They were walking to the nearest cabby. Elise was looking around to capture everything. The London was fascinating and she was still unsure of the date. But she decided to check later when she got to Mr O'Donnell's house. Just then her eyes fell on an orphanage and her insides froze. Wool's orphanage. She was totally and utterly screwed!
Just then Mr O'Donnell stopped the cabby and she was ushered in. Facing window she grazed out unseeingly. Millions of thoughts were crossing her mind and somewhere it crossed her mind that she was in Harry Potter world but why and how were still lost to her. Cursing whoever did this she resigned herself to the fact. First things first. Schooling her features to nonchalance and turned to Mr O'Donnell with a polite smile.
"What is today's date, sir?" she asked.
"Just call me Patrick, lass. Today is 31th December." Replied Mr O'Donnell.
"How can I sir, its impolite." Elise said with a shy smile.
She noticed that he had a slight Irish accent when he was emotional or not in public. O'Donnell is not an Irish surname. Grew up in Ireland and moved back to England for job. Adopted the English accent easily, attesting that he was English originally. Is wealthy but humble. Has no kids judging by his affectionate tone towards Joan and I. Especially a young stranger. Have bags under eyes, works late regularly. Ergo loves his job. Have to trend carefully, not that I'll mess up. Satisfied, she turned back to the window to face the pressing matter that current situation presented. Today was the day Tom Riddle will be born if this was indeed Harry Potter world and if this was indeed 30's, that means she was stuck in a book. Later. Will her actions be of any consequences? Will it change the story in real world? I will go stir crazy! Damned, had I to be stuck in a story book! If she was going to end up in another time might as be in a real world not in a story book! Seems like she found her own Storybrooke.
They arrived at a lovely house. Mr O'Donnell rang the bell and the door opened to reveal a well-aged old lady. Around fifty. Smiling she ushered them in and the whole story was retold earning the same comic reaction. Mrs O'Donnell agreed with her husband and ushered Elise to gest room while she when down to prepare breakfast for her.
Elise bathed, wore the same clothes and went down to eat. She was famished! Then Mrs Amelia O'Donnell dragged her to shopping despite her protest and Patrice assured her that any expenses would be cut off from her salary! She did had a great time shopping but more importantly because Amelia seemed to be happy. That night after dinner she shyly asked if she could visit Joan to assure her that she was fine and possibly spend some time with her. As expected they agreed. Donning her coat, she walked out and hailed a cabby.
"Wool's Orphanage, please!"
It was nearly 8o'clock and it took few minutes to reach Wool's Orphanage. She knew Joan would not be there. Elise has already summarized that Joan's was morning shift and she would have left two hours ago. She suspected the O'Donnell knew. Maybe they might not mind if she got late, hopefully. Can't drive my benefactors away. Tom Riddle was born as the clock struck midnight. Little too coincidental – 'born as the seventh month dies'. Deciding to pass the time she wandered around observing the nightlife in this storybook world of 30's. Nothing much have changed. Now she didn't have to worry about her way back. All the while she kept an eye out for Merope Gaunt. It was around 11o'clock that she spotted a pregnant girl obviously in pain stumbling towards the orphanage. Elise rushed to her side and helped her towards the orphanage. Reaching, she knocked at the door. To her relief a women opened the door, scowling. Must be Mrs Cole.
"I am terribly sorry but she is in labour. Please help!" she cried in panic. Who would have thought pregnant women in labour were so terrifying!
"Come in! Beth, bring in some water and cloth." Mrs Cole shouted wide eyed.
The next hour was a blur. She was holding Merope's hand and soothing her, Mrs Cole kept saying 'push' and 'almost there' and the girl kept moping Merope's forehead. Finally at 11:45 the head emerged and exactly at stroke of midnight the baby was born. But Merope didn't look so good. Elise knew she wouldn't hold much longer. The girl bathed the baby and handed it to Merope.
"Tom after his father, Marvolo after mine. Tom Marvolo Riddle." Merope said looking at her son. "I hope he looks like his father."
With that she breathed her last and Elise took the baby out of limp hold. The baby fell asleep.
"Seems like we have one more." Said Mrs Cole faking love and sympathy. Elise knew what she was trying to do.
"I will adopt the child. It's time of war, the baby needs all the love it can get before it gets bleak." Elise whispered softly.
"That's very kind of you but you look rather young yourself." Said Mrs Cole eying her.
"I have a steady job, a house to live and in desperate need of company. I think I can support the child and love like it deserves." Said Elise looking straight in her eyes.
"Very well, I was only looking out for both of you, dear. If you are ready we can get on with the adoption." Said Mrs Cole.
Elise nodded still looking at the sleeping baby in wonder. I am going to do it. She thought in puzzlement.
"This way then." Said Mrs Cole walking towards her office.
Settling down she pulled out the adoption form and place on the table in front of Elise.
"Please fill out the form. Do you want to rename the child?" Mrs Cole asked as she pulled out a birth certificate and looked at her.
"No, I wish to respect the dead women's last words." Said Elise as she careful shifted the baby into one hand and took the fountain pen lying on the table. "Could you ask you girl to call for a cabby?"
"Certainly!" said Mrs Cole with no less glee.
Elise decided to fill the form truthfully; again no one will recognize her. Completed she handed the form to Mrs Cole. She raised her eyebrow at her. Elise returned her stare unflinchingly.
"This is his birth certificate. I am undecided on what to write in parents column."
"I shall fill the details if I ever find out. Thank you!" said Elise taking the certificate and got up adjusting the baby.
"Your cabby is here Miss!" said the girl coming in.
"Thank you. I shall come in tomorrow to settle the financial matter." Said Elise nodding Mrs Cole goodbye. The girl draped the coat protectively around her and the baby. "Thank you."
Getting into the cab she gave the address. She only hoped O'Donnell's won't react badly. The next thing she knew they had stopped. She paid the fare and got out. Taking a long sigh she rang the bell. Shuffling and bustling was heard and just when Elise thought she couldn't take it any more the door open. Amelia and Patrice ushered her in.
"I profoundly apologise for the inconvenience but the matter was rather critical. I would have phoned you but I didn't know the number." Elise started talking before they could even say anything. She did notice that they had gone to bed.
"It's fine, dear. We were just worried that something will happen to you again." Said Amelia soothingly.
"You are not angry?!" asked Elise puzzled.
"You are grown woman, lass. You have every right to do as you please!" replied Patrick seeming amused. "But might I ask what is that you are carrying?"
"It's past midnight. Could we talk about this in the morning, please?" pleaded Elise.
"Of course, dear!" said Amelia.
They all then retired to bed except Elise. She placed the baby in the centre of the bed and pillows on the both sides. She went and took a hot bath. Removing pillow on one side, she settled on the bed. Lying awake she replayed the events of past two hours. She had yet to join the job and here she was, already adopting a baby. She already has many debts to pay and it was not even a day since she was dropped here. Actually it was! Closing eyes she groaned. Turning on her side she looked at the baby.
She had to agree; he looked cute even as a new-born, pink and all. From the moment she held him this was the first time she actually looked at him. He had black hair and eyes, just like in the book. She hoped it was where the similarities ended. And all the shit about product of love potion was false. She really wanted to believe that it because of crappy childhood at orphanage and power play in Slytherin house. That Tom Riddle was just another boy with dreams of having his real family back. Not a born psychopath with daddy issues. Thinking about daddy, what to do with Riddle Sr.? Think about it later Elise you have more pressing issues at the moment. Like what about O'Donnell's? She could already see her impending doom. She needed all the sleep she could get for mornings events. Closing her eyes she fell asleep.
