Disclaimer: see ch 1
"Dad!"
"Daddy!" Scott braced himself for the impact of his children's hugs. He was surprised with how gentle they were.
"Who told you?"
"I…" Nate frowned. "I heard Grandpa telling Mama." Scott's arm tensed around his son.
"It hasn't been that long since we discussed eavesdropping, Nathan. Do you need a reminder?"
"No sir!"
"Scotty, cut them a little slack," Chris pleaded. "I'm sure they could tell something big was happening and they were worried." Scott glared at Chris as he slowly walked in his suite.
"Had I done something like that at their age, I'd be over your knee by now."
"And that's the beauty of being the grandparent and not the parent," Chris grinned. Scott hissed and put his hand over his stomach. Chris was immediately at his side.
"I'm fine," Scott panted.
"I can see that. What can I do?"
"Couch," Scott requested. Chris wrapped Scott's arm around his shoulders and led him to the couch. He turned and eased Scott down, allowing Nate and Carrie to swoop in and help adjust the pillows behind him.
"Emma will be up in a second. She and Hank are getting some pills for you." Scott nodded and pulled his children to him.
"I missed you two. Eavesdropping and all."
"Why did Aunt Jean take me, Daddy?"
"I… How about you ask her when she gets back?"
"Uncle Alex said she was dead," Nate said bluntly. Scott scowled.
"She'll be back eventually. I've heard it from someone I implicitly trust that she will."
"Who?"
"You," Scott smiled softly. Nate seemed to swell with pride.
"Alright," Chris said, patting Nate and Carrie's shoulders. "You two have training with Betsy. Get to it and let your dad rest a bit."
"Yes sir," Nate answered for him and Carrie. "Uh… Grandpa?"
"Hm?"
"You might want to call Grandpa Phil. We might have… let it slip." Chris blinked and then looked at Scott.
"Go ahead since I can't," Scott said, giving permission as he glared at his children with his hand tight against his stomach. Chris grabbed Nate's arm and popped him twice and then repeated the action with Carrie.
"They weren't around and didn't need to be worried," Chris admonished. "You both know how bad my father's heart is, but you put this stress on him?"
"We're sorry, Grandpa," Carrie said with her head bowed.
"Go see Betsy, and then I think you both can help whoever it is on KP tonight," Scott instructed.
"Yes sir," Nate said as he pulled his sister towards the door with him. Chris shook his head and looked at Scott.
"I love them, but they can be such trouble at times." Scott chuckled.
"They are mine," he grinned.
"That they are," Chris smiled. "I'm going to get you something to drink for when Emma brings up your medicine. What would you like?"
"Water is fine, Dad." Chris nodded and went to Scott's fridge, grabbing a bottle of water. He twisted the top and took it to Scott, who took a small sip.
"You and Beast need to go over the list of what you can and can't do soon."
"We will. I feel… Dad, considering what I'd had punctured, I'm doing really well. I'll likely be back to normal by next week."
"I don't want you to push yourself, Scotty."
"I won't," Scott promised. "I have too much ahead of me to let myself keep getting hurt."
"Oh? Like what?" Scott smiled.
"I have a granddaughter coming soon. She should be here by Christmas next year, hopefully-"
"Scott," Chris said softly. "Nathan-"
"No," Scott said, shaking his head. "He was with the kids while they grew up. I don't know how, but he'll be here eventually. But in about fifteen years, I'll have a grandson, too." Chris lowered himself down to the couch.
"You will?" Scott nodded.
"Carrie and Mr. Fantastic's son, Franklin… That's why only Nate came when the FoH… Carrie was pregnant." Chris couldn't help the smile.
"Kids are amazing, Scott. They… You boys will always be my greatest accomplishment. But grandchildren are incredible. Seeing what your accomplishment was able to do… Having your heart embodied in more lives… There isn't much I enjoy more than being a grandfather, son. And I know if you enjoy being a father, being a grandfather will be just as rewarding to you, too."
"Got it. You like them more than us," Scott grinned.
"For certain. Less mouthy," Chris chuckled. "Is there anything I can do to help you, son?"
"I don't think so. How… How long are you able to stay?"
"Until the morning," Chris informed him sadly. "We have…"
"Pillaging and plundering to do," Scott finished, just as downtrodden. Chris swallowed.
"Say the word, son. Tell me you need me and I'm here until you say otherwise." Scott looked at Chris and saw the sincerity in his eyes. He gave his father a small smile.
"I'll be alright, Dad. Emma and the kids will take good care of me, and I've got Warren and Betsy to help with them and the X-Men as needed. I can handle it."
"Are you sure? Because I can… Scott, I don't have to go back. Hepzibah will be happy to be closer to you three boys and the kids. I don't even have to live here anymore- I can get a place nearby-"
"Dad, I love you. And I appreciate the offer more… I appreciate it more than you'll ever know. But you just gave up nearly ten years of your life-"
"You and your brothers are my life."
"You know what I mean. You're a Starjammer. You belong in space with Raza and Ch'od and Sikorsky with an occasional visit to us. It's not like I can't reach you if I need you…"
"I'd give it up for good-"
"No," Scott said, shaking his head with a small smile. "I'm a big boy, Dad. I don't need you to give up your job because I miss you or feel like being selfish. I can call you. Gabe can get us to you if it's important. And while you've taken good care of me these last few days, I think Emma is getting slightly jealous. You don't want the White Queen jealous," Scott smirked.
"If you're sure you don't need me-"
"You're my dad. I'll always need you," Scott frowned. "But I just don't need you how I used to…" Chris closed his eyes.
"Yeah. Yeah, I remember that talk."
"That's not what I-" Scott shifted and groaned, grabbing his back.
"I'll get Emma up here with your pills." Chris stood up and Scott grabbed his hand.
"One week."
"What?"
"I changed my mind. I need your help, Dad. Emma's busy with the school and the kids, and if Warren is taking over for me, I won't have anyone to make sure I don't overdo it without staying in Med Lab. Sikorsky said I'll be good in a week. Stay with me and help me for that week."
"A week, hm?"
"Just a week. You can get back to pillaging and plundering after that. I mean… Lilandra paid you enough gold to get you through at least three years without having to do anything. Your crew can wait a week to make that next score, right?"
"Are you sure you need me? You're not saying that to make me feel better about my boys being too grown, are you?"
"Would throwing in a 'daddy' help?" Chris chuckled.
"If you need me, I'm here, son. I'll let Ch'od and Raza know I'll be gone for a week."
"Thanks, Daddy." Chris gently patted Scott's cheek.
"Anything for my boys, Scotty. Maybe I should get your brothers here for that week-"
"Lex won't do it without Lorna, and you've never lifted the nighttime ban in the suite for her." Chris scowled.
"They had sex in my suite without a single care about my rules- while we were in there. Even with getting Maddie pregnant, at least you didn't do that-"
"That you know of."
"Scott." Scott grinned at his father.
"The thrill of knowing we shouldn't-"
"Stop."
"-knowing we could be caught at any moment-"
"I will toss you across my knee." Scott laughed.
"I never did that with Maddie, Dad." Chris' shoulders dropped in relief. "But Emma-" Chris gently popped the side of Scott's hip.
"Stop it."
"Stole condoms, too-"
"Scott Christopher." Scott looked up at Chris and smiled sheepishly.
"I'm done. My point is: if you want Alex here, tell him Lorna is welcome to join him. They've had enough alone time that I'm sure they won't be... intimate while they're here. If they come." Chris looked green.
"I'd prefer to stop discussing the sex lives of my children, if you don't mind."
"Sorry Dad," Scott said, sounding unapologetic. "Do you want me to ask? I do have a spare room if you'd like them to be in my suite. It's for Nathan, but-"
"Scott, son…" Chris sat back down and closed his eyes. "Nathan is gone. He's not coming back. And since you've told Nate to stop traveling here-"
"Just watch, Dad. He said he adopted Hope when she was nine. She's eight this year. He'll be here." Chris gave Scott a sad smile.
"Ok."
"Hello, darling," Emma said as she walked into the suite. She kissed Scott's cheek and put two pills and a bottle of medication in his hand. "You are supposed to take these every six hours as needed. I felt the pain across our link, so don't lie about feeling fine." Scott took her hand with his free hand.
"What would I do without you, Emma Frost?"
"And this is my cue to step out," Chris said as he stood up. "Emma."
"Chris. Thank you."
"Of course." Scott watched as his father left.
"Thanks, Em. Sikorsky said he refused to sleep more than an hour or two while I was down."
"Just a week, Scott. He needs to be able to see that you can handle yourself. He's not giving you that opportunity-"
"Oh? Because our kids can't clean their own rooms without you? They can't do simple chores-?"
"That's different. They're nine. And I have given them chances-"
"After I've practically forced you. You saw how he was with my head. Hell, Emma. You saw how protective I was when Nate got shot. A parent is always going to hover. In no way does it mean he doesn't think I can't handle myself." Emma pursed her lips as Scott threw the pills in his mouth and took a drink of the water Chris had brought him.
"Does he not trust me to care for you?"
"What? Em, no. He was ready to leave in the morning-"
"And you still asked for him to stay?"
"You're right. He shouldn't be here for just a week to see that I'm alright. Instead, he should go to space and worry that I'm overdoing it and possibly get himself killed because he's too distracted!"
"Do not yell at me, Scott Summers."
"I'm sorry. Emma, I love you. You're my other half. You're my children's mother! But my dad needs to be needed after I got hurt. I'm just… I want to be a good son."
"You can be a good son and call him every day to tell him-" Scott shook his head.
"Yeah. After the Scarlet Witch messed with my powers my senior year and I lied about how I was feeling, he doesn't necessarily believe me when I say I'm fine after being hurt."
"You're too close to him. It's not healthy." Scott blinked.
"Just because you hated your dad doesn't mean I should hate mine." Emma turned and headed towards the door. "Emma. Emma, wait. I'm sorry."
"I'm sure you are. But that doesn't lessen your actions." Scott quickly stood before stumbling to his knees, hand across his stomach. Emma hurried to him, her hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, face pinched in pain. "I'll tell him to go. I'll tell him you took the week off to be with me. I don't want to fight. I… I choose you." Emma helped Scott back on the couch.
"I'm not asking you to choose between us." Scott snorted incredulously. "I'm not meaning to have you pick between us. And I have already agreed to him staying. I just worry that you rely on him more than you do me."
"He's my dad," Scott frowned. "Do you not want Nate and Carrie to need us when they're adults?"
"Of course I do. I want them to know they can always come to us-" Emma stopped and looked away.
"I might not need him like the kids need us now, but I could use a little help and he's… He needs to help. Just to see for himself that I'm ok. Please, Emma. Please don't be upset with me for wanting to help him by having him help me." Emma sighed.
"Alright. But our next night out? I'm deciding where we will go and what we will do."
"I'll tell him to leave."
"Scott." Scott smiled and kissed Emma's cheek.
"It's a deal, my love. Anything you want. I'll even wear a tux for you," he grinned. Emma made a show of eyeing him up and down.
"I believe a leotard and ballet lessons will suffice." Scott's grin fell.
"You're joking. Right? Emma?" Emma said nothing as she walked out of the suite, leaving Scott alone, slightly bewildered and more than a little nervous about what he'd just agreed to.
A/N: I have returned from vacation! It was better than I thought it'd be, except for the 6 hour drive- that went as expected. My infant hates the car. She screamed nearly the whole time because we weren't holding her... *sigh*
But on the plus side, I finished through ch 11, with 11 being 4,922 words long! And I was internally visualizing ch 12 on the drive home today to drown out the screams... Hopefully it won't be long before I can get it typed up.
Thanks for reading!