It's been a while (Henri) - Henri's Penthouse

*knock knock*

The door was answered in it's usual way of opening with no one visibly doing so.

Ren slipped into the penthouse, a bottle of wine in her right hand. "Evening, Henri."

She smiled as the woman entered.

"Come, sit. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." Some of the tension drained out of her as she approached. With a warm smile she offered the bottle to her Elder.

The bottle was removed from her hands by the incorporeal Doc as Henri pulled her into a tight hug.

"You do this again, I'm going to have to hurt you."

The hug felt so very good. Where she'd been, hugs had been in short supply. "I promise to at least tell you if I have to leave again." She really hoped it wouldn't come to that.

She nodded and kissed the top of her head.

"Good. Now, you seemed nervous. Were you expecting a different kind of reunion?"

Nope, hadn't let go of her yet.

(bumpies?)

She smiled and drew the girl to the couch.

"You had your reasons. That's all I need to know. You're still my little girl."

((sorry, got lost.))

(I did too. Was doing end of month clean up and went OOPS! lol)

She gave the other woman a tight squeeze. "It's good to be home." It was home now.

She smiled, not letting the girl go until she wanted to be released. She cradled her against her as they sat on the couch, resting her cheek on the girl's head.

"How was your trip."

She seemed quite content to stay cuddled up with Henri. "It was good. Seeing my family was nice, even if it was only for a short time."

"Travel was good. Mat and I used to move around a lot, I'd always thought I hated it. I guess I got used to it because I realized I actually missed it."

She nodded.

"Travel can be good, as long as you have a home to come back to. And you are always welcome here. I haven't touched your room. It's exactly as you left it."

She smiled at the thought of the big comfy bed with the fluffy comforter and the soft pillows that always tried to swallow her up. "Thank you." More of her tension slipped away.

"How have you been?"

She smiled.

"I have been well. I've had more company than usual. With the Carnival coming, I have invited the Wraiths to live here for a while."

She glanced around the room, not really expecting to see anything, but still...she had to try. "Anything I should know so I don't step on any wraith toes?"

She chuckled.

"They're all downstairs, dear. But no, there's nothing you need to know to not step on toes."

"I try not to upset the other supernaturals." She laughed.

"How are things with the Family? Last meeting I was at, we seemed pretty divided..."

"Chase is still an idiot, but we're closer than we were."

"That's good to hear." She hesitated a bit. "There's some...tension between me and Charlie. I don't know how bad it is, and I don't want anyone else involved. I just...I wanted to make sure you and Jim were aware."

She frowned.

"What sort of problem?"

"He thinks I was trying to get leverage over him. I wasn't...but it came across that way. He doesn't trust any of us. You or me or Jim. Not that I blame him."

"Back up. Start over. From the beginning, please."