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xp_logsImmediately after the wedding, as people are settling in, Amanda has a chat with her big brother, before Meggan decides she's been good long enough and pounces.
The deed was done, and all there was to happen now was the party. Amanda couldn't help sticking her tongue out at a couple of Moira's less broadminded elderly relations who had been giving her suspicious looks every since she'd arrived at Muir, apparently convinced she'd disrupt things somehow. There were shocked little gasps and mutterings and Amanda grinned to herself as she found a seat in a less-occupied corner of the tent the reception was being held in, careful of her dress as she sat with a small sigh of relief. The shoes looked good, but they were murder on the feet after a while.
She was soon joined by Angelo, looking less than comfortable in a suit and tie. He'd never quite managed to get used to them, whatever Paige said about how much it suited him. "Hey, little sis. Takin' a break?"
"Before me feet fall off, yeah," she said with a wry grin. "Lookin' good, big brother, but I'm guessin' you're feelin' about as comfy as I am." She gestured at the assembled guests, still in that 'talk about the ceremony and congratulate the happy couple' stage. "Still, everyone looks bloody good - I think I like weddin's more 'n funerals."
"Weddin's are much better", he agreed, dropping into the next chair over. "Where's Meggan? With Dani?"
"Well, we waited long enough for this one - I was startin' t' think Moira'd have the baby half-way down the aisle..." Amanda snickered and tried to catch the eye of one of the waiters starting to circulate with champagne. "Meg's with Kurt - I'll check on her in a bit, just wanted t' rest me feet for a bit. Bloody shoes're killin' me. I s'pose I should be grateful it wasn't one of those long religious sort of ceremonies, yeah? All that standin' for hours?"
Angelo waved to the waiter, who turned and headed in their direction. "You do get t'sit down some of the time in them. Most of the time, even. 's only for the hymns you've got to stand."
Amanda grinned as Angelo snagged a glass of champagne for each of them - so nice to be in a civilised country where the drinking age was eighteen. Although she'd have to leave it at one with people no doubt watching and taking notes - she didn't want to give anyone the impression she was a raging alcoholic, not with Meggan to consider. "I keep forgettin' that's yer thing," she admitted, taking a small sip. The taste of champagne, the feel of silk against her skin... it reminded her of a night she preferred to forget, and she pushed the thought away. Definitely not the time for remembering the Hellfire Club. "Religion, I mean." She chuckled a little. "Think I'd probably catch fire if I ever set foot in a church, or at least that's what one of the foster families I had seemed t' think."
Angelo pulled an eloquent face, revealing exactly what his opinion of that kind of extremism was. "Screw 'em. That's not what it's supposed to be about."
"Maybe one day I'll get you t' show me what it is s'posed t' be about, eh?" Amanda kept her tone fairly light, not wanting to offend Angelo - she knew religion was a touchy subject for some. "So... what did you think of the weddin'?" she asked instead, wanting to change the subject away from Scary Places. "Good t' see 'em finally hitched, yeah?"
He grinned. "Really is. About time, too - like you said, if they'd waited much longer, Moira wouldn't've been allowed to fly."
"An' teleportin' upsets the sprog, so that would've been out too. They would've either had t' wait until the kid was born or get married at the school of somethin'. An' knowin' our luck, aliens would've invited 'emselves along or somethin'." Taking another sip of champagne, she ducked behind Angelo slightly to avoid catching Doctor Strange's eye. Luckily the magician was nicely distracted by Wanda and her choice of wedding wear. "Tryin' t' keep out of Strange's way - last thing I want is more homework," she explained at Angelo's questioning look. "He's been layin' it on pretty thick since I got back an' sorted someone t' watch Meg for me."
Angelo nodded, understanding. "'Cause of the lessons you missed when you were away, an' then when you had the munchkin to look after?"
"Yeah, pretty much. An' before that was Nate gettin' hurt an' all the rest, so it's really been a couple of months since I've gotten any decent work in. Not t' mention me concentration's been fucked. Magic needs a calm state of mind, an' that's only just startin' t' come back lately." Sudden animation lit up her face. "Oh, did I tell you? I met someone else interested in the magic, in this occult shop in New York. Same age as me, called Charlie. He's got no power himself, but he's up on the theory, much better 'n me, actually."
He looked interested. "Yeah? So you gonna be workin' with him some as well, or what?"
"I think so - he's got some interestin' ideas for me powers, a bit like what I've been doin' with Forge," she explained, still smiling. "But even if we don't actually manage t' get anythin' done, 's nice t' have someone t' talk to 'bout what a bastard language Sumerian is, an' the like, y'know?"
He grinned. "Yeah, I hear you. Must be hard bein' the only one in the mansion who does what you do."
"Sometimes," she said, with a small shrug. "But then again, you're pretty much in a league of yer own too, yeah?"
He nodded, laughing. "You an' me, we're unique. No telepathy or telekinesis for us."
Wrinkling her nose in mockery, she said: "Who wants t' be like everyone else any way?" before breaking into laughter. Then she caught sight of a small pink and brown blur heading her way. "An' it looks like Meg got tired of waitin' for me. Wanna help keep her entertained an' out from underfoot?"
"Always", he answered with a genuine smile, holding out his arms to the little girl as she dashed up.
"Angelo!" Meggan bounced into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Wedding fun! Good!" She snuggled happily. "Meggan pink," she said proudly, in case he hadn't yet noticed her wonderful new dress. "Shinypink!"
He laughed, settling her securely on his knees. "That you are, chiquita. Did 'Manda help you choose that?"
"The choosin' was all her," Amanda said, reaching over and smoothing back the curls held by a broad pink hairbow, courtesy of Marie-Ange. "But she's the prettiest girl here, aren't you, love?"
"Manda Meggan shopping. Mall," she told him seriously, then she reached out to tug his tie gently. "Angelo pretty," she added, because he was all dressed up and he looked nice. Not very comfy - maybe he didn't like his shoes either, she thought, giving her slippers a resentful look - but nice. And he'd put on an extra nice smell for the wedding.
"Course she is," Angelo agreed staunchly, giving Meggan a hug and laughing warmly at the latter part of what she'd said. "Thank you, Megs."
"Angelo good." Meggan cuddled up and yawned a little bit. "Day BIG," she added, resting her head on his shoulder. She wasn't going to go to sleep yet, she was determined, but a little rest on a welcoming lap would be nice.
"An' then some," Amanda agreed. "You need a nap, love? I can take you back t' our room if you do, stay with you while you sleep?"
Meggan scowled. "No nap," she said stubbornly. Usually she was in favour of naps, but right now it would mean missing the fun and good feelings.
"All right, then, no nap." Yet, Amanda mentally amended. She wasn't having Meggan falling asleep under a table somewhere and people accusing her of not looking after her properly. "An' maybe later Uncle Angelo can dance with you, yeah?" she added, tipping him a wink.
He grinned, ruffling Meggan's curls. "Be happy to. You like dancin', chiquita?"
"Dance!" Meggan agreed. Dancing was fun. She would do it all night, if she could. She leaned against Angelo's comfortable shoulder. Maybe just a little tiny nap, while they talked, she thought, letting her eyes close. Then she'd be less tired when it was dancing time.
Later, the lure of nicotine is too strong, and Amanda is caught being unladylike. Luckily it's by Nate.
She'd been so very good, but there were limits, and not having a cigarette for the bulk of what had been a very long day was one of them. Making sure Meggan was all right with Marie-Ange and Doug for the time being, Amanda ducked out of the tent, having borrowed a cigarette and a lighter from one of the waiters, given Angelo was currently sitting with Paige. She didn't want to push things too far there. Greedily she sucked down the first lungful of smoke, exhaling it in a sigh of relief.
"Bad habit," came a voice from behind her as Nathan limped out into the open air, leaning heavily on his cane. "Those things'll kill you, you know." He gave her an amused smile, careful to stand upwind.
"First one today," she offered by way of defence, taking another draw and blowing the smoke away from him. "How's the back holdin' up?"
"It hasn't run away to start the honeymoon early," Nathan said with a snort, "which is about as much as I can expect, I think. Too much dancing," he confessed, straightening and wincing. "But everyone wanted to dance, and who was I to say no?"
"It's the kilt," Amanda teased, smiling. "Women can't resist a man in a kilt. It's the legs." A third drag got her past halfway, and she stubbed out the rest of the cigarette and tossed the butt in the unobstrusive receptable for such things half-hidden by a planter of shubbery and flowers. That done, she approached, and without warning gave him a hug. "Haven't had the chance t' do that yet," she explained, cheating just a little and letting the healing spell run through her hands on his back. She had power to spare, being back on home ground, so to speak.
He hugged her back, then chuckled as he felt the pain in his back abruptly fade - not all the way, but quite noticeably. "Sneaky," he said, "but thank you." As she drew back, he smiled down at her. "Have I mentioned how pretty you look today?"
She blushed, ducking her head a little. "Angie an' Dom's work," she said, smoothing out the dress. "They did me hair an' face - think they did all right, considerin' what they were workin' with."
"You remind me so much of her, you know. Dom, I mean. Although she had an allergy to dresses and other such feminine things for a little longer than you did," Nathan said with a nostalgic smile, remembering. "And hell, look at her now."
"Well, she probably didn't have a boyfriend an' a roommate teachin' her that dressin' up ain't so bad," Amanda said with a wry little chuckle. "But you know somethin'? I hope I turn out half as well as she has. You an' GW taught her well, Nate."
"I'm more than moderately proud of her, I think it's fair to say..." Especially now, after how well she'd handled Pete's... no, not going there today. "Pretty proud of you these days, too," he said, giving her shoulder a little nudge. "Things seem to be going well with Meggan."
"She makes it pretty easy," Amanda said, a soft smile coming to her face. "She learns so fast, an' there's none of the shite I was dealin' with back when..." She made a vague gesture, encompassing the time after her rescue from Rack. She'd been so hard and suspicious, even as a kid. "I hope I'm doin' all right by her, is all."
"It's amazing how quickly she seems to be adjusting. You have to wonder if her mutation's not helping her along on that score." He laughed a bit sheepishly. "I promise not to growl at Moira if I catch her reviewing Meggan's test results on the laptop while we're in Tuscany. She's fascinated, you know."
Amanda grinned. "Only if she doesn't spend the whole time doin' that - we're got plenty of time t' sort it all out, an' she doesn't seem t' be havin' any trouble with things - even the empathy, which I think ticks off Manuel. He seems t' be the only one whose empathy drove him mental."
"Well, there were a lot of other things at work in Manuel's case," Nathan said slowly. Amanda hadn't seemed too bothered by the fact that Manuel had opted not to come to the wedding. "Watch out for Gar and Vas, by the way. I think they have designs on you."
"Yeah, I know." She was probably projecting slightly, but the mind link they'd done was fresh in her memory. "I wish he'd been able t' come, but all the happy families, 'specially when it's mine... 's all a bit too close, y'know? I wasn't gunna push." She grinned ruefully at the mention of the boys. "They'll have t' design away - I'm practically an' old married woman meself. Been a bit more 'n a year since you fixed the link, an' that's the closest I can think of to an anniversary. An' we sorted things before I left."
Nathan nodded, although inwardly he was wondering just how many times Amanda and Manuel could expect to sort things. Not the time to be wondering that aloud, though. "That seems like so long ago," he murmured. "When I fixed the link, I mean."
"A year _is_ a long time," Amanda said from the lofty view of youth. "For all it's complicated things sometimes... 'm glad you did it. Without it... well, I know we wouldn't still be together."
"Gave you something to hold on to," Nathan murmured. The stars were out, and he took a deep breath, appreciating the cool night air. "And you're right. A year can be forever, sometimes. Although the last six months have gone by awfully fast. Once we get back, Moira and I are going to have to put some serious work into getting that nursery done."
"You've got more 'n enough helpers, if you want it," Amanda told him, letting the subject of Manuel drop. Nate was never comfortable talking about her relationship, and she didn't want to spoil his day.
He bit his lip, trying to repress the grin. "I know what color we should be painting it," he said obliquely. "But I'm doing my almighty best to forget that I do, because Moira still wants to be surprised." He laughed ruefully. "It came to me during the Brownie Incident... or to Angie, maybe. I don't think there was much difference between us at that point."
"Can you tell me, or would she pick it up?" Amanda asked, curiosity perking.
Nathan very delicately slid a shield over the link - Moira wouldn't notice, she was still dancing - and then, to be safe, mouthed the word just in case anyone with enhanced hearing was close enough to listen.
Amanda's eyes went round, and she grinned, hugely, before throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him breathless. "No secrets from a couple of precogs, eh?" she said, practically bouncing with excitement. "I won't say a word t' anyone 'til it's time, I swear."
Nathan laughed and hugged her back. "I'll hold you to that." With the number of people he'd slipped with - it was hard to forget that you weren't supposed to know things - he was only glad Moira wasn't a telepath. "And it'll be time before you know it." He shook his head. "You know, for all that she fussed about how big she was going to look in her dress... I could laugh at her, now."
"She looks gorgeous," Amanda said decisively, looking as if anyone who said otherwise would regret it. Not that anyone would, of course. "Didn't need a glamour at all, even."
"Large numbers of gorgeous women around today," Nathan said cheerfully. "If I wasn't now a happily married man..." He winked at her.
She laughed at him, swatting him lightly on the arm. "Well, I'd take you up on that offer, only you're too old an' decrepit t' keep up, aren't you?"
"Thoroughly decrepit," Nathan agreed, then offered her the arm she'd just swatted. "I think, though, I could manage a dance."
"Only if you use yer TK t' stop me stompin' on yer feet by accident," she said, laughing as she accepted the arm with a slight curtsey, as she'd learned in Asgard.
"Oh, but my feet are hardy things," Nathan assured her as he led her back inside.
The deed was done, and all there was to happen now was the party. Amanda couldn't help sticking her tongue out at a couple of Moira's less broadminded elderly relations who had been giving her suspicious looks every since she'd arrived at Muir, apparently convinced she'd disrupt things somehow. There were shocked little gasps and mutterings and Amanda grinned to herself as she found a seat in a less-occupied corner of the tent the reception was being held in, careful of her dress as she sat with a small sigh of relief. The shoes looked good, but they were murder on the feet after a while.
She was soon joined by Angelo, looking less than comfortable in a suit and tie. He'd never quite managed to get used to them, whatever Paige said about how much it suited him. "Hey, little sis. Takin' a break?"
"Before me feet fall off, yeah," she said with a wry grin. "Lookin' good, big brother, but I'm guessin' you're feelin' about as comfy as I am." She gestured at the assembled guests, still in that 'talk about the ceremony and congratulate the happy couple' stage. "Still, everyone looks bloody good - I think I like weddin's more 'n funerals."
"Weddin's are much better", he agreed, dropping into the next chair over. "Where's Meggan? With Dani?"
"Well, we waited long enough for this one - I was startin' t' think Moira'd have the baby half-way down the aisle..." Amanda snickered and tried to catch the eye of one of the waiters starting to circulate with champagne. "Meg's with Kurt - I'll check on her in a bit, just wanted t' rest me feet for a bit. Bloody shoes're killin' me. I s'pose I should be grateful it wasn't one of those long religious sort of ceremonies, yeah? All that standin' for hours?"
Angelo waved to the waiter, who turned and headed in their direction. "You do get t'sit down some of the time in them. Most of the time, even. 's only for the hymns you've got to stand."
Amanda grinned as Angelo snagged a glass of champagne for each of them - so nice to be in a civilised country where the drinking age was eighteen. Although she'd have to leave it at one with people no doubt watching and taking notes - she didn't want to give anyone the impression she was a raging alcoholic, not with Meggan to consider. "I keep forgettin' that's yer thing," she admitted, taking a small sip. The taste of champagne, the feel of silk against her skin... it reminded her of a night she preferred to forget, and she pushed the thought away. Definitely not the time for remembering the Hellfire Club. "Religion, I mean." She chuckled a little. "Think I'd probably catch fire if I ever set foot in a church, or at least that's what one of the foster families I had seemed t' think."
Angelo pulled an eloquent face, revealing exactly what his opinion of that kind of extremism was. "Screw 'em. That's not what it's supposed to be about."
"Maybe one day I'll get you t' show me what it is s'posed t' be about, eh?" Amanda kept her tone fairly light, not wanting to offend Angelo - she knew religion was a touchy subject for some. "So... what did you think of the weddin'?" she asked instead, wanting to change the subject away from Scary Places. "Good t' see 'em finally hitched, yeah?"
He grinned. "Really is. About time, too - like you said, if they'd waited much longer, Moira wouldn't've been allowed to fly."
"An' teleportin' upsets the sprog, so that would've been out too. They would've either had t' wait until the kid was born or get married at the school of somethin'. An' knowin' our luck, aliens would've invited 'emselves along or somethin'." Taking another sip of champagne, she ducked behind Angelo slightly to avoid catching Doctor Strange's eye. Luckily the magician was nicely distracted by Wanda and her choice of wedding wear. "Tryin' t' keep out of Strange's way - last thing I want is more homework," she explained at Angelo's questioning look. "He's been layin' it on pretty thick since I got back an' sorted someone t' watch Meg for me."
Angelo nodded, understanding. "'Cause of the lessons you missed when you were away, an' then when you had the munchkin to look after?"
"Yeah, pretty much. An' before that was Nate gettin' hurt an' all the rest, so it's really been a couple of months since I've gotten any decent work in. Not t' mention me concentration's been fucked. Magic needs a calm state of mind, an' that's only just startin' t' come back lately." Sudden animation lit up her face. "Oh, did I tell you? I met someone else interested in the magic, in this occult shop in New York. Same age as me, called Charlie. He's got no power himself, but he's up on the theory, much better 'n me, actually."
He looked interested. "Yeah? So you gonna be workin' with him some as well, or what?"
"I think so - he's got some interestin' ideas for me powers, a bit like what I've been doin' with Forge," she explained, still smiling. "But even if we don't actually manage t' get anythin' done, 's nice t' have someone t' talk to 'bout what a bastard language Sumerian is, an' the like, y'know?"
He grinned. "Yeah, I hear you. Must be hard bein' the only one in the mansion who does what you do."
"Sometimes," she said, with a small shrug. "But then again, you're pretty much in a league of yer own too, yeah?"
He nodded, laughing. "You an' me, we're unique. No telepathy or telekinesis for us."
Wrinkling her nose in mockery, she said: "Who wants t' be like everyone else any way?" before breaking into laughter. Then she caught sight of a small pink and brown blur heading her way. "An' it looks like Meg got tired of waitin' for me. Wanna help keep her entertained an' out from underfoot?"
"Always", he answered with a genuine smile, holding out his arms to the little girl as she dashed up.
"Angelo!" Meggan bounced into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Wedding fun! Good!" She snuggled happily. "Meggan pink," she said proudly, in case he hadn't yet noticed her wonderful new dress. "Shinypink!"
He laughed, settling her securely on his knees. "That you are, chiquita. Did 'Manda help you choose that?"
"The choosin' was all her," Amanda said, reaching over and smoothing back the curls held by a broad pink hairbow, courtesy of Marie-Ange. "But she's the prettiest girl here, aren't you, love?"
"Manda Meggan shopping. Mall," she told him seriously, then she reached out to tug his tie gently. "Angelo pretty," she added, because he was all dressed up and he looked nice. Not very comfy - maybe he didn't like his shoes either, she thought, giving her slippers a resentful look - but nice. And he'd put on an extra nice smell for the wedding.
"Course she is," Angelo agreed staunchly, giving Meggan a hug and laughing warmly at the latter part of what she'd said. "Thank you, Megs."
"Angelo good." Meggan cuddled up and yawned a little bit. "Day BIG," she added, resting her head on his shoulder. She wasn't going to go to sleep yet, she was determined, but a little rest on a welcoming lap would be nice.
"An' then some," Amanda agreed. "You need a nap, love? I can take you back t' our room if you do, stay with you while you sleep?"
Meggan scowled. "No nap," she said stubbornly. Usually she was in favour of naps, but right now it would mean missing the fun and good feelings.
"All right, then, no nap." Yet, Amanda mentally amended. She wasn't having Meggan falling asleep under a table somewhere and people accusing her of not looking after her properly. "An' maybe later Uncle Angelo can dance with you, yeah?" she added, tipping him a wink.
He grinned, ruffling Meggan's curls. "Be happy to. You like dancin', chiquita?"
"Dance!" Meggan agreed. Dancing was fun. She would do it all night, if she could. She leaned against Angelo's comfortable shoulder. Maybe just a little tiny nap, while they talked, she thought, letting her eyes close. Then she'd be less tired when it was dancing time.
Later, the lure of nicotine is too strong, and Amanda is caught being unladylike. Luckily it's by Nate.
She'd been so very good, but there were limits, and not having a cigarette for the bulk of what had been a very long day was one of them. Making sure Meggan was all right with Marie-Ange and Doug for the time being, Amanda ducked out of the tent, having borrowed a cigarette and a lighter from one of the waiters, given Angelo was currently sitting with Paige. She didn't want to push things too far there. Greedily she sucked down the first lungful of smoke, exhaling it in a sigh of relief.
"Bad habit," came a voice from behind her as Nathan limped out into the open air, leaning heavily on his cane. "Those things'll kill you, you know." He gave her an amused smile, careful to stand upwind.
"First one today," she offered by way of defence, taking another draw and blowing the smoke away from him. "How's the back holdin' up?"
"It hasn't run away to start the honeymoon early," Nathan said with a snort, "which is about as much as I can expect, I think. Too much dancing," he confessed, straightening and wincing. "But everyone wanted to dance, and who was I to say no?"
"It's the kilt," Amanda teased, smiling. "Women can't resist a man in a kilt. It's the legs." A third drag got her past halfway, and she stubbed out the rest of the cigarette and tossed the butt in the unobstrusive receptable for such things half-hidden by a planter of shubbery and flowers. That done, she approached, and without warning gave him a hug. "Haven't had the chance t' do that yet," she explained, cheating just a little and letting the healing spell run through her hands on his back. She had power to spare, being back on home ground, so to speak.
He hugged her back, then chuckled as he felt the pain in his back abruptly fade - not all the way, but quite noticeably. "Sneaky," he said, "but thank you." As she drew back, he smiled down at her. "Have I mentioned how pretty you look today?"
She blushed, ducking her head a little. "Angie an' Dom's work," she said, smoothing out the dress. "They did me hair an' face - think they did all right, considerin' what they were workin' with."
"You remind me so much of her, you know. Dom, I mean. Although she had an allergy to dresses and other such feminine things for a little longer than you did," Nathan said with a nostalgic smile, remembering. "And hell, look at her now."
"Well, she probably didn't have a boyfriend an' a roommate teachin' her that dressin' up ain't so bad," Amanda said with a wry little chuckle. "But you know somethin'? I hope I turn out half as well as she has. You an' GW taught her well, Nate."
"I'm more than moderately proud of her, I think it's fair to say..." Especially now, after how well she'd handled Pete's... no, not going there today. "Pretty proud of you these days, too," he said, giving her shoulder a little nudge. "Things seem to be going well with Meggan."
"She makes it pretty easy," Amanda said, a soft smile coming to her face. "She learns so fast, an' there's none of the shite I was dealin' with back when..." She made a vague gesture, encompassing the time after her rescue from Rack. She'd been so hard and suspicious, even as a kid. "I hope I'm doin' all right by her, is all."
"It's amazing how quickly she seems to be adjusting. You have to wonder if her mutation's not helping her along on that score." He laughed a bit sheepishly. "I promise not to growl at Moira if I catch her reviewing Meggan's test results on the laptop while we're in Tuscany. She's fascinated, you know."
Amanda grinned. "Only if she doesn't spend the whole time doin' that - we're got plenty of time t' sort it all out, an' she doesn't seem t' be havin' any trouble with things - even the empathy, which I think ticks off Manuel. He seems t' be the only one whose empathy drove him mental."
"Well, there were a lot of other things at work in Manuel's case," Nathan said slowly. Amanda hadn't seemed too bothered by the fact that Manuel had opted not to come to the wedding. "Watch out for Gar and Vas, by the way. I think they have designs on you."
"Yeah, I know." She was probably projecting slightly, but the mind link they'd done was fresh in her memory. "I wish he'd been able t' come, but all the happy families, 'specially when it's mine... 's all a bit too close, y'know? I wasn't gunna push." She grinned ruefully at the mention of the boys. "They'll have t' design away - I'm practically an' old married woman meself. Been a bit more 'n a year since you fixed the link, an' that's the closest I can think of to an anniversary. An' we sorted things before I left."
Nathan nodded, although inwardly he was wondering just how many times Amanda and Manuel could expect to sort things. Not the time to be wondering that aloud, though. "That seems like so long ago," he murmured. "When I fixed the link, I mean."
"A year _is_ a long time," Amanda said from the lofty view of youth. "For all it's complicated things sometimes... 'm glad you did it. Without it... well, I know we wouldn't still be together."
"Gave you something to hold on to," Nathan murmured. The stars were out, and he took a deep breath, appreciating the cool night air. "And you're right. A year can be forever, sometimes. Although the last six months have gone by awfully fast. Once we get back, Moira and I are going to have to put some serious work into getting that nursery done."
"You've got more 'n enough helpers, if you want it," Amanda told him, letting the subject of Manuel drop. Nate was never comfortable talking about her relationship, and she didn't want to spoil his day.
He bit his lip, trying to repress the grin. "I know what color we should be painting it," he said obliquely. "But I'm doing my almighty best to forget that I do, because Moira still wants to be surprised." He laughed ruefully. "It came to me during the Brownie Incident... or to Angie, maybe. I don't think there was much difference between us at that point."
"Can you tell me, or would she pick it up?" Amanda asked, curiosity perking.
Nathan very delicately slid a shield over the link - Moira wouldn't notice, she was still dancing - and then, to be safe, mouthed the word just in case anyone with enhanced hearing was close enough to listen.
Amanda's eyes went round, and she grinned, hugely, before throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him breathless. "No secrets from a couple of precogs, eh?" she said, practically bouncing with excitement. "I won't say a word t' anyone 'til it's time, I swear."
Nathan laughed and hugged her back. "I'll hold you to that." With the number of people he'd slipped with - it was hard to forget that you weren't supposed to know things - he was only glad Moira wasn't a telepath. "And it'll be time before you know it." He shook his head. "You know, for all that she fussed about how big she was going to look in her dress... I could laugh at her, now."
"She looks gorgeous," Amanda said decisively, looking as if anyone who said otherwise would regret it. Not that anyone would, of course. "Didn't need a glamour at all, even."
"Large numbers of gorgeous women around today," Nathan said cheerfully. "If I wasn't now a happily married man..." He winked at her.
She laughed at him, swatting him lightly on the arm. "Well, I'd take you up on that offer, only you're too old an' decrepit t' keep up, aren't you?"
"Thoroughly decrepit," Nathan agreed, then offered her the arm she'd just swatted. "I think, though, I could manage a dance."
"Only if you use yer TK t' stop me stompin' on yer feet by accident," she said, laughing as she accepted the arm with a slight curtsey, as she'd learned in Asgard.
"Oh, but my feet are hardy things," Nathan assured her as he led her back inside.
