Marriage is Murder

"You can deal with her all you like," Khaat said. "I'm done. Michael is right. I can't care if she eats at all or if she doesn't. She made us all a promise, and those words were all garbage. But if her behaviors start to rub off on my kids, she's going to be shifting her job duties. Period. Is that very clear? I am not going to have my kids acting like they've had nothing but their favorites on their plates and that theyve never had a tough day in their lives. That's just egotistical thinking, and I won't have it in my five. They're going to grow up to appreciate what's on their plates and what it takes to make a living or a relationship or anything else...."

"Down, Girl," Michael laughed. "Perhaps we should have gone for a climb to burn all that off."

"You didn't bring Hiss," she said.

"I dont' need Hiss. Do you?" he asked.

"No. If we're going to climb, let's do it."

"No, no," he laughed. "Daylight. Steven, we're going to be a bit longer. We'll just enjoy the fire for a bit longer before we come in." He didn't want to have to state the obvious that bringing Khaat back to the house while she was this angry probably wasn't the best choice. He figured she'd get it out of her system momentarily and then they would come back when the temporary tension had passed.

Michael and Khaat stayed out under the stars until the wee hours of the morning. They started talking, reminiscing about days gone by. She was dozing off on his shoulder when he put out the fire.

"Its almost 3," he said softly. "Angus will be serving breakfast in about 4 hours. And its getting colder. Its clouding over. I bet there will be rain in the morning. Come on."

He led her partway back to the house, but she stopped. She got severelly dizzy. Her knees buckled and she fell against him. He caught her and apparated her back to the house to an empty guest room. He put her on the bed and then went and woke up Robert. Robert went to her immediately and checked her.

"Low blood sugar," Robert diagnosed quickly. "Comes from being too thin."

"I'll be right back, then," Michael said. He went downstairs and brought her a glass of orange juice and a piece of toast. Her father added a potion to the glass and gave it to her. It regulated her sugar quickly, but she was tired. Robert took her shoes, and Michael covered her with a blanket as she fell into a deep sleep.

"I'll stay if you like," Michael said.

"Thank you," Robert said. "She's tired. She'll sleep now. You might not need to stay."

"Meh. I think I'll stay," Michael said, settling into a chair with a book.

"Thank you, Michael," Robert said, knowing Michael would call if he needed him. He returned to bed, leaving Khaat in Michael's hands as the clock downstairs chimed 3. Michael devoted himself to the pages of his book as the house grew quiet again.

Brian got up and found Khaat had never been to bed. He showered very quickly and dressed and as he came out of the bedroom, he saw Robert come out of one of the guest rooms and close the door quietly

"Do we have a guest?" Brian asked

"No," Robert said. "Khaat's weight is making her have a bit of hypoglycemia. She'll be fine, but she's sleeping. Michael is with her. Actually, I think he must have dozed off just now because his tea is still hot. I think we'll let them sleep."

"Good idea. She's okay, though?"

"Yes. She's fine. I'll help you get the kids up. Kate will be dressed shortly." Even as he spoke, he heard the patter of little feet running down the hallway. Abbey. She had tried to dress herself. She had her little dress on backwards and inside out, but it was on. Her socks didn't match, and there were no shoes, but it was a start. "Look at you!" he picked her up. "All by yourself?" he asked. She nodded. "Well, come with me and we'll finish the job, okay?" She nodded. "Such a big girl," he laughed, kissing her.

Brian followed Robert to the girls' room to get up Julia and Dakota while Robert helped to straighten out Abbey's clothes. IF no one got to them, they'd get the boys up next.

"Yes I think so," Robert said. They took the kids to breakfast where Angus had merely made a breakfast buffet on a sideboard where people could take whatever they wanted.

Abbey wanted to fix her own plate, but she was too short to see the sideboard. Robert picked her up and let her choose what she wanted. Brian had both of the boys, one in each arm, and was using magic to fill their plates. Angus had Julia and was helping her fill a plate, and Kate picked up Dakota, who had a firm idea she wanted hot dogs for breakfast. Kate redirected her by feeding her some tiny wild strawberries. That helped to shift her focus back to breakfast. She started asking Kate where the cereal was. Angus just sighed.

"I was afraid that would happen," he said. "Fi sent me some American magazines for children and it had some of that brightly colored sugary breakfast nonsense they call cereal, and Dakota got fixated on wanting some. I probably am going to have to have Fi send me some."

"Bite your tongue, Lad," Kate scowled. "If Khaat finds out you gave her children that junk, she'll have your job and every job you intend to find in the future. We'll get Dakota back on the right track without having to resort to muggle poisons." They soon had the kids at the table eating happily and then the adults went back for their own plates.

"Shall I fix plates for Michael and Khaat?" Angus said.

"No," Robert said. "Michael won't sleep long, and he'll come and fix plates for them. Let them be. Let's just eat."

Michael soon came downstairs, unshaven, still wearing his clothes from yesterday. He was barely awake--not awake enough to talk. He fixed two cups of french roast and a bowl of fruit salad, a breakfast plate, and a plate with two scones. He left again sleepily.

"He'll be more human after breakfast and a shower," Robert laughed. "Give him a bit."

"I don't think I've seen him like that," Brian said.

"That's what comes from him sleeping a few hours in a chair," Kate said. "He's better either without sleep or with laying down. The chair gets to him. Wait. Where's little Michael? I thought he was right here."

"He was," Brian frowned.

"That little weasel. Not again," Angus sighed, getting up. He went into the kitchen. Robert could soon hear Angus's voice as Angus said."No, no, no. You have food. Don't eat that. Give it here. Get that out of your mouth. Ick."

"Oh, don't tell me," Kate sighed.

"I think we have another kitty kibble eater," Robert nodded.

"Great. Just great," Brian sighed.