Marriage is Murder

Brant looked at Edward and stopped turning he looked at him and sighed " I have, you think I have gone from one extreme to the other, maybe I am over compensating, I'll see you at dinner ." he said and sighed as he headed to the garden he walked around and smiled as he felt rain and wind on his face. He knew they were right and he needed to find a balance in everything he did. walking back in he headed to the library to read up on the potions.

Once he was down to his third book he placed a marker and closed it placing it on a table as he stood up and moved to the kitchen to grab a drink from the fridge.

"You're just in time," Angus said, starting to set the table. "Our last meal in Tuscany for awhile is going on the table as we speak." he had finished his fresh pasta with steak pieces in a browned butter sauce with roasted garlic and fresh herbs. He had a large bowl of salad in the center of the table, and a large basket of slices of bread in case someone wanted to soak up the lovely butter sauce over the pasta and steak. Dessert was just a simple fruit compote.

Angus set the table and then brought over the enormous bowl of pasta and put it in the center of the table for others to help themselves. He put a pitcher of iced tea and another of sangria.

"Looks wonderful," Edward said. "I was starting to feel like I was going to go back to ordinary until I remembered I'll be going to England as well."

"You'll get bored with it eventually and turn to fish and chips for a relief, like Robert does."

"Not one of my favorites," Edward laughed, not worried about any sort of relapse to pub grub. "Brant, call the others and then let's eat."

Brant nodded placing down a well worn book on the table as he called the others to the to eat, quickly sitting as he heard the patter of feet. He sat back " I have been reading up on the potions in this book, there are some I haven't heard of , even in my travels, its interesting reading." he said and smiled as Edward spoke of fish and chips " not had that in a long time" he admitted " but what you make certainly makes up for it" he felt his stomach growl with the hunger he'd not realized he was. He pored several glasses and then his own smiling as one young boy thanked him once he was done.

Edward was delighted with dinner. "I don't know how you got bite sized steak pieces tender, Angus. We've tried to do this before and ended tasting like my old boots."

"Is that where they all went?" Angus teased. "No, seriously, there just are a few tricks to it."

"Proud of you, Boy," Edward said. Angus looked up at him, a bit surprised. "What?" Edward laughed. "Did you think that being an auror is the only profession I consider acceptable? Most aurors can just fire a wand. You're experienced at fighting, sailing, taking care of a large family, gardening, taking care of animals, managing a large estate, and making a lot of people happy and well cared for with some great meals. Your grandmother was very proud of you, and so am I. And so are your parents."

"My parents. I don't see them much anymore," Angus smiled, sipping on his sangria.

"Well, they travel most of the time now. They keep telling me they want to see the whole world before they die. I didn't realize when they first said it that they intended to see every square inch of it."

"Me neither," Angus said. He didnt' say anything more, tired of feeling the distance between himself and his parents. It was the main reason he was closer to Edward. He got up. "I'll get dessert." He snapped his fingers at the dishes. "Clean yourselves up," he commanded. He headed for the kitchen as Edward laughed.

"He's been hanging around Michael Tremaine too long," Edward said.

Brant sat listening as they spoke of family he had not seen his own family in a long time and he began to think where were they now and if they were okay. He sipped his drink now quiet only chuckling as Edward said he'd learn the cleaning up by magic from Michael. " yeah I remember he used that a lot" he said and watched the others drink and eat around him. " so what time we heading back?" he asked " not too early I hope." he said and chuckled again. He finished his drink and sent the glass into the kitchen to wash its self. Brant took back up the book and opened it at the last page he had read, taking up the refreshing of his knowledge about potions that Edward has suggested.

"I don't have a specific time," Edward said. "Remember, there is a wee bit of a time difference. I don't know what time Robert will be opening the house, but I'd like Angus to not feel like he has to cook breakfast for us in the morning."

"Its no bother," Angus said.

"No, you're not understanding me. Your aunts need to get adjusted that they're responsible for that again. That means..."

"No," Angus said rather sharply, "As long as I'm here, the kitchen is mine...."

"Then keep it simple," Edward said, not backing down from his own stance. "Fruit, cheese, bread, tea. Buy the bread and have it delivered...."

"No, I'll..."

"You'll do what I tell you. Understand me?" Edward said in his own commanding tone.

"Why don't I just order it all, then?" Angus said sarcastically, not willing to back down either.

"Why don't you just do that?" Edward replied, unafraid of his grandson's anger, understanding the boy had a right to be angry. Not that Angus was a boy anymore, though either. Edward had no intention of letting Angus be taken advantage of by his rude aunt, though, so he was going to hold his ground with Angus.

Brant nodded he agreed and sat back with his book " I forgot about those , time differences can be tricky" he said and noted Angus's obvious anger he wondered why he was so angry and glanced to Edward worried he'd done something or said something wrong. though he glanced at the woman who had annoyed Angus before and sighed shaking his head hoping she one day would know exactly how hard Angus works. He was about to offer to make the bread when Angus said he'd order some in. Closing the book he sat watching every one at the table including the woman. He placed his book down in front of him and looked to Edward. " that breakfast sounds perfect" he said not quite knowing what to say now that Angus was angry.

Edward looked at his daughter--Angus's aunt who still didn't seem to have much respect for her nephew. She had a haughty attitude even tonight around her father's table.

"You are dismissed," Edward told his daughter firmly. She glared at Edward and then got up and flounced out of the room, unhappily. Edward looked at Angus, now ready to be frank. "Let's get one thing straight before we go back, shall we? You know more about what I do than all of the women in this family put together. My life as a slayer has my own family believing I am nothing but a cold blooded killer...."

"And its a lie!" Angus was angry.

"Dont you think I know that?" Edward asked quietly, summoning paper and a pen. He began to make a list as he talked. "Do you really think this is a new issue in this house? This is as old as your aunts are. Your grandmother knew what I did and she supported it. She knew it was a necessary evil. My daughters, however, didn't understand. All they knew was that their father wasn't home as nearly as much as they wanted. This issue has nothing to do with you. You don't ever need to justify yourself. This about decades old anger they have with me and with your grandmother, God rest her soul.

"Your anger will solve nothing. And I chose not to battle it with them anymore. If they choose to take their rage at me to their own graves, then so be it," Edward said. "Its their ignorance. And, in this case, its also their loss because they don't really know you. Nor will they ever." He finished his list and looked at Brant. "The market in the village is closed now for the night, but if you go and knock on the shopkeeper's door, he'll fill your list for you so that breakfast is settled. That is, if you can still remember where the shopkeeper's flat is. If you don't get lost, have him put this on my account, would you?" If Brant were going to follow in Edward's footsteps, he had to be able to either know his way around or find it.

Brant sat and listened and could not disagree with all Edward said as far back as he could remember as a child there had been lively discussions at the table. Seeing Edwards list he nodded " I remember where it is I studied a map to refresh my memory wile in your library" he said and smiled tucking the list in his pocket standing he excused himself and headed for the front door , He apperated down to the village walking around he soon found the flat knocking on the door he saw a youngish man open the door.

" Edward sent me " he said and took out the list" he needs these thing" he said then as he was about to turn away he stopped " ow he said charge it to his account" he saw the man nod his head.

" I'll have it delivered early tomorrow" he said and headed back inside, Brant nodded and watched him shut the door before he apperated back to the main house.

In the short time Brant had been gone, the kitchen had emptied out. Edward was sitting alone out on the long tiled patio, under the red clay tiled roof. He was sipping on a bit of brandy to warm his old bones from the dampness that was still hanging in the air after the rain that had lasted most of the day. The stars were coming out, and the night was looking as clear as crystal. From this view on the coast, it looked to Edward like he could see for miles.

Edward heard Brant come back. He presumed that Brant had been successful. "Thank you, Brant," Edward called. "Tea's hot if you want some."

Upstairs, shut away in his room, Angus hesitated before opening the unusual rose colored leather book. He sat down in the one large leather chair in his room and started to read.