My office doors flew open and an agitated Erik marched towards my desk. 'They're not here yet Erik. Will you please calm down.'

'I can't. They said they would be here by noon, it's almost ten. Why would they be so late? Something must have happened. We need to go look for them.'

'Crystal has checked in with me everyday for the past two weeks, as you well know.' I tapped the side of my head. 'They were leaving England this afternoon. If Peter is running them all that way I'm sure he'll demand regular pit stops. He's probably hit every fast food establishment from London to New York.'

My friend gave a sigh of relief, 'I suppose you're right. Though I'll still worry until I see them. Do you think they will like their gifts?'

I smiled as I heard my daughter call out to me, we're at the front gates. 'Why don't you ask them yourself?'

Erik turned swiftly on his heel and I followed, we met our children on the front steps. Crystal ran up towards me and I was able to embrace her. She looked healthy enough. Bright eyes, glowing complexion. Nothing external to worry about. Now, I just needed to find an excuse to get her into the lab for a blood test. She pulled away and Peter approached for a handshake, as Crystal hugged Erik.

'Hey daddio'

I could not restrain myself from showing distaste, 'Peter if you wish to continue living here, never call me that again.'

He laughed, sensing that I was not being serious, 'sorry, what would you prefer? Pops?'

Thank goodness for Crystal. She was the source of Peter's calmness. 'Peter, why don't we just stick with Professor in front of students and Charles any other time ok?' She brushed the side of his arm and walked into the main hall. Sorry we're late. We just wanted to do one more thing before we came home. She showed me the mental image of two gravestones. They had been to place eternal flowers on Nina's grave. Don't tell Erik just yet, Peter said he will.

I smiled and nodded towards her. My Crystal, heart of an angel.

'We have a surprise for you now you're home.' Erik began to lead them upstairs. Honestly, part of him is as impatient as his son. I headed to the lift to meet them on the third floor.

'Our room is empty. Someone stole all our stuff. I bet it was Scott.'

'Peter. One: I told you to stay here. Two: nobody has stolen anything.' Erik was trying to settle the speedster down. He'd been home two minutes and was already causing headaches. Crystal must have the patience of a saint to survive two whole weeks alone with him.

'Well, I did find several items labelled "Scott Summers" in your room Peter. Please stop antagonising each other. I'd like a whole academic year to go by where I don't have to set the staff detentions.'

'I'll keep him in check. So what's the surprise.' Crystal wanted to seem keen, but I could tell she was struggling to stay awake. Moving from London to Poland to Westchester in under twenty minutes must have effected her. She isn't designed to keep up with Peter as much as she tries to.

Erik stood back and moved the couple to the door. From behind them, he forced the door handle down and opened up their new suite.

'Chrissy! We have our own bathroom.' There was a silver blur around us as Peter inspected everything.

'We always had our own bathroom. What are you two up to?' Didn't miss a trick this one. Of course we couldn't tell her she was pregnant. The bigger room with the adjoining 'office' was so they would have nursery space for our growing family.

'Crystal, it makes sense for the whole family to be on one floor. Plus we thought that, as a married couple, you might appreciate some extra space.' I skirted round the outside of her mind, picking up her scepticism.

'I don't believe you, but thank you. At least I'll have a separate room to lock Peter in when he refuses to go to bed at a godly hour.' She hugged us both again, as Peter found their other surprise from the kitchen.

'Chrissy! We've got a puppy!' He bounced into the room holding the baby bulldog in his arms.

Crystal threw her head back in anguish. 'Seriously, I'm still house training Peter. Now I have to train a puppy as well'. Then she met its eyes and I knew Erik had made a wise choice in the gift. She was instantly in love with it. 'What's his name?'

'We've left that for you to decide.' Erik was beaming, clearly proud of himself. See Charles, if the puppy can survive Peter, a baby will be fine.

The puppy in question was biting down on Peter's jacket making Crystal laugh in the process. 'You've locked that down haven't you. Don't worry, I don't like that jacket either Lockjaw.'

'We're calling the dog Lockjaw? Chrissy be serious.'

'I am serious. I'll name the dog and you can name our first born. You know, in about a decade.'

'Deal.' Peter laughed and they shook hands.

She was possibly going to regret that transaction. 'Well, we'll leave you two to unpack. We'll see you in the morning for breakfast.' With that we all said our good nights and Erik and I turned left towards our rooms.

Charles did you hear that? She said a decade.

We agreed not to tell her Erik. If she finds out she was pregnant when she absorbed the mist she'll be worried the entire time. That stress won't be good for her or the baby. And I have no idea what nine months of worry would feel like to Peter.

So we stay with the original plan? When Hank next tests her, he'll lie by two weeks.

Yes, they have just spent two weeks travelling Europe. I'm sure some of the activities during their honeymoon would result in a baby.

'Goodnight Erik. I plan to get some decent sleep now they are back home where they belong.' With that I closed my door, fearful of what the future held for my small but precious family.