Bruce Took The Stairs Two At A Time Up To His And Andie's Rooms, Entering The Rooms As Quietly As He

Bruce took the stairs two at a time up to his and Andie's rooms, entering the rooms as quietly as he could, just in case Rebecca or Andie - or Rebecca and Andie - was asleep. When he saw Andie awake, he smiled at her, shutting the door softly behind him.

"I think I found a place for us."

♤

"Hey Bruce, our little genius is asking for you." "Daaaaaaaaaaaaaad! The ‘sperment is waiting! Come home soon!" "Come home soon sweetie, we miss you! Love you!"

Bruce laughed. "Obviously. I am the very definition of calm, cool, and collected."

"They take after you with that temper."

"You really think so?"

Bruce dropped his duffel bag so he could catch Andie, stumbling back a few steps with the force of her attack. He wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her neck.

A few of the teenagers were playing in the grass with Rebecca, her giggles shrill and bright in the evening air. Andie was sitting nearby and looked up, seeing Bruce standing there in the evening light. She smiled, getting to her feet and running to him, practically tackling him.

"So, she's ahead mentally, but behind physically," Bruce commented, looking down at Rebecca. The moment she started squirming, he grinned at her, then set her down on the ground. He knelt down beside her.

"Yes, sure, I'll play now," he agreed.

"Our baby girl is certainly unique. Sharp as a tack, and quick too." Andie grinned. "She’s also started pulling herself up and is probably going to start walking soon."

Rebecca waved her arms around, squirming in Bruce’s arms. “Da play now?” She asked, her big brown eyes inquisitive and bright.

Bruce shook his head, looking down at Rebecca. "I shouldn't've..." Bruce trailed off, unable to bring himself to regret any of the events that led to her. "You shouldn't've... God, Andie, I don't know. I don't know what to do."

"She never would have been able to even without the radiation, or are you forgetting the fact that I passed something on as well?" Andie said, kissing his forehead. "It’s a little too soon to decide that you’ve destroyed anything."

Bruce reached up to hold onto Rebecca's ankles, tipping his head back at a severe angle to look at her. "Would you like that? Do you want to go see the house after Mommy's classes tomorrow?"

♤

"Hey Bruce, our little genius is asking for you." "Daaaaaaaaaaaaaad! The ‘sperment is waiting! Come home soon!" "Come home soon sweetie, we miss you! Love you!"