?Dood, you guys are like so friggin? ?Dawson? sooooo ?WB? even. I mean come on, man! Even your blind @ss can see that much. So go find Red and call it a day, Lord Ravenlock!?

The words of Kerri rang true for Brian, when they last spoke that evening before and more so?continued to replay themselves within the man, as he worked his way through the countryside of Southern Rhy?Din.

Despite her constant and somewhat annoying references to famous 1990?s era earthen television, the sentiment conveyed was a rather astute one at that. Now how would a man like Brian Ravenlock actually know this to be fact? Well, it?s due to the fact that to appease Kerri on one given night, Brian actually agreed to watch the earthen TV show ?Dawson?s Creek? in a marathon stretch that spanned the first three or four seasons? straight. Mind you this is an act that Brian would never openly admit to committing on any level. In fact he would sooner admit to many other things, such as the time he had dressed in drag on a dare to procure a bag of muffins that were made by his sister Jadden, and more so the lap dance he had given a particular denizen of the Inn, that same night.

?Those were some damned good muffins??

Dragging and lap dancing aside, Brian did get quite a bit out of watching ?The Dawson? as Kerri affectionately called it.

For starters, Brian learned that Massachusetts hair salons for some strange reason will be open at the butt crack of dawn to cater to teenage school children, who somehow have the actual time to visit said salon and then have their hair washed and then cut, and then get the tips of their hair frosted, before school began no less! Now Brian was hardly an expert in the field of ?hair cuttery? and or frost tipping, but he had been in a few before and knew damned well that it took forever to get stuff done there. So either the salon people were classically trained Ninjas or the Salon itself was part of a temporal vortex in some way?

Brian also learned that there is quite the double standard when a teen boy hits on an older woman in a video store, only to find out she was his own teacher, only to then sleep with her. Apparently it?s okay for a male teen to do this, but it wouldn?t be alright for a female teen? Well in the eyes of male students, at the very least. This led to a mental note, that if Brian and Jenai had a son somehow--- he would not frequent video stores. Especially in Massachusetts towns?

Also learned was the fact that young men and women of a Caucasian nature will get into the most outlandish sh*t you have ever seen when given enough free time? in Massachusetts.

Alright, you know what? Screw that stuff. Massachusetts was a place that would never be visited by the Ravenlock family in any way, shape and or form.

Ever.

However field trips to earthen locals aside, Kerri had a good point. Because Brian had noted a distinct lack of communication between the various characters in the show, especially when it came to matters of the heart. He had given this thought and assumed it had to do with the writing, because if they all had just approached each other from the get go, then the show would not have had half the drama it seemed to require in going forward.

Take the drama requirements away, and that lack of communication portion did strike a nerve with the man. Because that was something he had suffered upon his family for a great deal of time, and in doing so caused a great deal of scenarios that his family and friends could honestly have done without.

And that was something that he and Jenai along with many others within the family had been working on very intently over the last few years. More so, it all seemed to be working.

So why did it feel like something was amiss?

What was Brian missing in all of this?

He understood, that while he and Jenai had been spending a lot more time together than ever before, it was still somewhat limited due to the work load Patriarch and Matriarch had shared between matters of family, state and their chosen professions.

Brian had his newly expanded role within the Watch, coupled with the political side of things such as the Chamber of Commerce, the GAC, the former JRC and assisting Governor Silverblades. This was in addition to his reinstatement within the Avengers as a reserve member, along with a few things here and there.

Jenai had a full plate as well, beginning with her organization the ?CoS?, which was overseeing the reconstruction of the former ?Abbey of Marfa? and its valley, along with outlying villages and farms. In addition to the reconstruction there were the constant patrols that offered protection, and the humanitarian visits and training, offering assistance in a myriad of ways for the populace of the region. There was the assistance her organization offered to the city as well, and constant meetings and workshops political and otherwise. There were preparations in regards to assisting Isuelt and the Scathachian Nation in their efforts to finally see the forces of Bhaal routed in the most definitive of manners, something that Brian was also taking part in from another angle.

In addition to all of these things the Ravenlock husband and wife were parents to a pair of rather--- active, twin girls who were not getting any younger.

Yet with all of this, they had made the time for one another. However, and whenever they could, they did. And it was working quite well.

Yet?

Something was still off?

Brian hadn?t said anything, and neither did Jenai. Kerri was right? they had gone all ?Dawson? it seemed. A shy glance here, and a look away there. A hushed whisper, coupled with a somewhat drifted sigh. The pair seemingly fine, and yet---

?Hmm? Here?s the stream, and there?s?ah there we are. Just over that hill and the cut should be to the west, along the forest edge. Perfect.?

Urging his horse to take the stream slowly, Brian then followed the light trail according to the map and the landmarks he noted first hand. The hill had been cleared, and to the west he went as the camp came into view and more importantly?

His wife.

"What's your fault? Working? Babe, we've been there. Gods know I've spent enough time away, right? This isn't your fault, silly."

She seemed suddenly preoccupied with the flowers. Then just closed her eyes and took in a bit bigger breath before facing him again. "No, it has been me. I have been trying to come up with some way, some plan, some... thing to tell you. But things where never right or they were going so right. You know how it is with us. But I haven't been meaning to hide things or avoid the everyone." She turned almost pleading for him to believe her because she was feeling completely ashamed and silly for being that way.

Well that got a look of pure puzzlement from the man, which was not an easy feat mind you... "Hun, what the hell do you have to hide from me? Or for that matter anyone else? Why would you even think you have to hide anything?"

She didn't think he'd run or cry or anything, but... "Things always seem to happen to us. And I am going to be needing you more than ever. Ever. I can't and won't go through the same pains I did before. As happy as I am, I am also more scared than ever before. No promises, no vows... no oaths." she just looked at him curiously, studying his face and knowing why she fell in love with him every time she saw him.

"We are having a baby Mr Ravenlock."

"............"

* kerblink!*

Somehow, it registered? Well after a good few moments. Softly, he replied to her. "A baby? You and I--- a baby?" He glanced left and right, up and down that stream and then back to her. "A baby?" And emphasize the question he lifted his hands, and kind of offered measurements that were ?baby-ish? in size.

"Like a baby, baby? That kind?" His eyes widened more so at the revelation, the woman he adored like no other had shared with him.

"Of course you and I !" she elbowed him softly. "Yes, a baby, baby. Not a cub, a pup, a hatchling or...." she relaxed visibly. "I just, wanted to make sure and then, I never knew the right time with all the politics and parties and Jewell's return and.... but yes. Another for our family, Yours and Mine."

"H-h-how long--- I mean how far along are you?" He was still somewhat shocked, yet that smile remained ever prevalent.

"Long enough I have had to think about Storm acting in my stead soon. But maybe between three and four months." She squeezed his hand tightly. "I'm so sorry I kept it quiet. When I couldn't fit into my uniform in comfort I was sure you would suspect. I just didn't want you to worry about me when you have the city and... that other 'thing' to worry about. I wanted you sharp and safe."

"Personally I just thought you ate more..."

NO! That was the wrong thing to say dumb@ss, quick saving throw, GO!

"I?m kidding! Don't hit me.... But really babes."

Pulling her to him, his arms wrapped about her body as he kissed her head again, and again. "You are my life, and I will always worry over you... Far more than this city, make no mistake. I've learned a bit over these last few years.. I am a husband and father first, and always.. YOUR husband."

Her eyes had grown the size of tea saucers at that but, not a punch was thrown, only a stifled snort at the eating! But she lost all that. Oh to feel his arms around her... she melted. "Just promise me, no... no promises, just... do it... you can't leave." She curled her arms into his and clung to him. "And you must be safe."

"I'll give you the first, I am not leaving... We'll work on the second... So meet me halfway?"

She untangled from him and touched his cheek. "Alright. Halfway. I love you Brian."

He offered a soft nuzzle of her hand, as he smiled. "I love you too, Jenai. So we better make ready, Mrs. Ravenlock. Another princess for the household."

"Ehhhhh" she made a slight face and a squeaky noise.... "We'll. Khelle's been looking after me during this. But, remember what you asked for on our wedding night?" It's no promise, yet. But she thinks I may just be with son."

"Well it's never a promise with that, and I'll be happy a healthy child that is not a cub and or hatchling. No offense to our dragonkin, or any furry ones out there."

"If I'm having a hatchling, one of us has some very serious explaining to do."

"Probably you.. I am beyond reproach. Everyone knows that, Miles and I were--- helping orphans during all of those?excursions and what not? We were never there."

He nodded matter with a matter of fact, and tried ever so hard to keep a straight face.

"Oh yeah... right. Me." smirking as she leans to him a bit. "The dragons are on YOUR side of the family if I recall."

"Hmm, so they are... Luckily, I don't or we don't reproduce like them. An even more luckily, one does not get pregnant from a dragon goosing. Least, I didn?t thankfully."

"Well," she said facing back to the camp. "Mind helping me pack up and, maybe call it early... take off for the weekend?"

"Now that sounds like a damned good idea.. Also, we telling anyone else about this?"

"Storm knows, Khalle and Gria. So my closest council knows. I didn't want to tell anyone that wasn't important until I told you. Storm and Khelle knew before I told them. And.... by the way, threatened to tell you on more than one occasion."

"I didn't hear a thing? Guess I?ll need to beef up the bribery offers, or have the twins lean on them a bit more... "

He gave a soft pat of her rear as they walked towards the camp. "Another Ravenlock, hmm... A red or a black haired wonder. No blue haired ones, please? Harris has a collection, or so I hear. This is gonna be fun, we'll need a new Moor Cub an a room and some melee weapons and--"

"Who knows... and a cub is fine for the children. But you know I am going to let you tell the girls. I am sure they will ask questions about an extra room being ready."

Back and forth the pair went, as they neared the camp. The joy in their words, and demeanor quite evident to all who were present, even if they did not share it openly with the gathered. Concerns still made themselves very obvious to Brian, as he helped Jenai within the camp.

Concerns such as the Temple of Bhaal, and the subject Brian had encountered within the warehouse. The arrival of the young man called Rafe Hellfire, who was the son of Jacyn Ravenlock, and Desire Hellfire.

All things in time however?

Right now there was much to celebrate, and be thankful for.

So very much.