Author's Note: Hi all my lovely readers! I know I said I would post on Sunday and I am so sorry I didn't! Between work and life it wasn't ready, so then I thought "hey I'll wait a couple of days and try and perfect chapter 4 as well and I'll give them two new chapters." Well now chapter 4 still isn't where I want it to be so here is chapter 3 and I will most likely be posting chapter 4 and probably chapter 5 over the next few days. I know this story seems a little slow to start with but don't worry we will be picking up soon. After this we will start focusing more on Everleigh rather than just her parents. It will still be another 3 chapters or so before we get to Hogwarts but once we get there we will really get into the relationship between Harry and Everleigh. Enjoy the update!
Chapter 3 August 1st, 1982 – Heathrow Airport, London
After the official adoption of Everleigh was finalized, life settles down somewhat for the family of five. A month later sees Jason turning four, and five months after that Lucas and Everleigh both turn one. Just like for Jason's first birthday, Michael's parents, David and Laurel, fly from New York to spend a month with their grandchildren, son, and daughter-in-law.
"Mom! Dad!" Michael shouts.
"Oh! Michael!" a tall older lady with dark hair exclaims excitedly, rushing over to pull her son into a backbreaking hug, "It's so good to see you. I have missed you so much. Where are Charlotte and my grandbabies?"
"It's good to see you too mom, dad. Everybody is at home. It was just easier for me to come alone," Michael responds while shaking his father's hand after his mother releases him, "How was the flight?"
"Long but uneventful, thankfully," the older grey haired man responds with a smile, clearly glad to be back on the ground.
"Well, let's get home. I know Charlotte is anxious to see you, and Jason didn't sleep at all last night, he was so excited," Michael chuckles while taking his mother's large suitcase and lead them to the car.
The car ride back to the Garrison residence passes quickly as Michael and his parents catch up, discussing work, other family members, and plans the older couple has for the month they are in town. As Michael pulls into the driveway, the car isn't even off before Jason is out of the house to greet his grandparents.
"Grandmum! Grandpop! You're here! Finally! I've been waiting forever! It's been hours and hours!" Jason shouts excitedly.
Laughing David says, while picking up and hugging his eldest grandson, "Hours and hours? Really? Well I'm sorry we took so long young man. Why don't you say hi to your grandmother while your dad and I get the suitcases?"
Turning around, Jason launches himself into Laurel's arms, "Grandmum! I'm so excited you're here. Mum says you're staying with us a whole month!"
"Well your mom is right. We'll be here the entire month so we can celebrate your brother and sister's birthdays, but since we missed your birthday your grandfather and I are going to take you out one day just the three of us and do anything you like."
Eyes wide Jason replies, "Anything at all? Can we go to the zoo?"
Laughing Laurel responds, "Yes we can go to the zoo if you like. Come on now, let's go inside and get settled. Grandma is very tired from her trip."
Laurel puts her grandson down, and takes his hand, the two following Michael and David inside.
"Charlotte and the babies are in the kitchen if you want to head in there," Michael calls over his shoulder as he takes both suitcases upstairs to the guest room.
Following Michael's directions, Laurel, David, and Jason walk into the kitchen to find Charlotte attempting to feed both Everleigh and Lucas, who seem to be having fun trying to get as much food as possible on each other rather than in their mouths.
The two youngest are laughing as Charlotte tries to scold the two, "Lucas! Everleigh! No. We do not throw food," she says while attempting to muffle her own laughter.
Looking up she notices her in-laws standing in the doorway trying to cover their own smiles.
"You certainly have your hands full with those two," David laughs.
Smiling and walking over to give her in-laws hugs Charlotte responds, "You have no idea. So good to see you both. Are you hungry? Dinner should be ready in about five minutes."
"We are starving but let me see my grandbabies first," Laurel says excitedly going over to Everleigh first, "Well aren't you just the prettiest little thing." Bouncing the smiling little girl in her arms, Laurel continues to fuss over Everleigh while David does the same to Lucas.
"Grandmum, that's my new sister Everleigh. She and Lucas are best friends and mum lets me help with them sometimes," Jason informs her proudly.
"Is that so? Well you are a very good big brother to help your mother out."
Jason smiles at his grandmother and climbs up on the chair next to Everleigh's high chair, "Did you know my mum found her? I went to bed one night and woke up with a sister. I told dad that we could love her forever."
"I know your mom and dad told us," Laurel chuckles as she continues to hold her only granddaughter.
"Jason, go wash up for dinner and tell your dad it's almost ready," Charlotte interrupts.
"Yes m'am," Jason responds before running out of the room and up the stairs.
Turning back to the stove to finish up with dinner, the young mother addresses the two other adults in the room, "So how was your trip? No trouble I hope?"
David and Laurel switch babies as David replies to his daughter-in-law, "No, none at all. Just very long. I know I'll be glad to sleep tonight."
"Me too. I'm hoping to have a relaxing few days before we head out anywhere," Laurel adds to the conversation.
Setting plates and utensils on the round table, Charlotte laughs, "Good luck relaxing with those two around. They have been walking and getting into everything. Jason tries to help but the babies find it hilarious to run away from him so it tends to just cause more chaos. Though it could be worse, Jason could be trying to cause mayhem as well. He has been taking his big brother role very seriously, especially with Everleigh. He is very protective over her. It's honestly adorable. Now, why don't you put those two back in their seats and sit down yourself."
Michael walks in with Jason as Charlotte puts the chicken on the table, and both father and son take a seat. Dinner passes uneventfully, as the grandparents fuss over the children, Charlotte and Laurel talk about the birthday party for the two youngest, and Michael and David discuss Michael's job. After dinner is over Michael and David take Jason, Lucas, and Everleigh upstairs to get ready for bed. Once all four adults say good night to the three children, they sit down in the living room to chat some more before bed.
"So, mom, dad. Charlotte and I actually have something we want to tell you," Michael starts taking his wife's hand.
"Are you two pregnant again?" Laurel interrupts excitedly.
David laughs, "Calm down dear. Let the boy finish. You're not pregnant again are you?"
"No definitely not pregnant. I honestly don't think we can handle another one. They outnumber us already," Charlotte answers.
"Anyway, Charlotte and I have been talking over the past few months and an opportunity with the United Nations has been presented to me. I have decided to accept the position but that means moving. So all five of us will be moving to New York."
"That is wonderful! Oh I'm so excited you're coming home. We get to be close to Charlotte and the children. When is the move?" Laurel gushes.
Charlotte responds, "Well Michael wants to leave at the end of the month so he can get settled before he starts work and before we join him. We were hoping you could help us. I know David needs to get back to work but we were hoping you, Laurel, could stay an extra couple of weeks and fly back with me and the children."
"That shouldn't be a problem. We can see about switching your mother's ticket to you and the two of us can fly back together," David offers to Michael.
Still smiling Laurel gets up to hug both Charlotte and Michael, "This is the best news you could have given us. I can't wait to have you near us all the time. Now Charlotte anytime you need a break you just let me know. Oh! I'll have to introduce you to my friends' children. Most of them have children of their own as well so Jason, Lucas, and Everleigh will have playmates," Laurel prattles on making plans for when her family moves, much to the amusement of everybody else in the room.
Once the excitement dies down both couples head upstairs to go to bed knowing the next few weeks are going to busy.
The next week flew by for the Garrison's. Michael went to work every day while his family finished the plans for the babies' birthday party and touring around London. That first Saturday Charlotte's parents, Mary and Thomas, came over for breakfast so Michael and Charlotte could tell them about the big move. While they were upset their daughter and grandchildren were moving so far away, they were excited for a reason to travel to New York now.
By the end of the month, everything was on track for the move. The house had been put up for sale, and almost everything was packed in boxes. Michael and David left for New York leaving Charlotte and Laurel to finish packing. A week and a half before they were scheduled to leave an offer was made on the house, and after a couple of days of negotiations, an offer was accepted. With everything settled and finished, Charlotte, Jason, Lucas, and Everleigh were ready to join Michael in New York to start the next chapter of their lives.
