Barda never knew her mother. In fact, as far as she knew, she basically plopped into existence right in front of Granny Goodness' orphanage and from then on, for who-knows-how-many millennia, life was complete and utter hell.

So the concept of 'Mother's Day' wasn't something she could get the hang of. An entire day celebrating your mother, biological or otherwise? It just wasn't something she could relate to.

But Scott could.

Eons ago, Apokolips and New Genesis' conflict was growing to the point where it would tear apart the fabric of reality if continued. So Metron convinced Highfather and Darkseid of a treaty… a treaty that involved swapping their recent newborns.

Orion was in Highfather's care. Scott in Darkseid's grip. A cruel arrangement that, in hindsight, felt like Darkseid purposely twisted the treaty just to know that Highfather would live with the shame of this act for eternity.

Scott understood Highfather had no real choice, let alone his mother, but it still soured his perception of them. Even during his wedding with his beloved, he rarely spoke to them at all during the party.

Yet here they were on New Genesis. The palace doors emit the energy one would expect from the orphanage, not a paradise like this world.

Scott sighed.

Barda took note, "You sure you wanna do this?"

He nodded, "Yeah. I do.

He initially didn't want to do this holiday. He wanted to do Star Wars Day or Cinco de Mayo. But a recent conversation with Orion following his official induction into the League changed his mind.

The Watchtower, a few days earlier…

"Why should I talk to them!?" Scott spat, his fist against the window overlooking Earth, "Because of them, I had to live through that hell!"

"It wasn't their fault-" Orion attempted to say before Scott interrupted him.

"And yet, they did it!"

The Dog of War was taken aback by his brother's anger. It was the same anger he himself has constantly tried to suppress all his life. He sighed, taking off his helmet and revealing both the rest of his face and his red hair. "Scott…" He spoke, leaning against the glass, "I can't say I know what it was like to live there. But I share a similar frustration with Highfather and Avia."

Scott listened as Orion continued, "All my life I knew I wasn't really their son," He grimaced, "Their constant mood swings when I entered the same room with them would always remind me of it. And for the longest time, I truly believed I could never make them happy."

He looked at the reflection of his helm, staring into his own eyes, "I began to believe that I, the son of the greatest evil of the multiverse, was always just a replacement to them." He sighed, closing his eyes in sorrow, "But one day, after a notable bout of anger that I'd rather not elaborate on, I had a talk with them and… Well, I let out a millennia worth of frustration onto them."

Orion paused, something Scott noticed. The god of war continued, "But since then… we've been more open with each other." He then formed a small smile, "We talk to each other more, we care for each other more. For the first time in ages, I truly felt like I was in a family. Adoptive or otherwise. "

He turned to his brother, "Even if, there will always be that feeling that you don't belong."

Scott's dour expression remained unchanged. Orion put a hand on his shoulder, "I won't pretend that the wound may never fully heal, I know what that's like. But believe me, Scott, don't let the wound fester and boil until it becomes necrotic. It isn't too late."

Scott's face became neutral before he shrugged, "Well… I guess if a grump like you can do it…"

Orion smiled. "That's the spirit, brother."

Now…

Scott took in a deep breath and knocked on the doors to the palace.

For a few seconds, there was silence.

But then they creaked wide and open.

No one was there. Automated. Of course.

He took another sigh, taking his wife's arm in his own as they walked into what they assumed was the entrance to the main house. It was obviously their first time coming here.

After what felt like half an hour wandering the palace, they found Avia staring out at Supertown from her view on the balcony. The afternoon sun had moved just enough to start giving the city a faint orange glow. One that would become more prominent as the minutes rolled by.

She then turned to face them, as if she was already expecting them, "Scott…" she whispered before rushing towards him with her arms outstretched, immediately wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace.

Both stood there before raising his arms to hug her back. Instantly, the anxiety slowly went away and a small smile crept on his face. "Hello, mother…" he whispered.

"Oh, Scott…" Avia muttered, her face buried in his shoulder, tears already rolling down her eyes and staining his uniform.

The talk between them took exceptionally long. Even Barda failed to notice the time that passed. The twilight was passing already, giving the city a purple brush over its mighty canvas.

Almost every detail and lost thing was shared between them. Down to the last menial chore.

"I know you wanted your father here, too," Avion said, regret in her voice, "But he's been on a diplomatic mission with the Bugs."

"Yes, the surface dwellers beneath our city…" Scott said, trying to remember a home he never lived in, "Hope that goes well."

"If the Source wills it."

Scott thinned his lips a bit. He was a bit miffed his father could not be here, but that was also ok since he wanted to ease into this a bit. "Mother, I…"

He paused, not knowing what to say. "I… I want you to know that we're doing ok. I know I've said it a few times by now, but we're really doing ok."

He clasped his wife's hand, "Just living a happy life of a superhero. What more can I ask for?"

Barda didn't say much throughout the conversation. She felt this was between her husband and her mother-in-law. But she did concur with Scott's words. Everything was going ok.

Avion shed a few more tears. She never failed to do so whenever he said it. It was all she really needed to hear.

After all the eons of nightmares, she knew her son was going to be ok.