Bishops Move

9. Bishop

She was gone. I had been in Jamison's office giving a statement to the police about the airport incident when Emily had knocked, retreating with a wave once she realised what we were doing.

Finishing up with reporting her ex boss, I look at Jamison "What can we do about the landlord?"

"Leave it with me, from what Em's said he's a slimey character and if he recognises you, he may make things difficult, I can get her out of the lease and get her stuff packed and out of the place" he tells me and I get what he's saying but it grates.  I want to be the one protecting her.

"And if he's difficult, I'm sure there are deposits he's holding, what..." I start but he cuts me off.
"Then I will get it back for her, Bishop trust me, I would be doing this anyway for Em, Cressida is important to her"
I lean back in the chair with a sigh, I do understand but it's frustrating and I really hate not being in control.

My phone ringing breaks the tension, with Maisie's name flashing across the screen as I answer it, "Hey"
"I'm ready, come and rescue me from my husbands" she grumbles at me and I smile as I hear their voices in the background objecting to her words, knowing that they love her as much as she loves them, my future niece or nephew will make our family ties stronger.
"If you hurry, I will tell you what I agreed with Cressy" she teases and Bishops laughs as I surge to my feet, fighting the urge to send a gesture his way.
" I am on my way and you would have told me anyway, now say goodbye to your men before I get there, I don't want to see them pawing you" and I hang up as she laughs. 

I turn back to Jamison,   " I will keep you updated" he promises before I have a chance to ask, and I nod, reaching out to shake his hand before leaving and heading back upstairs to the twins office when I knew my cousin would be waiting.

Maisie had her coat on and was ready to go when I got there, her twins hovering protectively and I grinned as I approached, genuinely happy for the all, she really was glowing and I would tell her that if I didn't think she would hit me for it. She had already warned me the twins were doing her head in with their protectiveness since they had had the pregnancy confirmed and words like blooming and glowing were banned. I knew it was partly nerves about becoming a mom but I couldn't imagine anyone more perfect for it... except, Cressida's image flashed across my mind.

"Ready?" I laughed as Angus straightened the collar of her coat again, her hands coming up to cup his face, drawing it down to hers as I groaned at the PDA.

Hector watching the display with a grin as she lets him go, "See you this evening baby, be good and don't overdo it" he gaze coming up to mine as he says it and I nod. I will make sure she's good, we had missed lunch but I knew she had eaten during her meeting with Cressida, we could find a nice tea room and get an afternoon tea before shopping for Mary's birthday gift.

Her driver is waiting for us at the kerb and quickly whisks us off to Arthur's Cafe at Liberty's, promising to be ready whenever we are done and once we are seated, our orders given, Maisie leans back and looks at me.
"So, she took the job and has agreed to go to Greystones to catalogue the library for me, Emily is going to sort out her apartment," her gaze narrow on my face "Let me guess Jamison is already looking into it for her" she shakes her head as I nod. "I told Cressy she would be travelling back with you Friday, that you would be around if she needed any help" she adds.

"I will look after her, where is she staying?" I ask curbing my excitement at the thought of looking after her.
"I offered a cottage in the village or at the house..." she holds her hand up as I start to butt in.
"She chose the house, Mary is getting a room ready for her. I am glad I think she will need Mary, from what I have seen and read about Cressy, having someone like Mary around will help her"

"And me, I have a lot of leave, I fully intend to be around" I promise with a grumble, wanting Cressy to need me, not Mary, much as I love her. Maisie laughs at me realising what I am feeling.
"Just don't scare her off, I like her" she tells me softly and I sigh knowing Mai had valid concerns, I was used to being in control, leading, giving orders and that would not endear me to Cressy, not based on what I knew, I had already scared her with just raising my voice.

"What do I do?" I ask I nterested to hear her thoughts.
"I don't know Bishop, I've got nothing to compare against, my relationship happened so fast at times it feels like magic and I would expect she doesn't have a lot of experience either, given her history... but I think, if you can be there but give her space to make it her choice to engage with you"
"So let her come to me" I muse and she laughs at my expression.
"Yes, I don't think grabbing her and dragging her back to your estate would work with her" her hand covers mine and she squeezes gently "If it helps, I don't think she was immune to your presence"

My mind seizes her words, good, I hoped she was as affected as I was, as aware of me as I reeled with her, even if I am days ahead having seen her at the airport first.

We pause as our refreshments are delivered and as I pour, passing Maisie her cup as she adds
"It would also help if Mary is on your side, so start thinking, what are we getting her for her birthday"
"Any ideas?" I agree with a laugh and after we've eaten we shop till it's time to return her home to her men for dinner.