Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“JEN, WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING HURRY THE FUCK UP” 

Time, all they needed was time. Jennifer rushed upstairs, throwing clothes into the duffle bag AGAIN . She listened to Cindy as she was yelling and stabbing whatever was outside the house. It was the fourth hideout they had stayed in, and each time they moved, somehow evil followed. She didn’t know how they found their new hideout, but time was of the essence in trying to get her and her family out of here. Wiping the sweat off her forehead, she had no time to lose; she zipped up her suit, trying to harness as much energy as she could. Placing her hand on her lower abdomen, she wasn’t at full power, as she growing a new life. Her body used her power to protect the baby at all costs. 

“JENNIFER, THE KIDS!”

She heard a scream from the other bedroom, she dropped everything and ran to the noise. Seeing an entity running toward her children, she used her power to create an electric ball, aiming at them. She raced over to her twin, who was bawling her eyes out, It was now or never. She wipes their tears and races over to the drawers, grabbing any clothes she can get her hands on into the duffle bag. 

“Mama? What’s happening?” Jennifer turned around to her oldest, her baby girl, Jayla, walking up to her. Not too far behind is the youngest twin, her brother Jayden. 

Jennifer took a deep breath, crouched down to help her daughter relax. She could feel fear inside of them. Who could blame them? What they were fighting against was stronger than her; it was a war they had been fighting for years. “We have to move, baby, your auntie is fighting them right now, if we hurry, we can move onto the next safe house.” 

“But I want to go home,” Jayden starts tearing up as Jennifer hugs them both. 

“I know, I want to go home too. For right now, just safe houses, okay?” Jen kisses their forehead, she senses someone is coming in her direction. Her electric sense went off, she grabbed her kids, put them into the closet, and gave them a blanket to help calm them down. “DO NOT open this door for anyone else except JSA, okay?” They nodded, tears fell down their cheek, and Jen quickly kissed them on the forehead before closing the closet.

Jen took a deep breath, closed her eyes, faced the bedroom door, and hid behind the bed, catching them off guard. One. Two. Three. She heard the door open, getting ready to electrical them but stopped seeing them. The door then swung open, and instantly a wave of relief washed over Jennifer. Her stance faltered as she took sight of her husband, Brandon. Visibly relaxed, Jennifer calmed down and ran over to him. “Brandon!”

“Jen!” Brandon rushed over to Jennifer, hugging her. “Where are the twins?” 

Jen pulled away, going to the drawers, and she grabbed their clothes, stuffing them into a duffle bag. She hadn’t finished packing since they were in a rush after all. “They’re in the closet, they’re scared one of the entities was in here earlier.”

“Yeah, I heard. Cindy was yelling.” Brandon replied, and he rushed over to the closest, knocking it slowly, not to startle them. “Hey, I’m here.” 

“Daddy?” Jayden asked softly, Brandon opened the door, and insanely, they jumped into his arms. “What’s going on?”

“The big monster is attacking us right now, but don’t worry, Auntie Cindy, YoYo, and Nissa are helping to protect us,” Brandon said. Jennifer smiled, seeing how great he was at calming them down. The twins were a carbon copy of him, his hair, his eyes, his smile, and his nose, but they did have Jennifer's personality and attitude. That is where she took pride in the most. “Is TC at the next safe house?” 

“I don’t know yet, he hasn’t responded since I told him we were getting attacked,” Jennifer replied. She went to the bag to pack stuff, noise, and anything they needed on the road. Her mind traveled to the last conversation, the JSA and the Outsiders were spread out all over America, they were trying to figure out ways to stop the world from ending. Literally.  

“We’re running out of time,” Anissa said through the coms, they heard loud clapping outside while Cindy was too busy yelling. 

Brandon got up and opened the window using his power to build a slide for an escape route. He turned to Jennifer, who finished packing, and she threw the duffle bag outside. She faced the twins, she could see the anxiety in their eyes, and her heart broke seeing them like this. She felt shadows on the floor, the wind at their feet. Brandon ran out of the room to help out with the fight downstairs. 

“Mama, I don’t like this,” Jayla whimpered, clinging to her brother.  

“It’s too loud,” Jayden cried. He held his hand to his head, trying to block out the noise. 

Jennifer went to the closet, grabbed their jackets, she helped them put them on their jackets zipping them up. She wanted to keep them as warm as possible. “Hey. I need you to be the strongest person ever right now, just let your daddy and me handle it. Just stay close to each other, okay?” 

The twins nodded, listening to their mom. They could hear loud noises downstairs, the floor started shaking, and they were in the house. Jen placed her hands on the floor using her powers to help out as much as she could. Her mind was racing, she saw tears falling down their face, and a tear fell from hers. 

They heard an explosion, and in an instant, Jennifer made a force field around them as they ran to her. A piece of the roof broke off and crumbled on top of them. Jen used her power to deflect any other pieces falling off. Brandon was using his powers like crazy. Holding onto their mom, Jennifer felt her senses go off and turn around, zapping whoever was at the window. 

“Guys, we have to hurry. I don’t know how long we could hold them.” Yolanda said, 

In a split second, a huge explosion sounded from their front door entrance. “Cindy, stand back!” Anissa yelled thunder stomp, stopping more from entering the house. Her power let a wave of air push them far away, She was determined to protect her friends and family.

Jennifer could hear them yelling downstairs, trying to focus on what they were saying. Jayla and Jayden were holding onto each other, not letting go. Jennifer could see their soft eyes, afraid of what was ahead. 

“I don’t like this anymore,” Jayden cried into his sister's shoulders. Jayla started crying, holding onto him. 

“Hey, hey,” Jen got down on one knee to wipe their tears. She tried to think of anything to help ease their anxiety. She thought of one thing, one thing her dad always said to bring her peace. “Where is the future?”

Jayla and Jayden hesitated; they took a deep breath before looking at their mom. It was a common phrase their grandfather would say to help them whenever times were rough. “Right here,” they cried. Jen could see their hands trembling. 

“And whose life is this?” She said, 

“Mine!” Jayla points in the air, Jennifer looks at Jayden, who is shy, but he lets out a small sigh. 

Jen smiled at her son, “And what are you gonna do with it?” She held onto both of their hands as they started feeling better. She could see the hope in their eyes repeating after her. 

“Live it by any means necessary.” They said in unison, Jen sniffled, playing with both of their hair. They saw shadows crawling onto the floor space. Jen latched onto her kids, carefully watching the shadow to see if it was a friend or a foe. 

“Kids, hold onto Mama,” Jennifer commanded. Jayla and Jayden held onto her as she used her electrokinesis to aim at the shadow before it quickly faded away, and a human jumped in front of her. 

“No, no. No need to use your powers on me, ma’am,” The shade appeared in front of her, and Jennifer glared at Richard Swift, known as the “ Shade ”. Dressed in his casual black suit with a Monopoly top on his head. 

“Mama, who is this?” Jayla said, popping her head behind Jennifer.

“It’s a friend of some sort,” Jennifer rolled her eyes as Shade smiled and waved at the twins. “Call me Ma’am again, I will electrocute your ass.” She punches his shoulders, the Shade rubbing his shoulder. 

“Aye-up lads, I was here to help but I'm debating that right now,” The Shade eyed Jennifer, Jennifer held her guard up but ignored it. Shade smiled standing in front of them, he looked and he could tell the place was shit. There were ceiling pieces all over the floor, cracks on the wall, glass was everywhere, and everyone could tell the house wasn’t going to last long. “Miss Withmore asked me to assist the JSA and give you some time.”

“How much time do we have?”Jen asks, 

“Not much,” The Shade replied,

Another piece of the ceiling falls, and Jen uses her powers to break it into fine dust over Shade's head. Shade slowly grabbed his top hat off his head, shaking the debris off. His face displays disgust, seeing his all-black attire turn white within seconds, shaking the dust off his suit, he used his powers to form a portal on the ground at the end of Brandon's slide. 

“GUYS WE HAVE TO GO!” Cindy Burnman yelled, running into the room and shooting her wrist blades at the entity. The entity consists of shadow demons, easy to defeat, but they are constantly spawning all over. It was becoming too massive as more and more kept popping up. “You got the portal running, old man?” 

Shade scoffs, pointing to the window, and Cindy rolls her eyes, seeing the portal down by the slide. She gestured for the kids to come with her, but they were reluctant and stood by their mom. Cindy sighed, trying to grab their hand, but they ran behind Jennifer; they didn’t want to leave without their mom and dad. 

“Mama, I want Daddy.” Jayla pouted, Cindy looked at the door, and right on cue, everyone started entering the room. They close the door, grab the dresser, and block it. Brandon's eyes turn white as he uses his powers, trying to block them off to kill some time. 

“Well, if this is everyone, we must get going, shall we?” Shade starts walking off and uses his shadow to exit, leaving all of them behind. They knew they had a few minutes before the portal got sealed off. Yolanda was the first to use the slide Brandon made and enter the portal to the next location. 

Brandon pulled Jennifer aside, as Cindy and Anissa made sure they got everything. “I used my powers to block off the entrance to the room and used TC security to aim at them to kill some time. Jen, I need you to take the kids to safety now!” 

“What are you planning?” Jen said, her brown eyes looked at Brandon. She listened to everything he said, she couldn’t leave him. 

“I’m giving you guys time to escape…” 

With just one look into his eyes, Jennifer was already expecting what he was planning, “Are you serious about sacrificing yourself right now? You crazy? I am not leaving you! My mom and dad are dead, I’m not losing you too.”

Brandon shook her head, “You have to!” Tears started filling his eyes. “You are faster and stronger than I, which means you can use your powers and protect our kids.” Brandon walked over, putting his hand on her shoulders. “Look, Jen, I know you want to disagree about this plan, but how long do you think it would take till they find us again?”  

“I’m not fucking leaving you!” Jen yelled, which brought the attention of Cindy and Anissa, who reluctantly looked at each other. Jennifer turned around, seeing Cindy and Anissa looking down. This was their plan all along. “You two knew about this? You didn’t even tell me?”

“Look, Jen, I agree this plan is crazy, but we need as much distance and fewer shadow demons following us as possible.” Anissa reasoned that they had discussed the plan last minute when they were fighting downstairs. Cindy had a guilty look on her face, even though she didn’t agree with the plan, but their main priority is safety for the kids and themselves. 

“Why?” Jennifer whispered, grabbing his trembling hands. 

Brandon's heart just broke into a million pieces, he didn’t want to stay behind. Brandon gave her a sad smile and looked at their kids made his heart break even more. What he was doing was a sacrifice that could end his life.

“How can I do this without you?…” He placed his hand on her lower belly, he wished there was a time when superheroes and supervillains didn’t exist, and they could live in peace. Brandon cupped Jen's face for one last kiss; her kiss let out a small electric spark, and he smiled once he pulled away. 

The kiss was the last reminder of everything they had been through, from his first day at Garfield High to witnessing her breaking into his apartment to getting married and having twins. Her laugh, her smile, her light saved him from a dark place, and he would do anything for her. For Jennifer, it reminded her of all the times he was there for her. Brandon was the first person she wanted to know more about, and she felt more curious, wondering how their power worked. He can absorb her powers and doesn’t feel a thing, loves her the way she is, flaws and all. Heavily flawed. He was her rock, just as she was his light. 

“I love you,” He said, Jen nodded slowly, breaking down and turning away as he went on with his kids. Brandon gave a quick kiss on the forehead to both of them. He would remember them being so clingy when they were just born.

Cindy said, ruining a family moment, “We have to go.” 

The house starts shaking a little more, and the twins start crying, running towards their dad, but Anissa and Cindy grab one twin and jump out the window. They slide down right into the portal, unsure where it would go. They had a duty, and it was to protect their godchildren. Jen stood by the window as Brandon used his power to fight the shadow demons. Jen ran to him, giving him one last hug. Brandon laid his forehead on hers, and they spent their final moments together. 

“Bianca,” Brandon said as he looked at Jennifer's lower abdomen. Jen was barely showing at 4 months. Jennifer's tears swell her eyes as Brandon places his hand on top of the baby. “That’s the name I had for our baby girl.” 

Jen sniffles, “Bianca… It is.” They felt another loud bang trying to break through the door. “I love you,”

“I love you, too,” He replied as he watched her jump out the window and enter the portal. He stood there waiting until the portal disappeared. Wiping the tears from his face, he’s alone against the shadow demons, he feels so much rage. Never felt angrier in his entire life, and he grew up with no family. His eyes turn white as the ground starts shaking. “Welcome to Hell Bitch!” He said as he went first against every shadow demon. 

Jennifer starts crying as she exits the portal and into the new safe house. She was there on the ground bawling her eyes out, knowing she just left her husband there to die, and she couldn’t do much about it. She slams her fist onto the ground as her twins start running into her arms. They all cried together, it was just the three of them against the world.

For now.

Jefferson Pierce, renowned father, husband, principal, and superhero, sat in his living room reading the newspaper that had been dropped off this morning. He had one leg over his other leg while sipping on a cup of coffee he had made that morning. It was a peaceful morning to noon, he had just finished his meetings about what they could do to improve testing scores at Garfield. His oldest daughter works as a scientist with her mom, his wife, and his youngest daughter is at college studying to get her teaching degree. 

Everything was going well, Freeland is well… Freeland but the citizens felt safer as Black Lightning, Thunder, and Lightning were there to protect them. With the help of Gambi and TC, they were able to stop crime and lend a hand to superheroes across the state if needed. Taking another sip, he here’s footsteps coming down the hall. He turned his head and saw his ex-wife, now remarried, Lynn Stewart. She was dressed in a simple business casual outfit. A blue dress with black heels, her lab coat on her arm with her new Prada purse Anissa bought for her on her birthday slung on her left shoulder. 

“Ahh, I see you brewed coffee.” Lynn smiles, she grabs a cup from the cabinet, pouring the remaining coffee into her thermos. She smells the coffee as it has a rich, dark roast aroma of the hazelnut flavor Jen bought. “I love the new coffee Jen bought, it smells amazing.”

“I agree, I thought I wouldn’t like it at first, but it definitely does its job,” Jeff said, he placed his mug on the coaster and folded his newspaper, placing it gently nearby. He stood up, making his way towards Lynn. 

Jeff went to greet her, kissing her cheek before sitting on the stool by the island. Lynn opens the fridge, getting the container of food she packed last night. It was vegetarian fried rice and grilled pork belly that Grace and Anissa cooked for dinner last night. Jeff made himself a reminder to eat some for lunch later.

“What are your plans for the day?” It was a simple Thursday in the middle of July. He pulled out his phone as Lynn finished packing her lunch. Jeff checked his schedule, wondering what else he had for the day. 

“Not much, just a few more meetings before I stop by the sanctum to check on Gambi. He’s been working on upgrades for our suits.” 

boop

The couple jumped in, surprised at the random noise upstairs. As they heard many things crashing down. Jefferson and Lynn heard a loud crash, wondering where it could come from. Both raising concerns, Jefferson went up the stairs slowly with Lynn following behind. He carefully walked up the stairs, ready to blast any intruder.

“Is Jennifer home?” Jeff whispered to Lynn, and she shook her head no. Jeff's eyes light up blue as he walks closer to the common area upstairs. They saw no one in the lounge but heard a noise coming from Jennifer's bedroom. “If she isn’t here, then who is it?”

“I don’t know,” Lynn took a steady breath, grabbing the baseball bat nearby. They heard a low whisper coming from the room. Jeff raised his eyebrow, hearing little kids?

“Are we here?” Jayden asked, looking around and seeing the bedroom in pink.

“I don’t know, Mama said she’ll be here.” Jayla pouted; they both were terrified. 

“I miss Daddy,” Jayden starts tearing up. They both sat there in the middle of the bed, looking around. It was different, Jayden clutching onto Jayla as Jayla slowly moved off the bed. Jayden slowly followed behind her. 

In a second, Jefferson opens the door to see a set of twins no more than five years old in the middle of the room. The twins had a small backpack each on them, they were covered in blood with tears in their eyes. They were startled by the sudden noises, and they hugged each other before squinting their eyes, wondering who their attacker could be. Lynn stood there flabbergasted. How did the kids end up in their house?

“Kids?” 

Jefferson looked at each other, he noticed there were dried blood stains on both of them. “Lynn, they’re hurt.” 

The twins saw Jeff and Lynn walk closer, into their field of vision, and they studied them. Eyes widened, and they realized it was their grandparents who wasted no time running towards them.

“GRANDMA!” “GRANDPA!” The twins frown and turn to relief, seeing their grandparents. Jayden went to Lynn, and Jayla hugged Jefferson's leg. 

“Grandpa?” Jefferson stared at his wife with confusion. He stood there, lost; he didn't even know these kids. “Um, I don’t think you’re going to work today.”

Lynn chuckled, holding a five-year-old toddler in her arms. “Neither do I,

extra scene

Jen sat at a coffee shop scrolling through the internet. She woke up early to take an exam and left feeling fulfilled knowing she aced it. Scrolling through Pinterest, Jen tried to figure out how she wanted to decorate her room this year. Since she is going to start teaching she might as well make it fun. 

“Coffee for Jennifer?” Jen looked up as she heard her name. Walking up to the counter she grabbed her iced coffee before walking to her seat. 

“Mommy, I don't want to leave you,”

“Mommy, please don’t make us go,” 

 “Ahh,” Jen stopped feeling a strong migraine on her right side. She heard distorted voices around her almost dropping her coffee and shaking her head trying to recover from what just happened.

Sitting down, she decided to make a mental note to ask her mom for a check-up. Looking at the sky, she saw the cloud near the sun. Huh, it looks like there's going to be a storm today .  

Chapter Text

Darkness, darkness is how Jennifer Pierce, well Marshall felt at the moment as she laid in her new bed. She looked at the empty left side which was supposed to be occupied by her husband but he wasn’t there. Not anymore. Now she shared the bed with the twins, as they tried to calm down but they just lost their father. They’re a wreck. Luckily the twins are out with Anissa as she tries to cheer them up. They just want their daddy. She wanted Brandon too.

With an emotionless expression on her face, she just stared off into the distance. She wants to cry but she can’t stress herself out even more. It wasn’t good for her and it definitely wasn’t good for the baby. Jen needed to be at 100% to defeat the League of Villains and the Injustice Society of America. A lot has happened in her life and she couldn’t believe she married and had kids. Sulking into the bed, she didn’t hear the door open as one of her best friends entered.

“Hungry?” Courtney Withmore asked. Stargirl, the leader of JSA and Jennifer's best friend enters the room with a tray of food. Jennifer turns to face Courtney with a soft smile, sitting up she makes room for Courtney. “I wanted to ask how you were doing but I already know,” Court gave a sympathetic smile as Jen looked at what was in front of her. 

Jen's mouth drools over avocado toast with fresh scrambled eggs and French toast with a cup of orange juice. She already knew Beth made the big breakfast in front of her as it was Beth's favorite hobby was cooking. She tried to fight not eating but hearing her stomach growl, she needed to eat. Using the fork, I took a small bite of the eggs and it was delicious. It was creamy and savory like Gordon Ramesy made it himself. Moving the tray aside, the food felt like home but couldn’t help to feel sorrow after the events of last night. 

“You know life, life is shit. When villains are coming after you and your entire family for months and of course being 4 months pregnant isn’t making it any better now that your husband could be dead.” Jennifer said with sarcasm, she took a sip of the freshly squeezed orange juice before putting it on the nightstand next to her. 

“I figured,” Court gave a soft smile, Courtney trying her best to cheer up Jennifer but it was impossible. The blonde rubbed Jen's knee before taking a deep breath. “I have to tell you something,” 

Jen looked at Courtney with curiosity, judging by the tone of her voice it sounded serious. “Tell me what?”

Courtney sat there trying to put her words together, “When Anissa went out today with Jayla and Jayden,” Jennifer felt her heart drop, she quickly got out of break spilling the breakfast tray next to her on the ground. “Jen wait,” 

“WAIT FOR WHAT?!” Jen yelled, rage filling her body unsure what could be happening to her babies. “You’re telling me my kids were ATTACKED and no one told me!”

Courtney scratched her neck, she didn’t know how to break it. “They’re fine, Anissa was able to get them to safety. The twins are fine.” She quickly said, trying to console Jennifer.

Jennifer felt a weight off her chest, her kids are safe. Thank god. Still, she still had an uneasy feeling, something else was up. She walked past Courtney to head downstairs, yelling their names and walking down the stairs. Jen hurriedly rushed to make sure her babies were alright. “Jayla, Jayden, babies are you two okay?” She saw them right near the basement door as they were waiting. Both twins were still shaking from what just occurred which wasn’t long ago. 

“I’m fine Mommy, just a booboo.” Jayden pouted, pointing out a small scrape on his knee. Jen looked at his knee seeing a bandaid on his knee, she walked over kissing his knee. 

“How does it feel now?” Jen asks, “All better?” Jayden giggles a bit, nodding. Jayla showed Jen her arm which didn’t have a cut on it but she wanted attention from her mom as well. “Are you hurt too?”

Jayla nodded her head before smiling, giving it away that she was lying. Jen chuckled before smothering the twins with kisses. They were laughing, she heard a noise coming from the basement seeing Anissa holding an ice pouch on her neck. Anissa signals Jen for a conversation, Jen kisses the twin on the forehead before talking to her older sister. 

“Anissa, what the hell happened?” Jen asked straight to the point, she didn’t want to waste any time since they were attacked not too long ago. They walked into the kitchen where Anissa threw away the ice pouch as it melted already. 

“Look right after we left and you went back to bed. We headed to the grocery store and were attacked for 30 minutes shopping around.” Anissa explained taking a bottle of water out of the fridge. “Jen, I think I know why they have been targeting us with specificity,”

Targeting us? Jen thought about it, she did notice how it was always her group of the JSA that was always relocating. They thought it was because someone in her group slipped or someone leaked their hideout but hearing that she was being targeted had her worried even more. 

“Why?” Jen asks, her brown eyes staring at her older sister waiting for an answer to come out of her mouth. Anissa placed her water on the counter, she couldn’t look Jennifer in the eye but she needed to tell her. “Hello?”

“They’re after Jayden, they want to steal his power,” Anissa said, 

Jennifer stands there frozen, not frozen when Cameron froze her during training but frozen in fear. The reason for the past attacks against her and her family is that the villains wanted to steal Jayden's power. She felt a tear fall on her cheek, she couldn’t believe she couldn’t figure it out sooner. Standing there, she felt the room getting dizzy, Anissa watching her baby sister momentarily. Anissa noticed Jennifer struggling to stand, she offered her hand to help her sit down on the closest stool near them. 

“You okay? Do you need water? Have you eaten yet?” Anissa asked to check up on her, she noticed Jennifer looked a little bit pale. 

“Trash can,” Jennifer whispers, Anissa walks to the cabinets under the sink and grabs the trash can, handing it to Jennifer. Jennifer vomited into the trashcan feeling nauseous after. “Thank you,”

“Beth is downstairs trying to find a way to hide his power so the villain can’t find him. I’ll do whatever in my power to protect him.” Anissa rubbed Jenn back to help her, Jennifer can’t believe this was happening but here she is freaking out. 

Laying her head down on Anissa's shoulder, Jennifer starts crying into her shoulder. Anissa soothes her as more tears fall down her face. It was a tough predicament they were in, villains were after her son and she wished Brandon was here with her. If only they could go back in time and figure out all of these before lives were lost. 

“They called you what?”

“They called me Grandpa and Lynn Grandma.” 

“Them?”

“Yes, them, who do you think I’m referring to?”

“Hey, I was just asking,” Gambi chuckled, seeing Jefferson get so worked up as Lynn was preoccupied with the kids. 

Jeff was easily annoyed, “It’s not funny, Gambi, I was just enjoying my cup of coffee talking to Lynn, then all of a sudden two kids pop out of nowhere calling me grandpa.” They both walk onto the big screen, waiting for the encryption of the flash drive to unlock. 

When the twins arrived, Jefferson removed their backpacks, wondering what was inside. It was barely some clothes and a stuffed animal, leaving more questions unanswered. The twins wouldn’t talk for the remainder of the time as they were crying. Lynn held Jayden's and Jayla’s hands as they walked downstairs and out of the house in a rush, driving to the Sanctum. Jeff got on the phone, texting his team that they needed to head to the Sanctum as quickly as possible. 

Jeff and Lynn held the twins in the Gambi Tailor shop, hitting the button down the elevator. Jayden and Jayla are clinging onto Lynn, meeting an anxious Gambi, wondering what the emergency could be. He paused, seeing two kids hanging onto Lynn like their lives depended on it. Gambi slowly stepped towards them. He looked at Jefferson, wondering what 911 was. 

Now, after Anissa, Grace, and TC entered the sanctum, they had the same reaction as Gambi. They paused. The twins' energy lights up seeing Anissa hugging her. Anissa looks at her parents, asking why they have two kids. 

"Where are Mama and daddy?” Jayden asked Anissa, 

Anissa was unsure what to say, “Um-,”

“Mama is coming surely, just wait with Grandma for a minute, okay?” Lynn quickly answered, and she saw the worried look on everyone's face. Jayden and Jayla looked at Anissa one more time before agreeing to follow their grandma. 

“Dad, what’s going on?” Anissa asked to go to the computer and see Gambi trying to unlock the flash drive. “Why are there kids here?”

Jeff shook his head; he was unsure what was happening, too. “I have no idea, Nissa, they just appeared out of nowhere, calling me grandpa. Gambi is running a DNA test while trying to encrypt the hard drive I found in one of the twins' backpacks.”

“What are their names?” Grace wondered; she kept staring over at them while they were playing with Lynn. 

“They wouldn’t tell us until their mom and dad arrived,” Jeff answered. “They finally spoke when you arrived, but they still ask for their parents, so I don’t know anymore. I tried to talk to them, but they’re very stubborn.”

“Sounds like Jennifer.” Jeff's face dropped, and Anissa raised her eyebrow, looking at the DNA test. “The computer is not reading their DNA, When did you get their blood?” 

“I didn’t, we found blood on their jacket, so we went to test it. For some reason, it’s glitching the system,” Gambi said as TC went to help unlock the hard drive. 

“Maybe because they’re not in the system. If they appear calling you grandpa and grandma, maybe they’re not from here.” Grace said, “Could be time travel.”

“Like Aliens could exist,” TC jokes, Jeff made a face, shaking his head. “Wait, they're real?”

“Supergirl and Superman, I’m an alien. Did you not know?” Grace doesn’t know if she should feel insulted or not. 

“I don’t think they’re aliens, though,” Anissa stares at the twins holding onto their stuffed animals. “I might agree on time travel, Dad, didn't you work with other heroes, and one of them dealt with time travel?”

“Yeah, I did. Sara Lance, leader of the Legends.” Jeff answers, “Maybe that’s why the DNA test is not working because our technology doesn’t have access to future records.” 

They heard the elevator ding as they heard footsteps entering the sanctum. Jennifer walks in with a phone in her hand, wondering what the big 911 is.

“Alright sorry I’m late, what’s the emergency, and who ass I get to kick?” Jennifer shouted, making her grand entrance.  The twins look up, hearing their mom's voice, and jump from the couch they run to. 

“MAMMMA!” Two little voices suddenly shouted from the couch. Everyone froze as the twins ran through the sanctum and threw themselves towards Jennifer, tackling her to the ground. Hugging her tightly, Jennifer fell onto the ground, having two kids on top of her, feeling a knee hit her rib, she knew she had to take an ice bath later.

“Ooh, what the fuck?” Jennifer wheezed, trying to see what was going on. She was walking into the sanctum, and now she was on the ground with two kids crying into her clothes. She sat there frozen, seeing a little girl and a boy hugging her like no tomorrow. 

“Oh,” Everyone said loudly.

Gambi turned around, hearing the beep of the computer, the DNA test was completed, and an image of Jennifer popped up, confirming the blood on the twin's jacket was her DNA. The computer put it on the big screen where everyone could see, Everyone was shocked; they did not expect the twins to be blood-related. Anissa and Grace's mouths opened wide. Jefferson stood there completely lost. Gambi tried to restart the test again, but the same results popped up, and Jennifer looked at everyone around her. 

“I’m there, what?” Jennifer asked as the room got silent. 

extra scene

“Mama, look what I can do!”  Jayla shouted as she jumped into the pool, making a big cannonball. 

Jennifer laughs, seeing her little girl make a big splash that ends up spilling Cindy's drink. Cindy chuckled before glaring at Jayla, who was smiling at her. 

“That’s it, come here, you little brat.” Cindy jumped into the pool, trying to reach for her. 

“Mama, save me!” Jayla giggled, trying to swim away from Cindy Burman. Cindy caught up to Jayla, tickling her before turning her to the other side of the pool lightly. 

Jen looked around, noticing her son wasn’t outside by the pool. Sitting up, she left Cindy to watch Jayla as she entered the safehouse, seeing Jayden kicking his feet by the counter. He had a sad face while Beth was trying to talk her way into a smile. It was not working, but Beth moved over a small ice cream cup before joining the rest of the JSA outside.

“Hey buddy, what’s wrong?” Jennifer asked, sitting next to him. Jayden, not looking at her, stared at the ground. “Jayden, honey, Mommy asked you a question. What’s wrong?” 

“I miss daddy,” He whimpered, 

Jennifer rubs her son's back, knowing the feeling; she missed Brandon, too. Her kids miss their father, he always brought a smile to their faces no matter what happened. “Me too, baby, me too. But baby, if we do the mission right tomorrow, you’re going to see Daddy and Mommy again.”

“Really?” Jayden asked with hope. 

“Yeah, it’s going to take a little bit of time, but don’t worry. Mommy will always be there to protect you two.” Jennifer placed a kiss on her son's head before sitting up. “Come on, baby, you should be out there swimming. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow, let’s have some fun before this last.” Jen said giving her some hope, but deep down, she didn’t want this plan to happen. As selfish as she could be, she doesn’t want to be left alone after today. 

Hopefully, when the plan does work, it will speed up her and Brandon's relationship a lot quicker than she expected. She wondered how young Jennifer would react knowing she was going to be a mom in the future, or end up marrying a guy she broke into his apartment. Either way, she can’t keep wondering but should enjoy her present since her past is about to be a little more chaotic than she remembers. 

Let’s hope for a new day.

Chapter Text

“Mama, are you hurt? Okay? Where is your belly? Did my baby sister come out already?” Jayden starts to question as Jayla keeps looking at Jennifer’s shoulder. Jayla kept poking her shoulder wondering why it wasn’t bleeding and Jayden was poking Jen's stomach wondering why it was smaller than before. 

Jennifer was still on the ground, she didn’t know what to say. All of a sudden, she was walking into the Sanctum, and now she was on the ground with two toddlers on top of her. She looked at her family with a worried look, asking for help. Lynn got up from the couch and walked over to Jennifer, trying to move the twins off of her, but they held on tight. 

“Careful, kids, your… mom… can’t breathe, give her a second,” Lynn said. She couldn’t believe her youngest baby was a mother. Mother to twins nonetheless. 

Both of the twins looked at their mom, who was confused yet frozen in fear, and they pouted. 

“But Mama, it’s me. It’s Jayla and Jayden.” Jayla looked at Jennifer, who was still trembling. Who could blame her? Her supposed-to-be kids came out of nowhere. 

Lynn moves closer, “She knows, sweetheart, but it’s been a long day for her and she has a headache, right?” She signaled Jen to have her head hurt, and Jen understood before she started acting like her head was hurting. 

“I do, I’m sorry. Let me get some air before I-” Jen sat there, she didn’t know what to do. She lost; this wasn’t supposed to happen. 

“Give you two a bath and some food.” Anissa cuts in helping her, the twins nod, hugging their mom one more time. This time Jennifer hugged back, but she was still shaking. Jen's mouth thanked her as the twins got off their mom. “Stay with… Grandma ? Jen and I will come back in a few minutes, okay?”

“Promise?” Jayden asked, and Jayla pulled her pinky. Jen slowly moved over to give her a pinky promise, but everyone could see how nervous she was. 

“Promise,” Jen blurted out. She gave a small smile before the twins ran off with their grandma. Jen got up, wiping the dust off her before following Anissa back to the computer lab with Jeff, Gambi, Grace, and TC. “This better not be a joke, it’s not fucking funny.” 

“Language,” Jeff said, 

Jen glared at her dad, “I could give a damn about my language right now, there are two kids in here running up to me telling me I’m their mother!” She yelled, but she wasn’t loud enough for the kids could hear her.  “Like, are you guys trolling me? April Fools was over months ago, guys, I’m laughing seriously.” She said with sarcasm, 

Jeff rubbed his eyes. “What do you want me to say, Jen? I was at home and all of a sudden two kids came out of nowhere, calling me grandpa and asking for their mother.” To say everyone in the sanctum was stressed was an understatement.” 

“It’s not a joke, Jen, I was just as surprised as you,” Gambi said, 

“I was told there was an emergency, I didn’t know the emergency involved two kids.” Jen looked around, trying to wrap her head around it. “Are you sure they’re mine? I would remember being pregnant and being a mother for a couple of years, wouldn’t I?” 

“The way they’re acting, they are very adamant that you are their mother,” Anissa said. Jen turned around and looked at the couch area, seeing both of the kids staring at her. They were smiling and waving their hands, and Jen couldn’t help but smile and wave back. It felt natural for some reason. “We also discussed before you came here that they could be from the future.” 

“Time travel? Yeah right,” Jen scoffs, she looks at the computer, seeing it was 40% complete on decoding the hard drive. She turns to her left, seeing her profile pop up, saying the blood on the twin's clothes was from her. She looked at her dad, who gave a face proving she was wrong. “Time travel is real? So they could be my kids from… the future?” 

“Remember when there were multiple Earths?” Jeff asked Jen, and she nodded. Only Jeff and Jen had their original memories intact from the old reality. Only a few people knew about the old reality before it was transformed into a new one with just one world. “My friend the Flash has dabbled in time travel before, and there’s a team of superheroes that goes back in time and saves history.” 

“Must be nice to have friends in high places,” Anissa muttered under her breath. 

“So it’s possible, they travel back in time? Isn’t the number one rule in time travel to never go back in time?” TC questions, everyone looked unsure,  it was the first time they dealt with anything related to time. 

“From my knowledge, yes? The Legends travel back in time to stop time aberrations so they can fix history.” Jeff explained that he walked to the computer to show pieces of information about the Legends. Gambi was surprised such technology existed; there was more to the unknown world. 

“Is there a way to call your friend? Maybe we can use their technology to figure out why the kids were sent here in the first place.” Anissa suggested, Jeff nodded, taking his phone out and calling her number. 

“I sent a call and see what she can do,” Jeff said, 

“Wait, Dad, let me come with you,” Jennifer said. She was curious about the whole time travel thing. Not because she doesn’t want to be with her kids. 

“No, you stay here. I understand you feel stressed,” Jennifer scoffs and crosses her arms. “But, Jen. It looks like the kids need you more than ever. It might feel uncomfortable, but I’m pretty sure you've got this. From the looks of it, you are their mother, and don’t worry, we’re here to help as well.” Jefferson placed a kiss on his daughter's forehead before walking out of the sanctum. 

“Dad, right Jen, the kids need you more than ever,” Anissa assured, rubbing Jen's arms and still looking at the entrance before staring at her supposed kids playing with her mom. 

“You are not alone,” Grace says, walking up to her, hugging her. 

Jen takes a sharp breath before agreeing, “Fine, I guess I play pretend Mom for the day. How would I even be their mother?” 

“Well, I don’t think you have to worry about that,” Anissa jokes, She points to Lynn, smiling while playing with the twins. Anissa was cheesing, and Grace tried to nudge her to not have too much fun. “It looks like Mom is absolutely enjoying being a grandma already.” 

Everyone stared at the kids playing on the couch, they couldn't help but smile as well. The twins’ arrival brought so much confusion and surprise, but they didn’t expect it to bring some hope and joy as well. Jen took a deep breath and walked down the stairs, walking slowly to the couch area with Anissa and Grace not too far behind. TC and Gambi agreed to stay by the computer to unlock the hard drive. Jen waved to the kids who hurriedly rushed to hug her. Jen felt another weight against her, she was nervous. She’s scared. 

“Mama, Mama. I’m hungry.” The boy twin said, Jen mentally snapped her fingers to remember his name. Ahh Jayden. Jayden rubs his belly as his twin sister Jayla ? She was jumping up and down on the couch. “When can we go home? I miss Daddy!”

“I want to see Daddy too! He’s going to be so proud that I control my powwow.” Jayla beamed, trying to show her powers, seeing as metal started flying around. A computer came through the glass as TC and Gambi fell to the ground, avoiding getting hit. “Oopsies,”

Jen stood there with a blank expression, seeing her future daughter use her powers. FUCK . 

“Okay… So that just happened.” Lynn breaks the tension. Jayla saw the looks on everyone's faces; they were shocked, but it made the five-year-old girl burst into tears, running to Jennifer's arms as she was bawling her eyes out. 

“I’M A MONSTER!!” Jayla wailed into Jennifer's chest. Jennifer was doubtful about what to do. Anissa moved Jen's hands onto Jayla's back, rubbing it. 

“What am I supposed to do?” Jen mouthed to Anissa,

Anissa reads her lips, “Comfort her.” She is empathizing by using Grace as an example, rubbing her back and giving her affirmations. Jen sucks in her teeth before patting Jayla's back weirdly. 

“It’s okay, sweetie? You are not a monster,” Jen said, she froze on what to say next. “Um-”

“You just need to know how to control it, you are not a monster baby,” Anissa said in a comforting tone. Jayla looked up at her mother and aunt before nodding, still sticking to Jennifer's chest. 

“Hey, I know you two are hungry. What do you two want to eat?” Grace asked, 

“PIZZA!” Jayden cheered without a moment of hesitation, “It’s Mama and Daddy's favorite.” 

Jayla sniffles, “No, it’s Mama's favorite. Daddy says he likes it because he is scared of Mama.” 

Anissa tried not to laugh, and Jen sat down in disbelief. Pizza is her favorite food. Even Lynn and Grace were seen smirking. It wasn’t pizza that threw her for a loop, it was the fact that they said, Daddy. Daddy multiple times. 

“Um, Pizza it is.” Jen stuttered, and she eyed her kids. She noticed the blood was on their clothes. “They still have blood on their shirts. Don’t we have some extra clothes?”

“There weren’t many clothes in their bags when they arrived, don’t worry, we’ll go to the mall and buy some clothes for them,” Lynn said. 

“Ooh, will Daddy be with us?” Jayden asks.

Everyone looked around and thought the same thing. Who’s the daddy? Jen tried to look at the kids to see if they looked like anyone she had met before with whom she could have a romantic relationship, but no one came to mind. The only guy that she could think of was Khalil, but she hadn't seen him in years. Jen noticed a diamond bracelet on Jayla's arm, and for some reason, it was drawn to her. 

“Your daddy is on a trip, but don’t worry, he will be with you guys soon,” Anissa lied, She elbowed Jen, who caught on and agreed. 

“Yeah, your father is busy at the moment, but he... Will be… here soon.” Jen lowered her voice at the last part. She doesn’t even know who their father was; she hates lying to them but it’s true. 

“Why don’t we go to the car and head back home? We can order pizza and watch a movie. How does that sound?” Lynn suggested the twins think about it before jumping up and down. She giggled seeing their reaction, “Alright, Grace honey, why don’t you take them to the car and I’ll finish talking to Jennifer and Anissa about the next steps.”

“That’s fine,” Grace said, sitting up and clapping her hands. “Okay, kiddos, why don’t you follow Aunt Gracie upstairs while your mom talks to Aunt and Grandma real quick.” Grace cheered as the twins smiled, holding her hand. Anissa smiled, seeing the way Grace interacted with the kids, it definitely had her thinking about kids, too. 

“You’re doing amazing,” Anissa said, 

Grace blushed, “You think?” Anissa nodded, 

“Are you two kissing? We will meet you there,” Jayla said, seeing her aunt. 

“We can wait-” Anissa was cut off by Jayden, who grabbed his sister and ran out of the sanctum. 

“BYE!” Jayden yelled. 

Anissa paused, then she started laughing. Jen playfully smacked her arm. “Oh, those are definitely yo kids.” Grace chuckled before following them upstairs. 

“It’s not funny, Harriet,” Jen clamored. Everyone was smiling over this situation while Jen was stressed. She will admit it was amusing seeing her future kids have so much energy. “Okay, I’ll admit that was funny,”

“You're smiling,” Lynn commented. Jen nodded, it was the first time she had a genuine smile in the last hour. “You’re going to do amazing,”

“I am?” Jen said, and she took a deep breath again. “I’m scared, guys, I am. I don’t know if I can play the role of their mother. Why can’t you care for them? I can’t do this.” Jen looked down, her head was all over the place. She sensed every emotion at the moment; she was twenty years old, and she didn’t know how to be a mother. 

Lynn chuckled, seeing her daughter, “Well, Jen, like it or not, you are their mother, and they need you. I had the same reaction when I was pregnant with Anissa. Being a mother is never a perfect journey, but with a support system right here. You can be amazing,” Jen felt a tear fall from her eyes. 

“I think she will be amazing,” Anissa wipes the tears from Jennifer. “Dad is calling his friend right now to find out some information about their father. So you won’t be raising the kids by yourself.” 

Raising kids, huh ? “What if we do find their father and he doesn’t want to be a part of their lives? We don’t even know who he is.” Jen took a deep breath. 

“He will have no choice either way.”

“Trust me, I know your father will talk some sense into him, too.” Lynn rubs Jen's knee as Jen nods. 

“That should be the number one thing we should do.” Jen said, “We might find out who the father is.” 

“Agreed,” Anissa said, “Now let’s come on, I’m pretty sure Grace is having trouble with them right now. Kids are very difficult to handle, let alone two.”

All of them got up and walked upstairs to see the twins playing with a puppy. They finally calm down as Grace shapeshifts back into herself, feeling exhausted. Anissa laughs, seeing how exhausted her wife is, Lynn chuckles at the so much energy the kids have. Jen kneeled beside her future kids, seeing them stare at her. Swallowing her nerves, she gave them her hand, which they accepted without hesitation. 

“Alright, guys, let’s get some food,” Jen said as the twins smiled, not leaving their mom's side.

“Jefferson Pierce, how have you been? It’s good to see you.” Sara Lance, aka White Canary, said, walking up to Jeff, who sat by a bar waiting for her. 

“It’s good to see you, Lance. Come sit, and order a drink. It’s on me.” Jeff chuckles, seeing an old friend, getting out of his seat and greeting her. They hugged as they sat down, Sara ordered a whiskey on the rocks. 

“I know you didn’t call me to catch up, how can I be of service?” Sara said, getting straight to the point. Jeff called her using a special phone that only people from the crisis have, it’s used for dire situations only.

“I need help using your futuristic technology, there’s a situation that is happening where my team needs your help,” Jeff explained as he pulled out his phone, showing a picture of the twins he had taken without them knowing. 

“The kids are cute, what do you need me to do about it?” Sara asked, 

“Well, that’s the thing. They’re my grandchildren, but they’re not from this time.” Sara paused, taking a sip of her drink. Jeff stared at the photo of his grandkids even more. He believed something bad had happened in the future, and there was a reason his grandkids were sent back in time. “I know time travel is real, and a rule where you can’t go back in time. So I need a time expert to break a rule or two to help me with this.”

“But sending kids back in time? Why didn’t they send back an adult if the world is in a crisis?” Sara asked, 

“I wish I knew, I need your technology to find the kid's father and need to know why they were sent here in the first place. Will you help me?” Jeff asked,

“Oh, course, I’ll drop the waverider and give you the information you need.” Sara smiled, 

“Thank you, Lance.” 

“No problem, Jeff,” They cheer while drinking their drink before going to the waverider. 

At home, Grace ordered pizza while Jen and Anissa got Anissa’s old room ready for the kids to sleep in. During the ride back home, she noticed the twins were trying to stay awake. They might need a nap. Do kids nap? Her recent history was nothing but research on how to care for kids, seeing they need safety, security, emotional support, stability, play, and the hardest one of all, Love. Jen stays in bed looking at her phone, going on many YouTube videos and websites on being the perfect mother, but as her mom said, there is no such thing as a perfect mother. 

Lynn was bathing the twins, trying to get rid of the dirt, and getting them cleaned up for lunch. She was smiling, watching the twins interact with her; it brought her as much joy as when the girls were born. Watching Jayla trying to blow bubbles and Jayden popping them was the cutest thing ever. She took lots and lots of videos and photos. As they were getting cleaned up, Lynn had a stack of clothes waiting for her that Grace instacart to their house. She smiled, seeing the little clothes right in front of her. With the help of Anissa getting them dressed up, she went back to the drawers to give them back their jewelry. She took off the bracelet on Jayla's arm and the necklace on Jayden's neck before they got in the tub. She noticed that underneath the bracelet, there was a name on it. J.P.M. So this is Jen's bracelet. 

“Mama gave me that,” Jayla pointed to the bracelet in Lynn's hand. 

“She did?” Lynn said, putting Jayla on her lap. 

“Yep,” Jayla giggles, “Daddy made it special for her, it was for her anniversary.” 

“What kind of Anniversary?” 

“Wedding!” Jayla answers by touching the bracelet. She sees Jennifer walking into her room, throwing the bracelet in the air. Jen is married in the future, good to know. “Mama, I have your bracelet.” 

“My bracelet?” Jen raised her eyebrow, seeing the diamond/silver bracelet in Jayla's hands. “This is mine?”

“Yes, don’t you remember?” Jayden asks. He walks up to them in red shorts with a Superman shirt. Jayla had the Flash logo on her shirt. 

“No, Jayla, I don’t,” Jen admitted that she loves to make the kids happy at all times. She couldn’t keep lying to herself; she knew nothing about their life, and she wouldn’t keep lying to them either. 

Jayden pouted before tugging on Jen's leg, “That’s okay, you did say you won’t remember too much.” 

Anissa, Lynn, and Jen looked at each other, Future Jen must’ve been the one to send them back. They heard stomach growls, right on cue, Grace yelled from downstairs that the pizza was here. Jayla and Jayden clapped as they held onto Jennifer to go downstairs. Jen told them she would be downstairs in a minute. The kids were reluctant but agreed, hugging Jen and kissing her on the cheek before going to Grace. 

“So it’s clear that in the future I will send them back, but why?” Jen asks, staring at the bracelet Jayla gave to her. She couldn’t help but smile seeing the diamonds, they felt so familiar.

Jen looked at the diamond again, an idea popped into her head, she rushed to her closet, going through the coat hangers, she saw an old Garfield jacket. Taking the jacket out, Anissa wondered what Jen was doing. Lynn made room as Jen placed the jacket. Jen looked through the pocket and felt a rock in it. It wasn’t a rock, it was a diamond someone showed her back in high school. 

“You had a diamond in your jacket?” Anissa asked, 

“Where did you even get that?” Lynn added. 

Jen didn’t answer, she compared the two diamonds right next to each other. It left Jen speechless. Brandon? The last time she saw Brandon was when he left all of a sudden and never came back. She went back to his apartment to see that it had been completely empty with no note or anything. So she moved on; it wasn’t anything serious since the war with Markovia left the town in shambles. 

“I think I might know who the father is,” Jen said, shaking the diamond in her hand as she looked at her mom and her sister. “It’s Brandon,” 

The M engraved on the bracelet stood for Marshall. Jennifer P. Marshall. 

March 01, 2025

A stuffed toy is a toy doll with an outer fabric sewn from a textile and stuffed with flexible material. They are known by many names, such as plush toys, plushies, lovies, stuffed animals, and stuffies; in Britain and Australia, they may also be called soft toys or cuddly toys. Picking a stuffed toy is easy but does it stick? Brandon stood in the toy aisle at Target trying to figure out what would be perfect. 

When Jennifer told him she’s pregnant, he freaked out and left abruptly leaving all alone in the apartment they shared. After taking a breather, he knows that he’s fucked up. Leaving a pregnant lady was not a good idea so he’s trying his best to make it up to her. 

“I thought you would be halfway through the country right now?” Brandon chuckles hearing a familiar voice. He turns to his left and sees Pat Dugan standing by the end of the aisle smiling at him. “You know, when I heard you left after Jennifer told you she was pregnant. I was like this isn’t the Brandon I know. The Brandon I know loves Jennifer unconditionally he wouldn’t leave.” 

Brandon sucks his teeth looking down, “She hates me doesn’t she?” 

“I would say it’s stronger than hate,” Pat jokes walking next to Brandon seeing he’s staring at the plushies collection. “How are you feeling?” 

“Confused? I feel like a jackass leaving her, I didn’t intend to do it on purpose but-”

“But you don’t know if you’re ready to become a father yet huh?” Pat said, Brandon looked at Pat. “My advice to you is that you don’t. There is no such thing as perfect parenting, I know you’re scared and she's scared too but there is one thing I know.”

“What is it?” Brandon asked,

“Is that you two love each other and you guys will work it out and be the best parents you guys could be,” Pat said, patting Brandon on the back before leaving Brandon to himself. 

Be the best parent I could be.

Chapter Text

“Hey Brandon, there’s someone named Jefferson here to see you? I told him that you were busy, but it seemed very important, and he's one scary dude,” 

Brandon turned to his classmate, who was knocking at the door of the lab he was working at. Jefferson? He hadn't heard that name in years, Brandon left Freeland once the war with Markovia was over and never came back since. After coming back and finding a dead Dr. Jace in his apartment, he knew he was in trouble and left without a trace. He felt wrong leaving without a notice, but if a cop found a dead body in HIS apartment, under his name, he wasn’t taking any chances. 

“Yeah, let him come in,” Brandon said as his classmate gave him the thumbs up before leaving. 

Brandon sat in a science lab where he was working on cell regeneration for research labs, being a biochemistry major at a fancy school. Brandon had his work cut out for him. Soon entering his third year, he was able to grab an internship at S.T.A.R Labs in Central City through his school, so now he has been trying to figure out how cells work. The research he learned could help him understand what Dr. Jace was doing to his mom and wondered how he got his powers. Maybe it could help him find out more about his father. 

“Nice workplace,” Jefferson commented, standing by the doorway. He had a black bomber jacket on, a gray shirt, with matching jeans. His hands were in his pockets as he walked into the lab, seeing all the science equipment. 

“Mr. Pierce, what are you doing here?” Brandon skeptic asks,

Jeff bit his tongue, he was not sure how to break the news. With the help of Sara, they were able to get active to future records and with one question, it was confirmed that Brandon is the father and husband to Jennifer. Starting at the curly-haired boy in front of him, part of Jeff wants to beat the living hell out of him because he is dating his daughter in the future, and the other half is ready to share a beer with him because he’s part of the family. Going back to the conversation, he had with his family when they all got records about the future revolving around them the day before. 

“So Brandon? The curly-haired boy that you zapped constantly?” Jefferson raised his eyebrow, talking to his daughter while she was pacing back and forth. He took a bite of leftover pizza as they were having a family meeting. “You think he’s the father?” 

“I don’t think he’s the father, he is the father,” Jennifer said again, she grabbed a seat to regain her head again. 

Jeff came back to his house, seeing Jennifer freaking out, pacing back and forth waiting for him. Luckily the twins were sleepy after eating pizza, they were currently sleeping in Anissa's old room at the moment with Grace watching over them. All of them headed back to the sanctum as Jefferson was able to hook the future files on Jennifer onto the computer. Jen was seen taping her feet, she couldn’t believe she was looking at her future. 

“My friend gave me a certain amount of files, they strict about how much you can know about your future,” Jeff stated,

“Strict?” Anissa asked,

“One member of their team who was from the past asked about their future and saw they had a granddaughter. Knowing her future broke her as she tried to change her destiny, but you can’t change what’s already written since she’s from 1942.” Jeff explained he saw his team were lost as he explained it more. “To go into more detail, her granddaughter is Vixen. Lance told me that since she found out her village was destroyed, she has tried to do whatever it takes to prevent it. She later learned that if you try to change the past, you change the future and all that goes with it.”

“It makes sense, knowing too much can change your future which could lead to dire consequences,” Gambi added, Jeff nodded as Jen was biting her nails. “But isn’t it bad for Jen to know about her future?”

“It is if you try to change it,” Lynn expressed, “As Jeff said, Vixen's grandmother found out her village was destroyed. If she prevents that from happening, we wouldn't have the Vixen we have now in Detroit, am I right?”

Jeff nodded, “My friend can travel through time and so can his kids. He told me his daughter traveled back in time to spend more time with him. That’s all she could say because knowing too much of your future is both positive and negative.” 

“Enough talking, I’m freaking out way more than I should. I just need to confirm that Brandon is the father and know why my future kids were sent back in time.” Jen declared she used her powers to open the files given to them. 

Photos and documentation popped up on the screen, Everyone stared at the images in front of them. Jen froze, seeing the files confirming her theory, Brandon is the father. An image popped up, it was a family picture, a photo shoot where you would go to a studio. Jennifer and Brandon were in their mid-20s, the twins looked like they were two all dressed in white. Jen had Jayla in her hand, while Brandon had Jayden sitting on his neck. Jen looked at the images in front of her. They were smiling and everyone was happy. 

Jen walked closer without knowing touching the hologram picture, she saw another photo where she kissed Brandon on the cheek showing off her engagement ring. A silver band with a yellow diamond on top of it. A video shows them at the beach, running around as Brandon picks her up, twirling her around. More and more images pop up, more family group pictures, but it wasn’t her family. It was a new group of individuals she had never met before. Justice Society of America. Their Lightning was sitting on Geo-Force's lap, right next to Shiv, Dr. Midnight, Hourman, Wildcat, Thunderbolt, S.T.R.I.P.E. 2.0, Artemis, Jade, Obsidian, Icicle, Cyclone, and many more. 

There one document that brought chills to everyone was the death of top heroes and most importantly the death of Black Lightning. Everyone gasped as the room went silent, this led to the hard drive being unlocked as a video popped up. 

“Dad,” Anissa’s voice cracked, 

“Play the video,” Jefferson said, trying to gain composure. 

TC nods, clicking on the video, it is a video of Future Jennifer looking at the camera pointed at her. This Jennifer looked like she was in her early 30s, her eyes were red, and she had finished crying. 

“Alright, third time the charm…. Fuck. If you’re seeing this video, that means Gambi, and TC were able to unlock the drive given to them. Something has happened in the future where someone I cared about is now gone…” Future Jen was on the verge of tears but held back. “If you noticed, there are two five-year-olds probably running around the house, because it’s for the safety of both of them. God, I hope they’re safe.” Future Jen pauses, giving a small smile as her little one moves closer to her. Jayla rubbed her eyes laying her head on Future Jen's lap, Jen smiled ruffling Jayla's hair.

“In this drive is all the information we could give you. The future is in danger, and we wouldn’t be doing this if it weren’t a foolproof plan. To Jennifer, who’s watching this with the whole family: the kids need you. You are their mother. I know you’re freaking out but please help them. Teach them how to control their powers and care for them.” Future Jen tries to keep a positive attitude, but a tear falls from her eye. The whole family stares at the video, looking at Jennifer, who feels guilty as her eyes remain fixed on the screen. “Their daddy and I love them very much. I wish he could be here. I want him here.”

“Why are you crying?” Jayden asks, looking at Future Jen. “Mommy, don’t cry.”

“I’m... I’m just sad that you’re going to be away from me for a bit.” Future Jen sniffles, picking up Jayden onto her lap. Jayla, disturbed by the sudden movement, wakes up and crawls onto Jen's lap as the video continues to play.

“I don’t want to leave you,” Jayden pouts. Lynn, watching the video, can relate to her daughter’s heartbreak as a mother herself. Present Jen, on the other hand, can FEEL her future self making this video.

“I know, but I will always take care of you. Tomorrow, during the mission, you will see me and Daddy again. Grandpa will be there too, and he can teach you how to control your powers just as he taught me,” Future Jen says to Jayden. Jayden looks at his mother before nodding in agreement.

“I miss Grandpa,” Jayden confesses. Jefferson sighs while watching the video. Anissa covers her mouth, trying to hold back her tears, Gambi looks down, and Lynn rubs his shoulder.

“I miss him too,” Future Jen says, kissing Jayden’s forehead.

“Can you say the thing Grandpa always says?” Jayla asks, giving Future Jen puppy eyes.

Jen chuckles, taking a deep breath. “Your grandpa always said this to inspire someone. It’s to make sure you take care of your life and make your impact. When I say he always said this, HE ALWAYS SAID THIS!” She tickles Jayla and Jayden.

“Say it!” Jayden giggles.

“Alright, you big baby, where is the future?” Jefferson feels proud watching Future Jen become a mother.

“Right here,” they said.

“And whose life is this?”

“Mine.”

“And what are you gonna do with it?”

“Live it by any means necessary.” The twins smiled, hugging Future Jen.

Present Jen left the room in a rush; she couldn’t handle watching the video any longer. She went into the safe room and locked the door from the inside. Everyone else tried to follow her. Lynn attempted to open the door but realized it was locked. From the outside, they could see a burst of yellow energy surrounding the room. The lights flickered on and off as they heard Jen scream. Gambi managed to open the door, and Jeff entered to find Jennifer sobbing on the ground. Lynn rushed to her daughter and hugged her. Jen had never felt so much pressure before.

Moving back to the present day, Jefferson stared at Brandon, who looked confused. “We need to talk.”

Brandon nodded. “Okay, so let’s talk.” He moved his chair closer to Jeff, who stopped it with his foot. “What can I do for you, Mr. Pierce?”

“It’s a private conversation that we need to have in private,” Jeff said urgently, pointing out a few interns and scientists working nearby.

Brandon gritted his teeth before leading Jefferson to the garden. The S.T.A.R. Lab where Brandon worked was designed to change the future of science. It had many offices and rooms for people to relax or take a break. Heading to the rooftop garden, Brandon scanned his badge as they entered the area.

“I never knew S.T.A.R. Labs had a video game room,” Jeff remarked as he followed Brandon on the tour.

“They designed it for the newer generation,” Brandon explained as they walked to the nearest bench. “The idea is to keep workers with a positive mindset and focus on their mental health by taking breaks from time to time. I know you didn’t come here to see my job. Why are you here, Mr. Pierce?”

Jeff sighed, “I don’t know how to explain it son, but you’re needed in Freeland more than ever,” 

Brandon raised his eyebrow, “Me? Why me specifically?”

Jeff thought about it, how could he explain the situation to Brandon? He needed to bring him back to Freeland, if Jeff explained the truth, Brandon probably wouldn’t have believed him and wouldn’t have left with him. Tapping his feet, he thinks carefully about his next words. “There is a situation that has happened and we could use your help. It’s a bit crazy, you won’t believe it.” 

Brandon chuckles, crossing their arms, “Oh yeah? Try me.”

Jefferson sat there and explained everything to Brandon, not leaving anything out. Brandon sat with Jeff with every question he had, Jeff answered his question the best he could, but it was easier if Brandon could hear it from Jen himself. With the events that happened yesterday, it was needed that Brandon must be in Freeland for their sake. Mostly Jen's sake because she’s trying her best. Staring at the phone Jeff showed him, he stayed silent, he couldn’t believe it.

Brandon is a father, he has a kid…kids. 

“Hello? Are you there?” Jeff waved his hand in front of Brandon's face, Brandon shook his head, bringing him back to reality. “I understand it’s a lot, but it’s a serious situation. If you need a minute-”

“What are their names again?” Brandon cut Jefferson off, 

“Jayla and Jayden,” Jeff smiled, and a smile began to form on Brandon's face. “They take after you, and it seems they really adore you.” 

Brandon exhales, “Me and Jen, we’re parents?” 

Jeff chuckles, “You make it sound so hard to believe?” 

“Well, I just never thought me and Jennifer would ever end up together at all,” Brandon said, he stared at Jeff who eyed him. “Well because I never saw her as a girlfriend…” He paused, “I mean never that she was attracted to me, not that your daughter isn’t attractive, I mean your daughter is very attractive sir, Jennifer is very beautiful, she is stunning, and it would mean the world to me to be in her graces…” Brandon stopped seeing the glare from Jeff, he sat up straight, unsure what to say next.

“Sorry sir, it’s just, I can’t believe I’m a father in the future, and they’re here now.” Brandon frankly couldn’t believe it. He has children… with Jennifer. It reminded him of the crush he had on her when they were in high school. Not only that, but he never went through with it because she was too focused on Khalil, and he wanted to make sure she was happy if it meant sacrificing his feelings for her. 

“I didn’t believe it either but son hearing this are you okay coming back to Freeland? Okay being with their father?” Jeff asked, 

Brandon took a deep breath before giving Jefferson a serious look, “Yes sir, I am.” 

Jefferson with a sigh of relief, “Whew, I’m glad you decided to come back because if you didn’t Jen would’ve dragged you to Freeland herself.” 

Brandon laughed, and then Jeff gave him a serious face. “Oh, yeah… I’m glad too, Jen is very scary.”

“Yeah, she is.” Jeff agreed, and that’s his daughter. 

Jefferson was waiting by Brandon's apartment so he could pack a suitcase without knowing how long this mission could be. Jefferson might’ve spared some details about what was going on, but it was for the best for Jen to explain it to him. Brandon told his internship that he had a family emergency and while his job was hesitant, Jeff pulled some strings to get him the days off. Nice to have friends in high places. 

Unlocking the jump ship Sara let him borrow, it reveals itself from the camouflage cloak. Brandon's eyes widened, seeing the jump ship right in front of his eyes. As they enter, Brandon's nerve gets the best of him as Jeff gives him a sleeping pill for the ride. Jeff knocked him out because the pill wasn't working, and an apology was made later. 

“You’re freaking out,”

“I know,”

“I hear you from here,”

“Well, what do you expect, Anissa? Dad hasn’t texted me back in two hours, and the two kids want their father very much. The girl THREW shit at me!” Jennifer paced back and forth as Anissa read a comic book Grace got for the twins. Grace was in the kitchen cooking dinner watching Jen and Anissa bicker. 

The twins were upstairs in timeout with Lynn watching over them. Since last night, the twins wouldn’t fall asleep unless their father tucked them in. They ran into the shared bathroom connected to Jen and Anissa's old room and locked it. Jennifer tried to unlock it with her powers, but Jayla was stubborn, she broke the lock. Jennifer tried her best, but they wouldn’t sleep. It was around two am when they finally gave up and were knocked out on the bathroom floor. She carried the twins to her bed and then started crying. Jen wasn’t confident that she could do this. 

Jen heard a noise coming from the backyard, it must mean her dad was back. Anissa heard the noise as well, putting the comic book down, she got up from the couch to see their dad open the door. 

“You’re back, did he-” Jen paused, looking behind him. Not too far behind him, Brandon walked in slowly, holding his head. She stared at him, she couldn’t believe he was there. He still looks the same from high school. “Hi.”

“Sup,” He replied. 

Jennifer and Brandon stared at each other, never leaving each other's gaze, Anissa could feel the awkward tension and slowly sat back on the couch. Jeff cleared his throat as Jen and Brandon went back to reality. 

“DADDY!” Brandon noticed two kids running towards him. His kids… the next thing he knew the twins launched themselves onto him as they all fell on the ground. 

“Ooooh,” Brandon grunted falling on the ground, luckily his backpack caught his fall. Brandon looked down seeing two little children hugging him tightly. 

“Daddy you're okay!” The girl's twin said, 

Jayden started tearing up seeing his father, he laid his head down as he started crying. “I miss you,”

Brandon starts getting tense, he looks at Jen asking for help. Jen stood there completely in shock. She really has children in the future… children with Brandon. Jeff decided to step in trying to get the twins off of Brandon but he didn’t expect the twins to be so strong. Jeff had difficulties with Jayla off Anissa had to step in and help to get Jayden off. It didn’t work as they both went back to hug Brandon. 

“Kids, I know you are excited to see your… f-father but he just got… home so let him get settled in,” Jen said giving them a small smile, they looked at Brandon and then back at Jen. “Guys, don’t make me repeat it,” She said in a stern voice, their eyes widened as they got off of Brandon. 

“But Mommy-” They wined,

“No buts, go upstairs now, get ready for dinner it will be ready in a bit.” They huff giving Jen an attitude before walking upstairs. The twins gave Brandon one last hug and stuck their tongues out at Jen. They had their arms crossed glaring at Jen the whole time before going upstairs. “I-,”

Anissa and Jeff tried to contain their laughter but they couldn’t, Anissa laughed so hard she fell off the couch. Jen couldn't believe her father and her sister making fun of her. Brandon on the other hand smiled in awe, he even felt his face heat up a little bit. Grace left the kitchen to give Jen a pat on the back. 

“Now, now, no need to make fun of her. She’s trying her best.” Grace said, trying to reason. 

“Thank you,” Jen pouted, 

“It’s not Jen's fault she gave birth to two miniature versions of herself,” Grace added, Jeff and Anissa started laughing again. Jen glared at them as she was debating on blasting them. 

“What, aye,” Jen stared at her sister-in-law feeling betrayed. Brandon starts laughing, he covers his mouth, and that's when Jen starts blasting him. “It’s not funny, you know how hard it has been watching those two?”

Brandon absorbed her blast getting up, and walked over to Jen as they were a few feet apart. “Well luckily you’re not alone now, so it won’t be as hard.” He smirks, Jen gives a small smile before playfully nudging his chest. They locked eyes, and then the embarrassment set in. They have to be parents now. 

Grace, Anissa, and Jeff watched Jen and Brandon's playful banter and felt uncomfortable just watching them. 

“Okay, so I’m going to check on Lynn,” Jeff eyed Anissa who read his mind, 

“Oh, Grace and I are going to make sure the food doesn’t burn,” Anissa grabs Grace's hands, leading them to the kitchen. Anissa nudged Jen close to Brandon as Jen glared at her. 

“Um,” Jen paused, trying to get the words out of her mouth. “Want to go upstairs? I think you and me need to talk,” 

Brandon took a deep breath, “For sure,” he gave a nervous chuckle. 

They walked upstairs to sit in the common area, Brandon sat right by Jen who was unsure what to say next. Jen had a whole speech plan for Brandon if he arrived and now that he did, the speech was thrown out the window. Brandon looked at Jen, it was clear something was on her mind, she would go quiet and stare off into the distance when life was distracting her. 

“You know, when your pops came to my workplace I was scared out of my mind,” Brandon said, Jen shook her head looking at Brandon. “I was trying to think of so many scenarios on why Mr.Pierce is at my job asking for me, to find out that I’m a father far from it.” 

Jen chuckled, “What did you expect?” 

Brandon scratched his head, “I thought it was because of Dr. Jace,” Jen had a worried look on her face, “Before you say anything, no I did not kill her. I just wanted answers about my pops and when I came back she was already dead.” He admitted, 

“Is that why you left all of a sudden?” Jen asked, 

“You noticed?” Brandon raised his eyebrow, 

“Well, of course, you were… my friend Brandon. So yeah… I was worried about you,” A smile forms on Brandon's face, “Can you believe it? Us being parents in the future?” 

“I didn’t believe it when your pops explained it to me.” Brandon sat up and moved closer grabbing Jennifer's hands into his, “One night, I’m a college student and the next day I found out I’m a father of two kids and married to you.” 

Married to you . Jen quickly removed her hand from his, she was now sitting with her future husband. Everyone was quick to accept the twins right away, Jen couldn’t blame them, they're family after all. But for her? She is still in denial, as much as she tries or tries to fight it, this was her destiny, and hearing it over and over. She can’t change her fate, hearing from the twins about how much they love each other in the future is conflicting. 

“It’s just too much to handle,” Jen said, staring off into the distance and looking at her bedroom door where the twins were playing. Sitting back laying her elbow on the edge of the couch talking to Brandon. “Already knowing what lies ahead, it’s like a spoiler I wasn’t ready to see.”

“Still, despite getting a spoiler instead of thinking of the negativity I see the good side of this,” Jennifer raised her eyebrow, “Think of this as a possibility of spoilers we can enjoy. Getting the chance to know your kids right before their birth? I know you are scared but I’m kinda happy knowing I’m going to be a father.” Brandon beamed,

“I never thought about it that way,” Jen looked at Brandon, “I forget how positive you were,” Jen teased,

“I feel that’s what we need right now, what WE all need,” Brandon replied, he smiled at Jen before clearing his throat. “Now, can I meet them without getting tackled?”

“They are incredibly strong, aren’t they? My ribs still hurt from when they tackled me.” Jen touched her left rib cage as it was healed.

Brandon chuckles, “I’m glad my bookbag caught my ass, they really do look like me huh?”

Jennifer rolled her eyes, “Ugh, as much as I hate to admit it. They do look like you but cuter.”

“You think I’m cute?” Brandon asked, Jen faced him seeing the smirk on his face. Jen scoffs, turning her head.

“Boy bye, come on Mr. Pantene, come meet your kids.” Jen slapped his knee before getting up and heading to her room. Brandon laughs following her, as they knock on the door, Jen opens it seeing the kids play with the action figures Grace had given them.

“Daddy!” Jayden and Jayla ran up to him lightly this time and hugged him.

“You have no idea how much I miss you,” Jayla said, smiling at him.

“YEAH! Mommy was crying every night because she misses you.” Jayden blurted out, Jen choked up as Brandon started laughing.

“Did she?” Brandon teased at Jen who barely bothered to look at him. “Well, you can tell her I miss her too.”

Jen turned her head hearing what Brandon said, she felt her heart beat a little faster because of it. Brandon was smiling, the twins were giggling, this was going to be a long ride. Still, after talking to Brandon, Jen knew what she had to do with this opportunity, she is a mother now and she has to protect her family.

A family whom she is soon to love.

Extra scene

Anissa stares at her wife, they have been at multiple stores nonstop since eight in the morning. She grabbed clothes on sale, shoes the twins could like, and toys they could play with. Anissa did admit, watching Grace shop around for her nieces and nephews was hot. It turned her on weirdly, walking beside her and hugging her from behind.

“I didn’t know you like kids?” Anissa whispers in her ear,

Grace blushed hearing Anissa behind her, “Despite being an alien or not, I love kids very much.”

“The twins are going to love you,” Anissa said smiling, she walked into the baby collecting and saw a baby in a cart seat as their mom was shopping around. “Is it weird, I want to know my future as well?”

Grace turned to her wife, “Not really? Everyone wonders what their future looks like whether it’s good or bad. I think it is completely normal to want to know your future.”

Since the twins arrived, they were the cutest kids she had ever seen. It made her think about a lot of things, a family with Grace. Grace and her never talked about kids, they knew they loved each other and wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. Skipping a few conversations, kids were never a topic. They understood though, that Anissa’s parents broke up because of her father fighting crime. She doesn’t want to put pressure on Grace if they do decide to have kids. I guess it is something she has been thinking about lately.

“Hey, as long as I’m with you. My future is looking amazing already,” Grace held Anissa's hand. Anissa giggled like a twelve-year-old, being with Grace meant the world to her.

Anissa gasped walking into the kid’s section and seeing a shirt, Grace wondered what her wife was looking at. Seeing the shirt with the saying ‘I love my aunt more than mom shirt.’

“Jen might kill you if you buy that shirt,” Grace said, Anissa laughed, yeah, Jen she will. She got it anyway. 

“You got to be fucking kidding me,” Jen said staring at her future kids and seeing the outfit they had on. She looked at Anissa who was smiling ear to ear, Jen took a deep breath. “Kids, you might want to cover your ears,”

“Why?” They asked,

“Because I’m about to fry your auntie!” Jen's eyes light up, Anissa wasted no time holding her breath as Jen blasted her. 

“TOLD YOU!” Grace yelled from the kitchen hearing a fight break out. 

Chapter Text

“Dinner was amazing, Grace, I never had Four before?” Brandon said, dropping his dish in the sink, 

“Thanks, Brandon, it’s pronounced Pho by the way,” Grace corrected, smiling. 

“Right, sorry,” Brandon apologized. Great things are awkward already. 

Grace followed Brandon's movement, he was unsure what to do next. “It’s cool. How are you feeling… with everything?” 

Brandon sat across from Grace as she was packing everything up. He looked around the house. Anissa and Lynn were playing with the kids in the living room, and Jeff and Jen were having a conversation in the dining room.

“I’ll be honest, it’s cool but awkward. I’m excited to know a bit about my future, but-” Brandon paused, “It's a lot, it’s a lot of responsibilities to take in a day. Still excited,” He smiled, staring at Jen, who walked into the living room, joining her mom and sister playing with the twins. 

“Excited about becoming a father or being with Jennifer?” Grace teased, and Brandon choked up before regaining composure. “You like her,”

Brandon points his finger to his mouth, telling her it’s a secret, “She was the first one whom I could be honest with about my powers, it made me feel less of a freak. I will always have her back,” 

Grace smiled, “Great, that's good to know.” Grace put the rest of the food back into the fridge. “Want to help me with the dishes?” 

“For sure,” Brandon got up and walked to the sink to help Grace with the dishes. 

Down in the living room, Jen had Jayla on her lap as they were playing catch. After talking with her dad, it eased some nerves she had. The more she hung out with the kids, she learned a few things, and they were, in fact, hers. Brandon felt the same way. During family dinner, the twins copied all his movements, and he fed them. He was a natural. 

Despite her discomfort in these circumstances, Jen saw herself staring at kids, then at Brandon longer than she should’ve; she adored them. It was evident they had Brandon's looks, but Jen could see her nose and cheeks in them; they had Brandon's eyes, nose, and smile. They were so much like Jen, they would be stubborn, have a sassy attitude, and have the confidence she has. 

She wonders about the powers they could have; it’s clear Jayla is metal/earth-based like Brandon, but she’s curious about Jayden. He has yet to deploy his powers, it is not like he wants to, he doesn’t want to at all. It made her worry about what would happen in the future, that these kids would be going through. She rewatched the videos multiple times, the kids were sent for their safety and protection. They were given dates of major events to try to prevent, but without clear details, it’s an unsolved puzzle they couldn’t put together. 

Jayden yawned loudly, and Jen took that as a sign of bedtime. It was dark outside, and Jen pulled out her phone, seeing it was almost eight. Do kids sleep at eight? Do they have a bedtime? 

“Looks like someone is tired,” Lynn commented, breaking Jen out of her thoughts, 

“Oh yeah,” Jen rubbed her eyes, “Hey, kiddos. It’s time for bed.” 

“Where are they sleeping tonight?” Anissa asked, putting Jayden in her arms.”I know we agree with them having my old room, but Grace and I are sleeping over tonight. Also, where is Brandon going to sleep?”

Jen sighed; she didn’t think of that. She forgot Grace and Anissa were staying over the night. All that was left was her room. “They can sleep with me, I think my bed could fit all of us. Plus, I don’t think they’re ready to sleep on their own yet.” 

“That’s true, we don’t know how much trauma they endure, so that’s the best option.” Lynn agreed, 

“Brandon could sleep on the couch upstairs; he’ll be nearby,” Jen added. The conversation about sleeping situations sparked the twins' interest while they were playing.

“Is Daddy going to sleep with us tonight?” Jayla wondered out loud, looking up at her mom. 

Jen turn red, stuck in place, thinking about it. They’re married in the future, and they have… sex, had? It was too much to think of, with basic knowledge, it takes two to make a whole child. Well, two children, twins. 

Lynn shakes her head, “No. Jen has a big enough bed for you three.”

“Well, and– your daddy will be sleeping on the couch, he’ll be nearby,” Jennifer said, drinking her glass of water. 

“Why?” Jayden frowned.

“Daddy always sleeps with Mama,” Jayla pressed, pointing to her dad in the kitchen. She looked at Jen, confused, wondering why they hadn’t been affectionate towards each other. 

Jennifer started choking on her drink, and she placed her water down, trying to catch her breath. Hitting her chest with her fist, trying to get all the water out, from the corner of her eye, she could see Anissa smiling. 

“Yeah, Jen, why aren’t you sleeping with Brandon tonight?” Anissa teased with a smirk rising on her face, making her mom chuckle with Anissa teasing. Jen glared at Anissa, trying to hide the fact Jen was losing her mind sharing a bed with Brandon. Brandon could hear the conversation from the kitchen, thanks to Grace's super hearing. He was focused on cleaning one dish, trying to hide the blush rising in his cheeks. 

“I will light your ass— butt up if you don’t stop,” Jen eyed Anissa, Anissa instantly shut up but couldn’t stop her smile behind her hand. 

“Anissa, stop teasing her!” Lynn said, stepping in. 

Jayla and Jayden raise their eyebrows, a thought pops up in their head. Both wiggling out of Anissa and Jen's arms, they start running into the bathroom. Jen was perplexed at the sudden action until she heard a slam on the door. Rubbing her forehead, she got up and started heading to the bathroom, knocking on the door. They are having a tantrum. 

“You two better open the damn door right now!” Jen pounds on the door, 

Brandon walks up to Jen as Jen is knocking on the bathroom door, “What happened?” 

“The kids locked themselves into the bathroom over the sleeping arrangements.” Jen placed her hands on her hips, staring at the door. She turned to Brandon, who had a plate in his hand. 

“They don’t want to sleep?” 

Jen took a deep breath, “It’s about how they think we’re married but we’re not.” she whispered to Brandon. 

Brandon could see a vein popping out on Jen's neck, The kids were very stressed. He hands Jen the plate. Jen holds the plate as he crouches down, knocking on the door. 

“What’s wrong?” He asked the twins sitting on the opposite side of the door. Jen used her electrical sight looking through the door and saw them sitting down, looking sad. 

“Mama and Daddy are acting weird,” Jayla said upset, 

“They're acting silly,” Jayden added. They could tell both of them were upset. 

Jennifer sat down next to Brandon, leaning her back on the door, “How are we going to do this? How are we going to be their parents when we’re not?” She said to Brandon, 

“That’s the thing, Jen, we are. We might not be parents now, but we’re going to be parents in the future.” He placed his hand on her lap. “It’s a weird situation, but it’s not about us, it’s about them.” 

Jennifer stares at Brandon, going over the words from her future self. ‘ The kids need you. You are their mother. I know you’re freaking out but please help them. Teach them how to control their powers and care for them. ’ It was a request from herself to take care of them, they wouldn’t be sent back if it wasn’t for a reason. She wanted to run away, she just wanted to go to school and fight crime. That’s what she was used to. 

“It’s not about us, huh?” Jen placed her hand on top of his, squishing it. 

“It’s not,” Bradon said, giving a small smile. 

“Is everything okay?” Lynn asked, walking towards them,  Jen moved her hand away, shaking her head no. “What’s going on?”

“The twins locked themselves in the bathroom again,” Jen replied,

“Again?” Brandon asked, 

Jen nodded, it was a long night for her, “Yeah. They wanted you, and now they want all of us to share… a bed…. together .” 

…. 

WHAT?!? Silence filled the air, and Lynn chuckled, seeing the young adults looking away from each other. 

“Want some advice?” Lynn asked

Jen nodded, “Yes,”

“Here’s parenting 101, expect a rollercoaster. Having kids is a big responsibility, becoming a parent is a major life transition and it can be challenging. You’re going to have so many ups and downs, twists and turns, and life-changing moments.” Lynn looked at her baby, Jen might be 20 now but Lynn will always see her as her baby. Right now, her youngest daughter needs all the help she can get. “Remember YOU are the primary expert on YOUR kids. You guys can get advice from anyone who’s been a parent, me included. Everyone has what they believe to be the 'right' way to parent because that works for their kids. Their kids aren’t your kids, don’t let anyone cloud your judgment, and listen to every article you read.”

Jen and Brandon listened to Lynn, understanding each word she said. They’re now entering a whole new rollercoaster of emotions and actions. They both thought it would be an easy task, but thinking about it and living through it. It’s so much to handle in a short amount of time. One day, they were college students learning to get their degree, and in a second, their lives were turned upside down. Sitting on the floor next to each other with their back against the door, whether they like it or not. They’re married with kids, and probably with another kid on the way. 

“Are you ready to be their mother?” Brandon asks, he looks exhausted, getting hit with news. Still brought a small smile, which sparked some hope for Jen.

“Are you ready to be their father?” Jen asked, and Brandon nodded as they took a deep breath. “Let’s do this.” 

Brandon smiled, “We got this.”

Lynn smiled brightly, seeing Jen and Brandon work together, getting back up she walked to the living room where Anissa was talking to Grace. 

“Is everything okay?” Anissa asked her mom, 

Lynn looked back at Jen and Brandon before looking back at her oldest. “I think… I think everything will be.” 

Jennifer and Brandon somehow convinced the twins to open the door. They ran straight into Brandon's arms, which he fully accepted. Jen played with Jayden's curly hair as he was released from Brandon's grip onto Jen. 

“Are Mama and Daddy done acting silly?” Jayla pouted, Brandon's heart crumpling, seeing his daughter. It was her eyes that captured his heart so quickly, it was normal for him, she was his daughter.

“You done fighting?” Jayden glares.

Jen and Brandon look at each other, “Yeah… I think we are,” Jen said, Brandon smiled before lifting Jayla into the air and holding her in her arms. Jen couldn’t help but grin at Brandon with undisguised admiration. Hearing Jayla giggle made her heartbeat. It’s so cute.  

Jennifer got the twins upstairs, changing their clothes into sleepwear, and she couldn’t help but smile seeing the way they interacted with her. Brandon unpacked his clothes into Anissa's old room… well, the guest room, he looked around, seeing all the photos Anissa left. He was in awe seeing all the family pictures, which made him bittersweet. He watched his mom die right in front of his eyes when he was ten. Tried to look for his father, but nothing popped up, he had nobody. Now hearing the voices in the bathroom, he sees a family, a family soon to be made. Jen laughed at the twins' playful banter as they brushed their teeth. Maybe this was a blessing. 

“Daddy, look what Aunt Grace got me.” Jayden runs up to him with a Superman action figure. “It's so cool,”

Brandon beamed seeing his son, he could tell the twins had such strong relationships with him. “It’s very cool, he’s your favorite superhero?” 

Jayden giggles, “No! It’s you and Mama! Plus, Auntie Cindy, but she doesn’t like being called a hero. She just goes stab, stab.”

“Hey, I like Geo-Force too!” Jayla shouts, 

“Told you it was a good name,” Brandon smirks as Jen rolls her eyes.

“But you like Aunt Cindy more!” Jayden yells. 

Cindy? Who the hell is that? Brandon raised his eyebrow but chose to ignore that comment. Jayla runs up to them with her action figure of Vixen. She starts making a loud roar, jumping on Anissa's bed. Jen ran not far behind, chuckling, seeing them pretend to be superheroes. 

“Look, Mama, I can be a hero!” Jayla cheers, jumping off the bed. Jayla didn’t land correctly where she fell on her butt. Jen frantically rushed towards Jayla to check up on her. She looked at Jayla, who had a sour face. 

“Alright, time for bed,” Jen said instantly, the twins whining, looking at their daddy, hoping to change their mind. Jen looked at Brandon, hoping HE would back her up. 

“Don’t look at me, listen to your mom.” Brandon raised his hands in defense. 

“See, even yo daddy agrees. Bed.” Jen sternly said, the twins nodded, and went to Jennifer's room. Jen starts laughing before randomly blasting at Brandon. 

Brandon's face lights up before fading to normal. “What was that for?” 

“Nothing, I just see they seem to favor you,” Jen smirks before heading to her room. Brandon follows behind, and they walk into her room and see the twins lying down in the middle, snug underneath the big blanket. They were giggling, patting the space right next to them. 

Awkwardly, Jennifer moved ahead, pulling back the covers and rearranging the pillows before sitting down. Brandon felt awkward standing there, too; they hadn’t discussed sharing a bed. Sure, they’re married in the future, but right now they’re not even dating. 

“What are you doing?” Jayden eyed Brandon, 

“Nothing, I was just wondering if we all could fit.” Brandon stutters, Jayla looks around, there is enough room for all of them. Of course, their room. Jen got a king-size bed in her room. 

“Actually, me and your father are going to be talking. We want to make sure you guys are sleeping,” Jen said, pointing her finger and ticking Jayla and Jayden. Brandon felt so relieved. 

“Can you sing us a song?” Jayla asked her mom. 

“You can sing?” Brandon asked, 

Jen had a nervous chuckle, “Yeah, a little bit.” She blushed, “If I sing, are you guys going to sleep?”

They nodded, and Jayden patted the empty spot next to him. Brandon, ignoring the butterflies in his stomach, moves the covers and slides to the left side of the bed. Instantly, both of them moved closer to their dad. Brandon felt awkward, but it didn’t feel weird. It felt warm. 

“Sing!” Jayla screams playfully. 

Jen took a deep breath, grabbed the guitar in her room, and sat at the end of the bed. Tuning her guitar, she let out a small sigh. She can’t believe she’s doing this. Tapping her foot, thinking of what song she could play for them, that she knows. Playing the notes on the guitar, it’s been years since she played this. Looking at Brandon, a thought popped up in her head. 

Shine bright like a diamond

Shine bright like a diamond

Find light in the beautiful sea, I choose to be happy

You and I, you and I, we're like diamonds in the sky

You're a shooting star, I see, a vision of love I see

When you hold me, I'm alive, we're like diamonds in the sky

Jen grins, seeing how excited the kids are, they listen to cuddling next to Brandon. Brandon followed along listening to Jennifer. Wow. That’s all he could say. Looking

I knew that we'd become one right away

Oh, right away

At first sight, I felt the energy of sun's rays

I saw the life inside your eyes

Walking from his room after his shower, he could hear singing? Jeff walks towards Jennifer's room, seeing Jen playing the guitar he bought her for Christmas. And she was singing. Jen hasn’t sung since Black Lightning came back. Leaning by the door frame, he takes in his baby girl's voice. 

So shine bright, tonight, you and I

We're beautiful like diamonds in the sky

Eye to eye, so alive

We're beautiful like diamonds in the sky

Shine bright like a diamond (whoa)

Shine bright like a diamond (whoa)

Shining bright like a diamond

We're beautiful like diamonds in the sky

Grace and Anissa headed back into Anissa's old room. They noticed Brandon's suitcase near the drawers. They couldn’t believe he was there. After learning from Grace that Brandon likes Jen, Anissa was one hundred percent in for them. Not because she knew they would get together in the future. It’s because, after everything Jen has been through, she needed someone to love her and be with her on this hard journey. Finding love being a superhero wasn’t easy. When Anissa met Grace, it was love at first sight, and it grew into something more. Anissa is satisfied to call Grace her wife, and Grace feels the same way, too, and loves being a part of a family.

Anissa's mouth dropped, and Jennifer was singing. Taking Grace's hand, following her through the shared bathroom. There, they see Brandon cuddling next to the kids as Jen plays her guitar, singing to them. Anissa looked at the twins, they were dozing off, trying to stay awake to listen to their mom sing. Anissa couldn't help but feel a tear fall on her face, grabbing her phone, and she started recording. 

Palms rise to the universe as we moonshine and molly

Feel the warmth, we'll never die, we're like diamonds in the sky

You're a shooting star I see, a vision of ecstasy

When you hold me, I'm alive, we're like diamonds in the sky

At first sight, I felt the energy of sun's rays

I saw the life inside your eyes

Lynn wondered where the noise was coming from. Walking upstairs, she sees Jefferson staring off into Jennifer's room. Raising her eyes, she walks to investigate. In seconds, she gasps, laying her head on Jeff's. Jennifer was singing. Lynn smiled, this was a family moment she loved. Time travel, she couldn’t believe it. Taking this chance as a blessing, she wants to spend as much time with her grandkids as possible. Her future was uncertain, but seeing Jen having her family, it was all she needed. 

So shine bright, tonight, you and I

We're beautiful like diamonds in the sky

Eye to eye, so alive

We're beautiful like diamonds in the sky

Shine bright like a diamond (whoa)

Shine bright like a diamond (whoa)

Shining bright like a diamond

We're beautiful like diamonds in the sky

Jefferson took a deep breath, he was seeing the future right now in the present. Thinking about everything that has happened in the past two days. It was a lot to think about. His oldest daughter married and is now watching his youngest daughter sing to her family. It was a memory he cherished. Knowing he would die in the future affected him a bit. He couldn’t believe he was going to die. Still, he wouldn’t let that bring him down, he was proud of the life he built. Amazing family, a best friend he made memories with, a town he loved, people he relied on, and a gift given to him by god that’s been passed onto the next generation. He wasn’t upset; he knew he couldn’t change the future, but right now, he could change his present and help guide Jen to be the best parent she could be and a superhero. 

Shine bright like a diamond

Shine bright like a diamond

Shine bright like a diamond

So shine bright, tonight, you and I

We're beautiful like diamonds in the sky

Eye to eye, so alive

We're beautiful like diamonds in the sky

Looking at the twins, they smile but are dozing off. Brandon chuckles, seeing how cute they are. Jen finishes the song, she looks over, seeing her future kids… no, her kids passed out in Brandon's arms. They were underneath the blanket with the stuffed animals, it was so adorable watching them trying to stay away, but they were so tired. She looked at Brandon, his eyes were focused on them, and he was smiling. He moves their hair away from their face as small snores escape from their mouth. Jennifer finds herself staring at Brandon. She can’t stop, he has been here for a few hours, and he is doing amazing as a father. The kids adore him, and she sees the way, she can see the love radiating from him. Jen stared at her future husband before turning back to reality and hearing small claps coming from the bathroom and the door. 

Smiling, she tells them to shush, pointing to the knocked-out children in her bed. Understanding, Jen watches her parents back away into their bedroom, and she sees Grace trying to pull Anissa back into her old room. Anissa was fighting a bit, trying to instigate something between her and Brandon. Closing all the doors, she opened the window to her rooftop. 

“What are you doing?” Brandon asked,

“I need some fresh air, and I was wondering if we could talk a bit more?” Jen whispered, he nodded, but Brandon had some difficulty as the little boy refused to release his hold on Brandon. With the help of Jen, they were able to get Jayden off without waking him up. Brandon places a kiss on both of their foreheads out of habit; he didn’t know why he did that, but it felt natural. They both exit the window, seeing a nice spot on the rooftop by her window. “This is my safe space whenever things get too harsh.” 

“It’s a nice spot,” Brandon said, sitting right next to Jen. “What do you want to talk about?”

“My dad told you the basics, right? How did they come from the future, and how did we get married?” Brandon nodded, “What he didn’t tell you is why… They were sent here to be protected and to prevent something bad from happening.”

“Protected? Protected from what?” Brandon raised his eyebrow.

Jen takes a sharp breath, “They have powers, Brandon, they’re exactly like us.” Jen felt a tear falling, “I also think that we’re both dead, and future me was… pregnant when they got sent back… They kept asking about the baby sister…We have another baby…”

Brandon could feel Jen trembling. In a second, he wrapped his arm around her as she lay her head on his shoulders. He’s dead in the future, they might both be dead, Jen was pregnant, and they were going to have another baby together. The words pierce his soul, everything he could want in the future could 

“I saw photos and videos of us, there are more superheroes out there like us, Brandon, I saw our lives together,” Jen said to him, “I saw everything, I saw a video of my future self talking about everything, and it’s a lot. It’s too much, and I know that my dad died, and people are going to die. I just can’t–” 

Jen started crying, and Brandon tried his best to soothe her, but he felt like crying as well. Comforting her, he placed his hand around her head, moving her close. She accepted it, moving closer, it had been a few minutes as they sat there in peace, looking at the stars. 

“Can I say something?” Brandon said, 

Jen coughed before passing the blunt towards him, taking it in his hand. “You haven’t said anything in ten minutes, so…” 

“Make me a promise,” Brandon points out his pinky finger. 

“Promise?” Jayden asked, and Jayla pulled her pinky. Jen slowly moved over to give her a pinky promise, but everyone could see how nervous she was. 

She gave a light smile. Jen could see where they got that from. “What kind?”

“No matter what happens, it’s always going to be me and you. It’s going to be our decision on how we take care of our kids and protect them for however long they’re here.” Brandon stuttered, he wanted to make sure, after everything, they were going to be in this together. 

“I got you,” Jen smiled, finishing Brandon's pinky promise. They locked eyes, and they could hear each other's heartbeat a little louder. 

FUCK… Not again.

This was going to be a lot harder than it looked. After finishing the blunt, they went back inside, getting dressed up for bed. Brandon took a shower as Jen changed into the first thing she grabbed was a crop top and shorts. Brandon walked out of the bathroom to see Jen looking at the twins, he couldn't help but smile. This was his future happening right now in front of him. Jen looks up at Brandon, staring at her, and they both look away from this discomfort. 

Clearing her throat, she moves to the right side of the bed, slowly getting in. Brandon, in his shorts and a random t-shirt, moved to the left side right next to Jayden. Both are sitting in bed, they can’t believe this is happening. And how Jen's family was okay with it, her dad mostly, but she could tell her mother definitely had to do something with it. Using her powers to turn off but leave the lamp on, they look at each other one more time. 

“You know, if someone told me I would be sharing a bed with Jennifer Pierce, and we ended up getting married and having kids. My street cred would have skyrocketed in high school.” Brandon said, breaking the silence, Jen chuckled, remembering the conversation they had in high school. It was after Jen broke into his apartment and ghosted him for a few days. Trying to talk to him, he made a big announcement that she was at his place, trying to lower HER street cred. 

“And mine would’ve stayed the same,” Jen smirks, 

Brandon smiles, “Alright, whatever your highness.” 

“Not tonight, pretty boy, come on, let’s go to sleep.” Jen takes the covers, putting them over her. Turning off the lights, Brandon saw how quickly Jayla went into Jennifer's arms. Jen felt Jayla's arms wrapped around her; this time, it didn’t make her feel nervous; she felt warm. 

“Night,” Brandon whispers, going to sleep. No matter how hard things were after everything. They knew they were going to do this. 

They were going to do this together . 

Extra scene

Jeff wakes up in the middle of the night, his senses are going off. He turns to his side and sees Lynn sleeping peacefully, but sees a bright glow coming outside his bedroom. Rubbing his eyes, he gets out of bed to look at the light. Opening the door to see bright yellow, blue, and white orbs of light traveling around the house. He remembered Anissa told him how Jen could float in her sleep, entering her room she saw more orbs travel around her room. 

Looking at Jennifer, her yellow lightning was floating around connecting with her son. Jayden's powers are exactly like his and Jennifer's. Lightning-based powers, he looked closer seeing how he was laying on Brandon's chest and had a leg over his sister. Brandon and Jayla were absorbing  Jennifer and Jayden's powers, while Jayla was transferring it all around. They were admitting energy all around. 

Taking a video on his phone, this was going to be a story for tomorrow. Closing the door and letting them sleep, Jen could feel her headache getting worse. 

“JEN! JEN! JEN!” She hears in her head, she turns her head around. 

“WAKE UP!” She hears the yell waking her up but she doesn’t wake up in her room. The twins weren’t next to her, Brandon wasn’t next to her, she was by herself. 

Heavily breathing, feeling her heartbeat race faster she looks around seeing nothing but a black background. It reminded her of when many earth were dying and she went to her safe space. 

“Great, you’re awake.” Jen looks in front of her, seeing herself standing right in front of her. The thing is it wasn’t her from a different earth. This Jen looked a lot older and saw her belly was growing. 

“Who are you?” Jen asked, 

“You but older…” Future Jen responded, “We need to talk.” 

Chapter Text

“Where am I?” Jen said, looking around, everyone seemed so normal, but it had a slow effect. 

Future Jen snaps her fingers as a book appears in her hand. “We’re in our safe space, when our body takes too much damage, we are reduced to atoms until we fully heal.” Future Jen points to an empty spot across from her as she places her foot down, opening her book. 

“Damage?” Jen asked,

“I’m in a coma, I was injured badly, so my body is healing.” Future Jen replied, 

Present Jen looks around, slowly sitting on the chair behind her. She looks at her hand, it feels transparent. Staring at her future self, she is just reading a book. Isn’t the future in danger? She’s in a coma, so why would she rather be asleep than awake? Why is she in front of her and not fighting? 

“I can feel you glaring at me?” Future Jen said, staring at her book. 

“I don’t know how calm you could be. You just said you’re in a coma, last time I checked that’s a bad thing to be in.” Jen expressed her disappointment, turning away. This is her in the future. “It’s like death… literally.” 

“Well, OUR body would rather grow a life than focus on what’s happening right now.” Future Jen said nonchalantly. She flips to the next page of the book she’s reading. 

“You’re pregnant?” Present Jen noticed, literally, what else could she say? She just woke up in a blank space, seeing herself in the future telling her they need to talk. Well, let’s talk. 

“You noticed,” Future Jen smirks in sarcasm.  

Jen chuckles, “Well, it was self-evident.” Taking a deep breath, “Is he?”

“Yes, Brandon is the father, and yes, he is my– Well, our husband.” Future Jen put the book down, she placed her hand on her belly as it was growing. Her baby was still alive, that’s what matters. She could see Jen freaking out about that part, she couldn’t help but smile because if only she knew how they got together in the first place. It was a story worth being told over and over again. 

“Oh… Cool.” Jen taps her fingers on her leg. 

“It’s a lot to take in at once, huh?” Future Jen said she's looking at a younger version of herself. The twenty-year-old, the junior in college, does not have much care or responsibilities. She doesn’t know the life ahead, doesn't know what or who she’s going to face. So when future Jen can feel her emotions, it is because she feels it too. All the new memories are popping up, and slowly, old ones disappear. “What do you want to know?”

Jen took a deep breath, and she thought about it. What can she ask herself that can give some type of hints to save the future? Hearing how time travel works, the future has already been affected.  “What happened in the future? Why did you send them back?”

“You already know why I sent them back, it was for the kids' safety,” Future Jenn replied. 

“That’s still not enough information. They have powers, I know. Jayla almost threw a toaster at me.” Jen flinched at the memory, it just happened, and it was very terrifying. Luckily, Jayla jumped into Jen's arms, and it took some pancakes to make her feel better. They had reasons, though, it was before the arrival of Brandon. 

Future Jen chuckled, shaking her head. Jayla was a troublemaker, and so was her brother. She remembers when she had to drop them off at daycare. They wouldn’t get out of the car, Jen had to use her powers to make an electro-rope/lasso to stop them from running away from her. “Her powers develop a few months after she turns four. Jayden, not soon after.” Future Jen felt a tear fall, “I remember when it happened, I yelled when I saw a spider, and Jayla threw a microwave on top of it. I miss her…. I miss them.” Future Jen starts breaking down, 

Jen moved closer to her future self, she couldn’t imagine what she had been through. Rubbing her arm, trying to comfort her, a lot has happened in a few days. For Future Jen, it’s been a few weeks. She’s alone, all by herself. Jen could feel her emotions as if they were her own, all the pain and sorrow. After a few minutes of silence had passed, Future Jen spoke up. 

“Jayla is powerful, she is so strong for her age. We were sixteen when our power came to light, a hot mess we were, and it took us a while to control our powers, even when there were some moments where we were struggling to take control.” Jen listened to her future Jen talk, It’s been four years since she got her powers. Becoming one of the strongest meta-humans in Freeland, maybe worldwide, was a lot to handle at once. “She’s learning to control her powers at a young age, she’s better than us.” 

“Don’t remind me,” Jen smiled, “The amount of phones I— We have been through, the cell phone company was wondering why there were so many short circuits.” 

Future Jen chuckled, staring at the younger version, “Are they okay? They’re safe, right?” She asked, being vulnerable. “They haven’t been giving you much trouble, right? They lost their dad, so it’s been an emotional rollercoaster with them. Every night they locked themselves in the bathroom until their daddy—” 

Jen nodded, “They’re safe, and they’re kids.” Jen cuts her off before her future self starts rambling. She could feel the nervousness coming from her, it made Jen wonder how it felt to have kids. She knows she’ll be a mother in the future, married as well, and there was proof, and Jen can’t deny it any longer. She’s got what she wanted in the future; looking at her future self was proof. “They have been causing trouble, but the whole family loves them. I think the kids inspired Anissa and Grace to consider having children, I had never seen Anissa being so involved with kids. Even when she was teaching, she was not that involved.” 

“She loves the twins, that’s their godmother, and she helped me give birth to them, so when I said she’ll do anything for them. I’m not joking.” Future Jen said, 

“She’s the godmother and helped you give birth?” Jen asked, New information coming to light. Future Jen nodded, “So she saw our–”

“Yep,” Future Jen answers, finishing Jen's sentences. They both started laughing, it was the first time they actually smiled. The first time they had a moment to be happy. It was cut short. “She was the only one who knew that I was pregnant. It was a hard few months after giving birth, considering everything that happened. Postpartum is real.”

“You didn’t tell Mom or Dad?” Jen asked, “What happened?”

Future Jen shakes her head no, “Dad and I got into a big fight, and I didn’t talk to him for years. Same with Mom, too much was going on, and I just left. It was one of the reasons why Brandon and I fell in love.”

“What was the fight about?” Jen asked, and she couldn’t imagine being without her parents. Hearing how her future self didn’t talk to them for years made her heartbroken. She saw the look on her future face, which looked like it was a sensitive topic. “You don’t have to tell me about it, but how did Brandon come into play?”

“A few days before Dad and I had a big fight, he came by to visit. He helped us take care of a villain, and he saw the upset/stress I had been under and told me that he’s a part of a superhero team in Nebraska.”

Jen stares at the floor, It must’ve been painful for her future self to endure all of it. “Is that how you guys ended up in Blue Valley?”

“Yeah, it’s how we became members of the JSA. Hands down one of the best moments of my life.” Future Jen said, she snapped her fingers, and water appeared out of nowhere. “It didn’t start peacefully; it started with a big fight, and of course, I was winning, but Brandon stopped me from injuring the team. I got to know the team, and they became some of my best friends. It felt nice to be around people my age at that time who had powers. It made me feel less of a freak and more human, and I was able to let my guard down.”

“So, is that how you fell in love with him?” Jen asked, curious about how her future self fell in love with Brandon. “I figured with everything that happened with you know who, it was hard to get back in a relationship.”  

“Painkiller was and still is a pain in the ass, literally but he gets better. Khalil and Painkiller are actually best friends now; it's hilarious and concerning.” Future Jen chuckled, she looked at the bracelet, the same bracelet Jen got, but Future Jen was a figment of her imagination. “Fun fact, Khalil was one of the groomsmen for our wedding.” 

Jen burst out laughing, “How?” Khalil a part of her and Brandon's wedding? How was that possible? 

“Brandon has a way with words, one of the reasons I fell in love with him. Plus, he is a very good smooth talker …” Future Jen sucked in her teeth. Jen raised her eyebrow. The tone was different from the rest of the sentence… OH… . oh .

Jen sat there blinking, that was a part she didn’t need to know. That’s nice to know. “Oh… okay.” She said, Future Jen smirks, that wasn’t even the best part. “Brandon and Khalil, being best friends, did not expect that.”

“Yeah, the bachelor party was a scene from The Hangover literally. Dad was furious at all of them, but I was so preoccupied with Brandon, making sure he was okay.” She smiled at the memory, it was the most chaotic day ever. Luckily, it wasn’t like Iris and Barry's where their nazi doppelganger crashed their wedding. “I was just glad we still had the wedding and Dad got to walk me down the aisle.” 

Jen smiled then slowly started fading, “How can we stop what’s happening? Is there a way to prevent Dad from dying?” 

Future Jen sighed, “You can’t, as much as I tried to look around it, it would be a time aberration which would result in more time destruction. That’s why I sent the kids to your time, 2022. Gideon did the math there, and this one event changed it all.”

“What is the event called?” Jen asked, 

“It has to do with May—” Future Jen felt a sharp pain in her chest, and something was messing with her brain. “What’s… Happening?” She was hyperventilating, her vision was getting blurry, and her right hand clutched her heart.  

They both could hear a line beeping, Jen turned to follow the noises, and she saw Future Jen in the hospital with a tube in her mouth. She was in a coma, and her body was shaking, she could see future Anissa running towards her.

“Jen, Jen, Jen, please fight through this.” Jen could see Future Anissa coming towards her with tears. She was checking the monitor when another girl with glasses came rushing up to her. “Beth, what is happening?” 

“She’s having trouble breathing,” Beth said, as she moved Anissa away. 

Jen heard a thud behind her, turning around to see her future self passed out on the floor. Running to Future Jen, she turned her around, putting her hand over her mouth, she wasn’t breathing. Trying CPR, she used her hand for chest compressions. Another headache hit Jen's head, next thing she knew, she fell. 

“AHHHHHHHHHHH!” Jen screams, waking up. She starts breathing heavily, looking around. She's back in her bedroom, but the kids aren’t next to her. 

Brandon jumped from his side of the bed, wondering what the hell was going on. He glanced over at Jen, who was still breathing heavily. She clutched her bed sheets as tears started falling in her eyes. Her powers were getting the best of her, her body started glowing, and she was having a panic attack. Brandon, in an instant, jumped on the bed and hugged her. Everyone heard yellingand  running towards the room. 

“Let it out,” Brandon said, Jen lay on the body next to her and started using her powers. She screamed as her powers were generating too much energy. Brandon balled his fist, taking all of his energy and blasting at him. 

Jefferson ran into the room, wondering what was happening, the kids not too far behind. Jen used up all the extra energy on Brandon before exhaustion hit her body, passing out in his arms. “What happened?”

“MOMMY!” Jayla and Jayden screamed, jumping on the bed, and they heard screaming and started running. 

“I don’t know, she started screaming… and I think she had a panic attack? Her body was glowing… I don’t know.” Brandon stuttered. He woke up to screaming, and the next thing he knew, Jen passed out in his arms.

Jeff moved closer, and Anissa and Grace entered her room through the bathroom, wondering why Jen was screaming. Lynn walked in, too, she saw Jen lying in Brandon's arms. “She must’ve had a power flare, she will be fine, just needs to rest.” 

“Will Mama be okay?” Jayden asks, he had tears in his eyes as Jayla quickly went to wrap her arms around her. 

“Yes, she will be.” Lynn stepped in, she placed her hand on his cheek. “Don’t worry darling, let’s go back downstairs for breakfast, and your mother will be downstairs once she feels better, okay?” 

The twins felt uneasy, they looked back at their mom, who was lying in their dad's arms. Looking back at their dad, who kept his eyes on Jen, he stares at his kids. 

“You two go eat, I will be here with Mom to make sure she’s okay,” Brandon said, smiling at his kids, who pouted but agreed. Jayla took a little bit of convincing, but Jeff picked her up and carried her in his arms as they walked out the door. Brandon could hear a bit of screaming and objects flying over out in the hallway. 

“Is she okay?” Anissa said, coming over with a wet towel. 

“I think she was having a nightmare and then she had a power flare,” Brandon answers slowly, patting her shoulder. He felt his head slow down as time passed by, he couldn’t stop looking at Jen. 

Anissa dabbed a wet towel over Jen's head, “Well, I’m glad you were here to help her.” Anissa smiled before handing the towel to Brandon. She stops by her door before turning back, facing her soon to be brother in law. “Hey Brandon,”

“Yeah?” 

“I’m glad you're back,” Anissa said, leaving. 

Downstairs, while Lynn and Jeff were making breakfast, Jayden was kicking his feet at the counter as Jayla had her arms crossed, glaring at Jeff. Jeff stared at his granddaughter… wow, he still couldn’t believe he had grandchildren. Despite the situation they were in, Jeff was kinda enjoying playing the grandfather role. He was unsure about Jennifer and Brandon sharing a bed together, but Lynn convinced him that everything would be okay. He hopes so. 

“Jayden, sweetie, are you still worried about Jen?” Lynn asked, scrambling some eggs, Jayden looked at his grandmother, nodding his head. Lynn looked at Jayla still had her sharp eye on Jeff, Jeff gave a nervous chuckle before slowly sliding a plate toward her. Luckily, the plate was not made of metal. “Jayla, you need to stop glaring at your grandfather, young lady.” 

Hmmph, Jayla pouts even more as Anissa and Grace walk up the stairs by the kitchen. They said good morning before Anissa sat next to Jayla, who was still avoiding eye contact with everyone. Grace grabs cups from the cabinets and pours some orange and apple juice for them and the kids. 

“She’s still mad at Jeff for taking her away from Jen,” Lynn explained before Anissa even had to ask. 

“I can see, Jayla has a knife pointing at Dad's head,” Anissa said, seeing a floating knife aimed at her dad. 

“Put it DOWN!” Lynn commanded, 

“I didn’t want to leave Mama,” Jayla growled, putting the knife on the table before getting off the chair and heading to the couch, pouting even more. 

Everyone sighed, Jeff patted Lynn on the shoulder before excusing himself from the kitchen. “I’ll go check on her,” Lynn nodded as Jayden slowly grabbed the apple juice from Grace. He did it so slowly, hoping not to get caught before Grace smiled, putting the cup close to him. 

“What’s wrong, baby girl?” Jeff asked, sitting next to Jayla, Jayla moved to her right side, avoiding all types of contact with him. Clearing his throat again, “I know you’re mad at me, but your father said to eat. Your mom is going to be okay?” 

Jayla turned her head to face her grandfather, “I just want her to be okay…” 

Jeff moves closer to Jayla, “She will be okay, it just takes time for everything to get adjusted.” 

“Will she be okay?” Jayla pouted, “What about baby sister?”

Baby sister? Jen was pregnant in the future when she sent the kids back in time? Another grandkid. Pocketing that information, discussing that another day. “Just like we told your brother, she will be. She just needs to rest, and she will come downstairs for breakfast. I know it’s hard, but she would want you to be a big girl, okay?” Jeff said. Comforting her, he smiled as Jayla looked down at the ground. 

“Okay…” She said Jeff smiled before getting up. 

Jen placed her hand on her forehead, trying to get her vision straight, she woke up again, noticing she wasn’t lying on the pillow but on Brandon's chest…. Oh .  Brandon lies on the bed with an arm wrapped around her and sleeps peacefully. Slowly sitting up straight, she kept her eyes on Brandon, moving closer and putting her head over his chest to listen to his heartbeat. She didn’t know she was smiling, turning her head to face a sleepy Brandon. Moving closer, not trying to wake him up, examining his face, Jen still can’t believe they are getting married in the future. 

When Brandon came into her life, he was a student looking around for thee ‘ Jennifer Pierce ’. She noticed him wondering who he could be, she knew everyone and everything happening at Garfield, so a new boy caught her eye. Jen never paid any attention to him, she was still mourning Khalil's ‘fake’ death, that was until she gave him a tour of the school, and they both quoted Martin Luther King. Now being so close to him, hearing how much happiness Brandon brought to her, in the future. She was curious to know more about him. 

Jennifer is scared, though, because she thinks she witnessed her future self's death. Talking to her was not helpful, but there could be a way to prevent all the evil coming towards them in the future. Future Jen gave, well was about to give her some valuable—

Brandon stretched for a bit, and Jen quickly moved to the other side of the bed, pretending she was resting. Waking up, he grabs the wet towel from the nightstand and slowly dabs it on her head. Jen, feeling the water on her face, opened her eyes to see Brandon on top of her. She didn’t expect him to be so close to her face, so she accidentally punched him in the face before rolling out of bed. Brandon moved back, feeling the effect of the punch, and damn it hurt. 

“Oh, my god.” Jen placed her hands over her mouth before hopping on the bed and checking on Brandon. “I’m so sorry, I didn't know—”

“I’m fine,” Brandon held his nose and checked to see if it was bleeding. He was fine, but his nose stung a little. “Damn, you can pack a punch.” He jokes, trying to lighten the mood, 

Jen started laughing, and with a sigh of relief, she smiled at him. Her smile didn’t last long, remembering why she was still in bed as she checked the clock. It was almost nine. “Thank you, not for the compliment but for earlier.” 

Brandon nodded, “It’s cool, but are you okay?”

“I just had a bad ending to a dream, but I’m okay, I promise.” She lied, she wanted to divert this to a whole different conversation. “Where are the kids?”

Brandon could feel Jen was hiding something from him, but decided to pocket it for later, he took a breath. “They’re downstairs, they were worried about you. Your pops told them you would be fine since it was just a power flare, but they still didn’t want to go, so your dad had to drag them out.”

Jen chuckled, “Was it Jayla?”

Brandon nodded, “Yeah, how did you know?” Jen tucked in her lips and pointed to the broken nobs from her dresser onto her wall, “Never mind,” They stared at each other once more, it was awkward for them. Spending one night together in bed had them tossing and turning in their sleep, 

“I–”

“Maybe–” 

Jen chuckles, seeing how embarrassing the situation they’re in is, Jen points to the bathroom before walking around the bed. Brandon made space for her, he looked down seeing how her shorts rose up a bit seeing a little bit of her ass. Biting his lip, he grins back at Jen, who quickly closes the bathroom door, placing her back on the door. She took a breather. Holding her hand to her heart, trying to hear it beat, this might be a little bit hard. 

“Okay, Jen you can get through this. You got this.” She mumbles to herself, she paced around the bathroom before looking at the mirror. “Be the best mom, maybe girlfriend you could be?” She said with uncertainty. “I’m fucked,” 

“Do we have a cover story?” 

“Why would we need a cover story?”

“My father is called the ‘Black Jesus’ of Freeland, and people here are nosey, they’re going to notice two kids that look exactly like us popping out of nowhere.”

Brandon scratched his bread, damn she did make a point. After a long breakfast, the team needed to go over some details regarding the two newcomers currently sitting on the couch with TC. TC wanted to bond with them the second he saw them enter the sanctum. The twins welcome him with open arms as they talk about anything… literally anything. It didn’t last long as the twins had lots of energy, so Grace went over to help, seeing poor TC exhausted in ten minutes. 

“Jen, right, Brandon, two kids showing up out of nowhere will cause some concerns,” Gambi said. He pulled up the tablet closer to them, creating the fake documents for them. “We can’t say they’re your children, they are five turning six, which would make Jen fifteen when she had them and you weren’t here around then. That’s not a possible story.” Gambi reasoned. 

“Why don’t we tell everyone they’re Brandon?” Lynn suggested, 

“That’s true, the twins look a lot like you,” Jefferson added, “They won’t know they’re Jen’s as well.”

“But, they call me mommy. How would that work if they’re just Brandon's kids?” Jen asked, 

“Well…” Anissa started smirking, “We could just say you guys are dating and the twins are really taking a liking to their potential stepmom.” Anissa smiles while drinking her coffee and turning her head away. Brandon starts choking as Jen places her hand on the table before glaring at Anissa.  

“Stop teasing,” Lynn whispers as she elbows Anissa. Anissa doesn’t pay any attention to her mind. She just wanted to get her sister riled up. 

“Wow… I’m not the stepmom. I’m the mom that STEPPED UP.” Jen starts laughing, turning away, balling her fist as her face turns red. She was going crazy. 

“Hahaha, funny.” Gambi smiled before moving on to the next slide. “The cover story is that Brandon is the father of the twins, but the mother is no longer a part of their lives. Let’s say during this summer, you two started ‘dating’,” Gambi said in quotation marks. He turns to Jen, “You found out he has children and takes a liking to them. Also, you’re going to start teaching at Millennium Elementary. It's an easy way to watch over them while you get your teaching credit.” 

Jen nodded, “Mommy! Mommy! Hi!” Jayla pops out of nowhere, and Jen looks down, seeing the action figure in Jayla's hands. “It makes noises!” 

“I can see that,” Jen chuckles, tickling Jayla. She didn’t know she was smiling, as everyone around her was smiling as well, and seeing the interaction between the young mother and her child. She saw all the looks pointing at her, clearing her throat, and she dropped her smile before facing her future daughter. “Hey, I’m busy right now. Go hang out with Grace and… we’ll… play later.”

Jayla raised her eyebrow at her mom, something was weird… As a five-year-old old she didn’t care; all she heard was play. “Okay!” She giggles before heading back to TC and Grace. 

“What?” Jennifer asked, seeing all eyes on her, 

“Nothing,” Anissa said as everyone looked away. 

“It doesn’t seem like nothing,” Jen pushed, she saw her father avoiding eye contact, her sister shaking her head, and her mom's facial expression was not helping either, Gambi looked at his tablet, and Brandon looked at the center of the table, which had nothing on it. “What’s the issue?”

“Baby girl… You still feel distant towards the kids.” Jeff admitted, “I know this situation is a lot—”

“That’s the point, the situation is still a lot. You expected me to welcome them with open arms like you guys?” Jen argued back. “I know you accepted that you’re grandparents and all, but I’m not.” 

Grace looks up to see the Pierce family talking to each other. Jayla seemed down after coming back and talking to Jennifer, as she barely wanted to play with her toy. Jayden lay his head down on TC's lap as he played with his fingers. 

“What’s wrong?” Grace asked Jayla. 

“Mama weird,” Jayla said. Grace looked up and saw Jennifer storming out of the Sanctum, Brandon trailing behind. 

“Your mom has been dealing with a lot of pressure lately,” Grace said as nicely as possible. “It’s going to take a bit before she’s your mommy again.” 

Jayden looked at Jayla, they didn’t like that. Jayla stares at the ground before she starts hearing voices in her head. 

“Jayla… Mama… don’t… like… us… anymore.” He said telepathy as Jayla nodded. Holding back tears.

“Mama… better… without… us.” Jayla said in her mind, which Jayden picked up. 

“I… want… to… run…away…” They both said as a tear fell. No one could hear their conversation. That’s the sad part. 

“Jen.. JEN! JENNIFER, IF YOU WOULD STOP WALKING AWAY FROM ME!” Brandon yelled, getting Jennifer's attention once she finally stopped to face him. 

“What the fuck do you want?” Jen said in annoyance.

“What do I want? I want you to calm the fuck down.” Brandon said. Jennifer's eyes light up in broad daylight. She was a second away from blasting him, but stopped, realizing they were in the public eye. He put his hands in defense, “Look,  I’m sorry I yelled at you, but you stormed out so quickly without a second thought. I know you are upset and it’s a lot but you don’t see me freaking out? I’m terrified as shit, it’s so much pressure on me alone to be those kids' father when I just met them–”

“That’s the thing, WE JUST MET THEM. WE ARE THAT’S LEFT !” Jennifer cuts him off, screaming. She felt tears falling down her face, She held so many emotions in; it was time for it to break loose. 

They looked into each other's eyes, they hadn’t seen each other in years, and now they had to pretend to be parents to kids they didn’t even know. Jennifer and Brandon might act like things are fine, but they are SOOO far from it. Jennifer was just a college student getting her teaching degree; she turned twenty-one in two months, and she is the protector of Freeland, which has been home for her as long as she can remember. A few days ago, it all changed, seeing how her whole family is DEAD in the future, and her future self is all alone, pregnant. She could even be dead. Jennifer watched herself be in a coma, and it scared her. That literally just happened this morning. 

Brandon could see Jennifer hyperventilating, walking closely to comfort her. Jen noticed him and slowly backed up. As much as she needs all the love and support right now, she can’t get it, get it from him. Brandon held out his hand, and Jennifer shook her head as more tears fell. He looked around, but there was no one around, thankfully, Jennifer wrapped her arms around her body, trying to catch her breath. From Brandon's point of view, he is afraid, and who could blame him? He instantly became a father within a day, and there was now a chip on his shoulder to be the best dad he could be. He is nervous, but still putting his doubt aside, he wants to be there for the kids. Brandon felt pride and fulfilling happiness from being around them, and being around Jennifer, too? For some reason, since high school, he has always gravitated to her, and still does after a few years. He still likes her. 

“What do you mean we are that left?” Brandon asks, it was a few minutes after Jen screamed. He replayed what she said a few times, and LEFT stayed stuck in his mind.

Jennifer wiped the tear from her face. “Last night, somehow I saw myself in the future…” Brandon lifts his head up, “She was talking to me, we had a small conversation, and Brandon was pregnant. We… have another… one on the way. Then I saw… her…” Jennifer starts getting choked up.

Brandon instantly went to comfort her, he wrapped his arms around her, and this time, she accepted it. Lying her head on his shoulder, she could hear his heartbeat and everything. She starts bawling her eyes out since this morning she couldn’t pretend to be normal after seeing herself die. Put on a brave face for the young ones, but everything is just too much. What makes it even more complicated is seeing and knowing bits of her future. Jen looked into Brandon's eyes, and when his eyes looked into hers with the tiniest smile gracing his stunning face, Jen’s heart skipped a beat, and the butterflies in her stomach danced. It was then she knew she was slowly falling for him. 

“You don’t have to tell me,” Brandon said, breaking the silence. They moved to a bench nearby, sitting down a few inches apart, trying to get used to the reality of this situation. “I know so much to bear, especially for you.”

“What about you?” Jennifer asks, Brandon turns to face her, and he didn’t expect her to ask. “I know that you can’t be calm about this. It’s been one day, and you're acting like this is normal already when it is not.”

Brandon took a deep breath. “I’m afraid just like you,” Jen looked into his eyes, she could see he was being truthful.  “I’m dead in the future, Jen, leaving behind a wife and kids is something I don’t ever want to do. Becoming a father all in one day? That’s scary.”

Jennifer sat there in silence, taking everything in. She looks onward, seeing the broad daylight of Freeland with cars traveling by, and people walking with their families. “I’m really terrified, Jen, we’re not the Jennifer and Brandon that raised them, we are just teenagers that just happen to be adults. I don’t know how to take care of them or kids in general.”

“I think we’re going to be horrible parents,” Jen jokes, Brandon stares at her before they start laughing in unison. She moved closer, laying her head on his shoulder. “I saw myself go into a coma, she had a medical emergency, and that’s when the dream ended. What if they’re gone? Who is going to raise them?”

Jen lifts her head to look at Brandon.“I think that’s another reason they came here… to save their future.” 

Jen nodded before looking at the street. She turned to the left and saw a woman with a stroller walking down the street. The woman looked young, around the same age as Anissa, in her late twenties, black with clear skin, with her hair tied up in a bun. She watched the woman smile and play with the baby walking down the street. Brandon saw that Jen was looking at but his attention was on Jennifer. As the woman walked past them, Jen stood up, trying to get her attention. 

“Excuse me,” Jennifer shouted all of a sudden. The woman turned around to see Jen waving at her. Brandon smiled at the woman before turning his attention back to Jen. “I have a question,”

“Okay?” The woman nervously chuckled, “What can I help you with?”

Jen scratched her head, she didn’t know what to say. It was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing, she always does it without thinking. “Um… how does it feel to be… a mom?”

“I’m sorry, what?” The woman asked, trying to understand. 

“Sorry, I’m Jennifer,” Jen said. She points to Brandon, “This is Brandon,  we… um…” She trailed off, looking at Brandon, trying to put her words together. 

“How old are you?” The woman asks, stopping Jen from stuttering. 

“I’m twenty, twenty-one in two months,” Jen answers, 

“I’m twenty-one,” Brandon said, standing up and walking beside Jen. 

The woman chuckles, seeing the couple right in front of her. “You two are cute. Did you guys just find out today?”

 “Huh?” Jen raised her eyebrow, 

“Yeah, we just came from the doctor–” Brandon jumps in front and answers, 

Jen's eyes widen, then she remembers the twins were supposed to be kept a secret. “Oh yeah, it’s just… a lot to take in.” 

“I believe that my husband and I were the same way when we found out that we were pregnant with this little one here.” She said, pointing to the baby in the stroller. “Believe me, I was freaking out. I was an only child growing up, but my husband had a brother and a loving family, so it was a weird change. But ever since, I’m glad I had her, I didn’t sleep for weeks once she was born, but the experience is worth it. Whatever Decision you two make, stick to what fits you.”

Brandon looks at the woman, smiling a bit, like their situation kinda but the roles are reversed. “What’s her name?” He was a little curious, seeing the smile on the woman's face, talking about her baby, and opening Brandon's eyes about how exciting the future could be. He becomes a father, he gets to witness all the moments he never got to experience. Now he has the chance, granted his kids are five years old, but he gets to be there for them. 

“Her name is Jeleah,” The woman said, 

Jen smiled, she could see the beautiful baby in the stroller, wondering what was happening. She had doubts and fears about being a mom on such short notice. Even thinking about her future scares her so much that she would run away. “It’s lovely.” She smiled and then looked at Brandon. “Thank you,”

“No problem,” The woman said before walking away. 

“You ready to be there, Mom?” Brandon asks, and they walk back to the sanctum, having small conversations, but Jen keeps her distance. 

Although Jen FINALLY accepted the situation of being a mother in the future, she hasn’t grasped the fact that she is also a wife. She has a mutual connection to Brandon, they’re friends had always been, yeah, there has been some attraction there, but it has never been moved onto a serious level. When Jennifer met Brandon, she was still mourning Khalil's death, then a new boy with powers came in and kind of distracted her for a bit until Khalil came back into her life. It wasn’t HER Khalil, it was a painkiller and her final straw when he put his hands on her, almost ending her life. 

Due to her power and super quick healing, she survived, but being put in that position scared her so much. It was one of the reasons she hadn't been on a date since then or even tried to date again. She was too busy for it, now looking at Brandon without him noticing, she wondered how he had captured her heart. 

“Brandon has a way with words, one of the reasons I fell in love with him. Plus, he is a very good smooth talker…” Future Jen sucked in her teeth. Jen raised her eyebrow, The tone was different from the rest of the sentence… OH….oh.

Remembering her future self was too much to think about. She doesn’t even know the basics of dating; her relationship with Khalil was FAR from normal. Now, sex and children are in play, which makes her overstimulated to even think about it. 

“I think I am, I do have this question though,” Jen pauses at the door of Gambi Tailor's shop. “I can’t lie about the fact that we have kids, it is clear and we have living proof… How did you feel about us… being… together?” 

“ Oh ... Um..” Brandon blushed a bit, trying to avoid eye contact, but she was right in front of him. Jen noticed him stutter before walking an inch closer, making him more nervous. Jen could feel her heartbeat louder as the ring of the bell distracted both of them. 

“Guys– Wait, did I ruin something?” Anissa eyed both of them, she was smiling. 

“Nope,” Brandon quickly said, walking away as quickly as possible. He didn’t want to admit but he wanted to kiss Jen or hug her right then and right now. It’s not time, he can’t rush this. 

“What was that about?” Anissa asks, watching Brandon run into the sanctum. 

Jen took a deep breath. “I don’t know, but can we talk later tonight?”

Anissa raised her eyebrow. She sensed something was eating Jen alive, but chose to ignore it and agreed to talk to her later tonight. “Yeah, we can.” 

Extra scene

In a white empty room with no one but herself. It’s hard out here for her. Looking at the monitor as it beeped, she heard her heartbeat. The chair across from her was empty, the pictures on the wall had joy in them but soon filled with sorrow thinking of the memories within. She saw an IV on her left vein as a saline bag was hooked up right next to her. She’s alive but at what cost? 

“Jen?” Jennifer looked up and hearing her name, she saw her friend Maxine aka Cyclone in her green supersuit. Like her great initiation, she knew something was up. 

“Max?” Jen asked, Maxine walked up as Jen welcomed her with open arms. Slowly making room so Max doesn’t bump into her pregnant belly. “Hi, how… what’s—”

“I came to check up on you,” Maxine finished Jen's sentence. Maxine smiled at her before lightly squeezing her hand. “I heard about the mission you guys did a few weeks ago. I know that must’ve been rough.” 

Jen nodded, it was the mission where she sent her kids away back in time. She hated the idea of sending them away but they had no choice. “I’m scared for them,” 

Maxine moved closer hugging her again, “I know how you feel, it’s going to be hard here.” Maxine sat at the end of the bed. “If you ever need anything, let me know. Losing your entire family does a lot to your mental health.” Entire family? 

“Entire family? Entire… family?” Jen paused thinking it over and over again. It made her think that Brandon was gone, the twins were back in the past, her parents were dead, and Grace was MIA. The only person she knew who was alive was Anissa. “Everyone… gone?” Jen starts shaking, feeling her eyes water. “No…. No….”

“Oh, I thought—” Maxine stopped talking as she rushed to hug her again. 

“Anissa…. NOOOOOOOO!!!!” Jen screamed as she cried and cried. Anissa was just here, she was JUST HERE! “WHAT HAPPENED?!?!” The next thing Jen knew… she blacked out. 

Chapter Text

“Dude, is he dead?”

“He looks fucking dead bro,”

“I don’t know, does he look like he's still breathing?”

“Then why don’t you go fucking near it, Simmons?”

“Oh fuck that, it could probably come back alive and kick our asses.”

Brandon groans, slowly getting up, he rubs his face, opening his eyes… He noticed he was not at the safe house or any house for that matter.

“Oh shit it’s ALIVE!” Simmons screams, backing away, and Brandon covers his ears, blocking the noises. 

Brandon looks up and sees a bunch of soldiers dressed in red and blue armor standing right in front of him. Looking around, he’s in a safe arena of some sort? His clothes and hair were wet, he could see blood drenching his shirt. Something bad had happened. Slowly trying to regain consciousness, where is he? Oh God! Jen! Slowly rushing to get up, he felt a sharp pain near the left side of his chest. Touching it, it stung him. 

“You got stabbed, dude, stabbed so many times, man.” The Cyan, Aqua, Teal, Turquoise? It was a guy dressed in light blue color armor who said that to him.

“What the fuck is this?” Brandon asks, and he quickly puts his hands in defense. The maroon guy quickly backed up behind the orange guy. The one in Red armor clocked his shotgun, he saw another guy dressed in dark blue just waving at him. Where is he? “Where is my wife? Where are my kids?!” 

“Woah woah woah man, I’m a lover, not a fighter. We come in peace,” The Teal man said. He raised his hands slowly, giving a signal to Brandon that he was peaceful.

“Yeah, right,” Brandon used his powers, his eyes lit up as the earth started shaking. “WHERE IS JEN!?” 

“Jenny?” The one dressed in blue asks,

“Oh fuck this,” The Orange man said leaving the room as quickly as possible. 

Brandon used his powers, shaking the earth as much as possible, and he felt another pain all over his body. He quickly collapses on the ground, and he looks in front of him and sees all the red and blue armor guys on the floor. He smiles slowly, standing up, holding onto his body, trying to escape. Feeling his body ache all over, Brandon knew his body would take a second to heal from his injuries. Slowly walking around, he couldn’t stand any longer. Hearing footsteps, he grabs the shotgun the red guy had, aiming it at the door. 

“GET HIM!” The Orange guy yelled, Brandon turned around, trying to aim the gun and shoot him. It was empty. 

“Private Grif, you should be ashamed of yourself. We’ve run out of ammo again! That’s your responsibility!” The Red guy said in an old redneck accent. The Orange guy's name is Griff than. 

“Huh, guess my laziness has finally paid–” Grif was cut off. Repeatedly clicking to shoot the shotgun, Brandon gave up and hit Grif with the gun. It was a mistake on Brandon's part to do that; it took a lot of energy out of him, and he slowly lost balance and fell onto the ground. 

Brandon was on the ground, ready to get up, before he felt a footstep onto his chest. He looked up, seeing the teal guy, no woman? Placing her foot on top of him, she aimed her gun at his face. Brandon, feeling defeated, waved the white flag. It didn’t take long until his body succumbed to his wounds, and he passed out. 

“Shit, Simmons get Dr.Grey. He’s crashing out.” The Teal woman said Brandon opened his eyes for one second before everything faded to black. 

Opening his eyes again, Brandon is in the same place he woke up in. He couldn’t believe he was still here, he was held captive again. He looked around, seeing his hand handcuffed to the bed, the room looked a little bit futuristic, and he slowly sat up, seeing a tray of food sitting by him. It was probably cold by now, and he still felt pain from his wounds, but they didn’t hurt him like they did earlier. Seeing his left arm being hooked to an IV, he assumed he was in a hospital of some sort. Why? He attacked the people who saved him. Why would they help him? 

“Oh lookie someone up!” A cheery voice captured his attention. Brandon turned to his right to see a girl with a white doctor's coat standing by the door. She had light brown tan skin, curly hair, and was smiling directly at him. 

Her smile was warm yet unnerving. Brandon felt awkward and looked away. He usually doesn’t get scared, but for some reason, he is scared of the supposed doctor. Her vibe gave a little bit of fun and entertainment, but he could tell with that smile she was crazy as hell. Not the crazy where you could manage, but crazy fucking insane where people would fear for their lives.   

“You’re alive! Once I saw your injuries, I just knew you got fucked. Over and over again.” She said normally. Brandon was taken aback. Um, what? “Luckily, you didn’t need any prosthetics. I always hear patients complain. My head hurts, my tummy feels funny, and I don’t want a robotic arm, so I just want to get out of the office, you know? When Agent Carolina said we had an injured meta, I immediately hopped in the teleporter to see the victim. Turns out, you were not dead yet. I saved your life!” 

“Thank you?” Brandon was unsure what the hell just happened, where was he? “Where am I?”

“You’re in Chorus, Texas, silly! And you look like you were not supposed to be here.” She raised her eyebrow, huh? 

Texas… HOW THE FUCK DID HE ENDED UP IN TEXAS ?!? He was in Nebraska, and now he ended up in Texas, far, far away from his wife and kids. Freaking out, he tried to get up and figure something out but he forgot he was handcuffed to the bed. 

“Oh yeah, you're stuck there, buddy.” She smiled, patting his shoulder. “Hungry?” She pointed to the cold food tray right beside him. God help him, please. 

“Why did you guys save me?” Brandon asks, getting straight to the point. He noticed the red and blue armor guys were not in the room, but they were insisting on peace, but his stubbornness thought they were the enemy. 

The doctor closed her mouth thinking about it, “We’re the good guys, we believe the good in everyone– except people that cause genocide.”

“Um…” Brandon sat there confused again.

“Also, seeing the wounds and damages on your body, it was clear you were tag-teamed… They beat your ass… Double Penetration style.” She said… so Brandon put the details together that she’s very hyper-sexual. Unhinged. 

“Alright, alright, that’s enough.” Another voice pops out of nowhere, standing by the door. It is the teal-armed woman who aimed a gun at him. She was a red-haired woman who had scars all over her body. She was wearing a white tank top and some jeans; she was outside of her blue, teal armor, walking towards him. “Just because he gave Grif a break, there is no need for cruel and unusual punishment.”

“Oh, please, double penetration is not going to scar the man.” She giggles as they both turn to see a confused yet awkward Brandon sitting in bed. 

“You obviously met Dr.Gray, she’s the head surgeon and doctor at our base. I’m Carolina, one of the leaders of the new Republic/Capital.” Carolina said, introducing herself. “I was a part of Project Freelancer, I worked with Superman before.” 

“Oh, were you there when he lasered a man to death?” Dr.Gray asks with curiosity in her eyes. 

Brandon stared at her, he could tell she had army experience based on the tattoo on her right shoulder. The way she spoke and her stance prove she had decades of experience dealing with so much past trauma. Project Freelancer was a secret government project, like the ASA, it was also corrupted. Brandon only heard of it because a group of soldiers took down a corrupt government experimenting with AI technology and human beings. Hearing how unphased she acts when around blood, gore, or anything that relates to death, Dr.Gray is fucking crazy but brave. 

“The New Republic?” Brandon asked, 

“The city of Chorus is in the middle of a civil war between two types of government. Then, recently, we found out it was a planned genocide instead.” Carolina answers. 

Brandon sighed. He could tell they were asking for help. “You need my help, don’t you?”

Dr.Gray and Carolina looked at each other, and they both nodded. “We could use the help, and in return. We will reunite you with your family.” Carolina said she gave Brandon a burner phone right in front of him. “The people of Chorus all just want peace, millions have died, and you’ll meet the General of the whole operation. She could tell you more than I.” 

“If millions had died, how come we haven’t heard of it?” He questions, thinking about it, he had never heard of Chorus till now. Then again, they’re in the middle of a war themselves. 

“They’re an enemy called The Pirates that has control of all technology, and radio, and has the city on lockdown. They control what comes in and out, it’s hard to get anything out without getting killed. When we saw you in the river, a soldier recognized you as one of the heroes who saved Freeland from Markovia and the ASA. A member of the JSA on our team, we can finally win and end this war once and for all.” Carolina spoke, and Dr.Gray listened, wiping a tear from her face. “It’s been a while since we've seen a Metahuman down here.” 

“Thanks. Listen, I’m so grateful that you guys saved me and patched me up.” Brandon looked at both Carolina and Dr.Gray, “But, I have a pregnant wife that needs me, I have twins thinking their father is dead, and I’m already dealing with villains coming at me and my family. I can’t help you guys, I’m sorry.” 

“Then don’t,” Another female voice popped up. All three of them looked to see a woman with braids glaring at all of them. She had tattoos all over her arm, a cross necklace, and was wearing a purple shirt with black sweatpants, matching her black army boots. She looked a bit like Jennifer, but it wasn’t Jennifer. “What the fuck are you guys looking at? We saved this mother fucker and thought he’ll help us but he wants to be a bitch and be with his family. Let’s move on, let’s go!!” She complained, 

Brandon was instantly furious, his eyes started glowing as the ground started shaking. Everyone in the room looked around as the objects were falling onto the ground. Dr.Gray held onto the hospital bed, Carolina tried to keep her balance, and South was seen smirking. “Why are you smiling?”

“We have a new member to help us win this war,” The woman said, 

“South, he didn’t agree,” Carolina said as she held onto the bed frame before catching her balance. 

“If he wants to be with his family, he'd better agree.” South, that was her name. With a fierce and bitchy attitude, Brandon could tell she held onto some resentment. “He has no choice anyway, we’re trapped here, so free Rocky and get him updated on everything. And if he’s working with the bad guys, Dr.Gray talk to him.” She smiles at the last part before turning away. 

“What does she mean by talking to me?” Brandon asks Carolina to unlock the handcuffs so he can straighten out his hands. 

“To cut it short, I’ll be in your ass like a butt plug.” Dr.Gray giggles and then pulls up a saw right in front of him. 

…. Brandon jumped and moved away so quickly. Someone was more terrifying than Jennifer, that’s a thought. “I’m good, no thanks.” 

Dr.Gray frowned, it was like she wanted to torture him. “Aw dang, Well stay in bed. Your body is recovering faster than normal. Eat your food and we’ll be back later.” She waved goodbye and exited his room. Carolina followed not far behind, pausing to turn back at him. 

“Hey, sorry about everything, but we could use the help,” Carolina said with a sympathetic smile.

“As long as I get to be with my wife, I will help you guys,” Brandon said. Carolina nodded before exiting his room.  

“What the fuck did I get myself into?” He asked himself before slowly dozing off, so his body could heal. He’s grateful to be alive, it’s giving him another fighting chance and a day to see his family again. 

“TAKE COVER!!!” Washington yells as they feel an earthquake. Brandom looks around, making sure it was him before actually realizing it was an actual earthquake. 

Oof

Brandon felt a hard hit from his left side as he fell onto the ground before an object could hit him. He looked ahead, seeing the ceiling right in front of him. Turning to his right, South is holding her stomach while using the bubble shield to protect both of them. 

“Thanks,” Brandon said as they waited until the earthquake simmered down. 

South glares at him before putting the bubble shield down and walking away from him. 

“You okay?” Brandon looks up, seeing Washington putting his hand out to help him up.

Brandon felt a sting on his left side, but nothing but a few more minutes till it's gone. “I’ll be straight, is she always this…” 

“Bitchy?” Wash finishes Brandon's sentence before turning his attention to South, who seems to have a conversation with her AI. 

Brandon bit his tongue; he is usually against degrading women, but South Dakota is the exception with her behavior towards him. While healing, South shot him multiple times. Why? He doesn’t know, nor do the Reds and Blues. 

Life in Chorus, Texas, hasn't been bad for the most part. Everyone, well, most have treated him with respect and wonder what it’s like to be a Meta Human. Brandon did feel uneasy having his identity exposed, but he soon trusted everyone at the compound because they all had one goal: to end the war. The people of Chorus know about the current war going on right now, about Meta humans being hunted and killed. People and even heroes are confused about what's happening, but it leads to the death of many, many great heroes. The sad part is that they’re stuck fighting their own battles, and most of the world doesn't even know about them. 

Entity ( yass dead by daylight ), man-made AI machines designed to kill every Meta. They weren’t fully developed when the crisis team discovered them. It was another secret government project launched once there was a terrorist attack against the president. The coding behind the Entity was to kill anything that would cause harm to humankind, but somehow, the coding glitch killed all sorts of Metas. History was changing, and the world was no longer safe.

“I’m grateful that you’re helping us, I know I said this multiple times, but I mean it,” Wash said as they were walking to Kimble's office. Wash was one of the first people that Brandon met and trusted. Screwed over by the government but he always felt the need to help people, the reason why he hasn't thought about retirement. ( Think of Wash played by Manny Jacinto ).

“Precipitate it, I’m here to help you guys out, and in return, I can go home to my wife.” Brandon gave a small smirk. He really got to trust the people here, and honestly, Brandon believed in the cause. “Is it normal to be worried sick about her?”

“It’s normal, you don’t know anything and can’t make contact. We’re stuck here with no way to the outside world.” Wash exhald, it's been a year or two since the world went to shit and he and his team were stranded in a city ready to kill each other. “You talk about her a lot. I can’t wait to meet her once this is finally over and we can help you guys.

“Jen is everything to me, it sucks she is pregnant now and thinks I’m dead.” Brandon pouts. 

“Well, you’re not dead. It will be worth it once you’re reunited.” Wash said, opening the door–

“Emily, please. Slow down,” General Doyle said as they saw a video call with Tucker, Cabosse, Sarge, Carolina, and the crazy doctor Emily Grey. Brandon kept his distance from her. When he met General Doyle, Doyle was an affectionate individual with a British accent. He is someone you won’t expect to lead an army, as he’s inexperienced and easily frightened. 

“Slow down? General, the alien weapons, the vehicles, all the artifacts we found over the years, they weren't broken, they were just deactivated, and Tucker's sword made the work.” Dr.Grey screamed as she was explaining the situation. 

“For all of two seconds,” Sarge adds.

Kimble stands forward, looking at the screen, “How is that possible?”

“Well, it's kind of like a sword and a key,” Tucker clarifies, 

“What does that even mean?” South asks,

“Yeah, I was part of this great prophecy thing because I took a sword key from a tower, and then an alien took me on a quest to get a ship, but in the end it all kind of turned out to be an excuse to get me knocked up and have an alien baby…’ Tucker gave the short story version as everyone in the office looked at him shocked, confused, and weirded out. Brandon stood there wondering how that was possible. 

“You've reproduced?” General Doyle said.

Tucker walks closer, putting a picture on the screen. “Fuck yeah, Junior is awesome check him out at his fifth grade basketball team.” The image shows a large blue alien right next to some humans holding a basketball. This was a new idea despite his sister in law being an Alien. Tucker put the pictures back into his pocket. “Oh, they grow up so fast.”

“Well, that's the last thing I thought I'd see today or ever,” Doyle said.

“Yeah, I know who carries around actual photographs anymore,” Tucker jokes, “Am I right, Brandon?” 

“Um….” Brandon raised his eyebrow. 

“All right, Focus. Let's go over what we know.” Wash commanded,

Simmons is the first one to speak up in Maroon amour. “Well, whatever Tucker did caused all of our teleportation grenades to explode, fried the car's weapons, and almost got me killed. Good going asshole.” 

“Actually, this could be perfect,” South spoke up, getting everyone's attention. 

“Well, maybe if Simmons had been replaced with Griff instead of almost killed, he’s–” Sarge spoke before Griff, the guy dressed in Orange glares at him. 

“STOP.” Griff rolls his eyes. 

Brandon listens on as the conversation unfolds, and plans are being made as his head spins into another conversation. Being with the Reds and Blues is way different from being with the Outsiders and JSA. 

“The alien weapons may have only been active for a few seconds, but Charon Industries' hybrid Tech is still inoperable.” Carolina continues. 

“Whatever pieces they took from the alien technology and crammed into their own likely short-circuited the equipment when it tried to come back online.” Dr.Grey replies as well.

“Which means the space pirates ain't got their fancy lasers no more,” Sarge said. 

“Yeah, but neither do we.” Griff points out. 

“That doesn't matter,” Brandon spoke up,

“Speak for yourself,” Griff said, looking at Brandon. “That's two badass alien weapons I've lost. I don’t have superpowers to shake up the earth like you, Geo.”

Wash walks in front of Brandon. “Charon has always had the technological advantage over us; the only reason we've managed to win these past few weeks is because we have them outnumbered.” 

“And yet, we still lose troops with every victory,” Doyle said,

“True, but now we have them outnumbered and outgunned without their toys; they've got nothing more than standard UNC Weaponry, it's an even playing field,” Kimble said.

“You know, I've been working with weapons a lot lately so I'd just like to point out that the standard UNC Weaponry can still put a fucking hole in your skull.” Simmions adds. 

“We've also yet to encounter Locus or Felix since they left.” Doyle signs,

“We'll deal with them when the time comes, right, Carolina, South?” Wash looks at Carolina and South, who look down at the mentions of their name. 

“Right, of course…” South and Carolina said in unison. The tone was very skeptical, which Brandon noticed. 

“Yes, we have been doing well these past few weeks, but we still can't make contact with the UNC, and we have no idea how many more Jammers Charon installed on Chorus; for all we know, they could have some on the moon.” Kimble said, “I'm not sure how much longer these small victories will be able to keep our heads above water, so maybe it's time we aim higher. The tractor beams at the crash site are the only things keeping us from leaving the State.”

“You can't possibly be suggesting that–”

“If we take them down, we can send a ship to bring help.” Kimble cuts Doyle off. 

“You okay?” Brandon asks, seeing South sitting down, looking pale.

South looks up to see Brandon. “I’m fine,” 

“You look like you’re about to puke.” Brandon notices how pale South has been looking lately and how often she’s in her room when she’s not training. Even so, she doesn’t train for long hours like Wash and the other Freelancers do. “No, you’re not.”

“I’m fine, just stop pushing,” South said as she quickly exited the office, leaving Brandon to focus on the meeting. 

Brandon walks up to Wash, who was still preoccupied with the meeting that was ongoing. “Does South look a little pale to you?”

“Huh? Maybe? I don’t know… I’ll check up on her later.” Wash said.

“Why else are we in this war?” Church, the Artificial Intelligence from Project Freelancer, spoke floating next to Carolina. He’s similar to South A.I. Theta but more of an asshole. Is everyone an asshole here? Who Knows. Ever since Brandon agreed to help them, he’s still more confused than ever. 

He got the basics of the Reds and Blues and who they are. The Red team lead by Sarge who wears red armor is an old white guy with a redneck accent who’s hell bent on killing Griff… Very patriotic. Simmon is second in command in Maroon amour, where Griff likes to put it as kiss-ass. He’s nerdy, loyal, insecure, and very rule-abiding, but he’s the tech expert and comes up with a plan that everyone ignores. Griff wears orange, and all he got from him was a lazy, sarcastic that likes to eat a lot. Getting to know their characteristics and how they act… It was a lot different from the JSA. 

“And I get to add another weapon category to the Armory spreadsheet!” Simmons beams, 

“Nerd.” Tucker's calls out,

“Organizing data is not nerdy, it's efficient. Come to Church is a computer he knows what I'm talking about.” 

Tucker and Church look at each other, “Yeah, that nerd doesn't speak for me.”

“We don't have time to investigate, for all we know, Charon is already working on a new batch of rifle replacements,” Kimble said, pushing for a full-fledged attack. 

“Don't have time? We can just fly right over and check it out.” Tucker suggested.

Wash butts in. “We already know Locus and Felix have Scouts monitoring our activity whenever possible. If we send a ship out to the middle of nowhere, they'll notice and they'll follow.” 

“Is Locus and Felix the two mercury right?” Brandon asks to keep his distance. 

“Yeah, those two dickheads are the reason why we’re still in the war.” Griff's answers. 

Brandon nods, “Then why don’t we divide and conquer?” Everyone looks at him. “Look, I’m new here and I’m here to help in exchange for returning back to my family, but Kimble, you’re adamant on charging towards the Crash Site while Tucker and Carolina want to see what this Alien temple is all about. Since they’re already on an away mission, they can check it out.”

Wash snaps his fingers, agreeing with Brandon's idea. “Yeah, Carolina could take an away team out to the coordinates, and Kimble could lead the charge against Alpha.”  

“Why does Kimble get to lead the charge?” Doyle whines, and everyone in the room looks at Doyle in disbelief. 

“Are you volunteering?” Wash asks, 

“Well, I- unfortunately, we'll need someone to stay behind guard the capital, and I know the city better than anyone.” Doyle backs away from the argument.

“Nice bail,” Griff's comments,

“And then it sounds like Kimble's our leader.” Wash shakes his head.

“The feds won't take orders from me.”

 “They will if their lives are on the line. We've been training them, both sides have come a long way, and we'll need all hands on deck if we want to pull this off.” Brandon said he walked up to Wash, patting him on the shoulder. Everyone around the room nods; they can see this plan working out. “Plus, with my powers, we can definitely have an advantage.” 

“Well then, you can count me and my boys,” Sarge said as Grif and Simmions looked at each other… Sarge was smiling like crazy while the other two seemed uninterested.

“See… oh uh we need to work at the Armory actually.” Grif lied,

“Yeah, really sorry guys, yeah, wish we could help.” Simmions adds as well. Lopez, the Spanish-speaking robot, said nice bail in Spanish.

“Well, if you really want to go, Lopez and I can handle the Armory.” Donut, the guy in pink armor, said cheerfully. 

“Excellent suggestion, Donut. Simmons, looks like you're going to get to see your Fearless Colonel on the battlefield after all.” Sarge chuckles, “I wish I could look through your eyes and see me.”

 “Yay…” Simmion looks down.

“I'm going to kill you in your sleep,” Grifs said to Donut. 

“Okay…” Church looks away from the red team drama. “Right, then the rest of us can act as the EA team. Tucker brings a sword, Grey brings the brains and–”

“And I bring the comic relief,” Caboose said, 

“I was going to save the rifle with auto targeting software,” Church corrects as confetti comes out of the gun. 

“We'll hop on the next ship and prepare to head out,”  Carolina said, 

“And if we play this right, the Mercs won't even know what hit them,” Church said as the call ended. 

Brandon kept his head cool after the meeting and walked back to his quarters, where he was staying. The upside of living here is that he’s not haunted for having Meta powers; he gets to just exist. He still doesn't know how he ended up in Texas, but at least he’s alive. He misses his kids like crazy and wonders how Jen… 

“Fuck,” South exit the bathroom wiping her mouth. 

Brandon stands there right in front of her, waving his hand. “Sup… You sure, you good?”

“I said I’m fine. Stop pushing.” South smacks Brandon before walking away.

“My wife would say that a lot when she’s not fine.” Brandon comments,

South looks at him, what the hell does that have to do with her? When South met Brandon, she was already annoyed since she had risked her life. “Why does what matter? I’m not your wife.”

“Clearly,” He mumbles, “She would say that a lot when she’s not fine. So that means you’re not either. Funny, she said that a lot when she was pregnant…” Brandon stops himself to look at South. “Wait, are you?”

South's eyes widen as she moves closer, covering Brandon's mouth, dragging him into a random room. Brandon did not expect South to be so strong, being whiplashed, he held onto the closest thing he could lay on. “DO NOT SAY A FUCKING WORD.”

“South, don’t yell at him. He might help!” Theta, her AI said, popping out of nowhere. 

South glares at her A.I. “Like this loser can help me. Just keep this quiet.” South exits the room, leaving Brandon on the ground…

FUCK .

“You’re pacing,”

“I’m fine,”

“No, you're not.” 

“Babe, I said I’m fine. Stop pushing!” Jen said, walking around the room multiple times back and forth. She was actually far from fine. 

It was a serious moment in their life, it was their first ultrasound/heartbeat appointment. They both were nervous when Jen found out she was pregnant she was terrified. She hasn’t been feeling well since February, and she enjoyed eating pickles with cheese, noticing something was weird with her diet. Her heart dropped when she saw ten positive pregnancy tests on the bathroom counter. She was pregnant and she didn’t know what to do. 

Jennifer sat on the floor of the bathroom trying to make sense of everything in the last ten minutes. She couldn’t help but cry, it wasn’t sad tears but happy ones. When Jennifer discovered she had powers, she felt like a freak having no chance of being normal. She could remember vividly the day Anissa lifted her bed showing her that she was Thunder, and cried her eyes out for a few hours because she thought these powers were cursed. Jennifer gave up on living a regular life, she was scared no one would love her, and she didn’t know if she could even have kids. 

“We didn't know how Jeff got his powers, but we did know he didn't inherit them. So why would you?” Lynn said to her, 

Jen shakes her head before breaking out into more tears, “ I feel like a freak.”

“No. No. No, you're not.” Lynn moves closer trying to comfort her.

“Who's going to want to be with me?” 

“Hey. I fell in love with your father.” 

Jennifer scoffed, she remembered at the young age of seven she saw her dad and mom squabble and witnessed them getting divorced. Putting the pieces together, it was clear they didn’t break up because of marital issues, it was because he had powers. “That's why you broke up, isn't it? Mom, tell me the truth. Is that why you and Dad got divorced?” 

Jennifer watched her mom back away, she saw her take a deep breath, “Yes,” Lynn Admitted. “But your father has always been there for us.” 

“If he didn't have powers, you two would still be together,” Jen said, feeling more tears in her eyes. “So would Anissa and Chenoa. Mom, I'm not Anissa. I don't want to save the world. I want to go to prom, college, get married, and have babies.” She smiles while trying to list everything she wants in her life. Then it hit her, these powers could stop everything she wanted to do in life. “Can I even have kids?” Jen asked her mom.

Lynn took a sharp breath, unsure how to answer that. She wasn’t even sure Jen or even Anissa would get powers. “I don't…”

“You don't know.” Jen stares at her mom before she starts sobbing, “Do you?”

“Oh, baby, no. I'm so sorry.” Lynn moves closer hugging her daughter and comforting her. “I'm so sorry.” She kisses the back of her head as Jen sobs some more.

Reliving that memory, then look at the pregnancy test. She has everything she ever wanted, she has someone who loves her and she can have a family. She smiled for a bit then realized her family wouldn’t be here to celebrate it with her. Jen won’t have her mom in her corner to give advice, her dad there to be supportive or guide her in using her powers, and her sister here to spoil the baby. She hasn’t seen or talked to them in years after she graduated, it's been four years and the relationship has yet to be fixed.  

“Okay, I’m sorry to keep you two waiting. Nervous?” The Doctor said knocking on the door before entering the room. 

“You could say that,” Brandon smiled, Jen glared at her boyfriend before sitting on the bed. 

“I get that, having a baby is a journey/process. Are you guys ready to see your baby?” She asks Jen to take a deep breath before nodding. Brandon sitting right beside her grabs her hand to give her support. “It’s going to be a bit cold okay,”

Jen felt her nerves get the best of her, knowing her powers could trigger any moment. Feeling the cold gel on her abdomen, she could automatically hear the heartbeat of the baby. The doctor smiled at her, she finally could relax, and the baby made it through the first month. Jennifer looked at Brandon, who was smiling. He is becoming a dad, and hearing the fast heartbeat made him so happy. Kissing Jen on the forehead, they made it through the hard part. 

“Alright, those are some good heartbeats.” The doctor said, “Are you ready to see your babies?”

“Babies?” Brandon raised his eyebrows, “As in more than one?”

The doctor smiled, “Yeah, surprised! You guys are having twins.” 

Jennifer covers her face in shock, she’s having twins. Two babies were growing inside of her, and they were hers and Brandon's. As the doctor turned the screen showing them the ultrasound, Brandon jumped up and down as Jen started tearing up. 

“We’re having twins,” Jen said looking at Brandon. 

“TWINS!” Brandon cheers before placing a passionate kiss on Jen's lips. 

They were having babies, and they got to have a family they always wanted. Together .

Chapter Text

YEAR 2027

Days. It has been days since Jen gave birth to her twins, and she sits in her rocking chair in the apartment she shared with Brandon. She looks around the room, can’t believe that this was her room, now turned into the nursery for the twins. She sees the pink and blue painted room with superheroes hanging all over the walls. Holding her son, rocking him back and forth to get him to sleep, Jennifer couldn’t help but fall in love all over again. 

“You think they’re breathing?” Jen turned to the door and saw Brandon carefully walking in with their daughter in his arms. He tiptoes closer to her crib, gently placing her down. Jen smiles, watching her boyfriend being so dramatic. “They’re so precious, I just can’t wait for everything, literally.” 

“Slow your roll, they’re only a week old,” Jennifer teased. She looks at her son, who was breathing on her chest. She could feel his heartbeat and his electric current running through his body. “He’s finally asleep. Can you help me put him in the crib?”

Brandon nods, taking the small infant out of her arms and slowly putting him in his crib right next to his sister. Jen exhales before placing both kisses on their forehead and walking out to see Anissa cooking dinner. It’s been a week since she gave birth, and her apartment looked like a mess, and one look in the mirror, Jen looked like a mess. Dealing with postpartum with two infants was more work than she expected. It was hitting her hard, but thankfully, Anissa was here to help. She wished her whole family could be here, but…

“You okay, Jen?” Anissa asks, putting the plates down on the dining room table. 

Jen shakes her head no, “I finally got them to sleep, but it’s still hard, you know?”

“You wish Mom and Dad could be here to help, huh?” Jen was taken aback, moving back into reality. Anissa chuckles before sitting right next to her on the couch. “I know whatever happens between you and Dad is between you two, but you have no idea how much they miss you.” 

She felt a tear fall down her face. It wasn’t much of a serious conversation, yet she was crying. Damn hormones, “If they miss me, why haven't they called or talked to me in two years? Mind you, Anissa, it took you a year and a half to even visit me. I know you and Grace have your own lives, but I’m your sister. You know how much it hurts to pick his side over mine?”

Anissa took a breath, “I saw you left us and started a new life here. After everything, I wish things could’ve been handled differently, but I’m glad you still left. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have those twin bundles of joy sleeping in the room with your husband watching over them.”

Jen smirks, “We’re still taking it slow, he’s not my husband… yet.”

“Slow?” Anissa scoffs, “He put not one but two babies in you. I'd better see a ring coming up in the next few months.”

“Chill, we’re not rushing towards it. Brandon and I did talk about it when I was a few months pregnant with the twins, but right now we have the twins to worry about and JSA work to deal with,” Jennifer said, although she had many thoughts of marrying Brandon, she just wanted to enjoy the moment of giving birth. “I’m grateful that you came here during Thanksgiving, it means a lot to me, Anissa.”

“I have to be here, my baby sister gave birth, and now I’m officially the fun auntie I always dreamed of!” Anissa snickers as Brandon slowly walks out of the room with a smile on his face. “Dinner is ready in a bit. Can you finish setting up?”

“Yeah, I got you,” Brandon said, walking over, placing a kiss on Jennifer's forehead before going into the kitchen to set up and help cook. 

“I’m serious though,” Anissa eyes Brandon with a smile on her face. “If I weren’t gay, I would marry him. Get to it!” She teased, 

Jen playfully shocked Anissa before looking back at Brandon, “Trust me, we’re locked in.” She said, crossing her fingers. 

“I hope so, if there is a chance you want him gone… I got in contact, and she could.” Anissa had a pretend rope and turned it around, insinuating that she strangled/killed Brandon. 

Jen watched her sister pull the rope further away, exhaling, “Anissa… No.”

YEAR 2022

Jennifer sits outside for a bit, trying to get some peace. The last few days have been nothing but stressful. It was her first morning taking a breather, she knew being a parent was a hard task, but now she wished her future self had taken a plan B. Jennifer is usually a peaceful person, wait, that was a lie, she is not peaceful or patient. Yet, she is studying to become a teacher… it made her reevaluate her life for a bit right now. Drinking her coffee, staring at the houses across the street, she looked around, seeing it was the neighborhood she grew up in, and wondered how the twins grew up. She also feels like she has eyes on her, so she’s had her guard up. 

She is not going to admit it loudly, but she is slowly accepting the twins as her own. Jen has gotten used to cuddling next to Jayden or Jayla, but waking up to Brandon is another story. She wishes she could ask her future self how she got along with Brandon, but knowing too much can hurt her own future, and she doesn’t want to ruin her future life. Jen could see how much joy and smiles the kids brought, slowly she felt the happiness and attachment too. The team told her to take it easy and focus on the kids while they work on what is happening in the future and all the crime-fighting. As much as Jen protested, Brandon was able to convince her, and now she understood what Future Jen meant by smooth talker. 

She still couldn’t believe that Brandon was the one she ended up with. She did take into consideration their last few moments before Brandon left, leaving her heartbroken. Jen never forgave him for leaving her after their first accidental kiss, but that was between them to figure out. Still, without his presence, she longed for him as the year went by after they stopped Markovia from taking over. She really wanted a friend at the time. Jen felt her phone vibrate. Jen took a deep sigh. 

She looked at her phone, which had been going off for the millionth time, and saw another call from Lisa and Kiesha. They kept wondering why Jennifer kept canceling plans and ignoring them for the past couple of days, maybe weeks? She lost track of time since the twins arrived. What is she supposed to tell them? Hey, some kids came from the future claiming I’m their mother… Oh yeah, I’m the superhero Lightning who was called a terrorist not too long ago. How could she explain it to them? Kiesha definitely will be snooping around since she entered the police academy, putting her detective skills to use. She wasn’t worried about Lisa since Lisa was studying to become a doctor. That was one less thing she had to worry about, knowing Lisa was buried in school work. Maybe if the twins were calm and relaxed, she could get away with lying. The twins were quite the opposite, they are fucking chaotic and it has been driving both of them crazy. 

“Enjoying your third cup of coffee?” Jefferson jokes, walking into the front porch with a cup of coffee himself. 

Jennifer chuckles, “Yeah, I don’t know how you and Mom handled us growing up. I completely apologize for all the mild heart attacks I could’ve caused throughout the years.”

“Yeah, Anissa, the child that made us want more kids, and you were the child that had us stop at two,” Jeff said, sitting right next to his daughter. “Even if my heart stops, I have you to bring me back to life…” 

Jennifer froze hearing that her father is still dead in the future, and it’s something that she can’t accept. “Dad… don’t joke about that. I'm processing being a mother and heavily processing being a wife, but I just can't deal with you dying.” She looks at her dad with an upset look on her face.

“Well, I can’t live forever, can I?” Jeff calmly said, “I’m just glad I met the kids before I died.”

Jennifer took another sip of her coffee. Anissa must’ve told him about their conversation. “Anissa told you everything?”

“Why didn’t you tell us you were able to communicate with your future self?” Jeff asks

“Because I saw her die, she held back information because you can’t know so much about the future. She wanted to tell me everything, and I could sense it. But most of all, she wanted to know if the kids were okay,” Jen said, sitting back and looking at her coffee. 

“I don’t know how it was possible, but she wanted to talk to you and wanted to know if everything was okay. She wouldn’t do that if she didn’t trust you.” Jeff reasoned, “She wanted to help you out as much as she could because she doesn’t want you to experience what she is experiencing right now.” 

“I don’t want to live in the future where that happens. I could feel her and my emotions connecting, and Dad, she’s alone. Her husband– well, Brandon, dead in the future? Her children are getting sent back in time, and she’s dealing with the pregnancy all by herself. IT just… heartbreaking.” Jen sighed, 

“So you were pregnant when your future self sent them back in time?” Jeff asked, 

Jen shakes her head, “How did you know?”

“Jayla kept asking about her baby sister a lot.” Jeff answers, “I tried to answer the question, but I couldn’t. No idea how to deal with that.”

“She keeps asking me about it, too. Again, I’m still processing being with Brandon, so I don’t even know how we could figure it out.” Jen blurted,

Jeff felt a smile form on his face, “Just friend, huh?” He jokes, remembering the conversation when he first met the young man. 

“So, Brendon,” Jefferson said, walking out the door after talking with Jennifer. 

Brandon quickly stood up, he didn’t know why but Jeff Deminor scared the living shit out of him. “Uh, actually, it's Brandon.” He corrected, 

“Yeah, whatever.” Jeff glared at him, “Stay away from my daughter, understand?”

Jennifer looks at Brandon before staring back at her dad, “Dad, I told you. We're just friends.” 

“Your mother and I were just friends, too.” He said, turning to Jennifer, Jen scoffed before he returned his attention to Brandon. “Brandon…. You know what a eunuch is?”

Brandon raised his eyebrow… “Yes, sir.”

“Keep that in mind,” Jeff stated before he placed a hand on Jen's shoulder, walked out of the house. 

Oh?

Jen starts chuckling, remembering the conversation they had a few years ago. “How was I supposed to know he was going to be the father of my kids?” Jeff chuckles, “What’s so funny?”

“You finally said to your kids, you slowly started to accept them as your own.” Jeff pointed out. “Now, if you could parent them, I’ll be happy.”

“I just need to know–” Jen was cut off by the sound of broken glass coming from inside the house. 

“Starting now,” Jeff spoke, 

Jen took a deep breath before getting up, “Alright, let me yell at them like how mom yelled at me when I’m in trouble.” 

“So, at any inconvenience?” Jeff jokes, looking at Jen, he chokes up, seeing the glare on her face. 

Jen eyed her dad, “I’m glad you guys stopped at two.” She enters the house. Takes one big huff before she starts yelling. “JAYLA LYNN AND JAYDEN ALVIN MARSHALL, WHAT THE HELL DID YOU TWO DO!!?” 

“Mind you, you're the reason why we stopped at two,” Jeff huffed while taking a sip of his coffee. 

“I heard that!” Jeff jumps, hearing Jen spilling his coffee all over his shirt. 

YEAR 2027

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” 

“I’m sure, Dad, you guys haven’t spoken in years, and it’s Christmas.”

“What about Freeland?”

“Uncle Gambi and TC have it under control. This is the first time you have seen Jennifer in four years. Mom came back to me… Mom?”

Anissa watched her mom stare at the door of her youngest daughter's apartment. She hasn’t seen or spoken to her daughter in four years, and it hurts her so much. The issue she had was with Jeff, but Jen cut everyone off. It pained Lynn the most seeing her daughter hate her and resent her. It wasn’t till Anissa surprised Jennifer one day and Anissa told her everything was okay. 

“I’m with your father, are you sure we should be doing this?” Lynn asks, standing at the door, waiting to knock on it.

“Yes,” Anissa stated before knocking heavily on the door. 

“In a minute!” Jeff and Lynn heard a male voice. Jeff quickly turned to Anissa and Lynn, wondering who this man could be. Jennifer is in a relationship? And is she living with him? Jeff was quick to know again, in father mode, quickly to get to know the young man. 

In a swift motion, the door opened, revealing someone from their past, a young man whose powers could absorb electricity. Brandon Marshall opens the door with a big smile on his face, seeing Anissa, Lynn, and Jeff standing there. Anissa stands there smiling, ready to hug him, but he stops, revealing the throw-up on his shirt. 

“Are they okay?” Anissa quickly asks, 

They? Lynn mouthed to Jeff that Jeff still stood there in disbelief that Jennifer was living in Nebraska with… Brandon . 

“They’re fine, I just forgot to burp Jayden after feeding him.” Brandon calmly said, 

“Jayden?” Jeff asks, 

Brandon took a deep breath before he could say anything, and everyone heard crying in the background. Lynn gasped, and Jeff felt his heart stop for a moment. They heard a baby. 

“Brandon, baby, who’s at the door?” Jennifer said, rushing to the door and holding a wailing baby in her arms. Jen stopped seeing the sight right in front of her. She saw her parents for the first time in four years. 

Brandon could see Jennifer trembling, so he walked up to her, rubbing her back before pushing her closer to her parents. “They came to visit for Christmas.”

“Oh-, I-” Jennifer couldn’t get her words together, Jayla was still crying in her arms, and her mind was all over the place. Anissa lightly pushed her mom and dad into Jennifer and Brandon's apartment, seeing how decorated the place is. 

“May I?” Lynn asks, walking closer to Jennifer. Lynn could see Jen on the verge of tears. This was her mother, well, now her grandmother's instincts, kicking in. She has a granddaughter. 

Jen looked at everyone, she looked at Brandon, who nodded before Jen agreed. “Yeah, of course.” Jennifer pats Jayla on the back before handing the infant to Lynn. She is still flabbergasted that this is happening. 

They all moved to the living room couch, Brandon left them alone to change his shirt while Anissa was playing around with Jayla. Lynn was smiling every second at Jayla, and Jeff sat still and looked around. He saw the Christmas tree lit up, pictures and paintings hung up as decorations, the whole place had a color scheme, and seeing the way Jennifer and Brandon interacted, she found her home. It was everything he ever wanted for her, and now he wished he could’ve been a part of it. 

Jennifer was sitting by the edge of the couch, fiddling with her thumbs, so many questions came to her mind. How could they be here? Why are they here? Why was Brandon happy about them being here? Did he invite them without telling me? Staring at all of them, there was silence, but watching her mom and sister enjoying watching the baby, she did crack a smile at that. Jennifer quickly stood up and opened her bedroom door, seeing Brandon still stuck in her walk-in closet. 

“Did you invite them here?” Jennifer grabs Brandon by his collar, pushing him onto the wall. 

Brandon didn’t know whether to be scared or turned on by the sudden movement. “You're ripping my shirt.” 

“The shirt I got you,”

“With my money,” Brandon said before Jen smiled, letting go of him. “Look, I’m sorry for inviting them without telling you, but I did it for them, and for you.”

“For me?” Jen asks, “Why?”

“Because I have seen how much you miss them and wish they were here to help us raise our beautiful kids. I couldn’t sit back, you know that we’re not alone, and I want our babies to have someone to call Grandma and Grandpa.” Brandon explains by putting her hands into his. “Jennifer, I love you and you know it. I want you to mend your relationship with your dad, not for you but for all of us.”

“It just hurts, does he want to?” Jen stuttered, 

Brandon placed a kiss on her forehead. “He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t miss his daughter.” 

Jen looked at the door, It was time. Time to make everything right. Right after she left Freeland, Jennifer broke down and started crying after she settled down in Blue Valley. She couldn’t believe she had left her home with all the bad and happy memories she had left behind. Jen kept staring at her phone, wondering if she was going to get a phone call from her dad yelling at her to come back home, but there was nothing but silence. What made it worse was that no one called her, but her friends wondered where she was.

It took time, a lot of it, to move on from her past and move on to her future. She was able to find a job as a high school teacher and bonded with her students. She put herself out there, dating again, flirting with Rick Tyler. She was part of a love triangle, which solidified her feelings for Brandon as she fell in love with him. Her relationship quickened since they had known each other since high school and were already living together. There would be no one else in the world who she would be other than him. 

Jennifer squeezed Brandon's hand, she felt so many uneasy nerves rumbling in her stomach. She heard crying coming from the baby monitor, seeing her son waking up. Brandon smiled at her before heading out the door and going into the nursery. Jen watched her mom and her dad wondering what Brandon was doing as Anissa smiled. 

“Um… there's something else I want to show you guys.” Jen quietly said,

Jefferson cleared his throat, “Su-Sure, what you got to show us…?” Jeff felt Lynn elbow Jayla in her arms as she held her. 

“Is he okay?” Jen asks Brandon, 

“He?” Lynn and Jeff asked in unison. Soon, Brandon walked out with another bundle in his arms. Jeff slowly stood up, he looked at Jen, who was smiling at her baby as they moved closer to him. 

“Twins?” Jeff asks, 

Jen nods, “Come on, baby boy, come meet grandpa.” Jen takes Jayden out of Brandon's arms, and Jayden squirms at the sudden movement before relaxing in Jen's arms. “So you guys have already met Jayla, but… Jef- I mean… Dad, you haven’t met Jayden yet. Dad meets Jayden.” 

Jennifer moved Jayden closer to Jeff, who couldn’t stop looking at the baby in awe. His baby girl is no longer the little girl he remembers. She is an adult now with two kids of her own, his grandchildren. Jayden was a copy and paste of Brandon and Jennifer; like Jennifer, he could also sense his electrical presence. The baby wakes up in his arms, looking up at him, and he couldn’t believe it. 

“He’s so small,” Jeff said. He held the baby in his arms as Lynn stood up with Jayla in her arms, walking up to Jeff. 

“They’re only a month old,” Brandon said, as he walked beside Jennifer, who seemed a bit more relaxed. 

Lynn looked up at her daughter. She really missed all of it. She missed out on an important moment of her daughter's life, and she did this by herself without… her. Lynn could see the exhaustion in both of their eyes. Becoming a new parent is definitely a hard task. “A month?”

Jennifer and Brandon nod, standing right in front of them. The tension was thick running in the air, there was so much they had to discuss. Jennifer knew she might see her family eventually when Anissa visited her. Jen was three months pregnant, and a small argument turned into a big fight where Jen told Anissa she was pregnant. They finally talked again, a day later, and buried the hatchet. Jen wished she could do the same with her parents, and now stared at them while they held the twins. Maybe it was time. 

“You’re doing amazing, I hope you know that,” Lynn commented as she watched Jennifer pour breast milk into a bottle. 

Jennifer slightly smiled; her relationship with her mom was tricky. “Thanks,” Jen said, she used her powers to heat the bottle up, checking it lightly was room temperature for the twins.

“I’m sorry,” Jen stopped all sudden movement, she placed the baby bottle down before turning to her mom. She hasn’t seen/talked to her mom in two/three years, and it hurts so much to see her again. “I know it was unexpected for us to visit, but–”

“Mom, can we discuss it another time?” Jen cut her mom off. She felt her handshake. Remembering it gave her some trauma she didn’t want to relive. “Right now, I want you guys to meet the twins and… have a good Christmas together.”

Lynn nodded and smiled, “I think we can do that.” Lynn went over to hug Jennifer, and Jennifer admitted she missed being in her mom's arms. “Why don’t you and Brandon take a day off so Jeff and I can watch over the babies?”

“Thank you, god,” Jen sighed in relief, “I would love that, as much as I love my babies, I need a break. I haven’t showered in days.”

Lynn chuckles, hugging her daughter, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

YEAR 20XX

Sleep, Jeff couldn’t sleep. He woke up to some noises in the kitchen, and after tossing and turning for the past hour. Maybe a cup of warm milk can help him sleep. He turns to the side, seeing his wife was not there, he smiles, knowing Lynn was probably in the nursery with the twins and she hasn’t left their sight yet. Jeff gets out of bed, walking out of many guests' rooms, Brandon and Jennifer had. 

Walking out of the room, he sees a small, dim light and hears noises coming from the living room. Following his curiosity, Jeff finds his youngest daughter on her laptop using her foot to rock the baby who was sleeping right in front of her. From the corner of her eye, Jennifer smiles, spotting her father coming in. 

“Can’t sleep?” Jen asks, trying to make small talk. 

Jeff chuckles, “Yeah, you could say that.” Walking towards the fridge, getting a cup out of the cabinets to get some water. “Why are you up?”

“Because I’m an adult with responsibilities,” Jen bit her tongue, holding back what she really wanted to say. Jeff can sense the hostility, and he doesn’t blame her. They haven’t spoken in years. “The twins were hungry, and it’s my time to do the night shift. Mom is taking care of Jayden, and Brandon got a call to do a recon mission, so he’s out.” 

“What’s the mission about?” Jeff asks, taking a seat right next to Jen. 

Jen shrugged her shoulders as she yawned. “I don’t know, something medical?” She turns her attention from her laptop towards her father. Placing her hand on her jawline, she used her elbow to prop herself up. “So are we going to pretend everything's fine, or are we going to talk about the biggest elephant in the room?” 

Jeff uncrossed his legs, smiling at Jen's bluntness. He did miss how she isn’t afraid to call out the awkward tension. “I didn’t expect us to have our first conversation at 2 o’clock in the morning.” 

“Well, it was now or never. I can’t pretend everything is okay when we haven’t spoken in two years. Seeing you guys here brought up a lot of unwanted emotions, and… a bunch of hate that I didn’t expect to have inside.” Jennifer took a deep breath as Jeff stayed quiet, listening to every single word. “When I moved here, I finally felt free, and I was in charge of my own decisions.

“ What do you mean you erased his memories of us? Of me?” Jennifer asks TC around the lab.

TC took a deep breath. “We gave him a choice, and Khalil accepted it.”

“We?” Jennifer raised her eyebrow, “What do you mean WE? Who else was a part of the decision?” 

“Look, Jen. The whole family had a say on the matter because of the history between you guys. As a Tech expert, I tried my best, but there was so much I couldn't do. We couldn’t reverse the kill order.” TC explains, Jennifer couldn’t fault him, but she is. She wanted to know and to be there, but she wasn’t here. Her mind, body, and energy were stuck in space because of a reckless impulse decision she made. Who could blame her? SHE was all ALONE. 

“Well, it didn’t work as he tried to kill me the other day,” Jen threw her mask on the table. 

Jeff walks in, hearing and seeing the argument unfold, “Jennifer, the past is in the past. Khalil found peace, but what you did today was reckless. I get that you longed for Khalil; he was your first love.” Jennifer swallowed what she wanted to say and wiped a tear from her face. “Think about the pain Khalil went through trying to stop PainKiller from killing all of us.”

“Still, there couldn’t be any other way?” Jen asks, TC shakes his head no, and nods.

Jen walked out of the lab, going to the jail area they had seen a knocked-out Khalil on the ground. Thanks to Thunder. She looked at what could’ve been her future if they had never had to deal with all the superhero drama. They could just be kids in love, but they aren’t kids anymore. Jennifer was 22, finishing her degree in becoming a teacher, and she had a life she enjoyed. Maybe in life, she would share it with someone. She knows it will never be Khalil. 

“Look, I am sorry for how I treated you. I know you were old enough to make your own decisions, but–” Jeff pauses, looking at the ground, then seeing the little baby in the rocking chair. 

“But you would always see me as your baby girl, and I get that.” Jennifer sees Jayla beginning to fuss. “You also have to understand that Jefferson Pierce's motives and rules are flawed. I see you have your rules and codes you’ll live by, but times are changing, and you also have to understand I am not a kid anymore.” 

“I can see that,” Jeff smiles at little baby Jennifer slowly puts in her arm. “I regretted so much about how we ended things. Not only did I lose who I was, but I also lost my daughter. It was so weird walking into your room. Well, your old room… seeing it so empty.” Jennifer pats Jayla on the back to help her sleep.

“Well, when Brandon told me there were people around my age being superheroes… It was a win-win; it was better to be an equal on a team than to feel like less than in Freeland.” Jen gave a small smile, Jeff knew that when Jen gave a small smile, she was trying to lighten the mood when it wasn’t. “Still, apology accepted, I don’t want us to resent each other in the future as the twins grow up. They’re going to ask why they don’t have a Grandma and Grandpa. If we had never fought, I wouldn’t be with Brandon and wouldn’t have them. And I can’t imagine life without them.”

Jeff felt his heart sink, he would forever be grateful to Anissa for convincing them to come out here. He remembers that Brandon doesn’t have any family, that it was just him. Now he has a family, he’s a part of this family. “Well, I have to give it props to Brandon. He did orchestrate our first family Christmas together after two or three years. Now we have new people joining our little family.” Jeff smiles, pointing to Jayla, who was sleeping peacefully in Jens' arms. 

“I know,  and I’m grateful he did that.” Jen couldn’t hide the big smile on her face. 

“I have seen you be happy, but never seen you be this happy in my entire life.”

Jen looked at her father, then back at Jayla, “I found something that I can’t replace.”

Extra scene

Brandon stood outside his apartment door, keeping a steady breath, "Now or never." Jennifer went out with Anissa to get last-minute gifts for Mom and Dad, and Jennifer was quick to grab Brandon's credit card with a peck on the cheek. He knew Jen's parents would be home. They were watching the baby as he had to walk out for a quick mission with Cindy. It was a reconnaissance mission, but they were mainly talking about their family life for the holidays. 

“Wait, they’re here?” Cindy asks Brandon while taking his tacos and eating them. 

Brandon accepted defeat, seeing his food get eaten by his best friend. “Yeah, I asked Anissa to bring them here to meet the twins and try to reckon their relationships. It was a big ask, but I don’t like to see Jennifer upset.” Brandon gave a small smile, remembering Lynn and Jennifer talking about how many pictures Jeff took of the twins. 

“It seems you have another mission in mind as well,” Cindy saw his smirk before looking out on the street, as they were on a stakeout. “What else are you planning?” 

Brandon dug into his pocket, putting out a small black box. Cindy gasped, already knowing what was inside it. “With the help of Courtney and Maxine, plus Cameron, they were able to make a design for Jen to remember, and you know I can make diamonds from scratch.” 

“How could I forget? The JSA sugar daddy,” Cindy rolls her eyes, “Let me see,”

Brandon moved the box away from Cindy before she could put her hands on it. He stuffs it back into his back pocket and shakes his head. “Nope, nope, you will see it once Jen starts face-timing everyone that she engaged.”

“You’re asking them for permission? Very outdated if you do say so myself,” 

“It’s about respect. Mr.Pierce was there for me, and so was Dr.Lynn. I just happened to fall in love with their daughter and have two beautiful kids.” Brandon kept thinking about everything Jennifer and he had been through, and he wouldn’t trade it for the world. “I’m ready,”

“Is she ready?” Cindy asks, “She is, I didn’t have to ask.” 

Chapter Text

“Am I done yet?” Jayla growls, looking at the floor and standing in the corner.

“No!” Jennifer said she muted herself on her Zoom call, opting out of in-person class to go online since the twins arrived.

After playing detective, trying to find out who broke the lamp in the living room, Jennifer gave up and checked the cameras. She saw Jayla using her powers trying to steal the remote from Jayden, and in return… A broken lamp. Jayden was also put into a time-out because he lied about breaking the lamp, and so it gave Jennifer some peace and quiet so she could do her call. She hears the front door open, and sees her mom walking in with her work bag. 

“I’m home, how are the twins?” Lynn asked Jennifer who was sitting on the couch. 

Jennifer points to Jayla pouting in the corner, and Jayden was wrapped up in rope? Now, where did he find rope? That’s a story for another day. “They’re fine… Jayden, what the hell?” Jennifer put her laptop on the couch and rushed to Jayden, who was trying to untie himself. 

“Ha, they’re fine, I’m assuming?” Lynn laughs, seeing Jennifer struggling to get Jayden out of the rope. 

“Grandma, Mama is being mean,” Jayla told Lynn. Lynn turns to Jayla with her arms crossed, with the biggest grumpy face. 

“Lying on your mother, I’m going to extend the time out.” Jennifer quickly snaps, and Lynn raises her eyebrow. “ Jen sighed. “Jayla broke a lamp and Jayden… I’m still figuring it out.”

“Free me!” Jayden pouts, Jennifer smiles, using her powers to burn the rope, setting Jayden free. “I’m free!” Jayden cackles, jumping into Jennifer's arms before leaving her to stick his tongue out at Jayla. 

Jayla stumps her foot on the ground. She uses her powers, grabbing the closest metal object and aiming it at Jayden. Jennifer turned to see their TV FLOATING IN THE AIR ?!?! Lynn screams, distracting Jayla and making the TV drop in the air. Jennifer runs to Jayden, moving him out of the way. Jennifer covers Jayden's ears as he’s crying, and Jennifer tries to comfort him. 

“JAYLA!” Lynn said, walking over to Jayla, who starts crying. “That is not nice. Apologize to your brother right now.”

“Woah, what happened here?” Brandon asks, walking in, seeing the TV on the floor, Jayden wailing in Jennifer's arms, and Jayla whining at Lynn. 

“Our daughter almost threw a TV at Jayden.” Jennifer glares at Brandon while trying to rub Jayden back. Brandon approaches Jayla, who confronts him. Embracing her, Jennifer and Brandon stare at each other, unsure of what to do next. 

It took minutes to calm them both. The twins fought and yelled at each other, but it took Jennifer to start yelling, which made both of the twins stop crying. They were both confused, and Lynn was surprised it worked. 

“So our TV is broken?” Jeff asks, breaking the silence as they watch the twins fight each other. 

Brandon nods, “Jayden stuck his tongue at Jayla, she didn’t take too kindly to that, so she wanted to throw a TV at him. I’ll get a new one, don’t worry, but it’s been hard lately to get them to behave.” 

“They're very powerful at their young age. The ability of magnetism. That’s insane, you can’t even think about how much she can control when she's older,” TC points out, seeing Jayla playing with the metal ball. “Jayden won’t show his powers, it’s like he’s terrified to even use them.” 

“I noticed that too. I’m assuming he has powers similar to those of Jayla and Brandon. If Brandon has Geokinesis and Jayla has magnetism, Jayden could have something earth-based.” Gambi said, seeing Jayden kicking his feet. 

“What about having Jennifer's powers? Jennifer has the same powers as Jeff, but it’s a bit of an upgrade. Maybe Jayden has her powers.” Brandon suggests. 

“Even if he does, he’s controlling it a lot better than Jennifer had when she first got her powers.” Anissa walks in, seeing Jennifer helping Jayla with her powers, “And, Jennifer is more of an upgrade; she’s pure energy. A generator.” 

“Even if Jayden has electric powers, it would’ve shown up when I did the MRI on the twins. Jayla took a bit to scan because of her magnetic powers, but Jayden's scan was completely normal.” Lynn shows everyone the MRI scans she did on the twins. It was a mandatory check-up when the twins arrived. She did plenty of blood work on them, but it undoubtedly confirms that Jennifer and Brandon are their parents, even when they saw the video proof. 

“Still, I can’t explain it, but Jayden has the same powers as Jen and I,” Jeff said. Everyone turns to him, so he walks forward. Touch screen, upload video to system. The video shows the first night when Brandon arrives, where they were all sleeping together. Everyone could see what Jeff could see; it was electric orbs floating all over the room. Anissa looked closer, remembering she had seen this before. When she stumbled into Jen's room, back then, they were just discovering their powers. Jen was floating in her sleep, and when she had an excess amount of energy, she would be surrounded by a yellow orb. “We know Jen's electric powers are yellow, but we also see white and blue.”

“If he has Jen powers, he’s probably so powerful that he’s scared….” Brandon trails off, he walks closer to the training arena. Knocking on the glass, getting everyone's attention, Jen looked to her right, seeing Brandon behind the door. 

Jennifer let Jayla play with the ball before walking to Brandon and opening the door. “Yes?”

“I need you to hit me,” Brandon blurts out, 

“What?” Jennifer questions the sudden request. “Why do you want me to hit you?”

“Since when are you a pacifist? Just hit me.” Brandon enters the training arena as everyone watches. He pushes Jennifer inside, closing the door behind him. “Come on, are you scared?”

Jennifer scoffs, “You sure about this? I will and can kick your ass by the way.” Jen was smiling, she really couldn’t believe he thought she was scared of him. One thing about Jennifer Pierce, she can talk shit but she had all the reason to back it up. 

“Come hit me,” Brandon's smirk,

“What is he doing?” Anissa asks, and she turns to everyone as Jennifer, Brandon, and the twins are inside the training arena. Everyone was just as lost as Anissa, and Brandon squares up to Jennifer. The twins back away as they watch the parents fight. 

Jennifer throws the first punch, Brandon uses his right hand to block, grabbing her arm, turning her around, and wrapping his arm around her. Jennifer chuckles, turning her head to see Brandon smiling as he was about to whisper something in her ear. Jennifer elbows him in the gut, sending herself free from his grasp, twisting his left arm. Brandon did not expect her elbow to hurt. Feeling the pain from Jennifer twisting his arm, Brandon rolled over and took Jennifer with him. Jennifer let go, blocking Brandon's swings. 

“So what exactly is happening?” Lynn asks once more, they’re watching Jennifer fighting Brandon, and they stand surprised to see Brandon holding his ground against Jennifer. 

Jeff bit inside his mouth, he did not enjoy watching his daughter be so close to him. “I don’t know, but I don’t like it.”

Gambi and Anissa snicker, seeing Jeff's face and hearing his comment, overprotective is what you can call it. “Really? I can’t tell.” Anissa mocks Jeff before seeing Brandon whispering into Brandon's ear. “They’re REALLY close together, eh?"

“Well, don’t they have to be? They’re married… Well, in the future.” TC said, watching the dynamics between them. 

And, Thank God. TC considers Jen his sister; although TC might be older in age, he’s still a teenager when they first met. TC is the brother Jen never had but still never wanted. He felt guilty about erasing Khalil's memories, knowing how much Khalil meant to Jen. She still found her happy ending, and that was all that mattered. 

“Well, not right now,” Jeff grumbles, seeing Jen flipping Brandon over, lying on top of him. 

“ Oohhhh… ” Everyone said together.

Gambi whistles, seeing how harsh the take down looked, “Yeah, I’ll get an ice pack from the kitchen for Brandon.” Gambi exits the lab, heading to the kitchen as everyone watches Jennifer's eyes glow. 

“You sure?” Jennifer whispers before smacking Brandon in the chest. 

A loud smack fills the arena, “Yes, full force.” Brandon clenches his fist, feeling the smack on his chest. Jennifer's eyes glow as she charges a ball of electricity at Brandon. Brandon's body turns yellow, and his eyes fade to white, absorbing Jennifer's blast. His eyes fade back to normal, he stares at Jennifer, who's still on top of him. “I’m going to pretend that it hurts.” 

“Huh?” Jennifer said before Brandon started screaming. 

“AHHHHHHHHH!” Jennifer quickly jumps off Brandon, backing away, unable to understand what is happening. She turned to her family, who were also concerned, and she motioned to them that it’s okay. 

The twins watched it all unfold. Jayla and Jayden ran towards their dad, wondering if he was okay, as some tears were about to fall from his eyes. “DADDY!!!” They scream seeing Brandon in agonizing pain. 

Brandon looks at them, “She hurts me.” He pouts, pointing to Jen as Jayla and Jayden give Jennifer a mean-looking/sinister face. Everyone was just lost… wondering what’s developing next. 

“So… What was the point– Holy shit!”

“Woah…”

“Oh god,”

“JESUS!”

Everyone jumps, hearing the loud noise coming from the training arena, as they watch Jayla throw something big at Jennifer. Brandon covers his mouth. He did not expect Jennifer to get hit by a chair, a monitor, and some science equipment. Luckily, Jennifer turned into pure energy after getting hit with a chair, returning to her human state on the ground. 

“BRANDON, I’M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU,” Jennifer screams, running after him, 

Brandon throws Jayden before him. “Jayden, save me.”

“AHHHHHH!” Jayden screams, pushing his hands in front of him. A bunch of electricity came out of his hand, hitting Jen, pushing her back. She hit the wall hard on her back before falling to the ground. 

Brandon blinks, he just watched his son electrify his future wife. Turning to people outside the training arena, they had the same expression he had. They did not expect Jayden to charge a large electric ball so quickly. Jennifer absorbs all the electricity Jayden hit her with, and damn her body hurts like hell. At least she knows her son's powers, but Jen and hell, everyone knows how much training she’s going to put the kids through. Now… she just wants to sleep. 

“Someone make me an ice bath… and give me a bottle of tequila.” Jen raises her hand, staying on the ground.

“SORRY!” Brandon yells; he can already feel the chill on his spine. 

“How would she know what tequila tastes like?” TC asks. Everyone looks at him, out of everything that just happened. That was the main concern. 

“So, should I proceed with caution?” Brandon asked TC as they were back at the house. TC was sitting in the living room upstairs, watching Brandon hesitate to open the door right in front of him. 

TC chuckles, relaxing on the sofa, “Oh, yeah. Well, you did set up the kids to use their powers on her. She’s been in the ice bath for an hour, and she has the power to heal fast.”

“I needed a plan to expose Jayden's powers. Like you said, he’s been scared to use his powers, but he wouldn’t mind using them if his father is in trouble.” Brandon smiles, 

“Yeah, but at my expense?” Jennifer growls, opening the door and punching Brandon hard in the chest. TC shook as Jennifer came out of nowhere. She was in sweatpants and a crop top, and her eyes were already flaring up. 

Brandon wheezed. Jennifer hit him so hard in the chest that it might have punctured a lung. “I said I was sorry,” 

“But sorry isn’t enough, how would you feel getting hit with a GODDAMN TV AND CHAIR?! Then electrocuted by your own son?” Jen glares at him and pissed off is an understatement. She slams the door right in front of his face as Brandon turns to TC. 

“Hey, I was not involved.” TC puts his hands in defense as Brandon walks back, collapsing on the sofa. “Trouble in paradise already?” He smirks, seeing Brandon in pain. He admitted he missed Brandon's presence, it had been a few years since they hung out. TC has been busy with school and trying to figure out what the hell happened in the future. He couldn’t figure out why they had to send the kids back in the past, but he’s willing to try anything. 

“It hasn’t been paradise at all,” Brandon held his hands on his chest where Jennifer hit him. He couldn’t help but smile at her sudden action, he was into it. “I think she’s like me, but I’m also unsure if she does.”

“Don’t you guys share a bed together?” TC asks, 

Brandon nods; they’re forced to share a bed together because of the twins, and they are used to it, but it’s also weird. “We do it for the twins, but we have space in between.”

“And you haven’t tried to pursue her? She is your wife.”

“In the future,”

“There's Nothing wrong with speeding it up,” TC twirls his fingers, trying to put the plan to get Jen and Bran in action. “I will say this, though: Make it up to her. She is petty enough to hold a grudge for weeks, hell, even a month.” 

“I know… I–” Brandon pauses on what to say next. He doesn’t really know what to do. “Anyways, enough about my love life, what about yours?” 

TC pushes Brandon away, “Avoiding conversion, nice bail. It’s mostly me and school now. I wish I had a love life but life has been keeping me busy.” 

“Why is school kicking everybody's butts, I remember we would just go to school and hang out.” Brandon reminisces about his high school years, 

“We’re adults, we all work, and YOU have kids.” TC points out, 

Brandon chuckles, then an idea pops into his head. Brandon pats TC on the shoulder before heading downstairs, kidnapping his children. He quickly picked them up and ran them upstairs. Lynn, Anissa, and Grace were wondering. 

knock knock

Jennifer turns to her right, hears a small knock on the door, and sees the tiny shadows by the door. She could sense the twins and Brandon outside her door using their powers. Taking a deep breath, she walks to open her door, seeing all of them having flowers in their hands and pouty faces. 

“Is this your way of apologizing?” Jennifer stares at Brandon, who had a strong guilt look on his face. Crossing her arms, Brandon pushes the flowers and the kids closer to her. 

“Is it working?” Brandon pouts, Jen rolls her eyes, looking down to see Jayla with a piece of paper in her hand. “Jayla, give her the paper.”

Jayla approaches Jen, handing her the paper. Jennifer crouches down to reach the twins' height. Grabbing the paper, she read aloud. 

“I- Veerry Swary Mamaa, please ton’t be mad at daddy.” Jennifer looks up at the twins. Jayla and Jayden gave Jennifer puppy-dog eyes, she couldn’t help but smile. 

“I am very sorry for using you as a punching bag,” Brandon said as they met eye to eye. Brandon touched her hands, moving her closer. “So, to ease the tension, how about going out tonight? Just us and the twins.”

“You want to go out tonight? Going out like a–” Jennifer paused, looking at him. She wonders what’s going on inside his head, but she likes the idea of going out. 

Brandon picks the twins, and they all smile at her, “Like a family with all of us together.”

Jennifer took a deep breath, although she was angry at him following the events earlier. She can’t deny she needs a break and finally some one-on-one time with the kids and Brandon. Brandon could see the smile on her face, and she agreed to go out tonight. Thank god for TC for coming up with the plan, otherwise he would have slept on the couch for weeks. 

“Wait, so in the next episode is the next casa amour reveal?” 

“Yes, I can’t wait to see the Kordell and Daia drama unfold. Also the casa guys are boring as hell, but fine as fuck.” 

“Of course you think they’re fine.” Kiesha chuckles, placing the trays of food right in front of her and Lisa. Kiesha and Lisa decided to spend their Saturday night on a double date at the roller rink. “It’s like you want to be on the show so bad.” 

“Well, yes,” Lisa replies, taking her tray, which was a burger tray with Cajun fries and onion rings. Kiesha ordered a cheeseburger with double fries as she sat down. “Not everyone can find their true love in the same training unit as you.” Lisa points out the promise ring on Kiesha's finger. 

“It wasn’t luck, it was god plan bitch.” Kiesha chuckles, dipping her fries in ketchup. “Besides, this is a double date and we must make sure you get booed up too.” 

Lisa rolls her eyes, “Keisha, I don’t know how many times I have to tell you. I’m not ready for a relationship. Who wants to date someone who's thousands of dollars in student loans and works 80 hours a week? Also, this is not a double date, it’s more of you and your boyfriend trying to get me laid part 100+.”

“Shit, you're right.” Keisha deadpanned, forgetting Lisa's busy life schedule. Lisa, being a public health major taking on 6 classes while working on a clinical trial to get good experiences for Med school to become a surgeon.  “Hey, I know who to go to just in case I get shot.”

“Please don’t joke about that, I still can’t believe you're going to use your Criminal justice degree to become a cop, not a lawyer.” Lisa looks up to see Keisha's boyfriend walking up to them with rollerskates in his hands. “You got our sizes?”

“Yes, I did.” Keisha's boyfriend, Dwayne, said, sitting down next to Keisha, kissing her on the cheek, “Also, I’m glad she decided to become a cop. If she didn’t, we wouldn’t have met and we’re practically married, ok.” 

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me.” Lisa scoffs. Dwayne took the comment to heart, putting his hand over his heart, pretending to be hurt. 

“Damn, I thought you liked me.” Dwayne feels offended, 

Keisha pats her boyfriend on the back, “Don’t worry, she’s salty that our original plans of us moving in together didn’t go as planned now that we’re dating. 

“No, not that.” Lisa points at the entrance, seeing no other but Jennifer Pierce walking into the Roller Rink. 

Keisha turns around, following Lisa's eyes, and she scoffs in disbelief, seeing Jennifer walk in. Kiesha and Lisa have been calling Jennifer nonstop and getting nothing in return. “What the hell is she doing here? Who is she with?”

Lisa scans the male figure closer. Her eyes widen as it bounces back into her memory. “Wait, is that Brandon?” 

“Who?” Keisha asks, 

“When you left during the whole Markovia war, he was this new guy who was close to Jennifer. He disappeared after the war, though, rumor has it he kidnapped and murdered someone, so that’s why he left.” Lisa explained, standing up, looking at them. 

“So he’s a red flag?”

“Wait, he's holding two kids?”

“A RED FLAG WITH KIDS?” Keisha jumps, she looks to see Brandon and Jennifer playing with two kids around the age of five. 

On the other side of the roller rink, Brandon held Jennifer's hand, leading them to a table so they could get food and some skates. Brandon had a smile on his face while Jennifer was embarrassed to enter the Rink. Last time she was here, she was in an altercation where she broke somebody's arm. The twins were way too eager to enter, and they quickly ran to grab their skates. 

“Shit, grab a spot for us.” Brandon placed a kiss on the cheek in a second before running after the twins. Jennifer stood there, frozen, still feeling the kiss on her cheek. That was unexpected. She had a million thoughts running through her head, then remembered, they’re supposed to be dating. That’s their cover. 

“Knock it off, TC.” Jennifer turn around glaring at TC who was laughing his ass off. 

“Why are you acting shy? You already know who you end up with in the future, shouldn't you speed it up?” TC winks, walking over to an empty table by the rink. 

Jennifer still doesn’t know or understand her feelings when it comes to Brandon. She’s happy that she gets married, has kids, and still lives the normal life she wanted with the responsibility of being a superhero. There have been moments where she likes to see Brandon choke up being around her, but there have also been moments where she can feel her heartstrings being tugged around him. It’s something she can’t describe, but she can’t move on or be happy with Brandon while something is holding her back. 

“Can I ask you a question, and don’t get defensive?” TC cautiously said, 

“Ok?” Jennifer looked at TC as he asked away. 

TC bit the inside of his cheek, “Is the reason why you can’t move on related to a 5’11 black guy that shoots poisonous venom out of him?” TC could see Jennifer's eyes glow yellow as he backs away, “You did agree to my question.”

Shit, she didn’t expect her power to flare. Maybe. Jennifer stated over and over again that she’s over him and that she’s moved on, but has she really? She can’t explain it, but it feels like her life and memories have changed. “Maybe? When I last saw him, we were fighting a war, and Painkiller wanted to kill us all. I still wanted to be with him after everything we've been through, but I broke up with him. I can’t date a weapon that wants to hurt my family.”

“I think that’s it, you broke up with him because of Painkiller, but you didn’t care about Painkiller. You cared about Khalil and still wanted to be with him.” TC said, “You never got your full closure, yeah, you got over him, and I can tell you’re ready to start something new.” TC points to the bracelet on her wrist. She wore it for the kids, but she can’t seem to take it off. 

Something new, Jennifer turned around to see Jayden and Jayla holding their skates with a big smile on their face. Her eyes soon trailed to Brandon, who handed the cashier his card. He made sure to have the twins in his sight before locking eyes with Jennifer. He smiles and waves at her, holding up her skates. 

“Who the fuck is he?” Kiesha and Lisa walk in front of Jennifer's field of vision. Both of them had their arms crossed, and their faces filled with curiosity and jealousy. It was a sense of overprotectiveness, which is why Jennifer has been ghosting them lately. Jennifer was taken aback; she was trying her best to make the best cover story. She seriously did not expect Kiesha and Lisa to be HERE . 

“Uh, um,” Jennifer stares at them, “Wellll if you look at the time… I got to go to the bathroom–” Jennifer tries to stand up, but is pushed back down by Keisha. 

“Nope, you have been ghosting us for weeks, and you show up with some guy and his kids. What the hell?” Kiesha raises her eyebrow and looks behind her to see TC slowly trying to scoot away. “And you! Who are you?...”

“TC?” Lisa asked, she was unsure, as her eyes squinted at him. 

TC chuckles nervously, “Hi…” He clears his throat, “What are you guys doing here?”

“Girls night, hangout session, I feel like you would’ve known if someone kept in contact,” Keisha bit her tongue, looking at Jennifer. 

“Look, it’s not what you think–” Jennifer spoke before getting cut off.

“MOMMY! Look what daddy got me.” Jayla runs into Jennifer with a basket of fries in her hand. Granted… she spilled some. 

Mommy? Lisa and Kiesha mouth to each other as they see a younger girl around five hugging Jennifer. Jennifer didn’t know what to do; her best friends were right in front of her, and so was her daughter. She was stuck in a position where she wouldn’t know the outcome. 

“Okay, it’s exactly what you think,” Jennifer admits, 

“Jayla, what did I say about running– Oh hiiii Lisa.” Brandon was trailing after Jayla with Jayden right behind him. He looks up to see Lisa and a girl he hasn’t met before. Brandon had a nervous smile on his face, he did not expect Lisa to be at the roller rink. “What… What are you doing here?”

“She’s on a double date,” Kiesha cuts Lisa off before she can answer. She turns to Brandon with a glare on her face. “Who are you, and what is your intention with my best friend?” 

Jennifer starts rubbing her temple as Brandon chuckles, “You’re Kiesha, I’m assuming?” Kiesha held her composure without moving her eyes away from him. “I’m Brandon, Jennifer’s… boyfriend.” He held out his hand to shake Keisha's hand, Keisha just stares at him before turning to the twins sitting down. Brandon just nodded, taking his hand back from embarrassment. 

“Jen, can we talk?” Lisa asks Jen, who had a guilty look on her face,

Jennifer looks between her best friends, her kids, and Brandon. She doesn’t know what to do. Jayden kept poking her and Jayla was making a mess with the fries. “Mommy, can you help me?” 

“Jayden, come here, I gotchu.” Brandon took a seat next to Jennifer to whisper in her ear, “ Take care of this .” Jennifer nods, turning back to her friends. Taking a squeeze of Brandon's hand, she stands up, gesturing to Lisa to lead the way. Lisa takes Jennifer outside with Keisha following them, and they stand in silence. 

“They’re cute,” Kiesha says out of nowhere, referring to the twins. “Very spontaneous there, assuming they’re from the age of four to six?”

“They’re five,” Jennifer finally spoke, 

“Oh, she’s speaking, she’s alive, but she’s not texting us nor telling us why she's been ghosting us for weeks just to be here with someone from high school with kids,” Lisa said she was frustrated. Every time Lisa tries to talk to Jennifer, it’s like talking to a brick wall. “Everything was good until a couple of weeks ago.” 

“Look, I don’t need to tell you guys everything,” Jennifer shrugged her shoulders, trying to go back inside, but Keisha blocked the door. “Y'all, my life has been flipped upside down lately, and you guys won’t understand.”

“Then make us understand,” Keisha replies, “Is he forcing you–”

“No! No. Brandon is not forcing anything on me. He’s been patient and respectful, actually.” Jennifer didn’t lie there, he gave her boundaries ever since this whole situation came to them. She grabs both of their hands, “I can’t tell you guys everything, but I really like him,”

“He has two kids, and you really want to step up to be a mom when you still have your life ahead of you?” Lisa asks, crossing her arms, 

“Nothing is wrong with that, it’s more complicated than you think, but I am sorry for ghosting you guys. I've been trying to manage classes, be a girlfriend, and maybe a step mom for these kids. Just let me deal with this, please.” Jennifer said, practically begging, trying to get Lisa and Keisha off of her case and move on to the real issue. Lisa and Keisha look at each other, and they both agree to take the half-baked truth that Jennifer gave them to have their friendships back. 

“Fine,” Lisa and Kiesha said in unison. Jennifer pulls them both into a hug, and they all admit they missed each other. 

They all went inside to see TC and Brandon having a conversation with Keisha's boyfriend. The twins were playing with each other, Jayden looks up to see his mom coming back. He hops off the bench and skates towards her. 

“Mommy, when are we skating?” Jennifer smiles at him as Kiesha can see the bond the twins had with her. Jen picks up Jayden in her arms as Jayden eyes Kiesha. “Auntie?” He said, putting his arms toward Keisha. 

Keisha sighed, “You know, when I said someone needed to take one for the team, I expected a baby, not a toddler.” She stares at Jayden and Jennifer, and Keisha notices they look a lot similar. “Ah, hell, come here.” Keisha grabs Jayden and puts him in her arms. “Well, come on, slow pokes,” She said, turning to Jennifer and Lisa, who were behind her. 

The twins drag Kiesha and Dwayne into the rink as Lisa and TC follow suit. Jennifer was cleaning up as Brandon sat next to her. It was just them alone. “How did it go?” Brandon asks, he could tell Jennifer was happy, but something was eating her alive. 

“I tried my best to ease the conversation, but they’re still unsure and don’t trust me,” Jennifer answers. She smiles, seeing the twin giving Kiehsa a run for her money in the rink. How are they so good at skating? Probably their future selves taught them.”Jayden called Keisha auntie earlier… I wonder what their relationships are like?”

“I don’t know, I don’t want to dwell on the future when we’re in the present,” Brandon said, putting his arm over her. 

Jennifer look at the bracelet on her arm, “I still worry for future me, she’s alone from all I can tell.” 

“I know, but the kids being here and they’re safe is all that matters, and we can stop whatever is happening in the future here. We just need to enjoy the moments we have right now,” Brandon squeezed her shoulder as Jennifer lay more onto him. They could feel their body heat moving closer and their powers merging. Jennifer was inches away as she could feel that Spar—

“Can you two bitches stop being nasty and get your damn kids,” Lisa yells, grabbing Jennifier and Brandon's attention.

“What happened now?” Brandon asks in annoyance. Lisa points to the twins being held back by Keisha's boyfriend as they tried to fight a kid. “Ugh, I got this,” He got up and skated where he saw the altercation. 

“Like mother, like children,” Kiesha jokes to Jennifer as they let the men handle the situations. “It reminds me of the last time we were here,”

“Wait, when did she break Lana's arm?” Lisa comments on skating to Jennifer. 

Jennifer sits back, “How do you know about that?”

“Girl, she posted all over social media.” Kiesha gave her a face, “So getting into the real juicy parts… He sluts you out huh?” She said with a big smile on her face. 

Lisa immediately starts laughing as Jennifer's mouth drops. They didn’t expect Kiesha to say that out of nowhere. “Why would you say that?” Jennifer smacks Kiesha on the arms. 

“No girl in their right state of mind would agree to play stepmom if he wasn’t dicking you down and showering you with gifts. I see the diamond bracelet, that man got money.” Kiesha explains, and Lisa puts her index finger and thumb together. ‘Clock it’

“Can I just like a guy without sexual benefits?” Jennifer counters, 

Lisa chuckles, “In this day and age… maybe, but he comes with two kids. That’s extra baggage already. As much as I don’t like Kiesha WILD's comments, I agree with her.”

“Well, we haven’t had sex yet–”

“But you’ll let us know when you do...” Kiesha cuts off and adds, Jennifer looks at her, embarrassed. 

“Look, what’s happening between me and Brandon is new, and I'd like to pursue it more. Yes, the kids are an add-on, but I do love them, and they love me.” Jen smiles whenever she thinks of the twins. Even though those are her biological kids, they don’t know that. “Even my dad likes Brandon and thinks of him like family… to some extent. Still, the business between me and my man stays between us.” She said to Kiesha, who playfully rolls her eyes. 

“Now, excuse me, I have to make sure Jayla doesn’t kill her brother.” Jennifer stands up to wipe off the excess fries from her hands. Lisa laughs at Jennifer's comment, “I wish I were joking, but that girl is a hothead.”

“Like mother, like daughter,” Kiesha grumbles. Jennifer stuck her tongue out before visiting her children. 

Extra scene

Knock knock.

The sharp double-knock snapped TC out of his trance. He was in his usual zone — hoodie up, half-tuned into the building’s network systems, eating Hot Cheetos like they were oxygen, and sipping on a room-temp Mountain Dew. His head snapped up toward the door of the IT room — barely more than a converted broom closet with two monitors, three dead motherboards, and a string of LED lights he’d programmed to change colors based on his mood. (They were green. Chill.) And standing in the doorway?

Lisa .

His brain short-circuited. She wore a beige hoodie too big for her frame, probably her dad’s or some thrift-store find. Her dark curls were twisted into a lazy bun. She looked tired,  that unique med school exhaustion, but she smiled anyway, like it was reflex, and lifted a small hand to wave.

“Hey… I was told you’re the guy to go to for computer issues?”

TC stared at her like she’d just walked out of a dream and into his reality. Which, to be fair, was exactly what it felt like. He didn’t expect to run into her again, but here she is. And in his frozen awe, the open bag of Cheetos slipped from his lap and dumped its contents all over his keyboard. Real smooth. He moved around the IT room, Gambi set up at the local college they all attended. TC had access to more equipment than most Silicon Valley labs, but a low-key job helped him blend in.

He scrambled, brushing the crumbs off like it didn’t matter, like she didn’t just walk in and rewind his brain six years. “Uh, yeah. Yeah, I’m the guy. For… computer stuff.”

Lisa held out a well-loved laptop. It was covered in faded stickers that she bought or got for free at booths that were always giving away free stuff.  “It won’t turn on. All my notes for next week are in there. I kinda panicked when it died on me.”

TC took it carefully, his fingers grazing hers. “I’ll check it out,” He said, voice calmer than he felt. He opened the laptop, the glow in his pupils flickering faintly blue as the machine’s system fed him information. The issue was basic… for him. “Looks like a corrupted system file. Nothing serious. I can fix it.”

Lisa tilted her head, arms crossed. “You sure? You didn’t even really look.”

“Just a lucky guess,” He mumbled, typing commands into the system at lightning speed, not fast enough to show off, but fast enough that her eyebrows rose a little.

She watched him, clearly intrigued. “Magic fingers or something?”

He snorted softly. “Something like that.”

“I remember you,” She said suddenly. “Garfield. Junior year. You were always in the back, building weird gadgets in your notebook. You and Jen were always close, right?”

TC looked up, caught off guard by the clarity of her memory. “Yeah. That was me and yeah, Jen and I are close.”

“Oh yeah. You were always quiet. But smart. Kinda mysterious.” She smiles, “So how did you feel about her being a step mom?”

TC chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “She’s trying her best, as I’m always on Uncle duty for them. But I still never changed since High school. Still quiet. Still mysterious.”

“I guess, I’m just still lost about the kids… Anyways.” Lisa smiled, eyes warm. “You just saved me. Seriously. This laptop is my entire life right now.”

He handed it back, fixed and running. “Happy to help.”

And just as she reached for it, their fingers brushed again, longer this time. Lisa hesitated. “So… I owe you a thank-you. Maybe coffee sometime?”

TC’s heart did a triple backflip. Then the lights flickered slightly, not from the power grid, but from him. “Yeah,” He said quickly, steadying himself. “I’d like that.”

She grinned, turning toward the door. “I’ll get your number from Jen, and I’ll text you.” As she left, TC stared at the door long after it shut.

Later that night, with so much chaos. Jayla was climbing the back of the couch pretending to be Supergirl. Jayden was using his powers to change the TV channel. TC sat on the floor, disassembling a toy that had started singing at 3 AM and refused to stop.

Jennifer came out of the kitchen, juice box in one hand, eyebrows raised. “So.”

TC didn’t look up. “So what?”

“She told me.”

He glanced up. “Who? Told you what?”

Jennifer dropped the juice box on his lap. “Lisa. Laptop. Coffee. You’re not slick, Boy.”

Brandon leaned against the counter, arms crossed and smirking. “She said you looked like you forgot how to use words.”

“She’s lying ,” TC mumbled.

“She’s not,” Jennifer said. “She also said you looked adorable in your hoodie. And she never calls anyone attractive unless she means it.” TC tried not to smile. Failed.

Jayden crawled into his lap with a drawing, a robot, and a girl with a heart between them. “This is you and Lisa. Mommy says you like her.”

Jennifer choked on her water. Brandon laughed, helping Jennifer breathe. “I didn’t say that in front of him!” She coughed.

“You did,” Jayden replied proudly. “Twice.”

TC looked like he wanted the couch to swallow him whole. “She’s not just some girl,” he said finally. “She’s Lisa. And she’s your best friend.”

Jennifer softened. “Yeah. And she trusts you. Probably more than you realize because of me.”

“I don’t even know if she could handle… all of this,” TC said, gesturing vaguely at the room, himself, the glowing toy in his hand. As much as TC likes her, he doesn’t want her to get involved in what they do daily. 

Jennifer leaned over, bumping his shoulder. “She already does. She’s my best friend, and I lied to her a lot. She’s been in the middle of this family since day one.”

TC blinked. “You think she knows?”

Jennifer gave him a sly look. “I think she suspects, but found nothing concrete. And I think she wants to know the real you.”

Jayla jumped into his lap, knocking Jayden over. “Uncle TT, are you going on a date with Auntie Lisa?!”

Brandon sipped his water. “Guess you better tell them now. The twins hate being lied to.”

“Ugh, don’t I know it,” Jennifer added.