A Birth day

Ruby and Aria both looked at each other and then back to Marcus as he spoke " our anxiety spike has nothing to do with anything he's done, for me it was being in the same room as my mother as for Aria , not sure. " Ruby said softly " but I can speak for Aria too and say that we'll leave him be, that's why I suggested we do the supper today so he could rest, but for tomorrow I agree with your suggestion" she said " if it helps Angus then I'm all for it, can you send word to Evan and find out if they will come?" she added as Aria noticed the toddlers becoming fussy since they were tired.

" I'll take them to the nursery" Aria said picking up both girls and carrying them upstairs. Once changed and settled into their beds Aria returned back downstairs finding Ruby still stood with Marcus. " they settled right away , I think they were both tired beyond tired to night" she said walking over to them.

Once Aria ha taken the girls to the nursery Ruby looked at Marcus and sighed as she now spoke with confidence." okay, I'll send a letter to Evan informing him of what has happened and how Angus is and asking if he could come for the day, if you could talk to Minos about security and what you will need them to do for tomorrow" she asked " then I have to get the turkey stuffed tied and ready to put in the oven in the morning along with the veg prep too go with it." she said " to give him a day off tomorrow and time to recover."

"It goes further back than today, Ruby, but let's discuss that after we take care of Christmas," Marcus replied. "Truthfully, I hadn't even considered the cooking for tomorrow. I like your idea about freeing him up from the kitchen. So, how about I go over to Edward's fireplace and open the floo and see if I can reach Evan. I'll update him and see what he has to say. It'll be quicker than you writing it all out. And I'll talk to Minos too. I'll be right back."

He went over to Edward's, since the rest of them hadn't returned from lunch, and he opened a floo channel.

"Your timing is great, Marcus. We just got back from Rosaria's lunch," Evan said. "Now we're stuffed. What's up?"

"What are you lot doing for Christmas tomorrow?"

"Well, we had what Christmas celebration we're going to have already. We did that this morning, and the lunch we just had with Edward and half your crew, for us, was our Christmas dinner. We honestly weren't planning on doing much of anything tomorrow but just hanging out at home," Evan replied.

"Then I have a request. I think your brother needs you."

"That's all I ever need to hear. If he needs me, I'm there," Evan said.

"Well, let me explain," Marcus said. Marcus explained in depth what was going on. Evan immediately said he and the kids were coming, even if they had to sleep on the back deck outside in the snow. Marcus was sure they could work it out somehow. When the conversation was over, Marcus went back to talk to Ruby.

"We both knew Evan would come, don't we?" Marcus looked at Ruby. "Of course they're coming. They've already had their Christmas, so they don't expect anything. However, Angus did buy gifts for them already. I don't know what he bought anyone because he told me he went muggle shopping, whatever that means. For all I know, you could wake up tomorrow with a bunch of muggles under your tree. Anyway, Evan and Tara and the kids will be here sometime after supper tonight, so you have some time. That's at least four or five hours away. Evan said they were coming, even if they had to sleep outside in the snow tonight. I told them we'd work it out somehow."

Ruby heard Marcus and listened to him " I know" she said then heard his suggestion of using the floo to talk to Evan " yeah, I like that idea, thank you Marcus, I'll get to preparing tomorrows dinner and our supper for tonight." she said as he headed to Edwards side she headed to the kitchen , taking out the turkey she cleaned it out and added stuffing inside it before she tied the legs closed and placed tin foil around it ready to bake in the morning slowly. As she started the veg she saw Marcus return and let her know Evan was coming " no doughs there, I do hope he can help Angus." she said smiling to him as she peeled the potatoes.

Aria walked over and helped peel carrots and prep the sprouts ready to cook the next day. Ruby heard mention of them sleeping on the porch and chuckled again " that's certainly not happening" she added " like you said we'll work something out, even if the girls have to double up to make room we'll find a way" she said. Aria finished cutting crosses in the base of the sprouts and placing them into a bowl , placing the bowl in the fridge she moved on to wrapping sausages in bacon.

"Well, I might have a suggestion," Marcus said. "Jada and Anise and Ginger are already pretty inseparable. More nights than not, I find Jada asleep on the floor in their room in the basement. And we already know that Evie and Faith are inseparable from Anise and Ginger. Those five are going to be bonded like five musketeers. I think you could have Simone, if need be, change the sheets on Jada's bed, and she'd gladly sleep downstairs, not like a lot of other nights as it is. Edward and Simone have their master bedroom, the room that they have made up for the babies, Jada's room, and one other guest room. You could put Evan and Tara in the one room that's left, and everyone would have a space. I think Edward did buy a folding bed that he keeps in his basement for such situations. We could always put that near Ginger and Anise's room and that would help someone not sleep on the floor. But that's just a suggestion. I'm sure Evan would help watch things tonight, and Minos will be on the overnight. Edward and Elwood would gladly help out if we asked. I think your security could be in good hands, but I'm also sure that I will come over in the morning to check him, and I'm guessing that I'll be free in the afternoon to come over. He's going to need me, and I'll be here for him."

He heard apparating sounds next door.

"That would be Edward, Simone, Elwood, and the kids coming home from lunch in Tuscany," Marcus said. "I've learned some of the slighly different sounds that some of your lot make when they apparate, and taht was definitely Edward's style."

Ruby looked up and listened to Marcus " okay sounds a good idea" she said finishing her veg prep while Aria finished her's placing the last bowl in the fridge. Hearing porting she smiled and wiped her hands dry, walking over to Edwards she smiled "should we talk to Edward about Angus and that Evan will be coming too" she asked " I'm going to tell him" she said placing down the tea towel and walking to the adjoining door " good to see you got back okay, um.. we need to talk, but I'm sure you know who its about." she said smiling to Simone as she walked over and gave her a hug before stepping back from her.

Aria finished her part of the veg prep then cleaned the kitchen while Ruby headed to Edwards side of the duplex leaving them both stood in the kitchen. " hum, she's certainly not anxious right now" Aria said placing the last piece of crockery in the washer and turned it on to start. " well dinner prep is done now supper" she said with a chuckle.

"I do," Simone said. "What'd he do now? The last we heard from Robert, the mission went pretty well, and everyone was safe and sound in Paris. Everyone is back, safe and sound, except the boys, and I think they went to work, thinking they'd feel better if they were busy. The girls stole off straight away to Jada's room for some sort of clandestine Christmas mission of their own. Andrew went to gather up the laundry here and get it put into the washer. Edward and Elwood are here. Theyre up in Edward's tower lab because they scoured Edward's garden and found some of his rarer potion herbs. That got them all excited about some new potions ideas. Never get two potion makers together because they don't have any idea when to stop. Oh, and so you know, I doused the Christmas pudding generously last night. It's a lovely looking pudding, so I hope they'll all be into having some. Just in case, I've made a triple chocolate cake for anyone not brave enough for a proper Christmas pudding."

"While you debate about supper, I'll go talk to Minos," Marcus said, taking his coat and heading outside to the garden.

Ruby looked at Simone and sighed " It all went well we got the boys back but, he was hit on the head hard, Robert said he had concussion among other things, but now hes got it into his head that our anxiety is his fault" Ruby told Simone " that's a load of codswallop, our Anxiety isn't anything that hes done, we've asked Evan to come for Christmas and stay so he can talk to Angus and get this out of his thick skull." she said.as they moved to the living room so she could sit down " Marcus thinks he should be okay by the morning but can but wait and see."

Aria looked at Marcus and nodded " good idea I'll watch Ruby while your outside and make some hot coco for when you come back in, I'll also add that extra ingredient." Aria said with a chuckle a she patted his shoulder as he grabbed his coat. Aria saw them walk into the living room and moved to the stove placing on a pan and heating some milk for every one as she set out the mugs and marshmallows if any one wanted some on theirs.

"That honestly does not surprise me, and it won't surprise Edward one little bit. Edward saw this coming when Angus invited you to go to the new island property with him, and you wanted to take a muggle helicopter rather than to sail with him. Edward told me that a captain will probably always blame themselves somehow if a sailing trip doesn't go off as planned. You know, that old thing about a captain being obligated to go down with the ship. Besides, and this is just my observation, but I do think that, at times, he can be a wee bit touchy about any situation where he feels he just wasn't good enough. From what Edward told me about Angus's parents, it sounds like they were both enormous prats. It sounds like any little boy would have questioned what he did so wrong to be rejected by both mom and dad. I would think at least a little of that would come up from time to time in one's thinking and maybe make them read more into something than was ever intended. I'm sure that once I talk to Edward, Edward might be helpful if he talks to Angus. You're right, though. Evan will be good for him, I'm sure. I'll change the sheets in the guest room and freshen it up straight away, and we'll figure something out for Faith and Evie. Now, how can I help? Is there anything you need help with for Christmas?"

Marcus had talked to Minos who immediately agreed to take up whatever security issues that needed to be resolved. Marcus believed it was only from supper til morning, but Minos was adamant that they would keep watch as long as was needed.

Marcus came back inside and hung up his coat.

"Minos is on board for whatever we need," Marcus told Aria.

Ruby heard Simone and nodded " that's what we all thought" she said then heard Simone talk of the trip and how she had chosen to fly and not sail " I'd go on anything he wants I chose the helicopter to give him a break but I guess sailing is his relaxation, truth be told I like sailing with him, even with the mishap when we first went sailing." she said looking at them both and chuckling.

Aria saw Marcus return and hang up his coat she heard him say Minos was up for guard duty that night and smiled " that's great" she said finishing the last of the cleaning in the kitchen. Walking out Aria stood with Marcus listening to them talking. " thank you Simone , I think with Edward and Evan talking to him it might ilvaite some of his worries" Aria said " oh I made Turkey & coriander burgers with guacamole , light and simple for supper" she said.

"I think the boys should be here shortly. I think they're getting off a bit early because of the holiday," marcus said. "I saw some of the other workers already heading home. My guess is that whenever they have whatever they're working on completed, they'll be home. I'll go check on Angus, but since supper is ready early, if he's sleeping soundly, I might just have you save a burger for him, and we can warm it up when he wakes."

Marcus headed upstairs, and he found Angus was just waking. Marcus went over and sat on the edge of the bed.

"How's your head?" he asked.

"Better than when we were out," Angus replied.

"Well, I have a surprise for you. I think you're going to like it. Evan and Tara and the girls are coming. They'll be here after suppertime tonight, and they'll be here for Christmas."

"Evan's coming?" Angus asked, surprised.

"He said they celebrated their Christmas earlier today, so they weren't actually going to do anything. They're excited about coming. I think Evan's missed you."

"I've missed him too," Angus said. "Evan's said my other brother, Tyler, would like to be closer, but for some reason, we've just never done it. Tyler is a passive bloke. He's happier taking care of the horses and the crops. He and I are very different people. We've always had a hard time finding common ground."

"Maybe after you start to feel better, you should try again to find some time with him."

"Maybe," Angus said.

"I agree that you had a crap family before, but, even if your particular family circle is small, you're blessed to have a whole raft of good people around you. I think you shouldn't refuse to include more good people when you find them."

"I generally don't refuse it. I guess I've just been busy lately."

"You have been. No doubt about it. Six kids, now seven, is a heavy responsibility. Not to mention the fact that life as a fighter is dangerous, up in the air and ridiculously impulsive at best. It hasn't been easy, but if you want a relationship with him, then go for it. Now, changing subject slightly, i think Aria got off schedule a little and made supper early. Can I persuade you to come and eat?"

"Yeah. Okay. Can I shower first? I really need a shower."

"Certainly. Go ahead. I'll get you a fresh clothes. Jeans are okay?

"Fine," Angus said, heading for the shower. Marcus got out a pair of jeans and one of Angus's v neck cashmere pullovers and left them for him and then went back downstairs.

"He's coming down. He wants to shower first," Marcus told Ruby and Aria, just as Sam and Victor came home and took off their gear. They were obviously covered in cow manure.

"Sorry. We know. Straight for the shower," Sam said.

"But we delivered a calf this afternoon all by ourselves," Victor said.

"Brilliant," Marcus said. "Does Jack know?"

"We don't know. One of the night crew relieved us and was going to check on the baby and on mom. So we just headed home."

"Well, as soon as your dad is done in the shower, you can rinse of the manure," Marcus said. "He won't be long."

"Okay. We'll go get clothes."