Thank you vampirliegirl for following this story.

Anyway this is a sequel to my other story Simple Yet Paradoxical. You don't have to read the other one but it will mention characters from the previous story. This will also be short chapters because it's all I can manage for now.

As always I don't proofread my chapters. If anyone wants to do it for me let me know by DM.

Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN XMEN. JUST MY OWN CHARACTERS.


They had talked and updated each other on new things going on in their lives since the last time they gathered. It wasn't until Jacob finally stood up with a stretch and yawn that finally checked the time.

"It's late, better put the little ones to bed" Hank motioned to the 5 sleeping kids in their arms. Her siblings and their partners all held a sleeping child and Maya held her last grandchild in her lap as she continued to slowly sway back and forth in her rocking chair.

"You're right dad, I think Rachel and will also be heading to bed too" Will stood up and adjusting Sam in his hold while Rachel stood up with Emily in her arms.

"We'll be back down for Layla" Rachel smiled.

"That's okay, Blue will take her up for you" Maya motioned for Hank to help her.

"Here dear, I can take Layla now" Hank said to Maya as he bent down to carefully lifted the toddler from her arms.

"I think I'm done for tonight too, see you guys at breakfast" Jacob gave a sleepy salute and went inside the house following after Hank. Gwen and Damien stood up too with Kenny and Nate.

"Emma don't stay up too late, you're helping us with breakfast tomorrow" Gwen stated.

"So bossy, how do you deal with it Damien"Emma teased.

"I like a woman who takes control" he shrugged and then winked.

"Wow Gwen never pegged you for a dominatrix" Emma laughed.

"It's always the quiet ones" Maya mused.

"Mom!" Gwen flushed slightly embarrassed and walk inside the house, they laughed harder when they heard her calling them perverts.

"I hope that doesn't land you on the couch tonight" Maya told Damien.

"I'll be fine, but better not push my luck good night" Damien nodded to them and followed after her.

Maya stood up from her chair and went to the sliding door pausing when Emma stayed seated on the back porch stairs staring into the night. There was a distant look in her eyes and it worried her. In the past years she had noticed something shift in her daughter and she had become to distance herself. Whenever she asked Emma about it, she skillfully switched the conversation. But today she decided she was going to get to the bottom of it.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Maya asked moving over to the porch bench and taking a seat.

"I have no idea what you're talking about"

"You know lying doesn't work on me, I know you all to well, I know when something is off" Maya gave her a knowing look.

"I know" Emma huffed annoyed that her mother could see right through her lies.

"Talk" Maya chuckled and patted the spot next to her on the porch bench. Emma sighed standing up and laid down next to her, resting her head on her mother's lap and letting her legs dangle on the arm rest. Maya stroked her daughter's hair, chuckling when Emma began to purr at the attention.

"Now, what's on that crazy mind of yours" Maya teased and gently ran her fingers through Emma's hair.

"I don't know…I just feel off" Emma hesitated unsure if she should really continuing and make her mother worry so she decided against it.

"You're going to have to elaborate a little more sweetheart"

"It's nothing just me overthinking- OW! Mom!" Emma hissed when her mother pinched her cheek hard.

"Try again" Maya mused with a hidden smirk. Emma glared up at her mother with a pouted but the look on Maya's face told her she wasn't going to leave it alone.

"Do…do you ever feel like you're getting…left behind?" Emma said softly and Maya hummed with a nod.

"When I was younger, I felt like everything I did got me nowhere and I was stuck"

"No, not like that, well kind of, it just feels like everyone is moving and I'm stuck watching everyone else carry on with their lives, and I'm just here, I just feel frozen in time, sorry I'm probably not making any sense"

"It makes perfect sense but you have to realize everyone grows at their own pace. Sweetheart, you may not notice it but everyone else around you can see it, I see it, and I'm so proud of you and everything you have accomplished"

"That's not, you don't get it mom" Emma sighed and sat up burying her face in her hands "I know what I've accomplished but haven't you noticed anything strange about me"

"Honey, you've always been strange" Maya snorted.

"Mom, I'm being serious"

"I know, I'm sorry, I'll be serious now" Maya apologized "Emma, does this have anything to do with why you've been distancing yourself from us?"

Emma flinched and faced away from Maya.

"Maybe" she finally admitted "I'm afraid I'll be all alone" she whispered.

"Sweetheart don't be silly, you're not alone, you have us no matter what" Maya stated pulling her into a hug with a light chuckle and rubbed her back.

"And when you're gone" Emma asked.

"You'll have your sister and brothers-"

"And when they're gone?" Emma cut her off.

"You'll have your nieces and nephews-"

"And when they're gone" Emma cut her off again. Maya paused at her words confused and pulled her away holding her at arms length. Emma looked down avoiding her mother worried stare.

"Emma what's wrong" Maya asked softy.

"Mom…I'm not aging" Emma said in a terrified voice " I haven't been for a long time"


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