Chapter 19 - Scott, You Need To Shave

For weeks after the big move, Scott was simply going through the motions. He barely spoke outside of what he felt was needed - and that mostly boiled down to making sure that homework was done, meals were served, and the kids were sticking to their new, slightly altered routine.

And over the course of time as they quietly tried to settle in, Scott seemed to lose the drive to do all of the day to day self care that he was usually so meticulous about. The most glaring example of such was of course the full, beautiful beard he was wearing.

A month in and his hair was shaggy, his beard was getting bushy, and he was still quite clearly mourning the end of the relationship with Jan. He couldn't watch the news with the kids around. Not without obsessing over it and scanning to see how Jan was holding up because of course, if she was upset, that was Scott's fault. She was healed up from all her injuries, but even that had him watching for her more, worrying about her. And pining.

There was a part of him that wanted to throw caution to the wind … but the wound from losing Jean was still white-hot when he allowed himself to think about it. And now, when he was in the depths of depression nd trying to keep a stiff upper lip for the kids, it was like those early days back at the cabin all over again, but this time, the kids weren't as needy and that only meant Scott didn't have the busy work that came with three kids that still needed teddy bears and tucking in to keep him distracted from the ache in his chest.

Losing Jean had been soul crushing - the single worst moment of his life was the moment that their psychic link went silent. But that didn't mean that this wasn't enough to send him down a spiral too. And this time the spiral didn't involve losing the mother of his children - it was more about the doubts he had.

Doubts that he was teaching them the right thing by having them hide away. Doubts that trying to keep the separation between them and the teams was giving them the right message when he couldn't even think about hero work while he was doing everything in his power to keep them safe and alive.

Doubts that he could manage any of that when he was both no longer in possession of his powers while being a walking target with an x-gene that had no use anymore.

If it wasn't for the fact that the kids all seemed to be thriving in their studies and needing the time together with him on the weekends, he'd have rethought the arrangement all together. But that would once again draw down the need to have the Avengers intervene - and as it was, they were already overly involved in th safety of the Summers family. He couldn't ask them to move them already. And he couldn't take James from his tutors any more than he could take Nate away from the normalcy he'd found competing with Katie at school.

He was trying to get through the day. That's all he wanted to do, but he seemed to be stuck on just finishing his coffee. The day slipped by, as it so often did, and Scott seemed almost startled by the alarm that he had set to tell him that he had five minutes before he had to leave to get Nate. He'd set the alarm intending to get some work done while the kids were gone … but somehow, the day had slipped by him and instead of doing his usual rush to get himself together, all Scott could do was take his mug to the sink, dump the contents out, rinse the cup, then pick up his keys where he'd left them near the door on his way out.

He didn't bother with grabbing a coat. He wasn't driving anyhow, just … walking to the subway station down a few blocks so Nate wouldn't be riding home with an Avenger in tow when Hawkeye inevitably elected himself to step in and help.

It was bad enough that James was getting rides home from any one of half a dozen different Avengers, though Scott didn't know that James had been keeping to himself more while he was a the tower to avoid as much time with any of them as he could manage. And that meant that for him, the safest place to hide to avoid too much talk about feelings was to stick close to Tony when he had to be near the timing was such that Scott didn't know that James had managed to talk them into letting Happy fill in to take him home more often than not so the Avengers could stick with keeping Jan upbeat.

And Scott was distracted enough that he didn't see that Nate was on his best behavior at school and at home - or that he had James helping him with whatever homework was giving him trouble just so he wouldn't bother his dad when he looked so forlorn.

They just didn't know how much he could have used that. So it only made things harder for those first few weeks in the new house.

He picked Nate up and walked home with him, lost in his thoughts to the point that Stark's upgraded eyes were the only reason he was able to pay attention to possible threats.

By the time all the kids got home, all three of them were convinced they needed to do something to help - they just didn't know what. And they definitely knew that they couldn't get away with putting on anything with an X on it like they'd been talking about. Not with Scott as depressed as he was.

None of them expected Scott to more or less get forced into being more social when their neighbor showed up.

Nate blinked up at the tall man on their door - this was different, considering most of the well-wishers that were obviously both concerned and interested in their dad. "Um. Hi."

The stranger smiled at Nate warmly. "Hello, I'm afraid I need to apologize for not coming by to introduce myself sooner. Is your father home, young man?"

Nate crossed his arms as he looked the man over. "Yeah, he's in the living room. Who're you?"

"Rabbi Toby Cohen," he replied, still smiling warmly.

"Huh." Nate tipped his head to the side and then held up a hand. "Wait a minute - I'll go get 'im," he said. And then, characteristic of a little boy his age, Nate started yelling for Scott when he'd only taken a couple steps away from the door.

A few moments later, Scott got to the door, frowning slightly - though the rabbi couldn't have known that he was accessing his scans to make sure he wasn't armed. "I really appreciate all the well-wishing, but we're fine, really."

Rabbi Cohen held his hands out to his side. "It's a very nosy neighborhood, I don't know what to tell you." He smiled to himself. "But that's not why I'm here. Not entirely. I am your most negligent neighbor when it comes to playing welcome wagon, but I think that makes me your most honest one."

Scott smirked only the slightest bit. "Probably."

"Do you have a little time to chat, Mister Meuller? I have to admit, I'm not the kind to get excited about seeing what kinds of things people are moving in with. I prefer to get to know the people that are trying to mind their own business."

Scott glanced to Nate, and Nate nodded quickly, going to find his brother and sister so the three of them could find something else to do while Scott invited the rabbi into the living room. "There's not much to tell," he said. "Like you said: we try to keep to ourselves."

Rabbi Cohen waved a hand as he took a seat. "And most of what people would ask you answered already. I tend to watch the people in my neighborhood before trying to bother them. And you … are you alright?"

"We're fine," Scott said automatically.

"No, I know the kids are okay," the Rabbi said. "I'm asking how you are. You haven't lived here more than a few months and already you can go on autopilot like someone who's been here their whole lives." He gestured to Scott openly. "And it's not a criticism, but that beard wasn't something you grew to fit in." He leaned forward. "It is a good look. It'd be better with some help though."

Scott paused, absently raising his hand to his chin. "We moved at a… rough time. That's all."

"Anything I can do to ease things for you?" Rabbi Cohen asked. "Or was it just that the closing happened too close to an Anniversary … or …"

"No, nothing like that," Scott said.

"Then I hope you forgive me, because you look like every grieving widow I've ever met who's going through a knot hole. I can't ignore that look. It goes against everything I am."

Scott frowned and then decided to fall back on his usual tactic: a little bit of truth. It was easier to keep the story straight that way anyway. "I tried to get back into dating. It didn't go well." He figured that would not only explain it - but might have the extended consequence of this rabbi asking the "well-wishers" to back off.

"I'm sorry to hear that. If there was some kind of signal I could light in the window for you to get the single women to stop, I don't know that I would."

Scott very nearly smiled; he could appreciate the rabbi's sense of humor. "At least you're honest."

"That's what I tried to tell you earlier," Rabbi Cohen said. "And also that the area is nosy - and that I can't ignore when a neighbor is in pain. So. We're all caught up. What are we going to do about it? We can't let you wander the streets looking so downhearted or the matchmakers will be beating down your door."

"So you're saying I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place here."

"I'm saying 'welcome to the neighborhood. You can use a friend - what time is good for coffee'?"

Scott shook his head, an almost-smirk at the corner of his mouth. "You remind me of an old friend," he said, thinking of Kurt and the way he was persistently trying to instill faith and hope in his friends at their lowest points.

"I will go ahead and take that as a complement, but I still need to know what time to show up with coffee."

Scott shook his head again. "You're not going to accept a 'no', are you?"

"In this instance, I don't even know the meaning of the word." He shrugged. "Give it a chance. Worst case scenario, after a few times if you really can't stand my company, I won't bother you but to ask how the kids are."

Scott tipped his head to the side and then sighed. "The mornings are busy with the kids going to different schools. Your best bet is late in the morning, around ten."

"I'll be here at ten fifteen." He held up one hand as he got to his feet. "And I'll bring the coffee."

Winter was melting into spring, finally, and as Brooklyn and the rest of the city began to kick off their outdoor activities, the Summers family found themselves hosting the other Summerses.

Alex and Lorna had finally come to visit - and they were radiating joy everywhere they went. Alex was his usual positive self and Lorna was even more cheerful and excited in spite of the obvious baby bump she was carrying.

"Hey big brother," Alex said with a grin as he pulled Scott into a tight hug, before Scott could even begin to address what he was seeing while Lorna pulled the kids over to say hello with bear hugs and lots of kisses. "Nice place."

"It's new," Scott said, blinking a few times before he smiled despite himself. "And that's not the only new thing. Boy or girl?"

"A boy," Lorna said, grinning with an arm around each of Scott's boys. "I think that's what my family does best this generation."

"Wanda's boys must be thrilled," Scott said, still stuck in a surprised smile.

"They are," Lorna said, beaming up at him with a grin. "Of course they are. They're such sweethearts."

"I haven't seen them in a while. Send them my love, will you?"

"I'd rather you guys just came to visit," Lorna said. "Maybe when the baby gets here? August?" She grinned wider. "Please?"

"I… will think about it," Scott said. "But you have to talk to your father. Last time we were there, he was pushing for a more permanent stay. Again."

"Oh, Daddy just wants to help if he can," Lorna said. "He worries about you, Scott."

"We're alright," Scott said, absently bringing a hand to his recently-shaved chin. "The community here is supportive. Sentinels aren't legally allowed in the neighborhood-level supportive."

"I think he'd like this neighborhood," Lorna agreed before she pulled Nate over to kiss his cheek again - and made sure to leave a lipstick print just to watch him complain about it. "It's lovely."

"Aunt Lorna-a-a-a-a-a," Nate whined.

"Get used to it, handsome - all the girls are going to want to kiss you!" Lorna told him with a delighted laugh.

"It's already started," Scott said with a dry smirk.

"Dad."

"If I'm wrong, I'll say so."

"It's true," Rachel said, smiling to herself at how much their Dad was already enjoying himself. "And Nate's in trouble all the time with Katie."

"Rachel!" Nate tipped his head back and groaned. "How come I'm in trouble?"

"I ask myself that every day," Rachel shot back, crossing her arms. "You're just like this."

Nate stuck his tongue out at Rachel, but he projected to her: It's hard to get mad, because Dad's just… so… happy.

I know. And I think he's actually considering visiting them, too. Rachel was grinning at him while she took her turn getting the treatment from Aunt Lorna and enjoying every bit of it.

Nate smiled. I hope so. He's happier with Aunt Lorna and Uncle Alex.

Do you want to go? Rachel asked.

Nate paused. Not… really. Magneto gets pushy, and he treats James different than you and me, and that doesn't feel right. James hasn't even gone for a long time. Which isn't fair; he's our brother!

He doesn't want to go there, Rachel said. He wouldn't go when we were smaller, either. I think he's kinda afraid of that place.

So, yeah, I don't think Dad'll say yes because of James, but, like, Rach. He's smiling?

I know. It's nice. Rachel turned to grin at her brother. And don't say anything to James about Dad not going for any particular reason.

Don't worry; I won't.

Before they could continue their conversation, Lorna busted them out. "Oh … I've seen that look before. Alex. Alex. They're talking privately. I'll bet it's about you and your brother."

Alex broke into a grin and spun Rachel in a hug. "You're just like your parents. Both of them. Stop that," he teased.

"I didn't … we weren't talking about you!" Rachel laughed.

"Well, what else is there to talk about? I'm clearly the life of the party. Or I guess you could talk about my son. That's good too."

"What are you going to name him?" Rachel asked, knowing that her Dad wanted to ask, but hadn't found a good way to do that yet.

"It's the subject of some… discussion," Alex admitted, smiling over at Lorna. "We've got it narrowed down to 'Michael' and 'Christopher' - just didn't want to steal Scott's thunder, seeing as he gave Nate five hundred names and Christopher's one."

Scott shook his head at Alex. "I don't mind, you idiot."

"Scott, you know he's just like this," Lorna said. "He wants to rile you. I think he misses when someone else calls him a dork."

"Oh, good; I'm glad you haven't stopped," Scott said, smirking Lorna's way.

"I'd have to lose my mind to stop," Lorna laughed, then finally got away from the kids to give Scott a hug. "We've missed you!"

"You'll have to visit more often, then," Scott said as he returned the hug. "I've got three kids with three different school schedules. I feel like you have the easier time finding a minute."

"I know, but summertime, Scott," Lorna said.

"Surfing's going to be great, too," Alex said.

"Come take my kids to the beach," Scott said. "Nate's going out for baseball. He wants to play every sport under the sun. Throw surfing in there…"

"Alright, I hear you. You're not interested in visiting. What about a joint family trip to Hawaii again?"

Scott actually grinned - something that Alex and Lorna didn't realize was as big a deal as it was. "Now you're talking."

"Alright then," Lorna said. "As soon as the baby's here and we can travel - something in the fall maybe? Doesn't have to be very long, just a weekend would do it. A long weekend."

"Sounds perfect," Scott agreed. "I'm sure we can find a few days somewhere."

"Great!" Alex said, grinning wider as he came over to throw his arm around Scott's shoulders. "So bigger, older, much older looking brother … how about you fill me in on everything that's happened since Christmas?" He pulled Scott along into the kitchen leaving Lorna to make over the kids in peace - and she was thrilled to get them to herself, too - sure to pepper each of them with a dozen questions - and kisses, much to Nate's well hidden delight.

She made Rachel promise to show her around the school before she left - and she promised Nate to watch him play catch with Alex as long as he promised not to take it easy on him, of course. And she talked James into agreeing to take her to the botanical garden, since she was sure that asking to go to the tower might push the wrong buttons with those in charge there.

Lorna was a great fit for Alex, and she was bubbling with raw joy more often than not, but somewhere in the farthest reaches of her psyche, she did buy into a lot of what her father said. She wasn't blatant about it, but she did have a healthy distrust of the Avengers after everything had gone south with them so often. The fact that Wanda and Vision had been on the team for so long hadn't really tempered her opinion of the organization as a whole. Especially when faced with Wanda's reasons for leaving.

So while Scott was cautious about spending time in Genosha, Lorna was almost as cautious about spending time in the city. Her concern however, was tempered by the confidence of someone who felt they were more untouchable than those around them. So it didn't show quite as vividly as it did for Scott. And she really did love the kids, so she wanted one on one time with each of them in their own environments.

Alex … Alex never did understand nuance, though. And he was very much like an overgrown kid himself most of the time, so for him it was always a simple matter of 'your house or mine'.

By the time the Summers brothers returned to the living room, Lorna had moved on to teasing Nate about how tall and lanky he was getting to be. "Are you sure you don't want to be a basketball player?"

Nate shrugged. "Maybe I'll try that next year. But I'm pretty good at football."

"American or everyone else's football?" Lorna asked.

"Yes," Nate replied with a crooked grin.

"You might have to teach Wanda's boys. They can't get a decent team to play. Either sport."

"Yeah, and that's why I don't wanna live on your island. Sorry, Aunt Lorna, but you don't have a good football team," Nate teased.

Lorna pulled him over to kiss his temple. "That's as good of an excuse as I've ever heard," she said. "I'll be sure to bring it up to Daddy. 'Not enough sports. Your country is lame because of it.'" She turned to grin at James. "What about you? What are we lacking for you?"

James didn't miss a beat or take any time to consider it before he answered with one word. "Snow." Which was of course, impossible to honestly get for an island so near the equator.

"Boys my age," Rachel put in, since Lorna was looking her way.

"We have those, actually," Lorna said. "And you're not even related to them." She smiled at her. "I'll bet there are even some other telepath boys."

"Yeah, but she's got her eye on someone at school," Nate said, grinning outright.

"So do you," James said, not letting the opportunity pass when Nate was obviously crushing on Katie.

"Um, no I don't," Nate said.

James stared at him without saying a word or blinking until Nate got frustrated - and only then it was only to say "Really."

"Really!"

James rolled his eyes at that. "Sure, Nate. whatever you say."

Alex burst out laughing and pulled James over one armed to give him a hug. "You can't just bust him out like that, bud. He takes after my big brother too much. You'll break him."

"It's literally the same thing he's trying to do to Rachel -only Rachel isn't flipping out and lying to herself about it," James said, which had Alex laughing harder.

"Give your baby brother a break, wouldja?" Alex snickered. "And let's order a pizza. That's something else about Genosha - they don't have much for pizza."

"Yeah, we can't live there then," Nate said. "Ever."

While Lorna did her best to act shocked and shaken - and got Nate laughing uproariously, Scott took a moment to pull his little brother into a hug. "Hey. Congratulations, really. I can't believe you didn't tell me sooner."

"She wanted to," Alex admitted. "But I really needed to see you in person with news like this." He looked over to where Lorna was doing a fine job of keeping all three kids engaged with her, even going out of her way to snuggle on James as soon as she finally got a good hold of him. And while the two tucked in for a good bear hug, Alex took advantage of the moment for a little privacy and dropped his voice low. "I'll be honest, Scott … I think this is the scariest thing I've ever done. And that's including everything with the X-Men and taking on the North Shore."

"Alex," Scott said, smirking crookedly. "You've got this."

"I don't know-"

"What are you worried about? You grew up with a Dad. You know how it's done. You're amazing with my kids, and I'll bet you're great with Lorna's nephews, too."

"It's a little different when it's nieces and nephews, Scott. And yeah. My dad was … we had our issues, but he was there, yeah," Alex said as he stepped back from his brother, one hand at the side of his neck in a gesture that had to be genetic. "I wish you'd have been adopted with me, Scott. Mom would have loved you, and you would have gotten to know my Dad better. Probably would have had him toeing the line." He smiled ruefully. "We're headed to see Haley next. She ought to get the same square chance to meet her nephew. And I know my parents are going to be excited to find out about their grandson. I just … I'm not good at stuff like this. Not like you."

Scott was honestly surprised by that, his eyebrows high as he took half a step back. "What?"

"Come on, Scott -you're a natural. How do you do it?"

"Alex … you'll be amazing. If Lorna didn't think you'd be great, there's no way she'd have let you-"

"Yeah, that … well it was kind of a surprise," Alex admitted with a troublemaking grin. "Her morning sickness involved levitating everything metal in the room."

"Alex … stop."

"See? This is what I'm talking about!"

Scott laughed and draped his arm around Alex's shoulders as he steered him toward the kids and Lorna. "You're going to be fine. In spite of being yourself. Relax and enjoy it."

"Yeah, Alex," Lorna said in a teasing tone that had Rachel giggling in spite of herself. "Did you order the pizza yet?"

When Alex paused, she sent the kids after him to tackle him - leaving her and Scott to handle being the logistics of the big crew.