"How's it going?" Peter swung next to Jess.

"Hey Peter, it's going well, you?" She set some things up at the table.

"Can't complain," he stretched out, "Hi Gunner," he rubbed the baby's head, "How was your day with Mig little in public?"

"It went really well," she smiled and passed him a slice of cake and a fork,"You should have seen how excited he got at the restaurant."

"Nice!"

"Gonna have you losers over for a game night soon. Since I'm apparently the only one with room enough to contain toddlers, teens and adults."

"Well that's what you get for being a fully functional adult," he happily bit into the cake, giving Mayday some, "What are we going to do about Hobie?"

"I'm going to leave him in a locked room with Miguel. Five minutes is all he needs," she scoffed.

"I was hoping for something a little less lethal," he waved his fork, "This is good."

"I need you to be a chaperone. I'm thinking about taking the kids to this hot chocolate thing happening at the aquarium. Or this indoor playground," she cut a small slice for May so she wouldn't devour Pete's.

"Ok, so there's that. Virgil plans to kidnap me to go to the arcade. Any other plans I should know about?"

"Mj is coming with me to go shopping in three weeks. And I may need you to babysit Miguel in a few weeks."

"Good to know that most of my winter is covered," he shrugged, trying to steal a bite of Mayday's cake and getting yelled at.

"No!" the toddler swatted at his fork.

"Jeeze, not even gonna share one bite," he stuck his tongue out at her.

"I have something in mind for Hobie, by the way," she informed him, "Has he done anything specific as of late?"

"No, not really. Just being obvious," he wiped the frosting from May's face.

"Then he'll enjoy our next activity very much," she shrugged.

"Cake!" Ben pushed the teens aside, running to get his slice, "Cake please?" He gave Jess a big brown eyed smile.

"You're absolutely ridiculous," she shook her head, "I ought to not even give you a piece for that."

"She's fine, Pavitr caught her. Cake please?"

"Here. Pest," Jess handed him a slice.

"Thanks mom," he smiled, tearing into it.

Jess rolled her eyes as the teenagers finally queued for their pieces.

"One each. And you guys have to vote if we're doing the park or aquarium."

"I think the park sounded the most fun," Pav thanked her for the cake, "But it's been a while since I got to see some fish that weren't already cooked."

"Why can't we do both?" Hobie asked.

"We can, but which do you guys want to do first?"

Miles moaned in happiness, enjoying his cake, "Can we do the park? The aquarium would be more fun when it's really cold."

"Alright, so two for the park," she looked to Gwen.

"I'm impartial," she shrugged. Both sounded fun.

"Am I invited?" Ben looked to Jess, pouting.

She rolled her eyes in response, "Yes, you can come."

"Then I vote for park."

"Alright, I guess we're going to the park first," she told Peter.

"Cool, I'm sure May will love it," Peter watched the two babies babble at each other.

"How come you never come up with anything for us to do?" Gwen pointed to Peter.

"Because I'm perpetually broke," he scoffed, "If it's not free, I'm not covering group cost. I am the 'do you have McDonald's money?' Dad."

That got the group chuckling.

"Where's Miguel, anyway?" Pav looked around.

"His dimension," Jess shrugged.

He had been in his dimension the last two weeks. A little concerning, but he had been keeping contact. He also let her know that he was investigating some things. Long as he did it safe as possible. And if she didn't see him by next week she was going to search for him.

X

Miguel held an ice pack to his head as he worked away on his computer. Coming back to this worthless dimension was taxing. There were more than enough heros here, maybe he could retire. Of course he couldn't, it was just a thought that bounced in his head more and more these days.

A quick glance at the calendar. He shook his head, 13 days. Thirteen days since he had been able to see Jess and Virgil. Since he was able to hold GG. He hated this.

It was fine. It wasn't. He spoke to Gabri for a while, which was pleasant. Truth be told, if it wasn't for Gabri he would be able to leave this world. But unfortunately, things still had to be taken care of.

Mig stared at his paperwork, tossing it aside.

"This is stupid!" He growled, slamming his hand down.

"What's wrong Migs?" Lyla sat on his desk, "Missing mommy and daddy?"

He laid his head on the table with a quiet groan.

"Maybe it's time for a breather. Why don't you cuddle Invierno?"

"I'm trying to get work done. The more I get done the more time I can be with them," he pushed himself from the desk to go make coffee.

"You've gotten like almost 2 months worth of work done in a week. I think it's time for a break Miguel."

"Well, maybe I want to get three months worth," he stared at the empty keurig.

The sprite crossed her arms, "Hey, remember what got this whole thing started? I think you've had enough coffee and it's time you had some water."

"Add coffee to the shopping list," he sat back at his desk to continue working.

The screen displayed a lock.

"Lyla. Lyla fix it!"

"Nah, you need a break."

"Fix it please!"

She leaned down, petting his head, "Adding 'please' isn't changing the fact that you're having a fit. And no. You are very fussy right now and you're only getting yourself more worked up. So you need a break."

He stamped his foot in frustration.

"I bet that you would really benefit from a nap if you hadn't already drank your body weight in coffee. But that aside, you still have your dragon and paci."

"I just want to get my work done," he pleaded.

"And I want you to take a break, without me having to call someone over here. Like Jess or Peter. Or Gabri. Bet he would love to come over and lecture you on not taking a break."

Miguel rubbed his temples, "Fine, I'll eat my lunch, then will you let me work? Please?"

"Only if you eat it with Invierno."

"Fine," he sighed, making his way to the kitchen.