"That's it," Kjiersten snapped loudly enough to cut over Nick's voice as he checked up on Dana. Kjiersten ran down from the wheelhouse, through the galley, burst open the door to her and her father's stateroom, and announced, "Hansen family meeting." When Norman didn't move, just stared at her dumbly, she added a stern, "Now," for emphasis.
He headed up obediently to join his brothers. Sig looked out at the gently rolling water, which had calmed significantly now that the wind and rain had stopped. Sometime in the last hour, while the crew had been caring for their two women, it had calmed down outside. Don sat very still and hoped they'd forget there was still a camera in the room; this could be good footage.
"You, Dad, are being a dumbass." Edgar snorted his agreement. "Uncle Eddie," she warned. He mimed zipping his lips shut. "How many people have to get hurt out here before you realize life's too damn short to push Dana away?"
"Yeah," Sig turned to face his little brother, "what the hell are you doing?"
"Even Uncle Sig knows you're being an idiot, Dad, so you're really on bad ground here."
"Now, what the hell does that-"
"Uncle Sig," she held a hand up sharply without turning her gaze away from her dad, "not now. Look, considering I did kind of almost kill myself today, I'm feeling qualified to tell you're stupid; I'm not going to let you hide from life when there are other people fighting through so much more right now. Live your life! Be glad you have it."
Sig carried on when his niece ran out of words. "After Hanna, you know we only have so much time. Here's a woman that's interested and that you obviously like. Give it a shot."
The family fell silent as Norman struggled for words, hating when they ganged up on him like this. He looked pleadingly to Edgar, who had stayed silent so far. At his older brother's appeal, the youngest Hansen boy took a deep breath and spoke. "It's ok to move on. You're not betraying her. Being happy is exactly what she'd want for you."
"You don't know what she'd think about this. How can I be with someone else?"
"We knew Hanna," Sig reminded him.
"I didn't." All eyes turned to Kjiersten. "What? I'm not going to stand here and tell you it's what mom would want. I don't know. But I do know that none of you have any clue, either. No one knows. You can't live your life based on pretenses you made up but credit to her. It's not fair to either of you. What I can say for sure is that everyone knows you will always love her; you're not replacing Mom with Dana. There's nothing wrong with being happy and loving again. I want you happy, and you're happy with Dana."
There was silence as Norman and Kjiersten had one of their silent conversations. She reached up to wipe the lone tear off of his cheek. He pulled his daughter into a hug that she returned, and Sig and Edgar nodded at each other knowingly.
"Do you love her?" Sig broke the silence.
Norman looked up without breaking the embrace. "Yeah. I do."
"You've got two hours before we hit the port. Go talk to her."
"She lied to me."
"About the baby? She didn't tell any of us about that," Edgar shook his head.
"She told Kjiersten."
"I figured it out," Kjiersten corrected, then added, "because I'm a genius. She was going to tell you before the end of the season, but even I can't blame her for not wanting her first conversation with you since the whole baby-making episode to be breaking that news. If you hadn't been such a coward, she would have told you sooner."
"Do you have to call me names every time you talk?"
"If you'd go talk to Dana already, I wouldn't have to, Dumbo."
"Alright," Norman held his hands up and tilted one corner of his mouth up in the tiniest of grins. "I give. This is me going to talk to Dana."
"Civilly!" Kjiersten insisted as she and her uncle's followed him. "I don't want to hear you this time!"
The crew knew to clear the galley when the Hansen's came back downstairs, mostly because of the looks Kjiersten and Sig shot them. Matt and Nick vanished quickly, Kjiersten called Jake up to the wheelhouse to keep her amused as she did her watch, and Edgar and Sig both headed off to get some much deserved rest.
Dana sighed to her water as Norman leaned against the counter next to her. "Can we talk?" She shrugged. "Kay, you be quiet. I'll talk." She raised her eyebrows at this intriguing role reversal. "I've been an ass."
Even though she wanted to agree with him, she fought the urge and gave him the same silent treatment he gave her. This obviously flustered him, and he licked his lips and let his mouth form several different words before talking again. "I told myself I was worried about Kjiersten, so I pushed us to the background, but she had nothing to do with it. I was scared. I've been alone for a long time, y'know. Twenty years now. I didn't, I don't know how to do this. To love someone. I felt like I was betraying her or letting her down, and I felt that I could never give you what you needed because part of my heart is always going to belong to her. I still feel that way a little, but I love you. I don't want to ruin this because I've…got some things I need to deal with. I should have dealt with them a long time ago, but no one ever made me. You make me want to deal with those feelings, and if you're willing to give me another chance…"
Dana took a slow, measured sip of water. Then, she put her cup on the counter and watched her hand as she gently looped her fingers through his. "I love you, too."
"And I didn't mean to be so upset about the baby. It was just a lot to take in, almost losing you and having that news dumped on me all at once. I yelled because I care, if that makes any sense. I care a whole hell of a lot."
"I know," she muttered. One hand wriggled out of her blanket to gently brush his cheek. "You just confuse the shit out of me. You're not allowed to change your mind next week or something."
"So, does that mean you'll give me another chance?" he asked hopefully, not daring to let his smile show yet. She did, however, and she grinned like he was a toddler asking for a cookie.
"I'll give you another chance," she nodded. It was very clear that Norman was the one who leaned into her, let his lips brush hers, deepened the kiss and drew it out until she felt heady and needed to come up for air.
"Something's wrong."
He never could make it a question, could he? She grimaced at that, both hating and loving how intuitive his branch of the Hansen family could be. Norman and Kjiersten could see through anything, any false front you put up, to the problems underneath.
"You're not just signing onto a relationship with me, Norman. And I understand if you're not ready to make this jump yet. I mean, it's a big leap from-"
"Dana," he squeezed her hand firmly, "the only concern I have is that I'm gonna have to change diapers again. I always swore I'd never change anymore diapers."
"Norm!" she took her hand out of his and smacked his arm as she turned to face him and confirmed that, yes, he was smirking at her. "This is serious!"
"I'm being serious," he assured her.
"Your big concern right now is diapers?" she smirked.
"I hate diapers," he nodded. "Passionately. I'll change 'em, don't worry. I just can't stand diapers. Always stick my hands to them or something stupid." He smirked again. "It's just not what I expected, y'know? Us having a baby. I'm old enough to be a grandpa. Probably'll get that news, too, any time now."
"I'm not exactly a spring chicken, either," she admitted. "But older women than me have had children. Are you really okay with this?"
"I'll get over the diaper situation because I want you," he grinned, but sobered and continued with, "and I want this long-shot baby of ours. It might not be exactly the order I'd like things to happen in, but I wouldn't have this go any other way." She smiled and gave his hand a squeeze. "But, seriously, I really think you should consider not being on the boat right now."
"I'll call and see if I can get a replacement. If Sig's willing to wait, they'll have someone this offload I bet. If not, definitely by the next one."
"You," Norman ruffled her hair, "are a beautiful woman. Can I kiss you again?"
She laughed. "Yes, Norman. You can kiss me again."