Chapter 23
Wednesday
Alison received an owl from Rose earlier that day confirming that Friday was definitely on. 'Now all I have to do is convince my boyfriend to come', Alison thought as she Apparated straight into her room. She still lived at home, with her father. Sadly her mother had passed away before she had any more children. So now it was just her and her father and it had been that way since she was seven. Alison couldn't deny that she was often overcome with guilt when she would spend time at the Burrow during the summer, leaving her father alone all the time; but he had always encouraged her to do so. It was fine before when she was at school because he had work, but now that he had retired a month ago she was grateful that she hadn't moved in with Albus.
As she entered the living room she found him in his recliner chair watching the television. She had brought him one knowing that he would get bored being at home while she was at work. Scorpius had installed it very quickly and thankfully had shown him how to use it.
"Hey Dad," she said before bending down to give him a kiss on the cheek. "How was your day?"
"Alright, yours?" he asked as she sat down on the adjacent lounge.
"Pretty boring actually," she said with a sigh. Alison looked down at her watch. It was 5:30. She knew Albus would be home now. "Dad, how would you feel about having take-away for dinner tonight?" He gave her a quizzical look, somehow knowing she had an ulterior motive.
"I'd be open to the idea."
"Great, I'll be back soon," she said standing up from the lounge. "What would you like?"
"Anything, your choice," he replied with a smile.
"Okay," she smiled back at him before turning on the spot.
Alison Apparated right into Albus' bedroom, even though she knew it was very rude of her and considered an evasion of his privacy, but she was not thinking that clearly. The room was empty, but his briefcase was lying on the bed along with his work tie. She could hear his voice coming from the other side of the closed bedroom door, his footsteps getting closer. She sat down on the edge of his bed and crossed her legs, awaiting the arrival of her boyfriend.
Albus opened the door to his bedroom and walked in looking back over his shoulder laughing at something his flat mate said. He closed the door, took a step into the room before turning around to find Alison sitting on his bed with a stern look. He jolted back slightly from the unexpected surprise.
"Alison, what are you doing here?" he asked, still a little shocked.
"I am here to see if you are free on Friday night?" she asked, standing up and walking towards him, failing to keep her frustration out of her voice. She couldn't believe she would have to do this.
"Oh, I'm not sure. Scorp and I-"
"Look Al," she cut across him, now angry. Rose had given her the confidence in her letter to be strong. "I understand that Scorpius needed to be picked up onto his feet after what happened and it is great that you have helped him but don't you think he is fine now?"
"If this is about last week, I told you just give it some time and-"
"Time!" she cut across him again. "Time? It has been two months since Rose rejected him and I haven't seen you at all for three weeks!" Albus flinched, not having seen Alison angry before.
"Shh, he could hear you."
"Argh, I don't care whether he can hear me!" she exclaimed even more frustrated. She massaged her temples, regretting her anger.
"I just don't want to hurt his feelings," Albus whispered.
She calmed herself down; sometimes Albus really was just too sweet for his own good. "Albus, I respect that but I am your girlfriend; what about my feelings? How would you feel if I went out with Rose every night to clubs with very available men and continued that for three weeks, ignoring you completely?" Albus looked away from her, not speaking a word. Usually Alison could read him a little better but tonight she was struggling. She closed her eyes, trying to stop her tears as her insecurities allowed doubt to flash into her mind.
"Albus, please, if there is someone else just tell me bec-" before she could finish her sentence, she felt the light pressure of his hands as they cupped her face before the pressure on her lips as he kissed her lovingly. He rested his forehead against hers as his thumbs softly wiped away her tears. She opened her eyes and gazed into his.
"I love you and I promised you forever," he said earnestly. "So don't ever think that there is someone else because there's only you." Alison nodded slightly; a lazy smile grew on her face. "I am so sorry and I will go out with you on Friday and tomorrow night, even tonight or every other night you want to." Alison laughed and Albus smiled brightly at hearing her laugh. He had missed hearing that. They both leaned in for another kiss, Albus resting his hands on her waist while Alison wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I missed you," Alison whispered as she pulled back.
"I missed you too," he replied before sealing it with a kiss. Just as Alison went to deepen the kiss Albus pulled back. "Just to be clear, you haven't been out every night chatting to available men, right?"
"No," she answered through her giggles; before he could question her again, she silenced him with a passionate kiss which he enthusiastically returned.
Half an hour later, Alison was walking down her street, hand in hand with Albus. He had kept his promise about spending tonight with her. She had said it was okay if he already had plans because she was just going to pick up some food on the way home for her dad, but he had insisted, making a big deal out of how he hadn't officially met her dad. However, now when she looked over to him she could she that he was nervous.
"Al, don't worry you'll be fine," she said, giving his hand a comforting squeeze, reaching her house.
"That's easy for you to say, he already loves you," Albus replied as they made their way to the front door.
"And he'll love you too," she said as she knocked on the door, forgetting her key.
"How do you know that?" he asked, turning to face her. She turned her head to her side, finding his eyes, smiling.
"Because I love you," she said softly. He smiled at her and she leaned over and kissed his lips briefly before the door swung open, revealing Mr Raymond Spencer.
So, Albus has to meet Alison's father. I wonder how that goes ;). Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Its just another puzzle piece in life as we know it. Now, Rose has asked Nate 'new guy, dishwasher' out for a drink with her friends on Friday. So we will see what happens there before we skip sometime. So stay with me and kept reviewing, tell me what you think :)
Shout out to MauraudersMischie, for the awesome review :) Thank you.
Many thanks to my beta, peacock33 :)
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