Chapter 45
By the mid-morning, Rose had moved out to the counter to help Nate and the others serve. She found it was an even better distraction from her thoughts; meeting new people and chatting with customers took her mind away from the inevitable conversation she was going to have tonight. She had just finished serving a customer when she looked up to see Alison rush through the door.
"I need to talk to you," she said, Rose could hear the anxiousness in her best friend's voice.
"Yes, of course," Rose replied, concern written across her face as she guided Alison towards her office. "Nate, you take over, I'll be in my office," she called over her shoulder. When they entered Alison immediately slumped down on the small couch that lined one of the walls in Rose's office. "What's up?" Rose asked as she closed the door, with a quick silencing charm. Alison groaned with frustration, knowing that she shouldn't be in this position or have any doubts about her relationship but she could not help it.
"Is my relationship with Albus stationary?" Alison finally asked. Although her voice was muffled because of her covering her face with her hands, Rose could still understand her.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, is my relationship with your cousin stationary, not progressing and unchanging?" Alison blurted out in a rather desperate tone. "Are we stuck?" she added; her emotions were finally clear as she failed to hold back obvious tears.
"What?" Rose immediately said, trying to understand before put and arm around her best friend and softening her tone. "Where is all this coming from?"
"Does it matter?" Alison spluttered. "I just want to know if it is true?" Rose thought about it for a bit before speaking, she had to be careful with what she said here.
"In some ways, you could say that your relationship hasn't progressed much since you officially moved in together," Rose said slowly. "However, there are still clear and honest reasons that could easily explain that. And I think you know them too." Alison looked back at Rose for a moment before taking a deep breath and nodding.
"I know," she murmured.
"Okay, so how about we back up a little and you explain what happened?" And Alison did exactly that. She told Rose about all of her feelings about how she thought they would have been married by now, about her insecurities that things for Albus may have changed since he gave her the promise ring more than four years ago, about the feelings that arose when seeing Teddy and Victoire's little girl. She expressed her concern over the fact that they haven't even talked about the future for about two years and all that had happened recently with Brittney and Bradley.
"I know I love him, I love him so much sometimes it hurts, but I can't help feeling that everything has been the same for us the last two years." Rose went to open her mouth to say something but Alison continued almost like she was talking to herself. "And I know that he wouldn't get married until Scorpius could be here, but at the same time Scorp would have definitely come back for the wedding and even he knew that. I just don't want to run out of time or lose him and Brittney has a good point, why wait?"
"To Al there may be plenty of reasons to wait a little longer, but I can assure you it is not because he doesn't love you or doesn't want to marry you," Rose said with confidence. "Knowing Albus, he would probably have some extravagant plan to make sure everything is perfect for you, perfect for your new family. He would want to make sure he is comfortable at his job and has enough money and all of that."
"But I don't care about money or anything like that," Alison argued.
"I know that, but Al does," Rose replied.
"I know, it's like his manly Potter pride," Alison agreed, causing the friends to share a giggle.
"Yes, although I am pretty sure it is not limited to just Potters, most men probably do. It's like their way of making sure everything's going to be okay." Alison nodded and just took in all Rose had said. She knew Rose was right, but at the moment she was not sure that she liked it.
As they sat there in silence with their own thoughts, Rose's mind snagged on something Alison had said.
"Ali, why do you think you could run out of time?" Rose asked softly. Alison stiffened, in Rose's arms. "I mean, you are only 22 years old." Alison was quiet for a bit before she admitted it.
"Dad is sick." Realisation washed over Rose as it all became clearer. "Like really sick and the Healers are unsure why he isn't responding to treatment," Alison explained, silent tears rolling down her cheeks.
"For the love of Merlin, Ali, why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want to because it would feel more real."
"Does Albus know?" Alison shook her head.
"Maybe if you tell him all of this, he might understand and skip a few steps in his great plan," Rose suggested.
"I don't want him to feel like I am forcing it," Alison disputed. "I want him to complete his plan and be ready, but I just hope he can be ready soon so that my father can be a part of it."
"But Ali-"
"No," Alison interrupted. "No buts, it is okay, I have faith in him."
"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you," Rose said with humour dancing in her eyes as she held her hands up in surrender.
"I'll keep that in mind," Alison replied with a slight giggle, before she became serious. "Thank you for listening; it really helped to just talk about it."
"It was my pleasure and you can always talk to me about anything," Rose replied with a smile, as she stood up and pulled Alison in for a hug. "Though I do draw a line when it comes to your sex life," Rose quipped in Alison's ear, causing the brunette to laugh as she pulled back from the hug. "There are just some things one should not hear about their cousin."
"All right, all right, all joking aside now," Alison said. "I actually have another reason to come see you today."
"And what would that be?"
"I am writing for the entertainment section this week and was wondering whether I could possibly write about your business, highlighting on the integration with Muggles."
"That would be fantastic," Rose exclaimed. "We could use the publicity."
"Yes, I thought it would be interesting to many and be great for business," Alison agreed. "Just thought I would run it by you before I run it by the boss, in case you didn't like it."
"I love it," Rose said excitedly, giving Alison another hug.
"Yes! Thank you," Max exclaimed as he saw Albus walking towards them with lunch, practically running over and mauling him for the food.
"Has Scorp been working you too hard?" Albus asked with a light chuckle.
"He's completely mental if he thinks we can finish this in a month," Max commented.
"Wow. A month? Really?" Albus replied casually but as Scorpius approached them, he could detect his nervous tremor.
"Yeah, it is a bit bold but I reckon it can be done with just the right amount of crazy," Scorpius jested with a smirk.
"Looks like I was right," Albus replied with a genuine smile this time. "I picked the right person for the job." The moment was interrupted by Max's Muggle mobile phone ringing.
"I had better take this," Max said as he looked at the caller ID. "Excuse me," he added as he walked away from the two mates.
"So…is a month too soon?" Scorpius inquired.
"What? No," Albus replied a little too quickly. "Why would you say that?" Scorpius just raised his brow, giving him the I-don't-believe-you look. "Sorry, but you just sprang it on me," Albus admitted. "I thought I had more time, you know to plan what I was going to say, how I was going to do it exactly; that was kind of the point of this whole build-the-house thing." Albus sighed, almost miserably. "I just want it to be perfect."
"It will, mate," Scorpius responded by resting his hand on Albus' shoulder comfortingly with an encouraging smile. "As long as you're the one asking," he added assuredly looking straight into Albus' eyes.
"Thanks," Albus said, nodding his head.
"Don't mention it," Scorpius replied, removing his hand. "Now that's enough mushy stuff to last me for a bit," Scorpius added before taking a bite into his sandwich.
"Yeah, you're absolutely right."
"But seriously, mate, I do think sooner the better," Scorpius teased. "You've made her wait long enough-"
"Yes, I know," Albus muttered, a little agitated. "Please, I get this enough from my mother."
"-I mean, you gave her that promise ring more than four years ago…wait what?" Scorpius added as he caught Albus' comment. "What does your mother have to do with this?"
"Apparently, I am the only hope she's got of getting grandchildren," Albus admitted clearly embarrassed. Scorpius just burst out laughing.
"Why are you embarrassed?" Scorpius managed to ask through his laughter. "You have always wanted kids."
"I know, and I'm not embarrassed," he argued, blushing like a Weasley.
"Well, she is kind of right you know," Scorpius added, still calming down from his amusement. "I can't really see James as a father, he still has much growing up to do," both the friends shared a chuckle at that comment. "And well, you never know with Lily, but-"
"-she is much too young for that," Albus finished.
"I was going to say that she doesn't look like she wants to be settling down any time soon, but that works too."
"All right, I have to get back to work but I'll see you later," Albus said.
"Yeah me too," Scorpius said, pointing back to the house. "And thanks for the sandwiches."
"Thank Gran, she made them," Albus replied. "I told her you are working out this way and she said if you ever need anything to just pop over."
"Okay will do, thanks mate."
"No worries," Albus replied, as he started walking back towards the tree that he would Disapparate behind. "Bye Max, I'll see you on Saturday," he called over to Max, with a wave that Max returned gratefully.
"Nate told me Alison came by earlier. You've been happier since then," Daisy said to Rose as they both cleaned up the kitchen, getting ready to lock up for the day. "Were you two having a fight? Is that why you were a bit distracted today?"
"No, actually Alison just came in to give me some good news," Rose replied, moving out of the kitchen to clean tables.
"Oh, really, what's that?" Daisy asked following her lead.
"Oh, just that Alison works for a newspaper and she is going to try and get in an article about Le Coin Rose," Rose exclaimed excitedly.
"Oh my gosh, that's great," Daisy replied, sharing her enthusiasm, as they hugged each other tightly.
"She still has to run it by her boss, but fingers crossed," Rose said stepping back from the hug and swinging a chair up onto an already clean table.
"You'll have to tell me how it goes," Daisy mentioned, as the two stacked some chairs.
"Of course." The two friends worked slightly for a minute before Daisy spoke again.
"So, are you going to tell me what has been making you so…on edge today?" Rose sighed, giving in.
"I am going to break up with Ben tonight."
"Oh Rose…" Daisy stopped what she was doing and gave Rose her full attention. Rose couldn't stop the tears welling in her eyes at her friends tone. Daisy knew that this was going to be hard for her, but also that it needed to be done. "I don't know what to say."
"You don't need to say anything; I know you didn't really like him."
"Well, my opinion doesn't really count, I only met the guy like three times," Daisy replied.
"Yes and how did you describe him?"
"Dull," Daisy suggested in a matter of fact tone. "Bread without the yeast, a curry without spice," she added trying to hold back a giggle. However, it didn't work and Rose joined her. "So, how are you going to do it?" Daisy asked.
"I am not entirely sure," Rose answered. "That is what I have been stressing about all day."
"It'll come to you, don't worry," Daisy said as she gave Rose another hug.
"I hope so."
"I know it will," Daisy responded. "Well, I'd better get going. I have to pick up the kids from Mum's before Johnny destroys the place."
"Of course. How are Johnny and Becky?" Rose asked about Daisy's children. Daisy had her twins just over 4 years ago. Their father didn't want to have anything to do with them and had moved to America shortly after Daisy told him she was pregnant, they hadn't heard from him since. Ever since Rose had met Daisy she had always been amazed and inspired by her level of dedication, courage and how hard she worked to make sure she can support her family and still live her dream.
"Good. They're excited about starting school after the summer," Daisy replied as she gathered her things.
"I can imagine," Rose commented with a small smile gracing her lips. On countless occasions, Rose had looked after Johnny and Becky for Daisy, giving her a break or even just giving her a chance to go shopping in peace. Rose knows that Johnny and Becky would be excited for their first year of school for completely different reasons. Becky loved to learn and was already very smart for her age; she would be so excited to be learning new things. Johnny, on the other hand, was more the social and troublemaker type. He would be looking forward to trying out as many pranks and tricks as he can that he had heard from Nate, or 'Uncle Nate'.
"Okay… well…good luck tonight and I want to hear all about it tomorrow," Daisy said as she headed for the door.
"Sure, see you tomorrow," Rose responded as Daisy waved and left Le Coin Rose.
Hi everyone :) Again I apologise for taking so long with chapters but life has a habit of getting in the way. I will be trying my best though to make time for my favourite characters and for you amazing people who follow my story :) I hope it is good to read another chapter though i know you are all looking forward to the next one in which Rose and Ben go out for dinner.
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