Authors' note: Two exciting events in this chapter. Saffron's hen night and Andrew's stag party. And---the arrival of the newest Weasley---ickle Olivia. We hope you enjoy! Please read and review!
Saffron was excited for her hen night- some time out with her best friends was what she needed. Her parents were watching Ellie for the night and she and Andrew had just dropped her off.
"Promise you'll behave?" Andrew asked teasingly.
"Only if you promise double," Saffron poked him.
"Me?" Andrew asked innocently. "Get into trouble?"
"Not you... but RJ." Saffron replied.
"He's just taking me to the Veela Snatch," Andrew said, trying to keep a straight face.
"He better not!" Saffron exclaimed.
Andrew laughed and pulled her close. "Saf, you know he's not. I was kidding."
"I don't want you coming back with some disease," Saffron wrinkled her nose.
Andrew gave her a kiss. "You have nothing to worry about. I have everything I need right here."
Saffron smiled. "Me too."
"So, we're all meeting up at Jon and Josh's pub later, right?" Andrew asked. "If you girls aren't in jail..."
"Ha!" Saffron said. "I've got extra money just in case I have to bail you out. Of course, I might just leave RJ in there all night..."
Andrew laughed. "To teach him a lesson?"
"Something like that," Saffron kissed him again.
"Oy!" RJ called out. "Hands off, you tart! He's a taken man!"
"Ugh," Saffron groaned. "His impeccable timing."
"Oh, it is the old ball and chain," RJ said grinning at her.
Saffron made a move to kick him but Andrew held her back.
"Easy," Andrew said. "Let's not start the night out with assault and battery."
"Especially after what I have planned," RJ said. "This is going to be the best night of your life, Kirke."
Saffron shot him a look. "RJ..."
"Second best?" RJ asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure the stag party is going to come in before the birth of his child," Saffron said rolling her eyes.
Andrew laughed. "I've been looking forward to it, like Saf's been excited about her hen night."
Saffron looked at her watch. "Which I'm late for. I'll see you blokes later."
Andrew hugged her to him. "Have fun."
"You too," Saffron said softly. "I love you."
"Love you," he said. "See you in a few hours."
RJ clapped Andrew on the back. The two of them were meeting Andrew's teammates and some friends at The Leaky Cauldron.
"Are you ready?" RJ asked. "I've been looking forward to this all week."
Andrew nodded. "Yeah."
"Come on mate," RJ said. "It's one of your last nights as a single bloke."
"I know," Andrew said. "But, I'm not exactly sorry to see my single days go by the wayside."
"I suppose I'll feel that way when I finally tie the knot with Aud," RJ said thoughtfully.
"RJ Weasley finally growing up," Andrew joked.
"Shut it," RJ punched him on the shoulder. "Come on."
They arrived at the Leaky Cauldron where Andrew's teammates were already sitting at the bar. "Let's get them all pissed so I can get some of your trade secrets," RJ said with a grin. "I mean I am slumming by hanging out with you Wimbourne losers so I might as well get something out of it."
"You mean like how we're going to beat the trousers of you next match?" Andrew asked.
RJ laughed. "Yeah, right."
"Wait and see," Andrew said with a grin.
"Come on," Andrew's team mate Russell said. "We've got a room upstairs for the party."
"Great," Andrew said. "Does everyone have a drink already?"
His teammates each raised a glass.
"And don't worry," Russell said with a grin. "We've got something for you up there already."
Andrew chuckled. "Should I be afraid?"
"Maybe," Russell replied, laughing.
Andrew shrugged. "Okay, then. Let's see what you have upstairs then..."
RJ caught the look Russell gave one of Andrew's other team mates and pulled on his best friend's arm. "I don't know what they've got up there. No one told me about any surprises..."
Andrew stopped in his tracks. "Um..."
"If it gets rowdy, we'll get you out of there," RJ told him. "I don't want to start anything with Saffron."
"Kirke!" Russell called out. "Come on!"
Andrew looked over at RJ before following his team mates upstairs. "Guys--" he began.
"Andrew," Russell said cutting him off. "Have a seat..."
"What's going on?" Andrew asked suspiciously. "What did you do?"
"Have a seat," Russell said with a grin.
"If you got a dancer--" Andrew began again.
Russell shoved Andrew down into a chair. "Sit."
"Wait a minute--" RJ began.
"Start the music," Russell called out.
The lights dimmed and Andrew saw a flash and a very scantily clad girl appeared before him.
"Where's the groom-to-be?" the girl asked. "Hmmm...."
"Right here!" Russell said, laughing.
Andrew shook his head. "Russ, mate...come on..."
"Saffron won't know," Russell told him. "Come on, just enjoy it!"
"I'm Layla," the girl said seductively.
"Hi," Andrew mumbled. "Um... I'm really not into this. So you don't have to dance for me. Go for one of those other blokes."
"They're not the groom," Layla said plopping down on his lap.
"I wont' be either if you keep this up." Andrew said.
Layla kissed him on the cheek before standing up and walking over to Andrew's more enthusiastic teammates.
Andrew breathed a sigh of relief.
RJ shook his head. "I honestly had no idea, mate."
"I know," Andrew replied. "We'll keep this between us."
"I've seen her do that thing her dad does every now and then when he gets angry," RJ said shuddering at the memory. "Gets that look on her face and books start falling off the shelves...glass breaks..."
"Yeah I don't want to go through that," Andrew said hastily.
"Me either," RJ agreed.
"Let's let them enjoy her," Andrew said. "And let's grab a beer."
"Good idea," RJ said.
Meanwhile across town, the girls were just sitting down to dinner. "I'm starved," Saffron said.
"Me too," Mimi agreed. "I haven't eaten anything since breakfast."
"Same here," Beth replied. "I've been working like crazy."
"My aunt will do that to you," Saffron said.
"I am getting some really good experience," Beth said.
"I'm happy for you, Beth," Saffron said. "I really am."
"Well I owe it all to you," Beth replied.
"I got you in the door," Saffron corrected her. "But, your talent is keeping you there."
Beth smiled. "Thanks."
Mimi grinned at Alexa. "And now we have Lexie back where she belongs!"
"And I'm staying," Alexa laughed. "Headed to University locally this autumn."
Saffron grinned. "And she'll be around to spoil Ellie."
"As if I don't do a good enough job of that already." Alexa replied.
"It's easy to spoil her," Mimi said. "She's adorable."
"Well she IS Saffy's daughter," Alexa replied with a grin.
Saffron grinned. "Yes, she is."
Audrey laughed. "You lot should see how cute RJ is with her."
"Well, he is just a big kid himself," Saffron said.
"He is, at heart," Audrey agreed. "But it makes him so much fun."
"He is great with her," Saffron agreed. "And she adores him."
"How about some wine?" Mimi asked as their waiter approached. "Red or white?"
"White," Alexa replied.
"White sounds good to me too," Saffron nodded.
The girls placed their drink orders. It was quite surreal, Saffron thought, that she was sitting here with her best friends and in just a few weeks, she'd be married.
She couldn't wait to be married to Andrew. This was a dream come true for her.
"It's a shame Julie couldn't join us," Alexa commented.
"I know," Saffron agreed. "But she's got some meeting... and then the whole thing with Nick's dad..."
Alexa nodded. "If there's anything I can do..."
"Thanks," Saffron said. "In a weird way, it's been good for Nick. I just feel bad when he's got to deal with his mum."
"Amazing he turned out as well as he did with her as a mother," Beth commented.
"That would be Greta," Saffron said with a grin.
"That woman should be recognised as a saint," Mimi teased. "She helped raise you after all..."
"So funny, Meems," Saffron said.
"I wonder if you were as bossy and scary when you were a baby as you are now," Beth continued.
"She wasn't," Alexa said loyally. "Her parents always said she was a good baby."
"They were probably scared of her too," Beth said, giggling.
"That's not very nice," Alexa frowned at her.
"You're supposed to be celebrating me," Saffron pointed out.
"I was just kidding," Beth said hastily.
"Good answer," Mimi told her best friend.
"How about that wine," Audrey said with a grin.
"Here it comes," Alexa said seeing their waiter. "And we can order our food. I'm starving."
"Me too," Saffron replied. "I haven't had a chance to eat anything today."
Alexa shook her head. "Saffy..."
"I know, but I've just been so busy," Saffron replied.
"You don't want to pass out at the altar," Alexa admonished.
"I'll eat on my wedding day," Saffron replied. "You'll be there with me the whole time..."
"Absolutely," Alexa promised.
The girls all ordered their food and enjoyed the wine. "I just can't believe the wedding is so close," Saffron admitted. "It sort of feels like it sneaked up on me."
"I can't wait," Beth said. "It's going to be a beautiful ceremony."
"I cant' believe some of the things RJ has told me about magical weddings," Audrey said. "I'm really excited."
"Speaking of RJ, he'd better behave tonight," Saffron said.
"I'm sure he will," Audrey replied. "He just wants Andrew to have a good time."
"He's grown up a lot," Alexa said.
"He has," Saffron nodded. "Don't ever tell him I said this, but he's been a big help with things."
Audrey laughed. "Your secret is safe with me. But, he'd do anything for you both. You know that."
Saffron grinned. "I do know it."
The girls finished their meal and headed for Josh and Jon's pub to meet up with the guys.
To their surprise, the only blokes there were Andrew, RJ, Jake and Peter.
They were playing a game of darts and drinking beer.
"Where's your teammates?" Saffron asked. "I thought they were coming to your stag party..."
"Well..." Andrew glanced at RJ. "They sort of stayed with... a special guest."
"Special guest?" Saffron asked raising an eyebrow.
"They sort of hired a dancer..." RJ said.
Saffron folded her arms. "What?"
"It wasn't me!" RJ said hastily.
"It was his teammates," Jake chimed in, in RJ's defence.
"I told her no, and she went over by them," Andrew said. "We left about ten minutes after that and came here."
"Josh can vouch for us," RJ said to Saffron. "He's behind the bar if you want to ask..."
"I believe you," Saffron assured them.
Andrew puts his arms around her. "You behaved yourself too, then?"
"We had a perfectly respectable dinner," Saffron replied.
Alexa nodded. "Except when Beth danced on the table..."
"And took off her shirt," Audrey chimed in.
"Can't give that girl more than two glasses of wine," Saffron said, shaking her head.
RJ laughed. "Does Petey know?"
"Does Peter know what?" Beth asked, joining them.
"About your little show?" RJ couldn't resist teasing.
"My what?" Beth asked.
Saffron, Alexa and Audrey all began to laugh.
"What?" Beth asked, folding her arms.
"How about another glass of wine for you?" RJ asked. "And another striptease on the table?"
"Striptease?" Beth asked, watching in horror as RJ did a little dance for her. She glared at her friends. "What did you lot tell him I did?"
The other three girls only laughed harder.
"Funny," Beth glared at them. "Very, very funny..."
"Come on," RJ said. "We could have hired you for Andrew's party..."
"Beth doesn't do that for just ANYONE," Saffron teased.
"Even old Petey?" RJ couldn't resist asking.
"RJ!" Beth swatted at him.
"Just asking," RJ replied.
Beth huffed and turned on her heel, stalking over to Peter.
"She'll get over it," Alexa said giggling.
"Eventually," Saffron leaned against Andrew.
Audrey, RJ and Alexa excused themselves to give the couple a moment together.
"I checked in with my mum on the way here," Saffron said. "Ellie is sleeping soundly after spending the evening charming my father."
"Good," Andrew nuzzled her ear.
"This is the best part of my night," Saffron said closing her eyes.
"I missed you too," Andrew said softly.
"Even with your dancer friend?" Saffron teased.
"Oh yeah," Andrew rolled his eyes. "Can't believe I passed that up."
"Well," Saffron turned to look at him. "If you play your cards right, I might do a little dance for you when we get home..."
"Oh?" Andrew raised his eyebrows. "What sort of dance?"
Saffron grinned and whispered something in his ear.
"Think they'd notice if we left now?" Andrew asked.
Saffron laughed. "Probably."
"We'll have to wait it out just a little while," Andrew put his arms around her.
"Just a little while," Saffron agreed.
Andrew gave her a quick kiss before they rejoined their friends.
RJ raised his glass. "I would like to propose a toast to Saffron and Andrew."
The couple smiled at each other then at RJ.
"You two have had your ups and downs, but you've always found your way back to each other," RJ continued.
"Hear, hear." Andrew grinned at him.
"To Saffron and Andrew!" their friends echoed, raising their glasses.
Andrew put an arm around his fiancée and pulled her close. "I'd just like to say that I have the best girl. She's a wonderful mother and I love her and our daughter more than anything else in the world."
Saffron beamed at him.
He leaned in and kissed her as everyone toasted them again.
Saffron recalled what she had said to her friends earlier that evening about the wedding sneaking up on her.
It may have come fast, but Saffron was certain the day she married Andrew would be one of the best days of her life.
*** *** ***
Allison looked down at the small baby in her arms and smiled. She had actually given birth just a few days ago, but
since the baby had been premature, they'd had to
stay in the hospital for a few days as a precaution.
Olivia Charlotte Weasley had been a surprise from the moment Allison had found out she was pregnant. It made sense that
she'd arrive sooner than expected.
Today, they were both being discharged from the hospital and Allison was eager to take the newborn home. Jon was
downstairs signing the discharge papers.
"Your sisters and brother are very, very eager to meet you," she whispered.
Olivia looked up at Allison and gave her a little smile. Allison's heart caught in her throat. All the bed rest that she'd hated so much was worth it, Allison thought.
"My girls are officially checked out," Jon said from the doorway.
"Great," Allison said with a grin. "I can't wait to get home."
"She awake?" Jon asked softly.
"Yes," Allison replied. "Why don't you hold her?"
Jon smiled. "Yeah?"
"She wants to see her daddy," Allison told him.
Jon gingerly took Olivia from her. "Merlin, she's so small, Al."
"I know," Allison replied. "I'm just so happy she's going to be all right."
Jon kissed his daughter's forehead. "Me too."
"Come on," Allison lifted her bag. "Let's get home. I want to see the kids."
Cho was watching the children while Jon picked up Olivia and Allison. Cho had just finished making breakfast for them and the four of them were sitting at the table, eating cereal.
"When Olivia gets home, she's going to want to meet me first," Emma said. The children had not yet been able to meet their sister due to her being premature.
Caroline looked at her sister. "What makes you say that, Em?"
"Cause I'm the most funnest," Emma replied.
"No," Adam shook his head.
Emma glared at him. "Am too!"
"Nuh uh," Adam said with a grin.
Cho smiled. "I think Olivia is going to love meeting all three of you."
"I'm kind of glad she came early," Caroline confessed.
"Why's that, love?" Cho asked.
"Now I get to spend more time with her," Caroline said. "Before I go to school."
Cho smiled. "I can't believe you'll be going to Hogwarts. I remember the day your parents brought you home from hospital."
Caroline smiled. "That was so long ago now!"
"Don't want Sissy to go," Adam said. "Em go instead."
Caroline giggled at the look on Emma's face. "Adam, be nice."
"Caroline's right," Cho said, standing up to pour herself another cup of coffee. "Adam loves you, Em."
"I know," Emma replied, helping herself to more cereal.
"How are Great-Grandma Alice and Great-Grandpa Frank?" Caroline asked, changing the subject to try and avoid a fight between her younger siblings.
"They're doing fine," Cho said. "They'll be over later after their treatment at the hospital."
"Grandpa Frank tells the bestest stories," Emma declared.
"You like hearing stories about your grandpa when he was a little baby, don't you?" Cho asked with a grin.
Emma nodded. "He's funny."
"He loves all of you very much," Cho told them.
Caroline smiled. "We love him, too. "
"Hello!" all four of them heard Jon call out.
The three children hurried out of the kitchen and into the sitting room.
Jon was still holding Olivia and Allison smiled as her three children tore over to them.
"Mummy!" Adam squealed.
Allison laughed as her son propelled himself into her arms. "Hi, sweetheart. I missed you so much."
Adam put his arms around her neck. "Where's new sissy?"
Allison lifted him up. "She's right here."
Caroline grinned. "She has brown hair like Mummy and me!"
"Olivia evened it out," Jon joked.
Emma peered at the baby. "Daddy, she's tiny!"
"Yes she is," Jon nodded. "Would you like to hold her?"
Emma liked the idea that she would be the first to hold her baby sister. She nodded eagerly.
"Me next," Adam said.
"Sit down," Jon told Emma. "And I'll hand her to you..."
Emma clambered up on the sofa as Cho came into the room.
"Welcome home!" Cho exclaimed.
"Hi mum," Allison smiled as Jon carefully passed Olivia to Emma.
Emma looked down at her sister. "Hello, Olivia. I'm Emma Weasley."
Olivia let out a very soft little coo.
Emma grinned. "I'm going to be your favourite."
"Me," Adam shook his head.
"You and me are going to play together every single day," Emma said, ignoring Adam.
"And me too," Adam said. "When Em's at school."
"Listen," Jon said. "You both need to realise that Olivia isn't going to be able to play with you right away. Mostly she's going to sleep."
Emma shook her head. "She loves me."
Allison set Adam down and the little boy sat down beside Emma. Caroline walked over to her mother and gave her a hug. "I'm glad everything's okay, Mummy."
"Me too, Angel." Allison hugged her oldest daughter to her. "You were such a big help to me."
"I wanted to do it," Caroline said. "Em's right. She is so small."
Allison nodded. "She'll get bigger in no time. She's going to grow so fast."
Cho smiled at her daughter. "Did you want some breakfast, love?"
"I'm all right," Allison replied. "I had some cardboard in the hospital this morning."
Cho laughed. "I see."
"You ate cardboard?" Emma scrunched up her face.
Allison laughed. "No, not really. They said it was waffles, but it tasted like cardboard."
"You know who makes good waffles?" Emma asked. "Andrew."
Jon smiled at her. "Is that so?"
"Yes," Emma nodded. "I would know."
Jon chuckled. "I stand corrected, Emma."
"My turn," Adam said.
Emma sighed. "Okay."
"Sit right where Emma was," Jon told his son.
Adam nodded. "Okay."
"Be careful," Emma told him. "Don't drop her."
"I won't," Adam said as Jon placed Olivia in his arms.
Adam looked down at his baby sister as Olivia opened her eyes and smiled up him.
Adam grinned. "Mummy! Look!'
Allison smiled. "She knows her big brother is holding her."
Adam laughed. "Hello, Olivia. I'm Adam."
Olivia's smile grew wider.
"I'm the favourite," Adam whispered.
Caroline was the only one who heard this and she giggled.
"What are you laughing about?" Jon asked, tickling Caroline's side.
"Nothing," Caroline grinned. "She's just so cute, Daddy."
"She looks just like her older sister," Jon said grinning at her.
"I think she has my eyes," Emma said, dancing in a circle.
Adam looked at her in confusion. "Em, she has her own eyes!"
"Silly Adam," Emma shook her head. "Her eyes LOOK like mine."
Adam looked down at his baby sister. "Em is silly and mean, O-liv-ia."
"I am not!" Emma cried out.
"Adam," Allison admonished. "Em isn't silly and mean."
"Just to me," Adam mumbled.
Jon picked up Emma and spun her around. "Em's a sweetheart who has helped Caroline and Adam since Mummy's been in the hospital."
Emma grinned. "And I'm a lot of fun!"
Jon kissed her cheek. "Yes, you are."
"Can I hold her, Adam?" Caroline asked him.
Adam nodded. "Kay, Sissy."
Caroline sat down next to him and carefully lifted the infant into her arms.
"Hi, Olivia," Caroline said softly. "I'm Caroline, your big sister and I'm really glad that you're finally here."
Olivia yawned and blinked.
Caroline smiled. "It's been a big day for you. But, this is your home and we're going to make you feel happy and safe here. It can be a little crazy sometimes, but it's fun."
"It's LOADS of fun," Emma agreed, leaning over to look at her little sister.
Allison leaned against Jon as the two of them watched their children.
Cho brought Jon a cup of coffee. "They were so excited for you to come home today," she told her daughter.
Allison nodded. "I know. Thanks so much for looking after them these last couple of days, Mum."
"Anytime," Cho smiled.
Allison gave her mother a hug. "You're the best, Mum."
"Mummy!" Adam exclaimed. "She smells funny!"
Jon laughed. "I think I know what that means..."
"I'll take care of it," Allison lifted Olivia into her arms.
"How can something that small do that?" Emma asked her nose scrunching up.
"You did that too," Jon told her.
"And you ate Maxi's food," Adam said.
Emma glared at him. "You're a big dumb head."
"Okay," Jon said stepping between them. "How about we go and finish breakfast then?"
"I'm going to eat some toast," Emma said, distracted by the mention of food.
Emma and Adam followed Cho into the kitchen. Caroline gave her father a hug. "They actually were getting along these last couple of days, Daddy," Caroline told him.
Jon smiled at her. "I bet that was a relief for you, Angel."
Caroline giggled. "Just a little."
"I don't know what we'll do without you here this autumn," Jon hugged her. "I can't believe my little girl is heading off to school."
"Me either," Caroline said resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm going to miss you all so much."
"You'll have fun," Jon told her.
"Like you did?" Caroline asked.
"I made sure I had fun," Jon said. "Your mum was the one who made me hunker down and study."
"I heard you were a legend," Caroline teased. "Got in trouble so much your first year that they were thinking of putting your bed in the headmaster's office..."
Jon nodded. "I had Filch running from top to bottom of the castle one night too."
"Really?" Caroline asked.
Jon laughed. "And my most famous prank- making Snape dance."
Caroline giggled. "Daddy!"
Jon grinned at her. "Maybe if you play your cards right, you'll be the first person since me to do it
again."
"Jonathan Weasley," Allison came into the room. "You will not be sending our daughter off to school
armed with all sorts of pranks to play."
"I wasn't---" Jon started to argue.
Allison gave him a look.
"Okay," Jon said sending her a lazy grin. "Your mum's right, Caroline. There's a time and place for pranks and school isn't the right place for those..."
Caroline swallowed a grin. "Okay, Daddy."
Allison shook her head. "I put Olivia down."
"Then you can come sit in the kitchen with us," Caroline said. "For the first time!
Allison laughed. "I hadn't thought about that, but you're right!"
Caroline tugged at her hand. "It's a really nice kitchen."
Allison smiled at her. "Show me, Angel."
"I cooked on the stove last night," Caroline said. "Grandma helped me, of course, but I got to do most of it."
"She did good!" Emma called out from the table.
"Emma ate a lot," Caroline whispered. "As usual."
"Well, then we know it was delicious then," Allison said squeezing Caroline's shoulder. She looked around at the kitchen. "Wow..."
"It's a lot bigger than our old one," Caroline said,
Allison knew that because it had been one of the things she'd loved most about the house.
"Well," she said. "Now that I'm home and I can be up and about, I'll have to make us a great dinner."
"YAY!" Adam exclaimed.
Jon laughed. "I'll second that yay. I miss your cooking, Al."
"Well, you did lovely taking care of the cooking while I was on bed rest," Allison said smiling at him. "But, I'm looking forward to getting back to it and eventually to going back to the pub."
"We miss you there too," Jon told his wife. "Hasn't quite been the same."
"Me and Olivia get Mummy all to ourselves," Adam said looking at Emma. "While Em in school."
"I don't have to go to school," Emma said slyly.
"Excuse me, madam?" Allison asked. "Yes, you do. You only have a few weeks left, mind you, but you still have to go."
"Why?" Emma asked.
"Well, you have to learn how to read and write and do your maths," Allison said. "So when you go to Hogwarts, you'll be able to read your textbooks and perform the spells."
"I guess," Emma replied.
"Before you know it, summer hols will be here," Caroline told her.
"And once Caroline goes to school, you'll be the oldest around here," Cho told her.
Emma perked up at the mention of this. "I'll be....in charge!"
"No!" Adam shouted.
"You better straighten up and fly right, mister!" Emma said, wagging her finger at him. "Or you'll be out!"
"Mummy!" Adam looked over at her pleadingly.
"Emma Madeline!" Allison chastised.
"I was ONLY kidding," Emma said, reaching for another piece of toast.
Adam slid out of his chair and ran over to Allison. She scooped him up and hugged him. "It's okay, buddy."
"Emma Madeline," Jon said. "Be nice to your brother."
Adam buried his face in Allison's shoulder. "Emma's not going to be in charge, Adam. That role has always been and always will be your daddy and mine's."
"Kay," Adam said, reassured.
Allison kissed the top of his head. "Want to help Mummy eat her toast?" Allison asked him.
"Okay," Adam grinned up at her.
Allison grinned back at him. "I missed you. I missed all of you. Thank you for being so patient with me."
"Its okay Mummy," Caroline said. "We love you and we're all just happy you and Olivia are okay."
Allison felt tears welling up in her eyes. "Thank you, baby."
"I was going to say that too," Emma replied.
Jon laughed. "We know, Em."
"When can Olivia play?" Adam asked.
"It's going to be awhile," Allison told him. "And she's really small so we have to be really careful with her."
"Oh," Adam said thoughtfully. "I'll watch out for her, kay?"
Allison smiled. "Thanks, buddy."
"Be careful," Adam promised.
Caroline looked around the room and felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Olivia was here and she was healthy. Their mother was home and on her feet.
"I think we should have movie night tonight," Emma was saying. "With Olivia."
"I like that," Caroline said.
"Me too," Jon replied. "We'll go out and get a few new movies today, all right?"
Cho smiled. "I think I'll be heading home then. You lot look like you're going to be just fine."
"Thanks again for staying, Mum." Allison set Adam aside and stood up to hug her mother. "We really appreciate it."
"Absolutely," Cho said. "I loved spending time with them and Olivia's just adorable, Allie."
"We'll bring her by soon to meet everyone," Allison promised.
"Your dad's making spaghetti tonight," Cho said to her. "He'll bring some by for all of you."
"YUMMY!" Emma shouted happily.
Everyone laughed at this.
"I'll see you later," Cho smiled before letting herself out.
Allison sat back down with her family. Raising a fourth child was going to be hard, but she knew that they would get through it together.