Author's note: see ch 1 for disclaimer
Scott opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, smiling. It was the first day of winter break, and the day Hank was scheduled to perform the ultrasound for Madelyne. He sat up and stretched before getting out of bed. He went to the connected bathroom in his room and started getting ready for his day. Dressed in sweats and tennis shoes, Scott made his way to the gym to burn off excited, and nervous, energy.
"Can I join you?" he heard over the music he turned on. He looked up and saw Jean, standing awkwardly.
"Uh, yeah. You nervous, too?"
"She is my goddaughter," Jean reminded him. Scott nodded and began jogging around the track. After a few laps, he started on weights.
"Dad!" Scott looked up and saw Nate running in.
"Hey," he greeted, putting the weights down.
"Can I go with Bobby and Kurt to the movies today before they go home?"
"Did you ask your mom?"
"She said it was up to you. I'd really like to go."
"You don't want to be here for the ultrasound?"
"Why? She's my older sister. It feels… weird."
"Then ok. Make sure you cover your arm."
"Thanks!" Nate said, running out. He came back in seconds later. "Can I have some money for tickets and popcorn?"
"And that's why you came to me," Scott said, rolling his eyes.
"You're Dad. It's your job to pay for stuff for me."
"I'm seventeen."
"So?" Scott rolled his eyes.
"I guess I can stop my workout to go all the way up to my room and to give my sixteen year old some cash instead of-"
"Thanks Dad! I'll be in the suite!" Nate ran off again and Jean laughed.
"You know, I think I found a gray hair the other day. They're not even technically mine and they're aging me," Scott told Jean with a smile.
"And yet, you haven't asked Nathan once when the jumper would be fixed." Scott's smile fell.
"I don't want them to go."
"We're waiting for them in the future. That's where they belong."
"Jean. I know you and Maddie cleared the air, and I appreciate that you're going to do things differently this time, but I'm not ready to give up on her. She's going to make it."
"I never said she wasn't. I meant we as in all of us, not you and me. For all I know, I get married to someone else." Scott sighed.
"I'm sorry. I'm just on edge. Sinister has yet to make a move. Everyone is leaving today and all this extra protection is just-"
"Rogue is staying. She can protect Maddie and Carrie. Your whole family will be here to protect her. It'll be fine. Besides, we're only gone for a week."
"A lot can happen in a week." Scott used the bottom of his shirt to wipe his face. "I'd better go get Nate some money before he goes looking for it." Scott walked out of the gym and up to his room on the second floor. He went in, grabbed some cash, and went up to the third floor to his family's suite. Scott let himself in and saw his parents and grandparents sitting around the table with Alex's foster parents.
"Good morning," Mrs. Masters greeted. "Scott, right?"
"Good morning. And yes ma'am. Um, Dad, have you seen Nate? He said he'd be in here."
"Might want to check next door."
"Thanks." Scott left the suite and went to the suite Charles was having made for him and Madelyne. He knocked on the door, as Chris was adamant his prints were not to be added until after the New Year. Nate opened the door and took the money from Scott's hand.
"Mom, Dad's here!" he said, before going into the room he was staying in. Madelyne came out of her room, brushing her hair.
"Hi," she greeted. Scott went over to her and kissed her.
"Hi," he said, resting his forehead on hers.
"How long have you been awake?"
"Little over an hour. I was in the gym until your son hit me up for cash. How are you feeling?"
"Better, since Ororo started me on that ginger lemonade. It's calmed everything down quite a bit." Scott grinned as he knelt in front of her and kissed her slightly protruding abdomen.
"Hi Carrie. It's Daddy. I can't wait to see you today." Madelyne laughed and pulled Scott back up.
"You know her ears won't have developed yet, right?"
"Says who? Scientists? My baby knows when I'm talking to her." Madelyne closed her eyes and smiled.
"She does. She's very loud this morning. I think she knows something big is happening today." Scott leaned in and kissed her again before looking at her.
"I'm going to go actually tell my family hello, and then I'm going to get a shower. Breakfast and then ultrasound, right?"
"Like you didn't have that memorized," Madelyne said with a grin. Scott shrugged, kissed her cheek, and unlocked the door that was connecting the two suites.
"You find him?" Chris asked, pouring a cup of coffee.
"Yes sir. He was just at the gym with me demanding money and said he'd be in the suite. Didn't specify which one." Chris raised an eye.
"He just hit me up for money as well." Scott frowned.
"Did you give him some?"
"He said it was for- ah. Don't get too upset with him."
"Why not?"
"Son, what's in a few days?"
"Oh. We told him not to worry about that." Chris shrugged.
"You are very close to your cousin for never having met him," Mrs. Masters noted.
"Um… yeah," Scott said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Nate is quick to assert himself in your life," Chris said, patting Scott's shoulder.
"Must come from his mother," Scott said quietly. Chris chuckled.
"So, Scott. What's your plan for the day?"
"Not much. Maddie has her appointment after breakfast, and then everyone is heading out but us. We might go out to dinner or something, but…" Chris nodded in understanding.
"I expect a picture."
"Yes sir," Scott grinned. "I can't wait to see her."
"I thought this was the first visit?" Mr. Masters said. "It's impossible to know the gender this early."
"It's just a feeling we have," Scott explained, trying not to look at the family members who knew the truth.
"I'm sure having a girl would be an experience for this family," Deborah spoke up. "Since your Great-Great Grandfather, all Summers babies have been boys." Scott frowned and looked at Chris.
"You don't think…?"
"Not going to right now. How about you go take a shower? Breakfast is in half an hour, and I'm sure you want to tell your friends goodbye before they leave."
"Yes sir. I'll see everyone at breakfast." Scott went back into the suite he was to share with his growing family and closed and locked the door.
"Morning, Daddy," Carries said, yawning as she came out of her room.
"Morning. Are you going to the appointment with us today?"
"Maybe. It might be awkward." Scott rolled his eyes.
"Suit yourself. Let your mom know I'm going to take a shower and I'll meet her in the dining room. And let her know the door is closed and locked again."
"Ok." Scott headed out and back to the second floor to shower and get dressed. Once he was ready, he stepped out of his room and started going down the stairs, catching up with Madelyne.
"I'm too excited to eat," he told her, taking her hand.
"Oh, no. You're not going to start skipping meals again, mister. You're not getting grounded this close to Christmas."
"I doubt Dad would do that to us," Scott said, frowning.
"Do you really want to test that theory?"
"No," Scott admitted. He pulled out her chair and pushed it in before pouring them both some juice. "I might just get some fruit and yogurt."
"Me too," she said. Scott brought the dishes over and served the two before putting the dishes back. They were finishing up when the X-Men began to trickle in. The excited chatter grew louder and louder in the room. Madelyne smiled and held Scott's hand.
"I'm still not done packing," Evan complained to Kurt, sitting at the table.
"Shouldn't have stayed up until one am," Scott told him.
"How'd you know, man?" Evan asked, surprised.
"Dude, I'm back in my room, remember? You're right next to me."
"Oh," he said, sheepishly. "Sorry, Scott."
"It's fine. I was up wrapping presents."
"I'm sorry, I must be in a different mansion filled with teenage mutants because I thought I heard my son say he was up past when I sent him to bed."
"I couldn't sleep," Scott told Chris. "I thought being productive was better than tossing and turning. It's not like I overslept…" Chris frowned.
"Next time you can't sleep, come and see me."
"Aw, Dad-"
"I mean it. You've had too many sleepless nights lately."
"I agree with your father, Scott," Beast spoke up. "You need sleep to be able to function during the day. You're already going to be going without in the coming months. Don't start it now."
"Ok. I'll run to Daddy like a good boy next time I can't sleep," Scott said, crossing his arms.
"Glad we can reach an understanding," Chris winked at him. Scott frowned and Madelyne put a hand on his arm.
"Don't."
"Not even a little?" He asked, looking at his fiancée.
"No, or I'll take away your Christmas present."
"That's cruel."
"No, that's blackmail." Scott pouted and Madelyne leaned forward to kiss his lips.
"You know, it's a good thing kissing doesn't lead to babies, or you two would be screwed," Nate said, sitting next to Madelyne. He suddenly blushed as the teens around him laughed. "That sounded better in my head."
"What, Nate, don't want anymore siblings?" Roberto asked, still laughing.
"You mean cousins," Mrs. Masters corrected. Roberto's eyes went wide.
"Isn't that what I said?"
"No, you said siblings."
"It's fine, Mom. English isn't Roberto's first language, so he gets words confused," Alex said quickly.
"Beast, can we go on down?" Scott asked, trying to change the topic.
"Yes. I'll be down in a few minutes. Maddie, you know what to do?"
"Yes. Dr. McCoy," she said, taking Scott's hand and standing up.
"Everyone, have a safe and awesome holiday. Don't overstuff yourselves or you'll be miserable in a week," Scott said, waving goodbye to his team before pulling Madelyne out of the dining room. They went to Med Lab and Madelyne took the gown from the table into the bathroom. Several minutes later, she came out and sat on the examination table.