Marriage is Murder

Steven listened to Belby and sighed " yes she is a strong willed woman and even if you tried I dought she would listen to you, it seems since the acident only Robert has been able to get threw to her, him or Michael" Steven said "Now go sleep best to be fresh for the new day" he added " We won't be far, we're the night shift remember." Steven opened the spare door for him and then walked back to the living room leaving the door open so she could hear any sounds that went on. Cassidy smiled and sat with her legs up on the couch by the fire.


Cassidy said nothing knowing he'd said enough to Belby as steven sat down they setteled down for the night. Steven tossed another piece of meat to Archangel who ate hungrily and also setteled his head tucked under his wing as Steven smiled.

"Thank you," Marcus said. "I would never do anything to dishonor her. I don't usually get to work with women who are, well, real ladies. And its nice to like my assignment for a change. The other thing I know for sure is that she loves her husband with all she's got, and I'm going to do what I can to stop her from tossing that out with the trash. Goodnight, Steven."

Marcus went to the room next to Khaat's and went to bed. Michael got up by 5 am and headed for the kitchen.

"All quiet, I presume?" Michael asked Steven and Cassidy. "I looked in on Khaat and she seems to be comfortable. With as much damage as her shoulder took, I'm just going to presume she either willingly took some pain potion or Belby put some in her tea last night. Either way, I'm glad she's resting. I'm going to go make breakfast."

He headed for the kitchen and made some stellar quality eggs benedict and a potato tart tatin, a citrus fruit salad with an Asian mimosa dressing, and, of course, French roast, and an orange spiced chai tea.

By that time, Marcus was up, showering, shaving and dressing. Khaat was up and was getting her clothes out for the day. She chose a pair of skinny jeans and a white blouse with a lace inset. She set out a pair of diamond earrings and a pair of coral colored stilettos.

Marcus went in to her room, thinking he would open the drapes and perhaps boost her spirits, but he found her already up.

"Why am I not surprised?" he asked. "You're not planning on resting today, are you?"

"No," she said quietly, deciding to take the sling off.

"Hold on," he said, stopping her. "What are you trying to do?"

"I need to shower," she said.

"You can't move that shoulder. I don't see how you will manage a shower."

"I'll find a way," she said. Marcus sighed.

Twenty minutes later, she was showered, dressed, with perfect hair and makeup, and her sling back in place, no damage to her shoulder. It hadn't been easy, but she appreciated Marcus's help. She went out to the kitchen.

"Good morning," she said to them all.

"Good morning," Michael said, surprised. "Beautiful as always, but you just had surgery yesterday on your shoulder. Are you sure you should be doing this?" He poured her a cup of coffee.

"Oh, very," she said. "Steven, Cassidy, Marcus, I have a favor to ask of you. Would you please go bring my children, just as soon as breakfast is over?"

"For the day?" Marcus asked.

"I think I'd like to have them for a few days," Khaat said. She looked at Steven and Cassidy. "Do you mind packing for them--some clothes and their favorite toys, please?"

"Shall I say something to Brian, perhaps?" Marcus asked.

"No," she said. "He needs his rest. Do not disturb Brian. I'll send a note to my father. He and my mother enjoy having the kids here."

"As you wish," Marcus said. "I'll go straight after breakfast." He looked at Steven to try to send Steven a silent message that Marcus knew what she was up to and intended to not let it get out of hand He was, silently, asking Steven and Cassidy for their support.

Steven and Cassidy both smiled seeing Michael " oow breakfast sounds good, that coffee made yet?" Steven asked and glanced to Cassidy who loked as Marcus and Khaat appeared. Steven heard her and frowned but said nothing making anote to ask Marcus later about what was on his mind.

Cassidy smiled as Khaat asked for the kids to be brought over " of course I'll tell Jack and Jess " she said and looked to Marcus she too was puzzled but didn't let it show on her face. Both stood up and waan to set it lked over to the table and began to set it for every one to eat. " we'll eat first then head to the main house" Cassidy said smiling but glancing at Steven.

"Thank you," Khaat said.

"You're not dressed like you'll be hanging around the house, though," Michael said. "No offense."

"None taken," Khaat said. "As a matter of fact, I will need to go out for a little bit. I was hoping you all would watch the kids for a bit if I wasn't back in time."

"You do know that I can't be two places at once, right?" Marcus smiled. "I can either go get kids or go with you. Whichever is the greater priority."

"I think you should go get the kids," she said. "I can try an apparition spell on my own."

"Um...thank you, but no thank you," Marcus said. "If you splinch yourself, your father will have my head." He looked at Cassidy and Steven. "Do you think you four can manage her five so I can go with her? Or do I need to let her risk splinching?"

"No," Michael said rather quickly. "Let's not risk the splinching if at all possible. She has enough wounds as it is."

Steven and Cassidy looked at Khaat then to Marcus " you go with Khaat Jack and Jess can help bring the kids back " Steven said Cassidy nodded " but breakfast first can't start the day on an empty stomach" he said and palced down plates and bowls ready for the food. Cassidy moved to the kitchen.

"Anything for the table Michael?" she asked Hoping he did so she could place it on the table and so slow Khaat down in what ever she had planed, cassidy looked worried at Michael but still said nothing. Finding the food she took it to the table and sat down next to Steven who lent over to whisper to her.

"Don't worry Cassidy, I think marcus has something on his mind" he said and Cassidy nodded looking at Marcus and nodded to let him know she kinda understood what ever was going on she trusted him.

"Well, let's see," Michael said, "Eggs benedict, potatoes, fruit, coffee, tea...was there something else you wanted, Cassidy? It looks like you got everything I fixed."

"Its wonderful, Michael," Khaat said. "You know how I like Hollandaise."

"I do," he said. "You're welcome. Do me a favor, though. Take it easy today. You just had major surgery yesterday. Whatever you're planning, you know its not what your father would recommend. He'd want you here, resting."

"I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine," she said, as Michael put a plate in front of her. She appreciated that he had fixed a plate for her because it really was difficult for her with one hand.

"Don't worry," Marcus said. "I hardly think she'll go very far without me. After all, how much trouble can one little blond get into?"

"Oh, you have no possible idea," Michael said.

"Then, in that case, this might be fun," Marcus grinned at her. "I like a challenge."

Cassidy looked at it all and shook her head " nope thats it " she said and smiled as she tok her food and headed back to the table to eat her breakfast with Steven. Steven listened to Michael and Marcus and chuckled at Marcus's words.

"Ow she is a hand full, so you have your work cut out for you." Steven said and chuckled " she is a lupin after all " he ate his breakfast and drank his tea Cassidy finished her food and moved to the sink with her plate. Steven finished his and grabbed his coat " okay time to fetch the kids " he said and looked at Marcus " we won't be long" he took Cassidy's hand in his own and ported back to the main house. Jack looked up and raised an eye brow.

Jess walked down wth the five kids all ready to head to the Farm each dressed warm and in a coat and gloves. " we're all ready" she said smiling as Jack took two of the kids hands and with Jess ported to the farm leaving Steven and Cassidy at the house. " hey guys " Jack said smiling as he let two of them go.

When they left to go get the kids, Khaat went to her room and packed her things. Marcus saw her packing.

"Are we leaving?" he asked.

"Yes," she said quietly.

"Then let me," he said. He flicked his wand at her bag, ordering it to pack.

"Would you ask Michael to pack, please? Ask him if he'll go?"

"I'm quite certain it won't be an issue," Marcus said. He relayed the message to Michael, who packed and cast a clean up spell in the kitchen.

When the kids arrived, Khaat was delighted to see the kids, who all ran to her. She greeted them with hugs and kisses. Then Khaat looked at everyone else.

"I need to go out for just a little bit," she said to them. "Please don't unpack the kids. I'm not going to ask you to divide your loyalties between Brian and me. That's just not fair to do that. But until I have better answers, I'm going to take the kids and go elsewhere for a few days. I do not want any of you dashing off to Brian to tell him anything. If and when he decides whether he wants to have his kids or me in his life, he can take some initiative to come to us. I'm not going to be far, and you're all welcome to come as you like, but...please...let Brian make his own decision. I need to know that, if he comes to find us, he's doing it completely on his own. Does that make sense?"

"Will you let me come and help take care of you and the kids?" Michael asked. "I'm not the best babysitter, but I can at least cook."

"I'd like that," she said.

"Then i'll pack the food we bought and take it with us."

Jack and Jess looked at each other then to Marcus " whats going on?" he asked taking him to one side " she planing on disapearing with the kids?" he asked he heard Khaats words and frowned confused but they would stay with Khaat " well we're with you Khaat."he said and Jess nodded " we'll mind the kids and do what ever else you need." he said glancing at Jess she nodded just to go with it. Jack and Jess were worried but not they had got Marcus's message about trusting his judgment in what Khaat was doing. even though they were worried that they should tell brian or Robert what was happening.

"Alright," she said.  "My father will figure it out sooner or later. He wont be pleased but he'll understand.  I'd prefer to tell him myself, if you all don't mind. Marcus, I need to go out a bit.  Do you lot mind watching the kids for just a short bit?"

"We've got it, Khaat," Michael said.

"Where are we going?" Marcus asked.  She passed him a portkey.  "If you'll excuse us for a few moments..." he said, porting them out.

They were gone exactly 30 minutes.  Michael, in the meantime, had packed the fresh groceries, including the new deliveries Jack had arranged, to take to wherever Khaat had intended to go.  It actually was a rather comforting sound to hear the squeals and giggles of kids again as they raced through their grandparents house.

"We're back," Marcus said.

"And I have a place to stay," she said. "For my kids and me.  I'm borrowing a place.  We'll be welcome, and we'll be safe. But, as I asked, please don't tell people where I'm at. Let that be my business where I am."

"We'll respect it, Khaat," Michael said. Marcus drew out inexpensive muggle ballpoint pens--portkeys he'd made.  Michael frowned at them.

"What?" Marcus frowned. "They were quick and cheap, but they'll get you there."

"Great. Ugly pens," Michael said.

"Don't click them. That will activate them," Marcus said.  

"Lovely," Michael sighed. Marcus picked up his bag and Khaat's and called Archangel to his shoulder.  

"It really is quite a lovely place," Marcus said.  "It's a good choice. Do you need me to take anything else?"

"No," Michael said. "I can make more than one trip if I need to.  Let's just not leave the kids behind, shall we?"

"We'll see you in a few minutes then," Marcus said to them all. He ported out with Khaat. In a moment, they found themselves on the sidewalk outside a beautiful large white townhouse in London's very elegant Hyde Park neighborhood.