This is for SarahLestrange - Lauren. I am so proud of her because she has been through loads! I can't even imagine. She continues to be a loyal reader and a fab writer!!

After strolling along the beach, fingers intertwined, we sped up to my parents’ house to collect the first of our daughters. She was sitting on the floor surrounded by cushions to prop her up. Her eyes were glued to the colourful teething rings stuck around her chubby wrist, her spiky blonde and purple hair was crazy but cute. Her nose was scrunched up in concentration as she ran her fingers up and down the bumpy texture of each ring.
After apologising to my parents for all the hassle I had caused they finally let us go. I had Violet in her papoose whilst Teddy had all her baggage. I apparated while he clung to me, there was a rattle digging into my bruise on my back but I just remembered our kiss on the beach and I was fine.
We arrived at Grimmauld Place about five in the evening. I knocked because Ted couldn’t but then he remembered he had a key. He couldn’t get to it though; it was funny watching him reach for it in his pocket.
‘Back pocket Vic, please.’ I reached into the back pocket of his jeans and got the key.
When we were inside we dumped everything at the bottom of the stairs and made our way down the stairs to the kitchen. We heard the rabble of children talking and forks clinking of plates and goblets being slammed on the table. The familiar noise of a family meal made me warm and tingly inside.
‘Hey everybody!’ I said against the racket when we entered.
Everybody turned round and stared at us both. They didn’t seem shocked to see us together; Harry and Ron had probably informed them of the day’s story. I appreciated not having to answer questions.
‘Your dinner is on the table you two, put Violet down over there. Evie is playing with some toys.’ Hermione said as she pointed to the floor where Evie sat on a blanket.
Her hair was fluorescent green with little orange spikes, it was cute but she did look quite funny. Her nose was the same as her sister’s today and she looked adorable. I put Violet onto the blanket and moved toys toward her. We all ate our dinner and laughed at the occasional nose that came from the twins. After about ten minutes Harry spoke.
‘You didn’t happen to see James on your travels did you Ted?’ He sounded genuinely worried; this was when I noticed James wasn’t at the table.
‘No Harry, has he not appeared yet?’
‘No, I have sent many patronuses asking him to come home but I haven’t had a response. I’ve also called a few friends at the ministry but they haven’t heard anything.’
‘We will have to go out looking, how many hours has it been now?’ Ted glanced at his watch; the one Harry had given him for his seventeenth birthday. It was half past five, ‘I think it’s been about 10 hours.’
‘He’ll come back, he just found out that you are alive, he maybe needed some space.’
‘Yeah, that’s probably all Ted.’ I said and squeezed his hand under the table.
Hours passed, it was near 11 o’clock and we had all crashed in the living room. All the kids were playing the Who Wants to Be a Galleonaire board game and we adults were talking about work and stuff.
I heard a knock from down the hall and turned my head toward the room door, others must have heard it too because they all turned around too. Ginny stood up and ran into the hall.
‘James! Don’t you ever do this again, where on earth have you been? Why have you been away so long?’
‘Mum! Let me answer.’ James sounded amused yet frustrated with Ginny’s questions.
‘Sorry dear, come into the living room.’ Ginny looked at James and then squealed. ‘Hello Christie, sorry I didn’t even see you there.’
‘It’s alright Mrs Potter, I can understand you were very worried.’
‘How many times Chris? It’s Ginny.’
‘Of course.’
We all bustled back into the room and sat in our seats. James and Chris went to sit on the love couch; their hands were held tightly together, almost like they were protecting each other.
‘We have something to say,’ said James, it was almost a whisper and his voice was shaking.
‘Too right you do.’ Said Ron, making Chris jump.
‘The reason I was away so long was...well...I was at Chris’ house then we went out a walk and visited some of her family.’
‘Why didn’t you say anything before you left? I would have said yes you know,’ sighed Ginny as she looked intently at her eldest son.
‘I know mum but I was afraid of disappointing you, I didn’t want to get your hopes up by telling you what I was going to do.’
I gasped and tears filled my eyes, ‘James? I can read you like a book – don’t leave your family in suspense like this. Spit it out.’
‘I’m getting there Vic.’ James eyed me and then continued speaking. ‘I went out this morning and asked Christie to marry me, she said yes.’
‘Congratulations!!!!!’
Everybody gathered around the love seat and hugged the happy couple. Another wedding in the family, I just hoped that there wouldn’t be any problems this time.


How was it?? Next is the epilogue