I'm on a roll! Hopefully I can get these guys through the rest of Thanksgiving and break it to the rest of the LeBeaus that there isn't a pending marriage in the mix. At this moment in time...

-Gams

Chapter Thirty-Eight – Catching On

Much to the relief of Remy's sanity, breakfast continued without so much as another mention of wedding dates, engagement plans or anything else to invoke awkward explanations on his or Rogue's part. While he kept more or less quiet, Rogue stirred the conversation at the breakfast table and steered it towards the idea of going out shopping with the girls. Mercy was quick to jump on that wagon to say the least. The woman practically buzzed with enthusiasm as she began to babble away about hitting every maternity and children's store in New Orleans.

"Oh Rogue cher, dis is goin' t' be jus' so much fun! I know everyt'ing dere is t' need f' bébes, et I know a few places dat can do home deliveries so y' won't 'ave t' lift a finger 'till dey arrive at y' apartment..."

One look at Rogue's anxious, wide-eyed expression told Remy that that wasn't the kind of shopping she had had in mind and was currently regretting ever having mentioned the idea. But there was nothing to dissuade the idea now, not with Mercy on such a rave of excitement. They were going to paint the town in baby pink (or baby blue) and Rogue would have to go along with it. While the other male occupants of the room all gave knowing smirks and eyed both women with equal amusement, it was decided that Mercy, Wanda and Rogue would be leaving for the Baby shower Express Tour as soon as possible. However before Mercy could begin to recount her favourite stores, Rogue made the legitimate excuse of having to go get Wanda and her purse and proceeded to leave, all the while dragging out a bemused Remy with her. Once outside, she released her hold and turned on him with a sceptical look.

"Okay Swamp Rat, why does Mercy think ya an' meh are engaged?"

Remy felt his face drain all of colour save white. How he had ever hoped to think that Rogue hadn't made assumptions was now beyond him. However, seeing as Rogue was quite temperamental as of late, he decided to play the naive face and proceeded to furrow his brow in a perfect facade of innocent confusion.

"Whatever gave y' dat idea chére? Mercy may be bébe-crazy mais she-"

Rogue cut him off with the mere arch of one feminine brow. While her expression said "don't-try-that-with-me," she crossed her arms and shifted her weight to one side. Honestly, he never seemed to learn that the innocent look just wasn't a winner with her. She made sure to reply in a scathing tone.

"Well seein' as she pulled on mah left hand and exclaimed "Where the Ring at?!" when ah walked into them this mornin', ah think ah'm entitled t' think it."

Remy's shoulders fell in defeat as he raised a hand and rubbed the back of his neck. Though Rogue wouldn't admit it, there was an adorableness to his actions that made her smile inwardly. However her inner smile was wiped clear off by his choice of answer.

"Right. Well...she's not de only one who t'inks dat."

Rogue's expression fell clear off her face. Remy thought that it was the calm before a massive outburst but to his surprise, that blank, unreadable expression remained in the silence between them. Meanwhile, Rogue re-wound his words in her thoughts. "She's not the only one who t'inks dat." What could he possibly mean by that? Rogue felt her stomach twist with anxiety and a sudden turn of excitement. Remy had been acting awfully strange all morning. He had practically choked on his orange juice when Mercy mentioned 'setting a date.' And it wasn't just this morning either.

"He jus' about hasn't looked at a girl twice while we've been livin' together."

Though he had been true to his word about not bringing women home with him, which was what she had wanted all along, to her knowledge, Remy hadn't been out with any women since they moved in together. Hell, ever since she dropped the bomb on him nearly a month ago he hadn't been anywhere that wasn't a 24 hour grocery store to get her order of midnight cravings, the garage or eating-out with her when the cagy feeling struck them...

"Oh mah gawd..."

Was he the one that was thinking about them getting married?

Rogue felt her heart rate pick up with record speed. In her mind it all seemed to point in that direction. How perfect a time was it to propose after sharing the news of their children with their families? And what other explanation could there be for Mercy's unusual behaviour? Her already rosy cheeks burned pinker and her heart sank as another possibility hit her. Perhaps his family was pressuring him to marry her because it was the right thing to do?

Rogue suddenly felt a pang of nausea hit her. That wasn't why she wanted to get married...

She managed to gulp a silent, deep breath before replying shakily, her eyes rounded with anxiety.

"Ya...Ya really think so?"

Remy gave her an anxious look and sighed in what Rogue interoperated as a guilty fashion. So it was true. He was being pressured into this. It wasn't because he wanted her; it was all because it was the right thing to do. Rogue felt her heart skip as a rush of panic struck her. What was she supposed to do now? Say yes because it was the right thing to do? Before Rogue could begin to ask if he had something to ask her however, he spoke and her assumptions were completely crushed to oblivion. Taking her hand in his, he kept his gaze set on hers as he replied in an all too reassuring voice.

"Chére it's not as bad as y' t'ink. It's only Mercy et mon Pére dat t'ink we're engaged. De rest o' de famille know it was all jus' a misunderstanding."

A part of Rogue acknowledged that her mouth had opened and shut without so much as a word escaping but the other part of her, the one that was so relieved he wasn't proposing was chiding her for being so foolish and emotional. Rogue furrowed her brow slightly as Remy began to apologize for not mentioning what he had been trying to fix. His words blurred behind her own thoughts as her heart suddenly became heavy. Of course he wasn't going to propose, they had made the decision not to get married because of the twins ages ago. It wasn't right for them no matter how right it would have been in any one else's perspective.

"Then how come ah'm so disappointed?"

Rogue was forced out of her thoughts when she felt Remy's hand squeeze her own. Blinking back her disappointed expression, she looked up to find those pools of warmth filled with concern.

"Chére are y' alright? Y' gotten all pink in de face."

Rogue cleared her throat as she tore her gaze away from his. A flush of embarrassment replaced the rosy flush of excitement that had polished her cheeks as she muttered something about heart burn. When his concerned expression didn't disappear, she put on a fresh smile in an attempt of reassuring him, and banishing any hint of disappointment she had let show.

"Don't worry Rems, ah've had this on an' off all week. Now, um...well we'll have t' explain it t' ya fathah an' Mercy about the- the uh..."

She wanted to kick herself for all the stuttering that fell out of her mouth. Finally, she looked him in the eyes and replied sincerely.

"Ya can handle ya fathah raght? Ah'll explain it to Mercy while we're out an' about town. That sound okay?"

Remy pulled in a deep breath and release it before nodding mutely; a hint of a smirk returned to his features as he continued to hold her hand. Rogue prayed he didn't feel her hand tremble as he replied in lighter concern.

"Y' sure y' can handle her Roguey?"

A genuine smile spread across her lips.

"Ah'm sure. B'sides ah'll have Wanda there t' help meh if Mercy does anythin'...drastic."

A rich chuckle escaped his lips before he pulled her into a tender hug. Rogue didn't know why exactly but...but she wished it wasn't so friendly. So meant for a friend and not- She hugged him back anyhow. When he pulled back, he smiled down on her and leant closer to kiss her forehead while one of his hands gently patted the ever so slight swell of her belly. His touch sent unwarranted tingles over her skin despite the autumn layers of clothing that separated them. With a tender smile in place, he told her he hoped Mercy was, well, merciful and not drastic before releasing her from his hold and turning back towards the LeBeau house. Before he opened the back door, he turned abruptly and caught her in her stare. While she flushed another shade of pink for being caught, Remy obliviously called out to her.

"Remy will come by t' see what monstrosities Mercy purchases for our bébes later d'accord?"

Rogue didn't have to try to laugh nervously, it came naturally as he gave a last wave and was swallowed by the house once more. She let out a shaky sigh and closed her eyes for a moment as she turned on her heel. Biting anxiously down on her lower lip, she began a not so determined trek home; all the while thinking what would be so bad about marrying the father of her children.

A short update but one that I hope will stir some excitement. Rogue's finally catching on!

REVIEW!

-Gams