Authors' note: One more week until the hiatus---we'll post next Saturday and then will not post again until probably end of July--early August. We want to thank you guys for understanding. We need this time off to work on a special project unrelated to fan fiction. We will be posting periodically on our other work in progress 'Affairs' as well so keep an eye out for that and we might post some previews for post-Hiatus stories on Orkut occasionally too. And if you have questions, please send them to us in the reviews and we'll answer them with next week's chapter! We had some great questions this time! Thanks you guys! You are the best!
Frankie was reluctantly getting dressed that morning. "Remind me again why we have to go sit in that courtroom?" she asked her husband. "I mean, we want nothing to do with David Wright. We don't even want him seeing us."
"We want to testify at the hearing as to why he should not be paroled," Will told her.
"Right," Frankie said, pulling on her skirt. "I just hope it goes fast."
"Me too," Will said reaching for his tie.
Frankie brushed her hair and tied it back. "When is Mallory coming over?"
"Should be here any minute," Will said. Mallory had arrived in Brighton a couple of days ago. Hannah had been overjoyed to see her aunt.
"I imagine it's not going to be easy for her," Frankie commented. "Seeing the man that killed her sister..."
Will nodded. "We'll support her as best we can. We have a common goal here."
Frankie nodded. "I'll just be a minute; I want to finish my makeup."
"I'm going to check on Hannah," Will said.
"Okay," Frankie smiled at her husband.
Will gave her a quick kiss before heading out of their room and down the hall to their daughter's room. He found her packing her bag for the beach. "Hiya sweetheart."
"Hi Daddy," Hannah looked up. "Why are you dressed like that?"
"Your mother and I are going into town for a work thing," Will replied. "Nothing for you to worry about."
Hannah frowned. "How long?"
"Just the afternoon," Will said sitting on the edge of her twin bed. "I expect we'll be back by dinner."
"I hope earlier," Hannah said.
"I hope so, too," Will told her. "So, what are you and Em up to today?"
"Sand castle," Hannah said. "A really complex one."
"You and Em are determined to make the best one, aren't you?" Will said smiling at her.
"I drew plans for it," Hannah said. "It kind of looks like Hogwarts but not really."
"Our little architect," Will said affectionately.
Hannah giggled. "Maybe someday."
Frankie walked into the room and smiled. "All ready for the beach?"
"Yes," Hannah said. "But I wish you guys were coming too."
"I do too, baby," Frankie said. "You make sure that you put on lots of sunscreen, okay?"
"I've got my big bottle in here," Hannah told her.
"And listen to your Aunt Allie," Frankie said. "And look out for Nate and Izzie."
"I will," Hannah promised.
Hannah saw the worried look that crossed her mother's face. "Mummy?"
Frankie forced a smile back onto her face. "Just go have fun, sweetheart."
Hannah could tell something was wrong. She looked over at her father.
Will also smiled at her, but was spared from saying anything by Mallory's arrival. Harry had let her in downstairs.
Hannah's eyes lit up when she saw her aunt.
She ran forward to give her a hug. "I thought you were coming to the beach today!"
"I'm going into town with your parents," Mallory said.
"Why?" Hannah asked.
"We have some things to talk about," Mallory said, tugging affectionately at Hannah's plait. "But, we'll be back soon."
"Promise?" Hannah asked.
"Promise," Mallory said giving her another hug.
"Hurry back," Hannah said to all of them.
Will gave his daughter a hug.
"See you later, love." Frankie said.
Hannah nodded. There was something going on here.
Frankie watched as Hannah headed out to the beach with her siblings and turned to Will and Mallory. "Let's get this over with."
"Right," Will said, taking her hand.
"If that bastard gets out..." Mallory began and then shook her head.
"It won't happen," Frankie said determinedly. "No one in their right mind would let him out."
"I hope not," Mallory said as they left the house.
Frankie would have felt so much more secure about this if this was taking place in a magical court.
"Perhaps it'll be open and shut and they won't even have to call us up to testify," Will said.
"He killed my sister," Mallory said. "He's not going to get out. He can't."
Frankie put a comforting hand on Mallory's arm. "I'm more scared for Hannah if he does."
Their oldest daughter had come so far these last few years. She had not had any nightmares in ages about her biological father. She was happy, she was healthy and she was safe.
It didn't take them long to get to the courthouse thanks to the use of magic. They had clued Mallory in on it a few years back and were surprised to discover she already knew about it because of Abbie.
Will squeezed his wife's hand as they made their way down the long corridor to the courtroom.
Mallory felt her palms grow sweaty at the thought of seeing David Wright again. She hadn't laid eyes on him since he made Abbie move away with him.
Will held the door open for his wife and Mallory. The two women stepped inside the small courtroom. Mallory was happy that David was not there yet.
"Let's sit in the back," Frankie said. "Then we can slip out if we have to."
Mallory nodded in agreement.
Will stood aside to let Mallory and his wife file in first. "It'll be okay," he said to Mallory.
Mallory gave him a half-hearted smile.
"After this, we'll go back to Hannah," Frankie said. "Maybe we'll all go out to dinner.... to celebrate."
"Right," Frankie said. She jumped when she felt someone's hand on her shoulder. She turned to see her father. "Dad!"
"Hi sweetheart," Neville smiled at her.
"What are you doing here?" Frankie asked.
"Support," he answered.
Frankie stood up and gave him a hug. "Thank you, Dad. I need all I can get."
"Your mother wanted to come but she wasn't feeling good," Neville said.
"I'm glad you're here," Frankie said sitting back down.
It was a few minutes later when the judge came into the room, followed by David Wright a few minutes after that. Frankie was floored at how different the man looked now.
He was clean-shaven and his hair was cut short. He wore a suit and tie and looked very much like a respectable man.
"That can hardly be him," Mallory muttered. "Are you kidding me?"
"It's all for show," Will whispered.
"It has to be," Frankie said.
David Wright turned and looked in their direction.
Frankie shuddered, but glared back at the man. She felt Mallory stiffen.
The judge entered the courtroom and David turned back around.
Will barely heard the judge call the court to order and saw the lawyers begin their statements. All he could think about was what this man had once done to his daughter.
"You have spent the last eight years in prison," the judge said to David Wright. "Your first year was quite troublesome, but you've apparently turned your life around, Mr. Wright. You've taken some university courses..."
"Yes Your Honour," David Wright bowed his head respectfully. "I've really worked on turning my life around, to make right what I've done."
Mallory gripped the arm of her chair. There was no way in the world he could make right what he'd done.
"You committed murder," the judge said. "Your wife. And you were also convicted on charges of child abuse, to your daughter."
David's shoulders slumped. "I--I regret that everyday, Your Honour. I was not myself. I was sick." David's attorney nodded his head in agreement.
"He knew exactly what he was doing," Frankie whispered furiously.
The attorney stood up and handed over some files that he said were psychological records.
"These records will show that David Wright was in a state of mental instability at the time of the murder."
The judge looked over the paperwork and Frankie resisted the urge to stand up and yell at the man to not buy this act.
Will looked over at his father in law. "I can't believe they're seriously considering this."
"The prosecution will present a solid case against it," Neville said.
"They'd better," Will said grimly.
The prosecutor stood up. "Your Honour, the defence can put up as many records as they want, but there's something that cannot be denied here. A woman died after being subjected to years of abuse at his hands. He terrified and abused his daughter."
Mallory squeezed her hands into fists and resisted the urge to jump up and throttle the man who sat there with just the slightest hint of a smirk on his face.
"I'd like to call William Barron down," the prosecutor said. "He legally adopted Abigail and David Wright's daughter, Hannah."
Will nodded and got up, heading towards the front of the courtroom.
He took a seat and the prosecutor approached him. "Can you tell the judge how Hannah was when you first met her years ago?"
"She was a terrified little girl," Will recalled. "At first, she wouldn't come near me, and only took to my wife."
"And did she tell you why she was afraid of you?" the prosecutor asked.
"Because she was scared of men," Will said. "After being abused by her father."
"And now?" the prosecutor asked. "How is she now?"
"Twelve," Will answered.
"She's active, and happy." Will replied. "Hasn't had a nightmare in years, and isn't afraid of anyone anymore."
"And how do you think she would react to her biological father being released from prison?" the prosecutor asked.
"I think she might revert," Will said honestly. "She's come a long way, but she hasn't forgotten what happened to her, or what she witnessed happen to her mother."
"Thank you, Mr. Barron," the prosecutor said. "You may step down."
Will nodded, his eyes meeting David's.
It took everything he had not to cross that room and strangle the man for all that he had done. He glared at him as he walked back to the rear of the courtroom to rejoin his wife.
"You were wonderful," Frankie whispered.
"Thanks," Will reached for her hand.
The prosecutor then called on Mallory, taking her by surprise.
"Just tell them what it was like," Frankie whispered to her.
Mallory nodded and slowly made her way to the stand. She could feel David Wright's gaze on her and she shuddered. She was not going to appear weak in front of him.
She would stand up strong, for both her niece and for her sister. Mallory forced herself to hold her head high as she stepped into the box.
"Miss Garrett, you and your sister were very close growing up, weren't you?" the prosecutor asked her.
Mallory nodded. "We were best friends."
"And what happened to change that?" the prosecutor asked her.
"She met him," Mallory said. "He charmed her... swept her off her feet. Then he took her away."
"He controlled her?" the prosecutor pressed.
"Yes," Mallory nodded. "She was scared to leave him. He told her she couldn't hide from him that he'd find her."
"And thanks to him, you never met your niece until a few years ago, correct?" the prosecutor asked.
"Around four years ago, yes." Mallory nodded. "I had moved to the states, but I know if he hadn't taken Abbie away then I would have been able to be part of Hannah's life all along." The tears that Mallory tried to fight away welled up in her eyes.
"And how do you feel about the prospect of David Wright being paroled?" the prosecutor asked gently.
"He should never be let out," Mallory said vehemently. "Not ever. What he did, he did in cold blood. There was never an ounce of insanity in him."
"Thank you, Miss Garrett," the prosecutor said.
Mallory wiped at her eyes and nodded.
Mallory walked purposely back to her seat, intentionally not looking at David Wright.
Frankie handed a tissue to the other woman. "Are you all right?"
Mallory nodded wordlessly.
Frankie put an arm around the other woman's slim shoulders. If the shoe were on the other foot, and it was her looking at Chiaki or Allison's murderer, she didn't know what she'd do.
David's side called some character witnesses---old "friends" of his who claimed that they had seen quite a change in their old friend. Frankie did not know what she found harder to believe---that this bloke actually had friends or that the judge might actually buy this "changed man" routine.
"Liars," Frankie muttered.
The judge excused himself to deliberate. Frankie stood up and walked out of the courtroom needing some fresh air.
She was furious at the thought of this man being able to walk the streets, completely free.
She could still see that scared four-year old girl in Luna's kitchen, hiding under the table. She could remember the horror and anger she felt when she saw the bruises on Hannah's back.
Will came up behind his wife and put his hands on her shoulders. "You all right?"
Frankie shook her head. "No, not really."
"He's a bastard," Will said grimly. "A sneaky, lying bastard."
Frankie stared at the door to the courtroom, hoping for the best. There was no way a judge could let David Wright go free. No possible way.
Later that evening, Emma and Hannah were sitting on the patio while Ron cooked on the grill.
Emma had thought her parents and Mallory would be back sooner than this.
"If they don't come back, I get to eat their cheeseburger," Emma joked, trying to make her best friend laugh.
Hannah managed a tiny smile.
"And our sandcastle is still standing," Emma said. "And if I do say so myself, it's fabulous. Aunt Frankie and Uncle Will are going to love it."
"I hope so," Hannah sighed, glancing anxiously towards the door.
Izzie came up behind her sister and put her arms around her neck. "Hannah, where's Mummy?"
"I don't know, Izzie," Hannah said. "But I'm sure they'll be back soon, okay?"
Isabelle plopped down into Hannah's lap.
Hannah hugged her sister. "Are you hungry, Iz?"
Isabelle nodded. "Very."
"Come on," Hannah said. "We can get you a snack."
"Don't spoil your dinner, girls," Ron called out to them. "This is nearly ready."
"Just getting a quick bite," Hannah told him. "Izzie's really hungry."
Just outside the front door, Frankie and Mallory tried to get control of their emotions. Will put his arm around Frankie. "Frankie, it's going to be fine. He's---he has no idea where the beach house is or where we live."
"but he's out here, he could be anywhere!" Frankie said angrily.
The judge had granted David Wright parole to the disbelief of nearly everyone in the courtroom. David had to undergo weekly meetings with his probation officer and continue therapy, but he was free.
"I want to kill him myself," Mallory said furiously.
"Look, I'm just as upset as the two of you, but the important thing here is keeping Hannah safe," Will said.
Frankie and Mallory both nodded.
"And your dad said he was going to assign someone to watch him," Will said. "And like I said, he has no idea where we are."
"We'll just keep an extra close eye on Hannah," Frankie said. "I'm not letting her out of my sight."
"And we're all in agreement that we're not going to mention this to her?" Will asked.
"Right," Frankie nodded, looking at Mallory.
"Right," Mallory agreed.
"Good," Will said. "Come on..."
Frankie took a deep breath and opened the door. She found her two daughters in the kitchen, eating apple slices. "Mummy!" Isabelle squealed.
"Hi baby," Frankie smiled at her.
"You guys are finally home," Hannah said smiling at her parents and aunt. "We were worried."
"Our meeting ran late," Will replied.
"Uncle Ron's cooking on the grill," Hannah said. "It's nearly ready but Izzie was hungry so we were having a snack."
"We're just going to change and then we'll be down to eat," Will told them.
"Mummy, you have to see the sand castle Em and I made," Hannah said. "It's the best one yet---"
"Maybe tomorrow," Frankie said. "We'll all go out there together."
Hannah's face fell. "Oh."
Frankie patted her shoulder. "You stay here in the house and we will have dinner in the kitchen."
"You've been crying," Hannah said looking up at her.
"I'm just tired," Frankie said. "Our meeting was boring."
Hannah nodded and looked over at her aunt. "You too---what's going on?"
"Don't worry about it," Will told his daughter. "Why don't you two finish your apples and we'll be right down."
Hannah nodded. "Okay."
"That was close," Mallory said. "I need to get it together."
"Me too," Frankie said. "She's very intuitive. She reads people really well."
"Just like Abbie," Mallory said with a sigh. "Mind if I use the loo while you get changed?"
"Of course," Frankie replied. "Second door on your right."
"Thank you," Mallory said.
Once Frankie and Will were in their bedroom, Frankie hugged her husband tightly.
"I'm just as shocked as you are," Will said to her.
"Did you see that look he gave us?" Frankie asked.
"I wanted to punch his smug face in," Will admitted.
"Me too," Frankie said, closing her eyes and still seeing that smirk on David Wright's face.
"I guess we can hope it will only be a matter of time before he does something to violate his parole and then he'll be back in." Will said.
"I'll kill him if he lays one hand on her again," Frankie said determinedly.
"You and me both," Will said, changing into jeans and a long sleeved shirt.
Frankie changed her outfit and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She had to put this behind her for Hannah's sake.
Mallory met them in the corridor. "I should probably get going--"
"Do you want to stay for dinner?" Frankie asked. "You shouldn't be alone, Mallory."
"Are you sure?" Mallory asked.
"Of course'" Frankie replied.
"Thank you," Mallory said gratefully. "You both have been so wonderful."
Frankie gave the other woman a hug. "You're family now."
Mallory smiled at her. Despite the rough start she and Frankie had gotten off to, in the past few years they'd gotten close.
"We'll get through this for Hannah," Frankie said.
Mallory nodded. "And we won't let him come near her."
Frankie nodded.
"I don't think we should tell her," Will said. "Let it play out, and she'll be back at school in a few months where he has no chance of getting near her."
"Right," Frankie agreed. "We want her to enjoy the holiday."
"Long as we're all in agreement," Will said.
"We are," Frankie said. "Will, can you put some extra wards on the house, too?"
"I'll talk to Harry," Will agreed.
From downstairs, they heard Ron call out that dinner was ready. Frankie wiped at her eyes. She wanted to put on a normal front for Hannah.
"Come on," Mallory straightened up. "Let's forget about David Wright for the rest of this evening and enjoy our time together."
"Right," Frankie said. She followed the two of them downstairs and said a silent prayer that everything would be okay.
*** *** ***
Darla used her wand to fold some of Rafe's clothes and place them neatly in his little suitcase. Her son was
going to spend the next three days with
his father. Hans was leaving next weekend for a two week shoot and wanted to spend some time with his son before
going.
Rafe was stuffing some other toys in his duffel bag when he looked up to see Ellie staring at him from the doorway.
"Do you really have to go?" she asked sadly.
"Yes," he said, hoping Ellie wasn't going to come hug him or anything.
Ellie's lower lip trembled. "But--"
"He won't be gone for more than a few days," Darla reassured the little girl.
"Promise?" Ellie asked Rafe.
"Yeah," Rafe replied. "I'll be back."
Ellie nodded. "Do you need some help?"
Rafe shook his head. "My mummy's packing me up."
"But thank you for asking, Ellie," Darla said smiling at the little girl.
"Don't leave without saying bye," Ellie told him.
Rafe sighed. "Okay."
Darla hid her smile from her son as Ellie ran out of the room. "You know Rafe... your aunt Maddie had a crush on your uncle Ethan when they were kids, and they wound up married."
"Eww," Rafe said scrunching up his nose.
Darla laughed. "Ethan fought it too."
"I'm never getting married, Mummy," Rafe said sitting down on his bed.
"You're going to stay with me forever?" Darla teased, closing his little suitcase.
Rafe nodded. "Yes!"
"I don't mind that," Darla sat next to him. "Liam and I are going to miss you so much."
Rafe leaned against his mother. "I want to see Daddy though."
"He's looking forward to spending time with you," Darla told her son. "Told me he was going to take you to the zoo."
Rafe grinned. "I can't wait!"
Darla hugged him to her. "Come on, let's get your things downstairs. Your dad will be by any minute."
Rafe smiled. "Okay, Mummy."
Rafe grabbed his bag while Darla took his suitcase. "Where's Liam?"
"Downstairs," Darla said.
"I have to go find him," Rafe said, setting his bag by the door.
Darla smiled as Rafe hurried for the kitchen. Liam was reading over the morning paper and having coffee.
Rafe threw himself at his soon to be stepfather. "I'm leaving soon!"
Liam grinned and lifted Rafe onto his lap. "I know, buddy. I'm going to miss you."
"It's only for a few days," Rafe said.
"We'll still miss you," Liam said.
Rafe gave him a hug. "Dad's taking me to the zoo."
"I heard," Liam said. "You promise to say hello to the monkeys for me?"
Rafe laughed. "Okay."
"Darla?" Hans called out from the sitting room. Rafe grinned. "Daddy's here!"
Liam set the little boy down and he went running out of the kitchen.
Hans' face lit up when he saw his son. "There's my boy!"
"Hi Daddy," Rafe held his arms out.
Hans picked him up and hugged him tightly. "Hi, Rafe!"
"Mummy said we're going to the zoo," Rafe said excitedly.
"Yes, and we're going to see Opa and Oma," Hans said referring to his parents. "They are so excited to see you."
"Right now?" Rafe asked.
Hans nodded. "We'll be staying with them."
Rafe grinned. "Let's go!"
Darla and Liam entered the room and Hans set Rafe down. "Just a second, mate."
"Hi Hans," Darla smiled at her ex husband.
"Darla," Hans said, nodding at her. "Liam."
"Nice to see you, Hans." Liam said. "How are things?"
"Good," Hans said. This was the first time he had seen Darla and Liam since he had heard of their engagement.
"Rafe is all packed," Darla told him. "He's been so excited about this."
"Me too," Hans said. "I've missed him."
Ellie came running into the room. "Rafe, you can't leave without saying bye!"
"This your girlfriend, mate?" Hans asked with a grin.
"No," Rafe scowled.
Ellie nodded. "Yes."
"Am not," Rafe denied.
"We've gone out on dates," Ellie said. "And he sits beside me at dinner!"
"We have not," Rafe said, his face gone red.
Ellie just grinned in response. Before Rafe could stop her, she pecked him on the cheek.
"Gross," Rafe wiped it off.
"Bring me something back, 'kay?" she asked him.
"Maybe," Rafe muttered.
Ellie hurried upstairs and Hans just grinned. "That's my boy."
Darla hugged her son again. "You have fun and behave for your father. No hiding your shoes."
"Okay, Mummy," Rafe promised.
"I'll see you in a few days," Darla kissed his cheek. "I love you, sweetheart."
"Love you too," Rafe said. He stepped over to give Liam a hug, too.
Darla walked over to Hans. "You can owl me if you need anything, Hans."
"I will," he nodded. "Thanks, Dar."
"How's Michelle?" Darla asked.
"She's fine," Hans answered. "Looking forward to seeing this little guy here."
"He likes her you know," Darla said.
Hans smiled. "I know. I'm glad."
"Me too," Hans said. "And I guess congratulations are in order for you."
Darla nodded. "We're going to have a quick small wedding."
"I'm happy for you," Hans said sincerely. "He's a good bloke."
"I know," Darla looked back at her fiancé. "Thank you, Hans. That means a lot to me."
Hans nodded. "Well, Rafe and I better get going. Come on, Rafe!"
Rafe grabbed his bag. "Let's go!"
Darla gave her son one last hug before she watched him go.
Liam put his arm around her. "All right?"
Darla nodded. "I just miss him when he's gone."
"I do too," Liam said. "So that's why tonight, we're going out, just the two of us... to take our minds off it.
"Liam," Darla smiled.
"It's only a few days, right?" he said.
"Right," Darla said. Upstairs, Saffron was trying to tell Ellie the same thing.
"He will be back before you know it, sweetheart," Saffron said smoothing Ellie's brown hair.
"I miss him already," Ellie said.
"I know," Saffron said. "But you still have your cousins here."
"And Gwyn," Ellie said.
"Your partner in crime," Saffron said tickling Ellie's side.
Ellie giggled. "Mummy!"
"There's that smile I love so much," Saffron said grinning at her.
"Can you take me and Gwyn to the beach?" Ellie asked.
"I can," Saffron replied. "In fact.." The phone ringing cut her off. She reached for the phone. "Hello?"
"Saffy?" a familiar voice came over the line.
"Do my ears deceive me?" Saffron teased.
"Very funny," Alexa replied. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too," Saffron said. "Where are you calling from?"
"I'm in Malaysia," Alexa replied. "Tomorrow I leave for New Zealand."
"Wow!" Saffron exclaimed.
"Who is it Mummy?" Ellie asked.
Saffron grinned and handed her daughter the phone.
"Hello?" Ellie asked.
"Hi, Ellie!" Alexa said happily. "Sweetheart, it's your Aunt Lexie!"
"Hi Aunt Lexie!" Ellie's face lit up. "Are you coming to see us?"
"Soon," Alexa promised. "But I'm working really hard right now."
"What are you doing?" Ellie asked.
"Writing stories for the paper," Alexa said. "And getting you souvenirs."
"What's sou...veers?" Ellie asked.
Alexa laughed. "Sorry, El. Gifts from the places I'm travelling to."
"Ooooh," Ellie said. "I love presents."
"I know you do," Alexa said. "So, how's your mummy been?"
"Good," Ellie said. "And Daddy and Edward are good too."
"And your Uncle RJ?" Alexa asked.
"He's good too," Ellie said. "He's getting married to Audrey!"
"I know," Alexa said. "And I hear someone's going to be in the wedding..."
"Flower girl!" Ellie sang happily.
"You're going to be the prettiest flower girl in the world," Alexa said.
Ellie giggled. "Thank you." she handed the phone back to her mother.
"Hi Lexie," Saffron said. "It's so good to hear from you. I really have missed you."
"I've missed you too, Saf," Alexa said. "But I promise to visit soon."
"I'm holding you to that," Saffron said.
"I know you will," Alexa said. "And you give Edward a kiss from his Aunt Lexie."
"I will," Saffron nodded. "Call again soon. RJ would love to talk to you. Gabe is here too, actually."
"Oh?" Alexa asked.
"Yeah," Saffron replied. "He's same old Gabe... nose buried in a book."
"Don't give him such a hard time," Alexa said. "I understand now a little more about how driven he is."
"I love teasing him," Saffron said. "And apparently he's seeing a girl named Melanie."
"I'll have to grill him about that when I talk to him next," Alexa said.
Saffron laughed. "Well just let me know when you're planning on coming home. I'd come to you, except it's hard with two kids."
"I know," Alexa said. "You'll be the first to know. Look, I have to go, but have some fun for me, okay?"
"I will," Saffron said. "Take care, Lexie."
Saffron set her phone aside and looked at her daughter. "So, you and I have something in common, Ellie. Our best friends are away and we miss them very much."
"I miss him, Mummy." Ellie said.
"I know you do, baby," Saffron said hugging her. "And you know what we can do before he comes back? How about we make his favourite biscuits?"
Ellie's grin spread across her little face. "And some for everyone else?"
"Yes," Saffron said grinning back at her. "What is his favourite biscuit, by the way?"
"Peanut butter," Ellie said promptly.
Saffron grinned. "It will be a great way to welcome him home."
Ellie reached for her mother.
"I know it doesn't seem like it," Saffron said pulling her into her lap. "But he'll back before you know it."
"I'll have fun with Gwyn too," Ellie said.
Saffron tickled her side. "You always have fun with Gwyn."
"She's my best friend with Rafe," Ellie explained.
Saffron tweaked Ellie's nose. "Well, how about we go and find her and go out to the beach?"
"Okay," Ellie agreed.
"Feel better?" Saffron asked.
Ellie nodded. "A lot."
"That's my girl," Saffron said picking her up. "And maybe we'll send some biscuits to Lexie, too."
"As long as Uncle RJ doesn't sneak them all," Ellie said mischievously.
"Mummy will turn him into a frog if he does," Saffron said with a grin.
Ellie giggled.
Saffron laughed. "You like that idea?"
"Yes I do," Ellie replied as Saffron carried her outside.
"Hi, Grandma!" Ellie said when they saw Hermione sitting on the patio reading a book.
"Hello, love." Hermione smiled at them. "Are you off to the beach?"
Ellie nodded. "To find Gwynnie."
"I think she's in the water with Kiera," Hermione replied.
"Where's Dad?" Saffron asked.
"He went with Ron and Neville on the boat," Hermione answered.
Saffron nodded. "Ellie was feeling a little sad since Rafe left to spend some time with his dad."
Hermione nodded. "I understand, sweetheart."
Ellie smiled. "Do you miss Grandpa when he goes away to catch the bad guys?"
"Always," Hermione replied.
Ellie slid off of Saffron's lap. "Mummy, I'm going to sit on the steps and wait for Gwynnie and Kiera, 'kay?"
"Okay, baby." Saffron said.
Saffron looked at the book her mother was reading. "Look at you. Reading for pleasure! You haven't been able to do that for quite some time!"
"It is nice to sit and relax," Hermione agreed.
"It agrees with you," Saffron said. "You look more at ease."
Hermione smiled. "That and your father and I have finally had more than just a few hours with each other."
"How's he doing?" Saffron asked. "I know the papers have been merciless with him."
"He's all right," Hermione said, gazing at the ocean. "I'm going to have to rethink my position on Josephine if this is how she handles personal matters."
"At least Dad hasn't sunk to her level," Saffron commented.
"No," Hermione shook her head. "He's learned that lesson."
"You're his voice of reason," Saffron said.
"Someone has to be," Hermione looked over at her daughter.
Saffron grinned. "Andrew's mine."
Hermione laughed. "He certainly is. Where is he this afternoon?"
"He took Edward out to play on the beach," Saffron said. "Ellie was going to go with them, but she stuck around to say goodbye to Rafe."
"That's sweet," Hermione said. "You don't have to stay here if you don't want to- you can take her over to play."
Saffron nodded. "I'll leave you to your book."
"Oh," Hermione said. "I thought we could surprise everyone and make dinner tonight. You, me, Julie and Maddie?"
Saffron grinned. "That's a great idea, Mum."
"We'll start in a few hours," Hermione replied.
"Deal," Saffron said giving her mother's hand a squeeze.
"Come on, El." Saffron said to her daughter. "Let's go find Daddy and Edward."
Ellie stood up. "'kay!"
Hermione watched her daughter cross the street with Ellie.
It was surreal at times to see her children with children of their own. But, Hermione was proud of the people they had become.
Life was almost perfect right now, she realised. Even though Harry had some troubles and she always had situations to diffuse and budgets to prepare, they were happy together.
The few days that they had been in Brighton were like the early days of their marriage. She had started to entertain the idea of stepping down as minister to devote more time to her family.
She would miss the job, should she step down. Part of her did enjoy the meetings, the events... even the planning of budgets. But she hated the paparazzi and the constant attempts of the Prophet to see her fall.
There were still a lot of people out there that thought she was inferior because she was Muggle-born. After all this time, it was hard to believe that people still felt that way.
Hermione leaned back on the bench and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She didn't want to think of work right now.
Right now, she was content to live in the moment and she liked that the biggest decision she would make today would be what to prepare for dinner.
*************
Reader Questions for this week....
(1) Would you ever consider writing a chapter like the Friends episode "the one that could have been"? Possible options could be different couples like Josh/Julie, Josh/Allie, Alexa/RJ, Saffy/Sean, etc, Hope and Gregory being alive, different jobs, Harry as Hogwarts Headmaster and other stranger things.
We haven't thought of doing anything like that, and it isn't in the works, at least not now. Never say never, though!
(2) Don't really have a proper question this week except the long overdue reentry of Alexa. We
haven't even seen the phone call yet so I wonder when it'll be when we actually see her. Any chance before the
hiatus? In one of the sneak peeks in orkut you had mentioned Alexa's life will take a turn for the better after the
time jump?
You get to see Alexa's phone call tonight, but she won't reenter the story before the hiatus,
sorry!
(3) Jerks on the beach to Katie and Caroline, at least it didnt get out of hand. Me thinks Bradley might have a fancy for our ickle Caroline Wouldn't that be a slap in the face for Katie?
Maybe he likes her, maybe he doesn't. You'll have to wait and find out!
(4) What inspires the story lines you've created?
Sometimes real life, sometimes a dream... sometimes its' a random idea that hits us in the middle of the day at work.
(5) Which of the male characters in the story would you like to be in a relationship with?
For Heaven---it would be Andrew or Will.
For Amy---it would be Andrew Will or Jon.
(6) Will Chiaki's family make an appearance? What are they doing at this time?
They're around but Chiaki prefers to stay out of the spotlight and away from the drama ;-)