Topic: It's a Gem of a Shower!

The Redneck

Date: 2015-03-26 13:03 EST
Tuesday March 31st, in the Southern Glen there will be a Baby Shower for everyone's favorite elven ...handler of goods, Gem!

Anyone and everyone who knows, or knows of Gem is invited to help her celebrate the imminent arrival of her daughter.

Refreshments will be provided, games will be played, prizes will be given.

Bring yourself and a gift for the soon-to-be-mother to the Glen and enjoy the evening!

(This event, due to it's short notice and surprise! nature, can be either board only, or played out in the Glen, that all depends on you the players!

Either way, please this is a no fighting/violence event. Any questions, feel free to site-mail me.

Thank you and have fun!)

The Redneck

Date: 2015-03-26 13:15 EST
The Setting

An open sided pavillion has been set up, large enough to accommodate party-goers with ease. The floor is layered carpets in soft (not pastels), vintage colors of spring; rose, lilac, lime, faded denim, and periwinkle. Pillows are scattered about in seating arrangements, in echoing shades. Fire bowls, heavy duty ceramic affairs filled with polished stones and sea glass, sit at the center of each gathering spot.

A dais of polished, honey toned pine is situated at the center of the pavillion, with a comfortably plumped mama-san chair in the center of that. Around the chair, the gifts will have been artfully, and conveniently arranged, throughout the evening on low, gently curving tables. An assistant, or two, of either Gem's choosing, or volunteers, will be on hand to help the elf woman open, sort, and keep track of her gifts.

From above, soft blue, pink, and white strand lights have been twined together and strung in swags to to help illuminate the festivities. Decorations have a vintage bird theme with stylized silhouettes of birds in flight, or at rest, in the colors of the evening, scattered about among the lights and festooning the tent supports, worked into the covers of the pillows along with overblown cabbage roses, victorian-esque bird house cutouts and lanterns.

All in all a soft, sumptuous air had been achieved, feminine and sweet, without leaving partygoers with toothaches or stomach cramps.

The Redneck

Date: 2015-03-26 13:30 EST
The Refreshments

http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/eW3pCzaUWolzIOFnvEIdtg/cid/146815016/id/vlsr-cyg5BGqFHHqmyklpg/size/c600x500.jpg

In the evening's signature colors from cupcakes with birdcage stylings, to merengues that could be either roses or bird's nests depend on the way you looked at them. From layered cakes to delicately detailed cake pops. From cookies to cookie pops. http://cupcake-franciscaneves.blogspot.com.ar/2013/05/birds-and-flowers.html http://www.thecakeparlour.com/cupcakes/

A large variety of pastries with just the right amount of sweet.

The offered drinks ranged from iced or hot teas (strawberry lemonade green tea, a peach and pineapple flavored green tea with chamomile, and lemon verbena, an oolong tea flavored with pink rosebuds and strawberries, white grapes, rhubarb, and vanilla), fresh juices and a mixed berry punch brightened with sparkling lemon-lime soda, and a make your own soda bar (syrups and carbonated water freely available).

(I took the descriptions for the teas from here: Strawberry lemonade http://www.teavana.com/the-teas/herbal-teas/p/strawberry-lemonade-herbal-tea Peach and Pineapple http://www.teavana.com/the-teas/herbal-teas/p/peach-tranquility-herbal-tea"cm_sp=Recos-_-BlendsWShow-_-%3C%=index Strawberry Oolong http://www.teavana.com/the-teas/oolong-teas/p/strawberry-blush-ros-oolong-tea"cm_sp=Recos-_-BlendsWShow-_-%3C%=index )

The Redneck

Date: 2015-03-26 13:32 EST
Fashion and Gifts

Who's wearing what, who's bringing what, show us, tell us!

(Show and tell! What's your character wearing" What'd they bring" Images and descriptions go here.)

The Redneck

Date: 2015-03-26 14:03 EST
Games

The diaper pin game: Each person upon entering the tent will be given five diaper pins linked together. The game is simple: don't say the word baby. Actually, don't say any word that anyone can translate to mean baby. Every time you do, if you're caught, the person who catches you takes one of your pins. Once you're out of pins, you're out of the game. The person with the most pins at the end of the night, wins.

Dirty Diaper: An oversized brandy snifter is filled with pink and white napkins, folded to look like a cloth diaper. Each person gets to reach in and draw one "diaper" to unfold. The person who finds the raisin, wins.

Baby socks: there are fourteen unmated pairs of baby socks and one minute on the clock. How fast can you mate how many pairs" The person who mates the most pairs of socks, the fastest, wins.

What is it": Fifteen paper bags, one baby item in each bag. You can't open the bag, but you can still try to guess what?s inside. Write your guesses down on a slip of paper, and when the reveal happens, the person who guessed the most right, wins.

How many can you name": On a slip of paper, write down as many baby items as you can think of. The person with the most actual baby items at the end of five minutes, wins.

Tinkle in the pot: Split guests into teams of 4 or 5. Have teams line up behind the starting line and place jars/bowls across the room. Guests must place a quarter between their knees and waddle to the jar/bowl. Once there, they must drop the quarter into the jar/bowl, without using their hands. If they miss it, they must start over. Every guest goes twice. The team who finishes first wins.

What's in a Name": Name tags will be handed out at the door, instead of the person's actual name, a baby item will be written down. Throughout the evening, you must call everyone by the item listed on their tag. If you use their actual name, or someone uses yours, you or they must put money in a piggy bank for the baby.

Prizes

Prizes for the winners of the games are all wrapped and on a separate table from the lady of honor's gifts (they're also wrapped in tissue paper swirled with the evening's colors). Inside each package is a boxed gift set which includes a sugar sculpture stork carrying a baby girl in a pink diaper (edible of course), a prepaid credit card (Rhy'din Express), a carved figurine of a chubby little baby with a dagger clutched in her fist, and a little bird plushie that peeps and sings when cradled in the palm of a hand. Each bird is a different color.

(Okay, so assuming this will be a board only event, and since event icons on the whole will be given out, I'm going honor system here. Overall, just have fun!)

Pharlen

Date: 2015-03-31 13:07 EST
Pharlen arrived with kids in tow, even little Alice. She'd gone Goddess Mommy, wearing a flowing and comfortable cotton dress in shades of sky, while Alice appeared with a monster face T-shirt and jeans, because she's just that girly.

She brought a baby-bay bed, so Gem wouldn't have to get out of bed to tend to the baby at night, with a matching crib set...

http://i.imgur.com/pyLUX0P.jpg

Few people knew it but Pharlen had an obsession (perhaps more than obsession) with crochet, so there were these...

http://i.imgur.com/JJT5LIk.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/UAYGoUK.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qvBqIwn.jpg

All in size 2, because babies grow like weeds.

From Alice, in a card made from a 'Brave' coloring book page featuring Meridia and her Mum as a bear, was a gift card for a post-baby spa day for Gem.

Jackie Von Tombs

Date: 2015-03-31 13:20 EST
Jackie was all dolled up in an Alice in Wonderland print dress, despite that, she and Desdenova lugged this in...

http://i.imgur.com/Yv6Wah1.jpg

Taped to the seat was one of Jackie's calling cards, with 'Free Babysitting for a year' written on back.

Because who wouldn't want a rock-a-billy goth princess with access to automatic weaponry babysitting?!

Desdenova VonTombs

Date: 2015-03-31 15:03 EST
And Desdenova, who was determined to win the diaper pin game. Beware, the brat was everywhere, listening, stalking around in a nice and neat gray suit with his Mum's swiped fedora on his head.

But he did bring presents as well...

http://i.imgur.com/wtSnYuW.jpg

Cloth diapers and diaper wraps. Lots of them.

Delahada

Date: 2015-03-31 15:09 EST
When nobody was looking a brown paper package tied with string was mysteriously left outside the tent. A plain card attached to the string reads: to gem

http://jchandmade.typepad.com/jc_handmade/images/2008/03/24/tied_up_with_string1.jpg

The package contains the following items and a letter written in a sloppy print script.

https://img1.etsystatic.com/025/1/5661468/il_570xN.584356561_a4br.jpg

https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/6381612/il_fullxfull.335885355.jpg

The letter reads as follows:

Gem -

You may not know this but my mother stayed with me this winter as a human. She spent her time learning how to crochet. I sat with her and talked many times while she worked on this blanket. She told me she was making it for you - for the baby. So I thought I'd make something for it too.

Neither of these are faerie gifts. No strings attached. You should know that. Madre made the blanket when she was human and asked me to give it to you, when I had a chance, before she went back to being herself. So it doesn't count.

I think I'm supposed to say congratulations or something. That's what you say about babies isn't it' Good luck. If it's anything like Rei you're going to need it. That's a joke. I hope you laughed.

- Sal

Salvador did not actually attend the party. He did not participate in any games. He ghosted in and out completely unnoticed, leaving only the package and its contents as evidence of his fleeting presence.

Benjamin Piers

Date: 2015-03-31 15:37 EST
Benjamin showed up with a smile and comfortable in a loose and colorful shirt and jeans.

He's all for the tinkle in the pot game, too. And the goodies.

Last autumn, he and Lirenel hunted deer and over the winter, he made two buntings of the soft doe hides....

http://i.imgur.com/qnsgoem.jpg (12 month old size)

http://i.imgur.com/8HGSvcc.jpg (baby sized)

And added two baby wraps from his parents.

http://i.imgur.com/klVVy0o.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/AJaycCW.jpg

Though for much of the party, he'd cheerfully help entertain Jack, feeding the old Crow booze and meat.

The Redneck

Date: 2015-03-31 17:02 EST
https://img0.etsystatic.com/013/0/8146993/il_570xN.464147464_syl8.jpg https://www.etsy.com/listing/152206075/rainbow-cloud-baby-mobile-crib-mobile'ref=market

https://img0.etsystatic.com/038/0/7852987/il_570xN.586526586_hbnl.jpg https://www.etsy.com/listing/185414983/native-american-beaded-baby-moccasins-in'ref=shop_home_active_24

https://img1.etsystatic.com/010/0/6861026/il_570xN.452508755_2u4i.jpg https://www.etsy.com/listing/130359874/lavender-bird-mobile-crib-mobile-teen'ref=market

https://img1.etsystatic.com/028/0/5913633/il_570xN.609558047_3lty.jpg https://www.etsy.com/listing/191521796/baby-girl-purple-light-pink-large'ref=market

https://img0.etsystatic.com/027/0/7173627/il_570xN.657505844_puvq.jpg https://www.etsy.com/listing/179042927/spring-plaid-bunny-blanket-security'ref=shop_home_active_11

The redneck was there, dressed in an ankle skimming skirt that spun and flowed when she moved. Facilitating the games, making sure Gem had scraps of wrapping from each gift, with the name of the giver written on the back for thank you notes later. Double, and triple checking the food and drinks to make sure there were enough.

Laughing and smiling, snagging people here and there for a quick, impromptu dance now and then, Thorn wasn't still for long. Diligent in her duties as host, but far from stiff or aloof. She'd chat with anyone who wished to chat, and just, enjoy herself throughout the evening.

She'd probably help Ben distract Jack if need be, steal Des for a dance or three, Jackie too, and fend off any and all attempts Pharlen might make at convincing Thorn to get knocked up herself.

Lucy Mitford

Date: 2015-03-31 17:18 EST
Lucy was there to participate in the festivities. She was wearing gray slacks and a cream sweater, with comfortable pale pink ballet flats. Her makeup was very light in blush tones, and she wore her hair in a loose French braid.

She brought two gifts:

https://78.media.tumblr.com/31d13c605ba23656cc04b6e338209e43/tumblr_p6uskzmE151xpr2cyo1_400.jpg

One gift for baby, and one gift for Gem.

https://78.media.tumblr.com/e23e2fd6c13b73d0059ffc4357f13689/tumblr_p6uskzmE151xpr2cyo2_400.jpg

Lucy was in good spirits throughout the event, happy to make quiet conversation with whomever she knew, and happy to make new acquaintance with those she didn't. She participated in the games, though gently declined the two that were timed. She mostly kept away from the desserts, but she was sipping from a glass of the strawberry lemonade green tea through most of the evening.

Beautiful Joy

Date: 2015-03-31 17:50 EST
Every party of this kind needed a moody teenager who didn't want to be there. Joy, aka Princess — she hated that name — was let out of the tower she was unfairly! imprisoned in to attend the party. She wore a creamsicle-colored, sleeveless dress and matching flats. She wore her hair in short, loose curls. She was very polite and did not try to escape. How could she with her father and Benjamin there?

She played the games and had more fun than she thought she would. She mostly hung out with Jackie and Des. She loved the sweets a little too much. She brought with her a few hand made by her gifts for her baby sister.

A bunny. http://i.imgur.com/VGbEACE.jpg

Bunny slippers. http://i.imgur.com/VUlRw8Q.jpg

A Spring dress. http://i.imgur.com/AVYGKZq.jpg

A cute jumper. http://i.imgur.com/9NzGjTi.jpg

Something strawberry. http://i.imgur.com/SIqO0kM.jpg

Luna Eva

Date: 2015-03-31 19:23 EST
Unfortunately, Eva and Mason were unable to attend the party due to work obligations. However, they sent this gift for Gem's baby:

http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/E6dey9xlmjRzkGyO3tQxxg/cid/154163124/id/TkJCfPzX5BGpY75dXi33Qg/size/c600x513.jpg

Lirenel

Date: 2015-03-31 20:54 EST
Though not at the shower, the following pictures were attached to the gift showing that this awaited Gem's baby at Lirenel's brownstone, for visits: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/04/88/9f/04889fcceb4ad1d19c0d6f013731bccc.jpg

and this: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/bc/c6/58/bcc6588e59c44cc03bbe3f2614a0a906.jpg

Nicely wrapped, she'll find this for the baby:http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71drfXxQz3L._SX355_.jpg with a card, in burgundy script on cream-colored paper—

Anything you need, darling, you let me know. Love, Lir

Jack Scot

Date: 2015-03-31 20:59 EST
The Fae with a million names kept to himself, or as much to himself as Benjamin and Thorn and Gem would allow, in a corner. The party was entirely too pink for the ribbon man.

Perched in a comfy chair, he shared a quiet word with Lucy Mitford that brought a genuine smile to his razor sharp face. He watched the goings on, ate what Benjamin brought him and played no games. He wasn't allowed, but he did give Desdenova all the pins he'd appropriated. He liked the lad and thought he should win.

What he gave Gem and their baby was private.

Serah Farron

Date: 2015-03-31 21:19 EST
http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/PDOphPK3ABBidpT06MEEg/cid/154175635/id/wA68kw7Y5BGeAMiEJh98cQ/size/c600x273.jpg

Katt Batten

Date: 2015-03-31 21:31 EST
http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/DV464ERxslbNFiEkoDPN9A/cid/154173415/id/ahDkVAvY5BGaZ5vdmyklpg/size/c600x399.jpg

Though Katt may/may not be present for the party she is gunna make sure that the gifts arrive promptly. A hand carved dresser and wooden storage chest, and a wooden bank. Inside the storage are two fluffy stuffed bears and a crocheted blanket (no Katt doesn't crochet!). Inside one of the dresser drawers is a spun-glass trinket box (with a handful of jewels inside) and a wooden bank (with 1000 platinum coins already inside). A note comes with the gifts:

Congrats Gem! The wooden bank is for the child to open when he/she is of the age of 10. The trinket box and gems are for you because I know you like shiny things and maybe they can help things along. When the baby is born and you have a name I will engrave said name into the storage chest for you.

Happy wishes from my family to yours,

Katt

Mach

Date: 2015-03-31 22:13 EST
Had Mach ever met the woman having a baby shower which everyone was buzzing about' Did the man really need to have a good reason to celebrate, particularly the coming of life?

Left beneath a few of the more niftier gifts would be a simply wrapped book:

http://prepfoleo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/13966702511aec5.jpg

The tag on the gift stated simply:

Gem,

May this joy of yours grow up to be mighty and kind, curious and joyful, and a light upon your life and others.

Or at very least may they not burn your house down playing with gum wrappers and electrical sockets while you sleep!

Good Luck and Best Wishes,

~Eli

Yep, signed with a name no one would associate with him and everything, because who'd really expect the compulsive drinker, gambler, and womanizer to give an expectant mother a book! Nope, that would just be too much against his style.

BardGallant

Date: 2015-03-31 23:24 EST
Dris showed up! He loves babies and reasons to party! So he was there and involved in everything. All the games and such. He also brought a gift for Gem's baby!

http://www.giftsonline.net/catalog/images/dolce-vita-reuge.jpg

This gorgeous Reuge music box features a floral inlay adorning the lid. Made of burl walnut and stores four of the five cylinders in a drawer that slides out from the bottom, playing 15 melodies (three on each cylinder). The perfect gift for any occasion for that special someone in your life!*

This music box contains all 5 cylinders, upon which are the following tunes.

Cylinder 1: The Blue Danube by J. Strauss LeGendes de la Foret Viennoise by J. Strauss La Vie d'Artiste by J. Strauss

Cylinder 2: Carmen by G. Bizet Rigoletto by G. Verdi La Traviata by G. Verdi

Cylinder 3: The Magic Flute (Der Vogelfanger) by W. A. Mozart Andante - Sonate A-Dur by W. A. Mozart The Magic Flute (Glockenspiel) by W. A. Mozart

Cylinder 4: Vor Fremden Landern Und Menschen by F. Schubert La Truite by F. Schubert Der Lindenbaum by F. Schubert

Cylinder 5: La Belle au Bois Dormant by P. I. Tchaikovsky March of the Toy Soldiers by P. I. Tchaikovsky Waltz of the Flowers by P. I. Tchaikovsky

(( From http://www.giftsonline.net/catalog/Reuge_Music_Boxes_Page_1.html. Got as many links to music box mp3s as I could find for these from Music Box Attic. ))

The Redneck

Date: 2015-04-01 13:36 EST
(Leaving this open until tomorrow morning. The first round of icons has been ordered and are awaiting approval.)

Rena A Cronin

Date: 2015-04-01 17:14 EST
Every child needs a bookcase/toy chest and a collection of Dr. Suess.

http://www.sunburynursery.com.au/images-products/E_sf61.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512350QJY9L.jpg

Gemethyst

Date: 2015-04-04 16:57 EST
(OOC:My apologies, folks, for not being here on the day of the shower. I've been sick and on meds and am finally getting better. Thanks for the efforts of all, especially Thorn, and for the lovely gifts!)

Getting herself anywhere at this late stage of her pregnancy was a process. She arrived with her belly leading the way, and perhaps just the tiniest bit of huffing and puffing to be heard coming from her. Big baby onboard! She was in one of her flowing medieval gowns (all that would fit these days!), and she was hungry. Soon enough the gracious and inventive Thorn had her installed in a padded and comfy chair, and she had a plate of delightful goodies plus frabjous drink in hand.

It took her awhile to take in the splendor of the decorations and the artful design of everything. She just let her eyes feast on the presentation Thorn had worked so hard on as she tried to relax in the chair. It was so beautiful! The people there she smiled and greeted with warmth and affection. At one point she murmured her heartfelt thanks to Thorn for going to so much trouble.

It was enormously fun watching the games. Socks went flying as folks tried to count them in under a minute, and she was sure she would need a pot to tinkle in herself at the laughing she did when that particular game had people waddling with the quarter between their knees! It was hilarious, and her face showed her enjoyment. She clapped for the winners and for the losers as well, laughing all the time.

As prizes were given out, she was again overwhelmed at the care and thought that Thorn had put into everything, each aspect of the shower so well-crafted and considered. Thorn had thought of everything and done it all up so beautifully! The thief's gratitude and enjoyment were clear to see in her eyes.

Then she sat back and opened the presents. Gem looked with awe and delight on the many items of such cuteness and cleverness that had been given, laughing and caressing her belly now and then. "Oh, just you wait, baby, you are going to look so adorable in that outfit!" could be heard coming from her as she opened gifts.

The mermaid outfit had her oohing and ahhing. "This is so perfect, I can't wait to put her in this, Pharlen! Thank you!" The day bed was going to make life easier for her, certainly! As she laid the items aside to open another gift it might be noted that her fingers kept straying to stroke the lovely, soft fabric of the crocheted gifts.

The unique child's rocking chair/baby cradle from Jackie brought more oohing and ahhing. "I can so totally see her playing on this. Thank you so much!" And if there was a hint of terror in her widened eyes at the threat"er"promise of babysitting from Jackie, well, perhaps it would be mistaken for delight in the gift of the cradle-chair!

Gem tried to capture Desdenova long enough to plant a kiss on his cheek for the colorful and very practical diapers and covers. The kid wormed free almost before she could get hold of him, and she laughed as he darted around, another cupcake disappearing magically as he sped by that table.

Gemethyst

Date: 2015-04-04 16:59 EST
When she unwrapped the gift from Salvador she paused for several moments after reading the note that came with it. She was truly touched and overwhelmed that Faye would go to so much trouble for her, and she was warmed by the knowledge that Sal had made something for her and Jack's bairn, as well. She looked a little misty-eyed for some minutes, stroking the blanket and holding the rattle in her hand. Both of those items stayed on her lap throughout the rest of the party.

Her fingers trailed over the fine, soft doe-hide of Ben's gifts, the texture buttersoft. Nothing was like doeskin for softness! She lifted one of the buntings to rub against her cheek and gave Ben a bright-eyed smile of delight. "Oh, this is gorgeous, Ben, just gorgeous. Thank you!" The baby wraps were smiled over and folded carefully, and the clever wrap that was also an outside cover was appreciated.

Gem gasped when she saw the lovely, delicate, and intricately crafted and beaded moccasins from Thorn. "Oh, these are so utterly adorable!! I hope she can wear them for a long time!" Putting her fingers in them, she pranced the baby shoes along the table and grinned in delight. "So gorgeous! Thank you, Thorn!" The two mobiles were perfect. "It is fitting that Jack's bairn have birds and symbols of the air to gaze upon. " Besides, they were beautiful, too! The little elephant and the plaid bunny and blanket were stroked and enjoyed, soft hands packing them carefully in the pile of opened gifts. "So many wonderful gifts for you, my daughter. I cannot thank everyone enough." This murmured towards her belly.

The layette set for baby and the gift set for herself from Lucy sent her into raptures, a laugh leaving her. "I will need pampering after delivery! " She put the gift set with the spa day card from Pharlen aside in a special pile. Mom's had a hard job! Sleepless nights yawned before her, not that she minded. It was wonderful to have something she could do to give herself a break.

Beautiful Joy's contributions amazed her, for she didn't think that damsel had much use for Gem, as a general rule. But it warmed her heart that she'd crocheted such lovely things for her future half-sister. The bunny was hugged and the daisy dress in particular stroked and enjoyed. All of the items were wonderful, of course, and carefully folded into the growing gift pile. A smile lingered on her lips at the knowledge that Joy had done this.

The thief smiled in delight at the gift from Eva and Mason, the purple dragon petted and appreciated before being set beside her elbow to guard the pile of gifts, and the lovely blanket propped against a box so it could be seen and enjoyed.

Gem blinked and stared for long seconds at the glorious cribs that Lirenel had sent pictures of, the toy sure to provide synaptic stimulation to her bairn's baby was stroked while she oohed and ahhed at the beautiful carvings of the cribs. Her bairn was sure to pick up Viking vibes! This might be a good thing!

Somewhere in there, and now and again, Gem sent smiles and warm looks over to the hiding Jack when she could espy him. She had yet to receive his gift. It would be interesting, she was quite sure.

Gemethyst

Date: 2015-04-04 17:00 EST
The gift certificate from Claire she grinned over and promptly began planning a shopping trip for! It was carefully put into the pile with the gift set and spa coupon.

The furniture set from Katt was inspected and appreciated, the gift of the bank bringing a delighted smile. Something for the future was always a boon. She could add to it, herself, as the years went along. The gems were grinned over and petted for a bit before she moved on to the next gifting.

The gift that surprised her the most was the one from Eli. She blinked over the note, a pleased smile then curving her mouth, and the book was thumbed through with slow, careful fingers. "I can't wait to read this to my bairn." Eli was a puzzle"but a very nice one.

Once again the elf got rather misty eyed as she took in the beauty and thoughtfulness of Dris" gift to the child. Not only was it the most beautiful music box she had seen in 136 years of life, but it had such lovely music inside it. She shook her head in awe and delight, silenced before it. Her fingers stroked the satin-soft finish of the wood, traced the whorls and gently lifted the heavy cylinders with reverent care. Finally a long breath left her and she just smiled in absolute delight.

The final gift she received with a wide smile and eager hands, looking at and holding the books, examining them with care. She felt sure that the bookcase/toybox would blend beautifully with the furnishings that Katt had given, and so the bairn was going to have a really wonderful room to grow up in. "I can see myself rocking and reading to my girl. This is all so amazing."

Gem's eyes sought out everyone's gaze at the end of the shower, and she gave them all a warm, loving smile. "Thank you all so very much. Your generosity and kindness are so very much appreciated. Mere words cannot convey the depth of my gratitude nor the strength of my affection for you all." She paused to take a breathe and then went on. "In particular, I want to thank Thorn for giving us a shower, and for taking the time and effort to put it all together so very beautifully. I don't think anyone has ever had a better shower. Indeed, they would be hard pressed to find one to equal it. " She began to clap in warm applause for Thorn, her look and gestures inviting the others to applaud the blonde woman, as well. As the sound of the clapping grew, she smiled again at Thorn and gave her a little bow of respect and gratitude, before toppling back in her chair and giving a little groan.

The bairn chose that moment to kick something firmly. "Oof!" She held up a hand at the alarmed expressions her groan brought and shook her head. "No, no, I'm not in labor yet. The bairn just wanted to remind me who is in charge at the moment." Her grin was wide and warm as she took in her friends and the lovely setting. As things wrapped up she slipped a note to Thorn before being taken home.