Love is Patient

Chapter 29

Newt stared up at the ceiling above his bed. He was dreading getting up and going downstairs. He knew Tina wouldn't be there yet, but she'd be over soon. When she had shown up in the office the day before, he had been so surprised and so happy that he had completely forgotten about the box in his pocket. When he remembered, he had decided that it wasn't the right time. She had just gotten back and had to be really tired. But now there was no excuse.

You don't have to ask her, Newt reminded himself.

But I want to.

Then why is it so hard?

Newt frowned. He knew Tina wouldn't reject him. He knew he was only hesitating because he was scared -- scared of being hurt again.

Newt climbed out of bed and changed. He went downstairs and began making breakfast. When he was done, he set the table and went back upstairs. Credence wasn't in his room, but Modesty lay asleep in her bed, a book only a few inches from her fingers.

"Good morning, Modesty," Newt said, gently shaking her awake.

Modesty rolled over and opened her eyes. "Good morning, dad."

"Breakfast time," Newt said, pushing his daughter's hair out of her face.

"Is Tina here?"

Newt shook her head. "Not yet, but she should be here soon."

Modesty climbed out of bed, she was wearing the same nightgown that Tina had given her the night they had found her. Newt smiled and left the room, making his way downstairs.

Newt heard a slight click and the door opened. Tina came in and pulled her coat off, tossing in on the back of a chair.

"Morning, Tina," Newt said, pulling her into a hug.

"Good morning."

They stood there for several moments, neither of them letting go of the other.

Eventually, Tina spoke.

"Do you have to go to work?"

Newt sighed. "Of course. I didn't go on a mission. I don't get the day off."

Tina frowned. "But I want you to stay here."

Newt smiled. "I'll see you when I get back. Unlike some people, I don't work overtime."

Credence and Modesty came down and they had breakfast. While they were eating, there was a tap at the window. Modesty jumped up and opened it. A tawny owl flew in with a letter held in its beak. Modesty took the letter and gave the owl a treat. It flew out of the window.

"It's for you, Tina," she said, handing it to her.

Tina glanced at the envelope. "Only Queenie would send a letter addressed to me to your house, Newt."

She opened it and read it. "Oh! Queenie's coming tomorrow."

"Then why did her letter only arrive today?"

Tina handed Newt the letter. "See for yourself."

Dear Tina (and Newt),

This is just a quick note to tell you that we'll be arriving in New York on July 22. I'm sorry if the letter is a little late, I had written a longer one a while ago but I misplaced it before I could send it. I still don't know where it is.

Love,

Queenie and Jacob

Newt grinned. "I take it that Queenie wrote this."