New Day, New Life

"Yeah," Khaat said. "He is. And he's pleased to do it."

"Anytime," Brian smiled at her. He was letting whatever was going on between Steven and Cassidy alone. He wasn't messing in it. It was none of their business. Not really. He and Khaat knew that Steven and Cassidy were both lonely and Cassidy had come desperate. Khaat and Brian didn't want either of them hurt again, but they were not in charge and not going to make any sugggestions for or against anything.

Instead, Brian leaned over and whispered in her ear very softly. She looked at him, surprised.

"Could we?" she asked. He nodded with a soft smile, kissing her forehead. "You're sure?"

"Sure, I'm sure. It'll be fine." He got up and went out and opened a large bottle of nonalcoholic champagne and poured a glass for everyone. He passed them out as Robert came upstairs, carrying Abbey.

"In honor of my four beautiful children and in honor of my lady," he smiled.

"Congratulations," Robert smiled. Abbey batted at his hand. "Oh its just grape juice really. Here. Take just a sip. leave some for me," Robert told Abbey, feeding her a sip from his glass. Brian and Khaat laughed.

Cassidy took a glass and toasted Khaat and Brain and there new children " may you all be happy and grow strong in love and in friends " she said smiling at them both as she took a sip she chuckled as the bubbles tickled her nose. " nice nonalcoholic champagne " she said finishing her glass and setting it down on a small table.

Steven raised his glass and smiled " I agree" he said and downed his drink " ok I got to check the perimeter and jog" he said and looked at Cassidy but said nothing all he did was smile and lift her feet to where he had been sat . He moved out into the warm sun and changed clothes to a sweat suit and began to run.

" I think he will be glad once the gym's up and fully working" she said working her ankles in circles to relive some more of the swelling a she she slid down raising her feet. She gave a deep sigh.

"I've asked Khaat to do an overnight away with me as soon as she's recovered," Brian announced. "Just one night. Do you think I might find any babysitters in this lot just for one night for us?"

"Babysitters? Or grandparents?" Kate asked.

"Maybe we need to make more babies so there are enough to go around for everybody?" Khaat asked.

"No," he laughed. "Not for awhile at least. Lets get this bunch out of diapers before we do this again."

"I'll vote for that," Robert replied. "But there's nothing wrong with practicing up."

"Robert," Kate rolled her eyes at him.

"What? I'm a realist," he said.

"Back to the subject," Brian said, not wanting Khaat to feel embarrassed. "Would any of you be alright with handiing the kids for a night? It won't be for awhile. Not til she's feeling better."

Cassidy chuckled as she looked at them " well I am here to help since I can't do much right now but I elect me if Robert and Kate want time off " she said waving her hand in the air as Jess walked out of the kitchen.

Jess looked at Cassidy " no you don't, if any baby sittings going to be done, Jack and I would love to do it " she said and chuckled as she walked over to Cassidy " I don't think you need worry about baby sitters Brain and Khaat we're all willing " Jack nodded as he stood behind her downing his second glass of cold juice.

Cassidy chuckled and looked at Jess and jack as they walked over and sat next to her in one of the big chairs.

"Grandparent rights," Robert defended. "Can't you be gone more than one night?" Everyone laughed.

"That would be my pleasure," Brian smiled.

"If you did three nights, each couple could have a night to themselves with the kids," Kate said. "If you're going to do this, then do it right, Son."

"Khaat?" Brian looked at her.

"I don't know if I can stand being away from them that long," she said.

"Now that sounds like a mom to me," Kate laughed. "Believe me, you'll get over that soon enough. By the time you're ready to do this trip, you'll have done enough of your share of feeding and diapering to last you a couple of days."

"And my turn is when?" Angus asked.

"Whenever we've had enough in those three days. Should we make it four?" Robert asked.

"No," Khaat laughed.

Cassidy heard the word couple , she was confused when did she and Steven become a couple she was about to say something but she stopped her self and smiled the more she thought about it the more she felt it , they were a couple. she chuckled at Khaats reply to Brian saying they could extend there stay by an extra day for Angus to have his turn. but she shifted on the couch as her back pained her a little.

Jess laughed and nodded in agreement with Kate as she said about she would have had enough by the time their trip came around and smiled when she protested over an extra day. Jess looked down at Cassidy and sighed " you shouldn't lay in one position for to long doesn't do you , your baby or your back any good, go for a swim the suns past its high point as long as your in the shade you should be all right" she suggested.

Cassidy turned and rolled to her knees she felt Jack help her to her feet and winced as she held her back " guess I could do that, excuse me guys." she said and changed her clothes to a one piece maternity suit and walked out jack went with her to make sure she got in all right.

"No more than 30 minutes please," Angus called to Cassidy, "unless you want to miss lunch!" Kate stepped in and set the table for lunch for everyone as Angus finished up his lunch salad.

Khaat decided she wanted to walk just a little bit. She went to stand up, and Robert and Brian both flew.

"Wait for help," Robert cautioned her. "We don't need problems. Its gone far too well to bugger it up now." He and Brian helped her to her feet. "Now--where exactly are we going?"

"Just to walk a little?" she asked.

"Fine," he said. "That's good for you. Just don't push it. Do it with us." She nodded, agreeing. They helped her take a very short tour of the house that she and Brian were in. But no further. By then she was exhaustted, leaning heavily on her father.

"Kicked your butt, didn't they?" he smiled, holding her up with his arm under her shoulder.

"I'm stronger than this," she said, frustrated.

"It has been, exactly...26 hours since you had major surgery," he said, checking his watch. "Personally, I think you're doing a hell of a lot better than most women who've had this surgery. A little patience would really go a long way here, my dear. Another week or two will make an enormous difference. Remember, we heal faster than muggles generally, with the right spells, that is. Now sit. Thats plenty for today. Actually that was about twice what I thought you'd be able to do today."

"I dont' know if I really did it or if you did it," she said, as he laid her back on the sofa.

"Do stay awake at least until lunch is overwith. Angus, you might want to serve her salad over here and do it earlier than ours please," Robert ordered.

"Yes, Sir," Angus replied.

Cassidy nodded " ow can't miss lunch " she said and slipped into the pool feeling the cool water taking the weight off her back and she sighed she saw Steven in the distance running and smiled she lay back enjoying the warm sun on her skin then swam a little. Pausing after 3 laps she decided that was enough and just clung to the side feeling the water lap at her skin as she felt the warm sun on it that was till some one cast a shadow over her and she opened her eyes. " hey your blocking the sun" she said half smiling.

Steven returned from his run and saw Cassidy in the pool her eyes were closed as he walked over and lent over her " you shouldn't stay in too long you'll get wrinkly" he said smiling down at her. he felt the water and chuckled " ah cooling off I see" he said and saw her nod " ok I'm going in to shower and change you want a cold drink?" he asked

" nope I'm good, but you do need to shower sweat isn't my favorite smell on a man" she said and swum away.

Steven chuckled and moved inside to his room he showered and changed into a light shirt and cream shorts making him feel so much cooler. Moving into the living room he nodded to Brain and Khaat then went to the kitchen to grab a cold drink and returned.

Jess chuckled " so Steven had a good run ?" she asked and saw him nod and sip his drink.

" doesn't compare to a real gym though" he said " could use a pace to work on my martial arts " he added.

"I'll finish it after lunch," Robert said. "I have some of it, but its taking me awhile to put things the way I want them."

"There really is no hurry, Daddy," Khaat said. "Relax. It will be done when its done."

"Thank you," he smiled. "I've been under so much pressure feeling like I have to have everything done in almost divine timing, which is truly beyond me. I just would like a day or so with no time demands before the next chapter of the ugliness begins."

"Daddy, are they saying terrible things about you?"

"Of course they are. They have to, honey. Its the only weapon they have to try to discourage the wizarding public from knowing the truth of the heinous things they are about to do. They believe they want him right now. Let them think it for now. Sometimes people have to learn their own lessons. I can't protect the entire wizarding world by myself. I can come back with allies when the time is right. But for now, they're all going to suffer because, basically, they asked to let it happen."

"You don't think you should have tried to fight him earlier?"

"No. I don't have enough allies yet. Not yet. But I will, Baby. I will."

"Count me in."

"I already have," he smiled. "When its time, you'll know. You'll all know. Until then, the less you know, the better. The safer you are."

Cassidy slipped out the pool and sighed feeling the weight again , she walked inside wrapped in a towel and smiled " well, we'll do what we can to help too Robert " she said looking at him the at the others " I heard what you said and I agree time will tell all " she said and moved to take Stevens drink from him finishing it as she chuckled at his expression.

Steven was about to finish his drink when Cassidy walked over and took it drinking it and finishing it. " ow yes anything I an do to help , count me in " he said and stood up his hands wrapping around Cassidy as he stood up. Moving past her he chuckled.

cassidy looked at him " ok I'm off to shower " she said and moved from him to her room closing the door she smiled seeing his shoes still under her bed from that night. quickly she moved and showered washing off the pool water and changing into a light summery dress that hung over her bump along with some flat sandals.

Jess smiled and looked at Robert "Robert, jack and I are in too should you need us" she said looking at Khaat .