Generation 1, Chapter 37

 

Once Peter came home he tried to resume a normal routine but he tired easily and quickly. But he forced himself to live a life as normally as possible. He wanted to give his children memories they would be able to look back on in fondness. He took Brian out in the family car and taught him how to drive. Brian was nervous at first but quickly caught on and enjoyed the one on one time with his Dad.

Then one night Peter surprised Brian with his very own 'junk' car.

"Dad your the best" Brian exclaimed looking at the hunk of junk in the yard. Smiling from ear to ear he hugged his Dad saying "Thank you so much. This is exactly what I wanted."

"Your welcome. I just hope it's something that can be restored. I'm not exactly knowledgeable about these kind of things. But I know you are, so I hope you like it."

"I can't wait to get started" Brian enthused.

"Well then get to it." Peter told him adding "Just remember I get the first ride when you get it finished."

"That's a deal" Brian agreed, happily delving into working on his car. Peter watched for a moment, enjoying the excitement Brian had for this project. Slowly turning towards the house he sadly shook his head wondering if he would live to see it finished.

Jean worried constantly that Peter was over exerting himself but she didn't want to discourage him doing things with the kids. She knew the treatments weren't working despite the optimistic attitude Peter pretended to have. She wasn't sure if he was trying to maintain a positive attitude for her sake or for his. But he refused to give up and for his sake she wouldn't either. She decided she needed to focus her frustrations and decided to start ballet again.  At one time she had been pretty good at it, when she was a little girl but it had been years and her body didn't move the way it used to. But slowly she limbered up and it became easier. At times she and Corina would practice together.

The kids were another constant worry for Jean. She wondered what would become of them after Peters death. Would they have to live with Vallari? Could she manage all five kids on her own? She was afraid she wouldn't be able to manage it but she didn't want them to be neglected by an uncaring, money hungry woman either. Not at a time when they would need all the loving support they could get. She knew this weighed heavily upon Peter's mind but he refused to discuss it, somehow fearing that planning for it also meant he was giving up. However Jean felt that despite everything that day was fast approaching and they would both have to face the cold hard facts. She knew it should be handled now, while Peter still had the strength and the resolve to deal with Vallari. Waiting would only tip the scales in Vallari's favor. Jean decided to contact Peter's Lawyer for advice to see what their options were and go from there.

Jean made the appointment for that afternoon. While she waited, she practiced maneuvering in her new wet suit. She planned on learning to scuba dive and wanted to make sure she could move around in it all right. She was nervous about the upcoming appointment and half realized that she was teaching Elliot how to walk while in her suit. While going through the motions of encouraging Elliot to walk to her, she wondered if he would have any memories of his Father at all. She worried how growing up without a father would effect him. She was sure Adam would do his best to fill that void but that brought it's own concerns. She wanted Adam to enjoy his life, to be young and care free before being loaded down with responsibility. She was afraid he was going to try and fill his father shoes and lose sight of his own dreams to help his family. No matter how she looked at it, it was a bad situation.

When she left, Adam wasn't home yet from school and Jean was a little concerned about leaving Peter home alone with Elliot. Peter seeing her look of concern became somewhat irritated but quickly calmed down as he knew that she had reason to be concerned. He wasn't the same and his health was failing but he knew that he was still capable of caring for his toddler son, just don't ask him to run a marathon.

"Honey don't worry so much I'll be fine. Elliot is still napping and with luck he'll stay that way until Adam comes home. besides I haven't forgotten how to change diapers yet." He smiled as he escorted Jean to the door "Enjoy your afternoon. Do something fun."

"I will" Jean said hesitating wondering if she should tell him about the lawyer but decided against it until after she knew something. She leaned over and kissed his cheek saying "I love you."

Watching Jean drive off in the car, Peter marveled at how lucky he was for meeting Jean. He didn't know how he would have managed without her. While he was thinking about Jean, Elliot woke up and started to cry.

"Well little man, you woke up early" Peter said lifting Elliot from his crib.

"Had a bad dream" Elliot wailed wanting comfort as he snuggled into Peter.

"It's ok little man. The dream is all gone. There's nothing to fear. It's ok." Peter soothed and snuggled him until Elliot wanted down.

"Dad play?" Elliot asked.

"Sure bud for a little while" Peter agreed as he sat on the floor watching his little boy and he wondered what he was going to be when he grew up. Would he be there to see him graduate, go to college, get married, have kids? He tried to ignore the little voice in the back of his head telling him no. He tried to fight the growing depression that weighed heavily upon him but at moments like these he had to fight hard not to burst into tears at the unfairness of it all. He wanted to see his children grow up, he wanted to share their joys, be there to help and guide them. He wanted to grow old with Jean, the love of his life, but none of these things were going to happen.

"Daddy ok?" Elliot asked.

"Yes bud I'm ok only tired." Peter said wiping a tear from is cheeks resolving to get his affairs in order. To try and make it easier for his family to cope when the inevitable happened.   He just hated to admit defeat.

Meanwhile in the distant future Emit was muttering to himself "This isn't right, this is all wrong. I have to figure out what happened in the past that changed the future." As he watched another Plum Bot disappear, erased from existence. Something needed to be done soon or everything they knew would be gone.