Accidental Beginnings

Chapter Twenty-five

A/N: I know! It's been so long! This chapter kicked my butt. I'm planning on one more chapter and an epilogue. Yay! Then it will be over with these two. Cathy! I got your message today while I was working on this chapter. Thanks to everyone that checked on me. Even though this chapter was killing me I'm still alive and kicking!

P. S. No BETA!

"You really scared us, sweetheart. We thought you were lost," Ororo said into her phone.

Remy smiled a bit when Ororo laughed at something his son had said. She was smiling. Etienne had put that brilliant smile of hers there. He hadn't seen it for so long. He felt like such a tool for trying to deny them both such a simple request.

"Mr. LeBeau, where does your ex-wife live? I'll send a unit in the area over to retrieve him."

"Is that necessary? She lives only a few miles away in the Financial District."

"I have to file a report. I'll need to speak to him at the precinct. It would be easier and less time consuming to have a unit bring the child to the station and we meet them there," Donovan explained.

Remy nodded. "Oui, I see."

While Donovan spoke he'd pulled out his cellphone and began to dial. Remy realized then he actually didn't have an option in the matter. Protocol had to be followed.

Emma stood motionless watching and listening. Her presence had shrunk to barely noticeable. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. She watched Remy as he spoke to the detective. Her eyes followed his movements as he turned and placed his hand gently on Ororo's hip before leaning in and speaking into her unoccupied ear. Ororo smiled softly to him and nodded in response.

The thought to sneak out of the room entered Emma's mind. She could go back to the hotel room, pack her things and get the hell out of there. She'd lost. Just as she was submitting to defeat Remy turned to her.

"Emma, I'm so sorry you had to go through this. I know Etienne can be a handful."

"No," she said shaking her head. "It's fine. I'm just a little shook up but…" Emma's words were cut short and she'd lost Remy's attention as soon as Ororo put her phone away and began to speak.

"The police have already arrived," Ororo said. "Etienne's fine…a little concerned," she drawled out with a small smirk addressing Remy, "with how much trouble he's in."

"Did you tell him a lot?" Remy replied.

"No, but I did tell him that he shouldn't have run off like that and that you'd talk to him about it later." Ororo didn't want to overstep her boundary when it came to Remy and his son. She didn't know how the situation would change after this incident. This, on top of all the other things that had been said and done between them…Remy could blame her and never let her see Etienne again.

"A patrol car is waiting out front," Donovan said. "I'll meet you at the station."

Remy gestured for Ororo to lead the way then followed. On his heels was Donovan. Emma paused for a moment and took a deep breath. So far, so good. All she had to do was get through the next couple of hours. Once they were back in New Orleans this whole ordeal would be history.

"Are you coming, chérie?"

Remy's voice startled her slightly but she hid it well. "Yes, I was just taking a moment, sweetheart. This has all been so overwhelming," she said as she walked to him and wrapped her arms around him. She was relieved when he returned the gesture.

Remy watched the backs of Ororo and Donovan over the top of Emma's head as they made their way up the hallway. Today had been too much. It had really put things in perspective. The important things, the things and people that really mattered.

"I know. We do have some things to take care of. Come."

The ride to the police station was relatively quiet. Ororo sat up front in the passenger's side seat and tried to ignore Remy and Emma's murmured words coming from the backseat. She could only imagine what he was saying to her. She was sure he was telling her everything was fine.

Ororo didn't know what happened at the store but she was sure it was Emma's fault. After hearing Emma's contempt for the child, she wouldn't put anything past her. Telling Remy about her and Emma's conversation in Jean's kitchen would be the right thing to do but not now…not today. Perhaps time and a child had calmed Remy's explosive tendencies but Ororo wasn't willing to take that chance. She didn't like Emma but she wouldn't wish Remy's temper on anyone.

"I'll pull over and let you all out," the policeman said as he maneuvered the car as close to the curb as he could. "I'm glad everything worked out."

"Us too," Remy said from the backseat.

"Will you be needing a ride home?" the policemen asked. However, the question was solely directed at Ororo. Remy saw the twinkle in the man's eye and the barely there smile he was giving her.

"No," Remy said with a little more than aggression than he'd intended. So much so the policeman's eyes darted up to the rearview mirror only to receive a glare that spoke volumes. Hands off! There was a silent standoff between the two men that only lasted a few seconds before Remy spoke again, this time the hate tingeing his words was almost gone. Almost. "I'll make sure everyone gets home safely. Thank you for your time, officer."

Ororo smiled and exited the car as quickly as possible. She didn't want to read too much into Remy's actions. Perhaps it was just a residual reaction from their past relationship. Either way, Remy's jealously and the officer's advances were of no concern to her. Etienne's safety was the only thing that really mattered at that moment.

She didn't bother to wait for Remy to slide out of the backseat behind Emma. She went through the building entrance as soon as she spotted Detective Donovan holding the entry door open.

"He's over there," Donovan said as soon as she was inside.

She spied Etienne through the glass of a closed office door. Her heart reached out to him. He looked so morose and melancholy as he nibbled on the plain potato chips he'd been given. She walked over and tapped on the glass as she opened the door. In a split second his face changed from sadness to joy.

"Ms. O!" he exclaimed jumping from his seat. He crossed the room faster than she'd expected. He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head just beneath her breast. "I just wanted to see you. I hope Papa's not too mad at me."

"He's not mad but he's very upset," Remy said from the entry. "Ro, if you don't mind I need to speak to my son."

Ororo nodded then looked down into Etienne's watery dark eyes, "Everything will be fine. I'll be just outside the door. Okay?"

"Yes ma'am," Etienne said then released her. He let out a sigh full of heavy burden then turned to his father. "I'm sorry, Papa."

Remy grazed Ororo's arm as she tried to make her exit. "Thank you again," he said barely above a whisper. Her only response was a smile.

As soon as Ororo stepped through the door Remy closed the door behind her. She wasn't worried about Etienne but he did deserve a good scolding as well as some sort of punishment.

Emma sat in a row of chairs just outside the door. Ororo's focus immediately went to her. Etienne wasn't the only one in need of a good scolding.

Ororo stood in front of Emma. Her arms folded over her chest. However she was surprised when Emma began to speak. "This is all your fault, you know…"

Ororo was taken aback by this woman's words. So much so, she was at a loss for her own.

Emma stood facing Ororo down, "The kid was trying to get to you. Or maybe you got the kid to do it…you want Remy back and you tricked his son into running off so you could swoop in and save the day."

Ororo's shock quickly transformed into indignation and she found her voice. "Are you insane?" Ororo knew she had nothing to defend; she wasn't guilty of anything. "Or perhaps…" she said slowly, "He was just trying to get away from you. You said that you didn't like the child."

"I never said that!"

This woman was worse than Ororo could have ever imagined. She'd blatantly lied without hesitation to her face. She wasn't new to the art of deception. "I know the truth and so do you. And soon…so will Remy."

"Oh, so you're going to tell on me?" Emma asked sarcastically. "What is this? Elementary school?"

"Sweetie, I haven't played school games in a long time. Besides, I'm not the child you need to worry about. When Etienne tells Remy what really happened…I'd run if I were you."

Emma snorted in disbelief. Remy was protective of his son but he wouldn't dare raise his voice at her in anger let alone anything else. "I don't have to listen to this. I'm leaving…with my fiancé," Emma said with a condescending smile gracing her lips. She attempted to turn away but was surprised by Ororo's grasp on her upper arm holding her firmly in place. "Are you crazy? This is assault. We're in a police station…I can have you arrested!"

"I haven't assaulted you…yet."

"Are you threatening me?"

"No, I'm promising you. And don't think for a second that I don't keep my promises."

Emma wasn't a stranger to verbal sparing. She'd been in her share of altercations with other women over various things…from work related grievances to…yes, men but this time was the first time she'd felt threatened. There was something about the intensity of Ororo's stare and the firm set of her lips. This woman was serious. Emma snatched her arm away and found a grain of courage she knew she didn't have. "Touch me and I'll have you arrested."

Ororo gritted her teeth and resisted the urge to yank Emma's glossy locks when she turned her back. Instead she watched Emma knock quickly on the glass then barge into the room with Etienne and Remy shutting the door behind her.

She couldn't hear what was being said through the soundproof glass but Ororo knew Emma was laying it on thick. Etienne was enveloped in a grizzly bear hug, which he tried to resist. But it was Remy that drew Ororo's attention. She couldn't read him. She couldn't tell if he was annoyed by the intrusion or welcomed it. He was blank.

Ororo felt like an idiot standing there watching them. The thought entered her head that she should leave then thought better of it. She was there for Etienne. It was her he'd been looking for. She wouldn't leave him after all the trouble he'd gone through. That thought it self quelled the anger Emma had managed to brew.

Ororo smiled when the door opened and Etienne was once again wrapped around her waist. Anger at that woman would have to wait until later. "Ms. O," he said as if he didn't already have her undivided attention, "I'm sorry that I scared you. And I know I shouldn't have left the store."

"Even though I know you're a very smart little boy Etienne but you could have been lost. New York is a very big city," Ororo said.

"I know. Papa said that too but I just wanted to see you."

"Well, I really wanted to see you too, Etienne. However, we have to talk to your father first. Like it or not, we have to take in consideration his concerns," Ororo said as gently as possible.

"Papa?" Etienne called as he faced his father. "Is it okay if I spend some time with Ms. O. I'd really like to talk to her about something." His eyes darted over to Emma then back. No one standing in the small group missed the subtle motion.

Remy pursed his lips and looked at Ororo with what seemed to be an embarrassed look on his face. "Oui…if it's all right with her, it's all right with me."

"Is it? Is it, Ms. O?" Etienne asked unable to hold in his enthusiasm.

"I think that would be wonderful, sweetheart."

"Yay!" Etienne squealed. "I have something to give to you!" He let her go long enough to run to his father and hug him then was back at her side, tugging her hand as he tried to take her to the exit.

Ororo glanced behind her at a demurely smiling Remy and a grim Emma. The couple was stopped briefly by Officer Donovan giving Remy a thin manila envelope. He waved them off and went in another direction. That was that. A mischievous little boy had been found…an open and shut case.

"Let's wait for your father," Ororo said once they reached the sidewalk.

"Ms. O, I'd really like to speak to you alone."

"You will, sweetheart. We just need to make a plan so there will be no confusion. Okay?" Ororo gave Etienne a reassuring smile when he nodded in agreement.

Remy held the door open for Emma. Ororo visualized Emma tripping and falling down the steps and breaking something…anything. She really didn't like that woman.

Ororo was the first to speak once they reached the bottom. "Would you like for Etienne to go back to your hotel first?" she asked.

"Non, you two can have some alone time together. There's something I need to do. Can you bring him to the room in an hour? I still need to talk to him. I don't want him to think what he did is acceptable."

Ororo smiled. She really did love to see Remy in his daddy role. "Sure."

"Then we'll go from there," he finished.

"All right. We'll get some food. I'm sure he hasn't eaten anything but the chips while he was waiting."

Remy nodded quickly then bent to address his son. "Be good."

"Yes, Papa."

Etienne hadn't let go or Ororo's hand for longer than a few seconds on the way to the dinner. The only reason he'd finally released her was so he could look at his menu. Even so, he chose to sit next to her on the bench seating instead of across as the waitress initially directed. He wanted to be as close to her as possible.

"I'll have chocolate cake," Etienne said as he looked at the menu.

"Absolutely not," Ororo said. "You need something healthy and filling. Cake is neither."

Etienne grinned. "I knew you were going to say that."

"Did you now? Then why'd you say cake when you knew I'd say no?"

"Because…" Etienne said as he inched closer to her on the bench, "That's what mamas do."

His words caught Ororo off guard. He could tell but he was pleased when she smiled. "Yes, I guess they do."

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Papa's going to marry Emma. He wants her to be my mama but I don't like her very much."

"Why don't you like her, Etienne?" Ororo had to know. If that witch had done anything to him there'd have hell to pay.

"Nothing really. She just pretends to like me when Papa's around. It's really annoying."

"Does she say or do anything not nice when he's not around?" Ororo asked. Emma's health hung in a balance based on the heaviness of what the boy was about to say.

"No, not really. She mostly ignores me. And sometimes she acts like those dumb girls at school. You know…like…always," Etienne made a face and rolled his eyes mimicking the mannerisms of a spoiled girl, "like that."

Ororo laughed a bit at his antics, "Well, that's not nice."

"Nope. And that's why I want you to be my mama. You're nice. And you always smile. Jake says you're the best too. And even if you and Papa aren't going to get married I still want you to be my mama."

"Oh, Etienne," Ororo sighed. "You're such a sweet little boy. I don't know if it's that easy." His crestfallen face broke her heart so she hurried to explain. "I'd love to be your mother but it isn't that easy. Your father and I haven't been good friends lately and that may be a problem."

"It's not fair. I didn't do anything wrong." His eyes became watery.

"I know you didn't but how about this? I promise to love you just like you're my son. And you can call and talk to me anytime you want. And we'll see each other every time we get a chance…with your father's permission of course," Ororo quickly added. "And how you and I feel about each other will never change even when your he and I aren't being very nice to each other."

"It's not the same," emotions flooded his words as he held back his tears.

Ororo pulled him even closer. "Yes it is, sweetheart. "Mother" is just a word. When your father marries Emma, people are going to call her your mother but does that make you love her?" she asked then continued once he shook his head. "And not calling me mother doesn't make me love you more or less. I already love you very much."

"I love you too."

Ororo pulled him into a tight hug. It was true. She did love. She didn't know when it happened. She loved him for who his was as well as for being his father's child.

She'd always heard that time healed all wounds. Even though his conception hurt her more than anything she'd ever felt before she couldn't deny that time had dulled the pain and knowing Etienne had made it nonexistent. She'd missed out on so much. "You'll always have me, Etienne."

Remy tossed the folder Donovan had given him onto the entryway table. He already knew what was in it. He didn't feel the need to read it. There was a bigger matter at hand.

He watched as Emma walked into their room and pulled off her shoes and began to undress. Nothing stirred inside of him. There was a time when Ororo would have to lock the door if she needed to change. If she removed any article of clothing he wanted to be there to witness its disposal. And even through all the anger he'd felt towards her, she still caused those same feelings to rise within him. He still loved her.

That was the primary reason he could not marry Emma. He'd rather go to his grave alone and in love with Ororo than married for life to another woman.

He walked to the bedroom door and watched as Emma slipped into the plush complimentary hotel robe. He assumed she was getting ready for the dinner he'd promised her that morning. The dinner where he was going to propose. "Join me in the shower," she said.

He shook his head. "We need to talk."

"Look, Remy, I'm so sorry about what happened with Etienne today. But you of all people know how he is. If I'd thought for one second he'd left the building…"

"This isn't about Etienne," he said before she could continue with her explanation.

"What then?"

"I'm sorry, Emma, but…I don't think we're going to work out."

She stood with her mouth agape, partially stunned. "This morning you wanted to marry me. Now you don't?"

Remy sighed. Merde. Me and my rash decisions. "Non, chérie, I don't want to marry you anymore. I was mistaken."

"Mistaken?" she echoed in disbelief. "We made love last night. You told me just this morning that you wanted to make more definite plans now suddenly you've changed your mind? I've told you how sorry I was about Etienne…"

"This isn't about Etienne." He said again letting his words hang in the air.

"Her…" Emma stated the obvious.

"Oui, Her."

"So she does want you back. I knew it. Don't you see, Remy?" she said as she approached him and placed her right hand on his cheek. "She left you. Now that she sees that you're happy with someone else she wants you back. She'll leave you again."

"Non, non…it's nothing that sinister. I haven't even really had a chance to talk to her with all that went on today," he said as he removed her hand from his face and stepped away. "I love her. I always have. I always will. I can't marry you are anyone else for that matter."

"Remy, what can I do to make you change your mind? I love you."

Remy's heart broke for her. Never would he have guessed those three words were last-ditch efforts to keep claws in him. "I'm sorry, Emma," he said apologetically. "If you'd like to stay for the rest of the week I can book you another room. Here or somewhere else."

"You're really serious, aren't you?" Emma said in genuine disbelief. "What do you think is going to happen? You're going to pour your heart out to her and she's just going to up and leave New York? Her job? Her family? For you?"

"It doesn't matter what she decides to do. I've told you already, this is about me being in love with her. Not the other way around."

"You're a fool."

"Oui."

Ororo knocked on the suite door. She smiled down at Etienne as they waited for the door to be opened. "I had a wonderful time with you. It's the most fun I've had in a long time."

"Really?" Etienne asked enthusiastically.

Ororo nodded. It was true. She actually loved children and enjoyed being around them when she could. "Absolutely."

Remy opened the door and looked at the smiling faces of the two people that mattered most to him and knew he had done the right thing when it came to Emma. "You're back already." He wished that they had arrived five minutes later. Emma had just finished packing and was about to leave.

"Actually, we're a bit late. You said an hour," Ororo responded. To her eyes Remy seemed a bit distressed. She wondered why and was about to ask him when she heard Emma's voice inside the suite. Ororo couldn't make out what the woman was saying but whatever it was she was obviously pissed about it.

"I'll walk you down to the lobby," Remy offered. Anything to get Ororo away from the person who he at one time thought was a demure reserved woman now turned raving lunatic.

"Wait, Papa! I have to give Ms. O something before she leaves."

"Can't it wait until the next time you see her?"

"It will just take a second, Papa."

Remy looked behind him. Emma had gone back into the bedroom and shut the door. "Hurry," Remy responded. Etienne scooted behind him and into the suite leaving the two adults alone. Remy stepped out into the hallway and pull the door closed without shutting it completely. "He wasn't too much for you, was he?"

"No, he was wonderful. I didn't expect anything less."

Remy nodded in agreement. "Usually he's a really good boy. Usually."

"Like father, like son," Ororo said with a smirk.

They shared a smile. A smile that communicated their history, their love, as well as their reluctance.

"I'll see what's keeping Etienne." He didn't wait for a response. He wanted her to leave incase Emma decided to make a scene. He didn't want her to be the one to disclose their relationship was off or why. He'd do that himself. Hopefully later that night after Devon and Ginny returned to watch Etienne.

Remy was surprised to see Emma standing in Etienne's doorway blocking the boy's exit. He was even more surprised to hear her words. "This is all your fault, you little shit. I told you to wait."

"You don't tell me what to do," Etienne said. "You're not my mama."

"You don't have a mother."

"I do too!" Etienne began to yell. "Ms. O! I do too!" Etienne began to yell louder as tears began to stream down his face.

Emma gasped. A chill ran through her body. Her blouse gathered up around her neck as she was being snatched backwards. She would have fallen had it not been for Remy's firm hold.

"Don' ya ev' talk ta my boy like dat," Remy said through clenched teeth as he turned the now mortified woman towards him. When he heard her words something in his mind clicked. Lonely days of missing his mother overcame him. The hateful comments of Emma Frost taunting him, laughing at his pain flooded his mind. He'd felt so defenseless. He wasn't anymore he was a man and no one was going to make him feel like that again. And they damn sure wouldn't make his son feel that way.

Emma's eyes stretched wide, her mouth gaped open in shock. "Remy…" She knew she was in trouble. The crease of his face distorted into some unfamiliar. Someone capable of anything. Ororo was right. Maybe she should run.

She was no longer the woman he'd contemplated marrying just that morning. She was now scum. Someone that he'd sworn to himself he'd protect his son from. "Don' ya ev' look at 'em…speak 'is name. Ah'll drop ya in the deepest Louis'ana swamp Ah can fine."

"Remy, please, Remy! Let her go," Ororo said. She'd come into the suite when she'd heard Etienne screaming. She'd gone over to the boy to comfort him until she realized that she'd actually need to save Remy from what he was capable of doing to that woman. Fortunately it was only a threat but one he'd be more than willing to back up.

Ororo pried at his fingers but realized that her efforts were fruitless. Emma had his undivided attention and she needed to pull it away but yelling wasn't going to accomplish anything. "Remy…" she said softly. She gently cupped her hand to his face and turned it towards her. "Please don't. Let her go."

Remy's fingers loosened enough for Emma to escape. "You're crazy," she said as she moved away. She stumbled past the coffee table and to her luggage. "Nothing more than a backwoods hillbilly that lucked into some money."

"Leave!" Ororo said. Her hands pressed against Remy's chest to keep him in place. "You've said and done enough."

"My pleasure," Emma said as she began to tug at her luggage. There were too many for her to take on her own. She grabbed her carry bag and ran to the door when Remy sidestepped Ororo's hold and walked towards her.

"He'a, chérie, lemme gi'ya a hand," he said as he began collecting her bags. She opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, afraid to let him anywhere near her. She gasped when he began throwing her cases through the doorway. He made multiple trips to finish the job.

She ran to the elevator and pressed the "down" button. She stepped inside as she watched the cases tumble over the plush carpet. Just as the doors began to close the shoes she'd just purchased that day began to litter the floor. "You're insane!" she yelled as the doors began to shut.

Remy walked back into the suite, slamming the door closed. "Putain!" he yelled to the shut door. A stray heel lay at his foot and he kicked it into the living room near Ororo and Etienne. Through his tunnel vision of anger he saw them. Ororo standing with a sobbing Etienne tucked into her bosom.

"Are you finished?" she asked.

He put his hands on his hips and let out a long breath in an effort to release the last of his frustration and anger. He nodded. "I'm sorry, mon petite…she just…"

"I know but…" she looked down at Etienne. His sobs had died down but the tears still ran steadily.

Remy walked over to them and kneeled so that he'd be eye level with his son. He pulled Etienne to him picking him up when the boy clung to him. "I need to talk to my son."

Ororo nodded in agreement before leaning in and placing a kiss against the back of Etienne's head. She walked to the door and gave the father and son a final glance before making her exit.

"Ms. O…" Etienne said.

"She'll be back. I promise."