Toriel blinked a few times in disbelief, she couldn't believe what she was seeing and had a lot of questions for her old friend. She stepped to the side and gestured for Gaster to come in. He did, walking inside The Ruins watching his feet so as not to trip on any fallen rocks. To his surprise there were none, Toriel had cleaned up well.

The two of them looked at each other, neither of them knowing what to say. Sans stared at Toriel with interest and seemed to be very curious, his babbling getting quieter but he didn't stop.

Toriel pulled her eyes away from Gaster and looked at the infant in Gaster's arms. She just couldn't believe it, she didn't know how this could happen; Gaster was the last skeleton, how could he have a child? Especially a pure blood skeleton, if Gaster married it would be to another type of monster and any child would take features of the other monster but this child had no other monsters' features, he looked like a normal skeleton. Besides Toriel couldn't see Gaster marrying, he worked too much to go out and meet people. Still, she thought the child was adorable and it took everything she had not to coo and fuss at him. She sighed and looked back at Gaster, she didn't know what to say to her old friend, it'd been so long...

"Would you like a cup of tea?" Toriel eventually asked, ignoring the very awkward atmosphere that surrounded them. "I make a cinnamon-butterscotch pie yesterday and have a lot left over."

"THAT WOULD BE LOVELY," Gaster answered. He had no idea how this would go and he hated how awkward things were. Just what was he meant to say to her? Not only would he have to explain Sans but surely she'd want to know what happened to the two fallen humans that Asgore had killed. He had no idea how she'd react once he told her that he wouldn't have Sans if it were not for the research and experiments he'd done on the human souls.

They walked in awkward silence all the way into Toriel's kitchen, where she made tea and cut two slices of pie. Gaster had nowhere to put Sans but sat down at the table anyway, still holdings Sans in his arms.

Toriel placed a cup of tea and slice of pie in front of Gaster and then turned to get her own before she sat down opposite him with a sigh.

"So," she began looking Gaster in the eye. "What happened? Where did that child come from? Is... is he your's?"

Gaster nodded, and used a magical hand to pick up the cup. "HE WAS THE RESULT OF AN EXPERIMENT. I DIDN'T MEAN TO MAKE A LIVING BEING, JUST A NON SENTIENT SOUL... HE HAS MY DNA AND MAGIC."

Toriel took a sip of her tea, a frown on her face, it was quite the unbelievable story and Gaster knew he'd have to explain in more detail. Toriel however was rather distracted and she looked like she was trying hold herself back from cooing at Sans, who after looking around was beginning to fall asleep.

"What happened exactly?" She asked him as she set her cup down but she never took her eyes off of Sans.

Gaster wasted no time in telling Toriel the whole truth, he could tell she didn't like how he'd experimented on human souls but she liked his idea of trying to make artificial souls as a way to break the barrier. Although she kept most of her opinions to herself, she didn't want to fight with Gaster and tried to concentrate on the child in front of her, that was the most important thing right now and she was very happy for Gaster. She knew he was trying to find another way and that was enough for her. She'd just have to try harder to protect the next human.

Once Gaster was done not only explaining Sans but also what had been going on outside the ruins, they had both finished their tea and pie and Sans was happily asleep.

Toriel smiled at him as she took the plates and cups away to the sink and came back. She seemed to think for a moment before she spoke again, "well, while I absolutely do not approve of everything you've been up to, I'm very happy for you. Sans really is a miracle. I can't imagine how happy you must be now that there's another skeleton."

Gaster glanced down at Sans, "FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME I AM REALLY HAPPY. I DON'T REALLY THINK I'LL BE A VERY GOOD FATHER BUT I'M GOING TO TRY MY BEST."

"You will be a good father, I can tell that you care very much about him and well, all you can do is your best and that'll be enough."

Gaster gave a half smile and bowed his head, "THANK YOU, YOUR MAJESTY."

"Please Gaster, I am no longer the Queen, you don't have to address me a such. You never really had to in the first place."

"YOU'LL ALWAYS BE THE QUEEN TO ME."

"You're too kind, that's just more proof you'll be a good father. Your son is very cute by the way."

"HE IS. WOULD YOU LIKE TO HOLD HIM?"

Toriel gave an excited gasp and stood up. "I'd love to! If that's okay of course?"

"IT'S FINE AS LONG AS YOU'RE CAREFUL, WHICH I KNOW YOU WILL BE, SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY HELD HIM. EVEN GRILLBY, IT GOT HIM TALKING AGAIN, A LITTLE BIT."

Toriel walked over to Gaster as he stood, a big smile on her face at getting to hold the little babybones. She was also happy to hear that Grillby was improving. "That's great news to hear, I've been rather worried about him, good to know he's getting better."

"HE'S GETTING MUCH BETTER. I THINK BEING AROUND KIDS WOULD BE GOOD FOR HIM AND SANS SEEMS TO LIKE HIM TO, WHICH IS GOOD." Gaster began to hand Sans to Toriel as he spoke, the movement woke him up and he blinked up at Toriel and looked over to his father before looking back at the former Queen and closing his eyes again.

"Aww," she said once Sans was in her arms, "he didn't even cry and doesn't seem to mind being handed to a stranger."

"YEAH, HE'S REALLY LAID BACK."

"Yes..." Toriel looked up at Gaster, a smirk on her face. Gaster rolled his eyes, he knew where this was going and as much as he pretended to hate it, it was rather... Humerus. "It does seem as though nothing... Get's under his skin! In fact he seems rather bone tired. Hey tibia honest, although he sleeps a lot at least you won't be bonely anymore. I guess everyone should be calling you Dadster now."

Gaster gave a small snort, trying to keep himself from laughing. Sans on the other hand began to giggle and clap his hands at the really bad puns, Causing both of them to look down in surprise at the small child.

"...DID HE JUST LAUGH AT YOUR PUNS?" Gaster asked.

"I think he did... What a smart child, to understand all that when he's not even two mouths old!" Toriel lifted her finger to Sans who took hold of it. "Did you like my puns?" She asked him in baby talk, "did you find them humerus?"

This earned another laugh from Sans.

Gaster chuckled lightly, "MY GOD TORI, LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE STARTED! IF YOU KEEP GOING HE'S GOING TO TURN INTO A PUN MASTER BEFORE HE CAN EVEN TALK!"

Toriel laughed, "I'm so taking that as a challenge!"

Before Gaster could do anything to stop her, she was rolling out skeleton puns as though her life depended on it. Sans seemed to find it all hilarious and he seemed to have forgotten he was about to fall back asleep, he was wide awake and giggling so much. Gaster didn't think it was possible to find puns so funny.

There was no doubt in Gaster's mind that if Sans could talk he would be shooting out the puns just as fast as Toriel was.

The three of them seemed happy. It was as if nothing had happened between the former Queen and Royal Scientist, it was as if they were still friends who hung out all the time. That wasn't the case however as much as Gaster wished it so. He was just glad he had the change to let Toriel meet his son.

Toriel, too was happy to have met the child. She wished she could do more for her friend but she knew she couldn't. As much as she wanted to come back and be apart of Sans's life; be like an aunt to him like Gaster had been an uncle to her son, she had to stay. She'd chosen to exile herself to protect innocent humans and that was her priority. She had no doubt in her mind that Gaster would be a good father and his son would grow up healthy and happy. He wouldn't need her help, he had the help of Asgore and Grillby.

Eventually it was time to go, Gaster had to get home and put Sans to bed so he could sleep properly and Toriel had to take care of the flowers that grew over Chara's grave. They didn't want to part ways and Toriel knew she'd miss her friend and the child she'd just met but they both had jobs to do. Jobs they couldn't do if Gaster stayed or if Toriel left due to their conflicting interests.

"It was so good to see you, Gaster," Toriel said with a smile. "And it was a pleasure to meet your son." She waved at Sans and booped his 'nose,' making him giggle again.

They were now back at the entrance to the rest of the Underground. Gaster was reluctant to leave, he wished so badly that the Queen could come with him but he knew it was pointless to try to convince her.

"IT WAS LOVELY TO SEE YOU TOO," Gaster tried to smile but he was sad, he knew once he left it was very likely he wouldn't see her again. He was too busy to visit regularly and if he did someone might get suspicious and have him followed, he couldn't risk anyone else finding the Queen. She didn't want to be found, so it was for the best if he just left and never came back.

Toriel hugged him as best she could while Gaster was holding his child. "Take care of yourself, my dear, and take good care of your boy. I know he will grow up to become a great man one day, just like you are."

"THANK YOU, I'LL DO THE BEST I CAN."

With a sad smile on her face Toriel turned away from her friend and began walking back to her home. Tears threatened to spill, she didn't want to stay, she wanted to help her friend but she had a job to do. She had to protect the humans. Maybe one day they'd make it to the surface and Toriel could meet her friend again and be part of his child's life. She felt like she would've loved making jokes with Sans.

There was so much left unsaid by both of them, feelings and fears that they couldn't find the courage to say to each other. It left an empty feeling in them both but they were glad for the meeting.

Gaster pushed the door open with his magic hands and left The Ruins behind as he held Sans close to him. He walked slowly back to his home in Snowdin. A lot on his mind.

"IF ONLY I COULD BREAK THE BARRIER, THEN TORIEL COULD COME BACK," he said aloud. He was beginning to doubt himself, like he couldn't do it, like he wasn't good enough. He felt lost and alone and he felt like he was losing hope.

Sans began to babble again, breaking Gaster's self destructive train of thought. Looking down at his son Gaster let out a small laugh. He couldn't lose hope, he had to look after Sans, he had to make the world a better place for Sans.

Sans was becoming Gaster's hope and he was determined to make him happy and in that moment nothing seemed more important than Sans, not The Core, not the barrier, not the well being of the people, not his desire for revenge on humans. Sans was the most important thing to him.

And Sans always would be.

"SANS, ENTRY NUMBER ONE.

HE'S GROWING SO FAST.

HE IS REALLY LAZY, TRYING TO GET HIM TO DO ANYTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.

ASGORE AND GRILLBY THINK THAT'S FUNNY.

THOSE TWO HAVE REALLY TAKEN TO SANS.

LAST WEEK I LEFT GRILLBY TO LOOK AFTER HIM AND FOUND SANS SLEEPING IN HIS CRIB HOLING ONTO GRILLBY'S HAND.

GRILLBY WAS SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR.

I THINK SANS LIKES THE WARMTH.

YESTERDAY I LEFT HIM WITH ASGORE AND WALKED IN ON ASGORE READING TO HIM.

HE WAS HALFWAY THROUGH THE STORY AND SANS WAS FALLING ASLEEP.

I COULDN'T GET SANS BACK FOR ANOTHER TWO HOURS ONCE HE DID FALL ASLEEP BECAUSE ASGORE WAS TOO BUSY FUSSING OVER HIM."

Gaster had started a personal journal that he wrote in all the time all about little things Sans did. He filled it with pictures and videos as well. He was a really proud father who adored his son more than anything. He may have gone overboard the the number of entries but it made him happy and he wanted to remember all the little things about having a baby. He wanted lots to look back on once Sans had grown up.

"SANS, ENTRY NUMBER FOUR HUNDRED AND EIGHTY SIX.

TODAY I HAD TO BRIEFLY LEAVE THE LAB TO CHECK UP ON MY FOLLOWERS. I WAS GONE FOR NO LONGER THAN FIVE MINUTES.

WHEN I CAME BACK SANS WAS STANDING UP WHERE I LEFT HIM AND HOLDING SOME OF MY BLUEPRINTS THAT HAD BEEN ON MY DESK.

HE CAN WALK. I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN HE FIRST DID IT BUT HE SEEMS TO BE GOOD AT IT SO HE MOST LIKELY COULD FOR A WHILE.

IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME IF HE HID THAT FACT SO HE'D STILL GET CARRIED AROUND, THAT LAZYBONES.

I HAVE NO IDEA HOW HE GOT HOLD OF THE BLUEPRINTS. I HOPE HE DIDN'T CLIMB THE DESK BUT HE'S STILL TOO YOUNG TO USE MAGIC...

I'LL HAVE TO KEEP A CLOSER EYE ON HIM; I CAN'T LET HIM GET HURT.

THE BLUEPRINTS ARE CRUMPLED BUT HE HASN'T TORN THEM.

I THINK HE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT IT WAS.

HE'S TOO YOUNG TO READ THEM BUT I GET THE FEELING HE'S GOING TO BE SUCH A GREAT SCIENTIST ONE DAY.

HE WAS HOLDING THEM UPSIDE DOWN AND WHEN I TOOK IT AWAY FROM HIM, HE CRIED.

SO I SAT HIM ON MY LAP AND SHOWED THEM ALL TO HIM AND EXPLAINED THEM, I THINK HE ENJOYED IT.

EVEN THOUGH I DOUBT HE UNDERSTOOD, HE PROBABLY JUST LIKES THE SOUND OF MY VOICE.

...ALTHOUGH HE DOES UNDERSTAND PUNS SO MAYBE HE DID UNDERSTAND..."

"SANS, ENTRY NUMBER FOUR HUNDRED AND EIGHTY SEVEN."

It was a video, Gaster set up the camera and walked over and sat on the floor a little bit away from his son. He was in his house in the living room, a day off.

"NOW SANS, COME WALK TO DADDY," Gaster gently encouraged Sans, only to have his son stare at him from where he was sitting on the carpet.

Gaster patted the ground in front of him, "COME ON, I KNOW YOU CAN WALK."

Sans just continued to stare and for a brief second it looked like he was giving his father a dirty look of disgust at the thought of walking when his father could simply come over and pick him up if he wanted him for something.

The next few minutes of the video were of Gaster trying desperately to get Sans to move only to fail.

Gaster got up with a sigh, seemingly giving up but he didn't turn off the camera and simply disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a small bottle of ketchup. Sans's eyes widened at the sight of the bottle and Gaster sat himself back down in the same place.

Sans looked disappointed.

Gaster help up the bottle of ketchup and waved it, Sans let out a small whine and reached out with both hands in a grabby motion. Gaster shook his head and said, "NOW, NOW, SANS MY BOY. IF YOU WANT THE KETCHUP YOU'LL HAVE TO WALK OVER TO ME. I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT."

Sans appeared to think for a moment, you could almost see the gears turning in his mind as he tried to work out how worth it, it was to get up and walk over to his father in exchange of ketchup.

It was worth it. Sans pulled himself up and wobbled a little before he put one foot in front of the other and began to walk towards his father, slowly and wobbly but he was walking and a huge smile appeared on Gaster's face at the sight.

Soon Sans had made it to his father and climbed onto and sat down on his lap. The ketchup still slightly out of his reach but his eye lights were fixed on it. "GOOD JOB, MY BOY!" Gaster laughed, "WELL, HERE'S YOUR REWARD!"

Apparently Gaster didn't hand over the bottle fast enough, before he could lower his arm to hand it over a blue light surrounded it and it was pulled out of his hand and into Sans's.

Gaster let out a surprised gasp, "YOU CAN DO MAGIC ALREADY! THAT'S SO AMAZING! I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!"

Gaster beamed with pride and he hugged his son, who didn't seem to care and was happily drinking the ketchup.

"SANS, ENTRY NUMBER FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETY THREE.

NOW THAT SANS IS WALKING, HE'S BECOMING A LITTLE BIT OF A TROUBLE MAKER.

WHILE I'M HAPPY THAT HE'S MORE ACTIVE AND VERY PROUD THAT HE CAN USE MAGIC WHILE STILL SO YOUNG, I CAN'T JUST LET HIM RUN AROUND THE LABS GRABBING AT ANYTHING THAT TAKES HIS INTEREST.

NOR CAN I LET HIM STEAL KETCHUP...

I LEFT SANS WITH GRILLBY AGAIN TODAY. WHEN I WENT TO PICK HIM UP, GRILLBY WASN'T AT THE BAR.

I ASKED ONE OF THE REGULARS WERE THEY WERE AND THEY TOLD ME GRILLBY HAD GONE TO MAKE AN ORDER AND HAD OPENED THE FIRE DOOR AND SHOUTED "SANS, NO!"

I FIGURED IF SOMETHING MADE GRILLBY TALK IT MUST BE BIG.

I WENT INTO THE BACK AND FOUND A LOT OF EMPTY KETCHUP BOTTLES ON THE FLOOR AND GRILLBY WAS TRYING TO CLEAN SANS UP.

APPARENTLY THE KETCHUP WAS STORED UP HIGH BUT SANS KNEW WHERE IT WAS AND USED HIS MAGIC TO GET IT.

GRILLBY WAS VERY APOLOGETIC FOR NOT KEEPING A CLOSER EYE ON HIM BUT I ASSURED HIM IT WAS FINE, I KNOW HE WOULD NEVER LEAVE SANS UNATTENDED FOR LONG AND WHEN IT COMES TO KETCHUP SANS IS VERY FAST.

I INSISTED ON PAYING FOR THE KETCHUP SANS DRANK ALTHOUGH GRILLBY SAID I DIDN'T NEED TO.

THE WHOLE THING MADE A VERY FUNNY PHOTO."

Gaster smiled as he attached the photo to the document; bottles of ketchup on the floor, Sans covered in it looking very proud of himself, sitting by the sink with Grillby, also a little covered in ketchup, trying to clean Sans without getting wet himself.

Gaster decided that once Sans was a teenager this was the picture he'd pull out in front of his friends to embarrass him, after all it came with a very funny story that had to be shared. He also showed the picture and told the story to Asgore who thought it was hilarious.

Gaster was very happy, still stressed and over worked but happy. He had no idea just how much he'd enjoy being a father, he loved Sans more than anything, more than science. No matter how stressed he got all he had to do was look at his son or even a photo of his son and he relaxed. Sans motivated him to work harder, he was beginning to care less and less about revenge and more about getting them out so his boy could see the beauty of the surface. All he wanted was for Sans to be happy.

And so he watched Sans grow with pride as he tried to be the best father he could and he was overjoyed when he finally stated speaking.

Asgore was visiting and Gaster had wanted to show off how Sans could now walk so he sat on the floor and patted the ground.

"COME ON SANS, SHOW UNCLE ASGORE WHAT YOU CAN DO."

Sans frowned at Gaster and sat unmoving where he was.

"SANS, PLEASE?" Gaster tried.

"I don't think he wants to," Asgore said, "he really is very lazy."

Gaster laughed and shook his head. "HE'S VERY LAZY," he echoed and turned back to his son and patted the ground again, "COME ON, JUST ONCE?"

Sans blinked up at Gaster, he looked like he was thinking; he even hummed thoughtfully as well. Then he did the unexpected, "no."

Gaster was shocked to hear that and looked over at Asgore. "DID... DID HE JUST?"

Asgore burst out laughing, "I can't believe it! Is this the first times he's spoken?"

Gaster could only nod as he stared in disbelief at his lazy child.

Asgore was still laughing, "I can't believe his first word is an act of defiance! He's going to be a little rebel."

Gaster chuckled and shook his head, "A LAZY REBEL. COME ON SANS! JUST WALK TO ME."

"no!"

"PLEASE?"

"no!"

Asgore was in hysterics, the defiance was so funny to him. As was Gaster's increasingly flustered state as he tried to get his son to do as he was told, only for each try to end with Sans saying, "no."

Asgore's laughter at the situation probably didn't help much. Sans knew laughter was a positive thing and he was probably happy that he was making the King laugh, even though Gaster was not. It wasn't long before Sans to was laughing at each time he said "no."

Despite the defiance Gaster was very happy his son was beginning to talk and soon more words followed and once Sans was able to speak in sentences he was asking his father all kinds of questions. He was very interested in science and Gaster was more than thrilled about that and happily taught his son.

As much as Gaster wanted to home school Sans he knew that wasn't going to be possible. He didn't have the time to teach him properly and although Sans seemed to very intelligent for his age, he was still just a child and needed a proper education. Not only that but Gaster knew he'd need to interact with other kids, or he'd end up with no social skills, so Gaster sent Sans to school in Snowdin. He felt that was the best choice not only was it close to his home but Gaster was much more popular and famous in New Home, he didn't want other kids to use Sans just so they could say they were friends with the Royal Scientist's kid and expect special treatment. Of course five year olds probably wouldn't think that but the parents might and push their kids to be friends with Sans so they could look good.

Snowdin was a small town and everyone there already knew Gaster personally so Sans could make real friends there. That was Gaster's main reason for sending Sans to public school and not just teaching him himself or hiring a tutor. He wanted Sans to be happy and have lots of friends who thought he was cool because he was and not because he was the son of the Royal Scientist.

And so, Gaster walked Sans to school on his first day. Sans seemed nervous as he held on tightly to his father's hand. Once they were at the entrance Gaster stopped and bend down to his son.

"ALRIGHT SANS, HERE WE ARE," he said with a smile.

Sans looked into the school and back to Gaster, "do i have to?" he asked.

"YES, WE SPOKE ABOUT THIS."

"i don't wanna, i want to stay home."

"SANS, MY BOY, YOU MUST STOP BEING SO LAZY. YOU NEED AN EDUCATION."

"but can't we do it at home?"

"NO. SANS, DON'T YOU WANT TO MAKE FRIENDS?"

Sans looked down at the ground and muttered out, "i don't think anyone will like me."

Gaster signed and put his hand under his son's chin to raise his head. "NOW SANS DON'T SAY THINGS LIKE THAT. YOU ARE SO VERY SMART AND VERY FUNNY, I'M SURE YOU'LL HAVE LOTS OF FRIENDS."

"but you're really cool!" Sans said, "and they'll realise that i'm really lame and not like you at all..."

"I'M GOING TO STOP YOU RIGHT THERE, SANS. YOU ARE COOL, VERY COOL. JUST GO IN THERE AND MAKE SOME PUNS AND I'M SURE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT YOU'LL HAVE LOTS OF FRIENDS. I KNOW YOU'RE NERVOUS BUT YOU'LL BE FINE AND IF, IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT, YOU GET BULLIED WE'LL JUST MOVE SCHOOLS AND YOU WON'T HAVE TO SEE ANY OF THEM AGAIN, OKAY?"

Sans nodded and hugged his father, Gaster wrapped his arms tightly around his child. "ok, i'll try," Sans said once he let go.

"GOOD, NOW YOU BEHAVE, NO PRANKS ON THE TEACHER OR STEALING ANY KETCHUP OR FALLING ASLEEP IN CLASS! AND BE CAREFUL, DON'T HURT YOURSELF! IF ANYTHING HAPPENS YOU HAVE A PHONE WITH MY NUMBER."

Sans laughed a little, "ok, ok, stop fussing, daddy!"

"OH, BUT I HAVE TO FUSS OVER MY LITTLE BABY BOY!" Gaster kissed the top of his skull and Sans rolled his eyes. "YOU'RE GROWING UP SO FAST!"

Once Gaster stopped fussing over Sans, he let him go and Sans walked lazily into the school and waved to Gaster at the door.

Gaster walked to work feeling very proud at how brave his boy was.

A/N: So this chapter changed a lot. I really wasn't happy with the way it turned out at first so I changed it up quite a lot. The way I'm doing this is by writing the whole thing before I uploaded chapter 1 and it's 21 chapters (the whole fic is written but is subject to change and I may add more chapters who knows,) and editing them as I go, although I have gone through the whole thing a few times already. I'm doing it that way because I've had so may fics I started and uploaded as soon as the chapter was done only to lose interest and abandon it and I don't want to do that again. I also tend to get depressed sometimes and lose all motivation and I've decided I don't want a long period of time where I'm not updating so I'm uploading every Sunday, (although the time I upload changes depending on how long it takes me the proof read one final time.)

I'm saying all this because I've rewritten large parts of this on the Tuesday before I upload so it hasn't been proof read as much as the other chapters so I apologise if this chapter's not as good/has more spelling/grammar mistakes. (I work in retail as a supervisor and it's xmas season so ya know. Busy.) Although I do like it a lot more now.

I still also feel it might be a little rushed at the end but I have no more ideas for baby!Sans and feel I suck a writing babies/children and I want the plot to keep moving forward instead of just going nowhere with random baby!Sans moments. (Papyrus has to show up at some point lol)

Anyway sorry for the rant, I'm sure most don't really care lol. And thank you for reading my bad fanfiction haha.