Faithfully Yours
Part 4: Toil and Trouble
Chapter 28
"The good ended happily,
and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means."
Oscar Wilde
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Faithfully Yours Part 4: Toil and Trouble
Chapter 28 "The good ended happily,
and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means." |
At breakfast the next morning Piper glanced coyly at Glock and fussily insisted he drink more fresh orange juice and eat another stack of pancakes while Leo his nose in Karl Marx Communist Manifesto because he wanted to see what values got changed in translation, pretended he did not notice.
Patsy was sitting in his high chair sloshing milk around his cereal and singing wha wha wha to himself. Wyatt was sitting up in his chair while Paige rather absentmindedly pushed his mushy cereal into him in between super loud waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas. Wyatt was told he was a good boy when he first sat up in his high chair but as a third child the fuss lasted nowhere near as long as for the other two, so he claimed attention by flatly refusing to even attempt to help himself. Phoebe who had been a third child did try to remember to fuss him, only to have Wyatt's parents accuse her of encouraging him to scream. When Leo stood up to get another cup of coffee, Glock only vaguely paying attention to the noise, finally picked up Leo's book and started to read it. "You can read that" Piper asked, "I fear I am becoming used to the noise "Glock answered. "I meant the language" Piper said. "I touch the magic of he pole to understand the tongue" Glock said 'It is small thing. Just small magic. As I do to understand you. We do not speak …what do you call your tongue?" he asked "English "said Leo coming back. "English in Burvjara" Glock Continued "You think we do . why?" "We are very insulated" said Leo. He took a breath "can you see the difference in translation and context." He asked Glock "" Yes " said Glock simply "I am not sure I like that book being here" Piper said primly "It caused ..problems in the realm" she explained to Glock. "We've had this conversation before" Leo said pushed. "It has ideas, philosophy, understanding. Reading it does not mean embracing it." Glock's nose twitched "There was a time Burvjarians understood that understanding does not mean embracing philosophy. I would be interested to understand it." "The only thing worth than philosophy over breakfast is the history of philosophy" Piper muttered while Paige ground her teeth. "If we went somewhere less noisy" Leo started to say to Glock then stopped "that's odd , its not as noisy as it should be." He said "Melinda "said Piper dropping the pan on the table and running along the corridor to the dining room where she fell over her daughter sitting cross legged and looking intently at a large sketchbook. Cole's brief case was lying beside her, with most of its contents spilling on the floor. The remains of the chocolate he always kept in his briefcase to spoil the children were smeared over several briefs for clients. Leo followed behind ordering Paige to watch the boys. "Mmmm "murmured Paige. As Piper slide cross the floor on her behind Melinda growled at her for falling. "Ouch Mommy" she snarled "Stupid mommy. "What are you looking at?" Piper demanded sliding to an ungainly stop. "Auntie Phoebe's fat, Mommy' Melinda said looking intently at the sketch book. Piper reached over and took the book from her daughter. She stared at the sketches of a naked pregnant Phoebe and the smoke almost blew out of her ears. She half crawled and half staggered out to the dining room and then to the foot of the stair "Phoebe" she roared Leo came over and took the sketch book from Piper. "Whew "he whistled. Piper snatched it back. When nothing happened she roared again. "Phoebe Patricia Halliwell you get your fat arse down here" Phoebe meandered to the top of the stirs "What?' she asked "Get your fat arse down here" roared Piper Phoebe considered her options but observing Piper arms crossed, and glaring, running did not seem like a good idea. She swanned past Piper into the kitchen with Piper running behind roaring "What the hell is this? as she thumped the sketch book. "What the hell is what?" said Phoebe helping herself to orange juice. "What the hell is this?" demanded Pipe shoving the open book at her. "None of your damned business" said Phoebe putting a muffin in the microwave. "And why did Cole give that to you" she demanded. "I'm going to kill him." "So am I if he's leaving his fantasy stuff around where Melinda can find it" snorted Piper. Phoebe turned around from the microwave and saw Piper's expression and swallowed while Glock watched with interested and Leo picked up his book but did not read. "Melinda should not have had that" Phoebe. "You think "said Pipe sarcastically. "Cole "she roared going to the dining room. Phoebe finally realised she had no help for it. "Its an advertising campaign for the Mirror "she said "Advertising what "demanded Piper "a new Page 3 column." "Actually "said Phoebe her nose in the air "Its going to be a tasteful shock and awe campaign. To show that the Mirror is a paper for all family women.'" Pipe snorted. 'Those pictures are just examples of how they are going to do it tastefully" Phoebe explained wilting in the face of Piper's anger. "And exactly how does naked and pregnant appeal to "family" women?" Piper asked sarcastically. "It demonstrates procreation is beautiful" Phoebe told her "It shows that any subject can be handled with maturity, responsibility.' "Demonstrated by plastering your naked picture in a paper some people use to wipe their bums" Piper snarked furiously. "The Mirror is a respectable paper" Phoebe insisted." And people wipe their bum on the LA times too." "Which proves?" Piper demanded crossing her arms and tapping her foot. "Well if they want to photograph you like those sketches "Paige said taking the book from Piper and examining it, "they are going to have to do some mighty clever trick photography." She looked at Phoebe who wore a kimono clutched around her barely meeting over Pookie. You're going to have to grow a foot to look like that" Paige said "upwards not outwards. We know that will happen outwards." Phoebe glared. "And" said Paige studying the pictures carefully "the only way you are going to get Pookie and your boobs sticking out at that angle is to use extra gauge underwire on both." Phoebe started to draw her breath ' "And" said Paige" there is no way your hands are going to cover your breasts enough to stop anything showing. You'd have to have hands like Coles to do that." She added studying the picture. Phoebe let her breath go in an outraged hiss. "Cole's what?"said Cole appearing at the kitchen door. "Melinda found these in your briefcase" Piper demanded grabbing the book form Paige and thumping it in his face. "Those don't worry about them "said Cole helping himself to coffee. "What was Melinda doing in my briefcase?" he asked. "Looking for chocolate" said Leo disapproving. "Oops" said Cole guiltily "Don't worry you demon bastard" yelled Piper "You may not care that your wife is going to drape herself all over the papers like.." "Like what "said Phoebe furiously "A bad joke version of Brittany Spears" roared Piper "except Phoebe isn't 20 any more "she added nasty . "Don't worry about it Piper" said Cole. "Don't worry about it" roared Piper, "You think I am going to let Phoebe.." "It isn't going to happen" Cole said. "And how the hell are you going to stop it" demanded Phoebe trying to put her hands on her hips and then stoping to quickly pull the kimono around her as she realise Glock was watching and Leo was carefully keeping his nose in the book. "How am I going to stop you? " Cole pondered pensively "You really think I can't'." "There is nothing…:" Phoebe started to say. "What can I do?" he mused as Phoebe looked like thunder "Let me count the ways." " I could make every thing that any picture of you appears on catch fire" he said "Or I could crack every lens of any camera pointed at you or I could make the paper ink turn to water or I could make very picture turn into an ugly hag with a wart on her nose." Cole watched Phoebe going redder and redder. "I like the last one" said Paige. "You just try it" Phoebe hissed at him. "You think I would let you do it baby" Cole asked "you think there is anything you can do to stop me stopping you "he drawled. Stop this "screamed Phoebe and picked up one o"f the sharp metal lids to saucepan and hurling it at a his head. Cole put up his hand and caught it easily. Phoebe made an impotent gesture with her hands and stalked off. Glock his nose twitching looked at Phoebes departing figure and back to Cole. "You're not seeing the best of her" Cole told Glock. Glock picked up the sketch book and without permission studied the pictures while Cole shuffled and kept putting his hand out and pulling it back. "You're not seeing the best of her" Cole repeated. "I fail to understand how I could see any more of her" Glock told Cole. Cole held out his hand. Glock intently studied the drawings. "As I said before your people and mine are remarkably similar" he said. "Phoebe's female "Leo interjected as Cole finally reached for the book. Glock held onto it for a second, his nose twitching in amusement as he allowed Cole to take it "I understand female" he told Leo and glanced at Piper who relented enough to smile. "Her soul, her heart" Cole insisted "you're not seeing the best of her. "As you say "Glock said while Leo carefully kept his nose behind the book. "Your mamma can be a right little witch" Cole told Patsy. Piper looked at Cole '"You know its not often I ever say this but just sometime I'm really glad Phoebe married you brudda " she said. Cole grinned "Every now and then I'm glad I came into the family Pip "he said. He turned to the microwave and out the muffin that Phoebe had put in. "Just to watch you blast Phoebe back to reality." Melinda planted herself in front of him "Sorry Unca Cole "Its okay Lindie he told haconcerned Melinda "Auntie Phoebe is just teaching you how to be a good witch." Melinda put her head on the side. Cole not looking bite into he muffin. "Chocolate "he said putting it down in disgust and Melinda grabbed it and skipped off in half an orb before Piper and Leo grabbed her. "Phoe-be" shrieked Piper "I swear to god I am going to throttle her." while Glock's nose twitched with concern "Family stuff. A small fuss. Nothing to worry about" Leo told Glock. "I fear in Burvjara such a 'small fuss' would start a major battle and division of the clans." Glock say. Maybe that's what's wrong with Burvjara" said Phoebe he truth teller from the door. She "was dressed in a pair of jeans with floral embroidery that were stretch enough to do up over Pookie and a very demure white lace blouse that was loose enough to keep Pookie relatively hidden. She spent some time ignoring Cole and managed to continue to ignore both him and her sisters as he came to say goodbye to the children by concentrating on heating another muffin. Cole kissed the kids and she turned her head away when he came near her. He caught her chin. Phoebe pressed her lips together while he just watched her then allowed him ti kiss he while her sisters glared at her and Glock looked bemused. "I hate you" Phoebe sighed. "And "she spat at his back "I'll damn well do as I please about those pictures." "No you won't "said Piper '"You can try Cole said over his shoulder. "Daddy is a right bastard" Phoebe told Patsy. "I trust George to do this in great taste." Phoebe told Piper. "George? The latest fantasy" said Piper suspiciously. "Damn" said Paige looking up "Cole's gone.' "Why you got a crush on him?" demanded Phoebe suddenly very put out. Paige raised her eyes, and ignoring Phoebe raced out after Cole calling to him as he left but he apparently decided he was not going to do another family row because he managed to get out the house very quickly. "Damn Cole's gone" Paige said sucking on her lip as she came back to the kitchen. "What "said Piper. "I didn't tell him" Paige said biting her lip "Tell him what "said Phoebe her eyes narrowing. "Erin's starting today "she said. "I'll call him" she said "he'll be pissed "Whose Erin?" Phoebe asked suspiciously. "She's that lawyer I told you about" Paige said "I guess George blew everything else out of your mind. Piper gave her the job and she's starting today. Doing all the stuff that makes money, that Cole won't do." "And Cole does not know?" asked Leo surfacing from his book. "I was going to get you to tell him" Paige said pleading at Phoebe. "He really needs to know so he doesn't take it out on Erin." "I wouldn't tell him what time of day it is" Phoebe answered pissed. Paige bit her lip. "Eduardo knows?" Phoebe asked "Yes "said Paige. "I hope Cole doesn't fire him." she said "I'll rehire him" said Piper "He wouldn't dare. Its okay Cole will handle it" Phoebe said confidently. "Its Erin I'm thinking of "said Paige. 'He'll be okay, he's only pissy at people he cares about. and then she stopped "this Erin she really can do some of the stuff the practical stuff , that brings in the money"" Paige nodded "I think I know she's really good just had a bad time personal stuff." Cole will handle it okay "Phoebe said confidently. "He'll be pissed at people he does care about, even if he's okay with Erin" said Leo. "Who cares" said Phoebe stopping long enough to kiss the children before flouncing off to work. Paige shook her head and went to get ready for work . In her room she was distracted by a pile some of her more favourite pictures and was consequently very late leaving . She got caught in two traffic jams and tried calling Cole because she had nothing better to do and then started to move and to her fury was pulled up by a cop for talking on a cell phone while she was driving. Five minuted further along she was caught in another traffic jam and in annoyance did a U turn which took her past 'Fantasy Land' adult book and magazines. She hit the brakes and managed to squeeze the car into a parking space between two very large cars only to dent the bumper bar on a shopping trolley that had been left in the parking bay. She shrugged to herself deciding the insurance could pay and then remembered the car really belonged to the employment centre courtesy of the archbishop and the powers that be would not be happy about anything that affected the no claim bonus. Paige spent a quick 15 minutes, whisking through what was available. She found finding some of her best and most graphic finds and did not even shudder when the credit card bill came to $395. She was so pleased with her finds that even though she was caught in another traffic jam she was not upset and actually arrived at work and hour and a half late in a happy frame of mind. So happy in fact she promised herself she had had her 'fix' for the day and was going to concentrate solely on her work. She already had two appointments waiting for her and kept her promise so well she forgot the treasure she left in her car and became involved in the cases. When she finally got a break from appointments she suddenly remembered Cole and dialled his cell but got a message bank indicating he was still in court. She called the office and Eduardo told her Erin was settling in well and was in his words "fantastic" "You sure?" Paige asked hopefully "Yes "Eduardo said "Mr Talbet came in wanting a chat off the cuff . and was put out when Cole was not here" Paige winced. Talbet, a liquor importer Piper had many dealing with through P3, had been one of Cole's first clients and was inclined to demand special attention because he felt he had put him in business "But by the time Erin had listened to him and advised him on some import law. "Eduardo said enthusiastically "She picked it up from what Cole had scribbled in the file notes" he went away a happy man and" said Eduardo confidentially "It was all billable " "Erin's an attractive women" Paige agreed reading between the lines. "Yes" said Eduardo "and then she was able to keep Correja happy when he called in with some more copyright queries. "A very attractive woman" Paige agreed "Then she handled another "Eduardo stopped not revealing the client's name "will change and one of those women friends of your sisters who was wanting Cole to look at some … stuff " he said being careful. "all billable "he said delighted. "Weren't they pissed off it was her and not Cole." She asked. "A bit" Eduardo agreed. "The will change got a bit.. difficult." Eduardo said "'woman are acting ..odd" he told Paige "But Erin helped her rearrange...the furniture and she went away happy. Seems cutting out one of the nieces out for being a tart made up for Cole not being here." "Good "said Paige " Well not good for the niece. I'll try and contact Cole"' "If he does not like it he can stuff it . Erin goes I go." Eduardo threatened, clearly already smitten and feeling happy about not having spent a morning explaining why Cole was not available Paige listened to him as he went into along complaint about how Cole needed to be more responsible and only waved when Alex picked up her car keys. "Need to go over to East Bay "he called. "Powers that Be want to look at the school." The centre was involved in a project in the area where the diocese was developing a technical school and it was hoped that some of the clients would use it to create employment opportunities. Paige nodded. Alex often used the work car, that is her car, for meetings because his rattling old bomb was never very reliable for anything more than a few miles, which she never complained about because that was why the archbishop gave them the car. Paige continued to listen to Eduardo's complaints about Cole not giving all his attention to the law practice. She felt she owed it to him. Eduardo had felt he had a new existence when, unemployed and considered to old to get a job, Paige had insisted Cole employ him. He was puzzled and confused by Cole's sudden and unexplained absences and his distraction when he was there. He was worried the job would disappear and as no-one in the family could assure him why Cole would not let it happen, all they could do was let him vent his frustrations. Eduardo stopped his list of issues suddenly "Cole's here" Eduardo said". Erin is fantastic" he said as he hung up. "Shit "said Paige and wondered how mad Cole would be. She sat down and started to work deciding Cole could yell all he liked , she had a pleasant night ahead indulging her fantasies looking at the great new collection of pictures she had bought that morning. Then she remembered Alex had taken her car and she had left them on the front seat. "Shit" she said. And then she remembered the Powers that be included the archbishop who may not appreciate the bump on the front of the car. "Shit" she said. Alex returned some 4 hours late and Paige nervously looked at him by his face was inscrutable. He went back to work and as he handed the keys he gave he a curious look. He waited until the two other people working had left and then quietly said "Paige we have to talk" "Its not what you think "she said flushing . ":If that stuff is what you are using to not need Mark" Alex said. Ït is what I think." "Its just pictures" Paige said flushing even redder "Its not hardcore porn or anything." she said. "Well one persons fantasy is another person's porn is another person's outrage" said Alex who was the centres psychologist. "It is not porn." Paige insisted '"Its just pictures. And no one reasonable would consider it was anything but…" but her voice faltered as she remembered how pleased she was with the graphic material she had bought that morning. "How reasonable do you think the archbishop and old fuddy duddy Wilson rrom up at central are?" Alex asked seriously. Wilson was the Central manager who was the bete noir of the employment centre. He had detested Mark, he detested Paige and thought her a highly irresponsible young woman, He frequently described her as flighty. He thought the centre was a waste of resources and he was always looking for ways to close it. "What do you mean?" Paige all but screamed "You didn't show it to them" "Didn't mean to "Alex muttered. "Just saw your stuff and threw it on the backseat. Wilson had driven the archbishop down and his car broke down on the way back so then I offered them a lift back to San Francisco and the archbishop got in the backs seat , being polite to Wilson about his long legs a. He found the stuff interesting. To say the least, and handed it to Wilson. And I was not about to say it was mine. I suggested research was the reason but it was a stretch and couldn't come up with why we needed to research it " "Shit" breathed Paige. '"They didn't believe you." "Probably not" Alex replied grimly. She looked around wildly while Alex frowned at her. "Weren't to happy about the bump on the front either" he said slowly. "I told them the report was coming in later." "Shit" said Paige as she sat in her desk chair and put her head down, seeing all her hard work of the last two years to establish herself as a responsible mature dedicated worker who could hold her ground with the Powers that Be no matter what they threw at her, disappear.
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