Today was a rare day off. Jorge had managed to swing it, despite all the madness that was going on in the city. And, because he felt like he had not been around the mansion as much lately, Jorge worked it out so that he and Chase could have the whole day together. It felt bad to leave Gemma behind, but Jorge knew the importance of having a father/son day, even if he was not legally the boy’s father yet. Jorge was only too happy to fill those shoes.

Thankfully it didn’t seem as if Chase minded all that much either.

So, with promises that they would be fine, Jorge waited for the warmest day before he finally sprung on Chase what they would be doing. Coney Island beach was going to be their destination. With plenty of fun things, open beach, and a secluded spot or two, Jorge was looking forward to spending just some alone time with Chase. Not only that, but so long as they were there, Jorge could practice with his abilities a bit more. He felt like he had been lax lately in doing so.

Yup, today was going to be a good day. So after surprising Chase at the mansion, Jorge filled him in on their expedition today. That was why, dressed in a white t-shirt and black shorts, Jorge was leaning back against his car, waiting for Chase to come exploding out of the mansion with whatever it was he wanted to bring with them to the beach.

He smiled at the thought of Chase’s face. He really did love that kid. And hell to anyone who said he wasn’t his father. He loved him like a son.

After Sam had kidnapped Chase a short while ago, Gemma had been hesitant to let her son out of her sight-- her own son, taken by the leader of the X-Men, and forcibly made into a doppelganger of him, and brainwashed as he had been, to help defend him. It had been scarring. Chase was a little jumpier now, though he'd deny it if someone called attention to it. He orbitted closer to Gemma and Jorge, depending on which was around. And, whenever he happened to see the leader of the X-Men, he would bolt full-speed in the opposite direction.

Today provided a different kind of escape for Chase-- today, the little ten-year-old was being whisked away by his daddy to the beach. Despite his few months spent as a runaway, Chase hadn't gotten out much during his young life. He'd never been camping, and had never been to the beach. Sure, he'd seen the ocean once or twice... but he'd never spent a day at the beach.

It was because of this that the little shapeshifter was full of excited energy. He ran about the room in a flurry of swim-trunks of Velcroed sandals, uncertain of what to grab. A towel? A towel would be good. Chase nabbed a beach towel, and then rummaged under his bed. His hand bumped into a small shovel, and he grabbed that, too. Too bad he didn't have a bucket in there. A bucket would would be good.

Gemma pushed open his bedroom door, peeking her head in.

"Jorge's here, darling," she announced, "Got all your things?"

"Yes!" Chase replied energetically, leaping off of his bed and running towards the door. He stopped just long enough for Gemma to kiss his forehead, remind him to behave, and pass him a bottle of sunscreen, before the little shapeshifter was permitted past. He ran down the hall, followed by Gemma's farewell, and then down the stairs, his little legs propelling him forward. Chase skidded into the foyer and bee-lined for the front door, slowing down as he pulled the great door open.

A grinning blond head poked itself through the gap, spying the detective as he casually leaned against his car.

"Jorge!" Chase shouted in greeting, weaseling his way through the door and bounding down the steps. His eyes were an excited, electric blue as he ran towards the detective. A yard away, the shovel and sunscreen were purposefully dropped so that the lanky youth could spring forward and playfully tackle Detective Cervantes with a hug. He clung to him with arms and legs, all smiles.

"Don't tell Mama, but I stayed up late because I was so excited," Chase mumbled, half into Jorge's shirt before looking up at him. He used their names and their titles interchangeably. Neither seemed to mind, much, "I couldn't sleep, so I read. With a flashlight."

>> "Jorge!"

Jorge turned to look up when he heard his name being called out. As he lifted his gaze, he spied a blur of shortness and blonde hair running towards him. Normally such a vision would have immediately put the detective on guard, but he knew instantly by the tone of the voice who the offending blur was. With a smirk he pushed himself off of his car just in time to see the young child launch himself from his running position and latching around Jorge’s mid-section.

“Oomph! Haha, hey Champ,” Jorge laughed as Chase clung onto him. Reaching down, Jorge gave him a hug in return before straightening up to ruffle the boy’s hair. “I can see that you’re excited for today.”

It was funny, Jorge never really thought he would end up in this situation. Sure he liked kids but he never really thought he would meet that special someone that would eventually lead to children. And yet he did. Though it may not have been through traditional means, Chase was still the son that Jorge would have always loved to have. He counted his lucky stars for the happenstances that led to the joy.

>> "Don't tell Mama, but I stayed up late because I was so excited…I couldn't sleep, so I read. With a flashlight."[/color]

Jorge laughed as he leaned back to observe the boy. He didn’t look tired, which was good. He doubted that Gemma would have let the boy leave if he looked overly tired after, you know, everything that happened before. The kid probably was just a bundle of excitement. That made him feel good, to know that Chase was so eager to spend time with him.

“Well I hope you stay awake enough to have a good time today. Did you read anything good?” he beamed as he turned and opened the door for Chase to climb in. “And don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul.”