Had Storm knew what was going to happen that night she would have planned things differently. Would have allowed the thoughts that had been racing in her head for the past few months to come out without limitation but seeing into the future was not the gift she had been born with. Making her way down the empty halls of the institute she looked on in longing at the closed classrooms. She would usually be at home this time of night but with Logan still being out on a mission with Cyclops and Remy she had no reason to hurry.
Stopping suddenly at the end of the corridor Storm let out a gasp as a sharp pain ran through the bottom of her body. Chalking it up to being on her feet too long Ororo attempted to continue her journey only to be stopped by yet another burst of excruciating pain. Putting a hand on the wall for support she ran a hand over her swollen belly as she looked down at the mound that hung from her and frowned. It had only been eight months. The baby could not be coming this soon she thought but as her mind registered the trail of liquid that was now running down her legs her fear was proving that it was in fact reality.
Looking back behind her Ororo stared into the empty hall unsure of where she could go. "Hello" she called. "Is anyone there? ...I need help" She managed to rasp between jagged breaths. With one hand still on the wall the woman turned as smoothly as her body would let her and waited . When no one answered Storm hung her head unable to will herself to shout again. Slumping down against the wall that supported her Ororo lifted her head scanning her brain for ideas untill the thought hit her. There was one more option.
Closing her eyes the woman focused as much energy as she could away from the pain she was in. Forcing her breathing to steady Ororo cleared her mind just as her mentor had taught her. She hoped that despite the late hour he would still be awake. In the end only to words were able to be sent "Professor... help". Unable to hold the mental link Storm allowed it to be cut with the intrusion of pain. She wasn't sure if what she had done was enough but another near unbearable contraction told her that it would be too much to try again. "Breath" she whispered to herself. "Just like Jean showed you". Another contraction and Storm felt her eyes burn with the onset of tears as hunched over in a useless attempt to ease the pressure.
She wasn't sure if it was the pain she was crying about or the fact that once this was all over the life she had come to know up until that point would change forever. Letting out a frustrated huff she slammed a fist onto the tile floor. It was at that moment that she was more than ashamed of herself for being too cowardly to tell him sooner. "Agh". Letting out an involuntary gasp Storm sucked in as much oxygen as she could in an effort to make up for what was lost all the while inwardly begging the baby within her to have mercy.
Why had people always called this a miracle she thought. The miracle would be if she survived.
Storm froze momentarily as she heard the sound of foot steps coming her way. Through half lidded eyes she directed her head towards the commotion and watched as a cluster of figures appeared at the end of the hall and wondered if she was dreaming or not. As the figures came closer their faces cleared enough for her to see that it was Jean, Xavier, Logan and one other person her mind was too jumbled to name.
She didn't remember much of what else had happened while she was in the hall. All Storm could remember was that she had closed her eyes once and that the next time they opened she was sitting up in a hospital bed with beast between her legs being told to push. Jean stood beside her, her friends hand holding onto her own as she chanted breathing instructions. Looking up from his work Hank looked to Wolverine and Jean. "Were going to need some more towels and an iv" he said. Letting go of Storms hand Jean kissed her friends forehead. "I'll get it" she said. "Your doing great Ro".
As Jean made her way to the iv storage Logan rose to gather another set of fresh towels
but the sound of a boom of lightning outside. Turning to Ororo Wolverine looked worriedly at his love. "Logan wait" she said. Qiuickly moving towards her Wolverine took a hold of his wife's hand. Closing her eyes Storm grimaced as yet another painful contraction hit her. "Its about...it's about the baby's father" she whispered.
