Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Laurell K. Hamilton, Jim Butcher, J. K. Rowling, and Berkley Publishing Company. Nothing belongs to me; this is just a parody for entertainment purposes.
Rating: R for the time being.
It's a week after Christmas and I'm still running around with my head cut off. My younger siblings arrived in St. Louis the Sunday before Christmas and it seems they won't be going back to Virginia. Christmas day we opened gifts, had a wonderful dinner, with a few friends that popped in, and cleaned up the mess afterwards. The rest of the week was just hanging out and spending time with my baby sister, brother, and his girlfriend Danise. If the weather was good, we went hiking and skiing. If it wasn't we stayed home or went to the movies, either way the family had fun spending time together. Unfortunately that all changed when my father called me from London today at five in the evening his time, and noon our time. I was making lunch, while Richard was leaning up against the counter, when the phone rang. At this time Bo had wandered in and picked up the phone before it got a chance to ring again.
"Hello, Zeeman's mortuary. You kill em we chill em. How may I help you today," he squawked into the phone, with a smile.
Richard spit out his drink at Bo's comment, spraying me in the face with it. Bo just kept on smiling, while I grabbed the towel and began wiping my face. Richard set his glass down and just shook his head at Bo. He took the rag from me and began cleaning me up, while leaning into me. He bent down and whispered in my ear, "Oh great another Jason. That's all we need."
Bo however thought he was doing something else. His eyes bugged out, while his mouth dropped in shock. Bo then began shaking his finger at us and said, "EEEWWW. My virgin eyes get a room."
I glared at him around Richard, and then flipped him off. He just threw his head in the air and replied, "I can't do that. I'm just not that away."
Richard groaned under his breath, then went to refill his glass. Bo was talking up a storm to whoever was on the other end. I was curious as to who of Mike�s friends had this number.
"Bo. Who are you talking to?" I asked.
Bo glanced over his shoulder at me and answered, "Your father."
Not thinking anything of it, I said, "Oh ok." Then it hit me, when Richard dropped his glass onto the floor and shattered. I turned back to Bo and replied, "You're talking to dad. Why didn't you tell me, that was whose on the phone." Going over and grabbing the phone from Bo, pushing him out of the way. "Dad. Hi. How's it going?" I asked.
"Hi to you too Alexandra. I'm doing fine, just called to see how you were doing. Since I've haven't heard from you in about three months," he commented and I could tell he wasn't happy by the tone of his voice.
My face fell, and I swallowed asking, "It's been three months? Didn't know it'd been that long. Sorry, just got busy with everything that's been going on."
"So I've heard," he said, with a hint of annoyance to his voice.
I sighed, glancing over at Richard, who was watching me carefully. Bo had plopped down at the table and was doing the same. It was silent on both ends for a few minutes, before continuing, "What have you heard?"
He was quite longer than he should have been, which is a sure sign he was angry with me. I heard Mozart in the background and knew he was in his study. He only plays classical music, while he's working. The rest of the time it's either Celtic or Opera music. He didn't care too much for any of my music, which ranges from Country, RB, Dance, Pop, Light Rock, Hard Rock, Alternative, and some Heavy Metal. You can basically tell I'm a variety person, with what music is playing.
Five minutes passed and still haven't heard a peep out of him. I got a little uneasy over the silence, so asked, "Dad you still there?"
There was rustling of clothes, and then I heard the phone being laid down. Oh shit what now? Dad only does that when he's not alone. I waited a few more minutes, before he came back on the line. "Sorry dear, I had an unexpected guest. Had to take him to the library, until I finished talking to you. Now where were we?" he asked.
My curiosity won over better judgment and asked, "Who is it Dad?"
"No one that you know Alexandra. Now are you going to explain to me, why it's been three month's since I heard from you," he stated.
I hate having my dad mad at me, but at the same time hate having him interfere with my life. One of the reason's why I'm glad he's in England, being Master of the City rather then here questioning everything I do. Richard somehow knew I was getting the third degree and was letting his anger show. Bo jumped up off the chair, looking around like he's seen a ghost.
"What the hell was that?" He asked, not knowing whether to sit back down or not.
Richard glanced his way with a raised eyebrow and said, "What was what?"
Bo shook his head and replied, "Something just rolled over my skin and shock the shit out of me, that's what."
Richard and I just stared at one another with our mouths hanging open. How was Bo able to feel Richard's power, when he's a human or was he? Something's not right about Bo. He's been acting strange ever since he's gotten here. I wonder what he's hiding from Richard and I. A loud yell caused me to jump out of my thoughts. It was my father trying to get my attention.
"Sorry Dad. Got distracted with something. What did you just asked me?" I said.
"I asked you if you've going to tell me, why it's been three months since you've called me," he questioned, while trying to keep his temper under control.
I blew out a breath, causing a stray piece of hair to go flying. "I'm sorry dad, but a lot has happened. I haven�t had time to call you or anyone else," I stated.
"Oh really, then why is it that I've had to hear from other's that you were glad you had no family in the city," he questioned with hurt feelings.
I got pissed and who ever was running their mouths to my father, was going to die a slow and painful death. Now I'm going to have to tell him the truth.
"Dad I said that, because I've been having problems with the master of the city, due to my ties at court. When you were here, I got all the flack, when Jean-Claude and you couldn't agree on things, I got watched constantly by his people, because of my ties to the Queen and Belle. I was having relationship problems because Richard wasn't crazy about your side of the family. I've had trouble on top of trouble, but it's just not your side that's left the city either. My mom's side has left as well." I stated, trying not to go off.
He sighed over the phone, then replied, "I understand that. That's why I agreed to become the master of London and the cities around London. Jean-Claude agreed to lay off of you if I left the city. We had an agreement that if I gave him back the other half of his city and left. He'll leave you alone. Your grandfather thought it was a good idea as well. We didn't know the rest of the council was going to have a problem with it. That�s the reason why you've been having outside trouble. I understand how you feel. But you should have still kept in contact with us, especially with all the attempts on your life and your godmother kidnapping you. Hell Alexandra we even had to hear from the head of the Wizards Council that you've broken just about every rule there is. I'm still surprise you've been able to keep your job, which we also heard from someone else and not you. We all worry about you and when you don't call and keep things from us, we worry that much more. You're lucky that Jean-Claude and I still keep in touch with each other."
My mouth dropped open and I sputtered into the phone, "You keep in touch with him?"
"Of course," he said, with a hint of amusement creeping into his voice. He continues, "Besides we do have a peace treaty and are still business partners. How do you think I find out these things? The council isn't going to tell your grandparents or me. Speaking of grandparents, I heard that Betty's parents got promoted as well."
"Yeah, so did Uncle Orthos. Some of the older members retired and asked them to take their places, which left me with the school," I stated.
You could almost hear him nod his head as he said, "Yeah, Charleston told me about that, when he told me about you breaking every rule under the Wizard's code."
I rolled my eyes and said to myself, 'Oh I'm in so much trouble it's not funny.' Richard was being too quite and Mike looked like he was lost. Richard was trying to keep his anger under control, not wanting to freak out Mike again. Mike wasn't going to budge from his chair, so it's no use to ask him to leave.
Dad continued on with his sermon, "I know after they left you were free from your family, but Alexandra damnit, you don�t have to isolate yourself from us. It's almost like your ashamed of your people and who you are. I'm only going to say this once and you had better listen. From here on out, you are to call me once a week. And when you do call me, I expect the truth and not lies. If I think for one moment that you're lying to me, I will talk to Jean-Claude about sending someone there to keep an eye on you. You are important to me and I'm not going to lose you again. Do I make myself clear young lady? Oh and one more thing, you had better not be or trying to change who you are just to please Richard. You are a mage and should be proud of it. Your mom's people are worried you will risk your gift for something that might not always be there."
I stood there trying not to show too much emotion and replied, "Yes Dad. I understand."
Dad knew immediately that someone else was with me and asked, "Whose there with you?"
"Richard and Bo," I answered.
"Oh, speaking of Richard. I hear congratulations are in order. But what I want to know is when we're you planning on telling us," he said coldly.
I knew my dad was trying to keep his cool, but he respects me enough to stay out of my personal life. That's if my life isn't at stake. I also knew what he meant by us. He was talking about him and his parents. All my mom's family knows already. Mostly because they are helping my siblings move to their apartments at Wolf Hill. Richard and I changed the name from McGregar mansion to Wolf Hill after the remodeling was finished.
I sighed into the phone and answered, "Dad I was going to tell you. Just didn't want Belle or Lillith to find out."
He snorted at that and remarked, "They will find out regardless Alexandra. They have spies everywhere. You should know that by now and when it comes to you, they find out everything."
I didn't like the way he said that and commented, "Yeah that's how I get into trouble with Jean-Claude. They find out, stick their noses into it, and Jean-Claude goes loco."
He busted out laughing and fell out of his chair. You could hear him hit the floor, while the chair made a thump sound. I rolled my eyes and glanced over at Richard. He mouthed, 'What's going on?' and I shook my head. Finally dad had stopped laughing and came back over the line, "I'm sorry dear, but that was to funny."
"I'm glad I could make your day dad," I smirked.
"Dear you always make my day. You can make my day's a lot better if you would call," he commented. Why do I get this feeling that he's never going to let me forget that.
"Ok dad. I get the point. I�ll keep in touch with you," I said.
"Good, now lets get down to business," he stated.
My eyebrows shot up and I squeaked, "What business?"
He tried not to laugh, but it came out a snicker anyways. "The business of planning your wedding," he said.
"Oh," I replied.
"Now when's the wedding and do you already have some idea what kind of wedding you want?" he asked.
I ran my hand threw my hair and answered, "It's March 21 and yes. It's outside in the gardens at the old mansion and we've got most of the wedding party picked out. Plus we found the tuxes and dresses. All we are debating on is the decorations and food, which is going to be buffet style."
"Wow you've got everything covered. How much is it going to cost?" he asked.
Richard had come to stand by me as I answered dads question, "I'm not sure, we still have to do some more looking. Right now I'm between moving Bo, Marie, and Danise to St. Louis along with the wedding. Maggie is helping cause she's the Maid of Honor. Why?"
"Because I'm your father and it's my duty to pay for it," He stated. I could be wrong, but it sounded like he was happy for me, even if he's not too crazy about Richard.
"Dad you don't have to do that. I can manage," I stated.
"I know, but I'm still paying for it and you're not going to talk me out of it," he commanded.
I sighed and said, "All right dad. You win."
"You're saying that, cause you don't want to argue with me over the phone," he said with a laugh.
That made me smile and said, "You got me there."
We wound up talking for three hours. Dad had left to work on his other business affairs. I hope his unexpected guest didn't mind waiting for three hours while he chatted with me. When we finally hung up, Richard gave me a spill the beans look. I grabbed a soda from the fridge, hopped onto the counter and told Richard about the phone call. Richard just shook his head, pulled me into his arms, hugging me tight. Bo groaned and rolled his eyes, then jumped into the air with a shriek. Richard pulled away with a smile and I punched him in the arm. He shocked Bo with his power on purpose and it wasn't funny. I wasn't aware that human's could feel an alpha's power, unless they had some sort of magic ability. Richard was too powerful and better at hiding it from normal human's than those lower in the field. It's going to be a long afternoon. Marie and Danise were with grams, taking care of moving details. All they have left to do is move all their stuff into the apartments. Grams took care of the other details making sure, there's no lose ends in Virginia.
(Next: Siblings On The Move)