Hi all- sorry I didn't get to review replies tonight, but I will do them tomorrow I promise- I (Heaven) went to the Anime Central Convention today and am falling asleep on my feet as I type this! (If any of you love Fullmetal Alchemist and are curious, I went as the Homonculus Lust)
So I promise tomorrow I will have replies done, and we hope you Jon and Allie fans will like this chapter- it's all them!
To say that Caroline Weasley was excited would have been a gross understatement. The little girl was practically on cloud nine the day of her recital. All throughout school, she'd gone over the steps in her head. When she came home, she'd practised in her bedroom. Now, she was trying to sit still as her mother applied makeup and fixed her hair.
"So everyone's going to be there?" Caroline asked.
"Grandma Cho, Grandpa Neville, Grandpa Ron, and Grandma Luna," Allison said smiling at her. "And Uncle Josh and Aunt Lizzy. Uncle Will and Aunt Frankie. Aunt Maddie and Ethan..."
"And Daddy," Caroline finished. "Right?"
"Of course Daddy," Allison said. "Now close your eyes, love so I can put this eye shadow on you."
"Okay," Caroline stood patiently. "I can't wait for Uncle Will to see me dance."
"You've got a soft spot for your Uncle Will, don't you?" Allison asked as she applied the eye shadow.
"I told you about that," Caroline blushed.
"I think it's very sweet," Allison said.
Emma toddled into the bathroom. "Mummy?"
"Yes baby?" Allison smiled at her youngest.
"Em dance too?" Emma asked spinning around.
Allison laughed. "You'll be in dance classes soon enough sweetheart."
"You can watch me and Katie and Mia," Caroline told her sister.
"No," Emma shook her head. "Em dance!"
"Not tonight, baby girl," Allison said gently. "You can sit with me and Daddy though."
Emma crossed her little arms and pouted.
"You're too little, Emma," Allison said kneeling down in front of her. "But I promise next year, you can start lessons with Grandma, okay?"
"Kay," Emma said grudgingly.
Allison kissed her on the cheek. "Which dress do you want to wear tonight, Em? Your pink one or the blue one with the little flowers on it?"
"Pink," Emma said. "Em dress Em!"
"You want to do it yourself?" Allison asked.
Emma nodded in reply.
"Okay," Allison said. "If you need help, you let me know, okay?"
"Kay Mummy," Emma stumbled back out.
"She wants to do everything herself," Caroline said.
"She's at that age," Allison smiled as she finished her daughter's makeup. "You were the same way when you were two."
"That was so long ago," Caroline said thoughtfully.
"A whole four years," Allison teased her.
Caroline giggled. "That's a long time, Mummy!"
"Time goes by faster as you get older," Allison said, tousling her daughter's long hair.
"Can I go get in my costume now?" Caroline asked. "Before you put my hair up? Grandma Cho said we had to put it in a bun."
"Sure Angel," Allison replied. "I'm going to check on your sister."
"Mummy?" Caroline asked. "Katie said that her daddy was going to give her flowers after our performance. Do you think Daddy will give me flowers, too?"
"He might," Allison grinned at her. "He loves to surprise you, so you have to act like you didn't expect it."
"I will," Caroline promised.
"Go on and put your costume on," Allison said, wondering just where her husband was.
Emma was in her bedroom dancing around in her pink dress. She'd put it on inside out, however.
"Mummy!" Emma said gleefully. "See?"
Allison laughed. "You almost got it sweetheart." she kneeled down. "Can Mummy help you put it on right?"
Emma thought about this for a second before nodding.
"Thank you baby," Allison kissed her cheek. "Do you want a ponytail today too?"
"Peas," Emma replied.
"All right," She quickly helped Emma turn her dress around and put it right then worked quickly to put her daughter's curls back in a little ponytail. "You look beautiful baby!"
Emma hugged her tightly around the neck. "Show Daddy?"
"Daddy's not home yet baby," Allison said. "But he'll want to see you when he gets here."
Meanwhile, Jon had just walked into the pub hoping Victoria would let him have the night off. Caroline's big recital was tonight and he had completely forgotten about it until this morning when Allie had reminded him.
"Thank God you're here," Victoria said from behind the bar.
"Has it been really busy?" he asked, wincing.
"Not yet," she replied. "But we have two parties booked tonight not to mention that bowling league has their banquet here tonight. And Carl and Stan called in sick."
"You've got to be kidding me," Jon groaned.
"I have a better sense of humour than that, Jon," Victoria said with a laugh.
"Yeah but..." he rubbed his forehead. "My daughter's dance recital is tonight..."
"What time is it?" Victoria asked.
"At half past seven," Jon answered. It was already quarter till seven now.
Victoria frowned. "Can you help me with the set-up here? And I'll let you go for the recital, but you have to promise to come back straight afterwards."
"Sure," Jon said, relieved. "Has anyone told you you're the best boss ever?"
Victoria laughed. "I have a little girl, too. I understand."
"Right," Jon said. "What can I do first?"
"Cellar," she replied. "Bring up those two boxes for me, please?"
"Right," Jon headed downstairs.
Allison gave up waiting for Jon and assumed that his lesson had run over and that he'd meet them at the studio. If she waited any longer, they'd be late.
"What if you leave Daddy a note?" Caroline asked.
"That's a good idea," Allison said grabbing a spare piece of parchment.
Jon---The girls and I have already left for the studio. If you're running late, don't worry. Caroline's performance is the fifth on the program so you have some time to spare. We can't wait to see you and don't forget the flowers! Love, Al
"All right my girls," Allison said. "Let's get to the studio."
"Yay!" Caroline and Emma said gleefully.
Mia was already at the studio with her parents, and anxiously waiting for Caroline to arrive. "Do you think I dance good like the rest of the girls?" she asked her parents.
Jack picked her up and kissed her cheek. "Mia, you are one of the best dancers in the world!"
Mia laughed. "Thanks Daddy."
Claire smiled. "Did you see where Mrs. Longbottom is having a party afterwards, Mia?"
Mia shook her head. "Where?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"Here," Claire replied. "I saw the set-up downstairs. I even saw pizza!"
"Pizza?" Mia asked her eyes wide. "I can't wait for pizza!"
Cho came over to say hello. "Hi, Mia. Are you ready for your debut?"
Mia nodded. "I'm kind of nervous though."
Cho nodded knowingly at the little girl. "I was really nervous my first performance, too. Do you know what I did?"
"What?" Mia asked.
"I pretended that the only people in the audience were my mum and dad," Cho said. "And I forgot about everyone else."
"What a great idea," Claire said warmly.
Cho smiled. "It helped me with the butterflies."
"I'll try and think like that," Mia said. "But I really wish Caroline was here."
"I call those two partners-in-crime," Cho said to Claire and Jack. "She and Caroline are inseparable."
"Caroline's become a good friend to her," Jack grinned. "It's fun to watch them together."
"Caroline's my best friend," Mia said shyly.
"And you're hers as well," Cho smiled at her.
"Here she is," Claire said smiling as Caroline ran toward them.
"Hey Grandma!" Caroline said launching herself at Cho.
"Hello darling," Cho smiled. "You look gorgeous!"
"Thanks," Caroline said hugging her tightly. She saw Mia and grinned. "Mia!"
"Hi Caroline," Mia grinned back at her. "You look pretty!" she said as Cho set her back down.
"So do you," Caroline said. "I'm so excited we get to dance in front of everybody!"
"And with Katie's class too," Mia said.
Caroline nodded. "We get to dance in front cause we're smaller," she explained.
"Gamma Cho!" Emma said waving.
"Hello baby," Cho laughed. "Don't you look all pretty today in your pink dress?"
"She dressed herself," Allison said to her mother. "With a little help."
"What a big girl," Cho exclaimed.
"The place looks wonderful Mum," Allison said.
"Thank you dear," Cho said. "I had your father helping me all morning."
"I remember when Frankie and me used to help," Allison said. "Well, I helped and Frankie complained."
Cho laughed. "That seems like so long ago now."
"Ages," Allison agreed. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I think we're all set," Cho replied, handing Emma back to her. "I'm just waiting for everyone to show up so I can get the girls all ready."
"Jon's lesson ran a little late," Allison said. "He should be here soon. I guess Em and I will go sit with Daddy."
"All right love," Cho said. "We'll see you after the show."
"Come on Em," Allison said. "Let's go say good luck to your sister."
"Kay," Emma said, waving to Cho. "Bye Gamma!"
"Bye Emma!" Cho said waving back at her.
"Caroline," Allison said. "Sweetheart, you are going to do so good tonight. And Daddy and me and Emma will be cheering you on."
"Okay Mummy," Caroline said. "I'll wave to you from the stage okay?"
Allison smiled and kissed her cheek. "Break a leg, sweetheart."
Mia started visibly. "Break a leg?" she asked, going pale.
"It's what people say in show business," Claire explained to her daughter. "It means good luck."
"Oh," Mia giggled. "We'll break both our legs then."
Allison stifled a laugh and picked Emma back up. "Come on baby girl. Let's go save Daddy a seat."
"Bye!" Emma waved to her sister.
Allison saw her father sitting in the front row and she laughed as Emma squirmed to get out of her hands. "You want to go see Grandpa?"
"Gampa!" Emma nodded. "Em go see Gampa!"
Allison set her down and Emma sprinted toward her grandfather.
"And who is this big girl?" Neville asked swooping her up. "This can't be little Emma Madeline Weasley, can it?"
"It's me!" Emma laughed delightedly. "It's Em!"
Neville laughed. "You are the prettiest two-year old I've ever seen in my life, Emma."
"Thank," Emma beamed, hugging him.
"Hi, Dad," Allison said taking off her coat.
"Hi sweetheart," Neville kissed her cheek. "How does it look up there?" he motioned to the stage with his free hand.
"Fantastic," Allison replied. "Mum said she had you working all day."
"And all last night," Neville rolled his eyes.
"You've been doing that for how many years now?" Allison teased.
"Too many," Neville tugged on one of Emma's curls. "You excited about seeing your sister dance?"
"Em wants to dance," Emma said pouting.
"Emma's going to start dancing next year," Allison told her. "Grandma doesn't have classes for you yet baby."
"Kay," Emma said clapping her hands. "Em sit with Gampa."
"I'd love that," Neville kissed the top of her head. "So where's that husband of yours?" he asked his daughter.
Allison frowned as she sat down. "He's running a little late."
"Is everything okay between you two?" Neville asked, concerned.
"Everything's fine," Allison answered. "He's just working really hard. This client of his has him working these really odd hours."
"Who is this client?" Neville asked as some of the other parents and siblings began to filter into the room.
"Some rich bloke," Allison said with a shrug. "The extra money is nice, but Jon's been away quite a bit lately."
"Em miss Daddy," Emma said.
"I bet you do," Neville bounced her gently.
Julie, Nick and Ashley arrived with minutes to spare. Ashley and Nick rushed to grab their seats while Julie took Katie backstage.
"Caroline!" Katie called out waving to her best friend. "I didn't think we were going to make it!"
"How come you're so late?" Caroline asked, waving back.
Katie rolled her eyes. "Mummy didn't get back from Hogwarts until like 10 minutes ago."
"Why were you there so late?" Caroline asked curiously.
"Some students were acting up in my last class," Julie replied. "I had to give them detention and I lost track of time."
"Greta helped get me ready," Katie said doing a twirl in her pink tutu.
"You look really pretty," Mia said softly.
"Thank you," Katie said. "So do you."
"Thank you," Mia said, her face lighting up.
"We're fifth in the program," Katie said. "First it's the three-year olds."
"They're so cute!" Caroline squealed. "That'll be Em next year."
"She really wants to dance doesn't she?" Mia asked giggling.
"She does," Caroline said. "You remember the other day when we were practising and how she tried to do it too?"
"That was so cute," Mia agreed.
"You two practised?" Katie asked folding her arms. "When?"
"A few days ago," Caroline said innocently, stretching like her grandmother showed them to do in class. "Mia stayed at my house while her mummy and daddy went out."
"Oh," Katie said. She noticed a couple of the girls from her own class in the corner. "Simone! Veronica! I'm going to warm up with you guys!"
Nick, Julie and Ashley headed for the auditorium as Mia stared sadly after Katie. "She doesn't like me," Mia said quietly.
"I don't think she likes me too much right now either," Caroline said putting an arm around her friend. "Come on, Mia. Let's warm up."
"I don't want her to be mad at you," Mia protested.
"It's okay," Caroline said. "Katie doesn't stay mad for very long."
"Unless you're me," Mia whispered but Caroline didn't hear her.
The recital began. Allison tried to pay attention to the three-year olds, but she kept looking over her shoulder for any sign of her husband. Chiaki touched her sister on the shoulder. "He'll show, Allie."
"I just can't believe he's not here yet," Allison muttered. "He knows how much Caroline was looking forward to having him here. She reminded him three times this morning at breakfast."
"He wouldn't miss this," Chiaki whispered back.
"Em dance," Emma eyed the young girls on stage, who were following Cho's movements just offstage. "Mummy Em want to dance!"
"Next year baby," Allison whispered. "I promise."
"No now," Emma pushed her lower lip out and gave her mother a stony look.
"Emma," Allison said trying to reason with her. "You can't. You're too little and you're not in that class."
"Em dance," she insisted.
"When all the classes are finished dancing, I'm sure your grandma wouldn't mind if you went on stage," Neville whispered.
Emma looked at her grandfather, her eyes wide. "Em dance with Gampa?"
"Absolutely," Neville said nodding. "But you have to be nice and quiet and watch the rest of the dances, okay?"
"Kay," Emma whispered. "Em be quiet."
Allison looked at her father and mouthed the words "Thank you".
Neville smiled at his daughter as the next group of girls took to the stage.
Emma sat dutifully on Neville's lap and watched the girls dance. Allison heard someone sitting down behind her and she looked expectantly to see whom it was. To her dismay, it was just Ron and Luna.
"Sorry we're late," Ron whispered.
"Did you see Jon?" Allison whispered back. "When you came in?"
"We thought he'd already be here with you," Ron said.
Allison shook her head.
"I'm sure he'll be here," Luna said smiling reassuringly at her daughter-in-law.
"Gamma Lu!" Emma said. "Be quiet."
Luna turned red as Ron snickered.
The third and fourth groups performed their dances and Allison again checked her watch. Caroline's group was up next. To make matters worse, after each dance the girls received flowers from their parents and if Jon didn't make it, Caroline wouldn't have any flowers.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Cho said standing in the middle of the stage. "Our next group is our six-year olds and seven -year olds."
"Woo! Caroline!" Ron hooted excitedly.
"Ronald!" Luna hissed. "This isn't a Quidditch match!"
"Yeah but she's my gorgeous granddaughter," Ron said shamelessly.
Caroline, Mia, and Katie took their places on the stage and Caroline gave a little wave.
"Sissy!" Emma whispered waving back.
Caroline grinned at her family. Due to the bright lights, she could mainly just see their silhouettes with only a few features mixed in.
The music began and the girls began to dance. Katie beamed and performed the dance perfectly.
"I think she likes being on stage," Julie whispered to Nick.
"Wonder where she gets that from?" Nick joked.
The girls finished the dance and took their bows. Nick stood up with some of the other fathers and headed toward the stage with a bouquet of flowers.
Caroline watched as Jack handed Mia a bouquet of carnations. She wondered what sort of flowers her father had gotten her.
"That was wonderful popkin," Jack grinned at his daughter.
Mia grinned back. "Thanks Daddy. They're beautiful."
Caroline strained her eyes for her own father. "Uncle Jack, did you see my Daddy?"
"No I didn't sweetheart," Jack told her.
"I'd better do something," Neville said, noting the disappointed look on Caroline's face as she searched for Jon. "Have you got anything I can transfigure?"
"I'm sure I have a quill in my bag," Frankie said. She dug it out gave it to Neville while Will made a few long stem roses out of a few coins he had in his pocket. Neville changed the quill into a pretty sunflower bouquet and handed Emma over to Allison.
"Thanks, Dad," Allison said quietly.
"Here you go, sweetheart," Neville said handing the bouquet to Caroline. "You did wonderful!"
"You both did magnificent," Will handed one rose to Caroline and the other to Mia. "I'm very proud of you both."
"Thanks," Caroline said absently. "But where's my Daddy? He saw right? He saw my dance?"
"I... I don't' know Angel," Neville said hesitantly.
Tears welled up in Caroline's eyes. "He promised he'd be here, Grandpa. He said he would. Daddy never breaks promises."
"Shhhh," Neville took her hand. "I'm sure he's just waiting in the back somewhere..."
Caroline nodded. "Let's go find him, Grandpa."
"Sweetheart you have to go backstage," Neville said. "We'll find him during the party."
"Okay," Caroline said reluctantly following her classmates off the stage.
"Frankie?" Allison said. "Can you watch Emma for me? I'll be right back."
"Sure Allie," Frankie held her arms out to her niece.
Allison quickly went backstage to find the rest of Caroline's class congratulating each other. Caroline was standing off to the side crying. Mia was trying to comfort her friend.
"Angel?" Allison asked holding out her arms.
"Mummy," Caroline sobbed. "Daddy wasn't there to see me!"
"Come here," Allison said giving her a hug. "I'm sure that there's a good excuse."
Caroline sniffled. "But he promised he would be here."
Allison had never been this angry with Jon. Right now, she would like to strangle him with her bare hands. There certainly had better be a good excuse for why he'd missed the recital.
"I know," Allison said patting her daughter's back. "I'm sure your Daddy wished he could have been here."
Caroline nodded into her mother's shoulder.
"Come on," Allison said picking her up. "Let's go back out front and watch the other dancers, okay? And then we'll have pizza and cake with your friends? Okay?"
"Grandma said we have to stay back here until the recital is over," Caroline wiped her eyes. "Will you stay with me Mummy?"
"I will," Allison said kissing her on the forehead. "You did so good Angel Girl."
"Thanks," Caroline said. "Mia did good too didn't she Mummy?"
"Mia did great," Allison said smiling at the girl who was staring concernedly at Caroline. "I'm so proud of both of you."
"Thanks," Mia said shyly.
Katie tentatively walked over and gave her best friend a hug. "I'm sorry, Caroline."
"It's okay," Caroline said.
Allison sat with her heartbroken daughter in her lap wondering what on earth had kept her husband from the recital. For a horrible moment, she wondered if maybe Jon had been hurt or something terrible had happened.
At the pub, Jon was trying to break up a fight between two of the bowling teams.
"Look," Jon shouted over the music, getting in between the two burly men. "You can either back off or take this outside."
"What are you going to do about it?" one of the men snarled.
"We could snap you like a twig," the other man said with a smug grin.
"I'd really like to see you try," Jon said, narrowing his eyes. He was a lot stronger than he looked.
One of the men's wives came forward. "Joe! Come on. Stop this nonsense! We need to get home anyway. It's after nine."
"Go," Jon glared at him. "And don't come back until you learn how not to be an arse in public."
The man looked as if he wanted to say something, but thought better of it.
"Good save," Victoria said as Jon came back to the bar. "And just think we only have three more hours of this."
Jon ran his hands wearily through his hair. "I am in so much trouble," he said miserably.
"For what?" Victoria asked pulling a confused face. "Jon, those blokes are all talk and no action."
"No," Jon pointed to the clock. "I just realised that I missed my daughter's recital. It was a half hour ago."
Victoria frowned. "Jon!"
"I didn't even notice the time," he said, pulling out a bottle of beer and popping it open for himself. "Until just now..."
"I should have reminded you," Victoria said apologetically. "We were just so swamped. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault," Jon assured her, pulling back hard on his beer. "I should have cleared this with you before."
"I'm sure your little girl will understand," Victoria said patting him on the arm.
"I hope so," Jon said. "I'm just not sure my wife will."
Victoria would have let him go then if it hadn't been so crowded. As it was, Jon stayed until closing and helped clean up dreading the moment he had to face his wife and Caroline.
"Jon you are a Godsend," Victoria said to him. "You're one of the best bartenders I've ever hired."
Jon gave her a slight smile. "Thanks, Victoria."
"I mean it," Victoria said. "You bring your wife and those girls by soon and your meal is on the house."
"If they're still speaking to me," Jon muttered.
"You'll be fine," Victoria assured him. "Just turn on that charm I know is in there."
Jon nodded. "I'll try. I'm going to head on out unless you need anything else?"
"I think I'm good," Victoria smiled at him. "Thanks again for staying so late."
"No problem," Jon said. "I'll see you tomorrow evening."
"Night," Victoria turned out the lights and headed for the backroom to finish that night's paperwork.
Jon grabbed his cloak and since Victoria was out of sight, he disapparated.
Allison was currently pacing in the sitting room, worrying about where her husband could be. The note she'd left was in the same place it was when they'd gone to the recital.
Jon unlocked the door and took off his coat. "Al?"
Allison heard her husband's voice and raced for the front door. "Where the HELL have you been?" she asked, relieved and angry at the same time.
Jon paled. "I--I..."
"Do you know how worried I've been?" she asked.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I should have owled or called..."
"Damn right you should have," Allison snapped.
"Allie," Jon started to explain. "I couldn't get away and I feel like such an arse. Is Caroline angry?"
"Angry?" Allison asked, her eyes narrowing. "She sat backstage and bawled after she realised you weren't there, if that's what you're wondering. And I had to sit with her until she went to sleep and had to reassure her that you were okay, because NOTHING short of you being in the bloody hospital should have kept you from being there Jon."
Jon put his head in his hands. He silently berated himself for being so foolish. Why hadn't he looked at the clock? Why hadn't he asked for the bloody night off? He could see the disappointment in Allison's eyes and he could see the anger. What she was feeling toward him now was nothing to how he felt about himself at the moment.
"I'll make it up to her, Al," Jon said suddenly. "I will. I'll do anything."
Allison shook her head. "What the hell is wrong with your client?" she demanded. "How could he not let you go to your own daughter's recital?"
"We lost track of time," Jon lied. "He's a complete perfectionist, Al. He wanted to have it cold before we---"
"Who is he?" Allison asked sharply.
"What difference does it make?" Jon asked uncomfortably. He hated to lie to her and he'd told so many in the past few weeks because of this new job.
"Because I want to know who the hell would keep a man from his daughters," Allison said.
"Allie," Jon said walking past her. "He's a recluse, okay? He doesn't want anyone knowing who he is."
"Bull," Allison snapped. "That's a lame excuse Jon and you know it."
"Allie," Jon said turning around to face her. "Look, it's been a really long night. I'm going to go and see Caroline and Emma and then I think we should go to bed."
"They're already asleep," Allison said, her arms crossed.
"I'll just give them a kiss goodnight then," Jon said heading for the hallway.
"Don't wake them up," Allison said coolly.
Jon turned around. "Al, I just want to give them a kiss good night. I won't wake them up. I haven't seem them all day." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he knew it was the wrong thing to say.
"Tell your CLIENT why you haven't seen them all day," Allison's eyes blazed. "Why don't you tell your CLIENT about how your daughter was sobbing backstage tonight? See how he feels about taking all your precious time then."
Her words cut him like a knife, but he couldn't help getting angry. "Look, Allison. I'm knackered. It's late. And you have no idea what it's been like for me, okay? None."
"I'm sure I don't," Allison returned, her words icy as she swept past him into their bedroom.
Jon followed her. No sooner had he stepped through the bedroom door, she'd thrown a pillow and a blanket at him.
"What's this?" he asked.
"You're not sleeping in here tonight," Allison said shortly.
"Al! Come on!" Jon protested.
"You didn't really think you could walk in here tonight and act as if everything's okay did you?" she asked incredulously.
"No, of course I didn't," he said. "But I certainly didn't expect you to give me the third degree, Allie! For Merlin's sake! Don't you think I wish I could turn back time and be there? Don't you know that if I could have been, I would? I wasn't! And I'm sorry...more sorry than you can imagine."
"Well you didn't," Allison said. "You didn't care enough to make sure you were there tonight. You didn't care enough to ring me or owl me to let me know you weren't going to be home on time." she turned and sighed, pressing her fingers to her temples. "Just go away Jon. I really don't want to deal with this right now."
"You really think that?" Jon asked her incredulously. "You think that I don't care?" When she didn't answer, he shook his head. "Fine..."
"Just leave me alone," she said. "And don't wake up the girls. They've had enough for one night."
Jon stalked out of the bedroom and threw the blanket and pillow down on the sofa. A small part of him wanted to confess to his wife the real reason why he'd missed Caroline's recital.
Allison locked the door as tears slid down her face. She hated fighting with Jon but she was still in disbelief that he could have missed the recital. She kept remembering Caroline's disappointment.
Jon sat down on the sofa forgetting how tired he was. His eyes caught sight of a bouquet of wildflowers on the coffee table along with a program. He picked it up and saw his daughter's name among the list of dancers. This morning she'd been so excited and she'd even done a few turns and spins for him. And he'd sat there and promised her that he wouldn't miss it for the world.
Allison and Jon both spent a restless night, tossing and turning until their windows brightened with morning light. Allison took a hot shower, rubbing her weary eyes and she wondered how her husband had slept.
He hadn't slept much at all. He knew that Caroline would be up soon to get ready for school and he decided to wake her up. He wasn't surprised to see Emma in bed with her sister as she'd taken to doing that over the past few weeks.
Jon sat down on the edge of the bed and gently shook Caroline.
"Morning Angel," he said kissing her forehead.
Caroline yawned as she cracked her eyes open.
Jon smiled down at her and brushed her hair off her forehead. "I'm really sorry, baby."
"Hi Daddy," Caroline said quietly.
He could tell right away that things were off. Usually, Caroline gave him a hug straightaway when he woke her up. "I hate that I wasn't there for your big night."
"I missed you," Caroline said, not wanting to wake Emma.
"I missed you too," Jon whispered. He didn't know that Allison was standing in the doorway watching. "And I promise to make it up to you, Caroline."
"You will?" Caroline asked.
Jon nodded. "I will."
"Okay," Caroline smiled at him. "Grandpa and Uncle Will gave me flowers."
"I saw," Jon said. He pulled a bouquet of red and pink roses out. Last night, he'd seen Allison's letter asking him not to forget the flowers. "For my princess."
"For me?" Caroline's entire face brightened.
Jon handed them to her. "For the one and only Caroline Weasley."
"Thank you Daddy," Caroline hugged him.
"You're welcome sweetheart," Jon said hugging her.
"Daddy?" Emma asked sleepily.
"Hi baby," Jon said.
Caroline giggled. "After the recital, Em got to dance too."
"You did?" Jon asked as Emma pulled back the covers and crawled onto his lap.
"Em go on stage!" Emma said grinning.
"Uncle Will told her to get down with her bad self," Caroline giggled. "And Em did this really cool spin and turn thing. Didn't you, Em?"
"Daddy see?" Emma asked.
Jon laughed. "I would love to see, Em."
"Watch Em!" she said, crawling down her sister's bed.
Jon and Caroline shared an amused look as Emma stood in the middle of the room.
Emma turned her back to her father and sister and grinned at her mother before wiggling her little behind and jumping around. "Em dance!" she giggled.
Caroline giggled and clapped her hands.
"Go, Emma!" Jon called out enthusiastically.
"Daddy dance too!" Emma said.
Jon shook his head. "No, Em."
"Yes Daddy!" Caroline said jumping out of the bed. "You have to!"
"Caroline," Jon said. "Daddy doesn't dance like that."
"Peas?" Emma asked.
Jon groaned. "All right baby," he said. "Show Daddy how that went..."
Allison watched them wanting nothing more than to join in, but she still couldn't get over her anger. A smile played on her lips as she watched Caroline and Emma laughing and dancing with their father.
Turning back into the hallway, she headed for the kitchen to make her daughters breakfast before Caroline headed for school.
A few minutes later, Jon joined his wife in the kitchen. She had her back to him.
"I was going to put Caroline's flowers in some water," Jon said quietly.
"You know where the vases are," Allison replied without looking at him.
Jon nodded. Apparently, it wasn't going to be as easy with Allison. "I can walk Caroline to school today, Al."
"Fine," Allison replied.
Jon walked over to the cabinet and pulled out a plastic vase. "When I get back maybe we can talk..."
"Oh you mean you're actually spending time HERE today?" Allison asked her voice loaded with sarcasm. "Let me alert the masses!"
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Jon asked her incredulously.
"You know exactly what it means Jonathan," Allison said.
"Yeah, I think I do, Allison," Jon said folding his arms. "You know, if you'd picked Josh all those years ago, you'd be living in that big fancy house and have money coming out your ears. But lo and behold, you're stuck with me. I'm not as perfect as Josh!"
"When the hell have I ever said I preferred Josh since you and I got together?" Allison snapped.
She hadn't ever said that or given him any reason to think that, but he couldn't help wishing he could provide for Allison and the girls like Josh did for Lizzy and the triplets. "Look, Allie---"
"Daddy!" Caroline exclaimed running into the kitchen with her bag. "I'm going to be late!"
"You haven't had breakfast yet baby," Allison said, ignoring her husband.
"I'll have to eat it really fast," Caroline said looking at her mother. "I don't want to be late."
"You won't baby," Allison kissed her cheek. "You did a lovely job on your plaits."
"Daddy helped," Caroline said looking at her father. "And he gave me the prettiest flowers. Did you see Mummy?"
"I saw," Allison replied. "How about I get you a muffin to eat along the way. Does that sound good?"
"Blueberry?" Caroline asked hopefully.
"Sure," Allison smiled at her. "Blueberry it is,"
Jon walked over to the icebox and grabbed Caroline a juice box. "What's Em up to?" Jon asked her.
"She went back to sleep," Caroline replied. "I think the dancing wore her out, Daddy!"
"Must have, Angel." Jon replied. "Are you ready to go to school?"
Caroline nodded and hugged her mother. "Bye, Mummy."
"Have a good day darling," Allison kissed the top of her head. "I'll see you after school."
Caroline took the blueberry muffin. "Ready, Daddy?"
"I sure am," Jon said. "I'll even give you a piggyback ride if you want."
Caroline nodded eagerly and she and Jon walked out of the kitchen. It hadn't gone unnoticed by Jon that his wife hadn't even looked in his direction once since Caroline came into the kitchen.
The headache that had nagged at Allison since the night before had not gone away. She dug through the cabinets for a headache cure and then checked on Emma before deciding to do a bit of laundry.
She grabbed Emma and Caroline's dirty clothes and debated about washing Jon's. With a sigh she threw his jeans and shirt from last night into the laundry basket. They smelled like stale cigarettes. He'd said that client of his smoked like a chimney.
"He'd better not be joining him," she muttered.
She quickly sorted through the clothes and before tossing them into the machine and checked the pockets to make sure they were empty. Jon's jeans had a piece of paper and some Muggle money in the pocket. She set them aside.
Tossing the trousers into the washing machine, she turned to the piece of paper she'd put on the table. "Victoria O'Malley," she read. Following the woman's name was a Muggle phone number.
"Mummy?" Emma said behind her.
"Hi baby," Allison jumped and turned around.
Emma rubbed at her eyes and yawned. "Sweepy."
Allison forced a smile onto her face. "If you're sleepy you should go back to bed baby girl."
Emma stepped closer and held up her arms. "Mummy stay with Em?"
"Of course I'll stay with you," Allison picked her up. "Mummy can't think of anything she wants to do more."
Emma rested her head on Allison's shoulder. "Love Mummy."
Allison kissed her forehead. "Love you too Emma Madeline."
Allison carried Emma back into Caroline's room and settled down beside her on the bed. The name Victoria O'Malley kept echoing in her thoughts. Who was this woman?
Furthermore, what exactly was her relationship with Jon?