Lucas nodded at Andy's remark, then looked out towards Nora and Don.

"He's deserved a day like this for a long time. I'm glad to be a part of it, even if it's just a small part."

  Andy nodded, and laid his hand on Dragon Fist's shoulder again, then let the man FEEL the happiness and joy he was sensing from Don and Nora, and even Diantha.  He said "This is what I can sense on a constant.  Tell me it doesn't make you feel better, knowing you helped bring this about?"

"It does actually.." Lucas told Andy. "It's a good feeling, knowing that I had something to do with this. You know, Don Derring and I didn't always see eye to eye. But we found some good common ground...and now here we are."

  Andy nodded, and said "You know he's found that you helped him get to where he is now, right?  You are his friend.  Don't forget, your friends love you too, just not the same way."

"I know...and I can count you among my friends as well, Andy," Lucas told him.

Jack and Penny, with Diantha in her arms came over to sit with Lucas. "Hey there Lucas. How you holding up? Diantha wanted to sit with her Uncle Lucas."

"Better now Jack, thanks," Lucas told them, his expression visibly more relaxed. He gave a small wave to Diantha as she sat with them.

  Diantha held her arms out to Dragon Fist in that demanding way little children have when they want held, and said {{Cuddles, Uncle Dragon Fist??}}

"With a face like that, how could I refuse?" Lucas said with a chuckle as he gently reached for Diantha.

  She cuddled against his chest, and he heard her ask, softly {{You will help me learn how to fight, so that nobody can ever beat me up, and so that I can be a hero too when I'm bigger, won't you?}}

Lucas cuddled Diantha gently to him, telling her "Of course I will. And will also teach you how to get out of sticky situations without fighting."

  She distinctly grinned, and cuddled down on his chest.  Falling asleep in short order, and thus pinning him down.

Lucas smiled as Diantha fell asleep.

"Well...guess have baby duty for the time being."

  Penny giggled, and said "Yeah, I think you do.  She needs a nice spot to cuddle safely, and you've been elected, or selected, so to speak."

"It's a duty that I graciously accept," Lucas said, keeping the young Diantha close to him and safe.

Rather glad that she wasn't the center of attention anymore, Fiona turned her attention back to her meal. For a critter her size, it seemed like she had a very healthy appetite, and before long, her plate was empty.

  Nokomis was circulating, and she stopped by, spotting Lucas cuddling Diantha.  She said quietly "I think that's a very good thing for him to be doing.  He needs to feel like he is still needed and capable, not just lost."

Lucas continued to hold the young Diantha close to him, inside wondering if or when he might ever have children of his own. If he did, he wanted them to be like the little angel he held in his arms at this moment.

  Kimeran said softly "You can tell she trusts you with her life like she does her parents.  She is one of the reasons you will not fall to the side of Darkness, Lucas.  She is one of your anchors."

Fiona curiously flew over to the other dragon. "What is an anchor?" she asked curiously.

  Kimeran looked at Fiona, and said "Anchors.  You know, those things that hold a boat against the tides and currents?  Same principal, except it gives a person emotional stability."

Lucas nodded at Kimeran's wise statement as he then looked up to Fiona.

"Anchors are people who keep you grounded to where you need to be. I don't believe we've met...I'm Lucas Martinez."

"I'm Fiona," the little dragon replied, floating down to hover in front of Lucas. "You might have seen me at Clarissa and Ozzy's wedding. I usually look different... but that comes with being a shapeshifter."

"Shapeshifter, eh?" Lucas replied curiously. "Nice to meet you Fiona."

"Yeah." Fiona smiled slightly. "And elastic, too. I'm still a bit new to it all... but it can be rather fun." She danced a little in the air in front of Lucas. Obviously, she had already gotten quite good at flying as a dragon.