Marriage is Murder

"Yep," Brian yawned, "Thanks. I thought I heard a bit of a rukkus in Roberts room. She was fairly ticked when I told her about his frostbite last night. My guess is that she went to give him a piece of her mind."

"She did," Kate said, coming downstairs. "Angus, could I have Robert's tea please? Its going to take him a bit to dress this morning."

"I'll go help him. Someone should be civil to the man. His morning certainly wasnt," Brian went upstairs.

"I don't know if Kieran is up yet or not. Fi didn't rest well last night. Kieran sat up with her a good portion of the night," Angus said. "I guess we're all a bit off schedule today. I'll just hold breakfast until everyone is up and dressed. It will keep."

"Speculating, are we?" MIchael came downstairs. He gave Kate an affectionate kiss on the cheek. "Good morning, my dear."

"Good morning, Michael. And yes, they were," she smiled. Michael didn't say anything until he had gotten himself a mug of Earl Grey.

"Well," he said. "You apparently all don't know Robert as well as you think you do. Robert would do anything to protect his child, and at the time when he went to protect her, he didn't have the luxury of gearing up for winter weather. And once he came face to face with James, he didnt think about himself anymore. Remember, the child that just chastised him was, herself, outside with a spaghetti strap white silk chemise and nothing more. No shoes, nothing. It seems to me that there was a bit of the pot calling the kettle there. I don't know how she didn't end up with more fingers frostbitten. I thought about that last night and the only thing I could figure was that there must have been something about Remus's own energies that protected her. "

Brian helped Robert shower shave and dress. Robert wasn't in pain this morning unless he banged his fingers. He had selected a pair of black jeans and a red and black checked flannel shirt. Brian had dressed as well. He chose just jeans and a white sweatshirt with an usual black and white wizarding photo on it of a snowscene. The bare trees were being bent back and forth by a winter wind and the snow was falling, in a winter forest scene.

"Oh, Brian," Kate smiled. "What an unusual sweatshirt. Very stylish."

"Khaat bought it for me at Christmas," Brian said. "I saw it in Colorado in a shop, and I liked it a lot. I was very surprised to see it under the tree for me."

"And where is your lovely bride?" Michael asked.

"Still dressing. She's feeling like she wants to actually shower and dress. I just don't want her to overdo."

"I'll watch," Robert said. "Angus. Could I have a refill please?"

"Absolutely," Angus jumped at the opportunity to serve Robert

Khaat had chosen skinny jeans and a watermelon pink crochetted sweater with a matching pink cami underneath. She had chosen a pair of matching stud earrings that were made from unusually deep pink rubies. She had a pair of handpainted flats that were white with colorful flowers. And she'd done a glamour spell to do her hair and makeup. Brian hadn't seen that sweater before and he loved it. Robert had seen that Brian never failed to look at her with love and seeing nothing but her beauty. He was pleased to see Brian so blissfully happy and hoped that Brian never lost that smitten feeling. Robert believed Brian deserved it.

Angus served breakfast just as Fi and Kieran came downstairs. Kieran sat with Fi and said nothing about how much she did or did not eat.

"Fi has not made a list," Kieran announced. "She has chosen to go with us."

"Fi," Robert said very gently. "Are you sure that's wise?"

"Its my home," Fi said, her voice soft and tired, staring into her tea mug. "Yes. I'm sure."

"Then I'll boost your tea," he said.

"No," she refused him. "I want to do this. You can only help temporarily. I have to do this."

"Then, Jim and Jack, I want you two to go, but go ahead of Kieran and Fi. Make sure things are in order before they get there," Robert said. He knew they would understand without Robert getting grotesque with them. "And Kieran, I will send a small bottle of potion for you to put in your pocket, just in case." Kieran just nodded.

Kieran helped Fi on with her coat. He looked at her.

"You're sure,right? I could do this," he said.

"No. I want to," she said.

"Fi, I'll go with you," Brian went over to her and kissed her cheek.

"No thanks," she smiled bravely. "You just keep being our protector. Just keep making sure I have a safe place to come back to, huh?" He heard what she wasn't saying. She wanted a peaceful safehaven right now. That was one of the most important things on her mind. She pressed a parchment into his hand. "Here. Not now. Read it while I'm gone." She took Kieran's arm and he apparated her to the farmhouse.

Brian opened the parchment. It was a reply from Jeffrey and Sarah. Fi had, on her own, owled Jeffrey and had told him of the day's events. She had asked for a place to just escape for awhile. To reassess her life and what she wanted. Jeffrey had immediately replied and had offered her 5 star accomodations for as long as she wanted. He and Sarah were arriving at the farmhouse they were renting--today. Before dinnertime this evening. Brian was immediately upset. Kate took the parchment from his hand and read it and handed it to Robert.

"Brian," Robert said. "Its not a bad thing for her to clear her head. You know that. You can be there for her, but she clearly wants to do this."