Chapter Text
Tina stood for a second, her thoughts going a million miles per hour. So much had happened in the past twenty-four hours, and the last thing she was prepared for was a proposal from the man who had indirectly broken her heart. Of course she now knew that the magazine article had been incorrect; Newt wasn’t marrying Leta, and he had been trying to return to New York. He had told her this himself.
‘Of course I like him…but can I marry him right now? Do I have any other options?’ she didn’t know how much time had passed since Newt had asked the question. While it was probably only seconds, it almost felt like hours had passed.
“Do you even want to marry me?” she was finally able to blurt out.
“Do you want to be sent back to New York? I was simply trying to help you stay here.” he hoped his words didn’t come out as harshly as he realized they may have sounded. “Though it seems that may be our only option, it is completely your choice.”
Theseus took this moment to walk back to the main part of the house, saying something on the lines of “Let me know when you decide what you want to do.”
Tina sighed, “If I go back to New York...I have nothing there anymore. I have an empty apartment that’s going to remind me of Queenie leaving. And I might lose my job anyways if they decide they don’t want me anymore. If I stayed would Theseus be able to hire me as an Auror?”
“He is Head Auror, and I believe he can pick whoever he wants for his team. It sounds to me like he was ready to offer you a spot.”
“And what about Jacob?”
Newt thought for a second, “I’m not sure MACUSA knows he’s here, or that he remembers anything. They might think he’s been obviated by the Ministry. Theseus didn’t say anything about him. Of course he’s welcome to stay here with me as long as he would want.”
“Didn’t Theseus say MACUSA wanted me on my way by tomorrow? Do we even have enough time to get married? If we decided to go that route, at least.”
“If I understand correctly, after tomorrow they’d have you fired, and send someone here for you. Even if we can’t marry by tomorrow, it could be done by the time anyone arrived here from New York.”
Tina’s questions stopped, and she considered her options. On one hand, she returns willingly and has a chance of keeping her job, though likely being demoted for some period of time. On the other, she could marry Newt and start a job as an Auror in a new country, but be able to hunt Grindelwald and stay apart of the action.
And if she decided to do neither? Not return or marry Newt? She’d definitely lose her job, and still end up back in New York alone.
“Before I make my decision, I want to make sure I would be able to work here as an Auror, and not end up somewhere else.” she finally said.
“I understand. Shall we go ask?” Newt offered, turning to leave the basement.
Going upstairs, Jacob had finished breakfast and was setting different types of food on the table, and Theseus was standing in the sitting room.
“Sorry I went a little overboard with the food,” Jacob apologized, “I like to cook when I need a distraction.”
“Quite alright Jacob, I’m sure we could all use a good meal.” Newt smiled at him, knowing his friend was still coming to terms with what had happened with Queenie. “Theseus, I believe Tina wants to talk with you a bit more.”
As Tina and the older Scamander went to talk in a more private place, Jacob looked at Newt with a slight confused look. “Is something going on?” he asked.
“An issue with MACUSA came up, we’re working to get it dissolved. They want her to return home.”
“But...but she can’t. Not with Queenie gone and…and don’t they need her here? Wouldn’t it be more beneficial?”
“Unfortunately that’s not how they see it.” Newt helped the No-Maj set the table, and by the time they finished the other two had returned.
“If you would like to join us Theseus,” Newt offered, knowing his brother probably hadn’t eaten either, “there’s plenty for you as well.”
As the four ate, Tina said nothing. Any attempt at small talk failed fairly quickly, as everyone lacked the energy for it. Even as Bunty arrived for work and greeted everyone, she decided it best not to linger and quickly made her way to the creatures.
It wasn’t until after everything was cleaned up that Tina pulled Newt upstairs to the bedroom she had stayed in the night before so they could talk.
“I was given an offer to join your brothers team, if I want it.” she said as soon as the door was closed, “He wants my answer before he returns to the Ministry this afternoon, so he can get the paperwork together.”
“So have you made your decision?” the magizoologist was slightly nervous, something which he hadn’t felt when he made his sudden proposal in the basement.
“I have, I think. Of course it depends on if you’re actually willing to do this. Though I will have some conditions if this does happen.”
“If you do decide to marry me, we won’t have to live as husband and wife if that’s what you want. In public we might have to keep up appearances a bit, but in private nothing would have to change. If you don’t want it to.” he quickly added on the last part.
“I…” Tina thought for a second, deciding how to word what she had to say, “I would want to eventually. In the beginning could we act like we were in a normal courtship? I’m not sure for how long, but I don’t want to suddenly act as a married couple when you haven’t even so much as kissed me yet.”
“...Would you like for me to?”
“To what?”
“Kiss you. I mean...we’ll have to when...if...we marry anyways.” Newt silently scowled himself for asking, especially when Tina went silent again for a few seconds, oblivious to the slight blush she now had.
“Please.” she whispered, and instantly wished she had just said the word yes instead.
Stepping forward, Newt slowly brought a hand up to cup her cheek before pressing his lips to hers. It was a short but sweet kiss, and when they broke apart Newt rested his forehead on hers, both having a small smile.
“I...I’ve been wanting to do that for a while now.” Newt admitted. “I should’ve back on the docks when I left New York.”
Tina’s smile brightened, “I feel a bit better saying this now, if I’m being honest. But I want you to ask me again. But properly.”
Newt took a small step back, just enough to grab her hands and get down on one knee. “I obviously don’t have a ring to present to you at the moment, nor do I have a heartfelt speech prepared, but I will admit that I have fallen for you. I had full intentions of returning to you, presenting you with a copy of my book, and asking you for a proper courtship. I can’t do any of that now, but I ask this. Porpentina Goldstein, will you marry me?”
“Yes, Newton Scamander, I will.”