Authors' note: This chapter was going to include Ethan and Maddie, but the chapter itself was long. Therefore, you get E/M at the beginning of Tuesday's chapter. Without further ado, here is New Year's Eve---with a little flashback of Ron/Luna.
After spending the previous New Year's Eve at a formal ball, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Cho, and Neville opted to spend this year having a quiet evening at the Longbottom's house. Neville and Harry had prepared dinner and now they were all sitting around the table laughing and talking.
"Puddles is certainly living up to his name," Harry told his friends. "Saffy swears she's training him..."
"But he's so cute Harry," Cho said. "And he was a perfect angel for us."
"Saffy wants to write Dumbledore personally to see if he'll let her take him back to school," Hermione said.
"I doubt he'll let her," Harry said. "He lets one person do it he'll have to let everyone.
"They let you have cats," Luna said. "You'd think they'd let you have dogs too...."
"And they let me have Trevor," Neville said referring to his toad.
"Wasn't it that you could have an owl, cat or toad?" Cho asked.
"Right," Luna said nodding.
"It was the same at Beauxbatons," Hermione said. "I had a cat."
"Maybe they'll let her bring him," Harry shrugged. "But I'm not counting on it."
"I doubt it," Hermione said. "Those rules have been in place for hundreds of years. They're not going to change for our 15 year old no matter how persuasive she might be."
"More wine?" Cho asked.
"Love some," Hermione held up her glass. "Thanks, Cho."
"I've got to tell you Harry, it really meant a lot to me that Ethan came and spoke with me about proposing," Ron said.
Harry grinned broadly. "I can't believe he's finally going ahead with it. Took him long enough, aye?"
"There's a lot to be said for waiting," Ron said looking at Luna. "I was the same way."
Neville laughed. "Ron I remember you telling us about that night. Everything that could go wrong did..."
***
Ron looked at his watch. It was nearly six and Luna would be arriving home from work at any moment. Paddington followed him from room to room as he dashed around the flat trying to get everything just right.
"Do you think she'll say yes?" he asked looking down at the dog.
Paddington wagged his tail as his tongue flopped out of his mouth.
"Yeah I bet she'll say yes," Ron said, running his hands through his hair.
Ron changed into his best suit and heard Luna's key in the front door. He grabbed the single pink rose from the bed and rushed out to greet her. When he saw her, he couldn't help flinching.
"I feeb terruble," Luna mumbled setting her bag down and then blowing her nose with a tissue.
"You're sick?" he heard himself asking before he could stop himself.
"Whab gabe it away?" Luna asked shrugging out of her coat.
Ron felt his spirits deflate a little bit. "Well um... why don't I make you a cup of tea," he offered. "You go lie down on the sofa."
Luna nodded. "Why are you dressed ub?"
"I... guess I thought we could go out but not anymore," Ron sheepishly handed her the flower.
"Oh thanks," Luna said taking it, her eyes were drooping and she looked like all she wanted to do was lie down. "I'm sorry, Robald."
"It's okay," he smiled at her. "Go on in the sitting room. I'll be there in a minute with your tea."
She gave him a half-hearted smile before departing for the sitting room.
Ron had spent the last two weeks working up the nerve to do this and on this night, of all nights, she was sick.
He kicked the cupboard door with his foot as he went into the kitchen and made his girlfriend some tea. He put a touch of honey in there and a sprig of the rosemary she kept in a jar by the sink- for some reason that was her favourite way to take her tea.
A few moments later, he came back into the sitting room to see Luna covered up in a blanket, Paddington on her lap. "Here you are..." he said setting the cup on the coffee table."Just like you like it."
"Thank you," she mumbled. "I'm really sorry..." she said stuffily.
"It's not your fault," he said brushing her hair off of her face. "Why didn't you come home sooner if you felt so bad?"
"I had an important meeting," Luna answered, rubbing her eyes.
Ron nodded. "I'm just going to get out of this suit and cancel our reservation. I'll be right back."
He hastily beat a retreat for the bedroom and cursed his stupid, dumb luck. This would never happen to Harry. Even Neville had managed to pull off a romantic proposal.
Luna sipped at her tea and smiled. Ron always made it just right for her. She felt bad that her being sick obviously ruined something he had planned.
Ron came out of the bedroom in an old sweatshirt and jeans. He smiled at her. "I'm going to run to the chemist and pick up some medicine for you."
"You don't have to do that," Luna protested.
"I do," Ron said quickly. He hoped that Harry and Hermione had some cold remedies at their cottage because that was exactly where he was headed.
"You're good to me Ron," Luna smiled weakly at him.
He kissed her on the forehead. "Get some rest. I'll be back soon."
"Okay," Luna said, snuggling down and resting her head on Paddington's stomach.
Ron gave her one last look before disapparating.
At the Potter cottage, Hermione had just finished feeding Julie.
"Did you make a mess baby girl?" Hermione asked, laughing.
"Daddy to the rescue," Harry said handing his wife a towel.
"Thanks love," Hermione said, wiping off her daughter's cheeks. "Julie got cereal all over!" she grinned at the happy baby.
There was a pounding on the front door that caused Hermione to jump.
"What on earth?" she asked looking at Harry.
Harry tucked his wand into his pocket. "I'll get it," he said, a frown creasing his brow.
Ron didn't even give his friend a chance to speak once Harry had opened the door.
"She's sick Harry!" Ron exclaimed. "Of all bloody nights! THE night. The very night when I was going to propose. Me! Sick as a dog. As in no fancy restaurant, no expensive champagne...."
"Whoa Ron," Harry said. "Slow down mate."
"All that planning you helped me with was for nothing," Ron said stalking inside the house.
"Ron," Harry shut the door. "Come on, you can still propose."
"When she's sick?" Ron asked incredulously. "Oh that's something I'm sure the grandchildren will love to hear. How did you propose to Grandma, Granddad? Oh, she was doped up on cough syrup..."
Hermione came in the room carrying Julie. "What are you doing here Ron? I thought you were proposing to Luna tonight?"
"So did I," Ron said sullenly.
"She didn't say no did she?" Hermione asked, horrified.
"No, I haven't asked her yet," Ron said explaining for Hermione how Luna had arrived home sick.
"Well, I don't see why you can't still ask her," Hermione pointed out, shifting Julie to her other hip. "I mean, she's sick but it can still be romantic."
"How?" Ron asked her.
"You could put the ring in a box of tissues," Harry joked.
"Harry," Hermione frowned. "Well... I don't think that Luna needs any sort of set up Ron. She loves you and she'll just be thrilled to become your wife without any fuss or frills. Anything you do in her eyes is romantic."
"You really think so?" Ron asked.
"Of course," Hermione smiled at him.
"So when you asked Hermione..." Ron said to Harry. "How'd you ask? Did you just cut to the chase? Or did you say something poetic and romantic and sappy?"
"We started off at a restaurant," Harry said, taking Julie from Hermione. "And then we left, and we stopped at this park on the way home..."
"He sort of came right out and asked me," Hermione said fondly.
"Just like that?" Ron asked in surprise. "I would have thought he'd have given you some long, drawn out speech..."
"He didn't need to," Hermione smiled at her husband, who was patting Julie's back.
"So even if she's sick, I should just go ahead and do it?" Ron asked uncertainly.
"Why not?" Harry asked.
"I just wanted everything to be perfect for her," Ron said.
"Ron, the thing you should realise is that YOU are already perfect for her," Hermione told him.
"Really?" Ron asked in a quiet voice.
"Definitely mate," Harry grinned. "Go on back home and ask her."
"Even Julie thinks it's a good idea," Hermione said holding up Julie's little hand and waving it at Ron.
"All right," Ron said. "Thanks you two." he pulled his cloak on. "Oh... do either of you have any potion I could give her for a cold?" he asked sheepishly.
"Sure," Hermione said handing Julie off to Harry again. "Be right back."
"Great," he said, relieved. "Maybe this night won't be a total bust after all."
"She loves you Ron," Harry assured his best friend. "There's no way she's going to say no."
"I hope not," Ron said. "I always manage to make a mess of things somehow..."
"That's part of your charm," Harry said as Hermione came back into the room. She handed Ron two bottles. "That red one should help her sleep and the other one is a decongestant."
"You are the best," Ron kissed her cheek. "Thanks."
"Good luck," Hermione said smiling at him. "And tell Luna we hope she feels better."
"I will," Ron grinned at Julie, who was cooing at him.
Back at the flat, Luna was half asleep and wondering what was taking Ron so long at the chemist. It was just down the street after all.
It was warm in the room from the fire blazing and she blinked as a hand shook her shoulder gently. "Hmm?" she asked. "Ronald?"
"Hiya," he said softly. "How are you feeling?"
"Okay," Luna sat up a little, her blonde hair falling into her face. "I think I dozed off there..."
Ron sat down on the edge of the sofa. "Well, the question is do you want to breathe or do you want to sleep?" He held up the two bottles.
"Breathing sounds nice right about now," Luna gave him a sleepy smile. "I'm already a bit knackered."
"Okay," Ron said. "You stay right here and I'm going to get a glass. Be right back."
"You're the best," Luna said, sneezing again.
Ron hurried into the kitchen and grabbed a glass from the cabinet all the while trying to psych himself up for what he was about to ask her.
"Okay," Ron said juggling the glass in his hand deciding to practise before he went out there and asked her. "Luna, these past couple of years have been fantastic and I never that you..." the glass slipped in his hand and crashed to the floor shattering into a hundred pieces."Shite! Bloody fuck..!"
"Ronald?" Luna asked from the sitting room. "What happened?"
"FUCK," Ron swore again as Paddington came loping into the room. "No boy, stay back." he said.
Paddington looked up at Ron, but did stay back. Ron stood up and looked around for his wand so he could clean up the mess.
"What happened?" Luna asked, standing in the doorway.
"Don't come any closer!" he ordered. "All I need is for you to come in here and trip or cut yourself on the glass...."
"All right," Luna replied vaguely. "I just thought you might be hurt."
"Not yet," Ron muttered. "But the night's still young."
Luna looked at him for a long moment. "Is there something you want to tell me Ronald?" she asked, rubbing at her nose.
"Run for your life," Ron said picking up his wand and waving it at the shattered glass on the floor. "I am a menace not only to myself, but to you. I mean, our first date, I nearly blinded you. And now on the most important night of my life, I can't even ask you to marry me without nearly destroying you, the flat..."
"What?" Luna asked, wide eyed. "You want to ask me... what?"
Ron paled. "Damn it! Forget you heard that...."
"Ronald," Luna stepped closer. "You want to get married?" tears shimmered in her blue eyes. "To me?"
Ron nodded. "Very much so. I even have a ring, if you can believe that."
She smiled. "Can I see it?" she whispered.
"It's in the bedroom," he replied. "Um, wait right here."
"I won't move," she promised.
Ron smiled and ran for the bedroom. He pulled the ring box out of his suit jacket. "Please, please like the ring," he whispered to himself.
True to her word, Luna was still waiting in the doorway of the kitchen. Wordlessly, Ron handed her the box, his hand shaking slightly.
"Oh..." the words died on her lips as she looked at the ring. "This is... Ron this is the most beautiful ring I've ever seen..."
"I'm so glad you like it," Ron said smiling at her. "Cho helped me pick it out."
"It's lovely," Luna said, crying freely.
"So," Ron said getting down on one knee. "We should do this properly. Luna, you are the best thing to ever happen to me. I don't deserve someone as wonderful, beautiful and sweet as you, but I'd be incredibly honoured if you'd marry me."
"Yes," Luna threw herself at him, sobbing. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!"
Ron wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. "Five yesses seems to be a good response I think."
"Ron I love you so much," Luna said, forgetting about her cold as she kissed him.
"I'm sorry it took so long," Ron said in between kisses.
"I don't care," Luna said dreamily. "I'm with you and that's all that matters to me."
"Even all stuffed up and congested you are still the most beautiful woman in the world to me," Ron said swinging her around.
Luna clasped her arms around his neck. "I get to be Mrs. Ronald Weasley," she said happily.
"You may live to regret that decision," Ron said laughing.
"Never," she said, giving him another kiss as he slipped the ring onto her finger.
"Okay," he said. "Now it's official. You're stuck with me for the rest of your life."
***
"Have you regretted it since?" Harry asked Luna with a wicked grin.
"Not once," Luna said staring at her husband with a dreamy expression.
"And she wasn't doped up on potion," Hermione reminded Ron.
"Not until after that," Ron snorted. "We both had to take it- she gave me her bloody cold."
"And we spent a week in bed," Luna said.
"Too much information," Cho covered her ears jokingly. "That's like when the rabbits start to go at it in front of us."
"We never go at it in front of you," Hermione said defensively. "You act like we shag in front of you lot."
"You would if we said we didn't mind," Neville said, coming out with another bottle of wine.
"We most certainly would not!" Hermione said indignantly.
"I don't know about that," Harry grinned wickedly.
"We wouldn't," Hermione said hitting him in the arm.
"No, Hermione," Cho rolled her eyes. "I think Harry definitely would."
"He did some pretty kinky stuff with that Isabella Marconi," Ron said. "I remember one time catching him and her in the boathouse..."
Neville tossed the wine cork at Ron. "Enough with letting your mouth run away with you, Weasley," he said.
"There was that time you caught him in Dursley's office with her," Ron said throwing the cork back at Neville.
Harry glared at both of them. "At least at that point I was getting some." Hermione hit him hard on the shoulder. "Ow!"
"With a complete tart," Hermione said. "And in your uncle's office?"
"Desecration," Harry shrugged. "I much preferred it in the lake with you."
"I bet Dursley's office was the only place the two of you didn't do it," Cho said laughing.
"Most likely," Harry pulled his wife onto his lap and kissed her.
"Cover your eyes," Ron said doing just that.
"It's nothing you haven't seen before Ronnie," Harry grinned evilly.
"It's not something I want to see now," Ron said rolling his eyes.
"Come on," Cho said. "Let's take our wine into the sitting room. We can turn on the Wireless and listen to the celebration downtown."
"And try not to think about the four teenagers all alone in our home," Luna said to Ron.
"They promised to behave themselves," Hermione pulled away from Harry. "No sleeping together or anything like that."
"Teenage boys don't know how to behave themselves," Harry said. "I know. I used to be one."
"But this is R.J. and Andrew, and they're both respectable young men," Hermione said. "And our daughter is a smart girl, plus Alexa's not going to risk getting into trouble again and not being able to see R.J. at all."
"Right," Harry said. "I'm just going to try and not think about it."
"Let me give you something else to think about," Hermione whispered in his ear, kissing him again.
"Oooh, I'm thinking about taking you upstairs," he said when they pulled apart. "But this isn't our home."
"We can go home," she said suggestively.
Harry looked thoughtfully at her. "Let's go home..."
Cho, who was sitting next to Harry, overheard them. "Oh come on you two, you're spending the evening here with us. You're not going home for a shag!"
"You going to let us use a room upstairs then?" Harry asked.
"Harry James," Cho said, her hands on her hips.
"Okay," Harry said grumpily. "We'll stay here."
"I promise to make it worth your while come midnight," Hermione whispered, her lips brushing his earlobe.
"Who wants popcorn?" Cho asked while Neville turned on the Wireless.
"I do," Ron replied immediately.
"You do?" Cho asked in mock surprise.
"I'm hungry," Ron said, giving her a pitiful look.
"You just ate six pieces of chicken, four helpings of potatoes, four dinner rolls," Cho started counting each dish on her fingers.
"Six rolls," Luna reminded her. "He finished off mine and then he stole that one from Neville."
"Where the hell do you put it Ron?" Neville snorted.
"Right here," Ron said patting his stomach.
"You're so gross," Cho wrinkled her nose. "If I ate that much I'd look like and weigh as much as Millicent Bulstrode."
"I'm not gross," Ron protested. "I'm a healthy bloke with a healthy appetite. There's nothing wrong with that."
"So you've got the healthy appetite for food, while the rabbits have a healthy appetite for each other," Neville rolled his eyes in the direction of Harry and Hermione, who were kissing like no one else was in the room.
"What are we known for then?" Cho asked ignoring the snogging couple beside her.
"Well," Ron said thoughtfully. "Nev's known for being the overprotective father and you're the sensible one with the big mouth."
"What does that make me?" Luna asked curiously. "The odd one?"
"The dreamer," Cho said smiling at her. "The one who believes that anything is possible."
Luna grinned. "I like that better."
*** *** ***
At the Weasley house, Saffron and Alexa were waiting for R.J. and Andrew to get back from picking up pizza and movies.
"We should never have trusted them with the movie choice," Saffron said to Alexa. "I cringe to think of what they'll choose."
"Have you got any back up?" Alexa asked. "Other than your parents' collection that we've watched a million times?"
"Those are so good though," Saffron said smiling at her friend. "Do you remember that weekend you stayed over and we watched almost every single one of them?"
"Yes," Alexa giggled. "I thought my eyes were going to go spare."
"We should do things like that more often," Saffron said. "Even though we both have boyfriends now."
Alexa grinned. "I love it that we both have boyfriends."
"Best friends who are dating best friends," Saffron giggled.
"Finally," Alexa nudged her as she stole a crisp. "Took you long enough to notice Andrew, Saffy."
"I always thought he was cute," Saffron said softly. "And when we were in hospital together, he was just...amazing. We talked and talked and he made me laugh."
"And then you snogged and you were over the moon for him," Alexa swooned dramatically and fell onto the sofa, laughing.
"You're one to talk," Saffron said throwing a pillow at her.
"What?" Alexa asked, tossing it back. "I was over the moon for R.J. before he kissed me."
"And never told me!" Saffron said grabbing the pillow.
"Only after I caught you two snogging," Alexa teased her as Puddles barked from the little bed they'd made for him in the corner.
"True," Saffron said giggling. "But I guess I should have known that first time I introduced you two and you could only say 'um, um, um, well...'"
"That's pretty much all we say now in between snogs," Alexa said with a grin.
Saffron laughed. "Okay, you have to tell me the truth here... were you the one who sent him that valentine two years ago? I have to know."
Alexa turned bright red and Saffron laughed even harder.
"Does he know?" Saffron asked. "Because he spent two months trying to figure out who it was!"
"I never said anything," Alexa confessed. "Because it was such a stupid Valentine."
"It wasn't that stupid," Saffron reassured her. "He told me he liked it."
"He did?" Alexa asked. "Well... in case he hasn't figured it out, maybe I'll tell him tonight sometime."
"We're back!" R.J. called out as he opened the door.
"About time!" Saffron replied. "What took you so bloody long?"
"Hello?" R.J. asked her sarcastically. "It's New Year's Eve."
"What's your point?" Saffron asked. "Cassandra..."
R.J. glared at her. "Okay Pepper Potter, keep it up and you won't get any pizza."
Saffron kicked his leg. "Call me that again and die."
"I promise to not call you that if you lay off the Cassandra crap," R.J. said setting the box down on the coffee table.
"I guess," Saffron said, smiling at Andrew. "What sort of pizza did you get?"
"For Andrew and me, the meat lovers," R.J. said setting the box down. "And for you two, pepperoni and mushroom."
"Yum," Saffron said, flipping open the top box. "This smells so good." she pulled a slice out as Puddles ambled over.
"I'll go and grab some sodas for us," Alexa said getting up. "And plates too."
"I'll help," R.J. said, following her into the kitchen.
Alexa walked over to the icebox. "So was it really crowded?"
"Yeah especially to get movies. Thank goodness Andrew knows his way around those Muggles. I'd have been completely lost," R.J. confessed.
Alexa laughed. "You're not that bad."
"I'm really glad your parents let you come over tonight," R.J. said, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
"Me too," she agreed relaxing against him. "This is so much better than last year. I spent it at Ben's watching him and James act like complete idiots in front of Carrie and me."
"Of course it'll be better this year. You're with the hottest guy at Hogwarts and come midnight we're going to be snogging like no tomorrow," R.J. said with a cocky grin.
"You didn't tell me Jason was coming over," Alexa said trying not to laugh.
R.J. poked her side in reply. "That was below the belt," he complained.
"Well that was a pretty arrogant remark," she said giggling.
"Lexie," R.J. whined.
She turned around to face him. "You know that I do happen to think you are the hottest guy at Hogwarts..."
He beamed back at her. "I like hearing that. And I happen to think you're the most gorgeous girl at Hogwarts..." he leaned in.
"I am not," she said reaching up and tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Yes you are," R.J. pulled her hand down. "You're not still nervous around me are you Lexie?"
"No," she said softly. "I'm just..."
"The most gorgeous girl I've ever seen," R.J. said, his lips brushing hers.
Alexa felt weak in the knees as he pulled her close.
"Sometimes I can't believe the way I feel about you," he whispered in her ear.
"W-why's that?" Alexa asked.
"I just think I'm really lucky to have you," R.J. said, touching her cheek.
"I feel the same way about you," she whispered. "I always have."
R.J. pressed his nose into her hair and held her for a few more moments. "Come on, let's go eat and then we'll sneak away for a bit."
"Okay," Alexa said returning to the icebox to get the sodas.
"Well it's about bloody time," Andrew teased when R.J. and Alexa came back into the room. "Saffy and I thought we'd have to send out a search party."
"Like you two weren't doing the same thing we were," R.J. shot back, tossing his friend a butterbeer.
"We weren't," Saffron said. "Much."
"Sure," R.J. said sarcastically, sitting down. Puddles looked at him anxiously, ready for him to drop something on the floor. "No can do buddy, your owner over there says no people food."
"That's right," Saffron said shooting her puppy an apologetic look.
"He is so cute Saffy," Alexa grinned at the dog.
"You knew she'd get one," R.J. teased. "After whining and begging..."
"Sod off," Saffron tossed a piece of mushroom at him.
"Thank you," R.J. said catching it in his mouth.
"Wanker," Saffron said. "What movies did you two get?"
"Some sappy chick movie that the bloke at the store said you two would love," Andrew said. "And a scary one so you'd have to hold on to us during the scary bits..."
"Oooh I like the sound of that," Saffron grinned at Andrew.
"What time will your mum and dad be back?" Alexa asked R.J.
"Not until after midnight, that much I know for sure," R.J. shrugged. "Last year they didn't come home until seven in the morning."
"You must have had fun," Alexa said.
"Not really," Andrew said. "We double dated with Christina and Sandra Walker."
"Ew," Saffron giggled. "Ravenclaw's dream team."
"Nightmare more like," Andrew said. "Cassandra here set me up with her."
"Shove off, Kirke, I didn't hear you complaining." R.J. replied.
"Yes you did," Andrew said taking another piece of pizza. "That went down as the worst date ever. Sandra and I spent most of the night watching you and Christina...well; let's not talk about that..."
"I second that," Alexa agreed.
"Sorry, Lex," Andrew apologised. "If it makes you feel any better, I like you way more than the other girls R.J. dated. Hands down."
"Thanks Andrew," Alexa smiled at him. "I appreciate that."
"I do too," R.J. said grinning at Alexa.
"Sappy snoggers," Saffron teased them.
"You are too," R.J. said. "Let's not talk about what you and Andrew did on my Nana's sofa Christmas Day."
"We were on the floor thank you very much," Saffron said.
"Carried on the floor did it?" R.J. said. "Way to go, Kirke....and with her parents and big brother in the next room..."
"I'm sneaky that way," Andrew said his arm around Saffron.
Saffron snuggled up closer to him. "I'm really glad we could do this tonight. All four of us. It's nice."
"That it is," he replied. "You lot want to watch one of the movies now? Or we could save it for later..."
"Doesn't matter to me," Saffron replied.
Andrew kissed under her ear. "Later sounds good to me," he whispered.
"We've got all night," Saffron said kissing him.
"Come on, Lexie," R.J. stood up, taking her hand. "We'll go into the dining room."
"The dining room?" she asked.
"Had to promise my mum and dad I wouldn't take you upstairs," he muttered.
"Right," Alexa said smiling at him. "The dining room it is."
"It's got carpet, otherwise I'd say the kitchen," R.J. said mischievously as he led her out.
"Alone at last," Saffron said, watching as Puddles plopped back down in his bed. "With the dog..."
"He's very protective of you," Andrew teased.
Saffron giggled. "He knows when I'm in a ... situation..."
"Seems to me like he thinks you're doing okay," Andrew said laughing.
"I'm definitely doing okay," Saffron said, moving over so that she was sitting on his lap, facing him. "One might even say... more... much more... than okay..."
Andrew grinned. "I'm doing pretty well myself actually."
"I bet you are," she giggled, winding her arms around his neck.
Andrew kissed her. "Hey Saf?"
"Hmm?" she asked.
"Happy New Year," he said smiling at her.
"Is it midnight already?" she gasped, grabbing his arm to look at his watch.
"No," he said laughing. "I just wanted to tell you beforehand."
"Oh," she grinned. "Just in case we miss it?"
"Right," he said. "In case, we're preoccupied."
"I hope we will be," Saffron whispered, leaning in.
Andrew kissed her again this time laying her down on the sofa.
Saffron ran her hands over his broad shoulders as he explored her mouth. He was a far better kisser than Peter- obviously more experienced- and she liked that she didn't have to take the lead all the time.
He didn't want to push her or make her do anything that she wasn't ready for, but she hadn't stopped him yet and he took that as a good sign that it was okay to go a little further.
Saffron let out a purr of pleasure as he slowly sneaked his hand under her jumper. "Yes," she hissed, arching her back.
Andrew smiled down at her before kissing her again letting his hand inch precariously up her stomach.
Saffron dragged her fingernails up his back under his shirt. "Andrew," she murmured.
"Yeah?" he asked trying to remain in control, but the feeling of her hands on his skin was making it very hard not to do what he really, really wanted.
"This feels really... really good," she said, her eyes half closed.
"It does," Andrew said peppering her neck and shoulders with kisses.
She tugged up on her jumper, glad she'd decided to wear a camisole underneath that day. "Getting a bit warm in here," she said when they pulled away briefly.
"Very warm," he said softly fingering one of the camisole straps. "You're so beautiful, Saffron."
Saffron felt the increasingly familiar butterflies in her stomach as she pulled him back down again.
He kissed her softly this time, enjoying the moment.
Andrew shifted a little so that she was lying more on top of him. Taking the initiative, Saffron opened his mouth under hers, pressing her body against his.
He was a little surprised by her action, but he'd always known that when Saffron Potter wanted something, she went after it with full force. And he was happy that it was him that she wanted. "Saffy..."
"Just kiss me," she said, pressing her lips to his urgently.
Andrew did as she asked and his hands again worked their way under her camisole top.
This was further than she'd gone with any guy and it made her a little nervous, but Andrew was being careful, and he was sweet.
"Hey guys, it's two minutes until midnight," Alexa said coming back into the sitting room with R.J. "Oh! I'm sorry..."
Andrew and Saffron jumped apart, breathing heavily. "It's okay," Andrew said, handing Saffron her jumper.
"Saffron," R.J. said covering his eyes. "Do you and I need to have the talk?"
Alexa hit him on the arm. "Stop it, R.J."
"Sod off," Saffron said. "Puddles come here baby!" she patted her lap. "Come here!"
The dog happily scampered into her lap and Saffron giggled.
"Turn the wireless on," Alexa said to R.J. "So we can hear the countdown."
"Yes dear," R.J. smirked.
Saffron settled back down by Andrew and scratched her puppy behind his ears. "That was really amazing," she whispered to him.
Andrew grinned. "It was."
"Better than any snog I've ever had," she said, leaning against him as he slid his arms around her.
"I feel the same way," he whispered.
"....ten....nine...eight," Alexa started counting down with the announcer on the wireless.
"Seven," R.J. grinned back.
"Six!" Saffron chimed in. "Five!"
"Four...three....two," Andrew said in a dramatic voice.
"One!" they all shouted together, laughing.
Alexa turned and jumped into R.J.'s arms at the stroke of midnight, kissing him rather ferociously.
"And to think she used to be shy and quiet," R.J. said when they pulled breathlessly apart.
Alexa giggled. "You made a wild child out of me."
"Did you tell R.J. your little secret?" Saffron asked her best friend.
"What little secret?" R.J. nudged her. "Something dirty?"
Saffron gave her friend a wicked grin before turning back to Andrew.
"It's nothing," Alexa said blushing.
"Tell me," he insisted.
Alexa put her head in her hands. "Do you um, remember a couple years back on Valentine's Day...?"
R.J. shook his head. "What about Valentine's Day?"
Alexa looked away. "Do you remember that person who left you that chocolate frog with the poem?"
"Yeah," he said. "Wait- that was you?"
Alexa gave a slight nod. "I know it was stupid and I can't believe I actually left it for you. I actually changed my mind but you'd already picked it up and Jason was taking the Mickey about it."
"I liked it," R.J. brushed her hair behind her ear. "I wish I'd known it was you sooner."
"It was so stupid," Alexa said with a laugh. "And you know you wouldn't have looked twice at me."
"Uh hello in there," R.J. grinned. "I'm in love with you."
"Yes, but you weren't then," Alexa said. "You'd have laughed yourself silly if you'd known it was me."
"Would not," R.J. returned, kissing her.
"Would so," Alexa said giggling. "You thought I was Saffron's daft, quiet friend."
"Just quiet," he said, pushing her down on the other sofa. "Never daft..."
"It doesn't matter now," she whispered. "We're together now and that's all in the past."
"Right," R.J. kissed her again. "Let's make like our friends and snog okay? We have at least a few more hours." he said devilishly.
"Happy New Year R.J.," Alexa said smiling up at him.
"Happy New Year, Lexie," he grinned back.
*** *** ***
"You're going to have quite the houseful tonight," Allison said to her sister in law. "Are you sure you're prepared?"
"I think so," Lizzy said. "And thanks so much for coming over to help me get things ready."
"Anytime," Allison smiled. "The girls were excited to come over and spend time with their cousins."
Lizzy opened up a bag of crisps. "I doubt this party will top that wild night at yours last year."
"You mean where my husband did an impromptu lap dance, I was forced to almost strip, you told Josh you were pregnant and Nick wore a toga?" Allison laughed. "Maybe not- but we've got a bigger crowd this year.
"And we have to tone things down since the kids are here." Lizzy said laughing.
"So no letting Julie near the champagne and no Truth or Dare," Allison finished.
"Exactly," Lizzy said. "And no togas."
Josh came into the kitchen with Emma in his arms and Caroline on his back. "Hi, Allie. Look who I ran into in the hall."
"Hi Josh," Allison kissed his cheek. "What did you two silly girls do to your uncle?"
"Nothing," Caroline said innocently.
"Em want Dada!" Emma said squirming in Josh's arms.
"Daddy will be here later," Allison said, taking Emma. "He had to go fly."
"On New Year's Eve?" Josh asked.
Emma's lower lip trembled. "Dada..."
"Shhhh..." Allison kissed her daughter's forehead. "That's why we had her party yesterday," she said a bit glumly. "This new client is pretty demanding but they pay well."
"Jon did look pretty knackered at Emma's party," Lizzy commented.
"He's been taking extra lessons all the time," Allison said, smoothing back Emma's curly hair. "He hasn't been around much all week."
"But he promised to be here tonight," Caroline said happily. "He Pinky sweared."
"Yes he did promise," Allison smiled reassuringly at her. "And you know your daddy would never break a promise to you."
"And he never passes up free food," Josh said tweaking Caroline's nose.
"Neither does Grandpa," Caroline giggled.
"But he's at his own party tonight," Josh said laughing.
"That's why we still have food," Lizzy said with a grin.
The doorbell rang. "Can I go get it Uncle Josh?" Caroline asked.
"Sure Angel," Josh said, setting her down. "Make sure you ask who it is first okay?"
"Okay," Caroline said running out of the kitchen toward the front door. At the top of her lungs, she screamed out, "WHO IS IT?"
Katie laughed on the other side. "Let us in Caroline!"
Caroline grinned and swung open the door. "Hi Katie!"
"Happy New Year!" Katie said happily.
"It's not midnight yet," Ashley reminded her sister.
"I was just telling her," Katie shot back.
"Come on Ashley," Nick said taking his daughter's hand. "Let's go say hello to Josh and Lizzy."
"You're so lucky you're the big sister," Katie whispered to Caroline. "But you're much cooler than Ashley."
"I heard that!" Ashley turned and glared at her.
"We're going to have so much fun," Katie said ignoring her sister.
"I brought four of my movies," Caroline said. "And Uncle Josh said we could watch them with Emma. Did you bring the makeup?"
"Yes," Katie lifted her little kit. "And my tiara and some dresses for us to wear."
"This is going to be so great," Caroline grinned.
"Can I go see the babies Aunt Lizzy?" Ashley asked, coming into the kitchen.
"You can peek in the nursery," Lizzy said. "But be really quiet, okay? Your Uncle Josh just put them down for the night."
"Thanks," Ashley sent a happy grin her way as she skipped out.
"Hi Julie, Nick," Lizzy pecked them each on the cheek. "You know, Ash is getting more and more gorgeous by the day. So's Katie."
"Thanks," Nick said grinning at her. "Now if only we could get them to like each other."
"I bet they'll get along just fine eventually," Josh replied. "Look at me and Jon." he laughed.
"You two still fight all the time," Julie said giving him a hug.
"But it's good natured," Josh said. "By the way Jules, you're already cut off. We have to behave tonight."
"I wasn't that bad last year," Julie said defensively.
"Jules you were pissed off your rocker," Nick laughed at his wife. "Toga?"
"That was you in the sheet, not me," Julie said poking him.
"To-ga?" Emma asked scrunching up her nose.
Allison laughed. "That's right baby girl. Toga."
Emma giggled and buried her face in her mother's shoulder.
"I love her little ponytail Allie," Julie grinned. "She's so beautiful."
"Jon keeps telling her she's going to be a little heartbreaker when she's older," Allison said looking fondly at Emma.
"Hat - baker," Emma repeated.
Everyone laughed.
"That's you exactly," Nick said making a goofy face at Emma. "Where is your dad then?"
"Dada fly," Emma said.
"Is he in the backyard?" Nick asked. "It's been ages since I've flown..."
"No he's got a lesson tonight," Allison said softly.
"That same client?" Julie asked. "If he keeps this up, he won't have to teach the rest of the year."
"That'd be great," Allison said. "I miss having him around."
"He's coming later though right?" Julie asked.
Allison nodded.
"Great," Julie said. "So Lizzy, when do we get the grand tour?"
"I'll take you around right now if you like," Lizzy offered.
"I'd love that," Julie said. "And maybe we can peek in the nursery too."
"Sure," Lizzy agreed with a grin. "You won't believe how big they are already. And Casey has the reddest hair I've ever seen."
"And has Josh wrapped around her little finger, I'm sure," Julie teased.
"Of course she does," Josh grinned. "My little girl."
"I still can't believe Josh Weasley is a daddy," Julie said. "It seems like just yesterday, we were all Caroline and Katie's age."
"Tell me about it," Allison agreed, following with Emma in tow. "Sometimes I look at these two and I can't believe I have two children."
"I know," Julie agreed. "When did we all grow up?"
"Speak for yourself," Nick grinned at her. "I don't think I ever grew up."
Julie laughed. "Planning on doing it anytime soon?"
"Not if I can help it," Nick said.
"Growing up can be overrated," Josh said.
"They're so cute!" Ashley said as she encountered her parents and everyone else in the hall. "Noah keeps making these funny faces in his sleep!"
"Just like his father," Lizzy teased.
"Hey," Josh laughed, giving his wife a kiss.
Julie stepped quietly into the nursery and looked down at the babies.
"They're so sweet," she whispered as Aidan made a cooing noise, his little lips pursed.
"They are," Allison said coming into the room for a better look.
"I really wish we could have come yesterday," Lizzy said. "But we were worried- Casey was running a small fever so we thought it was best to stay home."
"It's okay," Allison said. "Emma loved the tea set you sent. Didn't you, Em?"
Emma nodded eagerly. "Thank," she said.
"You're very welcome," Lizzy said keeping her voice in a whisper. "I can't believe you are two years old."
"Em big girl," Emma said happily.
"How would the big girl like to help Uncle Josh?" Josh asked scooping her up.
"Kay," Emma agreed.
Josh carried Emma out of the room and Julie, Allison and Lizzy followed, but kept their pace slow.
"So any luck yet?" Lizzy asked her best friend.
"Not yet," Allison shook her head. "We're still trying though. When he's home that is..."
"Trying can be fun," Lizzy said with a grin.
"Very fun," Julie agreed with a grin.
"I'd love to give Jon a son this time," Allison said wistfully. "Of course, if I do get pregnant and it's another girl, that's lovely as well. But I think Jon would love having a little boy."
"Or you could do like Chi," Julie said. "Have one of each."
"Four might be a bit much," Allison shook her head. "Especially having two at once."
"True," Julie said with a laugh. "Chi is really great with the twins. I know she's still insecure about it, but she's really doing an amazing job."
"She definitely is," Allison agreed. "I've been over there helping out when I can but she's holding together a lot better than she was before."
"How are things between her and Rebecca?" Lizzy asked referring to Chiaki's mother-in-law. "Things are better, aren't they?"
"Especially since Toshio stepped in," Allison nodded.
"Good," Lizzy said. "She sounded like a right nightmare. We really lucked out in the mother-in-law department with Luna."
"She's really wonderful," Allison agreed. "Always has been."
"Want to talk about nightmare mother in laws?" Julie rolled her eyes. "I have loads of stories. Chi and I would get together and bitch from time to time."
"Ginny," Allison said scrunching up her nose. "Thankfully, she's thousands of miles away though now, Jules."
Lizzy nodded. "Yeah, I'd have to say Jules wins this one hands down."
"I'm just glad Ash and Katie don't really remember the whole meeting last year that well," Julie replied as they went back into the kitchen. "Poor Ashley was devastated by the way they were."
"It's a shame though that they're so selfish they don't want to see their grandchildren," Allison said. "And Molly's still so heartbroken about the whole thing."
"What are you lot talking about?" Nick asked, handing his wife a drink.
"Your mum and dad," Julie admitted.
Nick's lip curled up. "Why?"
"We started talking about nightmare mother-in-laws and it kind of went to your mum," Julie said biting her lip.
"Well that's understandable," Nick slid his arm around her. "I lucked out getting your parents as in laws."
Julie smiled and leaned against him.
Ashley came back into the kitchen carrying her sketch pad. "I'm going to go out in the back yard and do some sketches."
Julie frowned. "Ashley, it's freezing outside. Can't you just sketch inside instead?"
"But I want to do the trees," Ashley protested.
"Okay," Julie relented. "But put on your cloak and gloves and don't stay out there for very long. I don't want you getting sick."
"All right," Ashley rolled her eyes.
"She could have played with Katie and Caroline," Allison suggested once Ashley was out of earshot. "I know she sometimes feels left out."
"She thinks she's too grown up," Nick replied.
"Her days of dress up are long over eh?" Allison asked.
Julie laughed. "She's nine going on thirty you know."
"I thought there was a party going on in here," Darla said from the doorway.
"Hi Dar," Lizzy said giving her sister-in-law a hug. "I didn't even hear you come in."
"We just got here," Darla said. "Drew and Brian are in the hall there."
"Brian?" Allison asked. "From the Ministry party----that Brian?"
"Yeah," Darla said with a grin. "They've been seeing each other- casually- since then. Tonight's sort of their first real date."
"That's great," Allison said smiling back at Darla. "He seems like such a nice bloke."
"He is. Much better than that arse, Paul." Darla said. "Oh and this is my date, Hans."
A tall, blonde man with an athletic build stepped forward. "It's nice to meet you all."
"Hi there," Allison greeted him. "Hans- you must be from Germany?"
He nodded. "From Hamburg."
"Lovely to meet you," Julie added, shaking his hand.
"Hans, this is Julie and her husband Nick," Darla said. "And that's my sister-in-law, Allie and this is Lizzy."
"Great to meet you," Nick smiled. "Can I get you something to drink? I guess I'm the unofficial bartender tonight."
"We're not paying you," Lizzy reminded him.
"I don't mind," Nick winked at her.
"A beer would be great," Hans said to Nick. "Thanks."
Drew came into the room. "Hi everyone," she said. "You all remember Brian right?" she looked happier than any of them had seen her lately.
"Good to see you again Brian," Allison said warmly.
"You too Allison," he remembered her name. "Lizzy, Josh- thank you for inviting me over tonight."
"We're glad to have you over," Lizzy said grinning at him.
Allison grabbed Drew's arm. "You are glowing, Drew," she whispered.
"He's fantastic," Drew whispered.
"And you look lovely tonight," Allison said smiling at her. "New dress?"
"Dar and I went shopping yesterday," Drew grinned. "You look great too Allie. You always look great though."
Allison smiled. "You're one of my most favourite sisters-in-law, you know that right?"
"I'm one of your only sisters in law," Drew teased her.
"True," Allison said. "But you're in the top two."
Nearly two hours later, the party was well under way. Chiaki and Toshio had arrived just before dinner and everyone had doted over the twins. Allison kept looking at her watch wondering what could be keeping Jon.
"I can't believe Daddy's still not here," Caroline pouted.
"I'm sure he'll be here soon," Allison said trying to sound convincing. It was just gone 11 and Emma and Caroline were both trying to stay awake to see their father.
"I'm getting sleepy," Caroline's makeup was getting smeared as she rubbed her eyes and Emma was yawning continuously.
"I'll tell you what," Allison said. "If you both feel like going to sleep, I promise to wake you up when Daddy gets here."
"You promise?" Caroline asked. "Cross your heart promise?"
"Pinky swear," Allison replied. "I'll even have him wake you both up."
"Okay," Caroline said sleepily. "Come on, Em. Let's go lie down."
"Kay," Emma took her sister's hand.
Allison watched her two daughters go and hoped that Jon wouldn't let them down tonight.
"Josh and I have a special treat," Lizzy said producing a bottle of champagne. "Julie you get half a glass."
"Sod off," Julie complained. "I am NOT that bad."
"When you only have half a glass, yes," Lizzy said grinning at her.
"You lot are like the bloody police," Julie grumbled. "My own husband won't even stick up for me here."
"Julie, you do get a little out of sorts when you drink," Nick said putting an arm around her.
Julie glared icily at her husband without saying a word.
"One glass won't do any harm," Chiaki said in her friend's defence. "And it is New Year's Eve."
"All right Jules," Josh appeased her.
"Thank you, Chi," Julie said grinning at her.
"Anything for my girl," Chiaki put an arm around her best friend.
Brian smiled at Drew. "Did I tell you how pretty you looked tonight? Because if I didn't, I need to be hexed."
Drew blushed. "You did. Thanks Brian." she smiled back at him.
"I like your family," he said. "They seem to care an awful lot about you."
"They do," she said, accepting a glass of champagne from him. "We're all pretty close."
"I certainly saw that the night of the ball," Brian said softly.
"I'm really glad you wanted to come tonight," Drew said quietly. "I've... I've had a really good time with you over the last few weeks."
"I feel the same way," he said smiling at her. "And my New Year's Resolution is to get to know you better.
Drew turned even more red. "Maybe that's mine too," she said a bit boldly.
Brian leaned in and softly kissed her.
It wasn't their first kiss, but it was definitely the sweetest they'd shared so far.
"Happy New Year, Drew," Brian whispered.
"Happy New Year," she whispered back with a grin.
Josh smiled at Darla. "It's good to see Drew smiling again."
"That it is," Darla replied. "Brian has been so good for her."
"You know what I think?" Josh asked. "I think this is going to be a good year for all of us. Best one yet, I think."
"I really hope so," Darla replied. "I think the night would be the best for Allie if Jon showed up now..."
Jon was trying to do just that. He'd spend the better part of the evening watching Muggles get pissed and listening to some of the lamest stories in the world. He was supposed to have gotten off an hour ago, but his boss Victoria had asked if he'd stay over.
"You keep looking so glum, you're going to scare away the customers," Victoria said walking back around the bar.
"Sorry," Jon replied. "My wife is going to have my arse though. I'm supposed to be at my brother and sister in laws by now."
"Tell you what," Victoria said thoughtfully. "I'll take over for you behind the bar, if you promise to come in early tomorrow night."
"Are you serious?" Jon asked. "Victoria if you need me to stay--"
"Get your arse out of here," she said pushing him toward the door. "I don't want to lose the best bartender we have because his wife's murdered him. Go, before I change my mind."
"Thanks Victoria," Jon said gratefully. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Happy New Year, Jonathan," she said laughing as he grabbed his coat and nearly ran out of the pub.
Allison checked her watch and sighed- it was now half past eleven and her husband still hadn't showed.
As soon as he found a secluded alleyway, Jon disapparated to his brother's front steps. He said a silent prayer that Allison wouldn't be too angry with him.
"Maybe his client kept him late," Chiaki reassured her sister, who was looking worried. "As long as he's paying overtime..."
"I guess so," Allison sighed. "But the girls will be so disappointed if he doesn't show up."
Jon walked into the house and heard the faint sound of music and voices coming from the sitting room. He made his way in that direction and grinned when he saw his wife.
"It's about time," Josh teased slapping his brother on the back.
"Sorry mate," Jon replied. "Got hung up with my lesson tonight."
"Better late than never," Josh said handing him a glass of champagne.
"Thanks," Jon grinned. "I'm going to see Allie."
"Jon," Chiaki said smiling at him. "We'd about given up on you."
"I know," he said apologetically. "I got held up, but I'm here before midnight. That's what counts."
"The girls fell asleep waiting for you," Allison said, a bit coolly. "I promised them you'd wake them up when you got here."
Chiaki excused herself to give them some privacy.
"I couldn't get away, Al," he said giving her his most winsome grin. "I haven't seen you since this morning. Come on..."
"You'd better go wake up the girls so they're up in time for midnight," Allison turned away.
He put a hand on her shoulder. "Come with me, Al. Please?"
"Fine," she said, setting her champagne glass down and walking out ahead of him.
Jon sighed. He was definitely in trouble, but he hoped it wouldn't last long. He hated it when Allison was cross with him.
They walked back to Josh and Lizzy's bedroom where the girls were sleeping. Jon sat down on the edge of the bed and leaned down and kissed Caroline on the forehead. "Wake up, Angel."
"Daddy?" Caroline blinked. "You're here!"
Jon smiled as Caroline sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I promised, didn't I?" Jon asked softly.
Allison had to smile as Jon kissed their daughter's forehead. "Sweetheart," she shook Emma gently. "Baby, Daddy's here."
"Dada?" Emma asked sleepily, her eyes blinking open.
"Hey you," Jon grinned, picking both of them up. "How are two of my three favourite girls in the world?"
"We missed you," Caroline said beaming at him. "Mummy the most."
"Daddy's sorry," Jon replied. "But I'm here the rest of the night now."
"Dada stink," Emma said scrunching up her little nose.
"Emma!" Caroline whispered, horrified. "You're not supposed to tell Daddy that he smells bad!"
"Your daddy doesn't smell bad," Allison said coming closer. But as she did so, she got a good whiff of what smelled like beer and cigarettes. "Jon?"
"My client smokes," Jon said quickly. "A lot."
"Gross," Caroline said. "Smoking is really, really bad for you, Daddy. You should get him to stop right now. "
"I'll make sure I say something to him Angel," Jon said. "Come on; let's go out to the party okay?"
Caroline nodded and hugged him again. As they walked back out of the bedroom, Jon couldn't help noticing what a posh house his brother and sister-in-law now owned.
Allison followed her husband and children wordlessly, not quite knowing if she was angry at Jon or not. While she knew it was important that they have money, she thought it was a bit extreme that this client was demanding Jon work so late during the holidays.
"Come here girls," Josh said motioning to his nieces. He had some sparkling apple cider for the children.
Jon smiled at Allison. "You look beautiful tonight, Al."
"Thanks," Allison said, picking up her champagne glass again which Josh had refilled for her.
"I know I'm late," he said. "But I wouldn't have missed being here for the world, you know that."
"I know," Allison softened at the look on his face. "I just wish you'd owled me. I was really getting worried about you."
"I know," he said pulling her closer. "How can I make it up to you?"
Allison rested her chin on his shoulder. "Just don't leave me the rest of the night."
Jon held her tightly. "I'm not going anywhere, Allie."
Caroline's laughter made them pull apart. "Mummy," she exclaimed. "Emma's making the funniest faces when she drinks this!" she held up the cup of cider that Josh had given her.
"Let me see," Allison said taking Jon's hand and leading him over to their daughters.
"Take another sip, Em," Caroline urged.
"No," Emma said, her little lips pursed.
"Pleeeeeeeeeease?" Caroline asked.
"Em no like!" Emma replied.
"I'll take one too," Caroline cajoled. "We'll do it together okay? One... two... three..."
Emma held her cup up to her lips and waited to make sure Caroline was going to drink too.
Caroline didn't back down and her parents both laughed as Emma scrunched up her whole face at the taste of the cider. "See?" she giggled.
"Yucky," Emma said swallowing.
"You are too much," Jon chuckled, picking Emma up. "How about letting Daddy have a sip of that?"
Emma gladly gave her father the cup. "Em love Dada."
"Dada loves Em," Jon said, kissing her nose.
"Ten minutes until midnight," Lizzy announced.
"Katie," Caroline said excitedly. "You still have your dress on!"
"I'm not taking this off," Katie said twirling in one of Julie's old gowns.
"Its way too big for you Katherine," Ashley said. "And you've been tripping over it all night."
"Who cares?" Katie retorted. "Caroline and I look gorgeous in our ball gowns."
"Ashley," Nick warned sensing his eldest daughter was about to make a nasty retort.
"Can I have a sip of your champagne?" Ashley asked instead of making a smart aleck comeback.
"One small sip," Nick said handing her the glass.
Ashley made a face. "It's sort of bitter," she said, handing it back to him.
"Kind of like Em's cider," Caroline said laughing.
"That was so funny," Ashley giggled.
"We have another dress," Caroline offered. "If you want to try it on, Ashley."
"You do?" Ashley asked.
"Sure," Caroline said running over to grab another dress from Katie's kit. "It's blue. You want to put it on?"
"It's mine," Katie grabbed it back. "She doesn't get to wear my dresses Caroline."
"But it's not nice to leave someone out," Caroline said. "Emma got to wear one, Katie."
"No it's okay," Ashley glared at her sister. "Thanks but no thanks Caroline."
"I'm sorry Ash," Caroline said sincerely. "It would have looked really pretty on you."
"Thanks," Ashley smiled at the younger girl.
Emma walked over to Ashley and held out her bag of blocks. "Play?"
"I'd love to Emma," Ashley said. "Caroline? Want to join us?" she deliberately didn't include Katie.
"She can't," Katie said grabbing Caroline's hand.
"But--" Caroline said.
"Why don't you all play?" Drew suggested. "Together."
Ashley and Katie looked less than thrilled at this suggestion but agreed.
"It shouldn't matter too much," Julie replied. "After midnight you two are going to bed." she pointed to her daughters.
Katie wanted to protest, but figured it would be a bad idea.
"Come on," Caroline said. "Em likes it when you build it really, really high and then she knocks them down."
"Okay," Ashley agreed. "Let's build Emma the biggest tower ever!"
"Thank you Drew," Nick said smiling at her. "You saved us from another knock down, drag out."
"Not a problem Nick," Drew grinned at him.
"So Jules," Toshio asked. "Are you looking forward to going back to school?"
"Oh yes," Julie nodded. "Teaching at Hogwarts has been loads of fun- except for Snape. But the nice thing is now I can talk back to him." she grinned.
"I wish we could borrow your dad's old cloak so we could see that," Chiaki said grinning.
Julie laughed. "You'd have to ask Saffy for it."
"Your dad gave Saffy the cloak?" Chiaki asked. "That's so unfair! I begged and pleaded with him for years to give it to me."
Toshio laughed. "Chi, he wouldn't even give it to Julie."
"He used it for ages for work," Julie explained. "And once he got a new one, and started using invisibility spells, he passed his old one down to Saffy."
"Think of the damage I could have done if I'd have had that," Jon said wistfully.
"More than you already did, you mean?" Josh asked with a grin. "By the way, two minutes to midnight."
"Aye," Lizzy said. "You were in McGonagall's office so much; I heard you had your own chair."
"Smartarse," Jon replied. "It was engraved."
"Do you remember that time you made Snape dance?" Allison asked laughing. "I still don't know how you did it. I wish I could have seen it."
Jon put an arm around her. "That's still my little secret, and one of my greatest feats to date."
"Kids are still talking about it," Julie said. "To this day."
Jon grinned proudly at that.
"Okay everyone," Nick called. "Ten seconds!"
Everyone started to count along. The children yelling the numbers at the top of their lungs.
"ONE!" Caroline and Katie screamed, laughing.
"New Year!" Emma claimed happily.
"That's right," Jon said picking her up and tickling her. "Happy New Year!"
"Dada!" she giggled happily.
Allison's heart swelled as she watched her husband with their youngest daughter. Yes, Jon had been late, but that didn't matter now. She kissed him softly causing Emma to giggle even more.
"Dada love Mama," Emma clapped happily.
"Yes he does," Jon said looking at Allison. "And there's nothing he wouldn't do for her."
Allison smiled back at him. "Good to know," she said softly.
The sounds of babies crying filled the room and Josh laughed. "I think the babies want to celebrate too."
"Uh oh," Lizzy set down her glass. "Parenthood beckons..." she and Josh left the sitting room.
"They're so much more together with this than me," Chiaki said in admiration. "I'm sure it helps to have such a great house. This place is amazing."
"It is really nice," Allison agreed. "Josh and Lizzy have worked hard for this."
"And he's so excited about that book too," Julie said.
"Book?" Jon asked confused. "What's this about?"
"You missed it," Allison told him. "Josh is going to write a book."
"He is?" Jon raised an eyebrow. "Of what- poetry?"
Julie laughed. "No, not poetry. He's writing a book about some of the most important cases that have come before the Wizengamot over the past 100 years."
"Oh," Jon said, feeling a bit inadequate about this news.
"He just found out this morning," Allison said. "He and Lizzy were over the moon about it."
"I bet," Jon replied, thinking of his new job at the pub. His brother would never have to go through doing two jobs like that.
"We should probably get home," Allison said. "The girls look knackered."
"Sure," Jon said. "And I'd like to show you a proper new year."
"We should get our girls home too," Julie told Nick. "We're going over to my parents for brunch around half past eleven."
"Right," Nick said. "Merlin, we must be getting old."
"Speak for yourself, Mr. Rock Star," Julie kissed her husband. "Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year," Nick said grinning at her.
"You lot aren't going, are you?" Lizzy asked coming back into the room carrying Aidan.
"In a few minutes," Julie answered. "We don't want to burden you or Josh.
"You're not a burden," Lizzy said. "And we loved having you all over. We'll have to do it again soon."
"Definitely," Allison promised. "I absolutely love your new place."
"Thanks," Lizzy said. She looked over her shoulder and called for Josh.
"What's going on?" he asked. "I managed to get Casey and Noah back to sleep."
"Everyone's taking off," Lizzy told him. "Bunch of party poopers."
"For some of us, the party might just be starting," Nick said winking at his wife.
"I hear congratulations are in order," Jon said to Josh.
"Oh about my book?" Josh asked with a grin. "Thanks mate."
Jon forced a smile. He certainly didn't begrudge his brother his happiness or success, but he couldn't help but feel a little jealous how easy everything had always seemed to come to his twin brother.
"Congratulations again," Allison kissed Josh's cheek. "I'll owl you and we'll go to lunch this week while Caroline's at school," she told Lizzy.
"Sounds great," Lizzy said.
"Happy New Year Jon," Josh said giving his brother a hug. "I'm glad you could make it."
"Better late than never right?" Jon joked, picking up a sleepy Emma.
"Right," Josh said tugging at Emma's ponytail. "Good night, Em."
"Uncle Joe," Emma said, barely cracking her eyes open.
Jon stifled a laugh. "Ready, Al?"
"Sure," Allison said, holding Caroline's hand. "Thanks for the party you two," she said as Caroline waved a sleepy goodbye to Ashley and Katie.
"Come on," Nick said picking Katie up. "We should get going too."
Katie yawned. "Can I sleep in my dress Daddy?"
"Sure sweetheart," Nick replied. "Let's get you two home."
Darla knew that Drew wasn't quite ready to end the evening either, but they didn't want to overstay their welcome at Josh and Lizzy's.
"You and Brian want to come down to the pub with Hans and me?" Darla asked.
Drew looked back at her date. "Are you up for it?" she asked with a smile.
"I am if you are," Brian said with a grin.
"Definitely," Drew said, taking his hand.