spamalot } { of surprise mothers and daughterly approval

[wildkingdom]

Peter: [and so it was a lovely day so far. College shopping for things for the dorm room to come, new clothes, making sure the entire checklist that Stanford had sent with the orientation manuals was done. and then of course grabbing some lunch. There were still a few places left to go, and Peter had a few things he had to get as well. But lunch] So is there anything we've missed on the lists?

Malia: [is chomping on a french fry as she goes over the lists, slowly shaking her head as she does] Nope. Looks like we've got almost everything.

Peter: [taking a bite of his steak, trying to see the list as well] Well, it's not like I can't send you money to get something later on anyway.

Virginia: [is passing through the mall, a jewelry bag in her hand. She was in town because of a matter with her family's estate and it had been a very long time since she had been in Beacon Hills. God, the place was still small and backwards as it ever was. Nothing like Chicago. But as she walked, she stopped as she saw a once very familiar face.] Peter?

Peter: [hears his name and looks up, and as the smell hits him... he drops his fork.]

Malia: [glances to the woman, then Peter, then back to the woman again and then she really looks at her, but she doesn't have to look that hard to see the familiarity in it. In some ways it's almost like looking in a mirror and her heart drops to the pit of her stomach.] Dad?

Virginia: It really is you. Wow, I have to say, time has really kept its hands off you. You have hardly changed a bit.

Peter: [his daughter's voice helps him regain his faculties and he grabs his napkin, dabbing at his mouth quickly] Virginia. What a surprise. [it's his guarded voice, one he hadn't used since Nadia came into his life] What are you doing back in town?

Virginia: [Oh, that's her cue to come closer, right? Because she is, expecting a hug from her former fiancee too] My father passed away last month and I have to be here to settle his estate. It is very good to see you again. [looks at Malia now] And this must be our daughter. She has grown up so beautiful. Hello, Georgina.

Peter: [will get up and hug her - it's only polite - but pulls away quickly] Actually, her name is Malia. [looks at his daughter almost apologetically.] Malia, this is Virginia Debonaire. Your mother.

Malia: [Georgina? She named her Georgina? Malia thinks that there's something probably really wrong with her that that's the thing she's focusing on more than the instinct to run, run far away, run all the way to the McCalls and just curl up in Isaac's bed and not come out until she feels like she can say something rational and calm but she's not leaving her father alone with her mother, no matter how much she doesn't want to be here. Watching them hug just only makes it worse] ... Hi. [what else is she supposed to say other than that.]

Peter: [he can smell her anxiety rising - his probably wasn't better he just had more years to practice tampering it down - and he went to stand behind Malia and put two firm hands on her shoulders. They were a team in this at the moment, solidarity]

Virginia: You look just like your grandmother, bless her soul. I do owe you an apology darling, for not having been in your life. It was a very confusing time for me, and your father insisted that I remain away for your benefit. But you're eighteen now, if I recall right. So you can make your own choices now.

Peter: [no, he is not rising to the bait] That's not really how I remember it.

Virginia: Different points of views, Petey. But it was a very difficult time for both of us.

Malia: [see how much ... Malia doesn't actually care] Uh-huh. [she can smell your bullshit lady] Not that I would actually know. I never really felt the need to ask. [and the sweetest smile she can manage]

Virginia: Oh. [she wasn't expecting that] Well, it was the hardest decision I ever had to make, my darling.

Peter: Virginia, I hate to be rude, but we were in the middle of lunch on a very busy schedule. Perhaps another time?

Virginia: Sure. You still live in the house you built for me all those years ago? I could come up for dinner one night? Catch up on old times.

Peter: I'm sorry, but no. I've moved on, and it wouldn't be proper. [his grip hasn't left Malia's shoulder, and he really hopes it's not hurting his daughter how tight he knows it's getting to keep his cool]

Malia: And we just don't want you there. [Peter's polite. Malia's not.] So nice meeting you. Gotta go. [and she's just going to get up from her chair and go toss what's left of her fries. She's glad she already devoured her hamburger because now she's just really not hungry. Thankfully the trash can isn't that far so she's not out of hearing distance, but she doubts Virginia knows that]

Virginia: [huffs, looking at Peter who's left to defend himself] I thought you would have given her better manners than that, Peter. [her voice is in a low hiss]

Peter: If you're expecting me to apologize for how she views the woman who left her at the sheriff's station as a newborn and didn't even have the audacity to call me and tell me you were pregnant, you're very mistaken.

Virginia: I didn't know. But what did you expect me to do, knowing I had given birth to the child of some creature who couldn't even tell me what he was before he asked me to marry him.

Peter: Don't you dare put any of this on her. You missed out on raising a beautiful child and watching her grow into a smart, intelligent young woman.

Virginia: And is she a monster too, just like you?

Peter: [and there is a very low, warning snarl as Peter's control is weakening] And this is exactly why I took your rights away from having any part of her life.

Malia: [each statement from the both of them is like a punch to the gut, and she grips the edges of the trash can tightly as she tries not to seem like she's reacting. She never asked for so long, and part of her convinced herself that it was because she didn't need it, but the other part was afraid of what she'd learn in the process. Even if she was pretty sure that part of her already knew. She takes a deep breath, trying to will herself to stay calm and impassive, because her dad clearly wouldn't, he couldn't, and she was the one with the least horses in this race. After that, she squares her shoulders and makes her way back again] Dad, let's go. We're going to be late.

Virginia: [gives Peter a very spiteful smirk] Some animals just never change.

Peter: [is so ready to snap at that, but Malia's return helps him focus and he just takes a deep breath and lifts his chin.] I would say it was a pleasure seeing you again... [but the glare he was giving her told her it was all but pleasent.]

Virginia: I'm sure. Georgina, honey, if you ever want to talk, your father knows how to find me.

Malia: My name is Malia. Malia Hale. [gathers up her end of the bags and then there's that spiteful smirk right back] But hey, if I see Georgina, I'll let her know you're looking for her. I'm sure you two have a lot of catching up to do. [and with that, she's just going to walk away.]

Peter: [and he's just going to follow his daughter, not bothering to look back or say anything more until they get to the car and he just stands at the driver's door, focusing on his breathing as the adrenaline is still way too high for his comfort and he can feel his body wanting to rip something apart]

Malia: [puts the bags in the trunk and closes it before sliding into the passenger's seat. She glances over to the driver's side, watching him carefully for a moment] Daddy?

Peter: [nods, getting into the car and closing the door, taking another deep breath] I'm sorry you had to go through that.

Malia: [she watches him for a moment, shaking her head slowly, before pushing up and reaching across the seats to slide her arms around his shoulders. It's more for him than it is for her, but there's a part of her that needs it too]

Peter: [yeah, he needs that right now. He's shaking as the adrenaline fades. Too many things playing in his head and he knows Malia had to hear that last exchange] I'm so sorry. You shouldn't have had to hear any of that.

Malia: Dad, it's okay. [her voice is soft, soothing as she closes her eyes and tightens the hug] I was going to have to find out sooner or later.

Peter: Yeah, but not like that. I should have had better control.

Malia: Is there any good way to find that out? [she doesn't really think there is]

Peter: Anything's better than the beast staring you down and your father about to shift in front of an entire food court.

Malia: But you didn't.

Peter: No, but I was pretty damn close. [he uncurled one of his hands, revealing dried blood on his palm where his claws had cut into it - all healed now]

Malia: [she shifts just enough to see it, before exhaling slowly] Well, I think considering neither of us outright punched her in the face, we can consider it a win.

Peter: [that gets a small chuckle from him] So do I. [he goes to start the car at that point, needing to retreat to safer grounds for a bit]

Malia: [takes that as her cue to resettle into the passenger's seat and buckle herself in. There's a part of her that still wants to bolt, though, that needs to say things that her father doesn't need to hear, and that means she needs to be somewhere that's not this car. Or their house. Or even on the preserve really and she needs to say them before she asks any of the questions she has to ask now. She waits until they're out of the parking lot and on the road before] Can ... can you drop me off at Isaac's for a bit? [she wouldn't if she didn't already know that Nadia would be at the house for Peter, but right now she needs that little bit of space] It's not ... I just need ... [she doesn't even really know how to put that into words, but she doesn't want him to think she's running away from him]

Peter: No, I understand. I can drop you off. [he's getting used to the change, honestly, of Isaac being the one she went to when she needed support. It was a sign that she was choosing her mate in the boy, and he wasn't going to stand in the way, even if he was worried they were too young. But that was his fear, his mistakes speaking more than them, so he didn't and just was supportive. He wanted to tell her about his control issues though, since she had just witnessed them first hand in a long time, but it could wait until she got home later]

Malia: [she gives him a small smile at that, some of the tension ebbing out at having permission] Thank you.

Peter: [he detours to the McCall house, pulling up in front] Just let me know if you're not coming home for dinner, okay?

Malia: [she nods, leaning in to hug him tightly again. Then she climbs out of the car and makes her way up to the front door and knocking on it quickly]

Melissa: [opens the door with a frown] Malia? Is everything okay?

Malia: Is Isaac here?

Melissa: No, he and Scott went out. [she gives Peter a small wave over Malia's shoulder] They should be right back. What's wrong?

Malia: I just ... really need to talk to him. Can I wait?

Melissa: [she studies her for a moment, glancing to Peter one last time, before nodding.] Yeah, sure. Come on in.

Malia: [gives her a grateful smile as she makes her way inside, and just heads upstairs to curl up in Isaac's bed until he gets home]

Peter: [gives Melissa the universal parent nod that it's okay, they had a bad day and waves before driving off now that she's inside. He keeps going until he hits the preserve, his house, and just carries in all of the bags from the car and leaves them in the living room to go straight to the kitchen for the wine]

Isaac: [returns with Scott a bit later, carrying a bag of school supplies and joking with Scott about playing lacrosse at different schools and being frenimies and all]

Melissa: [catches them as they're heading up the stairs] Uh, Isaac? Malia came by while you were out. She seemed pretty upset, I let her wait for you upstairs.

Isaac: [looks at Scott, then Melissa and nods] Thanks, Mrs. McCall. I'll go see what's up. [and he heads upstairs and knocks on the door before coming in] Malia?

Malia: [she's buried under the covers, surrounding herself in the scents, both his and theirs together, and trying to keep herself calm. remind herself that she's safe, at least for now. her head picks up when she hears him an she pulls herself into a sitting position, starting at him for a moment] I look just like her.

Isaac: Like who? [he can see how upset she is and is in the bed, pulling her into his arms quickly]

Malia: [she melts into him gratefully, burying her face in his shoulder and taking slow, deep breaths to keep herself from crying] My mother. [it doesn't last. it breaks with what comes next] She thinks I'm a monster.

Isaac: [he just tightens the hug, rubbing her back] You're not a monster. How did you... when did you see her?

Malia: At the mall. [she sniffles against his shirt, trying to keep it together enough to talk] She saw my dad and just started talking to him like it was yesterday and she didn't just up and abandon us eighteen years ago. [there's a shuddering breath before] She named me Georgina.

Isaac: [wrinkling his nose] You are so not a Georgina.

Malia: I know! [she makes a face as she resettles against him and then it's back to serious again] She just left me at the police station. She couldn't even give me to him in person.

Isaac: Did your dad ever tell you any of this?

Malia: [she shakes her head] But I didn't ask either.

Isaac: Maybe you should, to know the whole story. Because you're really upset and I can hold you and tell you I love you and you're not a monster and mean all of it, and point out that I know how much parents can be cruel and horrible and hating looking in a mirror and seeing their faces, but I can't tell you the blanks in the story.

Malia: I know. And I will, I just kind of needed the first part. [the him support. the first person she always thinks of is still her dad, but she needs to get this out first.]

Isaac: Well, you can have as much of me as you need. [he shifts to sit against the headboard, pulling her back into his arms] And if it helps - you're way too much like your dad to be anyone else's kid.

Malia: [she settles in closer, sliding her arms around his waist and closing her eyes] She was just so ... awful to him. She kept calling him a creature and a monster and I wanted to punch her in the face.

Isaac: Do you know if she knows... about what you are?

Malia: [she nods] She asked if I was a monster like him.

Isaac: What did he say?

Malia: He nearly shifted in the middle of the food court.

Isaac: .......... Damn.

Malia: Yeah. That was when I decided we needed to leave.

Isaac: Good call. Is he still having problems with his control like he was after Ms. Blake?

Malia: I don't know. He's seemed better since Nadia started staying around more, but I don't think he could have prepared for this.

Isaac: Probably not. You... Nadia's home right now, right?

Malia: [she nods] I wouldn't have left him if she wasn't.

Isaac: Good. [kisses the top of his head] Nadia's been good for him. For both of you, really.

Malia: [she nods again before glancing up at him with a smile] You've been good for me too.

Isaac: Same here, sweetheart. [grins and leans down to kiss her]

Malia: [smiles a bit into the kiss, one hand moving up to brace against the side of his face]

Isaac: [there, see? Isaac knows his kisses are the best things ever in making her feel better. So he's just going to kiss her, his fingers gently caressing her to help relax her]

Malia: [sighs as she leans back a bit, and they descend into teenage makeouts because she needs them. or maybe she just wants them. either way it's handsy snuggles time]

Isaac: [but staying in places that won't have them in trouble when Melissa eventually will walk in on them]

Malia: [yep. clothes stay on, hands are in (mostly) socially acceptable places, everything is totally safe for work.]

- - - - -

Nadia: [follows the sound of the ruckus, and is confused by the automatic focus on the wine. her eyes wander to the door for a moment, and then back to him again] Back so soon? I wasn't expecting you until dinner.

Peter: [is drinking down half the glass, trying to get some numbing from the alcohol before his healing liver takes it away] Let's just say there were unexpected complications.

Nadia: [her eyebrows go up even further at that] Bad ones, I take it.

Peter: [a deep breath] My ex is in town. [which is only one, since the other is dead]

Nadia: [... well then.] And I take it you didn't know she was coming.

Peter: [shakes his head] I haven't seen her in 19 years since the day she walked out on me.

Nadia: [she steps around the counter, one hand finding his shoulder as she does] Are you alright?

Peter: [shakes his head] No, I'm not. I almost shifted and ripped her face off in the food court. She called Malia a monster. Malia heard everything.

Nadia: [oh, Nadia likes this woman already] Is Malia okay?

Peter: She went to Isaac's. He'll take care of her, but she was hurt. [he looked up at Nadia, his eyes glowing yellow a moment, his control lacking] She's never wanted to know, so I never told her.

Nadia: That doesn't make it your fault. [she reaches for him, taking his arm gently and turning him to face her more] She just needs to lick her wounds a little. You both do. But at the end of the day, you'll both be fine and you'll figure this out together.

Peter: I thought I was past this. I out this all behind me and the second I saw her, I was nineteen again and I... [he squeezes the wine glass so tight it breaks in his hand, and he just lets it drop, closing his eyes]

Nadia: Okay. We're going to take this away from the sharp, breakable objects. [she pulls him away from the glass and towards the living room] Come on, let's just sit. [and then he can talk and she'll listen and he'll feel better.]

Peter: Let me just... wash my hands first. [because one still has dried blood, the other fresh and he needs to get rid of it. He washed his hands, then let Nadia pull him away to the living room and he just sat next to her, relaxing into the sofa]

Nadia: [curls up next to him, just relaxing against his shoulder] Tell me about her.

Peter: You remember how you were surprised that I hadn't gone to college? It was because of her. [he wrapped his arm around her, taking in the comfort. Malia was Peter's anchor, but Nadia was becoming part of it too] I was horrible in high school - I was a letterman, rich, and had no problem flaunting it around school. I spent my time with the other popular rich kids, which included Virginia. [he sighs] Malia looks just like her.

Nadia: [she settles with a hand against his chest, smoothing his shirt softly] She must have been pretty.

Peter: [takes in a deep breath of her scent, using it to help calm him back down] She was, but all the girls in this group was. Money wasn't a problem for us. Graduation came, and while I was good, my father forbade me from playing basketball in college, so I just told him I wasn't going to go. It was an idea she had put into my head. Playing games, using leverage... I used it then, but Virginia taught me the art of it. How little words, saying things in specific wants - I almost lost my family from that woman. That's why I started building this house with my trust fund back then. It was supposed to be a statement that I wasn't going to live in their house and follow their rules.

Nadia: But it didn't quite work out as you had hoped.

Peter: I asked her to marry me. She was ecstatic. Marrying into the Hale family was a big thing since I was considered the heir to the fortune in old money clubs, even if we knew it was really Talia. I didn't tell my mother I was doing it, and that was a breech in pack rules. I was ordered to tell her about what we were.

Nadia: And that's where things went wrong.

Peter: I told her. She didn't believe me, so I showed her. It got ugly, and she drove off. I chased her straight out of town, trying to explain, but she disappeared. Her dad sent her out of Beacon Hills. I went back to my family, begged for forgiveness. Talia and Thomas stood by me as I made my amends and I started taking on the duties as a second at part of my dedication to the pack. And then my mother got a call from deputy Stilinski because there was a newborn dropped off at the station.

Nadia: [her eyes widened a bit at that] She didn't even tell you she was pregnant?

Peter: I never knew. It had to have just happened because I didn't even hear or smell it. Talia was on her third child at that point, so I would have known. I remember that day perfectly: John's wife, Claudia, was there holding the baby when I walked in. She was pregnant with Stiles and was due any day. Malia... her name was Georgina then. John handed me an envelope with a birth certificate that named me as father, and a DCS worker who explained that the mother had surrendered the child at birth and signed off on giving me full custody. I was nineteen, and had no idea what I was even doing, but Claudia handed me that baby and some instinct kicked in and I was in love with her.

Nadia: [she smiles a bit at that] And you did an excellent job with her.

Peter: It was a lot of trial and error. But I had a hard time for the first year. I tried to track Virginia down, but no one in the family would even speak with me, or acknowledge the baby. Finally I gave up, and talked with the family lawyer. We filed paperwork to remove Virginia's parental rights in case she showed back up. Georgina Debonaire became Malia Hale. I put the past behind me, and after that, I was a model Hale who gave up my life and bad choices to raise my daughter, and then care for my sister and her kids after Thomas left.

Nadia: Which I'm sure she's still very grateful for.

Peter: I had never been made to feel that bad about who I was until her. Even my father was nothing compared to that blow. It took me a long time to rise above that. To find myself again and decide what kind of man I was going to be was a hard struggle.

Nadia: [she nods slowly, pushing up to look at him more] If it helps, I rather enjoy the man you are.

Peter: I appreciate hearing that. Sometimes I think I should have done things differently. A lot of times I wish I could have given Malia a mother when she was younger and needed one.

Nadia: I don't think she feels like she lacked one.

Peter: No, but I think she always knew what I gave up. What I denied myself.

Nadia: Do you regret it?

Peter: Sometimes. Imagine going from what you had as a very passionate, affectionate relationship - and Hales are notorious for needing affection as you've learned - and dreams of a big family with lots of kids, and having that violently ripped away from you. And then denying yourself any chance of it, or affection, or a mate, for almost two decades as a form of penance.

Nadia: [teasing] I'm very fond of that tendency, for the record. [but on a more serious note] This wasn't your fault, Peter. It's not your fault she didn't understand.

Peter: Yeah, well 37 year old me gets that now. 19 year old me didn't.

Nadia: But you learned. That's the important thing.

Peter: Just took a very strong-headed woman to get it into my skull

Nadia: Well, she is clearly very intelligent.

Peter: She is.

Nadia: You should try and keep her around.

Peter: I actually was wondering just how much she wants to be around.

Nadia: Well considering you are an extremely attractive man who shares almost all her tastes, personally I think she would be remiss to waste such an opportunity.

Peter: So if I offer to remodel a second walk-in closet into the master bedroom for her, do you think she would consider making this her permanent residence?

Nadia: Highly likely. So long as there's plenty of room for her shoes.

Peter: I'm sure I can find her the room. [he's already been mapping changing the old nursery into the second walk-in since it's wall butts up to the master bedroom]

Nadia: Then I think you're odds are very good.

Peter: [smiles, then leans his head over to kiss her] Thank you. I think I'm better now.

Nadia: [sighs softly into the kiss before nodding] Good. [then she leans in to kiss him again] When's Malia going to be home?

Peter: Dinner, but she's going to call if she's missing it.

Nadia: [glances down at her watch] So that gives us a bit of time.

Peter: What do you have in mind?

Nadia: [she gives a bit of a shrug as she leans back in to kiss him again]

Peter: [he kisses her back, smiling] I was thinking of taking a relaxing soak in the tub. Want to join me?

Nadia: [smiles a bit at that and nods] Sounds perfect.

Peter: [and he's going to stand and offer her his hand, leading her upstairs to the bathroom and starts to draw a warm bubblebath.]

Nadia: [will start wiggling out of her clothes while he does that, using her foot to test the warmth before sliding into the water once it's done]

Peter: [slides in after, leaning against the back and pulling her into his arms, resting his chin on her shoulder] I do mean it. Wanting you to move in and be with me. But I don't want to stand in the way of your job needs.

Nadia: [she sighs softly as she leans back against him, eyes closing as she soaks into the water] I don't work all the time. It might be nice to have a place to go when I don't have to be anywhere else.

Peter: [slides his hands around her to caress her stomach gently] I was hoping, perhaps, that it would be your home. I know it's across the country from your brothers, but it's not like you don't have a private jet.

Nadia: Mmmm. [yes, hands, good. keep doing that] And according to Victor Nik is very smitten with a woman in Vegas. So really, it's getting to the point where Victor is the odd man out.

Peter: He was looking to be bi-coastal as well, if I remember correctly. [they will do that, and then slowly sliding up to caress her breasts] Nik has found someone?

Nadia: [there's a soft hum of approval and she arches slightly into his hands] Her name is Marissa. Her son is a born wolf but she's human so the boys are helping him with his first shift. [and her hand is going to wander under the water, finding his thigh and trailing up it slowly]

Peter: [soft hum] Your little brother has a habit of being too nice in offering to help other wolfs with training. [and he's kissing along her neck now]

Nadia: [hums in return, letting her fingers slowly trail higher on his thigh] He's a bit soft hearted that way. Which you wouldn't think just by looking at him, but he's actually a giant puppy.

Peter: I hope the girl knows how lucky she is. [he shifts a bit under her, giving her hand better access as his thumbs idly play with her nipples]

Nadia: Mmmmm. [yep, her hand's going to continue to wander the rest of the way back and wrap around him slowly] If you're going to keep doing that, we should stop talking about my brothers.

Peter: Probably. [he kissed right under her ear, then smiled to himself. He pressed another kiss there, on the spot that he had a bad habit of biting during sex] Nadia...

Nadia: Hmmmmm? [and she's going to start stroking him slowly tipping her head back into his lips]

Peter: [he took advantage of this lips, kissing her deeply and closing his eyes against her gentle stroking a moment, then pulled back an inch, his eyes open and looking into hers as he spoke softly] I love you.

Nadia: [her eyes stay closed into the kiss for a moment, a small smile at the statement, before she realizes what he's saying. They open to look at him, studying his face as though she's trying to determine if he's serious before her smile widens a bit] I love you too.

Peter: Make this your home. Be with me, in whatever way you wish. But I can't lose you. I don't want to lose you.

Nadia: As I told you before, I'm not going anywhere. [one hand comes up and she shifts in the water so that she's facing him more] You're stuck with me.

Peter: Not stuck. Lucky. [and he kisses her again, deeply]

Nadia: [she kisses him back, letting herself drown in it for the moment, a wet hand coming up to slide through his hair]

Peter: [he shifted to pull her more into his lap, letting his hands slide up her back, keeping her close]

Nadia: [shifts slightly so that she's almost straddling him, one leg pressing gently against him as she pushes closer]

Peter: [groans against her lips, hand sliding down to grasp her butt and slide her closer]

Nadia: [she moves in, pushing closer to him, and letting her hands run down over his chest]

Peter: [now that she was nice and close, his hand slid from her butt over her hip, and slid into the tiny space between them to cup her sex and stroke her clit]

Nadia:]she moans softly into the kiss, her hips rocking forward into his hand, which in turn pushes her leg against him more firmly]

Peter: [since there is no way they can have sex in the tub with protection, this would really be the best they can do for now. Though his fingers will eventually make their way inside of her instead]

Nadia: [yes, and really this is just fine, she rocks down against his fingers, tipping her head to the side and nibbling at his neck as she does]

Peter: [he tilts his head easily to give her the room, something inside of him loving the feel when she did that, and his hand moved in time with her rocking. There was no need to rush, and he just leaned back a bit more to enjoy the sensations]

Nadia: [there really was no need to rush so she sets an easy pace with his hand and working herself up slowly. Eventually her hand will slip down between them, wrapping around him and giving him a little bit more friction]

Peter: [his head fell back with a groan, toes curling in the water] God, Nadia.

Nadia: [there's a happy hum at that, and her rhythm matches the rhythm of his fingers, still feeling the tension between them continue to build and she feels herself getting closer to the edge, her teeth grazing against his neck]

Peter: [his eyes opened and flashed yellow as he was close, and he moved his hand deeper into her, his thumb working her clit as his hips thrust in her hand, almost there from how he was panting.]

Nadia: [his fingers press against that spot inside of her and her own eyes flash, falling over the edge hard. her forehead comes to rest against his shoulder as her hand continues to work him to completion]

Peter: [he's not that far behind, reaching his peak with a soft cry, his head falling back to rest on the edge of the tub as he came back down, relaxing into the warmth of the water and her body against his]

Nadia: [sighs as she settles next to him, letting her head rest against his shoulder. she lets them soak in the silence for a moment, one leg hooked over his. She lets the moment pass, before looking up at him] Do you want me to leave you two alone tonight? [because as much as she wants to make this her home, she isn't about to undervalue his relationship with his daughter, either] I could go spend the evening with Fiona and Derek.

Peter: [he looked at her and smiled, going to run his hand along her cheek] That's up to you, but Malia may be more comfortable with it being me. [he thought a moment] I need to tell her about the coyote as well. I think she heard how my growl has changed.

Nadia: [she nods, leaning in to kiss him again] I'll give Fiona a call. She and Derek have been together a lot lately, I'm sure she could use a break.

Peter: Alright. [one more kiss] I need to start dinner anyway

Nadia: [she hums softly, before standing up and reaching for a towel, wrapping it around herself as she steps out of the tub]

Peter: [reaches to take her hand as he sits up, smiling. He doesn't say anything, but his eyes are basically saying how much he loves her]

Nadia: [she turns at his hand, smiling a bit and giving it a squeeze before disappearing into the bedroom]

Peter: [and he's soon to join her, going for his closet and changing into his track suit to relax in, then headed down to the kitchen to start cooking dinner and cleaning up the broken glass and wine. He checked his cell phone for any texts he may have missed]

Nadia: [nope just the usual. Nadia comes down in jeans and a shirt a few minutes later, coming up behind him as he cooks] I'm going to go meet Fiona for dinner and a late movie. I'll text when I'm on my way home, so if you need me to stay out later, just let me know.

Peter: [puts down the spoon and turns to turns his head to kiss her] I will. Have fun with Fiona.

Nadia: [nods as she returns the kiss] Good luck with Malia.

Peter: Thanks. [and he will go back to cooking Malia's favorite meal while he waits, sipping on some wine in the process]

Malia: [and Malia wanders in a little while later, giving him a small smile as she does] Something smells good.

Peter: [he looked over at her, returning her smile with a matching one] I figured we could both use some comfort food.

Malia: [nods in agreement, leaning in closer so that she can get a good whiff] Sounds perfect.

Peter: Want some wine? [still weird to ask]

Malia: [she wrinkles her nose, before going into the fridge for a soda]

Peter: [chuckles and reaches to refill his drink] Your stuff is in the living room.

Malia: [pops the top on the Coke before nodding, moving to lean against the counter] I'll take it up after dinner.

Peter: Alright. can you get me two plates? This is about done.

Malia: [nods in agreement before going to grab the plates and lay them out for him to serve the food]

Peter: [which he does, two servings fit for wolves. It's nothing fancy, but it's something they both enjoy in large quantities.] How's Isaac?

Malia: Good. He and Scott were doing school shopping too.

Peter: I can't believe how fast time is flying. In a few weeks Laura's going to be married, you kids will all be in school. [he carried his plate and drink over to sit at his spot at the table] Things keep changing.

Malia: [does the same, crossing one leg under her as she sits at her seat, pushing around her food while she decides where to start] It's not the bad kind of change though.

Peter: No, it's not. I think it's very good. [he took a bite of his food. He has one place to start] Speaking of... I asked Nadia to move in with us. Will you be okay with that?

Malia: [looks rather pleased at that] Yeah. I think that'd be good.

Peter: [nods, happy to see that reaction] Good. Because, I told her I loved her. So she pretty much said I'm stuck with her now. [yeah, pretty much happiest he's been in a long time.]

Malia: [and that makes her grin. Happy looks good on him] Good.

Peter: I know the two of you get along well, which is a relief. And since you have Isaac now, I figured you wouldn't think she was taking me away from you.

Malia: [she tips her head to the side] That was never what I was worried about.

Peter: What were you worried about?

Malia: I was worried about them hurting you. [she gives a bit of a shrug] With ... the other one, it was just this gut feeling that something was off about her.

Peter: I remember, and I should have listened to you. And I'm sorry I didn't.

Malia: [she shakes her head] I ignored it too.

Peter: And you don't have that feeling with Nadia?

Malia: [she pauses before shaking her head] No, she's great. I like her a lot.

Peter: Good. I guess for me, third time's the charm.

Malia: I guess it is.

Peter: [he took another bite of his food, then looked up at her] You know I've always loved you, right Malia? Since the moment I laid eyes on you.

Malia: [she looks up at him, studying him for a moment] Do you really think I doubt that?

Peter: No, but you heard a lot of things today what I never wanted you to hear that way. I wouldn't blame you if you had a doubt.

Malia: No. How it happened doesn't really matter. You're the one who's been here the whole time - you loving me isn't really a question.

Peter: Good. [he's relieved at that, because he wouldn't know what to do if she ever thought different on that]

Malia: [she nods, pushing her food around on her plate before wrinkling her nose] Did she actually name me Georgina?

Peter: Yes, she did. It was the name on your birth certificate. I think the full name was Georgina Anastasia Debonaire.

Malia: [makes an incredible face]

Peter: Yeah, that was my thoughts too.

Malia: Was she always like ... that?

Peter: Actually, yeah, she was. [he plays with his food] And I was like that too.

Malia: [her brow wrinkled] Really?

Peter: Really. None of you kids really remember, but you aunt Talia and uncle Thomas can tell you I was an arrogant jerk back then. I made a lot of bad choices.

Malia: Bad choices like getting her pregnant with me?

Peter: More like not going to college to spite my father, snubbing my place in the pack, and proposing to a human without revealing what I was to her. I never knew she was pregnant, but unsafe sex should go on that list.

Malia: [she nods a bit, suddenly very grateful that Peter liked Isaac] Sounds like you were a kid.

Peter: I would have been 18 when you were conceived. I was nineteen when you came to me.

Malia: Still a kid.

Peter: Yeah, I guess so. She left when I told her what I was. She didn't believe me, so I showed her. She hated me for it.

Malia: [rolls her eyes] Well, she's stupid. That's not your fault.

Peter: I know. And I made a stupid mistake in thinking that was what I wanted in life and it almost cost me everything. That's why I still feel sometimes that I need to make it up to Talia. Because of all the people I hurt, I hurt her the most.

Malia: [she frowns as she considers for a moment, before shaking her head] I think she gets that you were a kid too.

Peter: I'm sure she does, but she needed me to be her brother

Malia: It was a long time ago, Dad.

Peter: Doesn't make it hurt any less when it catches up to you.

Malia: No, I guess it doesn't.

Peter: I know you usually don't want to know anything, but if this has given you questions, I can answer them.

Malia: [she pushes her food around with her fork for a moment, before looking back up at him] Did she really leave me at the police station?

Peter: Actually, a DCS worker brought you there. John called my father, and that's how I found out. She surrendered you to the hospital after giving them my information, but she didn't know the address I was living at. This house was still under construction when she left.

Malia: At least she told them where to put me.

Peter: At least there is that. I don't know what kind of man I'd be without you,

Malia: I think you'd still be pretty cool.

Peter: Thanks. [he looked at his plate a moment] I do need to tell you something though. Something I've been trying to find a way to explain.

Malia: [brow furrows] About her?

Peter: No, about me. And my control.

Malia: So her adjacent. [meaning what was nearly an incident in the food court.]

Peter: [he nods] Do you remember the day you came home and all the living room furniture had been replaced?

Malia: Yep.

Peter: I lost control that night while I was trying to get out my anger. And I shifted. [he paused a moment] fully.

Malia: [there's a beat. then she raises her fork. then ...] Like Aunt Talia?

Peter: [nods] Yeah. But it wasn't a wolf.

Malia: Was it a monkey?

Peter: [chuckles] No, it wasn't a monkey. It was a coyote.

Malia: [her eyebrows raise a bit, before tipping her head to the side] At least it's in the wolf family?

Peter: I actually think it was a red wolf, which is a hybrid between a wolf and a coyote. I also.... got stuck.

Malia: Stuck?

Peter: Yeah. Having never shifted like that... I didn't really know how to get back.

Malia: So you were running around as a red wolf. For how long?

Peter: Overnight and most of a morning before your aunt found me and forced me back.

Malia: Does anyone else know about this?

Peter: Cora found me. And she told your cousins. I asked them to let me tell you, I just... I don't know what it means so I didn't know what to tell you. Something happened because my half shift looks different too. And my growl. Laura is working with a cryptozoologist to see if they can discover an answer, but I think after what I went through with... trying to rescue you... something changed.

Malia: [IS REALLY ANNOYED EVERYONE KNEW BUT HER but whatever, Peter asked them not to tell, she can't be too mad] It's not ... hurting you or anything, is it?

Peter: No, it's not. But my old anchors weren't working. So I've been working on new ones. And I'm waiting for your aunt to make a ruling on if she'll train me to shift fully since I've developed the ability to do it.

Malia: [nods a bit] She's talking to Deaton?

Peter: Yes. They want to make sure that I won't suffer any adverse effects learning how to do this later in life.

Malia: Okay. Just ... be careful.

Peter: I will. But if you come home and I'm not here and there's a red wolf pawing at the door, please let me in. [trying to make a joke]

Malia: [she laughs a bit] Sure. I promise.

Peter: So, I think most of my dark family secrets have been revealed at this point.

Malia: Well, if there's anything else I need to know, you know where to find me.

Peter: And if you have questions, you know where I'll always be.

Malia: [nods with a small smile before pushing up and making her way around the table to wrap her arms around his shoulders] Wanna watch a movie?

Peter: [smiles and leans back into her] Of course. Nadia's not going to be back until late, so it's just you and me for the rest of the night.

Malia: Good. I'll pick the movie. [she gives him a kiss on the cheek, before bringing her plates to the sink and heading into the living room]

Peter: Take your stuff upstairs! [because they need the couch to sit on]

Malia: Got it! [and she does so, before plopping down on the couch and opening Netflix.]

Peter: [and he joins her a bit later with a new soda for her, a glass of wine for himself, and the pretzel/popcorn mix to share between them]