I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Extended Family
Chapter 11 – Wood You Please
Takes place before Harry and Katie's wedding
Dedicated to yogibears and alix33
"Alicia, are you okay?" Angelina called through the door.
"Perfectly fine." Alicia sounded anything but what she said. "It is why I am hiding in my room. I am perfectly fine and nothing is wrong. Now kindly fuck off please."
"Alicia, come out please," Angelina begged.
"No. Now fuck off. Please."
Angelina sighed and walked down the hall a little. Harry and Katie and Hermione stood there, looking worried. "So, she's upset."
"What happened?" Hermione asked, concerned.
Angelina rubbed her face. "You know how her and her mum don't get along? That her and Oliver getting together was something her mum doesn't like? So her mum escalated. Scheduled this big thing on Alicia's wedding day."
"That bitch," Katie hissed.
"Then she basically made an ultimatum in which you can sort of guess what it says," Angelina continued, also incensed.
"That bitch!" Hermione gasped.
"What's Alicia going to do?" Harry asked softly.
Angelina shrugged helplessly. "She's still going through with the wedding of course but she's really upset. Like, we knew her mum would do something but this is incredible, even for her. So she's going to be extra prickly and all and I don't blame her in the slightest."
"Should we tell Oliver?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know. On the one hand, he would want to be here supporting her. On the other hand, you know how she gets about being independent and handling things," Angelina said. "It's…yeah. I honestly don't know what to do right now."
The quartet lapsed into silence.
"I have an idea," Harry said. "We support Alicia obviously but we can do it the way that works, or the way that people think we should do it."
"And we know that way doesn't work, not on Alicia," Katie said. She smiled. "It's going to be hell doing it the usual way."
"It's worth it though," Harry said firmly. "I'll even take point."
"You sure Rabbit?" Angelina asked. "Technically it should be on me and Katie as co-Maids of Honor."
"I'm sure. It'll be worth it to make sure she gets her day. I'm not letting her rubbish family ruin it for her," he said.
Angelina kissed him on the temple. "You're such a good friend."
"Hey, we'd all do it for each other," Harry said. "So, all in?" The other three girls nodded. Harry smiled. "Great, let me call some reinforcements. At the very least, this is going to be pretty funny."
-0-
Alicia glared at the door as it shook from someone knocking on it. "I said, fuck off!" She sniffled, scrubbing at her eyes angrily.
"Last chance to do this willingly," Angelina called.
"Fuck. Off!" She burrowed under the pile of blankets she pulled off her bed, wanting to be alone and miserable.
The door opened and she heard someone come walking in. The blankets came flying off and she turned, wand in hand and a Curse on her lips. The Curse died as she comprehended what she saw. "Harry?" She gaped at him. "What are you wearing?"
Harry smiled at her. He was dressed in fitted witch's robes. The blouse was light and clung to his frame. The skirt came down to just above knee height and he wore knee high socks. The overrobes were soft and also cut to normally accommodate a woman's body type but were magically altered to fit him. "Witch's robes of course. It's your hen party tonight and I have to look the part, don't I?"
She stared at him, shocked out of her misery.
"I have to say, it is very comfortable." He spun on the spot and the overrobes billowed out around him and the skirt came up ever so slightly. Angelina, Hermione, and Katie were watching from the door and they were dying from laughter. "A bit breezy though."
"You…look…ridiculous," Alicia said finally, trying not to smile.
"Hey, when you made me a part of your bridal party, I said I would wear witch robes and I'm wearing witch robes."
"I didn't think you were serious!"
"I'm not, that's my godfather." He grinned at four disgusted groans. "Anyways, get ready. Hen party tonight like I said and we have to get going."
"But, what?" Alicia sputtered. "I don't want to and I thought our hen party was just relaxing here or something?"
"Change of plans. Calvary's coming and we're going to go out and have fun."
"You're going out in that?!"
"Sure am! The girls worked hard to make me look good. You wouldn't want their hard work to go to waste. Oh," he plucked the letter from her other hand and stuck it in his robes. "No bitches allowed tonight, only hens and honorary hen."
"Harry!" Hermione said reproachfully from the door.
"You and Katie said that word not minutes ago!" Harry said back while Katie and Angelina collapsed on the ground, howling with laughter. "Or is that a word only real hens can say?"
"I give you permission!" Katie gasped.
"Splendid! Now, I'm going to keep on with the arrangements and I better take this too." He took Alicia's wand and the girl was so shocked and overwhelmed, she did not stop him. "Right then! You hens take care of Queen Hen and I'll get the other stuff ready."
Alicia continued to gape as Angelina, Katie, and Hermione came in and started changing her. "What is going on?!" Alicia stammered.
"I have no idea but I'm loving it!" Angelina said.
"It's going to be incredible!" Katie agreed.
-0-
Alicia tried to fight a little bit but she more or less allowed the others to dress her in nice clothes and went with them as they dragged her out of her flat. She gaped as Harry walked more or less confidently with them. After a bit, people started to notice his clothes and he smiled genially at them. When one person stopped and stared, he looped his arm into Katie's, "Sorry. I'm flattered but happily taken."
Katie had winked roguishly and grabbed his bum and the person staring ran with a bright red face.
"I must be hallucinating this," Alicia said softly. "My mind broke and I'm currently insane."
"A good way to start the night," Angelina said.
"Aren't you and Katie in charge of the party?" Alicia asked.
"Normally yes but Harry took point to help you feel better so I hope you appreciate this. He's going all out for you."
Before Alicia could say anything, they were at the apparition point and Harry whispered into everyone's ear except for Alicia's. They all nodded and Harry offered his arm to Alicia who took it easily. With a pop, he took her side-along and they appeared in Hogsmeade.
"Oh. My. Goodness." Daphne stared at Harry and Tracy dissolved into laughter. "I thought you were kidding," Daphne said, eyes wide.
"Nope! Didn't the girls do a good job?"
Tracy nodded. "A great job, how are you not tearing the top?"
"Lots of reinforcement and stretching charms," Hermione said.
Daphne looked down at her own immaculate robes. "I feel overdressed."
Tracy snorted. "I told you. Oh, here's the thing you asked for." She handed Harry a bag.
He gleefully reached in and pulled out a circlet. It was plain silver but at the center was a very plump chicken with gemstone eyes. He put it on Alicia's head.
Alicia looked up at it and then back at him. "What."
"You're Queen Hen and thus must be properly attired. To The Three Broomsticks!" He walked down the street with utter surety and the others followed, chatting and laughing while Alicia followed on his arm, still looking shell-shocked.
"No heels?" Tracy asked him.
"We tried heels," he said. "I fell over immediately."
"Whose clothing is this?" Daphne asked, giggling.
"A combination! Apparently it's traditional for girls to wear bits and pieces of each other's wardrobe," Harry said.
"Some do that yes," Daphne said, shaking her head. "Astoria steals my clothing all the time. Tracy!"
Tracy reached out and flipped up the side of Harry's skirt. She laughed when Daphne slapped her hands. "What?! I just had to know if Harry's wearing girl's knickers too!"
"Harry! Don't let just any girl flip your skirt!" Angelina said, laughing at every word.
"How was I supposed to know that?" Harry asked with more seriousness than he should have. "I mean I know blokes shouldn't go flipping skirts up but I thought girls who are friends do things differently. Besides, Katie's here to protect me."
Katie stumbled, clinging to Harry and crying from laughter.
"Wait, am I supposed to still be protecting Harry's virtue?" Hermione asked, giggling fit to burst. "I might have to defend him from you," she said to Katie.
"What?! No! I'm exempt!" Katie exclaimed.
"Oh so as long as we bribe you, then you might look the other way," Tracy said with a suggestive wink.
"What is even going on," Alicia muttered.
Harry opened the door to the Three Broomsticks and ushered them inside. Rosmerta took one look at him and cackled. "Okay, that's worth you renting the place tonight!" she howled, wiping her eyes with a towel. "Oh my word, I've seen so many things but this…this is a delight."
"Thanks Madam Rosmerta," Harry said as he led the group over.
"Oh no problem love. Tonight's typically slow for me anyways and honestly, just seeing you like this is a treat. And by the way, you look much better than when Sirius and James tried this."
Harry preened. "Can I quote you on that?"
"I'll tell Sirius myself next I see him," Rosmerta laughed. She smiled at Alicia. "Happy Hen party love. All food and drink is taken care of tonight so you just enjoy yourself. I brought down my record player and the records are over there so go on! Private party only tonight."
"You did all this for me?" Alicia asked Harry tearily.
He kissed her forehead. "Sure did. And there are still a few people coming later. More people care about you than you think and they vastly outnumber the ones that would hurt you."
She hugged him hard. "Thank you," she whispered.
A few drinks and a big plate of chips later, Alicia was beginning to relax. She felt her pain still, but it was shoved deep into a corner of her stomach and the fried food and alcohol was doing a magnificent job of paving over it. Angelina put on a pop record and it was really nice to have the run of the Three Broomsticks.
The door opened and Alicia's jaw fell open as Fleur, Aimee, and Colette walked in. They smiled and ran to Alicia, babbling congratulations and hugging her. "How are you here?" she asked.
"Harry Floo called us and we were able to take over a last-minute Portkey," Fleur explained. "We're spending the night and heading back early before we come back for your wedding proper."
"He said you needed us and so we came," Aimee said with a smile.
"Besides, he said if we came we would…see…something incredible…" Colette's voice trailed off as Harry walked to them.
The French girls shrieked with laughter. "What is this?!" Fleur said as she held Harry at arm's length.
"I'm an honorary hen and have to look the part," Harry said without shame.
"You look far too good in that," Aimee said admiringly.
"If we knew this we would have brought more clothes!" Colette said. "Where did you find this thing," she tugged on the skirt.
"Hey!" Katie scowled at Colette. "That's mine!"
"Do you normally dress Harry in your clothes?" Aimee asked, giggling mightily.
"First time," Harry said. "And that doesn't give you an excuse to ogle," he said severely, waggling his finger at the girls who howled laughing.
"You look like you are going to tear your top just by breathing," Fleur wheezed. "Colette!"
Colette snatched her hands back. "I was just checking to see if his underclothes were women or men's!"
"Are you okay with everyone undressing your fiancé?" Harry asked Katie.
She patted his arm. "I trust everyone here."
Hermione pushed Colette. "No! I have to protect his virtue!" She pushed Katie who pushed back.
Drinks flowed and food appeared with laughter making the walls ring.
"OH SWEET MERLIN!" Tonks appeared and looked at Harry with mouth wide open. "This is the best thing ever."
"Why do you actually look good?" Andromeda shook her head. "I should be concerned by this. No wait." She watched as Tonks dragged Harry away. "I should be concerned by that." She sighed and chuckled, sitting beside Alicia. "I hope it is okay that Dora and I are here."
"Oh it's more than okay," Alicia said happily. "I have no idea what's going on so the more the merrier!"
Andromeda smiled and patted Alicia's hand. "May I be perfectly frank with you dear?"
Alicia nodded, a little confused.
"Melissa Sellerts, now Melissa Spinnet, is a dumb bitch." She smiled softly at Alicia's wide-eyed stare. "I knew of her at school and I always thought the girl was an idiot. When I found out you were her daughter, I was very confused as to how she produced such a good girl. You are better than she could ever dream to be and as always, she is her own worst enemy. She will always regret what she did, just like she did in school, and she did it to herself. Try to pay her no mind. This is about you, not her. You deserve all of this and your happiness."
"Th-thank you," Alicia said, crying softly.
Andromeda wiped her tears away. "No more tears tonight. Enjoy the company of those that love you. Living well is the sweetest revenge." She winked. "Something I know a lot about."
Alicia nodded and hugged Andromeda tightly who returned the gesture fully. As they broke apart Andromeda turned and snorted deeply. "Oh what fresh hell is this."
Tonks and Harry walked back arm in arm. Tonks had transfigured her clothes to look like the ones Harry was wearing and altered her appearance to look like a female Harry. "We're twins!" Tonks and Harry said together.
"I need something very strong to deal with this," Andromeda said laughing.
Alicia started laughing and she could not stop.
-0-
Alicia woke up slowly, groaning from the massive headache that pounded her brain into mush. She blinked a few times, confused. She realized that she was in Harry and Katie's flat on the Isle of Skye. She woke up between Katie and Angelina and Hermione was sleeping in a conjured camp bed on one side with Daphne and Tracy tucked together on the ground on the other side.
She clambered over Angelina and tip-toed out of the bedroom, hearing the sound of cooking. Staggering down the hall, she breathed deep the savory scent of bacon and made her way to the kitchen.
Harry stood at the stove and smiled when she appeared. He wore pajama pants and a t-shirt. Tonks sat at the table dressed in shorts and a tank top, gobbling food and she waved jauntily. "Hangover Potions on the table," Harry said, pointing with his spatula.
Alicia grabbed one and bit the cork, pulling it out with her teeth and spitting it out. She drank the vial in one large gulp, chasing it with a glass of water offered by Tonks. "Oh thank Merlin," she sighed as she felt the headache start to recede.
"You just missed Fleur and Aimee and Colette. They had to get going but they said they had a lot of fun and can't wait to see you at the wedding," Harry said.
Alicia nodded and walked to him, hugging him as tightly as she could. "Thank you," she said, sniffling slightly. "I really needed that. Thank you so much baby bird."
"Of course," Harry said, hugging her back. "Your other family got you."
"I love you," Alicia said, tearing up.
"I love you," he said back, kissing her forehead.
Alicia eventually broke off the hug and dabbed her eyes, sitting besides Tonks. "Thank your mother for me too please. She said something I really needed to hear."
"Mum's really good at that," Tonks said with a warm smile. She piled food on a plate and put it in front of her. "Eat up! Harry's making loads for us drunkies."
"How did things end?" Alicia asked as she ate hungrily. "I got pretty far gone I think."
"Not too bad actually," Tonks said. "Mum, Harry and I were the most sober at the end so we helped clean up the Broomsticks and we took turns side-alonging you lot here. We put you to bed and Mum headed home. We kipped out here with the Frenchies and they woke up early for their Portkey."
"Sorry to make you all do that," Alicia said with a wince.
Tonks waved a slice of toast. "Don't worry about it. I had a lot of fun and I know Mum thought the whole thing was hilarious. She and Rosmerta got to gab all night too while watching us be dumb. I'm glad you had a good time."
Alicia smiled with thanks.
Eventually the others woke and came out, filling the flat with chatter while everyone ate to chase away the after effects of all the alcohol they drank.
"So! Real talk. Who wore it better last night?" Tonks asked out loud.
"You did of course," Harry snorted. "Mostly because those clothes are designed for women."
"I don't know," Tracy said with a wink, "you look really good in girl's clothes Harry."
"Too good," Katie grumbled. "I can't wear that skirt anymore."
"I didn't ruin it did I?" Harry asked, concerned.
"Everyone kept complimenting your bum in it and I never get one when I wear it!" Katie complained and everyone laughed.
"I compliment you all the time!" Harry protested.
"Harry, you compliment me all the time no matter what I wear so it doesn't count. Last week I came out of the shower in a towel and you complimented me."
"Ew no!" Tonks yelled, clutching her ears. "I cannot hear about stuff like that with Harry in that context! Harry is my little brother and do not remind me that he's a boy that does stuff!"
Katie's eyes smoldered. "So I shouldn't mention what he said and did after I threw the towel at him?"
Tonks and Hermione started to gag and Harry wore a look of deep offense making everyone shriek with laughter.
-0-
"Is she okay?" Oliver asked softly.
It was the day of their wedding. Both parties had arrived at a nice church that they had grown up nearby and it was as beautiful as they could have wanted it. The groomsmen: the twins, Charlie, and Best Man Percy had helped decorate and were getting other things set up. The weather was gorgeous and everything was going great.
Except of course Alicia's family.
Oliver had learned what her mother had did to her and he had been beside himself with anger. He knew that Alicia and her family did not get along really but he thought this was beyond the pale. Yet Alicia said she did not want him to confront them. She said she would rather see people who wanted to be there. He knew that she was hurting inside though. He would do anything to spare her that pain.
Harry smiled weakly. "Sort of? She was a little more somber when we were getting her things ready to come over but Katie and Angelina said they had a plan for her today."
"Oh? What plan is that?"
"They didn't tell me but they said something about a pea."
Oliver suddenly grinned. "Princess and the pea?"
"Yeah that! What is that?"
"They're going to irritate her all day so she can't dwell on her misery."
"Oh. That sounds dangerous."
"Oh yeah. It's going to be. Did they take her wand?" He laughed when Harry showed it in his pocket. "Good job Sir Harry. Well, at least she won't be sad. Thanks for helping her with the hen party by the way. Heard you did something pretty incredible."
Harry shrugged. "Just what a proper family should do."
Oliver hugged him. "I was kinda irritated that she claimed you for her party but I'm really glad you were there for her."
"You know I woulda been one of your groomsmen."
"I do. But I'm glad you're one of her bridesmen. Do me a favor and try to not let her kill Katie or Angelina."
"Have you met her?!"
They dissolved into laughter.
-0-
"Don't think I don't know what you're doing!" Alicia said angrily.
"What are we doing?" Katie asked with false innocence.
"You're deliberately irritating me to keep me from being upset but you know I can just use this to actually be upset!"
"Does that sound like us?" Angelina asked with even more false innocence.
"I don't think it does," Katie demurred.
Alicia ground her teeth. The problem was, it was working. The girls were not being mean or cruel. They still wanted her to be happy on this day. But they were deftly taking her mind off things and never going too far to truly anger or upset her. It was little things like switching out her drink, moving her things to just out of hand's reach, being overly touchy and clingy, reminding her of the dumbest things she did while at school, slowly smuggling in Quidditch things to leave in her sight.
She loved them for what they were doing.
She also hated them for what they were doing.
And baby bird, the traitor, ran off with her wand. He did return at moments to feed her and sneak out things, undoing what the traitorous Maids of Honor were doing, keeping a balance. Hermione was also undoing what the other two girls were doing. An endless cycle of perpetual irritation.
Alicia hated that it was working and all the effort was making her feel very loved and cared for.
She heard the door open. "I swear, when this is all over, I'm going to kick you two right between the-" her face went red when she saw Danielle Wood, Oliver's mother, walking in. "I am so sorry," she exclaimed, turning in her chair. "I would never kick you, especially between the-"
Danielle laughed brightly. "I know Alicia, I know. I'm sure that was directed at your two best friends." Her warm eyes danced. "I know you'd just kick Oliver without warning him."
Alicia flushed deeper. "I wouldn't kick him between the legs though," she muttered.
Danielle laughed harder. "Glad to hear it. Let's get you ready dear." She sat beside the bride to be and started doing her makeup. Alicia wanted to cry. Traditionally a witch's mother did this. She had asked Harry to ask Andromeda if she would be willing but Harry had said someone else would.
"Thank you," Alicia said tearily.
"Of course. I'm so sorry dear," Danielle said softly. "I knew Melissa was silly but to do this?" She sighed. "I hope you know that none of us hold any of this against you."
"Thank you," Alicia said again.
"I am so happy to have you in our family," Danielle said lovingly. "Don't you think otherwise." She finished her work, turning Alicia to face herself in the mirror. "There. Don't you look beautiful." She dabbed at the corners of her eyes. "Only happy tears from now on, okay?"
Alicia nodded and hugged her soon to be mother-in-law with desperate strength.
-0-
The ceremony turned out far better than she had feared.
Alexander Wood, Oliver's father, asked if he could walk her down the aisle and she had said yes, relieved. When she looked down the church she was shocked to see that the guests had mingled on either side so both sides were full of smiling people.
Harry, Hermione, Katie, and Angelina stood on her side smiling proudly. Harry was set to go up with witch robes again but, with her insistence, changed them to wizard robes but in her colors. Fred, George, Charlie, and Percy stood on Oliver's side.
Oliver's eyes lit up when he saw her, his smile the widest she had ever seen. The smile was broader and happier than he won the Cup his last year, when he got signed onto Puddlemere. His eyes sparkled as he saw her and she could tell that he looked at her eagerly, wanting nothing more than to be married to her.
She felt the same way.
The ceremony went by in a flash. They made their vows. Hers was long winded, a diatribe of what he could expect from her. It fit her perfectly.
His was spartan in comparison. He said he would do anything she said and some laughed at the brevity, at the implied lack of thought in it. Yet it was what he meant and he knew she would love it as such. And she did.
They were pronounced man and wife and they kissed in front of their friends and family. The chapel rang with their cheers and she cried once more but her tears were wholly happy.
-0-
Percy smoothed out his robes and smiled. "Well, at long last I have the opportunity to repay Oliver for the times he woke me early leaving for Quidditch and the times he kept me up talking about Quidditch and the one other thing."
Oliver groaned as the twins and Charlie sniggered.
"The one other thing being Alicia of course," Percy continued. "I had heard of Alicia well before she arrived. Many times Oliver would be writing a letter back to someone and it was always to her. Even when he wrote back to his parents, he would include a small note to her. Once someone asked why he went through the trouble and he looked up at them and said, 'it's no trouble'. Now I know many think of me as unnaturally serious," he waited for the twins to stop guffawing, 'but the way he said that always stuck with me. It showed that Oliver, normally a very easy-going person, deeply cared about this person. This person was important."
Oliver flushed and Alicia looked teary-eyed.
"Then, in our third year, I still remember while on the Express, Oliver comes into the compartment with Alicia beside him. He was ecstatic in introducing her to his friends as his best friend from home. There were many that would think this incredibly embarrassing, calling a girl and a younger one at that as your best friend at that age, but again, Oliver was so utterly sincere and confident about it, that it brooked no mockery. Of course, once we learned that Alicia was rather formidable on her own, there was no mockery to be had at all."
He smiled gently as people laughed. "One of the few times I saw Oliver sincerely happy that did not involve Quidditch was at her sorting. He was on pins and needles, waiting for her turn. Then he sat there nervous, waiting for the Hat to speak. When she became a Gryffindor, he cheered loudest. I thought I had to see Madam Pomfrey that day due to him screaming down my ear."
Percy made a show of wiggling a finger in his ear to everyone's amusement. "But, one of the sweetest moments was after their first date. I remember him walking back into the dorm room looking utterly content. Like all was well with the world. When I asked him what happened he just smiled at me and said, 'I got my date,". And when I asked if he wanted to share it he shook his head and said it was his secret to keep. Normally he would be eager to share anything. That is the type of man he is, kind and selfless. But that moment he was selfish with his experience and I could not blame him. It was precious to him. And that is wonderful."
Everyone applauded and Oliver leaned in to kiss Alicia. Alicia had the softest look on her face as he sat back and she looked at him with evident love and affection. Then she looked at Katie and Angelina rising to their feet and her eyes hardened. "Oh no. I forgot," she muttered.
"I wish I could share such wonderful anecdotes," Angelina began, "but I think Oliver was definitely the honest one with their own feelings. I never knew Alicia had any feelings for Oliver aside from anger and irritation for years."
"I was really concerned at first," Katie continued. "I'm a year under Alicia and when I saw her interact with Oliver who was two years over her, well, I thought it was really weird that this fourth year was letting a second year bully him about."
Alicia ground her teeth while Oliver laughed.
"I suppose we should have known. Alicia complained about Oliver the most, even more than the twins. She was ready to talk about him no matter what, complaining about whatever he was doing. And Alicia still blames him for forcing her to join the Quidditch team and play." Angelina rolled her eyes. "I mean, I'm glad she did. We became closer friends after that but still, she was the one that wasn't being honest with how she thought and felt."
"And boy did she let everyone know how she thought and felt eventually," Katie giggled.
"Don't you two dare!" Alicia hissed.
Angelina ignored her. "Picture this. Alicia saunters up to Oliver in the middle of the common room. He looks up at her. She looks down at him. She takes a deep breath. Then proceeds to verbally list every single thing she found irritating with him."
The crowd hooted with laughter.
"You drink too much hot chocolate!" Katie said.
"Your hair is stupid!" Angelina said.
"You're Quidditch obsessed!"
"Puddlemere is shite!"
Oliver's teammates cried out at that. Alicia tried to slide beneath the table but Oliver kept her up.
"I'm still mad at you for abandoning me!" the two girls said together.
"Going to kill you both," Alicia muttered.
"But, honestly, once Alicia and Oliver started dating, it was really good for them," Angelina said seriously. "Alicia was still, well Alicia, but Oliver was definitely happier and when she relaxed, so was she."
"On the surface they don't seem like the perfect couple, but they act like it and feel like it," Katie said. "They compliment one another and they truly love each other. They know they can rely on the other and feel at peace with one another. And that's beautiful."
The rest of the reception was pure and simple fun. They ate and danced and laughed. They spent time how they wished, together. Towards the end, Alicia and Oliver danced slowly together.
"Did you have a good day?" Oliver asked.
"Yes, thanks to everyone," Alicia said honestly. "Thank you for putting up with me."
"Hey, I always have and always will," he said with a grin. "I love you, you know."
"I do," she blushed. "I love you too."
He smiled. "Alicia Wood," he said softly, relishing the sound.
She smiled. "Won't."
"I beg your pardon?"
"I won't."
Oliver groaned and laughed. "I thought you hated puns."
"I've been waiting to make that one for ages and I intend on getting a lot of use out of it."
He chuckled and she listened to the sound reverberating from deep within his chest, letting it fill her completely.
Maybe she would here and there.
-0-0-0-
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Thank you very much. I suppose there are worse things to be good at writing. I'll see what comes up for a Percy chapter and it'll be a bit before I get to a Daphne and Tracy but we will see.
FanfictionFanGirl59 - It was a little rough to write so possibly. I think I hit the song correlation however so I will wait and see what you think.
diffident-serpiente - It was a bit hard to write so we are in the same company.
Imaginer.012 - No you. Oddly enough, it just worked out that it came out right after the previous one of the same topic. I originally had something else in between but it felt more complete to have them both be together like that.
Urgwaew - Thank you. I tried to make sure everyone reacted how their developed characters would, in my mind anyways. I wanted to make sure that they didn't feel like reskinned copy reactions and that they were all individuals like they are. Daphne and Tracy's response was a bit of a surprise at how it came about but I think it felt right. My best to you.
Yamikeckley - Oddly enough, here you go. This was the slated chapter for today as it was.
