A Birth day

"Oh, I wasn't thinking of going to Tuscany," Edward said, "though I suppose we could. I was honestly thinking of bringing Evan and his family here instead."

"Thanks," Angus said, taking the wine from Ruby.

"i think the girls know they have the option anytime of going to visit Dennis," Angus said. "They were with us last Christmas morning. They went to see him in the afternoon while we weren't doing anything. And, since the full moon is liable to still be giving the pack problems during that time, I don't think they'll go see the pack til afternoon this year anyway."

"I seem to remember the girls or Dennis, one or the other," Marcus said, "telling me once that the pack didn't do much of a Christmas observance--solely because they were rather limited to meat for their meal, and also because when you have a lot of people living a nomadic lifestyle, any gits have to be very small or very practical or preferably both."

"You're right about that," Edward said. "When Fenrir was sick here last year, he and I spent many hours talking. He said that Molly actually got them started with a rather Victorian tradition of sorts. She got the women knitting Christmas stockings, and they would fill them with oranges, peppermint sticks, dried fruits and nuts, chocolates, cookies and usually a pocket sized puzzle book of some sort, along with a new pen or pencil. And, when Christmas was over. the Christmas stockings were transformed into something else--a warm winter scarf, some gloves or some socks, usually. Molly apparently became concerned that when one's diet is almost exclusively meat, the risk of illness from a lack of Vitamin C becomes quite high. So, citrus fruit became a much desired commodity and a perfect gift. As it is, I have arranged donations of as much fresh fruit as the pack can eat this winter, including an abundance of citrus fruit from our place in Tuscany. The nutrition won't hurt them a bit, and we have plenty to spare."

"Thank you," Angus said. "I was hoping to discuss diet with them to try to encourage them to have a bit more balance."

Ruby heard Edward talk to Evan and his family coming to the duplex and smiled. " even better" she said smiling " this will be a proper Christmas with all the family" she said smiling as she sipped her mulled wine feeling it warm her on the inside.

Aria looked to Edward and nodded " even that would be good" she said and smiled to him. Ruby checked the girls and sat down with her drink. " it would be good seeing them again" Aria added as Ruby nodded next to her.

"Victor mentioned that he would like to take Ginger someplace and stay in a hotel for the night for New Year's Eve," Edward told Ruby and Angus. "I know you have some thoughts about legalities and such, but he has been making some sound decisions lately. Do give it some thought, would you? I can see perhaps waiting on giving Sam such consideration, but Victor might be a different story."

"We'll discuss it," Angus told Edward. He would discuss it with Ruby, but he wanted to be alone with her when he did it. He didn't want a lot of other opinions weighing in.

Simone came over and looked at Ruby.

"I don't know if you've started lunch yet, but I have a big pot of cockaleekie soup on, and there's plenty to feed all of us and still have leftovers. I have a loaf of a nice crusty oatmeal bread. I thought about just slicing it, unless you'd like to turn it into some sort of sandwich. Oh, and I made a big batch of cheesecake swirl brownies that we could have for a little sweet nibble after lunch if you like."

Ruby heard Edward and looked to Angus and nodded " yeah we can talk about it later" she aid smiling as she finished her small drink and took the mug back to the kitchen to wash. Aria knew the look that Angus had and smiled knowing he wanted to talk alone with Ruby.

Aria saw Simone walk in as Ruby walk out the kitchen hearing her talk to her about dinner " I've not really thought about it yet" she said then heard Simone and smiled " oh that sounds perfect, and sliced would make it an addition to the soup." she said walking over to Simone.

"Okay," Simone said. "I'll go cut the bread. I'll have Edward carry over the soup in a little bit."

"I'll come and get that whenever you're ready," Marcus said.

"Would you? Thanks," Simone smiled. "And can one of you get the sideboard ready, please? Thanks. I don't honestly have any ideas for a dessert, btu I do have a huge surplus of some really sweet apples if I could come up with something to do with them. It would have to be quick, though."

"I know a quick recipe that would make use of some of those," Angus said. "I could do it in my sleep."

"I don't honestly need you to be asleep, but dessert would still be great," she laughed.

"I'll see what I can do. Ruby or Aria, could one of you go get some of those sweet apples and peel some for me? I think, honestly, we'll need about a dozen apples. I need them peeled, cored and then sliced horizontally in rings, please," Angus said. He got out a big pot and filled it with peanut oil and started heating it for some deep frying. Then he made up a quick sweet batter that he added cinnamon, some vanilla, and a little muscovado sugar to while the oil was heating.

Ruby heard Simone and smiled " yes thank you" she said as she heard mention of getting the side board ready but Aria stood up and spoke up .

"I'll get that" she said with a smile as Ruby heard Angus talk of apples and peeling them.

"oh I can do that" she said and went to the kitchen where she began to peel and place in a second bowl before washing and slicing just as Angus wanted. Aria worked on setting the side board with fresh plates and glasses along with a jug of fresh fruit juice she also made a fresh pot of coffee and tea for any one who wanted some after their food.

Angus began battering the apple slices and dropping them into the hot oil to fry. As soon as they were done, he got them from the oil and sprinkled cinnamon sugar on them. While that was happening, Marcus brought over the soup and Simone brought the slices of bread.

"Is that what I think that is?" Edward asked, peering into what Angus was cooking. "It is! Nice! I haven't had those since I went to Sergio's and Ana's last." He picked up one and crunched into the hot crispy batter. "God, you even found a way to improve it."

"Well, what is it?" Simone frowned.

"A Romanian favorite. Apples in Pajamas," Edward said. "I hope you're making lots."

"I planned on making a lot because I know how you'll eat them," Angus said.

"Good," Edward said.

"Well, if you have something yummy, don't hoard them, Edward," Elwood said. Edward took enough for everyone to have one, plated them, and passed them around. "They're better while they're fresh and hot. They're like onion rings, but they're sweet, not savory."

"Those are addictive as hell," Elwood said, crunching on his own slice. "You'd better hope we don't run out of apples."

"You'd better eat soup before you fill up on apples," Simone laughed. "Soup's ready. Come get some and some fresh bread. Then you can eat apples."

Aria saw Simone with the soup and Edward with the bread. " smells good Simone." she said with a smile as she saw Edward take a battered cinnamon apple slice and eat it, taking one for herself she bit into it and smiled " this is good" she said finishing it as she continued to set out the table with the soup and bread.

Ruby chuckled as she continued to slice apples into rings for Marcus who dip[ped it and fried it then rolled it in the cinnamon sugar. " I'll have mine after my soup" she said " but it does small good." she finished the last apples and emptied her bowl of scraps into the recycling bin to go out to the compost heap later then placed it in the dish washer. Once it was done she moved to the play pen and picked up Caprice and Amari walking with both to the high chairs and set them down to eat as Aria placed a bowl in front of each , now cooled enough for them to eat from.

Edward, Elwood, and Marcus all had seconds on the soup. It was one of the few times Angus could remember Elwood having seconds.

"I have to say, Simone, I was a bit skeptical about the soup because the foul tempered house elf we had made the worst cockaleekie on the planet. It really says something when cockaleekie soup from a can is several steps up from the house elf's version. This reminds me of my gran's, and it's what it should be. Thank you. I think it's only fair to warn you all that I may eventually have to get a place of my own because Robert told me that since I've been living with you all, I've gained a full stone."

"Really? Wonderful," Angus said. "After all, when we got you from that castle to St. Mungos, you were underweight by over 3 1/2 stone. That is some of the best news I've heard in a long time."

"I told Andrew and Elwood that I want to take Elwood out this afternoon," Edward said. "I think he's on his feet enough that he could go to the Leaky for the first time in nearly 60 years for a proper pint--if we apparate in close to the Leaky, that is."

"I think that would be a great opportunity for Angus to get a little change of pace. Maybe he and I should join you," Marcus said.

"The more the merrier, I say," Elwood grinned.

Ruby and Aria looked at them men and chuckled " nice a girls day in"Aria said chuckling to herself as they spoke of going to the leaky " Looking to Elwood Aria spoke softly " try their fish and chips" she said " Robert can't get enough of them" she ate her soup with some bread and smiled savoring the flavors that came from it. " really good " she said as she dipped her bread into the soup to soak up the small amount left in the bottom of the bowl.

Ruby smiled and nodded " I agree, it'll be good for you all to get out for a while and a way from here." she said giving Caprice some brad and watched as she dipped it and ate it smiling to show she liked the soup. She ate her own soup then some bread.