Etana proudly holds her arms out as I enter her office through the portal that's hidden in the cupboard in my office.
"What do you think?"
It's at the top of the spire, with all glass windows encircling the room, giving fantastic views over the red mountains. The suns are setting and the woods in the valley far below looks like they're on fire. I gaze out.
"Wow…"
She laughs.
"Yes, I deliberately had my office put here. But it's not quite the top."
I frown. She points at the ceiling.
"Fully-equipped family apartment for us. Stevie's in bed."
I wrap my arms around her.
"Grand opening tomorrow?"
She smiles.
"Yes. Everything is ready –dormitories, staff rotas, menus. Big speech –typical Tora."
She glances over at the photo on her desk. Tora holding Stevie, smiling broadly at the camera. Taken in Etana's year of solitude. Etana confided in me that it was one of her favourite photos of Tora. I admit, I like it as well. There's a lot of…well, Tora in that photo. From that smile, to the look in her eyes, the way it looks as if she's just about to tell a joke, the way she protectively curls herself around my son… Etana sees me looking at the photo and smiles sadly, wrapping my hands around her stomach, which is just beginning to feel…different.
"She would be so proud."
Etana is staring at the photo. I smile sadly.
"Yes. She would."
"Highly embarrassed, but proud."
I kiss her hair and she makes that odd little noise she always makes when she's trying not to cry.
"Are you okay, Tan?"
She turns to face me, resting her forehead on mine.
"I'm going to mess this up."
"No. You won't."
She looks so very worried.
"What can I possibly do right, Steve? I'm not a teacher! I kick bad people in the head until they aren't bad anymore! How can I possibly be qualified to teach!?"
I cup her face in my hands.
"Tan. I trust you. Logan trusts you. Hank trusts you. Reed trusts you. You're a good teacher, even if you don't think you are. I can still remember some of the stuff you taught me at Haven."
Etana frowns.
"What, the kenjutsu? You suck with Japanese swords."
"No, the dancing."
She laughs and then bobs down neatly.
"Are you asking me?"
I laugh and she grins.
"Playlist eight."
At which point Glenn Miller begins playing and she grabs my arms and we dance.
Then as the music slows, and we just sway in each other's arms I can hear soft giggling and turn to see Eloise Circen standing there holding up a phone.
"Oh, don't stop. This is wonderful. I reckon I can sell it for a small fortune to all the X-Men and Avengers. You look so sweet."
Etana lunges and there's a quick scuffle for the camera phone. Eventually, she marches over, grinning broadly, holding the phone.
"So, Vice Principal Circen, was there a reason you came to see me, or did you just come to take incriminating footage of an intimate moment?"
They both look like they're about to burst out laughing. Eloise shrugs.
"Actually, it's not urgent. We were going to have a staff party but it looks like you're going to be busy. Can I have my phone back?"
Etana nods and throws it over.
"I want a 10% cut of the profits you make selling that video."
Eloise grins and gives the thumbs up before hurrying out. Etana grasps my hand.
"Come on, I better show you our new home. We'll tour it all. Ending in our room."
She grins.
"And your ears have gone red again. I never mention that, but since you're thinking about it…"
