BellaDonna was not sure she liked Hank's chunky blue fingers on her slightly rounded abdomen. Now, at this point, it seemed like she had gained weight there from eating too much of the delicious food that Remy was practically jamming down her throat. This morning she had told him in no uncertain terms that she was eating for two, not the entire lineup of the New Orleans Saints. Still, she had ended up sated and had finished everything on the plate. So who actually won the argument? She'd never know.

Now, she was lying on a long medical examination table while a man she didn't know drew blood from her arm, prodded her belly, and asked her about a million different questions: When was her last period? Was she experiencing morning sickness? Had she felt any cramping? Was she eating right? The man now knew things about her body that she had never even thought of. Besides, what did regular bowel movements have to do with giving birth to a child? But the man insisted, telling her that every bit of information could help her deliver safely and, God willing, quickly.

She'd been given some orange juice to drink after the blood had been drawn from her and now it felt as if her bladder was going to pop. All the better, it seemed, because the ultrasound required the utmost discomfort. The gel was freezing against her belly and the thick white wand was no walk in the park either. As he pressed down a gentle swishing seemed to fill the room, it moved quickly but was strong...Belle almost didn't believe it when Hank told them that the strange noise was their baby's heartbeat. Squeezing Remy's hand, she smiled; their baby was strong, just like his or her parents.

Remy watched everything with a detached curiosity of someone who was extremely happy he wasn't in Belle's place. She didn't look the least bit comfortable through the whole procedure. It made him smile though, knowing that the reason they were doing all of this was because they were having a baby together. That thought alone made Remy want to run up to the common areas of the house, grab the nearest student and start dancing around the house, then take everyone out for drinks. He was happy enough that it didn't matter to him. And he couldn't help but laugh at the memory of Belle trying to scold him for feeding her so much, all the while eating everything Remy had put on her plate. He knew it made her feel better to say what she did, but he also felt as if he had won the argument; after all, she did eat everything on the plate. And she would at lunch, too.

When the sound of the baby's heartbeat, at least that's what Hank had said it was, filled the examination room, Remy squeezed Belle's hand in return. He felt a huge swelling of pride in his chest; this was his baby that had a strong heartbeat. He leaned over a pressed a chaste kiss, as that's all they could do with Hank in the room, to her lips and smiled at her. "Dat's de soun' of our baby, Belle. J'taime." He ran a hand through her hair and looked up at Beast, a sudden question popping into his mind. " 'Ank, Remy was wonderin', do y' know if de baby is a boy or a girl?" Remy knew nothing of the process of babies growing in the womb, so he knew nothing about when it would be possible to tell. Like every expectant father, he wanted to know right now, so he could go out buy sport gear for his son or a stuffed pony for his daughter, even if they weren't due for months now.

The sex of the baby? Could that be determined already? BellaDonna found that she didn't care if the baby was a boy or a girl, she'd be happy to have either. It might be nice to know what color clothes to be buying though. She listened intently as Hank gave his diagnosis, "I'd say it's still too soon to determine the sex. If Miss Boudreaux is correct and you conceived in the beginning of April, that puts her pregnancy at about eleven weeks. Usually we can determine the sex of the child by eighteen or twenty," He explained with a smile.

BellaDonna nodded, "I t'ink we can wait f' seven more weeks, non?" They'd have forty, according to Hank; waiting a simple seven wouldn't be anything too difficult. She loved that Remy was excited about this, though; of all the things she had expected while coming down here, this attitude was nothing but a prayer. Hank began to point out that she needed to be taking prenatal vitamins and she should apprise him of any changes in health. Finally, it seemed like hours later, he released her and she was able to run to the bathroom; that left Hank and Remy alone for several minutes.

Remy spent several minutes talking to Hank about what sorts of foods he should avoid feeding to Belle, as he was certain that very spicy ones might upset the baby. After a grueling question and answer session, Remy turned the talk to more mundane things, like hockey. Of all the hobbies that Remy imagined Hank having, watching hockey with Logan was not one of them. But the blue furred mutant was indeed a huge hockey fan and so they delved into a topic of the pros and cons of rooting against the Detroit Red Wings this season. After Belle came out, Remy entwined his hand with hers, waved good bye to Hank, and dragged her upstairs. As soon as they were out of earshot, he planted a long kiss to her lips. "I been wantin' t' do dat since I 'eard de baby's heartbeat."

Thank Lord Almighty Jesus in Heaven...she had never been so happy to see a toilet in her entire life. Many of the things she had taken advantage of in her life, now seemed like the very richest of possessions; things like toilet bowls, pickles and elastic waistband pants were now her very best friends. The oldest of her friends, though, was Remy of course…but the way he devoured her with his kisses, he wasn't feeling just friendly today. "J'taime," she whispered as he drew her into his arms. "Dat was pretty amazing, de baby's heartbeat," She said, smiling. "I never t'ought I could love anyt'ing like dis' before.'Course I love y' Remy but dis' baby I..." She struggled for the words. "I can't explain de feelings."

Remy silenced her with another kiss and pulled back. "Den don't bot'er tryin' t' explain dem, chere. Remy know what Belle is talkin' 'bout, he feels de same way." He smiled lovingly and then reached into his pocket, pulling out a small metal band; it was, more specifically, the ring she had thrown at him when he had left New Orleans the second time. "Belle, I was wonderin', if y' wanted t' 'ave dis ring back." The looks his eyes could say everything for him, and held an air of hope that she would say yes.

Tears welled in her eyes as he reached into his pocket and pulled out her wedding and engagement ring. Oh, she had missed them so much; when Remy had left her the first time she used to wear them to remember. The only reason she had taken them off was because she hadn't wanted Remy to see her wearing them when he came back. Grasping them, she threw her arms around him, kissing him several times on the cheek; tears slipped down her face, clinging to her skin and his as she slipped them back on her finger, "Remy, are y' askin' Belle t' marry y' again?"

Remy—as surprising as it was—blushed when Belle asked him to clarify his offer. He smiled and looked into her eyes for a long moment and then nodded. "Oui, chere. Remy t'inks dat wit' de baby an' y' bein' here wit' him, dat he missed y' somet'in' terrible when y' weren't around. He just ne'er realized it 'fore." He dropped down to one knee in front of her and kissed the ring she had just placed back on her finger. "I don' wan' t' feel dat lonely again, and I know y' don' eit'er. So, BellaDonna Boudreaux, will y' marry me…again?"

Their first engagement had gone something like: I'll marry you because my papa said so and you're damn good in bed. Their love had seemed to be young love, easily tossed away to him…but Belle, she always loved him truly, deeply. But this was the real deal for him; Remy LeBeau was a smiling, blushing fool on his knees in the middle of a hallway, asking her to be his wife...again. How could she say no? "I t'ink dat can be arranged," She said, pulling him up to hold him in her arms. "'Course I'll marry y' chere!"

Remy grabbed her, albeit gently, around the waist. He hoisted her into the air, kissing her fervently, and spun her in slow circles. He then laughed as he lowered her back to the ground; taking care to make sure she rubbed against him so she could...feel...how happy he was. "Belle, y' 'ave no idea how 'appy y' make dis ol' Cajun." His thoughts then turned to serious matters, as if marriage wasn't serious enough. "I'll go w'ever y' want, chere, back to N'Awlins if dat is what y' want. Jus' let me know as soon as y' decide where y' want t' live, so I can make arrangements wit' de X-Men if I 'ave t'." He hated to bring this up and spoil the moment, but the sooner this was dealt with, the better. After all, it wouldn't do to get married, and up and leave the X-Men to fend for themselves without letting them know ahead of time.

Spinning the pregnant woman...not a good idea. Once he set her down it took her almost a full minute to recover from the nausea; it did pass though, just in time to hear him proclaiming that he'd go where she wanted. "Well, chere," Belle said quietly, "Nobody in N'Awlins knows about dis'...dey can't know." It might be difficult for her to explain to an outsider but Remy knew the dangers of being seen as a weak leader. "If dese Assassin an' T'ieves get de idea dat I'm not strong 'cause of de baby, it could be de end of Belle an' de baby."

Remy completely understood what she was saying. He remembered too well the lifestyle of those in the Guild. For new members, it was always trying to procure favor with the older members, and the older members where always looking for ways to advance their standing within the Guilds. "If y' wan' t' stay 'ere till after de baby is born, chere, dat won' be a problem." His eyes lit with something akin to anger at the idea of the Guilds trying to harm Belle and their baby. "But if y' wan' t' go back t' N'Awlins, Remy'll be dere, righ' by y' side. Any o' t'ose t'ieves or assassins t'inks dey can 'arm y' or de baby, dey ne'er met an angry Gambit. Dey wan' t' get t' y', dey got t' go t'rough Remy. An' I don' t'ink deys will 'ave forgotten what happened t' Bruno when he tried t' git his 'ands on y'."

Belle didn't want to think about Bruno today; she was deliriously happy. All she wanted to do was gather Remy into her body and show him exactly how happy he made her feel. Hank had said, after all, that sex was fine if she wasn't spotting or cramping badly afterwards. This talk of the guilds, though, cooled her mood quickly, "I t'ink I'd like t' stay here until de baby is born, at least. Dat way, we'll know everyt'ing will be fine an' we'll be safe." Pressing her hand to her abdomen, she knew that only two people in the entire world mattered: Remy and this child.

Remy smiled and kissed her softly. His hands roamed up her sides and over her hips as he pulled back. "Well, dat's good t' know. Now, enough 'bout de Guilds." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and let his hands do some work of their own, trying to elicit the moan from her that meant she wanted him right then. "How 'bout Remy show y' just how happy y' make him? An' show y' dat only y' an' dis baby matter t' him anymore."

In the middle of the afternoon he wanted to go at it? Well, it wasn't like Belle to turn down a mid afternoon romp; besides, it wasn't like she was going to get pregnant or anything. She rubbed her body against him as she kissed him long and hard on the mouth. This was good, Hank had recommended she get some exercise everyday and then after their workout, they could eat some lunch. Reaching up, she sucked gently on his earlobe before whispering, "Why don' we take dis somewhere more...private?"

Remy quickly swept Belle up into his arms and carried to his room. "I t'ought y'd ne'er ask. Y' sure y' not a telepat'? Y' seem t' be readin' Remy's mind lately." He was teasing her now, and the quick nip he gave her lower lip after he spoke, gave it away. He kicked the door shut behind them, elbowed the light switch so the lights would come on, and then set her on the bed. Remy let his eyes wander over her still clothed body, which didn't bother him since he'd seen her without the clothes enough times to know exactly what she looked like underneath them. "Y' more beautiful den e'er, Belle. An' dat's 'ard t' do, seein' as y' was a goddess before." He smiled at her and then suckled her neck lightly.

Lovemaking with the lights on was something that BellaDonna usually disliked. But today, she wanted all of their movements, motions and expressions out in the open. She reveled in the passion blazing in Remy's eyes as he caressed her body and brought her to the brink of insanity with his ministrations. Even as he spilled into her and they lay entangled on the bed, there was still a piece of him inside of her. It gave her great joy to know that once again she had a family; and this family was all hers, to have and to hold forever.

It wasn't that Belle was a traditionalist or she wanted to spend the night parted from the love of her life, but she had some good old New Orleans superstition in her; Remy was NOT to be seeing his bride before the wedding and that was final. She awoke in a cold bed, frowning, but once she remembered that it was her wedding day, a smile spread across her face. She snuck down to the kitchen, finishing up a large piece of steak with a side of toast and some fruit salad. Her tastes had been changing lately, she found herself craving the strangest things...at one point after last week's prenatal appointment she had been craving lamb and codfish with a side of French fries smothered in pickle relish. Where did that come from? Well, don't ask Belle, she was just as baffled as you are.

Showering quickly, she set her hair in curlers and put on one of the dresses she had brought with her from New Orleans. She found much to her dismay, that it was extremely tight around her breasts and clung to her ever-expanding belly. Even so, it was the only white dress she owned, a lacy thing that had a V-neck and little spaghetti straps. Though it wasn't the fluffy, expensive wedding dress she had on her first wedding, it was beautifully simple...and they needed simple now.

Hank had volunteered to take her over to the judge's office so she wouldn't have to drive. Scott sat quietly in the back seat, his face still slightly sunken in from malnutrition and dotted with healing bruises; Belle didn't find him all that friendly but if Remy liked the man, she wouldn't go out of her way to pick at him. Scott had been through a terrible ordeal, after all. It seemed to take hours but finally they were parked and heading into Judge Hathaway's office, the woman who had agreed to marry them...again.

Remy was already waiting. He'd taken his time in the morning with getting ready in his room, as Belle still clung to those New Orleans superstitions about the bride being seen by the groom before the wedding. He put on a simple black suit with white button-down shirt and black tie. After wards he had made his way to the kitchen for breakfast, and made sure there was food in the fridge for Belle. Then he'd hopped into his car, the Audi that Xavier had graciously given him as a wedding present, and drove over to the courthouse. He was waiting inside when Belle, Scott and Hank arrived. Remy smiled as Scott made his way to take a seat in the front, and Hank walked Belle up to Remy's side. Remy knew the man meant well by making sure she didn't have any fainting spells, but he couldn't help but remember Belle being walked up the aisle during their first wedding. When Belle arrived by his side Remy kissed her hand and whispered, "Y' look beautiful, chere."

Belle wasn't even through the door when she began to blush. Although Hank was nothing more than her doctor and potential midwife, she felt happiness bursting in her chest when he walked her down the little aisle and placed her hands in Remy's. "T'anks," she whispered and turned to the judge. She was a severe little woman, her grey hair pulled back in a tight bun; much to Belle's dismay, she reminded her of Tante Mattie...not one of Belle's favorite people.

Staring into his dark, beautiful eyes, she blushed. "W'en t'ings went bad, in N'Awlins de firs' time, chere, I t'ough dat I would die wit'out y'." Maybe it wasn't the best beginning to her wedding vows, but she wanted it to mean something when she finished, "But 'ere y' are again, we're toget'er forever now, an' dere ain' nothin' an nobody dat can take y' away from me again." Love bubbled up within her, "It'll be y' an' me an' our baby for de rest of our lives."

When Remy's turn arrived, he dropped the smile to show he was serious, and spoke in firm but loving tones. "Belle, I loved y' since de day we first was toget'er. I ne'er stopped lovin' y', an' y' know I ne'er would 'ave left y' if it had been possible t' stay. But y' know all dat. In my heart and soul, y' are de fire dat gives me life. You make life wort' livin', an' if I get t' spen' de res' o' my life by y'r side, den no matter wha', it was a life with meanin'. J'taime, chere. Wit' all dis Gambit's heart, J'taime."

Belle lurched forward, grabbing him and kissing him hard until the judge got fed up and pronounced them man and wife. Wrapping her arms tighter around him, "J'taime, Remy, f' now an' f' always." With papers signed and dated and with their rings back on their fingers, Belle and Remy were once again Monsieur et Madame LeBeau. Soon they'd be a happy little family of three...and who knew? Maybe someday they'd even be that family of eight that Remy always wanted.

Remy smiled and kissed Belle back with a fervent passion. When they were all done (after several coughing fits from the back of the chapel) Remy hugged Scott and Hank, thanked them for their help, and then led Belle out to the car. He still hadn't told her about it, Xavier had only given him the keys the day before. And knowing how she loved her BMW, Remy was certain she'd be jealous that Remy was driving a car worth almost twice as much as hers. "Dere's somet'in' Remy want t' show y' Belle. Xavier, besides givin' Remy time off f' our...alone time...he gave Remy anot'er present f' de weddin'. Registered t' Monsieur Remy LeBeau et Madame BellaDonna LeBeau." He pulled the switchblade key out his pocket and led her around the corner to the car which was shiny midnight black with cool tan leather interior and chrome trimming. "Remy tol' de Professor 'bout Belle's love f' nice cars, so he t'ought dis woul' be a fittin' present."

Belle hadn't been expecting any actual wedding gifts and the shock of receiving one so lavish from a man she barely knew made her nearly stumble from the shock. Grasping onto Remy, she stared at the gorgeous car, "Mon dieu, dis is OURS?"

Remy smiled and chuckled as he unlocked the car and helped her in. "Oui, Belle. De Professor, he's a very giving man. 'Specially when it comes t' t'ings like weddin's, births, an' birthdays. He wan's e'eryone t' feel special an' t' recieve some o' de joys o' growin' up de way he did. He e'en gives all de X-Men an' t'eir families credit cards wit' no limit." He smiled and closed the door, then went around and sat in the driver's seat. After plugging the key into the ignition slow, a small computer panel popped up with touch screen numbers from zero to nine. Remy pinned in four digit code and then hit a button marked start, and the car started right up. "De code t' unlock de security system, is y' birthday."

If he hadn't helped into the car, she probably would've flopped right on the ground. This man, Xavier, must've had enough money to be using hundreds as toilet paper if he did all of that for his associates. "I'll be writin' de man a nice long t'ank y' note when we get back 'ome." She had called it home...no, New Orleans was her home, always was and always would be. She noticed as he pulled out, they weren't heading back to the mansion. Looking over at him, she folded her arms, "Where we goin' chere?" Remy was all about surprising her; he lived for it...Belle, however, was far more cautious. She rarely enjoyed a surprise but in this case, she knew she was going to like it.

Remy tried to look innocent and hide his grin, but his excitement gave him away. He looked over at Belle and kissed her hand, then held onto it as they continued to drive, he refused to answer. After an hour they pulled up to a very large gate which kept them out of a very large estate looking mansion. At the gate was a simple box and after Remy entered their registration code, the gate slid back. At the main building Remy got out and a valet opened the door for Belle. "Welcome to La Maison de Paradis," the valet greeted them in an overly fake French accent. The building was surrounded by a large lawn and further out, woods. Guests rode by on horses, or walked by in swimsuits. They all looked to be the very crème de la crème of society. Remy handed the man a slip of paper and a hundred dollar bill. There bags were taken out of the trunk and Remy quickly checked them in. "Another of Xavier's gifts...a four day weekend f' us, in a very elite resort. Dey 'ave everyt'ing dat you could want 'ere."

Unbelievable! BellaDonna had heard about this place on the radio one time, movie stars went here to relax, not regular women like her and certainly not Remy LeBeau...if he had a dime to his name, she didn't know about it. After his excommunication, he had been sent away as poor as the day they found him. It was all so much to take in, she was grateful that Remy's arms were holding her tightly as they checked in and were shown to a giant suite, complete with a bed that might fit the entire Assassins Guild, it's own hot tub, walking distance to the pool, a bathroom that might be mistaken for a small island and various amenities that she just couldn't believe. "It's beautiful," She whispered, kissing Remy on the cheek, "Even wit'out de fancy car or de pretty hotel, even if we was de poorest people in de world, I'd still love y' chere." Maybe she didn't have to say it, but she wanted to. Kicking the door shut with her heel, she smiled, "W'at d' y say we christen dat bed?"

Remy grinned and pushed her gently to the bed, all the while kissing her. "I was 'oping you'd say dat." He then pushed her over so she was flat on her back, and made a show of taking off her shoes. His hands glided up her calf and over her dress, running over as much of her as he could get them on. They moved up to her shoulders and slowly pulled down the straps of her dress, and then dove into it from the top. He leaned his head over and kissed her passionately.

Belle only hoped their baby would be baptized as thoroughly as she and Remy christened the bed. For hours upon hours they stayed in bed, drawing one another into martial bliss time and time again. They probably could've gone for several days like that, just making love until they passed out...but unfortunately, Belle was pregnant and by the time they were done, she was thoroughly ravenous. Passion or not, they still had to think of the child growing inside of her. Soon, night fell and so ended their first day as man and wife, the first of many.