On her last visit home Ayla had made her mother promise to keep her updated on her father's health. While she had agreed that Marcus would be the one to worry about her father she could not help herself where her family was concerned. In no time at all, though to Ayla it seemed like weeks, her mother sent an owl to say that her father was feeling fit as a fiddle once more. As such the Flints' went to visit as soon as Marcus's schedule would allow. Ayla had begun to feel as though she had neglected her family since the start of Jake's first term at Hogwarts, and she planned to rectify this matter.
"We do understand you know." her mother told her, as she Marcus and her parents sat in the garden and watched the twins playing. "You're all grown up now, you and your brothers' and sisters'. We know you all have lives of your own to be getting on with. As long as we see you all every now and again we're quite happy for you to just get on with it."
"And you can always talk to us, any time day or night." her father chipped in. "There's never any need to worry about our reaction. We're your parents we'll support you whatever."
Marcus couldn't help but chuckle.
"So you're all clued in then Gregor?" he asked.
"Yes. Your mother was faffing about for days on end. Trying to pretend like there was nothing wrong. But you see I know when your mum knows something I don't. Especially when she doesn't want to worry me with it."
"And?" Ayla asked.
"And I think, under the circumstances you did the right thing. Ayla you did what you thought was best for Jake. How can we disagree with that? But I do think it's time that the truth came out. The whole truth."
"And what does that mean?" Beverly couldn't help but snap. "I told you everything I know."
"Yes dear I know that. But you see our daughter is a lot like you. And I know when she tells me the whole story. And when she doesn't."
"It's not really my place to say Dad."
"So Oliver just used you for a quickie and that was all? I can't believe that, he's never seemed like the type to me."
"Well no. It might have been something more than that." Ayla admitted, looking anywhere but her father's face.
"Why do I get the feeling you're about to drop someone in it. I know you Ayla. I know when you know that someone has done something wrong and you think you shouldn't say."
"It was Kate." Marcus said, squeezing his wife's hand.
"Our Kate?" Bev asked.
Ayla nodded.
"Well what about her?" her mother pressed.
"She kind of slipped Oliver a love potion. For a very long time." Ayla kept her voice low, hoping her parents would hear something other than what she was saying.
"Oh that wretched girl! She's always been jealous of you dear, anything you had she wanted. Not that we aren't thrilled that we have you as a son in law Marcus but..."
"But it would all be less complicated if Oliver was sitting here not me?" Marcus offered, smiling.
"Well it is a mess." Bev admitted, sighing.
"And the solution is to get Wood on side and tell Jake the truth." Marcus said simply.
Ayla's head snapped up to stare at her husband. He grinned and rubbed her neck, sure that she would have a crick there from moving so fast.
"Look I don't like any more than you do. But it's what's best for Jake now. That's all we've ever wanted for him. It's time to just get it over with. I say we write to Wood, ask him to meet us, or maybe just you. And sort it out."
"You did marry a smart one dear." said Ayla's mother smiling.
"Mm lucky me." Ayla muttered. "What about everyone else?"
"Well who really needs to know? Your brothers' and sisters' are about the only ones who need to know. And even when they know it will make little difference to them." Bev soothed.
"We just keep it in the immediate family. I don't see that anyone else needs to know. Though I do think we should do something about Kate." her father added, a look of distaste seeping through his face.
"I think that's more up to Oliver than anyone else." Ayla suggested. At her parents' incredulous looks she continued. "Look he was the one who was hurt the most by it. My life's been a walk in the park compared to his."
"Thanks sweets." Marcus said grinning.
"That's right darling you take all the credit." Ayla said, mock punching him at the same time. "All I'm saying is it was his life that was affected the most. And he's still married to her right? It's not our decision."
"Well it's hardly a marriage in my opinion. They barely say two words to one another when they're together, even with family about." Ayla's mother said, sniffing.
"Either way, Ayla's right it's not our place." Gregor agreed. "Well I think it's time you two went home and got started on that letter don't you?"
"The girls' should stay."
"Mum there's no need-" Ayla started.
"There's every need. You two could no doubt do with some time to yourselves. And we know as well as you do that you can't get anything done with two young girls under your feet. Besides we haven't spent that much time with them lately and it's the least we can do. So don't argue with your mother!"
"Thanks Bev, if you and Gregor are sure?" Marcus asked.
"As sure as eggs is eggs." Gregor said smiling.
"Dad, are you sure. I mean you still look a bit peaky." Ayla argued.
"Nonsense there's life in the old dog yet." he insisted.
"Okay, now I insist you two go before your father reels off anymore of his little sayings. I swear he picks a new one up every time he goes down that muggle pub. Come on, off you go."
"Girls come and say good by to your parents, you're staying with Grandma and me tonight."
Ayla couldn't help but laugh at the girls' yells of delight. The twins ran to their parents', hugged them briefly before running back to their game among the trees on the edge of their grandparents property.
"Bye mum, bye dad!" they shrieked.
"Well that's us told." Marcus said, getting to his feet.
"When you're trying to get them to bed don't think you can bribe them with magic. Marcus has tried that one many times, it never works." Ayla said, following her husband.
"I think your parents' know how to look after their own grandchildren love." Marcus said, blushing slightly.
"Don't worry dear. Gregor was the same with Ayla and Tansy." Bev said, reassuring her son in law with a pat on the back. "Let us know when you want them back ok?"
"Oh we will." Marcus said grinning. He waved at his daughters before entering the kitchen to floo home, which was Ayla's preferred mode on transport when she wasn't pregnant.
"Bye girls. Be good for Nana and Pops." Ayla called. She heard a distant "we will" and followed Marcus home. "Bye mum, dad. Thanks."
"No need to thank us Ayla, we are you parents." her mother reminded her.