Chapter 12

Amelia was sad to leave Oliver, but at least she had the memory of the day. When she got home, her mother asked her what she and Oliver did all day. "Mostly, Mum, we talked about how to handle the next year until I graduate," Amelia answered.

"What did you do besides talking?" Camilla demanded.

"We walked around, we held hands, we went to a playground and had a swing," Amelia replied, coyly. She was hoping her mother would not insist on hearing the grittier details of the afternoon. "Oh, and we went for a fly through the hills behind Oliver's house."

"That's it?"

"Yes, Mum," Amelia answered. "Why?"

"Because unless you got that mark from the broomstick, I'm certain you're hiding something from me," Camilla retorted. Amelia rushed to a mirror and looked; Oliver had left a hickey on her neck.

"There was some snogging, Mum," Amelia explained. "Nothing else."

Camilla didn't really believe Amelia, but since her father and brother's had entered, she curbed the discussion. "Go and cover that before your dad sees it," Camilla whispered. Amelia nodded and trotted up to her bedroom. She covered the bruise just as her mother knocked on the door.

"Come in," she called.

"Amelia, I wanted to tell you that tomorrow, we'll be going for the final dress fitting for Brandon's wedding," Camilla said. "We'll be leaving at 9, so be sure to be up."

"OK, Mum," Amelia answered. "And don't forget, Oliver and his parents will be here Friday for supper."

"I haven't forgotten," Camilla replied. "Will Oliver be accompanying you to Brandon's wedding?"

"Yes, Mum," Amelia said. "I hope that's alright."

"Of course, dear," Camilla answered. "We had anticipated as much from your letters about him. You really do love him, don't you?"

"Yes. And I'm sure you'll like him once you get to know him, Mum."

"Amelia, I already like him. What's not to like? He's handsome, athletic, and kind, and he treats you like a princess." Amelia smirked at her mother's admission, and, now that she was thinking about it, agreed with her mother. Oliver did treat her like a princess, and she loved that he did.

After dinner that evening, Amelia wrote a letter to Oliver, scolding him for leaving his marks all over her neck for her mother to find. When he got the letter and read it, he started laughing uncontrollably, which led to his father pounding on his door and demanding to know what was so funny.

"Nothing, Da," he lied. "Just a note from Amelia."

"Is it a note you'd care to share with me or your mother?"

"No."

"Then, I'd suggest keeping your laughter to yourself," Edward ordered. Oliver blushed and nodded. Then, he sent a note to Amelia scolding her for getting him into trouble with his dad.

The week went slowly, and by the time Friday arrived, Amelia was waiting anxiously for Oliver's arrival. They had exchanged several letters daily, earning her a glare from her owl, Mercury, but she was not too concerned with the owl's feelings. She and her mother had gone shopping and picked up the appropriate food, while Oliver took his parents to the local liquor store to get a nice bottle of wine. He also insisted that he bring flowers for both Amelia and her mother.

The Woods arrived exactly on time and Joseph greeted them at the door. "You must be Mr. and Mrs. Wood," he said to Edward and Jane. "Please come in. My wife and daughter are expecting you."

"Please call me Edward," Edward said. "And this is Jane."

"I'm Joseph and here's my wife, Camilla," Joseph said as Camilla and Amelia entered. "It's good to see you again, Oliver."

"Likewise, Mr. Clark," Oliver replied. Amelia leapt into his arms and kissed him on the lips, chastely. "Hello to you, too, love. These are for you." He handed her a bouquet of light pink roses. "And these are for you, Mrs. Clark." He handed a bouquet of yellow roses to Camilla.

"That was most kind, Oliver," she said. "Please make yourselves at home. Might I get anyone a drink?"

"We've brought a bottle of wine," Jane offered. "It's lovely to meet you, Camilla."

Camilla opened the wine and served glasses to each of the adults. She would not allow Amelia and Oliver to share in the wine, much to Amelia's annoyance. While the adults made small talk and finished getting dinner ready, Amelia took Oliver outside for a walk around the grounds. "I think our parents are getting along," she said, when they were safely hidden in the garden.

"Were you really pissed about the love bites?" he joked. Amelia swatted him and answered affirmatively. "Sorry."

"Liar," she accused. "You're not sorry. But, Mum just thinks that we were snogging, so no admissions from you about sex."

"Fair enough, love," he promised. "Does your Mum approve me coming to your brother's wedding?"

"She had counted on it," Amelia replied. "She said she knew I would ask from how I talked about you in my letters. Don't smirk." Oliver was, indeed, smirking.

"You talked about me in your letters, eh?"

"Shut up, you insufferable git," she ordered.

"Insufferable git?" he laughed. She nodded and raised her eyebrows.

"What are you going to do about it?"

"Nothing," he answered, "except this." He grabbed her and started tickling her sides, earning several smacks. They were laughing like children when her mother came out into the garden and called them for dinner.

The dinner was very pleasant and Amelia breathed a sigh of relief when it became apparent that her parents and Oliver's parents were getting along very well. "Nervous?" Oliver whispered.

"I was," she answered. "But they're getting on like old mates." Oliver squeezed her hand and gave her a wink.

As Oliver and his parents were leaving, Camilla said to Oliver, "We'll be seeing you next weekend, right?"

"Yes, Mrs. Clark," Oliver promised. "Thank you for a lovely evening."

"Jane, Edward, it was so nice meeting you. We must do this again," Camilla beamed. "Perhaps just before Amelia goes back to school."

"That would be lovely," Jane replied. "Have Amelia send us an owl and we'll set up a date, but perhaps next time you could come by our house."

"I think we'd love that," Joseph said.

Oliver gave Amelia a chaste kiss before following his parents into the backyard and apparating away. "They are a lovely family, Amelia," Camilla crowed. "You've done well."

"Thank you, Mum," she replied. "May I go now?"

"Good night, dear," Camilla said. Amelia took her leave and went to her room. She didn't have to wait long before the familiar pop sounded signaling that Oliver had apparated back to Amelia's room. He grabbed her waist and kissed her furiously, but paused so that Amelia could make sure to lock her bedroom door.

"Do your parents know you're here?" Amelia asked, breathless when they pulled apart again.

"No," he admitted. "They think I've gone to bed. What about your parents?"

"They think I've gone to bed, too," she answered. "Are you staying tonight?"

"I shouldn't," he said, hesitantly.

"But you want to," she sang.

"I do, but it can't," he said, firmly. "So, let's make the most of the time I have before I leave."

An hour later, Oliver pulled his clothes back on and gave Amelia a quick kiss. "I'll owl later," he promised.

Amelia didn't want him to leave, but didn't say anything to stop him. Instead, she asked, "Before you leave, could you toss me my pajamas?"

"Where are they?"

"Hanging on the back of the door," she answered, sleepily.

Oliver grabbed Amelia's pajamas and handed them to her. He kissed her once more and said, "Get some sleep. I love you."

"Love you too," she mumbled. After Oliver apparated away, Amelia pulled herself out of bed to put her pajamas on so her parents would not find her sleeping naked and start asking questions.