What's in a Name

AN: This isn't what the Father's Day chapter was supposed to be. It was supposed to be about Eli, Krel, and Flip. But my sister and I got talking and I started to think about doing it and I wrote this chapter to help me calm down. Terron-Pepperjack family chapter will be out later.

Otto gently pushed open the door to his sons' room. Eli was sitting on the edge of his bed. The Eternal Night had only been a few days ago and it had taken most of that time to get the room re-arranged for both boys. Another bed, another desk, figuring out where to put Eli's clothes. It was a tight squeeze. But they were making it work. The boys were able to share their games, they shared many interests and watched most of the same movies.

"Is somezing wrong, Eli?" He asked, "Barchen, said you vvanted talk to me about somezing?"

Eli nodded and shuffled in his seat. Otto simply sat on the chair from his desk and wait for Eli to speak. He opened and closed his mouth a few times before hanging his head. Otto felt his own heart rate pick up. Why would Eli just want to talk to him? Was something actually wrong? Had he done something wrong?

"Do...Do you remember when I first asked if I could call you Papa?" Eli whispered.

Otto smiled and nodded, trying his best to keep his voice from shaking. "I do. I had no idea you knew ze truz about your mama at ze time."

"Papa, will you adopt me."

His heart stopped. The room was silent. Sure, Nana had asked him to adopt Toby and he'd asked Mary if he could adopt her. But no one had ever asked him to adopt them before. Of course he wanted to but how do you even respond to the question?

"H-He already doesn't have any rights to me. Mama made sure of that. And you've always been my Papa, even when you were "Onkel O"..."

Eli's big brown eyes met Otto's and he had to remind himself to breath. He had to answer.

"I-If you vvant me to," He choked out, "But-But you know zat I see you as my son no mater vvhat. Right?"

"I know." Eli shifted again and leaned forward, "But I want to make it official. I want you to really be my Papa."

Otto's throat tightened, "Ok. Ok. Vve can do zat."

Eli smiled and he couldn't help but smile back. He moved to sit next to him on the bed and pulled his son into a tight hug. Eli happily tucked his head under Otto's chin and nuzzled closer. Then, his shoulders dropped and he pushed back.

"Eli? Is somezing wrong?" Otto asked, letting him go.

"I...I still want to keep my name though. Is that ok?" He looked up at his father. "It's just that it was Mama's maiden name and, despite all she did, Tanta Maranda did keep the name Mama gave me."(1)

Otto smiled this time, "Zat's perfectly fine. You don't have to explain. Your name is yours. I changed Toby's because Nana asked me to. Und Mary asked to change hers. If you vvant to stay Eli Pepperjack, zen you stay Eli Pepperjack. You are still every bit my son."

Eli's smile returned and he nuzzled back into Otto's chest. Otto buried his nose in Eli's hair, content to stay here as long as they both needed.

LLB

1) This is also why Eli and Krel hyphenated their names when they got married and why they are, so far, the only members of the Changling Families to do so.