Marriage is Murder

Jack stood up and looked at them both " I'll follow I have very good hearing and can stay out of sight " he said looking at Abby with a small smile Jess nodded to Brian that he was telling the truth.

" though it seems to slip when its something he doesn't want to do " she said and Cassidy chuckled softly as did Jess as she saw the look on Jacks face " you bring her back at the first sign of any trouble" she said and he nodded his head.

" of course Jess as if she was one of our own , which in a way she is " he said and Jess smiled and gave a single nod.

"Jack has always had selective hearing, though, Jess," Brian teased.

"You," Robert looked at Brian. "go upstairs and just lay your hand on Khaat so that if anything goes wrong and she wakes up and tries to apparate out, you will automatically go with her. I don't want this having much of any reason to mess up."

"Robert, if Escobar does love her, he won't hurt her," Kate said.

"That depends," Robert said.

"On what?"

"How hungry he is. If he's fed or not," Robert said. "If he hasn't fed, we might have a problem."

"I think not," Kate said. "He's more likely to want to feed on you than on her."

"Yeah, well, thats not happening," Robert said.

"Then we have nothing to worry about," Kate said. "I know you lads made dessert. Bring it on, would you?"

"Are we all ready for dessert?" Michael asked. "If we are, I'll go get it."

Jack chuckled and turned to Kate " oow now that's a desert, looks nice" he said smiling at seeing Jess roll her eyes at his quick noting of the desert that was to come. Jim chuckled as well as he finished his meal, gathering the plates he made them float to the washer and slip into it one by one.

"Just thought I'd help you out Angus a little." he said smiling at both Angus and Michael " you both worked hard on this meal" he added as the last plate slipped into the washer and it started to wash them.

"Thank you," Michael said.

"I'll serve the dessert," Angus said. "You've done enough work in the kitchen today, Michael. I appreciate the help."

"Not a problem," Michael said. Angus served the very elegant Tuscan zucotto. It was a lovely dessert with Michael's homemade chocolate orange truffle ice cream wrapped in a pound cake shell and covered with a drizzle of ganache.

"Michael, you've outdone yourself," Kate smiled. "Its lovely."

"I haven't had zucotto since probably my 8th or 9th birthday," Angus said. "I was glad to see him making one.

"Its delicious," Brian said. "A perfect end to a wonderful meal. Well done." He glanced over at his kids who were all covered already in chocolate ice cream.

Jack chuckled seeing Caitlin with her hands deep in her bowl and her face covered in chocolate as were the others. Cassidy took a spoonful and smiled " its heavenly" she said softly not having ever had this desert before and she loved it. Jess smiled as Jack wiped James face only for him to cover it back with chocolate. Cassidy chuckled and ate the rest of her desert as did Jack and Jim both just enjoying the food quietly knowing Escobar was out side possibly watching the house and grounds. Jess looked out of the window. " do you think he will be close to the house?" she asked

"Depends," Brian said. "On how big a threat he thinks she might be up against."

"He in the tree, Daddy," Abbey said, not understanding the gravity of the conversation.

"How do you know what we're talking about?" he frowned.

"My bat. You talk about my bat," she said.

"Yes," Robert said. "We are."

"He like me," Abbey said brightly.

"I'm sure he does, Sweetheart," Robert said. "But when we finish here, I want you to take me to meet him."

"Okay. Maybe he like ice cream too?"

"Bats do not eat ice cream, Dear," he smiled.

"No?"

"No," Robert said, laying his napkin aside.

"We go now, Papa?"

"No, not until you get the chocolate off your face and hands," Robert laughed.

"Well?" she looked at Brian expectantly.

"She's such a patient child," Robert teased.

Jess smiled and nodded she agreed with Robert Jim finished his food and walked to the sink making a pot of tea pore and float to the table and rest between the plates but away from the kids,as it gently stayed hot as he pored some for Robert. " here drink first" he said placing it close to him. Jack took a sip and smiled .

" nice choice Jim" he said handing his cup to Jess so she could try it for herself. Cassidy didn't choosing instead Roberts blend of coffee that she liked, a chocolate flavored coffee.

Brian cleaned up Abbey's face and hands and helped her look presentable to go with her papa, knowing that was important to Abbey. Brian wasn't particularly interested in making her presentable to go see a vampire, but Abbey had such a love for Robert that she wanted to look good if she were going anywhere with him, especially something as important as 'introducing him to her pet."

He brought her back, with his coat over his arm and helped her put it on. Robert got up and put his coat on as well.

"Do be careful," Kate told him.

"Certainly," Robert said. "Would I do less with Abbey along? She'll make sure I behave." He picked her up. "Won't you?" Abbey nodded, hugging Robert's neck. "Alright, then. We're off. Show me where the tree is." He took her outside, carrying her, so that he could apparate back into the house quickly if need be. Brian went upstairs to be sure that Khaat didn't get uprooted from her sleep and suddenly apparate out to try to protect Abbey.

Steven watched and smiled as Abby put on her coat he could see Jack didn't like the idea of Robert and Abby going to see a vampire alone with out back up. " Robert want I should hang back" he asked looking up at him. Jack looked up at Robert waiting for his reply to Steven's question hoping he would be asked to follow Jess nudged him.

" He will be fine" she told both of them " he's not minister of magic for nothing" she chuckled and looked to Kate and nodded her head. Cassidy moved to the window and looked out watching the woods.

"Robert will want us to make sure that nothing penetrates the house," Michael said quietly. "I don't think he's so concerned about Escobar, but rather, I think he's more concerned about what Escobar might know."

Robert asked Abbey to show him where the tree was, and she pointed the way. He walked through the snow, his boots crunching in the snow as he walked through the yard into the woods.

"Call him," Robert told her softly.

"Baaaaaat!" she shouted. "Baaaaaat!" They paused. There was no response. Abbey looked for him. Then she spotted him high up in the tree. "Why you no come?" she demanded. "You come now," she ordered. "No play. Come see Papa." The bat hesitated and then fluttered out of the tree and materialized in front of them as the handsome latin vampire. Robert could see instantly the man was irked and clearly not accustomed to taking orders from a three year old.

"Why are you yelling?" Escobar asked Abbey. "And why did you bring him here?"

"I am a grown up," Robert said. "You can talk to me directly. I asked her to bring me here."

"I am minding my own business..."

"No, Sir!" Robert said sternly. "You are minding MY business. My family's. If my family is in danger from the beast again, would you have us ignorant of it?"

"The fact that I am here, and you have connected it with the beast means you are not ignorant," Escobar countered. "If you're asking if he lives, yes. He does. If you're asking if he's dangerous, yes. He is. I presume that you didn't earn your post because you're a dimwit, so you surely have figured out that if I wanted your family harmed, they'd all be dead by now."

"Is the beast coming back here? For her?"

"Yes," Escobar said. "He will come."