X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter One Hundred Sixty Eight
Author's Word: Hi, fam. What a beautiful day for writing it has been. Since we haven't done this in a while, I'm going to put forth a favorite character poll. To make it easier, pick a favorite adult and kid. If you want, you can throw in a favorite supporting character as well. Stay loved (by me) and please review, fam!
Dedication: For MH who gave me my beautiful skin and DLF who gave me his beautiful heart.
I look at you and see something so precious and rare.
For all the joy you bring me there is still a fear I cannot shake.
Will I carry on the same cycle? Vicious, careless?
Will I chip away at you until barely a piece remains?
When you look at me, your brown eyes tell me everything.
You follow me, desiring to be who I am right down to the face in the mirror.
You give me hope, make me strong, and give me every reason to go on.
Someday I hope to see what you see.
But I'll never stop trying to be everything you believe me to be.
At the applause that followed, Raven offered those gathered within the café a small smile. She stepped down and returned to the circular booth and her position in between her two brothers.
"Most groovy, love," Charles commented with a rhythmic snap of his fingers.
"And aren't you the jazzy beatnik?" Erik added.
Raven wore a red and white striped shirt with black beret, vest, skirt, and tights.
Charles said glibly, "Yes, we Xaviers have always been a fine representation of an oppressed people."
"It put me in the mood." Raven rocked her head from side to side, shaking out her long golden hair. "I'm all sensual."
Charles aimed a finger at her. "Never use that word in my presence again."
"Please," Erik seconded.
The chatter within the restaurant settled down as the next performer took to the small corner stage. A woman with medium tanned skin that seemed to glisten beneath the lights and long ebony waves cascading just below her shoulder blades sat on the offered stool. She wore a long skirt with an autumn leaf design and a sleeveless black off-the-shoulder top. Taking hold of the sandy brown guitar she brought on stage with her, she started off with a few cords.
When she began to recite, Charles realized, "She's speaking French."
"Ugh," Raven grunted. "I'm rusty. I think she's talking about a boat or something."
"Her lost sailor," Erik spoke. "Their final moments together."
Raven's gaze turned sympathetic until she noticed something and said in a hushed whisper, "Erik, she's staring right at you."
"Don't be ridiculous," Erik brushed off, raising his mug of tea to his lips.
"It's true, old boy," Charles saw as well, "dare I say she's making eyes at you."
Erik gave him a sideways look. "Stranger things have happened."
The woman concluded and quietly left the stage through the claps to get back to her one-seater near the window.
"Hey," Raven turned to him with a bright smile, "let's stick around after. Maybe you can snag her number."
"No need," Erik responded.
"Why?" Raven wondered.
Erik said equally shortly, "No interest."
"Are you mad, man?" Charles reacted then had to lower his voice significantly. "She's an absolute knock-out."
"Her face is exquisite," Erik agreed. "What a shame the rest of her is still in the early stages of development."
"Oh of course," Charles rolled his eyes back briefly, "Too much of a "twig" for your liking, eh?"
Erik said simply, "I have no use for a woman I can break in half at the touch."
Raven had to admit, "That is refreshing to hear."
"I'll remind you both that my wife happens to be one of those twigs," Charles brought up.
"And she's perfect," Erik then tacked on, "for you. Different taste is all, brother." He indicated his mug. "I'm going to get this refilled. Do either of you want anything?"
"This will do it for me," Charles said of his own tea and Raven requested, "Cheese fries, please."
Going up to the counter, Erik handed his mug over to the waitress and put in Raven's order. As if detecting something, he gazed out of the corner of his eye at the guitarist. She promptly peered out of the window again when he fully looked her way. A tiny smirk outlined across Erik's face.
IIIIIII
The calm June air not allowing for a lit fireplace, the sitting area of the room remained aglow by the floor lamp. Arriving in her family's suite, Raven stopped to check on a slumbering Trav before moving on to where Hank sat near the light holding the special toddler cup to their daughter's lips.
"Hi, Mom," Hank acknowledged her, accepting the offered kiss.
"Hi." Raven brushed hair away from Kiki's eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Someone is having a bit of tummy trouble," Hank explained. "She'll be fine after this cool ginger ale."
"Oh, baby." Raven reached to take the little girl, only for her to recoil closer to Hank. "Whatever was I thinking?" She took the seat near to them, knowing how Kiki only knew her father at the faintest sign of illness.
Hank chuckled softly, massaging the tiny stomach a bit. "Did you three have fun?"
"As wild and crazy as my brothers can get, except you'll never believe it." Raven removed her beret, spinning it about on her finger. "A certain dazzling French maiden had eyes locked in on Erik."
Hank came back with, "You don't say?"
"Too bad she's not his type." Raven looked thoughtful. "It really would be nice to see him with someone."
"Oh naturally," Hank concurred dryly. "Now that you're married and Charles is married, we certainly cannot have an oddball such as Erik lingering about."
Raven folded her arms with a bemused smile. "I am not looking for new club members. I just figured if he got out a little more, he'd be less uptight."
Hank remarked, "Such a feat will require quite the extraordinary woman. Perhaps we should start him off with a small animal willing to bite him back."
Raven sent a glower his way. "You leave my sharky, plays-with-swords brother alone."
IIIIIII
Charles? Charles, wake up, sugar.
With a small murmur on his lips, the male telepath slowly awoke. What is it, darling? Is the baby crying?
I just checked on him, Emma nestled in nearer to his side, not a word out of him all night.
Luring us into a false sense of security no doubt. Even in the dark, Charles could make out something in her face. Emma?...
She ran a hand down his chest towards his stomach. Enough time has passed.
Charles' eyes raised near to his hairline. Are you sure? No more soreness at all or pain?
Just the annoying feeling of how much I want you.
Assurance delivered, Charles promptly reached over to take her in a kiss. In a swift motion, he was able to slip the long satin night dress off her thin frame, though Emma had to work a little harder to undo the buttons on his pajama shirt. When they joined, mind and body became reintroduced almost as if for the first time.
IIIIIII
As soon as the incomers from baseball and cheer practice arrived on the second level, the eager redhead ran out towards Scott.
"First one in uniform gets to pilot first." Sean dashed off before the words could fully leave his mouth.
"Cheater!" Scott accused. He looked to the girl with him, "I'll see you in a while, Rebecca," then hurried for his quarters.
The girl shook her head. Boys.
Continuing on for her room, Becky placed her small duffel bag down. She started for where the pink and purple uniform hung on its regular place inside her closet until she zeroed in on a fat envelope on her bed. Going to it, she recognized the letterhead and quickly but carefully undid the seal. She removed the lengthy letter within and her features glowed brighter with every word read.
IIIIIII
The sharply pointed arrow shot through the air across the yard and made sharp contact with the lower region of the target.
"How was that?" Maya wanted to know.
Kayla replied, "Impressive, except the poor gentlemen will have quite some trouble having children in the future."
Maya hummed thoughtfully. "Maybe I should try pretending it's someone other than Alex, but the populars at my old school were getting old."
"Leave Alex be and pity the popular," Kayla directed. "After high school you'll be studying nursing while they're playing trophy wives. Now, let's reload and see if we can aim as high as your academic achievements this time around."
Maya formed a smile as she went to gather more ammunition for the crossbow.
II
Fourteen of the black rings down and four to go, the young teen continued on with attention forward. Feeling as if he'd been suddenly snatched by the ankle before he could leap forward across the finish, he tripped over the final two tires and met face first with the grass.
"And," reaching down, Wolverine helped him return to his feet, "tryin' this again."
Resisting a groan, Lighthouse tried, "Can't we check this off for honest effort? I'm telling you this course is against me."
Wolverine used his finger to indicate the mansion behind them. "Did you learn how to walk through this fortress blind?"
"Well… yeah."
"Then save it. This ought to be a cakewalk for you. Just keep at it until you can run it eyes shut."
Nodding at the man, Lighthouse returned to the rear of the tire line.
II
"Ease off, Cyclops," Beast advised, "your nose is too high."
"I could've told you that," Banshee remarked meaningfully.
Not bothering to shoot him the look- or the optic blast- that he wanted to, Cyclops managed to stabilize them. "Situation normal and closing in with an estimated time of forty-two seconds."
"Very nice," Beast approved. "You must watch tilting too high up due to the damage the sun may inflict. Let us never forget Icarus."
"That story causes nightmares," Banshee felt the need to throw out.
II
Silver disc electrically glued to his boot covered feet, the young navy and green clad mutant hovered more than eight yards above the property. A protective shadow cast over him in the form of Magneto. The wizard of metal remained far enough away to allow the boy some distance while making sure he could react in time should something unforeseen occur.
"Watch out ahead," Magneto cautioned him as they neared a taller tree.
Eel only reacted with, "Yippee!" and zipped securely through the branches.
Magneto whipped over to the other side to meet him. "Aren't you the resourceful one?"
"Can we race, Uncle Magneto?"
The older male considered it. "Only for a bit. To the tree house. And you're to slow down immediately if your powers prove too much for that disc to maintain."
"Yes, sir," Eel complied.
Getting into aerial position, the combination of metal and electricity zipped through the sky together. When they neared the chosen target, Magneto reacted to Eel suddenly flipping forward. Before he need to summon his powers, the child simply flipped twice until he returned to an upright position on the disc.
Eel shook his head out hard. "Whoa."
Magneto approached him quickly. "Are you alright?"
"Uh huh." Eel flashed blue eyes at him. "Does this mean I win?"
"Hm, we shall call this a tie," Magneto tugged on the youth's chest plate, "but we shall meet again." His features softened and he decided, "That's enough for us today. See if your father has anything in mind for you. And keep low to the ground this time."
"Yes, Uncle Magneto." Lowering significantly, Eel went to seek out the male of his beloved telepaths.
Magneto returned to ground level to find a gathering of Havok, Vapor, Becky, and an agitated Lighthouse rubbing the back of his neck.
"What happened?" Magneto inquired, going to check him over.
"I'm alright," Lighthouse said. "Except a tire tried to take me out and not for dinner and a movie."
"Maybe next time you'll remember to bring flowers," quipped Vapor.
Becky giggled.
"Now, now," Erik chided Vapor then glanced down at his daughter. "It isn't like you to make fun of you brother's troubles."
"Oh it's not him," Becky assured.
"She's been acting like Sylvester guarding Tweety ever since she came out here," Havok noted. "But she won't spill."
Becky stated in a sing-song, "You'll just have to wait and see."
Alex rolled his eyes a little. "It's not fair that the mind reader in the family gets to have secrets."
"I'm sure madam will reveal all in time. Come," Magneto began leading them towards the woods, "it's time for visual training."
When they reached a clearing, Becky made sure to put her immediate thought out of her mind before her father could send her mental directions.
IIIIIII
Bodies of gold and blue barreling forth from opposite corners of the padded gym, Glimmer flipped over Mystique's head while the older female tucked and rolled beneath her. Once both were resituated, they stood in individual stances until Glimmer moved forward with a karate chop. Mystique took her by the forearm and whipped her across the room. Glimmer came to screeching stop then charged at the shape-shifter.
Their serenity music coming to an abrupt halt sometime later caused them both to freeze in place.
Removing her hand from the stereo's needle, Emma declared, "That's enough for today, ladies."
"What?" Mystique raised an eyebrow. "A whole half an hour? We haven't even done weapons defense."
"Your performances are more than up to par. We'll get in additional sessions now that school is out for everyone," Emma promised. "For now, I really need to confer with Charles." She waved as she proceeded out. "See you for dinner, Gorges."
Exchanging a look with Mystique, Glimmer could not get over the light and blissful air her sister had been emitting the entire day.
IIIIIII
Lips cherishing the neck of their wedded one, they made their way up until they joined the feminine pair in a long kiss. Charles bowed his head and breathed heavily while Emma now worked smooches down his chest. Then she disappeared beneath them.
Following her under the cloak of their ivory sheets, Charles grabbed hold of the playful woman. "Where are you going?"
"Here will do." She pressed their bodies together. "You know we have to join the others."
"No," he promptly turned down.
Emma caressed the side of his face. "Why?"
Charles took her hand to kiss the thin fingers. "They'll force me to share you."
Hiding a smile, she accused lightly, "I'm beginning to think you no longer love me for my personality."
"Certainly I do," he insisted. "Doesn't mean I want to share that, either."
Emma offered, "I'll dress you."
A still pouting Charles gave in with, "Alright."
When the Xaviers at last arrived in the dining room, Becky sent a beam their way. "Auntie, Uncle, there you are."
At the dual scent entering his nostrils, Logan snickered lowly.
Victor reached over to punch him mildly while trying to keep from erupting with laughter himself.
Charles cleared his throat, taking his place at the table. "How was your day, my dear wonderful children- and insubordinate staff members?"
Hank wondered, "What did I do?"
Erik answered that with, "You haven't figured out how to clone yourself."
"Is there something catching among telepaths?" Cordelia put out. "All three of you are on a perma-trip to Cloud Nine."
"Pretty Eyes has a secret," said Leon in a tone rife with intrigue.
"Give it up already, babes," Alex coaxed.
About ready to bubble over, Becky announced, "I won the Westchester Junior Writing Contest."
A multitude of positive feedback resulted.
"When did you enter a writing contest?" Sean wanted to know.
"I heard about it at the community center a couple weeks ago," Becky explained. "It was an essay contest for ages ten through thirteen. I sent in my submission and today I got the letter saying I was one of the top three winners. There's going to be a ceremony at a big hall and they're even going to print the first place essays in the paper."
"Oh my sweetheart," Emma hurried up to go around and hug her, "I am so proud of you!"
"Certainly," Charles got to his feet as well, "congratulations, Princess."
"What was the essay topic, Becca?" Hank asked.
"You'll see," Becky replied with an air of mystery.
"There she goes again," Alex threw his arms up, "she's killing us here."
"You'll have to get used to it," Erik flicked Becky's chin, "Famous women keep many secrets."
Becky shined green twinkling eyes up at him.
IIIIIII
Bundle of Brian in her cradling grasp, Raven made her way into the parlor.
Looking away from the chess board setup, Erik said, "I thought you were Charles."
"Sorry to disappoint the Stud Club," Raven took Charles' regular chair, "but he and Emma are still dealing with headaches- at the exact same time."
"Mmhm," they hummed in doubtful unison but let it drop.
"So, I was wondering," Raven rocked the baby lightly to settle him into sleep, "how are you?"
Erik stared back at her evenly. "Non-terminal. Unless you know something I don't, which would be a first."
Raven responded, "If I weren't holding our nephew, I'd say something very nasty to you. No, I mean how have you been since… Alana left?"
Surprised, Erik surmised, "Are you still on about that woman from last night?"
"Not her exactly, but in general." Raven shrugged one shoulder lightly. "I just think it would be nice if you put yourself out there a little. Preferably with someone very, very single."
Erik laced his fingers together. "You little yenta."
"Hey, I am not a yenta. I'm a meddling sister," Raven corrected importantly. "It's one of the things you'll find endearing about me when you're old and I still look amazing."
Erik reached over to take Brian. "Aunt Raven has a unique since of humor. She's even funny occasionally."
"Ha ha. Just think about it, okay?" Raven stood, leaning over to kiss his cheek then say into his ear, "By the way, I'm fairly certain he needs changing." She scampered out at that.
Erik patted the back of the infant's soft pajamas, detecting one certainly filled diaper. "Conspiring with her now, Lab Mouse?"
IIIIIII
"Oh," Emma removed the collared blouse to go with the plumb colored skirt already selected, "now this is smart."
"It won't look too grownup will it?" Becky vexed.
"Certainly not." Emma held the shirt up to the girl's front and turned her to face the nearest mirror in the shop. "You'll be the picture of sophistication. No one will be able to take their eyes away."
"I don't know, Auntie," Becky looked to her, "I was really excited, but I'm not really sure. I can dance and cheer, but this time it'll just be me talking in front of people."
"You read essays at your former school, didn't you?"
"Those were just kids," Becky made a slight face, "and they weren't so great, either."
"Believe me, I understand. My dear," Emma gently tucked a few curls behind one ear, "you've nothing to worry about. Do you know why?" Becky shook her head. "Because the people who matter most are not those big imposing grownups but your family. And we're all there entirely for you. Also, in the event you do make a mistake I'm fully prepared to erase it from the minds of those moronic on-lookers."
Becky grinned giddily. "You're the best, Auntie Em."
"I have my finer moment. Now, you go on and try these on," Emma handed the clothes over to her and ushered her into the changing stall, "I'll be looking at a few things out here."
"Okay." Becky shut and locked the door after herself.
The child secured, Emma made a direct path for the lingerie section.
IIIIIII
Entering the Mag Cave in dark brown slacks and a harvest gold dress shirt, Alex held his arms out and moved about for the full view.
"How's this?"
"Handsome as always," Erik answered, "except you seem to be missing…"
"Erik, no," Alex groaned. "A tie, seriously?"
"If you wear the tie, you may take the jacket off." The metal wielder added pointedly, "After we're inside."
"Yes, sir," Alex sighed, turning to go out again. "But Becky better knock off this outstanding thing."
Erik exhaled a short amused breath and returned to straightening Frank's collar for him. "There you are." He tapped the sides of his sweater vest. "Mothers lock up your daughters."
Frank formed a smile as he said, "That reminds me, Mom called earlier. They're going to Russia next."
Erik nodded. "How is she? And your brother?"
"She sounded great and Lin's okay." Frank took a seat in his lap. "She asked about you."
"Did she?" Erik wrapped an arm around his waist. "Next time you two talk, be sure to tell her I said hello."
"Oh I will."
Erik stood him with a pat on the bottom. "Go get your shoes on."
As Frank dashed out of the den on his socks, Erik reclined against the sofa pensively.
II
Focused on the mirror while Emma coursed the special comb through the curls, Becky did not look away at the door knock.
"Come in," she invited, staying in place.
Scott glanced in. "Hello?"
"Scott," Emma acknowledged pleasantly, "you'll be the first to see the finished work of art."
Becky turned around on her vanity bench, her hair pouring down over her lavender collared blouse with plumb skirt and vest. Dark tights and purple flats covered her legs and feet.
"Rebecca," Scott smiled, "you look far out. No one'll be looking at anyone else out there."
"Thanks, Scott." The girl bashfully toyed with a portion of her hair.
"My thoughts exactly," Emma agreed. "Now, if you two will excuse me, I need to get Brian ready." She started out, giving Scott's shoulder a squeeze on her way.
Scott revealed the pink and white flag attached to a long chop stick. "Do you like it?"
Becky made out the letters "RAL" scrawled out across the triangular fabric. "Is that my name?"
Scott nodded. "I know we're supposed to be all dignified so I can't cheer for you the way you do me, but I asked Joey to rig this up for me."
Becky hopped up. "I love it."
Reaching his free hand forward, he put forth, "Ready to head down?"
Bobbing her head with some manner of certainty, Becky linked up with him.
IIIIIII
"Thank Heaven we left early." Charles took the first seat of the center row.
Next to the Professor sat Emma, who held Brian, Erik, Hank and Raven with their children, Cordelia, Scott, Joey, Cody, Maya, and Sean. In the row right behind them lined Alex, Leon, Frank, Kayla, Logan, and Victor.
Alex gazed about at the growing cramped surroundings. "Geez, how many kids are in this thing?"
Emma raised the program. "Three recitations for first place, two for second, and two more for third. Look at this," she read on, "these children were chosen out of more than seventy entries."
"Alright," reacted Frank, "and Becky kicked their brains clear across town."
"Settle down now, Frank," Charles said with a small air of humor.
"Yeah and besides," Leon spoke, "it was more like clear across state lines."
Hank saw something in Erik's expression. "What is it?"
"Nothing," Erik shook his head, "I just noticed the essay topic." He pointed to the bold print: Exceptional Fathers.
Seated in a red folding chair on the stage among the other contestants, two boys and the rest girls, Becky fiddled with the edges of her plastic protected essay. She wanted very much to imagine the audience away, but knew such an illusion would be a bit too noticeable.
When the program began, they started in reverse order with the third place winners going first. Though it seemed an eternal wait, the moment she heard her own name in the alphabetical order of first-place winners, Becky's eyes widened significantly.
Gathering her nerve, she approached the podium. Under the intense lights, she could hardly make out the strangers' faces but detected the minds belonging to her household and relaxed a little. She had to reach on the edges of her toes, as the microphone surpassed her height a little.
"A regular father are those men who put on a suit and tie and kiss your head at the breakfast table before they run out the door. Who come home at six and ask about your day, not really interested so long as you didn't get into any trouble. They go to soccer games and dance recitals if they absolutely must. Well, that's a regular father. However, my father, Erik Lehnsherr, is an exceptional father. He's very handsome, whether he's in a suit and tie, sweat pants, or his plain clothes for around the house. He asks me about my day and listens to every detail. Even when I'm in trouble, he never yells first and asks questions later. My father goes to my recitals and watches me cheer at baseball games, even though he's the one cheering for me the whole time. He takes me shopping for books and toys, tucks me in every night after he reads or sings to me, takes care of me when I'm sick, prays with me, and does a lot of other things I'm probably forgetting. My father has not had an easy life, but he makes sure I have the best life. This may surprise you, but I was not born his daughter. He adopted me because he loves me and I love him. Erik Lehnsherr, my exceptional papa." She finally faced forward. "Thank you."
Practically bounding to his feet, Alex started off the thunderous applause. As the sound only increased, whistles and woots could be heard from the other X-Males. Taking a moment to glance towards her oldest brother, Raven saw him clapping but the rest of him proved entirely speechless otherwise. She reached across, squeezing him at the knee.
IIIIIII
Taking another lick from his double scoop of chocolate, Sean said, "I'm so happy for you I'm going to say no to the jealousy I'm feeling."
"Thanks, Sean," Becky laughed.
Maya mentioned, "I thought you've won writing contests before."
"Yeah, but nothing this cool," Sean told her.
The group of X-Men paraded down the street away from the dessert shop.
"Oh, I cannot wait for this thing to make the papers," Alex raved. "We should frame it, put it up, and hang the biggest, dumbest spotlight over it in the Mag Cave."
"Can you believe that little girl that tried to play the sympathy angle?" Leon let off a scoff.
Charles turned to him. "Well, her father is currently fighting for our country."
Alex proved unimpressed. "And that compares to Erik how…?"
"I wish I knew how to write well," Joey piped up despondently. "I want to do something like that for Daddy."
Charles ran a hand through his hair. "Believe me, son, you do so in actions every day."
Emma held Brian closer to her shoulder. "Let's get you out of this night air."
Becky felt Erik pause and gazed up. "Papa?"
Erik looked away from the window back at her. "Go on with the others to the cars. I'll be right there." He handed her the plaque she'd earned at the ceremony. "Make sure you see to this."
Becky smiled at him and let go of his hand to walk in between Leon and Alex.
At the sound of the café's door, the woman informed, "We're closing," then turned around in full at who walked in. "Oh, you."
"It seems I've gathered much fame tonight." He walked towards the counter. "You work here?"
A deep but airy accent floated off her lips. "I am afraid my muse alone cannot keep a roof over my head." She lowered her dish towel to raise her hand. "Vanessa."
He shook lightly with her. "Erik."
"I could have sworn I saw you with a beauty queen out there."
"Hm? Oh trust me, all of those women are either spoken for, related to me, or grossly under age."
"I meant the smaller one," Vanessa clarified. "With the curls."
"Ah, yes. My Rebecca," Erik smiled a bit, "We're coming back from celebrating an essay contest she finished tops in."
Vanessa nodded with interest. "I take it your wife was unable to—"
"I'm not married," Erik informed.
Vanessa responded, "We have something in common."
"Isn't that a switch?... Well," Erik rapped knuckles along the counter, "I should be getting back. I just wanted to let you know… you're a fine talent."
"Thank you," she watched him head out, "Will I be seeing you around?"
Erik stopped to look back. "A very strong possibility that." He left through the door then to go for where his family awaited him.
IIIIIII
Once the little girl had the plaque mounted on the wall between his and Sean's trophies for surfing and Horror Fest, Alex lowered Becky with a, "There we go. How's it look?"
"Perfect." Erik then announced, "It's time for bed."
"Aww," the youngest two in the room groaned half-seriously.
Frank waved at them as he left the living room. "Night, guys."
"Good night." Becky kissed Alex's cheek then ran over to Leon to do the same. "See you in the morning."
"Good night, Pretty Eyes," Leon returned while Alex reiterated, "Great job, babes."
"I'll be up in a moment," Erik said after the children.
"I'm going to check on Joe." Alex headed out for the stairs as well.
Leon stretched a bit. "I'm in for fifty sets."
"In the gym?" Erik guessed.
"No, brush strokes." Leon flicked at his hair.
Erik breathed a laugh after him.
After checking on a few things in his den at his desk, he went up for rounds. As usual, Becky waited on him with the reading lamp on.
"Would my award winner like a song?" He laid on the other side of her in bed.
"Yes, please." Becky thought about something. "Papa, did you really like my essay?"
"Sweet Imp, I loved it," Erik kissed her cheek, "I only hope I can live up to your high praise. Especially that handsome bit."
Becky giggled. "Don't worry. You already do."
Erik tickled her nose. "English or Yiddish tonight?"
"Yiddish," she selected.
Scrolling through his own memories, Erik wrapped strong arms around her and began the tranquil lullaby.