A/N This one kind of got away from me a bit but that's what happens when I write in this universe. I'm planning on posting it over the course of this week because, well it's written, so in true Dreamsinlilac/ A Life style you can expect 4-5 updates. I hope you enjoy.

Constance sat in the armchair with her hands folded in her lap. Eventually she looked up to meet the eyes of her wife and eldest daughter.

"That's what I wanted to tell you."

Abby got up and sat on the arm of the chair, enveloping her nervous parent in a hug. "Mama, that's brilliant. You must be so proud."

In truth Constance was proud. She had been made an offer that many others would love to receive. The problem was that of course she couldn't accept it.

"Oh yes you can", Imogen smiled as she joined her two girls on the chair, perching herself on the other armrest before leaning down to kiss the furrowed brow.

"But it would mean me being away from the four of you, from the school for a week. I don't mind about the school so much, that can run itself with everyone doing their jobs, but the idea of being without you and the girls…" Constance trailed off, she had never spent this amount of time away from her family before and the thought was making her feel ill.

"Sweetheart, we will miss you so much but you have to do this. Your last paper was so popular that you've been asked to give a series of lectures in one of the most important Witches Institutes in the world. It's a great opportunity for you and for the school. And really it's only six days. From the itinerary it looks like you'd leave late Sunday morning our time and fly back from Canada on Saturday morning theirs. You'll be back in the afternoon and we'll be waiting for you."

"Yeah." Abby nodded encouragingly, "And if you finally let me show you how to use FaceTime you can see us and speak to us every day, you can even read the crazies their bedtime stories."

Constance was starting to feel a tiny bit better but still not entirely convinced, "Hmmm, perhaps. And by the way, your sisters are not "crazies" as you are so fond of calling them."

"Hah! Did you see that dance off they were having in the hallway earlier? Totally crazy. Anyway, I'm going to go walk Shep and Wendy, you and Mum should talk a bit more. And Mama, if you go I'll miss you so much but I'd hate the thought that you were missing the chance to do this even more." Abby gave her Mama another squeeze before leaving the room.

The couple remained in silence for a few minutes before Constance spoke again. "You know they invited you as well?"

Imogen nodded, "I saw on the letter. Sweetheart, you know…"

"I know, Abby has school, Ava has nursery and we couldn't all go by broomstick. I thought about flying back and forth each day but its too far and with the time difference it doesn't make sense."

In the six hours since she had received the invitation Constance had gone through every possibility she could think of, but none made sense beyond not going.

"You'd be exhausted. I have an idea though, why don't you ask if Amelia can go with you? I'd feel better if you had company and I know she'd love to support you."

Constance hadn't considered that option. Truthfully she didn't want to be on her own with a lot of strangers either. "I could but that means she can't help you with the children and with me being gone there may be some extra school things for you to do."

"There probably will be but I still have Dad and I'm sure everyone else will pitch in. So we've decided you're going?"

"I suppose I am." Constance stretched upwards for a kiss. "I cannot tell you how much I'll miss you. We haven't spent a full night apart since you had your appendix out."

"Well, we have a week before you leave so you'll have to make the most of me. And while you're away, just think of the reunion we'll have when you get home." Imogen was trying her best to be positive but she could feel her insides churning at the thought of being without her love for six whole days. The extra school tasks weren't an issue and she knew that she'd have help with the children during the day. It was the nights with two toddlers and a teenager who loved and would be missing their Mama terribly that had her worried.

Amelia was only too glad to go and support Constance, "I'd be delighted to. I went to Canada once when I was younger, I'd love to go back again. And hear you speak of course, we'll have such a good time. I'd better think about what I want to pack."

"Are you sure?" Constance was delighted that she wouldn't be alone but didn't want Amelia to feel pressured into coming with her.

"Of course. Oh I'll miss the girls and Imogen. And Shep and Wendy. And Tom of course."

"I wondered if I was going to get a look in.", Tom sniffed from his chair.

"Stop sulking and help me make some tea."

They left Constance and Imogen sat very close together on the couch while they prepared the drinks.

"You don't mind do you love?", Amelia wrapped her arms around her husband's neck.

Tom bent down and kissed her softly on the lips, "Of course not, I'll miss you madly but I'm glad you're going with her. You look after your girl, I'll look after mine and our beautiful granddaughters."

"And Shep and Wendy." Amelia leaned her head against Tom's chest while they waited for the kettle to boil. Being away from him would be hard but it was for less than a week. It would be rather like when they had been courting.

They decided not to tell Ava and Zara until the Friday before Constance and Amelia had to leave. They figured it would be less time for Ava especially to dwell on the fact that two of her favourite people would not be around for a while.

"You and Granny are going?" Ava's large green eyes grew wide and started to fill with tears. "Will you come back?"

Constance held her daughter and tried to hide the guilt she was feeling. "Yes little one. I'll always come back, you know that. It's only a few days and Mummy will be here looking after you."

Imogen, who was holding a seemingly indifferent Zara walked over and crouched in front of Ava. "I know you'll miss them poppet, so will I but we'll look after each other won't we?"

"Yes.", Ava whispered. "How many sleeps?"

Ignoring her usual dislike of that expression Constance smiled at her little girl. "Six little one, six sleeps and we'll be back with you."

The next day and a half passed in a blur of packing and making sure that everything class wise was covered while Constance was away. Far too soon for her liking it was Sunday morning and she was making the most of the time before she had to get up.

"That tickles", Imogen stroked the head in her lap and giggled while her thighs were kissed as she caught her breath. "Now come up here and kiss me properly." She was still laughing as her wish was granted.

"Wasn't that the point of setting the alarm early, so I could give you something to think about while I'm gone?"

"It was and I hope it's mutual." Imogen's smile dimmed slightly, "Baby, I love you and I'm going to miss you. I'm trying to be brave for you and for the girls but don't think I don't care about this. I'm going to be counting the minutes until I have you back."

"I know and I've needed your strength and support so I could prepare for this. I love you Darling and I'll be home with you and the children before you know it. And Abby and I have practiced and I promise I'll FaceTime you before the girls go to bed every day."

"That will help all of us. Speaking of the kids we'd better get up and have that family breakfast we promised them."

Two hours later breakfast was over, bags and broomsticks were ready and it was time for Constance and Amelia to leave.

"Goodbye my dears." Amelia was excited to go but was already missing her husband, grandchildren and Imogen enormously.

"Bye Granny. I love you." Ava was trying to be a brave girl but the tears were falling down her cheeks as she kissed her grandmother goodbye.

"Love you Mama." Abby hugged Constance, this was even harder than she expected. "There's some surprises in your bag, nice ones."

"If they came from my girls they're always nice surprises. I love you dear" Constance said her goodbyes to Abby before moving to the two younger girls.

"Remember what we talked about, you have to look after Mummy while I'm not here. Can you do that?"

"Yes." Ava and Zara nodded in unison.

"Good, you are my special girls and I love you and will miss you very much. I'll speak to you every day and I'll be home soon."

"Okay." Zara gave her Mama a hug and kiss while Ava, who was also picking up on the fact that everyone was upset, was shuddering with sobs.

"Don't forget us."

"Never, you're my life, I'll think about you every minute of every day. When I come back I'll bring you a lovely surprise, I promise."

After a final kiss the three year old ran to be comforted by her older sister as they watched their parents say goodbye.

Constance and Imogen had already said their farewells upstairs but kissed briefly and shared a few whispered words of love.

"Everything will be fine. We love you." Imogen didn't know who she was trying to reassure most, right now it seemed like herself.

It was hard to end the embrace but Constance knew she had to. She forced herself to stop crying as she picked up her broomstick, tears and flying did not mix, and with a strained smile blew a kiss towards her family before setting off just before Amelia.

They had barely disappeared over the top of the castle when a certain two year old finally realised what was happening.

"Mama, no. Mama's gone. Granny too." Zara's voice rose at an alarming rate and her face went red as she joined Ava in her sobs.

Imogen, crying herself at this stage bent down to comfort them both. "Shhh, they'll be back. Please don't cry. Please."

Hating seeing his daughters and granddaughters so upset Tom went to offer some support. "Now then, no more tears. I'll tell you what we're going to do, you're going to dry your eyes and then we're going to go for a nice drive in the countryside and have some lunch, What do you say?"

Ava and Zara, still sniffling, calmed down as they were both lifted into their grandfather's strong arms.

"Okay." Abby gave a watery smile as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Pumpkin?"

"That sounds good Dad, thanks."

It was an inspired idea. They drove for an hour into the countryside where the girls ran around the woods with their mother and grandfather. Shep and Wendy had been brought along and loved the fresh air and exercise they were receiving. Once everyone had built up an appetite they found a lovely little country pub where the dogs could lay in front of the fire and the family enjoyed a nice meal.

By the time they arrived home it was time to speak to Constance and Amelia. Although they couldn't speak privately Imogen was just glad that they had arrived safely and were staying in what looked like a really lovely location. She was also relieved that the girls seemed to be accepting of the situation and there were no more hysterics, even on saying goodbye.

"Goodnight my gorgeous girls." Constance waved at her family on screen one last time before ending the call. Once they were gone she sat down on the bed to gather herself. Instantly Amelia was there with a shoulder for her to cry on.

"There there, you just take a minute. They'll be perfectly fine apart from missing you, but you'll see them and talk to them every day. Now, dry your eyes then we'll take a nice walk, get our bearings and maybe something to eat. The fresh air will do us both the world of good."

Constance dried her eyes and fixed her hair before picking up her coat, hat and gloves. A walk and some food sounded perfect and as soon as she was back she was planning on savouring the notes and drawings that she had found when unpacking her bag. There was an envelope marked for each day she was gone and "Sleep One" was already on the bedside table waiting for when she got into bed later.

"Shall we?"

Meanwhile back in England it was time for the normal Drill evening routine.

"Who's ready for bathtime?"

Ava ran towards the bathroom, shedding her cream jumper on the way while a slightly more reluctant Zara shook her head.

"No bath."

"Oh yes bath Sweetpea, I'm not having you going around like a street urchin while Mama is gone. How about if I put in lots of bubbles?"

It was almost 8PM and Abby had gone to her room to finish her weekend homework. While it should have been done earlier, Imogen couldn't chastise her eldest for it, she knew the delay was due to wanting to spend time with Constance before she left.

"Mummy, bath?" Ava ran back, now in just her vest and knickers with an impatient look on her face.

"I'm coming."

Bath time was relatively uneventful with just a little splashing. The girls loved the bubbles and playing with their bath toys, in fact Zara was the most reluctant to leave the water in the end.

"There we are, nice and snug in your pyjamas." Imogen bent down to give her squeaky clean daughters a kiss each. "We'll do stories in the sitting room then it's bedtime."

Again, story time wasn't a problem. It was when they'd finished "Goodnight Moon" that the issues began.

"Not sleepy." Zara drew her legs up as Imogen tried to put her down in her cot.

"You will be once you lie down Sweetpea, just try."

"Nope."

Imogen sighed, she didn't want to pander to Zara but she also knew when to pick her battles. "Right, we'll put Ava to bed, then it's your turn."

Apparently the bed Ava was thinking about was Mummy and Mama's.

"I'm minding you Mummy. I promised Mama."

In truth Imogen didn't fancy sleeping alone so was quite happy with the arrangement. She was slightly bemused by Ava's insistence that two teddies, a toy fairy and a book had to come along with her baby doll Katie.

"They live with me so they must come." Ava explained, making a second trip from her bedroom.

Imogen kissed a sleepy Zara's forehead. "Your sister is a pack rat. And what about you, are you ready for dreamland now?"

"No Mummy"

Imogen was in a dilemma. She knew Ava was ready for bed, sleeping was still one of her favourite things in the world and her eyes were already closing. In the end she decided to put Ava to bed and keep Zara up with her for a little longer.

"Goodnight poppet. We love you very much."

Ava gave a sleepy smile, "Night night Mummy, my pillow smells like Mama."

"Isn't that lovely? Sweet dreams."

After leaving the bedroom door slightly ajar, Imogen returned to the sitting room, still holding Zara. She went to her music player and chose some relaxing music that she was hoping would work for the two of them. For a time it looked like her plan was working, twenty minutes later she carried the fast asleep little girl into her room and attempted for the second time to place her in the cot."

"No, no cot." Zara jerked awake and started to cry.

"You love your cot." Imogen was beginning to lose her patience.

"Want Mummy."

Imogen sighed, she was tired herself and this was the only way she was likely to get to bed on time.

"Best behaviour, okay?"

"Okay."

Once Zara was tucked in next to her sister it was time for Imogen to complete her nightly routine. She was cleansing her face when a movement behind caught her eye.

"Hi."

There was Zara beaming up at her from the bathroom door.

"You little monkey, wait right there and as soon as I'm finished we are both going to bed"

Ten minutes later Imogen was snuggled under the duvet with Zara in her arms and Ava, who always took up a large amount of space for such a small person, lying on Constance's pillow.

"Time to sleep.", she whispered into the blonde hair that was tucked under her chin.

Unfortunately at that moment Zara remembered a post breast feeding habit she had when she was unwell or in this case, overtired- pinching her Mummy's nipple out of nowhere.

"Ouch. Oh Zara, no that hurts." That was an understatement, it had been done with such force that Imogen could already feel the bruise forming on the sensitive area. Her eyes watered and she blinked back the tears.

"Mummy?" Of course the noise had woken Ava.

"It's okay poppet. Go back to sleep, you too Sweetpea and no more pinching."

Sleep was a long time coming for Imogen that night. She watched as Zara eventually dropped off but couldn't shake the fear that as soon as she slept her little mischief maker would be running riot around the castle. Eventually by 3AM it was too difficult to keep her eyes open and with a final wish that Constance was doing okay without them she drifted off.

"Mummy?"

Sleep vanished quickly as she heard Ava call her. "What is it poppet?"

"Nothing. Just checking you were there. Night."

Imogen, now wide awake again, sighed as she sat back against the pillows and wondered just how much coffee she could get into herself before Assembly in the morning. She had a feeling she'd need it