1.6: Welcome home, son.

A few more agonizing days had passed before the day of Dalton and Marilyn's new arrival would show up. They hated the waiting, but they knew it would all be worth it in the end.  

Marilyn actually woke up before her early riser husband for once, and she decided to make waffles for everyone.
"I hope he likes waffles. I hope he likes me. I wonder what his name is." She mumbled under her breath the whole time she made waffles.

Not moments after Marilyn had put the waffles on the counter, Sadie called.
"Good morning Marilyn, hope I didn't wake you, we have sent someone to accompany your new son to your house. I sadly couldn't come myself."
"Oh it's fine, I just finished with breakfast. I hope he likes waffles."
"He's a young kid, I'm sure he will. Anyways they'll be there within a matter of minutes."
"Thank you so much."
Marilyn hung up the phone. Dalton was up and outside in the garden, oh well, it'd be great to surprise him.

As soon as she hung up, Marilyn was at the window waiting. A few cars passed by giving her false hope, but her hand went to her cheek as she noticed one car slowing down. Suddenly her palms were sweaty, and she was freaking out. She didn't even know his name, or anything about this little boy, but she wanted to love him with all of her heart.

There he was. Walking up the drive way, looking at the front lawn. Most likely he was looking at the bikes in the front yard. Marilyn noticed he was a little pale or well blue, she started to wonder if he had an illness. They should have told them if something was wrong with him, they'd love him either way, that could be dangerous.

His red hair was just adorable and looked so fluffy, Marilyn just wanted to ruffle it. In truth all she wanted to do was run up to him and pinch his cheeks.

Instead of pinching his cheeks she pulled him in for a tight hug. A small body to hug. He was so warm. Marilyn was right, his hair was soft and fluffy; it felt good against her skin. 

Marilyn pulled back from the hug to look at the young boy and talk to him.

"Hi sweetheart, my name is Marilyn. You can call me mom, only if you want to, and the man that just walked in the door is Dalton. You can call him dad if you want. What's your name?"

"I'm Leon." He gave her a small smile.

"That's a great name, do you like waffles Leon?" Marilyn grinned as he nodded his head. "Well come sit down and we'll get you some waffles.

The table was quiet for once. No bantering between Marilyn and Dalton, no conversations, and no one was going to start one. Marilyn ate happily even though it was quiet, it reminded her of her childhood. She had come from a pretty big family, consisting of four other kids, her parents always had breakfast made before they went to school so it was always a lot of fun at the table. She was the only girl, the youngest, and her brothers always reminded her of that. That's why she was so tough sometimes, though her mother made it a point to make sure she was sensitive. Marilyn guessed it worked since she now had a husband and a child.

After breakfast, Marilyn showed Leon his room. It was small and didn't have much in it, she felt bad for that, but she wanted to get more for it. 

"I'm sorry that's so small. If there's anything you want, just tell me or Dalton and we'll try to get it for you." She waited for an answer.

Once she realized he was going to give her an answer she made her way to the door. "I'll just leave you alone for a bit." He nodded and she went into the living room.

"Do you think he likes it here?" Marilyn had been sitting on the couch playing with her hands, she was so nervous that Leon hated it here.

"I don't think he hates it, dear. I'm sure it's a bit different than living with actual genies, I don't know much about genie magic but I can help him a little bit."

"Yeah I guess.. wait what? Did you just say genie? Is that why his skin is blue?"

"You didn't know that? But yes, our son is a genie. By how light his skin is, I'm thinking one of his parents was a human. Probably the mother, hmm that could make some interesting situations as to why he's an orphan." Dalton started rambling to himself, Marilyn listened to her loony husband.

 Meanwhile Leon was sitting in his new parents room playing with one of his new toys. So far he loved being here, he felt loved and wanted for once. His new mommy was nice and his new daddy was funny, he wanted to stay here for a long time.

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After dinner Dalton made his way outside to work on his alchemy. He hadn't noticed that Leon followed him.

"What are you doing with that big book? What are all of those plants?"

Dalton jumped slightly. "Goodness boy." He took a moment to relax before explaining what alchemy was. After explaining Leon looked more intrigued than ever.

"Do you have any potions?" He asked very curious.

"Yes. Would you like to try one? I have one that will make you very happy."

Leon sniffed it, not sure if it was safe to drink it.

"Go on, it's not gonna hurt you. I promise." He smiled and scratch the side of his head, his son was so curious. Were all little boys like this? He was gonna have his hands full.

Leon threw his head back and let out a yell. Dalton stood there trying not to react badly, if Marilyn knew he'd let their son try a new potion she'd have his head. 

Thankfully the yell turned to laughing, that was music to Dalton's ears. 

"Everything alright, son?"

"Yes! I'm so happy." Leon laughed. "Thanks dad! Wanna play rock, paper, scissors?"

Dalton attempted to put on a competitive face and accepted his sons challenge. Leon beat Dalton quite a few times, which drove him crazy wanting to win. They ended up playing until Marilyn called them inside so Leon could wash up and go to bed.

"But no fish at all was in it, nor any monster or thing of horror, but only a little Mermaid lying fast asleep. So beautiful was she that when the young Fisherman saw her he was filled with wonder, and he put out his hand and drew the net close to him, and leaning over the side he clasped her in his arms. Afraid that she would escape, he held her tightly to him."

Marilyn read Leon a bedtime story so he'd sleep well the first night here. 

"Yet never again in the corner of the Fullers' Field grew flowers of any kind, but the field remained barren even as before. Nor came the Sea-folk into the bay as they had been wont to do, for they went to another part of the sea." Marilyn hadn't noticed that Leon had fallen asleep, she finished the story and smiled at her little boy.

"Goodnight sweetheart, I love you." Marilyn whispered to her prince before heading off to bed herself.

----------

The next morning everything went to normal, Dalton made breakfast for everyone while Marilyn got Leon up. They happily ate breakfast, this time with more conversation.

After breakfast Marilyn pulled Leon in for a hug.
"Alright sweetie, I have some jobs to do but I promise daddy is gonna take you to the park today since it's nice out. He's in the garden right now, go bug him and maybe he'll quit sooner." She winked before leaving.

Leon did just that, he followed an irritated Dalton around the garden until he gave in. Though he lighten up once they got to the park and Leon challenged him to a soccer shootout.

"Kid, don't think you're gonna beat me. You're too cocky for your own good."

"Try me!"

This bantering went on the whole game. Dalton enjoyed it, he was really enjoying this little boy.

After changing back into normal clothes, both boys got a snow cone.

"Mmm this is delicious, I've never had one before."

"I just had one for the first time a few weeks ago, I think we should get one of these machines. Careful don't eat it too fast!"

"Ahhhhh! My head!"

"Told you. Ooo look fireworks."

The father-son bonding time ended with watching the fireworks. Marilyn eventually showed up and dragged both of them home by the ear. Dalton got a stern talking to about being out so late with Leon having school the next morning, which he just stared right past her at the dirty counter and got out of it with a charming smile.

~~~~~~~~~~

I wasn't expecting Leon to be a genie, he literally showed up like that. The only thing I changed was his hair and outfit. I've never played a genie so I'm nervous about what he can do in the future. Other than that he's an adorable little boy.