Family Weigh In

Posted on Wed Feb 25th, 2026 @ 11:59pm by Survivor René Rouen & Council Member Henri Rouen & Survivor Chloe Rouen

453 words; about a 2 minute read

Mission: Winter's hope
Location: Homestead
Timeline: October 2nd 2010, mid afternoon

René was just returning from wood cutting work detail when he spotted his grandfather and sister on the back porch. He wondered how they were go take the news of him wanting to ask Vienna to marry him. He figured he should talk to them now while nobody else was around. He climbed the porch steps and greeted them. "Bonjour Grand-pere, Chloé."

Henri turned to his grandson and smiled. "Bonjour René. How was your afternoon as a lumberjack?"

Chloé nodded as she looked up from shelling the last of the peas from the garden for Kimberley. "hello."

René nervously glanced at his sister and grandfather before speaking up. "Well, we should get at least five chords of wood from what we brought down today."

Henri smiled as he nodded at the accomplishment. "Excellent work."

René took a deep breath and released it slowly as he drew a small felt bx from his pocket. "I also spoke with Roman and...um...asked for his permission to propose to Vienna."

Henri’s head slowly turned to his grandson, an expression halfway between surprise and disbelief. He knew that René harbored feelings for Vienna, though he hadn't realized just how deep those feelings went.

Chloé placed the peas down and stared at him. She considered her words carefully but she was still young so they came out very harsh. "You barely know her!" she snapped. "And this... crisis is not a good basis for marriage."

René turned to Chloé, his face flashing an angry expression until he took a deep breath and calmed himself as he released it. "You're right. The world has changed and I am not sure what that means for all of us. I know how I feel though. I know that I would protect Vienna the same way I would protect you and Grand-pere."

Henri looked back and forth between his grandchildren. His gaze finally settled on Chloé. He took a moment to consider what Vienna had told him that morning. "Perhaps talk with Vienna Little One. Find out how she feels about René."

"bah!" Chloe said cooly. "I'd rather kiss a frog." she picked up the bowl of peas. "A pretty girl bats her eyes and he offers marriage. Maman and Papa would be horrified." She stalked off to the kitchen.

René scowled as he watched his sister storm off. He turned to his grandfather. "Are you going to tell me I'm making a mistake too?"

Henri sighed, but shook his head. "No. We Rouen men know when we've met the One. I and your father knew. Granted, we took a little longer to propose, but times were different then. We also weren't dealing with the end of the world."


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