It's another shorter chapter.

This is my entry for Dalek week, Day one: Parents.

Dalek week can be found here on DA: alek-and-deryn dot deviantart dot com/gallery/32077681

Why is it when there's home work to be done or a test to study for everything becomes more interesting? I should be doing both but instead I'm posting this. It can't be helped I suppose; I started writing when I was eleven years old and haven't stopped yet.

I wanted to do something from Deryn or Alek's parent's POV so I wrote this. I might do a second part to this - someday.

"Beginnings are usually scary and endings are usually sad, but it's everything in between that makes it all worth living."

Sandra Bullock – Hope Floats

Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things you can't see. -Unknown

Franz and Sophie sat on a bench in Regent's Park. A little ways off Deryn and Alek stood in the shade of one of the many large trees scattered about. Deryn was pointing out different sights, talking enthusiastically the entire time.

Sophie smiled wistfully.

"It's good to see him so happy." She said, looking at Alek.

Franz wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Yes," He agreed. "I so was worried about him. His life took such a terrible turn so quickly and he was so unprepared; I was afraid he might never recover properly."

The Archduke and Princess watched Alek as he nearly doubled over with laughter at something Deryn had said to him.

Sophie pulled a handkerchief from the pocket of her dress and dabbed at her eyes.

"We don't have to worry any longer. Volger and his men may have ensured Alek's survival, but it's because of Deryn that he's living again." She said. "Meeting her was the best thing that could have happened to him. She was exactly what he needed. "

Franz smiled lovingly at his wife.

"Not so different from you and me. Alek simply had to find his own way in life, no matter what we tried to choose for him. "

Sophie dabbed at her eyes once more before placing the handkerchief back into her pocket.

"He's going to be alright now." She stated with a smile. "She has given him a reason to keep going."

They stood and Franz offered an arm to Sophie. She took it and together they walked away across the wide expanse of grass.