A/N: Thank you all again for your comments and reviews and thanks for being so understanding about us not answering reviews on Tuesdays. Of course, sometimes we might surprise you ;)
This chapter pretty much deals with M/E and Frankie and getting ready for their party, but next chapter will take you guys back to the Hogwarts crew.
As always, please enjoy and let us know what you think!!!
Frankie's dinner party was days away and she was really getting into the spirit of the party. Maddie, who was now happily reunited with Ethan, was helping her do some last minute shopping.
"Those pictures you took from your honeymoon are really helping us plan," Maddie commented as she and Frankie walked along Diagon Alley.
"I'm just looking forward to wearing that new bikini top and sarong I bought," Frankie confided with a grin. "That's the real reason I liked your island theme idea."
Maddie laughed. "I think Ethan's looking forward more to seeing me in that bikini from Brighton than he is to the party."
"I miss my old roommate," Frankie teased. "He was really the life of the house...moping around, listening to depressing music, staring at your picture..."
"Oh stop," Maddie bumped her shoulder. "I'm just glad I overheard Jared. I mean, if I hadn't... I might never have given Ethan the chance to explain."
"That smarmy bastard," Frankie said. "I knew something was off about him." The two women passed Lavender's boutique and Frankie grabbed hold of Maddie's arm. "That dress would like amazing on you!"
Maddie eyed it. "It's pretty," she admitted. She was still shy of wearing things that showed off her legs and figure.
"You don't have to buy it," Frankie said. "But you can at least try it on. Come on. And I have to buy a new set of dress robes anyway. Come on, Madeline. Be a Gryffindor!"
"Twist my arm," she laughed, thinking of what Ethan's face would be like should she wear a dress like that in front of him. She remembered the night they all went to the club when she'd worn Frankie's tiny black dress.
"Come on you," Frankie said pulling her into the boutique. "So many dresses, so little time..."
"There's a good motto," Maddie teased as Frankie got the dress down for her.
Frankie noticed the wary look on her friend's face. "You are so trying that dress on, Madeline. "
"It's just... it's even smaller than that dress of yours I wore the one time," Maddie replied.
"It is not," Frankie lied. "I'm not suggesting you wear it to work, Mads. This is for special occasions."
"I guess it can't hurt to try it on," Maddie said, disappearing into the dressing room. "You wait just outside Frankie!"
"I'll be here," Frankie said smiling at her. She checked out some of the dress robes on the clearance rack since they were the closest to the fitting room.
"Gretchen," a familiar voice said behind her. "Look at poor Frankie Longbottom Boring. Reduced to looking at the clearance rack. How the mighty have fallen!"
Frankie turned to see her former best friend with a girl that they both used to detest--Gretchen Travers.
Deciding to be the bigger person, she rolled her eyes and continued to search through the rack without acknowledging them.
"Why don't you try the Wizarding Warehouse?" Alicia said icily. "They specialise in drab has-beens. It's right up your alley..."
Frankie pressed her lips together and moved to another rack, admiring a ruby red set of robes that would look dynamite on her for the next Quidditch charity ball she would attend.
"Where is the old ball and chain?" Alicia asked.
"Didn't she marry some boring old textbook author?" Gretchen asked laughing.
"As a matter of fact, yes I did," Frankie finally lost her cool. "And his name is Will, thank you very much. Getting married was one of the best decisions I EVER made."
"Don't get her started Gretch," Alicia said yawning. "She's going to go on and on about marriage and blah-blah-blah!"
"Because that's all you understand, Alicia," Frankie said coolly. "Blah, blah, blah. That poor brain cell of yours can't handle any more than that."
Alicia glared at her. "At least I'm not boring and predictable."
"Oh that one really hurt," Frankie faked a pained expression.
"Frankie, I'm not so sure about this..." Maddie said coming out of the changing room.
Alicia and Gretchen gaped at her while Frankie beamed. "Well I'm positive about it. And you're going to buy it because it'll knock Ethan's socks off the next time you have a nice evening out."
"Are you sure?" Maddie asked uncertainly.
"Look, Gretchen," Alicia said nudging her friend. "She's going out with Ethan Potter."
"He's hot!" Gretchen exclaimed. "I'd totally do him."
Frankie gave her a disdainful look. "You'd do anything that's male," she snorted.
"Yeah?" Gretchen asked. "Well, you....you....you have really bad hair!"
Frankie tried to contain her laughter but couldn't. "Come on Mads," she said. "The air in here is a bit stuck up. Let's get these and go get the rest of the party goods."
"You're still doing that?" Alicia asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Frankie said, giving Alicia an innocent yet devious expression. "Certainly nothing that pertains to you."
"As if I care one way or the other about your lame party," Alicia said dismissively. "Gretchen and I and some of the old gang are going away this weekend anyway."
"Good for you," Frankie said with an air of superiority, pushing away the slight wave of jealousy that threatened to wash over her. "Have fun with your old gang."
Maddie simply looked at the two of them before turning and following Frankie, her hair swishing behind her.
"Who was that girl?" Maddie asked in confusion after she'd changed out of the dress and they were headed for the counter.
"That was Gretchen Travers," Frankie rolled her eyes as they paid for their purchases. "She's the biggest poser I've ever met. Alicia hated her until we fought."
"She's certainly very...." Maddie said searching for the right word.
"Stupid," Frankie finished. "She's really very insecure. She copies everything that other people do."
"She did have her hair styled like yours," Maddie commented.
"And like I said, Alicia doesn't even like her," Frankie rolled her eyes. "How did I get mixed up with that? I hope I was never anything like they were..."
Maddie was silent not wanting to hurt Frankie's feelings. There was a time when Frankie was as shallow as those girls, but she was never mean or vindictive about it.
Frankie only sighed as they left the shop. "Thank goodness I have you Maddie."
"To help plan your party?" Maddie asked. "It's no problem, Frankie..."
"No just that you're here," Frankie said with a grin. "That you're my friend. Now that Alicia's ditched me, I realise that all those people really weren't friends after all."
Maddie linked arms with her friend. "You've been there for me and Ethan. And you've stood by me when I was at my lowest, Frankie. I don't know what I would have done without you either."
"I guess I could say you're my new best friend," Frankie said. "Wish I'd made you my maid of honour instead of that idiot Alicia."
"I've never been someone's best friend before," Maddie said smiling at her. "I've never had a best friend either."
"You haven't?" Frankie stared at her. "I just don't get it Maddie. You're one of the nicest people in the world- I don't understand how others can be so mean to you."
"Well growing up, Drew and Darla had each other and they were always sweet to me, but they had this great bond, you know?" Maddie said thoughtfully. "And you and Allie were older than me. By the time I was at Hogwarts, I kept to myself really. I used to go for walks by the lake and read and look at the stars. I guess people just thought I was odd."
"If they only really knew, right?" Frankie teased. "At least you've got Ethan now. And you've got me and Will..."
"And Drew and Darla are coming back," Maddie said. "And I've been meaning to spend more time with Allie and the girls, too."
"You seem to be happy," Frankie observed. "Especially now that all the drama with that... jerk is taken care of and you and Ethan are okay."
"Let's just hope the peace and quiet lasts for awhile," Maddie said with a laugh. "For all of us."
"Aye," Frankie said. "Although I don't think Ethan's going to be too quiet once he sees you in that," she motioned to the bag Maddie held in her hand.
"I still don't know when I'll wear something like this," Maddie admitted blushing. "It's certainly not island attire."
"Maybe I'll give you an excuse and make a date for us all to go out to a club sometime soon," Frankie nudged her.
"What sort of excuse?" Maddie asked nudging her back. "Remember, you are boring and predictable and I'm sweet and innocent and pure..."
Frankie laughed. "You're not THAT innocent Madeline... at least not as much as you used to be. You told me what you and Ethan did the night of your anniversary..."
Maddie blushed. "Okay, okay. So I'm just sweet then."
"Come on," Frankie said. "I'm going to ditch my calorie counting and treat us to some ice cream. And I know you never turn down ice cream."
"With loads of hot fudge," Maddie said dreamily.
"And one single cherry," Frankie giggled.
"Of course," Maddie said laughing. "Promise me one thing though?"
"Sure," Frankie said.
"You won't make me call you Franks," Maddie replied sweetly.
*** *** ***
"So are you girls planning on doing a hula later?" Will asked teasingly as Maddie and Frankie came in the sitting room in their island wear.
"I'd pay to see that," Ethan cracked, pulling back on a beer. "Especially by you." he grinned at his girlfriend, who blushed.
"I will if you wear a grass skirt," Frankie said dryly to Will. "Come on, Barron. You're supposed to be helping me not sitting with Ethan chatting about what you blokes chat about..."
"We just arranged all the tables," Will replied. "And we're taking a break."
"Break's over," she said folding her arms.
Will shook his head at Ethan. "My wife is a slave driver," he grumbled.
"I don't remember the word 'obey' being part of your wedding vows," Ethan chimed in.
"Yeah that's right," Will said. "Come on Frankie at least let us finish our beers."
"By all means," Frankie said. "You enjoy your beer and when our friends, family and colleagues arrive, you can take the blame for our party being not up to par. If you want that on your conscience, so be it..."
"Frankie everything looks fine," Maddie assured her.
"Really?" Frankie asked. "You're not just saying that? I mean, it looks really great, doesn't it?"
"Absolutely fantastic," Maddie grinned at her. "Especially that sand- what a great spell!"
"That was me actually," Will said smugly. "Frankie tried and kept getting mud."
"Says the textbook writer," Frankie quipped.
The doorbell chimed and Frankie looked at her watch. "Someone's early! They're not supposed to be early!"
"Relax baby," Will kissed her cheek. "It's probably just Jack and Claire."
"Should I get it?" Frankie asked making a move for the door, but then doubling back. "Maybe we should both go? Or would that look too staged?"
Maddie giggled as Ethan wound his arms around her waist. "I don't think it matters too much." she said.
Frankie nodded and grabbed hold of Will's arm nearly pulling it out of its socket.
"Easy," he said with a grimace. "I'm rather attached to my arm. Get it? Attached?"
"Please don't do any of your corny jokes during the party," Frankie pleaded.
"You always laughed at them before," he protested.
"That's because I didn't want to hurt your feelings," she said turning around and giving him a once-over. She smoothed down his hair. "Okay, very presentable."
"Auntie Frankie!" Caroline called out from the other side of the door. "Let us in!"
Frankie flung the door open. "Welcome!" she said with a big smile.
"Frack!" Emma squealed squirming out of Jon's arms and into her aunt's arms.
"Who is this beautiful hula baby?" Frankie asked giving her a kiss.
"Em!" Emma replied, hugging her aunt. "Em hooooooo la!"
Will laughed and turned his attention to Caroline who was standing beside her mother in the grass skirt Frankie and Will had given them and a one-piece bathing suit. "And who is this little princess?"
Caroline blushed. "It's just me Uncle Will!"
"I hardly recognised Princess Caroline," Will said tugging at one of her ponytails. "You look glamorous as always." He knelt down and smiled at her. "Would you do me the supreme honour of giving you a tour of the kitchen? We have some of the crisps that you like so much..."
She giggled, still blushing. "Okay."
Will led Caroline off and Allison grinned. "She's got a bit of a crush."
"That's fairly obvious," Jon grinned. "Watch it Frankie. You've got competition."
"She is adorable," Frankie said making a goofy face at Emma. "And so is this one."
"I thought I heard the sound of Weasleys," Maddie said coming to welcome them.
"Mad!" Emma called out waving her little hand.
"Hello darling," Maddie reached out for her godchild. "Hi Jon, hi Allie."
"Maddie, you look beautiful," Allison said smiling at her sister-in-law.
"Thanks Allie," Maddie said. "You look gorgeous too. You always do."
"I'm so pale," Allison said. "I was afraid of wearing this for fear I might blind someone..."
"You're just fishing for compliments," Jon told his wife.
The doorbell chimed again and some friends of Frankie's from Puddlemere came inside.
"Hi Jacob," Frankie said pecking him on the cheek. "And Todd! I'm so glad you blokes could make it."
"We wouldn't have missed it for the world," Todd said. He turned his attention to Allison. "Hello there beautiful."
"Hello," Allison replied, blushing.
"Todd Braxton," he said pushing past Jon to shake her hand. To Jon's horror, the man took his wife's hand and kissed it lightly. "And you are what I've been looking for my entire life."
"Oh," Allison replied. "I um... I'm very flattered but I'm quite married."
"Well what he doesn't know won't hurt him," Todd said winking at her.
"He is right here," Jon said coolly.
Frankie got between the two men. "Todd Braxton, I'd like you to meet my brother-in-law Jon Weasley. And you've met Allison Weasley, my sister."
"Why is it that all the good ones are taken?" Todd said still looking fondly at Allison.
Allison was still blushing furiously and Jon looked less than thrilled at Todd's words.
"Why don't you two go and grab yourselves something to drink?" Frankie suggested.
"Will do," Jacob pulled on Todd's arm.
"Sorry about that Allie," Frankie apologised. "He's a bit forward."
"It's okay," Allison said. She looked at Jon, who still looked rather ticked.
"Come on then," Frankie said taking her sister's hand. "Let's get you a drink."
Ethan was watching Jon with a grin. "Your wife's a babe mate, get used to it."
"Well, she's my babe," Jon said. "That bloke didn't even blink when he found out she was married!"
"Some of those Quidditch players are like that," Ethan said. "You know Allie would never do anything though."
"That's right," Maddie reassured him. "Isn't that right Em?"
"Dada," Emma replied. "Em love Dada!"
Jon laughed and took his daughter from Maddie. "Dada loves Em too. Thank you baby."
"Come on Jon," Maddie said. "Let's go show you all the decorations we did." she led her brother into the sitting room as the doorbell rang again and Ethan answered it.
"Professor Malfoy," Ethan teased his older sister.
"Shut it Ethan," Julie said kissing him on the cheek.
"Hi Uncle Ethan!" Ashley said. "Look at my grass skirt! I made it myself!"
"I'm impressed, Ash," Ethan said hugging her. "And look at wee little Katie..."
"I'm not wee," Katie scowled at him.
"I stand corrected," he said mussing her hair which only caused her to scowl even harder at him. "Sorry Kit Kat."
"She just HAD to wear Caroline's tiara," Ashley rolled her eyes as Nick came up the steps.
"And it looks lovely," Julie said, giving her older daughter a warning look.
"Alright Ethan?" Nick said shaking his hand. "You look like a pasty old Englishman."
"Look who's talking," Ethan returned with a grin. "You're not so tan yourself these days you big rock star."
"I haven't seen a beach since Brighton," Nick said laughing.
"Obviously," Ethan teased. "Come on in, go see what the girls have been up to."
Nick led Ashley and Katie inside and Julie hung back with her brother. "So how are things with you and Maddie? Back to normal?"
"Yeah," Ethan replied. "We've talked about it and I think she's okay now. I still want to bloody kill the bastard."
"Dad said he was sacked from the Ministry and he's still under investigation for what he did to you?" Julie asked.
"That's right," Ethan said. "Technically, Maddie wasn't able to charge him with anything but Bree and I were, for drugging us."
"I still can't believe someone would do something like that," Julie said shaking her head.
"Tell me about it," Ethan said. "I'm just glad Bree was able to tell Mason in time. She was a real wreck when he told her he was leaving for the States."
"They're doing okay now though right?" Julie asked.
"They're working on it," Ethan replied. "He's got some trust issues from an old girlfriend cheating on him so that's why he reacted so badly."
Julie nodded. "Well, hopefully they'll be able to get past this. Bree's a great girl."
"She is," Ethan nodded. "I'm glad Mads still wants to be friends with her too."
"Saffy told me to tell you hello and she thought it was very unfair that she and R.J. couldn't get special permission to come to this party," Julie said laughing.
Ethan laughed. "Because I'm so sure she's having a rotten time at school with that Peter bloke."
"I promised her I wouldn't share any details with you about that," Julie said firmly. "I gave her my word as a sister."
"I wasn't going to ask," Ethan grimaced. "Perfectly happy not knowing."
Chiaki fingered the collar of her cloak as she and Toshio walked up the front steps. "I don't know about this, Tosh."
"Don't know about what?" Toshio asked.
"I'm still carrying my baby weight," Chiaki said frowning at him. "And some of Frankie's friends are really fit and slender..."
"Chi you look gorgeous," Toshio told his wife. "You are just as slender as you were before you had the twins."
"No, I'm not," Chiaki protested. "Let's just go home and..."
"No," Toshio caught her hand. "Chiaki you are a beautiful woman. And you've never looked more breathtaking than you have lately."
"Tosh," Chiaki started to protest, but her words were cut off by his very passionate kiss.
"Mmm..." he said, caressing her cheek. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on, ever. I've thought so since that first day we danced together."
"You tripped over my feet," Chiaki giggled.
"I was so stunned at my good fortune," he flirted.
"I love you," she said kissing him once more. "Okay, let's go inside."
"That's my Chi," he said, clasping their hands together as he rang the doorbell.
"Kiki!" Ethan said engulfing her in a big hug.
"You pulled door duty eh?" Chiaki said hugging him back.
"Kind of got stuck," Ethan laughed. "Tosh, mate how are you?"
"Knackered, but happy," Toshio replied.
Chiaki took a deep breath and then unbuttoned her cloak to reveal her flower-print sundress.
Ethan let out a wolf whistle. "Looking good Kiki."
"How much is my husband paying you?" Chiaki asked hitting Ethan on the arm.
"That was a bona fide compliment," Ethan said.
"Thanks," Chiaki said blushing.
Frankie caught sight of her older sister and made a beeline for her.
"Chi!" Frankie exclaimed. "I'm so glad you guys came! How are my niece and nephew?"
"They're good," Toshio kissed Frankie's cheek. "Your parents are watching them tonight."
"I have the cutest little Puddlemere shirts that I want to give to them," Frankie said. "Remind me to give them to you before you leave tonight. They're so cute!"
Allison and Maddie were talking in the corner when Todd and Jacob came over to join them.
"You look like you could use a drink," Todd said smiling at Allison. "Or at the very least a dance..."
"Oh," Allison said, still flattered but wishing the guy would take a hint. "I've got a drink, thank you. And I promised my husband I'd dance with him first."
"Looks like he's a little preoccupied," Todd said motioning to where Jon was entertaining Mia, Caroline and Katie.
"I appreciate it," Allison said. "But no thank you."
"Well you know where I am if you change your mind," Todd said winking at her before walking away with Jacob.
"He's certainly persistent," Maddie said staring after him.
"No kidding," Allison muttered. "I mean it's nice to be appreciated, sure, but Jon always tells me he thinks I'm pretty."
"You are," Maddie said grinning at her. "Come on, let's go get something else to drink."
Jon set Mia back down on the carpet after giving her a piggy back ride.
"Me next Daddy!" Caroline said holding up her hands.
"Alright then Angel Girl," Jon said hoisting her up on his shoulders. "You next..."
Jacob and Todd were nearby and at first Jon didn't even notice them until he heard what they were saying.
"That brunette is hot," Todd said eying Allison across the room.
"What part of 'she's married' are you having trouble with?" Jacob asked rolling his eyes.
Jon bristled at the other man's words but kept his temper down in front of his daughter.
"Come on mate, marriage laws are made to be broken," Todd said easily.
"You, my friend, are playing with fire," Jacob said draining his glass.
"Let's make a bet," Todd challenged.
Jacob raised his eyebrow. "What sort of bet?"
Todd looked across the room at Allison, oblivious to Jon standing nearby. "A thousand galleons says I have that girl going home with me by the end of the night."
Jacob rolled his eyes. "You are so going to lose that." he said.
Caroline tapped her father on the head. "Come on Daddy! Why'd you stop?"
"Sorry baby," Jon grunted, walking away from the two men.
As the party got underway, Allison mingled with some of her sister's guests and caught up with Julie listening intently to her tales of teaching at Hogwarts. She couldn't help but notice that her husband was being awfully distant. In fact, she hadn't seen much of him the entire evening. Worse yet, that Todd kept coming over to her every chance he could get.
"Mind if I steal my wife away?" Nick asked Allison.
"Oh sure," Allison smiled at him. "I'm sure you two are dying to spend some time together. I'm going to find Jon- I'm sure he's raiding the kitchen."
"You know him too well," Nick teased. "I saw in there with Josh."
"Great," Allison smiled. "You two have fun."
Josh handed his brother a beer. "Come on mate. It's a party. Be happy. It could be worse. You could be getting by on zero sleep and your wife could be nursing triplets."
"That's true," Jon smirked. "At least I'm getting some."
"You know you make it very hard for me to like you sometimes," Josh said.
"Hey you two," Allison came into the kitchen. "Why aren't you in the sitting room with everyone else?"
"I came in here to get Lizzy something to eat," Josh replied. "And Mr. Happiness here was cutting me down as usual..."
"Jon be nice," Allison said. "They're looking after three infants, remember?"
"Listen to your wife," Josh said grabbing his drink and the plate he had for Lizzy. "I'll catch up with you two later..."
Allison sat down and noticed her husband's glum expression. "Everything okay?"
Jon shrugged. "Where's your shadow?"
"You mean that guy?" Allison asked. "I don't know what his deal is."
He wasn't going to tell her what he'd heard Todd say. "Can I ask you something Al? And I want you to be completely honest with me, okay?"
"Of course I'll be honest with you," Allison gave her husband a strange look.
"Are you ever...sorry for us getting married so young?" he asked looking right at her. "I was the only boy you ever kissed, the only one you ever dated, and the only one you've ever..."
"I've never regretted any of that," Allison said without hesitation.
"You had a lot of dreams Allie," Jon said quietly. "And I don't want to be that person who stopped you from having all you ever wanted."
"All I ever wanted is what I have now," Allison said. "What brought this on- that guy out there? Jon, I've said maybe ten words to him. He's not making me doubt any feelings for you. I love you and I love our daughters more than anything on this earth. I love our life together."
Jon smiled and took her hand pulling her into his lap. "And you and the girls are all I've ever wanted. I just never want to lose you, Allie."
"You never will," Allison kissed him. "We've been through way too much Jonathan Arthur."
"That we have," Jon said touching her cheek. "And you do look amazing tonight, Al."
"Thank you," Allison kissed him again. "Come on, let's go see what our daughters are doing."
"Lead the way," Jon said grinning at her.
Mia, Caroline, Emma and Katie were actually dancing together in the middle of the room. Caroline was helping her sister who looked to be having the time of her life as Caroline spun her around.
"You're not very good," Katie said as Mia twirled. "I'm just saying that you need a lot of practise."
"My daddy said I'm the best dancer he ever saw," Mia said.
Katie giggled. "Daddies are supposed to say stuff like that."
"Go Em!" Caroline clapped.
"Caroline's staying over at MY house this weekend," Katie said smugly. "We're going to watch movies and play dress up and make Malfoy pizza."
"What's Malfoy pizza?" Mia asked interestedly.
"I can't tell you," Katie said spinning around. "You're not a Malfoy."
"Oh," Mia said, feeling a little left out. "But neither is Caroline."
"But she's my best friend," Katie said. "And since I'm a Malfoy, I can tell her."
Ashley glared at her sister. "Mia there's really nothing different about it. It's just a regular pizza."
"Ashley!" Katie glowered.
Ashley took her sister's arm and led her off the dance floor. "You are being really mean to Mia, Katie. It's not nice to make someone feel like that."
"You wouldn't know," Katie retorted. "You have no friends."
"At least I'm not a spoiled brat!" Ashley shot back.
Nick stood behind his daughters, his arms folded. "What's going on here?" he frowned.
"Nothing Daddy," Katie said innocently.
Ashley shook her head. "She's being really mean to Mia again." she tattled.
"I was not!" Katie said defensively. "I was just telling her about Caroline sleeping over at our house this weekend. That's all."
"That better be all," Nick said seriously. "Or Caroline won't be coming over. Do you understand me Katherine Rose?"
"Yes Daddy," Katie answered looking down at her feet.
"And Ashley, no more tattling," Nick said. "Go have fun, and if you can't get along, then stay away from each other. Understood?"
Both girls nodded and walked away from their father. Ethan and Maddie were dancing nearby and looked sympathetically at him.
"Those two are going to make me go prematurely grey," Nick said to them.
"I thought I saw a bit of silver at your hairline," Ethan said cheekily.
"Be nice, boys," Maddie chastised.
Ethan grinned. "Where's my sister?" he asked. "Still talking about school?"
"Sharing parenting tips with Chi," Nick said. "I think I'll go and find Tosh so we can talk about Quidditch."
Maddie giggled as Nick grabbed himself a drink and found Toshio in the corner. "This party has turned out really well," she said. "Frankie was a bit down after running into that Alicia but this has really perked her back up."
"Dancing with you has really perked me up," Ethan said dipping her.
Maddie laughed. "I bet it has," she replied, winding her arms around his neck.
Ethan gave her his cheekiest grin. "And you did get lei'd tonight."
Maddie laughed harder. "By the man I love most in the world." she gave him a kiss.
"It was worth the wait," he said when they pulled apart.
She shook her head. "You're very naughty tonight Ethan James."
"It's not me," he said innocently. "It's you. You're a bad influence, Maddie Molly."
"I am not!" she said, pretending to be offended.
"You've got me thinking some really naughty thoughts," he said pulling her closer.
"Do I?" she asked, letting her lips brush his ear. "Will you indulge me a little?"
"By all means," he whispered.
"Look at them," Frankie said to her husband. "You wouldn't think they had just had the worst fight ever just a few weeks ago by the way they're acting now."
"We were the same way after we had our rows," Will said putting an arm around her.
"I know," Frankie said. "And I'm happy for them."
"I'm proud of you Francesca," Will said giving her a kiss.
"Why's that?" Frankie asked with a smile.
"Putting this party together," he replied. "Decorating the house. Juggling your career with being a newlywed. You, my love, are amazing."
"I happen to agree," Frankie giggled, giving him another kiss. "But you know I couldn't do it without you."
Will was about to say something else to his wife when he felt someone tugging on his leg. He looked down to see Caroline beaming up at him.
"Hi Uncle Will," she said nervously.
"Hey there Princess," he smiled. "Are you having fun?"
Caroline nodded. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course you can," Will said, kneeling down so he was eye level with her. "Anything you want."
Caroline bit her bottom lip and started to kick her foot on the carpet. "My birthday is coming up in a few weeks," she said shyly.
"I know," Will grinned at her. "And I already know what I'm getting you Princess."
"You do?" Caroline asked looking up at him.
"I do," Will said. "But you're going to have to wait until then to see."
Caroline giggled. "You're coming to my party, right?"
"We wouldn't miss it for the world," Frankie promised.
"That's right," Will replied. "And I heard from your mum that it's a Disney party."
"Well," Caroline said shyly. "I'm going to be Princess Jasmine. And Katie's going to be Cinderella. Mia's going to be Mulan. And I was wondering..."
Will grinned. "What's that?" he asked when Caroline hesitated.
"If you'd be Aladdin," Caroline finished staring earnestly up at him.
"I'd love to," Will answered. "Especially since you'll be Jasmine."
"Really?" Caroline asked throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him.
Frankie grinned as Will laughed and hugged her back.
"Do I get to dress up too?" Frankie asked her niece.
"If you want to," Caroline said, delighted that her new uncle indeed would be Aladdin. "You could be Pocahontas Aunt Frankie."
"Which one was she again?" Frankie asked. "They're all starting to blend together."
"She was the Indian princess," Caroline explained.
"Oh!" Frankie said. "Oooh, I could totally do that."
Caroline clapped her hands delightedly. "Aunt Maddie could be Sleeping Beauty!"
Frankie laughed. "You'll have everyone dressed to the nines, won't you?" she asked. She heard the doorbell ring and figured that they had a latecomer waiting outside.
"Hello!" she called cheerily opening the front door. "Clara?" her face revealed her shock.
"Hiya Frankie," Clara Choovanski said stepping inside. "You look fabulous!"
"Thank you," Frankie said, still staring at her. "What... what are you doing here?"
"I heard you were having a party," Clara said. "And I didn't mean to crash, but I didn't want to spend a weekend at the resort with that horrible Gretchen Travers and Alicia."
"Come on in," Frankie said. "I'm glad you came... I didn't think I'd really see any of you again after I stopped talking to Alicia."
"I have a bit of a confession to make," Clara admitted. "The only reason I tolerated Alicia was because of you."
"Really?" Frankie asked, flattered.
"Please," Clara said laughing. "She's annoying, superficial and doesn't care about anything that doesn't centre around her."
"You know her so well," Frankie deadpanned, then gave her friend a hug. "I really missed hanging with you."
"Me too," Clara said hugging her back. "And your house is darling, Frankie!"
"Thank you," Frankie beamed. "Let me give you the grand tour and then I'll get you a drink okay?"
"That sounds brilliant," Clara said following her friend.
"Mate, you are so losing that bet," Jacob said gleefully as he motioned to where Jon and Allison were sitting close on the sofa, talking and kissing every so often.
"It's not over yet," Todd said handing his friend his drink. "Watch and learn."
Jacob only shook his head as his friend strode over to the couple.
Todd gave Allison his most charming smile. "You've been avoiding me all night. You aren't getting out of here without a dance, Gorgeous."
"She's sitting with me," Jon replied before Allison could. "Me, her husband."
"I'm just asking for one dance," Todd said his eyes still on Allison. "I'm sure you won't mind just one innocent little dance mate."
"I appreciate it Todd," Allison said. "But really, no thank you."
"We should probably get going, Al," Jon said. "We want to get the girls to bed and then..."
"Right," Allison said, relieved to be leaving Todd's presence.
Todd watched in disbelief as Allison gave her husband a kiss before going off to retrieve Caroline and Emma.
"I was just asking for a dance," he said to Jon. "No reason to be offended."
"I'm not offended," Jon said with a shrug. "I actually feel sorry for you mate."
"Excuse me?" Todd asked incredulously.
"You're out a thousand galleons and you're going home alone," Jon said clapping him on the back. "Not a good night for you...."
"How did you know?" Todd glared at him.
"Well, I'm nowhere near as smooth as you," Jon replied. "But I don't think you should make bets on taking my wife home with me standing just a few feet away."
Jacob, who was listening to every word, laughed loudly.
"Ready to go Jon?" Allison asked softly. She was carrying Emma and Caroline was standing beside her.
"I think Em is," Jon said, turning his back on a seething Todd. "Caroline, sweetheart are you ready to go spend the night at Uncle Nick's?"
Caroline yawned. "I'm sleepy Daddy."
"Maybe we should plan it another night then," Jon said, lifting her up.
Caroline was too tired to argue and she rested her head on her father's shoulder.
"Why don't you go on ahead," Jon told his wife. "I'll go see if Nick and Julie mind having her tomorrow night instead of tonight."
Caroline's eyes were already closed as Jon carried her off in search of Nick and Julie.
"Partying really takes it out of you, eh sweetie?" Jon asked patting her back.
Caroline nodded. "But guess what Daddy?"
"What's that?" Jon asked.
"Uncle Will said he would be Aladdin for my birthday," Caroline replied.
Jon smiled. "Just like you wanted Angel Girl."
Caroline nodded. "He said he would especially since I was going to be Jasmine." she blushed.
Jon finally spotted Nick and Julie sitting on a sofa with their girls. Katie looked a little knackered too and she was leaning against Nick with her eyes half closed.
"I think our girls partied themselves out," Jon said. "Al and I were wondering if we could take a rain check on the sleepover."
"Sure," Nick said, looking at Julie. "I think Katie's pretty much gone too."
"Would you still be able to take her tomorrow night?" Jon asked. "We understand if you can't--"
"We'd love to have her," Julie replied.
"I'm really sorry Katie," Caroline said yawning.
Katie jerked awake at the sound of her name. "What?"
Julie laughed. "Caroline's not going to sleep over tonight, Katie. She's tired and since you just woke up, I'd say you were pretty much the same."
Katie didn't say anything but she saw that Mia across the room with her own parents, also getting ready to leave and her eyes narrowed. "Fine," she said simply.
"Daddy said I could come over tomorrow," Caroline said drowsily. "And we can make pizza and I'll bring my magic carpet."
Katie only nodded and looked away.
"We'll see you tomorrow Caroline," Nick said. "See ya Jon."
"Bye mate," Jon replied, carrying his daughter away.
Katie took the tiara off her head. "I'm not giving this back, ever."
"It's not yours Katie," Ashley reminded her. "You have to give it back."
"Caroline said it looked better on me," Katie replied, glaring at her sister. "And it definitely looks better on me than on that Mia."
"You don't want friends," Ashley said rolling her eyes. "You just want people to fall all over you. Newsflash Katie...the world doesn't revolve around you."
"Shut up Ashley," Katie retorted, jumping off the sofa.
Julie picked up Katie. "Come on, let's go say goodbye to Frankie and Will and get you two home."
Katie pushed away from her mother. "I can walk!"
Julie sighed. "Okay, Katherine."
Katie was following her parents and sister to say goodbye when she saw Mia standing near the table where the rest of the food was.
"Hi Katie," Mia said, still attempting to be friendly. "Are you leaving? I'm going home too."
"I bet you are," Katie mumbled under her breath.
"Is Caroline still going home with you?" Mia asked.
Katie fumed. It was bad enough that her best friend had ditched her to hang out with another girl. Now that same girl was rubbing her nose in it. Well, she wasn't about to let her get away with it.
"Caroline's gone home," Katie said haughtily. "I hope you two have a great time together."
"What?" Mia was confused. "I'm not going to play with Caroline tonight."
"My mummy and daddy say it isn't nice to lie," Katie said folding her arms.
"I'm not lying," Mia replied. "I asked if Caroline could come over but her daddy told me she was too sleepy."
"Yeah right," Katie said. "Caroline's my best friend, Mia. She always has been and she always will be. She's only friends with you because your uncle married her aunt."
Mia looked down at her sandals. "She's my new cousin. She told me she likes to come over and play."
Katie grinned. She had Mia right where she wanted her. "That's not what she told me. And I would know, wouldn't I? I'm her bestest friend in the whole wide world. And you're just a Muggle."
"I am not," Mia informed her. "My uncle Will says I'm a witch too!"
Jack turned his attention to his daughter when he heard her and Katie's raised voices.
"What is it popkin?" Jack asked kneeling down. "Everything okay?"
Mia nodded. "I just want to go home Daddy," she replied.
Jack smiled at her. "Let's go then, sweetheart."
Katie turned away as Mia was carried off by her father, only to find Ashley glowering at her.
"You are in so much trouble," Ashley said gleefully. "I heard everything you said and I'm telling!"
"I wasn't lying," Katie said. "Caroline told me that she only is friends with Mia because of Frankie and Will being married!"
"That's not true and you know it," Ashley crossed her arms. "You're just mad because you're not Caroline's only friend anymore. You don't know how many friends she has from school!"
"Why don't you mind your own business?" Katie yelled.
"Katherine Rose," Julie came upon her daughters. "What on earth are you yelling about?"
"Ashley thinks she knows everything!" Katie said angrily.
"I know more than you do," Ashley shot back in a superior tone.
"Enough," Julie said getting between them. "I thought you two agreed to be civil to each other tonight, but you couldn't manage it for one evening, could you?"
"Mummy she was being SO mean to Mia just now," Ashley reported. "She was telling her that Caroline said they were only friends because of Frankie and Will getting married!"
Julie levelled her gaze at her youngest daughter. "Katherine Rose, please tell me you didn't say something like that?"
Katie folded her arms and looked away.
"Okay," Julie said, not wanting to get into this in the middle of Frankie's party. "We're going to have a long talk when we get home, Katie." Julie didn't have to turn around to know Ashley was giving her sister a triumphant look. "And Ashley, we're going to talk about you always feeling the need to tattle."
Katie couldn't resist sending a smirk her sister's way as her mother placed a firm hand on her shoulder and went to find her father.