We know a lot of you are wondering why we didn't update per our regular schedule on Saturday. Nothing happened to the two of us, we are both a-okay. We just work very hard on these stories. Nearly everyday of the week for two or three or sometimes four hours a night. We do it because we enjoy it and we hope that you enjoy it too.
We've decided that since we receive thousands of hits each chapter and only 30-35 reviews, that we're only updating once a week. This is not a punishment by any means, but neither of us has the time for all the writing and two updates a week if people can't take a few moments to review. We spend an enormous amount of time writing and it takes mere seconds to leave a comment.
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We hope that you all will keep reading- because it's for YOU guys that we keep writing. We just need the feedback to keep going- it's the pat on the back we need.
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That night, Harry woke from a deep sleep and reached over to pull Hermione closer to him. His hand hit her empty pillow and he blinked in the darkness for a few moments before reaching for his glasses and pulling a pair of pyjama trousers on over his boxers.
Heading downstairs, he peeked into the kitchen and their home office before he noticed a small line of light under the library door.
Hermione was curled up one of the sofas with a leather bound photo album open in her lap. Her eyes were red from crying and she looked up guiltily at her husband as he came into the room.
"I couldn't sleep," she said trying to keep her voice from breaking.
"What are you looking at?" Harry asked softly, closing the door behind him and approaching the sofa.
She closed the album. "Nothing. We should probably get back to bed."
Harry put his hand over hers. "You're crying about your father aren't you?" he asked.
Hermione nodded. "I didn't know it was going to be this hard, Harry. I miss him so much."
"Sweetheart, he was your father." Harry replied, stroking her hair off her face. "And he was a great man."
"I've tried to hold it together," she said almost defensively. "I really have for mum, for the children and Lavender. But I just can't seem to accept the fact that he's gone."
"You don't have to hold it together around me," Harry said, his voice soft and reassuring. "I know you're in pain Hermione. I wish there was something I could do about it."
"You have," she said relaxing in his arms. "Just by being here."
Harry kissed the top of her head. "He was really fantastic," he said after a few moments of silence. "We didn't always see eye to eye but when I needed advice about something, he would always listen."
Hermione smiled. "You both came quite a way from how you began."
"Aye," Harry laughed as he stroked her hair. "I still remember how terrified I was when we told him we were moving in together."
"He didn't take it very badly," Hermione said. "Not really."
"Nah," Harry said. "I was more scared the morning I went and told him I wanted to propose. That was right after we had that huge row."
"That was the worst fight we've ever had," Hermione said squeezing his hand.
"And we made up so fast," Harry smiled at her. "I'm glad that Saffy's doing better. I was worried about her those few days after the funeral."
"Me too," Hermione agreed and she opened up the photo album again to the page she'd been looking at when Harry had come into the room. It was a picture of a two-year old Saffron perched on her grandfather's knee waving. "Do you remember how her eyes lit up when he walked into the room?" Hermione asked touching the picture.
"Yeah," Harry smiled down at the album. "She was his girl. They were so alike- he loved having someone who was actually good at golf out there on the course with him."
Hermione felt tears come to her eyes again. "He's never going to see her get married, or have children of her own or play in her first professional match. And he's not going to see Ethan and Maddie get married and start a family of their own or see Katie and Ashley grow up. It's just so bloody unfair, Harry."
"Shhhh..." Harry said. "He'll see them Hermione. He's just watching from somewhere else is all."
"I want to believe that," she said. "But it's just not the same."
"No it's not," Harry agreed. "Death is horrible. I've lost so many people close to me, but it's up to us to pick up the pieces and go on with life. That's what your mum has to do... that's what you've had to do, Lavender... Saffy... all of us."
Hermione nodded and looked down at the picture of her smiling father. "He was the reason, you know. The reason you and I met. If it hadn't been for him, I wouldn't have gone to Hillsdale that summer."
"I'm sure glad you did," Harry grinned at her. "Who knows what I would have done if you hadn't shown up. Things would be so different."
"You'd be Mr. Isabella Marconi probably," Hermione said. "Or even worse...Mr. Ginny Weasley."
Harry grimaced. "I don't think I'd be that desperate. And you're one to talk," he nudged her. "You'd probably married off to that psycho idiot Gordon."
"Perish the thought," Hermione said shaking her head.
"I agree," Harry replied. "We've had a great life though. We have three fantastic kids, two gorgeous granddaughters..."
Hermione turned her head and kissed her husband. "I love you so very much."
"I love you too sweetheart," Harry said, letting his lips linger on hers.
"Thank you for listening," she whispered.
"Anytime," he caressed her cheek. "I miss him too."
"He was proud of you too," Hermione said. "He told me so all the time."
"Did he?" Harry asked. "Never let that on to me."
"Well he said he had to keep up the stern father-in-law routine," Hermione said with a laugh. "He didn't want to upset the balance, you know."
Harry chuckled. "Of course not." he said. "Think Elinore will want to come over for dinner tomorrow night?"
"Depends," Hermione said. "You planning on cooking?"
"Who else is going to?" Harry joked.
"Saffy's not so bad," Hermione said. "She makes a mean sandwich."
"That she does, but I was planning on either a roast or making a casserole," Harry replied. "She'll probably help me."
"I'd love that," Hermione said. "And I'm sure Mum would too."
"Great," Harry said. "I'll go and pick up one of those pumpkin pies from that bakery and we'll make an evening of it."
Hermione closed the album and set it on the table. "We should get to bed."
"Sure," Harry replied. "Saffy home yet?"
"She'd better be," Hermione said getting to her feet. "We can just peek into her room on the way..."
"Right," Harry stuck the album back on the shelf as Hermione put out the lights.
They walked out of the library and back upstairs. There was a light on in Saffron's room, but when they opened the door, they saw their daughter asleep in bed with a book open on her chest.
"That's my girl," Harry smiled as he put out the light and Hermione gently pried the book from their daughter's grasp.
"Sweet dreams," Hermione whispered kissing Saffron's forehead.
"I hope she had a good time," Harry said as he quietly closed the door behind them.
"She'll tell me all about it tomorrow morning," Hermione said. "She really fancies this boy, Harry."
"Long as he treats her right," Harry said, opening their bedroom door for his wife. "I'll be fine with it."
"If he doesn't, he'll have to answer to both of us," Hermione said sliding out of her robe.
Harry dropped his trousers on the chair next to the bed and slid back beneath the sheets. "Come here," he said.
Hermione smiled as she got into bed with her husband.
Harry pulled her close and buried his nose in her hair. "I promise I'll always be here for you," he said as the room was enveloped in darkness. "Anytime you need me."
"I need you now," she whispered.
Harry kissed her gently. "And I'm here," he whispered back. "What do you want me to do?"
"Just hold me," she replied.
"Anything else?" he asked, pulling her closer.
Hermione kissed him softly; no words were necessary.
*** *** ***
Chiaki sat on the sofa in the sitting room looking at her twins wondering why in the world they wouldn't stop crying. She'd changed them. She'd fed them. She'd even made the goofiest faces she could muster, but nothing seemed to do the trick.
To make it even worse, she was dealing with this on her own. Toshio was dancing in a production in Glasgow and wasn't due back until Tuesday. Chiaki wondered what on earth had made her think she could actually do this-alone.
Salvation came with the sound of the doorbell. Chiaki didn't know who it was on the other side of that door, but perhaps they could help. They certainly couldn't make things worse.
"Hi Aunt Chiaki!" Caroline said brightly when Chiaki opened the door.
Allison grinned at her sister. "We were just in the neighbourhood checking out Caroline's new school….Chi? Is that the twins crying?"
"They won't stop," Chiaki ran her hands through her hair. "I'm at my wit's end Allie- I don't know how to get them to quiet down!"
"They probably miss their Daddy," Caroline said simply as she helped Emma into the house.
Allison set her bag down and gave her sister a hug. "Want me to try?"
"I'll do anything for you if you can get them to stop," Chiaki sighed.
Allison walked over to where the twins were both sitting in their bouncy seats. Allison undid the strap on Mitsuko's seat and gently picked the baby girl up.
"What's the matter?" she asked in a soothing voice. "What's the matter, sweetheart?"
Chiaki watched in amazement as her daughter stopped crying.
"How did you do that?" she asked. "Please show me!"
Allison laughed. "All babies are like this, Chi. She probably just doesn't like her bouncy seat. I'm quite surprised. Emma practically lived in hers."
"Sukie's so pretty Mummy," Caroline said standing on the sofa so she could get a better look.
"She is," Allison agreed. "Absolutely beautiful just like her mum."
"Well I can't pick them both up at once," Chiaki said, gently lifting Masanobu from his seat.
"Why didn't you ask me to come by and pitch in while Tosh is out of town?" Allison asked. "I would have come by sooner if I'd known Chi."
"I didn't want to bother you," Chiaki gently rubbed her son's back. "You have your own two girls to worry about." she smiled at her nieces.
"I'm never too busy for you," Allison said. "And besides, things aren't going to be so hectic for me come September."
"That's cause I start school," Caroline said excitedly. "We went today to see my teacher and I even got to pick out what desk I want, Aunt Chiaki."
"Did you really sweetheart?" Chiaki asked. "I can't believe you're already old enough to start school Angel."
"Neither can I," Allison said laughing. "They grow up so fast."
"I big girl!" Emma spoke up.
Caroline pulled one of Emma's red curls. "You keep saying that Em."
"Ow!" Emma glared at her older sister. "Hurt!"
"I was only playing Mummy," Caroline said quickly looking up at her mother. "I didn't mean to hurt her."
"Just be careful okay sweetheart?" Allison asked, smiling at her daughters while she kissed Mitsuko's forehead.
Caroline hugged Emma. "I'm sorry Em. I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Sissy," Emma said giggling.
"How did you do this without losing your mind?" Chiaki asked Allison as they carried the twins back to the nursery.
"I'm not sure," Allison said. "Sometimes I thought I'd go mad- remember that time last year when Caroline had the flu and Emma had colic? That was probably the hardest day."
"I'm just so afraid that I'm not doing anything right," Chiaki said. "And it doesn't help that Tosh's Mum comes by every other day to make some derogatory remark about my housekeeping abilities and my parenting skills."
"What's her problem?" Allison frowned. "I thought you two got along fine?"
"We did until I married her son and gave her grandchildren apparently," Chiaki said setting her son in his crib.
"That's ridiculous," Allison said softly, setting Mitsuko down in hers. "You're doing fine Chi. It's natural to be overwhelmed and you have two babies to look after."
"So you don't think I'm doing irreversible damage to them?" Chiaki asked. "I must have looked like a mad fool sitting there trying to reason with these babies...."
Allison laughed as they crept from the room. "You're fine Chi. Trust me- everything's going to be just fine. I'm going to come over and help you out."
"I don't want to impose," Chiaki said. "I'd love for you to help, but you have your own family, Allie."
"Aye, and I can bring the girls over here while I help you stay on your feet," Allison replied. "Chi I know it's hard for you right now. You're living off Toshio's income so you can't hire any help, you've got two babies to watch over and you want to keep your place presentable. Let me help you."
Chiaki hugged her sister. "I would be eternally grateful to you if you'd do that for me, Allie."
Allison hugged her back. "What are sisters for?" she joked.
"I hope I can be as good a mother as you are," Chiaki said.
"You are," Allison said. "Now that we have those two down for a kip, what say I help you tidy up a bit?"
"Can we help too?" Caroline asked.
"You sure can sweetheart," Allison smoothed back Caroline's brown hair. "Why don't you and Emma take a few rags and dust the living room?"
"Okay," Caroline said happily and Chiaki went to the hall closet to retrieve the cleaning supplies.
"Toshio actually complained about what a clean freak I turned into when I was pregnant," Chiaki mused. "Now look at this place."
"He's been gone a lot lately hasn't he?" Allison remarked as she waved her wand at the dishes in the sink and they became clean and flew into their spots on the shelves. "Dancing up in Glasgow or something?"
Chiaki nodded. "We needed the extra money."
"Well that's good," Allison said. "Sit down Chi- I can take care of this. You rest."
Chiaki started to protest, but the idea of a breather was just too good to resist. "Okay. Thanks Allie. Thanks a whole lot."
"No problem," Allison smiled. "So Mum was over with Frankie and they were getting the last few things together for the wedding. Can you believe she'll be married in a week?"
Chiaki laughed as she sat down on the sofa and stretched out. "No, I never thought she'd do it Allie."
"Me either," Allison agreed, stacking the magazines on the table neatly as Caroline and Emma ran around the room with their rags, giggling. "But I'm so happy for her."
"I am too," Chiaki said laughing at her two nieces. "Will's lovely."
"He really is," Allison agreed. "And he's so good with the girls. Calls both of them 'Princess'. Jon and I can't seem to break the habit now," she grinned.
"Speaking of Jon how is my brother-in-law?" Chiaki asked closing her eyes.
"Busy," Allison answered, putting some books back where they belonged. "This week alone he's booked solid for flying lessons."
"Fly too!" Emma exclaimed. "Like Dada!"
"You want to fly baby girl?" Allison asked, swinging her daughter up in the air.
Emma giggled and Caroline danced happily around them, no one noticing that Chiaki had fallen fast asleep.
"Again!" Emma cried out.
"All right," Allison laughed. "Isn't she funny Chi?" she turned to look at her sister. "Chi?"
"I think she's taking a kip just like the babies Mummy," Caroline said.
Allison smiled. "Well how about we keep really quiet so we don't wake the babies, okay? And we'll finish tidying up and then how about we make lunch for your aunt?"
"Can we make pasketti?" Caroline asked excitedly while Emma clapped her hands together.
"I think your aunt would love that," Allison said whispering. "Let's be extra quiet okay?"
"Okay Mummy," Caroline agreed. "Come on Em. We get to make noodles!"
"Quietly," Allison said grinning at them.
"Right," Caroline nodded. "We have to whisper okay Em?"
"Kay," Emma took her sister's hand.
Allison finished tidying up with the help of her daughters who mostly played and giggled with each other. Nearly an hour later, Allison was nearly finished making lunch.
"Who wants to go wake up Aunt Chiaki?" Allison asked.
"I do!" Caroline said holding up her hand which Emma mimicked.
"Okay, don't be loud about it though," Allison smiled at her daughters.
Caroline nodded and she and Emma walked out of the kitchen and into the sitting room.
"We should wake her up like Daddy does to us," Caroline told her sister.
"Kay," Emma said.
Caroline leaned over and kissed her aunt's cheek. "Wakey, wakey," she whispered. "Time to get up and at 'em."
"Chi..." Emma copied her sister. "Up!"
"Hmmm?" Chiaki mumbled sleepily.
"Wake up Aunt Chiaki," Caroline climbed up next to her. "We made you lunch!"
Chiaki opened her eyes. "How...how long was I asleep?"
"This long," Caroline held up six fingers. "That many minutes."
Chiaki laughed knowing that she must have been out for longer than six minutes. "What smells so good?" she asked sitting up.
"Pasketti," Caroline said. "Me, Mummy and Emma made it for you!"
Emma crawled into her aunt's lap and hugged her.
"Hey sweetheart," Chiaki hugged her little niece back.
"Lunch is ready," Allison called out from the kitchen.
Chiaki carried Emma toward the kitchen and hardly recognised her place. Everything looked so clean and nice. It was probably only temporary, but the sight of it made Chiaki want to cry from joy.
In the kitchen, Allison had just placed the basket of garlic bread on the table when the girls and Chiaki came into the kitchen.
"It's not much," Allison said. "But it was the least we could do...."
"Oh Allie this is wonderful," Chiaki said. "You've no idea how much this means to me."
Allison waved her hand dismissively. "Chiaki, I'm happy to do it. There's no need to thank me. I can't even begin to count how many times you helped me out."
"I know but just look at this place," Chiaki said. "It looks amazing. Barely even resembles my home anymore."
"The twins are still kipping," Allison said. "And we can stay as long as you need us to. Right, girls?"
"Right," Caroline said.
"Eat!" Emma cried.
"Couldn't have said it better myself," Chiaki said laughing and feeling better already.
*** *** ***
Frankie could say without a doubt that this was the absolute best day of her life. Will had promised her the wedding of her dreams and he'd gone above and beyond to make that happen. The ceremony had taken place in late afternoon in the garden of the old Longbottom estate.
They couldn't have asked for a more perfect day and the ceremony had gone off without a hitch. Drew and Darla had everything covered and while Frankie had known nothing could be perfect, this wedding and this ceremony came about as close as possible to being just that.
After taking photographs with all their attendants and family members, she and Will were waiting just outside the ballroom ready to make their big entrance as husband and wife.
"Just one more kiss," he murmured. "I can't keep my eyes and hands off you today. You look so absolutely gorgeous Frankie."
"This old thing?" Frankie asked spinning around. "I never want to take this off! Well, at least not until tonight..."
Will laughed. "You mean your newly designed one of a kind wedding gown?"
"Lavender did a fantastic job," Frankie said touching the fabric.
Drew led Mia and Caroline over to the bride and groom.
"Remember girls," Drew said handing them both baskets of rose petals. "You walk ahead and go slow, okay?"
"Okay," Caroline said, grasping her basket. "Mia this is so much fun!"
"You two practically stole the show from us," Will said touching his niece's shoulder.
"Uncle Will!" Mia exclaimed. "You'll mess up my hair!"
Frankie laughed. "Right Will, you can't muss up your niece's hair."
"Can I start calling you Aunt Frankie yet?" Mia asked her.
"Of course," Frankie said smiling at her. "I'm officially your aunt now."
"And you're my Uncle Will," Caroline grinned up at him.
"Couldn't be happier about that," Will said, stooping down to give both of them hugs.
"Can we keep our tiaras?" Mia asked hugging her uncle back but being very careful not to mess up her hair or her dress.
"Of course you can," Frankie replied as her sisters, Alicia and Maddie came over to them with the groomsmen.
Alicia looked disdainfully at Jack. "Can't you wear lifts? We look like some sort of circus act..."
Jack forced a smile. "I'm sorry my being shorter than you has ruined your day, Alicia."
"Lee he's not that much shorter than you are," Frankie said. "Your hair alone gives you about three inches in height." everyone laughed.
"Can I borrow your husband," Alicia asked ignoring what Frankie had said and turning around to look at Allison.
"No," Allison said thinking she was joking. "Alicia, you just have to walk in there with Jack for two seconds."
"But..." Alicia's mouth screwed up. "It would look so much better."
"Lee knock it off," Frankie glared at her. "We already went through this, over and over and OVER again."
"I could walk on my tiptoes," Jack suggested. "Or maybe Will could levitate me..."
Allison and Jon started to laugh.
"So not funny," Alicia adjusted her dress and stared straight ahead, pouting.
Allison shared a glance with Chiaki and then looked at Maddie, who shrugged.
"I know I've said this before, but you look gorgeous," Maddie said to Frankie. "And you're positively glowing."
Frankie hugged her. "Thanks Maddie. I'm just so happy right now. I feel on top of the world."
"Okay," Drew said coming forward. "They're ready for us. So, flower girls...you go first...followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen and then our bride and groom. Everyone ready? Big smiles....Alicia that means you too!"
"I am smiling," Alicia grumbled. "You just can't tell on the outside."
"You could always hunch over," Jack said causing everyone to laugh.
"I don't have bad posture," Alicia snapped back but took his arm.
Mia and Caroline walked in to an enormous amount of applause and the two little girls grinned at each other as they tossed their flower petals down.
"Hi Grandpa!" Caroline called out as she walked past Neville and Cho.
"Hi Angel girl," Neville grinned back at her. "You look beautiful!"
Cho held Emma up so she could get a better look.
"Sissy! Gamma, sissy!" she called out excitedly.
"That's right sweetheart," Cho smiled. "That's your big sister!"
Emma clapped enthusiastically when her mother and father came into view.
Neville laughed at his baby granddaughter's enthusiasm. Jon saw Emma as well and nudged Allison. "Look at our daughter," he whispered to her as he waved.
Allison beamed at her daughter. "She's ready to dance with her daddy."
"At least I don't have to worry about stepping on her feet," Jon laughed.
Allison laughed. "Well I hope she'll let me have one or two with you." She could still remember how last night at the rehearsal dinner, Caroline and Emma had monopolised their father and he'd danced with them both all evening long.
"I'll save a spot for you on my dance card," Jon squeezed her hand.
Allison and Jon took their places with the other members of the wedding party as the bandleader announced the happy couple.
"May I present to you Francesca and William Barron," the bandleader said as everyone stood.
Neville and Cho were both happy to see that Frankie wore the biggest smile on her face as she and her new husband came forward to the most thunderous applause yet.
"I thought it was going to be William and Francesca Barron," Will teased his wife. "You changed it! You had to be first, didn't you?"
Frankie laughed. "I had nothing to do with that!"
"Sure you didn't," Will said leaning in and giving his wife a kiss causing everyone to applaud yet again.
Frankie giggled and wound her arms around his neck, keeping him close.
Will, who wasn't the greatest dancer in the world by any stretch of the imagination had a surprise for his wife. Unbeknownst to Frankie, he'd spent the past couple of weeks getting private ballroom lessons from his new mother-in-law. The band began to play "The Way You Look Tonight" and Will grinned impishly at his wife. "May I have this dance?"
"Of course you can," Frankie said. "But Will... you said you'd only dance once because you didn't want to ruin my feet!"
"Just try and keep up," he said winking at her as he led her to the middle of the ballroom.
Frankie grinned at him. "You've been keeping secrets from me William," she said as he pulled her close.
"I told you that I was going to make sure you had the wedding of your dreams," he whispered in her ear. "And I couldn't be tripping over your feet now could I?"
"Oh Will," Frankie said, her eyes tearing up a little. "You are the best ever, you know that?"
"I'm okay," he said modestly spinning her around.
"You're more than okay," Frankie said, resting her head on his shoulder. "I am so happy to be your wife."
"I love you Francesca," he said kissing the top of her head. "Always."
"I love you too," Frankie closed her eyes and lost herself in his arms.
"She looks happy doesn't she?" Cho asked Neville as she watched the couple dance.
"Yes she does," Neville smiled as he watched his youngest daughter whirl around the dance floor. "Well all three of them are married now Cho. What will we do with ourselves?"
"Spoil our grandchildren?" Cho asked holding Emma close. "Right Em?"
"Gamma," Emma replied. "Eat!"
Cho laughed. "We'll eat soon baby girl. I promise."
"I know that my new son-in-law couldn't dance like this before," Neville said grinning at his wife. "Did you have something to do with that?"
"Oh I might have," Cho smiled back at him. "For the past two weeks he's been taking ballroom lessons from me."
"You're a great teacher," Neville said proudly. "That's quite a transformation."
Cho laughed. "He was a very eager and willing pupil."
"That why you wanted me to massage your feet these past couple of weeks?" he asked.
"That's only part of the reason," Cho replied. "No one gives a foot massage like you do Neville."
"You might get one of those tonight Cho," he said taking Emma from her. "Now my lovely, how about we go and get you the biggest, best dinner in the whole wide world?"
"Eat!" Emma shrieked excitedly.
"You said the magic word," Ron said as he and Luna joined them.
"Hullo Weasley," Neville grinned at them. "Come to empty the buffet table?"
"Not just that," Ron said making a goofy face at Emma. "I came to dance with my wife too."
"And see our granddaughters," Luna said, "As well as our best friends' daughter marry the love of her life." she smiled at Emma as Neville passed her over.
"Gamma Lu," Emma said grabbing hold of Luna's necklace. "Eat!"
"That's right sweetheart," Luna laughed, prying her necklace out of Emma's fist. "We're going to eat."
"She is a true Weasley," Ron said proudly.
"She's not all Weasley," Neville said. "She's got some Longbottom in her too."
"Her appetite is that of a Weasley," Ron replied, undeterred.
"And she has red hair just like a Weasley," Neville said knowing what Ron was going to say next. "Yes, yes..."
"She looks a little like you," Ron offered with a wicked grin. "Just lucky I passed down my cuter genes."
"All right boys," Luna said with a laugh. "Enough, enough."
"Dad?" R.J. asked. "When do we get to eat? And when can I get out of this suit? It's bloody uncomfortable!"
"Shut it you," Saffron said. "No one wants to see you running around starkers."
"Who said I'd run around starkers?" R.J. asked. "I'd probably attract more attention than the bride though."
"That's because everyone would run for the exits if you ran around starkers," Saffron said sarcastically.
Ethan cuffed his sister around the neck. "And to think I once thought you and Ronnie Junior here might have been next in line..."
"Don't you start again," Saffron warned him. "I only have another few years before I can do magic out of school."
"I pity the poor bloke who ends up with you," Ethan teased earning a death glare from his younger sister.
"Well I feel for Maddie," Saffron snorted. "I love her to death but I think you must have cast a love spell on her. She's really too smart for you."
"Nuff!" Emma's little voice interrupted their arguing. "Nuff!"
Everyone stared at the little girl for a moment before dissolving into laughter.
"You're right Em," Saffron said smiling at her. "Enough is enough."
"Saf!" Emma bubbled. "Eat Saf!"
"You are sitting with me," Saffron said taking Emma. "Come on. Let's go find us a table. What do you say?"
"Kay," Emma agreed. "Where Mad?"
"We'll save her a seat," Saffron said. "With smelly old Ethan too."
Emma giggled as Saffron filled a plate with food quickly and headed back to look for a table.
"Are you sure the twins are okay?" Chiaki asked Toshio. They'd left the newborns with Toshio's parents and this was the first time they'd been apart from the babies since their birth.
"I just rang my parents," Toshio said, squeezing her arm. "Mum said Sukie's a little fussy, but she's kipping now. Mas is eating them right out of the house."
"Are you sure?" Chiaki asked. "I miss them so much..."
"They're fine sweetheart," Toshio kissed her forehead. "Let's just enjoy our day- we'll see them again in a few hours."
"Right," Chiaki said smiling at him. "We should enjoy our day."
Maddie had joined Ethan in the food line. "Make sure you grab two of everything," she told him. "I'm positively starving."
"I shouldn't even get you a plate," Ethan said shaking his head. "You're just going to eat off mine anyway."
Maddie smiled innocently at him. "Does that sound like such a bad thing?"
"No," he said. "And don't forget we get to cha-cha-cha later."
She laughed. "I'll never forget that. You made my day when you agreed to dance with me."
"I was a real arse to you that day," he said apologetically. "But we ended up having a good time, didn't we?"
"We did," Maddie gave him a kiss. "Now hurry up and get my food."
"Yes ma'am," Ethan said laughing. "You are a bossy thing, Maddie Molly."
"And you love me for it," Maddie said sweetly.
"Yes," he said. "Come on, let's find a table."
Allison and Jon sat down beside Lizzy who was waiting for Josh to return with her food.
"You doing okay Lizzy?" Allison asked.
"Fine," Lizzy said. "Just... heavy."
"How much longer now?" Jon asked.
"Next week," Lizzy replied. "And I absolutely cannot wait."
"We're going to have to play catch up Al," Jon teased.
"Catch up with what?" Allison asked.
"They're going to have three," Jon replied. "We've got two..."
"If you plan on having another child Jon, maybe you'd like to carry it this time," Allison retorted.
"When you put it that way..." Jon gulped.
"Here we go Liz," Jon set two rather full plates down in front of his wife. "That enough for you?"
"For now," Lizzy smiled at her husband. "Thank you."
"Mummy!" Caroline called out as she ran over to join her parents. "I've been looking for you everywhere!"
"Here we are Angel," Allison lifted her into her lap. "Are you hungry?"
"Starving," Caroline said nodding. "I was so excited this morning I couldn't eat."
"Have some of mine," Lizzy smiled at her niece.
"But you're eating for four," Caroline said. "My cousins are probably really hungry."
"Aye but that's what your Uncle Josh is for," Lizzy laughed. "He'll wait through that line again."
"Thanks Liz," Josh said sarcastically.
Lizzy smiled. "You know you would Joshie."
"That's right Poetry Boy," Jon said, shovelling his meal into his mouth.
"Okay Boo Bear," Josh shot back.
"Daddy and Uncle Josh are being really silly, aren't they Mummy?" Caroline asked.
"Yes they are," Allison spread jam on a cracker and handed it to her daughter.
"Why aren't you playing with Katie?" Jon asked.
"She's mad at me," Caroline said. "She said that I liked Mia better than her and if I was going to be that way, she didn't want to be my friend anymore."
"What?" Allison asked. "Sweetheart you and Mia were the flower girls. You have to spend time together."
"I know," Caroline said. "And I like both of them just the same."
"Katie will come around," Jon told her.
Caroline nodded. "Mia thinks she's pretty. She told me so when we lined up outside earlier."
"Katie probably doesn't know Mia very well," Allison reassured Caroline. "I'm sure if they got to know each other they'd be really good friends."
"That's what I tried to say Mummy," Caroline reached for her father's plate.
"Don't you worry about it," Allison said laughing as Jon stared at his daughter who grabbed his bread roll.
"Can I have it Daddy?" Caroline asked. "Please?"
"Here you go Princess," Jon said handing it to her.
"Thanks Daddy," Caroline said. "Can I dance with you after dinner?"
"You'd want to dance with me?" Jon asked dramatically.
"Don't be silly Daddy," Caroline giggled.
Julie grinned at Nick as he set their plates down on the table. Ashley was talking to Hermione while Katie scowled in the direction of Caroline's table.
"Your face is going to freeze like that Katherine," Julie said.
"So?" Katie asked grumpily.
"No one ever said Caroline couldn't have any other friends other than you," Ashley pointed out.
"I didn't ask you Ashley," Katie retorted, stabbing her knife into her piece of chicken.
"You shouldn't have been so mean," Ashley said. "You hurt Caroline's feelings, you know."
"What did you do?" Julie asked.
"Nothing!" Katie said, glaring at her sister.
"She told Caroline that if she liked Mia so much more, then they wouldn't' be friends anymore." Ashley reported.
Julie levelled her gaze at her younger daughter. "Katie..."
"I don't see why Mia got to be flower girl and I didn't," Katie said grumpily. "I've known Aunt Frankie longer than she has. And I would have been way better at it than Mia. So much better..."
"Because she's younger than you, for one thing," Nick said. "And Mia is from Will's side of the family. It's not about who has known who the longest Katherine Rose."
"Yeah well it should be," Katie retorted.
"Katherine," Nick said sternly.
Julie leaned in. "Katie, you don't even know Mia. You might like her if you give her a chance."
"What if I don't want to?" Katie countered, crossing her arms.
"Caroline's your best friend, isn't she?" Julie asked.
"She was," Katie pouted.
"She still could be if you'd stop being so mean," Ashley chimed in.
"I don't know if I'd have put it that way," Julie said. "But you just might lose your best friend if you keep acting like that."
Katie didn't answer, but she finally stopped glaring in Caroline's direction.
"Good girl," Julie said smiling at her.
"All right," Nick said. "Who wants to dance first with their old man?"
"I do," Ashley and Katie said together.
"How about--" Nick began.
"How about I dance with Ashley," Harry interrupted. "And then we can switch off and I'll have a dance with my little Katie after you Nick?"
"Good save Dad," Julie said under her breath.
"Anything to stave off another argument," Harry patted her shoulder. "Come on Ash, sweetheart. Come make your Grandpa look good out there."
Ashley giggled. "You're better at it than me, Grandpa."
"And I'll teach you everything I know," Harry teased.
"Let's go too Daddy," Katie said getting to her feet.
"All right baby," Nick swept her up.
To Katie's dismay, Nick carried her over to part of the dance floor where Caroline was dancing with her father.
"Hi Katie," Caroline said with a shy smile.
"Hi," Katie muttered, feeling her father's eyes on her.
"Do you want to sit with me when they serve the cake?" Caroline asked.
Katie shrugged. "Maybe your new best friend Mia wants to sit next to you."
"Katherine Rose," Nick warned.
"I want both of you to sit with me," Caroline said. "I'll even let you wear my tiara, Katie. It would probably look better on you anyway."
"You'd let me wear your tiara?" Katie asked, softening. She'd been admiring the pretty crowns all day and was dying to try one on.
"Of course," Caroline said gingerly taking it off her head and handing it to her friend. "You're my bestest friend, Katie. You know that."
"I'm sorry Caroline," Katie said, hugging her. "You're my best friend too."
Jon and Nick watched as Caroline placed the small tiara on Katie's head.
"You're not crying are you, cousin?" Jon asked teasingly.
"Big rock stars don't cry," Nick returned.
"I stand corrected," Jon said. "Caroline, if you don't mind, I think I'm going to go and find your Mum and see if she'll dance with me."
"Okay Daddy," Caroline said. "I think she will."
"I think she will too," Nick teased. "Katie, you still want to dance with me or do you want to hang out with Caroline here?"
"I'm going to play with Caroline," Katie replied. "Let's go see what I look like with the tiara!"
Nick grinned and shook his head as his daughter grabbed Caroline's hand and they disappeared in the direction of the loo. "Crisis over," he said as he went back to the table. "Fancy a dance with me Jules? Our daughter has skipped out on me for a tiara."
Julie laughed and took his hand. "That's Katie for you."
"Aye," Nick said pulling her close. "Frankie looks so happy," he said, grinning in the direction of the main table where she and Will were feeding each other and very much looking as if they were the only two people in the room. "Were we that sappy on our wedding day?"
"Even sappier I think," Julie replied.
"Just making sure," he winked and gave her a kiss as he whirled her away.
"If you smash that cake in my face," Frankie began. "I will never speak to you again."
"I already told you I wouldn't," Will protested, laughing. "They haven't even brought it out yet!"
"Well unless you want to spend your wedding night on a sofa, you'll keep that promise," Frankie said seriously.
"I promise baby," Will said, leaning in to kiss her. "You look too beautiful for me to muss you up anyway."
Frankie beamed at him before softly kissing him. "I'm so happy Will."
"I am too. I got the girl I always wanted right here." he smiled back at her.
Will's sister Mary came over and she had such a stern expression on her face that for an awful moment Frankie thought she was going to say something to cause a scene. To her relief though, Mary smiled warmly at her.
"I just wanted to offer my congratulations to you both," Mary said. "You made a lovely bride, Frankie."
"Thank you Mary," Frankie got up and hugged the other woman. "You're stuck with me now as your sister in law, you know. No getting rid of me." she teased.
"I think we'll manage," Mary said with a laugh. "And anyone who could make my brother this happy, well they're okay in my book."
"She makes me the happiest I've ever been," Will replied.
"Well, I better go and check on the boys," Mary said. "Congratulations again to you both."
"Thanks Mare," Will grinned at her. "Want to dance again before they bring the cake out?" he asked his wife.
"You actually want to dance again?" Frankie asked. "What has brought about this transformation?"
"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth," Will teased her.
"Right," Frankie said taking his hand. "You lead the way Mr. Barron."
"Right Mrs. Barron," Will said.