Cape High Christmas: A Side Story (Cape High Series)

by R. J. Ross

  "So what are you suggesting?" Nico asks her.

  "Let it die," Marigold says. "She isn't a bad woman, Technico. She might be a super villain, but she plays by the rules just like anyone else. Don't... don't rub salt on the wounds."

  "Do you have children?" he asks her.

  "No," she says. "Now go on. I don't want norms hunting around for you. I try to keep a good relationship with the government types."

  "They'll never know," he says. "Not unless there's another hidden technopath somewhere."

  "I sincerely hope not."

  ***

  "Nico's making Summer worry," Jeanie says that night. The boys are already in bed, leaving her and Ken to take a few minutes together. She's got patrol duty in an hour, he just finished his, so this isn't the time to dance around the subject.

  "How so?" Ken asks.

  "He's been going out all night and he came home with crystal in his hair this morning," she sums up, pulling out a napkin that holds the piece of crystal and showing it to him. "She's wondering what he's up to, and honestly, well..."

  "Nico's not the most forward guy around, and with his speed he could go anywhere in the world," Ken sums up, taking the napkin and looking at it curiously. "I'm going to ask him," he decides, getting to his feet.

  "Thank you," Jeanie says. "I need to get to work, but if you find out anything, tell me, okay?" she says. "You know, with how things have been going this month I bet," she goes on, her eyes starting to gleam excitedly, "that it's something amazing!"

  ***

  Nico's already gone when Ken gets to his apartment, so Ken pulls out his phone, leaving the building before calling. "Hey," he says. "I've got to ask you a question," he says as Nico answers. "What have you been up to, lately? The girls are starting to get really curious."

  "I just bet they are," Nico says. It's obvious that he's flying, because his hair is flying and the scenery around the edges is a blur. "I can't tell you over the phone, someone might hear. Meet me at the coordinates I'm sending and you'll find out for yourself. You've got more experience with this sort of thing than I do, anyway."

  ***

  "How's it coming?" Nico calls down the hole of Diamond Dust's secret base a few moments later. "Is there anything else you need?"

  "Peace and quiet might be nice," she says dryly. "I've got the engagement ring finished," she tells him, stepping out of the hole and holding out a crystal box. "You told me to do what I wanted," she adds defensively as he opens the box.

  The design makes him stare in wonder. It's a rose made of a single diamond surrounded by ruby petals, and the shank (the part that wraps around her finger) is gold with tiny little emerald leaves decorating it. "If it needs to be sized, you can bring it to me," she says, when he doesn't say anything. "I haven't done the wedding ring yet--but it should connect to this one--"

  "I still owe you," he says, handing the box back. "This is worth more than what I did. Especially since you added more gems."

  "I'm here," Ken says from above. Nico looks up, seeing him floating in the air. He lands, heading to them.

  "America's Son," Diamond Dust says, crystals rising out of the ground as she takes a defensive pose. "Was this all a ruse to--"

  "It's not a ruse. It's just really hard to keep a secret where we live. Ken here was going to find out sooner or later, so I invited him along. If she says yes, Ken's going to be the one that does the ceremony. Check it out, Ken, I think she'll love it, but I'm feeling... a bit nervous," he says, obviously not used to using that word. Ken blinks as Diamond Dust reluctantly hands over the ring box.

  "You mean--" Ken looks at the box, flipping it open. "Oh... wow, this is gorgeous," Ken says, still looking at the ring. "You sure did this in a unique way, too, didn't you?" he says. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Diamond Dust," he adds before looking at Nico. "But I still have to ask, why a super villain?"

  "Why not?" Nico asks. "If I'm going to ask Summer to marry me, I want to have a good story as backup to keep her from turning me down. So I dug up the diamond, myself, and then brought it to Dust to turn it into a ring. She's a specialist with expensive gems. Sure I could have asked Sunny, but the kid has no artistic ability whatsoever."

  "Now that the whole thing is settled, you both can leave," Diamond Dust says, grabbing the box out of Ken's hands and heading for her entrance. "I've still got another ring to make."

  "When can I pick them both up?" Nico asks.

  "Give me three days," she says.

  "Cutting it a little close, aren't you?"

  "Do you want a custom ring set or not?" she demands.

  "Here," Nico says, instead of replying. "Something for your new computer." He waves his hand at the ground. "I can get you cash, too, if you want it--"

  "Get me a few more gemstones and we'll be even," she says. "I used up some of my personal collection for this."

  "I'll do that. I can also make it so you can live like a norm," Nico says. She goes still, a look of shock crossing her face. "I've got the technology. It's called an illusion watch. You could live in society and nobody would even notice. You could look like a norm."

  "I'll... I'll think about it," she says, not looking at him before heading back into her den.

  "Wow, this is definitely a story to share with your grandkids, man!" Ken says, grinning from ear to ear. "Just wait until I tell Jeanie--"

  "No telling Jeanie," Nico says. "You might be able to keep it a secret for that long, but your wife is all too happy to 'share the good news,' and we both know it."

  "It's almost impossible for me to keep things from her! YOU have trouble keeping things from Summer, how can you expect me to do any better?"

  "Pray hard, I'm sure it'll help. There's another reason I asked you to come. Are you really interested in adopting Sandra?" Nico says, changing the subject.

  "Wha--of course we are," Ken says, looking confused. "If this is about Century, we already know. I will admit that he might be a good father for her, but what she really needs is an entire family--"

  "No, it's not that," Nico says, frowning slightly. "Have you ever wondered what line she comes from?" he asks.

  Ken turns and looks at him, a stunned expression on his face. "No--it couldn't--do you really think so?"

  "How many capes do you know have rock mimicry?" Nico says. "I might be wrong, but the moment I mentioned it to Marigold, she jumped down my throat."

  "How so?"

  "She mentioned just how difficult it is to raise a kid with powers, even when you look like a norm," Nico says. "I guess living in a hole WOULD make teacher-parent visits a bit awkward."

  "Do you even do teacher-parent visits?"

  "No, but it sounds awkward and embarrassing," Nico says. "Well, actually, I did go meet Carla's mom, once. I think that should count, except I went to meet her siblings, not the mom."

  "That doesn't count, then," Ken says. "So are they?"

  "Are they what? Mom and daughter?"

  "I was actually wondering if Carla's siblings were capes."

  "Oh. There's a good chance," Nico admits. "Can you imagine that many speedsters? I mean, Carla's enough of a handful as it is. I'm thinking I'll issue power blockers as soon as they enroll."

  "Will you?"

  "Probably not," Nico admits.

  They fall silent for a while before Ken goes, "this makes adopting her even more complicated, doesn't it?" he says finally. "Jeanie's got her heart set on having a daughter, you know."

  Nico says nothing.

  ***

  There's a single picture on the screen--a little gargoyle-like girl wearing a Santa hat and holding a stocking with a smile. It's obvious, Diamond Dust thinks as a she chokes on a sob. He knows.

  Her baby girl is turning into a true Rockslide line, just like her.

  ***

  "Thank you," Summer says, looking up as Nico walks into the room, covered in dirt again. "I'll see you, then. I'm sorry for bugging you on a Sunday, but I'm really excited," she adds. "Summer's Bouquet will be o
pen by mid-spring," she adds with a smile that's not quite as wide as she was hoping. She hangs up, looking at her--her Nico, she decides, and frowning. "Again?" she asks. "Are you saving people from fires?"

  "Just another digging job," he says, leaning over and kissing her on the cheek. "Nothing for you to worry--" he blinks as she runs her fingers over his cheek, looking at the grime closely.

  "What have you been doing around a volcano?" she asks, rubbing her fingers together. She might not be an earth elementalist, but she DOES know her fertile ground.

  "I swear I'll tell you everything," he says, "on Christmas day. Until then, I need a shower. We're supposed to be going to church for Alyssa's day today, remember?" he says, heading for the bathroom.

  Her mind races as he walks away and she touches her cheek, where he kissed her. Volcanoes, digging, Christmas--she lets out a gasp as she puts it all together. "No," she says, shaking her head. "He wouldn't!"

  "Wouldn't what?" Sunny asks as he stumbles sleepily into the room, yawning. He drops down at the table and falls asleep before she decides what to say. Zoe comes out a second later, dressed in her Sunday best already. Soon Summer's too focused on getting everyone fed and ready for church (Zoe is, but Sunny's got to be prodded the entire time.) The idea is firmly shoved to the back of her mind for the rest of the day.

  It's only that night, when Jeanie catches her in the hallway, that she remembers her errant thought. "Ken asked him--I'm sorry, I know you were planning on trusting him--" she says silently, looking guilty.

  "Asked him? Did he find out anything?" Summer asks, wondering if they should go outside for this conversation.

  "He did, but he refuses to tell me!" Jeanie says, irritably. "He only smiles a little and gets that 'I've got a big secret' look when I ask before changing the subject. It's so OBVIOUS that something's happening, but... but SOMETHING is bothering him," she admits with a frown. "I'm certain of it. I just don't know if it's what Nico's up to or not."

  "You know him best," Summer says. "If you think something's bothering him, then I'm sure there is."

  "That's why I was wondering if you wouldn't like to come for a little flight," Jeanie says. "Just a little jaunt out!"

  Summer blinks, completely thrown off guard. "Jeanie, you realize I can't fly--"

  "Oh, I'll carry you," Jeanie says, waving it off. "It's just too pretty a night to waste and Ken is on patrol."

  "Then I would be honored to go for a flight with you," Summer says, knowing she probably shouldn't. She'd decided, right? She was going to trust Nico--but--"I think some fresh air will help me think more clearly, anyway," she decides, remembering her thought from this morning.

  "Think about what?" Jeanie asks as they head for the exit.

  "I have a... theory," Summer admits, smiling with a hint of a blush, "on what Nico is up to. But if it's worrying Ken, I might be wrong," she says, suddenly realizing.

  "Then all the more reason to go for that flight," Jeanie declares, slapping on her mask as they head out of the apartment building. She wraps an arm around Summer's waist. "Let's go!" she says, shoving off the ground. She races through the sky, heading straight for the East Branch.

  "Why are we heading this way?" Summer asks, shoving her hair out of her face.

  "Because this is the direction I saw Ken fly the other day. Considering the speed he was traveling and the time he got back, there's a good chance he came this far to find Nico," Jeanie says, hovering over the East Hall. "And Marigold will know for sure that Nico's not doing anything bad, since it's her territory. That's all we need to know--even if we WANT to know more," she says, landing on the building. Several black suits come out, carrying guns. "Hello, boys! We're here to visit Marigold," she says with a blinding smile.

  "Stand down," Marigold says, stepping through the group of guards. "Star Spangled, Lady Rose, it's an honor to have you visit," she says, smiling broadly and offering a hand. "But I would have appreciated a heads up, first, red tape and all that."

  "I think America's Son came this way the other day, and I just wanted to apologize in case he forgot to stop by," Jeanie says.

  "And Nico, as well," Summer says. "I know he's been causing all sorts of trouble with his border hopping. I really do need to talk to him about it."

  "Oh, he's fine. We've been through all the paperwork this time around," Marigold says.

  "Oh? So it's official business?" Jeanie asks.

  "I can't tell," Marigold says with a pointed look at Summer. "I've been sworn to secrecy, ladies, and as much as I'd like to tell, I can't."

  Jeanie looks at her. "So he's not doing any massive excavating that could get him thrown into the Cape Cells again, right?"

  "I promise he's not."

  "But he HAS been digging," Summer says, "near a volcano," she adds with a little grin.

  "Oh! So that theory you mentioned--" Jeanie says, excited. "You think he's going to propose?!"

  "Well, it's just like him to decide to do it the hard way," Summer says, wryly. "But we can't let him know that we know--IF that's what he's doing. But I did enjoy the flight, it's a beautiful night for it! The only thing I regret about my powers is that I can't fly, myself."

  "That's so exciting!" Jeanie says, practically bouncing. "Oh, but if that's all it is... why did Ken seem worried?"

  "Because you might run off and do something like we did tonight?" Summer asks. "Let's leave--I don't want anyone to know we came."

  "You ARE going to say yes, though, aren't you?" Marigold asks. "Not that I'm saying that's what he's doing, of course. I'm sworn to secrecy, remember?"

  "I might say yes," Summer says playfully, "if he plays his cards right." The others start laughing. "And of course you'll be invited to the wedding, Marigold," she adds. "Thank you."

  "I'll be invited, too, won't I?" Jeanie asks.

  "Honey, you're going to be one of my bridesmaids! I expect you to keep Skye on the ground through the entire ceremony, of course. That's if we can get her in a dress," Summer says, hugging Jeanie with a wide smile. "Now I just need to keep the fact that I know a secret from Nico," she says. "Let's go back before he notices," she says to Jeanie.

  "Absolutely," Jeanie agrees, taking to the air.

  ***

  A short flight away from the two females, Ken lands on the ground outside Diamond Dust's den. He hesitates for a moment, thinking of the night he and Sandra had filled stockings for the school. It had just been a few nights ago, he thinks.

  "Diamond Dust?" he calls down the hole. "Can I speak with you?"

  Nothing seems to happen for a long moment, and then slowly the entrance to the hole in the ground opens. "What do you want? If it's to pick up the ring, I at least expected Nico to do it for himself," she says irritably.

  "It's not that," he says. "I want to talk to you about Sandra."

  "Who?" she asks, not reacting to the name at all.

  "The girl that Nico thinks might be your daughter," Ken says seriously, looking her straight in the eye without flinching. "My wife and I are interested in adopting her. So is Century. But you need to know--"

  "I don't know what you're talking about," she says, turning to go back into her den.

  "Is she your daughter?" Ken asks.

  "I have no daughter," she says, heading down.

  "I don't think you're being honest with me," he says. "Nico can make it so you can live like a norm. You can be her mother--her real mother. She's got a school and a future ahead of her, Diamond Dust. You can be a part of that."

  "Don't YOU want to be her parent?" she demands, turning on him. "You just said you did. So why are you shoving this in my face?"

  "Because I think she needs you," he says, "even if you don't. I think you should meet her," he says. "I love that little girl, Diamond. My first thought will always be for what's best for her. If that means you instead of my family, then that's what I want. But it could even mean ALL of us," he says, "you, my family, and Century. I think if we truly worked for it, we could provide a stable support
system for her that way."

  "How would that work?" she asks quietly.

  "I don't know, yet, but I'm sure we can figure it out," he says, starting to smile now that he has an idea, vague though it is. "Just think on it for a while. If you decide that you don't want to be a part of her life, I'll never tell her what I know, but... your daughter is a precious gift, Diamond, and we can make what seemed impossible possible," he says gently. "We're supers, it's our thing."

  "How?" she asks. "How would she forgive me for doing what I did?" Her voice is raw, now, and she finally lets her heartache show. "I abandoned her--"

  "Could you have raised her properly?" he asks. "She only just now started coming into her powers. She was a normal girl before. She would need more than... what you could provide, living like you do," he says gently, motioning to the hole in the ground. "You knew that."

  "I didn't know what to do," she admits. "She was basically a normal child--I thought--I'd hoped--that she would be born with her powers, like I was. If she had, I could have handled it. But when she was born, she was so soft, so... breakable. So beautiful," she whispers, looking away from him. "Marigold didn't know--she just knew that I was taking a year off. I should have taken her to her. I regret that so much, now," she says. "I was afraid to touch her," she goes on, looking at him. "I can shatter adult bones with a firm grip," she says. "Can you imagine the horror that hit me every time I picked her up? I was terrified that I would grip too hard without realizing it--"

  "I know," he agrees. "It's terrifying. When my son was born, I had the exact same problem. Both Jeanie and I did. You did what you felt was right, and I can't disagree with it," he says, his tone still gentle. There's a gleam of empathy in his eyes. "But she's not breakable, now."

  "I've seen her picture," she admits. "The stone will start smoothing out with time--or a grinder, if she's impatient. She should be a beautiful jasper under all that crag. My father was, and it's obvious she's from the Rockslide line." She stares forward, her mind turning back to the past. "He didn't bother to polish, though, said it was too girly."