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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Nov 12, 2006 1:45:30 GMT -5
Isabella walked across the grounds slowly, dressed in a somber navy blue robe that covered her rounded belly. Voltaire was beside her, his arm looped through hers, walking carefully across the dew-laden grass. Neither of them spoke until they reached the glass bottle that had been set up as a portkey. She looked up at him doubtfully. "Do we really have to do this?" she asked, frowning.
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Post by Voltaire Rothschild on Nov 12, 2006 15:52:24 GMT -5
"Yes, Only to make that horrible Wench writhe a little." he said leaning over and kissing her on her temple. "Besides, what really can she do now? I'm here to protect you, or at least help you because you could probably flay her." he said smiling. He bent down and squatted in his normal three piece suit and scooped up the bottle. "Well, It's nearly time now." he said wrapping his arm around Isa.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Nov 13, 2006 0:26:19 GMT -5
Isabella kissed his cheek and put her hand on the bottle. "Well, here goes...." she sighed, squeezing her eyes shut as the portkey whisked them away to Germany. After a minute, they were in sight of her parents' oppressive mansion, and she let go. Quickly she cast a feather-light charm on both of them, so that they floated easily down to the ground and landed on their feet in the immaculately-trimmed grass. "Well, we're here," she said, frowning. She tightened her arm around his shoulders. "I really don't want to do this..."
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Post by Voltaire Rothschild on Nov 13, 2006 22:09:04 GMT -5
A thought occured to Voltaire in that moment. "Does she know your expecting?" he asked Isa, "Because if you expect a bad reaction The First thing I swear I'll say to her is to shut the hole in her face." he said looking unexpectedly grim.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Nov 13, 2006 22:14:48 GMT -5
"No, I never told her," Isabella said, smiling somewhat smugly. "I rather expect she'll be completely stunned. I mean, I'm very obviously pregnant now. Once the shock wears off, though, I don't think she'll really care all that much. Just the typical horror at the idea of being a grandmother..." She kissed him. "OK, let's go in, before I decide to skip this whole thing..."
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Post by Voltaire Rothschild on Nov 13, 2006 22:28:14 GMT -5
"Then My Lady, Let's enter!" he said walking towards the door confidently and knocking firmly. "With out a doubt you mother has the worst home in the world... I practically smell the OLD" he said loudly. hoping his mother in law heard him. he chucked at the thought of seeing her head swell in anger.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Nov 13, 2006 22:34:49 GMT -5
Bitsy answered the door. "Oh, Miss Isabella, you're back!" she squeaked. "You're just in time for the will reading, they're having it in the study. Come! Come!" She lead them into the stuffy old mansion.
"I thought the reading was an 9:00 am. It's only 7," Isabella commented.
"Oh, you were told wrong, Miss Isabella. The reading is at 7. You know how your mother prefers to get an early start on things."
Isabella shot Voltaire a knowing look. "Good thing we got here early," she said as she followed behind the tiny house-elf.
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Post by Voltaire Rothschild on Nov 13, 2006 22:40:44 GMT -5
"I'm glad I spoke with Dumbledore that night, There must be something in that will she doesn't want you to have. Which makes me double glad to put up with her." Voltaire said smiling grimly as they followed the house elf towards the study.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Nov 13, 2006 22:56:41 GMT -5
Isabella nodded. "I've felt that way from the very beginning. Every letter she's sent me about it was very clearly designed to make me not want to come. But my mother vastly underestimates my stubborn nature.'' She grinned at him and looped her arm through his as Bitsy opened the door to the study. They followed the house elf inside.
Meredith Rothschild was sitting at the desk with her back to the door, so she didn't see them right away. The family lawyer, Raphael Boccello, however, stood up as they entered. "Isabella!" he greeted her. "Last time I saw you, you were just up to my elbow!" He gave her a quick hug and a kiss on each cheek. "And this must be your new husband!" He took Voltaire's hand in a firm, hearty handshake.
"It's good to see you, Raphael," Isabella said. "Yes, this is my husband, Voltaire."
Meredith rose slowly from her chair and turned to face them. "I see you brought him anyway," she said coldly. She raked Isabella over with her harsh gaze, and something flared in her eyes. "So you're pregnant with his child, are you?" she said disdainfully.
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Post by Voltaire Rothschild on Nov 13, 2006 23:04:23 GMT -5
"You know, You look so much better when your not talking dearest Mother." he said grinning at his mother in law. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Boccello! I do hope you forgive me for ignoring the mother in law, really what else could she say to me?" he said smiling charmingly at the older man.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Nov 13, 2006 23:16:04 GMT -5
Isabella smiled coldly at her mother. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I am pregnant. So good of you to notice," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "And to be honest, I've never been happier. Not that you care, of course." She turned back to Voltaire and Raphael. "Voltaire, Raphael here has been Father's attorney for as long as I can remember. He used to bring me candies when he came to visit." She smiled. "Sometimes, Raphael's visits were the only things I had to look forward to."
Raphael chuckled. "Ah, sweet Isabella, I had always hoped you would marry my Giovanni," he said. "But alas, my Giovanni has different... preferences..."
Meredith tapped her foot impatiently. "Could we get on with this?" she snapped.
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Post by Voltaire Rothschild on Nov 13, 2006 23:32:25 GMT -5
"Oh, So you mean your son, has in mind to marry in white, as it were?" Voltaire said ignoring Isabella's mother to keep chatting with Mr. Boccello. "You know, I had the...Opportunity to met Mr. Rothschild before he passed, A man with regrets, did he ever tell you what they were?" he said pretending to whisper. "Perphaps," he wiggled his brows at Isabella's mother" eh?" he asked chuckling to play it off as a joke.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Nov 13, 2006 23:47:39 GMT -5
"Ah, yes, you have it quite right," said Raphael. "He is currently performing in America on Broadway. Yes! Performing for Muggles! But it makes him happy." Raphael sighed. "Ah, yes, Phillip regretted many things." He nodded very slightly and gave Voltaire a quick grin, before sobering, "but most of all, he regretted his neglect of his daughter. In the end, all he could think of was making it up to her. He told me of you, and how you made her smile. I told Mrs. Rothschild to specifically make sure you were invited to the reading, because I wanted to see just how happy you made little Isabella."
Isabella smiled at him. "Really, Raphael, you embarass me. I'm not little anymore, and I was never sweet. But I am happy now." She kissed Voltaire on the cheek.
Meredith continued to tap her foot. "Perhaps you could continue the joyous reunion after the reading," she said through clenched teeth. "Bitsy! Bring me some tea, now! Oh, and I suppose you can bring some for our guests," she added tightly. She gave the house elf a wack with the back of her hand, just for good measure.
Isabella turned and glared at her mother. She really just wanted to go off and let her have it, but she didn't want to do it in front of Raphael. "Really, mother, is it necessary to be such a b!tch?"
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Post by Voltaire Rothschild on Nov 13, 2006 23:56:47 GMT -5
"I don't know Dearest... Observing beasts and their nature only enlightens us not to behave like them." Voltaire smiled meanly at his mother in law. "Well Mr. Boccello, Maybe we should Oblige the harpy in the room and get to this will. I guess we'll understand what has her in such a tizzy at that moment." Said Voltaire Dramatically transfiguring one of the stiff chairs in the study into a plush and reclined chair of Isabella. "My Dearest heart, for you." he said offering her a seat.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Nov 14, 2006 0:07:19 GMT -5
Isabella smiled and kissed him before sitting in the chair. She caught a glimpse of her mother's nauseated expression and smiled coldly. "I'm sorry, mother, does it upset you so much to see someone who actually cares about me and who pays attention to me?"
Meredith frowned deeply. "You are behaving with such a shocking lack of inhibition... that is not how I raised you to be! Public displays of affection... surely Mr. Boccello doesn't want to see you two hanging all over each other!"
"On the contrary--" Raphael began, but was interrupted.
"Need I remind you all that this is not a social event?" Meredith continued. "This is a somber, business affair, and all this unrestrained joviality is hardly appropriate. Now, Raphael, let's get on with it, shall we?"
Raphael nodded. "As you wish, Madam."
Isabella took a deep breath and gripped Voltaire's hand nervously...
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Post by Voltaire Rothschild on Nov 14, 2006 0:10:35 GMT -5
Voltaire stood by Isabella's converted chair and held her hand back. "Some one woke up on the wrong side of the tome stone this morning!" he said before he smiled at Mr. Boccello and motioned for him to continue.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Nov 14, 2006 0:26:02 GMT -5
Raphael began to read: "I Phillip Xavier Rothschild V, being of sound mind and body, do hereby leave my Last Will and Testament. First, to my wife, Meredith, I leave the house and all of its contents, and an annual payment of $50,000 a year for ten years. To my unborn grandchild, I leave a trustfund equalling $100,000, to be claimed when the child is 21. And to my daughter Isabella, I leave the rest of my fortune, equalling 7,528,652.78." He paused for reactions.
Meredith cursed under her breath. "I can't believe he gave it all to you!" she hissed.
Isabella was stunned. "I... I can't believe it, either...." she breathed, looking up at Voltaire in shock. "I knew we were rich, but... and... why did he give it all to me?"
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Post by Voltaire Rothschild on Nov 14, 2006 0:32:53 GMT -5
Voltaire sat with his eyes wide then he smiled and turned to Isa and said "Because, He wasn't a moron after all!" he chuckled and said "Well, what else did the old goat say?" he smiled and grinned at his mother in law. "What do you think? do you think we should donate some to a charity love?" he asked batting his lashes at his wife. "for the children!" he added sappily.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on Nov 14, 2006 0:49:41 GMT -5
"I think that would be nice," Isabella said, smiling. She heard her mother's disapproving cluck and it made her smile even more. "Well, look on the bright side, Mother, you get the house and everything in it. I'd start getting everything appraised... that 50,000 a year won't go too far..."
"You're delighting in my misery," Meredith said stiffly.
"And tell me, why shouldn't I?" Isabella said. "The last time we met, you told me you never loved me. Well, I may not have had your love, or my father's, but I have Voltaire. And honestly, I could care less about the money, as long as I have him. My only pleasure in taking it, is in knowing that you don't have it." She took a deep breath. "Please continue, Raphael."
Raphael cleared his throat and continued reading. "Also, to Isabella, I would like to pass the ownership of the house-elf, Bitsy, of whom she has always been very fond. To my son-in-law, Voltaire, I leave my pocketwatch. This has been in my family for generations, handed from father to son. I have no son, but a fine son-in-law. I would be honored for you to have it." He stopped again and looked up. He ended it here, but he has letters for each of you that he wanted you to read privately." He took out four envelopes and held them out to them. "One is for the baby," he added at Isabella's puzzled expression.
Isabella smiled and took both envelopes. "Thank you, Raphael," she said warmly. She looked up at Voltaire happily. "We get Bitsy!" she said.
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Post by Voltaire Rothschild on Nov 14, 2006 20:52:15 GMT -5
Voltaire took his letter and looked at the man's loopy script. He smiled at Isa and said "Good, because I had planned on tricking your mother into letting her leave anyway." he grinned at Isa, this was just a viciously wonderful day. "I must say I am curious about this pocket watch, I happen to like them myself, it was fate Isa that I fell in love with you!" he said taking out his own pocket watch showing it to her as it read 'Kissing Isa' and he did just that, not really bothering with his mother in law's snort of anger.
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