Caleb dressed up in his nicest clothes that he could find. He didn't want to look underdressed playing the piano for Beast's proposal. He had this strange vision of Beast lending him a tux just so that he could meet the bar. Caleb was a big guy but he was sure that there was nothing in Beast's wardrobe that would fit him. He fixed his hair and shaved, trying to be as presentable as he knew how. He even smoothed his eyebrows. He looked himself over in the mirror, pleased with what he saw.

Looking sharp.

He stepped out the bathroom and into the new, four person bedroom that he, Markas, Isaac and Jake shared. It was originally two two-person rooms but he'd done away with one of the walls. They decided instead of fixing it, to just make it into one huge room that the four of them could room in. It was working quite nicely. Rooming with Jake and Isaac was a little bit of a change. Adam was slipping on their couch for the time being. Apparently he wasn't going to be staying much longer. Lucky guy would get to room with one of the former X-Men, Forge, when he came pretty soon.

"What's the occasion, slick?" Jake asked, with a demeaning tone.

"Under any other circumstances, I'd tell you, but it's supposed to be a surprise," he said. Markas looked at him and narrowed his eyes.

Can you tell me? All you have to do is think the answer, and they won't hear, Markas sent him a telepathic message.

"Oh c'mon, tell us, man. That ain't right," Isaac complained.

Yeah, Beast is going to propose to Storm tonight and I'm playing a song he wrote for her so that he can sing it, he replied in thought.

"No! Dude, you'll find out soon enough it'll be all over the campus tomorrow morning, trust me," Caleb objected.

Are you SERIOUS? That's hella cool, man. Hey, tell the big, blue dude I said, "congratulations, Markas replied.

"Well then there's no harm in telling us now, is there?" Jake was interested now too.

If I tell him you said, "congrats," he'll know I told you, Caleb pointed out in his mind.

"Dude, don't freakin worry about it, okay? It's not even that bigga deal," he shot back. His speech had altered a little since he'd been spending so much time with Isaac. Speech so different must've rubbed off on him.

Oh yeah…just tell him I read your mind and got it out of you like that, Markas offered.

"If it ain't dat bigga deal, den you can tell us, can't ya?" Isaac challenged.

Then you'll get in trouble for abusing your powers again…he'll tell on you to Jean, Caleb warned.

"Dude, just tell us, we wanna know," Jake demanded.

He'd do that? Markas asked, surprised.

"I'm not gonna tell you, put a sock in it!" Caleb shot back. He didn't mean to sound so snappy but he was hearing three voices at a time—one of which was in his head.

Yeah he would, trust me, he replied to Markas.

"Fine! I see how it is! Next time I know something, I ain't telling you! Bet!" Isaac blasted, making faces.

"Markas, don't you wanna know what's going on?" Jake asked. Caleb shot a look over at Markas, as if he were just as surprised that Markas hadn't said anything yet.

"In case you hadn't figured by now, when Caleb says he's not gonna say something, he doesn't say anything. You're wasting your breath trying to get it out of him," he defended. That seemed to put a rest to things.

Thank you, Caleb thought, he was unsure if the telepathic link was still open.

Your welcome…just forget about the whole congratulations thing…I'll pretend to be as surprised as everyone else, Markas replied.

Okay, cool. Any-who…I'm off to be tonight's musical entertainment, he announced as he walked out of the room, knowing that Markas could still talk with him.

Sounds great…break a leg, Markas said.

That would be so oh dear if I really did break a leg on the way there and wasn't able to play, wouldn't it? Caleb thought. He hadn't really meant to tele it to Markas, but he knew that it reached him.

You're such a stare, Caleb, he replied with a laughing tone.

Yeah, no joke, he agreed.

He continued towards the kitchen. It was about six o'clock. He planned on stopping by the kitchen, eating a quick bit of Beast's wonderful feast and heading to the grand hall. He was excited about the whole thing. He was sure that he wasn't as excited as Beast was, or as Storm would be soon, but excited nonetheless.

God, help everything to go smoothly tonight.

Lindsey burst into the kitchen and the aroma of something wonderful filled her nostrils and made her mouth water. She saw beast preparing some plates of pasta with shrimp, mushrooms and white sauce. It looked as incredible as it smelled.

"Hey, what smells so good?" she asked, as she reached into the refrigerator to grab a bottle of water.

"Fettuccine white wine Alfredo with shrimp and mushrooms, my dear," he said with a smile.

"What's the occasion?" she asked, knowing that this kind of cooking wasn't a normal thing around the mansion. There was a student kitchen and a faculty kitchen. She snuck into the faculty kitchen to steal their fresh fruits and vegetables because the student kitchen was stocked with mostly lunchmeat, cheese and soda.

"If I tell you, do you promise to keep it a secret?" he asked with an ear-to-ear smile. Now, she was intrigued.

"My lips our sealed," she replied.

"I'm going to ask Ororo to be my wife tonight, and this dinner is for her," he said. She had been there long enough to know that they had been in a long relationship with each other and had just not got around to tying the knot. When they announced that they were getting married, it was going to be a big deal around the campus.

"Congratulations, Beast! I'm so happy for you," she beamed.

"Why does everyone always say that? She hasn't said yes yet," he frowned.

"I don't think any man in his right mind would ask a woman to marry him who he didn't know would say yes," she pointed out.

"Very true…it just seems the inappropriate thing to say," he frowned again.

"Who else have you told?" she asked, curiously.

"Jean, Scott, Caleb and yourself are the only people that I've told. If anyone else knows, it's not my doing," he said. She thought of Nathan again and could do nothing to keep her face from dropping.

"What's the matter, my dear?" he asked, putting down his utensils.

"Oh, nothing. I don't want to dampen your spirits with my mess. This is an happy occasion for you and you should enjoy it," she objected.

"Please, Lindsey, do tell. I'll be more troubled that something is bothering you," he sounded so genuine. Lindsey knew Beast and Storm the most out of all of the teacher, but that was only because they and Caleb were so close. She didn't know if she was comfortable telling Beast about her and Nathan.

What's it going to hurt, Lindsey. You can't stay like this forever. Talking about it will probably help. Just tell him.

"My boyfriend and I always talked about getting married but he never got around to asking me," she replied simply.

"What happened?"

"He died," she spoke too soon.

"In the attack? Was he a human?" he asked.

"No, he was a mutant and he died after the attack…or at least that's the conclusion I've come to."

"You don't know for sure?"

"Not exactly. He hasn't contacted me in the entire time that I've been here at the mansion. He was staying at my house after the attack. The MCA came to look for me at the church which means they must've already been to my house—where he was," she fought for composure.

"I am so sorry, Lindsey," he but a massive arm on her shoulder and looked her in the eye. "If you ever need anything, someone to talk to, a friend, just let me know. If you'd be more comfortable talking to a woman, you can feel free to approach Ororo too. We're not just here to turn you into a soldier for a war—we're here to be your friends too," he assured.

"Thank you, Beast—for caring," she blushed.

"Always, my dear," he said.

At that moment Caleb, decked out to the tee burst into the door.

"Your fiancé-to-be is on her way to…oh crap!" he said, looking at Lindsey.

"It's okay, my boy! I already told her all about it. It's safe to speak freely," he smiled.

"Woo…thank God. I was worried my big mouth got me in trouble again. Any-who, Storm is on her way to the grand hall now. I saw her walking that way. She's all dressed up too, wearing that dress that…"

"Don't tell me anything! I want it to be as much a surprise to me as it is to her. Now, I promised you a meal, dear boy, didn't I?"

"That you did," Caleb said, rubbing his stomach, eyeing the food.

"Lindsey, would you like some?" he asked, pointing to the pot of food. It was clear that he'd made more than enough.

"The polite thing would be to say, 'no, thank you,' but that looks way too good to pass up," she admitted. "I'd love some."

"Very good! You two can eat in here, I'm going to take these covered dishes to the grand hall. Caleb, come as soon as you're done eating to help me set up anything I haven't done already," he said, running out the kitchen with two silver dish covers in each hand.

"Will do, Hank!" he said. He reached up in the cupboard and snatched another plate. He dished out some of the food and starting preparing a salad for himself. "You can go ahead and start on that one if you want to."

"Thank you," she said, reaching for a fork and knife. She felt famished and starved. She bowed her head and was just starting to pray over her food and Caleb interrupted her.

"You still pray over your food?" he asked.

"Yeah…I guess old habits die hard," she smiled.

"Oh, I wasn't trying to give you grief about it—I do it too. Actually, I get teased sometimes for doing it here," he admitted.

"Apparently being a Christian isn't exactly the cool thing to be anymore, huh?" she asked.

"Yeah, I guess not. I don't think most of the kids really grasp what 'being a Christian' actually is…anyway we won't get persecuted or offended for praying out loud here so let's do it!"

"Okay. You or me?" she asked.

"I'll pray," he said, sitting at the counter. He bowed his head and closed his eyes; she did the same. "Thank you, Lord for this day. Thank you for the food we're about to eat. Please bless it and the hands that prepared it, in your name, Amen."

"Amen," she added with a smile. She dug her fork in, twirled it, making sure she got sauce, pasta, shrimp and mushroom in a single bite. She popped the big bite in her mouth and nearly fainted.

"Oh wow…that's real good," Caleb said, with a mouthful of his own.

"It's amazing. I had no idea he could cook," she said.

"Yeah, he never ceases to amaze me," Caleb admitted.

"He's a good guy," Lindsey added.

"He's a great guy. He's the whole reason I was able to recover from everything that happened—with the earthquake and all," he explained.

"Did you lose family?" she asked.

"No one immediate, I know a few of my friends died in it. Yeah, I was pretty broken, angry, depressed—whatever—about the whole thing. Beast was a friend and some just when I needed it," Caleb said.

"It sounds like you guys are pretty close," she half-asked-half-stated.

"Yeah, he's my best friend and apparently I'm his. He asked me to be his best man already."

"Wow, that's really cool! You guys spend a lot of time together," she was intrigued by the whole situation.

"Yeah, not as much as we spent when I was doing therapy sessions with him. That's where the whole thing started."

"Are you close with any of the other teachers, besides him and Storm?" she asked.

"Not really. Shadowcat, the woman we rescued from that prison, she kissed me," he said with a wink.

"Are you serious? Why?"

"I guess it was her way of thanking me. I was the one who busted down the door of the cell that she'd been locked away in…I guess she was really grateful," he said.

"I guess…that's funny. The only teachers I've really talked to are Beast, Storm, Jean and Cyclops. Gambit's talked to me a few times but I get this funny feeling like he's coming on to me, so I keep my distance," she swallowed another huge bite of the delicious food.

"Yeah, apparently he's quite the ladies' man…or used to be. He's got a need," Caleb reached for some salad, which had gone forgotten because of the main course.

"Something like that," she trailed off. They made a little more small talk over the course of the meal and finished faster than she'd hoped. Caleb was good company; he made her laugh.

"Well, I gotta head out. I am their musical entertainment tonight," he said.

"Yeah…break a leg," she joked.

"That's two people who's told me that in under an hour," he said.

"Who else said that?" she wondered out loud.

"Markas…I told him about the whole thing tonight. Don't tell Beast though. I don't want him to think that I'm going around telling all his business," Caleb pleaded.

"No, I won't tell. I don't think that you'll have to worry about Markas either," she added.

"No, he's way to lax to even care that much," Caleb shook his head.

"How did he get made captain of the Jr. X-Men?" she had wanted to know that little bit of information for a while but was unsure who to ask without it getting back to and offending Markas. He just seemed so unlikely a candidate.

"That's a long story. I tell you tomorrow on our break. We can raid these leftovers. In the meantime, I have to go," he said, heading for the door.

"Tomorrow at lunch?" she asked, for confirmation.

"Yep! It's a date!" he said as he rushed out the door. She was troubled by his words. She knew that he didn't mean a real date. He said that about meeting anyone anywhere for any reason. He had been awfully friendly with her lately. Was he trying to make a pass at her now that Nathan was gone? No, Caleb wasn't like that at all.

He's just being a friend, Lindsey. Don't start throwing up walls and making assumptions. This is the best day that you've had in a long time and you have him to thank for it. Don't be such a case.

She finished the rest of her meal with her thoughts in places she didn't expect them to be. She was thinking much more about the present and future and less about Nathan, the attack and the past. Sorrow was only supposed to be a temporary thing. Shouldn't she be glad that she was coming out of it?

Ororo stepped into the grand hall to hear delightful piano music playing, a table set on the other side of the room with candles, a vase and roses, two covered dishes and the love of her life dressed in a tuxedo with his arms folded in front of him. The lights were dim and the candlelight made his blue fur glow like twilight. He looked better than the first time she realized she was in love with him.

"Hank, what is all this for? What's the occasion?" she asked.

"You're the occasion—we are the occasion, my love," he said, making a bow and extending he hand as she approached him. He took it and kissed it, like the overcompensating gentleman he was.

"It's beautiful, Hank. You didn't have to go through all this trouble," she scolded.

"Of course I did. Ororo, how else would you know that I love you except by what I say and do?" he asked.

"You're right, as always. There's no use in arguing with you. Well, I appreciate that you would do something this special for me, Hank. I want you to know that I don't take it for granted."

"It's a pleasure to treat you," he said. She looked over at the piano and saw Caleb dressed quite nicely. He didn't don the tuxedo as Beast had, but he still was looking his best. He was playing soft, melodic tune on the piano, obviously for their enjoyment.

"Caleb, you're look nice," she called from across the room as she approached him.

"Not nearly so much as you, Storm. You're absolutely stunning," he said. Beast must've been rubbing off on him. She'd heard him refer to beautiful women as 'hot' most of the time. She was certain Beast had given him some sort of speech.

"Thank you, Caleb. You're such a sweetheart," she gave him kiss on the cheek and made her way back to Beast.

"Just pretend I'm not here," Caleb offered.

"Well then we wouldn't have the music then would we?" she glanced over her shoulder.

"I guess not…I'm already talking too much," he said, putting his eyes down at the keys. She couldn't help but grin. He played beautifully—no doubt what he was born to do. She came and wrapped her arms around Beast, careful not to smear makeup on his black coat.

"Well, what did you make me?" she asked, though she figured she knew the answer.

"Your favorite," he replied, lifting the dishes to reveal the pasta and white sauce. Her mouth began to water.

"Hank, I love you," she said, keeping her eyes on the food as he helped her to her chair.

"I love you to, my dear," he replied as he took his seat. They spent the evening talking about what the day had brought them. She talked about the Danger Room sessions and what students looked the most promising. She was careful to say that part low enough so that there was no possibility of Caleb overhearing. It just wouldn't be right to talk about his peers in front of him.

The night was so wonderful. Even though they spoke about the war, and what was coming for them, the night seemed to lift them away from their troubles and duties. No longer did they have to be Storm and Beast, the X-Men. For a while, they could just be Ororo and Hank, the people.

The meal was over too quickly, and she wished she could have the moment forever. It was easily one of the best times she'd ever had. She looked longingly at the love of her life and could've melted at the gaze he gave her in return. They were in love.

"Now, the real reason why we are here tonight. Caleb, if you would please," he said, raising his voice loud enough so that he could hear. He stepped into the middle of the room and gave a motion for her to join him.

Is he going ask me to dance?

"Come here, my love. I have something special planned for you tonight," she came and they began to move slowly to the music as they danced.

"I saw your smile…and it was love at first sight," he suddenly started singing. She'd never heard him sing before but he had a lovely, clean tenor voice. "I heard you voice…and it was music to my ears.

"We've come so far and seen much, my love…I don't want to go one day without you by my side…

"From now until forever…I'll be yours and you'll be mine…we'll walk this road together…and we'll lose all track of time…I'll live each day to prove to you that I'll be true…from now until forever…" he sang the chorus and the music began to change for another verse. She was already crying. She wasn't the crying type but he had such way with her. He knew exactly which buttons to push and which strings to pull.

"Hank…it's beautiful…where did you get it?" she asked.

"I wrote it…with Caleb's help of course. There's more to it but I want you to hear the rest another day," he said.

"Oh, I want to hear it now," she pleaded.

"Another day, my love," he got on one knee and pulled out a black ring box from his pocket. She could hear the weather changing outside because her emotions were fluttering so. The wind and rain picked up and lightning flashes illuminated the now darker room.

"Oh, Hank," she exclaimed, knowing what was coming next.

"Ororo Monroe, I love you with all the love that I possess. I've never felt this close to anyone. I don't want to spend one more delaying. I want you to be my wife, I want you to stand beside me and love me from now until forever…

"Ororo Monroe, will you marry me?"

"Of course I will!" She knelt down on the floor and embraced him, holding him closer than she'd ever attempted, no longer worrying about smudging his collar. She leaned in a kissed him passionately. He picked her up off of the floor and held her in his arms, returning the kiss. She ran her fingers through his hair and held him all the more. She knew that Caleb was in the room but was too overtaken to care.

At that moment she was the happiest woman alive. She wanted to keep this night forever, and now she could. It did turn out to be the happiest day of her life.

Rogue had spent the past few minutes, in the bathroom and she hadn't made single noise. She'd been sick lately—some kind of stomach flu. She couldn't keep food down very well and didn't feel herself in the morning. She'd been in there long enough for Bobby to check on her, he decided. He knocked on the door.

"Baby, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied. He could tell by the stress in her voice that she was upset about something.

"You don't sound fine. Did I do something?" he asked.

"No…well yes but…come in," she said. She didn't sound mad at him but when he opened the door it was clear that she had been crying.

"What's the matter, Baby?" he asked, rushing to her side. She looked at him. It was the happiest he'd ever seen her, as long as he had known her, despite the tears in her eyes. The words that she said next would be the most powerful words ever spoken to him.

"Bobby…I'm pregnant."