The rest of the week passed in a flash. Katie and Lash kept having their sessions. However, for this week, it was two hours instead of one. Since Lash had skipped those sessions, he missed out on a lot of the learning from Katie. So these longer sessions were going to help him. It was now Friday and it was time for the test.
Professor Mikelsen was in that day. His blonde hair was tousled and his face unshaven. His gray pants looked loose and he was wearing a belt to keep them from falling. His blue dress shirt also looked loose on him, as if he lost weight. It was all the stress. He hadn't been eating much and spend most of the night in his lab. He couldn't wait for the day to be over so he could go home and get some sleep.
Katie finished the test quickly, gathered her things and went to hand her test to her professor. "Are you okay, Professor?" She asked, noticing the changes in him.
Professor Mikelsen took her test and placed it in front of him. He was going to start correcting the exams given to him. Usually he could correct Katie's whole test before receiving other ones. "I'm fine." He took a sip of the smoothie he made this morning. "Feeling better." Physically maybe. Not mentally. He was able to eat plain toast this morning and made a smoothie to drink during his first class. He smiled at her, reassuring her that he was.
Katie just nodded and gave him a small smile. She wasn't going to pry any further. She looked over at Lash, gave him a thumbs up and left the room.
Lash had seen her do so and smiled despite himself and continued his test.
Xxx
After class, Speed and Lash were talking about the test. They were standing outside the classroom near the lockers.
"I found it actually easy man." Speed told his best friend. "It was as if he made the test easy because of how he's been feeling. Well, I hope to pass this one. After getting 30% on the first one, I hope to do better so I don't have to go to tutoring anymore and waste my time." He watched as his tutor pass by.
Lash raised a brow. "30%?" Then he nodded. He remembered the score his best friend got. "Right. We really need to do better."
"And stop going to those sessions."
"Actually, my sessions aren't that bad."
Speed looked over at Lash, brow raised. "Because?"
"Katie is a good tutor."
Speed chuckled and slapped his friend on the back. "Don't tell me you enjoy those sessions with her?"
"They're not that bad."
Lash actually liked going to the sessions?! Speed wondered. "What happened to not even wanting to go because it was her tutoring you?"
"Things have changed."
As if on cue, Katie passed by. When she noticed them, she stopped. "How do you think you guys did?"
"I found it easier than the last one." Lash admitted. "I don't know what to expect to get but I hope it's a pass."
Katie grinned. "Guess my sessions are paying off." She turned to Speed, wanting to know his answer.
Speed rolled his eyes. "Easy."
"Is that so? Well, that's great right? Your tutor is doing well, too!" Katie smiled. "Just keep working hard, you two."
"Isn't that easy for you to say, Miss highest grades in the class?" Speed sneered. "You probably didn't even have to study, did you? Why are you encouraging us? We're not friends." Before Katie could answer, Speed nodded, holding up a hand to stop her. "I get it, you're being nice."
"Speed, come on. I'm trying."
"Trying to what? Be my friend? We'll never be friends." Speed told her straight up.
"N-No, that's not what I meant." Katie told him. "I'm trying to be friendly with you."
"Why?!" Speed threw his arms in the air. "I don't understand you!"
Lash sighed. "Speed, knock it off." He could probably go on and on.
"Are you seriously taking her side?" Speed asked him.
"No, but-"
"But what?!"
The bell suddenly rang for next class and Speed stormed off. Lash looked over at Katie before following. Why had he wanted it to stop? Why was he silent?
Xxx
After having a delicious dinner, the Grey's cleaned the kitchen. James and Sophie had discussed to visit Molly in the hospital that night. With everyone dressed, they got into the car and left for the hospital. Luckily, this hospital was specifically for those with superpowers. After a person at the front desk told them where Molly was, they headed for the room.
Sophie was holding a card that they all signed. Inside the card was a photo of Molly, Charles, James and Sophie from when they were at Sky High. James was holding some 'get well soon' balloons. Katie was holding a bouquet of Molly's favorite flowers. Sophie had known what they were.
When Katie entered the room, Lash and Mr. Langford were already there. Lash was sitting at her bedside, his hand on hers. Mr. Langford was talking with a doctor about the recent test results.
Molly Langford lay in the hospital bed. Her long dark hair was sprawled on the bed and her fringe was pinned back, revealing the injury on her forehead done by Colin. Her arms were bandaged and a breathing tube was strapped to her. Her breathing was slow paced and looking closely, her breath would show on her oxygen mask.
"Mrs. Langford…" Katie whispered out. She noticed the wilted flowers in a purple vase on the table near the bed. The picture frame with Lash, Molly and Charles in it. The get well soon cards around the vase. Tears sprang to her eyes. She stood in place, unable to move.
Charles noticed their arrival and went to greet them. "Sophie, James, Katie. Thank you for your visit."
"Anytime." Sophie gave Charles a smile before going over to the table. Before placing the card, she took out the photo that was inside and placed it so it was near the one in the frame.
James went to place the balloons near the table, the sand weight supporting them.
Katie finally moved towards Lash, drew in a breath and exhaled, tears falling down her cheeks. She placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry." She croaked.
Lash said nothing and placed his other hand on Katie's.
Charles was taken aback by Lash's gesture but didn't think most of it, seeing as Lash had opened up to Katie in the past. He turned to the other adults in the room. "I think we should leave them alone."
The doctor finally addressed the married couple. "Friends of yours, Mr. Langford?"
"Yes." Charles replied with a smile.
"Are they…" How could he ask this? "…super?" The doctor gave Charles a look, hoping he knew what he was talking about.
"Yes." He replied again.
"This is a hospital specifically for super powered individuals." James pointed out.
"Great. Shall we continue our conversation outside?" The doctor asked. "If you want for them to listen to the conversation, they could come outside as well."
Charles nodded and the rest of the adults followed him outside.
The doctor took a deep breath. "She has a traumatic brain injury." He informed Sophie and James. "Normally, people lose consciousness for a couple of minutes to a couple of hours but in this case, the time is longer." He said. "She was protecting those citizens, which she did, but he was much too strong. She wasn't exactly a good match up for him."
"Were there multiple blows to the head?" Sophie asked.
"It seems that way, yes. We are monitoring her and haven't noticed any changes. Her breathing is stable and her heartbeat is normal. As for the battle, it was a tough one and her body is in recovery." The doctor continued. "We will continue monitoring her and will let you know if anything is out of the ordinary."
"Thank you doctor."
The doctor nodded and walked off.
James pat Charles' back. "We are here for you, Charles. Whatever you need."
Sophie gave him a smile. "It's not so bad right? It could be worse."
Charles nodded, wiping a tear that had escaped. "Thank you. And yes Sophie, you're right."
James and Sophie nodded.
"I'm sure she'll recover soon."
Xxx
Katie had dropped the flowers to the floor and she sat on the bed, near Lash. "I'm sorry."
Lash stared over at her, eyes red from crying previously. She was not there when he had.
Katie felt sick to her stomach. That man did this to her. Her biological father did this to her. She couldn't help but feel guilty. She had done nothing, so why was she feeling this way? "I'm sorry." She said again.
"How many times are you going to say that?" Lash wondered.
"Lash, please. Not right now." Katie pleaded.
"What? You're saying it so many times. As if saying it multiple times is going to change anything, but it won't."
"I'm just guilty that's all."
"Why?" Lash turned his head to look at her. "Why would you feel guilty?"
"Because…" Katie's eyes filled with tears. "I-…"
Lash frowned, looking at her. "What? You can tell me."
"I-I can't…" Katie's voice cracked, tears falling down her face. "You'll…"
"I'll what?" Lash spat. "You don't know how I'm going to react."
Katie took a deep breath and then exhaled. "My biological father is that crazy supervillain."
Silence filled the area.
"WHAT?!"
But only for a moment.
Katie nodded, tears falling down her cheeks. "S-See?! That's why I didn't want anyone to know!" She told him. "And he did this to your mom!"
Lash's eyes widened then his eye brows creased. He was furious. "Are you kidding me?!" He was angry. This man was related to her? The man who hurt his mother, sending her to the hospital. He turned to her. "What?!"
Katie was now crying. Over everything. All this build-up, her parents telling her things she never knew about herself. Her hands were over her eyes. "I…can't believe it..." She sobbed. "He has done so many crazy things…hurt so many people…I don't want to be related to him, Lash." She hiccupped, tears running down her face. "I don't want anyone to know…" This really hurt her. To have found out this man was her father. He had hurt so many people. He was out there somewhere. What was he planning?
Lash stayed silent. He hated seeing her like that. When he broke down, Katie had wrapped her arms around him, making him feel safe, feel secure. Did he deserve to do the same to her? He reached out to place a comforting hand on her. He hesitated and stopped in midair. Did he have the right?
"He did this horrible thing to your mom and you were so upset that night. I can't imagine what other things he'd do. What if people think I'll turn out like him?" Katie moved her hands from her face, looking into Lash's eyes. "No one knows where he is. I'm scared, what if he comes for me?" She was shaking, trembling at the thought. "For anyone else? What if he comes back for your mom?"
Lash said nothing and grabbed her this time, pulling her into a hug. "He is your biological father, you can't change that. I don't think people will judge you, you're nothing like him." Both their legs were dangling off the bed. The position was weird for him. "And if anyone does, I'll beat them up." He truly meant it. People were scared of him right? They wouldn't dare to cross him. But how stupid did that sound? There was no reaction from Katie, her sobbing even stopped. She had loosened her grip, pulled back from him and gave him a smile. He blushed, despite himself. It was not a fake smile, it was her genuine smile. How could someone who was just crying smile so beautifully? It was as if all that sadness had disappeared.
"Really?" Katie asked him, softly. She was calmer now. She wasn't shaking anymore. Why did that make her calm down so quickly? Was it because he sounded sincere?
Lash stared at her. Was that really the reason she calmed down? Stopped crying? Because of something stupid that he said? He smiled back at her, despite himself, blush disappearing. "Of course." One thing was for sure, he got her to smile again.
Katie took a deep breath, then exhaled. "Thank you, Lash." She truly meant it.
Lash cleared his throat. "You're welcome." He was not used to people thanking him. But if he had to be thanked by anyone, he was glad it was her.
"I'm sorry, enough about me now. How are you feeling?" Katie asked, looking at him. Here she was, telling him about her worries and he's here with his mother that's hospitalized.
"Honestly?" Lash thought for a moment. "Better now that I have someone here with me."
Katie smiled. "Really?"
He smiled back. And it was a genuine smile. "Yeah."
"So, how is she doing?" Katie wondered.
"She'll be okay." Lash assured her. "The doctor said that her body is recovering and I honestly just want her to wake up."
"She will." Katie told him. "One day. Give her time to recover."
"I will. I just hope it's soon."
Xxx
"Is that true?"
Charles was just told the truth. That the supervillain was Katie's biological father, who Sophie and James really were to Katie.
"Yes, it is." James replied. "I don't want you to treat her any differently or think of her any differently." He told his friend.
Charles looked through the window of the room, warily. He saw that Lash and Katie were now talking. "I don't." He turned back to his friends. "I wouldn't. She's different. Not like him at all." Then he smiled. "She was raised by you two, of course."
Sophie smiled. "Yes. And after all of that had happened, James and I took Katie and moved far away to live with my parents so they could watch Katie while we were at work."
"Why did you move back here?" Charles asked.
"Because Katie started getting her powers and she had trouble hiding them from the other kids. We decided it was better for her to attend Sky High where she could use them freely." James told him.
Charles nodded. "Right. I understand."
"Sorry we didn't tell you, we didn't want a lot of people to know our whereabouts. We had to be careful. We only told Steve and Josie, since they were at the scene. We left suddenly." James continued to explain. "Sophie was devastated. We were scared, we wanted to protect Katie."
"What scene?" Charles wondered.
"Where he killed Diana." Sophie replied. It hurt to remember that day. "Steve stopped him and sent him to jail. That's when we took Katie, packed our bags and left."
Charles didn't know what to say. That's right. Molly was there that day. And he was too. He had been mad at what James did but he was rethinking that. He didn't have a reason to be anymore. This was serious. "And what happened to him? To Colin? To make him crazy like this?"
"We're not really sure." Sophie told him. "Diana was telling us how he was hit by one of Scott's inventions. Scott was Colin's older brother. He was really good with technology, he could build any weapon. Anyway, after Colin was hit by one of Scott's inventions, Diana said he wasn't acting himself and then that day…"
"Where is Scott?" Charles wondered. "Maybe he can fix this?"
"We have no idea. He fled. Seeing his brother do that was too much for him. He disappeared." Sophie told him. "Which is terrible because he is probably the only one who can fix this."
"Or maybe he can't, that's why he disappeared."
"It was probably the guilt as well." Sophie added. "Imagine your invention having changed your brother into you know…"
Charles nodded. "That makes sense. I couldn't imagine how Scott felt." He suddenly went silent. Something had been on his mind. "Sophie, James…" His expression had changed.
Sophie and James noticed right away. "Yes?" They asked in unison.
"Would you two come for dinner tomorrow night with Katie? I have something important to discuss with you both." It was almost like they didn't have a choice. Charles' tone of voice was serious.
"Sure…of course." James nodded. Charles sounded serious and they had nothing planned tomorrow.
"Katie can come too, of course. She'll have to keep Laurence busy while I will speak to the both of you." Charles told them.
"About what?" Sophie wondered.
"You'll have to find out tomorrow, Sophie." Charles responded. "I would rather speak to you two in the comfort of my home and not outside my wife's hospital room."
"Oh my, this must be serious then." James noticed.
"Yes, it is." Charles nodded. "It's been on my mind ever since Molly was admitted into this hospital." His hand was shaking and he clenched his fist, hoping to calm his nerves. Sophie and James agreed to tomorrow night's dinner and what he was going to finally tell them what was on his mind. After seeing his friends here, he knew how much they cared and he was finally going to ask them.
James placed a hand on Charles' shoulder. "You can tell us tomorrow, what time should we be there for?"
Xxx
It was now Saturday night. James, Sophie and Katie stood in front of the Langford's house. It was nearly 7pm, the time that Charles told them to be there. After Charles told them what time to arrive, James and Sophie left with Katie. It had already been getting late. Charles and Lash left shortly after.
James rung the bell and they waited for an answer. He was dressed in black dress pants, a purple dress shirt with the collar unbuttoned and black dress shoes. His hair was tousled. Sophie was wearing a black wrap dress with long sleeves and purple closed toe heels. Her hair was sleek and straight. Katie wore a purple sweater dress. She also was wearing beige flats. Her hair was wavy.
Charles opened the door and upon seeing them, smiled. "I am loving the matching colors." He was wearing blue jeans and a beige dress shirt. "You all look so great too."
James grinned. "I always look good, Charles." Then he clasped hands with him. "We are looking forward to dinner tonight." He grinned. That was true. He entered the house, giving the bottle of wine he brought to Charles.
Sophie also shook Charles' hand and entered the house. "Yes we are. It seemed like you had something important to discuss with us."
"Very." Charles nodded.
Katie shook his hand too. "Thank you for having me." She entered the house.
"Of course."
It was then that Lash came down the stairs. "Hi Mr. and Mrs. Grey." He greeted.
"Hello Laurence." Sophie and James greeted in unison.
"Let's leave the kids alone. James and Sophie, come with me. Let's open that wine bottle." Charles showed them the way to the kitchen.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"You look good."
Lash was wearing black jeans and a blue dress shirt. "Thanks." He shoved his hands in his pockets, embarrassed. He wasn't used to compliments but he was glad it was from her. He shuffled his feet, staring at the floor. "Look…about the other day…" He started but was interrupted.
"KIDS! DINNER IS READY."
Lash sighed. Guess he'll have to talk to her later.
Xxx
"What a delicious dinner! I am full!" James pat his stomach, with much enthusiasm. "Your steak was simply appetizing!"
"The vegetables had this taste to them, Charles! Unlike nothing I've ever tasted before!" Sophie complimented. "You have to tell me what you used!"
Lash kept a straight face and stared over at Katie's parents. His dad's cooking was good, so what? Did they have to make such a scene? But after seeing the joy on his dad's face, the corner of his mouth tugged upwards.
"Mom and Dad are right, Mr. Langford. It was delicious." Katie smiled.
Okay, they could make a big deal. If Katie liked it, then Lash was happy.
Charles laughed. "Thank you. I should have you over more often then, shouldn't I?" He teased. "I could hear those compliments all day." Lash hadn't heard genuine laughter or had seen him this happy since the incident. Mr. Grey must have that affect on him.
"Or you can cook for us at home!" Sophie teased. "So I won't have to!"
"No! I like your cooking too, darling!" James pouted. He turned to his best friend. "So what did you make for dessert?"
"Actually, we're going to have dessert after I've had that talk with you two. Laurence, you can keep Katie company seeing as you two are friends. In the living room, perhaps." He suggested.
Xxx
James and Sophie were sitting in Charles office space. Charles was sitting in his usual spot and the married couple sat on the other side on the kitchen chairs he brought.
"Thank you for taking the time to meet me. There is something very important I want to discuss with you about." Charles started.
"Of course." His guests replied in unison.
"Now, as we are all aware, Molly is in the hospital because of Colin."
"Yes."
"And seeing you two there visiting her proved to me that you two really care."
"Of course."
Charles took a deep breath. "And I need to know if you two would take care of Laurence if ever Molly or I pass."
After he said that, silence filled the room.
"What are you trying to say?" James leaned forward in his chair.
"I want to make sure that Laurence is taken care of, should we pass." Charles repeated slowly.
"Charles…"
"Why are you thinking like that?!" James shouted. "You are not! Not by Colin's hands anyway."
"Colin is crazy and won't stop at nothing! Do you see what happened to Molly? He can easily do that to us! She can at least put up a fight against him. My power won't fend him off. I'm terrified too." Charles admitted. "I'm not strong enough against Colin. Laurence is just a child." It was at this moment where tears fell from Charles' eyes. "I can't lose my son too." It was really hard for him to have his wife in the hospital. Having to take care of Laurence all by himself.
Sophie's hands started to tremble. "I assure you, that won't happen. We are here to protect each other." Honestly, she was scared too. For herself. Her husband. Her daughter. Her friends. Colin would stop at nothing. He could kill them easily.
Just like he did to her sister.
James clenched his fist. "I understand how you may be feeling this way, Charles. You have my word that if anything happens to you or Molly, Sophie and I will take care of Laurence. I know we shouldn't be thinking this way, but Colin is one crazy son of a bitch."
"As if we didn't know."
"After what he did to Diana, we know that he'd stop at nothing to get rid of the people in his way." James told them. "We need to be careful."
"Charles…" Sophie started. She took James' hand and interlocked fingers. "You know we'd protect and take care of Laurence should anything happen to you or Molly." She then matched his gaze. "I need to make sure you would do the same for Katie."
Charles didn't have to think twice. "Of course, I would. Molly too."
Tears fell from Sophie's eyes. "Good." She nodded, squeezing her husband's hand. She needed that reassurance.
Xxx
While their parents were talking, Lash and Katie sat on the sofa. They couldn't hear what the adults were saying. Charles must have planned that. How serious was this that they didn't want the kids to hear? Lash was sitting comfortably, a bit slouched and crossing his arms. Katie was sitting upright, hands on her lap.
"So, what do you think they are saying?" Lash asked her. What did his dad have to talk about to her parents that was so important? "Wouldn't it be nice to know?"
Katie clenched her hands, staring at them. "Are you saying we should eavesdrop?" She said the last part in a whisper as if the adults could hear them at the other end of the condo, which they couldn't anyway.
Lash's expression changed. "Okay, I guess you don't want to." He hated the way she asked him.
"Because is it bad," She paused, turned to him and gave a mischievous smile. "…that I want to know too? With my power, it would be super easy." She clasped her hands together.
Lash was surprised, hearing that. She wanted to know? He smirked at her. "Wow, I was kind of joking before but hearing you say that surprised me. Aren't you supposed to be a goodie two shoes?"
Katie's smile brightened up her face. "Well, I guess you're a bad influence." She teased. "I'm hanging around you too much."
"Well," Lash grinned. "You're not that annoying to have around."
"Really?" Katie asked. He enjoyed her company? Well then. Maybe she could ask him this. "Lash…there is something I wanted to ask you." Katie started to say. Her hands went back on her lap. "You could say no but I just feel like I should ask this, okay?" She took a deep breath and exhaled.
Lash was taken aback by that. Ask him something? What did she have to ask him? Guess he was going to find out. Why did she seem nervous?
"Since we've been through a lot together and are going to be seeing more of each other…" Katie started to say, "I think that maybe we should become friends." By seeing the look on his face, her face turned red. With her hair up, the rosiness of her cheeks were really noticeable. "T-That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
"Are you serious?" Lash raised a brow. "Friends? With me?" Did he hear her right?
"Y-Yes! Like I said…and…" Oh, so he did.
"I'm just shocked that you of all people would ask me that." Lash replied. "I don't think that's a great idea though." Seeing her puzzled expression, he scoffed. "Unless you want my ass to get handed to me, it's not a good idea. Stronghold and Peace won't be happy."
"But…maybe I don't care what they say." Katie told him.
Lash sighed. "Why in the hell do you want to be friends with me anyways?" He was not understanding her right now. She of all people wanted to be friends with him.
"We've been through a lot together." Katie repeated. "We were there for each other when we needed each other most. And our parents are good friends, they assume that we are and it would be also good not to have to correct them anymore." She explained. He hadn't responded right away and she sighed. "Look, just…think about it okay?"
Lash was going to think about it. He was going to tell her straight up "no" at being her friend. He understood what she was coming from, but he didn't think it was a good idea and plus did he really deserve to be her friend? "Seeing how I treated you and your friends in the past and that they don't like me, I don't think that's a good idea."
"But you don't do that anymore." Then Katie smiled. "And you're nice to me."
"Because I can't be anything but." Lash admitted. "You're always full of joy and that is what bothered me so much. But honestly, ever since that dinner where you found out who your real parents are, you've toned down the joy. How do you honestly feel about this?"
"Honestly, I don't mind that I'm adopted. I love my parents. I never thought I could be." Then Katie smiled. "It helped that mom has strawberry blonde hair just like me. I think it runs in my family. My grandmother had that color too." He must not care about that. Then her smile disappeared. "I'm just upset that I found out this late." She admitted. "Why did they tell me now? Why are they both telling me important things I didn't know about myself right after this supervillain breaks out of prison?"
"There must be a reason for that." Lash told her. "From what I heard, I think your dad is keeping secrets from mine as well. Like how your dad is my godfather apparently." He smiled at her. "I had no idea."
"I was shocked to hear that too, actually." Katie gave a little smile. "Guess we're closer than I thought."
"I guess so. What are Mr. and Mrs. Grey to you then?" Lash wondered.
"Sophie is my maternal aunt. My biological mom's sister." Katie kept her small smile. "James is my uncle by marriage." She added. "They said that my parents were unfit to take care of me, so they signed the papers and adopted me." She explained. "I don't know who my mother was or what her name is, but I know she was killed by my father."
Lash's eyes widened in surprise. "And how does that make you feel?" He wanted to know. Maybe he cared.
Katie fell silent and a tear ran down her cheek. "Terrified." She whispered out.
Lash could hear it in her voice and see it on her face how scared she was. "Well, I'll make sure that nothing happens to you." He assured her, in a low tone.
Katie gave him a small smile, nodding. "Thank you."
Xxx
It was nearly midnight when the Grey's were back at home. James, Sophie and Katie entered the house one by one. Sophie kicked off her heels and went to lay down on the couch. "I need a glass of wine." She didn't drink much at Charles' house. They were talking mostly.
"On it, dear." James disappeared and reappeared in the kitchen, pouring wine into two glasses. He put the empty wine bottle in the sink and grabbed the glasses, teleporting back to his wife. He took a seat next to her and handed her a glass.
Sophie took the glass offered to her. "Thank you, darling." She lifted herself so she was sitting properly, took a sip, placed the glass on the coffee table and lay down again. "So glad I married a man who can teleport." She teased.
James chuckled. "And I'm glad I married a pyro. You're hot."
"Whoa whoa whoa, you two!" Katie laughed. Then she smiled at them. "While you two have wine, I'm heading to bed." She headed to the stairs, but was stopped when she heard her father's voice.
"Hold on one minute, Katie." He said. "Come here, please."
Katie headed over and sat on the sofa. "Yes?" She yawned. She was glad it was Sunday the next day, so she could sleep in.
"About what I told you that night…"
"Oh, are we doing this?" Sophie lifted herself so she was sitting properly.
"No we're not." James replied.
"When?"
"Another day. She has to process what we told her already."
"Oh. Well, now I'm staying seated." Sophie crossed her legs, taking another sip of wine.
"What about it?" Katie asked.
"How do you feel about everything we told you?" James asked. "And you can be completely honest."
Oh wow, the first person I told was Lash. "Honestly," Katie smiled. "I don't mind that I'm adopted. I love you both. I never thought I could be." She stroked her hair. "Mostly because of my hair." She chuckled.
Sophie smiled. "It runs in the family. Your grandmother, your mother, they had it too. And I have it too, of course." She stroked her sleek hair.
Then Katie's smile disappeared. "I'm just upset that I found out this late." She admitted. "Why did you tell me now? Why are you both telling me important things I didn't know about myself right after this supervillain breaks out of prison?" She asked.
"Because after what he did to Diana, he hasn't been doing anything." James told her. "Steve sent him to jail and he hasn't done anything since. He stayed in his cell. We were safe." Then he shook his head. "And 15 years later, he breaks out and is now a threat." He explained.
Katie nodded. "I understand." She clasped her hands together on her lap. "Especially what he did to Mrs. Langford, sending her to the hospital."
Sophie placed a hand on Katie's, frowning. "Just…be careful."
Katie nodded. "I know. I will."
James kissed her forehead. "You should get some sleep, sweetheart." He said to his daughter. It was now past midnight.
Katie nodded and stood. "Good night Mom, Dad." She said before heading to her room.
"Well, at least we know how she feels about this." James pointed out. "We can tell her some more things when the time is right, but we first have to let her process this."
Sophie suddenly dropped her wine glass, luckily there wasn't any wine in it. "Oh my god."
James's gaze shifted from her panicked expression to the shattered glass on the floor. "What's wrong? And you know we'll run out of glasses if you keep on dropping them."
Sophie now turned her head to meet James' gaze. "Katie is turning 16 Monday!" She whispered to him loudly.
James blinked. "Oh, shit that's true."
"OF COURSE IT'S TRUE!" She whispered louder, which strained her voice. "We were so caught up in the situation with Colin and this whole mess that we forgot about her birthday!"
James put his arm around his wife. "Don't worry, hun. Calm down, we'll plan for it tomorrow. How does that sound? It's getting late and when we wake up tomorrow, we'll deal with it."
Sophie thought about it for a moment and then nodded. "You're right."
"Plus, you remembered didn't you? You didn't forget." James pointed out.
"Of course I remembered! It was around this time 15 years ago since…" Sophie shuddered at the memory. "Diana…"
"Since she died, yes." James nodded.
Sophie thought for a moment. "I want to give her a birthday party unlike she's ever had. Go all out. She deserves it." She told him. "It's her sweet sixteen too, right?"
James nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. Now let's head to bed and worry about this tomorrow." He cleaned up the shattered glass on the floor, put his wine glass in the sink and headed upstairs.
Sophie nodded and followed her husband to bed.