Mariel glanced curiously from Ethan who agreed that they weren't getting much sleep to Minerva who said that they were fine with that. She didn't know a whole lot about having babies though she figured Minerva was obviously correct in saying he needed to eat a whole lot which meant that he had to be sleeping in smaller spurts... or something like that. She didn't know. But she nodded to them both all the same. "Oh that's good then," she said with a small smile as Minerva alluded to possibly taking naps during the day. She couldn't imagine how people had very young babies and worked too, and her thoughts soon drifted to her friend Victoria, with two small babies.

She smiled down at the sleeping baby in her arms as he stirred a bit, then looked up with a light smile at the two new parents. "Well, that's nice," she nodded as they said Ethan had taken time off. Her eyes fell over Ethan for a moment, really having a hard time believing her nephew was a father now. "I guess it's necessary to take time off, really, to help you get into some sort of routine, maybe." Yeah, she didn't really know, but that's what she would think. Green eyes soon snapped up to Minerva upon hearing her words and she gave her something of a wary look as she chuckled. "Oh he loves his auntie, but that's as far as it goes." Aunt. Not mother. No. She was not having any babies any time soon. Maybe not ever.

"Tomorrow, actually," she said, glancing down as Gunnar started waking up. "But I wanted to make sure I had enough time to visit, it might get a little rushed tomorrow." Just in case any last minute things or packing took a little longer than expected or if something just came up. She wasn't planning on staying all that late tomorrow. She didn't say much about the time off, knowing she sort of came and went as she pleased lately, though what were they going to do? Mariel did her job and did it well even with the time off, they wouldn't fire her.

Green eyes snapped up as Minerva alluded to her absence at her recent baby shower, wondering how much her sister told her. She smiled lightly at the memory of why she wasn't in attendance, though those thoughts couldn't help but to be mixed with recent revelations and wondering if he was really trying to figure out what he wanted. Not to mention her own trying to figure out what she wanted as she discussed things with Meloria. "Yes, well, I am still sorry about that.. I should have at least let everyone know that I wouldn't be able to make it. It was.. very spur of the moment though." She certainly wasn't sorry she had gone, though maybe it was rude of her not to cancel and just not not show up. "Don't worry," she grinned. "I can handle my sister."

"I like being off too," Ethan grinned as he took his eyes from his aunt and son to look at Minerva as he ate another mini sandwich. Sure, he actually liked his job, or at least most aspects of it, but he really enjoyed being home with his little family and wasn't looking forward to having to go back in a week. He figured that's when he'd really be tired with no more being able to sleep whenever. He smiled and nodded happily at in as she took one of the little sandwiches too. BLTs probably weren't a big deal, but they were one of the first things he really felt like he could make and one of the first things he cooked for her himself if he recalled correctly.

He leaned back on the couch as he listened a little to Min and Mariel talk, deciding to just eat more than really try to break into the conversation. Until Min mentioned the baby shower. And he couldn't help but to roll his eyes a little. Not because she brought it up or because he even cared if Mariel had been there, but it was all he heard from his mother for the longest time. He listened to Mariel's vague explanation, then added, "Well, I hope Mum's not mad anymore. That was her favorite topic for a while.."