Heya again, I hope everyone reading this is in the Christmas spirit AGAIN! This is my second story in the series, and I plan to do one every Christmas, so I hope all of you reading this are going to get into the festive spirit with me! 5 days to go! And, due to that fact, here is the first chapter of my second "The Season brings you". Once again, there are only six chapters in this story – one for every day leading up to Christmas day and one on the day itself! PLEASE ENJOY!
Summary:
Romance has reached an all time high, with even more now due to a new arrival in the Xmansion. The whole place is alive with it in the festive spirit, the house is being filled with the pitter-patter of tiny feet and now wedding bells are sounding throughout. But with mutant hysteria on the border of the X-Mansion's gates, things are getting a bit rough. Will the Christmas wedding go down with a blast…or in one?
Key:
"…" Speech
'…' Thoughts
(…) Extra information
Songs are in bold"Telepathic thoughts are in italic and speech marks"
The Season brings you Marriage
Chapter 1
VvV Getting to Grips VvV
Tuesday 19th December, Outside the X-Mansion; 11:30pm
Curiosity. It got the better of her.
Never seeing it before, never even noticing the place before it was aired on the news, she had never thought to go and visit. How could she, when the woman never knew it even existed? Lorna Dane's eyes sparkled in curiosity and the place really got the better of her. Ignoring the numerous tents surrounding the gates by…adoring fans, shall we say, she rose into the air, carrying her bags by her side, and Lorna floated at her own pace towards Xavier's Institute for Gifted and Talented Youngster's.
Unknown cameras pinpointed the movement above, and in an instant they targeted the young woman, causing an alarm to go off inside the security room, one that didn't resound out through the mansion – with their 'visitors' hanging around outside, they liked to keep things reasonably quiet.
Inside"A few more minutes sleep…" the muttering's of a half-unconscious boy were drowned out by the siren, "turn off the alarm clock…" Kurt let out a tremendous noise that was midpoint between a snore and a snort. After this strange sound he reached out with his three fingers and waved them about over an imaginary alarm clock that the boy made to turn off by slamming his hand down on it. The slamming noise however was Rahne barging into the room hearing the siren, and as the door swung open it knocked Kurt's chair, which he had been half-unconsciously teetering on.
No surprise that Kurt fell off.
"KURT!" Rahne's yell caused the mutant on the floor to jump up, and Kurt made to salute his night-watch assistant but managed instead to fall face first to the floor in his fatigue, grateful for Rahne's catch. The fact that she couldn't hold him up and fell to the floor with Kurt wasn't so appreciated. "I told you NOT to fall asleep!" Pushing irritable, Rahne grunted and heaved Kurt off of herself, gritting her teeth together to hold back her yelling as he just snuggled comfortably into the floor. "KURT! Quit sleeping!"
"Sleep?" He stretched and spoke whilst yawning, "I wasn't slee-ee-eeping…" finishing his sentence with an innocent smile, Kurt realised Rahne wasn't buying it by the look she gave him.
Hurriedly, Rahne looked around the room and headed to lock the door, giving a reasonable explanation as she went, "I could hear you snoring all the way in the kitchen…Logan was closer to here than me!" Facing Kurt as she spoke, the Scottish girl didn't bother turning to the door as she made to close it. Her hand outstretched and hit something…warm. Rahne frowned. Curiously pressing her hand against the object repeatedly Rahne looked to Kurt and shoved the item, finding that it moved back with a growl.
"Speaking of the devil…" horrified; Rahne did the only thing possible and turned to face the object, which unfortunately turned out to be the person she looked up to as a 'father.'
"I…" he began to speak but stopped mid sentence and then Wolverine lifted his nose and sniffed, grumbling; "I'll have to sort this out some other time. But don't think you two are getting away with this!" Logan scowled at Kurt who had been happily smiling but turned to one of his 'daughter-like' pupils as Rahne spoke up.
"What is it?"
"Looks like John and Wanda brought their present five days early."
"What about-"
Looking to the silent, colourless siren, Logan raised his eyebrows, "Charles met the girl at the door."
"Oops?" Rahne smiled innocently at the man she admired as a father and, when he had left the room and was on his way downstairs, she turned back to Kurt with a glare. "Kurt…"
Menacing tone's were not his thing, and Kurt smiled nervously, attempting to change the topic, "so…vat's ze present?"
"I'm not going to tell you. You'll tell the wife. And don't change the topic."
"Damn…" even his whisper was heard.
VvVvVvV
The Foyer"12:00pm and you bring that…thing, into the house."
"Aw, don't talk about Johnny that way," Wanda smirked and ignored as John frowned resentfully at her. "Besides, it's the only way the love-bugs will be asleep."
"Whatever. And don't talk about Rogue that way," Logan looked around gruffly for an excuse, "if you're gonna say something about them, Wanda, say it in plain English. And get that thing away from me!" moving back, Logan stared down but turned away as his gaze was curiously returned. He gave one last look at the couple and grumbled, "both of you, 6:30am session tomorrow for coming home past curfew."
"But the Prof. said-"
"Do I look like Charles to you?"
Tempting though it was, John resisted a reply, no doubt something to do with hair (or lack of it) and Wanda noticed how Logan spotted this, so – bundling their package under one arm – she began to drag John away.
"It'll be staying in our room, so keep them away from it, ok?"
Under any other circumstance he would have said no, but this was for one of the other girls he felt a slight father-like bond to, so Logan didn't reply and instead walked back up the stairs, muttering something about regretting that decision. And not on Wanda and John's benefits either…with the noise levels the couple went at, their 'guest' wouldn't get a wink of sleep.
VvVvVvV
Xavier's Office, 12:30am"What a time, eh?"
Charles steepled his hand and muttered amusedly, glad for Lorna's relaxation after their introductions and his well-learnt talk on his proud school. "You always were one for bad timings." Pausing momentarily, he decided to give his comment an explanation, "fighting using your powers in broad daylight was certainly not helpful after I had just publicly given a speech on mutant and human peace this summer."
Wincing at the severity of his words, a laugh nervously escaped Lorna's lips whilst she turned her eyes to her lap under Xavier's unimpressed gaze, "well, how else would I have discovered this place without your little mental chat? Apart from knowing you from all that time ago, and all of the news coverage of course." Turning to gaze behind Charles, the woman frowned at the tents just in sight.
After her momentary ignorance of the conversation, Lorna resumed it. "And besides, no one was injured and I meant no real harm – Ms Frost deserved it. You know the fondness she has of mocking my…issues, shall we say." Guiltily turning to Xavier, the woman attempted a smile. "But I suppose apologies are in order…"
"Yes, they shall be."
Without interrupting Lorna frowned questioningly at the fact they were not requested at present and Charles Xavier smiled before resolving the unanswered question, "you are tired. Sleep is in order and then we can speak further when you get settled in properly, possibly about slight things on your mind?"
"Well…he will need to be discussed because I suppose it can't be held off forever. That wouldn't be possible with you around, now would it Charles?"
"I'm afraid not my dear."
And with that single statement the conversation was closed and Lorna found herself being escorted by a man she had known for many a year throughout the vast mansion. In no time she was outside a door and was explained about the route to the kitchen where she would be assigned a guide the following morning so she may discover the many areas of the mansion. With a smile Charles left her and with a sigh Lorna practically threw her bags into a corner before collapsing onto the bed that was found before her.
VvVvVvV
Wednesday 30th December (5 days to go), Rogue's dorm, 6:00am
"Ow, get off!" They rolled over and she sighed before nodding to the door, "ya bettah go."
"Non Chere, can' Remy stay fo' a bit longer?"
"If ya wanna get caught, suuuure." Her sarcasm didn't go unnoticed, but it was ignored.
"A bit?"
"No."
"Tiny bit?"
"Fahne…"
"A tiny…oh." Smirking happily, Remy then growled seductively with a mischievous grin, flipping both of them over so he was lying on top of Rogue. Squealing as he began to tickle her, Rogue struggled in vain, panting when the Cajun stopped only to start laughing when Remy growled again. Unable to control her laughter when Remy growled repeatedly, Rogue squealed happily whilst her lover playfully nipped at her neck.
"Get off meh ya fat lump!" burying his face in Rogue's neck for a reply, Remy shook it vigorously, all the while smiling happily at the woman's laughter. 'Mon Dieu dat power inhibitor is a miracle.'
VvVvVvV
Lorna's Dorm, 9:00am'What time is breakfast again? …Oh who cares…so ti-ired,' thoughts enshrouded her mind, but the woman couldn't be bothered. Stretching, an attempt was made at rising from her bed…but no, Lorna fell back down into the softness of her pillows. 'Gotta get up…' and with that thought she let out a yawn whilst managing to push herself onto her elbows. Then Lorna fell back down. Sleep was consuming the woman…enveloping her in soft, fluffy pillows and warm, cuddly bed covers…
"BREAKFAST!"
How could that yell not have woken Lorna up?
Downstairs, 9:10amMovement seemed dead to life upstairs, but as soon as you stepped through that kitchen door, sleep seemed to be a thing of the past and Lorna appreciated this the moment somebody barged past her, running for the kitchen door. Not even bothering to look back, the blonde girl kept running and shoved the door open wide, letting it swing on its hinges before it was swung back open as a brown haired boy followed, sliding on a bridge of ice before dropping elegantly onto the floor.
Revealing the contents of the room for a split second, the door soon swung back closed, snapping shut, encasing Lorna in a world of quiet and loneliness from outside in the empty hallway.
Courage was something the woman possessed – she had fought on the streets many a time…yet this took something more: inner-strength. Something that Lorna found increasingly difficult to build up. In one stride the woman had reached the door and her hand was outstretched towards it. Pushing the handle down, Lorna hesitantly entered the room to be blasted with a surge of noise.
Breakfast seemed to be a public event – there was at least two dozen, if not more, people in this room and all that Lorna could do was to watch them all, stupefied by the sea of faces and the flow of movement happening everywhere around the kitchen. Although the kitchen seemed to also be a dining room in one. If people weren't leant over the Islands talking or collecting food, which was piled high onto plates, being a vast variety of sorts, then they were eating the delicious meal splayed out before them.
She just stood by the door; not moving and standing stock-still as Lorna surveyed the place before her. Snippets of conversation caught at her ears and the woman listened intently, trying to understand the focus of many people's minds whilst she watched.
"Kurt that's the last pancake!" "It is not!" "I'll make some more, dear. Don't worry."
"1 year in a month and 5 days huh? And a son at that! How does it feel Lance?" "It feels fucking awesome man!" "I only vish zat I could find somevon (someone) to be like you und Katya. Boot no…no luck." "Don't worry Piotr mate, you'll foynd someone. But if ya don't moynd (mind) lads, oy have to go get my someone."
"Your eyes are burned, stronger than ink, surpassing a blink…and all I can think is why?" a beautiful woman entranced Lorna with her shimmering, midnight-blue hair, that fell in strands down to her mid-back, not to mention the adorable baby she held in one arm whilst the other baby (noticeably twins) was held by another woman nearby. Lorna listened in on the conversation as the woman spoke to someone who looked a bit younger than both her companions – holding a baby boy as she attentively listened – and another who had a very foreboding appearance with her Gothic look, holding the other twin. "Well of course he knows why: Pietro married me! I'm taking care of our twins for Christ's sake!"
The red tipped Goth leaning against an Island counter could only laugh at this and made a single comment before stuffing the end of a donut into her mouth with her free hand, "what a cheesy poem." With this phrase the first woman agreed, watching as the Goth took another bite and then fed the rest of her donut to a man who passed her by, grabbing her hand on the way, allowing the red-tipped woman to hand the twin over to his mother. "Anyway, I gotta go; the present awaits."
"Aw! They'll both love it!" an excited squeal rose up from the younger woman and she rocked the baby – which was no doubt her own – in her arms. Watching whilst the Goth and the man who had grabbed her hand walked away, Kitty suddenly turned with a frown and Lorna realised her presence had been noticed.
The sudden hush and halt of movement just emphasised the fact and Lorna looked around shyly, feeling everyone's eyes on her.
Tucking strands of her hair behind her ears, the newcomer smiled nervously and ignored as the tufts simply fell back into her face. Her hair being shorter at the front and a bit longer at the back meant that some bits tucked up but others didn't. Averagely Lorna's hair was cut to chin length, framing her face in loose curls, the natural, mossy, dark green that it was contrasting with her slightly tanned skin. Lorna Dane was well-built, rather large for her look and built bulkily like a man; broad muscles showing through her outfit as she stood at a tall 5ft 7, her grass green eyes blazing in an intense gaze that suited her appearance. Slight make-up traced her face: a small, light amount of rose lipstick covering her straight lips; light amounts of mascara framing her large eyes. She was built powerfully, with a mature posture although she looked only in her early twenties, being in fact 26. "Hi. I'm Lorna…Lorna Dane."
She found it difficult to face the sea of faces and instead chose to gaze down at her hands as they curled together infront of her stomach, nervously, but then Lorna looked up as a voice spoke from in front of her.
"Oh. My. God!"
"Hey, that's so my line!"
People ignored this comment from Kitty and instead watched the woman standing straight before the stranger, who happened to be the red-tipped Goth. Lorna could only think the same phrase in her mind as everything clicked into place, "WANDA!"
"LORNA!" shock filled the room when Wanda – normally reserved and suspicious of newcomers – threw herself on the other woman, enveloping her in a hug that squeezed the breath out of Lorna.
"JOHN!"
Used to an outburst like this from John himself, people simply continually stared at Wanda, a few laughing as John pulled the Goth from Lorna into an even tighter embrace, the pyromaniac frowning jealously at the newcomer. "Get off John," muttering followed and in no time he had followed orders nodding at the explanation.
"Which one?"
"Which what?" noticing the hush of voices and the stares, Wanda turned to the room and scowled, causing people to return to their previous engagement, "WHAT?!"
"Which parent?"
Immediately Lorna got the gist of the conversation and interrupted it, "father."
"Eavesdropper," Wanda stuck her tongue out at the familiar face and Lorna did it back, muttering 'kind knows kind' in reply. "Long time huh? What's it been…6 years? I don't think I've seen you since father made up his mind to up and go, deciding to first let Pietro and me actually know we had a half-sister before introducing us."
"Pietro never mentioned that. Evil little...hi by the way," the woman who had spoke up refrained from swearing due to her own children and stopped her little chat there. Staring between the girls, the blue-haired mother stepped forward out of the crowd of people so she now stood by Wanda. Without looking she turned one of her arms and deposited a baby in a young man's arms, who Lorna noticed a strong resemblance from the kids in.
'No doubt the father…and no doubt…' "Pietro? Oh my god, look at you!" Lorna gasped openly and laughed when the young man nearly dropped his child, who gurgled happily at the exciting game. "A father of two!"
"Lorny? No kidding…is that you?"
"You'd never have guessed. Your about foyve (five) minutes late, mate," the man standing beside Wanda spoke up sarcastically and Lorna turned to him waiting for introductions, seeming as him and Wanda appeared to be…close. Literally.
Catching on, Wanda pressed a hand onto John's back and pushed him forwards, "this is my boyfriend John."
"Fiancé."
"This is my fiancé John, the one I mentioned when you asked me about my love life," happily smiling at the fact he had been mentioned, John outstretched a hand with a smile.
"Nice to meecha."
"Nice to meet who?"
"Who are we meeting, luv?"
"How come her fiancé gets to be introduced first and I'm your wife!"
"What's goin' ohn…"
"Et who is dis beau fille?" a hand caught Lorna's and a figure bent to kiss it. "De name's Remy Lebeau…mais, y' can jus' call dis Cajun Remy." At this gesture and comment no more questions were asked and the last man who had spoke up straightened with a guilty attempt at a smile, "slipped out? Jus' habit, y' know…?"
Surprisingly to Lorna it wasn't the girl standing beside Remy, staring at the man in astonishment, who attacked him, it was Pietro's apparent wife, "what is your fucking problem!"
"The kids Lexa! No child is bad from the beginning no matter what you say; they only imitate their atmosphere."
Pietro's intelligent quote went unnoticed, although Lexa did hand over her daughter - practically chucking her girl to the nearest person available, who happened to be Lorna. Then the newcomer was also burdened with Pietro's bundle as he went to intervene with the fight that went unnoticed throughout the rest of the room.
Gorgeous girls were both of the daughters: dazzling platinum hair framing both their faces, one's longer than the other's was. One of the girl's had eyes matching her father's sparkling sapphires that twinkled happily in her large, childish eyes. Only able to make out one pair of those eyes though, Lorna pushed back the long fringe of the other daughter to reveal a slight physical mutation, as neither mother nor father possessed the eye colour Lorna beheld. Stormy grey eyes shone in a happy, smiling face and the girl placed her hand on Lorna's, which the woman admired as they almost matched her own lightly tanned skin, taking after her mother in that case. The other girl was identical in this skin colour and she showed this by lifting her hands up in the air, a private signal for her sister to do so as well, which she did; both of them simply raising hands as Lorna rocked them gently.
"So why are you here? Visiting over Christmas?" Wanda smiled and spoke to her half-sister, choosing to ignore the continuing fight, which was now beginning to attract attention as most of the kitchen turned to watch. And it was when Wanda turned to Lorna that one of her nieces decided to wriggle in Lorna's arms – for such a young girl she certainly knew how to move.
Suddenly the sapphire-eyed girl wriggled again and did so forcefully that she managed to turn the rest of her body over and next moment she found herself falling face first towards the floor.
Lexa's sharp eyes spotted the girl and her desperate scream caused the whole kitchen to look – even Pietro's super speed wouldn't be enough to catch her, the child was inches away from the ground…and that's when she stopped falling.
Realising the answer to her own question as to why Lorna was there, Wanda still watched in amazement with the other spectators as the young girl rose from her position near the floor, which she faced with continuing laughter at this new exciting game. No one held onto Lexa's daughter and neither Wanda nor Jean were doing anything, it was Lorna's hand that was outstretched, dragging the girl with an unknown force upwards. And it was this free hand that supported the girl's bottom as the child sank slowly into it, seated comfortably beside her sister in her half-aunt's arm. Squealing happily, neither girl knew how close the child had been and even though Lorna did, she couldn't help but smile whilst making an amused comment to the stunned faces now turned to her own.
"Remarkable metal bones, I take it she gets those from her mother?" Lorna turned at the silence, still particularly amused, "just lucky it was her and not her sister who fell, otherwise my powers wouldn't have stopped her."
End of ChapterSo…not a very festive chapter but it was introducing our newest character: Lorna Dane. So yes, now we have Magneto's daughter, and the Maximoff twin's half-sister! Talking of twins...Lexa and Pietro had twin girls! And Kitty and Lance had a baby boy! Question is though…who's getting married? And I hope you enjoyed my ROMY fluff – yay power inhibitors! More will be explained next chappie and more festive things shall happen. I hope you enjoyed this chapter so PLEASE REVIEW! More to come tomorrow!!! Merry Christmas! .x.Thrills.x.