Morning, Aftermath of Revival/January Event.

[velesdonnersen]

[Tarvek dozes beside Ilsa, on the sofa bed in the home office. She's back, and there's little that makes him even one tenth so happy... The blankets are piled high, pillows are tucked around them, and he can lie half-dozing, watching her through the veil of half-lowered lashes.]

Mmmmmmmm.

Comments

[ooeeooahah]

[ She lowers her voice, eyes darting to Catherine. ]

Toy store, if you dare it with the kids here.

[velesdonnersen]

[Even with drone kids, he's a bit of a softy.]

The toy store it is. Catherine, Perry, want to help pick *safe* toys for Florian? Remember, if they're not safe he can't have them.

That means you'll ahve to teach him not to take any of your toys that aren't safe, too.

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa clips the lead to Florian's harness. ]

After we check out here, it's just a few stores down.

[ She scratches Florian behind the ears. ]

We'll wait outside for that part of the trip.

[velesdonnersen]

[He nods and soon he's back with the kids, and several LARGE bags and boxes. The kids are radiant and giggling, and Perry is zooming a toy airplane around by hand. Vrrrrrrroooooom! Tarvek loads everyone up, and slips into the front seat.]

[Sotto voce]

Bet you didn't just play with baby-dolls when you were a kid.

[ooeeooahah]

Tch, not often. I had cooking tools and throwing toys from the beginning. Nadine had the dolls, mainly as models.

[velesdonnersen]

[Slightly sad.]

One of the things I miss about Europa is the lack of many women outside the traditional home-roles here in Mayfield. We may have once thought only the man could pull the knife-switch or inherit the empire, but we always were open to female sub-sparks, minions, spies, and so on. And we've come a long way since then, in part thanks to Wulfenbach. Whose bones may burn green, but whose heart is sometimes in the right place.

[ooeeooahah]

[ She sighs. ] Part of the problem is that no matter what I do, the girl drones are just not interested in anything outside the programming.

[ She nods towards the hardware store. ]

I could use some 10d nails, 20d if they have them.

[velesdonnersen]

[He nods.]

Kids, you stay here with Mrs. Spengler and Florian. I'll be back in a little while. Then I'll drop you two at the diner for a malted while Mrs. Spengler and I pick up groceries for your Mom.

[He's gone, but soon returns accompanied by an attendant with a wagon. The proceed to load up a fair pile of lumber, tools, nails, spackle and grout, rebar, chicken wire, and similar materials.]

[He slips in, and they are on their way. Once the kids are dropped off...]

Whew. They're sweet, and very good. But having kids changes everything.

[ooeeooahah]

[ She can't help it, but bursts out laughing at the comment about the kids. ]

[velesdonnersen]

[He hasn't grown up with it as a truism: he comes from a culture with nannies.]

What? What did I say?

[ooeeooahah]

[ She slides down to giggles, waving her hand. ]

Children change everything. Good thing you found out before we got married.

[ Gigglesnicker. ]

[velesdonnersen]

[The car veers, almost crosses the line. TArvek over-corrects, and they jounce onto and off of the curb.]

Hangonhangonhangon. Eeee. Hang on a minute...

[He drives just out of town, and pulls over by the side of the road, before turning to her, eyes a bit wild.]

Would you? Marry me? If there were a way to do it, here in Mayfield? Would you *really*?

[ooeeooahah]

[ She squeaks as he has his epiphany moment IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD and is very quiet as he brings the car to a stop. ]

[ The question is at once simple, and a minefield. That doesn't mean the answer hasn't been thought out. ]

...habibi, the only thing we are missing is the paperwork, as far as I'm concerned.

[velesdonnersen]

[He slides across the station wagon seat, and slips his arms around her. Her link should be screaming with turbulence - happy, a bit frightened, amazed, surprised, giddy...and loony-in-love.]

Do you think we could at least find a way to celebrate it? Not a church wedding: Mayfield wouldn't allow that. But I want to bind it, and share it. I...

If you don't want, well..

But...

Ah, leibe, Ilsa... Mein liebe Ilsa.

[ooeeooahah]

[ She wraps into the embrace, buzzing from his joy. ]

Think you can wait until the first of spring?

[velesdonnersen]

Forever, if I had to.

{Sighs, and enjoys the cuddle for as long as he dares. But necessity drives his choices.]

Eh. We've got to do the shopping and pick up Perry and Catherine. And then I suspect you have to go home for a bit. But...later?

Your place or mine?

[ooeeooahah]

[ She sighs into his neck. ]

Mine has the better shower.

[velesdonnersen]

[In the back section Florian has worked out that there's cuddling going on, and he's not included. He starts stomping and moaning very, very pitifully. He is a sad, lonely little maximimmoth, isn't he?]

[Tarvek laughs.]

Want me to bring him up to the front before we head back?

[ooeeooahah]

Hm, that's another thought - might have to stay at your place, with the new "dog".

[ Turning to the back of the car, and addressing Florian. ]

You think you can behave until we get back to the house?