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Post by Emelia Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 4:02:07 GMT -5
Emelia shot Mathieu an indecipherable look when he brought up the Christmas gathering. She had promised she would mention it, didn't she? Mathieu didn't trust her to keep her promises.
But it was her husband's reply that shocked her. Blake rarely ever surprised her, but he did just now. She had been certain he would find an excuse to turn it down, but she would be lying if she said she wasn't happy he had said yes.
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Dec 28, 2008 12:33:41 GMT -5
Mathieu was delighted. Yes, they would have to endure Blake's presence at their house, but at least Emelia would be there, part of the family again. As she always should have been.
"Great!" he said enthusiastically. "It really will be wonderful to have you all... and Cara makes a wonderful pecan pie... we usually have a trifle, too. We'll look forward to seeing you then."
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 12:48:19 GMT -5
Blake flashed his most charming smile. "It sounds delightful, really," he said. "I'm looking forward to catching up with your family... your lovely wife and children... It's been so long, I really don't remember any of them except your eldest... what was his name again? Rodney?"
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Dec 28, 2008 12:57:10 GMT -5
"Roland," Mathieu corrected automatically. "Yes, he's grown up a lot since you last saw him... you probably wouldn't even recognize him. He'll be there, for sure... the only one I'm not sure about is Cyrus, actually. There's been a bit of a controversy about him lately... It's kind of a long story, and I'm sure you're not interested in hearing it. But anyway, we'd really be glad to see you all there. I'm sure Cara will be thrilled to hear you're coming."
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 13:13:06 GMT -5
Blake was actually perfectly aware of everything that was going on with his wife's side of the family. He made it his business to know. He knew about Cyrus, Lina, and Mara, and he knew about Roland and Jamie and Amandine. He also knew about Judah and his family. He had made it a point to keep tabs on the lot of them through the years. And now it was paying off.
"That's too bad," Blake said insincerely. "I do hope we'll see him there."
He stepped forward and clapped Mathieu on the back. "Anyway, it was nice seeing you again, and we'll look forward to seeing you at Christmas. I'm sure your lovely wife is waiting for you, so don't let me keep you."
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Dec 28, 2008 13:26:09 GMT -5
Mathieu smiled slightly. "Yes, it was nice," he said. He turned to Emelia and gave her a brief hug. "It was so good to see you, Emelia. I can't wait until Christmas."
He kissed her on the cheek, then separated from her reluctantly. "Goodbye, then..." he said as he moved towards the door.
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 13:32:54 GMT -5
Blake fixed his eyes on Emelia, but spoke to Mathieu. "I'm sure it will be a holiday to remember," he said. "Thanks again for stopping by and keeping Emelia company for a little while. I'll show you to the door."
He pulled his eyes away from Emelia and turned back to focus on Mathieu. He led the way to the front door, then opened it and stepped aside for Mathieu. "You should visit more often," he lied. "Send us an owl the next time you're in the neighborhood."
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Dec 28, 2008 13:40:22 GMT -5
Mathieu caught the emphasis and fought the urge to frown. He never could tell what Blake was all about... He was always polite, but perhaps a tad too polite. Like it was all appearances. And the change in Emelia was truly startling. He wasn't quite sure what to make of it all, but he didn't like it. But at least they were going to get to see Emelia and the children for Christmas. That was something to be positive about.
"Errr, yes, I'll be sure to do that," Mathieu said. "Thanks again, and we'll see you on Christmas."
And with that, Mathieu walked away, then apparated back home.
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 13:46:03 GMT -5
Blake watched him go, the polite smile slipping from his face. To tell the truth, he honestly was looking forward to the holiday celebration... if only because he loved the thought of making someone squirm...
After Mathieu had apparated, Blake closed the door and walked back to the sitting room. He found Emelia still standing in the same spot where he had left her, as if she were waiting for him to return. As she should have been.
He walked up to her as if to put his arms around her, but instead he stopped less than an arm's length away from her, keeping his hands straight down at his sides.
"How long was he here?"
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Post by Emelia Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 15:09:33 GMT -5
Emelia had been very quiet during the exchange between her husband and Mathieu, just smiling and whspering a soft goodbye to her brother. She missed him, and she was secrectly very glad that Blake had agreed to stop by for Christmas. She felt so distanced from that entire side of her family... maybe she could get back in touch with them now.
Her eyes held a loving look when Blake returned. It was blind love, but she was a little let down too. She always expected him to show her some kind of love... a hug, a look, anything. But he looke out for her and protected her, and that was enough.
"He was here for just a few minutes. He barely finished a cup of tea. I didn't know he was going to be here."
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 15:27:34 GMT -5
Blake frowned. He was glad to hear that Mathieu hadn't been there long, but it still troubled him. It was such a sudden and unexpected visit. Why now, after 14 years, had Mathieu chosen this day to pop in out of the blue? The timing was beyond suspicious. "What did you talk about? Did he ask you any questions?"
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Post by Emelia Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 16:49:32 GMT -5
"Just how the children were doing," she answered innocently. "How you were, too. He told me a little about his family."
To Amelia, who had no idea what had happened with Roland, it all seemed perfectly fine. Strange, that it had been so long, but not unwelcome.
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 18:47:44 GMT -5
Blake looked at her for a minute, trying to determine if she was lying. It had been a very long time since she had dared to lie to him. She knew the consequences of lying to him.
But her face was serene, with no hint of deception. She was telling the truth, or at least, she believed she was telling the truth. Most likely, if Mathieu knew anything, he was keeping it close to his chest. It was even more likely, however, that he knew nothing. Going by Roland's reputation, he seemed the type to keep a lot of things to himself, and it was entirely possible that the boy had kept the truth from his family. If he even knew who Blake was at all. The last time he had seen Roland, he had been just around 8 years old. Perhaps Roland had not recognized his uncle... which gave him the distinct advantage. And he intended to use it.
Dragging his mind from these thoughts, Blake smiled at his wife. "Well, I suppose that's OK, then," he said. "But really, if he decides to stop by again, don't let him in unless the house is spotless. It's embarrassing to think that it was seen in this state. And really, he shouldn't be stopping by without owling first. It's just not good manners."
He reached out then and lightly touched her cheek. "But I do think it would be nice to visit with your family at Christmas. My brother and his family will be stopping by early, but once they leave, we'll go visit your brothers. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
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Post by Emelia Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 20:08:57 GMT -5
"No, of course not," Emelia agreed easily. "I would have had the house elves clean before tomorrow if I had known he was coming. It was such a surprise." The implied comment about how long it had been hung in the air for only a brief moment.
Her eyes lowered as he touched her cheek, and she nodded once. "Yes..." she answered him, but she never really answered for herself. "I think the children when enjoy the time with their cousins. I wonder if they are friends at school..."
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 23:21:20 GMT -5
Blake suppressed a shudder at the thought of his children being friends with blood traitors like that. But he just smiled slightly. "Perhaps they are," he said. "But I think it would be good for you to catch up with your family. I know how important family is to you. And even though your priority should be here, it is important to remember where you came from once in a while. Then you'll understand how much better things are for you now."
This was one of the ways he controlled her, by showing her that she was better off away from her blood traitor family. He made her realize that she was too good, too precious, to mingle with such unsavory people and their inappropriate beliefs. This was why he had kept her away from them for so long. He would have continued to do so, if the lure of tormenting his nephew wasn't so damn appealing.
He patted her on the cheek. "Now, then, I hope dinner will be ready soon. I'm starving. Why don't you look into it, darling?"
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Post by Emelia Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 23:33:50 GMT -5
Emelia seemed to brighten at his final words, and her eyes met his. "It will be ready in ten minutes. I checked on it just before you came home." She had made sure to check and urge the house elves to hurry when she had gotten Mathieu's tea just fifteen minutes ago.
The prospect that she had done something well nearly made her forget about Mathieu or the upcoming Christmas dinner.
"I also found that wine you like... if you would like a glass?"
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 23:42:39 GMT -5
Blake nodded with satisfaction. She had done well. Ten minutes would give him enough time to freshen up and have a drink before dinner.
But he was always careful with his compliments with her. If he gave her too much, she would start thinking too highly of herself, and he couldn't have that.
"I suppose that will do," he replied. "I'm just going to get changed, and I'll be down shortly. I think I will take a glass of that wine, too."
He gave her a quick, dismissive kiss on her forehead, then walked away, leaving her standing there.
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Post by Emelia Malfoy on Dec 28, 2008 23:54:37 GMT -5
She knew what to do. She didn't just stand there, only until he was gone.
Then, she turned on her heel and went into the kitchen, pouring him a glass of wine and taking it to his place at the table. She checked with the elves again and told them to hurry, and then checked everything else she could find to check on.
Exactly ten minutes later, the table was set and she was standing by the stairs to greet him.
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Post by Blake Malfoy on Dec 29, 2008 0:51:03 GMT -5
Blake went upstairs to the bedroom and got changed into a more casual robe. He stood for a moment and looked in the mirror. He had known for a long time that a showdown between himself and his wife's family would have to come. He was surprised that it would come in the form of his nephew, Roland, whom he remembered as a small, serious boy with dark hair and glowing green eyes. There was no mistaking the man he had become. And even if Roland didn't recognize him... Blake knew exactly who he was. And he intended to use that to his advantage.
Yes... the Ferrera family Christmas gathering was sure to be a fun event. For him, anyway...
Blake scowled into the mirror one last time before leaving the room and heading down the stairs. His wife was, as always, waiting at the foot of the stairs for him. Such a good, dutiful wife, rescued from her blood traitor family.
But he'd never tell her that. "Is dinner ready?" he asked, greeting her with a perfunctory hug.
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Post by Emelia Malfoy on Dec 29, 2008 4:52:40 GMT -5
Emelia nodded, pleased with the fact that she could tell him yes.
He had always tried to tell her she was better than her family, and it was one of the reasons she swore up and down that he loved her... but she never believed it. He could make her do just about anything in the world except look down on the brothers that had been her saviors growing up.
She followed him into the dining hall, waiting to see what he would do. Sometimes, if she had been especially good, he would pull out her seat for her. The times when he did not, she waited until he was seated before she sat herself.
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