#rivervale_lodge

Frank may feel a bit out of place.

Jaymes nods in agreement with Tove then says "Dagmar. I still want to be your father. You know that right?"

Frank is content to take a seat while Kerri and Sally Mae buzz around him.

"I don't... I... " She looks between the two adults. "I don't want anybody to go away..."

"I won't go away," Jaymes says, "And neither will Tove, whether we marry or don't."

Frank takes a deep breath and exhales gently. Sip.

Tove nods " yes." A sigh "YOU are not being abandoned by either of us. No matter what else"

Kerri does take a moment to point out, "If your brother messes this up, Frank, it's your turn to try to wrangle these two."

Sally Mae sighs "Men. do they always need constant management?"

"Had a turn already." Dryly.

She grins up her hand, chewing at her poor, abused cuticles.

"But thanks for being here to catch her."

"Well, I'm glad she came here. And I'm glad he followed. If he hadn't, this would be so much worse."

"Me too."

"It's true," Tove says with a nod. "Dagmar, "She puts herh ands on the girls "You are special to us both"

"I don't..." She casts a nervous look at Jaymes.

A wry grin over to Frank. "Though this is a bit reminiscent of some old times. You and your brother are not very different, in some ways."

Jaymes puts arms around the girl's shoulders "You and me. We're not good with the words. But these words are true: I want to be your father. Hell, I AM your father. And nothing can change that. The Oathing will just make it oficial.. as far as I'm concerned. And yes, it's magic, but not as magical as how I feel about you and how proud I am at how far you come. And..." A thought 'And.. other words that I can't find right now."

She closes her eyes and nods, staying in the shelter of his arms.

"I love you" he says "I love you both. Tove... I know it's probably strange, me proposing like this, but I want Dagmar to be a part of it if she..."

"Yes," Tove says "I want a different ring, but yes, I'll marry you, Jaymes."

Frank frowns. "I didn't do this......." Thinking.

Sally Mae says "I smell a story"

"Oh, you didn't do this exactly, but you and the Chieftain certainly went through your awkward stages. And yes, Sally Mae, several stories, but I won't share." A pause. "Not at the moment, anyway."

"True." Not-quite-grudgingly.

She does stage whisper, "He was an adorably awkward wilder, too, once."

And Jaymes and Tove kiss, briefly, then when they part, Tove strokes Dagmar's hair, "Would you be willing to have a role at the wedding?"

"Hmph." A grunt. No, not like Olgar at all.

A little nod. Tension draining, though now she looks trembly.

Kerri is putting the finishing touches on a large batch of her special hot cocoa.

"We'll worry about the details later. Important thing is, we're a family." Jaymes says and holds onto her quietly just for a bit. In five minutes, he'll call out to the others and tell them to comeo n out. In five minutes he'll assure Kerri that he's not screwed up . He'll thank Frank. But for now, he's got this. his family. He's fine. THEY will be fine.

Sally Mae beams "Story time over coco..."

When they are summoned from the kitchen, they come bearing gifts of snacks, cookies, and mugs of cocoa with whipped cream. And there is much to celebrate.

(End Scene)