LONDON CALLING

"Frequently. Pregnant moms, expectant fathers, all sorts of people," Eve replied to Ruby. "A certain amount of anxiety is nervous for first time moms like you. You get past the first one, and you'll feel like an old pro at it with the others. Come lie down on one of the tables. I'll take your robe when you're ready and I'll cover you with a sheet and only uncover what I'm working on. As for massage oil, I have lavender, coconut, sweet almond, and a chamomile relaxation scent. What would you like?"

Simone took her place face down on the other table and handed over her robe while Zoe covered her from the waist down with a sheet and pinned her hair up easily with a big hair clip. She chose the almond oil, just because she liked the smell, and she settled in while Zoe got started massaging Simone's head and scalp to loosen up any tension she might have because of wedding jitters.

Angus and Edward were likewise getting settled. The massage therapists that they had were large muscled men, built rather like Jack. The man that Angus had, named Alec, had no trouble helping Angus from his chair to the table. Edward's therapist named, Euan, seemed to be impressed that a man of Edward's age was still in such good shape and had such good muscle tone. Their tent was also set up for manicures, pedicures, and hair styles.

Ruby felt more relaxed as Eve replied to her smiling she moved to the table and lay down handing Eve her robe. " wow, I just want to get past the first, never mind think about any more right now." she said and chuckled as she lay face down on the table. As she did she glanced over at Simine and smiled but then heard Eve let her know what oils they had and she thought for a moment " oh Lavender, I like the smell of lavender" she said softly as she lay on the bed and let Eve work on her muscles and her nerves a little.

"It gets a lot easier in the second trimester," Simone said. "Especially for wizarding women. By the time you're into your fourth month the potion has stabilized a lot of the hormones and you'll start to feel better. Muggle women sometimes have to fight all the way through it. And, you'll find that if you talk to many wizarding moms, a lot of them make a point to go to St Mungo's because of the prenatal potion. They've gained a reputation in the last few years for having some of the best prenatal potion in the wizarding world, and I can only guess that it's because Robert has put his head together with men like Nigel, and they've done some vast improvements in it."

"Absolutely," Eve said. "Made a difference for me between my second and my third. It made it so much easier. Now if they just had a prenatal potion for the dads." She laughed.

"Yes, I know what you mean," Simone said. "Obviously I don't know what Edward was like as an expectant dad, but Angus is pretty controlled about it."

"Controlled or honestly calm?" Eve laughed.

"I'm not sure. He's generally calm about pretty much everything, I think," Simone said, "but he's also a strong protector."

"So, it sounds like he's harder to read," Eve smiled. "Mine honestly wanted a gas mask for the first really nasty diaper he had to deal with."

"What do you think, Ruby? Would he be a good candidate for a formula for dads, or does he have this all managed?" Simone asked. "From what I've seen, he's great with kids, but this will be the first baby that's his, and that might make a difference. I don't think he'll shy away from a dirty diaper. I think he'll survive that."

Ruby heard them talking and smiled "God I hope it does get easier , coz this first trimester has not been kind " she said and sighed " I have been all over the place , one minet everything is fine the next Im like a ditzy blond , forgetting things left and right." she told them then thought about Angus "" I think he'll be a wonderful dad and hes had practice with Abby since she was a baby so I have been told by Kate and Khaat, he's caring , kind and loving too, he's always thinking of my safty and the babys too, I love that we adpoted my brothers and he's taken to them as if they were his own, and I know they love him for that, coming from where they did." she relaxed smelling the calming scent of lavender around her.

Looking over at Simone she smiled " hows your massage?" she asked feeling like she was totaly refreshed and relaxed. " I am totaly loving this scent" she said softly with a sigh as she let Eve continue.

"I'm glad you're enjoying it," Simone said to Ruby. "It's a lovely treat, isn't it?

"Pregnancy gets better as it goes along," Eve said. "You're blessed that your bloke's been so tolerant. I've seen some first time dads get cold feet about it once the moms start having negative side effects."

"I don't think its actually cold feet, though," Simone said. "I think, honestly, it isn't a change of heart about the baby or the moms. I do think its more like guilt and self blame."

"Guilt? How do you figure?" Zoe asked.

"Well, think about it. A man who loves his wife sees her all of a sudden constantly feeling ill in some way or another, he's going to blame himself because he's going to feel responsible for causing all of that distress for her. I know Maurice went through it with our kids. As much as he loved me and loved the idea of children, he blamed himself for causing me those negative symptoms. It was the reason we had two children and not three. He just honestly couldn't deal with yet one more round of guilt he carried for all those months."

"My husband went through it too," Eve said, "and it took him awhile to get past it. We're fine now, though. By the time we got to number three and four, he was an old hand at it. First time dads, though. I feel sorry for them. it's a new thing for us, and its a new thing for them too. Don't take it personally as he adjusts. He'll come along. They do--especially if, as you say, he's particularly good with children."

Ruby listened to them talking and sighed if they were right she felt Angus ws feeling guilty but she knew it was not the case. Infact she knew he was loving the idea of becoming adad and she thanks to Robert wasn't feeling too bad compared to other moms. " I think Angus is doing great, I don't think hes feeling guilty at all, just frustrated I think at my mood swings, but those I will get under control soon ..I hope" she said and chuckled enjoying the massage and pampering from Eve.

"I have to say days like this make me feel human again, and not some stressed out mom" she said with a smile. " I do hope Angus is enjoying his pamper session." she said " he deserves it after all the stress I put him threw."

"Well, I'm glad you're enjoying it," Eve said.

When the massages were done, Simone put her robe back on, and Bridget introduced a second stylist, a red haired woman named Nora. Bridget served Simone a cup of tea and settled her into a relaxing foot soak while she worked on doing her manicure. Nora and Bridget had brought some pretty taupe nail polish because of the taupe and sage green wedding colors. They thought that a bit of elegance and restraint were probably what the bride would want. They did have other colors in their supplies if they needed to change their colors They also had some rhinestones and other decorations for nails if either Ruby or Simone wanted them.

When Ruby's massage was done, Nora introduced herself to Ruby.

"Hi, I'm Nora, and I'll be doing your nails and your hair and makeup today. I have a warm soak for your feet to soften any dead skin, and while your feet are soaking, we can do your manicure. Would you like a cup of tea before we get started?"

At the same time, Angus and Edward were having pedicures and manicures, without the polish but their nails were being shaped and buffed to help them look well put together. As that was happening, Ian brought them each a gentleman's cocktail that had both bourbon and brandy in it, with a bit of creme de menthe and club soda. It was a drink that both Angus and Edward liked very much. They hadn't done a lot of talking, but they hadn't needed to. They were just enjoying having a bit of a gentlemen's spa treatment.

Ruby dressed in her robe and moved to a chair by the vanity and smiled to Nora " hey, glad to meet you" she said and sat down looking at her self she smiled seeing the young woman that was looking back at her. Sitting back she looked at Simone and smiled relaxing into the chair as Nora did her nails as her feet soaked in a foot spa of bubbles with lavender scented water.

"so Simone how you doing?" she asked turning her head slightly to look at her sat next to her as they had their nails done she chose a light green with a simple gold stripe knowing it was perfect for her. " what do you think?" she said hlding up one hand to show Simone.

"I'm doing fine," Simone smiled. "How about you? I think that color is very nice. It looks good. Bridget, what time is it? Are we running on time?"

"You've got plenty of time," Bridget smiled. "It's only half past nine. You got here at eight, and we took an hour for your massage. We alloted 90 minutes for the mani pedi, so by half past ten or so, we'll do your hair. You'll have some time after that for a bit of a break for something to drink or a snack. We'll do your makeup by about 12:45 or one, and that will still give you plenty of time to dress before two. Not to worry. We've got it down to a fine art. Nervous?"

"No, actually," Simone smiled. "I just noticed there is no clock in here."

"Well, yes, there is, in our things, but we deliberately don't put one within the eyesight of the bride or groom because when we used to do that, they were doing chronic clockwatching and they weren't enjoying their spa time," Bridget said.

As they were talking Natalie came in to check on them.

"How's it going, Ladies?" Natalie asked.

"It's wonderful," Simone said.

"I just came from the groom's tent," she said. "They seem to be enjoying themselves too. Edward gave this to me to give to you." She handed a box to Simone. With her dry hand, Simone opened the box and found a beautiful colorful glass perfume bottle. There was a label on it. The label simply said "Beloved." There was a little note under the bottle. It was from Edward, and it explained he had had this fragrance created especially for her to give her on her wedding day. She lifted the little glass stopper and put just a tiny hint of it on the back of her hand to smell. It was light and yet it smelled like a fabulous bouquet of fresh cut flowers.

"How thoughtful!" she said. "He had a perfume created for me, and it's wonderful." She passed the bottle to Ruby to see and perhaps try some if she wanted. "I have a gift for him too, Natalie. It's over on the coffee table."

"Got it," Natalie said. "I'll take it to him right now" She took the package and left.

"I'm afraid my gift isn't nearly so romantic. I know he's a huge quidditch fan, so I bought him season tickets for one of the best boxes in the house for his favorite team, as well as tickets for all the World Cup games," Simone told them.

Ruby smiled and had sat back when simone mentioned the lack of a clock and she chuckled hearing Bridgets responce. When simone showed her the color of ehr nails she smield " there beautiful and will go well with your dress too" she said then the flap of the tent moved and Nataliewalked in she just smiled and nodded leaving simone to talk.

As simone opened the box she smiled and smelled the perfume when she offered it to her. "Smells wonderful, but Its designed for you, if I wear it it might not smell nice." she said politly declining using teh special perfume. She heard her mention a gift for Edward and what it was once Natalie left the tent " oh I know he will so love those." she said and smiled " don't be suprised if Edward takes you, or he might take Angus." she said taking a deep breth in and calming her mind down a it started to race with how thing would go for Angus and her on their weding day.