"Oh, cheer up... I think everyone looks great" Hallie noted.

"One family portrait. That's all I asked for..." Visionary continued to grouse anyway. "I don't think it's all that unreasonable, is all I'm saying. Every kid has to go through it now and then, of every generation, no matter how much it sucks for everyone involved."

"So it's like a familial hazing ritual?"

"I was thinking more 'rite of passage', but whatever." Visionary stated. "If I had to have my hair painfully combed down and smudges cleaned off of my face by the embarrassing combination of handkerchief and motherly saliva, then I don't see why these two shouldn't have to suffer through it too." He sniffed disapprovingly. "Ill-fitting, uncomfortable dress clothes build character."

"Well, luckily for them I can't spit" the holographic woman noted. "Besides, I was there when you made the deal. "As long as everyone dresses up, you two can pick the theme" were your exact words. You made your bed, now lie in it." She cast him a critical eye. "Well, not literally... at least not until you stop with the shedding."

"Ha-ha" Visionary answered with little humor. He decided to try a different track. "Did I mention that Ma Shepherdson was greatly looking forward getting this as a Christmas Card this year?"

Hallie suppressed a smile. "Well, I'm sure that with the right font and cheerful message, this could still work out..."

"Uh-huh" he replied dryly. He waited a moment before adding "Should I also remind you that she has every single one of your contact lines in case of emergency?"

Hallie desaturated noticeably as she filtered this information. "Er..."

"What was that you said to her during her last visit?" the possibly fake man continued. "If there's ever a problem, day or night, don't hesitate to contact you... that's what you're there for..."

Hallie processed the odds and came to a remarkably quick conclusion. "Um... Actually, there's always the possibility that I could do some slight touch-ups of the group shot in Photoshop after we're done here..." she suggested.

Visionary nodded sagely, once again glad that parenthood was a shared responsibility in this family. "You know, something tells me that might be for the best."