Marriage is Murder

Jess looked at Robert and smiled. " thank you that place must have been a real night mare, we don't need places like that around. Jim looked at her and nodded .

" nope I'm glad we have strict controls over the cleanliness and and preparation of our food at sparks" he said turning as he noticed Brian and Edward walk in talking " show us what?" he asked as he dodges James running to the garden and stand waiting with Jaylen both holding hands as the others came charging out.

" I wonder what hes done now?" Steven asked holding Cassidys hand as they walked out into the garden together with Jess and Jack following. " its very integrating though" Steven said.

When they were outside, Brian flicked his wand and removed the cloaking spell. It revealed a massive castle playhouse for the kids and a play yard, guaranteed to keep the kids happy for years and years to come.

Khaat was stunned, looking the glass windows and the banners flying from the towers. It was every child's dream.

"That is amazing," she said quietly. "I don't think I could have dreamed that up in my wildest dreams. Are those upper floors safe?"

"Yes," he said. "The glass is unbreakable. And there are layers and layers of additional protection spells. They're very safe there. They'll be as safe inside the fences of that play yard and in the castle as they would be in the house."

"Brilliant," Robert said, pleased. "As they get older, you're going to be more than a little glad you have that."

Jess, Jack, Steven and Cassidy walked out Jim followed behind every one smiled and clapped at its as the cloaking spell came off " wow well done Brian its beautiful " Jess said and James looked at her.

" can we?" he asked and she looked at Brian for confirmation they could go and play on it.

" well if Brian says you can I guess its okay" she said and smiled at him. James walked over to Brian and looked up at him.

" can we play now?" he asked grinning as he waited for Brian to say if they could.

"You can, but you might want to eat dinner first and then go. I think things are ready. Unless your parents want you to miss your dinner tonight. That's not up to me," Brian said, glad they were excited about it.

"It certainly smells delicious," Robert said. "It would be a shame to miss it. It's a long time from now til breakfast."

"The table is set," Michael said from the doorway, "The salad and the bread and drinks are all on the table. We're just waiting on Cassidy's dish."

"Does this mean you're going to add another dozen kids to this lot?" Edward laughed. Brian gave him a bit of a wide eyed look. He hadn't even considered that between them all there might, at any point, be another dozen in the house. He wasn't sure he was ready for 24 kids in the house.

"If we end up with that many, we should just build our own school and get it overwith," Brian said. "Let's eat and then if the kids want to play, they can play until the rain starts or until it gets dark, whichever comes first."

Cassidy jumped and ran back to the kitchen taking out her hot pot she smiled placing it too on the table and taking off the lid she heard Jess talking out side.

" Brian's right eat first then play" she said and James pouted but Jack picked him up and placed him on his shoulders riding them till he got to the door and was placed down at the door he ran in happy along with the others every one of them wanting to eat so they could get out and pay.

" hot pot?" Jack asked and saw Cassidy smile and nod her head .

" its a rib sticker , will fill them up and keep them warm til morning" she said dishing out a small spoon into the kids bowl she didn't give them it right away but let each bowl cool for a moment then passed them out. " I hope you all like it" she said

"Nothing like comfort food," Robert said as the rest of the kids were brought to the table. Khaat went in and took her place as some of the others helped the kids into their chairs.

Abbey had managed to move her own chair out from the table, although it was crooked. She wanted to climb up into it herself. Marcus went to help her, and she turned and looked at him. "Me do it!" she told him.

"Yes, Ma'am," he said, with a slight smile, wondering if there was a little of her mother in the child. Once Abbey got up in her chair, she was now too far from the table. He simply moved the chair into place. She began overlooking the table.

"Abbey," Michael called from the kitchen, "there are berries in the salad." She nodded, satisfied he hadn't forgotten.

"Hot pot was a good idea, Cassidy," Kate said. "Its very good." The others agreed. It was good.

Cassidy smiled as she finished her plate " I thought it would fill us up and warm us since that storm is going to be here to night" she said and looked out the window at the dark clouds. Steven smiled and took a second plate as did Jack, Jess on the other hand stopped after her first plat wanting to leave room for her afters that she knew was going to be special since Micahel had made it for them.

Jim sat and fed one of the kids with his fork once they were full he ate his own while drinking some hot tea. Soon he too pushed his plate to one side " looks a bad one Jack and I will secure the storm shutters Steven can you check the barn and batten it down?" he asked

"Sorry, Kids," Robert said. "No playing outside tonight. Looks like the rain is coming a bit faster than I expected. You should be able to go out tomorrow. If any of you are going out, I'd make it rather quick."

"Can I borrow my wife for a bit?" Brian asked.

"Its your house," Robert said. "Just dodge the lightning if you're late."

"Lightning?" Khaat asked.

"Come on," Brian smiled reaching for her hand. He glanced at Belby. "I've got this. Have a cup of tea or something."

"Yes, Sir," Marcus replied with a smile. Brian took Khaat out and walked with her, holding on to her hand, and went across the yard. When he got over to the trees, he stopped.

"Look up," he said. She frowned. "I'm serious," he said with a smile, look up." She looked up and saw, up high in the trees, a beautiful new treehouse.

"What is that?" she asked softly.

"That," he said, "is a very grown up playhouse. Strictly for two. Wanna see?"

"Yeah," she said, intrigued. "I do." He wrapped his arm around her waist and apparated her up to the deck of the treehouse. It had beautiful leaded and stained glass windows and a stained glass door. "Its incredible," She said.

He opened the door. "And that's just the outside. Come on in." She went in and saw it had a fireplace, a beautiful sitting room, and a lovely bedroom, meticulously decorated.

"You did this?" She asked.

"Yeah," He said. "Don't we have enough grownup couples that would enjoy it?"

"Yeah," she smiled, kissing him. "We do." They heard thunder roll in the distance.

"Just not tonight, It seems," Brian laughed. "Might be dangerous up in the trees. We'd better get back before the weather gets bad."

"Shame," she said. "I don't know anyone else I'd rather cuddle with."

"I think I can lift the ban on cuddling in the house," he said, apparating them back out to the yard.

Steven and Jack chuckled seeing Brian and Khaat together out side every one agreed they were the perfect couple, they still were so much in love even after this length of time together. Jack pulled Jess to him and smiled as Steven took Cassidys hand in his own. Jim just chuckled. "Its amazing how one couple can set of the rest. " he said to Marcus as he drank his tea. " what ever it is must be wonderful but they should get back in" he said as the first flash of lightling crashed across the sky sending the kids huddeling into there perents.

" okay time these should be in the nursary " Jess said Cassidy stood up and nodded togther they gathered the kids and walked them up as Steven dove out to lock up the barn and the animals. Jack and Jim both left to shutters Jim stopped by the door.

"you want to help Marcus more hands make light work" he said waiting for his awnser.

"Certainly," Marcus said, as the rain started to fall.  He went out, anxious to get the job done before things got completely foul. He watched Brian and Khaat coming back inside.  

He glanced up towards the sky and the black storm clouds overhead and suddenly saw something falling from high up, and it was gaining speed. And then he realized it was a person.  A figure.

"Arresto Momentum!" he fired his wand straight up and managed to slow the figure.

"Get in the house!" Brian gave Khaat a gentle push. "Now! Go!" Brian wasn't sure what he was dealing with but this surely couldn't be good.

Marcus lowered the figure to the ground, knelt beside him, and looked into the face. It was the cook. The man he'd only met briefly who had taken the day off yesterday.  The man was limp and unconscious. Marcus looked around for the sight of someone else perhaps, something more, something to go do something about, but unless he'd missed it, he saw nothing.  He felt the pulse in the neck.  The cook was alive. 

"Angus!" Brian ran to them. "Make sure we're secure! Its Angus!" He knelt beside his friend and checked him for himself. Angus was alive but there was something amiss.  He felt some bumps and bruises.  A fist fight, not unlike a typical bar room brawl. But that wasn't what alerted him.  The first thing he had felt was something very odd.  It didn't feel like potions.  Nor did it feel like simply too many drinks.  This was something he'd not felt before in the time he'd been a healer. It just wasn't right. He was feeling that it was the cause of Angus's unconsciousness.

Marcus stood to his feet, his wand drawn, standing protectively over his boss and the cook, shielding them and looking for the slightest sign of some sort of breech in the protective nets.