Mint and Honey

[KieranSoares]

"You haven't given them a chance to help. I know you, Ma. For all your knowledge and experience, you're just as impatient when it comes to your own health as your patients are with theirs."

Alex rose, and with a similar care and gentleness Vincenzo had always treated Kitty with on her more difficult days, Alex helped Valentina to rise and he wrapped her up in a warm robe.

"I'm waiting in some new medicines and notes from China and India. Khelt helped me find a few of Grandpa's old contacts and at least one of them has seen this before and treated it to the point it barely bothered his patient. If I can get the same plants to grow here... I might be able to help you and Uncle Brogan more than Grandpa ever could," Alex murmured.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Bambino, I worry that you’ll work yourself into an early grave.” Valentina said softly as she brushed her fingers through his short hair. “You work tirelessly for this family and your other patients, but you never take time to simply exist. You never have.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm starting to learn," Alex promised her with a gentle smile. "My time in Palmyra is to blame for that." He pressed a kiss to her cheek and wrapped an arm around her to bring her out to the rest of the family.

 

[heartofcourage]

Ruari was there in an instant, concern for his mother in his features. Valentina gently brushed her fingers through his hair and gave him a smile.

“Go get washed up, bambino. Your sister has worked hard on dinner and we’re going to sit and enjoy it.” Valentina murmured as Ruari hesitantly nodded and went to do as she had asked.

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex made sure Valentina was settled into her usual seat before turning to help Viola, knowing Theo would take over if he was needed. Once everyone was in in their respective seats, Yasmine beside Alex, dishes were passed around. Theo kept an eye on Valentina, though he didn't try to baby her.

"What've you two been up to today?" Theo questioned Alex and Yasmine.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Dealing with unruly drakes.” Yasmine said as she helped herself as if she were a perfect member of the family. “And they can be a hand full.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ria has a new drake, abandoned most likely. He's his own handful seeing as he won't eat meat." Alex smiled lightly to himself. "But he's got a good heart, and Silas loves him."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Alex had always enjoyed hard cases. He used to call them his mysteries.” Valentina said as she didn’t eat much but did manage to relax.

 

[KieranSoares]

"When I was ten, maybe," Alex chuckled. As at-ease as he seemed, Valentina knew him well enough to see he was keeping a close eye on her.

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’m afraid he’s still like that.” Yasmine said with a smile towards Alex as he tried to dodge the attention.

 

[KieranSoares]

When Ruari giggled, Alex gave him a nudge, knowing he was teasing about Yasmine. "I like things that make me think, that's all."

 

[heartofcourage]

“When will your wedding be?” Frannie blurted out, making Viola and Ruari giggle uncontrollably.

“Bambina, silencio.” Valentina said softly as Yasmine simply chuckled, not bothered in the least by the question.

“I don’t know that we’re ready for that yet. I have a new home to set up and I’m sure Alex has other things he’s like to accomplish. We’re taking it slow.” She said as she continued to eat.

 

[KieranSoares]

Yasmine's reaction saved Alex any embarrassment, and he simply followed her easy and calm lead. "Just you wait, little lady. I'm going to let Ruari pester you to distraction when you find someone."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’ll be all the way in Edinburgh so I’d like to see you try.” Frannie countered her big brother, giving him a smile.

“But you’ll have to come home sometime.” Yasmine commented, looking at her daughter with a chuckle. “It’s hard to escape this family, bambina.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"And I'll no doubt be by Edinburgh fairly often seeing as Kate doesn't trust anyone else." Alex then looked to Valentina. "Speaking of... Grandpa recommended we consider training a royal physician for Edinburgh. Kate might welcome tribal healers, but she won't want doctors that we haven't cleared. And I don't plan on leaving Inverness."

 

[heartofcourage]

Valentina looked at Alex in surprise at that announcement. She had always figured that he would be like her father and travel the world while he was young. It seemed that Yasmine had made him consider things in a new light.

“There’s a few candidates that I think might serve her well. We can discuss it tomorrow.” Valentina said as she leaned back in her chair and let her eyes close momentarily.

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex watched his mother for a long moment, and Theo reached over to lay a hand on Valentina's without drawing attention to it. He wouldn't make the little ones worry if he could help it. "If Vincenzo's free we migh' ask 'im about it as well. He'll know who 'as potential."

 

[heartofcourage]

Valentina only responded by squeezing Theo’s hand as he tried to make the moment as normal as possible. When she opened her eyes again, she looked absolutely exhausted and a little lost. She was used to being the one with the answers, but there weren’t many clear answers for her or her brother and sisters.

“You should look in the villages for someone. Especially since Kate is having cubs of her own. Having someone that understands were physiology would be ideal.” She said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll see if I can get ahold of Karn. He wouldn't want to uproot, but he has a few promising students." Alex met his mother's gaze for a moment and added, "... I'll ask Mariko too. He's been helping this family since before you were born, hasn't he?"

 

[heartofcourage]

“He has. He was there when I was born.” Valentina said with a soft smile as she thought about Mariko. “He helped when I got ill after Viola too.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Come to think of it, he's seen five generations of this family... He visited Gran's parents a few times. He might see six if he sticks around another decade or so."

"He probably will. Wolves in particular tend t'live a long time. He's no' much older'n Suara an' they're both goin' strong."

 

[heartofcourage]

Valentina looked over at Theo as the conversation lulled and she let out a small sigh. “I think I’ll retire to bed again. I can’t shake the exhaustion tonight.”

“I’ll come with you, Mama.” Ruari volunteered, the hyper little boy unusually subdued with worry over his mother.

 

[KieranSoares]

Theo took over this time, walking with Valentina and Ruari back to the bedroom. Once they were gone, Alex set a kettle over the fire before helping Viola clean up. "Do me a favor, Vi," he muttered quietly to his little sister. "Make sure Ma doesn't skip out on the tea Da and I made for her. She should have it at least once a day, twice on bad days."

 

[heartofcourage]

“She makes her own teas.” Viola said as Alex had a short conversation with her about their mother. “She said she doesn’t want me to worry about it. She gets angry easier when she’s tired. I don’t want to make things worse.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex sighed at that. "Don't worry about it then. I don't want you getting in trouble." He kissed her cheek and straightened. "She's being stubborn, as per usual. But her circumstances might be different from Brogan's."