#earthrunes

"That sounds like it must look lovely. This is something that is tradition for your family?"

"Yes."

"And we open a Christmas present on Christmas Eve but the rest have to wait for Christmas morning." He grins.

A little laugh. "I see. Something to...take the edge off?" A little wicked look as she takes another bite.

He nods. "It was, when I was younger. I mean, before I Chrysalized. After that, Yule kind of took the edge off but I still made it special for them."

"Mmmm..." She watches his face. "I like the way you look when you think of them happy."

He gives her a puzzled grin. "Well.... they're good people. Not Dreamers, but... remarkably accepting. Considering everything."

"Yes, I know. But I know things have been sometimes difficult between you. And a lot of that is because of me coming into your life. But I'm glad when you think of them, it's more with happiness than with sadness. Or worry. It wasn't that way a year ago, you know."

He sobers; not even the pie stops it. "I know. But... but I'm hoping that with this visit, we start new."

"I hope so, too. Soooo...I think you should help me pick out my wardrobe. I scandalized you the last time I was there...don't want to do the same thing again."

He takes her hand again and squeezes it. "It wasn't your dress, as much as the volleyball in the dress." He admits.

She smiles. "True. Lesson learned. But still, you help me find things that are appropriate for your family's sensibilities, and for Mass."

He nods. "Your taste is impeccable but I'd be happy to offer any help I can." He takes a bite. "Ah. Ahhhh... soooo... I'll probably bunk on the couch; you'll have my old room probably."

She blinks and her smile fades. "Oh." And a little pout. "Right."

He smooths his thumb over the back of her hand. "It's only a couple nights."

"Hmmm..." The pout becomes a bit more playful. "Fine. We'll have to celebrate all the more before and after."

He grins. "We'll have Yule here." He points out, then asks. "Are you ok with this? I mean... I could try to figure something out. If you needed."

A blink. "Okay with...?"

"Separate rooms for a few nights."

"Well, I'd rather it not be a thing, but I can certainly manage."

He grins. "It won't be a thing for long. A few visits, between now and when... ah, when we marry."

"For them, I mean."

"Sure." A nod. Then a head tilt. "I suppose that means we should start thinking about when." Another bite of dessert, and she sets her fork aside.

"After PreCana. And.... where?"

"Traditionally, I guess, it's at the, ah, the bride's choosing. So. Here? I mean, Jefferson City?"

"I suppose? You know, August, this is a ceremony that's largely about your family's traditions, so I think you should get to choose what site would be most appropriate. I'd at least like to hear your preferences."

"I'm fine with here, and my parents can travel. I know it's more for my folks than yours, but it's also so we can... well, hide better. If we're married to them, I think it will be easier. Life."

"Hm. I don't like thinking of it as 'hiding' you know. But...blending? That I can accept."

He nods. "Blending." He accepts.

"Here, I think." After some thought, absently scraping the fork along the plate to get the LAST of the pie. "It will make better sense to them. We should... ah, we should probably wait.. a year or so?"

A smile. "And I get it. You love your family and want to make your life easy for them to accept. And make your wife easy for them to accept."

"A year from now? I thought we'd already started....?"

"Yes, exactly and.. well, yes we already started PreCana but... They're going to see us as very young to get married. I mean, neither of us is 21...."
((I think?))

((I think she's just closing in on 19))

((Ok))

A sigh. "As if age really means so very much." Irritated, but not overly so.

He squeezes her hand. "If it helps, we -are- over the age of consent. So we could. But we should wait a bit. I mean, it doesn't make -that- much of a difference. You're my wife. We know it, the Dreaming knows it."

She squeezes back. "True, all of it. But...you are also Liam, and tied this this world as well as the Dreaming. I know this ceremony means a lot to you, not just because of your parents. I don't mind waiting at all...but I think the reasons for waiting are a bit annoying. It's no matter. And yes, I can manage a day or two without you in bed with me...but..." she leans closer to murmur "...I can promise you that we'll be thinking of each other while apart."

He nods. "I can promise you that, too." He murmurs back.

And then kisses her, since she's right there.

She returns the kiss, savoring it as much as the dessert. "Mmmmm....I think perhaps we are done with dinner...."

He nods. "I don't think I could eat another bite." Agreeing. "Ah... do you think, over the next week or so... would you like to, you know, drive around and just, ah, maybe window shop some places? Apartments?"

"Oh, I think we should, yes. And talk to the fae who live nearby, hear what neighborhoods are the least banal."

He nods with a grin. "I'd like that."

"Oh, Leonora says she'll help us shop for stuff, if we want. She likes shopping."

"Oh, she does, and she's good at it. I think that would be a fun excursion or three." A smile.

He grins. "Have fun!" He rises and offers his arm. "Ok... ah, what's next, Beloved?"

"I think perhaps that I am going to steal you away and make up for a long week without you near." She smiles warmly.

He nods. "I'd like that very much. I think everything else can wait till tomorrow." Softly.

"Oh, it certainly can." She and he walk together towards their suite, eyes for nobody else at the moment.