"Rita, Steve … what a pleasant surprise." Raven greeted them in a completely unconvincing tone, not unlike the one she used that fateful morning when she cooked inedible pancakes for her friends.
Raven gave Melvin a quick glare, one which unequivocally sent the message "You brought them here? Why?"
"Mom, dad!" The changeling stepped in to defuse the situation. "You should have called and let us know you were coming."
"We wanted to surprise both of you … Raven, you look radiant, how are you feeling?" Rita asked.
The sorceress allowed a tiny sigh to escape her gray lips. "I've been under some stress lately."
"Stress?" Mento interjected before giving Gar a stern look. "Garfield, are you treating her right? I know she's a superhero, but she is pregnant with our grandchild."
"Gar has been very conscientious; he won't even let me wash a dish, which is overkill as I'm perfectly fine."
"Then what are you stressed about, dear?" Rita asked.
Raven hesitated before answering.
"It's … something of a personal nature."
Rita smiled. "Raven, we are family, you can confide in us."
Raven quickly looked at her mother-in-law and saw the concern in her eyes. She noticed that Melvin was seated on the edge of her seat, also curious as to what could possibly unnerve her mighty Aunt Raven. These people, though not blood relatives were indeed family, even if one of them, the former actress once know as Rita Farr, was constantly getting under her skin.
"Very well … a woman from Gar's past has shown up and …"
The Steve leaped to his feet.
"Garfield! What is the meaning of this? Are you messing around?" Mento bellowed as Rita glared at her son.
"Whoa! Wait a minute, I haven't done anything."
Raven raised a hand in a conciliatory gesture. "Gar has been absolutely faithful."
"Then why are you upset, Aunt Raven? Who is this woman?"
Melvin could read her Aunt like a book. She didn't know who the mystery woman was, but she could already tell that she had unnerved Raven.
"Gar went to college with her … her name is Alexa."
Rita's eyes widened upon hearing her name, as she remembered when her son told her about the one night stand they shared. She glared at the changeling.
"Garfield, you will have nothing to do with this woman!" She hissed at him.
Raven felt her heart warm, hearing her formerly antagonistic mother-in-law come to her defense. Even if it was unnecessary, it did make her feel better.
"It's not that easy … she offered Gar a job."
"A job? He already has a job. He can turn down her job offer." Mento quipped.
"He already did, but …"
"But what, Raven?" Rita asked.
"It's a position on a team developing an HIV vaccine."
"I see …" Mento replied. "That makes things complicated."
"Very complicated … Gar would be helping countless millions if he develops a vaccine."
"Do you have any idea of why she offered him the job?"
Raven bit her lower lip. "I know that this sounds pathetic, but I'm convinced she wants to steal him from me."
"Raven, dear, are you sure?" Rita asked.
"I am an empath. I could sense the desire she feels for Gar … but the job is legitimate. Gar isn't the ideal candidate as he's more familiar with viruses that affect animals … but he could probably do it."
"And you're worried that you're putting your needs before those of the world."
"I am. I'm a superhero … I'm not supposed to be selfish that way."
"You're retired; you've earned a right to a private life." Mento remarked.
"Am I retired? Is it really possible for superheroes to retire?"
"Only you know the answer to that question."
"I know … and I fell torn."
"Raven, Garfield … you're adults … you going to have to figure this out on your own. But, I do have some advice … above all else, protect your marriage." Mento added.
Raven nodded her agreement. Rita got up from her seat and retrieved a couple of large gift bags, which she brought back to the couch.
"Changing the subject, we brought some gifts." She announced as he handed Raven the first bag.
The sorceress looked nonplussed as she reached into the bag. Its contents were wrapped in bright green tissue paper, which Raven carefully opened. It was a threadbare, blue thermal blanket.
"That was Garfield's sole possession when we adopted him."
Raven handed the blanket to her husband, who was mesmerized by it.
"I remember this … it was my blanket when I lived in Africa." His voice warbled with emotion. "When the State Department people came for me, I was crying, I didn't want to leave. A dude wearing sunglasses grabbed it from my bed and shoved it at me. He told me to stop crying and to be a man."
"Be a man? Gar, you were what? Four years old?"
"I was. I thought this was lost … it was the last thing I ever had that my parents gave me." He looked up at his adoptive parents. "Mom, Dad … thanks, thanks for saving it."
Rita smiled as she wiped a tear away. "We thought that Coraline should have that blanket … of course it's yours, so it really isn't ours to give to her."
The Chromatically Challenged Couple™ rose to their feet and hugged his parents. Rita and Raven shared an especially warm embrace.
"Thanks mom." The changeling sniffled as he hugged his step mother. Rita released him and pecked him on the cheek.
"I have something else for you." Rita announced as she reached into the other paper bag and pulled out a pink box.
"You brought a cake?" Gar remarked in a surprised tone.
"Raspberry-chocolate, your favorite." She replied.
Raven got up from her seat. "I'll make some tea and coffee."
"I'll help you." Melvin volunteered.
The two women disappeared into the kitchen.
-( scene break )-
Melvin set up the coffee maker while Raven placed some dishes and forks on a tray. Melvin noticed that her "aunt" was being very quiet.
"Aunt Raven … what's so special about this Alexa? I can tell just by watching you that you don't like her. Who is she? Is she uncle Gar's old girlfriend?"
Raven didn't reply immediately, instead she filled an electric kettle with water and turned it on. Melvin didn't press the issue as she knew Raven would reply when she was ready.
"She's not an old girlfriend … they were … I don't know … friends with benefits?"
"Whoa … uncle Gar was into booty calls?"
"No, he wasn't … it was a one night stand, when he was drunk."
"And that bothers you, right?"
Raven nodded. "Yes, I don't like knowing that he's been with another woman, even if it was before we became a couple."
Melvin sighed. "You weren't made for these times, Aunt Raven."
Raven narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean? Are you saying that I'm too old fashioned?"
Melvin hesitated. "More like the world has changed."
"I'm not that old … Melvin, forgive me for asking, but … are you … sexually active?"
The blond girl blushed. "Uh … yeah."
Raven's face fell. "Dear Azar … you could get pregnant or catch an STD."
"I always make him wear a condom."
"Him?"
"My boyfriend."
"You have a boyfriend?"
"Of course I do, you didn't know?"
Raven looked dismayed. "How long have you been having sex?"
"You're freaking out … Aunt Raven; it's not a big deal. Everyone does it."
"How. Long?" The sorceress growled as her eyes glowed red. Melvin slightly flinched.
"Two years, just after I turned sixteen."
"I don't believe this; you had sex before I did and you're 10 years younger than me … so you've been sleeping with this boyfriend of yours for two years?"
Melvin didn't answer. Raven noticed her lower lip was trembling.
"Oh Azar! You've had more than one lover?"
Melvin was looking very uncomfortable. "Aunt Raven, everyone does it. If it makes you feel better, I only have sex with boyfriends. I don't do booty calls. I'm not that kind of girl. Sleeping with your boyfriend isn't considered slutty."
Raven sat down at the kitchen table, with a very distressed look on her face. "Melvin, have you ever thought of getting married some day? If you have sex with every boyfriend you have, and please don't tell me how many you've had, how can sex become a special and intimate bond between you and your husband?"
Melvin gave Raven a perplexed look. "You aren't serious, are you?"
"I'm dead serious, Melvin."
The blond pondered Raven's words. "I guess I don't think of sex that way."
"So, it's just something you do for fun?"
"I'm not into casual sex, I tried it once and I didn't like it. Like I said, I only have sex with my boyfriends."
"And you do it just for fun?"
"Is there any other reason?"
Raven didn't answer and instead tended to her kettle, which had begun to whistle. Raven dropped a few teabags into a teapot and poured in the boiling water. Melvin frowned.
"You think I'm a slut, don't you?"
"I know, you told me everyone does it. I met another of Gar's classmates. She admitted that had he been available at the time, she would have slept with him … maybe you're right, maybe I'm not made for these times."
"You're disappointed with me, right?"
"It's your life. You're 18 now."
"Aunt Raven … I'm not a slut, I'm a nice girl."
Raven glared at the younger woman. "I know … that's why I'm so disappointed." She replied as she picked up the tray with the dishware, coffee and tea pots and headed back to the living room.
-( scene break )-
"So, just two more months, right son?"
"Closer to three, but yeah, the due date is approaching fast."
"And?" Steve asked.
"I'm nervous, even a little scared."
"But Garfield, you're a doctor. And Raven's pregnancy is picture perfect, right?" Rita remarked.
He nodded. "That's not what I'm worried about."
Mento placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're worried about being a dad."
"Well … yeah … it's a huge responsibility. I mean … what if I suck at it?"
"You won't." Rita reassured him.
"You don't know that."
"Yes, I do know that. I've known you for a long time Garfield Logan. You are going to be a wonderful father."
"I fully agree with your mother. You're going to be a great dad." Raven interrupted as she entered the room carrying a tray.
Garfield noticed that Melvin was pouting as she emerged from the kitchen, carrying a second tray. Raven sat down next to her spouse and began to slice and serve the cake. Garfield leaned over and whispered in her ear. "What's with Melvin? She looks like she's been sucking on lemons."
"Ask me later." She whispered back.
The assembled group chatted and ate cake until an hour later it was gone. Garfield collected the dirty dishes and after loading them onto a tray he lugged them back into the kitchen. Raven followed him after telling Rita and Melvin to stay put, they were guests after all, they didn't need to help clean up. Once in the kitchen they began to methodically clean the dirty dishes. Raven rinsed the major debris off the dishes and the hero formerly known as Beast Boy loaded them into the dishwasher.
"So what's going on with Melvin?"
Raven opened the faucet to full flow, creating some background noise to mask their conversation.
"She told me that I was an old fuddy dud for not liking Alexa. That times change and other garbage."
"Well … times have changed … not that she would know."
"She does know. She was practically bragging to me about sleeping with her boyfriends … and she's being having sex since she turned 16. She says everyone does it."
He wrapped an arm around Raven. "I hate to say this, but she's kind of right. Sure, not everyone is having premarital sex, but when I was in school … most of the guys and girls were banging each other, and a lot of them were into casual sex, and that includes Tina, Janey and Alexa."
"I feel like we're Amish or something. This is ridiculous, Gar. I'm half demon and I'm more chaste than most of those college girls."
"It really bugs you that Melvin is having premarital sex?"
"It does."
"Well … we did too."
"We were committed and engaged. It's not the same. She's rolling in the hay with whoever her current boyfriend is, she's also had casual sex. We never did that."
"Well, uh … actually …"
"You were not yourself, you were drunk."
"I knew what I was doing. I wanted to get laid."
"You were lonely."
"I could have called you more often."
"I could have called you."
"Raven, we've been over this, I'm not going to let you blame yourself. I slept with Alexa because I wanted to have sex with her. It was my mistake and I own it."
"But you regret it. She doesn't. She's proud of herself. Melvin actually thinks she's behaving morally. She thinks she's a nice girl."
"Raven, she is a nice girl. Is she making a mistake now, one that she'll probably regret later? Yeah, she is. Peer pressure is a big thing Raven. I know it affected me. I always got an earful from the guys at school, bragging about who they slept with. Even though I knew it was wrong I felt like I was missing out."
"But you never went looking for sex, did you?"
"No, I didn't, mostly because I lacked the self esteem to try. But I was horny, Rave; I really wanted to get laid. It got so bad that I masturbated almost every night. But I felt so awkward and freakish that I didn't think I had a chance with any girl, and then, out of the blue Alexa took me to her room."
"I know, you've told me about this. You said you didn't enjoy it."
"Well … I did kind of enjoy it, but later I felt … lousy. It was so empty. While we were doing it, I don't know why, but I told Alexa that I loved her. She told me to shut up and just fuck her, that I was ruining the moment."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Don't be so harsh with Melvin, she is a good kid, even if she is too horny for her own good. She'll eventually figure out that what she's doing is wrong, and when that happens she's going to come to her wise Aunt Raven to help her straighten things out."
"Why would she ask me for advice? She already knows ten times as much about sex as I do."
"Maybe she does, but you know a thousand times more about what a committed relationship is all about. Trust me Rave, in a few years she's gonna be in awe of you, especially when she finally meets the right guy."
"I still can't get over the fact that she started having sex when she was 16. None of us were doing that when we were that age."
"We were superheroes busy saving the world. After the Titans were dissolved she wound up in a foster home and she attended public school. We lived a sheltered life in the Tower."
"But we went to college and we didn't behave like that. I can't help but feel that I let her down, that if I had been more involved …"
"Raven, you're not her mother. And it's not the end of the world. She's being careful, nothing will happen to her, except maybe getting her feelings hurt, she is using protection after all, right? She's a good kid and will wise up. That's when she'll listen to you and you'll be able to make a difference with her."
Raven mulled over his words. "This is so challenging. I've fought monsters, criminals and demons, but I'm at a loss as how to handle this. And what about our children? Will they listen to us?"
"Don't worry, Raven, it's gonna be fine. You're gonna be a great mom. You'll see. And besides, Melvin and the Boys are with Titans East now. Cy will take care of them."
Before Raven could reply a doorbell sounded. It was the doorbell for Azarathia and not their apartment.
"Should we answer the door?" Rita called from the living room.
"No, it's for the store." Gar shouted back.
After about a minute passed another doorbell rang, this time it was the one for the apartment.
"Who could it be at this hour?" Raven grumbled.
Melvin poked her head into the kitchen. "Would you like me to answer the door?"
"Go ahead, but be careful." Raven instructed her.
Melvin rolled her eyes as she made her way to the door. Be careful? She was a superhero, what could possibly happen?
The Logans were almost done cleaning the kitchen when Raven suddenly frowned. Her husband immediately noticed.
"Hey, I'm sensing something odd too." Hr remarked.
Just as they were heading back to the living room, Melvin popped her head back into the kitchen.
"Guys … you'd better get over here."
"What is it?" Gar asked. His question was immediately answered.
The Daytons were sitting on a loveseat, staring dumbfounded at the uninvited guest sitting on the couch. Raven's eyes boggled as did Garfield's. Alexa was sitting on the couch. Though she was as dazzling as ever, she was not the source of everyone's amazement. What had everyone stunned was the child sitting on her lap. It appeared to be a three year old boy … with pointy ears and green skin.
No one said anything, until Rita finally broke the silence. "Garfield, this woman says that this child is yours."
The changeling slowly shook his head. "No, it can't be … I wore a condom … we only did it once."
Alexa looked up at her former classmate. "Once is all it takes, Gar. And sometimes condoms leak."
"Why … why didn't you tell me?" He stammered.
"I don't know … I guess I didn't want to burden you. But after what Raven said a few months ago, about the father having a right to know, well, I thought about that for the longest time. I still didn't want to burden you, but then I realized that Mark had a right to know too, that he had a father and should know who he is."
Rita rose from her seat. "So … Mark is my grandson? Do you need any help?"
"Yes, Mrs. Dayton … he is. But I'm not here to ask for any money, I'm doing quite well actually."
Rita extended her arms and Alexa handed the child to her. The elastic woman's expression softened as she held the toddler in her arms. Mark smiled at her. "Hi Mark, sweetie … I'm your nana." Mark wrapped his arms around her neck.
Mento meanwhile placed his fingertips on his temples. After a long moment he released them and frowned. Alexa cleared her throat.
"If you're trying to read my mind, I'm afraid you can't."
"Why not? I can still sense your emotions?" Raven snapped at her.
"I have a Lexcorp implant installed, it blocks mind readers."
"How did you get one of those? Luthor doesn't sell them."
"My employer, Genomatics, is LuthCorp subsidiary. Mr. Luthor insists that his key employees have one installed. You aren't the only mind reader out there, Mr. Dayton."
"Dude, you allowed them to put that thing in your brain?"
Alexa smiled at her one time lover. "Gar, like I already said, I am very well compensated. Mr. Luthor can be very generous when paying his top employees, but he also likes to protect his assets. You have no idea of how far industrial espionage will go these days. No offense, Mr. Dayton or should I call you Mento? Better mind readers than you have tried and failed to probe my memories. Though I must say, I'm feeling offended. Why would I try to deceive you? I'm already wealthy; my Lexcorp stock options are worth over a hundred million."
"You want to steal Gar from me!" Raven hissed.
Alexa shook her head.
"My only interest in your husband, besides introducing him to his son, is strictly professional."
She turned to the green scientist. "Gar, Mr. Luthor's offer still stands: Ten million a year salary plus stock options."
"He's already heir to the Dayton fortune. And don't think you fool me for a second, Alexa. I could sense the lust you felt for my husband when we first met!"
Alexa smiled sheepishly. "I apologize for that, when I saw Gar again I remembered our little tryst. He's an incredible lover … you are a lucky woman to have married him."
"My husband is much more than just a sexual plaything." Raven snapped as she glared at Alexa.
"Raven, she is the mother of my grandson." Rita interrupted.
"We don't know that child is really Gar's son. This woman works for Lex Luthor …"
"Who is a legitimate businessman." Alexa interrupted.
"Yeah, right, and Brother Blood is a respected educator. I'd like to see some proof that this child is really Gar's, and I don't mean some forged birth certificate either. I want to see reld, hard proof."
Alexa looked calm as she replied. "I'll be more than happy to provide Mark's DNA for a test, but for now a simpler demonstration should suffice."
Raven crossed her arms over her swollen midsection. "I'd like to see this demonstration."
Alexa nodded, and a small smirk appeared on her face.
"Marky, will you show everyone your trick?"
The green child smiled sweetly. "But mommy, you told me not to, you said it's a secret."
"It's OK, sweetie, you can do it now."
The child beamed happily. "OK"
Rita was still holding the boy in her harms when he morphed into a green rabbit. Everyone in the room gasped.
"He's your son, Gar; I wouldn't lie to you about that." Alexa announced.
The changeling gently took the green rabbit from his mother. He stared at the creature, still unable to believe his eyes. Then to his great surprise, the rabbit spoke. "You're green too!"
"He can talk when in his animal forms!" The former Titan gasped. "How does he do that?"
"You mean you can't?" Alexa asked.
"No! And I've been trying for years. What did you do to him?"
Alexa shrugged. "Nothing … well, I guess half of his DNA is mine, maybe that made a difference somehow."
Rita noticed that Raven was slack jawed. She approached her daughter-in-law and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Don't worry, dear, this changes nothing between you and Garfield."
Raven knew that wasn't true. Not only had Alexa slept with Gar before she did, she was the first one to give him a child.
Everything had suddenly changed.
-( scene break )-
So the cat is out of the bag. It looks like Gar has a son (we won't know for sure until the DNA test is done). And we know that Alexa works for Lex Luthor, which is never a good thing, even if he is a "legitimate businessman".
And now, for a shout out: "Titans Fall" by Steve 6363 is a new story that's showing some promise. Go check it out and leave him a review or two while you're there: www dot fanfiction dot net/s/9273374/1/Titans-Fall
And of course, the mail bag replies. The number of reviews remains stunning for this story.
Sweetums14 – As Raven just learned, teens are indeed something else.
EP – Poor Raven, things just took a turn for the worse for her.
Katt In The Boxx – It really wasn't that short, just shorter than some of my longer chapters. Of course, shorter chaps mean more frequent updates.
Glacier – From what I read there were licensing issues with the original show, which is why Batman was never mention by name, though there were indirect references to him. The new show, while crappy compared to the original, doesn't seem to have such restrictions. Also, a lot of things in the new show don't make sense (I know, the new show is a parody of the old show). For instance, why would Bats and Jim Gordon be sitting in a police car … in Jump City? I also believe Wally didn't die in Young Justice, but now we'll never know.
gabylokita41 – As you can see, the Dayton's came to make nice with Raven. Then Alexa showed up!
Windregon – Thanks, I'm glad you like it. And thanks for reviewing.
Pb3 – This is the fan fic that doesn't end, it goes on and on my friend! Just kidding, it will end.
TW – You know it!
DeeThom – It seems like Rita has finally accepted Raven.
Hairul The Nightrage Beast – Aren't you glad Raven wasn't busting your chops?
JOHNXgambit – If I was Raven, I'd go with the four eyed glare, which is much creepier in the comics.
Bluedog197 – Every story needs someone you love to hate. That is Alexa's job.
The Cretin – I love Rose in the comics. She wants to be good, yet she's slutty and she's Slade's daughter too (who can escape that?).
TJSC25 – Don't get too hung on the five kids. Bart Allen is known to be a BS'er.
Anoymous136 – Jinx was strict with the Hive, not that they paid any attention to her.
WishToBeYouSomeday – In laws are always fun! Not!
Shadico - I think that forcing poor Raven to have five kids would be cruel. Of course now that she feels that she's in competition with Alexa, maybe she will pop them out. Then again, Alexa has a killer figure, no point in furthering that advantage for her.
checkit789 – Well, Alexa has made her move, the question that remains is: Why?
krostovikraven1 – Sounds like you're a onetime mom, Darn! I was just going to ask if you'd have a baby for me! (Just kidding).
js12601 – I haven't followed Raven in the New 52, mostly because she doesn't have her own comic book and is relegated to "guest starring" in other comics. That said, I heard that she has kind of possessed BB.
Adventuresstime – Causing trouble is Alexa's job.
Densharr – Yeah, I goofed spelling Melvin's name. I guess it's shown in the Teen Titans Go comics.
SuperNolon – I would think that Raven goes four eyes while BB bangs her, and he loves it!
Death Stroke The Kid – Do you really want spoilers?
Chayse-man – Alexa is mysterious, but she does work for Luther and has that implant in her brain.
titanfan45 – Even Wally grows up.
And
Steel Timberwolf – You didn't review! And after I changed the mailbag format at your request. I'm wounded!