Marriage is Murder

"It's a hazelnut creme englese over an amaretto pound cake," Angus said. He watched the Donohue women take care of the kitchen and then take the children to go get them ready for bed, leaving only the Donohue men in the now quiet dining room.

Edward motioned to a silver tray on the sideboard that held a crystal bottle of sherry and a number of crystal glasses. "I know you drink sherry," Edward said to Angus, pouring one for himself and one for Angus. "One for you, Brant?" Edward handed Angus's glass to him.

"I've missed this," Angus confessed.

"You stay busy enough that you dont' have that moment to let your meal settle. You're always busy jumping up to clean up the dishes for nearly 3 dozen people and getting kids bathed and into bed, and then doing prep for breakfast..."

"And the night time chores in the barn. And if I don't go to bed then, I don't get much of any sleep," Angus said, "I'm always up by 4 am so I get time in the gym, start the tea and coffee and breakfast pastries, dash back to the barn, and then back to the kitchen to have breakfast on the table by six."

"The Lupins need more help than they have," Edward said.

"Michael does help," Angus said. "And Brant has been helping since he's been there. the other adults try to help when they can, but some of the help with the regular daily tasks like dusting, making beds, doing laundry, and the rest of it,...I'm relying on my own charms for those things. Otherwise I can't keep up. Brian does have a whole crew now for the outside...."

"Then delegate the barn chores to them," Edward said. "There's no reason why the outside crew can't feed a horse or clean a stall."

"The horse isn't the issue. Its the unicorns and the hippogryff. The unicorns are fragile, and the hippogryff is testy."

"You still need to delegate that somehow," Edward said. "And you definitely are better than spending your life in the kitchen or cleaning up after other people. You're a fine auror and a highly skilled ship's captain. You signed on as an auror. Not a butler."

"Only to some extent. To some extent I did agree to help with those things," Angus said. "But I can't say I'm not glad for a week without it."

"Then, do yourself a favor and let your family cook for you for a week. Brant was right. You need a bit of time for yourself. You can't just change kitchens and call it a vacation, Son."

Brant smiled and nodded as he ate more of the desert. “Well, this is one desert you can make again.” he said finishing the bowl and letting a young woman take it from him he listened to Edward and watched as the port floated to the table. He thought for a moment and was about to decline but after a long deep sigh he smiled and nodded to Edward. “ I will join you, in a small one.” He said feeling if anything it would help him to sleep that night. He listened more and nodded at Edwards continuing words.

“ Steven is good with animals let him talk to them, Jack can help with any heavy lifting, though I'm not sure on Jim. “ he said softly “ I read up on them while I had the opportunity before the battle” he admitted as he picked up his glass and held it in his hand. He watched the golden liquid move and swirl inside it. He sat thinking back to all the warm days he'd had in his life but none had his family, until now. He looked up at Angus and Edward. He could not help feel envious of how they had bonded over the years.

Downing the port he felt it warm his insides as it went down. Brant placed the empty glass down and looked at them both. “ you can't burn your candle at both ends, sooner or later it burns you out,” he said “ I know all to well about that.” he added “ I was obsessed with finding the old ways, so much so that I forgot what was important, family and friends.” he looked at both of them “ don't make my mistake, take time for yourself” he smiled and slowly stood up. “If you'll excuse me, I think I need to get some air.“ He said feeling his heart pound in his chest as he began feel him self want to move, Standing he moved out into the garden. Now standing out side he took in a deep breath of the warm air around him it was filled with the scents of the flowers and he dug his hands deep into his pockets as he walked around the garden his mind filled with the fear of staying put.

After several minuets of just standing he felt like himself again and headed, all be it slowly, back to the house. Walking he heard the sounds around that echoed around him like old voices calling out to him to stay. Finding Angus still in the dinning room he sat back down, poring a second small drink of port he breathed out, finding the fear now gone. It was then he knew this was where he would stay his traveling days were over.

(hope its okay , 470 word count.)

Angus woke up in his room in Tuscany, already smelling breakfast under way. That seemed very odd to him. For a moment, he panicked, feeling like he wasn't doing his duties. And then he remembered Edward had not wanted him to have those duties this week. He had wanted Angus to enjoy his family and some time for himself. At the moment, Angus wasn't sure what to do with himself exactly. He got up and showered and dressed and could tell by the kitchen smells that breakfast was indeed either ready or almost.

The ship. That sounded like fun. But the fishing boat would long have been out now and, most likely back in harbor with the morning catch. Ah, well, there was tomorrow, he supposed. He considered seeing if they still had the speedboat and, if they did, he considered a bit of harmless horseplay. Or, perhaps the sailboat. There was something satisfying about letting the wind take control and having to put one's back into it to steer the vessel. He would ask Edward at breakfast. He headed downstairs.

Brian was up and about. He had found a number of pottery jars of rice and grains and spices. He had made a rice cereal with fruit and some tea. It was simple but there was something rewarding in simplicity. He had let Khaat sleep. Now he took a Japanese cup of hot oolong tea to her as she tried to open her eyes.

"Morning," he smiled. "Tea?" He put the cup down on the low table beside her.

"What time is it?" she asked.

"Early, but I didn't bring my watch, so I don't have the foggiest clue."

"What do I smell?"

"Breakfast," he said. "Hungry?"

"Not sure," she said.

"Hurting? Your potion and the spells should have worn off a long time ago." He drew off her pain and added a bit of gold potion to her tea. "Try that. Let me know when you want up. Since the mattress is on the floor, you'll need help getting up. For now, just enjoy the tea."

"Thank you," she said.

Brant woke finding himself on the floor wrapped in a duvet. Slipping out from under it he smelt the coffee wafting up from the kitchen below threw the open bedroom window. Moving to the bathroom he washed and headed down to the kitchen finding Angus already there. “Hey morning” he said and pored out a cup of hot fresh coffee. He noticed that Angus hadn't cooked and smiled “ so you coming with to the village?” he asked blowing softly over the lip of his cup as he watched him. Brant brushed his hair from his face and sighed “ I am getting rid of this today, hope that guys got a weed whacker to sort all this out” he said as he tied it back off his face. Brant sat down and took a warm bread roll feeling how it was crunchy on the outside, soft and warm inside just as he liked it.

He sat and looked at Angus “So are you still muling over the extra yacht thing?” he asked seeing the look on his face as he took a bite of the bread after he'd buttered it. Brant like the idea of the yacht and the idea of being out in the open on the boat and fishing. Brant took some food and started to eat it feeling it was not as good as Angus but still good never the less. Finishing Brant stood up and accioed his coat. Feeling he had to do this he slipped it on and glanced at Angus again “ right I'm heading to the village” he said “ need anything while I'm there?” he asked as he did up the buttons on his long jacket.

"I can," Angus said, when Brant asked him to go to the village with him. "I guess I'm so in my routine I don't exactly know what to do with myself. But, I do want to check out the men's shop for a few things. So I should go."

"By all means," Edward said, coming in with a coffee mug in his hand. "go and do something."

"We still have the car?" Angus asked him.

"We have many cars," Edward laughed, teasing him just a bit.

"You know what i"m talking about," Angus said. "My car. Do we have my car?"

"No, you mean do we have MY car. You just commandeered that thing."

"You never drove it," Angus shrugged. "Why shouldn't I? What did you do with it?"

"Its in the second garage," Edward laughed, tossing him a set of keys. Angus nearly beamed, catching the keys.

"Thank you," Angus said, excited. He looked at Brant. "You can either come with me, or I'll meet you there. Some things are just too good to not enjoy."

"Angus," Edward said quietly. "There's something else you need." He picked up a fokded set of papers from beside his plate at the table. He handed them to Angus. Angus presumed it was just a registration. He opened the papers, scanned them, and then frowned.

"Wha...Wait a minute," he frowned. He read the paper closer, frowning even deeper. He turned it over and checked it for any sort of seals or enchantments. He looked at Edward. "Is this for real? Or are you messing with me?"

"I am not, as you say, 'messing with you,'" Edward said. "Angus, you've learned a great deal of auror skills. The Minister of Magic entrusts his child and grandchildren to you. You've earned auror skills, sailing skills, and exceptional cooking skills. I know how much that car means to you. Its yours. Its just because I'm proud of you."

"I...dont' know what to say..." Angus was stunned.

"You could just say you're not going to bring it back with an empty gas tank," Edward teased as the women brought Edward his plate.

"I promise," Angus said.

Brian helped Khaat up and showed her the outdoor shower. He helped her shower and wash her hair. It felt like she was doing something sinful by showering outside, like someone was going to catch her. But he reassured her they were quite alone. He helped her dress and then helped her to the low Japanese table and set the rice cereal in front of her and poured her more tea. The cereal was delicious.

"I can see now why Daddy sent us here," she said softly. "Brian, I don't want either job anymore. I dont want to work. I don't even want to go back."

"Lets just do this one thing at a time, okay?" he smiled. "For now, lets just do breakfast."

Brant nodded and folded his arms across his chest as he waited for Angus “ I'll ride with you, after all you know where the stylist is” he said and chuckled but stopped as he listened to Edward and Angus talking he smiled when Edward gave Angus the car. “ Don't sell your self short mate,” he said and smiled. “ You do a hell of a job” he said happy to see Angus smile, He had wondered if he even could smile. “Hey we heading out , you going to drive the car or just look at the documents?” he asked moving to the door that lead to the garage and holding it open. He looked at Edward then at Angus “ come on Angus my hair will be down around my feet at this rate?” he said and chuckled “ besides, I need a whole new wardrobe too” he said as he finally moved down into the garage he looked at the cars and sigh. Now he didn't feel envious of what Angus had, he had his life and was happy with his lot.

Well he thought he had been now something niggled at him and he was asking himself could he be more, do more. He glanced back at the stairs before he walked down the side of an old ford silver phantom his fingers feeling the smooth paint under it. He looked threw the window and saw black leather seats. “ now your a car I like” he said softly but he knew he could never afford one and so stepped back thrusting his hands in his pockets as he waited.

"He doesn't drive that one either," Angus shrugged. "He likes to collect them, but he rarely drives them. He prefers apparating and porting. This one here. This one is my baby." He gestured to a 1973 red Lamborghini Countach LP 400. "I learned how to drive in that car. It was one he wasn't using, so he decided to let me use that one. But if I'd have wrecked it, I'd never have gotten out of trouble." He got in and turned the key, the roar of the powerful engine filling the garage, and then, just because he could, he revved the engine a couple times.

"Stop showing off!" Edward bellowed from inside the house. Angus laughed. He looked at Brant.

"Have you ever even been in a muggle car?" Angus asked.

After breakfast, Brian set a spell for the dishes to clean themselves.

"Have you figured out where we are?" she asked Brian.

"Well, only that there are other humans within walking distance," He laughed. I saw a village in the distance when I was down at the river. And its too old fashioned and traditional to be anything other than a little cluster of wizards. Are you in the mood for a short walk?"

"I'll try," she told him, unsure how much strength she had for any sort of a walk, but she knew they needed supplies. He went to a corner and got out a straight stick that he'd found that would, at least for now, work for a walking stick.

"That might help a bit," he said. "It will give you a bit more support. We can try. If its too much I'll help. Once we know if it is a magical village, we can apparate back and forth to there."

"Okay," she said. "I'll try."

Brant looked up at Angus as he spoke about the phantom then he watched as he spoke about the car Angus now stood at, he watched him sit in and start it then stepped back at the noise. Moving to look inside he could not help but gulp. “ not really, well not in a long time” he admitted and moved around to the other side. He ran his hand over the door and watched as it popped open lifting up in front of him and he smiled.” smooth, real smooth” he said and sat in side. Reaching up he pulled the door shut then quickly put on his seat belt. “ I'm not going to be the first one who you do have an accident with.” he said and chuckled softly.“Just don't go braking any speed laws, okay?” he said looking around the interior of the car some what nervously. It wasn't Angus's driving he was worried about more being in a confined space.

Brant sat back in the chair and took a deep breath in he looked over at Angus. “ she's quiet, loud but quiet” he admitted “ I kinda did work for a mechanic and he taught me about cars” he looked out the window. Hoping the drive wouldn't be too long and he would be able to get back out, or so he hoped getting in hadn't been too bad but he knew getting out would be another matter.

Angus enjoyed the short drive to the village. No one in Italy appeared to even have a thought of going slowly. Angus had learned to drive fast just to keep up. He manuevered the car into a parallel parking space smoothly and turned off the engine.

"Can you get yourself out? Or should I have brought a nerve tonic for you?" Angus asked. "The stylist is over there." He pointed to a shop on the other side of the street three doors down. "The mens shop is next to it. Start with the haircut...." He caught sight of a new shop since he'd been in the village last. It was a few doors further down from the men's shop. It was a motorcycle shop, a Ducati dealer, and they definitely had some hot looking bikes. He grinned. "I'll meet you in the men's shop," Angus said. "I need to make another stop. I might need a new toy."

Khaat and Brian made their way partway to the village, and even with the walking stick, she was just too weak. She nearly fell out of her own fatigue. He found a log at the site of the path where she could sit to rest. They werent' far now. He was seeing that this was not at all going to be an easy recovery for her. He was beginning to wonder if he should have left the house with her.

Then he heard someone whispering to him. He turned and looked around but didnt see anyone. Then he saw an old Japanese man in the woods, only a few steps away. He was motioning to Brian. Brian left Khaat to rest and went over to him.

"You came from the house down the lane," the man said. Brian nodded. "How did you even know of the house?"

"My family owns it," Brian said.

"Who are you?" the man frowned. "The man who owns it does not have a son."

"No, but he has a daughter," Brian replied.

"The woman?" he motioned to Khaat. Brian nodded.

"Robert's daughter?" he asked. Brian nodded again.

"She cannot walk any further. Her injuries are too great. Bring her. I will take you to a safe place to apparate to," he said. He produced, from inside his shirt, the organization's medallion.

"Why didn't you say so?" Brian sighed, relieved.

"You didn't say so either," the man shrugged. Brian helped Khaat over to the old man, who helped them apparate into the village, shortening the walk for her.

Brant looked at Angus “ ow haha Angus, very funny.” he said and breathed out as the car stopped. He saw the two shops and nodded and he too saw the bike shop. “ nice choice, four wheels for two, nice move ” he said and opened the door . Undoing his belt he climbed out best he could but still he ended up on his knees beside the car. “ maybe you should get something a little higher ” he said as he stood up brushing sand off his trousers. “ okay, see you there” he said walking best he could over to the stylist. Pushing open the door he stepped in and saw a chair and an old man.

“ okay, I can do this” he said softly” um I'd like to get a hair cut?” he asked the man pointed to the chair and he sat down. Thankfully a younger man walked out and smiled warmly to him. Brant told him what he wanted and then man began with Brant's guidance throughout. Several minuets later and several inches of hair lighter he walked out, now with his coat over his shoulder as he headed for the second shop next door.

Pushing open the door again he looked around the shop he spotted a long light brown leather jacket. Looking around he wondered where Angus was as he looked through the shirts, seeing a tan colored one, he pulled it from the rack and looked at it closer. He quickly put it back, knowing it was something he would have chosen. Now he knew he needed to get more updated and he spotted a dark suit with matching shirt. He smiled as he walked over it and stood inspecting it as he waited for Angus to show.