Disclaimer: ALL MARVEL"S!!! NOT MINE!! DIG?
Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. What with money problems and writer's block.
Chapter 14 of Junior X
A Certain Mystique
The wintery blitz that was pounding New York relentlessly this February was a far cry from the sunny, warm weather so typical of Dallas, Texas. In this area of the country, snowstorms were few and far between.
While most people associated this time of year with bundling up in thick coats and snuggling next to a fire,
people here were accustomed to wearing shorts, sunbathing, and watching the young tan beauties in thongs
jogging up and down the sidewalk, much to the delight of the males whom shared the area.
Not unlike one certain man driving down the road this afternoon. The former leader of X-factor and shaman known
as Forge was not unlike any other hot-blooded man. He smiled slightly to himself as he watched two women, one
blonde and one brunette, strutting prettily down the avenue, paying attention to the many eyes upon them. The
Native-American mutant took his attention from them and focused back on the road ahead, keeping in mind the
"mission" of sorts he had ahead of him.
Two blocks down, he pulled in front of the Paradise Pub. It's weakly flickering neon sign of a palm tree telling him
he had reached his destination. It was a run-down shack of a place, on an almost skid row side of town. This was an
upper crust neighborhood once, and the dirty buildings looked as though they once had the proud appearance of the
art-deco period.
As he entered the bar, his brown eyes scanned each table. "She said she would be here." He thought to himself. He
was nervous and edgy. They had been lovers once, after all. Truth to tell, he had never completely gotten over her,
and found himself thinking of her from time to time.
His eyes finally stopped at a small table in the back. Almost hidden in the shadows of the bar sat a native-american
woman. Her coal-black hair decorated with feathers. In tight jeans and plain white t-shirt, her eyes stayed transfixed
on the table in front of her. If Forge hadn't known better, he would say this lovely young woman was quite the shrinking
violet.
But that was just it. He knew all too well that this was just a part of her rouse.
He made his way to the table, his eyes wandering over the other patrons as he finally brought himself to the girl's attention.
As the girl looked up into Forge's eyes, he silently took the seat in front of her.
"It's been a long time, Raven. " Forge whispered.
A sly smile played across her brown lips. She arched one black eyebrow as she confirmed her identity to him.
"My dear Forge. I knew you could see through me. But you always could, couldn't you?" Her eyes looked sadly
down back to the draft mug of beer in front of her. She traced the edge with one long finger.
Forge was almost taken aback with what he saw. Raven Darkholme, a.k.a. Mystique. Former international spy,
turned cold, cruel madwoman. Seemingly with no emotion whatsoever. Not a care in the world for whom she hurt,
or killed, for that matter. So long as it was self-serving and fulfillled her purposes.
That wasn't the same woman that sat in front of him at this moment. The native american traits she had chosen as her
disguise reflected sadness and all-consuming worry. As she looked back up at him, her eyes were filled with
grief and pain.
And tears?
Forge's heart suddenly dropped. What could have possibly brought the almighty Raven Darkholme to this point?
"I....." Raven choked back a sob. "God, I hate this!! I hate being weak!! I hate being scared!! I was never either, Forge!!
You know that!!" She was dissolved in tears now. She turned away, burying her head in her hands in shame.
Forge gently reached for Raven's shoulders. He loved her once. He still did. "Raven, God!! What happened?! Why did
you call me here? Please, Raven." She was looking him in the face now. " I cannot help if you do not tell me,"
Raven's eyes softened and a sad smile spread across her face. She took a deep breath, trying to gather enough courage
to go through with this. Finally, she spoke. "Yes, Shaman. I do need your help. If you still care enough for me to give it."
Forge cradled Raven in his arms. "I never stopped caring, Raven." He reassured. "Now, tell me. What can I do? Name
it, and I will do all in my power for you." He lifted her head and gazed into her eyes.
"Yes, I will tell you everything. I will tell everyone everything. But not here. I can't here." Raven looked around her.
"That is not a problem. I agree. This is definitley not the place to be airing out your dirty laundry. " Forge rose to his
feet, motioning to Raven. "I'll take you back to my headquarters. You'll be safe there. We'll have privacy there." He
gently brushed her cheek. Even as desperate as she was for help, whe still had her trademark mysteriousness cloaking
her.
She smiled, leaving the money for her drink on the table. She looked so fragile, so vunerable.
"Thank you, Forge. " She said sincerely.
As they drove out of the seedy neighborhood, Forge looked over at Raven, still in her Indian princess cover, and smiled.
"There is no need for cover-ups here. " He told her. "You know, you can just be yourself."
Raven smiled weakly, allowing herself to melt back into her blue-skinned, red-haired form. Even like this, she looked so
needy, so helpless.
After a long silence, Forge finally cleared his throat. "Raven." he started. "Can you tell me what this is all about?"
Raven sighed, her golden eyes looking toward him. As tears again streamed down her blue cheeks, she rasped. "It's time
that I come clean, Forge. Put right everything I have done wrong. Or at least try." Raven trailed, looking nervously at
the road ahead.
Forge's eyes widened. "Raven? Did I hear you right?"
Raven looked back to Forge. He could tell from the fear in her voice and the expression on her face that this was not the
old Raven. The one he was used to lying , cheating, and conning her way through things. There was nothing but sincerity
as she whispered her quest to him.
"Let's just say," Raven said, " That I am a lost soul trying to find redemption. Trying to find her way home again."
****************
"I must say, my friend." Hank beamed in sheer pride and excitement as he listened to Kurt's belly through his stethoscope.
"Yours happens to be the healthiest pregnancy I have had the pleasure of attending, male or female." Hank laughed as he
rolled up the stethoscope and gingerly lowered Kurt's shirt back down over his stomach.
"Danke Gott." Kurt smiled as he looked down at his stomach and rubbed it proudly. He sat on the edge of the examination
table, legs dangling over the side. Each passing checkup was a relief to the Wagners. There was so many unknowns about
this procedure. But so far, Kurt was sure that God was watching over him and his children.
Kitty hugged Kurt, her arms wrapped around his large, bulging stomach. Kurt was well into his seventh month, and hugging
him was getting more difficult to do these days. But she loved it. She knew the bigger Kurt grew, the better the babies
were doing.
Hank pushed his glasses back up on his nose and began to scribble in Kurt's records. He looked back up at the young man.
Kurt looked rather pale and tired to him. But, considering that Kurt had three children bogging him down, it was clearly
understandable.
"How do you generally feel, Kurt?" Hank asked, patting Kurt's bulge. Everyone around him had made that a nasty habit lately.
It made him happy, knowing his family loved these children and looked forward to their birth as much as he and Kitty did.
Kurt sighed, and then smiled. "Well, it's like this. I am back and forth to the bathroom. I can't seem to eat enough.
My entire body aches from lugging this extra weight around, not to mention I feel like I'm sleeping with a twenty pound
sack of potatoes in my pants at night. I'm as big as a house...." Kurt smiled as one of the babies kicked hard inside him.
He rubbed his belly. "Oops. I think I awoke one of the tendants downstairs." He chuckled. Kitty began rubbing his belly
soothingly. He looked back at Hank. "You know what, though?"
"That is?" Hank asked.
"I wouldn't trade this experience for the world. For my children, for my babies, these minor discomforts are such a small price to
pay. It's worth every bit." He smiled.
"Indeed, my friend, Indeed!!" Hank wholeheartedly agreed.
"Well, don't you worry, my precious elf. You and these babies have me at your every beck and call. Just think of me as your personal
genie. Yours for the asking." Kitty said sweetly, resting her head in his chest.
After their hug broke, Kurt proceeded to stretch, looking back down at his belly. He chuckled yet again, and looked to Kitty. "I still
don't know how you women do it!! I mean, after all, carrying these three around is harder than it looks." He grinned as he gingerly eased'
off the edge of the examination table and back onto his feet. He groaned as he began massaging his lower back and looked up to the ceiling.
"Oh, my aching back!" He moaned to himself. He looked back to Kitty, grinning tiredly.
"Hang in there, Dad." Hank reassured. "After all, you only have two more months left to go."
"Ja. That will definitley be a load off." Kurt laughed at the irony. "No pun intended."
Kitty smiled broadly and nodded her head in agreement. "Oh, I can't wait!" She giggled as she took a good look at her husband. He was so
happy, that much she could tell. But she took in his physical appearance as well. Bless his heart. Kurt appeared pale, and had slight bags
under his eyes. His face was unshaven. She looked back to his belly. It was swollen so big. " Only in his seventh month, and he's already
big enough to be in his ninth." Kitty thought to herself . Of course, carrying three babies instead of one would do that to a person.
Kitty looked into Kurt's eyes, gingerly brushing his hair out of his face. "You really look like you could use a nap, Sweetheart." Kitty cooed
to him.
Kurt yawned again. Between his late night cravings and the triplets doing gymnastics inside him just when he would start to fall asleep, there
was little time for rest.
"Tell me, Kurt," Hank asked. "How are you sleeping?"
Kurt sighed again, then smiled. "Well, I was sleeping well last night. That is, until the babies decided to have a little soccer game around
2:30 this morning. I have been awake ever since." Kurt said.
"Well, that is understandable. I suggest a body pillow." Hank stated. "The utmost comfort is needed for someone in your condition."
Kurt nodded, slightly annoyed. He couldn't help himself. He was exhausted. "Ja,ja. I will do as Kitty says and take a nap. I would like to get
off my feet for a while anyway." Kurt said as he gathered Kitty in his arms.
"Oh, yes. Have you been practicing your breathing, Kurt?" Hank asked further.
Kurt smiled. Kitty answered before he had the chance. "Oh, yes!! I have bought every lamaze tape I could lay my hands on!! Kurt and I have
been watching them together for the past couple of weeks!! I'm going to be his coach!!" Kitty said. " This is going to be as easy as I can possibly
make it for Kurt." Kitty said as she patted Kurt on the back reassuredly.
"That's terrific!! I suppose I should explain the actual birth process in this whole matter to the both of you. Now is as good a time as any."
Hank said. "Please Kurt, have a seat."
Kurt sat in the chair Hank offered him. He grinned nervously and swallowed hard. He would go through the depths of hell for these children. Indeed,
he knew it was going to feel something like that when the time came. Hank had explained the entire procedure from start to finish to both Kurt and Kitty
when he first learned of this procedure. Kurt knew that there was going to be a considerable amount of pain involved in bringing these children into
the world. Hank told him so seven months ago before even agreeing to this experiment. Yet, it seemed so far away at the time. He had put the little fact
of the excruciating priming contractions of the orb in the back of his mind. Yet, here he was, seven months pregnant, and his due date was drawing closer.
All the horror stories he had ignored were now becoming more of a concern to him. He now knew all too well the fear women went through expecting their children.
Kurt looked up at Hank awaiting the explanation of the birth.
Kurt was scared to death.
No less fearful was his wife, Kitty. This had been such a miraculous, wonderful time for the both of them. Being a medical first both excited and amazed Kitty.
This procedure was a gift from God. An answer to the both of their prayers. Watching their babies grow with each passing month inside her husband caused Kitty to
feel a love she didn't know existed. Yet, she wanted this whole ordeal over and done with. As much, if not more so, than Kurt himself did. Not only to be able
to finally hold her children in her arms, but it would all be over with, and her children and husband all four would be safe.
"Now, Kurt." Hank said, kneeling beside him. He gingerly lifted Kurt's shirt again. "After the orb has reached its strongest contractions, I will cut an incision
approximatly four inches long right beneath your navel." Hank began to trace where the incision would be with a pencil right underneath Kurt's bellybutton, which had
turned from an innie to an outie. "I will then proceed to slice a corresponding incision into the orb's wall. The diamond-hard techno-organic wall of the orb should
be soft at this point. You will actually be able to push with the orb's final birthing contractions, and your children will slip into the world through the incision."
Hank explained.
Kurt nodded. "I understand completely." Kurt reassured Hank, trying not to let his fear show.
"Uh, Kurt." Hank gazed into Kurt's eyes, wanting him to fully understand what he had to say next. "You do know that painkilling drugs have no affect on the orb, don't you?"
Kurt took a deep breath . Yes, he remembered something about that too in Hank's initial explanation of this procedure. But he was too
excited to care. It didn't change how he and Kitty felt about it. Through all of the stories Hank had told him, all Kurt could see was the opportunity to finally have
the child that he and Kitty so desperately wanted. Still, Kurt was no fan of pain. While he did have a rather high pain threshold, he wasn't sure anything could
fully prepare him for what he was going to go through. This pain was going to be well worth it all, that much he was sure of.
Still, he couldn't help being afraid.
"Ja, I remember. But, as they say, no pain, no gain." Kurt smiled, rising to his feet. Kitty took his hand.
"Now, if you'll excuse us, Hank," Kitty said tenderly, " I need to get my pregnant husband to bed. He's going to need all the rest he can get."
As they walked up the stairs to their bedroom, Kitty began to think of all the suffering Kurt was going to go through. She remembered her labor with
Jacob, but she also recieved an epidural. She didn't really feel a thing. Her poor husband was going to go through sheer agony. and there was nothing that could
be done for it, except her support and soothing words.
"And I'll be there every step of the way, Fuzzy, that you can count on." Kitty thought to herself with pure love for Kurt and her children filling her heart.
****************
After two pots of coffee and four hours of explanation and revelations, Forge sat in disbelief.
"Raven, why didn't you tell me sooner?" Why?" Forge asked, searching her face for an answer.
Raven looked down at the table in front of her, shame in her face. "I..." She was crying again. "I
couldn't. I didn't want to be weak. Call it pride. I've never needed anyone, Forge, and I never want to need
them." She looked back up at him. "Besides, what could you have done? I'm dying! Whether I told you six months
ago or told you just now, it doesn't change things!! I already had advanced leaukemia when the doctor found it."
Forge looked sadly at the coffee cup in front of him. She had spilled everything, right down to the last detail.
Questions everyone had asked for so many years concerning Raven Darkholme had been answered just then and there.
It was almost too much for his mind to process. Her true name. Her true age. Who her parents were and her
childhood. Where she was from. Everything about her past was layed in front of him. Things he suspected,
things he would have never dreamed of. "Why did you wait so long, Raven?" Forge asked.
Raven was nearly insulted by the question. "For God's sake, Shaman!! What do I have to loose now!!"
She ran her hands through her vibrant red hair. She looked back up at Forge. "So, will you help me or not?"
Forge nodded. "Of course, I will help you. You know that." Forge grabbed her hand in a comforting gesture. He couldn't
help but consider what might have been. Especially if he knew then what he knew now. With these facts layed forth, she
didn't seem to be half the bitch she had let on.
"I have so much to fix. So much wrong that I have to put right. Especially with my children. They are my top priority.
Moreso Kurt, considering his situation." She said quietly.
"That reminds me, just how did you learn of Kurt's, ur, condition?" Forge asked.
Raven laughed. "Wake up Forge!! I'm a shapeshifter!! I can infiltrate places you have only dreamed!! I can literally become
the fly on the wall!! Keeping track of my estranged offspring have been one of the easiest tasks I have accomplished over the years."
She took a deep breath. "And now, it's time. Time to tell them all, to come completely clean." She was tearing up once more.
"You do realize," Forge interrupted, "That this will change everything, everyone's lives once you tell them what you told me?"
Forge asked, his eyes questioning her.
Raven nodded. "Yes, hopefully for the better. I have to put my son's mind at ease. My poor Kurt." Raven was now crying in her
folded arms. "All these years, thinking I didn't love him, didn't want him. And nothing could be further from the truth. I had
to lie to him!! To protect him!! It kept him from asking too many questions."
Forge shook his head. "Well, I hope you are right. At least, Kurt will have a true heritage. A legacy."
Raven nodded and smiled.
"I have already booked our flight to Westchester, New York." Forge said. "We leave in the morning. The Professor knows we
are coming, so hopefully he will break the ice with Kurt and the others for us. Until then..." Forge looked at Raven. "Get some
rest."
Raven nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes. From the same eyes her son had. "Yes, Thank you, Forge, more than you will ever know.
If I live long enough, hopefully I can make amends with you, as well." Raven said gratefully.
Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. What with money problems and writer's block.
Chapter 14 of Junior X
A Certain Mystique
The wintery blitz that was pounding New York relentlessly this February was a far cry from the sunny, warm weather so typical of Dallas, Texas. In this area of the country, snowstorms were few and far between.
While most people associated this time of year with bundling up in thick coats and snuggling next to a fire,
people here were accustomed to wearing shorts, sunbathing, and watching the young tan beauties in thongs
jogging up and down the sidewalk, much to the delight of the males whom shared the area.
Not unlike one certain man driving down the road this afternoon. The former leader of X-factor and shaman known
as Forge was not unlike any other hot-blooded man. He smiled slightly to himself as he watched two women, one
blonde and one brunette, strutting prettily down the avenue, paying attention to the many eyes upon them. The
Native-American mutant took his attention from them and focused back on the road ahead, keeping in mind the
"mission" of sorts he had ahead of him.
Two blocks down, he pulled in front of the Paradise Pub. It's weakly flickering neon sign of a palm tree telling him
he had reached his destination. It was a run-down shack of a place, on an almost skid row side of town. This was an
upper crust neighborhood once, and the dirty buildings looked as though they once had the proud appearance of the
art-deco period.
As he entered the bar, his brown eyes scanned each table. "She said she would be here." He thought to himself. He
was nervous and edgy. They had been lovers once, after all. Truth to tell, he had never completely gotten over her,
and found himself thinking of her from time to time.
His eyes finally stopped at a small table in the back. Almost hidden in the shadows of the bar sat a native-american
woman. Her coal-black hair decorated with feathers. In tight jeans and plain white t-shirt, her eyes stayed transfixed
on the table in front of her. If Forge hadn't known better, he would say this lovely young woman was quite the shrinking
violet.
But that was just it. He knew all too well that this was just a part of her rouse.
He made his way to the table, his eyes wandering over the other patrons as he finally brought himself to the girl's attention.
As the girl looked up into Forge's eyes, he silently took the seat in front of her.
"It's been a long time, Raven. " Forge whispered.
A sly smile played across her brown lips. She arched one black eyebrow as she confirmed her identity to him.
"My dear Forge. I knew you could see through me. But you always could, couldn't you?" Her eyes looked sadly
down back to the draft mug of beer in front of her. She traced the edge with one long finger.
Forge was almost taken aback with what he saw. Raven Darkholme, a.k.a. Mystique. Former international spy,
turned cold, cruel madwoman. Seemingly with no emotion whatsoever. Not a care in the world for whom she hurt,
or killed, for that matter. So long as it was self-serving and fulfillled her purposes.
That wasn't the same woman that sat in front of him at this moment. The native american traits she had chosen as her
disguise reflected sadness and all-consuming worry. As she looked back up at him, her eyes were filled with
grief and pain.
And tears?
Forge's heart suddenly dropped. What could have possibly brought the almighty Raven Darkholme to this point?
"I....." Raven choked back a sob. "God, I hate this!! I hate being weak!! I hate being scared!! I was never either, Forge!!
You know that!!" She was dissolved in tears now. She turned away, burying her head in her hands in shame.
Forge gently reached for Raven's shoulders. He loved her once. He still did. "Raven, God!! What happened?! Why did
you call me here? Please, Raven." She was looking him in the face now. " I cannot help if you do not tell me,"
Raven's eyes softened and a sad smile spread across her face. She took a deep breath, trying to gather enough courage
to go through with this. Finally, she spoke. "Yes, Shaman. I do need your help. If you still care enough for me to give it."
Forge cradled Raven in his arms. "I never stopped caring, Raven." He reassured. "Now, tell me. What can I do? Name
it, and I will do all in my power for you." He lifted her head and gazed into her eyes.
"Yes, I will tell you everything. I will tell everyone everything. But not here. I can't here." Raven looked around her.
"That is not a problem. I agree. This is definitley not the place to be airing out your dirty laundry. " Forge rose to his
feet, motioning to Raven. "I'll take you back to my headquarters. You'll be safe there. We'll have privacy there." He
gently brushed her cheek. Even as desperate as she was for help, whe still had her trademark mysteriousness cloaking
her.
She smiled, leaving the money for her drink on the table. She looked so fragile, so vunerable.
"Thank you, Forge. " She said sincerely.
As they drove out of the seedy neighborhood, Forge looked over at Raven, still in her Indian princess cover, and smiled.
"There is no need for cover-ups here. " He told her. "You know, you can just be yourself."
Raven smiled weakly, allowing herself to melt back into her blue-skinned, red-haired form. Even like this, she looked so
needy, so helpless.
After a long silence, Forge finally cleared his throat. "Raven." he started. "Can you tell me what this is all about?"
Raven sighed, her golden eyes looking toward him. As tears again streamed down her blue cheeks, she rasped. "It's time
that I come clean, Forge. Put right everything I have done wrong. Or at least try." Raven trailed, looking nervously at
the road ahead.
Forge's eyes widened. "Raven? Did I hear you right?"
Raven looked back to Forge. He could tell from the fear in her voice and the expression on her face that this was not the
old Raven. The one he was used to lying , cheating, and conning her way through things. There was nothing but sincerity
as she whispered her quest to him.
"Let's just say," Raven said, " That I am a lost soul trying to find redemption. Trying to find her way home again."
****************
"I must say, my friend." Hank beamed in sheer pride and excitement as he listened to Kurt's belly through his stethoscope.
"Yours happens to be the healthiest pregnancy I have had the pleasure of attending, male or female." Hank laughed as he
rolled up the stethoscope and gingerly lowered Kurt's shirt back down over his stomach.
"Danke Gott." Kurt smiled as he looked down at his stomach and rubbed it proudly. He sat on the edge of the examination
table, legs dangling over the side. Each passing checkup was a relief to the Wagners. There was so many unknowns about
this procedure. But so far, Kurt was sure that God was watching over him and his children.
Kitty hugged Kurt, her arms wrapped around his large, bulging stomach. Kurt was well into his seventh month, and hugging
him was getting more difficult to do these days. But she loved it. She knew the bigger Kurt grew, the better the babies
were doing.
Hank pushed his glasses back up on his nose and began to scribble in Kurt's records. He looked back up at the young man.
Kurt looked rather pale and tired to him. But, considering that Kurt had three children bogging him down, it was clearly
understandable.
"How do you generally feel, Kurt?" Hank asked, patting Kurt's bulge. Everyone around him had made that a nasty habit lately.
It made him happy, knowing his family loved these children and looked forward to their birth as much as he and Kitty did.
Kurt sighed, and then smiled. "Well, it's like this. I am back and forth to the bathroom. I can't seem to eat enough.
My entire body aches from lugging this extra weight around, not to mention I feel like I'm sleeping with a twenty pound
sack of potatoes in my pants at night. I'm as big as a house...." Kurt smiled as one of the babies kicked hard inside him.
He rubbed his belly. "Oops. I think I awoke one of the tendants downstairs." He chuckled. Kitty began rubbing his belly
soothingly. He looked back at Hank. "You know what, though?"
"That is?" Hank asked.
"I wouldn't trade this experience for the world. For my children, for my babies, these minor discomforts are such a small price to
pay. It's worth every bit." He smiled.
"Indeed, my friend, Indeed!!" Hank wholeheartedly agreed.
"Well, don't you worry, my precious elf. You and these babies have me at your every beck and call. Just think of me as your personal
genie. Yours for the asking." Kitty said sweetly, resting her head in his chest.
After their hug broke, Kurt proceeded to stretch, looking back down at his belly. He chuckled yet again, and looked to Kitty. "I still
don't know how you women do it!! I mean, after all, carrying these three around is harder than it looks." He grinned as he gingerly eased'
off the edge of the examination table and back onto his feet. He groaned as he began massaging his lower back and looked up to the ceiling.
"Oh, my aching back!" He moaned to himself. He looked back to Kitty, grinning tiredly.
"Hang in there, Dad." Hank reassured. "After all, you only have two more months left to go."
"Ja. That will definitley be a load off." Kurt laughed at the irony. "No pun intended."
Kitty smiled broadly and nodded her head in agreement. "Oh, I can't wait!" She giggled as she took a good look at her husband. He was so
happy, that much she could tell. But she took in his physical appearance as well. Bless his heart. Kurt appeared pale, and had slight bags
under his eyes. His face was unshaven. She looked back to his belly. It was swollen so big. " Only in his seventh month, and he's already
big enough to be in his ninth." Kitty thought to herself . Of course, carrying three babies instead of one would do that to a person.
Kitty looked into Kurt's eyes, gingerly brushing his hair out of his face. "You really look like you could use a nap, Sweetheart." Kitty cooed
to him.
Kurt yawned again. Between his late night cravings and the triplets doing gymnastics inside him just when he would start to fall asleep, there
was little time for rest.
"Tell me, Kurt," Hank asked. "How are you sleeping?"
Kurt sighed again, then smiled. "Well, I was sleeping well last night. That is, until the babies decided to have a little soccer game around
2:30 this morning. I have been awake ever since." Kurt said.
"Well, that is understandable. I suggest a body pillow." Hank stated. "The utmost comfort is needed for someone in your condition."
Kurt nodded, slightly annoyed. He couldn't help himself. He was exhausted. "Ja,ja. I will do as Kitty says and take a nap. I would like to get
off my feet for a while anyway." Kurt said as he gathered Kitty in his arms.
"Oh, yes. Have you been practicing your breathing, Kurt?" Hank asked further.
Kurt smiled. Kitty answered before he had the chance. "Oh, yes!! I have bought every lamaze tape I could lay my hands on!! Kurt and I have
been watching them together for the past couple of weeks!! I'm going to be his coach!!" Kitty said. " This is going to be as easy as I can possibly
make it for Kurt." Kitty said as she patted Kurt on the back reassuredly.
"That's terrific!! I suppose I should explain the actual birth process in this whole matter to the both of you. Now is as good a time as any."
Hank said. "Please Kurt, have a seat."
Kurt sat in the chair Hank offered him. He grinned nervously and swallowed hard. He would go through the depths of hell for these children. Indeed,
he knew it was going to feel something like that when the time came. Hank had explained the entire procedure from start to finish to both Kurt and Kitty
when he first learned of this procedure. Kurt knew that there was going to be a considerable amount of pain involved in bringing these children into
the world. Hank told him so seven months ago before even agreeing to this experiment. Yet, it seemed so far away at the time. He had put the little fact
of the excruciating priming contractions of the orb in the back of his mind. Yet, here he was, seven months pregnant, and his due date was drawing closer.
All the horror stories he had ignored were now becoming more of a concern to him. He now knew all too well the fear women went through expecting their children.
Kurt looked up at Hank awaiting the explanation of the birth.
Kurt was scared to death.
No less fearful was his wife, Kitty. This had been such a miraculous, wonderful time for the both of them. Being a medical first both excited and amazed Kitty.
This procedure was a gift from God. An answer to the both of their prayers. Watching their babies grow with each passing month inside her husband caused Kitty to
feel a love she didn't know existed. Yet, she wanted this whole ordeal over and done with. As much, if not more so, than Kurt himself did. Not only to be able
to finally hold her children in her arms, but it would all be over with, and her children and husband all four would be safe.
"Now, Kurt." Hank said, kneeling beside him. He gingerly lifted Kurt's shirt again. "After the orb has reached its strongest contractions, I will cut an incision
approximatly four inches long right beneath your navel." Hank began to trace where the incision would be with a pencil right underneath Kurt's bellybutton, which had
turned from an innie to an outie. "I will then proceed to slice a corresponding incision into the orb's wall. The diamond-hard techno-organic wall of the orb should
be soft at this point. You will actually be able to push with the orb's final birthing contractions, and your children will slip into the world through the incision."
Hank explained.
Kurt nodded. "I understand completely." Kurt reassured Hank, trying not to let his fear show.
"Uh, Kurt." Hank gazed into Kurt's eyes, wanting him to fully understand what he had to say next. "You do know that painkilling drugs have no affect on the orb, don't you?"
Kurt took a deep breath . Yes, he remembered something about that too in Hank's initial explanation of this procedure. But he was too
excited to care. It didn't change how he and Kitty felt about it. Through all of the stories Hank had told him, all Kurt could see was the opportunity to finally have
the child that he and Kitty so desperately wanted. Still, Kurt was no fan of pain. While he did have a rather high pain threshold, he wasn't sure anything could
fully prepare him for what he was going to go through. This pain was going to be well worth it all, that much he was sure of.
Still, he couldn't help being afraid.
"Ja, I remember. But, as they say, no pain, no gain." Kurt smiled, rising to his feet. Kitty took his hand.
"Now, if you'll excuse us, Hank," Kitty said tenderly, " I need to get my pregnant husband to bed. He's going to need all the rest he can get."
As they walked up the stairs to their bedroom, Kitty began to think of all the suffering Kurt was going to go through. She remembered her labor with
Jacob, but she also recieved an epidural. She didn't really feel a thing. Her poor husband was going to go through sheer agony. and there was nothing that could
be done for it, except her support and soothing words.
"And I'll be there every step of the way, Fuzzy, that you can count on." Kitty thought to herself with pure love for Kurt and her children filling her heart.
****************
After two pots of coffee and four hours of explanation and revelations, Forge sat in disbelief.
"Raven, why didn't you tell me sooner?" Why?" Forge asked, searching her face for an answer.
Raven looked down at the table in front of her, shame in her face. "I..." She was crying again. "I
couldn't. I didn't want to be weak. Call it pride. I've never needed anyone, Forge, and I never want to need
them." She looked back up at him. "Besides, what could you have done? I'm dying! Whether I told you six months
ago or told you just now, it doesn't change things!! I already had advanced leaukemia when the doctor found it."
Forge looked sadly at the coffee cup in front of him. She had spilled everything, right down to the last detail.
Questions everyone had asked for so many years concerning Raven Darkholme had been answered just then and there.
It was almost too much for his mind to process. Her true name. Her true age. Who her parents were and her
childhood. Where she was from. Everything about her past was layed in front of him. Things he suspected,
things he would have never dreamed of. "Why did you wait so long, Raven?" Forge asked.
Raven was nearly insulted by the question. "For God's sake, Shaman!! What do I have to loose now!!"
She ran her hands through her vibrant red hair. She looked back up at Forge. "So, will you help me or not?"
Forge nodded. "Of course, I will help you. You know that." Forge grabbed her hand in a comforting gesture. He couldn't
help but consider what might have been. Especially if he knew then what he knew now. With these facts layed forth, she
didn't seem to be half the bitch she had let on.
"I have so much to fix. So much wrong that I have to put right. Especially with my children. They are my top priority.
Moreso Kurt, considering his situation." She said quietly.
"That reminds me, just how did you learn of Kurt's, ur, condition?" Forge asked.
Raven laughed. "Wake up Forge!! I'm a shapeshifter!! I can infiltrate places you have only dreamed!! I can literally become
the fly on the wall!! Keeping track of my estranged offspring have been one of the easiest tasks I have accomplished over the years."
She took a deep breath. "And now, it's time. Time to tell them all, to come completely clean." She was tearing up once more.
"You do realize," Forge interrupted, "That this will change everything, everyone's lives once you tell them what you told me?"
Forge asked, his eyes questioning her.
Raven nodded. "Yes, hopefully for the better. I have to put my son's mind at ease. My poor Kurt." Raven was now crying in her
folded arms. "All these years, thinking I didn't love him, didn't want him. And nothing could be further from the truth. I had
to lie to him!! To protect him!! It kept him from asking too many questions."
Forge shook his head. "Well, I hope you are right. At least, Kurt will have a true heritage. A legacy."
Raven nodded and smiled.
"I have already booked our flight to Westchester, New York." Forge said. "We leave in the morning. The Professor knows we
are coming, so hopefully he will break the ice with Kurt and the others for us. Until then..." Forge looked at Raven. "Get some
rest."
Raven nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes. From the same eyes her son had. "Yes, Thank you, Forge, more than you will ever know.
If I live long enough, hopefully I can make amends with you, as well." Raven said gratefully.
