will-never-be-a-swan:

mira-starling:

ulric-on-the-strings:

The idea of Gail having kids brings a slight grimace to Ulric’s face, unable to picture it yet. “Yeah, uh… probably better to wait, right dad?” He laughs nervously, nudging Mira’s shoulder with his own lightly, wanting to see what her response to the idea would be.

Oh, Mira couldn’t stop smiling. There was still some nervousness, but nothing like when they first started talking to Jack and Katelynn. They were opening up and accepting the pregnancy. And Katelynn seemed so thrilled. Both of them were going to be such wonderful grandparents. Grandparents and mother and father-in-laws. 

How did Mira get this lucky? So lucky as to bump into Ulric one day walking down the sidewalk. Now they were getting married with a baby on the way…and she was looking forward to being a part of his loving family. A family. 

Snapping out of her thoughts when Ulric nudged her shoulder, Mira started to chuckle a little. “U-Uh…yeah, sounds like a good idea.” she shrugged some. “Her and V seem pretty happy right now, don’t you think?” Mira smiled to herself thinking back on Christmas evening. Sure was a good idea to suggest those two to kiss beneath the mistletoe.

“V?” Katelynn’s eyebrows shot up, remembering the young man who would come visit whenever Lady did. He always acted quite polite in front of them though he seemed to whisper to Ulric a lot as if plotting some prank. “I suppose I will have to plan on more grandchildren then?”

She giggled, turning to her husband to see his reaction.

Jack, for his part, looked shocked, and not a little horrified. Not as much as when he’d heard about the pregnancy, but still clearly taken aback. “Sh-she’s with V?” he spluttered. 

He knew about the young punk going back to the past, of course – Lady Doppler and Megamind were both friends of the family. He’d assumed it was because of his friendship with Ulric and Gail, but apparently there had been more to it than that. 

Oh shit. I know breaking up with Vycter was hard on her, but I didn’t think she’d still be on the rebound! Yes, that had to be it. Why else would his bright, capable daughter with a wonderful future ahead of her go for a law-breaking punk who hadn’t even finished college? Especially when she’d had such good taste in the past? 

will-never-be-a-swan:

mira-starling:

ulric-on-the-strings:

wrapped-in-shadows:

Jack wasn’t blind to the exchange either. He knew that kind of look very well; like Katelynn, he knew it was the kind of loving look the two of them had often shared. He squeezed his wife’s hand softly, and chewed his lip for a moment as he tried to find words. 

“I do remember. And …” He turned back to the screen. “I still don’t think this is a good idea. But, if the two of you are really serious about this … then I’ll support you, however I can. I promise.” 

I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, Ulric. At least you’re talking to us this time. Maybe we really can find a way to make this work. 

Giving Mira’s hand a light squeeze, trying to reassure her and enjoying that she was still wearing the ring he’d given her, Ulric tries to maintain the grin on his face even if it slips slightly.

“We are.” Nudging Mira lightly and looking toward her, Ulric glances down toward their joined hands questioningly.

Her eyes darted between her future mother and father-in law as a shaky smile grew across her lips. She sniffled a little and looked down, trying to hide any tears that could escape the corners of her eyes. This had to be hard for them, but Mira was relieved they’d come to some sort of an understanding. Jack was starting to accept it all and Katelynn was definitely helping.

Of course, he still didn’t like the idea of the two having a baby which Mira could understand. But she knew, she knew that things were going to be okay. It was like what she’d told Gail. Throughout all the fear and worry of having a baby, being a mother, and time travel, there was this feeling there, deep inside her. This knowing feeling that things would turn out for the best. 

Mira dabbed at her eyes with the side of her palm and looked back up with another little sniffle. “Very serious.” she answered with a small nod and a smile, trying to lift their hands up enough so Jack and Katelynn could see the engagement rings.

“Then it’s settled, right?” Unable to help it, she bounced in her seat a bit. “My babies are coming home? Love, imagine how wonderful it will be to have little ones in the house again! Ulric’s first and eventually Gail when she marries someone.”

Though she knew it was also work, all she concentrated on were the good times she had with her own children when it came to raising them – the lullabies, games, helping them stop their tears or fix ‘owies’. She was ready to do it all over again with her grandchildren. She was already excited to fawn over Joey the way no grandmother ever would.

“Hey now, one thing at a time!” He raised his hands defensively at the mention of Gail having children. “Let’s just concentrate on the children we know are coming." 

Jack smiled at his wife. He remembered the days of raising kids a bit less rosily than Katelynn did; the crying, the messes, the tantrums, the money for clothes and toys and saving for school … and yet, he’d loved those days just as much as she had. 

He and Katelynn had often talked about having more children after Ulric was born. They’d never gotten around to it, but they’d both liked the idea. And the two of them were only in their fifties – they still had plenty of energy. Yes, they could do this. 

will-never-be-a-swan:

mira-starling:

ulric-on-the-strings:

wrapped-in-shadows:

“Wasn’t int-” It took Jack a moment to realize what Ulric was getting at. When he did, however, his eyes widened sharply. 

Oh. 

Ohhhh. 

He supposed it shouldn’t be such a surprise. Gail had been pursuing Vycter since she was a little girl, but Ulric had always kept his romantic interests to himself. In high school, he’d dated at least one girl that Jack knew of, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have been interested in boys too. Even so, the blue man mentally kicked himself for being blind to such a big part of his son’s life. 

“Ulric, why didn’t you tell us?” His voice was much softer now. He instinctively reached out to the screen, wanting to comfort the young man. “We could have helped.” 

How, he wasn’t sure. But it was all he could think of to say. 

It was out and he couldn’t take it back now. With Mira here, though… Ulric knew he’d at least have that support. Judging by his parents faces, he had theirs too, now that they knew.

He just shrugs, biting his lip. “I don’t know why. But…” He smiles, looking at Katelynn now. “I’m fine, Mom.”

Mira smiled faintly, proud of him that he’d finally told his parents. She gently nuzzled the side of her cheek against his shoulder before sitting up slow and reaching down to take hold of his hand, fingers entwining as her engagement ring bumped with his. That was a very brave thing her fiancé did and she wanted him to know that by giving his hand a gently squeeze.

“I-I’m…” Mira stuttered, quickly looking at the screen wondering if it was alright for her to talk. She’d been fairly quiet since the whole skype call had started. And she was very hesitant to start speaking up after admitting she was pregnant. “I-I know he’s the reason behind why you left but…if you hadn’t traveled back, I don’t know what I would’ve done.” He had to know that. He had to know he meant the world to her.

Slowly, Mira took a small glance to the screen, biting her lip as her eyes shifted between Jack and Katelynn.

Watching the exchange between everyone, Katelynn blinked her eyes at the familiar expressions from Mira. It softened her up even more to the young woman, face melting into a smile as she took her husband’s hand between both of her own. Trying to get his attention she tugged on his hand and made motions with her eyes toward the joined hands of her son and his girlfriend.

“Love, look at them..they’re as in love as we were when we were young..you remember those times, don’t you..? Maybe it’ll all be okay…we can work through it like a family…like we always have..”

Since he had become as such for her from the moment they met.

Jack wasn’t blind to the exchange either. He knew that kind of look very well; like Katelynn, he knew it was the kind of loving look the two of them had often shared. He squeezed his wife’s hand softly, and chewed his lip for a moment as he tried to find words. 

“I do remember. And …” He turned back to the screen. “I still don’t think this is a good idea. But, if the two of you are really serious about this … then I’ll support you, however I can. I promise." 

I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, Ulric. At least you’re talking to us this time. Maybe we really can find a way to make this work.