Rinatta walked into the little restaurant across the street in muggle London. She had been here a few times already because the food was good and plus it wasn't too far away from her flat so it was convenient to boot. To Rin , food was a must. She didn't eat a lot at once , but she loved food and drink of many different varietys and mealtime was a pleasure to her. It was amazing that she had so little body fat. Probably due to how much she worked out and helped by her mother genes, her mom was always skinny even though she could out eat her dad, yay for high metabolisms baby.

As she looked for a table ,a familiar face caught her eye. It was Dessie, the young woman who had been walking around with Jared. Rin felt a bit guilty how she had been so defensive to the young woman at first and decided right now would be a good time to make amends. It wasn't right for her to have reacted how she did, Jared wasn't like that anyways....was he? Well, ....she wasn't sure of where they stood anyways and this young woman seemed to be very nice. She was purely innocent of doing anything and Rin berated herself for letting her uncertainty with Jared make her suspiscious of someone she didn't really know.

She walked over to Dessie and gave her a warm, brilliant smile. "Hello Dessie." she said sweetly. Maybe she would be as forgiving and slow to take offense as Rin herself usually was. "Do you mind if I join you?" she asked pleasantly. Can't hurt to try right?

Dessie looked up as she heard a familar voice say her name, confused. Someone who knew her AND she knew them? SOMEONE FROM HER PAST WA- Oh. It was Rinatta, that jealous girl with Jared.

Grinning back, Dessie winked. "Not at all - in fact, I can use a bit of company," she said lightly, her smile happy and big. She had a friend here in England. SHE had a FRIEND.

WHOOOOO!!! "Have you been here before? Because I have NO idea what to order..." Dessie quickly jumped into a conversation about the food since she was HUNGRY. And a hungry Dessie could only stay happy for so long before- well, never mind. It was better to keep Dessie well fed.

Rinatta was relieved at Dessie's response and graciously sat. She was dressed in her normal way today, no robes oh dear did she hate wearing them, and no dresses, she didn't feel like dressing up today and the only reason she did really at all now was that she had a ...erm....what was he considered...??? Date friend? Because she didn't think that boyfriend was quite it yet, or...well...erm better stop thinking on that. She wore a pair of dark jeans, a white camisole with her black leather riding jacket over top, and her favorite pair of black boots. She was so much more comfortable that way.

She smiled happily as Dessie immediately began the conversation of food. Food was a good thing to talk about. "Yes, I frequent here quite a bit actually. The food here is wonderful." she said with a soft happy laugh. "It really depends on what kind of food you like to eat. Or what you are in the mood for." she said with a nod. Rin really did like alot of different foods.

"That's good to hear," Dessie said, taking a sip from her Coke. Of course, it the food here was terrible - she'd just wash it down with litres of Coke. BUT - it was better for her, and her teeth, if the food was nice.

Looking at the menu, Dessie sighed. "See, I don't know - I can eat pretty much anything - what are you getting?" she asked, grinning at Rin across the table. Dessie wouldn't get the same thing - no, she despised people who did that - but maybe if Rin decided, then she could base her decision on that.

Stomach growling again, Dessie's face turned sheepish.

Rinatta smiled when Dessie asked her what she was getting and then heard her stomach growl. It sounded like she was very hungry too. Rin hadn't eaten yet today so she would welcome quite a bit of food herself. "Well, I am not entirely certain. I like to eat a variety best." she said pondering over the menu. "There are a few different things that I'm in the mood for." she said looking the menu up and down. "I feel like a junk /snack food day...but I can't eat it all on my own." she said looking up to Dessie with a sweet smile. "If I ordered say......Cheese sticks, fish and chips, a few slices of pizza, chicken fingers , and a large Ceasar salad...do you think that you could help me eat it all?" she said with a wink and a giggle. She had decided that she would buy Dessie's lunch as part of her apology and besides....if Dessie liked food as much as she did, the more and more variety the merrier. "You sound as hungry as I feel."

Listening, Dessie sipped her drink mindlessly, smiling and nodding at Rin. "Variety is good," she commented and laughed as Rin informed that she couldn't eat it all on her own. "Oh, hun, no worries there - this thing is bottomless," Dessie chuckled and patted her flat stomach.

And then Rin listed the food.

o_O "I think I just fell in love - and you even added the salad there!" Dessie nodded enthusiastically, laughing. "I am starving - and I've LOVE to share with you. Only, you'll have to ease me into this fish and chips thing... I've never had it before," she said, slightly abashed.

In her defense, the food was typically British - and she was American.

With just a few scraps of pasta remaining, Olivia scooped them up and polished them off as the gentleman sat down.Leaving her fork and spoon in the bowl, she folded her napkin and placed it down on the table next to it, before looking up and smiling as he spoke. "Yes I think it is," she nodded, "I certainly haven't had to wear my thicker ro-- urrr clothes... to work." Eeep, she nearly slipped then.This is a muggle restaurant, Olivia, watch what you say...

Oh introductions!

"Nice to meet you, Silas.I'm Olivia Hawthorne." She stretched across the table, and offered her hand for him to shake.Must be polite about it. "You not eating?" she asked, gesturing to his lack of food, and invisible menu.

Rinatta smiled and laughed when Dessie informed her that her stomach was bottomless. "I know the feeling, high metabolism." she winked and pointed to her own stomach , which was flat and toned.

Rin giggled merrily as Dessie said that she thought she just fell in love. She liked Cesar salad too? Why was she suspicious of this girl again? "I love to eat a large variety and probably more at a time than I should. I don't use quite so much energy as I used to. I'm glad that you will help." she said with a laugh. "I'm starving too, so we will start with that and we may even have room for dessert if our stomachs are as ravenous as we think." she said still chuckling. When she had never had it before Rin was a bit surprised ,but then she hadn't until she moved here either. "Oh ,but you are American yes? I never really ate it until I moved here myself but I have come to love it. I like mine with vingar best and never having had it is all the more reason to have some." she nodded smiling. "You can't love it until you taste it." she said with a wink. She waved a waiter over and began to place her order, then turned to Dessie. "Anything else you want? Its my treat." she asked still smiling.

"That's it!" Dessie nodded as Rin said they had high metabolism. Ahh yes - muggle biology classes DO help in the long shot.

... Energy? "I don't know - I'm still in the process of trying to arrange the stuff in my apartment to resemble a home, so I guess that takes up a lot of energy. But other than that, I'm not much of a sports girl - unless it comes to Quidditch, or cheerleading. I used to be a cheerleader back in high school," Dessie confessed, laughing. Wow, high school - she hadn't thought that far back in AGES.

High school was nice. She had been well liked and her grades were good - it was the home she returned to every day that had troubled young Destiny. "I guess we'll wait and see then," she nodded, anticipating the moment where she will first eat the infamous fish and chips dish.

Oh, bugger it. She was offering to pay. "All right then, but you do realise that this forces you to dine with me again?" Dessie laughed, pretending the subject of money was something of little regard. Except it wasn't - and by offering, Rin had saved her from the awkward moment of her not being able to pay.

She just needed the first month's paycheck to come round and then she'd be fine.

When Dessie spoke of what took her energy and not being much on sports Rin smiled. "Unpacking can take alot of energy...I just finished last month myself and I have been here nearly a year now." she admitted softly...wow she had already been here so long it seemed, but not really. "I like sports, I supposed that is one thing Jared and I can agree on and get on well about." she chuckled. "I don't really watch any but quidditich , but I love to play , qudditich is my favorite to play too. I have never watched cheerleading or done that before though..." she said with a laugh. It was never something that she had really been exposed to, perhaps Dessie would show her one day. "I don't expend anywhere near as much energy with this job than what I used to do. Being behind a desk and indoors so much is making me feel lazy, I work out everyday now." she said with a laugh. Being a Division Head was nothing on field work.

When Dessied said 'we shall wait and see' Rin nodded. Had to see how much they would actually eat and if she liked fish and chips or not, which Rin was certain that she would.

"Forces me to dine with you again? Dear if we can agree on food this much barely knowing each other it will hardly be forced." she chuckled. She looked to the waiter and finished listing the forementioned food , "Oh and a sweet tea too please." then after the waiter was off turned back to Dessie. "If you mean for you to pay next time , I won't have it. I am getting us lunch as a belated 'welcome to London'." she said firmly with a nod. "I really am sorry about the other day...I am normally not so kalt. I really didn't mean it towards you, I know I came off bad though." she apologized softly , her accent showing through. She knew it was only right to apologize, already forgiven or no.

Dessie raised her perfectly plucked, thick eyebrows, laughing as Rin told her she had finished unpacking only a month ago. "Wow - well, then I guess I'm doing ok - there are no boxes anymore, but there are piles and piles of things everywhere. And I left most of my possessions back in the US too," she said, still unable to believe that she had so much stuff.

The idea of moving here had been to start fresh, but when she had packed she couldn't bear to leave everything behind... But, as Dessie regarded it now, she had taken far too many things she didn't need.

Chuckling, Dessie nodded in agreement. It was rare to find someone with an appetite equal - or at least, near to hers. As the waiter came, Dessie lifted up the empty bottle of Coke and asked for another one, and to keep them coming. There are many things that are bad for you - but Coca Cola was Dessie's biggest weakness.

"You know what? All right. But I am buying you lunch or dinner sometime," Dessie nodded, reluctantly agreeing. She wasn't very good with money - and she knew herself well enough not to get into money-related conversations. They usually ended with her feeling very stupid.

"Oh, forget it. I'm the queen when it comes to acting bad when guys are around," Dessie laughed off her apology and drank the last of the Coke in her cup, wishing the waiter would bring the next bottle already. The guys thing... Yeah, guys and Dessie did not mix very well. At least, not the American sort. Not anymore.

She was DONE with guys. For the time being.

Nathan grinned. He couldn't wait. The visions of a fun fight breaking out seemed almost inevitable.

No doubt Willow would be in need of some sugary sustenance after the performance and it would be a nice treat for all the family – Nathan and Egypt included. He couldn't help chuckling when Egypt groaned at his suggestion of dining in KFC – she really did despise the place with a vengeance. “Anywhere?” He asked, then thought for a moment. “What about pizza then? – even Paris wont grumble about that.” That little minx was so hard to please at times. For a girl who supposedly worshipped her father so much, they were opposites in many ways. Still, that made things more interesting.

TUXEDOS! That was more like it! Nathan was worried Egypt was going to make them all look stupid... but, as she pointed out, she'd never done that to him before. “As long as I don't have to wear a bow-tie, I'll wear anything you recommend, love.” Just as long as it wasn't a fancy dress burger bun. heh.

'The Greenwoods aren't the same without you' – those words made him smile softly. Boy, how he missed them all. They were such a close family it seemed incredible that Nathan would let the actions of one bitter woman try and break them apart. “We're made of sterner stuff than Afia.” He mumbled softly. “I'll start bringing my things over tomorrow. Killer will be pleased.” The dog whom Nathan had bought to keep him company when Egypt left had been living with his brother Liam while he lived in the Leaky Cauldron, but Liam's home was far too small for an excitable adolescent Rottweiler. A knees up? “Just the family?” Because, really, he didn't want to be with anyone else right now.

He still had his hand in hers, gazing into her soft brown eyes as she professed her love for him in return. It was funny how even when you loved someone with all your heart, you could forget the little details in their features. He took it all in – the little mole above her eye; the youthful, flawless skin; the soft pout of her lips. What a fool he had been letting her go.

The food eventually arrived and the moment was broken. Nathan smiled and thanked the waiter as he placed the plate of food in front of him. He picked up his cutlery and looked at Egypt. “What about your father?” He asked her gently. Ajohni was one of the wisest people Nathan had ever met. He would hate to think that Afia was standing in the way of Egypt's relationship with him.

Silas heard the slip of the tongue and he smiled, assuming that therefore meant they worked in the same building. "I think we probably work in the same place, judging from the correction over clothing," he said, smiling at her. "I only just moved here though," he added, frowning a little. He hardly knew anyone. It would be nice to meet someone else who he could perhaps become friends with in the long run. She seemed like the sort of person he wouldnt mind making friends with anyway.

"Nice to meet you too, Olivia," he replied, shaking her hand. He hadnt wanted to disturb her from eating but she had finished now anyway so he suppoed it was only right to be polite. He shook his head when she queried him not eating, "No, I don't eat in public places like this," he responded. He had worked in a food hygiene centre and the number of complaints coming from muggle catering places about food that was poisoned or uncooked or in some way inedible made him avoid them when possible. He generally prefered his own cooking as well. "I prefer eating at home," he added, not wanting to sound like he just disliked muggle places though as that wasnt the case. If he knew a place was fine, he'd eat there. He just needed to learn to trust it first.

She could see the whole family getting into a fight involving loads of oatmeal. It would be fun and it would bring them all together. Even stuffy Paris wouldn't pass that up.

She had to giggle. The family would eat anything, but Egypt could not stand KFC. She just couldn't stand it. The chicken didn't taste like chicken to her and the place always smelled of grease and it took months to get the smell out of her clothes and hair. "Pizza it is then. And Paris would grumbled about anything she set her mind to." Nathan knew his daughter well enough to agree with him. "But not even she could turn her nose up at pizza," neither could Egypt. She had always been a healthy eater as a child. But being married to Nathan had taught her the delicious world of fattening foods. And she loved him all the more for it.

She pulled a face, "A bow-tie Nathan. When have I ever made you or the boys wear a bow-tie?" That was just cruel and she would never make any of her men wear a bow-tie.

Egypt smiled at his assessment of the family. "I think Paris would whole hardily agree with you." she told him. "I do think that you really need to have a one on one with her Nathan." Yes Paris had forgiven him but sometimes with Paris she thought she was over something only to explode about it later on, and Egypt didn't want the relationship between her daughter and her husband to be damaged. "Do you want me to come help you pack up?" She hated him living there in the first place and anything to get him home faster was a good idea in her book. "Just what the house needs another pet," she grinned. The boys were hoping Nathan would be brining another dragon hatchling home. Egypt was hoping that Nathan wouldn't. They had only just finished rebuilding the pool house after the last dragon landed on it. "I think a party with just the family will be enough for us to handle." It would be an event. The kids could decorate the house, and Nathan would do all the cooking and Egypt would make sure everything was set. The family would freak out if she stepped into the kitchen to cook anything other than cereal or cream of wheat.

They sat there holding hands and gazing into each other eyes. She had missed him so much that it physically hurt her heart but now her husband was back and her family was intact. She had forgotten that little Superman swoop that his hair did when he wasn't looking. She let loose a giggle as she looked at him. Oh Merlin how she loved that man. She was never letting him go. Ever.

She blinked back the tears that had sprang up in her eyes when the food arrived. She was glad that they were happy tears that were trying to spill down her face and not that sad ones. Egypt had to remind herself what she had ordered. It seemed her and Nathan had been in their own little bubble while they were talking. It was gone now but they were getting back to their normal selves. She took a bit of her food, it was delicious and she was going to have to come back to this place. She took a moment to chew her food before she answered her husband. "Well my father. Loves my mother. I can't begin to understand how he could love her, but I guess she says the same thing about our love." It was the first time she did understand what her mom was thinking when she thought about her and Nathan. Not that she forgave her for what she did. "So he is torn between his soulmate and his child. I don't want him to be in that position. All Ic an do is love my father and maybe with time forgive my mother. But I can't do that right now." Egypt had never before in her life failed to forgive someone of whatever transgression they caused her. She felt horrible about that, but to look into her mother;s face and beg her to tell Egypt why she would try to rip her family apart and have her mother sneer in her face and storm off had been too much for Egypt to forgive.

She was really enjoying her food and she looked up at Nathan."Nathan I want to have another child," she told him finally. She had been thinking about it for a few months, and while they never talked about not having children or having them she wanted Nathan to know that she wanted to keep having his children. "I still want another girl." The house was full of boys and the girls were out of the house.

Rinatta laughed when she said that she had no more boxs to unpack ,just piles of things. " Ah, I unpacked and organized one box at a time so no piles." she said chuckling. "I really just took it very slowly. Partly because I was uncertain that I wanted to stay here, honestly." she admitted with a slight sigh. She still wasn't certain that she wanted to stay here. She liked Jared a lot, but wasn't certain that she should stay with him either. They were very different in nature , she debated if it was different enough or too different. She was at a very uncertain point in her life currently and just hoped things would become more clear to her soon.

Rin chuckled when she agreed but said that she would be buying Rin lunch on of these times. "Alright if you are that concerned about it ,eventually."she said with a wink. Rin was quite well off herself and money wasn't too much of an issue with her. She only kept part of her wealth in Gringotts and the rest in her German accounts. She was not frivolous in what she spent , though she had enough cashflow to spoil herself. Rin was a sensible young woman and really didn't have much worry in finacial and bussiness affairs. It was in rellationships that she suffered a weak point.

When Dessie laughed and spoke of how she was when guys were around Rin just smiled softly and shook her head. "I still had no excuse for that." she said with a soft smile. "I'm not usually that way. Just.....I don't know. I suppose it is because I am uncertain of my standing. I'm just....really bad when it comes to dealing with guys on that kind of level." she said with a soft sigh. It felt nice to have another female friend, she was normally surrounded by all men. She worked with mostly men, all of her friends besides three ,including Dessie, were men.... She was awful at having a relationship though and she just didn't know why.

Nathan had to smile at Egypt's comment about Paris and he shook his head. “She's a fickle one is Paris.” But.. he wouldn't change her for the world. Pizza it was then - what a healthy diet the Greenwoods had – luckily Nathan had seven energetic young children to keep him on his toes and in rather average shape.

Well this was true. Egypt had never requested he wear a bow-tie. but things could change... especially in a year. Nathan could wear a suit well, but he would look so odd in a dickie-bow. He could imagine it would change his whole persona and he would start to carry himself like he was a stuffy old person rather than the relaxed, casual man that he was. “Never.” He said with a smile. “But fashions change like nobody's business and I know how you like to keep up with the latest trends.” While Nathan remained in a rut of the same old, same old. Hell, he still wore the same leather jacket he'd had since he first met Egypt.

He blinked, Egypt's words made it obvious that Paris had not completely forgiven her father for the time they were apart. He thought they were all past that – it had been a tragic thing, but Nathan wasn't the one to blame and neither was Egypt. “Has she said something to you, love?” He asked softly. He couldn't stand it if Paris had any negativity towards him; they had always been inseparable. He smiled at her offer and nodded. It would be easier that way. Unbeknownst to Egypt, Nathan had become quite settled at the Leaky – it was going to be like leaving home in a way. Tristan was going to be missed more than anything; they had become such good buds in the last year. A epic true bromance.

“Killer will be no bother. You wont even know she's there.” He said with a smile. How could she be when you had a house full of such weird and wonderful pets. She would blend in like she had been there the whole time.

The party would be fun. The family hadn't done anything like that in an age and Nathan was pretty sure they hadn't had many parties with out him present.

Nathan's eyebrows raised and he gave Egypt his trademark boyish smile. “What?” He asked when she giggled. Oh how he had missed that sound. “I love you.” He said and gave her hand one last quick squeeze before letting go. Oh how he did.

He listened to Egypt as she explained about the situation with her father and mother. It was a difficult one, really. And Nathan hated the fact that he was to blame for her separation from her father – at least he felt to blame. “I think...” He said softly. “I think you should go and see your mother. You need to sort this out. I'll.. I'll come with you if you like.” Even though the prospect of meeting with Afia scared the wits out of him he would do it for Egypt. “Perhaps we need to discuss her problem with me; then if I know what it is, I can try and change it.” He sighed softly. He didn't like the fact that someone hated him so much they would cause so much hurt. Nathan was so easy going – he didn't have any enemies and got on with everyone regardless of class or background. It pained him to think that he was unwittingly doing something so terrible to cause such hate.

There was silence for a moment and Nathan didn't hear Egypt's words at first.. or he did; but they didn't register straight away. Tick tock tick tock. A.. what now!? Nathan blinked.. and blinked some more. WHAT? Oh Merlin. He kept his expression calm but inside there was a minor internal panic going on. “We...” 'Words, mate.. speak ALREADY!' “...Perhaps we should wait.. just a little while until I'm settled back at home.” He swallowed. This was... HUGE.

Ahh, an organised one. Dessie needed an organised friend. "Oh, well, that's the thing - I'm pretty sure I want to stay here. I have to stay here," she said and looked angrily at the waiter who still hadn't bought her the new coke. It was at THESE times that she needed her drink and she didn't have- Ahh. Excellent. Thanking the waiter nicely, she poured herself the black liquid and gulped it down.

Better. And now the money talk was over, which was fantastic as well.

"Hun, I don't know you well enough yet - but if you ever hear my story, you will feel infinitely better about your position, trust me. Plus, for what it's worth, I think Jared does like you," Dessie said, thinking back to that day where they had met. He had been so clueless at first - it really made it hard to hate men when they went all cute like that. And she had helped that poor stuttering kid as well...

All in all, it had been a productive day. Especially because she had returned home to find the acceptance letter to the Ministry. Her stomach growled again and she made a face. Dessie wasn't one for not eating - back in the US, she had eaten at least once every two hours; usually more if she could help it. Sushi, if it was available.

Man, she LOVED sushi. And food. She loved fooooooood!

Paris was fickle, but the give was as predictable as rain. "Thats your daughter," she pointed out to him with a grin. Paris was daddy's little girl through and through. But everyone would enjoy pizza. Even Egypt if she were allowed the pineapples and mushrooms she loved that no one else did.

She nodded. "Yes, fashions change but I'm a classic person. And classic never goes out of style," she winked at him. Speaking of new fashions New York Fashion Week was coming up and she wanted to make it for her sister's show. Paris of course would jump in with both feet it would take some convincing to get Willow to go.

She didn't want to come between Paris and Nathan. That was a line of fire she was sure to stay out of. Paris made it very clear in the beginning that she was daddy's little girl and no one was taking that crown from her. Egypt even felt from time to time that Paris was jealous of the relationship between her and Nathan. She looked at Nathan. "She did talk to me." Egypt said slowly. "She's upset that you never spoke to her. Even after that night at the Leaky. She's not upset over all that happened she's just hurting Nathan and she just needs the steady hand of her father and his love to get through this. She still loves you and you are her favorite. Just go talk to her." she smiled. Paris could never stay mad at Nathan but she was a bit hurt but a father daughter day would smooth things over with her. "Good," he would let her help him pack. She wanted him home and anything to get him there faster was alright in her book.

She smiled at him, "Seems like she is a dog after my own heart." Killer was an unusual name for a female dog. But with all the other pets in the house she would fit right into the Greenwood home. The children would be excited about a party. Egypt was that's for sure.

She giggled for a few more minutes looking at her husband. He was fanatical about his hair. "Nothing," she finally said when she was able to control her voice to speak. "I love you too," she told him as he squeezed her hand.

She bristled when he suggested again that she go speak with her mother. So far she hadn't exchanged words with her mother. She just couldn't face her mother right now. What she had done had hurt her deeply. She tried to break up her marriage and destroy her family. It just hurt to think that her mother who was supposed to love her above all else would do something like that to her. Her eyes soften at his words. "You would come with me to speak to my mother?" That would be like Nathan walking into the lion's den for him. There wasn't any love lost between Nathan and Afia, though Egypt never understood why her mother hated Nathan so much. "Nathan you shouldn't have to explain yourself to my mother. You have more than proven yourself as a husband and a father." she explained to him. She felt if her mother had a problem with Nathan it was her bloody problem. "You have been a loving husband who attended to all my whims and every need. You loved me more than I deserved to be. You are a devoted father to 7 wonderful, well adjusted children who are doing amazing things. Our love and our family is the envy of all our friends. If my mother has a problem with that then she can go jump off the Black Pool Pier." Egypt was done trying to convince her mother that Nathan was the best man in the world for her and their children.

Nathan would never change. No matter how many children they had he still freaked out when she turned up pregnant. She leaned back in her chair to watch the Nathan-attack that was happening within her husband. It was amusing that he tried to hide his attack from her. Nathan was an open book to her and he couldn't even if he tried to hide his feelings from her. She folded her thin arms across her chest and an amused looked played across her face. "Well I didn't mean we should make a baby right now." she tried not to giggle at Nathan as he looked like he was ready to pass out, but she loved this little attack of his about her pregnancies. "I just wanted you to know that I'm ready whenever to have another go at this baby thing." she smiled.

Rinatta smiled warmly when Dessie spoke of how certain she was that she would like to stay here. "Well, the place certainly grows on you after awhile." she replied with a chuckle. "I still get homesick every now and again , but being here is improving most certainly yes." she added with a slight nod. She really had hated London at first. Jared was one of the first friends that she had made here and helped her feel less lost and lonely. She had also had Pandora hating her for that first bit too for reasons now resolved ,but at least they became friends. She had quite a few friends now, but sometimes still got homesick and uncertain of whether she would stay. Her leaving and going back home was always a possibility with her.

When she said that Rin would feel infinitely better about her own position if she heard Dessie's story she gave her a soft, sympathetic smile. If she heard my own tale she would likely feel more fortunate herself, but who knows what she went through? She said that she was Jared liked and she nodded graciously, him liking her wasn't where she was uncertain. Did her like her enough to really want her as more than a friend? That was the question. Dear , I am not certain that ones story trumps the other, but if you would like to talk about it and get it off of your chest I am here for you." she spoke with her calm smile. "I am here to listen if you need me. I'll lend you my ears and shoulders, should you ever need them." she offered kindly. That was something friends did for each other. As for Jared, I know he likes me.....I just don't know how much. To what extent am I liked and what is my standing....I don't know what I am considered to him." she said with a soft sigh. He could be so aloof at times. Part of the things she loved about him as a friend annoyed her as......whatever she was considered.

Rin looked up with a smile as two waiters walked over with their order in hand er on tray. She helped arrange the food and thanked them graciously. Now, to new found friendship." she smiled warmly and gestured to the food.

"I should hope so, otherwise it would seem I picked a bad place to restart my life," Dessie laughed and sipped her drink again. In all honesty, she had begun to feel at home here. And that was just in the space of two weeks. . . It just shows how much the US wasn't home.

Even Dopey preferred it here. He liked the apartment and the people here... Especially her landlord. Man, Dopey LOVED that man.

Dessie almost spat out her coke in surprise to what Rin was telling her. TALK about what happened to her?!?!? Pfft. Like THAT would ever happen. Ever her parents don't know the whole story and she'd like to keep it that way, thank you very much. "Thanks Rin, really, but if I ever feel like that know that I have been put under the Imperius curse," Dessie said, not a hint of a smile present on her face.

She was serious - obviously, exaggerating a tad - but still. NO talking about past life. NOTHING. And so, when Rin talked about Jared, Dessie felt about a million times better. "I would really love to give some intelligent input in regards to that, but I don't know Jared that well and I'm not exactly the relationship guru," she chuckled. And plus, this was something between Rin and Jared. It was their feelings.

"I'll definitely drink to that!" Dessie beamed as the food came and raised her glass to Rin's. This was an exciting moment - and, if they remained friends, it could become quite a memorable one. Might as well milk it all the way with a toast. Hehe.

Nathan mirrored Egypt's grin. He nodded. “Oh I'm not denying that.” He winked. “And I would change her for the world.” Nope – Paris was perfect in Nathan's eyes... even her flaws were endearing to him.

It was true that Egypt's style was very classical. She still intrigued Nathan how she could look stunning in anything she put on; it seemed so effortless. If they hadn't been together so long he would question why she was with him. She could have had a rich film star type, but she went for him. But their compatibility shone through in their personalities... and, lets face it, when Nathan made an effort and donned a suit, they matched extremely well. “Lets drink to that.” He raised his glass. “To Egypt and her style.” He wiggled his eyebrows playfully and took a generous gulp of his drink.

He became serious as Egypt confirmed his suspicions that Paris had spoken to her. “You mean when we were apart?” He asked with a thoughtful frown. “I wrote everyday at first.. until it became too painful that I never got a reply. I wasn't even sure you were staying with your mother.” He sighed. Why was he defending himself to Egypt here.. she understood – he thought Paris did too. It hurt to think that the girl even held a tiniest bit of resentment toward him. He swallowed. “I'll speak to her.” He said softly.

He chuckled a little when Egypt said it was 'nothing' and reached up to brush his hair out of his eyes which were twinkling with mirth as he looked at his beloved. “Fine. Keep your secret then.” He teased with a smirk and a flirtatious wink.

He noticed the change in Egypt's body language at his suggestion of going to visit Afia. He took another large gulp of his drink again; this time clearly not as a toast. He swallowed and nodded. “Of course I would. I would walk over hot coals for you, my love. Anywhere.” Into the very gates of hell; which, he supposed going to see Afia equated to for him. “I don't want to explain myself.” He said softly. “I want to know why she has such hatred for me. I want to know if it's me.. something I'm doing; or whether it's truly irrational and then we'll know if something can be done.” He leaned over the table a little and listened intently to his wife over the background noise of the restaurant. He smiled at little at her words – he couldn't disagree with any of it. He had done all those things and his heart filled with a sudden surge of love for Egypt; he hadn't experienced this feeling since before she left. “I'll leave it up to you.” He said gently. “If you want me to fling myself into the snake pit, I'll gladly do it.. if you don't, then that's fine too.” He looked into her eyes searchingly – he would do whatever Egypt wanted to do.

Oh.. she was amused by his little internal panic was she? Nathan raised an eyebrow as he looked at Egypt sitting there with her arms crossed. He relaxed a little. “Wait until we get home at least, love.” He teased and chuckled. He nodded. Phew.. thank Merlin; he needed time to get settled back into Uptown Court before a screaming bundle of poop came along to ruin their cosy existence. Heh.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "I doubt anyone could change Paris. She is a force of nature." Sometimes she secretly wanted Paris and her mother to really get into a fight. She had her galleons on Paris hands down. But you couldn't tell Nathan anything about Paris. She did not wrong in his eyes. Well except that time she scared the living snot out of Dillon with that tomato prank.

She raised her glass and they clinked glasses. She giggled and drank down the rest of her water. "Well its a full-time job and someone has to do it." she teased. Egypt did love fashion and she passed that on to Paris and Willow. Though Paris took fashion to a whole new level and outshine Egypt on occasions. Only on occasions though. She got everything from her mother after all.

She nodded her head. "Well yes she was upset about you not talking to her while we were away, but she was more upset about you not talking to her when we got back." She told him gently. She hated that Paris was upset with her father, but she couldn't just magically fix their relationship. They needed to do that. She took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Hey just go talk to her. Paris loves you more than anything in this world. She just needs one of those famous Nathan, Paris cinema days." she gave him a smile. She didn't want him to be upset. Paris was a unique creature and sometimes needed to be handled with kid gloves and Nathan knew that better than anyone else.

She sat back and looked at her husband. "I was just looking at you and thinking about your hair." she admitted. Nathan and his hair, if she were the jealous type she would have been jealous of Nathan's hair and his mirror.

She sighed and looked up at Nathan. She really didn't want to have any sort of conversation with her mother. Especially not where Nathan was trying to example himself yet again to her mother. Like she was queen of the universe. "Nathan I will never ask you to explain anything to my mother. She was wrong and she had been wrong for years." she told him. "But I will support you in anything that you want to do. And if you want to go and speak to my mother I will stand there with you in front of the firing squad." she gave him a small smile at her attempt at a joke. "I would never ask you to fling yourself into a snake pit because I would be right behind you and I'm scared to death of snakes." she told him seriously. She just didn't know if she was ready to face her mother just yet. The wound was still too raw and her mother knowing what she had done hadn't spoken to Egypt either. She would have ever go to see her mother if Nathan wanted to speak to Afia. She would stand by her husband no matter what he wanted to do or where he wanted to go.

Nathan was as regular as English weather. He always panicked when it came to children. Though they had never talked about not having anymore children. "Well I don't think they would invite us back if I didn't wait till we got home,"she teased. All the children were out of the house off to school and the house was too quiet for Egypt's taste. And her and Nathan could outdo her parents in the baby department. She was sure of it.

Rinatta laughed along with Dessie as she said that otherwise it would have been a bad place to restart her life. Hmm restart? She and Rin may have more in common than Rin had thought. "I suppose that you are right on that." she agreed softly.

Rin frowned slightly when Dessie suddenly became quite serious and said that if she had ever felt like talking about it that she had been imperiused. Rin wondered if it was because it was her or if Dessie's past had really been that bad. She figured that it may have been a little of both and tried to change her expression to a more pleasant one.

Rin laughed when Dessie said that she was not exactly 'the love guru'. "I am afraid that I am uncertain of how well I know Jared currently myself. I don't really think anyones input will really help this, its really between he and I ...if it is...thank you though." she said with her frown retracing her delicate lips. "I am....extremely far from a relationship expert... If I was even decent at having them I could probably at least keep one together.." she sighed softly. Her past was not a subject that she liked discussing or thinking about.

Her smile returned when Dessie said that she would drink to that. Eating would probably make her feel a little better at least. She laughed when Dessie raised her cup to her."To new friendship and hopefully a good restart to life." she said clinking her cup and then taking a long sip. She used the extra plates that the waiter had brought to start separating the food. Mmm fish and chips.

Chris entered the restaurant with quickness in his step. Getting his normal share of his favorite sandwich he started eating rather fast. Today had been a simple day for him and a nice hot and good meal would make him feel happier. He ate at least 6 sandwiches and finally he felt better.

Dessie raised her eyebrows. Apparently, Rin couldn't keep a relationship together. . . Sipping her coke thoughtfully, Dessie was startled by the fact that she had almost thought Rin lucky. Because, in a way, she was. Better to not be in a relationship at all then have in crash down on you in a instant.

Especially if it happens more than once.

"Cheers!" Dessie wiped those dark thoughts from her head and clinked her cup with Rin's. Ahh - food. Grabbing two slices of pizza and some chicken fingers, Dessie began munching happily on the delicious heavenly goodness that was food. This restaurant was GOOD.

As she ate, Dessie's eyes wandered over to the fish and chips. "So, how does one eat those? With salt? Is there some type of special sauce? Hands or cutlery?" she asked after swallowing the final bites of her first pizza slice. Her stomach had begun to stop growling. Once the second slice had gone down, she'd finally be able to really enjoy her food without the hunger aspect.