Grafting

by ProofOfConcept, wilddragonflying

Summary:

Leah has gone to college, Teddy has started kindergarten, and Michael and Alex have taken in two new foster kids who have had a rough few years. As if that wasn't enough, something's up with Isobel and Kyle.

Michael and Alex are in the kitchen when the front door opens, and two sets of footsteps enter their home. Michael instinctively seeks out Alex's gaze, and they share a pointed look. It's been a month since their new foster kids moved in, a brother and sister who were in danger of being separated after Keyla got kicked out of their latest group home for bad behaviour. Keyla is seventeen, close to aging out of the system, but Reyli is fourteen. Even if they hadn't just gotten through the fallout from Adam aging out and leaving Leah behind, Michael would have insisted on taking them both. Luckily, Alex was of the same mind.

It hasn't been easy, though. Reyli is a sweet kid, quiet and still a little nervous around them, but taking them both in so that they could stay together hasn't been enough to win Keyla's trust. Michael's willing to play the long game, but that doesn't mean that some days aren't a struggle. He knows Alex is feeling it, too, especially with Leah away at college. At least Teddy seems to be oblivious to the tension in the house.

"Hey, guys!" Michael calls. "We're in here!"

Reyli is the first one into the kitchen, bookbag already gone as he heads for the bowl of snacks on the counter. Keyla is lagging behind, her phone in hand, and she just leans against the wall, seemingly absorbed in it rather than paying them any attention. Alex glances at Michael from where he's standing by the sink, washing some pans. "Hey," he says, looking back at the kids. "How'd school go?"

"It was good," Reyli says, already munching on a granola bar. "I went to the library with Dylan at lunch again."

"Nerd," Michael says affectionately. "What about you, Keyla?"

Keyla doesn't look up from her phone or answer until Alex clears his throat. "It was fine," she mutters without lifting her head. "Classes were boring, teachers were either trying too hard or not at all, the usual."

"Oh well," Michael says, "at least it's the weekend now. Do you guys want to help us with dinner?"

Reyli gives them a small smile. "Sure."

Keyla, on the other hand, doesn't quite huff or roll her eyes, but both Michael and Alex are intimately familiar with the air of a teenager who'd rather be anywhere else. "Pass. I've got a stupid research project I need to get started on, or Dulce will have my ass if I wreck her GPA."

Michael doesn't rise to her attitude. "All right," he says. "If you get it done before dinner, maybe you can help with the dishes and we can all watch a movie? Friday is family night."

Keyla sighs. "I'll do the dishes, but I'm not sitting down to watch a movie and play 'happy families.'"

Even Reyli's expression tightens. "Come on, Keyla."

"No," Keyla says shortly, cutting her brother a hard look. "You have fun, but I'm out." With that, she turns on her heel and marches out of the room.

Reyli watches her leave, and then turns a look on Michael and Alex that's almost frightened. "I'm sorry," he says quietly. "I've tried to talk to her, but she just won't..."

"It's fine," Michael tells him, not for the first time. "I was just like her when I was her age. It'll take time, is all."

Reyli doesn't look convinced.

Michael can see Alex take a deep breath, watches the careful way his death grip on the towel in his hand loosens finger by finger. "Her attitude is her choice," he says. "But we aren't kicking her - or you - out because she's acting like a typical teenager. God knows Michael and I were bitchy as hell sometimes."

Reyli gives him a tentative smile, and comes over to the counter. "So what do you need me to do?"

---

Keyla hasn't spent a Saturday indoors since she moved in with them, and Reyli has plans with his friend Dylan, so Michael leaves Alex at home with Teddy the next day to pick up a shift at the junkyard. He'll probably still finish early and be home in time for a late lunch, but they could definitely use the extra funds.

He's just making a start on his second job of the day when Isobel pulls up, and his stomach drops. Even though it's been all quiet on the extraterrestrial front for years, an unexpected visit still sends him into fight or flight sometimes.

"Hey," he calls as she gets out of her car. "What are you doing here?"

"What, I can't just drop by to see my brother?" Isobel calls back, smirking. It doesn't quite reach her eyes, and as she draws closer, Michael can see that she looks a little ragged around the edges, like she hasn't slept well the past couple of nights.

"Not this early on a Saturday," Michael says. "What's going on? Don't you and Valenti usually have brunch right around now?"

Isobel's mouth twists. "Usually. But..." She takes a deep breath, shoulders slumping as she lets it out on a heavy sigh. "He canceled."

Michael's eyebrows shoot up into his hairline. "What, like he got called into the hospital?"

"No, that... that'd be okay," Isobel says, twisting one ring over and over on her finger. "It's happened before, it's fine. He just... canceled."

"With no explanation?"

Isobel shakes her head. "He just said his mom needed help with something."

"All right," Michael says, relaxing. "So his mom needed help with something. What's the big deal?"

"I offered to come, too, because - Because brunch is nice, but it's not the point, and anyway, I like Michelle. He said no, but I." Isobel huffs. "I called Michelle, and when I asked how their day was going, she hesitated."

"You called his mom?" Michael laughs. "God, Iz, you're acting crazy. I know Valenti isn't my favourite person, but he's not a total asshole."

"I just wanted to see if they'd want me to bring dinner or something," Isobel says, but there's a shaky quality to her voice now. "It's not like Kyle to change plans last-minute and not tell me why."

Finally, Michael gets it. He sighs, setting his wrench down, and steps closer. "Come on, Izzy, you know it's not like that. He's not sneaking around on you or hiding something bad. He loves you."

"I know," Isobel says, shoulders curling down. "But I just can't... I can't stop thinking 'what if.' This isn't normal for him, Michael."

Michael sighs. "Well, I know this has been pretty off-brand for me, historically, but maybe you should try talking to him about it before you go off the deep end."

That gets a laugh, weak as it is. "What world did I fall into, when you're giving me that advice?"

"I know," Michael says, smiling. "But you know I'm right, don't you?" He opens his arms, gesturing her closer. "Come here."

It only takes a second for Isobel to close the distance between them, burrowing into Michael's arms without hesitation. "I love him," she whispers, face hidden in Michael's throat. "And I don't... I don't want to lose him, but I can't help thinking about the last time the guy I loved was keeping things from me."

"I know," Michael murmurs. "But he's not Noah. Whatever's going on, he'll have a good reason. Just talk to him."

---

Michael fully intends to tell Alex about Isobel's visit when he gets home, but he's distracted the moment he walks through the door by a small hurricane colliding with his legs.

"Daddy, Daddy, you're late!"

Michael laughs, expertly avoiding being headbutted in the crotch. "It's two minutes past, kiddo, I'm hardly late."

Teddy stamps his foot. "She's already on the tablet."

"Oh shit, really?"

"Papa!" Teddy shrieks. "Daddy said shit!"

Alex's laughter is clear from the living room. "Do we need to start a swear jar?" he teases, looking over the back of the couch as Michael comes in, Teddy throwing himself onto the couch next to him.

From the tablet propped up on the table, Michael can hear Leah laughing as well. "You guys would go broke in a month," she snickers. "Hey, Dad."

"Hey, sweetheart," Michael says, sitting down with far more composure and grinning into the tablet propped up on the coffee table. Even tiny and a little grainy thanks to the shitty campus WiFi, Leah is easily the best thing he's seen in weeks. "Sorry I'm late."

"Eh, I'm used to it," Leah says lightly, still smiling. "Busy at the junkyard?"

"Just the usual," Michael says. "Isobel says ‘hi’."

"Tell her I say 'hi,' back," Leah says. "How have you been doing, Teddy?"

"I miss you!" Teddy crows, and Michael chuckles, stroking his hair.

"You had a cool field trip last week, right? Went to the zoo?"

Unexpectedly, Teddy scowls. "I hate my teacher."

Leah and Alex have almost identical expressions of shock. "What? Why?" Leah asks, concerned; she shifts, her face coming closer to the camera. "Did something happen, Teddy?"

"No," Teddy says, pouting. "She's just mean. She yells at us sometimes, when we're loud."

"Right," Michael says slowly, exchanging a look with Alex over the top of Teddy's head. "Well, 'hate' is a really strong word, buddy."

"And it's only been a few weeks," Alex says, rubbing Teddy's back. "Maybe you guys just need some time to get to know each other."

"Maybe," Teddy grumps, and Michael files this away for them to figure out later.

"How's things for you?" he asks Leah. "Still liking college?"

"It's an adjustment," Leah chuckles, running one hand over her braids. "But my roommate is pretty nice, we've been hanging out some."

"Yeah?" Michael grins, teasing. "Look at you, making friends."

"We're not all introverted emos," Leah says, tone innocent and a gleam in her eye, and Alex splutters.

"I haven't been emo since high school," he protests.

"Tell that to the eyeliner you wore on our date night last week," Michael laughs.

Alex rolls his eyes, huffing indignantly, and deflects by asking about Lucas.

---

Usually, their kids ride the bus; Alex and Michael are both busy at the time school lets out, even though Alex mostly works from home these days. It makes more sense for the kids to ride the bus than for either of them to interrupt their work day to drive to two different schools to pick up three kids.

Today is a little different. It's Michael's half-day at the junkyard, and he's just packing up to head home when Teddy's school calls. Teddy’s complaining of feeling sick, and is requesting to go home. He doesn't have a fever, hasn't thrown up, but considering his distress, the nurse made the decision to call Michael. Michael notifies Alex, who sounds just as worried as Michael feels, and then heads in. He finds Teddy curled up in a miserable ball on the nurse's cot; when he hears Michael enter, Teddy looks up - and promptly bursts into tears.

Anxiety spikes, but Michael tries to keep it off his face as he walks over. "Hey," he says softly, getting his hands on Teddy and pulling him in close. "Hey, little guy, it's okay. You're really not feeling well, huh?"

"No," Teddy whines miserably.

"Does anything hurt?" Michael asks. "Do you feel like you're gonna puke?"

Teddy shakes his head, pressed into Michael's stomach. "Wan' go home," he mumbles, barely audible.

"He doesn't have a fever, and he didn't complain about his stomach or anything," Nurse Brandi offers, her expression sympathetic. "I don't think there's anything physically wrong, but something upset him in class."

"All right," Michael says, rubbing soothing circles on Teddy's back. "Well, I guess a couch day can't hurt. I'll take you home and make you a grilled cheese, how does that sound?"

"Yeah," Teddy whimpers, clutching more tightly at Michael's shirt. "And soup."

"You got it," Michael says. He scoops Teddy up into his arms and gives the nurse a grateful smile. "Thanks for looking out for him, and for calling me."

Teddy just buries his face in Michael's shoulder, and Brandi gives them both a soft look. "You two take care," she says quietly. "I think lots of hugs will probably help, too."

"Oh, well, if that's the prescription," Michael chuckles. "We'll see you later."

He carries Teddy out to the truck and gets him strapped into his car seat. It's a little tricky, given Teddy's reluctance to let go of him, but they manage. Michael reaches the driver's side before Teddy starts crying again, and gives his hair a gentle ruffle before they get on the road.

When they've been driving for about ten minutes and Teddy still seems sullen but no longer actively upset, he decides to try again to get some answers. "Did something happen in class today, bud?"

Teddy grumbles wordlessly for a moment before he sighs. "I hate Mrs Wilder."

Michael feels his eyes widen, but he keeps his gaze on the road. "There's that word again," he says. "Has she said or done something to you that made you feel bad?"

There's a long silence, and then Teddy sniffles. "Yeah."

"You wanna tell me?" Michael asks, tone carefully encouraging.

Teddy sniffs again. "She keeps talking about real families."

Michael can't help it: he frowns. "What do you mean?"

In the rear view mirror, he can see Teddy wiping at his nose. "Like my family before. Not you and Papa."

"You mean, because we adopted you?"

"And you're not a mommy and daddy."

Michael's hands tighten on the wheel. God, he wishes Alex were here. "Well," he says, as evenly as he can manage, "lots of families are like that. I bet most kids in your class have a mommy and a daddy, and you had that kind of family, too, before you came to us. But that doesn't make our family any less special."

"I know,'" Teddy whines, sounding dangerously close to crying again. "But she just ignores me when I talk about my family."

Michael takes a slow breath in, and a slow breath out. "All right," he says. "We'll talk to Papa about it when he finishes work, and maybe we can go talk to your teacher together."

There's another sniffle. "Okay," Teddy mumbles.

The rest of the drive passes quietly, and when they get home, Alex is waiting by the front door. Michael carries Teddy inside, Teddy clinging to his shirt. Alex's expression, already worried, crumbles behind his glasses when he sees Michael's shirt in Teddy's fists. "That bad?" he asks quietly, stepping in close so he can rest a hand on Teddy's back, rubbing gently.

"I think we're getting to the bottom of it," Michael sighs. "Why don't we sit down? Are the kids home?"

"Not yet," Alex replies. "Their school won't let out for another hour."

"Right, of course," Michael says, shaking his head. He pauses just inside the door to toe his boots off and get Teddy out of his shoes and coat, and then leads the way into the living room, where he and Alex sit down on the couch, Teddy on Michael's lap. "Do you want to tell Papa about your teacher, or do you want me to?"

Teddy shakes his head with a miserable little whine, tucking his face into Michael's chest. Alex looks from him to Michael with wide eyes. "That bad?"

Michael hugs Teddy in close, and meets Alex's gaze. "His teacher is talking a lot about real families, and she's ignoring Teddy when he tries to talk about his family."

Alex blinks, and then his expression darkens. "Like, because we're men, or...?"

"Yeah," Michael sighs. "Apparently a real family has a mommy and a daddy."

Alex takes a deep breath, his eyes stormy behind his glasses, and he rubs Teddy's back comfortingly when he lets out a little hitching breath. "I suppose we'll need to call the school," he says, clearly making an effort to keep his voice steady.

"Yeah, I think so," Michael agrees. "I want to sit down with this teacher and the principal, and find out how they've adjusted their curriculum to cater to children from diverse backgrounds."

Alex nods, shoulders rising and falling as he takes a deep breath. "We can sort that out later," he says. "Right now, I think we've got more important things to focus on."

Michael leans back to chuck Teddy under the chin, encouraging him to look up. "Still want that grilled cheese?"

Teddy sniffs, and his eyes are red and wet, but he's not actively crying as he nods. "Yes, please."

Michael gives him a soft smile. "You wanna cuddle with Papa while I make it?"

Teddy nods, shifting in Michael's hold to reach for Alex, who scoops him into his lap. Alex wraps his arms around Teddy, cuddling him close. "Good thing we just got groceries, huh?" he murmurs. "Got the good cheese and soup."

"Only the best for our boy," Michael says. "You want me to make enough for two?"

"Mm, yes, please," Alex hums, pressing a kiss to the top of Teddy's head.

---

The rest of the week is uneventful. Alex schedules a meeting for him and Michael with Teddy's principal and teacher the following week, and things at home are quiet. At least, they are until Friday evening. Keyla had made plans to go to the home football game, but the plan had been for her to come back to the house and then drive to the game. When she doesn't come home, Michael and Alex start worrying. It's not until they mention calling Max that Reyli speaks up, tells them that Keyla was going home with Amari, the friend she was going to meet at the game.

Michael wants to take off right then and there, but Alex talks him into waiting. Reyli and Teddy have gone to bed by the time Keyla gets back, and Michael and Alex are waiting in the living room, lights on but television off. Keyla pauses when she catches sight of them, keys in her hand. "This looks creepy, just so you know," she says after the silence stretches on.

"Looks to us like you're coming home six hours late," Michael says. "We were worried."

Keyla rolls her eyes, dropping her keys onto the table by the door. "I came back here, didn't I? I told you I'd be home after the game."

"You told us you'd come home before the game. We had no idea where you were until Reyli told us you'd gone home with your friend."

Keyla scoffs. "He should keep his mouth shut."

"He was worried about you getting in trouble," Alex says sharply. "We thought something might have happened to you, we were talking about calling Max."

"You're lucky he was honest with us," Michael adds. "I doubt getting picked up by the sheriff because you missed dinner would have done much for your street cred."

"Oh my god, I was just with a friend, Jesus!"

"A friend we don't know," Michael says, "without telling us. We were worried for your safety, Keyla."

"Worried about the foster care paychecks, you mean," Keyla says scathingly.

"Hey," Michael snaps. "We don't give a shit about the money; we give a shit about you."

"Yeah, sure; that's what they all say," Keyla says, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms in front of her. "Whatever, I'm here now, alright? You can cool it with the inquisition."

Michael sighs. "Please just call us if your plans change. Whatever you think our motivation is, we need to know where you are."

"Fine," Keyla sighs. "Is that all, or can I go now?"

Alex's expression is pinched, but he nods, just once. "You can go."

Keyla is out of sight by the time he finishes speaking.

Michael waits until they hear her bedroom door close before leaning back with a sigh. "That went well."

Alex looks less than impressed. "That was a shit show."

Michael raises his gaze to the ceiling. "We thought Leah was a challenge."

"At least she was willing to work with us," Alex sighs, rubbing a hand over his face. "She was suspicious but she wasn't... hostile. And she was younger."

"She's just waiting to age out," Michael agrees, resigned. "She thinks we don't care about her, and once she's eighteen she'll either have to find a way to take Reyli with her or leave him behind. This sucks."

Alex slumps into Michael's side. "I don't know what else we can do," he says hollowly. "And if she leaves Reyli behind... It'll destroy him."

"She won't leave him if she has a choice," Michael says. This, at least, he knows instinctively. "This isn't a re-run of the Adam and Leah show. But what other option does she have? As far as she's concerned, we're just like every other family they've stayed with - or we're worse, because we've actually adopted our other kids."

Alex's brow furrows. "How does that make us worse?"

"Because if we adopt Reyli after she leaves us, we're taking him away from her," Michael says. He shrugs. "We're replacing her and their parents with a real family."

Alex scrubs a hand over his face, letting out a harsh breath. "That... makes an awful kind of sense," he concedes, sounding grumpy about it.

Michael wraps an arm around him, gives him a squeeze. "I know," he says. "And we can't change her mind overnight. We just have to try to show both of them that whatever happens next year, they have our support."

He feels Alex sigh against him. "At least Keyla doesn't turn eighteen until May," he says. "Gives us some time."

"We can do it," Michael says. "We've literally saved the world before."

---

Their talk with Teddy's school goes about as well as expected, but they do extract a promise from the principal to talk to the teacher about the importance of diversity and inclusion. They talk to Teddy that night, and he agrees to tell them about anything in school that makes him feel uncomfortable. Right now, that's all they can do, but he seems happier for the rest of the week, so they're counting it as a win.

Things with Keyla are still tense, and Reyli is as quiet as ever - which means that it's pretty much business as usual in the Guerin house for a few days. At least, it seems that way until Alex comes home a half hour later than usual on Friday looking exhausted.

"Hey," Michael says when he trudges into the kitchen. He abandons the food he's prepping and goes over to give Alex a kiss. "Long day? I can call Max to cancel, he won't care."

Alex sighs, leaning into Michael for another kiss as he wraps his arms around Michael's waist. "No, I'll be fine. Just... Lots of little things piled up. Didn't get through everything on my checklist today."

Michael drapes his arms over Alex's shoulders, ducking his head to catch his gaze. "You sure?" he asks. "You wouldn't rather just have a quiet family night? I could draw you a bath, pour you some wine..."

"Tempting," Alex hums. "But I'm sure. Besides, you know Teddy's excited to see his baby cousin."

"True," Michael sighs. "Okay, fine. But you at least have time to get a shower before dinner."

"Alright," Alex says agreeably, but doesn't move yet. "One more kiss, though."

Michael laughs, but gives him his kiss. He goes back to making dinner while Alex gets his shower and the kids finish their homework. By the time Alex comes back into the kitchen, Teddy is sitting on the counter, chattering away, but the others are nowhere to be seen.

Teddy stops mid-sentence as soon as he claps eyes on Alex, and reaches out to him with chubby hands. "Papa!"

"Let me sit down first, buddy," Alex says with a laugh, sounding much more alert than he did when he got home. "Can't hold you and my crutches."

Michael obligingly comes over to pick Teddy up, and deposits him in Alex's lap once he's settled at the table. "Liz texted me about five minutes ago to say they were almost ready to head out. Dinner should be ready by the time they get here."

"Sounds good," Alex says, tucking Teddy in a bit more securely. "Were you helping Daddy?"

"I did some mixing," Teddy tells him seriously. "But no chopping."

"Good; you need to be a little bigger before you start handling knives," Alex says, dropping a kiss to Teddy's head. "What were you guys making?"

"Chicken and broccoli pasta," Michael says. "Teddy did the very important job of mixing some mustard into the cream cheese."

"It wouldn't taste right without that," Alex agrees, smiling. "How'd school go?"

While Teddy tells Alex about his day, Michael leaves the kitchen and heads towards the kids' bedrooms. Keyla and Reyli are across the hall from each other, so he stands between the doors and knocks. "Hey guys, Max and Liz will be here with the baby any minute."

Reyli's door opens first. He gives Michael a tentative smile. "Need me to set the table?"

Michael smiles back. "That would be great, thank you."

Keyla's door doesn't open until Michael's about to knock again. "Do I need to come out now?" she asks, toeing the line of bitchiness.

"I'd appreciate it if you could," Michael says, "but if you're still working on your homework, I can give you ten minutes."

"Fine," Keyla says shortly, stepping back into her room and shutting the door behind her.

"Damn," Michael says, glancing at Reyli. "Who pissed in her cheerios?"

Reyli flushes. "I don't know, I'm sorry that she's so..."

"Hey." Michael shakes his head. "It's okay. Come on, let's go set that table." He raises his voice a little. "See you in ten minutes, Keyla!"

"Okay!"

Alex is looking at them when they return to the kitchen, one brow raised. "Everything okay?"

Michael pulls a face. "Keyla's finishing her homework."

Alex's expression says what he thinks of the veracity of that. "Did you finish your work, Reyli?" he asks, expression turning more genuinely curious.

Reyli nods. "I've got a paper to work on over the weekend, but I'm all done besides that."

They pass the time until Liz and Max arrive with small talk. Reyli sets the table while Michael finishes dinner, pulling some rolls out of the oven right as there's a knock on the door. "Could you grab that, Reyli?" Alex asks; when Michael glances over his shoulder, Alex is nodding towards Teddy, still comfortably settled in Alex's lap. "I'm kind of stuck."

"Yeah, of course," Reyli says, hurrying from the room. Michael hears him call for his sister as he heads to the front door, and then the general sounds of greetings and coats being hung up and shoes coming off. They've both met Max and Liz before, a couple of times now, but this is the first time they've been over for dinner since the kids moved in.

"Hey," Max says, coming into the kitchen with Artie in his carrier. "Something smells good."

Michael grins. "Hey, man. How's my favourite nephew?"

Artie babbles something incomprehensible while Liz snorts. "He's your only nephew," she points out dryly, smiling as she deposits the covered dish in her hands on the counter. "Dessert, courtesy of Papi; he made tres leches."

Michael groans. "Thank God for your father, Ortecho."

Teddy has been squirming in Alex's lap ever since they came in, but now he progresses to outright wriggling, and Michael can see that Alex is struggling to keep him contained. He laughs.

"Teddy, if you wanna say hi to baby Artie, you gotta ask Uncle Max and Aunt Liz really nicely."

Abruptly, Teddy falls still, and looks up at them with huge eyes. "Pleeeease?"

Liz, as she usually does, immediately melts. "Of course, Teddy," she says, moving towards the table so she can scoop Teddy into her arms, hugging him. "Max, put Artie down."

Max sets the carrier down on the table, angling it towards Teddy. "He's been really excited to see you, too, buddy," he says, quiet and conspiratorial. "He definitely likes you more than your dads."

Teddy, already craning his neck to peer into the carrier, grins suddenly. "Aw. I like him more than you."

Michael snorts.

Alex snickers. "I do, too," he says, giving Max a grin and laughing outright when Liz glares at him.

Reyli laughs too, and Michael looks at him in time to catch him gazing almost wistfully at Teddy and the baby.

"You can say hi, too, if you want," Michael says, gently encouraging - but Reyli startles, his gaze flickering to Michael and then away.

"Oh, that's okay," he says. "I should go check on my sister." And then he's gone.

Max frowns at the empty doorway, but waits until Reyli's out of earshot before he speaks. "Still jumpy as hell, huh?"

Teddy is distracted by Artie, the two youngest in the room making faces at each other, but Alex sighs. "Yeah," he says, voice low enough that only those in the kitchen will hear. "It doesn't help that Keyla's still..." He frowns, clearly searching for the right word.

"Cagey?" Michael offers.

"That's one word, sure," Alex says charitably, earning a grimace from Liz.

"Can you blame her, though? If I'd been torn away from Papi after Rosa died..."

Michael sighs. "We're doing everything we can to prove to them that we want them to stay together," he says. "I get that it's hard - I was a nightmare at her age, and I didn't trust anyone. I just wish..."

He trails off at the sound of footsteps in the hall, and they all glance to the doorway as Reyli and Keyla walk in.

Keyla raises a brow, the line of her shoulders tense at the combined scrutiny. "What?" she asks, more than a little defensive. "You said we were all doing dinner."

"We are," Michael says, giving her a smile that he hopes is encouraging. "I'm just about ready to dish up, if everyone's hungry."

Max nods. "I definitely brought my appetite, I'm starving."

Keyla eyes the table, which Michael put the extension in this afternoon, and the extra chairs. After a long moment's internal debate that Michael can almost hear, Keyla settles into the chair next to Teddy, who's sitting next to Alex. Reyli sits beside her, and Alex gives them both a small smile before he turns his attention to Max. "I remember what happened the last time you 'brought your appetite'," he teases. "Make sure everyone else gets a plate first."

Michael goes back to the food while everyone sits down, heaping pasta onto plates. It's been a bit of an adjustment, going back to hiding his powers at home since Keyla and Reyli moved in, but he's getting better at it. That doesn't mean it's not a pain in the ass, making multiple trips to and from the table.

Once everyone has their food and Michael is sitting down, Max looks at the kids and asks, "So how's school, you guys?"

Teddy frowns. "Mrs Wilder is weird," he says, which unfortunately isn't news. "But Caleb and I found a cool spot on the playground for our secret club!"

"That's great, buddy," Max says, and glances at Alex and Michael. "The school still giving you trouble?"

Alex grimaces. "Yeah," he says. "And they keep giving excuses for why there isn't anything more they can do."

Max frowns. "Maybe you should ask if Isobel can... have a word?"

Alex glances at Michael. "Maybe."

"Let's see how it goes," Michael sighs. "Isobel doesn't like flexing those particular muscles, but if it carries on..."

Keyla tenses, her grip on her fork going white-knuckled. "She's... pretty important?"

Fuck. Michael takes a breath. "She's loud," is what he settles on. "And rich. She's pretty good at making sure things go her way, that's all."

Keyla nods, but that's clearly not as reassuring as Michael wanted it to be, because she just looks at her plate and shuts her mouth. Alex catches Michael's gaze with a slight grimace. Liz seems to get what they aren't saying, because she tries to change the subject. "What about you, Reyli? How's school going for you?"

"Oh," Reyli says, ducking his head. "It's fine, y'know. I like my classes."

"Yeah?" Liz asks, tone gentle, encouraging. "Got a favorite?"

"I like English and history," Reyli offers. Michael shoots a surprised look at Alex; this is the first time he's shown a preference. "I like to read."

Liz's expression lights up. "Really? I'm more of a science geek, but Max..." She gives Reyli a secretive grin, leaning into to mock-whisper across the table, "He's a nerd. Always had a book in hand when we were in school."

Reyli tries to keep his expression neutral, but he can't hide the way his eyes light up. "Really?"

Max grins. "How do you feel about Russian novelists?"

"Oh, God," Michael groans.

Alex elbows him, lips curved in a smile. "Don't know how much Russian lit the high school has, but we can take you to the library sometime, if you want," he offers.

"Or I could lend you something, if you're interested," Max says, eager. "There are a couple books I can think of which would be a good introduction."

Reyli smiles, and to Michael's astonishment, he says, "Sure. Why not?"

Alex's smile softens as Teddy bounces a little in his seat. "The library's fun!" he says says enthusiastically, switching topics the way only a kid can. "They've got all kinds of games and Mrs Lent does all kinds of voices when she reads."

Michael reaches over to ruffle his hair. "That's right, buddy. We'll go there soon, okay?"

Teddy nods, shoveling another bite of food into his mouth. "'Kay."

"Don't talk with your mouth full, buddy," Alex says, fond and long-suffering, smiling when Teddy gives him a sheepish grin.

The rest of dinner passes easily; Keyla is the only one who doesn't really talk, watching her plate more than the rest of them. She does stay long enough to have some tres leches, looking briefly wistful when Liz tells her that Arturo made it himself, but then she disappears back down the hall. Teddy is starting to flag by then, and goes to his room without complaint. Reyli follows suit, leaving the adults in the living room. Artie is asleep in his carrier, Liz and Max curled up together on the couch while Alex tucks himself into Michael's side, a familiar and comfortable warmth. "Well, that went about as good as I expected it to," Alex sighs.

"Better, in some ways," Michael says. "I think that's the most Reyli has said in one go since he got here."

"Really?" Liz asks, frowning. "They've been here a while."

"He's quiet," Michael says. "Not scared, I think, at least not anymore. And Keyla is... louder."

"She wasn't tonight."

"No," Michael agrees. He glances at Alex. "She got real weird about Isobel, too. What was that about?"

Alex grimaces. "We were saying that maybe she's worried about being separated from Reyli," he points out. "And then you say that we know someone who's got a lot of influence..."

Michael groans, while Max frowns. "In making sure an authority acts in a way that benefits your kid," he says. "How is that a bad thing?"

"Because we think she's scared we're going to adopt Reyli when she ages out, and stop him from seeing her."

Liz grimaces. "That makes a certain kind of sense," she murmurs, gaze drifting to Artie's carrier, her son's face scrunched even in sleep. "Even if she knows about Leah and Teddy, how you've treated them... There's knowing, and there's believing you'll get the same treatment."

"We're trying to be consistent, you know," Michael says. "Wait her out, and prove by showing up for her and Reyli that we're not the enemy, but..." He shrugs. "I don't know that it's working."

"She turns eighteen in May," Alex says. "So we've got some time yet, but if she ages out, decides she wants to try to get custody of Reyli, things could get ugly."

"There's no way she can support herself and Reyli fresh out of high school, right?" Max asks.

Michael shrugs. "Hopefully it won't come to that. They can both stay here as long as they need."

Alex nods. "We all know the kinds of crazy shit people will do for their family," he says, squeezing Michael's hand.

Michael squeezes back. "I know," he says. "I just hope we can prove to her that she can trust us."

Liz's expression is sympathetic. "Anything we can help with, you let us know," she says, reaching over to put a hand on Michael's knee. "I mean it."

Max nods his agreement, and Michael smiles. "Thanks, guys. Something tells me we're gonna need all the help we can get."

---

Michael nods and says hello to most of the people he passes on his way through the Deep Sky facility. Alex doesn't have to come in often, which both of them are thankful for, but this is a special occasion. One of Deep Sky's teams found some sort of artifact, and while they aren't sure it was alien in origin, Alex is already hip-deep in examining it and recording every little detail about the artifact. Michael's taken the day off from Sanders' so he can come take a look at the artifact as well. He has to admit, it's nice to get out of the house and do something a little more exciting than usual with Alex - especially with less danger than, say, a megalomaniacal alien dictator after them.

He finds Alex in the usual workshop, head bent and gaze focused on his computer. He lifts one hand in an absent wave as Michael shuts the door behind him. "Hey, babe. I'm just going over Reid's latest test results."

Michael plops his hat down on Alex's desk and leans down to kiss his cheek. "Any idea what we're working with yet?"

"No," Alex says, clearly frustrated. "It doesn't seem to be actively dangerous, besides the fact that we don't know what the hell it is or what it does, but that's about as far as we've gotten."

"All right," Michael says gamely. "Well, we'll figure it out. You want me to look at it?"

"You can try," Alex sighs. "Maybe it'll react better to you."

Michael nods. "Is it in one of the labs?"

"Yeah; no way we're bringing it out until we have a better idea of what's going on with it," Alex says dryly, pushing his chair back. "I'll walk you down, I need to get out of this room for a while before I go mad."

So Michael follows him down to the lab, waits patiently while Alex takes the artifact out of containment, and then steps closer to get a look. "Is that it?"

The artifact looks more like a fuse than some sort of storage device; it's roughly the size of Michael's palm, and clearly alien. The material shimmers like alien glass under the lab lights. "Yeah, this is it," Alex says, setting the container on a workbench. "Careful, it bites."

Michael, who had been reaching out to touch it, immediately snatches his hand back. "What, seriously?"

Alex laughs. "Not with teeth. It shocked the hell out of Reid the other day, I swear his hair was standing up for hours."

"Okay, shit," Michael laughs. "Well, I guess my hair can't get any crazier, right?" He reaches out and picks up the artifact.

He can see Alex tense from the corner of his eye, but when nothing happens, Alex relaxes, making a curious noise. "I wonder if it recognizes you?" he wonders, drawing a little closer and peering at the artifact in Michael's hand, though he doesn't reach for it himself.

Michael turns it over, watching the way the alien glass shimmers. "Maybe. Where did you say it was found?"

"Montana," Alex answers. "Way the hell up in the Rockies. Only way in was on foot; couldn't fly in."

"Weird," Michael says. "Is this a button?" He presses his thumb to a weird divot in the side of the artifact, and a sharp shock makes his hand spasm. He yelps, the artifact falling to the floor with a clatter. "Shit!"

Alex jumps. "Did it just - Why did it shock you now?" he wonders, crouching down to run a critical eye over the artifact. "Can you pick it back up?"

Michael, who has been shaking the pins and needles out of his hand, rolls his eyes. "Yeah, fine, don't you touch it." He stoops to pick the thing up again, holding his breath - but it doesn't shock him this time.

"Interesting," Alex breathes, scrambling for a tablet and stylus. "It shocked Reid when he tried to touch it with his bare hands, and Reid says in his report that the scanner was still registering a pretty high electrical shock to the tools he used to examine it."

"I guess you're right," Michael muses. "It must recognise me - but it clearly doesn't like me enough to let me go poking at it."

"Sentient technology, great," Alex mutters, scribbling on the tablet. "I wonder if you could use your telekinesis to press the button?"

Michael gives him an unimpressed look. "You just want to see me get zapped again."

Alex grins. "Maybe - but I'm also curious. Will it still affect you if you're not physically touching it? Hold it up with your telekinesis."

”Only one way to find out, I guess,” Michael laughs.

---

Isobel's house is quiet when Michael pulls up. Her car is the only one in the drive, and she's not waiting for him on the front porch as she usually is for their twice-a-month dinners. She'd texted him right before he left the house though, asking him if he was feeling Italian or Chinese for dinner, and he doesn't feel anything from their bond, so Michael lets himself into the house.

He's greeted by the sound of Taylor Swift echoing through the large living room and foyer. Apparently the expensive soundproof windows more than delivered; he couldn't hear anything from outside the house. Inside is a totally different story. He follows the sound of music to the kitchen, where he finds Isobel with her back to the door, bopping along to the music as she works - but when she turns, he catches a glimpse of a distinctly troubled expression on her face.

"All right," Michael says - almost shouts - over the music. "What are we shaking off, exactly? 'Players gonna play'? Have you broken up with Kyle?"

Isobel waves one hand, and the music obligingly lowers to a more reasonable level. "Not yet," she says, still without turning away from the stove.

Michael feels his jaw drop. "Not yet?" he demands. "What the hell is going on?"

"I don't know!" Isobel cries, spinning away from the stove and throwing her hands in the air, flinging sauce from the spoon in her hand halfway across the kitchen. "He's just - He's acting so secretive, and I swore I'd never invade his mind, and I haven't, but he won't tell me what's bothering him!"

"Okay," Michael says, soothing, his hands held out. "This is more than him just cancelling plans the other week. Why don't we sit down and you can walk me through it?"

Isobel huffs, but her eyes are suspiciously wet when she nods. "Okay."

So Michael grabs drinks and cutlery while Isobel dishes up dinner, and they settle at her huge kitchen island to eat. "All right," he says, when several minutes have passed with no explanation forthcoming. "What's been going on?"

Isobel sighs heavily, frowning into her wine. "He's canceled more plans," she starts with. "And he's been... I don't know, shifty? Like he's hiding something."

"And you're getting bad vibes?" Michael asks. "Or have you... y'know." He wiggles his fingers.

"No, I haven't," Isobel says indignantly. "I just told you, I swore I wouldn't, not without his permission." She sighs, takes a sip of wine. "It's not... bad vibes, I guess. But he's definitely hiding something."

"Then maybe it's not bad," Michael offers. "Maybe it's, like, I don't know, a surprise birthday party or something."

Isobel hesitates. "That... would explain him and Max," she says thoughtfully.

Michael frowns. "Max?"

"Yeah; I was running errands the other day and spotted Kyle and Max at Bean Me Up. They were talking about something, I couldn't hear what, and laughing."

"Okay, there, see? It can't be bad, whatever it is."

Isobel huffs, glaring down at her plate of pasta. "He knows I don't like surprises," she mutters. "Planning them, sure, but I don't like getting them."

Michael shrugs. "Maybe he wants to propose."

Isobel freezes, eyes wide as she looks at Michael in shock. "What?"

Michael just laughs. "Come on," he says. "I know I don't exactly like Valenti, but he's a good guy. Whatever he's doing, he's not doing it to hurt you." He takes a breath. "But, if you want me to rough him up a little, just to be on the safe side..."

That gets a laugh and a more relaxed smile. "I appreciate it, but let's wait to see if he deserves it," she says.

Michael grins back. "Well, if you need me, you just gotta let me know."

---

They finish dinner with lighter conversation, and when Michael leaves, Isobel pulls him in for a hug that lingers a little longer than normal. Michael turns the evening's conversation over in his head the whole drive home, and is still chewing on it when he gets back. Alex clocks his distraction right away, of course, and after the welcome-home kiss, asks, "Is Isobel okay?"

"Yeah, I think so," Michael sighs. "She's got her head up her ass about Valenti being flaky." He laughs. "I told her he's probably going to propose or something, you should've seen her face."

Alex raises a brow. "Really?" he asks, a strange lilt to the word.

Michael frowns, immediately suspicious. "What?"

"Well, Kyle came over while you were out."

"Right..."

"And he wanted my opinion... On your opinion, if he were to ask you about proposing to Isobel."

Michael's jaw actually drops. "I'm sorry, what?"

Alex shrugs. "He is planning to propose; apparently Max has already given his approval."

"Fuck! I just blew it!"

Alex blinks, clearly thrown by Michael's reaction. "What?"

"I just told you!" Michael cries. "I told her he might be getting ready to propose, and I was joking, because I thought there was no way in a million years that he would actually propose - but apparently he is, and now I've put the thought in her head!"

"But you were joking, right? And even if Isobel figures it out, it's not that big of a deal."

Michael scoffs. "It sounds like a big deal. He's been giving her the runaround for weeks."

Alex hesitates. "He said he'd been trying to get things together," he says slowly.

"Well, she's freaking out," Michael says. "He's not giving her Noah vibes, but he's also not not giving her Noah vibes. You might want to tell him to dial it back."

Alex grimaces. "That's... fair," he sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I'll text him."

"Do you know when he's going to ask her?"

"He hasn't decided yet," Alex says, shaking his head. "He's only just picked out a ring."

"Jesus," Michael laughs. "Yeah, maybe you should say something before she actually breaks up with him."

”I’ll give him a call,” Alex promises, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Later. I still have some work to to.”

---

It's been a quiet week, but not in a good way. Michael has a feeling that a storm is brewing, but he can't figure out exactly which way it's going to break yet. The older kids have been out of sorts, Reyli withdrawn and Keyla moody, and Alex has been coming home from work late, so tired that he barely has the energy to eat half of the dinner Michael saved for him before he has to go to bed. Even Teddy, the one ray of sunshine in the house, was sullen when Michael picked him up from school yesterday. He wouldn't say why, but Michael's worried that his teacher's been causing trouble again.

Today is Saturday, and everyone is still clearly out of sorts. Keyla and Reyli retreat to their rooms after breakfast to do homework, but Teddy isn't interested in any of their usual weekend activities. To cheer him up, Michael takes him out into the garden, where he seems encouraged by the offer of 'helping' Michael with the little vegetable patch he's starting to cultivate. Michael enjoys the work, though he'd like it more if he'd been able to coax Alex outside with him; he's working at the dining table, instead.

They've been at it for a good couple of hours, Teddy miraculously still occupied and brightening more with each minute, when voices float through the open kitchen window.

"Keyla, have you gotten the towels out of the dryer yet?" Alex is calling, sounding vaguely distracted.

"No," Keyla answers, perhaps a little sharper than Michael thinks is necessary. "I'm just getting a glass of water, is that okay with you?"

Michael can just barely hear his husband sigh. "We asked you to do that before lunch, Keyla," Alex says in the tone Michael recognizes as 'Trying really damn hard to stay patient.'

"I'm still doing my homework," Keyla says. "They're just dry towels, why does it even matter?"

"Because there's other laundry we need to do," Alex says. "And you agreed that handling the towels would be your chore."

"It's just some towels," Keyla huffs, and Michael can hear the roll of her eyes. "Even Teddy could handle it."

"Yeah, but that's not Teddy's job on laundry day," Alex says; his voice is going tight, the way it does when he gets frustrated. "It's yours."

"And I'm busy," Keyla sasses. "School comes first, right? Why don't you do it?"

"Because I'm working," Alex grits out. "You know, the thing that keeps food on the table?"

Keyla huffs. "I have homework - you know, work that's designed to be done at home? It's not my problem if you're so shit at your job that you have to clock in at the weekend."

Michael grits his teeth, and glances at Teddy, who's digging happily in the soil with a plastic trowel. He'll be fine for a minute or two. Michael gets to his feet and is at the patio door in an instant, hauling it open and stepping into the kitchen proper. "Hey," he growls. "Watch who you're talking to."

"Michael," Alex says, cutting Michael a sharp look before sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose, turning back to Keyla. "Look. You're up now, so on your way out of the kitchen and back to your room, please just take a few minutes and get the towels done. You can leave them on top of the dryer."

Keyla cocks her head, considering Alex with something in her eyes that raises Michael's blood pressure. "You know, you can't actually tell me what to do," she says. "You're not my dad." She spits the word like it's dirty, contemptuous.

Michael can't keep his mouth shut. "No, but we are your guardians," he says. "I'm not going to pull that 'under my roof' bullshit, but while you're living with us, we work as a team."

Keyla's eyes flash. "Or what?" she demands. "I won't be living with you, is that it?"

"No," Michael says, "that's not it. If you seriously hate it here and want to leave, we can talk about your options. But we're not going to make you leave because you're being a brat."

Alex clears his throat, giving Michael another look. "Everyone does their part," he agrees, "and that doesn't include name-calling. But it does include chores, which you already agreed to, Keyla."

Keyla looks from Alex to Michael, who just raises an eyebrow, daring her to start bitching again. "Fine," she snaps. "I'll take your stupid towels out, but if I get a shitty grade on my homework, it's your fault."

She storms out before Michael can draw breath to reprimand her language.

"Well," Alex says, sounding tired. "That could've gone better."

"What the hell was that about?" Michael asks, pushing a hand through his hair.

"I don't know," Alex says, brow furrowed, "but I don't like it. The look on her face..."

"Well, I can handle a bitchy teenager," Michael huffs. He cuts his gaze to Alex. "Are you okay? She was giving you a pretty hard time."

Alex shrugs. "Yeah, she was, but that doesn't mean you need to jump down her throat."

Michael scowls. "I hardly jumped down her throat."

"Maybe not, but arguing with her isn't going to bring her around to our side."

"Neither is letting her get away with talking to you like that," Michael says. "Respect goes both ways, Alex."

Alex grimaces, but doesn't argue; instead, he changes the subject. "You should probably make sure Teddy doesn't end up in a mudhole," he says, nodding towards the back door. "Otherwise you get to clean him up, and wash his clothes."

Michael blinks. "Right," he says. "I'll let you get back to work, then." He ducks out into the yard before Alex has a chance to respond.

---

The next couple days are strained; Keyla keeps giving Alex looks that Michael doesn't like, though she doesn't outright argue with either of them again. Reyli seems to be picking up on the tension, too, because he's quieter than usual. Teddy alone seems unaffected, happily pestering both Alex and Michael for attention depending on who is closer or less busy at the moment. Michael isn't entirely sure how to approach the issue of the tension between him and his husband, even when they're tucked up in bed. Alex still goes readily into Michael's arms, still holds Michael close and kisses him goodnight, but they don't... talk the way they usually do, about everything and nothing, until they both fall asleep. It pricks at something in Michael's chest, makes his rest uneasy, but he tries to give Alex space to think, to trust that Alex will come to him and they can sort this out.

And then on Wednesday night, after they've gone to bed, once they're under the covers, Alex says, "I got a call from Teddy's school today."

It's the last thing Michael's expecting, and he doesn't immediately know how he feels about it. "Oh," he says, turning over to look at Alex. "About what?"

"Teddy's been sullen in class, lately," Alex says. "Apparently he's been grumpy towards the teacher, and even argued with her some."

"Well, maybe she deserves it," Michael says. "We can talk to him about it, make another appointment with the principal."

"I already did," Alex says. "It's for Friday; you have the afternoon off, right?"

Michael nods. "Why are you only mentioning this now?"

Alex shrugs, expression slightly rueful. "Slipped my mind, sorry."

Michael hums. "He has been a little weird the last few days," he says. "I tried to get him to talk to me, but..."

"He hasn't really said anything to me, either," Alex sighs. "But I think we need to push more about getting him moved to another class. If he's arguing with the teacher and talking back..."

"You think that'll help, if we get him away from that teacher?"

"Staying in that classroom clearly isn't helping him," Alex points out. "Mrs Wilder obviously hasn't listened to the admin - if they've even talked with her."

Michael grimaces. "Then, yeah, okay. Let's see if it's any better in a different class."

---

Things remain tense around the house while they wait for Friday, though Michael isn't sure that the older kids' weirdness can be blamed on Teddy's problems with his teacher. He's not sure Alex's weirdness can be either, at least not entirely - but he thinks he might be getting somewhere when he pulls into their driveway after work on Thursday just in time to see Kyle pulling out.

Michael waves, and Kyle definitely sees him, but his gaze just slides right on past Michael to the road, a pinch between his brows. It's not like they're best pals or anything, but they've gone way past being openly hostile to each other, so it's a little unusual. Maybe he was just in a rush.

Michael's still turning it over in his mind as he gets out of his truck. Alex is on the doorstep, waiting for him after seeing Kyle out. He's not on his crutches yet but he looks tired, his weight on his good leg, an unhappy curve to his mouth. A tight, worried knot forms in Michael's chest.

"Hey," he calls out as he approaches. "Everything okay?"

"I don't know," Alex sighs. "Things aren't going great for Kyle."

"What do you mean?" Michael asks, leaning in for a kiss.

Alex gives him one, but it's decidedly distracted. "Isobel's being weirder than ever; Kyle says they've barely been able to go a day without arguing."

"I haven't talked to her since I was there last," Michael says. He gestures for Alex to get out of the doorway, and follows him into the house. "Maybe I should call her?"

"Maybe not, considering how that went last time," Alex says dryly. "I don't think Kyle would appreciate the meddling."

Michael frowns. "What do you mean? It's not meddling to check on my sister."

"The last time you talked to her, you kicked all of this off," Alex points out. "Kyle's plan was going fine until you freaked Isobel out."

Michael's pretty sure he hears his jaw thunk as it hits the floor. "I know you're joking," he says. "Kyle's plan was not going fine - he's been so weird that Isobel was thinking about breaking up with him when I saw her last! If she's freaking out now, that's all on him."

"He was getting everything ready," Alex points out, annoyance clear in his tone. "It was a big deal!"

"He was going to blow it!" Michael cries. "And I didn't even say anything, I just made a stupid joke."

"Yeah, but because of that joke, Kyle can't even get near the topic of marriage without Isobel bolting," Alex informs him. "Not even trying to propose, just trying to talk to her about what's going on."

Michael snorts. "Alex, I'm really not seeing how that's my fault."

"You psyched her out, Michael," Alex says flatly. "Kyle had everything ready to talk to her about proposing, or if she didn't want to be married again, some sort of commitment ceremony. And then you jumped the gun, and now Kyle can barely talk to Isobel about anything, much less what's wrong."

"I didn't know!" Michael hisses. "I can talk to her again, try to calm her down - but what if she just doesn't want to marry him, Alex? If she's wigging this hard, maybe it's just not something she wants."

He starts when a little hand fists itself in his jeans. "Daddy? Papa?" They both look down at Teddy, who's now standing between them. Michael hadn't even heard him approaching; from the look on Alex's face, he hadn't, either. "Are you fighting?"

Michael can see Alex biting back a swear. "We were... arguing," he says, because they'd made a promise to each other and to their kids to never lie to them unless it was about aliens, or something life-threatening. "But just because we were frustrated, and tired."

"Do you still love each other?" Teddy asks, blinking up at them with wide eyes. Michael sighs and bends down to scoop him up.

"Very much," he vows. "And we love you even more."

Alex moves in close, running a hand over Teddy's hair, bending to press a kiss to his forehead. "We do love you," he promises. "That will never change."

Michael clears his throat, stepping back when Alex straightens up again. "Come on, kiddo," he says, bouncing Teddy a little. "Why don't you help me with dinner?"

Teddy seems immensely cheered by the prospect, but before Michael can turn towards the kitchen, Alex closes the distance between them once again. This time, he reaches for Michael's shoulder, and when he leans in, it's to brush a soft kiss to Michael's cheek and murmur, "That came out wrong; I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it," Michael sighs, and heads off towards the kitchen.

---

To his own surprise, Michael manages to follow his own advice, and doesn't spend the next few days worrying about it at all. He'd call it growth, but he's self-aware enough to realise that there are more pressing matters he does need to worry about, and that they're currently taking the top spot.

One of those matters is Teddy's school. The meeting with the principal doesn't go badly, but it doesn't go well either. More empty platitudes and reassurances that Teddy will be supported in his current class, that there's no need to move him just yet, do nothing to make them feel any better. They're going to have a fight on their hands if things don't improve, but objectively, they've been through worse. Michael has no doubts that they can handle an obnoxious teacher and a wilfully-ignorant principal.

Still, they don't really get the chance to talk about it on Friday night. Reyli spends it holed up in his room like usual, but Teddy is bouncing off the walls thanks to the birthday cake brought in by one of the kids in his class, and Keyla is still doing her absolute best to push all of their buttons. By the time they're finally alone, they're too tired to do anything but go straight to sleep.

The next day, around lunchtime, they hear a squeal from the living room. Teddy is meant to be playing with Reyli while Keyla sulks in her room, and Michael and Alex have been catching up on some overdue housework all morning. Michael looks up from where he's cleaning out the oven, waits for a moment - but when Teddy screams again, he goes running.

"What?" he demands, bursting into the room. "What is it, what's going on?" He stalls, confused, when the expected blood and carnage fails to materialise before him. Reyli is sitting on the floor, looking just as perplexed as he feels, and Teddy is standing on the back of the loveseat with his face pressed to the window. Without warning, he lets out another ear-piercing shriek, and Michael's blood pressure rockets. "Teddy! What?"

"Leah's home!"

Alex, who has just stumbled through the entryway into the living room, freezes, his eyes wide. "She - What?" he asks, bewildered.

"Leah!" Teddy shrieks again, and the pain in his eardrums has Michael taking a few halting steps closer.

Teddy's bouncing on the back of the loveseat now, and Michael gets to him just as the cushion gives way beneath him. He catches him with ease, steadying him, and finally looks out the window.

Sure enough, a very familiar car is parked beside Alex's Explorer, and a very familiar girl is walking towards the house, a backpack slung over her shoulder.

"Holy shit," he breathes. "Leah's home."

Alex doesn't bother with the window, instead making a beeline for the door. Michael hears him open it before Leah has the chance to knock, and can hear the smile in his voice as he says, “Well, hello, stranger."

Michael isn't far behind, and he sees Leah grin over Alex's shoulder. "Hey, Pop," she says, stepping in for a hug. "Hope it's okay for me to drop by."

There's a sound behind Michael like Reyli just got to his feet, and maybe even like Keyla's door opening. Alex doesn't seem to hear either sound, reeling Leah in for a tight hug for a moment before he lets her go and steps to the side. "I think we can find some space for you," he teases. "If nothing else, you can bunk in with Teddy."

Right on cue, Teddy comes barrelling in, straight into Leah's legs. "Yay, sleepover!"

Their laughter is like music to Michael's ears as Leah scoops Teddy up and squeezes him close. "I see how it is, you guys gave my room away already?"

Michael rolls his eyes, fond. "You know we would never do that. But we did put a new workshop in there, so your bed is gone."

Leah and Alex are both grinning, Teddy beaming as he clings to Leah's neck, arms wrapped tightly enough around her that Michael is surprised she can breathe. Leah opens her mouth to reply -

"Who's this, then?"

Michael turns on the spot, trying not to be irritated that they've been interrupted by Keyla's attitude before he's even gotten a hug in with his daughter. "This is Leah," he says. "I know you've met on video calls, but officially, Leah, this is Keyla - and Reyli."

Reyli, who Michael now sees is hovering in the living room doorway, raises a hand. "Hey."

Alex exchanges a brief, concerned look with Michael behind Leah's back. Keyla is standing next to Reyli, looking at Leah with a raised brow. "Right," she says slowly. "The daughter." She studies Leah for a long moment before abruptly changing the subject. "I'm going out with some friends. They're picking me up in fifteen minutes. Thought I should let you know before the screaming guard dog does."

Michael's eyes narrow. "What did you just say?"

Keyla’s expression turns innocent. "What? I just figured you should probably know ahead of time before he - " She gestures to Teddy, who is now excitedly chattering at Leah about something to do with one of his favorite shows " - got excited and told you there was another strange car here."

Michael takes a slow, even breath, conscious of their audience. "You can go out with your friends," he says, "but please don't talk about Teddy like that. He's just excited to see his sister."

Keyla eyes Michael for a moment before she huffs. "Fine," she sighs. "I’m going to finish getting ready." With that, she spins on her heel and disappears back down the hall.

Michael fights the urge to roll his eyes, and switches his attention to Reyli. "You can hang out with us today if you want to - maybe we'll go out for dinner or something later?"

But Reyli seems to shrink in on himself. "Oh, no, it's fine. I still have homework I need to finish. Nice to meet you, Leah."

"You, too," Leah says softly - and then Reyli is gone.

Michael sighs. "He finished his homework last night."

Alex grimaces. "They're still adjusting," he says quietly. "It's just... taking a while."

"It's hard," Leah murmurs, and gives them a small smile when Michael turns to look at her. "It's easier with you guys than it is with anyone else, but... it's still hard."

”We know,” Michael agrees. “We just hope it gets easier soon.”

---

Keyla's friends pick her up in the predicted fifteen minutes. Leah and Teddy are in Teddy's room, and Keyla barely pauses to say goodbye to her own brother before she breezes out the door. Alex and Michael exchange looks, but set the matter aside for the moment in favor of catching up with Leah, hearing about the little things that don't always make it into the weekly video calls or more frequent texts.

As it gets closer to five, the three of them start trying to figure out dinner. They'd planned to go grocery shopping the next day, so there isn't much of substance in the kitchen at the moment. After scanning the pantry for the second time, Alex suggests they simply go to the Crashdown for dinner, which Leah and Teddy enthusiastically agree to. Michael invites Reyli again; the boy hesitates again, but he doesn’t make another excuse about homework. So they all pile into the van and head into town themselves.

The Crashdown isn't too busy when they walk in; they’ve managed to beat the worst of the dinner rush. A bored-looking teenager directs them to a booth, and they get their orders in before Leah leans forward on the table, looking at Reyli with a gentle thoughtfulness before she speaks. "You're a freshman, right? Does Mrs Pence still teach environmental?”

Reyli nods. "Uh, yeah, she seems nice. She mentioned you, actually, when she realised who I was staying with."

"Oh, god," Leah laughs. "If it was something bad, don't tell me."

That gets a smile. "No, she just asked how you are. Said you were one of her best students."

Michael grins and gives Leah a nudge. "Hell yeah, you were."

Reyli turns to him. "She said that you were, too - but also that--" The smile slips off his face. "Um. Never mind."

"No, go on," Michael says, laughing. "What'd she say? If it was bad, it's probably true."

Reyli flushes, chewing his lip, but when Michael gives him an encouraging nod, he tells them, "She said you were the bane of her existence."

Alex and Leah both laugh at that. "He was the bane of every teacher's existence," Alex confides. "Too smart and stubborn."

Reyli ducks his head, but he nods. "She's not the only teacher who said that. But most agree that, um." He glances at Alex. "That you've been a good influence."

Leah snorts at that, and Alex smirks. "A little, maybe," he hums, glancing at Michael with a spark in his eye. "But we've both mellowed out from our wild, emotional high school days."

"You were just as much of a rebel as I was," Michael huffs, "and I got better grades than you. They're just biased because you 'served your country' or whatever."

"I mean, he should get some use out of that trauma," Leah points out, giving Alex a fond look before turning her attention back to Reyli. "How are you liking the school so far?"

Reyli nods. "It's fine. The work's not too hard, and I've made a couple friends."

"Yeah?" Leah asks encouragingly. "What's your favorite subject?"

"I like English and history," Reyli says. "I like to read."

"Max is getting him into Russian lit," Michael adds.

"You mean Uncle Max is corrupting him," Leah teases. "I never got into Russian lit, but it'll do Uncle Max good to have someone to bond with, I suppose, before he starts trying to indoctrinate Artie. I was more into music; I'm actually planning to major in music therapy."

Reyli smiles. "Like, singing songs about your problems?"

Leah shrugs, the corner of her mouth tilting up. "If that's the kind of music you want to make. Just... it's about finding an outlet, a way to make sense of things. I want to help people, especially people like us."

"I like the sound of that," Reyli admits. "Maybe you could help my sister." His eyes go wide.

"Well, I don't have my degree, much less my license yet," Leah says kindly, "but... Yeah. People like Keyla, like my brother... They're who I want to help the most."

"And I have no doubt you're going to be amazing," Michael says, beaming with pride the way he always does when Leah talks about this.

Leah ducks her head, cheeks darkening with a pleased flush as she gives Michael a shy, grateful smile.

---

The rest of dinner is pleasant. Leah takes Reyli's questions about her major and runs, telling them about her classes and the friends she's making on campus, as well as all the parties she's been able to persuade Lucas to go to. Reyli comes out of his shell a little more with each passing minute, and from the look on Alex's face when Michael meets his gaze, he's just as relieved as Michael feels to see it.

The chatter doesn't stop once they get in the car, and Reyli is laughing at something Leah says as they walk into the house. The laughter dies pretty quickly, though, when Alex flips on the light in the living room to find Keyla sitting on the couch, her face like thunder.

"Oh, so you're finally home."

Beside Michael, Alex frowns. "We texted you and told you we were out for dinner," he says.

"We asked if you wanted to join us," Michael adds, "but you said you were eating at your friend's place."

Keyla sticks her nose in the air. "I did," she says. "But I didn't realise that meant you'd be leaving a minor unattended all night."

Alex raises a brow. "Reyli came with us, you were with friends - and are seventeen. It's barely past eight."

"I had no idea when you were coming back," Keyla says. "What if someone had broken into the house?"

"You also didn't tell us you were home," Alex counters. "There’s a security system on the house, and you know how to dial 911."

"Come on, Keyla," Reyli says quietly. "It was just dinner."

Keyla shoots him an acerbic look. "Yeah, just dinner with the real daughter. Did you have fun playing happy families and forgetting all about your sister?"

"Hey," Michael growls. "He doesn't deserve that."

"Whatever, Dad." Keyla gets to her feet. "I'm going to bed."

Michael exchanges looks with Alex, sees his own frustration mirrored in his husband's eye, but neither of them stop Keyla. Once her door has slammed shut, Alex reaches out a tentative hand, lightly touching Reyli's shoulder. "You okay, kid?"

Reyli flinches, but doesn't quite shrug Alex off. "I'm fine," he says, voice thick. "I'm just kinda tired. Can I go to bed, too?"

"Of course," Alex says softly, and they watch Reyli go.

Leah sighs. "Good thing Teddy's asleep," she murmurs, the boy in question still passed out in her arms. "I'll put him down."

Michael nods. "Thanks." He holds his hand out for Alex. "You wanna sit down? I could use a drink."

Alex sighs, scrubbing a hand over his face before he takes Michael's, nodding as he threads their fingers together. "Yeah, I think I need one, too."

So Michael draws him over to the loveseat and, satisfied that both of their foster kids are safe behind closed doors, uses his powers to pull two beers out of the fridge. He hands one to Alex, and clinks their bottles together. "You think she'll get after us for being neglectful alcoholics next?"

Alex makes an irritated noise, low in the back of his throat. "Probably," he mutters, scowling in the way Michael knows means he's more worried than truly irritated.

"Mary knows we're not," Michael says, as reasonably as he can. "And so does Leah. She's just testing the boundaries."

"For how long, Michael?" Alex asks, a little exasperated. "It's been months now, and she's just getting worse."

"That's because she hasn't found the limit yet," Michael sighs. "She wants to know what it'll take to make us snap."

Alex raises a brow. "Another former-foster-kid insight?"

Michael shrugs. "It's always better if you find that limit because of something you did on purpose."

Alex's nose wrinkles. "I hate that that makes sense," he mutters, taking another sip of his beer. "She... I feel like she's waiting for one of us to turn into my dad."

"I think that's kinda 'cause she is," Michael says. "But we won't. We just gotta wait her out, prove her wrong."

Alex doesn't seem terribly reassured by that answer, but Leah appears in the entrance to the living room before he can say anything. "Teddy's out like a light," she tells them, sighing a little as she drops into the armchair, curling up in it.

"Good," Michael says, offering her a small smile. "At least one of us is having a good night."

Leah makes a face. "I know you said she's been having trouble settling in, but..." She trails off, looking unhappy and worried.

Michael feels Alex tense beside him, and rushes to speak first. "Let's not worry about it right now. You're home for the first time in weeks, and we've missed you."

---

The rest of the weekend goes better, if only because Keyla and Reyli both stay out of the way. Isobel takes Leah out for brunch on Sunday, and Dallas comes over for dinner, and then Leah drives back to school that night. It's a hard goodbye, for all of them. She promises to come back soon and to call with Lucas later in the week, but Teddy is inconsolable for the rest of the night anyway.

The ensuing sleepless night sets the tone for the week. Michael keeps him home from school on Monday, and calls in sick with Sanders himself, but Alex insists that he has to go into Deep Sky. He comes home late, looking even worse than Michael feels, so they don't talk about it in favour of going to bed. It isn't long until they're woken up again by Teddy's cries.

The next few days are pretty much rinse and repeat. Teddy manages to get enough sleep that he can go back to school on Wednesday, but Michael's exhausted. So is Alex, though that's not helped by the long hours he's working, coming home later and later each night. Between the lack of sleep and trying to wrangle Teddy by himself, Michael doesn't have the energy to deal with Keyla's bitchiness at the dinner table on Thursday, which is the only time he's seen her all week. Reyli tries to help with Teddy while Michael does the dishes, but retreats to his room when he gets overwhelmed, and Michael can't even blame him.

He hopes that a video call with Leah, which Alex misses, will help - and for a little while it seems like it does, but as soon as it's bedtime, Teddy gets upset again, and it takes Michael an hour to settle him enough to sleep.

Michael was already asleep by the time Alex got home last night, and barely had the chance to pour him a coffee before he was running out of the door this morning - but they need to talk about this. Teddy will be okay, he thinks, but they all miss Leah, and it's possible that Alex's absence is making it worse on the kid. It's not like he doesn't recognise Alex's determination to bury himself in work rather than deal with his own emotions - it's just that it's been so long since they've come up against this particular hurdle. Whatever's going on with Keyla clearly isn't helping, either.

So they're going to talk about it. Alex gets home late, once all the kids are in bed, and Michael grabs them both a drink while he reheats his dinner in the kitchen. He's carrying their beers through into the living room when headlights sweep over the window, almost blinding him. He moves closer, peering through the blinds for a better look - and is treated to the sight of a familiar but not at all expected car pulling up outside their house for the second time this week.

So much for talking about their family problems tonight.

"Hey, Alex? Kyle's outside."

The microwave beeps, and Michael hears Alex pop the door open before he joins Michael in the living room, plate in hand. "He didn't text me," he says, brow furrowed as he watches Kyle climb out of the car. "You hear from Isobel?"

Michael fishes his phone out of his pocket and scowls at the display. "Nothing. Shit. You think they had a fight?"

Alex gestures to the small duffel bag Kyle is slinging over his shoulder. "Probably, yeah," he says grimly, moving towards the door.

"Should I call her?" Michael asks, but it's too late, because Kyle is already knocking on their door.

Alex pulls it open immediately, his expression concerned. "Little late for a doctor's visit, isn't it?" he asks, clearly aiming for joking and missing by a mile.

Even from the living room doorway, Michael can see he looks tired. "Yeah, I'm sorry for just showing up," he says. "Is there any chance I could crash here?"

"’Course you can," Alex says, stepping to the side. "Couch is always open, at least for a night."

Kyle laughs as he steps inside. "That's cold, Manes, but I guess I deserve it."

"No, you know we've got a guest room," Alex says, brow furrowing as he takes in Kyle's appearance. "What happened?"

Kyle sighs. "Me and Isobel had a fight. I don't even know how it happened, we just..."

"She kicked you out?" Michael asks, and Kyle starts like he hadn't realised he was there.

"No, I just thought it was for the best. We both need some time to cool off."

Michael nods. "We were just about to have a drink, if you want to join."

"Yeah," Kyle says. "That'd be nice, thank you."

Alex leads the way over to the living room while Michael detours to the kitchen to grab another bottle of beer. He comes back to find that Kyle is sitting in the armchair, Alex leaning on the arm of the couch nearest to him, his expression open and sympathetic. "Tell us what happened," he's saying, coaxing. "You said you two had a fight?"

Kyle takes the bottle Michael hands him and drinks deeply from it while Michael settles beside Alex on the couch. "I don't even know," he says again, shaking his head. "She was getting after me for acting flaky, and she was pushing and pushing for me to tell her why I've been so weird lately, but I just... couldn't do it. I guess I got defensive, and it just blew up."

Alex grimaces. "I can imagine," he murmurs. "The two of you are... equally hard-headed."

"I'm sorry," Michael offers, remembering his and Alex's disagreement last week, "if I made things worse for you."

But Kyle shakes his head. "It's not your fault. I should have just been honest from the start. We're adults, we should be able to have a conversation about our future, but I just had to go all cloak-and-dagger about it."

"So what are you going to do now?" Alex asks, his hand falling to Michael's knee and squeezing in silent apology.

Kyle's sigh is deep and heavy. "I don't know," he says. "I want to marry her. I'm ready. But I don't want that if she doesn't."

"Well, we can't tell you if she is or isn't ready, but you're welcome to stay for a night or two," Alex offers. "Though you probably shouldn't avoid that conversation for too long."

Kyle shakes his head. "I won't. I'm going to talk to her tomorrow, and I'm just gonna be honest, tell her where I'm at and see where she's at. But I didn't want to have that conversation while we were upset."

The look Alex gives Michael then is vaguely guilty - that is still something they struggle with. "Good instinct," he says after a moment, turning back to Kyle.

Michael covers Alex's hand with his and squeezes. "Do you want me to text Iz, let her know where you are?"

"Nah, I told her." Kyle manages a weak smile. "She said to tell you you're a traitor for housing the enemy."

Alex snorts, amused. "That sounds like Isobel," he chuckles before glancing at Michael. "Maybe you should go to her place? She might need someone to vent to."

Michael snorts. "You kicking me out so that you two can braid each other's hair?"

"Assuming Valenti can handle the sheer gay vibes, sure," Alex drawls, smirking. "Go be a good brother."

"Not that I'm not more than happy to leave you guys to have a girls' night," Michael says, "but what about Teddy?"

Kyle frowns. "What's up with Teddy?"

"He's been having a rough time lately," Alex admits. "More nightmares and anxiety, ever since Leah left."

Kyle's face softens in sympathy. "Damn," he says. "Well, if he wakes up again tonight, maybe a hug from Uncle Kyle will help some - but I'm also not kicking you out of your own house, Guerin. Isobel's a big girl, and she loves those kids almost as much as you guys do."

Doesn't Michael know it. He looks at Alex. "It's your call."

"I think we can hold down the fort here for one night," Alex says, giving Michael a soft smile.

Michael nods. "All right," he agrees, and gets to his feet, though not before brushing a kiss to Alex's cheek. "I love you. Just call if you need me."

”I will,” Alex says, makes a little shooing motion. “Go take care of your sister.”

---

Isobel is pissed off and upset in equal measure, but like Kyle, she's resolved to force the conversation tomorrow, come what may. She wastes no time in telling Michael, who has already promised himself he won't meddle again, that he's surplus to requirements if he won't tell her what's going on with Kyle, but she also doesn't kick him out. They drink some wine about it, and listen to Taylor Swift for a few hours, and then Michael tucks her into bed and drives home.

The house is dark when he lets himself in, and still enough that he gets the impression that Kyle and Alex called it a night way before he and Isobel did. He's quiet as he can be as he enters the bedroom, but it's impossible not to disturb Alex, who blinks bleerily at him and gives him a sleepy smile. Teddy is in the bed with him, passed out and snuggled into his side. Michael smiles back, and rushes through getting ready for bed so that he can join them.

He and Alex don't end up talking that night, and between the school/work run and giving Kyle a pep talk before he goes to face Isobel, they don't talk the next morning, either. Michael does extract a promise from Alex to come home on time, though, so he's cautiously optimistic that they'll get a chance to talk tonight.

That optimism only grows when the only call he gets about Teddy all day is from Alex himself, letting Michael know he left Deep Sky early and will pick Teddy up on his way home. The junkyard has been unusually busy this last week, so Michael himself isn't so lucky, but he manages to finish on time and is looking forward to the weekend as he drives home.

Of course, that saying about 'best-laid plans' exists for a reason - and Michael hears the raised voices before he even opens the front door.

"And I told you," Keyla is snarking as Michael hangs up his hat, "we're not part of this so-called family, so I don't have to participate in your bullshit family night, and neither does my brother."

"No, you don't have to," Alex says, clearly hanging on to his patience by a thread, "but that doesn't mean you get to decide for Reyli what he does or doesn't do. If he wants to join, he's welcome to, same as you are."

"How about you leave what he wants to me?" Keyla snaps as Michael draws closer. "We're not buying what you're selling, okay? You're so full of shit, both of you - you know fostering to adopt is actually really fucking unethical, right?"

"Hey!" The sound of Michael's voice makes them both jump. "Watch your language, and your tone."

Keyla whirls on him. "Oh, great, here comes Bad Cop to put me in my place."

"No, he's not Bad Cop this time," Alex snarls; Michael hasn't heard that tone in years. Alex takes a step closer to Keyla, drawing her attention as his shoulders straighten, and for the first time in a long time, Michael sees Captain Manes. "We've given you a lot of leeway, Keyla, but that ends now."

If Keyla has any sense of the danger she's in, she doesn't show it. She rolls her eyes. "Oh, whatever. Bite me, asshole."

"'Whatever'?" Alex echoes, voice gone cold. "Fine. If you don't care so much, then you can hand over your phone, now; you're grounded."

Keyla actually laughs. "You can't ground me. You're not my dad."

"No, I'm not. I'm Alex Guerin, your legal guardian until you turn eighteen, which isn't for another three months," Alex counters, eyes flinty as he takes a step forward; even with the boots Keyla is currently wearing, Alex still has several inches on her, and right now, he's using all of them to loom. "Until then, you're my responsibility. If you won't take responsibility for yourself, then I'll have to do it for you."

Finally, a flicker of uncertainty passes over Keyla's face. She takes a step back. "What the fuck is your problem?"

"Right now, you are," Alex says, simple but devastating, moving to keep the distance between them the same - but Michael notices that he moves at an angle, not quite cutting off Keyla's escape route, though she'd have to get pretty damn close to get by him now. "You've done nothing but disrespect me, Michael, our family, and your own family since the day Mary dropped you off with us, and I'm done putting up with it. I don't even need your phone. I spend all day working with technology now, I was a code breaker in the Air Force, and I can and will make you live in a modern-day Stone Age for the rest of your time under my roof if you want to keep acting like this."

Keyla swallows hard, and slides her gaze to Michael. "You're gonna let him speak to me like this?"

Michael just shrugs. "You heard him."

Keyla looks between the two of them, and to Michael's surprise, her eyes filled with tears. "Fuck you both," she says. "Do what you want, you're just like the rest of them." And then she takes the escape route that Alex so carefully left for her, and storms out of the room.

Alex doesn't move, looks like he doesn't even breathe, until they hear Keyla's door slam, and then he lets out an explosive breath and sags, catching himself on the kitchen counter. "Fuck."

"Hey," Michael says, stepping closer. "So that was... dramatic, but it was necessary, I think."

Alex scrubs at his face, and when he speaks, his voice is rough, angry - and a little scared. "I - Fuck, Michael, I did the same shit my dad used to."

Michael settles a hand on the small of his back, leaning into him. "You were nothing like your dad," he says. "You didn't say anything she didn't need to hear."

Alex is practically vibrating in place, like he can't decide whether to lean into Michael in return, or move away. "I still - I threatened her, Michael. Threatened to use skills I have that I know she can't counter against her, and I took advantage of the physical difference, too. The only thing I didn't do was actually fucking hit her."

Michael makes the decision for him, grabbing his shoulders and spinning him around to face him. "Hey," he says. "Stop it. You didn't threaten her - you outlined a punishment that would be used if she didn't quit acting out. Yeah, the punishment was extreme, but her behaviour is extreme. And she's not scared of you, she just thinks you're an asshole. It's not the same."

"I used to think Dad was an asshole," Alex whispers, voice raw; there's a sheen to his eyes. "Before I knew what the real word was. But then I got scared. That's how it starts, Michael."

Michael squeezes his arms, draws in closer. "Baby, this is not how it starts," he says, low and fervent. "You think your dad felt like this the first time he raised his voice to one of his kids?"

The breath Alex takes is shaky, but he manages to get out, "No."

"Listen to me," Michael tells him. "You're a good man. You're a good father. You love your kids, all of them, and I know that. After this, Keyla will, too."

"Assuming she ever speaks to me again."

"She will," Michael says. "Because you're going to take a beat, give both of you time to cool off, and then you're going to go apologise."

Alex takes in a deep breath, shoulders rising and falling as he lets it go, and sags into Michael's hold. "Okay," he sighs. "That... sounds like a plan."

Michael takes his cue to reel Alex in, wrapping his arms around him tight. "Just for the things you would've done differently," he says. "She still needed to hear that stuff. The way she's behaving can't continue, and we need to start showing her the consequences of her actions."

Alex nods against Michael's shoulder, burying his face in the crook of Michael's neck, arms wrapped around Michael's waist. "Yeah. She's making Reyli miserable; poor kid feels torn between his sister and us."

Michael turns his head to press a kiss to Alex's hair. "Exactly. But she's learning the boundaries, and so are we. This won't be the last time you yell at one of our kids."

Alex sags a little more into Michael with a wordless grumble, sighing again before he tilts his head so he can speak, just loud enough to be audible. "I hope it is the last time; I hate this. I never want to do it again."

Michael just chuckles. "Good luck getting through Teddy's teenage years, then."

---

It takes a couple of hours until Alex feels ready to talk to Keyla. During that time, they don't see her or Reyli at all. Possibly sensing the tension, Teddy is quiet, playing by himself while Michael and Alex go about their evening chores. Alex stalls for a little longer while Michael makes a start on a late dinner, but then finally disappears from the kitchen to go and knock on Keyla's door. Michael keeps himself busy and Teddy entertained, and tries to ignore the anxiety bubbling inside his chest.

Dinner is pretty much ready by the time Alex comes back, alone. He looks wrung out, but no more upset than he already was, which Michael hopes is a good thing. He cuts the heat beneath the pasta dish he's made and turns to face Alex. "How'd it go?"

Alex's expression twists, nose scrunching. "She didn't slam the door in my face?"

Michael gives him an indulgent smile. "What did she say?"

Alex shrugs, leaning against a clear spot on the counter, arms crossed over his chest. "Basically told me thanks for the apology, but get lost."

"Well, what did you say?" Michael asks. "Did she hear you out, at least?"

Alex nods. "I told her I was sorry for looming over her, and losing my temper, but neither you nor I were going to put up with the attitude she's had the past few months anymore."

"Which is more than fair," Michael agrees. "She'll come around."

"I hope so," Alex sighs. "She said she needed time to think, and wasn't hungry, so."

Michael hums. "I'll plate up some dinner and take it in to her anyway, and see if Reyli wants his out here or in his room."

Alex gives him a slight smile. "Sounds good," he hums, shifting closer, "but can I..." He blows out a breath, looking a bit sheepish. "Can I get a hug first?"

"You don't have to ask," Michael says, opening his arms. "C'mere."

"You were cooking," Alex points out, but he steps closer, wrapping his arms around Michael's waist and tucking his face into the crook of his neck, inhaling deeply.

Michael holds him close, sinking the fingers of one hand into his hair. "You did good," he tells him. "I know you don't need to hear it, but I'm proud of you."

Alex sighs, arms tightening around Michael's waist. "Thanks," he mumbles, barely audible, and leans a little more heavily into Michael, tension draining from him.

Keyla doesn't say anything when Michael delivers her dinner; Reyli is polite when he asks to eat in his room, but he's withdrawn, clearly feeling awkward about everything. Michael and Alex agree to let the dust settle, so they leave the older kids to it and watch a movie with Teddy in the living room before they put him to bed. He seems happy enough to have both of his dads' attention, but he still wakes up in the early hours wanting cuddles, and sleeps between them for the rest of the night.

Michael really isn't a light sleeper, but between the stress of the last few days and the fact that Teddy's toes are somehow wedged between his ribs, he wakes up when Alex gets out of bed the next morning. It's early, far too early for a Saturday, but even in the dim light in their bedroom he can see the dark circles under Alex's eyes. It's not a difficult decision to get up with him, leaving Teddy to sleep in as they head into the kitchen in search of coffee.

He's hoping for an easy morning, an hour or so to relax with Alex in the quiet of their home before everyone else gets up for the day. The last thing he expects is to find Keyla already up and dressed, sitting at the table like she's waiting for them.

Alex doesn't quite freeze, but there's a definite stutter in his step as he moves towards the coffee maker, which is cheerfully burbling as it fills the pot. "Good morning, Keyla," he says, tone neutral.

"Morning," she says.

"How did you sleep?" Michael asks.

She raises an eyebrow. "Like shit."

Alex snorts; when Michael glances at him, he can see the corner of Alex's mouth is tilted up in a wry twist. "Welcome to the club," he says, pouring himself a cup of coffee. Alex hesitates for a moment, then offers, "Want a cup?"

Keyla turns to look at him for the first time. She nods. "Yeah, please." She takes a breath. "Can we talk?"

Alex's expression turns guarded, but he nods, pouring out another cup of coffee. "Sure." He glances at Michael. "Grab the creamer?"

Michael does as he's asked, but hesitates once he has it. "Do you guys want some privacy?"

Keyla shakes her head. "No. You should probably hear this, too."

None of them speak until Michael and Alex are settled at the table, and everyone has their coffee fixed up just the way they like it. Alex is the one to break the silence after a sip of his coffee, looking at Keyla curiously. "So. What do we need to hear?"

Keyla hesitates, gazing down into her mug. "I don't really know how to say this," she begins. "But I guess I should probably start with - I'm sorry."

Michael exchanges a look with Alex, who turns back to Keyla and asks with a carefully-probing tone, "Sorry for what, exactly?"

Now Keyla looks up, and meets Alex's gaze head-on. "For being a bitch ever since I got here."

"Why did you act like that?"

Keyla takes a breath. "I don't know," she says. "I think it's just easier? When we were younger, and we were good for the families we stayed in, it was harder when they turned out to be. Not good. You know?"

She looks unsure, but Michael nods, encouraging. "I get it."

"So, after a while, I stopped being good - started being bad, even, so that when the families turned out to be bad, it made sense?" She swallows. "So, I guess, I was waiting for you to snap. You've been nice to us so far, but some of the families were nice at first, and it always turned out to be a lie. I thought, because you can't adopt me like you adopted Leah and Teddy, maybe you wouldn't like that you can't control me - and maybe you'd try to take Reyli away from me. I'm." She drops Alex's gaze. "I'm still not sure where we stand on that. Reyli really likes you guys. So, I figured, the sooner you show your true colours, the better, right?"

Alex's expression twists. "And I lost my temper with you."

Michael squeezes Alex's knee beneath the table, and Keyla shakes her head. "No. It's not the same."

Alex doesn't look terribly reassured. "How so?"

"Because you apologised," Keyla says. "You had a problem with me, and we both got mad, but you came and talked to me about it after. Don't get me wrong, the other families we've stayed with apologised sometimes too, but not like you did. You told me what you were sorry for, and why it happened, and what you're going to do differently, and what you need me to do differently. You didn't just pretend it didn't happen or make out like it was all my fault. You were just... honest."

"I meant it," Alex says quietly. "I - " He huffs. "I grew up in one home, but. I know something about bad families, too. I've been trying not to be my father, and I was going too far the other way."

"Being a good parent isn't about letting your kids walk all over you," Michael offers, for both of their benefit. "You need boundaries. But your kids shouldn't be scared of you."

"And I'm not," Keyla says. "Scared of you. I mean, that thing about making me live in the Stone Age was pretty scary, but. I knew you weren't going to hurt me or, like, bully me. And I know I've been kind of awful."

Alex gives her a small smile. "Yeah, but I can see the reasons behind it," he concedes. "You mentioned not being sure about where we stand on the adoption thing, earlier."

Keyla nods. "Do you want to adopt my brother?"

Alex glances at Michael for a moment before he answers. "That'd be up to him," he says. "We gave Leah the option after she'd been with us several months and we all knew we wanted to stick together. But our goal is to give you two a safe place, for as long as we possibly can, adoption or no."

"You know I grew up in foster care too, away from my siblings," Michael adds. "I'm glad Max and Isobel were adopted by a nice family, but I also used to resent that I had to go through everything that happened to me alone. We didn't start fostering with the intention to adopt - all we wanted to do was provide a safe, happy home for kids like us. Leah wanted to stick around, and Teddy came to us so young, with no other family, so it made sense. If it doesn't make sense for you and Reyli, that's okay."

To his surprise, Keyla sniffles, her eyes bright. "It can't make sense for me," she says. "Reyli just wants to belong so badly... It's his decision, but where does that leave me?"

"The way I see it," Michael says, "it leaves you right here with us. We don't need paperwork to be a family."

Alex nods in agreement. "We'd never separate you, or keep Reyli from you," he promises. "You'll always have a place here."

Keyla looks away. "Leah said she hardly ever sees her brother."

Michael snorts. "Because he was a criminal."

"There's a long story behind that you'll have to ask her about," Alex sighs. "But that was her decision, and while she lived with us, we helped her enforce her boundaries."

"She actually sees him more now than she used to," Michael offers. "But, Alex is right; it's complicated, and it's her story. She'd tell you if you asked."

"Really?"

"Yeah, she probably would," Alex agrees. "Any questions you might have, she'll answer, or at least tell you why she won't."

Keyla blows out a breath. "Maybe I should call her. I definitely owe her an apology too."

"I'm sure she'd very glad to hear from you."

"I am really sorry," she says, eyes glassy once more. "I really don't want you to hate me."

"We don't," Alex assures her, tone gentle.

She sniffles again. "I hope not. Because as much as I've been acting like it, I don't hate you, either."

"Well, that's a relief to hear," Alex says, dry and just a little teasing. "I don't want to pressure you, but... That was a pretty heavy conversation. I usually feel a little better with a hug after one of those. You can say no, or not now, but. Figured I'd offer."

Keyla goes a little pink, and though she looks unsure, she nods. "I'd like that."

Alex smiles, pushing away from the table and getting to his feet, arms open in invitation. Keyla meets him halfway, letting him fold her into his arms and hiding her face in his chest. Michael's heart swells at the sight, and he's just about to ask if they have room for one more when his phone rings.

"Shit," he says, glancing at the caller ID, "it's Isobel." He gets to his feet. "You guys keep doing that, I'll be right back. Hello?"

"You'd better still have a suit, Michael, because you're gonna need it in about eight months," is the first thing Isobel says to him, skipping right over the pleasantries.

Michael freezes just outside the living room, and laughs. "Eight months is a little long to wait for Kyle's funeral, so I'm guessing he finally asked?"

"If it was a funeral, it'd be one without a body," Isobel says with a venomous sort of sweetness. "But yes, yes he did. We just woke up from our post-celebration-sex coma."

"Oh my god," Michael says. "And you said yes without making him sweat first?"

Michael can hear the raised brow in Isobel's voice. "I figured we've both done enough squirming over the past couple of months."

Michael grins. "Well, congratulations. If you're happy, I'm happy. Tell Valenti 'welcome to the family'."

"Tell him yourself; we're having a celebration dinner tonight."

"Oh, shit, tonight?" Michael winces. "We've kinda got some family stuff going on - I can ask?"

Isobel's tone changes from excited to concerned in a flash. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Michael says quickly. "Just a bit of a hiccup with Keyla, but we're all good now. Hold on." He takes the phone away from his ear, and pokes his head back through the kitchen door. "Hey, you two done hugging it out?"

Both Alex and Keyla's eyes are suspiciously red, but they're back in their seats, coffee in hand. "Yeah, we're good," Alex says, giving Keyla a small smile that she returns. "Does Isobel need help hiding Kyle’s body?"

Michael grins. "No, but we have been invited to a celebration dinner tonight." He raises his left hand, wiggling his ring finger. "She said yes."

"You mean he finally nutted up and asked?" Alex demands, laughing. "Congrats." He glances at Keyla. "I know yesterday and this morning were a lot, but. Do you feel up to a dinner with everyone?"

Keyla already looks brighter than Michael thinks they've ever seen her. She nods. "Yeah, that sounds nice."

"You know if Riley has any plans tonight?" Michael asks.

"No, he was just gonna be at home."

Michael smiles at her. He wonders if she even noticed that she said 'home', but he knows it won't be lost on Alex. He brings the phone back up to his ear. "Then yeah, Iz, we're in."

---

They're the last ones to Isobel and Kyle's house; the driveway is full, and as they enter, Michael can hear conversations already going. Teddy is in his arms, still sulking at not being able to bring both his dinosaur and his wolf plushies, but as soon as he spots Liz, he's all smiles and reaching for her, wanting to see little Artie. Reyli immediately gets sucked into a conversation with Max about whatever novel they're currently reading, Keyla drifting after her brother. It's been two weeks since that explosive night and the cathartic morning after, and while she's kept to her promise to make more of an effort to get along, she's still uncertain in large group settings.

"Think we should introduce her to Rosa?" Alex murmurs in Michael's ear, watching Keyla as well.

"They will absolutely gang up on us ," Michael mutters back, a smile already curving his mouth. "I think it's a great idea."

Alex snickers before making a thoughtful noise, nudging Michael and gesturing towards the living room. "Looks like the lovebirds made it just fine."

Leah is deep in conversation with Arturo, Lucas nodding along politely by her side, but as if sensing their gaze, she looks up and spots them. She breaks into a wide grin, and excuses herself from Arturo before grabbing Lucas' hand and dragging him over.

"Hey guys," Michael says - or tries to say; most of it is lost to the ooph he lets out when Leah collides with him.

"Hi Dad! Hi Papa, oh my god, I've missed you guys!"

"I'm pretty sure we only saw you a few weeks ago," Michael teases once he's got his breath back, happily handing Leah over to Alex so that he can accept a much less violent hug from Lucas. "How was the drive?"

"Pretty good," Lucas says easily. "We left at a good time, managed to avoid most of the traffic."

"How's college treating you?" Michael asks. "We missed you when Leah came home the other week."

Leah rolls her eyes. "Yeah, they wouldn't shut up about you."

"Well, he is our favorite," Alex says innocently.

Leah smacks his arm. "Hey!"

Alex laughs and wraps that arm around Leah, tugging her in close for a hug, pressing a kiss to her temple. "I'm just teasing."

"Yeah, yeah," Leah says, grinning. "How are things with you guys? Keyla and Reyli still doing okay?"

Alex hums an affirmative. "Still a little bumpy, but at least now we can talk about those bumps in the road."

Leah smiles. "I told you she'd get there."

"Yes, yes, oh wise one," Alex says, rolling his eyes, gaze catching on Michael's. The corners of Alex's eyes are crinkled in amusement.

Michael grins back, and Leah shakes her head. "Okay," she says, "we're gonna go say hi to Teddy. We'll see you later, yeah?"

"Of course," Alex says easily, smiling as the younger couple moves away. His hand comes to rest on Michael's arm for a moment before it slides down, fingers tangling with Michael's. "We should go find your sister."

Michael hums, drawing Alex's hand to him and brushing a kiss to the back. "And Valenti," he concedes begrudgingly. "Although I can't actually see him - you don't think he's got cold feet already?"

"If he has, he's a dead man walking," Alex says dryly. "If Isobel doesn't kill him first, I will."

"Looks like you won't have to," Michael says as Kyle walks into view, talking to his mother. He catches sight of them and waves. Michael squeezes Alex's hand. "Come on."

They say hi to Kyle, and then to Isobel, who complains that they spoke to Kyle first. Neither of them can linger for long, in high demand as the hosts and focus of the party, but they get a chance to say congratulations again and hand over their engagement present: the designs Michael has drawn up for their wedding rings, and a demo of the song Alex is writing for their first dance. Once the happy couple are whisked away to continue their rounds, they get a drink and some food, and say hi to the rest of their family, and eventually find themselves drifting off to the sidelines.

"I still hate these things," Michael mutters. "Only one of Isobel's events I've ever enjoyed was our wedding, and I still couldn't get out of there fast enough."

Alex snickers, shoulder bumping companionably against Michael's. "We can leave soon," he promises. "Just... be happy for your sister and let her see you being happy for her, a little bit longer."

"I am happy for her," Michael says, rolling his eyes. "I just also want to get you alone and naked, just like on our wedding night."

That gets him a heated look. "Much as I'd enjoy that, we do have three kids to worry about."

"Five, if you count Leah and Lucas," Michael laughs. "But I know you know how to be quiet."

"Mm, true," Alex allows, leaning in for a kiss.

Michael hums into it, smiling when they pull apart - a smile that becomes a grin at what he sees over Alex's shoulder. "Told you they'd team up," he says, nodding to Keyla and Rosa. "We didn't even have to introduce them."

Alex shifts to follow Michael's gaze, taking in the sight of Keyla and Rosa bent together over their phones, talking about something. Keyla's expression is the most open and... relaxed that Michael has ever seen it, and she doesn't hesitate to point at something on Rosa's phone, or lean in to show Rosa something on hers. "I'm glad," Alex murmurs. "Even if she doesn't want to be adopted, I'm glad we were able to help."

"Me too," Michael agrees. "Her and Reyli. They're good kids."

"Even if Reyli has Max's taste in literature," Alex chuckles, looking at the two in question.

"Listen, no one's perfect."

Alex snickers, leaning a little more comfortably against Michael. "Not even Teddy?" he teases.

Michael laughs, wrapping an arm around Alex's shoulders. "Ask me that again when I've had a full night's sleep."

"Well, maybe we let everyone stay for a bit longer, and you'll get it," Alex hums. "Let Liz tire him out a bit more."

Looking around at his family, laughing and playing together, even the adults, Michael finds that it's easy to agree. "You're right, they're having fun," he murmurs. "We can stay a while."

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 5 of Family Roots
• Part 18 of Collaborations