#rivervale_lodge

A soft whine at the back of her throat before she tromps off to the phone closet.

"Hello, hello - is Clem there? I need to speak to the Chieftain. It's Dagmar at Rivervale..."

A moment, and then "Clem here"

"Clem! Clem, you have to come! Kerri's not here and Chief is out and Tove is having something happen!"

"Okay..."

"Then I'm off on myway" and she hangs up

Dag storms back to the kitchen. "Tove, should I call Dad?"

"Yes, taht might be good. Yes."

Now it's cellphone. She curses as her blocky fingers slow down her tapping.

"Dad, you have to come to the lodge now."

TXT:At Store? Can one of the thanes do it?

She doesn't text back... she CALLS.

Breaking all protocol!

"DAD COME NOW."

"Will do." He hangs up

She takes Tove's hand and pats it. "Dad and Clem are coming."

"You have to keep sitting, Clem said."

"Oooo not laying down? I mean.. okay"

"She said sit!" Stubborn.

"Don't YELL at ... Agasp "ooooo"

"You can squeeze my hand?"

"Maybe?" She looks around the kitchen - for what? Who knows. Inspiration?

"Dagmar, it's okay... just breathe" her mother says

"You're gonna be okay. Clem is on her way." A hiccup.

"Sit down.. " Her mother says "next to me. Hold my hand. Okay?"

"Okay..." She grabs a chair to drag over.

She takes her daughter's hand "Ooo.. yes, well, this mgiht be it, it might be a false alarm. We stay calm and breathe"

"We can't go to a hospital..."

"Clem's better than a hospital..."

And a bark of 'Friend' from Oak and Edelweiss (Edie is being assigned her again for Gerd's own piece of mine)

"See?" Squeeze.

"WE'RE IN THE KITCHEN!"

"Okay..." Clem comes in, yes with a black bag.

"We were talking... and... and..."

"Your talking didn't do squat when it comes to the baby, honey. Trust me. No babe in belly ever gave a hang about someone else's chatter or opinion," Clem says and moves to Tove "Okay... pain?"

"Little but more..." And terms are discussed

Dagmar fusses.

THey get Tove to the sofa, and lay her down... just as Jaymes comes in

He grunts!

"Don't know yet" Clem answers

Something CLOSE to a whine?

"Baby will be fine, Jaymes" Clem answers

mmM!

"Yes yes... the best care." Clem says "I've done this before"

A yip, and Connor sprints out to find towels.

Dagmar hovers.

Clem tends.. but the water does not break.. and an hour later.

Connor peers into the room behind a pile of towels. A whisper over to Jaymes. "Is this because there's not enough towels?"