Rose slept for most of Saturday, while James worked.

Sunday found everyone sitting around the Potter's table for brunch. It was a bit tense. Ron had welcomed Rose back, mostly, but he didn't seem quite so keen on James. And while Ginny had let the pair into her house, she was apparently still holding something against them. Harry looked tired, but also happy. Hermione however was back to normal, and looked as though she intended to cause some reconciliation.

"Ron, I know you're upset with the whole situation, but it is what it is." she said firmly. "Although neither Rose nor James was behaving as we would have liked, they did take necessary precautions, and it was just a mistake. Ginny, I know this has caused a lot of stress, but it really isn't the kids' fault. So can we all get along please?"

"Wait what?" asked James. "Mum? You were mad that we caused stress?"

Ginny sighed. "Yes. Harry was under a lot of pressure at work, and I didn't think he needed anything else to deal with."

"I was fine Ginny." said Harry.

"You had a heart attack!" cried Ginny.

"We already agreed that I will cut down my workload. But family comes before anything, even my health." argued Harry.

"No it doesn't." said Ginny. "Anyway James, I thought it might be easiest if you left and worked it out on your own. I didn't intend to desert you completely, but I got a little emotional."

"You don't have to live by yourselves." said Harry. "We're all here for you now."

Rose and James glanced at each other. "No." said Rose. "It was my suggestion in the first place, and I meant it."

"And it didn't make sense to me at the time, but it does now." continued James. "Besides, I've already bought the house."

"About that." said Ron "How long will you be living together?"

They exchanged another glance. "At least until our son is all grown up." said Rose finally.

"You're making me a grandma at forty-two." accused Ginny.

"Your Mum really seems to enjoy it." said Harry. "We'll just have that much longer to experience it." Ginny smiled at him.

"When exactly is the baby due Rose?" asked Hermione.

"August 25th. Except with twins they induce earlier, so we had planned August 4th. But now, well we talked about finding a balance between how early we can get Eadlyn out and how long we can keep Noah in. So Hannah was thinking sometime in July." answered Rose.

"Now I'm a grandma at forty-one!" exclaimed Ginny.

Rose had to return to school Monday. She tearfully told Lily, who broke the news to the other cousins. Rose spent most of the week in bed. She couldn't get any sleep. Every time she laid down her head she thought of Eadlyn, and cried for the lost future of her sweet little baby. The only place she did manage to get any sleep was during class, but her professors forgave her and Albus lent her his notes. During the long, lonely nights Rose focused on studying for exams. Lily brought her food, which she forced herself to eat for Noah. She talked to him often, and Eadlyn too. Rose also read her pregnancy books, and tried to prepare herself for what would supposedly be the hardest and most rewarding experience of her life.

James wrote frequently, just to ask how she was and talk about how he felt himself. He sent stories of funny things that had happened that day and his latest plans for their future. He asked how Rose's studies were going and whether she had any ideas for middle names. James mentioned that totalling their savings, they still needed seven hundred and eighty-three galleons. Eventually the letters took on a sort of love letterish quality. James talked about missing Rose and things that reminded him of her. When she felt up to it, Rose would reply, and although she never had much to say other than Hannah had decided on July 8th for the new labour date and never anything upbeat, James was glad for her letters. She signed each one with three kisses, and he placed a random number on his.

Exam week came and went. Rose had to take a sleeping potion to ensure that she would stay awake for class, but her extra late night studying seemed to have paid off, and soon enough she was sitting in a carriage next to Lily on the ride to Hogsmeade, comparing results.

James paced back and forth. He had managed to get the night off work, and was just waiting for Rose to arrive.

The carriages pulled into the station, and finally there she was. James opened his arms and Rose climbed out of the carriage and went into them. She couldn't run very well because although her charms were hiding it, she was quite large.

"Hey." James smiled down at her. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." replied Rose shyly.

Lily came up beside them. "Bye! See you soon. Write me Rose. And you too James!" she ordered.

"Sure, sure." said James. He waved at Lily as she boarded the train. They watched as it slowly pulled out of the station.

James took Roses hand. "What do you want to do now?"

"We'd better take my luggage back to the flat." said Rose. They set off and soon reached James' small second first floor flat.

"Do you want to go out for dinner?" asked James.

Rose considered. "Maybe not tonight. I'm pretty exhausted."

"Okay, I'll go pick something up." offered James. He put his cloak back on and said goodbye before heading out the door.

When James returned half an hour later he found Rose asleep on the couch. James sighed. He had been receiving letters from Lily, Albus, and even one from Roxanne, informing him of their concerns about Rose. Her sleeping patterns of late were abominable. James covered her with a blanket and moved her trunk and bags into the other room. He noticed some parenting books poking out of one and decided it might be a good idea to read those, so both James and Rose were quickly settled in for the night.