Chapter 5
Kean and I walk into the kitchen the following morning. Kean woke me up by kissing me awake and then making love to me. I returned the favour in the shower and now we’re both blissed out.
Everyone is already at the table, eating breakfast.
“Morning, family,” I greet, sitting down.
We get a round of mornings, and Justice hands me the coffee pot. “Thanks,” I say, taking it and pouring coffee for Kean and myself.
I put the pot down. “While everyone is here. My boss, Monica, still wants to meet all you true witches. As there are so many of us, I suggested she comes here.”
“That would make sense,” Nix replies. “When is she coming?”
“I need to get some dates from everyone, then we can work something out.”
“We can do that. We’ll message you dates,” Ernest says. He grins at me, “So how many of your upcoming meetings have been cancelled?”
I laugh. “None, but they seem to be moving online.”
“What did you do?” Sal asks, drinking his coffee.
“The policy meeting was just descending into another shouting match with nothing being achieved. I muted the three ministers involved and only unmuted them if they had something sensible to say. The policies have now been sorted.”
Cassie raises his mug at me. “Nice, Bro.”
“You know you’ve given us all ideas now, don’t you?” Justice asks.
I nod. “Yep.”
I see Alfred look at Ernest. “No using it on customers, you have your squirt bottle.”
Ernest fake sighs. “Fine.”
I’m not the only one who laughs at that.
Molly gave Ernest a squirt water bottle that he happily pulls out and uses on people who annoy him.
“Doobs, we should be leaving for school,” Nix says, looking at the time.
“I need my shoes,” she replies, jumping up and running out of the kitchen, thumping up the stairs.
Nix shakes his head. “How can someone so small and cute make so much noise?”
“It’s easy. Cass and I can show you if you want,” Temp tells him.
Nix laughs.
“But neither of you are small,” Ben points out.
Temp grins at Ben. “But we’re just as cute.”
“Gosh, is that the time? I’ve gotta run,” and with a quick kiss on Temp's head, Ben rushes out of the kitchen.
“Who wants to take bets on Temp singing a song?” Jude asks.
“Nix, I’m ready,” Nora yells from the front door.
“And now I’m off. See you all later,” and with a kiss for Cam, Nix leaves just as Ben walks back in.
He stands in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, trying not to laugh. “Fine, you’re cute, will you stop now?”
We all laugh at them.
“I guess I could. Have a good day, Greasy,” Temp replies, grinning.
“Just remember, Ben, you can sing to Temp,” Cassie points out.
Temp gasps at our brother. “Whose side are you on?”
“Whoops,” Cass replies, totally unrepentant.
“Thanks, Cass, I never thought of that. Payback will be fun. Have a good day, Tink,” and grinning madly, Ben walks out of the kitchen humming.
“I hate you so much right now,” Temp grumbles, standing up and collecting his and Ben’s breakfast things.
“But I love you,” Cassie replies.
I see Temp squint.
“What song?” Sion asks, obviously seeing his reaction.
“Hit me baby one more time.”
We all laugh at that.
“Who knew Ben liked Brittany?” Ernest asks, standing up. “I’m off, see you all later.”
One by one, everyone leaves, including Emily, so Kean and I tidy the kitchen.
“Do you have a busy day?” I ask Kean when we’ve finished.
“Not busy enough not to have lunch with you. Plus, I want to take you on a date tonight. It feels like we’ve not had one in ages,” he says, pulling me into his arms.
I lean forward and kiss him. “Sounds perfect. Where are we going?”
“Not sure yet. I’ll find somewhere nice.”
“I can’t wait.” Suddenly, my phone rings with Daniel’s ringtone. “Works calling.”
“Go be your important self,” he says, giving me a quick kiss and pulling out of my arms.
My phone stops ringing, and I make my way up to my office. I log on to my computer in case there’s anything there I need to see. I can’t see anything, so I pick my phone up and call Daniel back.
“Morning Titus, sorry to ring you so early. But I wanted you to hear the news from me before the announcement is sent out.”
Dread hits me. “What’s happened?”
“Reggie Lee and his wife were both killed in a car accident last night.”
I gasp. “I was turned around last night because of a car accident. What of the baby, do you know?”
“No, all we know is they both died.”
“Thanks for letting me know.”
“I’ll keep you updated.”
“Thanks, Daniel.” I hang up and hear a noise by the door. I look and see Kean stood there.
He walks in and sits on the side of my desk. “What happened? I could feel your emotions.”
“A friend from work and his wife were killed in a car accident last night. Pretty sure that was the accident that blocked the road. His wife was due to give birth any day now, and they had a young son.”
Kean pulls me up and into his arms. “That’s completely heart breaking.”
I lean against him and wrap my arms around his waist. “Yeah. Reggie was so excited to meet his new child. I’ll find out when the funeral is and go and pay my respects. Reggie was liked by so many.”
Kean kisses the side of my head.
“I’m okay, handsome, it was just a bit of a shock,” I say, pulling back.
“That’s understandable. I have a report to get back to. Do you want me to work in here?”
I smile and kiss him. “No, handsome, I’m alright now.”
“Okay, honey, see you at lunch.”
“You will.”
I get lost in my work, and before I know it, Kean is knocking on my door.
“Hey, handsome. Let me just save this, then I'm all yours.”
Kean grins, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. “I thought you were mine already.”
I stand up laughing and walk over to him. “You know it,” I lean forward and kiss him.
Kean drops his arms before wrapping them around me and kissing me. He slowly pulls back. “I still can’t believe you love me as much as I love you. I’m sure one day I’ll wake up and find out being with you is just a dream.”
“Then I’ll make sure you never wake up. Now let’s go eat, I’m hungry.”
Kean laughs and takes my hand. “Walk or car?”
“Like you even have to ask, I’ll take walking with you any day of the week.”
“Same.”
We’re happily chatting about this and that when we encounter Sly, Ebby and the boys, carrying bags from the bakers.
“Titus, Kean,” Sly greets.
“Hello peeps. Been getting lunch?” Kean asks.
“Yep. I fancied a hot roast roll,” Enoch tells us, clutching his bag.
“It does smell good,” I say, now knowing what I’m having for lunch. “Sly, Ebby, my boss, Monica, still wants to meet all the true witches. As there are a lot of us, I’ve invited her here. I just need some dates you’ll be available.”
“We can check our diaries and let you know. I have some chocolate workshops coming up,” Ebby replied.
“I was thinking of making it a dinner.”
“We’re good with whatever,” Sly says.
“Thanks, now we’ll leave you so your food doesn’t get cold.”
“Bye,” they all say.
“So hot roast rolls it is then,” Kean says, grinning.
“Oh yeah.”
We have a lovely lunch at the baker's. The hot roast pork rolls, filled with stuffing and apple sauce, were amazing. We take our time over lunch and then slowly stroll back home to carry on with work.
The announcement about Reggie and his wife is released late afternoon, with funeral details to follow. I again send a prayer to the Goddess, hoping that they didn’t suffer.
About an hour after the announcement is made, I get a phone call from Monica.
“Hi, Monica.” I’m not concerned about her phoning me as she does phone now and then.
“Hi Titus. I need for you and Kean to come into the office as soon as you can.”
“Is something wrong?” I ask in concern.
“Yes and no. But can you both come nowish?”
“Sure, I’ll grab Kean and be with you in around three hours, four at the most.”
“Thank you, come directly to my office when you arrive.”
“Will do. See you later.”
“Titus, thank you.”
It sounds like Monica just breathed a sigh of relief, but before I can reply, she’s hung up.
I’m so confused, but I shut my computer down, pocket my phone and go in search of Kean. I arrive at his office door and knock.
He looks up and smiles. “Perfect timing, I’ve just finished.”
“Handsome, I’ve just had Monica on the phone; she wants to see both of us in her office as soon as we can get there.”
Kean frowns. “Did she say why?”
I shake my head. “No, but she sounded relieved when I said we’d be there in three to four hours. It means postponing our date.”
Kean stands. “Nope, date night in the car. We can take food and eat it on the way, or have drive-thru. See totally a date.”
I grin. “It is. If you pack a bag, we can stay in my flat tonight.”
“I finally get to see your flat.”
“You do, but it’s just a flat,” I point out.
“No, honey, it’s your flat. I’ll go pack a bag.”
“I’ll let my brothers know. Shall I make sandwiches, or shall we get drive-thru?”
“Drive-thru. Meet you by the front door in five.”
I leave Kean and head for my brothers’ lounge to see if they are home yet. I see Cass sitting with Sion.
“Evening,” I say, walking in.
“Hey, Tie, what’s up?” Cass asks.
“Kean and I have been called in to see Monica. We’re leaving as soon as Kean packs a bag. We’ll stay overnight and come back tomorrow.”
“Why do you both need to go in?” Sion asks.
“No idea, we’ll find out when we get there. I’ll message Temp to let him know.”
“Drive safe,” Cass says, jumping up and hugging me.
I pat his back. “Will do, see you both tomorrow.”
As I leave their lounge, I message Temp, then stand by the door waiting for Kean, who arrives a moment later.
“I’ll drive,” I say, as we walk to my car.
“In that case, when we get food, I’ll feed you.”
I laugh. “This will be the strangest date night ever.”