Julian looked at the deft embroidery of his monogram and some vines and laughed. "I forgot they'd begun to decorate everything they can get their hands on," he said, pocketing the offending object.
"This's got spells on it so one man can move it easily," said Smithson cheerfully, patting the big trunk. "I'll get it down to your car and have your man bring it around."
"Thanks," said Alex. "We'll go say our goodbyes and make sure Alys and Nat are expecting us."
"You just want your brownie-made food," said James, "not that I blame you."
"You want my brownie-made food, too," countered Alex. "Come on, this day has already been long enough."
He texted Nat and Alys, and also Lapointe, inviting her and Thomas over for a treat whenever they could get away. The Guardians would be with them for a few days more, which would make it almost a party. But the good, murder-free kind this time.
Chudleigh was standing around the foyer looking a little lost, so Alex shoved aside his usual reluctance and went in for a hearty, back-slapping sort of hug, the kind that made men like Lucas smile.
"We're finally set free," said Alex. "Will you and Geoff be all right without us?"
Chudleigh gave him a tired smile. "Having Geoff here will make it all right, now that they've caught her. I had no idea that Miss Halliwell harboured such resentment against Wicket."
"Even Flora had no idea," said Alex. "I asked her for all the gossip a few weeks ago and mostly Halliwell is considered a decent conversationalist, if a little dull."
"I won't be inviting her again," joked Chudleigh tiredly. "This has been such a disaster, but it would have been much worse without you, Julian, and my Geoff."
"Make sure you tell him that," said Julian, coming in for his own sweet, comforting sort of hug. Alex loved those hugs. "Dr. Geoff deserves appreciation."
"But so do you," said Alex. "You've kept it together, and made sure none of your people got hurt."
Chudleigh sighed. "It doesn't feel like enough when two people died, but it's not like I could have known."
"You can't control everyone," said Julian. "Your staff stayed safe, and that's important in a situation like this."
"And you got us all fed," added Alex. "That was a pretty big accomplishment that I know wasn't all Rowlinson's doing."
Chudleigh laughed. "It was so hard not to just get mad and yell at people," he admitted quietly, "but honestly, everyone really came through for me. They'll all get a bit of a danger bonus for this weekend."
"It's things like that that make them want to work hard for you," said Julian wisely.
"Jones is here," said James, who'd been lurking by the front door while they talked to their friend.
"Give Geoff our love," said Julian.
Alex gave Chudleigh's arm another little squeeze. "We'll see you soon without all the drama."
"Thanks for coming," said Chudleigh, and that was that.
They all moved away and got into the car, shivering after the brief moment in the cold winter air before they got tucked into the back of the limo.
"Alys says you're to go straight inside," said Jones by way of greeting. "Nat will deal with your luggage."
"We always do what Alys says," replied Julian. "How have you been with this blizzard?"
Jones chuckled. "I've been using the time to paint rooms in my cottage," he said. "It's almost ready for Jenny. I just need to finish a few more things and get her to help me find furniture."
"Smart," said Alex. "That way she won't accidentally hate something you've bought."
"Not that we think she would," said Julian, poking him through their bond, "but it's always nicer to choose together."
"You made a decorator choose," said Jones with a laugh.
"We made some choices," Julian prevaricated.
