(A/N): I've always loved the bond Arnold and Phil have in HA! and I realize how much losing a child must have hurt Phil and Gertie. So, this is to explore that a bit and go through the years with Phil and Arnold. Enjoy!
"Miles… Son, can we have a word?"
Miles jerked, glancing at his father and sighing. Nodding, he followed Phil to the door and gently closed it. If he woke Arnold, Stella would never forgive him. He followed Phil up to the roof, and together they sat staring at the skyline. Hillwood was bathed in blood. Phil let out another sigh, reaching for his son's hand and grasping it tightly.
"Son… you don't have to go, you know. Eduardo, the Green-Eyed People. You owe them nothing. But, your son… you owe Arnold everything."
Miles leapt up, stomping away and crossing his arms. "That's EXACTLY why I have to go! Arnold deserves parents who didn't act selfishly. If we stay here with Arnold and an entire village… an entire people… die out because we refused to go, what would that say about us? What would we tell him? What would he tell his kids?! I couldn't live with the guilt. And I don't think Stella could either. Look, Dad. If you don't want to take care of him, that's—"
"NOT what this is about, and you know it. Miles… you're my son. I love you so much, and it hurts your mother and me to think about you leaving Arnold behind. Heck, I couldn't do it. I wouldn't have left you for anything."
"Rub it in, Dad. You're a better parent than me."
The agitation in Miles' voice caused Phil to jerk, and he shook his head, moving to stand beside his son and placing his hand on Miles' shoulder. "I never said that, or thought it. You know, Miles, I got a job when you were very small, a few states away. That job had everything a man could dream of. Amazing pay, great hours and I would've never worked a holiday. It had benefits for Pookie, for you and Tara. It would have made Sunset Arms the best dang boarding house this side of the Mississippi."
Miles stared at his father, knitting eyebrows in concern. "What happened?"
"I couldn't stay away. Your mother couldn't have gone with me, not in her condition." Phil glanced to his son, then out to look across the city, and Phil's hands grasped the railing on the roof. "She was pregnant with Johnny then. And you were a lil tyke, and Tara was so young. I tried to go… but I came back two days later. I missed you all so much, I just couldn't do it. Miles, I know better than anybody what you're facing right now. I understand. Pookie and I didn't put you through college to become a doctor and scientist for nothing. Your drive to help people is so rare, and to find somebody like Stella for a mate who shares that passion… it's a gift, son. I just don't want you to forget what's truly important. I know how you are during missions, Son. The year you flew off to San Lorenzo, your mother and I heard from you four times. We were terrified you were dead. I don't want that for your son. He doesn't deserve that. O' course, we didn't either, but we accepted it as your job. But it's different now. You can't let that mission take priority over your boy. This needs to be your last mission. You owe the Green-Eyes your lives, and so it is for that reason you should go. When that debt is fulfilled, you must return home and focus on Arnold… and I know you will. You've always been a good boy, Miles. Sometimes, I can hardly believe you're a grown man with a family of your own. Your mother and I will protect that family with all we have, until you return." Phil's gaze turned solemn and he cut it to his son, grasping him by the shoulders.
"Understand?"
Miles nodded, tears in his eyes. His father always knew what to say. Moving forward, he grabbed his father in a hug and buried his face in Phil's shoulder.
"Dad, I don't want to leave him. He said his first words only the other day. We're only supposed to be gone a month, at the very most, but we're going to miss so much. Take as many pictures as you can, Dad. And when we come back, we'll never leave him again."
It was only a few days later that Miles and Stella kissed their son goodbye, and Miles hugged his parents again, waving goodbye as they got in the cab to head to the airport.
(A/N):
I'll touch on Johnny and Tara in a later chapter. Bottom line is this: Phil is born from 1914-1916, (I'm going with 1915) meaning he's a young adult in the mid 1930s and 40s... although not a pre-birth control world, I imagine Phil and Gertie both grew up very poor, being in the depression. My great grandmother was born 1925, so they are around the same age. In those days, it was common for larger families to happen, and as much as Phil and Gertie seem to love kids, it makes more sense they'd have more children than just Miles.