"Are we having a Mama or a Mummy day today?"

Constance looked at Ava with an amused expression on her face. "What's the difference?"

'Well.", Ava grinned as she lay against the soft pillows on her parent's bed. "On Mama days we read books, play in the pool and go for walks. On Mummy days we do a lot more walking and exploring."

"Ahhh. In that case, today is a bit of both. Is that alright with you?"

Ava nodded before addressing the other person in the bed. "I told you Fleur, holidays are great."

Fleur kept her big eyes locked on one of her favourite people, prompting Ava to ask another question.

"Mama, what colour are Fleur's eyes?"

It was a question Constance and Imogen had also been pondering but it looked like they had an answer.

"We think she's going to have hazel eyes, my dear, a mix of green and brown."

"Hazel?" Ava pondered the new word for a moment. "That's a very pretty colour Fleur."

"Ahhhhh. Ahhhhh." The baby babbled with happiness from where she was sitting up with a little support from her Mama.

At five months her personality was really starting to develop. Mellow was generally the word most often used to describe her, something that drew obvious comparisons to Ava, though she shared the same shyness that Zara sometimes displayed. While those close to her agreed, they could also see her other emerging traits. She responded well to sound, movement and visual stimulation and adored story and music time as well as walks outside and trips in the car.

She may not have been squirmy like Ava had been, or as over-active as Zara who could never sit still, but she still loved play-time, especially with her sisters. And if they weren't around, she was more than capable of entertaining herself by making, what her grandfather was adamant, were singing noises at every opportunity.

Her eldest sister had a slightly different take on the sounds that she shared once everyone was up.

"Power Drill is at it again." Abby, along with Lily was keeping an eye on the younger children while Constance and Sarah made breakfast.

Lily elbowed her friend playfully. "Her sounds are so cute."

There was no argument from Abby, but as far as she was concerned everything Fleur did was amazing.

"Here they come." From the kitchen, Sarah pointed to a sweaty Imogen and Jamie being accosted by an indignant Zara

"You went for runs without me."

Imogen swooped down to gather the pouting three-year-old into her arms. "Only a little one Sweetpea and we didn't want to wake you."

"But we came back to do the last bit with you.", Jamie told her while winking at Imogen. They might have just done ten miles in the already hot air but he figured a few laps around the garden was worth it to get Zara smiling again.

They may have slightly overestimated Zara's energy level but several laps later she appeared satisfied with her morning exercise.

"Did Fleur see me run Mama?"

"She did little one.", Constance smiled down at the shining face. "So did I. You must be very hungry now so why don't you go and have a shower with Mummy and when you're finished breakfast will be waiting for you.

While Zara ran off in the direction of the bathroom Imogen gave her wife an admiring glance. "You look very pretty today."

"Thank you.", Constance responded before swatting away the arms that were about to loop around her waist. "After you've showered. Right now you are far too wet and sticky."

"Funny, that's not normally something you complain about.", Imogen quipped before making her way towards the bathroom, leaving a flushed Constance and sniggering Jamie and Sarah behind.

Once showers and breakfast were done it was time for the two families to go their separate ways for a few hours. Although they loved holidaying together, years of friendship meant there was no obligation to spend every moment with each other.

"Where exactly are we going?", Abby asked as her Mum drove their hire car in the opposite direction to Jamie and Sarah's.

"We thought we'd drive to the next town honey. I read there's a nice marina with some pretty shops. We can spend a few hours there, go for lunch and then come back and have a lazy afternoon. Sound okay?"

"Yes.", the occupants of the back seats of the people carrier cheered.

They passed the short journey by chatting and admiring the Portuguese coastline.

"Wow, it's so pretty." Lily enthused as she stepped out of the car. "Look at all the boats."

"It is beautiful.", Imogen agreed.

They had chosen Portugal as it was a short plane journey for Fleur. Although they adored Italy, Imogen was keen that her wife and children got a taste of other cultures also. Plus, she was pretty sure they could swing a trip to their favourite place later in the year.

Once Fleur was in her pram, sitting up so she could see as much as possible, they made their way along the waterfront, pausing occasionally to point out an interesting landmark or a pretty building.

"Hey Noodle.", Abby called back to her sister. "Look at that one."

"Oooooh.", Ava gasped as she took in the large pink house. "I like that a lot."

"Maybe you'll live in a house like that one day." Imogen squeezed her daughter's hand as they walked past.

For the rest of their stroll, Ava's mind was filled with images of living in a big pink house filled with toys and books as well as all her family and friends. It was only when they stopped at a row of shops that her mind snapped back to reality.

"Will we go in here?" Constance indicated towards a handmade furniture shop.

While Imogen nodded enthusiastically, Abby and Lily exchanged a look.

"Can we look in the one next door/" Abby pointed towards a bright window display containing clothes and cosmetics as well as some toys and stationery.

"Please?" Ava looked up with wide eyes, clearly keen to join them.

This time it was Constance and Imogen who shared a glance. They knew Abby and Lily could be trusted and they would only be next door after all.

"Yes, but be careful."

Giddy with excitement, Abby passed Fleur's pram to her Mama before taking Ava's hand and following Lily into the shop.

Meanwhile, Zara had seen something that interested her greatly. "Look, kitties."

The furniture shop owner laughed as the blonde haired little girl made her way over to the two cats who were laying in the sun. "Do you like cats?", she asked in accented English.

"Yes. I have lots of cats."

Constance moved next to Zara who was staring at the sleepy animals. "Careful little one, remember these cats don't know you."

"Oh, don't worry, they're very friendly.", the woman behind the counter told them. "She can pet them if she likes."

As Zara gently stroked her new friends, Imogen wandered towards the counter. "This is a beautiful shop. Is it yours?"

"It is, I've run it with my husband for the past thirty years. Are you here on holiday?"

"Yes.", Constance answered while also petting one of the cats, Zara wasn't the only one missing her animals. Eventually, she managed to tear herself away and join Imogen in admiring the beautifully made items.

"Look at this Sweetheart, it would be perfect in the living room and it's so much nicer than the others we saw."

Constance couldn't have agreed more, like Imogen she thought the walnut sideboard would be perfect for their home. Also, it was much more reasonably priced than others they had looked at.

"We're here for another twelve days. How long will delivery take?", Imogen asked the shop owner who had settled down next to Zara.

"My husband can get it to you in two days if that suits. But how will you get it back to England?"

"That would be perfect, and we have someone who can get it back for us." Constance smiled at the thought of the magically shrunken cabinet being packed along with children's toys, ready to be returned to full size once they got home.

"Thank you for your purchase, I hope you enjoy it." The shop owner smiled as the transaction was completed. "And Zara, this is a present to your cats from mine."

"Wow." Zara's mouth dropped open at the wooden cat toy in her hand. "Thank you."

"That's very kind of you." Any act of kindness towards her family was always enough to endear someone to Constance, and this woman had certainly done that.

They said their goodbyes and while Constance sat on a nearby bench with Fleur, Imogen and Zara went to find the others

"Absy look, the kitties gave me a toy for Minnie an' Pixie an' Morgana. Will they like it?"

"They'll love it, Zee."

Imogen took note of the bags in the girls' hands. "Looks like you did well. Fancy showing us what you got over lunch?"

"Definitely.", Abby beamed back. "We're starved."

They had many choices but decided on a well-shaded restaurant that served a variety of local food. Once they had ordered it was time to show off the purchases.

"Oh, I like that.", Imogen exclaimed as she admired a top Lily had bought for her mother. "I think I'll pick one up for myself after we've eaten."

Lily offered to go back with her while Constance and Abby took the younger girls to pick up some supplies for dinner.

"Come on, let's wait for them down by the boats.", Imogen suggested once they were finished. "That way we'll get a few minutes of peace and quiet."

"You wouldn't change a thing.", Lily laughed.

"No.", Imogen smiled back. "I wouldn't."

They sat in easy silence for a couple of minutes before the question that had floated in Lily's mind for some time finally came out.

"When did you know you didn't like boys? Oh, I'm sorry, that's too personal."

Imogen turned her head, lifting her sunglasses to look at Lily. "It's not too personal. I was around twelve when I started to realise but I was thirteen when I told someone, Jamie to be precise."

"Oh."

There was silence again but this time it was broken by Imogen. "Lily, you know you can talk to me."

Lily nodded but kept her gaze averted.

"Do you think you like girls?"

"I know so.", Lily whispered. "Though I like some boys too."

"That's okay.", Imogen smiled kindly. "Have you told anyone else?"

"Abby's known for a while. She suggested that I talk to you but I wanted to think it through. And there's been so much going on with my parents that I kind of let it go."

Knowing her daughter as she did, Imogen knew there was no way Abby would have broken a confidence unless someone was in trouble. She was proud of both girls, Abby for her discretion and Lily for the fact that she could open up.

"I understand. And I know how you're feeling now. It's normal to feel confused or unsure but remember, you have people who love you and who you can talk to. Including your mother when you're ready."

"Will you tell her?"

"No, that's not my place. But I've known Susan for a long time and I know how open-minded and accepting she is, so if you did want to tell her, I'm pretty sure she'll understand."

Imogen thought back to when Abby and Lily had started nursery. It wasn't something she dwelled on too much but she knew there had been talk among the other parents. Firstly, about how she wasn't Abby's real mother, then when someone had found out that she was gay there had been some pointed comments. Susan had never once gotten involved and had always been a supportive ally to Imogen.

"I think so too.", Lily agreed. "I'm just going to tell her for now, she won't tell my Dad because they're still not speaking. And really, I don't feel ready to open up to him about this just yet. We've got enough to work through."

"You don't need to decide anything now, but like we've said to you before, Constance and I are here for you. Or, if you wanted someone a bit younger to talk to there's always Fenny and Grissy."

"Thank you." Lily gave Imogen a quick hug. "I'll remember that."

From a short distance away Abby saw the embrace and hoped her friend had listened to her advice and opened up to someone else about her feelings. It didn't make an ounce of difference to Abby whether Lily was gay, straight or bisexual, she loved her unconditionally. But she did care that she was carrying this burden, hopefully, one that could now start to lessen. She was dying to find out what they had talked about but knew they had to wait until they got home to do so.

"Come on my sleepy girls, let's get you into bed for a while." A little later Constance was lifting Ava out of the car while Imogen took Zara and Abby looked after Fleur.

"Not tired.", Zara mumbled into her Mummy's shoulder.

"Of course not." Imogen smiled before placing her next to a fast asleep Ava on the double bed they were sharing. "Sleep well love bugs."

Meanwhile, Abby and Lily had taken themselves off to the room they were sharing leaving Constance and Imogen alone with a dozing Fleur.

"Shall we Darling?"

"I thought you'd never ask.", Imogen laughed before stripping off and settling next to her wife under the cool sheets for a much-needed nap.

They woke almost two hours later feeling much more energetic.

"Who fancies a swim?" Imogen didn't have to ask, as soon as Ava and Zara had woken up they had been ready with their swim suits.

"Fleur too?" Zara asked.

"Oh yes, Fleur will be joining us." Although she had only recently been introduced to swimming, Constance was thrilled that like her older sisters, Fleur appeared to be a real water baby.

Unfortunately, Jamie and Sarah weren't having as much luck.

"What's wrong with Fionn?" Ava didn't like that her little friend was crying so much.

"He's not that keen on water today." Jamie was trying to hide his frustration at his son's aversion to the pool. Cillian was a different story, he was happy enough to splash away whenever they brought him swimming. But for his brother, if he wasn't in the mood it wasn't happening. And today his mood meant he did not want to swim.

"But swimming is lots of fun, especially when it's very hot. Sometimes I just like putting my feet in the water. Maybe he'll like that?"

Jamie didn't have the heart to tell her they had already tried. Instead, he sat on the edge of the pool while Ava settled next to him and reached for Fionn's hand.

"Your Daddy is going to put your toes in the water while I hold your hand. I promise you'll like it."

To Jamie's absolute amazement, rather than tensing up and screaming as he had before, his little boy only flinched slightly as his feet touched the water. It took a moment but the uncertain look on his face turned to a big smile as he started to kick his legs.

"See, I told you he'd like it.", Ava giggled as she hopped off the ledge into the water. "I'm going for a swim now Fionn, but we'll play again in a minute." She was still grinning as she swam towards her waiting mothers and sisters.

"Think we'll be okay for the rest of the trip?", Sarah asked her partner while helping Cillian float.

"As long as we keep Ava nearby we might be." Jamie laughed, still not quite able to believe a five-year-old had managed what he couldn't and calmed his son down. "And from now on we're never going to the local pool without her."

For the next thirty minutes, all that could be heard was the sound of laughter and splashing as everyone enjoyed the water.

"This is so nice.", Lily sighed as she guided Fleur along in her floater. While everyone else had napped, she and Abby had done some serious talking. She was feeling much lighter having opened up to Imogen, so much so that she felt able to open up to her own mother when they got home.

"Yeah, it's…. Oh God." Abby rolled her eyes as she watched what was happening with her parents.

"Hey." Imogen squealed as Constance sneaked up from behind and lifted her out of the water, much to Ava's delight.

"I couldn't resist Darling." Constance leaned down to give her wife a kiss on the lips. A kiss that was quickly interrupted by somebody splashing them.

"Soppy, soppy.", Zara giggled.

"We don't care.", Imogen retorted before going in for another kiss.

"They're so embarrassing sometimes.", Abby cringed.

"I think it's sweet." Lily was used to seeing Constance and Imogen together and they definitely gave her the reassurance she needed two women could have a very happy life together.

"Yeah, but don't tell them I said that though."

There was, however, something that Abby did want to say to her Mum and she took the chance while they were making some salad. "Thanks for talking to Lily earlier."

"She told you then?"

"Yeah, I had suggested ages ago that she talk to you but it took her 'til today to get her nerve up. I'm glad she did though and she said you gave her some great advice. I knew you would."

Imogen beamed as Abby wrapped her arms around her waist and gave her a tight squeeze.

"Am I interrupting something?"

An unsure Constance stood in the doorway. She had come to help but the last thing she wanted was to intrude on a private conversation.

"Nope." Abby shook her head before addressing Imogen again. "Lily said you can tell Mama by the way. I'll set the table."

"Tell me what?", Constance asked as she took over from their daughter.

"While we were waiting for you earlier Lily opened up to me a bit about how she was feeling about boys. And girls."

"Ah."

"Ah indeed." Imogen knew it had been different for her, she like Lily had needed to come to terms with her sexuality. Although Constance had faced her own struggles, by her own admission the acceptance of bi and homosexuality in the magical world meant that it had always felt normal for her to like girls rather than boys.

"Were you able to give her some advice?"

"A little." Imogen shrugged. "The main bit being to talk to Susan and I'm glad to hear that's what she's going to do. That's my biggest regret, keeping the fact that I was gay from my parents for so long. I wasted so much time worrying about it. I'd hate to think of anyone else, especially someone like Lily, going through the same thing."

"Sounds like some very good advice."

"Hopefully. Anyway, let's get this food on the table. We've got a lot of hungry people to feed.

Dinner was a loud, lively affair with lots of conversation about what they had done during the day. Imogen had picked up a brochure from the furniture shop and, as expected, Jamie and Sarah were equally taken with the craftsmanship and planning on paying a visit themselves. Especially since they also had access to a convenient means of getting their purchases home.

"If anyone looks in the bags they'll think the children have very intricate toys.", Imogen laughed. "So tell us more about what the four of you got up to."

"We found some lovely little villages,", Sarah told them. "Lot's of history and artisan works." She looked eagerly at Constance, Abby and Lily. "There's a mill about fifteen miles away, they have a shop attached where you can buy yarn and other craft bits. And they run a craft fair every Friday. I thought we could pay a visit tomorrow?"

Lily, like Abby, was very artistic though her passion lay in pottery and jewellery making and the prospect of seeing some local items was very appealing.

"And while they're doing that we can check out the playground we passed earlier.", Jamie suggested to Imogen, an idea that caused much excitement from Ava and Zara.

"Well, I guess we can go, but only if certain little girls get plenty of sleep." Imogen wasn't opposed to using bribery, especially when it came to getting Zara to bed at a reasonable time.

Her plan worked and after another shower and story time, Zara and Ava were almost ready for bed.

"Night Fleur. I love you." Ava leaned in to give her sister a hug. She loved how Fleur nuzzled against her in what her Mama had said was her version of a cuddle. "We're going to have lots more fun tomorrow."

Zara was eager to get her own snuggle. "You can watch me swing and help me look for kitties. Loves you."

Clearly as exhausted from her busy day as her sisters Fleur was out for the count after her 9 PM feed leaving her Mummy free to enjoy the warm evening air. She picked up the portable monitor and a bag from the kitchen and made her way to join Constance who was alone on the patio.

"Abby and Lily are watching a film. And as for Jamie and Sarah." , Constance smirked while placing her book on the table. "I believe they are taking advantage of their own sleeping babies to have some time together."

"Ahhh.", Imogen grinned as she reached for Constance's hand. "That sounds pretty sensible and it's giving me an idea."

"Where are we going?"

"Not far." She stopped at the large hammock at the bottom of the garden. "I thought we could be romantic and lay here together."

Constance hesitated slightly but the hopeful look on Imogen's face stopped her from refusing. She did, however, draw the line at trying to clamber into the piece of fabric.

"That's cheating.", Imogen snickered as she found herself magically lying against her wife's chest.

"You say cheating, I say avoiding an embarrassing fall."

"Well, I guess all that matters is that we're here." Imogen stopped laughing as she pressed her lips against Constance's. "And look." She opened the paper bag she had brought with her to show off her loot. Custard tarts were Constance's favourite treat and she was extremely keen on the local pasteis de nada, as was Imogen. "What the kids don't know won't hurt them."

"Thank you, Darling." Constance closed her eyes and savoured the first bite of her cake.

"We're officially those parents that hide food from their children now you know.", Imogen sighed. "I remember getting so annoyed when mine did that."

"We are. But only some things", Constance laughed. "And they're never short of food. Though the number of times Abby has said she's starving lately probably has people wondering."

"That's teenagers for you, especially ones like Abby that are always on the go."

When the cakes were finished they lay together in the hammock, looking up at the clear night sky and turning to each other occasionally to kiss or whisper some special words.

"Hey.", Imogen squealed for the second time that evening as she felt fingers graze along the cleft of her backside.

"Funny, that's not normally something you complain about.", Constance deadpanned, using her wife's earlier words against her.

"You caught me by surprise, that's all. By all means, feel free to carry on."

Neither of them had any intention of having sex in the hammock, they were just content to kiss, laugh and lightly touch each other in relative privacy.

"It'll be strange when we go back.", Imogen mused. "Fleur will be going into her own room and Zara's already moved to the upper floor in the house. You'll be back at work and I won't be teaching at the start of a school year for the first time in over fifteen years."

Constance tightened her hold on Imogen as she whispered reassurances in her ear. "Fleur will only be next door, and if she's anything like her sisters, we'll still see plenty of her. As for Zara, she's getting on very well upstairs with Ava. And yes, I'll be working but I'll be with you and Fleur as much as I can, including keeping Wednesdays free for playgroup. And you know I'll support you with your own plans to develop a language curriculum for next year."

"I know." Imogen knew taking extended leave had been the right decision. As she had already said it was time for a bit of a career change but more importantly, she wanted to take the time to be with their last baby as well as their other children.

"So while there will be changes we'll handle them together won't we?"

"We will.", Imogen promised with another, deeper kiss. "Ready for bed?", she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I knew you bought me that cake for a reason," Constance smirked.

"Oh baby, I know far better ways to get you into bed. Like…."

Whatever Imogen whispered in her wife's ear was enough to get them out of the hammock and at their bedroom door in seconds.

"Mmmm, Sweetheart I…."

"Ahem.", Constance nodded towards the bed.

"Mummy, Mama there you are." Ava was propped against their pillows again with her doll on one side and a teddy on the other. "I woke up to do my pee-pee's and couldn't get back to sleep. Can I sleep here?"

"Me too." Zara ran in-between them before diving on the bed.

At the same time, perhaps thinking the noise meant it was morning, Fleur started humming happily to herself in her cot.

"Mum.", Abby stuck her head around the doorway. "Lil and I are hungry again so I'm going to make us a sandwich, is that okay?"

"Of course it is honey.", Imogen sighed before catching Constance's eye, seeing exactly how she felt reflected back at her. "Looks like some things definitely aren't going to change are they, Sweetheart?"

"No Darling. Or at least not for quite some time."

A/N Hope you enjoyed. Next month, it's back to school with some new activities in the mix. And I'm painfully aware I've been overlooking Davina but this will be rectified :)