December 2003
Reed stood outside the modest two-story house in Westchester, holding a bottle of wine and trying to convince himself he wasn't nervous. Three months of dating Sue had been the best three months of his life, but meeting her parents felt like stepping into completely uncharted territory.
Sue squeezed his hand. "You're going to be fine. They already love you."
"They don't know me," Reed pointed out. "They know the guy who helped you with homework when you were thirteen. That's different."
"No, it's not," Sue said, standing on her toes to kiss his cheek. "That guy and this guy? Same person. Just older and even more wonderful."
Reed felt that familiar flutter in his chest that happened whenever Sue said things like that. Three months of dinners and walks through the city, of late-night conversations about everything and nothing, of stolen kisses in his office after class, and he was still amazed that she chose him. That she looked at him like he was something special.
"Besides," Sue added with a grin, "Johnny's been asking about you nonstop since I told him we were dating. He keeps saying he knew this would happen eventually."
"Johnny knew we'd end up dating?"
"Johnny said, and I quote, 'Sue's been in love with Reed since she was thirteen, she just didn't know it yet.'"
Reed stared at her. "Have you? Been in love with me that long?"
Sue's cheeks flushed pink in the cold December air. "Maybe not in love exactly, but... I always knew you were special. Even as a kid, I knew you were someone I wanted to keep in my life forever."
"Sue," Reed started, but she was already turning toward the front door.
"Come on, Mr. Fantastic. Time to face the music."
The door opened before they could knock, revealing a woman who was clearly Sue's mother. Same blonde hair, same warm blue eyes, same smile that made Reed feel immediately welcome.
"You must be Reed," Mary Storm said, extending her hand with a warm smile. "I'm Mary, Sue's mother. It's so wonderful to finally meet you."
Reed shook her hand, relieved by her welcoming manner. "Mrs. Storm, thank you so much for having me. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Oh please, call me Mary. And the pleasure is ours." She looked between Reed and Sue with obvious approval. "Sue's told us so much about you. Though I have to say, she didn't mention how handsome you are."
"Mom," Sue said, though she was smiling. "Can we at least get inside before you start embarrassing him?"
"I'm just saying, you picked a good one," Mary said with a wink that made Reed laugh despite his nerves. "Come in, come in. It's freezing out there."
The house was warm and smelled like something delicious cooking in the kitchen. Christmas decorations were everywhere, but tastefully done, the kind of holiday warmth that spoke of family traditions and love. Reed felt something relax in his chest as he looked around at family photos covering the mantelpiece and bookshelves.
"Franklin's in his study," Mary said, taking their coats. "He'll be out in a minute. Fair warning, he's been looking forward to this meeting all week."
"Looking forward to it?" Sue asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Your father takes his job as protective dad very seriously," Mary said with a knowing smile. "Don't worry, Reed. His bark is worse than his bite."
Reed felt his stomach tighten slightly. He'd been hoping for a relaxed family dinner, not an interrogation.
Reed was about to respond when he heard footsteps thundering down the stairs, followed by a voice he'd recognize anywhere.
"Reed? Holy crap, is that really you?"
Johnny Storm appeared at the bottom of the staircase, and Reed's breath caught. This wasn't the twelve-year-old he remembered. Johnny had shot up to at least six feet, all long limbs and broad shoulders, with blonde hair that looked like he'd just rolled out of bed but somehow still looked good. He moved with the kind of casual confidence that came naturally to teenagers who'd never met a mirror they didn't like.
"Johnny," Reed said, completely amazed. "What the hell happened to you?"
"I got awesome," Johnny said with a cocky grin that was pure fifteen-year-old boy. "Growth spurt, working out, the usual. Girls seem to approve."
"Johnny," Sue said from behind Reed, but she was trying not to laugh.
"What? It's true. I'm like, objectively hot now." Johnny struck a pose that was so ridiculous Reed couldn't help but laugh. "But seriously, Reed, look at you! Sue said you were all professorial now, but you still look like you could throw a football."
"I haven't thrown a football in years," Reed said.
"We should fix that. I'm on the varsity team now. Starting wide receiver." Johnny's chest puffed out with pride. "Coach says I've got the best hands he's ever seen."
"And the biggest head," Sue muttered loud enough to make sure her little brother heard.
"Hey, confidence is attractive," Johnny shot back. "Speaking of which, Reed, Sue told you I called this whole thing, right?"
"She mentioned it," Reed said with a grin.
"Because I totally did. Sue's been crazy about you since forever." Johnny turned to his sister with a wicked smile. "Remember when you spent like two hours getting ready for that barbecue thing when Reed was gonna be there? And then you kept asking him all these questions about marine biology?"
Sue's cheeks went red. "That was genuine scientific curiosity."
"You hate fish," Johnny said, laughing. "You won't even eat fish sticks. But suddenly you're all 'Oh Reed, please explain ocean ecosystems to me' like you were gonna become a marine biologist or something."
"That's not how I sounded!"
"That's exactly how you sounded. All breathy and weird." Johnny was clearly enjoying himself. "And don't even get me started on the time you made me help you practice talking about car engines because you heard Reed mention he liked working on them."
"I never did that!"
"You absolutely did! You spent an entire afternoon reading about carburetors even though you think cars are boring." Johnny looked at Reed. "She memorized like twenty car facts just to have something to talk to you about."
Reed was trying not to laugh at Sue's mortified expression. "You studied car engines for me?"
"I was expanding my general knowledge," Sue said with as much dignity as she could manage.
"Sure you were. Just like you were 'expanding your knowledge' when you started wearing that perfume because you heard Reed say he liked how it smelled on some girl at a party."
"Johnny Storm, I'm going to kill you," Sue threatened, but Reed could tell she wasn't really angry.
"See? Still the same old Sue. All threats and no follow-through." Johnny grinned at Reed. "She's been in love with you since she was thirteen, man. I kept telling her to just say something, but she was all 'Oh, he probably doesn't think of me that way' and 'I'm too young' and blah blah blah."
"Well, she was too young then," Reed pointed out.
"Yeah, but she's not now," Johnny said with a meaningful look. "And neither are you. So don't screw this up, okay? Sue's the best person I know, and if you hurt her, I'll have to do something dramatic and probably stupid."
The threat was delivered with a grin, but Reed could hear the real protectiveness underneath. Despite all the teasing, Johnny clearly adored his sister.
"I'm not going to hurt her," Reed said seriously. "I promise."
"Good. Because I know where you work now, and I've gotten really good at taking things apart." Johnny's grin turned mischievous again. "Ask Sue about what happened to her alarm clock last month."
"That was an accident!" Sue protested.
"An accident that took you three trips to the store to fix," Johnny shot back.
Reed watched this exchange with growing amusement. Johnny had definitely grown up, but he still had that same mischievous energy, just channeled into embarrassing his sister instead of destroying household appliances. And despite the teasing, Reed could see the genuine affection between the siblings, the way Johnny's protective instincts kicked in even while he was giving Sue grief.
"Boys," Mary called from the kitchen, "come help me with dinner. Franklin! Reed's here!"
A man emerged from what Reed assumed was the study, and Reed felt the atmosphere shift slightly. Franklin Storm was tall and lean, with salt-and-pepper hair and sharp eyes that seemed to take Reed's measure in a single glance. He didn't look unfriendly, exactly, but there was something assessing in his gaze that made Reed straighten his shoulders unconsciously.
"Dr. Richards," Franklin said, his voice neutral and polite. He extended his hand with a firm grip that lasted just a beat too long. "Franklin Storm. Sue's father."
"Mr. Storm, thank you for having me in your home," Reed replied, meeting Franklin's gaze steadily. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Please, have a seat," Franklin said, gesturing to the living room. "Mary will have dinner ready soon, but I thought we might talk first."
Reed caught Sue's sympathetic look as Franklin settled into what was clearly his chair, the one with the best view of the room. Johnny flopped into another chair, but Reed noticed he was watching his father with interest, like he was curious to see how this would play out.
"So," Franklin said, his tone conversational but his eyes sharp, "Sue tells me you're running a research foundation. The Baxter Foundation?"
"That's right, sir. My partner Ben and I started it earlier this year."
"And what exactly do you research?"
Reed found himself explaining their interdisciplinary approach to complex problems, but he could feel Franklin evaluating not just his words but how he said them. This wasn't curiosity about his work. This was a father trying to determine if Reed was good enough for his daughter.
"Interesting," Franklin said when Reed finished. "And this pays well enough to support a family?"
"Dad," Sue said from the kitchen doorway, her voice carrying a warning.
"It's a legitimate question," Franklin replied calmly. "A man should be able to provide for the people he cares about."
Reed felt heat rise in his cheeks, but he kept his voice steady. "The foundation is financially stable, and my teaching position at Columbia provides additional security. I'm not wealthy, but I'm able to take care of myself and anyone who might depend on me."
Franklin nodded slowly, and Reed thought he saw a flicker of approval in his eyes. "And your intentions toward my daughter?"
"Franklin Storm," Mary said sharply, appearing with a wooden spoon in her hand. "You are not interrogating this fine young man at the dinner table."
"I'm not interrogating anyone," Franklin said mildly. "I'm having a conversation."
Johnny snorted. "Dad, you're totally interrogating him. It's kind of awesome, actually."
"Johnny," Sue said exasperatedly.
"What? I want to see if Reed can handle it." Johnny looked at Reed with interest. "Dad's pretty intense when he wants to be."
Reed looked around at this family dynamic with growing understanding. Franklin wasn't being cruel or unreasonable. He was being a father who loved his daughter and wanted to make sure the man she was dating was worthy of her. Reed could respect that, even if it made him nervous.
"My intentions toward Sue are completely honorable, Mr. Storm," Reed said quietly. "I care about her very much, and I want to make her happy."
"And if you can't make her happy?"
"Then I hope she'll be smart enough to find someone who can," Reed replied honestly.
Franklin stared at him for a long moment, then his expression softened slightly. "That's a good answer, Dr. Richards."
"Reed," Reed said. "Please call me Reed."
"Reed, then." Franklin settled back in his chair, and Reed felt like he'd passed some kind of test. "Tell me about this partner of yours. Ben?"
Reed found himself relaxing as he explained their work on advanced materials, communication systems, and life support technologies. Franklin asked thoughtful questions that showed he understood the technical challenges involved, and Reed realized where Sue had gotten her analytical mind.
"Dad's a mechanical engineer," Sue explained as they moved toward the dining room. "He works on government contracts, which is why he travels so much."
"What kind of government work?" Reed asked.
Franklin's expression became slightly guarded. "Classified projects, mostly. I can tell you it involves propulsion systems, but that's about it."
Reed nodded, understanding the limitations of government work. "I do some classified consultation myself. It's frustrating not being able to talk about the most interesting parts of your job."
"Exactly," Franklin said, and Reed could see him relax slightly. "Mary thinks I'm being mysterious, but really I just can't discuss most of what I do."
Dinner was comfortable in a way Reed hadn't expected. Mary was a natural hostess, keeping conversation flowing while making sure everyone had enough food. Johnny regaled them with stories from his automotive classes, describing engine modifications with the same enthusiasm Reed remembered from their summer adventures. Sue watched everyone with obvious happiness, and Reed realized she'd been nervous too about how this would go.
"So Reed," Mary said as they were finishing the main course, "Sue tells us you two met again when she enrolled in your class?"
"That's right. Though I have to admit, I was so surprised to see her that I completely botched my lecture that day."
"He forgot what he was talking about mid-sentence," Sue added with a grin. "Had to end class early because he couldn't focus with me there."
"That's because Sue asked the kind of question that made everyone else in the room realize how much smarter she was than them," Reed said. "Including me."
Franklin leaned back in his chair, studying Reed with interest. "What was the question?"
Reed looked at Sue, who nodded encouragingly. "She asked how wave-particle duality applied to biological systems. Most graduate students don't make those kinds of interdisciplinary connections."
"Sue's always been like that," Mary said proudly. "Even as a little girl, she'd find patterns other people missed."
"She still does," Reed said softly, looking at Sue with an expression that made Johnny grin and Franklin raise his eyebrows. "It's one of the things I love most about her."
The word 'love' hung in the air for a moment, and Reed realized he'd said it without thinking. He and Sue had been dancing around those words for weeks, both of them feeling it but neither quite ready to say it out loud.
Sue's cheeks flushed pink, but she was smiling. "One of the things?"
"Well," Reed said, committed now, "there's also your terrible ice skating, your addiction to terrible romantic comedies, and the way you steal my coffee when you think I'm not looking."
"I don't steal your coffee," Sue protested. "I redistribute it more fairly."
"That's stealing," Johnny pointed out helpfully.
"Thank you, Johnny," Reed said. "At least someone in this family has a sense of justice."
"Hey, I'm on Reed's side too," Franklin said. "A man's coffee is sacred."
"Et tu, Dad?" Sue said dramatically, making everyone laugh.
Reed watched this family dynamic with fascination and growing affection. This was what Sue had grown up with - warm, intelligent people who genuinely enjoyed each other's company. No wonder she'd turned out so confident and caring.
After dinner, Johnny immediately cornered Reed in the living room while Sue and Mary cleared dishes despite Reed's offers to help.
"So," Johnny said, flopping into a chair with the casual grace of someone who was comfortable in his own skin, "you're really dating my sister."
"I really am," Reed confirmed. "Is that okay with you?"
"Are you kidding? This is the best thing that's happened to our family in years." Johnny's grin was infectious. "Sue's been different since you two started dating. Happier, you know? Like, she was always pretty happy, but now she's like... glowing or something."
Reed felt something warm settle in his chest. "She makes me happy too. Happier than I've ever been, actually."
"Good. Because if you hurt her, I will have to get creative with my revenge. And I've learned a lot about engines since I was nine."
"Noted," Reed said seriously, though he was trying not to smile. "But Johnny, I'm not going to hurt her. I'm in love with her."
Johnny's expression grew more serious. "Yeah, I can see that. The way you look at her? It's like she's the most amazing thing you've ever seen."
"She is," Reed said simply.
Franklin joined them a few minutes later, carrying three cups of coffee and settling into his own chair with the air of a man preparing for an important conversation.
"Johnny tells me you're the one who got him interested in mechanical things," Franklin said.
"Johnny was interested in how things worked long before I met him," Reed replied. "I just encouraged him to take things apart to figure it out."
"Best advice anyone ever gave me," Johnny said. "I mean, I got in trouble with Mom a few times when I took apart the wrong things, but I learned so much."
Franklin smiled. "Mary still talks about the time you disassembled the vacuum cleaner to 'see how it sucked things up.'"
"I put it back together!" Johnny protested. "Eventually."
"With several parts left over," Franklin added.
"Those were probably redundant anyway," Johnny said dismissively, making Reed laugh.
"That's exactly what you said when you were nine," Reed told him. "Your approach to engineering hasn't changed at all."
Franklin studied Reed for a moment. "Sue tells me you've been writing letters to your friend in Afghanistan."
Reed nodded. "Ben Grimm. He's been deployed for over a year now. We've been collaborating on research projects through letters."
"That must be difficult, having your business partner overseas."
"Ben's more than a business partner," Reed said. "He's my best friend. Has been since college. And yes, it's been hard having him in a war zone. But he's doing important work over there."
Franklin's expression grew thoughtful. "I spent some time in the military myself, years ago. I know what it's like to have friends in dangerous places."
"Did you serve overseas?"
"Vietnam, briefly. Different war, same worries." Franklin met Reed's eyes. "Your friend is lucky to have someone back home who cares that much about staying connected."
They talked for another hour about everything from engineering challenges to favorite books. Reed found himself genuinely liking both Johnny and Franklin, understanding where Sue's intelligence and warmth had come from. This was a family that valued curiosity, supported each other's dreams, and wasn't afraid to show affection.
When it was time to leave, Mary hugged Reed like he was already part of the family, and Franklin shook his hand with obvious approval.
"You'll have to bring Reed to Easter," Mary said to Sue. "And maybe by then your friend Ben will be back from Afghanistan?"
"I'd love to meet him," Johnny added. "Anyone who can help Reed design spaceships through letters has got to be pretty cool."
"I'll ask him," Reed promised. "Though fair warning - Ben's going to love you. You both have the same approach to problem-solving."
"Which is?"
"If it's not working, hit it harder."
As they drove back toward the city, Sue curled up against Reed's shoulder in the passenger seat, looking content and sleepy.
"That went well," she said softly.
"Your family is wonderful," Reed replied, meaning it completely. "I can see where you get your curiosity from. And your stubbornness."
"Hey, I prefer to call it determination."
"I love your determination," Reed said, the words coming easier now. "I love your curiosity. I love your terrible taste in movies and your habit of stealing my coffee." He paused, then added quietly, "I love you, Sue."
Sue turned to look at him, her eyes bright in the dashboard light. "I love you too, Reed. I think I have for a long time, but I definitely love you now."
Reed pulled over at the next safe spot and kissed her properly, right there on the side of the highway with Christmas lights twinkling in the distance and snow starting to fall on the windshield.
"Merry Christmas, Sue," he whispered against her lips.
"Merry Christmas, Mr. Fantastic," she whispered back, and Reed realized this was shaping up to be the best Christmas of his entire life.