He wasn't exactly what I would have picked out for myself. He was organized, punctual, and a rule-follower. He was distant from his family, always saying he had perpetually ruined his relationship with them. He drank copious amounts of coffee in the mornings because he was always up too late working on files from work.
At the same time, he was endearing, respectful, and dedicated. He worried that he wouldn't have the chance to ever repair the relationship with his family, especially his father. He spent hours cuddling with me on our sofa as I read one book after the other for work.
He was my prince charming in every sense of the word. It was cliche, and I didn't think I would ever think it, but it was true. I had found my perfect match in Percy Weasley. He saved me from myself day after day, and I liked to think that I helped him escape his own inner turmoil, too.
I glanced at the stack of books I had to get through for the publishing company I worked with, and sighed. "Percy, I need a break," I announced suddenly.
He looked up from his spot at the dinning room table. "Do you want to go out for dinner?"
Abandoning my work on the sofa, I strode over to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. "I was thinking more like we take a vacation."
"Love, it's not a good time for something like that. There are too many deadlines at work. Maybe in a few weeks, but-"
I slid onto his lap, forcing him to focus all of his attention on me. "Percy, it's one of those rare times where the temperature is above sixty. Why don't we rent a house down the shore? We'll spend a week relaxing, clearing our minds..."
"A week? Audrey, I really don't-"
I flipped open his schedule book and looked through the week to see if he had any deadlines or meetings to make. "Percy, you are absolutely free for this week. Please, sweetheart? We can invite your family and just-"
"Audrey, my family? Is that what this is about?"
After giving up, I moved from his lap and went to collapse on the sofa. "I want to get on with our future, Percy," I said in frustration. "Can't I meet your family? We've been together for two years now! I thought we could take some time off of work, relax together, and spend time with your family. If you don't want to, then fine."
Arms were suddenly lifting me off of the sofa and throwing me over his shoulder. "One week. That is all, love. Understood?"
I smacked his butt with a laugh. "I love you!"
He tossed me onto our bed and grabbed a suitcase from the closet. "I'm telling you right now to not get your hopes up about my family. I doubt they will all be able to get time off of work at such short notice."
I wiggled around the bed until I was laying on my stomach with my hands propping my head up. "Even if it's just one person, I'll be happy."
I continued watching him pack clothes, admiring the view of his body, until he turned to look at me. "Are you going to find us a house or shall we pack tents?" he teased.
"Camping?" I exclaimed. "Oh! Do you think your family would like that?"
He started laughing and didn't stop until I pulled him so he would collapse on the bed with me. "Audrey, love? Perhaps you should finish the packing and I will find us a house to rent."
"Sounds like a plan," I mumbled, pecking him quickly on the lips.
"This is where you grew up?"
He rubbed the back of his neck selfconsciously. "I know it's not much, but-"
"Percy, it's the house of my dreams," I whispered, squeezing his hand. "Actually, I take that back. It's a house that even my dreams couldn't compete with. I love it!"
His face lit up and he walked with me up to the front door. "This will probably go quite bad."
I rolled my eyes. "You've only kept our relationship a secret for two years," I muttered.
He winced at that and his hand froze before it reached the door. "Audrey, I am so sorry, love," he murmured. "I should have... I was just... My family is..."
I moved to my tiptoes and kissed him. "Percy, we've been over this time and time again. We needed to establish our relationship before we made it public, especially with all of the press surrounding you and your job."
I guided my hand to his and rapped on the door before either of us could back out. "Besides, I would love to come visit you for lunch at work sometime soon."
He chuckled and pulled me in for a quick kiss.
However someone cleared their throat, preventing us from getting carried away. "Perce? I didn't know you were coming for Sunday breakfast."
I glanced up at the tall man in front of me, whose long hair was pulled back with a leather string. The fang earing would have been a little worrisome had Percy not told me about this man before. I was already grinning as Percy tried to form some type of answer. "You must be Bill!"
The man looked between Percy and I, then his eyes fell to our intertwined hands. "I am. However I'm afraid to say that I haven't the slightest idea who you are." His eyes held a twinkle of humor, causing my grin to grow even more.
Percy stumbled over his words and I leaned into his side. "This-She-I-We are-This-" He glanced around and then back to his eldest brother. "Is everyone here?" he whispered.
"Yeah, Perce. Why? What's up? You going to be a dad?"
Percy started choking, causing me to burst into laughter. "Oh, Percy! Sweetheart, you're much too worried." I pulled him into my arms and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Just remember my name and that we're dating. That's all you have to say, I promise."
"You've got a levelheaded girl there, Perce," Bill admired. "Now stop standing there, and come in. Everyone's just finished eating."
I trailed behind Percy and his brother, holding on of Percy's hands in both of mine. We walked through the house while I attempted to look around and take everything in.
"Mum, Percy's here!" Bill announced as we stepped into what looked like the family room.
"Percy?" A woman, who I recognized from the pictures Percy had in our flat, rushed to Percy and yanked him into her arms. His mom fawned over him, kissing his cheeks and squeezing him tight. "You've missed breakfast, but I'm sure I can whip something up for you. You'll stay for a while, right, dear?"
"Actually, Mum, we've already eaten."
"We? Who...," she trailed off as her eyes settled on me. "Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't even see you there!"
I bounced forward and hugged her. "I'm Audrey. It's so nice to finally meet you! I'm sorry we didn't come sooner, we could have helped with breakfast. This was a bit of a last minute decision."
Percy's arms finally wrapped around my waist and I was pulled against his chest. "Mum, this is Audrey...my girlfriend."
The silence hung over the room like a thick cloud until her face broke into a breathtaking grin. "I didn't know you had a girlfriend, Percy."
He shuffled slightly before giving me a squeeze. "We just had our two year anniversary," he admitted softly.
Before the desperation and glum could come over her, I turned my head to smile at Percy behind me. "It's taken us a little while to really commit to each other because of our pasts, but I'm so happy I'm finally meeting all of you. Percy's told me all about you! Well not all, of course, but he tells me stories all the time."
Molly grinned again, nodding slightly. "Welcome to the family, Audrey," she whispered.
I nearly jumped with excitement. I turned around to face Percy. He was staring over my shoulder at his mom. "See? I told you it'd go okay, sweetheart! No worries!"
"Mum, I-we were going to tell you all much sooner. We just-"
Molly waved him off. "Nonsense. Now, why don't you two sit down while I make tea?"
Percy tucked me into his side and I wrapped my arms around his waist. He glanced down at me, his eyes were searching for encouragement. I nodded my head, urging him on. "Before you do that, I should tell you the rest or else I'll lose my nerve."
"That'll be a first." I glanced at the brother who said that; George. I internally winced as I knew George was the brother that Percy had the most trouble with. He felt indebted to him forever.
"Audrey convinced me to take a vacation, so we rented a house on the beach," he announced. "We really hope that you all will come join us for the week."
"You took a week off of work?"
Percy nodded at his youngest brother. "I had my reservations, but Audrey can be stubborn."
I laughed at his words. "I prefer the term persuasive."
We stood there whilst Percy's family discussed if it was even fessible to leave everything for a week.
"A little more planning would have been nice, Percy," his sister, Ginny said. "It's a little hard for us to just drop everything for a week."
"I know, and I'm sorry. We don't expect you all to go if you can't. Honestly, we didn't know we were going until this morning. Audrey decided we needed time away from work."
"You, Percy Weasley, decided to drop all prior obligations mere hours ago to run away on a vacation with your girlfriend, who you've hidden for the past two years?"
Percy squirmed under the watchful eyes of George. "Yes."
George grinned wickedly at the girl curled up beside him. "What'd ya say, Ange? Think you're up for a week at the beach?"
