Hushed Willows and they raise a toast of bulleit rye

Reverie almost started to shush her when she apologized, but then Reina went on, and she went still. It dawned on her almost immediately that Boone was the source of this panic, and of course she understood trauma, how it could take hold of you with an iron grip, but —

Boone is my husband, She said softly, as gently as she could. And one of the best people I've met. Her favorite out of all of them, if she was honest, and she wouldn't let anyone treat him this way. It wasn't Reina’s fault that she was frightened, but didn't she understand that Boone had feelings too? Reverie cast a brief sympathetic glance his way before she continued. He would never hurt you - and if anyone tried, he would be the first to protect you.

Another soft touch to Reina’s shoulder, and Reverie went on; If you need some time alone, you can go to the lake just over that way. It's quiet there, But now Boone was carrying on with the meeting, and Reverie went quiet again. If Reina stayed she would remain by her side, hoping to be a soothing presence, but her eyes were for her husband now. He was undeniably good at this — much better than Reverie could ever hope to be.

And when he started to speak of her, a blush crept over her ears and down her cheeks, and then across her whole body. She smiled shyly back at him, only him; for a moment none of the others existed at all. The only acknowledgement she needed was his. Her eyes said all that she could not: that her efforts toward creating a home were for him, for their family, for the promise of their future together. More than anything Reverie wanted to see him surrounded by love. His smile; she lived for that.

After a moment her gaze shifted to those who had gathered, each of them in turn: Mae, Wayfarer, Reina, Kyrell. Her eyes were full of affection and gratitude. And you're all just as important, too. Thank you - for being a part of this. For making this dream of home into reality.