Who: Anthony and Miriam Where: Home When: Evening, Sunday, September 10th Warnings: None
With Sera out with her friends, and Caius off to Anguilla, it was just Anthony and Miriam at the dinner table tonight. Even if Caius had been in town, he doubted he would get his son over for dinner unless Miriam played the ‘neglected mother’ card. It was generally effective. But he didn’t mind these quiet nights. They could speak freely with one another without Sera around, at least. Being that it was Sunday, he had put off work and spent most of the day with his wife. Occasionally he had considered retreating into his room off the side of the house to delve into some dark magic with the intent of sabotaging Caius’s beach vacation so his son would return home sooner. But he opted to let it go, well aware that, for the most part, Caius and Reagan were quite adept at sabotaging themselves without his help. A week in Anguilla wasn’t going to change that.
They were enjoying seafood tonight, and the French doors were open nearby, allowing some of the crisp ocean air to waft into the house. “It’s been awhile since we’ve been alone for dinner,” Anthony pointed out, somewhat amused as he took a drink of his scotch. “What on earth will be talk about without Sera dominating the conversation?”
If Miriam realized how closely her thoughts about their son and Reagan mirrored his, she would likely have commented on it. Instead, she glanced up, her dark eyes twinkling with a similar humor. “Have we lives to catch up on? The way she tells it, we are utterly boring and never do anything of consequence.” She took a sip of her wine, the liquid warmed by her hand around the glass. “Except, of course, when we keep her from doing what she would prefer.” Sera, outspoken in the way only teenagers were, innocent and tactless. Miriam preferred this part of their childhood, when it was so easy to glean clues about their lives, as opposed to Caius’ more recent close-lipped quiet.
Still, she didn’t necessarily want to speak about their children tonight, even though she knew that they would circle the subject more than once. Sitting back a little in her chair, she kept the wineglass dangling from her fingers as she took in a breath of the night air. She liked the evenings, provided she was safely inside. “The cold is moving in less quickly this year than in the past….Caius has kept the marina open longer than expected. Am I a bad person for hoping it would keep him from a last minute vacation?”
Anthony cocked a brow as he tilted his head in agreement, taking another bite of his dinner. Their daughter was headstrong and independent, but she was still a teenager. As much as he enjoyed talking with her from time to time, Anthony was actually a bit relieved to share the evening with Miriam without Sera. She could, occasionally, be quite tiresome and Anthony had relatively less patience with her than Miriam. He was more than happy to let his wife deal with the trivial things, like Sera's well being. Anthony had more than enough on his plate already. Thankfully it didn't seem as though Miriam resented him for it. If Sera had inherited his magic, perhaps things would be different.
The mention of Caius and the marina had Anthony wiping his mouth with his napkin as he reached for his drink and sat back against his chair. "No, it doesn't make you a bad person," Anthony assured her. "If the weather cooperates, it makes sense to keep the marina open as long as we can push it. I had considered asking him to postpone his trip, but the reservations had been made, and the flight booked. Reagan already made arrangements for her shop. I'm not sure he would have stayed even if I had insisted." Caius probably would have stayed, although Anthony knew he would have resented him for it. Generally Anthony wouldn't have cared, but given how far Caius had come in regards to his craft, Anthony didn't want to risk Caius refusing to speak to him for several weeks. Instead, Anthony studied his wife from where he sat, his dark eyes locked onto hers. "It doesn't make you a bad person if you had wanted him to stay for selfish reasons either. You know perfectly well we can handle the marina without him for a week."
“Of course we can.” More absently reassuring than anything, although she followed it with a dry comment, “Although I’m sure Sera believes we had no acumen before they came along.” She debated bringing up the subject of Caius and Reagan once more; frankly, it was simply nice to have an evening alone with her husband without having to drag what amounted to business into it. And she was beginning to feel as though their efforts in regards to their children had developed into a business of its own. “They’ve developed a status quo that seems to be holding,” she finally ventured, knowing he’d pick up on her decision to delve into Caius and Reagan after all. Anthony knew her thought patterns well, after so many years. “I don’t think even a romantic vacation away will upset that, but I could be wrong. Reagan has been angling quite clearly for him to propose. Her buying the house was a good move,” she inclined her head slightly to acknowledge his skill there, “but it won’t last forever.” It was her oblique way of asking his thoughts, without pestering. If he was willing to share them, he would, but Miriam knew better than to pry if Anthony wasn’t open to discussion.
Anthony knew the topic of Caius and Reagan would surface eventually, especially after they actually followed through on their trip to Anguilla. There weren't many people who knew the situation. Anthony, Miriam and Reagan's mother, Veronica. Anthony wasn't even sure Reagan's father knew everything. It was safer to keep it secret, although lately Anthony had been giving some consideration to informing Caius about his possible fate. He thought maybe it would help Caius shift his path away from Reagan, but... he also knew that magic was powerful, more so than love, and he feared his son might try to change things. Anthony was fairly confident that nothing could be done.
Anthony nodded along to Miriam's observation, his lips twitching briefly at the mention of the home Reagan bought. Anthony and Veronica had nudged her in that direction, and Anthony had taken a loss on the house when he sold it to the young woman. It had been worth it. It created friction, yet again, and a much needed complication for the two of them. To be fair, Caius had given Anthony the idea after he had gone ahead and bought a house of his own without including Reagan in the actual purchase. They all knew Reagan well enough by now to know buying a home of her own would have been just as much about getting back at Caius than it was her own desire to be a homeowner. "No, he said finally, "it won't last forever. But think about it, love. An on again off again relationship that spans more than ten years, and a week long romantic vacation in Anguilla. If a tropical beach isn't the ideal place to propose, what is?" Anthony shrugged. "And she'll still come back home without a ring on her finger. And because it's Reagan, she'll want to hurt him for it. She'll freeze him out, or lash out in true Kelly fashion. Caius doesn't know it, but he's bought us more time until we can work out a long term solution."
“And we are sure he has not secreted away a ring and will prove us all wrong?” But it was a facetious question, holding dry humor; Miriam knew just as well that Caius would not follow through on this trip, either. She had begun to wonder if he sensed the issue at the heart of it, but she suspected not. No, Reagan and Caius’ troubles were largely of their own making. Strident, stubborn people, both of them. She could be grateful for that, in this case.
How different, she mused, from how she and Anthony had been at the same age. She simply couldn’t imagine them taking any other path. “If you’d done that to me,” she observed, reaching for the bottle to pour herself a little more wine, “I would have killed you long before now.” She gave a small, quiet laugh before taking a sip, shaking her head a little in wonder. “I do not know how she resigns herself to it. A good thing, in this case, but I still marvel at it.” A long term solution, he’d said. Miriam fretted that the only solution was to separate them, thoroughly and permanently, but if there was an easy way to bring that about, they’d have employed it already.
Anthony couldn't help but laugh. When they had met, Anthony had known right away that he wanted her to be his wife, and it hadn't taken much persuasion from Miriam. It had taken some time, but it had worked out the way Anthony knew it would. But they also didn't have the same... issues that Reagan and Caius did. It was a different situation, and never knew if Caius's reluctance, or Reagan's... patience, came from the magic that connected them, or something more natural. He sipped his drink and gave it some consideration before he shrugged. "It's either the magic, or she loves him. But I'm fairly confident that Caius didn't take a ring with him. I would have probably heard about it if he had visited a jeweler nearby." Anthony paused. "Are you truly that concerned about it? We've witnessed the same cycle between these two for more than ten years. I'm not entirely sure it's going to change anytime soon."
Miriam shook her head slightly, as she set her wineglass down. “No, I’m only worrying it over in my mind….I’m not sure yet why it’s bothered me more frequently.” There were enough strange events in town as of late to distract her, and yet she kept circling back to Caius. “I’ve had no premonitions, or anything else that would point to it. And besides, I trust your judgment as well; if you aren’t concerned, I shouldn’t be.” She picked up her fork, idly. She should put it out of mind, and for now, she did. Later, once her thoughts had settled, Miriam found that she could see patterns in her thoughts that she did not when they were muddled. Taking a bite of her dinner, she let her eyes glance over him, her gaze softening a little. Even after so long, she could not imagine her life without Anthony in it. A contentious relationship like her son and Reagan had would have bothered her greatly.
“You didn’t work at all today, I noticed. Not even on your magic….I confess I didn’t know what to do with all the attention,” she teased, leaning her elbow on the table, resting her chin in her palm. Her eyes warmed again. “How are things progressing for you? I know you were so pleased with how Caius did during the last full moon, but what about you?” She always tried to stay up late, awaiting his return home on those nights. If it went well, he was energetic and passionate, and if it had not gone well, she tended to him all the same.
Anthony was perhaps mildly concerned about Caius and Reagan. There was always some worry, especially when the two were together. Occasionally Anthony gave them a nudge in the wrong direction to move things along if the two seemed happy, but generally, Reagan and Caius took care of the issue themselves. He finished off his scotch and set the glass aside to refocus on Miriam. He had a feeling his wife would probably call Caius at some point this week, just to 'check in' to ensure he was enjoying himself. If it sounded as though there were any problems, Miriam would let Anthony know about it.
"Oh, don't say things like that," Anthony mused with a small smile. "I'll feel like I neglect you too much, darling." Which he did, but that was something they both knew, even if it wasn't implicitly acknowledged. "Things are always progressing," he continued. "To be honest, I have been focusing more on Caius lately than myself. But there's something extremely satisfying about teaching him what I know. I think... eventually, he could become more powerful than I am. I'm not sure if that makes me proud, or competitive."
Miriam raised an eyebrow at the disclosure about Caius. She didn’t comment on any neglect; they each had their own lives and she was hardly a hothouse flower, withering away alone. The thought reminded her of something else she wanted to ask him, but she put it at the back of her mind for the moment. “A little of both, I would expect,” she said, sagely. “With your nature, I doubt you could hold back from challenging him until he exceeded your expectations. And frankly, he has much the same nature. You are cursed with a child who is perhaps a little too much like you.” Briefly, she thought of Sera; they knew that she bore no powers like her father or brother, but Miriam still wondered if she might show some sign of a psychic ability. Truthfully, she wasn’t sure if she wanted that to happen, or was grateful that it had not yet.
“But you shouldn’t neglect your own pursuits in favor of him,” she added, marshaling her wandering thoughts again. “Let him work a little harder for it. He’s got that competitive streak as well.” She smiled, a small lilt of her mouth. “Then he can stay here and handle things and we can go on vacation.”
Anthony was quite certain that Caius would consider becoming like his father a curse as well, although that wouldn't stop him from striving for it. So many aspects of Caius's future was already laid out before him. But there were quite a few questions marks lingering, ones only Caius knew how to answer. Anthony could guide him, of course, with Miriam's help, but ultimately, it would be up to their son to choose his path.
He appreciated Miriam's words, and he reached out to take her hand in his, bringing it up to his lips so he could kiss her fingers. "Wise advice, love, as usual," he murmured. "All I can do is push Caius and see how far he is willing to go. However, I think when it comes to business, he can manage things quite well on his own for awhile, if there's somewhere you would like to go. Caius gets his week in the sun, why shouldn't we?"
Miriam’s gaze softened as he pressed his lips to her hand, warming the skin there. She admittedly was still putty in her husband’s hands and he knew it as well. “I would love that...although the marina is hardly our only business. I fear we have less leeway to jet off whenever we like.” She stroked her thumb over his fingers. “My choice, when we do get the opportunity, would be back to Italy, even just for a short visit.”
It had been far too long since she’d been back. But at the same time, once he’d brought up the subject, she felt that small shiver that usually meant her sixth sense noticed something amiss. “I do feel we shouldn’t leave, right now,” she said, quietly, a slight furrow at her brow. “Something is pricking at me….I hope it’s nothing too serious.”
"Ask and you shall receive," Anthony told her. He wasn't opposed to traveling to Italy for some down time and immersing themselves in their culture. Once he was sure Caius could take care of things in his absence, at least. He held onto Miriam's hand, aware that perhaps she needed the physical connection. They were both busy people, and time together without some form of company or distraction was rare. Anthony studied Miriam for a brief moment before he released her hand and reached for his glass to stand and pour himself another scotch. "We live in Point Pleasant, sweetheart. I would be more surprised if there was ever a day where there wasn't something ominous on the horizon. But we'll stay for now. There's too much to be done." He glanced back at her once he reached the wet bar. "Is it a general feeling you're having, or something more specific?"
As usual, she took the time to choose her words, rather than speak quickly before her thoughts were organized. “Specific to us,” she finally said, her eyes unfocused as her gaze drifted over the table. Unconsciously, her hand went to her throat, resting there against her skin. “Something….revelatory.” She hated when she could only be indistinct, but the further out she sensed, the weaker it was. Her gaze sharpened as it moved to him where he stood. “I imagine I will know more once whatever it is becomes closer. It’s simply a bit unsettling for now.” Absently, she rubbed the skin at her throat, then moved her hand to reach for her wine.
“I meant to ask you, do you know much about Darren Dawson? He’s a teacher over at Sera’s school.”
That was a little disconcerting, but nothing Anthony would concern himself with just yet. Generally his worries fell upon his company, or Caius, but he also knew Miriam would keep him informed if her intuition sharpened. With Caius out of the country with Reagan, Anthony was a little more on edge than usual. Maybe Miriam felt the same. The sound of something revelatory bothered him more than he cared to admit. He had plenty of secrets, but he prided himself on knowing everyone else's. With his glass full again, Anthony returned to the table to take his seat, his brows lifting at the question. "Darren Dawson. I don't know much. He's from Texas. His parents are worth billions. What he's doing here, of all places, I have no idea." Anthony sipped his scotch, studying his wife's face. "Does he concern you?"
“He’s hiding something, and it’s more than just his background, but I cannot put my finger on it. Again, just a feeling. I’ll know more when I get a chance to speak with him. I wanted to get your advice on that beforehand, in case there was something I needed to know.” Like her husband, Miriam disliked not knowing about the other residents in their town, those they dealt with both in business and casually. For her, perhaps, a little more personal, since she wanted to be able to trust everyone around her children. “Whether or not he reacts well to talking to me, that will give a lot more insight. If he were truly hiding from family, he wouldn’t so obviously use his given name, so there’s another layer to this.”
"I think," Anthony began slowly, "that there are plenty of people in this town running from something. Whether or not they present a danger to me, or you, or our family is a different matter. If you feel comfortable enough to speak with him and see if you can pick up on anything, by all means. I can do a little digging into his background and see what I can find out." Anthony wasn't betting that a high school teacher would hold much importance in his life, but if Miriam was concerned, he would do what he could until she had whatever answers she might be searching for. If he did turn out to be a threat to his family, Anthony would take care of the problem swiftly. If it was just another man on the run from his past, so be it. Someone else's problems were their own, unless they affected Anthony's family in any shape or form.
“I’ve got a meeting at the school tomorrow afternoon anyway; it will be nothing to simply pin him down for a short talk. I expect it will be trivial at first. But perhaps I can better pinpoint why I am feeling there is something I should look into.” Secure in the knowledge that Anthony would prevent anything from happening to her or the children, Miriam didn’t think twice about her plan. “Now, enough business, I suppose. Do you think we can plan such a trip for ourselves this winter, perhaps?” She reached across the table this time and took his hand, stroking her fingers over his. “Today has made me realize how much I miss when we are able to spend time together without interruption. I thought the children getting older would mean they absorbed less of my attention, given their self-sufficient nature,” she added, with a wry smile, “but I swear they simply take more.”
Anthony chuckled softly and lifted his glass to his lips with his free hand. Even their more personal issues always tended to feel like business to Anthony. There was really no line there for him. He waited until he set his glass back on the table before he squeezed her hand gently. "I don't see why that would be a problem," he told her. "Perhaps mid-December, before the holidays. Or January, when life is a touch less chaotic." The marina would slow, but the town never did. And Anthony had his fingers in far too many pies to disappear for very long. "I feel as if our children will never be completely self-sufficient, no matter what they might think. And they're lucky to have a mother who cares as much as you do."
“You should tell them that,” came the rejoinder, even as Miriam smiled softly at the compliment. She would take the faint promise of a trip, and not press too much. They would make it happen when it was possible, and there was no use making a bigger deal about it now. But the idea perked her up more than she cared to admit. Perhaps she was more stressed than she realized. “I believe for now, I am going to enjoy our evening alone.”