Uncanny Sirens

Chapter 35: Family Matters

By

The Uncanny R-Man

Disclaimer- 'No, I don't hate Balboa. I pity the fool.'- Clubber Lang (Rocky III)

The Xavier Institute for Higher Learning-

It was lunchtime at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning and students and teachers alike were in the cafeteria having lunch. Penny was standing in line with the rest of the students. Sharon Smith was standing with her.

The lavender-haired mutant watched in amazement as Penny piled food high on her plate. There were all sorts of food items on her plate such as tacos, burgers, and nachos. Not to mention the great big slice of apple pie.

'Geez, girl.' Sharon grimaced. 'Are you sure you've got enough food on your tray?'

'What?' Penny asked innocently. 'I'm hungry.'

'There's hungry, and then there's taking advantage of the self service.' Sharon countered. 'I swear, sometimes you eat like a pregnant woman. Wait… you're not pregnant are you?'

'Pregnant?' Penny blinked. 'No. I'm not pregnant. What makes you think that?'

'Forget it.' Sharon sighed thankfully. 'You gave me the fright of my life. Let's just keep the surprises until we sit down with the others, okay?'

Fortunately for Sharon's sanity Penny kept the surprises to a minimum until they sat back down with their friends.

'Jeepers, Penny.' Megan grimaced once she saw the pile of food on Penny's plate. 'Do you think you've got enough food there? You're not pregnant, are you?'

Penny just looked at her fairy-like friend with confusion.

'Why do people keep asking me if I'm pregnant?' The red-skinned mutant groaned. 'Am I missing a joke?'

'Can we please change the subject?' Sharon rolled her eyes. 'Penny isn't pregnant, okay? So let's forget about it.'

'Good thing that she isn't pregnant.' Laura chipped in. 'Otherwise we'd have to find Nicholas and kill him.'

'Where is your fuzzy boyfriend any way?' Sharon realised. 'I woulda thought that he'd be here with us.'

'I think we all know why Nicholas is wary of sitting with us.' Gale shook her head. 'I'd be too freaked out to sit with you if you kept on talking about kicking my butt.'

'Why are you guys so hard on Nicholas anyway?' Megan frowned in confusion. 'He hasn't ever done anything to hurt Penny, has he?'

'No, and that's just the way we want it, Megan.' Sharon explained as she leant in close to whisper to Megan. 'No offence to Penny or anything, but she is woefully naïve when it comes to boys.'

'I can hear you, you know.' Penny sighed as she dug into her tacos. 'I'm not stupid. I do know enough about boys to not get pregnant or anything.'

'We really care about you, Penny.' Laura reassured her friend. 'It's just that we don't want you to get into trouble.'

'Penny isn't a baby.' Megan defended her friend. 'She can look after herself, or have you forgotten how she kicked Dracula's head in?'

'Plus, she's our squad leader.' Gale added. 'So we'd better give her some respect.'

'Guys, please don't argue on my account.' Penny told her friends. 'It's such a nice day, let's not spoil it.'

'Especially now that I have some good news for Penny.'

The girls all turned to see Monet St Croix standing behind them.

'News?' Sharon asked, her interest piqued. 'What sort of news.'

'News for Penny, and Penny alone.' Monet told the feline mutant. 'It's a private matter.'

'Ooh, sounds intriguing.' Gale grinned. 'I hope it's something good.'

'But what about my lunch?' Penny asked. 'I've only just started.'

'Finish your lunch first, Penny.' Monet told the red-skinned young woman. 'I don't want you to hurry your food and end up getting indigestion.'

A little while later-

Once Penny had finished her lunch, she headed to Ms Frost's office where Monet was going to meet her. Sure enough, Monet was there. As were Ms Frost and Matt Murdock, Monet's lawyer.

'It's a pleasure to meet you, Penny.' Matt smiled as he shook Penny's hand. 'Monet has told me so much about you.'

'Umm… thanks.' Penny smiled shyly. 'I didn't know Monet even had a lawyer. Why does she need to have a lawyer here? Is she in trouble?'

'Oh, my. No.' Matt shook his head. 'As a matter of fact I'm here because of you.'

'Oh. Me?' Penny blinked. 'Am I in trouble?'

'Nobody is in trouble, dear.' Emma explained. 'Perhaps Monet had better explain before we have any more misunderstandings.'

Penny looked up expectantly at her sort-of sister.

'I'm not one for fancy speeches, so I'll keep it short.' Monet said. 'Penny, I've adopted you.'

'Adopted me?' Penny blinked in confusion. 'I don't get it. Why?'

'Well, you were already sort of a member of the St Croix family, given our shared history.' Monet explained. 'I just wanted to make it official.'

'I don't know what to say.' Penny said. 'I don't have to call you Mom, do I?'

'Oh, God. Perish the thought.' Monet grimaced. 'I'm far too young and attractive to be a parent. I'll just be your legal guardian.'

'This… this is a lot to take in.' Penny sighed heavily. 'I don't… I don't know what to say.'

'You don't have to say anything, Penny.' Matt told her. 'All we have to do is sign a few papers and everything will be fine.'

'Uh, okay. I guess.' Penny nodded in understanding. Then the news began to dawn on her. 'Wow. I've got a family now. A proper family. Jubilee didn't put you up to this, did she?'

'Contrary to what our dear Jubilation thinks, I am not a heartless bitch.' Monet responded. 'I always look after my family members.'

'I'm sure you'll want to get along and tell your friends the good news.' Emma suggested. 'There's no doubt that they'll be happy for you.'

'Thank you.' Penny smiled happily as she stood up out of the chair. 'I can't wait to tell the others!'

A few minutes later-

It didn't take very long for an excited Penny to find her friends. They were sitting outside in the Institute's grounds.

'Guys! Guys, you won't believe the news!' Penny panted breathlessly as she stopped where her friends were sitting.

'Penny, calm down.' Gale told her friend. 'Try and get your breath back. You'll end up giving yourself a heart attack.'

Penny was too excited to calm down. She couldn't help but blurt out the news.

'Monet adopted me!'

'Wow. Congratulations.' Megan smiled as she gave Penny a hug. 'I guess this means that you've got a real family now, huh?'

'Yeah, that's really good news.' Laura nodded. 'Congratulations.'

'You do realise what this means now that you're a St Croix, don't you?' Sharon grinned.

'Umm… what?' Penny blinked on confusion. 'What does it mean?'

Sharon put her arm around her friend's shoulders in a congratulatory hug.

'Girl, you're richer than Jesus!'

'Sharon, everything has to be about money with you, doesn't it?' Gale sighed.

'Hey, Penny's rich now.' Sharon pointed out. 'She has to look the part.'

'Why? What's wrong with the clothes I'm wearing?' Penny asked as she looked down at her sensible sweater and comfortable pants.

'It sounds to me like somebody's aiming for a shopping trip.' Megan smiled. 'God help us all.'

TBC…

Next: Shop Til You Drop

A reluctant Penny allows Sharon to take her on a shopping spree. Will the newest St Croix end up spending all of her fortune already? Tune in next time to find out…