First off I AM SO SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG! I've just moved into college and the weird internet connection wouldn't let me upload chapters. I know it took so long and I'm so sorry. I had it written for a long time, and again, I'm soooooo sorry.

The FINAL chapter! It's so sad! this is my first multi-chapter story that has actually gotten finished! I'm already working on another one, but this chapter is mostly just and epilogue type thing with a little bit of the moral of the story at the end.

Everyone who reviewed has been awesome. Thank you for letting me know how much you appreciate the story. An author loves praises and critiques. I'm sorry it took so long to update, I have been moving into college for my Freshman year and I didn't have internet, but I finally do and so here you go! The final installment.

XxXxX

It was a sunny afternoon and the Professor watched his students. Logan and Ororo were reviewing with the New Recruits, who had just arrived back from summer vacation. Logan was enjoying himself all too much, grilling the kids and reminding them of their own weaknesses. Storm was the gentler of the two, congratulating them on what they did remember.

Kitty and Piotr were laughing and talking in the garden. Ororo had been teaching Kitty about the rewards of gardening, and Piotr was completely willing to help. Kitty had learned that with roots, like wires, it was important to only phase the bad ones out and not the good ones. It was excellent power control and Kitty enjoyed the smell of the flowers.

Kurt was pulling Wanda around the yard trying to get her to dance with him while she was laughing and resisting only slightly. Wanda had become much more free and happy after she joined the mansion, mostly because she did not feel fear or uncertainty any longer. Kurt also helped.

Pietro was dragging his feet, following his sister. They'd had a chance to talk more and though Wanda was still reserved around him and Kurt was still wary, Pietro had made a significant impact on the team and it showed. Kitty was nice to him and Remy and Piotr understood Piotr, mostly because they had both been on the other side and knew what it was like to change.

Rogue was perched in a tall tree, reading a book, while Remy tried unsuccessfully to coax her down. Everyone knew that, had he wanted to, Remy could just launch himself into the tree, but the Cajun thought it was more fun to watch her from below, noticing the little smiles she would give him when he said certain things. It was those little movements that assured Remy that the book was just a useless prop. Rogue wasn't reading, and that made every word Remy said worth it.

The Professor smiled with Hank standing behind him.

"I see that it is true then, what they say about childhood. It may be fleeting, but those who value its truth and imagination have no boundaries." Hank pushed up his glasses as he spoke, staring at the students littering the lawn as well.

"The only thing stopping us from reaching our full potential is ourselves. Rogue and I have begun the tearing down of her mental walls and hopefully it will give her the opportunity to control her powers. Remy also has a wall, but it seems as if he is content to keep it there."

"I have never seen Wanda so open, and to think our X-Men became better friends because of all of this. Perhaps it should become a regular exercise!"

"My dear friend," Professor Xavier chuckled, "I fear that may do more damage to the adults than benefit to our students. Can you imagine Logan with children?"

The two men chuckled. As they were thinking about the events that would occur if Wolverine were given responsibilities of care over young children, Jean and Scott walked out holding hands.

"Everything is back to normal, lets try to keep it that way, Hank. The X-Men don't need any more trouble than what is already headed our way." Scott smiled, speaking of the troubles that were certainly soon to come.

"Jean, what is…"

"Professor, it's a ring. Scott asked me to marry him and I said yes. We were going to announce it at dinner. Can you keep it quiet until then?"

"I can. Congratulations. It is good to see that the mansion is growing in all forms of relationships. Will you two stay here? I'm sure I can hire someone to build you your own house on the property if you would like. We have plenty of teachers in the mansion itself anyway, it would be nice to have some empty rooms around here for once."

"It sounds marvelous, Professor," Jean said as she hugged the Professor.

It looked like a little bit of childhood innocence could do miracles for mutants stuck in the middle of a war. And everyone hoped it would last for a while. Everyone hoped the memories would bring more hope to this hopeless world.

Never let the child inside of you die. It is the only thing that can see the world in all of it's glory and potential. It is the only thing that can truly change the world.