The Time Inbetween
I was sitting at the kitchen table hastily opening a letter I had just gotten. Over the last couple of weeks Tina and I had been sending each other letters. Every time I got one my heart leapt, I didn't want to admit it but everyone could see I was in love.I unfolded the letter excited to read what Tina had to say. Suddenly the bell rang.I looked up disturbed,
"Newt! Someone is at the door" I called out. No answer. I groaned as I realized Newt was probably in the basement with his animals. I stood up and left the letter behind on the table as I walked to the front door.With a sigh I opened the door, I took a look at the two people smiling in front of me.
"Nope" I just said closing the door again. I turned around immediately and walked back into the living room.
"Who was it" Newt asked showing up from the basement. I just shrugged vaguely as I sat myself down at the kitchen table again, grabbing the letter. Newt hurriedly walked over towards the front door. I heard him open it. He was just as surprised as me but unfortunately he did let them into the house.
"Great way to say hi to your friends, Drew" Theseus said as he barged into the room followed by Leta and Newt. Leta lightly punched him in the arm, "Don't start" she hissed silently but I had heard it.I looked up from the letter at the two, Leta was still as beautiful as ever. I hated how she was hanging onto Theseus' arm. It disgusted me.
"What are you two doing here" I just said, Newt quickly walked towards me,
"That's no way to greet our guests" He awkwardly told me. I just rolled my eyes. The moment Newt left to go to the kitchen to make some tea everything instantly became 10 times more awkward. I looked back at the letter but didn't have the concentration to read it.
"We heard Newt and you were in New York when Grindelwald, I mean, your brother attacked," Leta said trying to start a conversation. She tried so hard.I looked up at her irritated.
"Yup" I looked back at the letter again hoping they'd leave me alone. Both wizards sat down onto the couch.
"How was he?" Leta dared to ask. I just shrugged, "Still the evil criminal everyone thinks he is"
"Yeah, what do you think then?" Theseus shot at me sarcastically. I looked at the guy, I really did not like him.
"He's just a human dreaming of a better world and making the wrong decisions"Before Theseus could say anything Newt came walking back into the room carrying the teapot and some cups.
"What are you talking about" He wondered sensing the tension.
"Nothing" I waved it off looking back at the letter trying to read it for the 4th time today.
"Don't mind her, she's just bitter that her girlfriend isn't here" Newt smiled. I froze immediately. Newt knew that wasn't why I was bitter but it was his way of trying to explain my bitterness to the guests... even though both Leta and Theseus knew that wasn't why I was bitter. Not with our past.
"Girlfriend?" I heard Leta say in surprise. I wished she sounded jealous but of course she wasn't. She didn't care about me, not really.
"I don't have a girlfriend" I grunted not looking at them.
"Yet" Newt finished smiling.
"She met a woman while in New York, her name is Tina Goldstein you might've heard of her. She recently got appointed as Auror"
"An Auror" Leta said in surprised, I just rolled my eyes.
"I didn't think she liked Aurors" I heard Theseus, who is an Auror say. And he was right, I definitely did not like him...
but I did like Tina, a lot. I was having enough of this conversation, I stood up and was about to leave the room when Leta called out.
"Drew?"I sighed and turned around towards her.
"We wanted to ask you and Newt something," she said sincerely. Of course, they wanted to keep her in the room, to show off their oh so perfect relationship. I barged back sitting myself down next to Newt on a chair, the letter still in my hand.
"Leta and I have an announcement to make" Theseus grinned. The couple shared a smile.
"We're getting married" Leta smiled happily. I wanted to hate them for it but instead, deep down I was happy for Leta, I really was, but at the same time I felt an old scar rip open. Leta and I wanted to get married until Leta broke off the wedding a few days before the big day.
"We want you two to be our best man and woman" they announced as well surprising me. They wanted me to be their best woman? I had been distant towards them for the last two years.
Leta had tried to stay friends with me at first but she stopped bothering after a while as I didn't care.
The only time I saw them was during Newt's birthday when they'd make a surprise visit, or on my birthday but I made sure to never be home then so I could avoid the couple.
"Congratulations!" Newt grinned, Theseus stood up to give his brother a hug.
"Yeah, that" I said awkwardly, not wanting to sound mean but at the same time definitely not being happy with it. Now they had made their announcement I got to go.
I stood up and without saying anything I walked towards the basement. I walked down all the stairs, the animals looked at me curiously probably thinking I'd give them food. I sat myself down on Newt's old office chair. Immediately the demiguise sat himself down on my lap. It made me giggle.
"Hey Dougal" I smiled hugging the creature. Once the creature had settled comfortably in my lap I tried once more to read the letter. This time nobody interrupted me.
Dear Drew,
My days as an Auror are very busy. Your brother is imprisoned in the prison with the highest security. He won't get out for years. We're tracking down any accomplish he might have.I know losing your brother has been hard, at least you can say you've met new people. Queenie and I are thankful for you and Newt.
I cannot stop thinking about you, I am counting down the days until I see you again.I managed to get sometime off from work in march. Which is why I have booked a boat and will be coming to London on the 18th of march. You can show me all around London, I cannot wait!
Xxx Tina Goldstein
I was smiling widely now. Tina was coming over!! In exactly one week time. I felt excitement flow through me.
"I'm glad you can still smile" a voice called out. My eyes shot up at Leta who was standing at the bottom of the staircase. I didn't hear her come down. My smile was immediately gone.
"What are you doing here?" I asked staring at the woman.
"I'm checking up on you, Drew" She sincerely answered, I just scoffed looking away from her.
"I know i've done some terrible things to you but I have changed. Why can't we just be friends?" Leta told me pleadingly. I sighed.
"I've changed too" I said silently, she looked at me in surprise.
"yeah?" She asked as she grabbed a chair and sat down near me. I just nodded.
"My brother sentenced Newt and... uh Tina to death back in New York. He knew Newt and how he's my best friend and he still sentenced him to death" I started unsure why I was telling her this.
"I can't change him, he's gone" I concluded, I didn't dare look at Leta who was taking it all in.
"Oh how I wish you would've realized this years ago" Leta answered longingly. I felt chills going down my body, no. no. She can't say things like that.
"Whatever" I waved it off folding the letter I was still holding. I stood up, Dougal clung onto me and I walked over to Newt's desk. I had my own drawer in it.
I opened it and laid the letter on all the other letters I had gotten from Tina. In the drawer was also a picture of Tina, ripped out from the paper. It's an announcement about her getting appointed as Auror with a moving picture of her. She looked so beautiful.
"Newt told us you haven't touched any alcohol in a year" Leta unformed me, I just shrugged, "So what"
"You and I both know that's a big thing to do for you. I just want to say that i'm proud of you for not giving in. I know it must've been hard"I felt my shoulders relax a little, it had been hard to stop drinking alcohol but that liquid was toxic for me. I shouldn't drink it. I looked at Tina's picture, I wonder what she'd think of me when she discovered I had been an alcoholic.
"Drew?" Leta said clearing her throat. I looked up at her distracted still holding the picture.
"I uh... I want your blessing for my wedding with Theseus. I just want to start a new chapter in my life and it would mean a lot to me if you gave us your blessing" Leta looked at me with big pleading eyes. I sighed once more, she knew exactly how I felt about her wedding with Theseus yet she still asked things like this.
"Theseus..." I started awkwardly, "He's not good enough for you Leta"Leta was clearly taken back by that answer. Her faces went to a range of emotions before settling with daring.
"And you think you are?"
I shook my head no, "I'm not good enough for you either, you deserve better than both Theseus and I" I honestly told my ex lover.
"I should've known you'd give an answer like that" Leta shrugged obviously annoyed. She turned around about to walk up the stairs again but I wasn't finished yet.
"But-" Leta stopped and looked around at me.
"If it makes you happy then you have my blessing for the wedding"A small smile broke out on Leta's face,
"Thank you"I just sent her a stiff nod before turning around and sitting myself down on the chair again with Dougal.
Leta went upstairs again leaving me alone. I sighed, this whole situation was weird, at least I could look forward to Tina coming over next week.
-
"Is everything cleaned?" I asked running around the house. Newt was sitting on a chair in the living room looking at me amused.
"Will you calm down?" He asked. I ran towards the kitchen and put a teapot on, then we could all drink tea.
"Drew" Newt said trying to get my attention, I ignored him and raced to a cupboard getting the cookies. I heard the wizard stand up, he walked over towards me and grabbed my shoulder forcing me to look at him.
"I know you're nervous but you can sit down for a second you know" Newt told me, a grin on his face. I nodded,
"Yeah I know"I grabbed the cookies and brought them with me to the couch as I sat myself down. I laid the cookies on the table in front of me. Newt joined me.
"See, this is good" Newt smiled referencing to me not running around anymore. Immediately the doorbell rang, I jumped up again and ran over to the doorway too excited to meet Tina again.
I opened the door and was met with Tina who was standing in the cold wearing a winter coat and holding a suitcase. It was still quite cold in London during march.
"Hi!" I grinned, Tina smiled and hugged me. To me, the hug ended way too soon and I invited her inside.
"Hi Newt!" Tina said to Newt once we were back in the living room, she gave him a hug too.
"Welcome to London" Newt smiledTina nodded happily.As if the creatures in the basement heard her they started making noises we could all hear in the living room.Tina laughed,
"Why am I not surprised you guys are living with a bunch of animals?"
"I'll show you around!" I grinned happily.
-
The days with Tina went over way too quickly. We all had a great time and Tina and I even went on a date... well it was a walk past the Thames but to me, it was a date and I'm sure it was to Tina too. I also showed Tina all around London which she really loved.
We were at the train station, Tina and Newt had already said goodbye at home as Newt had some stuff to attend. Which is why it was only Tina and I.
I was carrying her suitcase for her as she was rambling about all the things she saw.
"I really need to take Queenie here someday, I bet she'd love it" Tina grinned, I smiled at her excitement, it was adorable.We arrived at the train, she stopped and turned towards me.
"I had a great time Drew, thank you" She smiled.
"Next time you can properly show me New York, once I'm allowed back there," I told the beautiful woman. She nodded,
"I'm working on getting you your travel visa back" Tina smiled. I nodded thankful. Madam Picquery had taken my travel visa as I wasn't allowed back in America because of Grindelwald, for now at least.
"I'm glad you were here" I smiled, we were staring at each other, both of us leaned in and we kissed once more. I was falling for this woman hard. We both separated sending each other shy smiles.
"I'll write you" Tina said, I handed her the suitcase.
"See ya Tina" I grinned, the woman nodded before she turned around and entered the train.
I waved at her until the train left and was out of view.
That day I went home feeling incredibly happy not realizing it would be the last time I felt like this in a very long time.