LONDON CALLING

"He's alright," Edward told Jess. "They never approved of Angus wanting to follow in my footsteps. Angus didn't want to do the werewolf hunting but he did much prefer the adventure as to any sort of normal routine. And they thought it was pure immaturity and foolishness that he couldn't get a 'normal' job like everyone else. He's angry, but he's entitled."

"Sounds like your training is going well," Angus said. "Good. Don't worry about Tyler. He came, first, because there were rumors going around that I got hurt because I buggered up the mission. They've never liked my job anyway. Never considered it a real career. So someone shows up every so often and tries to point out the 'error of my ways' to me to try to get me to get a 'real job.' I'm used to those little lectures. And, second, he came because our dad sent him to try to strongarm Edward into going home to Tuscany.

"Don't let it get to you," he told her. "Consider the source. Trust me, they're not worth it. If Benjamin weren't strongarming Tyler somehow, he either wouldn't have been here at all or he would have been a lot friendlier. He gets tense and stressed when Benjamin is pushing. And I don't know why Benjamin has to do that every so often. It isn't like I'm going to pay any more attention to him. And as for Edward? He's having a great time, and he's not got any intention of going back to Tuscany right now.

"There isn't anything for him to dislike. He's got people who value him for him. He's treated well. He's got friends and good food and a lot of fun and laughter. Nobody's arguing or bickering, and nobody's trying to hit him up for cash. So why should he go home to an empty house and a bunch of snarky, snotty, greedy people? What I'd like to see is for him to find a woman of his own. A companion to just go to dinner with or to share his bed with. Not necessarily marriage. Just a companion of some sort. Maybe I'll ask Kate and see what she has to say."

"Nah," Angus said. "He's greedy, flat out. He's always been about power and money. And that's not how Edward lives his life. Edward has always been interested in others. And, when he's not working, he's savoring life. He drinks the wine because he savors the taste. He works in the garden because it brings him great joy to see something grow. He paints because he likes the creativity. He appreciates all the zest to life that he can cram into his life. His children and grandchildren don't understand him--except for me. And the great grandkids. They grew up spending some time with Edward, so they get him--well, at least more than their parents and grandparents do."

"I don't think Edward would marry again. I think he would have a girlfriend, but I don't think anyone would replace my grandmother. He's a very earthy guy, though, so I think he would definitely go for having a bed partner but I don' think he'd marry her. And Edward having any woman in his bed at all would just really piss off Benjamin." He said it and then flashed her an amused smile.

"All the more reason for me to try to find him a hook up," he said, liking the ida of pissing off his own father.

As she finished speaking, Edward came out and called to them.

"I'm going out for a bit into town. I want to get a few things. Do you need anything while I'm out?" Edward asked.

"No, thanks, I think I'm good," Angus said. "Are you up to going?"

"Certainly," he told Angus. "Can't stay under Nigel's thumb forever. I'll be back later." He drew his wand and apparated out.

"God, he's independent," Angus sighed. He had no real need to be concerned for him, not that he knew of.

Edward went into London and did a bit of shopping in Diagon Alley. He bought a sketch pad, some sketching pencils, and a set of charcoal sticks, a set of pastel sticks, and some blending sticks. Then he went to Flourish and Blotts for a couple of books. He was browsing in the mystery section when he saw an old familiar face.

"Simone Salazar, is that you?" Edward asked.  The older blonde woman turned to look, and when she saw him, she was all smiles. She went over to him and they embraced. He gave her a friendly little peck on the cheek.

"My God, how are you still so handsome? You haven't aged a day," she said.

"Your fibbing skills leave much to be desired, my dear, but you just get lovelier and lovelier."

"Where have you been keeping yourself?"

"At home. You know, not much work for an old werewolf slayer," he laughed. "What about you?"

"Well, since Maurice passed, I've just been tinkering in my garden, and, well, you know..." she said.

"Hard, isn't it?"

"Unbearably. The loneliness is just consuming. How have you been?"

"The same. Lonely. I've always thought I should have asked you on a date when we were in Hogwarts, and i never could muster up to do it."

"Ask me now," she said.

"Shall we...go somewhere?"

"How about a pint?" she gave him a warm smile.

"Absolutely," he said. They took their leave of the bookstore and headed to the Leaky.

Robert and Kate and Michael returned from their meeting in Paris. It had gone well, Robert thought. They had gotten promises of additional fighters to help them take out any and all of Gelding's known locations, along with lots in promises of extra espionage support to try to find out what else they might be hiding. Salvatore confirmed what Marcus had given them, along with a list of Benjamin's known bank accounts and investments and known associates. From what it looked like, Benjamin got darker and darker and his reach into other countries got longer and more dangerous. It was time to tell Edward.

But when he and Kate got home, they found Edward had gone out. Michael decided he needed to be useful, so he started in on baking a Victoria sponge and then was going to move on to fixing some sort of supper.

"One of each, and maybe a baseball team. I like baseball," he teased. "That gives us an even 30 kids to shoot for. You know, I really am glad, actually, that he feels free to do that. I don't know if he really feels quite so safe to do that at home. I don't think he's afraid of Benjamin, but he is wary--and maybe rightly so--of what Benjamin will do while he's gone. But, I think he's got his assets protected from Benjamin now, and I honestly don't think Benjamin knows that. Probably, what he doesn't know won't hurt Edward. And, it has occurred to me that Benjamin might be the reason that Edward hasn't dated since my grandmother died. I think he would consider any woman in Edward's life as a significant threat, and Edward would never encourage that if he thought it would put her in harm's way."

Michael finished with his Victoria sponge and made some macerated berries to put on the top of the sponge. He garnished with a bit of powdered sugar. It looked magazine perfect.

"Your casserole smells wonderful," Michael said. "Kate's got some fresh spinach that needs used, so I could make some spinach side salads with a warm bacon dressing to go with your casserole, if you like." He looked out the window and saw Angus and Ruby still in Kate's herb garden. "Oi! Make yourselves useful, you two, and fetch some basil, some dill, and some scallions, would you?"

"Certainly," Angus called back. "Send us out the garden trug?"

"On it's way," Michael flicked his finger at Kate's garden basket and floated it out to them.