Thank you so much for all the feedback and comments.
Sorry it's taken so long for the next chapter.
I've been working on my cosplays, art commissions, I bought a car AND I got married.
Anyway, on to the story!
"I can't see!" Leila said, trying to look at the ice cream flavors.
"Here." Sam said with a smile, as he picked her up. "Whoa. So many to choose from."
"I want the choc'late and the strawberry and the vanilla!" Leila exclaimed, touching the glass.
"Non. Y' gonna get one scoop o' one flavor." Gambit said, combing her hair out of her face.
"But I like them all!" Leila said.
"Ah'll get a flavor ya like and ya can try mine." Rogue said as Leila reached out for her, so she took her in her arms.
"Actin' like y' ain' never had no ice cream b'fore." Gambit said, kissing her cheek Before getting the lady's attention. "I t'ink we ready. Would like a scoop o' choc'late. Scoop o' strawberry an' a scoop o' de coffee."
"Coffee? Eww!" Leila said, making Jean-Luc chuckle.
"I get chu de vanilla, petit. Yo' daddy don' seem t' care 'bout ya." He said, winking at Gambit.
"'Cause she so neglected." Gambit said taking her from Rogue and placing kisses all over the side of her face, causing her to giggle. "Love you."
Leila finished her giggles and kissed his cheek. "Je t'aime." She said.
"Anything else for you?" The lady asked.
"Dani, hun, what kind do ya want?" Rogue asked, with a smile.
"Oh, um, I guess I'll take a scoop of the coffee." She said, looking up at Rogue. "Thank you."
"Absolutely." Rogue said, patting her back before taking Leila. "Let's go grab a seat for everybody, love."
"And for you, sir?" The lady asked Sam.
"I guess I'm the more adventurous one." He said with a smile. "I'd like the rocky road, but can you throw some peanut butter in there?"
"Of course." The lady said.
"Thank you so much." He said.
"I jus' take a scoop o' de vanilla, please." Jean-Luc said as he took his wallet out.
"Non." Gambit said, placing his hand on his father's wallet. "Dis my treat."
Lowering his voice, Jean-Luc looked at Gambit. "Don't make me kick yo' ass in front o' yo' friends an' fam'ly." He smirked, making Gambit smile.
"Thanks, Remy." Sam said, taking the cups and taking them over to the table and distributing them. "Mommy LeBeau, Leila, Dani, Myself, Daddy LeBeau and Grandpa LeBeau."
"Papa Jean-Luc." Rogue said, pointing at Sam with her spoon. "That's what he wants to be called."
"Then excuse me. Papa Jean-Luc." Sam corrected himself as Gambit and Jean-Luc joined them.
"Thank you for the ice cream." Dani said, smiling at Jean-Luc.
"Yo' very welcome, petit." He said, winking.
"So, hey." Sam said, getting Gambit's attention. "I think I may have found a job."
"Oh?" Gambit asked, taking a bite of ice cream. "Doin' wha'?"
"Bartending." Sam said with a nod. "It's what I know."
"You're a bar tender?" Dani asked.
Sam smiled awkwardly. "Well, yes and no. I had a bar not too far from the school, but it got burned down a few days ago. Torched my place, too." He said. "Probably because my sister is a mutant."
"Why do people have to be so mean? We're trying to live with this curse, too. It isn't our fault we have the mutant gene." Dani said, getting upset.
Rogue smiled as she placed her hand on Dani's shoulder. "We ain't cursed. This is how we're were meant to be. Ah think we're put on this earth ta teach people ta live in harmony. We can show 'em that they don't have ta fear us."
"How can I teach that when I can't even control my own powers?" Dani said, her eyes turning red from frustration.
"Listen hun." Rogue said, turning to her. "We're gonna do everything we can ta help ya control ya powers. Ya just gotta do one thing in return for us."
"What's that?" Dani asked.
Rogue lifted her pointer finger. "Meet us half way." She said as she lifted her second finger. "And give it ya all."
Dani smiled and nodded as she took a bite of her coffee ice cream. "Will you be in my training sessions with me?" She asked.
"Ah can, if that's what ya want." She said, turning and wiping Leila's face. "Love, ya gotta put it in ya mouth, not all over it."
Sam chuckled as he looked at Gambit. "So, you excited about the new school year?" He asked.
Gambit nodded as he swallowed the bite of ice cream. "T'ink so." He said, leaning back in the chair.
"Ya always prepared." Rogue said, winking at him.
"Wha' de age y' teachin', son?" Jean-Luc asked.
"Well, dis year I be teachin' as young as t'irteen." He said, looking at Dani and giving her a wink. "We bendin' de rules fo' dis one."
"Trust dem kids wit' knives and all dat?" Jean-Luc asked.
"It be fine." Gambit said. "B'sides, I let 'em know de importance. Go over all de rules first class. Man'tory."
"I just wish I could make myself useful until I find a job." Sam said, taking another bite of ice cream.
"Maybe ya could help with getting kids ta where they need ta be. Like if they're lost or something." Rogue suggested.
"I don't even know my way around that place." Sam said with a smile.
"Ah could show ya around." Rogue said. "Just the classrooms are what ya need ta know."
"True." Sam said. "I just don't want to be in the way."
"Ya won't be, hun." Rogue said, wiping Leila's chin. "Ah swear, ya messier than a dog."
Leila smiled as she took another bite, letting it dribble down her chin.
"Now ya doin' it on purpose." Rogue said, setting the napkin underneath where it was dripping from her chin.
"Leila Noel LeBeau." Gambit said in a stern tone.
She slightly pouted as she held over the cup and took another bite, not getting any on her chin.
"First, middle and last." Sam said, with raised eyebrows. "That was a scary tone."
"Gotta get t'eir attention." Jean-Luc said.
"True." Sam said.
"My dad use to scream at me." Dani said. "Like, scream at the top of his lungs."
Rogue's eyebrows dipped out of concern. "My lord." She said. "Ah'm sorry."
Leila looked into Dani's eyes and immediately dropped her spoon and covered her ears, her face contorting in pain. "Ah!" She screamed out, causing everyone to look their way.
"Leila, baby, what's the matter?" Rogue asked, turning to her daughter and placing her hand on her back.
Her eyes filled with tears as she turned and climbed up in Rogue's lap and started to cry. Rogue pat her head softly and kissed her cheek as she rocked back and forth from side to side.
Gambit looked at Dani. "Dat was some memory y' conjured up, no?" He asked.
Dani hung her head. "I'm sorry." She said. "My dad isn't a very good guy. Are you alright, Leila? I'm sorry you had to see that mess."
Leila continued to hug Rogue, but stopped crying. "Ah think we better head back." Rogue said, having them all agree.
"She was in pain, Jean." Rogue said, sitting across from Jean at her desk. "Ah ain't never heard her scream out like that. It scared me ta death."
Leaning back in her chair, Jean looked out the window to watch the clouds roll along over the night sky as she placed her hands on her belly. "And this was as soon as Dani mentioned her father?" She asked.
"Wasn't a split second after that." Rogue said, leaning forward and resting her elbows on her knees.
Jean took her ball point pen and tapped the end of it on her desk. "She may need extensive training. More so than what we thought." She said. "I'll talk to Charles in the morning. It's getting late."
"Thanks for listening, Jean." Rogue said as they both stood.
"Any time." Jean said, walking around and giving her a hug. "My door's always open."
Rogue winked at her before she head upstairs and to the bedroom to hear the shower going. Walking to the bathroom, she opened the already cracked door and began to brush her teeth. The shower curtain was pulled back and Gambit smiled as he closed it.
"Jus' makin' sure y' weren' Leila." He said.
Chuckling, Rogue finished with her teeth before she gargled her mouth wash. "Ya safe, hun." She said as she walked out, closing the door behind her.
Heading to the bed, she turned the sheets down and got undressed, putting on a pair of shorts and a tank top before sliding into bed. Checking her emails on her phone, she heard the shower stop and the sound of the curtain being drawn back. After a few minutes, the bathroom door opened and then the bedroom door opened. Walking in wearing a towel, Gambit shut the door behind him as he tossed the towel toward the dirty clothes hamper. Slipping a pair of sweats on, he got in bed and turned out the light.
Setting her phone on her nightstand to charge, Rogue turned to Gambit and hugged him. "Well, here's to tha start of only seein' ya on tha weekends." She said.
"Dat ain' true." He said, kissing her forehead. "We see each ot'er in de evenin's."
"Ah know." She said. "Just feels like it. Summer has me spoiled."
He chuckled lightly as he hugged her. "Y' spoiled r'gardless." He said, hearing her snicker.
"That's ya fault, sugah." She said, closing her eyes. "Night, hun."
"Night." He replied as he closed his eyes and prepared his mind for sleep.
Drifting off, he was suddenly jerked awake by the bed suddenly moving. He smiled as he felt Leila crawl up in between them.
"Wha' y' doin' in here?" He whispered, hugging her.
"Freddy was sad." Leila said, suddenly placing the giraffe on his chest.
"Why?" He asked.
"He doesn't want me to leave for school tomorrow." She whispered.
Lightly chuckling, he kissed the top of her head. "Y' can take 'em wit' you." He said. "Yo' teacher won' mind. I make sure o' it, okay?"
"Okay." Leila said, taking Freddy back and hugging him.
"You go on t' yo' bed now." He said, sitting up.
"But I wanna sleep in here." She said, still lying down.
"Leila, go on back ta ya room, baby." Rogue suddenly chimed in.
"Y' scared?" Gambit asked, turning the light on.
Leila nodded her head. "I don't wanna go to school." She said, looking back at Rogue who had sat up.
Hugging her from behind, Rogue kissed her cheek. "Ya daddy's gonna be right down ta hall." She said. "And ah'll be there ta get ya for lunch."
"And Papa Jean-Luc will be coming to lunch?" Leila asked.
Rogue nodded. "Ah'm sure he'll be tha first one ta ya room." She said, kissing the top of her head.
"I know it's somet'in' new t' y', petit." Gambit said, placing his hand on the top of her head. "If y' got any problems, y' just come down t' my room, eh?"
"Alright." Rogue said, turning the sheets down. "It's gonna be an early morning, let's get some sleep."
Getting under the covers, Gambit turned the light out and the three of them snuggled close and soon they were asleep. What seemed like a few minutes, Gambit's alarm went off and he jerked away, feeling Leila and Rogue move sleepily to the sound. Quickly turning it off, he carefully slipped out of bed and put a shirt on before heading down stairs and starting up a pot of coffee. Hank walked in and he greeted him with a smile and nod as he opened the fridge and grabbed the milk.
"I take it Leila is excited for her first day of school?" He asked.
Gambit chuckled. "Scared be mo' like it." He said.
"Well, this is new to her. Perhaps walking her to her classroom with Anna will ease her mind some." Beast said, pouring himself a glass of milk.
"Can'." Gambit said. "Got m' own class t' teach." He said. "Anna take her t' her class wit' my dad."
"Oh, yes. Mr. LeBeau is with us. How could I forget." He said.
"How could y' forget, homme? De man ain' quiet." Gambit said with a chuckle.
Beast smiled. "Well, as long as you said it." He said, adding a light chuckle.
"Good morning." They turned their heads to see Jean slowly walking in.
"Good morning, Jean. How are you feeling?" Beast asked as she walked over to where they were standing.
"Oh, you know." She said, holding her hand up and wiggling her fingers. "Numb."
"Allow me." Beast said, setting his coffee mug down and taking Jean's arm.
He gently placed his thumb on a specific spot on her arm and pressed lightly.
"Wow." Jean said. "That really opened up the flow."
Taking his hands away from her arm, he picked his coffee back up. "Does your other arm need it?" He asked.
"No, that one's fine. Thank you, Hank." Jean said with a smile before she placed her hand on her belly and closed her eyes.
Taking a sip of coffee, Gambit smiled. He had even wondering if Jean had a special connection with her baby, like she does with Scott, and it was apparent that she did. They were connected, in more ways than one.
"Movin' around?" Gambit asked, taking another sip.
Jean opened her eyes and shook her head. "She's sleeping." She said.
Gambit raised his left eyebrow. "She?" He asked.
Jean's mouth dropped, realizing she had spilt the beans. "Oh my god." She said, a blush creeping across her face. "Please don't say anything. Especially to Scott. We we're going to find out in a few weeks, but,"
Gambit put his hand up. "Secret be safe wit' me." He said, pointing his thumb at Beast. "He be de one y' gotta watch fo'."
Beast smiled widely. "I will try my best. This is so exciting. You two have been trying for several years and now that you have a little girl on the way, this is most joyous, my friend." He said as she walked up and took his hand.
"Worth the wait." She said, patting his hand. "Please try and keep it a secret. Until we visit our Doctor."
"You are a friend, Jean. Of course I will keep quiet." Hank said with a smile.
"I thought I'd be the only one up at this hour." Rikki said, walking in with a smile.
"I take it y' feelin' better?" Gambit asked with a smile.
"Oh m god, yes." She said, grabbing a mug from the tree beside the coffee pot. "I'm sorry for my behavior. I try to stay away from," she looked at Jean and Hank. "Those things."
Gambit nodded. "Gotchu." He winked at her before taking another sip and glancing at the clock. "Well, bes' be gettin' my ass in gear."
Jean chuckled. "And you wonder why the students love you so." She said, watching him fill his cup.
"It's 'cause o' my ass." He smirked and walked out of the kitchen and down the hall to the cooking wing.
The alarm went off and Rogue leaned over and silenced her phone. Leila stirred, but didn't wake, as she got out of bed and changed into her clothes for the day. After pulling her cowboy boots on, she walked over and ran her fingers through Leila's hair.
"Leila, it's time to wake up." She gently said, placing her hand on the side of her face. "Leila, baby. Wake up."
Her soft grey eyes opened and she immediately yawned. Sitting up she hugged Freddie and looked around confused as Rogue picked her up and took her into her room.
"It's time to get ready for school." She said, sitting her on her bed. "Let's pick out what ya wanna wear for ya first day."
Leila rubbed her eyes and yawned again as Rogue went through her dresser drawers and pulled out some blue jeans and a pink shirt with a cartoon leopard on the front.
"How about this one, love?" She asked, showing Leila.
"Yeah!" Leila said, turning into her enthusiastic self, as she hopped off the bed with Freddie and walked over to Rogue.
"Alright, set Freddie down so we can get ya dressed.
Placing him gently in the rocking chair, Leila turned to Rogue and she helped her get dressed. When she finished, she took Freaddie again and they walked downstairs and into the kitchen where more staff members and students were.
"Good morning, Mrs. LeBeau!" A younger male student called out from across the kitchen.
Rogue smiled. "Morning, hun." She said, walking over to the fridge with Leila. "What do ya wanna eat for breakfast, baby?"
"Waffles!" Leila said excitedly.
"Well, let's see if there in here." She said, opening the freezer and seeing the box of waffles. "Alright. Hop on the bar stool and ah'll fix ya a waffle."
"I want two!" Leila said as she climbed up on the stool and sat down with Freddie in her arms.
"Well, ya gonna start with one." Rogue said, popping it into the toaster before turning around to face her daughter. "If ya hungry after that one, then ah'll gladly get ya another."
"Okay." She said, drawing a pattern on the counters, tracing the grain of the wood.
Rogue smiled as Gambit walked in and quietly walked up behind Leila. Leaning over, he placed a kiss on the top of her head before standing up straight. Leila placed her hand on her head as she looked behind her, confused.
"Daddy!" She squealed as she practically jumped off the stool.
"Hey, now." He said, quickly grabbing her. "Y' almos' fall."
"Are you gonna take me to class?" Leila asked, playing with the collar of his shirt.
"Non, I be in my classroom teachin'." He said, kissing her cheek. "But mama take y' t' class."
"And Papa Jean-Luc." Rogue said as the waffle popped up from the toaster. "Speaking of, where is he?"
Gambit walked over with Leila and stood beside Rogue. "Who know." He said. "May be sleepin' in."
"Ya daddy never slept in when stayin' here." She said, pouring some syrup on the waffle before cutting it into little square pieces. "Alright, baby girl. Here's ya waffle."
Sitting her back down at the bar, Leila picked up the fork and started to eat. Leaning against the bar, Gambit watched her eat for a bit before walking around and getting a bottled water out of the pantry.
"Well, bes' be gettin' t' m' classroom." He said, placing a kiss on Rogue's cheek. "I see y' later."
"Alrightie." She smiled as she watched him walk around and kiss the top of Leila's head again.
"Have a good day at school." He said as he walked out and head to his classroom.
He smiled at the students that passed him in the hall as he made his way to the end of the mansion. Walking inside, he had a feeling he wasn't alone. Looking around, he saw no one, but noticed the walk in pantry door slightly open.
"Bingo." He said, slowly making his way to the door.
Listening, he heard crinkles of a wrapper and smiled. The chocolate thief.
Quickly opening the door, he was surprised to see one of the older students. He was probably seventeen or eighteen, stocky. The kid was a nice kid and got along with everyone.
"Wanna tell me wha' y' up to?" Gambit asked, blocking the door and looking into the eyes of the petrified student.
"I-" He started, but swallowed.
"Y' was jus' eatin' m' chocolate, non?" He asked the kid, walking closer and taking the half eaten bar out of his hands.
"I-I'm sorry. I just-" He said, bowing his head in defeat. "Please don't tell Mrs. Grey."
Raising an eyebrow, Gambit turned toward the boy. "Why y' afraid I'ma tell her?" He asked, curious as to why the fear.
"Because this isn't the first time I've been caught doing something." He said. "Last time, she said she'd suspend me from the school if I did anything else."
"Hmm." He said, cutting off a strip of chocolate, to save the rest of the block, and handing it to him. "Wha' yo' powers?"
"Enhanced sense of smell." He said. "That's why I'm fat."
"Oh come on, now." Gambit said, placing the block on the pantry shelf. "Y' jus' gotta grow int' yo' frame. Le's go."
Walking out with the student, Gambit placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. "I'ma let dis slide. Dis time. I catch y' in t'ere again, y' gonna be headin' back t' yo' parents. Now go on. Get t' yo' class. It be startin' in half hour." He said, seeing the boy happy that he didn't get into trouble.
"Yes sir! I swear I won't do it again." He said as he quickly left the room.
Gambit sighed. "Sure y' said dat de las' time." He said quietly to himself as he walked over to his desk and got the handouts in order.
"Pardonnez mon retard." Jean-Luc said, walking toward Rogue and Leila in the hall.
Leila's eyes lit up and she ran over and hugged his legs. "Are you coming with me to my classroom?" She asked.
"Oui." He said, picking her up before smiling at Rogue. "An' how's m' beautiful daughter 'n law?"
Rogue chuckled. "Ah'm up." She said as they head toward Leila's classroom. "That's about it right now."
"Long night, I take it?" Jean-Luc winked at her.
She rolled her eyes. "Ain't nothing like that." She said, pointing to Leila. "She had ta sleep with us and she's a wiggle worm."
"Aah." He said as they came to her classroom. "We here."
Leila looked into the room from her grandfather's arms and hugged him tighter. "I don't wanna go." she said, quietly.
"Leila, what did we talk about this mornin'?" Rogue asked, taking her from his arms and setting her on the ground.
"No fussing." She said.
"That's right." Rogue said, giving her a hug. "It's gonna be fun, baby. Trust me. Ya like Ms. Rikki and all ya friends are in there, too."
Leila gasped. "I forgot Freddie! He wanted to come with me!" She said, with fear in her voice.
"Ya go on in ta ya class and ah'll bring ya Freddie." She said, kissing her forehead before standing and taking her hand.
They walked into the classroom and Rikki looked at them and smiled. "Hey, Leila!" She said with a wave. "I'm glad you could make it. We're coloring zoo animals. Would you like to join us?"
Leila nodded as she walked over and sat down beside another five year old girl she played with often, Brittany. After Rikki got her settled with a giraffe to color, Rogue walked over and placed her hand on Rikki's arm to get her attention.
"Remy told her it'd be alright if she brought her stuffed giraffe." She said quietly.
"Oh, absolutely." Rikki said. "If you need to run and get it, go right ahead."
"Thanks Hun." Rogue said, watching Leila color with a smile on her face. "Though, ah think she's doin' just fine without him."
"It's whatever you wanna do." Rikki said, smiling at Jean-Luc. "Hello."
He nodded to her with a warm smile. "Oh my word. Ah'm as rude as all get out." Rogue said, placing her hand on Jean-Luc's arm. "This is Leila's granddaddy, Jean-Luc."
Rikki shook his hand. "Pleasure to meet you." She said.
"Pleasure be mine." He smirked as he kissed her hand.
"Alright, that's enough." Rogue said with a smile as she took his hand from Rikki's. "We're gonna leave ya alone ta teach. Ah might be back with her stuffed giraffe, but she's lookin' pretty content."
"Yep. Just stop by if you feel you need to." Rikki said as they left her room.
"Well, school is in session in five minutes." Rogue said, looking up at Jean-Luc. "Ah've gotta report ta Jean. Feel free ta kill time. Just don't go interrupting Remy."
He smirked. "Y' t'ink I go an' ruin his teachin'? Chere, have some fait' in me." He said.
Winking at him, Rogue smiled. "Just don't get into trouble." She said as she turned and head toward Jean's office.
Coming up on the room, she heard her talking to someone. Peeking around, she saw Dani sitting in front of Jean at her desk. She smiled before she walked into the doorframe and gave it a light knock.
Jean looked over, along with Dani, and smiled. "Anna! Come on in." She motioned for her to enter. "We were just discussing you."
"Were ya now?" Rogue asked, taking a seat by Dania no crossing her right leg over her left.
"Yes." Jean said, still smiling. "Dani's expressed her want for you to be there when her training starts."
"And when's that?" Rogue asked.
"Wednesday." Jean said. "She'll be heading home to gather her things and her mother's expressed her feelings to come visit the school."
"And ya gonna allow it?" She asked. "Ah don't mean ta e Debbie Downer, but ya ain't let parents just waltz in her before. We've always invited them."
"If a parent wants to see what kind of school we run, I have no problem with them coming and checking it out." Jean finished the conversation in Rogue's head, 'They won't find the entrance to downstairs. It'll be alright.'
"Ah guess it'd be alright. Ah'd like ta get ta know ya momma." Rogue said, looking at Dani. "Seems like she love ya very much."
Dani smiled and nodded. "Mom's always stood up for me." She said.
"Alright, well, Dani has a flight to catch this afternoon." Jean said.
"Can Anna come with me?" Dani asked Jean, not even looking to see if Rogue was interested.
"Her going isn't up to me." Jean said. "Why don't you ask her yourself?"
Dani turned to Rogue. "I'd feel better if you came with me. To have someone to talk to." She said.
"Well," Rogue started, before glancing at Jean who was giving her a look to do it. "Ah guess it wouldn't hurt."
"Thank you!" Dani said, reaching out to hug her, but stopped.
"What time's the flight?" Rogue asked.
"Three o'clock. Non-stop flight to Washington state." Jean said. "You'll be flying back tomorrow morning at nine."
"Well, let's go get ready ta leave." Rogue said as both Dani, and herself, left to get ready for their trip.
"T'ese be de rules fo' de class. Read 'em over and und'e'stand 'em." Gambit said to his class. "If y' don', jus' ask me t' explain it. Any questions?"
A student in the back raised his hand.
"Yep?" He asked, pointing to him.
"Can we learn to make candy glass? You know, like in the movies?" He asked.
"I don' know. Depends on de time o' each class. I write it down fo' consideration." He said walking over and jotting it down on his open spiral. "Anyt'in' else?" The students were silent. "A'right. Le's get started. We gonna go over de ingredients for t'ese here cookies. Prob'ly de easiest t'in' t' make, next t' a can o' soup."
Some students chuckled as he started to go over the measurements and each ingredient. Walking to each island, he noticed a male student talking with another.
"Pardon, I had no idea I was inturruptin' yo' conv'sation. Le' me know when y' done, eh?" He said, walking back to his desk.
"Sorry." The kid the boy was talking to, said.
"Y' done?" Gambit asked, leaning against his desk.
"Yeah, you can continue." The student said, making a few students chuckle.
Quickly grabbing the dry-erase eraser from his desk, Gambit threw it across the room and hit the student in the forehead. "Talk again and I be t'rowin' somet'in' bigger an' a lot heavier too. Und'e'stand?" He asked, seeing the student turn bright read from embarrassment.
"Y-yes sir." He said, quietly.
"Now, back t' de ingredients." Gambit said, continuing where he left off.
The rest of the class went smoothly and soon it was time for second period. The students packed their things and headed out to their next class. Looking over the island tops, Gambit sighed. These kids were messy.
"Gonna hafta impl'men' some chores at de end o' class." He said as he walked over and wiped the island tops down with cleaner.
Placing the cleaner back in a cupboard, he returned to his desk and sat down. Sighing again, he rubbed his face and looked out the window. It was a beautiful day, too bad he was indoors. Leaning back in his chair, he rested his head back and closed his eyes. The students would start to show up any minute and talk before class began.
The first student to arrive was one of the younger ones. Her name was Lizzy and she was sharp as a tack. She'd be graduating early, for sure. This year was a bunch of "nothing classes" as some of the kids say. She really didn't have to pass them, as she excelled elsewhere.
"Hi." She said, sitting down in the first island on Gambit's left.
"Well, hello." Gambit replied with a smile. "Y' come t' blow de ot'er kids outta de water?"
Lizzy chuckled. "Nah. I'll give them a chance." She joked, making him chuckle.
"Y' know 'bout cookin' and bakin', petit?" He asked, placing his hands behind his head.
"I can make a can of Spaghetti-O's." She said, making him chuckle again.
"Didn' know y' was so outgoin'." He said, standing up and walking over to erase the marker board.
"I can talk up a storm." She said. "So fair warning."
Gambit looked over his shoulder and her and smiled. "Noted." He said as another student entered. "Bienvenue. Have a seat anywhere."
The girl walked over and took a seat beside Lizzy. Gambit continued to erase the board as more students filled the classroom. When he turned around the seats were all filled and there were three students standing in the back.
"Qu'est-ce que c'est?" He quietly asked himself as he walked to the students. "Y' kids in de right class?"
"Yes sir." One of them said, handing Gambit their schedules. "Second period. Mr. LeBeau."
"Merde, cela a été négligé." He said, looking at their schedules. "Well, look like I been over scheduled. I'ma have you t'ree go get some chairs from Ms. Monroe's room jus' down de hall. Last room on de right. Be quick now. Don' wanna be missin' anyt'in'."
Rogue sighed. "She's gonna hate me Logan." She said, leaning against the kitchen counter while Wolverine shoved his face full of his Itallian sub sandwich.
"No she won't. You're workin'." He said, wiping is mouth with the back of his hand. "Kid's gotta understand that."
"Ah know, but ah promised her Ah'd be there ta get her after school." She said, seeing him look up at her.
"I can get her." He said. "No big deal. Besides, I haven't had my dose of that little munchkin today."
Rogue smiled. Leila definitely loved her Uncle Logan. The big huge teddy bear.
"Only if ya want. Ah don't want ya feelin' obligated to." She said.
Putting his hand up, he stood up and walked around, throwing his plate away before walking up to her. "You know I consider you guys family. I'll get her after school and take her down to Gumbo's room." he said, causing her to smirk.
"Ya hadn't called him that in a while, hun." She said.
"Yeah, well, it was due." He said, his smile softening. "Have a safe trip, Anna."
Rogue hugged him before she head upstairs to pack. It was only one night, so she decided to take her tote bag. They were apparently taking a private jet, rented by Xavier, to and from.
Heading into the bathroom, she grabbed her essentials before opening the top drawer of the dresser. She took out some of of her pajama bottoms before remembering it was pretty cold when she was there just days ago. Closing the drawer, she walked over to Gambit's dresser and opened the third drawer. Grabbing a pair of sweatpants, she shoved them, and one of his long sleeve shirts, in the tote bag before she picked out an outfit for tomorrow.
"Ah need ta be comfortable." She said, quietly, to herself as she took out a pair of jeans, brown cowboy boots, and a fitted long sleeve top. "That'll hafta do."
"Anna?" She looked over at the doorway of the bedroom to see Dani standing there.
"Hey, hun." She said with a smile. "What's up?"
"Just seeing if you're ready." Dani said, looking around the bedroom before fixing her eyes on the huge picture above the headboard of her and Gambit on their wedding day.
"Just finishing up." She said, placing the outfit for tomorrow in the tote bag.
"I'm kinda worried that my dad will show up." Dani said.
Rogue looked to her right at Dani and saw how frightened she was in her eyes. "Come here." She said, her motherly instinct to comfort kicked in.
"No!" Dani said, but Rogue ignored her.
"It's gonna be fine, sugah." She said as she gave her a hug, making sure not to touch her skin, knowing how nerve wracking that was. "See? Everything's fine."
Dani was a bit shocked that she hadn't exploded her all over the room. She suddenly hugged her back, tight, making Rogue smile.
"I haven't hugged anyone in several months, without them getting hurt." She heard the emotions overflowing in her voice.
Hugging her back, Rogue finally pulled away and smiled at her, wiping the tears that had rolled down her cheeks. "Ah know exactly what ya goin' through. Before ah learned ta control my powers, Ah hadn't touched another human being for about ten years." She explained as she sat on the bed, motioning for her to sit beside her.
"Ten years?" Dani asked, sitting beside Rogue.
She nodded. "Mm hmm. Ah was too afraid ta even try to control my powers, thinkin' it was just all for naught. But, the professor didn't give up on me and Ah won't give up on you, ya hear me?" She said, making Dani smile.
"Thanks." Dani said, wiping her eyes.
"Alright, we've got a plane ta catch soon. Let's finish getting packed." She said, turning and grabbing her phone charger, iPad and iPad charger. "Ah like ta read, so I pretty much bring this thing everywhere, though a real book can't be beat."
Dani nodded. "What kind of books do you like to read?" She asked.
Rogue shrugged. "Everything, ah guess. Ah use ta read romance novels all the time, but that was back before I learned to control my powers. I was dreaming about what if felt like ta touch another human being. Now, I read tha classics and, like ah said, pretty much anything. If ah hear it's a good book, ah'll read it." She said.
"How long does it take you to get through a novel?" Dani asked as Rogue closed up the tote bag.
"About five days." Rogue said. "Ah'm not braggin' or anything. Ah usually read before bed or when Leia's nappin'."
"Five days and I get through the first chapter." Dani said, making them both chuckle.
"Well, if it ain't interesting to ya, ya won't read it." She said, placing her hands on her hips. "Ah dont' know about you, hun, but Ah'm hungry. Let's grab some lunch."