#rivervale_lodge

She nods, nerves creeping back.

He nods

Frank nods, sets down his mug. "Ok." He goes to the phone closet and crams himself halfway in.

"Now?"

"OH thank goodness, I thought you were going to make a Dr. Who joke. Vali won't stop"

Rumble-mumbles from the booth as Frank is on the phone.

"Jessica's got this place in Tijuana, which is a pretty dangerous city, but she does what she can for the fae there"

Frank sticks his head out. "Dagmar? Jess is on the phone for you."

"Coming...."

Frank gets out of the closet and gives the (landline phone with a cord!) to Dagmar before stepping away.

She wedges herself into the closet. "Uh... hey."

Rumbly conversation.

He sits back and looks curiously at Frank

Frank lifts an eyebrow at Jaymes.

"Think it'll help?" Low whisper

"Yes." Matter-of-factly.

A lower mutter "Frank. Do I look resolute and confident? "And he does

"Yes."

"Good," Still a whisper "Because I'm freaking out on the inside just a bit."

Kerri comes out of the kitchen, setting a platter of simple snacks on the table. She looks at the two men. "Why do you both look like you're expecting the roof to fall in on you?"

Frank nods. "Welcome to fatherhood."

A curious look at Frank's comment, and she grins at Jaymes. "She agreed?"

"She agreed" A nod to Kerri

"Oh, Jaymes...I'm so happy for you."

"So...that goes back to my previous question. Why do you both look so very...dire?"

"Dagmar's talking to Jessica." He indicates the phone closet.

A bit of a smile at the praise, then "I don't know, the paper work isn't done yet, let alone the oath...she's.. actually wanting to take it. " another smile

"Oh. Well...yes, but the desire to take the oath is a good sign. How quickly can the rest be arranged?"

"Thanks to matters we've got ready to go in motion, connections with the Wayburtons and House Liam? Record time."

Frank nods agreement.

"Well, that will require a celebration. So let me know." This does not seem to be any sort of burden, and she is smiling as she heads back into the kitchen. "Back in a moment."

"I..thank you" He says

A look to Frank, then to the phone area, then back, 'Ever get the feeling there's some sort of 'how do to deal with the care and training of parents' talk regarding you?"

Frank nods. "Yep. Pretty sure Siv and Jessica talk on the regular."

"Probably good for both. Jess has a pretty good head on her shoulders, Siv has...enthusiasm" A curious look "how'd she do in Maryland?"

Kerri returns with a jug of cold mint water and some stoneware mugs, and sets them near the snacks. She follows their glances to the phone closet, then back to them.

"Thanks, Kerri" He says

"Good."

"She followed orders, pulled her own weight." Frank sips his coffee.

After a moment, grudgingly, "The nobles down there.... responded well after the flood two years ago. Seem to be on top of this one."

"Her hard work doesn't surprise me," Kerri says, helping herself to a mug and a nibble of snacks. "She's always eager to put herself to work around here."

"Good, always good when someone learns," A nod, "And Kerri's right. Kid's ah, enthused"

"Yeah." A bit grimly.

"What's wrong, Frank?"

"Oh, nothing. Siv's enthusiasm equals my confusion." A grim smile.

"Dagmar more skittish, but she loves using the strength"

"Your...confusion?"

"Your line, Frank"

Frank sighs. "Oh, I don't know what I'm doing, Kerri. We're going to try and .... and ease up, I guess, let Siv explore more but... we're both petrified."

"Good. I'll use you like a canary in a coal mine with this fatherhood thing"