A Birth day

"You should be fine to go," Angus told Aria and Ruby, "if you try to follow a similar route to what I suggested to Victor. Port to Paris. Port from there to Switzerland. Your portkey to that village near Jeffrey's should be perfect, Ru. From there, you can certainly apparate the very short hop to Venice. Remember, Tuscany is significantly further south than Venice. Venice is about as far north in Italy as it gets without actually being in Switzerland, and the sea storm is south of there. So as long as you don't go south to go north, you should be perfectly fine."

Once Angus was changed, Marcus moved the screen back out of the way, and then Angus decided he wanted to try to make it without the wheelchair. Marcus didn't believe it was a wise move at all, but he figured that if Angus got too tired, he would just apparate back with him. Angus walked to the bench by the pond and used it as a short break halfway to where he wanted to go. He sat for a minute to not get too tired. Then he walked out behind the barn.

"I think we could put a big sheep pen at the far west end of the workers cabins, right behind the big corral for the magical creatures, and I think, if we put a shelter for the sheep on the backside of the fold, that will give them a safe shelter out of the weather and close enough to the workers. If there is any sort of threat, the workers will surely be able to hear them," Angus said, as Marcus accio'd an empty five gallon bucket. He turned it upside down so Angus could sit as they discussed where to build a new big sheep pen.

Ruby heard Angus and nodded " okay we'll grab our coats and head out then " she said smiling as she waited until he was dressed before walking over to him and kissing his cheek " we son't be long, soups on a light simmer and biscuit's are done and just cooling." she told him as she stood up and walked over to Aria.

"want me to bring anything back Marcus?" Aria asked as she slipped on her jacket thinking there might be something Marcus wanted or that she could bring back for him. Now done both stood waiting .

Once they were sure they had everything they needed Ruby Port to Paris then Port from there to Switzerland before porting to Venice in a ally not far from Clive's shop. Heading over they could see some new fashions in the window and smiled as they entered and started to look around. Ruby went to the counter and smiled " hello Clive I have a list for winter clothing and some other items too for both Marcus and Angus." she said placing the list on the counter.

"If you happen to find a shop that sells these little muggle candies called Rossanas, do bring a bag home, would you?" Marcus asked. "They come in red wrappers, and they're these lovely little cream flavored hard candies that have an almond filling."

"Well, that's not the only flavor they have anymore," Angus said. "They have ones now in green wrappers with a pistachio filling and ones in brown wrappers that have chocolate fillings, and another that are caramel flavored."

"What? You're going to make me buy stock in their company, aren't you?" Marcus teased.

"That's Marcus-speak for 'I want them all,'" Angus laughed. "If you can't find then, I'll send Rosaria for them after the storms are through."

After they had found what they found would be the best spot for the pen, they walked to the spot and Angus did a rough mapping out of where he wanted the pen and the shelter for the sheep. Then he had Marcus apparate him home. Marcus helped him back to bed, and Angus got out his sketch pad and made a sketch of the sheepfold, the style of wood fencing he wanted, along with the design of the shelter he wanted to hold the sheep. It would basically be a smaller barn designed for a flock of sheep and goats.

Andrew was busy making some mocha cappuchinos, having brought Elwood back in. Elwood wanted to see Angus's sketch of the sheep barn, and when Angus showed it to him, Elwood made some suggestions that would make the whole thing even better, putting a porch roof on one side so that the sheep could be outside but still find shade. Angus liked it.

He sent letters to the area wizarding farmers to ask about buying the sheep and the goats he wanted as soon as he could get the pen and the shelter constructed.

Cliver picked up the list and busied himself gathering up the items for Ruby and Aria's order. He pointed to one of the far walls.

"New toddler clothes on the far wall," Clive pointed. "New winter sweaters, new leggings, new winter boots, new winter jackets, mittens, we just got it all in. Oh, and there is a rack towards the rear of the store of some samples we bought at a recent trade show that we have decided not to stock. You'll find a lot of one of a kind things on that rack. You should take a look while I'm gathering things up."

Ruby looked at Clive and smiled " thank you , they are growing so fast " she said as she walked over to the rack finding everything the toddlers could need , she picked out two of everything for them and chuckled at the look from Aria " hey they need new clothing, poor Caprice split her onesie last night" she said and Aria chuckled seeing a light pink pair of pj's and a light green pair for Amari.

Aria chuckled as she looked at the gloves Marcus had asked her for , picking up a pair she walked over to the counter and paid for them " I'll take them back with me" she said then turned to look at Ruby " don't for get we have to find a shop that sells Rossanas for Marcus." she said seeing Ruby return with an armful of toddler clothing as she placed them on the counter " sorry Clive , but she is right they are growing so fast"

"Rossanas?" Clive asked. "The news stand in the next block has a good selection of candy. I'd try there." Go up to the main street when you leave here, turn right and go down just a few doors. It'll be on your right. "I like those too. Marcus has good taste. Oh. While you're here. I have a good winter coat here for what's-his-name--that bloke that lives with you now. Angus ordered it, and he was very specific on what he wanted. I apologize but it did take us a bit to have it custom made"

Clive brought out a very sophsticated, tailored long, double breasted black coat with bright pewter buttons. He had ordered a detachable hood on the back, as well as a black wool hat that was wide brimmed and similar to Angus's own missions hat.

Aria heard Clive and smiled " Yes he does" she said with a smile at him, At the mention of where they could get the sweets she smiled then when it was mentioned of a coat for Elwood she nodded " we'll take it back with us too" she said as Ruby walke dover with more clothing making Aria look at her.

"what they need new wardrobe" she said and chuckled as Aria shook her head at the amount. " this way we don't have to get any more for a while" Ruby said and Aria nodded she couldn't fault her logic with clothing for the toddlers.

Angus had finished doing the math on how much lumber, shingles, concrete and other things he was going to need for the sheepfold. He ordered it from the building supply company who said they would deliver it by lunch time. Angus was starting to get responses from the local farmers who were only too happy to sell a pair of sheep or goats to him and promised to sell him only their best.

With that finished, Andrew served the cappuccinos and then took advantage of it to remove the stitches from Angus's shoulder. He saw it was still going to need a dressing for another couple days, so he put a dressing on it again. Angus always felt better without stitches, especially when they had healed enough to pull and itch, and these had reached that stage. He was glad they were gone because he was about ready to snip them himself. Andrew believed that some rehab on Angus's shoulder would be good--if it were only a few movements to try to loosen up the damaged muscles. He advised Angus to try just a few repetitions of a some simple movements, but that he could try them two or three times a day but no more than a total of ten repetitions at a time for a few days.

Evan sent a note advising that the girls stay over, not so much because of the storm but more for the big exams. He wanted them to do well, and all four girls were afraid of the exams. Evan believed that if the girls studied together, they would all score better on the exams. Angus approved, knowing Ruby would have agreed.

Aria and Ruby paid for the clothing and headed out of the shop after thanking Clive and wishing him well. Heading in the direction of the news stand Aria spotted the sweets and smiled seeing the variety. " hum okay I think we'll get him some of each flavour" she said then spoke to the man at the stand who bagged up the sweets . Aria paid as Ruby chuckled.

Marcus will love you for those" Ruby said making Aria laugh.

#"he already does" Aria said still laughing " okay lets foins some place and head back home" she added " i'm about done" Ruby nodded she agreed and they walked to an ally before porting back the way they had come ending at the duplex. With bags in hand they walked into the living room " we're back, with gifts." Ruby said with a chuckle. Seeing Elwood she walked over to him " first , your coat, Clive apologizes for the delay" she said placing the package down on his knee." Aria moved to Marcus and took his hand in her own.

" here" she said placing a large bag in his hand." the sweets you asked for we got several different flavours, the strawberry is delicious" she added with a cheeky grin.

"I have a coat!" Elwood was surprised. "You bought me a coat?" He looked at them and then looked at Angus.

"Of course I bought you a coat," Angus told him. "How are you going to be able to go out and make snow angels with us without a coat?"

"Snow angels? Boy, you've lost your mind," Elwood replied.

"Give him a little, Elwood. He might actually figure out a way for you to do it," Marcus teased.

"It's the nicest coat I've ever had. Thank you," Elwood said.

"And thank you for the Rossanas," Marcus said. "I think we should mix them together and put them in a big candy dish for everyone to enjoy. Oh, and before I forget to tell you, Evan did tell us that the girls want to stay tonight with Evie and Faith because Evan says all four of the girls are stressing about this big exam, and he thinks all four of them will handle it better if they can study together tonight."

"And if they can help each other, I think they need to stay there tonight, by all means," Angus said.

Just as Angus was finishing speaking, there was a knock on the door, and Marcus answered it. There was a delivery man there with Sparks take out bags

"Lizzy was hoping you'd try these for her from her new late night menu. She says the forms are in the bag, if you'd just review and let her know," he told Marcus.

"Will do. Thank you," Marcus said. He came back in, smelling the aroma of warm food and fresh baked bread. He put the bags on the worktable and got into the first bag. "She sent us at least 8 big footlong sub sandwiches, and they look like they're absolutely loaded."

"So, here's how you should handle that," Angus said, "cut each sub in half, cut each half in half and then cut each of those four sections in half. That will give you 8 slices from each sandwich. That'll be enough to feed all of us, plus Edward, Simone, and Victor--if they want to join us for lunch."

"Um. Okay. I think I can manage that--unless Ruby or Aria want to handle it," Marecus said.

"And what else is in the bag?"

"Um...four enormous salads. One looks like an antipasti, one is a tossed salad with chicken, one has steak, and one has both fruit and veggies. I'm sure we could give everybody just a taste of each one and have a nice sized salad by doing it. And...then there's four slices of four different cheesecakes. So if you cut each slice in half, then we can all try each of the four kinds."

Ruby smiled at Elwood when he spoke of the coat " its defiantly your style" she said to him. Aria heard Marcus and smiled " Your welcome and sure , every one can enjoy them then." she said walking to the kitchen to grab a large bowl to pore them in. Returning she smelled the food " that smells great" she said as she put down the bowl and pored the Rossanas into it.

Hearing Angus mention the girls were staying at Evans both Ruby and Aria breathed out " that's great, with the weather there makes sense." she said " plus more of this good food for us" she said and chuckled as she took the footlongs into the kitchen and cut them into eighths and placed them on a platter ready for any one who wanted a piece