Title: Adult Problems
Author: Ally/Fanfictionsissy
Rating: K/G
Authoress note: Another response to a fanfiction challenge. This one had to do with: A pairing, the Burrow, and a decision. The story is Molly/Arthur. Have fun! (And REVIEW please!)
ADULT PROBLEMS
Molly smiled to herself as she watched her youngest children and their friends romp around in the back yard of the Burrow with their friends. She remembered when life was that simple. It was simply a matter of finding the right person and then all was well.
Such was not so now. With age come decisions and fights and… money.
"Molly, I just don't know what to do."
The smile faded from her face as Molly turned to her husband who held his head in his hands while slumped over on the sofa.
"The Ministry is positively looking for me to make a mistake; they want to lay off everyone they can without making it seem like a mass lay-off. Watching our every step seeing if they can catch us doing something wrong, then kick us off in a sack."
"But Arthur, surely you don't think that you of all people…"
"I'll believe anything of the Ministry nowadays."
"But… but you've worked there so long! And so hard; why if not for you there would be mass muggle confusion in London! Panic everywhere! Nothing to stop those hooligan wizards from torturing poor unsuspecting muggles everywhere."
Arthur pounded his fist on the arm of the couch.
"We can't let that happen."
"And then…" Molly ventured, "There's the… the money matter."
"Molly…" Arthur warned.
"No Arthur, it must be talked about! We always try to avoid this, but please! We're not in front of the children, and we are certainly not children ourselves. The fact of the matter is; we are poor; and we are running out of the little we do have! If you get laid off,"
"MOLLY PLEASE!"
"NO!" Molly snapped back. "I'M JUST STATING THE TRUTH! We are out of money, and now that most of the children are moved out, I think maybe… I should…"
"Don't say it." Arthur's voice was pleading, and Molly looked in his eyes to see them brimming with tears. "I've done my very best to take care of you and the kids, and I'll work harder! I can't stand the thought of you… No. You can't. Your job is here, with the house."
"Are you saying that women can't work?" Molly couldn't believe her ears.
"No! No, I'm just saying that I don't want you to work! I don't want to subject you to the awfulness of a boss telling you what to do and how to do it; after a while they start telling you how to live your life and how to raise your children, and I don't want you to have to put up with that as long as I can help it."
"But you can't help it anymore," Molly sighed. "My darling, we need the money. I'll just get something part-time. I won't neglect the house, you don't have to worry about that; who knows, it may get my mind off of getting old. I'm sure it won't be all that bad, getting a job… what I'm more worried about at the moment is you and your job; maybe you quit and just get a new one."
Arthur look scandalized.
"Quit! To quit is to be weak Molly. Poor we might be, but that doesn't mean we are weak!"
Molly nodded in understanding.
"Yes; but it would do no harm to keep an eye out for places that are hiring anyway. I suppose I could always look for you while I'm looking for a job for me,"
Shaking his head, Arthur reached over and took hold of his wife's hand.
"You don't have to do all of this," he squeezed it.
Molly tightened her grip of the hand in her's.
"I'd do anything for you my dear husband," Her eyes twinkled merrily, "Anyway, it's in our contract 'for richer or poorer'."
Arthur guffawed loudly and placed his arms around his wife, planting a solid kiss on her lips.
"We've been through the poor part; I think it's about time we get rich."
Molly laughed as she was danced around the room, all worries gone for the time being.
