#rivervale_lodge

Vali comes out, smiling, and looking a bit in wonder "Thanks, Dagmar."

"Congrats to both of you," Sylvi smiles.

Jaymes grunts "How long you had the ring ready?"

Vali shrugs "Oh... since last summer" but he moves to Tiffany's side."I was worried she'd say no"

"Doesn't look like she's saying no, now."

"Last summer I would havee, but then you got to go get hurt and I realized that if we marry I get your royalties and movie rights for your books. I have faith in your talent, baby" Tiffany kisses his cheek.

"Uh.. thanks?" Vali says

"Doesn't look like who's saying what?" Kerri comes back downstairs.

Gerd yells "Look at Tiffany's hand and act really surprised, Hearth"

"Mom, look!" She almost tugs Tiffany's hand, and then laughs at Gerd.

Tiffany is lead happily by Sylvi "I got a collar for him!"

Snerk.

Kerri grins. "Well, whatever can that mean...?" Then she takes a look. "Oh, nicely done." A nod and a wink to Vali, and then she offers Tiffany a hug.

Vali blinks at that phrase and pulls at the neckline of his shirt.

Tiffany hugs her fiercely "Now I can call you Auntie Kerri, and you can build a Wedding cake that says 'and stay out?'"

Kerri laughs. "Well, we'll work out the details later, yes, but you are getting such a wedding cake!"

Tiffany hugs Kerri then, then moves to Gerd, "Hey,champ.. how are you? I mean... uhm.." A bit nervous

"Yes, you h ave my blessing to marry my Uncle." Gerd says "That what you wanted to hear?"

Sylvi goes to give Vali a quick hug while Gerd and Tiffany talk.

Tiffany blushes "lllill bit"

Vali hugs KErri and whispers "Is it weird I'm not sure this is real? I think it's rael...but if someone wanted to pinch me"

Kerri takes the hug as Sylvi moves aside, and chuckles at Vali's question. "I'm sure Tiffany would be happy to oblige. But yes...I understand the feeling, and it's going to linger, but yes, this is real. Ya done good," she adds.

"Thanks, Hearth" he smiles as the hug ends "And, thank you, we wouldn't want anyone else making the cake"

Jaymes watches this pretty impassively, but grunts to his daughter ("Getting mushy, mmm?")

"Well, you might a good deal more help from me than cake. You've got planning to do."

Shrug-grin.

Tiffany chortles "The Best Hearth in Possumtrot, and she's all mine, MIIIIINE.. mwhaha"

"easy sweetie, maniacal cackling makes the Gwyds nervous" Vali says

"We're short on champagne, but I don't think the Chieftain would object to me breaking out the mead. I don't want to disturb her just now...." a glance up the stairs. "But I can share the news with her later. Gerd, help me get the glasses." She heads for the kitchen.

Gerd nods "Yes, Hearth" And goes in with the Hearth

Sylvi beams. "So, if my mom helps with planning, do I get to help do your styling, Tiffany?"

In the kitchen, Kerri fills a jug of mead from a keg under one of the counters, and points out the glasses for Gerd to get from a cupboard.

Tiffany nods "You got it, Kiddo. Not the poodle cut though, too pretentious"

Gerd says as she gets the glasses "thsi where you ask me if I'm okay with this? or am I giving myself too much importance?"

Kerri chuckles. "Well, nobody can accuse you of not being perceptive. Yes, you've got me figured out. So...are you?"

Sylvi smiles. "No poodle cut, check."

Gerd says "I think... I think I blew some good chances to let Vali be a second father when I had the chance to recognize it. And I think," Gerd says "Maybe, the mature thing is to let Vali be happy and Tiffany make him happy.. and hopefully the other way around. Accept that Margalita needs Tiff as a big sister ... though maybe one day it'll be more of a mom thing for our nocker... and stay in my lane, which is still part of it all,but now narrower than it could have been. I think this is one of those 'might as well grow up a little' moments" A ssigh "Not sure about implementation"

"Appreciate it, Sylvi" Vali says still seeming a bit stunned.

"Oh, hon." Kerri puts down the jug. "I'm having an almost overwhelming urge to hug you, if you'll allow."

"I'd..allow" Gerd says "But ..why do you.. uhm.. not sure why?" A blush

"Because you are realizing a lost opportunity, but making a brave choice about it, and you deserve to be appreciated...and yes, comforted, too." She goes to Gerd and draws her into a hug.

Gerd hugs her and admits "Thanks, Aunt Kerri. You know, a hug from you is almost worth a whole hour of sad for myself music" A weak smile, attempt at humor "I appreciate it."

A chuckle from Kerri as she hugs. "That's some good value, thank you." Then she releases Gerd and steps back, holding her at arm's length. "Gerd...we all regret what might have been, in one way or another, and we often wonder what we might have done differently. It's okay to wonder, but try not to dwell. And I think that 'staying in your lane' doesn't mean 'staying out of the way'...your lane is part of their story, too. Don't be afraid to figure out how you all fit together as a family. It will take work, but I believe it'll be worth it."

Gerd nods, and not merely a 'nod and wait till they shut up' way, but really listening "It's.. good advice. Not sure if I can pull it off but I'll try. Hearth? What about Jack? His mother sold him...for drug money. No way he can go back."

"No. He's not going back, any more than we let Dirk go back to his home. Now we know, so now we can move forward. We'll figure it out."

A sigh "Let me know if I can help. Dagmar wants him and Connor both to get new parents, but where as Jack is..almost pushy about it, Connor remains loyal to that Silver Dragon asshole."

"Well...I think it's time we start a series of discussions about this for both of them. Right now, though...time to celebrate. Bring the tray of glasses." And carrying the jug of mead, she goes back to the main hall.

A smile at that "Celebration will be nice" And gerd follows

tray in hand

And mead for all...even the underaged, with their parents' permission, mortal drinking laws be damned. ("Just a bit, kids.")