"My dear, teenage boys are a law unto themselves. They can be awfully sweet and then equally the most crude, awful things you've ever had the misfortune of sharing a room with." Camille agreed, hands moving slowly over the keys, softly moving from chord to cadence, trying to recall how the song's harmonies went. "They seem happy enough back at school. Enjoy the peace and quiet until I can send them back to you."

She hit a wrong note and glanced down at her hands, correcting her key and lifting her foot on the pedal as she did before lowering it again. Gabrielle's piano was a pleasure, a little stiff on the keys but once she had a feel for it, the muscle memory came back.

"I used to miss Johann though, when he was their age," Camille admitted, "but he wrote. Do young boys still write letters to their mo- parents?" She asked her cousin. "Or is it not …. 'cool' ..?" Camille asked, trying out the word. It still felt odd to say with her accent. "The done thing?"

Gabrielle was laughing -- actually laughing at Camille's words, knowing her cousin's words to be factual and true.

Reading letters from Uncle Thackery to Granmum Mary truly had been at best, hysterical. The first year letters of worry, pleading to come home to the fifth year ones with Thackery's insistence that he was all right, that his mother needed to stop worrying about him and the OWL exams to one of the final letters of the seventh year thanking his mother all along for her persistence. "Aren't they just. Monty was like that at times, you know. When we were at Hogwarts."

Fingers cringed briefly when the wrong note occurred, but the pair did resume, Gabrielle nodded internally for the corrections made.

"Francis was a shy little thing, adorable and curlier than what he is now, but as we went on through the years, he seemed to be just fine as Monty seemed to be only a ball of endless energy. That energy has definitely paid off, however, nowadays with his never ceasing love for flying cars." Gabrielle looked at Camille with that remark, a mixture of worry and amusement there.

"You should ask him to give you 'a spin' in it some time. That is, if you want a thrill seeker."

"....Do young boys still write letters to their mo- parents?"

"I've seen one or two letters come in before from Ambrose and Timothy, but never have read them. Then again, they weren't postmarked for 'Gabrielle'." The witch smiled as they finished the tune, pausing for a moment as she glanced Camille over, the smile never faltering once.

Whether she knew it or not, Camille's (along side Crina's, Francis', and oddly, Ignan's) voice had been stabilizers in these past few weeks, definitely within the past week or so. Scratching her face with the hand that held the engagement ring, Gabrielle supposed now was the time to tell the other side of the family. Hopefully, just hopefully this would end somehow endlessly better than it had for the others.

"Along the lines of parents.....I--" Gabrielle's smile went sheepish, a rosy blush creeping to her cheeks.

"I need to tell you something."

"Ah well, I am sure they will be for the both of you in time, if not already." Camille assured Gabrielle with a brief and gentle lean of her right shoulder against Gabrielle's left. They were both seated at the piano and the lady of the house was teasing out the melody, Camille the underlay.

She straightened up and put a moment's thought into the coda of the song, bringing it towards conclusion.
"I need to tell you something."
"Oh you're not going to tell me there's another verse are you?" Camille asked in mock horror wrists lifting a little like a cat caught by surprise though her fingers did not leave the keys.

"Oh! No you're not!" She suddenly realised, and brought her hands abruptly off the keys to seize her cousin by the wrist with some excitement. Her eyes were wide as she exclaimed, "You're never!"

Gabrielle started off with a sheepish smile until Camille took hold of her wrists, causing Gabie then to grin with a better sense of self-assurance. "Never quite say never, dear cousin." Her cheeks blushed anew, knowing that this discussion was suddenly much better met than the one before this moment in time.  "I... I wanted to let his family know considering all. Mind you it went as well as a souffle in midsummer, but I suppose it really wasn't the best of times for confessing such a moment."

Her mind flashed the remembrance of a fireball; Gabie shuddered.

"That said, I figured you were the first person I wanted to let know in the direct family line. Johann and Ignan, Quincy and Thack are sure to be absolutely devastated, Johann especially, but I imagine I'll be quite the rage when we get back from holiday, hm?" Gabrielle blathered on, soon resting her head on Camille's sideways. "You are all right with this late announcement, I hope?"

"Devastated?!" Camille scoffed, "Whatever do you mean, how could anyone be devastated, it is the most wonderful news!" Her eyes were bright with mischief and excitement. It had been such a while since anyone close had given such news - they were all getting long in the tooth and her nieces and nephews would all be adults by the end of the year - the only hope would be that grand nieces and nephews would begin,(grandchildren being a slightly touchy subject these days).

"Engaged and expecting, how exciting and wonderful. I am so happy for you dear. Come here!" She released her grip and swept her arms around Gabrielle's shoulders, easily done as they were both perched on the piano stool. She delivered a kiss to both her cousin's cheeks in congratulations.

Camille dropped her clasp, a smile still upon her face as she studied Gabrielle with curiosity.
"Late announcement, darling? You mean you've known a little while? Well, it is mother and father's choice as to who and when others know." She extended her hand to Gabrielle's leg softly and lowered her voice, "One can never be too careful, of getting hopes up, should .. well… something go wrong in the early stages." Or the late, she added thoughtfully in her head, though her expression didn't falter.

"Should I keep it to myself?"

Gabrielle could not help but beam by now.

The embraces, the encouraging words. It was night and day on this topic and for Camille to be so open, inviting, warm, and supportive, it truly changed the atmosphere completely. A soft, quasi-stifled giggle escaped from her lips, causing Gabrielle to look at Camille with a glance that clearly confirmed that there were indeed more individuals on her side than not. Just.... hopefully she could make amends with Audrey. After all, she had been more than a bit harsh, forthcoming towards the other blonde witch with her choice in words.

"I've had my hunches since mid-September, but October is when I knew. I didn't want to really open up to the matter considering work took priority yet again. However, Francis' proposal became a great deal sweeter in November -- his expression the night I revealed it, I...." Gabrielle blushed like a school girl; not out of embarrassment, but rather out of talking about the matter to someone dear to her. "If he could have picked me up and spun me 'round for a few moments like in those old fashioned stories, I believe he would have. His grin was so large."

With the warning of being cautious, careful, Gabrielle nodded in complete understanding. She wasn't a young lady any longer, but it still had happened. A blessing in disguise. Exhaling with a softened smile, Gabrielle valued Camille's words as though Camille were her own mother. Another blessing, there. After all, if Mina were here, alive and breathing, wouldn't she too, be so pleased to know she would becoming a grandmother?

"No, go ahead and let Ignan, Johann know. After all, they are my family just as much as you are. Just don't be sending it off to the tabloids, if you don't mind." She paused, the look on Gabrielle's face pleased. "And thank you....I'm so grateful to know you're thrilled all the same."

"Such lovely news - I shall tell Ignan in person - perhaps write Johann. I won't see him - though he'll be straight to your office I'm sure when he hears." Camille chuckled, imagining her son. Well, if he hadn't already suspected…

"Gosh, so will you be expecting before the two of you are to marry?" Camille asked. She had a vague knowledge of the complications around Francis Pepper, but nothing overly exact with respect to Claire. Her limited knowledge of the situation meant that she overlooked the strains the Peppers and Hughes had reacted with, while celebrating Boxing Day with Norlings and other family friends. "Mid September so… May? Have you had the date divined?" Her questions were falling over each other, one after the other in excitement of the news.

"Will you be living here, or - where do the boys and Francis live again, somewhere beginning with B…" She frowned as she tried to remember. She did not know either boy well, nor Francis Pepper yet. He was a school governor, they'd met, but she'd only recently become reacquainted with Gabrielle.

"Biggleswade and I believe we've, for the most part, decided to relocate them here to Wiltshire?"

Gabrielle gulped quietly.

"I don't....know how the boys will deal with it, but it'll be a move nevertheless. I know it definitely means more rooms will be utilized for the first time in many, many years, but I'm fairly certain Imp will be more than pleased about that." Scratching her head, Gabrielle thought about that idea for a moment, then widened her eyes for a split second. "Godric. Francis and I haven't told them about Imp... ooft." Looking downward, Gabrielle stared at the stomach. Had she....?

Eyes shot back to Camille, grinning widely soon enough.

"Th-the baby.....the baby just kicked." Rubbing her stomach, Gabrielle laughed happily. Their child just kicked -- the first time, even. "As for Johann moving straight to the office? Oh, I'm certain he'll fill the room with balloons before it's all done and over, hm? As for the divining date, no. I.... I've never been one to really look much into all of that. I mean if you want to, I'll li--"

Another kick.

"I'll listen if the baby won't."

"You certainly have the space," Camille replied, gesturing with both hands to the room they were in. Old wizarding money, something she could only ever dream of. "And filled with three children and a husband, that's better than you and Imp, isn't -"

Their conversation stalled a moment with the unborn participant interrupting in one of the few ways available to it.
"Little ears must be burning," Camille suggested with similar excitement as mother-to-be, peering momentarily down as if they could see it.

"Then I'll see to it for you, soon, perhaps, but sometimes one would prefer to be in the dark." Camille smiled, thinking that she might not want to know if it was soon and bad news potentially. Hopefully all would be well come Spring.

"Have the two of you thought of any names yet?"

"Very much better than Imp and I. As well as the occasional moments when Crina[1] decides to come from her room of sorts." Gabrielle paused, recognising that Camille likely didn't know who that was precisely. "Crina's my father's grandmother, so the great-grandmother. She'd been roaming about the place where the old home in Romania was. Mind you, causing some ruckus, and so, with much convincing of our Ministry and theirs, I brought her here. She typically stays in the room designated for her, but I'm certain she's fairly happy enough."

Taking a poured cup of Tieguanyin, Gabrielle pressed it to her lips, listening and heeding Camille's advice, noting her inquiries.

"We've thought a few, but we definitely want to have a few surprises in store."

The baby kicked in agreement.

"Hm. Looks like someone concurs to this idea." She smiled gently to Camille. "What....what is it like though? Motherhood? I mean, I'm unable to ask my own and well, asking his mother doesn't feel quite right." It was evident she had the jitters that all new mothers had amplified by concerns about what could happen given Gabrielle's age. Hm. "I know the diaper changing, burping isn't going to be that pressing of an issue, but I want to do it right."

1.	paternal great-grandmother

"Who?" Camille asked softly, confused at the mention of someone else in the house other than Gabrielle and the house elf. "I had no idea." She blinked in confusion that there was someone else there uninvited to join them.

"What is it like though, motherhood?" Gabrielle asked, and Camille was surprised at the question. "… I want to do it right."

"You will," Camille replied without hesitation. "And it's wonderful but ever so tiring. To have a tiny little life absolutely dependent on you, and every day see it grow a little more independent until it hates you despite all you do, and then when it comes to its senses, they will be there to look after you."

She paused, knitting her fingers together in her lap at the piano. Memories of those early years of Johann's life were tinged with a shadow of who could have grown up with him. Still, she had raised a beautiful young man who she was fiercely proud of.  She had been there for him, and got through the sleepless nights and tears.

"Motherhood is emotional," she spoke at last, a slight break to her voice, "and some days it won't feel worth it, but it really is." She fixed her gaze back upon her cousin and slipped an arm around her shoulders. "It's your next big adventure! Gosh. Bet you both can't wait."

"I didn't mean to confuse, sorry. Crina, or her ethereal form, lives here. Rest assured, she leaves everyone alone as long as she's for the most part left alone."

Gabrielle felt idiotic for causing such a fuss. The little one turned for a moment, causing Gabrielle's worried expression to become more pained, hurtful while the duration of tossing, turning occurred. "I really do wish you would stop, little miss," Gabrielle spoke, poking the stomach gently, uncaring the revelation of the baby's gender had been given. "You're causing me stress and likewise causing a ruckus in being such poor company for your cousin Camille."

Hearing then Camille's words of what motherhood would be bringing, Gabrielle could see where she had been that way with her father, with Alan and Mary[1], Carmina, Sergei[2], and Crina. She had adored their stories, even the wartime ones, despised the starchy, itchy dresses for formalities, screamed how she hated them, vowing to never forgive her father for lost flames...but in the end, Gabrielle knew their persistence had paid off. They had raised a strong willed child who had ascended in the ranks of the Ministry.

With Camille's arm around her shoulders, Gabrielle could only beam, smiling proudly at her cousin's kind gestures, kindness as well. "An adventure I'm quite excited to see how it pans out, yes. I'm likewise excited to see how it all goes with the little one with all of you. I have no doubt how much love they'll feel. Even from Ignan when he doesn't wish to show it so easily."

1.	maternal grandparents
2.	paternal grandparents

Camille laughed, "Ignan may surprise you. He has mellowed in the years I have known him, and especially for being in Britain. He has a heart but doesn't like to show it, you're right."

She nodded and patted Gabrielle's shoulder. "And when we've taught Johann which end is up, he can get some practice in for his own, if I am ever to be a grandmother." She glanced to Gabrielle, "Certainly the dear girl will have plenty of those around to give her the best start in life in what the world has to offer, not least her parents. A woman of the world, and a man who - am I correct - changes time?"

Camille dropped her hand from her cousin and returned them to the keys, letting them settle and softly pick out chords for Au Clair de la Lune with the thought of looking after young children.
"Ambrose and Timothy will make fine brothers. I am sure of it. Are you nervous?"

"I'd be a blatant liar if I professed I wasn't the least bit nervous."

Gabrielle's fingers rejoined Camille's at the piano, smiling with the recognition of Debussy in its premature form.

"But I'm reassured by the things you've mentioned - - two outstanding families and a wonderful bunch of friends who will make certain that she's taken excellent care of," Gabrielle remarked, trying re-familiarize herself with the piece, her fingers striking incorrect notes for a moment. Her brow furrowed in frustration in the failure, but soon regained confirmation as it came to her mind a few moments later. Smiling in pride, Gabrielle looked to Camille, hopeful of the future to come before eyeing her stomach with a wistful smile. A man of changing time and a woman of the world - - what better parents and what remarkable brothers to have to raise them with their own bundles of love?

"If you don't become a grandmother, I'm quite all right if you end up doting on her as such. After all, you're practically like a second mother in my books."

"I shall take that as a compliment, my dear." Camille replied with an amused smile, "And I should very much hope I do become a grandmother, even if not to blood relatives. One has to be sensible about the practicalities of two wizards."

She shook her head and returned to the more important subject of the impending arrival. "And just try and stop me doting on small bundles. What with all my nephews and nieces almost grown to be old enough to give me great nephews and nieces, I am ready for another round of extending families." Camille nodded to herself.

End