#rivervale_lodge

"Well, if it's okay I'll marry Tove anyway" humor in the tone

"Well, yeah, but that's... different..."

"how?"

"Because... it.. because you two just..." She frowns.

"You're happier together than apart. And Tove fits in here."

"She does" He says a bit of a smile "She loves you almost as much as I do too. She's always known you're a great kid. Hard to believe you'll be 15 soon"

"SO soon."

"I didn't tell anybody last year when it was my birthday..."

"Haven't really told them yet this year..."

"Well, we need to let folks know so they can show up for the party" he says

"...We just had a party..."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean your birthday isn't important too"

She shrugs. "It's usually not a big deal."

"Well, you're my daughter, so it's a big deal to me" A nod

She flashes a brief smile. "Yeah, see, that's pretty good."

"Huh?" Surprised

"What? Being your daughter. That's good. I like it."

A smile of his own, a very real one "I like it too. "

A shrug, but she smiles.

"And you're having a party, and yes I'm going to tell folks."

"Um. It can be small, right?"

"Yup. How about you tell me who you want on the list, but I'm guessing at the least Lupita and Mae, and maybe Symon if he'll come?"

She nods. "And Siv and Sylvi."

"And Siv and Sylvi.." A nod committing it to memory

"Okay, anyone else? "

"That seems plenty?"

"We could maybe go see Shazam..."

"Yeah, good way to do it. I'll reserve tickets"

"Sounds like a plan."

" Movie then party, or party then movie?"

"Um."

"How about I decide that and let you know so your friends can know"

"Okay"

"Good" A nod "Invite your friends... tell them I will NOT be making you do your homework on your birthday.. oh, and that there's a movie and a party."

"With cake."

"With cake... and yes, some cake that's sluagh ready"

Nose-wrinkle. "True."

"Yeah... yuck. Say what you want about them not being able to whisper, it's the diet that I wouldn't like about being a sluagh"

"He seems happy with it?"

"Suppose differen't strokes"

"Like how Nadeen does not appreciate the chip-dog. Her loss."

"SHe doesn't like the chip dog?" Mystified

"I know!"

He shakes his head "Well, that's that. "

"She's not that bad."

"And I'm still gonna look out for her, you know?"

"Did you want to invite her to the party too?"

She chews on her thumb again, considering. "She'd probably be hurt if she was left out. Not that she'd say it, but.."

"mmm" He says unhelpfully

"But she would."