#rivervale_lodge

"Darn tooting" Tove says with a nod

Jaymes looks smug as only the man who is 'tapping that' can

"When can CJ eat bacon yet?"

"Oh no too soon for that" She says

"He wants some, though. I can tell. Dogs ALWAYS know." He nods.

"Mmm he does come from a long line of burned meat lovers" She eyes her husband and her daughter

"CJ likes milk best, though."

"I can vouch for that" She says

"Milk is good. Milkshakes are even better."

"You can't have room for a milkshake!"

Jaymes raises a brow "I think he's a quarter redcap"

"I have room in my HEART."

"Hearts aren't stomachs."

He suddenly sits up, ears perked. "Do horses have samhains too? SPECIAL horses? Do you think they went on any adventures without us?"

Jaymes shakes his head "I peeked in on them. They're fine"

"Is Sparky up in the air yet? Does he need a leash, or a ceiling?"

"Not yet." Tove says "though I think Star and Stormwake are losing sleep"

"Babies can be silly."

He rubs his chin thoughtfully. "You should ask your friends what they do. Far Howl and Sniffrump and Flufftail."

Providing names helpfully for those he doesn't remember.

"Ohhh.."

"I bet they'd know."

"They are allies" Tove nods approvingly

"And they have silly pups that learn to fly." He nods!

"...and Toebeans and Featherhead and Puddlebrains...."

He is giggling now.

"He's your squire" Tove says

"He is!" Proud.

"Hammergrunt and Spicymom, and..." He sniffs the air a bit and sneezes. "Stinky-pants."

Something says this is NOT Jaymes.

"Oh not again" She sighs

Jaymes holds up his hand ("I have this")

and he takes CJ upstairs to change the diaper

"And Diapey-dad." He finishes.

tove smiles "Diapy -Dad is best dad"

"Stiiinnkkkkyyy baby."

Tove says "Yes. But you could use a shower too. Both of you"

She sniffs.

"Well. Maybe."

He sniffs his arms. "I smell like maple syrup and motorcycles. And Cyclops."

"And little boy who needs a bath" Tove says

He huffs. "Okay. Baths now. Milkshakes later?" He bargains.

"Seems fair."

"Hup." He agrees. "Thank you for breakfast. And for milkshakes!" And he dashes off.. well, trots, his belly too full for a flat-out run. Back to the lodge, and the shower... and maybe a nap, once everything catches up!

"Mm Milkshakes." She ponders and looks at Dagmar "You know, he'sa hell of a squire." A beat "His big sister Gerd should be proud"

"I think she is."

"And you too. " A smile "But you knew that"

"He helped me save the bookwyrm egg - I tell you about that?"

"No. FIll me in!"

Always interested in good stories