#bomb dropped atop my home and my house. OK

[sunb0ts]

got told today that my build looks like.... adoptive brother's did at this age...... peace on earth.........

[lady-olive-oil]

Dog Days: Chapter 1

A/N: After so many things that have been going on, I have finally finished the first chapter. After talking to my tribe and analyzing the outcome of Miyah’s past, there’s a twist in this story so be on the look out. If you’d like to be tagged let me know, i’ll make a permanent tag list soon too.

Word Count: 3,121

Warnings: none

Tag Squad: @honeychicana | @maddiestundentwritergaines | @dc41896 | @themyscxiras | @crushed-pink-petals | @sunlightandkisses | @champagnesugamama | @sdcyumyum | @badassbaker | @titty-teetee | @fumbling-fanfics | @melinda-january

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Javier! Do you know where I put my keys?”

“On the key tree, on your dresser!”

“Thank you!”

Busy days were never foreign to us so, getting ready was a race against time. Looking for keys; shoes being missing, combs being snatched by the dogs and cords being eaten. When it came to getting a 13 ½ year old boy ready for the day, it was like going against the clock.

Some days I wish I could’ve let Javier stay in public school, so he could have a normal life. He still keeps in contact with his friends, does everything he needs to do and yet I still feel guilty for it all. I love my son with everything in me and I just want what’s best for him.

Glancing into my closet, I started to think about all the years I’ve managed to keep him safe. He needed to be around kids his age and I was keeping him from that. It was long overdue for the talk to happen, it was now or never. Most parents have the same thoughts about their child’s education, and whether or not they’re doing what’s right. Knowing me, I’ll probably need a second opinion.

“Ma! You ready to go?” The voice of my not-so little angel, that I love so very much, pulled me out of my stupor.

Lacing up my sneakers, I proceeded to shake the nerves away. “Yeah! Is your dad here?” 

“Yes ma’am, in the driveway. I fed the dogs, and put them up too.”

“Thank you buddy. Alright let’s go.” To be honest, calling Henry Javier’s dad was second nature. I’ve gotten used to hearing him say it so, it just flowed.

Double checking to make sure all the doors were closed and locked, I set the alarm on and headed out the front door.

“Well don’t you look lovely.” The way his accent melted anything he spoke, somehow calmed nerves in the sweetest way. His sunglasses were atop his head, the really nice black rimmed Hugo Boss pair, partnered with his expressive blue eyes that had a slight patch of brown in the left. 

His face appeared clean shaven, with a slight subtle five o’clock shadow. His smile was sincere, full of love and warmth. Why on earth did I ever listen to my father about leaving Henry? I’ll never fully understand people at all whatsoever. What he did to me was unforgivable and way out of line. Why would someone do that to their own flesh and blood, just to get one over on them?

Pushing the thought out of my head, I managed to hold my composure together. Sliding into the passenger seat of the car, I noticed an even bigger grin on his face.

“What?” I asked, arching a brow all the while seeing Javier grinning just as big.

“Nothing. You look beautiful is all.”

“You just saying that to get a kiss from me?” 

“Is it working?” Henry chucked wholesomely, backing out of the driveway to wherever we were going.

“It is. You’ll get it soon, when we get to wherever we’re going. Where are we going anyway?”

“Hopefully some place fun!” Javier chimes in with glee. Usually if he’s in a car ride too long, he’ll fall asleep, but this time he’s wide awake due to Henry doing the driving. 

With a gentle chuckle from Henry he reached over and grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers together in pure joy. He never got enough of touching me and needless to say, I missed him doing so. The way his big strong hands morphed along my curves, making me forget about the task at hand which happened more than you’d think. He had the power to be so cunning and persuasive it wasn’t a game when it came to him and how he made me feel.

His gentleman like aura gave off an energy like no other, it would make anyone feel protected by any means necessary. Placing a kiss on the back of my hand, I closed my eyes gently and rested my head against the headrest, as we continued to coast along the busy streets of Los Angeles. Day drives were what we tried to do when neither of us were busy, and possibly could include Javier in. Getting a closer look at our surroundings, it looked like an amusement park of sorts. Not a big one but, one a family could afford every weekend type of fun and enjoyment.

“Santa Monica Pier? Yes!” Javier was more thrilled than I thought he would be, and couldn’t wait to get out of the car.

“I see you’re excited huh? Well, we have the whole day planned and we can even do the carnival games too.”

“Deal! Mom wanna do darts?”

“You know I do.” Once Henry parked the car, the mom in me made sure to double check we had everything and locked up, we made our way to the gate. As many times as I’ve been to Santa Monica Pier, I’ve never seen this many people at once. My best bet was, it was probably do to news about henry being in town.

Watching Henry sign a few things left and right for fans, brought back so many memories of when we would be out and about. This time around Javier was tagging along with us, and was taking in the scenery.

Turning towards the boys I asked “So where to first? Ferris wheel, carnival games, the coaster or food?” 

“Let’s eat first. I’m craving a corn dog.” Javier stood in between Henry and I, holding both our hands as we walked through the park. He never holds my hand when we’re out in public, yet now he is with Henry around. I smell a rat.

Glancing at my soon to be a 14 year old, I could see his cheeks flush a tint of pink. “Now how come your never hold my hand when I take you places, but you hold both of ours when Henry is here?”

“Uh no reason.” He proceeded to let our hands go and enjoy his corn dog. I couldn’t help but smile at him, not a lot of teenagers want to show affection to their parents and yet mine just did.

“Clearly I’m his favorite, Yaya. He’s showing out for his old man.” 

“His favorite?” With a playful smile, I say opposite of my two favorite boys. “I’m the one who gave birth to his big head.”

“Hey.” Javier joyfully whined with a mouth full of food. Once he wiped his mouth off from the mustard, he interjected. “Well that may be true mom, but it was also dad who got me my very own Superman costume when I was 11.

Henry winked in my direction, thus earning himself an eye roll from me. “I win.”

As I lively hit his arm softly, a smile was etched on my face. “Yeah yeah. So I wanted to talk to you both about something, and Javier it has to deal with you.”

Picking at my bacon ranch cheddar curly fries, I was nervous, I don’t know how Henry would take it. Javier and I have talked about it multiple times before hand but it always made me feel better to have a second opinion.

“What’s on your mind Yaya?” Henry asked cautiously, rubbing my arm gently while pulling me closer to him.

“She wants to know how you’d feel about me going back to public school.” Once Javier chimes in, it was as if the tension elevated from my shoulders.

Henry shrugged. “I think it’s a great idea, seeing as though you’ve been out for a while since the incident. Have you found a school yet?” 

To say I was in shock was an understatement. I thought Henry wouldn’t like it at all and here I am, happy and elated.

“University Heights Middle School in Riverside. Like a 53 min drive from the condo, which isn’t so bad I just have to get him up early. Classes start at like 9 am, but you know how and LA traffic is.”

“Haven’t even been enrolled yet and I know my old friends are there.”

“Javier, that’s a long drive buddy. But if that’s what you want then by all means, I’m for it.” With an affirmative nod from Henry, Javier was more excited than he thought he’d be.

“Yes!”

“You made him real happy.” I smiled at Henry tenderly.

He laced our fingers together, and looked me into my eyes before pecking my lips softly. “Well you two are my life and I want what’s best for you both.” 

“It’s going to be really amazing having you here more. Say, how about you and I go on a date tonight?” As I accessed his beard, he hummed in delight having my fingers on his face.

“I was just about to suggest that, but who's gonna watch Javi?”

“Auntie Davina can. She’s my Marvel movie buddy anyway, and she makes bomb s’mores.” The toothy grin that spread across his face was priceless. The thought of leaving my son with my youngest sister, was something I never thought of.

Normally he’d be with my mom most of the time, but ever since Davina wanted to go to USC she winded him staying with me. Mainly to avoid paying for her dorm, which worked out perfectly for me.

“Sounds like a plan, we can make it work. Date night it is Mr. Cavill.” Placing a soft kiss on his lips, a growing blush appeared on his face.

“It’ll be a great one, Miss. Leon.”

After spending a few hours at Santa Monica Pier, watching Henry and Javier enjoy their time together with some father and son bonding, it made me feel tranquil in the moment. I haven’t seen Javier smile so much and just be happy in a long time. It brought a loving smile to my face.

The ride home wasn’t so bad considering her fell asleep with a giant rainbow tiger in his arms, in the backseat. Once he dropped me and Javier home, Davina had movies set out for them and got their sleep over started, as I got ready for my date with the eternal love of my life. My love for Henry never died when we broke up, it was just dormant for a while until our eyes met that fateful day at my house. I knew that once our paths crossed again, the cosmos would align. Hearing his car horn alerted my senses to get going.

“Ok so his medicine is on the right side, top kitchen cabinet; his pajamas are on his bed and snacks in the pantry. I’ll be back soon.” Sliding my heels on, I checked myself out in the hallway mirror before heading out. The dark purple jumpsuit with the gold embellishment neckline and attached cape, made me feel regal. Had to curl my hair for the first time in a while.

“We’ll be fine sis, it’s all good. I got him.” Davina confirmed with a soft smile, hugging Javier close to her.

Javier nodded happily. “Yeah we’ll be ok mom. Auntie Dede is a great babysitter. You look really pretty mom.”

“Alright. I’ll see y’all later, and thank you bugs. Mama does clean up nicely huh? Time to go.” 

Upon heading out, Henry had his jaw slack and eyes wide. He hasn’t seen my curves in a hot minute so this was icing on the cake. Placing a kiss on his cheek for the fourth time in a day, I knew he’d be blushing all night. 

“Henry, close your mouth baby boy. You’ll get flies.”

“Hmm but the fly I want hasn't fallen into the honey trap yet.” The tone in his deep British voice sent chills through my body to awaken my senses. 

Eyeing him up and down with a controlled breath, I held his hand. “You wanna go to dinner, or have your way with me in the driveway?”

“Dinner first then maybe desert?”

“Deal.”

-Fogo De Chao-

Dinner was just simply astounding, just what we needed to bring back the good vibes from what was once lost. The way Henry looked at me as if I was the most precious thing in the world to him. He always made me feel more amazing than I thought I could be.

“You know you look amazing over this candle light.” Whispering sweet nothings in my ear, causing a few giggles to escape my lips, Henry was the perfect gentleman. Any woman would be lucky to have him, too bad for them that I got him back.

Biting my bottom lip feeling bashful, I stared back into his eyes. “It’s an electric candle in a vase, my love.” 

“I know but it illuminates your beauty, 100 times over.”

“Stop it.” I couldn’t stop smiling, even if I tried. “You love me don’t you?”

“I never stopped loving you, Amiyah. It did hurt me when we broke up, yes. But my love for you has transcended past that.”

The way he spoke was just breathtaking. I don’t know if it’s his accent or just how he’s speaking. It burned something inside of me, like an open flame on a campfire.

“Well I’m glad we can get past that. I plan on keeping you around, Mr. Cavill.” My eye contact with him remained in tact, while I sipped from my flute of white wine.

“Good to hear, Miss Leon. Good to hear.” Clinking his glass with mine, we decided to head home for the night. Who's to say my dreams won’t have dreams, or I dream of him in every dirt way possible? Only the higher beings know. 

The drive home was calm and serene. Singing along to a few songs, sharing some giggles and just genuine love filled the space we were in. I haven’t experienced This much relaxation in a while. Without making it to the door, he decided to dance with me in the driveway. The beat of his heart, was soothing to my ears, as we swayed along to the sounds of At Last by Etta James playing from his phone.

It was as if time stood still with us. I loved these moments with him, I missed these moments with him and I craved them. As the song ended he pressed a kiss to my head, then wiped my tears away with his thumbs. Just whispering how much we both love each other, and that we had even more time to go forward from here. 

“Tonight was nice, Henry. Thank you so much for this.” Standing outside of my door, it felt like a first date back to high school. 

“Anything for my queen. It was nice, wasn't it? Listen I have another date to ask you on.” As he took my hands, intertwining our fingers together and looking into my eyes. I saw a sweet sincerity in them.

“Ok shoot. What’s up.”

“Would you like to accompany me to the Carousel of Hope Ball?” Resting his head upon mine, our breaths mingled slightly. I felt like I was floating on cloud nine.

“I’d love you to accompany to the ball. What’s Superman without his love?” I whispered against his lips.

“A very starving man.” His lips fit against mine like a puzzle, as the kiss deepened in a fiery intensity. He pulled me closer to his strong body, making me moan against his lips and shiver softly. Groaning at the feeling of him biting my bottom lip, I growled in response and the kiss broke.

“Damn…”

Smiling like the Cheshire Cat, he kissed my head. “Damn is right.” 

“I better get inside. Gotta put Javier to bed and then look over the enrollment papers for his school.”

“Alright my love. I shall pick you up here tomorrow, my queen.” One final kiss, we both smiled before he walked back towards his car.

“I’ll see you tomorrow my king.”

Once I was inside, peeking through the window to watch him drive off, I bit my bottom lip in anxiousness. Laying on the couch, I screamed into a pillow in pure happiness. 

“Mom! You ok?” Javier ran down the stairs to check on me, which caused me to blush a bit. 

“Yeah bud, I’m ok. Mom is just excited for another date with dad. Is Davina sleeping?”

“Really?! That’s cool! I’m happy for you both and yes she is. She passed out during Journey to Atlantis.”

Hugging him with all my love intact, I placed kisses on his face. “Thank you bud, I’ll check on her later on. Now let’s get ready for bed, we have a long day tomorrow.”

“Yes ma’am.” With us both heading for bed, I felt a sense of pride and joy wash over me. 

Was I ready to go back out with Henry? My mind, body and soul says yes. But my heart is going 1,000 miles a minute, so I’d say it’s a good thing I’m going out again. Checking on both Javier and my sister, making sure they had enough blankets on and such, I headed towards my room. Upon the time I showered up, moisturized and got dressed for bed, I got a text message from Henry.

Henry: Goodnight my love. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.

This man knew how to treat a woman and I can’t believe we came back at the best time possible. I needed his company and good willed nature because we balance each other out. Smiling lovingly at his message I had no other choice but to reply.

Me: Goodnight to you too my love. I can’t wait to be in your arms again, my love.

We both knew that this was just the beginning of what was going to be, the greatest adventure for the both of us. Let’s just say it’s a remix of a song that kept playing in my head and never stopped. I never stop loving him and I’m sure he never stopped loving me. 

As I just laid there in deep thought, in my queen sized bed I couldn’t shake this unnerving feeling. There was just an aching feeling of when Vinny’s boys would come and find at any point in time. I just have to think of an escape plan just in case. Mainly hope and pray that no harm would come to anyone because I will cut somebody over my son, my family and Henry.

Vinny was never a bad lover to begin with, yet he did teach me a few things. Henry just added to my training when I met him. My family is my priority and I plan to keep it that way.

[jack-andthestalk]

Our Son, The Deal, Chapter 3.

Thank you so much for the messages and asks for this story. I love hearing what you guys think, it always feeds into my writing in future chapters. 

The morning the Hellwater clients were due to arrive at Lallybroch, a weird like energy seemed to descend upon the Frasers. Ellen who was always an accomplished host, relaxed and competent at accommodating visitors in her home, appeared to be absolutely frazzled.  Brian resembled someone waiting on a promised attack, and Jamie wavered between zealous and sullen.  I took Willie into playschool and ran a few errands in the village. When I arrived back to Jamie’s cottage, Jenny was in the neighbouring one cleaning. Recognising my opportunity, I made two mugs of coffee and went to see her.

  Jenny’s mood wasn't too affected by the imminent arrival; instead, she was humming happily wiping down surfaces. “The Dunsany sisters will be staying in this cottage” she explained, and Lord Dunsany and Dougal will stay in the main house.”

  “Jenny?” I said cautiously not sure exactly what I wanted to know. “What is it about these clients? Everyone seems so ….” For lack of a better word I hazarded “highly strung?”, Jenny looked up from what she was doing and smiled knowingly “Ach each of them for different reasons Claire”, when my brows furrowed she threw down her cloth and accepted the mug of coffee from me, “What I mean is there are different reasons for Mam, Da and Jamie to be tense.” Jenny paused over the word tense and exhaled, “Mam doesna like Dougal, her brother” she clarified.

“Hmm Ok.” I gave her a nod in understanding   “that makes some sense...”, Jenny bowed her head “aye he isna someone ye could trust too easily, and he has shafted Mam in the past”, she gulped her coffee, placing a hand on her hip thoughtfully, “These Dunsany’s that he is bringing here…they're Big business ya ken? Own one of the largest Equestrian centres in Britain, Lord Dunsany is a personal friend of Dougal’s.” Jenny pressed her lips into a thin line and continued. “They’ve been buying horses from us for a while now ….but what they are here about this weekend…well, it would mean we would be the sole supplier of their stock, they're adding onto their premises in Hellwater, and building a state of the art equestrian centre, it will be used to train the best of the best". She paused raising her eyes in exclamation. My own widened, and Jenny continued. “It would make Lallybroch into a company, probably quadruple our workers, not to mention equipment and buildings that would be needed once the deal is established…it would secure the future of our business if ya like.”

  “so a lot is riding on this trip?” I stated unnecessarily.”, “Aye," she replied simply, Jenny smiled at me, her eyes like her brother were sparkling now, and I could see pride in them, she hesitated before she spoke again, "Jamie... well I'm no the type to lavish him with praise, but he has a talent for it, Aye?”.

  Her face lit up, "he knows just the right horses to cross breed to get the best animal, and he is renowned for his handling and training.” A bolt of pride ran through me at Jenny’s words.  “I dinna ken how he does it to be fair” She picked up her cloth and recommenced wiping a window ledge vigorously. “He can spot a good breeding horse a mile away, but it's not just that,  Jamie will consider what the animal will be used for and will match it with the best breed for its use. He will decide where that animal will be best trained and the equipment or method that should be used to get the best from the horse.”

  Jenny leaned up against the window for a moment and stared at her cloth thoughtfully before continuing, "Jamie has always been that way with the horses, he handles them, and whispers to them, they're almost hypnotised by him" she crooked an eye at me teasingly, "Ha maybe you do ken Claire" . A red flush ran up my face,   I could suddenly feel the ghost of Jamie's hand running up and over my hip that morning, his mouth tight to my ear as he whispered encouraging words to bring me into oblivion.  I dropped my gaze guiltily. Jenny just roared laughing, "Well then," she said pointedly.

  “He has bred and trained horses that have gone onto compete at the Olympics dressage or racing, she explained grinning at me,” it’s the main reason a lot of our buyers use us.” Jenny clarified soberly, “Jamie’s reputation.”

  Her face blushed slightly, and she gave me a sheepish look,  “Ya can see why Da couldna lose him to Boston?”

  “So it would seem” I breathed, “and that is what has Da's dander up”, she said quirking her mouth slightly, “what do you mean?” I asked puzzled. “Well, Dougal is hanging out of the Dunsany’s like he got us the deal when really Jamie did on account of what he sold them initially.”

“Oh” I played with the top of my coffee mug, “Is that what has Jamie annoyed then?”

Jenny shook her head laughing, “Ach no, he is edgy cause the Dunsany’s drive him mad, but he has to hold his tongue, or he will jeopardise the whole deal.”

  “Well then,” I said as I rolled up my sleeves, I better help you clean up!

                                It was late in the afternoon before Jamie got home; his face held the harsh tone of earlier but softened on seeing me. “ye look bonny Sassenach, with yer hair atop yer head like that.” Strong arms came around me from behind, and Jamie nestled his chin into my shoulder. “thanks”, I said while continuing to rummage in the press in front of me. “It’s my domestic hairdo,” I replied smirking and turned into his arms, “What do ye mean?”

  “Oh, I helped Jenny clean out the cottage next door for our ‘visitors’, whispering visitors as sinisterly as I could to make him smile. Jamie rolled his eyes, “I dinna want ye doing that Sassenach”, “um well Jenny was, am I not part of this family too...that I can’t be put to work on the family business?”

  Jamie’s face lit up, and he pressed on my lower back, so my hips bowed into him, “Yer part of my family aye,” he said smiling warmly “, and I am to be yer husband no?”

  “So I hear anyway, “I said grinning foolishly at him.

  “Aye well, Jamie bent to nibble against my ear, "in that case, it's my job to spoil ye and not have ye grafting like that.” His warm lips slipped onto mine, and I breathed him in. Jamie chuckled into my mouth “Asides Sassenach, yer a surgeon, not a housekeeper”,

  My eyes narrowed as a bold smirk formed on his lips, “it’s been like a bomb hit this house since ye arrived, I dinna ken why it’s next-door yer cleaning.” I pinched him full into his stomach, and he let out a large puff of breath. Pulling me to him again, pinching my sides until I was bent over wheezing, he suddenly lifted me and threw me over his shoulder, grasping my arse almost painfully. “Where are you bringing me?” I squeaked out, between screeches into his back, Jamie continued slapping my bottom and scolding me in Gaelic. “I am”, he continued while trying to manage my squirming “going to make love to my betrothed”, throwing open his bedroom door and shutting it with his foot again, he landed me unceremoniously on his bed, so I bounced slightly. I managed to look down, Jamie was crawling over me with a predatory look in his eye. “I have one hour to make ye scream afore our son comes home.”

    His hand ran over himself as he tugged on his zipper, "god Claire" he huffed, "I never stop wanting ye" a bolt ran between my legs, as he roughly grabbed at the button of my jeans. I bit my bottom lip; smiling up at him "don't make me scream too loud" he bent to kiss me, and I continued talking into his mouth "remember we have the Dunsany's next door..." my words were breathy and lacked real concern. Jamie pulled away from my lips crooked one wicked eye at me, “Oh let them hear”.

    _____________________________________________

  First impressions, Geneva Dunsany, was far more uptight than her younger much more likeable sister, Isobel. She was currently sitting across from me cutting her food into minuscule bites, pushing it around her plate and making a face of distaste as she attempted to swallow it.

  Her gaze flickered around the table until eventually, it rested on me “Claire, isn’t it? I spotted you leaving our cottage with Jenny this afternoon but didn't get a chance to say hullo or to thank you, the cottage is beautiful” she gave me a smile that didn't reach her eyes and waited for my reaction carefully. “No problem at all, Geneva isn't it?” She nodded, darting her tongue out to wet her lips before taking a small sip of wine. I, in turn, drank deeply.

  When I looked up again, Geneva was peering at me over the top of her wine glass inquisitively. “How long have you worked for the Frasers?” her cheeks raised for a second as she shot me another weak smile.

“Well no, I don’t actually work for them…trying to add humour

I finished lamely with "well I suppose you could call it work....”

   Geneva’s brow furrowed slightly, Jamie half turned his attention from Lord Dunsany  "Well,” she said biting her lip and gazing at Jamie in a way that made me feel completely uncomfortable “I would imagine the Frasers are tremendously supportive in the workplace if James is any measure”. I came to the sudden realisation that the Lady Geneva was indeed very sweet on 'James'.

Looking to my right demurely, I batted my eyelashes at Jamie, who smirked at my subtle attempt to flirt “Oh tremendously” another long sip of wine. 

  One of Jamie’s eyes crooked at an angle, bewildered. “Tremendous at what?” he probed “Well James” Geneva purred padding her mouth genteelly with a cloth napkin, “I was just saying to Claire that I imagine your family would be wonderful to work for.”

  Jamie took a long sip from his own glass, sucking in his top lip as he placed his glass down. “We aren't too bad...I suppose?", a flash of teeth, “why do ye ask?”

Geneva turned to me a bemused expression across her face. “I was just saying to Claire she did a wonderful job on preparing our little cottage, she will be a great asset”.  We seemed to have grabbed the rest of the dinner party's attention, as I pinked slightly conscious of several sets of eyes on me. “An asset?” Jamie cut across, his lips pursed and hands clasped together, resting on the table as if in prayer, engaged.

  Geneva glanced around the room quickly, her cheeks flushing “well at working for Lallybroch estates?” she clarified.

Jamie just snorted, head downwards and shaking from side to side, “She doesna work at Lallybroch.” He said grinning, he took  my hand delicately in his, rubbing over the diamond on my ring finger, eyes soft now as they sought me out  “Claire is the future Mrs Fraser.”

  It was only a second, but I watched Geneva’s face crumble before she fixed a bright smile across her lips. Hand shakily grabbing for her wine glass, it was the sympathy in Isobel's eyes watching Geneva that made me wonder how deep her feelings ran. “Congratulations” her voice wavered slightly.

  “We are having a small little celebration tomorrow night for Claire and Jamie, and hoped ye would be able to attend?” Ellen said smiling warmly before her sweeping glance fell on her brother and it cooled considerably. Dougal Mc Kenzie was in some ways the complete opposite to Ellen, he lacked her warmth, graciousness and kindness but I couldn’t argue that he didn’t share her astuteness. Since he had arrived alongside the Dunsany's he appeared to be presenting the Frasers as a sacrificial offering on a plate, there was something in it for him to facilitate this visit and I wondered if he was loyal to anyone, only himself?

  Dougal pushed his chair back from the table abruptly, almost bouncing his discarded dessert spoon across his plate. “Ellen dear sister, would ye be so kind as to bring  some cognacs into the drawing room?” the gentleman has some business to discuss.”

  Ellen looked at Dougal bemusedly, almost a hint of sympathy in her tone when she said “Dougal, I dinna ken what century ye think it is, but my husband is well fit to serve ye cognac, and if ye think for a minute the business ye consider only involve the men occupying the house tonight, ye are very much mistaken.”

  Dougal's 6ft, 6 height did nothing to intimidate his sister and when he opened his mouth to argue Ellen raised her hand, “I will join my husband if the matter is to do with our business” the ‘our’ said an octave higher than the rest. Ellen smiled warmly over at Brian “as always”; Brian ran his hand over the back of his wife’s “as always” he repeated softly.

  Dougal let out a huff of breath and swigged down a large gulp of whiskey, his cheeks were naturally ruddy, it was hard to tell if the deeper flush was to do with his temper or the vast amount of whiskey he had put away.

  “Of course sister,” he said smiling sweetly. Lord Dunsany’s deep aerostatic voice cut through the family tension. “Ellen, Brian, I will gladly discuss the matter with you of course, but its imperative that James should attend, he is the carrot in this deal.” He clapped Jamie on the back, and all eyes flicked to him, he didn't look at all surprised at Lord Dunsany's words but attempted a wink in my direction and said: “Aye, I will be there.”

  I squeezed Jamie’s hand “good luck, I will go ahead up to the cottage with Willie”. As I rose to leave Geneva stood, “you know I think you are right Ellen, I would like to talk business too, after all” she looked to her sister, “decisions taken today will affect us further down the line”, she gave me a curt nod, and excused herself from the table.

  ________________________

  I lay awake for some time hoping Jamie would return and tell me how it went, but I eventually was lulled to sleep.

  He woke me with a gentle shake sometime before dawn, my eyes were blurry from sleep, I rubbed them quickly and ran my hand through my hair, now able to take Jamie in, he looked positively wild, his hair standing in rufts ontop his head, clothes dishevelled and his eyes bloodshot. My heart started to beat painfully against my chest.

“Sassenach,” he said in a solemn whisper, “we need to talk.”

[sending-the-message]

Mom's Spaghetti by amcma10

No, this has nothing to do with a certain white rapper whose name is reminiscent of chocolate candies.

Pamela prided herself on her culinary talents but spaghetti was something that had always eluded her. My mother would spend hours in the kitchen chopping onions, bell peppers, pressing fresh organic garlic, hand smashing her tomatos, browning ground beef and for what? A tasteless smathering of lumpy red perched atop a plateful of overcooked fat noodles. At least the garlic bread always turned out ok.

I hated seeing the look of defeat in her eyes as me and my brother tried to choke down a forkful. She'd just put her head down and say "maybe next time."

It's been several months since my mother has attempted to perfect her infamous pasta dish for the umpteenth time.

Sometimes she'd ask me "What the hell am I doing wrong?" Having a knack for cooking myself I would inquire her of the basics. "Where are you buying your meat? How much oregano are you using? Did you saute the vegetables in buttor or oil?" Of course she really didn't want me to answer as it was always rhetorical.

She'd glare at me and then say "Well aren't you just Betty fucking Crocker." I know it was meant to sting but hearing my mom drop the "F" bomb always sent me into hysterics and in the end she would just end up laughing with me.

I got the call I'd been dreading on a Tuesday afternoon in late April following my mother's recent routine mammogram.

There was a mass detected during the test and she was immediately set up for an ultrasound and biopsy. "It's cancer Alex, stage 4 and inoperable," mom said as soon as I picked up. Her tone was so matter of fact. I felt my knees wobble as I struggled to comprehend what was happening.

My mom, the most stubborn, loving, nurturing pain in the ass person I had grown so dependent on was now telling me her fate.

Days passed by and then weeks, all a blur of doctor appointments and radiation and chemo treatments. The day my mom's hair began to fall out in clumps I took her wig shopping. I didn't give a damn how much the thing cost as long as it made her feel a little more like herself.

When the steroids caused her to gain weight she joked about how she'd always wished she had a little meat on her bones, if for only a short time. I cried myself stupid when I went to visit her and she couldn't remember what year it was, or that I had already moved out, even it was only two streets over. She thought it was funny when she kept trying to answer her phone only to find herself holding the tv remote to her ear.

My father and brother were dealing with things in their own way, dad hit the bottle and brother hit the pipe.

I was the only one without a crutch. I had to be the strong one.

The daily visits to my parent's home were becoming a struggle and I hated the blood shot eyes my father would gaze up at me from. At least the hospice nurse I hired was doing a fantastic job taking care of mother so she didn't end up in too much pain or develop crater sized bed sores.

The end was coming, the doctors had already prepared me in terms of a time line.

"Less than a month," he said at the last visit. His tone wasn't callous but it lacked the emotion I felt I was due considering I was the only one at this point who seemed to give a damn. That was early August.

Two nights ago I was laying on my couch watching the nightly news when I heard the door bell ring. It was well past 10 o'clock and my mind wondered aloud who it could possibly be.

I shuffled into my bedroom shoes and answered the door. It didn't seem possible! There standing on my porch was my mother albeit in a robe holding a pyrex dish in her frail arms.

"I made you some spaghetti", she beamed. I stood looking at her slack jawed. My mother hadn't the strength to sit up on the side of her bed unassisted for weeks let alone walk the two blocks from her house to mine.

"Take it, I finally figured it out," she said, still smiling while pushing the dish towards me.

In all that my mind was trying to process I couldn't believe how wonderful the dish smelled. It was still quite warm and I realized I hadn't eaten since morning.

"Come in mama, sit down. Where's Nancy?" I inquired of the hospice nurse. Mom just shook her head and said she slipped out while Nancy went out back to smoke a cigarette. "Well you're not walking back home" I told her. "Let me go put this in the kitchen and I'll be right back to drive you home."

It was less than a minute that I spent placing the Pyrex dish on my counter and going to the bedroom to grab my keys off my dresser but when I came back to the living room mom was gone. I ran outside to see if I could catch her but there wasn't even a glimpse. No way mom could have moved that fast in that amount of time. Before I even opened my car door to head over to see what the hell was going on I heard a loud siren that sounded like it was getting closer and closer. My heart dropped to my stomach.

I arrived at my parent's house immediately behind the ambulance. Nancy was standing outside under the porch light with tears pooling in her eyes. I ran up the steps only to hear her say "I'm sorry Alex, your mother passed away ten minutes ago. I was just about to call you after phoning the coroner when your dad....well" her voice dropped off. In a sickening ironic twist dad had drank himself into an alcohol induced coma which was why the EMT's were called and we still had to wait on the coroner to pronounce mom dead.

It was well after midnight before I finally got home. Mother's body was taken to the funeral home and dad was being tended to in the ER. I couldn't even deal with that shit right now. It wasn't until I looked at the Pyrex dish full of spaghetti on my kitchen counter that I broke down in sobs.

My whole body shook with grief as I sank down to the floor. I don't know how long I stayed there but after a while I pulled myself up and walked over to the dishwasher. I pulled out a plate and a fork and a large spoon. I removed the top of the dish and scooped out a large portion splattering sauce on myself and my plate. I didn't even bother heating it up. I sat down at the table and took a bite. It was the best damn spaghetti I had ever eaten.