Marriage is Murder

"Then make the choice you think is right," Edward said. "Clearly that's what Robert is suggesting you do."

Angus refilled tea mugs for Kate and Robert and his grandfather. Kate took a brownie, and Robert ate the half that he had cut from Abbey's.

"Why don't you use some polyjuice and come out with me a bit this afternoon?" she asked Robert gently. "It would do you good. You've been holed up here for weeks. We don't need to be gone long."

Robert hadn't considered it. He hadn't thought of leaving unless it was critically necessary.

"She's right," Edward told him. "We all need to get out of the house once in awhile. Its a good idea. I'm sure you still have some of that stuff you made with Michael's hair, don't you?" Robert nodded. "It's a good thought."

Robert was unsure about him and Kate leaving while Brian and Michael were also gone. It felt like too many gone at once.

"You lot could deal with it for a short while, couldn't you?" Kate asked. "I can't see Brian and Michael being much longer. Its going to be past the girls' naptime, and they'll soon be too cranky to keep out. Once the kids are down for their naps, it might be quiet."

Angus took Khaat's boys up for their naps.

"Get your potion," Kate told him. "I'll get my coat." He got up and headed for his room. She accio'd her coat. She looked at the others. "I'm going to make him do some early holiday shopping. I'm going to make him have fun if it kills him."

"Well done," Edward laughed. "He's too young to get stodgy."

"I don't think he's stodgy," Kate said. "I honestly think that he's..."

"I know," Edward cut her off. "He's hurting. In his own way. He doesn't honestly believe anymore that the curse he carries can be undone."

"How did you know?"

"I can feel it. And I can see it in him. And I'm thinking part of that hopelessness must be part of the curse. The Robert I know would fight."

"He is," Kate said. "He spends his time doing nonstop research. You have no idea how many books he's read since this happened. How many he's bought or re-read or borrowed. How many notebooks he's filled with research. How many potions he's tinkered with.'

"I do know, Kate," Edward said, "But, yes, you do need to get him out. Go and have a good time."

Robert came downstairs, dressed as Michael, wearing Michael's clothes and wool pea coat.

"Did you bring more potion?" Kate asked. Robert showed her the bottle and then tucked it back in his pocket. Kate put on her coat. "You lot are sure you've got this?" Kate asked.

"Go," Edward said. Kate nodded. She went to reach for Robert's arm to apparated with him, and he pulled away. She stopped, sighing, frustrated. Instead, he offered her the opposite end of a winter scarf to hold them together. "Of all the...oh, fine," Kate sighed, taking the scarf. "You drop me, and I swear, Robert,...." she was still grumbling when he apparated them out.

"Well, that won't be fun," Edward laughed, "Dangling off a wool scarf like that. No witch in her right mind does that. Let's hope the yarn holds up."

Brian and Michael arrived home almost at the same moment that Robert and Kate ported out. Julia was asleep on Michael's shoulder, and Dakota was clutching Brian's hand, and had a purple giraffe in her hand. She ran over to Angus when she got home, anxious to show off her new toy. Brian took his coat and hers and went upstairs to put them away.

"And where did you get that?" Angus asked.

"Daddy winned it," she said proudly.

"He did? What did he do?"

"Throwed balls and hit things," she said.

"Your daddy likes baseball," Angus said. "I'm glad he won. Come on. Its your naptime." He picked her up and took her upstairs.

"I do not do naptime," Michael said. "One of you parent types need to take this one and put her to bed."

Michael was glad when Jess took Julia from him.

"Did you have a good time?" Angus asked.

"Good enough," Michael said, putting on a cup of Robert's new pumpkin spice tea blend. "Brian is working really hard to be a good dad and to just spend some time with his kids. He genuinely loves those kids and every second he spends with them--even when they're being perfectly rotten. Its beginning to dawn on him that Khaat's starting her second trimester already. Caught him looking in a shop window at baby clothes. Seems to me they should have plenty, unless somehow they come out with a dis who is something other than a boy or a girl."

"Not the point," Angus laughed. "Every parent wants some new things for a new baby."

"Why?" Michael asked. "They can't enjoy it at that point. They just pee on it, puke on it, or outgrow it."

"Clearly, you have never been a parent," Angus laughed.

"And this from a man who is also a bachelor," Michael said. "Suppose anyone else will want Robert's new tea flavor?"

"Its okay, for those who are in for that sort of thing," Michael said to them. Angus just looked at Michael and smiled slightly. "What?" Michael looked at him.

"Nothing," Angus said.

"No. What?" Michael asked.

"You'd better hope that the new twits at the Ministry don't find you a match for that new marriage law," Angus laughed. "I don't know if you'll handle it."

"Don't say that too loudly. You might find yourself in the same boat, my available friend," Michael grinned.

"Don't threaten me," Angus teased.

"And you're both allergic to commitment," Edward said. "About time someone made that new tea." Edward helped himself to a mug of it. "It smells like fresh baked pumpkin pie.

Brian came downstairs. "Thank you for going with me, Michael. I think they had a good time. Oh, Abbey and I will be going out when she wakes for her nap. I think I'll take her out to eat for dinner tonight and try to get out and back before it gets dark."

"I don't know if I like the idea of you going alone," Edward said. "Not under the circumstances."