“Porcia, what a surprise ! I never expected you to come today. Now I have two people to chat with in the afternoon while I watch the children. No one in this family believes in nannies, so turns are taken. Plus, it means that I get the garden for myself and my guests until dinner.

Arsinoe, come here. No, now. This must be Cornelia because she looks exactly like her mother. This is Arsinoe, my daughter. The children are catching butterflies with some nets. Would you like to join them ? After you’re done with the butterflies and put them back, I’m sure everyone would like to show you the swans and peacocks. The gardener should be around by then and will have bread so you can feed them. I’m sure it would be way more fun than sitting while adults talk about boring things.”

Valeria gave a huge smile as Cornelia ran off to play. The day would be better than she planned. Two guests to spend time with and that meant double the gossip. And, since the little pitchers with big ears were gone, gossip would be exactly the sort of thing to do.

“I suggest you pull your clothes to the knee and put your feet in the fish pond. Absolutely undignified, but no one in this house has any dignity whatsoever. It’s cool and the only problem is that I get the giggles when a fish brushes by my toes. Still, this is said to be one of the coolest places in Athens. Aikaterine certainly knew what she was doing when she planted the first seed.

Plus, we’re in Piraeus, which is the deme everyone says gets the most cooling air. I forget how hot the weather is until I leave the house. Hopefully the same thing will happen to the both of you. I don’t even believe that the sun’s glare is that strong here. Margarita and Albinus….”

Valeria stopped mid sentence before removing the canopy beneath what turned out to be a cradle. She smiled in a rather secretive and content way.

“Good heavens, you aren’t here to see me at all. May I formally present Catulus Aemilius Albinus Minor and Aemilia Margarita ? I’ve just fed them, so you should see them at their best. Not that they cry at all, unless they hear me when I’m not in their room. Albinus doesn’t like when Mama is anywhere near the nursery and not in there cooing to him. Takes after the pompous, arrogant, demanding ass that sired him, if you ask me. And I really don’t care, do I ? No, I love you just the way you are and see if we can’t get rid of that sense of entitlement before you become a man. Perhaps if your father and grandfather had gotten punished more instead of being spoiled, things would be much better, wouldn’t they ? ”

Valeria giggled after finishing. No one in this garden would disagree that a few childhood spankings wouldn’t have benefited certain members of the gens Aemilia. Some might even think that she could have used a few childhood spankings too. Aikaterine certainly could have benefited. Hell, most Calli could use a good spanking.

She kicked her heel against the fountain before bending down and producing a small amphora and glasses. A guilty smile flashed across her face before the expression turned impish and her shoulders shrugged while uncorking.

“Damn, that hurts ! Someone ought to loosen that tile more. I had forgotten how hard you have to kick. For generations, the young people of the family always hide wine and glasses here, while the adults pretend that they have no idea whatsoever of what’s going on. Excepting times when someone entertains guests and would like something chilled. Although, in this case, I think they need to be called to answer for their deeds. Greedy little buggers hid some truly decent vintage. Do have some if you can turn yourself away from the future censor and the future legendary beauty. It’s hard turning away, but give them another minute and they’ll both be asleep. Actually, they look adorable when sleeping.”

She rubbed her heel before taking a sip from her filled glass. Afterwards, she set a basket of food on the edge of the fountain and made a gesture for everyone to help themselves.

“Yes, I had a lovely voyage, Caesar. Thank you for asking. I never get seasick and I love having salt wind whip through my hair. I was in such a hurry to arrive here that I didn’t visit any of the little islands I like, but it would have been silly to waste a good wind any way. The sea was calm and the pirates had already received their safety bribe for any Calli ships. No, it was delightful and I knew I had returned home when I saw the dolphins. Poseidon must have especially ordered them for my pleasure due to his delight of the sacrifice I offered before I left Rome. Truly, I could not have been better welcomed.

How are you finding Athens, Porcia ? I doubt you would refuse to agree with me that it’s second only to Rome because you must have seem some wonderful things. Surely you and Marsius have been given a tour of some lovely coves at sunset. Oh, and the statues ! Sulla did a lot of looting, but you shouldn’t let that stop you from seeing other temples. And of course you must bring Marsius and your other children to dinner as often as you can. Just come and don’t even bother to let us know ahead of time. Your first visit is as a guest, but your second is as family. No formality at all here.

None whatsoever. It’s wonderful ! Everything is so refreshing. You can lean out a window to talk to someone in the street, scream if someone’s that far away, and so many other things. Hair is unbound and the Greek clothes are so cool. Wear a chiton and if going out, toss a himation over your shoulders when you go out, and no multi-layers. You absolutely must buy some, Porcia. Visit our shop at the agora and get a great bargain. Just mention me, although everyone knows who the consul’s wife is and that’s enough to get a good price.

Did I mention that the house is run like a democracy and no one is in charge ? Catulus would be miserable here with the idea of laying about all day and accomplishing nothing. I certainly couldn’t see him enjoying a fishpond or a garden like this. But, the point is moot as he had no intention whatsoever of coming and never made so much as a token offer. Hell, I’m almost agreeing with my cousins that I should divorce him for a man not made of ice and who will remember an anniversary. I bet he’ll forget my birthday too, but I’ll have enough presents as is and be surrounded by so many people that I won’t think all night. You both will be at the party, I assume. Everyone would love to meet you, Porcia, and the society is so much less stuffy than in Rome. Of course Caesar will be there, won’t you ? Atticus would love for you to meet his sister.”