Marriage is Murder

"Do you remember how to make a risotto?" Angus asked Cassidy. "There is a new recipe in my book for a four cheese risotto. And there is plenty of cheese in the fridge. I have a salad fixed with a fresh lemon and herb viniagrette I've cleaned the salmon and cut them into generous sized fillets and prepared an herb butter for them. And I have a mix of fresh vegetables to sautee as a side dish. For dessert, I've made something a bit different. Its fresh coconut pound cake with a freshly made pineapple topping and fresh whipped cream. Do you think that will fill us? I will work on grilling the salmon fillets and sauteeing the vegetables. We can use magic to set the table tonight, I think."

Kate filled a tea mug and handed it to Brian. "Seer's tea. Ridiculously strong. Go wake up your wife and feed it to her. Get at least one mug in before dinner and one afterwards. She can sleep in between the tea and dinner if it takes that long." She took his own mug from him for a moment and openly poured a hefty dose of restorative potion in it and handed it back to him. "And you drink every drop of that. Before it gets cold. Go on. Get it done."

Angus had a slight smile on his face. He knew better than to trifle with Kate when she was being maternal. He simply watched Brian head for the bedroom.

"I'm 32, and I still have parents," he sighed, walking down the hallway.

"If you're fortunate, we'll still be nagging you until we're abou 150," Kate laughed. He groaned. It made her laugh.

"He loves you, Kate," Angus laughed.

"Is it that obvious?" she asked, still laughing.

Brian went into the bedroom. Khaat was just starting to not look so deathly gray. He sat down on the bed beside her and set the tea on the nightstand. Now he hated to wake her to feeling so ill. But he also knew Angus had had a really good thought. He laid his hand on her forehead and drew off Robert's spell for unconsciousness. He felt her breathing increase, almost as if she was fighting against it. Her body was surely fighting against it. He brushed her hair and talked softly to her, soothing her. She woke to his touch. She said nothing. His voice was soft and affectionate.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I know you feel like hell. Here. This will help." He sat her up slowly and laid her against his chest and fed her the tea slowly, one sip at a time, with immeasurable patience. The more tea she drank, the less her body seemed to struggle against being awake. He felt her energies improving somewhat. It was going to be a long road. But somehow death seemed to be moving farther away from his family tonight and for that he was grateful.

Angus filled a plate for Khaat and one for Brian and floated them back to the bedroom. Khaat wasn't the least bit interested in eating. She was just too weak and tired. Brian conjured a mountain of pillows behind her to sit up against and leaned her back and just worked slowly and steadily, taking time for his own dinner while he helped her. He was just going to work at it, no matter how many times he had to reheat her plate with his wand.

In the dining room, Kate was managing Abbey and Dakota without any issue whatsoever. They were a delight. Angus was doing his best to manage all the triplets, but they were feeling a bit demanding and were acting as if he werent' feeding them quickly enough. He gave up eating his own dinner to try to speed up feeding the babies.

And then they heard a voice clearing their throat behind them. Kate spun around to see Robert wrapped in his long, gray bathrobe. "What in the world!" Kate exclaimed. She could see the potion weighing heavily in his system. "What are you doing out of bed?" she got up immediately to go over to help hiim.

"I smelled fish," he said. "I'm hungry."

"I'll get you a plate at once--with pleasure," Angus said, getting up just as quickly as the babies began to squal and fuss impatiently.

"I'll deal with James and his lot," Robert said, trying to hide his wrath at James, as Angus put a plate in front of him and a large cup of restorative tea that he had added extra restorative potion to.. "I haven't had time to look at a plan yet but I will deal with him."

"Robert," Kate said gently. "Eat. Forget James for now. We're alright for tonight and thats all that matters. Lee is bringing men to cover us for tonight so we can all get some rest. He knows we're at our limit here tonight."

"No we're not," Robert said. "If I though that for one moment..."

"He's taking watch tonight," she said firmly. "Its settled. Let it alone now."

"How's Khaat?" he asked.

"Brian is with her."

"How is he? He shouldn't be on his feet at all," Robert said.

"Do you think he'd quit while neither you or Khaat could function?" Angus asked softly. Robert groaned, knowing Brian had not obeyed.

"I'll talk to him after I finish," Robert said.

"He's following my orders," Kate said. "I ordered him to wake Khaat and get her some food. She'll never recharge without it." Robert considered for a moment in silence, taking a sip of his tea.

"Probably very wise," He said. "That's fine, if she's up to it. But don't expect much from her yet. She's not able."

"I expect her to try," Kate said

"And that is about all you'll get tonight. She'll do a bit better tomorrow this time," Robert said. "Kate, I want you to send word to Kierand tonight and make sure that all the arrangements for Christmas and our trip to Colorado are in place."

"I'll send word within the hour," she promised.

The loud cracking and snapping of wands apparating in filled the air, and Robert flicked his wand out of seemingly thin air, aimed right into the heart of it. Angus hadn't even seen him draw, and it amazed him that Robert could be so drugged with pain potion and still be lightning swift with his wand.

"Oh, nice job, Robert," Lee laughed. "Now, point that thing elsewhere before you hurt somebody."

"That actually was the general idea," Robert said. "That was a damned dangerous thing to do, Lee."

"No, actually, your wife sent for me. And..." he was interrupted by the clock striking seven pm. "I'm right exactly on time. Did she not tell you?"

"I did, yes," Kate said. "But He has been a bit too preoccupied to listen to what time you were coming." Robert lowered his wand. "Grouchy old man," she muttered.

"Watch it," he shifted his eyes to her.

"You watch it yourself," she said. "I am not afraid of you."

"You should be," he said.

"I will, when you give me something to be afraid of," she said. "Anyway, thank you for coming, Lee."

"You're very welcome, Kate," Lee laughed. "Robert, you look like hell."

"You would too if you had major surgery two hours ago," Kate said.

"Oh, let me guess. James?" Lee said. "You were hurt worse than you said.

"Five ribs and a punctured lung," Kate reported.

"Oh for God's sake," Lee sighed, disgusted. "You were supposed to report that to me immediately. I'll overlook it this time, but I can't overlook it a second time. Alright, as of now, we're here. Indefinitely. Until you can take back control of your own security. That was our agreement, and it still stands. Oh, and by the way, when you finish there, get your ass to bed."

"My ass will go to bed after I see my daughter," Robert said.

"You are a poor patient, Robert," Lee said. "You guys believe in decent coffee? Its going to be a long night."