Thanks to Agent Get Amy And Ian Together, for following and favoriting, Volcanic Lily and TheTranquilTornado for reviewing, those really mean a lot to me. Iamastar and beachbum999 for favoriting, and TheTranquilTornado for subscribing. Hope you all read Trust No One, and if you did you'll see that I actually made an accurate prediction. Thanks for reading, I don't own the 39 Clues and please review.
After Natalie left, everywhere there seemed to be a void for Ian Kabra. There was no voice in the mornings, arguing with Dan. There was no one to tease him, or insult Amy's wardrobe. Amy seemed to understand Ian's sadness, or feel the same way, because whenever they spoke of going out, neither of them put in a real effort of putting it into action. It felt as if they were taking advantage of Natalie being away when they should be mourning. But one day, while Dan was at a video game convention, Amy got a call on her way home from school.
"Love, don't make any plans for tonight's dinner. I'm cooking."
"Ian wha-" Dial tone. Ian, she thought. Always after all these years, still cryptic, and lacking details. There was still so much to learn about him, and although Amy had over the years learned to hate surprises, she couldn't help looking forward to tonight.
Ian met her at the front door. Seeing that she was loaded down with books, he said, "Let me carry those for you, love."
"No, its okay, I've been carrying them all day. It builds character."
Ian chuckled. This has been a running joke between Amy and Ian since they got together. What builds stronger character that fighting off Vespers to save hostages, foiling plans for a dooms day device or traveling around the world to find the 39 clues? "I insist."
"Okay." She said, with a smile in her voice dumping her books into his arms. "You know, if I did half the things you did for me…"
"Then I wouldn't be British."
"Ha-ha. What I was going to say was that you'd probably have time to start another business."
"Like I'm not already tired of the one I own now?" They reached the front door. Ian effortlessly shifted the book from one side of his body and held the door open for Amy.
"You, know, you don't really have to do that."
"Hold the door for you," Ian said in mock shock "The headmaster of my charm school would hit me on the backside with her ruler for even considering not holding the door for my love."
"That's not what I meant. We have plenty of money. You can take classes at the university and do something you enjoy for a change."
" You have plenty of money. I do not under any circumstance take charity. If I can't earn a living, I can't afford to pay for Natalie's treatment. I already failed her once, but not having enough money to help her is incredibly irresponsible."
"Oh Ian I wish…" Amy reached the dining room. "Oh my gosh Ian, this must have taken all afternoon." The dining room was lavishly decorated with a red tablecloth, silverware polished so well you could be stunned by the light of the chandelier, with all 60 lights lit, shining into your eyes. The napkins were folded into swans and the plates were of the finest china, a gift from Ian two years ago for Christmas.
"Surprise," Ian said as smooth as ever. "Now I'll go fetch the first course, after dropping your books off in the study. Make yourself comfortable," he said, pulling out a chair for her."
When both of them were situated with an exquisite meal, Amy brought up the subject again. "You, know, you could always hire a CEO, and have him make the decisions. You could check in once a week and take some classes with me at Harvard."
Ian shook his head, smiling. Persistence is one of her most endearing qualities. He thought."You never give it a rest, do you? And who do you suppose I hire for a job such as this?"
"Well it must stay in the family…"
"Let me guess. You're suggesting I hire Hamilton Holt." And most perturbing.
"Just on preliminary bases. To see if he can handle it."
"What does he know about art, or business? What if he can't handle it?"
" He did graduate from Notre Dame, with honors."
" He was a healthy living major!"
" But he was a minor in business. He has more training than you do, and you're great at it."
" Amy, Amy, Amy, how many times do I have to tell you that you don't have to stroke my ego to get what you want. Your gorgeous eyes do it already."
"So you'll talk to him?"
"Fine. I shall speak to him in the morning."
"Great! I'll run upstairs and get an application and class catalogues."
As Amy dashed out of the room, Ian couldn't help but wonder how long she had been planning this. What made Amy different than anyone else that he had met was that she observed the world, not just saw it. When Natalie came home, Amy was the first to realize she was having problems. She knew exactly what was wrong with everyone at any given time. Ian can admit he had been stressed out about the business lately, but today was the first time he had ever commented on it.
When Amy came back downstairs, she proved his point. In her arms were every last pamphlet, form, catalogue or flier from her school, all neatly marked and organized into folders by category. In fact, if you were to look closely, you could see careful notes, outlining her ideas for Ian in the margins. Could think of a time when had felt more loved, or loved her more. He could propose now, over the scattered papers, looking into her eyes, and explaining the way he felt at that very moment, and he had no doubt it would be effective. But today wasn't the day, tonight wasn't the time, and 21 wasn't the age, so tonight he settled for being with her, as if that were settling.
