Sins of the Father

Chapter 8: Sunshine and Daisies

In an act of mutual cooperation, when little Gerry Drew's one-year party came around, Jessica was sure to invite the entirety of the mansion to the soiree — and she was extra sure to threaten Logan and a few of the more reclusive X-Men to get their sorry butts over there so she didn't have to come get them and drag them there by their ears.

When they showed up, she looked entirely relieved to see Logan and made a point to give him a big hug in greeting before taking Kate's hand and pulling her in first. "Clint ... well. He really went all out," Jess told her.

Kate had to grin at all the balloons and decorations in the house as well as the two cakes — one for smashing and a bigger one for eating — and the brand new bibs and ... well, everything. "He's been talking about this party for weeks," Kate said, grinning at Jess.

"I know. I just ... I don't know, I guess I wasn't expecting all this," she admitted, looking around the party one more time. "You should go see your partner in crime. He's kind of over the moon right now."

"Is he holding Gerry?" Kate teased. "Because that would do it."

"No," Jess said with a laugh. "He has Cap holding Gerry."

"No way." Kate looked at Jess with wide eyes before she simply dashed off to go see that beautiful scene for herself. When she all but skidded over, she wasn't disappointed in the least, as Cap was bouncing the little guy in his arms and had the best grin as Clint was making faces over Steve's shoulder for Gerry to laugh at.

"Oh. This is going on my blog," Kate said, grinning, though she'd only just pulled out her phone when she heard the click of a camera behind her and spun to see Peter Parker with his actually nice, professional camera snapping several shots of the scene.

He grinned up at her. "Captain America kissing babies. It's like ... this is Pulitzer material," he teased.

"He could run for president like that," K said with a little laugh. "He'd have it in the bag in the first week."

"Oh totally," Kate agreed, grinning, before she slid over to the two blonde men playing with the baby to look over Cap's other shoulder. "This is some party, Clint," she told him, grinning.

"Hey — first birthday. It's a big deal," Clint said seriously, though he was still grinning at Gerry. "You gotta do the introductions right, Katie. He's never had a birthday party, so he should have a birthday party."

"You're spoiling him rotten," Kate accused her old partner.

"I sure am. I'm not even sorry," Clint said without hesitation, and Cap had to laugh at that.

"That's how you know he's doing it right," Cap added helpfully, and Kate rolled her eyes at both of them.

"Oh my God," K said, shaking her head at them as she and Logan walked by. "Captain America covered in glitter. Wow."

"Don't worry. We captured the moment on film and everything. He can't deny it," Kate said with a grin as Cap shook his head at both of them.

"I fear for the poor unsuspecting girl he nabs," K replied, though Logan was chuckling low alongside her, not at all helping Cap's situation.

"You mean the future First Lady?" Kate teased.

"That's the one," K said pointing at her.

Clint was grinning with a look that meant trouble as Cap looked flustered at the two girls antics — though Jess came in to save him as she swept Gerry up into her arms with a little giggle. "Alright. Time for someone to have his cake," she declared.