A/N: If this story is getting a bit redundant or predictable, then apologies! I'm having trouble thinking of different things to keep it exciting or even interesting. Suggestions are always welcome, as I definitely don't want you to lose interest.

Chellerbelle: Yep, they're seeing the in-laws again, as that would be about the only place she could travel at this time. I have something in mind, so that's the other reason.

Roguey21: Yay! Ha! Shotgun...now ya sound like my nephew who has to ride shotgun whenever we take him somewhere. LOL. You'll see... *bum bum buuuum!!*

Kii: I am so happy you loved it! Yay! Okay, you just read my mind...read on, hope you like. :D

courtneycutie: So glad you did. Hehehe...we'll see.

Disclaimer: What a Merry Christmas it would be if I owned them, but I don't. I also don't own "Under My Fingernails" by Skillet. I can just see her listening to that band.

After a long drive punctuated with frequent stops for Rogue, an overnight stay and more driving, they finally arrive at the antiquated bayou home. They are taken to their respective rooms with Remy and Rogue sharing his (well duh), Kurt in one and Angel in another. Rogue immediately settles herself in the large bed and falls asleep at once. Remy finds a blanket in the chest at the foot of the bed and covers her up. He meets the others downstairs who inquire as to her whereabouts.

"She fell asleep as soon as she hit de bed." he explains.

"Poor chile. She looked jus' exhausted w'en y' came in. W'at y' been doin' t' her, boy?" Tante demands.

"I didn' do anyt'in!" he defends himself "But dere is somet'in we didn' wan' t' tell y' til we got 'ere. I'm not gon' tell y' til she comes down for dinner."

"'S okay fils, now tell us 'ow she came t' lose 'er mem'ries an' 'ow we may be able t' 'elp 'er get dem back."

"T'anks, pere. I tol' y' mos' of it on de phone, but I'll tell de res' o' y'. If she asks y' anyt'in', don' take it personally. She can' r'member anyt'in' o' her past f'r now. De profeseur says dat she'll get dem back, but it'll take time."

"W'at 'bout y', Kurt? Does she r'member y'r 'er frere?" Rhett questions cautiously.

"Nein, mein sister doesn't remember any of us. Ve haf been making new memories vith her." he replies with a tinge of sadness in his tone.

Angel sits quietly with her head down, nursing her cup of coffee.

"W'at d' y' t'ink o' all dis, petit?" Renoir asks.

She looks up with tears shimmering in her eyes. "In a way, it feels like I've lost my best friend." she says quietly.

Remy walks over and puts a hand on her shoulder. "Couldn've said it better myself, Ange." He squeezes her shoulder while Kurt takes her hand.

Remy heads outside and sits on the porch swing in the back. He remembers all the good times they've shared here. The football game, their honeymoon when they took all those walks together, watching her help Tante in the kitchen. He laughs to himself thinking about how she would pick on his brothers just as badly as he did. He dozes off for a short while, waking suddenly when he notices the slight chill in the air. Walking back inside, he moves toward the stairs when he hears singing. At their door, he stops and a big smile takes over his features. It's been awhile since he's heard her sing.

"Never reaching what I want to reach. Never being who I want to be. Blaming me, when I fall and fail. All my dreams speak to me, under my fingernails."

He knows this song to be one of her favorites since he's heard her sing it several times, ever since he came to the Institute. It stopped after this last abduction attempt, but now..... He steps in and she takes the buds out of her ears.
"I'm sorry! Was I too loud?" she apologetically inquires.

"Non, not at all! I love 'earin' y' sing. 'S been awhile, cherie. 'M sure no one else minds, eit'er. Y' ready t' go t' dinner? Tante's been askin' 'bout y'. T'reatened t' beat me if I didn' bring y' down."

"Oh, well I guess we'd better go then. Don' wan' ya gettin' beat 'cuz of me. 'Sides, that's my job!" she teases.

He stares at her for a moment, then thinks to himself "Yes, dis trip was a good idea!"

They meet the others in the kitchen, where Tante rushes over and grabs her in a fierce hug.

"Chile, y' look so much better dan w'en dat homme o' y'rs broug't y' in. Lemme look at y' girl! Y' look jus' beautiful, chere. Mot'erhood's agreein' wit' y'. Y' got dat glow." Tante gushes over her a few more minutes then finally lets her sit.

"Remy, I b'lieve y' an' y'r wife 'ave some news f'r us." Jean-Luc states after clearing his throat. He casts Rogue a fond glance.

"Yeah, right. Kurt an' Angel already know, as news travels fast w'ere we live." After the chuckles die down he continues, getting right to the point. "Rogue an' I are expectin' twins!" he declares.

Tante cries out and the three men come over to congratulate the couple, slapping Remy on the back and gently embracing Rogue.

"I jus' knew it. I noticed y' put on a little bit o' weight." Tante proclaims then notices Rogue's horrified expression. "Non, non don' y' be gettin' worried 'bout puttin' on some weight, now. It's fo' dem babies! Y' wan' dem healt'y, don' y' petit? B'sides, dere's not'in' wrong wit' it. If y' ask me filles dese days are too skinny! Dere's not'in wrong wit' 'avin some meat on y'r bones!" Speaking her piece, she curtly nods her head once and sets to getting the meal on the table.

Remy chuckles, earning a glare from Rogue. "W'at! I agree wit' Tante. So y'll put on some weight. So w'at? I t'ink on y' it would only make y' look more belle, ma chere." he concludes, giving her a sly wink.

"Oh man, here zhey go again." Kurt moans, but inside he is doing a little 'happy dance' because for a minute, things are almost normal.

Dinner progresses with good conversation and general catching-up. Rogue and Angel offer to help with the clearing-up and the dishes, which is quickly vetoed by Tante. "I wan' y' bot' restin' t'nig't. Y' had a long trip. Y' can 'elp me t'morrow."

Taking Rogue's hand, Remy leads her outside, where they sit on the front porch steps. "So y' enjoyin' y'self, cherie?" he inquires, placing an arm around her shoulders.

"Yeah, it's been fun so far." she answers, resting her head on his shoulder.

"The stars are so clear and bright here." she adds.

"Yeah, dat was one o' de best t'ings 'bout livin' 'ere. De stars an' de tree."

"What tree?" she asks, her curiosity piqued.

"Oh, it's a beauty, amour. If y' wan' I can take y' dere t'morrow." he suggests hopefully.

"Okay. We can make it a picnic, if ya want ta."

"Y' got it! Une picnic pour deux." He presses a kiss on top of her head, then after a few more moments of companionable silence, they retire for the night.

The next day, after getting the basket packed and finding a suitable ground covering, they head for the tree at a leisurely pace.

"Remy, this place seems familiar." she looks around, interested at the winding pathway and the water nearby.

"We've been 'ere many times, hon." he answers, his excitement building.

"It's a beautiful walk." she states admiringly.

"Oui, it is. Dis is de bes' way t' get dere. Not de shortest, but de mos' belle."

Arriving at the tree, they spread the blanket (not checkered, by the way) and fix two places to sit.

"Oh, I jus' love this tree!" she enthuses.

He chuckles, relishing the feelings he's getting from her. Unaware of what he's doing, he moves closer until he is right next to her. They look deeply into each other's eyes and lean in for a kiss. It rapidly becomes more passionate until they part, breathless. She stands up and walks over to the water's edge, staring out at the water. Remy follows, wrapping his arms around her from behind and pulling her to him. "What's goin' on, precieux?" concern lacing his voice.

"I've always loved this view." a small smile appears. "Do ya remember what happened when we came here tha las' time?" she asks, that smile becoming decidedly wicked.

"Roguey....d' y'?" he asks in astonishment.

After a slight chuckle she continues. " We didn' get back home til tha sun was settin'. An' stop callin' me that, Swampy!"

Remy's astonishment quickly gives way to unspeakable joy. He picks her up and twirls her around, then remembering the babies he gently puts her down. "Y'r mem'ry's back!"

"How'd ya figure that one out, Columbo?" she asks sarcastically, then laughs at his expression.

"Mon Roguey's back!" He kisses her again. "We've got t' tell ev'ryone." he packs everything up and takes her by the hand to go back home.

He flings the screen door open, catching Tante off guard for a second. Then "Boy, y' gon' tear dat door off one o' dese days! 'Tween y' an' y' freres, 'm surprised de 'ouse is still standin'!" Taking a second look at the couple she adds suspiciously "W'ats up wit' y' two?"

"Ma cherie r'members evry't'in'." He states with unabashed delight.

"Rogue, dat's jus' fantastique!" Tante shouts, alerting the whole household. "Dis calls fo' a celebration."

The mood that night is joyous, especially when they call the Institute on speakerphone.

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