Daisy groaned slightly as she opened her eyes and blinked until they adjusted to the light. She was facing her bedroom door - which was odd. She normally didn't sleep on that side of the bed, preferring the middle or side facing the windows. Then she felt the splitting headache settle in from drinking last night.

"Damn triplets," she muttered, as she attempted to settle back into bed. All three - plus Lucy and Kelly - were so excited that she and John had finally worked things out that the shots were ever-flowing. And once she had gotten tipsy enough, she had taken to leaning against the beater, his arm wrapped around her. While the end of the night was a bit fuzzy, at least it was nothing compared to the night of the New Years Ball.

Not comfortable enough she rolled over and ran her nose smack into a rock hard, expose shoulder. Daisy shot up, her eyes wide as she saw John passed out next to her. While she had finally agreed to try a relationship with him, this was going in the complete opposite direction. She wanted slow and steady. Not jump-in-the-sac the first night. Relief flooded her as she realized that she was still clothed in her pajamas and she lay back down, trying to figure out how - once again - she woke up with a hangover and someone in her bed.

"I'm awake," John said from next to her, eyes still closed. She turned her head to look at him.

"Please tell me they didn't slip me absinthe again," she moaned. The bed shook as he laughed quietly, then groaned, obviously feeling the hangover set in.

"No. This is the result of whiskey," he said, turning his head to pop one eye open at her. "Don't worry, Nothing embarrassing happened." Daisy smiled and laughed. She looked up at the ceiling, piecing things together.

"Wait… I thought I went to bed before you lot," she said, her brow furrowed.

"You did. But you got up for water, still drunk, and saw me on the couch. Then proceeded to drag me to your room, saying your bed was much more comfortable. You passed out shortly after," he said, the smile apparent in his voice. Daisy shook her head.

"Now it seems I must stay away from the whiskey. Shame. I love it so," she said. John chuckled as he rolled over and draping an arm across Daisy's stomach.

"The way I see it, I am your boyfriend now. I don't see what the harm is in me occasionally spending time in your bed," he said, before kissing her shoulder. Daisy looked over, narrowing her eyes at him, though a smile was firmly planted on her face. He waggled his eyebrows at her, causing Daisy to giggle.

"Whatever happened to taking things slow?" she asked. John shrugged.

"We can go as slow as you want to," he said, an innocent look painted on his face. Daisy laughed again, rolling onto her side as she curled up. That just encouraged John to pull her closer, her back flush with his naked chest.

"In all seriousness," he said once she had quieted down, his breath warm on her neck. "We can take things as slow as you want. I won't push you into anything you're not ready for."

"Thanks," she said softly, feeling him kiss the back of her head. They both lay in silence a few moments before Daisy frowned.

"How are we going to explain this to the team," she suddenly asked.

"I'm sure they've all been expecting it," he replied offhandedly. "Kelly already knows..." Daisy nodded and took a deep breath before groaning. John looked at her confused.

"I'm sure that trash reporter's already gotten wind of it…," she said. John chuckled.

"Daisy, I don't mind if she writes about me," he said. Daisy looked up at him.

"But I care," she said quietly. He knew she had started looking at the columns as more like jokes, but Daisy took it personal every time Evil Shortbrush dragged someone she cared about through the mud. After she went after Toby and Coach following the ball, Daisy worried the reporter would start attacking her friends and family to get to her.

"DAISY! JOHN! BREAKFAST!" one of the triplets shouted from the kitchen. John started to get out of bed but Daisy pulled the comforter over her head.

"No! I don't want to go out there. If I stay here I can pretend it's still a secret," she said. John chuckled and looked down at her.

"You're going to have to leave the room eventually. We have practice tomorrow," he said.

"We can live in my bed permanently," her shout came out muffled. He laughed again and yanked the comforter off her.

"Come on. Maybe the triplets will have some ideas," he said. Daisy huffed and sat up. She reached over and grabbed the bottle of hangover tonic on her nightstand and down some of it quickly then handed it to John.

"You'll need this," she said as she stood.

Daisy shuffled into the living room and walked over to the island, sitting on a stool as John followed. Alan poured her a cup of coffee and slid it across the counter.

"Thanks," she said, taking a sip. Remus was at the stove cooking while Jamie sat at the table, the Prophet open in front of him. He glanced up at the couple and smiled slightly.

"I take it this is something we should get used to?" Alan asked.

"Yep," Daisy said, still relishing her coffee. He laughed and looked at John, who was wearing one of the brothers' pajama pants.

"Coffee?" he asked. John nodded and watched as Alan pour him a cup and handed it over. Daisy looked over at Jamie.

"What's the damage?" she asked, her brow furrowed. Jamie looked up at her confused.

"Damage to what?" he asked.

"Daisy's convinced we're going to be all over the gossip columns," John said. Jamie sat up and flipped through the pages. He scanned through it before shaking his head.

"Nothing here," he said, looking up at her.

"See, no one cares that we're dating," John said, smiling. Daisy glanced at him.

"Just wait…" she muttered.

"So… how are you lot gonna break this little bundle of happiness to the team?" Remus asked, grinning from the stove. Daisy and John looked at each other.

"No clue," they said in unison.

"Just walk in hand-in-hand. That should do it," Alan suggested. Daisy looked at him blankly. "Come on, Daisy. The team will probably celebrate!"

"What do you think Coach will say?" Daisy asked, glancing at John. "He does see me as a sort of little sister."

"I can handle these three, I can handle him," he said with a grin.

"Then there's Da…" John's face paled slightly.

"Oh, right," he said. "Surely he'll be okay with it… Right? He likes me." Daisy raised her eyebrows and turned back to her coffee.

"Better come up with a good way to tell him," she said, before taking a long sip.

"Why me? He's your father," he said, scoffing. Daisy raised an eyebrow at him.

"Ehm… pardon, but shouldn't you tell him together?" Alan asked, grinning.

"And we all have to be there," Remus added. "I don't want to miss those fireworks." Alan elbowed him. "Ahem, I mean… we've got your back, John."

"I think you're overreacting… It'll be fine. No one will care. If anything, they'll be happy for you! Toby was genuinely happy," Jamie said from the table. Daisy shrugged.

"At least we know the rest of the family'll be happy," Daisy said. "The grans were already planning the wedding at Christmas." John stared at her, wide-eyed.

"What the-"

"Welcome to the family, Kingfisher!" Remus shouted, beaming. John looked over at him.

"Hope you know this means you'll have to permanently settle here. No way Da's lettin' his little pixie move to the U.S." Alan said.

"And you'll definitely have to wear a kilt at the wedding. You can borrow one of mine, though it might be a wee bit long on you," Remus said.

"Don't forget you'll need to get Dad's blessing before you buy the ring!" Jamie chimed in from the table. Daisy shook her head.

"Give 'em an inch… they take the whole bloody, goddamn mile," she muttered into her coffee. John was silently looking in between the four siblings, his face white.

"You're not serious, are you?" he asked. All four looked at him, varying looks of seriousness on their faces. "What happened to taking things slow?" At once all three triplets started laughing hysterically.

"Merlin, the look on your face is priceless!" Remus shouted.

"Of course we're not expecting you to propose," Jamie said from the table.

"Ah, but the grans were actually planning the wedding," Daisy said. "But we just ignore them. Planning weddings is a bit of a pastime with them." John let out the breath he had been holding in.

"Let's just… take this one bit at a time," he said. He looked at Daisy. "Let's start with the team."

Daisy walked into the locker room the next day jittery. She wasn't sure exactly how they were going to tell the team. Or rather if it even mattered. Part of her wanted to just wait and see what would happen. She wished that she and John had spent the afternoon planning rather than watching movies. This was going to be a disaster.

"You alright, Wood? Look a bit jumpy," Campbell asked, grinning. Daisy smiled tensely as she started to pull off her street clothes.

"I'm fine," she said quickly.

"Kingfisher, you're looking a bit tense as well. Anything you want to share?" Wright asked, grinning at the beater, whose face was turning red.

"Nothing," he said just as quickly. Wright and Campbell shared a smile as the team quickly got into their practice gear and got ready to head to the pitch.

"Now, are you two sure there's nothing-"

"WOOD! KINGFISHER! KELLY!" Nilsson bellowed as he walked into the locker room. The entire team froze. As soon as she heard her name, she was sure that he had found out. But she was at a loss as to why he would yell at Kelly as well. Nilsson caught the three players in his ice cold stare. "The rest of you, start warming up. I need to speak to these three first." The rest of the team quickly hustled out of the room while the three remaining players remained frozen. Nilsson walked over and threw a copy of the Prophet on the bench. Daisy glanced at it, wondering what could have gotten him angry.

"Would you three care to explain why there is an article about an attack on Chase Hardwick in today's paper? And why you three are named as accomplices. Daisy's eyebrows shot up.

"I'm sorry, Coach, but I'm not sure what you are talking about," Kelly said, genuinely confused. Nilsson crossed his arms and stared down at the chaser.

"Let me refresh your memory. After the Wanderers game against the Falcons, you three and the Wood triplets attacked Chase Hardwick," he said.

"Blimey, do not tell me that blasted reporter is at it again," Daisy said with a groan.

"I suggest you take this seriously, Daisy, because they are serious accusations," he said. "What the hell happened?! Didn't I warn you against hexing other players?"

"Well, Coach, sir, Hardwick showed up at the Woods' place uninvited during the party and he threatened Daisy," John said seriously. Nilsson looked at Daisy.

"Is this true?" he asked. She nodded.

"But John, the triplets and Kelly never laid a finger on him. The triplets and John tried to get in between us, but that's it. Kelly stood behind me the whole time," she said.

"He manhandled her and threatened to put her back in hospital, Coach," Kelly said. "Honestly, I think the entire room would have jumped him if Daisy hadn't hexed him and then sent him on his way." Nilsson's gaze flicked over to Kelly and then back at Daisy. He took a deep breath, as though he was trying to calm himself.

"You didn't follow him?" he asked. Daisy shook her head.

"We all stayed at the party. I think Kelly and Lucy left around 4 or 5 a.m.," she said.

"Do you have witnesses to corroborate this?" he asked. "Besides those in Daisy's family."

"Yes, Coach. The Wanderers were all there. Half of Puddlemere, some Kestrals and Harpies. The flat was full," Daisy said.

"I saw a few of the Cannons as well," John answered. Nilsson walked over and sat down on the bench, picking up the paper.

"And he walked out of the party, you say?" he asked, looking up at them. All three nodded their heads. Nilsson looked back down at the paper. "Then we have a problem. Hardwick is in St. Mungo's and has to sit out the next game due to his injuries. There's even a photo… The writer… Edith Shortbrush got an interview with him." Daisy's eyes widened as her hair started to flair up bright orange.

"Coach, that writer has had it out for the rookie all season," Kelly said. Nilsson sighed.

"Most of her other articles were relatively harmless. This," he held it up, "could lead to an inquiry hearing."

"But it's obviously not true! And they'll find that out in five minutes," John yelled.

"That may be true, but if the League decides to open an inquiry, Daisy would be benched until it's wrapped up. All of you could. It could take a month or two," he said.

"It's a ploy! They're just trying to get us out of the way before the finals!" Kelly shouted.

"You think I don't see that!" Nilsson yelled back. The four were silent.

"So, what do we do?" she asked quietly. Nilsson sighed.

"Hope the Falcons' coach doesn't file for the inquiry hearing," he replied.

"Can't we convince him not to?" John asked.

"You three are not to go anywhere near any of the Falcons. Let me handle this," he said, standing. "And do not under any circumstances allow your father anywhere near them as well." He looked at Daisy. "It'll just make it look worse." Daisy nodded her understanding. She just hoped he hadn't already gone over there. "Now, unless there is anything else, you three need to hit the pitch. There are some reporters out there, but… I want to show them that you're not guilty so I won't be suspending you."

"Coach," Kelly said. Nilsson turned to looked at him. "We need to go after Shortbrush. She's been allowed to mess with the rookie far too long."

"I agree. But we'll discuss that after practice. I think we should call a meeting at the Woods' place. Include your family," he replied, looking at Daisy.

"I'll get word to them," she said, fairly certain "family" meant her parents and Lucy. Being at Witch Weekly, she had connections at The Prophet and might have some insight into the writer in question.

"Good. Let's go. We play Barnton on Monday," he said before turning to walk out. The players started to follow him before he stopped and turned around again, looking at Daisy and John. "Oh, one more thing. I'm not too keen on allowing my players to date each other, but as long as you two keep your personal life off the pitch, I won't bother with it." John and Daisy nodded, dumbstruck. "Good." He turned and walked out of the locker room.

"How did he know?" Daisy whispered. John shrugged and smiled.

"But he's okay with it. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, Daisy."

And the plot thickens...

As always, thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy!