Marriage is Murder

Jess chuckled and looked at her " that's a good idea, none of us think that Kate, I have one of your paintings...well did have one over my fireplace until those beasts got in" she said and sighed poking the log so it would catch fire on its left side.

" Jack actually loves home made things, he won't admit it but he likes the homely hand made look" she added as she stood up and replaced the fire guard. "I guess it makes him feel at home and comfortable, you know what I mean?" she said.

"Yes.  I do know.  And I think its why Brian loves the Native American art. Its warm and spiritual and reminds him of nature and of the large family he's always wanted," Kate said. "Though, I don't know how he's been able to let that nearly priceless collection stay out without putting it away--with the cats, the bird, the kids...he just hasn't been afraid...."

Her nose caught the scent of Michael baking.  "Michael must be in the kitchen. And I can smell some familiar scents. I think he has Khaat on his mind and whatever he's making he's doing to try to entice her to eat.  I'm really pleased that he loves her as if she was his own.  And if anyone can find that little treat that interests her, it will be Michael.  Or at least it always has been."

Jess smiled and took a deep breath in " yes smells wonderful and I think Brian enchants them to just stay put." she said and chucked " maybe I should try cooking myself I have a wonderful bread recipe I'd like to try one day" she smiled ho ping one day to be able to do that for all of them.

"Maybe if Angus would let me in the kitchen long enough." she said and chuckled to her self " never mind I will one day, should I tell, them you'll be down soon?" she asked moving to the doorway and pausing. " I'm sure what ever every one gets they will love and cherish it" she said with a warm smile.

"I'm sure Angus would let you cook whenever you like.  I know he hasn't really ever mentioned it but I think he does appreciate when others step up to cook so he can do some of the other duties that he is good at and doesn't often get to do.  Cooking for this many is time consuming, and, as you well know, requires him to pretty much do nothing but cook every moment of his waking day.  And truly, he is far more talented than he gets to show here.  Not sure why he stays, to be honest."

Khaat went into the nursery to check on the children.  The nursery was quiet and peaceful.  She was feeling alone and rather incapable and useless. But there was something here that felt peaceful and safe.  Maybe just the presence of sleeping children. She sat down in the rocking chair and  eventually slipped into a light sleep. 

She was starting to dream about summer swimming--something so simple, and something she wasn't going to be able to do ever again, as far as she knew, when she was jolted--hard.  One of the kids, little Michael, had awakened and climbed up on her lap and had grasped onto her shoulders to pull themselves up into her lap and to snuggle closer.  It was a simple, common movement that a small child would do.  But for Khaat, it felt like her shoulder was being ripped from her socket.  It brought out sharp, excruciating pain that took her breath away, making her take a quick and deep breath in, trying not to cry out.  Damn, that had hurt.

Jess nodded " I will ask him when I go down maybe if I get up before he does I could have them done for breakfast tomorrow" she said and smiled . " I don't sleep well" she said as she saw Khaat leave she moved to find a book. sitting for not that long she stood up and looked up it the direction of Khaats room she palced the book down calmly and headed out of the room.

Pushing open the bedroom door she saw little Michael and walked into the room talking softly she lifted him down and let him run back to the nursery. " okay lets sort you" she said softly and placed her hand gently on her shoulder drawing off as much pain as she could. " better?" she asked

"Yes," Khaat said softly. "Thanks. I appreciate it. Jess, I don't want anyone to do anything differently because of me. I want life to continue like it always has for us. I still have a job to do. I still have a hospital to run and a court to run. And every one of you also has a paying job to do. We need to get back to normal.

"I may need you to take a heavier roll in doing some healing tasks at the hospital until my magic works again. Daddy's going to have to take over some of what I can't do, and the Ministry is just getting ridiculous right now.

"I guess what I'm saying is that we might have to divide duties a bit differently until I don't have to act like a squib anymore," she sighed.

Jess smiled and move to sit facing her "Its fine Khaat, I have all ready delegated some duties." She said "seems every thing is going well so far and moving smoothly" she told her " you aren't a squib, your still you your magic is a bit off, that's all " she told her. "and we are doing our jobs, Steven is out with Jack checking the grounds while Jim is reading down stairs, Brant's working on that equipment list , hes working his socks off with the list" she added but she could understand Khaat's worry. “ Khaat you'll heal and get it all back don't go soft, stay strong”

"I am trying, Jess," she said. "it just lays more on all of you because with me unable to do what I do, that means everyone ends up doing more. Daddy has to compensate, so do you, so does Brian, and Angus...And then the rest of you need to pick up what they can't do. It just keeps putting more pressure on everyone.

Downstairs, Robert went out to the kitchen, checking his watch, and filled his tea mug. He looked at Jim.

"We will be receiving a guest shortly," he said. "I need you to make sure you're picking up duties there because we're all going to have to regroup a bit for awhile. Brian and Steve and Jack have security jobs at the hospital. Jess has the shop. Most likely, I'm going to need Brant, at least for awhile, to help with rebuilding and restocking the potions lab. We've all got double duty.

"I've hired on a new man, at least for awhile. He's a bodyguard that, I think, will work well with Khaat, given that she already feels pressured. He will be very low pressure for her but will supply the magic she doesn't have--the apparating and such that she can't do. He should be arriving shortly. I want to get him oriented and somehow break it to her that she will have to have another shadow every place she goes.

"I'm looking forward to that just about like pulling teeth on a dragon," Robert sighed.

Jess looked at her " we don't mind one bit " she said " we cope " Jess smiled at her to show everything was okay. Jim looked up at Brain and listened as he placed down the book he was reading.

"Any one I know?" he asked standing up and walking over to him as he waited " ow I should contact sparks and find out how things are going" he said writing a note and sending it by floo. Then moved to stand with Robert “ could use the extra hands I'm guessing “ he said resisting lighting up his pipe instead popped a sweet into his mouth to curb the craving.

"No," Robert replied. "I don't think so. Not unless you've worked for Bulgaria, and I've not known that of you. Not lately, anyway. But he has a portkey, so don't be shooting him, will you?"

He headed up to his room to get his suitcoat. This was business, and he was going to dress accordingly. He had to go into London when he was done orienting the new man anyway.

A few moments later, Marcus ported in to Brian's living room. He took a moment to look around. Log mansion. Rustic luxury. Not Marcus's tastes, but he appreciated that it was well done.

Marcus was dressed in a charcoal colored, meticulously tailored suit, white shirt, trim black tie. He saw a number of others already here.

"I..um...have an appointment with Minister Lupin?" Marcus asked the nearest fellow.