***Author's Note***

Hey :)

This is just a chapter of dabbles to show that time is moving on as we work our way into Act 3.

Next chapter is when the story kicks of again. I have plans :]

-Sophus xx

Chapter 26

Sarah and Sophie stood at the stove. Orana had a day off and so the sisters decided they would try their hands at cooking. Sarah was great at cakes but for real sustenance both really needed to practice. Well, Sophie practiced and Sarah baked cakes.

Said cakes resulted in the estate being filled with their friends. Most waited patiently, however there were those with a certain sweet tooth who tried desperately to get at them while they were still hot.

Sarah and Sophie hummed to themselves as they waited for the first attack. "Who do you think will try first?"

"Brother...and Levi." Sarah wished that her friends and family would stop trying to teach her barely walking son the finer points of stealing.

Sure enough the door to the kitchen swung open slightly, a tan hand held it open. Oh, so Fenris wants to try his luck too? A murmur and a chuckle from their brother and then little Levi waddled into the room.

His blonde hair brushed his shoulders as he swayed over to his mother and auntie. Bright blue eyes blinking happily at them. "Mummy..." He held his arms out to her and Sarah couldn't resist picking him up and holding him close. Sophie brushed his hair back and let him lick a bit of chocolate from her finger. From the corner of her eye she saw a shadow slink into the room. Isabela...

Levi laughed and tried to reach for a fresh muffin. "No Levi! They're using you, nasty aunties and uncles!" A rich laugh echoed from the corner of the room. The door swung open again and shut just as quick. Next thing she knew, Sophie was lifted from the ground and carried to the corner, where she was held back by Isabela. The line of the defense for the cakes was down now and with Sarah distracted by her son they had no chance.

Sarah backed away as Fenris stalked toward the stove. A smirk on his face as he lifted the tray up and out of reach. Hawke burst into the room laughing and Fenris threw the tray at him, which he caught readily. Isabela laughed and pushed Sophie away as the three fled the room, cheers erupting at their victory.

Sarah huffed, "Fucking every time, man."

"We need better defences..."

Hawke gathered the gifts he had bought everyone for Satinalia and descended the stairs to join his friends and family around the grand fire-place. It was times like these he lived for.

Sarah and Anders were exchanging gifts that they had gotten each other. A silver and sapphire necklace from him to her and black feathered pauldrons from her to him.

Levi was sat in Fenris' lap with Sophie, receiving a short sword from the two who were receiving disapproving looks from Aveline.

Merrill was giving a miniature carved bow to Sebastian and Isabela was giving Varric a special brand of fire whiskey from Rivain.

The smile on his face could not be held back as he watched them all laughing and tearing open brown paper wrappers.

Orana, Bodahn and Sandal walked up to him, a large package held between them.

"Messere, we wish to thank you for your kindness these past years."

"So we saved and got you this."

"Enchantment!"

Hawke put his gifts on the floor to make room for theirs. It was boxed and when he shook it, it rustled. He smiled at the three and began to unwrap it. Inside was a deep red and black tunic with leather leggings to go with it. He picked it up and marveled at the softness of the material. Magic radiated from it as runes shone out of the weaving, runes of protection and fortitude. Tears welled up in his eyes.

"Master! We have displeased you!" Orana's hands flew to her mouth.

"No! No, you haven't..." He took a breath and looked at his servants. "...It's beautiful. Thank you." He put the gift down and enveloped them into a crushing hug. "Thank you."

Anders smiled as he watched his son be bathed by Sarah. She combed his hair out and scrubbed his chocolate covered face.
"I need to tell Sophie and Fenris to stop feeding him chocolate..." She mumbled as Levi squirmed under his mothers sponge. Anders frowned at the thought of the elf spending time with Levi, but with his time spent at the clinic and on jobs with Hawke and Sarah he didn't have much option. At least Sophie seems to love him.

"Daddy!" He looked at his son now wrapped in a fluffy blue towel.

"Yes?"

"Up, up, up!" He threw his arms around Anders' neck. Sarah giggled and got to drying Levi of whilst he was sat snug on his fathers hip.

"I think it's time for a story and then bed." Both Anders and Levi smiled at the most important woman in their life, nodding enthusiastically. They settled down on Levi's bed that was on the other side of Sarah's bedroom. Anders tucked the boy in carefully, handing him a soft toy for him to hold in his sleep. And then Sarah began her story. "When cousin Riordan completed his Harrowing he was recruited into the Grey Wardens-"

"Mummy...What's a Hawoing?"

"It's what a mage must do in the Circle to prove themselves-"

"Am I a mage?"

Anders grimaced, his son had not shown any hint that he would be a mage. However, he was young and there was still a chance.

"Silence mage! You have no idea what is was like to be a slave! At least got to choose when to eat and sleep!" Fenris was growling in Anders face.

"Be quiet dog! You know nothing of being a mage! The constant threat of death or tranquility looming over us!" Anders was screaming back at him.

The group stood around them, not knowing how to break the fight up. Both men were glowing blue as they both fought for control. Hawke and Sarah had carried Levi away to watch a heard of Halla over the rise, and to get away from the arguing men.

Isabela was trying to calmly stop the argument and she was failing miserably. "Boys! Boys, don't fight over me!" Sebastian rolled his eyes and took Merrill's hand, walking over to where Sarah and Hawke were watching Halla with Levi.

Varric dragged Isabela away leaving Sophie to calm the two down.

Sophie looked around at her friends, her brother looked over and gave her a sheepish smile and a thumbs up. Yeeaahh...leave the smallest to deal with the nut cases, thanks. She looked at her lover and Anders, both were about five seconds to resorting to their various talents to inflict pain on the other. Taking a deep breath, Sophie walked into the middle of them and simply stood there. The shouting stopped instantly.
Fenris went a bit green when his lover glared at him from the middle of his and Anders' potential fighting area. Her head whipped round and looked at the abomination whose face went pale as he gulped.

We're both dead...

Sorry it's short :/