Family Dinner

"Stop following me," Emily said while sitting on a park bench as Blue hovered nearby.

"Oh, what a coincidence," Blue smiled. "We meet again, for the third time today."

He sat next to her. Emily paused, her gaze drifting to the children playing—not on slides or swings, but glued to their phones and tablets.

She shook her head in disappointment. These kids. Why come to the park if they won't play on the slides?

"It's a lovely day for coffee, don't you agree?" Blue asked.

"It's a beautiful day for my first murder," Emily replied, her voice emotionless.

"Ouch," Blue laughed. "And you call me the hooligan?"

"Excuse me?" Emily shot him a glare. "What are you suggesting? Am I one?"

"No, I'm just…" Blue pointed at the sky. "Look, a UFO."

Emily chuckled, feeling frustrated. "Grow up, will you? Even kids won't believe in UFOs."

"Why not?" Blue shrugged. We fight aliens, don't we? So there is always a chance to see one or two around."

"Whatever. Just don't talk to me," Emily muttered, storming out of the park.

Blue followed her nonchalantly as if nothing had changed.

The city hummed with energy as Emily hurried along. Blue followed her. She remained silent as she was still pondering Ale'x's engagement. 

"So," Blue started casually, "how's that whole 'not talking to me' thing going?"

"Not so great," Emily mumbled, hugging herself tightly. "I still haven't figured out how to make you leave."

"Oh, I have a secret technique," Blue said with a grin. "It involves not discussing UFOs for a whole hour. Magical, really."

Emily gave him a look, but despite herself, a small laugh escaped. "You're hopeless."

"That's why you keep me around, right?" Blue grinned wider, his casual charm working its magic. "So... what's up with you? You're walking like someone who just lost their last spoonful of cereal."

She glanced at him, "It's just... Alex. His engagement. I... don't know how to feel about it."

"Ah," Blue nodded, pretending to ponder. "Was he your ex? I see. I lost it as well when my girlfriend left me after I got expelled from school."

"What?" Emily paused as a hologram flickered near a building, nearly startling Blue out of his skin. Emily smirked. "You're not as tough as you seem."

"It's just... these damn things keep popping up right in my face," Blue muttered, still wary of the fading hologram. "Anyway, tell me more about Alex. Who is he? What does he do?"

Emily shook her head. "I don't wish to."

"You sure? I could help you kidnap him and make him marry you instead," Blue said, casually kicking a stray soda can toward the trash can. "For the right price, of course."

"Really?" Emily raised an eyebrow. "And what do you expect from me?"

"How about giving me five minutes of your time?" Blue winked. "A coffee or tea should do the trick for covering the bill."

Emily rolled her eyes, quieter than she meant to. "You're really... annoying."

"So?" Blue halted, turning to her with a dramatically serious expression. "It's just around the corner."

Emily sighed, her annoyance dulled by the unexpected comfort of his presence. "Fine. If it'll make you leave me alone then why not?"

"Awesome," Blue grinned as he took the lead. "My lady, this way, please."

They continued walking to the coffee shop. Emily realized that the world felt less imposing with Blue beside her. 

--

Tyson's eyes brightened when he saw Nancy walk through the entrance of the Rogers mansion.

She welcomed him with a warm smile as he walked toward her. She was there for the Rogers family dinner, having been invited personally by Edward Rogers.

"I thought you can't make it." Tyson whispered as he approached her.

"I needed a change of scenery," she replied, her eyes locking with his. "And I couldn't refuse a chance to visit the famous General's house."

"Oh, so you're here to admire the General's mansion," he teased, a playful grin spreading across his lips. "Not to spend time with your boyfriend?"

Nancy smirked and took his hand in hers. "You could say that," she teased back before softening. "I'm just kidding. I wanted to be here—with you."

Tyson smiled, drawing her a bit closer. "Do you feel good now?"

She nodded, "I'm fine now... It feels good to release the burden I've carried for so long."

Tyson understood exactly what she meant. For years, Nancy believed her father wanted her to carry on his legacy. But when she wasn't chosen to host a Meta-bot, she convinced herself she was unworthy, failing to fulfill her father's wishes. She hadn't fully realized until recently that her father had never wanted her involved in these battles.

"You're doing just fine," Tyson said softly, giving her hand a comforting squeeze.

Nancy's smile grew broader, and for a moment, the burden of her past faded as she stood next to Tyson in the magnificent Rogers mansion, embraced by the warmth of family.

"Hi! I'm Seraphina," a voice called out. Nancy turned to see a lively woman approaching, her smile warm."It's so lovely to meet you. Tyson has told me a lot about you."

Nancy shook her hand, attempting to conceal the flicker of awkwardness she felt. "It's nice to meet you, too," she said, briefly recalling how jealous she used to feel whenever Seraphina was mentioned.

Indeed, Seraphina was just as beautiful as Tyson had claimed. But now that she was Alex's fiancée, there was no longer a need to be on guard.

"Tyson has talked about you, too," Nancy added.

"Oh?" Seraphina raised an eyebrow with a playful smile. "I hope it wasn't about how I'm always teasing his already silly brother!"

"Hey! I'm right here!" Alex called out, descending the staircase with a smirk on his face.

Seraphina dramatically bit her tongue as Tyson chuckled.

"Nancy, right?" Alex greeted her with a nod. "Nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you as well," Nancy responded courteously.

"Alex, sweetheart, I didn't see you there," Seraphina said, taking his hand. "Are you ready for dinner?"

"Aren't we the ones who are supposed to ask you that?" Tyson quipped with a grin, folding his arms.

"Nah, I'm pretty much family," Seraphina said, waving her hand. "Let's go, Nancy. I'll give you a tour."

Before Nancy could respond, Seraphina had already taken her hand and enthusiastically led her through the mansion. She walked through the mansion as if she knew every corner, sharing little stories about each room with a convincing voice. 

Nancy initially hesitated, but Seraphina helped her feel comfortable. Her energy was magnetic, and she made Nancy feel genuinely welcomed. 

Edward sat in the middle of the big dining table, the glossy surface reflecting the chandelier overhead. Alex and Seraphina sat to his right, while Tyson and Nancy sat to his left. Before them lay a luxurious stretch of dishes, an overwhelming array of seafood and delicacies that seemed impossible to finish.

"Do you need anything?" Tyson whispered, leaning a bit closer to Nancy.

She shook her head. "Do you all always eat like this? It feels like a royal banquet."

Tyson let out a soft chuckle, lowering his voice even more. "What? No, this is... sort of a first."

Nancy tilted her head. "Really?"

"This is the first time we've ever had dinner like this," Tyson confessed. 

Nancy's smile faded, "Oh… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to mention anything personal."

Tyson shook his head, "Don't worry about it. It's nothing." He glanced at Alex, and his tone sharpened. "Besides, it's that fool's fault. He never wants to sit with us."

Alex smirked from across the table. He didn't bother responding, but his smirk indicated that he was aware and didn't care.

Nancy smiled subtly at the lively atmosphere, sensing the unspoken tension and a familial bond in the teasing exchange.

"Nancy Winters." Edward's voice cut through the buzz of the dining room, carrying a calm yet undeniable authority. "How do you know Tyson?"

Nancy sat up straight in her seat, her fingers brushing the edge of her plate. "We're in the same class," she replied nervously. 

She couldn't shake the feeling of intimidation. Meeting Tyson's guardian had put her on edge, although she could tell Tyson felt the same. 

Previously, he had quietly suggested that she skip the dinner if she wasn't feeling well, almost as if he were trying to shield her from this very moment. However, she insisted on attending—she understood his feelings too well.

It reminded her of the first time Tyson visited her home to meet her mother. She could still recall the awkwardness in his posture and the hesitation in his voice. But for Nancy, this meeting felt different. She had met Edward before—on the day Tyson lost control.

"Do you love my son?"