Heylo… Yes. This is the very last chapter of 'Between Us'. Don't cry… don't cry… this was such a fun story to write, and I'm glad that so many people gave it a chance and reviewed. It was also my longest story, so it'll be hard to top the length on this one! I can't express how much your reviews and all of your support helped me through this. This story has been here for all the changes in my life and helped me through. Wow. Who knew that hobbies could do such a thing? Thank you to everyone who believed in me, here is your last chapter.
HPFanatic04- aw don't feel stupid about that! Thank you for the applause, I really don't deserve it. You make me feel so special, all of you! I just want to thank you for being there when I needed it.
Blue3sky- Hehehe yeah I loved Katie as a waitress, and I couldn't help but make Lee work with the twins, its just perfect like that. Thanks for your review, finish waiting cause here is the chappie!
Stella Blu- I might do that, but lets see if you think this chapter is good enough without having one of those aftermath things, cause I think this pretty much sums it up. But if you want me to do that, I probably will for you! Thank you for reviewing!
Valentines-hater- thank you, here's my post! I can't believe it's my last chapter, I really cant… thank you for your reviews.
Calypso-Yeah, it looks like George has Alicia, and I cant have him. Oh well I'm happy that he's happy! Hehehe… thank you for the long review by the way, you know how much I love them!
Lauren- thank you for all your compliments, you really made me smile! The name of my next story is at the end of the chapter, so watch for that. Thanks for reviewing, I loved your review it was so happy and jumpy it made me really hyper!
Yayforgredandforge- thank you for the review, I'm going to miss writing this, it's been my longest story and the best to write! Well anyways, thank your for the review, I loved it.
TheNash- Yay! Engagements are cool! Hehehe… well anyways, thank you for the review, it was so sweet. Here's the last chappie!
Disclaimer- my motto: me no own, you no sue. Wow. I remembered.
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Chapter 27 – Life
George woke up to familiar surroundings. A warm bed, a sleeping Alicia, and chirping birds outside the window. He sat up and slid out of bed, finding boxers, pants, and a shirt, and then walking quietly out of the room.
He made some breakfast and ate it quickly, and then went down the stairs to open shop. He stood at the cashier, giving future troublemakers a taste of the fun they would have, and saying 'hello' to all of the people he knew that just wanted to stop by.
The bell of the door chimed and Lee and Katie walked in, looking very happy.
"How was the first night at your new place?" George asked.
Katie giggled. "WONDERFUL! I LOVE LIVING ON MY OWN! Well, with Lee."
Lee smiled and squeezed her hand. "Yeah… it's amazing you know. You just figure out that, 'this is really it, this is what life is'."
George laughed and started sorting through papers. "Yeah, I haven't had that whole, realization for life thing."
Katie looked over. "You know what tomorrow is, don't you?"
"Saturday." George replied. "Busiest day of the week for customers."
"But none will be here." Lee said.
"Don't jinx me." George said, still concentrating on the papers.
Lee laughed. "Too late buddy. You'll be at the Burrow."
George sighed and looked up. "Now why would I be at-…"
Lee watched his eyes go wide and his hands freeze. "Yes. You finally figured out what tomorrow is."
"My wedding! Oh Merlin, I'm not ready at all!" George said hastily.
Katie giggled. "You don't need to get dressed till tomorrow, silly."
Lee rolled his eyes. "I don't think that's what he means, Katie. Go over there by those shiny things."
Katie quickly jumped over. "Oh! Shiny!" She exclaimed. Then she turned round glaring at Lee. "I am not stupid, remember?" She said.
Lee nodded. "Yes, I know."
George laughed as Katie went through all of the different things in the shop. Lee turned to George and glared at him. "Where is your soon-to-be-wife?" He asked.
"Upstairs."
"Have you planned the wedding?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because- well because-…"
"Oh Merlin."
"What?"
"You haven't told the mothers yet?"
"Well… not exactly."
Lee's jaw grew slack. "MERLIN! AND YOU PLAN TO WED TOMORROW?" He yelled.
"We were going to tell them today…" George began.
"Not with you standing here! Now go, go, go!" Lee ordered. "I'm taking care of shop."
George sighed and walked up the stairs, going into the bedroom. He closed the door behind him and then stood there for a moment thinking of how he was going to tell his mother that he was going to marry a girl she hated, the next day, in the backyard. It wasn't going to be a big wedding… Angelina and Katie were to be bridesmaids and Lee and Fred were the best men. Ron and his girlfriend Hermione, and then Ginny and her boyfriend Harry would take up the seats, along with Charlie, and Bill, and of course Molly. Then there would be Arthur Weasley to wed them and read everything. Any members of the Order who wanted to come could as well, along with Oliver.
"George?" Alicia whispered.
George looked over.
"What are you thinking about?" She asked.
George opened his mouth to answer, but found that all he could do was let out a deep sigh.
"Come over here." She called to him.
He walked over to her and she pulled him down on top of her, kissing his lips softly. Then she rolled him off of her and propped her elbows on his chest, resting her chin in her hands and looking down at him.
"Now what is it that you can't say?" She asked.
"We haven't planned our wedding well." George said.
Alicia smiled. "We don't want a big wedding is all."
"Yeah, well… when were you planning we tell our mum's?" He asked.
"Oh…" Alicia breathed out, putting her face in his chest and smelling in his cologne. "I forgot."
"Yeah… so did I. But then, good old Lee-…" He began.
She silenced him with a kiss. "Lets go then."
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KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
"Mother wont be too angry." Alicia tried to assure George.
He only nodded.
"She'll be happy-…" Alicia stopped. Who was she kidding?
Mrs. Spinnet opened the door and stared at Alicia and George. She then stuck her hand out to Alicia, which Alicia took and shook firmly.
"Alicia, darling." Mrs. Spinnet said in the calmest way possible. "Twin." She said nodding at George.
"Mother, its George." Alicia said.
"Yes, yes… what is it?" Mrs. Spinnet asked.
Alicia took a deep breath. "I was wondering if you wanted to come to a wedding."
"Who's?" Mrs. Spinnet asked snappily.
Alicia looked over at George and smiled, letting out the breath she was holding in. "Mine, mother."
"Y-Y-you? Yours?" Mrs. Spinnet asked.
Alicia nodded.
"That's nonsense, I haven't given any permission or assigned anyone… who would want to ask you without persuasion, darling?" Mrs. Spinnet asked.
"I… what?" Alicia asked.
Mrs. Spinnet scoffed. "Surely no one would want to-… unless they knew about your money. Or maybe they have some… yes, I'm sure he's some sort of lawyer of doctor, or something." She said more to herself.
"Yes mother. A lawyer. A doctor… whatever." Alicia said.
Mrs. Spinnet looked at her nails. "Honey, he cant be both."
"You're right." Alicia said sternly. "He's neither."
Mrs. Spinnet looked up. "Dentist? Physiatrist?"
Alicia shook her head no. "Nope. He's a perfectly fine gentleman." Alicia said looking over at George. "I mean… wizard. And he owns a Wizarding joke shop."
Mrs. Spinnet's jaw dropped. "WHAT? YOU'RE MARRYING A BEAST! A- A- A ABNORMAL FREAK?"
Alicia glared at her mother. "I really wanted this to be a nice occasion. Look, I don't need you to like him, or even like any wizard for that matter, but I'm just the same as those, 'abnormal freaks' as you put it. I don't care what you say either, because I am in love with this man," Alicia said nodding to George, "And I am marrying him tomorrow."
Mrs. Spinnet screamed in fury. "I WILL NOT ALLOW IT! I WON'T! YOU ARE NOT GOING TO MARRY SOME FREAK-SHOW OF A MAN, AND IT IS FINAL!"
Alicia's temper flared in her eyes. She looked at her mother and said very quietly, "And after the wedding, we're going to snog each other senseless. Then we will buy a SMALL house, and we will be with each other in bed EVERY DAMN NIGHT. I'm not sure if you will need explaining on what happens next." She growled.
Mrs. Spinnet was knocked at a loss for words.
Alicia straightened up and plastered a sweet smile on her face. "The wedding is tomorrow at the Burrow, if you want to come."
Mrs. Spinnet said nothing.
With one final smile and a nod, Alicia turned on her heel, grabbed George's arm, and dragged him down the paved driveway away from her mother and all of their rich belongings.
When they were out of reach, Alicia turned to George.
"God, I hope things go better at your house." She said breathlessly.
George laughed. "I have a feeling they will." He answered. He pulled her towards him slowly, rubbing his hips against hers and kissing her jawbone and then her neck. "So um… what you said… is that all going to happen?" He asked playfully into her hair.
Alicia shivered as he felt his lips run over her neck and skin. "Your going to get very lucky, George Weasley." She joked, leaning back to look him in the eyes.
"Shall we go onto my mum now?" He asked.
"Sooner we're there, sooner it will be over." Alicia said smiling, and then kissing him softly.
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The burrow was soon in sight and it looked just as homely as ever to Alicia. She loved the look of the burrow. George however, was comparing it to the look of Alicia's house and wondering whether she was rethinking her decision of marrying him.
George knocked on the door with a slightly shaky hand and Alicia took his hand in hers and helped steady it.
Mrs. Weasley's red hair was the first thing that the two saw when the door opened, and then her arms that swung around the two and pulled them together.
"Fred!" She yelled happily.
"It's George, mum…" George mumbled.
Alicia was feeling quite happy seeing as though Mrs. Weasley was hugging her as well. She straightened herself when Mrs. Weasley released them and she looked at George telling him to bring it up quickly.
"Mum…" George said. "Coffee?"
Mrs. Weasley ushered them inside and pulled out some chairs at the table. The two sat down and Mrs. Weasley gave them all a cup of tea. George took a deep breath and looked at his mother while she held the hot cup of tea in her hand. He reached over and took it from her for safety and then sat down again, smiling at his mother's confused look.
"What would you say…" He began warily, "If I told you that um…"
Alicia could hear her own heart beating and bouncing in her chest like it was on springs.
"I was getting married?" George finished.
"What would I say?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
George nodded.
She looked around like she was deep in thought. "Well, I'd probably think you were joking, and then I'd want to know who it was…" She began.
"Well do you think I'm joking?" George asked.
"What?" Mrs. Weasley asked, still not really following the conversation.
"Do you want to know who the girl is?" George said.
Mrs. Weasley's face turned chalk-white.
"Mum, I am going to marry Alicia Spinnet." He said, closing his eyes and praying silently in his mind.
"Well I-… you-…" Mrs. Weasley stared at both of them.
"We want to have the wedding in the backyard of the Burrow tomorrow." George said quickly.
Molly slunk back into her chair and sat there staring. Her face was still white, but she didn't look very angry yet.
"You- you love each other?" She asked.
"With all my heart and soul mum." George said.
Alicia nodded. "I've never been happier with anyone."
"You two are positive about this?" She asked again.
They both nodded and George grabbed Alicia's hand.
Molly hopped up and George flinched slightly. Molly then began hopping around the room and clapping her pudgy hands together. She ran over to George and pulled him up, swinging him into a hug.
"My baby is getting married!" She shrieked. "I'm going to have grandchildren!"
George's mouth fell open and he raised an eyebrow at Alicia. His mother's drastic change towards Alicia came as a shock, seeing as though a few weeks ago, she was terribly cold to her.
In Molly's mind, with her two sons now living on their own, it was hard to understand for her. It had taken her a while to really understand that they would not turn out cold to her, and they were old enough to actually be able to do it. Now, reality was hitting that their lives were changing, and it was going to be a good thing after all.
Molly hugged Alicia. "Welcome to the family, my dear." She said happily.
"Thank you." Alicia said, a smile spreading across her lips.
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Alicia's head rested against George's bare chest. She moved her head up so that she could look at his face; his sleeping closed eyes and his parted lips. She ran her hand through his red hair and he shifted slightly.
She looked at the clock: 6:00 AM. She couldn't sleep today… today was her wedding. Her insides were jumping around madly, like something she had never felt before. This man, the one beside her in her bed, the one who's rough yet tender hands held her last night, the man who she could never be without, would finally be hers after today.
She wished she were sleeping like he was, not having to feel all of this excitement and just be asleep in a far off dream, not a care in the world. She put her head back on his chest and kissed it lightly. It was slightly cold, yet still warm. She crawled back on top of him and felt him against her body.
He blinked his eyes open slowly.
"Can't sleep?" He asked.
She nodded.
He smiled up at her. "God I'm lucky."
She blushed. "Today is going to be really scary… what if my mom doesn't show?"
He shrugged. "Love, she will show. She loves you… in a strange way, but she does. Look, if she doesn't show, it wont matter because all that matters today is that we make a bond of love, and make it known that we are in fact going to be together for the rest of our living days." He said softly, caressing her cheek with his hand.
"You know just what to say." She said, kissing his neck.
George shifted under her slightly, and he closed his eyes, pulling her closer to him.
Alicia laughed. "You know what?" She asked.
"What?" He whispered back, eyes still closed.
"I'm feeling much better." She said, kissing him softly.
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"Oh my god, Alicia… your so beautiful!" Angelina whispered, admiring her friend.
Katie began to cry and hugged Angelina. "I don't know why I'm crying!" She whined. "I still feel happy…"
Alicia laughed and looked at herself in the mirror. Her chocolate brown-red hair was waved in beautiful ringlet curls that frames her face and ran down her bare back. Her dress was strapless, a gleaming white, and it flowed down elegantly to her toes, where she wore sandals. It had fairy dust sprinkled down it, and a beautiful red gem at the top.
"I don't want all eyes on me." Alicia said, looking at herself in the mirror and flattening down the front of her dress.
"It's your day." Katie says. "Even though you're shy, Alicia, it's your day and people will stare and ooh and ah about how beautiful you are."
Alicia smiled a bit. "I can't believe I'm finally going to marry the man of my dreams."
Katie held open her arms, and the three girls threw themselves into a giant hug.
"Best friends forever." Angelina said through happy tears.
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"… Never to be free again… tied down to the woman the binds you…" Lee teased.
"Shut it, Lee." Fred said jokingly, looking his brother over.
George wore a white loose dress shirt, which was half tucked in to his black pants. He had a black tie, and his hair was still untameable.
"I still say you should have wore the dragon hide jacket." Fred said.
"It's my wedding." George said shortly. He found he couldn't say much because his stomach was refusing to let him open his mouth long enough for him to feel like he was going to vomit.
Lee stood up and went beside Fred, examining George. Lee and Fred were also wearing a white dress shirt, the sleeves pulled up to their elbows and instead of a tie, they wore a bow tie.
"What does it feel like?" Asked Lee.
"What?" George muttered, fixing his tie and trying to tame his hair.
Lee smiled. "You know, about to be married and all that."
George smiled. "It feels like I want to go to the loo and vomit, but then it only feels like that because I'm so excited. I really want this to happen… its crazy, but I've never been so sure of something."
"What exactly are you sure of?" Asked Lee.
"About his love for Alicia." Fred answered, seeing his brothers paling face and flushed red cheeks.
"Oh…" Lee said, sitting back down.
Fred nodded. "I'm going to see who's here." He said, leaving his old bedroom and passing Ginny's where he could hear the voices of Alicia, Katie and Angelina. He walked out of the Burrow and to the garden where the grass was: for the first time, cut, and his mother and father stood under the doorway of flowers in the middle of the field. Rows of white chairs were lined behind it with an isle.
In the chairs, were Ginny and Harry, along with Hermione and Ron. A very tidy looking Oliver sat beside Dumbledore most likely talking about Quidditch and beside Oliver was his wife looking a bit out of place, but talking to Tonks. Some more members of the order, like Lupin, Moody and others were also there. Charlie and Bill were talking, but Percy was nowhere to be seen. There was a prim looking woman sitting alone in a corner crying.
Fred walked up to her. "Excuse me miss?" He asked, "Is something wrong?"
The woman looked up and dabbed her eyes furiously with a handkerchief. "No… my daughters getting married, I'm so happy."
Fred raised an eyebrow. "You mean your Alicia's mother?" He asked. He had recalled George saying she was mad that Alicia was getting married, but yet, she was here crying out of happiness.
"Yes… aren't you the one she's marrying?" She asked.
"No, I'm the twin… remember?" He asked. He was surprised she hadn't recognised this woman as the woman that was at his house for the longest while, annoying him, but with her eyes buried in a handkerchief, she looked a lot different. He guessed that he hadn't noticed right away because he thought that she was incapable of having any feelings at all.
"Oh yes… well, see you." She said, getting up and walking over to where the drinks were.
"Strange muggle…" Fred whispered to himself.
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George found himself in front of rows of smiling people, as some wizard-wedding music began to play. This was it. This was seriously it. Alicia, his beautiful Alicia, would come walking down that isle, smiling and staring deep into his eyes, and with a couple words, they would be wed and together for eternity, bound by their love for one another.
His hands were numb as he saw the back door of the burrow open to reveal Alicia, beautiful as ever, floating down the isle with flushed cheeks, staring straight ahead at him. George lost his breath at the sight of her, and he only noticed she was up and beside him when his father started to speak.
Alicia looked into George's eyes, those deep eyes she could get lost in forever. His hand found hers and she took it, lovingly squeezing at and smiling at him.
"Do you George Weasley, take Alicia Spinnet to be your wife?" Arthur asked.
George was surprised he could find his own voice. He took a deep breath and answered, "Yes, I do." Staring even more intently at her eyes and her smile.
"Do you Alicia Spinnet, take George Weasley to be your husband?" Arthur asked again.
"Yes…" She whispered. "Yes, I do." She said, louder this time.
Ron handed the ring to George and he took Alicia's hand and slid it on her finger, his eyes never leaving hers.
Ginny handed the other ring to Alicia, and Alicia slid it on George's hand.
"You may kiss the bride." Arthur said.
George leaned in slowly, tenderly pressed his lips against hers and closed his eyes. His mind trailed back to a day ago, to an earlier conversation with Lee:
Lee smiled and squeezed her hand. "Yeah… it's amazing you know. You just figure out that, 'this is really it, this is what life is'."
George laughed and started sorting through papers. "Yeah, I haven't had that whole, realization for life thing."
He smiled against her lips as he realized, 'this is really it; this is what life is.' They parted lips as the sound of cheers and applause filled their ears. George smiled at Alicia and they walked down the isle together.
"We're really married…" Alicia whispered.
She laughed as George swung her around and kissed her again. She deepened this kiss, thinking, 'this is it… like Katie and Angelina said… this is what life is.'
George and Alicia turned at the sound of Fred and Lee laughing together. Their friends stood in front of them smiling.
"Congrats man." Fred said to his brother.
"Oh Alicia!" Was all that Angelina could say.
George smiled at Alicia and put his hands around her waist, pulling him to her and kissing her again. They were husband and wife… this was it; his life was finally turning out the way he wanted it to be. Lee, Katie, and Angelina, his friends forever… Alicia, forever the love of his life, and Fred: his brother always had been and always would be.
Realization of the fact never hit so hard, that this really was, life.
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The End
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Thank you to everyone for reading, I love you all. Yep… it's the end. The end of my longest story. Thanks to everyone for believing in me, please review with your thoughts on the whole story. Thank you, and goodbye until my next story!
My next story coming up will be 'Bitter Sweet', so if you want, you can watch out for it!
This story was brought to you by: Kit!
BYE!