THANK YOU MERLIN!!! Blake was ready for this to be over. Not that he hadn't learned a ton, and really had gotten to know Isla (whom turned out to be a pretty cool person). But this being a baby daddy thing was for the birds!!!

"Professor Schmoe!!"Blake nearly sung the words, he was in such a good mood to be giving back their baby. Now him and Isla could hang out at the lake without a baby between them, they could chill in the common room and not being changing diapers!! Blake was in a vibrant mood! Vibrant!!!!

Isla followed Blake into the room, with baby Ellie cradled in her arms. She'd carried through with her promise, and she had spent her last few weeks with Ellie trying to be as positive as possible. Sure, there had still been some rough moments here and there, but after that outing at the lake, Ellie had tried her hardest to show Ellie the best life possible.

She had even made a tiny baby doll dress for Ellie. "This is for Ellie, Professor," she said, as she held out a tiny dress with little yellow ducks all over it. She had used charms to cut the fabric and piece it together. "If you can, can you make sure this goes with her?" It would be kind of weird to never see Ellie again, and she hoped whoever got her next would treat her kind. You know, change all her diapers on time and all.

She sat down next to Blake. "Well, we did it. She's still alive and all ready to go!" she said. As much as she loved her little baby, it would awesome to get some much needed sleep again. "You've been an amazing partner, and hopefully we can hang out again. Baby or not."

Claudine was a tad sad that this assignment was just about wrapped up. She had learnt a lot but not quite sure what she was going to do with this information in the future. A kid or kids was/were not a part of her plans of being a world famous artist. The second year moved into the room, Christopher softly cooing in her arms. Cole wasn't there as yet, a glance around the room told her. He'd be there soon, she knew. "Hi, Professor,'' Claudine said to Schmoe.

Then she went to take her seat at one of the tables. The were going to be her final moments with Christopher. Would she miss him? Yes, she would. Would she miss the crying and sometimes overwhelming demands? Not quite.

Well it was a sad day for Naya. Today she would have to give baby Sierra back to Professor Schmoe. While some may have been glad for the day, she was going to miss her little Sisi. Her baby doll had been her constant companion for most of the term. It was going to be lonely without Sierra although Naya would not miss the interrupted sleep.

As she entered the Muggle Studies classroom, she held the baby tight. They still had a few minutes before their time together was over. Naya went and sat at an empty table and prepared to wait. She thought about her time with Sierra, reflecting on all they had done together. There was their interesting time in class, their picnic at the lake, their sleepless nights. “I’m going to miss you Sisi”, she whispered in Sierra’s ear. Any time now, it would all be over.

Cole was feeling mixed emotions about this baby assignment drawing to a close. He was both sad and glad. He had learned a lot about himself and how to care for a baby for future purposes but it had been very exhausting to do it alongside his OWL studies. He wanted a child or two when he grew up and met the right girl. This assignment hadn't scared him off from that but that was a dream for when he was like near 30 or so. Cole shuffled his feet as he entered the classroom some 10 minutes or so after Claudine.

A quick glance around told him that Claudine was present along with Professor Schmoe and a few other students. Shooting Professor Schome a smile and a wave he greeted. "Hello Professor Schome." Cole then procceed to head over to the table where Claudine sat with Christopher in her arms. Feeling that things we're still a bit off between them he asked to be safe rather than sorry later. "Hi Claudine. Is it okay if I sit beside you?"

Finneas couldn't believe the time had come. It was at once a relief and also a time of great sadness. He had enjoyed seeing the fake babies all around the school. It had brought out a different side of his students, y'know? But also, he couldn't stand anymore crying and time was time, so like? YES. Good. The end was here.

It was .... an interesting sight, however, to see how varied the reactions of his students were. Blake, for example, couldn't have been MORE thrilled. Isla, while also not seemingly pressed, was not QUITE as pleased as Mr. Ryan. Interesting indeed. Finneas approached the pair with his clipboard. "Good day," he smiled at Mr. Ryan who looked like he was about to jump out of his robes in pure glee. Er. ".... Thank you," Finneas smiled uncomfortably as he took the dress from Isla. This was unexpected. She did know that the babies would be returning to where babies came from right?

Storage.

"I errr will make sure of that.. Yes." He refrained from pointing out that the baby wasn't actually alive, and instead nodded his head. "So, er, any final thoughts before we wrap up? Anything you've learned and want to share?"



Finneas geeted Claudine with a smile, but didn't make his way over quite yet as he knew that Cole would be following shortly. Hopefully. Which! He did, by the way, so it was all good and well. "Huuuullo," he smiled as he approached the two, his clipboard in hand. "How are you feeling about turning him in?" Because he was curious and wanted to know.


Finneas was not at all aware of the emotional rollercoaster that seemed to be plaguing Naya. He was, instead, a jolly man today! Had received the nicest package from Alina. Star wars socks. BRILLIANT. AnyWAY.

"Hullo," he sung as he neared. "How are you feeling today?"

Jillian got herself ready, she made sure that everything needed to returned was in that bag. On top of it laid the baby, she stared at it for awhile and felt a bit torn that she was going to return it today. Oh wow, it was that time already. Not that she was entirely sad, of course she's happy that the assignment was over too. No more parenting responsibilities. She can finally stop hiding so much in the music classroom every noon until dinner time.

She made her way back to the classroom once again, the baby on her one hand and the bag on the other.

Professor Schmoe was already assisting a few of the students as she walked in. No biggie. She placed the bag on the table before taking a seat, smiling at the professor and saying a greeting "Nice to meet you again, Professor" she chuckled softly.

Rylee must have stood outside the classroom for at least ten minutes with Serafina cradled in her arms. This was the last time she was going to be holding her like this or well... at all for that matter. Unlike some of her peers that were over the moon about giving their 'babies' back, she wasn't. In fact she was the complete opposite. For the first time since being given Serafina, she hadn't slept at all. Not a wink. All she had been able to think about was how this was their last night together, their last morning, everything they did now was for the last time.

The longer the lioness stalled walking into that room the harder it was getting to do so. Her emotions were slowly slipping out of control and she knew if she didn't get this over with right now she would end up in tears right here in the corridor. Inhaling a deep breath, Ry blow it out slowly finally moving into the room.

"Hello, professor" she greeted quietly slipping into an empty seat carefully. The baby bag was set on the desk in front of her, inside it was all of Serafina's things. Waiting for Schmoe to come over to them she went about fixing the fleece blanket with little wolf and bat pattern that she had made around Sera. The 'baby' was also given her paci and small stuffed unicorn.

Naya was lost in her thoughts. She almost didn’t hear the professor speaking to her. ”Oh hi Professor. I’m fine. It's just.........that I’m a little sad to be giving Sierra back today.” It really sounded ridiculous. She was turning in a doll at the end of an assignment. Big deal. Except it was kind of a big deal for Naya. She would survive, but right now, she was sad. “I really enjoyed the assignment professor. Will you do this again next year?” Naya wouldn’t mind it.

At that moment, Sierra began to cry. Was it possible for doll babies to feel the anxiety of their fake parents? Naya held Sierra close and said, “It’s ok Sisi”. “The professor is going to take care of you now.” In the meantime, Naya rocked her baby and tried to calm her down.

Blake smiled at Isla. She was always so thoughtful, even with their 'baby'. It had been ... okay ... well fun in a way... to be working with Isla all school year. I mean maybe they could have had a different project to work on together all year .. like building a bridge ... but either way ... Blake had learned a lot about babies and about himself really. "Well I learned that Isla is pretty cool." He added, he wanted her to know that .. to know that this friendship should last since .. after all ... they had been unofficially married all school year. "And babies are a lot of work." Blake added, of course everyone knew that now! "But it was fun to work as a team and a family unit." Blake added, just because baby Ellie cried a lot didn't mean that it was all bad.

Cole silently took a seat next to Claudine at the table and waited for Professor Schome to come over. When the elder man came over with his clipboard in hand Cole took a moment to ponder his question before he looked up to answer truthfully. "I've got mixed feelings to turning him in tell you the truth professor. I'm a bit sad because i've grown attached to Christopher and have become accustomed to having him around and caring for him." Here he paused to glance down at the doll with liking and then briefly at Claudine before his eyes we're back on Professor Schome. "I'm also glad to turning him in because it has not been easy to care for a doll ontop of my OWL studies and I've missed sleeping full nights, but Claudine has been a really good co-parent. I wouldn't have managed it without her." Here he fell silent, letting Claudine share how she felt about things.

Schmoe didn't seem impressed with the dress that Isla had brought along. She gave him a disapproving look. "Oh, come on. Her next mom can try it on her!" she insisted. She didn't expect Schmoe to understand. Schmoe was a man. What did he know about putting babies in cute dresses anyway? She followed that up with a sweet smile anyway. "You're welcome."

The topic shifted gears, and Isla looked and listened as Blake shared his thoughts. He had honestly been the perfect partner for this assignment. "...and I learned that Blake is going to be an amazing dad and husband one day. You know, one day a long, long, long time from now," she said. "He always seemed to know just what to do, even when I was super unsure." She'd learned a lot from him, and they'd even become good friends throughout this project. "As for babies, yes, they are a lot of work. Especially dirty diapers and all that crying. It wasn't all hard work, though. When Blake and I managed to soothe her or put her to sleep or something, it made me feel really accomplished."

SPOILER!!: Cole & Schmoe! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

SPOILER!!: Claudine & Cole

Finneas geeted Claudine with a smile, but didn't make his way over quite yet as he knew that Cole would be following shortly. Hopefully. Which! He did, by the way, so it was all good and well. "Huuuullo," he smiled as he approached the two, his clipboard in hand. "How are you feeling about turning him in?" Because he was curious and wanted to know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic Witch

Cole was feeling mixed emotions about this baby assignment drawing to a close. He was both sad and glad. He had learned a lot about himself and how to care for a baby for future purposes but it had been very exhausting to do it alongside his OWL studies. He wanted a child or two when he grew up and met the right girl. This assignment hadn't scared him off from that but that was a dream for when he was like near 30 or so. Cole shuffled his feet as he entered the classroom some 10 minutes or so after Claudine.

A quick glance around told him that Claudine was present along with Professor Schmoe and a few other students. Shooting Professor Schome a smile and a wave he greeted. "Hello Professor Schome." Cole then procceed to head over to the table where Claudine sat with Christopher in her arms. Feeling that things we're still a bit off between them he asked to be safe rather than sorry later. "Hi Claudine. Is it okay if I sit beside you?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic Witch

Cole silently took a seat next to Claudine at the table and waited for Professor Schome to come over. When the elder man came over with his clipboard in hand Cole took a moment to ponder his question before he looked up to answer truthfully. "I've got mixed feelings to turning him in tell you the truth professor. I'm a bit sad because i've grown attached to Christopher and have become accustomed to having him around and caring for him." Here he paused to glance down at the doll with liking and then briefly at Claudine before his eyes we're back on Professor Schome. "I'm also glad to turning him in because it has not been easy to care for a doll ontop of my OWL studies and I've missed sleeping full nights, but Claudine has been a really good co-parent. I wouldn't have managed it without her." Here he fell silent, letting Claudine share how she felt about things.

Was Cole going to ask her permission before he sat beside her every time? Claudine supposed she should tell him it wasn’t necessary and that she considered him a friend. Then again, she didn’t exactly know how to put those words together. It was something to be figured out another day. So, she simply nodded her consent for him to sit. “Want to hold him?’’ After all, Christopher would be leaving them soon.

Then there was Schmoe questioning them on their feelings. Claudine blinked up at him blankly and was quite relieved that Cole went first. Truth be told, she didn’t even have to listen to what was said because she already had figured, to an extent, of how he felt. Observation from working with him did that much. What was surprising was the compliment for her. This was pleasing to hear even if she did not so much as hinted that she felt that way.

“It’ll take a while getting used to his constant presence being gone,’’ Claudine spoke up, her gaze on the baby. “I suppose I’ll miss him.’’ These feelsy things… she was no good at it so she said no more.

Bernie had almost forgotten the appointed time to go turn baby Finneas into adult Finneas, and had to huff and puff and lead the charge from the grounds up to the Muggle Studies classroom, toting the baby on her hip the whole way.

"C'mon, Pheebs," she encouraged Other Momma as they wheezed into the classroom. Whew. She really didn't get enough exercise around here, huh. "Hi professor," Bernie added, falling into the nearest spare seat. She didn't LITERALLY fall, of course, because she had the baby doll, and made a big show of gently setting him on the table and propping him up and all that while she tried to catch her breath.

Didn't want to drop the baby and lose points at the last moment, duhhhh.

Phoebe had grass stains from where she'd fallen chasing Bernie up from the grounds, and she was grateful that the Other Momma was carrying Baby Finneas. She was dirty and out of breath and trailing diaper cloth, but at least she hadn't dropped the baby.

"Hullo, Professor. We've brought Finny back for his check-in." And perhaps to take him off their hands and let them be second years again? That would be quite lovely. "We're the best mothers in the world, so..."

Finneas was curious to see how everyone reacted on this fine day of drop-off and never get-back. What a strange day, indeed. He'd miss the little boogers, he really would. But it was also a relief to end the assignment, ja feel? AnYwAy. Anyway. ANYWAY. "Hello, Ms. Jillian." He gave her a smile, before holding out his arms. "You can give your baby to me now. How are you feeling?"


He anticipated this one to be less than thrilled to return her child. But alas. It was time for farewells. "Hullo, Rylee." He gave her a weird grin as he walked over. "Looks like your time with Serafina has come to an end, eh?" He wiggled his brows because he didn't really know what else to do. "How are you feeling?"


Finneas was oblivious to any and all distraction that Naya might have felt. He wasn't good at picking up on these things. ~social cues~. ANYWAY. "Oh." He paused for a moment, surprised. That was really all he had to say though. He wasn't' good at these things. ~being a comforting presence~. "Er...." Would he be doing this assignment again next year? "No," was the simple answer. "There will be other, er, equally as exciting opportunities in the future." He couldn't just give the same assignment every year. What would they gain from that? "I hope, er, you learned something valuable through this endeavor. Anyway, anyway, anyway, the drop off box," he pulled it up for her. She could deposit child in that.


..... Next mom? Was now a bad time to point out that the dolls would be going directly to storage? Yes. Maybe. He wasn't good at these things. ~knowing when to say things~.

"It, er, sounds like you learned a lot about babies... and each other," he gave them a knowing sort of smile before ducking down to grab the bin for baby-returns. "Well, that'll be all! Feel free to er, deposit your child!" In the box. That's where they went.


Finneas was rather pleased by their answers and he didn't make an effort to hide it. "Sounds like you two made an excellent pair," an unlikely pair, but a good one. Yes. He bobbed his head up and down as he listened to each of them. "You can have a moment to say your farewells, but er, afterwards please deposit Christopher in that box." He pointed to the box by the door before heading back over to his desk.


Finneas greeted the energetic pair with a BIG, uncomfortable Finneas Schmoe sMILE. "Hullo, ladies," he nodded them both. "Hello, Finneas," he added with a nice little cringe. "How are you feeling about parting ways with ... him?"



OOC: This thread will remain open for 12(ish) more hours if you would like to get a last post in!

Isla could tell that Schmoe was still unimpressed with the dress, but she didn't let that bother her. It was the least she could do for Ellie after talking so poorly about her this entire time and wishing she could have just gone back to where she came from.

Which she was about to do right now...

"In the...in the box?" she asked. After all this time of strolling around the doll, putting her to sleep, listening to her cries, and basically being her mother, it all came down to tossing her into a box. "Here," she said, glancing over at Blake. "You can put her in." She gave him a look that showed she hoped he would agree and do this for her. After all, he'd been the strong one this entire time. "Bye, Ellie," she said, and she gave her 'daughter' one last hug before handing her over.

Blake looked down at the doll that was now in his arms. Okay so just put her in the box ... okay ... right ... in the box she goes... And after all this complaining Blake had done with not wanting to have their 'baby' anymore, he found it extremely difficult to just put her in a box. I mean, they seemed so real for so long, why would they just going to go back into storage. "It will be alright Isla." Blake said, carefully laying their baby in the box and giving Isla a quick hug. "Thanks for being my partner this year." He added.

Rylee had begun to ever so gently rock, Serafina in her arms, humming one of their favorites tunes softly. She was so focused on the 'baby' and lost in her own thoughts about all the things they had done together over the past months that the seventh year hadn't realized Schmoe as near her until he spoke.

Lifting her head, she gave him a sad smile. "Hello, professor." Ugh. There he went already reminding her why she was here. Of course, it wasn't his fault that she had grown so attached to Serafina but this was his Assignment after all. "Yes, it has..." the tone in her voice was very soft and held no real hint of it's normal warmth or happiness. She knew studying for her exams would be much easier now without having to care for a 'baby' and that she had already spoken with about how Serafina 'worked' but it didn't make giving her back any easier.

How was she feeling? How. Was. She. Feeling?! Did he really ask her this? Now? Rylee chewed at her bottom lip, blue-green eyed flicking back and forth between Schmoe and Serafina. "Not very good if I'm to be completely honest. I know this was only supposed to be an assignment to teach us how difficult raising a baby is and to help us learn things about ourselves but I feel like she really is mine. It's strange I guess. Truthfully I don't want to give her back, I would more than willing keep her if I could... only I already know that isn't so." Which was terribly heartbreaking. "I am happy though for the time I was able to have with Sera... she's taught me more about myself in the past months than even I had expected. For that I thank you, professor." Without this assignment she wouldn't have learned the things about herself that she had, the reasons for the deep feelings she had been hiding from everyone, for the even deeper conversations that had been brought forth with her loved ones.

"I only have one question before this is officially done. Can she keep the things I've made for her? I have no use for them." The clothes, blanket, flower crown, toys, ect. There was no point in holding onto it all and making herself sadder. The one thing she had chosen to keep of Sera's was already safely tucked away in her own bag.

So this was the end, huh?

Cecelia had settled at one of the tables, her bag of baby stuff set off to her left and Keeper in her arms. She didn’t like endings, she’d decided. It wasn’t that she LOVED carrying around the doll all the time or anything, but it WAS sort of nice having something to take care of. It made her feel important the way being a big sister did. She wasn’t too sure she wanted to let that go just yet.

”You were a good baby, Keeper. Don’t you ever forget it.”

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

Finneas greeted the energetic pair with a BIG, uncomfortable Finneas Schmoe sMILE. "Hullo, ladies," he nodded them both. "Hello, Finneas," he added with a nice little cringe. "How are you feeling about parting ways with ... him?"

Oh, Schmoe. He looked perturbed as always. Bernie pushed her sweaty bangs out of her big blue eyes. She had a certain michievous gleam to her expression today.

"We're not parting ways with him forever," Bernie answered. She'd noticed that Schmoe was F I N A L L Y calling the baby by his proper name. Good, good. This was a sign that he would happily adopt Finneas Jr. from them, right? Right. How could he just put his godson in a b o x with all the other dolls?! He couldn't. He was too soft for that!!!!!!!!! Which was a good thing in this instance.

"We're going to come by your office and visit him from time to time!" Bernie announced, elbowing Phoebe for her support.

Blake was the kind of boy that was going to melt girl's hearts one day. Leave it to him to realize she was emotional over this and needed a hug. She returned the hug with a smile. "Thank you, Blake. Thanks for being my partner, but more importantly, thanks for being my friend," she said. She decided not to look back at Ellie one more time. She didn't want to remember her just lying there in the box. She wanted to remember her the way she had been when Isla had handed her over to Blake.

"Well, thanks for a fun assignment, Professor," she said, and then she turned on her heels and made her way for the door. As much as she would kind of miss Ellie, she was FREEEEEEE. No more dirty diapers, midnight wake up calls, or strolling around a tiny human she had to keep alive.