The Dutiful Witch (The Ward Witches) (9 page)

He brought out one of his old shirts and some of her pajama pants. Gratefully, she put them on, and he hugged her tightly. “Thank you, Seb.”

“
I'm happy to help.” Back out in the living room, there was a pint of Ben and Jerry's on the coffee table waiting for her. “Apparently Phish Food was the only flavor in the freezer.”

“
How did you manage that one? Surely Leo's gone home.”

“
He did, taking the comment about no questions to heart. But I contacted Melanie, who was busy with the babies and sent Justin to get it and bring it here.”

“
That's so nice of them.”

“
It's nothing less than what family does for each other. If the roles were reversed, I'd do it for them.”

“
So would I.”

“
There you go. I know you skipped dinner. So eat.” He paused, then turned to her with a grin. “I don't know how you're feeling, but I've got a movie called The Masque of Red Death if you're up to it.”

“
Let me guess, it starts Vincent Price?”

“
That it does.”

“
Give it to me. I'm willing to take the Vincent Price challenge.”

“
That's my girl!”

He slung an arm around her as she dug into the ice cream. He had a plate of food of his own, and together they watched Vincent Price be, well, Vincent Price. Her evening turned towards great pretty quickly. She looked over at her husband, and Fiona was glad to be his wife and his family. She was certainly falling in love with him, if she wasn't already there. That was right where she wanted to be.

Seb watched fondly as his wife passed out minutes after the credits rolled. She made it all the way through though. He debated on picking her up to bring her to bed, but decided against it. Her long white hair was draped across his chest, her own chest lightly moving in peaceful slumber.

She was a strong one, but sweet and generous too. He knew that she would do anything in her power to help her Coven. But more importantly even, she would go to any lengths for those she loved. Sitting there with her, any doubts he had were gone.

Seb loved her, and he loved her a lot.

In a matter of days, really, she had gone from a problem to the solution. He felt certain that as long as he had her, he could do anything. He wanted to protect her and keep her back here so that he could enjoy being with her all the time. But at the same time, he wanted to get her out there, part of running the Coven he loved, part of the family he loved even more, and see what kind of wonders she would produce. Because he had no doubts that there were miracles to come and that Fiona would be at the helm, making things happen.

It was a heady thought that he had fallen in love with his wife, and it made Seb feel like the happiest and the luckiest man there was. But now he needed to find a way to keep her safe from Redman. He'd protect her with his life, but he couldn't be with her all the time. If Redman was in her mind, Seb would need to find a way to keep him out. And more importantly, Seb needed to find a final solution for Redman that would keep him from hurting anyone's loved ones ever again.

With those thoughts rolling around in his head, Seb sat on the couch and contemplated the blank screen until he noticed it was one AM, and it was high time to go to bed if he wanted to be any good at work the next morning. It would be Fiona's first day in the office, too. That would be exciting.

After careful debate, he carried her gently into bed and pulled the covers over her. Hopefully she'd sleep well and not dream of that monster.

Seb was excited as he woke her up. “Good morning, Duchess.”

“
Good morning,” she said sleepily. “Is it time?”

“
It is.”

“
I've got the perfect outfit.”

“
I knew you would. You and Skylar put together a great wardrobe.”

He let her get first crack at the shower, and when he got out of his, she was finishing her makeup.

“
You look beautiful.” And she did, in a blue pin-striped suit that managed to be both alluring and professional.

“
But do I look competent?”

“
More than that. You look confident.”

“
Thanks.”

“
Wait for me to get ready, if you don't mind. I'd like to open up the office and give you the key myself. Call it sentimental.”

“
No problem. I like that.”

Seb got ready in record time. His heart was light as he went into the second bedroom to grab the Duchess's office keys, which had been in the nightstand of the second bedroom since his mother died. While there, he slid an extra keyring on it and slipped them in his pocket. Then he headed down the hallway with Fiona to her new office.

Mona had used the spare keys to clean up the office the day before, so Seb was able to do his best flourish as he opened the door. Fiona smiled when she stepped in. She took a few minutes to look around, taking it all in.

“
It's great. I've never had an office that was really mine before, and I love it. Thank you.” She turned to him, and Seb saw all he needed in her eyes.

“
Your keys, milady.” She laughed when she saw the oversized emerald ring dangling from her keys. “Since you're not the type to want a diamond.”

“
And you're not the type to settle for anything less than what you want.”

“
Better believe it. Now give me a kiss before I send your first assignment in to you.”

She gave him a big kiss, and he left with a grin to start his own day.

Skylar popped her head into Seb's office at nine while Fiona was arranging her furniture next door. “So is she settled?”

“
I hope so. She certainly seemed to like the office. Are you ready?”

“
I'm ready.”

“
How is Melanie? I know you went and checked on her before coming down.”

“
She's doing good. She doesn't seem to understand maternity leave, though, and she seems to want Justin to start nursing the little ones so she can get back to harassing people for Coven PR.”

“
The twins are six weeks old. I don't think it will be long before Melanie's back around and the twins have a babysitter. I know she'll like having them upstairs and convenient if she needs them or they need her.”

Skylar laughed. “Too true. So what are the plans for today?”

“
I've got the data for her to start to slog through this morning, and then this afternoon is the children's hospital. I didn't warn her, and I'm waiting to see if she'll want to go.”

“
I didn't warn her either. I think I'll just bring her along and see what she wants to do when we get there.”

“
I like that plan.”

Melanie was quite literally spinning in her chair when Skylar knocked on the door.

“
Seb?”

“
No, Skylar.” Her smiling face came around the corner.

“
Good to see you. Am I to assume you're bringing my first job?”

“
I am. I'm sure you've heard of my work on a fire witch's manual.”

“
Sure.”

“
I also sent out emails for information and hints on other types of magic. Since you've got experience in earth and water magic, Seb thinks you can help me sort through this stuff. You know a lot about auras too, and I'm not sure how I'll incorporate that, but it might be interesting to talk about.”

“
You heard about that?”

“
Seb told Leo, and Leo told me. So yeah, I do. Seb's going to be giving you a lot of work to do, so I'll be doing the writing and so forth, but we'd both like to get your input on what's good to put in the book and what should be left out.”

“
I'd love to help.”

“
I brought my laptop, and I've got every email copied over to your Coven email.” Skylar proudly presented Fiona with a piece of paper with her Coven email address and temporary password. “And here's your Coven line.” That was a cell phone with a note from Seb.

“
I'll always be able to find you this way,” Fiona read aloud. “Now I've got two cell phones. Somehow that seems so corporate.”

“
Everyone's numbers are programmed in there too. And this afternoon, we've got a field trip.”

“
A what?”

“
A field trip.”

“
I heard you. I meant, where are we going?”

“
To the car. I'll drive from there, and you'll see when we reach our destination, now won't you?”

Fiona laughed. “I guess I will. Let me get this email client up, and we'll get started.”

All morning Fiona and Skylar sorted through email. A lot of people had sent in information, and they were both pleased with the turnout. They set up three folders, one for a definite follow up, one for maybe, and one for no. Then there was a subfolder in 'no' for ones too dangerous for publication, but that Coven Protection might like. And all morning, Fiona wondered where they were going that afternoon. She tried asking Skylar, but she was uncharacteristically close-lipped about it.

Finally lunch came. Mona had made sandwiches, and Skylar volunteered to go get them from the kitchen. When she came back, they put work aside for a while.

“
So how is Leo?”

“
He's great. His new partner is working out great for both of us. He gets the ability to send clients that way, and I get to have him at home more often. Before we met, he was a workaholic. He is a highly regarded plastic surgeon, and he seemed to think that doing that was all-important. Luckily he has been set to rights.” She paused and then sighed. “Can I tell you a secret?”

“
Sure.”

“
And yes, I know you'll tell Seb. I tell Leo everything, and there's no reason to think you'd do any different, and I won't ask you to. But other than him, please keep it to yourself.”

Fiona smiled. “That's much easier to agree to. I won't tell anyone but Seb.”

“
Leo and I have been trying to conceive. I never wanted a child until I met Leo. Now I'm excited to hold his child in my arms. I wish I could see that. But it's not working.”

“
So you've talked about it with Leo?”

“
Yes. We've been monitoring my cycles and everything. I'm not ready to go to a specialist yet, but we have been talking about it. Leo knows some people who might be able to help, but they're not witches.”

Fiona smiled and put her hand over Skylar's. She looked so glum when she was normally so peppy. “I think I can help.”

Skylar's face lit up with hope. “Really?”

“
I had been thinking that I needed to give Seb an heir to make him happy, so I made a potion. It's guaranteed to have you conceive if you've had sex within twenty four hours in either direction if both parents are healthy enough. Seb and I worked things out, and I know now that he wants to wait a while before we have a baby. But I still have the potion. If you want it, I'll give it to you. Just make sure to discuss it with Leo before you take it.”

“
You'd give it to me?” Skylar sounded amazed. “I can't even tell you how much that would mean to me.”

“
I'd love to help you. You're my sister, and Leo's my brother.” Fiona finished up her sandwich. “Let me go get it before we go on our field trip.”

“
Thank you.”

Fiona retrieved the potion, and before she returned, she stopped by Seb's office. He was working on something that furrowed his brow, but he was alone. When he saw her, his face brightened. “How are you liking it?”

“
Skylar and I are making progress. Thanks for giving me something to get my feet wet without throwing me in the deep end, so to speak.”

“
I'm glad to hear it. I also hear you're going on a field trip. Skylar's words, not mine.”

“
Yes, she said that. Can you tell me where I'm going?”

“
Not if I value my relationship with Skylar. She's excited about surprising you.” He chuckled. “You'll like it though, I think.”

“
I was talking to her, and I found a use for this,” Fiona indicated the potion. “It seems Skylar and Leo want a baby. I was going to help them out. What do you think?”

“
I think that's great. I've talked to Leo before about them wanting a kid. But I didn't put it together with that potion you made. You're going to make them very happy.”

“
I'm certainly hoping so.”

“
I'll see you later. And thanks for being so good to my family.”