Earlier.

The answer was yes, if the women involved were Psylocke, Laura, and Ava.

As much as he’d love to hear them ramble, he didn’t mind the current drive. After the last few days, the calm felt comfortable in a different way.

He slowed the car and pulled up in front of Felicia’s family home. It was a nice two-story place. Nothing flashy or mansion-sized that Felicia’s dad could easily afford. It had a modest front yard with trimmed hedges and warm lights glowing behind the curtains.

"Hey now. Felicia isn’t like that."

Laura nodded slowly like it was a fact. "Felicia is a bad girl. Gwen is a good girl."

He stepped out and went to the back. The trunk held a crate of wine, a second heavier crate of gifts, and a bouquet of White Roses chosen by him. The Hardys loved their white and black. This gift seemed like a lot for the conventional standards of a boyfriend first meeting with a girlfriend’s parents, but it probably would be nothing for a family like Felicia’s. Besides, it would help him make a good first impression.

He shook his head. Bringing a stunner like Psylocke to their doorstep would be the quickest way to end the dinner.

"Don’t let anyone ruin this."

He reached out and brushed his fingers lightly against Ava’s cheek. "Sorry. I haven’t been able to fulfill my promise. I’ll make it up later."

The teasing made him smile awkwardly. He had been stretched thin between his girlfriends, villains, and protecting this city. "Rely on me until then. I’ll beat up anyone who tries to bully you or Silvija."

"Then you can ask Death to bully me."

He hadn’t expected Death to answer. Ava hadn’t either, but she ended up laughing.

He smiled at the words she whispered to herself. It confirmed Ava’s hate had died down, replaced by warmth. Her biggest concern was that he had been manipulating Silvija and stealing her love away. She knew he wouldn’t do any of that.

"Your own lover is ready to whack you. Where is your revenge arc?"

She raised an eyebrow, momentarily speechless. She used to be almost his equal in combat until he found a way to Hyperion’s Resonance. Now her swords couldn’t even scratch him.

"You look better now."

"Yes—" She caught herself from speaking more and gave him a helpless look. "That’s not what I meant."

Psylocke’s clear purple eyes had always been an open book to him. Maybe it was his connection to Death, or maybe it was just her, but her eyes were like a reflection of her internal state. Despite the bloody path she had walked, her soul might be the purest he’d ever seen.

He looked into her eyes. "You’ll make sure nothing happens."

"Because you’re the telepath here."

Her assurance made him smile. "Thanks."

He took out his phone and sent a text to Emma.

Her reply arrived in an instant.

Her phrasing made him chuckle. She had feelings for him, yet her pride wouldn’t let her reveal them because she could never have him to herself.

[Emma: You are neglecting her already...]

[Emma: Just you wait, Dear ❤️]

[Emma: Terrible fathers don’t get to fight back.]

[Emma: Be back on Tuesday]

He put his phone away and picked up both crates before placing the bouquet on top. After closing the trunk, he walked to the door and took a moment to make sure everything was correct.

’Why is this making me nervous?’

Felicia pushed him inside and closed the door before taking the bouquet "My second favorite. Black roses are first."

"Come on. I can’t come empty-handed. I’m not that shameless."

As shrewd as Hardy’s could be, they never treated their own wrong.

Felicia, who was still busy basking in the white rose’s scent, blinked and blushed at the honest praise. Lydia’s cheeks went pink too. Even Walter looked a little flustered for a second.

Walter put his arm around Lydia’s shoulder. "I’m getting a little charmed myself."

"You guys are making it strange." Felicia grabbed his free hand and pulled him inside. "Dad, accept the gifts. He is rich, so we might as well rob him."

"Son, I’ve been getting back into shape. This much is nothing."

Walter picked up one of the larger pieces and stared at it. "Why are you giving us millions?"

Lydia pressed her hand to her mouth. "Take it back. This is too much."

Felicia crouched and picked up a deep violet stone. "These are from Limbo?"

"Oh!" Walter seemed more excited than afraid. "The new ruler gave you gifts in exchange for helping her."

Illyana had allowed him to take anything in Limbo. She even offered to take half of the gold cashout Silvija would be carrying out on the Black Market, which he had rejected.

A whirlwind tour of the house followed, where Felicia proudly showed off her four pets. Lupin. Raffles. Simon. Irene. Three male cats with black fur and one female cat with white fur. They all became cuddly with him, clearly enjoying his warmer temperature just like Sharon and Felicia.

Felicia slid into the seat beside Dante and leaned against him. "Can you make a room soundproof?"

"I can."

It felt like she couldn’t wait for the meal to end. Neither could he.

"Felicia said you only enjoy meat," Walter said. "Her mom and I spent the whole day finding the best cuts."

Felicia stared at her parents with pure betrayal. Her plans of getting laid had been pushed back by love and several courses.

"Kitten?"

Dante patted her thigh in comfort, feeling her jolt.

"Hmm?"

He shrugged at her overreaction and dove into the feast while answering Lydia and Walter’s occasional questions about his work and personal life. He kept them simple but truthful. After dinner and dessert, Lydia stood up and began carrying the plates back to the kitchen. Felicia helped her mother speed up the process.

"One moment." He wiped his hands with a napkin and reached into his suit for his wallet. The slightly faded image was still inside. He set the picture on the table. "Uncle, do you know anything about this?"

Walter leaned in and revealed a look of surprise. "Lyd!"

"Dear," Lydia whispered, getting teary-eyed. "He is that boy."

"Happiness does wait for us on the other side of hard times." Lydia placed her hand over Walter’s. "We’ve reunited at last."

She was horrified at the very idea of it being true.

He looked at Walter with a solemn expression, waiting for his explanation.

Dante let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness."

"Then what is this?" Felicia pointed sharply at her teary-eyed mother. "Why are you reacting like that?"

She pinched Walter’s thigh with an annoyed look, making the older man groan in pain.

"I’m glad dad gave you away. You may’ve had a hard time in the orphanage, but you’re in good hands now."

Dante put his arm around Felicia, pulling her a little closer. "Please."

"You can call me Dad. I always wanted a son," Walter said with a smile. "Is that fine with you, Lyd?"

Both of her parents had decided to accept him as their son. It invoked memories of his destroyed universe, making him bitter about everything.

"Not so fast. We should let him breathe," Walter suggested gently, reading the room better than his overexcited daughter. "It’s a lot to absorb at once."

Felicia rubbed her face in his shoulder like a cat, trying to comfort him in her own way. "We should continue this conversation another day."

***

Patreon.com/Lordheaven