InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Crikey!!"

Lorna was feeling MUCH better today. Still tired, but not nearly as groggy and feeling like she wanted to die like yesterday. She wondered how she even made it out of the house with the two kids to go to the store opening (probably Owen helped). But today was different, and since she was feeling better, she'd agreed to meet up with Gabi to do some shopping and let the kids spend time together (two days in a row, that was a big deal). This also gave her an opportunity to do some shopping for Owen and help the kids get gifts for their Da.

So flooing to the Three Broomsticks with the kids (easier than apparating with her head), she headed off to meet with Gabi and her children at Dogwood and Deathcap. "Now remember Fergus, do not touch anything," she warned her six year old when they went inside the shop. She was already carrying Rhonna so that was easier for her to control. When they met up with the others, she'd let Rhonna down then. Lorna had her stroller shrunk in her bag too just in case the littlest MacFusty got tired.

The shop was fully decorated for Christmas and Gabi looked up with a smile. "Fergus!" Ava shouted and ran across the shop to envelope her cousin in a hug. Gabi just chucked and adjusted the wrap that secured Theo to her torso before grabbing her cloak.

"Florzinha, seu manto?" she called to her eldest who obediently trotted back and allowed the cloak to be buttoned around her shoulders before she ushered both her daughters towards the door. Gabi gave Lorna an understanding look. "I never know if it gets easier or harder the more you have.."

Lorna grinned too when her eldest accepted the hug and was excited to see his cousin too. Rhonna was already squirming and whining in Lorna’s arms to be let down, which earned her a shush from her Mom and another pout from Rhonna. So Lorna relented so Rhonna could go look at decorations while Gabi and the her daughters got their cloaks on.

“I haven’t decided if them walking on their own is easier than when they can’t move on their own,” Lorna said and gestured to Theo, who she of course at to look at and muttered some baby talk. Fergus held went ahead of everybody so he could hold the door open, which earned him a thank you from his Mom.

"It's good and bad," Gabi said with a smile as she gave final instructions to her assistant and joined Lorna. "It's nice to not have to chase them but then you have to carry them. Of course, I grew up with five brothers so for me, I would not mind a few more."
Which wasn't something she'd discussed with Merc and certainly something she wasn't planning on anytime soon, but her children helped her recover from the war. Between them and the shop it gave her something to do and hope that things would return to normal.

"How has it been playing again?"

“Yeah I get it. Three sisters and one brother for me,” Lorna said with a smile. She had thought about having more kids… but coming back to Quidditch pretty much put that thought on hold. And if she managed to keep playing for another 2-4 years… would she still want to have a brand new baby then too. “But yeah, I considering chasing Rhonna down as quidditch training really,” she joked.

“Well, except for the injuries, it’s been good,” Lorna said to Gabi’s question. She reached up to rub at her ribs just thinking of it. She wasn’t in any pain still, but the memory of it was still fresh. “Two wins help too,” she said with a smirk. “But I really missed being part of Portree, and the players really have welcomed me, so I’m working hard for them.”

"The injuries are always a risk." Gabi thought of how Merc had reacted to some of the more serious injuries on his team. She chuckled. "Wins always help. It is nice to be a part of something, but it is also… overwhelming."

“A bit. Mostly, it feels like I’m just stepping back into it. Having the wee ones makes it a bit more challenging,” Lorna said watched as Fergus went over to take his sister’s hand as they walked in front of them with their cousins. She was wondering how long it was going to take for them to start playing in the snow. “Owen’s been a big help.”

"That's wonderful. Merc's been so wrapped in quidditch the last few months…" Gabi trailed off. She knew it was his calling the way herbology was hers, she'd just never had to deal with it like this before, not while juggling three children. "His mother has been very helpful. And I'm lucky I can take the children to work with me."

“Mum has been a help, but I’ve been really lucky that a lot of people have been stepping in to babysit if Owen and I weren’t available,” Lorna explained. “At least we’re on a bit of a break. Just in time for the Holiday rush,” she said looking to Gabi. “I’d like to say that I’m never usually this behind… but that’s probably a lie,” Lorna admitted with a laugh.

Gabi chuckled. "Well, as long as it gets done by christmas day, you're not that behind," she said with a smile, watching as her daughters seemed to frolick in the snow. "At least that's how I rationalize it to myself."

“Ha, I’ll put the pressure on myself then and make Christmas Eve my deadline,” Lorna chuckled. That’s when the MacFusty dinner would be after all, and Lorna would actually like to enjoy family getting together and relaxing for that. She watched as Fergus and Rhonna didn’t miss a beat and started picking following after Ava and Ellie to play in the snow. “I did manage to get Christmas baking outsourced. I should feel guilty about it but I don’t really.”

"There's no point in feeling guilty. That's one thing I've learned living here in Scotland. And I can't make Merc feel guilty either." She gave lorna a smile. "Oh? Who's doing the baking?"

Lorna did laugh at that, especially the remark Gabi had about Merc. “Ainsley, she’s our reserve beater. I shamefully asked while I was bed ridden after the Wasp’s match,” she said with a shrug. “I hardly do any baking myself, but she makes the best cookies so I couldn’t help but ask.”

Gabi laughed. "That is probably the smartest thing I have heard regarding the holidays. I imagine the girls will help me with the baking and cooking Merc is absolutely useless when it comes to that. Though he can do a wonderful breakfast in bed."

Lorna smirked. “I can’t agree more. I can’t believe I never even thought of it before.” She did laugh though at the mention of Merc. “Well, breakfast in bed is not something to turn down. That’s the only thing Owen can make either,” she said remembering to tease Merc about it late. It seemed that Fergus was trying to steer her to Honeydukes for their first stop. “Fergus, Honeydukes last please. We’re going to try to get a gift for Da first.”

"What is it with men and breakfast? If you can fry an egg, I'm sure you can cook a roast," Gabi said shaking her head. "Any idea what you're getting Owen?"

Lorna rolled her eyes. “I have no idea. All I know is that Owen’s eggs are fine, but his roast would be barely edible,” she offered. “I have a few ideas. Trying to get Fergus and Rhonna interested in helping. Their ideas are not very helpful though,” Lorna laughed. “The usual though. Some new clothes for work. He needs a new pair of gloves for the winter. I had been thinking of getting him tickets to a band he likes, but I haven’t come up with many other big ideas,” Lorna shrugged and got to a shop she wanted to look in and gestured if that was okay for Gabi. “What are you getting Merc?”

"I have no idea. I've got some Montrose cold weather gear that's going to be from the girls along with whatever oddities they pick up. And I've got a getaway with him planned while we're in Brazil, but other than that, I'm at a loss." Gabi nodded and followed Lorna into the shop, making sure all the children made it into the store as well.

“I’m getting some of Rhonna and Fergus’ pictures framed for his office for the kids. But that’s literally the only thing he said he wanted,” Lorna explained. She grinned though at Gabi’s mention of her gift for Merc. “Romantic getaway? That’ll be nice.” Lorna watched Fergus and Rhonna as they came in with Ave and Ellie. “Anything specific for those plans?”

Gabi's cheeks flushed slightly and it wasn't just from the cold they'd just escaped. "During his first visit to Brazil, I took him to a secluded island… so that's become our thing. I find private little islands and we have a day or two to ourselves on the beach - no kids, no stress…" She left off the 'no clothes' bit.

Lorna smirked very wide. “Gabi,” she said and was quite impressed. “You really charmed him didn’t you?” Lorna was of course teasing because Gabi and Merc were very good together and she was happy for them. “That sounds wonderful though. I think that’s a pretty good Christmas present for him.”

“I was young and didn’t get out much and my brother dragged me to this quidditch party and there was this tall,dark, and handsome Scotsman and I thought he’d be a nice fling..” Her cheeks were a bit flushed as she examined the stuff in the shop. “Not exactly something I can give him in front of the family though. Plus it’s my way of trying to make Christmas a little better for him.”

Lorna was way too amused at Gabi’s description of meeting Merc for the first time. “Naughty thoughts for someone who didn’t get out much,” Lorna teased her. “I remember thinking that about Owen… that he’d be a nice fling,” she offered in comparison. Of course Owen quite changed those life plans for her. “Yes, you’re right,” Lorna said knowing full well that Christmas was hard for the McGongalls, and that served her as a reminder to get something special for Florrie and Merc too. “Why are husbands so hard to buy for?”

“I was .. obsessed with my work. And being out in the rainforest doesn’t leave much opportunity for going out..” She glanced around the shop. “I have no idea. Perhaps because they have everything they need?”

Lorna nodded completely understanding. “I get it. I might not have been out in the rainforest, but I was obsessed with Quidditch,” she offered in return. Just like Merc and Gabi, Owen had changed her life too. “Right. They have us,” Lorna said with a laugh and a wink.