Authors' note: Thanks for the reviews as always. We might have a special treat for you guys if you are fans of the game Sims 2. We both are really into that and Heaven has actually created a group of Sims based on the Hillsdale HP crew. If you're interested in this, please let us know in your review.
As always, please let us know what you think by leaving us a word or two at the end! We appreciate all reviews and flames are used to melt sporks ;)
It seemed as if everyone decided to sleep in or occupy their morning in other ways which explained why no one came down for breakfast until after ten. Ron was the first one down and he was quite disappointed to find that there was no breakfast waiting for him. He grumbled as he prepared French toast and bacon for everyone.
"Grandpa!" Caroline said as she came into the kitchen followed by Jon, Katie and Ashley. "Something smells good!"
"Aye," Ron replied. "Your grandpa not only eats breakfast, he can make it too."
Caroline laughed and sat down at the table with Katie and Ashley.
"You girls want some orange juice?" Jon asked.
"I'd love some Daddy," Caroline replied.
"Thank you Uncle Jon," Ashley said politely.
"Daddy comes home today," Katie said excitedly to her older sister.
"He might come home today," Ashley corrected.
"He promised he'd come back today," Katie said, her face falling.
Ashley nodded. "I'm sure he'll try, Katie."
"Of course he will," Jon said handing the girls glasses of juice.
"I hope so," Katie said. "Mummy missed him more than we did."
"We can tell him all about how Dr. Ryan killed that soldier fish," Caroline said. She patted her father's arm. "I know you wanted to get him for me, Daddy."
"I would have baby if the good doctor hadn't," Jon kissed the top of her head.
Caroline smiled adoringly at him.
"Uncle Ron, can we go and wake Mummy up?" Katie asked.
"You could if you wanted but I'm sure she'll be down soon," Ron replied, bringing the French toast over to the table. "Besides, if you don't eat this now, I might and then there'll be none left."
"Or I might," a voice said from the doorway.
"DADDY!" Katie said scrambling to her feet.
"Hey sweetheart," Nick grinned, scooping his youngest into his arms. Ashley wasn't far behind and nearly knocked him off his feet.
"We missed you so much!" Ashley gushed. "We have loads to tell you!"
"Oh you do?" Nick asked hugging them both. "Daddy missed his girls as well."
Julie laughed as she watched Ashley lead Nick over to the table.
"Hi Uncle Nick," Caroline said grinning at him over her plate.
"Hey Caroline," Nick said, giving her a hug. "How is your leg?"
"Much better," Caroline replied.
"Guess what, Daddy?" Katie asked. "We met this really cool doctor and he took care of the soldier fish. The very same one that stung Caroline."
"That's what your mum told me," Nick said as Katie perched on his lap to eat her breakfast.
"Mummy?" Katie asked. "Can we go and see Dr. Ryan again today? Since we didn't get to stay for dinner?"
"I'm sure he's busy during the day sweetheart," Julie joined them. "Only if you see him on the beach and he's not already busy all right?" she shared a private smile with Nick.
Katie nodded and turned her attention back to her father. "You're not going to leave again, are you Daddy?"
"Nope," Nick shook his head. "I'm back for the rest of the holiday. I told them I wasn't leaving you guys again."
"Yay!" Katie said clapping her hands together. "You can watch us build the sandcastles again."
"If Caroline's leg is okay," Julie interjected.
"It feels better," Caroline nodded. "And Saffron saved my shells that I found!"
"We're still going to beat you," Ashley teased.
"No way," Caroline declared spiritedly. "Right Grandpa? We'll make the best sandcastle ever!"
"Absolutely," Ron said nodding. "I had some more ideas. You, Saffy and I are going to have to talk this over before we head out to the beach."
"We'll have a game plan too with Grandpa Harry," Ashley said competitively. "Our castle will be the best."
"I hope your Grandpa makes better castles than he plays chess," Ron said. He saw Ashley start to say something, but he shook his head. "Yes, yes. He beat me once, but that was with the help of his daughter who might I add is on my team?"
"But that's different," Ashley objected. "Grandpa Harry says he's more creative than you are."
Ron's mouth dropped. "Harry James Potter thinks he's more creative than me?"
Julie laughed. "Sorry Uncle Ron," she giggled. "I think he is too."
Caroline got out of her chair and walked around the table to her grandfather. "I think you're very creative, Grandpa."
"Thank you love," Ron said, giving her a hug. "At least someone appreciates me."
From over her grandfather's shoulder, Caroline looked at her father. "Daddy, what's creative mean?"
Jon laughed. "It means you have lots of ideas about how to do things."
"Oh," Caroline said smiling at Ron. "You ARE creative, Grandpa."
Ron nodded. "I quite agree."
*** *** ***
Around five the following morning, Ethan woke up to hear a rather loud tapping on his window. He groaned, thinking it was an owl calling him back to training but instead when he looked outside he saw that it had started to rain quite heavily.
With a grin, he pulled a jumper out of his drawers and slipped it on over his t shirt he always wore to bed then brushed his teeth and headed towards the room where Maddie was sleeping.
He opened the door and saw Maddie fast asleep, curled up in her blankets. Ethan gently touched her shoulder.
"Mads," he said softly.
"Hmmm," she murmured.
"Wake up Maddie," Ethan whispered. "It's raining out."
"What?" she asked staring sleepily up at him. "Raining?"
"Yeah," he grinned. "Thought you might want to go... twirling." his eyes twinkled.
"Twirling?" she asked rubbing her eyes. "I thought you didn't want to call it that."
He laughed softly. "Had to get your attention somehow."
"I should probably get a jumper," she said pulling her covers back. "Is it cold out?"
"Probably a bit," Ethan answered. "And go brush your teeth will you?" he grinned as she tossed a pillow at him.
"It's not as if I'm going to kiss anyone," she teased.
His eyebrows rose. "Well if that's the case then I'm going back to bed. I'm not ashamed to admit I have ulterior motives here."
"Relax, Romeo," Maddie said disappearing into her bathroom. "I'm brushing my teeth."
Ethan waited for her in the hall. "Ready?" he whispered, not wanting anyone to wake up and find them.
"I have a confession to make," she said softly as they walked downstairs. "I've never gone and twirled in the rain."
"Really," Ethan was surprised. "I thought you were an expert."
"In snow," she pointed out. "Never in rain. So what about you, do you 'spin' in the rain on a regular basis or is this a first for you as well?"
"I was never crazy enough to do either until I fell for Completely Mad Maddie," he teased her.
She laughed and pushed him forward. They opened the door and stood out on the porch for a few moments. "So...how do we do this? On the beach? Out here on the porch?" she asked him.
"I imagine this is just like spinning in the snow only a little more wet," Ethan replied. "And I'm letting you do the guiding here."
She smiled and took his hand. "Let's go out on the beach then."
"Sounds good to me," Ethan said. They laughed as they dodged through the heavy raindrops and onto the wet sand.
Maddie giggled as Ethan pulled her close and they began to slow dance.
"You sure you haven't been practising without me?" she asked raising an eyebrow at him.
"I'm a natural talent remember?" he said boastfully.
Ethan dipped her low and her hair grazed the sand. "It's all coming back to me now."
"Good," he replied, holding her close. "Do you remember this?" he asked, picking her up at the waist and spinning her around.
Maddie laughed happily as he spun her around. "Yes. I remember this."
"Minus the falling part of course," Ethan laughed too as he spun them a bit faster. She let her head fall back and her wet hair streamed behind her like a bright banner.
Maddie again marvelled at the fact that she and Ethan were here---in the same place both emotionally and physically. Never in her wildest dreams did she think that something like this would happen.
"There," Ethan said, setting her down. "I didn't topple us over this time."
"You're getting better," she said looking at him. "I love you, Ethan. Very, very much."
"I love you too," Ethan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "More than I thought I could love any girl."
Maddie beamed at him. "Really?"
"Really," he leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose.
Her teeth began to chatter from the cold rain. "D-do you want to go back inside?"
He chuckled. "Sure," he said putting his arm over her shoulders.
They walked back up the beach toward the house.
"Maybe next time we can twirl in the sunlight," she joked. "Or the moonlight."
"Or both," Ethan grabbed the blanket from the back of the chaise and wrapped it around her, casting a warming charm on it at the same time. "How's that for a little wandless magic?" he asked.
"I didn't know you could do that," Maddie said in surprise. "I knew your father could, but..."
"I've been taking special training courses," he replied, pulling a blanket over his own shoulders. "Plus I have a great mentor..."
"Yes you do," Maddie said. She knew how much Ethan idolised his father. "He's really proud of you, too."
"What about you?" Ethan traced a water droplet down her cheek.
"I'm very proud of you," she replied softly. "You know that."
He smiled at her before sitting on the chaise and pulling her into his lap. "I'm proud of you too, with this whole Seer thing."
She blushed. "I'm not even sure what it all means."
"We'll get you sorted out soon," Ethan shifted and wrapped his arms around her.
"I can't wait to talk to my Grandpa Lovegood about this," she said. "And those people at the Department of Mysteries."
"According to my Mum they haven't had a true Seer working there for a long time now," Ethan kissed the side of her head. "I'm sure it'll be interesting for them to have you around."
"To say the least," Maddie said relaxing against him.
They sat in silence for a few moments, just enjoying the sound of the rain and the peace of the early morning. "It's funny- a year ago right now I was just meeting Bree," Ethan said. "And at that point I still hadn't thought of you this way and now look at us."
"I know," Maddie whispered. "Completely besotted with each other. Who'd have thought?"
They smiled at each other and Ethan leaned in and kissed her. "You apparently, when you were four." he whispered before cupping her face in his hands and kissing her again.
As he deepened the kiss, Maddie wondered how it was possible for one kiss from the man you loved to make you lose any and all coherent thoughts. She, of course, didn't have any one to compare his kisses to, but he was really, really great at it.
She shifted in his arms and he burrowed his hands into her wet hair, liking how the strands slid through his fingers. Ethan had been telling her the truth when he'd said he didn't know he could love anyone else like this- he didn't know how things just managed to click for him and Maddie but they had.
"Ethan," Maddie whispered when they finally broke apart. "I could get used to this."
"I could too," he rubbed his thumb along her swollen lower lip. "You make me happy Mads. When training got tough over these past few months I'd pull out one of your letters." he grinned charmingly at her. "That always helped a lot. Now though..."
"Now what?" she asked smiling back at him.
"I don't think a simple letter will do. Not after this," he rested his forehead on hers, his hands still running through her hair.
"We'll get to see each other more often," Maddie said softly. "You still have training, but we'll get to see each other more than once every five months..."
"Especially since your mum and dad have moved back to England," Ethan agreed, stroking her cheek.
"Mum's really excited about taking things over from Grandpa," Maddie said enjoying how soft and safe his touch was.
"I bet she is," Ethan said. "Your mum's very talented when it comes to writing."
"She really is amazing," Maddie said. "She can just sit down and write. It just seems to come so easily for her."
Ethan gave her a little kiss. "Looks as if a career is coming just as easily for you." he replied.
Maddie shrugged. "I don't know. I still have so many questions."
"It's just a shame that so many people think Seers are just glorified fortune tellers." Ethan replied. "Makes it more difficult for people to actually believe in them."
"What do you think?" Maddie asked him; desperately wanting to know what he thought about all of this. "About Seers, I mean. Honestly, Ethan. Don't tell me what you think I want to hear."
He kept her close but his eyes averted down. "I'm not sure what I believe yet Mads," he replied softly. "Don't get me wrong- I don't think you're making any of this up. I guess I'm just a little sceptical."
Maddie nodded and put her hand on his face so he would look at her. "It's okay, Ethan. I want you to be honest with me. That's very important to me."
"I think once anyone gets to know you they'd realise you're not the type to make something like this up." Ethan smiled at her. "I believe you though."
"And you love me," Maddie said happily, resting her head on his shoulder. "That's good enough for me."
"I do love you," Ethan grinned.
"Say it again," Maddie said closing her eyes.
"I love you Maddie," Ethan said softly.
"I love you," she whispered right before she drifted off to sleep.
Ethan kissed her forehead before pulling the blankets back up over her shoulders. Their clothes were still damp from the rain but the charm he'd put on the blankets would keep them both warm. It wasn't long after that Ethan felt his own eyes closing and he fell into a deep sleep.
*** *** ***
The early morning rain gave way to a beautiful, sunny day in the afternoon. Everyone pretty much went to the beach. Maddie and Ethan went out for a ride on Ron's boat with Drew and Darla. The others were either getting some sun or enjoying the water, except of course for the six people diligently working on sand castles.
"These are some really awesome shells, Caroline," Saffron said as she helped Ron mould some sand.
"Thanks Saffy," Caroline said proudly. "I think they're so pretty."
"We deserve to win," Saffy said winking at the younger girl. "After how you got hurt like you did. That was very brave of you."
"I love the beach," Caroline answered. "I just don't like that soldier fish. But Grandpa won't let another one get me, will you Grandpa?"
Ron nodded. "Of course not. No one's going to hurt my sweet girl."
Caroline grinned as she arranged some of her shells along the top.
"Theirs looks really nice Grandpa," Katie said with a worried glance. "What if we lose? I don't want to clean up after everyone."
"Don't worry about them," Harry said smiling reassuringly at her. "Just pretend like they're not even over there. And I think ours looks amazing."
"Okay," Katie said uncertainly. "I really want some chocolate cake from that bakery."
"If we lose," Harry began.
"Grandpa!" Ashley interrupted.
"Shh," Harry said quickly. "If we lose, I promise that I will take you girls to the bakery and you can get all the chocolate cake you want."
Ashley and Katie grinned. "Okay," they both said happily.
Allison and Jon walked over to check on their daughter. Jon was carrying baby Emma who was wearing an adorable pink bathing suit and matching hat.
"Caroline?" Allison said kneeling down in front of her daughter. "Your cheeks are looking red. Will you put on your hat so you don't get sunburned?"
"Okay Mummy," Caroline agreed, smiling happily at her mother.
"This looks brilliant, Dad!" Jon said looking down at the castle. "Merlin's beard! You even did the lake!"
"Shh!" Ron said. "I don't want Harry to hear!"
"Sorry," Jon said sheepishly.
"It is pretty great, isn't it?" Saffron asked moving back so she could get a look at it.
"How do you like my shells, Daddy?" Caroline asked.
"Those are fantastic sweetheart," Jon replied. "You did a great job of picking them out."
"They're beautiful," Allison agreed smiling at her daughter whose leg was still bandaged from her wound.
"It's too bad little Emma isn't old enough to help out," Ron said looking up at his youngest granddaughter. "I'm sure she'd be down here with us if she could."
"Someday," Jon grinned at his baby who gave him a gummy smile in return.
Hermione and Luna walked down the beach to join them and stood in front of the two teams.
"You lot have five minutes," Luna announced. "And then the judging will begin."
"We're almost done," Harry said.
"I hate to say this," Nick whispered to Julie. "But I think our little girls and their grandpa are going to be doing a lot of cleaning up this holiday."
"I don't know," Julie whispered back. "I think my mum and Luna might call it a draw just to keep any feelings from being hurt."
"It's too bad we don't have an impartial judge," Nick said with a laugh.
Katie looked over her shoulder and saw Dr. Ryan Burke approaching them. "Mummy! Look! It's Dr. Ryan!"
Julie turned to look and she saw her husband stiffen. "Nick," she said softly. "Don't worry."
"Hello, Katie and Ashley," Ryan said warmly. "Mr. Potter. It's great to see you again."
"You too," Harry smiled and dusted his hand off before shaking Ryan's.
"Beautiful day, isn't it?" Ryan asked. "After such a horrible start."
"Hello, Ryan," Julie said politely.
"Jewel," he said without thinking. He hadn't even realised what he'd called her, but Nick had. He didn't know the significance of it, of course, but he saw his wife flinch somewhat at the name. "Good to see you, too."
"I'd like you to meet my husband," Julie squeezed Nick's hand. "This is Nick Malfoy, Nick this is Ryan Burke."
"I heard so much about you from your daughters, I feel like I know you already," Ryan said extending his hand.
"They certainly like to talk," Nick forced a smile on his face and shook the man's hand.
"How did everything to last night with your patient?" Julie asked conversationally.
Ryan smiled. "She had a healthy baby boy with quite a set of lungs on him."
"That's wonderful," Julie said softly.
Nick put an arm around his wife and pulled her close.
The smile on Ryan's face faltered a bit. Thankfully, Katie and Ashley waved him over to get a look at their castle.
"Wow this is amazing," Ryan said, trying not to steal a look at Nick and Julie.
"Nick don't start," Julie said quietly. "We talked this over the night you got home."
"He still fancies you," Nick said tersely. "I don't believe for one moment the good doctor over there came over here just to watch them build sand castles."
"He doesn't know me," Julie whispered furiously. "I'm not the same person I was when he and I dated all right?"
"He called you 'Jewel'," Nick said pulling his arm away.
"I know but it doesn't mean anything," Julie said. "At least not to me. You have absolutely nothing to worry about." she put on her most appeasing smile and touched his cheek.
Nick wasn't so sure, however. But any words he had to say were cut off by Hermione clapping her hands together. "Time's up!"
Harry, Ron and the girls stood up, both teams eyeing their castles with pride.
Luna and Hermione both took turns walking around each castle. They'd decided to judge based on creativity, completeness and overall presentation. Team Weasley's sand castle looked like a perfect replica of Hogwarts castle right down to the lake and Hagrid's hut.
Team Potter's was slightly less flashy- they didn't have the precision that Ron's team had but the turrets on their castle, albeit slightly lopsided, were made with care and seaweed was in the moat to represent water.
"I don't know Luna," Hermione said with a frown.
"Neither do I," Luna said. "Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea for us to judge."
"I say we call a draw," Hermione whispered. "Both are just fantastic in their own way, although Ron's is definitely more professional looking."
"They're never going to go for that," Luna whispered back. "You know how competitive our husbands are."
"What do we do?" Hermione asked.
Luna looked over at Ryan who was still chatting with Katie and Ashley. She knew that Dr. Burke couldn't be an impartial judge. Hermione watched as Luna took off down the beach.
"Where's Grandma going?" Caroline asked Hermione.
"I don't know sweetheart," Hermione answered.
A few moments later, Luna came back with three people. "I'd like you all to meet Susannah, Kevin and Martin. They have agreed to judge our contest."
Hermione took Luna aside but Luna just smiled. "Just relax, Hermione. They're Muggles. They have no idea who we are or what these castles are supposed to be. More importantly, they're impartial."
"Okay," Hermione whispered back, wishing she had her bag next to her with her wand in it just in case.
Luna had explained to the three Muggles what the judging criteria was and the three strangers took their jobs very seriously. They spent a good ten minutes surveying each castle and whispering to each other.
"Grandpa what if we lose?" Katie asked worriedly.
"We'll be good sports," Harry said putting an arm around her.
"I don't want to clean up after everyone," Ashley crossed her arms.
"Neither do I,' Katie agreed.
Harry nodded. He certainly didn't relish cleaning up after everyone either, especially Ron. Knowing his best friend, he had a feeling Ron would definitely lord this over him for some time to come.
Susannah stood in between the castles and smiled at both teams. "We had a hard time coming to a decision. Both of your castles were really great and imaginative. But by a vote of two to one, we think castle number one is the winner."
Saffron jumped to her feet and high-fived Ron.
"Oh no," Katie's face crumpled.
"It's okay," Harry said picking her up. "We can't win 'em all."
"But I love our castle," Katie said, trying to stifle her tears.
"Grandpa we won!" Caroline was too excited to notice Katie's tears.
"We sure did, Caroline!" Ron said scooping her up and twirling her around.
"Mum!" Saffron said running over to Hermione. "We won!"
"Congratulations sweetheart," Hermione hugged her daughter. "It's a lovely sandcastle."
"Did you like my lake?" Saffron asked.
"Aye, very much," Hermione nodded as Luna thanked the Muggles.
Harry walked over to get a better look at his daughter's castle.
"The lake was your idea, eh?" he asked Saffron.
"Yes," Saffron said. "Like it Dad?"
"It's amazing, Saffy," Harry said proudly. Whereas Julie was very much like her mother and Ethan was very much his father's son, Saffron was a blend of the two of them.
"Thanks Dad," Saffron gave him a hug. "I'm sorry yours didn't win though. It's really kind of cool..."
"Thanks, Saffy," Harry said. "You are really going to enjoy me cleaning up after you, aren't you?"
Saffron pulled her father's arm. "I heard Uncle Ron say he wouldn't make you guys clean up too much. He loves Ashley and Katie too much to do that to them." she whispered.
"But he didn't include me in that, did he?" Harry asked. "Face it, Saffy. He's going to love every minute of this."
"I'll make sure he's not too harsh on you okay Dad?" Saffron grinned. "Even if our castle was better you're still my old dad."
"Thanks," Harry said, smiling at her. His smile faded when he realised what she'd said. "Old?"
Saffron laughed. "Mum told me to throw that word in sometimes to see what you do."
"Did she?" Harry asked looking over at his wife who was talking with Jon and Allison. "Excuse me for a moment, Saffy."
"So, I was thinking," Hermione was saying as Harry walked over to her. "Harry? What...why are you picking me up?"
"I just wanted to make sure I'm not too old to do this!" Harry tossed his wife into the waves.
"Harry James Potter!" Hermione exclaimed angrily when she emerged. "I can't believe you just did that!"
"You told our daughter to call me old," Harry pointed out with a smug grin.
"You are old," Hermione retorted walking past him.
"Not too old to do this!" Harry grabbed her again and tossed her back into the water.
Hermione was positively livid when she stood up. If she had her wand and if there weren't numerous Muggles on this beach, she'd make him pay.
"You do that again and I'll....," she began, but she was so upset she didn't know what to say.
"What?" Harry gave her a charming grin as he pushed his way into the water.
"Throwing me in the water not once, but twice," Hermione muttered to herself. "Of all the egotistical, childish, immature..."
Harry leaned in and gave her a rather passionate kiss right there in front of everyone.
A few people hooted and hollered from the shore. Hermione abruptly pulled away and looked dazedly at her husband.
"What was that now?" Harry's eyes twinkled mischievously.
"I---can't remember," she said moving in for another kiss, but at the last minute she stepped aside causing her husband to fall face first into the water.
Ron nearly fell over laughing on the shore. "Way to go Hermione!"
"You're good," Hermione said when Harry got to his feet. "But I'm better."
"Right," Harry picked her up again. She yelped and started to move around as he moved into deeper water.
"Harry," Hermione said looking at him. "We're not setting a good example for the grandchildren."
"And telling them to call me old is a good example?" Harry raised an eyebrow. "Forgive me dear if I'm mistaken but are you not almost a year older than your devoted husband?"
"Yes," she admitted reluctantly. "Okay, I'm sorry for telling Saffy to call you old."
Harry leaned in and kissed her again before turning around and heading back for shore, Hermione still in his arms.
"After what we did yesterday morning in the shower," Hermione said in his ear. "I can say that you are most definitely not old."
Harry laughed as he set her back on dry land. "How about a reprise tonight?" he whispered. "An encore performance, say?"
"I think that can be arranged," Hermione whispered back, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "Where would we be without silencing charms, eh?"
"I don't know how the Muggles do it," Harry whispered as Drew, Darla, Ethan and Maddie came roaring up to shore on the boat.
"Did we miss the judging?" Darla asked as she and Drew got out of the boat.
"It sure seems that way," Drew said. "But from the look on Dad's face, I think he was victorious."
Ethan laughed as he helped Maddie off the side of the boat. "My dad doesn't look worse for wear though."
"No he doesn't," Maddie said giggling. "Thanks for taking us out today. It was really great."
"Aye that was fun," Ethan agreed. "Maybe before we go home you and me will have to take a spin by ourselves," he whispered as Maddie tucked some flyaway strands of hair behind her ears.
"That sounds good to me," she said smiling at him.
"Still got your sea legs?" he laughed. "You were falling all over out there."
"That's because you were going so fast!" Maddie teased.
"Fast is fun," Ethan proclaimed, his arm around her waist as they headed through the waves towards the shore. "It's like flying only on water."
"Hard to believe you used to be afraid of the water, isn't it?" Maddie asked.
Ethan laughed. "Now how do you remember that?" he teased.
"Everyone talks about it," Maddie replied with a grin.
"I see," Ethan leaned in and gave her a quick kiss.
"If it makes you feel any better, I used to be scared of the dark," she said.
"I think I was when I was about two," Ethan joked. "But I think all kids were scared of the dark at one point." he grinned at her.
"Is there anything you're afraid of now?" she asked him.
"Losing you," he said in her ear.
Maddie looked up at him. "Losing me is your biggest fear?"
He shrugged. "Being an Auror, you learn to not be afraid of a lot of things, but fear losing what you do have."
"I'm not going anywhere Ethan," she said squeezing his hand. "I'm here to stay."
He grinned at that and kissed her again, his arms going around her waist to lift her right out of the water.
"Ethan!" Saffron yelled from the shore. "Quit snogging your girlfriend and come look at my castle!'
"Jeez Saffy," Ethan muttered as he pulled his mouth away from Maddie's. "She has the worst bloody timing. I say we stay out here a few minutes just to make her mad."
"Come on," Maddie said tugging his hand. "I want to see it, too. And you did promise to spend time with your sister, Ethan."
"I have spent time with her though," Ethan replied, allowing Maddie to drag him through the surf back to the beach.
Maddie shook her head. "I happen to like your little sister very much. We all remember too well what happened with your last girlfriend, don't we?"
Ethan made a face at her. "Saffy loves you Maddie. She'd never be angry about you taking up my time."
Saffron ran toward them. Excitedly, she took her older brother's hand. "Wait until you see it, Ethan. It's practically a miniature Hogwarts. The lake was MY idea. And Caroline did the shells and Uncle Ron..."
"Wow Saffy," Ethan was impressed. "This is definitely fantastic!"
"I beat your father," Ron said proudly. "I don't know if you heard that or not, but I beat him. Mister Youngest Seeker in 100 years. Mister Big Shot Auror. King of All Rabbits..."
Caroline looked quizzically at her grandfather. "Uncle Harry is the King of All Rabbits?"
"Yeah why don't you explain why I'm called the King of All Rabbits Ron," Harry said wickedly.
Ron glared at Harry before turning his attention to his granddaughter. "Well, Caroline....um...Luna, do you want to help me out on this one?"
"Not really Ronald," Luna smiled at him dreamily as Harry snickered.
Ron put his head in his hands.
"Grandpa," Caroline asked innocently. "If Uncle Harry's the King of All Rabbits, what does that make you?"
"The King of the Bottomless Stomachs," Harry intoned, making all of them, even Ron start laughing.
Julie laughed as she knelt down beside Katie. "Let's put some more suntan lotion on you so you don't get burned."
Nick was still standing with his arms crossed as the good Dr. Ryan said goodbye and ambled back off to his own place.
"Nick don't," Julie muttered as he knelt beside her and Katie. "We'll talk later."
"You don't have plans to go boating with the good doctor," Nick said sarcastically. "I'm shocked. He all but got down on one knee..."
"I said stop it," Julie snapped sharply.
"Fine," Nick said with a shrug.
"Mummy," Katie asked looking down at her arm which was practically caked with suntan lotion. "I think that's enough..."
"Oh I'm sorry love," Julie said, grabbing a towel to wipe some off. "You go ahead and play with Caroline and your sister."
"Okay," Katie said pecking her mother on the cheek before running off down the beach toward her sister and Caroline.
Julie gave her husband a cold glare before turning away to talk to Ethan. "So you and Maddie are getting along rather well aye?" she asked.
"Very well," Ethan admitted. "I love her, Jules."
Julie couldn't stop her grin. "That is so sweet Ethan."
"Go ahead and say it," Ethan said folding his arms and grinning back at her. "You've been waiting years to say it. Go ahead. You're dying to tell me you told me so, aren't you?"
Julie laughed. "I don't think I need to say it, do I? Actions speak louder than words- like that little snog show you put on out there in the water."
"You saw that, did you?" Ethan asked.
"Everyone saw that Ethan." Julie put her hand on his arm. "Including everyone on the planes, in their beach homes, oh and all the way back in London too."
"What are you talking about?" Saffron asked joining them. "Oh, I know. Is this about Ethan being in lurve with Maddie?"
"Ethan and Maddie sitting in the tree," Julie started to sing.
Drew and Darla were laughing. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Drew grinned. "Remember when we used to sing that at Jon and Allie when we'd catch them snogging?"
"At the top of your lungs," Jon said with a groan. "Yes, it's all coming back to me now."
"They weren't as bad as Frankie," Allison said grinning at her sisters-in-law. "She used to just stare at us."
Jon laughed. "Or we'd catch her spying when we'd be in the common room together after everyone else went to bed." he snorted. "Thank goodness she has her own love life now. Or rather... love lives."
"She hit the ground running when she turned fifteen," Allison said laughing. "And hasn't looked back since then. She owled me a couple of days ago and said that she was serious about someone named Andre."
"What happened to that guy Will?" Jon asked with a laugh.
"She said she was so over him it was pathetic," Allison replied.
Julie laughed. "She's definitely the non committal type."
"Reminds me a bit of Aunt Lav," Ethan said. "Before she married Seamus."
"The three times before she married Seamus that is?" Julie laughed. "The marriages that still to this day never existed?"
Everyone laughed. "If I ever get married, I want her to design my dress," Drew chimed in. "The dress she did for your wedding to Nick, Jules...that was really amazing."
Julie's smile faded slightly as she looked at her husband who was keeping an eye on their daughters. "Yes it was gorgeous," she agreed.
"Alright, Jules?" Ethan asked.
"Just fine," Julie said a little too quickly. "Everything's just fine." her smile was genuine as Maddie joined them and Ethan put an arm around her waist.
"I feel as if I'm interrupting something," Maddie said looking between them.
"We're just talking," Drew said. "About you and Ethan kissing in the tree." she laughed at her sister's expression.
"Drew!" Maddie said blushing.
"Oh come on Mad Dog you've been dying for this to happen for years," Drew teased.
"Stop it Drew," Darla replied. "I think it's sweet."
"I think it's sweet too, but at least I can get back at her for teasing you and me about living in Ireland," Drew explained.
Maddie laughed. "Come on Drew- after all the fuss you put Dad through when we were kids only to stay on there after we moved back here..."
"From a business standpoint, it makes sense," Drew said defensively.
"Right," Maddie giggled, leaning against Ethan. "I need some sun block." she told him.
Ethan grinned. "I'd be more than willing to help you with that."
"Great," Maddie gave him a grin as they went over to their towels.
"I'm getting a bit of a headache," Julie said. "I'm going back in the cottage to lie down for a bit."
"We'll tell Nick and the girls where you are," Darla promised.
"Okay," Julie said, heading back towards the cabin. It was cool inside and she lowered the shades in the bedroom so it was nice and dark.
Nick had watched his wife go inside. He didn't like fighting with her. Part of him wanted to apologise for reacting the way he had and the other part wanted to sit and stew over this for awhile. After checking with Jon and Allie to make sure they'd watch out for Katie and Ashley, he set off for the house.
Julie had just lain down on the bed when she heard the front door to the cottage open. She ignored it, thinking someone had just forgotten something they needed on the beach.
Nick sighed before opening the door. The room was dark and Julie was lying down on the bed, her back to him.
"You okay?" he asked sitting on the edge of the bed.
She closed her eyes tight, wondering if she should try to pretend to be asleep. "No," she said tightly. "I'm really not okay."
"Neither am I," Nick said angrily. "I just don't get it, Julie."
"Don't get WHAT, Nicholas?" Julie turned on her back and glared at him. "I've bloody told you that Ryan means nothing, absolutely NOTHING to me anymore."
"I couldn't tell," Nick retorted. "What with how you were fawning all over him on the beach."
"How the hell was I fawning over him?" Julie snapped. "I was perfectly friendly, that's all!"
Nick stood up. "How could you be nice to someone who treated you like he did? You walked on the beach with him. You had him over for dinner. That would be like me inviting my parents over for Christmas dinner."
Julie pressed her fingers to her temples. "If that's the case then how could I love someone who treated me like you did? Whether or not you were lying to me that day you ended things between us at Hillsdale, you still broke my heart. And that hurt me a million times worse than anything Ryan ever said to me." tears filled her eyes. "I never loved him Nick. Never."
Nick hadn't known that. He'd always assumed that she had loved Ryan.
"You know that I had no choice," Nick began. "I did what I had to do because of Greta, Julie. You know that."
"Don't start it again," Julie turned back on her side. "I've heard it all before Nick. Greta has nothing to do with your jealousy over what's happening right now." she wiped her eyes. "What it really comes down to is that you quite obviously don't trust me. And nothing I do, say or show you can change that."
"I do trust you," Nick said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Jules, I don't trust HIM. And I can't believe that you do."
"For the last bloody time," Julie's eyes were now blazing. "He doesn't remember me! He knows I'm married to you and YOU know that I'd never do anything to jeopardise that."
He wanted to believe her. "I know, Jules. It's just..."
His voice broke off as he considered telling her his deep secret. "You and I are married. We've been together for so long. You and the girls are everything to me. But you know how busy I've been with the album...I'm scared to death of turning into my father. And I know if I'm anything like him, you'll leave."
Julie softened a bit at his words. "You think because you're busy that you're turning into your father?" she asked incredulously. "Nick I know what it's like to be busy. You've seen me at the end of term- the amount of work I have to do for my students. It's the same way for me."
"I saw him with the girls today," Nick said looking away from her. "I saw how easily they took to him. And I just remembered how when I was little, I used to want so badly for one of my parents to do something with me. But there was always some big party to go to or some holiday they planned without me. And I don't want that to happen with you and the girls."
"It's not going to," Julie said, turning over again on her back. "Nick our daughters adore you. They were so excited to have you back with us again yesterday."
"I know," Nick said looking down. "I should know that."
"Yes you should," Julie touched his cheek with her hand. "Nick we're not going anywhere. Even though you're busy you still make time for us. The girls certainly don't feel neglected." she leaned in. "I know for sure that I don't feel neglected."
He hugged her to him. "Can you believe it? The famous, confident Nick Malfoy is really an insecure prat with unresolved father issues. That would sell so many papers for my Aunt Luna."
Julie smiled. "I think all you need to see that you're being a good father is the way our girls are with you."
"And even when I'm being a complete arse, my wife forgives me?" Nick asked hopefully.
"I think maybe she can," Julie buried her face in his shoulder. "As long as said husband puts the jealousy in the rubbish bin where it belongs."
"He will," Nick said hoping he could keep that promise.
"Good," Julie said pulling back. "Now will the husband please kiss his wife?"
"Yes," Nick said pressing his lips to hers.
She kissed him back rather passionately. "I should hope that would give you an inkling," she whispered.
"I may need some more convincing," Nick said grinning at her.
"I may need a headache spell first," Julie said. "I really do have one."
Nick smiled. "Let me go and get my wand. Don't go anywhere."
"I won't," Julie said softly.
Nick kissed her once more before heading out of the bedroom to retrieve his wand.
As he walked downstairs, he heard noise coming from the kitchen.
"How many glasses of lemonade do we have to get?" Katie was asking her older sister.
"For you and me, Grandma and Grandpa, Caroline, Ethan, Maddie and Drew," Ashley said counting the people out on her fingers. "They were the only ones who wanted some."
"What are you girls up to?" Nick asked his daughters with a smile.
"Getting lemonade," Katie answered as she poured some into some plastic cups. Most of it ended up on the counter, however. "You want some, Daddy?"
"I sure do," Nick replied. "But your Mum's got a headache. Let me go help her and then we'll both come have some lemonade with you okay?"
"You promise?" Katie asked him.
"I'll be right back sweetheart," Nick chuckled at the spilled lemonade.
Julie sat up when Nick came back into the bedroom.
"What's so funny?" she asked him.
"Our girls are trying to get lemonade for everyone but most of it's winding up on the counters and the floor." he laughed. "That pitcher is bigger than Katie."
She laughed just picturing it. "You may need that wand for a cleaning spell then."
"But first..." he waved it at her head. "There, how's that feel?"
"Better," she said kissing him. "Thank you."
"Anything for you Jules," Nick said softly. "I love you so much."
"I love you," she said touching his cheek. "And you never have to doubt that."
"I won't," he said. "I'll... try not to. And as long as you keep telling me I don't have to doubt you, I won't."
"Good," she said. "So, how about we go downstairs and help the girls before they flood the kitchen?"
"Good idea," Nick gave her a quick kiss and they went down hand in hand.