Marriage is Murder

Jess sat back down and rested against Jack as she saw Cassidy do with Steven. Andrew sat with Abby and managed to pick up a spoon and start to eat as jack , Jess and cassidy did Steven watched Robert closely he could see the pain on his face and the concern on Brian's for him . Jess stood up and walked over as if whispering something but as she touched Robert she drew off some of his pain to a manageable point. " you could have asked " she said softly and smiled " you should feel a little better now" she said and moved to sit back with Jack.

" that was a beautiful toast Robert " Jack said and drank his wine in one go then placed the glass down.

"Thank you, Jess," Robert said. "I do fairly well while I'm not moving. Its the moving around thing that gets to me. But I do appreciate it. Very much. And thank you, Jack. Those things are never easy. And, I meant what I said. We will go, as a group, to the memorial."

"It will be the day after tomorrow--on the base," Lee said, looking at Robert. "Calling hours at 9 am, and the service at 11 am. We have safehouse accomodations on the base if you like. It can more than address all your needs, and while it doesn't look like much on the outside, it is rather impressive on the inside. You've only seen the Presidential suite in the building with the individual accomodations, Robert. This is very different. You're welcome to bring everyone. The safehouse here will be well protected while you're gone, I promise.

"Then, on behalf of my family, I accept," Robert said. "Will you give me a portkey?"

"I'll loan you one, yes. Can you port everyone at once?"

"Depending on the size of the portkey, yes," Robert said.

"Ah, yes. Well, you're right, of course. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll send you ten of my best aurors. Each auror will bring a child and an adult. And one auror will bring two children. If that's alright with you."

"Or nine aurors," Robert said. "Any of my men are very capable of carrying two children and porting with them."

"At any rate, I'll have my men at the ready whenever you choose to come," Lee said. "We'd be honored to host you all for dinner tomorrow night, though. I can promise you some fine dining. Not that your own chef isn't exceptional. No offense, Angus."

"None taken," Angus smiled. "I dont usually turn down a night off."

"Excellent," Lee said. "Shall we say, then, about noon tomorrow? The base is three hours ahead of you all here."

"That should be fine. Angus, can you do an early lunch so that we can feed the kids before we go?"

"Either that or a late brunch," Angus said.

"Your choice," Robert said. "At any rate, we will be ready when your men come for us."

"So its settle then. By the way, good choice of take out, Brian. The hot and sour soup is superb."

"I went by the list you sent us," Brian laughed.

"Well, its not a place I've tried," Lee confessed. "That list was made by the wizards who live here."

"You need to thank them, then. Not us," Brian said.

"I will do that," Lee smiled.

Jess smiled to Robert " its ok its why I became a healer " she said and smiled at him and at the thought of a day away from the safe house but it was Andrew who voiced it.

" YAY!!" he said and banged his spoon on the plate and laughed making Jack reach out and stop him.

" ok Andrew " he said " yeah as Robert said we'd be honored to be there " he said and sat back poring his drink While he waited for every one to eat as his stomach growled loudly " sorry " he said and chuckled as Andrew copied it.

Jess chuckled and patted jacks tummy " yeah hes always hungry " she said and kissed his cheek gently.

"Well, what are you waiting for then?" Robert asked. "We did the ceremonial part. We dont' need to stand on ceremony to eat, certainly."

"No," Lee's chief supervisor said. "I trained every one of those men, and I can tell you they all had a love for life. They would be touched by your toast but far more would they be touched by your celebrating their lives and their love for life by this huge wonderful meal where we can all gather together and just have a good time. Their families all agreed that if anything happened to any of them that they would allow their sadness only at the calling hours and the funeral. Outside of that, they agreed they were going to be joyful for the time they had with their loved one."

"And they've held to that. We lost two good aurors, a partnering pair, on special assignment to Canada. Their families stuck to what our aurors wanted for them, and as a result, those surviving family members have bonded strongly with other auror families and they've truly learned how to savor every moment of every day. What could have been a curse has been a blessing for them."

"We could all learn from that," Robert said. "Its easy to get mislead by the negativity of what we do. the fears, the death, our own insecurities...but to take life as it comes, moment by moment...that's a true art. You're teaching your aurors well, Lee."

"Thank you," Lee said. "As are you, my friend."

Khaat looked at Brian and said in a whisper. "I...didnt' bring anything to wear to something like that. I...wasnt' counting on a funeral. Or several."

"If you were up to it, I'd take you out to buy something," he said.

"Can you pick something for me? You have excellent taste. And I'm sure I'm not the only woman who will need something to wear." She looked very deliberately at her mother and at Jess, hoping they picked up on her desire to have at least two new dresses to wear to these very important affairs of state. Her mother turned her head slightly to her and nodded. Kate wanted a couple of new dresses too, it seemed.

Jess smiled and nodded but cassidy spoke " um I need a dress too, I'll go with you, but I never thought I'd go to a funeral before my wedding. " she said " but its ok, I would rather have it that way." she said some what nervous at her words hoping they would not be taken the wrong way . Jess smiled at Cassidy and touched her hand.

" its ok we all know what you mean " she said and smiled seeing and feeling cassidy relax a little and lean on Steven. " Khaat we'll all go I don't have anything ether " she said smiling.

"Khaat's not strong enough," Robert said. "Brian will have to pick out something for her. The only way she would be strong enough to go is if she doesn't have to stand or walk either one."

"I will not be seen in a wheelchair," Khaat said defiantly.

"I did not suggest you should," Robert said, understandingly. "If you trust Brian's judgement, I would much prefer you to send him and remain behind."

"As would I," Brian said. "I don't want you going, Khaat. You know I'll find something. And if I have any questions, I'll ask Jess or Cassidy or your mother."

"A much better plan," Robert said. "You lot will need to go this afternoon, though. We cannot wait since we leave tomorrow. We will need time to pack."

"I can have an escort go with you," Lee said. "Or we'll guard the rest of you while you guys go out and get what you want."

"I'll send my crew out, Lee," Robert said. "They could use some time away. If your men don't mind staying."

"Not at all. I've changed my shifts, so my men are all fresh. Theyre good. We'll keep the safehouse covered."

"Thank you," Robert said.

Jess nodded " I agree she can't go on her condition Kate is best at deciding what style for Khaat I can barely chose my own " she said and chuckled. She sat listening to Robert and Brian making the plans for the day with Lee she was glad he suggested jack and Steven go with them as it would make it a much better day with the men with them. Cassidy looked at every one and sighed.

" Sure, should be a good day out " she said and looked at Brian and Robert as she ate and pored out some juice for her self not really wanting the wine any more. Steven did the same wanting to keep a clear head from now on.

"Do you want me to select some dress clothes for the kids?" Brian asked her.

"Please," she said. "You know what's best."

"Dont' worry, Khaat," Kate said. "We'll take care of it. You and your father rest yourselves. Angus, please get the car ready for us all."

"Straight away, Kate. I presume the kids will stay here?" he asked.

"Yes," Robert said. "Khaat and I can manage. We'll put them all down for their naps while you're gone. They're all getting sleepy right now."

"I'll put ours down before we go," Brian said. "As sleepy as they are, it won't take more than a few minutes. Neither you or Khaat are up to coaxing 11 kids to sleep. I'll take half of them off your hands before we leave."

"Well, then I'll clean up the lunch dishes while you're doing that," Angus said.

Steven looked at Andrew who was wide awake " um what about this one hes wide awake" he said and Andrew giggled as he looked at them all wondering why the were looking at him. Jess chuckled and handed Andrew a carrot and he ate it happily.

" ow I think he will be tired " Jess said and saw Andrew yawning and rub his eyes.
" mom nap nap" he said and held out his arms to her to lift him down. Jess chuckled and lifted him out holding him she excused herself while she took him to his room and lay him down to sleep. Returning she stood waiting.

" so we going now or later?" she asked " I know I'm ready for shopping" she said and smiled.

"Brian has five to put to sleep," Robert said. "He's working on it. Give him a bit. Angus and Kate went to help him, but it can be a big job."

"I should have kept Abbey with me," Khaat said.

"No, you shouldn't have," Robert said firmly. "She needs to be back in her routine as soon as possible. The quicker her life gets back to normal, as she knows it, the quicker she'll start being herself again. What she needs--what we all need--is for you to take care of yourself and let the rest of us help you do that. You're going to need to be up tomorrow. And you might as well brace yourself for this now. You might well not be meeting the challenge on your feet if I dont' get a chance to get to my potions lab and make that experimental potion. You won't be strong enough to go to the calling hours or the funeral in any other way than in a wheelchair." She was sorely tempted to tell him quickly that she wasn't going. But for Lee's sake and for the sake of his men, she resisted, simply glaring at her father.

Brian emerged finally from the nursery, a bit frustrated but successful at getting the kids to sleep. Kate and Angus followed shortly afterwards.

"I guess we're ready," Brian said. He looked at Robert. "Are you sure you can handle all these kids if they wake up?"

"We Americans have seen children before," Lee laughed. "Stop worrying and go."