The English Rose

Epilogue

8 months later...

Squeaks watched as her mum and grandfather diligently worked preparing the bookshop for something that a cat could never understand. She looked on in curiosity before trying desperately to get someone's attention. It was nearly mid day and she hadn't yet been given her usual sustenance. She took to meowing insistently at Papa's feet but he just looked down with an, "I'll be there in a moment," response but never actually tended to her growing hunger needs. If cats could sigh then she would've. She finished her patrol around the first floor of the shop and realized that one of the mummies was missing. Her ears perked up and she took off trotting towards the stairs, running up them two at a time until she reached the top landing. Quietly she went from room to room looking for the curly-haired mother. Her ears perked again when she reached the bedroom and heard the familiar snoring coming from above. With a running jump, she climbed her way up the queen sized bed. She noted the orange blob the mothers kept insisting was her brother laying suspiciously close to her human. He didn't acknowledge her existence just as she liked it so she quietly stalked her way over to the sleeping mother. She crouched down into a pouncing position and started wiggling her butt before she took off in the air, jumping and landing in the center of the curly-haired mummy's chest. "Oof," came from below her. Squeaks took the opportunity to circle her chest a few times before sitting down comfortably on her mum. She watched as the eyes fluttered open, "hello sweetheart," the human said, scratching behind her ears. She let out a loud meow which turned into a purr because the scratches felt good.

Bella rubbed her hand down her face, wiping the sleep from her eyes, "how long have I been asleep?" She wondered out loud, reaching over to turn the clock. "Fuck me it's almost 4? You mummy is going to murder me," she chuckled when the kitten meowed in agreement. "I was only meant to take a quick cat nap," she noticed the orange blob stretched out, rolling onto his back demanding a stomach rub. "Seems like you missed out, Squeaks," she kissed the kitten before scratching the orange belly. "Okay kids," she moved the kitten off of her chest and sat up. "I need to get up or else I'm going to find myself out on the street tonight." Both cats meowed in protest, "fine let's go eat first."

She stood up and groaned when she stretched. "Damn that was a good nap," she thought as she exited the bedroom and made her way to the kitchen. Dutifully, she filled up the two food dishes for her children with a mixture of hard and soft food. "There you go my darlings. Now, let's see what's going on downstairs."

"There she is," Henry laughed, "we thought you were going to sleep all day."

"My apologies," Bella descended the stairs. "The bed took control over me and I couldn't wake." She looked around the room. "Where's Hermione?"

"She's downstairs," he pointed to the lower level, "she said she needed a few moments alone. I think she might be getting a little overwhelmed about tonight. These were just delivered a little while ago and she didn't want to open it without you." Henry walked over and handed Bella a box that had just arrived in the mail and she knew right away why Hermione was overwhelmed.

"Makes sense. I'll go see if she's okay," she turned to head downstairs. "Happy Bonfire Night."

"Same to you, my friend." Bella made her way down the stairs to find her girlfriend sitting in her comfy chair, resting her eyes. This isn't the first time she's found Hermione sleeping down here lately. She had been up late preparing for today for the last few months. Her heart clenched daily when she remembered that this gorgeous creature was hers to love forever. She quietly went over and sat on the chair next to her love, "Hermione? Love? Wake up."

""Hmm," came the tired, sleep filled reply of the brunette. "Oh no. I've fallen asleep again. There is still so much to do."

"Cissy has everything under control. Stop worrying so much, love. Everything is going to be perfect."