After breakfast, Haas donned his police uniform, his expression unusually serious as he called Jerry aside.
"What is it, Dad? Did Elsa break your lightsaber collection again?" Jerry asked, noticing the uncharacteristic gravity on Haas's face.
"No, not that," Haas replied with an awkward cough, straightening his posture. "Jerry, you've always been sensible, kind, and righteous since you were little. I'm incredibly proud of you for that."
He placed a gentle hand on Jerry's shoulder. "But you're still a child. If you ever find yourself in a situation like yesterday's again, I need you to consider protecting yourself first. I'm just a father who..." His voice faltered slightly. "If something happened to you..."
The memory of yesterday's events was still raw. Haas had been at the police station when he learned that robbers had taken Jerry and Elsa's school bus hostage. His heart had nearly stopped. Later, after finding the school bus, Teacher Bailey had explained how Jerry had volunteered himself as a hostage in place of others. Haas's emotions had been a hurricane of pride and terror.
As a police officer, he admired Jerry's bravery. But as a father, the thought of his child in mortal danger was unbearable. Though Jerry wasn't his biological son, the distinction had long since vanished from Haas's heart after all these years.
Now, the father in him was overruling the police officer. He needed to make it clear that, as a child, Jerry's safety must come first.
"I understand, Dad," Jerry nodded, no trace of argument in his voice. "I was actually pretty scared. It won't happen again."
Of course, Jerry, who wasn't truly a child, understood Haas's concerns perfectly. He had no intention of arguing. Besides, the next time danger struck, it wouldn't be ordinary Jerry who'd take action, but the mysterious wizard boy hidden within.
"That's good to hear," Haas said, visibly relieved by Jerry's easy acceptance. He'd worried that his advice might spark rebellion in the boy, especially since Jerry's actions had been genuinely heroic, something anyone would praise. But Jerry, mature beyond his years, had understood immediately.
"I've got to head to work now," Haas said, glancing at his watch. "Call me if you need anything."
"Elsa!" he called out to the living room where his daughter was engrossed in cartoons. "Dad's going to work. Don't I get a goodbye kiss?"
Elsa bounded off the sofa and planted a kiss on Haas's cheek. "Dad, let's play a quick game before you go!"
"A game?" Haas paused, curious.
"We'll see who can tap lighter," Elsa explained, her expression angelic. "If you win, I'll let you go to work!"
"That's too easy," Haas chuckled, reaching out to tap Elsa's stomach with feather-light pressure.
"My turn now!" Elsa grinned, clenching her tiny fists. She drew a deep breath and announced grandly: "Sanctions from the Snow Queen!"
She struck Haas's stomach with surprising force, sending him staggering backwards until he landed unceremoniously on the floor.
"Okay, Dad, you win!" Elsa declared cheerfully, returning to her cartoons without a backward glance, leaving Haas staring after her in bewilderment.
The doorbell's chime broke the moment.
Haas opened the door to find a delivery person holding a long cardboard box.
"Is Mr. Jerry Carmen home?" the courier asked politely.
"He is," Haas replied, eyeing the package suspiciously. "What's this about?"
"A delivery for him. Could he come sign for it?"
The courier placed the box on the ground as Jerry approached, looking puzzled.
"A package for me? I didn't order anything online."
At eleven years old, Jerry spent his time exercising or finding ways to earn rewards. He barely used the internet, let alone ordered packages this size.
The courier checked his delivery note. "It's from someone named Virginia 'Pepper' Potts."
"That name sounds familiar," Jerry mused as he signed for the package, sifting through his memory of Marvel movies. "Isn't that Iron Man's girlfriend?"
"Oh my God!" Haas exclaimed, having already opened the box. He lifted out a child-sized Iron Man suit replica. "This is an Iron Man suit! These aren't even available to the public yet! Jerry, someone sent you an actual Iron Man suit!"
"Dad, Iron Man promised this to me when he rescued me yesterday," Jerry explained. "I thought he was joking. But wait, isn't your favorite franchise Star Wars? With the lightsabers?"
"Star Wars is just a movie," Haas replied, examining the suit with reverence. "But this armour is real. I've always loved Tony Stark's energy-blasting armour!"
Jerry stared, speechless. Someone once said that being a "geek" could be hereditary, and Jerry hadn't believed it until he met Haas and Aisha. It was true, Elsa loved all things magical, while Haas was obsessed with mechs and lightsabers.
"Dad, if you like it so much, you can have it," Jerry offered. He'd only asked Iron Man for the model to enrich his cover story, ensuring the hero wouldn't suspect anything unusual about him. Besides, it was surely just a non-functional replica.
"Jerry, Daddy loves you!" Haas nearly leapt with joy, moving in for a grateful bear hug.
"Dad, it's 8:40," Jerry said, deftly blocking the incoming embrace. "You've got twenty minutes to get to the police station before you're late."
"Time flies!" Haas glanced at his watch in alarm. "Jerry, please put this armour model somewhere safe, don't let Elsa break it!" He hurriedly handed the suit to Jerry and rushed out the door.
"A man really is a teenager until the day he dies," Jerry shook his head, smiling.
It was endearing, really, a thirty-six-year-old police sergeant, known for his shrewdness and competence at work, getting this excited over a superhero collectable. Then again, Jerry reflected, if someone gave him nunchucks that Bruce Lee had used, he probably wouldn't stay so calm either.