#bergen_county

"Well, yes," Tove says as if that's obvious.

Mumble grunt (You're lucky I share her) from Jaymes.

"Jaymes!" Tove says gaping at him.

SHeepish look from Jaymes

She twists the hem of her t-shirt in her hands. "So... so I do get to keep my room? The other room upstairs is Tove's studio..."

"Absolutely you get to keep your room." Jaymes says

She swallows and nods.

Tove nods "If need be I can rent out a spot to do studio stuff from, but actually we're thinking of doing a she shed studio"

"Stupid term" Jaymes says.

"She-Shed is not a stupid term" Tove says,.

"If I were to go around calling something a 'He-Hut' I'd get hell for it is all I'm saying" Jaymes says.

Loftily "Regardless of what we call it" Tove says "This is my chance to have something built as a studio"

"Oh, sure." Nod-nod.

"It can be soundproofed from the start." She smiles

"Uh-huh."

"Soundproofed? Maybe the shed should be for the baby?" Jaymes ponders

"uh-huh."

Tove lightly swats Jaymes. "Okay, sounds like 'Sam will keep her room' is what you were concerned about. Let's put it down so you won't have to worry " Tove writes it in

"...okay..."

And Jaymes raises a brow , head tilt (You okay? You can tell us if you're not. This is.. a lot)

"Yeah, yeah." Another upward pull on her lips.

"I'm so happy for you, Tove. That's great news."

"Big news."

"Huge" she agrees, "And a little intimidating"

"...yeah..."

Tove gives her a hug, "You will always be our daughter. And I know, being the oldest can be .. kind of hard work. Sorry it just got.. well, thrust on you like this."

She rubs her palms against her thighs and nods again. "Uh-huh."

Jaymes notices the gestures of her hands, "You gonna be okay? Need sometime to process?"

"No, no. I'm good."

"Good. Wanna watched forged in fire? We missed one while at pennons"

That from Jaymes

"Uh. Sure?"

Tove looks surprised at his sudden change of subject, but lets it go. "I'll make popcorn for you two." She rises

A flicker of worry escapes as Dagmar's gaze follows Tove to the kitchen door.

Jaymes puts ahand on her shoulder (Talk to me while she's busy?)

"No, really. It's good. Good news. Yeah."

"You're gonna be a father." A close approximation of a smile.

"I am a father" he reminds

"Dagmar, whoever this boy turns out to be, I'll love him like a son," he says "but I won't run out of love for you. And you'll have one thing he never will."

"..Could be a girl, too."

"No. I've decided it's going to be a boy" he says with a very serious nod as if it's that easy.

"I don't think it works like that."

"I like my way better" He says.

Then a pause "of course, he's going to have to face the fact his big sister is a better warrior than him, but he'll live. "

A wan smile.

He leans forward and whispers "Remember who I OATHED to be a father too, Daughter."

And just for a moment she can feel the bond between them hum with a power and love like distant thunder.

She nods a little, but her hand drifts to her mouth. She worriedly chews on her knuckle.

Mmm he notes this "You're Still worried." not a question "anyway I can help you not worry?"

"S'fine. Just... a lot. Yeah."