#(...or is it?)

Anton Grant steadied his breath, the fire of determination in his eyes burning as bright as ever. He knew deep within his soul that this is his only chance, their only chance. If he failed, if they failed, the repercussions could mean the end of them. With a deep sigh, he nodded to himself, knowing the risks and the rewards they could reap from this endeavor. He turned to the tiny human beside him, a little girl with his same set of eyes. “This is it. You ready?”

“I’m ready, daddy.” The little girl gave him a toothy grin and a thumbs up before holding herself as tightly as she can. Anton couldn’t help but remind himself of the last time he had seen her all those years ago as a tinier baby that was snug as a rug in his arms, almost as snug as she was now in her cardboard box that was meant to be a sled of some sort, less snug than the small apartment he had with her mother. Less than a month later, she was crying out loud, snug as a rug in her mother’s arms, both staring at him disappointingly while he was behind bars. That was the last time any one of them was in San Francisco.

◈◈◈

Ann Arbor, Michigan. Christmas Day.

"Daddy?" The little girl was all grown up now, and that realization almost made Anton cry. He fought back those tears and instead focused on getting down on one knee and presenting her a stuffed toy in the form of a giant bee. "Hey, Happy! I brought you something."

"Aww, thanks! I love butterflies!" Happy, well, happily took the cuddly toy and hugged it as tightly as she could, not even realizing what it really was. Oh, well. Butterflies and bees are close relatives, anyway, right? “Mommy, mommy! Look what daddy brought me!” After a quick peck on the check, Happy unexpectedly nyoomed back into the house, excitedly snitching on her dad’s really unexpected appearance. “Wait, Happy, no…”

"Jesus…” A familiar startled voice came from the kitchen and Anton immediately knew he screwed up. He got back up to his two feet and made a fist before biting on that fist. Classic Anton. The same voice continued, asking the little girl to stay in her room through sugary words.  “Hey, Happy, sweetie, why don't you take that...thing into your room so your father can see it later?" Of course Happy was a good kid, so she did what she was told. "Okay mommy."

As expected, the mommy came out to meet Anton, and despite the scowl on her face and the defensively crossed arms, he couldn’t help but feel a little enamored, if only by the nostalgic feeling that once was. She, however, was less than thrilled to see the father of her child, the man she once loved, poured all her heart and tears into, only to betray him by making the worst mistake of his life and getting himself imprisoned for years. The same man she had to leave to protect their child. "How did you find us?"

"Well…” Anton shook his head, swallowing air, as if he was caught red handed by his own mother. He gave her an apologetic look but it quickly turned into a mix of a grimace and a wince as he was already expecting her response even before he could explain himself. “I've actually known where you two have been for, like, a couple of months now. Remember Tracy?"

"Ah, yes, your detective girlfriend." As expected, her response was cold and bladed, just like her eyes, the way she was looking at him.

Anton tried to explain himself again. "We weren't... It was just one..."

"Why are you here, Grant?” But the woman wasn’t interested in his excuses. Not again. Not ever. He’s disappointed her, their kid, and everyone she’s ever loved more than once. The final straw had been years ago, and time has not healed this wound unfortunately. She bluntly asked him without any empathy whatsoever. “Are you here to ask me for money, is that it?"

"Jesus, Bee. I would never ask for money from my..."

"...the girl you impregnated and then left to fend for herself because you chose to go to jail instead?"

"...my baby momma." Grant thought it would be hilarious. On the spot. Despite the woman’s obvious body language, the seething disdain emanating from her entire being, and the fact that she had just continuously emphasized his unreliability and, well, betrayal.

"Fuck you, Grant." It was not.

◈◈◈

Grant Residence. A few days ago.

Hikari Narisawa was frowning at her shitty laptop in the middle of the living room, again, when a pair of keys was unceremoniously dropped on her keyboard. Furious at the rude interruption, she turned her head to find her usually scruffy with a large suitcase behind him. “Oh, are you going on a run because the cops finally realize you’re a no-good, stinky criminal?”

“No.” Anton heaved a sigh that was a combination of annoyance and disappointment. “I mean, well…” Technically he was a criminal, and no amount of good deeds will change that, at least that’s what he believes, but that was neither here nor there. He shook his head and tried his best to steer the conversation away from another argument, so they could focus on the task at hand. “I’ll be away for a while, but I’ll check in every and then if you need me…”

“Eww,” came Hikari’s expected response, having been nothing but an antagonistic tenant to Anton. “I will never need you. Gross.”

“...as your landlord.” You stupid fuck. He managed to restrain that last statement, keeping it from escaping his lips. He’d rather make this goodbye as short and as brief as he can. Anton didn’t really have any more time to fight with her again. “You have my number. Call me if you need me…” He started walking away and out of there. “...but here’s hoping you’re right and you never do.”

With a raised eyebrow, Hikari followed him leave with her eyes.  As he disappeared, she felt delighted at the realization that the stinky exterminator was finally leaving her alone, going away, far from her. Slowly, however, she started feeling curious about the change in the man’s personal life. The past few days have been quiet between them, he was quieter and calmer than usual, certainly less into arguing with her. 

Eh, humans always try to change every now and then, but they always get back to being who they were in the first place. That’s what being a human is about: Expecting and working for change, only to return to their roots. Sad.

◈◈◈

Ann Arbor, Michigan. Now.

“When my grandfather died, I left for White Crest, Maine, to take over his business, continue his good work and stuff…” Grant recalled his arrival at White Crest, him going over his grandpa’s business, the office, and his pretty great house at the Outskirts. Although his death was a tragedy, it offered Anton the greatest opportunity to correct his life since, well, ever. On paper, the set-up would’ve made any bachelor happy. Then again, after getting out of jail, Grant never really saw himself as an actual bachelor, not while he knew Bee and Happy were elsewhere. “But while I was there, I learned a lot, including about myself, the things I did wrong, the things I should’ve done better…”

It has been almost half an hour since Bee finally caved and allowed Anton to come inside her house. Despite the negative feelings she had for the bastard, it was Christmas and Bee didn’t really want to cause more negative feelings within two others, their daughter and her daughter’s father. While Grant didn’t want to impose, and he never actually expected for Bee to welcome him with open arms, he was glad that she at least gave him a chance to talk, to share things. He hoped she would give him another chance, the very chance that could save his life. What’s left of it, anyway.

“I’ve been doing good, a lot of good, and I’ve even paid my dues, Bee. I’m just trying to be a better man now, focused on being a better dad for Happy. I haven’t been on the wrong side of the law since all those years ago, and I’ve been working hard to keep it that way, so I was wondering if maybe I can get another chance? With you and Happy?”

Bee took her time to consider everything she could, even looking away, towards the stairs, where Happy had disappeared to. It hasn’t been easy, growing up without a father. Bee had experienced the same thing, and she didn’t really want Happy to suffer the way that she had. With a heavy sigh, she decided to try it out.

“Everyone deserves a second chance, so I guess…” She cut herself off, remembering words were just words, and she and Happy deserve more. Pushing herself off her seat at the dinner table, she crossed her arms yet again, stared daggers at Grant.  “This is your one and final chance, though. Don’t make me regret it.”

She looked away, not sure she wanted him to know how happy she was that this was happening. All she ever wanted was a family with him, and although it was her decision to leave Grant and disappear with Happy, all that time, she never lost hope. But it wouldn’t be easy. This was just the first step.  “Oh, and you can’t stay with us. Not now. Not yet.”

“Thank you! Thank you so much, Bee! You won’t regret this!” To say that Anton was elated at her response would be the understatement of the year. He rose up from his seat, clasped his hands, and grinned from ear to ear. The very thought of finally getting to see their daughter, and of course Bee, on a daily basis, becoming closer to them, was the greatest thing that has ever happened to him in recent memory. Plus… “Whew! I mean, I already bought an apartment here, too, plus an office space, so that would’ve been awkward if you had said no…”

“Grant…” Bee gritted her teeth, angered that he had already made purchases, changes in his own life, even before he guaranteed her agreement, but what else was she to do? This was Anton through and through. At least he’s trying. Maybe they can talk about that some other time. He’s been living alone for most of his life, selfishly, vicariously. Maybe with her and Happy, he could change for the better. Speaking of changes… “Wait, what about your grandpa’s business in White Crest?”

“Oh, well, it’s under new management.” Anton shrugged, feigning a cough. “I mean, I still own it, but I did promote someone as branch manager.” The image of his grandfather’s receptionist now owning part of the business, even though she technically needs to wait until she finally comes of age, made him a little worried. Her mother was a responsible woman, but she was still technically just a kid. “Hopefully she doesn’t set the place on fire.” She already did. Fortunately, it was just a small fire, and it was an accident. More or less.

◈◈◈

“Are you sure?” Grant asked Happy again as she grabbed the sides of her cardboard box with a determined look on her face. “Because when we start, you show any hesitation or fear, we’re done.” He looked at her with great concern but also great faith. Happy just grinned at her father, nodding her tiny little head. “I eat ‘fear’ for breakfast.” Anton kissed her on the same head, and before pushing her around the house, admired her bravery. “Wow, that is super cool.”

The next thing anyone heard from outside Bee’s place was the loud giggling of a young girl, followed by intense cheering, a few plates breaking, and Bee screaming at Anton for being such a terrible dad. But, hey, at least Happy’s having fun, right?

Anton’s time in White Crest was brief and tumultuous but it did allow him a respite from his past. Through the people he’s met—the other hunters, his grandfather’s clients that became his, the normal people of White Crest, the stranger creatures that inhabit the town—Anton has not only learned more about the world but also himself. If he can survive three bee people at the same time, he can damn well survive an attempt to better his life and relationship with his daughter and his daughter’s mother. It’s never too late to try.

Never too late… Outside Bee’s place, someone, or maybe even something, watches the family try to piece itself together, the figure standing behind a large tree. Heaving a familiar smoke from their mouth, they disappear into the shadows, humming a tune Anton’s grandfather used to sing to him and his cousins. Wherever you go, the past always comes back to haunt you.