"Adrian." Lucina sighed as she buried her face in his shoulder for a moment. "I've already dealt with Kaylynn today." She said softly, wincing once at the memory. "Can we please save any drama with your sister until tomorrow?" She asked quietly.

Adrian nodded reluctantly as he caved and let her have her way, "Aye, if tha's wha' ye wish. Bu' does tha' mean I can' kiss ye anymore 'til she finds out? 'n' wha' abou' Mum, will ye a' least tell 'er if I take Lori out t' do chores with me?"

"Yes, I'll tell Shinorah." Lucina said, figuring it best to compromise when all she wished to do was fall asleep. "But then I'm going to bed. Will you give me a kiss goodnight?" She asked with a coy grin as she reached up to give his neck a soft kiss.

Leaning her back against the tree in case Lori was home, since they were now near the cottage, Adrian smiled as he placed a long, tender kiss upon her lips, savoring each moment for it would be the last time until they told Lori of their engagement. After a couple more kisses, Adrian smiled as he rested her forehead against her's, "Ye sure we can' tell Lori? I'm no' so sure I can act like I don' love ye completely 'til we tell 'er," Adrian added with a laugh and another kiss.

Lucina had to bite her lip to keep away the silly grin she had as she gave Adrian a few kisses of her own. "First thing tomorrow morning." She said as she leaned into him. "I promise." She murmured against his lips before giving him a long kiss.

Returning her kiss, Adrian smiled as he rested his forehead against hers, "D' ye want me t' go out late fer chores so I'm there t' keep 'er in check?"

"I want you to be there when we tell her." Lucina said, feeling a little selfish for wanting Adrian to be there for her when she told Lori about their engagement. Lucina pulled their walk to a stop feet before they reached the door and pressed Adrian against the wall of the house. "We can tell her over breakfast." Lucina offered as she snaked her arms around his neck to give him a long kiss before they went into the house.

"Adrian? Lucina? Is tha' you?" Shinorah called from the living room, "Th' stew was delicious. Thank ye fer makin' dinner. Did ye 'ave any trouble makin' it?"

Sneaking in a tender kiss upon Lucina's lips, Adrian whispered softly in agreement, "T'morrow a' breakfas'." Heading into the living room, Adrian saw Lori and Shinorah darning and knitting beside the fireplace. Smiling at the scene, Adrian walked over and gave each of them a kiss upon the cheek before sitting lazily upon the couch, "Nah. Lu did most o' the work. I jus' did th' choppin'," Adrian said with a smile, "Th' animals still need tendin'?"

Lori shook her head as she responded shortly, "No. I did it when I came home so you wouldn't have to."

"Thank ye Lori, I appreciate it," Adrian said warmly with a smile.

A simple nod of the head was her only response, her eyes never leaving her work.

Lucina forced on a small smile as she settled into a nearby chair and gazed into the fire, wishing that Lori would leave so that she could share their news with Shinorah. Lucina twirled the ring around her finger slowly, trying to keep it out of sight.

"Well, my dear, i' seems it's you t' whom we owe th' 'thanks' 'n' th' compliments fer dinner," said Shinorah with a smile at Lucina, noticing her look of anxiety, "Lori, love, can ye go change th' sheets on me bed? I fergot t' change them 'fore we left."

"Yes, mum," said Lori as she as she set down her darning and quickly excused herself from the room to complete the task.

"Now. You two 'ave some news t' tell, am I righ'?" Shinorah said sigh a knowing grin, though she never looked at the couple upon the couch as she continued her knitting.

Lucina blushed as an excited smile crossed her lips. "How'd you know?" She asked softly as she looked over at the couch and gave Adrian a small smile.

"Yer hidin' sumthin' while fiddlin' with yer finger, love, 'n' th' ring me husband left t' Adrian is missin'," Shinorah said with a wink, "I suspect ye'll be tellin' Lori yerselves?"

"Aye, t'morrow a' breakfast," Adrian said with a smile as he took Lucina's hand and gave it a tender, reassuring squeeze.

Shinorah nodded with a warm smile, "Congratulations, my dears. I look forward t' makin' ye officially part o' th' fam'ly Lucina. When's th' date?"

"We haven't set one yet." Lucina smiled as she linked her fingers with Adrian. "But thank you, Shinorah. It means alot to me that you're willing to accept me into your family." She said politely, putting thoughts of Lori out of her mind until tomorrow.

Shinorah smiled a warm smile as she spoke, "O' course, love! It's just Lori we'll 'ave t' worry abou'. But don' worry, love, she'll come 'round in time. Just don' pay 'er any mind."

Adrian smiled as he took his opportunity to place a long, tender kiss upon Lucina's lips before he teased, "I told ye it'd be fine."

Lucina smiled against Adrian's lips before giving him another small kiss. "Its a beautiful ring." Lucina said as she held out her left hand to admire her engagement ring.

"Who's engaged?" Lori asked as she entered the room, "Mother, I've finished yer-what 're ye doin' with Da's ring. Mum, why is she wearin' Da's ring? Adrian, ye haven't proposed t' 'er, 'ave ye? Oh Adrian, how could ye!" Lori demanded as her eyes filled with tears. Not bothering to wait for an explanation, Lori ran from the house and into the woods towards the river.

Adrian sighed as he looked at his mother, who only nodded. Standing, Adrian placed a long, tender kiss upon Lucina's lips, "D' ye want t' come with me, love?"

"Should I?" Lucina asked softly, looking wide eyed up at Adrian. "Will it help any, I mean?" She asked.

"May keep 'er from bein' thrown in th' river 'til she cools down 'n' apologizes," said Adrian with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Don' ye dare try, Adrian Sarlin. Ye'll be sleepin' in th' barn if ye do," warned Shinorah sternly as she continued her knitting, "She may deserve it, but I don' need 'er catchin' a cold on account o' her temper. Walk slow, give 'er time t' cool off. Ye know she doesn' mean anythin' by it. It's jus' a shock, is all."

"Yer call, love. If ye' rather not, I understan'," Adrian said with a warm smile before placing a tender kiss upon her forehead.

"I'd rather stay here." Lucina admitted. She felt her stomach twist slightly into knots as she thought of facing Lori in such a temper. Lucina wanted to throw her in the river herself for stealing her moment of telling Shinorah of their engagement.

Adrian nodded as he placed a tender kiss upon her lips. "Wish me luck," he teased with a wink and a light kiss before heading out after Lori, taking his time as his mother had advised.

"Don't worry, love. Everythin'll be fine. Now, tell me abou' 'ow proposed," Shinorah said with a smile and a wink as she set aside her knitting and gave Lucina her full attention.

"We were at the festival." Lucina smiled happily, relieved for the change of subject as she turned back to Shinorah. "We got lemonade and he'd just won me a fish. We were sitting on the fountain in the city while we waited for the fire breathers." She explained, feeling suddenly giddy. "And he proposed." She smiled happily, leaving out the part about the tension of her possible leave in a year.

Shinorah laughed as she leaned back in her chair, "Sounds like sumthin' Adrian'd do. Bu' wha' about yer leave in a year? Are ye goin' t' write t' those expectin' ye 'n' tell 'em ye've decided t' stay?"

"Something like that." Lucina frowned, looking away. "But I'll take care of that when the time comes." She said, pushing the thought away. "I just want to focus on the wedding for now." She said as she began to twirl the finger again.

Shinorah, taking the hint, simply nodded as she inquired gently, "Have ye put any thought into what ye would like, love? Decorations, th' dress, th' cake - I'd be more than 'appy t' make it all if ye want t' draw out a few designs?"

"I haven't thought about much of anything except the 'I do's'." Lucina admitted with a small laugh. "As long as I get to marry him that's all that I'm concerned about." She said, wanting only to focus on being able to call herself Adrian's wife.