The Family Comes To Accept It

It was after they defeated the giant super-ape that climbed the Empire State Building. The immense simian had been shrunk down to the size of a spider-monkey, and the Fantastic Four had posed for a photograph. When someone asked what they would be doing later, Sue Storm's hand playfully slapped Reed Richards' butt. Mister Fantastic blushed, and the press had a field day.

"Richards Finds Way To Rob Cradle Retroactively," Ben Grimm said, chomping around an unlit cigar. "Didn't know ol' J. Jonah Jameson knew how to spell the word."

"I think mommy's pretty!" Franklin announced. Valeria, in the middle of trying to modify her spoon to more effectively convey Captain Crunch to her mouth, nodded vigorously.

"So do I, kiddo," Johnny Storm said. He exchanged a look with Ben, barely hiding his grin. It often took a bit longer for Sue and Reed to get to the breakfast table in the mornings these days, but when they did arrive...

Sue Storm, dressed in a scandalously short blue bathrobe with a white 4 over one breast, came waltzing out like an 18-year-old cheerleader. She smiled, she beamed, her hair a mess, and she hadn't put any makeup on. Yet she was fresh-faced and energetic. Biologically, she looked younger than her "little brother" now, and he blushed when she gave him a kiss on the cheek...and act which she repeated for Ben, Franklin, and Valeria.

"Where's Stretch-o?" Ben said. "He said somethin' about wantin' to calibrate the suspensors on the Fantasticar this mornin'?"

Sue gave a grin as she poured two cups of coffee.

"He'll be along soon, Ben. He's a little tied up at the moment, but I'm sure after he has a cup of coffee and a shower, he'll be ready for the day."

Ben raised on stony eyebrow, a knowing smirk on his face.

"You gettin' any younger, Sue? You look prettier by the day," he said.

Sue's grin faltered for half a heartbeat, which gave her the appearance of a very serious teenager.

"No. In fact, my body seems locked in at 18 years old for the foreseeable future. Reed's not even sure I can age normally at this point, but at least I'm not aging backwards," then she brightened again. "So I may as well enjoy this while it lasts!"

Ben nodded. He said nothing as Sue took the two cups of coffee and walked back towards the bedroom. The bathrobe was so short it barely covered her ass. The Thing shook his head.

"Lucky man," he said.

"Yeah," Johnny agreed. "Lucky."