Thanks to everyone who reviewed, the story is now complete!!

The rest of the week had gone by quickly for Minerva and Albus, because they were so wrapped up in each other with time for Athena of course. The night before they were to leave Athena came running in to their room crying her little eyes out. Minerva immediately lifted her up onto the bed and held the child as she shook from the force of her sobs.

"Angel, what's wrong?" Minerva asked concerned

"M-mum, she she just l-left!" the child wailed.

"What do you mean left?" Albus interjected.

"She said she n-needed to figure stuff out and t-that somebody would look after m-me," the poor child cried.

Looking at Minerva he noticed she was crying too as she held the child, and Albus immediately moved Minerva to where he could hold her as she held Athena.
In a few moments the child had cried herself to sleep, and Minerva looked back at Albus.

"Oh Albus, we can't leave her here. We just can't." Albus knew what Minerva was asking of him, and there was no way he could say no.

"She can come back with us, Minerva, and stay for the duration of the summer. It will be nice to have her there, and I think she needs it. But, two nights from now you are mine. We will be going on our first date, and I'm sure Poppy would love to watch her for us."

Minerva was so happy she didn't even inquire after their date, but kissed Albus instead and whispered in his ear, "You will be properly thanked, my love, when we are alone."

When she settled back into him Albus leaned down to her ear and asked, "Was that a suggestive smile I saw on your lovely face?" Minerva didn't answer at first enjoying the feel of his lips on her neck, but she eventually said, "Perhaps, perhaps not. You shall have to wait and see."

When Athena awoke the next morning she was still in her favorite Aunt's arms. Being as quiet as she could she scooted up to get closer to Minerva's face, and she quietly stared, rather intently, at her Aunt Min's face. Then taking a little finger she started to trace her face. Minerva woke up immediately, but instead of saying anything she just watched Athena. When the child was done she leaned forward and kissed her aunt, whispering, "I love you Aunt Min and I know you love me. That's why I'm happy!"

Minerva couldn't help it she started to cry, and alarmed Athena asked what she had done wrong.

"Oh no sweetheart you have done nothing wrong. You see some people cry when they are happy, and that's what these are: happy tears. You make me happy, my angel, and I do love you very much. You know, Albus and I have a surprise for you. How would you like to come to Hogwarts?"

Athena's eyes lit up like Minerva had never seen them, but she was still whispering, "You mean come and live with you and Uncle Albus?"

"For the summer, my love, not all the time but we would love to take you back for awhile, if you want to go." Minerva whispered back. Athena just nodded vigorously and threw her arms around Minerva's neck.

The three of them left by floo, since Athena couldn't apparate, later in the afternoon, and once back at Hogwarts Albus was able to add another room to Minerva's quarters for little Athena. Minerva remarked to Albus that she had never seen the child so happy.

"I can believe it. Minerva you do know that she wishes you were her mother, don't you?"

"Albus how can you say that? She loves me and I her, but she has a mother and there is a bond there."

"She told me, Minerva."

"What? When?" Minerva asked lifting her head off of his chest to look him in the eye.

"When you were getting your bath a few hours ago, she just climbed up to me and told me she had to tell me a secret. She was so cute, whispered in my ear, that she wanted you to be her mum."

Minerva laid her head back down on Albus' chest and he could barely hear her whisper: "I wish I was." Then louder she said, "Natalie makes me so mad, Albus. How could she leave that child? To find herself, humph, I don't see that ever happening. My darling angel cries and wants me to be her mum, because she doesn't think her mother loves her. That is wrong, Albus, and there are times when I really want to take my wand to Natalie."

Albus kissed the top of her head, and soothingly rubbed her back in an effort to calm her down, "I know, love, it angers me as well. But we can be there for Athena, and maybe...maybe she could live here during the year as well. I promise I will look into it. I can't promise it will happen, but I will look into it."

"Oh Albus, thank you!" Minerva replied before she kissed him rather heatedly.

Two nights later Minerva and Albus were bidding Athena and Poppy goodnight, and heading out on their date.

"Albus where are we going?"

"Ah that, my dear, is a surprise. Now hang on tight, because we will be traveling by portkey."

When Minerva landed on her feet she let out a large gasp. Albus moved behind her, and looping his arms around her waist whispered: "I had to give you the most perfect first date. I love you!"

"Oh, Albus. I love you too," Minerva whispered in awe of the man beside of her.

As the sun was setting Albus and Minerva sat down to dinner in Tuscany knowing that this was indeed the perfect first date, because they were sharing it with each other.