ofsalamandereyes‌:

Having grown up in New York and spent her childhood at a boarding school, Tina had experienced a culture shock when she’d come to England and Dorset. She’d loved the seaside and the cottage they lived in, but the quiet sometimes felt so strange to her. Tina never felt alone, she had her husband and several dozen creatures to help look after. She’d become Newt’s apprentice in care for magical creatures, learning all the tricks even though she wasn’t as naturally gifted with them. 

Tina had gotten an auror position in the Ministry of Magic once she’d married Newt and become a British citizen. Having been one of the few aurors to live through several encounters with Grindelwald, Tina flew up in the esteem of her colleagues and continued her work. Still, Newt’s dislike of the Ministry and most aurors remained a sticking point, not only with her but with her brother in law. 

She settled next to him, watching him settle the Occamy. “They keep back talking you and won’t clean their room?” She joked lightly when he told her that the creatures were just in that stage of life. She smiled as she watched them curl up together, huddle in their nest. She loved all the creatures they cared for, almost as much as Newt did but the Occamy had always been her favourite. The first creature she’d seen as beautiful, thanks to Newt. 

“No, they’re not sending me out on another mission.” She assured him. Tina knew she had to just come out with what she was going to say. She was still processing it herself, having just come back from the doctors. Of all the things they’d discussed before and since their marriage, children had not been high on the list of immediate priorities. She had her work and Newt had his, they were both content to pursue their careers first. 

Taking a deep breath, Tina took Newt’s hand in both of hers. She felt the cool brush of his wedding ring against her skin and smiled. “Newt, we’re having a baby.” She blurted out before she could think of a more delicate way to put it. She let out the breath she’d been holding. “We’re having a baby.” She added, a bit softer. She couldn’t quite believe it herself. 

His grin broadened, amusement clear on his features while he gave something of a shake of his head. It was just about right, that assessment, he mused– at least the human equivalent of. The occamies wanted to spread their wings and felt cramped with their siblings, he’d have to change their habitat again soon or return them to the wild. Which meant a trip, his mind continued on its thoughts, but that idea would have to wait until later.

Much later after the bombshell his wife just dropped. The warmth of her hand pleasantly distracting as he waited for her to find the words she needed– clearly something that was heavy to her, but he can’t help the way he freezes when she utters them. Newt Scamander had long ago surmised what his life would amount up to– He’d do anything to be away from a Ministry desk job, spent a decade traveling the world, planned on doing it more so. A wife had never been in the picture not until he’d met Tina. 

Children were, well, less so. Not from any lack of maternal (or paternal) instinct, but because he knew himself and knew his job. And while he trusted his creatures having a small human to care for… simply, for lack of a better word, impeded the process. When he thought of his future, even with Tina, it had never necessarily included children– They both had their work and it seemed to suit them to remain within them. It was strange, but when he thought of children it was never a baby or an infant, but a proper child. Perhaps, he minutely mused, he’d always thought of adoption then (which seemed fitting, given his tendency to simply take in those in need).

It’s a minute pause though, a minute though, and a part of him isn’t sure he properly heard her. But she repeats herself and Newt finds himself blinking up at her. He’s not quite sure what to make of the statement, though he is no fool enough to ask how. They might attempt to be careful, but he knew nothing they took to prevent such a thing was completely foolproof (lest it make one or both infertile). They were sexually active, pleasantly so, that it wasn’t completely unexpected in that sense– But, well…

“Oh,” He breathed after the moment. His heart twisting in his stomach as he thinks of what more to say. Newt’s well aware that for most couples the occurrence is a pleasant, happy one— One that many couples planned and tried for and failed ever to do. He does not lack an awareness at the… astoundingness of it all, but his mind whirs to life with all of the to dos and the complications and a list far longer than one for any of his creatures.

He swallows, green eyes flitting to her face to her shoulder and for a moment all he can do is squeeze her hand. A gentle pressure that he can only hope reassures her that he’s not angry or upset or any other silly thing– that he supports her, while all the while trying to suss out the words that should be said under a flurry of thoughts. He swallows once more, roughly, when he finally pieces something to say and lets out a breath. “Please don’t take my silence the wrong way, Tina,” He manages swiftly when he gathers himself, “I don’t– I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing… Simply… Unexpected. “ Unplanned, rather, and even as he tries to visualize it he can’t see himself with a toddler. It was different with nieces or nephews, but with his own children? The picture simply seems out-of-place.

“I suppose this means we’ll have quite a lot to get sorted out then, yes?” He adds on, attention turning to one of he nearby habitats– Some instinct in him telling him that he’d have to find somewhere else for the more dangerous creatures or more help. “It’s a good thing we’ve been putting so much of my royalties from the book into savings…” Again, it’s not what he’s supposed to say but he finds that all he can do is worry of a future when he speaks, though the soft grip of his hand never leaves her.