#rivervale_lodge

****

Gerd sighs ad goes looking for Frank

Frank is easily found; he's in the parking lot, loading the Rig.

"Sir Franklyn? Ah... I feel like a jerk springing this on you so close, but... when asked to go with you, I ddin' know the baby would be born like 3 months early"

"Sir?" with an eyebrow, questioning her use of the honorific.

"Sorry, I go a little formal when I feel like I' yanked a friend along"

Frank chuckles. "Gerd, babies change everything. I understand." sincerely.

"Well, , Uncle Vali hasn't asked me to stick around, but we both know he could use it. I'll tell Connor he and I will travel later" later in the year. He's going to be a bit sad abou it"

Frank nods. "Connor is too young to travel with me for work."

"At least not without back up ..." She sighs

"Gerd, you have an open invitation to travel wtih me when you are ready."

A smile "Thanks, Frank . I Hope your trip goes well"

"Thank you, Gerd. I hope you will take pictures of the baby so I can see how much he's grown when I return."

"I will" She offers "And I probably won't be alone"

Frank chuckles. "I suspect you are correct."

"Vali's being all smug at having a son. Seriously, are daughters THAT bad?"

"I'm not an objective viewpoint, Gerd.... but no, I don't think daughters are bad at all."

"Good" She ponders

Then a chuckle

"I thinnk her ordeal with Theon may have Tiffany deciding one baby is enough"

"I hadn't heard details; was it a difficult birth? I had heard Tiffany was doing well....."

"There was a tear.. I'm told that's not unusual. Good news is Hearth Kerri slipped in a heatherbalm"

"Mm. Do you know what tore?"

"Or, that might be TMI to share on Tiffany's behalf. Disregard the question."

"Yeah, might be. We women can be private about our hoo has or bajingos"

Frank colors. "Yes."

"Everyone here knows you're a gentleman" She assures him

Frank clears his throat. "Thank you." he turns and closes up the Rig. "All done here."

"She's a pretty rig... "

"Yes, she is." A pat to the side of the machine, a fond look in his eye. Frank turns, bag-less, and gestures "Are you heading to the Lodge, or home?"

"Well, the lodge, since Tiff and Vali won't be back today.. I don't think?"

Frank nods and they walk up to the Lodge together. "I'm sure they'll call you if needed."

"Yes, I check my texts every now and then"

"Mm." Inside, Frank gets a glass of cider and offers her a choice with a gesture.

"Tea is fine" a smile

Frank nods. "Do you want to make it yourself, or suffer m rew-up?"

"I'll make it"

Frank moves to allow her to do so, and takes a seat.

She does, ad soonn has it ready

And they sit "How are things with Siv and Chief? I sensed tension"

An eyebrow. "I think you should ask -them,- Gerd."

"With as high strung they both seemed?"

"Rather high-strung at you than at me." Frank says, not without humor.

"Ah, our elders have so much to teach us about the ways of survival"

"Mm."