Sorry for the delay I did not mean to keep you so long without an update. I had an extremely long weekend and I was unable to get much writing done. That being said here is the next chapter and I hope that you all enjoy it.
David's POV
The next two days passed agonizingly slow as Hank refused to let me leave. Something about not being strong enough yet. Normally I would have left anyway but Jubilee agrees with the furry bastard. My strength has been returning gradually and I have even started to work out again or at least some push ups and sit ups but after he checked my weight and I realized I lost 24 lbs in the past month and a half I need desperately to get back into shape. He banned me from the danger room and even had Chuck temporarily disable my clearance so that I would not train against his wishes. So this is the most I can do until he gives the OK. I feel like a child, or a prisoner. No, worse than a prisoner, at least they get yard time. I am trapped in this terrible sterile gray room. My family, Jubilee, and Laura are allowed to visit but Hank banned others as he does not want me to become overwhelmed. I am not allowed to eat anything too greasy or spicy yet as my body may not be able to handle it in its current state. At least they are letting me eat solid food now though just nothing that tastes good. I am a firm believer in the greasier the better. Hank should be awake soon to assess my health, little does he know I am leaving here today whether he likes it or not.
"Ah David my boy, how are you feeling today?" Hank asked as he does every morning at 7:05 A.M. If anyone ever wanted to assassinate Hank it would not be very hard. Hank is a creature of Habit and you could set a watch by things he does.
"Like a half a million bucks Hank." I responded breathing a little heavy from my work out.
"Twice as good as the quarter of a million yesterday then." He chuckled and grabbed his clipboard from his desk. "I see you have broken a sweat already. I thought I asked you to refrain from physical activity for a few days." He then said looking at me over the top of his clipboard.
"Do you think I would ever go against your wishes Hank? I think someone turned the heat up." I said trying to hold back a laugh when he shook his head.
"Feels fine to me David and I have fur covering my body." He remarked as he jotted a few things down. "I really wish you would listen to me. They don't just give medical licenses away you know." He then said grabbing a stethoscope. "You know the drill."
I removed my shirt and the cold metal stethoscope was placed on my chest. Hank counted in his head for a few seconds and removed the stethoscope and I took a seat on the edge of one of the hospital beds. He strapped a blood pressure cuff around my arm and began pumping it. He listened for my breathing checked my hearing and my vision and everything seemed to check out.
"So how about it doc, am I free to leave?" I asked hoping I wouldn't have to just walk out.
"I would like to run a stress test on your heart." He said before walking toward another room I hadn't been in yet. I just assumed it was where they stored more medical equipment. We walked in and it was a smaller version of the gym that the mansion housed.
"This is more like it Hank. Why have you not told me this was here before?" I asked as I approached the heavy bag and began strapping on gloves.
"Because this is used for medical purposes only. If I had let you know that this is here you would have been in here unsupervised." He replied and he was not wrong.
"Your damn right I would have." I said before punching the bag.
"Before you begin David. I would like to attach the monitors to your body." He said walking toward me with electrodes. I put my arms out and let him stick them to me. Once they were attached it was time to go to work. I began slowly with a quick jab here and a hard right cross there. I gradually picked up the pace dancing around the bag as if it were a real opponent. My punches grew harder and the bag began to wobble back and forth. Left Jab right hook. The bag creaked under the strain I was putting on it but it held up. I have broken a few in the mansions gym. Guess my strength has not returned fully. I was sweating profusely by the end of it and breathing even harder. Before all of this I would only have a few beads of sweat, now I can feel my body drenched in it. No time to slow down though it is not called a stress test for nothing, lets push it to the limit. I removed my gloves and stepped on the treadmill. Once I worked up to a steady pace or what I felt was a steady pace I ran a mile and a half before slowing the treadmill and cooling down. I checked my time and realized I ran 47 seconds slower than my usual pace. I am far from 100 percent.
"Good, your heart seems to be holding up. It is still beating at a safe rate." He said jotting down some more notes.
"Good to know, I will see you later then Hank." I said as I grabbed my shirt and used it to wipe sweat from my face before throwing it over my shoulder.
"David I would still prefer you to stay another day or so. While your strength is quickly returning I would like to keep you under observation for a while longer." He said and I turned to face him.
"Not going to happen Hank. You said it yourself, My heart can handle it besides I feel fine." I then informed him.
"Be that as it may, there are still risks involved and I would like to minimize them." He said and I began to get irritated.
"Sorry Hank this place may be fine for you but I don't like it here and I refuse to stay here any longer. I wanted to leave here in a wheelchair the first day. Jubilee talked me out of it. Yesterday I wanted to walk out of here, she talked me out of it again. A relationship is give and take I gave her two now I am taking one she wont talk me out of it again and neither will you." I said forcefully hoping the tone would get my point across. "Look at it this way Hank. My body runs off of energy more than the average person's. I need real food, exercise, and the good old natural vitamins and minerals the sun itself provides. Without that the healing process will take even longer." I then tried reasoning with him.
"Longer yes, but also safer." He countered.
"We train in a place called the Danger room Hank I think I will take my chances. Now unless you want me to come back here with Jubilee's waxing kit I suggest you stop giving me grief." I warned as I walked away.
"I suppose nothing I say will change your mind. May I at least suggest that you return tomorrow morning for me to gauge the progress of your healing?" He then asked defeatedly.
"Of course Hank, you banned me from the danger room until you give the all clear. I really don't have much of a choice." I said before leaving the med lab and walking toward the elevator.
Jubilee's POV
Hank gave the sign that David would be joining us. He kept David talking long enough for most of the students to gather. We expected to welcome him back tomorrow but knowing David we knew it could be at any minute. We all gathered at the entrance to the elevator or exit of the elevator depending on how you look at it. Guess that's kind of a glass half empty half full kind of thing. On second thought maybe not. I don't know where I was going with that my mind is rambling, sorry.
The door slid open revealing A shirtless David covered in sweat not exactly what we expected to see but I guess beggars cant be choosers. Cheers and praise immediately began to ring out throughout the mansion.
"The King is back!" David yelled throwing his hands in the air.
"I thought a near death experience would humble him, the punk came back as cocky as ever." Logan whispered into my ear and David shot him a glare letting him know he heard every word.
"Thank you guys, this really means a lot to me." David said beaming as he looked out over the crowd.
"We merely wanted to wish a warm welcome back to a great friend, a respected teacher, and an even more respected man." Charles said as he approached David and reached his hand out. David accepted the embrace warmly, I haven't seen him this happy in a long time.
"As much as I appreciate this what do you say we continue this outside?" David said loudly.
"Uh David your not exactly dressed for outdoor weather." I said gesturing toward his basketball shorts and sweat drenched tee shirt.
"Your right I guess the temperature has dropped a lot since I have been out. Well then I will get a shower and changed I need some fresh air." He then said smiling. He shook a few hands and thanked a few more people before making his departure from the crowd and heading to his room. I walked beside him holding his hand in mine. I couldn't help but keep glancing up at him, his usually squared firm jaw was now relaxed and seemed so carefree. He seemed like a different person in this moment. Maybe it is just my imagination at seeing him alive and in good spirits once again but he seems like the David from before the inner David anyway has grown if that makes any sense.
We reached David's room and he immediately went to his closet to grab a towel from his closet. I sat on the edge of his bed admiring his shirtless body as he walked about. He has lost some size but still has the muscle tone that I love. He turned from the closet and approached me, he didn't utter a word just took my hand and pulled me up from my place on the edge of his bed. He led me into the bathroom just as silently. He closed the door behind us and turned the shower on. He then began stripping off his shorts and stood before me. My mouth practically watered at the sight.
"David I don't think we should-" I began to say before he cut me off with a kiss.
"No words." Was all he said before grabbing the hem of my shirt. I raised my hands and he pulled it over my head. Once I was fully undressed he led me into the shower. He squeezed some of my body wash onto a wash cloth and began working in a lather starting on my shoulders. Its not exactly what I expected but it does feel nice. He then proceeded to wash the rest of my body. I grabbed another wash cloth and did the same.
Once we were both clean not to mention a little worked up due to the intimacy, he turned the shower off and opened the door. Still not what I was expecting. We dried off and left the restroom. We got dressed and David sat down on the edge of the bed before pulling me into his lap. He kissed me softer than I have ever felt before placing his hand on my belly and rubbing small circles.
"David would you mind telling me what is going on?" I asked confused. David is normally the one to initiate sex not that I am complaining. But he definitely is not one to deny me sex when washing each other.
"I just want to be with you today Jubilee. No sex, its more intimate this way. Just me you and the baby." He said and my heart fluttered at the notion. "Who all knows?" He then asked.
"Just me, Hank, you, and Laura." I answered looking into his eyes and witnessing a love like I have never seen before. "Oh and probably Wolvie." I then said and he just nodded before kissing me.
"When do you want to announce it?" He then asked.
"That's a decision we will have to come to together, along with a few others." I said laying my head on his chest.
"I know a few people may be a little upset. I can't imagine the professor will be very happy but I would rather not wait until your stomach gets too big to hide." He remarked and gripped me tighter with the arm wrapped around me.
"Well then what about tonight?" I asked tilting my head up to look into his face.
"Sounds good to me. I was unsure if it would be something you would be comfortable announcing." He said and he has a point. It is not something I am completely comfortable with but at the same time he has a point about me not being able to hide it forever.
"Might as well give everyone time to get used to the idea that a baby will soon be around." I replied softly.
"Tonight then, at dinner with friends and family, and tomorrow to the rest of the mansion." He said and my gaze turned to one of confusion which he picked up on right away. "I originally thought of just me and you going out, but I seriously doubt we will be getting much of a romantic day anyway with everyone wanting to welcome me back. So why don't we hold a celebration dinner in my honor and we can announce it then?" He asked and it sounded like a good idea to me.
"Who do you want to invite?" I then asked.
"My family, Laura, the X-men, and the Professor. Everyone else can wait until tomorrow unless there is anyone else you would like to invite?" He said questioningly.
"Kitty will kill me if she is not one of the first people I tell." I said and he just smiled.
"If we invite her she will want to invite Pete. If we invite Pete, Bobby will wonder why he wasn't invited. Its a chain reaction, lets add Kitty, Pete, Bobby, and Rogue to the list." He then said and I just smiled.
"We will have to call ahead with that many people or we will never get a table." I informed him and he nodded.
"Go Invite Kitty, Pete, Bobby, and Rogue. I will find Laura and my family and send word to the professor and the X-men. And then meet me out by the pond." He said and I gave him a kiss before getting up from his lap.
"I will see you there." I said before leaving the room excitedly.
David's POV
I walked to the Library where my Mom could usually be found as there were very few students and it remained quiet. She always liked to read as far back as I can remember and the lack of noise always made her more comfortable. Like usual she sat in a chair in a back corner of the library with a book in her hands. Reading by the sunlight filtering in through the window.
"Mom." I said getting her attention as I walked all the way over here without her glancing up once.
"Oh David I was lost, this is a great book. If you can manage the time you should read it." She said smiling as she placed the book down.
"You know I don't read." I said laughing at her attempt to get me to pick up a book.
"Unless it is the sub titles in those kung-fu movies you always loved. You never had a problem reading then." She joked. "I am glad to see you back on your feet David. It was horrible seeing you laying on that hospital bed stuffed full of tubes and needles." She then said shuddering at the memory.
"I can only imagine, I woke up for a split second after they brought me back to the mansion. The pain was excruciating, Not to mention the feeling of drowning in my own blood as it built up in my throat. Thank you for visiting me though I know it couldn't have been easy to see me like that. I will try to make sure that you never do again." I said taking her hand.
"I hope I don't have to. Now why did you come here to see me?" She then asked changing the subject.
"I made reservations for dinner tonight. Me, you, Jubilee, the girls, and a few others." I said and she seemed to brighten up at the thought.
"A night out does sound fun. Count us in." She said and I gave her a warm smile.
"Be ready by seven." I said before turning and walking back out of the library.
"Chuck, dinner tonight, seven o clock." I said telepathically.
"That is an excellent Idea David." He replied as warmly as always.
"Could you please inform the X-men as well. That is a lot of people to track down?" I then asked him.
"Well of course David I am sure you do not wish to spend your first day out of the med lab hunting people down. Take the time to relax and enjoy yourself." He replied and somehow I knew his response would have sounded similar.
"I will Chuck, and thank you."
I then said as I continued my journey to meet back up with my incredible girlfriend.
I walked down the hall toward the lobby and received a few welcome backs and good to see you's from some of the students. Nothing I didn't expect, what came next however did. I was approached by a student that avoided eye contact with me since I came back to the mansion.
"David, I want to apologize. I haven't exactly been very welcoming since you got here. I knew the legend but not the man. I thought of you as nothing more than a cold blooded killer and it turned my stomach that you could do something like that. Especially when hearing of what you are capable of. That you could kill most of us here without lifting a finger." He said to me and I was intrigued at what he had to say.
"Taking a life wasn't easy. It came with a heavy heart and so has every day since." I said to the young man standing before me.
"Yea but to know that you risked your life to stop two of the most powerful mutants on the planet is insane. You are a hero David and I am sorry for ever doubting your worth." He said and I just smiled at the kindness he was showing me.
"I didn't just risk my life, I gave my life. Although I would appreciate it if word didn't get out about that. But please don't look at me as a hero. I never went into the situation planning to stop Sebastian Shaw or Magneto. They attacked first I just defended myself." I explained.
"Wait, you actually died, how?" He asked surprised.
"Metal flag pole through the chest. Magneto's doing." I then said lifting my shirt and showing the fresh scar on my chest. "I flat-lined and was legally dead for quite some time. The love of close friends and family brought me back." I wouldn't be the man I am without the people around me remember that. Its not always a persons actions that define them as their choices can be taken from them. Instead judge people by the company they keep. I wouldn't be who or where I am if it wasn't for those I hold dear. If anyone is a hero it is all of them." I said to the man and he looked up at me admiringly.
"That makes me feel even worse that I ever thought that of you. Again I apologize." He said extending his hand to me. I took it and shook it firmly.
"No apology required. Just remember what I told you in the future." I said happy that my sacrifice made a change in the way a young kid views those around him. "What's your name kid?" I then asked him.
"Jamie Maddox." He replied.
"It was nice to meet you Jamie." I said before walking back in my original destination.
"It was nice to meet you too David." I heard from behind me.
Jubilee's POV
I did my part, now all there is left to do is wait for David to get out here and he better hurry I am freezing out here. It gets cold by the pond, deep into the woods or not the wind has a way of sweeping across the frozen water and given that the temperature is below freezing I need his warmth. I stand there shivering until two large unmistakable arms wrap around me and I immediately feel warmer.
"Hey sweetie." David whispered deeply into my ear.
"Hey yourself, I thought you were going to keep me waiting out here forever." I replied huddling my body closer to his.
"And be denied your touch any longer than necessary, not a chance." He said and in that moment my shivering subsided.
"Is everything set up for tonight?" I ask eager to get the news out in the open.
"It is, are you sure you are ready to go through with this?" He asked me.
"Yea now that I have been thinking about it I am actually pretty excited. I just hope your mom will be ready to be a grandmother." I said trying not to think about how she might react. Although she did already tell me she sees me as a daughter.
"She may be a little upset but I think the worst of it will be Chuck. He was a little weary of us dating for a while. For us to be having a child at such a young age, I think that may anger him a little. I just hope he is not too disappointed." He then said in his unusually soft spoken voice.
"Don't worry David whatever happens we will face it together. As much as you like to take on the world by yourself, you are not alone." I said in an attempt to ease his nerves.
"Do you regret this Jubilee?" He asked and I sat up slightly at the question, suddenly feeling cold again. "What I mean is this is completely unexpected. How can we be sure that we are ready for this responsibility?" He then added.
"I can not answer that for you David. There are many things we face that are unexpected but we survive them all them same." I said leaning back into his arms again.
"Not always." He said before laughing softly.
I jerked out of his grip and got to my feet. "David, can you please not joke like that. I had just gotten you back to me only to have you ripped away again. I wish you wouldn't take your mortality so lightly given the fact that you faced it firsthand. You may not fear death but I fear losing you." I then said walking closer to the lake with my back to David.
I heard David sigh as he got to his own feet. "It is hard not to think of myself as a god given the fact that I am in the company of a goddess."
"In all reality David we are not gods or goddesses, we have both proven on multiple occasions that we bleed as anyone else and for you to joke so lightly after nearly losing your life should only bring that fact closer to home." I said as tears began to fill my voice.
"Your right Jubilee. I am sorry I had to put you through that." David said before grabbing my shoulders and turning me to face him. "I certainly did not wish it on you or myself. I walked into a known trap because I had no choice and if I had to do it again to ensure your safety I would in a heart beat. I joke to try to make light of a bad situation. It is how I have always been, I didn't think much of it I will try to hold my tongue before making jokes about such a dire situation in the future." He then said and now I feel bad.
"I don't want you to turn away from who you are David. Just next time make sure you have been out of the hospital for longer than a few hours before doing it." I replied standing on my toes to kiss him.
He met me in embrace before speaking his reply. "For you Jubilee I will wait a full day." He said and I couldn't help but laugh at him now. "Come on." He then said taking my hand and walking me toward the frozen pond.
"David, I am from California I do not walk on ice, what if it breaks?" I asked scared to take a plunge into the freezing liquid beneath the ice.
"Do you honestly think I would let you fall?" He asked as he began leading me out onto the ice slowly.
"I fell for you once before." I said smirking at him.
"And I for you, but now that we have both fallen we are on equal footing to support each other." He countered my remark and normally I would be a little irritated were his wit not accompanied by such grace. Instead of getting irritated I looked into his eyes and followed him willingly onto the ice with a renewed sense of faith that I was in safe hands.
We skated around each other without skates upon the ice laughing and playing like two best friends for hours. I have never been so happy. Even with all of the negative being with David has provided, the way he can break me down and so effortlessly make me forget everything in the moment lets me know that my heart could never belong to another man.
David's POV
"Jubilee we should head back, your lips are turning blue." I said noticing the tint beginning to overtake the soft lips that I am grateful to be able to meet with mine once again.
"How blue?" She asked beaming at me with a smile that would make men weak in the knees.
"A blue that Surge would be envious of." I replied, eliciting a laugh from the beauty before raising her palm to my lips and kissing it. "Lets go get warmed up before we head out for dinner. We did skip lunch." I then said as I heard a soft rumble from within her stomach.
I wrapped my arm around her and headed back to the mansion a renewed sense of life and love coursing through my veins. I looked to the side to see the only woman who would ever stand strong enough to capture the heart of the man I once stood. My thoughts then drifted to the life she carries within her and how my life will never be the same. Just as an ember began to glow brighter within my chest it was quickly diminished by another thought. This child will be a part of my life. The same life that will be hunted by Bolivar Trask and the sentinels, the life that Magneto and Sebastian Shaw can make an appearance at any time, the life where mutants are hated and will continue to be mistreated for the forseeable future. This is the world that I bring a child into. I must do everything I can to make a difference before my child is born. Suddenly the flame within my chest began to grow hotter than I ever could imagine fueled by passion and love for a child I only recently discovered. The walk back to the mansion was filled with many thoughts and emotions that I had a feeling would come to light in the next 33 or so weeks.
We made it back to the mansion and I managed to strike dark thoughts from my head as Jubilee and myself changed into dry and warm clothes for tonight's dinner. Seven o clock soon rolled around and everyone invited gathered in the lobby awaiting to make our departure. We all piled into 4 separate vehicles and left the mansion and headed toward a more festive destination. We soon arrived at the restaurant I reserved for us and walked inside.
"Sir, I apologize but collared shirts are required in this establishment." A waiter in a tuxedo said to Logan as we entered.
I quickly placed my Hand on Logan's shoulder to prevent bloodshed and I stepped forward. "I think you will want to make an exception this evening. I reserved a private room for sixteen under the name Alexander." I said hoping the sign of the money they stood to make would be enough to let the dress code violation slide.
"Ah Mr. Alexander my apologies, right this way." He then said before giving Logan a distasteful glare.
He led us to our room and the large group walked into reveal a large banquet style dining table in the middle of the room. The waiter gestured for us all to take a seat before closing the door to the room. We all got comfortable and we were soon greeted by another waiter.
"It is my great honor to welcome you all here tonight. May I take your drink orders?" He asked and I could do without the theatrics but I guess it is their job and we are here to celebrate my health amongst other things that will soon be brought to light.
"Bring us a few bottles of your best red wine." I said although I never had much a taste for wine it seemed the appropriate choice.
"I will get that right away." The waiter said not bothering to check whether we are even old enough to drink.
"David, not all here are the appropriate age to consume alcohol." Charles said once the waiter left the room.
"Children in other countries are allowed wine with meals and besides it is a celebration Chuck." I said to the man sitting to the right of me.
"Very well, One glass to any who are under age or who will be driving back to the institute after we have eaten." He agreed and a few of the members of the group cheered.
The waiter returned with bottles on a cart and began pouring glasses to everyone at the table. He did pass up Rachel and Rebecca's glass but he proceeded to fill everyone else's.
"Ill take a glass of scotch." Logan said placing his hand over his own glass as the waiter approached him. I just laughed at the gesture.
Once Logan had his scotch we all took turns placing our order and I could practically see dollar signs in the waiters eyes. Our food arrived shortly later as we all drank and talked amongst ourselves.
"I would like to propose a toast." Charles said raising his glass and his voice to quiet everyone else. "To an honorable man, David you have become a trusted and loyal friend to all of us here. We are delighted that you still walk amongst us and we would all see that you remain that way until age takes you from us." He then said and I smiled out over the table.
"Thank you Chuck, although I must say I did not ask you all here to honor me. Jubilee please join me." I said as I raised my own glass and stood to my feet before pulling Jubilee's chair out for her. "We have an announcement to make."
"Well this is most surprising." Charles said as he raised his glass once again.
"It was to us as well." Jubilee said before glancing at Hank.
"Well this is something I did not expect to say this for quite a while but I guess here goes-" I began to say before I was cut off by a very welcomed voice.
"We are having a baby." Jubilee said quickly out of sheer nervousness. The sound that followed was much as I expected. We were greeted by a few gasps and then sheer quietness all around.