Visiting

After a few minutes, there is a knock on my door. I stand up with Luckus still in my arms as I open up my office door. Everett was waiting behind the door.

"Are you ready to go, Mallvack?"

"Yes, I am."

Everett nods his head slightly and starts walking out of the base. Luckus stays holding onto me as I follow behind Everett. As we walk out Luckus points at different rooms. I tell him about them and some of the people that work in them.

When we get outside, Luckus covers his eyes. I chuckle slightly.

"It's bright out, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is but I guess that could be from being inside for... Wait, how many days has it been?"

"It's been two days since you woke up, kiddo."

"I thought it was longer."

"That can happen when you are healing and can't do much, even if you do have some unnatural help with your healing."

After a few seconds of silence, Luckus speaks again.

"Can I run around for a little bit?"

I smile at him. "Of course." I set Luckus down.

Luckus starts running around, just enjoying himself while he can. I smile slightly as I watch him. Everett soon starts a conversion with me. We talk about how our lives have been and Everett tells me how Hope has been doing. Hope is in school, she is 7 years old and she is such a sweet girl.

After a few minutes, I call Luckus over and we continued our walk to Everett's place. We all talk a little bit as we walk. He lives in a small apartment as it's just him and his daughter, with a babysitter that takes care of Hope while Everett works. Everett could afford more but he sees no reason to when his apartment does the job just fine. The babysitter he has is a teenager that is one of his neighbors' kids that he pays $10 an hour.

As we enter, Hope hugs Everett's leg. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. She's a little short for her age but that has never affected her.

"Hi honey. Dad brought your favorite uncle and a friend for you."

Hope looks over at me and Luckus. She starts jumping up and down. "Uncle M." Hope hugs my leg. I lean down so I can pick her up. I hold Hope close so she doesn't fall as she starts to play with my hair.

Lukus looks at me and Hope, a little confused as Everett goes to talk with the babysitter.

"I thought you said that Everett has a son."

"No, I didn't but you probably heard me calling her little dude."

"I did, which is why I expected a boy."

"Sorry about that. I have always called her "little dude" as a gender neutral kind of thing."

"That makes more sense."

"Why don't you and Hope go play in her room to play while me and Everett talk?"

Lukus nods his head. Hope gets really happy.

"Yay, new friend."

Hope and Lukus head into Hope's room to play. I can hear them talking. Hope is probably asking Lukus a lot of questions about himself.

I look over at Everett. Everett is paying the babysitter as he's thanking the babysitter for his time. Once the babysitter leaves, I walk over to Everett.

"The kiddos are in the little man's room playing."

"Thank you for doing that."

"Of course. After all, our kids should have a good relationship with each other since we are so close."

"So you accept Lukus as your kid?"

"Yes, I do. He is a good kid and he needs a real parent. I know I won't be the best but I am clearly better than his real mother and his father is dead so I can easily beat that."

"You killed his dad."

"I know and he knows."

"And he still is okay with you being his new father?"

"Apparently. I brought that up too but he didn't seem to care about that fact."

"Wow. He must really like you as a dad then."

"Seems like it. Exactly after he called me dad."

"When did he call you dad?"

"A few minutes before you came into my office."

"Today?"

"Yes."

"I don't believe you."

"Well you have too because it is the truth."

"Well it is official, my best friend is a dad to more than just my kid."

"Your kiddo calls me uncle, not dad."

"You can't let me just have that?"

"No. Plus, I have a real kid now."

"Well, if you need any help with him, I am here for you."

"I know."

After a few seconds, Everett speaks again.

"So what about his sister?"

"What about her?"

"Are you going to adopt her too?"

"I haven't thought about that but I guess I could but she seems happy with her mom."

"You could see if she really is or not."

"Just because I can doesn't mean I should."

"How do you want all the power you can and yet you have a moral compass?"

"Because my moral compass isn't the 'normal' compass."

"Well, I know that."

"Then why did you ask?"

"Because your moral compass is everywhere. It's hard to tell what you are for and what you are against."

"I know it is but everything depends on the situation. What I would do one time is different than another."

"You can be so confusing sometimes."

"I know, but it works for me and then it'll be harder to figure out what I am going to do next."

"This is why you are the boss."

"I also own and made the entire place."

"Ya, ya, ya. I know."

We both chuckled slightly.

"How about I make us something to eat and sit down on the couch?"

"Let me. You do a lot for me to begin with."

"Thank you."

Everett sits down while I head into the kitchen. I make us both ham and cheese sandwiches. I make two others for the kids, but I leave them in the fridge. I came out of the kitchen after a few minutes. I hand Everett one of the sandwiches and I sit down as I start eating mine.

After almost an hour of talking, Everett gets up to make dinner for everyone. With Everett now in the kitchen I realize how quiet it is. I head into Hope's room to make sure the kids are alright. When I open the door, Hope tries to close the door on me. I let her close the door as I back up.

"Kiddos. What are you guys doing in there?"

"It's a surprise. You can't know." I hear Hope yell, a little annoyed that I dare to interrupt them.

I chuckle slightly when I hear the answer. "Okay. I'm sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to make sure you guys are good in there."

"We are. Now go. We are very busy and we don't need any more interruptions."

"Alright. I am leaving." As I speak, I walk away.

I can hear Lukus giggle slightly, probably because a 7 year old is bossing around a villain that has killed hundreds and that said villain is actually listening.