WOW! Thanks so much for the reviews and messages, especially those who started reading this fic two years ago and then returned to keep reading. Thank you so much. I will be finishing this story before I start any new ones, this also means before I finish my current HP one.

Chapter 12

Family Part One

Todd relaxed against the bench outside the mall, it was a nice day out and he had the day off. He'd thought about doing stuff around the Brotherhood house with the rest of the guys. But Lance and Kitty were in "Wedding" mode and couldn't talk about anything else, although everyone was in agreement that they should figure out the date it anything. Pietro had a date this afternoon and apparently both he and Wanda were avoiding Magneto who was trying to 'bond'. Todd has hoped Fred would want to do something, but apparently Fred had taken up online dating which Todd wasn't supposed to know about but he did. So here Todd sat waiting for something interesting to happen and Candy to get off work. He had brought his sketch book today but he'd not really drawn anything, instead he was enjoying the age old art of people watching.

"Hey Tolansky!" he turned around to see a guy wearing a hat, thick glasses, and a heavy backpack waving at him.

"Hey Arcade," he smirked as the techno-loving human sat next to him.

Arcade was one of the few mutants that the Brotherhood had never really had a problem with. This could be because Pietro and Kitty were in disagreement of him being a mutant or not, and if he was brought up, Mystique often seemed to have a fondness towards him, though she would quickly cover it up with yelling at them to do something productive. Todd and he had hung out a few time in Computer Class and Study Hall before and Todd wasn't a hundred percent sure but he wondered if Arcade even ever heard about actual mutants. He was always so far in his video games and electronic toys that for the brief time the Brotherhood had returned after the Sentinel incident that he hadn't even mentioned it and has asked him if he'd heard about the new game that was being released. In fact it was a few weeks after the official X-men and Brotherhood truce that he'd helped him build a giant dragon…. Which hadn't gone too well. (1)

"What's you've been up too, I haven't heard from you since we built Penelope…. How is she?

"Living in the garage with the SS Ducty…. Her head's missing… we think the X-men took it as a prize after defeating her, but can't be sure," smirked Todd, "How've you been, man."

"Good, glad to be finlly out of school but now my dad's all like, 'You need to come up with a productive life decition, we are not funding your laziness,' and all that crap. Want's me to join the military… I think he's on something," Todd smirked at Arcade's ranting, "He doesn't understand the beautiful art that is creating a video game."

"Or playing one," said Todd.

"Exactly, he thinks it's a waste of time… you know eventually he will die and I will have the money to do whatever I want," said Arcade, the dark moment made Todd a little concerned, "So what have you been up too, still with the Brotherhood?"

"Yeah, though as you know us and the X-men are still on a truce… so now we just try and irritate each other," said Todd, "I think Pietro's trying to convince Lance to pull a prank involving pudding but with Kitty and Lance getting engaged…. Well I think we just have to find a way to get Kitty involved."

"Nice, hey I'm working on a new horror game, you should come over and test drive it," said Arcade, "Most of the people I know are just graphics junkies, at least I know you understand the technical genius of glitch free gaming."

"Maybe some other time, my girl will be getting off work soon," said Todd looking back at the clock near the exit.

"Man, you'll have to shoot me a text sometime so we can hang," said Arcade, he looked up and smirked, "It's like a class reunion up in this place, hey Bruiser."

"Bruiser?" Todd looked behind him to see an annoyed Candy giving Arcade a half-hearted dirty look.

"Don't call me that, Webber," said Candy, she smiled at Todd, "Hi sweetie."

"Hey… Bruiser?" asked Todd, "You guys know each other outside of school?"

"Nah, we go back to EVS last year where she made the TA cry," said Arcade, "Hey listen, call me later and you can come test my new game, see you guys."

"See ya Arcade," said Todd as he got up and took the keys from Candy, "You made a Teacher's Assistant cry?"

"It was not that epic, we had group assignments for a paper and a speech… we were randomly given a subject and we had to apply it too modern issues," said Candy, her face was slightly pink.

"Do tell," smirked Todd as they gotten in the little car.

"Seriously…. Fine… Webber and I got the theory of Evolution, which we applied to mutants about how its adaptability based on environments and stuff… then the TA got all pissy and started arguing with us that if that was a factor, everyone would have elements of evolving… and I may have overstepped the line when I responded to that," said Candy nervously, Todd smirked and waited, she sighed, "I told him that they do… it's a shock in evolution when a Neanderthal develops the mental capacity to be a Teacher's Assistant…. Got a detention… but we got an A. Stop laughing."

"Oh god, that's great," he laughed as they turned off onto the highway.

"It was not, I was so embarrassed that I'd said anything… but Creed was an ass of a TA," said Candy, "Where are we going?"

"The Zoo," suggested Todd, "They just lifted the restraint on the Brotherhood not being allowed since they are under new administration…. So to the Zoo e go?"

"Todd?" asked Candy.

"Yup?"

"Are we going to get kicked out for you trying to pet a tiger?" asked Candy with a small smirk.

"Most likely for trying to kidnap a Penguin really," said Todd as they turned off the highway and towards the entrance to the Zoo.

The day at the Zoo was a nice one, the animals were out and it wasn't too crowded for once. Mostly families were there and only a few had been rowdy. They sat in front of the underwater exhibit enjoying an ice cream. Todd was very content to just relax today. He hadn't been to the Zoo just to relax and enjoy since he was a kid. Normally with the Brotherhood everyone argued about where to go next and what to do… which always ended up with one if not all of them being escorted by security. It was almost normal and peaceful… this was it was supposed to be like, right? He looked at Candy who was attempting to give a chipmunk a chip from her lunch.

"Babe…. What are you doin' with the chipmunk?" asked Todd as he watched as the Chipmunk got closer and closer to her.

"Trying to feed a chipmunk," said Candy, her eyes still on the small animal.

"I'd rather get kicked out of the Zoo for breaking something out or something rather than feeding the animals," said Todd with a smirk.

"Technically its not a part of the Zoo animals, it's a wild animal whose made its home here," said Candy as the animal took one chip and then stood waiting, Candy opened the bag.

"How many is it taking?" asked Todd, Candy shrugged and looked at him.

"Hey remember next weekend I'm going out of town," said Candy slowly, Todd nodded.

"Family reunion right, yeah I remember," said Todd, he'd been trying to see if the Brotherhood wanted to do something that weekend but it was shaping up to mostly be studying.

"I was wondering… if you wanted to come," said Candy hopefully, Todd froze.

"To… to your family thing," said Todd, he was confused, "Isn't that supposed to be family?"

"Oh please, your my boyfriend and I love you… also I'm fairly certain my father's in love with you," smiled Candy, Todd snorted.

"I'll have to tell Sinclair I'm flattered," Todd sighed, "I don't know, I mean I know your parents have nothing against mutants… which is refreshing but families very and I don't want me being there to ruin your fun, yo."

"Trust me, they wouldn't care… I mean I have a large family and you wouldn't be the only mutant there, I guarantee… but I really want you to meet my half siblings. They live so far away and they hear about you via email and when they call… It might be nice for them to actually see you for once," said Candy, "You don't have to come but I would love it if you would."

"I'll think about it," said Todd with a smile as Candy leaned on his shoulder and they watched the chipmunk walking along the tank with the chips in his mouth, "What the…"

"Ohm…" Candy and Todd watched as the Chipmunk dropped the chips into the Otter tank, "We should probably go…"

"Shit.. Zoopkeeper, move," laughed Todd as he grabbed Candy's hand, a man was running towards the tank as they booked it.

"Quick! Grab the penguin!" laughed Candy as they ran passed the enclosure.

They hadn't got the penguin due to the fact a bunch of kids seemed to have been planning the same thing. As tomorrow was Friday and it was going to be an all-day Brotherhood affair, they had decided that today they would be hanging out all evening. Considering most of the Brotherhood would be out all night, Todd had decided that a nice picnic in the back of the Brotherhood house would be great, I mean it wasn't a bad place. In the far range of the house was a lot of wood laden land with a pond and swamp taking up a great deal. A nice pond picnic would be a great idea to just relax… he just hoped his housemates wouldn't join them.

"Okay, so I didn't even know this was back here," smiled Candy as Todd got their picnic grounds set up with a large patched up blanket.

"Kay, so say I go to this Family Reunion thing, what exactly would I have to do?" asked Todd as Candy flopped onto the blanket next to him.

"You would have to tolerate my family, which they can get kind of weird… deal with awkward questions… be scrutinized by Nathan and Blake… and be my arm candy for the entire weekend… AND you'd probably have to share a bed with my dad," said Candy as she grabbed a soda.

"Hmm, I was with you up until the sleeping with your dad thing… I mean I love Sinclair and all, but after you told me he's in love with me… I'm not sure," smirked Todd as Candy shoved him slightly, "And you said there's other mutants there? Like dates or what?"

"No… why does your phone keep going off?" asked Candy as Todd's pocket kept vibrating.

"I don't know Lance keeps texting me," sighed Todd as he looked at it, "He wants to know if were both in the yard or somethin' I guess Kitty's over. They are just trying to ruin our romantic date… anyways."

"Ah yes, this is a romantic date, bit warm, but very romantic… a picnic. A pond. A sunset," she smirked, "Siclution."

"Yeah, about a good block from the Brotherhood house really," he beamed as she leaned closer, "And Lance and Kitty I'm sure are occupied…."

"Hmm, really," smirked Candy as she kissed him, "Sounds like the perfect date to me."

"Almost," he smirked as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him, her arms wrapping around his neck and flipping so she pulled him on top of her.

It was perfect, warm weather, a darkening sunset, fireflies in the far distance, and hot kisses. It was almost perfect as Todd's pocket kept vibrating. He ignored it the best he could, he wasn't about to let whatever stupid thing he had to say ruin his evening. However Candy pulled his phone out of his back pocket and opened it. Todd sighed.

"Just text him back so he leaves us….. Water fight? Something about teams…." She handed him the phone.

"Why do I care if I'm on a team, I'm tryin…. AHK!" both screamed as two water balloons flew at them.

"Pick a team!" yelled Lance from the bushes, "Or face the wrath of both."

"The hell!" yelled Todd, Candy giggled, "Who…"

"Lance or Pietro!" yelled Kitty from behind a tree, armed with a water gun, "You have five seconds."

"Wait, what?" asked Candy, Todd looked at the situation, Lance and Kitty were armed.

"Choose now!" yelled Lance as a water balloon was flung at them.

"Lance," said Todd the same time Candy said 'Pietro.'

"Shit!" yelled Lance as he ninja rolled away, "Get your shit together Toad, this is war!"

"Candy!" Kitty flung a gun at Candy, Todd stood in confusion as Kitty sprayed him, "VIVA LA PIETRO!"

The rather confusing war of Lance vs Pietro lasted well into late the evening. Todd had chosen unwisely as Lance's team was only allowed water balloons and it consisted of Fred, Wanda, Tabitha, and Lance. Meanwhile Pietro's team had guns and it was a team made up of Kitty and Pietro. One would think the odds were in Lance's favor but not when the opposing team had super speed, guns, and the ability to phase through your fire and hiding places. Candy had mostly his until Todd hosted a rebellion for his own team and Tabitha and Candy joined him. It all ended in a rather intense battle where Fred fell in the pond and created an epic splash which soaked them all. It only ended when a balloon bomb hit Magneto who'd been attempting to relax. It was at this moment that Todd and Candy had snuck away with the aid of Kitty.

"Thanks for the ride," laughed Kitty as they dropped her off at the mansion gate, "Next time I'll see if I can get Kurt or Rogue to join us."

"Sounds good, see ya Kitty Cat," said Todd as they drove off as she phased through the gate.

"Never a dull moment at the Brotherhood house?" asked Candy still attempting to dry her hair.

"Nope… sometimes we try to be dull, but that normally ends with and explosion and a hospital bill," smirked Todd, "Thanks for putting up with the chaos."

"No problem, they're your family," smiled Candy, Todd nodded… in their own psychotic way… they were.

"You know I think it's only fair that you put up with my crazy family… that I at least meet your normal one," said Todd with a sigh.

"So you'll go with me?" beamed Candy, Todd nodded, "YAY! I'm so happy, you'll get to meet everyone. You'll love Ally, she's the best oh and my Aunt T, she'll love you!"

"If it makes you happy I will meet them all and sleep with you dad," laughed Todd as Candy's excitement was palpable.

"Oh, you'll have a great time…. Perhaps not sleeping with my dad I hope, but I'm sure you'll have fun! I can't wait to tell my parents! I think my dad may be more excited than me," she laughed, Todd loved the way she lit up at the prospect of him meeting her family.

It was so foreign as he lay in bed later that night….. having a girlfriend… no…. having a girlfriend who actually loved him for being him… and wanted him to meet her family. He'd often daydreamed about families and love but it always seemed to be only a dream, but here it was… and he wasn't sure how to feel about all of this…. He supposed maybe after meeting her family he'd have a better perspective on normalcy…. Boy was he wrong.

TO BE CONTINUED.

See the story Books Are Dangerous