James and Rose arrived in a quaint little town. "Are you ready to eat, or shall we go for a walk?" asked James.
"Eat, I think." replied Rose. "Noah is hungry."
"Okay." agreed James. He took her hand and they walked across the cobblestones into a pub called The Cricketer's Arms.
After they were sipping their drinks, James reached across the table and took Rose's hand. "So, I know we've talked about Eadlyn, but can we talk about Noah?" he asked politely.
"Of course." agreed Rose. "What did you want to talk about?" she asked curiously.
"I dunno." replied James. "Are we ready for this?"
"Having second thoughts, are you?" she teased. He was glad to see her making a joke.
"Second thoughts! I never had first thoughts." James protested.
Luckily, Rose smiled. "I know."
"I mean, I don't feel ready." confessed James. "But I'm not sure that there's anything else I can do. I read all of your books, and..."
Rose interrupted. "You read my books?" she exclaimed.
James was surprised "Yeah, sorry I didn't think you'd mind."
Rose snorted. "Let me rephrase. You read a book?"
Now James understood her amusement, but he didn't join in the laughter. "Hey! I read."
"Mmmhmmm." she agreed, unconvinced.
"Anyway," continued James "I read all the books, but I've never even held a baby before. Have you?"
"A few times. We don't have much experience, but we'll learn quickly, James."
"I just assumed I'd have a chance to practice on someone else's kid before I had my own." admitted James.
"Yes, well, now when our cousins start having kids, we'll be the experts." said Rose.
"Our cousins!" exclaimed James. "Having kids! I don't even want to think about it."
"Well, you'd better, because Victoire told me she and Teddy are trying for a baby." revealed Rose.
"You kept that quiet."
"It's a private thing." replied Rose. "I'm not sure who else she's told. But you're right, I shouldn't have kept it from you."
"It's okay." James assured her. "So anyway, Noah."
"Yes?"
"Well, I don't know. What's the plan, exactly?" asked James.
"I go into labour on Saturday." replied Rose promptly. She had been reminding herself of the plan all day in her head. "We'll meet Noah and Eadlyn. When we're ready, we'll go to my Mum and Dad's house with Noah. The family's all going to drop by for a few short moments, and then we go back to the flat."
"That sounds a lot less complicated than it is." said James. "I know we already agreed on everything, but remind me again what we decided?"
"Neither set of our parents are coming to St. Mungo's, because it could take quite a while, and there could be quite a gap. And Noah has to go for surgery after anyway. Also, if all four of them show up there the press will mob the place. They're not expecting me to give birth for another month, at least." Rose reminded him. "We decided to see Eadlyn. We'll... have some time with her... before..." she broke off in a harsh sob, but muffled it in her napkin.
"Before she has to leave." James finished for her. He squeezed her hand. "It'll be okay, Rose."
She nodded. "Then everyone will have a chance to meet Noah, and we'll have a few quiet days together. You're not taking more time off, because we need the money."
"Right," agreed James. "...and then what?"
"We haven't made any other plans James." replied Rose, slightly bemused.
"I know, it's just, don't we have to make all sorts of decisions? We've got the house, but am I just going to work at the restaurant forever?" asked James.
"Sorry." said Rose "I guess we should have been talking more. I've been thinking about all of these things, and I assumed you had too. You know I'm going to look after Noah. Then I thought we would put him in school."
"School?" asked James.
"Muggle school. I mentioned this to you before, James. Anyway, yes. I think it will be good for Noah, and besides, if he's at school I'll be able to work. He can't start until he's four, and I'll be old enough to get a proper job by then."
"Okay." agreed James. He was suddenly nervous.
Rose smiled at him. "It'll be okay, James. We'll just take it one step at a time."
Rose and James stepped back out onto the cobblestones. The sun was beginning to set. "Let's go for a walk." suggested James. Rose agreed, and they set off.
He led her through the town and down a hedge-lined lane. Walking hand in hand, they strolled through the countryside, and shortly turned down a narrow path. It made its way around a cemetery, and finally up a hill that overlooked the town.
Once atop the hill, Rose asked to stop. "Sorry. Climbing is harder than it used to be." she explained, with her hand resting on her belly. "Just let me catch my breath."
James was concerned. "Are you alright? You're not giving birth, are you?"
Rose laughed, losing her breath again. "No," she panted "I'm fine. Or I will be, in a minute."
James bent over her worriedly. "Maybe this was a bad idea."
"James." said Rose, recovering "I'm fine. Pregnant women run marathons and climb mountains, and do all sorts of insane things. I just need a little break." She sat down.
James crouched down beside her. "I know other people have babies Rose. But no one has ever had our baby before, and that makes all the difference." He kissed her forehead gently, but she pulled him down for another long kiss.
When they broke for air, Rose looked out into the distance. The distant hills were silhouetted against the setting sun. "It's beautiful here." whispered Rose. "Where are we?"
"You'll see." said James. He helped her up, and they strolled back towards the town. Once there, they headed off down a different lane, and soon arrived at a familiar little house.