"So, Mei was okay when you dropped her off, she wasn't upset or crying." Maria heard Shadow asking.

"Not crying, but she was very quiet, and shy. She's like you, which is cute." Maria replied.

"Awwww she's a lil introvert just like Shadow. She just needs to find her Maria." Gerald told them.

It was mid-morning and Shadow had returned from Gotham surprised Gerald was here, but they were having coffee in the kitchen but Maria had tended to Shadow's injuries knowing Mei would worry seeing even though he'd explained to her, owies sometimes were part of being a hero which Gerald smiled at. "I'm proud of you my boy, as you're fulfilling the purpose I had in mind for you." Gerald told him making Shadow surprised by this making Maria smirk as she knew he was shy likecMei.

"T-Thanks creator, and hope Mei's having a good first day at preschool." Shadow toldhim making Maria sighing, knowing he still felt awkward around Gerald but Mei saw Gerald as her grandpa which was good. "It's okay Maria he'll say it when he's ready." Gerald told her.

"Maria, somebody's teacher is on the phone." Shadow said making Maria sigh.

"I hope it's nothing bad, or Mei's not in danger." Gerald told him.

He knew Shadow was very protective of Mei since he'd entrusted her to him and Maria which was a good thing from what he saw, seeing Maria joining them, saying some kids had seen Mei's wings and had been bothering her making Shadiw protective clenching his paws into fists making Maria put a paw on his shoulder to calm him as his daddy claws were coming out.

"We have to go to Mei's school, Shadow." Maria told him.

She and Shadow were leaving with Gerald but Mei was in time out hugging something in her brown-furred arms making shadow curious along with Maria as the teacher was explaining what had happened seeing Mei come over, after time out. "It's a feeling pillow daddy, we made them this morning." Mei told him. His eyes widened seeing the art as itvwas him as a superhero smirking along with Gerald and Maria making Shadow blush at this.

"Daddy is a hero, he kicks bad guy butt using his powers and his wings." Mei said softly.

Gerald smirked at her words but the teacher was suggesting Mei go home early, and reset making Maria guess this was a good idea seeingvMei get her backpack but holding onto her feeling pillow as she felt Shadow grab her paw as they were leaving the school.

At hone, Maria was making lunch but Gerald was deciding to move in with them making Mei excited but Shadow quiet as Maria knew it was a good idea noticing Mei was hugging her stuffie of her dad noticing it was wearing a bat cape majingvShadow guess she'd did that at school making Mei nod. "Uh-huh, sorry I let you and mommy down. The other cubs were mean to me." Mei said to him. "You didn't honey, it was the other kids but we'll work on it." Maria told her.

Mei smiled as she had a loose fang making them excited and her confused, until Maria explained makingvMei excited but Shadow was curious hearing Mei yawning guessing it was naptime seeing her nodding and Gerald was taking her to her room withbMaria making Shadow smile seeing Mei's feeling pillow on the couch picking it up hugging it unaware Gerald and Maria were exchanging a look. "Why the look, as Mei forgot to take it to her room with her." Shadow asked them.

"I don't think it's not just because Mei forgot to take it, you're flattered by it." Maria told him.

"I guess, but Mei likes me being a hero." Shadow told her making Gerald smirk at this as he knew that he and Shadow needed to bond as Maria was making a snack for Mei when she woke up which Gerald thought sweet.