As the world crashed around her, Silvia let Adalia's arm slide from under her grasp. She didn't see the tree falling, and so it crashed over her, it's branch piercing into Adalia's arm.
The latter instantly passed out, blood beginning to pool from her body, and Silvia began to panic. She could hear the yelps from her fellow Aurors, but there was nothing she could do to help.
"I'm a terrible Auror," she said in shock, "All I wanted to do was impress Harry Potter, but now- "
She let out a huge sob and tried to wriggle out of her uncomfortable position. To her relief, the branches shifted, creating a smallish hole right above her torso.
She sucked in a breath, and squeezed her body through the tiny gap, until she was completely free.
She looked around, and contemplated whether to help her colleagues, but she decided that they were all more resourceful than her and would probably find a much better way out.
A sudden crack in the distance made her whip her head around, and to her horror, a tall figure in a mask and cloak was striding their way towards the thicket of trees in which she was standing.
She pulled her wand out from her inside pocket, and with a shaky arm, sent a scarlet stunner in his direction.
To her surprise, it hit the figure, and they fell to the floor, unconscious.
"What have I done?" she whispered in disbelief, standing stock still in the fear that whoever she just stunned would wake up. She felt her muscles begin to tense up.
Everywhere she looked she could see shadows of people in the dark, and every flicker of light was the green light before death.
But no. She was alone.
She tentatively walked forward, noting the layer of thick trees covering the forest floor, and carefully clambering over them as she approached her target.
The figure looked horrible. She didn't dare take off the mask, in case her jumpiness took the better of her.
So, she kicked the man's – she could tell by his figure – wand away from their grasp, cast a binding charm, redid her stupefy, and hid.
"Why not help your team, Olson?" Starcoff asked starkly, after Silvia recounted her story to everyone present.
"I…" She stuttered, "They found a way out." She offered miserably.
"But we could have found a way out much quicker, if you had acted like an Auror." Proudfoot told her ignorantly. Silvia shrunk back.
Starcoff sighed.
"I guess we can't press you too much. You probably captured the person that the rest of us have been trying to catch for over 2 months."
Harry nodded, and looked over at Starcoff.
"We're in a muggle area, by the way. Better to take ourselves inside."
"No," Starcoff said, "Take yourselves home. We've got what we needed, and it's nearing 11."
A murmured chorus of 'thank you sir' rumbled around the trees, but Harry stopped him before he turned.
"Hang on," He said, "Before we got smothered, we heard a scream coming from the trees."
Starcoff frowned.
"Another victim?"
"Probably," Harry said quietly, "It was just before we got discovered."
"We'll go take a look," Starcoff nodded, "You lot go home."
Ginny sighed for the umpteenth time and again, glanced at the clock.
It showed 10:59.
"He should totally be back by now." She said sadly.
We were all sitting in the living room, small conversation popping in and out, but mostly we stayed in silence.
"Do you reckon they've got help by now?" I asked nervously. It was very dark outside.
"Who knows," Ginny shrugged, "I can only hope that he's safe."
A few hours ago, Ginny had gone into her room to feed Lily, giving me and Robert time to talk with just the two of us. We spoke about multiple things, but the thing that seemed to come into conversation a lot was all this mystery. The Potter's were so mysterious in so many ways, and yet, they seemed so normal. They were apparently just busy.
But I had pointed out that some things just made no sense.
"What about all those funny words?" I had hissed to Robert, making him shrug dismissively.
"They're probably just names of departments at Harry's work, Katie," he had replied nonchalantly, "You're trying to find an abnormality in them."
"It's not normal to get from London to Kent in the space of 30 seconds," I had replied, hurt.
"They were probably nearby, anyway," Robert had said, with a flippant wave of the hand.
We had dropped the conversation when Ginny had returned, but an unfamiliar tenseness lay nestled in the small gap between me and my husband. He must have felt it too, for he kept glancing at me apologetically.
"How long will you wait up?" I asked quietly.
"I'll go to bed in an hour," she replied, equally as soft, "I'm surprised Lily hasn't woken up yet."
"Would she usually have by now?"
"Yes." Ginny nodded, glancing at the clock again.
"I'm sure he'll-"
But before I could finish, we all heard the front door slowly open, and then close, with a minute thud.
Ginny glanced at us, before quickly getting to her feet, and walking into the hallway.
"Harry," she whispered, "You've been gone ages." And she pulled him in close for a hug
"Sorry," he murmured back, "We ran into a bit of a dilemma."
"You're ok, though?" Ginny asked, pulling away to take a good look at his face.
"Yeah," he breathed, before he caught sight of me and Robert standing in the frame of the living room.
"Sorry about your house," he said ruefully, "We still don't know why it was targeted."
Robert shrugged.
"You sent for Moki," Ginny said, thankfully changing the subject.
Harry frowned.
"I didn't want you to know."
"I had to let her in," Ginny explained, "But she didn't stop after I called her back."
"You figured out why I called her?"
Ginny nodded, "You were stuck, weren't you?"
"You'd be a great detective," Harry smiled, "I hope it didn't stress you out."
"Everything you do stresses me out, Harry," Ginny said, exasperated, and Robert snickered.
No one elaborated, however, because faint baby cries could be heard from upstairs, and Ginny sighed in defeat.
"I suppose it's about time," Ginny said, and she went up the stairs to comfort Lily.
"I hope you haven't taken this too painfully," Harry said, once she had gone into the room, and we heard the 'click' of the door closing.
"Liam said we're homeless," I replied softly, "And honestly, I agree."
"We'll pay to repair your house," Harry offered, "We should have known the murderer was coming down here, given his previous pattern."
"I don't think there's anything you could do to fix that wreck," Robert chuckled sadly, "I assume you saw to what extent it was wrecked by."
Harry nodded.
"We'll be able to do something," he explained, "But we're happy for you to stay here until you're happy to move elsewhere."
"Thank you," Robert nodded in satisfaction, "It's easier than a hotel; for Liam's school, and my work."
Harry glanced at the clock, unknowingly mimicking what his wife had been doing minutes before he came in and said that he should be heading upstairs.
"We'll go up too," I said instantly, not wanting to be alone downstairs in someone else's house.
We all went up, and Harry wished us both a comfortable sleep. We said our thanks and headed into our respective rooms.
The night was rather uneventful. Surprisingly, neither of my kids woke up, and apparently Lily didn't wake me up, either.
Liam woke up first – I could hear him shifting around – before he clambered onto our bed and squished himself in between me and Robert.
"It's 7 in the morning, Liam," Robert groaned, and acting as my personal alarm clock.
"Can I go wake up James?" Liam whispered excitedly, but I shook my head quickly.
"Why?"
"Because he's probably sleeping, and he won't like it if you wake him up."
But seconds after I had said this, a small hand knocked on our door.
"Who is it?" asked Liam hopefully, sliding off the bed, and hurrying quickly to the door.
"It's me," James' voice replied, "Do you wanna play in my room?"
Liam looked at me for confirmation, and I nodded.
"As long as you don't wake up anyone from James' family." I reasoned, as Liam opened the door to reveal a pyjama enclosed James.
"Mummy and Daddy are already awake, and so is Al," James replied, and I sighed.
"Go on then," I said to them, and then I turned to Robert, "If Harry and Ginny are awake, we better get up too."
"It's their house," Robert grumbled, "We don't need to get up."
"Just -" I insisted, " – get up, I don't want to be lazy."
"Just because they're early risers," Robert protested, "It doesn't mean we're lazy."
"Are you not going into work today?" I asked.
"You think I should?" Robert replied, genuinely surprised, "You don't want me to stay here with you until everything is sorted out?"
"Of course, I do," I told him, smiling softly, "But you have to work for our family."
"My boss will understand," Robert said, "Plus, I'm sure Helen Nightingale and that husband of hers would have already got it plastered over all the newspapers."
I grimaced.
Mabel began to stir from beside me, and I looked over to see her stretching her arms above her head.
She always looked so little in the morning; almost as if she didn't just have her 3rd birthday 2 months ago.
"Morning, sweetheart," I whispered, and at the sound of my voice, she looked up, and pulled herself onto the bed.
"Where?" she said sleepily, crawling onto Robert's lap, and laying down on his chest.
"We're at Al's house," I explained, stroking her messy bed hair.
"I play with Al?" Mabel asked, instantly chirpier.
"If he's awake," I smiled, and she slithered off the bed onto the floor.
"Park, Mummy," she added, looking at me with her most innocent eyes, but I knew better than to agree, so I shook my head.
"Why?" she persisted, her brows furrowing in confusion.
"Me and Daddy need to do some grown-up things, Mabel," I sighed, "There's no time to go to the park today. I'm sorry, sweetheart."
"Al?"
"Yes, you can play with Al," I told her, and she giggled, crawling over to the door like a baby.
Just as the door closed, I heard my phone ring from inside the coat draped over the chair. I frowned, not knowing who would be calling me at this time in the morning, but I kicked back the covers, and pulled out the vibrating mobile.
"Sarah?" I muttered upon reading the number on the screen. I turned to look at Robert before I pressed answer. To my dismay, my husband's eyes were closed again, so I twisted my head back to the phone, and clicked the green button.
"Katie? Katie! Is that you?!" Sarah answered, her voice high in panic.
"Of course, it's me," I replied, "Are you ok? You sound a bit -"
"I've just seen the 7 O'clock news! Your house!" She said, "Where are you staying?! Are you OK? Robert? The kids?"
"I'm fine, we're all fine," I told her hastily, "We weren't inside, don't worry, we were all dropping Liam off at school."
"Are you staying in a hotel or something?"
"Uh, no. We stayed the night at the Potter's house."
"Who?"
"You've met them. Mum has red hair; Dad works with the met police. We've had the conversation before."
"Oh, yes."
"They said we were allowed to stay here until we find a new place to stay," I explained, "How did you find out about our house, anyway? We didn't publicly put anything anywhere."
"The news," she repeated, and I groaned, "Your house was pictured, and it looks terrible, Katie!"
"I know," I said sadly, "We'll have to start looking for a new one."
"I know Helen and Knox still have a couple of houses for sale here," Sarah said.
"I refuse to be sold a house by her," I said firmly, "And we would never be able to afford a house down Layters Lane anyway."
"The closest you'd be able to get would be in Minster then," Sarah told me, in my opinion, rather unhelpfully.
"Minster's a 45-minute drive from Liam's school," I replied, "I'm not up to making an hour and a half round trip twice a day."
"Me and Dillon looked everywhere within a 7-mile radius of Downlow, and the only houses for sale were the three the Nightingales were selling."
"Maybe we'll try and repair our house, then," I sighed, rubbing my temple.
"It looked beyond repairable on the tv," Sarah commented, and I frowned.
"How much did you see?" I asked curiously.
"The news reporter was standing outside your house as they announced the most recent murder," Sarah said softly, and I instantly sucked in a breath.
"There was another murder?" I asked, trying to stay calm, even though I knew it could be someone I knew.
"In the woods, yesterday evening." Sarah replied, "A little old lady who was walking her dog, and an officer."
"An officer?" I asked in shock, and I could tell Sarah was nodding on the other side of the phone, "What were their names?"
"Uh, a Sue Windsor, and MMA Edward Titan," she said quietly, "You don't know either of them, do you?"
"No, I didn't, but what does MMA stand for?"
"I have no clue; the reporter didn't say what it stood for."
"It was probably one of Harry's colleagues," I replied, "Maybe I'll ask him when we go down for breakfast."
"Sure, go ahead, but on another note, it's Maisy's first day at school tomorrow, will you be there?"
"Hopefully," I said, "Though I'm not sure if I'm going to bring in Liam today. He had a rough day yesterday."
"You're ok, aren't you?" Sarah asked again, and I smiled at her concern.
"Yes, I'm fine," I replied, "But I really should be dragging Robert out of bed so we can have breakfast."
"Good luck," Sarah laughed, "I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"
"Yeah, see you," I replied, before pulling the phone away, and calling Sarah off.
"You can't make me get up, Kate," Robert yawned, "I don't have work, so what's stopping me from lying in?"
"The fact that you're-" I started, but my phone began to ring. Again.
It's my Mum this time, and I instantly began to feel guilty that I didn't tell her that I was ok. It must have been horrible for her when she saw it on the news, especially now that they've moved to Manchester.
"Katie? Katie, darling, is that you?" My Mum said frantically when I answered her call. She sounded even more frantic than Sarah.
"Mum, I'm fine, we're fine," I said quickly, before she jumped to any conclusions.
"Thank you, God," I heard my Dad mutter.
"I saw on the news," My Mum said hysterically, "That reporter didn't say anything about what happened to the people inside – you."
"We weren't inside," I told her, "Robert and I were dropping Liam off at school."
"We're on our way to Downlow now," my Mum said, and I turned to look at Robert in shock.
"We're ok, Mum, you don't have to take that 5hr journey, we promise," I said rapidly, "We're staying at my new friend's house."
"Who?" My Dad asked, and I frowned.
"Am I on speaker, Mum?" I asked.
"Yes, your father wanted to check if you were ok, too." She replied, and I smiled softly.
"Well?" My Dad persisted.
"Liam's best friend's parents, Harry and Ginny Potter," I answer, and I vaguely hear my Mum take an intake of breath.
"You know them, Mum?" I say, surprised.
"Of course not," My Mum said hastily, but I narrow my eyes behind the phone.
"Why gasp?"
"I, uh, don't you worry dear," she replied, and I could tell she was smiling, "We've just driven over the River Dane."
"Oh," I answer, "Where will you stay when you get here?"
"Probably that hotel we stayed in when Mabel was born," my Mum says.
"Actually, I have a better plan," I replied, "I bet Harry and Ginny would be more than happy to let you stay in their house with us."
"Do they only have one child or something?" My Dad said, "How much space is there, Katie?"
"They have 3 children, Dad, but they have enough space, I promise."
"Ask them, will you dear?" My Mum asked.
"I will, have a safe journey," I told her, "I'll call you if they say yes, and give you an address."
"We love you, Katie," My Mum said, and I smiled.
"I love you too."
"Send our love to Liam and Mabel."
"I will," and with that, I hung up, and turned to Robert, who was thankfully sitting up.
"Have your parents rung you?" I asked him, but he shook his head.
"They won't call unless my name was given." He said, "I'm the least of their concerns at the moment."
"Your sister?"
"I texted her yesterday, so she knows."
"I should have texted my parents sooner," I said guiltily, but Robert stood up, and gave me a big hug as I began to cry, all my emotions flowing out at once.
"You're ok, Katie," Robert said softly, running his hand through my hair as I began to sob.
"This wasn't how it was meant to be," I cried, wrapping my arms around my husband as I sobbed into his shoulder.
"Things often don't go to plan," Robert whispered, "But all things happen for a reason."
"What horrible reason did our house get blown up for, then?" I wept.
"They'll be a reason, Katie," Robert said firmly, "We just don't know what, yet."
"Mummy," came a small voice at the door, "Are you cryin'?"
I quickly pull away from Robert, and roughly wipe away the tears from my eyes.
"I'm ok, Li, you can come in."
Liam opened the door hesitantly and looked nervously up at me.
"I heard you cryin', Mummy," he said quietly, "I'm sorry if it was me."
"It wasn't you, darling," I say, bending down, and pulling my son into a hug, "It wasn't you; I promise."
"Are you ok?" He asked me, looking me in the eye.
"Yes, I'm fine." I replied firmly, "Did you need anything?"
"James' Daddy said breakfist is ready if you're ready." He said, and I look over at Robert, who nods.
I stand up straight and take Liam's hand, as I walk out the room, and head downstairs.
"Grandma and Grandad are coming today," I told Liam, and he looked up at me.
"Now?" he asked, and I nodded.
"Why they comin'?" he asked me.
"They saw our house on the TV, and they wanted to see if we were ok," I sigh, telling him begrudgingly what had happened.
"We're on TV?" Liam asked in amazement, "Am I famous?"
"Not our faces, Li," Robert grinned, "Just our house."
"Oh," Liam said sadly, looking down, "But our house is famous?"
"You could say that," Robert chuckled, looking at me comfortingly.
"Pamcakes!" I heard Mabel cry, and I looked at Liam curiously.
"Harry made pancakes for you, did he?" I asked him, and Liam nodded happily.
"James asked, and he said yes!" He said, bouncing down the stairs excitedly.
"What a treat," I smile, knowing full well Liam and Mabel would be bouncing off the walls all morning.
I walked into the kitchen and grinned at the sight in front of me. James, Al, and Mabel were perched on the island counter, each holding a plate, and giggling as Harry handed them each a pancake.
"Help me up, please!" Liam cried, looking at me desperately, "I don't wanna miss my turn!"
Robert chuckled, and lifted Liam up. He scrambled next to James, grabbing his plate, and holding it out like Oliver Twist.
"I didn't miss my turn, did I?" Liam asked nervously, and James shook his head.
"I saved you this one, look!"
Liam smiled thankfully, stuffing the pancake into his mouth.
"Careful you don't get indigestion, Liam," Harry warned, "It'll hurt."
Again, I was amazed at Harry's 6th sense, for only a few moments later, Liam bent over, crying about how his food was stuck in his neck.
"Your oesophagus," Robert corrected, but I shot him a look that said, "Really?"
"I don't know what that is," Liam frowned, "It hurts in my neck."
"Because your oesophagus is in your neck, Liam," Robert continued, ignoring my exasperated looks.
"He's 5, Robert," I told my husband, "Do you honestly expect him to care about the correct names of the parts in his neck?"
Robert shrugged.
"Where's Ginny, Harry?" I asked, and Harry pointed upstairs.
"She's feeding Lily," he said, "And changing her."
"Did Lily wake up in the night?" Robert asked, "If she did, I didn't hear her at all."
"She woke up twice from 12," Harry replied, "But I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't hear her. Ginny put you on the other side of the house so she wouldn't disturb you."
"I didn't hear anything," I told him, and he nodded.
"Good, because we didn't really want to wake you."
I suddenly remembered my promise to my parents.
"I need to ask you a favour, Harry," I said, and he looked at me.
"Go ahead."
"My parents saw what happened to our house this morning-"
"How'd they find out about that?" Harry asked, surprised, "I told them not to let the press find out."
"I reckon it was Knox Nightingale," Robert said, "He turned up here yesterday, and him and Helen both threatened to tell the BBC what had happened."
"They could get sued for that," Harry said, eyebrow raised, "That's private business."
"Apparently one of your colleagues didn't make it," I say quietly, and Harry nods briskly, gathering Albus into his arms.
"You can go play, Al, ok? Bring Mabel with you." Harry told his youngest son, helping Mabel off the counter, "You too, Jamie."
"I haven't finished!" James protested, waving around a piece of pancake at the end of his fork.
"Don't you wave that around, mister," Harry grinned, making a swipe for the fork, making James giggle. He stood up on the counter, and cheered as he waved around his breakfast.
"Woah, woah, woah!" Harry cried, grabbing onto James as he swayed way too close to the edge of the table, "Sit down!"
James grinned, before shoving the last piece into his mouth, and wriggling off the counter onto the floor, beckoning Liam to come with him.
"He'll injure himself badly one day," Harry muttered, clearing the table with one sweep of his hand.
"You knew this Edward Titan, then?" Robert asked, and Harry sighed.
"We caught the murderer last night," he admitted, turning away to place the dishes into the sink.
"No way!" Cried Robert, looking at me with excitement, I grinned.
"But yeah, we lost Edward," Harry added, making my smile vanish.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly, "It said on the news he was an MMA, whatever that means. You don't know, do you?"
"The news said MMA?" Harry asked, suddenly, and I nodded, "I don't think it was Helen or Knox Nightingale who called in. Only Starcoff's workers know that term."
"What does it mean?" Robert asked curiously.
"I can't really tell you that," Harry said, looking away, "But it wouldn't have been Knox or Helen who gave that report in."
"Oh."
"You said you wanted to ask me a favour?" Harry said, his eyes going back to their usual light green.
"Oh, yes," I said hastily, "So, my parents saw our house on the news, and decided to drive down here. They obviously can't stay in our house, and the nearest hotel is about 4-"
"We have space here," Harry smiled, "Tell them, we're more than happy to let them stay here with you. Space isn't an issue."
"Thanks," I smiled in reply, "They'll appreciate that."
We all looked towards the door when we heard footsteps down the stairs, and Ginny appeared, dressed in a pink dressing gown, and holding Lily gracefully in one arm.
"Morning," she says cheerfully, walking over to the counter, running her hand over Harry's chest as she did so.
"You're cheerful," Robert said, and Ginny grinned.
"I'm glad this case is over," she said, but Harry frowned.
"You know it's not over, Gin," he told her, and she narrowed her eyes.
"There's no risk on your life anymore," she clarified, "And you don't need to question the culprit until 11."
"There was never any risk on my life," Harry said firmly, taking Lily from his wife.
"I think being trapped by a murderer counts as a risk on your life, Harry," Ginny replied, taking a plate laden with a couple of pancakes.
"I'll have a pancake," Robert said eagerly, and Harry grinned.
"Take one," Harry said, gesturing to another couple of plates, "I didn't just make for the kids."
"Robert's practically a child," I grinned, "Most of the time I feel like I have 3 kids, not 2."
"I'm trying to live my life," Robert said, happily eating a pancake, "Life's too short."
"Yeah," Harry agreed, lowering his eyes. Ginny glanced over at him, a concerned look in her brown eyes.
"Mummy! Daddy!" A high-pitched yell cried, and Harry's head snapped up.
"Yes, Al?" Ginny replied.
"Someone's at our door!"
"What?" Harry said blankly, "There shouldn't be anyone at-"
He tentatively handed Lily back to her mother, and made his way out into the corridor.
"Expecting anyone?" Robert asked, but Ginny only blinked.
We heard the door open, and Harry let out a sigh of relief.
"Al, it's only Oliver," Harry said, obviously speaking to his youngest son, "You know Oliver."
"James said stranger," Al said sadly.
"I'm not a stranger," 'Oliver' said, pretending to be hurt, making Al giggle.
"Come inside," We heard Harry say, "We've got pancakes if you wanted one?"
"Sure," 'Oliver' said, and moments later, Harry reappeared at the kitchen doorway, accompanied by the man with light brown hair I saw yesterday.
"Hi, Ginny," he smiled, "And I recognise you." He added, looking at me.
"We met briefly yesterday," I explained, and he nodded, "I'm Katie, and this is my husband Robert."
"Nice to meet you," Oliver greeted politely, "I'm Oliver."
"Here," Harry said, handing Oliver a plate, and the latter grinned.
"Thanks, I haven't had breakfast yet."
"How's Adalia, Olly?" Ginny asked putting Lily yet again in the arms of her father.
Oliver shrugged.
"She's ok." He said reproachfully, "Her Dad stayed with her last night."
"What about you?"
"I was told I had to sleep," Oliver shrugged, "And I don't blame him. I was exhausted."
"Do you know what happened with Silvia?" Harry asked, but Oliver shook his head.
"All I know was that she was sobbing all the way back to the office, and refused to speak to anyone."
"What about Starcoff?"
"He left to recover the bodies," Oliver said, "Like you told him to."
"Apparently one you lot told the other press about Ed," Harry said casually, and Oliver looked over at him, confused.
"What d'you mean?"
"MMA was used, and only us guys would know what-"
"Oh," Oliver interrupted, glancing at me and Robert, "Who was it?"
Harry shrugged, switching Lily so she nested in his right arm.
"I hope Proudfoot wasn't too hard on Silvia," Harry wondered aloud, but Oliver scowled.
"Honestly, Harry," Oliver huffed, "I don't know why you keep that miserable man on the front-line team."
"He's good at his job," Harry said calmly, "And I still don't think he's got over the fact Dawlish was replaced with Radford."
"He's forgetting that we were all trainees once too," Oliver continued, "He was never always the amazing senior Auror he claims he's been for 30 years."
"Careful what you say," hissed Ginny, glancing at me and Robert hastily.
"Sorry," Oliver said starkly, "I just despise him."
"Hopefully he'll calm down in the next few months," Harry replied, running a hand through his hair.
"It's 8 O'clock," Ginny said suddenly, "And both boys aren't ready for school."
"You're sending James to school today?" I asked in surprise, and Ginny nods slowly.
"Aren't you?"
"I, uh, I thought maybe I'd give him the day off today," I admitted, "Since he had such a busy day yesterday."
Ginny sighed, "I'll break the news to James, and get him changed, then."
"Katie," Robert said, and I looked over, "I think it'd be best if Liam went to school today. It would give him a normal day, at the very least."
I thought about it for a bit, before nodding begrudgingly. Ginny smiled.
"At least James would be happier," she said, and I grinned.
"Liam would want to go to school," I told her, and she nodded.
"Watch Mabel, Robert," I said, as I followed Ginny out the room.
"Oh," I said, suddenly remembering the favour I had asked Harry, "My parents are coming down today, and Harry said that it'd be fine if they stayed here. Is that ok-?"
"The more the merrier," she smiled, pushing open the door to James' room.
"You've got school soon," Ginny said, taking James' jumper off the end of the bed, and taking a fresh shirt from his closet.
"We've still got school?" James grumbled, and Ginny frowned.
"You like school, James."
"I'd rather stay here and play with Liam." He replied, glancing at Liam for confirmation. Liam nodded.
"You can both play at school," Ginny said, handing her son his uniform.
"I need to get changed too," Liam told James, as he got to his feet, "I'll be right back."
I led Liam back into our 'borrowed' room, and helped Liam get changed.
"What time are grandma and grandpa getting here?" Liam asked, as he wriggled into his jumper.
"Probably around lunchtime," I said, "When you're at school."
"Can they collect me?" He asked excitedly, and I smiled. My kids really loved their grandparents.
"You can call them now, if you like," I suggested, "Then you can ask them."
Liam smiled, and nodded.
I picked up my phone from the bed, and called my Mum, handing the phone to Liam.
"Hello?" my mum answered, and I gave Liam the thumbs up.
"Grandma!" he said happily, "It's me!"
"Hello, Liam! How's my favourite grandson?"
"I'm good," Liam giggled.
"Why did you call, eh?"
"I wamted to ask you somethin'."
"You did? Go ahead."
"Can you pretty please collect me after school today?" Liam asked hopefully.
"Of course we can," she replied, and Liam's face burst out in the most brilliant smile, "What say you, grandad?"
"I'd love to," my Dad said, though his voice was slightly more muffled, "Anna, ask Katie whether we can stay where she's staying."
"Oh yes," My mum said, and her voice was noticeably closer to the handset, "Liam, sweetheart, pass the phone back to Mummy."
Liam looked up at me, and held the phone out. I took it, and put it to my ear.
"Katie?"
"Yes, it's me," I said, "Where about are you?"
"Longnor," My Dad said, "There was traffic, so we took a different route."
"So you're a good 4 hrs away, then?"
"Yes, but we're on the right track."
"You can have lunch here," I suggested, working out in my head what time roughly they would get to Downlow.
"Did you ask whether we were allowed to stay in the house, Katie?" My Dad asked, and me being forgetful, nodded. It took me a few seconds to realise they couldn't hear me nod.
"Uh, yes, they said you were allowed to stay here." I said quickly, "His words, 'space isn't an issue'."
"Good, because I don't feel like sleeping in a hotel." My Dad huffed, making me grin. Classic Howard Grey.
"The Hollies, it's called," I told them, "Just type the postcode CT12 6JL on that Tom-Tom I got you last Christmas, and it'll lead you to their road."
"You think I know how to use the bloody-"
"Yes, Katie, thanks," My Mum said, interrupting my Dad.
"I need to go, Mum," I say, as out the corner of my eye, I see Liam pull a hairbrush out my handbag, "I need to get Liam ready for school."
"Ok, dear, see you later," she said, and I hung up, quickly running to Liam's side.
"Careful, Li, that's my hairbrush," I said, taking the brush from his hand.
"There's not another one," Liam said fairly, "And I can't go to school with messy hair, Mummy."
"Let me do it for you, ok?" I told him, and I instructed him to sit on the edge of the bed as I ran the brush through his bed hair.
"Are you nearly done?" He moaned, wriggling frantically after a minute of brushing. I nodded, letting him scamper away.
I used this time to pull on the clothes I wore yesterday, trying to flatten out the crinkles a night of neglect had formed.
"I need to buy new clothes," I muttered to no one in particular as I pulled on the shirt and jeans, "Heaven forbid I have to wear these until I get a chance to go shopping."
After changing, I decided to go back downstairs in order to get Mabel ready.
I could hear her and Al giggling together in the living room, and grinned, knowing that having someone close in age to her was doing wonders in Mabel's social life.
"Mabel," I said, walking into the room, "It's almost time to go."
"Where?" Mabel asked, "I wan stay!"
"You'll come back soon," I explained, bending to her level, "But we need to drop Liam off at school."
"Oh." She replied, pushing down the tower she and Al had been building with one knock of her hand.
"No!" Cried Al, putting his arms over his head to protect himself from falling blocks. They all fell down on top of him, and I tried and failed to pull him out.
"Mabel!" I said in shock, reaching over to extract Al from the bricks covering him. His eyes began to fill up with tears, and he clung onto me, looking at Mabel in shock.
"Sworry," she giggled, not noticing, or else ignoring, Al crying in my arms.
"What happened?" a voice said at the door, and I turned to see Harry, Oliver, and Robert in the doorway, looking confused.
"Daddy," wept Al, squirming out of my grasp, and running to Harry, arms outstretched.
"What happened Al?" Harry asked, bending down to pick up his crying toddler.
"It was Mabel," I said apologetically, and I saw Robert grimace, "They built a tower, and she decided it would be best to knock it over right next to Al."
"Mabel!" Robert said curtly, "Why'd you do that?"
"Again!" she cried, not looking up, and beginning to pile the blocks up again.
"No," Robert said firmly, plucking her up, despite her protests, "You're gonna say sorry to Al, ok?"
"I done it!" she yelled, wiggling frantically.
"Boose," Al sniffed, clinging on his Dad's arm.
"Just a little one," Harry answered, checking Al's head, "You're quite delicate, Albus."
Al cocked his head to one side, looking like a confused puppy.
"Depicate?"
Oliver grinned.
"It means you'll break easily, Al," Ginny said appearing at the door, completely changed, "Why, what happened?"
"Raiming bicks," Al said sincerely, reaching out for Ginny, who took him, frowning.
"How did it rain bricks?" she asked the people in the room, and I pointed at a writhing Mabel in Robert's firm hold.
"I done it! I done it!" she kept repeating, trying to push herself away.
"Mabel, calm down," Robert pleaded.
"I think you're mad having kids so young, Harry." Oliver commented, making the Potter's grin.
"Lily was the only one we planned," Ginny shrugged, kissing Al on the forehead. Robert snorted, and Mabel started to laugh.
"Piggy," she said, poking Robert on the nose.
I laughed, and she looked at me.
"I did done it, Mummy," she said seriously, and I tried not to laugh at her attempt at the English Language.
"What about you say it again," I suggested, "Just so he knows you really mean it."
She frowned, but turned to Al.
"I sorry, Al." She told him, and he smiled.
"Tower?" he said, and Mabel giggled.
"No, Mabel," I interrupted, "We need to get you changed, remember?"
"Pj's?" she asked, but I shook my head.
"You can't go out in your pyjamas, Mabel," I said firmly, "I'm sorry."
"Ok," she said finally, tapping Robert on the arm, indicating she wanted to be put down.
"You as well, Al," Harry said, tweaking Al's nose.
"We don't all have to go," Ginny told him, but he shook his head.
"I want us to go, Ginny," he said, "I want Al and Lily to have some fresh air. They were inside the whole day yesterday. You too."
Ginny sighed.
"Why not?" Harry asked, surprised at her reaction.
"I really don't want to face the Nightingales," She said, looking up, "Honestly."
"You won't have to talk if they approach," Harry said, "Plus if we all go, they might not advance anyway."
"I suppose," Ginny said, "They're both creeps."
"Both?" Harry asked, "You've met the husband, too?"
"He came to get Helen," Ginny explained, "Great ugly git."
"I'll come too, Harry," Oliver said, and Harry quirked an eyebrow.
"You don't have to."
"I'd rather come then stay," Oliver said grumpily, "He doesn't want me to see Adalia until she's more stable."
"Who?"
"Her Dad," Oliver said, rubbing the back of his neck, "But she's ok."
"MUUUMMM!" James yelled down the stairs, making Ginny's eyes narrow.
"Why's he gotta yell so loud?" She muttered, putting Albus on the floor, and advancing towards the stairs.
"What'd you need, James?"
Hurried little footsteps rushed down the stairs, and James and Liam appeared, looking excited.
"Why do you two look so happy?" Ginny asked, bemused.
"Can Freddie and Louis come round after school," James pleaded, "I wanna intoduke them to Liam!"
"I thought Bill and Fleur were in France?" Harry said, but Ginny shook her head.
"They came back on Tuesday; keep up," she said, before turning back to James, "I'll ask them, ok? But no promises."
James beamed, before quickly glancing at Liam.
"And," He continued, looking flush with apprehension, "Can Liam please, please, please, come in our car when we go to school?"
I grinned at his
Half an hour later, I found myself in the passenger seat in the Galaxy, waiting for Robert to finish strapping in Mabel.
"Mabel," Robert growled through gritted teeth, "Please. Hold. Still."
"I don't wanna go!" she cried, making me wince, "I wanna go with AL!"
"You'll see him at the school," I sighed, "And there's no time to be arguing."
Mabel instantly stopped squirming, and resorted to glare at me. Robert took this opportunity to buckle her up, securing the seat belt, and shutting the door.
"Right, let's go," Robert breathed, jumping into the driver's seat before Mabel started to protest again.
I looked out the window, and saw Ginny trying to catch my eye from inside the red car. I smiled, and nodded, giving her the indication that we were ready to go. Behind her was Harry, Oliver, James, and Liam, and I could very distantly hear the excited shrieks of 5-year-old boys.
"Go ahead," I said, nudging Robert to start manoeuvring out the driveway.
He muttered something illegible, and turned the key next to the steering wheel, bringing the car to life.
We drove out, and let both Harry and Ginny lead the way. I guess we could try and figure out the route, but following the Potter's would mean no chance of getting lost.
The journey from the Hollies was shorter than it was from our house, so we were at the school at about 8:45. We all parked next to each other, and I reached round to unstrap Mabel.
She had been uncharacteristically quiet on the journey here, and when I turned around, she had her arms crossed, and was looking determinedly out the window.
"You ok, Mabel J?" I asked, clicking the button to wind up the belt.
"I wanna play Barbies." Mabel said sadly, looking at me in frustration, "Blocks are boring."
"Al doesn't have any barbies or dolls," I replied, kicking open the passenger door, "But we're not forcing you to play with blocks, Mabel."
"Liam won't play wif me," She said, letting me pull her out the car, "He said I was lickle."
"They just want to do big boy stuff," I explained, "Maybe ask Al to play something different."
Mabel smiled at me, before instantly wriggling to be out down.
"Mummy!" Liam cried, as soon as I had shut the back door, "THERE WERE LIGHTS ON THE ROOF!"
I grinned, and handed him his school bag.
"Seems like you had fun, eh?" I told him, and he nodded quickly.
"Can I go in there on the way back?" He asked excitedly, and I shrugged.
"It's not up to me, Liam."
"I don't mind," Harry said, appearing behind Liam with Oliver and James, "If your parents say its ok."
Liam turned to me, with the hugest eyes.
"Please?" He begged, and I nodded.
"Where's Ginny?" muttered Harry, looking around. He walked over, and pressed his hands up against the window, "What's going on in there?"
He swiftly walked round to the passenger side, and quietly slipped inside.
"What happened?" Robert asked, confusion spreading over his face like the flu.
We didn't have much time to ask questions though, for a minute later, Harry re-emerged, holding a weeping Albus.
"What happened to Al?" Asked James in disarray, "Why's he all cryin'?"
"He just threw up," Ginny muttered, clambering out the car holding Lily, "Merlin knows why."
"And I was told to watch what I said," Oliver smirked, making Ginny scowl.
"I icky," cried Al from Harry's arms, and Harry made him rest his head on his shoulder.
"You're ok," Harry soothed, "We'll get you all better soon, I promise."
"Why did he throw up?" Robert asked in confusion, "He seemed well enough when we left the house."
"I don't know," Ginny sighed again, "But I hope he hasn't caught something."
The bell rang, and James looked worriedly up at Al.
"Is he ok?"
"He's fine, Jamie," Ginny smiled, "You can go, I promise."
James glanced at Liam, before grabbing his bag, and running for his classroom. Luckily we had parked by the gates, so we didn't have to worry about them running across the car park.
"Katie, Robert," Harry said quietly, making me and husband turn our heads from our retreating child, "We thought maybe we would go to your house, today, to, you know, gather anything that may have been saved."
I gulped.
"Yeah," Robert murmured, "I don't want to wear these same clothes for a week."
"Did you want to go now?" Oliver asked, and I glanced at Robert.
He nodded.
And that was how I found myself in the car again, this time driving the familiar route back to our own house.
I didn't really know what to expect when we turned up. This time yesterday we would be discovering the house for the first time.
It didn't feel like yesterday.
I tried to avoid thinking about what would happen next in our lives, because frankly, I just didn't know.
"It'll be fine," Robert said, "It won't look any different from yesterday, Kate."
"I don't know if I want to see it again," I whispered, looking out the window.
"You don't have to," Robert replied calmly, "I'll get any stuff-"
"No," I said firmly, "I want to."
Robert smiled softly at me, before turning the right and into the driveway of our house.
It was worse than I remembered.
The front lawn was littered with debris from the house; broken glass lay shattered along the front porch; the door was hanging off loosely; and the worst part, people.
Reporters were gathered outside the house, cameras poised and pointing straight up at our dilapidated house.
Robert growled in his frustration, and I placed a hand on his shoulder, willing him to stay calm. I opened the door, but before I could fully get out, Harry and Oliver both strode past, both somehow dressed in their long black cloaks, and both looking angrier than I had ever seen them.
"Get off this property," growled Harry, "This is a private case."
"Who are you?" Said one of the reporters, her face screwed up in annoyance, "This isn't someone's property anymore."
"The inhabitants of this house are currently sitting in their driveway," Harry replied, sounding much calmer than he felt.
The reporter's head whipped around, and me and her locked eyes.
I blinked.
"No interviews will be required," Harry said, almost reading the woman's mind.
"You don't have any authority over that, actually, pretty boy," a man said, pulling out his ID, "As part of the official South East of the United Kingdom-"
Harry reached into his pocket, and pulled out his own identification. The man's eyes went round when he read it.
"We'd like you to all get off this property," Harry repeated, "For one thing, it's not safe; we haven't checked it yet."
"Yes… sir," The man stuttered, stumbling in his efforts to pack away his camera, "Team, we're off!"
The reporters all shouted in annoyance, but the man shook his head.
"Police stuff," he muttered, gesturing wildly at Harry and Oliver, "We gotta go."
"Who let you guys come here?" Asked Oliver, but the man shrugged.
"Some bloke called Othius Andrews," he said, hastily shoving the camera in his rucksack, "Weird name, huh?"
Oliver and Harry both glanced at each other.
"I'm gonna get out," Robert muttered, shoving off his seat belt, "They're all pissing me off."
"Let them do their job," I said, pulling his back in, "And mind your language."
He twisted his head around to glance at Mabel. She wasn't listening. She was swinging her legs under her seat, and was staring fixatedly out the window.
"Is she ok?" whispered Robert, but I made a face of misperception.
"We've got what we needed, anyway," the woman spat, and Oliver grinned, "What's so funny?"
"Just get out," sighed Harry, "Don't be a prat, Olly."
The woman lifted her chin up, grabbed her bag, and hurried out after her team.
"People," grinned Oliver, and Harry smiled a bit, "It's quite fun kicking people out of places, huh?
"You bet," grinned Harry, striding back to the cars, "You get it with fame."
"Don't let that get to your head," Oliver laughed, "Your wife's more famous than you these days."
Harry nodded his agreement, his eyes crinkled in amusement.
Robert and I both shared identical glances; our confusion bouncing off each other.
Harry and Oliver walked past us, and I assumed went to get Ginny, for moments later she was there, holding Lily firmly against her chest.
"You ready?" Robert asked, and I nodded stiffly. He reached over, and kissed me on the forehead, assuring me that it would be alright. I smiled sadly at him, and reluctantly got out of the car.
The plaster from the walls crunched under my feet, and only when I was standing directly opposite could I see the extent of the damage.
"It's horrible," I said, "Our home."
"Home," Mabel said happily, and I turned around to see her nestled in Robert's arms, "Barbies."
I smiled, reaching out to brush a stray piece of hair from her face.
"It's ok, Mummy," Mabel giggled, shoving the hair behind her ear, "We home!"
"We're not staying Mabel," Robert whispered, making Mabel frown, "We're just gonna get some things, ok?"
"Not stayin'?"
Robert shook his head.
"I'll stay in the car," I heard Ginny tell Harry quietly from behind me, "I don't want to leave Al alone."
He must have nodded, for I heard the sound of gravel underfoot, and a second later, a door open and close.
I took in a deep breath, and walked forwards, reaching out my hand to push open the door.
"Hang on!" called Harry, stepping forwards, "We haven't checked it properly."
"What's a possible danger?" Robert asked, coming to a stop just before the door.
Oliver and Harry shared a glance.
"Might the walls collapse?" he continued, holding onto Mabel, "Is it better to leave Mabel out here?"
Harry nodded, "I think I'd be for the best," he admitted, and Robert dipped his head in understanding.
"Leave her with Ginny," Harry suggested, "I don't think she'll mind."
Robert nodded again, and Harry beckoned towards the car.
Once Mabel had been dropped off with Ginny, the rest of us proceeded back towards the rundown house – our own.
Oliver let Harry take the first steps forwards, watching with scrutiny in his eyes as the door was pushed open.
"I think it's stable," Harry muttered, tapping the door gently with his foot, "I don't think it's going to collapse."
"I hope not," Robert interrupted, startled, "I'd rather not be crushed under our own house!"
"It won't," Harry said firmly, looking at Oliver for confirmation.
I glanced at my husband, but he was looking determinedly ahead.
"Let's go." He muttered, and Harry pushed open the door.
It was dark; the same dark it as yesterday, but I no longer had the hard pump of adrenaline through my veins. We all walked on, and I felt myself tearing up as I saw everything littered all over the floor, dust and dirt covering items that belong to us.
"Grab anything you think you want," Harry said quietly, brushing his hand over the wall, "Clothes, shoes, pictures."
Robert and I nodded, and I bent down to grab all the shoes that were lined up by the door. I put them outside, and trailed after the 3 men, picking up broken picture frames and bent toys from the corridor.
We walked through the whole house, and I gathered two giant suitcases from under the bed, and shoved pretty much all the clothes the Williams' family own into them. I let out a satisfied breath, and hauled the suitcases down the stairs to where Oliver, Harry and Robert were waiting.
"Got all you need?" Harry asked, and I nodded, a huge bag filled with Liam and Mabel's toys slung over my shoulder, and making it hurt.
"We should go," offered Robert, quickly taking one of the huge suitcases, and indicating towards the door.
I nodded again, swallowing thickly as I swept my eyes off the dusty furnishings.
"You two go on," Harry said, getting to his feet, "We need to do a couple more checks, you know? Just to make sure."
Again, I nodded, and let Robert lead me out of the living room, and back outside.
"What's going to happen to it?" I whispered to Robert, but he only looked confused.
"To what?" he replied, stupidly, making me roll my eyes.
"The clock on the mantlepiece," I said sarcastically, "No, you prat, our house!"
"I," Robert stuttered, "I don't know, Katie."
I lowered my head, kicking shards of glass with my foot.
"I guess we really are homeless." I murmured, looking up to meet Robert's eyes.
"Let's wait in the car," He suggested quietly, and I nodded my agreement, taking his hand and making my way towards the car.
Before I could get inside, a door behind me opened, and I turned to see Ginny, my daughter in her arms.
I smiled, and reached over to take her into my own.
"Harry's work can do something about this," Ginny said, looking me dead in the eye.
"It's a wreck," I said sadly, "I love your enthusiasm, Ginny, but I.. it's… I don't think they can do too much to repair this."
A sudden fierceness appeared in her eyes, and I saw, determination?
"I promise, Katie," she said firmly, "They'll get it fixed."
I smiled a little, thankful for her desire to help, but not altogether reassured.
"Nothing," a voice said behind me, and I saw Harry and Oliver walk out the house, both looking pleased, "Nothing bad in your house, bar the damage."
"So if we really wanted, we could move back in?"
"It still could fall," Harry pointed out, "Though we might be able to fix this."
"I don't get how you think you can fix this," Robert said, his words exploding out his mouth, "I get all this police stuff, but somethings just don't make sense!"
Harry and Oliver blinked, and so Robert continued, looking ready to burst.
"We're more aware than you think, you know. We notice more than you think. Getting from London to Kent in 1 minute isn't possible, and I know that you weren't in those outfits when we left the school! I don't under-"
"Robert," I hissed, embarrassed at his outburst, "Not now, not here!"
"You were saying it too, Katie," Robert growled, "Stuff doesn't make sense, and we both deserve an explanation, seeing as our house, our kids, were targeted to be murdered because of you."
"Please, Robert," I pleaded, my face burning at the looks on Harry, Ginny's and Oliver's faces, "Stop, will you?"
"Look," Harry said, looking a little hurt, "We can't tell you things, alright? It's part of our business, to keep things private, and it was never your children," he glanced at Ginny, "It was ours. The boys aren't allowed to go outside unless they're being watched, and there's always someone at the school, watching over James to make sure he's safe. You were never targeted, Robert, you were never planned to be murdered, it's just how things happen, and I apparently you don't realise how sorry Ginny and I are about it all." He added coolly, making Ginny place a hand on his arm, probably asking him to calm down, as I had done to Robert seconds prior.
"If we were never involved with you, you wouldn't have to feel sorry," Robert said hotly, "None of this would have ever happened."
"Our children decided to befriend each other," Harry replied, "It was your choice whether to become friends with your son's mate's parents."
"Harry," Ginny growled lowly, making Harry look round,
"What?"
"What's got into you?" Ginny sighed, releasing Harry's arm, "Calm down."
"I'm fine," muttered Harry, looking back at Robert, "I'm sorry, Robert."
"Should be," my husband retaliated, his stubborn desire to win an argument propelling him forwards.
Harry opened his mouth to reply, but Oliver whacked him on the arm.
"There's no time to argue, Harry," Oliver said firmly, glancing at Robert, "Let's go home."
"In case you haven't noticed, our home has been blown up!" Robert cried, making me stare at him, dumbfounded.
"Back off," I said, "They didn't blow up our house."
"As good as," Robert muttered, making me scowl.
"I assume you don't want to stay in a hotel in Minster, Robert?" I asked him.
"I…"
"We've been given somewhere to stay, and this is how you treat everyone, huh?"
Robert began to look slightly guilty, and a pinkish tinge appeared on his cheeks.
"We'll explain everything soon, I promise," Ginny said softly, "No, Harry," she added, as Harry looked like he was about to argue with her, "We both know we can't go much longer with keeping it all a secret."
"Statue of Secrecy," coughed Oliver, and Ginny scowled at him.
"Fuck off, Oliver," she said, making him grin, "You haven't been trying to hide anything, have you? Flinging words left right and centre."
"Little ears," I hummed quietly, covering Mabel's ears with my free hand, and making Ginny look at me apologetically.
"C'mon," Harry said, "We should go."
Everyone nodded, and slowly began to get into our cars.
After we were firmly on the country roads, and Mabel was happily humming under her breath, I turned to look at Robert in outrage.
"What happened back there, huh?" I said, and watching as Robert's grip on the steering wheel increased.
"I'm fed up with being denied, Katie," he sighed, "There's so much we need to know, which we've been told 'it's a private business,' he said the last bit in an extremely bad impression of Harry, "It's like living with my parents again. You seem to care about what he and her think, rather than what's best for me and the children."
I looked away, feeling hurt.
"You know I love you," I said softly a minute later, placing a hand on his leg, "I always try and do what's best for the children, but I don't think you taking out your anger on two people who've offered their home to us is going to end in our favour."
"I don't know if I want to associate myself with someone who gets targeted," he replied, "Liam and Mabel's safety is the most important thing, and yesterday I felt sick with the realisation that they were in horrendous danger."
"I think Harry's smart enough to lead a murderer right in the path of our children," I said, "I-"
"See?" Robert said irritably, "You're defending him again."
"I'm not," I replied fervently, "All I'm saying is, is that I don't think Harry would let any violent person within 1 foot of his children, and seeing as Li is practically glued to James, I don't think there was any vital threat to his life."
"I just don't want to lose you," Robert whispered, "Or Liam, or Mabel. Life was calmer 4 weeks ago."
"You think I don't wish that things had turned out differently?" I said, "The fact sometimes I wish that the Potter's never arrived?"
"You do-"
"But then I think of Liam, and Mabel," I continued, "Our son was miserable, Robert. He didn't speak to anyone, he didn't have any friends, but then James came, and we all saw a different side of him, remember?"
"Our son has anxiety," Robert said bluntly, and I blinked back tears, guilty that I had been afraid of the harsh truth.
"We'll get through it," I whispered, watching as The Hollies began to come into view, and the two cars in front of us turned right into the driveway.
As we parked up, and the engine to the car had stopped, I turned to Robert, and grabbed his arm before he could walk out.
"Don't start anything up when we get inside, ok?" I said quietly, "They're good people."
He nodded stiffly, and pulled his arm away, opening the door, and walking around the back to unstrap Mabel.
"Please," I repeated, and he looked up, our eyes connecting, and suddenly I remembered the feeling of when we first met, 9 years ago. We were so in love, and were so excited to start a new life together. We waited a couple of years to have Liam, but I remember being the most excited I had ever been, and then having Mabel a couple of years later, and being thrilled to be having a baby girl…
But things just weren't the same between us anymore, and I abruptly felt overwhelmed with guilt that I hadn't paid more attention to him over the past years.
He noticed the tears beginning to form in my eyes, and I held back a sob as I realised that it was the third time today that I was feeling like this.
"Katie," Robert said, "Don't let your mind wander, 'kay?"
I nodded, knowing full well he knows me best, and trying to focus my mind on the present. I slipped out the car, and shut the door, walking round to Robert, and pulling him and Mabel into a hug.
"I love you," I murmured, and I felt Robert smile into my hair.
