Strictly Business

"Are you ready?"

Jared entered the bedroom James was in Thorn House and looked at his younger brother who was tying his tie in front of a beautiful mirror. That wasn't the main bedroom, in the main one was Rose with her mother and best friend and James couldn't see the bride the whole day.

James nodded at him. "I am, brother."

"I'm very proud of you, you know?" Jared said "this is a big moment for you and for us, too. You're the first of us who's going to be a man of family and that's huge."

"We— Rosie and I we can't be parents."

"Man of family doesn't necessary means being a father, James. It's bigger than that. It's protecting your woman, making her happy and we know she's happy with you. She's your family, isn't she? Therefore, you're a man of family. You did it, asshole, you're going to marry the love of your life and tell me you thought that could be possible at the beginning of the year."

James shook his head. No, he didn't think it'd be possible. When the year began, he was in a bad place. The same place he had been for three years. Then, the same day that the cause of all his fears was victim of patricide; the girl he always loved went back to him and everything started to go uphill. For good. Even if Anya killed herself, James never felt responsible for that.

Now, just seven months after that, he was ready to be Rose's husband until his last day that he hoped was very far in the future.

"There's something Rosie doesn't know," James said and Jared frowned.

"Are you going to tell me what's that?"

"If you insist... I'm going to take her name. James Coldwell it is for me from now on."

"Oh? wow! That wasn't something I expected to hear. Why? Wives are the ones who—"

"I know. But Rose deserves better than being a Walsh or Thorne. It's not fair for her to carry the shitty names that could remember me of our parents and the more I think about it the more convinced I am. So, that's it Jared, in less than an hour I'm going to be Coldwell."

"Sounds crazy, but I accept it if that what you want. James, you do love her," Jared said and patted his back.

"I do. I fucking do."

"Hurry up then, Mr. Coldwell. She's gonna be ready soon."

"I always knew this day was going to come; you getting married and forgetting about me."

Annie was helping Rose with her dress. The long embroidered tail was being ironed to fix every imperfection it could have. Two maids and Annushka were inside the bedroom with her. Mary had gone to hers to change her clothes, too.

"I'm not forgetting about you, Annie. I could never. Would you stop talking like I'm going to live in China? We're close."

"Not like before, but I'll take it. I'm very happy for you two, Rosie. I was there remember? The day you met him. It seems it happened a life ago. Who's going to say that the shy ginger boy was going to be your husband? You truly deserve it, even if James deserved to be punch years ago."

"No, he didn't… and it doesn't matter anymore, Annie, it doesn't matter what happened. He's a good man and he loves me."

"More than that. He's crazy for you," Annie said "and it's what you deserve. You're my sister, Rosie, and I love you. I can't be happier for you."

"You're going to find a man like him, too, Annie."

"I did. Better than James even. Stuart," she replied referring to her fat cat. Both girls laughed out loud almost at the same time.

"I have to agree. Stuart is the best man, but please refer to him as Lord Stuart it's what he wants."

"Lord Stuart. I keep forgetting."

While big part of Pebblebrock was being remodeled to be transformed into a school for girls, Annie was living there, taking care of everything and Stuart had moved in with her from the first moment. Rose needed a person who she could trust and none was better than her best friend. She was, always had been, good with numbers and that was very helpful for Rose.

The money Rose inherited allowed her to buy a house for her mother, grandmother and little Louis, while she could rent a nice house for Samuel who was still studying law in London. Even if her brother told her that wasn't necessary, Rose did it anyway.

With her family already settled, Rose and James finally visited Thorn House with the idea of seeing it and then decide what to do.

Thorn House was a manor located in Oxford, built almost a century ago, surrounded by nothing but trees and local fauna but not so far from the university. It allowed him go there to work every morning and come back quickly if it was necessary. In nice days, James said that he also could walk to his work.

They loved the place because it gave them privacy and the calm that then, but especially James, were looking for. Pebblebrock was just two hours away from it and those days Rose needed to go there, the train was the best option for her.

Overall, the manor seemed to be made for them. They saw it in the morning and by night it was already theirs.

As the days passed, and while they also arranged the things for their wedding, they hired new staff to work in. A new housekeeper, a butler and some maids were ready to help the when it was necessary. They moved in once the last repair was done, around three weeks ago. This night, finally, Thorn House was going to belong to the Thornes. Or that was Rose believed, unaware of the decision her future husband had already made.

Thorn House belonged to the Coldwells.

They decided to have a Jewish-Catholic wedding. One of the options was to have a simply civil ceremony but for her it was hard to disguise how much she wished a proper wedding, one where she could swore in front of her God the love she had for James and even when for him it wasn't necessary, because he knew, accepted to have a wedding honouring both religions.

Thorn House, beautifully decorated for the wedding, was now full of guests. James went downstairs to wait for his bride and saw a lot of happy faces enjoying some canapes, drinking champagne and waiting for the protagonists of the night. Even was an orchestra.

Men he knew from working in Oxford, his family-except his cousin- and a little group of friends he had made along the road, greeted him, shaking his hands or patting his back. Rose had invited her people, including the Ivanovs who knew her since she was six and people from the synagogue. A group of suffragettes was also there, although contrary to what they were used to do, they were just enjoying and laughing with other guests.

Both the rabbi and the priest they hired talked animatedly under the Chuppah and for a moment James thought if they had met before even was very improbable. There was an air of respect around both men making the decision he and Rose had taken even better.

James checked his pocket watch. His future wife should have been ready already and he wanted to know what she was thinking in that moment. Was she happy? Anxious? Probably both, despite Annie's efforts during last week to try to calm Rose as much as possible.

He had learnt, and was still learning, about Jewish traditions and that specific one previous the wedding, said that both the groom and bride should be treated like Queen and King before the big day and she wasn't. Rose and him had joked that it was a good way to start this new life for them.

And a new life together was what both of them craved.

Samuel offered his arm to his big sister as soon as she opened the door to finally go to the main hall where James was waiting for her. Annie kissed her cheek and rushed downstairs to inform the bride was coming.

"You're already a woman," the younger Coldwell said, smiling at her.

"You think?"

"Yes. You deserve this, you know? This wedding, this house, even that man that's waiting for you. All of it. You did so much for us that it's your turn now. I'm going to say this only once, Rosie, because I don't want you bothering me for the rest of my life but: I couldn't asked for a better older sister and I'm truly happy for you."

"You're the sweetest, Sam. And thanks for walking me down to James."

"It's an honour."

None of the siblings mentioned that Mr. Coldwell should have been there, but he wasn't. Same he wasn't there for the last decade but they didn't care, not that day at least. It wasn't worth.

"It's time," Samuel finally said, helping Rose to go downstairs.

James stared at Rose walking to him and felt his heart racing. That was his wife, even before the I do. The ivory dress was even more beautiful than Rose told him it was and the train was breathtaking but above all, for him, it was how beautiful she looked in his eyes. When finally the Coldwell siblings reached the end of the carpet and Samuel gave her to him and as both lovers smiled, incapable of stop looking at the other, time began to be blurry for both of them.

Her mind was that first day when she saw him. A little redhead boy who gave her extra money for those pies her mother prepared back then. That girl she was could hardly imagine that one day he was going to be her husband. Her Jamie. Her ketzele.

There was a time, not far away from where he was now, when imagining that happiness was something he didn't think it was possible. He had to relearn that love was sharing a book near a fireplace and not having sex to amend things every single day. Love was smelling her hair every morning to check she was real and not part of his imagination.

Their hands touching subtle, their fingers brushing were almost imperceptible but it helped them to feel the other. In secret, because the groom asked his brother-in-law, Samuel had taught James how to say his vows in Yiddish and that caused the bride to look at him with teary eyes. Along with their vows, they exchanged more glances and smiles. Promising to love eachother until their last day.

"… Till death do you part?" asked the priest and everyone joyfully clapped after they said I do. To complete the Jewish Ceremony, James crushed the glass cup with his foot.

Both finally kissed. They were officially husband and wife.

Her Bubbe Elizabeth, Rose's grandmother, was sobbing even when was difficult to make that woman cry.

It was late now. Inside Thorn House most of the guests were dancing or eating, but the newlyweds were outside, in the balcony, trying to have some time alone. That day had started very early for them and didn't see each other until the wedding ceremony. They barely had eaten, all they want to do was having the chance to be together.

It was a chill night, but James had put his jacket on her shoulders and also was hugging her from behind, resting his chin on her head.

"I can't wait to be alone with you," he said.

"We're alone."

"No, we're not. That's not what I mean, I'm glad for those who came tonight but I want our house for us. Just us."

"Tomorrow morning none of them are going to be here. Do you think they miss us?"

"No. I think they know husband and wife need some time alone, even if they expect to see us during the party. They can wait, Róisín. Do you want to come back?".

"No, not really," she replied, resting her head on his arms. "This is far from beautiful, love."

"It is. Rosie, I need to tell you something you don't know. In fact the only one who knows is Jared because I needed to tell this to someone. I don't want you to be Mrs. Thorne, I selfishly made this decision but I don't want it."

Rose frowned "what do you mean? I married you, I—"

"And I married you, as well. I'd like to be Mr. Coldwell, if you let me."

If the one if front of her could've been Jared then Rose could've think that was a joke… but it wasn't. It was James, her husband, and he couldn't joke with it.

"Mr. Coldwell?" she repeated, this time turning around to face him. There was a smile in her face that wanted to appear but she was trying to control. "Is that what you want?"

"Yes, it is."

Tiptoeing, she put her hands on his shoulders and James held her by her waist "then we're The Coldwells," she replied looking at him with love, before kissing him.

Both still needed to face something that was bigger than anything that happened before. So big that was going to leave a mark in human history forever. But not yet. It was 1908 and both were too in love to care what was about to happen.

1908.

It was going to be like any other day for Rose, James and of course Annie, but since the day began things were going to be completely different from that moment and forever.

There was a newspaper on the table and Rose was reading it. A new job was necessary now that she had been fired after the death of Lord Evert.

"Any luck?" James asked, leaving a cup of tea in front of her.

"Thank you, sweetheart," she said caressing his cheek. "And no, there are options but I like no one. I feel they're all a bunch of Mildreds that want my soul in exchange of a miserable salary."

"You don't need to work, you know that, right? Unless you want to, you and I can have a very comfortable life."

"Ah, the benefits of betrothing you. I always knew I had to catch you and have the life I wanted to. I love you only for your money," Rose joked and he smiled. "I know, ketzele, but that's not the point. I want my own money. I want to feel useful."

James picked her up and he sat down on her chair with Rose on his lap, "I know, Róisín. You'll find the perfect job sooner than expected. I'll ask my colleagues if they need someone, but something nice. Maybe a secretary. In the meantime you don't have to worry about, okay?" he said, embracing her. "Do you want some love to cheer you up?"

"You always find the perfect moment to fuck," she laughed. "I'd like to, but not now. Annie is going to get up anytime soon and I don't want her to see us. I don't think she wants to see us… again."

"Once she leaves, then. But you can't deny me a kiss, I'm hungry."

"Insatiable man. You talked as if you didn't see me in a long time," she mumbled against his mouth, kissing him. After all those months together, she still didn't have enough of him. Probably never will. Rose put her legs at each side of him and it seemed that what he wanted was going to become true right there in the kitchen of the apartment both friends rented but James took her in his arms and carried her to the sofa in the living room.

"It's your fault," he said, lifting her dress and pressing his body against hers. She closed her eyes when she felt him "You're everything I love."

"You too. You're my whole world. I love you," Rose replied unbuttoning his trousers. "You need to be quick and quiet, alright?"

"I can be quick, Rosie, but can you be quiet?" he teased, kissing her. James spread her legs and slowly entered in her, he put his head on her shoulder when finally both became one. His cock was delighted to feel her again and so was he "You're so perfect, Róisín. I hate, I hate quickies because I can't spend time with you but I'll take it now."

He moved fast and each movement caused both of them to bit their lips, probably the sofa moved some centimetres from its original position, too. It was the kind of beautiful morning both loved so much. He took her face with a hand and kissed her at the same time he cum on her legs.

"Did you..?"

"Yes," she said almost laughing, "oh my god, yes. You're good."

"Glad to know," James replied, kissing her once last time before standing up to fix his clothes. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Jamie. Are you feeling better?"

"What do you think, Róisín? I'm feeling very well. I can't wait to marry you and have the mornings we deserve. Our own house and privacy."

"Me too, ketzele. Soon, if we're lucky."

"Do you think we can make some little trip first? A week for ourselves?"

"Could be. Are you inviting me?"

"Of course I am. Just us, no problems, no jobs… What do you say?"

"I'd like to," she accepted. "I'm going to clean myself and then we can talk about it, if you like." He nodded.

While his girl went to the bathroom and while Annushka was still sleeping, someone knocked on the door. When James opened saw the old landlady next to a fat gentleman elegantly dressed. "Good morning, sir, Ms. Coldwell is here?" he asked.

"Yes, she is. She's taking a bath. How can I help you?"

"I'll let the front door open for when you finish," the old woman said, turning around, before any of them could speak. Both men looked at her go downstairs again.

"Who are you? Why are you looking for my fiancée?"

"My name is Frederick Charles. I'm lord Evert's lawyer, I need to talk to your fiancée if that's possible. It's important."

James let him in, not without some suspicious. Why was Evert's lawyer looking for Rose? James gave him one of the chairs and went to the bathroom to call her. She came out seconds later and looked at the newcomer who kissed her hand and smiled at her.

"How can I help you?" she asked him.

Frederick Charles introduced himself again and then opened his suitcase. He put several papers on the table, while James and Rose looked at eachother. "I understand you worked in Pebblebrock first, and then in lord Evert's office for the last years until Lord Hugo's death two weeks ago."

"I was, yes. His wife and son fired me as soon as they could. What do they want now? Did I leave a glass uncleaned or something?"

"I'm afraid this bigger than that, Miss Coldwell and this involves just Lord Evert, not his family. You two were friends, for what he said."

"Well, I don't know if friends he was my boss but I respected him and I always thought he was a good man. We got along. He was kind and was the only one I tolerated. Lord Evert was a smart man. His family…"

"Yes, I know. I knew them for almost two decades," the lawyer agreed. "The thing Ms. Coldwell, is that I'm afraid you're not done with Pebblebrock."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because Lord Evert named you as his sole heiress and his new will that was signed by himself says that you're going to be the new owner of Pebblebrock once he dies. Pebblebrock, his lands and his mines."

Both Rose and James stared at the man as if he was drunk or, worse, drugged.

"No, of course not. I can't be! That's impossible. His son—"

"Ms. Coldwell, Lawrence Evert was sentenced to to be hang in few days. His father sent a letter to a jugde friend of his telling him what Lawrence had done, not just things he did to women. Apparently Lawrence Evert was a traitor to the country... Or so his father said. Police went to Pebblebrock as soon as lord Evert died. The judge gave his sentence after a brief trial they were waiting for him. Lady Evert is in a hospital now. Emotional distress, they say. Either way, he paid for a nurse home and there is where his wife is going to spend the rest of her life. The entrance in Pebblebrock is forbidden. I guess lord Evert knew what he was doing."

"It has to be an error…"

"There's no errors, Ms. Coldwell. I was in charge of writing the will, my signature is there and it's perfectly legal. He told me about a school you mentioned."

Rose stood up abruptly and went to the window, she needed air. It happened maybe a year and a half ago, it was a day that Lord Hugo was complaining about how unnecessary big Pebblebrock was. Counting the servants, plus the three of them, then only 10 people lived there except for the scarce moments they had some guests. Rose replied that Pebblebrock could have been a beautiful school for girls. In perfect ordered bedrooms then Pebblebrock could have hosted 200 or more girls. Rose remembered Hugo's expression hearing that and she had apologized thinking that had offended him somehow. The man asked her if she could live in Pebblebrock and she said no, but could transform it in something beautiful for other people.

"Is it true, then?" Rose asked the lawyer, her eyes full of tears that slowly were beginning to fall "Is it mine?"

Mr. Charles smiled and nodded "Very true, Ms. Coldwell. It's all yours."

Not even two hours later; Mr. Charles, Rose, James and Annie -who woke up because her best friend was almost yelling at her- were in their way to Pebblebrock. The last two had heard of it thanks to Rose but they didn't know it. They hadn't seen the manor and all the acres around before. Maybe James could imagine how a manor in a countryside could look, but Pebblebrock was something different.

"The staff was informed about the changes. Some of them like the butler resigned, still very offended that no other Evert was going to live there again," the lawyer said, "you can always hire new people."

"Yes, I guess. I'm still very confused. I don't fully understand, even when I do understand," Rose said.

The lawyer chuckled "I'd be very confused, too, if in one morning I'm the owner of the fortune of one of the most richest families in England. But you're not alone, Ms. Coldwell we're going to help."

The only of them who didn't seem nervous was Annie's cat, Stuart, who from her lap looked through the window enjoying the view and maybe sensing the new life that was about to start for him as well.

Rose rested her head on James' shoulder. They hadn't time to talk and that was what she wanted to do the most. She needed a time alone with him because if someone was affected by all that besides herself, that one was her future husband. He squished her hand softly and smiled at her when she looked up to him. She didn't move from that position until the car arrived at Pebblebrock around an hour later.

There, above the hill with a big lake in front of it, the beautiful colorful gardens surrounding it and trees that were far away beyond their eyes, was Pebblebrock. The ancient residence of the Everts until the day lord Hugo decided to change history. Now Pebblebrock had the name Coldwell on it.

Mr. Charles had the keys. The manor was closed and empty when they arrived. The silence in it was haunting, it seemed it was frozen in time. Inside was the same as Rose remember from over two years ago when she still worked there. The paintings, the sculptures, the big marble fireplace impossible to ignore.

"This is a fucking palace," Annie commented with Stuart spying over her shoulder. "And you're going to live here, Rosie!"

"No, I won't," she said. "Can I talk to James alone, please?" And both Annushka and Mr. Charles nodded, leaving the couple alone at last.

"You're quiet, more than usual," she said to him. "Tell me something, Jamie, because right now I need you more than ever. I fear this is all a joke, I fear Mildred Evert and her son are going to cross that fucking door and they're going to laugh at me as always happened. I don't know what to do. I— this morning… three fucking hours ago I was looking for a job and now I was told that I'm the new owner of this fucking estate and mines and I don't know how much money… I need your help, James, because I'm overwhelmed. I don't know what to do! Can you please say something?"

"Do you still want to marry me?"

"The fuck are you talking about, James? I thought that was obvious! Why am I going to change my mind?"

"This is bigger than me, Rose."

"No, it's fucking not! Nothing is bigger than you. Nothing and no one is more important for me than you. Did you think I'm going to fucking leave you now? Give my love for you some credit, James! I love you, how many times do I need to say it? I love you."

Rose pushed him but he took her in his arms and brought her to him "you idiot," she said, but the words were muffled by his chest. "I'm so angry at you right now! How could you doubt that I love you?"

"I don't doubt you love me. I don't."

"Then what?! Then you thought that now you're not my priority? Well yes! You're right! I have this in my mind now! That's why I need you! Because I can't do it alone! How can you think I'm going to deal with all this alone? I don't know where to start!"

"I'm sorry, love. Rosie, my Róisín, I'm sorry. I let my insecurities win."

"I'm scared! I don't know what to do! I'm not putting you behind!"

"I know. Can we start again? Will you forgive me? I don't want you to be mad at me. No one wants you mad, let alone me," he said and that made her chuckle. "Let's call your mother first and your brothers. You need Samuel, even if he didn't graduate yet he can help you to understand what's on the will because you need someone you really trust."

"I'd like to see my mum, yes."

"I know. No Annie, nor me can give you what she can. Let's start with that first, then we will see."

"Ketzele," she called. "Will you stay with me?"

"Till my last day."

Mary Coldwell and her two sons arrived at Pebblebrock after lunchtime. Rose ran to hug her. James was right, she needed her mother despite being the adult she was. Both women went to talk alone and none interrupted them. Mary, sweet as she was, had a kind smile in her face while her daughter spoke nonstop. Different as they were in personalities, Mary's gentleness and kindness was exactly what an always restless Rose needed in that moment.

Samuel introduced himself to Mr. Charles and little Louis was greeted by Annie who showed him Stuart who was far too comfortable sitting in an expensive couch from 1700s. James was walking the manor with still a lot of thoughts in his mind. Later he also called his brother Jared who promised to be there before dinner.

All around, all of them, were filling the empty place with their presence.

Pebblebrock was alive again.

Except Mr. Charles who returned to his home, the rest of them stayed in Pebblebrock for the night. There was enough food to feed them for days and the spirits of everyone, as expected, were very high. Samuel had confirmed and assured his sister that the papers were legal. Everything was legal and the moment Rose signed them, was the beginning of a new era.

In bed late that night, Rose felt really tired but couldn't sleep. At her side, James was stroking her hair trying to smooth her soul a bit. They could have celebrate this big moment for her having sex but it wasn't what any of them felt.

"I really don't want to live here," she said "but if you want…"

"No, no if you don't want to. Besides, I'm pretty sure Lord Evert left this to you because he loved your idea, Róisín. This is going to be a beautiful school and you the most beautiful headmistress."

"Oh, James, you're a gentleman! I'm living in a dream. I don't know what I'm going to do. What if I fail…"

"You're not. Listen, you can do this. We're going to help you. This is going to take some time but it's going to be great."

"We need to get married before the school is ready. We can buy a house near the university so you can keep working there… although you don't need to work anymore."

"How the tables had turned, eh? Now is me the one who didn't need to work," he said and both laughed. "Sounds like a beautiful story and nothing I want more than spending all my time with you, but I need to do something for myself. I like Oxford."

"I know," Rose rolled in bed to face him. It was dark but she could see his face. She brushed his hair with her fingers and kissed him. "You mentioned a there's a beautiful manor called Thorn House there in the outskirts, don't you? Also the name! It has to be ours! Maybe we should go and see it. And buy it for once, it could be our place."

"It's far away from Pebblebrock."

"Not so much. Besides, I don't care. I'm going to find a way but I want to live with you there. We deserve it, ketzele."

"Then, it's going to be ours," he said, taking her in arms.

The night of the most strangest and fascinating day of their lives, they spent it making plans for their wedding and talking about the future ahead of them. They didn't sleep at all and they were the first ones to left the bed the following morning to enjoy the gardens of Pebblebrock alone.

At the same time both walked hand in hand, enjoying their love, in some prison in London a priest was forgiving the sins of a man who didn't deserve it but was about to die. It was fast, maybe too fast for someone who caused so much pain, but it was done. Lawrence Evert was sentenced to death and died by hanging a beautiful summer morning. Rumours said that his old mother died the same day in bed, consuming too much pills for her delicate body.

With them the surname Evert died, too. The era of the Coldwells had begun.

---

Cristobal is the result of a short lived marriage while Gabriel studied philosophy in the Canary Islands to a fellow student who was from Acapulco, Mexico. Unbeknownst to either of them, they met and got along pretty well because his mom was Eva's teacher in University. He is named after San Cristobal de La Laguna after the city Gabriel and his mom met. Only sibling Eva calls her sibling also the only one with a good relationship with Gabriel because he had to be present even after the divorce. loves his sisters and owns several clubs in the pacific coast of Mexico. Has three kids, two failed long term relationships and is dating Eva's friend Paola behind Eva's back.