Accidental Beginnings

Chapter Twenty-six

AN: It's finally winding down. About time...it's been a year! Thank you all for reading, reviewing, and excusing the fact that sometimes I write "Camille" instead of "Ginny." Aargh...with that said...No Beta.

The room was dark. The only light entering the space came from the television in the living area, through the partially opened door where Devin and Ginny had settled on the couch. Remy and Etienne lay in the queen-sized bed. Even though there was plenty of space Remy cradled the boy to him.

The child had been asleep for an hour, perhaps more. Remy had used the time holding his son to think. There was a time that he didn't think he'd love anyone more than he did Ororo but then came Etienne.

If anything Emma had said in her rage was true, and Remy knew it was, it was the fact that he had indeed "lucked up" in his life. Through all of the drama, trauma, and loss he'd endured he still somehow ended up in a position that most would kill for.

He knew he had no room to complain. Life isn't fair and it was so much worse for others. Nowhere was it written that he was supposed to have it all. But he did want it all. To be complete. He wouldn't be without Ororo.

When Ororo left she took a large chunk of who his was with her. Maybe that was why it took him so long to accept Etienne. But when he did his son helped to heal the amputated wound. However the piece was still missing. He had to get it back.

The power was still out in the Financial District. "Still" isn't quite accurate. It had come back on for exactly ten minutes. Long enough for Ororo to close windows she'd just opened, pump up the air conditioner, pour a glass of red wine, and let out a much-needed sigh of tension. Then out again. The only relief from the heat was the fact the sun had gone down.

Ororo was hoping to unwind but the heat made it too difficult. A long shower would have done her good, but a quick cold one would have to do. After lighting a few candles and nibbling at a peanut butter and jelly sandwich she lay in her bed and listened to the quiet. Occasionally she'd hear someone below her window in the alleyway. Other than that she was alone with her thoughts.

Of course Remy and Etienne lay heavy on her mind. Her lunch with Etienne had touched her deeply. She would love to have been able to say yes to his request. But she and Remy's relationship was fragile. She didn't know if it would've survived had Etienne not pulled a Houdini and she'd actually voiced her concerns about Emma. The last couple of encounters with Remy hadn't been very cordial. And she could only assume her questioning his choice to propose to that woman wouldn't have been welcomed.

Although now it looked like the wedding as well as the relationship was off. She was curious to know what happened between the couple in the short amount of time she and Etienne had been gone. Perhaps there was something in the police report that caused him to end it. No matter, she was just glad the witch was gone. Emma wouldn't be sinking her claws into either of the LeBeau men.

Ororo got out of her bed grabbing one of two lit votive candles as she went. Maybe another glass of wine would help her to sleep through the heat. It was still relatively early, 8:45, but she wanted tomorrow to come swiftly. Then she'd be able to see Etienne and possibly find out what happened between Remy and Emma…if he was willing to tell her.

She poured the glass and decided she wasn't going to work tomorrow. As she sipped on the liquid she left a message on Piotr's office voicemail. He wouldn't mind. He'd actually encouraged her to take a break every now and then.

Instead of just having a glass she picked up the bottle, she'd take it back to her bedroom and finish it off. Why the hell not? Might as well take advantage of being able to sleep late. She left the votive on the counter. The light from the other on her nightstand would safely guide her back to her bedroom. As she made her way past the front door, glass and bottle in tow, there was a soft knock.

She stopped and waited. She wasn't expecting anyone and the power was out. A possible dangerous combination. Another knock. "Who is it?" she asked.

"Ro, it's Remy."

Think up the devil. It was her turn to be surprised by his visit. She used the hand holding the bottle to turn the deadbolt and opened the door. "Remy, is something wrong? Where's Etienne?"

Remy stood in the dimly lit hallway. The only light came from red exit signs at each end of the corridor. He'd left the sleeping Etienne in the care of Ginny and Devin after he'd showered and changed into a comfortable cool cotton tee and jeans. He probably could have waited until the next day to speak with her but enough time had been wasted. "Non, nothing is wrong, chérie. Can I come in?"

"Sure," she said as she stepped to the side. After he entered she closed the door and locked the bolts again before turning to look at him expectantly. They'd had an eventful day. If nothing was wrong then perhaps he just needed someone to talk to. She was glad that he'd chosen her. She missed talking to him…about everything…and even about nothing.

"Is this a private party? Or is anyone invited?" he asked looking at the glass and the bottle of wine in her hand. Suddenly fear crept into his mind briefly. Was she not alone? Candles lit and a bottle of wine. Could there be a man there? Then he relaxed upon hearing her next words.

"Not just anyone but you're welcomed to some if you like."

"Oui…that would be nice."

She smiled tentatively and gave him her glass. "I'll pour another."

Remy sipped from the glass as he watched her find and fill another. She was dressed in barely anything, which made sense considering the heat. A simple white tank top and a colorful pair of what looked to be boxers. The pattern printed on them was feminine…purple and pink flowers and there was no slit on the front from what he could tell. It was safe to assume they were hers and not a past lover's.

This time when she approached him she held her glass as well as the votive candle. "Please sit," she said gesturing towards the couch as she did herself and placed the candle on a stack of magazines she'd yet to clear from the trunk.

He did as she instructed and turned to face her after taking a drink from his glass. "Etienne wanted to give you this," he said as he fished his wallet from his back pocket and went into it. He handed her a 2.5x3.5 inch photo, on it was a grinning Etienne. "He said he wanted you to have this until the next time you could visit."

"Aw," Ororo cooed. "How sweet of him." She looked at Remy. "You have done a wonderful job being a father to him. No one could ask for a sweeter child."

"I do my best but I have to say, Etienne is his own creation."

She shook her head; "No…he's a LeBeau man if I've ever saw one."

Remy laughed softly. "Oui, through and through." An awkward silence fell between them as they sipped from their glasses.

"I'm sorry about you and Emma," Ororo finally said.

"I'm not."

"Me either truthfully. She said some really awful things in Jean's kitchen. I'm not really surprised by her actions today. I can't believe a grown woman can behave so irresponsibly."

"She shopped for shoes for at least a half hour before she realized he was gone," he supplied. Ororo looked at him flabbergasted. "…Read it in the police report."

Ororo shook her head in disbelief. Even if a person weren't particularly fond of children they wouldn't leave a child entrusted in their care unattended. That's just common sense. Which Emma obviously didn't have if she thought she was going to get away with speaking to Etienne the way she did in his father's presence. Ororo didn't know whether she should feel sorry for the woman's ignorance or laugh and let her wallow in it.

"Is that why she was leaving?" she asked.

"Non, didn't see it until after…"

"That's good. I don't know if I could have held you back…or if I would have wanted to knowing that bit of information."

Remy smiled. "Yeah, sorry about that."

Ororo hummed an accepted apology and wanted to ask more questions but kept quiet even though curiosity was killing her.

"I want to thank you again…for today," Remy said.

"I didn't do anything," she said as she placed the picture on the trunk.

"You did, chére. Etienne's stunt made me realize how irrational I've been. I was mad at you and I wanted to hurt you. I was going to marry a woman that I didn't love. Hell, chére, I don't even think I liked her very much.

And keeping Etienne away from you…well, that was just malicious. Doing those things was my way of getting back at you," he confessed with a hefty presence of remorse lamenting his words.

Ororo took a sip from her glass before she began to speak. "You have every right to hate me, Remy." She didn't know if it was the wine loosening her lips or the fact that she needed to confess these things to him. "I knew I was hurting you when I was walking out of your door...both times. And I just want you to know that it hurt me to do it. I'm sorry, Remy. So, so sorry. I wish I could take it all back."

Remy placed his glass on the trunk and placed his hand on her knee. "I wish I could say the same. I know what I did was despicable but if I had to do it all again…I would, except for lying to you but…" he squeezed her knee. "I couldn't imagine life with out my son."

"And I wouldn't want you to," Ororo confessed. "You're a wonderful father, Remy. I knew you would be," she whispered with a sad smile.

That sad, sad smile. Remy recognized it. He knew why she wore it. She was remembering all the plans they'd made. All the children they were supposed to have. All the names they'd chosen, silly and serious. "I didn't want to hurt you," he said.

"I know. I knew it back then too. But it doesn't change the fact that you did. And in some spiteful way I wanted to get back at you. I know that now."

"Why do we keep hurting each other?" he asked.

Ororo inhaled a shaky breath. "I don't know. I do want it to stop. I don't think my heart can take it anymore."

"That's why I'm here now, Ro." She watched his hands as he took her glass from her and placed it on the surface next to his. Then she felt his hands on either side of her face and she relished the feel of them as she looked into the depths of his ebony eyes. She didn't close hers until he touched his lips to hers.

The kiss was sweet and tender. It lingered just long enough for Ororo to want more but she resisted the urge to follow when he pulled back. "I'm sorry too. I need your forgiveness, chére." Her eyes briefly fluttered shut again when he let his hand slide down the length of her arm. She hoped he didn't see her reaction to his touch in the dimness of the room.

But he did. He should have resisted the urge to kiss her. However, her heartfelt words lured him in. He hadn't gone over to seduce her. The last thing he wanted to do was to sleep with her. Well, that's not entirely true; he'd always want her. But the first thing he wanted was to resolve their issues, for Etienne's sake and his own peace of mind. Then he'd ask her if she would risk giving their relationship another chance. He was getting ahead of himself.

But damn it, the light of the candle cast a soft amber glow over her slight sweat glistened skin made him want to taste her salty flavor. And when her stormy blue eyes fluttered shut he took the moment to peruse the rest of her. Lips barely parted, flesh barely covered, need barely hidden…he kissed her again.

Restraint, be damned. He kissed her like it would be his last time. For all he knew it would be. Remy was pleased when she threaded her fingers through his hair and leaned back pulling him to her. They sighed into each other's mouths as they nipped and bit at each other.

"Remy," she breathed when he left her lips to attack her neck, "what are we doing?"

"I don't know but I don't want to stop."

She gripped the threads of his hair stopping his descent from going any further down her body. His eyes were clouded with lust and for a split second Ororo wondered if anything she had to say would penetrate. "What are we doing?" she asked again.

Ororo's concerned expression sobered him. He didn't pull away though. Only inches separated them. "You don't know?" he asked.

She shook her head slowly, "Tell me. Tell me what we're doing. Is this just for tonight, Remy?"

"Not for me. This is for the rest of my life, Ro. I love you. I want to make love with you tonight and every night until my soul leaves my body.

"You said you wanted to be friends," he recalled her words, "but I can't do that. No matter where you go or who it is you're with I'll be waiting for you to come back to me. I don't want anyone else. Just you, mon amour."

Ororo swallowed. His wine tinged breath tickled her nose and his words made her dizzy. Remy had professed his love to her before, many, many times. He's even yelled it from the observation deck of the Empire State building for all of New York to hear but this time was different. There was a passion and a pleading determined look in his eyes that she hadn't seen since they were teenagers. She knew at that moment that she had to get over the past. It was done and over with. Now was the time to go after what she wanted. He was all she ever wanted.

She closed the distance between them and tasted his lips. "Make love to me tonight and tomorrow night and every night after that. I love you too, Remy."

Ororo was swept up before she could realize what was happening. Remy cradled her in his arm as he carried her to her bedroom. His long legs made easy work of the short distance to her bed. After depositing her on the bed he stood pulling his t-shirt over his head. His deft fingers unfastened his belt and quickly disposed of his pants.

As soon as he was free of every stitch of clothing he wore he climbed onto the bed kneeling between Ororo's legs. He caressed the length of her thighs and enjoying their firm smoothness. As he leaned into her in an effort to taste her lips once again, one hand slipped to the underneath of her thigh and the other found its way under the hem of her top. His mouth captured her murmur of pleasure when his thumb grazed the peak of her breast.

He loved hearing her throaty moans...when her usual controlled words and sentence gave way to ragged breathing and clipped words of adoration. Her sighs of passion was always his undoing. Now was no different. He had to get closer to her. Sitting on his hunches he pulled her up with him, breaking their kiss only long enough to pull her top over her head. At that moment he wished the candle on her nightstand burned brighter. He wanted to see the amber flame dance across her brown skin.

Remy was lost in that thought when he lost control of the situation. He relinquished his it gladly. Ororo's hand fell away from his shoulder and found its way to his fully hardened cock. Firm strokes tore a gasp from his lips.

Ororo smiled when he moaned her name. "Ororo…mon Dieu, s'il vous plait, ma grande amour."She knew exactly what he'd said. She'd heard it many times, please and true love.

Remy's clenched his jaws tight and his head fell back. Her hands brought him tortuous pleasure that he didn't know how much more he'd be able to take. "Now, chére, now," he said as he pulled her hands away from his body. She still had on her bottoms. He needed them off.

She leaned backed as his hands worked at a frenzied pace. Raising her hips and lifting her legs helping him along with his chore. It wasn't until he'd settled between her legs once again that she reached over into her bedside drawer. "Remy, I have condoms," she said as she tore one from the ream.

Remy's eager fingers tore open the package and his practiced fingers began to roll the condom over his erection when the bedside lamp blinked on then off again before finally illuminating the small bedroom. "Ah, chére, now I can see you." And he did. He could see a nervous shyness that he hadn't seen in years. She seemed to be suddenly embarrassed by the light, drawing her hands up to cover her breast.

"What's wrong, ma belle?"

Ororo was a bit nervous. This evening, his words all reminded her of the first night they'd made love. On that night they thought they knew how their life would be. Ororo and Remy forever. Nothing could tear them apart. Then it did and that fact scared Ororo to death. She had trusted him that night and she would again tonight. No more feeling sorry for her self. She hadn't lived in over ten years. Now was her chance to live again. She shook her head. "Nothing. I just…love you so much," she smiled brilliantly and uncovered herself.

His desire flamed. He looked at her then at the discarded condom wrapper lying on the floor. "You're my wife and we've lost so much time." He took the condom off and threw it on the floor. "We have some babies to make…five to be exact."

Ororo was taken by surprise but for only a moment. "Four. We already have one."

Etienne hadn't slept so peacefully in a long time. All was going right in his world. He had his father back. And he had Ms. O.

He could still feel his Papa's arm wrapped around him. Etienne pulled the arm tighter around him. But it felt different…smaller…smoother. He opened his eyes and realized there were two arms there. One belonged to his Papa's, one was not.

He turned over. "Ms. O," he said as he placed his hand on her cheek.

Ororo opened her eyes and was greeted by the most beautiful smile she'd ever seen. "Good morning, sleepyhead. I've been waiting for you to wake up."

"You have?"

"Mmhmm, I want to tell you something."

"Okay," Etienne said. His eyes darted past her briefly to look at his father who was now propped up watching him over Ororo's shoulder.

"Your papa says it's okay for me to be your mother."

"Really?" he asked her. "Really, Papa?" he asked Remy. He didn't wait for them to answer. He hopped out of bed and began to jump up and down.

"Do you think he's happy?" Remy asked.

"Definitely."

"Etienne," Remy said. "There's more."

"More?" Etienne said as he hopped back onto the bed.

"I'm moving back to New Orleans…in with you and your father if that's okay with you." Ororo said timidly. She really was nervous to hear what Etienne thought about the idea. It had been just him and his father for so long. Being in his life from a distance was one thing but being a part of his daily routine was quite another.

Etienne's giddiness calmed and he looked at Ororo intently. "Does this mean you and Papa are finished being mad at each other?"

"Yes, sweetheart. You should know that I love your Papa and you very much."

"And you're not going to leave?" For a question so simple its weight was crushing.

"Never."

"Promise?" he asked.

"Promise," Ororo said.

Etienne smiled. "I can't wait for you to move in, Mama!" he squealed. Calling her "Mama" rolled off his tongue easily and it sounded like the most natural thing Ororo had ever heard. He jumped off the bed and ran towards the door. The two adults could only assume he was running to tell Ginny the good news. "You can sleep in my room!" he said as he darted out of the door.

Ororo turned onto her back and looked up at Remy, "That went well."

"Oui, chére, all except the sleeping in his room part."

Ororo laughed. "Je t'aime, mon amour."

Remy bent his head and kissed her lightly on the lips. "Moi aussi, Je t'aime."

End Note: Epilogue is almost complete!

Translations: "mon Dieu, s'il vous plait, ma grande amour"; My God, please, my true love.

"Je t'aime, mon amour"; I love you, my love.

"Moi aussi, Je t'aime."; I love you too.