"Are we going out now?"

Virgil raised his eyebrows, singing emo music to himself. It was all he could do to avoid annoyance from the same loop of questioning.

"Are we-"

"Bubba," he sang, "If you can't be patient, wait outside my room until I'm ready."

Miguel started to speak.

"Because daddy is getting tired of that question. You've asked me four times in ten minutes," Virgil sang again, pointing to the doorway, "go play with your brother 'til I'm ready."

The giant sulked, but obediently made his way from the nursery to find the baby.

"Did daddy kick you out?" Jess heard Mig enter the room.

"I just want our day to start," he whined, laying on the floor, "He promised and he's taking so long."

She nodded, listening to him lament about how unfair it was that Virgil was taking more than five minutes to be ready.

"What time is your appointment?"

The interruption caused temporary pause, "It should be 9:30."

"So what time is it?"

A glance at the calico critters clock in GG's room revealed the time to be 8:28am. They had breakfast not too long ago, so it was obviously still rather early.

"Well…it felt later than it is," Miguel mumbled, using his feet to raise his baby brother in the air.

"No, pumpkin, don't do that so soon after he ate," Jess chided, putting Gunners laundry away, "We don't want him sick."

"Sorry," he set Gunner back on the floor, much to the toddler's dismay.

"Why don't you play blocks with him until daddy is ready?"

He nodded, pulling out the little giraffe toy and the shape toys, letting the toddler happily figure out which piece goes where, then aggressively shove blocks into the face of the giraffe. Then clap with joy at the sounds it played.

"What are you doing? You got a square Gunner?" Miguel smiled as the baby handed him a shape, "Oh, thank you! I love triangles!" He pretended to have trouble figuring out which slot it fit into.

"Ok," Virgil leaned in the room, "Oh, looks like you're already having fun, guess I can just go watch Power Rangers," he turned, hearing Miguel power after him.

"No, I'm ready!"

"Are you?" He rested his bearded chin on his index finger, inspecting his son, "Hmm…I guess we'll still go, since you're ready," he reached out and squeezed his chin.

"Dada!" Gunner ran over for a hug.

"Alright, Sweetheart," he carried the baby back to his wife, pulling her into a kiss, "Make me work for my love, huh?"

Jess gently pulled his ponytail, giving him another kiss, "Gotta make sure you want it."

"Oh, I do," he playfully bit her neck, "I'll have to play with you later," he gave Gunner a smooch, "Bye, little boy."

Mig rushed over, lifting Jess off her feet in a goodbye hug, "Bye, have fun at your spa day," he gave her a kiss, before giving Gunner one too.

"Will do. Have fun with daddy," she took the baby as Miguel rushed himself and Virgil down the stairs and out the door, "Don't forget the bag!"

X

The retired hero winced at how loud his adopted son's session was.

"You ok, Bubs?"

Miguel quietly moaned, nodding as the woman climbed on top of him.

"Feel good?"

"Yes…" he nodded again.

"Just relax," the woman told him. With a twist a loud series of crackles reverberated through the room.

Miguel gripped the table and curled his toes, releasing a shake sigh, "Thank you…"

Virgil covered a laugh, texting Jess that he sounded like he was really enjoying his session.

"A lot of tension in your spine and neck," she climbed down, "I'm going to have you lay on your side again."

"He doesn't have the best posture. Not to mention he does the whole crime fighting thing."

"I figured as much when you sprung for the superhero package," a loud snap and more sounds of relief, "Probably a good idea to have him come see me more regularly."

"Most likely."

X

"Told you you would enjoy the chiropractor," Virgil teased Miguel.

"Mmhm" he nodded, eyes closed as he sucked his paci.

"Feel loosey goosey?

"Mmhm."

The giant had expected it to hurt or just be pseudoscience, but the proof was in the pudding. His body hadn't felt this loose and relaxed in so, so long.

"Good, I think that's a pretty good start to our day," he chuckled, driving off to their second destination.

X

Jess spun the little jack-in-the-box inspired toy, "Ohhh, what is it? What's it gonna be?"

Gunner bounced in excitement, waving his hands about as he watched mommy play with his toy. He had seen the lion pop out of it a million times, but he still scream giggled when it happened again.

"You want to do it again? Or you want to go push your truck?" She watched as he leaned over, trying to push the lion down, "OK, we'll do it again."

The doorbell rang as Jess began spinning, "You spin, let me see who that is," she handed him the little toy before checking the door, "Hey Hobie, what brings you by?"

"Hi ma, how are you today?" The rocker slid his way in, "Can Miguel play?"

"I'm doing good, thanks. Sorry, Miguel is out with his daddy today."

Punk deflated some at the realization. Miguel was his only friend who didn't have school and even he was busy.

"What's wrong, pouty?" She rubbed his back, "You bored with your Nan?"

"She's playing bridge with her friends. I don't want to play that," he sulked, "Can I play with Gunner?"

"He's going to his grandpa in an hour, but you can play with him until it's time to go."

That didn't make him feel any better.

Jess pulled him into a hug, "You feeling lonely?" he nodded against her shoulder, "Well I'm taking my mother-in-law out and we're getting our nails done. Do you want to come with us?"

"Please? I promise I'll be good."

"Ok, that's fine. Go play with GG until its time to go." She rubbed his back, sending him off to join her baby in the playpen.

Gunner was more than happy to have another playmate to push a car with.