Temporary Pleasure

5

June 1953

"This is so delicious," Druella moaned, spooning her chocolate fudge sundae. "Why did we never get ice cream before?"

"Perhaps because it's not ladylike?" Rose responded, taking a small amount on her spoon to bring to her mouth. "Not the ice cream," she clarified, "it's the way you eat it."

"Who cares?" Druella said dismissively. "I'm pregnant, no one can say anything."

Druella was seven months along in her pregnancy. It was the middle of June, so the baby was due in August.

Rose's mother was bursting at the seams, pushing for Felix and Rose to get engaged, as if they were behind.

"Speaking of marriages," Druella said, through a mouthful of ice cream.

"We weren't speaking of—"

"When are you going to marry my cousin?"

Rose dropped her head.

"Are you... going to marry him?"

"I'm not ready yet," she gave the lame excuse she gave to everyone.

She didn't want to say 'no' and she couldn't afford to say she was still considering him. Soon it would be a year since he asked for her hand in marriage and at this point it was just cruel for her to lead him along.

But she couldn't do it.

She couldn't throw away the best option for a future for herself, it was like her survival instinct was preventing her.

And she couldn't throw away what she had with Tom. It was too good and she was in too deep to let him go.

Rose hoped time would help her settle the matter, but time was running out, and the longer she waited, the worse the situation got.

"When are you going to be ready?" Druella huffed. "The poor guy is falling into depression, thinking he's doing something wrong."

"I've told Felix he's perfect!" Rose insisted.

"Clearly not perfect enough for you, or you would be ready to marry him."

"Does he really think it's his fault?" Rose asked nervously. "Please tell him it's not. It's all me! I'm just terrified of the idea of marriage and it's got nothing to do with him."

Druella nodded and dropped the subject.

***

Rose was supposed to see Tom today. It was Saturday so she was going to his place in the afternoon, after running some errands around Diagon Alley.

Don't go to him, a voice in the back of her head said. Warned. Don't go again.

She ought not to. For six months they've been doing this. And, with a heavy heart, Rose was beginning to realize it was truly going nowhere.

"Rose."

She froze then blinked, turning to see Tom behind her in the queue at Eeylop's Owl Emporium.

"Tom," she breathed. It was like fate wanted her to be with him. "What a pleasant surprise."

"Likewise. How have you been?"

"Splendid, and yourself?"

They headed up a space in the queue.

"Spectatular. How's your Uncle Pollux? I've been meaning to talk with him, but he's ever so difficult to catch."

"Yes, Cygnus and Druella are expecting," Rose explained politely. "It'll be his first grandchild and he's over the moon. Lots of preparations for just a baby, in my opinion."