Chapter 7-
A/N: I know it's been awhile, but now I'm back. During that time I also saw Rise of the Silver Surfer. Some of what happened in that movie will be referenced in this story same as the first movie. I think the only thing that will be AU is Von Doom killing General Hager. As much as the guy was a jerk I liked Reed and the others having an antagonist who doesn't approve of the FF; even though I did like Reed telling him off in the movie.
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Hope sat in front of a vanity as her mother curled her long dark hair. Reed sat in the chair across from her, watching as Sue fixed her hair and was going to put on a little makeup.
"Go easy on the makeup, Susie. I'm not used to a lot of makeup on my little girl," Reed said, knowing that would earn him a comment form Hope.
"Dad!" Hope said, rolling her eyes like he thought she would.
"Hope, you just look naturally beautiful without all the eye makeup and lipstick," Reed said.
"He does have a point, Mom. I don't really want a lot either. My date's Michael. He's seen how I look every day in a sweatshirt, jeans, and tennis shoes," Hope said as her mother applied some mascara.
"He'll like what he sees tonight," Sue said, piling Hope's dark hair on top of her head and letting a few loose tendrils frame her face.
"I hope he likes my dress. And, Dad, please don't embarrass me tonight. Uncle Johnny does that enough," Hope said, standing up.
"When have I ever embarrassed you?" Reed asked.
"Well, never. But there is a first time for everything," Hope said as she walked out of the room. Johnny was watching a game and Ben was going with Reed and Sue to the dance. He wore a preordered tuxedo that fit his rocky frame.
"It's incredible that they can make a suit to fit you, Ben. It looks good," Hope commented.
"Thanks, Hope. For that you can dance with me," Ben said as Hope kissed his rocky face.
"Of course I'll save you a dance. I'll even dance with Dad if he'd like," Hope said, trying to sound generous.
"Thank you, Hope. I would be honored that you'll let your old Dad dance with you," Reed said as Hope and Sue slipped their coats on.
"Dad, you're not that old," Hope commented as they left the building.
"I know that. You're the one who wanted to marry me when you were six years old," Reed said dryly.
"So, is Michael gonna be there when we show up?" Ben asked, changing the subject.
"He said he would. He told me that he understood why he couldn't pick me up at the Baxter building," Hope said as they walked in the orange twilight to the school.
"It would be difficult for anyone to pick you up if a media circus is outside and waiting," Reed said, holding both Sue and Hope's hands.
"I didn't really want the media circus. Chances are that I'm going to get it at the dance, but right now I don't care," Hope said.
"Hope, just promise that you won't show off," Reed said, stopping Hope as they walked.
"Give me a little credit, Daddy. I'm not that stupid," Hope said, rolling her eyes.
""I know that. I just want you to be careful. When you're dancing and you have your abilities you can show off on the dance floor," Reed said, remembering the time he let Johnny talk him into a bachelor party before he had gotten married.
"I guess this is like the time Johnny talked you into the bachelor party before we were married and we walked in and you were dancing?" Sue said a grin on her face.
Hope turned to look at him, an identical grin on her face. "Daddy?" Hope asked.
"That's exactly what I mean. I was showing off. And don't you dare get any ideas," Reed said sternly as a boy with brown hair came running up as they stepped in front of the school.
"Wow! You look great!" The boy said. Reed noticed that his daughter's face turned red slightly.
"Thanks, Michael. So do you. You look different when you're not wearing jeans and a plaid shirt," Hope said, licking her lips.
"You always wear a sweatshirt and jeans with a ratty pair of your uncle's tennis shoes," Michael pointed out as he took Hope by the hand and walked with her into the school gym. Reed, Sue, and Ben followed.
"He seems like a nice kid," Sue commented as they watched Michael get Hope a glass of punch.
"Yeah," Reed mumbled softly as he watched the dance begin with "Hit Me Baby One More Time." Reed watched carefully as his daughter danced. This was the kind of song where she could show off. To his relief she didn't.
Reed looked up at his wife as she gently touched his arm. "Reed, trust her. She'll disobey you if you have no confidence in her," Sue said, smiling at him.
"I know. You're right. I don't have anything to worry about, but I just love Hope so much," Reed said as a slow dance started and Sue flung her arms around his neck and they danced.
"We all know that, Reed. Just give her a little freedom. She's growing up and she's old enough to make a few choices on her own. She couldn't stay your little girl forever," Sue said.
"You're right. So now, will you dance with me, Susan Richards?" Reed asked.
"Of course I will. I love you," Sue said, kissing him gently.
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Hope danced with Michael, watching her parents out of the corner of her eye. To her relief Reed had relaxed and didn't have his eye on her. "Your father isn't watching us now," Michael commented
"No. My Dad isn't watching us because he figures I'm being careful enough not to use my ability in public," Hope said, laughing slightly.
"So, what's it like when you stretch like that?" Michael asked.
"Weird. I almost thought I wouldn't. I wasn't born with this. My dad has examined me every year of my life on my birthday," Hope said.
"What does it feel like?" Michael asked, cocking his head.
"It hurts a little. My arms and legs ache slightly because I'm using muscles I never used before. That's another reason why Dad doesn't want me to do it until he says I'm ready," Hope said as the slow song ended.
"Do you want some punch? I'm feeling a little thirsty," Michael said as they walked over to the snack table. Ben was also there, eating a piece of cake.
"Sure. Hi, Ben," Hope said to her father's friend as Ben gave her a glass of punch.
"Hi, Hope. Having fun?" Ben asked as Hope hugged him.
"Sure am. I wish Alicia could have come with you tonight so you wouldn't have to stand here alone," Hope said, drinking her punch in one gulp and grabbing a piece of celery.
"It's all right. You still owe me a dance. Also Alicia doesn't really dance since she's blind," Ben said.
"I'll dance with you after me and Michael rest a bit. I did promise you and Dad," Hope said, grabbing another glass of punch.
Reed and Sue came over just then. Reed kissed his daughter's forehead gently. "Having fun?" Reed asked, hugging her tightly.
"Now that you're not watching me like a hawk to see if I abuse my abilities," Hope said, grabbing a carrot stick from the vegetable tray.
"Reed, I told you she knew you were watching her," Sue said in a slightly accusing tone.
"I think half the school thinks you're going to pull a 'Mr. Fantastic' at the dance. Would you believe they were actually taking bets on you doing it?" Michael asked, grabbing his second glass of punch.
Hope raised her eyebrows at that comment. "Hmmm. Maybe I shouldn't disappoint them," Hope said, looking at her father with a teasing tone in her voice.
"Hope Richards, don't you dare," Reed said his brown eyes stern.
"I was kidding, Dad. Sheesh! Ben, I think I'm ready for that dance now," Hope said, gripping Ben's rocky arm and leading him to the floor.
"You know, you shouldn't tease your father like that," Ben said as they danced.
"I know, but its stupid knowing that they are betting on me like that, Ben. I know that I'm doing it to tease him a little, but I do wish I didn't have to control my ability in public. I mean everyone here- except the disc jockey- has seen me when my arm shot out in the cafeteria," Hope said.
"I know, but your father is just trying to protect you. He doesn't want anything to happen to you," Ben said as the song stopped and he gently touched a tendril of Hope's dark hair with his rocky finger.
Hope looked over at the refreshment table where her father was with her mother. When she was little it was fun to live with the Fantastic Four and have Mr. Fantastic protect her. Also a lot of little girls thought it was fun to have Mr. Fantastic for a Daddy. Hope knew that a lot of girls and boys were jealous because she was the one who had gotten the privilege to have Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman as her parents. Hope knew that some of the nastier personalities thought she was a nerd who liked to read history. Tracie had said that she had really surprised a lot of people coming to the dance.
The song ended just then. "Ben, I'm going to the bathroom. Tell Dad I'll be back in a few minutes," Hope said, walking towards the exit.
Hope wanted to fix her makeup a little and check her hair. She also wanted a little quiet so she could talk with her father while they danced.
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Von Doom watched as the girl left the gym after her dance with Reed's friend Ben. Von Doom noticed how pretty the girl was. She had Reed's dark hair and Sue's blue eyes. Von Doom had heard around the school that Hope Richards had recently come into the ability to bend her body like rubber. And that it was surprising that Mr. Fantastic had even allowed her to come to this dance.
He watched as Hope entered the bathroom, humming the song "Here Comes the Sun" from The Beatles. She seemed like a cheerful sort. Of course he had heard she was a history nerd and spent hours with books on French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and English history with a few other countries thrown in.
It would be easy to make Reed's daughter his daughter. He would just have to wait until she came back from the dance.
