Age: 23/24
Penn X Alex
Enjoy!!
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Penn gave an annoyed sigh as he sat down on one of the many chairs that were placed near the gate to the plane.
When Phillis told the now full time hero team that one of them had to go to London to help out some other full time heroes with other dimension in the multiverse, Penn didn't mind taking the offer. After all, traveling to a new country sounded fun and could provide him a good challenge from dealing with other heroes. And thankfully, everything went alright and the multiverse was still in balance( even though the redhead nearly broke a bone).
However, Penn was now stuck with a new problem: He was stuck in the airport.
It wasn't because he didn't have any money or that he got into trouble with security. He was alright. The problem was that Mother Nature decided to let it go like Elsa and make it snow outside, and it snowed a lot. And, with a lot of snow, there was no way a plane could fly through that. So, all flights were delayed.
And, of course, this just had to happen on Christmas Eve.
"Jeez. Some luck I'm having." Penn muttered sarcastically under his breath. His eyes trailed down to his clothes: a white sweatshirt, blue jeans, black snow boots and a black coat. The redhead had texted his parents about the situation a few minutes after he heard about the delayed flight. They replied that as long as he was safe, they'll be fine if he arrived late tomorrow for Christmas. But still, Penn felt so bad. He didn't want a second Christmas without his family!
Penn heard footsteps, but didn't even bother looking up to see who it was. He heard the movement of someone sitting on the chair next to him and heard the person sigh. Penn could tell that it belonged to a female. "Well. This is just great." The mystery woman said with an annoyed huff. "Tell me about it. This is why I'm not a fan of Mother Nature." The woman giggled. "Yeah. I just wish we can get to the skies soon. It's Christmas Eve after all." She said, and that was when Penn noted the British accent. "Wait..." he muttered and looked to see the woman. She was a brunette with honey colored eyes, and wore a brown coat, black jeans and white boots and a scarf around her neck. But, even with a different wardrobe change, the redhead man could recognize her in a distance.
"Alex?" He asked. The woman turned to look at him and she gasped quietly. "Penn?" She asked. Penn nodded. They both shared a breathless chuckle and hugged each other. "Oh my goodness! It's been a while!" Alex said, pulling back from the hug, and smiling widely at him. "I know! God, it's amazing to see you again." Penn said, returning the smile. "So. What have you been up to?" He asked. Alex opened her mouth to speak, but someone interrupted her.
"Mommy?"
Penn looked behind Alex to see a little girl next to her. She looked to be six or seven years old and actually looked like a tiny version of Alex with her brown (all be it, a bit darker) hair and matching eyes. The child was bundled up with winter clothing, and Penn internally giggled, thinking that she looked rather adorable. But then... it him.
"You're s mom?" He asked, and Alex nodded. "Penn, this is my daughter, Julie. Julie, sweetie, this is Penn, a friend of mine from school." Alex introduced the two. "Well, hello there Julie." Penn said, extending his hand to the little girl and giving her a smile. Julie took his hand, though she looked hesitant. "Hi." She said quietly. Alex leaned down to whisper something into her daughter's ear. "Don't worry. He's a very good friend of mine. Penn won't hurt you or me."
Hurt her? What did she mean by that? Penn was caught of guard for a moment. Did someone hurt Alex and her child? Who would do that? Alex was a sweet, smart woman and Julie had to be one of the most adorable kids Penn had ever seen. Who would hurt them? 'If someone actually did hurt them, I will hunt that jerk down and kill him with my bare hands.'
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Julie gave a nod.
Penn had a feeling that he needed to be careful with Julie. He didn't want to upset the child.
"So, Julie. How old are you?" The redhead man asked while showing a genuine caring smile. "I'm five!" She said while holding up five fingers. Penn chuckled. "My, aren't you grown up." He said, causing the girl to giggle. He looked back at Alex. "She's adorable." Alex smiled. "Thank you." She said.
There was a small silence between the two friends and that was when Penn decided to address the elephant in the room.
Well... two elephants, actually.
"So, who's the father?" Penn asked, raising an eyebrow. Alexandra's smile dropped and she sighed. "Well... I was 18, and it was after graduation. My family and I came here to celebrate about two months later and met this guy at the bar. His name was Gabe, and he seemed really sweet. We had a couple of drinks, but however, we had too much to drink and well... you know." Penn's eyes widened as he let out a small "oh". "Yeah. Shortly after Gabe found out, he left, and I haven't seen him since."
"Well, if you ask me, this Gabe guy sounds like an as- I mean, a jerk." Penn said, quickly correcting himself as he remembered who was present as well. Alex slowly nodded. "He was." She said.
"And another thing. What did you mean by I wouldn't hurt you or Julie?"
Alex sat silent for a while. "Mommy?" Julie asked, clutching her mother's arm in concern. "Alexandra?" Penn asked in concern as well. Alex shook her head. "Sorry." She then looked at we daughter. "Don't worry, darling. I'm okay." Julie smiled, causing the brunette to do the same.
The brunette woman then looked at the redhead man and her smile turned to a frown. She beckoned him to come closer. He obliged, but was still a bit concerned.
"Well, after Julie was born, I decided to try dating again. I met this man named Bradley and we hit it off. However, I never knew that he was a drinker. He... he would come home... and, he would... beat us. I... I don't know why, but her did. In fact there was this one time that he hurt Julie so bad... she nearly lost her life." Alex said, trying to hold back her tears.
Penn gasped at her, shock and anger burning all over his blood.
How could some hurt Alex and Julie?! And who in the right mind would bear a child so badly, that they nearly died?!
'I swear, if I ever see this Bradley guy again, I will kill him without a second thought.'
"Alex, I am so sorry you and Julie had to go through the that. No should, especially you two. I-I really wish I could do something about this." Penn said, rubbing the woman's back.
"It's okay." Alex said, quickly wiping her eyes. She looked around the airport. "Seems like we won't be moving soon." She mumbled and looked back a Penn. "Still got my phone number?" He nodded. "Okay. I need to use the bathroom. Can you watch Julie for me?" "Sure. I'll let you know if we're boarding." Alex smiled and stood up and went to the bathroom.
"Where's mommy going?" Julie asked. "She just went to the bathroom." Penn said, scooting closer to the child. "So, Julie. What did you ask Santa for this year?" He asked while smiling at her. Julie perked up. "Toys!" She said with excitement. Penn laughed. "Gosh, you are an adorable little girl." He said before slightly tickling her. Julie giggled. "You know, you really look like your mom." He said. "I do?" "You do, kid."
Julie suddenly frowned, making the redhead a bit concerned. "Hey, What's wrong?" He asked. "Well, there is one thing that I always asked Santa for, but he never gave it to me." She said, looking down at the floor. "I'm sure Santa has his reasons. What did you ask for?" Penn asked.
"A daddy." She said, looking just about ready to cry.
Penn felt his heart break into millions of tiny pieces. He had never felt so sorry for anyone until Alex and her daughter suddenly appeared into his life. He began to remember his high school years, and how much he would crush on Alexandra. He never told her, and when he tried, it was too late and Alex had moved to the UK. But now, upon hearing everything that the mother/ daughter duo told him, not telling Alex how he felt all these years would now be one of Penn's biggest regrets he ever made.
"Oh, sweetie." He said, pulling the little girl onto his lap and hugged her. "I know it must feel bad not to have your father around. Believe me, I know. I lost mine for one year when I was 14. He did come back, but it took him a year. But, with a case like this... well, life works in mysterious ways." "What do you mean?" Julie asked, looking at him with curious eyes. "I mean, things don't turn out the way we want them to be, only for them to get better... and trust me. I think this will be the year Santa finally grants that wish." "You do?" "I do, and in fact, I even pinky promise that it will happen." Penn said, extending his pinky to her. Julie giggled and hooked her pinky with his.
Julie went back to hugging the redhead, making Penn smile and hug her back as the child snuggled into his chest.
Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He looked back as saw it was an elderly lady around her 60s. "Excuse me, young man. I just want to say how cute you and your daughter look." She said.
Penn blushed immediately. "Oh! She's not my daughter. She's my friend's kid, actually. I just watching her till she comes back." He said. The lady gave a surprised face. "Oh my! Forgive me then. It's just you two looked to be father and daughter." Penn chuckled. "Kind of do, don't I? But, thanks." The lady nodded and smiled, and Penn turned back.
A minute later, Alex came back and sat down. "Hey. Hope she wasn't much trouble." She said, even thought she could tell it was the opposite by the way Julie was hugging the redhead. "Nah. She was a sweet angel. Isn't that right, darling?" He asked the child, who nodded with a wide smile. Alex smiled back and rested her head against Penn's shoulder and closed her eyes. Penn looked down to see Julie was asleep as well. He smiled and relaxed into the chair he was sitting on.
Penn pulled out his phone and opened up the chat room between him and his mother.
Penn: Mom, can I ask you something?
Mom: Of course sweetie. And how are things over there?
Penn: I'm okay. Met up with Alex and her daughter, Julie. But um, is it okay if they spent Christmas with us tomorrow?
Mom: Of course, Penn. You know your friends are welcomed here. But what brought this on?
Penn: It's a long story. I'll tell you when we get back to Middleburg. I'll keep you informed about things here.
Mom: Okay! Love you, sweetie!!
Penn: Love you to, mom!
Penn shut off the phone and looked at the two girls that were near him. He sighed and looked down at Julie, running a hand down her hair.
'I know we just met, but I swear to God, kid, I'll try to be the dad you deserve. Cause you and your mom are such incredible people.'
