And everything comes together

The day of had finally arrived. Nebula had been keeping to himself, though his room was now littered with sketches of strange machines and buildings. James sat in his room, the strange orb sat on his floor. Aurora stared back at him from her own, across the city in a prison of steel.

"So, today's the day..."

<Is it really so important? It's just a check-in.>

"There's...a bit of a complication about Sally.", he furrowed his brow at the concept. His sister...pregnant. With an alien half-child, no less. Aurora cocked her head, flickering white. He hadn't told her! "Oh! Uh...well. She's...pregnant."

<That's wonderful! James, she'll be a m->

"It's Archie's."

Aurora halted her excitement. The vibrant blue that had been growing faded into a rapid succession of flickers. <A-as in...alpha?> James nodded. <I...wasn't aware they...>

"Yeah...when I came for you. Mom and I got back and she found them."

<Oh, stars, she saw them...>

"Yep...how do you think he'll take it?"

She flickered again. He thought he saw about every color they could make. <I...I don't know. He chose being alpha over a family of his own. He...he never intended...I'm sure.>

"It's definitely a lot to take in...it was also when I found out Nebula speaks English."

<He what?!>

"Wait, you didn't know either?!"

<No!>

Nebula burst into the room quickly, already drinking the remaining bottle of adenosine. Aurora started speaking at him in their mother tongue. He responded, interrupting her, in English. "Gotta go sis, nag me later, bye!"

He tapped the red button and the device shut down. James gave him a confused glance. "That's...probably not necessary."

"Yes it is, he'll be here any minute and your family just got here it's time to get up and go!", he flickered yellow while trying to yank James off of his bed. James stood and came with, answering the door himself. Nebula waved, flickering blue at each person.

Until Lee walked in. At his sight, Nebula flickered yellow, and then shimmered blue. "Uhhh...hey. Problem?"

Lee shook his head. "None at all." He noticed the suspicious looks James and Terri gave him. Sally had already sat down, cradling herself in anxiety while she tried to prepare for the day ahead. Lee addressed the others. "We...know each other."

Nebula interrupted. "He's why I'm here."

Lee nodded, turning to Terri. "This is what I couldn't tell you about. I made some calls when James was approved...they wouldn't allow Aurora back here, but they said I could help pick someone that might be a good fit. If I could argue his case for the council."

"We met inside, and when he and alpha were talking I got his attention." Nebula continued. "We talked, I told him who I am and what to say to get me here. Then he rejoined alpha."

Lee smiled, "It worked. I said that he seemed like a bright child that could learn well from James. They all argued and eventually let him stay here."

"Wish you'd told me you were a family member...would've made you a lot less suspicious."

"Well, I'm not...but I do care deeply for them all."

They were interrupted by another harsh knock at the door. Archie. Everyone sat down and took deep breaths. James opened the door.