A Broken-Family Reunion.

Darcie clearly didn't know what Kenna was talking about, but she seemed to appreciate the direct attention, smiling shyly up at the redhead. Her little hand reached out for Kenna's sweater, pointing at the design. "Puppy," she announced happily, drawing a laugh from her father.

"That's right, lass."

Avery, though she was paying attention to Claire (and properly so for once, considering Teddy's presence), let her hand seek out his without even looking. It was almost like they'd been that comfortable for ages, and she didn't even blush or look at him for permission that time. "Sophie seems to think that anybody who works at the Ministry is fighting bad guys. Except me, thankfully. She knows I could never do something like that." Her shoulder lifted in a mild shrug. "But you, on the other hand, Claire. You're cool," she said, grinning and lifting her eyebrows teasingly.

Meanwhile, as the blonde was distracted from the new redhead on her other side, Darcie wasn't finished. "K-- Kenna," she added, her hand lifting to point at the woman's face instead. Keiran nodded, but reminded her that she hadn't introduced herself yet.

"What's your name, darling?"

"Darcie!" she beamed, bouncing a little on his knee. She struggled, pushing herself to standing atop Keiran's leg, surprising him. Her fingers found Kenna's hair. "Pretty."

Keiran's eyes widened slightly, but he glanced up at Kenna to gauge her reaction before turning to his daughter again to try and keep her from closing herself off. "Quite right, love."

Claire didn't notice the almost goofy, pleased smile that spread across Teddy's face at the touch of the other Bishop, which was a good thing for everyone involved, really. Teddy was terrified by much of what was going on, from his girlfriend's family to his boss and his family and a particular blonde who seemed to speak with a cold efficiency that could unsettle even the least guilty of men. But the warmth of Avery's hand, a reminder of her kindness and care, that he was not alone in this, and that someone was happy to have him there, it was enough to quell even his deepest rooted fears.

Claire meanwhile, was waving off Avery's comment. "Sophie typically has the best judgment, but she's only seen me with brownie batter and long socks. I guess not all heroes wear capes though," and she passed Avery a wry grin, hoping that she was sounding less intense.

Kenna's smile stretched widely at the little girl's approval and she glanced up at Keiran, eyelids fluttering nervously amid all of this flattery. She rolled her lips inwards and then stretched out again, saying to Darcie, "I like the color too. I especially like it when my mustache is this color." She waited to see if the girl would register this, before reaching up to grab the ends of her hair, pulling them up and over her top lip, drawing it back to comically hold the hair in place there.

"Well," Avery returned, a more comfortable smile blooming on her face, "that would explain her adoration for brownies."

Predictably, little feet sounded right on cue, marking Sophie's entrance as she came up between Teddy and Claire with obvious interest. Oh, no. As Sophie looked at each of them expectantly, her mother just laughed under her breath, face alight with mirth. The little girl's eyes found hers and Avery just shook her head a little. "Later, baby. I promise."

Sophie pouted a little, but took her mum at her word for the time being. Avery knew better than to think the subject would be dropped for long.

Darcie, for her part, didn't seem to actually register what that word meant. But then she stared, before turning and reaching a hand to her father's upper lip, silently questioning the two faces. He let her spend a few moments trying to work it out before he tilted his chin up just enough to press a quick kiss to her little hand. She burst out into a laugh that made Avery jump, glancing over her shoulder at them. For a colleague, or friend, or whatever Kenna really was, Keiran seemed unusually at ease with her. Curious but not quite concerned, the blonde decided not to ask. For now, anyway.

Even Claire managed a small, proud smile, amusement warming her usually stoic eyes as the little girl she had become so fond of toddled into the room to demand the treat she loved so much. Claire glanced up at the two adults and found, with a bit of a start, that they both looked at Sophie with the same level of affection and responsibility. The three made a handsome little trio. A happy little-

"She's too smart for her own good," she said, reaching for her drink, focusing now on the food. "This meal is very lovely, Bridget. Thank you so much."

Teddy couldn't stop beaming at Sophie, convinced she was the cleverest little thing to ever walk the earth, and he beckoned her closer, leaning down. "We'll find some brownies soon."

Once Darcie laughed, Kenna burst out laughing too. She straightened up and immediately became aware of her surroundings again - a very adult dinner party. To which she had not been invited. Yes. Right. Embarrassment fluttered inside her chest but she always had a joke to banish that away. Glancing at Keiran, she said, "If the bar ever goes under, good news is I could probably join the Wiggles apparently."