Later that morning
Monday
Glenview
"Can we take that car shopping, please?"
"Okay, Chloe, just for a moment's peace!" I replied.
We locked up the house and I reversed the car out of the garage onto the drive.
"What colour is it?" Danny asked.
"British Racing Green in metallic," I replied.
"I like it!" the boy replied.
I pulled open the back door and both kids climbed onto the red leather seats. Once they were both strapped in, I climbed in myself, with Chloe beside me. I looked out over the enormous hood with its twin air vents. I pressed the brake with my foot and then the 'start' button, the engine rumbled to life instantly, the rotary gear selector rose out of the centre console, and I turned it to the right, selecting 'D'.
"Awesome!" Chloe said from the other seat.
I eased the enormous car out of the drive and the gates closed automatically behind me.
Four hours later, after an expensive trip to the mall, we had filled the trunk and we headed back to Glenview.
Both kids had selected toys and clothes, plus some bedding, towels and various other items. I had spoilt them. Chloe had warned me not to go too far or the twins might start expecting it. That was good advice.
After unloading all the new stuff at the house, we headed back to West Ridge. It had been a busy day, but the twins had enjoyed themselves and so had I.
The new car would not fit in the garage, so I left it parked outside the front of the house where I could keep an eye on it. Next, we walked across the road to see Marcus.
I watched Marcus as he waited in the living room.
Megan had gone to open the front door once she had seen Mindy, Chloe and the two young kids walking over to us. I had only briefly met the twins the previous night. I was very pleased to have Megan back home and even happier that she had not been shot, stabbed or suffered any one of a hundred things that I had dreamt about while she had been gone. A twisted knee and bruised leg was very good, considering!
My daughter had grown in the month that I had not seen her and was filling out nicely. Megan had talked almost non-stop during the morning about what had occurred. She was desperate to show me her birthday presents the she had received from Mindy, but they were still in transit from Gotham. I also noticed how much Megan had grown up mentally, as well as physically. She seemed a different girl, but in a good way. The snappy, belligerent girl had been replaced with a more thoughtful young girl who seemed to think before she spoke. Even Marcus had commented on her politeness and new behaviour.
Marcus smiled as Mindy led the twins into the living room.
"Anne-Marie, Danny, please meet Marcus," Mindy said.
"Hi, Marcus," Anne-Marie and Danny said together with a little nervousness.
"It's very good to meet you both," Marcus replied. "What has Mindy had you doing today, then?"
That set the twins off telling Marcus all about the new house and the new car. I looked questioningly over at Mindy. Marcus had briefly mentioned a new house, but had not gone into detail. I looked out the window towards the other house, saw the car parked outside and then looked at Mindy with a raised eyebrow. Mindy blushed, but nodded.
"Nice set of wheels!" I commented approvingly.
"Thanks!"
That evening
I drove to Safehouse D, with Chloe and waited for the convoy to appear.
They were not far away. I had left the twins with Marcus, Paige and Megan. Marcus had hit it off with the twins almost immediately, so I decided to leave them there. This was to be a repeat of our waiting for everybody in Gotham, just Chloe and me. Only this time we were welcoming them home and not to some stinking hellhole!
I heard the air horn as Dave turned into the parking lot. I triggered the door and it raised in time for Dave to drive straight in, followed by Mia and the SUV. Dave looked shattered, as did the others. As soon as Dave and josh had climbed down, we jumped them both, kissing them for all we were worth. When we finally let them breathe, Josh turned to Dave.
"We really must go away more often!" he quipped.
"I agree!" Dave replied.
"Assholes!" Chloe and I said together.
I told Marty to use the SUV to take him, Abby, Erika and Tommy home.
"How are we getting home?" Josh asked and then his jaw dropped as he saw the new car.
Dave smirked. He knew all about it.
"Mindy, I love the car and I love you for buying it, but you dare say the name wrongly and I will not be held responsible for my resultant actions," Josh said. "Which model is it?"
"I bought a Jag-u-ar XJR; I thought you'd approve!" I laughed, ensuring that I pronounced the name correctly for Joshua.
"Love the Jag!" Josh said approvingly.
We left all the kit for another day and headed straight home.
While Josh and Chloe were reacquainted with each other in their room at West Ridge, I took Dave over to see Marcus and the twins.
"Dave!" The twins called out as we walked in the door.
Dave was more than a little surprised to receive a hug from the twins.
"They been okay?" I asked Paige.
"No problems. Marcus has kept them very busy; he's a marvel with young kids."
"I know; I just wish I could remember back that far..."
"Marcus remembers and he says you were the perfect little angel for him," Paige said quietly.
"Now look at her!" Dave quipped.
West Ridge
We finally managed to pry the twins away from Marcus and we headed home across the street.
"I think Marcus is cool," Danny admitted.
"I like Paige and Megan; they're nice, although Megan seems a little nutty!" Anne-Marie said.
Dave and I laughed.
Ignoring the noises coming from the other bedroom, I got the twins changed into their pyjamas and they got into their temporary beds with Sophia watching them. The big dog followed both kids around everywhere they went.
I was now able to spend some quality time with my fiancé.
Josh was not happy!
He sat there completely naked and just stared at me. Okay, I was naked to – it was our first sex since that evening with Mindy and Erika. After an extended making out session, we got undressed and then Josh started feeling a little unhappy with my comments at the time.
"You said that Mindy ate you out better than I did!"
I squirmed on the bed.
"Well, I'm sorry, but she did!"
"I can't believe that I was upstaged by another girl with my own girlfriend!"
"Come on, Josh, it wasn't that bad!"
"You shouted it out so the whole of fucking Gotham heard you!" Josh said loudly and I flinched.
I threw my arms up in the air.
"Okay! I screamed; I couldn't help it!"
"Well, let me see if I can improve on my method..." Josh grinned.
Josh moved forward and I spread my legs open. I closed my eyes and laid back as I felt Josh's fingers gently caress me and then as he came closer, his tongue.
The following morning
Tuesday
Tuesday was to be a very busy day!
"Do we have to go back to school?" Anne-Marie complained over breakfast.
"Yes, you do," I said calmly.
"But we won't know anybody," Danny added.
"You'll know Megan and Curtis will be there by the beginning of next week. They will be there if you need somebody to talk to, or you need help," Dave explained.
Neither child was convinced, but they seemed to accept their fate as they finished eating their cereal.
..._...
After breakfast, Dave and I took the XJR, with the twins, south towards Chicago and the North Park Elementary School.
The kids seemed very apprehensive and clung to either Dave or me as we entered the school. There was a lot of noise, kids laughing, playing and learning. We were welcomed by the Principal, a very pleasant woman. We spent the next hour and a half going through some paperwork and the Principal had a chat with the twins. I felt apprehensive, too, but I had no idea why. After a tour around the school, Anne-Marie and Danny seemed a lot less apprehensive about starting second grade the following morning.
So far, only five people knew who Petra really was: Dave, myself, Josh, Chloe and Erika.
It was now time to widen who knew and to allow somebody else into Fusion. I had spent a good couple of hours talking to Hailee since our return from Gotham. We both agreed that for her to be a part of Fusion meant that all of Fusion needed to know who she was. There was also the issue of her Mother and of Marcus. I had fretted for hours figuring out how to break the news.
Finally, I decided that Hailee and I would both speak to the parents, first.
Early that afternoon
Burnham Marina
Hailee and I persuaded both Marcus and Vicki to meet us at The Salty Swallow.
We cruised a few miles offshore and I turned on our signal jammers ensuring complete privacy. While Dave kept watch from the flying bridge, I sat down with Hailee and the two, somewhat confused, parents in the Main Salon.
"I hate this boat, out of principal!" Marcus moaned.
"I like the name," Vicki commented with a grin, knowing that she was annoying Marcus.
"We have a small announcement to make," I began and Marcus started to groan.
"Problem?" Vicki asked.
"If this is what I think it is…" Marcus moaned. "Then, yeah!"
"Get a grip, old man!" I growled taking a deep breath and then turned to Hailee. "You ready, Petra?"
I saw Marcus brace up and Vicki reach for her pistol. Hailee glared at her mother.
"Yes, I am, Hit Girl!" She replied.
Vicki slumped back, ignoring her gun and Marcus just groaned even more. Vicki was stunned.
"Mom, meet Hit Girl, otherwise known as Mindy Macready."
"Marcus, meet Petra, otherwise known as Hailee Richards, daughter of Vicki."
Marcus turned to Vicki.
"You kept that a secret – not that I can talk!" Marcus commented dryly.
"Can't exactly blame you for having a nutcase for a teenaged daughter, can I, considering I have one, too!"
"I get no respect!" Hailee moaned with a grin.
"I'm used to it – all respect went out the window when I hit puberty," I replied.
"I see you have all been introduced," Dave commented with a broad grin as he came into the salon from the cockpit.
"Hi, Kick-Ass!" Hailee called then grinned fiendishly. "Mom thinks Kick-Ass is hot!"
Vicki blushed at that revelation.
"I think you guys need to meet the rest of the team."
That evening
Safehouse F
The place was heaving with almost everybody who knew about Fusion.
Marty Eisenburg AKA Battle Guy, Joshua Williams AKA Jackal, Chloe Bennett AKA Shadow, Abigail 'Abby' Hunt AKA Hal, Kim Burgess AKA Hawk, Paige Wilson AKA Lynx, along with her daughter, Megan AKA Wildcat, Curtis Bennett AKA Trojan, Kyle Andrews AKA Max, Cathy Bennett AKA Medic, Erika Cho AKA Mist, Tommy Morgan AKA Splinter, along with his parents, Tony and Shannon. Also present were Paul Murphy and Sam Fellowes, not to forget Sophia AKA Eisenhower and Isaac Swanson AKA Dr Gravity.
As we drove in, both Vicki and Hailee were wide-eyed as they saw the underground Safehouse for the first time, Marcus not so much, having seen the place previously. I grinned at seeing everybody together; it was rare! We climbed out of the SUV and made our way onto the mat, everybody was peering down eagerly from above us.
"Fusion! Please welcome our newest member, Hailee Richards, otherwise known as Petra!"
There were several gasps of astonishment and Hailee took a step forward and curtsied for everybody with a broad grin on her face.
"You sure she's Petra?" Megan called down.
"Come and fucking try me, Wildkitty!" Hailee called back. "Mindy's told me all about you!"
Megan scowled and blushed as everybody laughed. Marcus stepped forwards next.
"The very beautiful woman beside me is my second-in-command, Sergeant Vicki Richards who, for her sins, is the mother of Hailee, yet another nutcase teenaged vigilante!" Marcus said. "She has my full sympathies!"
"Vicki, I'm sure you know these two gentlemen," I said, indicating Fellowes and Murphy.
"I do; we need to talk, gentlemen!"
"I like angry women, don't you?" Fellowes quipped to his partner.
"Women are always angry – at least around here!" Murphy replied with a grin.
We all mingled for a drink, introducing themselves. It was great to be able to socialise together. Kim was almost ready to pop, literally, but I missed the twins who were being looked after at home by Sharon Fellowes.
After a while, I called for silence.
"While we are all here, I need to make another announcement."
There was silence as Dave came over and stood beside me; he knew what I was about to say.
"Most of you will be aware that ten of us went to Gotham, but not many of you will know that twelve came back. Dave and I have taken custody of seven-year-old twins, Daniel and Anne-Marie."
There were murmurings from the assembled crowd.
"Details can follow later, but these two kids are not members of Fusion, they will not know about Fusion for as long as I can help it. Nobody here will mention any Fusion identities in front of Daniel or Anne-Marie. The twins will be a part of everyone's lives, but only the public side. It will be difficult, but you are all able to keep secrets. I am not going to put those kids on the same path that I took from six-years-old. By the time I was their age, I was a blooded vigilante; I do not want that for them. The time will come when they will find out what we all do, but until then they are going to have a normal childhood.
"Okay, some of you will ask what I know about a normal childhood; I admit I know absolutely nothing about what a normal childhood is like. I hope that Dave and I can rely on help from all of you. I cannot do this alone..."
I faltered and Dave put his arm around me. Only a small proportion of those there that evening had ever seen me cry, so it was a shock to some.
"Would you believe it; Hit Girl is human!" Josh announced, taking the attention from me. "I think I speak for everybody here, Mindy, in saying that we will all help in any way that we can!"
There was a general murmur of ascent and I nodded my thanks, unable to speak.