A Birth day

Ruby chuckled and nodded as Aria looked to Marcus " I'm ready" she said smiling " merry Christmas guys" she said " see you later" she added as she opened the back door so she and Marcus could walk home " oh I saw Jack leaving soon after so I'm guessing he was kicked out by Kate" she said chuckling as they walked to the back door of the cottage. Opening it she smiled as she walked in and turned on the lights to a decorated room. "Merry Christmas dear" she said smiling.

Ruby chuckled and nodded to Angus as she watched Jada bring out her desert and she smiled " does look perfect" she said then saw him hand her an envelope and smiled again moving to sit next to Angus as she watched her open the envelope and smiled to them both. " Merry christmas2 Ruby said smiling to her as she walked over and hugged her.

"Merry Christmas," Marcus told Aria. "It looks great." He followed through to see that Kate had put some tasteful decorations in not only all the main living areas in the house but there were small decorated trees in each of the kids' bedrooms. And on the island in the kitchen was a massive platter of some of the most beautifully decorated Christmas cookies he had ever seen. Everyone had outdone themselves.
It was just as he was debating on taking the plastic wrap off the cookies so he could sneak a cookie when he heard the sound of apparating. And a moment later, Poppy was running into the kitchen, and she flung herself at him, wrapping herself around him.

"I've missed you so much!" she gushed. He heard his mother issuing orders to the kids about setting the table for supper, and then, they all came into the kitchen.

"We didn't expect you both to be home from work yet. Merry Christmas," Jonathan told Marcus and Aria.

"Merry Christmas," Marcus said. "Angus insisted we end our shifts early. We technically have tomorrow off but I will stop over and check on them a couple times tomorrow. Angus got clobbered overnight by a golem, and he has a whale of a headache. So i want to be sure hes alright."

"Of course," Jonathan said. "And when you go, will you take this along?" He handed Marcus what looked like an ordinary paint can, except it had a Honeydukes logo on it.

"You're selling paint now?" Marcus asked.

"No, its an assortment of our Christmas candies for his family. We figured a big bucket of it would keep both sides of the duplex happy."

"It certainly will. Thanks."

"Oh, and I look foward to meeting this older fellow they've taken in. I hear he's sort of a pistol."

"Elwood?" Marcus asked. "You'll like him. He's well read, well spoken, an intellectual that loves chess and mental challenges, and he's a good potions maker. I think you'll like him a lot. Why don't you come with me tomorrow and I'll introduce you."

"I hope you're alright with the supper I've fixed," Claire told Aria. "I brought an enormous lasagna, with a Caesar salad, garlic toast, and I have homemade brownies and peppermint ice cream for anyone who might still have room for dessert."

Aria smiled and kissed his cheek stepping back as she heard aperating and saw Poppy run in. She chuckled as Poppy grabbed Marcus around his leg and hugged it tight. " we missed you too Poppy" Aria said smiling as she saw Jonathon and Claire enter the cottage. " Merry Christmas guys" She said as she hugged them both and smiled seeing the kids happily enter.

Hearing Clair she smiled " that's wonderful and perfect" she said walking to the kitchen as she did she noticed Marcus hiding one of the cookies he was about to eat and chuckled to herself. " you can put your things in your rooms if you want guys" Aria said to the kids. She saw them head to their rooms as Marcus explained to Jonathan about Angus " that's right and hes got quite the bruise so we're erring on the side of caution" she added as she walked out with a tray with several fire whisky drinks on. Handing them out she smiled " but for now, lets just relax a bit" she said and looked around the room " Kates down wonderful job at the decorations"

"We were properly shellshocked when we saw decorations and lights and a tree," Claire laughed. "He's never had that. Kate did a beautiful job. I might have to hire her to decorate our shop for Christmas next year."

"You broke out the top shelf stuff, didnt' you?" Jonathan asked, taking a sip of his firewhiskey.

"I try to keep a bottle of the good stuff in here. But its a good night for the good stuff. Well done, Aria.  After all,  it's Christmas, and we've been looking forward to you all coming," Marcus said.

"You're taking care of Angus's bang to the head, then?" Jonathan asked Marcus.

"Well, Robert's seen to it, but I try to make sure he stays without complications."

"What did he get hit with?"

"He was clobbered by a golem overnight," Marcus said.

"Damn. It isn't every day someone gets beaten over the head by a lawn ornament. Someone was serious, weren't they? Was it that goofy mother-in-law of his again?"

"Fraid so," Marcus said, "but we caught her finally. She's back in Switzerland where she belongs."

"I know this is none of my business, but do tell me that she hasn't connected up with Evelyn there," Claire said.

"Not so far as I know," Marcus said. "I'd obliviate Evelyn myself if that happened. She does not need to be besties with Suzanne Gelding." He heard apparating sounds and turned to see Zane and Kai grinning from ear to ear as Daria and Ezra finished setting the table.

"Now what did I..." Claire growled at the boys. And with that both boys apparated out of the room. Jonathan rolled his eyes.

"They're going to drive me mad," Jonathan said. "They both passed their apparitions class and have their licenses. Now they think they dont' need to use their feet anymore. They apparate bloody everything. Themselves, Luggage, dirty dishes, whatever they can lay their hands on."

"Apparated me up onto the roof today," Ezra mumbled.

"I'll have a word with them," Marcus said, going over and giving Ezra a hug. "You alright, then?" Ezra nodded. "Not to worry. I'll have them for it if I need to. If that doesn't do it, I'll have their apparating powers bound til they go back to school. How did you get down?"

"Roof was icy. Slid off into the bin."

"From way up there?" Claire fairly shrieked. "I'll apparate them, alright--to Timbuktu.''

"Why don't you let me handle this one, just this once. If they do it again, I'll pay the postage for you to send them to Timbuktu or any other forsaken place you can think of," Marcus said, his stomach growling loudly.

"Well, come and sit down. The food won't stay hot all night," Claire said.

"And those boys never miss a meal. Maybe I should apparate their plates up onto your roof," Jonathan sighed, frustrated.

"Nah. Leave them be for now. I'll have a word with them. Let's tuck in, and if they get here, they get here," Marcus replied.

Aria chuckled and nodded " she really did" she said smiling " and yes we have been looking forward to seeing you guys again" she said as she placed down the tray and took up her glass. Hearing aperating she turned to see  Zane, Kai and Ezra appear then   Zane and Kai  disappeared again leaving Ezra behind.with them in the living room.Aria listened to Jonathan and shook her head as Marcus spoke to him then gave Ezra a hug . Aria laughed as both Marcus and Jonathan bantered about what they would do to  Zane and Kai for leaving Ezra on the roof to fall off it.

" well think of the fun you'll have once you qualify" she said " you could aperate their beds to the roof, mid winter." she said and chuckled " I've done that one before" she admitted looking sheepishly over the top of her glass at every one. Hearing them talk of Evelyn and Suzanne she shook her head ." now that's an image I do not want to see." she heard Marcus stomach and chuckled again " it has been a long day." she said glancing to see the table now laid " thank you guys" she said smiling.

Once she downed her drink she went to their fire place and lit the logs stacked in it to warm the cottage while they ate. " well one thing good is that they can't aperate and eat " she said now standing up with a roaring fire behind her. smiling as she saw Marcus and the family laughing and having fun, accioing her muggle camera she snapped a photo and smiled walking over to Marcus she showed him it " that's a keeper" she said showing the happy family snap she had taken.

The boys apparated back downstairs and came to the table. Claire went to them and grabbed them both by their shirt collars, and pulled them down to her height.

"Now you two little hooligans listen here," she hissed at them, furious, "you could have killed or hurt Ezra putting him out on that roof today...."

"Oh, Gran, it was just some fun..." Kai sighed.

"It was dangerous," Marcus said. "That sort of thing is dangerous even in good weather, but when its icy outside? He could have been hurt or killed when he fell off that roof. I do not want to see either of you doing one single spell, not a spark, not one, until you're back on the train to go back to school. You do not want to push me on it, believe me."

"But, Dad!..." They began.

"Go ahead. Say one more word, and I will end the discussion in a way you don't like. Now, sit and tuck into supper, all of you. We're going to put this behind us and have a good Christmas." Marcus glanced around at the kids, and they all sat down at the table. He did notice, though, the very tiniest, microscopic trace of a smile on Poppy's face, and she had glanced at Daria, as if to say to her silently. "I told you so." Marcus had no idea what little bit of conversation might have passed between the two girls but not everything was his business, so he just sat down, deciding to let it go.

At the duplex, the kids were all trying to decide on what game they wanted to play. Nothing sounded Christmassy enough for them. And the noise was loud enough that no one heard the knocking at the door, except Minos. Minos looked out, saw who it was, and opened the door. There was Evan and Tara and Faith and Evie. The girls all squealed with delight and they flew to hug each other.

"Come in and stop letting the heat out, Lad," Edward teased Evan. They all came in.

"Merry Christmas," Evan and Tara greeted everyone. Faith and Evie remembered their manners and wished everyone a happy Christmas. Then Evan made his way to Angus, and he embraced Angus in a warm embrace.

"Lord, you look like a train wreck," Evan said, seeing the bruise on his brother's head instantly. "Do you still have all your brains in there?"

"Depends on whether I had any to begin with," Angus replied.

"You're not supposed to admit it, Boy," Edward laughed.

"At any rate, I'm glad you're here. The kids are bored to pieces," Angus said.

"We've got something to do," Faith said.

"They wanted a new game, and they've been dying not just to get it but to play it. Its called a role playing game, whatever that is. This is a wizarding version. It's called Potions and Pirates," Evan said.

"I've seen some of the muggle ones in the muggle shops, but I've never played one," Angus said. "Mostly because they're forbidden here, and I don't want to go overboard on bringing forbidden things here on the estate."

"Well, this one is not forbidden, so hopefully they'll have a good time," Evan said. the kids went together downstairs to see how this new game worked.

"You visit with Angus, and I'll take our bags over to the guest room," Tara said.

"I'll get the bags," Edward said, standing up and taking the bags for Evan, Tara and the girls, and heading over to his side with them.

"Would you two like something to drink?" Angus asked.

"You sit. I know my way around your kitchen," Evan said. "I'll find something for Tara and me."

Aria looked as the boys returned and we're caught by Claire and reprimanded for leaving Ezra on the roof. " they have a point" Aria said as she moved to give Ezra a hug keeping him close to her as Marcus and Claire both told the boys not to use magic again and they ere going to get the train back to school. " having an aperating licence is a privilege not a right" Aria said softly to them both " miss using it like that could have hurt Ezra." Aria moved Ezra to the table and sat him down before she sat her self down dishing up several plates for every one. She smiled as every one moved to the table and sat down talking about their day.

Ruby smiled hearing the house busy with voices and laughter around them, it was now she heard a familiar voice and smiled " Evan , good to see you" she said moving to give him a light hug along with Tara and the girls. She also heard Evan talk to Angus and smiled as she lead the girls to the living room so they could talk " so how have things been?" she asked trying not to let her mind race about Evan and Angus's talk.

"Things have been pretty good at our place. The girls have already been looking for some sort of summer job. Of course they could work on the estate, but there are some disadvantages to that," Tara told Ruby. "If they work on the estate, they will get certain privileges, being Edward's great granddaughters. And we think they honestly need something a bit different. Besides that, they miss Anise and Ginger and Jada like crazy. Angus has been telling Evan about some farm market thing he wants to create. Any chance that might be up and running by then and that you might need a couple youngsters to help stock shelves and sweep and such?"

"We are so glad you asked us," Evan said to Angus, as he went out to the kitchen. He poured mugs of tea for him and Tara and Angus. "Anyone else want tea while I'm pouring?" Evan asked. Then he continued to tell Angus why they were so glad to be invited for Christmas. "This summer, the girls both asked us if we couldn't just have a quiet day at home for Christmas, so we arranged it. And then, a couple weeks ago, when they asked what we were going to do, and we told them we were having a quiet day at home, they were massively disappointed. So, your invitation couldn't have had better timing. Well, Marcus's invitation. You do know he invited us, right?"

"Yeah. We know. Its' fine. We've missed you. I am a hundred percent sure he invited you because of my mood today."

"Well, yes and no. We know its due to the head injury, but he honestly thought it would be good for your family and for ours, especially since Marcus's family is coming to the cottage for Christmas," Evan replied.

"Well, yes. Regardless, you're all welcome here anytime, with or without invitation. You know that."

"We're glad the feeling is mutual, then," Evan replied.

Ruby listened to Tara and Evan talk to Angus when offered a cup of tea Ruby smiled " thank you Evan , I'll take one" she said and heard Angus talk to him as she listened to Tara " oh yeah that would be difficult and yes , its something Angus was toying with because we have an excess of fruit and veg , so he thought selling it would give the kids an opportunity to earn their own money" Ruby explained glancing over to see Evan and Marcus talking again.

" I'm glad you and Evan came, Angus has been in a mood since his knock to the head, Marcus thought he could use some one else other and he to talk to" Ruby admitted to Tara " he seems to think I am not happy being here and that he's useless, I have told him hes not and that I am right where I want to be" she added glancing now to the play pen where the toddlers now both stood looking at her " seems our two trouble makers are awake" she said smiling as she picked them both up , handing Amari to Tara.

"I'll try to mention it to him, then, unless you'd rather mention it?" Tara asked Ruby. She listened to Ruby talk about Angus's negative mood. "I've seen some of the workers have similar issues if they've gotten hurt. Happens more often, honestly, with the crew at the boatyard. Evan says its all too easy for a crew member to slip and fall when the decks are wet, and then injuries happen. He wasn't at all surprised when Marcus said Angus was a bit testy because of it. Unless he has some serious damage, it should right itself in a day or two--at least the moodiness. Some of the workers who had taken hard hits have had concussion headaches for up to a year afterwards, but you have Robert here, so perhaps he won't need to deal with that. But, as far as his feeling useless, from what I've seen in the years I've known him, Angus sets his performance expectations far higher for himself than he ever sets for anyone else. He's reasonable with everyone else except himself. He seems to need not just absolute perfection, but he rather seems to try to push himself way beyond that--whatever beyond absolute perfection is. And if he doesn't reach it, then he feels not just like he failed but, often, he feels he put someone at risk. He's far harder on himself than he is with anyone else. Maybe Evan can get him to relax a little. Maybe. Evan packed some extra clothes in case he's needed beyond Christmas. The girls and I will have to get back, of course, because of preparing for the start of winter term. Their Defense Against The Dark Arts professor assigned everyone a big 25 page paper on the proper use of magic and what each student's choice is--a dark arts worker or a light worker--and they need to be able to defend it successfully. And its to be turned in the very first day back at school after the holidays. So, they're going to need some extra study time. Have your girls started on their papers yet?"

"Oh," Evan said, taking a small box out of his pocket and resizing it. "I have something for you. It's a bit of an early present, but I thought we might find it useful tonight." He handed it to Angus.

"For me?" Angus frowned. Evan nodded. Angus unwrapped the box and opened it to find a beautiful chess set. Angus could tell it was hand carved, and as he started to look at it, and the pieces, he realized it was all beautifully done from cork.

"Its cork," Angus said. "Handcarved from cork."

"Yes. Handcarved from corks from Edward's winery. I have one, Tyler has one, Edward is going to be getting one tomorrow, so dont' tell him. And you have one. I thought maybe we could play."

"Its awesome. Thanks, Ev. I love it. Yes. I think a game is a great idea," Angus said. Evan set the board up to simply levitate between then, and Angus cast a quick spell for the pieces to get into position.