Address on File, Part Six
Title: Address on File, Part Six
Prompt: #5, Case
Author: JRosemary
Rating: PG
Characters: Neal
Word count: 290
Warnings/Spoilers: None
Summary: A slip of the tongue?
Notes: Written for White Collar 100 Community; part of my My Old Man verse, which explores the father-son aspect of the relationship between Peter and Neal.
LINK TO PART ONE
~oOo~
Neal was waiting at the door, looking like he wanted to propel himself down the front steps. Peter smiled up at him and shook his head. “Don’t you dare leave that house!”
“I know, Peter. Don’t worry--I won’t set off the anklet. Now get in here!”
Peter nodded, waiting only to put his good arm around El as they climbed up the steps together. A minute later they were wrapped in a three way hug as Neal tried to squeeze the life out of them, somehow managing not to jostle Peter’s shoulder in the process.
“I missed you, Dad,” Neal whispered. “And you too, Elizabeth,” he added, breaking apart from them. “Was he a monster in the hospital?”
El laughed. “He was surprisingly well behaved--but he kept worrying about his caseload . . .”
Peter stopped paying attention to her words. He was too busy staring at Neal.
Neal had never called him ‘Dad’ before, except to tease him or for the benefit of an audience. Maybe it had just slipped out? Not that Peter minded--why should he? He thought of Neal as his son. And someday he’d make it official. But if it kept slipping out, it would take a little getting used to.
“Peter, your wife is talking to you,” Neal said, calling him back to the present.
“I don’t want you working on a single case while you’re recovering,” El was saying. “Neal, make sure he obeys. I can’t take another day off, so you’re in charge.”
Neal flashed him a wicked grin. “Yes, Ma’am. Don‘t worry, I’ll make sure my old man walks the line.”
Peter rolled his eyes. Trust this to be the one rule Neal followed to the letter.
PART SEVEN