Marriage is Murder

"That is never an easy choice," Kate said. "Choosing your attendants is tough, or at least it was for Robert and I because we love all our friends and we didnt' want to alienate anyone by not picking someone. And then there is the task of deciding if you want someone to walk you down the aisle, or wanting a flower girl or a ring bearer...."

"Simple works really well," Brian said. "Just make it simple and beautiful so you can enjoy yourselves. Khaat and I talked about waiting until we could have some sort of showstopping event in England, but truthfully, neither of us need that. All we really needed was the people we love the most. And that's precisely what we got. Khaat didnt' get her blue jeans, but...I guess I wanted more than that for her. I know she and Rob sort of threw their wedding together at the last minute and unless she plans some arena sized wedding with her next husband..."

"My next WHAT?" she frowned, coming back in, her arm around her father, and Robert's strong arm around her supporting her. "And what will you be doing if I have husband number three? Besides looking like a harlot to most of England?"

"You know what I told you," he said casually, pouring more tea into Abbey''s little cup. Khaat blindsided Brian by firing a charge of wandless magic at him, deliberately causing him to bite his own tongue.

"Ow!" he frowned at her. "What was that for?"

"Don't you ever say it again. Don't even think it again, or I swear I'll put you in one of Daddy's bug jars, and yes, I do know that freaking spell," she said angrily. Robert looked at her frowning.

"Something I should know about?" Robert asked.

"You talk to him," she snapped at her father. "His ideas sometimes really suck." She sent her teacup out to the kitchen with so much force that it flew, missed the counter and smashed into the wall and shattered. "Damn," she sighed.

"Lad," Robert said. "Shall you and I work this out, or shall we let her break all our dinner service?"

Cassidy looked out side as she spoke " I know who I would like to walk me down the isle " she said then looked back at Kate " its just getting the courage to ask him" she said and smiled a little she paused as Brian spoke and Steven agreed with him " well I have brides maids and a ring barer " she smiled looking at Abby , Dakota and Andrew playing peacefully. when Khaat came back in she sat back watching she ducked as the cup shattered instinct made her stand and clean up the broken pieces and moved back to Steven " guess it won't be today " she said softly to him he kissed the top of her head and spoke softly.

"We have plenty of time Cassidy, that's a small thing right now, we can always use our suits that we got for Khaats wedding so we won't have to go shopping." He said Cassidy looked at him.

" we still need flowers, button holes and displays " she said Steven didn't even let her finish he lent down and kissed her deeply making her smile.

" Relax" was all he said finally.

"You mean butonniers?" Kate asked. "Those are simple enough. Your florist can make them based off what you choose for your bouquet. Brian--go resolve that. Right now." Brian groaned.

"She knows I didn't mean it," Brian said.

"Go," she pointed for him to go out with Robert. Brian got up and followed, sighing.

"I saw what she was ticky about," Kate said to the rest of them. "He told her that since hes an auror, he expects her to outlive him--by a lot of years. And he made her promise to get married again to someone else once he's gone. You know its all horseshit, but it was after some cold rainy night in Paris when he had barely survived an attack by one of Gelding's men."

"Oh, I remember that night," Angus said. "That one was ugly. And pretty damned scary. I dont' blame him for being rattled, but that whole 'marry-someone-else-when-I'm-gone' is all crap, and it was not what she wanted to hear. None of us have any guarantees about how long we live. The art to it is to live every single moment we have to its absolute fullest."

"Oh, well said," Kate smiled. "Robert has been an auror for a very long time, and we have had generations of aurors who passed away from old age, not from war. Statistically, we have more potionsmakers who have died from blowing themselves up than we have had aurors die in combat. Apparently they're better trained than some of our potionsmakers. Robert will tell Brian to stop filling Khaat's head full of nonsense, make him apologize, and we'll get our dishware back. Problem solved."

Steven chuckled " I remember that too " he said and nodded to what Kate was saying " I know that Kate seen too many friends die and I agree live one day at a time that's why I want to bring the date forward to next month " he said and looked at Jack, Jess and Cassidy who looked at Kate.

"Do you think its possible ?" she asked her hoping inside it would be " I know a florist I can call her and see what she says about the flowers but what about the dress and the cake they will take time to get ready" she stopped her self and took a deep breath and turned to face Steven with a smile " yes what Kate said has convinced me , live for this moment not what could happen or might not , and in this moment I want to marry you out on the beach " she faced Kate " with Robert to give me away since he's the closest thing I have and will ever have to a father " she said.

Jess stood up and walked over to Steven and Cassidy. " Khaat could be your be maid of honer " she smiled " its all right I'm fine with that, I will sort the dress with Fiona, Jack, well he'll be jack " she said and cassidy smiled

"We have magic," Kate said. "Of course its possible. Not unless you want everything done muggle style. Even so, its still possible, but its a lot tighter to do that way. And I'm sure Robert would be more than happy to escort you. Not to worry. Khaat will be pleased to be your matron of honor. Do you know your colors yet? Steven can know that much. He just can't see your dress."

A moment later, Brian returned with Robert right behind him. Robert went over to Khaat and whispered into her ear for a long moment. Eventually he got her to smile and even to laugh just a little bit. He kissed her cheek lovingly. Then he brought her another mug of fresh tea. He looked around at the rest of the faces in the room.

"What?" he said. "It appears the war of the newlyweds is over. You can all relax for the moment. As you were." He sat down, and Abbey abandoned the tea party to climb up on Robert's lap, hugging her grandpa.

"You've spoiled that child, Robert," Kate said.

"I have not," Robert said. "When have you ever know of me to spoil children or animals either one?"

"Frequently," Kate said.

Cassidy smiled it was happening sooner and she was ready for it " yes I do Kate, golds, creams and reds " She said looking back at Steven as she smiled. She watched Robert return with Brian and walk over to Khaat she smiled as she saw her relax and Robert sit down with Abby. Taking a deep breath she walked to the table " Um Robert I ...I want to ask if you would give me away at our wedding" she asked looking down at him as she waited . Steven walked over and held her from behind feeling she needed the support " Khaat I'd love it if you would be maid of honer and I'd like Abbey and Dakota to be brides maids , Jess, can Andrew be ring bearer ?" she asked seeing Jess nod she was happy some thing was in place.

"Of course," Robert said.

"I'd be honored," Khaat said. "But you might need an escort to help Abbey and Dakota get down the aisle. They are pretty little to know where they're going or what they're doing."

"We'll manage that," Robert said. "I have a couple of ideas for that. Do you know who you want to officiate the ceremony?" He presumed they would want Angus to do it, but he didn't know for certain.

"So, can we know the date is is that a secret?" Khaat smiled. "I do have some teeny weeny bridesmaid dresses to buy."

"And one a little bit larger for the maid of honor," Robert laughed.

"Quite a lot larger," Khaat laughed.

"Not necessarily. Their mother owns a lot of little bitty dresses," Robert said.

"Hey," Brian said. "Don't change her mind. I like all those little bitty dresses."

"Funny," Robert said. "I've never seen you wear one." Brian rolled his eyes at Robert.

"I meant I like gawking at my wife when she wears them," he said.

"That's what I thought you meant," Robert laughed.

Cassidy smiled and looked at Angus " December 15th?" she said " I...We would love for you to be the official and marry us, if you want to Angus " she said Steven stopped her and chuckled as she shook his head and spoke.

" Angus, will you do the business for us please?" he asked holding Cassidy close to him." Robert, what about John I want him to be here, I can't leave him out, do you think Hogwarts would give him special privilege to be out of school for the wedding?" he asked

" Quick mate, say you will before she changes her mind again." said Jack who chuckled as he stood with Jess Andrew walked up to them and held up his arms to Jack who picked him up.

"I have no say about Hogwarts at the moment, unfortunately," Robert said. "Michael reports that they are in full lockdown. No one in or out. I would presume Michael might be able to smuggle John out, but at what price? It could jeopardize our safety here at the safehouse, and it might well jeopardize John's own safety back at the school when he gets back. Michael reports that he seems to be developin a somewhat strange friendship with the headmaster, but he doesn't see Doyle as being too committal about anything. I have a couple others on the inside who are saying that no one has connected yet that John is connected to you and that you are connected to me. I am not saying John should not be here. But I am saying that it is a very calculated risk for everyone right now if he does come. There are some rumors that perhaps the castle might not let the students leave for the Christmas holidays, but that is all entirely speculation. If you don't bring John for the ceremony, then perhaps you can time your trip so that you get back about the time John would arrive from England and you can all spend some time together. Or perhaps you want to go spend a family Christmas at a completely different safehouse. That would be very very normal and altogether understandable. The same goes for you and Jess, Jack. If you decide you want to go spend a quiet family Christmas for a few days, I promise I won't let anyone go completely crackers while you're all gone. You all need to choose what is in the best interest of your family members. I can arrange a safehouse for any of you, pretty much anywhere on the planet. Its something I do want you to think about."

Cassidy saw the disappointment on his face " its all right Steven we'll spend time together at Christmas " she looked at them " here you are our family " she said and held Steven tight.

" Cassidys right and who knows buy the time it comes around things might have changed " he said and kissed her gently " ok for now the button holes, flowers, your dress and other things" he looked down at her as she looked up at him just as Fallon woke from her nap cranky " ok I got her " he said and left the room Cassidy sighed and pored some tea for herself. She now thought about arrangements and moved to pick up the magazine again looking at the dress she had chosen and tried to picture herself in it.

Jess walked over to her " its beautiful you'll look beautiful in it " she said and smiled " but don't worry about things " she smiled at her and wrote an note sending it threw the floo via her own house to her florist friend.