Marriage is Murder

"Well, you're both right," Kate said. "The only way she will think of herself as normal--whether she has any powers at all or not--is if we treat her as normal from the outset and if we expose her to all sorts of other kids before she ever boards the Hogwarts Express. If we do that, then she'll be secure within herself regardless of anything anybody else says or does."

"I want her to learn to do things by hand," Khaat said. "Thats just a must."

"Agreed," Brian said. "I don't want her to define herself by her magic or lack of it."

Robert smiled. "And if you do that, you will be exceptionally wise parents with exceptional children."

"Isn't that what we all try to be?" Kate asked.

"I do miss that she probably will never know Rob," Khaat said.

"I dont'," Robert said carelessly. "The man is an ass. He lied to you and lured you into living a lie from Day 1. Abbey is a happy, well adjusted child. She does not need to be confused. Brian is every good thing that Rob doesn't have a clue how to be."

"But he does love Abbey," Brian tried to defend Rob, in all fairness.

"Not enough," Robert said with finality as the staff brought a pot of espresso and a tray of traditional tiny espresso cups and saucers, sugar cubes, lemon peels, and tiny gold spoons.

"Espresso?" Angus asked, serving Robert. Khaat, Brian, Kate and Michael all accepted and Angus poured the cups and served them. "We have some fresh Amaretto cookies if you would all like some with your espresso."

"Don't say cookies around Jack without bringing some," Kate laughed.

"Oh, well, yeah. I forgot," Angus said. "I'll go get them."

Angus had one of the stewards bring a plate of the tiny crunchy little Amaretto cookies. They were perfect with the espresso, and it was so typically Tuscan. Khaat finished hers, and Brian saw her growing fatigue.

"I'll take you to the stateroom," he told her.

"No, I can manage," she said, standing. "Stay and enjoy your coffee." Brian knew she wasn't able. She hadn't gotten more than a step or two when Angus was there offering her his arm.

"I'll see to it she's alright," Angus reassured Brian. He took her to her room.

"Stop worrying," Robert said. "She's just tired. And she hates the thought of going back to England. She'll be alright. She just has to go through with going home. Let her have some alone time."

"I know," Robert said. "Nobody is. But we can make better use of our weekends. And we should."

"I agree. We can go anywhere in the world for a weekend. And we should," Brian said. "Khaat will be alright. We just need to give her time. She has dreamed of Tuscany all her life. and when she comes her it fills one of her lifelong dreams. When she comes home, she walks into one problem after the other. When she gets here, it all goes away. Who wouldn't want that?"

"Who indeed?" Robert smiled. "But she has a beautiful home with you and a gorgeous family and many friends. Eventually she would miss it, even if she doesnt' see it now. Any thoughts about another trip?"

"Well, actually," Brian said, "I sort of thought perhaps we should go to Vermont, in the States, in the early fall, rent muggle cars and drive through the mountains when the autumn leaves are at the best. I hear it is breathtaking."

"It is," Robert smiled. "That is an excellent thought. What do the rest of you think?"

"Then, I think I"m going to go help my wife back for my grandchildren," Robert said.

"While I pack for you?" Kate shot him a glance.

"Preferably," Robert said simply. "And then I"m heading to bed so I can get one last swim in before we go home."

"There are pools in England, Robert," Kate said.

"Its not the same as the Mediteranean Sea," he said. "I'll leave you all to enjoy your coffee. Goodnight." He got up and left them."

"That really is my cue," Kate sighed. "I'll see you all in the morning. Goodnight." She got up and left as well.

"I am not looking forward to packing for us," Brian said. "Khaat is a professional shopper, I think. I may have to enlarge our closets again."

When morning came, Brian was rudely awakened by Abbey leaping up onto Brian and hollering in his ear.

"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" she was jumping up and down on hhis stomach. He groaned.

"Abbey, stop," he yawned. "You'll wake Mama."

"Mama gone."

"What?" he was suddenly awake. She was right. Khaat was gone. "Where is Mama?" he asked.

"With Papa," she nodded.

"You sure?" he asked. She nodded. "Okay." He was about to ask her about her siblings when she bounced off.

"Get up!" she shouted at him, scowling.

"Okay, okay," he sighed. Abbey went dashing down the hallway in her bare feet, towards the deck. Brian sighed, yawning again. He had no idea why she was so wound up today.