Almost

Chapter 26: A Toast

"I'm sorry we're taking up your Saturday," Katherine said to Grouse as they stood off to the side of Crawley's parents' house while Ezra and Picquery knocked on the door.

Grouse laughed. "I don't mind. The hours are far more manageable this time. I am curious why we aren't going inside, though."

"Because Crawley's mom hates me and I don't want to start a fight," Katherine answered, wrapping her arms around herself. She'd thrown a jean jacket on before they'd left, but the long sequined dress still felt like a beacon.

"Sometimes, weddings and families mix like bowtruckles and tree-surgeons."

Katherine was pretty proud of herself that she understood the reference, though she thought it was a bit more aggressive than what she would have labeled it. But she couldn't offer an "oil and vinegar" alternative before the men walked around the side of the house with Tom Crawley in tow.

"Dad, this is Winona Grouse," Crawley said. The name sounded odd on his tongue—Katherine had only ever heard one person call her anything but Grouse.

"Winnie," Grouse said, shaking Tom's hand. "But most everyone just calls me Grouse."

"Nice to meet you," Tom said brightly before turning to the other woman. "It's good to see you, Katherine."

She smiled awkwardly, unsure how she felt about him right now. Ultimately, she took Crawley's lead—Tom had always been lovely to her. And he was choosing to be a part of their celebration even though she was sure Bonnie had given him an earful about it.

"Good to see you, too. And I apologize in advance. I don't know how much Ezra has told you about my family, but they can be a little... overwhelming."

"Just stay away from the Firewhiskey and you'll be fine," Ezra laughed, clapping his dad on the shoulder. "Does weird things to No-Majs."

"I've been drinking much longer than you, son. I think I can hold my own." Tom ruffled his shoulders, standing almost as tall as Ezra. "And I'm excited to meet the rest of your family! Your parents were so lovely—I mean, your dad and—"

"It's okay," Katherine said quickly. "Not easy shorthand. And they're excited to meet you, too. My grandfather will probably ask you a thousand questions about being a muggle."

Tom chuckled as they made it to the backyard, where there was a grove of trees that blocked the view of any neighbors. Katherine held her hand up and a door jumped into existence. She watched as his eyes widened slightly, but he tried to keep his face even. Katherine thought back to the note and rapped five times, then waited.

When she turned to explain to Ezra, she saw Bonnie standing in the kitchen window, a mug in her hand. She was wearing a big, fuzzy bathrobe and her short hair was tied up in a bun on the top of her head, her face pale. This was nothing like the polished, perfectly coiffed woman Katherine had become used to—she looked scared. She must really think I'm a life sentence, Katherine thought as she watched the sickly woman who clearly wanted to call both of the Crawley men inside.

Ezra saw Katherine's face fall and turned to find what her gaze had landed on. When he turned, Bonnie quickly stepped away from the window, holding something up to her eyes.

"Katherine—" Ezra started, reaching out to take her hand in his.

Thankfully, she avoided the conversation as the door opened a crack.

"Picquery," Ginny's voice called out. "Are their eyes covered?"

"Oh, sorry," Picquery said, pulling what Katherine had thought was a pocket square before out of the front of his jacket. It turned out to be two long strips of fabric. He looked at them impishly as he tied one around Ezra's eyes, then Katherine's.