Marriage is Murder

Brant chuckled and nodded " sorry I saw what a storm did once" he said and nodded at Edwards orders to light the fires in all the rooms . leaving Angus and Edward he did as he was told and soon all the rooms were warm from the fires. Moving back down only one room remained and that was Edwards. He headed to it and opened the door, walking in he quickly lit it . " why did you sell the box?" he asked " from what Angus said it was sentimental to you " he moved to stand facing him. Brant knew he would keep it from now on adding his own potions after he'd read up more in Edwards library.

"You too?" Edward frowned. "Its just a box. Look, there's a small hidden compartment in the lid of the box. When I got the box, I used to hide the letters my wife sent to me when we were dating--before we were married. Certainly stopped all those damned prying eyes in Gryffindor. The letters stayed in that box until the day she died. I took all the letters out. When I took the letters out and the compartment was empty, the box, to me, was just a box. It lost all its meaning for me. So, rather than to have it around to remind me she was gone, I got rid of the box. Satisfied?" A log rolled off the stack to the edge of the hearth, and Edward kicked it with the toe of his boot, without even a thought of being burned. The log sparked a bit as it rolled back into the fireplace. "And if you think you're just going to flip open the secrete compartment, think again. It has a puzzle enchantment on it. My father didn't figure the damned thing out and was glad I got it instead of him, just out of frustration with it. Its designed to become increasingly difficult every time you try to get it open and fail."

Brant chuckled and nodded his head rubbing the back of his head " thanks, I'll remember that if I try. might not for a while though" he said but he knew research was in order before he even attempted opening the box. He saw the log and moved as if to push it back himself but saw Edward do it and he stepped back watching he thought about the puzzle ball his father had on the dresser. Brant listened to the first patter of rain and smiled " the flowers will get a watering tonight" he said hearing the gentle pitter patter on the window. " I like the sound of rain " he said turning to look out the window.

"That will save me watering them in the morning," Edward said. "I don't know when you're scheduled to go back, but Robert is opening the house again the day after tomorrow. I will go back when he opens it again. I am not comfortable giving those werewolves any more time. I did consider going back earlier, but its not like I am not known in werewolf circles. If I go back early, I will undo his plan. So, I will wait. But not any longer than it takes for him to open the house again. And, I want to take our family along as 'party guests' to Abbey's birthday party. The Lupins need to be able to focus on Abbey and not have to look over their shoulder for werewolves. I think we need to go lowkey, as guests, but prepared to fight if need be."

Brant turned and listened to Edward he nodded he agreed and chuckled " I do hope she likes what Angus and I got for her" he said " I haven't known her that long but shes an okay kid" he said smiling as he looked at Edward. " do you thing Angus will be making the cake?" he asked folding his arms across his chest as he looked at him. It was then something on a book shelf caught his eye and he walked over taking down a book on puzzles " um,,mind i borrow this, and I agree best to be inconspicuous around the kids" he said opening the book and flipping through the pages one by one.

"Take the book. I think I read it enough that I memorized that one. Abbey is entirely too mature for her age. That girl acts like shes 3 going on about 8. She's lovely," Edward smiled. "I'm not sure who's responsible for that. Whether its Khaat or Brian or Robert, but if you compare her with Dakota, who is only a month apart in age, Dakota is definitely 3 going on 3. Abbey is exceptional."

"Abbey," Angus said, bringing in a tea tray, "is incredibly smart. Always has been. She's got her mother's sensitivity, and I think she's already showing some signs of being a seer. I know its early but..."

"Its rare, but I would agree with you," Edward said. "So who is the maturity from?"

"Not from Brian," Angus laughed. "He's the one who lets her be the mischevious three year old." He was thinking of all the ways Brian let her break all the rules and defended her right to break them.

"I think that maturity might be her mother's doing and her grandfather's. Khaat is very good with her and doesn't treat her like she isn't capable of understanding. Her grandfather treats her..."

"Like she is the crown jewel of his world," Angus said.

"I'm not so sure about that. I think Khaat is his crown jewel. Abbey is a close second, but I don't think she's first," Edward said.

Brant slipped the book into his pocket " thank you" he said but chuckled as Angus spoke about Abby and how mature she seemed to be he couldn't comment much as he'd only seen her briefly " from what I saw she is turning out to be a wonderful child" he from Angus to Edward and back. He chuckled at how Edward and Angus talked about how abbey was like Khaat " well, that from what I saw is true" he said " but that's a good thing, isn't it?" he said looking at both of them. Heard the first rumble of thunder outside and he smiled as he felt the air become alive.

"Yes, it is," Edward said, noticing the smell of food in the air. "Angus is back in the kitchen. Lunch is ready. I can smell it. I thought he'd take that up again. His aunt has decided not to return to cooking while he's here. She decided not to give him any more time off if he were going to have an attitude." Edward didnt believe Angus had had the attitude to begin with. But he did agree that it was better than Angus and his aunt not have to spend any more time in the kitchen than necessary. And cooking was now something Angus did well and enjoyed. "We should go down unless we don't intend to eat."

Angus was cooking. He finished the very large seafood salad and set it on the table with fresh crusty bread and a simple but delicious soup. A good lunch for a rainy day. He had hot tea for those who wanted it or cold lemonade for those that preferred that. He knew the smell would draw people downstairs, and sure enough some of his other family members were already making their way to the large Donohue dining table.

Brant chuckled " did you really expected Angus to stay out the kitchen longer than a day?" he said and nodded as he moved to the door. " Defiantly smells wonderful" he said and with Edward walked down to the kitchen. He found a seat and sat down taking some tea to warm him self up against the cold night air that he felt around him. Taking some food he began to eat and smiled liking what he ate. " this is good, you so have to teach me how to cook " he said taking another bite. Soon he was done and sat back holding his cup feeling the warmth against his hands, warming them. He looked at Edward then Angus before he spoke again " do you think Robert would let me stay on permanently, as part of his body guards?" he asked them both.

"Robert keeps people around him and, particularly, around his family that he trusts. Loyalty is the key thing for him. He knows you're a Donohue, so the loyalty won't be so much an issue. He just either needs to get to know you or you need to prove yourself. to him. The latter gets you in the door quicker, believe me. But unless you do something grossly inappropriate, he's not going to kick you out either. That's only happened a couple of times." He was thinking of times when Robert had ousted Jack and Steven for clearly inappropriate behaviors, but it wasnt up to Angus to talk to Brant about that.

"Angus is right. Prove your worth," Edward said. "He's not concerned about your potions making abilities. He knows you can do that. You've shown that. He's goiing to want to know you can fight and protect his family and that you're very willing to do that. If you prove those two things, you'll be fine. If you want other tips, spend some time with Jack and Steven and Jim to get to know them and what they've done to assure their positions."