#Logan didn’t sign up for the fatherhood life

[sandrockianblues]

Andy: Logan, I want a bedtime story!

Logan: I’m busy, Andy. I’ll tell you one tomorrow.

Andy: If you don’t tell me a story, I won’t go to bed!

Logan: Once upon a time, there was a kid named Andy, who always wanted things his way. One day, his friends got sick of it and locked him in the basement for the rest of his life. Everyone else lived happily ever after. The end.

Andy: I don’t like these stories with morals.

[wisepuma23]

The Butterfly Shelter Chapter 4

Summary: Logan brings Virgil for a doctor's appointment and receives more insight than he asked for from the odd Dr. Picani. Reeling from the visit, he gets a phone call with some troubling news. Just wonderful! Logan is brought back down to Earth from Cloud Nine of paternal fatherhood, and must now confront his new reality with a son in his life.

Warnings: Mild Angst

Pairings: Slowburn Logicality, Parental Analogical, Parental Royality

Word count: 5,634

Notes: Puma: God this chapter is finally out!! I swear the universe was working against me. But woo!! It's here! Huge thanks to Tashi @fangirltothefullest for her AMAZING art and my betas, @sher-soc-the-famder and @my-happy-little-bean for being super patient!! So enjoy :D!

Tashi:  I'm so happy it's here! We all worked s hard for this chapter!

Previous Chapter

Read on AO3

Logan stared at a stuffed bison with six legs instead of four. How inaccurate and strange. Most likely a new addition to Dr. Picani’s office. Logan bounced Virgil on his lap, his son gurgling. Probably hungry. He pictured the supermarket on the way home. The ever stinging smell of cleaning and sticky floors made him long for an alternative option.

You’re almost out of diapers a voice nagged him. And formula, no matter how much Virgil scrunched up his face at it. Aside from it being adorable, Virgil would get no coddling from him. Logan has read enough books on infant dietary needs of course. He also paid close attention for signs when Virgil was ready to try something new.

“Logan?”

He snapped out of his thoughts, “Yes, yes. I apologize.”

“It’s all good!” Dr. Picani beamed, “Like your little waterbender there!”

Logan tilted his head, “What?”

“Oh, there’s a cool neat-o test based on hand shape online that tells you about what bender you are,” Dr. Picani brightened even more (as if that was humanly possible), “And I remember Virgil here got waterbender! You know? From Avatar: the Last Airbender??”

Logan pinched his nose, “I meant the test results, doctor.”

“Oh,” Dr. Picani’s smile softened, “The good news is that he didn’t catch anything. Aside from his ongoing colic, your son is incredibly lucky.”

His eyes crinkled around his laughter lines, “Roman was vaccinated, but even then, there was still that chance. Bacteria and all that. Kids just being kids like eating dirt or something.”

“And the bad news?”

“Babies can heal quickly even without Katara’s spirit water!” Dr. Picani said, but then bit his lips for a few moments, “But it looks like a permanent scar. So keep an eye on that arm. It might be sore and bruised for a while. And also watch his little fingers,” The doctor adjusted his glasses, his voice lost all goofiness from earlier, “I’m sure you would’ve noticed by now, but if either the arm or the fingers don’t work correctly, you might have some severed muscle tendons from the force of the bite.”

Logan’s bouncing came to a stop. His three-hour power nap left him in an instant. Exhaustion weighed down his bones. Barely a month into having a son and he already had a scar or worse, a disfigurement that would alter his lifestyle.

“I’m a terrible father,” Logan sagged, glancing down at his son’s eyes still so full with spirit, “Oh, what am I doing?”

Laughter rang through the colorful office, “Welcome to fatherhood, Mr. Crofters! I’ve worked here twenty years in the maternity ward and I’ve seen every sort of father under the sun. And you? You aren’t a terrible father,” Dr. Picani said as he reached over and patted his white-knuckled fist, “You treated his wound, then called me immediately, and all the while you comforted him. In my totally expert opinion; you’re off to a good start.”

“What kind?” Logan whispered, trying (and failing) to hide the desperation in his voice, “What kind of father am I, if not a terrible one?”

Dr. Picani looked at him, silent for the first time since he entered his office. Logan squirmed in his seat as the doctor deliberate over the question. No doubt judging him like anyone else. Virgil burbled a soft noise and tugged on his tie, insistent as ever. For the split second Logan looked away from Dr. Picani to look at his son, the knot in his chest loosened. He never knew he could house so much love in his heart for a small thing.

He looked back up at Dr. Picani and instead of the biting glare he expected, he wore a fond smile with wrinkles around the edges. Logan blinked. He didn’t know how to fit that expression in his world. His world full of square shoulders and horizontal grimaces. Virgil pulled on his tie again.

“You, Logan, are not a terrible father,” Dr. Picani said, warmth in every word that had Logan reeling, “I want to say you’re good, heck you’re doing much better than most new fathers I’ve met! But a good father takes time, come back in twenty years, and let me know how you’re doing then!” Dr. Picani’s smile softened as Logan let the wise words wash over him, ‘But you? You’re well on your way to being a good father.”

Logan didn’t feel particularly comforted by the words. Not with the large bruise that still lingered under Virgil’s onesie. A permanent reminder of his failure for years to come. Virgil didn’t seem too fazed, but Logan couldn’t understand. He knew logically resilience came with childhood and kids often bounced back. Yet, yet, he couldn’t help but think he might’ve done something to prevent it. Virgil wouldn’t have a bite at all if he hadn’t visited Patton so soon.

If anything, this was one scar Logan wouldn’t bounce from.

“What would you do?” Logan whispered, his chest tight with anxiety clawing up his insides as he looked at his son, “If you were in my place?”

“Hmmm, well,” Dr. Picani tapped his chin then beamed, “I’d be completely inconsolable, to be honest! And hold back my wife, because she’s so much like Garnet! But….” Dr. Picani clasped his hands over his desk, “I know accidents happen and it hurts now, but one day it’ll stop hurting. It’ll find its place in your life.”

“Actual advice?” Logan raised an eyebrow, “I would’ve expected more cartoon references.”

Dr. Picani grinned with a hint of mischief around the edges, “Silly! I wasn’t done. Rafiki said that sometimes the past can hurt, but you can choose to either run from it...or learn from it. And have you learned something, Mufasa?”

Logan blinked, “Well–”

“Actually it’s Simba,” Dr. Picani cut in, “That Rafiki said it to, but since you’re a dad, I said Mufasa. Here’s hoping you don’t meet a tragic end from unseen forces that actively plotted your demise and die protecting your son from people closer to you than you think.”

“What?”

“Never mind!” Dr. Picani laughed, “Just one of my cartoon rants, don’t worry about it. Or complain to my superior...please. She’ll give me that disappointed look again. So did you learn something from this whole debacle?”

“...Yes,” Logan said, “I believe I’ve learned some valuable insights after all.”

Logan looked at his son, running a hand over his pudgy little cheek. Virgil moved immediately to grab for his fingers and pull on them. His grip strong as ever, so by Dr. Picani’s assessment, he would be fine. No disfigurement anytime soon.

“Wonderful!” Dr. Picani picked up the stuffed bison and waved it in front of Virgil, “I know for a fact he loves you very much already! He isn’t the miserable little boy I knew him,” Virgil giggled as his fingers reached for the toy, “Golly, he’s so happy. Whatever you’re doing, it’s working.”

“I’m simply following the guide books.” Logan coughed.

Dr. Picani winked up at him, “You love him too, and there’s no book in the whole world that can teach you that. I don’t blame you. Virgil is the cutest water-bender I know!”

Logan’s face turned a hot pink as croaks fell out. Dr. Picani laughed as Virgil grabbed the hairs of the bison, the leg too fat for him to grasp, and swung it up and down as he giggled. Logan didn’t disagree with Dr. Picani’s statement. He loved his son. And no one could teach the warm encompassing feeling in his chest whenever he looked at him. Virgil Crofters, his family.

That very love was what contributed to his worries, Virgil deserved a good father. Someone to watch over him and be there for every recital and milestone. Be there for every bruise and breakdown. Every triumph and award. He didn’t want to miss a thing. Ever. Logan’s eyes prickled with the threat of tears again as his thoughts drifted to Roman.

He loved that boy from day he was born. So much energy in such a tiny frame and his smiles never ran out. Roman pushed and shoved at the world like he wanted everyone to know he was there. Logan couldn’t forget the tantrums he threw, the toys he’s broken in his enthusiasm, and how he ran. Ran far and fast despite his stubby little legs for his age. It didn’t matter that Roman was Patton’s kid, a detail that had lost importance as he loved him like his own.

And why the bite stung so much. Lashing out because he didn’t want anyone else to leave him. Patton didn’t quite get the hang of teaching nonviolent ways to express emotion, but then again what did he expect from a five-year-old who loved swords? No, no it wasn’t Roman’s fault. A heavy prickly ball sat in his chest, disappointment so deep that it hurt to breathe.

Logan swallowed thickly as Virgil’s giggles filled the air. Dr. Picani told him when to get vaccines and shots for Virgil in the upcoming weeks and months. Yet Logan couldn’t forget Roman’s tears. He let out an exhausted sigh as a migraine blossomed behind his eyes. Why did feelings always came with such adverse effects? Virgil tugged on his tie again and snapped him out of his thoughts. Logan shook his head and paid attention to the rest of the visit.     

+++++

Logan slammed the car door as he got in. Then slumped over his car wheel. Virgil burst into tears in the backseat at the loud noise. His shoulders slumped even more. Whatever Dr. Picani said from his silly cartoons couldn’t be right. Him? A good father?

“You’re deluding yourself,” Logan hissed under his breath, “I can’t do this. I’ll be just like my father and–”

Logan muffled a sob.

Virgil cries joined his, and he wanted to drive away into the sunset. Something ugly pierced his heart at the way he failed Virgil’s cry for attention. Damn feelings hindering his care of his son. He could cry all he wanted when he was dead. He’d have all of eternity to cry his pain and failures away.

Logan wiped away his tears with his wrist, “Pull it together, you idiot.”

He took in a shuddering breath. Then he swiftly beat back the thorny emotions at the back of his throat. Back and back and squeezed down at the bottom of his stomach. Thrown into a bottomless pit for all he cared. Then he turned around in his seat to face Virgil.

“I’m sorry, your Dad didn’t mean to startle you,” Logan reached with an arm and wiped Virgil’s thick tears away, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. You’re likely starving, here let me just–” He unclicked his seatbelt and wiggled into the backseat, “Join you.”

Logan took Virgil out of his car seat and into his arms. He bounced Virgil up and down on his knees, earning some giggles. No more tears for now. Logan reached for a bottle in his bag and immediately his son’s eyes sparkled.

Virgil sucked on the bottle as Logan cradled him. It almost felt private, in the back of his car in a crowded parking garage. The shadows hid them from the world. Logan curled up into his knees, an extra shield around Virgil. The grit in his eyes from exhaustion and the ache in his bones faded.

“I’m sorry,” Logan said again, the line of his mouth slanted down, “I suppose I learned something from this whole debacle, you are my top priority. I won’t let anything else distract me again,” Virgil blinked up at him with a coo, “It wasn’t Roman’s fault, he’s only a child who doesn’t know much better, but I’ll watch over you. You won’t get hurt anymore, I promise.”

The strains of the Imperial March startled him then pulled his phone out from his pocket. By the ringtone, it had to be his boss. Wonderful. Falsehood, he hissed in his mind. Logan sighed as he pushed the button and propped his phone between his ear and shoulder. Quietly shushing Virgil’s coos to listen.

“Logan!!! Whatcha up to?” A sugary sweet voice replied, “How are you enjoying life on the outside, haha?”

“I’m spending quality time with my son,” Logan said, his professionalism the only thing keeping his tongue in cheek, “But I noticed something off about my payments recently. It appeared that I got a 40% cut in my pay? Is it some error or?”

He heard the whirs of a printer in the background, “Yeah so listen, I gave you two months paid paternity leave. Other places would give you two weeks,” The creak of Mr. Magenta’s smile could be heard through the line, “So I’m rather generous even paying you at all. How does four-hour shifts work for you? More time with your son after all!”

“Sir, I’ve been one of your best workers for the past five years!” Logan’s temper burnt inside of him, the grip on Virgil’s bottle tightened, “Lowering my hours and docking my pay is unfair! You said I could have a six-month leave. You were fine with it a year ago–”

“Yeah I was...” Mr. Magenta said, the steady spurts of paper being printed in the background, “But you didn’t have a little demon a year ago,”

“What?”

“That’s right, you play by my rules now,” Mr. Magenta snarled, all false cheeriness gone, “You do as I say or you and your kid end up on the streets. And I’ll hire another desperate college dropout.”

“You sick sonva–”

The printer beeped.

“Oh! Looks like we’re out of ink,” Mr. Magenta giggled, “Want to try that again, Logan?”

“....What do you want? I’ll switch to the night shift, the whole shift if I have to, I need those hours. Please reconsider.”

“Hmmmmm….”

Virgil gurgled, signifying he was done drinking. Logan took the bottle out and wiped away the milk mustache with his bib. The crackling silence on the other end made the back of his hairs prickle. If he lost this job, he didn’t know what he’d do. Perhaps pick up odd jobs again but with a baby to boot? He just can’t–

“Alright!” Mr. Magenta said at last, “Night shifts for you and I better see you in two months. I rather like your manila folder, hate to shred all of that work. It’s not often to have one so thick with perfect quotas.”

“But my pay–”

“SHUT UP!” The call clicked to a stop.

Logan threw his phone down and swallowed down his yell. Not in front of Virgil. He needed to reevaluate his budget plans then. Damn it! As much as he wanted to curse and scream and cry; he didn’t want Virgil to feel like he’d done something wrong. Logan sighed, forcibly unlocking all tension from his body.

“Shush, it’s gonna be okay,” Logan said, raising Virgil over his shoulder to burp, “Let’s go home. I’ll read you something nice before you take your nap, okay? With lots of pictures. At least one of us will be happy today.”

Virgil cooed and reached up to pat his face. Those chubby fingers clumsily hanging onto his frames. The last of his anger faded away. Logan weakly smiled down at his son. He would find a way. For Virgil, he would do anything.

+++++

The camera clicked on, quietly whirring through the recording. It shook as Logan fumbled in his haste to capture the moment. The world blurred until the camera came to a stop. Focused from above onto Virgil, laying on his back in his crib. His eyes bright as he giggled as a large finger came down to tickle his stomach.

“Hello again,” Logan’s muffled giggles behind the camera, “Up from your nap already? Someone is excited about their first day of work with Daddy, huh?”

“Guah!” Virgil grabbed his finger and started to suck on it.

“I know, I know it’s third dinner already,” Logan said, the camera zooming closer until Virgil’s brown eyes took up the whole screen, “Do you want formula or formula? Or chef’s choice, formula?”

Virgil kicked at the air as the camera zoomed out again, bubbly giggles as his answer. This was the perfect shot to capture a monumental milestone. He flipped onto his stomach for the camera to see as Logan gasped. A huge step forward in his development! Virgil giggled as he pounded his little fists against his blankets.

“Oh my god, oh my god,” The camera shook again as loud clicks filled the air, “I need to tell everyone right now.”

Ping after ping, text sounds flooded the audio output, but the phone camera kept faithfully recording. Virgil reached for a mini bear toy and started to suck on its ear. So oblivious to the giggles and pings of internal screaming from his father.

The camera shook as the pings became more insistent and finally clicked to a stop. End of recording labeled “Virgil’s first rollover at 4 months”. Preserved in an abandoned phone’s memory by the owner, Logan Crofters.

++++

The red light of a security camera turned on as it detected movement. The time stamp only a few hours after the previous recording. A man stepped out of an ancient car with a dark bundle on his chest and a bag slung across his shoulder. In the lowlight of a flickering street lamp, prim and proper were the only words to describe the man.

[08:48 PM]

Logan resisted the urge to pull his navy trench coat tighter around himself in the night’s chill. Virgil slept soundly in a wrap against his chest, a dark beanie on his head to fend away the cold. Logan hurried a little faster to the doors of the building. Central heating so close! He slid his keycard without looking, so ingrained at this point, and the doors opened with a whoosh.

A lobby camera turned in its steady path to capture his entrance far below.

“Hey hey, look who’s back from vacation!” Keith whooped over his newspaper, “Really odd to see you at night, Mr. Crofters.”

“You’re telling me,” Logan replied as he walked up to the metal detectors that barred him from the elevators at the back, “I have opted to switch to the night shift so I don’t disrupt as many co-workers if Virgil cries or needs to be fed.”

“Virgil, huh?” Keith stood up, his dark curls falling in front of his face to look over his desk, “So who’s the cute little bug from? You got a girl?”

“No, and I’m not planning to get one,” Logan said tersely as he put a hand on Virgil’s back protectively, “He’s sleeping right now so I advise keeping your voice low. But it’s nice to see you again, Mr. Smith.”

“Alright, same too,” Keith sat back down again, still smiling brightly at the tiny bundle, “Have a good night, sir. And don’t work too late!”

Logan waved as he walked through the detectors. Small talk, he never quite got the hang of it. He could hear the rustle of the newspaper being snapped back open. Keith and one other guard, Ned Fulmer, always switched their shifts. One or the other. For a mid-sized accounting firm, they really should hire more staff. And more competent ones too.

Then again, he shouldn’t talk ill of them. They hired him after all when no one else did. If they gave him a steady paycheck and a crappy office, it was better than nothing. And the benefits couldn’t be understated enough. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have Virgil right now.

The elevator camera watched him fidget to some outdated tune. The strains of too peppy music despite the miserable air of the whole building circled like carrion birds in his head. The lenses whirred and clicked, catching every minuscule twitch. The grey lights flickered as he glanced down at the buttons with smudged numbers worn down over the years. Not a single one replaced like not even the buttons could escape this infernal place. The man checked his watch as the elevator slowly went up the floors, the second hand counting down like to a final curtain call rather than the start of his shift.

The doors opened and he stepped out of the oppressive metal coffin to a dark floor. Only a scant few fluorescent lights of computers were left on. It cast the cubicles into boxes of shadows and darkness. The red light of an exit sign shone at the back of it. Logan swallowed at the almost menacing and frightening air of what once was so familiar. The dull lights made him almost ill as he remembered the neon meadow of baby toys at home. Then he shook his head, primal instincts couldn’t override his reasoning.

“Good evening,” Logan said as he navigated through the corporate maze, “Good evening, fellow associates. I’ll be in my office if you need me.” No reaction from the mindless drones, their eyes glazed over as they scrolled through datasheets, “No need to welcome me back.”

The clack clack clack of keys rang against the silence, interrupted by the occasional yawn or creak. Logan straightened his shoulders, sharp angles of professionalism even if no one cared to notice or comment on. He held Virgil close to his chest like he protected a flame from a blustery wind. If the elevator was a coffin, the whole floor was a black hole of no escape. Not even light. Logan passed cubicles with no posters, pictures, or even a favorite novelty pen in sight. The night shift workers sat there glued to their screens like good little robots, click, clack, press enter, input, new row, the spreadsheets filled one by one.

Logan swallowed back the illogical instinct to retch at the display, instead of a sterile cubicle he saw the picked clean bones of a life. Of any hope. Mr. Magenta preferred his workers to have no distractions, and Logan braced his son closer at the thought. Why hadn’t he noticed the leeching effects of this monotony and fixed lifestyle before? Logan shook his head. He would stay for however long to support his son and perhaps find a better job. He ignored how long he’d been looking for a ‘better job’ for the past five years.

He hastily clicked the door of his office behind him. Away from the mechanical eyes and ears. The camera’s movement did not falter as it continued to sweep the office. Right to left, right to left, over and over, repetitive and consistent, just like the workers it monitored.

Logan slumped against the door. He made it. Stifling a sigh, he pulled out his chair from his nondescript desk and sat in it. The blinds behind him were drawn up to reveal the skyline, dull grey lines against an inky sky. Then again, not much different than the sickly smog that dirtied his view during his former day shift either. The only other lights came from his dreary coworkers, sterile white and colorless as the rest of this soul-sucking place.

He looked down at his sleeping son. Virgil squished his face deeper against his suit with a faint sigh. Right, he needed to change out of it immediately. No one would bother him for the next eight hours anyhow. He found that old sweatshirts were the preferred attire when taking care of babies. As wonderful Virgil was so far, he still drooled and spat like any other infant. Logan’s ever so present thin line softened into a smile as Virgil sniffled in his sleep.

He opened his satchel and pulled out seven different rolled up blankets from home. Budget-wise, it would’ve been smarter to opt for cheap scratchier blankets but in this rare instance he took the less logical choice and took the softer ones higher on the shelf. Spun out of clouds and dreams it advertised on the side. Logan had to take a moment to look at them. The folded blankets checkered his desk like a manicured garden of patterned dinosaurs and rainbows across it. A piece of home totally out of its element in the conditioned room where the stale air wasn’t the only thing that chilled him down to his bones.

He pulled out an empty filing cabinet, shallow but large enough, and buried it in the blankets. No cold metal would dare disturb his star darling’s sleep if he had anything to say about it. Logan fiddled with it for longer than necessary. It just–It had to be perfect. His fingers shoved and adjusted the blankets until it became a miniature nest. Hmm, good enough.

Now for the finishing touch. Logan carefully, oh so carefully, pulled Virgil out from his papoose wrap. His son whimpered and his heart skipped a beat, Logan rubbed a hand down his back and shushed him before he could fuss. Virgil’s face scrunched for a few moments then smoothed out as he rocked against Logan’s chest. Logan let out a breath. Thank Newton, he truly wouldn’t know what to do if his son woke up. He rocked Virgil to a soft hum of Mozart around the room, each step quiet as a mouse.

Virgil remained peaceful, slumping almost boneless in his hold.

Logan set him down in the makeshift bed of a cabinet. Logan leaned over to give the lightest of pecks to his son’s head and murmured a good night. He didn’t know how Virgil could be so gentle and peaceful when he’d heard horror stories from Patton about Roman keeping him up for months and months. Although Virgil did have his fair share of sleepless nights, they became less and less frequent. This seemed to be aided by the fact that his Colic had settled, which was a relief to them both. He hoped Virgil would sleep through the night soon. His books noted it was a possibility at the five-month stage.

Hmm, he didn’t want to accidentally shut close the cabinet, so he stuck several rulers in the hole between the desk and cabinet. Adequate risk minimization of injury and accident. Virgil snuffled in his sleep, his fingers clutching at empty air. His thoughts melted at the sight like butter and far sweeter than jam. No, he had to remember this wasn’t home and he couldn’t dally on his objectives.

Logan was quick to shirk off his suit jacket after that, and he laid it around his chair before rummaging through his satchel for his folded sweater at the bottom. He doubted Mr. Magenta would check up on him; it was a documented fact that the vile man never came down from his office on the top floor and certainly not on nights. Best not to mix with the henchmen of course. Logan pulled out his sweater, the smooth beige fabric soft and easier on the eyes than the stiff lines of his monochromatic suit. He rubbed his fingers through it for a moment, appreciating the faint stains of milk and spit on it. A reminder of home.

But he had more important things to focus on and he needed to complete them before Virgil’s scheduled feeding in three hours. Logan unbuttoned his white collared dress shirt with deft fingers and an eye on the door. The unforgiving conditioned air bit at his exposed arms and through the thin wall of his tank. He bit back a shiver. In one graceful movement, he pulled on his sweater with a sigh. It even smelled like home, the thought surprised him. When did he think of his apartment as home? He shook his head and pulled his chair closer to his computer.

Logan pulled up his work emails and clicked through the various databases on his computer. His eyes already started to ache at the sight of the long rows. So much he missed on his paid fraternal leave.

But first...Logan took out his phone and to take a snap of Virgil. Hmm, it seemed his son’s nest was still missing something. Logan pulled out Cow from the bottom of his bag and tucked it in next to Virgil. Perfect. Now adequate to capture this adorable moment in time.

First father-son day at work today!

The grainy photo had heart and stars stickers all over it. Patton sent back a simple thumbs up. Logan’s smile grew bigger as another text came through.

Roman doesn’t want to sleep yet, monsters in the closet again.

A slightly blurred selfie of Patton with a flyswatter and Roman peeking out from his blankets in the background appeared on his screen. Patton sat in the entrance of the closet from what he remembered of Roman’s room. Logan pressed a thumb onto the photo and saved it to his archive. Roman was so brave some days, but all kids had fears, including the ‘prince’ himself. But he had nothing to be afraid of when his Dad was there. Always ready to the rescue.

He only hoped he could be half of the great father Patton was.

+++++

Patton giggled as he turned on the old VHS camera recorder from his college days. He flipped open the screen, a blue screen flashes before it showed the adorable scene before him. He muffled his giggles as he pressed the zoom in.

[12:43 Jun 24 2019]

Roman laid on his stomach, eye to eye to his arch-nemesis, one Virgil Crofters. Six months old and full of life. Golly, he remembered when the poor kiddo was so quiet.

Virgil laid on his stomach for the required ‘tummy time’ that Logan talked about. His eyes watching Roman’s attentively like they were a pair of shiny keys.

Roman covered his eyes, “Oh no, where did I go?”

Virgil giggled.

“Peek a boo!” Roman said with a gummy grin, “Did I getcha?”

“Hehehehe, peka!” Virgil babbled, “Pepe, pepe, pee!!!”

“Logan is going to love this,” Patton said as he squealed with excitement, fiddling with the camera controls to capture every adorable giggle both of their sons had, “It’s going to be so fun to edit this for your first birthday, oh yes it will! Oh yes it will!!”

Roman groaned, “Daaaaaaddd!!! You’re so embarashing!”

“It’s embarr-assing, kiddo,” Patton said, then waved a hand in front of the camera, “You’re doing great, honey!! We can totally take care of little Virge for a bit.”

“ASS!” Virgil shouted with all the enthusiasm of a new discovery, “Ass, ash, shh!!”

“DAAAAD, HE SAID A BAD WORD!!” Roman snickered as he pointed at Virgil, “Look who’s in trooooubblleeeeeee!!!”

“N-no he didn’t say anything bad,” Patton said, his voice shaky behind the camera, “How ‘bout I give you ice cream tonight and watch some movies huh? I’ll give Logan this a little later after I figure out how to edit again…” Nervous laughter echoed, “Just to give the very best moments of his adorable son!”

The picture froze, the snickers cut off by the end of the recording.

+++++

“What are you doing?” Logan’s face squinted up into the camera, “What? Do I have something on my face?”

“No, no, don’t let me stop you!” Nate said, his snicker deep and graveled, “Do you want me to hide behind the door again? Virgil seemed to like it! Come on, pleaaaaassseeee?”

Logan blushed, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Virgil babbled at the mention of his name. Almost squirming in Logan’s hold until he had to kick off the rocking chair again to calm him down. Nate shoved his phone’s camera into Logan’s face, a rosy blush crawling up until–

“Fine fine,” Logan caved, then looked down at Virgil, “But for him. You’re right, he does seem to enjoy it. And he does require intellectual stimulation, especially at the six-month mark.”

“Yes!”

Nate held true to his hold and shuffled away to give him space. He propped his phone up to catch the picturesque image of a father cradling his son in the room, lit up by soft blue lamps. Toys laid scattered on the ground along with a playmat in one corner. Then Logan did that smile again, so private and reserved for Virgil only.

He couldn’t believe Logan was letting him catch it on camera! Forever bottled in time as a wonderful moment to the robotic man he once knew. The room hushed, even Virgil’s giggles quietened. Logan drew in a breath as his whole posture changed and the sharp lines around his figure smudged into something indiscernible. Almost like he was dropping his lifelong act as a boring square.

“ Baby mine, don’t you cry,” Logan’s voice gentle as raindrops and honey, “Baby mine, dry your tears, rest your head close to my heart, ” Virgil’s eyes slipped closed as Logan cradled him closer, rubbing his cheek gently, “ Never to part, oh baby mine…”

Logan kissed the top of his forehead. Virgil’s stubby little hands clutched at his blue sweatshirt, the wrinkles smoothing out on his face where they remained on his shirt. His tiny puffs of breath slowed into sleep, entering his second scheduled nap of the day. The rocking chair creaked to a stop as Logan hummed soft notes to his lullaby.

He stood up, still slowly rocking Virgil in his arms. Then walked over to his crib and set Virgil down. The camera strained to catch Logan’s whisper as he hovered over his son. His lips moved but Nate couldn’t decipher it at the moment.

The camera could:

“I’ll never leave you, Virgil. Not until the day I die. I love you so much.”

Logan turned around then a blush overtook his face again as he noticed the camera.

“Always so camera shy!” Nate giggled as Logan marched over. His hand reaching out toward the camera, his palm blotting out everything. And then–

The phone ran out of battery.

[Recording lost.]

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[simmonsfam8]

Date Night??

They were sitting in a restaurant silent with the occasional glance. Tyler was trying to work up the strength to get Angelia to stop avoiding the topic he’d wanted discuss since Christmas. Angelia took a sip of her wine looking around. To her, this was a have fun going back to New York thanks for keeping my sorry ass company dinner and nothing else.

As their waiter came around and filled up Angelia’s glass Tyler deiced to speak. “Thanks for letting me stay over this holidays” Angelia nodded taking another drink. “Yeah, no problem it was nice hanging out like old times, nice to be friends again.” Friends she just friend-zoned you again..bet she didn't friend-zone that comatose. Tyler shook his head pushing the negatives thoughts about him out his head. He grabbed Angelia’s hand holding it. “Marshmellow how long are you going to pretend there’s nothing between us?” Angel sighed trying to get her hand back. “Tyler I told you I can’t do this for one my heart isn't fully in it because of...” She hesitated knowing she couldn't utter his name without breaking down.

Tyler rolled his hands letting go of her hand. “Ben?! because of him really Angel sweetheart let him go, there’s no ring on your finger, he’s not coming back and if he does wake up..” It was silent again just the restaurant buzzing in the background. Angelia’s eyes started to water as she realized what he just said. She stood grabbing her purse. Tyler put money down for the bill and walked after her “Angelia stop!” She ignored him breathing heavily down the street not caring if she bumped anyone. Tyler caught up to her, retaking her hand turning her around. “Marshmellow I'm so sorry i didn't mean to say that” Angelia snatched her hand back glaring at him. “Is that why they wouldn't tell me anything about him at the hospital because of you?!” Tyler looked down as Angelis groaned. “Un-fucking-believable!!” She started hitting Tyler’s chest letting out all her frustrations. He grabbed her arms and pulled them into an alleyway. “Stop Angelia and calm down I'm fucking sorry” She laughed, her face now red from all the bottled up emotions that she had been holding in ever since Ben told her goodbye for the last time. “You knew what was going with him and didn't fucking tell me, knowing I was going fucking crazy wondering if he was dead or not. I CAN’T SAY HIS FUCKING NAME!!” 

Tyler let her cry on his chest not feeling bad for keeping anything from her besides Ben practically gave her up. Ben obviously didn't love Angelia anymore it was clear to Tyler once he found out Angelia didn't have the engagement ring anymore or that stupid necklace. “Angel I’m really sorry, but I didn't want to hurt you with the news, and I really think this is a sign to move on from him.” Angelia gazed up at him with a dangerous glint in her eyes. “Who are you to Christen Tyler?” That question stopped his heart.

During the holidays it was nice to hang out with the baby that took his features than the other two that looked like Bens, but that didn't change his views. Tyler stepped back and chuckled trying to ease the tension “Angelia” “No! Don't Angelia me! what..does..he..mean to you Tyler?” Angelia’s face grew even redder almost matching her lipstick if that were possible. Tyler shook his head trying not to lose her to this answer. “See that’s the difference between you and him. He stepped up when you shamed me for something we both played a part in, it ruined my fucking relationship with him, it ruined my reputation again, but that man stepped up and fucking claimed your son!”

By now Angelia’s voice could be heard as she got out all the frustrations she had been holding in trying to remain neutral for the sake of her friends. “He called Christen his son not you, His last name is Smith, not Scott, He told CHristen that he loves him so much not you ever!” Tyler stood and listened to her praise Ben like he was the good guy in all this. Ben wasn't the ideal dad to Tyler, the guy left his own fucking son to do drugs for months, and walked out on Angel right after she gave birth not bothering to even look at the twins when they were born yet Tyler's the shitty one because he wasn't ready for Fatherhood.”

“Fuck Ben Angel! Fuck him!” Angelia shoved him into the concrete wall screaming out her anger. “I don’t love you Tyler! Yes, I like you and would want to see what these crazy feelings I have are all about, but I can’t do it.” Silence while staring was becoming their thing. Angelia wiped her tears cursing her life and how every decision she made threw her deeper into a pit of depression. Angelia missed Ben, Angelia wished she had never had sex with Tyler out of sadness and revenge, but then she wouldn't have Christen and Ariel. Both babies were created out of a messy situation, but they were the most innocent thing she's ever laid eyes on next to logan. Tyler scratched the back of his head knowing his mission was a failure. "Angel I..words can't make up for how I hurt you ever since you were pregnant, but I'm just not ready to be a father, you weren't ready to be a mother when you had Logan" Angelia rolled her eyes at his lame excuse. "I still stepped up and took care of my kid. Christen doesn't deserve you popping up in his life when it's convenient for you. Bottom line Tyler you aren't his father so stop making the internet think you actually give a damn." Tyler opened his mouth to interject, but Angelia held up her hand "You love me not him and to be with me you have to accept all my kids."

Tyler's jaw twitched with the thought of being around Logan and Ariel. If it were up to him, he'd get rid of those two having Angelia and Christen all to himself. Tyler walked closer grabbing her chin "Please just give me a chance maybe that'll help me with my fatherhood problem" Angelia scoffed pushing him back "Tyler just go back to New York, fuck as many girls as you want and leave me alone."

Angelia took his hand and gave him back the ring he gifted her with on Christmas "I'm sorry Ty, but I'm not pulling the same move I did with Aaron just so I won't be alone, the truth is I have my kids and the love for their father to get me through in life who cares if I don't have dick anymore" She leaned up, giving him a kiss then left him standing in the alleyway.

[siriuslycollins-blog]

Untitled Dadmonger

CH. 2

7 months later

Chloe Isabel Stevens made her grand entrance into the world on a crisp fall evening. She was a tiny thing with a full head of soft black hair, and Erik had a hard time believing he made that. Bianca’s family was there, much to his disappointment and the meeting in the waiting room was anything but joyous; just like he suspected her family was nothing but rich snobs who looked down on lower-class black people. The mother was a petite woman with wavy hair down to her back and owned a publishing company and the father was the same. He was a skinny man who spoke condescendingly to Erik and was one of the best defense attorneys New York had seen. And don’t even get him started on the brother; Bianca’s younger brother acted just like Carlton from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air with his white girlfriend in tow.

In fact, the whole family looked just like the Banks family but their personalities were atrocious. Bianca’s brother Nicholas seemed perfectly at ease to go along with whatever his white girlfriend was saying, and Mr. Logan was judging Erik for every single thing he did: the way he dressed, talked, and his hometown Oakland. Mrs. Logan on the other hand seemed to tolerate Erik and encouraged her husband to ease up on him. 

“Really Clyde, stop messing with him, this is hardly the time or place,” she hissed at him smacking his arm. “I’m sorry about my husband Erik, just ignore him. What did your parents say when you told them you were going to be a father?” Mr. Logan was rubbing his arm and glaring at his wife. “My parents died when I was young but I’m sure they’d be happy,” Erik replied respectfully. So far only Bianca’s mother had shown him a little respect; she was a kind lady who briefly reminded Erik of his foster moms.

“Oh Erik, I’m so sorry, we had no idea. If you need anything at all, please let us know, and call me Shannon.” Mr. Logan and Nicholas looked at her as if she lost her mind, but she ignored them. “So Erik, what do you do for a living? You have a job?” For the last few months he had been working as a War Dog for the U.S. with Ulysses Klaue, racking up kills in Iraq, Africa, and on American soil, but he couldn’t tell them that so he stuck with the basic truth. “I’m in the military and just got back from a mission on Africa.”

Now Clyde had nothing to say; he was hoping for an answer along the lines of being unemployed or selling drugs. Now the man sat back in his chair in defeat and sipped his coffee. “Well it’s a good thing for now, but not something you want to do forever is it? Now that you’re about to become a father?” “No matter what I do, my kid will always be taken care of,” Erik promised in a cool voice. It was true, his daughter is going to be set for life as the next princess of his father’s native country of Wakanda with him as king.

He was having some minor setbacks but that was okay, it was only giving him time to make sure everything will go over smoothly. A nurse came in a little while later to announce the birth of the baby, a little over three pounds. Everyone followed the nurse to Bianca’s room and there she was. Bianca was sweaty with hair stuck to her forehead and tired looking but happy. In her arms was a bundle of blankets and Erik moved closer; inside the blankets was a small baby with a full head of black hair and fast asleep. Bianca held out her arms.

“You wanna hold her Erik?” Erik was unsure, he had never been around babies, or held one before and he was low key scared; she was so small and fragile looking. The nurse showed him where to put his hands and soon he had one hand holding her body and the other supporting her head. The baby girl was still sleeping but moving inside the blankets. “Can you open ya eyes for me ma?”

He wasn’t sure if she understood or if was a coincidence but she obeyed his order. Looking back at him was his own brown eyes copied into her small face, a stark contrast from Bianca’s light ones; after really looking at her she had a lot of his facial features: his eyes, nose, and ears. The only thing she got from her mother was her light skin tone which will probably darken over time. “Hi Princess, I’m you pops.” The newborn made a little noise at the acknowledgement and Erik smiled.

“Aye Bianca, what’s her name?” The never talked about names that much because they thought the baby wouldn’t be due for another three weeks and the baby was early. “I really liked the name Hermione.” Ah hell no was his new daughter gonna be named after some white girl from Harry Potter. He ain’t walking around with a daughter named Hermione Stevens.

“Nuh uh, try again,” he said rocking his daughter back and forth. “Whatchu mean try again? I pushed her out!” After an hour of passing the baby around family and fighting over names, the picked a winner: Chloe Isabel. Erik couldn’t believe he made something so beautiful and good. She was passed around three times to everyone, except Nicholas’ girlfriend; whenever she was about to get her hands on the baby Erik intercepted her.

Chloe seemed to know exactly who was holding her because she cooed at just about everyone in the room. She started making noises when someone that wasn’t Erik or Bianca held her; whenever someone in Bianca’s family held her, she would let out an ear-splitting screech but with Erik she would calm down immediately. He had a daddy’s girl on his hands, he could feel it, and it seemed like baby girl didn’t like anyone on her mom’s side of the family. The eventually had to leave to give Chloe and Bianca some rest; tomorrow both mother and baby would be able to leave.

“But I never got to hold her!” the white girl Kayla whined, and Nicholas hushed her as the left. “It’s okay babe, we’ll talk about it later.” No one noticed that Erik had stayed behind, staring at his daughter in the plastic crib next to her mother. “What do you want nigga?” He couldn’t believe how different his baby mama was from the rest of her family, she was so laid back, didn’t give a fuck about what people thought of her.

Her family it seemed like they survived on the approval of white people. “Thank you. For her.” “Umm. You’re welcome. You’re gonna be a great dad Erik.” They sat talking for a little while longer, making plans to move Bianca into Erik’s new apartment. As Bianca had predicted months earlier, her parents did kick her out but not until after the baby was born.

This was to protect their won brand as they were both prominent figures in New York. No one could know that the successful Logan family had a pregnant college aged daughter who cheated on her boyfriend. They agreed to start the process in a few weeks when Bianca was able to move around, and he still had to set up the baby furniture. Erik left as he saw Bianca falling asleep and gave Chloe one last kiss and turned out the light.

He still had no idea if he was ready for fatherhood or fit enough to be someone’s parent but he had to try

Two weeks later

Erik was tired, he was so fucking tired. How the hell does something so small make so much noise? It’s been two weeks since Chloe’s birth and he already felt like a failure; the new father couldn’t concentrate on his school work or his father’s journals, and Bianca wanted nothing to do with the baby, she was no help at all. To make matters worse Erik has a mission to Afghanistan coming up and he had no idea what to do. It turns out that thing Shannon was talking to Erik about ever needed anything was a fucking lie.

Yesterday when Erik went to drop off Chloe there was a for sale sign in the window of their house and when he rang the doorbell nobody answered. The neighbor who lived next door to them told them they moved to Portland, Maine. He felt like kicking something or someone; that bitch had lied to him and he fell for it, they didn’t want anything to do with their granddaughter or niece. Instead Erik went back to MIT with baby Chloe in tow to his first few classes of the new semester. with the way Bianca was acting, he wasn’t going to let her watch the baby for a few hours even if she is the mother.

It was quite a comical sight, seeing Erik Stevens bringing a baby to class complete with a pink diaper bag slung across his chest; he glared at anyone who dared to say something. When he reached the science department he sat the baby carrier down on a bench and gave his newborn daughter a pep talk. “Aight now, I don’t want no crying, screaming or any kind of noise, got that? Not a peep.” Chloe just stared at him and kicked her feet as she babbled. “Yeah, get all that energy out now. After this we gon do a diaper check and get you bottle.”

He was the first one to class and he took some time to get his materials ready and went over the rules one more time. The next person to come next was the professor Dr. Gao, a small Chinese woman who gasped in shock at the baby. “Is she going to be joining us for the semester?” she asked. He had no idea, it didn’t look like Bianca was going to get any better land he couldn’t find anyone to watch her while he was at school. “Looks like it, yeah.”

“Well, she is very beautiful. What is her name?” Erik glanced at the baby who had now fallen asleep in the carrier. “Her name’s Chloe.” Dr. Gao asked a few more questions, questions like who is the mother, is the mother doing okay, are you on speaking terms with her? Erik answered as truthfully as possible, trying not to get too mad at her; she does hold her grade in her hands and he didn’t want to piss her off.

The rest of the class filed into the lecture hall and everyone looked from the baby to Erik and back again as they whispered to their friends. After ten minutes the initial shock of Erik Stevens having a child wore off and class continued on in peace. It was a short class since it was the first week; the syllabus was passed out with important dates like finals and midterms in bold print. Dr. Gao gave them a research paper that was due at the end of the semester along with a list of topics to choose from. The class was over in fifteen minutes with the professor telling them to get started soon.

As promised, Erik gave Chloe a diaper change in a secluded stairwell and was relieved to see that her diaper was only a little wet; he changed her quickly and pulled her clothes back on. Erik fed her a bottle in the car, he hated the way people were coming up to him asking to hold Chloe and he wanted some quiet time with her before his next class.

Erik glanced at the clock on the dashboard and saw that he only had ten minutes left to get to is math class. “Come one baby girl, time for class.” She whined a little as if she was already tired of this. “I know this shit is boring but ya pops gotta graduate next semester.” Poor Chloe, for the rest of the day she was carried from one part of campus to the other against her will and in every one of Erik’s class people stared in amusement at him.

When the day was over Chloe was finally down for the day and would be until she woke up Erik and Bianca at ten. For the first time in two weeks Bianca checked on the baby while Erik started researching his topic for his paper. After ten minutes of fussy cries, Chloe was down for good and Bianca went back to her room. That was how things worked with them; they were roommates who just happened to have a child together. At around eleven Erik called it quits, he managed to get plenty of work done and even came up with an outline with notes scribbled hastily in the margins.

He didn’t even have the energy to look through his father’s journals which surprised him. All Erik wanted was something to eat and to get some sleep before the next time Chloe woke him up. He grabbed a slice of pizza and ate it cold and drank half a can of Dr. Pepper before heading to his room. Chloe was there in her crib sleeping on her back and didn’t make a sound as he got ready for bed. “Good night inkosazana.”

Inkosazana = princess

taglist: @buttercupwuzhere  @killmogersgurl  @uhlxis  @killmongurl  @killmoncoochie  @killmongerdispussy  @black-mcu-imagines  @blackgirloneshots  @blackbxbe  @brianabreeze  @ourwakandanerik

[modernhobbit123]

It's Time Part 3

Charles Xavier x daughter reader

Soon the morning came and Charles got up early for once, with Hank's help. He figured if he wouldn't see his child again after today then it wouldn't hurt to at least give her a proper meal. Giving this to her was his only motivation to get up and into life, because it would show her he cared. He knew thats what she needed most in her life now. 

When the rest of them got around they ate together and (Y/N) ate until she wanted to vomit. Hank helped get her bag together and washed her old clothes the previous night. She had never been shown how good the world could be and was a bit excited to really see it for the first time. Soon they had to leave to find Raven and she had to be on her way. She stood at the entrance of the mansion with them, Logan was more of a see ya ler kinda guy. Hank let you know you had friends here if you wanted to come back. Charles gave you a few photos from before Cuba of old times to show her a better time. 

They hugged and she said she would come back to him if he wanted. "Of course I do, just when this terrible business is over." She nodded and was about to move off when Hank brought out a polaroid camera.

"You two should have at least one picture together." He smiled snapping their photos so both she and Charles could both have one. She gave thanks to them and they parted ways. (Y/N) ended up staying in new York for a few more weeks, she jumped from home to home but enjoyed seeing the city. She wanted to stay in the area to be close to her new home, but in the next week she wanted to be anywhere but there. 

One day passing people on the busy streets, everyone had stopped to watch the TVs in the windows and on the big screns. (Y/N) pushed through the crowds to see the news caster say, "Tragedy struck today in Washington D.C when mutant criminal Erik Lehnsherr lifted RFK Stadium from the ground and trapped President Nixon and his cabinet on the white house grounds. We believe he had intentions to kill the President at the unvailing of Bolivar Trask's new Sentinel program. The Sentinels were meant to a new modern safety measure for humans against mutants. Our team's footage shows a few other mutants at the scene, who appear to be protecting the President from this mad man. Unfortunately, their efforts were not enough to stop Lehnsherr from taking the life of Mr. Trask and President Nixon. Our sources tell us there were no survivors when police arrived."

She couldn't believe her eyes as the video showed her dad and Hank both being killed by Erik Lehnsherr and a female mutant there. She ran away to a quiet place so she could cry uninterrupted. She had lost everything she knew and was now completely alone. Another scientist moved the Sentinel program forward and soon all mutants lived in fear. 

At this moments (Y/N) was hiding in an underground base she set up in the sewers, she knew they were coming for her and she didnt care. If she was killed then she could be with her dad and Hank and Logan and her old friends again. They had been trying to break through the blast shields for hours and she had her escape pack on her back, but she sat down when she decided it wouldn't be worth it to run. At 13 or 33 or 73 they would kill her anyway. She listened to an old Elvis record and only looked at her photos of her almost home. They pushed through, and crept up behind her ready to blast her life away. "I'll be there soon dad." 

Unknown to her, the x-gene in her sparked and her mutation unleashed in her dispair. The heat reached her neck but the searing pain never hit. Before anyone knew it, (Y/N) wasn't in her base. She was sitting outside the gate of the mansion, but it was clean and there weren't any signs up. Nothing about her had changed and she still had all her belongings on her. She put away her photo and went through the gate, walking up the road to the house she could hear activity. More ane more so with each step, she began to feel nervous again, it wasn't the 1970s anymore. 

Stepping through the tree line she could hear people talking on the other side of the house, it was much different here compared to the last time she was there. She was afraid to knock on the door so she went around back to see who was there. Immediately she recognized Charles and stopped to stare at him, just like the first time. But he wasn't dirty or dressed in a robe. He was clean and shaven and looked like her photo from 1963. And overall, he looked so happy. He talked to a young teenage kid but stopped when he saw her. She wanted to run and hide, but it wouldn't help anything now that she was seen. She had their attention but couldn't find the confidence to speak. 

Charles went up to her, "Hello? Young lady? Are you lost?" He got down to her level. When her lip trembled and tears came out he got very concerned. "Hey, hey. What's wrong? Where are your paren-" he was cut off by her wrapping her arms around his neck for a hug. He was genuinely confused but patted her back. Raven came out to talk Charles and was shocked, to say the least, at the sight. He saw her and shrugged his shoulders to her, as he didn't have a clue.

He pulled back when (Y/N) didn't, "Are you ok?" He asked slowly. 

She nodded, "You are Charles Xavier right?" He nodded. "Good, well, this....is going to sound crazy. May we talk in private?" He looked to Raven and she nodded, going to find Erik. They went inside, to the library for the privacy.

"Alright. What is this crazy story you ha-" he was cut off once again.

"I'm your daughter.....and I'm from the year 1976." She started strong but her voice left her.

He laughed a little, thinking it was a prank. "I'm sorry to disappoint you but I dont have children. And as for the future bit, very funny. You almost had me."

"Its not a joke Da- Charles. I'm from thirteen years a head in the future but I dont know how I did it." He still wasn't convinced, but he saw she was desperate. "Look, just.....Just look through my mind! You're a telepath. I can't be lying about my memories can I?!" She got excited as she remembered.

He was wondering who she really was, "How do you know that?" 

"Because I found you when I was twelve and you told me yourself. Please, just look. I give you permission, just...please!!" She said exhaustedly and desperately. He was hesitant but if she was telling truth, this would change them both. He nodded after considering it. As he put two fingers to his temple he began to dive into her mind and looked into her life from start to finish. (Y/N) sat uncomfortably as she waited. Charles' expression changed from happy, to sad, to painful and so on as he looked at her. 

"Its all true." He chuckled nervously.

"Yeah and I have pictures. The older one is from this year, and the other is from 1975." She showed him the pictures and he read the back.

"We haven't taken any pictures yet."

"You will. Before you leave to find that Shaw guy. That photo is all my mom gave me before she gave me up. ...without it I wouldn't be here."

"You've certainly been through too much."

"It just makes me stronger." She shrugged. It was very fortunate for her that he had his powers, he understood everything she went through. He smiled at her resilience.

"Well, if you're going to stay I need to talk with the others so they know who you are and what's going on." She stiffened but launched herself at him for a tight hug. He chuckled and held her back just as tight, by looking through her mind he felt like he knew her even though this is their first meeting.

Later on through the day Charles got everyone else together, except Moira, and explained the situation. (Y/N) explored the house all day and met the others. She was a little nervous around her Aunt Raven and Erik being there because of what happened in the future, but decided not to worry. It was a different time, what could go wrong? Charles made the time to spend with (Y/N) nd get to know her from scratch. She told him about her abilities not showing up yet until the accidental time travel. He told her she was just a late bloomer, just because his powers came to him when he was nine doesn't mean she'd be the same way. Which she kinda understood. Moira was there to help, being CIA, and all but (Y/N) didn't know whether or not to get close to her. She tried being friendly more and more to her soon to be mom, hoping it could change her mind about giving (Y/N) up.

Night fell and she sat with Charles once again, so they could get to know each other better. He was droning on about genetics and how she was a mutant even though her mom was human. She laughed at his corney dad jokes. "Come on!"

"What? It was a good one." He reasoned laughing.

"No it was aweful!" She laughed back. It made her feel better than great to have this kind of moment with him. She even felt good enough to listen to music and really enjoy it. She lept off the couch and opened her pack to fish out her 60s Elvis Presley record.

"What's that?" Even though they lived in America she doubted he knew Elvis.

"A record of the greatest hits by the King of rock and roll music." She set up the record player and the song, 'Can't Help Falling in Love,' started. "It's my favorite album. Real American culture." She said giddily.

He listened to it with her and she leant into his arm, wanting to make the most of this moment. He found it sweet and held her close to return the affection. Soon she fell asleep to the music and warmth in the atmosphere. Charles held her for a while and gently took her to her room. He felt like fatherhood was ment for him. He set her in bed and gave her a kiss on her forehead good night before settling down himself in his room.

There had never been a more peaceful time in her life than now, until the deeper night that is. In her mind the voices in her dream were getting louder, like a new voice chimed in every second. Her sleep became disrupted and she figured when she woke it would go away. She sat up in bed and rubbed her head as it didn't go away and got louder, waiting for a while she started crying thinking it wouldn't end. Raven was still awake and passed by her room just in time, she felt protective of (Y/N) and opened her door, "(Y/N)? Hey? Whats wrong? Why are you upset?" She rushed over and hugged her trying to calm her. 

"The voices wont stop!" She cried out. 

Raven immediately knew what was happening because it happened to Charles and she left to go get him. He was groggy and wanted to sleep again, "Yes Raven?" He sighed.

"(Y/N)'s powers are here. She says the voices wont stop." She said before running out. Charles urgently followed and Hank had shown up for comfort too. Charles lifted her up and held her tight, speaking to her in her mind. 

"Shhh, its alright sweetheart. I'm here or you."

"They wont stop!" She yelled.

"I know, I know. The same thing happened to me. You have to use your powers to block them from your mind. Imagine a wall around your thoughts." She pushed her abilities and did what he said, keeping a wall between her mind and the world. She heard it all go quiet and she calmed down. "Good, good job. Keep that up and you wont hear them at all unless you try." She sniffed and wiped her eyes. The others patted her back to let her know she was safe and they were there to help. Her family was all there.