[Ward: Private]
I'm still thinking about it.  I don't quite know why, really.  It wasn't something that I had considered in any serious fashion before.  Being a-  Having a-  Conc-  Being a dad.  There, I can at least say- well, write- the word.

I am seven years older than my father was, when Liam was born.  Perhaps it is an unfair comparison, especially when you consider that he and my mother were married for two years before Liam's birth.  Sophia and I- it hasn't even been a year that we have been together, yet.  Though, my parents' marriage was not one of love- at least, not then, when it began.  Not until they had Liam.  I cannot imagine conceiving a child with a woman I did not love.  It's all just... different.

I love Sophia.  I do not doubt that she loves me.  And we would... we would love a child, as parents.  She is right, of course, that we cannot truly plan it.  Potions and the like- they're all falliable methods.  One day, that test will turn red, and it won't be worries over is-she-isn't-she, it will be worries over what color we'll want to paint the nursery.  Not that there is even room for a nursery, at the flat- oh, Merlin.

At least I do not have to ask Gabe to be a god-father, just yet.  I cannot imagine the look on his face.
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I am looking forward to the wintertime, this year.  Staying inside with a warm fireplace and my beautiful wife sounds like the perfect way to spend a few months.

[Ward: Sophia]
How does this look, love?



It's a villa near Menfi, Sicily.  Suitable, perhaps, for a long weekend to celebrate your birthday next week?
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Before today, I don't think I'd heard anything about my mother's granddad, great-granddad McCarthy, in nearly five years.  Great-grandmum died long before I was born, and he's lived on his own out in Knocknacarra for as long as I could remember.  Well, er-, he did live, I should say.  He died last week.  I don't mean to sound uncouth about it, but before now I'd have bet money that he'd forgotten me entirely.

Apparently not.

( ... )
I have no idea what I'm going to do with that.  I don't particularly need it, but I'd be foolish to turn it down, all the same!

[Ward: Sophia]
What would you say to having our reception/dinner party on 27 May?  It is a Friday, but I think if we took the day off of work (or even a half-day, really) that would be time enough to organize everything properly.  I've already spoken with a caterer, they just need the final date and the menu- they had some suggestions, but I told them I'd speak to you about it first.

And while we're at it, perhaps we'll take off 30 May as well- the 31st is a Bank Holiday, so we could take a short trip of our own somewhere, for those three days after our dinner?
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[Ward: Gabe]
I have been kindly requested by your dance partner to pass on her costuming guidelines for your competition- I suppose she thinks I may hold more sway with you, as your cousin. 

So:  nothing sheer; nothing that he can strip off of me; and nothing with grievously tasteless necklines.  I may add to this list at a later time, when I work through the trauma of previous routines with Gabriel.

They seem like simple enough requests.  Don't traumatize the poor girl any further, yeah?
[/]

Sophia and I took a brief trip back to Galway today, to have my wedding ring properly engraved.  A simple script M & S, with Sunday's date.  I bought her a claddagh to match my own while we were there, hence the photo.  (It doesn't replace Sophia's own wedding ring, of course- those diamonds properly and beautifully decorate her left hand.)

( spell-o-taped photo )

Forgive a simple man his blather about wedded bliss, just this once.

[Ward: Private]
I had worried that it might seem sudden, or that there might be some backlash from our families.  My mother seemed... disappointed, perhaps, that she wasn't there to witness, but she understood my reasoning.  I promised her several photos, of course, and assured her that we would have a reception dinner of some sort once we've returned to Galway, properly.

I will never forget the way she looked, standing with me and speaking her vows.  I'll never deserve her, but I'm too selfish to care.
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[Ward: Gabe]
Are you busy this weekend, by chance?  I may need your assistance with something.
[/]

[Ward: Private Sophia]
My parents' marriage wasn an arranged one, and they have been together, happily, for thirty-four years. Things haven't always been easy for them- but, I suspect, every married couple- arranged or otherwise- has their share of trials to go through. Either of them could have bowed out of the marriage, the arrangement at any time, but they didn't. They love one another, and they are committed to making their marriage work, regardless of how it began.

I agreed to let my parents seek an arranged marriage for myself, as well- thinking, then, that whoever they might find would be in a similar position as my own. With a successful career, and a life that I ought not complain about save for it just being... quiet. Lonely. And they found me Sophia- who, I found out, had not been seeking an arranged marriage, herself. But I had (and still have) no intentions of forcing myself upon her in any way- I asked her to marry me, and she said yes of her own accord. I have to truly believe that. She's given me no reason to doubt her, and I cannot imagine she ever will.

Our society has been criticized for being archaic, but even among us, arranged marriages are hardly a thing of the distant past. My own parents were not the only ones of their generation to be arranged- what has happened, in the intervening thirty years, to turn the minds of so many against the idea? Truly, no one could force anyone into a marriage they didn't want- we are not property to be bought, sold, or bartered. I do not think anyone is truly implying that. But there are reasons our society relied on such matches for so long- have we forgotten them so quickly?

Of course, it does no good to write all this here, where none only one can see it- though it does feel good to at least have written it. Let them have their public outcries and calls for social reform and let it see where it gets them. Myself, I will be content and grateful with what I have, regardless of how it was obtained. The fact that my marriage to Sophia will have started with an arrangement between our parents does not, and will not, change the fact that we love one another.
[/]

[Ward: Sophia, T, Melinda]
"Delicious treats and interoffice merriment"?  It isn't quite how I'd normally celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but perhaps I'm too tied to my Irish upbringing.  To say nothing about how I would have thought that we've more important things to do at the Ministry than eat petits fours and make small talk.
[/]

[Ward: Sophia]
It's a quiet Friday night alone here, so maybe I notice things people I wouldn't normally, but-

Please tell me that you would never say something so shallow as "I did something remarkable today.  I took off early and got a mani-pedi."
[/]

[Ward: Private]
Things are going... well, I suppose.  We meet for lunch a few times a week, and the occasional dinner.  Conversation still flows well between us, and I find myself feeling less awkward around her, which is... a relief, yes, but definitely still surprising to me.  (A critique of my own talents, of course, not hers.  I imagine that Sophia could charm a dead house plant into blooming for her, if she wanted to do so.) 

It has been a little over a month, and I think I may be falling in love with her.
[/]

[Ward: Sophia]
For all that we talk, it is strange to think of the things that I still do not know about you.  For example: when is your birthday?  Additionally, I have to attend a Ministry soirée this weekend- it is a formal dress ball, essentially.  Much mingling and small talk, dreadfully boring.  Would you like to accompany me?
[/]

[Ward: Private]
Well, Christmas Eve was basically a disaster.  My own fault, of course.  I can hardly believe that my father thought it would be a good idea to send an escort over.  Again.  And of course, I had to explain it all to Sophia...  Her reaction was better than I imagined it would be- much better- but even days later I still feel like a fool. 

I haven't seen her since then.  I suppose three days isn't so very long, really, but I'm not quite certain what to do.  Pretend it didn't happen?  The idea is tempting, but likely impossible.
[/]

I am looking forward to a fresh start for the new year.

[Ward: Private]
Sophia is coming over for dinner Christmas Eve.  It was her suggestion, even- well, that we get together for the holiday, and I suggested cooking for her.  (She doesn't cook, it seems, though I don't mind that.)  I'm still debating about the menu for dinner- I've not cooked a large meal like this before.  It's only the two of us, yes, but I would like it to be somewhat impressive, if I can manage that...

I want to buy her a gift, too.  I'm not sure I've ever bought a woman a Christmas gift, aside from my mother.  What do women like?  Flowers, clothes, jewelry?  Jewelry might be the best choice, there- with my luck, she'll be allergic to the flowers, and I wouldn't ever dream of trying to guess her size, for fear of choosing incorrectly.

I'm anxious.  Nervous?  Whatever the word is.  But looking forward to it, very much.
[/]

( Malachi Bole! )