After all the stress of initial meetings and closing notes (Logan and her still hadn't mastered the art of uncomplicated friendship), Max had found the longest stretch of calmness that her life had ever afforded her. Two whole weeks free from government agencies, near death experiences, and complete with minimal nagging from Normal, who seemed undeniably relieved to find their excuses had held solid with family to back them up - the thought of firing his "golden boy" had apparently been terrifying.
A paranoid person would assume that life could only get worse. Luckily, Alec and Max had managed to have inverse spells of panic and balance each other out for the most part.
One particularly pessimistic stint had half convinced them both that the whole "family" thing was a set up before they decided that the weirdness of grandparents had to make this "normal." Or, at least, not bio-engineered to mess with their lives.
Of course, their life was anything but a fairytale and soon enough it was time to ship their extended families back home. Both sets of grandparents still worked and only so much time could be afforded for a vacation.
Now, standing outside of a half-rundown apartment building, Katherine worried if she'd asked enough questions and Theresa wondered if she'd hugged the "children" enough. They'd both come expecting a gap, meeting their grandchildren twenty years too late, but there was something that always seemed a little off somehow.
Still, as John and Katherine had discussed, they'd take anything that they could get.
Andre had already said his goodbyes, making Max and Maria promise to write, and was off organizing the return trip. He felt confident but slightly unnerved in seeing his sister again and meeting his niece, like they connected again and anything else was overkill.
Just released from a weak hug by Katherine and John, Alec struggled somewhere between avoiding his emotions and trying not to slip into blank soldier mode. "We'll visit," he hoped he sounded more confident than he felt. Somehow, staying out of the public eye was more important right now.
Blissfully unaware of the conspiracies and cover-ups that had been just around every bend, John replied with confidence, "Of course," while Katherine moved to hug Emily.
Not soft enough for transgenic hearing to miss, Katherine offered, "You could still come with us…"
In her mother's grasp, Emily smiled but shook her head, resolute, "Not now. Later maybe."
Gently, Max hugged Theresa and Ricardo, wishing that they wouldn't leave but not about to suggest it. She'd never felt safer, despite the complications, than with a big family around her. Family, like Manticore, only so different in all the important and good ways. Never one to be selfish, Max squashed the urge. It wasn't safe for them to stay here, any of them. "I'll miss you."
Half-heartedly, Ricardo looked over Max's shoulder to a teary-eyed Maria and entreated, "Come with us, Maria."
Maria and Max locked eyes. This offer had come before and, as much as Max wanted Maria to take it for purely unselfish reasons, Maria had refused, claiming she wasn't leaving her daughter so soon. "Poppa, it's decided already."
With a sad smile, Ricardo released Max to go stand back with Alec, and Maria fell into her place, hugging her parents tightly and whispering promises.
From slightly apart in presence and worlds apart in mind, Alec and Max watched their mothers and grandparents say their goodbyes. It still seemed somewhat surreal and so overly emotional. Pulled at thoughts they couldn't sort out, even after two weeks of trying.
All too quickly, the whole busy process was over, with Katherine and John boarding one car while Theresa and Ricardo got into another with a bashful-looking Andre driving. Waved goodbyes and half-silent "I love you"s, and the cars were driving off.
None of the other occupants of the neighborhood stirred, uninterested in the affairs of others.
Maria and Emily smiled and cried.
Alec and Max stood, still wondering if all this was normal and wishing they'd understood better. Suddenly feeling bereft and sure that maybe it was complicated, but family was something that neither planned on giving up on.
After a moment, silently, all four walked back inside, to mull over the last couple of weeks in private.
Author's Note: I know, been a bit since the last update. Both jumping back into this story and this scene, I'm feeling a tad unsure of myself. I have no idea if this was repetitive, got across was I wanted, showcased enough emotion, or even seemed in character? Opinions would be deeply appreciated.