Who would have thought it? [Chaennie]

Epilogue

Epilogue: approx. 3 years later.

Jennie apparated into the garden of their little cottage, running a hand through her hair. She was heading up the latest Magical Creatures regime, having already become a senior in the office.

It was her work on the review and repeals of bigoted laws three years ago that had really catapulted her career. But now she was looking forward to pushing through some new ideas. She was creating a policy meaning that any decisions involving Magical Creatures had to be approved by the appropriate Magical Creature groups affected.

“Mum!” little Richard called out, dashing out the back door towards Jennie.

He was a troublesome child at times. He seemed to have inherited his Maman’s infamous poker face, making it incredibly difficult for Jennie to catch him out when he had misbehaved. His hair were unruly, still platinum blonde.

He was wearing grey little sweatpants and a scarlet sweatshirt with a lion on it.

“Did you have a good time with Grandma and Grandpa?” Jennie asked with a smile. Jennie's parents had moved back to Britain two years ago, settling in a Muggle village nearby. They helped out a lot with childcare. When little Richard wasn’t being watched by them, he was with Jisoo, who stayed at home to look after the one-year old she had with Eunwoo.

Eunwoo and Jisoo had been surprised by the pregnancy of little Lucy, but had been overjoyed all the same. Jennie had welcomed the addition of another ‘happy accident’ amongst their friend group. It gave them a couple to moan to about the pitfalls of child rearing, as well as excitedly talk to about different milestones.

“They gave me sweets,” Richard grinned, as Jennie hoisted him up and rested him on her hip.

“I hope not too many,” Jennie smiled, “You don’t want to ruin your appetite for dinner.”

Amelie, Lisa and Bambam were coming around for dinner at Roseanne and Jennie's little cottage. Jisoo and Eunwoo still had their hands full with Lucy, who was going through a difficult phase.

Amelie and Lisa were always available. They had yet to settle down properly, still changing addresses every six months and taking up a new hobby every three months. Jennie, for one, thought it was nice that the fiery and untamable Lisa had found her match with Amelie. They were two free spirits living life to the fullest together.

Bambam was still single, much to Jennie's confusion. He was still very much charmed by Marie, even all these years later. Yet he seemed to be taking a very slow and strategic path to asking her out. It was the first time Jennie had seen Bambam take something entirely seriously in the history of her friendship with him.

Jennie carried Richard into the cottage, smiling at the delicious aroma coming from the kitchen.

“Whatever it is smells amazing, love,” Jennie said to Roseanne, coming to kiss her softly on the lips.

“Merci, mon amour,” Roseanne purred, lighting up.

“I helped Maman!” Richard informed Jennie proudly. Jennie giggled a little. Richard was quickly developing the ego of his Maman, and it couldn’t be more adorable.

“He did,” Roseanne replied, smiling at their son, “Maybe you and Mum can help Maman out now?”

“Yeah!” Richard trumpeted eagerly. Jennie quirked an eyebrow at Roseanne.

“I need you to watch this food for a moment,” Roseanne explained, smiling easily, “I will be back in a moment.”

She dropped a kiss to Richard's forehead and pecked Jennie on the lips before sweeping out of the room elegantly.

“I wanna stir, Mum, can I?” Richard asked in French. Jennie had mastered the language around the time Richard had started talking. They had moved easily into becoming a bilingual household.

“Oui,” Jennie replied, regretting her response as Richard reached over and wrenched the wooden spoon in the pot, splattering red pasta sauce everywhere. No matter. Jennie could clean it later.

“Are Uncle Eunwoo and Aunt Jisoo coming?” Richard asked.

“Not tonight, darling,” Jennie responded, “But your Aunt Amelie and Lisa are coming… As well as Uncle Bambam.”

“Uncle Bambam!” Richard exclaimed excitedly, “Can I go pick toys to show him?”

“Sure,” Jennie replied, relieved that at least he had lost interest in splattering pasta sauce everywhere. She released Richard and set him on the ground, watching with amusement as he scampered off eagerly to his toy box in the corner of the living room. Her heart was so full.

“Nini,” Roseanne called out. Her voice sounded odd.

Jennie whirled around to see Roseanne standing in the doorway, pale. She immediately felt a pang of panic.

“Is something wrong?” Jennie asked, stepping forward.

“Do you remember last month at Bill’s birthday?” Roseanne asked Jennie, her voice a little unsteady.

Jennie nodded.

“How could I forget?” Jennie responded.

Jennie's parents had taken Richard for a sleepover, allowing Roseanne and Jennie to act up with their raucous twenty-something-year-old friends for the night. Bill had thrown a wild soiree, positively drowning his guests in wine. Jennie and Roseanne had let their inhibitions go for a chance, the restrained pair uncharacteristically indulging in the festivities with vigor. Jennie had suffered from her third-only hangover after that evening.

“And you remember how we got a little carried away that night?” Roseanne reminded, quirking an eyebrow, “In the bathroom?”

A broad smile crept across Jennie's face unbidden. Later in the night, Roseanne had yanked Jennie unceremoniously into the bathroom, locking the door. They had ended up kissing passionately, which had quickly escalated to making love passionately. They hadn’t even cared when they finally left the bathroom to find a long line of party-goers impatiently waiting to use the bathroom.

“Yeah… I remember that,” Jennie said with a grin. Her grin froze as she noticed Roseanne was looking very serious, “What is it?”

“I’m pregnant,” Roseanne said, her voice a little faint, “Richard is going to have a little sibling.”

“Oh! Rosie!” Jennie exclaimed, throwing her arms around Roseanne, “This is amazing! Aren’t you excited?”

“It’s just it is unplanned,” Roseanne said, melting into Jennie's embrace, “I worry you might find it too much with all that is happening with your job. They’ve been wanting you to go on more business trips.”

“Sod the business trips,” Jennie said, kissing Roseanne, “Our family is growing!”

She pulled back, locking eyes with Roseanne.

“You really don’t mind?” Roseanne asked, tears brimming in her eyes and smiling widely.

“Mind? I’m elated!” Jennie gasped, tears dropping from her own eyes, “Yeah, it isn’t planned—but we always meant to get around to extending our family. Now is as good a time as any!”

“Mon amour,” Roseanne replied, pulling Jennie in for a kiss.