Working late again? (Joshua)

[Elizabeth Roberts]

Elizabeth took one final drag of her cigarette before snapping her fingers and letting it disappear in a magical flutter of ashes, leaving no trace of it behind. It was an old habit, one that Joshua Roberts wasn't so fond of her doing so close to the doors of his firm. However, she knew if she surprised him with his favorite cigars from when they were young that perhaps he'd relent if he could still smell it on her. 

Joshua had been working late--his habit that she'd wish he'd quit. Without the children at home, occupying themselves with their own professional affairs came easily. Elizabeth hoped she could pull her husband back from his work and enjoy an evening in the quiet of the office. The sun was pouring into the few windows he left open. She loved the breeze and smell of antiquated oak that the office always had. 

As she drew nearer to his office, she could smell his cologne. He must have just reentered his office. Elizabeth knocked on the door lightly and pushed it open. "Dear, I thought you were going to be home on time tonight?" 

[Joshua Roberts]

Joshua never intended to work late, he did not start his day with the intention to not get home on time, he was always on schedule to head home when expected, but sometimes and by sometimes, almost all the time he ended up getting distracted. These ideas came to mind or he was researching something for a case and ended up falling down a rabbit hole then before he knew it he would look up at the clock and find out that he was late for dinner. Sometimes it was a little late for dinner and sometimes it was very late for dinner, more often then not it was do not show up at how without flowers late. Tonight he had got especially distracted by work, if his brother was going to continue to be more of a despicable human being than he usually was than he was going to be late for dinner a lot more often.

If questioned he would not claim it was his fault, for if the discovery items he had requested on Claude’s school time and grades, items that he had been interested in seeing all his life and finally had a reason. If Claude was going to be petulant then he would be it right back. It had made an interesting read and raised more questions which he had been listing and talking to his quick notes quill, he had not even heard the knock on the door.

Looking up from his notes and scribbling he found his wife standing in front of his desk, what was she doing here? A side look at his watch answered that question, that and her well telling him. Oh he was in trouble. ”My darling” Joshua began as he started attempting to formulate an excuse or a reason or a legal statement, but this was his wife his darling Elizabeth. There was no point in lying or trying to worm his way out of it, ”I’m not sure what to say” He admitted honestly smiling a little back at her ”I honestly did not realise the time, it was never my intention to be late I swear”

Putting his pen down he lifted his hands up in surrender and to show that he was willing to down tools instantly for her and her alone. At some point he would have to explain this case to her, she would have strong opinions on it all and he was hoping to pull her as a witness to most of Claude’s disruptions and issues through out the years."Am I forgiven?"

[Elizabeth Roberts]

The curl of Joshua's lips as he released "my darling" so flavorfully reminded Elizabeth of all the endearing times he'd said it before to her. He liked to abuse that when he knew he was in trouble, hoping for a bit of intimacy to relieve the pressure of his impending grounding. 

When he was done fiddling with an excuse, she grinned at him. "It better be the case of a century if you're this invested," she teased back. "Though, I'm willing to forgive this once because you look so frazzled." Elizabeth sauntered over to Joshua, a long finger extending towards the fraying ends of his grayed hairs. "Are you almost done, then? I thought we could have a late dinner together. The bistro down the street is still open for another two hours."

[Joshua Roberts]

"It is one hell of a case and for family which is the only thing that could keep me from keeping my word to you" The days of letting every case be more important than his marriage were firmly behind him and he truly had not meant to go back on his word on this night, but he was so caught up in the research that he was doing for Colette's case. "I do fear this case may be getting the better of me" Joshua admitted, something that he would only admit to his wife for everyone else would be granted a look of strength and nothing less, to his wife he would be honest. There was a lot riding on this and though he did not go up against his brother very often, when he did he wanted to win and he also wanted a good outcome for Colette, she did not deserve her children to be taken from her.

Dinner. Now that was an excellent notion. "Are your asking me out my love?" Joshua teased her with a smile, "Been quite some time since you've done that" Oh how he loved his darling wife and was reminded of her in her perfect Hufflepuff uniform in their school days, how far had they come. Stepping away to lift his jacket from behind his chair he then turned back to his darling wife "Shall we?" For all work would immediately be dropped for her no matter how important it was, she came first, she had to come first.

[Elizabeth Roberts]

Elizabeth frowned, sticking out her bottom lip just a little at the sound of Joshua's stress. She tucked a wild hair behind his ear. "Well, perhaps I shouldn't say to break your confidentiality agreement just for me, but you know I'll listen to you confidently if you need it," she assured him. "I'm good at keeping secrets." She added a small smile.

When Joshua toyed with her about asking him out on a date, she chuckled. "I know, I've dropped the ball on wooing you, my love. I think I can make up for it tonight." She took his hand and led him out of the office, thankful that he didn't fight her on a reason to pull away from work.

The bistro down the street was nearly packed, but the aroma of champagne and wine filled the area as they stepped inside. A wizard led them wordlessly to their table, following shortly by their cutlery and napkins floating to their seats - the napkins resting in their laps unfolded and ready to be used.

"Would you like to get some wine tonight?" Elizabeth asked Joshua, perching her chin in her hand, as her elbow rested on the tabletop.

[Joshua Roberts]

Joshua could not help but smile as his wife adjusted his hair, she was so lovely and she always had been, she was way to good for him. ”It would not be the first time I had broke a confidentiality agreement for you” Joshua teased her, for they both know how many times he had told her something he should not have necessarily shared with her, so they both knew how good she was at keeping secrets. ”Well while this case does require a certain level of confidentiality and privacy, it is also a family matter and might end up .. well will most likely end up concerning you” How was he going to explain to her what had happened with his stupid brother and how he was acting like such a child and how badly he was treating his daughter at the moment.

At the notion of his wife wooing him Joshua chuckled, it was interesting to be on the other end of the wooing if that was what was happening here. ”Well I am flattered then, I cant believe the most beautiful woman wants to spend the evening with me” It seemed he was giving up on working this evening and to be honest it was late and he wanted to give this case his best effort. If anything went wrong he would hold himself responsible and if he gave this case any less than his best he would feel the worst.

Diligently he took his hand wife and followed her down the road to the bistro she had in mind, all the while he just watched her the way she looked around, how she interacted with people, the way he rushed to open the door for her as they entered. Stepping over to pull out the chair as was the gentlemanly thing to do for his wife, before taking his own seat. ”Champagne my darling? Or would you prefer wine? He offered holding up the wine list, happy to drink whatever his wife wanted, he just .. needed a drink with day he had. "How has your day been?"

[Elizabeth Roberts]

Elizabeth bawked at the thought that someone in the family could be the one causing Joshua distress, least of all legal distress. She racked her brain for which Roberts could be to blame now--for the sake of her children, they should hope it's none of them. "That sounds promising," she replied dryly. "We'll charm our table for some privacy tonight."

Joshua had treated her so graciously all the way to the table, and she smirked to her seat. At the question of what she wanted to drink, she paused, and then gave Joshua a sly smile that suggested she was going to be a little expensive tonight--even if she had promised to be the one to woo him. "Their best red from Côte de Nuits would be delightful," she answered. She scanned the rest of the food menu while she answered his question. "My day was fine. We started the planning for the gala. The Board thinks we need to invite further than Great Britain. I tried to explain to them that our neighbors have valuable resources, but our Ministry and officers only keep England, Scotland, and Wales... I think they're just being overly ambitious."

[Joshua Roberts]

Joshua as always was in awe of his wife as she joked about privacy, ”Oh my dear are we going to need it with this family of ours” Even though Claude in his opinion was become looser family by the second and something he would much rather separate himself from and if Claude was not careful it would certainly be heading his way.

As he expected his darling Elizabeth selected Red, he should have known but he was distracted right now thinking about this case with his brother and his niece. Ah yes the gala” What a charming distraction to discuss, it was probably equally dramatic too and had similar consequences if it was gotten wrong. ”I can understand their point, but seeking strength outside of our borders often gives the opposite impression and might taste ever so slightly of desperation” Joshua nodded his head slowly ”Well if I play my cards right which I believe I have, I do believe the Minister of Magic herself may grace whichever Gala you wish. That may give a suitable impression of strength would it not? And turn enough heads. Christina was putty at the moment and heartbroken and with all that he knew and had, he was going to save the surprise of having her come to a family dinner for a moment when he needed it, but if it would help his wife in her endeavours than it was a card best played now, anything to make his wife happy.

[Elizabeth Roberts]

Elizabeth lifted her eyes from her menu and smirked at her husband. "The Wizards for Peace should expect such a sighting from our Minister. She'd be a fool not to appear for a Roberts affair." Her eyes fell back onto her menu, and she tsked. "Chef's special doesn't involve the soup I like tonight." 

The server had come and gone, and appetizers had floated to their table with new cutlery and saucers in tow. Elizabeth examined the food before taking a small bite. 

"Our foundation is working overtime to make this the best event we've had in some years. Criminal acquisition is up 15% from the last quarter, according to the Ministry of Magic. I'd so imagine we'll see more aggressive action from aurors with the refined policies they plan to solidify this year." Her shop talk was sounding more and more political these days. But that was the cost of philanthropy. "As it were," she continued after a small sip of her wine, "muggle affiliations are blooming with the Minister's office. I heard today that the UK was working to affirm more freedoms for approved wizards and witches. We might yet have a unified effort to keep us safer from criminal activity and isolation. I just wish that the wanted list for some of Azkaban's worst could still be caught and tried." 

Elizabeth had a few names in mind, but she didn't dare speak them out loud. The food was a good palate cleanser, and thus she took another bite. 

[Joshua Roberts]

Joshua always admired his wife's conviction in all matters, especially when it came to do with their daughter even if she was the minister of magic he would not put it past her to make a terrible decision such as not show up to such an event. He could not help but smile back at her in awe of her as she ciritcied the menu. ”What will you have me do about it my love? For you I will go back there and speak to any chef and have him make what you wish” Joshua frequented this place enough he fancied his chances on being able to convince them to make whatever his wife desired.

As they tucked into their appetizers Joshua enjoyed his wine, listening to his wife talk more politically than ever it was fascinating to watch and listen to, he had married himself one hell of a woman and he admired her more and more every day. ”With you at the helm my love, this will be the best even they have ever seen of that I have no doubt” She was a force to be reckoned with that he knew. ”It is quite an industrious ministry we have these days, they are working in several different directions to not only keep but try to maintain this peace we have found, but all of this is no good if they do not take decisive efforts to actually catch and try some of these criminals.” It was all good to talk about it and put stuff into action, but it was all for nothing without actually getting any answers. Finishing his appetizer he went back for his wine taking a sip. ”I guess only time will tell on all of this wont it, I do wish her the best our minister, but I can’t help but wonder if a tougher Minister might make a better and more unified effort of all this” He could not help but doubt his daughter especially when she may be doing so well.

[Elizabeth Roberts]

Elizabeth waved off her husband with a grin. "Nonsense," she replied. "The salad seems adequate. Dressed in capers. I'm sure I'll love it." She closed the menu.

The lights dimmed softer as candles danced across the walls of the restaurant, lulling Elizabeth into a more relaxing posture. She flicked her wand ever so gently, dulling the sounds of conversation around her to mere murmurs. They were alone now to speak freely. The appetizers occupied her hands while she listened to Joshua's perspective. She had to imagine he was itching to be on the legal frontlines of those trials.

"A tougher Ministry might be on the horizon," Elizabeth countered. "We've been working rather diligently to figure out whose names to go after first. I have seen some of the dossiers of the worst still roaming our streets since they were errantly freed from their cells years ago... I suspect we'll see more movement after the gala invigorates us all!" She finished her glass of wine as the salads floated to their table. "I know you're looking forward to those trials."