Chapter Text
August 7th, 1938
Calvin yawned as he rubbed his eyes and got out of bed. It was a nice, beautiful Sunday morning, and he was ready for a family day. Ivy worked all days except Sunday, and he worked weekdays, so this was the only day that they had the entirety of together, so they treasured them.
He slowly got out of bed, careful not to wake up his wife or kids, and made his way downstairs after sliding some pants on. Vincent usually got up pretty early, and Ivy followed not too late after, so breakfast was usually finished right when they came down. It’s something Calvin prided himself on.
What he didn’t expect to happen right when he started the stove, was a knock on the door. His brow furrowed, he looked at the clock.
What the hell is someone doing here at 7:13 in the morning?
Confused, he peered through the peephole, and a chill ran down his spine. Even if it was a decade since he’d last seen it, Calvin would recognize that mug anywhere. Mordecai Heller.
Calvin bolted upstairs and grabbed the Colt revolver from underneath his nightstand, briefly fiddling with the lock, and racing back downstairs… probably waking the household on the progress.
He cracked the door a slight amount, gripping the handle hard in one paw, with the pistol aimed towards the ceiling in the other. “What uh… What brings you here?” He chuckled nervously. Please be nice. I don’t want to lose what we built. We have kids now. I don’t want to restart with nothing again.
After what felt like an eternity, but in reality was probably no more than a second or two, Mordecai responded. “I wanted to come see Miss Pepper… Or I presume Mrs. Pepper now?”
Calvin took a breath, still uncertain about his true intentions. “How… How can I be sure? You’ve tried to kill me, and I don’t think you’re the sentimental type.”
“If I wanted to harm you, I wouldn’t come knocking on your front door. I’m unarmed. I hope you’d show me some courtesy as normal people do?”
“Normal people don’t show up on your front porch after not seeing them for 10 years at 7am. And you’re not a normal person… no offense.”
Mordecai squinted. “None taken… now, may I come in..?”
After a deep breath and crossing himself, he opened the door and let him in. What caught Calvin off guard was their difference in size. Calvin - from what he last remembered - was shorter than Mordecai, but now he had at least an inch or two on him… and was definitely just bigger in general. I guess working at a lumber yard has its benefits.
“The couch is just to the left, make yourself at home. If you don’t mind, I’m going to go put some actual clothes on.”
After Mordecai gave him a nod, he walked upstairs and opened the door to a worried-looking Ivy. “What is it? Is everything ok?”
“Yes, but you’ll never guess who’s here.” He grinned as he took the bullets out of the revolver and put it back in its case. “Mordecai. I don’t know how he found us, or why he’s here, but he’s currently sitting in our living room, and I thought you’d want to say hi.” He gave her a kiss and opened their closet, giving her a dress plus undergarments, and grabbing his typical green button-down for himself.
He made his way down, and couldn’t help but laugh when he saw what was going on. Elise was all-but climbing on him, asking question after question, and Mordecai was very… out of his element. “Ah, I see you’ve met Elise.”
“Yes. We’ve made- Ah! Watch the hair!” He cleared his throat. “Acquaintance… I just ironed these clothes!”
Calvin grinned. “Alright, Elise, leave our guest alone. How about you go help your mom get ready?”
“Otay!” And as fast as she appeared, she was gone, running up the stairs on all fours.
“She takes after Ivy, as you could’ve guessed. Tea?”
“It definitely seemed familiar.” Mordecai almost smiled, reminiscing of the time he first met her back in the garage of the Lackadaisy… They were good times. “I’m alright, I won’t be staying long… Thank you though.”
“And I thought I’d seen it all. Mordecai Heller with a smile?” Calvin let out a light chuckle, before warming up a kettle and grinding some coffee beans.
“Maybe I should leave. You’ve seen too much.” He replied, half-joking.
“Leave without saying hi to me? I thought I knew you.” Ivy teased as she walked down the stairs, Elise in her arms. “How have you been?” She asked, sitting across from him, yawning.
“Mrs. Pepper.” He again, had a small smile across his face. “I’ve been alright. How are you?”
“We’re great. Vincent’s about to start the 5th grade, Elise is speaking all sorts of words, Calvin’s building a treehouse for the two - and soon to be three - of the kits, and I’ve started sewing.” She smiled warmly at him. “If you don’t mind me asking… What brings you here?”
Mordecai looked up the stairs to see what seemed to be a younger version of Mr. McMurray peering down at him, who’s eyes went wide and ran away when he was spotted. “Vincent… That’s… that’s a nice name. Ahem. I just thought it would be nice to stop by.”
“The cold and calculated Mordecai Heller just wanted to stop by?”
“Well, maybe I’ve changed a little bit over these years.” He looked back at Calvin as he sat next to Ivy, and Elise crawled on top of him.
Ivy tilted her head. “Mmmmh…. I don’t buy it.”
“What?”
“Sure, it’s been 10 years, but I don’t think you’ve changed since the day I met you.”
“What makes you say that?”
“You’re wearing the same jacket and tie. And spectacles.” Elise giggled after hearing that last word, Calvin following suit soon after.
“Well. While I disagree that I haven’t changed at all, if you really must know.. I stopped by to make sure Mr. McMurray kept his promise, and I can see he has. So I thank you for that. But I must get going soon, I have a train to catch.”
“Aaw… Alright.” Ivy frowned. “But before you go, I… we have a couple of questions.”
“I… suppose I can wait a little. I’ll answer them to the best of my ability.”
Calvin chuckled. “Don’t worry, nothing like that. This isn’t an interview.”
Ivy started with the questions. “First one, do you know who - if anyone else - made it out that night?”
Mordecai immediately knew what she was talking about. “Not many, I’m afraid.” He glanced at the kids in the room, careful with his words. “Though I know that Horatio wasn’t there that night, unless he wasn’t at the front door. And for Mr. Rickaby…”
Both of the McMurray’s ears perked up.
“...I never saw a body.”
Calvin took a deep breath, thinking hard about it. “W-wait wait wait, so you’re saying he might still be..?”
“Yes.”
Calvin could feel himself on the verge of tears. Rocky could still be alive?! After all this time? He held Elise tight and gave her a big hug, before moving to Ivy. “This… This is a miracle!”
Ivy couldn’t contain her joy at the thought quite as well, and jumped in to hug Mordecai. “I know you don’t like it but thank you! Thank you thank you thank you!!”
Mordecai awkwardly patted her on the back, before lightly nudging her off and straightening his clothes. “Yes. But keep in mind, I’m not 100% certain.”
“I thought… I thought my entire family was…” Calvin’s eyes began to water and he bit his lip, trying to hold it in. “Thank you, Mordecai.”
Once they had both calmed down a bit, Ivy asked the second question. “I know this is a big favor, but do you mind… If you could, can you look for him? I know it won’t be easy, he already rarely left a trace back then, but-”
“W-we could pay you, however much you want. Please.”
“I do not need your money, I will look for him. All I ask for in return is that you tell no one I was here. For my sake, and for yours.”
They both nodded, still overwhelmed with joy. “Of- of course.”
“Now, is there anything else?”
Ivy smiled. “Just one more. Before you came, we were debating it, but now I think it’s guaranteed.” She glanced at Calvin and he nodded. “Our next kit, if it’s a boy… how does the name Morton sound?”
Mordecai didn’t respond for a few seconds. “I… Are you sure? Surely there are better names-”
“I knew you’d respond like that.” Ivy smiled. “That just means it’s perfect. We’ve already had a bit of a habit naming our kits after important people who helped us in our lives, Viktor and Vincent, Elsa and Elise, so we figured… why stop now?”
“Th-thank you, Mr. McMurray. And you, Mrs. Pep- Mrs. McMurray.” He smiled ever so slightly once more.
“N-now, if you don’t mind, I need to get going.” He got up despite the brief protests from the McMurrays. “Farewell.”
“Wait, will we see you again?” Ivy asked, taking his coat from the rack and putting it on him.
“I can’t promise that, but I can promise that I’ll look for Roark.”
“Alright… Oh, and one more thing.” Ivy smiled at him. “Don’t be a stranger. You’re welcome here at any time.”
“Thank you. Goodbye.” And with that he was off, only looking back briefly to see Elise happily waving through the window.
He waved back with a smile.