Erik Lehnsherr: a man born in poverty and with time, became a successful CEO of a large business. He was married and divorced twice and left with three children; Wanda and Peter, from his first marriage that lasted four years (because he was 'too obnoxious to deal with and was only digging himself a grave' as Magda put it) and Lorna, from his second marriage that lasted only a year. Now the twins were seven and Lorna was already two.

While Erik tries to spend as much time as possible with his children, work always manages to get in the way somehow, and enlists in several nannies and babysitters that always quit after a few days. But that might be because Peter is quite the handful and Lorna has very strong lungs. But it's easier now than what it had been before the twins entered kindergarten, since they're at school most of the day. Lorna's babysitter, Angel, is the most recent one and seems trustworthy enough and got along with Lorna on he first day. The teen's actually lasted about two weeks already without incident.

And while the children are at school and being taken care of, Erik manages his business. He works late many nights, usually cleaning up others messes and mistakes because ninety percent of his employees are incompetent assholes who can't do their job. And, more recently, has been training two engineers (which was his job when he himself started) by the names of Summers and Howlett. Both seem hardworking and somewhat useful. He hopes to God he made the right choice in hiring them.

Now, some may call Erik are selfish prick -many, actually- but in the kind of business he runs, he must. He can't show weakness or he'd be walked all over like a 'Welcome' mat. And his attitude has gotten his punched in the face a few times, but people still respect him. He does let a few people inside, like his ex wives, which turned out horribly, and his three children, who he doesn't see very much.

It counts, though. He hates to admit it, but he's a softie for his kids. Every night, because the twins refuse to go to bed until their father comes back from work, he reads them stories before bed. He's done that since they were toddlers and whenever Lorna is awake that late, she'll get a story also. He'll tuck them into bed and leave the hall light on before crashing into his own bed alone.

Never let it be said he was a bad father. But a bad person? Well…

"Howlett! You were meant to be here at seven sharp, exactly where in the seven circles of hell has your ass been!?"

"Look, I had a rough night, okay? And I'm thirty minutes late at most." Howlett grunted. Erik had know Logan long before he arrived at the company, and he'd been a pain in the ass back then, too. But right now Erik knew the tone in his voice; something had happened with Scott, Logan's boyfriend or fuck toy or whatever they preferred. Erik even waited by Logan's workbench in the engine room (five floors below Erik's own office) and waited with a scowl that would make grown men cower in fear and shame.

"Tomorrow I expect you here thirty minutes early, then." Erik made his way to the elevator, he had important work to get to.

"Are you fucking kidding me, Lehnsherr?!" Logan raised his tone, bad move.

"No, in fact, make in one hour early." Erik hid his smirk as the elevator doors closed.

When he got to his floor and was secure in his office, he sighed and started up his computer so he could get some of the many papers he had to secure and file out today. No one ever stopped by, with the exception of Alex if he accidentally set something (or someone) on fire. Then he'd have to check up on Howlett and Summers' performance for the day.

It takes his a few ours and by the time he's done with the paperwork part of his job, it's nearly two in the afternoon. Meaning Wanda and Peter will ride on the bus again today. He picks up the phone and dials the school to leave the message before he goes back into the elevator to the engine room. Only less than a handful of workers are here right now, including Howlett and Summers, whose voices are heard in hush tones around the room.

"I'm telling you; give him time and-"

"And what? He'll forgive me? That may work for you, but I'm not his family, Alex. I'm-

"You're his boyfriend. Or something close to that."

"Ex. Ex-boyfriend."

"Still don't know that yet, and it still means something."

"None of this shit is even my fault-Scott should be apologizing to me."

"We both know Scott will never say he's wrong."

Erik made a noise with his throat "Shouldn't you both be working?"

Alex huffed "We were."

Erik sighed and rubbed his forehead "How are things coming along?"

"Everything's alright." Logan said, almost too quickly "Eventually, anyway." that earned a punch in the ribs from Alex and a "Dude, shut the fuck up."

"What happened?" Erik glared at the two men "What did you break? I'm paying you to fix things. Not destroy them!"

"Destroy a harsh word." Summers commented "A screw just fell down into the machine, nothing bad will happen...right, Howlett?"

"….Right." Logan grumbled.

"See to it that nothing does. Or else you'll never work here or at another engineering job again." Erik said with heavy venom in his voice, he actually meant it this time. Both of the workers nodded, turning back to the machine. Erik marked their work day with a 'Satisfactory' work performance. And that was being generous for him.

Three hours later he drove back to his house in upper Manhattan. When he got to the door, Angel handed him Lorna.

"I'm done." She said.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm can't take care of Lorna anymore." The teen said.

"Why not?"

"I'm going to college and I have morning classes, I can't take a baby to college."

"I'm sure there's a way-"

"If you really have you send her somewhere, just put her in preschool. They have a program for toddlers." Angel said "In fact, there's one nearby. It's called 'Gifted Youngsters Elementary.'"

"Fine." Erik exhaled in defeat "Good luck with college."

"Good luck with the kids." She waved goodbye and walked onto the street.

"I'm going to need it." Erik mumbled as he closed the front door behind him. He wasn't late tonight, so as soon as the door shut, Peter was right by his side, excitingly telling his father about his day.

"Dad! Dad! We got a new teacher today, Mr. McCoy! He used to work at a college because he taught science and everyone asked him to do a science trick and he took tunic or tonic water and put it with a UV light and it glows in the dark! It was so cool, dad! Can we do stuff like that at home? 'Cause Mr. McCoy said if we wanted he'd write a bunch of home science projects we could do with our parents and you, me and Wanda could-not Lorna though, 'cause she's too little. Can we dad?"

Erik had already made his way into the kitchen with his son clutching his leg as he rambled on. He listened and greeted Wanda, who was coloring a picture book on the kitchen counter.

"Maybe on my next day off." Erik said, his son immediately looked saddened.

"Dad, you don't have day offs for weeks!" Peter pouted.

"Why do you work so much?" Wanda looked up from her coloring book.

"I...you know I have to work so we have nice things." Their father said gently, the toddler in his arms seemed to grip tighter to his chest.

"We know, it'd just be nice if you could." His daughter said softly.

Erik readjusts Lorna in his arms and goes into the living room, finding the number on his hone for the children school, and setting up a time to sign Lorna up. He thinks to himself 'I wish I was around more, too.'