Disclaimer: Yadda yadda yadda, Marvel owns it all.
A/N: This is it folks….hope you enjoyed the ride and there will be an epilogue coming shortly (after I have recovered from an all-day hike lovingly bestowed on us by my archaeology teacher)
Chapter 9
Time: about a month later
Two figures sat on a park bench overlooking a sunrise. A red leaf floated softly to the ground, and was picked up by a carefully manicured hand.
"Amazing isn't it?"
"Yes, it is. Somehow it still manages to amaze me."
"Human nature or the fact that we live to see another fall?"
"Oh, I never doubted you wouldn't see another season, I had my doubts about myself."
"The indomitable Emma Frost?"
"We've both sacrificed things for this, things that no one will ever know about. Are you sure you're okay with that?"
"It was worth it. Julianna will be good for this country, and mutants will be safe. That makes it worthwhile…no matter the cost." The last words were whispered, a sharp stab of pain going through Jubilee.
"Yes, she will be good for us." Emma peered at the younger woman intently, her ice blue eyes searching Jubilee's face. "I've been meaning to ask you, how did you manage to overpower Mystique?"
"The moment I looked in her eyes I could feel that she was so full of anger and passion, it wasn't that hard to ignite it to the point where she began to loose control over her shields." Jubilee sighed sadly and unconsciously rubbed her wrist. "In any other life she could have been me."
"Hardly." Emma snapped. "She chose death and you chose life." Even in the warm light of the dawn, Emma could feel the hurt and despair radiating from the younger woman in waves. "That above all should be something to be proud of." She smiled suddenly, as if realizing something for the first time. Saying nothing, Emma merely helped Jubilee up and led her back to the mansion. "Let's go, we don't have much time left."
-in-
A robin fluttered between the tree branches, peering down at the amassed assemblage of people. Landing gently on the oak tree branch, it warbled enthusiastically the sweet sounds causing the guests to look up at the red-breasted bird.
"Rather fitting, don't you think?" Beast grinned at Storm who was sitting beside him. "Even all of nature seems to approve of this."
"You think that they're ready for this?" Storm fingered the pale petals of the rose in her lap.
"This child has managed to save mutants at the expense of her childhood. This is her due."
Bobby escorted the newly elected president Julianna Pearson to her seat near the front where Remy was waiting for her with a smile. "So how do you feel, being the newest president and in the middle of one of the biggest gatherings of mutants in history?"
Julianna smoothed out her pale pink dress, and accepted the white rose from Bobby with a smile. Laying her hand on Remy's she squeezed it. "I have to admit I was a tad surprised when Jae…Jubilee told me who she really was. But in the end…in the end she's still one of the best friends I have, one that I owe my life to several times over. And this?" She gestured to the people sitting around her. "This just makes me happy…and I'm going to get someone to take me flying before the day is out."
Remy burst into laughter, his red eyes sparkling. "I bet we can get that arranged."
Suddenly a hush came over the audience and the unearthly tunes of a lilting melody began playing. Paige began walking down the aisle, her blond hair entwined with a beautiful arrangement of red, yellow and orange leaves. She was wearing a simple knee-length dress made out of a jade green silk that flowed gently around her body. Escorting her down the aisle was Angelo, in a white dress shirt with matching jade pants. Smiling they took their place on either side of Kurt who was wearing his vestments.
Next came Sean and Emma, holding on to each other with a possessiveness that came from a very long talk that they had the night before. Now Emma's face shone with a pure and radiant joy, and Sean smiled to himself as if he owned the riches of the earth and had them in his hands. Her dress was almost identical with Paige's but it had been made floor length. Kissing Sean's cheek, Emma stood beside Paige as Sean joined Angelo.
Kurt smiled and the music became triumphant, and the entire audience stood and turned to the back where Jubilee was standing in a filmy white wedding gown. It was off the shoulder, and made from antique lace and silk, embroidered with flowers and silver. Her hair was still short so tiny jeweled clips had been placed all over her head, making her bright blue eyes sparkle and dance. Small diamonds twinkled at her ears, and she looked up with love at her groom, who was gazing back at her with adoration in his eyes.
Together Logan and Jubilee proceeded down the long walkway, past their friends and teammates. In the first row, the professor was watching with pride in his eyes. As Jubilee passed him she pulled a tulip from her bouquet and handed to him with a kiss.
"Thank you Jubilee, May your life be filled with happiness."
Jubilee smiled. "I can't see it any other way."
With a slight nudge Logan and Jubilee stood in front of Kurt who looked at them with a wide grin. "Friends, we have come together today to witness Jubilation Lee and Logan Wise in matrimony. We have witnessed in the past few months the death of comrades and the birth of a future for mutants. Today, we join two people who are deeply in love."
The robin, curious, flapped its way down to the white trellis that was shielding the minister and couple. Chirping, it listened to the quiet words of the blue man, and the obvious love from which it was said. Rings of white gold were slipped on the appropriate fingers, and the robin fluttered even closer to hear the words.
"I place in your trust my heart, and all that it entails. From the moment we first met, we were meant to be friends, partners and eventually lovers. So, I know that I will love you, protect you, and be with you for the rest of my days. And while we both have no family left, I promise I will be everything I can be for you. And this…" Jubilee's eyes shone as she place Logan's hand on her slightly swollen belly. His eyes widened as he could feel the minute fluttering of a heartbeat inside.
Logan swallowed hard for a moment, and then gently traced her cheek. "Ya know, I had a really eloquently prepared vow all ready to go, and then ya go and do something like this. Darlin, it may have taken me a while to realize it, but I love you more than anything I could have ever thought of. You have saved my life more times than I can count, you gave me a past when no one else could, and now you give me a future. I love you Darlin', and while I'm not the greatest with words I'll spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you."
The two gazed at each other, oblivious to the audible sound of crying and noses being blown. Kurt held out two small cups filled with sake, which Logan and Jubilee took. With sure hands, the cups were exchanged nine times and then drunk.
Kurt held up his hands to the crowd. "I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Logan Lee-Wise!" A rainbow shot across the sky as a sunbeam fell directly on the two. Logan bent over and swung Jubilee up in his arms and kissed her deeply to the crowd's delight as the clapped and cheered. Laughing, the two ran down the aisle under the shower of jasmine blossoms to the two Harleys, one black and the other a bright purple, bedecked with lace and crepe paper. Wolverine revved up the engine watching with love as his bride, kissed her friends goodbye. Then with a final wave, the two bikes roared off down the road, to a destination only known to the two heading towards it.
-fin-
A/N for those wondering the person who died in the one scene will be revealed in the epilogue so stayed tuned…sheesh! as if I could kill off Wolverine!
