e,
though. Or wanting us to be part of your family."

"No thanks necessary." Cortin gestured at the children, who were
eagerly devouring milk and gingerbread. "They, and the child Sis is
carrying, are the reason for families--or Families." She smiled. "I
think I'm going to like being Gramma Joan. I gather you intend to
accept their proposal, then."

"Yes--though I'm not at all sure about taking part in group sex."

Cortin raised an eyebrow. "You don't have to if you don't want to;
Dave must have told you that. And who knows, you may get to like it."

"From Dave and Tiny's descriptions, I may; I'll try, at least."

"I think that's my cue," Odeon said. He bowed to Betty, extending his
hands. "Elizabeth, would you do us the great honor of becoming our
wife?"

"I would be delighted." Betty took his hands and kissed him, repeated
the gesture with the rest of her spouses-to-be. "When?"

"That," Odeon said firmly, "is the bride's prerogative. Privately, at
least; publicly, not for at least ten days."

"As soon as possible, then, once the children finish." Betty looked
around, defensively. "Pete taught me never to put off anything
important, and this is."

"He was absolutely right," Odeon agreed. A trooper's life was too
risky to procrastinate; if you did, you were like as not to get killed
before you did what you'd been putting off. That didn't mean rushing
into things--but once you thought something through and made your
decision, you did it--even if the decision was to wait. "We've all had
the same training," he told her. "When the children are done, then."

Betty smiled at him. "Thanks--civilians think I'm being impatient, or
even impetuous, when it's not that at all."

* * * * *

The children were upset at first about not being allowed on the
"grown-up" floor except for meals, but got over that quickly when they
were shown their floor. And Betty was pleased with her room, though
she said it would take her a while to get used to the luxury. And to
the servants, and living next door to the Palace, and-- "Well, right
now I'm just overwhelmed. Even though Dave and Tiny described it all,
that's nothing like actually seeing it." She gestured, taking in the
common-room where they'd finally settled.

"You'll get used to it," Cortin assured her, smiling. "The only part
of Harmony Lodge that isn't luxurious is the dungeon level, but you
won't be going there. And yo