The Fantastic Five ... and now Namor's status is official...

CHAPTER 13

Soon, Sue's pregnancy could no longer be hidden, especially not in the new costume, and the Fantastic Five had to hold a long-overdue press conference, which, to everyone's surprise, only Namor was only too happy to attend with the pregnant Sue.

Ben had been escaping to Alicia and the children on Yancy Street more and more often lately, Johnny was on a mission with Crystal, and Reed was, as always, engrossed in his work.

"Namor, is it true that you're now the leader of the Fantastic Five?"

"Yes, that's correct. Doctor Richards is still an important member of the team, but I'm now taking over the leadership of the group."

Sue swallowed and tried to maintain a calm expression. The new costumes, the name change, and especially Reed's retirement weren't what she wanted. However, none of it seemed to be preventable.

"How did the other members react to this news?"

"My husband, my brother, and Ben are happy to have Namor's support, and we've always kept up with the times. Four are no longer enough for the dangers and problems in this world."

"Were the new costumes also Namor's idea?"

"Yes, I wanted to give my team a memorable appearance, because green is the color of the Atlantean flag."

A murmur went through the crowd of reporters.

"Namor, what about Atlantis? Will you and your new team ever return and help their people?"

Namor pressed his lips together tightly for a moment, and all color drained from them. He took several deep breaths before answering.

"I will support my kingdom as best I can and perhaps one day return and save my people, but not anytime soon..."

Namor tossed his long hair back.

"...because my partner Susan and my son will need me," he said, grinning proudly.

Sue felt her face turn red, and for an agonizingly long time, stunned silence reigned in the room. The split-second calm before the storm. Then everyone screamed loudly, everyone trying to drown out the others, and a veritable flurry of flashbulbs erupted.

"Mrs. Richards..."

"Namor the father?"

"What does Mr. Fantastic say?"

Namor raised his hands and politely but firmly asked the reporters to be quiet. It took several minutes for calm to return.

"Mrs. Richards. Is that true?"

"Yes, it's true. Namor is the father."

"How did that come about?"

"Well, can't you guess?" Namor answered the question, and everyone laughed.

Except for Sue, who blushed even more.

"Mrs. Richards, how long has this relationship been going on?"

"Shortly after Namor joined the team."

"Is that why you have all those Atlantean tattoos?"

Sue glanced at her upper arms, which were adorned with elaborate, exotic tattoos. Namor had also successfully convinced her there, though not effortlessly. Sue gracefully sidestepped this question, which wasn't so easy with the next one.

"Mrs. Richards... you're married, already a mother of two children. You're a superhero and a role model. And now you've cheated on your husband and are expecting a child from your lover..."

"Namor is not my lover," Sue blurted out, and everyone fell silent again.

The men and women stared at her as if she were the new herald of Galactus. Sue reached for Namor's hand.

"Namor is more than that. He's one of my great loves in life. Yes, I'm married and I cheated on my husband... but he's understanding, and I still love him like the first day. Only now I have another man to whom I give as much time and love as he gives me. That's called a polyamory relationship. The Fantastic Four stood then, as they do now, for tolerance, acceptance, and the optimistic belief in good. Namor and I are turning two worlds into one, expanding our families, which will be very diverse," Sue said resolutely.

"I think that says it all," Namor concluded the interview, gave his partner a passionate kiss, and placed his hand on Sue's pregnant belly.