"Ada, wake up," I hissed, slapping her leg as it stuck out of the covers. "Ada!"

"What?" she grumbled, turning in her bed as she squinted up at me in annoyance.

"Shh, come on, we've gotta put the presents under the tree," I told her, dragging her out of the bed, thankful I'd put a silencing charm on the bedrooms before grabbing Ada.

We snuck downstairs, careful not to wake Polly in the converted bedroom downstairs - I never used the parlour so thought it would benefit her to have a place to stay when she wasn't boarded up in the Shelby house working.

"Polly's going to kill you," Ada muttered, shaking her head at the bags piled with neatly wrapped presents. I hadn't gone too overboard. Only one big gift bag for each of the children and most of it was clothing.

"They deserve it, Ada," I told her, directing her to where I wanted the presents to go. "I want Katie's presents here, Matthew's there and Finn's next to his. Put Mary next to Polly, you know how upset she's been getting lately. And Edward and Thomas' can come between ours."

"I think I've changed my mind about your New Years party," she said, getting to work and organising the present as I entered the kitchen.

"Jesus Christ, Polly," I said seeing the woman sitting at the table reading the paper and smoking over a cup of tea. "I thought you were sleeping."

"Aye, well, I knew you'd be up with Ada soon." She was like my mother. Always knowing when I was planning to sneak out or something.

"I was going to have a special breakfast ready for the children," I told her, grabbing the milk, eggs, and flour.

"You think you're going a bit overboard?" Polly asked repeating what Ada had said moments ago. I paused, placing the wooden spoon on the counter and turning to face her.

"I want everything to be perfect for Thomas-J's first Christmas."

"He's seven weeks old, love. He's not going to remember it." Now I felt foolish. She was right, Tom wasn't going to remember it. "Look, those children upstairs are going to be excited and they ain't had that in a long time. I'm grateful you're doing it for them, but how about we save the extravagant Christmases until the boys return from the war, aye?"

"Okay, fine, but I'm still having my New Year's party. Phineas is bringing his fiance and apparently, a friend wants to visit. Phineas has spoken about me to him and he's intrigued."

"Another male friend," Polly muttered and I could hear the disapproval in her voice. I guess they didn't approve of females having male friends in this time period. I didn't want to argue with her, not over something this stupid.

"It'll be fine, Polly, trust me."

Twenty minutes later, the children were up and around the table eating the freshly cooked pancakes. It was a treat for them and little Katie had never had them before. Ada was enjoying them just as much as the children and even Polly was smiling through breakfast.

It was moments like this that I lived for. Looking at all the smiles on their faces, smiles I had caused, it made me feel good. It reminded me of my family and although I missed them, I didn't have the privilege to think about them every day.

What was the point?

If I couldn't go home to them, if there was no way for me to get back to twenty-forty-seven then why should I not live my life? I had Thomas-Junior to think about now. Everything I did had to be for him. I had to provide for him. I needed to think about how my choices would affect him.

Everything was about him now.

"Where are you going?" Polly asked, looking at me suspiciously as I cradled Thomas to my chest. Man, I knew there were risks with baby carriers and newborns, but with a safety spell that had been invented in the twenty-thirties, I could have done with one of those now.

There were some downfalls of living in nineteen-sixteen and that was the lack of baby products. This could be my money maker. I could steal plans for baby safety and rake it in.

The possibilities.

"Umm, just popping out for an hour or so," I muttered, grabbing my little black bag and slinging it over my shoulder. Looking at Polly's disapproving frown I quickly slipped into the flew and muttered my destination.

"Hello, can I help y- I know you." I glanced at the receptionist and gave her a soft smile as I dug around in my bag for her gift.

"Hey, I just wanted to give you my thanks for the way you reacted to me when I was here last." I didn't really want to mention it was the day Merry died and I could tell that the receptionist knew that. "I was a mess and I can't remember if I was rude to you. This is our little gift to welcome you into the New Year."

"Oh, thank you," she said, taking the box of chocolates we'd gotten from Diagon Alley. Did anyone know that there was a sweet shop in Diagon Alley? It was a seasonal branch of Honeydukes. There were some things that should have stayed throughout time and I was sure this was one. How adaptable were they?

"I was wondering if you could hand these to the three healers that assisted on that day. I just want to give my thanks to them."

The receptionist nodded before freezing and looking over my schedule rin surprise at someone. I turned and smiled brightly at the female healer that had checked out Thomas-J after he was born.

"Miss Lupin, it's so nice to see you. Is this Little Tom?" she asked, reaching out and brushing her finger over his cheek. "He's a gem. I'm happy to see he's doing well. The blood-contract has given him some of your looks. I'd be intrigued to see if he takes on any of your traits as he grows."

"Oh, I didn't even know that was a thing," I muttered feeling foolish for not knowing. Had Merry known when she suggested it? How had she even known about a blood-contract? Wait, was it me that suggested the blood-contract? What even was a blood-contract?

"Are you alright, Miss Lupin?"

"It's Andromeda," I told her, getting frustrated with her calling me Miss Lupin. Should I have changed my name to Riddle? Would Tom feel upset because we didn't share the same last name? Was this something I needed to look into? "You can call me, Romy."

"Anastasia Longbottom." Merlin's beard, was this Uncle Neville's great-gran or something? I seemed to be cursed with meeting people's ancestors.

"I wanted to thank you for what you did that night."

"I didn't do anything, honey. We arrived too late to save her, but you're sweet for coming here." She paused scowling as she looked down at the sleeping baby in my arms. "Look, if you ever need me, send me an owl and I'll help you out."

"You don't need to."

"I want to. You live in a Muggle town and there's a Muggle war going on. If I can help you then I will."

What was it with these Longbottom's being pushy. I bet she was a Gryffindor too.

"Alright, well, I'll speak to you soon then." I was a little confused. What had actually happened here? Was this what I came here for? No. Then how did it happen?

"Watch where you're going!" a man snapped bumping into me and almost making me drop Thomas-J. I spun on my heel ready to argue with him when the familiar black hair and grey eyes had me snapping my mouth shut.

I knew who he was. Phineas had shown me his photo in the paper last week for something he'd done in the Ministry.

Arcturus Black was not how I expected.

I'd spent far too much time with Phineas if I thought all Black's were nice to strangers.

I frowned as I realised who this was. This man was Grandpa Arthur's grandfather. This man was the reason I was born today.

Why was it only hitting me now that my family married back into the family?

It was like I was the Goddamn Royal Family.

"Umm, excuse me," I muttered rushing back to the flew network and returning home. "Polly! Never let me leave the house again!"

We celebrated New Year's Eve quietly at my house. It was no surprise really. I was sure the Shelby children had moved in at this point. Finn mentioned that they didn't like spending time in the house when Tommy, Arthur and John weren't there.

I could see their point of view. I didn't like hoovering in the living room too much as it reminded me of Merry.

It was why the kitchen had become my domain. If you needed to find me I was either in the garden - thanks to a little heating charm - or in the kitchen.

"And you are sure you are not my sister?" Phineas asked as he rocked Thomas-J in his arms.

"You know I'm not, Phin," I said turning to Ellanora, his muggleborn fiance. I bet that went down well with daddy-dearest. I also knew that this was what got him disowned from the Black family. "Where is this friend of yours anyway?" I asked not seeing this friend Phineas said he was bringing with him.

"Oh, he got distracted by your cat. Something about it being part Kneazle."

"Um, no Voodoo's got no Kneazle blood in him," I muttered feeling confused. Did Phin's friend even know what a Kneazle looked like? My little baby looked nothing like a cheetah with spotted fur.

"Yes, but Kneazle's are known to interbreed with regular cats. He was very suspicious of me when I arrived, he shows many traits I can link with Kneazle's." I turned at the voice and felt my mouth drop open.

Holy Shit! If I was not mistaken, this was Newt Scamander! Holy fucking shit.

"Umm ... err." I would be lying if I didn't say I was a massive fan of this man. His book, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them was one of my favourites as a child. To think he hadn't even written it at this point. Better keep him away from the bookshelf in case he stumbled across his own work. "Andromeda Lupin," I said, giving him a large smile as I introduced myself. I could remember Aunt Luna saying he wasn't one for physical contact.

"Newton Scamander, though I go by Newt." He gave me a goofy smile and I think I fell in love with him.

Was he always this adorable?

There was a movement from his breast pocket and my eyes dropped to see the famous travelling companion of Newt.

"Is that a Bowtruckle?" I asked, fascinated by the little creature. This was one of the first creatures Newt would gain for his collection. I was so looking forward to keeping in contact with him, especially once he got his Mooncalves. They were such weird but adorable looking creatures. I could always remember the time Luna had taken me to see them when I was five.

"Umm, yes. His name is Pickett."

"Did Phineas tell you about the dementor that had been hunting in Small Heath?" I asked, noticing that he was growing uncomfortable with the attention. At the change of creature, Phineas found it his time to hand me Thomas, a light flashing as Ada took photographs of the party.

"It was affecting Romy and Thomas-J but look how happy he is now," he said, running his finger down Thomas' cheek making me laugh and look up at him. It was as if he was afraid he'd break the baby. Another flash of the camera had me glaring over at Ada. Why was she focused on me tonight?

"I'm amazed you know it was a dementor," Newt said, sounding impressed at the news.

"I have a sixth sense when it comes to magical creatures," I told him, knowing it had something to do with my seer abilities.

"Perhaps you'd be interested in a job in our department then."

"Oh." I had never thought about that, but it wouldn't be possible. "I never went to a wizarding school. I was home taught up until our mother passed away. Merry tried to continue my teaching but when she fell pregnant." I shrugged as if it was enough explanation. Almost everyone here knew about the Merry situation. "I'm actually training to be a muggle nurse. My heart has always been set on being a healer. If I ever got to finish my schooling, I would have gone into healer training."

"You're going down the muggle route?" I could hear the excitement in Phineas' voice. He reminded me of Grandpa Arthur whenever anything muggle was mentioned. Perhaps it was his great-uncle he got his passion from?

"Yes, I start at the end of January. I'm excited, to be honest."

"I think I might be able to help you finish your magical schooling if you're interested," Newt said, giving me a soft smile as he moved out of the way of Finn and Matthew as they ran through the parlour. I'd converted it back into the parlour for the party.

"I think I'd like that."

The New Year was brought to them with rain.

Tommy should have taken that as a bad sign but he ignored it as he followed Arthur down into the earth. They had their mission. Keep digging until they made it into enemy territory.

He should have warned the boys when the feeling in his stomach got worse the further they dug. It wasn't until the ground caved in on them did he regret not listening to his gut.

When he woke he was lying on a cotton bed and his head was throbbing. Arthur had been next to him, chatting away to a pretty nurse as she tended to his wounds. While the nurse was pretty, all Tommy wanted to do was look at Romy and thank his stars there was another chance he had at seeing her.

His fingers stumbled for his breast pocket and he shot up in fear when he couldn't find his photographs.

"Alrigh' Tom, calm down," Arthur said, clapping him on the shoulder and shoving a bundle of letter and photographs in his hands. It warmed him that Arthur knew what he was looking for but he also swallowed the bitter taste that he now had a weakness.

"They're beautiful," the nurse said as she dabbed at his head. He hadn't even realised his head had been cut open in his frenzy. "Is that your family?"

"Yes." He didn't know why he said yes. He knew they weren't his family but he didn't care. He spent every night looking at Romy and Thomas, wishing he was with them.

"You got two letters while you were out," she said, slipping two letters from her apron and handing them over to him.

He didn't even spare Ada's letter a glance as he opened the one from Romy.

Dear Tommy,

I hope your Christmas was enjoyable. I went a little overboard because it was Thomas-J's first Christmas. Polly told me he wasn't even going to remember it and I realised how foolish I had been.

Is it so bad I wanted the best for him?

The New Year brings so much hope. It could bring the ending of the war, which I really hope.

It also brings some exciting news. I've been accepted into Birmingham University to complete a nursing course. I was meant to start months ago but refused because of Thomas-J's arrival. They've managed to convince me to go back and cut my hours down so I can still care for the baby. I'll have lessons Wednesday throughout the day and a Monday and Friday evening.

Polly has agreed to watch him during the evening and during the Wednesday Ada will help Polly look after him. It's fortunate that Wednesdays are my days off. Merry would be so proud that I have decided to follow my dreams of being a nurse.

I also have hopes that it will distract me from this longing feeling I get every time I think of you. How long do you think it'll be until you are returned to us?

Thinking of you always and forever,

Romy x

He liked the fact that she was chasing her dreams while still being a mother, but he also feared for her.

Wasn't it expected for nurses to be sent out on the front lines? He didn't want that for her. Why would she consider becoming a nurse during these times? Couldn't she wait until the war ended?

Pulling Ada's letter, he found a stack of photographs inside and a small note.

Our first New Year's party. Share them with Arthur. Love, Ada x

There were two photographs of the children laughing. He really liked the one where Finn was holding Thomas, a smile on his face as he looked down at the baby.

The photograph of Ada, Polly and Romy was one that cheered him up slightly. He hadn't forgotten Romy's plans for her future and he was glad she looked so happy. Should he be happy for her?

His heart stopped as he flicked to the other photograph. Who was that man touching his son? No. That wasn't right.

Who was that man looking so comfortable with Romy and Thomas? Why was she smiling up at him like that and why were they so close? Tommy didn't like the way his arm brushed against hers and he almost bit off his tongue at the hand brushing over Thomas' face.

"You alrigh'?" Arthur asked sensing the anger rolling off his brother. In reply, Tommy handed him the photographs, not wanting to look any longer. "Shit. Tom, you don't know who he is. It could be anyone."

"It's not as if it matters, Arthur. He's there with her." And it pissed Tommy off.

Why isn't he fighting for his country? Why wasn't he out here in the dirt taking bullets and being buried alive?

He looked like the rich sort. Tommy bet his money was the reason why he wasn't fighting. He bet daddy had paid to keep his son from the battles ensuring his family name could go on.

Why did it bug him so much that he was there with Romy when he was stuck in France?