Sand and Snow

"It seems that Khaat has decided we should have champagne for breakfast so Angus made us Mimosas this morning," Brian said, sitting across from Khaat. "Well done, Khaat. Nice touch. A little elegance to the morning is a good thing." He picked up his champagne glass. "So I guess a toast is in order. I know this is a bit belated, but...a toast to much love and romance and happiness for us all this year."

He reached his glass towards Khaat's and touched it lightly to hers. There was nothing she wanted more than love, romance and happiness. Well, and peace. He seemed to be reading her heart this morning. "To love," she said softly. "And to all sorts of family."

He smiled back at her, and she could see how blissfully happy he was with her. She had never known of Brian Quinn to ever be in love before. Not like this. He'd dated, certainly. But he'd never been secure enough to give his heart. Khaat was secretly terrified she was about to break it. And the last thing she wanted to do was to break Brian's heart.

Khaat didn't say anything more. They seemed to be enjoying their breakfast, and that was what mattered. When they got towards the end of their meal, she spoke again, but quietly.

"Since we've temporarily warded off Burke and Gelding, I want you to all have the day off. Whatever you all want to do. If you want to continue sailing, fine. If you want to take the cars, fine. Whatever you want to do. Oh, and by the way, the day off is with pay. So I don't want to see any of you until tomorrow morning."

Brian laughed. He knew all eyes would be on him. He knew they'd be doublechecking to see if what they just heard was correct.

"It's fine," Brian said. "Go have fun. If you need portkeys to go someplace special, see Angus or me. We have a lot of portkeys to a lot of different places. Consider it a gift from Khaat and me--with our thanks and our gratitude. You're in one of the most romantic places in the world. You should be able to enjoy it just a little."

"Fine by me," Brian said, tossing him the keys to the silver car. "Go enjoy yourselves. Jess, you aren't hanging around just to be protective of Khaat, are you? I promise I won't let anything happen to her if you take the day off. By the way, Khaat, what are we doing for the day?"

"I don't have the foggiest clue," she said. "I was hoping that you might have some ideas." Brian laughed. "Do you think you can perhaps train a bit with me today?"

Khaat sighed and shook her head, laughing. "Leave it to you to think of exercise. A whole day off with me and you think about exercise."

"What? Something wrong with that?" Brian asked. Angus came up behind Brian with a fresh carafe of coffee and headslapped Brian. "Ow. What was that for?" Brian asked.

"Because you're an idiot," Angus said. "You get a whole day in a romantic hideaway with a beautiful woman and all you think about is working out. You really are an idiot."

"We'll be at the house," Brian said. When they were done lingering over their coffee, Khaat could see that Angus had sent men after groceries for the house. Angus brought up Abbey and Dakota from down below and he had them dressed warmly so they would not chill. Abbey began to chatter the minute she saw Brian and began bouncing up and down in Angus's arms trying to get to Brian. Brian laughed and took her from Angus as she began chattering to Brian happily.

"Good morning to you too, Sunshine," he laughed kissing her. Khaat reached for Dakota and Angus handed her to Khaat. Dakota grabbed a big fistful of Khaat's hair and gave it a good hard yank.

"Nice," Khaat sighed, releasing Dakota's grip from her hair. "Abbey gives your daddy kisses, and you decide to beat up on me. How'd that happen?"

"That's Dakota's new fascination. Hair," Angus said. "I should have warned you. She developed that yesterday. Oh, and watch your earrings. She likes shiny things now too."

"Oh, well, thanks for the warning," Khaat said.

"Shall I take them home for you?" Angus asked.

"No, I think we'll just apparate home. Jess and Jack, if you want, you can bring the red car home. If not, Angus will drive it back," Brian said. "I think these two need some crawling time on the carpet. I think we'll just take them home and let them crawl around and work off some steam. One of you does remember how to drive a standard, right?"

"Relax, Jess," Brian laughed. "I've got it. We're just going home. Honest. Take my arm, Khaat." Khaat obeyed.

"Take your time, Jess. It really is okay," she said, trying her best to reassure her friend. Khaat was beginning to wonder of Jess was onto her. Perhaps suspecting her? She hoped not. She would definitely have to be more careful.

Before she could give it any more thought, Brian apparated her and the babies home to the villa. Khaat was glad to be back. They took off the babies outerwear and put them on the floor to let them get some exercise. Brian accio'd some toys and put them on the floor for the girls. Abbey was more interested in sitting against Brian's foot and playing with his shoestrings.

"Child," he laughed. "I do buy you toys. My shoelace cannot possibly be that interesting."

"It is," Khaat said. "Because its yours. Look, you aren't serious about exercising with all your broken bones, are you?"

"Yes. As a matter of fact, I am," he told her. He summoned a toy and redirected Abbey's attention to that instead. Khaat sat down on the sofa, watching her babies play. Maybe there was still some good in the world after all. Maybe they were still worth fighting for.

"Brian?"

"Yes?" she asked.

"Will there still be a wizarding world here in London worthwhile for them when they get to be our age?"

"God, I hope so," Brian said. "That's why we need to do all we can to put evil men like Barker and his lot out of business. Its what Remus lived and died for. We could do worse than to follow his lead."

"Yes. You're right," she said softly. "There are things that are far worse."