My dearest Newt,

My hand is shaking so badly right now that I can only hope that these words will be legible. Then again, I hate the words that I am about to write, because they are the last words that I want to write, even if they are the truth.

Yesterday, my team and I finally discovered the true identity of the smuggler and his residence. We planned a raid last night, and at first, it was all going according to plan. But then, a rookie who had only recently joined MACUSA mistook a signal and accidentally gave away our position. The smuggler slipped our grasp before we could apprehend him.

Had it gone according to plan, we would have interrogated him, to the point of Veritaserum if necessary. We would have gotten the location his operation base where he develops and keeps his lethal hoax products before they could hurt anymore innocent people. And I would be on my way to London. But instead…we have to start all over again in finding him. We may know his real identity, but he won't use it anymore now, and he'll never go back to his residence. Finding out what we did yesterday was more of a lucky break than anything.

Christmas is less than two weeks away…and it would take nothing short of a miracle to get me to London by then.

The poor rookie is shattered, of course. Thankfully, she is getting off with a warning this time; the urgency of this mission is the top priority now. Also, Achilles was her mentor and both of us really advocated for her. Hopefully, there will not be further repercussions for her when this is all over.

At least I have a really good team working with me, especially Achilles. I've always known what a good wizard he is, but he's truly a team player and definitely not a 'careerist hypocrite,' either (which I'm sure you'll be thankful for). Though I did have a few meals with him before I left for Paris, there was never any feeling between us beyond strong friendship and comradery. Besides, he had practically every other woman at MACUSA swooning over him because of his resemblance to a Greek God – he told me that he's happy that there is a woman out there who doesn't make 'mooncalf eyes' at him

(Yes, he actually said that. He loves your book almost as much as I do. I really hope that the two of you can meet someday.)

Oh, Newt…I can't write how sorry I am, how much I wish this didn't happen, and how much I wish I were with you, the creatures, and everybody else right now, let alone on Christmas. The only good of this whole situation is that I will be in England by the New Year, as I've already signed my employee contract with the Ministry to start with them then. President Picquery will not have the power to keep me here when the New Year comes, as this was all settled before this case came up.

Speaking of that…woman, I barely look at her and speak with her at a bare minimum, and NEVER alone since she gave me her ultimatum. Perhaps she knows better than to leave me alone in a room with her now. If I wasn't so desperate to get out of this country, a stint in prison would be worth whatever I would do if forced alone with this woman.

I have to wrap this up. My hand is still shaking and I'm just worn out and I have to get up so early for a team meeting tomorrow and I keep wiping tears from my eyes…I miss you so much, but I promise you that I am coming home. Not as soon as we hoped, but by the New Year.

Love, Tina

Dear Tina,

Newt received your letter this morning and told us the bad news. He looked so miserable that I had no heart to tease him in any way about anything for the rest of the day – not something that an older brother is used to feeling. We're all upset, though. Your absence on Christmas will be palpable, and it will be all we can do for Newt to get into the festive spirit at all.

If I could, I would come to New York and lend a hand with this investigation, if only to get you out of there more quickly. Unfortunately, I know that a travel permit at such short notice in mid-December will be denied. My team has their hands full in London, and I can't in good conscience leave them. It will be a great relief when you are a part of it. But I swear to Merlin, if Madame Picquery attempts to keep you even longer, she'll have to face the wrath of both Scamander brothers.

I'm sorry that you were not here today because Yusuf returned from the continent. He can only stay the night (I've set him up in my spare room) unfortunately, but we were still happy to see him. And he was glad to see us; he rightfully calls us a family. He spoke with Newt and I about what he's seen and done on the continent, and the information that he's gathered (I'll fill you in when we're all together again). Thankfully, he promised us that he will be back in London in time for Christmas and stay on through the New Year, so you will see him soon too.

I do not envy the situation that you are in right now, Tina, as a fellow auror or a friend. I know that your first instinct will be to double-down and work as hard as you can and as fast as you can without stopping. Don't do that, Tina. You have to remember to take care of yourself when you need to. You'll be no good to your team running on fumes. I've learned this the hard way, and I'm sure that you have, too.

We'll hold down the homefront for you, Tina, and it will be right here ready for you.

Sincerely, Theseus

Dear Tina,

Newt just told Nagini and I the awful news that you most likely won't be coming home for Christmas. I'm sure you were not expecting a letter from me, but I just wanted to express my sorrow for this situation. Newt is devastated, and none of us like seeing him like this. Both Nagini and I have resolved to be as helpful with the creatures as we can be.

She is looking forward to her first Christmas. Did you know that the circus that she traveled with never acknowledged holidays of any kind? Each day was a work day, to the point where some of them couldn't even remember what time of year it was. How horrible!

Unfortunately, I will miss it too, but for a good reason. I will be going to my family's home in Northern Ireland for the holidays. It will be nice to see them all again, especially my sister's new baby.

By the way, Nagini is progressing in her alphabet since you've left. I was as horrified as you were when I found out that, because she'd been abandoned to the circus when she was a baby, she never properly learned how to read and write. It was so good of you to begin teaching her how before you had to leave. She's been practicing every day since. She's asked if she could sign her name alongside mine and to tell you that she misses you dearly and hopes that you'll come home very soon.

Sincerely, Bunty and NAGINI

Dear Tina,

Oh, honey, I'm so sorry. This is a terrible situation, for all of us. You are missed and are going to be missed Christmas, especially by Newt. I don't think I need to tell you that he is just as devastated as you are. I caught him last night just staring at that newspaper photograph he still has of you; I think he's going to keep that in his breast-pocket along with Pickett until you come home.

Don't you worry about anything on this side of the pond; save that energy for the job that you still have to do. I actually have some good news of my own to share with you that I hope will cheer you up a bit.

You know how, after we got settled into London, I scouted around for any bakeries where I could work? Well, there's a small bakery in Pall Mall that I fell in love with once I walked through. The owner and head baker is a man named Paul McIntyre. He's in his sixties, though in great shape and spirits. He'd posted an ad for a new baker, and once I proved myself in the kitchen, I got the job!

Mr. McIntyre is truly a kindred spirit to me. We both really know and appreciate the good that good baking that do in the world. He'd planned to leave his bakery to his son, whom he'd taught everything he knows to. But, like my brother, his son was killed in the Great War. Since then, he plans to sell the bakery when he decided to retire, hopefully to a baker rather than a buyer who will turn the bakery into a new shop/business entirely. Well, I've told him that I had owned my own bakery in New York City, had sold it for a good price (thanks to you, my friend), and am in a position to buy his bakery when he decides to sell.

So, I've found a place where I can work and enjoy it, and I will continue to try and show this good man that his bakery would be in good hands with me when it comes time for him to retire. I know that this may not work out – nothing is guaranteed – but I have a good feeling about this.

Stay strong, Tina. I hope that my old apartment is treating you well, and Henry in the old bakery knows to always give you whatever you want from the menu at half-price. I wish that you could be home for Christmas (our first proper one, too), but if that can't happen, we'll all celebrate the New Year together. At least Yusuf will be here for both holidays (he came for a day and night a few days ago, and he hated to hear about the situation you're in right now).

It's a great comfort to know that we'll soon all be together again. Maybe not as soon as we hoped, but soon. Hold on, little sister.

Love, Jacob

My Tina,

Christmas is now only a week away. I wish more than anything for you to be home again. However, if that will not be physically possible, you will be there in all of our minds and hearts.

At least I have this comfort: you have been in my dreams for a long time, and that will not change any time soon.

Yours, Newt