A few weeks later Brandon and Efran went out to the fields to work on bringing the harvest, and came back for the midday meal again. Laoren was there putting it out with little Alora setting the table and helping bring things out as had started happening every day but usually left before the boys arrived back. Seeing Brandon Laoren stopped, "Hello."

He noticed she had put on a new dress, "Hello Laoren. How are you?"

Smiling at him, "I'm alright, but I wanted to make sure the four of you are well."

Before Brandon could say anything to that Alora broke in, "Laoren has taught me to make rabbit stew!"

Everyone smiled at her and her brother answered, "And it smells great too little winterfell."

The child beamed with pleasure, and Efran lifted her into her seat. Seeing there was only four places set he asked Laoren, "Aren't you staying for the meal?"

Looking at Brandon she shook her head, "I don't want to intrude."

"It's no intrusion." He answered quickly. Then continuing when she hesitated, "We need to have someone to thank for aiding Alora make it, and it should be the one who actually did."

The two children added their entreadies to his and she sat down. It was a great meal with the boys talking about the fields and the girls talking about the things Laroen helped Alora do. No one pointed out it was the other way around. It was a good, family meal.

Until Codin made it awkward again, "Laoren, if you marry Brandon we can have this feeling every meal."

Efran ran answered it, "Well Codin, I wouldn't be here. So you four would have to be happy with out me."

"No we wouldn't," Codin answered, "you can marry Alora!"

Alora hit him, "And why are you deciding this?" Looking at Efran, "I haven't made you promise to wait for me have I?"

Controlling his urge to laugh with a praiseworthy effort Efran answered, "You haven't made me promise." A swallow, "But I do not have a wife when you are of age I'll keep you in mind."

The child looked at him intently, "Your teasing me aren't you?"

This appraisal broke Brandon's urge to remain serious and he gave his great laugh and Laoren started laughing too. Which put further effort into Efran as he answered seriously, "I can promise that I will keep you in mind if you want."

Alora shook her head, "If you say you will, I know you will." Then she stood on her chair and hugged him. Bandon and Efran grinned at each other over her head as Efran hugged her back. Then she sat down and they finished their meal in their happy state again.

But Codin's words stuck with Brandon the rest of the day. It was true the entire family was happier when Laoren was there. And she had already started taking care of Codin and Alora. They loved her, and she loved them.

The only question left was, would Laoren accept him? And if she didn't, how could they stay a good team for the two kids? Laoren and her family had been there for them whenever there was trouble, just as his family had been there for hers. And if his affection was not returned, he would live. But he had to ask.

With that in mind he finished the days work, walked home, and ate the evening meal in silence. Until it was time to clean up and Alora stood her toes to touch his shoulder, "Brandon, whats wrong?"

Looking down into the little face he smiled, "Nothing little winterfell. I was just thinking about something." And he helped the two kids clean up as Efan was on watch duty for the village.

When Efan got off, Brandon donned his cloak and went outside again. Traveling the familiar path to the Branches home, he knocked on the door. "Laoren," he called, "can I have a word with you?"

She answered the door quickly with a cloak thrown around her slender frame, "Whats happened? Is something wrong?"

He swallowed, "No, I just was thinking of something all day and I thought I should tell you."

Looking up at him, "Why me?"

Swallowing again, "Because it is about you." Trying to find the words, he spoke again, "I was thinking about today with how much happier I am around you. And the fact that both Codin and Alora feel the same, the four of us" gods this was hard, "we are a family." Looking into her face again while taking her hand, "I wanted to ask you to…" the lump in his throat made him choak, "to marry me."

Smiling up at him, "Yes." He was startled and she continued squeezing his had, "Yes I will marry you."

They laughed and hugged. It was a perfect moment, which had to end too soon due to the chill of night. But when he was home and the children tucked into bed he laid on his bed smiling at the ceiling.