#anywhere

"Oh, yes... I took a bunch... but don't be too worried, promise?"

Siv braces. She does think her babies are beautiful, but all those tubes brought out her own protective instincts

"I will do my best."

She pulls out her phone and shows Brekke.

Two very small babies, both premies, but one is clearly much larger. There is one shot they allowed her to take with them in the same bassinet which really shows the difference.

The photos are disturbing, true. Brekke frowns at all the tubes and wires.

Both with sensors, but one much smaller...

Piper says quietly, "It breaks my heart to see her all... wired up."

"It is...difficult," Brekke agrees.

Siv says "Makes me want to stand guard over them... " An admission "Not sure if that's motherhood or the other thing"

"But it is only a difficult start to what will be a long and brilliant story for them both."

"Duncan put them together for a picture, but then the doctor said that they needed to be in their own incubators."

"Yes, Franklyn Lyric Hale-King, and Valr Harper Hale-King" Siv says "Their stories will be wonderful. And Piper will teach them to sing and play I bet"

A frown. "I think that doctor is wrong. I will speak to Anne Marie," she says again.

"I had best do so now."

"I can take you to see them in a day or so? That's when they said I could walk around."

"So I won't need a body double if I just shuffle and complain."

"Goddess bless Rikki" Siv mutters 'WHich is something I did not think I'd say"

A brow at that.

"Siv...you are well?" Concern for her banality weakness.

Piper speaks up, "We will make sure she's safe and healthy."

"Yeah, Jonas almost shoved me out of the door when that doctor showed up" A bit of a hurumph there

"Between Jonas and me and our visitors, she won't be allowed to languish."

Siv looks at Piper "YOU are the one w'ere going to coddle, you and the babies."

"You're not the boss of me."

Lovingly.

The banter reassures Brekke.

"At least, when we're at port."

"We've got to get to sea so I'll get my way then " Siv faux grumbles, but softens at the loving tone, then gently "I do hope at least one of them loves the water."

"You will make sure they are familiar with it. The love of it will follow."

"The same for music, Piper."

"Brekke? If you wouldn't mind, I DID have a go-bag I planned to bring. I would send Rikki, but I don't know if she would think it a good time for a joke. Maybe you can bring it back tomorrow when Sylvi and Rikki are gone and you can visit the babies then?"

Offering a set of keys to the chieftain.

"...I don't wnat to impose, but maynbe you can assemble the cribs too? They're still in boxes..."

"I can do this." Brekke accepts the keys. "And gladly so."

"I will return, and bring food from the Lodge. I came directly from Caer Falken," she explains.

"Thanks, ma, and... appreciated, everything is"

"I thought we had a month. We didnt even get the baby shower yet..."

Siv shoots her mother a grateful look

A sigh. "Please ignore the mess."

"Do not be concerned about that." She rises. "Focus on rest, and loving the babies."

"We'll see you tomorrow." Grateful.

A look at Piper "Oh, you think there won't be a baby shower? Pshaw, as the DeBukes say. If we have to take HOSTAGES it is happening"

She rests a hand on each of their shoulders, gives a (very) gentle squeeze for a moment. No glamour or cantrip...just support.

And then she turns to go.

Siv takes the hand and gives a nod before releasing ("Love you. Thank you. We'll be strong")

And she watches her mother go

A sigh, and she leans against Siv. "I just feel so unready for this all. I know I wouldn't have been READY ready later, but I thought we'd have more time to plan.... and we don't even have half of what we need."

Siv strokes her lover's back even as she is leaned on, "We have each other, and folks who care. We've got everything we really need. The rest will follow. " A beat "The DeBukes probably have little 'Dorothy of Oz' dresses for Franklyn. How do you feel about those?"