Newt woke up in his small shabby bed as he always did, inside of his magic case. He looked over to the edge of the bed post, to see Pickett still snoring away. Pickett was lying on the wooden post away from his fellow bowtruckles as he had for the past few days. Newt had an immeasurable love for that bow truckle and couldn't stand his sadness. If that meant a wand-wood bowtruckle had nightmares, it was Newt's job to fix it. He gently lifted the small square of cloth he made for him to sleep with over his slender body and walked over to his desk to begin preparing breakfast for everyone. Newt's daily tasks had him in a monotonous schedule each day but he never complained. Today, however, was quite different because his trip back to New York was quickly approaching. He hated traveling by ship but trans -Atlantic apparition was highly dangerous and Newt didn't particularly want to lose an arm in the middle of the ocean. Not only did the transportation pose clear issues, his ever looming to-do list was becoming harder and harder to avoid. Newt opened his diary, and stared at his 4 tasks for the day.

Deliver the Ocamys to Siegfried Shepard in Bellevue.

Sign paperwork at the ministry waiving all rights to royalties from production until the ministry has been reimbursed for costs.

Actually get authorization to enter America.

Find a babysitter.

Newt looked at each task. The first would be easy, just a quick trip in and out. Shepherd was a squib and had become the number one breeder of Pythons for the London Zoo. Newt had met him when searching for information on the basilisk on the advice of his magical history professor from Hogwarts. Shepherd was quite older and had already had two Ocamys. Newt knew he would take great care in the nurture and eventual release of the creatures.

As to the second. Though emotionally taxing, Newt wanted to do this first. The ministry, it seemed, took great lengths to have him sign every paper in its possession for the pure joy of making him suffer. He wanted to finally be finished with everything to do with the Fantastic Beasts novel. He believed his book to be the greatest Magical Beast Guide in existence, (hardly a compliment as it was the only one in existence) but the ministry had thought otherwise. They picked and poked and prodded and marked and had skinned his manuscript alive. It was a miracle it had made it this far. Newt hoped once he showed for his appointment, and signed away his first born child, it would all come to an end.

Continuing down his list, he would need to get proper permits to enter New York. His first arrest may have changed his life for the better but his second might accomplish the opposite result. Newt would do everything by the book, or mostly by the book if he didn't have time.

Last but not least stood the most daunting task of all.

4. Find a babysitter.

It took a lot for Newt to trust someone, especially when it pertained to his case. There were not many who he considered friends and the few friends he did make happened to all live in a place he could no longer bring his case. There was one person who would be the perfect candidate but Newt resolved to save that option as a last resort.

"Okay, let's finish this list as painlessly as possible" Newt said to Pickett. The bowtruckle was now safely in Newt's pocket ready to take on the day with his best friend.

By the time Newt came back from his appointment at the ministry, which mind you began at nine in the morning, it was Noon and Newt felt more pressed for time than ever. He was boarding the ship to America in 48 hours. He had much to do, but not enough of him to do it. Newt went to the U.S. embassy and retrieved his wand permit and Travel authorization. He then disappearated to find Shephard's cottage to deliver the babies. When he was finished, darkness had touched the sky and he was running out of time. He would have to ask her to watch his creatures or he wouldn't be able to go to New York.

Newt apparated to a large House on one of the many vast hills that covered England's countryside.

An older looking red head with the same green eyes as Newt's stood in the garden whisking weeds from the ground with her wand. She looked up from her work and came in contact with Newt.

"I had no idea you were coming today" Elizabeth Scamander greeted her son.

"Hello mother. You look well." He pulled back from their embrace and gave her a once over. "Still working in the garden I see" Newt remarked.
"It seems no matter what I try, these Elder Weeds attempt to destroy my azaleas." She pointed down to the small war between flower and weed which had taken place below their feet. " Now, what brings you to see your dear old mother, since you never think to write to me when you're off doing Merlin knows what" Mrs. Scamander said with a snap in her voice.

"I'm sorry , I know I haven't been the best at communication" Newt answered. He wasn't surprised by her reaction to him and knew there was must more in store for him, in the form of berating and snark.
"The best? Newton, I had to hear you were back from Annete at the ministry. Annete! Of all people. And you know she was just so smug about it all. I should have heard it from you. I had to feign indifference. It was quite an embarassment".

"I know mother, I know. I will be better at it this time around."
"This time? What do you mean this time, where are you going?"
Newt stared at his feet wanting the floor to eviscerate so he could leave this conversation before his mother could pounce.

"I'm going back to New York for a while." Newt prayed his voice didn't give his reasoning away.

"You're going back to America again. My goodness, these animals do take all of your time, don't they? So you have come to say goodbye before you become a permeant Yankee, is that it?" Mrs. Scamander said.
"Well actually that's just it, I am no longer allowed to bring my case into America, as they um … as of previous incidents." Mrs. Scamander's eyes widened to which Newt quickly added, "Nothing of which you need to worry about, but I may need you, maybe you could watch them for me." Mrs. Scamander was confused but then realization hit.

"If you are not going to New York for the care of your beasts, why are you going at all? Mrs. Scamander questioned.
"There are some people I want to visit" Newt answered vaguely.

"People? What kinds of people.?
Newt didn't answer and looked off towards the wall.
"Ah there is a woman isn't there"

Newt wondered if all women had this intuition or if his mother could simply read him like Queenie could.
"There is one woman but that is all I will say for now."

Mrs. Scamander perked up instantly. If there was one thing she wanted more than anything was for Newt to find love that didn't walk on four legs.
"Okay, I'll do it" Mrs. Scamander said confidently.

"You will?!"

"Yes, I may be angry with you, but I will always love you Newton. Come on then, show me what I'll be taking care of for the next month." Newt smiled slightly, and opened the case to lead his mother inside.

He woke up with four items on a to-do list and 4 items were completed. As a bonus, he only lost a small amount of pride doing so.
Mrs. Scamander walked down the stairs to the enclosures and turned back to face Newt.
"So, tell me about this American Girl." Mrs. Scamander asked her son.

Newt blushed.

"There's nothing to tell mother".

"Oh hush, even an old bag like me can tell that's a lie".

Newt smiled and Mrs. Scamander continued to press.
"Where did you all meet"
Newt debated his options. He could lie or he could continue to stay silent, but instead decided on short details until he could make his grand escape.
"She arrested me."

Mrs. Scamander's mouth dropped. "Well, I can say with fair certainty that you don't hear that one everyday. At least It will be a good story for my grandchildren."
Newt's face became brighter and brighter eventually settling on a soft magenta.
"Mother please, can we switch subjects" Newton had known this was a terrible idea and his mother's inquisition furthered his suspicions.
"Alright, but be prepared to answer my questions upon your return, and if you still plan to pursue this girl, I would like to me her, as …. Newton? Newton where are you?" Mrs. Scamander turned to face her son finding an empty room. She had been jilted during her speech. "In all honesty, I should have seen that coming. Well it looks like it's just me and you all for the next month" She said to Newt's creatures.

Newt had swiftly left the case and was nearly sprinting to the edge of the garden to apparate. He couldn't handle his mother's questions, and although he was deeply sorry he made his departure so rudely, he truly did need to be off.

Newt returned to his small flat he had rented in Essex and began to pack his suitcase. For the first time, the would be carrying a case which held his clothes and only his clothes. The whole idea was maddening and he hoped he was making the right decision. In one day's time he would be with Tina again and that idea horrified him. It had been weeks since her last letter. If he could write how he felt it would be so much easier. He made one last adjustment to his to-do list.

Tell Tina how you feel about her.