38.

The Future

Chapter Theme Song: Coda - Hans Zimmer (Dark Phoenix Soundtrack)

"You know, in all the years the school has been open, I'm surprised we've never held a wedding here before."

Nina descended down the grand staircase in her wedding gown - short-sleeved with the base of the dress dyed her signature deep purple, to match that of the purple streaks in her hair, tied back into a braid over her shoulder.

Charles smiled from where he sat at the base of the staircase, awaiting her. "Yes, I agree. It's about time we changed that, and I'm glad that you are."

"My pleasure. Thank you, for doing all this." Charles would be walking her down the aisle and leading the ceremony.

"Of course, my pleasure."

"You know, a long time ago, I once thought it would be us doing this one day. Once upon a time." That had been so long ago. It felt like a whole lifetime since she had met the newly-graduated Charles Xavier when recruiting for the early X-Men, and both had been entirely smitten.

"Yes. Funny how life is."

"Yes. It sure is. And for a while I thought I would never leave here, would always be here. And now here I am, leaving."

"But not for good."

"No, never for good."

She and Nathan had bought a house nearby, private and with enough distance from the school, but also close enough as both still taught there.

After a particularly difficult X-Force mission, where their views on completing missions had clashed and Nina had rushed back into the fray and had gotten injured, Nathan had wasted no time in proposing.

Now she stood with Charles at the base of the stairs and they joined hands. She gave his hand a squeeze and he placed a kiss on the back of hers. "This is a very special day."

"It is. It feels surreal." But it was very real - this was really happening.

They let go out of each other's hands and Charles held out his arm to her - always the gentleman.

She took his arm and together they left the hall, heading outside to where the wedding would take place, both the ceremony and the reception.

The guests had gathered out on the lawn on this beautiful spring day.

Poof! Kurt appeared in the guest seating area, however, missed the empty chair beside Angel while teleporting, and ended up landing on Angel instead.

"Ah - Kurt!"

"Ah! Sorry Angel!"

Wade was already crying. "Oh, my Shorty is all grown up! Oh!"

"She's like a million years older than you," Doms reminded him.

"Whatever."

On Charles's arm, Nina walked down the aisle towards where Nathan stood, his mother and father standing nearby. Everyone was present: Wade, Doms, Russell, Colossus, Ellie and Yukio, Charles, Erik, Angel, Logan, Kurt, Jean, Scott, Ororo, Peter, and Hank. As she passed by her old friend, she and Erik exchanged a warm smile.

When they reached the front of the aisle she took her place next to her very soon-to-be husband and Charles took his place before them so that he could lead the ceremony.

"Hello everyone, friends, family," he addressed the crowd. "Welcome to the School for the Gifted. We are here today to join Nina and Nathan together in marriage. Thank you all for being here today to share this special moment with them." He then turned to the couple. "Nina, Nathan, please join hands."

They did so.

I can't wait to marry you, Nathan sent to her telepathically.

You are marrying me, she sent back. Right now, in fact.

I know, and I can't wait.

Me neither. They exchanged a smile.

"Nina Nova, do you take Nathan Summers to be your husband?"

"I do."

"Nathan Summers, do you take Nina Nova to be your wife?"

"I do."

"Then it is my pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss."

A wild cheering went up through the crowd when the newly-wedded couple kissed, sealing their vows and officially becoming husband and wife.

"Now it's time to party!" cheered Wade.

At the reception, he came up to Nina once she was finished chatting with Logan. "Isn't it kinda awkward having all your exes here at your wedding."

"No, we're all still friends. Though if you keep bringing it up, it might be."

"Are you going to dance with all of them after dinner?"

"I was planning to, yes. They're my friends."

"What does your new hubby think of that?"

"Hey, I'm dancing with you too."

"I should hope so!"

During the dinner, Wade tapped his knife against the side of his glass to get everyone's attention, and then started giving a heartfelt speech. He had been very disappointed that Charles had been picked over him to lead the ceremony, so Nina and Nathan said he could do a speech instead - which they may or may not come to regret allowing to happen. "First of all, my heartfelt congratulations to the happy couple! Now I could see, just as everyone could, that from the moment they met, these two couldn't keep their eyes - or hands - off each other-"

"Wade, there are kids here!" Doms reminded him. "We're at a school!"

"Of course, I definitely censored my speech!" He continued to drag on and on, and by the end barely anyone had any drink left to toast with it had been so long.

"Finally, he shut up," Nathan mumbled.

"Thank you, Wade. That was - lovely..." Nina thanked him. "Now let's dance!"

After sitting for so long during Wade's extensive speech, everyone was quick to agree and were on their feet.

"I'm in charge of the music!" Wade rushed off.

"Of course he is. Why did we allow him to be so involved in the wedding?" Nathan asked his new wife. His wife.

"He volunteered himself."

"Of course he did."

"So..." She looked up at him, a loving sparkle bright in her purple eyes.

"So?"

"It's our wedding day - can I get you to dance with me on today of all days at least?"

"I think you probably can."

"Good - let's go then!" She wasted no time in grabbing his hand and dragging him out onto the dance floor where Wade was blasting some slow, romantic music.

"What?" she asked as he smiled down at her while they danced, swaying gently together, holding each other close.

"Thank you for marrying me."

She chuckled. "Well, my pleasure, of course. Thank you for marrying me."

"Of course. My pleasure."

Their future together had begun.

Was hoping to update this sooner but I also didn't want to rush the end! Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! Only one chapter left - see you then and there! :)