Another Long Day

[Jax Rowlette]

A sigh of relief was released upon Jax returning home. He stepped across the threshold, the very threshold he once carried Dahlia across, and peace was instantly upon him. He didn't see anyone around, and with a shrug, he made his way to the study. He had a potions book he had picked up and had sent to the house to be placed on his desk, making him wonder if his at times incompetent house elves had placed it where he wanted it. If not, he was sure they would know about it in due time.

He tossed his cloak over the back of the chair, revealing a black suit with white pin stripes and a crisp, obviously pressed, button up shirt. The tie was black with an odd black and green design about it, but his wife had picked it out for him. He took a seat, and upon finding the book in it's proper place as he had instructed he opened to the proper page, his memory of what page it was surprised him.

Before he knew it, hours had passed and he had fallen asleep, his legs propped up on the desk and his head slumped down to his chest. He would almost appear dead if one didn't notice the slow rise and fall of his chest.

[Dahlia Rowlette]

There wasn't much that went on in her home that Dahlia didn't know about. After all, what else did she have to do? Aside from her weekly meeting with the book club, and a visit with her sister and her husband, Dahlia didn't have much else to do. The house elves did the cooking and cleaning, leaving her to enjoy a life of leisure... which felt a lot more like boredom to her.

She knew about the book that had been sent to the house, and she had ensured that the house elves placed it exactly as her husband had requested. And she knew when he came home as well, but she usually gave him some time to relax on his own before dinner was ready. Usually, he came in on his own. But when dinner was ready and there was no sign of Jax, she went to his study to find him.

Generally, he didn't like when she bothered him in his study, and she tried to avoid doing so whenever possible. But surely this was a special circumstance. She knocked on the door, and, receiving no reply, gently pushed the door open.

"Jax?" she called. "Darling, it's time for dinner."

[Jax Rowlette]

Jax had been in mid dream when his wife's voice brought him back to reality. He wiped his eyes sleepily and tried to focus on what she had been saying. He looked her over and gave a half grin. Standing from his chair in one fluid motion he gracefully moved himself to stand in front of her.

"Thank you for letting me know," he said with a half smile, kissing her on the cheek. He knew he had to confuse her with his actions at times, but he confused himself as well. One minute he couldn't stand to be in the same room as her, and the next he couldn't be closer to her if he tried. With a gesture of his hand, he held the door open for her to exit the study first. His stomach growled quite loudly and he chuckled.

"I suppose if you hadn't have woke me my stomach would have sooner or later, but I'm glad it was you and not the latter," he stated laughing a bit more. He must have been having a good dream if he woke up like this, but what was it about?!? Something about babies for some reason. He shook the thought from his head and waited patienly so he could walk his wife to the dinner table.

[Dahlia Rowlette]

It was because of these moments that Dahlia was able to convince herself that her husband truly loved her. There were times when it seemed like he hated her, and other times, he seemed to love her. He was a Jekyll and Hyde, and he made her head spin sometimes. Yet through it all, she stayed with him, loving him. Even if sometimes she wished that she didn't.

"You're in a good mood," she said, smiling. "I guess the little nap did you some good. We're having roast beef tonight... I instructed the elves not to over cook it this time."

[Jax Rowlette]

Jax nodded when she commented on his mood, then flashed another grin at her. He knew what plans he had for her when dinner was over. She just had no clue yet. He made an attempt to grab her hand, wanting to lock their fingers together as they walked to the table.

"Darling, I have a confession," he said, his tone sobering and becoming rather more gentle than normal. "I know I can be crazy and go off the deep end at times but I do want you to know that I do love you very much. I'm just stressed lately, with work and I don't mean to take it out on you."

He really didn't. Deep down he was a good man, he just didn't know how to tap into that good all of the time. Most of the time it was the bad. He shook his head at himself mentally as he led the two into the dining room, pulling Dahlia's chair out for her so she could take a seat. He glanced at the roast beef that looked as if the cover had just been pulled from it and smiled.

"It doesn't look over cooked," he said with a laugh, "But I guess we'll wait and see."

[Dahlia Rowlette]

It wasn't often that he said those words to her, so hearing them now sent a shiver of warmth through her body. For a moment like this, Dahlia was willing to put up with almost anything from him. For a few minutes, at least, she was on top of the world.

She was even more surprised when he pulled her chair out for her to sit. He was behaving like the perfect gentleman tonight, and if not for the set of blinders she wore where her husband was concerned, she might have been suspicious of his actions. Instead, she was flying high.

"I'll serve you," she said, sliding the roast beef platter over in front of her and taking a generous serving of the meat, which had already been sliced by the house elves.

[Jax Rowlette]

As Dahlia prepared his plate, Jax stood quietly beside her chair waiting for her to finish. "Thankyou dear," he said, his voice soft. Tonight he was Dr. Jekyll, caring and sweet but who knew as to when Mr. Hyde would step into Jax's shoes. He hoped Mr. Hyde would be kept at bay, but he had no control over the change it felt like. It almost felt as if something larger dictated him, and without his knowledge, subconsciously it was his father.

Dahlia had finished preparing his plate so he waited patiently for her to take her seat so he could push it up beneath her. With that done, he quickly began taking care of her plate, pausing to give her a small smile. "If you want more dear just let me know and I'll fix it for you."

He was even blown away by his behavior this evening, but he knew what he wanted and sadly enough how to get it. He knew she wouldn't resist, but he felt bad that he knew how to manipulate her with a few kind words.

[Dahlia Rowlette]

This was the way she had always pictured it would be as a young girl with stars in her eyes. While crammed into the small pull-out bed at home with Daisy, she used to dream about the future, when she would have a loving husband who would love her and take care of her. Much of the time, her life with Jax was nothing like those dreams, but tonight, it was. She didn't even bother to question it... she would just smile and enjoy it while it lasted.

"That's perfect," she said as he prepared her plate. "Thank you."

He was so considerate tonight! Maybe it was a good thing he wasn't like this every night, because she would have just died from happiness.

She poured him a glass of wine without a word, then poured some for herself. "I take it you had a good day at work?"

[Jax Rowlette]

As Jax settled Dahlia in his chair, he indulged in the urge to kiss her hair lightly. He gave her a small smile again and moved to his own place setting, taking a seat and glancing at his wife before cutting a small slice of roast beef. He enjoyed the flavor this time, the house elves had not overcooked it for once. "You're welcome," he replied when she thanked him for making her plate.

As she poured him some wine he smiled up at her again and thanked her. With work mentioned he grimaced a bit. "Work is rough right now, so let's not talk about that. I don't want to ruin the night we have here. I'd much rather hear about you. How are things with the book club, and how is your sister?," he asked, honestly interested for once. Normally he couldn't stand her sister, but he knew Dahlia cared deeply for the woman.

Tonight really would be the perfect night he thought. Maybe his plan for after dinner would really work. He hoped like hell it would, but only time could tell..

[Dahlia Rowlette]

Dahlia smiled and took a sip from her wine. Silently she chided herself for trying to hard to find a reason for his good mood. As unusual as it was, she would not do herself any favors if she spent the whole time trying to understand why he was acting this way. After all, it could end as quickly as it had begun. She knew that all too well.

"The book club is going well," she replied. "Actually, I'm supposed to host next week's meeting, if that's all right, dear? I was thinking we could do it in the sunroom. It has such a lovely view of the gardens."

[Jax Rowlette]

Jax listened to her intently smiling when she mentioned that the book club was going well. "That's fantastic Dahlia, and yes I'd be more than willing to have you host it here. I'll make sure the house elves understand that everything has to be perfect for you and your guests," he offered with a warm smile before returning to his food. Thoughts swirled in his mind, making mental notes constantly of things that needed to be done to ensure nothing that did not need to be seen was in view that day.

Most of those things were locked up in his study and he knew that Dahlia knew better than to touch them, but he was still quite protective of them. His thoughts shifted back to her and he smiled brightly. "I think we should have a little get together here at the manor soon. Maybe in a month or so. We should have your sister and her husband over and anyone else you want to invite. The entire book club and half of the Ministry if you want," he stated excitedly. He was truly in rare form tonight. "I would love for you to be able to have everyone you care about over."

[Dahlia Rowlette]

Once again, he was surprising her. He had never made it a secret of the fact that he did not like her sister, or her husband. He tolerated some of her friends, while he wanted nothing to do with others. The idea that he would throw a party for all of them was pretty much unheard of. Yet she would not allow herself to question it or doubt it.

"Really?" she said brightly, her lovely face lighting up. "Oh, Jax, that would be wonderful! It's been so long since we've had a party!"

Throwing parties was one of her specialties, as it happened. She was an excellent hostess, and she loved planning. This would keep her busy for the next month or so. "Just let me know when would be a good time for it, with your schedule."

[Jax Rowlette]

Jax smiled brightly at his wife, knowing he had made her happy. He could tell from the look on her face that she was quite surprised but that wasn't uncommon when Dr. Jekyll was around. Actually, truth be told, she was usually surprised with him. He knew she had to be confused as well. It was really sad that he couldn't be the husband he should be to her all of the time, but he couldn't do much about it now. He could act like he would try to do better in the future, but he honestly didn't know what triggered his Mr. Hyde personality. It wasn't really anything she did. She was always sweet and caring, doing anything she could think of to make sure he was content, or at least semi-satisfied. "How about we plan for about 6 to 7 weeks from now. That will give you plenty of time to get everything perfectly how you want it, and you can even redecorate some of the rooms if you want. It will give something new to talk about at the party. I'm thinking we could do the extra study in an oriental theme. What do you think?"

Before he had realized he had half of his plate down and he looked sheepishly up at her. "Wow, I didn't think I had ate that fast," he said with a chuckle. He quickly finished up the food before him and waited for his wife to finish. He had a special surprise for her that evening and he just couldn't wait any longer.

[Dahlia Rowlette]

Dahlia, however, had barely touched her dinner. How could she? She was far too distracted by her husband tonight. When he was like this--and it was rare--she got a little glimpse of the man she had always known he could be... the man that she loved. Of course, this was not to say that she didn't love him even when he was at his worst. She ached for him always, and got by on whatever scraps of affection he thought fit to throw her way.

Already, she was having happy daydreams of picking out colors for the new decor, getting new furniture, and one of those beautiful Oriental privacy screens and a few decorative vases.... "That sounds lovely," she said excitedly. "I'll consult the decorator in the morning."

Projects like these gave her something to do, a reason for being, and it thrilled her to be encouraged in such pursuits. Planning a party, decorating the extra study... It would keep her busy for quite a while.

"You did eat fast. Did you want seconds?"

[Jax Rowlette]

Jax watched as the woman he called his wife seemed to drift off on clouds, as happy as a small child in Honeyduke's. He smiled brightly at her and when she mentioned consulting with the decorator in the morning he nodded his approval.

"That sounds fine dear," he replied, noticing she had barely touched her food. When she asked if he wanted seconds he shook his head.

"No, I'm full as can be, but are you okay? You've hardly touched a bite," concern seeming to pour from his voice.

[Dahlia Rowlette]

Dahlia was feeling fine; just a little bit taken aback. She adored her husband no matter what, of course, but sometimes he really did make her head spin. His mood swings were just so dramatic and different that she never really knew which version of him she was going to see when he came home at night. When he was like this, however.... it shouldn't have surprised her as much as it did.

"I'm fine, darling. I just... I'm just eating a little too slowly. But everything is fine. And I'm so happy to see you in such good spirits."

She tried to eat a little faster, just to please him. She was anxious to see what other surprises he might have in store for her this evening.