Marriage is Murder

Cassidy smiled at Abby and Dakota then glanced at John who was leading the young girl to a table for some cake. Steven looked as well his arm never leaving Cassidys waist as he listened to the music and laughter from around him he knew this had to be the best day. cassidy saw the distracted look on his face and poked him. " Hay no drifting off " she said and heard him chuckle " I need you here and now not back in the past " she said touching him on his cheek to bring him back to her.

" sorry, this just brings back memories from when Janet and I were married, it felt the same way, happy and right " he said and smiled at cassidy.

" well ,I'm not Janet and I'm certainly not going to leave you any time soon." She said and smiled at him as he took her hand and kissed it.

" nope they would have a time trying to trick you in any way " he said and smiled " reaching into his pocket he took out a necklace taking off the one she had borrowed he slipped it around her neck it was a locket with her name on it " my wedding present to you" he said and cassidy kissed him.

" thank you its beautiful" she said and showed Robert and Kate, simple as it was because he had given it to her she loved it.

"It is indeed," Robert said, taking Kate's ruby necklace and putting it in his pocket. It was worth too much money for it to get lost. He looked at Brian and excused himself and spoke quietly in his ear. Brian simply nodded. He returned to Steven and Cassidy.

"I'm having Brian take Khaat so she can rest. She's tired. She's done well, but she just really can't do much more. Its time for her to go take a rest. Are you sure you two don't want to leave, even if its just for one night? You're entitled to that, at least. We can handle it for that long. You do as you like, though. You're allowed to be spontaneous and just go. Sometimes that's when Kate and I have the most fun."

Brian stood up and reached for Khaat's hand. She took it and stood up. Brian simply said to Steven and Cassidy, "congratulations. And enjoy your day. Khaat's done really well, but its time for her to go take a rest. Oh, and Robert's right. Take a day or a few if you like. that's your choice. Just let one of us know. If you'll excuse us,..." He led Khaat out of the dining hall and took her back upstairs. He helped her change to a pair of jeans and a white v necked cashmere sweater and a pair of warm slippers. He changed to jeans and a red and black plaid flannel shirt, always rolling up his sleeves to three quarter. While she rested on the sofa in their suite, he put their formal clothes away.

Steven looked at Khaat and Brian and smiled " its ok and thank you but were happy right here " he said and cassidy nodded holding Steven close to her" but we will make sure to let you know if we decide to go any where, please take Khaat and go rest " he said smiling " I'm afraid Cassidy and I will not be much longer our selves " he said and glanced at Andrew and John and smiled " well they seem to be getting along " he said and looked at the twins now sleeping close buy with Fallon who watched all the tinsel around and pretty colors around her.

" yes, this dress though beautiful is not designed for long term wear " she said and chuckled as she shifted in her dress

"I have an idea," Robert smiled. He used a sonorus to tell everyone that they were going to take a break in the festivities to allow everyone to go get comfortable in jeans or whatever they wanted to wear and then the festivities would resume with dancing, a buffet lunch, and partying as long as they all wanted to do it. The Great Hall would be restored to its normal decor to give anyone a comfortable place to hold their party. The large dining hall would be restored to its normal style so that the buffet and other refreshments could be set in place.

The guests applauded the decision to continue the party but to do it in a way that made them all feel like family and to feel comfortable. It was also a welcome relief from the blizzard that waged outside, burying them under feet and feet of deep heavy snow.

"Your dress isn't geared for all day," Robert said to Cassidy, "but neither are our tuxes. We're going to go change and we'll be back in a bit." He and Kate left to go upstairs to change into far more comfortable clothing. The staff decided to change in several small shifts so that work could take place while the partying continued.

Steven lead Cassidy up to their room before he entered he picked her up then walked in " welcome home Mrs Walker" he said smiling at her as he stood holding her close. Cassidy chuckled as she was placed down in their room she grinned as she heard him call her Mrs Walker.

" that sounds wonderful " she said and kissed him closing the door with her foot. About an hour later both stepped out now changed into comfortable clothes. Steven in his usual jeans and tee shirt with his ankle boots. Cassidy wore slacks and a loose shirt the necklace still around her neck and her ring sparkling on her finger as they walked back to the main hall hand in hand.

Kate selected a pair of tan cargo slacks and a a printed shirt in tans and oragnes, with a soft brown cashmere cardigan. Robert chose a pair of grey cordoroy slacks, with a white shirt with red pinstripes and a darker v necked sweater over top. Kate thought he looked very sharp, very dignified.

Michael had changed too. He selected cocoa brown cargo slacks, some he had worn on many missions. They were soft and comfortable. They were usually good for climbing, but he still loved them. He out it with a sweater. It was a brown and turquoise argyle turtleneck.

Andrew found black jeans, a red Gryffindor t shirt, and a black hoodie.

Angus resorted to jeans, a white T shirt, and a white chef's tunic. He was very busy today, and the chef whites were just practical.

Brian left Khaat curled up asleep on the window seat in their room. She had fallen quickly into a deep sleep and he had covered her with a warm quilt and left her there to rest. Mo and Max came in and curled up with her. He was glad to see them. He figured that they must have figured out the layout of the house finally because they were now ready to rest. That reminded him to have Steven or Kate check on the mother cat and the kittens later on today. He went back downstairs, finding that the others were either on their way or already there. Staff members had even changed the kids out of their dress clothes into warm fleecy sweat suits with little hoodies. Abbey's was bright pink with white kitties. Dakota's was lime green with giraffes on it. Julia's was teal with dragonflies. Michael's was red with snowflakes and Robert's was blue with snowmen. Each child had sneakers to match. It made Brian smile. Khaat always made sure the kids looked good.

He found Michael seated in the great hall near the fireplace, with a mug of Earl Grey, puffing very gently on a small reed pipe filled with his brandy scented tobacco. The pipe was rather longstemmed but with a small bowl so that the curl of smoke that rose from it was small and not offensive to others. Brian made himself at home in the other wing chair.

"Khaat's resting?" Michael asked.

"Sleeping very soundly," Brian said.

Steven kisses Cassidy and told her he was going to check the mother cat and kittens. He moved to the main living room and found her cleaning one kitten who hand got into the soot of the fire place. Steven smiled as he found out one wanted to stay with max and mo her name was Sofie and she was white with a black patch he chuckled and told her she'd have to ask max and mo if she could but he would mention to the human owner to let him know.

Kate busied herself with helping Fi and Angus and Kieran set up the buffet for lunch. Angus now had a kitchen staff to help him and they were as busy as any restaurant. He had had this buffet lunch planned all along, but he upgraded the presentation because of how it connected with the wedding, and the fact that they all needed to be a bit pampered. He had set up beef tips in burgundy wine sauce over noodles, several salads, sauteed mixed vegetables with almonds, a warm chicken noodle soup, a number of finger sandwiches, cookies, and more slices of the wedding cake.

He glanced out of the corner of his eye to see a brown owl flying past one of the windows. That was a bit unusual. He saw it land erroneously on a hallway windowsill upstairs. He was about to go get the message but the window opened, and he thought he saw Andrew intercepting the message. He trusted Andrew to deliver it to its rightful owner, so he thought no more about it and continued setting up for lunch.

Steven saw Angus and what he was watching and how Andrew intercepted the note he stood where he could if needed watch his next move. Cassidy tended to the twins and Fallon changing them into a light but warm dress for jaylen and trouser suit for James, Fallon was fussy and so staid in her dress. giggling as she watched the decorations move and change. Cassidy walked over to Steven " something wrong?" she asked and he shrugged.

" not sure Andrews acting a bit...strange " he said and turned to look at her " I'm going to ignore it for now but its just a feeling I get, somethings going to kick off I can feel it" cassidy kissed him gently.

" its ok , and when did you become a seer" she said softly.

"I saw it too, though," Angus told her quietly. "Nobody should know he's here. So if he doesn't deliver it, then we will know that he's up to something. I'll alert Michael to keep an eye on him, just in case. At any rate, lunch is ready. You two should start the serving line in the buffet so that everyone else will follow suit. Before it gets cold. I sent Kieran to tell those in the Great Hall that the food is ready in the dining room. If you'll excuse me, I need to take a plate up to Khaat."

He went up and found she was still soundly asleep. He went downstairs and set about helping the kitchen staff clean up from breakfast and lunch and helping to direct them to the preparation of dinner. He had soon gotten caught up in his work and when he looked up, two hours had gone by. He saw staff members now floating around, in and out of the party and the dining room, to their own rooms or the sitting rooms or the recreation rooms, anywhere where they could enjoy themselves. People were getting certainly more scattered. He went up and found Khaat's tray was empty. The food eaten. He was pleased. She never ate everything anymore. She had apparently gotten up, eaten, and gone back to sleep. It made him smile a bit to see that somehow she had gotten back into exactly the same position hed found her in earlier, before he brought the tray. He didn't know of many people that could go back to sleep in the same exact position.