Chapter 3 Muggle Studiers... Er- Studies
Brian sighed. It had been a good day. Crystal had been over, and it had been fun, despite the fact that his hand had been broken for a small amount of time.
"I wonder where everyone else is," he said aloud. "Then again, maybe not..."
Mac had gone home, after Brynn had done something about the bruise on her head. Though both Brynn and Mac were in various degrees of distress, Brynn had gotten the better end of this deal... But at the moment, Brynn was visiting Athena again...
"So, anything else you'd like to talk about?" Athena said, looking around the room.
"Oh, not really. Did you move here now?"
"Yeah, I'm a few houses down.... My husband is getting everything all set up. He should be getting here soon. Was that poor boy hit with the paperweight your boyfriend? He's adorable."
"Yeah, that's Mac. Known him ever since preschool, when we got Jeff Matters to lick the blackboard. Those were the days..."
"What, forcing other children to lick chalkboards? You really are a Black..."
"Dad taught me that trick... He got Meagan to do that too, but she was a first year. Well, that's his side of the story. She's probably got a different viewpoint."
"I see. I looked up to the Marauders when I was little. I was still practically a baby when Sirius graduated. I wanted to be just like him... I graduated a few years before your older sister did."
"Hmm... Cate. Whatever you do, don't make her angry. And don't mention Meagan, Harry, or anyone who is a good person in front of her. She has an intense hatred for most of Meagan's friends."
"Okay, I'll be sure not to do that..."
The doorbell rang at that point. Brynn, who was less lazy by now, answered it. This left her facing a very angry looking Cate. Behind Cate was Bellum, grinning. Beside Bellum was a man she had never seen before. His hair was brownish blondish, and he was smiling sheepishly. Cate grabbed him firmly by the arm and pushed him forward.
"I suppose this is yours." She said to Athena, glaring.
"Yes, this is my husband Ryan. Ryan, what were you doing?" Athena answered, raising her eyebrows.
"I was visiting the neighbors..." he shrugged, his blue eyes sparkling.
"Visiting the neighbors..." Cate chuckled. Suddenly, she stopped and glared at Athena, who looked quite taken aback. Your husband decided to have a drink with my husband." Cate paused to hit Bellum hard on the arm. It wasn't a playful hit either, as he shouted, and rubbed his arm.
"So, what's wrong with that?" Athena said, keeping her composure, and managing not to talk any louder than Cate was talking, and ranting about some little thing. She gave her husband, who was putting on his best innocent act, a hug. "They drinking your expensive wine?"
"Well, Ryan here decided to check out the neighborhood. MY husband-" she paused here to punch Bellum hard on the arm. It wasn't a playful punch either, for Bellum cringed, and rubbed the spot where she hit him. "Decided they should have a drink and..."
"So they had a drink, what's wrong with it?" Athena said, looking a little skeptically at her husband.
"Almost all the drinks are gone. My children are running about the hose like monkeys. My husband is completely wasted," (Bellum waved absentmindedly at the mention of 'my husband') "My house is a disaster, and there is a ghoul loose from my attic."
"That's it?" Athena said. "That's nothing..."
"AND... I cannot find my son. The dog is missing. And that man has been staring at me all night! I could not return him.. I do not know where he lives, and currently, NEITHER DOES HE! I had to wait until THEY all left... bunch of freaks that was here... and I am NOT in a good mood. Felicity got into the dark magic while I was trying to calm down these two..."
"Erm... Ethan's in the kitchen." Brynn said. "I think I'll go get him..." Brynn took off running to find Ethan.
"Well, not that son, MY BABY! Where is Jack you disgusting Pig?" Cate said, lunging at Ryan. She punched him hard in the face, and knocked out a tooth. Athena's jaw dropped. She watched Cate attack her husband. It was quite humorous. He was twice her size, and she was beating him up quite badly. But then again, Ryan looked more than half dunk by the looks of things.
"Hold on a second..." Athena said, prying her off Ryan. "He lost your baby?"
"Well, Jack was with HIM," she pointed to Bellum, who was swaying back and forth. "and when I entered the room, the liquor case was practically empty, and Jack was no where in sight! Jack is not even a year old! WHERE'S MY KID YOU FILTHY BASTARD?!"
"Ask your husband, wench!" Athena said, prying her once more off Ryan, who looked unconscious.
"Baby.... Jack... He's asleep..."
"ASLEEP?" Cate said, lunging now at Bellum. "Asleep as in how?"
"I think I..." Bellum paused to think real hard. "I gave him to Paige.... She took him upstairs."
Cate laughed insanely, her hair was a mess. Athena was beginning to think she had been in the liquor case as well... She stopped to look around. Brynn had returned with Ethan, as well as Bryce. They were all staring. Bellum smiled, satisfied with what he had said.
"Are you sure?" Cate asked him once more.
"Um..." Bellum scratched his head, still not all together. "No... Maybe...."
"ETTHAN!!" Cate shrieked.
"What mum?" Ethan said, shaking his head.
"Find Jack. Take your father. When you get home, knock your father out. Make sure he won't wake up until I get there. Find your sisters too, make sure everyone is alive."
"Okay mum..."
"I'm not done with you." Cate pointed at Athena. "Who are you anyways?"
"Athena, and that's AUNT Athena to you..."
"Oh dear Lord... Help me! AUNT Athena is almost my age..."
"Aunt Brynn is my age...." Ethan said, laughing at Brynn.
"Go home! Take HIM... And find Jack!"
"Yeah, yeah... Bye Bryce, Bye Brynn!" Ethan called, dragging Bellum out the door.
"Make sure HE..." Cate pointed at Ryan. "Does not come to my manor again. Mind you, do not give him liquor of any sort. I believe my children are all in danger! So is my HUSBAND! It's not the poor thing's fault... He's NEVER been that drunk in his life! Not even on out honeymoon, or any other time I recall."
"Sure thing, Boss." Athena said, still standing up straight, her eyebrows raised. "We're staying the night here, if need be you yell at us more..."
"Goodbye!" Cate shrieked.
"Oh, and by the way, we live right next door."
"ARGGHH!"
"Thanks, nice meeting you too!"
Cate stormed out and slammed the door behind her. Brynn, Bryce, Athena, Sirius, Brooke, Bridgett, Lizzie, Brian, Marie, and Dominic stared. Sirius had his eyes partially shut, and Lizzie had grasped onto his arm tightly. Brooke was hiding behind Brian, and Brian was hiding behind Bryce. Bryce was hiding behind Brynn, and Brynn was positioned beside Athena. Marie and Dominic were hiding behind Sirius and Lizzie, looking sadly at their father.
"Is she always this angry?" Athena asked, carefully.
"No, she must be in a good mood." Sirius answered. Athena stared. "I think it's either she's been drinking, or either she's gone temporarily insane, or else she's pregnant again. I'm quite sure she's not pregnant... Showed no signs of that. I think she must have had some of the liquor...."
"That's what I was thinking." Athena sighed. "Erm... What can I do with Ryan?"
Lizzie sighed, and stepped forward. She shot a sharp blast of lightning and he woke up instantly. "She's crazy! Mad! All I did was have a drink with her husband! He's a nice guy, but she's MAD!"
"Ry, did you destroy the house?"
"Well, not exactly..." Ryan shifted uncomfortably.
"Did you lose their baby?"
"No that I didn't do..."
"How many drinks did you give her husband?"
"Erm...."
"Ryan, can you even count that high?!"
"I think so...."
"Now she hates ME! And that's the person I could least do without hating me..." she pulled him off up the stairs. Marie and Dominic stared, now out from behind Sirius and Lizzie.
"Has daddy gone a-sane?" Dominic asked.
"No, but he might have gone INsane...." Marie answered. "We'll go to our rooms, Uncle Sirius. Thank-you for the candy!"
"Mum, dad, she's chaperoning our trip... Cate and Bellum... The Muggle Studies trip...." Bryce said a little nervously...
"I'm sure they'll calm down in 2 weeks enough to where they're sane." Lizzie answered. "I do hope poor Jack is alright...."
"Me too... For the sake of the world...." Brynn added.
~*~
Cate had gotten across the street soon enough to have the horror of knocking her husband out herself. She didn't have to put much of an effort in. All she did was stand him up properly, and push him over. And just like that he was out cold. She decided her could stay on the cold marble floor until he woke up. She hoped he wouldn't even think of coming to bed.
Cate and Ethan put together a nice effort to find Jack. They found Felicity first, who was asleep with a bag of dark tools, which Cate snatched and put in her pocket. Then they came across Paige, who was still trying to get into the sweets. Her sloppy pigtails bounced up and down.
"Where's your brother?" Cate demanded, picking her up.
"Right there!" Paige pointed at Ethan.
"No, Jack!"
"Jack's in his crib. Daddy put him there before the man with candy came...."
"Go to sleep Paige..." Cate said, putting her down. "Let's check Jack's room..."
Sure enough, there was Jack, cute as a button, sound asleep. Cate sighed, picked him up, and hugged him. She sat down in the rocking chair, and smiled slightly.
"Thanks, Ethan darling. You're a good boy."
"Welcome, mum. Goodnight...."
~*~
At around 6:00 in the morning, Bellum woke up, rubbing his aching head. His head wasn't all that ached either.... He got up, stepped over some trash, picked up Felicity, who was still asleep on the couch, and carried her up a few flights of stairs to her room. He kissed her forehead, and left.
After one more flight of stairs, he stood in front of a rather large door. He rubbed his head once more, sighed, and pushed it open. Something flew past his head. He looked up, taking a breath. Cate was glaring at him. She shot him one more piercing glare, and asked him a question...
"What are you doing here?"
"Well, erm... it's my bedroom too! Don't I get to sleep here..."
"Usually. But after you've destroyed the house and almost lost my child, I think there are exceptions..."
"Well, I remember where he was. I put him in his crib... I'm sorry Cate."
"I know. It's not too bad. Just... Keep away from that man."
"Sorry... I can't recall that ever happening...."
"Me either. Just be sure it won't happen again."
"So are we un-mad at each other?" Bellum asked, putting a sad look on his face.
"Yes." Cate said sternly. Bellum frowned, looking her straight in the eyes with sad puppy-dog ones. "Oh, cut that out!" Cate said, smiling slightly. "Stop being so damn attractive! Oh, I'm not mad at you anymore... Come here..."
Bellum grinned, and flopped over on the bed. He looked up at Cate, and she shook her head and kissed him. He smiled. He was quite proud of himself. He had never been kicked out of the bedroom, and was glad about this one... I had been a close call.
"Well, at least let me make this up to you."
"You can clean the house by hand. Attic to Basement...."
"I'll still be working by the time Jack graduates... How about I take you out to dinner? Tomorrow night sound good?"
"Mm... I suppose.... I still think it'd be more fun for you to clean house... Get down on your hands and knees..."
"No thanks, we have magic to clean you know..."
"But it's more fun to watch."
"Freak...."
"Me, freak? Ha! That's right, oh drunk 'I lost the baby' man. Bet your friends will love that story...."
"Oh, truly. You are evil...."
"Why thank you... What should I wear tomorrow?"
"I dunno." Bellum shrugged. "Anything works. You can make any old thing look good..."
Cate laughed. She ran her fingers through her husband's hair. She knew he'd say that. Jack was staring to fuss. He'd been asleep the whole night, and was starting to wake. Cate sighed, and went to pick him up, throwing a dirty look at Bellum once more.
"Remember before the children?" she sighed, cradling little Jack.
"Yeah... Some of it was good. Some wasn't as great. But I sure do miss the fact that it was just the two of us sometimes...."
"Me too... If we leave the kids with Sirius and Lizzie tomorrow, we can have it to ourselves a little before and after we go...."
"Sounds Great."
"Remember when you had Ethan?"
"Did you have to remind me?"
"Yes, I thought it was funny..."
"You weren't the one in labor."
"You broke my hand."
"So? I 'll bet my life I was in more pain..."
"Well, I can still remember that day like it was only yesterday..."
*********FLASHBACK**********
"I. Am. A. Blimp." Cate said, looking younger, and a lot rounder. She looked in fact, as if she could barely move.
"No you aren't! You still look better than Meagan did... and your poor mother!"
"Meagan is bigger than I am anyways. And my mum had twins! Am I that fat?!" Cate said, looking directly at a slice of cheesecake.
"No, I wasn't. I was just saying you're the best looking still."
"You're an awful liar."
"No, I'm just bad at telling the truth. Either that or my wife is blind..."
"Both. You're bad at lying and telling the truth. And I am not blind. Besides, I'm due any day now..."
"Well good, then maybe we'll stop complaining. Eat the cheesecake, Cate. Stop staring at it."
"Are you sure? You don't want it?"
"No, I'll have this here tasty banana."
"Okay... You do that, I'll enjoy my cheesecake."
"Good. I'll enjoy my banana."
"Do you have everything organized? Music, clothing, books, suitcase?"
"Yep. All set to go. At the first sign of labor pains-- and you ate ALL that already?"
"Yeah... Still working on that banana I see..."
"Yes, it's delicious." Bellum said, looking at the empty cheesecake plate.
"You wanted that, didn't you?"
"No." Bellum said, gulping the banana in one more large bite. "I made it... for you."
"Sure. You're an awful liar."
"No, I'm just bad at telling the truth."
Cate smiled though, and sat down next to him. She had calmed down loads since her evil-over-lady days. Then she suddenly went white, and grabbed hold of her husband. Bellum screamed, and he heard and felt some bones crack in his wrist.
"PAIN! Get the stuff! Hospital!"
"Where did you put it?"
"You had it!"
"No... I packed it... You put it away!"
"Go look for it! I cannot MOVE!"
"I-I don't know where it is!" said Bellum, returning a few minutes later.
"MY WATER JUST BROKE AND YOU CAN'T FIND THE BLOODY SUITCASE?!"
"Wait! The closet!"
"Why didn't you check there before? AHHHH!!!!"
"Sorry! I've got it now though!"
"Car!!!" Cate huffed, between rapid breaths.
"Car! Got it!"
Bellum was more nervous than Cate. The fact that he was going to be a father just seemed to have hit him. They arrived at the car only to realize Bellum forgot the keys. Cate shrieked, and lost it. She lunged at him, and they disappeared. They appeared in an emergency room.
"My wife's in labor!" Bellum announced importantly.
"Thanks, you were a lot of help! CONTRACTION!"
Cate was in hysterics. It was 10 times worst than when she found out she was pregnant. Eventually, three or so nurses were able to calm her down and drag her off to deliver her baby. Bellum made sure to instant owl everyone, and get his hand fixed. It was broken in several spots, and his other wrist was broken before the time Ethan was born...
*****BACK TO PRESENT TIME*****
"You were such a spazz. I should have et you have that cheesecake then. Maybe it would have helped. That banana obviously didn't..."
"Well, the thought of fatherhood finally got me."
"Oh, and after all we'd been through, this little thing got to you?"
"Yes...."
"Well, I think now that Jack's asleep, we should get some sleep too..."
"You mean actual sleep?"
"Yup. Might do us some good..."
"I'll try that...."
"Okay, maybe the effects are better than bananas...."
~*~
"Ahh... the smell of Muggles." Mac said, taking a deep breath of the air. "Kinda nasty if you ask me...."
"No, that's just the smell of Ethan." Bryce said.
"Naw, you must be standing too close to Bryce." Ethan said defensively.
"It's all your scents mixed together.... Mac, did you shower?"
"Yes Brynn, I happened to have showered... I say it's the Muggles..."
"Maybe it's this American Soil?" Bryce suggested.
"Nope. The dirt smells fine." Ethan said, smelling it.
"Well, maybe we should... turn our noses off..."
"I got it!" Mac said. "JEFF! TAKE A SHOWER MAN!"
"Shut up... you're annoying." Cate snapped. "It smells fine. Those Muggles are looking at us now."
"No Cate, they're looking at you." Brynn said, looking around the town. "That group of boys really likes your clothes... Those girls are looking at your husband.... Wait- that demented one is looking at Jeff..."
"Don't make eye contact. Just keep moving...." Ethan said, in a very educated sort of voice. "OoOOoOoOOOoooo.. They like us! Hello! Hello! You like my accent? How lovely!"
"Let's go to the mall first." Brynn suggested. "I always wondered what those were..."
"We have to take the bus...." Mac said. "It's LEAVING us!! WAAIIIIT!"
They caught the bus, barely. They had to cram people in seats as well. Bryce was practically on the lap of an elderly Muggle man. Brynn was sitting on Mac, and Ethan was wedged between his parents.
"Mom! Dad! You're embarrassing... Stop it! No! Don't kiss each other on the bus... STOOOOP! I'm sitting right between you! Ack! Bryce, save me!"
"Sorry mate, I can't move!" Bryce hollered, as the elderly man beat him with his walking stick.
"We're here!" Brynn shouted, jumping off Mac, and sliding off the bus before anyone else.
"Mall! I don't get it...." Ethan said, scratching his head.
"You have to go inside." Cate informed them. "Shops are indoors here. And there's food court..."
"Let's eat! I'm starving!" Bryce said, pulling everyone with him.
At the food court, Cate and Bellum had a table to themselves. There bodies had changed back o what they looked like as 17 year olds. The Black curse had come back into affect. It affected them both....There was a group of staring teenagers.
"We have an audience..." Bellum said, nodding towards them.
"Well, we need a show... Come here... Stand up.... Now, play along..."
Cate pulled him up, took him off to a corner, and kissed him hard. Half the teenage group sighed. Bellum kissed her back, and the rest of the group sighed. He let his hands wander, and they made a nice show, until the security guard told them to get a room. Ethan had sank low in his chair, and was bright red…
"Sorry, we aren't acquainted with your rules. New to the country." Bellum said, accent heavier than usual.
"Well, save it for later, you two young lovebirds." (Cate snorted) at that comment they both giggled.
"And this is only the first day..." Brynn sighed...
(A/N: Aight, all you people. This is all I'm going to post until some kind soul decides to review! Then I'll post more! Just touch the little button! Type a lil' comment! Make a little author happy!!! Please? I'll give you an imaginary cookie….
Toodles,
Cathy)
Brian sighed. It had been a good day. Crystal had been over, and it had been fun, despite the fact that his hand had been broken for a small amount of time.
"I wonder where everyone else is," he said aloud. "Then again, maybe not..."
Mac had gone home, after Brynn had done something about the bruise on her head. Though both Brynn and Mac were in various degrees of distress, Brynn had gotten the better end of this deal... But at the moment, Brynn was visiting Athena again...
"So, anything else you'd like to talk about?" Athena said, looking around the room.
"Oh, not really. Did you move here now?"
"Yeah, I'm a few houses down.... My husband is getting everything all set up. He should be getting here soon. Was that poor boy hit with the paperweight your boyfriend? He's adorable."
"Yeah, that's Mac. Known him ever since preschool, when we got Jeff Matters to lick the blackboard. Those were the days..."
"What, forcing other children to lick chalkboards? You really are a Black..."
"Dad taught me that trick... He got Meagan to do that too, but she was a first year. Well, that's his side of the story. She's probably got a different viewpoint."
"I see. I looked up to the Marauders when I was little. I was still practically a baby when Sirius graduated. I wanted to be just like him... I graduated a few years before your older sister did."
"Hmm... Cate. Whatever you do, don't make her angry. And don't mention Meagan, Harry, or anyone who is a good person in front of her. She has an intense hatred for most of Meagan's friends."
"Okay, I'll be sure not to do that..."
The doorbell rang at that point. Brynn, who was less lazy by now, answered it. This left her facing a very angry looking Cate. Behind Cate was Bellum, grinning. Beside Bellum was a man she had never seen before. His hair was brownish blondish, and he was smiling sheepishly. Cate grabbed him firmly by the arm and pushed him forward.
"I suppose this is yours." She said to Athena, glaring.
"Yes, this is my husband Ryan. Ryan, what were you doing?" Athena answered, raising her eyebrows.
"I was visiting the neighbors..." he shrugged, his blue eyes sparkling.
"Visiting the neighbors..." Cate chuckled. Suddenly, she stopped and glared at Athena, who looked quite taken aback. Your husband decided to have a drink with my husband." Cate paused to hit Bellum hard on the arm. It wasn't a playful hit either, as he shouted, and rubbed his arm.
"So, what's wrong with that?" Athena said, keeping her composure, and managing not to talk any louder than Cate was talking, and ranting about some little thing. She gave her husband, who was putting on his best innocent act, a hug. "They drinking your expensive wine?"
"Well, Ryan here decided to check out the neighborhood. MY husband-" she paused here to punch Bellum hard on the arm. It wasn't a playful punch either, for Bellum cringed, and rubbed the spot where she hit him. "Decided they should have a drink and..."
"So they had a drink, what's wrong with it?" Athena said, looking a little skeptically at her husband.
"Almost all the drinks are gone. My children are running about the hose like monkeys. My husband is completely wasted," (Bellum waved absentmindedly at the mention of 'my husband') "My house is a disaster, and there is a ghoul loose from my attic."
"That's it?" Athena said. "That's nothing..."
"AND... I cannot find my son. The dog is missing. And that man has been staring at me all night! I could not return him.. I do not know where he lives, and currently, NEITHER DOES HE! I had to wait until THEY all left... bunch of freaks that was here... and I am NOT in a good mood. Felicity got into the dark magic while I was trying to calm down these two..."
"Erm... Ethan's in the kitchen." Brynn said. "I think I'll go get him..." Brynn took off running to find Ethan.
"Well, not that son, MY BABY! Where is Jack you disgusting Pig?" Cate said, lunging at Ryan. She punched him hard in the face, and knocked out a tooth. Athena's jaw dropped. She watched Cate attack her husband. It was quite humorous. He was twice her size, and she was beating him up quite badly. But then again, Ryan looked more than half dunk by the looks of things.
"Hold on a second..." Athena said, prying her off Ryan. "He lost your baby?"
"Well, Jack was with HIM," she pointed to Bellum, who was swaying back and forth. "and when I entered the room, the liquor case was practically empty, and Jack was no where in sight! Jack is not even a year old! WHERE'S MY KID YOU FILTHY BASTARD?!"
"Ask your husband, wench!" Athena said, prying her once more off Ryan, who looked unconscious.
"Baby.... Jack... He's asleep..."
"ASLEEP?" Cate said, lunging now at Bellum. "Asleep as in how?"
"I think I..." Bellum paused to think real hard. "I gave him to Paige.... She took him upstairs."
Cate laughed insanely, her hair was a mess. Athena was beginning to think she had been in the liquor case as well... She stopped to look around. Brynn had returned with Ethan, as well as Bryce. They were all staring. Bellum smiled, satisfied with what he had said.
"Are you sure?" Cate asked him once more.
"Um..." Bellum scratched his head, still not all together. "No... Maybe...."
"ETTHAN!!" Cate shrieked.
"What mum?" Ethan said, shaking his head.
"Find Jack. Take your father. When you get home, knock your father out. Make sure he won't wake up until I get there. Find your sisters too, make sure everyone is alive."
"Okay mum..."
"I'm not done with you." Cate pointed at Athena. "Who are you anyways?"
"Athena, and that's AUNT Athena to you..."
"Oh dear Lord... Help me! AUNT Athena is almost my age..."
"Aunt Brynn is my age...." Ethan said, laughing at Brynn.
"Go home! Take HIM... And find Jack!"
"Yeah, yeah... Bye Bryce, Bye Brynn!" Ethan called, dragging Bellum out the door.
"Make sure HE..." Cate pointed at Ryan. "Does not come to my manor again. Mind you, do not give him liquor of any sort. I believe my children are all in danger! So is my HUSBAND! It's not the poor thing's fault... He's NEVER been that drunk in his life! Not even on out honeymoon, or any other time I recall."
"Sure thing, Boss." Athena said, still standing up straight, her eyebrows raised. "We're staying the night here, if need be you yell at us more..."
"Goodbye!" Cate shrieked.
"Oh, and by the way, we live right next door."
"ARGGHH!"
"Thanks, nice meeting you too!"
Cate stormed out and slammed the door behind her. Brynn, Bryce, Athena, Sirius, Brooke, Bridgett, Lizzie, Brian, Marie, and Dominic stared. Sirius had his eyes partially shut, and Lizzie had grasped onto his arm tightly. Brooke was hiding behind Brian, and Brian was hiding behind Bryce. Bryce was hiding behind Brynn, and Brynn was positioned beside Athena. Marie and Dominic were hiding behind Sirius and Lizzie, looking sadly at their father.
"Is she always this angry?" Athena asked, carefully.
"No, she must be in a good mood." Sirius answered. Athena stared. "I think it's either she's been drinking, or either she's gone temporarily insane, or else she's pregnant again. I'm quite sure she's not pregnant... Showed no signs of that. I think she must have had some of the liquor...."
"That's what I was thinking." Athena sighed. "Erm... What can I do with Ryan?"
Lizzie sighed, and stepped forward. She shot a sharp blast of lightning and he woke up instantly. "She's crazy! Mad! All I did was have a drink with her husband! He's a nice guy, but she's MAD!"
"Ry, did you destroy the house?"
"Well, not exactly..." Ryan shifted uncomfortably.
"Did you lose their baby?"
"No that I didn't do..."
"How many drinks did you give her husband?"
"Erm...."
"Ryan, can you even count that high?!"
"I think so...."
"Now she hates ME! And that's the person I could least do without hating me..." she pulled him off up the stairs. Marie and Dominic stared, now out from behind Sirius and Lizzie.
"Has daddy gone a-sane?" Dominic asked.
"No, but he might have gone INsane...." Marie answered. "We'll go to our rooms, Uncle Sirius. Thank-you for the candy!"
"Mum, dad, she's chaperoning our trip... Cate and Bellum... The Muggle Studies trip...." Bryce said a little nervously...
"I'm sure they'll calm down in 2 weeks enough to where they're sane." Lizzie answered. "I do hope poor Jack is alright...."
"Me too... For the sake of the world...." Brynn added.
~*~
Cate had gotten across the street soon enough to have the horror of knocking her husband out herself. She didn't have to put much of an effort in. All she did was stand him up properly, and push him over. And just like that he was out cold. She decided her could stay on the cold marble floor until he woke up. She hoped he wouldn't even think of coming to bed.
Cate and Ethan put together a nice effort to find Jack. They found Felicity first, who was asleep with a bag of dark tools, which Cate snatched and put in her pocket. Then they came across Paige, who was still trying to get into the sweets. Her sloppy pigtails bounced up and down.
"Where's your brother?" Cate demanded, picking her up.
"Right there!" Paige pointed at Ethan.
"No, Jack!"
"Jack's in his crib. Daddy put him there before the man with candy came...."
"Go to sleep Paige..." Cate said, putting her down. "Let's check Jack's room..."
Sure enough, there was Jack, cute as a button, sound asleep. Cate sighed, picked him up, and hugged him. She sat down in the rocking chair, and smiled slightly.
"Thanks, Ethan darling. You're a good boy."
"Welcome, mum. Goodnight...."
~*~
At around 6:00 in the morning, Bellum woke up, rubbing his aching head. His head wasn't all that ached either.... He got up, stepped over some trash, picked up Felicity, who was still asleep on the couch, and carried her up a few flights of stairs to her room. He kissed her forehead, and left.
After one more flight of stairs, he stood in front of a rather large door. He rubbed his head once more, sighed, and pushed it open. Something flew past his head. He looked up, taking a breath. Cate was glaring at him. She shot him one more piercing glare, and asked him a question...
"What are you doing here?"
"Well, erm... it's my bedroom too! Don't I get to sleep here..."
"Usually. But after you've destroyed the house and almost lost my child, I think there are exceptions..."
"Well, I remember where he was. I put him in his crib... I'm sorry Cate."
"I know. It's not too bad. Just... Keep away from that man."
"Sorry... I can't recall that ever happening...."
"Me either. Just be sure it won't happen again."
"So are we un-mad at each other?" Bellum asked, putting a sad look on his face.
"Yes." Cate said sternly. Bellum frowned, looking her straight in the eyes with sad puppy-dog ones. "Oh, cut that out!" Cate said, smiling slightly. "Stop being so damn attractive! Oh, I'm not mad at you anymore... Come here..."
Bellum grinned, and flopped over on the bed. He looked up at Cate, and she shook her head and kissed him. He smiled. He was quite proud of himself. He had never been kicked out of the bedroom, and was glad about this one... I had been a close call.
"Well, at least let me make this up to you."
"You can clean the house by hand. Attic to Basement...."
"I'll still be working by the time Jack graduates... How about I take you out to dinner? Tomorrow night sound good?"
"Mm... I suppose.... I still think it'd be more fun for you to clean house... Get down on your hands and knees..."
"No thanks, we have magic to clean you know..."
"But it's more fun to watch."
"Freak...."
"Me, freak? Ha! That's right, oh drunk 'I lost the baby' man. Bet your friends will love that story...."
"Oh, truly. You are evil...."
"Why thank you... What should I wear tomorrow?"
"I dunno." Bellum shrugged. "Anything works. You can make any old thing look good..."
Cate laughed. She ran her fingers through her husband's hair. She knew he'd say that. Jack was staring to fuss. He'd been asleep the whole night, and was starting to wake. Cate sighed, and went to pick him up, throwing a dirty look at Bellum once more.
"Remember before the children?" she sighed, cradling little Jack.
"Yeah... Some of it was good. Some wasn't as great. But I sure do miss the fact that it was just the two of us sometimes...."
"Me too... If we leave the kids with Sirius and Lizzie tomorrow, we can have it to ourselves a little before and after we go...."
"Sounds Great."
"Remember when you had Ethan?"
"Did you have to remind me?"
"Yes, I thought it was funny..."
"You weren't the one in labor."
"You broke my hand."
"So? I 'll bet my life I was in more pain..."
"Well, I can still remember that day like it was only yesterday..."
*********FLASHBACK**********
"I. Am. A. Blimp." Cate said, looking younger, and a lot rounder. She looked in fact, as if she could barely move.
"No you aren't! You still look better than Meagan did... and your poor mother!"
"Meagan is bigger than I am anyways. And my mum had twins! Am I that fat?!" Cate said, looking directly at a slice of cheesecake.
"No, I wasn't. I was just saying you're the best looking still."
"You're an awful liar."
"No, I'm just bad at telling the truth. Either that or my wife is blind..."
"Both. You're bad at lying and telling the truth. And I am not blind. Besides, I'm due any day now..."
"Well good, then maybe we'll stop complaining. Eat the cheesecake, Cate. Stop staring at it."
"Are you sure? You don't want it?"
"No, I'll have this here tasty banana."
"Okay... You do that, I'll enjoy my cheesecake."
"Good. I'll enjoy my banana."
"Do you have everything organized? Music, clothing, books, suitcase?"
"Yep. All set to go. At the first sign of labor pains-- and you ate ALL that already?"
"Yeah... Still working on that banana I see..."
"Yes, it's delicious." Bellum said, looking at the empty cheesecake plate.
"You wanted that, didn't you?"
"No." Bellum said, gulping the banana in one more large bite. "I made it... for you."
"Sure. You're an awful liar."
"No, I'm just bad at telling the truth."
Cate smiled though, and sat down next to him. She had calmed down loads since her evil-over-lady days. Then she suddenly went white, and grabbed hold of her husband. Bellum screamed, and he heard and felt some bones crack in his wrist.
"PAIN! Get the stuff! Hospital!"
"Where did you put it?"
"You had it!"
"No... I packed it... You put it away!"
"Go look for it! I cannot MOVE!"
"I-I don't know where it is!" said Bellum, returning a few minutes later.
"MY WATER JUST BROKE AND YOU CAN'T FIND THE BLOODY SUITCASE?!"
"Wait! The closet!"
"Why didn't you check there before? AHHHH!!!!"
"Sorry! I've got it now though!"
"Car!!!" Cate huffed, between rapid breaths.
"Car! Got it!"
Bellum was more nervous than Cate. The fact that he was going to be a father just seemed to have hit him. They arrived at the car only to realize Bellum forgot the keys. Cate shrieked, and lost it. She lunged at him, and they disappeared. They appeared in an emergency room.
"My wife's in labor!" Bellum announced importantly.
"Thanks, you were a lot of help! CONTRACTION!"
Cate was in hysterics. It was 10 times worst than when she found out she was pregnant. Eventually, three or so nurses were able to calm her down and drag her off to deliver her baby. Bellum made sure to instant owl everyone, and get his hand fixed. It was broken in several spots, and his other wrist was broken before the time Ethan was born...
*****BACK TO PRESENT TIME*****
"You were such a spazz. I should have et you have that cheesecake then. Maybe it would have helped. That banana obviously didn't..."
"Well, the thought of fatherhood finally got me."
"Oh, and after all we'd been through, this little thing got to you?"
"Yes...."
"Well, I think now that Jack's asleep, we should get some sleep too..."
"You mean actual sleep?"
"Yup. Might do us some good..."
"I'll try that...."
"Okay, maybe the effects are better than bananas...."
~*~
"Ahh... the smell of Muggles." Mac said, taking a deep breath of the air. "Kinda nasty if you ask me...."
"No, that's just the smell of Ethan." Bryce said.
"Naw, you must be standing too close to Bryce." Ethan said defensively.
"It's all your scents mixed together.... Mac, did you shower?"
"Yes Brynn, I happened to have showered... I say it's the Muggles..."
"Maybe it's this American Soil?" Bryce suggested.
"Nope. The dirt smells fine." Ethan said, smelling it.
"Well, maybe we should... turn our noses off..."
"I got it!" Mac said. "JEFF! TAKE A SHOWER MAN!"
"Shut up... you're annoying." Cate snapped. "It smells fine. Those Muggles are looking at us now."
"No Cate, they're looking at you." Brynn said, looking around the town. "That group of boys really likes your clothes... Those girls are looking at your husband.... Wait- that demented one is looking at Jeff..."
"Don't make eye contact. Just keep moving...." Ethan said, in a very educated sort of voice. "OoOOoOoOOOoooo.. They like us! Hello! Hello! You like my accent? How lovely!"
"Let's go to the mall first." Brynn suggested. "I always wondered what those were..."
"We have to take the bus...." Mac said. "It's LEAVING us!! WAAIIIIT!"
They caught the bus, barely. They had to cram people in seats as well. Bryce was practically on the lap of an elderly Muggle man. Brynn was sitting on Mac, and Ethan was wedged between his parents.
"Mom! Dad! You're embarrassing... Stop it! No! Don't kiss each other on the bus... STOOOOP! I'm sitting right between you! Ack! Bryce, save me!"
"Sorry mate, I can't move!" Bryce hollered, as the elderly man beat him with his walking stick.
"We're here!" Brynn shouted, jumping off Mac, and sliding off the bus before anyone else.
"Mall! I don't get it...." Ethan said, scratching his head.
"You have to go inside." Cate informed them. "Shops are indoors here. And there's food court..."
"Let's eat! I'm starving!" Bryce said, pulling everyone with him.
At the food court, Cate and Bellum had a table to themselves. There bodies had changed back o what they looked like as 17 year olds. The Black curse had come back into affect. It affected them both....There was a group of staring teenagers.
"We have an audience..." Bellum said, nodding towards them.
"Well, we need a show... Come here... Stand up.... Now, play along..."
Cate pulled him up, took him off to a corner, and kissed him hard. Half the teenage group sighed. Bellum kissed her back, and the rest of the group sighed. He let his hands wander, and they made a nice show, until the security guard told them to get a room. Ethan had sank low in his chair, and was bright red…
"Sorry, we aren't acquainted with your rules. New to the country." Bellum said, accent heavier than usual.
"Well, save it for later, you two young lovebirds." (Cate snorted) at that comment they both giggled.
"And this is only the first day..." Brynn sighed...
(A/N: Aight, all you people. This is all I'm going to post until some kind soul decides to review! Then I'll post more! Just touch the little button! Type a lil' comment! Make a little author happy!!! Please? I'll give you an imaginary cookie….
Toodles,
Cathy)