all the right friends in all the right places {ota}

[denythyfather]

The judges give each other looks as Adrien flamboyantly gestures at his model. His cravat is undeniably tied perfectly, but so is Genoveva Ibrahim’s. In fact, the two have been neck and neck through the entire challenge, no pun intended. He obviously knows his stuff, and she has obviously studied up.

One of the judges clears her throat, then leans forward to speak into the mike. “Oriental, Mathematical. What comes next?”

“Osbaldeston,” Adrien replies immediately, giving Genoveva a jaunty wink.

The judges commiserate. The second asks, “Ms. Ibrahim, what publication is that from, and what is the publication date?”

“Necktietania, 1818,” she responds assuredly. Adrien’s eyes widen as he instinctively shakes his head.

“Mr. Fitzgerald?”

“Neckcloth-i-tania. Not necktie,” he blurts out quickly.

It’s a silent two seconds of the judges speaking together. Finally, the first judge leans forward again. “Congratulations on your advance in rank, Mr. Seven.”

Comments

[onlytolerable]

The little girl squirms, then throws her arms around his neck and kisses the tip of his nose. Clearly, she's been learning her tante's habits. Sophie laughs. She's part of a ridiculous family and she wouldn't have it any other way.

"Oh, I'd say twenty at least. That sounds about right. Have you thought about how you want to celebrate?"

[denythyfather]

"Celebrate?" He hesitates a moment, then says, "maybe just with the four of us. Something quiet."

[onlytolerable]

Sophie dimples. "Adrien Fitzgerald, are you channeling me? I thought you'd want to make a night of it, but a quiet dinner--home even--sounds good. Should we ask Roisin?"

Or, you know, the person they suspect Cadogan of seeing?

[denythyfather]

"Can we? And- Tess?" he adds on, just slightly quieter. "The whole family."

[onlytolerable]

"Only if you promise not to tell him she's invited," she agrees just as quietly. "We'll know for sure by his face."

[denythyfather]

"You're terrible," he says, leaning to kiss her nose. "Almost as bad as me."

[onlytolerable]

"Nevah! Besides, he must know she needs to pass approval."

Because they were family. No way would she give it up now.

[denythyfather]

"I mean, I think if she makes him smile, she automatically passes approval, don't you think?"

"And if she's pretty," Sitara pipes in.

[onlytolerable]

"No cooties either!" Sophie laughs. She looks at Adrien. Maybe they should have used French.

She leans her cheek on Adrien's shoulder. Cadogan's happiness was all that mattered. And if he took up with someone who didn't understand their little family, he'd realize soon enough she wasn't the woman for him.

"We should do something special for Papa, ma caille. What should it be?"

[denythyfather]

"Paint all his clothes," is her immediate response before she shrieks with laughter as Adrien tickles her. "Kidding- kidding! Make him a cake!"

[onlytolerable]

"We're supposed to reward him not torture him, darling girl! But," she presses her forehead to Sitara's, "I bet he'd love some of your extra special brownies."

Brownies were much easier than cakes.

[denythyfather]

"Brownies!" But then suddenly another idea. "Or cookie-brownies? Have you ever eaten a cookie-brownie, Mama?"

[onlytolerable]

Sophie, surprise written on her face, glances at Adrien. Blinking away surprised tears, she hugs them both. "I haven't. You'll show me how, mon chou."

Mama. Sitara had called her 'mama.'

[denythyfather]

He'll pull Sophie in close, pressing his lips to her hair. "Well, if you want to show her before tonight," he says softly to Sitara, "we'd better get going."