Meeting the Grandparents

Robert was in his office, trying to unscramble the disgusting food the kitchen had resorted to serving again. He was kneedeep in reading reports that cited flimsy reasons as to why they could not serve the 5 star cuisine Khaat had ordered. What it came down to was that they simply did not want to do it. He was angry. And he was very tired. It had been a very long haul trying to keep Khaat alive and give Abbey a fair start at life.

He had resorted to a dose of a potion to reduce a migraine he was getting. It had helped somewhat. He had been able to concentrate again and had started to work again. For the moment, Brian was with them and they were safe. That was the best he could ask for. A part of him ached for Charlotte, and for Jen, and for Rob. He wished he could ease the upset Charlotte was going to feel over her children. And yet, he also knew that Charlotte was very resilient. He hoped someday Khaat got her wish and Charlotte would want to see Abbey and perhaps love her at least in the same way she loved her other grandchildren. He just didn't know if that would ever happen. He wasn't even sure whether or not Charlotte knew Jen and Rob were running from the law.

Things seemed to be going downhill fast and Charlotte couldn’t find anything to help stop it or at least slow it all down. It was like a pipe that had sprung a leak and you couldn’t find anything to plug the hole. Charlotte was decidedly devastated but it wasn’t as bad as she had originally thought. Sure she had been a complete wreck twelve hours ago but she’d somehow pulled it together between then and now. She was in St. Mungo’s again but this time she was alone. She was on her own, wondering how she was going to convince the Lupins that, unlike her children, she had no intention of making things go all... well, screwy really. Charlotte couldn’t think of anything better to describe the whole situation. It had all gone tits up really.

She was now leaning against the door frame of Robert Lupin’s office in a way not unlike her daughter would have done. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she looked older. She felt it too. For once she felt her age. She was still youthful in some ways but she was old and worn like a bit of leather. She observed him as he took a potion and smiled a little to herself. “You know, this all started with potions.” She said, making herself known. “Kind of dismal really. Robert, I can’t apologize enough for my children. I thought they knew better. I can’t really explain Rob... Jen was predictable but she doesn’t normally get caught. Granted I don’t condone that type of behaviour but Rob... he crossed a line. I am sorry my family caused so much pain in your own. I just hope at the very least I could know my granddaughter. Even if it means only sending Christmas and birthday presents.”

Robert smiled warmly at her. "Come in, Charlotte. Have a seat. I'm glad to finally have a moment to talk with you. Yes. It did all start with potions, but it seems I'm working on a migraine--merely lack of sleep. I've...been putting in a lot of hours the last few days, but where better to get pain relief than in a hospital after all?

"I cannot tell you how badly I feel for you and your children and your family. I truly do. And even though we don't always agree, I have never wished you ill will--ever. I've never ever had a reason to dislike you. And I like Jen and Rob. Really. I don't always agree with your children's behaviors, but that doesn't mean I don't like them. They're both strong willed and spirited--and very talented. They got a lot of that from you. And I like that in them. I am hoping that you and I can make a truce of sorts between our families--for Abbey's sake. You are a strong woman, Charlotte, and your family listens to you--when they choose to be wise. I now find myself in much the same role in my own family.

"I've been talking with Khaat. As you can guess, I've spent a considerable amount of time with her lately. She has talked to me several times about you--specifically. You are at the forefront of her thoughts a good portion of the time. There is nothing she wants more, right at the moment, than for you to have a real chance to see Abbey--to hold her, spend time with her, and to be a grandmother to her. It is important to Khaat that Abbey knows her father's side of the family--regardless of what happens with Jen and Rob. She still loves Rob--deeply, despite his mistakes. She's been asking if I could arrange it for you to see Abbey--if you wanted it. And I think she wants you to be as involved as you want to be with your granddaughter.

"To be honest, and so you know, I have put Khaat and Abbey together in the same room, under constant protection of a bodyguard so that when all of this becomes fodder for the press, things don't get far more distorted for either of our families than it needs to be simply because someone will almost certainly choose to try to use Rob's wife and child against him and Jen. I don't want to see your family or mine dragged through the proverbial mud. And some of those reporters are sneaky enough that they will want to use Khaat to do it. Their curiosity about Khaat as the Chief Warlock, Rob's wife, and the Director of this hospital--what she did or did not know, how involved was she, and all the rest of that rot will surely get the better of them.

"That is the reason I tried to make the appearance of Khaat legally distancing Rob as far as I could--shy of divorce, as I am quite sure you already know about. Those were my choices--to minimize questions and a great deal of unnessary attention for both your family and mine. Khaat had nothing to do with those choices. We've already had to oust a herd of reporters from the intensive care waiting room, and Rita Skeeter's grandson from Khaat's intensive care room. I am doing my best to be sure that will not happen again. I will do all I can to help not just my own family but yours as well. You have my word.

"If you would like to see Khaat and Abbey, I would be honored to take you there myself."