My father brought stacks of paperwork and one of the local lawyers. It looked like we would be at this for a while. It was basic name-changing, and adding me to the accounts, or so I thought, but in reality Magnus signed absolutely everything over. The lawyer asked about joint ownership, but Magnus asked if it meant we would both have to sign for withdrawals and deposits, and yes, there was a requirement that both partners signs for major changes. So he asked to have me made the primary account holder. Just me, alone. And so, form after form, Magnus signed off, and I signed on. Lady Mairead's name wasn't on any of the contracts which was good, but it seemed kind of final that he was giving it all to me as if he wouldn't be around to need it.

This was an astonishing amount of trust. He was giving me everything, no questions asked. My father and the lawyer still spoke to him as if he was in charge though, crossing the paperwork to him, deferring to him, barely noticing my questions.

It was past one o'clock when Dad and the lawyer left. That's how long it took for me to make a fortune. I was rich. Not just by marriage, but on paper, official-like.

Zach was motioning us toward the kitchen where he spread lunch. Sandwiches, warm, melted, cheesy, yummy, exactly what we needed.

During lunch Zach said, “Tomorrow is Fourth of July, Magnus, would you like to have a barbecue?”

“I dinna ken, would I?”

I explained, “It's the American celebration of our Independence. We blow up massive quantities of fireworks, have barbecues, and drink all day. Probably starting tonight. I actually expect the invitations to start any moment now.” My phone rang — Hayley. I said, “Hold that thought,” and answered.

“Hey Babe, Quentin is on his way”

“Perfect, thanks.”

“And tonight Michael, James, me, and the whole gang want to give you a little wedding reception at the Cafe in the courtyard. Starting at four. We'll buy all your drinks.”

“Let me ask Magnus, just a minute.” I held my hand over the phone. “Hayley and the gang want to throw us a party to celebrate our wedding at a restaurant. It won't be a late night.”

“Would you like tae go?”

“I would.”

“Aye then, I could go out for a few hours.”

“Your head feels better?”

“Much. Chef Zach always makes me feel better. And other things.” He grinned.

I returned to the phone. “Yes, we'll come, but probably closer to five. It will take me a while to get ready.” I remembered to ask, “Hayley, what are your plans tomorrow for the Fourth?”

“Nothing, maybe James's house?”

“What if we had a cookout here?”

“That would be great, will Zach grill?”

“You know it.”

“Perfect.”

I hung up and told Zach, “Yes, a cookout tomorrow, possibly ten to twenty people.”

He asked, “Hotdogs, burgers, steaks, or chicken?”

I picked burgers and suddenly, Zach and Emma and I were planning the menu for our party. I made the shopping list. They were going to do the shopping and literally everything else. I was very happy with this, being the decider not the handler of everything.

In my relationship with Braden I came up with the ideas for each video then made them happen, buying the supplies, writing the script, even handling the tech issues when they came up. From idea to implementation it was always me doing everything, and at the end of the day, though I was only twenty and Braden and I were partners, I got to figure out how to feed us both too.

Braden was pretty traditional in that he didn't give a shit how he got fed as long as someone fed him. Sadly my care-taking freed him up to spend his time dating someone else.

I scowled down at my sandwich.

Magnus noticed and asked quietly, “What is it?”

“I was thinking about something, not a good thing, not you — Thank you for trusting me with your accounts, your money, everything. I hope I can figure it out. I'll have to learn how to manage it all.”

He held out his hand and squeezed mine. “I figure ye are more qualified tae run the estate than I am, since I dinna ken half what your father was speaking of.”

“Do you understand only half of what I'm talking about too?”

“Nae, you are easy tae understand. Ye speak with your eyes.”

“I do? Whatever does that mean?” Emma took my empty plate to the kitchen.

“Means... I am nae certain. I can tell what ye mean though many of your words I hae never heard before.”

“So like, you get me, that's nice; I like being got. I think I get you too.”

He looked down at his plate. His smile seemed sad. He fiddled with his fork overlong and seemed thoughtful about something. He said, “I will need tae spend some time with Master Peters when he arrives. Before I get ready for the party.”