#''that thing is not my son'' says man currently watching thing's antics with the 'bemused dad' arms crossed pose. yeah ok buddy.

[beatcroc]

there's no way the bathroom at peppino's pizza is actually that big but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ . hey ummm anyway.... i care them...... anyway there's a lil ramble on my take on fake pep's like psyche or whatever in tags on the og post if ur into that kinda thing :y

hey! it's a series! fake peppino world tour: [noise] [noisette] [peppino]<- u are here [gustavo] [gerome] [noisette again]

[things-we-used-tc-share]

Flowers

Logan works at a flower shop, when his best friend Roman begs him to take on his brother, Patton, Logan reluctantly agrees, but now he’s so glad that he did. (Logicality AND Prinxiety)

--

“Please,” Roman’s wide brown eyes are blinking furiously, lips pulled into a  pout “You need some extra help in the shop and he really needs a job, he’s good with flowers!” Logan exhales in an irritated fashion, the palm of his hand holding his face as he shook his head again. “Logan please, he’s got a kid, and he’s really struggling to make ends meet, it would save his life,” The elder man really wants to give his usual tirade on ‘emotional blackmail’ every time Roman flutters his eyelashes, but instead he just throws his hands in the air in defeat. 

“Okay, fine,” He sighs as Roman begins to jump up and down with excitement “But this is the last favor you ask of me Roman Sanders I swear to any deity out there,” Roman doesn’t really appear to be listening as he pulls his phone out his pocket, Logan can hear it ringing, his piercing azure eyes staring scrutinously into his friend’s face. 

“Patton? Hey yeah, I found you a job!” They both wince at the overjoyed squeal from the other end of the line, “Tomorrow morning, at...?” He looks over at the taller man who mouths the words ‘half 8,’ “Half 8 Patton, yeah, I’ll text you the address, yeah, good, see you tomorrow when your shift ends, it’s no problem, it’s Logan you’ll need to thank, you’ll meet him tomorrow, I love you too, bye!” 

Roman beams at Logan. Logan rolls his eyes. 

--

“Morning Virgil, how is everything?” Logan’s only other employer, a young man with dark purple hair and enough eyeliner to fuel a pop-punk band from 2005, grins at his boss with a thumbs up. 

“Everything’s sorted boss, thought I’d get in early, couldn’t sleep again last night so I arranged all the new stock and sorted the outside display,” Logan smiles fondly at the man, whose left hand was burrowed deep into his hoodie pocket whilst the right held a cup of coffee firmly. 

“We’re going to have someone new joining us today, so if you wish to leave early to attempt a good night’s sleep just let me know, i can’t have you passing out into any of the vases,” Virgil chuckles lightly, sipping the coffee as he nods. 

“You got it, boss, I’m glad you finally hired someone else though, you were working yourself to death trying to do seventy different jobs at once,” The brunet shrugs in response, pouring himself a cup of coffee there’s a concentrated look on his face. “Okay, I now that look, that’s your ‘I really don’t want this’ look, I get it L you like things to be done in a certain way always, and I get you might be worried about having another person here because you won’t have control over the tasks you set them, but constantly trying to do everything yourself is not helpful, to yourself or to me,”

“I know, Virgil, I’m very aware of my inability to sacrifice control, but this shop is all of my work, my entire life, I have a right to be protective over it,” Virgil nods silently, he goes to speak but a knock on the door silences any words that are about to leave his mouth. “Come in,” Logan calls.

Neither of them was quite prepared for the literal sunshine that walked through the door, a wide yet shy smile plastered on his face. Logan almost took a step back at the man, who was wearing a pastel sweater rolled up to the elbow, a white shirt, and black skinny jeans. His hair was dyed a dark blue, pulled back from his face. Logan could see the resemblance of Roman in him, same nose and face shape, same light brown eyes; but this man carried himself a whole lot different compared to his extravagant, attention drawing brother. 

“Hey, I’m Patton, I’m here for...the job?” His cheeks flush slightly red and Logan can’t help but feel the corners of his lip tilt upwards. His voice was soft, comforting, suddenly Logan can’t quite remember how to talk, giving a bemused smile, Virgil fills in for him. 

“That’s Logan, he’s the boss, and I’m Virgil, I’m the person that helps look after the plants, keep them watered and change the pots if they need it, I’m also technically the cleaner, kinda like a handyman I guess, nice to meet you, Patton,,” He walks closer and holds his hand out for the other to shake. With a wide smile, Patton shakes it. 

“Nice to meet you Virgil, and you Logan, so what do I have to do?” Logan snaps out of whatever confusion his head was currently going through, clearing his throat and gesturing for the other to come further in, going behind the counter to pull out an employee badge. 

“You’ll deal with the customers, do you know much about flowers, their language, how to care for them?” Patton nods with enthusiasm “Okay well you’ll deal with any questions the customer has, take their order and such, if the phone rings let me know and I’ll answer it, for now just focus on the people that come into the shop,” He offers a somewhat awkward smile as the other nods, taking the employee badge and moving behind the counter. “Do you know who to use a cash register?” Another nod, Patton is not quite wanting to interrupt Logan for too long “Okay good, then you’re all set, I’ll be in the back sorting out flower arrangements for a wedding should you need me,” 

With that the elder walks away, hands in his coat pocket, Virgil, who is still drinking his cup of tea, takes in Patton’s wide, blinking eyes and the blush on his face. “I know, he’s one coll, tall glass of water, you’ll get used to it,” The boy places his empty cup of coffee in the sink behind the counter “Coffee machine is there, believe me, you’ll need it,” And then he’s walking away too, leaving Patton alone to his devices. 

--

At the end of the day, as Logan is closing up shop, Patton by his side and Virgil with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, they are accosted by Roman, who is balancing a small child on his hip. “Hey Patton, Logan, and especially hello to you Virgil,” The purple haired boy resists the urge to blow smoke in the others face, only because of the child he is holding. “Look, James, it’s daddy!” The little child, who looked no older than three is already giving grabby hands to his father, Patton more than happily receives his son, his smile reaching the widest it had all day. Even Virgil can’t really resist smiling at the heartwarming display. “We’re going to get ice cream would you two like to join, my treat?” 

Virgil exhales slowly, shifting away from Patton and the child in wariness of getting smoke near him. “Sure, if you’re paying, I’ll have the most expensive thing on the menu,” if it were a normal person, so not Roman, they would be upset but the younger Sanders brother only beams. “So will Logan,” Logan snorts and shakes his head, turning his attention to Patton as the other two started to bicker. 

“How old is he?” He asks, holding out a hand for the small child to grab. Immediately he began to giggle, his tiny hand wrapping around Logan’s fingers, blue eyes warm with childish innocence. A small smile crosses the man’s face, he did not particularly like nor dislike children, settling on an indifference, but this child in particular he knew had an important part to play in Roman and Patton’s lives. 

He’d had the story explained to him before, Patton was a single father after his fiancee had left him with next to nothing and a child that was his everything. Roman had talked about Patton and James a lot, Roman’s work often had him working from home and he was pretty much a permanent babysitter, not that he minded. Roman loved children or really anyone that found him hilarious, so mostly children. 

“He’s three, old enough to shout a lot and make as much mess as possible,” Patton says endearingly, smiling up at the taller man, it might be the first time he’d seen Logan truly smile today. It really was a gorgeous smile. 

The four (and a half) of them head down to the ice cream parlor, taking seats in one of the booths as James becomes fascinated with a coloring in sheet and crayons that are laid out at each table. “Just a vanilla please Roman,” Logan says once they’re seated, whilst Virgil lists the different flavors and toppings he wants. Patton was rather unfamiliar with Virgil’s antics, but both Roman and Logan knew he wasn’t going to eat it all, even if he was hungry, just to spite Roman. 

Sometimes it’s hilarious to watch Virgil play hard to get with Roman, sometimes it’s just sad. Logan watches the other and the expression on his face when he thinks everyone’s too preoccupied with something else to realize he’s upset. In truth, Virgil had confessed to his boss and friend that he did have feelings for Roman, on a drunken night after a bad breakup, “I just think he’s too good for me, he’s too nice, and he’s wonderful,” He’d hiccuped through tears and a bottle of Prosecco “And I’m just a trainwreck,” Logan hadn’t really known what to say, except that Roman clearly had feelings for Virgil. The purple haired boy insisted it would go away and die down, but three years later the flamboyant young man was still chasing his teenage dream. 

Patton notices the distant look crossing Logan’s face and taps him on the shoulder “Hey are you okay?” The taller nods, looking over at the young man and the child on his knee trying his hardest to create a  masterpiece. “Woah James that’s amazing!” The child giggles and nods, Logan chuckles, his attention diverting to the sound of Roman returning. 

Their ice cream doesn’t take long to arrive and Pattons pends more time trying to eat over James than actually eating. “Would you like me to take him for a bit? I’ve finished mine,” Logan finally says as Patton’s spoon is once again interrupted by a tiny hand, the younger man looks over. 

“Would you mind?” He says with a sigh, Logan shakes his head “James, would you mind going to Logan whilst I eat my food? You can still color,” The child, decidedly did not mind as long as he can keep coloring as Logan sits him on his lap. He’s never actually been this close to a child in his life and finds that children are a lot heavier than they look, he watches the child try to color, producing what he’s sure the child is extremely proud of as the paper is shoved into his face. Roman laughs as the flower shop owner rubbed his forehead.

“That’s...wonderful, well done,” He says, slightly stiffly as he tries to recall exactly how one interacts with children. James seemed more than happy with the response

“Fank u Mister Logan!” He says giddily and somewhere in Logan’s cold, cold heart, he feels something between happiness and envy. He's never really wanted children, until he witnessed this three-year-old coloring and eating ice cream at the same time, enthralled by the concept of crayons and color and the fact that ice cream can have more than one flavor. 

Roman is somewhat impressed with Logan’s children skills, it was rare that even he saw his best friend so relaxed and comfortable and expressing emotion so openly. He lets out a sigh as he watches the two, shoveling ice cream into his mouth, he loves Patton and James to bits, but with the rate, his love life was going, a child was something he’s unlikely to get. 

They all head out when Patton and Roman had finished, as predicted, Virgil’s ice cream was somewhat untouched, maybe a spoonful had been taken out of it. “I’ll see you tomorrow Virgil, Patton,” Logan says “And knowing you Roman I’ll see you whether I want too or not,” There’s a friendly smile on his lips as he says this, waving off his friends before setting off home. 

--

The first couple of weeks run smoothly, Patton is very and obviously infatuated with Logan, who is so invested in his work he barely notices. Always happy for gossip, Virgil had definitely noticed as he sits on the counter with a  cup of coffee and a sly grin on his lips. “So you fancy Logan, right?” Patton choked on his tea, eyes wide with instant panic mode, shaking his head “Oh come on, you’re a Sanders I can tell when you’re hopelessly infatuated with someone, I’ve been staring at Roman’s face for long enough to know what it looks like,” Patton’s cheeks are bright red “I’m not going to tell him, don’t worry, but honestly I’ve never seen anyone stare at another person without blinking for five whole minutes, it’s impressive really,” He laughs and takes a long drink of his coffee “You should tell him though, he’s lonely, I can tell, high maintenance and hard to love, but an alright guy really,”

Patton doesn’t think Logan’s hard to love at all. A little cold, yes, but not hard to love. Not with those bright cerulean eyes and the soft moments of emotion that makes everyone in the room smile just a little more.  “What about you and Roman?” Patton says finally, taking another sip of his tea. “He’s been chasing you since he’s known you, I know that because I remember the night he first met you, would not stop talking about a dark and broody angel, he’d never sounded so happy to meet someone in his life,”

Virgil goes very quiet, he places the coffee cup down on the table and looks down at his hands “Me and Roman just wouldn’t work out, he’s too...him, and I’m too me, he deserves someone who can actually make him happy,”

“I hate to be the one that breaks it to you Virgil, but you make him the happiest I’ve ever seen him, no matter how many times you bite back at him I don’t think that’s ever going to change, you should talk to him, I’m serious, at least give it a try if you feel the same way,” Patton’s voice and eyes are so soft, understanding, he’s looked heartbreak straight in the face before, he doesn’t want his brother or his new friend to feel the same way. “And if it’s any consolation, after all these years of hearing about you constantly, I’m happy to say you’re quite as wonderful as he says you are, you just haven’t seen it yet and maybe he can help you with that,” Their conversation is cut short by Logan entering the room, looking tired with dirt on his face. 

“Well that’s the last of those done, is everyone else having a coffee break, I’m the boss and yet I’m always the last to know,” Virgil chuckles and drains the rest of his drink. 

“I need to tidy up the garden, but you two have a nice rest, see you guys later,” The remaining two watch Virgil leave before Logan heads over to the coffee machine and Patton opens up his book.  

--

Teaching Patton how to wrap flowers may be the best and worst idea Logan may have ever had, he thinks with the others back pressed against his chest and hands clasped around the smaller man’s, guiding them to tying a ribbon around the cut stems. He can feel the other’s warmth, and his hands feel so soft in his own, for a moment he thinks he may not be breathing at all as they finish tying it. “And then it’s just like that, do you think you can handle doing that yourself?” Patton seems to take a deep breath as he turns around. Logan is very painfully aware of how close the other is, his face looking up into what feels like the elder’s soul. He goes to step back but Patton catches his hands in his own. 

A brief smile pulls at his lips, eyes questioning as he remains still. “I might need another demonstration,” The younger’s voice sounds rough, catching in his throat whilst his cheeks flushed red. The closeness is completely unbearable as one of Logan’s hands move to rest on Patton’s waist. 

“I’m more than happy to provide,” It’s all he gets out of his mouth before he’s leaning down, Patton stands on his tiptoes to reach the other halfway, their lips pressed together, parting as their hands pull each other closer. Logan feels like he might be losing his mind, surrounded by all these flowers and yet this right here is the freshest air he’s ever breathed. He’s not sure where he ends and Patton begins, he doesn’t want to know either. Pulling each other as close as possible, the florist has never felt so much at once in his life. 

Virgil enters the room, and opens his mouth to talk before the display in front of him actually sinks in “Jesus guys not in front of the fuschias,” He snorts, shaking his head as they pull apart, blushing furiously “Roman’s here and we closed fifteen minutes ago, should I tell him...this?”

“No, please don’t,” Patton rushes out, Logan looks a little affronted “I want to be the one that tells him, otherwise it might come across like I was keeping a secret from him,” Virgil nods and the eldest relaxes, his hand resting against Patton’s, who smiles gently. 

“Understood,” He gives a short two-finger salute and the two hear him shout “They’re just tidying up,” The two laugh gently as it’s also followed by ���James, that’s not edible,” 

“We should go before James eats all our flowers,” Logan says firmly, cheeks still a little red and a smile fixed on his face, “I’ll just grab my jacket, are we getting ice cream again tonight?” 

“If Roman has his way, I would assume so,” 

The two of them head through to the main section, trying desperately not to grab the other’s hand. Patton picks up James as Logan leans against the counter, keys in his hand whilst smiling at the two, Roman pulls funny faces at the child who is dissolving in his own laughter. Virgil leans next to Logan “I’m happy for you bud, I’m tired of seeing you mope around all the time, I hope this works out for you,” There’s sadness in his eyes despite the happiness in his words, and Logan can tell by the way his dark brown eyes stare at Roman that he was the cause. He doesn’t say anything, he doesn’t know what to say, so he squeezes Virgil’s shoulder in time for James to exclaim his want for ice cream. 

Outside as the shutters go down over the shop, Virgil looks between the others and says gently “I think I’m just going to head home,” He steps back, eyes on the floor and hands buried in his pockets. “I’m not really in the mood for ice cream,” Roman’s face falls, and he steps towards Virgil “Roman, don’t,” He sounds panicked, his breathing slightly uneven. 

“Logan, Patton, I’ll meet you there, I need to talk to Virgil,” the two of them nod and Logan takes James’ right hand and Patton takes the other as the child insists in between shouts that he can walk (He makes it about five steps before wanting to be picked up again). 

“Why are you doing this?” The purple haired boy says exasperated, hands clenched and jaw set firmly “Why haven’t you give up yet,” He wants to sound angry, stern, he wants to be pissed off at Roman but instead there are tears in his eyes “You were supposed to have given up by now, moved on,” 

“Because Virgil,” Roman steps closer and takes his shaking hand, eyes averting to Virgil’s and then away again, inhaling slowly before exhaling again “I love you, I love you so much, and I’m holding onto the hope that one day you love me too,” His voice shakes just a little, all the confidence in the world that this man usually carried had melted away to reveal a shy, vulnerable man, opening his soul for a boy that he doesn’t even know loves him back. 

“You shouldn’t, I’m not...goddamit Roman you deserve better,” But the cracks had already produced themselves and he was melting against them, into Roman, drawing him closer to hold him. “You deserve better,” He’s crying, his tears and his soul are almost one as they both melt into the arms of a man he’s loved for years. Virgil sounds almost desperate as he keeps repeating this, trying to convince himself or Roman, he’s not sure. 

“There’s no one better than you,” He says softly into the other's hair as he holds Virgil close to his chest “And I don’t want any better even if there’s a chance there is,” Virgil pulls away, face red and cheeks streaked with tears as his hair ruffled in the wind. He felt like a mess, Roman thought he looked as beautiful as ever. 

So he kisses him. 

And just like that, all the energy that had gone into tears felt so worthless, Virgil’s heart filled to the brim with emotion, his hands clasped Roman’s arm and his soul yielded to his lover’s advances. He sniffles as they pull away and wipes his eyes “I’m so sick of being alone,” He admits “Even Logan has managed to get further than me in relationships, that’s just pitiful,” He laughs through his tears and Roman grins, it’s such a comforting sight, Roman’s smile. 

“You don’t have to be alone anymore, my dark and stormy angel,” Virgil smiles genuinely, his hand clasped in Roman’s “You’ve got me,”

They meet Patton and Logan at the ice cream shop hand in hand. Logan smiles at the two, and they both realize they’d never quite seen him smile so much until he’d met Patton. James sat on Logan’s left knee and Patton’s right knee, coloring with enough room for the two to eat whilst he colored; it was such a wonderfully domestic situation they’d never have thought they’d see with Logan, assumed he was married to his work. 

Logan went home with Patton that night, he read James a bedtime story, which was really just an astrology book about the constellations, but James certainly loved to hear about the stars, asking about their names until he fell fast asleep. He sleeps in the guest room, where Roman usually puts himself up for the night, because he’s always believed in slow progress. 

Virgil and Roman don’t believe in slow progress, it seems, Roman stays at Virgil’s house, they kiss a lot, and they wake up the next morning tangled in the bedsheets and each other. They get dressed together, flicking water at each other between a shower before Roman walks Virgil too his work, taking James back to Patton’s once he’d gotten there to meet the other two. 

In every sense, they grow together, as friends, as couples. Years down the line, Logan becomes Roman’s brother in law and Virgil becomes Patton’s, Logan helps raise James into a wonderful young man, who loves flowers and stars and his dads very, very much. 

THEND

@unikornavenger // @mycatshuman // @spectralheartt // @creativity-killed-thekitten//@theresneverenoughfandoms // @charmingprincey // @aclickonapostwillchangeyourlife //@heck-im-lost // @k9cat// @stilljittery //@romansleftshoulderpad // @sanderssideslibrary  //@max-is-tired // @therealmoshar // @punsterterry

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[singledarkshade]

Settling In

Part Twenty - Mother Rip leaned back in his chair with a report to read and a mug of coffee. It was a peaceful Tuesday morning. The other members of the team were currently working on projects of their own, quietly for once, while the Mercury Labs team that would be working in the building for the next few months were in the middle of setting up.

“Captain Hunter,” Gideon’s voice came suddenly, “Captain Lance is calling.”

“Sara?” he asked concerned, “What’s wrong?”

“Okay, there’s nothing wrong,” Sara replied, hesitating for a moment before continuing, “But I’m in the Jumpship heading towards Star Labs. Where can I land?”

With a frown Rip replied, “Go to the roof. I’ll meet you there.”

Worried he jogged to the lift to get up to the roof, stepping out just as the ship landed. Sara appeared from it and held her hands up, “This was not my idea.”

“What wasn’t?” he asked suspiciously.

“That would be me, Michael,” his answer came from inside the ship.

Rip stared at the woman who walked out, “Mother?”

A smile covered Mary Xavier’s face and she opened her arms to him. Rip instantly followed the unspoken order and hugged her tightly.

Pulling back he frowned, “Why...how...?”

“I was worried about you,” Mary explained, “I hadn’t heard from you in such a long time so I called the Waverider. I was very surprised when Miss Lance explained you were no longer with them but had settled here.”

Rip glanced at Sara who was standing looking completely innocent, “She didn’t tell you why?”

Mary shook her head, “No.”

The stern look made Rip straighten, “Why don’t you come downstairs and I’ll explain.”

She patted his arm, “Of course dear, just get my bags.”

“Bags?”

“Sara,” Mary ignored him, “I’ll see you in a week?”

Sara gave the other woman a quick nod before Mary headed into the building leaving Rip with his former team-mate.

“A week?” Rip demanded, once he was sure his mother was out of hearing range.

With a slight shrug Sara headed back into the ship, “She wants to make sure you’re okay. I couldn’t say no.”

“You could have tried,” Rip replied dryly.

“I was trained by the League of Assassins,” Sara reminded him, “She is more terrifying than them all put together.”

“I know,” Rip sighed, picking up the two bags, “She raised me.”

“Which explains so much about you,” Sara patted his shoulder, “I’ll see you here this time next week.”

Stepping back he watched the ship leave before turning and heading inside.

 “Alright, Michael,” Mary said sternly when they reached his office, “What is going on? Why are you staying here?”

Rip lifted the picture of Jonas that sat on his desk and handed it to her, “Because I have to care for him.”

Mary gasped in astonishment, “He’s alive?”

Rip nodded, “Time Master Ellar saved him.”

“Oh, Michael,” she breathed wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug, “Where is he?”

“School,” Rip replied with a smile, “He goes to a very good one.”

Mary gently touched her son’s cheek, “You look so much better than the last time I saw you. You’re looking after yourself properly again.”

Squirming slightly he nodded, “I’m doing well. I run this place, I have a good home for us, I have friends who call us family and I still have Gideon looking after me.”

“Gideon?”

“I would not leave him, Miss Xavier,” Gideon spoke up.

Mary laughed, “That’s comforting to know, Gideon.”

“Why don’t we go and get some lunch,” Rip suggested.

Taking her son’s arm, Mary smiled, “That sounds like a wonderful idea, Michael.”

  Despite knowing his house was completely tidy Rip couldn’t help the feeling of apprehension when Mary stepped inside. That ingrained sense from his childhood when she would inspect his bedroom and the rollicking he would get when it wasn’t clean. Or if she found one of the knives he’d stolen.

“This is lovely,” Mary noted stepping inside turning to him she rolled her eyes, “Stop looking like that, Michael. I’m not here to inspect you.”

He winced, “I have a spare room but the bed isn’t that good.”

“It’ll be fine,” Mary assured him.

Rip shook his head, “Lisa is probably staying with Cisco tonight so you can use her room.”

“Lisa?”

“You remember Leonard Snart,” Rip explained, “Lisa is his sister. She needed a place for a while so she’s been staying with us. Jonas adores her.”

Mary smiled warmly, “Well I look forward to getting to meet all your new friends.”

“Mother,” he called as she started further into the house, smiling when she turned, “I’m so happy to see you.”

Opening her arms to him again Mary hugged him tightly, “I’m happy to see you too, dear.”

                                  *********************************************

  Jonas bounced out of school to where Rip stood in his usual spot waiting for him.

“Daddy,” the little boy grinned getting a quick hug hello.

“How was school?” Rip asked as they started towards the car.

Jonas smiled, “I got full marks for my test.”

“That’s excellent,” Rip said, he helped his son into the car and paused when he climbed into the driver’s seat, “Jonas, we have a visitor who will be staying with us for the next week.”

“Who?” suspicion filled the little boy’s voice.

Rip hesitated, “It’s your grandmother,” he said, quickly realising he needed to explain better, “My mother, not Clarissa. I know you haven’t seen her in a long time but she is really looking forward to spending the week with us.”

Jonas mused on this for a few moments before asking, “Is she nice?”

“She is,” Rip replied before adding, “Or she will be to you. I’ll probably get into trouble a lot.”

A giggle from his son made Rip smile and he hoped that things would go well when Jonas met his grandmother again. He’d been a lot younger the last time he’d seen her.

Rip parked in their driveway and took a deep breath before he released Jonas from the car not surprised when Jonas took his hand rather than running inside the way he normally would.

The smell of home cooking hit Rip when Gideon opened the door for them.

“Mother?” he called, frowning when she didn’t answer. He sent Jonas to put his jacket away and get his homework out before he headed into the kitchen. Rip chuckled when he found his mother kneeling on the kitchen floor, her head in a cupboard looking for something.

“Michael,” she smiled when she appeared with a bowl in hand, “I didn’t realise you were back.”

Offering his hand to help her up Rip looked around his kitchen, “What are you doing?”

“I’m making us dinner, dear,” she told him rolling her eyes, “What does it look like?”

Rip frowned at her, “You know you don’t...”

“But I want to,” she cut him off patting his cheek affectionately, “Now, where is my grandson?”

Rip sighed, knowing she would just do what she wanted. Motioning her into the dining room where Jonas was pulling out his books he heard the gasp of joy from his side.

Moving to his son Rip turned him slightly, “Jonas, this is your grandmother.”

Mary crouched down offering her hand, “Hello again, Jonas. It is so good to see you again.”

Jonas looked at her hand before looking up at Rip who smiled at him. With a grin Jonas threw his arms around her.

“Hello,” he said hugging her tightly.

  Mary finished the next chapter of the book Jonas was being read each night before tucking him in.

“Goodnight, Grandmother,” Jonas sighed as he cuddled down into his pillows.

“Why don’t you call me Gran instead?” Mary suggested.

“Daddy calls you Mother,” Jonas noted with a slight frown of thought.

She nodded, “He does but that’s different.”

“Okay, Gran,” Jonas tried it with a smile, “Goodnight. I love you.”

Mary smiled and kissed his forehead, “Goodnight, Jonas. I love you too.”

Gideon switched off the main lights and turned on the nightlight as Mary left the little boy to sleep.

Walking down the stairs Mary found her son sitting on the couch with a book in one hand and a mug of tea in the other. He tilted his head slightly before turning to her with a smile.

“I made you some tea,” he said.

“Thank you, Michael,” Mary smiled taking her seat.

They sat in silence for a while, drinking their tea as a programme about making food played on the television.

“Why are you watching this?” Mary asked after about ten minutes.

“I’m not,” he sighed, “Gideon is. She’s quite obsessed with them.”

Mary chuckled slightly before she reached out and took his hand, “He is a happy little boy. You’re doing a very good job.”

Michael gave a slight shrug, “I hope so. I was so scared trying to be his only parent. You and Miranda made it seem so easy.”

“Easy?” Mary chuckled, “There were nights I was trying not to tear my hair out after some of your antics. The trick was not letting you see.”

He laughed.

Finishing her tea Mary took the two mugs into the kitchen and quickly cleaned them. Returning to the living room she leaned over and kissed her son’s forehead, “Goodnight, dear.”

“Goodnight, Mother,” he replied softly, “Sleep well.”

                                  *********************************************

  “So, you’re skiving off for the next week?” Cisco demanded.

“Well, I had no idea I was getting a guest,” Rip noted to Cisco over the phone while he made himself some coffee that morning, “Gideon has rearranged all my appointments and if anything comes up Harry can deal with it.”

“You’re putting Harry in charge?” Cisco demanded incredulously.

Rip chuckled, “Considering he was in charge of Star Labs on his Earth he’s the best option.”

“I would be offended,” Cisco replied, “If it wasn’t true.”

Rip smiled amused, “I was also thinking that you could all join us for dinner tonight. Mother wants to meet everyone.”

“She taught you to cook, right?” Cisco asked thoughtfully.

“Yes,” Rip answered with a confused frown.

“Then I’m in,” the younger man told him.

Shaking his head in bemusement Rip said, “I’ll see you tonight.”

Checking the time Rip pulled out a bowl and cereal for Jonas, “Gideon?”

“Master Hunter is almost dressed,” Gideon advised, “He will be downstairs momentarily.”

“What about Mother?”

“Miss Xavier shall be down soon also,” Gideon told him.

Rip smiled at her before he began to make some tea for his mother.

“Gideon, can you contact everyone and invite them to join us for dinner tonight?” Rip asked after a moment.

“Of course, Captain,” she replied adding, “Master Hunter is coming now.”

  Jonas chattered all the way to school telling his grandmother about his teacher, what he was learning and his friends. Rip smiled listening to his boy, making him realise that his son was very happy in this new life they had.

“Can Gran come and meet Miss Meadows?” Jonas asked when Rip parked the car.

“Maybe after school would be better,” Rip told him, “Okay?”

Jonas nodded while Rip let him out of the car, “Can we take Gran to the shop and the park and swimming and...”

“Jonas,” Rip cut him off, “It’s time for school. Granmoth...Gran will be here for a full week so we can do lots of things with her. Okay?”

“Okay,” Jonas grinned, he gave Rip then Mary a hug before running into the school waving goodbye.

Rip smiled when Mary squeezed his arm, “So, what would you like to do?”

“I’ve never been in Central City before,” Mary told him, “How about a tour of the city? Then we need to get some groceries since you invited your new family to dinner tonight.”

“You don’t mind, do you?” Rip asked.

She smiled at him, “Of course not, dear. I am looking forward to meeting everyone.”

  They spent the day going around the city seeing the sights. Mary knew the history of the Flash and his team almost as well as Rip did, so they went for a tour of the sites from the stories she’d told him during his childhood. It was something they’d never done before, spending time together as mother and son without any thought of the Time Masters or keeping secrets from one another.

Later that afternoon they started back to the school to pick up Jonas. Rip led Mary to his usual spot to wait for his son as the other parents began to arrive.

He turned when he heard his mother chuckle suddenly, “What?”

“Nothing, dear,” she smiled amused, patting his shoulder, “Just noticing something.”

Shaking his head Rip checked his watch, frowning when he spotted the heavily pregnant woman coming towards him.

“Evelyn,” he moved to help her, “What are you doing here?”

“Picking up my son from school,” she answered with a smile. Noticing Mary she said, “Hello.”

“Hello,” his mother replied.

Wincing at the expectant looks he was being given by both women Rip said, “Evelyn Thomas, this is my mother Mary Xavier.”

“It’s lovely to meet you,” Evelyn said.

Mary grinned, “And you.”

Rip interrupted before they could start a conversation, “I thought Kevin was picking Adam up until the baby comes.”

“Typically he’s been sent to a conference this morning which means he can’t collect Adam all week,” Evelyn sighed annoyed.

“You should have called me,” Rip replied, “I am happy to pick up Adam for you.”

“You don’t have to do that, Rip,” Evelyn reminded him.

Rolling his eyes he told her, “I’m here anyway. I can drop him off straight away or let the boys play together for a few hours.”

They were interrupted by the bell ringing and the children appearing. Jonas ran over quickly hugging Rip before turning to his Gran introducing his best friend and pulling her to meet his teacher.

“Evelyn, while they’re busy why don’t we go get this sorted?” Rip suggested, at her nod he offered his arm to help her.

                                  *********************************************

  “Hello,” Cisco’s voice came, “Anyone home?”

“Cisco,” Jonas called running to his favourite uncle, “Have you met my Gran?”

Chuckling at the enthusiastic boy he shook his head, “That’s why I’m here.”

Jonas grabbed his hand and pulled him into the kitchen, “Gran!!”

The woman standing at the counter-top turned at the call smiling at the boy, “Yes, sweetheart.”

“This is Cisco,” Jonas introduced, “He’s my uncle now.”

“Mr Ramon,” the woman smiled offering her hand, “I’m Mary.”

Taking her hand Cisco grinned, “It’s so nice to meet you, Mary. Cisco is fine.”

He turned hearing laughter coming from behind him and Cisco turned to find Rip walking in with an amused smile on his face.

“What?” Cisco demanded.

“You learned something from me then,” Rip smirked.

Cisco rolled his eyes, “I’m being polite, you were just useless.”

“Jonas, why don’t you take Cisco into the living room,” Rip told his son, “Show him the game you and Gideon were playing.”

Jonas nodded and caught Cisco’s hand pulling him away.

  Rip groaned covering his face with his hand as everyone laughed at his mother’s story.

“We’re getting to see a whole new side to you tonight,” Joe noted continuing to chuckle leaning back on the couch.

“I was just a kid,” Rip defended himself, “And wasn’t used to being in a place I was safe.”

Mary patted his arm, “Of course, dear but the poor dog was never quite the same afterwards.”

“How do you like Central City, Mary?” Clarissa asked.

Mary smiled, “It’s wonderful, made better by seeing my boys again.”

When she reached out and squeezed his arm, a soft smile touched Rip’s lips unused to the open affection his mother was showing him in front of other people. He loved that she was getting to meet his new family and how well everyone was getting along, even if there were a lot of embarrassing stories being told about him.

“I believe Master Hunter’s bedtime is approaching,” Gideon spoke up.

Rip frowned and checked the time, “Thank you, Gideon. Jonas...”

“No,” the boy cried, “I don’t want to go to bed.”

“You have school in the morning,” Rip reminded him, “Say goodnight to everyone and then...”

“Gran and Grandma will be up to read you a story,” Mary finished for him.

Jonas gave a small grimace of thought before nodding, “Okay,” he quickly moved around the room giving everyone their goodnight hug before he headed upstairs.

“Mother, you know you don’t have to do that,” Rip told her.

Mary waved him away, “Clarissa and I are more than happy to do this.”

“Of course we are,” Clarissa laughed.

The two women disappeared upstairs to their grandson talking away to one another.

“That looks like our cue to leave,” Barry said, “We all have work in the morning. Thanks for dinner, Rip.”

Rip smiled at them all, “Thank you for coming. It meant a lot to me for you all to meet her.”

Joe reached out and clapped Rip’s shoulder without a word before herding the others out to the car.

“Lisa,” Rip said after she gave him a quick hug, “Are you sure you don’t mind giving up your room for the week?”

She smiled at him, “I was staying with Cisco anyway and that’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“Is something wrong?” Rip asked concerned.

Lisa shook her head, “No. And we can do this at another time. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She gave him another quick hug before she caught Cisco’s hand and they left him alone. Heading upstairs Rip stood just outside Jonas’ room listening to the little boy with his grandmothers.

“Are you going in, Captain?” Gideon asked him.

Rip smiled, “I don’t think I’m needed.”

Heading back downstairs Rip began to clean away all the mugs from the living room before starting the dishes.

It had been a good night.