Elise was proven right in her assessment; Patrick was very passionate about his job and thoroughly enjoyed it. She had rarely met anyone outside her family except her English teacher who was so passionate about literature up close. She was no less than on ninth heaven! She loved her job; it gave her the opportunity to read some amazing literary material aside from being Mr O'Donnell's secretary. They had discussed their readings back home and she couldn't help feeling happy and sad at the same time. She was missing her family.
At home a very ecstatic Amelia greeted them but Elise had eyes only for Tom who was sleeping snuggly in Amelia's embrace. She offered to lay Tom in her bed, as they would wake him up with their inevitable chatter. Patrick agreed and once again she marvelled at feeling she got when holding little Tom. Laying him down on the bed as before she freshened up and went down stairs. The night was spent in eating and listening to Amelia's excited chatter about her day.
Elise had to admit Amelia's taste was good but she would have chosen plain, sober, dignified onesies. The clothes were outrageously bright and childish. I can already imagine Tom coming after me for dressing him in childish clothes! At least, the nappies were plain. She hoped Amelia had not thrown away the receipt, she'll go and exchange tomorrow. If such policy exists here. Preparing formula, she went to her room to sort through the baby clothes. She separated the outrageous once and arranged the rest in the wardrobe. And she was feeling very thankful that Amelia had not shopped for baby books and toys. Old age a blessing! Elise had promised that they would shop together for those.
It was only 8o'clock so Elise decided to arrange the cradle. She was feeling very grateful for reading all pregnancy books and parenting books. Being third oldest in the brood of twelve had it's own merits she supposed. Little Mia's was the only baby Elise had looked after; rest of her cousins were quite old when she had met them.
When she finally managed to arrange all the pieces according to the manual it was already ten so she decided to join then tomorrow. This time she place Tom little further away from her and place pillows on either side. The night went fairly well compared to the previous night; Tom had woken up only once and she had fed him, burped him and changed his nappy.
At the lunch break Elise went to the nearest waffle place and then rushed to the baby store Amelia had went to. She had woken up early to sneak away with the clothes as to not offend Amelia though she knew she had to tell her. Just not now. Not till I can come up with a plausible excuse. Elise had found receipt in the bag and was hoping against hope. Thankfully the owner accepted the clothes and she picked out one black, royal blue, emerald and a white with numbers one it. Now Tom had five childish ones and five plain dignified winter ones. Winter! Smiling she rushed back to her office. She had found her excuse!
Amelia had been little put out but she had accepted her reason and they went their merry way to toy store as well as bookstore. Elise could tell Amelia had no idea when it came to raising a kid let alone a baby. No relatives then or maybe estranged. No sibling either. Amelia is not the type of person to totally wipe out a person or a sibling due to some petty feud. Elise picked a four-pieced jigsaw puzzle, a colour game, number and alphabet blocks and a small teddy bear while Amelia had picked plush toys. Snake didn't seemed to be a popular toy at all, noted Elise looking around the store. For obvious reasons! If there was anycreature whose existence she loathed the most it was snakes. Though that would have to change once Tom starts talking to the vile creatures.
"Aren't you getting a bit ahead of time?" asked Amelia seeing Elise's selection.
"Three months are not that long." Replied Elise smiling.
Amelia simply shook head at her and they marched towards the bookstore. Patrick had decided to stay back at office but refused when Elise offered to stay as well. This time she did looked at the baby books before abandoning them for encyclopaedia, which she found a bit dry. So she went for short stories (some French too), collection of Ronald Dahl's poems and Greek mythology book. She had wanted to buy book on famous scientists but decided it was little too soon. Amelia had picked baby books (No surprise there! She thought dryly)and thus they concluded the shopping.
Elise lay awake thinking about her new responsibility. She was technically mother of Tom Riddle but was she ready to be his mummy. The books had said very little about Tom Riddle's childhood except few instances in orphanage where he was at least five. It certainly made it easier to look at baby Riddle as a normal baby who could grow into one if given chance. One problem solved! Now about Riddle Sr. Yes, he had to be told because in few years Tom will ask about his father. She had firmly decided to not lie to Tom, it was sure way to her pain filled murder and his psychological tendency. To write or to meet? That is the question. Either way she had to wait, to make it realistic. If Tom's wit and tact was inherent from his father's side, it was more than prudent it was necessary.
