When he arrived at his grandfather's mansion, he was greeted to a surprise that quickly consumed him. As he closed the front door and entered into the large living room he saw standing there waiting for him was his father, Arthur. After 5 years away he had returned and he was dressed in a police uniform. Before he could even think clearly on what to say his body just instinctually moved and he quickly ran up and hugged his father. 

So many calls over the phone over the last 5 years had only made him miss his father who never gave up on him or abandoned him grow so deeply. Seeing him now Max could not help but cry happy to have his dad back. And Arthur wasn't much better as he tried to hold back his tears of joy being reunited with his son. 

The two just held each other very tenderly as Logan and Lalupita sat in their chairs watching them. The two smiled brightly seeing the sight that they had waited for after so long. 

Arthur placed a couple kisses on his sons forehead and he pulled away and said, "Well you've gotten so tall. I thought you were only supposed to be 9." 

"I am 9," replied Max. 

Arthur ruffled his sons curly white hair and smiled, "Good. Then that means you're not too old for these." He said moving out of the way to show his son he had brought 5 presents. One for each year that he could not physically be there to give his son a birthday present. 

Like any child Max was surprised and eager to open them up and see what his father bought him. However a part of him was afraid to let go of his dad thinking he would disappear again so against his childish urge to open his presence he instead just held on to his dad's hand. Something that Arthur took specific note of. 

Although he wasn't surprised he wasn't exactly expecting to see his son was starting to develop abandonment issues. Given what happened 5 years ago he knew it would probably take a toll on his son's mental health but he would be there to try and help. So like a good dad he let go of his son's hand and immediately grab the presents and sat on the couch and told him, "Here. Why don't we open these together? I think you might like what I got you." 

Maxwell being more worried his father might leave him again stood there and stared at him very shy and sad. He worked up the courage to ask a question but it came out very timid and frightened, "You're not going to leave again are you?" 

"What....? No. No I'm not going anywhere...... Not without you this time. I did promise that when I came back I get us our own place and you'd come and stay with me. A man has to keep his promise after all," replied Arthur trying to be a comforting kind father who at first seems a little nervous on how to respond only to finish off a little strong with a hopeful smile. 

"Really," asked Maxwell. 

"Yeah. Really. I got us a nice place in a decent neighborhood. I might not be super rich like grandpa but I think you'll like the area we'll be living in," answered Arthur. 

Max was curious, "Where is it?" 

Arthur pointed to his badge, "It's in Natchitoches, where grandma grew up. That does mean that we're going to be moving, but you'll have more kids your age to grow up with. You'll get a chance to make friends." 

"Oh........ And you are a policeman? Does that mean you fight bad guys but superheroes," asked Max nervous but also excited. 

Arthur place his hand on his son's head and ruffled his sons here a little, "There aren't really any supervillains or superheroes in that city, but if there are you can best believe dad's going to help take down those bad guys and keep people safe. After all that's what a police officer does right? Catching bad guys and saving the day just like the superheroes. That's right your dad's going to be an awesome cop." 

The two of them looked at each other realizing how cringe what his dad said was and as they stood in silence they couldn't help but laugh at each other. The genuine joy that Max had in that moment was hard to describe. The overwhelming feeling of how excited he was just to have his father back meant the world to him. 

Arthur stayed for about a week to help Max pack up everything and get all the paperwork done to transfer him to the school out in Natchitoches. Once everything was taken care of Max said his goodbyes to his grandparents. 

He didn't really know what to say so he just ended up giving both of them a big hug. Of which the two hugged him back and play several kisses all over his face. Lalupita handed him a small keyboard piano he could carry with him in his backpack and told him, "Here. Try and learn how to play this. Next time you come over we can play some piano together. Don't you think that would be nice?" 

Maxwell gave a big smile and nodded, "Thanks grandma. I promise I'll become the best." 

She giggled and said, "Granny's little man going to be the world's greatest some day. I know it." 

With up Max got into the car with his dad and began the couple hour drive to Natchitoches. As he sat in the backseat holding the piano while the car pulled out of the driveway and down the road, he looked back at his grandparents through the window. He then asked his dad a question he always wanted to ask his grandparents but didn't want to make them angry, "Dad, why are grandma and grandpa not old?" 

"What do you mean," Arthur asked kind of confused on what his son was asking. 

"Like they don't have wrinkles or look like raisins. Like they look your age. Why.......?" 

Arthur scratched the back of his head and stroked his beard, "Well all I can tell you is that rich people have their ways of trying to look forever young. Don't be fooled now. Your grandpa and grandma are over 70. Whatever technology or makeup that they're using to look so young only they know and only they have the money for. Probably some weird alien stuff one of grandpa's alien friends may have told him about." 

The answer was not really an answer but it was enough to satisfy Maxwell's curiosity. With that Arthur breathed a sigh of relief worried his son might have asked something he wasn't prepared to really tell the truth about. Now that that was taken care of he focused on the drive to their new home and the start of their new lives.