A/N: This chapter is dedicated to roguey21, who gave me the idea to write this. You don't mess with the Rogue!
roguey21: Either that or I could've gone with the old southern tradition and had Remy challenge him to a duel...lol. Even then, if I were one to bet, my money would still be on Remy! ;) I just couldn't have him kill Julien, even though it would've been much deserved. Yes, the twins are at that troublesome age, especially since they are Remy's children. XD
Chellerbelle: This time I wasn't worried. :) Yeah, a nice twist to the original story, I thought... Get rid of the real troublemaker! Didn't want to go with the norm and name the baby after Jean-Luc this time. Good to know you were surprised. :}
Team-JEdward2010: ….So I take it you liked it?! Thanks bunches!! :3
courtneykutie: :) Thanks all the way 'round! I've noticed that you really seem to enjoy the baby parts the most. ;) Here's more for ya.
DIMITRILOVER21: Yeah, he's a little cutie-pie. But then look at his parents! Thanks for reviewing. Welcome to my own brand of craziness! XD
Disclaimer: I was a naughty little girl and didn't put this in the last couple of chapters! If you try to sue me, you can assume all my debt! XD I don't own the goodness of Gambit or Rogue or any other character, except OC's. Those I take full responsibility for...hehehe!
A couple of months later finds Rogue suiting up for a battle simulation. She chuckles to herself as she takes notice of her husband laying on the bed, openly admiring the view.
"Rems, ya do realize that this uniform was not intended for ya personal enjoyment." She teases as she pulls her long, wavy hair into a ponytail.
"Oui, but I consider it an added bonus, cherie. Shows off de bes' parts o' y'." He suggestively smirks while slowly giving her a once-over again.
"I'm surprised I'm not in ya arms by now, sugah." She drily remarks with a smirk of her own.
"If y' were in m' arms, mon Roguey, y' wouldn' be talkin' an' y' would be runnin' late t' y'r sim." Remy points out. "But since y' suggested it, cherie-" At this, he stands up and begins making his way over to her.
"Stop righ' there, Swampy! I wasn' suggestin' it an' y' know it." Rogue smiles playfully, slowly moving back, but not fast enough to evade capture. Two strong arms pull her against a muscular chest.
"I don' understan' how ya can go aroun' shirtless in tha middle a -" Rogue's lips are caught in a fiery kiss. After a few moments, they separate and she gazes up into those rubies. "winter." she finishes huskily.
He chuckles low in his chest and she rests her head against it, loving the vibration. "Nev'r 'eard y' complain about m' goin' 'roun' shirtless befo', mon amour." He answers in a low voice, close to her ear.
Rogue shivers at the sensation, getting lost in his embrace. She suddenly comes back to her senses and gently pushes him back, fighting the feelings going through her at the contact her hands make with his chest.
Remy grins cheekily at her. "Sure y' don' wan' t' stay 'ere wit' me? Y' won' 'ave nearly as much fun as y' would 'ave 'ere wit' me." He purrs, feeling the emotions coursing through her.
"Rems, I'm teaching this sim. I haveta be there!" She protests as he kisses her again, this time softly.
A small giggle interrupts them. Rogue looks down to find Esme smiling up at them. They share a rueful glance and Remy picks up the little girl, blowing raspberries on her cheeks and making her laugh.
"That's my cue ta go. Ya be good for Daddy." Rogue admonishes Esme. "An' Daddy....ya be good til I get home." Rogue gives him a smoldering glance. Seeing Jayden close by, she bends over and kisses his head. "Remember we have plans tanight, Rems." She reminds him. He nods, then passes her a wicked grin as she leaves.
As it is, she makes it to the Danger Room with two minutes to spare. Logan is waiting for her. He catches the scent(s) coming off of her and rolls his eyes. "Ya were nearly late, Stripes." he growls.
"Yeah, ya could've started without me." She retorts mildly as the younger girls come in. "Besides, I have 3 small children who need their mama." she adds as she moves over to the computer to begin the simulation.
"Why don't I believe that it was the kids makin' ya late." He gives her a knowing look and turns to address the girls.
"Ladies, today we're facing the Brotherhood. I want ya pairin' off an' workin' together this time. Rogue's gonna pair ya off......"
After the sim is run and the girls are in the showers, Rogue approaches them. "Remember, none of ya are ta be home tanight."
One of them asks "What if we don't have any money to go out?"
"If ya can' fin' somethin' ta do, then come ta Remy, myself, Jean or Scott an' we will help ya come up with somethin'. Point is, ya can' be here tanight. Y'all will fin' out why, later."
Rogue arrives back at the apartment to shower. After she has changed, she finds Remy in the twins' room with the Duplo blocks, having as much fun as the kids are. She leans against the door frame, watching the 'children' play, then softly clears her throat. Remy looks up, then stands and takes her in his arms again, burying his face in her hair, which she left down to dry.
"I love 'ow y'r 'air smells aft'r a shower." He murmurs appreciatively.
"Yeah, I know." She smiles up at him, then looks over at their children. "So they were good for ya?"
"Oui. Dey were tres bon. C.J.'s been changed, but dat's been awhile ago, so 'e'll prob'ly be wakin' up 'ungry befo' t' much longer. Our plans still on f'r t'nigh'?"
"Yep. Talked ta tha girls. They won' be home, either." Rogue answers gleefully.
"Aah...bon! Den our plan's comin' t'get'er, non?"
"Oh, oui, monsieur." They share a mischievous look.
That evening, Alexis is sitting in one of the recliners in the media room, staring out the window at the snow-covered landscape. She is unconcerned as she notices the students leaving, some individually, others in groups. Bobby and Sage come down, dressed up for an evening out. Kitty and Piotr had already left in the morning for a weekend away and Hank and Professor were away at a symposium until tomorrow afternoon. Kurt and Angel left for Germany earlier in the week to spend the holidays with his adoptive parents. Alexis smiles to herself. "Finally, a night ta myself." she sighs happily. She moves over to the couch and settles in to watch the Alaska travel special on the Travel Channel. Just as she is beginning to become engrossed in the special, Rogue and Remy burst in, their small family in tow. "Alexis, ya gotta help us! We've gotta get C.J. ta the emergency room. He's sick! Can ya watch tha twins for us? We don' have anyone else."
"Umm.....I....guess so....I mean, if there isn't anyone else." She answers hesitantly, clearly uncomfortable.
"Great! Sippy-cups are in tha kitchen an' we keep some small snacks for when they're here. They're mostly potty-trained, so that shouldn' be a problem. Jus' make sure they have a pull-up on before they go ta bed-"
"Rogue! We got t' go!" Remy shouts frantically.
"Comin'!" She turns back to Alexis. "We'll be back as soon as we can." They rush out the door, leaving the two children with her. She looks down at them. "So.....what do I do with you now?" she asks them as they look up at her with innocent expressions on their adorable faces.
Rogue and Remy get the baby strapped in and get into the car before they lose it and start cracking up. "Did ya see her face?" Rogue chokes out.
"Oui, I did. She was freaked."
"Okay, Logan an' Momma are waitin' at her house for us ta drop off C.J. We'll change there, then join Bobby and Sage at the restaurant with Jean an' Scott."
"Y' mean I got t' spen' an evenin' wit' Stick Boy?" Remy makes a face.
"One nigh' won' kill ya, Remy." Rogue smiles to herself.
"Non, but dis is goin' t' cos' y'." Remy mildly threatens.
"An' jus' what is it gonna cost me?" Rogue queries with amusement.
"'M t'inkin' on it." Remy answers idly with a small smile.
At Carrie's house they take C.J. inside to Grandma and 'Grandpa'. Carrie rushes over to hug them and take the carrier from Remy. "Oh, this lil' guy gets more handsome every day!" Carrie exclaims, taking him out and breathing in his fresh scent. He looks up at her with eyes matching Remy's and auburn hair with a small white streak. "He even has ya smile, Remy!"
"Great, another future charmer ta watch out for." Logan growls sarcastically.
"Oh shush! Ya're talkin' about my grandson, here!" Carrie reproves. "Go ahead an' use my room ta change in. Ya sure the twins will be okay with Alexis?" She asks, slightly concerned.
"She won' let nothin' happen ta them." Rogue reassures her, then closes the door.
"Carrie, they'll be fine with her." Logan answers. "She doesn't know anythin' about babysittin', but she will catch on quickly with those two." He finishes with a slight grin.
At the restaurant a short while later, the three couples are laughing at the description Rogue gives of Alexis' face as she left the twins with her.
"I wish you had a camera, Rogue." Jean states with delight.
"Yeah, like that wouldn't have been obvious." Rogue retorts lightly.
"I guess you're right." Jean abashedly concedes. "You know, I've been thinking, I can't wait for Scott and I to have children." Jean acquires a dreamy gaze.
Scott chokes on the bite he was taking of a dinner roll and gives her that deer-caught-in-the-headlights look. Remy laughs at Scott's expression, as does Bobby.
"W'at, y' don' t'ink y' can 'andle a petit bebe?" Remy taunts good-naturedly.
"Yeah! When Sage and I get married, we want children." Bobby puts in.
Everyone looks at the couple expectantly. Sage and Bobby share a look. "Bobby asked me to marry him last night." Sage informs them. Rogue and Jean share hugs with the bride-to-be while Remy and Scott shake hands with and slap Bobby's back.
"So, when's the big day?" Scott inquires.
"We're still discussing that." Sage answers with a smile toward her fiance.
Back at the mansion, Alexis has her work cut out for her. She has two children who are wide-awake and who are testing her limits. She's tried getting them to watch cartoons, but as you know with two-year-olds, they really don't have too much of an attention span yet. They've managed to trash both the media room and kitchen. Currently, she is chasing two naked kids. She made the attempt to get them dressed for bed. So far, she has just managed to get them undressed and bathed. What a mess! The bathroom still needed to be cleaned up after their bath.
"C'mon, Jayden. Don'tcha wanta get inta yer Spiderman pajamas?" She has a pleading quality to her voice.
"Non!" Jayden shouts in a perfect imitation of his father. He is hiding under the kitchen table while Esme is giggling and peeking in at him.
"Esme, do ya wanta get inta yer princess ones?" Alexis is practically begging now. She approaches the small girl, only to have her run into the media room and begin throwing magazines around the room. Alexis sits on the floor with a shell-shocked expression. Esme runs back into the room and looks at her with a smile. She comes up to her and hugs her.
It is this scene that Remy and Rogue walk in on. They'd decided they were gone long enough and stopped to change again and pick up C.J.
They come to an abrupt halt, Rogue covering her mouth with one hand. She is torn between angry mama and wanting to laugh uproariously. Remy is really doing his best not to do the latter. Rogue can see his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter The two parents take control, Rogue taking Esme by the hand and getting her dressed and Remy doing the same with Jayden.
Rogue looks over at Alexis, almost feeling sorry for her. "Let us take tha kids up an' put 'em ta bed. We'll get Jean ta keep an eye on 'em an' we'll come back ta help ya get this cleaned up." She offers.
After a couple of hours spent cleaning up and putting things back to rights, they manage to get Alexis calmed down. They pay her generously for all the trouble the twins caused, then go back home. Remy holds her close, uninterrupted for the time being. "Y' know, I recall tellin' y' dat makin' me eat dinner wit' Stick Boy was goin' t' cos' y'."
"Yeah, ya did, hon. Do I really wanna know what it's gonna cost me?"
"Mmm....'M t'inkin' y' do, cherie." He murmurs seductively into her ear as he begins trailing kisses along her jaw.
C.J.'s crying is heard through the monitor.