July 25 '74: A Million Dreams: Phoebe/Fam/Friends

[Edgar Bones]

▶︎ for the world we're gonna make

Edgar → Phoebe → Kyra → Mary → Fabian → Roderick → ...

"Having a good time, Pheebs?" He wrapped an arm around his girlfriend’s shoulders, leaning in to kiss her temple. Ed didn’t know if their apartment had ever been so packed - family and friends from Barking and university and "copper training" had shown up to celebrate Phoebe’s twenty-first birthday and, unknowingly, their engagement. If everything went as planned, that is. But after the last half-decade together, and after her forgiveness of him this summer after the truth about his involvement in the magical community that did exist came out, Edgar didn’t see her saying no to another ring from him. The first was one of protection, gifted when she’d come back to him in June, charmed and the twin to one he wore. And while those were practical, he felt that she was slightly more excited to receive the prettier one in his pocket.

He’d gone to the jewelers the day after she returned.

If she could know what she knew - that he wanted to engage in the war effort happening in secret all around them, that his doing so and their being together put her into more danger than she would be otherwise, that he’d lied by omission and worse during their whole relationship to keep this world from her - and still want their future…what was the point in waiting any longer to propose? To marry the girl he’d loved since he was fifteen; while he hadn’t had the experiences or vocabulary to accurately describe his feelings for her then, and despite the many practice attempts to the mirror or to his best friends maybe he still didn’t, but Edgar hoped he’d do this day justice for her…

The broad-shouldered bloke had taken care in maneuvering through the tight space that had become their apartment, stepping over Sadie and around a thrice-occupied ottoman, in the effort to eventually find Phoebe in the kitchen. Fabian and Gideon were set up in the living room and had assured him that they were ready for their cue to hit the lights and music...It’s go time. Nerves were minimal, all things considered - Edgar was thrilled, excited, amazed…

"I think I have an idea of how to make it even better…Oi, everyone!" Ed gave the room a wave with his free arm at his genial bellow, grinning wide before giving his girl a quick raise of the brows and returning his attention to the guests. "Need your attention, thanks - very special event happening in the living room in forty-five seconds, be there!" Returning his voice to normal, he ducked to speak to Phoebe, "Well, guess we’d better get to the living room, eh?"

[Phoebe Bones]

While normally Phoebe wouldn’t have agreed to have all their friends and family in their small apartment, it wasn’t everyday that she had a birthday. And since Edgar’s admission to her last month, with the turmoil that they had gone through, celebrating this together was special. Her parents had been pleased that things had worked out, and had made the drive all the way from Barking with Edgar’s parents just to be here. Her father was deep in conversation with one of her classmates, while her mother was tidying up the kitchen. “Mum, just leave it! We’ll clean up after everyone leaves,” she laughed as she pulled her mother away from the sink once more, wishing she could tell her mother just how easy it would be. Magic had drastically improved doing chores around the house, but it was a secret she was trying her hardest to keep. She’d already messed up once with Kyra, although since the secret had gotten out her best friend and Fabian had been closer than ever.

“Kyra, if you catch my mum cleaning make her take a shot. That should stop her,” she said as she maneuvered over to her best friend, depositing a glass of wine into the hands of her mother as Edgar suddenly appeared. She grinned up at him, picking up her own glass of wine before she replied, “I’m having a wonderful time. Everything’s perfect.” When he had mentioned that he wanted to plan the party, she’d let him. She’d been busy with exams for the classes she had taken over the summer, and planning parties was something that he enjoyed doing. And while she hadn’t expected that he’d ask to have so many people over, having everyone she loved around was wonderful.

At his announcement, she had to roll her eyes. She should have guessed that he had something else up his sleeve, but she would humor him. Wrapping her arm around him, she followed her friends and family from the kitchen into her living room, giving her dad a look as he glanced back at her and winked. Once they entered the living room, a familiar song hit her ears and she had to smile up at Edgar. “Oh, we had our first dance to this song.”

[Kyra Thatcher]

Phoebe's birthday. Magic is real. The gang's all here...

Tonight was good. Edgar had actually done a respectable job in putting the party together, and he had used good sense in allowing her leeway to choose the records, and, most importantly, Phoebe was happy. And not just tonight, or from the drinking - since the couple had rekindled, secrets out and souls bared, Phoebe was happy. Even as she pulled her mother away from rinsing dishes, Phoebe was beaming, laughing, much more at peace than Kyra had seen her in an age. Happy is good on you, baby. And so she wasted no time in saluting at her best friend's address, absolutely game to play by this new rule. Kyra was briefly distracted by Edgar's buoyant appearance, but caught the neighborhood mum at it again with a little too much glee as the couple spoke.

"Lynn, you heard the birthday girl." She quickly poured two shots out of the nearest bottle, handing one to her second mother with a very pleased look, even though she was about to do a shot of cheap vodka. "In solidarity, darling - to long and happy lives without cleaning at parties." Clinks had, liquor downed, glasses deposited in the sink and Lynn steered away, Kyra shot her best friend's boyfriend a look at his yell. The bloke hadn't had an inside voice as a child, and perhaps she'd been foolish to assume that he'd gain one as an adult. But what sort of surprise could he have that needed everyone together?

"C'mon, to the living room!" She exchanged a look with Lynn before taking her hand and heading after Phoebe and Edgar, into the main room of the party that was no longer playing from her curated list. She let go of Lynn when they found Jorge and wormed her way through the crowd to be near Fabian and Liz, eyes widening as she took stock of just how alone in the room the couple seemed, in the middle of them all. Eyes and attention for no one else, their loved ones gathered...it's happening. Isn't it? Oh my Gaia, it's happening! Kyra couldn't help herself from whispering to them in her excitement, "Is he hijacking her birthday? What do you know, Prewett?" 

[Fabian Prewett]

Fabian only had two things he needed to be responsible for this evening - make sure the twinkling lights are plugged in, and start the song at the right time. Two simple tasks made more difficult by the fact that he wasn’t going to be using magic, because Edgar Bones was going to (finally) propose to Phoebe Adkins in a room with muggles. A month ago Fabian hadn’t been sure if this day would be coming, not when she’d left after Edgar had finally told her the truth about everything. He had hated that she had left, as he’d never seen Edgar so upset before. But Phoebe had come back, and Fabian had been informed back then that this day would be coming. He was happy for them both, as he didn’t have any doubts that they were strong enough to handle anything else life threw at them. And while keeping the secret of magic from Phoebe had caused her to be angry with him as well, Edgar spilling the secret had unexpected benefits for him.

Because Edgar told Phoebe, and Phoebe told Kyra. It was a problem they’d talked about, because having Kyra know was breaking one of the biggest rules of their world. Since the truth had come out, things had changed between the two of them - but it was good. He hadn’t liked keeping the secret from her when they’d tried dating a few years ago, he didn’t like the idea of Kyra being in danger because she knew him. In the past, it had been a choice he had made for her. This time? While nothing was official between them, it was a decision she got to make for herself. For now, there was no harm in her knowing their secret - and neither Phoebe or Kyra would forgive them if he called Obliviators on her. As long as no one found out that she knew, maybe they could all be okay.

He could hear Edgar from the other room, and he excused himself from the conversation to find his brother. “You get the lights, I’ll get the music.” He’d learned how to properly work the radio a few days ago, Phoebe much more patient in explaining muggle things now that she understood why they didn’t know. The lights were on, the song was playing - got your back Edgar, always. Fabian wasn’t sure how many people in the room knew exactly what was about to happen, but from the looks of it Phoebe hadn’t caught on yet. He shot a grin to Kyra as she found him in the crowd, laughing to himself as she seemed to realize what was going on. “Is it really hijacking if this was his plan all along? C’mon, you had to know this was coming. I figured he told you.”

[Roderick Bones]

“Looks like it’s time,” Roderick whispered to Amelia with a grin to his older brother, watching as everyone at the party was slowly gathering in the living room of the small flat. Earlier this summer he’d received a panicked letter from his older brother, telling him that Phoebe Adkins had left. And while it had been difficult for him to be away from Edgar when his brother was going through something rough, it had all turned out okay. Well, besides the fact the idiots had all gone and gotten tattoos without him, Roderick was still a bitter about that fact. But the situation had resolved itself, and now here they were - about to watch Edgar propose to the muggle girl of his dreams. There was no doubt that Phoebe would agree, and soon the future Mrs. Bones would finally be an official member of their family. He gave his sister a wink before leaving her side, moving through the crowd until he found the person he was looking for.

It had been just over a month ago since he had properly met Mary MacDonald, but he'd been captivated by her smile instantly. He'd spend a fair amount of time in Diagon Alley since then, eating ice cream and talking with her and Alice. And when Edgar said he could invite whoever he wanted, he'd instantly thought this was the kind of thing she might enjoy. There was something magical about proposals and watching them happen, something a hopeless romantic like himself loved. Sure he could cast spells with a wand, but wasn't loving people and spending time with them really the better gift? "Hey, you made it!" he said with a smile to her, pulling her into a hug. He was excited to get to introduce her to his family. They could be overwhelming, but he knew his family would make her feel welcome. He didn't do this, invite girls around his family. The only time he'd really tried to date was when he tried to trick Kyra into one, and that had not ended in his favor.

He'd been keeping Mary in the loop about Edgar and Phoebe, after they'd spent an afternoon scheming on how to get them back together. It felt right, for her to be here and witness the proposal. He knew it was probably silly, but he felt himself already smitten with the young Gryffindor, and wondering if she was feeling the same sort of things he was. In a move that he felt was slightly bold, he took her hand as the crowd gathered around Phoebe and Edgar, giving Mary a grin before he focused his attention back to his brother. You've got this mate, she'll say yes.

[Edgar Bones]

welcome to join!: amelia, eliza, charity, gideon, molly, arthur

A broad smile met his girlfriend's roll of the eyes at his theatrics, and Ed's heart felt about ready to burst out of his chest as Pheebs wrapped an arm around his waist. It's happening. Actually going to bloody do it. She'll be your fiancée in a few minutes. His arm fit around her shoulders as they walked together, giddy looks exchanged between him and those in the know - his sister and brother, adoptive brothers, parents and soon-to-be in-law's - when Fabian's timing proved perfect. The song was slow and emotive, and as recognition dawned on Phoebe's face, he paused them in the clearing middling of their living room. Friends and family encircled them, and he'd thought he'd be projecting his voice for this bit - why have an audience if they couldn't hear the main event, right? - but found it unnecessary. For one, the shushing happening all around was quieting the lot well enough. For two...while it was grand to have those they loved here, what he had to say was truly only for Phoebe's heart. Bugger the rest of them, then, if some of what he said wasn't heard - they'd get the gist.

"Yeah - yeah, we did," he returned with a smile down at her, unwrapping his arm and stepping forward to face her, wondering just when she'd realize where he was going with this interruption of the party. "I liked you an absurd amount then, you know. Was trying so hard to be cool, unruffled, when we danced. Utterly failed at that, but you liked me for it." Ed chuckled and gently tucked her hair behind her ear, the luck of coming so far from flirting in driveways of their childhood culdesac still boggling him. "I knew I loved you by that Christmas. That fall was torture, being apart, and when we were together again - it was magic. I knew then that I'd do everything I could to show you that I was worthy of being loved by you. And since then, I haven't been perfect. I've messed up, and I've done better, and I've loved you through every day."

Only a few short weeks ago, he wouldn't have dared any of this. The pain he'd put her through in finally revealing the truth, it was something he didn't know if they'd recover from, however much love there was between them. But upon her forgiveness? He'd purchased the ring the next day, nothing holding him back from proposing then and there save the want of having their loved ones around. If she could come back, if she could want to move forward in life with him, accept magic and the war and his calling - this next step was marvelously inevitable. Phoebe Adkins deserved the world, after all; and making good on their long understanding of marriage seemed like the right step towards delivering the world to her door. He stepped closer and took her hands within his restless ones, sure eyes finding hers, voice lowering as it caught in his throat. "I think about us a lot, Pheebs. Where we've been, where we are, how I wouldn't be who I am today without these years of being with you. Most of all, though - I think about where we're going. When I'm in the field, I think about the children we'll have. How they'll have your eyes, so I'll never be able to say no to them. I think about growing up with you. How even when we're old and gray, we'll laugh at jokes we can't remember the endings of, and bicker about whose turn it is to plan a date night, all on the front porch of the home we built together." 

Hands squeezing hers, he leaned in to whisper in her ear, "I think about our wedding too, and realize I've gotten ahead of myself. Because we haven't had one of those yet, have we?" Edgar pulled back and took a knee before her, grinning anew at the hoots coming from his periphery. But nothing was taking him out of the moment as he looked to the woman he loved. "Phoebe - everything I am, everything I will be, is yours. Forever, if you'll have me. Will you marry me?" Ring! Ring, idiot! He let out a short laugh and dug into his pocket, hand victoriously emerging to extend the ring towards her.

[Phoebe Bones]

She should have known there would be more to this party than there already was, but she couldn’t possibly fathom what announcement Edgar was going to make with all of these people crowded into their place. But she had time to observe as they walked, and she didn’t miss the looks that were passing between Edgar and a few members of their family. Obviously they knew what this grand announcement was, and they seemed just as giddy about it as Edgar did. They came to a stop in the center of their living room, their song playing, and Phoebe smiled up at Edgar as he confirmed she was correct. She remembered that day so well, it was hard to believe it had been all those years ago now. She’d gone from just another neighborhood girl to a member of the Bones family quickly, dinners at their house still a fond memory from their past together. Months without Edgar had been difficult, but she’d managed them. Managing them had brought her here, to this moment.

A moment that she realized every single person in the room were fixated on her and Edgar. They’re just waiting for the announcement, it can’t be… Edgar was recounting their love story, from the moment that they had danced together to this song. With everyone listening, and she could see Fabian smiling like the biggest idiot behind Edgar’s head. She could see the look on Kyra’s face, and the way Roderick was giggling to himself. But, as she tried to talk herself down, Edgar took her hands and stepped closer to her.

Oh, this is definitely happening. And on your birthday!
        Just try to stay calm, don’t panic. You’ve only been dreaming about this.
Am I smiling? Yes I’m smiling. Good.

Her thoughts almost made her miss Edgar’s next words, and Phoebe didn’t have a doubt in her mind anymore about what was happening. Hopefully, her demeanor was as calmer than she was, because she was just bursting full of love. If he was going to propose to her - this has to be where this is going - he’d done a splendid job of setting it up to happen just how she had always wanted. Surrounded by their nearest and dearest. Their future was going to be so wonderful, and she wanted to recount this story to their grandchildren one day. Phoebe had to blink back happy tears as Edgar whispered to only her, confirming what she had already guessed - and if that hadn’t confirmed it, him going down on one knee did.

It’s really happening.

“Yes, yes I’ll marry you Edgar Bones!” she said, leaning down to give him a kiss before she held out her hand to him. The ring fit perfectly, and it was so beautiful she couldn’t handle it. This was all so perfect, and she had to laugh as their family cheered for the two of them. Everything was perfect.

[Kyra Thatcher]

"I wouldn't've been able to keep it from Pheebs if Ed told me," Kyra remarked dismissively, but lightly elbowed Fabian in the arm with an amused look, coming closer to drop in a flirtatious whisper, "You could've said something, though. Have tools at your disposal that he doesn't, could've struck an entertaining bargain to make me keep the secret. Missed opportunity." She sent him a wink before turning her attention to the couple of the moment the century. Hold on - is that Roderick? With a girl? So. Many. Questions. Sh*te, focus. Fabian was right in a sense, however. She had known that a proposal, marriage, was on the way for Edgar and her best friend. Someday. Way in the far off distant future, Phoebe would settle down and get a house in the 'burbs and Ed would stay there to raise their children. She hadn't thought that they'd jump into this today - when Phoebe was still in school, when they were still so fresh from their separation and the valid reasons for it. ”Oh come on, Kiki,” she could almost hear Phoebe telling her, a laugh in her voice. ”You know Ed. I took him back - why would he wait any longer?”

The old song played, other voices keeping to a low hum in the room that'd suddenly become so still, but even so it was difficult to hear Edgar's words. And despite herself, despite her uncertainty of ever coming into a lasting love, she did want to hear. Kyra found herself tipping forward on her toes to better catch the exchange, hand shooting out to grab hold of Fabian for steadiness as the last shot with Lynn threatened to overwhelm her balance. Even with that effort, she was missing it, so decided against concentrating on what was coming out of his mouth as she landed back on her heels. Instead, Kyra looked to him. To Phoebe. To the openness and vulnerability and love with which he looked to her, doubt nowhere to be seen. To the way her dearest friend seemed nearly about to explode from the wait - nearly ten years of it - and likely would've had he not wrapped it up when he did.

The notes of the song were drowned out as Edgar went to a knee, and Kyra felt the energy in the room swirling around her. A flurry of thoughts - selfish ones, mainly, the guilt of which to unpack that night with Liz - overlapped as they struck her. Change, its inevitability and her hypocritical feelings towards it, wanting the happiness it should bring to Phoebe but not wanting their relationship to change because of the new level hers was taking with Edgar. One of the longest lasting constants in her life, one of the only relationships she wanted to be consistent, was undoubtedly going to change. It has to. Won't it? Feeling the thrill of this new development for her friend coupled with an unexpected fear she tried to push down, Kyra watched it all unfold. The ring extended, Phoebe's tearful face, a kiss and the laughter, the laughter, as years of promises were affirmed. 

This is what Phoebe - and Edgar, too, to be fair - had wanted for so long. To make a personal and public declaration of love, to solidify their bond the way their parents had, to bring more promises of "the future" closer to fruition. And she was happy for them - her heart was thudding in her chest, and a smile had broken through her shock, and she clapped and hollered with the lot. Happy now. Only happy now. The rest, figure it out later. You'll never lose her, you know that - snap out of it! 

She took a moment before stepping towards them, securing Phoebe to her in a tight hug when she could. "Knew he'd get his head on straight eventually," she commented with a laugh. Kyra pulled back to look at the blissful woman, and impulsively leaned in to kiss her cheek, worries set aside for the moment as the other's happiness overwhelmed them. "Happy is good on you, babe. This is - this is going to be an unforgettable journey, I feel it in my..." A groan, a shake of the head. "Sh*te - are you changing your name? If you do, please don't make as many bad jokes using bones as he does..."

[Mary Macdonald]

"A surprise engagement party, Alice! He invited me to a surprise engagement party!"

Mary had hardly been able to contain her excitement since this date had been proposed suggested by her...not-yet-but-hopefully-soon-to-be boyfriend. The whole thing was so romantic, wasn't it? Just a few short weeks ago when Roderick had filled her in, things had been so tragic, she could hardly believe it! That Edgar and Phoebe, destined by his account, might be beyond repair? Because of magic? She could imagine the betrayal the young woman must have felt, the utter despair of Roderick's brother. How often did it happen that one in their world was met with this fate? To fall in love with a muggle only to have magic come between them? Her own sense of relief at the news that they had reconciled paled in comparison to the others who were coming to this event, she was sure, but she still felt honored to be included. Lucky, too, that she didn't know the other attendees yet - a secret like this could've burst out at any time! Alice had assured her though that there would be plenty of other magical people to speak to, and she was certain that she could follow Roderick's lead on that...

He wants you there with him. Probably something. Definitely something.

She straightened herself up using her reflection in the window, hoping she'd been right in following her instincts about taking the Knight Bus instead of walking. In this heat? From Diagon Alley? Apparition license can't come soon enough. It was a short trip to the Bones-Adkins neighborhood, thankfully, and worth the fare. Birthday gift wrapped and tucked under her arm - a little magical cooking 101 could help soothe the introduction to the magical world, no? something fun to do together? perks of a magical fiance? - Mary followed the directions from her date to find the flat, quietly letting herself in. She didn't have too long to feel out of place - was there anyone else from school here besides Roderick and Amelia? or anyone else her age? - as Roderick was quick to notice her, sweetest of blokes that he was. "Wouldn't dream of missing this! I'm in time?" she asked under her breath, all smiles as he wrapped his arms around her, which she returned with feeling for a few heartbeats. Roderick took her free hand in his and led her to the gathered group, and before she knew it...

If this is what it feels like to watch, imagine what it'll be like to hear someone ask you someday, if you're so lucky.

She'd already heard so many stories about the love between them, it felt like she knew the couple so well. But to see them in this moment, their love and intentions laid bare...It was more than she had thought, and happy tears welled in her eyes long before all was said and done. She was cheering with the lot at Phoebe's acceptance, although she didn't let go of Roderick's hand to join in with the clapping. Blinking tears away as she laughed, she turned to her date, "Go on and congratulate them! I'll - I can meet them after things have quieted down, this is their moment."

[Amelia Bones]

Summer holidays were in full effect and a birthday party / secret engagement party was just the perfect excuse to let loose, even if her parents and Pheebs' parents and likely all the parents from their neighborhood were going to be present. She was sixteen now, nearly an adult, and she could do as she pleased. Plus, everyone was going to be too busy faffing about over Eddie and Pheebs to worry about whether sweet little Amelia had had too much sauce. The music was pretty groovy, which Amelia instantly knew meant Edgar had nothing to do with it, and she bopped around in the vastly too small flat with her second glass of wine.

When everyone was directed into the lounge, Amelia knew the fun was starting and she made sure to push through to find a good seat. It was not that long ago that Phoebe had broken things off with her brother, much to Ed's devastation, and Amelia credited herself to saving their relationship, though in reality she likely did very little. She had simply, lovingly, mind you, told Phoebe to get over it. It wasn't as though their parents could just tell the whole neighborhood about their family's secret, they'd have been run out of town. And as far as secret lives go, "I'm a wizard" was a much kinder omission than "I've got another family in Westchester but I'm actively plotting their mysterious disappearance so don't bother trying to ring them." Clearly those were the only two scenarios it could have been, and if nothing else it had made Phoebe laugh for even just a moment. So right, it was probably their love for each other or some nonsense that got them back together but if anyone asked Amelia, it was all do to her brilliant comforting skills.

She was halfway done with her glass by the time Ed's speech was wrapping up and she made soft, false gagging noises gently to the woman beside her as Edgar started talking about their future kids. The older muggle woman clearly wasn't as amused with Amelia as Amelia was, so she bit her tongue and watched as Edgar finally got around to the important bits. The room was dead silent as they all waited for Phoebe to answer; the perfect time for Amy to shout something vulgar and lighten the mood? Nah. She kept her humorous exploits to herself and let her new soon-to-be sister-in-law give her answer, setting off a raucous cheer from the rest of the party.

Tagged: Edgar Bones Phoebe Bones Roderick Bones & everyone else!
Outfit: If my brothers complain about the length of my skirt, I'll shorten it in the loo