Marriage is Murder

Cassidy and Steven both stood listening " well I don't have that problem with Cassidy she bearly buys anything" he said and smiled at her " I have a heard time getting her to buy new things for the house." Cassidy smiled and nodded then looked at her feet as he went on.

" I guess I just can't buy things because I went a long time with nothing that now I treasure what I have so that I don't need any more." she told them and lent against Steven who held her close. Cassidy then pulled from him and headed back to stay with Abby checking on her and finding her still sleeping. Steven shook his head smiling.

"Guess Im a lucky one" he said and looked at Kate " I can say I have been with a few bad ones myself" he said remebering Ronata and cecilla as he quickly looked at Cassidy to reasure himself she was there.

"We really can watch a sedated child, Khaat," Kate said. "You know she isn't going to wake up. Go. Its only an hour or so. You'll be back well before noon."

Khaat looked at Marcus. He nodded.

"It would do you good," he said. "Shall I get your shawl?"

"Uh...no. I'll get t," she said. She went to her room to get it.

"Thank you," Marcus said to all of them. "She's a bit better than she was yesterday. She is trying. She sees what you're all doing, and it means a lot to her. "

"Is she at least talking to you?" Kate asked, hoping.

"She doesn't need to," Marcus said. "She's going to be fine. Anybody else need something while we're out?"

Steven smiled and nodded watching Khaat walk past to fetch her shawl. he looekd to Marcus and smiled " Hey shes like family to us, we just want her happy too." he said " and right now you seem to be the only one able to get her to let her hair down a little." he added smiling to Marcus. " nope were fine but thank you for asking" he said loking at Kate he spoke again " I'll head down and cheak the outside" he said. Passing Abbys room he walked in and over to Cassidy glancing at Abby as he went.

"Shes still sleeping and will be untill tomorow, from what Robert said " she told him and He nodded walking over and kissing Cassidy gently. "what was that for?" she asked smiling.

"Just because" he said smiling back to her grateful she was nothing like his other wives had been and she had stuck with for so long. Steven moved from the room and down stairs to where Robert and Micahel were.

"I think she knows she's just stuck with me, that's all," Marcus laughed. "You're right. You're her family. That hasn't changed. She knows that. You know, she's only going because you lot mentioned the chess set. Otherwise, she'd have made you an excuse and would be staying here."

"You're right," Khaat said, only hearing the last remark about the chess set. "Shall we get the chess set first?"

"If you like," Marcus said, draping the shawl around her shoulders.

"Did you ask Michael about whether we should bring back a take out lunch?" she asked.

"No. But I can."

"Dear," Kate said. "Just take care of yourself. I saw Michael working on some lovely cod a bit earlier. I am guessing he's working on some fish for lunch. Probably fish and chips to keep your father from eating pub grub for lunch before he goes back to work for the afternoon. Just go have a good time."

"Hold us some fish and chips. We'll be back well before noon," Marcus said. "I don't think we'll be gone more than an hour at best."

"Don't let me forget," Kate said to Cassidy.

Cassidy chuckled and nodded " okay Kate and Michales fish and chips are dreamy." she said and sighed smiling at the thought of the light tepmura batter and suculent fish inside it. Steven smiled at teh mention of the chess set.

"Ow I got to play you at that some time Marcus" he said smiling still as he loved chess. " Cassidy and I play before we go to bed" he added as Cassidy nodded.

"And he always beats me at it too" she said chukaing as he lent down and kissed her cheek.

"Maybe you just let me win." He said but Cassidy just shrugged her shoulders but the look she gave Kate said she actually did let him win a few games.

"We'll be back," Marcus said. He took her out and to the shop in Diagon Alley for the chess set. It really was exquisite. It was an antique set. Handcarved with ivory inlays. When Khaat saw how much he loved it, she immediately charged it on her account before he could whip out his credit card.

"Khaat?" he frowned. "What was that for?"

"Because you're my friend," she said gently, stroking his cheek. "Its been a tough time, but you've been completely unshakeable. I appreciate it."

"Everyone around you has been unshakeable," he said gently.

"I know. And I have them in mind too. Can we stop next door?"

"We can stop anywhere you like," he said. When they were finished buying the chess set, she went next door and bought pounds and pounds of all varieties of gourmet chocolates. She had them divided into two batches and sent one batch to the estate for the people there that she still loved and missed.

The other batch she sent to her new place. She knew they would get the message that she simply appreciated them.

From there, Marcus took her back towards Eli's house and to the salon across the street where he skimmed the London Times while she got a pedicure and a manicure.

Cassidy sat in with Abby only moving from her chair when she needed to strech her legs a bit which she did quietly as Steven moved down to the living room checking each window and door as he went.

"okay, alls safe," he said and saw a large bag appear on the counter "Smells like chocolate." he said and opened it. "Seems Khaat bought chocolate guys" he siad " best hide them" he said and pplaced them in the fridge to keep cool. Moving back he picked up the news paper and sat down accioing a cup of tea to drink. Cassidy walked down rubbing her calf muscles.

" I think I need to work out more" she siad " cramp , bad in my lower leg, I was just sat there then I stood up and bame it hit, oow it hurts" she said and winced as she hobbled over to Steven who chuckled and placed down his cup.

"Take a break, Cassidy," Kate said. "I'll stay with Abbey. Wouldn't be the first broken bone I nursed someone through. Go stretch your leg."

Michael got a chocolate truffle from the bag and popped it into his mouth and went on to cut potatoes into chips. Khaat had excellent taste in candy, that was for sure. The candy was a way of her trying to show her appreciation to those who stood by her.

Michael was fixing a large batch of fish and chips, using a bottle of dark stout in the batter because he liked the beer taste.

Robert had been working out in the courtyard on paperwork. He came in to refill his cup of tea and saw the bag.

"I didn't hear you go out," Robert said.

"I didn't," Michael said. "Your daughter sent them back. Seems she's feeling particularly generous today."

"Good for her," Robert said, finding a chocolate covered cherry. "Good quality. Wizarding chocolates are so much better than muggle chocolates."

"Agreed," Michael said.

"That wouldn't happen to be fish and chips, would it?"

"It is," Michael said. "How much fish and chips can we all eat at noon today?"

"More than that," Robert frowned at the 6 potatoes on the cutting board.

"I have more potatoes," Michael laughed. "But not that much room on my board.

"Please dont' try to oven roast them to be 'healthier'," He sighed. "I hate when Kate does that and tries to tell me they're as good as deep fried. They're clearly not."

"No roasted fish," Michael promised. "Completely traditional, I promise. I won't let her ruin them."

"Good," Robert said. "Pan roast hers if you want, but not mine. I think I'll go up and check on Abbey shortly.

Khaat had tried to talk Marcus into getting a manicure, but Marcus took care of his own nails. He was meticulous about his grooming and hadn't ever seriously considered a professional manicure. He saw more women entering the salon as the stylist painted Khaat's nails, so he got up and moved to be closer to her. He sat next to Khaat and tried to be inconspicuous by simply continuing to read the paper. He didn't notice Khaat painting coral colored polish on the ring finger on his right hand. When he did notice, he looked at her, paused and then laughed out loud.

"Touche," he said. "You got me."

"Shall I remove it?" she asked.

"No," he said. "Don't. In fact,..." He laid his hand on the manicure table. "Paint all five please," he told the manicurist.

"But...it's...coral," she stammered back to him.

"Yes, I know. Its fine," he said.

"You don't have to do this," Khaat laughed.

"Yes, I think I should," he said, with a grin on his face. "It will remind me for a few days to keep my eyes on you a bit better." She laughed out loud.

Cassidy smiled "Thanks Kate" she said as Steven stood up and took Cassidy out to the gym to work her leg a bit more. Soon the cramp was gone and she breathed out. "Okay, I feeling much better now" she said as she slipped off the bike. Steven moved to stand her in front of the mirror while they did cool down exercise moving her as he moved.

“Slow down Cassidy, your going too fast, like this.” he showed her how to move. Cassidy smiled and followed his actions. Cassidy felt the cooling air on her face and smiled.

“Like this ?“ she asked and Steven smiled as he lifted her hand a bit higher but continued till he felt they were done. Cassidy picked up a towel and wiped sweat from her face then moved into the living room. “ smells good Michael “ she commented to the fish and chips “ can't wait to eat” she chuckled “ but I should go and shower” she said ad headed up to a spare room they were using.

Kate was watching Abbey, and she saw the child wake and start to whimper. Kate sat on the edge of the bed.

"Abbey," Kate said softly. "Its alright. Gram's here." Abbey woke and reached for Kate with her good hand. Kate flicked her wand, changing the chair to a large, oversized rocking chair, and picked Abbey up and sat down with her in the rocking chair. Abbey curled into Kate and started to cry.

"Does it hurt, Sweetie?" she asked. Abbey wasn't sure. She cuddled tight into Kate. "How did you fall down the stairs, honey?"

"Kitty maked me fall," she whimpered.

"That kitty is bigger than you are," Kate kissed her forehead. "If you want toys like that downstairs, you need to let a grownup help you with them. What did you want it downstairs for?"

"I gonna go find Daddy," she said, fresh tears on her face. "I wanna go home. I miss my daddy." She began to cry harder.

"I know you do," Kate soothed. "How about we draw a picture for Daddy a bit later today?"

"He no here!" she protested.

"I'll have Uncle Steven take it to him. How will that be?"

"Daddy miss me?" she asked.

"Oh, you bet. Lots and lots," Kate said.

"Why we no go home?" Abbey asked.

"You know how your brothers and sisters sometimes fight?" Kate asked. Abbey nodded.

"Mama and Daddy are fighting right now. They need to..."

"It silly," Abbey said, frustrated.

"Indeed," Kate agreed. "But they'll work it out. You'll see. Its a grown up thing."