A/N - Chapter 16 is rediculously short and not particularly interesting so as an added treat I'm uploading the action packed and comical chapter 17 simultaneously. I hope you thoroughly enjoy them both.
XVI. THE MORNING AFTER
Saturday morning came all too soon for Helen Parr. She had tossed and turned all night with the thoughts of everything the past week had brought. As she sat up she realized that this was far from a typical Saturday morning in the Parr residence. 'Hmm,' she thought to herself as she became aware of her missing husband. 'That's not like Bob to be up so early on the weekend.' She reached for her clock, '10:30AM! Jack-Jack never lets me sleep past nine.' Walking down the hall she peered into her daughter's room and found Violet on the bed reading a magazine and listening to music. She silently continued down the hall to the living room where she saw Dash still in his pajamas on the couch watching cartoons. 'He's back to his old self,' she thought as she passed him on into the kitchen. This sight really surprised her. Jack-Jack was sitting in his highchair just as content as he could be. 'He's obviously been fed,' she thought noting the food all over his face and clothes. Next to him was Bob, head buried in the paper and drinking a cup of coffee. She leaned back against the door frame, "Is this going to become a habit, because it's kind of nice." This was the third time this week he'd waken before her and the first time in recorded history that she'd been the last one to wake up in the house.
"Huh," Bob gave a start. "Oh good morning honey. I came down to get the paper and heard Jack-Jack so I figured since I was up anyway-"
'Mmm hmm,' she thought. 'The paper is also what had him up every other morning this week; this should be interesting.' "Ok, ok," she said as she grabbed a dish towel and wiped off the baby's face. "So, what's so interesting?"
"Huh, what's so interesting about what?"
"The paper Bob." She was fishing now. "Normally a steamroller couldn't get you out of bed this early in the morning."
"Oh, the paper! Oh, um, just an article."
"What kind of article?" she had started washing out empty cereal bowls now.
"Oh just one about another vet robbery; you know they got those guys this time."
"Mmm hmm, and did they have any help?"
"Well maybe a little."
"Oh Bob just spill it already," she said turning off the water and heading for a seat by his side.
"Alright," he sighed with defeat. "I got them; they just cleaned up. No problems; real simple; just clean and fast."
"Is that all?" she asked
"Uh, well – yes." There was a short silence. "You mean you're not mad?"
"Bob what ever gave you that idea?"
"You used to hate it when I did this kind of thing."
"Bob," she embraced him, "those days are over. Yes it was a problem when it meant uprooting our family on a regular basis; but with things the way they are now and the supers coming back out of hiding then as long as it doesn't interfere with our family you are Mr. Incredible and I am Elastigirl." They engaged in long, passionate kiss of understanding. "But we're not doing anything to stir the water," she said when they finished.
Bob read between the lines on that one; 'No children means no children.'
