"What happened to your face?" That was how he greeted her. No apology, no explanation, not even a hello.
"James?" asked Rose.
"Well, yeah." replied James. "Look, I'm sorry, but I think we need to catch up. Maybe you could come to my flat?"
"You have a flat?'
"Well, yeah." repeated James.
"Whatever." said Rose, and signaled her intent to follow. She was tired from being on her feet all day. After about a block, James sensed this and took her bags for her. She nodded thanks, but frowned when they approached the stairs.
"Er, right. Er... I could carry you?" James offered.
Rose rolled her eyes at him. "I've got it. There are stairs at Hogwarts, you know." She slowly began her ascent.
James went ahead and unlocked the door. "Haven't they thought of something for that?"
"I'm only in my second trimester. I'm fine usually, I just haven't had a chance to sit down yet today. Maternity clothes shopping." she nodded at the bags.
When they were both seated, and awkward silence fell. "You never answered my question." said James finally.
"Melasma. The babies liked the sun a little too much. I tried a cover up spell, but it doesn't work for everyone. Just my luck, I suppose." explained Rose.
"Babies?" replied James.
"Oh yeah. We're having twins." Rose took pleasure in the shock that crossed his face. Served him right for deserting her. "What? The number doesn't exactly affect you too much, does it?"
James ruffled his hair. "Wow, I thought one baby would be hard. But how are we ever going to support two?" he said distantly.
"We?" Something strange rose up in Rose at the word. Hope, perhaps.
"Er, yeah. Look Rose, I shouldn't have left before. I was mad at you, and me, and just everything was going wrong. But you didn't ask for this. I did this to you, and I can't just walk away. I was staying with Teddy, and it's really obvious, like you can see how much he loves Victoire. But more than that he tries to protect her and do things to make her happy. And it's kind of love, but sometimes it's kind of work. Happy work, pleasant work, even fun work, but it's hard to remember to do everything the way she likes. And meanwhile, she's trying to do everything the way he would want. So I asked him, and he said that he does it because he loves her, but he does this stuff a lot more now than before marriage. Because now he's committed, he said. He bonded himself with her and promised to stay with her forever. And that's us. I mean, I don't love you like that, but we created a life. So now we're bonded, if not to each other, than at least to this life – these lives – that we've created." He paused for breath.
Rose felt herself smile. "That was beautiful James. I agree."
"Right." said James. "So even though we didn't have a big ceremony and declare ourselves to each other, I'm always going to be here for you and our children Rose. Even if we marry different people, we're still connected, because we're both trying so hard to support our children."
"Yes, exactly." said Rose. "So have you got a plan?"
"Er, no." said James sheepishly. "But I've dropped out of school and I have a good job now, here in Hogsmeade. I'm a busboy at that new restaurant, Casey's Cauldron. I need some money for rent and food and whatever, but I'm putting the rest aside for our kids."
"Thank you. Well, I'm going to finish school. I'm supposed to give birth late July, early August, sometime, so I should be able to finish the year." said Rose.
"Really? That will be possible? And with twins?" asked James.
"By exams I'll still have a couple months left to go. Normally that would just be uncomfortable, but you're right, it could be harder with twins. I don't think it will be impossible though. It's just that I'm supposed to deliver early." explained Rose.
"Oh." replied James, reddening a bit at the thought. "And then what?"
"I really want to go back to school next year. It seems stupid, but it's important to me. That's only if someone would watch them, or I could work something out with Professor Vector. I guess I didn't really think it through." replied Rose, a bit shamefaced.
"Er, I mean, I know nothing about children, but... I could do it." offered James.
Rose waved her hands at him. "No, no. I mean, I'm sure you could... maybe. But I can't let you do that. I guess I'll forget about N.E.W.T.s and get a job."
"Where will you live?" asked James.
Rose thought about this. "Somewhere cheap." she said finally, laughing. "Babies are expensive!"
"We ...we could live together." suggested James. "To save money."
"That's... a good idea." replied Rose. "We can think about it."
"I dunno where we can live though. I have this place cheap for six months because the bloke that lived here needs someone to look after his house when he's on vacation. But he's coming back after that." said James.
"Hmmm." said Rose "We probably won't need much for the babies. I hear parents don't use most of the things they get or buy. Of course, we might have to go without somethings that would make our lives easier, but we should be able to take care of them... I think."
"Can we do that though? Like I said, babies are unfamiliar territory for me. I was only four when Lily was born." noted James.
"Well, there's no way we can afford daycare. But maybe we can take some classes and do some reading." Rose sighed. "If only..."
James knew what she was thinking. "Our parents would be a big help, I know. But Mum's the only one who has time to watch children, and she was the most adamant about us striking out on our own."
"So we go it alone." said Rose.
"We go it alone. Just the two of us." James attempted to smile at her.
"The four of us." corrected Rose. "Hey, did you want to come to St. Mungo's with me next time? March 1st?"
"Sure." replied James. "Yeah, I'd like that."
"Okay, well I really have to get back to school. Happy Valentine's Day." said Rose.
"Happy Valentine's Day."
Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. I appreciate it.