The rolled up parchment stared at him from the corner of his desk in the office. There rested an offer that could change his life as he knew it. Having been born in Scotland, and settled in London the whole thing made him nervous. His cousin's untidy scrawl covered the page expressing interest in his family member joining him in the United States. The job was something Ernie mulled it over ever since it was suggested on their last trip to the states.

His cousin, Bartley, had discussed with him the possibility of a Professor position opening up if their elderly Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher retired. With his knowledge of reversals for Accidental Magic and the like, it just seemed to make sense. The thought of teaching was always in the back of his mind, however going to a school like Hogwarts after the big battle hadn't been his taste. Instead he chose a life of service with the ministry of magic.

The letter came to call on him. Though he looked at the work on his desk he looked back to the words on the page finding it far more interesting then anything he was working with. The Salem Witches' Institute, U.S.A. was all he could see fluttering against the candle light. He couldn't concentrate, putting down the quill he used so very often left there too much on the mind of the Wizard. Grabbing up his bag he pushed the papers inside and called it an early day.

Telling the others in his office he was heading home, Ernie popped back to the flat he shared with his pregnant wife. "Susan," he called as he walked in their dog Sprout running up to great him with heavy paws and a hopeful glance.

Susan had returned home from work only a short time ago; as usual she had her early morning start for the fresh delivers. The greenhouse was becoming a bit of a burden with the stress and uncomfortable air that was lingering around her lately. Normally she enjoyed the thought of going and tending the plants but lately it had not been as stress relieving. Who knew having a baby could have so much strain on ones life. With Hannah so busy lately Susan was actually having a hard time opening up and discussing her feelings of doubt and worry about this child. Worst of all were her suspicions of Ernie wanting nothing to do with her or the baby. Susan knew it was silly but it was the way her mind seemed to be wandering. Nothing had really changed but the arrival of pregnancy hormones and unwanted stress.

To say she was surprised to hear Sprout heading to the door and her husband calling her name at this hour would be an understatement. She leaned up from the chair she sat in and put her teacup down on the coffee table and rested her papers on her lap. Susan had decided to do a bit of work on her herbology book she was writing. She placed her quill down and looked up to watch as her husband came into view. She really did love him but life had made things so stressed and complicated between them.

“Hello Ernie,” she said in a rather surprised home. “What has called you home so early?”

The couple had been on shaky ground as of late. Ernie was over worked, Susan was under a lot of stress. They couldn't quite agree. The friction was mounting, the annoyance between the couple only lead to bigger and bigger fights. The other night he slept in the den and he just couldn't seem to make her happy lately and the frustration was being unbearable.

"Left early. Had to deal with a kid who blew up the family cat this morning. Can't say I was surprised he had no idea what he was," the little boy had been stunned looking at the cat. Apparently the cat had knocked over his prized model airplane he spent several hours with his father working on. The plane meant the world to him and the usually calm boy exploded with anger the cat however seemed to poof up before his eyes.

Ernie had been alerted and went out there to take care of it. Calming the boy, fixing the cat who was shaken and explained the situation out for him. Since the little boy was unaware of the magic he was using, it wasn't considered underage magic use. The boy had been left with a lot of information and told to look forward to a letter when he turned eleven. Giving them instructions to Wizarding London upon request from his father who, Ernie figured would be doing much of the interactions with the boy in his new world, he bid adieu and headed off to fill out the paper work.

Putting down his bag and intern spilled some of the contents onto the kitchen table. The parchment spilled out onto the table in full view of Susan. Moving to the fridge and loosening his tie he attempted to relax a little before he delved into the next conversation he needed to have with her.

Left early? Susan wasn’t sure if Ernie had done that ever, not to say she wouldn’t have enjoyed it normally. Their relationship was strained by the baby and there general reaction towards each other. The fact that Ernie could set her off in annoyance was eating away at her and making her only feel guiltier and worse about the situation. Just wanting to simply apologize could lead to some bigger argument and that was not the type of couple they were to be.

“Oh all right then.” Susan said looking back to her papers again only to become frustrated as the contents of Ernie’s bag spilling over her work. She grumbled as she started to clear pieces of parchment from her space when she noticed a piece in particular. Curiosity got the better of her, and normally things were shared between the couple. As she read the letter her jaw dropped and her eyes darted from the words to Ernie and back again. “What is this?” She asked holding up shaking it as if to make a point of what she was talking about.

Susan’s first thoughts were he would take the job and leave her behind. That was not a natural thought process and she knew it. She swallowed a nervous lump forming in her throat hoping to keep her feels, hormones and nervousness at bay. Now was not the time to freak out at Ernie.

Ernie mussed about on the top shelf of the fridge. Milk, Eggs, Juice, no no no. Those would not do. He pushed aside the cold contents to find behind the glass jug of water  hid one of his many glass black bottles which contained ale. The ale was made by a friend of his in Suffolk, and he had grown rather fond of the brew over time. Pulling it out of the back of the fridge he put it on the counter and started to rummage about to make himself a sandwich.

Shuffling some more things about the lower shelves he found some packaged meats and cheeses. This would do quite nicely. Stomach grumbling he put together the pieces of meat, cheese, and mayo on the bread he found on the counter. Soon enough a decent looking sandwich sat there eager to be devoured by it's creator. It would soon happen, he grinned at his silent little joke to himself. Paying more attention to the sandwich than his wife was a defense mechanism lately.

How Ernie longed for the days that Beelzebub didn't reside in the womb of his beloved. Those days were free of accusations and full of far more cuddling, and less of him on the bloody couch.  Freezing in place he felt the hair on his neck stand on end, "What's what?" Turning he saw what she was holding. No chance to eat before she questioned. Fantastic. Grabbing up his beer, and sandwich he walked over to the table as casual as he could be.

"Oh, it's nothing... just a job offer," he replied coolly trying not to sound like he was jumping out of his skin.

Susan caught the scent of his sandwich, it smelt delicious but that was not what she should be focusing on. She was determined to get to the bottom of this piece of parchment and not get angry with Ernie over something so silly as him not offering to make her a sandwich. Why would he anyway since there were crumbs of her own food having been just consumed so who in their right mind would want more food? Oh yes the pregnant woman would.

Susan was trying to calm herself down, and not act so poorly to her dear husband. She really did love Ernie but she was just stressed out and getting angry over silly things. Ernie did not seem so enthralled about the pregnancy, which was particularly where the stress stemmed from and only got worse as work started to stress her out. Susan missed Ernie in their bed, what she wanted was to curl up with him and not worry about him working in bed or staying out at the ministry late.

“Job offer?” She asked very confused as she scratched her head and put the parchment on the table as Ernie sat down. “Excuse me but what job offer is this? When did you decide to look for a new job?” Susan knew her tone was not as soft or even as she had hoped it to be. “It reads something about Salem? Are you intending to move?” Susan was once more not succeeding in keeping her cool.

Ernie may not have asked his wife if she wanted a sandwich, but then again she didn't ask him if he wanted her going through his things now did he? No he didn't think so but the frustrations in their marriage all seemed to be building and building. Everything four months ago had seemed right, they made sense. Now it was like he was losing his grip on things. This baby was supposed to be a joyous thing, instead he just felt the anger of their fighting getting his goat on a regular basis.

Work was a never ending drone, and when he came home he felt like he was joining a chain gang. It was not a comfortable feeling. Something had to give, and he didn't want it to be his marriage. For much of the marriage they had been happy and now they just butted heads and fought. It wasn't the Susan he knew and loved it was those blasted hormones. You couldn't fight with hormones, only with the person and her bloody mood swings.

"Susan," he took in a deep inhalation, eyes squaring on his wife, "Did I say I was accepting this job? Did I even mention it to you yet?" Rolling his eyes, "Susan it's my cousin. He wants me to go out there. I haven't discussed it with you because I just got the letter this afternoon, and it's not like I am actively seeking new employment. It's an opportunity he wanted to bring to my attention is all," what he wanted to say was how he wouldn't mind giving it a chance. "It's a day job, something that would have me home at nights. I wouldn't be stuck doing work late into the night," he eased that into the rather sharp conversation.

She heard her name and she knew she was acting foolish, just the way he said her name was enough to make her realize. She was over reacting and it was all because of stupid feelings. She really hated the way she had begun to think because deep down she knew Ernie was going to stick around. She was just scared of losing him and the fear was even more apparent with the fact they were bringing a little one into the world.

“I know…” she said quietly actually a little ashamed of herself. Susan weakly smiled at him and put the piece of parchment down. Susan decided she would let him discuss the actual specifics of the letter and this job. Susan might not actually agree to the idea of this move or his job change but it could not hurt to discuss. She sat back in the chair and looked at Ernie. She was attempting to be calm. “What is this job really? And what sort of hours would it be?” Susan was indeed interested at the idea of a day job. Part of the issue was Ernie not being home or bringing work with home with him. Susan wanted to spend more time with Ernie before the baby came and she was actually nearing on five months now.

Susan was also rather stressed by the idea of juggling work and her baby once the baby arrived. She felt she could not talk to Ernie about it for some reason and she knew it was wrong. Susan felt like she was bottling up too many of her feelings. She felt that right now Ernie and Susan just needed to talk calmly.

Relief washed over the young man,  rational thought seemed to be coming back to her. That was what he wanted. The calm Susan the woman he fell in love with. The crazy one that he has been dwelling with as of late left much to be desired. He tried to lend her a listening and caring ear but Susan had taken to devour it instead of giving him the information he needed to help her.

Which was what he wanted to do. Ernie wanted to help Susan, to give her something anything. He had been the good husband for the most part, but work was all consuming which made them bicker, hiss and spit. That might have been why this job in the states was so appealing. Ernie could teach all day and then come home to his wife and soon to be born child. There they would raise the baby and Susan could finally have her husband to herself without having to share him with the ministry of magic.

"Teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts," he pulled on his tie a little more before taking it off completely and stringing it over the back of the chair. "The current professor retires at the close of term and Bartley wanted to know if I was interested in filling the open spot. It would bring me home at night and I wouldn't have to leave at odd times in the evening..." he trailed off thinking of the times he woke Susan or Susan woke to see he was not there because the Ministry had come a calling. Those were nights Susan stayed up pacing waiting for him, making him feel every bit the heel he was for having to leave their marital bed.

Susan mental coaxed herself into a calm state and hoped she stayed there. She knew that nothing had been decided and it was okay to discuss the options. Who knew maybe it was a good idea whatever it was? An offer was all it was and she had to remind herself of that. A weak smile was on her face as she listened to Ernie hoping to keep her cool. When he started to explain the offer a bit more in detail she remained silent and rather expressionless. It was all part of hoping to stay calm.

“Well it would be nice to have you home at a normal hour, and an expected hour. Also nice not to wake up to an empty bed.” The few times it had happened she knew that it was just because of his job but it was not a comfortable feeling knowing that he was out at such strange hours. She loved him and all she wanted was for him to remain in bed with her and to be around. That was the trouble with loving someone as much as she did.

“Are you inclined to take the job?” She asked curiously. Susan was very nervous that the answer would be yes and that she could not say no. Susan didn’t want to give up her business but she also wanted to be a proper mother and could she do that while trying to run her greenhouse?

No blow up. It was a promising reaction. Lately if he brought up anything even remotely off color he could expect something to come spewing out of her mouth. Generally telling him she was displeased with his actions or behaviors. What he wouldn't do for that baby to be out of her already so she could go back to being the sweet girl she was in Hogwarts.

"I figured you would like that," Ernie knew how much she enjoyed him being home, him doing things around the house. It wasn't like he didn't want to do all those things he just never had time for them. Ernie wanted to be around more and judging by the past few years with the ministry the only way would be to change positions. "I know you worry about me when I'm not around..." he said quietly.

Nodding a little he stuffed his things back in the bag clearing off the table and moving to take a bite of his almost forgotten sandwich. "I am interested that is for certain. However I know I need to discuss it with you first..." He figured she would probably put her foot down firmly and say no but he wanted to try it. Biting off a size-able bite he chewed and smiled. The sandwich was just what he wanted.

“I would like it if you were home more, that aspect is very appealing.” She would love not wake up to an empty bed and to have him home for dinner at night. She would love for him to be a stronger part of their baby’s life, which she admittedly worried about with his position at the Ministry. A nanny just seemed silly she didn’t want someone else raising their child, nor could she manage it alone with the greenhouse. Susan was sure that this new opportunity would create a better home life and that was appealing.

“I am glad you did discuss it with me.” Susan said as she curled some of her blonde hair behind her ear. “I am interested in exploring the option.” Susan sighed as she leaned forward on the table a little bit. “I worry about leaving the Greenhouse behind but with the way things are going it is just an added stress.” Susan chewed her bottom lip nervously and she had not done that in years. “I have been thinking about how hard it would be for us to raise a child together here with out jobs.” It really had not been the time for a child but really with the way their lives were going when would have been a good time?

Finishing the sandwich he patted his lips with the napkin. "I would rather be home than working," and for the first time in a long time that was very true. Ernie used to love going to work but has since become less enthusiastic about dragging himself out of bed and off to the Ministry. Day in and day out it seemed like the same ol same. That was not the life he was expecting, he had always dreamt of something a little more. To be a hero, he didn't feel like a hero doing his job he felt like a paper pusher. Maybe as a teacher he can share his acts of heroism with the great Harry Potter and Dumbledore's army.

It was another dream, but this time he felt like it could be realized with a little persuasion of his wife. From what it appeared she looked to be taking to the idea of change. "Susan you are my wife, I cannot just make decisions without running them past you first. What sort of man would I be if I did that?" Reaching out he covered his hand over hers, "If I asked you though, would you go with me?" To think he hadn't been terribly sure about the idea but it was growing on him with each passing moment. Drawing it out before them both would give them time to scrutinize the idea. "Think about it, you could be a stay at home mum and we could easily survive on my salary alone," considering the fact that his family had plenty of money as it was. She was not exactly going to want for anything under his watchful eye. "I want you to really think about it..." he repeated.

Deep down she knew it was true that he wanted to be at home rather than at work, but for a brief moment in time she had been thinking otherwise. She loved him dearly and wanted him around more but the air had been so tense. Susan hated find a reason to snap at him and only wished for things to return too normal. “I know I have not been the ideal person to come home to either.” Stress was becoming to much of a major player in their marriage.

“If this is what you want Ernie, of course I would go with you.” Susan would not dream of saying no to him. She would not guilt him into thinking she needed to stay in England, plus she would go for their marriage. “I feel things have become much to stressed here so perhaps the change could do us good?” Susan really would miss the greenhouse but they could still own it and she they could get some income from it, or they could sell it. She knew her current managers would be more than able to take over. Sure she would miss the plants but she could grow her own personal garden in their new home and she could be that stay at home mother she wanted to be. “I do want to be a big part of our child’s life and if we stay here I don’t think I could do that. I would be too involved with my own work and I really don’t want to do that too our child. I don’t want a nanny but I feel that is not plausible here.” The thought of moving was becoming more and more appealing. “I would move with you Ernie if it is truly the direction you wish to go. I will be happy just with you.” When it came down to it all she needed was Ernie.

Deep down inside of himself he too knew that she hated yelling at him. That the fighting was hormone related more than actually aimed at him. Ernie had been guilty of letting things grow cold and dark during the pregnancy which never should have happened. Instead of being happy they were fighting. His parents wouldn't be pleased that they were leaving, but if he explained the situation eventually they would come around. Bartley had mentioned there was a nice place near him that he could put a down payment on if Ernie was interested and it could be available at the end of the month. Ernie would have a lot of loose ends to tie up but that wouldn't be a problem.

"I do, I really do," he kept the word 'think' out of it. "I could help the next generation of American Witches and Wizards find their potential. I could come home and be with you and help raise our child, I see this as a fresh start, a better life the both of us." Squeezing her hand he looked up into her eyes and could see his Susan sitting there and knowing that together they would finally have a life that they both wanted. "Then I guess this is decided," he leaned forward and kissed her cheek softly, "I will put in my notice at work tomorrow..." he had a long letter to write to Bartley and a lot of plans to work on.

-FIN-