A Family Picnic

[Kiera Kaster]

Kiera strolled down the cobblestone path in Brightstone Village with her hand intwined with the hand of her new husband. They had only been married two weeks, but it had been a wonderful two weeks. Carter had only been able to get away from work for four days when they had eloped. Very few people knew about the private ceremony between the couple, and Kiera wanted to keep it that way until she told her children. She had told her father while they were still on their honeymoon, and he had excitedly blabbed the news to her brother and sisters. Kiera's family all thought that the news was wonderful. Any reservations or doubts they had about Carter in the beginning of her relationship with him had vanished a long time ago, and she was grateful for that. Kiera knew that all they really wanted was Kiera's happiness and anyone who knew her could tell that she was happy with the Ministry official. Carter had moved in slowly over the last two weeks as Kiera worked on clearing out some space for him after he went to work. It had been difficult to do as she still had closets full of James's clothing. She had boxed some things up to store in the attic and donated the rest. The brunette had cried and laughed as each piece of clothing and each item spoke of her relationship with her first husband. She knew that Carter understood that she would always love and miss James. He had given her so many happy memories and three beautiful children. Thankfully, Carter also understood that Kiera loved him just as much. Her heart was big enough to love them both with everything she had. Kiera wanted Carter to feel welcome in his new home. She wanted it to be their home. Over the year, pictures of Carter, Kiera, and the children had filled the frames hanging on the wall. She still had baby pictures of the twins up, as well as a few of James. She wanted her children to know his face and that he loved them. Carter wasn't taking his place, and she knew he would never want that, but Carter would love them and raise them as their own father could not.

The children already loved Carter, but now they needed to know that Kiera and Carter were married. That's the reason they were in Brightstone Village. The twins were allowed to leave the castle and come to the village to see their family. Kiera had packed a picnic basket for them with some of their favorite foods. Carter carried it for her with his spare hand as she tried to keep up with Jemma who tugged firmly on her other hand. Kiera was strong though and held her steady. The brunette knew that if Jemma got free she would run ahead and get lost in the crowd. Kiera had wrote Lyra and Link and told them she expected them here to have a nice family outing. Carter and Kiera had important news to tell the children. It couldn't be trusted to a letter. They reached a nice little patch of grass at the far end of the village. Kiera nodded at Carter to set the basket down. "Jemma, I want you to listen very carefully. Do not go wandering off. You may play right here only. Do you understand me?" she said, not letting the five year old's hand go quiet yet. Jemma sighed. "Okay, Mummy." the child answered impatiently. Kiera let go of the child and took out her wand. She waved it at the picnic basket. Two blankets unfolded on the grass and the food began to zoom out of the basket and set itself on the ground. She turned her honey eyes to Carter, slightly nervous. "I hope they take the news well." she said in a low voice so Jemma wouldn't hear her.
​

 

[Carter Kaster]

Carter was still getting used to the fact that he was now a married man. Not many people knew yet, only those directly involved. Kiera's close family knew of course, but as yet no-one from Carter's side had been told. He was intending to make the trip to Germany next weekend to bring them all up to speed as well as inviting them for a family get together that Kiera and he were arranging for the end of the year. It was the Brightstone weekend now and they were planning on telling the kids today. He hoped they would take it well. He was pretty sure they all liked him, but it was different actually being married to their mother. At least now that they were married Carter was able to see his wife everyday. That was a major perk. Also not having to live with Dalton, but he didn't actually tell him pseudo-brother that. Dalton had enjoyed helping Carter move a little too much, he thought. Practically pushing him out the door. It didn't seem to matter that Carter had paid for the apartment, regardless of the fact that the galleons had not past his hands at all. His mother seemed to like giving out Carter's details, allowing Dalton to make purchases on his behalf. It was infuriating to say the least and he wondered why he never had any money. At least now Carter had put a stop to it. At least for now. Still, Carter supposed he couldn't complain. Dalton had always been like this and it wasn't like he hadn't ever done anything for Carter. After all, the man had stood witness at his wedding. That wasn't a task left to just anyone. He'd been set to be Carter's best man too, though they'd not had a proper wedding. Eloping had just worked out to be best for them and though Carter's family were sure to be miffed about the lack of a wedding, they also never stood in the way of love. It just wasn't them.

Carter looked down at his and Kiera's joined hands. He'd probably never have believed he'd marry someone that he felt so strongly for. He was glad of it in a way, because they'd been through so much as a couple and it was only their stubborn determination that had kept them together in the end. Their love for each other played a part of course. As they finally reached their destination, Carter placed the picnic basket on the ground. He did hope that the twins would be fine with all of this. He wasn't really all that worried about Jemma, she'd been fine with him the last couple of weeks and though they'd not specifically explained anything to her, after all how do you explain marriage to a five year old, she seemed to pick up on the fact that things were different. But it was mostly Link and Lyra that he was worried about. They were old enough to remember James. Carter hoped this would not put a dampener on their relationship. Carter nodded at Kiera as she spoke before sitting on one of the blankets. "Me too. After all, you are still their mother, I'm the intruder." He laughed slightly, though it was an honest concern. Being Kiera's boyfriend was one thing, her husband was quite another. The fact that there'd not been a formal wedding was also something that could potentially upset the kids. Carter hoped they'd be okay, but there was really no telling how they would take the news. "We just have to take it slow. They're good kids."
​

 

[Lyra Potter]

Lyra Potter woke up anxious to see her mother. She had written the twins and demanded their presence at a picnic the first Brightstone weekend. Lyra had pretended to complain about it, but the truth was that she was quite excited. She missed her mother as she was still very much a child. This was the longest she had ever been away from Kiera. The brunette rushed to put her robes on before barging into the boys' dorms. She had nagged Link until he had gotten up and got dressed. Lyra knew that her determination and bossiness would persuade her brother to get a move on it even if he grumbled at her the entire time he was doing it. The twins grabbed some breakfast before leaving Hogwarts New Zealand for the first time since they arrived.

Lyra took hold of Link's arm on the way out, not out of sisterly affection, but because she knew he had a tendency to wander off. Her mother's letter had said she had something to tell them which worried her slightly. She knew Kiera wouldn't tell them what it was unless they were both there. She didn't want to spend the rest of the day looking for her brother. She ignored his rude faces and comments, not dignifying them with a response. The Gryffindor girl made her way through the cobblestone street weaving in and out of people until she found her mum, Carter, and Jemma. Jemma squeeled with excitement as she saw the twins and launched herself at them. Lyra giggled and hugged her sister. "Hey Jemmy. Did you miss us?" she asked, ruffling Jemma's hair, knowing she hated it.

 

[Kiera Kaster]

Kiera touched Carter's face in a loving, comforting gesture. She knew he worried about the children accepting him, and she hadn't meant to make that worse. "You're right. They are good kids. They love you, Carter. You know that." she said to him. It was true, after all. The kids all loved Carter, but she knew the twins missed James as much she did. Kiera had been the one to hold them as they cried for him. At five years old, they had been as innocent as Jemma and unable to understand where their father went. Kiera had been so nervous to introduce Carter into the children's lives when they started dating. She had watched as the relationship between Carter and her children grew to respect and then love. It was their relationship that had convinced Kiera to put aside her notions of driving Carter away and to marry him instead. No, the twins would be alright with it. It was more difficult with them than it was with Jemma. Carter became a constant part of Jemma's life at the age of two. She had never known another father, and Carter willingly stepped into the role. Jemma was as close to his own child as Jemma would have. Kiera wanted Carter to be a father to all three of her children. Link and Lyra needed a strong male role model like Carter, but she knew better than to push it on any of them. Stubbornness was a strong characteristic for all of them.

Kiera turned as she heard her eldest daughter speak, pulling Link along behind her. Kiera tried to hide her smile. For someone so small, Lyra could be so bossy. Link's annoyed face made it clear to her that Lyra had been exceptionally bossy this morning. The brunette watched as Lyra embraced Jemma. "Of course, Lyra. Mommy and Carter are boring without you guys." Jemma said with a roll of her little green eyes. Kiera just shook her head, giving Carter a look that showed her annoyance and affection. "I have to admit it has been quiet around the house without my twins." she said, pulling them both into a hug. "How's school? I'm so happy you are both in Gryffindor!" Kiera told her children with a smile. "Aunt Cyndi has been sending me reports." she said, looking pointedly at the two of them. Both of the children had already lost Gryffindor points.
​