Authors' note: This is your first look as Jon & Josh as business partners! We hope you enjoy!
After talking with Lizzy, Josh accepted the offer to become Jon's business partner. They had signed the papers and Josh couldn't wait to show up for his first day of work at the pub. He had so many ideas that he wanted to implement. The pub was successful, sure, but it could be doing so much better.
It had been quite the bittersweet morning for Jon. Victoria had left, and already it felt different without her presence there. The pub had been hers for so long that it would take awhile before he came to terms with her being gone.
"I keep thinking she's going to walk through the door apologising for being late," Audrey said breaking into Jon's reverie.
"I know," Jon replied, shaking his head.
"At least, we still have you," Audrey said with a grin. "And the second Mr. Weasley. When's he arriving anyway?"
"Should be here anytime," Jon looked at his watch. "My brother is nothing if not punctual."
"At least someone will be on time," Audrey teased.
"I'm going to check on Al," Jon said. "See how she's getting settled on her first day."
"We're going to have the best food here," Audrey said. "I can't wait to try something off the new menu."
Jon nodded. "Let me know when Josh arrives."
"I will," Audrey promised. "Hopefully Becca's on time too."
"Don't ask for miracles," Jon called out over his shoulder before he entered the kitchen. Jon looked over at his son who was playing in his playpen while Allison chopped vegetables.
"DADA!" Adam shouted.
Jon laughed. "Hey, buddy. Are you keeping your mummy company?"
"No," Adam said, sitting down.
"There's his new favourite word," Allison said grinning at Jon.
"Great," Jon groaned jokingly. "It smells, fantastic in here, Al."
"I really loved your idea of having a 'soup of the day'," Allison told him. "I thought today I'd make vegetable soup, tomorrow we'd do French onion, and minestrone on Wednesday."
"You've got my mouth watering," Jon said, giving her a kiss. "Thank you so much for coming to work here, Al. This is really going to help things out."
"I love this place as much as you do," Allison said. "And I want to do what I can to help and you know how I always wanted to do this someday."
"Yeah," Jon grinned at her. "I remember."
He was leaning in for another kiss when Josh entered the kitchen. "Good morning," Josh said clearing his throat.
"Hey," Jon said. "Welcome to the pub."
"Good morning, Josh," Allison said warmly.
Josh's eyes fell on the playpen. "What's Adam doing here?"
"He's here so we don't have to hire a babysitter," Jon explained.
"And he's always gone to work with me," Allison said.
"I had to put the triplets in day care," Josh said.
"You could have brought them," Jon said.
"I don't think that would be wise," Josh replied thoughtfully. "This is a place of business."
"Well," Jon said. "Adam comes with the package. He's not a bother. Most of the patrons here love it when he comes out there with me."
"You won't even know he's here," Allison said.
Jon wanted to change the subject. "Come on," he said. "I'll show you around the backroom and the office."
Josh grinned. "That sounds great."
Adam waved his hand. "Bye, Dada!"
"See you later, buddy," Jon grinned at him.
Josh followed his brother down the hall. "Allison's cooking here full-time?"
Jon nodded. "She just started today too."
"You didn't think to ask me?" Josh asked.
Jon gave him a strange look. "Al's been helping out with the menu for awhile..."
"She's never worked as a chef professionally," Josh pointed out.
"She's not the only one there," Jon said. "We have two part time chefs- the full time one quit a month ago and we hadn't found a replacement."
"I suppose that's okay then," Josh said shrugging his shoulders.
"It'll be fine," Jon fought to keep the shortness out of his tone. "This is the office- all the ledgers, expense reports, payroll... all kept in here. Only you and I have keys."
"I'd like to look at those," Josh said.
"Sure," Jon nodded.
"And I have a lot of ideas myself," Josh told him.
"Like what?" Jon asked.
"I'll tell you after I read over those ledgers," Josh said.
"Ok..." Jon said. "Let me show you the storeroom where we keep all the supplies first."
Josh nodded and pulled out a small notebook and pen from his pocket. He started scribbling notes.
Jon stared at him for a moment before opening a door to a large, walk in room. "Here's where we keep the extra liquor and whatnot," he said. "And here's the cooler."
"How do you have everything organised?" Josh asked.
"Huh?" Jon asked.
"How do you have everything organised?" Josh asked looking up from his notebook.
"Uh... when we get it we put it on the shelves," Jon said.
"Yes," Josh said. "But, how do you organise them? Alphabetical order?"
"No," Jon said. "We just put them up there. It's never been a problem finding something..."
Josh chuckled. "I seem to remember that was your way of getting out of cleaning our room when we were kids. Jon, you're not a kid anymore..."
"It's the way Vic did it, and I just went along with it," Jon said defensively.
"Organization is the key to success," Josh said. "I'm thinking we can set up a new set of shelves here and alphabetise the inventory."
"Fine," Jon said, not wanting to argue. "I should really get back out to the bar."
"I'm going to read over those ledgers," Josh said. "We could meet again in about an hour?"
"Sure," Jon said. "Just come on up there when you're done."
Josh nodded and headed into the office. Jon walked back into the kitchen. Allison looked up at him. "Hey. How was the grand tour?"
"Interesting," Jon said. "I forgot how OCD he can be sometimes."
Allison laughed. "I'm sure it's not that bad, Jon."
"We'll see," Jon said. "Oscar should be here soon to help you out for the lunch rush."
"Would you like to sample the soup?" Allison asked.
"Sure!" Jon said eagerly.
Allison handed him a small bowl. "Be honest. Tell me what you think."
Jon tasted it. "That's fantastic."
Allison beamed at him. "You know, I think you married me just because I was a good cook."
"I started dating you because I knew you were a good cook," Jon said saucily.
"Ah-hah," Allison laughed. "The truth finally comes out after all these years. Adam, can you believe your Daddy?"
"No," Adam shook his head.
"Would you mind feeding him while I finish this?" Allison asked her husband.
"Sure," Jon said. "I've only got a minute though. I have to get back out to the bar."
Adam smiled at his father when Jon lifted him out of the playpen. "Come on, little guy."
"Eat," Adam told him.
"You want me to eat your lunch?" Jon asked grinning back at his son. "That's very nice of -"
"No!" Adam shouted. "Me eat!"
"Oh!" Jon exclaimed. "That's what you meant. Okay..."
He sat Adam down on the counter and began to feed him. "Taste good, buddy?"
Adam nodded happily.
"That's my boy," Jon said as Adam grasped the fork in his little hand.
"All mine!" Adam exclaimed.
"All yours," Jon chuckled.
"Are you sure having him here isn't going to be a problem?" Allison asked. "Josh didn't look too happy about it."
"Josh will deal with it," Jon replied.
"He's a good boy," Allison said.
"No," Adam replied.
Jon mussed his hair. "Adam Jonathan..."
Adam laughed. "Play?"
"After the lunch rush," Jon promised.
"Okay," Adam said as Jon put him back in his playpen.
Jon gave his wife a kiss before heading out to the bar. RJ was sitting at the bar chatting with Audrey. "Junior, what brings you here?"
"I had to come see my girl," RJ said.
"And he knew Allie was cooking," Audrey said.
RJ shrugged sheepishly. "Can't turn that down."
"Becca show up yet?" Jon asked Audrey.
Audrey shook her head.
Jon sighed. "Twenty minutes late."
"I'll talk to her," Audrey promised. "She's not normally so irresponsible."
RJ muttered something under his breath.
"What?" Audrey asked her boyfriend.
"Hmm?" RJ asked innocently.
"What did you say?" she asked.
"Nothing," RJ said. "I had something in my throat."
"Oh," Audrey said. "Want me to go see if Allie's got anything ready?"
"That'd be great," Jon said.
Jon watched his brother's eyes follow Audrey. "You've got it bad."
RJ grinned. "Yes, I do."
"She's good for you," Jon said. "Even better for you than Alexa."
"Aud and I fit a lot better," RJ agreed.
At that moment, the girl in question came out with a bowl of soup and a plate of bread. "Allie wants you to try this, RJ." Audrey told him.
RJ grinned. "I am happy to oblige."
He was about to start eating when Becca breezed through the door.
"Hiya," Becca said waving at them.
"Becca you're late," Jon frowned. "Almost a half hour."
"I'm sorry," Becca apologised. "I overslept. It won't happen again, Jon. I promise."
"See that it doesn't," Jon said.
Becca nodded. "I'll just go and put my stuff away." She shot a wink at RJ as she brushed past him.
RJ rolled his eyes and shook his head.
Josh came out of the backroom carrying the ledgers.
RJ smiled at his other brother. "Alright, mate?"
Josh shook his head. "Jon, who's been keeping up with these?"
Jon shrugged. "Vic and I kind of took turns. Why?"
"They're a mess," Josh shook his head. "It's going to take me days to straighten them out."
"Allie was going to give them the once-over," Jon said. "You know how great she did looking over Cho's books..."
"That's a dance academy," Josh pointed out. "This is a bit different."
"It can't be that different," Jon said.
Josh rolled his eyes. "It's a good thing I arrived when I did. I'll---I'll be in the office."
Jon heaved a sigh as Josh turned and headed in back. "Why am I regretting this already?"
"Merlin, has he been like this the whole time?" RJ asked.
"You mean in the whole fifteen minutes he's been here?" Jon asked. "Yes."
RJ groaned.
Audrey nudged him. "RJ, I'm sure Josh isn't that bad. He's always seemed nice when I've met him before."
"Yeah but you've never worked with him," Jon said. "Or for him..."
"You guys are probably just making a mountain out of a molehill," Audrey said. "This has to be hard for him, too. This is new for him as well."
"We'll see," Jon said. "As it is, I should go have a word with Becca. Josh is very punctual and he expects everyone else to be that way as well."
Audrey nodded. "I'll also make sure it doesn't happen again, Jon."
Jon nodded and headed into the kitchen.
Becca was tying her apron around her waist and chatting with Allie. "Everything okay, Jon?"
"Becca," Jon said. "We asked you not to be late today."
"I know," Becca said with a giggle. "I thought I set my alarm, Jon. I promise it will not happen again."
"It better not," Jon warned her. "My brother Josh is a stickler for punctuality and he won't tolerate lateness."
Becca nodded. "Then I guess I'd better go out there and take some orders."
"Good idea," Jon said.
Jon leaned against the counter and put his head in his hands. Allison came over to him and put her hand on his arm.
"What is it?" she asked.
"This is the first day and I'm already wondering how Josh and I are going to manage this without me throttling him," Jon replied.
"It can't be that bad," Allison said encouragingly. "He's probably nervous is all."
"By questioning everything that I've done?" Jon asked.
"You know he just likes to know everything," Allison said. "It's probably not so much questioning as it is curiosity."
"I'll keep telling myself that," Jon said. "But you know this place is successful. I like to think I had something to do with that. I'm not an incompetent idiot."
"Of course you aren't," Allison said. "And Josh will realise that."
"You know the smartest decision I made was to bring you on here full-time," Jon said with a grin.
Allison smiled at him. "So I can keep an eye on you two..."
"Well there's that," Jon said leaning in for a kiss, but Josh shouted his name from the office.
"Jon!"
Jon groaned. "I guess I better go see what he wants."
"Be like a river," Allison advised. "Flow and bend. Flow and bend..."
"Yeah right," Jon muttered heading to the office.
Jon stepped into the office. "You bellowed?"
"Come here and look at this," Josh said.
"What?" Jon asked after skimming the page. "I don't see anything--"
"That," Josh pointed. "Victoria's spending---unbelievable...."
"What of it?" Jon asked impatiently.
"We really need to go over payroll," Josh said. "And perhaps talk to some of your vendors about their prices."
"Fine," Jon answered.
"I don't mean to be critical," Josh said leaning back in his chair.
Jon raised an eyebrow. "Really..."
"We both want the same thing, Jon," Josh said.
"This place is doing fine," Jon pointed out.
"It can be even better," Josh said.
Jon shrugged.
"We're both going to have to compromise," Josh said.
"I'm fine with compromise," Jon said.
Josh smiled. "This is going to be great, Jon."
"I hope so," Jon nodded.
"And I think it's okay if you have Adam here," Josh said. "As long as he doesn't get in the way..."
"He never has," Jon pointed out.
Josh nodded. "It's just a good thing Emma's not here."
"Why?" Jon asked.
"I love my niece," Josh tried to explain. "But, you know how hyper she can get..."
Jon crossed his arms and glared at his twin.
"I don't mean any offence," Josh said hastily. "I love Emma, but she's high-strung."
"And I suppose your children are perfect," Jon said sarcastically.
"I didn't say that," Josh argued. "Jon, I'm just saying that we're not running a---"
Allison knocked on the door. "Jon, they need you behind the bar."
"Fine," Jon said shortly.
Allison watched her husband stalk out of the office. She turned and looked at Josh. "What happened?"
"I'm simply giving some suggestions," Josh said.
"Maybe you could soften the blow a bit," Allison said. "Josh, Jon has put his heart and soul into this place."
"I just want to help make it better," Josh pointed out.
"I know," Allison said. "Jon knows that, too."
"Well," Josh said as he scanned over the books again. "These ledgers need some cleaning up, that's for sure. And I'll need to familiarize myself behind the bar."
Allison smiled. "Jon can help you with that. He's a whiz behind the bar."
"We'll see," Josh replied.
"I should go back to the kitchen," Allison said.
"I'll need you to take an inventory for me," Josh called after her. "Everything you have in stock."
Allison turned around. "When---when do you want that?"
"Today," Josh answered.
"Um, okay," Allison replied. She wondered when she'd get the chance to do that between making lunch and taking care of Adam.
"As soon as possible would be great," Josh told her.
Allison sighed. It was going to be a very long day.
She headed back to the kitchen and to her relief; both part time cooks had arrived.
The pub was packed and Allison and the others had to work hard to get the orders out quickly. Adam, thankfully, slept through it all.
Jon came in back with a rack of dirty glasses. "Your soup is a hit, Al."
Allison smiled. "I'm glad."
"Everything okay?" he asked.
Allison frowned. "Yeah...everything's...okay."
"Tell me," Jon said.
"It's nothing," Allison said, not wanting to cause any more tension between the brothers.
"Al," Jon began.
Josh came out of the office. "I'm going to check on the kids for my lunch break. I'll be back in an hour. Allie, I'd like that inventory when I get back."
"Inventory?" Jon asked.
"I asked Allie to inventory the stock for me," Josh replied.
"I'll try to get it done," Allison said. "But we're in the middle of lunch rush."
"Wait a minute," Jon said. "Did you even check the rest of the ledgers, Josh? There's an inventory in there from two weeks ago."
"Oh," Josh said raising an eyebrow. "I guess I missed that."
"I guess you did," Jon replied.
Josh nodded. "Well, I'll look at those when I get back. I'll see you in a bit."
Jon sighed. "Al... I don't know if I can do this."
Allison squeezed his hand. "You and Josh will work it out."
"We'll see," Jon said.
"Dada," Adam said sleepily from his playpen.
"Hey buddy," Jon said.
Adam held his arms up. "Hold?"
"I've always got a minute for that." Jon picked his son up.
"I can't believe he slept through all this chaos," Allison said.
"Hungry," Adam said.
Allison tickled his side. "I've got you a sandwich, buddy. Your Uncle RJ is here. Do you want to eat with him?"
Adam nodded eagerly.
Jon reached for the small plate Allison had prepared for Adam. "Come on, then."
"I'll bring your juice," Allison called to him.
Jon carried Adam out to where RJ was sitting. "Someone wants to see you," he said.
RJ turned around and his face broke out into a wide grin when he saw his nephew. "Adam, my man!"
"RJ!" Adam reached for him.
Jon handed off his son and then set the plate down. "You mind eating lunch with him?"
"Not at all," RJ said. "We'll have fun, right Adam?"
Adam nodded. "Bye, Dada."
Jon chuckled. "I'll get your juice, buddy."
Adam sat in RJ's lap and reached for his sandwich. "Yummy."
"Can I have a bite?" RJ asked.
Adam nodded. "One."
"I'll wait till you're done," RJ said, bouncing his knee a bit.
Becca nudged her cousin. "Look at your bloke..."
"I know," Audrey said.
"How cute is that?" Becca gushed.
"Very," Audrey gazed at her boyfriend.
"How's living together?" Becca asked her.
"Amazing," Audrey said. "He's so sweet."
"I'd like to land one of those one day," Becca said.
"What?" Audrey looked properly at her.
"I hope to find someone like him someday," Becca said. "Someone who loves me as much as he loves you."
"I hope you do," Audrey said. "And I'm sure you will."
Becca gave her cousin a hug. "Thanks Aud."
Audrey gave her a squeeze. "I better clear my tables."
"Me too," Becca said. "Since I'm on probation, right?"
"Yes, so you better get moving," Audrey told her.
Becca saluted her cousin and giggled. "Aye, aye, captain."
Audrey quickly cleaned her tables and took a few more orders.
The crowd started to thin out and for that Audrey was grateful.
"Whew," she collapsed next to RJ and Adam. "It was crazy in here!"
"Sweepy?" Adam asked her.
"Nah," Audrey smiled at the little boy. "Not too sweepy."
Adam grinned at her.
"How's your lunch?" Audrey asked him.
"Yummy," Adam replied.
"He's been telling me some dirt on Emma," RJ laughed. "How she always wants to play with him."
"I bet she does," Audrey said. "When she's not being a princess, that is."
"And I was telling him to never let his sisters talk him into wearing dresses or tiaras or faerie costumes," RJ said.
"You mean you wont' let him borrow yours?" Audrey asked innocently.
"Funny, Aud," RJ said dryly.
"Faerie," Adam looked at his uncle.
RJ groaned. "Ugh, what have I started?"
Audrey laughed. "Adam you are too much!"
Adam laughed, too. "Aud!"
"Come here," Audrey held her arms out.
RJ watched as his nephew eagerly reached for her. "You have him wrapped around your little finger."
"Of course," Audrey kissed Adam's cheek.
"You want to do something with Andrew and Saf tonight?" RJ asked.
"Sure," Audrey nodded. "That sounds like fun."
"Sassy," Adam chimed in.
RJ laughed. "Sassy is right."
"How about I take this little guy back to his mum?" Audrey asked. "I should go and help clean up anyway."
"That okay with you little guy?" RJ asked.
Adam nodded. "Go with Aud."
"I'll see you later," RJ said.
Audrey carried Adam back to the kitchen. "Special delivery."
"There's my boy," Allison smiled.
"It's quiet back here," Audrey said looking around. "Has Josh come back yet?"
"No," Allison shook her head. "And Jon's trying to keep his cool."
"Hopefully they'll find a happy medium," Audrey said thoughtfully.
"They'll have to if they want to work together," Allison took a damp rag and wiped at Adam's face.
"How about you?" Audrey asked. "How was your first full day?"
"Not too bad," Allison said. "I'm still trying things out."
"For what it's worth, I love having you here," Audrey said. "And Adam."
"Thanks Audrey," Allison smiled at her.
Audrey excused herself to help clean up out front and Allison hugged Adam to her. "Adam, what are we going to do about your Daddy and Uncle Josh?"
"Don't know," Adam said.
"That makes two of us," Allison said shaking her head.
Frankie was finishing up the last press release for the upcoming season. She had a feeling that this would be Puddlemere's best season yet. Upper management was hoping to increase ticket sales and it was up to Frankie to promote the team any way that she could.
She looked at her watch. She hoped to finish up with this in time to pick up Hannah from her dance class.
"Mrs. Barron?" Frankie's assistant called out to her. "Your husband is here to see you."
"Oh!" Frankie said in surprise. "Tell him to come on in."
Will opened the door to his wife's office and forced a smile.
"What's up?" she asked. "Will?"
Will sat down across from his wife's desk. "Mallory is who she said she was."
Frankie gaped at him. "She's... she's really related?"
"She's Abbie Wright's sister," Will replied. He handed his wife a file. "I hired a private investigator to dig into her past."
Frankie sank back down into her seat. "What does this mean for us?"
"She's Hannah's aunt," Will said.
"But can she take her away?" Frankie asked.
"I don't think we should automatically assume that she's going to take her away," Will said. "Besides, we legally adopted Hannah."
Frankie nodded. "But... we'll let Mallory visit with her."
Will nodded. "Supervised, of course."
"Right," Frankie said.
Will walked around the desk and gave his wife a hug. "The investigator said that Mallory's got a spotless record. I don't think we have to worry about her harming Hannah."
"It's not so much that," Frankie said. "But the thought of her not being with us..."
"Don't think about that," Will reassured her. "She's our daughter."
Frankie nodded. "In every way that matters."
"How about we both go and pick her up from her dance class?" Will asked.
Frankie smiled. "She'll love that."
Will kissed her. "Come on then."
Frankie closed up her office and took her husband's hand as they walked towards the dance studio.
Cho smiled when she saw her daughter and son-in-law enter the studio and sit down at the back.
Hannah on the other hand had not seen them. She concentrated on making the perfect turn.
"Excellent, Hannah," Cho observed. "Great posture."
Hannah blushed. "Thank you."
"Emma?" Cho called out. "Pay attention, love."
"Okay," Emma did a twirl.
Frankie and Will smiled as they watched their niece do her own version of the routine.
"Emma," Cho said. "You have to do what the other girls are doing."
"Kay," Emma replied.
Will and Frankie watched the rest of the class and it wasn't until the end that Hannah noticed them.
Hannah grinned and ran toward them.
"Hi baby," Frankie scooped her up.
Hannah put her arms around Frankie's neck. "I missed you!"
"I always miss you," Frankie kissed her cheek.
"Hi, Daddy!" Hannah waved.
"Hey sweetheart," Will smiled at her.
"You did such a great job," Frankie said.
"Grandma told me I had good posture," Hannah said.
"I heard," Frankie said beaming at her.
Hannah giggled. "I think we should celebrate."
"She just wants an excuse to get pizza," Will teased.
Hannah blushed.
"I'll call my mum and tell her to keep the twins a little longer," Will said. "And we'll take her out for pizza."
"Yay!" Hannah said happily. "Thanks Daddy!"
Frankie smiled. "Let's go and get you packed up."
Hannah nodded. "I'll change really fast, I promise."
"That's my girl," Frankie said setting her daughter down. "We'll be waiting."
Hannah rushed into the dressing room. "Mummy and Daddy are taking me for pizza," she told Emma.
Emma grinned. "Lucky!"
"I'll have a big piece just for you," Hannah promised.
Emma giggled. "And breadsticks!"
"And extra cheese," Hannah grinned.
Emma patted her stomach. "Now, I'm hungry."
"I bet your mummy makes you something good for dinner too," Hannah pulled her jumper over her head.
"She always does," Emma said happily.
"See you tomorrow," Hannah said.
"Bye, Hannah," Emma said waving at her.
"I'm ready!" Hannah announced.
Will smiled. "Two minutes. That's got to be a record."
Hannah giggled. "Well if there's pizza..."
"Kind of speeds things up, doesn't it?" Will finished for her.
"Yes," Hannah nodded, taking his hand.
"Your mummy and I have something to talk to you about when we get to the restaurant," Will told her.
"Did I do something bad?" Hannah asked.
Frankie shook her head. "No, you didn't, sweetheart. You didn't do anything bad."
"Okay," Hannah looked relieved.
They arrived at the pizza place a few moments later and sat down at their favourite booth in the back.
"I want my regular," Hannah said.
"Me too," Frankie grinned.
"And I'll have the mushroom ravioli," Will said.
The waitress took their order and then brought out their drinks. Frankie did not even know where to begin on how to tell her daughter about Mallory.
"Sweetheart," Will said. "Remember that lady from the party after the Quidditch match?"
"Sort of," Hannah replied grabbing a breadstick from the basket.
"Well..." Will looked at his wife. "She's your aunt."
Hannah looked at him. "What?"
"She's your mother's sister," Frankie said quietly.
"You have another sister?" Hannah asked, confused.
"No baby," Frankie said. "Abbie had a sister."
"My first Mummy?" Hannah asked.
Will and Frankie both nodded.
Hannah looked thoughtfully back at her parents. "Where is she?"
"She's in London," Will told her.
"Here?" Hannah asked..
"She'd like to see you," Frankie managed.
"She would?" Hannah asked uncertainly.
"If you'd like," Will added.
Hannah pondered this for a moment. "Okay."
"You want to?" Frankie was surprised.
Hannah nodded. "If she was my mummy's sister..."
"Okay," Will said. "We'll take you to meet her on Saturday."
"You'll be with me the whole time, right?" Hannah asked.
"Absolutely," Frankie nodded.
Hannah was still shy when it came to meeting strangers and she was glad her parents would be there with her.
Frankie rubbed her shoulders. "We wouldn't leave you alone, baby."
"Thanks, Mummy," Hannah said.
Frankie shared a look with Will. They were both surprised Hannah had agreed so readily.
"What's she like?" Hannah asked after a moment.
"I don't know, sweetheart," Will said.
"I wonder if she's anything like my mummy was," Hannah said taking another breadstick from the basket. "I wonder if she likes to garden too and if she liked chocolate ice cream."
"I'm sure you'll find out," Frankie said.
Hannah liked the idea of meeting someone who knew her mother. It scared her that she didn't remember things as clearly as she once did.
"Maybe I can ask her questions about my real mummy," Hannah ventured.
Frankie knew Hannah didn't mean to hurt her feelings, but those words had cut her.
"Is that okay?" Hannah asked when neither of her parents said anything.
"Sure," Frankie said forcing a smile. "I'm sure she'd love to answer your questions."
Hannah nodded. "I don't really remember my real mummy that much anymore."
"You were really young when she died," Will reassured her.
"I'm going to go the loo," Frankie said quickly.
"Our food will be here in a minute," Will pointed out.
Frankie nodded. "I'll be right back..."
"Is she okay," Hannah asked her father.
"I'm sure she's fine," Will said patting her hand.
Frankie locked herself in the bathroom before either Will or Hannah could see the tears in her eyes. She couldn't explain why Mallory's appearance was bothering her so much.
Frankie wiped at her eyes. She and Will had worked so hard to adopt Hannah. Frankie had never in a million years thought anything or anyone would come along to threaten that.
She took a few deep breaths to calm herself and splashed a bit of water on her face. Frankie told herself it was silly to feel this way. Hannah loved both of them and she knew her daughter would never want to live elsewhere.
Frankie walked out of the bathroom and back to their table. The food had already arrived.
"Everything okay?" Will asked her.
"Fine," Frankie nodded.
"I was telling Hannah that we'd be going to Puddlemere's first match," Will said.
"Right," Frankie nodded. "I can't believe new season's already started. We just finished holding tryouts for reserve Seeker while Saffron's out after she has the baby."
"Can Emma come with me?" Hannah asked.
"I think that can be arranged," Frankie nodded.
Hannah liked Quidditch, but she had to admit she and Emma didn't always pay attention the entire time.
The last time, for example, they had started talking about the princesses and what position they would be if they played Quidditch. Hannah smiled as she remembered how they'd said that Belle would be a keeper and Ariel would be a beater.
"I promised Allie and Jon we'd stop by the pub soon," Frankie was saying, jolting Hannah out of her daydream. "See how the new menu is."
Will smiled. "That'd be great."
"Maybe tomorrow night," Frankie said, picking at her meal.
The proprietor of the restaurant knew the Barrons well and he came out and asked Hannah if she'd like to help him make a dessert pizza. Hannah looked at Frankie. "Can I?"
"Sure," Frankie smiled at her. "Go ahead."
Hannah took a bite of her pizza before hurrying off to the kitchen.
Will looked at Frankie. "You know she didn't mean what she said."
Frankie pushed her salad around her plate. "I don't know what's wrong with me."
"You are her mother and she loves you," Will reassured her.
"I know," Frankie sighed. "It doesn't bother me that she wants to remember Abbie. I just... I'm just worried about this Mallory and what her plans are."
"We can ask her when we ring her," Will said. "Make sure that she knows that we're her parents and we're not going to give her up."
Frankie nodded. "I think that's a good idea."
Will reached for her hand. "It's going to be fine."
Frankie squeezed his hand. "Always my optimist."
"One of the many reasons you love me," Will said with a grin.
"Of course," Frankie leaned over and kissed him.
"You taste like garlic," Will teased. "But, I don't mind.'
"Well you have mushroom breath," Frankie retorted playfully.
"Mrs. Barron you are going to pay for that," Will said kicking her foot under the table.
"I have heels on, Mr. Barron," Frankie reminded him. "I could pin your foot to the floor."
Will grimaced. "Truce?"
Frankie laughed. "Truce."
Hannah came back a few minutes later carrying a small tray. "Dessert pizza."
"You made that?" Frankie asked.
Hannah nodded proudly. "And I made blueberry because that's your favourite."
Any doubts Frankie might have had about Hannah preferring Mallory melted away. "I can't wait to try it, baby."
Hannah beamed at her.
"It smells fantastic," Will said. "I think we have a budding chef here."
Hannah giggled and sat back down beside her mother. Frankie gave her a hug.
"What's that for, Mummy?" Hannah asked.
"Just for being you," Frankie said. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, Mummy," Hannah said. "You, Daddy, Izzie and Nathan."
Frankie smiled at her. "Now let's try this pizza. Maybe we can take home a piece and let your sister and brother try it too."
Hannah grinned back at her. "I know they'd love it, too."
"Especially since you made it," Will replied.
Frankie took a bite of the pizza. "That's delicious, love."
Hannah glowed.
The Barrons finished their meal and headed over to Will's parents to pick up the twins.
"They're getting so big," Hannah said, skipping ahead of them. "I wish they could stay babies forever."
"We say the same about you, you know," Will called ahead to her.
Hannah giggled. "I haven't been a baby for a long time!"
"You'll always be my baby," Will said scooping her up and spinning her around.
Hannah giggled. "Make me fly!"
Will lifted her up over his head. "To the sky..."
Hannah squealed. "Higher!"
Frankie smiled as she followed behind them.
"She is getting so big," someone called out from behind her. Frankie turned and felt her breath catch in her throat. "Abbie..."
"I love hearing her laugh," Abbie said. "I didn't hear it enough when I was alive..."
"How..." Frankie asked.
"She hasn't had any nightmares in a long time," Abbie said softly.
Frankie shook her head wordlessly.
"You had a lot to do with that," Abbie said. "I can't thank you enough."
"I'd do anything for her," Frankie said softly.
Abbie looked at Frankie. "Would you give her up?"
"Never," Frankie answered.
"Mallory," Abbie said. "Mallory would be a good mother to her."
"Not as good as I am," Frankie said.
"I wanted her to find my little girl for such a long time," Abbie said. "And now she has..."
"She misses you, but she's our daughter now." Frankie said. "Mallory can't take her away."
"Frankie?" Will called out to her. "Frankie? What are you doing?"
Frankie jumped. "Uh... nothing." she looked around but Abbie was nowhere to be seen.
"Come on," Hannah urged. She rang her grandparents' doorbell.
Theodore opened it and grinned when he saw her. "Hannah Emily Barron, is that you?"
"Hi Grandpa!" Hannah said.
Theodore knelt down to give her a hug. "I'm glad you're here. Your brother and sister have been asking for you all day."
"They have?" Hannah asked brightly.
Isabelle crawled into the foyer and grinned at her sister. "Han..."
"Hi Izzie," Hannah crouched down. "Are you practising your walking?"
"She has," Theodore said, holding open the door for Will and Frankie.
"We brought you all a sample of the dessert pizza Hannah made," Will said holding out the box to his father.
"You made a pizza?" Ted asked.
Hannah nodded. "Mr. Capadora let me do it."
"Well I'm sure it's delicious," Ted grinned at her.
"Izzie, do you want pizza?" Hannah asked. "We'll have to give you a really small bite."
"Kay," Izzie looked up at her sister.
Hannah grinned. "Daddy, can we give her a bite now?"
He nodded. "A small one, just like you said."
Ted looked at his daughter-in-law. "Frankie? Are you okay? You look like you've just seen a ghost."
Frankie didn't want to admit that she had. "Just tired," she said in excuse.
"Abby has Nathan in the sitting room," Ted told her.
"Great," Frankie said. "I missed them today."
"They missed you, too," Ted said as they walked toward the sitting room. "And their big sister. They do love her so much."
Frankie smiled as she and Ted walked into the sitting room. Nathan's eyes lit up at the sight of his mother.
"Hi, little guy," Frankie said picking him up. "I missed you!"
"Ma!" Nathan grinned at her.
"They've both been really great today," Abby told her.
"Good," Frankie kissed Nathan's smooth little cheek. "Thank you so much for watching them."
"It was our pleasure," Abby said.
"Grandma, try some of my pizza," Hannah said.
"Okay," Abby said. Frankie followed them into the kitchen.
Hannah giggled. "Mummy, Izzie got some blueberry on her face!"
Frankie laughed. "So she did."
Izzie dipped her finger in her small piece and licked it off her finger. "Yummy!"
"Very yummy," Ted agreed.
Hannah took a small bite and handed it to her brother. "No mess, Nathan."
"Boo," Nathan said, picking up a blueberry.
Hannah giggled. "Boo-berry."
Nathan laughed too as he picked up the piece and tried to eat it.
Will came up behind Frankie and put his arms around her waist. "You okay? You've been quiet."
"I'm fine," Frankie said.
"This is our family," Will whispered in her ear.
"I know," Frankie said softly.
"Guess what, Grandma?" Hannah asked.
"What, love?" Abby asked.
"My mummy has a sister," Hannah told her.
"I know," Abby said. "She has two sisters, Chiaki and Allie."
Hannah shook her head. "My real mummy does."
"Oh," Abby said quietly.
"We... we were going to say something later," Frankie replied. "We're going to let Mallory have a supervised visit with Hannah soon."
Ted and Abby shared a look.
"It'll be fine," Will said. "We legally adopted her and no one can take her away from us."
Hannah dropped her fork and looked up at her mother. "She wants to take me away?"
"No," Frankie said. "No baby. And if she did, we'd never let that happen."
Hannah ran over to Frankie, and despite her dirty hands, wrapped her arms around her mother's waist.
"Sweetheart," Frankie said. "No one can take you away. Not ever."
"Promise?" Hannah asked.
"I promise," Frankie held out her pinky.
Hannah linked her finger with her mother's.
"See?" Frankie asked.
Hannah smiled. "I'm sorry I ruined your dress, Mummy."
"It's washable," Frankie said.
"Han!" Izzie squealed. "Bite?"
Hannah smiled. "Is it okay, Mummy?"
Frankie grinned. "It's okay."
"Another small bite," Hannah set it in front of her sister.
Frankie watched her children. She'd meant what she'd told Hannah. There was no way on earth Mallory would take her from them.