"Yeah, but not too much different from what it was before, thankfully. My plate has at least been decently spread out.", Jean gave a small smile as Phillip nodded.
"That's good to hear.", Phillip smiled before taking a deep breath, "Jean, I'm so deeply sorry for what I had done to you that day...I...I felt so much...You haven't betrayed me...I admit I was disappointed that you snuck behind my back...I...I truly thought it was a teenage phase...When I realized that it wasn't a phase, but rather a discovery of your identity...I...I was disappointed in myself...I should have supported you from the beginning like how I did for your schooling, active sports, and more...Your mother never grew up with strict parents and rules like I did...I was acting like my father...I hurt you so much...I was a jerk, a shitty father, and you deserve better...".
There was a pause as Phillip took another breath, "What I'm trying to say is that basically... I screwed up so bad... I said things I shouldn't have said and if I could, I would take them all back in an instant. But I can't. What's done is done and the past can't be changed. But what I would hope is for us to try to get back to the way things were as best as they could... for me to be your father again and you willing to call yourself my daughter... and to be a helpful and supportive father that accepts you and those you love unconditionally.".
Jean's eyes swelled up with tears with every word of Phillip's speech as moments passed, feeling the passionate and emotional sincerity in his words, and the tears fell down her cheeks as Phillip finished, and she whispered, "I missed you, Dad...", and Phillip smiled gently, opening his arms in a gesture of love and support.
Jean all but jumped from her seat, and hugged her father, sobbing as he wrapped his arms around her, instinctively rubbing her back, shushing her softly, kissing her on the forehead, whispering, "I missed you, my brave daughter...", tears falling down his cheeks as well.
The two of them hugged for a few moments, neither of them saying anything; there wasn't much to say at this point that wasn't being said with the hug.
Ellen held her hands to her lips, tears falling as well, watching the wholesome moment, proud of her husband, overjoyed of her daughter, and they softly looked at each other before looking at Ellen, reaching their arms out to her, and Ellen sobbed happily, joining into the hug as a family...a mending family, yes, but with time, it will be a family again.
After a few more minutes, they had to break away, and Ellen smiled, "Come on, we can't leave dinner too long.", and both Jean and Phillip agreed, heading together to the round dining table, to eat dinner, with Jean happily sharing tales.
They enjoyed the normalcy, with Jean compromising with Phillip that she'd visit every chance when Phillip is off work or such for some time before she could get comfortable to bring Gwen and the others, and so Phillip happily agreed to it, knowing that he'd have all the time to work through all of this, to see his daughter laugh and smile around him once again.
That night, after Jean returned back home to her warehouse, with leftovers in tow, Phillip, for the first time in ever, was back where he belonged, in their master bed, with his wonderful, amazing Ellen, and he was just happy to sleep with her, to feel her in his arms in the middle of the night when she turned around for extra heat, knowing that he also will have to work through his relationship with his wife as well, yet for some reason, he didn't mind at all, as long as his wife and daughter's happy, he's happy.
Sunrise rose into Skyler and George's bedroom, the sunbeams hitting Skyler softly as she was intertwined with her husband under the sheets, and she moaned softly as she woke up to the usual, wonderful sight of her husband's face.
She smiled, remembering the passionate night she had with him...There was a fire inside him that she didn't expect, yet she loved it...She was relieved that the rest of the family told her that she is completely safe to make love with her husband for some months, and she can't wait to spend the wonderful days, to have him adore her baby bump...
Skyler widened her eyes as she realized that today is George's birthday, and she smiled happily, excited to see the look in his eyes when he opens the gift. She softly kissed George on the cheek before slowly, gingerly, carefully leaving his warmth, and she wanted to stay with him, just sleep in, but she wants to make sure that George gets his birthday breakfast, along with the gift.
She grabbed her robe and went to eat the microwaved leftovers from the dinner last night, smiling as she prepared George's breakfast, humming a soft tune, and after she was done, she pulled out her gift from one of the cabinets that George hardly used, and headed back to the bedroom, carrying the tray of George's breakfast, with the gift on the side.
George quickly caught the scent of breakfast there, waking him from his slumber as he yawned and slowly opened his eyes.
"Good morning.", Skyler smiled as he saw her with breakfast. "Happy birthday, hope you enjoy what I've made for you.", she said.
George smiled warmly, sitting up, "Oh, Skyler, it smells really good.", as Skyler placed the tray on his knees as she settled by his side, and he blinked, "Oh, a present? You're spoiling me, my beloved...", with a chuckle.
Skyler giggled softly, "Better eat your breakfast first before it gets cold, and then you can open my present, my love.", and George chuckled softly, "Yes, ma'am.", before starting to eat.
"Oh, you did a great job, Skyler...Looks like I and the girls taught you well.", George hummed in satisfaction as he enjoyed the delicious food, and Skyler smiled, "Thank you...", almost ignoring the new sensation in her belly, wanting to gush about the baby, but she wanted to wait until he opens the gift, and then she can spill the surprise...
Turns out she wasn't spilling the surprise, but something else as Skyler instinctively grabbed her mouth, feeling the urge to vomit, and all but ran to the bathroom, instantly throwing up into the toilet.
"Skyler?", George quickly got up and out of bed, as he was trying to rush over to his wife with her issues. "Are you sick?", he asked as he got over to her in the bathroom and kneeled next to her.
Skyler felt George's hands holding her hair from getting messy and rubbing her back as she puked up her microwaved breakfast of leftovers from dinner, and she rasped out, "No...Apparently, he decided to tell me that he wants fresh food like his daddy, not microwaved food, and maybe he wanted to surprise you instead of me...Through I don't blame him as he's too small yet to kick...", with a chuckle, deciding to not make him worry about her...giving the spotlight to her little one earlier than planned for this morning, but it's her husband's birthday, and if her little one wanted their turn to surprise him after Skyler technically surprised him with his birthday breakfast...it's still a happy occasion.
George had to rub his ear when he heard what she said, "I'm sorry, I think my hearing is already failing me... but, did you just say what I think you just said?".
Skyler wiped her mouth with a damp cloth, closing the toilet seat, and smiled softly at her husband, "No, your hearing is perfect as always...", gently grabbing his hand to rest on her belly, tears streaking at the edge of her eyes, "You're going to be a daddy, George...We're having a baby...", knowing that their little one can't kick yet as it's only been two months, but there's surely a hint of a baby bump, considering that she has a slim body shape for the time being.
George needed a moment to process the information. He... a father... father to a child that was his own flesh and blood, that he helped created. He loved Gwen so much, but... there just was a slight twinge of pride coming from the idea of him succeeding in impregnating his wife with their child.
He choked up, looking at Skyler with tears in his eyes, "Oh, Sky...This is...You've made me the happiest man in New York City right now...", kissing Skyler on the cheek before leaning down to kiss her bare belly between her robe edges, and Skyler gently caressed his hair, tears falling down her cheeks, smiling so much at the sweet gesture.
George lovingly, gently picked Skyler up after the kiss on his, their child's home, and headed to the bed from the bathroom, his foot gingerly flushing the lever on the toilet, and laid her against the pillows, "Here, share my breakfast.".
Skyler smiled at him warmly, drinking some water to wash her mouth, and shared the breakfast as he sat next to her, and she giggled softly, "You're right, I did a great job making this breakfast...Go open that present, George.".
George nodded, smiling as he opened the present, soon impressed as right there is a vibrant green onesie with black words on it, with a stitched badge, saying 'He's a cop, but I call him Daddy.', and he smiled so widely, "Oh, Skyler, it's perfect...", taking it out, touching it.
Skyler smiled, "It's Gwen's gift too...as she's his big sister...", and George chuckled, "She did spectacular...He, huh?", looking at Skyler with a smile, "You think it's a boy?".
"Well, can't be too sure right now, but call it mother's intuition. I think this might be a boy...", Skyler smiled as George chuckled. "Hey, I've always wanted a son so this could be perfect.", he replied as he kissed her once more.
Skyler smiled warmly as George playfully placed the onesie on her belly, sharing breakfast together, and after using the bathroom to wash their hands and all, George couldn't stop smiling, touching Skyler's belly in awe, "This is the best birthday ever...".
Skyler smirked, "Oh, really?", removing her robe, throwing it to the floor, purring lightly, "We have all morning before we head out for lunch with the others...And before you ask, I will be eventually begging you for the next few months as I will be having more than normal sexual drive and all, and yes, it's safe...".
George moaned lightly in desire and love, "How did I ever end up with the most beautiful and amazing wife like you?", touching her body sensually, with his body desiring to join into her more than ever before, maybe because his wife is carrying their child, making her so beautiful, glowing with the aura of motherhood...
Skyler giggled softly, "Adventure, family, and eventually, lots of luck...", caressing his hair warmly, and George grinned widely, "I'd have to agree with you, my beloved wife, my beautiful pregnant Skyler...", before kissing her passionately.
And to speak, his birthday was definitely one to remember, with the rest of the family smiling, congratulating once again, and making future stories of what they'll do with the child.
So, the next two months pass, with both Jasmine's due date getting closer and closer, unknowingly to her or the others, of course, and Skyler's baby bump becoming bigger and bigger, with George attending to her every need after configuring his work schedule, not wanting to miss every moment possible, through Skyler isn't mad or upset about it, but she is determined to be healthy and happy.
Genie told George and Skyler that with Jasmine thinking that she has been hungry more than often thanks to her Sultana duties, and increasing patrol times as summer approaches, the children has been developing very well with no issues.
And then it came. It was one week after the graduation of Jean, in the third week of June, and Jasmine has been feeling aches and pains all morning but patrolling around the city seemed to help out.
"You okay?", Gwen asked as Jasmine was taking a breather on one of the many New York rooftops; feeling very strangely exhausted so early. Usually, it was normal come late at night since the need for rest was still important despite what Genie had done for her, Jean and Peter to be like Gwen, but this still...
"I'm alright... just.. I need to take a quick break.", Jasmine told her as she took a few deep breaths to relax. "Probably the cat side, love. How about a nap after this patrol?", Jean replied as Jasmine is obviously in her tiger lady persona.
Jasmine smiled, "Yeah, that sounds good to me. I probably ate too much hot dogs back there.", as Peter had brought a heap of hot dogs for the team while in his Spiderman persona a while back.
Peter chuckled, "At least this is more exciting than doing stuff as Sultana in a way, right?", and Jasmine giggled softly, "True. Don't get me wrong, helping my people, it feels really good, but it gets tedious after a while if people keep complaining or something.".
"The burden of rulership.", Gwen sighed as Jasmine nodded, "It really is at times... in a way, doing all this patrolling is so much easier. People aren't exactly coming to us, or me specifically with their issues. All we do is swoop in and rescue folks.".
Jasmine closed her eyes, "But... don't think I'm truly complaining about being Sultana. I have a duty to my people, and I'll be damned to let them down again after all the suffering they sustained.", opening her eyes with a fierce determination in them.
Jean smiled softly, "You will always be our princess, despite being Sultana, and we're so proud of you, and we are glad that we are advisers to you, to show them that we're worthy of your love and all.".
Jasmine smiled happily, "And I am never letting that go. I got a beautiful family in all of you, and that will never change for I love you all.", and the others smile, hugging her warmly, rubbing her back as she purred contentedly.
"I never get tired of that.", Peter chuckled at Jasmine's purring as she smirked at him. "You want me to curl up into a ball on your lap then?", Jasmine teased as he shook his head.
"Eh, doesn't have the same feel as when you were a cat.", Peter admitted with an apologetic look on his face. Jasmine giggled softly, "It's alright, and besides there are other ways like resting my head on your lap.".
Peter smiled lovingly, "You always find another way to counter the impossible.". Jasmine purred warmly as she felt his hand stroking her fur-hair, and then smiled reassuringly at her lovers, "I am good now. Let's keep the patrol going, and keep those criminals on their feet, no pun intended.".
"Alright then...", Jean nodded. "But please, just let us know if something's wrong and that you need to stop, alright?".
"I will. Don't worry.", Jasmine smiled. Gwen then nodded, "Let's go, Spectacular Squad.", and the team headed on to do their patrol routes, staying close between streets in parallel, enjoying the sunshine while keeping eyes out for any sign of crime.
Things were fairly calm, surprisingly for once. Only real incident was a simple mugger, and he was quickly dealt with by just one of Jasmine's punches.
Jasmine did a stretch, feeling the aches and pains increase, and figured that she better cut her patrol, probably a warm bath and a long nap would help her out, and went to tell Gwen next street over when suddenly, an explosion came in view, not a building explosion, thank goodness, but she can hear faint screams, and she ignored her personal issues, determined to check it out, seeing the blur of Gwen in the distance, with Peter swinging high and fast, and Jean was right next to her, "Come on!", reaching a hand, and she grabbed it, landing on Jean's back, and they headed to the source of the increasing explosions.
"Something's seriously wrong!", Peter said as the others agreed. "That's for sure... there's more than one blast, this isn't some isolated accident!", Gwen shouted.
They soon heard the screams getting louder, along with cackling laughter and shouts, "Yes, yes, run! Fear always wins! You hear me?! New York city, see if you can survive this!", and the blasting explosions kept coming, and the team widened their eyes in shock and horror as they saw signs of cars destroyed, people dead or injured, deep holes everywhere in the cement, damage on nearby buildings, food trucks, and parks as they got closer.
They realized this would take all the firefighter teams, cops of every precinct, all the ambulance personnel as they heard the screams of injured people, and Jasmine responded, "We better stop whatever's doing this, or we'll be overwhelmed by this!".
The others nodded quickly and got closer, realizing that the Grand Central Station is right in the chaos. "Hitting Grand Central... can't help but admit that whoever this is, they're smart... hitting one of the most densely populated parts of the city at almost any time of the day.", Peter cursed.
Jean replied, "We better hurry! Or those explosions will cause trains, subway tunnels, or worse, the whole station to collapse!".