "You've got it."
"I want some pancakes too, okay?" Maddie asked her brother.
"Okay," Josh nodded. "Do you want some orange juice, too?"
Maddie nodded. "Thanks Joshie!"
"That's a lot of food," Ethan commented. "You're only four."
"My daddy said I have a bottomless stomach," Maddie announced proudly.
"Kind of like Uncle Ron," Ethan said thoughtfully.
Maddie giggled. "Yup!"
Luna joined them a few minutes later.
"How's RJ?" Hermione asked.
"He'll be okay," Luna said. "I think we just need to keep him quiet for today."
"Tomorrow I can go swimming," Maddie said looking adoringly at Ethan.
"I think we're going to town tomorrow," Ethan replied.
"Oooh," Maddie said. "To the toy shop and the ice cream parlour?"
"Yeah," Ethan nodded.
"Have you been there a lot?" Maddie asked curiously.
"A few times," Ethan shrugged.
"We practically had to drag him out of there yesterday," Hermione told the little girl.
"I love the ice cream," Maddie said. "Chocolate is my favourite."
"That's Ethan's favourite, too," Hermione said.
"Not really," Ethan said, wishing his mother would stop trying to make him and Maddie friends. It wasn't going to happen.
"You love it there," Julie pointed out.
"Jules," Ethan hissed.
"He loves the mint chocolate chip," Julie told Maddie.
"I've never had that," Maddie said. "But I love chocolate chip..." Her voice trailed off as she closed her eyes and pictured herself in a pretty white dress. She was as old as Julie and she was walking toward a grown-up Ethan. "Ooooooooh!"
"What's wrong, baby?" Luna asked.
"Nothing," Maddie replied, a dazed expression on her face.
"You sure?" Luna asked. "I hope you don't have a fever like RJ..."
"I'm not sick," Maddie reassured her. "I'm--I'm really happy!"
Luna smiled. "That's good, baby."
Ethan turned in his chair to see Maddie beaming at him. "What?"
Maddie giggled and turned away.
Ethan rolled his eyes.
"Be nice," Hermione told him.
"But, Mum----" Ethan protested.
"Ethan," Harry warned.
"Okay," Ethan grumbled.
"She just wants to be your friend, Little Man," Harry whispered to his son. "It wouldn't hurt you to be nice."
"She keeps looking at me weird," Ethan grumbled.
"Just be nice to her," Harry said. "That's all I'm asking."
"Fine," Ethan rolled his eyes.
"Do you want to play later?" Maddie asked him.
"I'm going swimming, remember?" Ethan asked.
"I know," Maddie said. "But after..."
"Nick said he'd play with me," Ethan replied.
"He also told me that he wants to get to know his newest cousins," Julie said.
"Like me!" Maddie said brightly.
Julie smiled at her. "You really liked him, didn't you?"
Maddie nodded.
"He really liked meeting you too," Julie said. "And I know he can't wait to get to know all of you better."
"Darla said he was hot," Maddie said. "What does that mean?"
Darla turned bright red. "Maddie!"
"You said that this morning," Maddie replied.
Darla looked at Julie. "I just---I meant that he was cute. That's all."
Jon guffawed. "Sure, Dar."
"Thanks, Maddie," Darla grumbled.
"What did I do?" Maddie asked.
"Told something you weren't supposed to," Drew said gently. "If a girl fancies a bloke, you shouldn't say anything about it...."
"You shouldn't?" Maddie asked.
"Don't tell her rubbish like that," Jon said. "If a girl fancies a bloke, she should tell him."
"She should?" Maddie was confused.
"No," Drew and Darla said in unison.
"What do you guys know?" Jon asked his sisters. "You're only ten."
"Shut up, Jon," Darla said throwing a piece of her muffin at him.
"Thank you," Jon caught it and popped it into his mouth.
Maddie giggled. "Way to go, Jon!"
"Thanks Mad Dog," Jon grinned at her.
"You're supposed to be on our side," Drew said to Maddie. "The Weasley girls stick together."
"Oh," Maddie said. "Okay Drew."
"If she wants to take our side, let her," Jon said. "Right, Josh?"
Josh didn't reply. He was too busy looking at Julie.
"Josh," Jon said waving his hand in front of his brother.
"What?" Josh snapped.
"Drew and Dar are trying to convince Maddie to go with them just because they're girls," Jon said.
"So what?" Josh asked.
Darla giggled. "Jon, you're out of luck. The only one you can depend on is RJ and he only knows two words right now."
"Whatever, Dar." Jon said as he saw the Longbottoms enter the restaurant.
"Chiaki!" Maddie squealed sliding out of her seat and running toward the older girl.
"Hey you," Chiaki swung her up.
"I missed you!" Maddie said hugging her around the neck. She caught sight of Allison and Frankie over Chiaki's shoulder. "Hiya, Frankie!"
"I bet she'll be able to date before I will," Frankie said looking pointedly at her father.
"Date?" Maddie asked.
"It's when two people who fancy each other go out together," Chiaki explained. "Like to the movies or to eat."
"Francesca, I heard this all last night," Neville said in exasperation. "Please drop it."
"Hey Al," Jon said. "I uh... I saved you a seat."
"Thanks," Allison said smiling at him. "I'm starving and Frankie's about to drive Chi and me insane."
"I've got an extra waffle here if you want it." Jon pushed his plate to her.
Drew and Darla giggled.
"Thanks," Allison said. "That's really nice of you Jon."
"It's nothing," Jon said smiling at her.
"Guess what?" Maddie asked Chiaki in a whisper.
"What?" Chiaki leaned in.
"I'm going to marry Ethan," Maddie whispered happily.
"Are you now?" Chiaki was amused. "What does he think about that?"
"I haven't told him," Maddie whispered.
"How come?" Chiaki asked.
Maddie shrugged. "Don't know."
"You'll tell him when you're ready," Chiaki smoothed the little girl's curly hair back.
Maddie nodded. "I will, Chi. I promise."
"And you see, baby girl?" Maddie asked her daughter. "I did marry him..."
Kiera cooed happily up at her mother.
Maddie laughed. "It took your Daddy awhile, but he finally caught on and to this day, he still lets me steal things off of his plate."
Ethan yawned loudly from the doorway. "What's going on in here?"
"Kiera was crying," Maddie replied. "So, I was sitting with her and telling her a story."
"About what?" Ethan asked.
"Hillsdale," Maddie replied. "When you treated me like I had the plague."
"Oh yeah," Ethan grinned sheepishly as he rumpled his messy hair.
Maddie laughed. "But those days are long gone."
"Quite so," Ethan agreed as he leaned over and made a face at his daughter. "Hey you."
"I think she may be teething," Maddie said thoughtfully.
"You think?" Ethan asked.
Maddie nodded. "She's about that age."
"Perhaps you're right," Ethan made another face at Kiera.
Kiera held out her hand toward her father.
Ethan grinned as she wrapped her hand around his index finger.
Maddie smiled at her husband. "She loves her Daddy."
"She's got it backwards," Ethan replied. "I'm the one wrapped around her little finger."
Maddie laughed. "She knows that."
"Let me take her," Ethan said.
"Okay," Maddie said gently handing the baby to him.
Ethan kissed Kiera's forehead. "That's my girl."
"What a week it's been," Maddie said softly.
"Crazy," he agreed.
"I think we should bring Kiera by to see your sister tomorrow," Maddie said. "I think it would do wonders for Saffy."
"Sure," Ethan said. "I think she'd like that a lot."
"I wish I could do more for her," Maddie said softly.
"She's got Andrew," Ethan said, patting Kiera on the back comfortingly. "I think that he's the best thing for her."
Maddie nodded. "She's been through so much."
Ethan nodded and looked at his daughter. "She's asleep," he whispered.
Maddie grinned. "Way to go," she whispered.
Ethan carefully laid her in the crib.
Maddie rested her head on Ethan's shoulder as they watched their daughter sleep.
"She's incredible," Ethan said after a moment.
"She is," Maddie whispered. "Absolutely."
"Come on," Ethan reached for her hand.
Maddie took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "You know that the next time, she cries, it's your turn. None of that pretending you can't hear it."
"I was asleep," Ethan said.
"Uh-huh," Maddie said nudging him.
"I don't mind getting up with her," Ethan slid his arms around her.
"Except when you're dead on your feet," Maddie teased.
Ethan nudged her ear. "Very funny, Madeline."
Maddie giggled. "And the next time she gets up, she's probably need her nappy changed."
"You always did like to save the rough jobs for me," Ethan cracked.
Maddie poked him. "You've figured me out."
"I know you too well," Ethan said smugly.
Maddie took off her dressing gown and slid back into bed. "Better than anyone."
Ethan climbed back in beside her.
"What time do you have to be back in the office tomorrow?" Maddie asked him.
"Nine," he answered. "You?"
"Nine," Maddie replied. "Which is so much better than six."
"Yes it is," he said, pulling her closer.
"Do you ever think about going back to Hillsdale?" Maddie asked him thoughtfully.
"Hillsdale?" Ethan asked. "Not really... why?"
"I was telling Kiera that old story," Maddie replied. "And I'd like to bring her there someday."
"Sure," Ethan agreed. "Maybe once she's older."
Maddie smiled. "It's been such a big place for all of us, you know?"
"I don't really remember much of it, to be honest," Ethan said.
"Which is why we should go back," Maddie said smiling at him. "It's where our parents fell in love..."
"Where you decided you were going to marry me," Ethan said. "I remember THAT much."
Maddie giggled. "I saw it, Ethan."
"Yeah, and as a six year old it horrified me," Ethan grinned at her. "As a twenty year old, I got excited about it."
Maddie kissed him. "All part of plan..."
"Sneaky," Ethan said affectionately.
"I love you," Maddie said happily.
"I love you too," Ethan murmured huskily. "Always, Mads."
"Always," Maddie echoed.