X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Fifty Seven
Author's Word: On a day centered around an American tragedy, I hope you all enjoy this.
Ponytails of golden blonde bounced and blew through the refreshing spring breeze of the midday. Raven and Emma leapt over large puddles that had formed from the previous night's rain without causing a delay in their zealous sprint.
"Time!" Emma called, stopping short of the iron gate of the mansion.
Raven came to a halt as well. "You're tired already?"
"No." Emma took a long sip from the water bottles they'd left in front of the gate. "But I'd like to shower before lunch. While you and Hank may be at the hopeless infatuation stage, I still need Charles to believe I eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom all in radiance."
"I don't know, Em. I think Charles looking past your whole evil deal counts as pretty hopeless," Raven put forth.
"Says the very fortunate one with the simply gorgeous ring on her finger."
Raven's hand touched the aforementioned ring. "Wait. Is your head really there with my brother?"
Emma studied her closely. "Does that horrify you?"
"No, no." Raven shook her head hard. "Sorry. I know how that must have sounded. I guess everything around here is still taking some getting used to."
Emma turned to head in. "Come, little grasshopper."
They started in together.
"So I guess you want to be queen bee."
Emma's blue eyes gave off a sparkle. "Funny you should mention that…"
IIIIIII
Charles' ears followed the musical chords until they guided him to Becky's doorway. He watched the little girl move about on her carpeted floor on the tips of her toes. He entered in perfect silence, hoisting her up suddenly to be at eye level with him.
"Uncle Charles," she smiled, placing one arm around his neck.
"Dance with me, Princess?"
"Sure!"
The Englishman took her small hand and began to twirl about the colorful bedroom with her.
He nodded towards the music box. "Is that the one Raven got you?"
"Mmhmm," Becky nodded. "It's my favorite to practice with."
"I can't tell you how proud I am of you for the work you've put into the upcoming show," Charles commended.
Becky placed her forehead against his shoulder. "I've never starred before, Uncle Charles. I'm on stage almost the whole time. What if I misstep or fall over?"
"Nonsense," Charles dismissed. "You are a very good dancer and anything you do on that stage will be poetry in motion. However, I need to make one request."
"What is it?" she asked.
He smiled. "Always save a dance for me." Charles spun with her, making Becky giggle loudly.
IIIIIII
As the trio of spirited little boys sped into the kitchen, Erik remained unmoved by the youthful display.
"No running in the kitchen, young men," he admonished them. "Nor indoors for that matter."
"Sorry," Scott apologized for them while Frank attempted to squirt Joey with a water pistol.
The little blonde scurried over to the adult in the room. "Why do you always make us turkey sandwiches, Uncle Erik?"
Erik placed the tray of toasted sandwiches on top of the stove. "Because ham and bologna are of swine, Kangaroo."
The boy wrinkled his nose. "So?"
"Jews don't eat pigs, Joey," Frank informed, having a gun squirting war with Scott.
"Why is that?" Scott asked curiously.
"It goes against the law of Moses," Erik explained. "Direct orders from the Creator."
Joey looked up at him. "What happens if you break those laws?"
Erik asked in turn, "What happens when you try to sneak chocolate after bedtime?"
"You get a spanking?" Joey's eyes went wide and the older boys laughed at the shocked realization in his tone.
"From the hand of God?" Erik responded. "For the sake of man, I hope not. However, I have broken more than my fair share of those laws." He lowered to tickle Joey's chin. "I'd like to keep them where I can." Joey smiled at the man. "Now, you three go wash your hands for lunch. And holster those pistols, please."
"Yes, sir," they complied, filing out.
IIIIIII
Raven and Hank helped get Erik's prepared meal on the table. Within minutes, nearly the entire household had gathered together.
"Where is Sean?" Charles asked the group.
A giddy whoop answered his question and the redhead came in. "Yes, jackpot!" He waved an envelope as he dropped smoothly into his seat. "Easter cash has arrived. Thank you, oh people who brought me into this world."
"That reminds me," Frank looked over at Charles. "Can Mom come spend Easter weekend with us?"
"Of course," the Professor said. "My, that is approaching quickly."
"What is Easter, anyway?" Joey wanted to know. "I mean, what's it for?"
Becky frowned. "You never had an Easter?"
Joey shook his head, making the table grow quickly silent.
"You and I would be in the same boat then, Kangaroo," Erik mentioned.
Sean then explained, "It's about the death and resurrection of Jesus. Easter is the day He came back."
"Oh," Joey tried to understand. "Then why did my old school always have a bunch of eggs and little baskets around? What's that stuff got to do with Jesus?"
"All gentile holidays have to have needless trinkets and overdone décor," Erik answered.
"Nuh uh," Sean denied. "We decorate because Christ is a symbol of hope and beauty."
Alex indicated Sean's envelope. "And the cash is for…?"
"A symbol of love," Sean claimed. "Like the love I will feel over having a full tank of gas and brand new seat covers."
"Well," Becky spoke, "my show on Saturday is about the resurrection."
"And our dear Rebecca will be playing the angel of Good News," Emma smiled proudly. "The nerve of some of those mothers; saying our family takes over excess theatre room. I despise blatant jealousy."
"Erik, isn't Saturday the end of the Passover festival?" Charles brought up.
"Hey, we could totally do Passover and Easter stuff," Raven suggested.
"That would be most interesting," Hank supported.
"Indeed." Erik himself realized in that moment how long it had been since he himself observed the ancient tradition. "I will see."
Charles glanced over. "No schoolwork at the table, Alex."
The teenager closed his notebook. "Hey, if I don't do well on my GED exam Thursday, I'll need a resurrection."
"You'll do great," Scott told him.
"But not if you burn yourself out," Charles added. "Take it from one who was there not too long ago."
Raven laughed. "You were a complete mess during your thesis." Charles gave her a look that made her find her soup very interesting.
Erik said, "You and I are going to have a one on one session in the bunker later today."
"Yes, sir," Alex nodded.
"Everyone finish your plates," Charles instructed. "We do have lessons to continue."
"Uncle Erik, does Moses have a law about going to school?" Joey asked.
"Honor your father and mother," Erik quoted. "You accomplish that by going to school."
"And breathing," Emma tacked on.
Joey grinned at her.
IIIIIII
Alex came into the, finally, deserted library. He unloaded his armful of reading materials before sitting beside Raven at the table.
"I can't believe how nerve-wrecking this whole process is," she said.
"I know. I got everything into the mailbox yesterday."
Raven looked at him. "How'd you manage that?"
"It wasn't easy," Alex told her. "I checked the box for new student and gave my GED academy as my school info. It'll be treated the same as a senior waiting to graduate. I just hope they can overlook the severe lack of recommendation letters."
"What did you write your essay on?"
"Option two. What major trial has helped shape your life?"
"That's good," she said approvingly. "I think I'm leaning towards option four. How do you want to make a difference?"
"Good, but you need to move, babe," Alex urged, going through his history book as he spoke. "This is the final week they're taking fall applications and we're already pushing it."
"I know, I know." Raven sighed in exasperation.
While she began her essay's rough draft, he studied through all the notes he had at the ready.
"Ugh!" Alex hopped up after nearly an hour had passed. "I gotta go be Havok."
"You mean wreak havoc," Raven quipped.
"Story of my life." He left out.
IIIIIII
Magneto paced the width between the walls of the bunker. He immediately turned at the doors opening, signaling the arrival of the awaited young mutant.
"I'm sorry I'm late, sir," Havok apologized.
"Were you studying?" The teenager nodded in reply to the man. "Then you've nothing to be sorry about. Let's begin."
Havok got in alignment while Magneto walked several feet away from him. Raising the various kitchen implements with the aide of his mutation, the caped man sent out a multitude of knives out.
With his channeling gloves, Havok easily took out the fleet of butter knives but reacted too slowly and had to opt to duck it. However, that moved caused the cleaver to graze his right sleeve.
"Alex." Magneto came to his side near instantly.
Havok covered the mark with his left hand. "It's fine. Don't worry."
Magneto gave him a pair of fierce eyes. "Move your hand." As if under a hypnotic trance, Havok obeyed. Magneto looked at the cut, barely a scrape, closely. "This is a simple clean."
"I told you it was fine."
"But it could have been your head," the older man reprimanded. "If you allow it, this test anxiety will devour you, boychick."
Havok bowed his head. "You're right."
Magneto removed the teen's glove and rolled up the sleeve, hovering a hand over the exposed arm. "You know well I can sense tension on you a mile off." He looked at him again. "I'll have Charles calm your mind."
"No!" came the immediate protest. "I don't want him or Emma messing with my head. I'm sorry for messing up, okay? Can we just drop it and try again?"
"No, we certainly can't." Magneto readjusted the sleeve and put his glove back on him. "Not until you silence these thoughts that I will somehow think less of you based on the outcome of this test."
Alex hesitated. "It's not just the test, Erik."
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I've been thinking…" Alex hesitated now, not ready to reveal all quite yet. "We should really do this Passover thing."
"You think so?"
"Yeah," Alex supported. "I mean, we already did Hanukah and that turned out good, right?"
Erik rubbed the soft blonde hair. "Alright, boychick. If you really wish to celebrate it, we will."
"Great," he responded. "Want to go at the weights for a while?"
"After we clean that cut." Erik began leading them out. "You're only fortunate I did not aim a touch lower. You'd know what circumcision feels like."
Shuddering, the boy squeezed his legs together tightly.
IIIIIII
Scott lingered outside the living room, peering in through the wide archway. Becky seemed to move about the open space on winged feet. She swayed so light and easily.
When she lowered herself, her hair tumbling entirely over one shoulder, her internal senses triggered. "Scott?" Becky gazed back.
The boy's shoulders jumped. "Hey, sorry. I wasn't trying to interrupt or bug you or anything."
"What do you think?" she asked bashfully.
Scott walked in. "I wish I had half your talent." He extended a hand to her.
Becky took it, allowing him to help her up to her feet. "Well, I wish all boys could be smart like you."
"My brain can't be all that great." Scott took a seat on the couch. "I've been trying so hard to remember what my family did on our last Easter. All I can ever see in my head is… pink."
"Pink?" Becky couldn't help giggling, sitting near him.
Scott shrugged. "Don't ask me. What'd you do on your last one?"
She thought a moment. "My dad's unit had a party. All the kids got baskets."
"That sounds like fun."
"Not really," she said to the contrary. "I had this poufy dress on and I hated it. And the kids weren't allowed to talk much. This one boy was going to get in so much trouble for getting his clothes dirty."
"Did he get tanned?" Scott asked.
"No. His mom just," the girl smirked slightly, "changed her mind."
Scott marveled over her. "I swear, Rebecca. You have the kind of power every kid dreams about. Ever try it on your dad?"
"All the time."
Scott worded the next question with a delicate tone. "What was he like?"
Becky set her gaze forward. "Tall, but not as tall as Hank. He never stayed still and he always had a coffee mug in his hand. He called me Pumpkin 'cause of my round face. I tried to tell him how the other girls made fun of my hair and called me names. He said we didn't have any problems. That the rest of the world had real problems." She looked at him. "Know what Erik told me after he died?" Scott looked back expectedly. "That I wasn't alone. I didn't believe it until he said it."
Scott nodded. "Charles, Emma, and Erik— they're not like most grown-ups. None of the ones I've lived with. Emma didn't have to help me at all. And you should have seen Charles when I met him. He was just so happy and nice. I almost didn't know how to act." He gave her a special look. "I guess it's something about telepaths."
"No," Becky disagreed then put forth, "I think it's something about you."
IIIIIII
Charles entered Joey's bedroom, finding his boy on the floor. The small nine-year-old happily worked on a colorful Lego bridge.
"Did you take your bath?"
"Yes, Daddy."
Charles got down to smell the sensitive skin soap blended together with shampoo. "Clean as a whistle." He picked up the hairbrush to smooth out the blonde strands. "We should get you a nice trim for the holiday."
"Dad?" Joey rolled his head back slightly to better view his father. "I still don't understand about Easter."
"It's just as Sean told you, little one." Charles continued to work the brush. "It's the day to remember Jesus Christ's sacrifice for humanity and hope through His resurrection."
Joey appeared thoughtful. "Do you know anything about Jesus?"
"Well," Charles began, "He was born to a carpenter," he tickled Joey's side, "named Joseph," the boy smiled, "and Mary, the vir- very good girl. He grew up and left home to fulfill His destiny. He gathered a team of disciples; followers of the same cause. He was a teacher, a healer, a miracle maker, but ultimately a great helper and friend."
Joey commented, "He reminds me of you, Daddy."
Completely moved, Charles gave him a squeeze from behind. "That is the greatest compliment you could ever give me." From the mouth of my babe.
"Was His dad the same Joseph Uncle Erik told me about?"
"No, that was most likely Joseph the dreamer." Charles kissed his head. "Exactly who I'd like you to imitate about now." He stood up with the child. "Bedtime."
IIIIIII
Note cards in hand along with a backpack filled with additional resource materials and pencils, Alex bounded down the stairs.
Sean spotted him first and ran to inform the others.
Chants of, "Alex, Alex, Alex," sounded from Hank, Raven, and his fellow students as he passed the living room.
"Okay," Alex sighed. "I'm ready."
"Are you sure you wouldn't like us to accompany you?" Charles asked.
"No," he answered quickly. "They have strict policies down there. No gum chewing, no food or beverages, no loud obnoxious but well-intended cheering squads."
Sean gasped. "Who told them about us?"
"Take care, sweetheart," Emma said. "You know everything you need for this."
"I just hope I remember that I know." Alex turned to his brothers. "Okay, guys. Gut pats." He lightly slapped Scott and Joey's stomachs.
"What about me?" Frank asked.
Alex gave a tap to the top of his head. "Thanks, Frankenstein." He then plucked a hair off Sean, who yelped and covered his head. "Thanks, Banshee." He walked by Hank and received a supportive smack on the thigh. "Ow—thanks, Bozo."
Becky and Raven came forward to hug him.
"We're in this together," Raven whispered.
Alex nodded then took a moment to lift Becky up. "Can I get a kiss, babes?" She pecked his cheek. "Thanks." He stood her back up.
Erik walked him to the door then faced the teen directly. "You are the boy who survived a plane crash, the foster care system, the prison system, an attack on a government facility, the events of Montana, not to mention your own bullheadedness. This test today? Laughable."
Alex gazed back at the man stoically. "You forgot the time we fell off that cliff."
Erik opened the door for him. "Move your backside."
"Yes, sir." The boy took hold of his pack and walked out.
Stepping out as well, Erik watched him head for the garage. Two other pairs of feet approached. Raven hugged Erik's arm while Charles rested a hand behind the shoulder of the other.
IIIIIII
Awakening suddenly, Raven had to remove a stray piece of paper that had somehow gotten stuck to her cheek. She groaned deeply for falling asleep at the typewriter. Then panic overcame her when she found her near finished essay missing.
"I want to effect change by giving the world new eyes." Raven spun around in her chair. Hank continued reading from where he sat on her bed. "I want to expel the way society sees beauty, worth, and character. There is so much more to the human condition than we ever fully choose to realize." Hank nodded approvingly. "Choppy here and there, but you certainly held my attention."
Raven played with her blue fingers. "I was just going to send that into the newspaper for…" He shook his head. "Okay, that was a very lousy lie, but hey, you stole that."
"And you withheld important information from me," he countered.
"Hank, how did you even find out?"
"That night on the basketball court," Hank brought up. "When Alex first mentioned it. I may not see as well as the average man, but my hearing is that of a ravenous canine or better."
Her mouth nearly dropped open. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"Why didn't you?"
"Because!" She tossed her arms up. "We are getting married, I wasn't sure about it, Alex hasn't told anyone, then there's Charles. It all got real complicated."
Hank took her hand and tugged her over into his lap. "Did you honestly believe I would not support you? That I wanted to keep you in an apron?"
Raven sighed into his neck. "I don't know."
"Raven, I love you," Hank reminded her fiercely. "If you want to go to pursue a higher education then I want it for you. However, neither of us can make these major decisions without talking to one another."
Raven pressed her nose against his, careful of his glasses. "I'm sorry, baby. Are you upset?"
"Somewhat, but I know some of this came from your pact with Alex." He looked at her essay again. "It's awfully late for college applications. When exactly is this due?"
"Tomorrow," she mumbled, placing her gaze on their joined laps.
"Raven," Hank practically snarled.
She kissed his neck. "Say you love me again."
"Do you have any idea how demanding college is? You cannot behave this way come fall." Hank sighed, organizing his thoughts. "If you really want this then, as your husband, I'm going to have to hold you accountable."
Raven grinned. "You had me at husband."
"Good. Now finish this off while I review the remainder of your application requirements."
She took the papers from him then looked back as she stood. "Will you sleep in here?"
He pretended to ponder. "You misbehaved… but then, why should I be punished?"
IIIIIII
When the curtain closed, the audience erupted into a sea of applause.
While Emma went to collect Becky from backstage, Erik went to Scott with a bouquet of sunflowers.
"What are these for?" the boy asked.
"Becky," the man clarified. "I thought she may just like to receive them from you."
Scott grinned widely then felt his nerves rise when Emma returned with the show's star. After Hank and the others finished with their swarm of praise, Becky spotted him and made her way over.
He held the flowers out to her first thing. "These… these are for you."
Becky gasped, accepting the bouquet. "Thank you, Scott."
As she hugged him suddenly, Scott felt his nerves patter away.
IIIIIII
Despite having to help move the living room furniture along with the older boys, Frank found delight in hearing his mother laughed. Alana and Erik arranged two coffee tables worth of food. Once everything was set, they all took their seats in a circular motion around the tables.
"We get to eat on the floor?" Joey could not have looked more gleeful.
"Of course, Kangaroo," Erik said. "On Passover, we are to comfortably recline as we enjoy the meal."
Joey turned to Charles. "Can we eat like this every night?"
While the others laughed, the Professor patted the youngest boy's back. "Only on special occasions, little one."
"You'll have to excuse me if I'm rusty at this," Erik continued. "I haven't recited this prayer since I was a child."
"How long ago was that, Erik?" Alex asked with a smirk.
Erik quickly instructed, "Bow your heads." Once they did, he pieced together the words once spoken frequently by his late family.
Long ago, at this season, on such a night as this, a people - our people - set out on a journey.
All but crushed by their enslavement, they yet recalled the far-off memory of a happier past.
And heard the voice of their ancestral God, bidding them summon up the courage to be free.
Boldly, they went forth from Egypt, crossed the Sea, and headed through the desert for the Promised Land.
What they experienced, they remembered, and told their children, and they to theirs.
From generation to generation, the story was retold, and we are here to tell it yet again.
We too give thanks for Israel's liberation; we too remember what it means to be a slave.
And so we pray for all who are still fettered, still denied their human rights. Let all God's children sit at his table, drink the wine of deliverance, and eat the bread of freedom. Amen.
They all brought their heads up again and Raven commented, "That was beautiful, Erik."
"Yes," Charles nodded. "Thank you for sharing it with us."
Erik shook his head. "I butchered it at best." He picked up the first bottle of wine. "If you're thirteen or older, hold up your glass."
"We can drink?" Sean exclaimed, taken to bliss for a moment.
"Calm yourself or you can have grape juice with the others," Erik said.
"Hey, why do they get to drink and we get grape juice?" Frank wanted to know.
"You're not yet thirteen," Erik explained simply.
"That's not fair," Frank argued. "I'll be thirteen really soon."
"But not today," Alana reminded him gently, rubbing his back.
"Next year, boychick," Erik pacified.
"Okay," Frank finally relaxed.
After Erik poured the wine for all appropriate ages, they all watched as Hank mixed water in with his glass of the red substance.
"What?" the scientist spoke.
"You are so un-Irish," Sean accused.
"Actually, I'm full blown," Hank informed. "This is why I do this."
"Tell me about it," Alana concurred.
"Little Easter angel," Erik summoned. "Come here to me."
Becky, still in her white dress costume from the show, hurried over to him. "What is it, Erik?"
The man wrapped an arm around her waist while holding up the serving bowl of bread with his other hand. "I want you to break this and pass it around."
"Why?" Becky asked out of curiosity.
"Being first to break the bread is a grand honor," Erik said. "Like most traditions, it's carried out by the male heirs only. However, I put a great amount of worth and value into the women in this family."
Emma looked satisfied, Raven beamed, and Alana gave Erik a special glance out of the corner of her eye.
While Becky passed the bread around, Sean said, "This reminds me of The Last Supper or when we have Communion at our church."
"Hey Mom, when's the last time we did Communion?" Frank asked.
"Right now." Alana took a long drink of wine.
Later, Erik returned with a uniquely designed dessert that made the kids light up.
"That looks incredible," Scott smiled.
"It's beautiful!" Joey insisted. "What is it, Uncle Erik?"
"This is Noah's Ark." Erik placed the chocolate and graham cracker structure at the center between the two tables. "I helped make them as a boy. Inside, you'll find two of every animal cracker." His eyes twinkled. "Or possibly more."
Not wanting to delay the eager household another moment, he quickly began cutting and dividing out pieces.
IIIIIII
Munching on the remaining animal crackers, Frank along with Becky, Scott, and Joey came up to the second floor. They saw Erik, Charles, and Raven all stationed outside Hank's room.
Joey walked over. "What're you doing with my paint, Uncle Erik?"
"A Passover game Papa started," Erik recalled, holding up the small jar of paint. "We are going to cover the doors of the oldest sons in blood so that the angel of death knows to leave them be."
Raven piped up, "You mean we're going to smear red paint over the doors."
"Yes, Raven," Erik responded sardonically. "We are using paint. Unless you'd like to venture forth and find a lamb to slaughter. Would you like to find a lamb to slaughter?"
"No, not the baby sheep." Raven poked her lips out. "Can't we use a sewer rat or something?"
"Ew!" Becky reacted.
Charles gave Raven a slight bump with his hip. "Go on, brother."
Erik did with, "We're going to paint Hank and Alex's doors for protection."
"We have to paint yours, too," Raven mentioned to Erik. "You're the oldest of the," she indicated herself and Charles, "the us."
"Hm, that is true," Erik realized.
"Why'd the angel of death only come for the older sons?" Scott wondered.
"The eldest son was the first in line to receive everything, name and wealth," Erik explained. "To lose him was an immense tragedy on his parents." He then dipped the paint brush into the jar and handed the brush over to Joey. "I'll leave this part to you, maestro."
Joey took the brush with a slightly confused frown. "What's a maestro, anyway?"
"A master of his field." Erik lifted him up. "In your case, that'd be art."
Smiling, Joey began painting a series of swirls over Hank's door.
"I can't believe Uncle Charles is letting us use paint on the walls," Becky remarked.
"Well, it's all in good fun," Charles said.
Raven brought up, "It's also highly washable."
"Shh!" Charles smiled, putting a finger to his lips.
IIIIIII
In bathrobes and holding onto twin coffee mugs, Alana and Emma exchanged laughter in the living room.
"This mothering is still in the adjustment phase," Emma admitted. "I don't know how you've done it for so many years."
"Patience," was all Alana could say. "Although, today was a bit of a dream for me. It was so nice to be able to go to a show for a little girl."
"I know what you mean," Emma nodded. "My own mother had plenty of those opportunities but chose the elsewhere option every time."
Alana shook her head in dismay. "Some women luck into children."
Emma quite personally felt the same way.
Erik walked in, greeting them with a formal, "Ladies." He looked to Emma. "Charles will be ready to begin the Easter baskets after bed checks."
"See you two in a bit then." Emma took her coffee and left out.
Sitting on the arm of Alana's chair, Erik asked, "Did Phil and Jeff land alright?"
"Yesterday," Alana confirmed. "Jeff really enjoyed that plane ride."
"And Linny?"
"The church is travelling south via bus. I must have taken down two dozen phone numbers. I can't risk him getting sick again and me obliviously out of the loop."
Erik nodded then asked, "Is that why you won't disclose Frank's powers to him?"
Alana stared forward. "After I lost my daughter, I lost a part of myself. I wanted to talk about it. My husband didn't. So he convinced me to go somewhere where I could talk all I wanted." Her eyes flashed for a second. "The man can save the entire world, but problems at home? If he knew about Frank's mutation, he'd have him shipped off to be rid of it. He wouldn't even try to understand it. He's never fully understood Frank as he is, which is why things stay so strained there."
Moving to kneel before her in a more face to face stance, Erik said, "This will be my first Passover in years. For so long, I thought the Power above had no further usefulness for me. I love Frank, my children with any last worth I have to offer… but I've broken too many commandments in my time."
Alana never broke glance with him. "Do I lead you into temptation?"
"No," he shook his head hard. "You've given me an opportunity to care in a way I no longer knew I was capable. Beyond my own people. But the way I feel about you—"
"And I about you."
"We'll both produce immeasurable suffering," Erik concluded. "You have my word that I will protect Frank."
She pressed her hand to the side of his face, seeing a rare softness there. "With that alone, you've done more than enough for me."
Erik laid his hand over hers. "I'll see you in the parlor." He stood and walked away.
Alana fingered her mug, turning her head to stare into the roaring flames of the fireplace.
IIIIIII
Frank smiled and put his comic book to the side when his mother entered. "Hey."
"Hey," Alana returned, sitting beside him on the mattress. "Did you have fun today?"
"Yeah, with everything," he said. "Most of all 'cause you're here. I miss you always being around. After school, weekends, all the time."
"You know something?" Alana looked at him closely. "You and Lin and Jeff keep me going through it all." She put a hand to his cheek. "You're my whole world."
Rising up, Frank hugged her. Alana held him near her chest. Stroking his hair, she sang a familiar melody into his ear.
IIIIIII
Knocking twice, Erik waited on the response.
"Come in!" Becky invited.
Erik stepped in, seeing she had changed into purple pajamas. "Ready for bed, little angel?"
"Mmhmm." She stood up for her tea table, taking Sweetie Imp into her arms. "We're just finishing Passover."
"Enjoyed it did you?" Erik pulled back the blankets and sheets on her bed. "I didn't follow tradition straight down the line," Becky climbed up on her mattress, "but I think Papa would still approve."
"Why do you call him that?" Becky asked, settling in with her white bear.
"That's what most children from my old village called their fathers. It's the equivalent of Daddy here in the states." He tweaked her nose. "Which you all borrowed from the English."
She smiled fondly at him. "I love you."
Erik kissed her cheek. "I love you, too, my sweet girl." He tucked the bedding in around here. "Now, straight to bed before the angel of death makes his rounds. Children found awake get spankings, you know."
Becky looked shocked. "Really?"
"Well, male heirs only." Erik winked at her and stood.
IIIIIII
"Oh, wow!"
"Cool!'
"Look, it's so beautiful."
The exclamations woke Joey right out of bed and he rushed out to check on the commotion. He nearly fell over the blue basket on the other side of his door as he did so. Grinning from ear to ear, he picked it up, seeing the coloring book and assortment of candies beyond the clear plastic wrap.
"I haven't had one of these in years," Hank said from the other side of the hall.
"Scott, check this out." Frank showed off the Superman action figure he had discovered in his basket.
"Check this out," Scott countered, holding up his Batman in turn.
They all assembled downstairs, going over the Easter treats they had been left.
"I never thought an Easter basket could be cool again," Alex commented, looking over his brand new electric razor, shower gel, and aftershave lotion.
Scott, who sat near him, said, "Alex? Do you have any idea why I keep getting this image of pink every time I try to remember our last Easter together?"
Alex recalled quickly and started chuckling. "Oh wow, I can't believe you remember that. One of our neighbors brought over some toys for us, including this huge inflatable pink bunny. Dad was having a fit, saying his boys would not play with anything that sissy and Mom kept trying to get him to be nice. It was great."
"No wonder I still see it," Scott smiled.
Becky and Joey came over to where the adults enjoyed tea on a couch.
"Can I show Joey how to color eggs for the Easter hunt now?" Becky requested.
"Ask Hank and Raven to help you," Erik said.
"And try not to make too terrible a mess," Charles tacked on.
"Yes, Daddy." Joey linked hands with Becky again.
"Yes, Papa," the little girl called over her shoulder as they raced off.
Erik paused his cup at his lips, unable to keep from smiling.
Emma leaned back comfortably against Charles. "I must say, I'm enjoying our first non-cliché holiday."
Charles wound arms around her. "The first of countless more," he said into her ear.