After making sure that James would take the proper precautions, the Master of the house continued to relax and enjoy himself. 

And just like that, here he was showing up just when she needed her. She smiled towards him and gave him a thankful nod.

[color=0072bc][b]"Thank you, James. I was really struggling through all this good food with nothing to wash it down with."[/b][/color] Freya always wondered about James' timing and took a welcoming sip of the cool beverage before her father had made his way back over towards them. The praise she was recieving of course illicited nothing but a proud smile from her, and at the mention of yet another gift, she raised an eyebrow. Surely she was having enough with all these people giving her send off gifts that they all thought she might need at university - but was surprised when James suddenly lowered himself. It took her a moment  to process what just happened. James had not even given any indication that this was coming up, so she looked back and forth between the two. After nothing was said, she swallowed hard. [color=0072bc][b]"So, this...this means I get to have James' awesome cooking skills while I'm at college?! Awesome!"[/b][/color] She cheered. [color=0072bc][b]"Thank you, Daddy. Also - James, you do want to come with me - don't you? I would absolutely adore your company. You seem to understand my crazy little ticks and quirks but still focus on me as a person. I think you've been wonderful to me in your short time here, but I also don't want to drag you away to an unfamiliar place if you aren't wanting to go. You can stay behind if you want, I won't mind.[/b][/color]" 

She could hear her father open to speak, and she shook her head. [color=0072bc][b]"I appreciate it, Daddy. I really do. But - I don't want to drag James with me if he is really not up for it. I'm sure he is - otherwise you wouldn't have publicly announced to me that he was coming with me. But, it would still be nice to hear it straight from James. Besides...,"[/b][/color] She grinned. "If he doesn't come, how else will he get to study with new ingredients that aren't found here and learn new techniques." She shrugged nonchalantly. She was positive James would come, though. If nothing else? For the learning experience on his cooking.