"They're here." Gemma noted, looking out the window of Jorge's apartment. Down below on the sidewalk her children were getting out of a cab, Laurent paying the driver and Valerie dragging suitcases towards the door. That in itself spoke volumes about those two.

Gemma turned and smiled at her little family, Chase and Jorge both dressed and ready to meet her older children. She had told them about Chase, of course, but they had yet to meet him; as for the engagement... that was something to be discussed in person.
This was going to be an interesting reunion.

Walking away from the window Gemma pressed a kiss on Chase's forehead, and smiled at Jorge. There elevator door opened outside in the hallway, and they could hear footsteps coming closer. Val and Laurent had been here before, and Gemma thought it would be more nice and private to have lunch at Jorge's rather than in the chaos of the school.

She was at the door by the time Valerie knocked (she could tell from the determination of the knock it was her), and opened it with a bright smile on her face.

"Mom!" Laurent was first, dropping the suitcase to envelop her in a bear-hug, which made Gemma laugh. Valerie, on the other hand, arched an eyebrow and marched past them into the apartment.

"You are wearing a ring." she noted sharply, then turned to tilt her head at Jorge, her face unreadable "Why is she wearing a ring?"

As Gemma glanced out the window, Chase did as well, his teal-against-black eyes flickering towards the street uncertainly. A taxi cab pulled up, a guy and a girl got out-- a guy and a girl, that kind-of looked like Gemma. Gemma confirmed what the nine-year-old knew in his gut. Chase breathed a shuddering sigh. New people. Well, not-so-new-- Gemma's real children. "Laurent" and "Valerie". From behind a pane of glass, they looked safe. The shapeshifter slid off of the chair that he'd been kneeling upon, and went over to Jorge's side.

The child was dressed decently, but not so cleanly that he'd be uncomfortable. He wore a pair of freshly-washed jeans, ironed and untorn around the hems at Chases' feet, and a blue, button-up shirt. His hair had been combed into submission, but it had already returned to its usual unruliness. And, courtesy of Gemma's adapted field, and at his mother's request, Chase stood unshifted beside the detective, in all of his glory.

The nine-year-old was understandably apprehensive. Both of Gemmas' biological children were humans, and not the kind that constantly worked alongside mutants, or nullified their powers. No, they were just... normal. And intimidating. Chase would root himself beside the detective, for now. He wouldn't move until he had to. There was a knock at the door, and the nine-year-old's stomach knotted, his gaze going to his shoes. Gemma opened the door, and Laurent stumbled in, first, constricting Gemma into hug. Chase dared to look up, tilting his head slyly to the side.

Valerie's greeting was... less expected. Chase looked at Jorge, a small smirk touching the childs' lips. Chase knew why his mommy was wearing a ring, so it felt like he was on the inside of an inside-joke.

>> "They're here.”

This…was going to be an interesting day. This would be the first time that he had seen Gemma’s kids in a long while and, this incident, was going to have quite the repercussions. First of all, these kids were going to meet Chase for the first time, their new little brother. Thankfully Gemma had warned them beforehand over the phone. Sadly, that was not all that those two were going to be in for.

Gemma had also decided to break the news to them that not only had he proposed…but that she had said yes. Jorge, for all intent and purposes, was going to now be related to them through marriage.

As he said…interesting day.

He smiled at Gemma, giving her his “everything-will-be-fine” look as he glanced down to Chase. The boy looked nervous since he was about to be meeting the rest of his new family. Jorge smirked as he patted the boy’s shoulder reassuringly to give him a chance to relax. He knew that those two were going to love Chase, it was him that they (well…Valerie) had a problem with.

But things would work out…right?

“You’ll be fine,” he said with a nod to Chase.

Suddenly there were footsteps outside his door and he knew that the kids had arrived. Well…it was time for the entire family to meet.

>> "Mom!"

Laurent was first to stumble in and he had quickly embraced his mother. Quickly following after was Valerie. She was just as pretty as ever and also maintained that spitfire tone to her voice that tortured him the last time she was in town. He could only imagine how things were going to go once she found out that he had proposed to her mot--

>> "You are wearing a ring…Why is she wearing a ring?"

Jorge smiled warmly (inadvertently it probably could have been interpreted as “fatherly”) as he positioned himself next to Gemma. Hand on the small of her back, he sighed as he looked at Valerie…and then glanced to Gemma.

“Love…um…maybe you should say?” he commented. It probably would be best coming from their mother anyways.

Well, that was fast. Gemma peeled Laurent off and closed the door, giving the family some privacy before she turned to look at her grown-up children. Jorge stood next to her and gracefully handed the responsibility over. Gemma was not surprised.

>>“Love…um…maybe you should say?”

"Well." Gemma held out her hand that was, indeed, complete with a ring "I am wearing a ring because Jorge asked me to marry him. And I said yes."

Laurent and Valerie blinked, then looked at each other, then back at their mother. Valerie stepped up, looking at Jorge with narrowed eyes, before a slow grin spread out on her face, and she poked him in the chest.

"About damn time!"

>> "You'll be fine."

Chase nodded mutedly, offering an uncertain smile. His form was still a little rigid, and his gaze was still carefully trained upon Gemmas' biological children. He didn't even glance up at Jorge as he nodded to him.

As Jorge went to Gemma's side, Chase trailed behind him. Once he was by Gemma, Chase peered around her other side, keeping most of the way behind her. His hand lingered on Jorge's arm for leverage.

A wide-eyed mutant boy surveyed his mothers' blood-children from behind his mother and (essential) father, as the two of then explained the engagement.

Fortunately enough, this seemed to receive the approval of Valerie and Laurent. Chase smiled mildly, moving to Gemma's free side and fastening onto her arm. From this new location, Chase surveyed his siblings with an air of curiosity.

>> "Well…I am wearing a ring because Jorge asked me to marry him. And I said yes."

There, the question had been answered. Jorge had been trying to steel himself up for days, ever since Gemma told him that the kids would be visiting. He sincerely did like the both of them, very much. Valerie was a tough nut to crack, though. She was exactly like her mother except she tended to be a little less trustful of him. The last time that they were here, Valerie did everything possible to bust his chops but Jorge never once wavered in front of her.

Since then, he had not seen them. He had been in the same room when Gemma spoke to them over the phone and he had even taken calls from them a couple times. But it was never more than that.

Now though, the entire dynamic of their relationship was going to change. Not only were those two going to get a new sibling, but Jorge was going to be marrying their mother. He could only wonder what kind of flack he was going to receive from Valerie for that. Laurent seemed good with him (he definitely enjoyed his cooking) but would Valerie be okay?

The smaller, young version of his fiancé straightened up, squaring herself as she stepped forward. Jorge prepared himself for everything…except what she actually did.

>> "About damn time!"

She poked at his chest and Jorge could only smirk and chuckled a little at her comment. That was Valerie, all right, always throwing a curveball.

“Sorry to keep everyone waiting?” he apologized jokingly. He then nodded to Valerie and Laurent. “It’s great to see you both again.”

He smirked as he glanced to the side and saw Chase partially hiding behind Gemma. He uttered a mental prayer to the boy since it was now time for his introduction. This…was going to be an interesting family.

>>“Sorry to keep everyone waiting? It’s great to see you both again.”

"Nah ya're not sorry yet" Laurent commented, grinning - he knew his sister all too well. "Good to see you too."

Valerie had already moved on, tilting her head as she looked down at Chase. Laurent followed her gaze, and Gemma nudged Chase forward, although she did not let go of him.

"Kids, this is Chase, I have been talking about him..."

"... yes you have..."

"... Chase, these are my grown-up kids, Val and Laurent."

"Who said I was grown up?"

"Shush Val ya're scaring little brother." Laurent held out a hand to Chase with a bright smile "Nice to finally meet you."

Chase felt his stomach drop as Gemma nudged him farther into view, his heels digging into the carpet, causing him to step forward with a light stumble. No. No, no, no. Chase found himself wholly exposed, for a moment, and a timid glance was cast up towards Valerie and Laurent, before the nine-year-old all but adhered to Gemma's arm.

First, the girl stared at him-- and Chase buried his face into Gemma's arm, his cheeks radiating warmth. Why did she have to stare...? And, when Laurent saw that Valerie was staring, he came over, too-- he just had to survive introductions, and then he could go back to hiding somewhere. Maybe Jorge would slink off to watch something on t.v. while Gemma entertained, like Mr. Townsend used to do when Mrs. Townsend had guests over. Then Chase could sit with Jorge, and Lizzie, and avoid being stared at by his human relatives.

Gemma murmured a tentative introduction as the child contemplated escape. Gemma managed to nudge him forward once again, but kept an arm draped upon the boy's shoulder. His much-older siblings stared, Chase stared at his shoes. There was some mild bantering between Val and Laurent, and Gemma. Chase almost murmured a "Nice to meet you" when Valerie interjected. He had no inclination to try speaking over or under her.

Laurent shushed his sister, and stuck his hand out towards Chase, offering a chipper "Nice to meet you" before Chase could manage to say the same sentiment first.

Chase hesitantly took the young man's hand, and shook it lightly, before carefully withdrawing it once again.

"Nice to meet you, too, Laurent," the nine-year-old replied softly, looking up just long enough to utter the sentiment. His gaze flicked towards Valerie, and he reiterated, "Nice to meet you, Valerie."

A hesitant smile touched the nine-year-olds face, brows furrowed uncertainly, before his eyes drifted to his mother, then towards her hand, which was still planted reassuringly upon his shoulder. He wasn't going to escape anywhere fast. Chase dropped his gaze again, awkwardly ending the greeting there.

>> "Nah ya're not sorry yet…Good to see you too."

Jorge had to chuckle heartily. He knew that Laurent was probably right, especially since Valerie would, for all purposes, soon be his step daughter, and that was pretty much digging his own grave. But the detective didn’t voice it and instead just nodded. Apparently both he and Laurent were on the same page and read each other well. It was partially joking though. He nodded that it was good to see Laurent and turned back to Gemma, his future wife.

Jorge had let the conversation drift away from him as it now became Chase’s turn to be the center of attention. He knew that it had to be hard for the boy. He was so used to hiding his real appearance but because of Gemma’s aura, he could not use his powers. The boy was vulnerable and had to expose himself to these people who did not know him in the least…but they would be his family.

The first thing was that they stared, though. This made Jorge feel just a tad bit sorry for Chase. He knew the boy didn’t like to be stared at but it was quite a look to get over at first. He only hoped that both Valerie and Laurent would be compassionate enough towards the kid.

>> "Nice to meet you"

>> "Nice to meet you, too, Laurent…Nice to meet you, Valerie."[/color]

He smiled a little warmly as he watched them. Chase really was doing so good and at least Valerie and Laurent showed decorum to the boy. Things seemed like they would work out just fine.

“Well,” the detective said. “I think I’ll start putting everything together for lunch. Hope you all are hungry.” Jorge hoped to steal Chase away so that the kid could get a breather from this new situation, but at the same time, he was meeting his new family for the first time. He didn’t want to take him away from that. In the end, it was up to Gemma as to whether she would allow the boy to come with him.

He was sure, either way, that Chase would be fine…

Gemma nudged Chase gently, but did not let go of him. He was latched onto her arm, and she wanted to make him feel as comfortable as possible, so she let him. He shifted awkwardly looking away from the siblings, and she could understand his worries. Both kids knew what to prepare for, but this was still the first meeting in person.

>>"Nice to meet you, too, Laurent. Nice to meet you, Valerie."

"Hi Chase" Valerie smiled, shaking his little hand too "We have heard a lot about you. Mom talks about you on the phone all the time."

This was almost uncharacteristic for Valerie, to be this nice; Jorge had certainly never seen her that way. With all the sass she had, she was not one for scaring kids.

>>“Well, I think I’ll start putting everything together for lunch. Hope you all are hungry.”

Jorge looked for an exit, and Gemma smiled at him.

"Starving. You need help in the kitchen?"

"I'm out of here" Laurent announced "The further I am from the kitchen the better, for everyone." looking down at Chase, he flashed another smile "Hey Chase, you have a movie we could watch to be out of the way?..."

Chase nodded as Jorge spoke, eagerly following the detective with his gaze. Now he could make a break for it! Quick, when the others weren’t looking! He could help in the kitchen, and Gemma could visit with her older son and daughter. After all, they hadn’t seen each other in so long, and all Chase would be doing would be sitting there awkwardly and staring at his shoes. After Chase had shook hands with his siblings, Chase wedged his hands into his pockets.

Valerie explained that Gemma had spoken about him frequently over the phone, and Chase nodded his head shyly. He was sure that she had, with all that Gemma had spoken to Chase about his siblings. It only made sense that she’d talk to them about him, too. Gemma offered her assistance to Jorge, and Laurent focused on Chase.

Chase looked towards Gemma, at the inquiry, and then back towards Laurent. They’d bought a few DVD’s, a few of the animated films that’d come out in the past few years, that seemed essential to any young childhood. That way, if Chase were ever at Jorge’s house, there were age-appropiate movies there for him.

“Yeah,” Chase said briefly, nodding his head, “Come on.”

The child led Laurent over to the stacks of movies, and knelt in front of them. Animated movies were for babies, though, so he grabbed a rather popular pirate movie instead. It was kind-of scary, but Chase could handle it—it had a swashbuckling pirate and undead opponents, and it was definitely cool enough to watch with your older brother. Gemma let Chase watch it, but only with an adult around.

“How ‘bout this?” Chase inquired, holding the DVD up towards Laurent.

>> "Starving. You need help in the kitchen?"

Sorry Chase. Jorge had tried his best to let the kid escape with him but it was obvious that that would have been rude. Yes, Gemma had not seen her kids in a long time, but this was a time where they were supposed to be getting to know their new little brother. It would not have been right to have the boy hiding in the kitchen with him the entire time. They needed to get to know him, especially they were all going to be a family now.

So, Jorge nodded to Gemma with a smile.

“I could use all the help I can get,” he beamed.

He turned and headed towards the kitchen but he heard Laurent and Chase behind him.

>> "I'm out of here, the further I am from the kitchen the better, for everyone…Hey Chase, you have a movie we could watch to be out of the way?..."

>> “Yeah, Come on.”[/color]

He smiled a little at that. Gemma’s kids got it, they knew that they needed to start to get to know the boy a bit better. Not that he expected them to shun Chase or give him a hard time; they were not monsters. Despite Valerie’s attitudes towards him, the detective knew that they were both good people who shared their mother’s ability to look into the inner workings of a person. They would treat Chase well and accept him into the family just as readily.

It was Jorge that they were going to give a hard time to! He smirked at the thought as he entered his kitchen and began to gather lunch, glancing at his fiancée if she decided to follow him in or not.

>>“Yeah. Come on. How ‘bout this?”

Laurent and Valerie followed Chase to the living room and settled on the couch while he ws picking out a movie.

"Good choice" Laurent agreed, nodding at the DVD the boy picked. He was apprently at ease with the whole family movie watching thing.

"Pirates are awesome, that's why." Valerie added with great conviction. "And that guy is definitely..."

"Val!"

"... talented."

*******

>>“I could use all the help I can get,”

Gemma followed Jorge to the kitchen, and leaned against the counter, taking a moment as he started reparing food. She was really there to help, but somehow she had too much on her mind.

"You think they'll get along?" she mused, looking over at Jorge, trying to fight the urge to go to the living room and check on the kids "Chase seemed very shy..."

Chase nodded as he received the consent of his two older siblings, popping open the DVD case. He’d become well-accustomed to working Jorge’s DVD player since the first time he’d come to the detectives house. He’d come to the point where it was nearly second-nature for him.

Chase fussed with the controls momentarily, making sure that the t.v. was set, and he popped the DVD into the player, before hitting the button that would close it. That being done, the movie catapulted into the advertisements that always came beforehand. Chase got up from his task, and crossed the room, flopping onto the couch beside Laurent.

While both older siblings made him a little anxious, he was still more comfortable around boys, generally speaking, thus the seating choice.

“My favorites are the two funny guys,” Chase murmured, “And the monkey.”

Jorge had entered the kitchen and began finish the preparations for dinner. He had a baked macaroni and cheese in his oven, as well as a chicken in the roaster. The smells coming from the kitchen ought to have been delectable to anyone who caught a whiff of it as they passed by. Jorge prided himself in his cooking, since that was one of the first things that his mother ever taught him; after all, he enjoyed being self sufficient and didn’t care for the idea of being with someone just so that they could cook for him.

He opened his oven door and knelt down, peering instead to make sure that everything was cooking nicely. So far everything looked good! He hoped that this meal would better than the last one that Laurent and Valerie were a part of. Last time Valerie attempted to derail him by announcing in the middle of cooking that Laurent was a vegan, which obviously didn’t mesh with the dinner that Jorge already had planned.

Thankfully, that little lie was dismissed by Gemma. Still, though, ever since then, Jorge had it in his mind to try and be mindful of everything that people wanted; that and he really wanted to get back at Valerie.

>> "You think they'll get along?...Chase seemed very shy..."

Jorge stood up after he removed the foiled from the top of his chicken and tossed it into the trash. He smiled at Gemma as she squeezed her arm gently.

“It’s Chase, he’s always shy,” he smiled jokingly. “He’ll be fine. Valerie and Laurent made a good first impression on him. Chase will warm up, but he’ll do it on his own time,” Jorge said with a knowing smile. He used to be like Chase when he was growing up, shy and not speaking to anyone. He definitely knew what the kid was going through. “Just, you know, breathe,” he said encouragingly to his fiancée. He then turned, grabbed a plate and tossed a raw carrot and a handful of uncooked beans onto it. It looked like a rather odd and terrible dish. He held it up for Gemma to see. “Now, do you think this will be enough for Valerie? Didn’t she say she was a vegetarian the last time she was here?” he grinned impishly.