" Sorry…" the redhead whined, like a puppy that's just been shamed before moving towards the bar where Jade and Freddie were.The former web show hos...t shrugged, trying to keep calm and a level head so she didn't go off the deep end like Cat, but that was no easy task. After a couple minutes of looking around the room for something or someone to focus on, she settled on her ever cheerful niece."Hey sweetie," she said, sitting down next to the 4 year old who was just absent-mindedly swinging her. " I guess I have to let you go then," I said."It won't always be like that. I need to get her to understand some things." She probably understands more things than you think, baby," I said. I was going to tell her more but thought the better of it. "If she's in love with Laci, then she knows what you're feeling..." I think so, but still, she's been very protective of me. And I can't just all of a sudden spend the night over here. How'd you say it? "In due time?" Then in due time."We spend. I have been dreaming about you for the last year and a half. NO, these are not erotic or sex dreams; I reserve that time with you for my daydreams! Wow, in those you are incredibly naughty!I wake hearing the sound of your voice calling my name and of course you are not here. I have been trying to rationalize the reason for these dreams and can only conclude that I need to tell you something while I still can, and this is the only way I can do it, I'm way up here in Missouri and you are still in. Ardt made his way back to the forge and a voice from below called up to him. “What news?”“I expect it’s begun,” Ardt said gravely. “I couldn’t actually make out anything but there’s a cloud of dust surrounding the town hall.”Yren, frowning, looked over at Ardt from inside the shop. Ardt could see the look of worry on his adopted son’s face and nodded in recognition. Teran was there.“She’ll be okay, son,” Ardt called, nodding to the young man. He walked over to Yren and placed a companionable.