A/N: Forgive me, work and studies have gotten in the way, but I promise there will be more soon. In the meantime, here's a small teaser of how life is panning out for Laura and Robbie in this particular AU...
With dinner finished, and plates cleared, the assembled Hobsons and a certain Robbie Lewis were relaxing on New Year's Eve. Sam and his family were recently returned from New York, and Laura's youngest niece, almost as tall as her aunt was curled up on Laura's lap. Miriam frowned at her youngest daughter. "Nonnie, you are too big to sprawl across Auntie Laura like that," she chided softly and Laura tightened her grip around her niece. "Never," Laura protested and Naomi snuggled into her aunt more, triumphant. "Mummy," Teddy said, glancing across to Miriam, who glanced at her oldest. "Can we do Next Years?" she asked and Sam set his glass down. He and Miriam exchanged a glance and Sam shrugged easily. It made Robbie smile, for the Hobson genes clearly ran strong in that particular direction. "Do you want to go first?" Sam asked his oldest daughter and Teddy wrinkled her nose. "Not especially. You go first, Daddy," she replied and Sam considered his answer. "I'll go first," Naomi piped up and they all looked at the youngest member of the group. "Next year, I am going to practice my piano everyday and get my grade 4," Naomi said, a determined set to her chin which Robbie recognised as an expression he often saw from Laura. "Alright," Sam said "who's next? Clara?" His middle child twiddled the end of her french plait around her finger as she considered her answer. "Next year, I will travel abroad, somewhere, by myself," she replied and her parents exchanged a look of intrigue. "Anywhere in mind?" Laura enquired and Clara shrugged. "I've been saving my Saturday job wages," she explained "but maybe somewhere in Europe?" Sam turned his attention to his wife. "What about you, darling?" he asked Miriam, and she swirled the remnants of her glass of wine around thoughtfully. "Well, it *is* my fiftieth this year," Miriam mused, catching her husband's eye "and since Daddy and I didn't get away for his fiftieth, I think, next year, he and I should get away for a long weekend to celebrate." Sam raised his glass to her and blew her a kiss. "What about you, Lou?" he enquired, turning his attention to his sister. Laura and Robbie exchanged a look, and Laura arched an eyebrow at her partner. He nodded imperceptibly. "Well," Laura began and Miriam glanced at her sister-in-law, wondering what was coming next. "Next year," Laura said, cuddling Naomi a bit closer "Robbie and I think we'll get married," she continued and there was a cacophony of noise as her family reacted in delight to their news.
Sam shook Robbie's hand firmly. "That's excellent news," he said, clearly pleased "I'm really delighted. I think you and Laura make a wonderful couple, so I'm thrilled you're going to settle down." Robbie nodded. "Aye, I'm a lucky man," he replied and Sam clapped him on the shoulder. "Can I be your bridesmaid?" Naomi asked hopefully, and Laura cuddled her close, kissing the top of her head. "As if I'd have anyone else," Laura told her and she grinned. "Oh Laura, I'm so happy for you darling," Miriam told her sister-in-law happily, as she came over and kissed Laura affectionately. "Thank you," Laura said, eyes shining and Miriam squeezed her shoulder. Miriam then came round to Robbie, and ducked to kiss his cheek. "I hope the two of you will be wonderfully happy," she told him earnestly and Robbie smiled. "Thanks Miriam," he said cheerfully and Laura beamed. She ousted Naomi from her lap and stood up as Sam approached her. "Oh sweetheart," he told her and Laura smiled as he stopped to press an affectionate kiss to his little sister's cheek. "Congratulations," he told her and Laura squeezed his arm. Teddy and Clara had appeared at Laura's side and they cuddled their aunt between them. "I really like Uncle Robbie," Teddy murmured into Laura's ear and Laura smiled, slipping an arm around each girl's waist. "Will we be bridesmaids too?" Clara asked hopefully and Laura chuckled. She looked over at Robbie. "What's a girl to do?" she asked and he shook his head, amused.