#rivervale_lodge

Dagmar sits in the great hall, with CJ on her knee. "And this is Oak, and he's a real dog. TwoBit thinks she's this big..."

Tove works hard in the kitchen

As CJ sucks on his fist. "Well, yes, that too. Tasty hands."

Oak eyes the little baby with just LOVE on his canine face. Little hairless puppy I love you!

Kerri grins. "I hope TwoBit isn't developing a complex about that."

Tove calls out "Twobit rejects our reality and substitutes her own"

"It's TwoBit's world, we just live in it. Except maybe Odin. In general, best not to fight the furfolk too much."

"Well, you're not wrong." And she calls into the kitchen, "Tove, I really appreciate your help, but don't you dare exhaust yourself."

"Are you kidding? Every mother wishes she had balefire and magic healers like I did. I am completely..." A pause as she realizes her daughter is in the room AND a Gwydion "mostly recovered"

Kerri is working on sorting out and dusting items in the main hall.

Snort.

CJ makes a PPPbt sound. Coincidence surely and not a comment on his mom

"Our life does offer certain advantages."

"Of course, someone does seem to want to wake up at 2.. though the pacififer helps"

"We

re almost used to it by now."

CJ looks so INNOCENT. Surely not this young one? this one is an angel

"One morning you'll wake up and realize that you didn't have to get up in the middle of the night. There'll be a mad dash to check that CJ's okay, and you'll realize he slept through the night, and I can't even tell you the quiet celebrations you'll have." Kerri seems to have very vivid memories in this regard.

"Then she'll forget entirely, and decide she wants another one..."

"Well, I wasn't going to say...."

"Sylvi experience?" Guessing from Tove

"And I have two, that should be enough" Tove says

"I mean, if I didn't scare you off..."

"Well, I am quite happy with the one, thanks. But Olgar kept hinting for another for a few years. I just...couldn't. It wasn't a good time, and now...well, certainly not now." A wry, weary grin.

"Too close to freedom?"

"Oh you're young plenty IF you wanted" Tove says "And well.. adoption worked wonders for me" A fond look at Dagmar, then back to Kerri "But.. you shouldn't be pressured. " An admission to both "I think Jaymes might want another in a few years. Not sure we agree on that, he and i. I have a career"

"Getting on a bike and hitting the open road?"

A blush.

"No offense, but I'm quite satisfied with mother-of-one and Hearth-to-many."

Tove says "That said, I hope Sally Mae can return.. I don't mind helping, but it would take her and me AND Brogan combined to free you up enough for a two week bike vakay"

"I could help."

"Well, I'm not aiming for a vacation just now. Now, ladies, if you'll excuse me? Shopping calls! Tove, you've got things covered for the moment?"

"I've gotten way better with kitchen stuff." She shifts CJ against her shoulder.

"I do" A nod "And Dagmar IS an amazing helper so we're covered"

"Excellent. I shouldn't be long." She gathers up her various totes and exits through the kitchen.

Low. "Kerri sort of is the Lodge Mom."

Tove nods then admits to her daughter "I got a little envious about that" she says "Where you were concerned... but at the same time I'm grateful she was there for you. She's got a gift for knowing what folks need, doesn't she?"

Dagmar nods.

"But you're mine, and that... y'know? That's important."

Tove beams "I do know, and yes, yes it is. "

"Thank you, too, for helping with Connor."

"Oh Connor's a sweetie, and he's your squire so.." she says

She nods. "But ya'll didn't have to gold him in so much, but I'm glad you did."

"He's Gerd's little brother, of course we'll treat him nicely" She smiles

"Well, yeah."

"But you're welcome... your dad kind of likes him now" She says

"He's helping at the store today, I think..."

"Sales will be up" She says

"Yup!"

"he's a natural charmer" Tove says "I understand you're a bit worried about Nadeen?