A Weasley Family Advent
5th December
"And if Ronnie won't settle, give him some more milk, and don't forget his teddy bear…"
Fabian smiles at his sister confidently. "Molly, will you just go? We know how to babysit, we've done it before. Go, will you?"
Molly still looks uncertain, but Arthur takes her hand and leads her firmly to the door. "Come on, Moll. We'll be late. How often do we get to go out for dinner on our own?"
Molly obeys, somewhat reluctantly, but turns back as Ronnie begins to cry. Dorcas picks the baby up. "He'll be fine two minutes after you're gone," she assures Molly. "I promise. Take her away, Arthur, and have a good time, the two of you!"
Molly lets herself be led to the door, still looking worried. "Do you think they'll be alright?" she asks her husband, almost before the door closes behind them.
"You worry too much," he tells her, smiling. "They'll be fine. Fabe and Dorie know what they're doing. They'll be fine."
"I'm fussing, aren't I?" Molly asks.
"Just a bit," he agrees, kissing her. "Now let's forget we're responsible parents, and go and have a good time, eh?"
She smiles, and holds his arm as they Apparate to the restaurant.
They have a very good evening.
So do the boys. Dorcas makes them hot chocolate with marshmallows, whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. ("Are we supposed to call her 'Auntie' or not?" Percy asked earlier, and Molly did not know quite what to say. If only Fabian would get on and propose to the girl…) And Uncle Fabian tells the best bedtime stories, so that no one – not even Charlie – objects to being sent to bed more or less on time.
All is quiet when Arthur and Molly return home just before midnight. Arthur, Fabian and Dorcas all resist the urge to say, "I told you so." (Molly knows it, and is grateful.)