And at last we will be free, You're a bluebird

[GuestGuest]

Gerard had made sure his calendar was clear enough to take the day off. He was still a bit stunned/surprised/amazed at how things had worked out without any prior planning or arranging. For some reason, it seemed as if Fate had set up a rather strange domino effect that began with a certain best mate's plot to talk Gerard into buying a house that had its own golf course so they could add exploding golf matches to their exploding sports schedule. Strangely enough, it had not been as hard a sell as one might have thought once Gerard had seen the property. His only negative thought had been how far it was from town and his friends: Mel, Tiffany, Marcus, Rowan, Tiffany, Anton, Kat. Did we mention Tiffany? Yes, it seemed he had no desire to give up his 'habit' (read that chance to see her almost everyday over coffee just because he had moved out of town. So it was that he had already decided he would be detouring on his commute into Melbourne.

That was when Fate stepped in. Gerard had barely been moved in when it seemed that things suddenly occurred and he was helping both Tiffany and Paige relocate into a rental house the women would be sharing in Drouin, which oddly enough was not far from Strawberry Fields, his new home. This was Tiffany's first day as the manager of The Bluebird Cafe and Gerard had taken the day off to make sure he could congratulate her on the new position which is why he was now arriving, vase of flowers in hand, grinning.

[Tiffany Fumberger]

She had gone about the whole day countless times in her head, from setting out the cakes and other displays to the final check in, collection of the till money and banking at the end of the work day. Repetition had made perfect and yet when it came to the real thing well.. there was always the 'little' things that managed to upset even the most diligent plan. "Oh dear! Oh my! Paige dear can you fetch another coffee for Mr?.." Tiffany called over her shoulder, juggling money, a smile and trying to ignore the flash of gold in the eyes of the man? who just wanted a cup of coffee. Tiffany knew it probably wasn't his fault that he was a werewolf but neither was it helping her already fraying nerves to have to deal with those sort today. Why she was already a bustle worrying about what Basil would think of how she was running the place, the crisp blue and gold badge with 'Manager' on the title had left her more jumpy then even a liter of their strongest coffee. The next customer wasn't much better "Oh.. um hello Olivia.. yes your father is in the back.. or was it.. oh a coffee.. okay then.." While Tiffany should have of course known that having Peter Watson join the staff meant that his daughter would be part of the deal it didn't make it any less.. uncomfortable to be brought face to face with the girl.. (who of course was a good girl at heart). Tiffany was just handing the girl back her change when the door swung open and........ ohdear.. ohmy..

It was Mr Hunter.. Mr Gerard Hunter.. oh and she hadn't even had time to check her hair! Let alone the coffee stains on her apron and ohmygosh! She could already feel the blush burning her cheeks at the sight of the flowers. "Oh Gerard" Tiffany managed to say before there was a arm raised at the back of the cafe for service and immediately Tiffany's attention turned "Oh I'm so Sorry Gerard, I won't be a moment" Unfortunately while she had been told it wasn't strictly her job to wait tables it was a new lesson going up against years of habit. This was all going wrong, Tiff realised as she reached the table that she'd forgotten to make young Olivia's coffee and Paige was busy as well.. oh fiddlesticks! She never should have listened to Basil.. but little would she admit that it was the matter of where the cafe was to be that had swayed her, the choices between Drouin, Bairnsdale and Apollo Bay.. all exotic and new places where enough to distract her from the fact that Basil knew her too well. Funny that Drouin just so happened to be home to Mr Gerard Hunter... Q.C! Yes fate had a helping hand on that day and of course none of it would have to do with the way friends had conspired in the background to save the two lovebirds from a two hundred mile gap, no there was no thought at all to checking the real estate listings and ensuring there happened to be a flat to let in a convenient street, a bit of luck with the location and 'fate' was most certainly delt a suckers hand. Little would he admit to it but Basil was a bit of a romantic at heart, enough that seeing Tiffany moping around the cafe had put wheels to motion and lead.. "Excuse me.. I'm sorry but those are two dollars fourty and you really do have to pay!" Tiffany called out Olivia, Today was really not going Tiffany's way.

[Olivia Watson]

Olivia wasn't really all that impressed with the world of late, apparently that psycho-idiotic DADA Professor had been the last straw and Dad had put the foot down - no more magic school! Well at least that had been the case until the guy from Muggles United had called round and there had been a long chat which of course.. she wasn't allowed to listen in on. Now just when she had finally started to settle in and everything had been just perfect or well.. good at least they had to up and move again. Olivia would have sighed if it was worth the effort, Igor was probably asleep somewhere, hiding from the daylight and here she was in some stupid town surrounded by stupid people.. did he even know she was gone? Bigger question.. did he care? Shivering she pushed her way though the door into the cafe where her Dad had gotten a job, It was kind of embarrassing really.. she could just see her Mum's face at the idea of Dad wearing a apron and covered in flour taking orders from some fat woman who always looked at her oddly. Today was no exemption as she stared, glanced behind the woman to see where Dad was, before pointing at the coffee machine.. finally a lightbulb aha! It did kind of suck that she still had to pay but having Dad work there meant that she got stuff cheaper which was good. The video shop wasn't like Lachlans with barely award pay but she guessed it would be easy enough.. at least they didn't want her to wear a stupid uniform! Tucking the change for the five dollar note away Olivia looked up sharply to find Mr Hunter walking in.. huh? What was he doing here? Olivia gave him a weary look, but he was Storm's teacher so she guessed she had to give him some respect, but what was with the flowers??

Oh.

How cute - and by cute we mean weird and somewhat creepy and gross in the way most adults where. Olivia had all but forgotten about seeing Mr Hunter and the waitress together at the Halloween party last year. Her mind had been on other things and of course it had slipped her mind completely. So Mr Hunter had himself a girlfriend? Olivia made a show of glancing at the flowers then raised a eyebrow. For a second, she wasn't that curious afterall. Speaking of curious where was her coffee? Instead the waitress just walked off on her HUH! Olivia rolled her eyes, typical. Glancing over at her Dad he was busy but moved towards the front, Olivia shook her head.. she wasn't that desperate and her Dad wasn't that great at making coffee anyway - he tended to be sensible with the strength in some kind of naive belief that being young meant that you didn't need as much as adults. It had taken a long time for him to even let her drink coffee in the first place of the 'Storm's allowed and she's been drinking it for years' sort. Olivia was quickly realising that she was stuck in a teenage nightmare.. unable to think of anything to sign to Storm's teacher, and unable to escape with her Dad there watching her. With a sigh she picked a cookie off the shelf and would have groaned at the fact that the waitress had spoken up about paying.. yeah yeah she knew and juggling items tossed a two dollar coin and a fifty cent piece on the counter for show before looking up at Mr Hunter and shrugging it off in a 'how's it going?' expression.

[GuestGuest]

If Paige and Tiffany were feeling a bit 'out of place' today, they were not the only ones as Gerard realized even though he'd respond to another customer's good morning as he made his way to where Tiffany was at the till. None of the faces were as familiar as they had been at Basil's though there were a couple he was able to begin picking out as 'regulars'. He did feel better as he recognized the girl she was helping at the counter and when the girl looked over at him, he waved with his free hand and called out a greeting. "Morning, Olivia. Good to see you again," the barrister greeted the young lady he knew as Storm's friend. Storm had been a student in his first Magical Law and Government classes and now, that he would be teaching them again here at Gippsland Grammar, she would be in them once again. "Are you going to join Storm in the class this year?" he asked her, hopefully though he tried not to let it show. Gerard suspected that Olivia had a quick mind on things, especially if the topic interested her.

Gerard had just set the vase of flowers on the counter for Tiffany, card attached and barely had time to say, "For your first day...." when she was called away to tend to a customer. He simply smiled and shook his head. "Don't apologize," he told her but whether she had heard or not, he wasn't sure because, in typical Tiffany fashion, she had taken off to see to the customer who had called for service. In the meantime, he watched as Tiffany somehow managed to also deal with the current customer at the counter, Olivia. At Olivia's expression, he smiled and nodded, "Good so far. How's things for you? Getting settled in all right?" Gerard replied to the girl as he heard Paige call over to Tiffany that it was time Tiffany took a break and things would be fine for a while.

[Olivia Watson]

If Olivia had of known that there was going to be flowers and barf-gag-romance going on she sure as hell would have stayed home and not jumped the train to Drouin to pester her Dad at work. It was strange having to get used to a new town all over again but at least not everything had changed, Storm's Dad had gotten some job at a school in Italy which had worried Olivia deeply that it would mean Storm would have to go too! It had been hard enough making friends the first time that Olivia wasn't at all happy about the idea of having to do it all over again.
Either way Olivia cocked a eyebrow at the Teacher, seriously? Who was ever glad to see her really? Olivia was doubtful if any teacher was ever pleased to see her, she was hardly a model student. The explanation came quickly enough though, oh okay so he was recruiting? Humm.. Thinking for a moment she'd never really considered law, after all it wasn't like she'd ever have the grades to become a lawyer or something. That was starting to be something that played on her mind more of late, ever since the start of the year it had come as more then a bit of a shock that she only had two years of highschool to go. Then what? Olivia honestly had no clue at all.

It was rude not to answer, Olivia knew that which was a key reason why she tended to get on the wrong side of people without meaning it, so she shrugged again 'maybe' after all it wasn't like they had Astronomy or well.. much of any of the really cool subjects by the looks of it. Dad had said she was being judgmental and that time would tell but whatever. Meanwhile Mr Hunter was talking to the waitress..surely he could do better right? Olivia wasn't ever all that interested in the affairs of adults, maybe it was a teenager thing but for the most part adults just seemed totally well.. weird!

It was a view not helped by watching the Waitress, Olivia was a bit weirded out by the look the lady was giving Mr Hunter, seriously how pathetic could you be? Let alone the outfit! Mind you it wasn't the worst.. Olivia had been forced to avoid Basil's Internet Cafe for a entire MONTH because the place had been decorated all pink. while the whole thing might have been good for some Olivia considered herself a girl of standards and that much pink was never, ever, not in a million years, cool. In many ways Olivia had perfected the shrug to a artform as many teenagers tended to, / Okay / she signed before glancing back across at her Dad while the Waitress had finally stopped messing about and made her drink. Nodding that things where 'all right' she thought again to herself about how things where most certainly not all right, but of course Storm's teacher was hardly the one to outpour the whole lot onto, no it was wiser to grab her coffee and run.. which as the Waitress started making her way over was exactly what Olivia did. Somehow she had a feeling Mr Hunter wouldn't be paying that much attention to her as she waved goodbye and left to go wander the unfamiliar streets until the train came to take her back to Warragul.

[Tiffany Fumberger]

"They are beautiful Gerard but my you shouldn't have" and didn't every woman say that? It was one of the oldest lines in the book as she hurried away to deal with the new customer.. if only to hide the colour of her face. Flowers, oh and on his birthday too.. what more wonders could she expect? It was times like this that Tiffany really wished her mother had given her more advice then 'be a good cook and you'll never want of a man at your table' not even a lifetimes worth of Witch Weekly's had come with the useful guide to what to do to celebrate the birthday of a well respected man of taste' oh sure there was endless mentions on fine dining and fancy restaurants but she was Tiffany Fumberger, her imagination went only so far as to arrive as such a establishment only to be laughed at for her big hair, big shape and unimpressive clothing. Oh to have been one of the rich people who lived on the pages of the magazines. Oh dear she hadn't even wished Mr Hunter a happy birthday.. oh what would he think of her? Tiffany felt horrible, she had planned everything so carefully, she'd close up the shop or Mr Hunter would arrive just at the end of the day when she would have had time to change and be ready. Instead here she was scurrying around like well.. a waitress while Mr Hunter waited for her.

What a fool she was. On one hand was a man.. not just any man but Mr Hunter.. Q.C and yet she had work, and responsibility.. Management even! It was most certain that the cafe would go into ruin on her back if she took even a moment of her time away to.. Tiffany blinked as Paige said all would be well. Surely not! Glancing around the fount of house her imagination was carrying out scenes of chaos only to be disappointed by half a dozen people calmly sitting and chatting, eating and drinking, reading newspapers and fiddling with mobile phones. New faces but just like Basil's. "Oh well.. " now what would she do? "I.. I had better check on Mr Watson.. I'll be right back" Tiffany said after handing Olivia her drink and double checking that she did in fact put the right change in the till. It was obvious that she was working her way up to one of her 'classic freakouts' as she hurried into the back room assuring herself that all would be chaos!

Only to find Mr Watson calmly slicing up bread for the next order. Everything was clean, neat as a pin. There was no excuses left to her and with a peptalk Tiffany was forced back out the swinging doors gripping the picnic basket that she had spent hours on last night to make 'perfect' as if her life depended upon it. For surely the cake would taste horrible and the drinks (which she had gotten on Meliae's advice) would be the wrong brand. Worst of all words had escaped her "Mr.. G..Gerard.." she stammered as realization dawned that here she was, Tiffany Fumberger of those Fumberger's putting herself forward. This was very different from a game of netball as she avoided Gerard's face.
"I think Tiff is wondering if you're up for lunch" Peter Watson to Gerard with a nod as Tiffany's eyes widened to find her own employee's ganging up on her! Any more anxiety and she'd keel over all together. Yet now that the words where in the air she could hardly deny them could she?
"I.. I'm sure half a hour wouldn't b..be a problem?" she half asked her staff.. so much for being the boss! "..if you did wish to of course?" she asked Gerard, not daring to even look him in the face. Oh she could just see the faces now, no matter how nice Gerard had been, how kind there was surely going to be a point where her father and brothers would be right and she would end up coming home to lick her wounds as Mr Hunter found someone who did look good in a Gucci dress and had a VIP entry to all the hottest restaurants in town.

[GuestGuest]

"Well I hope to see you then," he replied as Olivia shrugged a 'maybe' type answer to him and replied that things were okay though he had a suspicion that wasn't quite the case. Things were always somewhat in upheaval when you first relocated somewhere. He knew that one from his own experience but he was glad at least Olivia had family here. Returning her wave when she headed toward the door of the cafe, Gerard wondered if he would see her joining the class at the new school. Only time would tell.

Looking back toward the counter area and grinned as it seemed Paige was taking a firm stand with Tiffany and assuring her the cafe would not collapse if she took a break for a short while. She was entitled to it after all. He smiled when she came over with a picnic basket, not having expected that since he simply wanted to come by and wish her well with the new position. Yes, that's all, not an excuse to spend time with one lovely woman named Tiffany at all. Nope not at all. (Had Miss Moneypenny been with him, you would be inserting one doggie eyeroll here)

"Wish to?" he asked in response to Tiffany's question. "Of course, I'd wish to spend time with you," he told her his smile growing even brighter and opening the door for her. "Nobody else I'd rather spend time with."

[Tiffany Fumberger]

Oh this was just horrible! Surely he would say no..

Tiffany breathed in sharply as if she'd been slapped, primed to burst out in tears as the words 'of course' came out of Gerard's mouth. Of course he wouldn't, of course he was a very important person with lots of important things to do with no time to spend with foolish former waitresses who couldn't even fit into a size sixteen. Of course her father would be right, family was always right. Of course he wanted to spend time with her........ wait. Tiffany sniffed, oh and she didn't have a free hand for a handkerchief, oh this was just awful. What a mess she was, what a fool and here was Gerard just watching her.. oh and all her customers to boot. Surely there would all be looking at her by now and laughing at the sight. Curse those plate glass windows with their cheerful view of the outside. Now she regretted all the time she'd taken cleaning them to a crisp shine so that they would bring the light in 'just right'. All her preparations had just meant a well fed and eager radiance to watch her life fall apart right here on the street. It was supposed to be the first day of the rest of her life, just like the brochure said. Now it was all going wrong.

She couldn't turn around. It would be just like grade one when she had a 'accident' and all the other kids had laughed until the teacher lead her away. Such things could clearly traumatize a person forever. Shuffling herself out the door she tried to calm down as Peter wished Gerard a happy birthday, oh how horrible today was turning out to be. "I'm so sorry Gerard I jus.." she was holding back tears, 'Stupid, stupid girl.. now look at yourself!' chastising she put down the basket and pulled out a handkerchief, trying not to notice the pink lovehearts on it as she blew her nose in a manner very much not befitting a lady before shoving it back down the front of her blouse for safekeeping. It took her a moment to get control over herself again but with a shake of the head she calmed down on her foolishness "I don't know what got into me.. now look I've ruined your morning" Tiffany said sadly "I'm sure you wouldn't want a foolish woman like me.. I know it's just because your polite and kind and English but I'm sure there is someone who you'd rather be spending your birthday with.. like Meliae or that Italian woman or that slu..... well just.. other people" there was a lifetime of putdowns, teasing and verbal abuse as Tiffany's breath hitched, she was going to cry again she knew it.

[GuestGuest]

For a rather quick thinker and astute observer, it was sad to say, Gerard had no idea that Tiffany expected him to 'reject her any minute'. Even worse, he occasionally was worried that she'd become bored with him and not want to spend time with him as often as she did now. Yes, he knew her family life was not ideal. He wasn't totally blind and clueless but he had no idea how little she seemed to think of herself. So he was caught a bit off guard at first by her reactions to his accepting to spend time with her. As Tiffany made her way out of the door, Gerard heard Peter's wishes to him and waved in thanks, hoping he hadn't turned too read. He sort of had tried not to mention the fact, not wanting to put anyone out for it but apparently, someone (read that he was fairly sure it was one Mel Ashton) had apparently let it be known. "Thanks, Peter," he called as he followed Tiffany out the door, realizing something was not quite right with her demeanor.

"Tiffany?" he asked quietly, absolutely sure as he heard the words 'I'm sorry...' that she was going to tell him that she had changed her mind and would he not come around the cafe again. Considering the way things had gone for him before this, Gerard had considered himself rather fortunate that she had not already run him off. He would have pulled out his handkerchief for her once he saw her crying and almost did but she had hers out before he could. "You've what?" he asked in disbelief, rather stunned as she went on. "No you haven't ruined my morning. You've made it, are making it absolutely perfect by spending time with me," he told her quite firmly and almost dropped his jaw in shock as she continued. "Whoa! Stop right there. Mel is my friend and we do spend time together but I want to share the day with someone special, really special. You. Not that artificial Italian woman or that ..." he resisted the urge to complete the word Tiffany had used. It would have fit perfectly for that particular mistake. "Or anyone else. I.Want.To.Spend.Time.With.You, Tiffany Fumberger." Grinning he added, "Now, am I going to have to carry both you and that basket to the park for our outing or are you going to come along voluntarily?"

[Tiffany Fumberger]

It was just lucky for Tiffany that Gerard hadn't shared his thoughts in regards to others knowing his birthday, because while she had been told by a certain Ashton it was rather hard for anyone in Tiffany's sphere of influence to ignore the excitement/anxiety as the calendar ticked down to 'that big day'. Why if Tiffany had her way she most certainly would not have opened the cafe today and instead thrown a party, but alas the world did not organize around one womans social schedule. Even Tiffany had to admit that there was times that work needed to come even before the quest for 'Mr Right'. The age old battle of heart vs the obsessive control freak tendency of a chronic overworker trying to make up for their own failings though a lifes worth of carefully folded napkins and perfectly presented cakes. Tiffany was a idealist, but she knew how the world worked. People who where young, thin, spotless and no doubt talented having started their own line of designer frocks, or sailed around the world or won more netball trophies then one could shake a stick at.. they where the ones that found 'Mr Right'. Not plain old boring Tiffany's with hair that never stayed right no matter how much product she used. She was sure those kind of people didn't have to worry about the gray hairs or the hair on her upper lip that she ever so carefully treated so to not look 'old'. It wasn't easy trying to keep up with all the latest fads and techniques but she tried... or at least did the best as was possible when the majority of the advertising features where on items far above what her budget could ever afford.

Of course a modicum of common sense might have pointed out that maybe just maybe Gerard didn't want a stick thin model with DD breasts. Common sense might have pointed out that many men married and where perfectly content to settle down with a 'big girl' like her. Tiffany had never been one for common sense. Nope sense was something that happened to other people and she was left to hyperventilate and panic until some kind soul took her aside and explained how things really where. "Oh I'm such a fool!" she said dramatically, surely Gerard was only surprised to know that she, Tiffany Fumberger was in love with him, and no doubt disgusted to boot! It wasn't even that she thought Gerard was in love with any of the other women, not even Mel who she was surprised to learn was just a friend and only a friend. Why if Meliae was not good enough what hope did she have? No she knew it from day one that Gerard Hunter... Q.C was far too good for ordinary folks like her. "I I....." she tried to say, grief making it hard to talk and say that she understood that of course he wanted to spend his day with special people, family and not foolish women who couldn't even afford a proper salon treatment. Why she couldn't even keep to her manners which was why the word almost slipped off her tongue. It was all starting to get most surreal as somehow the words broke though the fog of self doubt that Gerard Hunter.. Mr Gerard Hunter ..Q.C wanted to spend time with her. Her blood pressure was skyrocketing. Gasping for air she missed out on Gerard's joke entirely "Oh my.. I feel most peculiar" Tiffany stammered totally forgetting where she was for a moment she was forced to hold out a hand to Gerard to keep her balance. Looks like the answer to that carrying question was going to be yes.

[GuestGuest]

If Gerard was one to show his reactions too fast, panic might have been what others who might be looking saw. However, fortunately for his sake this time, he was rather adept at keeping unexpected surprise from showing thanks to much time spent dealing with delicate and important cases in the Old Bailey and now the Victoria Courts. He was becoming more and more convinced as he talked and Tiffany became more upset that she had no desire to let whatever they had develop past where it was, or perhaps, maybe she didn't even think there was anything that they had because she never wanted it in the first place and...

Finally, he realized when he saw the rather telling look of surprise on Tiffany's face that perhaps she had the same fears Gerard did when it came to the two of them as anything more than just two people. He instinctively took the hand she reached out to him and suspected that if he didn't do more than take the hand, Tiffany was going to crumple to the ground so he did the first thing that came to mind and swinging his arm quickly behind her knees, the knight who happened to not be wearing his shiny armor swept the beautiful princess off of the sidewalk and into his arms. (Pulls one fairytale filled Abby Wright away from the writing.)

So there you have it, one Gerard Hunter, Q. C. holding one Tiffany Fumberger in his arms, smiling at her just in time for .....

*FLASH*

"Oh how wonderful!" exclaimed the house elf without a camera. "Oh perfect!" exclaimed the house elf with the camera, who continued on. "We're Tetris and Pacman and Miss Rowan and Mr Marcus sent us to bring this message to Miss Tiffany. Miss Rowan said she'll be the pretty one with all the curls and runs the cafe here." The elf held out a note from Miss Rowan which held a request for a recipe of Tiffany's.

[Tiffany Fumberger]

Tiffany didn't know what was coming over her, of course the romantic would call it a 'swoon' but a doctor would point out the case of a hypertensive episode brought about by the triple effect of extreme levels of stress, being overweight and family genetics. Yes the search for Mr Right really was going to be the death of one Tiffany if she wasn't careful. "Dear Gerard.. you will hurt yourself.." Tiffany mumbled well aware that fit though Gerard might be, it was one thing to pick up a woman in your arms and another thing entirely when said woman weighed almost as much as you. But surprise could lead to the most interesting feats of strength. Tiffany was still catching her breath when Gerard put her down.. her legs where weak but with help she made it to a bench and sat down. Meanwhile however there was a bit of a scene starting to take place.. not over the man holding up a rather large woman but more of the..

.."did you see that?"
.."My god those poor things!"
.."what are they?"
.."That one has a camera"
.."Oh my what a ugly little.."
.."they're Midgets.. surely?"
.."What on earth are they wearing.. teatowels?"
.."That ones wearing sneakers.. ha I bet they're stolen"
.."Someone should call the police"

Yep, that camera sure had brought a bit of attention onto the two house elves. "Oh my.. quickly dears you had better go before the muggles catch you.. I'll send Rowan a message as soon as I can" Tiffany said trying to hide her embarrassment and panic, for while the fact that she wasn't well was of course far less important then the two young elves getting in trouble. Boy how angry the ministry would be for starters. House Elves weren't allowed to be seen by muggles and what with the magical population being so small it must have been very hard for the poor things to keep out of sight all the time. Not that they could hide from Tiffany of course! Sometimes she wondered what it would be like to be 'normal' and not always see things that other people couldn't. For Muggles like must have been so easier, they never had to worry about ensuring a drink was completely vegan and organic compounds for a Elf or separate the silver cutlery in cause of Werewolfs. No trying to run a establishment when you never knew what species was going to walk in your door was a challenge completely unknown in the Muggle world where the worst they had to deal with was someones particular diet or food allergy.

[GuestGuest]

House elves! What next? Gerard decided he really wasn't going to ask because he might not want to know. "Don't worry about me, I'm not the one who had to be caught," he told her gently but once she assured him she was able to stand on her own, he set her feet on the ground but kept his arm around her as they moved over to the bench and sat down together. Of course, by this time, the flash had alerted the general populace to the pair of rather strangely dressed 'children' who had taken a photo of Gerard holding Tiffany. Gerard made himself a mental note to check with Marcus on which house elves these two just might be related to in another location.

For now, though he remained quiet as Tiffany sent the pair scurrying back to 'Miss Rowan' and the school with her reply message, heading down the nearest alley and a familiar popping sound just barely audible if you knew what you were listening for. With the papparazzi house elves gone, Gerard then turned his full attention to Tiffany. "Now," he told her gently, "If you think you are going to be feeling up to it, I believe we were heading off to the park?"

[Tiffany Fumberger]

If it had been at all possible Tiffany would have blushed that bit more deeply at the reminder of Gerard catching her, oh it was just like something out of a Bridget Jones novel! "Oh I'm fine Gerard, it's just the heat" she said, ignoring the fact that it was a rather mild day with the hint of a cold breeze. "I do hope the poor dears don't get in trouble" Tiffany spoke as they watched the two elves scurry away until there was the telltale pop of them apperating away. A few moments later and all seemed back to normal as the people who had been discussing the 'mutant-midget-shoe thief's had moved on. To think that this was supposed to be just a quiet day and already she'd fallen, made a fool of herself and got two house elves in trouble to boot! For of course it was all her fault that the elves had shown up on the street and not somewhere that they might have been able to hide. Taking a few minutes to catch her breath fully Tiffany nodded "The park yes, oh I do hope Paige and Peter are okay" Yep, there wasn't a moment where Tiffany was worrying about someone other then herself.

Thankfully for Tiffany the park was only two streets across from the Cafe, though it felt two streets too many for sure was sure Paige and Peter would be calling on her any moment with a sudden flood of customers or a out of character disastrous situation that could only be solved by one Tiffany Fumberger. It was hard to pull her mind away from work but if anything was going to be able to break though it would no doubt be Hunter, Mr Gerard Hunter.. Q.C! Working to take her mind off the 'oddness' that had come over her before Tiffany reminded herself that it wasn't the first time she'd been alone with Gerard, my she was never going to forget that motorbike ride.. nor probably where any of the unfortunate people who'd been within hearing range when she'd gotten 'scared' the moment the bike got up to speed. "It really is a most lovely day" Tiffany added eventually, the town was full of people going about their lives and Tiffany wondered how many faces she'd come to see again and again at the cafe. She just had to hope it wasn't going to be a awful flop! Basil would be so upset if he'd trusted her to take on the cafe and then had the whole thing go belly up the first week! "So where is Miss Moneypenny today?" Tiffany asked as they waited for the stop light to let them cross. It was too early in the year for all the flowers to be blossoming in the gardens but here and there was a bit of colour from a early bloom.

Tiffany hadn't been one to travel often, it was a 'adventure' to go to Melbourne but she knew it was always going to be the country that held her heart swayed. In the end though for all that they where different one small town was very much like the next, the pub on the corner still had a sign offering open mic nights every Thursday and the students still where bound to pile in come 3.30. Tiffany had thought that everything would be different but in the end she was still the same Tiffany Fumberger, on the arm of the same Gerard Hunter.. Q.C.. oh how she did love to remind herself of that thought. Her brothers would be so envious as they walked past Gerard's car and crossed to the next street before waiting for a lull in traffic to make the final crossing to the 'park' which was really just a thin stretch of lawn with flowers and the traditional war memorial. "I had thought you would be most frightfully busy" Tiffany said "..what with Meliae going to be so busy with the baby and all" oh yes it was only a matter of time before the conversation got back to that subject. There was no question that Tiffany was a horrible gossip and having the Ashton's that much closer.. well it was a disaster waiting to happen as both Tiffany and a certain Mrs Ashton where more then a bit frustrated to not know the sex of the baby, how Meliae could be so cruel to be secretive to her own mother... well it was frightfully shameful! Or so Tiffany thought anyway.

[GuestGuest]

Yes, it could have been the heat and Gerard nodded as she said that was why she had become a bit 'shakey'. Of course, that did not mean he wouldn't watch to make sure she was okay the rest of the time they were together. He had to admit, as Tiffany mentioned her concern for the pair of house elves that he also hoped they would not get into too much trouble. "I'll check on them later and see what I can do to make sure there's no trouble for them," he promised her, thankful that he was in a position to do something about it if they were. He did not envy Rowan and Marcus one bit if that pair were part of the new staff at the new school. This was going to be interesting.

Once she had caught her breath, they headed toward the park at a comfortable pace Gerard smiled at her concern over Paige and Peter. "They will be just fine and if you are really needed, I know either one of them would notify you. Just relax," he encouraged Tiffany, knowing that Paige would not hesitate to call his mobile to reach Tiffany if need be. However, knowing that Tiffany was the one who trained Paige when she started at the old coffee shop, Gerard was fairly sure things would be fine. Gerard's smile became an amused grin at the mention of his little norfolk terrier. "Home, sulking because she didn't get to come with me today. I'm going to have to bring her home a treat before I leave." Said treat being one of the fresh made scones from the Blue Bird for it seemed somehow, Miss Moneypenny had developed an addiction a liking to Tiffany's homemade scones, not that Gerard could blame the dog. They were good.

"Really nothing I can do to help, well unless it was to run interference for Ethan but he seems to be holding up fine and all anyone can do is wait for Meepthan 2.0 to decide its time to arrive," he explained when she mentioned Mel's current torture status of pregnancy.

[Tiffany Fumberger]

"Oh you are such a good man Gerard" Tiffany gushed as he promised to go out of his way to check on the house elves later, so selfless and kind and oh so handsome as well, how Gerard had not managed to find a wife was completely beyond Tiffany.. though of course she was very, very glad deep down that he hadn't. Tiffany had pined over many but there was no question that none in the past three years could even hold a candle to her interest in Mr Hunter, Gerard Hunter, Q.C. Of course she knew she was just a lowly waitress and he was a successful lawyer and a Queens Council to boot! You'd think she'd gotten passed all that by now but nope, having it ingrained by herself and her family for so long meant a lifetime of low self esteem to rebuild.

"I know Gerard it's just..." Just what? Tiffany was stuck, she couldn't say that she didn't trust Paige and Peter but on the other hand she was the Manager and it was her responsibility to ensure that everything today went perfect. What would Basil think to know that she was running off to be with a man rather then doing her job. Crossing her arms before her she worried even as the people and shops around her proved distraction. Tiffany wasn't one to be able to just go buy whatever she wanted but there was no harm in looking after all. "The poor dear" Tiffany said at the news of Miss Moneypenny's situation. "Well we'll just have to be extra nice to her won't we?" ignoring the fact that while she was 'taking charge' she'd completely forgotten her 'omg it's Gerard Hunter', the blush catching up to her as she remembered that while she was attached to the sweet dog it wasn't hers. "I do hope she isn't fretting too much" the expression on Tiffanys face remembering poor Sebastian, oh such a fool she'd completely forgotten to remind Basil to make sure the pigeon got a extra slice of bread and that the other birds didn't gobble it all up on him.

Finding a bench Tiffany nodded as Gerard spoke about Meliae "I always knew that Ethan and Meliae where sure to be perfect" Tiffany spoke (of course said opinion had only been formed after making the very same decision about half a dozen other men in town) "they're going to make such good parents" Tiffany was convinced, and of course Meliae and Ethan would soon be married and it would all just be wonderful. Of course Tiffany's imagination also saw Meliae becoming a stay at home Mum and learning to cook but then again her daydream started to falter on that account remembering Mel's stories of 'exploding curry' and the like. "Meepthan 2.0.. it's such a odd name" Tiffany said turning back to the 'gossip' as she went about automatically organizing the fold out picnic basket "I made some extra scones just for you-know-who" Tiffany said in a low voice before giving Gerard a little wink, okay so maybe Basil was going to be cross with her and everything would be a disaster but.. for the moment.. she.. Tiffany Fumberger was having fun.

[GuestGuest]

Gerard could not help but grin as Tiffany declared they would have to be extra nice to Miss Moneypenny to make up for her not getting to join them this particular day. It was one of the reasons Miss Moneypenny spent more time on Tiffany's lap rather than Gerard's when both of them were at his home. The little terrier had already discovered Tiffany's ability to be extra nice to her and wasn't going to let this one get away like Auntie Mel had. Not that Mel actually disappeared from Miss Moneypenny's life forever but she had moved out of the house and so was not there as often. The first week, the little Norfolk Terrier had laid in front of Mel's bedroom door waiting for her to come home, at least until Tiffany showed up with some meat pies which bribed the dog back to the land of contentment.

At Tiffany's concern the dog might be fretting. "Not too much," he told her, adding with a laugh, "At least not until one of us shows up to see her fretting. " He was aware of Miss Moneypenny's quite excellent timing. Once they were settled on the bench, Gerard could only agree with her observation about his cousin and his friend. "Yes, they will. That's going to be a very lucky child to have them for parents."

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