Disclaimer: ALL MARVEL"S!! NOT MINE!! NO SUE!!

Mistogirl, this one's for you!!

Chapter 13 of Junior X
The greatest gift of all


Dec. 23, 2007

Dear Diary,

Well, Christmas is almost upon us again, and another year has passed. It's that special time of year. To decorate
the trees, exchange gifts, be with loved ones, and discuss hopes for the new year. I have never looked more forward
to turning the calendar as I do now. There is so much to look forward to, something Kurt and I have not been able
to say in the longest time.

As I look over the courtyard with dusk starting to paint the landscape, I watch as the lights in the trees all pop up
one by one, blooming like winter flowers. I can hear the children as they sing their christmas carols, laughing with
the joy and hope this season brings.

As my eyes drift from the window, and I look toward the center of the desk in the Professor's study, I am reminded
of the tragedy this season also brings. A grim token of it looms in the lamplight, sitting right in the middle of the cherry
wood desk, mocking me with an evil aura that sends shivers up my spine and makes me question how someone could
bear to do such a horrible thing to thier loved ones.

I am talking, of course, about fruitcake. Yes, those tasteless bricks of dough filled with petrified, rock-hard fruit. Rayne
sent each of us here one, which Kurt and I stored neatly in the trash can. Fortunately, the Professor seems to actually
like these things! Yuk! Had we known, we would have gladly pawned ours off on him.

Rogue and I placed our gifts under the tree last night. As I did so, I just happened to "inspect" the gifts with my name
on them. Call it the kid in me, but I can't help but to let curiousity get the best of me. I couldn't tell much from shaking
them, and I wanted to peel off just enough wrap to tell what lay beneath. I resisted the temptation, though, since it would
have been too obvious.

I know that Christmas is only two days away, but no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to get into the holiday spirit! I
blame the weather. It has been unseasonably warm. It feels like spring almost. I can clearly see that, unless something
major changes in the weather, my wish for snow will go unanswered. If Ororo were here, she could make my wish come
true. Ororo, how I miss you. There are so many times that I've needed your guidance, your wisdom, your motherly
love. Hopefully, you are in heaven, watching over little Jacob for me. This time of year seems so empty without either of
you.

Logan has definitly taken a turnabout! He goes from being fuming mad at me and Kurt a few weeks ago to being the
over-protective "Mother Hen" to Kurt. It's really cute, watching how Logan monitors every move Kurt makes. I am
definitly greatful for his help! The two of them have been busy turning Scott's old room into a nursery for our new little
additions! Of course, Logan and I won't let Kurt lift a finger, but we do let him "supervise".

Betsy and Rogue decided to exchange rooms as well. Betsy liked the view of the courtyard that Rogue's room had,
and Rogue loves the extra room that Betsy's old room provides. Yes, this holiday season has brought big changes
in the x-mansion.

And speaking of big changes, you should see Kurt! He is almost at the end of his fifth month, and boy, is he big! Bless
his heart, he noticed that he has lost alot of his acrobatic balance. He went to perch on the top of the couch in the living
room yesterday, and found that his growing belly won't allow him to do it anymore. He hasn't complained not one bit,
though. If fact, he has taken alot of pride int he changes his body is going through. If he only knew how much love
and pride I myself feel to watch our children growing inside him. I must say, I'm a little jealous, since this was suppose to
be my job, but I know I'll get over it.

Kurt has his monthly checkup today! And this one's going to take the cake! It's Kurt's first sonogram! YES!
We'll actually be able to tell the sex of our babies! This is going to be so exciting! Kurt and I have already
bought name book atop of name book. We want the perfect names for these little ones, so we've decided to
take our time on that decision. We have four months, after all.

Kurt and I are going Christmas caroling ourselves this evening. We're trying to talk Logan into going with us, but I doubt
we'll be very successful. I love to see the neighbor's faces light up when we sing. What really annoys me deep down is
the fact that, if they knew we were mutants, they would probably stone us out of their front yards! I'm skipping that
thought. No need to be so bitter on Christmas, especially with all I have to be thankful for.

Your friend,
Kitty Wagner.

***************

"Verdamndt, that is cold, Hank!" Kurt winced as Hank rubbed the light blue goo on his stomach.

Hank grinned. "I know! I'm sorry! If I didn't have to use this nasty junk, I wouldn't." Hank placed the goo's tube back on the
small bench beside the examination table, where Kurt lay. He was slightly elevated, his shirt and jeans pulled away just enough to
expose his round stomach. Kurt smiled as Kitty held his hand.

"So, how is our little father today?" Hank asked.

"Not so little anymore." Kurt chuckled in return.

Hank gave a nod and a smile as he made the final adjustments to the ultra sound machine. He had waited months for this himself.
As much as Hank trusted Jean's mindscans of the babies, his scientific mind craved concrete evidence. Soon, he would have it! He could
see with his own eyes firsthand the success of the medical miracle that his hands performed. And, if this turned out to be the success
it seemed to be, his findings would also help so many others who found themselves in the same position as the Wagners. Hank beamed at
himself. Arrogant? No. A scientific genius. Perhaps. "I'll be with you in just a minute. This machine takes a while to warm up."
Hank said, the anticipation and thrill of the upcoming sonogram evident in his voice.

The same exact anticipation that Kurt and Kitty had themselves. Kitty sat next to Kurt, holding his hand and lovingly running her other
hand through his long hair. And those eyes, filled with such love and hope. Kurt could see this in those soulful, dark amber eyes.
Kitty was always saying those magic words to him. "I love you." This, however, was not her most effective way of expression of her
love, nor was it necessary. She told him those words over and over again with every kiss, every longing glance, every smile, every
touch or hug.

"Kurt?" Kitty whispered to her husband. "I've been waiting for this for so long. To finally see them and...." Kitty was overcome with joy.
She looked down at Kurt's belly, smeared with the nasty cold jelly Hank had applyed there. "Kurt, you and these babies, you are all my
whole life. My reasons for living. I love all of you so much. And now, now we get to meet them! To see for ourselves if the're doing
o.k." Kitty's face glowed with excitement and happiness.

Kurt's golden eyes looked into his wife's, reflecting the same emotions. He always felt so loved, so needed by Kitty. He felt as though
he were finally whole the day he told her he loved her. And now, the tear that was ripped in their souls by the death of their first son
would be mended by the tiny lives they were bringing in the world. Kurt felt as though his heart would burst. "Surely," he thought to him
self. " A man is not suppose to experience this much love. Mein Gott! My four little miracles! My beautiful wife! My precious children."
Kurt smiled wide at this thought. He brushed Kitty's hair tenderly out of her face.

"Oh, Kitty." He said, a rush of joy flooding him. "Did I ever tell you how fortunate I am to have you and these children? How much I love and
need the four of you?"

"Always." Kitty told him, tracing her finger along his jaw.

"Well, I'm telling you again, so that you never forget." Kurt purred, gently kissing her on the lips.

Hank cleared his throat. "I hate to interrupt this intimate moment, but is is necessary that you lean back for this." Hank chuckled. "I am in
serious doubt that can be done with you lips on hers."

Kurt's face flushed slightly purple, a little embarrassed. He grinned and resumed to leaning back on the examination table.

Hank flipped out the lights, and placed the sonogram probe on Kurt's stomach. The Wagners looked intently at the monitor, searching for an image
of the babies.

After moving the probe around for a few seconds, the images of three, tiny fetuses appeared on the screen. Kurt gasped in awe and Kitty slightly
squealed in delight. Hank's own face reflected pure joy and satisfaction.

"There they are! The little ones!" Hank was practically estatic. Just as ecstatic as the beaming parents. Relief and happiness immeasurable spread
across Kurt's and Kitty's faces.

"Kurt, you are doing excellent, my friend, and this sonogram proves it! These are the healthiest fetuses I have had the pleasure of looking at." Hank was
so proud! His experiment had gone well.

With this good news, Kurt nearly lept off the table in joy. "Thank you, Lord! Thank you for my children! Thank you for my wife!" Kurt shouted in his
native german. Kitty was clapping her hands and tears of joy were in her eyes.

"So, would you like to know thier sexes?" Hank questioned, beaming in pride.

"Oh, God! Yes! We Do!" Kitty spoke

"Ja! We need to find names for our little angels! We can't do that if we don't know!" Kurt's smile illuminated his face.

Hank zoomed in on the image for a closer inspection. His smile only grew wider. "Well, Kurt. It does appear that all three fetuses have tails. That is going
to make it slightly difficult to tell."

Kurt's face turned stern. He looked back up at Hank. He didn't like the way Hank was referring to his children. "Hank."
Kurt said. "My children are not fetuses!" He said with a slightly disgusted look on his face. "They are not merely tiny bits
of tissue. They are our babies. Call them babies! Call them children! But never, ever call them, UGH!" Kurt closed his eyes and
made a revolted expression. "Fetuses!"

Hank laughed. "It's just a medical term, my friend! But, it you take such a dislike to the word, I won't refer to them as fetuses
again." Hank grinned sheepishly.

Kitty squealed yet again. "They all three have tails! The're gonna look just like my wonderful husband! Thank God!" She threw her arms around Kurt's neck,
whose own eyes were flooded with happy tears. "Oh, Kurt! We're gonna have three little elves!"

Kurt couldn't get over it! To think, the children he was carrying had his exact mutation! They were going to look just like him! His heart swelled with pride at
the thought.

"So, do you still want to know their sexes?" Hank asked, once again interrupting the two. "I think I've got a clear enough picture now."

Kitty and Kurt fell quiet, awaiting Hank's answer. Hank smiled. "Looks like we've got two girls, and one boy! Congradulations! You two have hit
the jackpot!" Hank announced joyously. "And all three of them are healthy and strong."

"Oh, Mein Gott, Kitty!" Kurt sobbed as he hugged his wife tight. "Of all the Christmases I've had, there is no gift that can compare to this! The love
I have for them, for you!" His lips now locked deeply into Kitty's.

"Yes, sir." Hank grinned in satisfaction as he looked at the two lovers lost in each other's arms. "There could be no greater gift."

***********

Betsy Braddock loved the holidays. The snow. The decorations, the celebration. The gifts, both giving and recieving.

She just hated being alone.

Here she was, another year past. And still, she had no one. She sat alone in the rec room, carefully wrapping last minute gifts.
A pair of pink flannel pajamas for Jean. A Cher CD for Kitty, and a very large tye dye Beatles shirt for Kurt. She rustled around the
gifts and found the two pairs of jeans she had bought for Logan.

Logan.

She shook the name out of her head. Logan, with his steel blue eyes and strong muscular physique. She found herself thinking alot about
him lately. He was so wild and adventurous, just as she herself was. They were kindred spirits, meant to be together. She shut her mind
down with that thought.

Betsy sighed and brushed her violet hair out from her eyes. Sure, she thought that she and Warren would last forever, too. But that ended,
just as so many forevers for her had. "I ought to have a t-shirt." Betsy sighed. "That says, 'I dated Warren Worthington, and all I got
was this lousy eyemark.' ". She snickered hopelessly to herself, referring to the mark of the crimson dawn she wore upon her face. To her,
it was nothing more than a constant reminder of a love that could never be again.

"Logan would never hurt me like this, would he?" She sighed again and resumed to wrapping her gifts.

"That was a good one, elf! Scott looked just like the abominable snowman! HAW!" said a gruff voice down the hall. Betsy's eyes turned to
the rec room door, as the hearty laughter came down the hall.

"Logan." She thought to herself. Her heart was slamming, her palms were sweaty. She felt just like a teenager with a major crush. She
quickly finished wrapping the last gift as Logan burst into the room.

"HAW! HAW!" Logan was laughing so hard, his sides hurt. He looked toward the exotic asian beauty, her amethyst eyes questioning his laughter.

"Boy, ya missed it, Betts!" Logan said. "Kurt covered Scott from head to toe in that canned snow crap!! Man! Was ol' redeye pissed!" He laughed
again, almost unable to control himself.

Betsy found herself giggling as well. Uptight, responsible Scott, covered in polyurethane white slime which was practically impossible to remove.
It was a funny picture.

Logan finally contained himself, and sat down on the sectional. He picked up the remote and turned on the T.V.

Betsy began picking up the scraps of wrapping paper on the floor. She felt so nervous and self-concious around him. Did he ever notice her, the way
she wanted him to? Oh, well.

She stuffed the scraps into the trash can, and began walking toward the door. "Goodnight, Logan." Betsy said with a weak smile.

"Hey, waitaminute!" Logan called after her. "Where ya goin'?"

"To bed. There's not much else to do." She answered.

"Well, why doncha stay an' watch this movie with me?" Logan said, those gorgeous eyes mesmerizing her.

She looked at him, puzzled. "I thought you were going caroling with Kurt and Kitty?"

Logan grinned sheepishly. "Well, I decided against it for two reasons. One, I ain't gotta set o' pipes like Kurt.
Two, I didn't wanna miss this movie."

"Oh? What movie?" She asked , raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

"It's a Wonderful Life." Logan snorted. Betsy smiled. She would have never guessed the canadian as being a soft touch during
the holidays. "I never thought it of you, Logan." Betsy smiled.

"There's alot ya don't know about me, darlin. Now , do I have ta watch this alone, or is a certain, beautiful, purple-haired
ninja gonna join me?" Logan asked, patting the seat next to him.

Betsy smiled. She sat next to him, a bowl of popcorn wedged between them.

As the movie started, Betsy noticed how Logan slowly placed his arm behind her. She could feel herself flush hot with
intense emotion. About 15 minutes into the movie, his arm had pulled her to his chest, where she rested her head. Yes,
she still felt like a silly teenager, but now she felt like a teenager on her first date.

"Maybe this Christmas won't be so bad, after all." She thought to herself in contentment.

**************

It was well after 11:30 p.m. when Kurt and Kitty returned from caroling. The rest of the mansion had retired to bed, leaving
the young couple to themselves.

"Kitty, that was so fun!" Kurt said, brushing the snow out of his hair.

"It certainly was! And I finally got my wish! SNOW!!" Kitty giggled as thyey walked throught the front door of the institute.

"Kitty, when I'm with you, I feel so free, so alive." Kurt whispered to her, his lips advancing toward hers.

"Oh,NO! Your not kissing me looking like that!" Kitty stuck her tongue playfully at him and walked away. She was referring,
of course, to his image inducer. He looked just the same, save for caucasian skin and blue eyes. Kitty hated the tiny device,
and couldn't stand when Kurt had to use it. " I want to kiss my beautiful blue husband, not some blue-eyed stranger!"

Kurt smiled and flipped the switch on the box in his jacket pocket. The white skin melted away back to Kurt's normal features. Kitty
smiled and proceeded to passionately kiss her husband. They were interrupted by a noise. Kurt's stomach was growling loudly. He laughed
slightly.

Kitty brushed his hair lovingly. "My poor Kurt! I would say all of that walking has made my little daddy hungry!" Kitty cooed to him
tenderly. "C'mon, my angel, let's get some food down in you." She grabbed him by his hand gingerly and guided him to the Kitchen.

"Now, you have a seat, and I'll get something for you and our little ones." She patted him on the back and proceeded to make Kurt two
ham and cheese sandwiches with lettuce and tomatoe and and a tall glass of apple juice. "There! That should make mommy's babies happy."
She said as she came around to the back of the chair where Kurt was seated and tenderly rubbed his large belly from behind.

Kurt had no trouble putting away the food. He pushed the empty plate and glass back, patting his bulge in satisfaction. "These babies
have the best mother in the world." Kurt smiled.

Kitty wrapped her arms around her husband. "Do you want some more, sweetheart?" Kitty asked. "I'm sure ...."

"Nein." Kurt raised Kitty's face to meet his gaze. Such love in his golden eyes. "I'm full, love. All I want now is to feel your arms
around me, to be with you, to show you how much I love you, how much I need you." He locked his lips onto hers, the both of them deliciously
high on the rush of emotion.

When the kiss finally broke, Kitty stared lovingly into his eyes. "Oh, Kurt. You are the love of my life, the better half of my soul." Kitty
hugged him again, burying her head into his chest.

Without warning, Kurt clutched the side of his stomach, an expression of surprise and shock on his handsome blue face.

Kitty felt her stomach hit the floor. "Oh, my God!! Kurt! Baby! What's wrong?! OH DEAR GOD!!" Kitty was panicking. She was so sure that Kurt
was in some sort of pain, that something serious was wrong. "OH, GOD!! I'LL GET HANK!!" Kitty screamed as she tried to run from the Kitchen for
help.

Kurt grabbed her arm, and forced her to look at him. His initial expression of shock had faded into a wide, ecstatic smile. "Katzchen! Oh, mein leibling!
Nein!" Kurt brushed her face, calming her hysteria. "There is nothing wrong, darling! In fact, everything is so right!" Kurt looked down at his stomach with
affection and wide-eyed amazement. He was rubbing both sides of his large bulge with both hands in pride and awe. He looked back to his wife. "Kitty." Kurt
said, intense joy flooding his voice. "They moved! They kicked! I felt it for the first time just now!"

Kitty now was shocked herself, and a loving expression came over her face. "OH, KURT! Our little ones! They KICKED!! Oh, God! THIS IS WONDERFUL!!" Kitty was
crying tears of joy now as she eagerly placed her hand on Kurt's belly to feel the babies' movements.

Her eyes lit with amazement and love as she felt the triplet tumble and kick inside Kurt. She was at a loss for words. "Oh, Kurt!...Our babies!!"
Kitty just sat there for the longest, felling the babies swim inside Kurt's stomach.

They hugged each other tightly. "Oh, Kitty! As if today couldn't get any better!" Kurt wanted to shout from the rooftops. His happiness just couldn't be contained.

And, as the Wagners made their way up the steps to bed, they both kept their hands on Kurt's belly, enjoying the early Christmas present they had been given.