Part 2
"Great girl, Alana"
Freddie told her brother in law the next day when they were having lunch together going over at article she was writing about Will.
"Giving her the job as your assistant was the best move you've ever made"
"I'll second that, she's a peach"
Hannibal smiled at Freddie before narrowing his eyes.
"if you even think about cheating on my sister, I will kill you Freddie. And you know what happens to exes in this family, don't you?"
His smirk would have unnerved anyone but the curly redhead reporter.
"I'm surprised other therapists haven't tried to poach her"
"Who says they haven't? I don't about therapists but I do know one thing - that girl would never leave you. She's loyal to a fault. She reminds me of Bedelia when I first met her. Less frigid though"
Bedelia and Freddie had met after a patient had attacked Bedelia, got killed by Hannibal and Freddie was going to write an article about it. It was lust at first sight. The love came later and now the two were inseparable and more than willing to have their family expanded and a ring on Hannibal's finger.
"I should probably give her a raise"
Hannibal grinned at Freddie who rolled her eyes
"You should give her something alright"
She muttered to herself. Hannibal frowned in question but Freddie only grinned and shook her head opting to keep her mouth shut on this one.
"So, what did you want to see me about?"
"Bedelia wanted me to invite you to dinner on Sunday. She told me to tell you that your nieces are starting to forget what you look like. She also added that it would be nice if you brought a date some time"
Freddie recited the message mimicking her significant other's slow staccato perfectly.
"Bedelia has been trying to marry me off since she was ten years old. Would you please remind my sister that I'm the older brother?"
"Oh no, I'm not getting in the middle of you two again!"
Freddie laughed.
"Last time you and my wife got into one of your little spats, it was at the Christmas party and she didn't like your date - a Playboy model, wasn't she?"
Hannibal shook his head.
"Former adult film actress."
"Whatever. As I recall, Bedelia was going at you and Alana saved your butt"
"Yeah, she did, that's another one I owe Alana"
Hannibal said. His sister was not at all shy about vocalizing her opinion. Alana seemed to be the one person on earth who was not afraid to challenge her or calm her down. Bedelia and Alana got along extremely well and lunched at least once a week.
Dinner with Bedelia and Freddie a few days later was a win-lose. Freddie was thrilled at Hannibal's success in catching them an excellent dinner in the face of killer that had held Freddie hostage once. Bedelia was not at all thrilled that her brother had come to dinner alone.
"When are you going to find someone you can bring to dinner and not as the guest of honor?"
Bedelia must have said that to him about five times in the course of the evening.
"When I find someone I think is special enough that you'll approve of"
Hannibal countered.
"Alana thinks you're too picky"
Bedelia shot back with a knowing smirk.
"Alana hasn't liked any of the women I've gone out with either. Look, don't you think I want someone amazing? I've been looking for years, but our parents and you; you've set the bar too high. I deserve someone as much as you do and when I find her, I'll bring her in along with the Hallelujah Chorus in behind us. Until then, there is nothing you or Alana can do about it"
"You should ask Alana to find someone for you, she knows you better than anyone"
Bedelia insisted taking a sip of her white wine.
"When we got to lunch, sometimes I have to get her to stop talking about you. You're my older brother and I think that she knows more about you than I do. I do hope you value her"
"I'm always telling her I couldn't do it without her. I don't see you pushing her to date someone"
Hannibal shot back.
"She is dating someone wonderful Hannibal. I quite like Will"
"He is insane!"
"And we're cannibals. What's your point?"
Hannibal laughed.
"Valentine's Day is coming up next week, are you getting her anything nice?"
"We usually go to lunch together"
Hannibal answered.
"She brings muffins for breakfast and we have a late lunch at a diner we both like and then, we knock off for the rest of the day"
Bedelia shook her head and brushed some of her light blond curls from her forehead.
"You two have known each other 10 years at the end of February; you should make some kind of grand gesture. Lunch isn't enough Hannibal, go whole or go home"
"What do you suggest?"
Bedelia rolled her eyes and walked to the bar to open another bottle of wine. They'd need it if she was going to knock some sense in her big brother's head.
"I shouldn't have to do all of your thinking for you. You have a week, think of something on your own"
