Sweet Little Light [Midori and BBY!Time]

[Morgan Tonaya]

A month had passed, and Morgan was really starting to get into the swing of things at school. He had a fair grasp on his computer-reading program so he could grade students’ homework and essays. He knew his way from his classroom, to the lounge, to the bathroom down pat, and managed to fumble to the majority of other places in the school. All-in-all, Morgan was feeling fairly confident in his bearings, and was even getting a bit better about being able to explain to his students why he had been away.

That, so far, had been the hardest thing. Explaining how, even though he was highly trained and had a firm grasp on his power, some situations were still dangerous so far as side-effects went. And make no mistake, there were bad days; today was just not one of them.

He was at his desk, typing out lesson plans for the next week and having the computer read them back to him (to avoid as many typos as possible). He was excited for the upcoming lesson, as he’d finally be able to get into the sorts of early history that the kids liked: conquest and pillaging. Genghis Khan was always easy to teach.

When a soft knock came to his door, Morgan’s tilted his head slightly.”Who is it?” he asked reflexively. “Come in!” He called cordially after.

[Midori Hawkins]

“Tory, stop.” Midori reached up to once again untangle his little fist from her hair. She was beginning to regret leaving his carrier in the car. She hadn’t planned on being long, and at the time it had just seemed easier to carry him like this. Unfortunately, she hadn’t had the forethought that he’d want to play with her hair, or generally be a fidgety little monkey.

All she needed to do was pick up some paperwork. Despite having the day off due to a weekend assignment, she still had some things she needed to accomplish. Of course, it could be done at home, where Tory could be entertained with cartoons and toys. The baby in her arms smiled up innocently, and she just rolled her eyes. “Don’t give me that look. Your uncle invented that look, and it’s never worked for him.”

Apparently that was an invitation to curl his hand right back in her hair. Mii sighed and ignored it. There was no point to addressing it again. Clearly he wasn’t going to cooperate.

She detoured through the hallways where the classrooms sat, for the sole reason that she’d heard through the grapevine that Morgan was back. Like most of the staff, she knew bits and pieces of what had happened. She’d known that James and his son had been kidnapped, and many of the staff members had gone after them. It had resulted in a few of them being injured, like James’ husband had been.

She knew Morgan was Darryl’s friend. She knew they were close, and she’d known Morgan had been excited for his surrogate ‘brother’ becoming a father. The fact that he couldn’t see now made her regret the fact that she hadn’t brought Tory to see him earlier.

She paused outside the history classroom, shifting Tory in her arms before knocking softly. She didn’t want to startle the teacher. “Um, it’s Midori,” she answered, moving into the room when he extended the invitation. “I brought someone to see you.” In her arms, Tory made a soft squeal. “How have you been, Morgan?”

[Morgan Tonaya]

Morgan’s face brightened slightly when he heard Midori announce herself, but it nearly glowed when he heard Tory squealing. Putting his hands on his desk, blind eyes searching reflexively for the source of the noise and finding nothing but the floor, Morgan stood up slowly. He was grinning from ear to hear. “Wow…You sure did.” Morgan said breathlessly.

He loved children. Beyond anything else, Morgan really loved children. Especially babies. They were simple and squealy and adorable, even when they were puking. Vaguely, Morgan gestured out to his side, where he knew there was a chair or two that wasn’t attatched to a desk. “Make yourself at home.” He invited, scooting out from behind his desk to lean on the front where Midori could better interact with him. Morgan managed to keep most of his social graces, even blind.

“I’m doing well, thanks for asking.” He replied easily. He usually said the same thing over and over. This time it was really true. “Really well now that I finally get to meet the big guy in the flesh.” He cooed, still grinning stupidly. “And you? Work is treating you well, I hope.”

[Midori Hawkins]

Midori hadn’t been sure of what to expect when she’d made the decision to see Morgan. He was a nice guy, and she was actually looking forward to bringing Tory to him. So many things had been put out of whack during the time the staff had gone to rescue James and Nikolai. Finally, they were all settling back into place. Mii brightened at the sight of Morgan grinning. “I did,” she confirmed.

Tory was staring in fascination at the blond teacher. He wasn’t afraid of strangers, nor was he fussy when being held by someone that wasn’t his mother. He was just as content in her arms as he was in Eli’s, Darryl’s, or anyone, really. Mii smiled and come to Morgan’s side, laying a gentle hand on his upper arm to let him know she was there before delicately perching on the edge of a chair. “I will, thank you.”

Morgan was doing such much better than she figured she might have fared in the same situation. She believed him when he said he was doing well. He certainly looked it. “That’s good to hear. Work... is work. I haven’t been out on too many trips recently, but I’m expecting it to pick up again soon.” Tory giggled as he tugged on her hair again. “Morgan? Would you like to hold Tory?” She’d be happy to help him get a grip on the baby. “I know he’d like to meet you.”

[Morgan Tonaya]

“That’s good to hear. Will you be taking Tory with you on any trips?” He asked. After a ponderous moment, his face furrowed in thought. “What is it you do when you’re not on trips?” he asked. Morgan wasn’t in any way familiar with the recruiting practices at Hammel, and had never really bothered to ask. He was sure someone had told him once or twice how things worked, but he probably hadn’t listened to well--- in one ear and out the other.

If Morgan’s eyes could have gotten any bigger they would have. Practically shining with the excitement of a young boy on Christmas morning, Morgan nodded slowly. “I’d love to. I mean…Are you sure?” He asked nervously. He hadn’t held anything fragile really since he’d lost his sight and babies were known for being quite fragile.

But then again, he really loved babies.

With his grin made slightly lopsided by nerves, Morgan wrung his hands for a moment, then gingerly held them out to take the baby from his mother.

[Midori Hawkins]

“No, I don’t think so. It’s better for him here. Eli and Darryl seem okay with looking after him.” She had to smile at his question, bouncing Tory a little. “Paperwork, mostly. And screening reports of potential metas. I learned to do that before I went on maternity leave, to help James out.” And she’d done it since, when he’d had to be home caring for Chase.

Of course she was sure about Morgan holding her son. She knew he’d wanted to meet Tory for a long time, and she was going to give him the full experience. ... Okay, maybe not the full experience. She wasn’t going to make him change diapers. “Of course I am,” she assured, turning Tory away from her to face Morgan.

The baby stared, wide eyed, at the teacher for a moment before breaking into a smile and reaching for him. Midori got up and carefully transferred her son into Morgan’s arms, making sure they were both secure before letting go. “There. ... He looks a lot like Darryl, you know.” It was hard to tell at this age, but she saw a lot of Tory’s father in him, and she thought Morgan would want to know. “And he likes you.” That was proven by the fact that Tory reached for Morgan’s shirt collar and tugged, giggling softly.

[Morgan Tonaya]

“Aw, no adventures for Tory.” Morgan said with a little pout, it quickly turned back into a smile. “I’m glad Darryl is stepping up, even though I bet Eli is a better influence.” He admitted with a chuckle. “With him around, Tory must be one smart baby.”

Morgan leaned almost instinctively toward Midori when she pulled away, as if afraid to hold the baby without her steadying hand, but he quickly returned to his regular stature. He let out a soft breath, which was laced with quiet laughter. Sure he’d held children before (he loved babies), but it was somehow different now. Like his lack of sight just made it more special. “Wow.” He murmured. “Hey, Tory.” He cooed gently to laughing baby, giggling himself when he felt the baby tugging at his shirt.

“Does he really look like Polly?” Morgan asked, still grinning as he ran one of his fingers through Tory’s sparse hair. “Wow. I bet that feeds his ego, eh?” Morgan sighed. “He’s an amazing kid, Midori. I mean…I can’t see him or anything.” Morgan pointed out. “But he’s amazing.”

[Midori Hawkins]

Mii had to smile at that. “No, not yet. Darryl and Eli seem happy with him.” As long as Tory was happy and healthy, she was fine leaving him behind. It wasn’t like she was going anywhere too far yet. Her cheeks colored a little, even though Morgan couldn’t see them. He was right. Eli was by far a better influence. “Yes,” she admitted softly. “Eli thinks Shakespeare is a good bedtime story.” That was afforded a little head shake. “So Tory’s probably going to grow up very smart.”

She trusted him with her son, and Tory seemed fairly content with this new person holding him. The baby kept pulling at the shirt collar, as if that would give him what he wanted, which, from what Midori could tell, was to be held a little tighter. That, or he wanted a button.

“He does,” she confirmed. “More like him than me.” Darryl didn’t seem to think so, but Mii could see it. “Thank you, Morgan.” She paused for a moment before smiling and touching the teacher’s hand. “I know Darryl’s like a brother to you, so that sort of makes you his uncle.” If nothing else, she figured that would make him smile. She didn’t mind extending Tory’s family.

[Morgan Tonaya]

Morgan made a face. “Shakespeare?” He repeated, shuddering. “Yuck. Don’t you think that’s a little…I don’t know…violent? Crude? subversive for a baby?” Morgan chuckled. “But I guess that’s something Eli would do. And it will make you just so very smart, now won’t it big guy.” He cooed to the baby’s face.

As Tory was clinging tight to his collar, Morgan found it hard to hold the baby anywhere but nearly right against his face. He found himself growing fond of the idea of holding a baby that was his own more and more these days, and Tory certainly wasn’t helping the matter. His dreamy, faraway smile faded slightly when the baby gurgled in his ear.

His head inclined naturally to the sound of Midori’s voice and he habitually looked up to search for her face when she explained about extending Tory’s family. “Midori…do you mean that? I mean I’d…” He chuckled, grinning like a fool as he hugged the baby gently. “I’d be honored. I can’t think of a better nephew.”

He chuckled and sighed, holding out Midori’s son in the direction of her voice. “Maybe you should take him back before I decide to keep him, huh?”

[Midori Hawkins]

Midori had to laugh at Morgan’s reaction. “He doesn’t read the violent bits. But it seems to help. Eli’s convinced we can have Tory communicating in baby sign language before too long.” She had her doubts, but her best friend seemed to know what he was talking about, and if he was having a good time trying to teach Tory, she wasn’t going to take that away from him.

Tory seemed to take to new people with a surprising ease. The only person he’d seemed a little wary of was her brother Zach, but he played a little rough and had probably scared him. She could tell he liked Morgan from the way he was clinging closer and closer, until his little arms were cuddled around the teacher’s neck.

“Of course I mean it. I know how close you and Darryl are, and Tory needs a sane uncle to make up for the crazy one.” She giggled softly. “Tory’s still not too sure what to think of one of my brothers. He’s a little nuts.”

From the way he acted just with Tory, Mii could tell that one day, Morgan was going to be a fantastic father. Gently taking her son back, she rested him on her hip. “I don’t think he’d mind if you kept him.” After a moment of quick debate, she stepped forward and rested her hand on his. “You know, Morgan. One day, you’re going to be a great dad. But until then, you’re always welcome to visit with your nephew.”

[Morgan Tonaya]

“Babies already have their own language. It’s called crying.” Morgan teased. Eli was great, but he was definitely eccentric. His concept of fun was…different. And Midori was so quite, Morgan almost hoped that for everyone’s sake Tory was nothing like Darryl. A boisterous personality like his father’s would most certainly bring down the house.

Morgan scratched his neck and chuckled. “Oh yeah? Well I’m glad to be a replacement, but I’m sure your brother will come around. And if not? Well…everyone needs that one crazy uncle.” Morgan joked good-naturedly.

Flinching slightly at the sudden sensation of Midori’s hand on his, Morgan chuckled awkwardly. Despite the surprise, Morgan gentle patted her hand. “Thanks Midori…that means a lot to me. And don’t worry. I will.”

[Midori Hawkins]

Midori laughed at Morgan’s conclusion. “Yeah, try convincing him of that. He’s sure Tory’ll be pretty good at it by the time he’s ready to talk.” Really, it wasn’t bothering her. Eli was right, in that it was giving Tory a way to communicate before he could speak. At least she had her faith that Tory, personality wise, wouldn’t be much like his father. He was a fairly quiet baby as it was.

“Maybe, if he ever matures up. Think Darryl, then think a few years younger mentally. That’s Zach.” She smiled lovingly at her son, hoping for his sake that Zach really would come around one day. “I think Tory’s got enough crazy in his life. Having another loving uncle will be perfect, though.”

The pat made her relax a bit after Morgan flinched. She realized that he probably had another class coming in soon, and she was taking up much of his work up time. Moving in a bit closer, she slid her hand up his arm and gave him a gentle one armed hug. Tory turned in her other arm to help, patting Morgan’s neck. “Good. I’ll hold you to that. And let you get back to work.” She let go of the teacher, and jigged Tory in her arms. “We should go get Mommy’s paperwork, right Tor?” The baby giggled, waving to Morgan despite the fact he couldn’t see it. “I’ll bring him by again, okay Morgan?”