LONDON CALLING

"Thanks, Ru," Angus said, as Andrew brought him a fresh cup of almond tea. "I sent a letter to Jeffrey, telling him exactly what happened. Jessie might as well know the truth about it all. He isn't going to get any better if we lie to him. So you know, Ru, I did make some tentative arrangements for a decent burial, a grave plot, a proper casket and a headstone if your mom doesn't claim your father. We don't know that maybe Jessie or the boys at some point might want to visit the grave for some sort of closure, and the least we can do is to make sure he gets a decent burial. I don't have to like him but if it weren't for him, there wouldn't be you. So, maybe just for that reason, I owe him a little.

"And, I doubt we'll hear anything in the immediate future from your mom. Our intel says they saw her and some muscle men helping her move some things out of the house, but clearly wasn't everything. They figure it was just the stuff she wanted out of it. I'll give it a good 45 days or so, but I don't expect her back. And, we already know where she went. Gelding has a new mansion on the outskirts of Paris, and she was seen moving in there, and she's apparently got the title of the lady of the house. So I don't know if that means that she's hoping to take up with Gelding if he ever gets out of Azakban, I don't know, but if they learn anything, I'm sure they'll tell us. As it is, its probably safe for you to come home tonight, if you want. The guards will still be here, I'm sure."

"I wouldn't judge her too harshly, Ru," Angus said, "not until we know the whole story. For all we know, if your dad treated her like he treated everybody else, her affairs might have been her way of getting some affection, even though that wouldn't be how you and I would look for attention. All I'm saying it that it's hard to know what makes her do what she does unless we know what she's had to deal with. That's not saying I trust her. I know better." He smiled.

"Lamb's done and out and resting," Michael told her. "It's on the sideboard on that large rectangular platter in there with the large steam table lid over it to keep it from getting cold. And I made an au jus sauce and some tiny sheet roasted baby potatoes to go with it for any one that wants it. We do have a few folks that feel like a meat supper has to have some sort of potato with it, so I put together something just very fuss free. I think all we need are some pitchers of tea and lemonade and water set out. I've got fresh coffee and tea brewing for dessert. As soon as we set the beverages out, we can call everyone to eat, I think. Do you want to get the drinks or do you want me to do that?

"Sounds like your lives are getting back a little closer to normal. And I did get a message from Edward. They will be home for supper tonight. They were out all afternoon, so they don't know yet about the fire, but I'm sure Robert will tell them when they get back.

As everyone else was gathering for supper, Michael saw Edward and Simone arrive home, apparating in on the front porch. He saw their concerned faces and they hurried inside.

Andrew was just setting out supper at the table for Angus, when they heard Edward shouting, and he sounded alarmed.

"We're fine," Angus called back. "Come on through, if you like." Edward and Simone both hurried over.

"Thank God, you're alright," Edward sighed. They were both deeply relieved. "What happened?"

"That was an unfortunate distraction caused Reginald Tyler earlier this afternoon," Angus said. "I apologize. However, I guess I did take care of it. Tyler faced off over here with me, and I shot him twice in the heart. He's dead."

"Were you hurt?" Edward said.

"Nothing to be alarmed about," Angus said.

"Where?"

"My left shoulder," Angus said. Edward went over and slid the sweater away from Angus's shoulder and saw the seeping dressing.

"Its a mess," Edward frowned. "Andrew, he's bleeding through the dressing. Can we add a gauze pad or two? Has Robert seen this?"

"Not yet, but Jess has. She took care of the worst of it," Angus said. Andrew brought over a couple thick gauze pads and Edward layered them on top of the dressing Jess had put on it.

"Well, I can't say I'll miss Tyler," Edward said.

"They'e made up a room for you at the main house," Angus said. "You're welcome to stay here, but our other guest rooms don't have furniture in them yet."

"I know," Edward said. "Don't worry about us. We'll be fine. Are the guards staying?"

"So far as I know," Angus said. "You both should go eat. Michael and Ruby have made an excellent looking rack of lamb with all the trimmings."

"You look like hell, though. You've overdone it. You need to rest," Edward said.

"I will. After supper," Angus told him.

"I'm going to be back to make sure of it," Edward said. "Make him stop for the day, Andrew."

"I will," Andrew said, knowing Angus wasn't one to easily be told what to do. He could be asked, but Angus generally bristled against being told.

"Well done, Lad," Edward kissed Angus's forehead. "We'll be back." They left and went over to the main house to the dining room. "Did you leave us any, Jack?" Edward teased.

Edward gave Ruby a hug and listened to her talk about the death of her father.

"I am sorry for your loss," he told her. "As bad as this last chapter was, he was still your father. Simone gave Ruby a hug when she said she thought of Simone like a mother figure.

"Edward and I hope to be around for you and Angus and our grandchildren for many decades to come," she told Ruby.

"Thank you, Ruby. It looks delicious, and I am quite hungry tonight. Our day out was lovely," Simone said. "We were out looking for ideas for wedding venues."

"And?" Kate asked.

"Neither of us could find anything we liked better than that little spot on your farm, Kate, that Remus loved so much. It truly is one of the prettiest places we've ever seen. Would you mind if we had just a very simple ceremony there?" Simone asked.

"Mind? We'd be honored," Robert said.

"And, would you be so kind as to officiate it for us?" Edward asked Robert.

"Me?"

"Why not? You're still empowered to do so, aren't you?"

"I am. If you're sure that's what you want, then, yes. I'll be glad to," Robert said.

"We thought we'd ask Lizzie at Sparks to cater just a nice family dinner for all of us," Edward said. If Angus is up to it, we'd like him to be my best man and also to make us a little cake.. I haven't asked him yet, but I want to."

"Are you kidding? He'll jump at it," Robert said.

"Well, then, perhaps, in that case," Simone said, "Ruby, I've been wanting to ask you if you'd be my maid of honor."

"You're rushing things a bit, Ruby," Robert said. "You're only a couple weeks along, and the first scan doesn't happen til between week 6 and 8. Give it time. We'll manage it properly, I promise. We've had a couple other pregnancies at St. Mungo's, so I think we'll be okay." He was getting more used to Ruby needing to try to take control of everything and everyone around her as a means of dealing with her anxiety. It wasn't the healthiest way to deal with it, but evidently she hadn't learned any other way. And she certainly wasn't the first pregnant woman that felt she needed to manage her medical team.

"Well, I don't think you'll need maternity clothes at our wedding," Edward said. "At our age, we see no point in waiting, so we've set a date--for the first autumn Saturday in September."

"Really?" Kate said, "That's perfect. I'll be happy to help you with anything you need. That's coming up soon. That's only five weeks away."

"And that's exactly our point," Edward smiled. "We're not waiting. We don't need anyone's approval, and unless Simone's children want to come, I doubt any of my family except Angus and Ruby will come. So you lot will have to be our family, but you already know you are anyway."

"I'm so happy for you," Kate said.

"Maybe we can get together--you and I and Ruby and any of the other women that want to pitch in--and we can get this all planned and get moving on the arrangements? Maybe some morning after breakfast?" Simone asked.