Rain

Michael wrapped his arm around Khaat's shoulder, and Khaat curled into his neck. "I wish you'd visit more often," she told him.

"You never ask me," he laughed.

"I thought you knew yo had a standing invitation," she said to him.

"I do know," he said. "But I also know you are a very busy woman."

"When am I ever too busy for you?" she asked.

"Frequently," he smiled. "And after being out in the rain all that time, you need a good nights sleep in your own bed. You need to make it an early night."

"You can have as may biscuits as you like," Angus said. He put out a large wooden bowl of biscuits and an enormous bowl of beef stew, with a simple salad and some beverages. "Dinner is ready," he called. "Come eat while its hot."

"Good. I"m starving," Brian said.

"I have no idea, Jack," Robert said. "I do know that parts of American will serve these biscuits for breakfast with sausage gravy--its made from a white, milk base. Its pretty common. I don't know why Americans do half the things they do, really, but I just accept it, I guess. Have you ever made sausage gravy, Angus?"

"Certainly!" Angus laughed. "What kind of a cook would I be if I couldn't do that? If you lot aren't tired of buttermilk biscuits after having them for dinner, I could make it for breakfast. If I use mild sausage, the babies might even like it. They won't like the spice. Sometimes Americans put a lot of pepper in it. I won't do that so the babies can eat it too."

"That's fine," Robert said. "I'm sure Khaat would appreciate a little less spice first thing in the morning anyway. And I'm glad you're feeling better, Jess."

"SO far, I've been fine," Khaat said. "I just really would like a little coffee."

"I'll let you have a half a cup tomorrow," Robert said. "And yes, It can be French Roast."

"If its only half a cup, maybe I should make it espresso," Khaat scowled.

"Don't push it," Robert laughed.

"I thought you used the trip to Venice as the honeymoon," Brian frowned at them.

"Venice? Beautiful city, that is," MIchael smiled. He'd been to Italy numerous times, and he liked it.

"Brian and I bought a place in Tuscany this summer, Michael," Khaat told him.

"Really?" Michael's eyes grew wide with interest.

"Yeah. Maybe we could all go there for a weekend? Anybody in the mood for a little beach, a lttle sun and sand? Some great seafood?"

"I could do that anytime," Brian grinned.

"So could your mother and I," Robert said.

"A trip home? Anytime!" Angus grinned happily at the thought.

"I really was just thinking about a weekend," Brian said. "Khaat's schedule is so tight that I just don't know if we could do more than perhaps do more than go after work on Friday and come back on Sunday night or Monday morning before work."

"If you talk nice to me, I'll let her have an additional half a day," Robert laughed.

"Now, wait. Who exactly does my scheduling?"

"I do, and you know it," Robert said. "Besides, Jess and Kate have just taken over Madam Malkin's. That does take a bit of time to get it up and running. They might not have time to take a prolonged trip. And, well, since tomorrow is Friday, perhaps we could have the party for Abbey in the early afternoon--a late lunch--and then go to Tuscany. How does that sound?"

"Do I get invited?" Michael asked.

"Of course," Khaat said. "I say we go. Daddy, you can ask Mom?"

"She won't say no," Robert said.

"Well, I plan on spending my time on the beach all weekend," Khaat said.

"Enjoy it while you can, my darling," Robert smiled.

"You don't think I will enjoy it this summer?" she asked.

"Perhaps early summer, yes. By late summer? No," he replied. "I doubt it."

"Most women don't have that sort of trouble with twins," Khaat said. "And I didn't have any trouble with Abbey."

"No, you didn't," Robert admitted, "But your health was poor all the way through it. We're not going there again. I think between the summer heat and the size your babies will be, I don't think you'll be wanting to go out on the beach by August...."

"Wait. Twins?" Michael asked. He scowled at Robert, anger in his eyes. Khaat knew what he was angry about. Her father had known there was more than one unborn child at stake when he had fired upon her and then had not gone looking for her when she hadn't turned up. He had told her he'd gone and "had it out" with her father. Now his anger was renewed and he was feeling very protective.

"Michael," Khaat said softly, "Would you be interested in a game of chess tonight?"

"Chess? You'll lose," he looked at her.

"Not likely," Khaat said.

"I'll give you 5 sickles on Khaat," Brian said.

"I'll ante in on that," Angus said.

"My money's on Michael," Robert laughed.