Rose opened her eyes. She could see James over by the kitchen. "What time is it?"
"About eleven. In the morning." he replied.
"Oh wow, I'm sorry." apologized Rose.
James came over and sat next to her. "No, it's fine. You need to sleep. I have to work in an hour, but we can have brunch."
"Do you have any fruit?" asked Rose.
"Er, no. I have bread and... that's it. Unless you want leftover fish and chips." said James sheepishly.
Rose stomach turned. "Noah doesn't like that idea. Do you have tea?"
"Yes!" James jumped up. "I have tea!"
"Thanks." said Rose. "No dish soap this time though. I'll go shopping later."
"Great." agreed James as he pulled out the tea. "The food money is in this cupboard."
While the tea was brewing Rose went and changed, deciding to shower later. She returned and James discovered that he had no milk. She poured a cup anyway.
"I've been thinking about middle names." said Rose.
"Me too. Someone in the family, right?" asked James.
"Yes ...I'd really like for the girl to be Hermione." admitted Rose. "I know she doesn't even need a middle name, but... it would mean a lot to me."
"Of course." said James. "If it makes you happy. Eadlyn Hermione Potter. That's er, interesting."
Rose scowled at him. "Well I like it. But I don't have any ideas for Noah."
"I'll think about it while I'm at work." promised James. "I really have to get going."
The ten galleon allowance for food jingling in her pocket, Rose made her way through town. She wasn't quite sure where she was, as she hadn't wanted to brave possible reporters in Hogsmeade. The press had died down a lot, but everyone was taking an interest, and it would probably continue until after the babies were born. So far no one had leaked the miscarriage, which Rose was very glad about.
She ambled up the street looking for a grocery. Her baby shower was Wednesday, and she was supposed to be in labour Saturday. It felt a little unreal, mainly because she hadn't had a full nine month term. Rose wanted to get the house before the babies were born, but they still had a ways to go financially. James' six month lease on the apartment would expire on the first of August. They had talked about seeing if someone would lend them the money, but decided to wait to ask.
Finally Rose found a store and purchased milk, eggs, bread, and butter. She also stretched the budget enough to get some ham and cheese, as well as a few vegetables and a case of strawberries.
Rose decided to go to the park and read for the rest of the afternoon. She sat on a bench by the playground, but it was a bad choice. The happy, playful children made her start to cry for her daughter. Rose felt foolish and wiped the tears from her eyes, but before she could get up an elderly woman sat down next to her.
"Hello. Why, you're crying!" said the lady.
"Sorry." said Rose. "I'm pregnant."
"I can see that." confirmed the woman.
Rose didn't think it was any of the stranger's business why she was crying, but the woman had a sort of motherly air about her that made Rose want to confess.
"I miscarried one of my twins." she whispered.
"Oh, love!" said the woman. She impulsively hugged Rose. "I'm so sorry."
Rose sniffled. "Are those your grandchildren?"
"Yes. I'm Angela."
"Rose." replied Rose.
"I can't say I know what you're going through Rose." said Angela. "I had four children, eleven grandchildren, and now one great grandchild, and every one of those babies was just fine. But the grieving, well, my husband passed away last fall, and it feels like part of me is gone now."
"Exactly." said Rose. "I never even got to know my little girl."
"I don't know if that's better or worse." mused Angela. "Ryan was my golf partner, my lawn bowling partner, my dance partner, and my life partner. We met when I was only sixteen, and we got married three years later. He passed just after our fifty-fifth wedding anniversary."
"Wow." said Rose.
"And what about you dear?" asked Angela.
"I'm sixteen too. And I think my partner and I are going to be together for a very long time." replied Rose.
"Oh, good. You're awfully young to be a single mother. How far along are you, if you don't mind me asking?" queried Angela.
Rose shook her head. "Thirty-three weeks. But I'm supposed to give birth on Saturday."
"Well!" exclaimed Angela. "Are you ready for that?"
"I hope we will be. I haven't even gone shopping yet, because my baby shower is on Wednesday. We don't need very much though. I just wish we could move into our house, but we need eight hundred more – " Rose cut herself short. "Pounds."
"Yes dear, but I meant are you ready? To give birth? To take care of a child?" asked Angela.
"I don't know." admitted Rose. "I've done a lot of reading. But as for the baby, I can't wait." she smiled.
"You know what? I like you dear. You remind me of myself when I was your age. I'm going to give you your eight hundred pounds. I certainly don't need it." announced Angela.
"Oh, no!" protested Rose. "I couldn't let you."
"Yes you can." said Angela. She handed Rose a check for the money. "Here's my address dear. Why don't you write me a letter sometime?" suggested Angela.
"I will, I promise." agreed Rose. "Thank you so much, Angela, but I don't have a bank account."
"Who do you know that does?" asked Angela.
Rose wavered. "Hermione Granger." she said finally "Thank you."
Angela tore up the other check and made out a new one. After waving at Rose, the elderly lady walked away. Rose realised that the eggs were going to spoil if she didn't get them home, so she went behind a tree and apparated back to the flat.
Dear Angela,
Thank you ever so much for the money. James says thanks too. I've enclosed a picture of our little house, so you can see just how much this means to us. I can't really repay the favour, but we've decided to name our children Eadlyn Hermione and Noah Ryan, if it's okay with you. If your husband was half as kind as you are, well, that's the sort of person we want our son to grow up to be.
I hope you're doing okay. After seeing how well you're managing your loss, I've resolved to do better with Eadlyn's. Noah needs me to be strong, and I realise that now. I'll try to send you a picture after he's born, if I can find the right camera. We'll have to get together again sometime. Thanks again.
Rose