AUTHOR'S NOTE: I want to thank Roque, Silverdream, and Daughter of the
Damned for their wonderful reviews and suggestions. Keep 'em coming! I
love to see them! I know that some people may be bored by now... but this
isn't a happening story, it's an emotional journey of sorts. Does that
make sense? I hope so.
NEways... I hope that you enjoy this. I'm getting ready to leave for
college next month, and things are starting to get hectic. So, this could
be it for a little while. So if you have any suggestions or requests,
please post them in a review to make it simpler for me. That's all I ask.
Many thanks to Parodys once again for THE HUNGER, the wonderful fic that
inspired all this..........
What they'd had in mind was just short of full-out mayhem. No sooner had the gay men recruited anyone they could get their hands on (with the exception of Moira, Vanessa-who had finally fallen asleep-and Jade), than their mischief had begun! Among their "criminal" activities included two full-fledged pillow fights, six random tickle attacks, one well-placed whoopee cushion, a bucket of water that drenched Jared and Lennier when they opened the door, and turning off the power to Jubilee's new room using the fuse box in the cellar. They even threw a smoke bomb in the bathtub, and they were forced to flee the room for a while in the best interest of their lives. When they returned, Moira gave them hell and Tori smacked both of them up-side their heads. Jubilee had the time of her life, and had to duck into the sulfur-smelling bathroom for several minutes to cover up her laughter. _She_ didn't feel like incurring Moira's wrath any more than she had to... as it was, she received a lecture on smelling "all those harmful fumes. Really, Jubilation Lee, I expected you to use your head!" It was Jared's turn to duck into the bathroom then, and he didn't emerge until his wife had left, snickering and grinning rather broadly. Now that the furniture was all set up just the way Jubilee wanted it, people chose their favorite nook and flopped themselves down. It was a scene not unlike the past night in the secondary living room-except that this time it was tradition: every time somebody moved into Gatewood House, the whole family helped out, and then celebrated in the new family member's room. Two wine bottles were open on an antique coffee table, alongside crackers and cheese on a platter and pieces of fruit on another. Sarah, Rory, and Rain had not come home yet-Brian was out doing his weekly duty of bartending at a friend's local dance club. Tori, with a great sigh of contentment and relief, announced that she had the night off. She promptly disappeared from the room, and returned carrying a portrait of very old, very regal-looking women. There were seven all told: each very different from the other. There was an antique woman with Dutch-style blonde braids wearing a peasant dress. A tall brunette with streaks of gray stood in the back wearing a tightly-laced black widow's dress. There was even a gray-haired lady, wrinkles lacing her glowing face, who sat in the center. She wore a man's old dark gray suit and was holding a cigarette... an altogether risqué woman for the nineteenth century. With great display, Tori hung the group portrait over Jubilee's private fireplace. Everyone stood back, admiring and pondering it. Tori had her hands in fists on her narrow hips, her thin frame held ramrod straight. "The original owners of Gatewood House," she said solemnly, "May they look down upon us and say 'Damned fine job, gals!'" Jubilee stood beside her, and she felt two separate arms go around her waist: one was Tori, the other, Jared. Jason put his strong hand on her right shoulder; Maxamillian put his slender one on her left. She was wanted; she was held. She was loved. She was with family. She was where she belonged. She was home.
*I can't believe how wonderful this feels! It's like... I've finally found where I've belonged the whole time. The love here is such a tangible thing; I never have to go far for a little affection or ask so many questions to get my answers. It's all right here. How could I have missed this? I've found the one place in the world where nothing matters except loving one another. Nobody leaves here unchanged: nobody here gets left the way they were found. Damn, but that's such a rare and precious thing. I know that I'm happy here, and I know that my baby will be happy and loved here as well. And he'll never lack for anything. The people here have so much to give. They've all had so much taken away, we all have our terrible secrets, personal tragedies, heartaches, mercenary instincts... we're all killers in a way. But you know what? None of that matters. Because here, it's all about love. It's kind of like this major Doctor Jeckle/ Mister Hyde thing going on inside Gatewood House: we kill on need and love on instinct. I know protection here like nothing I've ever felt before... a strange kind of peace has settled into my gut; into my very being. I'm not afraid of anything anymore. That's what this place does to you. We all have had so much taken from us, but we've got so much more left to give because of it. Strange and weird, I know. I can't explain it-there is so much here to be afraid of, more so than the emotional scarring of Xavier's, but there is so much to need here. There is so much to protect; to preserve. Everyone one of these people are to be feared and dreaded... but they all have to be needed and loved as well. Put the black against the white, and they are found to be both. And I swear to God, and anyone else listening too, that I will live with all my heart and soul... I will carry out this message, and I hope that someday... someday Logan and the others will find their way here as well. I hope that someday, the healing begun here will spread to the world. Oh, my baby; my darling, unborn child: don't ever let go of the precious sun to be found here. Never leave this place behind for long. It will always be sanctuary for you; it will always be home. Never wander far, my loving boy, for you will always be taken care of. Gatewood House is never too far to not be!* "Come on Jubilee, it's time for bed."
Jubilee awoke the next day in her own part of Gatewood House, and smiled contentedly. A warm body next to her turned, and snuggled up to her. An arm was flung gently across her still-flat middle. She closed her eyes briefly, the smile still playing about her lips. "Morning," Tori breathed sleepily into her ear. "Morning," she replied with a chuckle, "Did you have any nightmares this time?" "Nope... you?" "None... thanks for spending the night with me. I always did sleep better if I had someone else nearby." "I understand." Neither of them moved for some time. The alarm clock on the dresser blinked eleven o'clock. Jubilee sighed heavily. "We should probably get up." "Moira will be serving breakfast soon. Either that... or brunch." "I would say brunch." "Me too," Tori sighed, echoing Jubilee, "I guess we _should_ get up after all." "Hmm." Tori laughed then, and got up with an exaggerated groan. Jubilee flung off the rest of the covers, and laughed at Tori, who was stretching with a dancer's grace and yawning wide enough to put a lion to shame. Her mane of pre-Raphaelite rust-brown curls cascaded down her back in a mass of tangles, and was frizzed out at odd angles. "What?" Tori grouched, one arm bent over her shoulder in a stretch. Jubilee laughed again, pointing to Tori's head. Tori frowned, and checked herself out in the mirror in the bathroom. "Oh, my God," she groaned, "It's gonna be a _nightmare_ trying to tame this down! Oh, ha, _God_!" "You look like Frankenstein's wife!" "Tell me about it!"
Joshua knocked on the door a few minutes later. He entered upon their invitation, and called out from the "Living Room" section: "Hey-are you two ever gonna come down to eat? Moira's been throwing dark looks at the staircase for half an hour now!" "Coming, coming; keep your pants on!" Tori snapped, sauntering out of the "bedroom". Jubilee could here them bickering good-naturedly as they walked down the hall. "See you in a few minutes, babe!" Tori called over her shoulder before they left. Jubilee smiled, stepping into the shower. *I feel like a new woman today,* she thought happily, adjusting the temperature of the water, *I think I'll have CJ and JC take me shopping today. They're always fun to have around to celebrate. That is, _if_ Moira doesn't have them serving time for their pranks last night!* Jubilee laughed to herself, feeling lighter than she had in... *I guess years, really. Wow-damn, but that's a long time to not have anyone there to catch you when you fall. I never even realized... damn.* The cold water woke her up better than coffee could. She almost laughed as she used shampoo and body wash pilfered from Sarah's room. They smelled like lilies. She had never been one to pay attention to perfume or bath stuff, and the fact that suddenly found it fun filled her with a bubbly sense of joy.
She entered the kitchen with her short black hair plastered to her head, wearing boxer shorts and an over-sized T-shirt. Moira gave her a plate of food and a kiss, then promptly launched into a lecture on how Jubilee should wear something warmer around the house when she was pregnant, and what the hell did she think she was doing parading around the house with wet hair when she needed to take better care of herself; she didn't sleep long enough, she didn't eat right... Moira managed to make the tirade last through the first half of Jubilee's late breakfast. By that time, Brian had come home and everyone save Jade was lounging around the kitchen in various stages of eating. She only stopped when the front door was heard to open and close; voices and the sounds of heavy items being plunked on the floor carried down the hallway. Wearing a confused look, Moira called out. "Hello?" "Hello!" Rory and Rain staggered happily into the kitchen with red and tired faces. The noise and welcoming chaos was sudden and loud as husband and wife received a week's worth of missed affections. Rory swept Jubilee up into a bear hug before Moira smacked him upside the head. "Put her _down_, you idiot! She's in no condition to be rough-housing!" Bewildered and amused by Moira's sudden attack, he sheepishly and immediately set her down. Rain threw an arm around her Irish husband, her bony shoulders shaking with the effort of trying not to laugh at their expressions. Her sun-bleached blonde hair instantly fell into her eyes. "Moira, honey," she said grinning and failing at not laughing, "I _know_ that you're overprotective... but the kid don't _look_ sick!" Moira snorted, and Jubilee smiled shyly. "That's because I'm pregnant," she said softly, returning Rain's brilliant smile with a grin of her own. It took a moment for it to settle in. Rory's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree as his mouth dropped open. Rain unintentionally mimicked him perfectly. Husband and wife looked at each other, eyes wide. They turned back to Jubilee, drawing in breath. "WOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The table and glassware jumped and rattled with their fierce hugging and celebration. Brian tilted his chair back as he laughed at them, and CJ had to help a hysterical JC up when he fell out of his. Joshua and Tori managed not to spill their coffee, but only just. Moira watched the circus with her hands on her hips, not a trace of amusement on her angelic face. She tapped her foot expectantly, her enormous stomach thrust out in front of her. "This is NOT (she shouted the 'not') a circus," she said indignantly, still tapping her foot as she had everyone's attention again, "This is a household where..." But she was cut off as Jared crossed the room and put his arms around her, thoroughly stopping any further remarks with a kiss. Moira responded remarkably well for a woman almost at full term. "Wife," he said gruffly when he stopped, looking deep into her eyes, "You have never made me happier than when you married me. But I think you will out-do even that when you give me my baby." There was an instant chorus of long and drawn-out "Awe" as Moira couldn't take it anymore and broke down crying. Jared chuckled smugly, rubbing her back as she buried her face as best she could in his shoulder. Rory and Rain, with Jubilee between them, sat down at the table. Moira dried her eyes and brushed off Jared's shoulders with her hands, picking at imaginary lint. Smiling, she handed Vanessa a plate of food as she headed up to her and Jade's bedroom. Conversations picked up again, and Rory and Rain were filled in and caught up on recent events. Promising to relate their adventures later, they immediately jumped up again and headed up after Vanessa. Jubilee sighed. *Love,* she thought, *is a beautiful thing.* Looking down at her flat abdomen, she placed a hand absently over it. She smiled unconsciously, and sighed contentedly. She didn't notice the looks of happiness and knowing smiles that were exchanged by the other members of the household. *So is Life,* she thought. AUTHOR'S NOTE: More to come, but I'm thinking about making it a sequel to this story, instead of continuing it. How does that sound? R/R and let me know!
What they'd had in mind was just short of full-out mayhem. No sooner had the gay men recruited anyone they could get their hands on (with the exception of Moira, Vanessa-who had finally fallen asleep-and Jade), than their mischief had begun! Among their "criminal" activities included two full-fledged pillow fights, six random tickle attacks, one well-placed whoopee cushion, a bucket of water that drenched Jared and Lennier when they opened the door, and turning off the power to Jubilee's new room using the fuse box in the cellar. They even threw a smoke bomb in the bathtub, and they were forced to flee the room for a while in the best interest of their lives. When they returned, Moira gave them hell and Tori smacked both of them up-side their heads. Jubilee had the time of her life, and had to duck into the sulfur-smelling bathroom for several minutes to cover up her laughter. _She_ didn't feel like incurring Moira's wrath any more than she had to... as it was, she received a lecture on smelling "all those harmful fumes. Really, Jubilation Lee, I expected you to use your head!" It was Jared's turn to duck into the bathroom then, and he didn't emerge until his wife had left, snickering and grinning rather broadly. Now that the furniture was all set up just the way Jubilee wanted it, people chose their favorite nook and flopped themselves down. It was a scene not unlike the past night in the secondary living room-except that this time it was tradition: every time somebody moved into Gatewood House, the whole family helped out, and then celebrated in the new family member's room. Two wine bottles were open on an antique coffee table, alongside crackers and cheese on a platter and pieces of fruit on another. Sarah, Rory, and Rain had not come home yet-Brian was out doing his weekly duty of bartending at a friend's local dance club. Tori, with a great sigh of contentment and relief, announced that she had the night off. She promptly disappeared from the room, and returned carrying a portrait of very old, very regal-looking women. There were seven all told: each very different from the other. There was an antique woman with Dutch-style blonde braids wearing a peasant dress. A tall brunette with streaks of gray stood in the back wearing a tightly-laced black widow's dress. There was even a gray-haired lady, wrinkles lacing her glowing face, who sat in the center. She wore a man's old dark gray suit and was holding a cigarette... an altogether risqué woman for the nineteenth century. With great display, Tori hung the group portrait over Jubilee's private fireplace. Everyone stood back, admiring and pondering it. Tori had her hands in fists on her narrow hips, her thin frame held ramrod straight. "The original owners of Gatewood House," she said solemnly, "May they look down upon us and say 'Damned fine job, gals!'" Jubilee stood beside her, and she felt two separate arms go around her waist: one was Tori, the other, Jared. Jason put his strong hand on her right shoulder; Maxamillian put his slender one on her left. She was wanted; she was held. She was loved. She was with family. She was where she belonged. She was home.
*I can't believe how wonderful this feels! It's like... I've finally found where I've belonged the whole time. The love here is such a tangible thing; I never have to go far for a little affection or ask so many questions to get my answers. It's all right here. How could I have missed this? I've found the one place in the world where nothing matters except loving one another. Nobody leaves here unchanged: nobody here gets left the way they were found. Damn, but that's such a rare and precious thing. I know that I'm happy here, and I know that my baby will be happy and loved here as well. And he'll never lack for anything. The people here have so much to give. They've all had so much taken away, we all have our terrible secrets, personal tragedies, heartaches, mercenary instincts... we're all killers in a way. But you know what? None of that matters. Because here, it's all about love. It's kind of like this major Doctor Jeckle/ Mister Hyde thing going on inside Gatewood House: we kill on need and love on instinct. I know protection here like nothing I've ever felt before... a strange kind of peace has settled into my gut; into my very being. I'm not afraid of anything anymore. That's what this place does to you. We all have had so much taken from us, but we've got so much more left to give because of it. Strange and weird, I know. I can't explain it-there is so much here to be afraid of, more so than the emotional scarring of Xavier's, but there is so much to need here. There is so much to protect; to preserve. Everyone one of these people are to be feared and dreaded... but they all have to be needed and loved as well. Put the black against the white, and they are found to be both. And I swear to God, and anyone else listening too, that I will live with all my heart and soul... I will carry out this message, and I hope that someday... someday Logan and the others will find their way here as well. I hope that someday, the healing begun here will spread to the world. Oh, my baby; my darling, unborn child: don't ever let go of the precious sun to be found here. Never leave this place behind for long. It will always be sanctuary for you; it will always be home. Never wander far, my loving boy, for you will always be taken care of. Gatewood House is never too far to not be!* "Come on Jubilee, it's time for bed."
Jubilee awoke the next day in her own part of Gatewood House, and smiled contentedly. A warm body next to her turned, and snuggled up to her. An arm was flung gently across her still-flat middle. She closed her eyes briefly, the smile still playing about her lips. "Morning," Tori breathed sleepily into her ear. "Morning," she replied with a chuckle, "Did you have any nightmares this time?" "Nope... you?" "None... thanks for spending the night with me. I always did sleep better if I had someone else nearby." "I understand." Neither of them moved for some time. The alarm clock on the dresser blinked eleven o'clock. Jubilee sighed heavily. "We should probably get up." "Moira will be serving breakfast soon. Either that... or brunch." "I would say brunch." "Me too," Tori sighed, echoing Jubilee, "I guess we _should_ get up after all." "Hmm." Tori laughed then, and got up with an exaggerated groan. Jubilee flung off the rest of the covers, and laughed at Tori, who was stretching with a dancer's grace and yawning wide enough to put a lion to shame. Her mane of pre-Raphaelite rust-brown curls cascaded down her back in a mass of tangles, and was frizzed out at odd angles. "What?" Tori grouched, one arm bent over her shoulder in a stretch. Jubilee laughed again, pointing to Tori's head. Tori frowned, and checked herself out in the mirror in the bathroom. "Oh, my God," she groaned, "It's gonna be a _nightmare_ trying to tame this down! Oh, ha, _God_!" "You look like Frankenstein's wife!" "Tell me about it!"
Joshua knocked on the door a few minutes later. He entered upon their invitation, and called out from the "Living Room" section: "Hey-are you two ever gonna come down to eat? Moira's been throwing dark looks at the staircase for half an hour now!" "Coming, coming; keep your pants on!" Tori snapped, sauntering out of the "bedroom". Jubilee could here them bickering good-naturedly as they walked down the hall. "See you in a few minutes, babe!" Tori called over her shoulder before they left. Jubilee smiled, stepping into the shower. *I feel like a new woman today,* she thought happily, adjusting the temperature of the water, *I think I'll have CJ and JC take me shopping today. They're always fun to have around to celebrate. That is, _if_ Moira doesn't have them serving time for their pranks last night!* Jubilee laughed to herself, feeling lighter than she had in... *I guess years, really. Wow-damn, but that's a long time to not have anyone there to catch you when you fall. I never even realized... damn.* The cold water woke her up better than coffee could. She almost laughed as she used shampoo and body wash pilfered from Sarah's room. They smelled like lilies. She had never been one to pay attention to perfume or bath stuff, and the fact that suddenly found it fun filled her with a bubbly sense of joy.
She entered the kitchen with her short black hair plastered to her head, wearing boxer shorts and an over-sized T-shirt. Moira gave her a plate of food and a kiss, then promptly launched into a lecture on how Jubilee should wear something warmer around the house when she was pregnant, and what the hell did she think she was doing parading around the house with wet hair when she needed to take better care of herself; she didn't sleep long enough, she didn't eat right... Moira managed to make the tirade last through the first half of Jubilee's late breakfast. By that time, Brian had come home and everyone save Jade was lounging around the kitchen in various stages of eating. She only stopped when the front door was heard to open and close; voices and the sounds of heavy items being plunked on the floor carried down the hallway. Wearing a confused look, Moira called out. "Hello?" "Hello!" Rory and Rain staggered happily into the kitchen with red and tired faces. The noise and welcoming chaos was sudden and loud as husband and wife received a week's worth of missed affections. Rory swept Jubilee up into a bear hug before Moira smacked him upside the head. "Put her _down_, you idiot! She's in no condition to be rough-housing!" Bewildered and amused by Moira's sudden attack, he sheepishly and immediately set her down. Rain threw an arm around her Irish husband, her bony shoulders shaking with the effort of trying not to laugh at their expressions. Her sun-bleached blonde hair instantly fell into her eyes. "Moira, honey," she said grinning and failing at not laughing, "I _know_ that you're overprotective... but the kid don't _look_ sick!" Moira snorted, and Jubilee smiled shyly. "That's because I'm pregnant," she said softly, returning Rain's brilliant smile with a grin of her own. It took a moment for it to settle in. Rory's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree as his mouth dropped open. Rain unintentionally mimicked him perfectly. Husband and wife looked at each other, eyes wide. They turned back to Jubilee, drawing in breath. "WOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The table and glassware jumped and rattled with their fierce hugging and celebration. Brian tilted his chair back as he laughed at them, and CJ had to help a hysterical JC up when he fell out of his. Joshua and Tori managed not to spill their coffee, but only just. Moira watched the circus with her hands on her hips, not a trace of amusement on her angelic face. She tapped her foot expectantly, her enormous stomach thrust out in front of her. "This is NOT (she shouted the 'not') a circus," she said indignantly, still tapping her foot as she had everyone's attention again, "This is a household where..." But she was cut off as Jared crossed the room and put his arms around her, thoroughly stopping any further remarks with a kiss. Moira responded remarkably well for a woman almost at full term. "Wife," he said gruffly when he stopped, looking deep into her eyes, "You have never made me happier than when you married me. But I think you will out-do even that when you give me my baby." There was an instant chorus of long and drawn-out "Awe" as Moira couldn't take it anymore and broke down crying. Jared chuckled smugly, rubbing her back as she buried her face as best she could in his shoulder. Rory and Rain, with Jubilee between them, sat down at the table. Moira dried her eyes and brushed off Jared's shoulders with her hands, picking at imaginary lint. Smiling, she handed Vanessa a plate of food as she headed up to her and Jade's bedroom. Conversations picked up again, and Rory and Rain were filled in and caught up on recent events. Promising to relate their adventures later, they immediately jumped up again and headed up after Vanessa. Jubilee sighed. *Love,* she thought, *is a beautiful thing.* Looking down at her flat abdomen, she placed a hand absently over it. She smiled unconsciously, and sighed contentedly. She didn't notice the looks of happiness and knowing smiles that were exchanged by the other members of the household. *So is Life,* she thought. AUTHOR'S NOTE: More to come, but I'm thinking about making it a sequel to this story, instead of continuing it. How does that sound? R/R and let me know!