"there's things that you can't see, you're way to close to me, this one is gonna hurt"

~

River played happily in the car as Hank drove. The whole mutant "family" was going out for a day to New York City, per River's almost-birthday request. The small girl was very, very, very excited for her 7th birthday which was the next day. Neva patted River's leg to tell her to stop jumping around the backseat. If Alex were there, he would've playfully caught the girl and held her down. Neva missed him. That wasn't new though.

"Almost there, River," called Charles from the front seat. River clapped her hands happily.

"Yay!" she cheered. Hank laughed, and Neva smiled. She gazed out of the window the rest of the way, sometimes catched glances of soldiers in olive garb. None of them were her blonde beloved.

Once they reached the city, Neva had to hold onto River's hand so she wouldn't run off. The thought reminded Neva of the last Christmas Alex was with them. She shook her head. What was wrong with her? She hadn't thought about Alex this much since...she couldn't even remember.

"Are you ok, Neva?" Hank asked, giving her a small pat on her shoulder. She shrugged slightly but gave a small smile.

"Hank, could you take River to that candy shop while I talk to Neva?" Charles interrupted. River's eyes widened at the sound of "candy shop." Hank nodded with a smile, took her hand, and lead the hyper girl to the store.

"Neva, are you ok?" Charles said, gently. Neva sighed.

"I've been thinking about Alex a lot this week for some reason, professor," she admitted.

"Well you two are in love," he smiled. She sighed again.

"I just...I've given up on him coming back home, to be honest," Neva said, looking down. Charles took a deep breath.

"Neva, I don't think I ever told you about Clara," he said slowly. She turned to him in interest. People milled around them, and the two headed towards the store where Hank and River had gone. Neva began to wheel him inside.

"Who was she?" Neva asked.

"I met her a long time ago in Oxford," he said. Neva could tell he was reminiscing on his days in Oxford. "She was the opposite of me, an arts girl but very intelligent."

"What happened to her?" said Neva, thinking about the article she had read.

"I know you read that article Hank found in my office," Charles said. Neva blushed.

"S-sorry," she stammered. "I just wanted to know who she was. And I-I'm really sorry that happened, Charles. I wish there was something I could do..."

"There's nothing you could have done, Neva dear," Charles laughed slightly. "It was another time. The past. Such a strange thing, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Neva said softly. They both went silent for a moment.

"Well, the moral of my story," said Charles, "is don't let the past make your future dull. I am very sure Alex will come back soon, and even if he doesn't..." He paused. "He was a one of the best people I have ever met, and I do believe that he will live in our memories forever, as cliche as that sounds." Neva smiled and turned the professor towards her. He smiled back.

"Thanks, Charles," she said. "You're the best."

"I'm glad to help," he patted her hand. "How about we go and find those two?" Neva laughed.

"Ok," she agreed, wheeling him around again.

They found Hank and River paying for some candy. Neva gave Hank a look.

"I couldn't stop myself when she did the puppy eyes!" he said defensively. Charles just laughed, and River was very content with her gummy worms.

They walked around the city more, and Neva was drawn to each person she saw in camouflage. She still didn't see Alex though. She tried not to think about him that much, and to listen Charles' advice of not letting the past hinder her.

Finally, River started to doze off, making Hank hold her and signalling that it was time for them to leave. Neva wheeled Charles as they all walked towards their parking spot. As they strolled along in the chilly city, she thought she saw a familiar blonde on the other side of the street. His face was shrouded by a camouflage cap, and he was also looking down. He had a green duffel bag and was dressed in matching camouflage. Neva concluded that it was just another soldier and not her soldier.

As they drove home, River slept on Neva's lap. She stroked the small girl's hair but couldn't shake the feeling that Alex would be coming home soon. Neva frowned to herself. It was probably just going to be another unfulfilled wish.

~

Alex Summers walked along the streets, head down to not attract unwanted attention. People were still very much against mutants, especially in such a big city of New York. He shifted his duffel bag to be more comfortable on his shoulder.

The city lights were bright around him, and it reminded him of the days when Sean was still alive. He smiled but then sighed. Looking around for a moment, Alex noticed a small family on the other side of the street. One man with long hair was in a wheelchair, being wheeled by a girl in a long coat. Another man next to them had a seemingly sleeping girl across his shoulder. Alex grinned at how similar they looked to his own mutant "family." He squinted to get a better picture of them, but they then turned the corner and he lost sight of them. Alex sighed. It probably wasn't them anyways. What would a group of mutants be doing out in the middle of New York anyways?

Alex continued to walk until he reached a bus station that had a bus going to Westchester. He grinned and hopped on, shuffling his bag around him so he could also sleep.

Time to go home.

~

February 11, 1973

Dear Alex,

Today we went to New York! River really wanted to, and Charles concluded we had nothing else to do, so yeah!

It was pretty fun. We mostly walked around, but then Hank and I saw a candy store so Hank took Riv in. Charles talked to me while they were inside. It was a good talk. Usual professor stuff,if you know what I mean.

I told him how I've been thinking about you a lot this week. I think it's because of Riv's upcoming birthday and all. But anyways, he told me how I shouldn't worry too much about you and how even though I miss you a lot, you will always be here with me.

Cliche, I know right? But it's a bit comforting, so yeah.

I miss you a lot. In NYC, I saw a lot of soldiers coming home and I thought I saw someone who looked like you, but then I decided it wasn't you. Maybe it was. Who knows? That's going to bug me now.

Ok well, I'm really tired right now because of Riv's hyperness (Hank bought her candy, oh goodness). I'll maybe write tomorrow if I have time. It's Riv's birthday, so I have to get ready for that too. Yay!

Love you lots, and I hope you come back.

Love, Neva Liu

A/N

OK I LIED

THERE WILL BE TWO MORE CHAPTERS AFTER THIS

BUT

they will come out the same day eheheh

OK BYEEEE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS CHAPTERRRR