"Well, it certainly looks like you two had a productive day."

Constance couldn't help laughing as Imogen and Abby entered their sitting room laden down with bags after their day shopping.

"They're not all for me. Some things are for Ava and Zara and for you and Mum. I did get some really cool things though, including a dress to wear for the disco tonight. Look." Abby rooted through the bags to pull out the green dress she was going to wear that evening. She loved the cut and it went perfectly with the brown boots they had also picked up.

"That's very nice dear. You'll be the prettiest girl there." Constance complimented a delighted Abby.

While Ava coo'd over her new coat and hat, Zara was more interested in the paper bags the clothes had come in.

"Out you get sweetpea. You've got a new winter coat as well and some new tracksuits to run around in. Did you all have a good day?" Imogen gratefully accepted the cup off coffee that Constance handed her. It had been a great day with Abby, they had bought everything on their list, had a lovely lunch together and generally enjoyed some bonding time.

"Well from what I hear these two did. Ava had a good report from nursery and then she went to Cosy's for lunch with Amelia. Zara spent the day with Tom and the dogs. When I finished classes they were both fast asleep in front of the fire, My day was the usual, I missed you though."

The couple kissed much to Ava's delight while Zara and Abby pulled faces.

"Kissy, gah." The toddler soon changed her tune as she was covered in kisses. Within seconds she was giggling and returning Imogen's kisses happily. "Kiss more Mummy."

"You're so fickle Zara. Anyway, I'd better make sure my room is ready for Lily to stay. Everyone is arriving at about five, will the pizza be ready by then?"

Rather than having a big party Abby had decided she wanted to have a pizza party before going to the under fourteen's disco that was being held in the next village that evening. The fact that the event would be well supervised and they would be dropping her and picking her up meant that Abby hadn't needed to do much to convince her parents to allow her to go.

"Yes, we'll make sure you're there by half seven honey, don't worry. I'll drop you and Mama will collect you at ten okay?"

"Yep. See you in a bit."

A couple of hours later Lily had arrived and presented her best friend with a photo frame and snuggly cushion as birthday gifts. Soon afterwards Abby's other friends Chloe, Leila, Sam and Peter who all lived in the area arrived. Although she was very popular Abby had decided to just have her closest friends over for pizza, wanting to spend time with them before they met their other friends at the disco.

Ava was very excited to join the group, she loved Lily and Abby's other friends were very nice. Zara on the other hand wasn't always too keen on unfamiliar people immediately. She scowled at the group for a minute then decided she'd rather spend time with Shep and Wendy while her mothers ensured everyone was well fed.

"Bye, have fun." Ava waved from her Mama's arms as excited teens piled into the car all waving goodbye to Abby's cute little sister. "Mama can we dance too?"

Constance smiled at her daughter, 'Why not? Let's see if we can steal your sister back from Granny."

When Imogen returned from dropping the partygoers off she too joined the little disco in their sitting room. Meanwhile there was far more energetic dancing happening with Abby and her friends. Once the awkward initial stage was over they danced all evening, only stopping to grab a soft drink and some snacks from the table that was set up in the corner.

"I'm having so much fun.", Abby hugged Lily. They would always be best friends and she was so glad that Lily got on well with her other friends.

"Me too and we have tomorrow together. Oh, I love this song, let's dance."

While the girls were dancing and laughing Constance was getting ready to collect them. When she left Zara and Ava were both tucked up in bed and Imogen was relaxing with a glass of wine, something she was eager to join her in once she was home. Twenty minutes later she was pulling up near the village hall where she immediately spotted Lily and Chloe outside.

"Where are Abby and the others?", Constance asked as Lily climbed into the backseat. Abby's other friends lived slightly outside their village so Chloe's father was collecting them and was already waiting behind Constance.

"I think they're still in there. Will I go back in?"

"No dear, you stay here. I'm going to hurry them up, I won't be long."

Constance made her way past the groups of young teenagers until she was just outside the main room. She saw Leila and Sam and directed them to the waiting car leaving just Abby and Peter to be found.

"Abs?" Peter was waiting as his friend picked up her coat.

"Yes?"

"Well, I just wanted to say Happy Birthday again. I had a great time with you tonight."

Abby smiled at him, she had been friends with Peter since she had first moved to the village and loved that they had stayed friends now that they were at high school. "Me too, it was fun. We'd better go though, my Mama will be waiting for me."

"Yeah. But before you go." Peter summoned all his courage and leaned over to kiss Abby on the lips.

Constance stood in the doorway with her mouth open. Who did that boy think he was? She was all set to march over and pull him off her daughter when she noticed what was happening. After a couple of seconds Abby moved towards Peter and kissed him in return, not realising her Mama was watching.

"I think you're the prettiest girl I know Abs."

"Wow, thanks. You're not so bad yourself, well, you're a boy but you know what I mean."

From her vantage point Constance considered what to do. She still wanted to go over there but knew she would only embarrass Abby if she did so. Instead she used a spell to make herself invisible and watched as the pair walked past her, holding hands and blushing. Once they were outside Peter let go of Abby's hand and walked her to the car where he opened the door and made sure she was safely inside. Only then did Constance reappear.

"Ah, there you both are. I must have just missed you. Peter, Chloe's father is just there, thank you for seeing Abby to the car. Are you ready girls?"

"Yes Mama.", Abby whispered as she sat next to Lily with a disbelieving smile on her face.

The look remained until they got back to the castle. The girls stopped off to tell Imogen about their night before heading up to Abby's room. Well, it was mainly Lily doing the talking. Abby seemed to be in a bit of a daze, just managing to answer her mother's questions before saying goodnight and dragging Lily upstairs. She couldn't wait any longer to share the news,

Once they were gone upstairs Imogen walked over to the counter in their sitting room. "I'm glad they had fun. Glass of wine Sweetheart?"

"Please." Constance was torn regarding what to do. She wanted to tell Imogen what she had seen but she also didn't feel it was her place. Maybe she'd just think about it for a couple of days. She wasn't overly worried, Peter was a nice boy and Abby was clearly a smart girl. It had just been a simple kiss but it still felt strange to her that Abby had reached the age where boys were truly on the radar.

By the following morning Abby and Lily had rehashed the kiss numerous times.

"I just didn't expect it Lil, he was so sweet and nervous but I did like it."

"Is he your boyfriend now though?"

Abby shook her head, "I don't know. I just hope he'll always be my friend."

Their chatting was interrupted by a knock on the door before Imogen stuck her head in. "Breakfast's ready and Ava is dying to hear all about the disco."

"Down in a minute Mum." Abby looked at Lily as soon as her mother was gone. "Maybe we won't tell her everything."

Sure enough Ava wanted to hear about the music and what people actually did at a disco. At that point Lily had to cover up her sniggers with a cough while Constance was only too aware of why Abby was blushing.

"We're glad you had a great time. Why don't you both get dressed and we'll make some plans for the day?", Imogen was stretching the truth slightly, there were already plans made for Abby but she didn't know them yet.

Forty minutes later the girls were downstairs in the staffroom playing with Zara.

"Hello, hello."

"Fenny, Grissy, Maud." Abby immediately jumped up and hugged her friends.

"Hey Abs, hey Lil." The girls had all come to know Abby's shy friend over the years and made sure she was included in the hugs.

"What are you doing here?"

"It's your thirteenth birthday, we couldn't miss that. We've come to take you and Lily to lunch. Millie is on the way too, she should be here by now but…"

"But some things never change."

Fenny was interrupted by Constance who had taken an unsure Zara by the hand while Ava stood in the doorway beaming at the sight of the older girls.

"Yay.", she exclaimed before she too received hugs. She loved the former Cackle's pupils. Fenny and Grissy came to stay with the Drill's quite often and always offered to babysit so Constance and Imogen could have some time together. Maud also kept in touch as did Mildred who had just arrived.

"Sorry I'm late. I got lost."

By this stage the room was full with Amelia, Gabrielle, Davina and Elizabeth all keen to see their former students.

"Mildred, you went to school here for four years. How did you manage to get lost?" Her former principal asked the question.

"I was concentrating so hard I flew right over the castle and before I knew it I was near the coast, Luckily it wasn't raining."

"Clearly not concentrating hard enough." Constance tried but really couldn't resist the response much to everyone else's amusement.

"Studies still going well girls?" Imogen asked as everyone settled down with drinks.

"They are for me anyway. Uni is tough, I didn't realise there was quite so much theory with P.E even though you did warn me. I got an A in my anatomy exam though." Maud had kept up her relationship with her former teacher and the two spoke on the phone every week or so.

"I knew you would. And you Mildred?"

"Hmm, its challenging but I'm doing well. It's still strange being at Weirdsister with Ethel but she's calmed down a bit, we've actually worked together on a few things and not killed each other. She asked me to say hello by the way."

Abby shrugged, Ethel Hallow was not her favourite person and she really didn't miss her around the place. She was glad that Mildred got on better with her now though.

"Fenny, Grissy how about you? Last year now isn't it?" Davina was thrilled to see her old students, this group in particular had been amongst her favourites.

"Yes, things are going well. Lots of studying but we've moved into a flat near campus so we're close to the library which helps. Maybe you can come and stay one night Abs? We've only got one bed but we have a comfy couch you can use."

There was an awkward silence for a second as Grissy realised what she had possibly implied. Luckily Constance was able to step in and rescue her.

"Perhaps we can arrange something over the Christmas holidays? Now, have you thought any more about teaching practice next year."

Fenella and Griselda looked at each other, "Yes, if the offer still stands we'd love to do our teaching practice here, it sounds perfect. Thank you."

"Marvellous, send me on the paperwork and I'll arrange it with Darkest Night. So, what are your plans for this afternoon?"

The plans were relatively straightforward, the group had planned to take Abby and Lily for lunch at Cosy's before coming back and spending time with Ava and Zara.

"Unless they'd like to come to lunch as well, we're happy to take them."

To her parents surprise Ava shook her head, "No thank you. I'll stay with Mama."

"Are you sure?" Nobody wanted her to feel excluded.

"Yes, me and Zara must play."

Once everyone had left Imogen dressed and headed off for a run leaving her wife and two youngest daughters in their rooms. It was a miserable day which Constance guessed had contributed to Ava not wanting to leave her cosy home. She settled down and watched as Ava built large towers from blocks which Zara immediately knocked down every time.

"You know you can ask her not to do that."

Ava smiled up at her mother, "But that's the game. It's fun."

Constance spent a moment watching her two girls enjoying themselves. "Please don't grow up too soon."

She hadn't realised that she'd said it out loud until Ava climbed into her lap and kissed her.

"I won't. And when I grow up I'll live here with you."

"Oh?"

"Yes and we're going to get married when I'm a big girl."

Constance laughed as she saw the serious green eyes staring back at her. "Are we? What do you think Mummy will have to say about that?"

"She won't mind, I'll marry her too." Ava thought her logic was perfect and smiled broadly as her mother laughed again while picking her sister up to include her in the snuggle.

"I love you both very much."

"Love pretty Mama." Zara placed her little hand in her mother's and grinned as her soft hair was kissed. Her day got even better when her Mummy, fresh from the shower, joined them for an afternoon of fun and games.

Apparently the lunch in Cosy's had been a great success. In fact Abby returned with even more food that Kathleen had insisted she brought back to her family for tea.

"I don't think I'm going to eat again for a week." Mildred rubbed her stomach as she stood up.

"Same here. Oh, even though I hate to, we'd better go. It's been great seeing everyone though." Fenella smiled as she looked at her former teachers and friends.

"It certainly has girls, it's wonderful to see you all doing so well. Don't be strangers now." Amelia hugged the girls before they left.

"We won't. Abs, happy birthday again. We'll see you in a couple of weeks if we can take a break from studying, And you'll come stay with us around Christmas?"

"Definitely, I can't wait. Oh, don't forget to add me on Facebook."

Constance rolled her eyes. "Can't you just be content to phone each other?"

The girls all looked at her and laughed.

"No, and when was the last time you phoned someone?" Fenny had to be the one to say it. Since leaving school she had become very close to the formerly scary Miss Hardbroom. Both shared a similar sense of humour, a passion for potions and absolutely adored their partners.

"That's irrelevant. Anyway, thank you all for coming, say goodbye girls."

Ava gave everyone a kiss goodbye while Zara, who had remembered that she liked these girls, gave them tiny hugs.

"Bye bye."

"Thank you for my presents. See you all soon." Abby waved as her older friends got on their broomsticks and flew off into the clear night sky.

"Was that a nice surprise honey?" Imogen already knew the answer.

"The best. I miss them so much but I love that we can stay in touch. We had a brilliant afternoon, lots of jokes and chats. I'm glad they didn't forget me."

"That will never happen, you're part of that group forever. Now, I believe you and Lily wanted to watch a DVD. Do you want me to keep your sisters occupied?"

Abby shook her head. "No, they can join us. I know Ava would like to. In fact why don't we all watch it together? Mama can use the spell to project on the wall so we can all see it. I'd really like that."

"Whatever you want honey. It's your weekend."

The following morning after breakfast, Lily said farewell. As usual it was sad to say goodbye but the Drill's would be at their house the following weekend so the best friends wouldn't be apart for long. Once she had tidied up Abby made her way to her parents room.

"Where is everyone?"

Imogen looked up from the clothes she was sorting. "Mama's in the lab and your sisters are with Granny and Granddad. What's up?"

Abby sat on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath, "Something happened that I want to tell you about but I don't know how you'll react. "

Immediately on the alert Imogen sat next to her daughter, "You can tell me anything honey, go on."

"At the disco on Friday, Peter kissed me. Well, we kissed each other."

"Ah." Imogen couldn't help feeling relieved. For a moment awful thoughts had run through her head, a kiss was nothing in comparison. "And how did you feel?"

Blushing Abby responded, "I was surprised but then I was happy. He said I was the prettiest girl he knew."

"He's a clever boy that Peter. What does this mean honey? Does he want to be your boyfriend?"

"We didn't talk about that, it happened at the end of the disco and I knew Mama would be waiting. Don't you think I'm too young?"

Her mother sighed, "Honestly yes. I, well we, would rather you were a bit older. But I also know that Peter is a lovely boy, you are a sensible girl and this is all innocent. What do you think?"

Abby thought for a moment, "I like Peter a lot but I like how we are now. We hang out and have fun in our group and I love spending time with him, I think that's enough for now."

"What if he kissed you again?"

"Then we'd talk about it. I'm only just thirteen and I have a lot on with school and clubs and family things. I'm happy he kissed me though, it was very nice. And I liked holding hands."

Imogen hugged her even more tightly, "I'm glad honey. And I think you're being very smart. Play it by ear and take your time growing up. But please know you can always talk to me and Mama."

"Talk about what?" Constance was regarding her wife and daughter from the doorway.

"Boys and relationships. Well, we may not have much boy experience but we can still listen and give advice."

Abby looked up at her Mama, "I was going to tell you as well but you weren't here. Peter kissed me on Friday but I've thought about it and I think we should stay friends. In a while if we like each other and want to be boyfriend and girlfriend then I'll tell you. Is that okay?"

Constance smiled, she was so glad that she had not jumped in and caused a scene on Friday. Her mother's intuition had told her that holding back was the right thing to do and she had been proven correct.

"That is most certainly okay. But if Peter does anything to make you feel uncomfortable you just remind him that your mother is a witch."

"Ha. Peter's a total softie. He is a bit wary of you though. Anyway, I'm going to see Shep and Wendy. Thanks for being so understanding." Abby hugged her parents before going down to join her sisters.

"I expected you to be a bit more surprised about the kiss Sweetheart?" Imogen was now propped against the pillows with her arms open for her wife to crawl into.

"Well, I may have accidentally seen it."

"What? And you didn't tell me?"

Constance kissed the outraged face, "No and I'm glad I didn't because it meant that Abby got to tell you herself. I'm very happy that she did so, it shows how mature she is"

Imogen sighed, "That's true and I understand." After a moment she laughed. "How embarrassing though, her very first kiss observed by her mother. Let's not tell her."

"I could not agree more. She's really growing up isn't she?"

"She is baby, but she's only just thirteen, she still has a long way to go. And we're raising a good kid there. I'm glad Ava and Zara have her to look up to though I don't even want to think of them getting to that stage just yet. What's so funny?"

A giggling Constance managed to share Ava's plans from the day before.

"Oh that's so sweet. We'll remind her of that when she's older. Now, what do you think? Should we go down and join them or stay here, just the two of us?"

Constance was already casting a spell to lock the door. "Oh I think Tom and Amelia will be fine with them for a while. And I know I would like you all to myself for a few hours."

"A win-win situation then?" Imogen was moaning as her throat was gently kissed.

"Ideal, one may say Darling."

A few hours later a very happy family sat down for lunch. Tom and Amelia were thrilled they'd had time with their grandchildren. The girls had spent time walking Shep and Wendy before playing in the park which was always fun. And of course Constance and Imogen had had some very enjoyable time together and were glowing with a bit more than just happiness.

"Are you sad your birthday weekend is nearly over?" Ava asked her older sister as they finished their lunch.

"No, like it says in your book, 'Don't be sad it's over. Be glad it happened.' Besides, now that my birthday is over the countdown to Christmas is well and truly on."

Everyone around the table smiled, judging by the past few years this would be another Drill Christmas to remember and nobody could wait to share it.

A/N Thanks for reading/reviewing and yes, we will be sharing Christmas with the Drills in a two part story starting on the 22nd.