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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Dec 28, 2008 0:22:27 GMT -5
When she was sitting next to him, it struck him just how thin she seemed. She certainly didn't look as if she had given birth to two children.
But he didn't say anything about it; he didn't want to make her self-conscious. She was a little edgy, he thought, as if she were afraid of something. "Cara is wonderful," he said, keeping his tone light. "She's been happier since she went back to work. We're also thinking of redecorating the living room. She's been talking about having the whole family over for the holidays... would you be interested in joining us?"
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Post by Emelia Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 0:32:08 GMT -5
"If we're not busy," Emelia replied. The answer was easy and smooth... well practiced. "We're usually so busy around the holidays. The boys come home from school, and Blake's job seems to keep him busier over the holidays. There's always so much to do to prepare for the holidays. But we'll see."
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Dec 28, 2008 0:46:49 GMT -5
Mathieu's face fell. He had expected the answer, but still he had been hopeful. "I understand," he said softly. "But please, talk to Blake about it. The whole family would be invited, of course. We would really all love to see you. I know the children would be happy to see you there. Amandine has always wanted to meet you. And I would love to see the boys... and Blake, of course."
He added the last as an afterthought. He was not actually thrilled about the prospect of seeing Blake, but if it would be the only way Emelia would be willing to join the family at Christmas, he would say what he had to.
"Judah's family will be there," he added hopefully. "You remember Hayden and Liam, right? You never met Sheena..."
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Post by Emelia Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 0:55:57 GMT -5
Emelia bit th inside of her lips, her fingers gripping her tea cup. Her eyes were unfocused, only because she was imagining that conversation in her head.
She knew all of the arguements. They had things to do, and where was her loyalty to her family? Certainly not valued less than a dinner with the Ferreras. Where had they been for the last 14 years? They were obviously only being polite about inviting her, since they never really tried to contact her. How many more clues did she need that she was unimportant to them? She had been through that conversation before, the first few invitations she had received from them.
"We'll see," she said again, softly, and stood up. She left both tea cups but picked up the tray as if to put it away. "Blake is due home soon."
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Dec 28, 2008 1:15:59 GMT -5
Mathieu frowned as he noticed the dazed look on her face. She was sitting next to him, but the distance was so great, as if she were sitting a million miles away. The urge to rescue her, to sling her over his shoulder and carry her out of this house was becoming overwhelming. Maybe he was wrong; maybe she was happy. But to him, she seemed lost.
He glanced at the clock and took a breath. "Would he have a problem with my being here?" he asked carefully.
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Post by Emelia Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 1:20:53 GMT -5
"No, of course not," Emelia said quickly. Blake was her husband and she never meant to imply anything bad about him, if that's what her brother thought. Although she was quite certain Blake wouldn't be happy about an unexpected visitor, especially on that they both knew didn't really care about her, she wasn't going to say this to Mathieu. "I was just... letting you know, I guess. You're...."
Sometimes she was torn over pleasing her husband and being a good hostess, both of which brought her joy. "You're welcome to stay for dinner."
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Dec 28, 2008 1:44:33 GMT -5
Mathieu was torn. He really didn't want to leave her so soon, not after he had gone so long without seeing her. But he wasn't sure her invitation was genuine. And besides, Cara was likely to be in the middle of preparing dinner for him back at home.
"Thank you for the invitation," he said in a gentle tone. "But I am afraid I can't stay for dinner. I wish I could, but I couldn't on such short notice. And I really wouldn't want to inconvenience you or Blake."
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Post by Emelia Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 1:50:44 GMT -5
"Of course, though it would be no inonvenience."
Of course she had expected him to find a way out of it. She wasn't worth all the time, and he would probably much rather spend it with his own wife. Besides, he had only stopped in because he was nearby, so it hadn't been an inconvenience.
Sometimes, usually when it involved her children or when Blake pushed things really far, you could see a flash of who she used to be, but those moments were few and far between now. However, when she looked up and met his eyes, there was a ghost of it there.
"I've missed you." She allowed herself that selfish remark without providing an apology.
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Dec 28, 2008 2:06:37 GMT -5
The simple remark, spoken so honestly, nearly broke him. He blinked back a bit of moisture in his eyes and he took both of her hands in his. "I've missed you, too. So very much."
Over the years, missing her had become such a constant feeling that he had pushed it aside. She had become an empty space in his life, a piece that was missing. He could function without her, out of necessity, but he had not forgotten her.
He pulled her into a hug then, holding her thin body against his. He was almost afraid to hold her too tight. "I promise you, I won't stay away so long this time. Family is important, and ours has been missing something without you. Please promise you'll talk to Blake about coming for Christmas."
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Post by Emelia Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 2:17:45 GMT -5
Emelia only nodded. She would bring it up when the time was right, certainly, but she couldn't promise that he would agree to go. It didn't even occur to her that she should be able to go without him.
"Tell Judah that I... that I miss him, too. Please?" She was already fairly certain that she wouldn't have the oppertunity to see either of them anytime soon. Her eyes flicked towards the clock again, and she reaized she wold be very sad to see him go.
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Dec 28, 2008 2:25:22 GMT -5
Mathieu nodded. "I will. He was talking about you just the other night, actually. He sends you his love." He hesitated for a moment, trying to decide whether to mention that Judah might also be paying her a visit in a day or two. For some reason, he rather thought that the news might make her nervous.
He really didn't want to leave, but it seemed like she was gently hinting that she wanted him to leave. He hugged her once more, then stood up. "I guess I should be going. But I promise I will come by again soon. Just let me know when it's a good time for you."
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Post by Emelia Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 2:32:19 GMT -5
She didn't want him to leave, and her hold on him tightened for just a brief second before she let go.
"Right, of course." It would be best, of course, is Blake didn't walk in and be surprised by this. "I don't know right now, but just owl." It was easy to ignore an owl if she needed to. "And I will see if we'd be able to come for Christmas. I'll let you know. Say hello to Cara and the children."
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Dec 28, 2008 2:40:14 GMT -5
Mathieu couldn't come up with a good excuse for staying. He was seriously reconsidering his decision not to stay for dinner, because it would mean that he could stay with her longer. But it also meant that he would have to see Blake, which was not a pleasant prospect.
He pressed a kiss against her porcelain cheek. "It's been so good seeing you again," he said. "Tell Blake I say hello."
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 2:56:09 GMT -5
But this soon became a pointless comment, for Blake had just arrived home. He walked in the front door and was immediately informed by one of the house elves that the mistress of the house had a visitor.
Emelia rarely received visitors; Blake did not encourage it. He didn't need people distracting her from her household duties or putting thoughts into her head. So hearing that she had a visitor immediately put him on the alert. He tossed his cloak at the little elf and strolled right into the sitting room, throwing the double doors open, as if he expected to catch her in the act of doing something shocking.
Instead, she was embracing her older brother, Mathieu. He forced a smile. "Mathieu!" he said. "What a surprise to see you. It's been too long... what, 12... 13 years?"
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Post by Emelia Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 3:03:59 GMT -5
Emelia worried for just a split second, especially when she recognized the forced smile. She knew her husband well enough to know if his smiles were sincere or not. She just hoped he wasn't angry. She never felt right when she made him angry.
14 years, but whose counting? she thought silently in her head, that little spark of her former self returning. Mathieu had pulled it from her twice now, when she rarely saw it at all.
"Mathieu was in the neighborhood, darling, and just stopped by to say hello."
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Dec 28, 2008 3:09:58 GMT -5
Mathieu glanced from Blake to Emelia and back, feeling a bit uncertain. He could sense Emelia's nervousness and noticed how quick she was to make an excuse.
"Blake, it's good to see you," he lied, stepping forward to shake his brother-in-law's hand. "Emelia is right, I just stopped by for a quick visit. I was just about to leave, actually."
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 3:17:35 GMT -5
Blake shook Mathieu's hand. "Well, I'm sure Emelia appreciated the company," he said, continuing to smile tightly. "But I'm sure you have more important things to do, so I certainly wouldn't want to keep you. It is nice seeing you again, of course. Send our love to your family, won't you?"
Mathieu's presence here worried him more than he was willing to let on. After his recent encounter with another member of that side of the family, it seemed awfully coincidental that Mathieu should show up now. Did he know anything?
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Post by Emelia Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 3:23:30 GMT -5
Emelia remained silent. She had nothing to add to her husband' words, and after all these years and the sacrifices she had made for him, she still watched him with a touch of adoration in her eyes.
She smiled at Mathieu, her own final, silent goodbye.
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Dec 28, 2008 3:43:29 GMT -5
Mathieu nodded. "Yes... I should go..." He hesitated, glancing at Emelia. He really was reluctant to leave her. They had barely had a chance to catch up.
Looking back at Blake, he made a quick decision. "Actually, Blake, since you're here, I just wanted to let you know that you and Emelia and the boys are all invited over for Christmas dinner, if you're interested. It's been such a long time since the whole family has seen each other, and the kids would love to see you..."
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 3:50:03 GMT -5
Blake was taken aback by the invitation and was at first tempted to make a polite excuse. But then a thought occurred to him and he broke into a smirk. "Hm... the whole family will be there, you say?" he said, raising an eyebrow. "All of your children?"
At Mathieu's quick nod, Blake smiled openly. "You know what? I think maybe we'll try to drop by for a while. Maybe for dessert. I'm sure the boys would love to visit with their older cousins."
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