Thanks so much to everyone that's reviewed so far! You make writing so worthwhile.
Bookworm41: I'm glad you liked it so much, and thanks for waiting patiently! Don't worry, there'll be some more letters from Angelina in the future!
J-star Black: I couldn't stop smiling too. It was one of my favorites to write so far.
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To anyone else who read the story, favorited, and alerted it, thanks to you too, you all are super fantabulous! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
8 November 2007
Dear Roxanne,
Today was great. You know why? Because you're mum and I totally surprised everyone (especially your Uncle Ron) with your special talent.
This story dates back to September fifteenth, when your cousin Rose said her first word. Ron was (as any father would be) extremely happy to the point it was really annoying. At dinner, he kept going on and on, on how Rosie could say Mama and Dada and a bunch of little words like cat and ball, yes and no. When we got home that night, and I put you to bed, I asked you if you could please start talking soon, so I can brag about you.
Dreams do come true.
Two weeks later, I awoke to your mum making breakfast for me while she tried to feed you and Fred. (Your mum's been working from home lately, wanting to spend more time with you and Fred.) She's been getting kind of worried, saying that if Rose has already said her first words, then you should have too. She thinks there something wrong with you and we should take you to St. Mungo's and have you checked out (Overreact much?). I reassured her that you were perfectly fine, and that you'd talk when you were ready to.
Everyday since you turned one, your mum sits with you in your room, and asks you to repeat words back at her.
"Say, Roxanne" she would tell you
"Mawalwa" you would reply.
"Say, Mama"
"Humjkah"
"Say, Dada"
"Kerfinnich"
Your mum would get really frustrated after a while. But I told her, "At least she's saying something,"
Your mum gave up for the day, about fifteen minutes into your daily speech class. I then left for work.
When I got home, your mum was making dinner while you and Fred played in the living room.
"Any luck with Roxy?" I asked her, snuggling up next to her as she hovered over the stove.
"None such," she says. "But I'm not giving up just yet."
After dinner, your mum and you are all snuggled up on the couch, beside the fire in the sitting room. I'm sitting next to you guys, reading the Evening Prophet while Fred lies in my lap asleep.
"Say Dada, Roxy" she asks.
You stare at her with wide eyes.
"Come on, Roxy. Say Dada!"
"Da-" you start to say
"Rox, you're so close! Say, Dada!"
"Dada!" you giggle.
Angelina and I look at each other with the same surprised expression.
"Did she-" I choked out
"Talk? You heard that too, then?"
"Yep" I nod slowly
"Then, yeah, she did." Ange's look of complete shock is quickly changed to one of happiness.
"Roxy said her first word!" she exclaims. She pops up off the couch, and runs to the muggle telephone in our kitchen. I'd be willing to bet a million galleons she's calling her mum and dad to tell them the good news.
While your mum was on the phone (which was a long time) I taught you how to say Mama. Merlin's beard, Rox, you're all of a sudden a fast learner. When she came back, I had you tell her the new word you learned. Your mum was a right mess, crying, and hugging and kissing everyone.
Angelina went to the drawer in the kitchen and pulled out some parchment, ink, and a quill. Apparently, she was going to write an announcement to the entire family that you had said your first word, but I had a better idea.
"Ange, wait! I have an idea!" I said
"What, Georgie?"
"You know how Ron and Hermione keep bragging about Rose saying her fist word?"
"Yeah, Me and Hermione went out for coffee the other day and that was all she talked about. You know I love her and Rosie, but-"
"Your sick of hearing about it?" I finished. "I know everyone is,"
"Yeah, exactly. Hermione was saying that she read some book that said the longer it takes for your child to talk, it increases the chance developing learning disabilities. That's why I was so worried."
"Well, I was thinking we shouldn't tell anyone on my side of the family that Rox can talk until she learns how to say sentences and phrases and such, that way she looks-"
"More advanced?" Angelina asked
"Exactly. Then we can brag about how our child had a first sentence instead of a first word." I flash my devious smile. "Ron and Hermione can get a little taste of their own potion…"
"You know, that's not a half bad plan. Maybe she can make her little debut at a Sunday Dinner" Angelina smiles.
For next few weeks, we spent countless hours teaching you some pretty basic, yet complex sentences and words. Turns out you're a pretty fast learner (when you want to be, of course).
At Sunday dinner, everything was in place for one the greatest pranks I've ever pulled off.
At dinner, while Uncle Ron was telling everyone how Rose learned the words 'tree' and 'house', Your mum asks, "Roxanne do you want some more peas?"
"No mama! Peas yucky!" you say, loud and clear. Everyone drops their utensils. It is silent.
"Did Annie just talk?" Charlie asks, breaking the silence.
"I think so, yes," Angelina says, pretending to be in shock. She's a surprisingly good actress.
"Sweet Merlin," I say, playing along by acting shocked.
"I'm pretty sure it was just nothing, look. Rose can say tree. Rosie, say tree for daddy." Ron told Rose.
"Twee, dada, twee." Rosie repeated.
"I can't believe she said her first words! George, let's try something else. Who do you love Roxanne?"
You replied, "Roxy love mama, Roxy love dada, Roxy love Red (you still couldn't pronounce the F's just yet)"
"Oh, George! Our baby girl's so smart!" Angelina fake cries, even though real tears leave her eyes. Everyone around the table claps for Roxanne, except for Ron and Hermione. They just sat there, looking speechless.
The rest of the night turns into a little celebration for the baby genius that is our Roxanne. Everyone's kissing, hugging, and talking to you and all you do giggle. Your mum and I walked around the entire house bragging to everyone about what a smart girl you are. When the evening dies down a bit, I decide to go take a walk out into the garden. After a particularly cold wind blows aceoss my face, I'm surprised to see Ron walking next to me.
"I know what you were doing." He says.
"What are you talking about?" I smile.
"Those weren't Roxy's first words. You taught her those."
We walked a couple yards in silence. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I bust out laughing.
"Yeah, okay, you got me. What are you going to do to me, Auror Weasley? Send me to Azkaban?" I countered.
"Naw, I was just going to apologize." Ron says, looking down at his feet.
"Apologize? For what?" I was confused.
"Hermione and I have been going a bit overboard on the whole 'Rosie's new words' thing."
"You think?" I laughed and pushed him. He laughed too. "I don't mind that you tell us Rosie's talking and stuff, but like a few weeks after it's happened, let it go. You don't know how boring it is listening to you and Hermione talk about Rose talking."
"If we were anything like you and Angie were after dinner, then, I'm sorry we acted that way." Ron says. "You two were pretty obnoxious." He laughs.
Your Uncle Ron learned a very valuable lesson that day, bragging rights only last for about a week. Don't forget that.
\I love you so much, and it feels great to hear you say it too.
Love My Roxanne,
Dad