Omega Virus

Moving Forward

   The Professor is finally getting ready to take Y home. They've been given instructions on how best to handle Braxton Hicks and he's watching Y check his phone.

"Baby, what's wrong?" Professor X asks, helping Y tidy his clothing before leaving the room.

"Jessie must be having a hard time. I feel terrible for leaving her like that." Y frowns, Jessie is still shy around large groups of people.

"She called Lee. He sent Danny over to help until his class is over baby. She's okay." Professor X kisses his forehead and glances at his watch. "Besides, Lee's shift starts in five minutes. I'm sure everything is fine." He sees the pout on his husband and sighs, opening the door and stopping short. "You, waited?"

"Of course! That's my son and granddaughter!" Mary says, looking anxious.

"Is he, alright?" Mr. Daniels asks, wringing his hands.

"I'm okay Mom... and... Dad?" Y says quietly, swallowing a lump in his throat as he peeks around the Professor's shoulder.

"Oh." Mr. Daniels whispers, tears in his eyes. He falls back into a chair across the hall and just blinks up at Y. "My, son."

"You'll make me cry too." Y says, taking the Professor's hand and crossing to his parents. "You act like no one has called you Dad before." Mr. Daniels blinks up at him in confusion.

"No one has." Mr. Daniels says, turning away from Mary. "I, never married. I made one last deal with, your grandfather." He sighs, turning to look at Y. "My sister was supposed to marry, a man she didn't love. To boost our Father's business ties. I vowed not to sell off the business, if he allowed her to marry the man she loved. I'd devote myself to growing it into what he wanted it to be. I had already lost the woman I loved and the child we created together. I couldn't let my sister suffer the same way." He turns away again, Mary sitting beside him and staring at him in shock. "When our Father died of a heart attack a few years ago, she told me to start living for myself. Said I should sell the business, that my promise had been fulfilled. But, I'd long ago lost the chance to have the life I wanted. So, what was the point?"

"Michael, you... really loved me? You wanted us that much?" Mary asks, giving Y a watery smile before turning to Mr. Daniels.

"Mn." Mr. Daniels chuckles, the sound forlorn. "I still have the ring I bought you, to ask you to marry me back then. Silly, huh? I'm sure you've got a much better man now."

"Ha ha. Not really." Mary says, squirming. "He's a bit older. He, needed a trophy, not a wife. He needed someone to help raise his children. There's only ten years between his daughter and I." She shakes her head. "I, don't see him much. Haven't since the children moved out years ago.  We each stick to our own section of the house. It's, not a happy or healthy marriage. He, has a mistress. I pretend I don't know. I mean, where could I go?  I'm a bit old to, dance again." She blushes, turning away ashamed.

"Dance? You still dance ballet?" Mr. Daniels asks, noticing Y cringe and shake his head.

"No. It wasn't ballet that got me off the streets." Mary rises, but Y hugs her, patting her back.

"Mom, if you're not happy... don't stay. I'm sure we can help find you a nice job." Y frowns, holding her at arms length to look into her eyes. "Did you sign a prenup?" She shakes her head, grinning sadly.

"I think he figured I was to dumb and desperate to betray him. He was right." Mary sighs.

"That was then. Get proof of his affair and we can use that to get you alimony." Y smiles, hugging her again. "You, don't need to stay there."

"Hm. He brings, that woman to the house frequently." Mary says, gritting her teeth. "You, really think I could get a smooth divorce with proof of his affair?"