House of W
New Arrivals
Part IV
It was a girl. Wanda named her Tantomile.
After a week of being fed through a bottle, Tantomile began to eat dry food in small doses (though bottle-feeding had lead to an interesting encounter with Xavier when Wanda had met his telepathic image while feeding a baby-like bundle). Mort and Wanda had been able to litter train her, but she wouldn't sleep on her own yet. Wanda said it was because kittens were used to sleeping in litters.
Mort had to get up very carefully that morning so as not to wake the cat. If the cat woke up, it would wake Wanda up, and he wanted a few moments to himself. Things had been going so smoothly lately. His work around the school was usually flexible, so he could do what he wanted to whenever he wanted to. Wanda seemed happy enough with the cat for companionship while he was away, and Polaris had been over once or twice as well.
Mort crept into the bathroom and quietly closed the door. He dreaded showering. The water was fine, but soap was murderous. He looked down at his arms. They were already dry and his skin was about ready to start flaking off, but the alternative was worse. He shrank at the thought of appearing disgusting before Wanda. He'd never bathed normally, so of course he stank. But in the past it didn't really matter, since there was no one around. Repetitive showers were taking their toll now, though.
He washed quickly. Flaking skin cells made his complexion look even sicklier, but what else could be done? Mort dried off and got dressed. Which reminded him of something else. He might want to get some new clothes. Shopping was not exactly one of his favorite pastimes, so he normally wore the same things until they fell apart. However, his wardrobe was not extensive, and, frankly, he wondered if he might not seem more appealing with trendier clothes. Since he needed to go out anyway, he might as well try to stop and buy some.
He found Wanda sleepily watering her new window plants in the kitchen. "I'm going to head out," he said. "I'll be back in a couple of hours."
"Where are you going?"
Of all days to ask. "Just to get a few things. I won't be gone very long." He took his coat and left before she could ask anything else.
- - -
Mort parked his motorcycle and walked up to the glass double doors. Suppressing intimidation, he pushed one open and walked inside. Crap. He was one of the only customers. A well-dressed, balding clerk was already approaching him. 'Don't panic.' he told himself, 'All they see is the money, and you have it.'
"Welcome to Westchester Jewelers," the man said. That smile, Mort thought, must have cost him a few thousand dollars in dentists' bills.
"I'm looking for an engagement ring," he forced himself to say.
"We have an impressive selection, I'm sure you'll agree. Right this way." The man turned on his heel and strode toward the center display. Mort followed. The selection was more than impressive; it was overwhelming.
"What did you have in mind?" the clerk smiled.
"Er, I'm not really sure -"
"We have gold, platinum, sterling silver -"
"Gold. The highest karat you can give me."
"Right over here." He pointed to two trays' worth of gold rings.
Mort looked through the glass. They were all diamonds. Of course, diamonds were what were put in engagement rings. But he'd envisioned something red.
"Do you have anything with a red jewel as well as the diamond?"
"We do have a ruby ring with diamond accents. Right over here."
Mort looked where the man gestured. The ring was silver. Wanda never wore silver. "Anything like that in gold?"
"Mm, I don't know if we do. Excuse me for just a moment and I'll ask Tina."
As Mort waited, he realized his palms were sweating. Here he was for real, in the jewelry store, buying a ring. A ring for his Wanda. He pushed away the thought that she might refuse him or laugh at him. Right now he just needed to get the ring and get out of the store.
"As a matter of fact, we do," the sales clerk returned with a small packing box in his hand. "Here we have a ruby as the central stone with three diamonds on either side, set in fourteen karat gold." The man opened the box and showed Mort the ring. The ruby was shaped like a heart.
"I'll take this one."
The man seemed happy enough to place it in a lined little box and walk him over to the payment counter. "Now, we have several payment options. Usually we -"
Mort took his wallet out and laid twenty hundred-dollar bills on the counter. "I'll take care of it today."
"Ah. Alright then. I'll just need your name and address, and I'll print you out a receipt."
As soon as he had the receipt and black little box in his hand, he quickly left the store. Around the corner, by his bike, he knelt on the ground, unintentionally resembling a strange, amphibious gargoyle. He felt sick. Pathetic, he knew, but he couldn't help it. It had taken everything he had to do that. Thank god they had what he wanted and he didn't need to shop around.
Letting go of his plans to get a few more respectable clothes, he carefully put the ring case in his pocket and started up the motorcycle. He'd go back to the house, ask Wanda to come out to lunch with him, take her to the best place in the city, and ...
Right. And ask her.
Easy. Just say the words and wait for her response.
Right. Easy.
- - -
Ten minutes and two blocks later, Mort was sitting in a bar. Just enough to settle his nerves, though. He didn't want to be slobbering drunk when he asked her. That probably wouldn't get a good response. He scratched his arm. Stupid skin-drying soap, like he didn't have enough to deal with. But, at least he'd be clean. Clean and sober.
- - -
Back at the safe house, Mort looked around for Wanda. True to his intentions, he'd only had a single beer, but it hadn't really helped. He stopped at the bathroom. Better brush the smell out of his mouth. It might leave a bad impression. He looked down at the toothbrush in his hand. His hands were actually shaking.
"Mort?" Wanda called. Mort spit out a mouthful of toothpaste and said, "Yeah, it's me. I'll be right out," and mentally added, 'if I don't vomit first.' He could still feel the ring box in his pocket. Was he being a tremendous idiot for even trying? If she said no ... how would he live it down?
He found Wanda in their room. "Hi."
"You weren't out long at all."
"No, I, uh, didn't have much to do. I ... was -"
"What's wrong?" Suddenly looking concerned, Wanda got up and went over to him.
"What?"
"You don't look well. What's happened?"
"Nothing, I'm fine. Nothing's wrong."
"Something must have happened, you look like someone's been dancing on your grave. Did you run into anyone?"
"No, Wanda, nothing happened. I'm just ... not feeling well. That's all."
"Well come lie down." Wanda put her wrist to his forehead and lead him to the bed. Sitting him down she said, "You feel feverish. Maybe you're coming down with something."
God, she was so kind. She must love him. She wouldn't act so caring if she didn't. She might say yes. If he asked her the right way, she would probably say yes.
She brushed back his hair. "Why don't you lie down and rest? You look tired."
"No. I wanted to take you out to eat."
"I'm sure it can wait for another time. You should take care of yourself now."
Maybe he shouldn't take her out. Maybe he should ask her here. Maybe ...
They both looked up when they heard a tiny meow.
"I'll take care of her," Wanda said, getting up. "Oh, I forgot. Lorna called while you were out. I'd like to go see her. Would you mind?"
Lunch was definitely out, then. "No, go ahead."
"Will you be alright?"
"I swear, Wanda, I'm fine. Just, will you be back in time for dinner?"
She smiled. "Of course. We can go out then, if you'd like."
That might be better. "Alright."
"Try to rest some. I'll be back in a couple of hours." Before she left, she closed the curtains in the room. Mort listened to her heat a bottle in the microwave for the cat. After fifteen or twenty minutes, he heard her go outside and lock the door. This would give him time to chill out and re-work his plans. Candlelight, maybe a restaurant in the city overlooking the river. That wouldn't be too cliche, would it? She liked that sort of thing, right?
Of course. Everything would be fine.
- - -
Wanda came back when she said she would. When Mort asked about going into the city, though, she seemed uninterested. So he offered to cook instead. That would work. He could make a good meal, although he didn't think they had any candles. But he could still make it work.
For the rest of the day, until evening, they had minimal conversation. Mort didn't trust himself to say anything other than, "Will you marry me," so he tried to keep busy with projects from the school. Wanda seemed occupied with the cat or with her new book. Finally, five o'clock came around, and Mort started dinner.
He kept reciting the words in his head. He couldn't remember being so nervous ever before. Before, whenever he'd tried to win Wanda's attention, he'd been focused on his plan and what he thought would be the outcome. Now he wasn't sure of anything.
They talked lightly while they ate, Mort looking for the perfect time to speak up and ask her. But dinner passed, the plates were washed, and he still hadn't found the nerve. Wanda seemed to see that something was on his mind. She keep looking at him like she was trying to figure something out. Once she even asked if anything was wrong, but he just said he was fine. Finally, when Mort was afraid she'd go back to their room to read, he asked her if she'd come out back.
There was a small deck on the back of the house. Wanda took Tantomile out with her, naming the grass, the clouds, the trees, and everything else that a cat might need to be able to say in English. She'd really taken to the cat, Mort noted. It was a good move to bring it home instead of leaving it where he'd found it, hiding from middle school boys.
Wanda had set the kitten down on the wood floor, and it was intently sniffing, with much head movement. Mort took a deep breath.
"Wanda?" Steeling every nerve he had, he looked into her piercing green eyes. She looked questioningly at him. 'Now or never,' he told himself and held the little black box out to her.
"Wanda, will you marry me?"
Wanda looked at the ring. He wanted her to marry him? Her mind reeled with thoughts, questions, and worries. She had been completely unprepared. Marry him? She searched for something to say.
Mort watched her surprise turn into hesitancy. Oh god. She didn't want to marry him. He'd been a fool. Such a stupid fool.
Now he had no dignified exit. Wanda was looking from him to the ring, still speechless. He'd done it all wrong. He'd asked for too much. He felt heat rise into his cheeks and he just wanted to take the box back from her and leave.
"Mort, I ..."
"Don't answer," he said, looking at his shoes. "You don't have to try to say anything nice."
"No, it's not that, Mort, I just - this is so ... sudden. I ... I can't ..."
He went inside, leaving her standing there, holding the box. Stupid, stupid Toad. He took his coat off the hook by the door, went outside, and started his motorcycle.
Recovering herself, Wanda went to the window, kitten in her arms, and watched him drive away.
- - -
The bar didn't look any different than it had a few hours earlier. Except that now the lights were a little brighter and the room seemed a little louder. It was a mutant-friendly place, so he didn't really care about who saw him. Everyone come see the Toad. Can't get what he wants, can't keep what he has. Always has to ask for more.
He was reaching for his latest refill when someone sat down beside him. He wouldn't have taken notice except that the guy pulled the bar stool out with his tail.
"Hello, my friend."
"I'm not your friend, circus boy."
"What brings you out here by yourself?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"I was here meeting a friend. He's just left, and I saw you."
"Well you've seen all there is to see, so move on."
"Something that has to do with Wanda?"
Wanda. Toad laid his head on the bar. He didn't even know how the freak show performer knew about Wanda. "I asked her to marry me."
"She didn't say yes?"
"She didn't say anything. Do you know how many years I've waited for her? I've spent the better part of my life trying to get her to notice me. Everything I've earned I've given to her. She didn't care."
"I'm sure she's not so cold as you think she is. You're living together, aren't you?"
"So far."
"She must care for you, then."
"Yeah. Maybe. Maybe she just needed someone to watch her back."
"I think you're doing her an injustice. Consider what it means to her. She's had one failed marriage already, and her husband just died. That's a lot to get over so quickly. It's a lot to risk again so soon."
Mort didn't say anything.
"Give her more time. She must have a lot of pain left to work through."
"Yeah. Poor android husband. I'm gonna miss him too."
"I wouldn't go home with that attitude, Toad. You're in danger of ruining something you may never get back."
"Yeah, thanks for the advice."
From the corner of his eye, Mort watched Nightcrawler walk away. The stupid blue fur ball was probably right. Wanda seemed fine now, but she'd had recently caused the death of a husband she'd loved. And since she was living with Mort and had already given him a quasi-vow, it might not have to do with him. And if he was an ass about it now ...
Mort left a twenty on the bar.
- - -
. Lorna Dane's Quarters .
"So, I'm guessing you don't want to marry him?" Polaris sat next to her half-sister on the couch in her room. Without so much as a call in advance, Wanda had arrived looking distressed. Their previous meetings had been pretty light, but Wanda had told her the entire proposal story outright.
"I don't know," she responded.
"Don't say 'yes' unless you're absolutely sure. Really, Wanda, if you care about him, you want him to know now."
"I don't know what to do. I do care about him. I want to stay with him. But I don't ... I can't be married right now. Everything feels too soon. Even though I also have the feeling that I need to act soon."
"Why do you have to act soon?"
"I don't know. I can't explain it. I just have this feeling that something will change and that I need to make whatever move I'm going to make now. It's like everything's become sudden."
"You've only known him for, what, a couple months?"
"Yes. I know, it seems hasty to say the least. And I don't want to be married again. Not right now."
"Tell him, then. Think about your feelings before you think about his, or else you'll end up trying to please him. Then you'll both be miserable. Don't realize on your wedding day that you don't really want to do this, okay?" Lorna half smiled, and Wanda smiled back.
"I know ... but I hurt him tonight. He's helped me so much, and it only makes sense that he'd want to be married."
"Did living in sin suddenly go out of style?"
Wanda sighed.
"Okay, you care about him. He's been good to you. You could be talking about the guy who sits next to you in English 101. Do you even love this guy?"
"I ..." she was silent.
"Wanda?"
"I'm sorry. I think I'm having a Fiddler on the Roof moment, Lorna. I need to go."
Lorna rose with her. "Don't do anything now that you'll regret later, Wanda."
"That's what I'm going to avoid. Thank you."
- - -
The door was locked when Mort came home, so he had to fight with the key in the dark for a few moments before he got inside. No sooner had he set foot inside the door than a small, shaky meow came out from the darkness. Annoying little cat. Mort flicked the light on, found the cat, and picked it up. And stepped in a small puddle.
"Aw, you went?" The kitten continued to mew as Mort carried it to the kitchen and set it on the linoleum floor. He was wiping the floor when he heard Wanda's key in the door. He'd thought she was asleep in the house.
She came inside and locked the door behind her. "Mort," she said when she saw him. "I'm glad to see you're back."
He swallowed a sarcastic comment. "Yeah. Watch where you step. Your cat had an accident."
"Mort," she said, coming up behind him. "I wish you hadn't left earlier. I wanted to talk to you."
He threw the paper towel away and washed his hands without turning around. Suddenly, Wanda's arms were wrapped around his chest. "I love you, Mort. I know I never say it, I didn't realize it, but I do." She let go, and he turned around to face her.
"I can't tell you how much of a whirlwind this past month has been," she went on. "So much has changed that I feel like my head is spinning. It's been such a short time we've been together, but I really can't think of life without you now. Part of me wants to slow everything down and catch my breath, but another part is telling me to hurry up and act. I don't know which one to listen to."
"It's ... it's not a wedding band," he said. "It's an engagement ring."
She smiled. "Yes. That's true." She handed the ring back to him and held out her hand.
Doing his best to savor the moment, Mort carefully placed it around her finger.
She really did love him.